EP3652374B1

EP3652374B1 - Improved multilayer for covering elements for ironing surfaces

Info

Publication number: EP3652374B1
Application number: EP18762387.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francesco Giordano
Original assignee: Siretessile Srl
Current assignee: Siretessile Srl
Priority date: 2017-07-11
Filing date: 2018-07-10
Publication date: 2022-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-10
Also published as: PL3652374T3; EP3652374A1; IT201700078053A1; WO2019012420A1; ES2941504T3

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved multilayer for covering elements for ironing surfaces, as well as a covering element for ironing surfaces made with said improved multilayer.
The present invention may be applied, in particular, to the manufacturing of covers for ironing boards.
Herein, "covering element" or "cover" specifically means the element which surrounds the ironing surface (such as the upper surface of the ironing board) and on which a garment to be ironed and/or the iron is directly put, thus excluding the additional accessories which are used to be positioned between such covering element and the ironing surface and which, as a result, are not in direct contact with the garment to be ironed.

Prior Art

Currently, using a multilayer consisting of an outer layer made of fabric, one or more intermediate layers of flannel or rubber, such as polyurethane foam, and a metallized inner layer for the manufacturing of covering elements for ironing surface is already known. Such a multilayer is disclosed for example in NL1035968 , in which it is also provided that the metallized inner layer is supported by an underlying foam substrate.
Furthermore, Italian patent IT 1277721 (application No. MI1995A002751) describes a covering material for ironing surfaces which is formed by an outer upper layer made of fabric, a first underlying intermediate layer made of polymeric material, a second underlying intermediate layer consisting of a metallized film, and an inner lower base layer made of a material selected among natural fiber pads, synthetic fiber pads, foamed polyurethane, foamed polyethylene or foamed PVC.
Such known solutions are not completely satisfactory, since the heat produced by the iron generates a considerable amount of moisture, which is absorbed in the covering element and stagnates therein.
In addition, the materials currently known for manufacturing covering elements for ironing surfaces do not provide for an optimal heat reflection, thus requiring higher energy consumption as well as an increased ironing time.
Furthermore, the known covering elements for ironing surfaces are particularly thick, which makes them particularly bulky, in particular when they are in a folded condition while not in use.
US 2 600 913 discloses a covering element for ironing surfaces which is intended to rapidly dissipate heat in order to avoid damages and scorches in the covering element itself. Said covering element comprises a fabric layer, the lower surface of which is sprayed with finely dispersed particles of molten metal.
US 4 849 044 describes a covering element for ironing surfaces which is intended to show a high coefficient of heat insulation. Said covering element comprises a fabric layer, a surface of which is coated with a mixture of sticky plastic adhesives, while the opposed surface of which is sprayed with non-sticky adhesives; a layer of metal particles embedded in a matrix of synthetic resins is successively applied to one or both surface(s) of the aforesaid layer for obtaining a thermal barrier.
Such a structure does not allow to obtain a waterproof covering element and the moisture generated by ironing has the tendency to pass through said covering element and fall onto the underlying surface; moreover, such a structure does not allow to improve the smooth sliding of the iron during ironing.
DE 10 2010 000 379 discloses a covering element for ironing surfaces which is intended to enhance a uniform distribution of heat. Said covering element comprises an upper layer made of fabric and a lower layer consisting of a binder matrix in which mineral particles, preferably ceramic particles, are dispersed.
DE 297 04 672 describes a covering element for a washing machine or similar household device which is heat-resistant and allows to use the upper surface of said washing machine of similar household device as an ironing surface. Said covering element comprises a layer made of fabric and a layer made of felt or foamed material, wherein one or both surface(s) of the fabric layer may be metallized.
Documents US 2 214 824 and US 4 360 984 , respectively, disclose further multilayer constructions of ironing pads.
None of the aforementioned documents deals with the technical problem of preventing the moisture generated by the heat generated by the iron from being absorbed in the covering element and stagnating therein.
A main object of the present invention is to provide for an improved multilayer to be used for manufacturing a covering element for an ironing surface which allows to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional solutions and, more particularly, avoids the undesired drawbacks related to the moisture accumulation inside the covering element. A further object of the invention is to provide for an improved multilayer to be used for manufacturing a covering element for an ironing surface which makes ironing more comfortable, easier and faster, by providing an enhanced sliding of the iron on the covering element itself.
A further object of the invention is to provide for an improved multilayer to be used for manufacturing a covering element for an ironing surface which allows to obtain a relevant reduction of energy consumption.
A further object of the invention is to provide for an improved multilayer to be used for manufacturing a covering element for an ironing surface which allows to obtain a covering element for an ironing surface which is easy to be folded and shows particularly reduced space requirement when folded.
These and other objects are achieved by an improved multilayer for covering elements for ironing surfaces having the features given in the appended claims.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, the improved multilayer for covering elements for ironing surfaces comprises a fabric layer which is directly coupled to an underlying metallized layer, which metallized layer includes a metallic film oriented towards said fabric layer.
Said metallized layer comprises a supporting substrate, preferably made of polymeric material, and oriented in the opposite direction with respect to said fabric layer.
In the multilayer according to the invention, the upper surface of the fabric layer is intended to be in direct contact with the garment to be ironed and/or with the iron and the lower surface of the metallized layer is intended to be in direct contact with the upper face of the ironing surface.
Thanks to the direct coupling between the fabric layer and the metallized layer - namely between the fabric layer and the metallic film- the improved multilayer according to the invention has several advantages:

