Rain protection device with three-dimensional, air-permeable spacer fabric
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2020008620
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-08-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-08-21
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: ; Rain protection device with three-dimensional air-permeable 3D spacer fabric
[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES
[0002] The invention relates to the field of rain protection devices such as umbrellas, tents or rainwear. PREVIOUS ART
[0003] Rain protection devices such as umbrellas or rainwear are often made of waterproof fabric.
[0004] For some models, there are variants whose fabrics are not strictly waterproof but permeable so as not to wick away perspiration, for example.
[0005] In fact, these low-permeability models allow little air to pass through.
[0006] In addition, these fabrics, being insufficiently permeable to air, catch the wind which can make them unstable or even dangerous, for example in the case of an umbrella.
[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The rain protection device according to the invention comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric.
[0009] Preferably, the pressure drop coefficient of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is less than 5, if possible less than 1.
[0010] For good mechanical resistance, the 3D spacer fabric is unravelable
[0011] Preferably to facilitate the installation of the rain protection device, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is extensible
[0012] For the installation of the rain protection device, it is advantageous if the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is put under tension.
[0013] Preferably, the filaments of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are longitudinal and the knitted faces of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric do not allow water to pass through.
[0014] To protect from rain, the knitted surface of the stitches represents 100% of the surface of the knitted face.
[0015] In terms of manufacturing process, the manufacturing process of the rain protection device uses three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric knitting machines.
[0016] In the case of longitudinal filaments, it is possible to produce them for small series by assembling three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics superimposed and then laser-cut into slices.
[0017] For larger series, it is possible to industrialize a process for the produce 3D spacer fabrics directly on knitting machines. Brief description of the drawings
[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings.
[0019] [Fig-1] illustrates a first example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with fine mesh and a thickness of 7.5 mm.
[0020] [Fig.2] illustrates a second example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with large mesh and double thickness approximately 1.5 centimeters.
[0021] [Fig.3] shows a third example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with large meshes whose surface area of the knitted part almost represents the surface area of the fabric on each side.
[0022] [Fig.4] shows in section a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with long filaments tudinals whose stitches are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the fabric.
[0023] [Fig.5] shows in section a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with long filaments tudinals whose stitches are parallel to each other and oblique to the fabric.
[0024] [Fig.6] shows a machine for knitting three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The rain protection device according to the invention comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T).
[0026] These are fabrics (T) composed of at least two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) with stitches (M) making each face, the two faces are connected by a multitude of nylon filaments (F). These fabrics are notably used integrated into mattresses.
[0027] [Fig.l] illustrates a first example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) with fine mesh and a thickness of 7.5 mm. Note that in this example the meshes (M) of the two knitted faces (Ml) and (M2) are superimposed.
[0028] [Fig.2] illustrates a second example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) with a wide mesh (M) and a double thickness of approximately 1.5 centimeters. Note that in this example the meshes (M) of the two knitted faces (M1) and (M2) are offset in a staggered pattern.
[0029] [Fig.3] shows a third example of a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric with a wide mesh, the surface area of the knitted part of which is almost the same as the surface area of the fabric on each side, which limits the passage of rain but allows water to pass through.
[0030] Preferably, according to an embodiment shown [Fig.4] and [Fig.5], the filaments (F) of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric are longitudinal. The fabric is then a succession of knitted stitches (M) substantially parallel to each other, connected between them by a multitude of filaments (F).
[0031] Unlike a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric as shown [Fig.l], [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], it is preferable that the knitted faces (M) do not allow water to pass through at all, i.e. are knitted over 100% of their surface and preferably coated with a hydrophobic product, either directly knitted or woven into a waterproof fabric.
[0032] Depending on the case depending on the respective position of the rain protection device and the direction of the rain, the meshes (M) are perpendicular as illustrated [Fig.4] or oblique as illustrated [Fig.5],
[0033] Thus, depending on the inclination of the fabric, the mesh provides protection from the rain while allowing air to pass through in a different direction.
