EP2760689A1 - Multi-layered roof stabilisation system for prevention of load deformation during freight transport and production process thereof - Google Patents

Multi-layered roof stabilisation system for prevention of load deformation during freight transport and production process thereof

Info

Publication number
EP2760689A1
EP2760689A1 EP12766961.2A EP12766961A EP2760689A1 EP 2760689 A1 EP2760689 A1 EP 2760689A1 EP 12766961 A EP12766961 A EP 12766961A EP 2760689 A1 EP2760689 A1 EP 2760689A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
base fabric
reinforcement
tarpaulin
coating
layer
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP12766961.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Christophe Callens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dynatex SA
Original Assignee
Dynatex SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dynatex SA filed Critical Dynatex SA
Priority to EP12766961.2A priority Critical patent/EP2760689A1/en
Priority claimed from PCT/EP2012/069146 external-priority patent/WO2013045590A1/en
Publication of EP2760689A1 publication Critical patent/EP2760689A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
    • B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
    • B60J7/10—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins
    • B60J7/102—Readily detachable tarpaulins, e.g. for utility vehicles; Frames therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P7/00—Securing or covering of load on vehicles
    • B60P7/06—Securing of load
    • B60P7/08—Securing to the vehicle floor or sides
    • B60P7/0876—Securing to the vehicle floor or sides using restraining net or tarpaulin in contact with the load

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to tarpaulins for covering freight trucks, trailers or trucks, more specifically to reinforced tarpaulins for the prevention of deformations during transport with freight trucks, trailers or trucks and the manufacture process of such tarpaulins.
  • Tarpaulins are usually used to cover the roof and the sides of trailers to protect and prevent their cargos from falling off during transport.
  • a disadvantage of the commonly used tarpaulins is their low rigidity as a result of which during transport undesirable deformations of the freight trucks may take place.
  • DE 197 56 865 and EP 1 387 775 describe roof constructions wherein such roof construction is additionally reinforced with several ropes or cables spanning the roof construction to enhance the rigidity.
  • a disadvantage of these ropes or cables is that they are operated independently of the tarpaulin, for example when opening and closing the roof constructions.
  • WO 2007/110762 describes a roof construction comprising a base fabric provided with a tarpaulin reinforcement means of a multi-axial and at least bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements wherein the individual reinforcement element extends in a straight line from one edge to the other edge, i.e. it is provided at an angle different from 0° and 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin, without considerable deformations, which enhances the rigid ity of the tarpaulin.
  • the multi-axial reinforcement is added to a curtain fabric material (such as polyvinyl chloride curtain fabric) i.e.
  • the present invention aims at providing a reinforced tarpaulin construction with higher rigidity by integrating the tarpaulin multi-axial reinforcement means directly into the production process of the tarpaulin, which will also lead to the reduction of production costs.
  • the present invention also aims at providing a reinforced tarpaulin construction with higher rigidity by choosing a base fabric which is dimensionally stable, and which therefore will not alter the layout of the reinforcement layer, which thus keeps its primary reinforcement function.
  • the present invention also aims at providing a tarpaulin construction whereby the base fabric can be easier and/or firmer attached to possible coatings.
  • the present invention provides a tarpaulin comprising a base fabric whereon reinforcement means are attached.
  • the base fabric should have sufficient dimensional stability to overcome at least partly the problems mentioned above, e.g. by making a base fabric which is dimensionally stable by construction.
  • the base fabric may comprise an intermediate coating.
  • the reinforcement means may comprise at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements, said reinforcement elements provided at an angle different from 0° and 90° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin.
  • the tarpaulin may further comprise additional coatings such as one or more polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating, and/or one or more lacquer coating.
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride
  • base fabric refers to a flexible layer or layers of material such as usually used for tarpaulins.
  • a base fabric may be a layer of woven fibers fabric or a layer of extruded plastic, for example a film or cloth, or a composite of one or more layers of woven, for example plastic, fabric and/or one or more layers of extruded plastic optionally manufactured with a coating on one or both sides.
  • the base fabric is made of weaving or warp knitting fibers, preferably aramid fiber, glass fiber, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon, low-shrink polyester fiber or a combination thereof.
  • the base layer comprises fibers in the warp direction which are in the first place cheap but strong, preferably polyester fibers or similar, and/or the base layer comprises fibers in the weft direction which are strong and stable, i.e. low- shrink, low-expansion fibers which remain stable under varying temperatures to which the fabric can be exposed during manufacturing or usage of the tarpaulin, preferably glass fibers.
  • the base fabric is a construction of 3 to 15 yarns per centimeter (cm) in warp and weft, preferably 9 yarns per cm in warp and weft.
  • Said base fabric has a yarn-density comprised between 3x3 yarns/cm 2 and 15x15 yarns/cm 2 , by preference between 5x5 yarn/cm 2 and 12x12 yarns/cm 2 .
  • the base fabric is coated on at least one side by for example knife coating or by laminating a PVC film on the base fabric.
  • a reinforcement means is by preference a layout and may for example comprise two layers stacked on top of each other, wherein the reinforcement threads extend in a layer in a first bias direction, and the reinforcement threads extend in another layer in a second bias direction, and wherein the second bias direction differs from the first bias direction.
  • the reinforcement threads of one layer extend at an angle between 20° and 80°, preferably between 35° and 75°, more by preference between 45° and 55° and the reinforcement threads of the other layer extend at an angle between -20° and -80°, preferably between -35° and -75° and more by preference between -45° and -55°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin.
  • first and second bias directions are symmetrically opposite, i.e. if the first bias direction forms an angle X° with the longitudinal direction (wherein X ranges between 0° and 90°, but is not 0° and 90°), then the second bias direction forms an angle -X° with the longitudinal direction.
  • the base fabric and the reinforcement layout are attached to each other by knitting means, preferably non-crimp yarns.
  • the base fabric Prior to knitting the base fabric and the reinforcement layout, the base fabric is by preference coated with an intermediate coating on one side.
  • one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings are applied on at least one side, preferably on both sides of the combined base fabric and reinforcement so that the multi-axial reinforcement means are glued to the base fabric and both layers are glued-in into the polyvinyl chloride curtain e.g. between the intermediate coating and a PVC coating and/or between PVC coatings.
  • the reinforcement elements are used with a spin finish compatible with the possible intermediate coating and/or a polyvinyl chloride compound, to create a good adhesion between the reinforcement elements and the coatings and also to avoid polyvinyl chloride delamination problems.
  • a finishing coating is preferably applied, more preferably a lacquer coating, on at least one side of the polyvinyl chloride curtain fabric in order to protect it from UV radiations, water intrusion and dirt.
  • a tarpaulin wherein the reinforcement threads are provided at an angle which differs from 90°, and preferably at an angle smaller than 90°, and more preferably at an angle which is equal to, for example, 85°, 80°, 75°, 70°, 65°, 60°, 55°, 50°, 45°, 40°, 35°, 30°, 25°, 20°, 15° or 10°.
  • the invention provides a tarpaulin, wherein the reinforcement threads are provided at an angle of 0°.
  • a preferred embodiment of a tarpaulin according to the invention may be attached to the roof construction of a freight truck, trailer and/or truck in anchoring points. Said roof construction may comprise at least two or more crossbeams, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 or any value comprised between two of the aforementioned values.
  • the present invention relates to a method suitable for manufacturing a tarpaulin comprising one or more of the following steps: weaving or warp knitting a base fabric preferably having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of the reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a secondary coating;
  • a reinforcement layer comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements preferably provided at an angle comprised between -45° and -55° or 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin onto the coated and/or uncoated side of the base fabric;
  • the invention relates to the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a stabilizer against the deformation of freight trucks, trailers and/or trucks.
  • the invention provides the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a reinforcement means and/or anti- vandalism material.
  • the invention relates to a reinforced base fabric suitable for constructing a tarpaulin according to the present disclosure, said reinforced base fabric preferably comprising
  • a woven or warp knitted base fabric with a yarn-density comprised between 5x5 yarns/cm 2 and 12x12 yarns/cm 2 , preferably having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of a reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during subsequent coating;
  • a reinforcement layer preferably comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements preferably provided at an angle comprised between 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin;
  • the base fabric is provided with the intermediate coating whereupon further is provided the reinforcement layer preferably by means of knitting, preferably comprising non-crimp yarns such as aramid yarns.
  • FIG. 1 represents a bottom view of a roof construction of a truck as known from the prior art provided with a tarpaulin.
  • the roof construction is provided with separate reinforcement threads which connect the attachment points at two opposite sides of the construction with each other in two bias directions.
