JP2022087047A - Knitted artifact with heat-shrinking yarns - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an artifact that meets a user's comfort needs with simple, automated, and cost-effective technical means.SOLUTION: An assembly is described for chairs, armchairs, sofas, and the like, comprising a knitted artifact (1) and sliders (12). The artifact (1) comprises a multilayer and two ends (11) of tubular shape for fixing the multilayer, the multilayer comprising a knitted fabric front layer (2) and a knitted fabric rear layer (3) fixed to the sliders (12) of the artifact (1) at the two ends (11). The artifact (1) further comprises heat-shrinking yarns (5) associated with the multilayer, the heat-shrinking yarns (5) fixed with a series of connection points (7) spaced apart to the sliders (12) so as to develop in weft between the two ends (11) of the artifact (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a knit processed product provided with a heat-shrinkable yarn.

Manufacturers of chairs, armchairs, and sofas have become interested in and focused on the field of knitwear by pursuing comfort as well as lightness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of assembly.

Nowadays, it is widespread to make sheets and backrests from knitted fabrics, that is, fabrics woven with threads that help give a given technical property.

The applicant of the present invention describes a modular chair fabric in which auxiliary yarns are arranged in weft yarns along a predetermined trajectory and are periodically knitted into at least one main yarn, according to the Italian patent application according to Patent Document 1. The holder.

The main fabric may include two layers of knitted fabric, i.e. a cushioning element confined between the front and back layers.

The secondary yarn may be knitted into the knitted fabric or simply inserted between the knitted fabric layers.

By connecting the main yarns, it is possible to define a plurality of tubular portions into which one or a plurality of auxiliary yarns are inserted.

The auxiliary yarn defines different properties with respect to the main yarn, eg, thermal properties, i.e., it can be stretched or contracted in proportion to the application or decrease of heat. In other words, the auxiliary yarn may be of the heat shrink type.

The main yarn and the auxiliary yarn are bonded to each other in both peripheral regions of the fabric. The coupling is performed by a slider inserted in the cylindrical peripheral region. The secondary yarn is attached to the slider with a "British" style hook, as is usually the case between the yarn and the knitting needle in the tubular region.

A "British" style hook, also known as a British knit or right hand knit or throwing, is a known style of western knit in which the yarn woven into the fabric is carried by the right hand.

This style is widespread throughout the English-speaking world, though not globally. Other Western knit styles include continental knits (also known as "left hand knits") and compound knits.

As for the British knitting technique, assuming that it was cast on first and the knitting needle already has stitches, the thread is wound around the right hand and pulled with a pin (one method is the right hand to pull the tail of the thread with a pin). Wrapped around the little finger and hung over the index finger for control). The right hand holds a knitting needle with the most recently knitted stitch. At the beginning of the step, the right hand holds an empty knitting needle. The left hand holds the other knitting needles.

Known knitting machines can apply British knitting techniques.

In the applicant's previous patent application, if the secondary yarn has thermal properties, i.e., if it is a heat shrinkable yarn, the fabric shrinks as a result of the application of heat. This shrinkage lifts the fabric and produces a padding effect even when there is no padding between the front and back layers. If there is padding, the shrinkage raises the padding portion that is alternately machined with the heat shrink type yarn.

The disadvantage is that the heat-shrinkable yarn is inherently much harder than the yarn of the pre-layer knitted fabric on which the user leans directly, and the user feels the heat-shrinkable yarn.

The lifting effect of the heat-shrinkable yarn on the fabric amplifies the discomfort of support, especially in the case of sheets.

In addition, upon use, the heat-shrinkable yarn also visually creates a band, which changes the original appearance of the fabric.

U.S. Pat. The processed product is suitable for use in accessories such as bags, sofas, jackets and shoes.

Unfortunately, a very hard processed product, which is the object of Patent Document 2, is produced. Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5 disclose a knitted fabric for a chair containing a heat-shrinkable material.

Italian Patent Application No. 1020190000011508 International Publication No. 2018/134743 Pamphlet German Patent Application Publication No. 102014003099 JP-A-2015-221112 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/173514

It is an object of the present invention to create an assembly comprising a knitted product with heat shrinkable yarns that is comfortable for the user when leaning back.

A further object of the present invention is that the processed product is easily connected to a support structure such as a chair, a sofa, or an armchair.

Yet another object of the present invention is to ensure that the processed product is easily produced in a short period of time, resists the passage of time, and maintains the comfort and comfort of the product in which it is incorporated.

According to the present invention, the above and further objects are achieved by assembly for chairs, armchairs, sofas and the like, as disclosed in claim 1.

Advantageously, the work piece shrinks only on the lower surface, i.e., only the posterior layer of the knitted fabric shrinks.

