EP1380679A1 - A covering for items of furniture, and a method for the production thereof - Google Patents

A covering for items of furniture, and a method for the production thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1380679A1
EP1380679A1 EP02425450A EP02425450A EP1380679A1 EP 1380679 A1 EP1380679 A1 EP 1380679A1 EP 02425450 A EP02425450 A EP 02425450A EP 02425450 A EP02425450 A EP 02425450A EP 1380679 A1 EP1380679 A1 EP 1380679A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
woven fabric
fabric
covering
fibres
thermally meltable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02425450A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mario Vergnano
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ARA SpA
FiDiVi Tessitura Vergnano SpA
Original Assignee
ARA SpA
FiDiVi Tessitura Vergnano SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ARA SpA, FiDiVi Tessitura Vergnano SpA filed Critical ARA SpA
Priority to EP02425450A priority Critical patent/EP1380679A1/en
Publication of EP1380679A1 publication Critical patent/EP1380679A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
    • A47C31/10—Loose or removable furniture covers
    • A47C31/11—Loose or removable furniture covers for chairs
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H13/00—Other non-woven fabrics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a covering for chairs, seats, and items of furniture in general, comprising a fabric having aesthetic properties, which is coupled with a substrate.
  • the substrate enables good adhesion of the covering to the underlying padding to be achieved, preventing relative sliding.
  • the substrate is constituted by a sheet of expanded polyurethane.
  • this material has several disadvantages.
  • polyurethane is sensitive to light, to air, and to heat, so that it deteriorates with time. At the same time, it cannot be recycled and its disposal is therefore problematical.
  • polyurethane releases very dense smoke which is dangerous and poisonous since it contains polyalcohols, isocyanates and hydrocyanic acid.
  • polyurethanes which are typically available commercially contain various additives such as antioxidants and plasticizers which are released into the environment over time, to the great detriment of man.
  • antioxidants and plasticizers which are released into the environment over time, to the great detriment of man.
  • substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, which are responsible for atmospheric ozone depletion, are also used - even though this practice is now being abandoned.
  • the substrate of the covering is constituted by a non-woven fabric which is coupled with the fabric having aesthetic properties by the interposition of an intermediate layer of adhesive.
  • the intermediate layer is constituted by a film or granules of thermally meltable material which is melted by hot calendering so as to bring about adhesion of the fabric having aesthetic properties to the non-woven fabric.
  • the calendering operation leads to excessive compression of the covering, which adopts an undesired flattened appearance.
  • the intermediate layer is constituted by a hot-melt adhesive.
  • this can transmit to a person sitting on the covering, an unpleasant sensation as if a rigid sheet were disposed beneath the fabric having aesthetic properties.
  • the production process in question is undoubtedly onerous.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a covering which is improved in comparison with those of the prior art.
  • a covering for chairs, seats, and items of furniture in general comprising a fabric having aesthetic properties, coupled directly with a non-woven fabric formed at least partially of thermally meltable synthetic fibres.
  • the covering of the invention is free of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art which are due to the presence of polyurethane or of a layer of hot-melt adhesive, and to the use of calendering processes.
  • the covering of the invention also has the advantage of being a product that can be regenerated and the non-woven fabric used therein can itself be produced with regenerated fibres.
  • the non-woven fabric of the covering of the invention may have a layered structure and may comprise a first layer of thermally meltable synthetic fibres facing the aesthetic fabric and coupled with a second layer of incombustible fibres.
  • the non-woven fabric may be formed entirely of thermally meltable synthetic fibres or may comprise natural fibres mixed with the thermally meltable synthetic fibres.
  • the thermally meltable synthetic fibres are advantageously made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.
  • a further subject of the present invention is a method for the production of a covering of the type indicated, in which the hot coupling of the fabric having aesthetic properties with the non-woven fabric takes place by exposure of the non-woven fabric to a heat source such as, for example, a jet of superheated steam and/or hot air.
  • a heat source such as, for example, a jet of superheated steam and/or hot air.
  • the exposure of the non-woven fabric to the heat source which brings about melting of the fibres, is followed by a step of needle-felting with water. This last step renders the aesthetic fabric and the non-woven fabric cohesive and cools the assembly produced as a result of their coupling.
  • the method of the invention has the advantage over known methods that it is more economical, in particular by virtue of the faster speed of coupling of the fabric having aesthetic properties with the non-woven fabric.
  • An aesthetic shuttle-woven fabric having the following characteristics: weave jacquard width 50 cm weight per unit area 225 g/cm 2 warp 24.5 threads/cm weft 11 threads/cm composition 100% polyester was coupled with a layer of non-woven fabric having the following characteristics: thickness 12 mm fibre diameter 12 dtex density 30 kg/m 3 composition 100% polyester, of which 50% had a melting point of 120°C.
  • the coupling took place by causing the non-woven fabric to pass at a speed of 25 m/min through a laminar jet of steam superheated to 160°C, arranged transversely relative to the width of the fabric and to its direction of advance.
  • the aesthetic fabric advancing at a speed of 30 m/min. was coupled with the non-woven fabric immediately after the heating thereof, by the exertion of a pressure thereon.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)

