METHOD FOR APPLYING ELASTOMER AND A CABLE TO A FABRIC LAYER

Abstract

In a method for supplying elastomer and a cable embedded in the elastomer to a fabric layer of a garment or a bandage, the elastomer is applied in a flowable state to the fabric layer via a nozzle and the cable is applied to the fabric layer via the same nozzle simultaneously with the elastomer, at least in some phases such that the elastomer encases at least part of the cable.

Claims

1. A method wherein elastomer (4) with a cable (5) embedded in the elastomer (4) is applied onto a fabric layer (6) of a garment or a bandage including the following step: the elastomer is applied to the fabric layer (6) in a deformable state via a nozzle (1), the cable (5) is applied to the fabric layer (6) via the same nozzle (1) in phases at the same time together with the elastomer (4) in such a way that, in one phase, the elastomer (4) surrounds the cable (5) at least partially, in another phase only the cable (5) but no elastomer (4) is applied via the nozzle (1) to the fabric layer (6), wherein an end (5a, 5b) of the cable (5) that has already exited the nozzle (1) is fixed to the fabric layer (6), and the fixing of the end (5a, 5b) of the cable (5) which has exited the nozzle (1) occurs before the method step in which the elastomer (4) and the cable (5) are applied at least in phases at the same time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer (4) and the cable (5) exit the nozzle (1) via the same nozzle opening.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the other phase, in which only the cable (5) but no elastomer (4) is applied via the nozzle (1) to the fabric layer (6) is at the beginning or at the end of a method step in which the cable (5) exits the nozzle (1).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cable (5) is moved by a drive arrangement (13) at a speed which corresponds to the relative speed between the nozzle (1) and the fabric layer (6).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cable (5) is elastic with an elasticity with which the cable (5) is expandable by a value of at least 1.6 times.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the elastic cable (5) used consists of a rubber core (14) and a surrounding metal net (15).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cable (5) is electrically conductive.

8. A garment or a bandage with a fabric layer produced in accordance with the method of claim 1, wherein the end (5a, 5b) of the cable (5), preferably both ends of the cable (5), are free of elastomer (4) and the cable section between the ends (5a, 5b) of the cable (5) are covered by elastomer (4).

9. A nozzle for the common application of elastomer and a cable on a fabric layer of a garment or a bandage which is produced according to the method of claim 1, wherein the nozzle body (2) of the nozzle (1) has a first supply opening (7) for the admission of elastomer (4) and a second supply opening (8) for the admission of the cable (5), wherein the first and the second supply openings (7, 8) lead to the interior (3) of the nozzle body (2) which is provided with an exit opening (10) for the elastomer (4) and the cable (5).

10. The nozzle according to claim 9, wherein a tubular guide member (16) is integrated into the nozzle body (2) of the nozzle (1) for guiding the cable (5).

11. The garment or bandage according to claim 8, wherein the cable (5) is elastic with an elasticity with which the cable (5) is expandable by a value of at least 1.6 times.

12. The garment or bandage according to claim 8, wherein the elastic cable (5) consists of a rubber core (14) and a surrounding metal net (15).

13. The garment or bandage according to claim 8, wherein the cable (5) is electrically conductive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] It is shown in:

[0042] FIG. 1 in a cross-sectional view a nozzle for the common application of elastomer and a cable onto a fabric layer;

[0043] FIG. 2 the nozzle according to FIG. 1 with the addition of a drive arrangement for driving the cable through the nozzle;

[0044] FIG. 3 an enlarged representation of the fabric layer with elastomer and cable;

[0045] FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of an electrically conduction cable; and,

[0046] FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of a nozzle for the common application of elastomer and a cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] In the figures identical components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a nozzle 1 with a nozzle body 2 with an elastomer 4 and a cable 5 disposed in the interior space 3 of the nozzle body 2 for deposition on a fabric layer 6. The fabric layer 6 is preferably arranged horizontally on work table. The nozzle is moved by means of a suitable nozzle moving arrangement across the top side of the fabric layer 6 while, at the same time, the elastomer 4 and the cable 5 are moved out of the nozzle 1 and deposited on the top side of the fabric layer 6.

[0049] The cable 5 is preferably an electrically conductive cable suitable for the transmission of electrical signals. By the elastomer 4 the cable 5 is firmly connected to the fabric layer 6. In particular, the cable 5 is surrounded by the elastomer 4 and is protected thereby from outer influences such as for example humidity. The cable 5 is advantageously elastic in the longitudinal direction by at least 1.6 times its length. Via the cable 5 for example electrical signals can be transmitted between an electrode or a sensor which is or are integrated into the fabric layer 6 and an evaluation unit or a signal generating unit. By the sensor or, respectively, the electrode for example vital parameters of a person wearing a garment or a bandage including the fabric layer 6 described earlier can be transmitted. It is also possible to transmit via the cable 5 electrical pulses to an electrode in the fabric layer 6 via which pulses individual muscle areas can be stimulated.

[0050] The garment of which the fabric layer is an integral part is for example some sport clothing such as a T-shirt or a sport pants. If it is a bandage of which the fabric layer 6 is an integral part it is in particular a sleeve-like joint bandage for example a knee bandage or an elbow bandage.

[0051] The nozzle body 2 is provided at its top with a first supply opening 7 for the addition of the elastomer 4 via a supply line 9. In the side wall of the nozzle body 2 there is a second supply opening 8 via which the cable 5 is moved into the interior 3 of the nozzle body 2. The nozzle body 2 narrows downwardly and is provided at its lower end with a common exit opening 10 for the elastomer 4 and the cable 5.