[0034] This is particularly the case with umbrellas where the inclination of the fabric varies depending on its position while the wind is most often horizontal, influencing the direction of the rain.
[0035] Then the angle of inclination of the mesh (M) can vary continuously depending on its distance from the center of the umbrella which leads to a specific product.
[0036] In the case of a tent, it may include as a double roof such a 3D spacer fabric with longitudinal filaments allowing the wind to pass horizontally while protecting against falling rain.
[0037] Similarly for rainwear, the orientation of the stitches must be defined according to the selected part of the garment, whether it is a hood, sleeves or trouser legs, the back or simple, very localized comfort gussets.
[0038] In addition, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics are mechanically strong and will withstand strong winds. They withstand forces of several tens of kilos per m2.
[0039] For good mechanical resistance, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) is unravelable.
[0040] Preferably, to allow air to pass through better, the pressure drop coefficient of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is less than 5, or even if possible 1. This coefficient represents the opposition to the passage of air through the fabric of the rain protection device. It is the ratio between the pressure drop measured in Pascal between the upstream and downstream pressure when the fabric is crossed by an air flow at a speed V given in meters per second and the equivalent of the kinetic energy of the air Uz pV2, p being the density of the air.
[0041] A pressure loss coefficient of less than 5 makes it possible to be more permeable than the low permeability fabrics usually sold on the market.
[0042] A pressure loss coefficient of less than 1 makes it possible to limit the consequences of the force of the wind and to prevent, for example, an umbrella from turning inside out or flying away with all the risks that this entails.
[0043] Preferably to facilitate the installation of the rain protection device, the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is extensible.
[0044] For this, to maintain a form of elasticity so that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) remains extensible, it is not necessary to carry out the geometric stabilization operation by thermal process used in the case of 3D spacer fabrics integrated into mattresses to guarantee the dimensional conformity expected for use in a mattress.
[0045] Unlike the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics integrated into the mattresses, it is not necessary to implement the thermal stabilization process which would make the fabric (T) not very extensible. For example, the heat treatment may consist of bringing the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (T) to 200°C for 30 seconds to ensure dimensional conformity.
[0046] By not doing so, the 3D spacer fabric can remain stretchable for values greater than 30%, or even 50% depending on their design.
[0047] This also has the advantage in terms of compactness that the volume of the fabric (T) in the stored position, as is the case with a folded umbrella or a rolled-up tent flysheet, takes up less space.
[0048] For the installation of the device, it is advantageous for the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric to be tensioned. This is particularly advantageous in the case of an umbrella where the 3D spacer fabric is stretched over the ribs of the umbrella.
[0049] In terms of manufacturing process, the manufacturing process of the rain protection device uses 3D spacer fabric knitting machines (MT) like the one illustrated [Fig.6].
[0050] In the case of longitudinal filaments (F) it is possible to produce them for small series by assembling conventional three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics (T) superimposed and then laser-cut into slices to the desired thickness.
[0051] For larger series, it is possible to industrialize a process to produce them directly on machines (MT) for knitting three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics like the one illustrated [Fig.6]. Industrial application
[0052] In terms of industrial application, the invention applies to rain protection devices such as umbrellas, tents or rainwear.
[0053] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, but those skilled in the art will be able to provide any variation in accordance with its spirit for a range of products in different fields.
Claims
Claims
1. Rain protection device characterized in that the device comprises a three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric in the form of a 3D knit composed of knitted stitches (M) connected by a multitude of filaments (F) and by the fact that the 3D knit is composed of a succession of knitted stitches (M) perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal direction of the 3D knit, connected to each other by a multitude of filaments (F).
2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the pressure loss coefficient is less than 5.
3. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the 3D spacer fabric is unravelable.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric is extensible.
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the knitted faces (M) of the three-dimensional 3D spacer fabric (M) do not allow water to pass through.
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the knitted surface of the stitches (M) represents 100% of the surface of the fabric.
7. Method of manufacturing the rain protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it uses 3D spacer fabric knitting machines.
8. A method according to claim 7 comprising assembling three-dimensional 3D spacer fabrics and then laser cutting them into slices.