SAFETY SWIMWEAR WITH FIBER FLOATS MADE FROM A GAS-CONTAINING POLYMER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a one-piece type safety bathing suit extending from at least the crotch to the top of the shoulders.

[0002] The technology for such swimsuits is already known. They include integrated buoyancy elements. These buoyancy elements consist of a foam block, or float, in the form of a right rectangular parallelepiped. These state-of-the-art buoyancy elements are rigid and not ergonomic. They allow no freedom of movement. Buoyancy is achieved because the floats rise to the surface, thus forcing the user into a position that is not necessarily the swimming position. Furthermore, if the swimsuit is damaged, the float may shift or even be removed, which poses safety problems. Additionally, swimsuits with integrated polystyrene tubes surrounding the torso and back restrict arm movement and cause a "corking effect" in young children.Indeed, in young children, the center of gravity in the water is located at head level. The young user floats upright, but if they tip forward, their head will be pulled downwards, which can cause them to capsize, making recovery very difficult.

[0003] Document KR200218542Y1 also describes a buoyant swimsuit incorporating at least five layers of low-density polyethylene foam. This swimsuit exhibits both low thickness and good buoyancy.

[0004] The invention aims in particular to provide a safety bathing garment according to claim 1.

[0005] Thus, polymer fibers contain mostly gas, that is to say that more than 80% of the volume of the fiber is made up of gas, preferably more than 95%, and even more preferably 97% or more.

[0006] Polymer fibers are obtained by extruding the polymer in the presence of a foaming agent to form cavities in the polymer, and injecting a gas to trap this gas in the cavities.

[0007] Thus the gas is trapped in the polymer fiber, according to a process described for example in US patent US 4 952 352.

[0008] The sheets, with their limited thickness, are relatively flexible and follow the body's movements for optimal comfort. They offer improved ergonomics. Thanks to this invention, certain areas are prevented from rising to the surface, allowing the user to float horizontally. The buoyancy is neither too weak nor too strong, thus encouraging the user to stimulate their motor skills to move and float, which ultimately allows them to learn swimming strokes.

[0009] Furthermore, tests have shown that a cut in the buoyancy element according to the invention does not impair the garment's buoyancy. In the swimsuit according to the invention, the entire garment floats. Therefore, the garment is not at risk of riding up over the user's head, as can occur with floats.

[0010] Furthermore, a thickness of approximately 1.2 mm allows for the storage of a large quantity of gas. Thus, a 1.2 mm sheet contains 2.4 times more gas than a 0.5 mm sheet. By using sheets between 1 and 1.5 mm thick, the number of sheets in the buoyancy element is reduced compared to a solution where the sheets are, for example, 0.5 mm thick. This results in improved buoyancy and reduced thickness, providing greater ease of movement for the user.

[0011] According to the invention, the main part of the swimsuit is a piece of fabric extending from at least the crotch to the top of the shoulders. The buoyancy elements are each arranged on a portion of the main part of the swimsuit; that is, they occupy one or more portions of the main part, while other portions of the main part are not occupied by a buoyancy element. In other words, the buoyancy elements are not arranged over the entire main part. The buoyancy elements are thus arranged to provide the user with buoyancy combined with freedom of movement allowing swimming. The choice of the number of buoyancy elements, their location on the main part of the swimsuit, and the number of layers they comprise allows the swimsuit to be adapted to the user's weight.

[0012] For the purposes of the invention, a buoyancy element "disposed on" a portion of the main part can mean that the buoyancy element is disposed inside the main part.

[0013] Depending on other optional features of the swimwear, taken alone or in combination: The polymer is an ethylene polymer, preferably an ethylene homopolymer, and even more preferably low-density polyethylene.

[0014] The term "ethylene polymer" refers to a polymer consisting primarily of ethylene monomers. The polymer may be a homopolymer, in which case it will consist solely of ethylene repeating units, or an ethylene copolymer, which includes a second repeating unit such as propylene.

[0015] Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a homopolymer of ethylene. It has a density of approximately 0.92, resulting in improved buoyancy. Furthermore, this polymer is known for its high flexibility, making it ideal for manufacturing flexible products. This makes it particularly well-suited for improving the ergonomics of swimwear. It is also recyclable and non-toxic, used, for example, in food packaging. It is also very strong, used in the manufacture of objects designed to withstand impacts, such as boat hulls and bulletproof vests. Additionally, it can be treated with a UV-resistant coating to withstand prolonged sun exposure, which is advantageous for outdoor swimming. The gas is either air or natural gas.

