Wadding

Abstract

Wadding (1), in particular as an insulating layer for textiles, wherein the wadding (1) comprises at least one layer of fibers (2), wherein the fibers (2) of the layer (3) are bonded to one another at their contact points (5) by means of at least one natural resin (4).

Description

[0001] 33239 / 41 / eh

[0002] 20241002

[0003] 1

[0004] wadding

[0005] The present invention relates to wadding, in particular as an insulating layer of textiles, wherein the wadding comprises at least one layer of fibers.

[0006] Padding materials, such as those used in textiles, clothing, or bedding, are currently not compostable because they are often made of synthetic materials like plastics. These materials are not biodegradable and therefore cannot decompose naturally, or only after a very long exposure time. This means they remain in the environment for extended periods and contribute to the increasing amount of waste. This is a significant drawback, as disposal is not sustainable and thus exacerbates environmental problems.

[0007] A production process is known from the prior art in which natural fibers are mixed with synthetic fibers and bonded together using pre-needling and thermobonding. The melting of the synthetic fibers and the resulting bonding of the fibers and / or the fiber mixture creates wadding.

[0008] A disadvantage of this state of the art is that the wadding must contain synthetic fibers in order for them to be bonded together and form a wadding layer. Such wadding is therefore not compostable.

[0009] The object of the invention is to contribute to making a type of wadding mentioned above more compostable.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention proposes a padding according to claim 1.

[0011] It is therefore intended that the fibers of the layer are bonded together at their contact points by means of at least one natural resin.

[0012] By using natural resin to bond the fibers together at their contact points, it is no longer necessary to use generally non-compostable synthetic fibers to bind the fibers together in the wadding. The natural resin is compostable, so its use makes a significant contribution to the compostability of the wadding.

[0013] A wadding describes a loose structure of fibers that are held together by bonding at their contact points, forming a bulk structure, i.e., a wadding. In addition to bonding, the fibers can also be mechanically connected, for example, by pre-needling. This purely mechanical connection can be achieved before bonding the fibers at their contact points using known processing steps. However, in the invention, the fibers do not necessarily have to be bonded to each other with natural resin at all their contact points. A sufficiently stable wadding according to the invention can also be achieved if the fibers are bonded to each other with natural resin at only a subset of their contact points.

[0014] Wadding can serve an insulating and warming purpose. Wadding can be placed between two layers of materials.

[0015] The padding is preferably machine washable and retains its shape after washing.

[0016] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that in the course of describing this invention, the numerical words used, such as one, two, three, and the like, generally only represent the minimum quantity of a feature of the invention.

[0017] Describe the wadding as required. Individual features or components of the wadding or even the textile can, of course, be present in larger numbers. In this sense, for example, the numeral "ein" should be understood as meaning at least one, etc.

[0018] It is possible that the layer of fibers forms a tangled fiber layer.

[0019] The term "random fiber layer" refers to a layer consisting of irregularly arranged, bonded fibers. These fibers form a loose, dense layer that typically contains many air pockets. A random fiber layer is therefore a lightweight and insulating material whose irregular fiber arrangement creates a three-dimensional structure and effective heat storage.

[0020] Due to the irregular arrangement of the fibers, many small cavities are created that trap air and can act as an insulating layer. This trapped air can provide good thermal insulation.

[0021] In a random fiber layer, there are generally no preferred directions in which the fibers are aligned. However, for the sake of completeness, it should be noted that there may be embodiments of the invention in which the fibers in the layer are aligned in one or more preferred directions.

[0022] In the wadding, some of the fibers, preferably all of the fibers, can consist of a hydrocarbon-based plastic, in particular polyester and / or polyamide.

[0023] It is therefore possible that the fibers consist of a single type of hydrocarbon-based plastic, or that they consist of a mixture of plastics, particularly polyester and polyamide. It is also possible that the fibers are made of polypropylene.

[0024] Some, preferably all, of the fibers may also be synthetic fibers made from natural polymers, preferably cellulose or protein. Examples include Tencel, viscose, and / or milk fibers.

[0025] Furthermore, it may be provided that some, preferably all, of the fibers are natural fibers. Natural fibers describe a type of fiber that consists of natural sources, such as plants or animals, and is preferably biodegradable. Natural fibers can also be hypoallergenic. It is also conceivable that the fibers consist of a mixture of natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers and / or man-made fibers.

[0026] It may be intended that the natural fibers consist of wool and / or hemp.

[0027] In addition to the natural fibers already mentioned, it could also be linen and / or silk.

[0028] In other words, it is possible that the fibers of the wadding are of only one type or a mixture of several different types of fibers, as listed above.

