Abstract:
A radiation protector is disclosed for protecting against radiation having a wavelength. The radiation protector comprises a carbon layer comprising a carbon weave in the form of a veil or mesh, and having an outer edge. A metal layer comprises a metal fabric weave, and has an outer edge. The outer edge of the metal layer is recessed from the outer edge of the metal layer by a width w, wherein w is a fraction of a the wavelength of the radiation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This Application is a non-provisional of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/585,600, entitled “Hood and Garment That Protects Against Cellular Phone and Microwave Energy”, filed Jan. 11, 2012, and is a non-provisional of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/560,490, entitled “Fabric That Protects Against Cellular Phone Energy”, filed Nov. 16, 2011, and claims priority from those Applications and incorporates them by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a radiation protector for mobile devices and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a radiation protector that may be customized to the wavelength of an electronic device emitting potentially harmful radiation to provide maximum protection. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Cell phones and other mobile devices are extremely prevalent nowadays, being used not only for communications but also for entertainment purposes. However, the effect of mobile phone radiation on human health is the subject of recent interest and study, as a result of the enormous increase in mobile phone usage throughout the world (as of November 2011, there were more than 5.981 billion subscriptions worldwide). Mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range. Other digital wireless systems, such as data communication networks, produce similar radiation. 
         [0004]    The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified mobile phone radiation on the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) scale into Group 2B—possibly carcinogenic. That means that there could be some risk of carcinogenicity, so additional research into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones needs to be conducted. Some national radiation advisory authorities have recommended measures to minimize exposure to their citizens as a precautionary approach. 
         [0005]    In February 2009, the telecom company Bouygues Telecom was ordered to take down a mobile phone mast due to uncertainty about its effect on health. Residents in the commune Charbonnières in the Rhône department had sued the company claiming adverse health effects from the radiation emitted by the 19 meter tall antenna. The milestone ruling by the Versailles Court of Appeal reversed the burden of proof which is usual in such cases by emphasizing the extreme divergence between different countries in assessing safe limits for such radiation. The court stated, considering that, while the reality of the risk remains hypothetical, it becomes clear from reading the contributions and scientific publications produced in debate and the divergent legislative positions taken in various countries, that uncertainty over the harmlessness of exposure to the waves emitted by relay antennas persists and can be considered serious and reasonable. 
         [0006]    In October 2012 Italian high court (Corte suprema di cassazione) granted an Italian businessman, Innocente Marcoloni a pension for occupational disease, as they found a causal link with his benign brain tumor to mobile phones and cordless phones, that the businessman had used for six hours a day during twelve years. As it takes time to develop cancer, the court disregarded short-term studies. The Court also disregarded studies that were even partially funded by the mobile phone industry such as the INTERPHONE. 
         [0007]    To counter the effects of this harmful radiation, metallic shields have been developed. Unfortunately, these metallic shields alone are insufficient to absorb the harmful radiation emitted by these electronic devices to the point where it would not harm the body. Therefore, there is still a need for a shield that can absorb the harmful radiation emitted by these mobile devices to allow users to use these devices without harm. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to a preferred embodiment, a radiation protector, said radiation having a wavelength, comprises a carbon layer comprising a carbon weave, and having an outer edge; and a metal layer comprising a metal fabric weave, and having an outer edge; wherein the outer edge of the metal layer is recessed from the outer edge of the metal layer by a width w, wherein w is a fraction of a the wavelength of the radiation. 
         [0009]    According to another preferred embodiment, a garment for radiation protection comprises an inner layer of garment fabric; and a carbon fabric layer; a metal fabric layer; an electro-magnetic absorbent layer; and an outer layer of garment fabric. 
         [0010]    According to another preferred embodiment, a radiation protector, said radiation having a wavelength, comprises a carbon layer comprising a carbon weaving mesh, and having an outer edge, or border, and a metal layer comprising a metal fabric weave; wherein the metal layer is recessed from the carbon layer by a width w, where w is a fraction, for example, ½ to ⅛, of the wavelength of the radiation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a fabric that protects against cellular phone energy according to one embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is diagrammatic front elevational view of an exemplary mobile phone holder that can utilize the fabric of  FIG. 1  to protect a user according to one embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is diagrammatic back elevational view of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is diagrammatic side elevational view of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the unfolded assembly of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic back elevational view of the unfolded assembly of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic side perspective view of the hood garment that may use the fabric of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8 , an exploded diagrammatic side view of the hood garment of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0020]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0021]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a radiation protector for mobile devices and the like. With reference to  FIG. 1 , a diagrammatic view of a fabric that protects against cellular phone energy according to one embodiment is shown. The fabric  100  may be used to shield microwave energy transmitted to and from a portable electronic device such as a cell phone, or the like. The fabric  100  may be attached to a pocket of a garment such as a pair of pants, or some location where a user wears the electronic device. The fabric  100  may also be integrated into a hat at a location that will protect a user&#39;s ear. 
         [0022]    The fabric  100  may comprise a carbon layer or weave  10  and a metal layer  20 . In one embodiment, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the metal layer  20  may comprise an aluminum weave. 
         [0023]    The carbon layer  10  may absorb the microwave energy and convert the energy into heat. The metal layer  20  may conduct and dissipate the heat from the carbon layer  10 . The metal layer  20  may preferably be located on the outside surface of the carbon layer  10  so that the heat may be transferred from the fabric through convection. In one embodiment, the carbon layer  10  may include an additional optional inner layer of foam  30  that may provide a thermal insulation for the user from the heat generated in the carbon layer  20 . 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the metal layer  20  may comprise a weave of a metal material, such as aluminum or copper, and a garment material such as cotton. In one embodiment, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the metal layer  20  may comprise 90% cotton and a 10% metal weave. 
         [0025]    The actual thickness measurements and densities of the layers need not be fixed and may comprise different measurements and densities according to applications in different embodiments. However, by way of example and not by limitation, in one embodiment, the metal layer  20  may comprise a metal fabric weave may be 0.445 mm thick and have a density of metal of 0.115 gm/m 2 . 
         [0026]    By way of example and not by way of limitation, according to one embodiment, the carbon layer  10  may comprise a weave of a carbon fiber and garment material. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the carbon layer may be 0.66 mm thick and have a carbon density of 0.349 gm/m 2 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, for maximum effectiveness in radiation protection, the outer edge  22  of the metal layer  20  may be recessed from the outer edge  12  of the carbon layer  10 . In  FIG. 1 , the distance between the outer edge  12  and the outer edge  22  is shown as width w. In one embodiment, width w may relate to the wavelength of signals of the mobile device being used. For example, mobile phones make use of various bands of radio frequencies to communicate between the mobile phone to a base station for a cell and the base station to mobile phone. In Europe, for example, these frequencies include 900 and 1800 MHz. In the United States and Canada, these frequencies include 850 and 1900 MHz. 
         [0028]    The relationship between the wavelength, the speed of light and the frequency follows the well-known formula: 
         [0000]      Wavelength λ(m)=speed/frequency= c (ms −1 )/ v (Hz)
 
