ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELDING FABRIC

Abstract

An electromagnetic shielding fabric includes: a non-conductive woven layer including a plurality of non-conductive warp threads and a plurality of non-conductive weft threads, both the non-conductive warp threads and the non-conductive weft threads made of a non-conductive material, and a conductive woven layer including a plurality of conductive warp threads and a plurality of conductive weft threads, both the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads at least partially made of an electrically conductive material, where the non-conductive woven layer defines a patterned surface of the fabric and the conductive woven layer defines a grid-like structure, the non-conductive woven layer and the conductive woven layer interwoven together, the fabric includes a plurality of sectors, each sector further includes binding points.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. An electromagnetic shielding fabric comprising: a non-conductive woven layer comprising a plurality of non-conductive warp threads and a plurality of non-conductive weft threads, both the non-conductive warp threads and the non-conductive weft threads made of a non-conductive material, and a conductive woven layer comprising a plurality of conductive warp threads and a plurality of conductive weft threads, both the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads at least partially made of an electrically conductive material, wherein the non-conductive woven layer defines a patterned surface of the fabric and the conductive woven layer defines a grid-like structure, the non-conductive woven layer and the conductive woven layer interwoven together, wherein the fabric comprises a plurality of sectors arranged adjacent to one another in a warp direction and/or in a weft direction, each sector comprising at least one group of non-conductive warp threads and one conductive warp thread, and at least one group of non-conductive weft threads and one conductive weft thread, wherein the group of non-conductive warp threads comprises at least two non-conductive threads, and the group of non-conductive weft threads comprises at least one non-conductive thread, and, on the patterned surface of the fabric, each sector further comprises: a first binding point in which the conductive warp thread is lowered beneath the conductive weft thread, and a second binding point for each non-conductive warp thread of the group of non-conductive warp threads, in which the non-conductive warp thread is lifted above the conductive weft thread, and alternating sectors along the warp direction and/or the weft direction comprise: a third binding point in which the conductive warp thread is lifted above at least one non-conductive weft thread of the group of non-conductive weft threads, the third binding point adjacent to the first binding point in which the conductive warp thread is lowered beneath the conductive weft thread.

15. The fabric according to claim 14, wherein the group of non-conductive warp threads comprises three non-conductive warp threads, and wherein alternating sectors along the warp direction and/or the weft direction comprise a single one third binding point in which the conductive warp thread is lifted above the at least one non-conductive weft thread.

16. The fabric according to claim 14, wherein the group of non-conductive weft threads comprises at least four non-conductive weft threads, and wherein each sector comprises at least one further third binding point in which the conductive warp thread is lifted above the at least one non-conductive weft thread, each further third binding point spaced apart by at least three non-conductive weft threads from a preceding third binding point along the warp direction.

17. The fabric according to claim 14, wherein each first binding point is spaced apart from the first binding point of another sectorby a distance ranging from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm in the weft direction and/or the warp direction.

18. The fabric according to claim 14, wherein each sector comprises conductive warp threads and non-conductive warp threads in a ratio selected among: 1:3; 1:5, 1:7, and 1:9.

19. The fabric according to claim 14, wherein the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads are made of yarns obtained by spinning metal fibers and a natural fiber a ratio ranging from 5% to 50% of metal fiber fibers.

20. The fabric according to claim 19, wherein the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads have a yarn count ranging from 12.5 g/km to 125 g/km.

21. The fabric according to claim 19, wherein the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads are made of yarns having a fineness ranging from 8 m/g to 50 m/g.

22. The fabric according to claim 14, wherein the non-conductive warp threads are made of wool and each non-conductive warp thread comprises two yarns having a fineness equal to 60 m/g, and the non-conductive weft threads are made of wool and each non-conductive weft thread comprises two yarns having a fineness equal to 28 m/g.

23. A multilayered fabric comprising at least two pieces of fabrics according to claim 14, wherein two pieces of fabrics are sewn together.