[0016] The buoyancy properties of air are well known, and natural gas, a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons consisting primarily of methane, is lighter than air, allowing for polymer sheets with even greater buoyancy. Natural gas also has the advantage of being non-polluting.

[0017] In an embodiment that is not part of the invention, the bathing suit is configured to fit a child, and the buoyancy elements each comprise four to fifteen sheets (13). Furthermore, the bathing suit comprises at least: a buoyancy element extending over one front side of the garment, and configured to cover the upper part of the child's body, and comprising fourteen to fifteen sheets, and a buoyancy element extending over one back side of the garment, and configured to cover an area from the pelvis to the top of the child's shoulders, and comprising seven to ten sheets.

[0018] The choice of the number of buoyancy elements, their location on the bathing suit, and the number of sheets they include allow the bathing suit to be adapted to the child's weight, in order to provide them with appropriate buoyancy.

[0019] In an embodiment that is not part of the invention, the bathing suit is configured to fit a child weighing between 13 and 19 kg, and it further comprises: a buoyancy element extending over one front face of the garment, and configured to cover a child's waistline, and comprising four sheets; a buoyancy element extending over one back face of the garment, and configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprising seven or eight sheets.

[0020] The buoyancy element extending over one back side of the garment, and configured to cover the waistline, overlaps the buoyancy element covering the area from the pelvis to the top of the shoulders. In an embodiment not part of the invention, the swimsuit is configured to fit a child weighing between 13 and 15 kg, and it further comprises a buoyancy element extending along one back of the garment, configured to cover the child's biceps, and comprising twelve panels. In another embodiment not part of the invention, the swimsuit is configured to fit a child weighing between 15 and 19 kg, and it further comprises a buoyancy element extending along one back of the garment, configured to cover the child's neck, and comprising four panels. The buoyancy element extending along one back of the garment, configured to cover the neck, is superimposed on the buoyancy element covering the area from the pelvis to the top of the shoulders.In an embodiment not part of the invention, the bathing suit is configured to fit a child weighing between 19 and 21 kg, and it further comprises a buoyancy element extending over one back of the garment, configured to cover the nape of the child's neck, and comprising four panels. The bathing suit according to the invention is configured to fit an adult, and the buoyancy elements comprise from six to ten panels, and the bathing suit comprises: a buoyancy element extending over one front of the garment, configured to cover an area between the pelvis and the chest of the adult's body, and comprising from nine to ten panels, and a buoyancy element extending over one back of the garment, configured to cover an area between the pelvis and the shoulder line of the adult, and comprising six panels.The buoyancy elements are inserted into the swimsuit; that is, they are placed on an internal surface of the main garment. The buoyancy elements are then sewn to the main garment. The sheets are stitched together. The gas is trapped within the polymer in the form of microbubbles. By stretching under very high pressure, the polymer forms cavities that trap the gas microbubbles. These microbubbles vary in size and can slightly alter the final thickness of the polymer fiber.

[0021] The following describes a floating mattress, which is not part of the invention, configured to support at least one user on the water, comprising two sheets stacked one on top of the other, the thickness of each sheet being about 5 mm, said sheets being made of fibers of a polymer containing a volume of a gas greater than the volume of the polymer.

[0022] Thus, polymer fibers contain mostly gas, meaning that more than 80% of the fiber's volume is made up of gas, preferably 80 to 85%.

[0023] The polymer fibers in the floating mattress are obtained by a process similar to that used to manufacture the fibers of the swimwear described above.

[0024] The floating mattress according to the invention has the advantage of being thin while still offering good buoyancy. By using sheets approximately 5 mm thick, the number of sheets in the mattress is reduced compared to a solution where the sheets would be, for example, 0.5 mm thick. This makes the mattress more rigid, allowing for new water games.