as it does not include any intermediate layers, it guarantees waterproofing of the multilayer itself and prevents moisture from being absorbed in the multilayer and stagnating therein;
as it does not include any intermediate layers, it causes the metallized layer to be closer to the iron, thus allowing a higher reflection of the heat generated by the iron, which entails a shortening of the ironing time and a remarkable reduction of energy consumption;
when using steam irons, as it does not include any intermediate layers, it causes the metallized layer to be closer to the iron and to the stream generated thereby, with the resulting formation of a kind of steam "cushion" above the fabric layer, which improves the smooth sliding movement of the iron during ironing;
as it does not include any intermediate layers, it allows to obtain a covering element easy to be folded and having little space requirement;
it defines an extremely even and smooth ironing plane, without necessarily requiring any additional speeding treatment (such as, for instance, silicone-based treatments);
it allows to obtain a covering element which is also suitable to be used with irons other than steam irons.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the metallic film is continuous.
According to the invention, the metallic film has a thickness in the range of microns.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the metallized layer is an aluminized layer.
According to the invention, the metallized layer is directly coupled to the fabric layer by means of a polymeric glue and/or a hot-melt resin.
Advantageously, the improved multilayer according to the invention can be made by applying a heated polymeric glue and/or a hot-melt resin onto the lower surface of the fabric layer and/or onto the upper surface of the metallized layer and by subsequently passing said layers through a calender.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention is further explained here below with reference to some preferred embodiment thereof, disclosed purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows in a vertical sectional view the multilayer according to the invention; and
Figure 2 shows in a perspective view a cover for an ironing table made with the multilayer of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Figure 1 schematically shows in a vertical sectional view the multilayer 10 according to the invention; in Figure 1 the different layers of the multilayer 10 are not shown according to their real proportions, but they are shown with fictitious proportions, intended for the understanding of the invention.
As can be seen from the figures, the multilayer 10 according to the invention for covering elements 2 for ironing surfaces comprises a first layer made of fabric 12 which is directly coupled to a second, underlying layer 14 which is a metallized layer, preferably an aluminized layer.
The outer fabric layer 12 and the inner metallized layer 14 are directly coupled / joined, i.e. without the interposition of any intermediate structural layer made of any material.
In particular, the fabric layer 12 is the layer that, in use, is arranged outwards and above with respect to the metallized layer 14, which accordingly represents the inner, lower layer.
More particularly, the outer surface 13 of the fabric layer 12 is intended to be in direct contact with the garment to be ironed and/or with the iron, while the lower surface of the metallized layer 14 is intended to be in direct contact with the upper face of the ironing board.
The fabric layer 12 is coupled to the underlying metallized layer 14 by dot or full or powder coupling / lamination, preferably by means of polymeric glue and/or hot-melt resin (e.g. by means of reactive polyurethane), so as to guarantee a firm and durable coupling between the two layers and avoid any detachments or damages caused by the heat and/or steam generated by the iron 20 during use.
Advantageously, such kind of coupling allows to obtain a multilayer 10 that, without the need for any further specific treatments, is even and uniform at the outer surface 13, on which the garments are intended to be placed, so as to make the sliding of the iron 20 smoother during ironing and, at the same time, prevents the garments from shifting relative to the ironing board during such operation.
Advantageously, the outer layer 12 consists of a fabric made of natural fibers, preferably cotton, and/or of polymeric fibers, such as polyester.
Preferably, the outer layer 12 consists of a fabric made of 100% natural cotton or of a fabric made of 100% polyester or of a fabric made of a blend of cotton and polyester.
Advantageously, the outer fabric layer 12 is a non-slip layer, for preventing the garments from shifting relative to the ironing board.
Advantageously, the fabric layer 12 is sanforized.
According to the invention, the metallized layer 14 comprises a film 11 made of metal, preferably aluminum, which is oriented towards the fabric layer 12.
Preferably, said film 11 is continuous.
The metallized layer 14 comprises a supporting substrate 18 which is coated at its upper surface by said metallic film 11.
According to the invention, said metallic film 11 is applied to said supporting substrate 18 by spraying or vacuum sputtering.
Said metallic film 11 has a thickness in the range of microns.
Preferably, the supporting substrate 18 is made of a polymeric material, such as polyester (PL), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), foamed polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and/or other similar materials.
