CH719099A2 - Bracelet and process for manufacturing such a bracelet. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bracelet (1) comprising an upper strip (4) and a lower strip (3) forming at least one strand of the bracelet (1), said bracelet being characterized in that it comprises an insert (2) arranged between the upper band (4) and the lower band (3), said insert (2) being visible through the upper part (4) and being formed by a polymeric material comprising a phosphorescent pigment to display information visible through the band top of the bracelet.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to bracelet, flexible and deformable, in the field of watchmaking, jewelry or leather goods, and a manufacturing process to obtain such a bracelet.

Technology background

[0002] Traditionally, watch straps are made of leather, synthetic material, fabric, rubber material, or metal. The wristbands also include an insert placed in a liner or a sheath or between an upper band and a lower band subsequently joined together. This insert has a mainly mechanical and flexible function.

[0003] In the case of a leather strap, the insert consists of tear-proof reinforcement and leather and non-woven padding to give relief to the strap. A leather lining is still provided, as well as a leather or synthetic upper.

[0004]According to an alternative embodiment, the bracelet comprises a top, which is only edged on the sides of the bracelet to be of the semi-edge type. The semi-rolled or machine-rolled bracelet is made using a mold and a platen press.

[0005] A bracelet made of rubbery material can also be imagined in which several layers are glued and/or welded to each other and envelop an insert. A preform can then be cut to the shape of each strand of the bracelet by a press. The edges of the bracelet can then be protected with edge lacquer and sewn.

[0006] Some straps have been made by combining these materials, of the elastomer type, with typical top-of-the-range leathers in order to improve the durability of these straps over time without modifying their appearance when the watch is worn.

[0007] However, these bracelets generally comprise different parts made of different materials which are typically sewn or glued to each other, which can lead to these parts being separated over time. In addition, the assembly of these different parts does not allow sufficient and/or satisfactory customization and/or decoration.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a bracelet comprising a functional and decorative insert, as well as a method making it possible to manufacture such bracelets having a combination of materials intimately linked together and allowing a multitude of personalization.

[0009] To this end, the subject of the invention is a bracelet which comprises the characteristics mentioned in independent claim 1.

[0010] Particular variants of the bracelet are defined in dependent claims 2 to 7.

[0011] An advantage of the method for producing a bracelet lies in the fact that the insert has a sufficiently reduced thickness so as to be able to replace a traditional reinforcing insert without increasing the traditional thickness of such a bracelet while providing an additional effect.

[0012] The invention also relates to a method of making the bracelet, which comprises the characteristics defined in independent claim 8.

Brief description of figures

The purposes, advantages and characteristics of the bracelet provided with a phosphorescent insert will appear better in the following description by the drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a bracelet provided with an insert according to a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 represents a bracelet strand fitted with an insert according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

A first aspect of the invention relates to a bracelet 1 comprising an upper band 4 and a lower band 3 forming at least one strand of the bracelet 1, each band having corresponding holes 10 for the passage of a pin or barb. The bracelet also comprises an insert 2 arranged between the upper band 4 and the lower band 3, the insert 2 being visible through the upper band 4. Advantageously, the insert 2 is formed by an elastomeric material comprising a phosphorescent pigment to display information visible from the upper band of the bracelet.

[0015] Conventionally, the lower band 3 and the upper band 4 are made of one or more materials chosen from the group comprising leather, natural or synthetic textiles, elastomers, silicone materials. A combination of these materials is also possible depending on the wishes of the wearer.

As illustrated in Figure 1, openings can be provided in the upper band 4 of the bracelet, and allow the insert 2 to appear.

According to the invention, the upper band 4 comprises at least one opening 30 leading to the insert 2 to reveal the latter and display information or decoration.

[0018] The opening or openings comprise, for example, micro-perforations, a cut-out or a stamping to reveal said insert, the micro-perforations, the cut-out or the stamping forming a pattern such as a logo, a brand name , a design or geometric shapes, random or not. For example, the name of a brand or the wearer of the watch can be inscribed on the upper band by means of micro-perforations.

The elastomer is chosen from fluorinated elastomers such as those of the FKM family (crosslinkable fluoro or perfluoropolyalkylene) or thermoplastic elastomers such as TPUs (Polyurethanes), EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer), silicones, EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) and their thermoplastic derivatives (TPO) or even from the family of acrylic elastomers. The elastomer chosen also has the advantage of being relatively flexible in order to be able to adapt to the curvature of the wrist when the bracelet is worn.

[0020] Preferably, the elastomer used is white in color so as to better transmit the light in the mass of the insert and load the phosphorescent pigments homogeneously, the elastomer being pigmented with zirconia so as not to reduce the luminous performance of phosphorescent pigments. The insert is also achievable in other colors, but at the expense of the performance of the phosphorescent pigments.

[0021] The insert has a sufficiently reduced thickness so as to be able to replace a traditional reinforcement insert without increasing the traditional thickness of such a bracelet while providing an additional effect. The thickness of the insert can be modified by slitting, in order to obtain the desired thickness.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the insert 2 comprises at least one relief 20 which is arranged to cooperate with the at least one opening of the upper strip 3. One could for example imagine a relief under the shape of the letter Ω fitting into an opening of the same shape in the upper band.

The polymer used to make the insert 2 contains up to 30% (by mass) of photoluminescent pigments, which guarantees high luminescent performance.

The elastomer can advantageously contain fluorochromes or chromophores (optical brighteners, pigments or dyes, etc.) making it possible to boost the luminescent properties or to cause a photochemical cascade in order to obtain colored luminescent emissions different from those of the photoluminescent pigment chosen initially.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a bracelet which comprises the steps of: manufacture a phosphorescent insert 2 corresponding to the final shape desired for the insert, provide an upper band 4 and a lower band 3, stick the insert on the lower strip, form at least one opening in the upper band 4 to form a pattern, and joining the upper band 3 to the lower band 3 to form the bracelet.

The upper and lower bands are made of one or more materials chosen from the group comprising leather, natural or synthetic textiles, elastomers, silicone materials.

[0027] The upper strip 4 on the lower strip 3 are joined together for example by gluing, by seams or by being welded to each other.

[0028] Thanks to these characteristics, the two bands 3.4 and the insert 2 are intimately linked together, which ensures a good level of robustness and excellent durability of the bracelet thus manufactured.

[0029] The upper strip 4 can also be overmoulded. In this case, a groove or a molding can be provided around the opening in order to improve the aesthetics of the whole. Indeed, such a groove or molding makes it possible to conceal at least partially the material transitions between the different parts of the bracelet.

[0030] Thanks to the manufacturing process which has just been described, it is possible to produce numerous variations for a flexible bracelet, in terms of texture (visual and tactile), color, while varying the materials used.

[0031] In addition, the bracelet thus produced has excellent resistance over time, even when it is brought into contact with water or with sweat.

Claims (8)

1. Bracelet (1) comprising an upper band (4) and a lower band (3) forming at least one strand of the bracelet (1), said bracelet being characterized in that it comprises an insert (2) disposed between the band upper part (4) and the lower band (3), said insert (2) being visible through the upper part (4) and being formed by an elastomeric material comprising a phosphorescent pigment to display information visible through the upper band of the bracelet . 2. Bracelet according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper band (4) comprises at least one opening (30) opening onto said insert. 3. Bracelet according to claim 2, characterized in that said opening (30) comprises micro-perforations, cutting or stamping revealing said insert. 4. Bracelet according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the micro-perforations, the cutout or the stamping form a pattern such as a logo, a brand name or a design. 5. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastomeric material is a white FKM. 6. Bracelet according to claim 3, characterized in that said insert (2) comprises at least one relief (20) arranged to cooperate with said at least one opening (30). 7. Bracelet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper band (4) and the lower band (3) are made of one or more materials chosen from the group comprising leather, natural or synthetic textiles, elastomers, silicone materials. 8. A method of manufacturing a bracelet (1) provided with a phosphorescent insert (2) comprising the steps of: – manufacture a phosphorescent insert (2) corresponding to the final shape desired for the insert, – provide an upper band (4) and a lower band (3), – stick the insert on the lower strip, – cut, perforate or open the upper band (4) to form a pattern, and – attach the upper band (4) to the lower band (3) to form the bracelet.