DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a coating and a method of making a coating.

Flat coatings which require more or less thick padding to obtain three-dimensional effects are well-known.

In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose a coating which achieves a three-dimensional effect which may be used in several sectors, from furnishing to decoration and also the possibility of use as a soundproofing coating.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coating of simple realisation and great versatility.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a coating which allows use of strips already realised in material, for example, deriving from the rejects of different working.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a light and resistant coating.

The technical task and objects specified are substantially reached by a coating and by a method, comprising the technical characteristics shown in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond with further embodiments.

In particular, use of at least one strip of flexible material folded several times along the length in such a manner that a first and second longitudinal edge form a tortuous line, respectively, enables obtaining a coating of simple realisation and great versatility.

Particular uniformity is guaranteed by the choice of width of the strip and/or the strips.

In fact, each strip presents a flat conformation but the effect obtained is three-dimensional in that the strip is folded several times and retained at one of the longitudinal edges.

The structure of the coating enables disposing of each longitudinal edge of the strip along a single surface, for example flat or curvilinear, both concave and convex.

The use of one base layer adhering at least to the first longitudinal edge simplifies making of the coating and may be obtained in various manners, including hardening of a liquid material, preferably silicone, or use of a solid layer with interposition of an adhesive layer, preferably by heating.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a coating, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a schematic view of a step of making a coating according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a schematic view of a further possible step of making a coating according to the present invention;

- figure 3 shows a schematic view from above of at least one portion of a coating according to the present invention;

- figure 4 shows a lateral schematic view of the portion of figure 3.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, 1 denotes in its entirety a coating. In the figures, in particular in figure 3 and 4, the coating in question is illustrated as a portion which may___have variable forms, dimensions and extensions compared with what is described and illustrated. The coating 1 may be used as a coating for furniture, walls, floors or other. For example, the aforementioned coating may be used as a rug or similar structures.

In a possible embodiment, the coating 1 comprises at least one strip 2 of flexible material extending along a longitudinal direction 3, or in length, for a greater extension than its extension along a transverse direction 4 or in width.

The strip 2 has a first longitudinal edge 5 and a second longitudinal edge 6 corresponding to free edges of the strip. The first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge have an extension parallel to the longitudinal direction or length. In particular, the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge are parallel to the longitudinal direction or length.

Advantageously, the strip is folded several times along the length in such a manner that the first and preferably the second longitudinal edges form a tortuous line, respectively. Number 7 denotes several folds disposed in succession along the strip itself.

Advantageously, one or more strips may be envisaged folded several times with at least two changes of direction of the fold in such a manner that the first and second longitudinal edges form a tortuous line, respectively.

In the example illustrated in the figures, several of the folds define adjacent portions of strip disposed substantially at 180° one with respect to the other (detail A of figure 1) .

Preferably, the strip has a constant width along its length. Also, in the case of a plurality of strips, it is preferable that each has a constant width along its length and possibly that the strips have an equal width with each other .

In a possible embodiment, the strip has a flat conformation. In particular, the thickness of the strip is limited with respect to its width and above all its length. Advantageously, the first longitudinal edge of one or more folded strips is disposed along a single surface 8, for example flat or curvilinear.

Advantageously, the second longitudinal edge of one or more folded strips is respectively disposed along a single surface 9, for example flat or curvilinear.

In a possible embodiment, means for retaining the first longitudinal edge are envisaged. Obviously the first longitudinal edge has been taken as a reference, even if the opposite may be envisaged.

In a possible embodiment, the means to retain the first longitudinal edge comprise a base layer 10 adhering at least to the first longitudinal edge. In certain cases, adhesion may extend for a certain stretch of the width of the strip. In the case of two or more strips, the same base layer unites all the strips to form the coating.

Advantageously, the base strip 10 may be made through hardening of a liquid material preferably silicone, applied close to the first longitudinal edge, for example by a mould or frame 11 (fig. 2) .