24. A method of manufacturing an electromagnetic shielding fabric, wherein the electromagnetic shielding fabric comprises: a non-conductive woven layer, comprising a plurality of non-conductive warp threads and a plurality of non-conductive weft threads, both the non-conductive warp threads and the non-conductive weft threads made of a non-conductive material, and a conductive woven layer, comprising a plurality of conductive warp threads and a plurality of conductive weft threads, both the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads at least partially made of an electrically conductive material, wherein the non-conductive woven layer defines a patterned surface of the fabric and the conductive woven layer defines a grid-like structure, the non-conductive woven layer and the conductive woven layer interwoven together, the method comprising weaving the fabric (by defining a plurality of sectors arranged adjacent one another in a warp direction and/or in a weft direction, each sector comprising at least one group of non-conductive warp threads and one conductive warp thread, and at least one group of non-conductive weft threads and one conductive weft thread, wherein the group of non-conductive warp threads comprises of at least two non-conductive threads, and the group of non-conductive weft threads comprises at least one non-conductive thread, wherein weaving the fabric by defining a plurality of sectors comprises: lowering the conductive warp thread beneath the conductive weft thread at a first binding point, and lifting each non-conductive warp thread of the group of non-conductive warp threads above the conductive weft thread at respective second binding points, and, in alternating sectors along the warp direction and/or the weft direction: lifting the conductive warp thread above at least one non-conductive weft thread) of the group of non-conductive weft threads at a third binding point, the third binding point being weaved adjacent to the first binding point.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the group of non-conductive warp threads comprises three non-conductive warp threads, and wherein lifting the conductive warp thread above at least one non-conductive weft thread of the group of non-conductive weft threads at a third binding point comprises lifting the conductive warp thread in a single third binding point in each sector.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the group of non-conductive weft threads comprises at least four non-conductive weft threads, and wherein lifting the conductive warp thread above at least one non-conductive weft thread of the group of non-conductive weft threads at a third binding point comprises lifting the conductive warp thread above a plurality of non-conductive weft thread at respective third binding points, each third binding point spaced apart by at least three non-conductive weft threads from a preceding third binding point along the warp direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The invention will be described below with reference to some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments shown in the annexed drawings related to different aspects of the present invention.

[0070] FIG. 1 is a portion of a fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention, partly folded in order to show both sides thereof;

[0071] FIG. 2a is a portion of a binding pattern of a fabric according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0072] FIG. 2b is a detail of a first sector of the fabric of FIG. 2a highlighting a first binding scheme of conductive warp and weft threads of the fabric;

[0073] FIG. 2c is a detail of a second sector of the fabric of FIG. 2a highlighting a second binding scheme of conductive warp and weft threads of the fabric;

[0074] FIG. 3a is a portion of a binding pattern of a fabric according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] FIG. 3b is a detail of a first sector the fabric of FIG. 3a highlighting a first binding scheme of conductive warp and weft threads of the fabric;

[0076] FIG. 3c is a detail of a second sector the fabric of FIG. 3a highlighting a binding scheme of a second conductive warp and weft threads of the fabric;

[0077] FIGS. 4a and 4b are plots of electromagnetic shielding as a function of the frequency of the electromagnetic radiations provided by a first sample of fabric according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0078] FIGS. 5a and 5b are plots of electromagnetic shielding as a function of the frequency of the electromagnetic radiations provided by a second sample of a shielding fabric which is not an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0079] FIGS. 6a and 6b are plots of electromagnetic shielding as a function of the frequency of the electromagnetic radiations provided by a third sample of a further shielding fabric, which is not an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0080] While the invention can be implemented in several alternative ways, some preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in the following. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, the invention intends to cover all the modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0081] The use of for example, etc., or denotes non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of includes means includes, but not limited to, unless otherwise noted.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a piece of textile or fabric 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which comprises an aesthetic patterned surface 10 and an opposed second, shielding, surface 11. In detail, a non-conductive woven layer forms the patterned surface 10 and is interwoven to a conductive woven layer which forms the shielding surface 11.

[0083] The non-conductive woven layer comprises a plurality of warp and weft threads woven in a pattern that is designed to reproduce a desired FIG. 101 on the patterned surface 10. Usually, the FIG. 101 is repeated periodically along a warp direction w.sub.A and/or a weft direction w.sub.E along the patterned surface 10.

[0084] The warp threads and the weft threads of the non-conductive woven layer are made of a non-conductive material. In the following, the warp threads and the weft threads of the non-conductive woven layer will be referred to as non-conductive warp threads and non-conductive weft threads, respectively.

[0085] Preferably, the non-conductive warp threads and the non-conductive weft threads of the non-conductive layer are made of a natural fiber, more preferably wool.

[0086] In the field of textiles, threads can be categorized based on the fineness that is the length of a thread per unit of weight. The unit of measurement for the fineness is the Numbering, or Nm, which corresponds to one meter per one gram in units of the International System of measurementsi.e., 1 Nm=1 m/1 g.

