CA2214771A1 - Use of a composite material to produce sports balls or as shoe upper material - Google Patents
Use of a composite material to produce sports balls or as shoe upper material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2214771A1 CA2214771A1 CA002214771A CA2214771A CA2214771A1 CA 2214771 A1 CA2214771 A1 CA 2214771A1 CA 002214771 A CA002214771 A CA 002214771A CA 2214771 A CA2214771 A CA 2214771A CA 2214771 A1 CA2214771 A1 CA 2214771A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- composite material
- fact
- nonwoven
- materials
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 115
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000004078 waterproofing Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000004816 latex Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoromethane Chemical compound FC NBVXSUQYWXRMNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 235000014113 dietary fatty acids Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 229930195729 fatty acid Natural products 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000194 fatty acid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000297 Rayon Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000004665 fatty acids Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010985 leather Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004831 Hot glue Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001410 Microfiber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- AZDRQVAHHNSJOQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N alumane Chemical class [AlH3] AZDRQVAHHNSJOQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003658 microfiber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000058 polyacrylate Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920006149 polyester-amide block copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005061 synthetic rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007767 bonding agent Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011185 multilayer composite material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004073 vulcanization Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 150000003754 zirconium Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 22
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000003995 emulsifying agent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005470 impregnation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005923 long-lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acrylate Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)C=C NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isoprene Chemical class CC(=C)C=C RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- WNLRTRBMVRJNCN-UHFFFAOYSA-L adipate(2-) Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)CCCCC([O-])=O WNLRTRBMVRJNCN-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015271 coagulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005345 coagulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 description 1
- XNGIFLGASWRNHJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L phthalate(2-) Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C([O-])=O XNGIFLGASWRNHJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000006223 plastic coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003009 polyurethane dispersion Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008092 positive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000011514 reflex Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003746 surface roughness Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/12—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B25/00—Layered products comprising a layer of natural or synthetic rubber
- B32B25/10—Layered products comprising a layer of natural or synthetic rubber next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0205—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the material
- A43B23/0235—Different layers of different material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B41/00—Hollow inflatable balls
- A63B41/08—Ball covers; Closures therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B25/00—Layered products comprising a layer of natural or synthetic rubber
- B32B25/20—Layered products comprising a layer of natural or synthetic rubber comprising silicone rubber
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
- B32B27/304—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
- B32B27/308—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising acrylic (co)polymers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/34—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyamides
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
- B32B27/36—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyesters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
- B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/26—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
- B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
- B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06N—WALL, FLOOR, OR LIKE COVERING MATERIALS, e.g. LINOLEUM, OILCLOTH, ARTIFICIAL LEATHER, ROOFING FELT, CONSISTING OF A FIBROUS WEB COATED WITH A LAYER OF MACROMOLECULAR MATERIAL; FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06N3/00—Artificial leather, oilcloth or other material obtained by covering fibrous webs with macromolecular material, e.g. resins, rubber or derivatives thereof
- D06N3/0002—Artificial leather, oilcloth or other material obtained by covering fibrous webs with macromolecular material, e.g. resins, rubber or derivatives thereof characterised by the substrate
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2243/00—Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
- A63B2243/0025—Football
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
- B32B2262/02—Synthetic macromolecular fibres
- B32B2262/0261—Polyamide fibres
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2262/00—Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
- B32B2262/02—Synthetic macromolecular fibres
- B32B2262/0276—Polyester fibres
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/50—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
- B32B2307/582—Tearability
- B32B2307/5825—Tear resistant
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
- B32B2307/50—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
- B32B2307/584—Scratch resistance
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2323/00—Polyalkenes
- B32B2323/04—Polyethylene
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2323/00—Polyalkenes
- B32B2323/10—Polypropylene
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B2333/00—Polymers of unsaturated acids or derivatives thereof
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
- Synthetic Leather, Interior Materials Or Flexible Sheet Materials (AREA)
- Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
- Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)
- Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention concerns a composite for producing sports balls and shoe upper material from a multilayer composite, the outermost layer being an abrasionproof plastics layer which is connected to a second layer of a spun fibre non-woven fabric which has uniform expansion and resistance to tearing in all directions and is optionally connected to an innermost layer of a staple fibre non-woven material.
Description
~ CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Ftl~E, F~a ~3 Tl~l~; A~Y~
T~T I~IA~SL~TION
Use of a Composite Material to Produce Sports Balls or as Shoe Upper Material The invention relates to the use of a composite material to produce sports balls or shoe upper material. The composite material comprises multiple layers, whereby an abrasion-resistant plastic layer is provided as the outermost layer and a layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material is provided as an inner layer.
The use of composite materials to produce sports balls is known, whereby an abrasion-resistant plastic coating is provided as the outermost layer and a layer of resilient plastic, woven fabric, felt or nonwoven material is provided as the interior layer; as applicable, several such layers can be provided (c~ DE 27 23 625-C2, DE-U-18 72 725, DE 24 56 071-Al, DE-U-75 02 670, EP-03 05 595-Al, DE-U-82 07 404.6, DE-29 50 620-Al). The essential problem in using materials of this type for sports balls is that shape stability cannot be attained in the cover because of strong internal pressure from an interior rubber bladder inflated with pressurized air. Without special l~min ~tion on the innermost layer, balls of this type fail to attain perfect roundness, while precision-made balls become unstable and lose their roundness over time.
This is due to the inadequate tensile stability of the inner layer or layers, particularly when nonwoven materials or felts are used and/or when woven fabric backings are used and there is directionally-dependent stretching.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Until now, it has therefore been necessary, when such covers are used, to provide multiple intermediate layers of cotton, viscose, polyamide or polyester, with the individual fabrics being expensively laid at a 45~ angle to each other to attain multi-directional stability or special sateen binding being provided to strengthen the fabric itself.
It is not possible, however, to attain ideal isotropic stretching of the supporting and strengthening layers in this manner.
