GARMENT WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SHIELDED POCKET

Abstract

A garment that shields a wearer from electromagnetic radiation may generally have a length of fabric forming the garment. The wearable garment may be virtually any garment such as a brassiere, camisole, shirt, pants, leggings, head wear, footwear, and the like. The garment is preferably made of at least a first fabric and a second fabric, where the first fabric is a non-metallized fabric and the second fabric being a metallized fabric. The metallized fabric, in some embodiments, is a metal plated fabric having one or more electrically conductive metals disposed thereon. The metallized fabric is used to form at least one pocket of the garment. Electronics and other devices can be placed and stored in the metallized pocket thereby shielding the wearer from electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electronic or similarly situated device.

Claims

1. A garment that shields a wearer from electromagnetic radiation, the garment comprising: at least one first fabric forming a wearable garment, the at least one first fabric comprising a non-metallized fabric; at least one pocketed area formed from a second fabric, the at least one pocketed area having at least a front side and a back side and defining an interior with the at least one pocketed area being coupled to the at least one first fabric; a closure mechanism for selectively sealing an opening of the at least one pocketed area; and wherein the second fabric comprises about 70% to about 90% of a polyamide and about 10% to about 35% of an elastomer, with the second fabric being plated in silver having a purity of about 90% to about 99%.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein a thickness of the second fabric is about 0.50 mm.

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment is a brassiere and the at least one pocketed area is between the cups of the brassiere.

4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment is a camisole and the at least one pocketed area is in a central portion of a slip or a camisole.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment is a shirt and the at least one pocketed area is on a sleeve of a shirt.

6. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment is a boot and the at least one pocketed area is on an outer surface of the boot.

7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the closure mechanism is a hook and loop fastener.

8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the second fabric comprises 78% of the polyamide and 22% of the elastomer plated in silver having a purity of 99%.

9. The garment of claim 1 wherein the second fabric has a weight of about 155 g/m.sup.2.

10. The garment of claim 1 wherein the second fabric is configured to reduce the passage of electromagnetic radiation into or from the interior of the at least one pocketed area.

11. The garment of claim 1 wherein the at least one pocketed area is adhered to the garment via stitching comprising the second fabric.

12. The garment of claim 1 wherein the second fabric attenuates electromagnetic radiation entering or leaving the interior of the pocketed area by 99%.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the present invention highlighting a pocketed area of the embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a back view of a second embodiment of the present invention highlighting a pocketed area of the embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6A is a front view of a pocket of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6B is a front view of an alternate pocket of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a back view of an embodiment of the present invention highlighting an alternate pocketed area of the embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention having an alternatively positioned pocketed area.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a back view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention highlighting a pocketed area of the embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a side view of fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 and 7, there is an embodiment of the present invention wherein the garment is a brassiere. The garment 100 generally comprises at least one first fabric 101 and a second fabric 125. The at least one first fabric 101 may be a single fabric or blend of fabrics comprising a singular material or differing materials comprising differing components of the garment 100. Suitable fabrics may include but are not limited to woven or unwoven fabrics, cloth, terrycloth, woven or woven fibers of wool, hemp, silk, flax, bamboo, cotton, and/or yarn, and synthetic textiles including but not limited to nylon, rayon, elastane, polyester, various polymer fibers, and/or acrylic, or any combinations thereof.

[0041] The second fabric 125 is preferably a metallized fabric that may include metallic fibers, metallic plated fibers, and fibers coated and/or impregnated with nano-sized metals (nanotextiles). Suitable metals may include but are not limited to copper, nickel, silver, gold, aluminum, iron, steel, brass, bronze, zinc, tungsten, platinum, chromium, titanium, molybdenum, manganese, or any combination thereof. The underlying or non-metallic components of the second fabric 125 may including those fabrics as described above and other fabrics not explicitly named herein. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the second fabric 125 is a silver plated fabric comprising about 40% to about 95% and more preferably 70% to about 90% of a polyamide and about 5% to about 50% and more preferably 10% to about 35% of an elastomer forming a fabric, with the fabric being plated in silver having a purity of about 50% to about 99% and more preferably about 90% to about 99%.

[0042] The second fabric 125 may have other properties including but not limited to a thickness of about 0.25 mm to about 1.00 mm and more preferably about 0.45 mm to about 0.55 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness is about 0.50 mm and comprises 78% of a polyamide and 22% of an elastomer plated in 99% pure silver. The second fabric 125 may weigh about 155 g/m.sup.2 and may be a knitted fabric having at least two stretch directions (e.g. wrap and weft). The second fabric 125 and its properties are preferably selected for its electromagnetic radiation shielding properties or electromagnetic interference. The second fabric 125 is configured to attenuate radio frequency radiation by at least 40%, by at least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 80%, by at least 90%, by at least 95%, by at least 97%, or by at least 99%. The second fabric prevents or limits radiation from entering or leaving the interior of the pocketed area. The second fabric 125 is further effective down to about −30° C.

[0043] The garment 100 or brassiere shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises many of the components of a standard brassiere such as a first strap 107, second strap 109, first cup 111, second cup 113, a bridge member 115, first coupling section 117, second coupling section 119, a coupling mechanism 121, and a complementary coupling mechanism 123.

[0044] The garment 100 or brassiere further has a pocket 103. This pocket 103 is comprised of the second fabric 125 as opposed to the at least one first fabric 101 which comprises the remaining portions of the garment 100. This pocket 103 may be oriented, based upon a location of the opening or the dimensions of the pocket 103, in any fashion including vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or any angle located therebetween. For example, the pocket 103 in FIG. 7 has been turned about 90° and is generally horizontal with respect to the garment 100.

