Three-dimensional fabric with interwoven warp threads, designed to resist impacts, and a bulletproof vest for the female torso and its manufacturing process

Abstract

The invention relates to a three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns, adapted to resist impacts, the three-dimensional fabric (16) having a weave (22) whose repeating pattern comprises at least one first weft yarn (Pa1) and a second weft yarn (Pb1) which form a first vertical column, a first weft yarn (Pa2) and a second weft yarn (Pb2) which form a second vertical column, and two binding warp yarns (C11, C21) which vary along a longitudinal pitch of one weft yarn, and along a vertical binding depth of two weft yarns. (Fig. 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Three-dimensional fabric with interlaced warp threads adapted to resist impacts and bulletproof vest for the female torso and its manufacturing process. Field of the invention

[0001] The present patent application relates to the field of fabrics adapted to withstand impacts, and more particularly to three-dimensional fabrics with interlaced warp threads.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a bulletproof vest for the female torso made with such fabric and its manufacturing process.

[0003] This invention may find application in the fields of marine, aerospace, transport, sport, aeronautics and more generally in any field requiring a high-performance fabric that is deformable without compromising its ability to withstand impacts. State of the art

[0004] The ballistic protection industry has mainly focused on the design and manufacture of bulletproof vests for the male torso, using various ballistic impact fabrics, including two-dimensional fabrics, quasi-unidirectional woven fabrics, unidirectional laminates, etc.

[0005] Also, efforts have been made to develop bulletproof vests adapted to the female torso.

[0006] Indeed, it is known that the effectiveness of women's bulletproof vests depends heavily on the fit of the vest to the body wearing it, and in particular on the fit of the ballistic protection panel that covers the torso.

[0007] In other words, the more the vest fits the shape of the body, the more effective the protection.

[0008] To give a bulletproof vest a shape close to a female bust, it is known to use "cut-and-sew" techniques on ballistic fabrics with different seams.

[0009] Although simple in design, this type of technique has weak points at the seams to resist ballistic impact.

[0010] A bulletproof vest is also known which is made by folding and sewing, as described and represented in document US4183097A.

[0011] This document describes a streamlined fabric bulletproof vest for the protection of a woman's torso, comprising a streamlined front protective panel composed of a plurality of layers of aramid ballistic protective fabric

[0012] The layers of fabric are folded over themselves by offsetting them angularly from one direction to the other.

[0013] The protective panel is shaped by overlapping layers of folded fabric which are sewn together to join two lateral sections to a central section of the panel so as to make the protective panel conform to the curve of a woman's bust.

[0014] This method aims to distribute the added thickness substantially, to avoid bulges and to improve comfort.

[0015] However, a protective panel made according to this design by folding has excess thickness, causing itching, reduced personal mobility and some discomfort.

[0016] Also, a multilayer laminated woven structure for ballistic protective clothing is known which can be molded to conform substantially to a female torso, as described in document US6281149B1.

[0017] According to this document, the three-dimensional woven structure is used for the basic functional layer of the ballistic protective garment.

[0018] In addition, a thermoplastic material is used to fuse the fibers of the layers of the three-dimensional woven structure to each other in order to improve the strength of the woven structure.

[0019] However, the lack of flexibility of this type of woven and thermo-molded structure creates folds which can eventually cause problems of fit and comfort.

[0020] A molded, resin-impregnated protective panel for a bulletproof vest is also known, which is designed to fit female torsos, as described in document US2009255022A1.

[0021] This panel consists of several layers of woven floating fabric, each layer of fabric being made with weft yarns and warp yarns with long floats in one or more directions, to promote the molding and shaping of the panel.

[0022] In addition, the threads of each layer are impregnated with adhesive resin and several layers of ballistic fabric are placed on a pre-formed mold adapted to the desired shape of the body.

[0023] The layers of fabric, with the adhesive applied, are compressed in the mold in order to obtain the required shape thanks to the long floating wefts of the fabric.

[0024] Although the floating woven fabric promotes the shaping of the protective panel for the bulletproof vest, such a panel may exhibit a lack of flexibility and comfort.

[0025] Finally, another technique involves using a ballistic protection panel that is made from a three-dimensional fabric with interlaced warp threads, also known as three-dimensional interlock warp fabric.

