FR2617769A1 - Technique for producing lightweight, nonputrecible and nontoxic aquarium decorations intended to be immersed - Google Patents

Abstract

Technique for producing lightweight, nonputrecible, nontoxic aquarium decorations. These decorations are made of polystyrene or polyurethane foam, sculptured or moulded, painted and resin-coated with alimentary polyester resin. This technique makes it possible to produce large volumes at the top and bas-relief or high-relief and can be applied throughout the field concerned with aquariums.

Description

 The present invention relates to a technique for producing decorations intended to be immersed: Aquarium, large tanks, water features, fountains, waterfalls ...

 The aquarium decorations traditionally positioned behind the tank do not have any relief or are made of materials which do not allow the maximum plastic exploitation, in particular are too heavy and reserved for small shapes.

 This drawback is overcome by the use of new materials allowing the production of large polychrome decorations, non-toxic, unalterable and immutable, extremely light. This polychrome sculpture technique opens the door to all possibilities of plastic exploitation: round hump, high and bas-relief. The lightness of the materials makes it possible to position large decors inside or outside aquariums.

 A sculpture is made of polystirene, following a pre-established drawing. The polystirene used has a density of twenty-five kilograms per cubic meter (25Eg / ID). This material is then isolated by a thin layer of hot paraffin passed with a brush. The wax, which is directly tinted, is then painted using non-toxic oil paint, based on natural pigments: ocher, sienna, etc. Once the paint is dry, a layer of food-grade polyester resin isolates the sculpture as a whole, avoiding rot and possible harmfulness of the paints.

The decor is then stuck in the tray with silicone sealant.

 In the case of large tanks or aquatic decorations, bodies of water, waterfalls, fountains, etc., the rigid polyurethane foam is directly cast on the spot and subsequently sculpted according to the desired decor. The forms o obtained are then painted and isolated using polyester food resin.

 After having produced a precise model, without undercut, in polystirene or polyurethane mouse, it can be molded with polyester resin laminate. A layer of hot paraffin isolates the model, a first layer of resin is passed, then the glass fabric is applied and a second layer of polyester resin.

 From a wooden formwork and the molding sheet, the Isorob and Isothane are reacted inside, which are the two components of polyurethane foam. The sculpture can then be reproduced in hundreds of copies, then painted and resinated with food grade polyester resin. The polyurethane foam is not attacked by styrenes, it will not be isolated with wax.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention
FIG. 1 represents the model produced; example a low-connect in twenty-five t25) centimeters thick.

 - Figure 2 shows in section the same bas-relief ready to be positioned: The model (1) covered with a layer of wax (2) of paint (3) of polyester food resin (4).

 - Figure 3 shows the decor in rigid polyurethane foam (5), directly positioned on the support (6) and covered with a layer of paint (7) and food grade polyester resin (8).

 - Figure 4 shows the model of polystyrene ready for moulas (9), covered with paraffin wax passed hot with a brush, a sheet of laminate of polyester resin.

 - Figure 5 shows the formwork for receiving the polyurethane foam (it), the molding sheet (12) and the execution of the polyurethane foam print (13).

 This technique of making decorations of any shape, of very large volume, of minimal weight and of non-existent toxicity for fauna and flora, applies particularly to all the aquarium hobby, aquariums, pieces of water, waterfalls, etc ...

Claims (3)

Claims.  1) Technique for making non-toxic, rot-proof decors, intended to be immersed in aquariums, water features, fountains, waterfalls, etc.  The decor consists of a sculpture made of polyurethane foam (5) or expanded polysthyren (9) covered with a layer of para. fine (2), paint (5), polyester food resin (4). The decor can be made as a single piece (fig 3) or reproduced by polyurethane sousse drawing (fig 5) using an ioule produced on a model (9) made of a sheet of polyester resin (12 ) and a formwork (11).  2) According to claim 1, the decoration made as a single piece of polyurethane mastic (5) can be directly positioned on its support (6), sculpted, then covered with a layer of paint (7) and a layer of resin (8).  3) According to claim 1, the decoration produced in several copies which will subsequently be positioned inside or outside the tank, will be molded from a model (9) using a sheet of resin (12) isolated from the original by a layer of wax (10). The resin sheet (12) will be positioned on a formwork (11), the polyurethane foam will then be injected there (13).