The object of the invention is to propose a composite material with which the type of sports balls that are composed of several pieces sewn or bonded together and enclose an interior rubber bladder attain exact ball-shaped roundness at the prescribed internal pressure of the rubber bladder, and do not become unstable under heavy stress, and have long-lasting soft elastic resilience.
According to the invention, this object is ~tt~ine~l by means of the features of the main claim and furthered by the features of the subclaims.
rrhe outer layer is made of an abrasion-resistant plastic, such as polyurethane, silicone rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyacrylate, or of rubber latex. Because the outermost plastic layer, which determines appearance, strength and resilience, is joined to a second layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material that has uniform stretching and tearing strength in all directions, regularity is achieved in the composite.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Because of the uniformly low stretching and high tearing strength in all directions of the spun-fiber nonwoven material of the second layer, the elastic material of the outer layer is able to expand in a controlled and absolutely uniform fashion due to the internal pressure from the inflated ball. Because of this corset, the roundness and precision of the balls are m~int~ined in an absolutely shape-stable manner, and the material of the outer layer cannot warp or expand irregularly. A further advantage of using such materials is ease of processing, because the materials can be cut and sewed with clean edges.
Spun-fiber nonwoven materials have been known for a long time and are used in vehicle construction, carpet manufacture, building and civil engineering, overhead trains, filter technology, the electronics industry, rug manufacture, garden construction and agriculture.
Their high tearing strength, shock resistance, dimensional stability, temperature stability, permeability, consistency and thermal deformability make them suitable for all of these uses.
To produce such nonwoven materials, such fiber-forming plastics as polyamide, polyester, polyolefines, PVC and poly~ylelle are spun and the thin threads are deposited endlessly in random orientation and then bonded into layers; bonding is done either by bonding the crossing points of the threads with pressure and heat or by spraying a binding agent onto the threads to cement them (cf~ DE 13 03 891-Bl).
Preferably, an inner or third layer of a suitable staple-fiber nonwoven material is provided, which establishes a pressure equilibrium between the rubber bladder filled with pressurized air and the outer cover and CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
also damps the resilience to a certain extent, so that the cover behaves like a leather cover.
The invention provides the substantial advantage that sports balls manufactured with such material attain optimal roundness under the heaviest stress. Stability is increased by the direct application of the outer coating in plastic form to the second layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material, so that an intimate connection can be achieved between the two layers. In addition, sports balls with this structure can be inflated at higher pressure without losing their shape and precision. Given a sufficiently strong nonwoven maf~erial, the seams of the balls last longer than average and do not rip. Balls produced with this structure maintain their shape stability even over long-term use because, thanks to the completely isotropic stretching of the nonwoven material, they cannot warp or become unround.
When the aforementioned composite materials are used for sports balls, vulr~ni7~fion is especially effective in optimi7.ing the bouncing behavior of the balls and is therefore especially preferred. This realization is based on the fact that such composite materials become sluggish and stiff when bonded in a self-linking manner or with latex, for example. It has thus been found that self-linking nonwoven materials are not suitable for use as high-quality ball material, because sports balls produced from such fabrics have no liveliness and display poor bouncing behavior, which in practice is unacceptable in sports. The reason for this negative bouncing effect is that CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
in self-linking systems, the fibers of the nonwoven material are cemented stiffly and inelastically with resins.
In contrast, vulc~ni7~tion even makes it possible, depending on needs and requirements, to systematically attain different elasticity values and degrees of hardness in the nonwoven substrate. Vulc~ni7~tion creates a soft rubber that is highly resistant to heat and cold. The latex is vulcanized with the nonwoven material at 140~ -- in contrast to coagulation, which is based on a temperature between 37~ and 65~.
The temperature of 140~ should not be exceeded during vul~ni7~tion, because the quality of the vulcanized substrate would be lost and the nonwoven material would become hard and brittle.
In an especially preferred variant, the nonwoven material is vulcanized in light colors or white.
In contrast to coagulated products, a vulcanized nonwoven substrate remains open-pored, because the open spaces in the nonwoven material do not become filled and clogged in a jelly-like fashion.
Another advantage is that a vulcanized nonwoven substrate can be better filled with latex than, for example, a self-linking nonwoven material. The latex is more strongly joined to the fibers and fiber crossing points during vulc~ni7~tion, but the substrate nonetheless remains outstandingly open-pored and has strong breathing activity.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
In this preferred vul~ni7~tion, the chain-type molecules made up of isoprenes are connected to each other by sulphur bridges. Such vulcanized material has special elasticity and viscosity and displays first-class reflexes, as clearly reflected by the perfect, first-class bouncing behavior of sports balls. The particular benefit here is that players can maintain optimal soft contact with the ball, without the ball bouncing away uncontrollably. The ball has first-class ball guidance and, as needed, extremely fast acceleration.
Other important advantages are that a ball of vulcanized material maintains its original resilience at various high and low temperatures, and that it does so even over years of storage, without hardening of the synthetic upper material.
Another great advantage of a vulcanized nonwoven substrate is that the emulsifiers found in every latex, which serve to keep the latex liquid during transport, are incorporated into the nonwoven material during the vul~ni7~tion process. As a result, the ~mlllcifi~rs can no longer become free during stretching and contraction of the nonwoven substrate, and thus cannot cause moisture to build up in the open pores of the nonwoven material. Such emulsifiers act like a soap and result, e.g., in self-linking nonwoven substrates, in insurmountable problems in waterproofing. The open-poredness of the substrate and the usual stretching and contraction of the upper material during use cause these emulsifiers, in conjunction with moisture, to exercise a continuous suctioning effect. Any waterproofing thereby loses its effectiveness.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
In testing, it was found that when two absolutely identical nonwoven substrates, one self-linking and the other vulcanized, were washed and waterproofed in the same manner, the self-linking material quickly became saturated with water. In contrast, the vulcanized substrate displayed no buildup of moisture.
Given the aforementioned positive properties of vulcanized material, such a material can also be used for shoe uppers, because long-lasting resistance to bending, tearing and contraction as well as excellent suppleness, elasticity and--due to the open-poredness of the substrate--breathing activity are ensured in this way.
