Elongated Device to Seal a Substrate

Abstract

An elongated device to seal an edge of a substrate has an elongated flexible linear form capable of rolling, akin to a tape. The tape has its own substrate encapsulated by a polyurethane coating. Upon application of heat, the tape welds to a base layer of a fabric, such as nylon. The tape continuously merges into the base and thus prevents intrusion of fluids and gasses through any stitching or other apertures of the base, including any pathogens, microbes, and viruses in the fluids and gasses. The tape resists over forty washings of the conjoined base part of a garment made from the fabric. The tape has proportions that promote a tight seal of the base and comfortable feel to the skin of a wearer of a garment having the tape upon the fabric.

Claims

1. A flexible elongated device, comprising: an elongated, flexible substrate; a coating upon said substrate; wherein said coatings upon two of said substrates in mutual contact merge upon application of heat thereto; wherein two of said substrates in mutual contact merge upon application of heat thereto; and said flexible elongated device having a construction of material impermeable to fluids carrying a dissolved pathogen, to powders carrying a pathogen, and to gasses carrying a pathogen.

2. The flexible elongated device of claim 1, further comprising: said device having a thickness and a width perpendicular to said thickness and of greater magnitude than said thickness.

3. The flexible elongated device of claim 2, further comprising: said device having a ratio of said thickness to said width from 1:4 to 1:2.

4. The flexible elongated device of claim 3, further comprising: said device joining to two pieces of fabric, each piece of fabric having its own thickness, said device having a ratio of its thickness to that of the fabric from about 1:4 to 3:1; and said device having a ratio of its width to the thickness of the fabric from about 10:100 to 15:2.

5. The flexible elongated device of claim 4, further comprising: said device having a ratio of its thickness to that of the fabric from about 1.8:1 to 2.2:1 wherein said device is adapted to avoid detection by a wearer; and said, device having a ratio of its width to that of the fabric from about 4.5:1 to 5.5:1 wherein said device is adapted to avoid detection by a wearer.

6. The flexible elongated device of claim 1 wherein said coating withstands up to and including 750° C.

7. The flexible elongated device of claim 1 wherein said device is impermeable to pathogens dissolved in water, aqueous solutions, nonaqueous solutions, powders, and gasses.

8. A fabric having a seam between two pieces, said fabric having a base and an outer layer, wherein the improvement comprises: a flexible elongated device welded to said base opposite said seam; and said seam being impermeable to fluids carrying a dissolved pathogen, powders carrying a pathogen, and gasses carrying a pathogen.

9. The fabric having a seam between two pieces of claim 8 further comprising: said base having a thickness; said flexible elongated device having a thickness and a width; a ratio of the thickness of said base to the thickness of said flexible elongated device in a ratio from about 1:4 to about 3:1; and a ratio of the thickness of said base to the width of said flexible elongated device in a ratio from about 10:100 to about 15:2.

10. The fabric having a seam between two pieces of claim 9 further comprising: the ratio of the thickness of said base to the thickness of said device being from about 1.8:1 to 2.2:1 wherein said device is adapted to avoid detection by a wearer; and the ratio of the thickness of said base to the width of said device being from about 4.5:1 to 5.5:1 wherein said device is adapted to avoid detection by a wearer.

11. The fabric having a seam between two pieces of claim 10 wherein said coating withstands up to and including 750° C.

12. The fabric having a seam between two pieces of claim 11 wherein said flexible elongated device herein includes hydrophobic polyurethane.

13. The fabric having a seam between two pieces of claim 11 further comprising: said, flexible elongated device welding continuously to said seam.

14. The fabric having a seam between two pieces of claim 11 wherein said flexible elongated device is adapted to withstand forty washings.

15. A method of filling gaps within a seam between two pieces of fabric comprising: providing a flexible elongated device with a substrate and a polymer coating thereupon; placing said flexible elongated device upon the seam; and heating said flexible elongated device to up to and including 750° C. wherein said polymer coating fills gaps in the seal resulting in said seam being impermeable to pathogens dissolved in water, aqueous solutions, nonaqueous solutions, powders, and gasses.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In referring to the drawings,

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of fabric utilizing the invention; and

[0027] FIG. 2 describes a side view of a fabric seam;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a fabric seam using the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the invention deployed upon a seam; and

[0030] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tape of the invention.

