AWNING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF AWNING FABRIC

Abstract

 The invention relates to an awning arrangement and to a method of treating an awning fabric, the awning arrangement comprising an awning apparatus (3) provided with an awning fabric (1) which can be unwound and wound up. The awning fabric (1) used in the arrangement is seamless and has a width of at least 1200 mm as well as an image, figure and/or text printed on its upper surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an awning arrangement as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to a method of treating an awning fabric as defined in the preamble of claim 10.

[0002] The awning arrangement according to invention is highly suitable to be used for outdoor awnings, for example, but also for other window shade solutions, such as roller blind solutions. The awning arrangement according to invention is especially used for balcony and terrace awnings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An awning apparatus, i.e. a tensioned fabric shade, is a fabric covering placed above a window or terrace and curved forward, at a given angle, to protect an underlying object against direct sunshine, UV radiation and rain. The awning apparatus is supported by arms fixed to a wall and tensioning the fabric tight. The window awning is usually curved, at a steep angle, over the window while the terrace awning is less steep and extends farther away from the wall than the window awning.

[0004] The awning apparatus is used when it is needed and can be retracted when it is not needed. The retraction of the awning fabric takes place either electrically or manually by means of an awning mechanism. The awning apparatus can also be made easier to operate by a spring or a gas spring. It is also possible to provide the motors of the awning apparatus with automation to retract the awning according to the weather or time of day. An advantage of the awning apparatus is that, although it does not hide the view, it effectively protects any objects, such as furniture, outdoors under the awning.

[0005] As a rule, the awning apparatuses available on the market, such terrace awnings, are single-colored or simple-patterned, such as striped, awning apparatuses. In some awning solutions, image/logo prints are made by using other printing methods than UV printing methods and letter transfers. These prints rarely have a proper UV protection, causing their colors to fade quite quickly in sunlight. As the image/logo prints can be printed on a narrow area, the awning fabric of wider awning apparatuses is put together from a number of narrower fabrics and the fabrics are seamed together. The fabric is double-thickness at the seams and, therefore, tends to wrinkle when wound up into a roll in the awning apparatus. The seams may cause problems in the use of the awning, such as wrinkling during retraction. Altogether, in these solutions, the fabric wrinkles and the seams do not allow a continuous full-length image surface to be provided. Printing on the seamed fabric is difficult or impossible and, even if possible, the printing quality is poor, at least at the seams.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention aims at eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an inexpensive, personalized, impressive and durable awning arrangement to be placed above windows and terraces. The awning arrangement according to the invention is characterized in what is set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1. The method according to the invention is characterized in what is set forth in the characterizing part of claim 10. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized in what is set forth in the rest of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The awning arrangement according to the invention is intended to provide a large awning apparatus having a continuous image area, the awning fabric thereof being printed as a continuous seamless fabric. In the seamless awning fabric, the fabric thickness is low throughout. An optional image, figures and/or texts are printed on the continuous awning fabric by a printer, such as a UV printer. The extension of the awning fabric from a wall or the like is at least 1200 millimeters. Most preferably, the extension of the awning fabric is 1200 to 3200 millimeters, resulting in large continuous and impressive printed awnings.

[0008] After the printing, a mixture of agents is sprayed onto the surface of the awning fabric, including an anti-mold agent, a UV blocking agent and an agent for covering the fibers in order to prevent dirt from entering them and in order to make the awning fabric easier to clean. The treatment does not change the appearance or other properties of the fabric. The mixture of these agents makes the printed awning fabric mold-protected as well as water and dirt repellent, contributing to the fabric staying clean. In addition, the printing colors of the fabric stay bright for a long time and the fabric does fade easily in sunlight.

[0009] The image printed on the outer surface of the awning fabric can also be easily seen from the inside of the awning fabric, provided that a suitable awning fabric quality is chosen. The image can be seen especially well when there is light, day light or artificial light, on the outside. The visibility of the image can be enhanced by placing sources of light outside the awning apparatus to illuminate the awning fabric.

[0010] The continuous, printed and surface-treated awning fabric can also be used in existing awning apparatuses.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The printed awning fabric according to the invention, even when large in size, can be entirely made in a single printing step, which is a significant improvement compared to the previous methods where the awning fabric is put together from a number of separate printed fabrics. The awning fabric consisting of a single piece of fabric does not have overlapping seams, to ensure that it works better in the awning apparatus and to prevent thick seam jamming. The single-printed awning fabric treated with the mixture is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The UV printed pattern on the awning fabric is considerably more durable than a pattern printed by other printing methods.