[0029] In order to ensure complete compostability of the wadding, preferred variants of the invention provide that the fibers in the wadding, regardless of whether they are natural fibers and / or plastic fibers and / or chemical fibers, are compostable.

[0030] It is preferably intended that the wadding has a density in the range of 0.10 kg / dm³. 3 up to 0.15 kg / dm³ 3 , preferably of 0.05 kg / dm³ 3 up to 0.15 kg / dm³ 3 , exhibits.

[0031] In addition to the wadding itself, the invention also relates to a textile which includes wadding according to the invention.

[0032] The textile can be a garment or a piece of bedding. The term "garment" encompasses a broad range of definitions. Thus, the term "garment" can refer to everyday fashion, sportswear, workwear, and / or underwear.

[0033] In particular, jackets, trousers, hats and / or gloves can be designed as textiles according to the invention.

[0034] The term bedding also encompasses a broad range of definitions. Bedding is not limited to the bed itself, but also includes textiles and / or furniture used for sleeping, covering, and / or relaxing.

[0035] It is therefore possible that the term bedding also includes pillows, duvets and / or sleeping bags.

[0036] A manufacturing process according to the invention provides that a layer of, preferably loosely, overlapping fibers is provided and the fibers are bonded together at their contact points by means of the natural resin,

[0037] Before bonding, the fibers can lie loosely on top of each other at the contact points, either at all or only some of them, or they can already be mechanically bonded together, for example, through pre-needling. This applies in particular to all the variations of the process mentioned below.

[0038] It can be provided that the natural resin is applied to the fibers, preferably loosely stacked on top of each other, by means of a spray mechanism. The term spray mechanism describes a device that can dispense and / or spray liquids, in particular natural resin, in fine droplets and / or as a mist. This can be an atomizer or a compressed air sprayer.

[0039] In general, the spraying mechanism can therefore include a device configured to dispense a precise and / or uniform amount of natural resin.

[0040] It can further be provided that the natural resin is applied from a transfer layer, preferably from a transfer film, to the, preferably loose, overlapping fibers.

[0041] is applied.

[0042] The term "auflagen" can therefore be understood as spraying on, brushing on, or any other type of application.

[0043] It may be provided that, after or during the application of the natural resin to the, preferably loose, overlapping fibers, the wadding is pressed using a pressing device.

[0044] It is possible that the natural resin is first applied to the fibers, preferably loosely stacked on top of each other, using a spray mechanism, and that the wadding is then pressed using a pressing device. In this case, the application of the natural resin and the pressing of the wadding may occur at different times. Alternatively, it is possible that the application of the natural resin to the fibers, preferably loosely stacked on top of each other, and the pressing of the wadding may occur simultaneously.

[0045] This can be achieved, for example, by pressing the transfer layer, on which the natural resin is applied, onto the fibers, preferably loosely lying on top of each other.

[0046] In this case, the application of the natural resin and the pressing of the wadding using the pressing device take place at the same time.

[0047] The pressing device for pressing the wadding may include a pressure roller, preferably a heated one.

[0048] It is possible that the pressure roller can exert mechanical pressure on the padding.

[0049] Heating the pressure roller may improve the pressing of the wadding because the natural resin is liquefied by the heat and thus easier to apply. It is therefore conceivable that, with the aid of a heated roller, the natural resin contributes to a more efficient bonding or shaping of the fibers, preferably loosely layered on top of each other, and thus to the wadding itself.

[0050] It is preferably provided that the natural resin has a temperature in the range of 20°C to 150°C when applied to the, preferably loose, superimposed fibers.

[0051] The invention preferably utilizes natural resins which, once fully cured, do not melt again. The curing process of natural resin preferably involves a chemical reaction in which the resin changes its structure and thereby forms a thermally stable material, meaning it does not melt again upon reheating.

[0052] Preferred natural resins, once cured, behave similarly to thermosets. They undergo an irreversible chemical cross-linking process that makes the natural resins hard and strong.

[0053] Further features and details of preferred embodiments of the invention are explained by way of example in the following description of the figures. These show:

[0054] Fig. 1 A representation of the wadding with natural resin;

[0055] Fig. 2 A representation of the wadding without natural resin;

[0056] Fig. 3 A representation of the spray mechanism;

[0057] Fig. 4 A representation of the pressing device.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a wadding 1 according to the invention. It can be seen that the fibers 2 are bonded together at at least some of their contact points 5 by means of a natural resin 4.

[0059] Layer 3, which consists of fibers 2, can be a random fiber layer. A random fiber layer can consist of individual fibers 2 oriented in any way.

