Abstract This invention relates to novel fabrics characterized by thermal insulation properties which change in response to changes in environmental temperature. The fabrics contain hollow inflatable elements having entrapped therein a gas and a solvent material which can be converted from liquid to solid phase by temperature changes within the environment of usage, said solvent material dissolving more of the gas when in the liquid phase than in the solvent phase. The elements contain more gas than can be dissolved by the solvent material within the elements when this material is in the solid phase and thus lowering the environmental temperature, so as to convert said material from the liquid to the solid phase, results in the expulsion of gas formerly dissolved in the liquid phase. The expelled gas inflates the inflatable elements within the fabric and increases the thermal-insulating properties of the fabric.
A fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein said composition is liquid at 70* F. and above.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fabric material as claimed in claim 2 wherein said composition solidifies within the temperature range of about 65* F. to -50* F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fabric material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elements are in the form of sealed hollow filaments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fabric material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elements are in the form of sealed envelopes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fabric material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said solvent forms a crystalline material on solidifying.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fabric as claimed in claim 1 wherein different compositions solidifying at different temperatures are contained within separate elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fabric material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elements are in the form of capsules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A fabric material as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elements have a curved or zigzag shape and assume a straighter configuration when said gas is expelled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A hollow inflatable filament suitable for use in fabrics, said filament having sealed therein a composition comprising a gas and a material which in the liquid state dissolves a greater amount of said gas than when said material is in the solid state, the amount of gas sealed in said filament beiNg greater than the amount of gas which can be dissolved by the material sealed in said filament when said material is in the solid state, whereby on freezing said material, gas expelled therefrom and inflates said filament.