WO2020013711A1

WO2020013711A1 - Clothing

Info

Publication number: WO2020013711A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2018/050096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl Jones; Ben Ryan; Manu RASTOGI
Original assignee: Kathmandu Limited
Priority date: 2018-07-11
Filing date: 2018-07-11
Publication date: 2020-01-16

Abstract

An item of clothing has two layers of fabric and stitching to connect the two layers of fabric together to form a pocket. The fabric of each layer has a plurality of warp threads and a plurality of weft threads woven together to form the fabric. Some of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a plurality of conductive threads and the remainder of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a non-conductive thread. The plurality of threads are arranged to provide an electrical pathway. The thickness of threads of the plurality of warp threads is about 70 denier to about 100 denier. The thickness of threads of the plurality of weft threads is about 70 denier to about 100 denier. The density of the fabric formed by the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is about 190 to about 210 thread count. The stitching comprises a conductive thread. The two layers of fabric and stitching forms a faraday cage for blocking electromagnetic waves.

Description

CLOTHING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to clothing having a pocket for interfering with, or blocking, electromagnetic waves.

BACKGROUND

Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) tags are commonly used on a variety of items, including credit cards, passports, and cash to store useful information and data.

The data can be read by an associated scanner or reader. It is possible for the information stored on the RFID tags to be stolen by a thief using an RFID reader to scan data from an RFID tag without the owner's knowledge. It is also possible for a thief to read the frequencies emitted from the RFID tag as it is scanned by an official reader.

To prevent theft of the information stored on the RFID tags, RFID shields have been developed. For example, wallets and card holders have been developed with RFID shielding pockets. Shielding pockets typically use metallic materials to interfere with, or block, the radio waves. However, while they are successful at blocking RFID scanning, the pockets are usually stiff and/or create noise, which attracts attention to the pocket itself. Known shielding materials often use toxic materials that can leach into the wearer's skin, or onto other clothes when washed. Another problem is that the shielding materials often degrade and/or corrode after washing, which renders them ineffective.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide clothing having a pocket for interfering with, or blocking radio frequency waves that has an appearance and feel similar the remainder of the garment, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided an item of clothing comprising : two layers of fabric, and stitching to connect the two layers of fabric together to form a pocket,

the fabric of each layer comprising :

a plurality of warp threads and a plurality of weft threads woven together to form the fabric; some of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a plurality of conductive threads and the remainder of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a non-conductive thread, the plurality of threads being arranged to provide an electrical pathway, the thickness of threads of the plurality of warp threads is about 70 denier to about 100 denier, and the thickness of threads of the plurality of weft threads is about 70 denier to about 100 denier the density of the fabric formed by the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is about 190 to about 210 thread count;

the stitching comprising a conductive thread;

wherein the two layers of fabric and stitching forms a faraday cage for blocking electromagnetic waves.

In one embodiment, one of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is or comprises a plurality of conductive threads; and the other of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is or comprises a non- conductive thread.

In one embodiment, the plurality of conductive threads comprises a plurality of threads having a conductive coating.

In one embodiment, the conductive coating is, or comprises, a metallic material.

In one embodiment, the metallic material is, or comprises, silver.

In one embodiment, the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are woven together to form a plain weave.

In one embodiment, the density of the weave is about 200 thread count.

In one embodiment, all of the warp threads are conductive threads.

In one embodiment, all of the weft threads are non-conductive threads.

In one embodiment, all of the weft threads are conductive threads.

In one embodiment, all of the warp threads are non-conductive threads.

In one embodiment, the electromagnetic waves are radio waves. In one embodiment, the fabric shields radio waves tested at MIL-STD 285 / IEEE - STD 299:2006 to a standard of 13.56MHz.

In one embodiment, the fabric shields radio waves after being washed.

In one embodiment, the fabric shields radio waves after being washed five times.

In one embodiment, when faces of the fabric are rubbed together, the sound at 50 cm away is about 51 LAEq (dB) or less.

In one embodiment, the conductive thread of the stitching has a conductive coating.

In one embodiment, the metallic material is, or comprises, silver.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a schematic of a fabric having a plain weave.

Figure 2 is a front view of part of an item of clothing incorporating the fabric of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a back view of the item of clothing from figure 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic drawing of a pocket incorporating the fabric of figure 1.

