EP1413213B1 - Flameproof, waterproof composite textile with three dimensional thread network - Google Patents

Abstract

The textile (1), comprising a first layer (2) based on thermostable fibres and a second layer (3) with a membrane that it impermeable to water in liquid form but permeable to water vapour and non-flammable, with a discontinuous layer of adhesive (4) between them, has the surface of the first layer facing away from the second layer made with a network (5) of relief filaments (6) spaced at intervals that trap air between the first layer and a covering layer. The first layer can be a woven or knitted fabric with the relief filaments incorporated in it as warp or weft threads based on a thermostable material. The adhesive layer can be in the form of points applied by serigraphy or a polymer reticulable applied in molten form.

Description

The invention relates to a fireproof composite textile, a composite lining comprising such a textile and thermal protective clothing comprising such a lining or such a textile.

In a particular application, the garment is intended to be worn by firefighters who have to fight against fires.

In such a context, the garment must provide comfort and security to the person wearing it.

For the production of thermal protective clothing, it is known to use a stack of layers having different functions so as to obtain the desired overall performance for said garments.

• résister au feu ;
• assurer une protection thermique afin de protéger l'individu de la chaleur ;
• présenter un faible retrait thermique ;
• être imperméable tout en permettant le passage de la vapeur d'eau ― notamment de la sueur ― depuis l'intérieur du vêtement vers le milieu extérieur.

In particular, the stack forming the garment must have the following characteristics which, in the case of protective clothing for firefighters, are the subject of European Standard EN 469 of September 1995:

• resist fire;
• provide thermal protection to protect the individual from heat;
• have low heat shrinkage
• be waterproof while allowing the passage of water vapor - especially sweat - from the inside of the garment to the outside environment.

Finally, the different properties that such a stack must possess must not lead to multiplying the independent layers that compose it so as not to complicate the making of the garment.

Document FR-2 781 341 discloses a textile complex for producing thermal protective clothing which comprises an outer fabric and a lining, in which on the inner face of the fabric and / or on the outer face of the lining are arranged beads that delimit filled channels of air between the fabric and the lining. In particular, this document discloses a stack consisting of an outer fabric, an impermeable and breathable membrane and a liner provided with beads.

Due to the inclusion of air in the textile complex, it has thermal protection properties.

One of the problems with such a textile complex is the making of the thermal protection garment. Indeed, by providing to integrate the beads on the outer fabric and / or on the liner, the document FR-2 781 341 forces the garment maker to use an outer fabric and / or a specific lining to obtain the thermal protection function. However this is not desirable since the outer fabric and the lining already fulfill specific functions - respectively including appearance and comfort - which may be incompatible or deteriorated by the integration of the beads.

The invention aims to solve this problem by proposing in particular a fire-resistant composite fabric which incorporates the functions of thermal protection and breathability, said textile being in particular intended to be made between an external textile assembly and a standard lining so to obtain a thermal protection garment that fulfills all the properties mentioned above.

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the subject of the invention is an impermeable fireproof composite textile comprising a first textile layer based on heat-stable fibers, a second layer comprising a membrane impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water. water vapor, non-flammable and a third layer of discontinuous adhesive placed between said first and second layers ensuring the attachment of the second layer to the first layer, wherein the face of the first layer which is opposite to the second layer comprises a an array of son in relief, said son being spaced apart from each other so as to allow the inclusion of a volume of air between said first layer and a layer disposed opposite.

The invention further proposes to integrate the lining to the composite textile so, by decreasing the number of independent textiles to be made, to further simplify the making of the protective clothing.

For this purpose, according to a second aspect, the subject of the invention is a composite lining comprising such an impermeable fireproof composite textile, and a fourth textile layer, said fourth layer being associated on the face of the first layer which is opposed to the second layer, so as to provide a layer of air between said first and fourth layers.

The invention furthermore proposes garments which have improved thermal protection properties, and this being of particularly simple construction.

For this purpose, according to a third aspect, the invention relates to a thermal protection garment comprising an outer textile assembly constituting the outer face of the garment and such a composite liner, wherein the fourth layer constitutes the inner face of the garment.

