DE202012007961U1 - Inflatable buoyancy aid - Google Patents

Abstract

Inflatable swimming aid, namely arm or breast cuff, comprising: (a) a first plastic film (11) (b) and a second plastic film (12) consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer based on urethane, (c) which is connected to the first film (11), optionally one or more further film (s) envelops an air chamber (1).

Description

The invention relates to an inflatable buoyancy aid, namely an arm or breast cuff.

Inflatable body can be closed on all sides, so that introduced air or gas can not escape. However, inflation bodies are usually provided with an inflation valve, so that the introduced air or the introduced gas can be removed again from the interior of the inflation body. In the empty state, in which at least substantially no gas is contained in the inflatable body, inflatable bodies are space-saving and thus easy to transport. In the empty state, for example, they can be taken to the swimming pool or bathing lake and inflated there.

Arm sleeves, also called upper arm swimming aids, have proven to be suitable according to the EP 0 930 226 B1 , An arm sleeve known from this patent consists of an endless strip of water and air impermeable material with at least two inflatable chambers and at least one non-inflatable portion. The corners of the chambers are rounded. The risk of injury in other arm cuffs because of sharp edges is significantly reduced by this measure and increases the comfort. Arm sleeves are usually made of PVC or polyethylene, which is also in the EP 0 930 226 B1 is pointed out.

It is an object of the invention to provide an inflatable arm cuff or chest cuff of a comfort enhancing, such as more environmentally friendly material.

The invention relates to an arm or breast cuff comprising a first foil and a second foil which envelop an air chamber.

According to the invention, the first film or the second film is a plastic film which comprises, preferably consists of, a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer. Such films have a high flexibility in a wide temperature range. They have a high wear, buckling and tear resistance. In addition, these plastic films have a good resilience and a good dynamic load capacity. A particularly preferred film material is TPU.

Thermoplastic elastomers based on urethane can be formed resistant to hydrolysis and microbes. Further, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers have good weatherability and high resistance to oils, fats and solvents. Especially with regard to environmental and health compatibility thermoplastic urethanes are the better alternative to polyvinyl chloride.

The plastic film comprising a thermoplastic elastomer based on urethane can be opaque to light as usual in arm and breast cuffs or at least in one area of the area or can be translucent, preferably transparent. Advantageously, the plastic film contains no plasticizers or chlorins. It can, however, advantageously contain UV stabilizers. In this way, both the environmental compatibility and the health compatibility of the inflatable body can be increased compared to known Aufblaskörpern, while the light resistance is still guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment, the first film and the second film are welded together. In this way, the arm or breast cuff can be made by a simple and inexpensive welding process.

The invention also provides a film which encloses an air chamber of an arm or breast cuff and consists of an opaque or translucent urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer at least in a surface portion region.

• (a) eine erste Folie
• (b) und eine aus einem thermoplastischen Elastomer auf Urethanbasis bestehende zweite Folie,
• (c) die mit der ersten Folie, optional einer oder mehreren weiteren Folie(n), eine Luftkammer umhüllt,
• (d) wobei die Folien an oder nahe ihren Rändern stoffschlüssig luftdicht miteinander verbunden sind.

An arm or breast cuff according to the invention may in particular comprise:

• (a) a first sheet
• (b) and a second film composed of a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer,
• (c) which encloses an air chamber with the first film, optionally one or more further films,
• (D) wherein the films are bonded to each other at or near their edges cohesively airtight.

The second film can be translucent everywhere, at least in a surface part region, also as a whole, so that light can penetrate from outside into the air chamber.

It may also consist of the first film of an opaque or at least partially transparent, thermoplastic urethane-based elastomer, preferably from the same plastic as the second film. The films are preferably produced separately from each other and welded together, so preferably each consist of a weldable plastic. They may conveniently be interconnected by high frequency welding.

Yet another object of the invention is the use of a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, preferably TPU, for an inflatable buoyancy aid, namely an arm cuff or breast cuff. This may be an opaque or translucent, preferably transparent, clear or colored elastomer.

It is advantageous if the arm or breast cuff consists of an endless strip of water and air impermeable material with at least two inflatable chambers and at least one non-inflatable section and at least one corner of an inflatable chamber is rounded. With such a buoyancy aid, the risk of injury is significantly reduced in comparison to even today to be found swimming aids with sharp corners, which occur by the collision of the edges of two air chambers at an acute angle. For example, in the case of different widths air chambers, the corner of the wider air chamber can be rounded so that it is retracted to the width of the narrower air chamber. When the air chamber is inflated, it creates a gentle curve that virtually eliminates injuries.

