CN114575025A

CN114575025A - Knitted articles made with heat shrinkable yarns

Info

Publication number: CN114575025A
Application number: CN202111425918.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 托尔斯滕·阿尔弗雷德·弗里策
Original assignee: DV8 ID SRL
Current assignee: DV8 ID SRL
Priority date: 2020-11-30
Filing date: 2021-11-26
Publication date: 2022-06-03
Also published as: US20220167756A1; JP2022087047A; EP4005437A1

Abstract

An assembly for chairs, armchairs, sofas or the like is described, comprising a knitted article (1) and a slider (12). The article (1) comprises a plurality of layers and two tubular ends (11) for fixing the plurality of layers, wherein the plurality of layers comprises a front layer (2) of knitted fabric and a rear layer (3) of knitted fabric fixed to sliders (12) of the article (1) at said ends (11). The article (1) further comprises heat-shrinkable yarns (5) associated with the plurality of layers, wherein the heat-shrinkable yarns (5) are secured to the slider (12) by a series of spaced-apart attachment points (7) so as to form a weft between the two ends (11) of the article (1).

Description

Knitted articles made with heat shrinkable yarns

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a knitted article made of heat shrinkable yarn.

Background

While comfort is sought, it is desirable that the products be lightweight, inexpensive and easy to assemble, which has prompted chair, armchair and sofa manufacturers to have an interest in the hosiery industry.

It is now common to use knitted fabrics for making seats and backrests, i.e. by interlacing of yarns in a manner that helps to impart given technical characteristics.

The applicant is the holder of italian patent application No.102019000011508, which describes a modular chair fabric comprising a periodic interlacing with at least one main yarn, in which secondary yarns are arranged on weft threads along a predetermined trajectory.

The main fabric may include a cushioning element sandwiched between two layers of knitted fabric, a front layer and a back layer.

The secondary yarns may be woven into the knit fabric or simply inserted between the layers of knit fabric.

The primary yarn connections may define a plurality of tubular portions into which one or more secondary yarns are inserted.

The secondary yarn defines a different property with respect to the primary yarn, for example, thermal properties, i.e. the secondary yarn is subject to elongation or shrinkage, which is proportional to the reduction in the application of heat or heat, i.e. the secondary yarn may be of the heat-shrinkable type.

The primary and secondary yarns are bonded to each other in two peripheral regions of the fabric. The bonding is performed by means of a slider inserted in the tubular peripheral region. The secondary yarn engages the slider by means of "english" hooks in the tubular zone, which are normally present between the yarn and the needles.

"english" hooks, also known as english or right hand knitting or swing, are a known style of western knitting in which the yarn woven into the fabric is held by the right hand. This style is popular throughout the english speaking country, but is still not commonly used. Other western style knitting styles include continental knitting (also referred to as "left hand knitting") and combination knitting.

In connection with the uk knitting technique, it is assumed that the needle already has a stitch, which has been cast before, and the yarn is wound on the right hand for tensioning (one way is to wind the tail of the yarn on the little finger of the right hand, tension the yarn while placing it over the index finger, control). The right hand holds the needle of the most recently knitted stitch. If at the beginning of a row, the right hand will hold an empty needle. The left hand holds the other needle.

The known knitting machine is capable of applying uk knitting technology.

In the applicant's prior patent application, if the secondary yarn has thermal properties, i.e. it is a heat-shrinkable yarn, the fabric will shrink due to the heat. The shrinkage causes the fabric to rise even in the absence of a filler between the front and back layers, thereby creating a filler effect. In the presence of the filler, the shrinkage causes the filler fraction to rise, which is processed alternately with the heat-shrinkable yarn.

Disadvantageously, the user will feel the heat-shrinkable yarn, which itself will be much stiffer than the yarn of the knitted fabric immediately adjacent the front layer by the user.

The fluffing effect produced by the heat-shrinkable yarn on the fabric amplifies the discomfort of the support, which is increasingly evident especially when it is a seat.

Furthermore, as it is used, the heat shrinkable yarns are visibly streaked with the naked eye, which changes the original appearance of the fabric.

WO-2018/134743 describes a multi-layer knitted article comprising heat-shrinkable yarns inserted and attached by stitching to a knitted fabric layer or made of conventional fabric or leather. The articles are suitable for accessories such as bags, sofas, jackets, shoes and the like.

Disadvantageously, a very stiff artefact is produced, which is the object of WO-2018/134743.

DE-102014003099, JP-2015221112 and US-2015/173514 disclose knitted fabrics for chairs comprising heat-shrinkable materials.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to make an assembly comprising a knitted article with heat-shrinkable yarns, which is comfortable for the user who is resting.

It is another object of the present invention that the article be easily associated with the support structure of a chair, sofa, armchair or the like.

Another object of the invention is to make the article described herein in a short time and which is not susceptible to the passage of time, i.e. to maintain the comfort of the product in which it is integrated.