[0026] This type of three-dimensional fabric has excellent molding properties, allowing it to adapt to the contours of the female torso.

[0027] However, the ballistic performance of this type of fabric is inferior to that of its counterparts, two-dimensional fabrics, called 2D fabrics, or unidirectional laminates called "UD laminates".

[0028] The difference between a two-dimensional fabric and a three-dimensional fabric lies in the fact that three-dimensional fabrics have threads evolving in the thickness of the fabric.

[0029] As shown in a study entitled "Engineering of 3D warp interlock p-aramid fabric structure and its energy absorption capabilities against ballistic impact for body armour applications", the ballistic performance of the three-dimensional fabric with interlocking warp yarns is inferior to that of its counterparts, 2D fabrics or UD laminates.

[0030] Indeed, during fabric deformation, the deformation stress may not be uniform over the entire protective panel, causing a problem for the final ballistic performance of the bulletproof vest.

[0031] Technical problem remains

[0032] As previously stated, there are various techniques for developing women's body armor vests, including "cut-and-sew" techniques on ballistic fabrics with different seams, including butted and overlapped seams.

[0033] These techniques certainly improve the comfort and ease of use of the vest, but at the expense of protection at the seams.

[0034] To improve impact protection and user comfort, it is therefore advantageous to offer a bulletproof vest whose fabric protection panel is made without cutting or sewing, without stretch folding or folding.

[0035] Also, it is known that the effectiveness of women's bulletproof vests depends heavily on the fit of the ballistic protection panel to the torso.

[0036] However, when developing streamlined female body armor, ballistic fabrics may have different mechanical properties, including surface shear angle, material strength values ​​and corresponding mechanical damage, which could affect mechanical properties, including impact performance.

[0037] Ballistic fabrics of the 2D woven fabric or unidirectional laminated fabric type are composed of high-strength fibers and are used to develop ballistic protection equipment, including women's bulletproof vests, due to their excellent mechanical properties and better resistance to fatigue.

[0038] However, due to the lack of flexibility of these fabrics, the shaping techniques result in folds which pose problems of fit and final performance in the event of impact.

[0039] Finally, three-dimensional fabrics have an excellent ability to be molded and shaped to fit the contours of the female torso, but their ballistic performance is inferior to that of their counterparts, 2D fabrics or unidirectional laminates.

[0040] Thus, the present invention aims to provide a three-dimensional fabric with interlaced warp yarns, which has improved mechanical and dynamic performance in order to resist impacts on a flat or raised surface, and which can be shaped and adjusted to a female torso for the design of a female bulletproof vest, without compromising ballistic performance. Description of the invention

[0041] An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional fabric with interlaced warp yarns, adapted to resist impacts, the fabric having a weave whose repeating pattern comprises at least: - a first group of transverse weft yarns comprising at least one first weft yarn and one second weft yarn forming a first vertical column, - a second group of transverse weft yarns comprising at least one first weft yarn and one second weft yarn forming a second vertical column, the first weft yarn of the first group and the first weft yarn of the second group forming a first layer of weft yarns, and the second weft yarn of the first group and the second weft yarn of the second group forming a second layer of weft yarns, - a first group of binding warp threads which includes at least one first longitudinal binding warp thread, and - a second group of binding warp threads which includes at least one first longitudinal binding warp thread,

[0042] Advantageously, each binding warp yarn progresses along a longitudinal pitch of one weft yarn, and along a vertical binding depth of two weft yarns, so that the first binding warp yarn of the first group extends longitudinally, taking at least the two weft yarns of the first column and successively leaving the two weft yarns of the second column, and the first yarn of The binding warp of the second group extends longitudinally, leaving the two weft threads of the first column and taking at least the two weft threads of the second column.

[0043] Such a three-dimensional fabric according to the invention exhibits good dimensional stability which is particularly suitable for use as a shock protection material.

[0044] The three-dimensional fabric according to the invention offers the possibility of being shaped without affecting its mechanical performance.

[0045] Also, the three-dimensional fabric according to the invention reduces the coupling of shock waves after impact at the bonding points of the weft and warp yarns, which improves the resistance to delamination of the layers of the three-dimensional fabric 16, particularly in the case of multiple impacts.