As a result, the distance movement of the knitted fabric front layer away from the knitted fabric rear layer is realized, that is, a three-dimensional effect is obtained in consideration of the connection with the slider of the knitted fabric front layer at the end.

By making the heat-shrinkable yarn independent of the knitted fabric front layer, the knitted fabric front layer can continue to be flexible and deformable.

Advantageously, the pre-knitted fabric layer receives a completely different technical effect on the post-knitted fabric layer.

The processed product according to the present invention satisfies the user's comfort needs by simple, automatic and cost-effective technical means.

These and other features of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of its practical embodiments, which are shown as non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a part of the processed product according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a part of the processed product. FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of an end portion of the processed product. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the contents of the circle B in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a side view of a part of the processed product.

The knitted product 1 for chairs, armchairs, sofas and the like includes a knitted fabric front layer 2, a knitted fabric rear layer 3, and, if necessary, padding between the layers 2 and 3. The knitted fabric front layer 2 means a layer with which the user comes into contact. Chairs and armchairs are generally understood to be products for the user to sit on, such as vehicle seats, aircraft seats, wheelchairs, and the like.

The padding consists of a filament weave that can be mechanically connected to layers 2 and 3 or a filament weave that can be inserted into the gap between layers 2 and 3 without any special binding.

The processed product 1 further includes a plurality of heat-shrinkable yarns 5.

Layers 2 and 3 form a tubular knit multilayer.

The processed product 1 includes two cylindrical ends 11.

The heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is connected to the end portion 11 of the processed product 1 by a slider 12 inserted into the end portion 11 extending in a direction orthogonal to the heat-shrinkable yarn 5.

As is clear from FIG. 3, the layers 2 and 3 are connected by their ends 11.

The heat shrink yarns 5 extend as weft yarns between the two ends 11 that are wound so that they have a strong bond.

The end 11 of the work piece 1 allows attachment of a chair, sofa or armchair to a rigid support structure and thus forms a seat assembly containing the support structure and the support knitted fabric containing the work piece 1.

The layers 2 and 3 form a tubular structure capable of enclosing the padding, while the heat shrink yarn 5 is invisible or invisible on the outside of the knitted fabric rear layer 3 (FIGS. 2 and 3), ie, in the sheet. It is placed in a layer that does not come into contact with the user, such as the back of the back of a chair.

A discrete set of properly spaced connection points 7 connects the heat shrink yarn 5 to the outside of the knitted fabric posterior layer 3 with a type of hook known as the "British" formula.

The heat shrink yarn 5 is free on the knitted fabric posterior layer 3 between the two ends 11 except for the connection point 7.

Preferably, the connection point 7 is arranged every at least 5 beats of the back layer 3 of the knitted fabric, where the beating means the direction in which the rows of warp threads of the back layer 3 of the knitted fabric are adjacent to each other. At least every 5 beats means every 5 or more beats.

Preferably, the number of heat shrink yarns 5 is less than 20% of the total yarns of the processed product 1, and even more preferably between 3% and 8%. Advantageously, the technical benefits described below are optimized by increasing the cost-effectiveness of the final product.

Even at the end 11, the heat shrink thread 5 is "British" hooked at the connection point 7. The heat shrink yarn 5 is wound around the slider 12 and thus creates a strong connection.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the work piece 1 is made with the heat shrink yarns 5 formed in a straight line between the ends 11, heat, for example, steam is transferred to the knitted fabric rear layer 3. When applied, the heat-shrinkable yarn 5 shrinks permanently and irreversibly due to its unique properties.

Advantageously, the processed product 1 shrinks only on the lower surface, that is, only the back layer 3 of the knitted fabric shrinks.

Since the heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is not bonded to the knitted fabric front layer 2, the knitted fabric front layer 2 does not shrink.

As a result, the distance movement of the knitted fabric front layer 2 away from the knitted fabric rear layer 3 is realized, that is, a three-dimensional effect is obtained in consideration of the connection between the knitted fabric front layer 2 and the slider 12 at the end portion 11. In the case of a sheet, the movement consists of lifting the knitted fabric front layer 2, that is, a padding effect is achieved. If there is no padding between the two layers, the actual pocket is created.

When the padding is processed in parallel with the layers 2 and 3, the heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is permanently contracted, so that the padding simultaneously processed in the gap between the two layers 2 and 3 is stretched and flattened. Prevent it from becoming. Padding tends to flatten when stretched, but remains lifted. Thus, once tension is applied to the work piece 1 within the chair assembly, the padding remains under tension, with the heat shrink yarn 5 hanging from the "British" hooked back layer 3 of the knitted fabric.

The above-mentioned technical effect also changes depending on the number of heat-shrinkable yarns 5.

The presence of padding also changes the above technical effects. If the padding is machined at the same time as layer 2 and layer 3, machine programming can specify padding with variable density and height.

