GRIP ADHESIVE

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to an adhesive trip.

In the present patent the word“grip” refers to a plate-like device provided with a first side suitable for adhering to a smooth surface, where friction is to be increased, and a second side with a high friction coefficient (higher than the smooth surface where the first side of the grip is adhered).

Said grips are suitable for being applied on a slippery surface in order to create a rough area on said slippery surface and control the slipping of a body that rests on said grip.

For example, the grips can be applied on the fairing of a motorcycle and/or on the sides of a motorcycle frame in order to prevent the body and/or the legs of the motorcycle user from slipping relative to the motorcycle.

Alternatively, for example, the grips can be applied on the mats and/or pedals of a vehicle in order to prevent the soles of the shoes of a user from slipping relative to said mats and/or pedals. As a matter of fact, it is known that the soles of the user’s shoes will become slippery in case of water, dust, mud or humidity.

Alternatively, for example, the grips can be applied between a sheet of glass, which is suitable for acting as a support surface, and support legs of the sheet of glass, in such a way to prevent the sheet of glass from slipping relative to the support legs.

Said grips usually comprise a layer of rubber material, comprising a first side suitable for being disposed in contact with the body that must be prevented from slipping, and a second side opposite to the first side.

The grip usually comprises a biadhesive layer, comprising a first side applied on the second side of the layer of rubber material, and a second side suitable for being applied on the slipper surface - i.e. on the motorcycle, on the mats and/or pedals of the vehicle or on the support legs. The first side of the layer of rubber material is provided with a plurality of protuberances that create friction on the body in such a way to hinder a movement of said body relative to the slippery surface.

The grips of the prior art are impaired by a first drawback caused by the fact that said grips are not very effective and are not able to suitably control the slipping of the body relative to the slippery surface.

Consequently, said grips are not frequently purchased by the users because they do not provide an effective solution to the problem caused by the slipping of the body on the slippery surface.

Moreover, the grips of the prior art are impaired by a second drawback caused by the fact that the layer of rubber material has a high thickness due to the presence of protuberances on the first side of the layer of rubber material.

The protuberances are necessary to increase the friction between the layer of rubber material and the body in such a way to control the slipping of the body. The higher is the height of the protuberances, the higher the friction will be. Because of the high protuberances, the layer of rubber material and the grip have a high thickness. Consequently, the grip is not very practical.

A third drawback of the grips according to the prior art consists in the fact that, during production, said grips are shaped according to the function to be carried out. Otherwise said, different grips must be produced and purchased, each of them being suitable for carrying out a specific function.

GB190907909 relates to a cork handgrip for golf clubs and the like. The cork handgrip comprises a rectangular cork block with a longitudinal hole that houses a handle.

The purpose of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a grip that is effective, practical and comfortable to use.

An additional purpose is to disclose a grip with low thickness and high versatility.

These purposes are achieved according to the invention with the characteristics of the appended independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.

The grip of the invention is defined by claim 1. The advantages of the grip according to the invention are evident.

Said grip is suitable for being applied on any type of slippery surface. The layer of cork of the grip is suitable for coming in contact with a part of the user’s body, creating friction between the cork and the part of the user’s body, in such a way to prevent the part of the user’s body from slipping relative to the grip.

Moreover, said grip has a low total thickness and can be therefore used in various types of applications.

For the sake of clarity, the description of the grip according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of the grip according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a second embodiment of the grip according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a third embodiment of the grip according to the invention.

With reference to Fig. 1 , a first embodiment of a grip according to the invention is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral (100).

The grip (100) comprises a base packet (B) comprising a layer of cork (1 ) comprising a first side (1 a), suitable for being faced outwards in contact with a body, and a second side (1 b) in opposite position relative to the first side (1 a).

The layer of cork (1 ) is made of compressed cork, with minimum thickness of 1.5 mm.

The grip (100) advantageously comprises a protection layer (P) disposed on the first side (1 a) of the layer of cork (1 ), in such a way to protect the first side (1 a) of the layer of cork (1 ). The protection layer (P) comprises a mixture composed of 90% of extra virgin olive oil, 5% of sunflower oil, 3% of coconut oil and 2% of aloe vera oil.

