Textile with a lighting device

Abstract

Textile (10) with a cover (1) and with a lighting device (3) comprising at least one light source, wherein the lighting device (3) is arranged inside the cover (1), characterized in that at least a part of the cover (1) is formed by a transparent plastic film (2) and either the cover (1) of the textile (10) is cut out at least section by section, wherein a cutout (4) of the cover (1) has the transparent plastic film (2) or the transparent plastic film (2) forms a large area section of the cover (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a textile with a cover and with a lighting device comprising at least one illuminant, wherein the lighting device is arranged within the cover.

[0002] For textiles, and especially for pillows, it's common to incorporate additional lighting. For example, textiles such as pillowcases or similar items contain not only the actual filling, but also additional lighting to provide a pillow with an additional lighting effect.

[0003] For example, DE 199 41 589 A1 discloses such a cushion, in which a padding for use as padding for, among other things, clothing, pillows, and duvets is equipped with a lighting device. At least one padding layer is transparent, and the lighting device is designed, for example, as a number of LEDs.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 20 2005 007 574 U1 discloses a light object such as a pillow with a cover that is inflatable or fillable. The pillow or its cover is translucent and, for example, several LEDs are arranged inside the pillow.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2023 113 698 A1 shows a textile with a lighting device comprising at least one illuminant, wherein a light guide tube is assigned to the illuminant.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a textile and in particular a pillow of the above-mentioned type with improved functionality.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1.

[0008] Such a textile comprises, in a manner known per se, a casing within which a lighting device is arranged. Filling materials such as foam flakes or the like can also be arranged within the casing of the textile in order to impart a desired softness or fluffiness to the textile, particularly in the form of a pillow or blanket. It is understood that the lighting device can be connected to or is equipped with a power source for supplying the actual lighting device. The power source is formed either by a connection to the household power grid and / or by a preferably rechargeable battery. LEDs such as red / green / blue LEDs, OLEDs or the like are preferably used as lighting devices. These can be operated in an energy-efficient manner and generate only little heat, thus preventing spontaneous combustion due to overheating.Control can be achieved, among other things, via a simple on / off switch assigned to the lighting device and / or remotely. Pulsed operation, control via a timer and / or via a brightness sensor, and the like are also possible.

[0009] In one embodiment, a surface of the textile or its casing is cut out at least in sections. The term “cut out” is to be understood as meaning that the otherwise flat, continuous material of the casing has an interruption, i.e. light from the interior of the casing of the textile can escape through this interruption or cutout to the outside. In addition, the one or more cutouts are covered with a transparent plastic film. In this case, it is also encompassed within the scope of the invention that the plastic film is attached in a suitable manner, for example at the edge of the cutout in the casing of the textile in a suitable manner, in particular permanently. The light from the light source(s) inside the textile shines through the plastic film and in this way forms, for example, lettering, a logo, a symbol or the like.In particular, a significant contrast can be achieved by using an otherwise opaque textile covering that surrounds the cutout with the plastic film, so that, for example, a logo is clearly visible.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment, the plastic film forms a large-area section of the cover, for example, a decorative front, while the back is made of a textile. After appropriate processing, which is explained below, the plastic film can be partially translucent and partially substantially opaque, so that the light from the illuminant(s) inside the textile illuminates the transparent areas of the plastic film, allowing, for example, lettering, a logo, a symbol, or the like to be displayed.

[0011] The material used for the plastic film is polyurethane (PU) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane film (TPU film), which is already known for conventional glass fibers for light transmission, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or other plastics transparent to visible light. The plastic film itself can be either transparent, white, or colored. To increase the light output, one or more reflectors can be provided for the arrangement of the lamp and plastic film, which guide and / or focus the light from the lamp(s) to and / or through the plastic film.

[0012] The light source is preferably one or more LEDs, each of which can have different colors or be multicolored. OLEDs can also be used. In principle, multiple light sources can also be provided, each of which can be controlled jointly and / or separately.

