Reflective printing on flame resistant fabrics
OwnerKaren Kelleher, Michael Stanhopeinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retroreflective garment constructed of flame resistant fabric. The garment is light-weight and can be single or double layered. Garments that can be constructed of flame resistant fabric with retroreflective elements applied thereon include garments such as, for example, shirts, pants, coveralls, jumpsuits, jackets, gloves, hats, etc. The flame resistant fabric has a coefficient of retroreflection of about 10 to about 500 candelas per lux per square meter. In addition, the retroreflective elements cover at least about 5 percent of the outer surface of the flame resistant fabric.
Claims65
A light-weight, single layered garment comprising:
- a flame resistant fabric comprising an outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers upon which a composition including a plurality of retroreflective elements has been directly applied, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers.
A light-weight, single layered garment comprising:
- a flame resistant fabric comprising an outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers, wherein substantially all of the fibers of the outer surface have a plurality of retroreflective elements directly applied thereto, and wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements are included in a retroreflective binder.
A light-weight, two layered garment, comprising:
- an outer fabric layer that is constructed of a flame resistant fabric comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers, and wherein a composition including a plurality of retroreflective elements has been applied directly to the fibers of the outer surface;
- and
- an inner fabric layer disposed on the inner surface side of the outer fabric layer.
A method of constructing a retroreflective garment that is light-weight and has a single layer, comprising the steps of:
- providing a flame resistant fabric that has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers;
- providing a plurality of retroreflective elements;
- and
- applying to the fibers of the outer surface of the flame resistant fabric a composition including the plurality of retroreflective elements.
A method of constructing a retroreflective garment that is light-weight and has two layers, comprising the steps of:
- providing an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer, the outer fabric layer comprising a flame resistant fabric that has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers;
- providing a plurality of retroreflective elements;
- and
- applying to the fibers of the outer surface of the flame resistant fabric a composition including the plurality of retroreflective elements.
A light-weight, single layered garment comprising:
- a flame resistant fabric comprising an outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers;
- a binder coating the fibers of the fabric;
- and
- retroreflective microspheres embedded in the binder.
A light-weight, single layered garment comprising:
- a flame resistant fabric comprising
- an outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and fine resistant cotton fibers, wherein substantially all of the fibers of the outer surface are coated with a binder;
- and
- retroreflective microspheres embedded in the binder.
A light-weight, two layered garment, comprising:
- an outer fabric layer that is constructed of a flame resistant fabric comprising
- an inner surface, and
- an outer surface, the outer surface defined by a plurality of fibers, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers, wherein a binder coats the fibers, and wherein retroreflective microspheres are embedded in the binder;
- and
- an inner fabric layer disposed on the inner surface side of the outer fabric layer.
A method of constructing a retroreflective garment that is light-weight, comprising the steps of:
- applying the retroreflective elements to fibers of an outer surface of a flame resistant fabric via flat screen printing, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers.
A method of constructing a retroreflective garment that is light-weight, comprising the steps of:
- applying the retroreflective elements to fibers of an outer surface of a flame resistant fabric via rotary screen printing, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers.
A method of constructing a retroreflective garment that is light-weight, comprising the steps of:
- applying the retroreflective elements to fibers of an outer surface of a flame resistant fabric via transfer film techniques, the fibers comprising at least one of aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers, polybenzoxazole fibers, melamine fibers, modacrylic fibers, flame resistant rayon fibers, and flame resistant cotton fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.