In a preferred embodiment of an arm sleeve, two opposing corners of two air chambers are each rounded. This creates a retracted area in the area of contact of the air chambers, which drastically reduces the risk of injury. Either all corners of the air chambers may be rounded, or only the upper one in the applied state, the next inside the corner, or as preferred - in the case of two inflatable chambers and one non-inflatable section - all four away from the non-inflatable section Corners of the air chambers. When inflated upper arm swimming aid so this affects the corners where the two air chambers abut each other at an acute angle. If both corners on both sides of the arm cuff are rounded inwards, the result is an indentation in the upper area. The connecting bridge between the air chambers is slightly narrower than the width of the air chambers. Tip corners are eliminated.

The rounding of the corners is preferably achieved in that the connecting seam between the inner and outer layer of the endless strip in the respective corner region of the air chamber is rounded, preferably with a radius between 2 and 5 cm.

In one variant, the endless strip at one point - preferably in the region of the non-inflatable section - to open. This makes it easier to put on and take off the buoyancy aid. It is not necessary to let the air out of the chambers each time so that the buoyancy aid can be removed.

• (a) eine erste Folie
• (b) und eine aus einem thermoplastischen Elastomer auf Urethanbasis bestehende zweite Folie,
• (c) die mit der ersten Folie, optional einer oder mehreren weiteren Folie(n), eine Luftkammer umhüllt,
• (d) wobei die zweite Folie in zumindest einem Flächenteilbereich, vorzugsweise im Ganzen überall, lichtdurchlässig ist, so dass Licht von außen in die Luftkammer eindringen kann.

As already mentioned, the first film or the second film can or can be translucent, preferably transparent, at least in one area of the area. In this aspect, the invention relates to an arm as well as a breast cuff comprising:

• (a) a first sheet
• (b) and a second film composed of a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer,
• (c) which encloses an air chamber with the first film, optionally one or more further films,
• (D) wherein the second film in at least one area of the area, preferably on the whole everywhere, is translucent, so that light from the outside can penetrate into the air chamber.

The first film may be opaque or translucent, preferably colored, and have a surface area with a lower translucency than the light-permeable area of the second film, which is visible through the transparent area. The surface area of lower light transmission may be arranged on or in the second film.

The word "or" is understood here as well as otherwise by the invention in the usual logical sense and thus as an "inclusive or", thus includes both the meaning of "either ... or" and the meaning of "and", so far not only a limited meaning opens up from the respective concrete context. Thus, the surface area can be applied with less transparency to the first film, for example by printing or arranged approximately inside the films. The area can also extend from the interior of the film to the surface. It may also be arranged with a single or multiple area (s) in the subject film and with a single or multiple other area (s) on the film.

The term "colored" means all colors as well as black and white. Only completely colorless films should not be included with the word "colored".

The first film and the second film may be film sections of a single film. However, the first film and the second film are preferably produced separately from one another and bonded together in one piece or along one or more seams. In particular, the first film and the second film can be welded together as film sections.

Optionally, the inflatable body further films, such as a third foil, a fourth foil, etc., have, which laterally adjacent to the first or the second foil or adjacent. The further film (s) may or may in particular be made translucent. However, the surface area with the lower light transmittance compared to the films is visible at least through one of the films.

In particular, the area of lower light transmittance may be provided on an inner side of the first film facing the air chamber. Advantageously, the inflatable body may comprise a plurality of such surface regions, which may be arranged on the inside of the first film. Instead or in addition, one or more area (s) of lower light transmittance may be provided on an outer side of the first film facing away from the air chamber on or in the second film.

By arranging the area of lower light transmittance on an inner side of the films facing the air chamber, the surface area can be protected against wear.

In a preferred embodiment, the area of lesser translucency than a motif, image or pattern can be configured. In particular, an animal figure, a comic figure or another fantasy figure comes into consideration as a motif or image. As a pattern, for example, water wave-like patterns can be considered. Preferably, the motif, image or pattern is colored, in particular multicolored.

Advantageously, the area of lesser translucency can be applied by screen printing. Screen printing represents a particularly cost-effective and process-technically simple method for realizing one or more areas of lower light transmittance. However, other printing methods such as pad printing, stamp printing or embossing printing are also conceivable for producing such a surface area. In addition, methods that do not belong to the printing process, for. B. embossing, surface treatment or laser treatment, can be used to realize a surface area of lower light transmittance.

