EP4393344A1 - Bracelet and method for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bracelet (1) comprising an upper band (2) and a lower band (3) forming at least one strand of the bracelet, the bracelet being characterized in that it comprises a flexible intermediate layer (4) arranged between the upper band (2) and the lower band (3), the flexible intermediate layer (4) being formed by at least one encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature between 0°C and 40°C.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a bracelet, flexible and deformable, in the field of watchmaking, jewelry or even leather goods, and a manufacturing process for obtaining such a bracelet.

Technology background

Traditionally, watch straps are made of leather, synthetic material, fabric, rubbery material, or metal. The bracelets also include an insert disposed in a lining or a sheath or between an upper band and a lower band subsequently joined together. This insert has a mainly mechanical and flexible function.

In the case of a leather bracelet, the insert is made up of tear-resistant reinforcement and leather and non-woven padding to give relief to the bracelet. A leather lining is still provided, as well as a leather or synthetic upper.

According to a variant of execution, the bracelet has a top, which is only rimmed on the sides of the bracelet to be of the semi-rimmed type. The production of the semi-rimmed or machine-rimmed bracelet is done using a mold and a plate press.

It is also possible to imagine a bracelet made of elastomer material in which several layers are glued and/or welded to each other and surround an insert. A preform can then be cut to the shape of each strand of the bracelet by a press. The edges of the bracelet can then be protected with edge lacquer and sewn.

Certain bracelets have been made by combining these elastomer-type materials with typical high-end leathers in order to improve the durability of these bracelets over time without changing their appearance when the watch is worn.

However, these bracelets generally include different parts made of different materials which are typically sewn or glued together, which can lead to these parts becoming separated in the long term. Furthermore, the assembly of these different parts does not allow sufficient and/or satisfactory customization and/or decoration.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is to provide a bracelet comprising a functional and comfortable insert, as well as a method making it possible to manufacture such bracelets having a combination of materials intimately linked together and allowing a multitude of customization.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a bracelet comprising an upper band and a lower band forming at least one strand of the bracelet, said bracelet being characterized in that it comprises a flexible intermediate layer disposed between the upper band and the band lower, the flexible intermediate layer being formed by at least one encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature located between 0°C and 40°C.

• l'au moins un matériau à changement de phase est choisi parmi : les hydrocarbures paraffiniques, les hydrocarbures halogénés, les cires, les huiles, les sels hydratés, les acides gras, les esters d'acides gras, les acides dibasiques, les esters dibasiques, les 1-halogénures, les polymères, et leurs mélanges ;
• la bande inférieure comprend des micro-perforations ;
• les bandes supérieure et inférieure sont réalisées à partir de composites élastomères comprenant des charges métalliques et/ou céramiques afin d'améliorer les échanges de chaleur ;
• le seuil de température prédéterminé est compris entre 25°C et 30°C ;
• la couche en matériau à changement de phase encapsulé comprend des orifices pour le passage de moyens de fixation ;
• la bande supérieure est réalisée en un ou plusieurs matériaux choisis dans le groupe comprenant les cuirs, les textiles naturels ou synthétiques, les élastomères, les matières siliconées ;
• la couche intermédiaire souple est formée par deux matériaux à changement de phase encapsulé, un premier matériau à changement de phase encapsulé ayant une température de transition située entre 15°C et 25°C, et un second matériau à changement de phase encapsulé ayant une température de transition située entre 26°C et 35°C.

In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention:

• the at least one phase change material is chosen from: paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, waxes, oils, hydrated salts, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, dibasic acids, dibasic esters , 1-halides, polymers, and mixtures thereof;
• the lower band includes micro-perforations;
• the upper and lower bands are made from elastomeric composites comprising metallic and/or ceramic fillers in order to improve heat exchange;
• the predetermined temperature threshold is between 25°C and 30°C;
• the layer of encapsulated phase change material comprises orifices for the passage of fixing means;
• the upper band is made of one or more materials chosen from the group comprising leathers, natural or synthetic textiles, elastomers, silicone materials;
• the flexible intermediate layer is formed by two encapsulated phase change materials, a first encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature between 15°C and 25°C, and a second encapsulated phase change material having a temperature transition located between 26°C and 35°C.

An advantage of a bracelet according to the invention lies in the fact that the insert has a sufficiently reduced thickness so as to be able to replace a traditional reinforcing insert without increasing the traditional thickness of such a bracelet while providing one or more additional functions.

The invention also relates to a method of producing the bracelet, which comprises the characteristics defined in independent claim 9.

Brief description of the figures

• La figure 1 représente un bracelet muni d'une couche intermédiaire selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, et
• La figure 2 représente une vue en coupe d'un brin de bracelet selon l'invention.

The purposes, advantages and characteristics of the bracelet provided with a phosphorescent insert will appear better in the following description from the drawings in which:

• There figure 1 represents a bracelet provided with an intermediate layer according to a first embodiment of the invention, and
• There figure 2 represents a sectional view of a strand of bracelet according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

A first aspect of the invention concerns a bracelet 1 comprising an upper band 2 and a lower band 3 forming at least one strand of the bracelet 1, each band having corresponding orifices 10 for the passage of a pin or barb. The bracelet also comprises an insert placed between the upper band 2 and the lower band 3, the insert being in the form of a flexible intermediate layer 4 placed between the upper band 2 and the lower band 3.

By upper is meant the part of the bracelet facing outwards and which is visible to the wearer when the bracelet is worn. Likewise, by lower is meant the part of the bracelet oriented towards the inside and which is in contact with the wearer when the bracelet is worn.