The base packet (B) comprises a biadhesive film (2) comprising a first side (2a) that faces the second side (1 b) of the layer of cork (1 ), and a second side (2b) opposite to the first side (2a) of the biadhesive film (2). The second side (2b) of the biadhesive film (2) is suitable for being fixed on a surface. Such a surface is a slippery surface.

The biadhesive film (2) advantageously comprises an acrylic glue and has a thickness of 0.14 mm.

The base packet (B) comprises a layer of adhesion improver (3) between the first side (2a) of the biadhesive film (2) and the second side (1 b) of the layer of cork (1) to join the layer of cork (1 ) and the biadhesive film (2).

The layer of adhesion improver (3) is necessary to join the second side (1 b) of the layer of cork (1 ) with the first side (2a) of the biadhesive film (2). As a matter of fact, without the layer of adhesion improver (3), the biadhesive film (2) would not adhere to the layer of cork (1 ).

The layer of adhesion improver (3) is advantageously a cyclohexane and ethylbenzene-based primer. The layer of adhesion improver (3) has a thickness of at least 0.05 mm. Alternatively, the layer of adhesion improver (3) can be a paint or another substance suitable for penetrating inside the layer of cork (1 ) in order to adhere to the layer of cork (1 ), in such a way that the second side (1 b) of the layer of cork (1 ) is joined with the biadhesive film (2).

The advantages of the grip (100) of the invention are manifest, wherein the provision of the layer of cork (1) creates friction between the slippery surface and the body, in such a way to prevent the body from slipping relative to the slippery surface. In addition to being effective and easy to use, such a grip (100) has a low total thickness, which improves the comfort of use of said grip (100). Moreover, if the surface of the layer of cork that is faced outwards is painted with the same color as the slippery surface, the grip (100) will be not very visible on the slippery surface and will not make the slippery surface aesthetically unpleasant.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the grip (100) according to the invention, wherein two additional packets (U) are provided in addition to the base packet (B), said additional packets (U) being joined and disposed in adjacent position. A first additional packet has a surface that is faced outwards, whereas a second additional packet is disposed between the first additional packet and the base packet (B).

The two additional packets (U) are advantageously disposed with the relative layers in the same position.

It must be noted that, optionally, the grip (100) can also comprise only one additional packet (U).

Each additional packet (U) comprises a layer of cork (4) comprising a first side (4a) and a second side (4b) opposite to the first side (4a). Advantageously the layer of cork (4) of the additional packet (U) is identical to the layer of cork (1 ) of the base packet (B).

It must be noted that the first side (4a) of the layer of cork (4) is faced outwards. The protection layer (P) is applied on said first side (4a) of the layer of cork (4) of the first additional packet.

The additional packet (U) comprises a layer of adhesion improver (5) joined with the second side (4b) of the layer of cork (4) of the additional packet (U). Advantageously the layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U) is identical to the layer of adhesion improver (3) of the base packet (B).

The additional packet (U) comprises a layer of glue (6) joined with the layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U) and a layer of non- woven fabric (7), comprising a first side (7a) joined with the layer of glue (6) and a second side (7b) opposite to the first side (7a) of the layer of non-woven fabric (7).

The layer of adhesion improver (5) and the layer of glue (6) are necessary to join the layer of cork (4) to the layer of non-woven fabric (7). More precisely, the layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U) is adhered to the second side (4b) of the layer of cork (4) of the additional packet (U), whereas the glue (6) joins the first side (7a) of the layer of non-woven fabric (7) with the adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U).

Advantageously, the layer of glue (6) is an acetovynil-based adhesive with a thickness of at least 1 mm. Alternatively, the layer of glue (6) can be a polyurethane-based rubber. Advantageously, the layer of non-woven fabric (7) has a specific weight of 50 gr/m2 and preferably a thickness of at least 0.15 mm.

The grip (100) comprises a joining packet (C) disposed between two packets (U, B) in adjacent position in order to join the two packets (B, U).

Advantageously, the grip (100) shown in Fig. 2 comprises:

- a first joining packet, disposed between the two additional packets (U), in such a way to join the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of the first additional packet with the layer of cork (4) of the second additional packet;

- a second joining packet, disposed between the second additional packet (U) and the base packet (B), in such a way to join the layer of non- woven fabric (7) of the second additional packet with the layer of cork (1 ) of the base packet (B).

