[0001] This invention relates to a fluid delivery device, to a garment comprising the device
and to a method of delivering fluid using the device. It also relates to an air space
fabric having a helical support and a mattress having a helical support.
[0002] The controlled delivery of fluids is important in many technical fields. For example,
temperature regulation by air conditioning is based on the delivery of air of a predetermined
temperature into a room. Also, many chemical reactions require the delivery of gas
into a reaction vessel and it is often desirable to have the gas provided as a fine
dispersion of small bubbles into a liquid reaction mixture in order to maximise the
rate of the reaction.
[0003] It is known that large enclosed spaces, such as exist in factories, can be heated
by blowing hot air into an extended tube of fabric located near to their ceilings.
The hot air permeates through the fabric and thereby heats the surrounding air inside
the enclosed space. Since the body of fabric into which the hot air is blown is large
and tubular, there is no direction of the hot air towards a particular location. Indeed,
the very purpose of the arrangement is to ensure that hot air is emitted in all directions
to give uniform heating of the surroundings.
[0004] GB-A-2146114 describes the use of cool air to regulate the temperature of a vehicle
seat. The air is provided to the inside of a seat having an apparently conventional
seat cover with a relatively high gas permeability of 200 to 1000 cm
3/cm
2/s. The cavity for the air is provided by a rigid frame structure which makes this
system inflexible and relevant only to this specific type of application. Also, this
high level of porosity makes even distribution of the cool air over the whole of the
seat cover practically impossible.
[0005] EP-A-0840072 relates to gas delivery devices based on double layer textile fabrics
in which a gas is introduced between the layers and permeates out of one or both of
the layers. The devices rely on the porosity of the fabric and the rate of flow of
the gas being adjusted to cause inflation of at least parts of the space between the
sheets of the double layer.
[0006] The devices described in EP-A-0840072 have the disadvantage that the pressure of
the gas and the porosity of the fabric need to be carefully regulated to avoid over-
or under-inflation of the device. Also, at relatively low inflation pressures, articles
placed on a device can cause the double layers of the sheet to collapse back together
and thus prevent effective gas flow around the article.
[0007] The present invention aims to alleviate the difficulties associated with the prior
art devices and achieves this aim by using a specific type of support in a fluid delivery
device.
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a fluid delivery device comprising an
inlet for fluid and two sheets of woven, knitted or non-woven fibres arranged as a
double layer, wherein the double layer comprises one or more fluid delivery regions
in which the sheets are held apart by a helical support to define an internal cavity
within the double layer, the device being arranged such that, in use, fluid from the
inlet passes into the regions and permeates out of the device through one or both
of the sheets.
[0009] The helical supports used in the device of the present invention impart a number
of advantages to the device. They reduce the tendency for the sheets of the double
layer to collapse onto one another when a relatively heavy article is placed on the
device. They also keep the sheets apart, in the vicinity of the support and this means
that the fluid delivery region or regions do not need to be inflated. Thus, relatively
low fluid pressures can be used with the device of the invention. A further advantage
is that the device is strengthened but retains a degree of flexibility, particularly
remaining bendable out of the plane of the double layer. The helical support is preferably
of resiliently deformable material although the helical shape itself will impart a
degree of flexibility. In one embodiment the helical support is made of a plastics
material, for example an acetyl resin plastic. The helical support may have a filament
which is of a "ribbon" shape (having a flat surface) which provides more comfort and
is effective in increasing pressure resistance.
[0010] Furthermore, the device has other textile features including extensibility, durability
to laundering or sterilising, conformability and ease of cutting to shape.
[0011] The sheets of the double layer may be of woven, knitted or non-woven fibres but are
preferably woven. The terms woven, knitted or non-woven, as used herein, cover all
methods of constructing an article from fibres, threads or yarn. Preferably, the sheets
are woven as one fabric. The fibres may be of ceramic material, which is particularly
appropriate when the device is used in a high temperature environment (e.g., greater
than 250°C) but are preferably of organic polymeric material such as polyamides (e.g.,
nylon), aramids (e.g., Kevlar
R), polypropylene, polyester, acrylics (e.g., polyacrylate or polymethacrylate), cellulose
or any other material which may be produced as a fibre. The fabric preferably has
a weight of from 50 to 300 g/m
2.
