Skin material including three-dimensional knitted fabric

Abstract

The present invention provides a covering material for a seat sheet of a vehicle or furniture, or for an interior material of a vehicle, wherein a surface layer knitted fabric is constituted by a composite yarn comprising two or more differing types of colored yarn, such that the covering material exhibits excellent design properties with a textured appearance. A covering material according to the present invention comprises a three-dimensional knitted material that is constituted by a surface layer knitted fabric, a back layer knitted fabric, and a connecting yarn which connects the surface layer knitted fabric and the back layer knitted fabric, said covering material being characterized in that: not less than 30% of stitches included in the surface layer knitted fabric are formed from a composite yarn that includes two or more differing types of colored yarn; and in the not less than 30% of stitches that are formed by the composite yarn, a stich formed by the composite yarn and a stitch adjacent thereto in the course direction and / or wale direction form an angle of 20-80 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a surface material.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of a front and back two-layer knitted fabric and a connecting thread connecting the two-layer knitted fabric has cushioning properties in the thickness direction by using a monofilament for the connecting thread, and further, the knitted fabric on the front and back surfaces is made into a mesh structure to ensure high breathability. Thus, it is widely used as a cushioning material that is cool and highly resistant to stuffiness, for applications such as seat cushions and bedding. On the other hand, when using a three-dimensional knitted fabric for a surface material such as a seat cushion for a vehicle or furniture or an interior material for a vehicle, while the knitted fabric on the surface layer of the three-dimensional knitted fabric is required to have a design property, it has been proposed to impart a high degree of design property by imparting a pattern by needle selection and / or a pattern by color thread switching to the knitted fabric on the surface layer. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, in a three-dimensional flat knitted fabric in which front and back two-layer flat knitted fabrics are connected by monofilament threads, at least one of the knitted fabric surfaces of the front and back knitted fabrics has a pattern by needle selection and / or a pattern by color thread switching, thereby disclosing a three-dimensional flat knitted fabric excellent in design property.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the surface of the knitted fabric of the three-dimensional flat knitted fabric of Patent Document 1 imparts design property by switching color threads or patterns by needle selection, since each stitch is large, the color change is too clear for each stitch, so it has been difficult to impart a natural texture-like design property. In view of the above prior art level, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the problems of the above prior art, and in seat sheets such as those for vehicles and furniture, and skin materials such as interior materials for vehicles, by knitting a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns into the surface knitted fabric of a three-dimensional knitted fabric, and giving a certain angle to the stitches formed by the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction, to provide a skin material having a high design property with a natural texture appearance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] As a result of intensive studies and repeated experiments to solve the above problems, the inventor of the present application has found that it is a skin material including a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of a surface knitted fabric, a back knitted fabric, and a connecting yarn connecting the surface knitted fabric and the back knitted fabric, wherein 30% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, and in 30% or more of the stitches formed of the composite yarn, the stitches formed of the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction are arranged with a certain angle, unexpectedly finding that the above problems can be solved, and thus completing the present invention. That is, the present invention is as follows.

[0006] [1] A skin material including a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of a surface knitted fabric, a back knitted fabric, and a connecting yarn connecting the surface knitted fabric and the back knitted fabric, wherein 30% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, and in 30% or more of the stitches formed of the composite yarn, the stitches formed of the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, characterized by the skin material. [2] The skin material according to [1] above, wherein 50% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns. [3] The skin material according to [2] above, wherein 60% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns. [4] Among 50% or more of the stitches formed by the composite yarn, the stitches formed by the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. The skin material according to any one of [1] to [3] above. [5] The three-dimensional knitted fabric has an opening of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and among the stitches formed by the composite yarn, 30% or more of the stitches face the opening of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. The skin material according to any one of [1] to [4] above. [6] Among the stitches formed by the composite yarn, 50% or more of the stitches face the opening of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. The skin material according to [5] above. [7] The back layer knitted fabric contains a yarn that is darker in color than at least one color yarn of the composite yarn of the surface layer knitted fabric. The skin material according to [5] or [6] above. [8] Among the stitches formed by the composite yarn, 30% or more of the stitches are adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction to the stitches formed by a color yarn different from at least one color yarn of the composite yarn. The skin material according to any one of [1] to [7] above. [9] In the surface layer knitted fabric, the fineness of the composite yarn is 150 decitex or more and 800 decitex or less. The skin material according to any one of [1] to [8] above.