Each joining packet (C) comprises a layer of glue (9), which is identical to the layer of glue (6) of the additional packet (U), and a layer of adhesion improver (8), which is identical to the adhesion improver (3, 5) of the base packet (B) and of the additional packet (U).

The layer of glue (9) of the first joining packet (C) is joined with the second side (7b) of the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of the first additional packet. The layer of adhesion improver (8) of the first joining packet is disposed between the layer of glue (9) of the first joining packet and the first side (4a) of the layer of cork (4) of the second additional packet (U).

The layer of glue (9) of the second joining packet (C) is joined with the second side (7b) of the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of the second additional packet. The layer of adhesion improver (8) of the second joining packet is disposed between the layer of glue (9) of the second joining packet and the first side (1a) of the layer of cork (1 ) of the base packet (U).

The advantages of the second embodiment of the grip according to the invention are manifest. Because of the presence of the layer of non-woven fabric (7), in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment of the grip according to the invention, the grip (100) is characterized by high deformability properties and high resistance to bending and torsion. Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the grip (100) according to the invention, comprising a base packet (B) and a plurality of additional packets (U), which are joined by means of joining packets (C). A first additional packet is joined with the base packet (B) by means of a first joining packet.

Each additional packet can be positioned with the relative layers in the same position or in an inverted position relative to the additional adjacent packet.

According to the position of the additional packets (U), the joining packet (C) can join two layers of non-woven fabric (7), two layers of cork (1 , 4) or one layer of non-woven fabric (7) and one layer of cork (1 , 4).

In particular, when the joining packet (C) is to join the layer of non- woven fabric (7) of an additional packet (U) with the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of another additional packet (U), the joining packet (C) only comprises the layer of glue (9) disposed between the layers of non-woven fabric (7) of the two additional packets (U).

When the joining packet (C) is to join the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of an additional packet (U) with the layer of cork (1 , 4) of the base packet (B) or of any other additional packet (U), the joining packet (C) comprises the layer of adhesion improver (9) disposed between the layer of cork (1 , 4) and the layer of glue (9) disposed between the layer of non-woven fabric (7) and the layer of cork (1 , 4).

When the joining packet (C) is to join the layer of cork (1 , 4) of a packet (B, U) to the layer of cork (1 , 4) of another packet (B, U) the joining packet (C) comprises two layers of adhesion improver (8), each one being joined with one of the two layers of cork (1 , 4); said layer of glue (9) of the joining packet (C) being disposed between the two layers of adhesion improver (8).

Otherwise said, the grip may comprise additional packets, which are disposed in a different way and joined with the base packet and with the other additional packets by means of the joining packets. The main features of said grip (100) are:

- the biadhesive film (2) is faced outwards, in such a way to apply said biadhesive film (2) on the slippery surface; - one of the layers of cork (1 , 4) of the base packet or of one of the additional packets is faced outwards, in such a way to control the slipping of the body relative to the slippery surface.

The description continues with reference to the production method of the grip (100) according to the invention. Said process provides for making the base packet (B) by cleaning both sides of a cork element with a cleaner. Said cork element is the layer of cork (1 ) of the base packet (B). The cleaner is advantageous an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaner, and is applied on the cork layer (1 ) with a roller or a brush.

After applying the cleaner, the layer of cork (1 ) is disposed in a room with temperature comprised between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 21 °C, and relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%, preferably 50%. It is necessary to wait for at least 15 minutes for the isopropyl alcohol to evaporate.

The adhesion improver (3) is applied on the second side (1b) of the layer of cork (1 ); The layer of adhesion improver (3) is applied with a roller or with a brush.

The layer of cork (1 ) and the layer of adhesion improver (3) are disposed in a room with temperature comprised between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 21 °C, and relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%, preferably 50%. It is necessary to wait for at least 15 minutes for the layer of adhesion improver (3) to dry out;

A portion of biadhesive is prepared. Such a portion of biadhesive is the biadhesive film (2) of the base packet (B) and comprises a first protection film on the first side (2a) and a second protection film on the second side (2b). Advantageously, the protection film is paper with a thickness comprised between 0.08 mm and 0.15 mm.

The first protection film is removed from the first side (2a) of the biadhesive film (2) and the first side (2a) of the biadhesive film (2) is disposed on the layer of adhesion improver (3).

