WO2024241234A1

WO2024241234A1 - Covering material

Info

Publication number: WO2024241234A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/054973
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elisa LODDO; Filippo TAIANI
Original assignee: Alcantara SpA
Current assignee: Alcantara SpA
Priority date: 2023-05-23
Filing date: 2024-05-22
Publication date: 2024-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-23
Also published as: IT202300002172U1

Abstract

A covering material (100) comprising a nonwoven microfibre fabric (10) with a suede-like appearance defining a backing for the application of decorative elements (20). The covering material (100) further comprises a plurality of decorative elements (20), each made of wood and glued to the nonwoven microfibre fabric (10).

Description

“COVERING MATERIAL”

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DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a covering material that has wide use in applications as coverings for car, ship and aircraft interiors and coverings for furnishing elements.

At present, the use of nonwoven fabrics, in particular nonwoven microfibre fabrics, for example with a suede-like appearance, for the aforesaid types of covering is well known.

Embellishing nonwoven fabrics with decorative inserts that render the coverings made with such materials more pleasing to the eye is also known.

The inserts can for example be made of metal, wood, yarn, or plastic. As far as wood inserts are concerned, since the latter involve processing techniques particularly different from those for nonwoven fabric, once suitably processed they are coupled to the nonwoven fabric by means of a fastening of a mechanical type.

In other words, the wood inserts are processed, for example shaped and/or painted, and are subsequently applied to the nonwoven fabric by means of a mechanical fastening.

This fastening requires that, at the time when there is a need to apply a covering using nonwoven fabric with wood inserts, the nonwoven fabric has to be positioned first and only afterwards will it be possible to proceed to apply the wood inserts.

In such a situation, the application of the covering takes place in two steps, which entail an increase in the processing time and the costs associated therewith.

The technical task of the present invention is thus to provide a covering material that is capable of overcoming the drawbacks emerging from the prior art.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide a covering material whose production times and costs are reduced.

A further object of the present invention is thus to provide a covering material that is particularly pleasing from an aesthetic viewpoint.

The specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a covering material comprising the technical features disclosed in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of one embodiment of a covering material

The description will be set forth below with reference to the appended drawing, provided solely by way of illustration and thus not limitation, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top view of the covering material of the present invention.

With reference to the appended figure, 100 indicates a covering material that is usable, by way of non-limiting example, to cover car, ship and aircraft interiors and furnishing elements.

The covering material 100 comprises a nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 with a suede-like appearance defining a backing for the application of decorative elements 20.

In the description that follows, the “nonwoven microfibre fabric with a suede-like appearance” will be called “nonwoven microfibre fabric 10”.

The nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 is obtainable from so-called “islands-in- the-sea” fibres consisting of a component called "island" completely surrounded by another component called "sea" and easily removable with solvents. “Islands-in-the-sea” fibres are used to prepare a felt by needlepunching or a high-pressure water jet. The felt is subsequently subjected to a first impregnation with an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), followed by removal of the “sea” component by dissolution in a solvent. The intermediate microfibrous product thus obtained undergoes a second impregnation with a polyurethane (Pll) solution or dispersion in an organic or inorganic solvent. Finally, after one or more cleaning treatments, the PVA is removed and the resulting product undergoes a finishing process comprising a cutting step followed by polishing and dyeing (in order to obtain the desired colour).

The use of water in place of conventional organic solvents constitutes an advantage from a cost savings, worker health protection and environmental standpoint. Nonwoven microfibre fabrics obtained with solvent-free methods maintain the same characteristics in terms of consistency and resistance as those obtained with organic solvent-based methods, besides having excellent resistance to yellowing, high durability, flexibility, elasticity, and good consistency.

The nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can be, for example, Alcantara®.

The nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have any cross-sectional shape.

In particular, the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have a cross-sectional shape depending on what it is intended to cover with the covering material 100.

Preferably, the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 is dyed.

The covering material 100 of the invention further comprises a plurality of decorative elements 20, each made of wood and glued to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10.

In other words, decorative elements 20 made of wood are applied on the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 by gluing.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the invention, the decorative elements 20 made of wood are applied to a flat, smooth surface of the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10.