[0012] Another advantage is that the mixture of agents on the surface of the awning fabric makes the awning fabric mold-protected, helps the colors of the awning fabric to stay bright and unfaded as well as makes the awning fabric water and dirt repellent.

[0013] Still another advantage is that, in the awning arrangement according to the invention, the print on the awning fabric can be seen on the inner surface of the awning apparatus, especially if there is light outside the awning apparatus, such as natural day light, or, artificial light produced by a light fixture.

LIST OF FIGURES

[0014] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying simplified drawings wherein

Figure 1

shows an awning apparatus comprising a printed awning fabric according to the invention, and

Figure 2

shows the awning apparatus of figure 1, the printed awning fabric thereof being illuminated, from the outside, by artificial light.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Figure 1 shows an awning apparatus 3 comprising a printed awning fabric 1 which forms part of the awning arrangement according to the invention and which can be both unwound and wound up. The awning apparatus 3 has a machinery operating by means of an electric motor, for example, or manually. Preferably, the awning fabric is a single continuous and seamless and piece of fabric. A print 2 is produced on the awning fabric 1 by a UV printer capable of printing on large objects.

[0016] As the printed awning fabric 1 installed in the awning apparatus 3 preferably is printed as a single piece, it does not have seams, avoiding an increased thickness of the printed awning fabric 1 caused by seams. Thus, the printed awning fabric 1 does cause inconvenient wrinkling in the awning apparatus 3 and the awning fabric roll.

[0017] Preferably, an optional image, figures and/or texts are printed on the continuous awning fabric 1 by a UV printer. The extension of the printable awning fabric 1, i.e. the distance from the front edge of the awning fabric, when completely unwound, to the awning apparatus 3, which is attached to a wall, for example, can be up to 3200 millimeters or even more, resulting in large and impressive printed awnings. Preferably, extension of the printable awning fabric 1 is 1200 to 3200 millimeters.

[0018] In the known solutions, the width of a seamless awning fabric is restricted by the width of the fabric that is used, because the fabric is installed in the awning apparatus in its direction of width. Usually, the fabric is unwound from a roll of fabric having a given width, such as 1200 millimeters. In the known solutions, the extension, instead, is virtually indefinite and freely selectable by cutting a desired length of fabric from the roll of fabric. If it desirable that the awning fabric is wider than the width of the roll of fabric used in the manufacture, several fabrics must be seamed together by sewing, for example. However, the seams cause problems in the printing process, and also other problems, as described above. Due to the seams, the awning fabric is not smooth.

[0019] The solution according to the invention allows the awning fabric 1 to have any desired and necessary width, without any seams on the awning fabric 1. The awning fabric is printed 2 by feeding a desired length of fabric from a roll of fabric to a printer, the printer being a UV printer, for example, and by printing a single or multicolored pattern and/text on the fabric. Thus, the awning fabric 1 can be given any desired width, the maximum extension of the awning fabric corresponding to the width of the roll of fabric that is used.

[0020] According to the invention, the awning fabric 1 is installed in the awning apparatus in a direction different (90 degrees different) from that used in the known solutions.

[0021] This printing method produces a printed, seamless awning fabric which is wider than in the known solutions but which, nevertheless, has a sufficient extension.

[0022] Thus, the solution according to the invention allows, when needed, an awning arrangement comprising an awning fabric 1 provided with a print 2 and having an extension over 1200 millimeters, suitably 1200 to 3200 millimeters, and a width over 1200 millimeters, preferably 1200 to 3200 millimeters, and, if necessary, over 3200 millimeters, to be manufactured.

[0023] After the printing, a mixture of agents including an anti-mold agent, a UV blocking agent and an agent for covering the fibers in order to prevent dirt from entering them and in order to make the awning textile easier to clean, is sprayed onto the printed awning fabric 1. The treatment does not change the appearance or other properties of the textile.

[0024] The mixture of these agents makes the printed awning fabric 1 mold-protected as well as water and dirt repellent, contributing to the printed awning fabric 1 staying clean. In addition, the printing colors of the printed awning fabric 1 stay bright for a long time and the printed awning fabric 1 does fade easily in sunlight.

[0025] The awning fabric 1 can be treated with a nanograde protective agent, for example, making it easier to keep the awning clean and protecting the fabric against the sun. Preferably, the protective agent does not contain silicones, hydrofluorocarbons, Teflon or other compounds detrimental to health. The protective agents acts as an impregnator for the fabric, preventing dirt, water and even oils from penetrating between the fibers of the fabric. The protection contributes to the awning staying in a clean and good condition for a long time. Further, the awning fabric is highly resistant to changes of temperature and is durable in use. Further, the protection is breathable, odorless and colorless.