[0013] In the context of the invention, the term textile is to be understood broadly, for example as a pillow, in particular as a pillowcase, blanket, bed linen, hand or beach towels, pet cushions, clothing, doormat and the like. The material of the textile can also be chosen in any way, including as woven, knitted, needle-punched or felted fabric made of natural and / or artificial threads or wool, as a film material or in some other way. The coloring is also arbitrary. It is essential that the light from an additional lighting device arranged in the textile can pass at least partially through the cutouts in the casing of the textile or the respectively associated plastic film or can exit from the textile.

[0014] In particular, it includes a transparent plastic film arranged on the inside and outside of the textile or its cover, covering the cutout. This ensures that, for example, cut-out edges of the cover are not exposed and thus cannot be damaged.

[0015] The connection between the textile and the plastic film can be achieved in any way. For example, the plastic film can be glued to a flat textile or its casing at a corresponding cutout, or it can preferably be welded to the casing, particularly by heat.

[0016] It is also clear that the textile, for example a pillowcase, with a plastic film attached to it, is designed to be washable for hygienic reasons. This is the case with TPU, PU, ​​PMMA or PVC, although it goes without saying that the actual light source and its power source, as well as any control unit, can be separated or removed from the cover before washing. These components form the main part of the entire lighting device and are housed, for example, in a separate pocket on or in the textile. This pocket can then also be designed to be fireproof and temperature-resistant. For example, the battery is designed as a rechargeable power bank and / or the light source as a multi-colored LED. Control can be achieved, among other things, via corresponding buttons on a control unit and / or wirelessly, for example, via an app.The control can be used to control, among other things, a light color, a brightness, an on and off time or intervals and the like.

[0017] Likewise, the entire textile with the lighting device can also be designed to be waterproof or water-resistant, so that, for example, a control of the lighting device is not damaged even when wet.

[0018] The advantage of the invention is that any textile material with such a cover with cutouts covered by a plastic film, preferably a pillow or blanket, can be equipped with a lighting system of any design. For example, any lettering such as "Hello," "Welcome," or the like, a name or the name of a café, or the like, can be formed. Logos, figures, symbols, or abstract shapes can also be realized. Furthermore, the textile material can serve as a night light for children.The textile can still be used in the usual way even with the additional lighting device and the plastic film arranged on the cover as well as the illuminant, since the preferably removable lighting device can be constructed compactly and the additional plastic film is designed in particular to be flexible and elastic so as not to cause interference, for example when lying on a pillow.

[0019] The subclaims each represent advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0020] In a first embodiment, the transparent plastic film is welded or sewn to the casing on the outside and / or inside and / or at the edge. The textile or its casing and the plastic film preferably consist of corresponding plastics or synthetic fibers or fabrics, which can preferably be welded together using heat and / or friction. In principle, adhesive bonding is also possible. The plastic film is arranged either on the outside covering the cutout or on the inside of the casing of the textile. In principle, the cutout can also be closed by a flush-fitted plastic film, the edges of which are then welded and / or glued, for example, to the edge of the cutout.In the case of a large-area plastic film, this is preferably sewn to the textile material to form a cover which in particular has openable fastening means such as a zipper or buttons.

[0021] In order to create a logo, lettering or similar translucent and substantially opaque areas of the plastic film, the transparent plastic film is preferably embroidered or flocked at least partially in a light-tight manner.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that a section of the sleeve is cut out using a laser. For this purpose, the textile or its sleeve preferably consists of a plastic material such as a film or a woven or knitted fabric made of plastic threads. This material can be cut or punched using a suitable laser, wherein, in particular in the case of a woven fabric, the cut edges are immediately welded by the laser so that a fabric does not fray at the edge of the cutout. The transparent plastic film can be applied to the sleeve from the inside before it is punched out using a laser, for example by being glued. A laser of the appropriate wavelength and power is then used for punching, which only punches out or cuts the material of the sleeve and not the transparent material of the plastic film.This creates one or more cutouts that can form, for example, lettering, a logo, etc. In principle, the plastic film can also be applied to the outside of the sleeve. This is then turned over, and the interior of the sleeve is then laser-cut. It goes without saying that the cutout(s) can also be created purely mechanically, for example, with a knife, scissors, or a rotary cutter. In this case, the transparent plastic film is preferably subsequently attached to the cover, covering the cutout.

