Seat covering material and seat including same

Abstract

Provided is an upholstery material for a seat for vehicles, furniture, etc., wherein the material has excellent designability due to having concave deformed parts, and at the same time can suppress the occurrence of fluffing even if the surface is rubbed by hard protrusions such as hooks of hook-and-loop fasteners, and has excellent cushioning due to suppressing sideways falling. The upholstery material for a seat according to the present invention is constituted of a three-dimensional knitted fabric comprising a two-layered knitted fabric having a surface layer and a back layer, and a connecting thread that connects the layers of the two-layered knitted fabric, and the upholstery material is characterized in that the three-dimensional knitted fabric has concave deformed parts on the surface-layer side, and a parameter A, calculated by the formula: parameter A = course density (course / 2.54 cm) × concave part thickness (mm) / fabric thickness (mm), is 6–36 (inclusive).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat covering material and a seat including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, three-dimensional knitted fabrics consisting of two layers of knitted fabric on the front and back and connecting yarns connecting the two layers of knitted fabric have cushioning properties in the thickness direction due to the use of monofilament for the connecting yarn, and further, the knitted fabrics on the front and back have a mesh structure to ensure high breathability, and therefore have been widely used as a cushioning material that is cool and prevents stuffiness in applications such as seat covers and bedding.

[0003] On the other hand, when three-dimensional knitted fabrics are used as covering materials for seating and the like, high design properties can be achieved by forming irregularities on the surface side of the cushioning material by thermal embossing, but the durability, such as the surface abrasion resistance, and cushioning properties required for seating are inferior.

[0004] The following Patent Document 1 discloses that by having a gradual changing section in which the height from the bottom of the recessed portion gradually changes from the recessed portion to the non-recessed portion of the cushioning material, a sheet material having a gradation from the recessed portion to the non-recessed portion and excellent design can be obtained. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-104217 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the surface condition for suppressing pilling due to wear or the prevention of lateral collapse by forming recesses, and the performance for suppressing pilling due to rubbing against protrusions and the cushioning properties obtained by suppressing lateral collapse are insufficient.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned state of the prior art, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to resolve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and provide a seat covering material for vehicles, furniture, and the like, which has excellent design properties by having concave deformed portions, and at the same time, is capable of suppressing the occurrence of pilling even when the surface is rubbed by hard protrusions such as the hook portions of hook-and-loop fasteners, and has excellent cushioning properties by suppressing the phenomenon of lateral collapse, and a seat sheet including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] As a result of intensive research and repeated experiments to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventors unexpectedly discovered that in a seat covering material consisting of a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of two layers of knitted fabric, one on the front and one on the back, and a connecting yarn connecting the two layers of knitted fabric, the above-mentioned problems can be solved by forming a concave deformed portion on the front side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric and setting a parameter A calculated from the course density of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, the thickness of the deformed portion (concave), and the fabric thickness within a specific range, which led to the completion of the present invention.

[0009] That is, the present invention is as follows. [1] A seat covering material composed of a three-dimensional knitted fabric including two layers of knitted fabric, a front layer and a back layer, and a connecting yarn connecting the two layers of knitted fabric, the three-dimensional knitted fabric having a concave deformation portion in at least one layer and satisfying the following formula: Parameter A = course density (course / 2.54 cm) x recess thickness (mm) / fabric thickness (mm) The seat covering material is characterized in that the parameter A calculated by the above formula is 6 or more and 36 or less. [2] The seat covering material according to [1] above, wherein the concave deformation portion is formed across five or more continuous wales. [3] The seat covering material according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the concave deformation portion is continuously formed on the same wale over 60 courses or less. [4] The seat covering material according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the three-dimensional knit has a plurality of concave deformed portions, and the distance between the closest concave deformed portions on the same wale is 10 mm or more and less than 300 mm. [5] The seat covering material according to [4] above, wherein the distance between the closest concave deformation portions on the same wale is 15 mm or more and less than 300 mm. [6] The seat covering material according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the concave deformation portion is formed by fusing fibers together. [7] The seat covering material according to [5] above, wherein the concave deformation portion is formed by fusing fibers together. [8] The seat covering material according to any one of [1] to [5] above, wherein the concave deformation portion is formed by embroidery or sewing. [9] The seat covering material according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the surface layer of the three-dimensional knitted fabric has a mesh density of 11,500 or more and 23,000 or less.