[0087] In the embodiments of the present invention, the non-conductive warp threads are wool threads having a fineness of 60/2 Nmi.e. each thread comprises 2 yarns, each of which has a fineness of 60 m/g , while the non-conductive weft threads are wool threads having a fineness of 28/2 Nmi.e. each thread comprises 2 yarns, each of which has a fineness of 28 m/g. More generally, the non-conductive warp and weft threads have a fineness ranging from 8/1 Nm to 50/1 Nm.

[0088] The conductive woven layer comprises a plurality of warp and weft threads woven in a grid-like pattern 111 designed to create a so-called Faraday cage. Particularly, the grid-like pattern 111 of the conductive layer comprises warp threads and weft threads spaced apart one from another in a regular and uniform manner both in the warp direction w.sub.A and in the weft direction w.sub.E along the shielding surface 11.

[0089] The warp threads and the weft threads of the conductive woven layer are made of an electrically conductive material. In the following, the warp threads and the weft threads of the conductive woven layer will be referred to as conductive warp threads and conductive weft threads.

[0090] Preferably, the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads of the conductive layer are made of a mix of a natural fiber, more preferably wool, and of a metal, more preferably stainless-steel. Advantageously, the conductive warp and weft threads are made of yarns spun from wool and stainless-steel fibers. Preferably, the conductive warp and weft threads are made of yarns spun from metal and natural fibers in a ratio ranging from 5% to 50% of metal fibers, preferably equal to 20% of metal fibers. In the example at issue the metal fibers are stainless-steel fibers.

[0091] For example, the conductive warp threads and the conductive weft threads have a yarn count ranging from 12.5 tex (i.e., 12.5 g/km) to 125 tex (125 g/km).

[0092] Preferably, the conductive warp and weft threads are threads made of a mix of wool and stainless-steel fibers and have a fineness of 50/2 Nmi.e. each thread comprises 2 yarns, each of which has a fineness of 50 m/g.

[0093] The fabric 1 is woven in such a manner that the non-conductive and the conductive woven layer are firmly interwoven one to the other, the grid-like pattern 111 has a substantially homogeneous and regular structure and, at the same time, the conductive warp and weft threads are invisible or cannot substantially be seen by an observer on the patterned surface 10.

[0094] Turning to FIG. 2a, a portion of a binding pattern 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Particularly, the binding pattern 2 corresponds to the weaving pattern as observable on the patterned surface 10 of the fabric 1.

[0095] The binding pattern 2 comprises a plurality of conductive warp threads 21 and non-conductive warp threads 22, arranged across the weft direction w.sub.E according to a regular scheme. Particularly, the conductive warp threads 21 and the non-conductive warp threads 22 are arranged according to a periodic structure comprising a conductive warp thread 21 and three non-conductive warp threads 22, i.e., a conductive/non-conductive warp threads ratio equal to 1:3.

[0096] Analogously, the binding pattern 2 comprises a plurality of conductive weft threads 23 and non-conductive weft threads 24a, 24b, arranged across the warp direction w.sub.A according to a regular scheme. Particularly, the conductive weft threads 23 and the non-conductive weft threads 24a, 24b are arranged according to a periodic structure comprising a conductive weft thread 23 and two non-conductive weft threads 24a, 24b, i.e. a conductive/non-conductive weft threads ratio equal to 1:2. Advantageously, the non-conductive weft threads 24a, 24b generally have a different dying.

[0097] The binding pattern 2 can be subdivided into a plurality of sectors 25a, 25b each comprising a plurality of binding points. Wherein binding point denotes a point, in which a warp thread crosses a weft thread, by passing above or below thereto. In the example at issue, each sector 25a, 25b comprises a set of twelve binding points between a set of four warp threads and a set of three weft threads. Particularly, each set of warp threads comprises one conductive warp thread 21 and three non-conductive warp threads 22, while each set of weft threads comprises one conductive weft threads 23 and two non-conductive weft threads 24a, 24b.

[0098] The sectors 25a, 25b are arranged adjacent one another in the warp direction w.sub.A and in the weft direction w.sub.E. In the example at issue, the plurality of sectors 25a, 25b can be divided into two sector groups. In particular, the conductive warp thread 21 and weft thread 23 in the sectors 25a pertaining to a first sector group are woven according to a first binding scheme, while the conductive warp thread 21 and weft thread 23 in the sectors 25b pertaining to a second sector group are woven according to a second binding scheme.