[0023] According to a further development, a control system is provided for the light source, in particular a remote control system. For example, a motion sensor can be included. Upon a movement such as shaking the control system or the entire textile in a first direction, the lighting device is switched on and switched off again upon further shaking in the same direction. Additionally or alternatively, a lighting color can be changed upon shaking perpendicularly in a second direction and / or, for example, interval lighting can be switched on and off upon shaking in a third direction perpendicular to this. The control system can also be controlled by other functions through such movement / shaking. The control system can also include a freely programmable timer and / or a dimmer.Likewise, a brightness sensor can automatically activate the lighting system at dusk and turn it off again in the morning. Control is either manual via buttons, switches, and the like, and / or preferably wirelessly, particularly via Bluetooth, infrared, or other interfaces. Control via a mobile communications device using a corresponding app is particularly possible.

[0024] Preferably, one or more illuminants are arranged within a plastic tube or designed as an LED strip. The plastic tube can in particular be a foam tube. It goes without saying that the material of the plastic tube(s) is preferably translucent in order to achieve the desired illumination. The material of the plastic tubes can be used to even out the light generated by the actual illuminants in order to illuminate the section uniformly. Several plastic tubes can also be provided, for example adjacent to one another and / or connected to one another, which in turn form a preferably elastic filling of the textile casing. Several illuminants, such as an LED chain, can also be arranged in one tube.

[0025] According to a further development, the illuminants are attached to a spacer fabric, whereby the spacer fabric is assigned to the plastic film directly or with the interposition of a light-transparent nonwoven. Naturally, the spacer fabric is also translucent. Spacer fabrics within the meaning of the invention are double-face textiles in which warp-knitted outer surfaces are held at a distance by spacer-maintaining connecting threads, so-called pile threads. The spacer fabrics are three-dimensional knitted or warp-knitted fabrics. The nonwoven can be a so-called volume fleece with a dry basis weight of approximately 100 g / m 2 and a thickness of approximately 5 to 20 mm, preferably approximately 10 mm. The fleece and the spacer fabric can be connected to each other, and an LED strip can be attached to the spacer fabric in a meandering pattern.

[0026] To ensure that the control system located in the textile does not negatively impact the use of a pillow, for example, a control system housing is preferably connected to the spacer fabric with a foam layer in between. Of course, the housing can also be housed in a pocket connected to the spacer fabric, for example, or secured with elastic bands.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures show: Fig. 1 a representation of a textile comprising a cover, Fig. 2 a sectional view of the shell according to Fig. 1 according to line II-II, Fig. 3 another representation of the shell according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a sectional view of the shell according to Fig. 3 Fig. 5 a partial representation of the textile according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 a front view of the textile according to Fig. 1 in an alternative form and Fig. 7 a sectional view of the textile according to Fig. 6.

[0028] In the purely schematic Fig. 1 to 7, the same reference numerals designate the same components.

[0029] A textile 10 in the form of a pillow, pillowcase, or cover 1 comprises a filling 6 or padding arranged within the cover 1, which is usually also removable and washable. A transparent plastic film 2 is arranged on the cover 1, which consists, for example, of PU, preferably TPU, PMMA, or PVC. Thus, the textile 10 comprising the cover 1 and the plastic film 2 are designed to be washable together. The plastic film 2 is transparent to light from a lighting device 3. The plastic film 2 is, for example, glued and / or welded to the cover 1 or sewn to the cover 1. The entire textile 10 is sufficiently soft to serve, for example, as a pillow. In principle, the plastic film 2 can also be arranged alternatively or additionally on the outside of the cover 1 of the textile 10.