According to the present invention, said and other objects are achieved by an assembly for chairs, armchairs, sofas or the like as disclosed in claim 1.

Advantageously, the article shrinks only under, i.e. only the back layer of the knitted fabric shrinks.

As a result, a distance movement of the front fabric layer away from the rear fabric layer is achieved, i.e. a three-dimensional effect is achieved which takes into account the combination of the front fabric layer with the slider at the end.

The heat-shrinkable yarns are not associated with the knitted fabric front layer, so that the latter remains flexible and deformable.

Advantageously, the knitted fabric front layer exhibits a completely different technical effect than the knitted fabric rear layer.

The article according to the invention meets the comfort needs of the user in a simple, automated and cost-effective technical manner.

Drawings

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a partial front perspective view of an article according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a partial rear perspective view of the article;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of an end of an article;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of circle B in FIG. 1;

fig. 5 shows a partial side view of an article.

Detailed Description

A knitted article 1 for chairs, armchairs, sofas or the like comprises a front layer 2 of knitted fabric, a rear layer 3 of knitted fabric and, where appropriate, padding between said

layers

2, 3. The knitted fabric front layer 2 refers to the layer intended to be contacted. Chairs and armchairs are generally understood to be products for seating a user, such as car seats, airplane seats, wheelchairs and the like.

The pad consists of a filamentary fabric which can be attached by machine to the

layers

2, 3 or inserted in the gap between the

layers

2, 3 without any special bonding.

The article 1 further comprises a plurality of heat-shrinkable yarns 5.

The

layers

2, 3 form a tubular knitted multilayer.

The article 1 comprises two tubular end portions 11.

The heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is connected to an end 11 of the article 1 at a slider 12 inserted in said end 11, said end 11 being developed in an orthogonal direction with respect to the heat-shrinkable yarn 5.

As shown in fig. 3, the

layers

2, 3 are connected at these ends 11.

The heat shrinkable yarns 5 are spread in the weft between the ends 11 where they are wound to be firmly bonded.

Said end 11 of the article 1 allows to be attached to a rigid support structure of a chair, a sofa or an armchair, thus forming a seat assembly, which therefore comprises a support structure and a supporting knitted fabric, wherein the supporting knitted fabric comprises said article 1.

The

layers

2, 3 form a tubular structure of the closable cushion, while the heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is located on the outside of the rear layer 3 (figures 2 and 3) of knitted fabric, where the rear layer 3 of knitted fabric is the layer not visible in the seat or the layer not in contact with the user, for example the rear part of the backrest of a chair.

A set of discrete, appropriately spaced attachment points 7 hold the heat-shrinkable yarns 5 together outside the back layer 3 of knitted fabric with a type of hook known as "english".

The heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is free on the knitted fabric back layer 3 between the two ends 11, except for the connection points 7.

Preferably, the connection points 7 are provided for at least every fifth beat-up of the rear layer of knitted fabric 3, where beat-up refers to the direction of the adjacent rows of warp yarns of the rear layer of knitted fabric 3. At least every five beatings means that it may be every five or more beatings.

Preferably, the number of heat-shrinkable yarns 5 is less than 20%, even more preferably between 3% and 8%, of the total yarns of the article 1. Advantageously, the technical effects described below are optimized by improving the cost-effectiveness of the final product.

Even at the end 11, the heat shrinkable yarn 5 hooks the attachment point 7 in english. The heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is wound around the slider 12 to form a firm connection.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, once the article 1 is made with the heat-shrinkable yarn 5 arranged in line between the ends 11, heat is applied to the knitted fabric back layer 3, for example, steam, and said heat-shrinkable yarn 5 shrinks permanently and irreversibly due to its inherent properties.

Advantageously, the article 1 shrinks only under, i.e. only the rear layer 3 of knitted fabric.

The knitted fabric front layer 2 does not shrink because the heat shrinkable yarn 5 is not bonded to the knitted fabric front layer 2.

Thus, a distance movement of the front layer of knitted fabric 2 away from the rear layer of knitted fabric 3 is achieved, i.e. a three-dimensional effect taking into account the coupling of the front layer of knitted fabric 2 with the slider 12 at the end 11. In the case of a seat, said movement comprises the raising of the knitted fabric front layer 2, i.e. the filling effect is achieved. Without a liner between the two layers, a true pocket is created.

If the mat is processed in parallel between the

layers

2, 3, the permanent shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable yarns 5 prevents the simultaneously processed mat from stretching and flattening in the gap between the two

layers

2, 3. The pad tends to flatten as it is stretched and held raised. Thus, once the article 1 is tensioned in the chair assembly, the padding remains suspended from the knitted fabric back layer 3 and the heat shrinkable yarns 5 "english" hook over the knitted fabric back layer 3 in the tensioned state.

