METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING A COATED FABRIC OR A COATED KNIT FABRIC

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENT(S)

This application is a national stage filing under 35 USC § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/DE2023/100954, filed Dec. 8, 2023, which claims the benefit of DE Application No. DE 102022132662.4, filed on Dec. 8, 2022, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the production of flexible connecting straps comprising fabric and/or knit fabric. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a coated fabric or a coated knit fabric and a device for manufacturing a coated fabric or a coated knit fabric.

BACKGROUND

For the manufacturing of coated fabrics, methods can be provided in which the fabric is filled or coated in a direct wet process. In particular, dipping methods can be used in which the fabric is dipped into liquid coating material and thereby provided with a coating. However, such a method can be complicated under certain circumstances. In addition, a uniform coating quality may not be achieved by such a method. In particular, the fabric itself does not have a flat surface so that the coating application can vary across the fabric surface, which can ultimately lead to unevenness. Such unevenness can also be optically visible so that the coated fabrics may no longer be suitable for certain fields of application with high requirements for the visual appearance.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments disclosed herein can improve the surface quality of coated fabrics.

According to one aspect, a method for manufacturing a coated fabric is specified, in particular a method for manufacturing a coated fabric for a connecting strap, with which a plastic data page of a passport book can be connected to the passport book, for example by sewing. In one step of the method, a fabric is provided. In a further step, a first carrier material is provided and, in a further step, a coating material is provided. In a further step, the coating material is applied to the first carrier material such that the first carrier material is at least partially coated with the coating material. In a further step, the fabric and the first carrier material that is at least partially coated with the coating material are brought together. In a further step, contact is established between the fabric and the coating material that coats or wets the first carrier material. In a further step, the coating material is at least partially transferred from the first carrier material to the fabric, specifically by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a fabric coated with the coating material.

The method steps mentioned can be carried out in the specified order. Further optional intermediate steps or parallel steps to the steps mentioned above can be provided, which will be explained in more detail below.

With the method according to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the surface quality of a coated fabric by reducing or avoiding unevenness on a surface of the coated fabric. In this case, the method according to the present disclosure comprises measures in which the coating material is applied to the fabric as part of an indirect wet process. A uniform and constant application of the coating material and thereby of the coating of the fabric can thereby be achieved, which ultimately increases the surface quality of the coated fabric.

As already mentioned above, a coated fabric for a connecting strap can be manufactured by the method. The connecting strap manufactured in this way can thus consist of the fabric and the coating material after the manufacture.

The provision of the fabric may comprise a provision of the fabric in the form of a fabric layer, wherein the fabric is, for example, a synthetic fabric or a natural fiber fabric. The fabric may be an open fabric, for example of thermoplastic plastic threads, which can be manufactured from polyester or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyether sulfone (PES), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The fabric thickness may be in a value range of 50 μm to 150 μm, or in a value range of 63 μm to 100 μm, or in a value range of 70 μm to 90 μm. The mesh width of the fabric may be in a value range of 30 μm to 190 μm, or in a value range of 45 μm to 170 μm, or in a value range of 50 μm to 155 μm. The open area of the fabric, which defines the percentage of all mesh openings in the total fabric area, may be in a value range of 20% to 70%, or in a value range of 22% to 55%, or in a value range of 25% to 55%.

The coating material may be a lacquer or an adhesive, which is applied in liquid form to the first carrier material. The coating material may comprise polyurethane (PU, crosslinked, uncrosslinked), modified acrylate, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The coating material may be applied to the first carrier material by means of a rotating roller, wherein the coating material wets a roller surface of the roller such that the first carrier material, which may likewise be guided over the roller, comes into contact with the coating material and is coated. In particular, the first carrier material may be guided over the roller surface, whereby it comes into contact with the coating material conveyed by the rotation of the roller. As a result of the continuous rotation of the roller and the relative movement between roller and first carrier material, the fabric may be coated, i.e. wetted, with the coating material at least on one side and over an area.