[0099] Moreover, the sectors 25a of the first sector group and the sectors 25b of the second sector group are arranged alternately across the warp direction w.sub.A and the weft direction w.sub.E, namely along each direction, the sectors pertaining to one sector group alternate with sectors pertaining to the other group.

[0100] FIG. 2b shows the first binding scheme used to weave the conductive warp thread 21 and weft thread 23 in the sector 25a of the first sector group. The first binding scheme comprises a single first binding point B.sub.1 (solid black), in which the conductive warp thread 21 is lowered beneath the conductive weft thread 23. Furthermore, the first binding scheme comprises a second binding point B.sub.2 (solid white) for each non-conductive warp thread 22, in which the non-conductive warp thread 22 is lifted above the conductive weft thread 23. Moreover, the first binding scheme comprises a single third binding point B.sub.3 (finely dotted) in which the conductive warp thread 21 is lifted above one non-conductive weft 24a, while the conductive warp thread 21 is lowered beneath the other non-conductive weft thread 24b in a respective binding point B.sub.4 (sparsely dotted). The single third binding point B.sub.3 is adjacent to the single first binding point B.sub.1 of the sector 25a.

[0101] In the remaining binding points B.sub.5 (zigzag patterned), the non-conductive warp thread 22 can be lifted or lowered to reproduce a desired aesthetic design on the patterned surface 10.

[0102] The second binding schemeshown in FIG. 2ccorresponds to the first scheme but without the third binding point B.sub.3. In other words, the second binding scheme comprises a single first binding point B.sub.1 (solid black), in which the conductive warp thread 21 is lowered beneath the conductive weft thread 23. Furthermore, the second binding scheme comprises a second binding point B.sub.2 (solid white) for each non-conductive warp thread 22 in which the non-conductive warp thread 22 is lifted above the conductive weft thread 23. Moreover, the conductive warp thread 21 is also lowered beneath the non-conductive weft threads 24a, 24b in respective binding points B.sub.4 (sparsely dotted). In the remaining binding points B.sub.5 (zigzag patterned), the non-conductive warp thread 22 can be lifted or lowered to reproduce an aesthetic design on the patterned surface 10.

[0103] The Applicant has found that this particular binding patterni.e., the first and second binding schemes arranged in an alternating manner along the warp w.sub.A and weft directions w.sub.Eallows designing a wide variety of different aesthetic patterns on the patterned surface 10, even of high complexity. Moreover, the conductive warp threads 21 and the conductive weft threads 23 are invisible or cannot substantially be perceived on the patterned surface 10, thus they do not affect the quality of the design on the patterned surface 10. At the same time, the grid-like pattern 111 has a uniform and regular structure with the conductive warp threads 21 and the conductive weft threads 23 that comprise regular and uniform contact pointsboth mechanical and electricalalong the weft and warp directions of the fabric.

[0104] In addition, the patterned surface 10 and the shielding surface 11 of the fabric 1 according to the invention are firmly joined together along the weft and warp directions of the fabric by interweaving. This ensures that the grid-like structure is substantially unaltered when the fabric is folded or stretched during it use, thus providing a reliable electromagnetic shielding in many applications.

[0105] Turning to FIG. 3a a portion of a binding pattern 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Particularly, the binding pattern 3 corresponds to the weaving pattern as observable on the patterned surface 10 of the fabric 1.

[0106] The binding pattern 3 comprises a plurality of conductive warp threads 31 and non-conductive warp threads 32, arranged across the weft direction w.sub.E according to a regular scheme. Particularly, the conductive warp threads 31 and the non-conductive warp threads 32 are arranged according to a periodic structure comprising a conductive warp thread 31 and nine non-conductive warp threads 32, i.e., a conductive/non-conductive warp threads ratio equal to 1:9.

[0107] Analogously, the binding pattern 3 comprises a plurality of conductive weft threads 33 and non-conductive weft threads 34a-34g, arranged across the warp direction w.sub.A according to a regular scheme. Particularly, the conductive weft threads 33 and the non-conductive weft threads 34a-34g are arranged according to a periodic structure comprising a conductive weft thread 33 and six non-conductive weft threads 34a-34f, i.e. a conductive/non-conductive weft threads ratio equal to 1:6. Advantageously, the non-conductive weft threads 34a-34f generally have two or more different dying in order to provide a multicolored aesthetic design on the patterned surface 10.