[10] The seat covering material according to [9], wherein the surface layer of the three-dimensional knitted fabric has a mesh density of 13,000 or more and 23,000 or less.

[11] A seat comprising the seat covering material according to any one of [1] to

[10] above. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The seat covering material of the present invention has excellent design properties due to the presence of concave deformed portions, and at the same time, even if the surface is rubbed by a hard protrusion such as the hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, the generation of pilling can be suppressed, and by suppressing the phenomenon of sideways falling, excellent cushioning properties can also be achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing concavely deformed portions in Examples 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 15 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. FIG. [Diagram 2] 13 is a diagram showing concave deformation portions in Examples 4, 7, and 12. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing concave deformation portions in Examples 5 and 13. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing concave deformation portions in Examples 8 and 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. One embodiment of the present invention is a seat covering material composed of a three-dimensional knitted fabric including two layers of knitted fabric, a front layer and a back layer, and a connecting yarn that connects the two layers of knitted fabric, the three-dimensional knitted fabric having a concave deformation portion in at least one layer and satisfying the following formula: Parameter A = course density (course / 2.54 cm) x recess thickness (mm) / fabric thickness (mm) The seat covering material is characterized in that the parameter A calculated by the above formula is 6 or more and 36 or less.

[0013] The seat covering material of this embodiment includes a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of two layers of knitted fabric, front and back, and a connecting yarn that connects the two layers of knitted fabric. The three-dimensional knitted fabric is knitted by a double Raschel warp knitting machine or a double circular knitting machine, and the gauge of the knitting machine is preferably 18 to 28.

[0014] The three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the seat covering material of this embodiment must have a concave deformation portion in at least one layer. By having one or more concave deformation portions, the covering material of this embodiment can exhibit a three-dimensional excellent design. The concave deformation portion refers to a thin portion formed by fusing fibers together on the surface of the three-dimensional knitted fabric due to plastic deformation caused by heat or pressure, or a thin portion formed by embroidery or sewing, and a portion whose thickness is reduced by following these is not included in the concave deformation portion. The concave deformation portion formed by fusing fibers together is typically formed by heat press processing. The concave deformation portion formed by embroidery or sewing can be formed by using any thread and method, and an embroidery sewing machine, a lock stitch sewing machine, a zigzag sewing machine, or the like can be used depending on the shape of the pattern or stitch. From the viewpoint of suppressing fuzzing due to protrusions, the concave deformation portion is preferably formed by fusing fibers together, and from the viewpoint of improving cushioning by suppressing the lateral collapse phenomenon, it is preferable that the concave deformation portion is formed by embroidery or sewing.

[0015] The three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the seat covering material of the present embodiment has the following formula: Parameter A = course density (course / 2.54 cm) x recess thickness (mm) / fabric thickness (mm) It is necessary that the parameter A calculated by the above is between 6 and 36. If parameter A is less than 6, the stitches of the surface layer are coarse, and the change in thickness from the non-deformed part to the deformed part is large, so that the contact area during compression is small and pressure is concentrated, which makes it easier for protrusions such as the hooks of the hook-and-loop fastener to get caught on the monofilaments of the stitches of the surface layer, which are cut and easily become frayed. Conversely, if parameter A exceeds 36, protrusions such as the hooks of the hook-and-loop fastener are less likely to get caught on the monofilaments of the stitches of the surface layer, but the surface layer becomes smooth and cannot prevent the buttocks of a seated person from slipping, and the angle formed by the connecting yarns connecting the two knitted fabrics on the front and back layers and the thickness direction of the fabric becomes small, and the connecting yarns are not fixed in the concavely deformed part, so that the phenomenon of lateral collapse cannot be prevented and cushioning properties deteriorate. From the viewpoint of suppressing fuzzing due to protrusions, the parameter A is preferably in the range of 8 or more, and more preferably in the range of 10 or more. Moreover, from the viewpoint of preventing slippage of the seated person's buttocks and suppressing the phenomenon of sideways falling, thereby improving the cushioning properties, the parameter A is preferably in the range of 30 or less, and more preferably in the range of 24 or less.

