A TEXTILE-BASED PROTECTOR AND A METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME

Abstract

 The invention relates to a textile-based protector (1) for protecting at least one of clothing and skin of a user comprising a multilayered waterproof body (2) that comprises at least two bonded layers and that has an average drape coefficient in a range from 45% to 90%, wherein a first layer (3) of said body has a first surface (4) and a second surface (5), the first layer comprising a waterproof synthetic membrane, and a second layer (6) of said body has a third surface (7) and a fourth surface (8), the fourth surface being bonded to the first surface of the first layer, the second layer comprising one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile, wherein at least the third surface of the second layer that faces away from the first surface of the first layer has a surface roughness of at most 8 µm and is provided with a hydrophilic finishing agent (9), wherein the third surface of the second layer is at least partially provided with a high-resolution printed design (10) and is arranged to face away from at least one of clothing and the skin of the user when the user uses the textile-based protector.
The invention also relates to a method for fabricating the textile-based protector according to the invention.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a textile-based protector that comprises a multilayered waterproof body that is arrangeable to protect at least one of clothing and skin of a user. The present invention also relates to a method for fabricating the textile-based protector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Textile-based protectors for protecting at least one of clothing and skin of a user such as bibs, aprons and napkins that comprise a multilayered waterproof body are well known in the art. Typically these known clothing protectors comprise a waterproof layer comprising one of synthetic rubbers such as neoprene or polychloroprene and polymers such as polyurethane (PU) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). At least at a side of the clothing protector that in use faces away from the clothing or skin of the user, the waterproof layer is covered with a textile-based cover layer comprising highly absorbent materials such as cotton or terry cloth in order to achieve sufficient absorption of fluids that come into contact with the cover layer. A disadvantage of the commonly used highly absorbent materials is that they have a surface roughness that is too high to enable printing of high-resolution full-colour designs. Therefore, the known textile-based protectors have a limited printability which results in rather simple and low resolution designs that can be printed on the fluffy cover layer. Hence, the known textile-based protectors do not provide for sufficient personalization possibilities. Another disadvantage of the known textile-based protectors is that they have a high drape coefficient which renders them stiff and limits their drapability. As a result of that they have a limited wearability. Moreover, the limited printability and the limited drapability of the known textile-based protectors result in at least one of a reduced user comfort and a reduced user experience. Because of the disadvantages mentioned above, the known textile-based protectors commonly have a rather low user acceptance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a textile-based protector for protecting clothing of a user that pre-empts or at least reduces at least one of the abovementioned and/or other disadvantages associated with textile-based protectors known in the art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for fabricating the textile-based protector.

[0004] Aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features from the independent claim as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

[0005] At least one of the abovementioned objects is achieved by a textile-based protector for protecting clothing or skin of a user comprising a multilayered waterproof body that comprises at least two bonded layers and that has an average drape coefficient in a range from 45% to 90%, wherein a first layer of said body has a first surface and a second surface, the first layer comprising a waterproof synthetic membrane, and a second layer of said body has a third surface and a fourth surface, the fourth surface being bonded to the first surface of the first layer, the second layer comprising one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile, wherein at least the third surface of the second layer that is arranged to face away from the first surface of the first layer has a surface roughness of at most 8 µm and is provided with a hydrophilic finishing agent, wherein the third surface of the second layer is at least partially provided with a high-resolution printed design and is arranged to face away from at least one of clothing and the skin of the user when the user uses the textile-based protector.

[0006] The skilled person will appreciate that an average drape coefficient of the multilayered waterproof body in a range from 45% to 90% is comparable to the average drape coefficient of textile-based clothing, wherein a multilayered waterproof body having a drape coefficient of 45% is much more supple and therefore has a better drapability and wearability than a multilayered waterproof body having a drape coefficient of 90%. However, a drape coefficient of 90% is still acceptable and yields a textile-based protector that has an improved wearability and hence an improved user experience and user acceptance compared to textile-based protectors known in the art. The average drape coefficient is the arithmetic average of the drape coefficients of the two outer surfaces of the multilayered waterproof body. The drape coefficients of the two outer surfaces have been measured using a Cusick Drape Tester that is commonly known in the art. The samples that were used were conditioned at 20°C at a relative humidity of 65% for 24 hours.