[0046] According to other optional features of the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0047] - the weave pattern has an orthogonal structure, the warp threads are binding being interlaced orthogonally with the weft threads;

[0048] - the first group of weft yarns comprises at least five weft yarns each belonging to the first vertical column, the second group of weft yarns comprises at least five weft yarns each belonging to the second vertical column, the first group of binding warp yarns comprises at least four binding warp yarns, the second group of binding warp yarns comprises at least four binding warp yarns, and each binding warp yarn evolves along a longitudinal pitch of one weft yarn, and along a vertical binding depth of two weft yarns;

[0049] - the three-dimensional fabric comprises at least one reinforcing warp yarn which extends longitudinally between each layer of weft yarns;

[0050] - the proportion of the binding warp threads represents between fifty percent and seventy percent of the total formed by the binding warp yarns and the reinforcing warp yarns. However, it is observed that three-dimensional fabrics comprising between fifty percent and seventy percent binding warp yarns relative to reinforcing warp yarns exhibit a better energy absorption capacity when the fabric is subjected to impact, whether the fabric is flat or embossed. This characteristic contributes to providing optimal impact protection while minimizing defects during fabric manufacturing;

[0051] - the warp and weft yarns that make up the three-dimensional fabric are each made from one of the materials included in the following group: para-aramid, meta-aramid, para-aramid copolymer, high-performance polyester, high-density polyethylene, polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, fiberglass.

[0052] The invention also relates to a protective panel adapted for the manufacture of a bulletproof vest for a female torso, said panel comprising a plurality of layers of three-dimensional fabric with interlaced warp threads of the type described above.

[0053] The invention also relates to a bulletproof vest for a female torso comprising at least one protective panel of the type described above.

[0054] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bulletproof vest for a female torso of the type described above, said vest comprising at least one protective panel adapted to cover a female torso and comprising a plurality of layers of three-dimensional fabric with interlaced warp yarns, characterized in that it successively comprises at least: - a panel forming step which consists of arranging a plurality of layers of said three-dimensional fabric in a bust-shaped mold and applying pressure to said fabric layers by means of the mold for a predetermined time to form a raised section intended to conform to the shape of a female torso, - a demolding step of the panel formed by said layers, and - a step of applying an elastomer-based resin to at least the raised part of the panel. The forming step has the advantage of being carried out at room temperature, i.e. without the addition of extra heat.

[0055] Also, the process according to the invention includes at least one heat treatment step which is carried out following the resin application step and which consists of heating the molded panel for a predetermined time, to promote cohesion between the resin and the wires which make up the panel. Brief description of the drawings

[0056] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0057] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a bulletproof vest comprising a molded front panel, according to the invention;

[0058] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a portion of the front panel of the [Fig.1], comprising eight layers of three-dimensional fabric according to the invention;

[0059] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional fabric of [Fig.2], which illustrates the repeating pattern of the weave of the three-dimensional fabric;

[0060] [Fig.4] is a reading table of the repeat pattern of the three-dimensional fabric weave according to the invention;

[0061] [Fig.5] is a reading table of the repeat pattern of the three-dimensional fabric weave according to the invention;

[0062] [Fig.6] is a schematic perspective view of a mold for implementing the method of manufacturing a front panel for a bulletproof vest of the [Fig.1], according to the invention.

[0063] In the description and claims, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse terminology will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron L, V, T indicated on [Fig.3], considering that the thickness of the three-dimensional fabric extends vertically.

[0064] Throughout all these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs.

[0065] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0066] Figure [1] shows a bulletproof vest 10 adapted to the shape of a female torso.

[0067] The bulletproof vest 10 includes a front panel 12 for protection against ballistic impacts which has a raised portion 13 which conforms to the shape of the female torso illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0068] According to an example of an embodiment of the bulletproof vest 10 according to the invention illustrated schematically in [Fig.2], the front panel 12 comprises eight layers 14, or folds, of a three-dimensional fabric 16 with interlaced warp yarns, with an arrangement of the layers 14 at zero degree.

[0069] The front panel 12 has an inner face 18 where the trauma is created and an outer face 20 where the projectile hits the front panel 12.