Abstract

The covering comprises a fabric having aesthetic properties, coupled directly with a non-woven fabric formed at least partially of thermally meltable synthetic fibres. The production process in question provides for the coupling of the non-woven fabric with the fabric having aesthetic properties to take place by exposure of the non-woven fabric to a heat source.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a covering for chairs, seats, and items of furniture in general, comprising a fabric having aesthetic properties, which is coupled with a substrate. The substrate enables good adhesion of the covering to the underlying padding to be achieved, preventing relative sliding.
  • According to a first known technique, the substrate is constituted by a sheet of expanded polyurethane. However, this material has several disadvantages.
  • In fact it absorbs moisture easily and, given its predominantly closed-cell structure, releases the moisture with difficulty, so that it cannot be washed, even in industrial laundries. It is therefore rather unhygienic, favouring the accumulation of dust, dirt and bacteria, and preventing transpiration.
  • Moreover, polyurethane is sensitive to light, to air, and to heat, so that it deteriorates with time. At the same time, it cannot be recycled and its disposal is therefore problematical.
  • Furthermore, in the event of fire, polyurethane releases very dense smoke which is dangerous and poisonous since it contains polyalcohols, isocyanates and hydrocyanic acid. Moreover, the polyurethanes which are typically available commercially contain various additives such as antioxidants and plasticizers which are released into the environment over time, to the great detriment of man. To bring about expansion of polyurethane, substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, which are responsible for atmospheric ozone depletion, are also used - even though this practice is now being abandoned.
  • In the light of the various disadvantages mentioned above, the use of an expanded polyurethane substrate is therefore disadvantageous.
  • According to a further known technique, the substrate of the covering is constituted by a non-woven fabric which is coupled with the fabric having aesthetic properties by the interposition of an intermediate layer of adhesive.
  • In a first case, the intermediate layer is constituted by a film or granules of thermally meltable material which is melted by hot calendering so as to bring about adhesion of the fabric having aesthetic properties to the non-woven fabric. However, the calendering operation leads to excessive compression of the covering, which adopts an undesired flattened appearance.
  • In a second case, the intermediate layer is constituted by a hot-melt adhesive. However, in some cases, this can transmit to a person sitting on the covering, an unpleasant sensation as if a rigid sheet were disposed beneath the fabric having aesthetic properties. In any case, the production process in question is undoubtedly onerous.
  • The object of the present invention is to provide a covering which is improved in comparison with those of the prior art.
  • This object is achieved by means of a covering for chairs, seats, and items of furniture in general, comprising a fabric having aesthetic properties, coupled directly with a non-woven fabric formed at least partially of thermally meltable synthetic fibres.
  • The covering of the invention is free of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art which are due to the presence of polyurethane or of a layer of hot-melt adhesive, and to the use of calendering processes.
  • The covering of the invention also has the advantage of being a product that can be regenerated and the non-woven fabric used therein can itself be produced with regenerated fibres.
  • The non-woven fabric of the covering of the invention may have a layered structure and may comprise a first layer of thermally meltable synthetic fibres facing the aesthetic fabric and coupled with a second layer of incombustible fibres.
  • Alternatively, the non-woven fabric may be formed entirely of thermally meltable synthetic fibres or may comprise natural fibres mixed with the thermally meltable synthetic fibres. The thermally meltable synthetic fibres are advantageously made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.
  • A further subject of the present invention is a method for the production of a covering of the type indicated, in which the hot coupling of the fabric having aesthetic properties with the non-woven fabric takes place by exposure of the non-woven fabric to a heat source such as, for example, a jet of superheated steam and/or hot air. In the most preferred embodiment of the production method of the invention, the exposure of the non-woven fabric to the heat source, which brings about melting of the fibres, is followed by a step of needle-felting with water. This last step renders the aesthetic fabric and the non-woven fabric cohesive and cools the assembly produced as a result of their coupling.
  • The method of the invention has the advantage over known methods that it is more economical, in particular by virtue of the faster speed of coupling of the fabric having aesthetic properties with the non-woven fabric.
  • Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following example of its implementation, provided by way of non-limiting indication.
  • An aesthetic shuttle-woven fabric having the following characteristics:
    weave jacquard
    width 50 cm
    weight per unit area 225 g/cm2
    warp 24.5 threads/cm
    weft 11 threads/cm
    composition 100% polyester
    was coupled with a layer of non-woven fabric having the following characteristics:
    thickness 12 mm
    fibre diameter 12 dtex
    density 30 kg/m3
    composition 100% polyester, of which 50%
    had a melting point of 120°C.
  • The coupling took place by causing the non-woven fabric to pass at a speed of 25 m/min through a laminar jet of steam superheated to 160°C, arranged transversely relative to the width of the fabric and to its direction of advance.
  • The aesthetic fabric, advancing at a speed of 30 m/min. was coupled with the non-woven fabric immediately after the heating thereof, by the exertion of a pressure thereon.
  • A very short distance from the coupling region, the two coupled fabrics were cooled by blown air at ambient temperature. A layered covering having a total thickness of 11 mm, smooth surfaces, and air-permeability of 130 1/dm2*min, which was equal to that of the non-coupled aesthetic fabric, was thus obtained.
  • Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and forms of embodiment may vary widely with respect to those described purely by way of example, without thereby departing from its scope.