The first film or the second film may or may each be provided with transparency at least in regions. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent region of the first film or of the second film may be arranged at least in regions over a surface region of lower light transmission. Thus, with regard to the transparent region, the surface area with reduced light transmission can not only be shadowy, but visible in detail. In particular, in the design of the surface area as a motif or image, this is advantageous because the image or motif as behind a glass pane, as in an aquarium, appears.

In a preferred embodiment, the buoyancy aid comprises a plurality of surface areas of lower light transmittance, which are preferably designed as different motifs, images or patterns. Surface areas of lower light transmission can be arranged both on or in the first and second film. For example, the surface areas of the buoyancy aid give a certain depth effect or 3D effect. As already mentioned, one or more areas of lower light transmittance may be arranged only on the inside of the first film or the second film or only on the outside of the first film or the second film, or in other variants at least one surface area lesser light transmittance on the inside of the first or the second film and at least one further surface area of lesser translucency on the outside of the first film or the second film may be provided. The features or configurations disclosed for one of the areas of lower light transmittance preferably also apply to any other such area, if such is present as preferred.

In particular, the first film may be blue in color. On the first film, at least one differently colored, preferably white, surface area can be applied as a water-wave-like pattern or as a seabed. In this way, the inflatable body can give the impression of moving water. In combination with a transparent first film and surface areas designed as sea creatures, which are preferably arranged on the inside of the first film facing the air chamber, the inflatable body can thus imitate the view of an aquarium. Other complex manifestations can also be realized.

One area or multiple areas of lower light transmission may or may be implemented in light or signal color so that the arm or breast cuff draws attention to the user. This can increase safety for the user, generally a child, toddler or even a baby. Nevertheless, a visually appealing buoyancy aid is obtained.

Advantageous features are further disclosed in the subclaims and their combination.

The invention will be explained below with reference to a preferred embodiment. The features disclosed in the exemplary embodiment advantageously each individually and in each combination of features form the subject matter of the claims and also the embodiments explained above. Show it:

1 an uninflated upper arm swimming aid in which the non-inflatable section has been severed for ease of illustration,

2 the upper arm swimming aid in inflated condition,

3 a plan view of a surface portion of a Oberarmschwimmhilfe having translucent material,

4 the upper arm swimming aid the 3 in a cross section, and

5 the upper arm swimming aid the 3 in another cross section.

In the 1 illustrated upper arm swimming aid or arm sleeve is evacuated. It consists of two inflatable air chambers 1 and a non-inflatable section 2 which has been separated for ease of presentation. The upper arm swimming aid is made of a flexible plastic material, namely a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, preferably TPU.

In the field of inflatable chambers 1 The buoyancy aid consists of two layers of material that run along the seam 3 be welded together. The upper arm swimming aid is using the valves 4 inflatable. The valves 4 are designed so that they are inflated air chambers 1 can be sunk. The seams 3 are in the area of opposite corners 5 the air chambers 1 rounded.

The one between the air chambers 1 in the area of the rounded corners resulting non-inflatable section 6 can remain between the air chambers or be separated out. He offers inflated air chambers 1 a further protection against injuries. Between the air chambers 1 creates a narrower compared to the width of the air chambers web 7 that connects them together.

2 shows the upper arm swimming aid in the inflated state. The air chambers 1 are slightly puffy inflated. The valves 4 can after inflation in the air chamber 1 be sunk. The two air chambers 1 abut in the upper area along the connecting bridge 7 at an acute angle to each other. The non-inflatable area 2 ensures that the lower edges of the air chambers keep a predetermined distance from each other. The connecting seams 3 Run upwards at an acute angle towards each other. In the upper part of the air chambers 1 However, the seams are rounded. There is no sharp corner, as both seams do not hit each other directly at an acute angle. The section 6 Right and left in the area of the curves of the air chambers also serves to cover this area and prevents injuries.

The two material layers, which are the air chambers 1 envelop, are in 2 With 11 and 12 designated. It is an inner, first plastic film contacting the arm in the applied state 11 and an outer, second, plastic film facing away from the arm 12 , The plastic films 11 and 12 Each consists of a thermoplastic urethane-based elastomer, preferably of TPU. Such a material is not only environmentally friendly, but also has the required airtightness, is soft and therefore comfortable on the skin, yet mechanically strong enough and can be good and tight to form the seam 3 be welded. Preferably, the first foil contain 11 and the second slide 12 neither plasticizers nor chlorines, but UV stabilizers.