[0012] The sheets may be made by conventional means well-known in the art. They may be formed
as a roll of fabric which is subsequently cut to the desired lengths. The double layer
arrangement of the sheets may be achieved by forming each sheet separately and then
joining them by, for example, stitching, sealing, heat fusing or using an adhesive,
at suitable places along the length of the double layer sheet. Alternatively, the
two sheets may be formed and joined together simultaneously by conventional double
layer weaving or double layer knitting methods.
[0013] The device of the invention preferably comprises an ordered arrangement of fluid
delivery regions e.g., a plurality of regions which are substantially tubular and
are arranged substantially parallel to each other, across the fabric sheet. This type
of arrangement has the advantage that the fabric is relatively easy to produce and
that the device can be rolled up for storage purposes.
[0014] The fluid delivery regions are preferably separated from each other by areas of the
double layer in which the sheets are joined together. This provides a series of separate
fluid delivery regions, each of which resembles a tube when internally supported by
the helical support. The sheets may be joined together either when the fabric is formed
(e.g., by knitting or weaving as a single layer) or after the fabric has been formed
(e.g., by treating the regions to be joined with an adhesive).
[0015] At least one of the sheets has at least a portion which is fluid permeable. The permeability
of the sheet is chiefly due to the pores between the fibres (e.g., in the threads)
which make up the sheet. Preferably, the permeability is within the range from 0.1
to 10,000 dm
3/m
2/s, more preferably 1 to 1,000 dm
3/m
2/s. Typically, the whole of the sheet, where not adhered to the other sheet in the
double layer, will be fluid permeable. However, when used in the device of the invention,
the sheet may be treated or joined to the other sheet such that only a portion of
it is gas permeable. The degree of permeability of the sheet after it has been formed
may be suitable for many applications and it may not therefore require further treatment.
However, if the permeability of the sheet needs to be reduced for a given application,
this can be achieved by treating the sheet such that a proportion of the pores between
the fibres become partially or completely blocked. Blocking of the pores in this way
may be carried out by methods which are well-known in the art such as treatment with
an aqueous dispersion of a polymer (e.g., PVC, polyacrylate or polyurethane) or transfer
coating with an impermeable polymer film.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention in which both sheets of the double layer fabric
in the device are permeable to fluid, the device may comprise a series of two or more
superimposed double layers which are stacked such that the fluid delivery regions
in one part of the double layer overlap the areas in which the sheets are joined together
in an adjacent double layer. In this way, the device can be made such that when viewed
in cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the double layer, a helical support
is always present. Such an arrangement is advantageous if the device forms all or
part of a garment which is required to provide the wearer with protection against
attack (e.g., by a sharp object). The overlapping double layers may be part of the
same continuous sheet (i.e., overlapped on itself) or they may be separate sheets
connected to the same or different fluid inlets.
[0017] In an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the double layers do not overlap,
one of the sheets may be fluid permeable and the other may be substantially impermeable.
Such an arrangement has the advantage of allowing fluid to be delivered from all (or
part) of one face of the double layer sheet only. The ability to direct fluid in this
way is a clear advantage of the invention. The sheet which is substantially impermeable
may be formed initially in the same way as the fluid permeable sheet and subsequently
treated with a material which renders the sheet substantially impermeable. Treatments
to render the sheet impermeable include, for example, coating the sheet with an impervious
coating of a polymer (such as a film of polyurethane, polyethylene or polypropylene)
which may be applied to the sheet using an adhesive either directly or indirectly
by transfer from a release paper. Alternatively, the substantially impermeable sheet
may be formed separately from the permeable sheet and may be made substantially impermeable
by increasing the density of the fibres in the fabric and/or reducing the size of
the pores.
[0018] The device comprises an inlet for fluid which directs fluid to the region or regions
between the sheets. Fluid may be supplied by any means of providing fluid at a pressure
greater than atmospheric pressure such as a compressor or a cylinder of pressurised
gas. If the device has more than one fluid delivery region, the inlet may comprise
a manifold arrangement for directing fluid from a single supply to each of the fluid-delivery
regions of the device.
[0019] The device of the invention is particularly useful in clothing which is intended
to regulate air flow and the temperature of air, around parts of the body. Therefore,
the present invention also provides a garment comprising the device of the invention.