The first carrier material may be present in the form of different web materials, for example a standard web material, which is provided with coating material by means of the abovementioned indirect wet process and is subsequently connected to the fabric under pressure and/or temperature. It may be provided here that the first carrier material, if it is present in the form of web materials such as film, remains on the coated fabric after the coating of the fabric.

However, it may also be provided that the first carrier material, if it is present, for example, in the form of siliconized web material or silicone paper, is removed from the coated fabric after the coating of the fabric.

The first carrier material may form a first carrier material layer, wherein the first carrier material layer is coated on one side and over an area with the coating material. After the coating of the first carrier material with the coating material, the actual coating of the (raw) fabric may be performed, wherein the coating of the fabric with the coating material comprises transferring the coating material to the fabric. In this case, the fabric meshes can be filled with coating material, on the one hand. On the other hand, a coating application can be generated on a fabric side that completely covers the fabric on this side.

The at least partial transfer of the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric may be performed by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure, for example by pressing together the fabric and the first carrier material coated with the coating material. In this case, the coating material may be arranged between the first carrier material and the fabric. Thus, the coating material can come into contact with the fabric at least on one side, wherein during the transfer of the coating material to the fabric, a filling of the meshes of the fabric layer with coating material may be performed. In addition, in this case, an application layer may form on one side of the fabric layer, which actually covers or coats the fabric layer on one side. In this way, the coated fabric can ultimately be provided. It should be understood that during the transfer of the coating material to the fabric, a temperature that is elevated compared to ambient temperature may be provided such that a curing or drying of the coating material is performed, which can lead to a bonding of the coating material to the fabric. Thus, during the coating of the fabric with the coating material, an adhesive connection between fabric and coating material can be established. After establishing such an adhesive connection between fabric and coating material, the first carrier material may be pulled off the coated fabric and thus removed, as will be explained in more detail below.

According to one embodiment, the first carrier material is removed from the coated fabric.

This method step may be performed after the coating process, i.e. after the at least partial transfer of the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric. In this case, the coating material itself remains on the fabric. An adhesive force between coating material and fabric may thus be greater than an adhesive force between coating material and first carrier material such that the first carrier material may be detached from the coated fabric after the coating process. The removal may be performed by pulling off the carrier material layer from the coated fabric.

According to one embodiment, the first carrier material is removed from the coated fabric by applying a separation force, wherein the separation force has a value range of 6 N/4 m to 600 N/4 m, or a value range of 50 N/4 m to 500 N/4 m, or a value range of 100 N/4 m to 450 N/4 m.

These separation force or separation value ranges allow the removal of the first carrier material from the coated fabric without in turn detaching the coating material or parts thereof from the coated fabric.

According to one embodiment, the first carrier material comprises a siliconized web material or a silicone paper.

In one example, the first carrier material consists of the siliconized web material or the silicone paper. A silicone-coated carrier material having a defined separation force can be used. The carrier materials mentioned are used since they offer a separation force suitable for the processes described above. As an alternative to paper, however, film may also be used as the first carrier material for the silicone coating.

According to one embodiment, the at least partial transfer of the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric has an application weight (dry application weight) of 5 g/m² to 150 g/m², or a value range of 10 g/m² to 100 g/m², or a value range of 15 g/m² to 70 g/m².

In this way, the fabric may be filled with the coating material and coated such that an adhesive connection between fabric and coating material can be provided. Furthermore, a thickness of the coated fabric that is preferred for the purposes of use of the coated fabric can thus be provided.

According to one embodiment, upon establishing contact between the fabric and the coating material, the coating material is in a liquid state.

This may mean that, upon establishing contact between the fabric and the coating material, the coating material is in a wet state or is present as a melt. The at least partial transfer of the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric may therefore be performed in the liquid state or wet state or as a melt of the coating material.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises preventing a phase transition of the coating material into the gaseous state during the at least partial transfer of the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric.