[0030] The textile 10 or the cover 1 is, for example, a woven fabric made of natural and / or synthetic fibers, threads, or the like, or another knitted fabric, or it consists of a film-like material, preferably made of plastic. In particular, it can be designed to be substantially opaque to the light from the lighting device 3 in order to achieve increased contrast.

[0031] Furthermore, applications such as prints, flocking, adhesives, plotting, even on an additional film or the like can be arranged on the textile 10.

[0032] The Fig. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment.

[0033] The cutouts 4 of the cover 2 are preferably cut or punched out of the material of the cover 1 using a laser. After the cutouts 4 have been formed, the outer side of the cover 1 can be additionally covered with another similar transparent plastic film 2 glued and / or welded to it. Thus, no edges of the cutouts 4 are exposed and could fray.

[0034] With the lighting device 3 inside the casing 1 of the textile 10, the transparent plastic film 2 and the cutouts 4 on the casing 1 can then be illuminated in order to form a logo 7, lettering 8 or the like, which can be perceived from the outside of the casing 1. This can preferably be one or more LEDs or OLEDs, including colored ones, which can also be controlled as desired. It is understood that the lighting device 3 comprises, for example, an electronics unit 9 with a rechargeable battery, which is, for example, inductively rechargeable, with an induction coil 10 being shown here. A control system of any design, for example for brightness, color, interval or the like, in particular wireless, can also be provided on the electronics unit 9.

[0035] It is understood that all components are designed to be elastic or flexible enough to provide a pleasant feel when using the textile 10, for example, as a cover 1 for a pillow. The textile 10 can be designed in any way, including as a cover 1, a mat or doormat, a cloth, in particular a towel, a piece of clothing, or the like. The material and type of the textile 10 can also be freely selected, such as plastic, wool, or cotton, and a woven, knitted, or felted fabric or the like. In particular, everything is designed to be waterproof for outdoor use.

[0036] Arranged within the casing 1 is the lighting device 3, which comprises a plurality of hollow tubes 5. The tubes 5 are preferably made of plastic, such as foam, and are elastic and flexible, for example, formed integrally with one another. One or more LEDs are arranged inside each of the tubes 5a, for example, in a chain.

[0037] The electronic unit 9 of the lighting device 3 is housed in a tube 5b, which may also include a switch 12, for example.

[0038] Overall, the tubes 5 with the LEDs arranged therein and the electronics unit 9 or a controller form the lighting device 3 of the textile 10, whereby the controller can also communicate wirelessly with the electronics unit 9 as a remote control. To give the textile 10 a contour, tubes 5b with a larger diameter than the other tubes 5a can be arranged on the edge of the lighting device 3. Overall, the lighting device 3 forms part of the filling 6 for the cover 1 of the textile 10, for example, to form an illuminated pillow.

[0039] The Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show a second embodiment. Previously described components can, of course, also be used in this embodiment.

[0040] The cover 1 of the textile 10 has the transparent plastic film 2, which forms a large-area section of the cover 1 and is not inserted into a cutout 4 as previously explained. The plastic film 2 is connected to the textile material of the cover 10 on at least three sides. A zipper or other closure means can be arranged on the fourth side. Of course, a seam can also be provided on the fourth side. The plastic film 10 used here has essentially opaque and translucent areas, wherein the opaque areas are produced by embroidery or flocking or the like of the plastic film 10, which is made in particular from a TPU, as can be seen from the patterns in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The translucent areas can, for example, form a logo 7 and / or lettering 8.

[0041] A nonwoven fabric 13 is connected to the plastic film 10 inside the cover 1 and is connected to a spacer fabric 14, for example by seams 15. The nonwoven fabric 13 and the spacer fabric 14 ensure a uniform distribution of the light from the illuminants 15, which are designed as LED strips 20 and are part of the lighting device 3 and are attached to the spacer fabric 14.