[0016] In order to set the parameter A to 6 or more and 36 or less, when knitting a three-dimensional knitted fabric, it is preferable to adjust the fineness of the fiber used, the gauge of the knitting machine, the on-machine course, the knitting structure, the width-in ratio, the width-out ratio, the overfeed ratio, the underfeed ratio, etc. in the finishing process such as heat setting, and when forming a concave deformation on the surface side of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, if deformation by heat is used, it is preferable to adjust the heating time, the temperature of the receiving table, the shape of the press mold, the temperature of the press mold, the press pressure, etc., and a low melting point yarn or a heat-fused yarn can also be used. If a deformation formation method other than this is used, it is also possible to form a concave portion by embroidery, and in that case, it is preferable to adjust the type, fineness, embroidery pattern, sewing machine needle, stitch width, stitch pitch, etc. of the sewing thread.

[0017] The lateral collapse phenomenon is likely to occur when the knitted fabric of the front layer moves in the warp direction of the knitted fabric relative to the knitted fabric of the back layer when the three-dimensional knitted fabric is compressed. In the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the seat cover material of this embodiment, the concave deformation portion is preferably formed over five or more continuous wales, and more preferably over ten or more wales. If it extends over five or more wales, the concave deformation portion can easily prevent the knitted fabric of the front layer from moving in the warp direction of the knitted fabric, making it easier to suppress the lateral collapse phenomenon.

[0018] In the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the seat covering material of this embodiment, the concave deformed portion is preferably formed continuously on the same wale over 60 courses or less, and more preferably over 40 courses or less. If the concave deformed portion is formed continuously on the same wale over 60 courses or less, a decrease in cushioning when sitting due to a local change in compression characteristics caused by the concave deformed portion is unlikely to occur.

[0019] When the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the seat covering material of this embodiment has a plurality of concave deformations, the knitted fabric warp distance between the closest concave deformations on the same wale is preferably 10 mm or more and less than 300 mm, more preferably 15 mm or more and 250 mm or less. If the knitted fabric warp distance between the concave deformations is 10 mm or more, it is easy to suppress the decrease in cushioning between the concave deformations, and also, since the curvature of the convex part between the concave deformations is large, it is easy to suppress fluffing due to protrusions. On the other hand, if the knitted fabric warp distance between the concave deformations is less than 300 mm, it is easy to effectively suppress the movement of the surface knitted fabric in the knitted fabric warp direction, especially between the concave deformations, and to suppress the lateral collapse phenomenon.

[0020] In the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the seat covering material of this embodiment, the stitch density of the knitted fabric of the surface layer that forms the seating surface side of the seat covering material is preferably 11,500 or more and 20,000 or less. In the present specification, the term "mesh density" refers to the following formula: Knit density M=N×√D {where N is the number of stitches (pieces) per 2.54 cm square, and D is the total fineness (decitex) of the fibers forming one stitch of the surface knitted fabric.} is an index showing the denseness of the stitches of the surface knitted fabric. Note that "the total fineness of the fibers forming one stitch of the surface knitted fabric" refers to the total fineness of only the fibers forming the stitch, excluding fibers that do not form stitches such as insert knitting.

[0021] When the mesh density is 11,500 or more, protrusions such as hooks of a hook-and-loop fastener are less likely to get caught on the monofilaments of the meshes of the surface layer, and the monofilaments are not cut and are less likely to become frayed. From the viewpoint of suppressing fuzzing due to protrusions, the mesh density is more preferably in the range of 13,000 or more and 23,000 or less, and even more preferably in the range of 14,000 or more and 23,000 or less.

[0022] In order to achieve a stitch density of 11,500 or more and 23,000 or less, it is preferable to adjust the fineness of the fibers used in the surface knitted fabric, the gauge of the knitting machine, the on-machine course, the knitting structure, and the width-in rate, width-out rate, overfeed rate, underfeed rate, etc. in finishing processes such as heat setting.

[0023] The fiber material used for the surface knitted fabric is not limited, and may be a single material or a composite of multiple materials by blending, twisting, blending, interweaving, etc., but from the viewpoints of raw yarn strength and light resistance, long polyethylene terephthalate fibers are preferably used. Also, from the viewpoint of increasing the pull-out resistance of the single fiber so that the single fiber is less likely to be pulled out from the knitted fabric surface by protrusions such as the hooks of the hook-and-loop fastener, the polyethylene terephthalate fiber is preferably a false twisted yarn, an interlaced yarn, or a twisted yarn.

