CH718326A2 - Fashion article comprising a thin wall with locally and selectively expandable zones. - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a fashion article (100) comprising a thin wall with locally and selectively expandable zones comprising: an internal core (30) made of a filling material expandable in contact with a liquid, a support layer ( 10) comprising an outer face (11) opposite an inner face (12) on which the inner core (30) is arranged, said support layer (10) being configured so that the expansion of the packing material does not cause substantially its deformation, an impermeable covering layer (20) fixed to the support layer (10) so as to envelope the internal core (30) in a leaktight manner, the said layer comprising one or a plurality of through holes opening onto the internal core (30) and arranged with respect to each other so as to form a predefined matrix, said covering layer (20) being configured so that the expansion of the packing material substantially causes its deformation.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention falls within the field of fashion articles comprising a thin wall, in particular articles in the form of a band that can be worn by a user, for example the field of bracelets in particular intended to be attached to a watch or to a piece of jewelry. , the field of belts, necklaces, etc.

More particularly, the invention relates to a fashion article comprising a thin wall with locally and selectively expandable zones.

[0003] In the present text, the fashion article according to the invention is described in one of its preferred applications in which it takes the form of a band, in particular of a bracelet intended to be worn on the wrist of a user.

Technology background

[0004] In general, the structure and the materials used for the production of fashion articles comprising a flexible thin wall, in particular those in the form of a strip, depend on the desired aesthetics and on the function and/or use. for which said fashion items are intended.

[0005] More particularly, in the field of watchmaking or in the field of jewelry, there are bracelets made entirely or partially of leather, of woven textile fibers, of polymers, such as rubber, or of metallic material. , such as steel, titanium or gold.

[0006] For example, materials such as textile fibers and polymers are intended for use of the bracelet rather for sporting activities, metallic materials are reserved for use underwater or in a humid environment.

[0007] Furthermore, the bracelets may have decorative elements on their outer surface, the shape of which depends on the material of said bracelets. For example, the decorative elements may take the form of a combination of materials, a particular coloring or finish of the coating of the outer surface of the bracelet, reliefs resulting from the machining or molding of the material constituting the wristband, etc.

[0008] The production of a decoration on a bracelet depends on a dedicated manufacturing process using specific manufacturing means, specific to each decoration. For example, a decoration can be produced using a specific tool, such as a press comprising a die adapted to produce specific imprints on the fashion item, or an injection molding machine adapted to overmold a decoration layer on a base layer according to a given shape mould.

[0009] Modifying a set therefore involves changing its manufacturing process, and often changing the tool attached to it.

[0010] A user therefore has the option of being able to choose a bracelet with a decoration from a choice of decorations belonging to a range which is offered to him commercially, but the decoration of this bracelet is neither personalized nor customizable. , taking into account the aforementioned drawbacks resulting from the modification of the decorations of the bracelets.

[0011] There is therefore a need to have a wristband whose decoration can be personalized according to the wishes of a user, and this in a simple, fast and low-cost manner.

[0012] Here, the term "simple and rapid" means that the personalization of a decoration of a bracelet does not imply the modification of the processes, nor of the means of production of this bracelet.

[0013] The aforementioned drawbacks are found regardless of the shape taken by the prior art fashion article, for example the shape of a belt, a necklace, a bag, a clothing, etc.

Summary of the invention

The invention solves the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a fashion item whose structure allows the production of a specific decoration, according to the wishes of a user. In other words, it is possible to propose on the basis of fashion articles meeting the same characteristics, that is to say the characteristics of the present invention, different decoration patterns of said fashion articles without modifying their process. of manufacture, nor the corresponding means of production.

To this end, the present invention relates to a fashion article comprising a thin wall, preferably flexible, with locally and selectively expandable zones, said thin wall comprising: an internal core made of an expandable packing material in contact with a liquid, for example in contact with water, a support layer comprising an outer face opposite an inner face on which the inner core is arranged, said support layer being configured so that the expansion of the packing material does not substantially cause its deformation, an impermeable covering layer fixed to the support layer so as to envelop the inner core in a leaktight manner, said layer comprising one or a plurality of through holes opening onto the inner core and arranged with respect to each other so as to forming a predefined matrix, said packing layer being configured such that expansion of the packing material substantially causes its deformation.

[0016] When the fashion item is brought into contact with a liquid, the latter penetrates the holes until it comes into contact with the inner core and locally causes the expansion of the filling material and thus the deformation of the covering layer.

