Abstract
Vulcanized inflatable product comprising an impervious shell which forms the wall of at least one inflatable chamber (1) and which is provided with a valve (2) for inflating and deflating the inflatable product, at least one spacing fabric (41) being arranged inside the inflatable chamber (1), said spacing fabric comprising a first fabric layer (44) and a second fabric layer (45) mutually tied up by means of interconnecting threads (46) for delimiting the maximum distance therebetween, the first fabric layer (44) of the spacing fabric being directly or indirectly secured to one of the inner walls of the outer shell (5) of the inflatable chamber by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture and the other fabric layer (45) of the spacing fabric being directly or indirectly secured to the opposite inner wall of the outer shell (5) of the inflatable chamber by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture.
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A vulcanized inflatable product comprising an impervious shell which forms walls of at least one inflatable chamber and which is provided with a valve for inflating and deflating the inflatable product, wherein at least one spacing fabric is arranged inside the inflatable chamber, said spacing fabric comprising a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer mutually tied up by means of interconnecting threads for delimiting a maximum distance therebetween, the first fabric layer of the spacing fabric being directly or indirectly secured to an inner side of the shell, which forms the inflatable chamber, by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture, and the other fabric layer of the spacing fabric being directly or indirectly secured to an opposite inner side of the shell, which forms the inflatable chamber, by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture.
16. The inflatable product according to claim 15, wherein the outer shell of the inflatable chamber comprises at least one carrying fabric, said carrying fabric and the fabric layers of the spacing fabric being embedded, in a mutually adjacent arrangement, within a common layer of a vulcanized rubber mixture.
17. The inflatable product according to claim 15, wherein the spacing fabric has a circumference and the outer shell of the inflatable chamber comprises a first portion and a second portion, which extend beyond the spacing fabric along the circumference thereof, thus enabling formation of a common circumferential joint between said portions to create the inflatable chamber, the common circumferential joint being formed by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture.
18. The inflatable product according to claim 16, wherein the carrying fabric is provided with a paint and/or coating applied to its outer side, said paint and/or coating being composed of a material selected from a group consisting of a vulcanized rubber mixture, polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride.
19. The inflatable product according to claim 18, wherein the carrying fabric of the outer shell is selected from a group consisting of a polyester fabric, a cotton fabric, a viscose fabric, a polyamide fabric, a polypropylene fabric, and any combination thereof.
20. The inflatable product according to claim 15, wherein the inflatable chamber comprises at least one fabric partition, which is joined with the outer shell by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture.
21. The inflatable product according to claim 17, wherein the common circumferential joint, which is formed between the first portion and the second portion, is at least partially covered by an internal connecting ribbon, which is arranged inside the inflatable chamber and secured to the outer shell by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture.
22. The inflatable product according to claim 17, further comprising a set of at least two inflatable chambers, the circumferential areas of the outer shells of the individual chambers being partially interconnected by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture.
23. The inflatable product according to claim 22, wherein the joint formed between the first portion and the second portion of a first of the inflatable chambers and the joint formed between the first portion and the second portion of a second of the inflatable chambers, which adjoins the first inflatable chamber, are incorporated in an interconnecting area of said mutually adjoining inflatable chambers.
24. The inflatable product according to claim 15, wherein the fabric layers of the spacing fabric are secured to the walls of the inflatable chamber in an area-wide manner.
25. The inflatable product according to claim 15, wherein: the first fabric layer of the spacing fabric is provided at its outer side with a paint of a rubber mixture and thereon with a coating of a rubber mixture, the outer shell is provided with an inner coating of a rubber mixture, wherein the inflatable product further comprises a separator for preventing the coatings from being mutually joined in at least one area, said separator being arranged between the coatings which face each other in said at least one area.
26. The inflatable product according to claim 15, wherein the inflatable chamber comprises a space without the spacing fabric.
27. The inflatable product according to claim 26, wherein the outer shell of the inflatable chamber is provided with a separator for preventing opposing inner walls of the shell from being mutually joined, said separator being arranged on the inner side of the shell where no spacing fabric is present.