The abrasion-resistant coating for a shoe upper material of this type can consist of either a closed film or a porous, permeable film, primarily based on PU.
Furthermore, a vulcanized nonwoven substrate of this type can be used, without being coated on the upper side, as a trimming material in shoes with a velour look, because such vulcanized substrates have very high abrasion resistance.
Another possible use for such a substrate (also with a velour look) is in the area of indoor gym balls with a damped bounce; as needed, the spun-fiber nonwoven material can be lined on the back.
Alternatively, it is also possible for the various suggested nonwoven materials to be coagulated with PU
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
or foamed or coated with foam, e.g., high-solit [sic] PU foam or PVC foam, to achieve perfect isotropic uniformity and elastic strength. It is also possible to coat a spun-fiber nonwoven material with foam and to use this combination as a substrate or to provide it, in addition, an .
abraslon-reslstant coatmg.
Another possibility is to use a nonwoven material that is formed with endless fibers, in the manner of a spun-fiber nonwoven material, and then needle-bonded in a higher grammage and, as needed, split. Furthermore, it is possible to use a spun-fiber nonwoven material that is combined with woven fabric or knits, etc., and then coagulated with PU or vulcanized with latex. Such a substrate can also be provided with an abrasion-resistant coating.
At the same time, the spun-fiber nonwoven material makes it possible to replace the reinforcement l~min ~tion needed on the inside of the sports ball, which usually consists of woven fabric, with spun-fiber nonwoven material, or to combine the spun-fiber nonwoven material with woven fabric or knits.
The high processing and vulc~ni7~tion temperature of 140~ used to bond the nonwoven material on the basis of latex results in first-class open-poredness in the nonwoven substrate.
At the same time, the working temperature of 140~ is most effective in combining sulphur and latex during the bonding of the nonwoven material, and thereby ensures optimal, uniform interconnection, resulting in first-class resilience and flexibility in the nonwoven substrate.
The latex simply covers and coats the fibers and fiber crossings in the nonwoven material, wlthout CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
filling in, sealing or clogging the substrate.
Another important advantage is that, thanks to the vul~ni7~tion, no negative after-hardening of the substrate is caused by the sulphur. This would normally happen during further processing steps such as condensation or heat coating between 140~ and 160~, for example.
Such a substrate would thereby after-harden and its properties would be negatively changed by embrittlement.
Vulc~ni7~tion of the nonwoven material in white and light colors is especially preferred, as is stabilization of the vulcanized spun-fiber nonwoven material with sulphur, and waterproofing with fluorocarbon.
The invention is described in greater detail in the following description in reference to the example shown in the drawing.
The drawing shows, in a partial cross-section, the structure of a composite material with three layers, following the contours of a sports ball. Starting from an outer layer 1 of a highly abrasion-resistant material, e.g., a material based on polyurethane, there is a second layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material 2, which has uniform stretching and tearing strength multi~im~n~ionally. This nonwoven material 2 absorbs the compressive stress produced by the internal pressure of the rubber bladder 4. As a result, the ball maintains shape stability.
These material properties are found in a wide variety of nonwoven materials, such as polyester, viscose polyester and polyamide, and in copolymers of other plastics, etc.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Orders of magnitude of from 10 to 1000 N/5 cm can be assumed for the tearing strength.
Especially preferred are spun-fiber nonwoven materials that are bonded by vul~ni7~tion with latex at high temperatures, as described above.
The spun-fiber nonwoven material is, as applicable, applied directly to an innermost layer 3, which consists of soft and instable, i.e., non-bonded, staple-fiber nonwoven materials. The object of layer 3 is to provide the desired bounce-damping and the necessary ball weight as well as the properties needed to ensure a good ball feel and good ball guidance during play.
This innermost layer 3 can consist of a wide variety of short-fiber nonwoven materials, such as microfiber nonwoven materials, coagulated nonwoven materials, poromeric nonwoven materials, polyester nonwoven materials, polyamide nonwoven materials, felts, leather fiber materials, glass fiber nonwoven materials, synthetic ceramic nonwoven material, and the like.
Thls )ommg of a stable spun-fiber nonwoven materlal that has umform stretchmg m multlple directions to a non-rigid nonwoven material of short staple fibers results in optimal behavior.
Layers 2 and 3 can be joined to each other, for example, with the help of a polyurethane adhesive or, if suitable materials are used, by bonding or a rubber adhesive and vul~ni7~tion.
It is especially preferable to bond the two materials by means of a hot-melt adhesive based on thermoplastics .
Furthermore, it is preferable for the spun-fiber nonwoven material of layer 2 to serve as the carrier on which the staple fibers, CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
from which the nonwoven material layer 3 is formed in the known manner, are deposited directly, to then be compressed into the nonwoven material.
To connect the spun-fiber nonwoven material and the short-fiber nonwoven material, it is preferable to use an emulsion of natural or synthetic rubber that contains a silicone or fluorocarbon waterproofing agent as well as, as applicable, urethane or acrylate as a binding agent. When dried and vulcanized (in a self-linking manner, as applicable), this adhesive creates a firm bond to the fiber contact points of the layers, but does not substantially reduce porosity or gas permeability. Thanks to the contained waterproofing material, which is bound into the rubber, the nonwoven material is provided in this same work step with protection against penetration by liquid water. Surprisingly, a material pretreated in this way can still adhere, despite the waterproofing, to the polyurethane layer 1 and, as applicable, to the reinforcing woven fabrics or weight-giving woven fabrics or films under the nonwoven material. The materials have good elasticity even in the cold.
In producing the composite material, it has proved advantageous to first connect the spun fiber nonwoven layer and the inner nonwoven layer to each other, and to then apply the outer plastic layer, either in the form of a hardenable dispersion of aqueous polyurethanes two-component polyurethanes polyurethane on high-solid [sic] basis or in the form of a thermoplastic powder or a prefabricated film, and then to CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
implement bonding, either in a melting furnace or by means of infrared radiation. In this way, the plastic partially penetrates the following layer, SQ that an especially secure connection is attained. Corresponding techniques are known for producing other composite materials.