The garment may be a jacket or a bodysuit, such as a flying suit, and may provide
the wearer with a degree of protection against sharp objects and/or projectiles. The
garment can also provide the wearer with some protection against impact or friction.
Clearly, the choice of materials for the double layer and the helical support will
dictate the protective properties of the garment in this regard. A garment comprising
the device of the invention also has the advantage that the sheets of the double layer
do not simply collapse on themselves in the event of a failure of the gas supply and
the wearer is therefore left with a degree of circulation of air. The device may also
be used in, for example, insulation garments (e.g., underwater wear or gloves). It
may also provide an air gap for shoes or back packs or the like.
[0020] An embodiment of the invention which is particularly suitable for use in a garment
comprises fluid delivery regions which are connected to the inlet for fluid and fluid
delivery regions which remain unconnected or connected to fluid at reduced pressure.
Where the device of the invention comprises an ordered arrangement of a plurality
of substantially parallel fluid delivery regions, this can be achieved by connecting
only alternate fluid delivery regions to the inlet for fluid, for example. By keeping
fluid delivery regions unconnected in this way, fluid (e.g., air) may be allowed to
circulate away from the skin of the wearer of the garment and this can be useful in
the event of a failure of the fluid flow.
[0021] An alternative embodiment of the invention particularly suitable for use in a garment
has an impermeable or reduced permeability coating on one of the sheets which is discontinuous
such that the device still permits the flow of fluid through the two sheets. Such
a device may be produced by coating one of the sheets (i.e., on one face of the double
layer only) over the fluid delivery regions, such that the fluid is delivered predominantly
or only from one face of the double layer, and leaving the areas between the fluid
delivery regions uncoated so that fluid can permeate through these areas. Alternatively,
the whole of one face of the double layer fabric can be coated and then parts of the
coated layer can be removed to leave a single layer of fabric as the area between
the fluid delivery regions. Thus, the wearer of the garment is again provided with
a degree of "breathability" in the garment in the event of a failure of the fluid
flow. This embodiment of the invention may involve a series of overlapping double
layers.
[0022] The nature of the fluid which is delivered by the device will depend on its intended
use. The fluid may be a liquid or a liquid/gas mixture but is preferably a gas. For
example, in the case of the garments mentioned above, the gas will, typically, be
air. Generally, the gas may consist of a single element or compound or may comprise
a mixture of two or more elements or compounds. Reactive gases (such as hydrogen or
the halogens) may be used, for example where the device is used to deliver a gas into
the liquid phase of a chemical reaction. Alternatively, the device may be used to
supply relatively inert gases (such as argon and the other noble gases, carbon dioxide
or nitrogen) to provide an inert gas atmosphere. The device may also be used in the
aeration of water, for example. Gases might also be delivered to plants to control
their growth or their ripening e.g., carbon dioxide which can speed up the growth
rate of plants such as tomatoes.
[0023] In another application, the device of the invention may be used in a spurge system
for the scrubbing of air. Soiled air is pumped into the device by way of the fluid
inlet, with the device being present within a tank of aqueous cleansing solution.
The air permeates out of the device as a fine dispersion of bubbles enabling efficient
cleansing of the air by the cleansing solution.
[0024] The device may also be used to regulate the temperature of an article or a region
by a method which comprises delivering gas of a predetermined temperature. For this
application, the gas is preferably air. A particular application of the device is
in maintaining comestible products (such as packaged or unpackaged foodstuffs) at
a temperature below room temperature (e.g., -10 to 10°C). Conventionally, the transport
of comestible products within a food processing or packaging facility, for example
on a conveyor belt, has caused difficulties since it has been necessary either to
transport the products quickly through an area which is at room temperature (which
may be undesirable as regards the perishability of the product) or to keep the whole
of the area at a reduced temperature (which is undesirable for an area in which people
need to work). The device of the present invention overcomes these problems since
it allows cold air to be supplied directly to the product and its immediate surroundings
and therefore need not significantly affect the environment outside this zone. Since
the device of the invention can be made light and flexible, it may itself form the
conveyor belt on which the food is transported. The device of the invention is particularly
advantageous for this application because the helical supports allow the flow of air
(or other gas) to be maintained when a heavy article is placed on the device or when
the device is bent or kinked. Alternatively, one or more than one of the devices of
the invention can be disposed above a conventional conveyor belt to direct cold air
at the product. The device or devices may also be disposed above or below a conveyor
belt which allows air to pass through it by, for example, being made from a chain-type
arrangement. The device has the advantage of greatly reducing the tendency for moisture
from the surrounding warmer air to condense onto the foodstuff or its packaging.