[0007] The skilled person will appreciate that the body of the textile-based protector is waterproof due to the fact that the first layer of the body comprises a waterproof synthetic membrane that keeps at least one of the clothes and the skin of the user dry by preventing a fluid that comes into contact with the body to pass the first layer. In addition the body of the textile-based protector prevents at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user from getting exposed to excessive heat in case a hot fluid comes into contact with the body.

[0008] Regarding the second layer of the body it is noted that the skilled person will appreciate that synthetic textiles or textile blends comprising at least 75% synthetic textiles that have a surface roughness of at most 8 µm are smooth enough to successfully provide them with a high-resolution printed design that looks at least one of sharp and bright. The value of the surface roughness mentioned above has been determined using a Kawabata evaluation system for fabrics, in particular a KES FB Auto system, that is well-known in the art. The samples that were used were conditioned at 22°C at a relative humidity of 55% for 24 hours. The skilled person will appreciate that the high-resolution design can be applied using any suitable printing technique. A suitable way of providing the design is for example by using digital paper heat transfer (sublimation) printing. In this way the digital design is printed on paper first and the paper print is transferred onto the third surface of the second layer by a heat-assisted process step. However, the smooth synthetic textile-based layers mentioned above typically have an insufficient fluid handling capability because the fluid absorption or hydrophilicity of such layers is too low. This would render such layers not suitable to be applied in a textile-based protector according to the invention. Therefore, in order to improve the fluid handling capability of the abovementioned smooth synthetic textile-based layers, the third surface of the second layer of the body that is arranged to face away from the first surface of the first layer of the body is subjected to a chemical wicking treatment to provide at least the third surface of the second layer with a hydrophilic finishing agent. According to exemplary embodiments of the textile-based protector it is for example possible that only the third surface of the second layer is provided with the hydrophilic finishing agent or that the third surface and the fourth surface are provided with the hydrophilic finishing agent. Alternatively it is possible that the second layer as a whole is provided with the hydrophilic finishing agent. The skilled person will appreciate that the second layer of the body that has been treated as described above is indicated as a so-called wicking layer. The hydrophilic finishing agent is configured and arranged to reduce the cohesion of water molecules in the fluids that come into contact with the third surface of the second layer of the body. As a result of the reduced cohesion of the water molecules the fluids can spread easily across the second layer and thus can evaporate more rapidly. In this way the second layer is configured to dry quickly. Consequently, the fluid handling capability of the smooth synthetic textile-based layers that have been chemically treated as mentioned above is improved to a level that is sufficient to successfully apply them in the textile-based protector according to the invention.

[0009] The skilled person will appreciate that conventionally the surface of the wicking layer that is provided with the hydrophilic finishing agent in use of the wicking layer is arranged to face towards the skin of a user in order to transport moisture from the skin to a layer that is connected with the wicking layer and is not contacting the skin. In this way the skin of the user can be kept as dry as possible and hence user comfort is improved. In contrast to this conventional arrangement of the wicking layer, the skilled person will appreciate that the second layer of the body, which is the wicking layer of the textile-based protector according to the present invention, in use of the clothing protector is arranged to face away from at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user in order to absorb fluids from spilt food and drinks.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is noted that the third surface of the second layer of the body that is provided with hydrophilic finishing agent comprising modified (oxy-ethylated) polyamides has a surprisingly good soil release behavior as it can be cleaned easily for example by swiping of stains or by washing at low temperatures, e.g. at 40°C. Samples that were tested using the well-known AATCC 130 test (oily stain release, Mazola corn oil, 1 wash 40°C followed with tumble drying at 55°C) have an initial soil release rating of 3 on a scale of 5. After 10 washes at 40°C followed with tumble drying at 55°C, the soil release rating for the same samples was 3-4 on the scale of 5. After 20 washes at 40°C followed with tumble drying at 55°C, the soil release rating for the same samples remained 3-4 on the scale of 5. This good soil release behavior is surprising because the skilled person will appreciate that applying a chemical wicking treatment in order to improve the fluid handling capability of a synthetic textile-based layer as discussed above, typically results in a compromised soil release behavior of such layer.

[0011] Based on the foregoing, the skilled person will appreciate that the unconventional way in which the smooth synthetic textile-based second layer of the body, which is the wicking layer of the textile-based protector according to the invention, is applied, surprisingly results in the improved printability and wearability of the textile-based protector while enabling a sufficient fluid handling capability of the waterproof textile-based protector.