Advantageously, the metallized layer may comprise on or more pigments suitable for giving a specific color, such as golden, to the layer itself.
Advantageously, the multilayer 10 has an overall thickness which is substantially lower than 1 mm, preferably lower than about 0,5 mm, and even more preferably lower than about 0,35 mm.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the metallized layer 14 may comprise a plurality of through-openings, passing through the layer itself from side to side. Advantageously, the trough-openings comprise bores that are made by through-punching the metallized layer, preferably by means of wedged cylinders, either solid or hollow, or by conventional stamping. Advantageously, the through-openings comprise discontinuities, preferably microscopic interstices, between the particles of metal (preferably aluminum) that has been applied by spraying or vacuum sputtering.
The multilayer according to the invention can be obtained as follows.
The glue and/ore the adhesive resin, preferably a polyurethane resin, is / are suitably heated to a temperature between 80 °C and 140 °C, preferably of about 100 - 120 °C, and is / are successively spread onto the lower surface 16 of the outer fabric layer 12 and/or onto the upper surface 17 of the inner metallized layer 14 (i.e. on the upper surface of the metallic film 11). Thereafter, the two layers 12 and 14 are brought close to each other and joined to each other at the surface with the spread glue. Then, the assembly formed by the two layers 12 and 14, joined to each other, passes through a calender having a working pressure which is suitably controlled for causing a temporary and localized reduction of the overall thickness of the forming assembly. More particularly, the calender working pressure has to be suitably controlled since, if the pressure were too low, it would not be possible to obtain a proper gluing and a resulting firm and durable coupling of the two layers 12 and 14 to each other.
Advantageously, calendering the assembly formed by the fabric layer 12 and the metallized layer 14 makes the outer surface 13 of the upper fabric layer 12 particularly even and uniform, even without using any chemical treatment.
The multilayer 10 according to the invention is used for manufacturing a covering element 2 for an ironing surface, such as a cover for an ironing board. More particularly, such covering element 2 is arranged so as to wrap, either completely or partially, the upper face of the ironing surface, such as for instance the upper face of the ironing table. Advantageously, the covering element 2 is arranged so as to be in direct contact with the upper face of the ironing table, without the interposition of any further accessories or materials.
Advantageously, the covering element 2 according to the invention may comprise one or more edges provided with elastic means and/or laces for being fastened to the underlying ironing surface. Advantageously, the edges provided with elastic means and/or the laces are attached to the multilayer 10 by lamination, sewing and/or heat welding. Advantageously, the multilayer 10 and/or the covering element 2 may undergo a conventional antibacterial treatment with biocides (e.g. by means of the technology called Sanitized^®) or a permanent bacteriostatic treatment without biocides (e.g. by means of the technology called Abatox^®).
The present invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it is to be intended that in practice constructional variants can be applied thereto, without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Multilayer (10) for covering elements (2) for ironing surfaces, which multilayer comprises a fabric layer (12) and a metallized layer (14), which is coupled to said fabric layer, wherein said metallized layer (14) comprises a metallic film (11), which is oriented towards said fabric layer, whereby said metallized layer (14) comprises a supporting substrate (18) which is oriented in the opposite direction with respect to said fabric layer (12) and which is coated at its upper surface by said metallic film (11), said metallic film (11) having a thickness in the range of microns and being applied to said supporting substrate (18) by spraying or vacuum sputtering, and in that said metallized layer (14) is directly coupled to said fabric layer (12) by a polymeric glue and/or a hot-melt resin.
Multilayer (10) according to claim 1, wherein said metallic film (11) is continuous.
Multilayer (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said metallic film (11) is made of aluminum.
Multilayer (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said fabric layer (12) is made of natural fibers and/or polymeric fibers.
Multilayer (10) according to claim 4, wherein said fabric layer (12) is made of cotton and/or polyester.
Multilayer (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said multilayer has an overall thickness which is lower than 1 mm, preferably lower than 0,5 mm, and even more preferably lower than bout 0,35 mm.
Multilayer (10) according to claim 1, wherein said metallized layer (14) comprises a plurality of through-openings which pass through said layer from side to side.
Multilayer (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface (13) of said fabric layer (12) is intended to be in direct contact with a garment to be ironed and/or with an iron (20) and the lower surface (15) of the metallized layer (14) is intended to be in direct contact with the upper face of the ironing surface.
Method for obtaining a multilayer (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 - 8, said method comprising the following steps:
providing a fabric layer (12);

