Substrate incorporating non-woven elements

Abstract

The invention provides a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of first filamentary members oriented in a first direction. The first filamentary members are arranged in spaced apart relation to one another. The substrate also includes a plurality of second filamentary members oriented in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The second filamentary members are spaced apart from one another. The second filamentary members are interlaced with the first filamentary members to define an open mesh. The substrate also includes a plurality of elongated strips of non-woven material oriented in the first direction. Each of the non-woven strips is positioned between at least two of the first filamentary members and interlaced with the second filamentary members.

1 . A substrate comprising: 
 a plurality of first filamentary members oriented in a first direction and arranged in spaced apart relation to one another;    a plurality of second filamentary members oriented in a second direction transverse to said first direction and arranged in spaced apart relation to one another and interlaced with said plurality of first filamentary members thereby defining an open mesh with a plurality of interstices; and    a plurality of elongated strips of non-woven material oriented in said first direction, each of said non-woven strips being positioned between two of said plurality of first filamentary members and between two of said plurality of second filamentary members.    
     
     
         2 . The substrate of  claim 1  wherein at least two of said plurality of first filamentary members are position between two of said plurality of elongated strips.  
     
     
         3 . The substrate of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of second filamentary members includes a plurality of monofilaments.  
     
     
         4 . The substrate of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of second filamentary members are biased into a circular shape such that said substrate forms a tube.  
     
     
         5 . The substrate of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of elongated strips are formed from a material selected from the group comprising polyester, polypropylene, nylon, nylon felt, fiberglass, elastomers, and foam.  
     
     
         6 . The substrate of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an electrically conducting material coated on said plurality of elongated strips.    
     
     
         7 . The substrate of  claim 7  wherein said electrically conducting material is further defined as at least one of carbon, aluminum, silver and gold.  
     
     
         8 . The substrate of  claim 7  wherein said plurality of second filamentary members are further defined as being electrically conductive.  
     
     
         9 . The substrate of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a drain wire extending parallel to said plurality of elongate strips and interlaced with said plurality of second filamentary members.    
     
     
         10 . The substrate of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a reflective layer overlying said plurality of first filamentary members and said plurality of second filamentary members and said plurality of elongated strips.    
     
     
         11 . The substrate of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of first filamentary members is a warp knit course.  
     
     
         12 . The substrate of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 insertion elements oriented in the second direction and interlaced with at least some of said plurality of first filamentary members.    
     
     
         13 . The substrate of  claim 12  wherein said insertion elements are further defined as being interlaced with less than all of said plurality of first filamentary members.  
     
     
         14 . The substrate of  claim 12  wherein said insertion elements are further defined as being interlaced with all of said plurality of first filamentary members.  
     
     
         15 . The substrate of  claim 12  wherein said insertion elements are further defined as heat fusible yarns.  
     
     
         16 . The substrate of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a reflective foil adhered to said heat fusible yarns.    
     
     
         17 . A method for forming a substrate comprising the steps of: 
 first orienting a plurality of first filamentary members in a first direction arranged in spaced apart relation to one another;    second orienting a plurality of second filamentary members in a second direction transverse to the first direction arranged in spaced apart relation to one another and interlaced with the first filamentary members thereby defining an open mesh with a plurality of interstices; and    third orienting a plurality of elongated strips of non-woven material in the first direction, each of the non-woven strips being positioned between two of the first filamentary members and between two of the second filamentary members.    
     
     
         19 . The method of claim  18  wherein said second orienting step is further defined as: 
 weaving the plurality of first filamentary members and the plurality of second filamentary members with respect to one another.    
     
     
         20 . The method of claim  18  wherein said second orienting step is further defined as: 
 warp knitting the plurality of first filamentary members and the plurality of second filamentary members with respect to one another.