28. The inflatable product according to claim 15, characterized in that the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer are mutually tied up by means of auxiliary threads for fixing the fabric layers in a mutual position, in which the fabric layers adjoin each other prior to an initial inflation of the inflatable product.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached drawings, wherein
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a vulcanized inflatable product comprising a spacing fabric in a plan view,
[0034] FIG. 2 shows the same vulcanized inflatable product comprising a spacing fabric in a front elevation view,
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a section indicated as A-A in FIG. 1,
[0036] FIG. 4 shows the detailed structure of the spacing fabric provided with the paint and coating layers applied to the both sides thereof,
[0037] FIG. 5 shows the detailed structure of one portion of the shell of the inflatable chamber, said portion consisting of a carrying fabric provided with the paint and coating layers applied to the both sides thereof,
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a simplified structure of the portion of the inflatable chamber according to the Detail B indicated in FIG. 3,
[0039] FIG. 7 shows the vulcanized inflatable product in a plan view, wherein the spacing fabric does not cover the entire surface area of the inflatable chamber and the inflatable product is suitably supplemented with internal partitions arranged inside the free portion of the chamber,
[0040] FIG. 8 shows a multi-planar sectional view according to the indication in FIG. 7,
[0041] FIG. 9a shows a pair of chambers joined by means of a vulcanized rubber mixture,
[0042] FIG. 9b shows the detail D in a sectional view,
[0043] FIG. 10 shows an additional glued joint formed between the overhanging portions of two chambers,
[0044] FIG. 10b shows the detail E in a sectional view,
[0045] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view illustrating an inflatable product that comprises two spacing fabrics, the latter being stacked on top of each other.
EXAMPLES OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Example 1
[0046] The vulcanized inflatable product comprising a spacing fabric, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, is provided with the outer shell 5 comprising the carrying polyester fabric 51, the outer paint 52/outer coating 53 composed of a rubber mixture on the basis of NBR, sulphur in the amount of 2 phr, kaolin in the amount of 60 phr, ZnO in the amount of 4 phr, a phenolic antioxidant in the amount of 3 phr and a compound accelerator in the amount of 2 phr (represented by the mixture of 2,2-dibenzothiazyl sulphide, diphenylguanidine and 2-mercaptobenzthiazole, also referred to as MBT/MBRS/DPG), as well as the inner paint 54/inner coating 55 composed of a rubber mixture on the basis of the combination of NR and SBR in the weight ratio of 40:60, sulphur in the amount of 2.5 phr, kaolin in the amount of 65 phr, ZnO in the amount of 5 phr, a phenolic antioxidant in the amount of 3 phr and MBT/MBRS/DPG in the amount of 2 phr. The product comprises one inflatable chamber 1, in which a single-ply spacing element 4 in the form of a cut-out having the required shape, dimensions and (maximum) mutual distance between the outer surfaces of outer fabric layers totalling 67 mm is inserted using a build-up method, said spacing element consisting of an impregnated spacing fabric 41 comprising a pair of said fabric layers which are mutually tied up by means of interconnecting threads so as to cause the maximum thickness of the spacing fabric 41 to be delimited when the fabric layers are drawn apart in a distance corresponding to the fully tightened condition of the interconnecting threads. Both the fabric layers of the spacing fabric 41 are provided with a paint 42 and a coating 43 consisting of a rubber mixture, the paint and the coating being applied to the respective sides facing away from the interconnecting threads. In the course of the vulcanization process, a layer of the vulcanized rubber mixture is formed on each of the two opposing sides by joining the coating 43, 3, 55 and the paint 42, 52, 54 both the carrying layer 51 of the outer shell and the spacing fabric 41 being incorporated into the newly formed layer. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the spacing element 4 composed of the spacing fabric 41 substantially fills up the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1. This means than no internal partitions (or I-beams) 6 need to be provided. The inflatable chamber 1, which contains the spacing fabric element 4 inserted therein, is provided with a single joint 3 consisting of a vulcanized rubber mixture and extending along the circumference of the product, said joint being formed by the portions of the outer shell 5 extending beyond the spacing fabric a supplemented with the internal connecting ribbon 7. The inflatable product is provided with a single inflation and deflation valve 2.