[0052] Via the supply line 9 pressurized flowable elastomer 4 is conducted into the nozzle body interior 3 into which also the cable 5 is transported via the second supply opening 8 in the side wall of the nozzle body 2. In the interior 3 of the nozzle body 2 the cable 5 is joined by the elastomer 4 and together they leave the nozzle body interior 3 via the exit opening 10 to be applied to the top side of the fabric layer 6. The travel directions of the elastomer through the supply line 9 and of the cable 5 at the side into the nozzle body interior are designated in the figure by arrows,

[0053] The nozzle 1 is moved over the fabric layer 6 in such a way that the exit opening 10 at the bottom is disposed at a small distance from the top side of the fabric layer 6. The nozzle 1 is positioned advantageously on an arrangement by which the nozzle 1 is moved horizontally in the direction of the arrow 11 over the stationary fabric layer 6. Upon leaving the exit opening 10 a worm is formed on the top side of the fabric layer 6 consisting of elastomer 4 and the cable 5, which is preferably completely surrounded by the elastomer 4. The elastomer is applied in a flowable state and can enter into the pores of the fabric layer 6. After hardening, a firm connection of the elastomer 4 including the cable with the fabric layer is established.

[0054] The end 5a of the cable 5 is at the beginning of the process, after having been pulled through the nozzle 2 and after having exited the exit opening 10, free of any elastomer 4 fixed to the fabric layer 6 or to a working table on which the fabric layer is disposed. To this end a fixing element 12 is provided, for example a clamp or similar, which engages the end 5a of the cable, as shown in FIG. 1. Wherein the nozzle 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow 11 over the fabric layer 6, the cable 5 is moved, because of its fixation by means of the fixing element 12, into the nozzle body 2 and is pulled out of the exit opening 10.

[0055] The end 5a of the cable 5 which is free of any elastomer can be connected for example to a sensor, to an electrode or to an evaluation unit or a signal generating unit.

[0056] In a corresponding way an opposite second end of the cable can also be kept free of any elastomer. To this end, the elastomer supply is shortly interrupted.

[0057] The elastomer 4 is supplied under pressure via the supply line 9 to the interior 3 of the nozzle body 2 in a heated flowable state and deposited via the exit opening 10 onto the fabric layer 6. Upon cooling the elastomer hardens but maintains a certain elasticity also in a cold state. And since also the cable 5 is elastic the fabric layer can expand and contract elastically also after the application of the elastomer 4 and the cable 5.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a nozzle of essentially the same design as that shown in FIG. 1, but which is provided additionally with a drive arrangement 13 for the cable 5. The drive arrangement 13 comprises an electric motor, a driven roller and a passively co-rotating engagement roller. The driven roller is driven by the electric motor and the cable 5 is engaged between the two rollers. The drive arrangement 13 is arranged ahead of the nozzle body 2 so that the cable 5 is moved by the drive arrangement into the interior 3 of the nozzle body 2. Basically, the drive arrangement 13 may also be provided at the exit opening of the nozzle body 2 for pulling the cable 3 out of the interior 3 of the nozzle body 2. The drive arrangement 13 may be attached to the nozzle body 2 or an arrangement supporting the nozzle body 2.

[0059] The speed with which the cable 5 is driven by the drive arrangement 13 corresponds in particular to the relative speed between the nozzle 1 and the fabric layer 6. This ensures a continuous uniform exit of the cable 5 and the elastomer 4 via the exit opening 10 in the lower area of the nozzle 1. In this way the cable 5 can be applied to the fabric layer 6 without stretching or compression. It is advantageous that, in this way, fixing of the cable 5 to the fabric layer 6 or an arrangement for supporting the fabric layer can be omitted.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows the fabric layer 6 with a worm-like elastomer enclosing a cable 5 applied thereto in an enlarged representation. At both ends of the elastomer 4 the ends 5a and 5b of the cable 5 project from the elastomer 4. They are blank and free of any elastomer and can be used for connection to a sensor, an electrode or an evaluation unit or signal generating unit.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cable 5 which consists of a rubber core of a rubber material 14 and a surrounding metal net 15. The metal net 15 is in the form of a wire plait which is electrically conductive and suitable for the transmission of electrical signals. The inner rubber core 14 can be highly expanded and after a linear elastic expansion returns to its original length. The metal net 15 in the form of a wire plait can also be expanded in the same manner and returns to its original state when external forces are no longer present either as a result of its own elastic behavior or via the rubber core.

[0062] The linear-elastic expansion of the cable 5 is at least 60% that is 1.6 times the unexpanded original length.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a nozzle 1 wherein a tubular cable guide member 16 is integrated into the nozzle body 2 of the nozzle 1 for guiding the cable 5 through the interior 3 of the nozzle body 2. The supply opening 8 via which the cable 5 enters the cable guide member 16 is arranged at the front end of the cable guide member 16 at a side section of the nozzle body 2. The lower end of the curved cable guide member 16 extends into the exit opening 10 of the nozzle 1 so that the discharge opening 17 of the cable guide member 16 is disposed in the exit opening 10 of the nozzle 1. The elastomer 4 can leave the nozzle via the annular area between the outer wall of the cable guide member 16 and the inner wall of the exit opening 10.

[0064] The cable guide member 16 is formed integrally with the nozzle body 2.