BRACELET AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A BRACELET

Abstract

A bracelet including an upper strip and a lower strip forming at least one strand of the bracelet, the bracelet includes a flexible intermediate layer disposed between the upper strip and the lower strip, the flexible intermediate layer being formed by at least one encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature of between 0? C. and 40? C.

Claims

1. A bracelet comprising an upper strip and a lower strip forming at least one strand of the bracelet, the bracelet comprising a flexible intermediate layer disposed between the upper strip and the lower strip, the flexible intermediate layer being formed by at least one encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature of between 0? C. and 40? C.

2. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one phase-change material is selected from: paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, waxes, oils, hydrated salts, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, dibasic acids, dibasic esters, 1-halides, polymers, and mixtures thereof.

3. The bracelet according to claim 2, wherein the lower strip comprises micro-perforations.

4. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the upper strip and the lower strip are made from elastomer composites containing metallic and/or ceramic fillers.

5. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the transition temperature of the phase-change material is between 25? C. and 30? C.

6. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer made of the encapsulated phase-change material comprises holes for passing fastening devices.

7. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the upper strip is made of one or more materials selected from the group comprising leathers, natural or synthetic fabrics, elastomers and silicone materials.

8. The bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the flexible intermediate layer is formed by two encapsulated phase-change materials, a first encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature between 15? C. and 20? C., and a second encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature between 25? C. and 35? C.

9. A method for manufacturing a bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps of: manufacturing a flexible intermediate layer formed by at least one encapsulated phase-change material corresponding to the desired final shape of the bracelet, providing an upper strip and a lower strip, bonding the intermediate layer to the lower strip, and rigidly connecting the upper strip to the lower strip and the intermediate layer to form the bracelet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] The aims, advantages and features of the bracelet provided with a phosphorescent insert will become clearer in the following description given with reference to the drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a bracelet provided with an intermediate layer according to a first embodiment of the invention, and

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a bracelet strand according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A first aspect of the invention relates to a bracelet or wristband 1 comprising an upper strip 2 and a lower strip 3 forming at least one strand of the bracelet 1, each strip having corresponding holes 10 for passing a pin or tongue. The bracelet further comprises an insert disposed between the upper strip 2 and the lower strip 3, the insert being in the form of a flexible intermediate layer 4 disposed between the upper strip 2 and the lower strip 3.

[0024] The term upper is understood to mean the part of the bracelet that faces outwards and is visible to the wearer when the bracelet is being worn. Similarly, the term lower is understood to mean the part of the bracelet that faces inwards and that is in contact with the wearer when the bracelet is being worn.

[0025] Advantageously, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by at least one encapsulated phase-change material with a transition temperature of between 0? C. and 40? C., so as to be able to release or absorb heat when the bracelet is in contact with the wearer's skin.

[0026] The transition temperature is, for example, between 25? C. and 30? C. Once this temperature has been reached, the phase-change material will absorb the wearer's heat and provide a cooling sensation thereto.

[0027] The reverse is also possible. The transition temperature may, for example, be between 15? C. and 20? C. Once this temperature has been reached, the phase-change material will release heat to the wearer, providing a heating sensation thereto.

[0028] The intermediate layer 4 further comprises holes 10 corresponding to the holes in the upper and lower strips for passing a pin or tongue.

[0029] The intermediate layer 4 is bonded to the upper strip 2 and lower strip 3 so that the intermediate layer 4 does not move once the bracelet has been assembled.

[0030] Conventionally, the upper strip 2 and the lower strip 3 are made from one or more materials selected from the group comprising leathers, natural or synthetic fabrics, elastomers, elastomer composites containing metallic and/or ceramic fillers, and silicone materials. These materials can also be combined, depending on the wearer's wishes.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower strip 3 comprises micro-perforations 30 to enable better conduction of heat from the wearer to the encapsulated phase-change material and/or vice versa.

[0032] The elastomer can be chosen from fluorinated elastomers such as those in the FKM family (cross-linkable fluoro or perfluoropolyalkylene) or thermoplastic elastomers such as TPU (polyurethanes), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer), silicones, EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) and their thermoplastic derivatives (TPO) or from the acrylic elastomer family. The chosen elastomer also has the advantage of being relatively flexible in order to adapt to the curvature of the wrist when the bracelet is being worn.

[0033] The intermediate layer 4 is sufficiently thin that it can replace a conventional reinforcing insert without increasing the conventional thickness of such a bracelet, while providing an additional effect.

[0034] According to the invention, the at least one phase-change material is selected from: paraffinic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, waxes, oils, hydrated salts, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, dibasic acids, dibasic esters, 1-halides, polymers, and mixtures thereof.

[0035] The phase-change material is encapsulated in a casing made of a silicone or thermoplastic elastomer material, enabling the intermediate layer 4 to be easily bonded to the upper strip 2 and lower strip 3.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by a pocket containing a liquid such as a mineral or vegetable oil and microcapsules of a phase-change material.

[0037] Again, according to one particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible intermediate layer 4 is formed by two encapsulated phase-change materials, a first encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature between 15? C. and 20? C., and a second encapsulated phase-change material having a transition temperature between 25? C. and 35? C. Such an arrangement makes it possible for several functions to be combined, such as those of heating the wearer when the transition temperature is between 15? C. and 20? C., and cooling the wearer when the transition temperature is between 25? C. and 35? C.

[0038] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a bracelet, which method comprises the steps of: [0039] manufacturing a flexible intermediate layer 4 formed by at least one encapsulated phase-change material corresponding to the desired final shape of the bracelet, [0040] providing an upper strip 2 and a lower strip 3, [0041] bonding the intermediate layer 4 to the lower strip 3, and [0042] rigidly connecting the upper strip 2 to the lower strip 3 and the intermediate layer 4 to form the bracelet.

[0043] The upper strip 2 and lower strip 3 are rigidly connected together, for example by bonding, stitching or welding.

[0044] Thanks to these features, the two strips 2, 3 and the intermediate layer 4 are closely bonded together, ensuring a high level of robustness and excellent durability of the bracelet thus produced.

[0045] The upper strip 2 can also be overmoulded. In this case, a groove or moulding can be provided around the opening to improve the aesthetics of the assembly. Indeed, such a groove or moulding makes it possible to at least partially conceal the material transitions between the different parts of the bracelet.

[0046] Thanks to the manufacturing method described above, numerous variations in the functions of a flexible bracelet can be created for the well-being of the wearer.

[0047] Moreover, these bracelets are extremely durable, even when exposed to water or sweat.