  • FIGS. 2 up to 5 illustrate bottom views of roof constructions of trucks which are covered with several embodiments of tarpaulins.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a crossbeam or roof bow on which reinforcement threads, and hence a tarpaulin reinforcement means can be attached.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention; 7A - cross section of the tarpaulin; 7B - bottom view of the tarpaulin.
  • PVC curtain and “polyvinyl chloride curtain” fabric are used to refer to a tarpaulin as provided by the invention.
  • crossbeam and "roof bow” are used herein as synonyms.
  • the present invention provides a tarpaulin comprising a base fabric whereon reinforcement means are provided, said reinforcement means comprising an at least bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements, said reinforcement elements are provided at an angle different from 0° and 90° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin, said reinforcement means attached to said base fabric, preferably by knitting means, the base fabric being dimensionally stable for avoiding displacement and/or wrong positioning of the reinforcement means, the base fabric preferably coated with an intermediate coating for easier, better, firmer attachment of base fabric and reinforcement means to further coatings on either side, said tarpaulin preferably comprising one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings, and/or one or more lacquer coating.
  • base fabric refers to a flexible layer or layers of material such as usually used for tarpaulins.
  • a base fabric may be a layer of woven fibers fabric, preferably with good dimensional stability or a layer of extruded plastic, for example a film or cloth, or a composite of one or more layers of woven, for example plastic, fabric and/or one or more layers of extruded plastic optionally manufactured with a coating on one or both sides.
  • the fibers are aramid fiber, glass fiber, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon, low-shrink polyester fiber or a combination thereof.
  • the base fabric is made of weaving or warp knitting fibers or yarns, preferably aramid fiber, glass fiber, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon or a low-shrink polyester (PET) fiber or any combination thereof.
  • the fibers may for example be 100% aramid fibers, 100% glass fibers or 100% polyester fibers.
  • the base layer comprises fibers in the warp direction which are in the first place cheap but strong, preferably polyester fibers or similar, and/or the base layer comprises fibers in the weft direction which are strong and stable, i.e.
  • low-shrink, low- expansion fibers which remain stable under varying temperatures to which the fabric can be exposed during manufacturing or usage of the tarpaulin, preferably glass fibers.
  • Using strong and/or dimensionally stable fibers for the base fabric in the weft direction is advantageous as it avoids bending or curling of the fabric at the side edges due to e.g. shrinkage and/or expansion of the fibers under variable temperature and tension conditions during manufacturing or use, i.e. the base fabric is dimensionally stable, which means that when in another stage the reinforcement means are applied, the position of these reinforcement means does not change e.g. due to a resizing or anisotropic resizing of the base fabric.
  • the dimensional stability of the base fabric in the warp direction can be controlled by the parameters of the production process, such as the tension or environmental condition to which the base fabric is exposed. Therefore, the fibers in the warp direction do not need to be as stable as the fibers in the weft direction and can thus be cheaper.
  • the fibers in the warp direction are made of a material which easily glues to or integrates with an intermediate and/or a secondary, e.g. PVC, and/or finishing coating which is applied to it.
  • the fibers in the weft and/or warp direction have a spin finish compatible with an intermediate and/or a secondary, e.g. PVC, and/or finishing coating.
  • the base fabric is a construction of 3 to 15 yarns per cm in warp and weft, preferably 3 to 10 yarns per cm in warp and weft, more preferably 9 yarns per cm in warp and weft.
  • Said base fabric has a yarn-density comprised between 3x3 yarns/cm 2 and 15x15 yarns/cm 2 , by preference between 5x5 yarns/cm 2 and 12x12 yarns/cm 2 , more preferably between 5x5 yarns/cm 2 and 12x12 yarns/cm 2 , even more preferably 9x9 yarns/cm 2 , the base fabric preferably having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of a reinforcement layer, which may or will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a secondary coating.
  • the base fabric comprises glass fibers in the weft direction and/or polyester fibers in the warp direction.
  • the base fabric comprises by preference a yarn in warp or weft direction with a linear mass density comprised between 800 dtex and 1500 dtex. More by preference, the yarn in warp or weft direction has a linear mass density comprised between 1000 dtex and 1200 dtex and preferably 1100 dtex.
  • Vectran® Vectran Fiber Inc.
  • PEEK® Victrex
  • PEK Solvay
  • carbon fiber or Dyneema® (DSM).
  • said base fabric will be coated on at least one side e.g. with an intermediate coating by for example knife coating or by laminating a PVC film on the base fabric.
  • This coating may stabilize the base fabric and residual crimps may be taken out during this and possibly further coating processes.
  • the intermediate coating also increases the liquid-tightness of the base fabric and thus the resulting tarpaulin, and also improves the attachment of the base fabric to the reinforcement means and/or additional coatings such as PVC coatings or lacquer coatings.
  • the preferred use of aramid or glass fibers has the additional advantage that a base fabric made of these fibers is protected against the destructive action of sparkles falling off the overhead catenary lines, when a trailer covered by said fabric is carried on a railway carriage.
  • the tarpaulin comprises a reinforcement layer.
  • the layout of the layers of a reinforcement layer is designed to optimally reinforce the roof construction of the trailer.
  • the concern is to obtain a base fabric which is dimensionally stable, so that the intermediate coating or secondary coating will not alter the layout of the reinforcement layer.
  • this layout would be altered if the base fabric is not dimensionally stable, meaning that the angle of the layout of the layers will change during this secondary coating.
  • Another alteration of the layout of the reinforcement layer can be caused by a crimp of the base fabric, which will lead to reinforcement threads not being completely straight and parallel any more in the layout.
  • a reinforcement means is by preference a layout and may for example comprise two layers stacked on top of each other, wherein the reinforcement threads extend in a layer in a first bias direction, and the reinforcement threads extend in another layer in a second bias direction, and wherein the second bias direction differs from the first bias direction.
  • the reinforcement threads of one layer extend at an angle between 20° and 80°, preferably between 35° and 75°, more by preference between 45° and 55° and the reinforcement threads of the other layer extend at an angle between -20° and -80°, preferably between -35° and -75° and more by preference between -45° and -55°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin.
  • the first and second bias directions are symmetrically opposite, i.e. if the first bias direction forms an angle X° with the longitudinal direction (wherein X ranges between 0° and 90°, but is not 0° and 90°), then the second bias direction forms an angle -X° with the longitudinal direction.
  • the reinforcement means may be reinforcement means as disclosed in WO 2007/110762.
  • the base fabric is attached to the reinforcement means by knitting means.
  • the knitting means are knitting yarns preferably PET yarn and more preferably aramid yarn.
  • the advantage of using aramid yarns is that they are non-crimp and very strong. Attaching the reinforcement means to the base fabric by knitting means may result in holes in the intermediate coating which may have been applied to the base fabric prior to attaching the reinforcement means. Therefore, to seal the tarpaulin and to further strengthen the tarpaulin, one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings may be applied on at least one and preferably both sides of the obtained base fabric and reinforcement means so that the multi-axial reinforcement means are glued to the base fabric and glued-in into the PVC curtain.
  • the fibers of the base fabric and/or of the reinforcement means comprise a spin finish compatible with the coating applied to them.
  • a lacquer coating is applied on at least one side of the obtained construction in order to protect it from UV radiations, dirt and water intrusion.
  • the tarpaulin may be attached to the roof construction of a freight truck, trailer and/or truck in anchoring points.
  • the reinforced tarpaulin according to the invention is attached to all possible anchoring points (attachment points) provided in the roof construction of the vehicle. Therefore, the attachment is preferably carried out on all possible attachment points, which may reduce or even prevent a possible deformation of the horizontal crossbeams.
  • the present tarpaulin is an upper tarpaulin (or top tarpaulin), i.e. a tarpaulin suitable to cover the top of a freight truck, trailer or truck or the like.
  • the present tarpaulin may also comprise a tarpaulin suitable to cover the sidewall(s) of a freight truck, trailer or truck.
  • the invention provides the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a stabilizer against the deformation of freight trucks, trailers and/or trucks.
  • said vehicle is provided with a multiple of roof bows, wherein a bias direction is determined as parallel to the connection line between the anchoring point on one roof bow and the diagonally opposed anchoring point on a next roof bow.
  • the invention provides the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a reinforcement means and/or anti-vandalism material.
  • the tarpaulin according to the current invention is very effective in stabilizing the load of a freight truck during transport, even though the tarpaulin shows high flexibility.
  • This flexibility allows for the use of the tarpaulin according to this invention in a curtain-like setup whereby the tarpaulin can be folded and stretched multiple times without losing stabilizing capacities.