[0108] The binding pattern 3 can be subdivided into a plurality of sectors 35a, 35b of possible binding points between warp and weft threads. Accordingly, each sector 35a, 35b comprises a set of seventy binding points between a set of ten warp threads and a set of seven weft threads. Particularly, each set of warp threads comprises one conductive warp thread 31 and nine non-conductive warp threads 32, while each set of weft threads comprises one conductive weft thread 33 and six non-conductive weft threads 34a-34f.

[0109] The sectors 35a, 35b are arranged adjacent one another in the warp direction w.sub.A and in the weft direction w.sub.E. In the example at issue, the plurality of sectors 35a, 35b can be considered pertaining to two different sector groups. In particular, the conductive warp thread 31 and weft thread 33 in the sectors 35a of a first sector group are woven according to a first binding scheme, while the conductive warp thread 31 and weft thread 33 in a sector 35b pertaining to the second sector group are woven according to a second binding scheme.

[0110] Moreover, the sectors 35a of the first sector group and the sectors 35b of the second sector group are arranged alternately across the warp direction w.sub.A and the weft direction w.sub.E.

[0111] As can be best appreciated in FIG. 3b, the first binding scheme comprises a single first binding point B.sub.1 (solid black), in which the conductive warp thread 31 is lowered beneath the conductive weft thread 33. Furthermore, the first binding scheme comprises a second binding point B.sub.2 (solid white) for each non-conductive warp thread 32, in which the non-conductive warp thread 32 is lifted above the conductive weft thread 33. Moreover, the first binding scheme comprises a first third binding point B.sub.3 (finely dotted) in which the conductive warp thread 31 is lifted above one non-conductive weft thread 34a. Preferably, the first third binding point B.sub.3 is adjacent to the single first binding point B.sub.1 of the first sector 35a.

[0112] Moreover, the first binding scheme, comprises a further third binding point B.sub.3 (finely dotted) in which the conductive warp thread 31 is lifted above one non-conductive weft thread 34e, while the conductive warp thread 31 is lowered beneath the other non-conductive weft threads 34b-34d, and 34f in respective binding points B.sub.4 (sparsely dotted).

[0113] In the remaining binding points B.sub.5 (zigzag patterned), the non-conductive warp can be lifted or lowered to reproduce a desired aesthetic design on the patterned surface 10.

[0114] The second biding schemeshown in FIG. 3ccomprises a single first binding point B.sub.1 (solid black), in which the conductive warp thread 31 is lowered beneath the weft thread 33, and a second binding point B.sub.2 (solid white) for each non-conductive warp thread 32, in which the non-conductive warp thread 32 is lifted above the conductive weft thread 31as in the first scheme.

[0115] Moreover, the second binding scheme comprises a single third binding point B.sub.3 (finely dotted) in which the conductive warp thread 31 is lifted above one non-conductive weft thread 34c, while the conductive warp thread 31 is lowered beneath the other non-conductive weft threads 34a, 34b, and 34d-34f in respective binding points B.sub.4 (sparsely dotted)

[0116] In the remaining binding points B.sub.5 (zigzag patterned), the non-conductive warp threads can be lifted or lowered to reproduce a desired aesthetic design on the patterned surface 10.

[0117] As can be appreciated in FIG. 3a, along the warp direction w.sub.A the conductive warp threads 31 are lifted above one of the weft threads 34a-34f every three or four weft threads for the whole fabric 1 length. In the example at issue, two consecutive liftings of the conductive warp threads 31 are separated apart by three weft threads 34a-34f, then the next two consecutive lifting of the conductive warp threads 31 are separated apart by four weft threads 33, 34a-34f, and this sequence is, preferably, repeated periodically along the warp direction w.sub.A.

[0118] The Applicant has conducted tests aimed to evaluate the electromagnetic shielding property of fabric samples according to embodiments of the present invention and comparison fabric samples having different features form the fabric according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0119] Particularly, the tests comprised the steps of irradiating electromagnetic radiations having a known power toward a sample of fabric and measuring the power of the electromagnetic radiations on the other side of the fabric sample. In particular, the sample of fabric was placed over an opening of a box made of a material impassable by the electromagnetic radiations used in the test. Inside the box, a receiver was placed behind the fabric sample, the receiver being configured to measure the power of any electromagnetic radiations inside the box. Finally, an antenna was placed at one meter from the fabric sample, without any obstacle between the antenna and the fabric sample.