[0012] Furthermore, the skilled person will appreciate that full-colour printing of the placed high-resolution design on said surface of the second layer of the body further improves the personalization possibilities and hence at least one of the user experience and user acceptance. The skilled person will appreciate that where in the remainder of this document the high-resolution design is referred to as a placed high-resolution full-colour printed design, this is to be construed as exemplary only and non-limiting in any way.

[0013] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, the second layer is arranged to absorb water to a vertical rising height of 50 mm in both a length direction and a cross direction of the second layer after at most 95 seconds. If the vertical rising height of 50 mm is reached after 95 seconds in both the length and the cross directions of the second layer, the hydrophilicity of the second layer is insufficient. The hydrophilicity of the second layer has been determined using the Marks & Spencer P136B wicking test which is a vertical wicking test well-known in the art. The skilled person will appreciate that by providing the abovementioned hydrophilic finishing agent to the second layer, the body of the textile-based protector can have a smooth surface that allows successful printing of a placed high-resolution full-colour design while providing sufficient hydrophilicity.

[0014] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, the second layer has a weight per unit area of at most 150 g/m². The skilled person will appreciate that by applying a smooth synthetic textile-based layer as a second layer having a weight per unit area of at most 150 g/m², a drape coefficient of the textile-based protector in a range from 45% to 90% can be achieved. As discussed in the foregoing, a drapability of the textile-based protector in the range mentioned above is comparable to the drapability of textile-based clothing.

[0015] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, the first layer has a waterproof rating of at least 1 K. The skilled person will appreciate that the waterproof rating of the first layer preferably is in a range from 3K to 5K and more preferably in a range from 5K to 10K.

[0016] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, the fourth surface of the second layer is bonded to the first surface of the first layer using a first glue layer. The skilled person will appreciate that the type of glue used for the first glue layer must be chosen such that the materials comprised by the first layer and the second layer respectively can successfully be bonded to each other.

[0017] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, said body at least partially comprises a third layer that is bonded to the second surface of the first layer, the third layer comprising one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile. The skilled person will appreciate that the third layer of the body is arranged to face at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user when the user uses the textile-based protector. In this way the third layer can be used as a layer that provides protection to the waterproof first layer of the body and hence reduces wear of the first layer. Moreover, the skilled person will appreciate that the third synthetic textile-based layer can provide a more pleasant feeling to the skin than the waterproof first layer. As a result, application of the third layer can further improve the user experience. Furthermore, the skilled person will appreciate that according to an exemplary embodiment of the textile-based protector the body can comprise sections comprising an arrangement of the first layer, the second layer and the third layer while other sections of the body can comprise an arrangement of the first layer and the second layer only. The section or sections of the body that comprise the arrangement of the first layer, the second layer and the third layer could be those sections that in use of the textile-based protector could come into contact with skin of the user. As discussed above, the user comfort can be improved as the synthetic textile-based third layer can provide a more pleasant feeling to the skin of the user.

[0018] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, the third layer is bonded to the second surface of the first layer using a second glue layer. The skilled person will appreciate that the type of glue used for the second glue layer must be chosen such that the materials comprised by the first layer and the third layer respectively can successfully be bonded to each other. Furthermore, depending on the materials comprised by the first layer, the second layer and the third layer, the same type of glue can be used for the first glue layer that is applied between the first layer and the second layer and for the second glue layer that is applied between the first layer and the third layer.

[0019] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, said body has a weight per unit area of at most 280 g/m². The skilled person will appreciate that by applying a body having a weight per unit area of at most 280 g/m², a drape coefficient of the textile-based protector in a range from 45% to 90% can be achieved. As mentioned above, a drape coefficient of the textile-based protector in a range from 45% to 90% is comparable to the drape coefficient of textile-based clothing.

[0020] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, the waterproof synthetic textile comprises at least one of polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The skilled person will appreciate that the waterproof synthetic textile comprising at least one of PU, TPU and PTFE used as the first layer of the body of the textile-based protector is a flexible membrane having a weight per unit area that enables a drape coefficient of the textile-based protector in a range from 45% to 90% to be achieved. As discussed in the foregoing, a drape coefficient of the textile-based protector in the range mentioned above is comparable to the drape coefficient of textile-based clothing. Furthermore, the skilled person will appreciate that any other suitable waterproof synthetic textile material can be applied as the first layer of the body as long as the waterproof rating of the first layer is at least 1 K and the drape coefficient of the textile-based protector is in a range from 45% to 90%.