Example 2
[0047] The vulcanized inflatable product comprising a spacing fabric, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, is provided with the outer shell 5 comprising the carrying polyester fabric 51I the outer paint 52/outer coating 53 as well as the inner paint 54/inner coating 55, said paints/coatings being composed of a rubber mixture on the basis of the combination of NR, SBR, EPDM, said mixture containing, per 100 parts (by weight) of the rubber combination having the overall weight ratio of 40:40:20, sulphur in the amount of 2.5 phr, kaolin in the amount of 55 phr, ZnO in the amount of 5 phr, a phenolic antioxidant in the amount of 3 phr and a compound accelerator in the amount of 3 phr (represented by the mixture of 2,2-dibenzothiazyl sulphide, diphenylguanidine and 2-mercaptobenzthiazole, also referred to as MBT/MBRS/DPG). The product comprises one inflatable chamber 1, in which a single-ply spacing element 4 in the form of a cut-out having the required shape, dimensions and (maximum) mutual distance between the outer surfaces of outer fabric layers totalling 100 mm is inserted using a build-up method, said spacing element consisting of an impregnated spacing fabric 41 comprising a pair of said fabric layers which are mutually tied up by means of interconnecting threads so as to cause the maximum thickness of the spacing fabric 41 to be delimited when the fabric layers are drawn apart in a distance corresponding to the fully tightened condition of the interconnecting threads. Both the fabric layers of the spacing fabric 41 are provided with a paint 42 and a coating 43 consisting of a rubber mixture, the paint and the coating being applied to the respective sides facing away from the interconnecting threads and the rubber mixture being identical to that used for the inner side of the carrying fabric layer of the outer shell 5. In the course of the vulcanization process, a layer of the vulcanized rubber mixture is formed on each of the two opposing sides by joining the coating 43, 53, 55 and the paint 42, 52, 54, both the carrying layer 51 of the outer shell and the spacing fabric 41 being incorporated into the newly formed layer. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the spacing element 4 composed of the spacing fabric 41 substantially fills up the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1. This means than no internal partitions (or I-beams) 6 need to be provided. The inflatable chamber 1, which contains the spacing fabric element 4 inserted therein, is provided with a single joint 3 consisting of a vulcanized rubber mixture and extending along the circumference of the product, said joint being formed by the portions of the outer shell 5 extending beyond the spacing fabric a supplemented with the internal connecting ribbon 7. The inflatable product is provided with a single inflation and deflation valve 2.
Example 3
[0048] The vulcanized inflatable product comprising a spacing fabric, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, is provided with the outer shell 5 comprising the carrying fabric 5 having the form of combined polyester/cotton fabric, the outer paint 52/outer coating 53 composed of polyurethane and the inner paint 54/inner coating 55 composed of a rubber mixture, the latter having the same composition as that described in Example 1. The product comprises one inflatable chamber 1, in which a single-ply spacing element 4 in the form of a cut-out having the required shape, dimensions and (maximum) mutual distance between the outer surfaces of outer fabric layers totalling 150 mm is inserted using a build-up method, said spacing element consisting of an impregnated spacing fabric 41 comprising a pair of said fabric layers which are mutually tied up by means of interconnecting threads so as to cause the maximum thickness of the spacing fabric 41 to be delimited when the fabric layers are drawn apart in a distance corresponding to the fully tightened condition of the interconnecting threads. Both the fabric layers of the spacing fabric 41 are provided with a paint 42 and a coating 43 consisting of a rubber mixture, the paint and the coating being applied to the respective sides facing away from the interconnecting threads and the rubber mixture being identical to that used for the inner side of the carrying fabric layer of the outer shell 5. In the course of the vulcanization process, a layer of the vulcanized rubber mixture is formed on each of the two opposing sides by joining the coating 43, 55 and the paint 42, 54, both the carrying layer 51 of the outer shell and the spacing fabric 41 being incorporated into the newly formed layer. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the spacing element 4 composed of the spacing fabric 41 substantially fills up the inner space of the intlatable chamber 1. This means than no internal partitions (or I-beams) 6 need to be provided. The inflatable chamber 1, which contains the spacing element 4 inserted therein, is provided with a single joint 3 consisting of a vulcanized rubber mixture and extending along the circumference of the product, said joint being formed by the portions of the outer shell 5 extending beyond the spacing fabric a supplemented with the internal connecting ribbon 7. The inflatable product is provided with a single inflation and deflation valve 2.