  • the roof curtain can be folded, together with a sliding roof system, with the advantage that no reinforcement cables are hanging in the loading space of the trailer when the roof is opened.
  • the exterior and/or the interior of the tarpaulin may be coated.
  • the coating on the exterior of the tarpaulin may be impermeable.
  • this coating may be UV-durable and dirt resistant.
  • This coating may have several colors, for example white, yellow, etc.
  • the coating on the interior of the tarpaulin may be impermeable.
  • This coating may have several colors or preferably, may be transparent to allow to pass as much light as possible through the roof construction inside the freight truck, and to leave visible as much as possible the reinforcement elements for assembling on the anchoring points and/or for observing the angle under which the reinforcement means are applied and/or for observing other possible markers or colors or identification means applied to the reinforcement and/or knitting means.
  • a coating may be a thin layer, for example a film or a foil, of lacquer or extruded plastic, for example of a thermoplastic material, preferably PVC.
  • bi-axial threads preferably present in the reinforcement means may connect the two crossbeams of the frame directly or indirectly to each other and preferably also to the front and the back of the frame, the forces are better absorbed and dispersed.
  • the current material wherein, for example, angles of 60° and -60°, or preferably between -45° and -55°, and between 45° and 55° of the bias threads with regard to the longitudinal direction is provided, will already suffice to at least partly prevent deformation problems.
  • These reinforcement threads may also be replaced wholly or partly, optionally as a combination, by aramidfilaments, preferably para-aramidfilaments, carbon fibers or wires, glass or Rockwool such as basalt, Vectran® (Vectran Fiber Inc.), carbon fiber, Dyneema® (DSM), INOX, PEEK® (Victrex), PEK (Solvay) and others in all possible combinations in yarn composition, continuous or stretched wires, combinations in yarn shape, in twists or cables, twines, etc. and all possible textile shapes such as bands, braids, fabrics, knittings, layouts, non-wovens, etc.
  • aramidfilaments preferably para-aramidfilaments
  • carbon fibers or wires glass or Rockwool
  • Rockwool such as basalt, Vectran® (Vectran Fiber Inc.), carbon fiber, Dyneema® (DSM), INOX, PEEK® (Victrex), PEK (Solvay) and
  • the reinforcement threads will be used with a spin finish compatible with the PVC compound, this will result in a better adhesion with the PVC.
  • a suitable reinforcement thread is Twaron® type 1014 by Teijin, which is an adhesion-activated yarn.
  • the elongation at break will be as small as possible, and preferably less than 10% and still more preferably less than 4%, otherwise the threads need to be overdimensioned to have sufficient resistance against elongation at a given load.
  • a construction with longitudinal threads will also aid in this, especially since these threads connect the front of the frame to the back panel and especially if the elongation of these threads is not more than the elongation of the cross bars.
  • Most preferably (para-) aramid filaments are used with an elongation at break of about 3.5 % and with a tensile strength of about 350 N.
  • the invention also relates to a process for the manufacturing of a tarpaulin .
  • the process of manufacturing a tarpaulin comprises the following subsequent steps:
  • a reinforcement layer preferably comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements preferably provided at an angle comprised between -45° and -55° or 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin onto a coated and/or an uncoated side of the base fabric;
  • FIGURES 2-5 illustrate a construction as specified in WO 2007/110762 which has only reinforcements in bias-form in the construction or composite in the sense that the attachment points on the horizontal joints of the crossbeams or on the crossbeams themselves are diagonally (in bias) connected with each other.
  • the (textile) product may also have only threads in these connection areas, but may also have a regular construction.
  • the reinforcement construction may also only consist of a longitudinal reinforcement (angle 0° or preferably less than 45°).
  • FIGURES 2-5 illustrate roof constructions 1 for freight trucks, trailers or trucks.
  • the roof constructions comprise a rectangular frame (frame), consisting of two short sides 2, 3 (also called top beams or front and rear rail), and two sides which extend in the longitudinal direction 4, 5 (also called upper beams or longitudinal rails).
  • the tarpaulin 8 comprises a tarpaulin reinforcement means comprising a layout of reinforcement threads 9, 10, 11. These reinforcement threads are provided in three directions: reinforcement threads 9 are provided in the longitudinal direction, and reinforcement threads 10, 11 are provided in two bias directions. The reinforcement threads 9, 10, 11 connect all possible anchoring points 7 provided on the roof bows 6.
  • reinforcement threads 10, 11 provided for tarpaulins 8 known from the prior art, as illustrated in FIG. 1 are provided in two (bias) directions, but not in the longitudinal direction, and do not connect all possible anchoring points.
  • the invention provides also the use of a tarpaulin as described herein, as a roof covering for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is provided with multiple roof bows 6, and wherein one (or several) bias directions is (are) determined as parallel to the connection line between the anchoring point 7 on one roof bow 6 and the diagonally opposite anchoring point 7 on another (for example a next or a further, for example a second next, third next, fourth next, or fifth next, etc.) roof bow 6. Therefore, the two anchoring points 7 connected by the connection line are located at opposed sides 4 or 5 of the roof construction. Preferably, such a connection line is drawn when the respective roof bows 6 are in a closed roof configuration.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a roof bow 6 to which the reinforcement threads of a tarpaulin reinforcement means or a tarpaulin according to the invention are attached.
  • a roof bow is usually provided with a crossbeam 12 provided at its end with hands 13.
  • the hands 13 are attached to the crossbeam 12 near the plate 7 serving as an anchoring point.
  • the reinforcement threads of a tarpaulin reinforcement means or a tarpaulin according to the invention are attached to plate 14, for example by means of screws or rivets.
  • the tarpaulin is attached to the lateral upstanding exterior side of the hand 13 by means of screws or rivets. Further preferred embodiments of tarpaulins according to the invention are described based on FIGS. 7 and 8. Although taken from a prior art document, these figures illustrate the relation between the different layers of the tarpaulin of the present invention.
  • the tarpaulin in FIG. 7 comprises a base fabric 15 forming the exterior of the tarpaulin, wherein the exterior surface of the base fabric 15 is provided with a coating 21 (preferably, the coating 21 is impermeable and also preferably resistant to UV-radiation).
  • a layout 16 of at least two (herein two) individual layers 17, 18 of reinforcement threads 10, 11 is located, positioned onto each other, wherein the reinforcement threads within a layer 17 or 18 run mutually parallel, whereas reinforcement threads between the different layers 17 and 18 are provided in different directions, preferably in opposite bias directions.
  • the base fabric is preferably attached to the layers of reinforcement threads by knitting means 20.
  • the coating 22 may be chosen (for example, a thermoplastic polymer) such that it may stick to the base fabric 15 which comprises e.g. polyester fibers in the warp direction and glass fibers in the weft direction, as a result of which also the layout 16 is attached to the base fabric 15.
  • the manufacturing process of the tarpaulin in FIG. 7 may comprise the following steps:
  • the base fabric is produced by weaving or warp knitting fibers, for example glass, aramid, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon, PET fibers or a combination thereof, e.g. polyester fibers in the warp direction and glass fibers in the weft direction;
  • fibers for example glass, aramid, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon, PET fibers or a combination thereof, e.g. polyester fibers in the warp direction and glass fibers in the weft direction;
  • an intermediate coating for example PVC coating, is applied on at least one side of the base fabric
  • first layer 17 of reinforcement threads 10 is positioned in a first direction, preferably in a first bias direction;
  • a second layer 18 of reinforcement threads 11 is positioned on the first layer 17 in a second direction, preferably in a second opposite bias direction;
  • the base fabric is attached to the layers of reinforcement threads by knitting means, preferably the knitting means are knitting yarns preferably PET yarn and more preferably aramid yarn;
  • a coating preferably a PVC coating, is applied on both sides of the obtained layout, e.g. a PVC layer 21 is applied;
  • the lacquer is impermeable, and also preferably resistant to UV-radiation and dirt.
  • the reinforcement threads 10 of a first layer 17 are positioned at an angle between 0° and 90°, and different from 0° and 90°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin material
  • the reinforcement threads 11 of a second layer 18 are positioned at an angle between 0° and -90°, and different from 0° and -90°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin material.
  • Example A Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in which the PET yarn has a low crimp force.
  • An intermediate coating is provided on a knife coating machine with a stenter in the oven, so that the base fabric does not crimp during the coating process, because the stenter keeps the construction in place, thus not crimping in weft.
  • Example B Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% Glass filament yarn 1340 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity and low shrink ⁇ 3,5%.
  • An intermediate coating is provided on a coating machine without a stenter in the oven, because the glass yarn does not crimp during the coating .
  • Example C Construction 9 x 9 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% Glass filament yarn 1340 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity and low shrink ⁇ 3,5%.