[0025] Depending on other optional features of the floating mattress, taken alone or in combination: The polymer is an ethylene polymer, preferably an ethylene homopolymer, and even more preferably low-density polyethylene. The gas is air or natural gas. The gas is contained within the polymer in the form of microbubbles. Brief description of the figures

[0026] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a perspective front view of a bathing garment which is not part of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the bathing suit of the figure 1 ; Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is an exploded perspective front view of part of a buoyancy element for the swimsuit of the figure 1 ; Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 is a detailed view of a sheet of the buoyancy element shown on the figure 3 ; Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer fiber constituting the sheet shown on the figure 4 ; Fig. 6 ] there figure 6 a front perspective view of a bathing suit according to the invention; [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7is a rear perspective view of the bathing suit of the figure 6 ; Fig. 8 ] there figure 8 is a perspective view of a floating mattress which is not part of the invention. Detailed description

[0027] We have represented on the figures 1 and 2A safety swimsuit according to a first embodiment, which is not part of the invention, designated by general reference numeral 1. The safety swimsuit 1 is a one-piece garment extending from at least the crotch to the top of the shoulders. The swimsuit 1 comprises a main body and buoyancy elements, each located on a portion of the main body. The main body gives the swimsuit its overall shape. Therefore, the main body is also designated by reference numeral 1 in the figures. The swimsuit 1 may include different buoyancy elements depending on the child's weight. The location of the buoyancy elements on the swimsuit 1 is identified by reference numerals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.Buoyancy elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are configured to keep a user, not shown, of the bathing suit 1 out of the water from the shoulders. Buoyancy elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 extend over an inner surface of a front or back face of the main part 1 of the bathing suit 1.

[0028] As shown on the figure 3 , which represents part of the buoyancy element 2 of the figure 1 A buoyancy element according to the invention comprises several sheets 13 stacked and sewn together. In the example shown in the figure 3 Buoyancy element 2 comprises eight sheets 13. The other buoyancy elements 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 also comprise several sheets 13 stacked and sewn together. Each sheet 13 has a thickness between 1.05 mm and 1.50 mm. Preferably, this thickness is 1.20 mm.

[0029] As depicted on the figure 4 The 13 sheets are made of 15 fibers of a polymer. figure 5 Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of one of these fibers. These fibers contain a volume of gas 17 greater than the volume of the polymer. The gas is present in the polymer in the form of microbubbles.

[0030] In the example of figures 1 and 2 , the polymer is low-density polyethylene, and gas 17 is natural gas.

[0031] Bathing suit 1 shown on the figures 1 and 2 is configured to equip a child. Buoyancy elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 comprise from four to fifteen sheets 13, and are each presented below.

[0032] The buoyancy element 7 extends over one front face of the garment 1, it is configured to cover the upper part of the child's body, and it comprises fourteen to fifteen sheets 13. Because of its distribution throughout the upper part of the body, the buoyancy element 7 allows the child's body to be positioned horizontally in order to teach him to swim.

[0033] The buoyancy element 3 extends over one back face of the garment 1, and it is configured to cover an area from the child's pelvis to the top of their shoulders; it comprises seven to ten sheets 13.

[0034] The buoyancy element 2 extends over one front face of the garment 1, is configured to cover a child's waistline, and comprises four sheets 13.

[0035] Buoyancy element 4 extends over one back face of garment 1, is configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprises seven or eight sheets 13. When present, buoyancy element 4 overlaps buoyancy element 3. Buoyancy element 4 increases upper body buoyancy.

[0036] The buoyancy element 5 extends over one back face of the garment 1, is configured to cover an area of ​​the child's biceps, and comprises twelve sheets 13.

[0037] The buoyancy element 6 extends over one back side of the garment 1, is configured to cover the nape of the child's neck, and comprises four sheets 13. When present, the buoyancy element 6 overlaps the buoyancy element 3. The buoyancy element 6 enables the head to be kept above water.

[0038] Buoyancy elements 2 through 7 are added according to the child's weight, and the number of sheets they contain is also adjusted to the child's weight. Thus, swimsuit 1, shown in the... figures 1 and 2 includes at least one buoyancy element 7 comprising fourteen to fifteen sheets 13, and one buoyancy element 3 comprising seven to ten sheets 13.