[0025] The device of the invention may be used in other areas in the food industry. For
example, it may be used as a support for foodstuffs in display areas (e.g., display
cabinets). It may also be used for the rapid chilling or freezing of foodstuffs, for
example, by supplying cooled gas (e.g., air); such an arrangement has the advantage
of being able to supply the cooling effect directly to where it is needed. It may
also be used in trays used in the transit of food, or shelves in storage rooms to
provide rapid cooling of cooked foods etc.
[0026] Examples of other applications in which the device of the invention may be useful
are in ventilated seats (e.g., for transport vehicles, such as cars, lorries or trains),
blankets for providing a heating or cooling effect, articles for the healing of wounds,
hot or cold treatment of joints, and incontinence bedding or clothing. Furthermore,
the device of the invention may also be used in other agriculture applications (for
example, in undersoil irrigation, aeration of soil or grain in silos, providing localised
warm air to plants or to provide a microclimate for mushrooms), or to provide an under
tarmac or temporary road surface, or to provide an insulation gap for walls, or as
a low water drag hull covering in boats.
[0027] The device of the invention may be partially connected to a source of reduced pressure.
By connecting parts of the device to a source of fluid at a pressure above atmospheric
pressure and other parts of the device to a source of reduced pressure, the fluid
can be recirculated (or otherwise recycled) using the device. For example, where the
device of the invention comprises a plurality of fluid delivery regions, alternate
regions may be connected to a source of fluid and to the source of reduced pressure,
respectively. Thus, the general direction of fluid flow is from one fluid delivery
region, over the surface of the device, to a neighbouring region. The helical supports
prevent the regions which are connected to the source of reduced pressure from collapsing.
[0028] The device of the invention may also be wholly connected to a source of reduced pressure.
This allows the device to be used as a filter, in certain applications, by inserting
the device into a liquid containing solid particles and applying the reduced pressure
to the device such that only the liquid is drawn through the device with the solid
being unable to pass through the sheets of the double layer. The helical supports
again prevent collapse of the regions which are under reduced pressure.
[0029] The device of the invention may also be used in applications where a forced supply
of fluid to the device is not required. In these applications, therefore, an inlet
for fluid is not needed. Thus, in another embodiment, the invention provides a fabric
comprising two sheets of woven, knitted or non-woven fibres arranged as a double layer
wherein the double layer comprises a plurality of regions in which the sheets are
held apart by a helical support to define an internal cavity within the double layer.
Conventionally, spacer fabrics are generally used to keep two surfaces apart whilst
providing a degree of thermal insulation and, preferably, air flow in the region between
the surfaces. In one embodiment of the invention, the fabric of the invention allows
fluid to flow into the regions in which the sheets are held apart by the helical supports
(e.g., by keeping the ends of the regions, at the edge of the fabric, open) and, preferably,
to permeate through one or both of the sheets. The fabric is preferably knitted. However,
in an embodiment in which fluid is not allowed to permeate through one or both of
the sheets, the fabric may be in the form of an air space fabric or the like having
a helical support. The invention may provide a significantly higher crush resistance
than conventional spacer fabrics and be light in weight.
[0030] In the embodiment in which a fluid inlet is not needed, the sheets and helical support
may take the optional or preferred forms mentioned above. Furthermore, in order to
maximise freedom of air access to the skin when used as bedding, clothing or the like,
the fabric may have a high percentage of fluid relative to solid material (fibres
and helical supports), for example of the order of 95% to 5% by volume. Typically,
the thickness of the fabric without an inlet may be between 0.5 to 1cm in such embodiments,
but any suitable thickness could be used.
[0031] This device may be used in many of the applications mentioned above, for example
in garments. In the embodiment in which fluid is not allowed to permeate either of
the sheets, it is particularly useful for insulation garments, such as underwater
wear or gloves, or to provide an insulation gap for walls, or in loft insulation.