[0024] The fineness of the fibers used in the surface knitted fabric is preferably 100 decitex or more and 350 decitex or less in order to optimize the stitch density. From the same viewpoint, the total fineness of one stitch made of fibers forming the surface knitted fabric is preferably 150 decitex or more and 800 decitex or less. When the fibers used for the surface knitted fabric are multifilament, the single yarn fineness is preferably 1 dtex or more and 6 dtex or less, and more preferably 3 dtex or more and 6 dtex or less, which increases the strength of the single yarn.

[0025] The fiber used for the connecting yarn is preferably a monofilament. When a monofilament is used for the connecting yarn, the fineness of the monofilament is preferably 30 decitex or more and 300 decitex or less, more preferably 50 decitex or more and 250 decitex or less, in order to suppress the monofilament from protruding onto the knitted fabric surface and to maintain good cushioning properties.

[0026] If the monofilament protrudes from the surface of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, it will easily get caught on protrusions such as the hooks of a hook-and-loop fastener. Therefore, it is desirable that the stitches of the fibers forming the surface knitted fabric press down the stitches of the monofilament so that the monofilament does not protrude from the outer surface of the surface knitted fabric (i.e., the seating surface of the seat cover material for a seat). For this purpose, the total fineness D1 (decitex) of one stitch made of the fibers forming the surface knitted fabric is expressed by the following relationship: D1 / D2≧3 It is preferable that the following is satisfied.

[0027] Any material can be used for the fibers constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric, and various fiber materials may be combined, but it is preferable that the knitted fabric of the front layer, the connecting yarn, and the knitted fabric of the back layer are all 100% polyethylene terephthalate fiber in terms of ease of recycling, such as material recycling and chemical recycling. These fibers may be undyed, but it is preferable to use dope-dyed yarn or pre-dyed yarn in order to suppress the change in the properties of the three-dimensional knitted fabric during dyeing processing. Furthermore, it is more preferable to use dope-dyed yarn kneaded with pigments or the like that can eliminate the need for a dyeing process.

[0028] The thickness of the three-dimensional knit fabric constituting the seat covering material of this embodiment can be set arbitrarily, but is preferably 3 mm or more and 12 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less, in view of the sewing property, handling property and cushioning property as a covering material. The basis weight of the three-dimensional knit fabric can be set arbitrarily, but is preferably 400 to 1000 g / m 2 , more preferably 500 to 900 g / m 2 It is.

[0029] In the case of a three-dimensional knitted fabric that constitutes the seat covering material of this embodiment, in the case of a three-dimensional knitted fabric using yarn-dyed yarn or dope-dyed yarn, the green fabric can be finished through processes such as scouring and heat setting, but in terms of process simplification, it is more preferable to finish the fabric only by heat setting. In the case of a three-dimensional knitted fabric in which either the connecting yarn or the fiber used in the front and back two-layer knitted fabric is uncolored, the green fabric can be finished through processes such as presetting, scouring, dyeing, and heat setting.

[0030] The seat covering material of this embodiment is used for seats, and although urethane can be laminated to the back surface of the seating surface as in conventional seat covering materials, it is preferable in terms of recyclability to use it without lamination. The seat covering material of this embodiment may be composed of the three-dimensional knitted fabric alone, but in terms of design and functionality, it may be combined with other materials by sewing or the like. EXAMPLES

[0031] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to only the examples. The methods for measuring various physical properties of the three-dimensional knitted fabrics used in the following examples are as follows.

[0032] (a) Parameter A The course density (number of courses / 2.54 cm) of the three-dimensional knitted fabric is measured visually. The thickness (mm) of the concavely deformed portion and the thickness (mm) of the non-deformed portion are also measured. Here, when the three-dimensional knitted fabric has a plurality of concavely deformed portions with different thicknesses, and when the thickness varies depending on the position of the concavely deformed portion, the location where the thickness is minimum is taken as the recess thickness. Furthermore, the fabric thickness is measured at a location where the effect of the concavely deformed portion on the fabric thickness is as small as possible. In other words, the location where the thickness of the three-dimensional knitted fabric is maximum is taken as the fabric thickness. The thickness is measured under a pressure of 0.7 kPa using a thickness measuring device. Furthermore, the thickness of the concavely deformed portion is measured when the pressure is applied only to the concavely deformed portion. Using the course density, thickness at the concave deformation portion, and fabric thickness measured as above, the following formula: Parameter A = course density (course / 2.54 cm) x recess thickness (mm) / fabric thickness (mm) Parameter A is calculated as follows.