[10] The knitting density of the surface layer knitted fabric is 20 courses / 2.54 cm or more and 43 courses / 2.54 cm or less, and 18 wales / 2.54 cm or more and 34 wales / 2.54 cm or less. The skin material according to any one of [1] to [9] above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The skin material including the three-dimensional knitted fabric of the present invention incorporates a composite yarn containing two or more different color yarns into the surface layer knitted fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, and gives a certain angle to the stitches formed by the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction, thereby presenting a design with a high natural texture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The skin material of the embodiment of the present invention (also referred to as the present embodiment) is a skin material including a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of a surface knitted fabric, a back knitted fabric, and a connecting yarn connecting the surface knitted fabric and the back knitted fabric, wherein among the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric, 30% or more of the stitches are formed by a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, and in 30% or more of the stitches formed by the composite yarn, the stitches formed by the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less.

[0010] The skin material of the present embodiment includes a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of a surface knitted fabric, a back knitted fabric, and a connecting yarn connecting the two knitted fabrics. The three-dimensional knitted fabric is knitted by a double raschel warp knitting machine or a double circular knitting machine, and a knitting machine gauge of 18 to 32 gauges is preferably used.

[0011] Among the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the skin material of the present embodiment, 30% or more of the stitches are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns. The composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns referred to in the present embodiment means a yarn in which two or more yarns having different characteristics related to color, such as hue, chroma, lightness, and gloss, are combined by processing such as twisting, interlacing, air jet processing, and composite false twisting. The two or more different colored yarns refer to pre-colored yarns such as raw yarns and pre-dyed yarns, but may also be yarns that become two or more colored yarns by dyeing processing after knitting the three-dimensional knitted fabric. In order to suppress fluctuations in the properties of the three-dimensional knitted fabric due to dyeing processing, it is more preferable that the two or more different colored yarns are raw yarns or pre-dyed yarns, and it is even more preferable that they are raw yarns that can eliminate the dyeing process. Note that the colored yarns include those containing uncolored white.

[0012] That 30% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns means that 30% or more of all the stitches included in a certain area of the surface knitted fabric are stitches formed of the composite yarn. The ratio of the stitches formed of the composite yarn is calculated by a method of calculating the ratio of the number of stitches formed of the composite yarn to the total number of stitches in a certain area (for example, 1 cm square) when looking at an arbitrary location on the surface knitted fabric from the front side. Since 30% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, the surface knitted fabric has a natural woven texture appearance. The ratio of the stitches formed of the composite yarn is more preferably 50% or more, and even more preferably 60% or more.

[0013] In the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the skin material of the present embodiment, in 30% or more of the stitches formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns in the surface knitted fabric, the stitches formed of the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent to them in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. The ratio of the stitches is more preferably 50% or more, and even more preferably 60% or more. The ratio of the stitches formed by a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns forming an angle is calculated by a method of calculating the ratio of the number of stitches of the composite yarn forming an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less with adjacent stitches to the total number of stitches of the composite yarn within a certain area (for example, 1 cm square) as viewed from the front side at any location on the surface knitted fabric.

[0014] When 30% or more of the stitches are formed by a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns forming an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, the stitches formed by the composite yarn do not line up linearly in the course direction and / or the wale direction, showing a more natural texture. At the same time, it forms a frost-like pattern with the color flowing in a substantially diagonal direction, enhancing the design and being preferable. The angle is more preferably 30 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less.