Alternatively, the base layer may be made of a solid layer 12 with interposition of an adhesive layer, preferably by heating, applied close to the first longitudinal edge.

In a possible embodiment, the means to retain the first longitudinal edge are flexible.

In a possible embodiment, the means to retain the first longitudinal edge are transparent or translucent or in any case suitable to see a light through them.

The ^"" strip is preferably made of a microfibrous nonwoven material, for example comprising microfibres of a synthetic polymer buried in a polymer matrix, more preferably comprising polyester or polyamide microfibres buried in a polyurethane matrix.

In a possible embodiment, use of one or more strips partly overlapping each other is envisaged. In particular, it may be envisaged to bring together two strips beforehand, placing them in contact along a surface before making the folds, forming a composite strip.

Two or more folded strips, both simple and composite, may be partly overlapped or have intersecting portions.

For example, one or more strips 2 are folded several times with at least two changes of direction of the fold in such a manner that at least the first longitudinal edge 5 forms a tortuous line, respectively, defining lobes L of different dimensions and/or arrangements to each other. One lobe L is indicated in figure 2, for example.

For example, one or more strips 2 are folded several times with at least two changes of direction of the fold in such a manner that at least the first longitudinal edge 5 forms an irregular tortuous line, respectively. The term irregular tortuous line is intended as a tortuous line which does not extend in a straight line, but has one or more changes of direction in a plane or surface, for example corresponding to base plane 10.

According to a further example, one or more strips 2 are folded several times with at least two changes of direction of the fold in such a manner that at least the first longitudinal edge 5 forms a tortuous line, respectively, which has a direction of extension with at least one change of direction on a surface defined by the base layer 10 of the retaining means adhering at least to the first -longitudinal . edge .

In a possible embodiment, the first longitudinal edge 5 and/or the second longitudinal edge 6 of one or more folded strips 2 is respectively disposed along a single surface 8- 9 defined by the base layer .10 of .the retaining means adhering to the first longitudinal edge.

In a possible embodiment, several adjacent strips 2 or groups of strips are folded several times. Each adjacent strip or group of strips has at least two changes of direction of the fold in such a manner that at least the first longitudinal edge 5 of each strip or group of strips respectively forms a tortuous line on a surface defined by the base layer 10 of the retaining means, adhering at least to the first longitudinal edge. In particular, the at least partly adjacent tortuous lines cover an extended surface of the base layer 10.

According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a method of making a coating, comprising:

providing at least one strip 2 of flexible material extending along a longitudinal direction 3, or in length, over a greater extension than its extension along a transverse direction 4 or in width. In this manner, the strip has a first longitudinal edge 5 and a second longitudinal edge 6 corresponding with free edges of the strip having an extension parallel to the longitudinal direction or length. In particular, the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge are parallel to the longitudinal direction or length.

The strip is then folded several times along the length in such a manner that the first and preferably the second longitudinal edge form a tortuous line, respectively.

Subsequently the first longitudinal edge is retained in a stable manner.

In partic lar,—i-t--may—b.e_.advantageous to envisage at least one strip having a constant width along its length and/or envisage a plurality of strips each having a constant width along its length and equal to each other.

In folding each strip, it is advantageous to envisage the first and/or second longitudinal edge of one or more strips folded respectively along a single flat or curvilinear plane .

Preferably one or more strips are folded several times with at least two changes of direction of the fold in such a manner that the first and second longitudinal edge form a tortuous line, respectively. In the example illustrated in the figures, several strips are folded in such a manner that adjacent portions of the strip are disposed substantially at 180° one with respect to the other.

To simplify the arrangement of at least one folded strip, it is possible to provide a mould or frame, with a perimeter which traces the perimeter of the coating or the portion of coating it is intended to obtain. In this case, the folded strip is disposed in the frame or mould in such a manner that the transverse direction is substantially parallel to the thickness of the mould or frame. The walls of the mould or frame hold the folded strips.

