Abstract:
A pocket liner for a garment pocket or laptop case/tray having material that blocks RF radiation by mobile devices located in the garment or case/tray by persons wearing the garment or using the case/tray from reaching the person&#39;s body. The pocket liner when located next to a side of a garment pocket, case/tray that faces the person protects the person from RF radiation but does not prevent associated mobile device from receiving communications. Said liner when used in as a laptop case/tray will also prevent RF radiation to the body. Said liner can also be crafted for a carrying case pocket for computing devices serving to prevent both RF radiation as well as help shield to prevent Cyber intrusion from occurring within the device. Application for the pocket liner can be sewn, ironed on, glued on, during or after manufacturing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a pocket or case liner having material that blocks RF radiation emitted by a mobile device located in the pocket of a garment or case from reaching a person wearing or holding the garment or case More specifically, in one embodiment of the invention the liner material that blocks RF radiation is located next to a side of a garment pocket that faces a person wearing the garment but does not block RF radiation from being received and sent by an RF emitting device in the pocket thru the other side of the garment pocket that faces the outside the garment. In another embodiment of the invention the material that blocks RF radiation is located on both sides of the garment pocket and the RF emitting device is located between the two layers of the liner material that blocks RF radiation. With this embodiment the liner facing the inside of the garment blocks RF radiation from reaching the person wearing or holding the garment and the liner facing the outside of the garment blocks RF radiation from reaching the device. Thus the device cannot receive or transmit RF radiation. With either embodiment the person is protected from receiving RF radiation. However, with the second embodiment the device is more completely shielded and is protected against Cyber Intrusion. Cyber Intrusion is the ability of a third party to access information without permission which is located in the device (hijacking). 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Recent reports by some health and safety interest groups have suggested that cancer and other illnesses may be caused by radiation from wireless devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, i-pods and laptops. When a cellular phone is switched on but is not being used to either make or receive a call, it will automatically transmit a short signal to the nearest cellular tower to tell the computers at the switching center where he/she is located for receiving phone calls. A mobile telephone also transmits when it is actually being used to make a call. Thus, a cellular phone generates radiation continuously when being used and intermittently when waiting to make or receive a call. 
         [0005]    It is believed by many that there is a risk that radiation from a cellular phone may be harmful and shielding devices for use with cellular phones have been proposed in the prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,309 to Tashjian discloses a substantially rectangular shield portion of aluminum which extends vertically upward from the top of a cellular phone adjacent to the antenna to shield the user from the microwave emissions from the antenna. The majority of the radiation is deflected and the remaining radiation which could contact the user is absorbed. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,866 to Cykiert discloses a substantially rectangular shield portion which extends vertically upward from the top of a cellular phone adjacent to the antenna 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,217 to Wong discloses a portable telephone which has an antenna structure that directs radiated energy away from the user&#39;s head. An external transmission antenna is disposed within a jacket for the portable telephone. A grounded metallic surface is interposed between the antenna and the user&#39;s head. The metallic surface is spaced apart from the radiating element of the transmission antenna by one-quarter of the effective wavelength, so as to maximize the reflection of energy away from the user&#39;s head. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,603 to Wilson discloses a shielding device having an electrically conductive element, supporting means slidably supporting the conductive element, means to mount the supporting means in position relative to the communication device and means to slide the electrically conductive element from a retracted position to an extended position. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,223 to Tashjian discloses a shielding device having a flat internal flexible conductive sheath which is positioned on the top of a flat non-conductive sheathing with a border of non-conductive sheathing extending outwardly thereabout. The cellular or cordless telephone is positioned thereon and the shielding device is wrapped thereabout and locked with an elastic strap, for storage only. 
         [0010]    US PreGrant Pub. No. 2001/0041545 to Liberman; et al., discloses a radiation blocking device for use with a portable communication apparatus such as a cordless or cellular phone. The device has a radiation shield and a connector for attaching the shield to the apparatus. The shield is sized and shaped to reflect radiation emitted by the antenna which would otherwise strike the head of a user of the apparatus. The shield also reflects and absorbs heat emitted by the antenna, reducing the amount of such heat incident on the user&#39;s head and is in the shape of an arc of a circle. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,896 to Katz discloses a one piece lightweight protective electro-magnetic radiation shielded jacket to contain a cellular telephone within it with an attached outside antenna with a tilt and swivel base to permit the user to tilt and swivel the antenna away from the user&#39;s head. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a liner for a pocket of a garment or a laptop case comprising: 
         [0013]    a first material that blocks RF radiation emitted by a mobile device adapted to be located next to a side of the garment pocket that faces a person wearing the garment; 
         [0014]    wherein RF radiation from a mobile device located in the pocket of the garment is blocked from passing thru the material to a person wearing the garment. 
