# US 7,608,655 B2 · Sprayable skin composition and method of applying > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,655 B2 - Document ID: US7608655B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/916,817 - Filed: 2004-08-12 - Published: 2006-02-16 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2004-08-12 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: William F. Lauersdorf; Kimberly A. Whitley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608655B2 ## CPC - C08K 5/0008: {Organic ingredients according to more than one of the "one dot" groups of C08K5/01 - C08K5/59} - C08K 3/34: Silicon-containing compounds - C08K 3/36: Silica - Y10T 428/24994: Fiber embedded in or on the surface of a polymeric matrix - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A sprayable skin composition and method of applying the skin composition is provided for use in reinforcing plastic products. The skin composition comprises a mixture of reinforcing wollastonite fibers and a synthetic resin, along with additional additives such as thixotropic agents, accelerators, stabilizers, and an air release agent. The composition is applied by spraying onto a gel coat in a mold and forms a gel within 1 to 3 minutes without the formation of air bubbles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sprayable skin composition for use in reinforcing plastic products comprising: about 15% to about 25% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of wollastonite reinforcing fibers; about 50% to about 80% by weight of said sprayable skin composition synthetic polyester resin wherein the synthetic polyester resin is orthophthalic polyester resins, isophthalic polyester resins, or mixtures thereof; and about 5% to about 15% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of a styrene monomer; wherein said sprayable skin composition gels in about 1 to about 3 minutes at ambient temperature after being sprayed onto a gel coated surface without the formation of air bubbles. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sprayable skin composition of claim 1 wherein said wollastonite has a mesh size of at least 100. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sprayable skin composition of claim 1 wherein said sprayable skin composition further comprises an accelerator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sprayable skin composition of claim 3 wherein said accelerator is selected from dimethyl para-toluidine, dimethyl aniline, diethyl aniline, dimethyl acetalacetamide, cobalt octoate, potassium octoate, copper naphthanate, quaternary ammonium salts, or mixtures thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sprayable skin composition of claim 1 further comprising an air release additive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sprayable skin composition of claim 1 further comprising a thixotropic agent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sprayable skin composition of claim 6 wherein said thixotropic agent comprises a combination of an organoclay and fumed silica. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sprayable skin composition of claim 1 further comprising a stabilizer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sprayable skin composition of claim 1 further comprising from about 5 to about 20% by weight chopped fibers. ### Claim 10 A sprayable skin composition for reinforcing products comprising: from about 15 to about 25% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of wollastonite; from about 50% to about 80% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of a synthetic polyester resin wherein the synthetic polyester resin is orthophthalic polyester resins, isophthalic polyester resins, or mixtures thereof; from about 5 to about 15% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of a styrene monomer; from about 0 to about 5% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of a thixotropic agent; from about 0 to about 5% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of an accelerator; and from about 0 to about 5% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of an air release additive; wherein said sprayable skin composition gels in about 1 to about 3 minutes at ambient temperature after being sprayed onto a gel coated surface without the formation of air bubbles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sprayable skin composition of claim 10 wherein said accelerator is selected from dimethyl para-toluidine, dimethyl aniline, diethyl aniline, dimethyl acetalacetamide, cobalt octoate, potassium octoate, copper naphthanate, quaternary ammonium salts, or mixtures thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The sprayable skin composition of claim 10 further comprising from about 0 to about 1% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of a stabilizer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The sprayable skin composition of claim 10 further comprising from about 5 to about 20% by weight of said sprayable skin composition chopped fibers. ### Claim 14 A method of applying a sprayable skin composition comprising: providing a molding surface; applying a gel coat to said molding surface; providing a sprayable skin composition comprising about 15% to about 25% by weight of said sprayable skin composition wollastonite reinforcing fibers, about 50% to about 80% by weight of said sprayable skin composition synthetic polyester resin wherein the synthetic polyester resin is orthophthalic polyester resins, isophthalic polyester resins, or mixtures thereof, and about 5% to about 15% by weight of said sprayable skin composition of a styrene monomer; applying said sprayable skin composition to said gel coat by spraying, wherein said sprayable skin composition gels within about 1 to about 3 minutes at ambient temperature after application without the formation of air bubbles. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein said molding surface comprises a mold defining a mold cavity. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein said mold is an open mold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising allowing said sprayable skin composition to cure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising removing the cured sprayable skin composition with said gel coat from said molding surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising applying one or more bulk reinforcing layers over said sprayable skin composition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The product made by the method of claim 14.