[0017] This deformation of the covering layer generates a relief on a visible face of the fashion article, the shape of this relief being able to be chosen so as to correspond to any desired graphic representation according to the matrix defined by the set of holes.

[0018] Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to obtain a fashion item comprising a thin wall of material with locally and selectively expandable zones, the aesthetic appearance of which can be specific so as to correspond to a particular wish of a user. for example, without changing the manufacturing process or manufacturing tools of said fashion item.

[0019] Advantageously, the holes can be made at the last moment before the sale of the fashion article and according to a matrix chosen for example by the end customer.

[0020] In particular embodiments, the invention may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations.

[0021] In particular embodiments, the lining material is composed of a hydrophilic thermoplastic elastomer material, super-absorbent fibers, and a compatibilizing agent.

In particular embodiments, the lining material is composed of a polyurethane having a hardness approximately equal to 40 shore A, from 5% to 45% by mass of super-absorbent fibers, and of a compatibilizing agent .

[0023] Advantageously, the packing material can be chosen so that it returns to its initial state, that is to say the state it occupied before its expansion, when it is no longer in contact with 'liquid.

In particular embodiments, the support layer comprises a bottom wall connecting two side walls together, said bottom walls and side walls forming a groove in which the inner core rests.

In particular embodiments, the support layer is made of a material having an elastic modulus greater than 10 MPa and an elongation at break less than or equal to 180%.

[0026] In particular embodiments, the support layer is molded over the inner core.

[0027] In particular embodiments, the covering layer is produced by a laminated complex composed of a flexible elastic membrane having an elongation at break greater than 600% and a modulus of elasticity less than or equal to equal to 20MPa measured at 600% elongation and a stretched polytetrafluoroethylene membrane.

[0028] In particular embodiments, the covering layer is configured to cover the inner core by overmolding or by edging.

In particular embodiments, the through holes are made by micro-perforations, in particular by laser machining.

In particular embodiments, the fashion item is formed by a belt, a garment, a bag or any other flexible or non-flexible container, a bracelet or a necklace.

According to another object, the present invention relates to a bracelet comprising at least one strand comprising the characteristics of a fashion item as described above.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fashion article comprising a thin, flexible wall with locally and selectively expandable zones as described above, said method comprising: a first fixing step in which the covering layer and the inner core are bonded to each other, a second fixing step in which the support layer is bonded to the assembly obtained during the first fixing step so that the support layer and the covering layer envelop the inner core in leaktight manner.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a fashion article comprising a thin, flexible wall with locally and selectively expandable zones, as described above, said method comprising: a first fixing step in which the support layer and the inner core are bonded to each other, a second fixing step in which the covering layer is bonded to the assembly obtained during the first fixing step so that the support layer and the covering layer envelop the inner core in leaktight manner.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of part of a bracelet according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view along the section axis A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along section line B-B of Figure 1 FIG. 4 represents a cross-sectional view of the bracelet of FIG. 1 assembled according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0035] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation in perspective of a preferred embodiment of a fashion article 100 comprising a thin wall, preferably flexible, with locally and selectively expandable zones according to the invention, in which said article of mode 100 takes the form of a watch strap.

It should be noted here that the fashion article 100 with locally and selectively expandable zones can advantageously be used in other applications without this leading to a change in its technical characteristics. By way of non-limiting example, it can take the form of a belt, a bag, a necklace, a piece of clothing, or any other fashion item comprising a thin, preferentially flexible wall.

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a strand of a bracelet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a support layer 10 to which is hermetically bonded a covering layer 20 so as to tightly wrap an internal core 30 made of a packing material.

The term “linked” means in the present description “fixed”, so as to prohibit any degree of relative mobility between the elements concerned.

[0039] Advantageously, the packing material expands on contact with a liquid.

[0040] For example, the packing material may be a thermoplastic elastomer material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining material is composed of a hydrophilic thermoplastic polyurethane preferably having a hardness substantially equal to 40 shore A, from 5% to 45% by mass, for example 20% , super-absorbent fibers known as such to those skilled in the art, and 2% by mass of a compatibilizing agent, for example polyethylene glycol.

The inner core 30 can either be obtained directly by molding, or be cut from plates or strips of packing material manufactured beforehand.

As shown in the sectional views of Figures 2 and 3, the support layer 10 comprises an outer face 11 which, in the application example of the invention shown in said figures, is intended to be oriented towards the wrist of a user when the bracelet is worn by said user, and an internal face 12 against which the internal core 30 is arranged.