         [0015]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of lining a pocket of a garment with a material that blocks RF radiation from a mobile device comprises:
       locating a first material that blocks RF radiation next to a side of the garment pocket that faces a person wearing the garment;   wherein RF radiation from a mobile device in the pocket of the garment is blocked from passing thru the material to a person wearing the garment.       
 
         [0018]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a liner for a pocket of a garment or a pouch comprising: 
         [0019]    a material that blocks RF radiation emitted by a mobile device; 
         [0020]    wherein each side of the pocket or the pouch is of the material that blocks RF radiation from a mobile device located in the pocket or the pouch; and
       wherein a mobile device located in the pocket or the pouch can neither send RF radiation thru the pocket or pouch nor receive RF radiation from an external device while in the pocket or pouch and is totally shielded against Cyber Intrusion, the ability of a third party to access the mobile device.       
 
         [0022]    The foregoing has outlined the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows the obverse side of a garment pocket liner having radio frequency blocking material (shown in phantom) on the reverse side of the pocket that blocks radio frequencies from a mobile device such as a cellular phone, an I-PAD, etc. located in the pocket liner from reaching a person wearing the garment where the reverse side of the pocket liner is located adjacent to the side of the pocket that faces the inside of the garment and the obverse side of the pocket liner faces the outside of the garment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows the reverse side of the pocket liner of  FIG. 1  for lining a garment pocket showing radio frequency blocking material that blocks radio frequencies from mobile devices from reaching a person&#39;s body; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of  FIG. 1  showing the pocket liner located in a garment pocket and including a mobile radio frequency emitting device; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a typical cellular phone clip on carrier which attaches to a person&#39;s belt; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the cellular phone clip on carrier of  FIG. 4  showing the material that blocks radio frequencies from a mobile device such as a cellular phone, I-POD, etc. located in the carrier from reaching the wearer&#39;s body; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows various pockets in garments worn by a man in business attire into which the pocket liner here disclosed can be placed to prevent RF radiation emitted by a mobile device located in a lined pocket from reaching the garment wearer but not prevent RF radiation being transmitted from or received by the mobile device and carrying a laptop case which may also be used as a laptop shield for protecting the person from RF rays and can also be used as a laptop tray; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    Recent reports by health groups suggest that wireless device use may be linked to cancer and other illnesses. Even though no scientific evidence currently establishes a definite link between wireless device use and cancer or other illnesses, some parties recommend keeping wireless devices away from the user&#39;s body when they are on, and not attaching them to a belt. 
         [0032]    While RF energy from mobile devices including cellular phones, IPods, and laptop doesn&#39;t ionize particles, they can increase body temperatures and cause tissue damage. Two areas of the body, the eyes and the testes, are particularly vulnerable to RF heating because there is relatively little blood flow in them to carry away excess heat. Some studies have shown that mobile phones can interfere with implanted cardiac pacemakers if a phone is used in close proximity (within about 8 inches) of a pacemaker. 
         [0000]    As noted above, a cellular phone emits RF radiation intermittently when waiting to be used, and continuously emits radiation while being used. 
         [0033]    One step that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has suggested that cellular telephone users can take if they are concerned about potential health risks from cellular telephones is to place more distance between the antenna of the cellular phone and the head of the phone user. 
         [0034]    A report published in November 2004 by researchers from Sweden showed an increased risk of acoustic neuroma in long-term (10 years or more) cellular telephone users compared with short-term users. The FDA, which has primary jurisdiction for investigating mobile phone safety, has stated that it cannot rule out the possibility of risk. Further, it has stated that, while there is no proof that cellular telephones can be harmful, concerned individuals can take various precautionary actions by providing a greater separation distance between the user and the radiating antenna 
         [0035]    People are carrying Radio Frequency emitting devices such as cellular phones, laptops, MP3 players and I-PODS either attached to their belts, in pockets in their clothing or in cases. The FDA has reported that although thermal effects may account for the positive reports that RF radiation enhances the actions of genotoxic agents, the evidence for epigenetic effects must be taken seriously and that further research is needed in this area to clarify the position. 