[0015] Regarding the angle formed by adjacent stitches formed by a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, a schematic diagram of the state where adjacent stitches in the course direction (horizontal direction) form an angle of X degrees is shown in FIG. 1, and a schematic diagram of the state where adjacent stitches in the wale direction (vertical direction) form an angle of Y degrees is shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] In FIG. 1, when viewed from the front side with the starting direction of knitting of the surface knitted fabric on the lower side, among the two columns (4, 5) composed of the fiber bundles on the left and right of one stitch 1 formed by a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, a straight line L1 is drawn connecting the lowest visible point (a) of the column to the highest visible point (b) of the column on one side (4) including the most surface-side part. Similarly, among the two columns (6, 7) composed of the fiber bundles on the left and right of the stitch 2 adjacent to the stitch 1 in the course direction (horizontal direction), a straight line L2 is drawn connecting the lowest visible point (c) of the column to the highest visible point (d) of the column on one side (7) including the most surface-side part. The angle of the part opened in the knitting end direction formed by the intersection of the obtained straight lines L1 and L2 is taken as X degrees.

[0017] Further, in FIG. 2, among the two columns (8, 9) composed of the left and right fiber bundles of one stitch 1 formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns and the adjacent stitches 3 in the wale direction (vertical direction), in one column (9) on the most surface side including the part, a straight line L3 connects the lowest point (e) where the column is visible to the highest point (f) where the column is visible. Let the angle of the open part in the knitting end direction formed by the intersection of the obtained straight lines L1 and L3 be Y degrees.

[0018] An adjacent stitch to one stitch formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns may be the same composite yarn as the composite yarn, or may be a colored yarn different from the composite yarn. However, if the adjacent stitch is a stitch formed of a colored yarn different from at least one kind of colored yarn of the composite yarn, it is preferable that the knitting texture becomes more natural according to the knitting structure, or a texture including a geometric pattern.

[0019] In the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the skin material of the present embodiment, among the stitches formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns in the surface knitted fabric, it is preferable that 30% or more of the stitches face an opening of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less in order to make the appearance of the surface knitted fabric more three-dimensional. The opening referred to in the present embodiment means a gap formed by adjacent stitch rows opening 0.3 mm or more in the course direction (horizontal direction) in some or all courses in the stitch row continuous in the vertical direction forming the surface knitted fabric. Even if the pattern yarn is inserted and knitted so as to fill the gap, it is regarded as an opening. The ratio of the stitches formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns facing an opening of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less is more preferably 40% or more, and even more preferably 50% or more. Incidentally, the ratio of the stitches facing the opening is calculated by a method of calculating the ratio of the number of stitches facing an opening of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less to the total number of stitches of the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns in a certain area (for example, 1 cm square) viewed from the front at any place on the surface knitted fabric.

[0020] Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram showing a state in which an opening 10 with an opening size K (mm) and an opening 11 with an opening size S (mm) face one stitch 1 formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns. The openings refer to the openings facing the left and right outer sides of the two left and right columns (4, 5) of the stitch 1, and the opening size indicates the length obtained by connecting two points with the longest straight-line distance by a horizontal line in the course direction (horizontal direction) at the opening.

[0021] When the stitches of the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns in the surface knitted fabric face the openings, in order to make the appearance more three-dimensional, it is more preferable that the back knitted fabric uses a colored yarn such as black, which is darker than at least one of the colors of the colored yarns of the composite yarn of the surface knitted fabric. Because the dark color of the back knitted fabric visible through the openings makes the color pattern of the composite yarn stand out. As a method of making openings so as to face the stitches formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns in the surface knitted fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, it is preferable to use a method of making an arbitrary part of the surface knitted fabric into a mesh structure or a rib structure and arranging the composite yarns at the positions of the openings of the mesh structure or the rib structure.