In other words, the decorative elements 20 are glued to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 without any special cavities adapted to receive the decorative elements 20 themselves having been created.

Alternatively, the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 could comprise a plurality of seats, each configured to accommodate a respective decorative element 20 and shaped complementarily to the decorative element 20 itself.

By way of non-limiting example, the seats can be made by means of an electrowelding process carried out on the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10. Preferably, the seats have a depth that is less than a thickness of the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10.

In other words, the seats are not through seats. In such a situation, the seats made on the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 receive the decorative elements 20 in such a way that they are at least partly inserted therein.

As described above, each decorative element 20 is glued to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10.

Advantageously, unlike in the prior art, in which the decorative elements made of wood were applied by means of mechanical processes after the positioning of the nonwoven microfibre fabric on what it was intended to cover with the covering material, gluing allows the decorative elements 20 to be applied during the creation of the covering material 100. In such a situation, the times for applying the covering material 100 are shortened, since the covering material 100, at the time of application thereof on what it is intended to cover, is already endowed with the decorative elements 20.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the decorative elements 20 can be glued directly to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the decorative elements 20 can be glued to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 by interposition of a metal backing.

In such a situation, the covering material 100 comprises, for each decorative element 20, a metal backing coupled to the decorative element 20 itself.

By way of non-limiting example, the metal backing is made of aluminium. Alternatively, again by way of non-limiting example, the metal backing could be made of copper. Preferably, the metal backing is coupled to the decorative element 20 by means of a polyurethane-based adhesive substance.

In other words, the metal backing is coupled to a respective decorative element 20 by gluing.

For the purpose of applying each decorative element 20 to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10, the metal backing comprises an adhesive configured to glue the decorative element 20 to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 100.

In other words, the metal backing is coupled to the decorative element 20 in such a way that it is interposed between the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 and the decorative element 200 so as to allow the gluing of the decorative element 20 to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 by means of the adhesive.

The term “adhesive” can mean a substance (for example liquid or semiliquid) that enables adhesion between elements, an adhesive film/membrane, a patch or the like.

Preferably, the metal backing comprises a first coupling surface, by means of which the decorative element 20 is applied, and a second coupling surface, opposite the first coupling surface, by means of which the adhesive is applied. In such a situation, the metal backing is interposed between the decorative element 20 and the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 and is glued to both (respectively by means of the adhesive substance and the adhesive) so that the decorative element 20 is applied by gluing to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10.

Preferably, the adhesive is polyurethane based.

Preferably, the adhesive is produced in the form of a thermoadhesive film, i.e. a film that adheres to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 as a result of a heating action.

Even more preferably, the thermoadhesive film is thermoplastic, i.e. it can be melted and remodelled multiple times.

Preferably, the metal backing and the decorative element 20 applied to it have the same cross-sectional shape. Even more preferably, the metal backing and the decorative element 20 applied to it have not only the same cross-sectional shape, but also the same cross-sectional size. In such a situation, when the decorative element 20 is applied to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10, the metal backing remains hidden beneath the decorative element 20, making the appearance of the covering material 100 pleasing and harmonious.

As described above, the decorative elements 20 are made of wood, such as, for example, ebony, durmast, oak, and the like.

Preferably, the decorative elements 20 are made of veneered wood.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the decorative elements 20 can be coloured.

In one embodiment, the decorative elements 20 applied to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 all have the same colour.

In such a situation, the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have the same colour as the decorative elements 20 so as to obtain a decoration with a “ton sur ton” effect. Alternatively, in such a situation, the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have a different colour from the one of the decorative elements 20 so as to obtain a contrast decoration.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the decorative elements 20 applied to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 have different colours from one another.

In such a situation, the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have the same colour as one or more of the decorative elements 20. Alternatively, in such a situation, the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have a colour differing from any other colour present in the applied decorative elements 20.

As shown in the appended figure, all the decorative elements 20 applied to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have the same cross-sectional shape.

Alternatively, the decorative elements 20 applied to the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 can have different cross-sectional shapes.