Figure 5 shows the details of a zipper provided in a pocket incorporating the fabric of figure 1.

Figure 6 is a graph showing the results of the fabric of figure lbeing tested up to 1,000 Mhz.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Background of RFID technology

There are two main types of RFID tags: active RFID and passive RFID. An active RFID tag has its own power source, such as a battery. A passive RFID tag does not require its own power source, but receives its power from the scanner, by an electromagnetic wave from the scanner inducing a current in the RFID tag. RFID tags hold data, including a unique identifier/serial number. Tags can be read- only or read-write, where data can be added by the reader or existing data overwritten.

The read range for RFID tags is variable. The variation comes from a number of different sources such as the type of tag, type of reader, RFID frequency, whether the tag is a passive tag or active tag, and interference caused by the surrounding environment or from other RFID tags and readers.

RFID frequencies vary greatly by country and region. Low frequency RFID frequencies vary from about from 30 KHz to 500 KHz, with a typical frequency of 125 KHz. LF RFID has short transmission ranges, generally anywhere from a few centimetres to less than 2 metres.

High-frequency RFID systems range from 3 MHz to 30 MHz, with a typical HF frequency of 13.56 MHz. The standard range is anywhere from a few centimetres to several metres.

UltraHigh-Frequency RFID systems range from 300 MHz to 960 MHz, with the typical frequency of 433 MHz and can generally be read from over about 10 metres away.

Description of the clothing

With reference to figure 1, an example of an RFID blocking fabric 1 will now be described. The embodiment of the fabric described herein interferes with, or blocks, RFID systems having a frequency of 13.56 MHz. However, it will be appreciated that the fabric may be designed to interfere with RFID systems that have different frequencies.

The fabric 1 is woven textile fabric. The fabric has a plurality of warp threads 3 and a plurality of weft threads 5 that are woven together to form the fabric 1. The warp threads 3 and weft threads 5 extends substantially perpendicularly to each other. The fabric 1 is a plain weave. That is, each thread of the plurality of weft threads 5 alternates over and under each of the threads of the plurality of warp threads 3.

The adjacent weft thread 5 alternates over and under opposite warps threads 3, producing a chequered pattern. The plain weave produces a tight structure compared to other types of weaves. Other suitable weave types include basket weave, twill weave, and satin weave. Some of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a plurality of conductive threads and the remainder of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a non-conductive thread. The plurality of threads are arranged to provide an electrical pathway. In the embodiment shown, one of the plurality of warp threads 3 and the plurality of weft threads 5 is, or comprises, a plurality of conductive threads, and the other of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is, or comprises, a plurality of non- conductive threads. In the description that follows, the plurality of warp threads 3 is the plurality of conductive threads and the plurality of weft threads 5 is the plurality of non-conductive threads. However, in alternative embodiments, the plurality of weft thread may be the plurality of conductive threads and the plurality of warp thread may be the plurality of non-conductive threads. In other alternative embodiments, some of threads of the plurality of warp threads 3 are conductive threads with the remainder of the plurality of warp threads 3 are non-conductive threads, and some of the threads of the plurality of weft threads 5 are conductive threads with the remainder of the plurality of weft threads 5 are non-conductive threads. For example half of the threads of the plurality of warp threads 3 may be conductive threads and half of the threads of the plurality of weft threads 5 are conductive threads with the remainder of the threads are non-conductive threads.

The density of the fabric formed by the plurality of warp threads 3 and the plurality of weft threads 5 is about 190 to about 210 thread count. The density may be about 195 to about 205 thread count. The density may be about 190 thread count, about 195 thread count, about 200 thread count, about 205 thread count, or about 210 thread count.

The plurality of warp threads 3 comprises a plurality of threads having conductive coating. In the preferred embodiment, all of the warp threads 3 are conductive threads.

The plurality of warp threads preferably have a nylon and polyester thread over which the coating is applied. The threads may have 9.75 to 90% polyester (PET) and 6.75 to 82% Nylon 6.6. In the preferred embodiment, the threads are 50% nylon and 50% polyester.

The threads may have a higher or lower percentage of nylon and polyester. In alterative embodiments, the threads may be other man-made materials such as acrylic, or rayon. In other alternative embodiments, the threads may be natural threads, such as cotton, wool, or silk. Additionally, the threads may be a

combination of two or more of materials.