An especially high insulation effect could be provided if a vacuum is created within
a structure which has an impermeable coating on both faces and sealed edges. An effect
similar to that found in vacuum flasks and can be achieved in garments for example,
if a reflective surface is provided on the inner face, for example if it is aluminised.
In the embodiment in which a vacuum is provided a coating provided may be a nitrile
coating to prevent a reduction in the vacuum. However, when used to provide an air
gap for shoes or back packs or the like, an impermeable coating would not be required
over the whole of the device.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is formed from two sheets
of fabric with alternate bands of the sheets being joined together (for example, by
being woven, sealed or adhered to each other) and being unconnected, across the direction
of production of the fabric. Helical supports are put into the fluid delivery regions
to provide a structure which resembles a series of connected parallel tubes and the
regions in which the sheets are unattached are connected to an inlet for fluid at
one edge of the sheet and are sealed at the opposite edge (again, for example, by
being woven, heat sealed or adhered to each other).
[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mattress
comprising two sheets arranged as a double layer, wherein the double layer comprises
a plurality of regions in which the sheets are held apart by a rotatable helical support
lying substantially in the plane of the sheets to define an internal cavity within
the double layer. Whilst the sheets may be formed of any material they are preferably
of woven, knitted or non-woven fibres. This embodiment is particularly useful to prevent
or reduce bed sores or the like as the rotatable supports provide a constantly movable
surface when activated. A foam layer may be provided on top of the double layer. The
supports may be activated by any mechanism, one example being a switch connected to
a rack and pinion arrangement. The supports are preferably coated with a friction-reducing
substance, for example PTFE and preferably adjacent supports are formed in opposition
orientations ("S" or "Z" forms) to each adjacent support to prevent significant movement
of a patient relative to the mattress. The device differs from existing bed-sore prevention
devices in that the movement is on such a small scale that injured patients would
not suffer aggravation of injury. The mattress may be provided with a fluid inlet
from which fluid may pass into the regions and permeates out, although this is not
essential.
[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 shows a device according to the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a helical support which may be used in the device of the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view, in cross-section, showing the arrangement of fluid
delivery regions in a device of the invention;
Figure 4 depicts a device of the invention in which the double layers overlap;
Figure 5 shows a device according to the invention which is a modification of the
device of Figures 1 and 3; and
Figure 6 (a) and (b) show possible opposite orientations of the helical support.
[0035] Referring to Figure 1, fluid delivery device 1 comprises an inlet for fluid 2 which
directs fluid via manifold 3 to fluid delivery regions 4. The fluid delivery regions
4 are formed as part of a sheet of double layer fabric which comprises joined areas
5 in which the two layers of the fabric are attached (or woven together) as a single
sheet and unjoined areas which constitute fluid delivery regions 4. Connection between
manifold 3 and regions 4 can be via direct connection of manifold 3 to each of regions
4 or by way of intermediate connecting tubes (not shown in the figure).
[0036] The fabric used to make the double layer can be of any fibres (e.g., polyamide, such
as nylon or polyaramid, or polyester) depending on the use to which the device 1 is
to be put. If parts of the fabric are desired to be impermeable to the fluid, then
these parts can be treated with a coating.
[0037] The ends of the fluid delivery regions 4 which are furthermost from the manifold
3 are sealed. Thus, when fluid (e.g., gas) is introduced through inlet 2 and passes
through manifold 3 and into fluid delivery regions 4, it exits from device 1 by passing
out of the permeable sheet or sheets which form the boundaries of regions 4.
[0038] Regions 4 are supported by helical supports (not shown in the figure) and a suitable
helical support 6 is shown in Figure 2. Helical support 6 may be a coiled spring of
resiliently deformable material (such as metal, for example).
[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a cross-section along line A-A of Figure 1
and shows how helical supports 6 reinforce fluid delivery regions 4. In this figure,
the lower sheet 8 of the double layer has applied to it an impermeable layer 7, although
it could equally be permeable like the upper sheet 9. Helical supports 6 maintain
regions 4 in a substantially tubular form.
