BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coating product for the inside walls of buildings, and to a method for applying the aforesaid coating product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A kind of commonly used decorating technique for wall surfaces is known as "Venetian stucco". This decorating technique is normally carried out according to a method comprising the layering of known coating products. More particularly, a first layer of colourless or white coating product is applied first on the surface to be decorated. After the first layer of product has dried, a second layer of a product of a desired colour is applied, in order to complete the wall decoration.

It has to be pointed out that the above coating products are rather pasty, and then they cannot be applied with the normally used spraying or coating means, like a bristle brush or a wool roller. The conventional coating products require instead a spatula or similar tool, which has to be used with a high craftsmanship in order to reach a sufficient job accuracy. The final decoration result is then largely dependent from the craftsman skill and experience in using said product application technique.

Moreover, according to the known decorating methods, the second, coloured coating product is applied only after a first colourless layer has been layered. The second coating product is obtained by adding colouring pigments to the uncoloured product, whose concentration cannot be accurately controlled. When more than one colouring operation is necessary to complete a wall decoration, most likely different colour shades will be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to solve the aforesaid technical

problems, by means of a coating product suitable for coating of interiors, which allows a decorating effect very similar to that obtained with the so called "Venetian stucco", without requiring any particular skill nor to be applied by an expert craftsman for reaching good results. Another object of the present invention is to provide a coating product for interiors which could be applied using traditional application means, like bristle brush means, roller means or the like.

Within the aforesaid tasks, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for applying said coating product, which is simple to carry out, and which provides an effective and homogeneous decorating effect.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a basic decoration kit containing all those products which allow to obtain the above decoration according to the present method, in a simple and immediate way. The aforesaid objects are fully attained, according with the contents of the appended Claims, by a product for coating of interiors, more particularly for decorating of the inside walls of buildings and similar surfaces, characterized in that it comprises a basic solution whose composition preferably comprises 25% to 55%, by volume of water, 0.4% to 3% by volume of a cellulose component, 0.05% to 2% by volume of a wetting component, 0.05% to 5% by volume of a glycol component, 0.1% to 3% by volume of a foam-preventing component, 0.05% to 1% by volume of a bactericidal component, 0.1% to 3% by volume of a coalescent component, 0.01% to 3% by volume of a suitable kind of oil, 25% to 65% by volume of Calcium carbonates, 2% to 15% by volume of an emulsion of resins. The characteristic features of the present invention will be better pointed out in the following, with particular reference made to the examples of the coating product composition reported therein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The coating product for interiors comprises a basic water solution comprising a plurality of components, which are present in said solution in suitable

percentages by volume, according to the what claimed in Claim 1. More particularly, the aforesaid basic solution consists of a water solution wherein there is diluted a certain amount of cellulose, which is fit to give the product a particular consistence, which varies according to the different decorating effects that are intended to be obtained. Moreover, the above solution comprises at least one wetting substance, glycol components, a foam- preventing component, a bactericidal component, a coalescent component, oil, Calcium carbonates and an emulsion of resins.

To the above basic solution some more components can be added, which are fit to achieve substantially two different kinds of decorating effects, giving corresponding variations of the "Venetian stucco" effect. A first kind of decorating product comprises, added to the basic solution, Calcium hydroxide, which gives the coating so obtained an aspect which is similar to the classic, ancient Venetian stucco. A second kind of decorating product comprises, added to the basic solution, a group of components, as a reclaiming agent, an emulsion of wax, an alkalising agent, a solvent and a thickening component, which allow a more soft and modern variant of the Venetian stucco to be obtained.

