WO1997029677A2 - Floor-covering material of non-woven fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a floor-covering material of non-woven fabric which is used in particular to produce insert strips (16) to be secured in or on profiled strips (21) of grates used to form runners and/or door-mats. In order to improve the removal of moisture and humidity, this floor-covering material is characterized by a multilayered structure comprising non-woven fabric layers (11, 12, 13) of varying thickness (19, 18), a thinner (18) lower layer (13) comprising a polyamide (PA) non-woven fabric layer and at least one thicker (19) upper layer (11, 12) of a polypropylene (PP) non-woven fibre layer (11, 12) being sewn together mechanically. In addition, in the transverse direction, polyamide (PA) yarns (14) are threaded through the polyamide (PA) non-woven fabric layer (13) and the polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabric layers (12 and 11). The polyamide (PA) yarns (14) are applied in the form of loops (15) at least to the upper side of the polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabric layer (11).

Description

Nonwoven flooring material

The invention relates to a floor covering material made of nonwoven fabric, which can be used in particular for the production of insert strips for fixing in or on profile bars of grids to form running mats or floor wipers.

Such grids for forming running mats or floor wipers are known, for example, from EP 0 059 886 B1, EP-0 289 880 B1 and also DE 90 03 103 Ul.

In all of these grates, the walkable tread of the running mats and / or foot wipers is advantageously formed from the floor covering material insert strips made of nonwoven fabric fixed in or on the profile bars. The insert strips have a favorable cleaning effect on the soles of footwear, that is, they strip off adhering moisture and dirt.

The flooring material made of polyamide or the like which is used to form insert strips is not only relatively wear-resistant or hard-wearing, but it also stores the moisture and moisture it absorbs for a relatively long time. With increasing degree of saturation due to moisture and moisture, however, the polyamide fiber material shows the disadvantage of the drying time being too long.

On the other hand, insert strips for wiping off dirt, moisture and moisture from a floor covering material are also known, the polypropylene yarns of which absorb and store practically no moisture and moisture with relatively good wear resistance. The moisture is removed from the soles of the shoes according to the "wiper principle" scrapes and then removed into the porous fiber structure of the cleaning strips and immediately released there again in the laying area of the running mats or wipers.

The invention aims to provide a floor covering material made of non-woven fabric or the like, which can be used in particular for insert strips for fixing in or on profiled bars of grids to form running mats or floor wipers and not only offers the possibility of dirt, moisture and moisture to be wiped off the footwear safely. Rather, the floor covering material should lead the moisture and wetness away from the covering or inspection surface, but then store it in such a way that the formation of undesired pools of liquid is counteracted.

A floor covering material made of nonwoven fabric is therefore characterized by a multi-layer structure made of nonwoven fabric laminates of different thicknesses, - whereby a thinner underlayer made of a polyamide (PA) - nonwoven fabric and at least one thicker top layer made of a polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric are needled together, where appropriate in addition, in the transverse direction through the polyamide ( ^PA ) ^and the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven laminate, that is to say transversely to the layer plane, polyamide (PA) yarn threads are needled, and the polyamide (PA) yarn threads are at least on the top of the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven top layer are designed as loops or loops.

The particular advantage of this floor covering material structure is that the top layer formed from the polypropylene (PP) fiber fleece can practically not store any moisture and moisture, but instead leads it away from the surface of the covering or walk-on surface immediately after stripping. It is therefore important that the crosswise through both Polyamide (PA) - as well as the polyamide (PA) yarn threads created by the polypropylene (PP) fiber fleece laminates are not only self-absorbent and therefore absorbent for moisture, but also a kind of wicking in the direction of the equally absorbent polyamide (PA) - Unfold the nonwoven layer. This also results in a considerable degree of moisture storage capacity, but at a point away from the surface of the covering or the inspection area. The polyamide (PA) yarn threads created in so-called loops or loops are provided in such a way that even about 10 to 15% of their volume is drawn up into the polypropylene (PP) top layer, where they dry off due to their relatively loose structure Accelerate absorbed moisture. However, it is also advantageous that the polyamide fibers of the lower nonwoven layer are stabilized with the polypropylene top layer and, moreover, the polyamide nonwoven layer is not perceptible because it is covered by the polypropylene layer.