In preferred first embodiments, the two films 11 and 12 each opaque. So can the first slide 11 for example, white and the second slide 12 be red or orange, as is usual.

In preferred second embodiments, the upper arm swimming aid or arm sleeve is realized in a particularly appealing for children optical design that gives the viewer visually a spatial impression, that generates a 3D effect. The 3 to 5 show an example of the second embodiment in a plan view of a partial area and in cross sections.

The outer, second film 12 is colorless transparent. The inner, first slide 11 may also be colorless or colored, for example colored blue. It is also translucent, preferably transparent. At the air chamber 1 facing inside of the first film 11 is a surface area 13 with compared to the slides 11 and 12 arranged lower light transmittance. Out 3 shows that a variety of such surface areas 13 as sea creatures imaging motifs can be designed.

At the air chamber 1 facing inside of the second film 12 may also be one or more surface areas 13 with compared to the slides 11 and 12 lower Be arranged light transmission. In the case of in 1 shown embodiment, these surface areas 13 on the inside of the second film 12 formed as a bubble-like or wave-like, preferably white pattern. The surface areas 13 can by means of a screen printing process on the respective film 11 or 12 be upset.

The combination of the transparent, colorless second foil 12 , the colored, preferably also transparent translucent first film 11 , the surface areas designed as sea creatures 13 on the inside of the first slide 11 and the surface areas 13 on the inside of the second film 12 awaken the viewer the impression of an aquarium with optical depth.

In further developments, the surface areas 13 the first slide 11 or the second slide 12 Signal or fluorescent color included, preferably be executed in signal or luminescent color to exert on the environment a certain signal effect. Such embodiments are advantageous not only for swimming aids with pictorial motifs, but for arm and breast cuffs in general. Thus, in particular on or in the first slide 11 through appropriate surface areas 13 a signal or luminous pattern, such as a pattern of a plurality of points or circles or other geometric shapes may be provided. It also need not be a pattern, but the buoyancy aid can only a single or a few, but then preferably larger area areas 13 For example, in such embodiments, it may be preferable for at least 20% of the first film to be in such embodiments, such as a wide strip or a large circle, or a large oval 11 or the second slide 12 extend or extend together. However, the acceptance in children can be particularly by training a surface area 13 or more surface areas 13 be increased as a pictorial motif, such as animal motifs such as fish motif.

Another advantage of urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, especially TPU, is their good and easy weldability. The good welding properties and the softness of the material per se advantageously allow the production of the respective weld seam 3 with a soft outer edge 8th , The risk of cutting or scratching the skin is also reduced thereby and accordingly increases the comfort.

The outer edge 8th is in the 4 and 5 oversized compared to the overall cross-section to illustrate that, not least because of the urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer material, the formation of the outer edge 8th is possible with a soft compared to, for example, PVC materials outer surface. The outer edge 8th forms at the of the air chamber 1 opposite side of the respective weld 3 a softened in comparison with the welds in PVC materials bead, which further reduces the risk of scoring skin and the comfort is improved accordingly.

To all embodiments and to the invention in general, it should be added that the urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer is preferably at least 95% by volume, more preferably 98 ± 2% by volume TPU. The same applies to the film produced from this material 11 or 12 , The TPU may be mixed with color pigments, wherein the elastomeric material preferably contains 3 vol.% Or less color pigments. In an opaque embodiment, it preferably contains at least 1% by volume of colored pigments, in a translucent or even transparent embodiment, it preferably contains a lower proportion of colored pigment.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0930226 B1 [0003, 0003]

Claims (36)