[0022] In order to make the surface knitted fabric into a mesh structure or a rib structure, any warp knitting structure can be used. In the case of a mesh structure, it is preferable to use at least two shuttles of the knitting machine and to make a mesh structure with a yarn extraction arrangement such as 1 in 1 out or 2 in 2 out when supplying yarn from the guide bar. Also, in the case of a rib structure, at least two shuttles of the knitting machine are used, and when supplying yarn from the guide bar, a yarn extraction arrangement such as 1 in 1 out or 2 in 2 out is used, and at least two or more rows of stitch rows that are continuous in the length direction (vertical direction) of the knitted fabric supplied from the two guide bars are pulled in the left and right reverse directions as appropriate by the movement of the two guide bars, so that the stitch rows are brought closer to form a convex rib structure. This method is preferable. Regarding the mesh structure or the rib structure, it is not necessary to have the same mesh structure or rib structure in all the courses of the knitted fabric, and a structure in which different knitting structures are combined in some courses may be used.

[0023] In the opening formed in the surface knitted fabric, when at least one type of colored yarn of the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns forming the surface knitted fabric and a pattern yarn having different appearances such as color, form, and gloss are inserted and knitted at an arbitrary angle across the opening in a substantially vertical direction, a substantially horizontal direction, or a substantially diagonal direction as viewed from the front side of the surface knitted fabric, it exhibits a more three-dimensional design property, which is preferable. In the surface knitted fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric of the present embodiment, the appearance of the surface knitted fabric becomes a more natural texture, and when the surface of the surface knitted fabric is rubbed by a hard protrusion such as a hook portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, in order to suppress the pulling out and fluffing of the single fibers of the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, it is preferable that the fineness of the composite yarn, that is, the total fineness of two or more different colored yarns is 150 decitex or more and 800 decitex or less. In addition, the single yarn fineness of the composite yarn is preferably 1 decitex or more and 6 decitex or less, and more preferably 3 decitex or more and 6 decitex or less, where the strength of the single yarn is higher.

[0024] From the viewpoints of a natural texture and suppression of the pulling out and fluffing of the single fibers of the composite yarn, the knitting density of the surface knitted fabric is preferably 20 courses / 2.54 cm or more and 43 courses / 2.54 cm or less, and 18 wales / 2.54 cm or more and 34 wales / 2.54 cm or less. More preferably, the total fineness of the composite yarn is 200 decitex or more and 500 decitex or less, the knitting density is 25 courses / 2.54 cm or more and 43 courses / 2.54 cm or less, and 20 wales / 2.54 cm or more and 30 wales / 2.54 cm or less. From the same viewpoint, the total fineness of one stitch of the surface knitted fabric is preferably 150 decitex or more and 800 decitex or less. In addition, the stitch formed of the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns does not necessarily have to be formed of only a single composite yarn, and it may be combined with other yarns to form one stitch.

[0025] The fiber used for the connecting yarn of the three-dimensional knitted fabric of the present embodiment is preferably a monofilament. When using a monofilament for the connecting yarn, the fineness thereof is preferably 30 to 300 decitex, more preferably 50 to 250 decitex, in order to suppress the protrusion of the monofilament to the surface of the knitted fabric and maintain good cushioning properties. When a monofilament protrudes from the surface of the knitted fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, it is likely to be caught by protrusions such as the hook part of the hook-and-loop fastener. Therefore, it is desirable that the stitches of the fiber forming the surface layer knitted fabric hold down the stitches of the monofilament so that the monofilament does not protrude to the front side of the surface layer knitted fabric. For this purpose, with respect to the total fineness D (decitex) of one stitch of the fiber forming the surface layer knitted fabric, the fineness D2 (decitex) of the monofilament satisfies the following relational expression: D / D2≧3 It is preferable to satisfy.

[0026] In the three-dimensional knitted fabric of the present embodiment, any fiber can be used for the surface layer knitted fabric, the back layer knitted fabric, and the connecting yarn. However, from the viewpoints of raw yarn strength and light resistance, long fibers of polyethylene terephthalate fiber are preferably used for the surface layer knitted fabric and the back layer knitted fabric. It is preferable in terms of ease of recycling, such as material recycling and chemical recycling, that the surface layer knitted fabric, the back layer knitted fabric, and the connecting yarn are all 100% polyethylene terephthalate fiber. These fibers may be undyed, but it is preferable to use raw yarns or pre-dyed yarns in order to suppress fluctuations in the properties of the three-dimensional knitted fabric during the dyeing process. Furthermore, it is more preferable to use raw yarns kneaded with pigments or the like that can eliminate the need for the dyeing process.

[0027] The thickness of the three-dimensional knitted fabric of the present embodiment can be arbitrarily set, but it is preferably 2.5 mm or more and 12 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less, from the viewpoints of sewability and handleability as the skin material. The basis weight of the three-dimensional knitted fabric constituting the skin material of the present embodiment can be arbitrarily set, but it is preferably 300 to 1000 g / m 2 、more preferably 400 to 900 g / m 2 is.

[0028] In the case of a three-dimensional knitted fabric using pre-dyed yarns or raw yarns, the finishing method of the three-dimensional knitted fabric of this embodiment can be finished through processes such as scouring and heat setting of the green fabric, but it is more preferable to finish only with heat setting in terms of process simplification. In the case of a three-dimensional knitted fabric in which any of the fibers used for the surface knitted fabric, the back knitted fabric, or the connecting yarn is uncolored, the green fabric can be finished through processes such as presetting, scouring, dyeing, and heat setting. When the skin material of this embodiment is used for a seat sheet or an interior material of an automobile, etc., it can be laminated with urethane on the back surface like a conventional skin material, but it is more preferable to use it without lamination in terms of recyclability.

Examples

[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited only to the examples. Hereinafter, the measurement methods of various physical properties of the three-dimensional knitted fabric used in the examples and the like were as follows.

[0030] (a) Angle (degrees) between stitches formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns and adjacent stitches Using a Keyence one-shot 3D measurement microscope VR-3000, the front surface of an arbitrary position on the surface knitting of the three-dimensional knitted fabric is photographed by autofocusing and 3D measurement at a magnification of 40 times, with the knitting start direction facing the front side (the lower side of the image). From the captured 3D image, among the two columns consisting of the left and right fiber bundles of one stitch formed by a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, in one column including the part on the outermost surface side, a straight line is drawn connecting the lowest point where the column can be seen (the lowest point in the image) to the highest point where the column can be seen (the highest point in the image). In addition, when the heights of the outermost surface parts of the two columns are equal, select the column with a larger angle with the adjacent stitches. Also, in the stitch formed by the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns and in the adjacent stitches in the course direction (horizontal direction) and the wale direction (vertical direction), among the two columns consisting of the left and right fiber bundles, in one column including the part on the outermost surface side, a straight line is drawn connecting the lowest point where the column can be seen (the lowest point in the image) to the highest point where the column can be seen (the highest point in the image). Measure the angle of the part opened in the knitting end direction formed by the intersection of the two obtained straight lines. The measurement is performed for all stitches formed by the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns within a certain area (0.7 cm square to 1 cm square) of the 3D image, respectively in the course direction and the wale direction.

[0031] (b) Opening size (mm) From the 3D image photographed in (a) above, in the opening facing the stitch formed by the composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, measure the length of the straight line connecting the two points with the longest straight-line distance by the horizontal line in the course direction (horizontal direction), and set it as the opening size.

[0032] (c) Fineness of the composite yarn (dtex) Unravel the surface knitting of the three-dimensional knitted fabric and extract a composite yarn of 10 cm or more. Measure the length and weight when a load of 15 gf is applied to one composite yarn, and calculate the fineness. Extract three composite yarns and obtain the average value. For those that can measure the fineness before knitting the three-dimensional knitted fabric, measure in accordance with JIS L 1013.