According to a fourth aspect, the subject of the invention is a thermal protection garment comprising an outer textile assembly constituting the outer face of the garment and a lining constituting the inner face of the garment, said garment comprising an insert mounted between the outer textile and the liner, wherein said insert is an impermeable fireproof composite fabric according to the invention, the first layer of said composite textile being placed opposite the lining so as to provide a layer of air between the first layer and the lining.

• la figure 1 est une représentation en coupe d'un textile composite selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation de dessus d'un textile composite selon une première variante de réalisation de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation de dessus d'un textile composite selon une deuxième variante de réalisation de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une représentation en coupe d'une doublure composite comprenant un textile composite selon la figure 1, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation en coupe d'une doublure composite selon la figure 4 qui est montée volante sur un ensemble textile externe pour former un vêtement de protection thermique, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une représentation en coupe d'un textile composite selon la figure 1 qui est monté volant entre un ensemble textile externe et une doublure pour former un vêtement de protection thermique, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une représentation en perspective d'une veste de protection thermique confectionnée sur la base du mode de réalisation de la figure 6.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a sectional representation of a composite textile according to one embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a top view of a composite fabric according to a first embodiment of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a top view of a composite fabric according to a second embodiment of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a sectional representation of a composite liner comprising a composite fabric according to Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 5 is a sectional representation of a composite liner according to Figure 4 which is mounted flying on an outer textile assembly to form a thermal protection garment, according to one embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 6 is a sectional representation of a composite textile according to Figure 1 which is mounted flying between an outer textile assembly and a liner to form a thermal protection garment, according to one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective representation of a thermal protection vest made on the basis of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the anti-fire composite textile 1 is formed of a first textile layer 2, a second layer 3 and a third adhesive layer 4 interconnecting the first and second layers 2 , 3 so as to form a unitary unit.

The fibers and / or wires forming the first layer 2 are either thermostable by nature or flame retarded after their manufacture.

These fibers and / or yarns are, for example, meta or para-aramid, polyamide-imide, polyacrylate, polybenzimidazole, aromatic copolyimide, polyacrylonitryl oxide, polyacrylate, phenylene polysulfide, polyester ether ketone, FR viscose, cotton, ceramic fibers, Zirpo or a phenolic compound, or fluorocarbonated, or modalcrylic. A mixture of these thermostable fibers is also usable.

In the embodiment shown, the adhesive layer 4 is discontinuous and consists of adhesion points 9, for example comprising a moisture crosslinkable polymer.

The dots 9 can be obtained by screen printing and can be formed based on thermoplastic polymers allowing in particular to obtain a bond having a high resistance to dry cleaning and washing.

Preferably, the polymer used is nonflammable. For example, this quality can be conferred by the addition of chlorinated antimony trioxide.

The points 9 are deposited in the form of paste or powder or sprinkled on one of the two layers 2, 3, for example on the layer 2. The combination of the two layers 2, 3 is made conventionally on a hurry.

In an exemplary embodiment, the moisture-crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer is deposited on the first layer 2 by melting. After passing through an oven set at 130 ° C., the second layer 3 is immediately applied using a cooled calender. By a subsequent heat treatment at 150 ° C. for one minute, the final crosslinking of the bonding is obtained. The textile is then rested 24h.

Other methods of bonding can be used, for example the use of sails, films or iron-on grids on which is applied each of the layers 2, 3 of the composite textile 1 under a press or by simple calendering.

The second layer 3 comprises a membrane impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor. Alternatively, the second layer 3 further comprises a textile web, for example formed of a knit, which is associated with the membrane so as to strengthen mechanically.

The membrane is formed for example of polyurethane or polyamino acid, with a thickness of between 10 and 50 microns. It has micro-perforations or pores with a diameter of 0.2 micron which allow the circulation of water and carbon dioxide molecules but prevent the passage of liquid water. The surface density of the membrane is of the order of 40 g / m ² .