[0021] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, one of the synthetic textile and the textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile comprises at least one of polyester and polyamide. The skilled person will appreciate that any suitable synthetic textile-based material can be applied as at least one of the second layer and the third layer of the body as long as the drape coefficient of the textile-based protector is in a range from 45% to 90%.

[0022] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, the hydrophilic finishing agent comprises a carboxylic acid ester. Such a hydrophilic finishing agent is highly wash resistant. This property of the hydrophilic finishing agent is particularly important for guaranteeing good functionality of the textile-based protector after it has been washed in order to clean it after use. In addition, it is noted that the surface of the second layer of the body that is provided with a hydrophilic finishing agent comprising a carboxylic acid ester has a good soil release behavior as it can be cleaned easily for example by swiping of stains or by washing at low temperatures, e.g. at 40°C. As discussed above this good soil release behavior is surprising and advantageous for the textile-based protector according to the present invention.

[0023] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, said body comprises a first body section that is arrangeable to cover at least a part of at least one of a chest and at least one shoulder of the user. The skilled person will appreciate that the textile-based protector in such a case is used in a similar way as a conventional bib or napkin. However, the clothing protector according to the invention has an improved user comfort and user experience compared to conventional bibs, aprons or napkins for the reasons discussed in the foregoing.

[0024] In an embodiment of the textile-based protector according to the invention, said body further comprises at least one of a second body section that is connected to the first body section and is arrangeable to cover at least a part of a back of the user, and at least one sleeve that is connected with at least one of the first body section and the second body section and is arrangeable to cover at least a part of an arm of the user, wherein at least one of the first body section, the second body section and the at least one sleeve is provided with a placed high-resolution full-colour printed design.

[0025] The skilled person will appreciate that the second body section can further improve the wearability of the clothing protector according to the invention as it can even more stably be positioned on the body of the user. The skilled person will appreciate that by providing one or two sleeves, the textile-based protector according to the invention can even better protect at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user. Furthermore, the impression that the user wears an actual piece of clothing instead of a clothing protector is enhanced. In this way the textile-based protector according to the present invention has improved personalization possibilities which further enhances user experience and user acceptance.

[0026] The placed high-resolution full-colour printed design is a simulation of real clothing, such as a dress for women or a jacket for men and is applied using digital paper heat transfer (sublimation) printing as mentioned above. Said design can have 3D-simulation effects such as shadow effects. In this way the design can be made to look like real clothing. Moreover, a printed necklace in for example a design for women can look very realistic. In this way the textile-based protector according to the present invention has improved personalization possibilities which further enhances user experience and user acceptance.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for fabricating a textile-based protector, the method comprising the steps of providing the first layer and the second layer of the multilayered waterproof body, applying a hydrophilic finishing agent to at least the third surface of the second layer to provide at least the third surface with the hydrophilic finishing agent, arranging the high-resolution printed design at least on a part of the third surface of the second layer, and bonding the first surface of the first layer at least at predetermined locations to the fourth surface of the second layer.

[0028] It is to be noted that the chemical wicking treatment used to apply the hydrophilic finishing agent to at least the third surface of the second layer has to be done before arranging the high-resolution printed design, which for example is a placed high-resolution full-colour printed design, to avoid as much as possible a degraded functionality of the hydrophilic finishing agent because of the thermal budget of the process step in which the design is arranged. As mentioned above, according to exemplary embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention it is for example possible that only the third surface of the second layer is provided with the hydrophilic finishing agent or that the third surface and the fourth surface are provided with the hydrophilic finishing agent. Alternatively it is possible that the second layer as a whole is provided with the hydrophilic finishing agent. The hydrophilic finishing agent can be applied by any suitable technique or combination of techniques including for example subjecting the second layer to a chemical bath or spraying the hydrophilic finishing agent on at least the third surface of the second layer.

[0029] The first layer and the second layer can be bonded together by any suitable technique or combination of techniques including for example welding or laminating. According to exemplary embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention it is possible to either bond together the first surface of the first layer and the fourth surface of the second layer at predetermined locations, e.g at their edges, or to entirely bond together the first surface of the first layer and the fourth surface of the second layer by applying a first glue layer to at least one of the first surface of the first layer and the fourth surface of the second layer. Next, the first glue layer is subjected to a heat process in order to securely bond the first layer and the second layer. An advantage of entirely bonding together the first surface of the first layer and the fourth surface of the second layer is that in this way it can be prevented that a fluid accumulates between the first layer and the second layer. The skilled person will appreciate that by applying the method comprising the abovementioned process steps, a textile-based protector comprising a waterproof body having two bonded layers can be fabricated that provides the advantages mentioned in detail in the foregoing.