Less preferred, but also possible, is joining via a binding agent, for example, a latex or silicone rubber adhesive.
It is especially preferable to equip the spun-fiber nonwoven material on its upper side with a thin layer (0.2 - 1 mm) and on its bottom side with a thicker layer (1 - 5 mm) of staple fibers, which are preferably joined to each other by needle-bonding, and then to impregnate this composite layer with the aforementioned rubber waterproofing emulsion (20 - 40%), vulcanize the composite in the furnace, abrade away its surface roughnesses and, only then, connect the composite to the layer 1. The thin, largely re-abraded cover layer thus provides an especially smooth backing for the plastic, but is still sufficiently honeycombed to permit adhesion of the spun-fiber nonwoven layer.
The outer layer preferably has a leather-like grain on its surface, which is created during production as usual with a suitably patterned stamping roller or applied via a release paper coatlng.
Water can enter the interior through the seams of products made with the composite material according to the invention and also, in part, through pores in the cover layer; the water then is distributed in the nonwoven layers in capillary fashion. It has therefore proved advantageous CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
to prevent water penetration by waterproofing these materials. As a result, the material becomes 100% watertight and does not gain weight even when wet.
Solutions or emulsions of known product groups, such as aluminum salts and ~irconium salts, higher fatty acids, and fatty-acid modified m~l~mines, are suitable as waterproofing agents, as are, preferably, solutions or emulsions of silicones, fluorosilicones and fluorocarbon resins.
It is also possible to combine the aforementioned components with polyurethane dispersions or to carry out waterproofing completely on a dispersion basis. Surprisingly, materials waterproofed in this way can still be coated by or cemented to polymers.
Either the waterproofing agent can be applied after production of the composite material, or the nonwoven material can be impregnated with the waterproofing agent prior to l~min~tion with the outer plastic cover. Prior impregnation has proved advantageous when the waterproofing agent is applied with a solvent, in which the outer cover could be partially dissolved. Subsequent impregnation is necessary if the waterproofing agent would impair the adhesion between the outer plastic cover, the spun-fiber nonwoven material and/or the nonwoven backing material. Suitable binding agents can be used in such cases. Because the waterproofing agents do not fill the pores in the nonwoven material, but instead coat the fibers thinly, the material remains aerated and can breathe actively.
Por this reason, the material is advantageously used as a shoe upper material. Because the extremely slight isotropic stretching CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
of the spun-fiber nonwoven material is a disadvantage in the case of shoe uppers and special balls and thus, in given cases, greater stretching is preferred, the material must be specially constructed in a two-layer fashion. The layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material can thereby be omitted. This is also true for less expensive sports balls, in which greater stretching and tolerances are acceptable. The special effect and highly effective property of a two-layer material of this type are ensured by the latex binding of the substrate in conjunction with heat vul~ni~tion and, as applicable, waterproofing.
The tensile strength and stretching found in a material with a 2-layer structure of this type (staple-fiber nonwoven material and coating) are as follows (with reference to DIN 53328):
% of stretching at:
N/20 % of 50N lOON 150N 200N 250N
mm expan-sion Direction a 276 66 8.7 19.7 31.2 41.5 52.3 Direction b 368 103 13.7 33.1 47.4 59.7 70.7 Diagonally 332 95 11.8 27.9 41.8 53.8 65.0 Furthermore, the materials according to the invention are to be used in a wide temperature range, e.g., between -10~ and +50~C. To prevent the plastics from becoming brittle at low temperatures, it can therefore be advantageous to add known softeners (phthalate, adipate, etc.). To inhibit the migration in the composite of such usually oily softeners, it is also possible to interconnect the latter to the synthetic material or to condense them.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Because different types of sports balls (soccer balls, handballs, volley balls, etc.) require different siz:es, weights and bouncing behaviors, it may be necessar,v, in the case of a composite material not especially matched to its purpose, to establish these properties by adding further nonwoven layers or woven fabric layers between the cover and the rubber bladder.
Ftl~E, F~a ~3 Tl~l~; A~Y~
T~T I~IA~SL~TION
Use of a Composite Material to Produce Sports Balls or as Shoe Upper Material The invention relates to the use of a composite material to produce sports balls or shoe upper material. The composite material comprises multiple layers, whereby an abrasion-resistant plastic layer is provided as the outermost layer and a layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material is provided as an inner layer.
The use of composite materials to produce sports balls is known, whereby an abrasion-resistant plastic coating is provided as the outermost layer and a layer of resilient plastic, woven fabric, felt or nonwoven material is provided as the interior layer; as applicable, several such layers can be provided (c~ DE 27 23 625-C2, DE-U-18 72 725, DE 24 56 071-Al, DE-U-75 02 670, EP-03 05 595-Al, DE-U-82 07 404.6, DE-29 50 620-Al). The essential problem in using materials of this type for sports balls is that shape stability cannot be attained in the cover because of strong internal pressure from an interior rubber bladder inflated with pressurized air. Without special l~min ~tion on the innermost layer, balls of this type fail to attain perfect roundness, while precision-made balls become unstable and lose their roundness over time.
This is due to the inadequate tensile stability of the inner layer or layers, particularly when nonwoven materials or felts are used and/or when woven fabric backings are used and there is directionally-dependent stretching.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Until now, it has therefore been necessary, when such covers are used, to provide multiple intermediate layers of cotton, viscose, polyamide or polyester, with the individual fabrics being expensively laid at a 45~ angle to each other to attain multi-directional stability or special sateen binding being provided to strengthen the fabric itself.
It is not possible, however, to attain ideal isotropic stretching of the supporting and strengthening layers in this manner.