According to the invention, it has proven particularly useful if at least two polypropylene (PP) nonwoven layers are needled together as the upper layer and the polyamide (PA) nonwoven layer as the lower layer is also needled with them. The volume of the entire polypropylene (PP) nonwoven layers should correspond to approximately twice the volume of the polyamide (PA) nonwoven layers. That is, about a third of the total thickness of the flooring material is formed by a polyamide (PA) nonwoven layer, while two thirds of the same consist of a polypropylene (PP) nonwoven layer.

A particularly important design feature for the floor covering material according to the invention is also seen in the fact that the loops or loops formed by the polyamide (PA) yarn threads are mainly applied in the form of high loops, at least on the upper side of the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven top layer. At the bottom of the flooring material, So in the area of the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer, however, these loops or loops can be designed as so-called deep loops.

According to the invention, a grate for the formation of running mats and / or floor wipers with profiled bars arranged for receiving and / or holding insert strips from this floor covering material is essentially characterized in that the profiled bars have openings in their walls, in particular uniformly over their length distributed holes or longitudinal slots are provided, which should be in the walls of the profile bars at least adjacent to the polyamide (PA) nonwoven layer of the insert strips.

These measures advantageously promote air circulation through the profile bars and thus also through the polyamide (PA) nonwoven layer of the insert strips contained therein, which is conducive to accelerated drying out of the moisture and moisture.

It proves to be particularly expedient if the openings open into a profile channel of the profile rods which is located below and which e.g. Holding engagements for profile cams of cross members forms which connect a plurality of spaced-apart profile bars to one another to form the grate. The profile channel in the area between adjacent cross members can optionally be closed on the underside to form a tubular channel by means of latchable additional profiles.

Finally, however, it is also possible to form a profile channel, which is provided on the bottom of the profile bars, and is closed in one piece and in a tubular manner. If, in this case, the profile bars and the cross members connecting them to one another are independent components, and the cross members are equipped with undercut shaped, high-projecting head parts, then the latter can are each indented into an undercut groove on the underside of the profiled bars, which is arranged on the edge of the profiled bars and has an elevated position relative to the central base part containing the tubular, closed profile channel.

However, a plurality of profile bars and cross members can also be formed from a one-piece molded part, on which one longitudinal edge is delimited by a profile bar and the other longitudinal edge is delimited by a cross member, the cross member carrying a protruding, undercut shaped head part, while the profile bar has an undercut groove on the underside, and mutually adjacent molded parts can be mutually coupled via the head part of the cross member and the groove in the profile bar.

The subject matter of the invention is subsequently explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The show

FIGS. 1 to 4 show four successive procedural steps for creating floor covering material made of non-woven fabric, which can be used in a particularly advantageous manner for separating insert strips which are suitable for fixing in or on profile bars of grids to form running mats and / or floor scraps ¬ nen,

FIG. 5 shows a section along the line V-V through the floor covering material according to FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 shows a spatial view of one of the floor covering material according to FIG. 4 and 5 separated insert strips, which are suitable for fixing in or on profile bars of grids to form running mats or doormats,

FIG. 7 shows a spatial representation of a partial section of a first embodiment of a grate for forming running mats and / or floor wipers, which can be equipped with insert strips according to FIG. 6,

Figure 8 shows a cross section through an individual

Profile bar of the grate according to Fig. 7 and by a lockable on the underside

Additional profile,

Figure 9 in a partial spatial view opposite

Fig. 8 modified embodiment of a single profile bar for a grate

Formation of running mats and / or floor scraps,

10 shows in cross section a section of a grate assembled using profile bars according to FIG. 9 to form a running mat and / or a foot scraper, and

FIG. 11 likewise shows in cross section a section of an embodiment of a grate that is modified compared to FIG. 10 to form a running mat and / or a foot scraper.