         [0036]    Many of the processes associated with reproduction are especially sensitive to toxic influences. Meiosis (the division of cells to produce sperm and eggs), fertilization and implantation of the embryo can all be disturbed by toxic insults. The high rates of cell division and differentiation in the developing fetus make it particularly vulnerable. It is well known that some drugs and environmental hazards have damaging (teratogenic) effects on the developing embryo or fetus at exposure levels that pose little or no risk to the adult animal. It is therefore important to assess the possible effects of RF fields on fertility and development 
         [0037]    From the above it is important that a person be shielded from the harmful effects of radiation from cellular phones and other RF radiating devices. An effective method of providing RF shielding from both intermittent and continuous RF radiation from a cellular phone is to carry the cellular phone in the pocket of a garment where the pocket, regardless of its location on the garment, shields the person from the harmful effects of radiation from a cellular phone. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the obverse side of a pocket for lining a garment pocket having radio frequency blocking material (shown in phantom) on the reverse side of the pocket that blocks radio frequencies from a mobile device such as a cellular phone located in the pocket liner from reaching the person&#39;s body where the reverse side of the pocket liner is located adjacent to the side of the pocket that faces the inside of the garment and the obverse side of the pocket liner faces the outside of the garment. The pocket liner is adapted to be inserted into a garment pocket and attached to the pocket by being ironed to the pocket or stitched to the pocket before, during or after the garment is manufactured. The reverse side of the pocket, the side that is closest to the person&#39;s body, includes a material that prevents and/or inhibits the passage of RF radiation. The obverse side of the of the pocket liner, the side that faces away from the person&#39;s body is of a material that allows RF radiation to pass thru to reach a cellular phone located in the lined pocket. Thus, the pocket liner protects a person from harmful RF radiation emitted from a cellular phone while still allowing the cellular phone to transmit and receive RF signals. 
         [0039]    Continuing with  FIG. 1 , there is shown the obverse side  12  of the garment pocket liner  10 , the side of the pocket liner that is located adjacent to the side of the pocket that faces the outside of the garment, and the RF blocking material  14  shown in phantom. The overall size and shape of the garment pocket liner is not fixed, but can vary in size and shape to allow it to be placed into pockets of various sizes and shapes. It should be slightly smaller than the pocket into which it is to be placed to provide a snug fit when placed in the receiving pocket. In addition, the fabric of the garment pocket liner can be soft and flexible, semi-flexible or stiff and should replicate as closely as possible the various physical and texture characteristics of the pocket material into which it is to be placed such as weave, material, color, feel, etc. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the reverse side  16  of the pocket liner of  FIG. 1  for lining a garment pocket showing material  14  that blocks radio frequencies from mobile devices located on the outside of the reverse side of the liner. The RF blocking material  14  faces the side of the pocket that faces the inside of the garment. The material can be a single layer of RF blocking material or it can be a laminate of an RF blocking material attached to a fabric which has the physical and color properties and characteristics of the pocket of the garment. 
         [0041]    The surface of the reverse side of the pocket can be coated with a heat sensitive adhesive which will allow the liner to be attached to the pocket by ironing. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment the adhesive can be pressure sensitive to allow the liner to be attached to the pocket by applying pressure. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment the liner can be attached to the pocket by stitching. 
         [0044]    In still another embodiment the liner can be attached to the pocket with Velcro or a pressure sensitive adhesive to allow the liner to be removed by a user when desired. 
         [0045]    Thus, the liner can be permanently of temporarily attached to the garment pocket. 