[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view, from the same angle and for the same cross-section
as Figure 3, illustrating an embodiment of the invention in which the device 1 contains
overlapping double layer fabrics 10, 11. In this embodiment of the invention, the
sheets are permeable where the two fabrics 8, 9 meet (the fabrics 10, 11 may be different
fabrics or different parts of the same fabric). With this overlapping arrangement,
helical supports 6 strengthen the device 1 and can provide a barrier to penetration
of the device 1 across the whole of its width and length.
[0041] In Figure 5, a modification of the device of Figures 1 and 3 is shown. In the device
1a of Figure 5, fluid delivery regions 4a, supported by helical supports 6a, have
an impermeable layer 7a applied to their lower sheet 8a. Impermeable layer 7a can
be applied throughout the length of fluid delivery regions 4a or to only parts of
the fluid delivery regions 4a and may be applied to all of the fluid delivery regions
4a or only to some of them. By coating fluid delivery regions 4a with impermeable
layer 7a, fluid permeates only out of upper sheet 9a of fluid delivery regions 4a
and thus fluid is delivered from one face only of device 1a i.e., the uppermost face
as shown in the Figure. Fluid delivery regions 4a are separated by joined areas 5a
in which the two layers of the fabric are woven as a single sheet (or otherwise joined
together). Unlike the device shown in Figures 1 and 3, joined areas 5a do not have
an impermeable layer applied thereto and, therefore, they retain their permeability
to fluid. The permeability of joined areas 5a makes the device 1a shown in Figure
5 particularly advantageous for use as part of a garment. Using the device 1a in a
garment means that fluid (e.g., gas) can be directed at the wearer of the garment
from one face of the device 1a only (i.e., the uppermost face as shown in the Figure),
avoiding wasteful flow of fluid away from the wearer as a result of impermeable coating
7a, and, in the event of an interruption in the fluid flow (e.g., because of a pump
failure), the permeability of joined areas 5a allows warm air and moisture to circulate
around and away from the wearer's skin. Sections of the coated layer 7a could be cut
away to increase the natural breathability of the product, if desired.
[0042] The devices 1, 1a shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5 are suitable for use as other fabrics
of the invention if constructed without inlet 2 and manifold 3 shown in Figure 1.
When the devices are used as such fabrics, the ends of the fluid delivery regions
4 which are furthermost from the manifold 3 are preferably left open (i.e., they are
not sealed).
[0043] The above arrangements can be used in a mattress to prevent or diminish bed sores
or the like if the helical supports 6 and 6a are rotatable to provide a constantly
moving surface on which a patient lies. The helical supports 6, 6a lie substantially
in the same plane as the sheets as shown in, for example Figure 3. A rack and pinion
mechanism may be used to rotate the supports 6 or 6a. To prevent a patient being caused
to be moved up or down a mattress comprising such a device, each helical support is
in an opposite orientation to its adjacent helical supports. These orientations are
shown in Figure 6 in which Figure 6 (a) shows the "Z" form and Figure 6 (b) shows
the "S" form. In this embodiment a friction-reducing coating is on the helical supports
6 or 6 (a) in order that they can continue to rotate even whilst under the weight
of a patient.
1. Fluid delivery device comprising an inlet for fluid and two sheets of woven, knitted
or non-woven fibres arranged as a double layer, wherein the double layer comprises
one or more fluid delivery regions in which the sheets are held apart by a helical
support to define an internal cavity within the double layer, the device being arranged
such that, in use, fluid from the inlet passes into the regions and permeates out
of the device through one or both of the sheets.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sheets comprise a fabric of woven fibres.
3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the two sheets are woven as one fabric.
4. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, which comprises a plurality of fluid
delivery regions which are substantially tubular and are arranged substantially parallel
to each other.
5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluid delivery regions are separated from
each other by areas of double layer in which the sheets are joined together.
6. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the helical support is of resiliently
deformable material.
7. Device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, which comprises two or more double layers
stacked together.
8. Device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the double layers are stacked such that the
fluid delivery regions in one double layer overlap the areas in which the sheets are
joined together in an adjacent double layer.
9. Device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one of the sheets of one or
more of the fluid delivery regions is impermeable to fluid.
10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein one sheet of each fluid delivery region is impermeable
to fluid, with all of the impermeable sheets being on the same side of the double
layer, and the areas between the regions are permeable to fluid.
11. Garment comprising the device of any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. Method of delivering fluid comprising providing the fluid from a device according
to any one of claims 1 to 10.