4 and 5 show a section or a section of a floor covering material made of nonwoven fabric, which a multi has layer structure. This can be formed from different, for example three, nonwoven layers 11, 12 and 13, each consisting of a more or less different basic fiber material.

The nonwoven layers 11, 12, 13 are each sheet-like textile structures, the cohesion of which is brought about by the fibers' own adhesion or by the adhesion obtained, that is, it is not achieved by interweaving warp and weft. Such nonwoven layers or nonwovens 11, 12, 13 can be produced in different ways, for example by the dry process, the spunbond process and also by the wet process. Depending on these different manufacturing processes, the nonwoven layers 11, 12, 13 used to create the floor covering material 10 can have different structures and properties.

In the present case, it is a matter of a multilayer structure made of nonwoven laminate bodies 11, 12, 13 of different thicknesses, a thinner underlayer 13 made of a polyamide (PA) nonwoven fabric and at least one thicker top layer 12, 11 made of a polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric are needled mechanically with one another. For this, e.g. Needle machines are used which carry triangular needles with barbs on so-called needle bars. When the fiber fleece is pierced, they pull fibers through vertically, these intertwined fibers increasing the strength of the fiber fleece.

According to FIG. 1 of the drawing, three prefabricated nonwoven layers 11, 12, 13 are used to form the floor covering material shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The nonwoven layers 11 and 12 each contain a polypropylene (PP) base material, while the nonwoven layer 13 consists of a polyamide (PA) base material.

First of all, according to FIG. 2 of the drawing the two nonwoven layers 11 and 12 are firmly connected to one another by mechanical needling. Then, according to FIG. 3 of the drawing, mechanical needling of the nonwoven layer 13 with the two already connected nonwoven layers 12 and 11 is also brought about. The last needling process takes place in such a way that the fibers of the lower nonwoven layer 13, which are caught by the barbs of the triangular needles when piercing, are drawn as far as possible into the upper nonwoven layer 11.

Following the needling according to FIG. 3 of the drawing, the lower polyamide (PA) nonwoven layer 13 with the two polypropylene (PP) nonwoven layers 12 and 11 are also transversely through all three nonwoven layers 13, 12, 11th still needled polyamide (PA) yarn threads, for example in the same sense as the usual final overstitching or overstitching takes place in the production of nonwovens using the dry process. When needling the polyamide (PA) yarn threads, however, instead of quilting and sewing machines, needle machines with triangular needles sitting on needle bars are used because these needles and needles of the polyamide (PA) yarn threads are distributed evenly and evenly over the entire surface through the multilayer structure 11 , 12, 13 of the floor covering material. In any case, it is important that the polyamide (PA) yarn threads are applied as loops or loops 15 at least on the upper side of the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven top layer 11.

The loops or loops 15 formed from the polyamide (PA) yarn threads 14 should be placed at least on the top of the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven top layer 11 mainly in the form of these so-called high loops, which are particularly evident in FIG 5 and 6 of the drawing can be seen. On the underside of the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer 13, however, the loops or Loops of the polyamide (PA) yarn threads 14 can easily be created as so-called deep loops, that is to say they lie within the nonwoven layer 13.

For the main intended use of the floor covering material, namely for the formation of insert strips 16 for fixing in or on profile bars of gratings, such as are used for the formation of running mats and / or floor wipers, a special structure has proven itself. The volume of the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven layers 11 and 12 should be dimensioned such that it corresponds to approximately twice the volume of the polyamide (PA) nonwoven layer 13. This is achieved in that the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer 13 is applied with a thickness 18 which corresponds to approximately one third of the total thickness 17 of the floor covering material or the insert strip 16, while the common thickness 19 of the two poly propylene (PP) -Fiber fleece layers 12 and 11 reach a common thickness 19 which corresponds to approximately two thirds of the total thickness 17.

The total thickness 17 of the floor covering material or the insert strip 16 is surmounted at the top by the loops or loops 15 which are designed as high loops.