The technical effect also varies depending on the number of the heat shrinkable yarns 5.

The presence of the liner also changes the technical effect; if the pads are processed simultaneously with 2, 3 layers, the machine program can define pads with variable density and height.

The heat-shrinkable yarns 5 are not associated with the knitted fabric front layer 2, so that the latter remains flexible and deformable.

The function of the slider 12 at the end 11 is very important, since the slider 12 defines a stable combination of the

layers

2, 3 and the heat-shrinkable yarn 5, wherein the shrinking effect of the heat-shrinkable yarn 6 is not applied to the knitted fabric front layer 2.

Advantageously, the knitted fabric front layer 2 presents a completely different technical effect than the knitted fabric rear layer 3.

The article 1 according to the invention meets the comfort needs of the user with simple and cost-effective technical means.

The technical effect is even more pronounced when the knitted fabric front layer 2 is of the "origami" type, i.e. has an inherent three-dimensional deformability. It is to be noted that in figures 1, 4 and 5, the knitted fabric front layer 2 is of the "origami" type, but there is a technical distancing effect even if the knitted fabric front layer 2 is of a standard type, i.e. not of this "origami" type.

In more detail, in the article 1, the knitted fabric front layer 2 of the "origami" type comprises a plurality of spaced-apart plastic elements 21 to produce a "origami" effect, i.e. a three-dimensional deformability, in particular in a direction orthogonal to the fabric surface.

The knitted fabric front layer 2 of the "origami" type is made using a 3D printing process (3D printer), or preferably a plastic injection moulding process.

It is generally a plastic molding process that starts with an article 1 that already includes the layers of knitted

fabric

2, 3 secured to a slider 12 at end 11, and heat shrink yarn 5 "english" hooks under the back layer of knitted fabric 3 and at end 11.

In more detail, the front layer 2 of knitted fabric is placed on a support, preferably metallic, for example aluminium, to insulate the rear layer 3 of knitted fabric during the addition of the plastic material. Essentially, the support is interposed between the

layers

2, 3.

The plastic material printed on top of the knitted fabric front layer 2 creates a plurality of plastic elements 21 which, in combination with the knitted fabric front layer 2, impart local rigidity to the knitted fabric front layer 2. Fig. 5 shows how the plastic element 21 penetrates the knitted fabric front layer 2.

Advantageously, the rear layer 3 of knitted fabric is not affected by the process of adding the plastic material.

The plastic elements 21 have a variable design and are spaced apart according to the shape of the printing control or mould to leave areas in the knitted fabric front layer 2 that are free of plastic elements 21.

Advantageously, the free area of the fabric is deformable, thus allowing the three-dimensional deformability of the knitted fabric front layer 2 of the "origami" type.

At the end of the printing process, the knitted fabric front layer 2 of the "origami" type is easily detached from the support, since said free areas of fabric create contact discontinuities after the formation of the plastic element 21.

Once the plastic element 21 is made, the rear layer 3 of knitted fabric containing the heat-shrinkable yarns 5 is heated: advantageously, the knitted fabric back layer 3 shrinks.

As the two

layers

2, 3 join at the end 11, this shrinkage causes the distance between the two sliders to shorten, raising/activating the plastic element 21 of the origami type.

If the knitted fabric front layer 2 is of the "paper folded type", no padding is required between the

layers

2, 3, since the three-dimensional effect is given by the paper folding.

Claims

1. Assembly for chairs, armchairs, sofas or the like, comprising a knitted article (1) and a slider (12), wherein said article (1) comprises a plurality of layers and two tubular ends (11) for fixing said plurality of layers,

wherein the plurality of layers comprises a knitted fabric front layer (2) and a knitted fabric rear layer (3), the knitted fabric rear layer (3) being fixed to the slider (12) at the two ends (11),

wherein the article (1) further comprises heat-shrinkable yarns (5) secured to the multiple layers, wherein the heat-shrinkable yarns (5) are secured to the slider (12) by a series of spaced-apart connection points (7) so as to form a weft between the two ends (11) of the article (1),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

said heat-shrinkable yarn (5) being fixed to said rear layer (3) of knitted fabric outside said rear layer (3) of knitted fabric by means of a further series of spaced-apart connection points (7),

wherein the knitted fabric front layer (2) comprises a plurality of spaced apart plastic elements (21), wherein the plastic elements (21) penetrate the knitted fabric.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a connection point (7) is provided for every five or more beat-ups of the rear layer (3) of knitted fabric.

3. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of heat-shrinkable yarns (5) is less than 20% of the total yarns of the article (1).

4. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the number of heat-shrinkable yarns (5) is between 3% and 8% of the total yarns of the article (1).

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said plurality of layers comprises a padding between said front layer (2) of knitted fabric and said rear layer (3) of knitted fabric.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the article (1) has a tubular shape between the two ends (11).