A preferred composition of the first kind of decorating product is listed in the following example 1. Example 1 The basic solution comprises: water in a percentage of 27.3% by volume; a wetting substance, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark BR3, in a percentage of 0.335% by volume; a coalescent substance, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark

TEX, in a percentage of 0.243% by volume; glycols, preferably ethylene glycols, in a percentage of 0.243% by volume; - a foam preventing substance, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark A97, in a percentage of 0.243% by volume;

oil, in a percentage of 0.080% by volume; cellulose, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark MHBR 250, in a percentage of 0.400 % by volume, or alternatively of the kind known as the trade mark MHPC 400, in a percentage of 0.656% by volume;

Calcium carbonates, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark B

CASTIGLIONI, in a percentage of 12.124% by volume, raw CaCCβ in a percentage of 12.124% by volume, and of the kind known as the trade mark MC6, in a percentage of 12.124% by volume; - a bactericidal substance, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark

PREVENTAL D6, in a percentage of 0.125% by volume; an emulsion of resin, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark

03 V, in a percentage of 4.023% by volume.

In the above example 1, Calcium hydroxide is added to the basic solution, in a percentage of 29.74% by volume.

A preferred composition of the second kind of decorating product is listed in the following example 2. Example 2

The basic solution comprises: - water in a percentage of 35.371% by volume; cellulose, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark MHPC 400, in a percentage of 0.653%; a wetting substance, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark Pef

400, in a percentage of 0.180% by volume; - glycols, preferably of the ethylene glycol kind, in a percentage of

0.180% by volume; a foam preventing substance, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark A97, in a percentage of 0.343% by volume; a coalescent substance, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark TEXANOL, in a percentage of 0.180% by volume ; oil, preferably of the so called "boiled oil" type, in a percentage of

0.082% by volume;

Calcium carbonates, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark B. CASTIGLIONI, in a percentage of 46.00% by volume, and of the kind known as the trade mark 5AV in a percentage of 10.50% by volume; - an emulsion of resin, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark

03 V, in a percentage of 4.36% by volume.

The decorating product according to example 2 moreover comprises, added to the above defined basic solution: a reclaiming agent, preferably Sodium hexametaphosphate (NaPO3)6, in a percentage of 0.103% by volume; an emulsion of wax, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark CERA 499, in a percentage of 1.087% by volume; an alkalising agent, preferably ammonia, in a percentage of 0.043% by volume; - a solvent, preferably ethylic alcohol, in a percentage of 0.23% by volume; a thickening agent, preferably of the kind known as the trade mark L75, in a percentage of 0.345% by volume.

In order to give the desired colour to the wall decoration, according to the present invention a standard colouring pigment can be mixed to the decorating product obtained as above described.

The present method for applying the above described coating product for interiors will be now described in details.

Before to start applying the subject coating product, it is preferable that the support to be decorated is suitably prepared. This operation is fit to make the support as smooth as possible, as well as to improve the adhesion capability of the product to be subsequently applied. For this purpose, known techniques as the glass paper polishing could be used, together with coating the support with a layer of a priming product, in order to improve the support adhesive power. When the support is ready to be decorated, the coating product has to be prepared. Said preparation consists of adding to the uncoloured decorating

product, consisting of the basic solution and of the additional substances as described before, of a predefined amount of a coloured pigment, in order to obtain the desired colour shade. Again, during the product preparation phase, a certain amount of the coloured product has to be separated from the remaining product, and it has to be diluted with water, in a different percentage according to the decorating effect that it is intended to obtain.

By emample, in order to obtain the first decorating effect above described, some more diluting water must be used to dilute the part of coloured product, with respect to the water needed to obtain a diluted product to be used for obtaining the second decorating effect above described.

The first operating phase of the method according to the present invention consists of applying said diluted decorating product to the wall to be decorated, by a bristle brush or roller, so as to obtain a homogeneously coloured layer. After the homogeneous layer has been applied, it is necessary to wait for the same layer to dry. By example, in the case where a surface of about 10 square meters has to be decorated, and the room temperature is 20°C, a two-hours time interval is necessary before to proceed with the subsequent operating phase. It has to be pointed out that, in order to remove paint clots or similar defects in the wall, a further glass-paper polishing operation could be suitable. Once the application of the first homogeneously coloured layer has been completed, it is possible to proceed to the application of a finishing layer, which allows to create the true, final decorating effect. With the product made according to the present invention, this effect can be created by dipping a bristle brush into the remaining, undiluted product, and then applying said product to the surface with a series of bristle strokes having different sizes and mutual distances. By example, in order to obtain a decorating effect more similar to the ancient "Venetian stucco", it is necessary to operate with bristle strokes having sizes of about 2 to 4 centimeters, which are spaced out 10 to 15 centimeters one each other. When it is intended to

obtain a smoother decorating effect, closer to a more commonly used, modern variant of the "Venetian stucco" decoration, it is necessary to use the remaining part of the decorating product prepared according to example 2, applying bristle strokes having sizes of about 4 to 5 centimeters, which are spaced out 5 to 6 centimeters one each other.