A coating unit may be provided that is adapted to establish contact between the fabric and the coating material that coats or wets the first carrier material. The aggregate state of the coating material is maintained in the coating unit. This can mean that, in the liquid state, the coating material is transferred from the carrier material to the fabric, and thereby in particular does not evaporate and/or sublimate.

It may be provided that a drying or solidification of the liquid coating material is performed only after the transfer of the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric, for example after the fabric has been coated with the coating material. In other words, it may be provided that the coated fabric first leaves the coating unit and is dried only after a certain period of time has elapsed.

For example, in the coating unit, lacquer or adhesive is first transferred as coating material to the fabric, wherein the coated fabric is dried in a further step and the carrier material is removed in a further step.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises drying the coating material temporally after manufacturing the coated fabric.

The drying of the coating material can be performed only after the contact between the fabric and the coating material has been established and the coating material has been at least partially transferred from the first carrier material to the fabric. It may be provided in particular that a drying of the coating material is avoided during the transfer of the coating material from the carrier material to the fabric. In particular, in the present case, an active drying step may be avoided before manufacturing the coated fabric. A drying step may be provided for this only after leaving the coating unit. In other words, the fabric web, i.e. the fabric, may be fed into the wet coating mass and only subsequently dried.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises allowing crosslinking or post-crosslinking of the coating material temporally after manufacturing the coated fabric and temporally before removing the first carrier material from the coated fabric.

This can mean that the coating material is at least partially transferred from the carrier material to the fabric and the carrier material is subsequently not directly separated from the coated fabric. It may be provided in particular that the fabric coated with the coating material is temporarily stored together with the carrier material, for example is wound up, before the carrier material is removed from the coated fabric. As a result, the coating material may be subjected to crosslinking or post-crosslinking during the temporary storage, wherein gradual curing takes place, in which the remaining molecule chains not yet completely bound in the adhesive or lacquer are crosslinked.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises intermediate-storing the coated fabric temporally after providing the coated fabric and temporally before removing the first carrier material from the coated fabric.

During the temporary storage, however, the carrier material may in particular still be connected to the coated fabric, i.e. adhere to the coated fabric. The removal or separation of the carrier material from the coated fabric may be performed only after a period of time provided for the post-crosslinking process has elapsed. This period of time may be, for example, one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, seven days, eight days, or even more days. In any case, an immediate separation of the carrier material from the coated fabric can be avoided in order to allow post-crosslinking of the coating material. As described above, the carrier material has a defined separation force, wherein the carrier material is in particular pulled off the coated fabric only after the period of time mentioned has elapsed.

In other words, the method comprises a siliconized carrier, i.e. a siliconized carrier material, having a defined separation force, wherein the carrier is not pulled off immediately after the coating of the fabric in the course of the process, but rather everything together, i.e. the fabric coated with the coating material and the carrier, is first wound up. The wound-up material is thus temporarily stored. After the material has been post-crosslinked, it may be separated from the carrier after approximately one week.

The method according to the present disclosure may thus include a siliconized carrier material being wet-coated with the coating material, for example adhesive or lacquer.

Subsequently, the fabric may be introduced into this combination of siliconized carrier material and coating material and only subsequently can everything together be dried and thus solidified, wherein the adhesive or lacquer is crosslinked. Subsequently, everything together may be temporarily stored, for example in wound-up form, in order to allow post-crosslinking of the adhesive or lacquer, and after approximately 1 week the carrier material may be removed from the coated fabric.

According to one embodiment, the intermediate-storing of the coated fabric is performed over a period of at least 72 hours, or over a period of at least 120 hours, or over a period of at least 168 hours.

This allows complete crosslinking of the coating material before the carrier material is detached from the fabric coated with the coating material while applying the separation force.

According to one embodiment, the at least partially transferring the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric comprises at least partially transferring the coating material to a first fabric side of the fabric to thereby provide a fabric coated on one side with the coating material.

