WO1996037122A1

WO1996037122A1 - An improved undergarment

Info

Publication number: WO1996037122A1
Application number: PCT/EP1996/000591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rino Solera
Original assignee: SOLERA SpA
Current assignee: SOLERA SpA
Priority date: 1995-05-26
Filing date: 1996-02-12
Publication date: 1996-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 1997-11-26
Also published as: ITPD950042V0; ITPD950042U1; AU4830996A; IT239125Y1; CH690085A5

Abstract

An undergarment comprises at least one portion made of fabric (5) including a weave of non-conductive threads (7) and conductive threads (6), in which the conductive threads (6) are interlaced so as to form a net (9) with a predetermined mesh.

Description

"An improved undergarment"

Technical fiPlr)

The present invention relates to an undergarment with at least one portion made of fabric, and is proposed in the field of protecting the human body from electromagnetic radiation. Background art

As telecommunications equipment, computers, electronic instrumentation and other sources of electromagnetic emissions become ever more widespread, the problem has arisen of protecting the human body from the undesired effects caused by intense and prolonged exposure to magnetic fields. The problem of the harmful effects of these electromagnetic emissions is experienced particularly by those parts of the body which contain important glandular structures, such as the genitals and the breasts. For example, secretarial staff, who are frequently female and work with video terminals, are particularly exposed to the risk of the effects of this electromagnetic radiation. These people are mainly exposed to the risk of breast tumours. Screens and protection devices which act as filters have now been developed for reducing the harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation; for example, in the textile field, fabrics which can constitute at least partial screening against electromagnetic emissions of particular frequency and wavelength are known.

It is also known to produce garments such as overalls, pinafores, shirts or blouses which, when worn, can screen parts of the human body from electromagnetic waves.

If these garments are made to be worn over normal clothes, however, they are not practical to wear, particularly during normal office work.

Moreover, the hygiene aspect, which is experienced mainly when garments of this type are made, for example, in the form of shirts or blouses to be worn instead of normal clothes, should not be forgotten. The object of the invention is to provide a garment which has screening properties against electromagnetic waves and which, at the same time, can prevent the problems complained of with reference to the prior art mentioned. nifirlnsiira of the invpnf.i nn

This object is achieved by the invention by means of an undergarment of the type indicated, characterized in that, in the said portion, the fabric comprises a weave of non-conductive and conductive threads, the conductive threads being interlaced to form a net of predetermined mesh.

The undergarment thus designed is advantageously suitable to be worn as a conventional undergarment, having the same practicality and appearance but with the ability to achieve effective screening against electromagnetic waves, the screening being limited to the most sensitive parts of the organism such as the genitals and the breasts.

Another advantage, is due to the fact that a garment of this type is normally worn continuously, thus ensuring constant protection of the organism. Rrief description of the drawings

Further advantages and characteristics of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere according to the present invention,

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the brassiere of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale and partially in section,

- Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of a detail of Figure 2 with parts separated,

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail of Figures 3 and 4, on an enlarged scale, - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the brassiere of Figure 1,

- Figures 7 and 8 are partially-sectioned perspective views of a detail of Figure 6.

Best mode of carrying ou the invention In Figure 1, an undergarment according to the present invention having the shape typical of a brassiere, is indicated 1. It should be understood that other garments such as "bodies", corsets, briefs and the like can also be made with the same structure. The brassiere 1 comprises two cups 2, 3 joined to an under and 4.

Each cup 2, 3 is formed of a fabric 5 on which opposed surfaces 5a, 5b are identified.

The fabric 5 comprises interlaced weft and warp threads formed with conductive threads 6 and non- conductive threads 7.

The conductive threads 6 are incorporated in the fabric 5 so as to form a net, indicated 9, of predetermined mesh 8.

The conductive threads 6 preferably comprise one or more stainless-steel (Austenitic steel) .filaments which may be single or intertwined with textile fibres. The mesh preferably has a square or rectangular shape with a side of between 1 mm and 4 mm for screening radiation with a frequency of between 250 and 18000 MHz.

Each surface 5a, 5b of the fabric 5 is covered by a further fabric 10, 11 made of non-conductive threads 7 and constituting an inner and an outer covering for each cup 2, 3, respectively.