[0060] The fibers 2 can consist of a hydrocarbon-based plastic, in particular polyester and / or polyamide. However, it is also conceivable that the fibers 2 consist of chemical fibers made from natural polymers or natural fibers, or a mixture of the aforementioned fiber types. It is preferably provided that the natural resin 4, once it has hardened, retains its form, i.e., does not become liquid again, even if it is reheated.

[0061] It is therefore preferred that the structure of the fibers 2 and thus of the layer 3, which consists of the fibers 2, is retained in this form even at high temperatures after the natural resin 4 has hardened.

[0062] Fig. 2 shows a layer 3 of, preferably loosely, overlapping fibers 2. In Fig. 2, the individual fibers 2 are not yet bonded together with natural resin 4. Fig. 2 thus shows wadding 11. This can be used as a starting material for forming the wadding from Fig. 1.

[0063] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each show a method for producing a wadding 1.

[0064] Fig. 3 shows that the natural resin 4 can be conveyed from a container 10 into a spray mechanism 6. The natural resin 4 is applied to the fibers 2 by means of the spray mechanism 6.

[0065] It is conceivable that the natural resin 4 is poured or sprayed onto the fibers 2 by means of the spray mechanism 6, or applied in the form of droplets or in the form of mist.

[0066] It is conceivable that after the application of the natural resin 4 to the fibers 2 by means of the spray mechanism 6, the wadding 1 is pressed by means of a pressing device 8, e.g. as shown in Fig. 4.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows a process in which the natural resin 4 is distributed from a container 10 onto a transfer layer 7 using a squeegee 9.

[0068] The squeegee 9 allows for a particularly even and / or controlled distribution of the natural resin 4.

[0069] Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows that the fibers, preferably in the form of a random fiber layer, are subsequently applied to the transfer layer 7 and pressed onto the transfer layer 7 using a pressing device 8. The pressing device 8 and the transfer layer can be moved relative to each other in a first direction 12 and / or in a second direction 13.

[0070] The pressing device 8, as shown in the middle of Fig. 4, can be a punch 15 that presses the fibers 2 onto the transfer layer 7.

[0071] However, it is also conceivable that, as shown on the left in Fig. 4, a transfer layer 7, on the underside of which the natural resin 4 is located, is applied to the layer of fibers 2 by means of a press device 8 designed as a roller 16. Legend

[0072] Regarding the reference numbers:

[0073] wadding

[0074] Fibers

[0075] layer

[0076] Natural resin

[0077] Contact point

[0078] Spray mechanism

[0079] transfer layer

[0080] Pressing device

[0081] Squeegee

[0082] container

[0083] Cotton wool

[0084] First direction

[0085] Second direction

[0086] bottom

[0087] Rubber stamp

[0088] role

Claims

33239 / 41 / eh 20240304 13 Patent claims 1. Wadding (1), in particular as an insulating layer of textiles, wherein the wadding (1) has at least one layer of fibers (2 ), characterized in that the fibers (2) of the layer (3 ) are bonded together at their contact points (5) by means of at least one natural resin (4). Wadding (1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the layer (3 ) of the fibers (2} forms a random fiber layer. 3, wadding (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the fibers (2), preferably all fibers (2), consist of a hydrocarbon-based plastic, preferably polyester and / or polyamide, or are chemical fibers made of a natural polymer, preferably cellulose or protein. Wadding (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the fibers (2}, preferably all fibers (2) are natural fibers.

5. Wadding (1) according to claim 4, wherein the natural fibers consist of wool and / or hemp.

6. Padding (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the padding (.1) has a density in the range of 0.10 kg / dm³ 3 up to 0.15 kg / dm³ 3 , preferably of 0.05 kg / dm³ 3 up to 0.15 kg / dm³ 3 , exhibits.

7. Textile comprising a wadding ( 1) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

8. Textile according to claim 7, wherein the textile is a garment or a piece of bedding.

9. Method for producing a wadding (1), in particular a wadding (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a layer (3 ) of, preferably loose, superimposed fibers (2) is provided and the fibers (2 ) are then bonded together at their contact points (5) by means of the natural resin (4 ).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the natural resin (4) is applied to the, preferably loose, superimposed fibers (2) by means of a spray mechanism (6).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the natural resin (4) is applied from a transfer layer (7), preferably from a transfer film, onto the, preferably loose, superimposed fibers (2).

12. Method according to at least one of claims 9 to 11, wherein after or during the application of the natural resin (4) to the, preferably loose, The wadding (1) is pressed between the fibers (2) lying on top of each other by means of a pressing device (8).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the pressing device ( 8 ) for pressing the wadding (1) comprises a pressure roller, preferably heated.

14. Method according to at least one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the natural resin (4) has a temperature in the range of 20°C to 150°C when applied to the, preferably loose, superimposed fibers (2 ).

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