[0070] The three-dimensional fabric 16 with interlaced warp yarns according to the invention, commonly called three-dimensional warp “interlock” fabric, or “3D interlock” fabric, designates a fabric which has yarns evolving in the thickness of the fabric, unlike a two-dimensional fabric, or “2D fabric”.

[0071] The present invention aims in particular to provide a three-dimensional fabric 16 with interlaced warp threads which has a weave 22, shown in a box in [Fig.3], adapted to distribute stresses in different directions and promote the mechanical properties of the fabric.

[0072] The weave of a fabric refers to the way in which the warp and weft threads that compose it are interlaced.

[0073] According to an example of an embodiment illustrated in figures 3 to 5, the repeating pattern of the weave 22 of the three-dimensional fabric 16 according to the invention comprises a first group PI of transverse weft yarns, a second group P2 of transverse weft yarns, a first group Cl of longitudinal binding warp yarns, a second group C2 of binding warp yarns and a third group C3 of reinforcing warp yarns which each extend longitudinally between a layer of weft yarns.

[0074] The first PI group of weft yarns comprises five transverse weft yarns Pal, Pbl, Pci, Pdl, Pel which form a first column extending vertically along the thickness of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0075] Similarly, the second group P2 of weft yarns comprises five transverse weft yarns Pa2, Pb2, Pc2, Pd2, Pe2 which form a second column extending vertically along the thickness of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0076] The first weft yarn Pal of the first group PI and the first weft yarn Pa2 of the second group P2 form a first layer of weft yarns which extends longitudinally.

[0077] Also, the second weft yarn Pbl of the first group PI and the second weft yarn Pb2 of the second group P2 form a second layer of weft yarns which extends longitudinally, and so on, so that the three-dimensional fabric 16 comprises five layers of weft yarns.

[0078] According to another embodiment of the invention, the first group Cl of binding warp yarns comprises four binding warp yarns C11, Cl2, C13, Cl4, each represented in continuous line in [Fig.3].

[0079] Similarly, the second group C2 of binding warp yarns comprises four binding warp yarns C21, C22, C23, C24, each represented by a dashed line in [Fig.3].

[0080] As can be seen in [Fig.2], generally speaking, each warp yarn of binding C11, C12, C13, C14, C21, C22, C23, C24 evolves along a longitudinal pitch of one weft yarn, and along a vertical binding depth of two weft yarns.

[0081] More particularly, the first binding warp yarn Cl 1 of the first group Cl undulates longitudinally by taking the five weft yarns Pal, Pbl, Pci, Pdl, Pel of the first column and leaving the first two weft yarns Pa2, Pb2 of the second column.

[0082] Each binding warp yarn of the first group Cl evolves in the same way as the first binding warp yarn Cil, with a vertical offset of one weft yarn in the thickness of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0083] Thus, the binding warp wire C12 takes four weft wires Pbl, Pci, Pdl, Pel from the first column and leaves the first three weft wires Pa2, Pb2, Pc2 from the second column, the binding warp wire C13 takes three weft wires Pci, Pdl, Pel from the first column and leaves the first four weft wires Pa2, Pb2, Pc2, Pd2 from the second column and the binding warp wire C14 takes two weft wires Pci, Pdl from the first column and leaves the five weft wires Pa2, Pb2, Pc2, Pd2, Pe2 from the second column.

[0084] The binding warp threads of the second group C2 undulate longitudinally in a "phase-out" manner with respect to the binding warp threads of the first group CL

[0085] Thus, the binding warp wire C21 of the second group C2 leaves the first two weft wires Pal, Pbl of the first column and takes the five weft wires Pa2, Pb2, Pc2, Pd2, Pe2 of the second column, the binding warp wire C22 leaves the first three weft wires Pal, Pbl, Pci of the first column and takes four weft wires Pb2, Pc2, Pd2, Pe2 of the second column, the binding warp wire C23 leaves the first four weft wires Pal, Pbl, Pci, Pdl of the first column and takes three weft wires Pc2, Pd2, Pe2 of the second column, the binding warp wire C24 leaves the five weft wires Pal, Pbl, Pci, Pdl, Pel of the first column and takes two weft wires Pd2, Pe2 of the second column.