13. Method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fluid is a gas of a predetermined temperature
such that it regulates the temperature of its surroundings.
14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the gas is at a temperature below room temperature.
15. Method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the gas is delivered to a
comestible product.
16. Fabric comprising two sheets of woven, knitted or non-woven fibres arranged as a double
layer, wherein the double layer comprises a plurality of regions in which the sheets
are held apart by a helical support to define an internal cavity within the double
layer.
17. A fabric according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the sheets is permeable
to fluid.
18. A fabric according to claim 16, wherein both of the sheets are impermeable to fluid.
19. A fabric according to claim 18, wherein a vacuum is provided in the internal cavity.
20. A mattress comprising two sheets arranged as a double layer, wherein the double layer
comprises a plurality of regions in which the sheets are held apart by a rotatable
helical support lying substantially in the plane of the sheets to define an internal
cavity within the double layer.
21. A mattress according to claim 20, wherein the helical support is coated with a friction-reducing
substance.
22. A mattress according to claim 20 or 21, wherein each helical support is formed in
an opposite orientation to an adjacent helical support.
1. Fluidabgabevorrichtung, umfassend einen Einlass für Fluid und zwei als Doppelschicht
angeordnete Lagen von gewebten, gewirkten oder Vlies-Fasern, bei der die Doppelschicht
einen oder mehrere Fluidabgabebereiche umfasst, in denen die Lagen durch eine schraubenförmige
Abstützung auseinander gehalten werden, um einen inneren Hohlraum innerhalb der Doppelschicht
zu begrenzen, wobei die Vorrichtung so angeordnet ist, dass im Gebrauch Fluid aus
dem Einlass in die Bereiche gelangt und durch eine oder beide der Lagen aus der Vorrichtung
heraus dringt.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Lagen ein Textilerzeugnis aus gewebten Fasern
umfassen.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, bei der die zwei Lagen als ein Textilerzeugnis
gewebt sind.
4. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, die eine Mehrzahl von Fluidabgabebereichen
umfasst, welche im Wesentlichen röhrenförmig sind und im Wesentlichen parallel zueinander
angeordnet sind.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, bei der die Fluidabgabebereiche voneinander durch Doppelschichtflächen
getrennt sind, in denen die Lagen miteinander verbunden sind.
6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, bei der die schraubenförmige Abstützung
aus elastisch verformbarem Material besteht.
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5 oder Anspruch 6, die zwei oder mehr übereinander gestapelte
Doppelschichten umfasst.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, bei der die Doppelschichten so gestapelt sind, dass die
Fluidabgabebereiche in einer Doppelschicht die Flächen überlappen, in denen die Lagen
in einer benachbarten Doppelschicht miteinander verbunden sind.
9. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, bei der eine der Lagen von einem oder
mehreren der Fluidabgabebereiche für Fluid undurchlässig ist.
10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, bei der eine Lage von jedem Fluidabgabebereich für Fluid
undurchlässig ist, wobei sich sämtliche der undurchlässigen Lagen auf derselben Seite
der Doppelschicht befinden und die Flächen zwischen den Bereichen für Fluid durchlässig
sind.
11. Bekleidungsstück, umfassend die Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10.
12. Verfahren zum Abgeben von Fluid, umfassend Bereitstellen des Fluids aus einer Vorrichtung
nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, bei dem das Fluid ein Gas von vorbestimmter Temperatur
ist, so dass es die Temperatur seiner Umgebung reguliert.
14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 13, bei dem sich das Gas auf einer Temperatur unterhalb von
Raumtemperatur befindet.
15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 12 bis 14, bei dem das Gas an ein essbares Produkt
abgegeben wird.
16. Textilerzeugnis, umfassend zwei als Doppelschicht angeordnete Lagen von gewebten,
gewirkten oder Vlies-Fasern, bei dem die Doppelschicht eine Mehrzahl von Bereichen
umfasst, in denen die Lagen durch eine schraubenförmige Abstützung auseinander gehalten
werden, um einen inneren Hohlraum innerhalb der Doppelschicht zu begrenzen.
17. Textilerzeugnis nach Anspruch 16, bei dem mindestens ein Teil der Lagen für Fluid
durchlässig ist.
