Nature provides us with many examples of effective and environmentally friendly solutions to the various problems that plague humanity. The study of applying designs from nature to solve problems in engineering, materials science, medicine and other fields is called biomimetics. Biomimetic design guidelines are the basis for the development of knitted fabrics for multifunctional packaging, which do not represent an additional environmental burden, but are often useful and visually appealing. Preserving the freshness of food is an important contribution to healthy nutrition and reducing the amount of discarded food. Food conservation including packaging is important for preserving the freshness of food. For household storage of foods, a variety of materials are used in modern times, of which textiles represent a smaller share. Textiles have multifunctional food storage potential. They can mechanically protect food against impact, they are air-permeable, thus preventing the formation of molds, they are washable and therefore repeatedly usable, biodegradable and thus sustainable, foldable, pleasant to the touch and decorative, i.e. suitable for production in different colors, sizes and shapes. Among the textiles, knitted fabrics are distinguished by their stretchability and flexibility, the possibility of seamless production, high efficiency of production, possible self-folding and the possibility of complex functionalization. The purpose of this research was to formulate based on theoretical and experimental starting points-inspirations, design, produce on an industrial knitting machine and test visually interesting, aesthetic and multifunctional knitted fabrics with auxetic potential – the potential ability of lateral expansion under axial strain. In the area of packaging performance the purpose was to design and develop knitted structures with several functions for food storage, while in the area of multi-purpose use the objective was to anticipate the use of these knitted structures in other clothing and non-clothing areas. The main objective of the study was to analysis the influence of the structural parameters of links-links knitted fabrics on the folding potential, which leads to a greater auxetic and protective effect. Experimental work in design was based on the systematic development of 3D, textured and foldable structures with auxetic potential, from various materials and in different densities. The technological experimental work consisted of testing the multifunctional properties of selected, newly designed, knitted structures for: foldability, compression, antibacterial and biodegradable properties, and the ability to preserve the freshness of food. Finally, a visual analysis of the manufactured multifunctional knitted structures, which are suitable for the production of aesthetically interesting clothing and other textiles, as well as for the production of visually attractive and functionally useful packaging material for household storage of baked goods / breads was performed.
|