The decorative elements 20 can be substantially two-dimensional, i.e. they have a value of thickness that is negligible compared to a value of width and length.

Alternatively, the decorative elements 20 can be three-dimensional.

Preferably, as shown in the appended figure, the decorative elements 20 have a cross section with at least one curved portion and/or at least one straight portion.

With reference to the appended figure, by way of non-limiting example, each decorative element 20 comprises two opposite straight portions 20a and two opposite curved portions 20b joining the straight portions 20a.

Alternatively, the cross section of the decorative elements 20 could comprise only curved portions; for example, the decorative elements 20 could have the shape of a circle.

Alternatively, the cross section of the decorative elements 20 could comprise only straight portions; for example, the decorative elements 20 could have the shape of a rectangle.

The subject matter of the present invention also relates to a furnishing element comprising a covering produced with a covering material 100 in accordance with what was described above.

The furnishing element can be selected, by way of non-limiting example, from sofas, armchairs, benches, seats, chairs and more generically all elements that can be covered.

The subject matter of the present invention also relates to car and/or ship interior comprising a covering produced with a covering material 100 in accordance with what was described above.

The term “interior” may, by way of non-limiting example, refer to a dashboard, a steering wheel, a boot and the like.

The present invention achieves the intended objectives, eliminating the drawbacks that have emerged from the prior art.

In particular, the covering material 100 allows a covering to be applied without there being any need to apply the nonwoven microfibre fabric 10 first and only afterwards the decorative elements 20 made of wood. In other words, the covering material 100 of the invention makes it possible to provide the nonwoven microfibre fabric with the decorative elements made of wood already applied.

In such a situation, the costs and times for producing the covering material 100 and the covering itself are particularly reduced.

Claims

1. A covering material (100) comprising:

- a nonwoven microfibre fabric (10) with a suede-like appearance defining a backing for the application of decorative elements (20);

- a plurality of decorative elements (20), each made of wood and glued to said nonwoven microfibre fabric (10).

2. The covering material (100) according to claim 1 , comprising, for each decorative element (20), a metal backing coupled to said decorative element (20) and comprising an adhesive configured to glue said decorative element (20) to the nonwoven microfibre fabric (10).

3. The covering material (100) according to claim 2, wherein said metal backing is made of aluminium.

4. The covering material (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said adhesive is polyurethane based.

5. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, wherein said adhesive is produced in the form of a thermoadhesive film.

6. The covering material (100) according to claim 5, wherein said thermoadhesive film is thermoplastic.

7. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, wherein said metal backing is coupled to said decorative element (20) by means of a polyurethane-based adhesive substance.

8. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 7, wherein said metal backing comprises a first coupling surface by means of which it is applied to said decorative element (20) and a second coupling surface, opposite the first coupling surface, by means of which it is applied to said adhesive.

9. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, wherein said metal backing and said decorative element (20) have the same cross-sectional shape.

10. The covering material (100) according to claim 9, wherein said metal backing and said decorative element (20) have the same cross-sectional size.

11. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each decorative element (20) is made of veneered wood.

12. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each decorative element is coloured.

13. The covering material (100) according to claim 12, wherein the decorative elements (20) of said plurality all have the same colour.

14. The covering material (100) according to claim 12, wherein the decorative elements (20) of said plurality have different colours.

15. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all the decorative elements (20) have the same cross- sectional shape.

16. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, wherein the decorative elements (20) have different cross- sectional shapes.

17. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative elements (20) have a cross section with at least one straight portion (20a) and/or at least one curved portion (20b).

18. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said nonwoven microfibre fabric (10) comprises a plurality of seats, each configured to accommodate a respective decorative element (20), each seat being shaped complementarily to a respective decorative element (20).

19. The covering material (100) according to claim 18, wherein said seats have a depth that is less than a thickness of said nonwoven microfibre fabric (10).

20. The covering material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said nonwoven microfibre fabric (10) is dyed.

21. A furnishing element comprising a covering made with a covering material (100) in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims.

22. A car and/or ship interior comprising a covering made with a covering material (100) in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims 1 to