Example 4
[0049] The vulcanized inflatable product comprising a spacing fabric, as shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 8, is provided with the outer shell 5 comprising the carrying polyester fabric 51, the outer paint 52/outer coating 53 composed of a rubber mixture on the basis of CR and CSM contained in the weight ratio of 25:75 and supplemented with MgO in the amount of 3.5 phr, kaolin in the amount of 60 phr, a mineral oil in the amount of 25 phr and an accelerator (dipentamethylenethiuram tetrasulphide, DPTT) in the amount of 2 phr, and the inner paint 54/inner coating 55 composed of a rubber mixture, the latter having the same composition as that described in Example 1. The product comprises one inflatable chamber 1, in which a single-ply spacing element 4 in the form of a cut-out having the required shape, dimensions and mutual distance between the fabric layers totalling 100 mm is inserted using a build-up method, said spacing element consisting of an impregnated spacing fabric 41 comprising a pair of said fabric layers which are mutually tied up by means of interconnecting threads so as to cause the maximum thickness of the spacing fabric 41 to be delimited when the fabric layers are drawn apart in a distance corresponding to the fully tightened condition of the interconnecting threads. Both the fabric layers of the spacing fabric 41 are provided with a paint 42 and a coating 43 consisting of a rubber mixture, the paint and the coating being applied to the respective sides facing away from the interconnecting threads and the rubber mixture being identical to that used for the inner side of the carrying fabric layer of the outer shell 5. In the course of the vulcanization process, a layer of the vulcanized rubber mixture is formed on each of the two opposing sides by joining the coating 43, 53, 55 and the paint 4, 52, 4, both the carrying layer 51 of the outer shell and the spacing fabric 41 being incorporated into the newly formed layer. In this exemplary embodiment, the spacing element 4 composed of the spacing fabric 41 does not entirely fill up the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1. The portion of the inflatable chamber, which does not contain the spacing element 4 protruding thereto, is further provided with the internal partitions (I-beams) 6 made of a polyester fabric and inserted therein, said partitions having suitable heights and being provided with a coating or paint composed of a rubber mixture applied both to the outer side and to the inner side thereof. Moreover, said partitions are arranged between the top and bottom portions of the outer shell 5. The inner side of the outer shell is provided with a paint layer on the basis of CaCO.sub.3, said layer being applied to the surface area, which is not adjoined by the spacing fabric or the internal partition, and serving as a separator. The inflatable chamber 1, which contains the spacing element 4 inserted therein, is provided with a single joint 3 consisting of a vulcanized rubber mixture and extending along the circumference of the product, said joint being formed by the portions of the outer shell 5 extending beyond the spacing fabric a supplemented with the internal connecting ribbon 7. The inflatable product is provided with a single inflation and deflation valve 2.
Example 5
[0050] The vulcanized inflatable product comprising a spacing fabric, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, is provided with the outer shell 5 comprising the carrying polyester fabric 51, the outer paint 52/outer coating 53 composed of a rubber mixture and the inner paint 54/inner coating 55 composed of a rubber mixture, said rubber mixtures having the same compositions as those described in Example 1. The product comprises one inflatable chamber 1, in which spacing elements 4 in the form of a cut-outs having the required shapes, dimensions and (maximum) mutual distance between the outer surfaces of outer fabric layers totalling 67 mm is inserted in a double-ply manner using a build-up method, said spacing element consisting of an impregnated spacing fabric 41 comprising a pair of said fabric layers which are mutually tied up by means of interconnecting threads so as to cause the maximum thickness of the spacing fabric 41 to be delimited when the fabric layers are drawn apart in a distance corresponding to the fully tightened condition of the interconnecting threads. Both the fabric layers of each the pairs of spacing fabrics 41 are provided with the paint 42 and a coating 43 consisting of a rubber mixture, the paint and the coating being applied to the respective sides facing away from the interconnecting threads and the rubber mixture having the same composition as that described in Example 1. In the course of the vulcanization process, a layer of the vulcanized rubber mixture is formed on each of the two opposing sides by joining the coating 43, 53, 55 and the paint 42, 52, 54, both the carrying layer 51 of the outer shell and the spacing fabric 41 being incorporated into the newly formed layer. In this exemplary embodiment, the spacing elements 4 formed by the spacing fabric 41 substantially fill up the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1. This means than no internal partitions (or I-beams) 6 need to be provided. The inflatable chamber 1, which contains the spacing fabric element 4 inserted therein, is provided with a single joint 3 consisting of a vulcanized rubber mixture and extending along the circumference of the product, said joint being formed by the portions of the outer shell 5 extending beyond the spacing fabric a supplemented with the internal connecting ribbon 7. The inflatable product is provided with a single inflation and deflation valve 2.