The object of the invention is to propose a composite material with which the type of sports balls that are composed of several pieces sewn or bonded together and enclose an interior rubber bladder attain exact ball-shaped roundness at the prescribed internal pressure of the rubber bladder, and do not become unstable under heavy stress, and have long-lasting soft elastic resilience.
According to the invention, this object is ~tt~ine~l by means of the features of the main claim and furthered by the features of the subclaims.
rrhe outer layer is made of an abrasion-resistant plastic, such as polyurethane, silicone rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyacrylate, or of rubber latex. Because the outermost plastic layer, which determines appearance, strength and resilience, is joined to a second layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material that has uniform stretching and tearing strength in all directions, regularity is achieved in the composite.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Because of the uniformly low stretching and high tearing strength in all directions of the spun-fiber nonwoven material of the second layer, the elastic material of the outer layer is able to expand in a controlled and absolutely uniform fashion due to the internal pressure from the inflated ball. Because of this corset, the roundness and precision of the balls are m~int~ined in an absolutely shape-stable manner, and the material of the outer layer cannot warp or expand irregularly. A further advantage of using such materials is ease of processing, because the materials can be cut and sewed with clean edges.
Spun-fiber nonwoven materials have been known for a long time and are used in vehicle construction, carpet manufacture, building and civil engineering, overhead trains, filter technology, the electronics industry, rug manufacture, garden construction and agriculture.
Their high tearing strength, shock resistance, dimensional stability, temperature stability, permeability, consistency and thermal deformability make them suitable for all of these uses.
To produce such nonwoven materials, such fiber-forming plastics as polyamide, polyester, polyolefines, PVC and poly~ylelle are spun and the thin threads are deposited endlessly in random orientation and then bonded into layers; bonding is done either by bonding the crossing points of the threads with pressure and heat or by spraying a binding agent onto the threads to cement them (cf~ DE 13 03 891-Bl).
Preferably, an inner or third layer of a suitable staple-fiber nonwoven material is provided, which establishes a pressure equilibrium between the rubber bladder filled with pressurized air and the outer cover and CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
also damps the resilience to a certain extent, so that the cover behaves like a leather cover.
The invention provides the substantial advantage that sports balls manufactured with such material attain optimal roundness under the heaviest stress. Stability is increased by the direct application of the outer coating in plastic form to the second layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material, so that an intimate connection can be achieved between the two layers. In addition, sports balls with this structure can be inflated at higher pressure without losing their shape and precision. Given a sufficiently strong nonwoven maf~erial, the seams of the balls last longer than average and do not rip. Balls produced with this structure maintain their shape stability even over long-term use because, thanks to the completely isotropic stretching of the nonwoven material, they cannot warp or become unround.
When the aforementioned composite materials are used for sports balls, vulr~ni7~fion is especially effective in optimi7.ing the bouncing behavior of the balls and is therefore especially preferred. This realization is based on the fact that such composite materials become sluggish and stiff when bonded in a self-linking manner or with latex, for example. It has thus been found that self-linking nonwoven materials are not suitable for use as high-quality ball material, because sports balls produced from such fabrics have no liveliness and display poor bouncing behavior, which in practice is unacceptable in sports. The reason for this negative bouncing effect is that CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
in self-linking systems, the fibers of the nonwoven material are cemented stiffly and inelastically with resins.
In contrast, vulc~ni7~tion even makes it possible, depending on needs and requirements, to systematically attain different elasticity values and degrees of hardness in the nonwoven substrate. Vulc~ni7~tion creates a soft rubber that is highly resistant to heat and cold. The latex is vulcanized with the nonwoven material at 140~ -- in contrast to coagulation, which is based on a temperature between 37~ and 65~.
The temperature of 140~ should not be exceeded during vul~ni7~tion, because the quality of the vulcanized substrate would be lost and the nonwoven material would become hard and brittle.
In an especially preferred variant, the nonwoven material is vulcanized in light colors or white.
In contrast to coagulated products, a vulcanized nonwoven substrate remains open-pored, because the open spaces in the nonwoven material do not become filled and clogged in a jelly-like fashion.
Another advantage is that a vulcanized nonwoven substrate can be better filled with latex than, for example, a self-linking nonwoven material. The latex is more strongly joined to the fibers and fiber crossing points during vulc~ni7~tion, but the substrate nonetheless remains outstandingly open-pored and has strong breathing activity.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
In this preferred vul~ni7~tion, the chain-type molecules made up of isoprenes are connected to each other by sulphur bridges. Such vulcanized material has special elasticity and viscosity and displays first-class reflexes, as clearly reflected by the perfect, first-class bouncing behavior of sports balls. The particular benefit here is that players can maintain optimal soft contact with the ball, without the ball bouncing away uncontrollably. The ball has first-class ball guidance and, as needed, extremely fast acceleration.
Other important advantages are that a ball of vulcanized material maintains its original resilience at various high and low temperatures, and that it does so even over years of storage, without hardening of the synthetic upper material.
Another great advantage of a vulcanized nonwoven substrate is that the emulsifiers found in every latex, which serve to keep the latex liquid during transport, are incorporated into the nonwoven material during the vul~ni7~tion process. As a result, the ~mlllcifi~rs can no longer become free during stretching and contraction of the nonwoven substrate, and thus cannot cause moisture to build up in the open pores of the nonwoven material. Such emulsifiers act like a soap and result, e.g., in self-linking nonwoven substrates, in insurmountable problems in waterproofing. The open-poredness of the substrate and the usual stretching and contraction of the upper material during use cause these emulsifiers, in conjunction with moisture, to exercise a continuous suctioning effect. Any waterproofing thereby loses its effectiveness.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
In testing, it was found that when two absolutely identical nonwoven substrates, one self-linking and the other vulcanized, were washed and waterproofed in the same manner, the self-linking material quickly became saturated with water. In contrast, the vulcanized substrate displayed no buildup of moisture.
Given the aforementioned positive properties of vulcanized material, such a material can also be used for shoe uppers, because long-lasting resistance to bending, tearing and contraction as well as excellent suppleness, elasticity and--due to the open-poredness of the substrate--breathing activity are ensured in this way.
