Fabric with Flow Restricting Core

Abstract

A stitched fabric including a barrier layer; a yarn stitched through and forming stitch holes in the barrier layer, and a foam core formed over the barrier layer. A melted portion of the barrier layer fills at least a portion of the stitch holes. The foam core is prevented from progressing further into the stitched fabric by the barrier layer. As such, the barrier layer is configured to control a depth to which the foam core penetrates into the stitched fabric. The foam core may be formed over at least a portion of the yarn. A second foam core may be formed on a side of the barrier layer opposite the foam core.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stitched fabric, comprising:
 a barrier layer;   a yarn stitched through and forming stitch holes in the barrier layer, wherein a melted portion of the barrier layer fills at least a portion of the stitch holes; and   a foam core formed over the barrier layer.   
     
     
         2 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core is prevented from progressing further into the stitched fabric by the barrier layer. 
     
     
         3 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer is configured to control a depth to which the foam core penetrates into the stitched fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core is formed over at least a portion of the yarn. 
     
     
         5 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core completely covers the yarn on one side of the stitched fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core abuts the barrier layer. 
     
     
         7 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core extends over an entire length and width of the barrier layer. 
     
     
         8 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core comprises a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a polyurethane. 
     
     
         9 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least one surface of the foam core is hydrophobic or hydrophilic. 
     
     
         10 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein a second foam core is formed on a side of the barrier layer opposite the foam core. 
     
     
         11 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein a melted portion of the barrier layer entirely fills the stitch holes. 
     
     
         12 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer comprises a first material with a first melting point and a second material with a second melting point lower than the first melting point. 
     
     
         13 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn is one of a polyester yarn and a carbon fiber. 
     
     
         14 . The stitched fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core comprises an expanded foam agent. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a stitched fabric, comprising:
 stitching a yarn through and forming stitch holes in a barrier layer;   melting a portion of the barrier layer to fill at least a portion of the stitch holes; and   forming a foam core over the barrier layer.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the foam core by expanding a foaming agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the foam core by heating a foaming agent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising preventing the foam core from progressing further into the stitched fabric using the barrier layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the foam core over the yarn projecting from the barrier layer on one side of the stitched fabric. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the foam core using a polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising melting the portion of the barrier layer to entirely fill the stitch holes. 
     
     
         22 . A stitched fabric, comprising:
 a barrier layer;   a yarn stitched through and forming stitch holes in the barrier layer, wherein a melted portion of the barrier layer fills at least a portion of the stitch holes; and   a coating formed over the barrier layer.   
     
     
         23 . The stitched fabric of  claim 22 , wherein the coating is prevented from progressing further into the stitched fabric by the barrier layer. 
     
     
         24 . The stitched fabric of  claim 22 , wherein the coating comprises a polyurethane. 
     
     
         25 . The stitched fabric of  claim 24 , wherein the coating is non-foaming. 
     
     
         26 . The stitched fabric of  claim 22 , wherein the barrier layer supports or includes a radiant reflective film. 
     
     
         27 . A stitched fabric, comprising:
 a non-woven barrier layer;   a yarn stitched through and forming stitch holes in the non-woven barrier layer; and   a foam core formed over the non-woven barrier layer.   
     
     
         28 . The stitched fabric of  claim 27 , wherein the non-woven barrier layer includes or supports a radiant reflective film. 
     
     
         29 . The stitched fabric of  claim 27 , wherein the foam core is prevented from progressing further into the stitched fabric by the non-woven barrier layer. 
     
     
         30 . The stitched fabric of  claim 27 , wherein the non-woven barrier layer is configured to control a depth to which the foam core penetrates into the stitched fabric. 
     
     
         31 . A stitched fabric, comprising:
 a non-woven barrier layer;   a yarn stitched through and forming stitch holes in the non-woven barrier layer; and   a coating formed over the barrier layer.   
     
     
         32 . The stitched fabric of  claim 31 , wherein the coating comprises a polyurethane.