[0031] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5 a preferred embodiment of the Elongated Device to Seal a Substrate of the present invention is shown by the reference numeral 1. The invention may be abbreviated as Elongated Device.

[0033] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of fabric F utilizing the invention 1 beneath a seam S. The fabric has its outward surface shown upward in the figure, that is, the surface outward from a person wearing a garment made of the fabric F. This fabric also serves as a thermally activated wick with its upper hydrophobic polyurethane layer upon a nylon base. The seam S has a pattern P of stitching suitable for the joining of the fabric F as desired for the garment or other use of it. The stitching through operating of mechanized needles imparts a tight pattern of holes, mostly filled by bobbin thread, but with residual gaps and apertures around the thread.

[0034] Though this description and the figures often refer to a fabric, the Applicant foresees preparation and assembly of the invention upon a host of garments ranging from gowns, shirts, pants, trousers, to hat and upon other fabric equipment such as tarps, tents, rainflies, sails, and like flexible products that repel water as a key component of their effectiveness. The references to a garment serve as an example because the invention installs upon or becomes other devices and equipment where waterproof, gas impermeable, and dustproof properties have importance to a user. To begin waterproofing the seam S, the fabric F has an overlap V of adjacent fabric pieces.

[0035] The overlap V may take various forms as shown in FIG. 2 from the side and practiced by the industry. FIG. 2 depicts an overlap joint between two adjacent pieces of fabric, F, F′. FIG. 3 then shows a joint of adjacent fabric pieces F, F′ with their edges abutting as at V. This forms the fabric pieces, F, F′ into a common plane. Beneath the seam S, the invention 1 has its finished location beneath the pattern P of the stitching previously shown in FIG. 1. The invention merges to the base, preferably nylon, as later described. The invention also seals hems or pockets that secure elastic, as at a cuff for a wrist or an ankle of a garment at the selection of the wearer.

[0036] Turning to FIG. 4, it shows an enlarged view of the invention 1 at the pattern P of a seam S between two fabric pieces, F, F′. Each fabric piece has an upper layer, as at 2, of hydrophobic polyurethane with a microscopic porous structure, the upper layer may also take the form of a coating. The upper layer further functions as a durable water repellent with six or fewer perfluorinated carbon atoms per molecule. The upper layer rejects, or repels exterior liquids, and any germs contained therein. The upper layer also permits passage of water vapor outwardly through the fabric. The water vapor arises from perspiration heated by the wearer of the garment made with the invention. More particularly in an alternate embodiment, the upper layer 2 serves as a barrier laminate. A barrier laminate may include two or more layers of polymer film that adhere to a scrim upon application of heat and pressure at a mill. The barrier laminate thus has a uniform and strong bond of the seam S.

[0037] Beneath the upper layer, each piece has a base 3, typically nylon though other fabrics are envisioned. The base provides the concealment, warmth, and color desired by the wearer of a garment of this fabric. The base also supports the upper layer and provides the mechanical support for the pattern P of the stitching of the seam S, as previously shown. The base has its thickness, as shown at 4, generally in fractions of a millimeter.

[0038] The seam S comes together and has the pattern P of stitching securing the two pieces of fabric F, F′. And beneath the base of each piece, the invention 1 merges. The invention has an elongated flexible form, or tape. FIG. 4 shows the invention upon an edge as it fits over the stitching pattern P. The invention 1 appears beneath the base of each piece as the invention merges to the base opposite the upper layers. The invention has its thickness, as at 10, and its width, as at 11, perpendicular to the thickness. Upon installation, the invention merges smoothly to the bases of each piece so that the wearer of a garment does not notice the invention upon his skin. The invention when in garment form, includes sewn in radio frequency identification devices, or RFID, and universal product codes, or UPC codes, commonly called bar codes, stamped along and adjacent to a seam of a garment.