[0033] (b) Density of the stitches in the surface knit A yarn is extracted from the surface knit of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, and the total fineness D (decitex) of the fibers forming one stitch of the surface knitted fabric is measured. The connecting yarn is not included. In addition, the product N of the number of courses / 2.54 cm and the number of wales / 2.54 cm of the three-dimensional knitted fabric is measured, and the stitch density of the surface knitted fabric is calculated using the following formula: Knit density M=N×√D It is calculated as follows.

[0034] (c) Number of wales with concave deformation The three-dimensional knitted fabric is cut into a size of 40 cm x 40 cm, one concavely deformed portion is randomly selected, and the number of wales in which the concavely deformed portion is formed is visually counted. In this case, if the concavely deformed portion is formed across multiple courses, the number of wales across multiple courses is counted instead of the number of wales on the same course alone. Furthermore, when the concave deformed portion spans the entire width of the cut three-dimensional knitted fabric, the number of wales in the entire width at the time of three-dimensional knitting is regarded as the number of wales forming the concave deformed portion.

[0035] (d) Number of courses on the same wale where concave deformations are formed The three-dimensional knitted fabric is cut to a size of 40 cm x 40 cm, one concavely deformed portion is randomly selected, and the number of courses on the same wale which form the concavely deformed portion is visually counted.

[0036] (e) Distance in the warp direction between the closest concave deformations on the same wale The three-dimensional knitted fabric is cut to a size of 40 cm x 40 cm, and the closest concavely deformed portions on the same wale are extracted, and the distance between the concavely deformed portions in the warp direction of the knitted fabric is visually measured using a ruler.

[0037] (f) Fluffing caused by hook-and-loop fasteners (grade) Using a flat surface abrasion tester manufactured by Daiei Kagaku Seiki Seisakusho, a three-dimensional knitted fabric with a test piece size of 8 cm wide and 31 cm long is placed on the flat surface abrasion table of the flat surface abrasion tester with the surface knitted fabric facing up, and both ends are fixed with clamps. Next, a Velcro tape (registered trademark) A8693Y.71 (5 cm long) manufactured by Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd. is attached to the friction element with the hook side facing outward. The friction element is placed on the test piece and abrasion tests are performed five times back and forth with a pressing load of 9.8 N including the friction element, a stroke of 14 cm, and a speed of 60±10 reciprocations / min. The test pieces are taken from the vertical and horizontal directions of the three-dimensional knitted fabric and measured, and after the test, the wear state of the surface of the test piece is observed and a grade is judged according to the following criteria. The judgment is made in 0.5 grade increments. Grade 5: No pilling observed Grade 4: Slight pilling is observed Grade 3: There is obvious fuzzing, but no noticeable broken threads. Grade 2: Slightly noticeable pilling, thread breakage, and "pulling out" of threads Grade 1: Significant pilling and severe appearance abnormalities

[0038] (g) Cushioning The skin material was stretched over a urethane pad on the seat and back of an automobile seat, to produce a seat in which the entire surface of the seat that comes into contact with the human body is made of the skin material made of three-dimensional knit fabric. The monitors who sat on the seat assessed the cushioning by rating it according to the following criteria. Ratings are made in 0.5-grade increments. Grade 5: Firmly cushioned and comfortable Grade 4: Cushioned and somewhat comfortable Grade 3: Somewhat cushioned, but not comfortable Grade 2: Slightly cushioned, but somewhat uncomfortable Grade 1: No cushioning and uncomfortable

[0039] (h) Slipperiness The monitors who sat on the seat felt how smooth the buttocks felt, and rated the cushioning according to the following criteria. The rating was done in 0.5 grade increments. Level 5: No slipping at all, good grip Level 4: Almost no slippage, good grip Level 3: Slightly slippery Grade 2: Slightly slippery and not very grippy Grade 1: Very slippery and has no grip at all