When the grip (100) comprises one or more additional packets (U), the production process of the grip (100) provides for a step in which each additional packet (U) is made by cleaning both sides of a cork element with a cleaner. The cork element is the layer of cork (4) of the additional packet (U). Advantageously, the cleaner is an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaner, and is applied on the layer of cork (4) with a roller or a brush.

After applying the cleaner, the layer of cork (4) of the additional packet (U) is disposed in a room with temperature comprised between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 21 °C, and relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%, preferably 50%. It is necessary to wait for at least 15 minutes for the isopropyl alcohol to evaporate.

The layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U) is applied on the second side (4b) of the layer of cork (4) of the additional packet (U). The layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U) is applied with a roller or with a brush.

The layer of cork (4) and the layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U) are disposed in a room with temperature comprised between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 21 °C, and relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%, preferably 50%. It is necessary to wait for at least 15 minutes for the layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U) to dry out.

The layer of glue (6) is applied on the layer of adhesion improver (5) of the additional packet (U). The layer of glue (6) of the additional packet (U) is applied with a roller or with a brush.

Both sides of an element made of non-woven fabric are cleaned with the cleaner. The element made of non-woven fabric is the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of the additional packet (U). The layer of non-woven fabric (7) is disposed in a room with temperature comprised between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 21 °C, and relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%, preferably 50%. It is necessary to wait for at least 15 minutes for the isopropyl alcohol to evaporate.

The first side (7a) of the layer of non-woven fabric (7) is disposed on the layer of glue (6);

After making the additional packets (U), the additional packets (U) are joined mutually and an additional packet is joined with the base packet (B). The additional packets (U) are joined mutually and with the base packet

(B) by means of the joining packets (C).

In particular, when the joining packet (C) is to join the layer of non- woven fabric (C) of an additional packet (U) with the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of another additional packet (U); the layer of glue (9) of the joining packet

(C) is applied on the second side (7b) of the layer of non-woven fabric (7) of one of the two additional packets (U). The second side (7b) of the layer of non- woven fabric (7) of the other additional packet is disposed on the layer of glue (9).

When the joining packet (C) is to join the layer of non-woven fabric

(7) of an additional packet (U) with the layer of cork (1 , 4) of the base packet (B) or of another additional packet (U), the layer of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) is applied on the second side (1 b, 4b) of the layer of cork (1 , 49 of the base packet (B) or of the additional packet (U).

The layer of cork (1 , 4) and the layer of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) are disposed in a room with temperature comprised between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 21 °C, and relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%, preferably 50%. It is necessary to wait for at least 15 minutes for the layer of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) to dry out.

The layer of glue (9) of the joining packet (C) is applied on the second side (7b) of the layer of non-woven fabric (7). The second side (1 b, 4b) of the layer of cork (1 , 4) is disposed on the layer of glue (9) of the joining packet (C).

When the joining packet (C) is to join the layer of cork (7) of a packet (B, U) with the layer of cork (1 , 4) of another packet (B, U), each layer of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) is applied on the second side (1 b, 4b) of one of the two layers of cork (1 , 4). The layers of adhesion improver

(8) of the joining packet (C) are applied with a roller or with a brush.

Each layer of cork (1 , 4) and the layer of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) are disposed in a room with temperature comprised between 15°C and 25°C, preferably 21 °C, and relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%, preferably 50%. It is necessary to wait for at least 15 minutes for the layers of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) to dry out. The layer of glue (9) of the joining packet (C) is applied on one of the two layers of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) and the other layer of adhesion improver (8) of the joining packet (C) is disposed in contact with the layer of glue (9) of the joining packet (C).

After making all the packets and joining them, advantageously, the protection film (P) is disposed on the first side (1 a, 4a) of the layer of cork (1 , 4) suitable for being faced outwards in contact with the body.

The joined packets are pressed with a cold press for at least 15 seconds at a pressure comprised between 80 and 120 bar, preferably 100 bar.

Advantageously, the pressed packets are disposed on a flat horizontal surface.

It is necessary to let the pressed packets rest for at least 20 hours at a temperature comprised between 10° and 20° and at a relative humidity comprised between 40% and 60%.

The advantages of the process according to the invention are manifest, because it provides for making the grips (100) according to the invention in a simple, fast and inexpensive way.

Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, which are within the reach of an expert of the field, falling in any case within the scope of the invention as disclosed by the appended claims.