  • An intermediate PVC coating is provided on a coating machine without a stenter in the oven, because the glass yarn does not crimp during the coating .
  • Example D Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% basalt filament yarn 1500 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity and low shrink% ⁇ 2%.
  • An intermediate coating is provided on a knife coating machine without a stenter in the oven, because the basalt yarn does not crimp during the coating .
  • Example E Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% Glass filament yarn 134 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity low shrink ⁇ 3,5% and the glass yarn is provided with a PVC coating surrounding the glass filament yarn.
  • the base fabric is stabilized on a lamination machine with heated rollers, which will melt the PVC surrounding the glass yarns. The melted PVC will stabilize the construction of the base fabric by adhering also to the PET yarns.
  • Example 1 A multi-axial reinforcement
  • Example 2 A multi-axial reinforcement
  • Example 3 A multi-axial reinforcement
  • the color of the fiber of the marker gives an indication of the bias of the reinforcement threads.
  • a black fiber indicates a bias of the threads with the longitudinal direction comprised between 50°-54°, a red fiber 48°-50° and adian fiber 45°-48°.
  • base fabric and reinforcement means can be used in combination with e.g. one or more impermeable opaque PVC outer coatings, one or more impermeable transparent PVC inner coatings, a UV-resistant PVC outer finishing coating.
  • impermeable opaque PVC outer coatings e.g. one or more impermeable opaque PVC outer coatings
  • impermeable transparent PVC inner coatings e.g. one or more impermeable transparent PVC inner coatings
  • a UV-resistant PVC outer finishing coating e.g. one or more impermeable opaque PVC outer coatings, one or more impermeable transparent PVC inner coatings, a UV-resistant PVC outer finishing coating.
  • the reinforcement threads may also be replaced and/or mixed with ropes, twines, cables, tapes, multi-filaments, etc.
  • Example 4 A tarpaulin according to FIG. 7
  • the different elements of the tarpaulin in FIG. 7 comprise the followi ng materials
  • - base fabric 15 woven aramid, glass, PET or a mixture thereof fabric coated on the top side with PVC; reinforcement threads 10, 11 : aramid fibers (twisted or flat) of 1680 dtex; knitting means: knitting yarns such as PET yarn ( 167 dtex/2 intermingled) or aramid yarn (420 or 550 dtex) coating 21 : UV-durable PVC coating (for example white or yellow); coating 22 : transparent PVC coating.
  • the manufacturing process is as follows:
  • the base fabric is preferably produced by weaving or warp knitting fibers, for example glass ( 125-140 dtex), aramid ( 1000-1200 dtex), PET fibers ( 1000- 1200 dtex) or a mixture thereof;
  • a coating for example PVC coating, is applied on at least one side of the base fabric
  • the first layer 17 of aramid fibers 10 is positioned mutually parallel with a density of 3 fibers per inch and at an angle of -50° with respect to the longitudinal direction; preferably after each 15 aramid fibers, a black PET fiber 25 (1100 dtex, twisted or flat) is inserted as a marker;
  • the second layer 18 of aramid fibers 10 is positioned onto the first layer 17, mutually parallel with a density of 3 fibers per inch and at an angle of +50° with respect to the longitudinal direction; preferably after each 15 aramid fibers, a black PET fiber 25 ( 1100 dtex, twisted or flat) is inserted as a marker;
  • the base fabric 15 is positioned with the uncoated side on the layout 16 produced in the third and fourth steps;
  • the base fabric is preferably attached to the layers of aramid fibers by knitting means, the knitting means are knitting yarns preferably PET yarn ( 167 dtex/2) and more preferably aramid yarn (420 dtex or 550 dtex);
  • a coating (preferably a PVC coating) is applied;
  • a lacquer is applied preferably on at least one side of the obtained layout (preferably, the lacquer is impermeable, and also preferably resistant to UV- radiation and dirt).

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a roof stabilization system and the production thereof. The invention provides a tarpaulin reinforcement means and/or a tarpaulin for use as a stabilizer and which may prevent at least partly the deformation freight trucks, trailers and/or trucks. The tarpaulin is characterized in that it comprises several layers whereon intermediate coatings (22) are provided. The tarpaulin reinforcement means are characterized in that it is provided with a dense base fabric (15) and reinforcement threads (17, 18) which are provided at least in the bias direction, i.e., at an angle different from 90°, and/or in the longitudinal direction, i.e., at an angle of 0°. The production process of the tarpaulin is characterized in that the multi -axial reinforcement means are directly integrated into it.

Description

MULTI-LAYERED ROOF STABILISATION SYSTEM FOR PREVENTION OF LOAD DEFORMATION DURING FREIGHT TRANSPORT AND PRODUCTION
PROCESS THEREOF TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is related to tarpaulins for covering freight trucks, trailers or trucks, more specifically to reinforced tarpaulins for the prevention of deformations during transport with freight trucks, trailers or trucks and the manufacture process of such tarpaulins.
BACKGROUND
Trucks with trailers attached to them are commonly employed for shipping on land. Tarpaulins are usually used to cover the roof and the sides of trailers to protect and prevent their cargos from falling off during transport. A disadvantage of the commonly used tarpaulins is their low rigidity as a result of which during transport undesirable deformations of the freight trucks may take place. DE 197 56 865 and EP 1 387 775 describe roof constructions wherein such roof construction is additionally reinforced with several ropes or cables spanning the roof construction to enhance the rigidity. A disadvantage of these ropes or cables is that they are operated independently of the tarpaulin, for example when opening and closing the roof constructions.
WO 2007/110762, incorporated here by reference, describes a roof construction comprising a base fabric provided with a tarpaulin reinforcement means of a multi-axial and at least bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements wherein the individual reinforcement element extends in a straight line from one edge to the other edge, i.e. it is provided at an angle different from 0° and 90° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin, without considerable deformations, which enhances the rigid ity of the tarpaulin. The multi-axial reinforcement is added to a curtain fabric material (such as polyvinyl chloride curtain fabric) i.e. by hot welding, so that the resulting reinforced tarpaulin can be used as a roof stabilization system to prevent deformation of chargers, trailers and/or lorries. Welding two layers of the tarpaulin will reduce its flexibility as the final construction will be thick compared to a construction where the multi-axial reinforcement means are integrated into the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) curtain fabric.
Furthermore, in prior art tarpaulins and tarpaulin constructions such as disclosed in WO 2007/110762, it was noticed that the base fabric was not always dimensionally stable. More in particular, prior art base fabrics are nets, i.e. fabric with limited stability and are difficult to attach to coatings due to e.g. large hole sizes. Hereby, applying a coating to such prior art base fabrics could result in a change of the angle of the layout of the layers, in particular the layout of the reinforcement layer. Another alteration of the layout of the reinforcement layer can be caused by a crimp of the base fabric, which leads to reinforcement threads not being completely straight and parallel any more in the layout. This is a problem, because the threads will not function as quickly as a reinforcement because when the roof is under tension by lateral forces, the threads will first be stretched before they will function as a stabilization element. This will reduce the efficiency of the stabilization function.
The present invention aims at providing a reinforced tarpaulin construction with higher rigidity by integrating the tarpaulin multi-axial reinforcement means directly into the production process of the tarpaulin, which will also lead to the reduction of production costs. The present invention also aims at providing a reinforced tarpaulin construction with higher rigidity by choosing a base fabric which is dimensionally stable, and which therefore will not alter the layout of the reinforcement layer, which thus keeps its primary reinforcement function. The present invention also aims at providing a tarpaulin construction whereby the base fabric can be easier and/or firmer attached to possible coatings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tarpaulin comprising a base fabric whereon reinforcement means are attached. The base fabric should have sufficient dimensional stability to overcome at least partly the problems mentioned above, e.g. by making a base fabric which is dimensionally stable by construction. The base fabric may comprise an intermediate coating. The reinforcement means may comprise at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements, said reinforcement elements provided at an angle different from 0° and 90° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin. The tarpaulin may further comprise additional coatings such as one or more polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating, and/or one or more lacquer coating.
The term "base fabric" refers to a flexible layer or layers of material such as usually used for tarpaulins. For example, a base fabric may be a layer of woven fibers fabric or a layer of extruded plastic, for example a film or cloth, or a composite of one or more layers of woven, for example plastic, fabric and/or one or more layers of extruded plastic optionally manufactured with a coating on one or both sides.
