Carpet Weaving with Controlled Float Lengths for Vintage Appearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating a vintage appearance on rugs through physical and chemical treatments are time-consuming, costly, and potentially hazardous, and the production of rugs with visible warp yarn floats is complex.

Innovation Solution

A carpet manufacturing method involving the interlacing of warp and weft yarns with specific insertion patterns to create regular wide and narrow floats, reducing production time and costs while achieving a vintage appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If physical and/or chemical treatments are applied to create a vintage appearance, then the vintage appearance is achieved, but the manufacturing time is extended and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevintage appearance qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates vintage appearance directly during the weaving process by controlling the float lengths of warp yarns, rather than applying treatments after the rug is manufactured. The weaving machine is configured with specific insertion patterns that automatically produce the desired vintage effect as the rug is being made, eliminating the need for subsequent time-consuming treatment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If physical and/or chemical treatments are applied to create a vintage appearance, then the vintage appearance is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevintage appearance qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vintage appearance is integrated into the base manufacturing process through predetermined insertion patterns in the weaving machine. This eliminates the need for separate, costly chemical treatment steps that would otherwise be required to achieve the same aesthetic effect, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If physical and/or chemical treatments are applied to create a vintage appearance, then the vintage appearance is achieved, but health risks are presented due to chemical use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevintage appearance qualityVSAvoidhealth risks from chemicals
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces chemical treatment processes with a mechanical solution - specifically, controlling the weaving pattern and float lengths through the mechanical insertion pattern of the loom. This mechanical approach achieves the vintage appearance without introducing harmful chemicals into the manufacturing process, thereby eliminating associated health risks for workers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If irregular length warp yarn floats are used to create vintage appearance, then the vintage appearance is achieved, but the production process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevintage appearance qualityVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for float lengths (wide floats: 4-6mm, narrow floats: 1.5-2.5mm) that can be consistently achieved through regular insertion patterns. By defining these specific parameter ranges, the invention simplifies the production process while maintaining the vintage appearance quality, making the manufacturing more predictable and easier to control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3366170B1Mat having a vintage appearance
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 DE POORTERE DECO SA
  • EP3366170B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a carpet having a vintage appearance comprising a fabric having at least a series of weft yarns, inserted in a mainly perpendicular manner and interwoven with a series of mainly parallel warp yarns, the fabric comprising a first face and a second face opposite this first face, characterized in that said fabric comprises wide floats and narrow floats such that the length of the wide floats is between 4 and 6 mm and the length of the narrow floats is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm.