IT202100007247A1 - FAKE LEATHER - Google Patents

Description

Title: FAKE LEATHER

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an artificial leather, i.e. a material that can replace natural leather in numerous applications (presenting physical-technical and aesthetic, as well as aesthetic, similar/comparable or even superior characteristics to those of natural leather) and which has a reduced environmental impact, lower than that of other types of imitation leather of known type.

The imitation leather, or imitation leather, ? a material that has no components of animal origin. It is an industrial product composed of a support cloth on which a film of polymeric material is distributed: irregularities can be mechanically impressed on the external surface of the polymeric film. surface of the type typical of the different leathers, in order to faithfully reproduce the surface of the real leather.

The polymers with which many of the artificial leathers are made are characterized by the high environmental impact of their production and manufacturing processes: for this reason the artificial leather currently on the market? a poorly sustainable material from an environmental point of view.

Following the advent of numerous national and international directives aimed at protecting the environment and reducing all activities? that can compromise human, animal and vegetable life on the planet in the medium and long term, all industrial and production sectors are modifying the processes and technologies in use to ban polluting raw materials, machines and production methods (replacing them with others of less impact).

In some application sectors, such as the automotive sector for example, the use of artificial leather? currently very widespread and the possible future banning of some materials with a high environmental impact could determine the impossibility? to supply these sectors, with damage that would extend to the entire production chain.

Main task of the present invention ? to solve the above problems, proposing a fake leather that has a low environmental impact.

Within the scope of this task, a purpose of the invention is that of proposing a fake leather that includes raw materials obtained with low environmental impact processes.

Another purpose of the invention? that of proposing an imitation leather that includes semi-finished products obtained with low environmental impact processes. Another purpose of the invention? that of proposing a fake leather that includes recycled raw materials and semi-finished products.

Another purpose of the invention? to propose a fake leather that has properties? mechanical and aesthetic aspect comparable, the cio? similar to those of natural leather.

Another purpose of the present invention ? that of realizing a relatively low-cost artificial leather that is simple to make, practical and safe to apply.

This aim and these aims are achieved by a layered type artificial leather, characterized in that it comprises at least one main layer of polymeric material consisting at least partially of polyvinyl chloride mixtures produced with material selected from recycled, from renewable sources and the like and with added with at least one plasticizing agent of origin selected from vegetable, bioattributed and equivalent.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the imitation leather, illustrated by way of example and not as a limitation, in the attached drawings, in which: fig. 1 represents, in a schematic side view a first possible embodiment of a synthetic leather according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a second possible embodiment of a synthetic leather according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a third possible embodiment of an artificial leather according to the invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a fourth possible embodiment of an imitation leather according to the invention;

fig.5 is a schematic side view of a fifth possible embodiment of an artificial leather according to the invention.

With particular reference to these figures? indicated globally with 1 an imitation leather.

The imitation leather 1 ? of the stratified type, it comprises at least one main layer 2a, 2b, 2c of polymeric material consisting at least partially of mixtures of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced with material selected from recycled, from renewable sources and the like and added with at least one plasticizing agent of selected origin between vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalents.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ? normally produced from chlorine (57% by weight) and ethylene (43% by weight). PVC produced from bio-based ethylene can completely replace PVC from conventional production: in this case, ethylene will be? derived from bioethanol and will identify? the material as a so-called bio-based PVC.

A very important source of PVC production resides for? in the recycling of this material delivered as waste: the resins of these materials are produced starting from ethylene obtained from renewable raw materials, for example the result of the recycling of polymeric waste (according to a multiplicity of different recycling techniques).

The use of recycled raw materials is not generally evident and, moreover, the material obtained at the end of the process does not differ from that produced with fossil raw materials. It is therefore particularly complex to demonstrate the environmental benefit inherent in the adoption of these materials.

Once the polymers present in the waste have been transformed into the starting monomers (depolymerization) or into more? elementary, these lose their regenerated nature when they are reintroduced into the production cycle at the level of polymerization or cracking. Mixed with monomers or conventional raw materials, they give rise to polymers which do not differ in characteristics or performance from those obtained from petrochemical processes.

In these cases, the certification of a third-party body is used which attests to the effective use of renewable or recycled raw materials throughout the entire process: this body carries out a check based on a mass balance to associate finished products with recycled content (bioattributes) the respective raw materials used (the starting recycled or renewable components used for production) in a certain space-time reference.

The polymers that obtain this certification are said to be "bio-attributed".

In the present discussion, the definition "polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced with material selected from recycled, from renewable sources and the like" is intended to also include bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride, since the total volume of bio-attributed PVC used corresponds to a quantity equivalent of highly sustainable raw materials? used in the production cycle of the same (thus demonstrating the lower environmental impact of this material compared to those produced with traditional petrochemical methods).

With particular reference to a constructive solution of undoubted practical and applicative interest, the imitation leather 1 could advantageously also comprising at least one support layer 3 made up of at least 50% of at least partially recycled material.

At least one master layer 2c presenter? its own surface juxtaposed to a corresponding face of the support layer 3. The support layer 3 can? conveniently be of a type preferably selected from a fabric made of at least partially recycled fibres, having a weight per unit? of surface comprised between 30 and 3000 g/m<2 > or a sheet constituted by the aggregation of at least partially recycled fragments, of the type of a non-woven fabric, having a weight per unit? of surface between 30 and 3000 g/m<2>.

The main purpose of support layer 3 ? that of conferring sufficient mechanical resistance to the imitation leather 1: the support layer 3 can be take charge of a substantial part of the mechanical tensile strength (according to the various directions), also preventing deformations (elastic or plastic) which could damage the at least one main layer 2a, 2b, 2c.

It should be noted that the polyvinyl chloride produced with material selected from recycled, from renewable sources and the like used for the imitation leather 1 according to the invention will be? preferably bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride (whose characteristics in terms of mass balance in a predefined production period were previously illustrated) and certified according to a certification standard chosen from that of International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISSC ), that of The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and the like.

Pi? in particular such bioattributed polyvinyl chloride ? of a type preferably selected from the substances known under the trade names Vynova "bioattribuited PVC", Inovyn "bio-attribuited PVC", "Biovyn", "Biovyn PVC 267RC", "Biovyn PVC 373ND" and the like.

Obviously the list of substances above? referring to the suitable types of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride of a type known at the time of writing of this report: it is specified that any additional types of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride that may be marketed in the future may be used for the creation of the fake skin 1 according to the invention, in conformity? with what was described above.

With particular reference to an embodiment of the imitation leather 1 according to the invention which has a low environmental impact, the plasticizing agent of origin chosen from among vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent used can advantageously be selected from agents comprising isosorbide, agents derived from isosorbide, agents comprising natural oils, agents derived from natural oils, agents comprising vegetable oils, agents derived from vegetable oils, agents comprising polyol esters, agents derived from polyol esters, agents comprising esters of epoxidized fatty acids, agents derived from epoxidized fatty acid esters and the like.

Merely by way of example, in particular it should be noted that isosorbide ? a product obtainable starting from carbohydrates (sugars) obtainable from biomass; also the polyols and fatty acids possibly in use can be derived from biomass.

It is specified that the plasticizing agents of origin selected from among vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalents currently envisaged for making the imitation leather 1 according to the invention will preferably be selected from substances known under the trade names Polysorb ID37, Draphex Alpha, Ecolibrium, Grindsted SoftNSafe , Pevalen Pro and the like.

However, the adoption of additional (and different) plasticizing agents available on the market at the time of presentation of this patent report or subsequently placed on the market is not excluded.

According to an embodiment of undoubted application interest, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention could positively comprising at least one additional layer 4, 5 associated with the support layer surface 3 opposite to that coupled to the main layer 2c.

The additional layer 4, 5 sar? consisting of a material of a type preferably selected from among a polymeric foam, a polyurethane foam, a non-woven fabric, a fabric, an elastomer and combinations thereof.

It should be noted that the at least one support layer 3 and the at least one additional layer 4, 5 can profitably be at least partially made with at least one material selected from polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, cotton, natural fibres, acrylic fibres, aramid fibers, cellulose fibers, cellulose acetates, polyamides, polyvinyl chloride and combinations thereof.

With particular reference to the embodiment schematized in the attached figure 1, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention can comprise a support layer 3 made of recycled fabric (or non-woven fabric).

This support layer 3 has a weight per unit? of surface between 60 g/m<2 > and 900 g/m2 and sar? made of at least 65% recycled material.

According to this embodiment ? present, juxtaposed on one face of the support layer 3, a compact or expanded main layer 2c made of polyvinyl chloride on which a further expanded main layer 2b will in turn be juxtaposed which in turn carries another compact main layer 2a superimposed , both made of polyvinyl chloride.

At least one of the main layers 2a, 2b, and 2c ? made of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride added (during production) with a plasticizing agent of vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent origin.

In this case, the imitation leather 1 cos? produced presenter? a total weight per unit? of surface between 350 g/ m<2 > and 2500 g/ m<2 > and a variable thickness between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

This embodiment has a high resistance to wear, a reduced emission of odors and a consistency of the surface (to the touch) very similar to that of real leather: thanks to these characteristics it is particularly suitable for covering seats, headrests, armrests , door panel inserts and other internal parts of a motor vehicle or any vehicle in general. With particular reference to the embodiment schematized in the attached figure 2, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention can comprising a main layer 2c made of compact or expanded polyvinyl chloride on which a further main expanded layer 2b will in turn be juxtaposed which in turn carries another compact main layer 2a superimposed, both made of polyvinyl chloride.

At least one of the main layers 2a, 2b, and 2c ? made of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride added (during production) with a plasticizing agent of vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent origin.

In this case, the imitation leather 1 cos? produced presenter? a total weight per unit? of surface between 200 g/ m<2 > and 2000 g/ m<2 > and a variable thickness between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

This embodiment has excellent thermoformability, reduced odor emission, a texture of the surface (to the touch) very similar to that of genuine leather and good durability over time of irregularities. surface imprinted on its surface pi? exterior (evoking the typical irregularities of the leather): thanks to these characteristics it is particularly suitable for the lining of door panel inserts, instrument panels, soft top covers (which is the mobile folding cover of a convertible vehicle), of "headliners" and other internal parts of a motor vehicle or any vehicle in general.

With particular reference to the embodiment schematized in the attached figure 3, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention can include a main layer 2b made of compact polyvinyl chloride on which it will be? in turn juxtaposed a further main layer 2a made of compact polyvinyl chloride. At least one of the main layers 2a and 2b ? made of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride added (during production) with a plasticizing agent of vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent origin.

In this case, the imitation leather 1 cos? produced presenter? a total weight per unit? of surface between 200 g/ m<2 > and 2000 g/ m<2 > and a variable thickness between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

This embodiment has good scratch resistance, ? weldable at high frequency and inexpensive, on the other hand it is not soft to the touch: thanks to these characteristics it is particularly suitable for covering door panel inserts, sun visors, carpets and other internal parts of a motor vehicle or any vehicle in type.

With particular reference to the embodiment schematized in the attached figure 4, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention can comprise a support layer 3 made of recycled fabric (or non-woven fabric).

This support layer 3 has a weight per unit? of surface between 60 g/ m <2 > and 900 g/ m <2 > and sar? made of at least 65% recycled material.

This layer 3 is in turn arranged on a pair of additional layers 4, 5: in particular the layer 4 will be? consisting of a so-called "sacrifice foam" for adhesion promotion, consisting of polyurethane, and presenter? an overall thickness of less than 0.25 mm.

The additional layer 5, juxtaposed to the surface of the layer 4 opposite to that coupled to the support layer 3, will be? made of non-woven fabric with weight per unit? of surface between 100 g/m<2 > and 500 g/m<2 >.

According to this embodiment ? present, juxtaposed on one face of the support layer 3, a compact or expanded main layer 2c made of polyvinyl chloride on which a further expanded main layer 2b will in turn be juxtaposed which in turn carries another compact main layer 2a superimposed , both made of polyvinyl chloride.

At least one of the main layers 2a, 2b, and 2c ? made of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride added (during production) with a plasticizing agent of vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent origin. Overall, the main layers 2a, 2b and 2c will have a weight per unit of surface between 200 g/m<2 > and 2000 g/m<2 >.

In this case, the imitation leather 1 cos? produced presenter? a total weight per unit? of surface between 600 g/ m<2 > and 3000 g/ m<2 > and a variable thickness between 2 mm and 9 mm.

This embodiment has a high resistance to wear, a reduced emission of odors and a consistency of the surface (to the touch) very similar to that of real leather: thanks to these characteristics it is particularly suitable for covering seats, inserts of panels of the doors and other internal parts of a motor vehicle or any vehicle in general.

With particular reference to the embodiment schematized in the attached figure 5, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention can comprise a support layer 3 made of recycled fabric (or non-woven fabric).

This support layer 3 has a weight per unit? of surface between 60 g/ m <2 > and 900 g/ m <2 > and sar? made of at least 65% recycled material.

This layer 3 is in turn arranged on a pair of additional layers 4, 5: in particular the layer 4 will be? consists of a foam (of which a small part will melt? for the promotion of adhesion to layer 3) which will confer? softness, this foam will be? constituted by polyurethane or polyester or polyether, and presenter? an overall thickness between 1 and 20 mm and a density? between 25 kg/m3 and 100 kg/m3.

The additional layer 5, juxtaposed to the surface of the layer 4 opposite to that coupled to the support layer 3, will be? made of fabric or non-woven polyester or polypropylene with weight per unit? of surface between 17 g/m<2 > and 100 g/m<2 >.

According to this embodiment ? present, juxtaposed on one face of the support layer 3, a compact or expanded main layer 2c made of polyvinyl chloride on which a further expanded main layer 2b will in turn be juxtaposed which in turn carries another compact main layer 2a superimposed , both made of polyvinyl chloride.

At least one of the main layers 2a, 2b, and 2c ? made of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride added (during production) with a plasticizing agent of vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent origin.