Preferably, the base fabric is made of weaving or warp knitting fibers, preferably aramid fiber, glass fiber, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon, low-shrink polyester fiber or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the base layer comprises fibers in the warp direction which are in the first place cheap but strong, preferably polyester fibers or similar, and/or the base layer comprises fibers in the weft direction which are strong and stable, i.e. low- shrink, low-expansion fibers which remain stable under varying temperatures to which the fabric can be exposed during manufacturing or usage of the tarpaulin, preferably glass fibers. The base fabric is a construction of 3 to 15 yarns per centimeter (cm) in warp and weft, preferably 9 yarns per cm in warp and weft. Said base fabric has a yarn-density comprised between 3x3 yarns/cm2 and 15x15 yarns/cm2, by preference between 5x5 yarn/cm2 and 12x12 yarns/cm2. Preferably, the base fabric is coated on at least one side by for example knife coating or by laminating a PVC film on the base fabric.
A reinforcement means is by preference a layout and may for example comprise two layers stacked on top of each other, wherein the reinforcement threads extend in a layer in a first bias direction, and the reinforcement threads extend in another layer in a second bias direction, and wherein the second bias direction differs from the first bias direction. Preferably, the reinforcement threads of one layer extend at an angle between 20° and 80°, preferably between 35° and 75°, more by preference between 45° and 55° and the reinforcement threads of the other layer extend at an angle between -20° and -80°, preferably between -35° and -75° and more by preference between -45° and -55°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin. More preferably, the first and second bias directions are symmetrically opposite, i.e. if the first bias direction forms an angle X° with the longitudinal direction (wherein X ranges between 0° and 90°, but is not 0° and 90°), then the second bias direction forms an angle -X° with the longitudinal direction.
Preferably, the base fabric and the reinforcement layout are attached to each other by knitting means, preferably non-crimp yarns. Prior to knitting the base fabric and the reinforcement layout, the base fabric is by preference coated with an intermediate coating on one side. Preferably, next, one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings are applied on at least one side, preferably on both sides of the combined base fabric and reinforcement so that the multi-axial reinforcement means are glued to the base fabric and both layers are glued-in into the polyvinyl chloride curtain e.g. between the intermediate coating and a PVC coating and/or between PVC coatings.
Preferably the reinforcement elements are used with a spin finish compatible with the possible intermediate coating and/or a polyvinyl chloride compound, to create a good adhesion between the reinforcement elements and the coatings and also to avoid polyvinyl chloride delamination problems. A finishing coating is preferably applied, more preferably a lacquer coating, on at least one side of the polyvinyl chloride curtain fabric in order to protect it from UV radiations, water intrusion and dirt.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention a tarpaulin is provided wherein the reinforcement threads are provided at an angle which differs from 90°, and preferably at an angle smaller than 90°, and more preferably at an angle which is equal to, for example, 85°, 80°, 75°, 70°, 65°, 60°, 55°, 50°, 45°, 40°, 35°, 30°, 25°, 20°, 15° or 10°. In another preferred embodiment the invention provides a tarpaulin, wherein the reinforcement threads are provided at an angle of 0°. A preferred embodiment of a tarpaulin according to the invention may be attached to the roof construction of a freight truck, trailer and/or truck in anchoring points. Said roof construction may comprise at least two or more crossbeams, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 or any value comprised between two of the aforementioned values.
Further, the present invention relates to a method suitable for manufacturing a tarpaulin comprising one or more of the following steps: weaving or warp knitting a base fabric preferably having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of the reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a secondary coating;
- preferably coating at least one side of the said base fabric with an intermediate coating;
providing a reinforcement layer comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements preferably provided at an angle comprised between -45° and -55° or 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin onto the coated and/or uncoated side of the base fabric;
providing one or more secondary coatings on at least one and preferably both sides of the base fabric provided with the intermediate coating and the reinforcement layer, preferably one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings;
providing one or more finishing coatings on at least one side of the combination of the base fabric provided with coatings and the reinforcement layer as obtained by executing the previous steps.
In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a stabilizer against the deformation of freight trucks, trailers and/or trucks. In another embodiment the invention provides the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a reinforcement means and/or anti- vandalism material.
In yet a further aspect, the invention relates to a reinforced base fabric suitable for constructing a tarpaulin according to the present disclosure, said reinforced base fabric preferably comprising
- a woven or warp knitted base fabric with a yarn-density comprised between 5x5 yarns/cm2 and 12x12 yarns/cm2, preferably having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of a reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during subsequent coating;
- an intermediate coating;
a reinforcement layer preferably comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements preferably provided at an angle comprised between 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin;
whereby the base fabric is provided with the intermediate coating whereupon further is provided the reinforcement layer preferably by means of knitting, preferably comprising non-crimp yarns such as aramid yarns.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
FIG. 1 represents a bottom view of a roof construction of a truck as known from the prior art provided with a tarpaulin. The roof construction is provided with separate reinforcement threads which connect the attachment points at two opposite sides of the construction with each other in two bias directions.
FIGS. 2 up to 5 illustrate bottom views of roof constructions of trucks which are covered with several embodiments of tarpaulins.
FIG. 6 illustrates a crossbeam or roof bow on which reinforcement threads, and hence a tarpaulin reinforcement means can be attached. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention; 7A - cross section of the tarpaulin; 7B - bottom view of the tarpaulin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Along the text "polyvinyl chloride (PVC) curtain" and "polyvinyl chloride curtain" fabric are used to refer to a tarpaulin as provided by the invention.
The terms "reinforcement threads" or "reinforcement elements" are used herein as synonyms.
The terms "crossbeam" and "roof bow" are used herein as synonyms.
The present invention provides a tarpaulin comprising a base fabric whereon reinforcement means are provided, said reinforcement means comprising an at least bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements, said reinforcement elements are provided at an angle different from 0° and 90° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin, said reinforcement means attached to said base fabric, preferably by knitting means, the base fabric being dimensionally stable for avoiding displacement and/or wrong positioning of the reinforcement means, the base fabric preferably coated with an intermediate coating for easier, better, firmer attachment of base fabric and reinforcement means to further coatings on either side, said tarpaulin preferably comprising one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings, and/or one or more lacquer coating.
The term "base fabric" refers to a flexible layer or layers of material such as usually used for tarpaulins. For example, a base fabric may be a layer of woven fibers fabric, preferably with good dimensional stability or a layer of extruded plastic, for example a film or cloth, or a composite of one or more layers of woven, for example plastic, fabric and/or one or more layers of extruded plastic optionally manufactured with a coating on one or both sides. Preferably the fibers are aramid fiber, glass fiber, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon, low-shrink polyester fiber or a combination thereof.
In an embodiment of the invention, the base fabric is made of weaving or warp knitting fibers or yarns, preferably aramid fiber, glass fiber, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon or a low-shrink polyester (PET) fiber or any combination thereof. The fibers may for example be 100% aramid fibers, 100% glass fibers or 100% polyester fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the base layer comprises fibers in the warp direction which are in the first place cheap but strong, preferably polyester fibers or similar, and/or the base layer comprises fibers in the weft direction which are strong and stable, i.e. low-shrink, low- expansion fibers which remain stable under varying temperatures to which the fabric can be exposed during manufacturing or usage of the tarpaulin, preferably glass fibers. Using strong and/or dimensionally stable fibers for the base fabric in the weft direction is advantageous as it avoids bending or curling of the fabric at the side edges due to e.g. shrinkage and/or expansion of the fibers under variable temperature and tension conditions during manufacturing or use, i.e. the base fabric is dimensionally stable, which means that when in another stage the reinforcement means are applied, the position of these reinforcement means does not change e.g. due to a resizing or anisotropic resizing of the base fabric. The dimensional stability of the base fabric in the warp direction can be controlled by the parameters of the production process, such as the tension or environmental condition to which the base fabric is exposed. Therefore, the fibers in the warp direction do not need to be as stable as the fibers in the weft direction and can thus be cheaper. Preferably, the fibers in the warp direction are made of a material which easily glues to or integrates with an intermediate and/or a secondary, e.g. PVC, and/or finishing coating which is applied to it. In a preferred embodiment, the fibers in the weft and/or warp direction have a spin finish compatible with an intermediate and/or a secondary, e.g. PVC, and/or finishing coating.