The abrasion-resistant coating for a shoe upper material of this type can consist of either a closed film or a porous, permeable film, primarily based on PU.
Furthermore, a vulcanized nonwoven substrate of this type can be used, without being coated on the upper side, as a trimming material in shoes with a velour look, because such vulcanized substrates have very high abrasion resistance.
Another possible use for such a substrate (also with a velour look) is in the area of indoor gym balls with a damped bounce; as needed, the spun-fiber nonwoven material can be lined on the back.
Alternatively, it is also possible for the various suggested nonwoven materials to be coagulated with PU
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
or foamed or coated with foam, e.g., high-solit [sic] PU foam or PVC foam, to achieve perfect isotropic uniformity and elastic strength. It is also possible to coat a spun-fiber nonwoven material with foam and to use this combination as a substrate or to provide it, in addition, an .
abraslon-reslstant coatmg.
Another possibility is to use a nonwoven material that is formed with endless fibers, in the manner of a spun-fiber nonwoven material, and then needle-bonded in a higher grammage and, as needed, split. Furthermore, it is possible to use a spun-fiber nonwoven material that is combined with woven fabric or knits, etc., and then coagulated with PU or vulcanized with latex. Such a substrate can also be provided with an abrasion-resistant coating.
At the same time, the spun-fiber nonwoven material makes it possible to replace the reinforcement l~min ~tion needed on the inside of the sports ball, which usually consists of woven fabric, with spun-fiber nonwoven material, or to combine the spun-fiber nonwoven material with woven fabric or knits.
The high processing and vulc~ni7~tion temperature of 140~ used to bond the nonwoven material on the basis of latex results in first-class open-poredness in the nonwoven substrate.
At the same time, the working temperature of 140~ is most effective in combining sulphur and latex during the bonding of the nonwoven material, and thereby ensures optimal, uniform interconnection, resulting in first-class resilience and flexibility in the nonwoven substrate.
The latex simply covers and coats the fibers and fiber crossings in the nonwoven material, wlthout CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
filling in, sealing or clogging the substrate.
Another important advantage is that, thanks to the vul~ni7~tion, no negative after-hardening of the substrate is caused by the sulphur. This would normally happen during further processing steps such as condensation or heat coating between 140~ and 160~, for example.
Such a substrate would thereby after-harden and its properties would be negatively changed by embrittlement.
Vulc~ni7~tion of the nonwoven material in white and light colors is especially preferred, as is stabilization of the vulcanized spun-fiber nonwoven material with sulphur, and waterproofing with fluorocarbon.
The invention is described in greater detail in the following description in reference to the example shown in the drawing.
The drawing shows, in a partial cross-section, the structure of a composite material with three layers, following the contours of a sports ball. Starting from an outer layer 1 of a highly abrasion-resistant material, e.g., a material based on polyurethane, there is a second layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material 2, which has uniform stretching and tearing strength multi~im~n~ionally. This nonwoven material 2 absorbs the compressive stress produced by the internal pressure of the rubber bladder 4. As a result, the ball maintains shape stability.
These material properties are found in a wide variety of nonwoven materials, such as polyester, viscose polyester and polyamide, and in copolymers of other plastics, etc.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Orders of magnitude of from 10 to 1000 N/5 cm can be assumed for the tearing strength.
Especially preferred are spun-fiber nonwoven materials that are bonded by vul~ni7~tion with latex at high temperatures, as described above.
The spun-fiber nonwoven material is, as applicable, applied directly to an innermost layer 3, which consists of soft and instable, i.e., non-bonded, staple-fiber nonwoven materials. The object of layer 3 is to provide the desired bounce-damping and the necessary ball weight as well as the properties needed to ensure a good ball feel and good ball guidance during play.
This innermost layer 3 can consist of a wide variety of short-fiber nonwoven materials, such as microfiber nonwoven materials, coagulated nonwoven materials, poromeric nonwoven materials, polyester nonwoven materials, polyamide nonwoven materials, felts, leather fiber materials, glass fiber nonwoven materials, synthetic ceramic nonwoven material, and the like.
Thls )ommg of a stable spun-fiber nonwoven materlal that has umform stretchmg m multlple directions to a non-rigid nonwoven material of short staple fibers results in optimal behavior.
Layers 2 and 3 can be joined to each other, for example, with the help of a polyurethane adhesive or, if suitable materials are used, by bonding or a rubber adhesive and vul~ni7~tion.
It is especially preferable to bond the two materials by means of a hot-melt adhesive based on thermoplastics .
Furthermore, it is preferable for the spun-fiber nonwoven material of layer 2 to serve as the carrier on which the staple fibers, CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
from which the nonwoven material layer 3 is formed in the known manner, are deposited directly, to then be compressed into the nonwoven material.
To connect the spun-fiber nonwoven material and the short-fiber nonwoven material, it is preferable to use an emulsion of natural or synthetic rubber that contains a silicone or fluorocarbon waterproofing agent as well as, as applicable, urethane or acrylate as a binding agent. When dried and vulcanized (in a self-linking manner, as applicable), this adhesive creates a firm bond to the fiber contact points of the layers, but does not substantially reduce porosity or gas permeability. Thanks to the contained waterproofing material, which is bound into the rubber, the nonwoven material is provided in this same work step with protection against penetration by liquid water. Surprisingly, a material pretreated in this way can still adhere, despite the waterproofing, to the polyurethane layer 1 and, as applicable, to the reinforcing woven fabrics or weight-giving woven fabrics or films under the nonwoven material. The materials have good elasticity even in the cold.
In producing the composite material, it has proved advantageous to first connect the spun fiber nonwoven layer and the inner nonwoven layer to each other, and to then apply the outer plastic layer, either in the form of a hardenable dispersion of aqueous polyurethanes two-component polyurethanes polyurethane on high-solid [sic] basis or in the form of a thermoplastic powder or a prefabricated film, and then to CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
implement bonding, either in a melting furnace or by means of infrared radiation. In this way, the plastic partially penetrates the following layer, SQ that an especially secure connection is attained. Corresponding techniques are known for producing other composite materials.