The conductive coating is, or comprises, a metallic material. The metallic material is, or comprises, silver. The silver content ranges between 0.75% and 27%. It will be understood that the conductivity of the coating changes with temperature, however silver has a very high conductivity of around 6 x 10⁷. In the preferred embodiment the coating is a permanent coating, such as X-static®. In alternative embodiments, the metallic material may be, or comprise, copper or nickel.

However, silver is a preferred coating because it is more suitable for direct/in-direct skin contact and apparel end use. If copper or nickel are used, the material will be chosen to meet suitable chemical compliance requirements for direct/in-direct skin contact and apparel end use.

The plurality of warp thread has a thickness of about 70 denier to about 100 denier. The plurality of warp threads may have a thickness of about 75 denier to about 95 denier, about 80 denier to about 90 denier, about 70 denier, about 75 denier, about 80 denier, about 85 denier, about 90 denier, about 95 denier, or about 100 denier.

All of the weft threads 5 are non-conductive threads. In an alternative embodiment, some of the weft threads may be conductive. It will be appreciated that different combinations are possible but some threads must be conductive and some non- conductive to ensure the overall fabric is not too stiff. If some of the weft threads are conductive, some of the warp threads would be non-conductive.

The weft threads 5 are formed from the same material as the warp threads 3. The threads may have 9.75 to 90% polyester (PET) and 6.75 to 82% Nylon 6,6. In the preferred embodiment the threads are 50% nylon and 50% polyester. The threads may have a higher or lower percentage of nylon and polyester. In alterative embodiments, the threads may be other man-made materials such as acrylic, or rayon. In other alternative embodiments, the threads may be natural threads, such as cotton, wool, or silk. Additionally, the threads may be a combination of two or more of materials.

The plurality of weft thread 5 has a thickness of about 70 denier to about 100 denier. The plurality of weft threads may have a thickness of about 75 denier to about 95 denier, about 80 denier to about 90 denier, about 70 denier, about 75 denier, about 80 denier, about 85 denier, about 90 denier, about 95 denier, or about 100 denier.

With reference to figures 2 and 3, fabric described herein can be used in clothing 7 and similar items. In particular, the fabric can be used as a pocket 9. The fabric may be the only fabric used for the pocket 9. Alternatively, the fabric may be a lining, or outer cover, of a pocket.

The pocket is formed using conventional stitching 11. The thread used for stitching 11 is a conductive thread. The conductive thread may be the same conductive thread described above. The combination of the fabric 1 and conductive thread 11 forms a faraday cage. The faraday cage excludes radio waves from reaching an RFID tag within the pocket. The preferred embodiment pocket shields radio frequency signals to MIL-STD 285 / IEEE -STD 299:2006 to a standard of

13.56MHz.

Figures 4 and 5 are schematic drawings of pockets incorporating the preferred embodiment fabric described herein. Figure 4 shows an example of a pocket containing a passport. Figure 5 shows a pocket construction using conductive thread stitching. The pocket has a zipper with a flap of the electromagnetic blocking material so that electromagnetic waves do not penetrate the pocket through the zipper.

With reference to figure 6, the fabric was tested up to 1 Ghz (1000 Mhz). Figure 6 shows that the fabric can block ultrahigh electromagnetic waves, albeit the fabric was tested using MIL-STD 285 / IEEE -STD 299:2006 to a standard of 13.56MHz.

WashabiHty

A sample of the preferred embodiment fabric was prepared and tested for washability.

Fabric Description: Woven Taffeta

Fabric Construction: Plain Weave

Fibre Content: 50% Polyester, 50% Nylon X-Static®

Warp (end per inch): 108

Weft (picks per inch): 94

Weight (gsm): 73 Fabric Width: 59.5 inches

Yarn Details Warp: 97D, 70/34F, X- Static® Nylon twisted 6Z twist per inch Yarn Details Weft: 77D, 70/36F, Semi dull Flat Polyester twisted 5S twist per inch

Wash instructions: machine wash low, bleach without chlorine, tumble dry low, iron low.

Before washing, the preferred embodiment pocket shields radio frequency signals to MIL- STD 285 / IEEE -STD 299:2006 to a standard of 13.56MHz.

After being washed five times, the preferred embodiment pocket also shields radio frequency signals to MIL-STD 285 / IEEE -STD 299:2006 to a standard of

13.56MHz.