The fact that the heat-shrinkable yarn 5 is independent of the knitted fabric front layer 2 makes it possible for the knitted fabric front layer 2 to remain flexible and deformable.

Since the slider 12 at the end 11 defines a stable bond to both the layers 2 and 3 and the heat shrink yarn 5 without the shrinking effect of the heat shrink yarn 5 being applied to the knitted fabric front layer 2. The function of the slider 12 is very important.

Advantageously, the knitted fabric front layer 2 receives a completely different technical effect on the knitted fabric rear layer 3.

The processed product 1 according to the present invention satisfies the user's comfort needs by simple and cost-effective technical means.

The above technical effect becomes even more remarkable when the knitted fabric front layer 2 is of the "origami" type, that is, has a unique three-dimensional deformability. Although the knitted fabric front layer 2 is a "origami" type in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, even if the knitted fabric front layer 2 is not a "origami" type but a standard type, this technical separation is achieved. The effect exists.

More specifically, in the processed product 1, the "origami" type knitted fabric front layer 2 is spaced apart so as to produce an "origami" effect, that is, a three-dimensional deformability particularly in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the fabric. Includes a plurality of plastic elements 21.

The "origami" type knitted fabric front layer 2 is created using a 3D printing process (3D printer), preferably a plastic injection molding process.

It generally already includes the knitted fabric layers 2 and 3 fixed to the slider 12 at the end 11 and the heat shrink yarn 5 hooked "British" at the bottom of the knitted fabric rear layer 3 and at the end 11. It is a plastic molding process starting from the processed product 1 to be provided.

More specifically, during the process of adding the plastic material, the knitted fabric front layer 2 is preferably placed on a support made of metal, for example aluminum, to isolate the knitted fabric rear layer 3. The support base is basically placed between layers 2 and 3.

The plastic material printed on the knitted fabric front layer 2 is integrated with the knitted fabric front layer 2 to form a plurality of plastic elements 21 that give local rigidity to the knitted fabric front layer 2. FIG. 5 shows how the plastic element 21 penetrates the knitted fabric front layer 2.

Advantageously, the back layer 3 of the knitted fabric is not affected by the process of adding the plastic material.

The plastic element 21 has a variable design depending on the print control or the shape of the mold, and is spaced apart so that a region where the plastic element 21 is absent remains in the knitted fabric front layer 2.

Advantageously, the absent region of the fabric is deformable, thus allowing the three-dimensional deformability of the "origami" type knitted fabric front layer 2.

At the end of the printing process, the "origami" type knitted fabric front layer 2 is easily removed from the support. This is because after the plastic element 21 is made, the absentee region of the fabric creates a contact discontinuity.

When the plastic element 21 is created, heat is applied to the knitted fabric rear layer 3 including the heat-shrinkable yarn 5, and the knitted fabric rear layer 3 contracts advantageously.

Since the two layers 2, 3 are joined at the end 11, this shrinkage causes a reduction in the distance between the two sliders, thus lifting / activating the origami-shaped plastic element 21.

When the knitted fabric front layer 2 is of the "origami" type, the origami gives a three-dimensional effect, so that no padding is required between the layers 2 and 3.

1 Processed product 2 Knitted fabric front layer 3 Knitted fabric rear layer 5 Heat shrink yarn 7 Connection point 11 End 12 Slider 21 Plastic element

Claims (6)

An assembly for chairs, armchairs, sofas, etc.
Knit processed product (1) and
With a slider (12),
The processed product (1) includes a multilayer and both ends (11) having a cylindrical shape for fixing the multilayer.
The multilayer includes a knitted fabric front layer (2) and a knitted fabric rear layer (3) fixed to the slider (12) at both ends (11).
The processed product (1) also includes a heat-shrinkable yarn (5) fixed to the multilayer, and the heat-shrinkable yarn (5) has a weft between both ends (11) of the processed product (1). In the assembly, which is secured at a series of spaced connection points (7) to the slider (12) so as to extend.
The heat-shrinkable yarn (5) is fixed to the knitted fabric rear layer (3) at a further series of spaced connection points (7) in the outer portion of the knitted fabric posterior layer (3).
The knitted fabric front layer (2) is an assembly comprising a plurality of spaced plastic elements (21), wherein the plastic elements (21) penetrate the knitted fabric. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection point (7) is provided for every five or more beats of the knitted fabric rear layer (3). The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of heat-shrinkable yarns (5) is less than 20% of the total yarns of the processed product (1). The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the number of heat-shrinkable yarns (5) is between 3% and 8% of the total yarns of the processed product (1). The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the multilayer has a padding between the knitted fabric front layer (2) and the knitted fabric rear layer (3). The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processed product (1) has a cylindrical shape between both ends (11).

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