Less preferred, but also possible, is joining via a binding agent, for example, a latex or silicone rubber adhesive.
It is especially preferable to equip the spun-fiber nonwoven material on its upper side with a thin layer (0.2 - 1 mm) and on its bottom side with a thicker layer (1 - 5 mm) of staple fibers, which are preferably joined to each other by needle-bonding, and then to impregnate this composite layer with the aforementioned rubber waterproofing emulsion (20 - 40%), vulcanize the composite in the furnace, abrade away its surface roughnesses and, only then, connect the composite to the layer 1. The thin, largely re-abraded cover layer thus provides an especially smooth backing for the plastic, but is still sufficiently honeycombed to permit adhesion of the spun-fiber nonwoven layer.
The outer layer preferably has a leather-like grain on its surface, which is created during production as usual with a suitably patterned stamping roller or applied via a release paper coatlng.
Water can enter the interior through the seams of products made with the composite material according to the invention and also, in part, through pores in the cover layer; the water then is distributed in the nonwoven layers in capillary fashion. It has therefore proved advantageous CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
to prevent water penetration by waterproofing these materials. As a result, the material becomes 100% watertight and does not gain weight even when wet.
Solutions or emulsions of known product groups, such as aluminum salts and ~irconium salts, higher fatty acids, and fatty-acid modified m~l~mines, are suitable as waterproofing agents, as are, preferably, solutions or emulsions of silicones, fluorosilicones and fluorocarbon resins.
It is also possible to combine the aforementioned components with polyurethane dispersions or to carry out waterproofing completely on a dispersion basis. Surprisingly, materials waterproofed in this way can still be coated by or cemented to polymers.
Either the waterproofing agent can be applied after production of the composite material, or the nonwoven material can be impregnated with the waterproofing agent prior to l~min~tion with the outer plastic cover. Prior impregnation has proved advantageous when the waterproofing agent is applied with a solvent, in which the outer cover could be partially dissolved. Subsequent impregnation is necessary if the waterproofing agent would impair the adhesion between the outer plastic cover, the spun-fiber nonwoven material and/or the nonwoven backing material. Suitable binding agents can be used in such cases. Because the waterproofing agents do not fill the pores in the nonwoven material, but instead coat the fibers thinly, the material remains aerated and can breathe actively.
Por this reason, the material is advantageously used as a shoe upper material. Because the extremely slight isotropic stretching CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
of the spun-fiber nonwoven material is a disadvantage in the case of shoe uppers and special balls and thus, in given cases, greater stretching is preferred, the material must be specially constructed in a two-layer fashion. The layer of spun-fiber nonwoven material can thereby be omitted. This is also true for less expensive sports balls, in which greater stretching and tolerances are acceptable. The special effect and highly effective property of a two-layer material of this type are ensured by the latex binding of the substrate in conjunction with heat vul~ni~tion and, as applicable, waterproofing.
The tensile strength and stretching found in a material with a 2-layer structure of this type (staple-fiber nonwoven material and coating) are as follows (with reference to DIN 53328):
% of stretching at:
N/20 % of 50N lOON 150N 200N 250N
mm expan-sion Direction a 276 66 8.7 19.7 31.2 41.5 52.3 Direction b 368 103 13.7 33.1 47.4 59.7 70.7 Diagonally 332 95 11.8 27.9 41.8 53.8 65.0 Furthermore, the materials according to the invention are to be used in a wide temperature range, e.g., between -10~ and +50~C. To prevent the plastics from becoming brittle at low temperatures, it can therefore be advantageous to add known softeners (phthalate, adipate, etc.). To inhibit the migration in the composite of such usually oily softeners, it is also possible to interconnect the latter to the synthetic material or to condense them.
CA 02214771 1997-09-0~
Because different types of sports balls (soccer balls, handballs, volley balls, etc.) require different siz:es, weights and bouncing behaviors, it may be necessar,v, in the case of a composite material not especially matched to its purpose, to establish these properties by adding further nonwoven layers or woven fabric layers between the cover and the rubber bladder.
Claims (13)
1. Composite material for producing sports balls or shoc upper material of a multi-layer composite material, characterized by the fact that the outermost layer (1) is anabrasion-resistant plastic layer, which is joined to a second layer (2) of spun-fiber nonwoven material, which has uniform stretching and tearing strength in all directions.
2. Composite material as in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the second layer (2) has a longitudinal and transversal tearing strength of 10 to 1000 N/5 cm and comprises fibers of polyester, viscose polyester or polyamide or copolymers of other plastics and is preferably bonded by means of heat vulcanization with latex.
3. Composite material as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the outermost layer (1) comprises polyurethane, silicone rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylate or a rubber-latex layer.
4. Composite material as in one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the plastic layer (1) is applied to the layer (2) in the form of hardenable dispersion or thermoplastic mass.
5. Composite material as in one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that an innermost layer (3) of a staple-fiber nonwoven material is provided.
6. Composite material as in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the staple-fiber nonwoven material of the innermost layer (3) comprises microfiber nonwoven materials, coagulated nonwoven materials, poromeric nonwoven materials, polyester nonwoven materials, polyamide nonwoven materials, felts, leather fiber materials, glass fiber nonwoven materials, synthetic ceramic fiber nonwoven material and the like.
7. Composite material as in one of the Claims 5 and 6, characterized by the fact that the layer (2) is joined to the innermost layer (3) by a hot-melt adhesive based on thermoplastics.
8. Composite material as in one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that layer (2) and, as applicable, layer (3) are waterproofed.
9. Composite material as in Claim 8, characterized by the fact that solutions or emulsions of known product groups, such as aluminum salts and zirconium salts, higher fatty acids, fatty-acid modified melamines as well as of, preferably, silicones, fluorosilicones and fluorocarbon resins are used as waterproofing agents.
