Low permeability fabric

Abstract

A fabric comprising a plurality of coiled yarns arranged in side-by-side intermeshing relationship and having elongated pintles extending through intermeshed portions of the yarn. Elongated stuffer elements extend through central portion of each of the coils in between adjacent pintles. The stuffer elements respond to a given input after insertion to expand and fill the central portions of each of the coils. The input may be temperature, light, sound, chemical and tension. In one form, the stuffer elements formed from auxetic material which is placed in tension, after insertion, to cause the stuffer elements to expand and reduce the permeability of the fabric.

1 . A fabric comprising:
 a plurality of coiled monofilaments arranged in side-by-side, intermeshing relationship and elongated pintles extending through intermeshed portions of said coiled monofilaments; and   elongated stuffer elements extending through central portions of each of said coils in between adjacent pintles, said stuffer elements responding to a given input after insertion to expand and fill the central portions of each of said coils.   
   
   
       2 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to a temperature input to expand in place. 
   
   
       3 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to a light input to expand in place. 
   
   
       4 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to a sound input to expand in place. 
   
   
       5 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to chemical input to expand in place. 
   
   
       6 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to applied tension to expand in place. 
   
   
       7 . A fabric as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said stuffer elements are formed from auxetic material. 
   
   
       8 . A method of forming a fabric comprising the steps of:
 arranging a plurality of coiled monofilaments in side-by-side intermeshing relationships;   extending pintles through intermeshed portions of said coiled monofilaments;   extending tubular stuffer elements through central portions of said monofilaments in between said pintles, said tubular stuffer elements being responsive to a given input to expand and fill the central portion of each of said coils; and   after said stuffer elements are in place, subjecting them to said given input.   
   
   
       9 . A method of forming a fabric as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to temperature input to expand and after said stuffer elements are in place said stuffer elements are subjected to a temperature input. 
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to a light input to expand and after said stuffer elements are in place said elements are subjected to a sound input. 
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to a chemical input to expand and said chemical input is applied to said stuffer elements after they are in place. 
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said stuffer elements are responsive to tension to expand and said stuffer elements are subjected to tension after they are in place. 
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said stuffer elements are auxetic. 
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said stuffer elements are pressed into place in between said pintles thereby reducing their thickness for insertion. 
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said stuffer elements are kept in tension by securing them to outer edges of said fabric.