[0030] In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of providing the third layer, and bonding the third layer at least at predetermined locations to the second surface of the first layer. This can be done by applying any suitable technique or combination of techniques mentioned above regarding bonding together the first layer and the second layer. The skilled person will appreciate that in this way a textile-based protector comprising a waterproof body having at least at predetermined locations of the body three bonded layers can be fabricated that provides the advantages mentioned in detail in the foregoing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the invention by way of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of a textile-based protector according to the invention.

[0032] The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the described embodiments of the textile-based protector are exemplary in nature only and not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection in any way. The person skilled in the art will realize that alternatives and equivalent embodiments of the textile-based protector can be conceived and reduced to practice without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] Reference will be made to the figures on the accompanying drawing sheets. The figures are schematic in nature and therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, equal reference numerals denote equal or similar parts. On the attached drawing sheets,

figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a multilayered waterproof body of a textile-based protector according to the invention having two bonded layers;

figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a multilayered waterproof body of a textile-based protector according to the invention having three bonded layers;

figure 3a shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body that can have two or three bonded layers, wherein the body is provided with a placed high-resolution printed design for women;

figure 3b shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body that can have two or three bonded layers, wherein the body is provided with a placed high-resolution printed design for men;

figure 4a shows a rear view of the first or the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention, wherein the body has a second body section in a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof;

figure 4b shows a rear view of the first or the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention, wherein the body has a second body section in a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof;

figure 5 shows a top view of the first or the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention, wherein the second body section is implemented according to the first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof;

figure 6a shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body that can have two or three bonded layers, wherein the body is provided with two sleeves and wherein the body and the sleeves are provided with a placed high-resolution printed design for women;

figure 6b shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body that can have two or three bonded layers, wherein the body is provided with two sleeves and wherein the body and the sleeves are provided with a placed high-resolution printed design for men;

figure 7 shows a rear view of the third or the fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention, wherein the second body section is implemented according to the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof; and

figure 8 shows a top view of the third or the fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention, wherein the second body section is implemented according to the first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a multilayered waterproof body 2 of a textile-based protector 1 according to the invention having two bonded layers 3, 6. The skilled person will appreciate that all layers 3, 6, 9, 10, 11 shown in figure 1 have been drawn in such a way that there is no limitation with respect to their thickness nor with respect to how far they extend in a direction perpendicular to their thickness.

[0035] The first layer 3 of the multilayered waterproof body 2 has a first surface 4 and a second surface 5. The first layer 3 comprises a waterproof synthetic textile that keeps at least one of the clothes and the skin of a user dry by preventing a fluid that comes into contact with the body 2 to pass the first layer 3. The waterproof synthetic textile of the first layer 3 comprises at least one of polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having the properties described above. Furthermore, the body 2 prevents at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user from getting exposed to excessive heat in case a hot fluid comes into contact with the body 2.

[0036] The second layer 6 of the multilayered waterproof body 2 has a third surface 7 and a fourth surface 8. The fourth surface 8 is bonded to the first surface 4 of the first layer 3 via a first glue layer 11. The second layer 6 comprises one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile. The third surface 7 of the second layer 6 is arranged to face away from the first surface 4 of the first layer 3 and has a surface roughness of at most 8 µm. The third surface 7 of the second layer 6 is provided with a hydrophilic finishing agent 9 using a chemical wicking treatment. The hydrophilic finishing agent 9 comprises for example a carboxylic acid ester as mentioned above.

[0037] Furthermore, the third surface 7 of the second layer 6 is provided with a high-resolution printed design 10, for example a placed high-resolution full-colour printed design, that faces away from at least one of clothing and the skin of the user when the user uses the textile-based protector 1. It will be clear that when using the textile-based protector 1, the second surface 5 of the first layer 3 is placed in contact with at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user.

[0038] It is to be noted that the chemical wicking treatment of the third surface 7 of the second layer 6 has to be done before arranging the high-resolution printed design 10 to avoid as much as possible a degraded functionality of the hydrophilic finishing agent 9 because of the thermal budget of the process step in which the design 10 is applied to the third surface 7. After applying the first glue layer 11 to at least one of the first layer 3 and the second layer 6, the first glue layer 11 is subjected to a heat process in order to securely bond together the first layer 3 and the second layer 6. The skilled person will appreciate that according to the method for fabricating the textile-based protector 1, the chemical wicking treatment of at least the third surface 7 of the first layer 3 is done before applying the high-resolution printed design. After these two process steps, the first layer 3 and the second layer 6 are bonded using the first glue layer 11.