Example 6
[0051] In still another exemplary embodiment of the inflatable product according to the invention, which is not illustrated in the drawings, at least a certain portion of the coating 43 composed of a rubber mixture resting on the paint 42 composed of a rubber mixture applied to the outer side of the first fabric layer 44 of the spacing fabric 41 and/or at least a certain portion of the coating 43 composed of a rubber mixture resting on the paint 42 composed of a rubber mixture applied to the outer side of the second fabric layer 45 of the spacing fabric 41 is provided with a separator preventing said portions from being mutually joined or from being joined with any partial area of the inner wall of the outer shell 5 of the inflatable chamber 1 in a direct or indirect manner. Alternatively, at least one portion of the inner coating 5, which has been applied to the inner wall of the outer shell 5, can be provided with a separator. After having been inflated, the product contains a spatial arrangement formed inside it, those portions of the spacing fabric 41, which have their fabric layers 44, 45 attached to the respective inner wall of the outer shell 5 of the inflatable chamber 1, delimit the height of the inflated inner space through their connecting threads 46. Nevertheless, the inflatable chamber 1 can become bulged between the above mentioned portion and/or portions of the first fabric layer 44 provided with the separator and/or the second fabric layer 45 of the spacing fabric 41 on the one hand and the corresponding portion of the inner wall of the outer shell 5 of the inflatable chamber 1 and/or the corresponding portions of the inner walls of the outer shell 5 of the inflatable chamber 1 on the other hand, thereby causing said corresponding portion of the wall and/or portions of the walls of the outer shell 5 to project beyond the level defined by those portions of the walls of the outer shell 5 which adjoin the fabric layers 44, 45 of the spacing fabric 41.
Example 7
[0052] In a still further exemplary embodiment of the inflatable product according to the present invention, which embodiment is not shown in the drawings, the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1 is not entirely filled up with the spacing fabric 41. The remaining portion of the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1 is empty, the inner walls of the outer shell 5 of the inflatable chamber 1 surrounding said remaining portion of the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1 being provider by a separator for preventing the opposing wall of the outer shell 5 from being mutually joined. After the product has been inflated, the inner space of the inflatable chamber is filled up with air, the walls of the outer shell 5 carrying the fabric layers 44, 45 of the spacing fabric 41 being limited in terms of their maximum achievable mutual spacing, said limitation being realized by means of the connecting threads 46, while those walls of the outer shell 5, which surround the remaining portion of the inner space of the inflatable chamber 1, i.e. the portion without the spacing fabric 41, are not limited in such a manner, thus forming a bulge.
[0053] Needless to say, the above exemplary embodiments of the vulcanized inflatable products comprising spacing fabric cannot be considered to be exhaustive. In addition to polyester materials, multiple other types of fabric materials are usable for preparing the carrying fabric, the spacing fabric and the internal partitions (I-beams), regardless of whether natural materials, such as cotton or viscose, or synthetic ones, such as polyamide or polypropylene, are concerned. The only prerequisite consists in that such fabric materials must be suitable for being provided with paint and/or coating layers. Similarly, other suitable paint or coating materials than rubber mixtures can be used for the outer side of the carrying fabric of the outer shell, such materials including polyurethanes, polyvinyl chloride or the like. Alternatively, the provision of the outer shell with a paint or coating layer can be completely omitted. The paint or coating layers can be applied to the surface of the carrying fabrics, spacing fabrics and internal partitions (I-beams) in multiple numbers and orders, the above examples being not exhaustive in this regard. The spacing fabric can be a woven or knitted one having various parameters, such as thickness, bond, specific weight, type of yarn used, quantities of fibres, numerousness of knots and way of interlacing (e.g., when using hair-like velour threads). In addition, the maximum mutual distance of the fabric layers of the spacing fabric can be varied as required. The arrangement and number of the internal partitions (I-beams), as well as the variable height of the same, can be utilized for influencing the final shape of the product. When the spacing fabrics having equal or different mutual distances are stacked in multiple layers, various final arrangements of the product can be obtained.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0054] The vulcanized inflatable products comprising spacing fabrics according to the present invention are usable for the manufacture of inflatable boats, camp beds, mattresses, flood protection barriers, sports ground, tent floorings, rescue chutes, rescue gangways, floating wharfs and piers, pontoons, rescue litters, props, mobile partitions, pools, paddle boards, etc., when there is a need of improved mechanical properties, higher level of protection against loss of airtightness and improved efficiency of the final assembly process.