[0040] (i) Toppling tendency The covering material was cut into a square with each side measuring 40 cm, placed on a horizontal desk with the surface side up, and pressed down by hand. The tendency for the material to tip over was assessed using the following criteria. The rating is in 0.5 grade increments. Grade 5: Does not fall sideways at all Grade 4: Slightly toppled over Grade 3: Falling sideways Grade 2: Falls to the side quite a bit Grade 1: Extremely prone to tipping over and does not recover after compression

[0041] [Examples 1 to 7] A 22-gauge, 6-reed double-raschel knitting machine with a bobbin gap of 6 mm was used. Two strands of 167 dtex, 48 filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black dope-dyed yarn) false twisted yarn were aligned and supplied in a 1-in-1-out (L1) and 1-out-1-in (L2) arrangement from the two reeds (L1, L2) that formed the surface fabric, a monofilament of 110 dtex polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black dope-dyed yarn) was supplied in a 1-out-1-in (L3) arrangement from one reed (L3) that formed the connecting part, and further, two reeds (L5, L6) that formed the back fabric supplied false twisted yarn of 167 dtex, 48 filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black dope-dyed yarn) in an all-in arrangement, to knit a three-dimensional gray fabric.

[0042] A three-dimensional knitted fabric was knitted with the knitting structure shown below and 33 courses / 2.54 cm on the machine. The resulting grey fabric was widened by 1% and dry heat set at 175°C for 1 minute with an overfeed rate of 0%, and then heat pressed from the surface side at a press mold temperature of 200°C for 6 seconds using a press mold with the design shown below, to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric with a concave deformation portion having the physical properties shown in Table 1 below, which was used as a seat covering material.

[0043] (edited organization) L1: 1011 / 2322 / (1 in 1 out) L2: 2322 / 1011 / (1 out, 1 in) L3: 3410 / 4367 / (1 out 1 in) L4: - (No yarn feeding) L5:0001 / 1110 / (All in) L6: 2234 / 2210 / (All in)

[0044] (Press type design) Example 1: See Figure 1 (W1: 1mm, W2: 12mm) Example 2: See Figure 1 (W1: 2mm, W2: 16mm) Example 3: See Figure 1 (W1: 7mm, W2: 38mm) Example 4: See Figure 2 (W3: 5mm, W4: 5mm, W5: 5mm, W6: 5mm) Example 5: See Figure 3 (W7: 35mm, W8: 35mm, W9: 70mm, W10: 60mm, W11: 60mm) Example 6: See Figure 1 (W1: 50mm, W2: 60mm) Example 7: See Figure 2 (W3: 8mm, W4: 8mm, W5: 12mm, W6: 12mm) Example 8: See Figure 4 (W12: 1mm, W13: 12mm)

[0045] The white parts in Figures 1 to 4 are recesses on the press mold, and the black parts are protrusions. That is, a concave deformed part having the same shape as the black parts in the figures is formed on the three-dimensional knitted fabric. Also, Figures 1 to 4 show the repeating unit of the press mold, and do not limit the number of concave deformed parts. In this embodiment and comparative example, the concave deformed parts shown in Figures 1 to 4 are repeatedly formed in the warp direction and the weft direction of the knitted fabric. Also, pressing was performed so that the up-down direction in Figures 1 to 4 coincided with the warp direction of the three-dimensional knitted fabric.

[0046] [Example 9] A false twisted yarn of 222 dtex 48 filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black dope-dyed yarn) was fed from the two reeds (L1, L2) forming the surface knitted fabric, and the number of courses on the machine was set to 24 courses / 2.54 cm. In the same manner as in Example 1, except for this, a three-dimensional knitted fabric with a concave deformed portion having the physical properties shown in Table 1 below was obtained, and this was used as a seat covering material.