In other words, the coating material may be applied to only one side of the fabric layer, wherein only the first carrier layer coated with the coating material is pressed against the first fabric side to produce the coated fabric.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises further steps. In a further step, a second carrier material is provided and, in a further step, the coating material is applied to the second carrier material such that the second carrier material is at least partially coated with the coating material. In a further step, the fabric and the second carrier material that is at least partially coated with the coating material are brought together. In a further step, contact is established between a second fabric side of the fabric and the coating material that coats or wets the second carrier material. In a further step, the coating material is at least partially transferred from the second carrier material to the second fabric side of the fabric, specifically by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a fabric coated on two sides with the coating material. In a further optional step, the second carrier material is removed from the fabric that is coated on two sides.

These further method steps can be carried out in the order mentioned and can in particular represent parallel steps to the above-listed method steps for manufacturing the coated fabric. All of the above-mentioned properties and processes with respect to the first carrier material may also apply to the second carrier material. In particular, the second carrier material may likewise comprise a siliconized web material or a silicone paper. Likewise, the predetermined pressure mentioned here may correspond to the predetermined pressure already introduced above and/or the predetermined temperature mentioned here may correspond to the predetermined temperature already introduced above. In other words, the first and the second fabric sides may be coated simultaneously under the predetermined pressure and/or the predetermined temperature.

According to one embodiment, the at least partially transferring the coating material from the first carrier material to the first fabric side of the fabric is performed simultaneously with the at least partially transferring the coating material from the second carrier material to the second fabric side of the fabric.

In other words, the coating of the fabric may be performed by simultaneously pressing the first carrier material against the first fabric side and the second carrier material against the second fabric side, wherein the coating material is arranged between the respective carrier material and the fabric side.

According to one embodiment, in a further step, the coating material is directly applied to the second fabric side of the fabric by establishing contact between the second fabric side of the fabric and the coating material. In a further step, the coating material is at least partially transferred to the second fabric side of the fabric by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a fabric coated on two sides with the coating material.

As an alternative to the use of a second carrier material for the coating, as described above, the second fabric side of the fabric may thereby also be provided directly with the coating material without using a second carrier material. In other words, a direct wet process is used for the second fabric side in which the coating material is applied directly to the second fabric side.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises, in a further step, drying the coating material temporally after applying the coating material to the first carrier material and temporally before establishing contact between the fabric and the coating material.

The method described herein may also be used, for example, for a foil coating of the fabric. The coating material described herein may be formed by a web material such as, for example, a (plastic) foil. Such a foil coating may be effected in particular by means of a web material which is applied by means of wet coating to the first carrier material, for example silicone paper, and is subsequently dried. Two operations may be necessary here. In particular, initially liquid plastic, which later forms the coating, is applied to the first carrier material or the silicone paper. Subsequently, a drying of the plastic on the first carrier material is effected, whereupon the first carrier material together with the dried plastic layer is pressed together with the fabric under pressure and/or temperature. During this pressing together, the coating of the fabric with the plastic layer or the plastic foil is again effected, specifically in the same way as already explained above. Such a foil coating may also be carried out as part of a two-sided coating or foil coating of the fabric.

According to one aspect, the use of a coated fabric, manufactured by means of the method according to the present disclosure as described herein, for a flexible connecting strap for connecting a plastic data page to a passport book may be provided. Furthermore, the coated fabric may be used to manufacture a portable data carrier, such as, for example, a chip card or an identity card having a chip.

According to one aspect, an apparatus for manufacturing a coated fabric is specified. The apparatus comprises a fabric supply unit for providing a fabric, a carrier material supply unit for providing a first carrier material, a roller for providing a coating material and a coating unit. The carrier material supply unit is adapted to guide the first carrier material over the roller to thereby at least partially coat the first carrier material with the coating material. The fabric supply unit is adapted to guide the fabric to the first carrier material that is at least partially coated with the coating material. The coating unit is adapted to establish contact between the fabric and the coating material that coats or wets the first carrier material. The coating unit is further adapted to at least partially transfer the coating material from the first carrier material to the fabric by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a coated fabric.

