FR3113498A1 - Air permeable 3D spacer fabric rain cover device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of rain protection devices such as umbrellas, tents or rainwear. The rain protection device comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric whose pressure drop coefficient of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is less than 5. Preferably to facilitate installation, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is extensible so as to be able to be energized. The three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) is a succession of parallel and oblique knitted stitches (M) interconnected by a multitude of longitudinal filaments (F). The knitted faces (M) do not let water through, i.e. are knitted on 100% of their surface and coated with a hydrophobic product or directly woven into a waterproof fabric. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 5.

Description

Air permeable three-dimensional spacer fabric rain cover device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The invention relates to the field of rain protection devices such as umbrellas, tents or rainwear.

PRIOR ART

Rain protection devices such as umbrellas or rain gear are often made of waterproof fabric.

For some models, there are variants whose fabrics are not strictly waterproof but permeable so as not to evacuate perspiration, for example.

In fact, these low-permeability models let little air through.

In addition, these fabrics, being insufficiently permeable to air, take the wind which can make them unstable or even dangerous, for example in the case of an umbrella.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The rain protection device according to the invention comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric.

Preferably, the pressure drop coefficient of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is less than 5, if possible less than 1.

For good mechanical resistance, the 3D spacer fabric is run-proof

Preferably to facilitate the fitting of the rain protection device, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is stretchy

For the installation of the rain protection device, it is advantageous that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is put under tension.

Preferably, the filaments of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are longitudinal and the knitted faces of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric do not let water through.

To protect against rain, the knitted surface of the meshes represents 100% of the surface of the knitted face.

In terms of the manufacturing process, the manufacturing process of the rain cover device uses three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric knitting machines.

In the case of longitudinal filaments, it is possible to produce them for small series by assembling superimposed 3D spacer fabrics then laser cut in slices.

For larger series, it is possible to industrialize a process to produce them directly on knitting machines for three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings.

illustrates a first example of a three-dimensional spacer fabric with fine mesh and thickness of 7.5 mm.

illustrates a second example of a three-dimensional spacer fabric with wide meshes and a double thickness of approximately 1.5 centimeters.

shows a third example of a 3D spacer fabric with wide stitches whose surface of the knitted part almost represents the surface of the fabric on each side.

shows in section a 3D spacer fabric with longitudinal filaments whose meshes are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the fabric.

shows in section a three-dimensional spacer fabric with longitudinal filaments whose meshes are parallel to each other and oblique to the fabric.

shows a machine for knitting three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The rain protection device according to the invention comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T).

These are fabrics (T) composed of at least two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) with stitches (M) forming each face, the two faces are connected by a multitude of nylon filaments (F). These fabrics are used in particular in mattresses.

There illustrates a first example of a three-dimensional spacer fabric (T) with a fine mesh and a thickness of 7.5 mm. Note that in this example the stitches (M) of the two knitted sides (M1) and (M2) overlap.

There illustrates a second example of a three-dimensional spacer fabric (T) with a wide mesh (M) and a double thickness of approximately 1.5 centimeters. Note that in this example the stitches (M) of the two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) are staggered.

There shows a third example of a three-dimensional spacer fabric with wide stitches, the surface of the knitted part of which almost represents the surface of the fabric on each side, which limits the passage of rain but allows water to pass.

Preferably, according to an embodiment represented And , the filaments (F) of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are longitudinal. The fabric is then a succession of knitted stitches (M) substantially parallel to each other, interconnected by a multitude of filaments (F).

Unlike a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric as depicted , And , it is preferable that the knitted faces (M) do not allow water to pass at all, that is to say they are knitted over 100% of their surface and preferably coated with a hydrophobic product, either directly knitted or woven in a waterproof fabric.

Depending on the case depending on the respective position of the rain protection device and the direction of the rain, the meshes (M) are perpendicular as shown or oblique as shown ,

Thus, depending on the inclination of the fabric, the meshes make it possible to protect against the rain while letting the air pass in a different direction.

This is particularly the case with umbrellas where the inclination of the fabric varies according to its position while the wind is most often horizontal, influencing the direction of the rain.

Then the angle of inclination of the mesh (M) can vary continuously depending on its distance from the center of the umbrella, which leads to a specific product.

In the case of a tent, it can include such a 3D spacer fabric with longitudinal filaments as a flysheet, allowing the wind to pass horizontally while protecting from the falling rain.

Similarly for rainwear, the orientation of the stitches must be defined according to the selected part of the garment depending on whether it is a hood, sleeves or trouser legs, the back or simple bellows very localized ease.

In addition, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics are mechanically strong and will withstand strong winds. They support forces of several tens of kilos per m².

For good mechanical resistance, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) is run-proof.

Preferably, to allow air to pass through better, the pressure drop coefficient of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is less than 5, or even if possible less than 1. This coefficient represents the opposition to the passage of air through the fabric of the rain protection device. This is the ratio between the pressure drop measured in Pascal between the upstream and downstream pressure when the fabric is crossed by an air flow at a speed V given in meters per second and the equivalent of the kinetic energy of air ½ ρV², ρ being the density of air.

A pressure drop coefficient of less than 5 makes it more permeable than the low permeability fabrics usually marketed.

A loss coefficient of less than 1 makes it possible to limit the consequences of the force of the wind and to prevent, for example, an umbrella from turning over or flying away with all the risks that this entails.

Preferably to facilitate the fitting of the rain protection device, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is extensible.

For this, to keep a form of elasticity so that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) remains extensible, it is not necessary to perform the operation of geometric stabilization by thermal process used in the case of 3D spacer fabrics integrated into the mattresses for guarantee the dimensional conformity expected for use in a mattress.

Unlike the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics integrated into the mattresses, it is not necessary to implement the thermal stabilization process which would make the fabric (T) not very stretchy. For example, the heat treatment may consist of bringing the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) to 200°C for 30 seconds to ensure dimensional conformity.

By not doing this, the 3D spacer fabric can remain stretchy for values greater than 30% or even 50% depending on their design.

This also has the advantage in terms of compactness that the volume of the fabric (T) in the stowed position such as a folded umbrella or a rolled up tent flysheet takes up less space.

For placement of the device, it is advantageous for the three-dimensional 3D spacer tissue to be put under tension. This is particularly interesting in the case of an umbrella where the 3D spacer fabric is stretched over the ribs of the umbrella.

In terms of the manufacturing process, the manufacturing process of the rain cover device uses three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric knitting (MT) machines like the one shown .

In the case of longitudinal filaments (F), it is possible to produce them for small series by assembling classic three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics (T) superimposed and then laser cut in slices to the desired thickness.

For larger series, it is possible to industrialize a process to produce them directly on machines (MT) to knit the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics like the one illustrated .

In terms of industrial application, the invention applies to rain protection devices such as umbrellas, tents or rainwear.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and represented, but a person skilled in the art will know how to make any variant in accordance with his spirit for a range of products in different fields.

Claims (10)

Rain protection device characterized in that the device comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric in the form of a 3D knit composed of knitted meshes (M) connected by a multitude of filaments (F). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pressure drop coefficient is less than 5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the 3D spacer fabric is run-proof. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is extensible. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is put under tension. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the knitted faces (M) of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (M) do not allow water to pass through. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the knitted surface of the stitches (M) represents 100% of the surface of the fabric. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the 3D knit is composed of a succession of knitted stitches (M) perpendicular or oblique with respect to the longitudinal direction of the 3D knit, interconnected by a multitude of filaments (F). Method of manufacturing the rain protection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it uses three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric knitting machines. Method according to claim 9 consisting of assembling three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics and then cutting them by laser in slices.