[0033] (d) Design property of the texture Visually inspect the surface fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric from the front side and perform the following grade determination on whether it has a texture design with a hand-knit feel. The determination is made in 0.5-grade increments. Grade 5: Exhibits a very natural hand-knit feel Grade 4: Exhibits a fairly natural hand-knit feel Grade 3: Exhibits a somewhat natural hand-knit feel Grade 2: Exhibits almost no natural hand-knit feel Grade 1: Exhibits no natural hand-knit feel at all

[0034] (e) Design property of a textured pattern with a three-dimensional effect Visually inspect the surface fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric from the front side and perform the following grade determination on whether the textured pattern has a three-dimensional effect with depth. The determination is made in 0.5-grade increments. Grade 5: Exhibits a very strong sense of depth Grade 4: Exhibits a fairly strong sense of depth Grade 3: Exhibits a somewhat strong sense of depth Grade 2: Exhibits almost no sense of depth Grade 1: Exhibits no sense of depth at all

[0035] (f) Design property of a diagonal frosted texture Visually inspect the surface fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric from the front side and perform the following grade determination on whether the textured pattern flows in a diagonal direction. The determination is made in 0.5-grade increments. Grade 5: Exhibits a very strong diagonal flow of the texture Grade 4: Exhibits a fairly strong diagonal flow of the texture Grade 3: Exhibits a somewhat strong diagonal flow of the texture Grade 2: Exhibits almost no diagonal flow of the texture Grade 1: Exhibits no diagonal flow of the texture at all

[0036] [Example 1] Using a double raschel knitting machine equipped with 6 needles, 22 gauge, 6 mm between the pots, from two needles (L1, L2) forming the surface knitted fabric, a false-twisted yarn of 167 dtex 48 filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original yarn) and a false-twisted yarn of 167 dtex 48 filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (white yarn) were aligned in two and twisted at a twist count of 120 turns / m to form a composite yarn, which was supplied in an arrangement of 1 in 1 out (L1) and 1 out 1 in (L2). A monofilament of 110 dtex polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original yarn) from one needle (L3) forming the connecting part was supplied in an arrangement of 1 in 1 out. Furthermore, false-twisted yarns of 167 dtex 48 filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original yarn) from two needles (L4, L5) forming the inner layer knitted fabric were all supplied in an all-in arrangement. With the knitting structure shown below, the live fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric was knitted with 35 courses / 2.54 cm of in-machine courses. The obtained live fabric was dry heat set at 175 °C for 1 minute with a width expansion rate of 0% and an overfeed rate of 0% to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric having the physical properties shown in Table 1 below, and this was used as the skin material. (Knitting structure) L1: 1011 / 2322 / (1 in 1 out) L2: 2322 / 1011 / (1 out 1 in) L3: 3410 / 4367 / (1 in 1 out) L4: 1110 / 0001 / (all in) L5: 2210 / 2234 / (all in)

[0037] [Example 2] The live fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric was knitted in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the knitting structure shown below. The obtained live fabric was heat set in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric having the physical properties shown in Table 1 below, and this was used as the skin material. (Knitting structure) L1: 1011 / 1233 / 4544 / 4322 / (1 in 1 out) L2: 4544 / 4322 / 1011 / 1233 / (1 out 1 in) L3: 3410 / 3245 / 2145 / 2310 / (1 in 1 out) L4: 1110 / 0001 / (All-in) L5: 2210 / 2234 / (All-in)

[0038] [Example 3] The live fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric was knitted in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the knitted structure shown below was used. The obtained live fabric was heat set in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric having the physical properties shown in Table 1 below, and this was used as the skin material. (Knitted structure) L1: (1011 / 2322 / )×3 (1011 / 1211 / )×3 (1 in 1 out) L2: (2322 / 1011 / )×3 (3233 / 3433 / )×3 (1 out 1 in) L3: (3410 / 4367 / )×3 (4367 / 3410 / )×3 (1 in 1 out) L4: 1110 / 0001 / (All-in) L5: 2210 / 2234 / (All-in)