         [0000]      λ(m)=300,000,000 /v (Hz) or approximately:
 
         [0000]      λ(m)=300 /v (MHz)
 
         [0029]    So for a mid-range of about 1000 MHz (1 GHz) a typical mobile phone wavelength is about: 
         [0000]      λ=300/1000=0.3m=30cm.
 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, width w may be configured to be one eighth (⅛) the wavelength of the particular mobile device, or by way of example and not by way of limitation, 3.75 cm for a mobile phone using a 30 cm signal wavelength. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment w may be configured to be one fourth (¼) the wavelength of the particular mobile device, or by way of example and not by way of limitation, 7.5 cm for a mobile phone using a 30 cm signal wavelength. 
         [0032]    In other embodiments, there may be other effective fractions of the mobile device&#39;s wavelength by which w may be configured for maximum radiation protection. In other words: 
         [0000]    
       
      
       w=λ/x  
      
     
         [0000]    where x represents a selected denominator of a fraction of the wavelength to determine width w. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the carbon layer  10  may be in the form of a mesh to increase the cavity volume, and therefore decrease the photon density energy from the electronic device based on the following equation: 
         [0000]      Number of modes per unit wavelength/cavity volume=(−1 /L   3 )( dN/d λ)=8π/λ 4  
 
         [0000]    Where L is the diameter of the cavity, d is the differential of the wavelength. In one embodiment, the mesh is woven in different coordinate-systems to increase effectiveness in blocking the radiation from all directions. This may also aid in transparency for the user to view and use phone operations within the protective covering. 
         [0034]    The fabric  100  may be used anywhere a user desires to gain protection from radio wave radiation. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the fabric  100  may be used to make garment pockets, cell phone holders (as described below), clothing lining (such as the hood described below), and the like. The specific examples described herein are meant to illustrate mere examples, and are not described in the limiting sense. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a diagrammatic front elevational view of an exemplary mobile phone holder  200  that can utilize the fabric  100  of  FIG. 1  to protect a user according to one embodiment is shown. In one embodiment, the carbon layer  10  may comprise a main body of the mobile phone holder, folded around the bottom, leaving a top opening in which the mobile phone may be inserted. 
         [0036]    With reference  FIG. 3 , a diagrammatic back elevational view of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the carbon layer  10  may be folded over to form a pocket shape for the holder  200  of the mobile phone. However, sewn into the back portion of the holder  200  shown in  FIG. 3  may be the metal layer  20 . In one embodiment, the metal layer  10  may be sewn in between two sub layers of the carbon layer  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the metal layer  10  may be sized such that the width w requirements explained above are met. 
         [0037]    With reference back to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, an optional feature includes a peelable front panel  202  that may be peeled back to expose a touch screen on a smart phone that is in use with the holder  200 . Further, the front panel  202  may be of sufficiently thin carbon such that it is reasonably transparent so the user may view operations on the smart phone&#39;s face, and so the user may peel back the front panel  202  to operate the touch screen when needed. Further, a side seam  206  may be separable from the rest of the body of the holder to allow for peeling back of the front panel. Finally, a pull tab  204  provides for easy pulling of the front panel  202 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a diagrammatic side elevational view of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2  is shown. When the fabric  100  is folded over to form the holder  200 , side panels  300  may be used to form the sides of the holder  200 . In one embodiment, the side panels  300  may be sewn to the front and back portions of the folded fabric  100 , and may be made of a suitable material, such as elastic gore, Velcro®, or the like. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a diagrammatic front elevational view of the unfolded assembly of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2  is shown. With reference to  FIG. 6 , a diagrammatic back elevational view of the unfolded assembly of the mobile phone holder of  FIG. 2  is shown. The unfolded assembly diagrams of  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the ease of manufacture of the holder  200 . Once the metal layer  20  is sewn into the carbon layer  10 , the manufacturer merely needs to fold over the assembly and sew in the side panels  300  to form the assembled holder  200 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a diagrammatic side perspective view of a hood garment  700  that may use the fabric  100  of  FIG. 1  is shown. On the outer layer of both sides of the hood, there are one or more small pockets  702  for hands free, bluetooth, or earphone devices. 