Overall, the main layers 2a, 2b and 2c will have a weight per unit of surface between 200 g/m<2 > and 2000 g/m<2 >.

In this case, the imitation leather 1 cos? produced presenter? a total weight per unit? of surface between 600 g/ m<2 > and 3000 g/ m<2 > and a variable thickness between 2 mm and 20 mm.

This embodiment has a high resistance to wear, a reduced emission of odors and a consistency of the surface (to the touch) very similar to that of real leather: thanks to these characteristics it is particularly suitable for covering seats, inserts of panels of the doors and other internal parts of a motor vehicle or any vehicle in general.

In general, the present invention also extends its protection to any coating for portions of motor vehicles, caravans, caravans, boats, motor vehicles and the like which comprises at least one laminar portion made with the previously described imitation leather 1 associated with a respective portion to be coat by means of a process chosen from gluing, welding, stitching and combinations of the same.

Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems set forth above, proposing an imitation leather 1 which has a low environmental impact, this? in virtue of the use of recycled material for the support layer 3, and of bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride added with plasticizing agents of origin selected from among vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent for at least one main layer 2a, 2b and 2c.

Conveniently, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention comprises raw materials obtained with low environmental impact processes.

Positively, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention comprises semi-finished products obtained with low environmental impact processes.

The imitation leather 1 according to the invention usefully comprises raw materials and semi-finished products deriving from the recycling of used materials.

Favorably, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention has properties mechanical and aesthetic aspect comparable, the cio? similar to those of natural leather.

Effectively, the imitation leather 1 according to the invention is relatively simple to make in practice and has low costs: these characteristics make the imitation leather 1 according to the invention an innovation that can be applied safely.

The found, what? conceived, ? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In the examples of embodiment illustrated, single characteristics, reported in relation to specific examples, could actually be? interchanged with other different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as? the dimensions may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims (10)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S 1. Artificial leather of the stratified type, characterized in that it comprises at least one main layer (2a, 2b, 2c) in polymeric material consisting at least partially of mixtures of polyvinyl chloride produced with material selected from recycled, from renewable sources and the like and with added with at least one plasticizing agent of origin selected from vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalent. 2. Artificial leather, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one support layer (3) made up of at least 50% at least partially recycled material, said support layer (3) being juxtaposed to a surface of said layer main (2c). 3. Artificial leather, according to claim 2, characterized in that said support layer (3) is of a type preferably selected from - a fabric made of at least partially recycled fibres, having a weight per unit? surface between 30 and 3000 g/m<2>; - a sheet constituted by the aggregation of at least partially recycled fragments, of the type of a non-woven fabric, having a weight per unit? of surface between 30 and 3000 g/m<2>. 4. Artificial leather, according to claim 1, characterized in that said polyvinyl chloride produced with material selected from recycled, renewable sources and the like? bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride, certified according to a certification standard chosen from that of International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISSC), that of The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and the like. 5. Artificial leather, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bio-attributed polyvinyl chloride ? of a type preferably selected from the substances known under the trade names Vynova "bio-attribuited PVC", Inovyn "bio-attribuited PVC", "Biovyn", "Biovyn PVC 267RC", "Biovyn PVC 373ND" and the like. 6. Artificial leather, according to claim 1, characterized in that said plasticizing agent of origin chosen from among vegetable, bioattributed and equivalent? preferably selected from agents comprising isosorbide, agents deriving from isosorbide, agents comprising natural oils, agents deriving from natural oils, agents comprising vegetable oils, agents deriving from vegetable oils, agents comprising polyol esters, agents deriving from polyol esters, agents comprising esters of epoxidized fatty acids, agents derived from epoxidized fatty acid esters and the like. 7. Artificial leather, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said plasticizing agent of origin chosen from among vegetable, bio-attributed and equivalents? preferably selected from the substances known under the trade names Polysorb ID37, Draphex Alpha, Ecolibrium, Grindsted SoftNSafe, Pevalen Pro and the like. 8. Faux leather, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional layer (4, 5) associated with the surface of said support layer (3) opposite to that coupled to said main layer (2c), said additional layer (4, 5) being consisting of a material of a type preferably selected from among a polymeric foam, a polyurethane foam, a non-woven fabric, a fabric, an elastomer and combinations thereof. 9. Faux leather, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one support layer (3) and said at least one additional layer (4, 5) are at least partially made with at least one material selected from polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, cotton, natural fibers , acrylic fibers, aramid fibers, cellulose fibers, cellulose acetates, polyamides, polyvinyl chloride and combinations thereof. 10. Upholstery for portions of motor vehicles, caravans, trailers, boats, motor vehicles and the like characterized in that it comprises at least one laminar piece of imitation leather (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, associated with a respective portion to be coated by means of a process selected from gluing, welding, sewing and combinations thereof.