providing a metallized layer (14), said metallized layer (14) comprising a metallic film (11) and a supporting substrate (18) which is oriented in the opposite direction with respect to said fabric layer (12) and which is coated at its upper surface by said metallic film (11), said metallic film (11) having a thickness in the range of microns and being applied to said supporting substrate (18) by spraying or vacuum sputtering,

heating a polymeric glue and/or a hot-melt resin to a temperature substantially comprised between 80 °C and 140 °C,

spreading said polymeric glue and/or said hot-melt resin, thus heated, onto the lower surface (16) of said fabric layer (12) and/or onto the upper surface (17) of said metallized layer (14), i.e. onto the upper surface of said metallic film (11);

bringing the two layers (12, 14) close to each other and joining said two layers to each other at the surface with said spread polymeric glue and/or hot-melt resin,

passing the assembly formed by the two layers (12, 14) joined to each other through a calender.
Covering element (2) for an ironing surface, characterized in that it consists of a multilayer (10) according to anyone of the claims 1 - 8.
Covering element (2) according to claim 10, wherein the upper surface of said covering element, which is intended to be in direct contact with a garment to be ironed and/or with an iron (20), is the upper surface (13) of said fabric layer (12) and the lower surface of said covering element, which is intended to be in direct contact with the ironing surface, is the lower surface (15) of said metallized layer (14).
Covering element (2) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said covering element comprises at least one edge provided with elastic means and/or laces for being fastened to the ironing surface.