Bracelet and method for making same

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) disposed 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

[0001] The invention relates to a flexible and deformable bracelet in the field of watchmaking, jewelry or even leather goods, and a manufacturing method for obtaining such a bracelet. Technological background

[0002] Traditionally, watch straps are made of leather, synthetic material, fabric, rubber, or metal. Straps also include an insert placed in a lining or sheath or between an upper and lower band that are then joined together. This insert has a primarily mechanical and flexible function.

[0003] In the case of a leather strap, the insert is made of tear-resistant reinforcement and leather and non-woven padding to give the strap relief. A leather lining is also provided, as well as a leather or synthetic upper.

[0004] According to a variant of execution, the bracelet has a top, which is only edged on the sides of the bracelet to be of the semi-edge type. The production of the semi-edge or machine-edge bracelet is done using a mold and a platen press.

[0005] 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 envelop 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 by a slice lacquer and sewn.

[0006] Some straps have been made by combining these elastomer-type materials with typical high-end leathers in order to improve the durability of these straps over time without changing their appearance when the watch is worn.

[0007] However, these bracelets generally comprise different parts made of different materials which are typically sewn or glued together, which can lead to these parts becoming detached over time. In addition, the assembly of these different parts does not allow sufficient and / or satisfactory customization and / or decoration. Document FR3093398 A1 discloses a bracelet according to the preamble of claim 1. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention aims to provide a bracelet comprising a functional and comfortable insert, as well as a method for manufacturing such bracelets having a combination of materials intimately linked together and allowing a multitude of customizations.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a bracelet comprising an upper band and a lower band forming at least one strand of the bracelet, said bracelet comprising a flexible intermediate layer arranged between the upper band and the lower band, the flexible intermediate layer being formed by two encapsulated phase change materials, a first encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature between 15°C and 20°C, and a second encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature between 25°C and 35°C.

[0010] According to other advantageous variants of the invention: the two phase change materials are 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 strip comprises micro-perforations; the upper and lower strips are made from elastomeric composites comprising metallic and / or ceramic fillers in order to improve heat exchanges; the layer of encapsulated phase change material comprises orifices for the passage of fixing means; the upper strip is made from one or more materials chosen from the group comprising leathers, natural or synthetic textiles, elastomers, silicone materials.

[0011] 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 reinforcement insert without increasing the traditional thickness of such a bracelet while providing additional functions.

[0012] The invention also relates to a method for producing the bracelet, which includes the characteristics defined in independent claim 7. Brief description of the figures

[0013] The purposes, advantages and characteristics of the bracelet will appear better in the following description by the drawings in which: There figure 1 represents a bracelet provided with an intermediate layer according to a first embodiment of the invention, and The figure 2 represents a sectional view of a bracelet strand according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] A first aspect of the invention relates to 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 holes 10 for the passage of a pin or pin. The bracelet also comprises an insert arranged between the upper band 2 and the lower band 3, the insert being in the form of a flexible intermediate layer 4 arranged between the upper band 2 and the lower band 3.

[0015] The upper part of the bracelet is defined as the part of the bracelet facing outwards and which is visible to the wearer when the bracelet is worn. Similarly, the lower part of the bracelet is defined as the part of the bracelet facing inwards and which is in contact with the wearer when the bracelet is worn.

[0016] In an example not corresponding to the invention, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by at least one encapsulated phase change material having a transition temperature 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.

[0017] The transition temperature is, in an unclaimed example, between 25°C and 30°C. Once this temperature is reached, the phase change material will absorb heat from the wearer and give the wearer a feeling of cooling.

[0018] The reverse is also possible. The transition temperature may, in an unclaimed example, be between 15°C and 20°C. Once this temperature is reached, the phase change material will release heat to the wearer and give the wearer a feeling of warming.

[0019] The intermediate layer 4 also includes holes 10' corresponding to the holes in the upper and lower bands for the passage of a pin or barb.

[0020] The intermediate layer 4 is glued to the upper 2 and lower 3 strips so that the intermediate layer 4 no longer moves once the bracelet is assembled.

[0021] 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, elastomer composites comprising metallic and / or ceramic fillers, silicone materials. A combination of these materials is also possible depending on the wearer's wishes.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower strip 3 comprises micro-perforations 30 to allow better conduction of heat from the carrier to the encapsulated phase change material and / or vice versa.

[0023] The elastomer can be chosen from fluorinated elastomers such as those from 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 from the acrylic elastomer family. 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.

[0024] The intermediate layer 4 has a sufficiently reduced thickness so as to be able to replace a traditional reinforcement insert without increasing the traditional thickness of such a bracelet while providing an additional effect.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment, the 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.

[0026] The phase change material is encapsulated in a shell of silicone or thermoplastic elastomer based material, which allows the intermediate layer 4 to be easily bonded to the upper 2 and lower 3 strips.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by a pocket in which a liquid such as a mineral or vegetable oil and microcapsules of a phase change material rest.

[0028] According to 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 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 wearer when the transition temperature is between 15°C and 20°C, and cooling the wearer when the transition temperature is between 25°C and 35°C.

[0029] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a bracelet which comprises the steps consisting of: manufacturing a flexible intermediate layer 4 formed by two encapsulated phase change materials corresponding to the desired final shape for the bracelet, providing an upper strip 2 and a lower strip 3, gluing the intermediate layer 4 to the lower strip 3, and securing the upper strip 2 to the lower strip 3 and the intermediate layer 4 to form the bracelet.

[0030] The upper strip 2 on the lower strip 3 are secured to each other, for example by gluing, by stitching or by being welded to each other.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The upper band 2 may also be overmolded. In this case, a groove or molding may 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.

[0033] Thanks to the manufacturing process just described, it is possible to create numerous variations for a flexible bracelet, in terms of functions for the well-being of the wearer.

[0034] In addition, the bracelet thus manufactured has excellent durability over time, even when it comes into contact with water or sweat.

Claims

1. Bracelet (1) comprising an upper strip (2) and a lower strip (3) forming at least one strand of the bracelet, the bracelet comprising a flexible intermediate layer (4) disposed between the upper strip (2) and the lower strip (3), characterised 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 between 15°C and 20°C, and a second encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature between 25°C and 35°C.

2. Bracelet according to claim 1, characterised in that the two phase-change material are selected from: paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, waxes, oils, hydrated salts, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, dibasic acids, dibasic esters, 1-halides, polymers, and mixtures thereof.

3. Bracelet according to claim 2, characterised in that the lower strip (3) comprises micro-perforations.

4. Bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the upper strip (2) and the lower strip (3) are made from elastomer composites containing metallic and / or ceramic fillers.

5. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate layer (4) made of the encapsulated phase-change material comprises holes for passing fastening means.

6. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper strip (2) is made of one or more materials selected from the group comprising leathers, natural or synthetic fabrics, elastomers and silicone materials.

7. Method for manufacturing a bracelet according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises the following steps of: - manufacturing a flexible intermediate layer () formed by two encapsulated phase-change material corresponding to the desired final shape of the bracelet, - providing an upper strip (2) and a lower strip (3), - bonding the intermediate layer (4) to the lower strip (3), and - rigidly connecting the upper strip (2) to the lower strip (3) and the intermediate layer (4) to form the bracelet.

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