Preferably, this membrane is based on polyurethane flame retarded for example by adding a nitrogen and phosphorus additive.

According to another embodiment, the microporous membrane may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

On the other hand, hydrophilic-type membranes which are impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapor can also be used for producing the second layer 3.

According to the invention, the face of the first layer 2 which is opposite the second layer 3 comprises a network 5 of son 6 in relief, said son being spaced from each other so as to allow the inclusion of a volume of air between said first layer and a layer disposed opposite. In the context of the application considered, it is desirable that the son 6 of the network 5 are made from a heat-stable material.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the grating 5 is associated with the face of the first layer 2. According to another embodiment, not shown, the face of the first layer 2 may comprise the grating 5; that is, portions of threads of the first layer 2 are made in relief.

In Figures 2 and 3, the son 6 of the network 5 extend respectively in the warp direction and in the weft direction so as to form air channels between said son. Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the son 6 in the warp direction and in the weft direction so as to form air cells between said son.

The first layer 2 shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a knit 7, the son 6 being associated by binding with the aid of son portions of said knit. Thus, the son 6 are associated with the knit 7 during the manufacture thereof.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the first layer 2 comprises a fabric, the combination of the son 6 being then obtained by bonding with portions of son of the fabric.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the first layer 2 further comprises a compacted web of continuous fibers or filaments which has undergone minimal bonding to give cohesion to the fibers, thereby forming a nonwoven textile web. The bonding may consist for example of a thermal bonding, especially a bonding or pre-bonding hot. The bonding may also consist of needling or pre-needling. Alternatively, the bonding can be carried out by water jet.

The nonwoven web is reinforced by the knit mesh 7 whose function is notably to reinforce the cohesion of the nonwoven web. The knit 7 is knit stitch. The throws are obtained by the passage of knitting son on needles different from the craft, each row of stitches.

To produce this layer 2, a "RACHEL" or "MALI" type machine is fed with the nonwoven web and with the wires 6 of the network 5 so that that the needles cooperate in a known manner with the guide bars to make the layer 2. In particular, this embodiment allows to integrate the son 6 on the layer 2 during the manufacture of said layer since the association of the son 6 is obtained by bonding with the jets of the knit 7 which is made through the nonwoven web.

Alternatively, there may be a first layer 2 of structure similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3, wherein the nonwoven web is substituted by a textile web formed of a knit or fabric. In particular, a knit 7 may be formed through the textile web, with insertion of the threads 6 in the weft and / or warp direction of the knit 7.

In a particular example, the son 6 forming the network 5 are arranged so that their thickness is between 1 and 10 mm. In particular, each son forming the network may be formed of a bundle of elementary son which are assembled, for example twisted, together so as to obtain the desired diameter. Furthermore, the spacing of the son 6 may be between 2 and 15 mm so as to obtain a significant volume of air.

In the composite textile 1, the son 6 of the network 5 define air spaces between them and a layer disposed opposite the layer 2. In particular, this air is not static but can circulate, to the extent that it is not imprisoned. Thus, under normal conditions of use, there is no significant overheating of the air. Conversely, during a very sudden increase in temperature, the amount of air in the spaces of the network 5 is sufficient thermal insulation to allow the operator to move away from the dangerous place.

Moreover, this structure contributes to the lightness of the garment obtained from the textile 1, and consequently to its comfort. This is reinforced by the circulation of air in the spaces, which favors the evaporation of the sweat water absorbed by the lining of the garment.

With reference to FIG. 4, a composite liner 17 which comprises the composite textile 1 described with reference to FIG.

Such a lining is waterproof and breathable and is intended to constitute the inner face of a protective garment. This lining allows a great simplicity of making a protective garment by reducing to two the number of elements to associate to obtain said garment.

Such a composite liner comprises a fourth textile layer 16 associated with the composite textile 1, said fourth layer being disposed on the network 5 and associated with the face of the first layer 2 which is opposite to the second layer 3, so as to form a set unit and to provide a layer of air between the first and fourth layers.

In one embodiment, the fourth layer 16 comprises a fabric which is intended to form the inner face of the garment.