[0042] The electronic unit 9, which includes the electronic control 18, is housed in a housing 16, which is secured to the spacer fabric 14 with a foam 17 interposed between it. The housing can be secured inside the textile by means of at least one elastic band.

[0043] The controller 18 can comprise a dimmer control, a light color control, a time control, an acceleration sensor, and / or a 3-axis gyroscope. Thus, for example, based on the values ​​of the acceleration sensor or the 3-axis gyroscope, which are evaluated at the controller 18, a light color and / or brightness can be changed, in particular by shaking or the like, or by moving or shifting the textile 10, which may be configured as a pillow, blanket, or the like, from an initial position in a specific direction. Of course, the controller 18 can also be remotely controlled, for example, by means of a remote control 19 or a mobile phone or any computer device, in particular to set a time control, and comprises a corresponding wireless interface for this purpose.The switching on / off of the lighting device 3 can be carried out, for example, by means of the separate switch and / or by a movement of the textile 10 and thus of the acceleration sensor or the 3-axis gyroscope and / or the remote control or the like, or in a time-controlled manner.

[0044] If the textile 10 is in the shape of a pillow and includes a closure such as a zipper and / or a button strip or the like, it is assumed in the following description of the on / off function and / or the color-changing function of the lighting device 3 that the closure is located at the bottom. An up and / or down movement, for example, a vertical movement of the textile 10 from its rest position, leads to the power supply of the lamps 15 being switched on or off, depending on the switching state of the lamps 15. A sideways movement, for example, a horizontal movement of the textile 10, leads to a change in the light color of the lamps 15. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that a dimming function, i.e., a change in brightness, is switched on a third axis, or that the switching functions associated with the vertical and horizontal movements are swapped. Reference symbol 1 cover 2 plastic film 3 Lighting equipment 4 cutouts in 1 5 hose of 3 6 Filling 7 Logo 8 lettering 9 Electronics unit 10 Textile 11 Induction coil 12 switches 13 fleece 14 spacer fabric 15 bulbs 16 housings 17 foam 18 Control 19 Remote control 20 LED strips QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 199 41 589 A1

[0003] DE 20 2005 007 574 U1

[0004] DE 10 2023 113 698 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Textile (10) with a cover (1) and with a lighting device (3) comprising at least one illuminant, wherein the lighting device (3) is arranged within the cover (1), characterized by that at least a part of the cover (1) is formed by a transparent plastic film (2) and either the cover (1) of the textile (10) is cut out at least in sections, wherein a section (4) of the cover (1) has the transparent plastic film (2) or the transparent plastic film (2) forms a large-area section of the cover (1). [2] Textile (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the transparent plastic film (2) is welded or sewn to the cover (1) on the outside and / or inside and / or at the edge. [3] Textile (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the transparent plastic film (2) is at least partially embroidered or flocked to be light-tight. [4] Textile (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that a section (4) of the cover (1) is cut out by means of a laser. [5] Textile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that a control (18) is provided for the lighting means (15). [6] Textile (10) according to claim 5, characterized by that the control (18) is designed as a remote control, a dimmer control, a light color control and / or a time control and / or comprises an acceleration sensor and / or a 3-axis gyroscope and is integrated into an electronic unit (9) or is operatively connected thereto. [7] Textile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that one or more lighting means (15) are arranged within a plastic tube (5) or are designed as an LED strip (20). [8] Textile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the plastic film (2) is designed as a thermoplastic polyurethane film. [9] Textile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the lighting means (15) are fastened to a spacer fabric (14), wherein the spacer fabric (14) is assigned to the plastic film (2) directly or with the interposition of a light-transparent fleece (13). [10] Textile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that a housing of the electronic unit (9) comprising the control (18) is connected to the spacer fabric (14) with the interposition of a foam material (17). [11] Textile (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that a free volume of the shell (1) is filled with a cushion filling.

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