The fabric 5 incorporating the net 9 is edged along a peripheral strip of each cup 2, 3 by continuous stitching 12 formed with conductive thread 6.

This stitching 12 establishes an electrical connection between the peripheral meshes 8 of the net 9.

The underband 4 comprises two bands 14, 15 each of which is connected at one end to the corresponding cup 2, 3 and has a respective flap 16, 17 at the opposite end. First and second elements 18, 19 of a rear fastening device 20 of the brassiere are fixed to the respective flaps 16, 17. The elements 18, 19 are constituted, respectively, by a hook-like formation and by an eye of conventional type made of metal.

Stitching, indicated 14a, of conductive thread 6 formed on the band 14 of the underband 4, establishes an electrical connection between each fastening element 18 and the stitching 12 edging the cup 2.

Similarly, stitching, indicated 15a, of conductive thread 6 formed on the band 15 establishes an electrical connection between each fastening element 19 and the stitching 12 edging the cup 3.

The flap 16 incorporates a conductive .panel 20 electrically connected to the fastening elements 19 and positioned so as to be in direct contact with the skin when the brassiere 1 is being worn.

Alternatively, the panel 20 may be replaced by a portion of fabric 5 covering the flap 16 in which the conductive threads 6 are electrically connected to the fastening elements 19 and are arranged so as to be in direct contact with the skin.

When the brassiere 1 is worn, the metallic net 9 forms a screen against electromagnetic waves, in which the screening effect varies with variations of the frequency and the wavelength, according to the mesh 8. With a mesh 8 having a side of 2 mm, an effective screening effect within the radio-frequency range, and particularly of the frequencies in use for radio¬ telephones (900 MHz) is achieved. When the brassiere 1 is worn and the fastening elements 18, 19 are closed, the metal net 9 of each cup 2, 3 is electrically connected to the body (earth) by the panel 20 which is in direct contact with the skin. Accumulations of charge in the nets 9 are thus cancelled out and the accumulations of electrical charge present on the breasts of the person wearing the brassiere are rendered uniform.

Amongst the advantages of the invention, in addition to those already mentioned, is the fact that the particular mechanical characteristics of the steel used for the conductive threads permit limited and controlled deformability of the cups of the brassiere with variations of body and external temperature, at the same time contributing to the retention of shape.

Moreover, the screening effect achieved by the metallic net of conductive threads can be varied by the provision of closer or less close meshes.

Finally, the conductive fabric of the present invention may be used to form parts of other undergarments such as men's and women's briefs, corsets, "bodies" and the like, all falling within the scope of the same inventive concept.

Claims

1. An undergarment with at least one portion made of fabric (5) characterized in that, in the said portion, the fabric comprises a weave of non-conductive threads (7) and conductive threads (6), the conductive threads (6) being interlaced to form a net (9) of predetermined mesh.

2. An undergarment according to Claim 1, in which the conductive threads (6) are metallic threads.

3. An undergarment according to Claim 2, in which the conductive threads (6) are made of stainless steel.

4. An undergarment according to claim 3 in which the steel is Austenitic steel.

5. An undergarment according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the garment is a brassiere.

6. A garment according to Claim 5, in which the fabric portion (5) is incorporated in the portion of the brassiere constituting cups (2, 3) thereof.

7. A garment according to Claim 6, in which the fabric portion incorporating the net (9) is surrounded by a stitching (12) which incorporates the conductive thread (6) and by means of which an electrical connection is established between the peripheral meshes of the net (9) .

8. A garment according to Claim 6, in which the net of conductive threads (6) of the portions of the brassiere constituting the cups (2, 3) is electrically connected to an underband(4) .

9. A garment according to Claim 8, in which the underband (4) comprises a conductive panel (20) associated with the fastening of the brassiere.

10. A garment according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the surfaces of the fabric incorporating the net (9) is covered by a non-conductive fabric (10, 11).

11. A garment according to Claim 10, in which the non- conductive fabric (10) is disposed inside the cups (2,

3).

12. A garment according to Claim 11, in which the fabric incorporating the net (9) is sandwiched between two non-conductive fabrics (10, 11).

13. A garment according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the net (9) has a mesh with a side of between 1 mm and 4 mm for screening radiation of frequencies between 250 and 18000 Mhz.