According to a further aspect, a method for manufacturing a coated knit fabric is specified, in particular a method for manufacturing a coated knit fabric for a connecting strap with which a plastic data page of a passport book can be connected to the passport book, for example by sewing. In one step of the method, a knit fabric is provided. In a further step, a first carrier material is provided and, in a further step, a coating material is provided. In a further step, the coating material is applied to the first carrier material such that the first carrier material is at least partially coated with the coating material. In a further step, the knit fabric and the first carrier material that is at least partially coated with the coating material are brought together. In a further step, contact is established between the knit fabric and the coating material that coats or wets the first carrier material. In a further step, the coating material is at least partially transferred from the first carrier material to the knit fabric, specifically by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a knit fabric coated with the coating material.

The features and properties described herein with respect to the method for manufacturing the coated fabric may be applied analogously to the features and properties with respect to the method for manufacturing the coated knit fabric.

According to a further aspect, an apparatus for manufacturing a coated knit fabric is specified. The apparatus comprises a knit fabric supply unit for providing a knit fabric, a carrier material supply unit for providing a first carrier material, a roller for providing a coating material and a coating unit. The carrier material supply unit is adapted to guide the first carrier material over the roller to thereby at least partially coat the first carrier material with the coating material. The knit fabric supply unit is adapted to guide the knit fabric to the first carrier material that is at least partially coated with the coating material. The coating unit is adapted to establish contact between the knit fabric and the coating material that coats or wets the first carrier material. The coating unit is further adapted to at least partially transfer the coating material from the first carrier material to the knit fabric by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a coated knit fabric.

The features and properties described herein with respect to the apparatus for manufacturing the coated fabric may be applied analogously to the features and properties with respect to the apparatus for manufacturing the coated knit fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a device for manufacturing a coated fabric.

FIG. 2A depicts a perspective view of a coating unit when manufacturing a fabric coated on one side.

FIG. 2B depicts a side view of a coating unit when manufacturing a fabric coated on one side.

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of a coating unit when manufacturing a fabric coated on two sides.

FIG. 3B depicts a side view of a coating unit when manufacturing a fabric coated on two sides.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of components of a process for manufacturing a fabric foil-coated on one side.

FIG. 5A depicts a flow diagram for a method of manufacturing a coated fabric.

FIG. 5B depicts a flow diagram for a method of manufacturing a fabric coated on two sides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. If the same reference numerals are used for different figures in the following description of the figures, these denote the same or similar elements. However, the same or similar elements may also be denoted by different reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for manufacturing a coated fabric 10. The apparatus comprises a fabric supply unit 12 for providing a fabric 14. For example, the fabric 14 may be provided in the form of a flexible fabric sheet or a flexible fabric layer. The apparatus 1 further comprises a carrier material supply unit 16 for providing a first carrier material 18. The first carrier material 18 may also be provided in the form of a flexible carrier material sheet or a flexible carrier material layer, wherein the first carrier material may be a siliconized web material, in particular a silicone paper. In the example shown, the carrier material supply unit 16 comprises a first roller 16a or deflection roller 16a and a second roller 16b, via which the first carrier material 18 is conveyed into the region of a third roller 20.

The third roller 20 is adapted to provide a coating material 22. In particular, the third roller 20 is adapted to convey the coating material 22 onto the first carrier material 18. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the third roller 20 conveys the coating material 22 from a container 21. In doing so, the third roller 20 at least partially dips into the liquid coating material 22, wherein, as a result of the rotating movement of the third roller 20, the surface or lateral surface of the third roller 20 is wetted with coating material 22 from the container 21. Likewise, the first carrier material 18 is guided over the third roller 20 such that, as a result of the rotation of the third roller 20, the coating material 22 located on the roller surface comes into contact with the first carrier material 18. In doing so, the first carrier material 18 is at least partially coated with the coating material 22. The first carrier material 18 coated with coating material 22 may subsequently be guided around a fourth roller 23 before it is then conveyed into a coating unit 24.