[0039] [Example 4] The live fabric of the three-dimensional knitted fabric was knitted in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the knitted structure shown below was used. The obtained live fabric was heat set in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric having the physical properties shown in Table 1 below, and this was used as the skin material. (Knitted structure) L1: 1011 / 1211 / (1 in 1 out) L2: 1011 / 1211 / (1 out 1 in) L3: 4367 / 3410 / (1 in 1 out) L4: 0001 / 1110 / (All-in) L5: 2234 / 2210 / (All-in)

[0040] [Examples 5 - 7] Using a 22-gauge double raschel knitting machine equipped with 6 needles and with a 6 mm space between the cylinders, a false-twisted yarn of 167 dtex 48-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original yarn) and a false-twisted yarn of 167 dtex 48-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (white yarn) from two needles (L1, L2) for forming the surface knitted fabric were aligned in two strands and twisted at a twist count of 120 turns / m to form a composite yarn. A false-twisted yarn of 334 dtex 72-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original yarn) was used. In the order of two composite yarns and one 334 / 72 false-twisted yarn (Example 5), one composite yarn and one 334 / 72 false-twisted yarn (Example 6), and one composite yarn and two 334 / 72 false-twisted yarns (Example 7), except that they were supplied to the guide in an arrangement of 1 in 1 out (L1) and 1 out 1 in (L2), a three-dimensional knitted fabric with different mixing ratios of the composite yarn was knitted in the same manner as in Example 1. The obtained knitted fabric was heat-set by dry heat in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric having the physical properties shown in Tables 1 and 2 below, and this was used as the skin material.

[0041] [Comparative Example 1] A three-dimensional knitted fabric was knitted in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a false-twisted yarn of 334 dtex 72-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original yarn) from one needle (L1) for forming the surface knitted fabric was supplied in an arrangement of 1 in 1 out, and a false-twisted yarn of 334 dtex 72-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (white) from the other needle (L2) was supplied in an arrangement of 1 out 1 in. The obtained knitted fabric was heat-set in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric having the physical properties shown in Table 2 below, and this was used as the skin material.

[0042] [Comparative Example 2] Using an 18-gauge double raschel knitting machine equipped with 6 needles and having a 6-mm space between the cylinders, two needles (L1, L2) for forming the surface knitted fabric were fed with two ply yarns, each being a false-twisted yarn of 167 dtex 48-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original color yarn) and a false-twisted yarn of 167 dtex 48-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (white yarn), which were interlaced and mixed in a fully-in arrangement. A monofilament of 200 dtex polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original color yarn) from one needle (L3) for forming the connecting part was fed in an alternate in-and-out arrangement. Further, two needles (L4, L5) for forming the back knitted fabric were fed with false-twisted yarns of 167 dtex 48-filament polyethylene terephthalate fiber (black original color yarn) in a fully-in arrangement. With the knitting structure shown below, a green fabric of a three-dimensional knitted fabric was knitted with 16 courses / 2.54 cm of in-machine courses. The obtained green fabric was heat-set in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a three-dimensional knitted fabric having the physical properties shown in Table 2 below, and this was used as the skin material. (Knitting structure) L1: 1011 / 2322 / (fully-in) L2: 2322 / 1011 / (fully-in) L3: 3410 / 4367 / (alternate in-and-out) L4: 1110 / 0001 / (fully-in) L5: 2210 / 2234 / (fully-in)

[0043]

Table 1

[0044]

Table 2

[0045] As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the skin material made of the three-dimensional knitted fabric of Examples 1 to 7 in which 30% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric contain a composite yarn of two different colored yarns has a surface knitted fabric that does not contain a composite yarn of two different colored yarns, and different colored stitches formed by two different colored yarns supplied from different shuttles are alternately arranged. Comparative Example 1, or Comparative Example 2 in which the ratio of the stitches of the composite yarn in which the angle between the stitch formed by the composite yarn of two different colored yarns and the adjacent stitch is 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less is less than 30%, showed high designability with a natural woven appearance. Regarding the ratio of the stitches of the composite yarn of two different colored yarns in the stitches of the surface knitted fabric, when comparing Examples 1, 5, 6, and 7, the natural woven designability increased as the mixing ratio increased. Furthermore, when comparing Examples 1, 2, and 3 in which the ratio of the stitches of the composite yarn in which the angle between the stitch formed by the composite yarn of two different colored yarns and the adjacent stitch is 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less is different, the higher the ratio, the more it showed the designability of the diagonal frost-like texture. When comparing Examples 1, 2, and 3 in which the ratio of the stitches of the composite yarn of two different colored yarns facing the opening with an opening size of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less is different, the larger the ratio of the stitches facing the opening, the more it showed the designability of the three-dimensional woven texture.