In the overall structure or in the overall structure of the floor covering material and / or the insert strips 16, the polypropylene (PP) layers 11 and 12 have no water or moisture absorption. In contrast, the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer 13 and the polyamide (PA) yarn threads 14 have a relatively high absorbency because of their water or moisture absorption capacity. They therefore work with a wicking effect, so to speak. The moisture and moisture present on the top of the polypropylene (PP) fiber fleece layer 11 is therefore transferred through this layer 11 and also through the corresponding fiber fleece layer 12 into the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer 13 for temporary storage. The floor covering material according to FIGS. 4 and 5 or its optimum effect can develop the insert strips 16 produced therefrom according to FIG. 6 when used in conjunction with grates, such as are mainly used to form running mats and / or floor wipers .

A possible design for such a grate 20 can be seen in FIG. 7 of the drawing. Another possible design for such a grate 40 is shown in FIG. 10, and a construction of a grate 60 which is modified in comparison to this is finally shown in FIG. 11 of the drawing.

The grate 20 shown in FIG. 7 of the drawing for the formation of running mats and / or foot wipers is composed of a multiplicity of profiled bars 21 aligned parallel to one another and cross members 22 connecting them to one another. Each profile bar 21 has the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 8 with an upwardly open profile channel 23 and a downwardly open profile channel 24, which are separated from one another by a profile web 25. While the profile channel 23, which is open at the top, serves to receive the insert strip 16 according to FIG. 6, the profile channel 24, which is open at the bottom, is used for the form-fitting coupling with head parts 26, which project in one piece from a carrier web 27 of the cross members 22.

If the insert strips 16 according to FIG. 6 received in the upwardly open profile channel 23 of the profile rods 21 of the grate 20 consist of the floor covering material explained above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, it is essential that the profile rods 21 contain openings, for example holes or longitudinal slots 28, in their walls, specifically preferably in their profile web 25 separating the profile channels 23 and 24 from one another in the longitudinal direction. These holes or longitudinal slots 28 are intended to directly adjoin those areas of the profile channel 23. limit from which the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer 13 of the insert strip 16 is received. A drainage effect is thereby achieved for the moisture or wetness absorbed and stored in this nonwoven layer 13. In the area between the cross members 22 connecting the cross bars 21, the downwardly open profile channels 24 of the cross bars 21 advantageously promote air circulation and thus contribute to the accelerated drying of the moisture or moisture exiting through the holes or longitudinal slots 28 at.

In some cases, it may also be expedient to close the profile channel 24, which is open at the bottom, in the length ranges between two successive cross members 22 by clipping in an additional profile 29 on its underside. Thereafter, it obtains the shape and effect of a tube that can absorb moisture or wetness that passes down through the holes or longitudinal slots 28. Air circulation in the tubular channel also promotes drying of the trapped moisture and wetness.

FIG. 9 of the drawing shows a design of profile bars 21 for receiving insert strips 16 according to FIG. 6, which advantageously differs from that according to FIG. 8. The profile rod 21 according to FIG. 9 has a lower tubular profile channel 30 which is integrally formed with it and into which the holes or longitudinal slots 28 open through the profile web 25. The additional profile 29 used in connection with the profile bar 21 according to FIG. 8 is therefore not required here.

Deviating from FIG. 8, the possibility of connecting the profile bar 21 according to FIG. 9 to the cross members 22 is also carried out, by means of which several parallel profile bars 21 can be connected to one another to form a grate 40, as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawing see is. In the case of the grate 40 according to FIG. 10, grate bars 41 corresponding to the grate bars 21 according to FIG. 9 are used, each of which can accommodate an insert strip 16 according to FIG. 6 in their upwardly open profile channel 23. On both sides of the tubular channel 30, undercut grooves 42 are formed on the underside of the profile bars 41 and have a slightly higher position than the central part containing the profile channel 30. In each case two grate bars 41 running parallel to one another at a distance from one another are connected to one another by cross members 44, each of which has an upstanding edge web 45 at their ends facing away from one another, which in turn is provided at its upper end with an undercut shaped head part 46. The cross members 44 can be locked in the undercut grooves 42 of the profiled bars 41 via the edge webs 45 and the head parts 46, so that the structure for a grate 40 shown in FIG. 10 results. An insert strip 16 according to FIG. 6 can be anchored in the upwardly open profile channel 23 of each profile rod 41, which has the structural structure already explained further above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

A grate 60 in the construction shown in FIG. 11 is also suitable for accommodating insert strips 16 in the upwardly open profile channel 23 of its grate bars 61, as shown in FIG. 6 and which consist of floor covering material which can be seen in FIGS 5 has already been explained above.