18. Textilerzeugnis nach Anspruch 16, bei dem beide der Lagen für Fluid undurchlässig
sind.
19. Textilerzeugnis nach Anspruch 18, bei dem im inneren Hohlraum ein Unterdruck vorgesehen
ist.
20. Matratze, umfassend zwei als Doppelschicht angeordnete Lagen, bei der die Doppelschicht
eine Mehrzahl von Bereichen umfasst, in denen die Lagen durch eine drehbare schraubenförmige
Abstützung auseinander gehalten werden, die im Wesentlichen in der Ebene der Lagen
liegt, um einen inneren Hohlraum innerhalb der Doppelschicht zu begrenzen.
21. Matratze nach Anspruch 20, bei der die schraubenförmige Abstützung mit einer reibungsmindernden
Substanz beschichtet ist.
22. Matratze nach Anspruch 20 oder 21, bei der jede schraubenförmige Abstützung in einer
entgegengesetzten Ausrichtung zu einer benachbarten schraubenförmigen Abstützung ausgebildet
ist.
1. Dispositif d'administration de fluide comprenant une admission pour le fluide et deux
feuilles de fibres tissées, tricotées ou non tissées disposées en double couche, dans
lequel la double couche comprend une ou plusieurs zones d'administration de fluide
dans lesquelles les feuilles sont maintenues à distance par un support hélicoïdal
pour former une cavité interne dans la double couche, le dispositif étant disposé
de sorte que, en pratique, le fluide de l'admission passe dans les zones et s'infiltre
en dehors du dispositif par une feuille ou les deux.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les feuilles comprennent un tissu
en fibres tissées.
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les deux feuilles sont tissées
comme un seul tissu.
4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, qui comprend une pluralité
de zones d'administration de fluide qui sont essentiellement tubulaires et sont disposées
principalement parallèlement les unes aux autres.
5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les zones d'administration de fluide
sont séparées les unes des autres par des régions de double couche dans lesquelles
les feuilles se rejoignent.
6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le support
hélicoïdal est composé d'un matériau déformable de façon résiliente.
7. Dispositif selon la revendication 5 ou 6, qui comprend deux doubles couches ou plus
empilées les unes sur les autres.
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les doubles couches sont empilées
de sorte que les zones d'administration de fluide d'une double couche chevauchent
les zones dans lesquelles les feuilles se rejoignent dans une double couche adjacente.
9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel une des feuilles
d'une ou plusieurs zones d'administration de fluide est imperméable au fluide.
10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, dans lequel une feuille de chaque zone d'administration
de fluide est imperméable au fluide, toutes les feuilles imperméables étant du même
côté de la double couche, et les régions entre les zones sont perméables au fluide.
11. Vêtement comprenant le dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10.
12. Procédé d'administration du fluide comprenant l'approvisionnement du fluide à partir
d'un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10.
13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le fluide est un gaz d'une température
prédéterminée de sorte qu'il régule la température des environs.
14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le gaz est à une température inférieure
à la température ambiante.
15. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 14, dans lequel le gaz est
administré à un produit comestible.
16. Tissu comprenant deux feuilles de fibres tissées, tricotées ou non tissées disposées
sous forme de double couche, dans lequel la double couche comprend une pluralité de
zones dans lesquelles les feuilles sont maintenues à distance par un support hélicoïdal
pour former une cavité interne dans la double couche.
17. Tissu selon la revendication 16, dans lequel au moins une partie des feuilles est
perméable au fluide.
18. Tissu selon la revendication 16, dans lequel les deux feuilles sont imperméables au
fluide.
19. Tissu selon la revendication 18, dans lequel un vide est créé dans la cavité interne.
20. Matelas comprenant deux feuilles disposées sous forme de double couche, dans lequel
la double couche comprend une pluralité de zones dans lesquelles les feuilles sont
maintenues à distance par un support hélicoïdal rotatif situé essentiellement sur
le plan des feuilles pour former une cavité interne dans la double couche.
21. Matelas selon la revendication 20, dans lequel le support hélicoïdal est recouvert
d'une substance qui réduit les frottements.
22. Matelas selon la revendication 20 ou 21, dans lequel chaque support hélicoïdal est
formé dans une orientation opposée à un support hélicoïdal adjacent.