TWI388356B - Resilient composite structure applied to protective wrap - Google Patents

Description

Elastic composite structure applied to protective gear

The present invention relates to an elastic structure, and more particularly to an elastic composite structure applied to a sheath and a resilient protective wrap supporting a user's body part.

Existing elastic protectors, such as wrist bands, hand braces, waist bands, and ankle support, can be treated and operated by a user. Body, exercise, and other activities are used to protect a particular part of the body of the user to protect the limb, especially to protect the joint. The existing elastic protector is usually made of a fabric material having a plurality of layers, and has a two-layer stretchable fabric layer, and a layer is sandwiched between the two fabric layers and made of synthetic rubber or neoprene. Rubber layer. The rubber material has high elasticity and can provide flexibility, and can exhibit a better restoring force to provide sufficient compressibility in conformity with the user's body part. In addition, the rubber material can also be provided by high tensile strength. Higher durability. However, the use of rubber as a raw material and its process has the disadvantage of causing environmental pollution, and the inability to dissipate heat and airtightness and heavier weight also cause the user to be uncomfortable when wearing the protective device.

Water-based polyurethane is a solvent-free and environmentally friendly material. The foam having an open cell structure made of water-based polyurethane has gas permeability and has been widely used in synthetic leather products and other textile products which do not require high elasticity and good recovery. Currently, water-based The foam having an open cell structure produced by polyurethane is usually used as a coating layer having a thickness of less than 1 mm.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an elastic composite structure for use in a protective device that is environmentally friendly and has good heat dissipation and gas permeability.

Therefore, the elastic composite structure of the present invention applied to the brace is suitable for protecting the body part of the user from injury, comprising at least one elastic fabric layer capable of stretching in at least one direction, and a layer forming a layer. An aqueous polyurethane foam layer having an open cell structure bonded to the elastic fabric layer, the aqueous polyurethane foam layer being made of a foamed raw material comprising a dispersion capable of being dispersed in an aqueous solution Waterborne polyurethane. Wherein the polyurethane foam layer has a thickness of 1 mm or more and has a maximum elongation of 200% to 450%, a modulus of elasticity of 2 to 7 kgf/cm ² , and a weight of 4 kgf or more. /cm ² tensile strength, and densities of 180 to 600 g / l.

The main function of the elastic composite structure of the present invention applied to the protective device is that by combining the elastic fabric layer and the aqueous polyurethane foam layer having the open cell structure, the elastic stretch property can still be transmitted through the elastic fabric layer. And the characteristics of the elongation, the elastic modulus and the tensile strength of the foam, so that the elastic composite structure still has practical properties, and the open cell structure of the foam layer makes the elastic composite structure The bullet has better heat dissipation and gas permeability and light weight, and can provide a more comfortable wearing feeling. In addition, since the foam layer is made of a solvent-free aqueous PU, the invention has a more environmentally friendly material. characteristic.

In another aspect, the present invention also provides an aqueous polyurethane foam having an open cell structure. The aqueous polyurethane foam is made of a foamed raw material comprising an aqueous polyurethane capable of being dispersed in an aqueous solution, and the polyurethane foam has a thickness of 1 mm or more and 200% to 450 The maximum elongation of %, the modulus of elasticity of 2 to 7 kgf/cm ² , the tensile strength of 4 kgf/cm ^{2 or} more, and the density of 180 to 600 g/l.

The main effect of the aqueous polyurethane foam having the open cell structure of the present invention is that the foam is formed into a predetermined thickness and imparts a predetermined elongation, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength to the foam. The material properties make the foam economical and durable, and can be made into a practical product. In addition, since the foam layer is made of a solvent-free aqueous PU, it also has environmentally-friendly characteristics.

The above and other technical contents, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

Before the present invention is described in detail, it is noted that in the following description, similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a first preferred embodiment of the elastic composite structure applied to the brace of the present invention is used. In the embodiment, the elastic composite structure applied to the brace is made into a knee. a type of protective gear 1 comprising a plurality of layers of fabric formed by an upper fabric layer 10 and a lower fabric layer 10, and a layered structure between the upper and lower fabric layers 10 A polyurethane foam layer 20 having an open cell structure.

The upper and lower fabric layers 10 are made of a stretchable fabric material, which may be a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. Wherein, the fabric layer 10 can be a unidirectional stretch fabric and can be stretched along a length direction of the knee protector 1 or a bidirectional stretch fabric along a length direction of the knee protector 1 Scales with a width direction.

The polyurethane foam layer 20 having an open cell structure is made of a foamed raw material comprising a polyurethane (referred to as PU) capable of being dispersed in an aqueous solution. The aqueous PU used in the present invention can be prepared via a polyol component and a crosslinking agent. The polyol component may comprise a polyether polyol or a polyester polyol. The crosslinking agent may include an amine resin or an isocyanane compound. However, the kind of the polyol and the crosslinking agent should not be limited, and any polyol component or crosslinking agent suitable for preparation into an aqueous PU can be used in the present invention.