10. Composite material as in one of the Claims 5 to 8, characterized by the fact that the layer (2) and the nonwoven material (3) are bound together by a mixture of natural or synthetic rubber, silicone or fluorocarbon waterproofing agents and, as applicable, urethane or acrylate bonding agents.
11. Composite material as in one of the Claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that layer (2) is also covered by a thin layer of staple-fiber nonwoven material.
12. Sports balls comprising parts sewn together into a cover of a composite material in accordance with one of the Claims 1 to 11 and an inflatable inner rubber bladder (4).
13. Sports balls as in Claim 12, characterized by the fact that further films, nonwoven material layers or woven fabric layers are arranged between the cover and the rubber bladder.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19508158A DE19508158A1 (en) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-03-08 | Use of a composite material for the production of sports balls and as a waterproof and breathable shoe upper |
DE19508158.7 | 1995-03-08 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2214771A1 true CA2214771A1 (en) | 1996-09-12 |
Family
ID=7755995
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002214771A Abandoned CA2214771A1 (en) | 1995-03-08 | 1996-03-07 | Use of a composite material to produce sports balls or as shoe upper material |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0813474B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11501266A (en) |
KR (1) | KR19980702847A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE182520T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5102796A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2214771A1 (en) |
CZ (1) | CZ283297A3 (en) |
DE (2) | DE19508158A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2137677T3 (en) |
HU (1) | HUP9801843A3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996027497A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1289147B1 (en) * | 1996-07-19 | 1998-09-25 | Gabriele Valente | PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND MATERIAL OBTAINED BY THIS PROCEDURE. |
KR100518621B1 (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2005-10-04 | 세다코오퍼레이숀 주식회사 | Sublimation transfer method for polyurethane surface pattern |
KR100627143B1 (en) * | 2004-12-31 | 2006-09-25 | 박장원 | Three-dimensional cross-linked blown foam for uppers of shoe and manufacturing process of it |
KR100618385B1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2006-08-30 | 박장원 | Manufacturing process of three-dimensional cross-linked blown foam for uppers of shoe |
DE102010052119A1 (en) * | 2010-11-22 | 2012-05-24 | Erfurt & Sohn Kg | Wall covering for sticking on interior walls of buildings, has filaments, which are laid in spiral coils such that spiral loops cross each other in thick layer |
KR101486047B1 (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2015-01-23 | 한국신발피혁연구원 | Rubber composition for safety shoes |
CN112341586B (en) * | 2020-11-25 | 2022-03-25 | 浙江戈美其鞋业有限公司 | High-water-absorption board shoe and production process thereof |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2746522A1 (en) * | 1977-10-17 | 1979-04-19 | Hoechst Ag | Mouldable silicone rubber sheet contg. nonwoven fabric - pref. polyethylene or polypropylene spun fibre mat, suitable for deep drawing |
DE2938679A1 (en) * | 1979-09-25 | 1981-04-09 | Sportartikelfabrik Karl Uhl Gmbh, 7460 Balingen | Football casing of laminated material - has plastic outer layers cast directly onto supporting material |
ES497145A0 (en) * | 1979-12-15 | 1981-10-01 | Akzo Nv | PROCEDURE FOR MANUFACTURING A COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON A FLAT FLEXIBLE NON-TEXTILE STRUCTURE AND AT LEAST ONE FLAT TEXTILE STRUCTURE |
DE2950620A1 (en) * | 1979-12-15 | 1981-06-19 | Akzo Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal | Textured yarn fabric-leather composite shapes - for sports ball covers, and furniture covers |
DE3111340C2 (en) * | 1980-03-25 | 1984-05-24 | J.H. Benecke Gmbh, 3000 Hannover | Synthetic shoe upper for linerless shoes |
DE3313681C2 (en) * | 1983-04-15 | 1986-02-13 | Konrad Hornschuch Ag, 7119 Weissbach | Process for the production of a textile composite and its use |
DD248157B1 (en) * | 1984-05-22 | 1989-03-29 | Vogtl Kunstlederfabrik Veb | SOFT PENETRATION COMPOSITE OF FIBERGLES AND POLYURETHANE |
DE9306719U1 (en) * | 1993-05-04 | 1993-07-08 | Nabinger, Udo, 67468 Frankenstein | Technical leather for sports balls |
-
1995
- 1995-03-08 DE DE19508158A patent/DE19508158A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1996
- 1996-03-07 JP JP8526610A patent/JPH11501266A/en active Pending
- 1996-03-07 KR KR1019970706254A patent/KR19980702847A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-03-07 HU HU9801843A patent/HUP9801843A3/en unknown
- 1996-03-07 AU AU51027/96A patent/AU5102796A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-03-07 WO PCT/EP1996/000958 patent/WO1996027497A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-03-07 DE DE59602548T patent/DE59602548D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-03-07 CA CA002214771A patent/CA2214771A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-03-07 AT AT96907372T patent/ATE182520T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-03-07 EP EP96907372A patent/EP0813474B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-03-07 CZ CZ972832A patent/CZ283297A3/en unknown
- 1996-03-07 ES ES96907372T patent/ES2137677T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CZ283297A3 (en) | 1997-12-17 |
HUP9801843A3 (en) | 1999-06-28 |
AU5102796A (en) | 1996-09-23 |
EP0813474B1 (en) | 1999-07-28 |
ES2137677T3 (en) | 1999-12-16 |
EP0813474A1 (en) | 1997-12-29 |
KR19980702847A (en) | 1998-08-05 |
ATE182520T1 (en) | 1999-08-15 |
WO1996027497A1 (en) | 1996-09-12 |
HUP9801843A2 (en) | 1998-12-28 |
DE59602548D1 (en) | 1999-09-02 |
DE19508158A1 (en) | 1996-09-12 |
JPH11501266A (en) | 1999-02-02 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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EEER | Examination request | ||
FZDE | Discontinued |