The second roller 16b and the fourth roller 23 are arranged opposite the third roller 20 such that the first carrier material 18 is pressed down onto the third roller 20 by means of the second roller 16b and the fourth roller 23, as shown in FIG. 1, such that an areal contact between the first carrier material 18 and the third roller 20 is ensured. The respective directions of rotation of the second, third and fourth rollers 16b, 20, 23 are indicated by arrows in FIG. 1. After the first carrier material 18 is stripped off from the third roller 20, it is finally at least partially or even completely coated, i.e. wetted, with the coating material 22. In one example, the carrier material layer of the carrier material 18 is provided on one side with coating material 22.

The first carrier material 18 coated with coating material 22 is then conveyed into the coating unit 24, where it is brought together with the fabric 14. The coating unit 24 may be adapted to establish contact between a first fabric side 14a of the fabric 14 and the first carrier material 18 coated with coating material 22, in particular to establish contact between the first fabric side 14a of the fabric 14 and the coating material 22 itself. In this case, the coating material 22 is arranged between the first carrier material 18 and the fabric 14. Transfer of the coating material 22 to the fabric 14 is made possible here. The coating unit 24 may in particular be adapted to at least partially transfer the coating material 22 from the first carrier material 18 to the fabric 14 by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a coated fabric 10.

After outputting the coated fabric 10 from the coating unit 24, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the coated fabric 10 is still provided or glued with the first carrier material 18. Since the first carrier material 18 is not intended to remain on the fabric 10 coated with coating material 22, a detachment unit, not shown in FIG. 1, may be provided, by means of which the first carrier material 18 may be separated from the coated fabric 10, i.e. detached or pulled off. In one example, the separation force for separating the first carrier material 18 from the coated fabric 10 is adjusted such that the coated fabric 10 is not destroyed by parts of the coating material 22 being detached from the fabric 14 again, but only the first carrier material 18 is detached from the coated fabric 10.

In the example shown, only the first fabric side 14a was coated with the coating material 22. In a further example, however, it may be provided that the second fabric side 14b of the fabric 14 is also coated with coating material 22. Here, the coating of the second fabric side 14b may be carried out in the same way as the coating of the first fabric side 14a. The apparatus 1 may accordingly be supplemented analogously to the above description for the supply of a second carrier material coated with coating material 22, wherein, for example, mirroring of the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is possible in order to enable the two-sided coating.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a coating unit 24 when manufacturing a fabric 10 coated on one side. In doing so, a carrier material layer of a first carrier material 18 may be at least partially coated with a coating material 22 or wetted by the same. The coating material 22 may in this case be a web material made of plastic. This wetting process is not shown in FIG. 2A. The first carrier material 18 coated with the coating material 22 or the carrier material layer is introduced into the coating unit 24, which in the example shown in FIG. 2A is formed by two opposing rollers 25, 26. Likewise, a fabric layer of the fabric 14 is introduced simultaneously into the coating unit 24. In doing so, the carrier material layer of the first carrier material 18 coated with the coating material 22 and the fabric layer of the fabric 14 are guided together through a gap formed between the two rollers 25, 26.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the coating unit 24, wherein the gap lying between the two rollers 25, 26 can be seen. By means of the two rollers 25, 26, a compressive force is exerted on the carrier material layer coated with coating material 22 and the fabric layer, by means of which both material layers are pressed together. This enables an at least partial transfer of the coating material 22 from the carrier material layer to the fabric layer of the fabric 14, for example by adjusting a predetermined roller pressure and optionally additionally by applying a predetermined temperature. By means of the transfer of the coating material 22 to the fabric layer, an adhesive connection between the coating material 22 and the fabric is established, whereby a fabric 10 coated with the coating material 22 is generated as a result. It may again be provided that the first carrier material 18 is removed from the coated fabric 10 after the coating, as described with respect to FIG. 1.

