Watch comprising a humidity regulating device inside its case

Abstract

The present invention relates to a watch (1) comprising a watch case (2), the watch case (2) having a humidity-regulating device (3) inside the watch (2). According to the invention, the humidity-regulating device (3) is in the form of a film made from at least one thermoplastic polymer loaded with absorbent natural fibers configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside the watch case (2).

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a watch comprising a watch case, the watch case having a humidity regulating device inside the watch. Technological background

[0002] A watch's water resistance is measured in bars (a bar is a unit of pressure, with 1 bar equal to 1 atmosphere (atm)). A watch's water resistance rating is often indicated in meters (m). Watches designated as water-resistant are intended for everyday use and must guarantee resistance to water, for activities such as swimming or simply showering.

[0003] To ensure water resistance, watches are generally equipped with a set of gaskets positioned at the assembly points of certain watch parts, such as the crystal, bezel, and case back, as well as moving parts like the crown and pushers. Over time and with use, the mechanical properties of these gaskets change, and the watch's water resistance can sometimes deteriorate. The watch then becomes more permeable to water or water vapor. The consequences can include condensation on the inside of the watch crystal, or worse, oxidation of certain metal components or degradation of certain polymer components.Therefore, there is a need to be able to periodically monitor the relative humidity inside the watch without necessarily having to open it, as opening the watch case requires systematically replacing the gaskets and involves a watchmaker, which is costly. Excessive water vapor inside the watch can indeed indicate that one or more gaskets need replacing in the short or medium term.

[0004] To address this need, watches are available with a built-in relative humidity measurement device. This device takes the form of an electronic module capable of measuring and recording values ​​for various environmental parameters, including relative humidity. Due to its small size, this electronic module can be housed inside a watch case and, via a dedicated sensor, measure the relative humidity within the case. The measured relative humidity values ​​can then be wirelessly transmitted to a watch cradle, typically using infrared or radio frequency. The infrared signal emitted by the electronic module passes through a transparent portion of the watch case, typically the crystal, and is received by an infrared sensor on the cradle.A watch user can then view the relative humidity values ​​measured via a computer connected to the docking station and equipped with dedicated software or a smartphone.

[0005] However, one drawback of such an electronic measuring device is that it requires a battery to power the various electronic components. This makes it poorly suited to mechanical watches, in particular. Furthermore, for electronic watches, it can reduce battery life or necessitate a larger battery, thus increasing the watch's size.

[0006] Another drawback is that such a device is relatively bulky and not very discreet inside the watch. Furthermore, such an electronic measuring device is relatively expensive and therefore impacts the watch's manufacturing cost. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention aims in particular to overcome the various drawbacks of these known techniques.

[0008] More specifically, one objective of the invention is to provide a material suitable for the production of elastomer parts intended to be in prolonged contact with the skin (direct or indirect), and to obtain an elastomer with properties enabling improved comfort, while maintaining good colorability and good resistance to aging (UV, perspiration, aesthetics).

[0009] These objectives, as well as others which will become clearer later, are achieved according to the invention using a watch comprising a watch case, the watch case having a humidity regulating device inside the watch, being characterized in that the humidity regulating device is in the form of a film made from at least one thermoplastic polymer loaded with absorbent natural fibers configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside the watch case.

[0010] In accordance with other advantageous variants of the invention: The thermoplastic polymer is a super-absorbent polymer; the natural fibers are chosen from: cellulose, hemp, ramie, silk; the film includes a hydrochromic pigment; the film includes a second thermoplastic polymer; the film is in the form of a flat disc; only a portion of the disc, in the form of a ring, is absorbent, to form a distinctive pattern; the film is applied on or under a watch dial; the film is applied to a watch case back. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] The purposes, advantages, and characteristics of the bracelet with a phosphorescent insert will be better illustrated in the following description by the diagrams on which: There figure 1 represents a top view of a dial equipped with a humidity regulating device according to the invention, and The figure 2 illustrates a watch equipped with a humidity regulating device according to the invention. Detailed description

[0012] There figure 1 represents a set of measurements for the degree of relative humidity inside a watch. In the present invention, "degree of relative humidity" means "the ratio between the partial pressure of water vapor contained in the air and the saturation vapor pressure (or vapor tension) at the same temperature." In other words, measuring the degree of relative humidity corresponds to measuring the ratio between the water vapor content of the air and its maximum capacity to hold water vapor under the same temperature conditions.

[0013] The watch 1 is fitted with a watch case 2. The watch case 2 includes a device 3 for measuring the degree of relative humidity inside the watch 2. The watch case 2 also includes a case middle, a dial 10, and means for displaying the time (the latter not being shown in the figures for clarity), the measuring device 3 being arranged, for example, inside the watch case 2 on the dial 10, as illustrated in the figure 1 .

[0014] The measuring device 3 is a device in the form of a thin film made from at least one thermoplastic polymer loaded with absorbent natural fibers and super-absorbent polymers configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside the watch case. The film may include a second thermoplastic polymer, or even be composed of several thermoplastic polymers.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the super absorbent polymer is chosen from the family of cross-linked polyacrylates.

[0016] The thermoplastic polymer used includes at least one additive such as superabsorbent polymers composed of sodium or potassium polyacrylates with a cation concentration greater than 0.05 g / kg. The quantity of cations is generally greater than 5% of the polymer weight.

[0017] The thermoplastic polymer also contains natural fibers chosen from among cellulose, hemp, ramie, and silk. Such fibers have good absorbent properties and thus enhance the polymer's absorbency.

[0018] The thin film is designed to change volume and / or color in the presence of water vapor inside the watch case. To achieve this, the film is applied, for example, to the dial, as illustrated in the figure 1, and includes a hydrochromic pigment that has been added to the thermoplastic polymer.

[0019] The film is presented in the form of a flat disc, the disc being able to be cut out in its center and form a ring.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, only a portion of the disc, in the form of a ring, is absorbent, to form a distinctive pattern when the film absorbs moisture.

[0021] The film can be applied on or under the watch dial, depending on whether the absorption film is visible. The film can also be applied to the back of the watch.

Claims

1. Watch (1) comprising a watch case (2), the watch case (2) having a humidity regulating device (3) inside the watch (2), being characterized in that the humidity regulating device (3) is in the form of a film made from at least one thermoplastic polymer loaded with super-absorbent polymers and absorbent natural fibers configured to change volume in the presence of water vapor inside the watch case (2).

2. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that The thermoplastic polymer is a super-absorbent polymer.

3. Watch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Natural fibers are chosen from: cellulose, hemp, ramie, silk.

4. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film contains a hydrochromic pigment.

5. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe film includes a second thermoplastic polymer.

6. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The film is presented in the form of a flat disc.

7. Watch according to claim 6, characterized in that only a portion of the disc, in the form of a ring, is absorbent, to form a distinctive pattern.

8. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film is applied on or under a dial (10) of the watch.

9. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The film is applied to the watch face.

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