[0086] It will be noted that the bonding warp threads C11, C12, C13, C14 of the first group Cl evolve symmetrically to the bonding warp threads C21, C22, C23, C24 of the second group C2, along a vertical plane of symmetry S illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0087] It should also be noted that the pattern of the 22 weave has an orthogonal structure, which means that the binding warp threads are interlaced orthogonally with the layers of weft threads.

[0088] Finally, the third group C3 of reinforcing warp yarns comprises four reinforcing warp yarns C31, C32, C33, C34 which extend longitudinally each between a layer of weft yarns and which are each represented by a dotted line in [Fig.3].

[0089] More specifically, the first reinforcing warp yarn C31 extends between the first layer of weft yarns formed by the Pal, Pa2 yarns and the second layer of weft yarns formed by the Pbl, Pb2 yarns, the second reinforcing warp yarn C32 extends between the second layer of weft yarns formed by the Pbl, Pb2 yarns and the third layer of weft yarns formed by the Pci, Pc2 yarns, the third reinforcing warp yarn C33 extends between the third layer of weft yarns formed by the Pci, Pc2 yarns and the fourth layer of weft yarns formed by the Pdl, Pd2 yarns and the fourth reinforcing warp yarn C34 extends between the fourth layer of weft yarns formed by the Pdl, Pd2 yarns and the fifth layer of weft yarns formed by the Pel, Pe2 yarns.

[0090] It will be understood that the pattern of the weave 22 is repeated in the transverse direction and in the longitudinal direction to form the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0091] On the upper part of the table in [Fig.5], the designations "UWp" and "LWp" refer to the lifting and lowering actions of the frames of the weaving machine (not shown) which is used by the manufacture of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0092] Also, the designations "UWp" and "LWp" correspond to the high or low position respectively of the selected warp yarns and weft yarns, the designations "UWp" and "LWp" representing respectively the warp yarns above the considered weft yarns and the warp yarn below the considered weft yarns.

[0093] The number of weft threads left by the warp thread in question can be read on the lower part of the table in [Fig.5].

[0094] Also, the weaving pattern of the weave 22 of the three-dimensional fabric 16 is represented on the lower table of [Fig.4], which comprises ten lines, with a black box representing a weft yarn that is taken by the binding warp yarn considered, a white box representing a weft yarn that is left by the warp yarn considered, and a grey box representing a weft yarn that is taken by the reinforcing warp yarn considered.

[0095] The upper table of [Fig.4] which includes the first two represents the lifting plan of the frames of the weaving machine (not shown) which is used by the manufacture of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0096] Advantageously, the three-dimensional fabric 16 according to the invention comprises eight binding warp yarns C12, C13, C14, C21, C22, C23, C24 and four reinforcing warp yarns C31, C32, C33, C34, so that the three-dimensional fabric 16 comprises twice as many binding warp yarns as reinforcing warp yarns C31, C32, C33, C34.

[0097] The proportion of binding warp threads represents between fifty percent and seventy percent of the whole formed by the binding warp threads and the reinforcing warp threads.

[0098] However, it is observed that three-dimensional fabrics which comprise a ratio of between fifty percent and seventy percent of binding warp yarns compared to reinforcing warp yarns, exhibit a better capacity for energy absorption when the fabric is subjected to an impact, whether the fabric is flat or in relief.

[0099] This feature helps to provide optimal protection against impacts while minimizing defects during fabric manufacturing.

[0100] In addition, each warp yarn of binding C12, C13, C14, C21, C22, C23, C24 forms a binding point by taking two weft yarns, which corresponds to one binding point out of two, i.e. fifty percent of binding points.

[0101] This bonding ratio ensures good dimensional stability of the three-dimensional fabric 16 used as shock protection material, and ensures the possibility of being shaped without affecting its mechanical performance.

[0102] Also, this bonding rate considerably reduces the coupling of shock waves at the bonding points after impact, which improves the resistance to delamination of the layers of the three-dimensional fabric 16, particularly in the case of multiple impacts.

[0103] The reinforcing warp yarns C31, C32, C33, C34 do not have a bonding point but contribute to the rigidity of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0104] The yarns that constitute the three-dimensional fabric 16 according to the invention are preferably yarns made from high-density, high-performance yarns derived from inorganic, mineral and organic polymer families in the form of simple or mixed fibers.

