CORD WITH A PAPER CORE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a cord comprising a core (1) formed by: a strip or band of paper suitably twisted longitudinally, a layer of adhesive (2) for affixing an outer covering (3) to the core (1), and an outer covering (3) formed by fibers (31) arranged around the core (1) and wound helically along the length of same, covering the entire surface thereof. The layer of adhesive can be applied either to the outer surface of the core (1) or to the fibers (31) that will be coiled around the core (1) to form the outer covering (3).

Description

Object of the invention

[0001] The present invention refers to a cord of the type used for the shaping of handles, especially although not in a limitative way, bag handles having a core formed by suitably twisted paper and an external covering made out of fibers of any type.

Background of the invention

[0002] At present, cords are known for shaping bag handles, which are formed by one or more paper bands or strips suitably twisted longitudinally forming a narrow shaped body with a cylindrical cross-section.

[0003] This kind of cord has a very low manufacturing cost, however its external aspect and comfort in use determine that its field of application is limited to bags of a low or medium quality.

[0004] Other types of cords are known which are used in the manufacture of handles for bags of a higher quality, having a core made out of a twisted band of paper in a configuration which is similar to those above stated, having an external covering made out of multiple woven fibers adopting the form of a tubular-like sleeve.

[0005] In this type of cords, the twisted paper core contributes strength and volume while the external covering formed by woven fibbers contributes a pleasant touch and a higher smoothness improving its hand griping and use comfort.

[0006] However, these known cords have various drawbacks:

A first problem arises in its manufacture, taking into account that the external covering is woven precisely on the twisted paper core for which reason the manufacturing process for this type of cord is slow; about four meters per minute. The machines used for weaving the external covering are circular machines used in the manufacture of other products, for example the cords for shoes.

[0007] A second problem consists in the cutting and handling of the manufactured cord. When these cords are used for the manufacture of handles for bags, they require a perfect cut, as in the contrary case, the woven fibers come apart provoking stoppages in the bag making machine (in some cases the ends of the cord have to be ground). Therefore, in normal conditions, there are many material losses and multiple stoppages of the bag making machine.

[0008] A third problem consists in the wear of the cord during its use. Given the fact that the external covering and the core are independent elements, during the use a relative displacement appears between those elements, with the subsequent wear of the material, which finally provokes the external fabric covering to open up and the fibers to come apart, the cord not being any longer usable. Said wear brings about that the internal part of the external covering wears out as well, so that the unitary assembly core-external covering disappears.

Description of the invention

[0009] The cord object of the present invention, corresponding to the type of cords having a core formed by a strip or band of paper suitably twisted on itself in the longitudinal direction and an external covering of fibers of variable nature, has constructive features aimed at solving the above stated drawbacks, and particularly aimed at simplifying and accelerating the manufacturing process, guarantying a clean cut of the cord, preventing the coming apart of its components, grinding operations and obtaining a substantial reduction of the looses of material, while preventing the relative movement between the core and the external covering, which prevents the unnecessary wear of the materials and the accelerated spoiling of the cord during its normal use.

[0010] To this effect and according to the invention, the cord of twisted paper has on its external surface a layer of adhesive product for binding an external covering made out of multiple fibers distributed around the core, fully covering the same and being helically wound around the core, fully covering its surface.

[0011] According to the invention, the layer of adhesive product may be applied on the paper core or on the fibers aimed at being helically wound on the core, said adhesive product determining in both cases the binding of the fibers of the external covering on the core of paper.

[0012] The formation of the external covering by means of fibers helically wound around the core, substantially simplifies the process of manufacture in comparison to the woven coverings used at present and permits a much higher output, in the order of four hundred meters per minute, against the four metres per minute obtained in the present manufacture of woven coverings. In this way, the productivity is essentially increased and the costs of manufacture of the cord are drastically reduced.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the number of fibers arranged around the twisted paper core and helically wound around the same is of eight, although it is not excluded that said number may be varied depending on the diameter of the core and the type of fibers to be used, which may be natural or synthetic, whether of new manufacture or recycled fibers.

[0014] From the other side, the adhesive product applied on the core or on the fibers forming the external covering, guarantees the binding of the external covering on the core and prevents the relative movements which may provoke its accelerated wear, increasing the useful life of the cord and preventing the tearing of the external covering and the breakage of the cord.

[0015] In the same way, as the textil fibers are perfectly attached to the core, the cutting of the cord may be perfect without the fibers of the external covering coming apart, for which reason the no grinding operations are needed, drastically reducing the losses of material as well as the machine stoppages.

Description of the drawings

[0016] To complement the present description and with the aim to facilitate the understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present description, according to which, in an illustrative but not limitative way, the following has been shown:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a cord according to the invention during its manufacture.
• Figure 2 shows a cross section of the cord in which it is to be observed the arrangement of the fibers forming the external covering which are distributed around the core and bound to this latter by means of an adhesive product.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0017] To complement the present description and with the aim to facilitate the understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present description, according to which, in an illustrative but not limitative way, the following has been shown:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a cord according to the invention during its manufacture.
• Figure 2 shows a cross section of the cord in which it is to be observed the arrangement of the fibers forming the external covering which are distributed around the core and bound to this latter by means of an adhesive product.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0018] As is to be observed in the annexed drawings, the cord consists of a core (1) formed by a twisted paper strip and a layer (2) of an adhesive product applied in this case on the core (1), causing the binding on said core (1) of an external covering (3) formed by fibers (31) distributed around the core (1) and helically wound around said core (1), fully covering its surface.

[0019] In the cross section of the cord as shown in figure 2, the external covering (3) is formed by eight fibers (31) distributed around the core (1), fully covering the same.

[0020] As previously mentioned, the adhesive product may be applied on the fibers (31) forming the external covering, before its winding on the core (1), which is aimed as well to the stable binding of the fibers (31) on the core (1).

[0021] After having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as a preferred example of an embodiment of the same, it is stated to all effects that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements may be modified whenever it does not mean an alteration of the essential characteristics of the invention according to the following claims.

Claims

1. Cord of the type which comprises a core (1) formed by a strip or band, suitably twisted longitudinally on itself and an external covering (3) formed by fibers of any nature; characterised in that it comprises a layer of an adhesive product (2) for the attachment of an external covering (3) on the core (1) and in that said external covering (3) is formed by fibers (31) distributed around the core (1) and helically wound along the core (1) fully covering its surface.

2. Cord, according to claim 1, characterised in that the layer of the adhesive product is arranged on the external surface of the core (1).

3. Cord, according to claim 1, characterised in that the layer (2) of adhesive product is arranged on the fibers (31) aimed at being wound on the core (1) to form the external covering (3).

Drawing