In another embodiment, the fourth layer 16 comprises a nonwoven, for example needled, which is intended to form the inner face of the garment. Alternatively, the fourth layer 16 may comprise a knit formed through the nonwoven web so as to reinforce said web. In this case, the mesh columns, formed by inserts are interconnected which gives them greater cohesion and, thereby, gives greater cohesion to the liner 17 as a whole.

According to one embodiment, the fourth layer 16 is associated with the composite fabric 1 by padding with a thread 18. For this purpose, the fourth layer 16 is associated with the first layer 2 prior to the combination of the first layer 2 with the second layer 3, so as to prevent perforation of the membrane during the quilting step.

In the context of the application in question, the fourth layer 16 may be fire-resistant and resistant to heat and flame. For this purpose, the fourth layer 16 is made of fibers and / or thermostable son, such as those used to produce the first layer 2 of the composite textile 1 as described above. However, the fourth layer 16 being thermally protected by the layer 2 and the network 5, this provision is not critical.

The following is described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, particularly effective and lightweight thermal protection and / or fire-fighting clothing 10, which comprise the composite fabric 1 according to the invention.

In Figure 5 is shown a garment comprising an outer textile assembly 11 constituting its outer face and a composite liner as shown in Figure 4, wherein the fourth layer 16 is the inner face of the garment.

During manufacture, the composite liner 17 is mounted flying relative to the outer fabric 11. Thus, the use of the composite liner 17 facilitates the manufacture of the garment 10 by reducing the number of elements to be assembled since the liner 17 is integrated to composite textile 1.

In connection with FIGS. 6 and 7, a thermal protection garment 10, such as a jacket, is described which comprises an outer textile assembly 11 constituting its outer face and a standard lining 12 constituting its inner face.

The garment 10 comprises an insert 13 formed of an impermeable fireproof composite textile 1 as described above, the first layer 2 of which is placed opposite the lining 12 and the second, impermeable layer 3 is placed towards the outer textile 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the insert 13 is mounted flying between the outer textile 11 and the liner 12, which means that it is attached simultaneously to the outer textile 11 and to the lining 12 by its periphery 14 when of making, for example by sewing according to the usual seam lines of the lining 12 to the outer textile 11.

Apart from these lines, the insert 13 is free, between the outer fabric 11 and the liner 12 without further attachment to these elements.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in connection with a thermal protection jacket, the insert 13 and the lining 12 constitute a dissociable assembly of the outer textile 11. It can for example be connected to the outer textile assembly 11 by a zipper 15.

During the maintenance of the jacket 10, the insert 13 and the liner 12 can be dissociated from the outer fabric 11. It is thus possible to subject these two elements to different cleaning modes.

The tightness of the garment 10 can be improved by the addition of waterproof strips which are attached to the seams.

In addition, in order to promote the circulation of air in the spaces of the network 5, the network 5 has a general longitudinal orientation to the garment, and in particular vertical in the case of a jacket (skinned in Figure 7), favoring the air circulation by a natural phenomenon of convection.

In the protective clothing according to the invention, when the garment is watered, the lining, the first layer 2 of the textile 1 and therefore the user are protected since the layer 3 is impermeable to liquid. In particular, the membrane prevents the inclusion of water in the air spaces formed between the son 6 of the network 5, which would adversely affect the thermal insulation properties of the layer 2 as well as the drying capacity of the garment. . In addition, this seal avoids burns that could be experienced by the user of the garment when it is watered with hot water.

Layer 3, however, freely circulates water vapor and carbon dioxide just as the other layers 2, 4 and the liner must do.

Moreover, the adhesive layer 4 being discontinuous, a very large part of its surface is free of any material, which makes it possible not to alter the waterproof-breathable property of the textile 1.

Thus, the composite textile 1 as a whole has all the qualities required to prevent the condensation of perspiration, which gives it an optimal comfort.

Another property by which the garments according to the invention are particularly effective is thermal insulation.