In a possible embodiment, to retain the first longitudinal edge, a base layer 10 is used adhering at least to the first longitudinal edge.

According to a first embodiment, the base layer, preferably silicone, is poured in a liquid state into the mould or frame 11 which retains the folded strip and left to harden. According to a second embodiment, a solid base layer is used, applied to the first longitudinal edge with interposition of an adhesive layer, preferably by heating. If one or more strips folded several times are envisaged, it i-s— dv:ant 5_eous_ to envisage at least a partial overlapping .

According to a possible embodiment, it is envisaged to use one or more partly overlapping strips. In particular, it may be envisaged to bring together two strips beforehand, placing them in contact along a surface before making the folds, forming a composite strip.

Two or more folded strips, both simple and composite, may be partly overlapped or have intersecting portions.

In the appended drawings, an example of application is illustrated, in which a plurality of strips is envisaged. Several strips are coupled two by two in contact along one of the flat surfaces and folded together. Several strips intersect in tortuous extension with adjacent strips, generating a design of a plurality of tortuous or wavy lines interconnected with each other.

The method according to the invention envisages, for example, one or more strips 2 or groups of strips being folded several times in such a manner that at least the first longitudinal edge 5 forms a tortuous line, respectively, defining lobes of different dimensions and/or positions to each other.

According to a possible embodiment, one or more strips 2 are folded several times with at least two changes of direction of the fold in such a manner that at least the first longitudinal edge 5 forms an irregular tortuous line, respectively.

According to an embodiment, several strips 2 or groups of strips are folded several times, each with at least two changes of direction of the fold, in such a manner that at least the first longitudinal edge 5 of each strip or group of strips forms a tortuous line respectively on a surface defined by the base layer 10 of the retaining means, adhering at least to the first longitudinal edge. The at least partly adjacent tortuous lines cover an extended surface of the base layer 10. The present invention enables particularly versatile and easily made three-dimensional structures to be obtained, which enable application in various technical fields.

The use of strips of flexible material folded and retained close to one of the two longitudinal edges enables, for example, use of any processing scraps, limiting waste.

It is also possible to conform the coating in different manners, starting with a flexible base layer which may be disposed both on flat and along curvilinear surfaces. In particular, the choice of a concave surface will bring the second longitudinal edges of the strips closer together, generating a higher concentration of strips. In contrast, the choice of a convex surface will distance the second longitudinal edges, generating a lower concentration of strips.

These effects may be used both as aesthetic effects and as supporting effects, making the coating suitable to be used in the manufacture of components of furniture ( sofas ,. beds , cushions, rugs, etc.) and/or decoration (lamps, decorative structures, etc.).

In addition to the above, the coating according to the present invention may be used as soundproof coating with more or less significant effects as a function of the flat, concave or convex arrangement .

Use of strips of constant width both in the longitudinal direction of the strip and between the different strips enables a compact and uniform coating to be obtained.

Use of a base layer adhering at least to the first longitudinal edge enables simple and effective making of the coating, both in the form of liquid material poured into the mould- -and. hardened and in the form of a glued solid layer.

Use of microfibrous nonwoven material, for example comprising synthetic polymer microfibers buried in a polymer matrix, even more preferably comprising polyester or polyamide microfibers buried in a polyurethane matrix, enables an optimal compromise between flexibility of the strips in a longitudinal direction and rigidity in a transverse direction to be obtained, to enable the three- dimensional effect of the coating and to provide a determined supporting effect in specific applications.

Use of several partly overlapping strips enables the coating to be made more compact and to vary more greatly the compactness as a function of the concave/convex arrangement of the base layer.

Likewise, a method for making a coating according to the present invention enables the aforementioned coating to be made in a simple and rapid manner.

In particular, use of a mould or frame simplifies the folded arrangement of the strips and is also useful in the case of pouring of the base layer (for example silicone) .