[0039] The base of each piece has a thickness 4 ranging from 0.10 millimeters to 0.75 millimeters. The invention 1, or tape, has its own thickness 10 ranging from 0.05 millimeters to 0.20 millimeters. The invention 1 then has its width 11 ranging from 0.1 millimeters to 0.75 millimeters. The base to tape thickness has a ratio from 1:4 to 3:1 and the base to tape width has a ratio from 10:100 to 15:2. To lessen detection by the wearer and abrasion to his skin, the Applicant suggests a base to tape thickness of about 2:1 and a base to tape width of about 5:1. The tape of the invention 1 merges across at least one half of its width with the base. In the preferred embodiment, the tape merges with the base across the entire width of the tape, Though this description mentions fabric, different uses of fabric, such being made into garments, will call for different weights per square meter.

[0040] And, FIG. 5, shows a section view through the invention 1 laterally as the invention may see use at various lengths. The invention 1 has its tape like elongated flexible form. The invention has its own thin, rectangular shape as at 12, preferably of a hydrophobic polyurethane. Using the invention 1 upon fabric F, F′, the invention 1 endures a 750° C. welding tip. The invention 1, particularly as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 is impermeable to water, whether liquid or vapor, including substances and pathogens dissolved in the water, or alternatively other solvents, powders, and gasses. Put another way, the invention produces a seam on a garment that is impermeable to pathogens dissolved in water, aqueous solutions, nonaqueous solutions, powders, and gasses.

[0041] The invention welds to the base 3 continuously, that is, without a gap. The invention's outer cover withstands high temperatures and especially withstands at least 40 washings in a commercial laundry. As a reminder, the invention merges, welds, and joins with the base, typically nylon. In an alternate embodiment, the Elongated Device may have a substrate of various flexible plastic, polymer, or a composite material, within a polymer cover.

[0042] The present invention joins a fabric having a seam between two pieces of fabric. The fabric has a base and an outer layer, or a coating and a tape, or a flexible elongated device welds, or joins to the base opposite the seam. The seam itself thus becomes impermeable to fluids carrying a dissolved pathogen, powders carrying a pathogen, and gasses carrying a pathogen. The fabric has its base that itself has a thickness and the tape, or flexible elongated device, also has its own thickness and width. The ratio of the thickness of the base to the thickness of the tape, or flexible elongated device, has a ratio from about 1:4 to about 3:1, while the ratio of the thickness of the base to the width of the tape, or flexible elongated device, has a ratio from about 10:100 to about 15:2.

[0043] More particularly, the ratio of the thickness of the base to the thickness of the tape is from about 1.8:1 to 2.2:1 so the tape avoids perception, or detection by a wearer of, a garment with the tape and the ratio of the thickness of the base of the fabric to the width of the tape is also from about 4.5:1 to 5.5:1 again to avoid perception or detection by a wearer. The tap of the invention joins the seam between two pieces of fabric and the coating, or outer layer, withstands up to and including 750° C. of temperature. Preferably, the tape, or the flexible elongated device, welds or joins continuously to the seam. The tape, or the flexible elongated device, also uses hydrophobic polyurethane. With this construction, the present invention withstands at least forty washings.

[0044] Alternatively, the invention includes a method to fill gaps within a seam between two pieces of fabric. This method provides a flexible elongated device with a substrate and a polymer coating upon it. Then places the flexible elongated device upon the seam. And then the method heats the flexible elongated device up to and including 750° C. thus causing the polymer coating to expand or to liquefy and fill gaps in the seal resulting in the seam being impermeable to pathogens dissolved in water, aqueous solutions, nonaqueous solutions, powders, and gasses.

[0045] While a preferred embodiment of the Elongated Device to Seal a Substrate has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any flexible material such as plastic, polymer, composite, bamboo for the substrate and various formulations of polyurethane may be used instead of the present description. The invention has a construction of a washable, water impermeable, gap filling material that prevents intrusion of exterior fluids into a seam of a garment.

[0046] Although providing an Elongated Device to Seal a Substrate, it should be appreciated that the Elongated Device herein described is also suitable for use in garments for persons working in houses, offices, medical offices, laboratories, medical laboratories, light industrial facilities, warehouses, garages, motor pools, select mines, and the like where an Elongated Device user dons a garment with a waterproof seam.

[0047] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

[0048] Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments have been described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, and configurations have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced, without the specific details. In other instances, well known features are omitted or simplified in order not, to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

[0049] Various operations have been described as multiple discrete operations, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

[0050] Moreover, in the specification and the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” “third” and the like—when they appear—are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0051] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0052] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, the claims include such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.