[0105] These yarns include, for example, aromatic polyamides such as para-aramid of the poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) type, meta-aramid of the poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) type, para-aramid copolymers, high-performance polyesters, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or polybenzoxazoles such as PBO (p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) and PIPD (polypropylene dobisimidazole), or polybenzothiazoles, or glass fibers.

[0106] For example, the yarns have a minimum modulus of elasticity of 2.52 gigapascals (GPa), 2.31 gigapascals (GPa), and 62 gigapascals (GPa), respectively. Furthermore, the aforementioned fibers also have a minimum modulus of elasticity of 2.52 gigapascals (GPa), 2.31 gigapascals (GPa), and 62 gigapascals (GPa), respectively.

[0107] The linear mass of the yarns that make up the three-dimensional fabric 16 is determined so that the three-dimensional fabric 16 has a surface mass of between 800 and 900 grams per square meter (g / m2).

[0108] Thus, the panel 12, which comprises eight layers of three-dimensional fabric 16, has a surface mass of approximately 7,200 grams per square meter (g / m2).

[0109] The surface mass of the warp and weft yarns contributes in equal proportions to the total surface mass of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0110] The three-dimensional fabric 16 according to the invention has a thickness of approximately two to three millimeters, for example.

[0111] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a front panel 12 for a female torso bulletproof vest 10, of the type described above.

[0112] The process includes a panel forming step 12 which consists of arranging the layers 14 of the three-dimensional fabric 16 described previously in a bust-shaped mold 24 of a forming machine (not shown).

[0113] The mold 24 comprises a first upper part 26a which delimits a female imprint corresponding to the shape of a female bust and a second complementary part 26b which delimits a male imprint.

[0114] During the forming step, pressure is exerted on the layers 14 by means of the closed mold 24 for a predetermined time to form the panel 12 and give it the shape delimited by the mold 24, and in particular to form the raised part 13 which conforms to the shape of the breast of the female torso.

[0115] Preferably, pressure is exerted on the strata 14 for at least four hours.

[0116] Also, the forming step is carried out dry and at room temperature, that is to say without additional heat input.

[0117] The process includes a demolding step of the panel 12 which is carried out following the forming step.

[0118] The demolding step is followed by a step of applying a resin to the molded panel 12.

[0119] The resin is preferably applied over the whole panel 12, but not limited to, it may be applied only to the raised part 13 of the molded panel 12.

[0120] The resin aims to maintain the shape of the panel 12 given by the molding throughout the life of the panel 12 equipping the bulletproof vest 10.

[0121] Preferably, the resin is a low viscosity elastomer-based resin, for example polyurethane-based, which promotes the impregnation of the resin into the threads of the three-dimensional fabric 16.

[0122] The resin application step is followed by a heat treatment step which consists of heating the molded panel 12 for a determined time and at a determined temperature, to promote cohesion between the resin and the wires that make up the panel 12 and to allow the resin to harden.

[0123] The heat treatment step lasts a maximum of thirteen minutes, for example.

[0124] The heat treatment temperature is set below the transition temperature of the yarns that make up the three-dimensional fabric layers 14 of the panel 12 in order to avoid yarn degradation, for example between 240 and 260 degrees Celsius for para-aramid type yarns.

[0125] Such crosslinking of the resin makes it possible to maintain the final deformed shape of the panel 12, while retaining sufficient flexibility and therefore satisfactory comfort for the wearer of the vest.

[0126] It will be noted that the layers 14 of panel 12 are linked together without the use of assembly techniques such as fusion, sewing, gluing or stitching.

[0127] Naturally, the invention is described in the foregoing by way of example.

[0128] It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variants of the embodiment of the invention without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0129] For example, the first group PI of weft yarns and the second group P2 of weft yarns of the repeating pattern of the three-dimensional fabric 16 may have more than five weft yarns, depending on the capabilities of the weaving machine.