[0120] Test 1

[0121] In a first test, a first fabric sample S.sub.1 manufactured according to an embodiment of the present invention has been used. The first fabric sample S.sub.1 comprises conductive threads made of a blend of 95% of wool fibers and 5% of stainless-steel fibers. Particularly, both the conductive warp and weft threads have a fineness of 50/2 Nm. Moreover, the non-conductive warp threads have a fineness of 60/2 Nm and the non-conductive weft threads have a fineness of 28/2 Nm. The first fabric sample S1 comprises a conductive to non-conductive warp threads ratio of 3:1 and a conductive to non-conductive weft threads ratio of 2:1.

[0122] As depicted in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the first fabric sample S.sub.1 offers a substantial shielding effect from electromagnetic radiations, i.e. an attenuation equal or greater than 20 dB for frequencies equal or higher than 110 MHz. In detail, within the radiofrequencies range of 400 MHz to 1 GHz, the attenuation of electromagnetic radiations is equal to or higher than 40 dB in average. Moreover, within the radiofrequency range of 1 GHz-20 GHz, the attenuation of electromagnetic radiations ranges from 25 dB to 35 dB in average.

[0123] This means that, in average, a textile made according to the first fabric sample S.sub.1 reduces the energy associated with any incident electromagnetic radiations having a frequency ranging from 110 MHz to 20 GHz by an attenuation factor falling within the range of 100 to 10.sup.4. In other words, with respect to the above frequency range, the energy associated with the electromagnetic radiation measured downstream of the textile has a value ranging from 1% to 0.01% of the energy of the electromagnetic radiation upstream of the textile.

[0124] It should be noted that the overall considered radiofrequency rangei.e., ranging from 110 MHz to 20 GHzencompasses most of the frequency bands used by wireless communication systemsin particular, this range comprises most of the frequency bands used by the GSM, UMTS, LTE/LTE-A, 5G, Wi-Fi, etc., standards.

[0125] Particularly, Table I shows the attenuation provided by the first fabric sample S.sub.1 at frequencies comprised in the main frequencies bands used by cellular and WLAN networks.

[0126] Moreover, the electromagnetic shielding properties of the first fabric sample S.sub.1 have been tested at higher frequencies (e.g., at frequencies used by 5G networks) and the results are defined in the following Table II:

[0127] From the above, it is apparent that the first fabric sample S.sub.1 offers a substantial attenuation (namely an attenuation by a factor of at least 50) also with respect to electromagnetic radiation generated by devices working in the frequency range 20 GHz-40 GHz, i.e. millimeter wave (mmWave) wavelengths used by 5G.

[0128] In conclusion, textiles made according to the first fabric sample S.sub.1 of the invention are capable of attenuating down to a negligible level (at least lower than 3%) the energy associated with electromagnetic radiations in the frequency bands used by wireless communication systemsspanning from 110 MHz to 40 GHzthereby preventing that a harmful level of energy reaches a body covered by the textile or that useful wireless communication between opposite sides of the textile takes place.

[0129] Comparative Test 1

[0130] A second fabric sample S.sub.2 comprises conductive threads made of a blend of 98% of wool fibers and 2% of steel fibers. Particularly, both the conductive warp and weft threads have a fineness of 50/2 Nm. Moreover, the non-conductive warp threads have a fineness of 60/2 Nm, and the non-conductive weft threads have a fineness of 28/2 Nm. The second fabric sample S.sub.2 comprises a conductive to non-conductive warp threads ratio of 9:1, and a conductive to non-conductive weft threads ratio of 7:1.

[0131] In other words, the conductive threads used to weave the second fabric sample S.sub.2 are made of non-conductive/conductive materials in a ratio lower than the minimum ratio according to the invention.

[0132] As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the second fabric sample S.sub.2 offers a substantially lower shielding property from electromagnetic radiations, when compared to the first S.sub.1.

[0133] Particularly, the second fabric sample S.sub.2 provides an attenuation that reaches its highest average valuei.e. about 25 dBin the range of 700 MHz-1 GHz only. Moreover, the average attenuation effect shows a decreasing trend with respect to frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 20 GHz, by providing an average attenuation of about 25 dB with respect to the range of 1 GHz to 5 GHz, which rapidly decreases to a significantly lower average values (e.g. between 10 dB and 5 dB) for frequencies ranging from 5 GHz to 20 GHz.