In addition to the aqueous PU, the foaming raw material of the polyurethane foam layer 20 having an open cell structure further includes other components, for example, a foaming agent and a foaming stabilizer component (foam) Stabilizer, a thickener, a pigment, and a filler or extender. The foaming agent component, the foaming stabilizer component, the thickener component, the coloring component, and the filler component can be selected from such compositions generally used in the preparation of PU foamed molded articles. The filler component used in the present invention may be wood flour, calcium carbonate or mica or the like. And preferably, the filler component is a nanoparticle.

The aqueous polyurethane foam layer 20 can be produced in a conventional manner. In this In the embodiment, the composition of the foaming raw material is mixed and foamed through a foaming mixer. Finally, the foamed primordial which has been foamed is bonded to the fabric layer 10 in a lamellar form by an existing lamination method. For example, the foam primordial may be laid on one of the surfaces of the fabric layer 10 introduced with a conveyor, and may be removed by heating as the conveyor continues to move. The moisture in the initial embryo of the foam. Since the moisture is gradually removed by the progressive heating method, another layer of the fabric layer 10 can be laid on the surface of the foam preform when the foam preform is in a semisolid state. Next, the foam priming is further heated until it is fully cooked and hardened. Thereby, after the foam priming is cooled, the polyurethane foam layer 20 which is simultaneously bonded to the upper and lower fabric layers 10 can be formed without using a binder.

In the manufacturing process, a doctor blade can be used to control the thickness of the foam preform placed on the fabric layer 10. Preferably, the thickness of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is 1 mm or more, and more preferably, the thickness of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is 1 to 6 mm, and optimally, the thickness of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is 2. ~5 mm.

The degree of foaming or density of the polyurethane foam layer 20 can be adjusted by controlling the foaming time of the foaming machine or the foaming material. Generally, when the density of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is lowered, the maximum elongation thereof is increased, but the tensile strength and the elastic modulus are reduced. When the density of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is increased, the tensile strength and the elastic modulus are increased, but the maximum elongation thereof is decreased. Therefore, the polyurethane foam layer 20 is dense The degree is preferably controlled in the range of 180 to 600 g/l, and more preferably in the range of 200 to 450 g/l.

When the elastic brace made of the elastic composite structure is worn on a user, in order to enable the elastic composite structure to provide better tightness and sufficient compressibility to the user, the polyurethane needs to be made. The foam layer 20 has an elastic modulus of 2 to 7 kgf/cm ² , preferably, the elastic modulus ranges from 3 to 6 kgf/cm ² , and more preferably, the elastic modulus ranges from 4.0 to 5.5. Kgf/cm ² . If the modulus of elasticity of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is less than 2 kgf/cm ² , the elastic composite structure is too loose to provide better tightness and sufficient sheathing pressure to the user. If the modulus of elasticity of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is higher than 7 kgf/cm ² , the elastic composite structure will be too tight to cause the user to be uncomfortable to wear.

The maximum elongation of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is preferably in the range of 200% to 450%, more preferably 250% to 350%. If the maximum elongation is less than 200%, the polyurethane foam layer 20 will not provide sufficient stretch elasticity, and the protector made of the elastic composite structure will be too tight when worn. If the maximum elongation is higher than 450%, the elastic elasticity of the polyurethane foam layer 20 is too high, so that the elastic composite structure cannot provide sufficient tightness, and thus, when the elastic composite structure is worn on the user's When a specific joint is in place, it will not be able to provide adequate support protection for the joint.

In order to make the polyurethane foam layer 20 sufficiently durable, it is preferable to have a tensile strength of 4 kgf/cm ^{2 or more} , more preferably a tensile strength of 6 kgf/cm ^{2 or more} .

Referring to Fig. 3, in order to apply the present invention to a second preferred embodiment of the elastic composite structure of the brace, in the present embodiment, the elastic composite structure is of a type formed into a wrist brace 3. The wrist brace 3 also includes a multi-layer fabric structure formed of two layers of fabric layers 10, and a layer of polyurethane foam layer 20.

Further, the elastic foam layer 20 having an open cell structure will be further explained by the following examples. However, the following description is only illustrative of the embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Example

Foaming material for preparing elastic foam with open cell structure

Formulation (1)

100 parts by weight of polyether polyol (containing 40 parts by weight of Impranil LP RSC 1380 and 60 parts by weight of Impranil DLU (all purchased from Bayer), having a particle size of 200 to 300 nm, solid content 60%) mixed with the following composition: 2-8 parts by weight of crosslinker (TDI Desmodur N3900, purchased from Bayer) based on the weight of the total solids of the polyol; total solids of the polyol 2 to 6 parts by weight of a foaming agent (succinate, Stockal SR, available from Bozzetto Group) based on the weight of the base; 2 to 8 parts by weight of the foaming stability based on the total solids of the polyol (Stockal STA, available from Bozzetto Group); 1 to 5 parts by weight of a thickener (Borchi Gel ALA, available from OMG Borchers Gmbh) based on the weight of the total solids of the polyol; Based on the weight of the total solids, 3 to 6 parts by weight of white Colorant; and 1 to 4 parts by weight of filler.