Industrial Applicability

[0046] The skin material of the present invention can be arranged on a cushion member such as a urethane pad of a seat sheet of a vehicle or furniture, or used as a skin material that can be formed by stretching it on a seat frame, or used as an interior material such as a ceiling or door trim of a vehicle. By configuring the surface knitted fabric with a composite yarn made of two or more different colored yarns, it can be suitably used as a skin material exhibiting high designability with a woven appearance.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 One stitch formed by a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns 2 Adjacent stitches in the course direction 3 Adjacent stitches in the wale direction Column composed of 4 fiber bundles Column composed of 5 fiber bundles Column composed of 6 fiber bundles Column composed of 7 fiber bundles Column composed of 8 fiber bundles Column composed of 9 fiber bundles 10 Opening 11 Opening L1 Straight line connecting the lowest visible point to the highest visible point of the column L2 Straight line connecting the lowest visible point to the highest visible point of the column L3 Straight line connecting the lowest visible point to the highest visible point of the column K Opening size S Opening size X Angle between stitches formed by composite yarns containing two or more different colored yarns and adjacent stitches Y Angle between stitches formed by composite yarns containing two or more different colored yarns and adjacent stitches a Lowest visible point of the column b Highest visible point of the column c Lowest visible point of the column d Highest visible point of the column e Lowest visible point of the column f Highest visible point of the column

Claims

**Claim 1** A skin material including a three-dimensional knitted fabric composed of a surface knitted fabric, a back knitted fabric, and connecting yarns connecting the surface knitted fabric and the back knitted fabric, wherein 100% of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, and in 30% or more of the stitches formed of the composite yarn, the stitches formed of the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent thereto in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less; or 30% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, and in 100% of the stitches formed of the composite yarn, the stitches formed of the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent thereto in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less; or 60% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns, and in 60% or more of the stitches formed of the composite yarn, the stitches formed of the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent thereto in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. The skin material is characterized by this. **Claim 2** The skin material according to claim 1, wherein 50% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns. **Claim 3** The skin material according to claim 2, wherein 60% or more of the stitches included in the surface knitted fabric are formed of a composite yarn containing two or more different colored yarns. **Claim 4** The skin material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in 50% or more of the stitches formed of the composite yarn, the stitches formed of the composite yarn and the stitches adjacent thereto in the course direction and / or the wale direction form an angle of 20 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. **Claim 5** The skin material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the three-dimensional knitted fabric has openings of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and 30% or more of the stitches formed of the composite yarn face the openings of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. **Claim 6** The skin material according to claim 5, wherein 50% or more of the stitches formed of the composite yarn face the openings of 0.3 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. **Claim 7** The skin material according to claim 5, wherein the back knitted fabric contains a yarn that is darker in color than at least one of the colored yarns of the composite yarn of the surface knitted fabric. **Claim 8** Among the stitches formed by the composite yarn, 30% or more of the stitches are stitches formed by a yarn having a color different from at least one type of colored yarn of the composite yarn and are adjacent in the course direction and / or the wale direction. The skin material according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. In the surface knitted fabric, the fineness of the composite yarn is 150 decitex or more and 800 decitex or less. The skin material according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The knitting density of the surface knitted fabric is 20 courses / 2.54 cm or more and 43 courses / 2.54 cm or less, and 18 wales / 2.54 cm or more and 34 wales / 2.54 cm or less. The skin material according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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