[0134] Table III shows the attenuation provided by the second fabric sample S.sub.2 at the same frequencies considered in Table I with respect to the first fabric sample S.sub.1.

[0135] The electromagnetic shielding properties of the second fabric sample S.sub.2 have been also tested at higher frequencies (e.g., frequencies used by 5G networks) and the results are defined in the following Table IV:

[0136] From the above, it appears that the second fabric sample S.sub.2 has an electromagnetic shielding performance substantially lower than the first sample S.sub.1 with respect to all the frequency ranges considered.

[0137] Comparative Test 2

[0138] A third fabric sample S.sub.3 comprises conductive threads made of a blend of 51% of cotton-viscose (CV) fibers, 25% of wool fibers, 17% of cellulose-derived fibers (e.g., fiber with the commercial name of Tencel) and 6% of steel fibers. Particularly, both the conductive warp and weft threads have a fineness of 50/2 Nm. Moreover, the non-conductive warp threads have a fineness of 70/2 Nm and the non-conductive weft threads have a fineness of 50/2 Nm. The third fabric sample S.sub.3 comprises a conductive to non-conductive warp threads ratio of 5:1, and a conductive to non-conductive weft threads ratio of 5:1. The third fabric sample S.sub.3 is woven according to the teachings of the prior art and particularly of CN 105483906.

[0139] As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the third fabric sample S.sub.3 offers a substantially lower shielding property from electromagnetic radiations, with respect to the first S.sub.1 sample.

[0140] Particularly, the third fabric sample S.sub.3 provides an attenuation that reaches its highest average valuei.e. about 30 dBin the range of 300 MHz to 1 GHz only. Moreover, the average attenuation effect shows a decreasing trend with respect to frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 20 GHz, by providing an average attenuation of about 30 dB with respect to the range of 1 GHz to 5 GHz, which decreases to an average value lower than 20 dB and below for frequencies ranging from 8 GHz to 20 GHz.

[0141] Table V shows the attenuation values provided by the third fabric sample S.sub.3 at the same frequencies considered in Table I with respect to the first fabric sample S.sub.1.

[0142] The electromagnetic shielding properties of the third fabric sample S.sub.3 have been also tested at higher frequencies (e.g., frequencies used by 5G networks) and the results are defined in the following Table VI:

[0143] From the above, it appears that the third fabric sample S.sub.3 has an electromagnetic shielding performance substantially lower than that of the first S.sub.1 fabric sample. This mainly applies in the frequency range of 20 GHz-40 GHz.

[0144] The following Table VII shows attenuation data (in dB) of the first fabric sample S.sub.1 woven according to the present invention and of the third fabric sample S.sub.3 at specific frequencies. As can be readily appreciated by comparing the data of Table VII, the first fabric sample S.sub.1 according to present invention provides an overall higher and more uniform electromagnetic shielding property with respect to the third fabric sample S.sub.3, even though the latter is made of conductive threads having a higher concentration of conductive material.

[0145] The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept that characterizes the invention.

[0146] For example, in the embodiments of the invention the conductive threads are spun from stainless-steel fibers having a length ranging from 6 ?m to 12 ?m, preferably equal to 8 ?m. Moreover, each yarn within a conductive thread is spun with a fineness having a value falling within a range of 8 Nm to 50 Nm.

[0147] In addition, in other embodiments of the invention the threads comprise different textile fibers and/or yarns. Particularly, instead of yarns comprising wool only, the conductive threads and/or the non-conductive threads are made of yarns spun from a mixture of wool and a polyamide (PA) polymer, cotton, silk and/or linen.

[0148] While the preferred ratios between conductive and non-conductive warp threads are 1:3 and 1:9 as described above, nothing prevents from implementing the invention with different ratios between conductive and non-conductive warp threads, as for example 1:2, 1:5 or 1:7 ratios.

[0149] In alternative embodiments (not shown in the drawings), nothing prevents from providing a multi-sheet fabric, comprising two or more shielding fabric sheets as described above. For example, each fabric sheet of the multi-sheet fabric is superimposed to the other fabric sheets and sewed thereto. Preferably, the fabric sheets are sewn together with the respective shielding surfaces facing inwards.

[0150] Other technically equivalent details and materials may be used, as well as the shapes and the dimensions and distances of the various components, may be any according to the requirements.