[0039] The multilayered waterproof body 2 and therefore the textile-based protector 1 has a drape coefficient in a range from 45% to 90%. The skilled person will appreciate that a drape coefficient in the latter range is comparable to the drape coefficient of textile-based clothing. Based on the disclosure of the present invention so far, the skilled person will appreciate that the printability and the wearability of the textile-based protector 1 is improved when compared to known textile-based protectors for protecting at least one of clothing and the skin of a user.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a multilayered waterproof body 2 of a textile-based protector 1 according to the invention having three bonded layers 3, 6, 12. The skilled person will appreciate that all layers 3, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 shown in figure 2 have been drawn in such a way that there is no limitation with respect to their thickness nor with respect to how far they extend in a direction perpendicular to their thickness.

[0041] The third layer 12 of the multilayered waterproof body 2 is bonded to the second surface 5 of the first layer 3. The third layer 12 comprises one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile just like the second layer 6. However, the skilled person will appreciate that the second layer 6 and the third layer 12 can comprise different synthetic textile-based layers. The skilled person will appreciate that the third layer 12 of the body 2 is arranged to face at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user when the user uses the textile-based protector 1. In this way the third layer 12 can be used as a layer that provides protection to the waterproof first layer 3 of the body 2 and hence reduces wear of the first layer 3. Moreover, the skilled person will appreciate that the third synthetic textile-based layer 12 can provide a more pleasant feeling to the skin than the waterproof first layer 3. As a result, application of the third layer 12 can further improve the user experience.

[0042] As shown in figure 2, the third layer 12 is bonded to the second surface 5 of the first layer 3 using a second glue layer 13. The skilled person will appreciate that the type of glue used for the second glue layer 13 must be chosen such that the materials comprised by the first layer 3 and the third layer 12 respectively can successfully be bonded to each other. Furthermore, depending on the materials comprised by the first layer 3, the second layer 6 and the third layer 12, the same type of glue can be used for the first glue layer 11 that is applied between the first layer 3 and the second layer 6 and for the second glue layer 13 that is applied between the first layer 3 and the third layer 12.

[0043] Figure 3a shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector 1 according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body 2 that can have two or three bonded layers, i.e. first layer 3 and second layer 6 or first layer 3, second layer 6 and third layer 12. The multilayered waterproof body 2 is provided with a placed high-resolution printed design 10 for women. The skilled person will appreciate that the design preferably is printed in full-colour in order to increase the user experience and user acceptance. As shown in figure 3a, the design 10 has 3D-simulation effects such as shadow effects. In this way the design can be made such that the bib or apron looks like real clothing, in this case a vest. Moreover, the printed necklace looks realistic. The textile-based protector 1 shown in figure 3a is positioned around the neck of the user and covers at least parts of at least the shoulders, the chest and the back of the user. According to the embodiment shown in figure 3a, the textile-based protector 1 is not provided with sleeves.

[0044] Figure 3b shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector 1 according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body 2 that can have two or three bonded layers, i.e. first layer 3 and second layer 6 or first layer 3, second layer 6 and third layer 12. The multilayered waterproof body 2 is provided with a placed high-resolution printed design 10 for men. As shown in figure 3b, the design 10 has 3D-simulation effects such as shadow effects. In this way the design can be made such that the bib or apron looks like real clothing, in this case a jacket without sleeves. The textile-based protector 1 shown in figure 3b is positioned around the neck of the user and covers at least parts of at least the shoulders, the chest and the back of the user. According to the embodiment shown in figure 3b, the textile-based protector 1 is not provided with sleeves.

[0045] Figure 4a shows a rear view of the first or the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector 1 according to the invention shown in figures 3a and 3b. The multilayered waterproof body 2 shown in figure 4a has a second body section 15 in a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof, i.e. the second body section 15 that is connected with the first body section 14 is arranged to comprise an elastic edge that will be in abutting contact with at least one of the neck and a part of the back of the user when wearing the textile-based protector 1.

