TEXTILE ELEMENT

Abstract

A planar, flexible textile element that is suitable in particular as a baby sling, made of at least 90% natural fibers and/or fibers produced from natural fibers, and having a mesh structure.

Description

The invention relates to a planar, flexible textile element according to claim 1.

So-called baby slings are known in the industry. They are made of a piece of cloth that is usually rectangular (i.e., a planar, flexible textile element), typically having dimensions of approximately 450 by 50 cm. The textile element in question is generally made from a relatively tightly woven cotton, since it naturally must have a certain tear resistance.

The object of the present invention is to provide a planar, flexible textile element that in particular is also suitable as a baby sling, and that has improved properties to this end.

This object is achieved by a planar, flexible textile element having the features of claim 1. Preferred applications of such a planar, flexible textile element are set forth in claims 10 through 14, it being emphasized that a planar, flexible textile element of this type may also be used in other areas of application, in particular as part of a baby carrier.

According to the invention, the textile element has a mesh structure. In particular when used as a baby sling or as a so-called swaddling blanket, this results in numerous advantages over the prior art. The most important advantages are that the mesh structure, due to its structure, imparts a certain elasticity that may greatly increase wearing comfort for the child as well as for the carrier. In addition, the open mesh structure allows ventilation of the body parts underneath (here as well, for the child and also for the carrier), which likewise results in greatly improved wearing comfort.

Such a planar, flexible textile element may be manufactured in various technical processes such as weaving, knitting, crocheting, or warp knitting, with weaving generally being the preferred process, in which case the textile element is a woven fabric. Since the planar, flexible textile element has a mesh structure, in principle it could also be knotted, although this is generally not preferred.

The mesh size of the mesh structure, which is defined here as the maximum length of a mesh, is preferably between 2 and 5 mm. This mesh size is selected so that on the one hand sufficient ventilation is provided, and on the other hand even the small fingers of an infant are prevented from penetrating through the textile fabric or getting caught in it, which of course could be hazardous.

As mentioned above, a key advantage of the textile element according to the invention is its breathability resulting from the structure, which in particular counteracts excessive perspiration. To further promote this effect, it is preferred that the textile element comprises at least 50 percent, in particular at least 90 percent, bamboo fibers and/or coconut fibers or fibers produced therefrom.

It is known that in particular bamboo fibers have an antibacterial effect, so that odor production is additionally counteracted. In addition, overall hygiene is thus improved. The bamboo or coconut fibers may each be directly spun into yarn threads, from which the textile element is then produced, or they may also be used as the basis for fibers produced therefrom in the viscose process, from which yarn threads are then spun. Another advantage of using bamboo fibers is the high tear resistance of the produced textile element.

To further improve the elastic, in particular bi-elastic, properties of the textile element, it may be preferred for the textile element to be made partially of elastane, with a proportion between 1 and 3 percent (mass percent) being preferred.

It is further preferred that no further material besides natural fibers or fibers produced from natural fibers, and elastane is used.

When a material mix of natural fibers or fibers produced from natural fibers and elastane is used, for achieving good elastic properties it is preferred to use yarn threads that contain both types of fibers.

It is also possible to use natural fibers as well as fibers produced from natural fibers in a mix. To attain the skin-friendly properties, the proportion of natural fibers or the proportion of fibers produced from natural fibers or of the above-mentioned mix should be at least 90 percent by weight of the fabric.

As mentioned above, the preferred application of the textile element is a baby sling or swaddling blanket. However, bed covers or parts of baby carriers may likewise be produced therefrom.

A textile element according to the invention may have a single-layer or multi-layer design.

The invention is now explained in greater detail based on one specific exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures, which show the following:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a baby sling, and

FIG. 2 shows the detail D from FIG. 1 in a likewise schematic illustration.

The invention is now described with reference to a baby sling 10, wherein the structure specifically described with reference to this exemplary embodiment may also be present for other textile elements according to the invention.

Such a baby sling 10 is a planar, flexible (i.e., bendable), generally pliable textile element, and typically has a length l of 450 cm and a width b of 50 cm, wherein other dimensions may also be meaningful. The textile element may be produced in particular by weaving, but also by other processes such as knitting, crocheting, or warp knitting. It is apparent from FIG. 2, i.e., the detail D in FIG. 2, that the textile element has a mesh structure. This means that in geometric terms it may be described as being built from mutually parallel first strands 12 and mutually parallel second strands 14, wherein the first strands 12 and the second strands 14 are not in parallel to one another. In principle, the directions of the two strands may be mutually perpendicular, although this is not the case in the exemplary embodiment shown. First strands 12 and second strands 14 meet at intersection points K, so that in each case four intersection points K define a mesh M. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the meshes are rhombuses whose length L is greater than their width B. The length of a mesh (i.e., its maximum extension) is preferably between 2 and 5 millimeters. This ensures that the finger of an infant cannot penetrate the fabric or even pass through it, yet sufficient ventilation is still provided.

The same as with any other woven fabric (this also applies for the other possible types of manufacture), the textile element is woven from yarn threads, each yarn being spun from a plurality of fibers. In this regard, the proportion of fibers that are natural fibers or fibers produced from natural fibers is at least 90 percent. The remainder of the fibers may be elastane. It is preferred that any yarn thread used is a mixture of the above-mentioned natural fibers or fibers produced from natural fibers, and elastane, resulting in bi-elasticity of the overall textile element.

In one preferred example, the textile element comprises 95 to 99 mass percent viscose fibers produced from bamboo fibers, and 1 to 5 mass percent elastane.

Claims

1. A planar, flexible textile element comprising at least 90% natural fibers and/or fibers produced from natural fibers, wherein the textile element has a mesh structure wherein the meshes of the mesh structure have a maximum length between 2 and 5 mm.

2. The textile element according to claim 1, wherein it is a woven fabric.

3. (canceled)

4. The textile element according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least 90% bamboo fibers and/or coconut fibers or fibers produced therefrom.

5. The textile element according to claim 4, wherein it comprises at least 90% bamboo fibers or fibers produced therefrom.

6. The textile element according to claim 1, wherein the textile element comprises at least 1% elastane.

7. The textile element according to claim 6, wherein the textile element is bi-elastic.

8. The textile element according to claim 6, wherein the textile element is made solely of natural fibers or fibers produced from natural fibers, and elastane.

9. The textile element according to claim 1, wherein the fibers produced from natural fibers, if present, are viscose fibers.

10. The textile element according to claim 1, wherein it is a baby sling.

11. The textile element according to claim 10, wherein it has a width (b) between 30 and 70 cm and a length (l) between 350 and 650 cm.

12. The textile element according to claim 1, wherein it is a swaddling blanket.

13. The textile element according to claim 12, wherein it has a width between 70 and 150 cm and a length between 70 and 150 cm.

14. The textile element according to claim 1, wherein it is a bed cover.