[0047] [Example 10] A three-dimensional knitted fabric having concave deformation portions and the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that the number of courses on the machine was 38 courses / 2.54 cm. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0048] [Example 11] A three-dimensional knitted fabric with a concave deformed portion having the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that no heat press processing was performed after heat setting, and the concave deformed portion was formed by embroidering the black-colored portion in Figure 1. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0049] [Example 12] A three-dimensional knitted fabric with a concave deformed portion having the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 4, except that no heat press processing was performed after heat setting, and the concave deformed portion was formed by embroidering the black-colored portion in Figure 2. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0050] [Example 13] A three-dimensional knitted fabric with a concave deformed portion having the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 5, except that no heat press processing was performed after heat setting, and the concave deformed portion was formed by embroidering the blackened parts in Figure 3. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0051] [Example 14] A three-dimensional knitted fabric with a concave deformed portion having the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 8, except that no heat press processing was performed after heat setting, and the concave deformed portion was formed by embroidering the black-colored portion in Figure 4. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0052] [Example 15] A three-dimensional knitted fabric with a concave deformed portion having the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that no heat press processing was performed after heat setting, and the concave deformed portion was formed by embroidering the blackened portion in Figure 1. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0053] [Comparative Example 1] A three-dimensional knitted fabric having a concave deformed portion and the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 9, except that the press mold temperature was 220°C and the press time was 10 seconds. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0054] [Comparative Example 2] A three-dimensional knitted fabric having a concave deformed portion and the physical properties shown in Table 2 below was obtained in the same manner as in Example 10, except that the press mold temperature was 120°C and the press time was 3 seconds. This was used as a seat covering material.

[0055] [Table 1]

[0056] [Table 2]

[0057] As shown in Tables 1 and 2, in the seat covering materials including the three-dimensional knitted fabrics having concave deformation portions of Examples 1 to 15, in which the parameter A was 6 or more and 36 or less, pilling caused by the hook-and-loop fastener (hook side), sideways collapse during compression, and slipperiness of the seating area were suppressed, and the cushioning properties were good. In contrast, in Comparative Example 1, in which the parameter A was less than 6, the cushioning was good and the phenomenon of sideways falling and slipping were suppressed, but the fuzzing caused by the hook-and-loop fastener was extremely low. In addition, in Comparative Example 2, the parameter A was too high at 39, and although the fuzzing caused by the hook-and-loop fastener was suppressed, the lateral collapse phenomenon and slipperiness could not be suppressed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0058] The seat covering material of the present invention is a seat covering material that can be placed on a cushioning member such as a urethane pad to form a seat in a seat of a vehicle, furniture, or the like, or can be stretched over a seat frame to form a lightweight, thin seat, and while it has high cushioning properties, it can also suppress the generation of pilling even if its surface is rubbed by hard protrusions such as the hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, and can also be suitably used as a material that suppresses slipping when seated.

Claims

1. A seat having a seating surface made of a three-dimensional knitted fabric, the three-dimensional knitted fabric including a front layer and a back layer, and a connecting yarn connecting the front and back layers of the knitted fabric, The three-dimensional knitted fabric has a concave deformation portion on the surface layer side, and All of the concave deformation portions have substantially the same shape, and The following formula: Parameter A = course density (course / 2.54 cm) x recess thickness (mm) / fabric thickness (mm) The parameter A calculated by is equal to or greater than 6 and equal to or less than 36, and The total fineness of the fibers forming one stitch of the surface layer knitted fabric is 150 decitex or more and 800 decitex or less, and The wale density of the surface knitted fabric is 22 wales / 2.54 cm or more and 25 wales / 2.54 cm or less, and The course density of the knitted fabric of the surface layer is 25 courses / 2.54 cm or more and 41 courses / 2.54 cm or less, and The fiber constituting the knitted fabric of the surface layer is polyethylene terephthalate, and The three-dimensional knitted fabric is knitted by a double raschel warp knitting machine. A seat characterized by:

2. The seat according to claim 1 , wherein the concave deformation portion is formed across five or more consecutive wales.

3. 3. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the concave deformation portion is formed continuously on the same wale over 60 courses or less.

4. 3. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional knit has a plurality of concavely deformed portions, and the distance between the closest concavely deformed portions on the same wale is 10 mm or more and less than 300 mm.

5. 3. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the closest concave deformation portions on the same wale is 15 mm or more and less than 300 mm.

6. The seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the concave deformation portion is formed by fusing fibers together.

7. The seat according to claim 5 , wherein the concave deformation portion is formed by fusing fibers together.

8. The seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the concave deformation portion is formed by embroidery or sewing.

9. The seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface layer of the three-dimensional knitted fabric has a mesh density of 11,500 or more and 23,000 or less.

10. The seat according to claim 9, wherein the surface layer of the three-dimensional knitted fabric has a mesh density of 13,000 or more and 23,000 or less.

11. A seat comprising the seat according to claim 1 or 2.

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