[0046] Figure 4b shows a rear view of the first or the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector 1 according to the invention shown in figures 3a and 3b. The multilayered waterproof body 2 shown in figure 4b has a second body section 15 in a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof, i.e. the second body section 15 that is connected with the first body section 14 is arranged to comprise two parts that can be detachably connected with each other using for example hook and loop fasteners. By providing the second body section 15 with two detachably connectable parts the user comfort when putting on or taking of the textile-based protector 1 can be further improved.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a top view of the first or the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector 1 according to the invention. The second body section 15 is implemented according to the first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof shown in figure 4a. As shown in figure 5, the first body section 14 is arranged to partially overlay the second body section 15 on at least one of the shoulders and a part of the back of the user.

[0048] Figure 6a shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector 1 according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body 2 that can have two or three bonded layers, i.e. first layer 3 and second layer 6 or first layer 3, second layer 6 and third layer 12. According to the third embodiment of the textile-based protector 1, the multilayered waterproof body 2 is provided with two sleeves 16 that are connected with the first body section 14 and the second body section 15. As shown in figure 6a, the first body section 14, the second body section 15 and the sleeves 16 are provided with a high-resolution printed design 10 for women that is similar to the design shown in figure 3a. The skilled person will appreciate that by providing the two sleeves 16, the textile-based protector 1 can even better protect at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user. Furthermore, the impression that the user wears an actual piece of clothing, in this case a ladies jacket, instead of a clothing protector is enhanced. The skilled person will appreciate that this is even more the case when the design is printed in full-colour. In this way the textile-based protector 1 according to the present invention has improved personalization possibilities which further enhances user experience and user acceptance.

[0049] Figure 6b shows a front view of a bib or an apron as a fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a textile-based protector 1 according to the invention that has a multilayered waterproof body 2 that can have two or three bonded layers, i.e. first layer 3 and second layer 6 or first layer 3, second layer 6 and third layer 12. According to the fourth embodiment of the textile-based protector 1, the multilayered waterproof body 2 is provided with two sleeves 16 that are connected with the first body section 14 and the second body section 15. As shown in figure 6b, the first body section 14, the second body section 15 and the sleeves 16 are provided with a high-resolution printed design 10 for men that is similar to the design shown in figure 3b. The skilled person will appreciate that by providing the two sleeves 16, the textile-based protector 1 can even better protect at least one of the clothing and the skin of the user. Furthermore, the impression that the user wears an actual piece of clothing, in this case a jacket, instead of a clothing protector is enhanced. The skilled person will appreciate that this is even more the case when the design is printed in full-colour. In this way the textile-based protector 1 according to the present invention has improved personalization possibilities which further enhances user experience and user acceptance.

[0050] Figure 7 shows a rear view of the third or the fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector according to the invention. It can be seen that the sleeves 16 are partially opened. The skilled person will appreciate that this can further improve the wearability of the textile-based protector 1.

[0051] Figure 8 shows a top view of the third or the fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the textile-based protector 1 according to the invention. The second body section 15 is implemented according to the first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment thereof shown in figure 4a. As shown in figure 8, the first body section 14 is arranged to partially overlay the second body section 15 on at least one of the shoulders and a part of the back of the user.

[0052] The skilled person will appreciate that the bibs or aprons shown in figures 3a to 8 can be used both in a domestic environment and in a professional environment. Besides being used to prevent a user and/or the user's clothes from spilt food and/or fluids, the bibs or aprons according to the invention could also be used as surgery bibs or aprons that prevent a user and/or the user's clothes from tissue and/or bodily fluids. A further advantage of the fluid handling capabilities of the textile-based protectors according to the invention, e.g. the bibs and aprons shown in figures 3a to 8, is that splashing back or splashing up of fluids that are spilt on them is prevented or at least reduced compared to textile-based protectors known in the art. The bibs or aprons according to the invention could for example also be used to prevent a user and the user's clothes from cleaning products. Furthermore, the bibs or aprons are not limited for use by adults but they can also be used by children. In order to make the bibs or aprons more attractive to them they can be provided with a suitable placed high-resolution printed design, preferably in full-colour. The skilled person will appreciate that many applications and application areas can be conceived in which the textile-based protectors according to the invention can advantageously be used.