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , an exploded diagrammatic side view of the hood garment of  FIG. 7  is shown. The layers of fabric may be seamed at the edges, or additionally quilted for stability. The hood  700  may comprise five layers of fabric. The inner layer  704  may be made of conventional fabric and is selected for comfort near the skin. The next layer  706  may be made of a radiofrequency absorbing material, typically carbon fiber-based. A third metal layer  708  may comprise a metallic fiber that reflects the electro-magnetic waves. A fourth, partial layer  710 , which may be, in one embodiment, approximately two inches wide at the edge of the hood, may also be made of absorbing material to attenuate any surface electro-magnetic waves which may travel to the edge of the metallic layer. A fifth and outer layer  712  may comprise a conventional fabric chosen for appearance, flexibility, and durability. 
         [0042]    A pocket  702  of conventional fabric may be attached to the side of the hood, positioned to place the cell phone, or a hands-free device, over the ear for hands-free use. The pocket  702  may be adjustable to accommodate people of different sizes. Alternatively, multiple pockets  702  may be provided to allow the user to select which pocket to use two most closely bring the hands-free device to the user&#39;s ear. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the hood garment  700  may comprise a carbon fabric layer  706  and a metal (e.g., silver, copper, or aluminum) layer  708 , and a conventional fabric (such as silk) could be added to avoid allergic reactions, discomfort, and the like, if any. The carbon layer  706  may absorb the microwave energy and convert the energy into heat. The metal layer  708  may conduct and reflect the microwave radiation and heat generated by a mobile phone during the time it is on or in use. The metal layer  708  may be located on the outside surface of the conventional fabric or carbon layer so that the radiation and heat may be transferred from the fabric through convection. The hood garment  700  may include an inner and outer layer of fabric for comfort and style. 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, the metal layer  708  may be a knitting of a metal (silver, copper, aluminum) material and garment material, such as cotton having surface resistivity of approximately 3 ohms to approximately 200 ohms. The metal layer  708  may comprise approximately 70 percent to approximately 90% garment material, such as cotton, rayon, and the like, and approximately 7% to approximately 20% of the metal. In one embodiment, it may comprise approximately 84 percent of the garment material, and approximately 16% of the metal. The metal fabric  708  may be 0.225 mm to 0.700 mm thick, and may be 0.445 mm thick and have a weight of approximately 100 gm/m 2  to approximately 200 gm/m 2 . In one embodiment, the metal fabric may have a weight of approximately 134 gm/m 2 . The yarn count of the metal fabric may be approximately 64/30 dtex to approximately 22/106 dtex with a jersey knit, or weave. In one embodiment, the metal fabric may have a yarn count of approximately 44/12 dtex. 
         [0045]    The carbon fabric may be a weave of approximately 1×1 to approximately 4×4 twill, and preferably approximately 2×2 twill, with approximately 2000 thread to approximately 6000 thread carbon fiber and fabric material, but preferably 4000 thread. The carbon fiber fabric and garment material may be approximately 30 percent to approximately 70 percent carbon, and preferably 65 percent carbon, with approximately 1 inch to approximately 10 inches of overlap, and preferably approximately 3 inches to approximately 6 inches of overlap as shown in the figures. 
         [0046]    The carbon layer  708  on the hood and any garment may be approximately 0.4 mm to approximately 2 mm thick. In one embodiment the carbon layer  708  is approximately 0.66 mm thick. The carbon layer  708  may have a density of approximately 100 g/m 2  to approximately 500 g/m 2 . In one embodiment, the carbon layer is approximately 349 gm/m 2 . The fabric may also be used as carrying bag linings. 
         [0047]    In embodiments using three side pockets  702 , each side of the hood may have three pockets aligned vertically. Each pocket  702  may be 1.5 inch wide and 1 inch high. The total area covered by the pockets maybe 2.5 inches wide and 5 inches high. 
         [0048]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.