[0039] The following table shows, according to the child's weight, the buoyancy aids used, as well as the number of sheets they comprise: [Table 1] Weight 13-15 kg 15-17 kg 17-19 kg 19-21 kg 21-24 kg Element 7 14 sheets 14 sheets 14 sheets 14 sheets 15 sheets Element 2 4 sheets 4 sheets 4 sheets Element 3 10 sheets 7 leaves 7 leaves 7 leaves 10 sheets Element 4 8 sheets 7 leaves 7 leaves Element 5 12 sheets Element 6 4 sheets 4 sheets 4 sheets

[0040] A swimsuit 1, configured to fit a child weighing between 13 and 19 kg, also includes: a buoyancy element 2 extending over a front face of the garment 1, and configured to cover a child's waistline, and comprising four sheets 13, a buoyancy element 4 extending over a back face of the garment 1, and configured to cover the child's waistline, and comprising seven or eight sheets 13.

[0041] A bathing garment 1 configured to equip a child weighing between 13 and 15 kg further comprises a buoyancy element 5 extending over a rear face of the garment 1, and configured to cover an area of ​​the child's biceps, and comprising twelve sheets 13.

[0042] A bathing garment 1 configured to fit a child weighing between 15 and 19 kg further includes a buoyancy element 6 extending over one back face of the garment 1, and configured to cover the nape of the child's neck, and comprising four sheets 13.

[0043] A bathing garment 1 configured to fit a child weighing between 19 and 21 kg further includes a buoyancy element 6 extending over one back face of the garment 1, and configured to cover the nape of the child's neck, and comprising four sheets 13.

[0044] THE figures 6 And 7 show a bathing garment 1 according to the invention. This bathing garment 1 essentially comprises the characteristics described for bathing garment 1 of the figures 1 and 2 but it differs from them in that: It is configured to equip an adult, it includes buoyancy elements 21, 23 which comprise six to ten sheets 13 of 1.2 mm thickness, buoyancy element 21 extends over an internal surface of a front face of the garment 1, is configured to cover an area between the pelvis and the chest of the adult's body, and comprises nine to ten sheets 13, and buoyancy element 23 extends over an internal surface of a back face of the garment 1, is configured to cover an area between the pelvis and the shoulder line of the adult, and comprises six sheets 13.

[0045] The following table shows, according to the adult's weight, the buoyancy aids used, as well as the number of sheets they comprise: [Table 2] Weight 46-55 kg 56-65 kg 66-75 kg 76-85 kg Element 21 9 sheets 9 sheets 9 sheets 10 sheets Element 23 6 sheets 6 sheets 6 sheets 6 sheets

[0046] There figure 8shows a floating mattress 30, configured to support at least one user on the water, which is not part of the invention. The floating mattress 30 comprises two sheets 13 stacked one on top of the other. These sheets 13 are identical in all respects to the sheets 13 described for the bathing suit 1 according to the invention. However, they differ in that their thickness is approximately 5 mm. In the embodiment of the figure 8 , the polymer is low-density polyethylene, and gas 17 is natural gas.

[0047] The invention is defined by the attached claims and is not limited to the embodiments presented; other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is possible to use sheets made of another polymer with a suitable density to manufacture flexible products. Furthermore, the gas that can be used is not limited to natural gas. For example, air or any gas lighter than air may be used.

Claims

1. One-piece safety swimsuit (1), extending from at least the crotch up to the top of the shoulders and comprising: - a main swimsuit part (1), and - buoyancy elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 23) each arranged on a portion of the main swimsuit part (1) and configured to keep a user of the swimsuit (1) above water from the shoulders, each buoyancy element (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 23) comprising several sheets (13) stacked on top of each other, each sheet (13) being from 1.05 mm to 1.50 mm thick, preferably from 1.10 mm to 1.30 mm thick, even more preferably 1.20 mm thick, said sheets (13) being composed of polymer fibres (15) enclosing a volume of a gas (17) that is greater than the volume of the polymer, characterized in that the swimsuit is configured to be worn by an adult, wherein the buoyancy elements (21, 23) comprise from six to ten sheets (13), and comprising: - a buoyancy element (21) extending on a front side of the swimsuit (1), and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and chest of the adult's body, and comprising from nine to ten sheets (13), - a buoyancy element (23) extending on a rear side of the swimsuit, and configured to cover an area extending between the pelvis and the shoulder line of the adult, and comprising six sheets (13).

2. Swimsuit (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the polymer is an ethylene polymer, preferably an ethylene homopolymer, and even more preferably low-density polyethylene.

3. Swimsuit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas (17) is air or natural gas.