Curing repair resin

Abstract

The present invention provides a repair resin composition for repairing breaks in a vehicle windscreen and curing units for curing the repair resin after it has been inserted into the break. The present invention also provides a method of repairing a vehicle windscreen, comprising inserting a resin into a repair zone, wherein the resin comprises a photoinitiator that activates when exposed to light of an activation wavelength, wherein the activation wavelength is between 370 nm and 425 nm, and curing the resin by emitting light including light within the activation wavelength range onto the repair zone.

1 . A method of repairing a vehicle windscreen, comprising:
 inserting a repair resin into a repair zone, wherein the resin includes a photoinitiator that activates when exposed to light of an activation wavelength, wherein the activation wavelength is between 370 nm and 425 nm; and   enhancing curing of the resin by emitting light including light within the activation wavelength range onto the repair zone.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resin will not cure in an enhanced manner at activation wavelengths of 365 nm or less but rather at wavelengths is between 370 nm and 425 nm 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is emitted by an LED device and is rated to emit at a single rated wavelength; and the device is capable of only emitting at that rated wavelength (with the exception of any leakage wavelengths above and below the rated LED wavelength). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 80% wt of the resin is not reactive to UV light. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein 1 to 5% wt of the resin activates upon exposure to light of the activation wavelength. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resin does not comprise any components that absorb UV light other than the photoinitiator. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rated activation wavelength is between 370 nm to 400 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rated activation wavelength is in the range between 380 nm and 390 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitted onto the repair zone has an intensity of at least 10 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light is applied to the repair zone using at least one LED. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one LED is spaced at least 15 mm away from the repair zone in a perpendicular direction. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one LED is spaced less than 10 cm away from the repair zone in a perpendicular direction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the initial step of mounting a curing unit to the windscreen using a mount apparatus spaced at least 10 cm from the centre of the repair zone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mount apparatus comprises a suction mount. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying pressure to the resin inserted into the repair zone during the curing of the resin. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising using a device positioned on the exterior side of the windscreen to apply the pressure to the resin. 
     
     
         17 . A curing unit for use in repairing a vehicle windscreen, comprising:
 a mount apparatus for securing the curing unit to the windscreen; and   a light emitter configured to emit light onto a repair zone, wherein:
 a) the mount apparatus is spaced at least 10 cm away from the light emitter; the light emitter being mounted by means of a rigid arm which is not able to deflect or bend; and/or 
 b) the light is emitted by an LED device and is rated to emit at a single rated wavelength; and the device is capable of only emitting at that rated wavelength (other than any leakage wavelengths above and below the rated LED wavelength). 
   
     
     
         18 . The curing unit of  claim 17 , wherein the mount apparatus comprises a suction mount. 
     
     
         19 . The curing unit of  claim 17 , wherein the unit is not capable of emitting a wavelength of 365 nm or less. 
     
     
         20 . The curing unit of  claim 17 , wherein the light emitter is configured to emit light of a wavelength between 370 nm and 400 nm. 
     
     
         21 . The curing unit of  claim 17 , wherein the light emitter is configured to emit light of a wavelength between 380 nm and 390 nm. 
     
     
         22 . The curing unit of  claim 17 , wherein the rigid arm is spaced at least 15 mm above a base of the mount apparatus in a perpendicular direction. 
     
     
         23 . A windscreen repair resin composition comprising:
 30 to 80% wt acrylates;   4 to 25% wt acids;   0.5 to 10% wt oxysilanes; and   1 to 10% wt UV activated photoinitiator.   
     
     
         24 . The resin of  claim 23 , comprising:
 40 to 70% wt acrylates;   6 to 18% wt acids;   1 to 5% wt oxysilanes; and   1 to 7% wt UV activated photoinitiator.