Claims (7)

  1. A covering for chairs, seats, and items of furniture in general, comprising a fabric having aesthetic properties coupled directly with a non-woven fabric formed at least partially of thermally meltable synthetic fibres.
  2. A covering according to Claim 1 in which the non-woven fabric has a layered structure and comprises a first layer of thermally meltable fibres facing towards the fabric having aesthetic properties, the first layer being coupled with a second layer of incombustible fibres.
  3. A covering according to Claim 1 in which the non-woven fabric is formed entirely of thermally meltable synthetic fibres.
  4. A covering according to Claim 1 in which the non-woven fabric comprises natural fibres mixed with the thermally meltable synthetic fibres.
  5. A covering according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the thermally meltable synthetic fibres are made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, and mixtures thereof.
  6. A method of producing a covering according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the coupling of the non-woven fabric with the fabric having aesthetic properties takes place by exposure of the non-woven fabric to a heat source.
  7. A method according to Claim 6 in which the exposure of the non-woven fabric to a heat source is followed by a step of felt-needling with water.
EP02425450A 2002-07-09 2002-07-09 A covering for items of furniture, and a method for the production thereof Withdrawn EP1380679A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02425450A EP1380679A1 (en) 2002-07-09 2002-07-09 A covering for items of furniture, and a method for the production thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02425450A EP1380679A1 (en) 2002-07-09 2002-07-09 A covering for items of furniture, and a method for the production thereof

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1380679A1 true EP1380679A1 (en) 2004-01-14

Family

ID=29724611

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02425450A Withdrawn EP1380679A1 (en) 2002-07-09 2002-07-09 A covering for items of furniture, and a method for the production thereof

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1380679A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1944156A1 (en) * 2007-01-10 2008-07-16 Marco Cavallaro A thermoformable layered material and the production process thereof

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB986686A (en) * 1962-04-05 1965-03-24 Fmc Corp Non-woven fabric, a method of making it, and articles made therefrom
GB2179067A (en) * 1985-08-12 1987-02-25 Firth Furnishings Ltd Fire resistant fabric
GB2245606A (en) * 1990-03-13 1992-01-08 Vita Fibres Ltd Fire resistant interliner
WO1994004739A1 (en) * 1992-08-17 1994-03-03 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Fire-resistant material comprising a fiberfill batt
DE4241973A1 (en) * 1992-12-12 1994-06-16 Akzo Nv Textiles for vandal-proof seating - comprising core of cutting resistant fibre such as aromatic polyamide with covering of dyeable natural or synthetic fibres
GB2337958A (en) * 1998-06-05 1999-12-08 Wilkie J & D Ltd Producing a single composite sheet of material

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB986686A (en) * 1962-04-05 1965-03-24 Fmc Corp Non-woven fabric, a method of making it, and articles made therefrom
GB2179067A (en) * 1985-08-12 1987-02-25 Firth Furnishings Ltd Fire resistant fabric
GB2245606A (en) * 1990-03-13 1992-01-08 Vita Fibres Ltd Fire resistant interliner
WO1994004739A1 (en) * 1992-08-17 1994-03-03 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Fire-resistant material comprising a fiberfill batt
DE4241973A1 (en) * 1992-12-12 1994-06-16 Akzo Nv Textiles for vandal-proof seating - comprising core of cutting resistant fibre such as aromatic polyamide with covering of dyeable natural or synthetic fibres
GB2337958A (en) * 1998-06-05 1999-12-08 Wilkie J & D Ltd Producing a single composite sheet of material

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1944156A1 (en) * 2007-01-10 2008-07-16 Marco Cavallaro A thermoformable layered material and the production process thereof

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