# US 11,993,067 B2 · Composite spacer fabric > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,067 B2 - Document ID: US11993067B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/857,286 - Filed: 2020-04-24 - Published: 2020-10-29 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-26 - Assignees: Mueller Textil GmbH - Applicants: Stefan Mueller; Sabine Jenewein - Inventors: Stefan Mueller; Sabine Jenewein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993067B2 ## CPC - B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)} - B60N 2/5891: {characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for} - B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12} - B32B 5/026: {Knitted fabric} - B32B 5/06: characterised by a fibrous {or filamentary} layer {mechanically connected, e.g. by needling} to another layer, e.g. of fibres, of paper - B32B 5/10: characterised by a fibrous {or filamentary} layer reinforced with filaments - B32B 5/12: characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of {different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other} - B32B 7/09: by stitching, needling or sewing (by {mechanically connecting} fibrous layers {to another layer} B32B5/06) - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 9/025: {comprising leather} - B32B 9/047: {made of fibres or filaments} - B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)} - B32B 27/12: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer - D04B 21/16: incorporating synthetic threads - D04B 21/20: specially adapted for knitting articles of particular configuration - A47C 31/006: {Use of three-dimensional fabrics} - B32B 2250/03: 3 layers - B32B 2250/04: 4 layers - B32B 2262/0253: Polyolefin fibres - B32B 2262/0261: Polyamide fibres - B32B 2262/0276: Polyester fibres - B32B 2307/51: Elastic - B32B 2307/54: Yield strength; Tensile strength - B32B 2307/724: Permeability to gases, adsorption - B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties - B32B 2451/00: Decorative or ornamental articles - B32B 2479/00: Furniture - B32B 2605/003: Interior finishings - B60N 2/58: Seat coverings - D10B 2321/02: polyolefins - D10B 2331/02: polyamides (D10B2331/08 takes precedence) - D10B 2331/04: polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate [PET] - D10B 2403/0112: One smooth surface, e.g. laminated or coated - D10B 2403/0213: with apertures, e.g. with one or more mesh fabric plies - D10B 2505/08: Upholstery, mattresses - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - D04B: KNITTING - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract A warp-knitted textile composite has a spacer fabric that extends in a production direction and a transverse direction and has an outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer of predetermined stretchability, an inner flat warp-knitted fabric layer of lesser stretchability in the production and transverse directions than the outer layer, and spacer threads interconnecting the warp-knitted fabric layers. A decorative cover layer is attached to the outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer and is formed with compressed areas where the spacer fabric is permanently at least partially compressed for structuring the decorative cover layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A warp-knitted textile composite comprising: a spacer fabric that extends in a production direction and a transverse direction and has an outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer of stretchability determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 13934-1 at a tension of 25 N and between 25% and 60% in the production direction and the transverse direction, an inner flat warp-knitted fabric layer of lesser stretchability in the production and transverse directions than the outer layer, stretchability being determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 13934-1 at a tension of 25N and being at least three times as large for the outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer as for the inner flat warp-knitted fabric layer for the production direction and the transverse direction, one of the warp-knitted fabric layers having openings each formed by a plurality of stitches, and spacer threads interconnecting the warp-knitted fabric layers, and a decorative cover layer attached to the outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer at spaced-apart compressed areas where the spacer fabric is permanently at least partially compressed for structuring the outer layer with a decorative pattern, a spacing between adjacent compressed areas being between 15 mm and 100 mm and/or individual areas separated by the compressed areas having an area between 3 cm2 and 100 cm2. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, wherein stretchability determined according to DIN EN ISO 13934-1 at a tension of 25 N in the inner flat warp-knitted fabric layer is between 1.5% and 10% for the production direction and the transverse direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, further comprising: connections between the decorative cover layer and the inner warp-knitted fabric layer that form the compressed areas. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The composite according to claim 3, wherein the decorative cover layer is sewn at the compressed areas to the spacer fabric with incorporation of the inner warp-knitted fabric layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, wherein the spacer fabric in the compressed areas is compressed to less than 50% of the thickness of the spacer fabric in an uncompressed state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, wherein the decorative cover layer is leather, synthetic leather, or textile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the spacer fabric is between 2 mm and 20 mm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, wherein the inner warp-knitted fabric layer is formed from a first yarn system having a first knitting pattern and a second yarn system having a second knitting pattern, the first knitting pattern having a modified pillar pattern in which the yarns of the second yarn system form pillar stitches in an alternating sequence in the production direction and are guided without stitch formation, the yarns of the second yarn system each extending over at least two adjacent stitch wales in the production direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The composite according to claim 8, wherein the second yarn system is formed as a filet pattern having a first partial yarn system and a complementary second partial yarn system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The composite according to claim 9, wherein the two partial yarn systems are formed with two guide bars, each with a feed 1 full, 1 empty or a feed 2 full, 2 empty. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The composite according to claim 9, wherein the yarns of the second yarn system alternately form pillar stitches along the production direction and form stitches selected from the group of tricot, cord, satin, velvet, and atlas. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, wherein the inner warp-knitted fabric layer comprises multifilament smooth yarns and/or monofilament yarns. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, wherein the outer warp-knitted fabric layer has textured multifilament yarn. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, further comprising: a pressure-elastic substructure on the inner warp-knitted fabric layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The composite according to claim 1, further comprising: a substrate carrying the inner warp-knitted fabric layer. ### Claim 16 A warp-knitted textile composite comprising: a spacer fabric that extends in a production direction and a transverse direction and has an outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer of stretchability determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 13934-1 at a tension of 25 N and between 25% and 60% in the production direction and the transverse direction, an inner flat warp-knitted fabric layer of lesser stretchability in the production and transverse directions than the outer layer, stretchability being determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 13934-1 at a tension of 25N and being at least three times as large for the outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer as for the inner flat warp-knitted fabric layer for the production direction and the transverse direction, one of the warp-knitted fabric layers having openings each formed by a plurality of stitches, stretchability determined according to DIN EN ISO 13934-1 at a tension of 25 N in the inner flat warp-knitted fabric layer being between 1.5% and 10% for the production direction and the transverse direction, and spacer threads interconnecting the warp-knitted fabric layers, and a decorative cover layer attached to the outer flat warp-knitted fabric layer at spaced-apart compressed areas where the spacer fabric is permanently at least partially compressed for structuring the outer layer with a decorative pattern, a spacing between adjacent compressed areas being between 15 mm and 100 mm and/or individual areas separated by the compressed areas having an area between 3 cm2 and 100 cm2.