In the exemplary embodiment of a grate 60 according to FIG. 11, a plurality of profile bars 61 and a plurality of cross members 62 determining their spacing from one another are each produced as a one-piece molded part made of plastic. One longitudinal edge of this molded part 63 is formed by a profile rod 61, which contains an undercut groove 64 on the underside along its boundary edge. The other longitudinal edge of the molded part 63, however, is delimited by a cross member 62, which carries an undercut head part 66 on a protruding edge web 65. Adjacent molded parts 63 are each coupled to one another in that the head part 66 on the edge web 65 of the cross member 62 engages in the undercut longitudinal groove 64 on the underside of the other molded part 63.

Like the profiled bars 41 of the grate 40 according to FIG. 10, the profiled bars 61 of the grate 60 according to FIG. 11 also have the tubular closed profile channel 30. The holes or longitudinal slots 28, which pass through the profile web 25, open into the profile channel 23, which is open at the top and serves to receive the insert strip 16. The insert strips 16 according to FIG. 6 made of the floor covering material according to FIGS. 1 to 5 are equally well suited for use with gratings 20 according to FIG. 7, for gratings 40 according to FIG. 10 and for gratings 60 according to FIG. 11.

Claims

claims 1. Floor covering material made of non-woven fabric, in particular for insert strips (16) for fixing in or on profiled bars (21, 41, 61) of grids (20, 40, 60) to form running mats and / or floor wipers, characterized by a multilayer structure made of non-woven fabric -Layered bodies (11, 12, 13) of different thickness (19, 18), with a thinner (18) lower layer (13) made of a polyamide (PA) fiber fleece and at least one thicker (19) upper layer (11, 12) a polypropylene (PP) - Nonwoven fabrics are mechanically needled with each other. in addition, in the transverse direction through the polyamide (PA) nonwoven layer (13) and the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven layers (11, 12), polyamide (PA) yarn threads (14) are needled, and the polyamide (PA) yarn threads (14) at least on the top of the polypropylene (PP) fiber fleece layer (11) as loops or loops (15). 2. Floor covering material according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two polypropylene (PP) fiber fleece layers (11 and 12) are needled together as an upper layer and the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer (13) in turn as a lower layer ¬ is needled. 3. Floor covering material according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the volume of the polypropylene (PP) fiber fleece layers (11 and 12) corresponds approximately to twice the volume of the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer (13). 4. Floor covering material according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the loops or loops (15) formed by the polyamide (PA) yarn threads (14) mainly at least on the top of the polypropylene (PP) nonwoven top layer (11) ¬ Lich in the form of these towering high loops. 5. Grate for the formation of running mats and / or floor wipers with for receiving and / or holding insert strips (16) made of floor covering material according to one of claims 1 to 4 arranged profile bars (21, 41, 61), characterized in that the profile bars (21, 41, 61) in their walls (25) with openings (28), in particular holes or Longitudinal slots are provided. 6. Grate according to claim 5, so that the openings (28) in the walls of the profile bars (21, 41, 61) are located at least adjacent to the polyamide (PA) fiber fleece layer (13) of the insert strips (16). 7. Grate according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the openings (28) open into an underlying profile channel (24, 30) of the profile bars (21), which holding engagements for profile cams (26) of cross members ( 22), which connect a plurality of spaced-apart profile bars (21) to one another. 8. Grate according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the lower profile channel (24) in the area between adjacent cross members (22) on the underside by latchable additional profiles (29) can be closed to form a tubular channel. 9. Grate according to one of claims 5 and 6, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that the profile channel (30) lying at the bottom on the profile bars (41, 61) is formed with these in one piece and in a tubular form (FIGS. 9 to 11).