[0045] Further, the pocket 103 may have varying forms such as those shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The pocket 103 may further have a closure mechanism 105 to selectively seal or open the pocket to thereby facilitate retainment or removal objects stored and/or placed within the pocket 103. The closure mechanism 105 may be located at any position on the pocket 103 and could comprise a length of any side of the pocket 103.

[0046] The pocket 103 preferably have a front piece forming a front side, a back piece forming a back side, and threading coupling the front piece to the back piece forming an interior located therebetween. The threading 130 (see FIG. 6A) is preferably of the same second fabric 125. The pocket 103 may be located between the cups of the brassiere or may be located in any other position on the brassiere including but not limited to the cups, coupling sections, or straps. There may be more than one pocket 103 per brassiere or other garment 100 on which the pocket 103 is present.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4 and 9-10, there is an alternative garment having the pocket 103, as described above, thereon. Here, the garment 100 is a camisole which may be either a half camisole (FIGS. 3 and 4) or a full length slip (FIGS. 9 and 10). The camisole generally has a first strap 107, second strap 109, first cup 111, second cup 113, and a length of material 127 being attached to the cups and straps the length of material having a varying length depending on the desired length of the camisole or full length slip. The length of material 127 comprises the at least one first fabric as described herein.

[0048] The pocket 103 is comprised of the second fabric 125 and has a closure mechanism 105 thereon. The pocket 103 may be located between the cups of the camisole or may be located in virtually any other position on the camisole including but not limited to the cups, straps, and along the length of material 127.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, there is an alternative garment with the pocket 103 as described. Here, the garment 100 is a shirt. The pocket 103 is positioned on a sleeve of the shirt, however, the pocket 103 may be positioned on a front or back of the shirt and may be located in virtually any location on the shirt. In some embodiments, the pocket 103 is located on an interior of the shirt. In FIG. 8, there is an alternative garment 100 with the pocket 103 in one alternate position.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, there is another garment 100 which is a boot or article of footwear. The boot can have a heel, flat bottom, etc. The article of footwear may be a slipper, shoe, sandal, boot, etc. and have a pocket 103 thereon. The pocket 103 is consistent with the pocket described herein. The pocket 103 has a closure mechanism 105 which is configured to selectively seal the pocket 103 to prevent the contents of the pocket 103 from becoming dislodged or lost. The closure mechanism 105 may be oriented vertically or horizontally and may be disposed along any number of edges of the pocket 103. In some embodiments, the pocket 103 may not be lined with the electromagnetic shielding material as described herein and may be lined with a non-shielding material. The pocket 103 of the boot can be either horizontal or vertical with the closure mechanism 105 (oriented vertically or horizontally as well) and can be located any place on the boot including on an outer surface and/or an inner surface.

[0051] As described in FIGS. 1-5, 7-8, and 11-12 the garment 100 may be any number or types of garments including but not limited to brassieres, camisoles, slips, dresses, pants, jackets, sweaters, boxers, panties, hats, gloves, socks, leggings, suits, blouses, footwear and the like or any combination thereof. In alternative embodiments, the present invention may be incorporated into other items such as handbags, purses, wallets, cases for electronic devices, backpacks, and the like. The garment 100 may be designed for both men and women and include sizes for children. As noted above, the present technology may be incorporated into formal wear, casual wear, and active wear.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there are two embodiments of the pocket 103. These embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and other form factors may be contained under the purview of the present invention.

[0053] In FIG. 6A, the pocket 103 is comprised of a second fabric 125 as described above. The pocket 103 has a front side and a back side coupled with threading 130. The threading 130 may be the same or different as the second fabric 125. In a preferred embodiment, the threading 130 is comprised of the same fabric or a fabric exhibiting similar electromagnetic radiation shielding or electromagnetic interference properties. A flap 133 is positioned along one side of the pocket 103 providing a covering to the interior of the pocket 103. The flap 133 may be coupled to the front side and the back side of the pocket 103 in such a way that a top edge of the front side of the pocket 103 can be accessed to place the item in the pocket 103. The top edge is then tucked underneath the flap 133 and the flap 133 prevents the item from falling from the pocket 103.

[0054] In FIG. 6B, the pocket 103 has a similar construction to the pocket 103 shown in FIG. 6A save for the closure mechanism. Here, there is a flap having a closing mechanism 135 such as a hook and loop fastener. The flap can be lifted exposing the interior 137 of the pocket 103 and the item can then be placed therein. The flap is placed down and pressure from the flap itself or an outside force seals the closing mechanism 135.

[0055] The pocket 103 described in at least FIGS. 1-6B can be used to house a variety of items such as electronics (e.g. smart phones, tablets, music players, multimedia players, etc.), credit cards, debit cards, passports, and other items containing electronically readable and/or sensitive information. In addition to the security protection gained by containing such items within a pocket that limits or prevents the passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough, a wearer can also be protected for health reasons.

[0056] Many users, as mentioned above, tend to store their electronic devices, especially cellular phones, in their pockets for hours and hours on end every day of the week. The health risks of exposing one's self to this type of constant electromagnetic radiation bombardment may result in unintended consequences to one's health. For example, it is not yet completely understood if and how electromagnetic radiation from cellular phones may lead to cancer. For those who store their phones in pockets near their groin area or in their brassiere, this is an unknown risk which can be completely avoided by implementing the present technology into their everyday clothing.

[0057] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.