An inflatable buoyancy aid, namely arm or breast cuff, comprising: (a) a first plastic film ( 11 ) (b) and a second plastic film made of a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer ( 12 ), (c) those with the first film ( 11 ), optionally one or more further film (s), an air chamber ( 1 ) wrapped. Swimming aid according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first plastic film ( 11 ) consists of a thermoplastic urethane-based elastomer, preferably of the same plastic as the second film ( 12 ). Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second film ( 12 ), preferably also the first film ( 11 ), contains no plasticizers or chlorines. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second film ( 12 ), preferably also the first film ( 11 ), contains a UV stabilizer. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film ( 11 ) and the second film ( 12 ) manufactured separately from each other and materially connected to each other, preferably welded. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second film ( 12 ), preferably also the first film ( 11 ), to at least 95 vol.%, Preferably to 98 ± 2 vol.% Of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) consists. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second film ( 12 ), preferably also the first film ( 11 ), at least 95% by volume, preferably 98 ± 1% by volume, of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) and at least 2 ± 1% by volume of colored pigments. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film ( 11 ) and the second film ( 12 ) the air chamber ( 1 ) are welded together. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film ( 11 ) and the second film ( 12 ) on at least one side of the air chamber ( 1 ) forming a seam ( 3 ) are welded to each other and an outer edge ( 8th ) extending along the seam ( 3 ) at the of the air chamber ( 1 ) facing away from the seam ( 3 ), in a cross section of the air chamber ( 3 ) is rounded softly. Floating aid according to one of the preceding claims and consisting of an endless strip of water and air impermeable material with at least two inflatable chambers ( 1 ) and at least one non-inflatable section, one corner ( 5 ) an inflatable chamber ( 1 ) is rounded. Floating aid according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least two mutually opposite corners ( 5 ) of two air chambers ( 1 ) are rounded off, preferably those remote from the non-inflatable section ( 2 ) lying corners ( 5 ). Floating aid according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the endless strip consists of two inflatable chambers ( 1 ) and a non-inflatable section ( 2 ) consists. Swimming aid according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the remote from the non-inflatable section ( 2 ) lying corners ( 5 ) of two adjacent in the circumferential direction of the buoyancy air chambers ( 1 ) are rounded. Floating aid according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the rounding of the corners ( 5 ) by a rounding of the seam ( 3 ) between the inner first foil ( 11 ) and the outer second film ( 12 ) of the endless strip in the respective corner area ( 6 ) of the air chambers ( 1 ) whose radius is in particular between 2 and 5 cm. Swimming aid according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the endless strip is to be opened. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film ( 11 ) or the second film ( 12 ) is translucent or respectively, so that light from the outside into the air chamber ( 1 ) can penetrate. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film ( 3 ), preferably also the second film ( 4 ), is transparent. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film ( 11 ) is colored. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first Foil ( 11 ) or the second film ( 12 ) is or are at least partially transparent. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the buoyancy aid a surface area ( 13 ) compared to the films ( 11 . 12 ) has lower light transmittance and the area ( 13 ) lower light transmittance on or in one of the films ( 11 . 12 ) and preferably by at least one of the films ( 11 . 12 ) is visible through. Swimming aid according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the area ( 13 ) lower light transmittance on or in the inner, the arm or the breast contacting in the applied state first foil ( 11 ) and by the outer, applied in the applied state, second film ( 12 ) is visible through. Swimming aid according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the area ( 13 ) lower light transmission at one of the air chamber ( 4 ) facing inside of the first film ( 3 ) or the second film ( 5 ) is provided. Swimming aid according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the area ( 13 ) lower light transmission than motif, image or pattern, preferably colored, is designed. Swimming aid according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the area ( 13 ) lower transparency through screen printing on the first film ( 11 ) or the second film ( 12 ) is applied. Floating aid according to one of the five preceding claims, characterized in that the buoyancy aid comprises several of the surface areas ( 13 ) comprises lower light transmittance, which are preferably designed as different motifs, images or patterns. Swimming aid according to one of the six preceding claims, characterized in that a transparent region of the second film ( 12 ) at least in regions above the surface area ( 13 ) lower light transmittance or the multiple surface areas ( 13 ) lower light transmittance of the preceding claim is arranged, preferably via the air chamber ( 1 ) seen. Swimming aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first film ( 11 ) is blue-colored and on the second film ( 12 ) at least one differently colored, preferably white area ( 13 ) lower light transmission than water wave or bubble-like pattern is applied. Plastic film ( 12 ), alone or with another plastic film ( 11 ) an air chamber ( 1 ) a buoyancy aid according to one of the preceding claims and at least in a surface portion of a thermoplastic urethane-based elastomer, which may be translucent. Plastic film according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the film ( 12 ) contains no plasticizers or chlorines. Plastic film according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that film ( 12 ) contains a UV stabilizer. Use of a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, preferably TPU, for an inflatable buoyancy aid, namely an arm or breast cuff. Use according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastomer contains no plasticizers or chlorines. Use according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer contains a UV stabilizer. Use according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer is translucent. Use according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer contains color pigments. Use according to one of the five preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomer consists of at least 95% by volume, preferably 98 ± 2% by volume, of thermoplastic urethane (TPU).

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