The base fabric is a construction of 3 to 15 yarns per cm in warp and weft, preferably 3 to 10 yarns per cm in warp and weft, more preferably 9 yarns per cm in warp and weft. Said base fabric has a yarn-density comprised between 3x3 yarns/cm2 and 15x15 yarns/cm2, by preference between 5x5 yarns/cm2 and 12x12 yarns/cm2, more preferably between 5x5 yarns/cm2 and 12x12 yarns/cm2, even more preferably 9x9 yarns/cm2, the base fabric preferably having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of a reinforcement layer, which may or will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a secondary coating. This range of yarn densities permits the base fabric to be coated with an intermediate coating of for example PVC. The coating of said base fabric is made possible because the openings between the yarns are small enough so that the coating does adhere to the yarns and partly or completely fills the openings between the yarns, in contrast with prior art base fabric which have larger openings. Furthermore, it has been found that said yarn densities may provide extra dimensional stability to the base fabric. The maximum yarn density may depend largely on the linear mass density of the fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the base fabric comprises glass fibers in the weft direction and/or polyester fibers in the warp direction.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base fabric comprises by preference a yarn in warp or weft direction with a linear mass density comprised between 800 dtex and 1500 dtex. More by preference, the yarn in warp or weft direction has a linear mass density comprised between 1000 dtex and 1200 dtex and preferably 1100 dtex.
Other high tenacity fibers may be integrated in the base fabric such as Vectran® (Vectran Fiber Inc.), PEEK® (Victrex), PEK (Solvay), carbon fiber or Dyneema® (DSM).
In a preferred embodiment, said base fabric will be coated on at least one side e.g. with an intermediate coating by for example knife coating or by laminating a PVC film on the base fabric. This coating may stabilize the base fabric and residual crimps may be taken out during this and possibly further coating processes. The intermediate coating also increases the liquid-tightness of the base fabric and thus the resulting tarpaulin, and also improves the attachment of the base fabric to the reinforcement means and/or additional coatings such as PVC coatings or lacquer coatings. The preferred use of aramid or glass fibers has the additional advantage that a base fabric made of these fibers is protected against the destructive action of sparkles falling off the overhead catenary lines, when a trailer covered by said fabric is carried on a railway carriage.
In a preferred embodiment, the tarpaulin comprises a reinforcement layer. The layout of the layers of a reinforcement layer is designed to optimally reinforce the roof construction of the trailer. When choosing a base fabric, the concern is to obtain a base fabric which is dimensionally stable, so that the intermediate coating or secondary coating will not alter the layout of the reinforcement layer. As the layout of the reinforcement layer is attached to the base fabric, this layout would be altered if the base fabric is not dimensionally stable, meaning that the angle of the layout of the layers will change during this secondary coating. Another alteration of the layout of the reinforcement layer can be caused by a crimp of the base fabric, which will lead to reinforcement threads not being completely straight and parallel any more in the layout. This is a problem, because the threads will not function as quickly as a reinforcement because when the roof is under tension by lateral forces, the threads will first be stretched before they will function as a stabilization element. This will reduce the efficiency of the stabilization function. By choosing a base fabric which is dimensionally stable, this base fabric will not alter the layout of the reinforcement layer, which thus keeps its primary reinforcement function.
A reinforcement means is by preference a layout and may for example comprise two layers stacked on top of each other, wherein the reinforcement threads extend in a layer in a first bias direction, and the reinforcement threads extend in another layer in a second bias direction, and wherein the second bias direction differs from the first bias direction. Preferably, the reinforcement threads of one layer extend at an angle between 20° and 80°, preferably between 35° and 75°, more by preference between 45° and 55° and the reinforcement threads of the other layer extend at an angle between -20° and -80°, preferably between -35° and -75° and more by preference between -45° and -55°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin. More preferably, the first and second bias directions are symmetrically opposite, i.e. if the first bias direction forms an angle X° with the longitudinal direction (wherein X ranges between 0° and 90°, but is not 0° and 90°), then the second bias direction forms an angle -X° with the longitudinal direction. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement means may be reinforcement means as disclosed in WO 2007/110762.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base fabric is attached to the reinforcement means by knitting means. The knitting means are knitting yarns preferably PET yarn and more preferably aramid yarn. The advantage of using aramid yarns is that they are non-crimp and very strong. Attaching the reinforcement means to the base fabric by knitting means may result in holes in the intermediate coating which may have been applied to the base fabric prior to attaching the reinforcement means. Therefore, to seal the tarpaulin and to further strengthen the tarpaulin, one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings may be applied on at least one and preferably both sides of the obtained base fabric and reinforcement means so that the multi-axial reinforcement means are glued to the base fabric and glued-in into the PVC curtain. In a preferred embodiment the fibers of the base fabric and/or of the reinforcement means comprise a spin finish compatible with the coating applied to them. Preferably, a lacquer coating is applied on at least one side of the obtained construction in order to protect it from UV radiations, dirt and water intrusion. In one embodiment, the tarpaulin may be attached to the roof construction of a freight truck, trailer and/or truck in anchoring points.
Preferably, the reinforced tarpaulin according to the invention is attached to all possible anchoring points (attachment points) provided in the roof construction of the vehicle. Therefore, the attachment is preferably carried out on all possible attachment points, which may reduce or even prevent a possible deformation of the horizontal crossbeams.
Preferably, the present tarpaulin is an upper tarpaulin (or top tarpaulin), i.e. a tarpaulin suitable to cover the top of a freight truck, trailer or truck or the like. However, the present tarpaulin may also comprise a tarpaulin suitable to cover the sidewall(s) of a freight truck, trailer or truck. In a further embodiment the invention provides the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a stabilizer against the deformation of freight trucks, trailers and/or trucks. Preferably, said vehicle is provided with a multiple of roof bows, wherein a bias direction is determined as parallel to the connection line between the anchoring point on one roof bow and the diagonally opposed anchoring point on a next roof bow. In another embodiment the invention provides the use of a tarpaulin according to the invention as a reinforcement means and/or anti-vandalism material.
It has been found by the inventor that the tarpaulin according to the current invention is very effective in stabilizing the load of a freight truck during transport, even though the tarpaulin shows high flexibility. This flexibility allows for the use of the tarpaulin according to this invention in a curtain-like setup whereby the tarpaulin can be folded and stretched multiple times without losing stabilizing capacities. In said setup, the roof curtain can be folded, together with a sliding roof system, with the advantage that no reinforcement cables are hanging in the loading space of the trailer when the roof is opened.
In one embodiment the exterior and/or the interior of the tarpaulin may be coated. Preferably, the coating on the exterior of the tarpaulin may be impermeable. Preferably, this coating may be UV-durable and dirt resistant. This coating may have several colors, for example white, yellow, etc. Preferably, the coating on the interior of the tarpaulin may be impermeable. This coating may have several colors or preferably, may be transparent to allow to pass as much light as possible through the roof construction inside the freight truck, and to leave visible as much as possible the reinforcement elements for assembling on the anchoring points and/or for observing the angle under which the reinforcement means are applied and/or for observing other possible markers or colors or identification means applied to the reinforcement and/or knitting means. For example, a coating may be a thin layer, for example a film or a foil, of lacquer or extruded plastic, for example of a thermoplastic material, preferably PVC. As bi-axial threads preferably present in the reinforcement means, may connect the two crossbeams of the frame directly or indirectly to each other and preferably also to the front and the back of the frame, the forces are better absorbed and dispersed. The current material wherein, for example, angles of 60° and -60°, or preferably between -45° and -55°, and between 45° and 55° of the bias threads with regard to the longitudinal direction is provided, will already suffice to at least partly prevent deformation problems.
In order to satisfy to the desired properties, such as being as flexible as possible, being as light-weighted as possible, preferably not rusting, strength, and high resistance against elongation, certain materials will be preferred for the reinforcement means. For example, mono-steel wires of e.g. 0.22 mm in diameter with 6 wires per inch in both directions (bias-) may already suffice. It goes without saying that also materials other than steel may be used in pure or in mixed form. In order to prevent possible corrosion, for example (galvanized) steel wires may be replaced by inox steel wires. These reinforcement threads may also be replaced wholly or partly, optionally as a combination, by aramidfilaments, preferably para-aramidfilaments, carbon fibers or wires, glass or Rockwool such as basalt, Vectran® (Vectran Fiber Inc.), carbon fiber, Dyneema® (DSM), INOX, PEEK® (Victrex), PEK (Solvay) and others in all possible combinations in yarn composition, continuous or stretched wires, combinations in yarn shape, in twists or cables, twines, etc. and all possible textile shapes such as bands, braids, fabrics, knittings, layouts, non-wovens, etc. More preferably, the reinforcement threads will be used with a spin finish compatible with the PVC compound, this will result in a better adhesion with the PVC. An example of a suitable reinforcement thread is Twaron® type 1014 by Teijin, which is an adhesion-activated yarn.
Preferably, the elongation at break will be as small as possible, and preferably less than 10% and still more preferably less than 4%, otherwise the threads need to be overdimensioned to have sufficient resistance against elongation at a given load. A construction with longitudinal threads will also aid in this, especially since these threads connect the front of the frame to the back panel and especially if the elongation of these threads is not more than the elongation of the cross bars. Most preferably (para-) aramid filaments are used with an elongation at break of about 3.5 % and with a tensile strength of about 350 N.