More particularly, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the support layer 10 comprises a bottom wall 13 interconnecting two side walls 14. The side walls 14 extend in the same direction and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the bottom wall 13 extends. It should be specified that the side walls 14 can be formed by any bulge, projection or prominence extending from the bottom wall 13.

Thus, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottom wall 13, in combination with each of the side walls 14, forms a groove receiving the inner core 30. More specifically, the inner core 30 is dimensioned so as to rest against the inner face 12 of the bottom wall 13, and each of the side walls 14.

[0046] For reasons of ease of manufacture and mechanical strength, a fillet may be provided between the inner face 12 of the bottom wall 13 and each of the side walls 14.

Preferably, the support layer 10 is intended to form the backbone of the fashion article 100 in the sense that it is intended to give said article its rigidity and its mechanical resistance to stresses.

Advantageously, the support layer 10 is configured so that the expansion of the lining material does not substantially cause the deformation of said support layer 10. In other words, the support layer 10 has such a resistance to the pressure forces resulting from the increase in volume of the internal core 30, that it does not deform in a manner perceptible to a user.

Preferably, the support layer 10 is made of a material having an elastic modulus greater than 10 MPa measured at 100% elongation and an elongation at break less than or equal to 180%.

[0050] Such a material may be a natural or synthetic leather, a textile or an elastomer and may be associated with non-woven textile fibers or with any other appropriate component in order to increase its mechanical resistance to deformation.

The support layer 10 and the cover layer 20 are bonded together so as to envelop the inner core 30 in a sealed manner.

This covering layer 20 has the particular objective of protecting the inner core 30 from possible attacks from the external environment, such as shocks, impacts or friction, exposure to ultraviolet rays, humidity, etc., and to contribute to the solution of the problem solved by the invention as described in more detail below, in addition to playing an aesthetic role.

The covering layer 20 is advantageously impermeable and comprises one or a plurality of through-holes 21 opening on the one hand to the internal core 30 and on the other hand to the external environment. The through holes 21 are arranged relative to each other so as to form a predefined matrix. By the term "matrix" is meant here that the plurality of holes forms a particular pattern. This pattern can be chosen or randomly generated.

These through holes 21 advantageously allow a liquid present in the environment outside the fashion article 100 to penetrate through the covering layer 20, so that said liquid comes into contact locally with the core. internal 30.

For this purpose, the through holes 21 are preferably made by micro-perforations, for example of approximately 50 μm, spaced apart from each other by an appropriate distance so that the covering layer 20 retains sufficient mechanical strength. to resist the pressure forces exerted by the expansion of the lining material of the inner core 30. Such a distance may be at least 500 μm. For example, the micro-perforations are made by laser machining.

Furthermore, the covering layer 20 is configured so that the expansion of the packing material substantially causes its deformation. In other words, the covering layer 20 advantageously comprises significant elastic characteristics so that the pressure forces generated locally by the expansion of the lining material deform the covering layer 20 in a manner perceptible to a user.

More particularly, the covering layer 20 is preferably made of a laminated complex composed of at least one elastic flexible membrane, for example of elastomeric material, provided with an elongation at break greater than 600% and of a modulus of elasticity less than or equal to 20 MPa measured at 600% elongation, and a membrane made of stretched polytetrafluoroethylene, for example a membrane known under the trade name “Gore-Tex”.

Thus, thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to locally cause an expansion of the lining material facing each of the through-holes 21, over a predefined zone according to the distribution of said through-holes 21, in a direction opposite to the support layer. 10, and by extension, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, on the wrist of the user. This is so as to generate on the fashion article 100, for example on the bracelet, reliefs with an aesthetic or informative function, for example representing logos, letters or words, or any other graphic representation.

Indeed, as described above, the support layer 10 and the covering layer 20 are configured so that the expansion of the filling material is carried out only in one or more directions substantially opposite to the support layer 10 and oriented towards the covering layer 20. This is so that the reliefs are visible to a user.

In a first variant embodiment of the invention, the assembly of a fashion article 100 according to the invention is carried out by a first fixing step in which the support layer 10 and the internal core 30 are bonded to each other, then by a second fixing step in which the covering layer 20 is bonded to the assembly obtained during the first fixing step, for example by gluing.

[0061] A fashion article 100 assembled according to this alternative embodiment is shown in the sectional views of Figures 2 and 3.

[0062] A fashion item 100 is thus obtained in which only the covering layer 20 is visible.

This variant embodiment is preferred when the support layer 10 is made of leather.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the assembly of a fashion article 100 according to the invention is carried out by a first fixing step in which the covering layer 20 and the internal core 30 are bonded to each other, then by a second fixing step in which the support layer 10 is bonded to the assembly obtained during the first fixing step, for example by gluing.