Formulation (2)

100 parts by weight of a polyester polyol (containing 70 parts by weight of Impranil LP RSC 1554 and 30 parts by weight of Impranil LP RSC 1537 (all purchased from Bayer, having a particle size of 200 to 300 nm, and a solid content of 60%) Mixing with the following composition: 2 to 8 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent (TDI Desmodur N3900, available from Bayer) based on the weight of the total solids of the polyol; based on the weight of the total solids of the polyol 5 to 10 parts by weight of a foaming agent (Dicrylan FLN, available from Huntsman); 1 to 5 parts by weight of a thickener (Mirox Am, available from Bozzetto Group) based on the weight of the total solids of the polyol 3 to 6 parts by weight of the white coloring material; and 1 to 4 parts by weight of the filler based on the total solid content of the polyol.

Example 1~12

Examples 1 to 12 were prepared using Formulation (1), and the different types of fillers listed in Tables 1 to 3 were used, respectively. Among them, Example 1 and Examples 5 to 12 use mica particles having a particle diameter of 5 to 20 nm as a filler.

Manufacturing polyurethane foam

Each of the compositions of Examples 1 to 12 was separately fed to a foaming machine for mixing and foaming. Each of the foamed mixture primaries of each of the examples is laid on a release substrate to form a foam layer, and is gradually heated. It is gradually heated to a temperature of about 140 ° C to completely remove moisture from the foam primordial. The thickness of the foam layer laid on the release substrate is controlled using a doctor blade.

The samples prepared in Examples 1 to 12 were tested for tensile strength, maximum elongation, and elastic modulus by the CNS-3553 standard method. The properties of these samples are shown in Tables 1-3.

The results in Table 1 show that the tensile strength and elastic modulus of Example 1 were higher than those of Examples 2 to 4. It is thus stated that the sample of Example 1 provides better tightness and compressibility without causing discomfort to the user.

The results in Table 2 show that as the density of the polyurethane foam increases, the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity also increase, and the maximum elongation decreases.

The results in Table 3 show that the mica content added to the polyurethane foam affects the properties of the polyurethane foam.

In summary, the elastic composite structure applied to the brace of the present invention comprises a foam layer formed of a polyurethane foam having an open cell structure, and thus is made of a rubber having no gas permeability as compared with the prior art. Wrist protectors or ankle support products provide better heat dissipation and breathability and light weight. Further, since the material for producing the polyurethane foam does not contain a solvent, the elastic composite structure of the present invention is also environmentally friendly.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent changes and modifications made by the scope of the invention and the description of the invention are All remain within the scope of the invention patent.

1‧‧‧Knee protective gear

10‧‧‧ fabric layer

20‧‧‧Foam layer

3‧‧‧Wristguards

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the elasticity of the present invention applied to the protective gear A first preferred embodiment of the composite structure is a type of knee protector; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing A second preferred embodiment of the elastic composite structure of the present invention applied to the brace is a form of a wrist brace.

10‧‧‧ fabric layer

20‧‧‧Foam layer

Claims (10)

An elastic composite structure for use in a protective device, which is suitable for protecting a body part of a user from injury, comprising: at least one layer of elastic fabric capable of stretching in at least one direction; and a layer having an open cell structure The aqueous polyurethane foam layer is formed into a layered sheet and bonded to the elastic fabric layer, and is made of a raw material comprising an aqueous polyurethane capable of being dispersed in an aqueous solution, wherein the thickness of the polyurethane foam layer is 2~5 mm, with a maximum elongation of 200% to 450%, an elastic modulus of 2 to 7 kgf/cm ² , a tensile strength of 4 kgf/cm ^{2 or} more, and a density of 180 to 600 g/l. The elastic composite structure applied to the brace according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the polyurethane foam layer has a maximum elongation of 250% to 350%. The elastic composite structure applied to the brace according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the polyurethane foam layer has a tensile strength of 6 kgf/cm ^{2 or more} . The elastic composite structure applied to the brace according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the polyurethane foam layer has an elastic modulus of 3 to 6 kgf/cm ² . The elastic composite structure for use in a protective gear according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the polyurethane foam layer has a density of 200 to 450 g/l. The elastic composite structure for use in a protective device according to claim 1, wherein the raw material for forming the polyurethane foam layer further comprises a A blowing agent component, a crosslinking agent component, and a filler component. The elastic composite structure for use in a protective gear according to claim 6, wherein the filler component contains mica particles. The elastic composite structure applied to the brace according to the sixth aspect of the invention, wherein the filler component contains nano particles. The elastic composite structure applied to the brace according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the elastic fabric layer is a unidirectional stretch fabric and stretches and contracts along a longitudinal direction of the elastic brace. The elastic composite structure applied to the brace according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the elastic fabric layer is a bidirectional stretch fabric and simultaneously expands and contracts along a longitudinal direction and a width direction of the elastic brace.