After the first finishing layer has been applied according to the above specified operating phases, it is suitable, although not necessary, to treat the decorated surface with a spatula, before the same finishing layer of decorating product dries. More specifically, in order to give homogeneousness and uniformity to the decoration effect, the spatula must be passed along the surface on to two different directions, crossed one each other.

It has to be pointed out that, in this case, the spatula is not used for applying the product (in fact, it would be substantially impossible) but only after the finishing layer has been applied, in order to improve the decoration uniformity, after the product has been applied by a bristle brush.

After the first finishing layer has been completed, it is necessary to wait for the same to dry. As for the previous layer, a normal period of time is of about two hours, considering a room temperature of 20°C. Subsequently, a second finishing layer of the same coloured coating product can be applied to the decorated surface, according to the techniques already explained for the first finishing layer.

Also for the second finishing layer, in order to improve the final decorating effect, is preferable to operate a treatment with the spatula on the still wet finishing layer. The second finishing layer is then dried as explained before.

Once all the finishing layers of decorating product have been dried, the final decorating effect is obtained, which is substantially identical to the commonly used variants of the conventional "Venetian stucco" techniques, depending on the product composition and application method which have been used. In any case, if the so obtained decoration is not yet satisfactory, one or more further finishing layers could be applied to the decorated surface, always

according to the above described method.

Moreover, the so obtained coating can be further treated, if desider, in order to give it some brilliant effect. For this purpose, one or more layer of wax of a suitable kind can be applied to the decorated surface. More particularly, in order to enhance the surface brilliance, after the last layer of wax has been applied and a period of time of about 16 to 20 hours has passed, it is preferably to wipe the surface with a wool cloth, following substantially circular paths. The coating product for interiors according to the present invention attains the object of obtaining a decorating effect which is substantially identical to that of the "Venetian stucco" decorating technique without the need the work of an expert craftsman. Said result is attained because the coating product is applied, according to the present method, directly by means of a bristle brush. In fact, it is to be pointed out that the surface treatmente with a spatula, however not necessary, is used only for better spread the coating product, which was already applied to the surface. The spatula is then used in a way that does not require any skill nor experience.

The coating product made according to the present invention has such physical and rheological characteristics that the desired decorating effects can be obtained by using a simple application means, like a bristle brush is. More precisely, the aforesaid coating product differs from the conventional, known products for making "Venetian stucco" decorations mostly in that it can be used in a state which is fluid enough to soak the brush bristles, allowing this latter to be used for transporting suitable quantities of product to the surface to be decorated. A further advantage allowed by the disclosed coating product is that the product components are mostly substances having a natural origin, and then they react in a different way to different environment conditions, by example different room temperatures, illumination and ventilation. This allows the final decorating effect to be always unique and original. Moreover, it is another advantage of the present invention that further finishing layers that are applied to the coating product, by example polishing waxes, can

be applied after the decorating layers have been made and dried. Said finishing layers perform on the decoration a protective action against polluting agents or against any other damaging agent. It has to be pointed out that all the present coating product to be used for a decoration has to be coloured before its using, and then partially diluted. This allows a perfect homogeneously in colour shade to be obtained. It has to be also pointed out that all the products and tools which are needed to obtain the afore described decoration could be advantageously provided in a single package, with a product amount duly dosed and ready to be used for a predefined area of the wall do be decorated. In this way the job of a non expert user is further made easy.

It is intended that all the above disclosed products and techniques have been described by way of a non-limiting example. Therefore, all the compositions and methods variants are comprised in the field of the present technical solution, as above described and as claimed in the following.