GB2382822A

GB2382822A - Fabric with metallic threads

Info

Publication number: GB2382822A
Application number: GB0128933A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Malcome Ward; Godfrey Clark
Original assignee: SWISS NET UK PLC
Current assignee: SWISS NET UK PLC
Priority date: 2001-12-04
Filing date: 2001-12-04
Publication date: 2003-06-11
Also published as: GB0128933D0; EP1319741A1

Abstract

A fabric, a bobbinet fabric as described and shown though the claims specify a woven material, includes metallic threads. The metallic threads may be silver coated nylon forming the oppositely-inclined bobbin threads 14,16 while the warp threads 12 may be nylon. The fabric may be used for radiation shielding e.g in a mobile phone, a mobile phone mast or a microwave oven or a building or room. Alternatively it may enable a person or article to be detected by radar. A further application is as an antibacterial shield to protect submerged articles.

Description

: 1 Textile Material This invention concerns a textile material, and

particularly but not exclusively a textile material usable in any of: a locator which can be detected by radar; an antibacterial material; or electromagnetic shielding.

A bobbinet weave comprises a set of warp threads which are generally vertical during weaving, and a set of bobbin threads. All the threads extend substantially in a single plane. The bobbin threads are arranged to be inclined relative to each other in two directions, and thus overlap with the warp threads aligned to bisect the obtuse angle defined by the overlap between the bobbin threads, but with the warp threads spaced from said overlap. The bobbin threads pass alternately around the warp threads.

According to the present invention there is provided a textile material, the material being woven from two or more threads, with at least one of said threads including metal therein.

The metal including thread or threads may have a metal outer surface and may have a metal coating, and preferably a silver coating.

Alternatively the metal including thread or threads may comprise a thread of metal.

Some or all of the threads may comprise nylon, or other synthetic yarn.

Where present the or each metal coated thread may comprise metal coated nylon or other yarn.

The material is preferably woven in a substantially planar configuration, and may have a bobbinet weave. The bobbin threads may have a metal outer surface. The material may be used for any of a radar detectable locator, an antibacterial material, or for electromagnetic shielding.

The invention also provides a locator permitting a person or article to be detected by radar, the locator comprising one or more pieces of a textile material according to any of the preceding six paragraphs.

The locator may be shaped to provide an individual signal, to permit the identity as well as location thereof to be detected.

The invention also provides an antibacterial material, the material comprising a material according to any of said preceding six paragraphs.

The antibacterial material may be in the form of a submersible shield usable to shield a submerged article to prevent attack thereof by aquatic bacteria. The invention still further provides electromagnetic shielding, the shielding being in the form of material according to any of said preceding six paragraphs. The shielding may be provided around part or all of an item such as a mobile phone, mobile phone mast or a microwave oven. The shielding may be shaped to surround a required part or all of said item.

The shielding may be used to isolate a room or building from electromagnetic interference, and the shielding may be built into or on the walls of the room or building, or may be mountable on the walls.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawings, which figure diagrammatically shows a material according to the present invention.

The drawing shows a material 10 according to the present invention which has a bobbinet weave. The material 10 has a plurality of nylon warp threads 12 extending vertically in the drawing, and which would extend

i 3 vertically during manufacture. The bobbin threads 14, 16 are provided in two respective inclinations in the same plane as the thread 12 and at a relative inclination thereto of substantially 45 . These threads are formed of silver coated nylon. The warp threads 12 extend alternately around a one of each of the threads 14, 16 at each inclination and extend at an inclination bisecting the obtuse angle between the threads 14, 16.

The material 10 has a planar and uniform configuration and is usable in a number of different applications as will be outlined below. The material has all the characteristics of a conventional textile material, being very flexible and malleable. The material 10 can be used as a locator to permit a person or article to be located by radar. Such a locator could be worn for instance during hazardous activities and would be usable for instance during winter sports for location of a person in the event of an avalanche or other accident. Such locators could also be provided on boats or in the sails of boats, or other articles to help with location. Such a locator may be made from a number of sheets of the material 10 and the shape of the locator and the respective sheets can be such as to provide an identification by radar as well as an indication of position.

The material 10 could also be used as a shield against aquatic bacteria, and the material could be used to surround a submerged item which may be movable, or may be a fixture such as part of a marina, oil rig, harbour etc. The material 10 could also be used for electromagnetic screening. For instance the material could be used to provide screening around part of an electronic item such as a mobile phone, to provide screening of a user against microwaves. The material 10 could be used to provide screening on part or all of a microwave oven. On a larger scale the material could be used to provide screening on installations such as mobile telephone masts. Obviously the material 10 will be shaped as appropriate for such purposes.

The material could be used to shield a room or building from

electromagnetic interference. The material could be built into the walls during construction. Alternatively, the material could be fixed on the walls either permanently or removably.

There is thus described a material having a wide range of uses. The material can readily be made and provided in required shapes and sizes.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example a different number of the threads could be metal coated, and metals other than silver may be usable. The threads could be other than nylon. A different weave could be used, though the bobbinet weave is found to be highly advantageous. Many other uses could be appropriate in addition to those outlined above.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to

those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

s CLAIMS

1. A textile material, the material being woven from two or more threads, with at least one of said threads including metal therein.

2. A textile material according to claim 1, wherein the metal including thread or threads have a metal outer surface.

3. A textile material according to claim 2, wherein the metal including thread or threads have a metal coating.

4. A textile material according to claim 3, wherein the metal coating is a silver coating.

5. A textile material according to claim 1, wherein the metal including thread or threads comprise a thread of metal.

6. A textile material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein some or all of the threads comprise nylon, or other synthetic yarn.

7. A textile material according to claim 3 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein the or each metal coated thread comprises metal coated nylon or other yarn.

8. A textile material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material is woven in a substantially planar configuration.

9. A textile material according to claim 8, wherein the material has a bobbinet weave.

10. A textile material according to claim 9, wherein the bobbin threads may have a metal outer surface.

11. A textile material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material is used for any of a radar detectable locator, an antibacterial material, or for electromagnetic shielding.

12. A locator permitting a person or article to be detected by radar, the locator comprising one or more pieces of a textile material according to any of the preceding claims.

13. A locator according to claim 12, wherein the locator is shaped to provide an individual signal, to permit the identity as well as location thereof to be detected.

14. An antibacterial material, the material comprising a material according to any of claims 1 to 11.

15. An antibacterial material according to claim 14, wherein the antibacterial material is in the form of a submersible shield usable to shield a submerged article to prevent attack thereof by aquatic bacteria.

16. Electromagnetic shielding, the shielding being in the form of material according to any of claims 1 to 11.

17. Electromagnetic shielding according to claim 16, wherein the shielding is provided around part or all of an item such as a mobile phone, mobile phone mast or a microwave oven.

18. Electromagnetic shielding according to claim 17, wherein the shielding is shaped to surround a required part or all of said item.

19. Electromagnetic shielding according to claim 16, wherein the shielding is used to isolate a room or building from electromagnetic interference.

20. Electromagnetic shielding according to claim 19, wherein the shielding is built into or on the walls of the room or building.

21. Electromagnetic shielding according to claim 19, wherein the shielding is mountable on the walls.

2 2. A textile material substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

23. A locator, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

24. An antibacterial material substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

25. Electromagnetic shielding substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

26. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.