[0053] The present invention can be summarized as relating to a textile-based protector 1 for protecting at least one of clothing and skin of a user comprising a multilayered waterproof body 2 that comprises at least two bonded layers and that has an average drape coefficient in a range from 45 % to 90 %, wherein a first layer 3 of said body 2 has a first surface 4 and a second surface 5, the first layer 3 comprising a waterproof synthetic membrane, and a second layer 6 of said body has a third surface 7 and a fourth surface 8, the fourth surface 8 being bonded to the first surface 4 of the first layer 3, the second layer 6 comprising one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile, wherein at least the third surface 7 of the second layer 6 that faces away from the first surface 4 of the first layer 3 has a surface roughness of at most 8 µm and is provided with a hydrophilic finishing agent 9, wherein the third surface 7 of the second layer 6 is at least partially provided with a high-resolution printed design 10, for example a placed high-resolution full-colour printed design, and is arranged to face away from at least one of clothing and the skin of the user when the user uses the textile-based protector 1. The invention also relates to a method for fabricating the textile-based protector 1 according to the invention.

[0054] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims. While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0056] 

1

textile-based protector

2

multilayered body

3

waterproof first layer of the multilayered body

4

first surface of the waterproof first layer

5

second surface of the waterproof first layer

6

second layer of the multilayered body

7

third surface of the second layer

8

fourth surface of the second layer

9

hydrophilic finishing agent

10

high-resolution printed design

11

first glue layer

12

third layer of the multilayered body

13

second glue layer

14

first body section

15

second body section

16

sleeve

Claims

1. A textile-based protector (1) for protecting at least one of clothing and skin of a user comprising:

- a multilayered waterproof body (2) that comprises at least two bonded layers and that has an average drape coefficient in a range from 45% to 90%, wherein

- a first layer (3) of said body has a first surface (4) and a second surface (5), the first layer comprising a waterproof synthetic membrane; and

- a second layer (6) of said body has a third surface (7) and a fourth surface (8), the fourth surface (8) being bonded to the first surface (4) of the first layer (3), the second layer comprising one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile, wherein at least the third surface (7) of the second layer (6) that is arranged to face away from the first surface (4) of the first layer has a surface roughness of at most 8 µm and is provided with a hydrophilic finishing agent (9), wherein the third surface (7) of the second layer is at least partially provided with a high-resolution printed design (10) and is arranged to face away from at least one of clothing and the skin of the user when the user uses the textile-based protector.

2. The textile-based protector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second layer (6) is arranged to absorb water to a vertical rising height of 50 mm in both a length direction and a cross direction of the second layer (6) after at most 95 seconds.

3. The textile-based protector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second layer (6) has a weight per unit area of at most 150 g/m².

4. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer (3) has a waterproof rating of at least 1 K.

5. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fourth surface (8) of the second layer (6) is bonded to the first surface (4) of the first layer (3) using a first glue layer (11).

6. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (2) at least partially comprises a third layer (12) that is bonded to the second surface (5) of the first layer (3), the third layer (12) comprising one of a synthetic textile and a textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile.

7. The textile-based protector (1) according to claim 6, wherein the third layer (12) is bonded to the second surface (5) of the first layer (3) using a second glue layer (13).

8. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (2) has a weight per unit area of at most 280 g/m².

9. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waterproof synthetic membrane comprises at least one of polyurethane, PU, thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU, and polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE.

10. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the synthetic textile and the textile blend comprising at least 75% synthetic textile comprises at least one of polyester and polyamide.

11. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydrophilic finishing agent (9) comprises a carboxylic acid ester.

12. The textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (2) comprises a first body section (14) that is arrangeable to cover at least a part of at least one of a chest and at least one shoulder of the user.

13. The textile-based protector (1) according to claim 12, wherein said body (2) further comprises at least one of a second body section (15) that is connected to the first body section (14) and is arrangeable to cover at least a part of a back of the user, and at least one sleeve (16) that is connected with at least one of the first body section (14) and the second body section (15) and is arrangeable to cover at least a part of an arm of the user, wherein at least one of the first body section (14), the second body section (15) and the at least one sleeve (16) is provided with a placed high-resolution full-colour printed design (10).

14. A method for fabricating a textile-based protector (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing the first layer (3) and the second layer (6) of the multilayered waterproof body (2);

- applying a hydrophilic finishing agent (9) to at least the third surface (7) of the second layer (6) to provide at least the third surface (7) with the hydrophilic finishing agent (9);

- arranging the high-resolution printed design (10) at least on a part of the third surface (7) of the second layer (6); and

- bonding the first surface (4) of the first layer (3) at least at predetermined locations to the fourth surface (8) of the second layer (6).

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

- providing the third layer (12); and

- bonding the third layer (12) at least at predetermined locations to the second surface (5) of the first layer (3).

Drawing