Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The present invention relates to a fleece material
made of natural fibers and to uses thereof.
There is presently an increasing requirement or
even a demand to use ecologically safe materials in all
sorts of fields. Moreover, commercial recycling programs
are now in place so that the recyclability of materials is
an important factor.
For example, the new packaging regulations are
forcing trade and industry to employ returnable shipping
packages of all types. The packaging ma~erial must then be
recycled, burned or brought to a dump at a substantial
cost. Of particular concern is waste removal and recycling
of packaging materials consisting, in whole or in part, of
a synthetic material such as polyvinyl chloride,
polyethylene or polystyrene. For example, the burning of
polypropylene or polyethylene to produce long-distance heat
is not economical since the combustion plants must be
equipped with expensive waste gas filters. Moreover, about
100 kg filter ash is produced per ton of waste material.
The filter ash is contaminated with a variety of
potentially harmful substances and must usual~y be disposed
of separately in the form of compressed cakes.
The above-mentioned problems cannot be overcome by
simply using packaging made of cardboard and the like.
Fragile goods, such as glass, and complex electronic
equipment, such as computers or televisions, require
packaging which offers sufficient shock absorbency.
Furthermore, some goods must be protected by the packaging
against climatic conditions including moisture and
temperature.
While returnable packages are being used more
frequently, the packages are subject to wear and the
problem of disposal ultimately continues to exist.
There is a trend towards the use of natural
materials ~or insulation in buildings and, in particular,
in residential dwellings. However, adequate insulation
against heat, cold and noise should preferably not be
sacrificed in order to save energy and a~oid noise
pollution. Examples of natural materials include mineral
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wool felt and felt laminated with aluminum foil, glass
fiber fleece (particularly for insulating panels), fleece
webs made of sheep's wool, shredded newspaper (protected
with boric salts against rotting, pest infestation and fire
and inserted as flocks in partitions) and cork mats.
Mineral wool fibers and glass fibers are very
brittle and tend to break during processing into fiber
fragments having a diameter of less than 2 ~m and a length
of less than 5 ~m. These small particles can lodge in the
lungs where they can neither be discharged nor broken down.
The occurrence of these small particles led, for example,
to the ban of asbestos.
Another disadvantage of these natural insulating
materials is that they are usually available only in
limited quantities and can be too expensive.
It is an object of the present invention to
provide a material that can be easily disposed of or
composted after one or more uses, while meeting the current
requirements with respect to stability in packaging
material, insulating properties, and the like.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a fleece material made of natural
material, comprising cotton or cellulose fibers which are
pinned together to stabilize and form a fleece mat.
The invention will be more readily understood from
the following description of preferred embodiments thereof
given, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment
of a fleece material according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a second
embodiment of a fleece material according to the present
invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a third embodiment
of a fleece material according to the present invention;
and
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Figure ~ i5 a sectional view of a fourth
embodiment of a fleece material according to the present
invention.
The fleece material of the present invention
consists of cotton fibers or cellulose fibers which are
pinned together to stabilize the fleece. A fleece material
of this type can be broken down completely in a biological
process and has sufficient rigidity for use in the
packaging of electric appliances, machine parts, computers,
household appliances, furniture, bottles, etc., and as a
filler or insulating material in conventional packaging.
Moreover, the fleece material is odourless.
Preferably, the fleece material, has a weight in
the range of about 300 to 3000 g/m2. The material can be
supplied in rolls or can be adapted to the specific
packaging requirements.
The fleece material shown in Figure 1 consists of
a fleece mat 1 made of cotton fibers or cellulose fibers
which are sewn together to form an irregular felt. The
fleece material is suitable for use in the form of a mat 1
or additional measures may be implemented to maximize its
properties for the intended purpose.
In a preferred embodiment, the fleece material is
provided, on at least one outer side, with a layer of a
biologically decomposable agent, such as potato starch
and/or alginate and/or the like, which is applied by
wetting and subsequently drying the decomposable agent on
the surface of the fleece. The surface of the fleece is
sealed after the drying process so that no fibers can
escape from the fleece material composite. In addition,
the fleece material becomes very elastic and fle~ible as a
result of the coating. In particular, the fleece material
has good damping and insulating properties. The fleece
material composite is particularly resistant to penetration
by sharp objects, corners and edges of objects acting on
the materialO
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In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the upper
side and the underside of the fleece mat 1 are provided
with layers 2,3 of potato starch, alginates or the like
which seal the fleece while forming a smooth surface.
Accordingly, panels with smooth outer surfaces are created.