The invention also relates to a process for the manufacturing of a tarpaulin . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process of manufacturing a tarpaulin comprises the following subsequent steps:
weaving or warp knitting a base fabric, preferably having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of the reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a secondary coating;
preferably coating at least one side of the said base fabric with an intermediate coating;
- providing a reinforcement layer preferably comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements preferably provided at an angle comprised between -45° and -55° or 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin onto a coated and/or an uncoated side of the base fabric;
providing one or more secondary coatings on at least on and preferably both sides of the base fabric provided with the intermediate coating and the reinforcement layer, preferably one or more polyvinyl chloride coatings;
providing a finishing coating on at least one side of the combination of the base fabric provided with coatings and the reinforcement layer as obtained by executing the previous steps.
In order to better show the features of the invention, hereafter, by way of example and without any limiting purpose, some preferred embodiments are described. FIGURES 2-5 illustrate a construction as specified in WO 2007/110762 which has only reinforcements in bias-form in the construction or composite in the sense that the attachment points on the horizontal joints of the crossbeams or on the crossbeams themselves are diagonally (in bias) connected with each other. The (textile) product may also have only threads in these connection areas, but may also have a regular construction. The reinforcement construction may also only consist of a longitudinal reinforcement (angle 0° or preferably less than 45°). A still more preferred construction will consist of a material with a bias reinforcement, different from 0° and/or 90°, and with a longitudinal reinforcement of preferably 0°. These longitudinal threads will connect the front plate and the rear plate or front and rear rail of a vehicle directly or indirectly to each other and also contribute against the deformation of the trailer and/or vehicle. FIGURES 2-5 illustrate roof constructions 1 for freight trucks, trailers or trucks. The roof constructions comprise a rectangular frame (frame), consisting of two short sides 2, 3 (also called top beams or front and rear rail), and two sides which extend in the longitudinal direction 4, 5 (also called upper beams or longitudinal rails). The sides 4, 5 which extend in the longitudinal direction are mutually connected by means of crossbeams or roof bows 6, the crossbeams being provided with anchoring points 7 for anchoring a tarpaulin 8 to the roof construction. As explained above, the tarpaulin 8 comprises a tarpaulin reinforcement means comprising a layout of reinforcement threads 9, 10, 11. These reinforcement threads are provided in three directions: reinforcement threads 9 are provided in the longitudinal direction, and reinforcement threads 10, 11 are provided in two bias directions. The reinforcement threads 9, 10, 11 connect all possible anchoring points 7 provided on the roof bows 6. For comparison, reinforcement threads 10, 11 provided for tarpaulins 8 known from the prior art, as illustrated in FIG. 1, are provided in two (bias) directions, but not in the longitudinal direction, and do not connect all possible anchoring points. These prior art examples of, in particular, the configurations of the reinforcement means can be used in the tarpaulin construction according to the present invention.
Therefore, in an embodiment, the invention provides also the use of a tarpaulin as described herein, as a roof covering for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is provided with multiple roof bows 6, and wherein one (or several) bias directions is (are) determined as parallel to the connection line between the anchoring point 7 on one roof bow 6 and the diagonally opposite anchoring point 7 on another (for example a next or a further, for example a second next, third next, fourth next, or fifth next, etc.) roof bow 6. Therefore, the two anchoring points 7 connected by the connection line are located at opposed sides 4 or 5 of the roof construction. Preferably, such a connection line is drawn when the respective roof bows 6 are in a closed roof configuration. FIG. 6 illustrates a roof bow 6 to which the reinforcement threads of a tarpaulin reinforcement means or a tarpaulin according to the invention are attached. Such a roof bow is usually provided with a crossbeam 12 provided at its end with hands 13. The hands 13 are attached to the crossbeam 12 near the plate 7 serving as an anchoring point. Preferably, the reinforcement threads of a tarpaulin reinforcement means or a tarpaulin according to the invention are attached to plate 14, for example by means of screws or rivets. In another embodiment of the invention, the tarpaulin is attached to the lateral upstanding exterior side of the hand 13 by means of screws or rivets. Further preferred embodiments of tarpaulins according to the invention are described based on FIGS. 7 and 8. Although taken from a prior art document, these figures illustrate the relation between the different layers of the tarpaulin of the present invention.
The tarpaulin in FIG. 7 comprises a base fabric 15 forming the exterior of the tarpaulin, wherein the exterior surface of the base fabric 15 is provided with a coating 21 (preferably, the coating 21 is impermeable and also preferably resistant to UV-radiation). At the interior of the base fabric 15 a layout 16 of at least two (herein two) individual layers 17, 18 of reinforcement threads 10, 11 is located, positioned onto each other, wherein the reinforcement threads within a layer 17 or 18 run mutually parallel, whereas reinforcement threads between the different layers 17 and 18 are provided in different directions, preferably in opposite bias directions. The base fabric is preferably attached to the layers of reinforcement threads by knitting means 20. Furthermore, the tarpaulin in FIG. 7 is provided with an intermediate coating 22 (preferably, the coating 22 is impermeable) on the interior of the layout 16. In one embodiment, the coating 22 may be chosen (for example, a thermoplastic polymer) such that it may stick to the base fabric 15 which comprises e.g. polyester fibers in the warp direction and glass fibers in the weft direction, as a result of which also the layout 16 is attached to the base fabric 15.
The manufacturing process of the tarpaulin in FIG. 7 may comprise the following steps:
- the base fabric is produced by weaving or warp knitting fibers, for example glass, aramid, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK®, carbon, PET fibers or a combination thereof, e.g. polyester fibers in the warp direction and glass fibers in the weft direction;
- an intermediate coating, for example PVC coating, is applied on at least one side of the base fabric;
- a first layer 17 of reinforcement threads 10 is positioned in a first direction, preferably in a first bias direction;
- a second layer 18 of reinforcement threads 11 is positioned on the first layer 17 in a second direction, preferably in a second opposite bias direction;
- the base fabric is attached to the layers of reinforcement threads by knitting means, preferably the knitting means are knitting yarns preferably PET yarn and more preferably aramid yarn;
- subsequently, a coating, preferably a PVC coating, is applied on both sides of the obtained layout, e.g. a PVC layer 21 is applied; and
- a lacquer is applied on at least one side of the obtained layout, preferably, the lacquer is impermeable, and also preferably resistant to UV-radiation and dirt.
Preferably, the reinforcement threads 10 of a first layer 17 are positioned at an angle between 0° and 90°, and different from 0° and 90°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin material, and the reinforcement threads 11 of a second layer 18 are positioned at an angle between 0° and -90°, and different from 0° and -90°, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin material.
EXAM PLES
The examples disclosed in WO 2007/110762 apply also to the tarpaulin and/or tarpaulin construction according to the present invention. The following examples illustrate some preferred constructions of tarpaulins or tarpaulin reinforcement materials according to the invention.
For the base fabric, some examples are given in the following :
Example A: Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in which the PET yarn has a low crimp force. An intermediate coating is provided on a knife coating machine with a stenter in the oven, so that the base fabric does not crimp during the coating process, because the stenter keeps the construction in place, thus not crimping in weft.
Example B : Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% Glass filament yarn 1340 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity and low shrink < 3,5%. An intermediate coating is provided on a coating machine without a stenter in the oven, because the glass yarn does not crimp during the coating . Example C: Construction 9 x 9 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% Glass filament yarn 1340 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity and low shrink < 3,5%. An intermediate PVC coating is provided on a coating machine without a stenter in the oven, because the glass yarn does not crimp during the coating .
Example D : Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% basalt filament yarn 1500 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity and low shrink% < 2%. An intermediate coating is provided on a knife coating machine without a stenter in the oven, because the basalt yarn does not crimp during the coating .
Example E: Construction 7 x 7 threads/cm in 100% PET filament yarn 1100 dtex in warp and 100% Glass filament yarn 134 dtex in weft direction, in which the PET yarn has a high tenacity low shrink < 3,5% and the glass yarn is provided with a PVC coating surrounding the glass filament yarn. The base fabric is stabilized on a lamination machine with heated rollers, which will melt the PVC surrounding the glass yarns. The melted PVC will stabilize the construction of the base fabric by adhering also to the PET yarns.
These examples of the base fabric can be used in combination with the following reinforcement means:
Example 1 : A multi-axial reinforcement
1.1 in bias direction +49° and -49°; 3 threads per inch of aramid 1680 dtex regularly spread out over the full surface. Every 5 inch a red PET yarn is inserted as a marker
1.2 in longitudinal direction 0° - 1 threads of aramid 1680 dtex per 2.5 cm
1.3 knitting yarn : 167 dtex PES FTF.