Noise

A sample of the preferred embodiment fabric was prepared and tested for noise.

Fabric Description: Woven Taffeta

Fabric Construction: Plain Weave

Fibre Content: 50% Polyester, 50% Nylon X-Static®

Warp (end per inch): 108

Weft (picks per inch): 94

Weight (gsm): 73

Fabric Width: 59.5 inches

The sound pressure level was measured during the rubbing of fabric faces. The distance between the sample and the microphone of sound pressure level meter was 50 cm.

Sample A: commercially available pocket fabric 52.8 LAEq (dB)

Sample B: commercially available RFID shielding fabric 60.4 LAEq (dB)

Sample C: preferred embodiment fabric 50.7 LAEq (dB) Sample A is a normal pocketing fabric that is 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton, Plain weave, 100 gsm, 110 x 76 / 45 x 45 110 x 76 is the warp x weft thread density, 45 x 45 is the warp x weft English count (Ne).

Sample B is a commercially available RFID shielding fabric used for wallets that has nickel and copper coated polyester ripstop fabric. Sample B has the following properties:

Component Content Percentage (%)

Polyester 60 +/- 5

Copper 22 +/- 3

Nickel 18 +/- 3

Item Unit Spec

Weight g/m² 90 +/- 10

e e 0.10 +/-0.02

Width mm 1400 +/- 5

Length e N/A

Fabric density T 260 +/- 10

These results show that the preferred embodiment fabric is quieter than

commercially available RFID shielding fabric. The preferred embodiment fabric is additionally quieter than the commercially available pocket fabric.

The preferred embodiment woven textile fabric described herein is safe to use for direct/indirect skin contact. In addition, when washed or worn, any leaching of the conductive material will be substantially reduced, or prohibited. The preferred embodiment woven textile fabric described herein will meet GLOBAL chemical compliance requirements for example, EU REACH.

The preferred embodiment woven textile fabric described herein durable because it can withstand being washed in domestic washing machines. As a result, the fabric is effective over the lifetime of the product. The preferred embodiment woven textile fabric described herein is discreet, it produces minimal noise. The preferred embodiment woven textile fabric described herein has less or the same noise level as a normal commercially used pocketing fabric. Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An item of clothing comprising :

two layers of fabric, and stitching to connect the two layers of fabric together to form a pocket,

the fabric of each layer comprising :

a plurality of warp threads and a plurality of weft threads woven together to form the fabric;

some of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a plurality of conductive threads and the remainder of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are a non-conductive thread, the plurality of threads being arranged to provide an electrical pathway, the thickness of threads of the plurality of warp threads is about 70 denier to about 100 denier, and the thickness of threads of the plurality of weft threads is about 70 denier to about 100 denier the density of the fabric formed by the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is about 190 to about 210 thread count;

the stitching comprising a conductive thread;

2. The item of clothing according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is or comprises a plurality of conductive threads; and the other of the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads is or comprises a non-conductive thread.

3. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of conductive threads comprises a plurality of threads having a conductive coating.

4. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductive coating is, or comprises, a metallic material.

5. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metallic material is, or comprises, silver.

6. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of warp threads and the plurality of weft threads are woven together to form a plain weave.

7. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the density of the weave is about 200 thread count.

8. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all of the warp threads are conductive threads.

9. The item of clothing according to claim 8, wherein all of the weft threads are non-conductive threads.

10. The item of clothing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein all of the weft threads are conductive threads.

11. The item of clothing according to claim 10, wherein all of the warp threads are non-conductive threads.

12. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electromagnetic waves are radio waves.

13. The item of clothing according to claim 12, wherein the fabric shields radio waves tested at MIL- STD 285 / IEEE -STD 299: 2006 to a standard of 13.56MHz.

14. The item of clothing according to claim 13, wherein the fabric shields radio waves after being washed.

15. The item of clothing according to claim 14, wherein the fabric shields radio waves after being washed five times.

16. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when faces of the fabric are rubbed together, the sound at 50 cm away is about 51 LAEq (dB) or less.

17. The item of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductive thread of the stitching has a conductive coating.

18. The item of clothing according to claim 17, wherein the conductive coating is, or comprises, a metallic material.

19. The item of clothing according to claim 18, wherein the metallic material is, or comprises, silver.