It can further be seen in FIG. 2A that only a part of the fabric 14 or the fabric layer is provided with the coating material 22 such that an uncoated fabric region 11a and a coated fabric region 11b are produced.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a coating unit 24 when manufacturing a fabric 10 coated on two sides. In doing so, a carrier material layer of a first carrier material 18a may be at least partially coated with coating material 22 or wetted by the same. Further, a carrier material layer of a second carrier material 18b may be at least partially coated with coating material 22 or wetted by the same. This wetting process is not shown in FIG. 3A. The first carrier material 18a coated with the coating material 22 and the second carrier material 18b coated with the coating material 22 are introduced into the coating unit 24, which in the example shown in FIG. 3A is again formed by two opposing rollers 25, 26. Likewise, a fabric layer of the fabric 14 is introduced simultaneously into the coating unit 24. In doing so, the two carrier material layers of the first carrier material 18a or the second carrier material 18b coated with the coating material 22 and the fabric layer of the fabric 14 are guided together through a gap formed between the two rollers 25, 26. The coating material 22 is provided between the carrier material layer of the first carrier material 18a and the fabric layer of the fabric 14. Likewise, the coating material 22 is provided between the carrier material layer of the second carrier material 18b and the fabric layer of the fabric 14.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the coating unit 24, wherein the gap lying between the two rollers 25, 26 can be seen. By means of the two rollers 25, 26, a compressive force is exerted on the two carrier material layers coated with coating material 22 and the fabric layer, by means of which all material layers are pressed together. This enables an at least partial transfer of the coating material 22 from the carrier material layers to both sides of the fabric 14, for example by adjusting a predetermined roller pressure and optionally additionally by applying a predetermined temperature. Thus, the first side 14a of the fabric 14 and the second side 14b of the fabric 14 (cf. FIG. 1) can be provided with the coating material 22. By means of the two-sided transfer of coating material 22 to the fabric layer, an adhesive connection between the coating material 22 and the fabric 14 is established, whereby a fabric 10 coated with the coating material 22 on both sides is generated as a result. It may again be provided that the first carrier material 18a and/or the second carrier material 18b is removed from the coated fabric 10 after the coating, as described with respect to FIG. 1.

It can further be seen in FIG. 3A that only a part of the fabric 14 or the fabric layer is provided with the coating material 22 such that an uncoated fabric region 11a and a coated fabric region 11b are produced. This may apply to both sides of the coated fabric 10, wherein this can be seen in FIG. 3A only for one side of the coated fabric 10.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of components of a process for manufacturing a fabric 10 foil-coated on one side. The apparatus 1 described with respect to FIG. 1 and/or the method described below with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B may also be used, for example, for a foil coating of the fabric 14. The coating material 22 described herein may be formed by a web material such as, for example, a plastic foil. Such a foil coating may be effected in particular by means of a web material 22 which is applied by means of wet coating to the first carrier material 18, for example silicone paper, and is subsequently dried. The coating material 22 is first applied in the form of liquid plastic, which later forms the coating, to the first carrier material 18 or the silicone paper. Subsequently, drying of the plastic on the first carrier material 18 is effected before the first carrier material 18 together with the dried plastic layer is introduced into the coating unit formed by the rollers 25, 26 (see arrows 30 in FIG. 4). Only when the first carrier material 18 together with the dried plastic layer is introduced between the rollers 25, 26, a pressure and/or a temperature is applied, whereby the fabric 14 simultaneously guided between the rollers 25, 26 is brought into contact with the dried plastic layer. During this contact, the coating of the fabric 14 with the plastic layer or the plastic foil is again effected. As a result, a fabric 10 coated with the plastic sheet, i.e. the coating material 22, is produced. The first carrier material 18 may subsequently be removed from the coated fabric 10, as already explained.