Advantageously, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by at least one encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature located between 0°C and 40°C, so as to be able to restore or absorb heat when the bracelet is in contact with the wearer's skin.

The transition temperature is, for example, between 25°C and 30°C. Once this temperature is reached, the material changes phase will absorb heat from the wearer and give a cooling sensation to the wearer.

The opposite is also possible. The transition temperature can, for example, be between 15°C and 20°C. Once this temperature is reached, the phase change material will return heat to the wearer and give the wearer a warming sensation.

The intermediate layer 4 also includes orifices 10' corresponding to the orifices in the upper and lower bands for the passage of a pin or barb.

The intermediate layer 4 is glued to the upper 2 and lower 3 bands so that the intermediate layer 4 no longer moves once the bracelet is assembled.

Conventionally, the upper band 2 and the lower band 3 are made of one or more materials chosen from the group comprising leathers, natural or synthetic textiles, elastomers, elastomeric composites comprising metallic and/or ceramic fillers, silicone materials. A combination of these materials is also possible depending on the wishes of the wearer.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower band 3 comprises micro-perforations 30 to allow better conduction of heat from the wearer to the encapsulated phase change material and/or vice versa.

The elastomer can be chosen from fluoroelastomers such as those of the FKM family (crosslinkable fluoro or perfluoropolyalkylene) or thermoplastic elastomers such as TPU (Polyurethanes), EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer), silicones, EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) and their thermoplastic derivatives (TPO) or even from the family of acrylic elastomers. The chosen elastomer also has the advantage of being relatively flexible to be able to adapt to the curvature of the wrist when the bracelet is worn.

The intermediate layer 4 has a sufficiently reduced thickness so as to be able to replace a traditional reinforcing insert without increasing the traditional thickness of such a bracelet while providing an additional effect.

According to the invention, the phase change material is chosen from: paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, waxes, oils, hydrated salts, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, dibasic acids, esters dibasics, 1-halides, polymers, and mixtures thereof.

The phase change material is encapsulated in an envelope made of a material based on silicone or thermoplastic elastomer, which makes it possible to easily bond the intermediate layer 4 to the upper 2 and lower 3 bands.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by a pocket in which rests a liquid such as a mineral or vegetable oil and microcapsules of a phase change material.

Still according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by two encapsulated phase change materials, a first encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature located between 15°C and 20°C , and a second encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature between 25°C and 35°C. Such an arrangement makes it possible to combine several functions, such as warming the carrier when the transition temperature is located between 15°C and 20°C, and cooling the carrier when the transition temperature is located between 25°C and 35°C.

• fabriquer une couche intermédiaire souple 4 formée par au moins un matériau à changement de phase encapsulé correspondant à la forme finale souhaitée pour le bracelet,
• fournir une bande supérieure 2 et une bande inférieure 3,
• coller la couche intermédiaire 4 sur la bande inférieure 3, et
• solidariser la bande supérieure 2 sur la bande inférieure 3 et la couche intermédiaire 4 pour former le bracelet.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a bracelet which comprises the steps consisting of:

• manufacture a flexible intermediate layer 4 formed by at least one encapsulated phase change material corresponding to the final shape desired for the bracelet,
• provide an upper band 2 and a lower band 3,
• stick the intermediate layer 4 on the lower strip 3, and
• join the upper band 2 to the lower band 3 and the intermediate layer 4 to form the bracelet.

The upper strip 2 on the lower strip 3 are secured together for example by gluing, by seams or by being welded to each other.

Thanks to these characteristics, the two bands 2, 3 and the intermediate layer 4 are closely linked together, which ensures a good level of robustness and excellent durability over time of the bracelet thus manufactured.

The upper strip 2 can also be overmolded. In this case, a groove or molding can be provided around the opening in order to improve the aesthetics of the whole. Indeed, such a groove or molding makes it possible to at least partially conceal the material transitions between the different parts of the bracelet.

Thanks to the manufacturing process which has just been described, it is possible to produce numerous variations for a flexible bracelet, in terms of functions for the well-being of the wearer.

In addition, the bracelet thus manufactured has excellent resistance over time, even when it comes into contact with water or sweat.

Claims (9)

Bracelet (1) comprising an upper band (2) and a lower band (3) forming at least one strand of the bracelet, the bracelet being characterized in that it comprises a flexible intermediate layer (4) arranged between the upper band (2 ) and the lower strip (3), the flexible intermediate layer (4) being formed by at least one encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature located between 0°C and 40°C. Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one phase change material is chosen from: paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, waxes, oils, hydrated salts, fatty acids, esters of fatty acids, dibasic acids, dibasic esters, 1-halides, polymers, and mixtures thereof. Bracelet according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower band (3) comprises micro-perforations. Bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper band (2) and lower band (3) are made from elastomer composites comprising metallic and/or ceramic fillers. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transition temperature of the phase change material is between 25°C and 30°C. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate layer (4) of encapsulated phase change material comprises orifices for the passage of fixing means. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper band (2) is made of one or more materials chosen from the group including leathers, natural or synthetic textiles, elastomers, silicone materials. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible intermediate layer (4) is formed by two encapsulated phase change materials, a first encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature located between 15°C and 20°C, and a second encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature between 25°C and 35°C. Method of manufacturing a bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 8 , characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - manufacture a flexible intermediate layer 4 formed by at least one encapsulated phase change material corresponding to the final shape desired for the bracelet, - provide an upper band 2 and a lower band 3, - stick the intermediate layer 4 on the lower strip 3, and - join the upper band 2 to the lower band 3 and the intermediate layer 4 to form the bracelet.

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