This characteristic is fulfilled by the importance of the volume of air included in the textile 1. In fact, where the son 6 of the network 5 extend, the textile 1 has a large volume of air.

Because of the heat capacity of the air, the network 5 can thus act as a thermal barrier against the high heat prevailing in the ambient environment, for example in the context of the intervention of firefighters to control a fire.

In addition, when the garment 10 is subjected to excessive conditions causing the deterioration of the layer 3, the user remains protected by the layer 2 based heat-stable fibers. Indeed, the fibers constituting the first layer 2 are flame retardant, which gives the layer 2 good fire resistance.

Furthermore, the composite textile 1 which provides all the required functions is unitary so as not to complicate the making of the garment. In addition, the lining may be associated with the textile 1 so as to form a unitary assembly which will be used as such for the garment making.

Claims (21)

1. Waterproof, fireproof, composite textile (1) comprising a first textile layer (2) with a thermostable fibre base, a second layer (3) comprising a non-flammable membrane impermeable to liquid water and permeable to water vapour and a third discontinuous adhesive layer (4) placed between said first and second layers (2, 3) securing the second layer (3) on the first layer (2), characterised in that the face of the first layer (2) which is opposite the second layer (3) comprises a net (5) of raised yarns (6), said yarns (6) being at a distance from each other so as to enable,the inclusion of an air volume between said first layer and a layer arranged opposite.
2. Textile according to claim 1, characterised in that the net (5) is associated with the face of the first layer (2).
3. Textile according to claim 2, characterised in that the yarns (6) extend on the face of the first layer in the warp direction and/or in the weft direction so as to form the net (5).
4. Textile according to claim 3, characterised in that the first layer comprises a woven or knitted fabric (7), the net (5) being associated with the first layer (2) by binding using portions of yarns from said woven or knitted fabric.
5. Textile according to claim 4, characterised in that the first layer (2) also comprises a textile lap through which the woven or knitted fabric (7) is produced.
6. Textile according to claim 5, characterised in that the textile lap is made of non-woven fabric.
7. Textile according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the yarns (6) of the net (5) are produced with a thermostable material base.
8. Textile according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the second layer (3) also comprises a textile lap associated with the face of the membrane opposite the first layer.
9. Textile according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the third adhesive layer (4) consists of dots (9) and is obtained by means of serigraphic coating.
10. Textile according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the third adhesive layer (4) comprises a moisture-crosslinkable polymer which is deposited in the molten state.
11. Textile according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the first layer (2) comprises thermostable polyamide-imide fibres.
12. Textile according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the membrane of the second layer (3) is made with a polyurethane base.
13. Composite lining (17) comprising a waterproof, fireproof, composite textile (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12 and a fourth textile layer (16), said fourth layer being associated on the face of the first layer (2) opposite the second layer (3), so as to provide an air layer between said first and fourth layers.
14. Lining according to claim 13, characterised in that the fourth layer comprises a non-woven fabric.
15. Lining according to claim 13, characterised in that the fourth layer comprises a woven fabric.
16. Lining according to any of claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the fourth layer (16) is formed from a thermostable fibre and/or yarn base.
17. Lining according to any of claims 13 to 16, characterised in that the fourth layer (16) is associated with the first layer (2) by quilting.
18. Thermal protection clothing (10) comprising an external textile assembly (11) forming the outer face of the clothing and a composite lining (17) according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the fourth layer (16) forms the inner face of the clothing.
19. Thermal protection clothing (10) comprising an external textile assembly (11) forming the outer face of the clothing and a lining (12) forming the inner face of the clothing, said clothing (10) comprising an insert (13) fitted between the external textile (11) and the lining (12), said clothing (10) being characterised in that said insert (13) is a waterproof, fireproof, composite textile (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, the first layer (2) of said composite textile (1) being placed opposite the lining (12) so as to provide an air layer between the first layer and the lining (12).
20. Clothing according to claim 18 or 19, characterised in that the lining or the insert (13) is fitted in a detachable manner.
21. Clothing according to any of claims 18 to 20, characterised in that the net (5) is arranged to enable the air flow inside the air layer.

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