FIG. 5A shows a flow diagram for a method of manufacturing a coated fabric. The method is, for example, a method which may be carried out with the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 in order to manufacture the coated fabric 10. In one step S1, the method comprises providing a fabric 14. A further step S2 comprises providing a first carrier material 18. A further step S3 comprises providing a coating material 22. A further step S4 comprises applying the coating material 22 to the first carrier material 18 such that the first carrier material 18 is at least partially coated with the coating material 22. A further step S5 comprises bringing together the fabric 14 and the first carrier material 18 that is at least partially coated with the coating material 22. A further step S6 comprises establishing contact between the fabric 14 and the coating material 22. A further step S7 comprises at least partially transferring the coating material 22 from the first carrier material 18 to the fabric 14 by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a fabric 10 coated with the coating material 22.

In a further optional step S8, the first carrier material 18 may be removed from the coated fabric 14 after the at least partial transfer of the coating material 22 to the fabric 14 is completed.

In a further optional step S4a, the coating material 22 may be dried temporally after applying the coating material 22 to the first carrier material 18 and temporally before establishing contact between the fabric 14 and the coating material 22.

In a further optional step S7a, a phase transition of the coating material 22 into the gaseous state may be prevented during the at least partial transfer of the coating material 22 from the first carrier material 18 to the fabric 14.

In a further optional step S7b, the coating material 22 may be dried temporally after manufacturing the coated fabric 14.

In a further optional step S7c, post-crosslinking of the coating material 22 may be allowed temporally after providing the coated fabric 14 and temporally before removing the first carrier material 18 from the coated fabric 10.

In a further optional step S7d, the coated fabric 14 may be intermediate-stored temporally after providing the coated fabric 14 and temporally before removing the first carrier material 18 from the coated fabric 10.

Steps S7b, S7c and S7d may thus temporally follow step S7.

FIG. 5B shows a flow diagram for a method of manufacturing a fabric coated on two sides. This method may be provided in the form of parallel steps or in the form of additional steps to the method steps described in FIG. 5A. In one step S20, the method comprises providing a second carrier material. A further step S40 comprises applying the coating material 22 to the second carrier material such that the second carrier material is at least partially coated with the coating material 22. A further step S50 comprises bringing together the fabric 14 and the second carrier material that is at least partially coated with the coating material 22. A further step S60 comprises establishing contact between a second fabric side 14b of the fabric 14 (cf. FIG. 1) and the coating material 22. A further step S70 comprises at least partially transferring the coating material 22 from the second carrier material to the second fabric side 14b of the fabric 14 by adjusting at least one of a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to thereby provide a fabric 10 coated on two sides with the coating material 22.

In a further optional step S80, the second carrier material may again be removed from the fabric 10 coated on two sides.

In a further optional step S70a, a phase transition of the coating material 22 into the gaseous state may be prevented during the at least partial transfer of the coating material 22 from the second carrier material to the second fabric side 14b of the fabric 14.

In a further optional step S70b, the coating material 22 may be dried temporally after manufacturing the fabric 10 coated on two sides.

In a further optional step S70c, post-crosslinking of the coating material 22 may be allowed temporally after providing the fabric 10 coated on two sides and temporally before removing the first carrier material 18 from the fabric 10 coated on two sides.

In a further optional step S70d, the fabric 10 coated on two sides may be intermediate-stored temporally after providing the fabric 10 coated on two sides and temporally before removing the first carrier material 18 from the fabric 10 coated on two sides.

Steps S70b, S70c and S70d may thus temporally follow step S7 or S70.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments.

Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the technical field, background, or the detailed description. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Details of the exemplary embodiments or other limitations described above should not be read into the claims absent a clear intention to the contrary. Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations, and the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope or applicability of the subject matter in any way. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those with ordinary skill in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.