Claims

1. Demands Three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns, adapted to resist impacts, the three-dimensional fabric (16) having a weave (22) whose repeating pattern includes at least: - a first group (PI) of transverse weft yarns comprising at least a first weft yarn (Pal) and a second weft yarn (Pbl) which form a first vertical column, - a second group (P2) of transverse weft yarns comprising at least one first weft yarn (Pa2) and one second weft yarn (Pb2) which form a second vertical column, the first weft yarn (Pal) of the first group and the first weft yarn (Pa2) of the second group forming a first layer of weft yarns, and the second weft yarn (Pbl) of the first group and the second weft yarn (Pb2) of the second group forming a second layer of weft yarns, - a first group (Cl) of binding warp threads which includes at least one first longitudinal binding warp thread (Cil), and - a second group (C2) of binding warp yarns which includes at least one first longitudinal binding warp yarn (C21), characterized in that each binding warp yarn (Cl1, C21) evolves along a longitudinal pitch of one weft yarn, and along a vertical binding depth of two weft yarns, such that the first binding warp yarn (Cl1) of the first group (Cl1) extends longitudinally by taking at least the two weft yarns (Pal, Pbl) of the first column and successively leaving the two weft yarns (Pa2, Pb2) of the second column, and the first binding warp yarn (C21) of the second group (C2) extends longitudinally by leaving the two weft yarns (Pal, Pbl) of the first column and taking at least the two weft yarns (Pa2, Pb2) of the second column, according to at least the following reading table: Eyelash C21 Pa uw LW 1 PP Pb uw LW 1 PP Pa LW uw 2 PP Pb LW uw 2 PP

2. Three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns according to claim 1, characterized in that said weave pattern (22) has an orthogonal structure, the binding warp yarns (Cil, C21) being interlaced orthogonally with the weft yarns (Pal, Pbl, Pa2, Pb2).

3. Three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first group (PI) of weft yarns comprises at least five weft yarns (Pal, Pbl, Pci, Pdl, Pel), each belonging to the first vertical column, - the second group (P2) of weft yarns comprises at least five weft yarns (Pa2, Pb2, Pc2, Pd2, Pe2), each belonging to the second vertical column, - the first group (Cl) of binding warp yarns comprises at least four binding warp yarns (Cil, C12, C13, C14), and - the second group (C2) of binding warp yarns comprises at least four binding warp yarns (C21, C22, C23, C24), and in that each binding warp yarn (Cl1, Cl2, Cl3, Cl4, C21, C22, C23, C24) evolves along a longitudinal pitch of one weft yarn, and along a vertical binding depth of two weft yarns.

4. Three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one reinforcing warp yarn (C31, C32, C33, C34) which extends longitudinally between each layer of weft yarns.

5. Three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns according to claim 4, characterized in that the proportion of the binding warp yarns (Cil, C12, C13, C14, C21, C22, C23, C24) represents between fifty percent and seventy percent of the whole formed by the binding warp yarns (Cil, C12, C13, C14, C21, C22, C23, C24) and the reinforcing warp yarns (C31, C32, C33, C34).

6. Three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said yarns (Cil, C12, C13, C14, C21, C22, C23, C24, C31, C32, C33, C34, Pal, Pbl, Pci, Pdl, Pel, Pa2, Pb2, Pc2, Pd2, Pe2) which compose the three-dimensional fabric (16) are each made of one of the materials included in the following group: para-aramid, meta-aramid, para-aramid copolymer, high-performance polyester, high-density polyethylene, polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, fiberglass.

7. Protective panel (12) adapted for making a bulletproof vest (10) for a female torso, said panel (12) comprising a plurality of layers (14) of three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp threads according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. Bulletproof vest (10) for female torso comprising at least one protective panel (12) according to claim 7.

9. A method for manufacturing a bulletproof vest (10) for a female torso according to claim 8, said bulletproof vest (10) comprising at least one protective panel (12) adapted to cover a female torso and comprising a plurality of layers (14) of three-dimensional fabric (16) with interlaced warp yarns, characterized in that it successively comprises at least: - a panel (12) forming step consisting of arranging a plurality of layers (14) of said three-dimensional fabric (16) in a torso-shaped mold (24) and applying pressure to said layers (14) by means of the mold (24) for a predetermined time to form a raised portion (13) intended to conform to the shape of a female torso, - a demolding step of the panel (12) formed by said layers (14), and - a step of applying an elastomer-based resin to at least the raised part of the panel (12).

10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one heat treatment step which is carried out following the resin application step and which consists of heating the molded panel (12) for a predetermined time, to promote cohesion between the resin and the wires which make up the panel (12).

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