In particular, the fibers near the surface of the fleece
mat 1 end below or within the respective layers 2,3 so that
they do not protrude beyond the layers 2,3.
In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, a fleece
mat 1 is provided with a surface-sealing layer 3 on the
underside of the fleece mat 1. A reinforcing layer 4 of
very dense fleece, reinforcing web, fabric or bundle of
biologically decomposable fihers, impregnated with a
hydrophobic coatinq 5 on the side remote from the fleece
mat 1 is applied to the upper side of the fleece mat 1.
The coating 5 can be provided substantially on the surface
of the layer 4 or can completely or partially penetrate the
reinforcing 4. The reinforcing layer 4 can be attached to
the surface of the fleece mat 1 by gluing, pinning or any
other suitable joining technique. The layer 3 of the
embodiment of Figure 2 can be replaced by a reinforcing
layer 4 with or without a coating 5. The fleece material
provided with a reinforcing layer 4 is particularly
suitable as a reusable packaging material. The hydrophobic
coating 5 provides protection against moisture.
Referring now to Figure 3, a reinforcing web,
fabric or bundle of fibers 7 is embedded between two fleece
layers 6,8. There is no surface treatment in this example
of an embodiment.
The fleece layers 6,8 can be connected to the
reinforcing web 7 by pins, gluing with a biologically
decomposable adhesive, such as potato starch, sewing,
weaving and/or stitch-weaving.
The fleece material shown in Figure 4 is
particularly suitable in building applications. The fibers
of the fleece mat 1 are treated with a hydrophobic agent,
an anti-rotting agent, a fungi and/or pest control agent,
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and/or a fire-resistant agent. Preferably, the fire-
resistant agent provides a fireproofing level ~1 or B2
according to DIN 4102. The surface of the treated fleece
mat 1 is covered on one side with aluminum foil 9 which can
be glued, sewed or fastened by another suitable method to
the fleece mat 1.
The fleece material o~ the present invention has
been found to provide heat and/or noîse insulation and is
useful in roof and wall insulations in the building
industry, impact noise and floor heat insulation as well as
pipe, fitting and air duct insulations.
Vapour barriers are not required in cotton fiber
insulation systems according to the present invention.
Cotton protects against damage to buildings because of its
ability to absorb and release moisture.
Thermal conductivity values of about 0.35 to 0.40
can be achieved with the fleece material of the present
invention. The insulating qualities are similar to those
of other insulating materials.
For certain applications, it is advantageous to
bleach the cotton or cellulose fibers. The bleaching can
be done prior to or after forming the fleece material into
a mat 1.
The fleece material of the present invention has
a very high absorbency. Accordingly, the fleece material
is particularly suitable as packaging for breakable liquid
containers, whereby any liguid flowing out of a container
is immediately absorbed by the packaging material.
Moreover, the fleece material is useful as a polishing or
cleaning cloth, in particular, after it has already been
used as packaging material.
A fleece mater.ial for applications of this type is
preferably made lightweight with a weight in the range of
about 50 to 500 g/m2.
The fleece materials of the present invention can
be used, in most cases, as a suitable replacement for
plastic foil, air-bubble cushioning film, corrugated board,
.
. :
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wrapping paper and similar packaging materials. The fleece
materials can be supplied as rolls or can be cut to size.
Many combinations, with respect to reinforcements and
coatings or impregnations, are possible.
When the fleece material is impregnated with a
biologically decomposable agent such as starch or alginate
and then dried, relatively hard molded pieces are obtained
which can also be precisely cut to shape. They are
preferably used as cushioning material for fragile goods
and can replace molded polystyrene foam packaging material.
If required, two or more fleece mats or panels can be glued
together, depending on the thickness required for the
molded article. The desired shape can then be cut out of
the glued mats by punching. The cut out shapes can then be
treated, if required.
The fleece material, in particular when it has
already been used once or more as packaging, can be
shredded or cut to form a filler. The fleece material
filler is a suitable substitute for materials such as
chips, cubes, granulated material or the like made of a
synthetic material, such as polystyrene foam or other
materials usually used for packaging goods.
The fleece material of the present invention has
a variety of uses, is recyclable and can be disposed of
without difficulty as it can be biologically decomposed
without harmful residues. The material can, if required,
be used as a substitute for peat after it has been reduced
or cut.
It is also advantageous to use the fleece material
as a water ~torage mat, in particular, for horticulture
applications. For example, potted plants or plant bulbs
can be placed on water-soaked mats, thereby eliminating the
requirement for constant watering of the plants.
The fleece material is also suitable as a mat for
absorbing oil.
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