[0026] Figure 2 shows an awning apparatus 3 according to the invention, the printed awning fabric 1 thereof preferably being illuminated, from the outside, by a light fixture 4. Preferably, when a transparent material is selected for the printed awning fabric 1 and when there is light, either daylight or artificial light, on one side thereof, the print 2 also becomes visible on the other, lightless side of the printed awning fabric 1. In darkness, the print 2 of the awning fabric 1 can be seen at a long distance, from the outside, if there is light below the awning fabric, i.e. on the inside. Preferably, the thickness of the awning fabric 1 and the thickness of the print 2 allow the print 2 to be seen against light, from the unprinted side of the awning fabric 1.

[0027] The printed awning fabric 1 according to the invention can also be used in existing awning apparatuses, by replacing their current awning fabric with the novel, printed awning fabric 1.

[0028] In the method according to the invention, the awning fabric is treated as follows, for example.

[0029] The awning fabric 1 is provided with a print 2 by a UV printer, for example, by carrying the awning fabric 1 through the printer, in its longitudinal direction. The seamless awning fabric 1 is fed to the printer from a roll and successive lines are printed on the awning fabric 1, in the width direction of the awning fabric 1, by the printing head of the printer moving reciprocally in the width direction of the awning fabric 1. Herein, the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the awning fabric 1 refer to the extension direction of the finished awning and to the width direction of the finished awning, respectively.

[0030] Preferably, the thickness of the awning fabric 1 and the thickness of print 2 are chosen to allow the print 2 to be seen against light, from the unprinted side of the awning fabric 1.

[0031] After the printing, the awning fabric 1 is cut to a desired length. Once printed, the awning fabric is also treated with a mixture of agents to give the printed awning fabric a mold protection, a UV protection as well as a water and dirt repellent surface.

[0032] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the different embodiments of the invention are not solely restricted to the examples given above but may vary within the scope of the accompanying claims. Therefore, some other printing method than UV printing can be used for the printed awning fabric. Further, the treatment of the printed awning fabric with the mixture of agents may differ from the exemplifying embodiment described above. The width and extension of the printed awning fabric may also differ from the exemplifying embodiment described above.

[0033] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the solution according to the invention is applicable to other objects/coverings than awnings, such as roller blinds and shades.

[0034] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that, instead of the mixture of agents, the fabric can be treated with separate agents giving the awning fabric a mold protection, a UV protection as well as a water and dirt repellent surface. Likewise, the treatment of the awning fabric with the mixture of agents, or, with the separate agents, does not to have be done by spraying, but other methods can be used as well.

Claims

1. An awning arrangement comprising an awning apparatus (3) provided with an awning fabric (1) which can be unwound and wound up, characterized in that the awning fabric (1) used in the arrangement is seamless and has an extension of at least 1200 millimeters as well as an image, figure and/or text printed (2) on its upper surface.

2. An awning arrangement as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the width of the awning fabric (1) is 1200 to 3200 millimeters.

3. An awning arrangement as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the width of the awning fabric (1) is over 3200 millimeters.

4. An awning arrangement as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printed awning fabric (1) is treated with a mixture of agents to give the printed awning fabric (1) a mold protection, a UV protection as well as a water and dirt repellent surface.

5. An awning arrangement as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print (2) on the awning fabric (1) is adapted to be seen, against light, from the other side of the awning fabric (1) where there is no print (2).

6. An awning arrangement as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises one or more sources of light (4) to illuminate the awning fabric from the outside of the awning fabric and/or from the inside of the awning fabric.

7. An awning arrangement as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension of the awning fabric (1) is 1200 to 3200 millimeters.

8. An awning arrangement as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension of the awning fabric (1) is over 3200 millimeters.

9. An awning arrangement as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print (2) on the awning fabric (1) is produced by a UV printer.

10. A method of treating an awning fabric, characterized in that a print (2) is produced on the awning fabric (1) by a printer, by moving the awning fabric (1), in its longitudinal direction, past the printing head of the printer.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, characterized in that the seamless awning fabric (1) is fed to the printer from a roll.

12. A method as defined in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that successive lines are printed on the awning fabric (1) in the width direction of the awning fabric (1).

13. A method as defined in claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the printing (2) is carried out by means of a UV printer.

14. A method as defined in any of the preceding claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, after the printing, the awning fabric (1) is cut to length.

15. A method as defined in any of the preceding claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, after the printing, the awning fabric (1) is treated with a mixture of agents, or, with several separate agents, to give the printed awning fabric (1) a mold protection, a UV protection as well as a water and dirt repellent surface.

Drawing