A fashion article 100 is thus obtained in which the covering layer 20 and the support layer 10 are visible. A fashion item 100 assembled according to this alternative embodiment is shown in the sectional view of Figure 4.

This variant embodiment is preferred when the support layer 10 is made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber.

[0067] The covering layer 20 can, moreover, cover all or part of the outer face 11 of the support layer 10, thus making it possible to protect the latter from external aggressions such as friction, humidity, etc.

Preferably, the fixing of the support layer 10 to the inner core 30 or to the assembly formed by the covering layer 20 and the inner core 30, according to the variant embodiment described above considered, is produced by overmolding or by gluing, so as to guarantee that the expansion of the packing material is carried out in the desired directions, that is to say in directions opposite to the support layer 10.

Preferably again, the fixing of the covering layer 20 to the internal core 30 or to the assembly formed by the support layer 10 and the internal core 30, according to the variant embodiment described above considered, is produced by reedging or by overmoulding.

[0070] The micro-perforations forming the through holes 21 can be made once the production of the bracelet has been completed, that is to say once the assembly of the support layer 10, the internal core 30 and the covering layer 20 completed, on the basis of instructions delivered by computer in order to produce a matrix of through holes 21 specific to a predefined graphic representation.

Alternatively, the through holes 21 can be made on the cover layer 20 upstream of the assembly of the support layer 10, the inner core 30 and the cover layer 20.

Thus, by modifying the shape of the matrix of through-holes 21 from one fashion item 100 to another, that is to say by modifying the number of through-holes 21 and/or their arrangement compared to the others, it is possible to personalize the decoration of each bracelet, and this without changing the manufacturing processes, nor the means of manufacturing said fashion items 100.

Claims (12)

1. Fashion article (100) comprising a flexible thin wall with locally and selectively expandable zones characterized in that the thin wall comprises: – an internal core (30) made of a packing material that expands in contact with a liquid, – a support layer (10) comprising an outer face (11) opposite an inner face (12) on which the inner core (30) is arranged, said support layer (10) being configured so that the expansion of the material of lining does not significantly cause its deformation, – an impermeable covering layer (20) fixed to the support layer (10) so as to envelop the inner core (30) in a leaktight manner, said layer comprising one or a plurality of through holes (21) opening onto the internal core (30) and arranged with respect to each other so as to form a predefined matrix, said covering layer (20) being configured so that the expansion of the packing material substantially causes its deformation. 2. The fashion article (100) according to claim 1, wherein the filling material is composed of a hydrophilic thermoplastic elastomer material, super-absorbent fibers, and a compatibilizing agent. 3. Fashion article (100) according to claim 2, in which the filling material is composed of a polyurethane having a hardness approximately equal to 40 shore A, from 5% to 45% by mass of super-absorbent fibers, and of a compatibilizing agent. 4. Fashion item (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support layer (10) comprises a bottom wall (13) interconnecting two side walls (14), said bottom walls (13 ) and side walls (14) forming a groove in which the inner core (30) rests. 5. Fashion item (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support layer (10) is made of a material having an elastic modulus greater than 10 MPa and an elongation at break less than or equal to 180% . 6. Fashion article (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support layer (10) is overmolded to the inner core (30). 7. Fashion article (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the covering layer (20) is produced by a laminated complex composed of a flexible elastic membrane provided with an elongation at break greater than at 600% and a modulus of elasticity less than or equal to 20MPa measured at 600% elongation and a stretched polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. 8. Fashion article (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the covering layer (20) is configured to cover the inner core (30) by overmolding or by edging. 9. Fashion item (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the through holes (21) are made by micro-perforations. 10. Bracelet comprising at least one strand comprising the characteristics of a fashion item according to one of claims 1 to 9. 11. A method of manufacturing a fashion article (100) of material with locally and selectively expandable zones according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: – a first fixing step in which the cover layer (20) and the inner core (30) are bonded to each other, – a second fixing step in which the support layer (10) is bonded to the assembly obtained during the first fixing step so that the support layer (10) and the covering layer (20) wrap in a sealed manner the inner core (30). 12. A method of manufacturing a fashion article (100) of material with locally and selectively expandable zones according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: – a first fixing step in which the support layer (10) and the inner core (30) are bonded to each other, – a second fixing step in which the cover layer (20) is bonded to the assembly obtained during the first fixing step so that the support layer (10) and the cover layer (20) wrap sealingly the inner core (30).