Example 2 : A multi-axial reinforcement
2.1 in bias direction +52° and -52°; 3 threads per inch of aramid 1680 dtex regularly spread out over the full surface. Every 5 inch a black PET yarn is inserted as a marker
2.2 knitting yarn : 167/2 dtex PES FTF.
Example 3 : A multi-axial reinforcement
3.1 in bias direction +48° and -48°; 3 threads per inch of aramid 1680 dtex regularly spread out over the full surface. Every 5 inch a blue PET yarn is inserted as a marker
3.2 in longitudinal direction 0° - 3 threads of aramid 1680 dtex per 2.5 cm
3.3 knitting yarn : 167/2 dtex PES FTF.
In an embodiment, the color of the fiber of the marker gives an indication of the bias of the reinforcement threads. For example : a black fiber indicates a bias of the threads with the longitudinal direction comprised between 50°-54°, a red fiber 48°-50° and a bleu fiber 45°-48°.
And these examples of the base fabric and reinforcement means can be used in combination with e.g. one or more impermeable opaque PVC outer coatings, one or more impermeable transparent PVC inner coatings, a UV-resistant PVC outer finishing coating. An infinite number of variations is possible with parameters such as type of wire, density, angles, materials, weights, types of coatings, etc. The reinforcement threads may also be replaced and/or mixed with ropes, twines, cables, tapes, multi-filaments, etc.
Example 4. A tarpaulin according to FIG. 7
The different elements of the tarpaulin in FIG. 7 comprise the followi ng materials
- base fabric 15 : woven aramid, glass, PET or a mixture thereof fabric coated on the top side with PVC; reinforcement threads 10, 11 : aramid fibers (twisted or flat) of 1680 dtex; knitting means: knitting yarns such as PET yarn ( 167 dtex/2 intermingled) or aramid yarn (420 or 550 dtex) coating 21 : UV-durable PVC coating (for example white or yellow); coating 22 : transparent PVC coating.
The manufacturing process is as follows:
- the base fabric is preferably produced by weaving or warp knitting fibers, for example glass ( 125-140 dtex), aramid ( 1000-1200 dtex), PET fibers ( 1000- 1200 dtex) or a mixture thereof;
- a coating, for example PVC coating, is applied on at least one side of the base fabric;
- the first layer 17 of aramid fibers 10 is positioned mutually parallel with a density of 3 fibers per inch and at an angle of -50° with respect to the longitudinal direction; preferably after each 15 aramid fibers, a black PET fiber 25 (1100 dtex, twisted or flat) is inserted as a marker;
- the second layer 18 of aramid fibers 10 is positioned onto the first layer 17, mutually parallel with a density of 3 fibers per inch and at an angle of +50° with respect to the longitudinal direction; preferably after each 15 aramid fibers, a black PET fiber 25 ( 1100 dtex, twisted or flat) is inserted as a marker;
- the base fabric 15 is positioned with the uncoated side on the layout 16 produced in the third and fourth steps;
- the base fabric is preferably attached to the layers of aramid fibers by knitting means, the knitting means are knitting yarns preferably PET yarn ( 167 dtex/2) and more preferably aramid yarn (420 dtex or 550 dtex);
- on the product of the previous step, a coating (preferably a PVC coating) is applied;
- a lacquer is applied preferably on at least one side of the obtained layout (preferably, the lacquer is impermeable, and also preferably resistant to UV- radiation and dirt).

Claims

Tarpaulin comprising at least:
a woven or warp knitted base fabric with a yarn-density comprised between 5x5 yarns/cm2 and 12x12 yarns/cm2 having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of the reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a secondary coating;
an intermediate coating;
a reinforcement layer comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements are provided at an angle comprised between 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin;
one or more secondary coatings; and
a finishing coating;
whereby the base fabric is provided with the intermediate stabilizing coating whereupon further is provided the reinforcement layer, on which combined reinforcement layer and base fabric at least one secondary coating is provided and whereby a finishing coating is provided on at least one side of the combination of the base fabric provided with the intermediate coating, the reinforcement layer and said at least one secondary coating.
Tarpaulin according to claim 1, whereby the yarn of the base fabric in warp or weft direction has a linear mass density comprised between 800 dtex and 1500 dtex.
Tarpaulin according to any of the preceding claims 1 or 2, whereby the yarn of the base fabric has a linear mass density comprised between 1000 dtex and 1200 dtex and preferably 1100 dtex.
4. Tarpaulin according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein the base layer preferably consists of fibers chosen from aramid, glass, basalt, Dyneema®, Vectran®, PEEK®, PEK® or carbon and low-shrink polyester or any combination thereof.
5. Tarpau lin according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 4, whereby the reinforcement layer is further attached to the base layer by mea ns of knitting, preferably comprising non-crimp yarns such as aramid yarns.
6. Tarpau lin according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, whereby a secondary coating is provided preferably consisting of a polyvinyl chloride coating, which is preferably provided on both sides of the base fabric provided with the intermediate coating and the reinforcement layer.
7. Tarpau lin according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, wherein the finishing coating is a lacquer coating .
8. Tarpau lin according to claim 7, wherein the finishing coating is at least water impermeable, UV-radiation resistant and dirt resistant.
9. Tarpau lin according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the layers of reinforcement elements are provided in two bias directions, preferably two mutually opposite bias directions, preferably on the one hand at an angle between 45° and 55°, and on the other hand between - 45° and -55° .
10. Tarpau lin according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the reinforcement elements within each layer of the layout has an average density of at least 0.25 reinforcement elements per 2.54 cm (inch), preferably at least 2 reinforcement elements per 2.54 cm (inch), more preferably at least 3 reinforcement elements per 2.54 cm (inch), wherein the density is measu red in the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin .
11. Tarpau lin according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the reinforcement elements are aramid or para-aramid threads.
12. Process for the manufacturing of a tarpaulin comprising the following subsequent steps :
weaving or warp knitting a base fabric having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of the reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a secondary coating ; coating at least one side of the said base fabric with an intermediate coating;
providing a reinforcement layer comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements provided at an angle comprised between -45° and -55° or 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin onto the coated and/or uncoated side of the base fabric;
providing one or more secondary coatings on at least one and preferably both sides of the base fabric provided with the intermediate coating and the reinforcement layer;
providing one or more finishing coatings on at least one side of the combination of the base fabric provided with coatings and the reinforcement layer as obtained by executing the previous steps.
13. Use of a tarpaulin according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, as a stabilizer against the deformation of freight trucks, trailers and/or trucks.
14. Use according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle is provided with a multiple of roof bows, and wherein a bias direction is determined as parallel to the connection line between the anchoring point on one roof bow and the diagonally opposed anchoring point on a next roof bow.
15. Use according to claim 14, wherein on each anchoring point at least 3 reinforcement elements are clenched.
16. Reinforced base fabric for constructing a tarpaulin according to any of the claims 1 to 11, comprising
- a woven or warp knitted base fabric with a yarn-density comprised between 5x5 yarns/cm2 and 12x12 yarns/cm2, having a sufficient dimensional stability so that the layout of the layers of a reinforcement layer, which will be attached to the base fabric, will not be altered during a subsequent coating;
- an intermediate coating;
a reinforcement layer comprising at least one bi-axial layout of layers of mutually parallel extending reinforcement elements in each layer, said reinforcement elements provided at an angle comprised between 45° and 55° with regard to the longitudinal direction of the tarpaulin; whereby the base fabric is provided with the intermediate coating whereupon further is provided the reinforcement layer preferably by means of knitting, preferably comprising non-crimp yarns such as aramid yarns.
EP12766961.2A 2011-09-28 2012-09-27 Multi-layered roof stabilisation system for prevention of load deformation during freight transport and production process thereof Withdrawn EP2760689A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP12766961.2A EP2760689A1 (en) 2011-09-28 2012-09-27 Multi-layered roof stabilisation system for prevention of load deformation during freight transport and production process thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP2011066881 2011-09-28
PCT/EP2012/069146 WO2013045590A1 (en) 2011-09-28 2012-09-27 Multi-layered roof stabilisation system for prevention of load deformation during freight transport and production process thereof
EP12766961.2A EP2760689A1 (en) 2011-09-28 2012-09-27 Multi-layered roof stabilisation system for prevention of load deformation during freight transport and production process thereof

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EP2760689A1 true EP2760689A1 (en) 2014-08-06

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Non-Patent Citations (1)

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