         [0046]    The RF blocking material  14  is a flexible sheet of material which inhibits or blocks the passage of RF radiation from a mobile device such as a cellular phone, laptop, I-POD, etc. It can be a conductive cloth of copper and polyester blend, a copper mesh or screen, an aluminum mesh of screen, an iron mesh or screen, a sheet of a blend of conductive and/or magnetic particles and a flexible plastic, or any material that can be made as a thin sheet of flexible material which blocks RF radiation from a mobile device. The thin sheet of flexible material can be used as the only sheet of material attached to the garment pocket, or it can be attached to a material to provide a laminate of two or more layers. When formed as a laminate, the RF blocking material can be the side which is attached to a garment pocket by stitching or with an adhesive, and a material having characteristics and properties of the garment pocket overlays the RF blocking material and can be attached to the reverse side of RF blocking material with stitching or with an adhesive. When the garment is a pair of blue jeans where the rear pockets of the jeans are of relatively heavy material, it may be desirable to make the non-blocking side of the pocket liner of thin material to keep the thickness of the pocket as thin as possible. In another embodiment, the non-blocking side of the pocket liner can be eliminated. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a side view of  FIG. 1  where the pocket liner is located in a garment pocket and includes a mobile radio frequency emitting device such as a cellular phone. The pocket liner is made of two materials, material  12 , the material that is located away from the body and toward the outside of the garment is a soft material that allows a mobile device to receive and transmit RF signals, and RF blocking material  14 , depicted by the zig-zag pattern, which blocks radio signals from a mobile device to protect the body of a person from harmful RF radiation. The pocket liner can be attached to the garment or the garment pocket with an adhesive that is pressure sensitive, is an iron on heat sensitive adhesive, or with stitching. In addition, either side or both sides of the pocket liner can be attached to the garment pocket. The mobile device  18  which is in the pocket liner can be any mobile device that emits radio frequencies such as, but limited to, a cell phone, an MP3 device, an I-POD, etc. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a side view of a clip on type cellular phone carrier  20  which can be attached to a person&#39;s belt. The front or obverse side  22  of the clip on carrier is of a material that allows radio frequencies from a cellular phone to pass thru the front side of the pocket. A layer of RF blocking material  26  which is attached to the reverse side  28  of the clip on carrier can be located either on the inside of the pocket or on the outside of the pocket to block RF radiation from a cellular phone in the pocket from passing thru to contact a user. The layer of RF blocking material can be attached to the clip on carrier by stitching, or with an adhesive which is either heat or pressure sensitive. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the cellular phone clip on carrier of  FIG. 4  showing the radio frequency blocking material on the outside surface of the reverse side of the cellular phone carrier. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows a man in business attire  28  wearing a shirt  30 , a suit jacket  32  and pants  34 , each having at least one pocket into which the pocket liner here disclosed can be placed to prevent RF radiation from a mobile device located in a lined pocket from reaching the garment wearer, but not prevent RF radiation from being transmitted from or received by a mobile device located in the pocket. For example, the liner can be placed in one or more of pockets  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  in the garments and/or on belt clip cellular phone carrier  44  The pocket liner can be included in one or more pockets of a garment as the garment is being manufactured or it can be inserted into a pocket as a liner after the manufacturing process. When the liner is added to the garment after it is manufactured, the liner can be applied by simply inserting it into a pocket of an existing suit, shirt, pants, dress, shorts, or any other article of clothing that has a pocket and attaching the liner to the pocket of the garment by sewing, by using Velcro or with a heat or pressure sensitive adhesive that is on the liner. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment and referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a side view of a pocket  50  for lining a pocket or case having radio frequency blocking material  52 , shown as a cross hatched line. on both the reverse side and obverse side of the pocket to block radio frequencies from being received or transmitted by a mobile device  54  such as a cellular phone, I-POD, or laptop, etc. located in the pocket liner. Thus, the mobile device  54  can neither receive RF radiation from an external source nor transmit RF radiation to a person&#39;s body. As noted above, the reverse side of the pocket liner is located adjacent to the side of the pocket that faces the inside of the garment and the obverse side of the pocket liner faces the outside of the garment. To prevent RF radiation from entering or leaving the pocket, a flap  60  can be provide which folds over the top of the pocket. The pocket liner is adapted to be inserted into a garment pocket or case and attached by being ironed or stitched into the pocket ur case before, during or after manufacturing. The reverse side of the pocket, the side that is closest to the person&#39;s body, includes a material that prevents and/or inhibits the passage of RF radiation. The obverse side of the of the pocket liner, the side that faces away from the person&#39;s body also includes a material that prevents and/or inhibits the passage of RF radiation and prevents RF radiation from reaching a cellular phone, laptop, I-POD, etc. located in the lined pocket. Thus, the pocket liner protects a person from harmful RF radiation emitted from RF radiation emitting mobile devices and, at the same time prevents the device from transmitting and receiving RF signals. Thus, the mobile device such as a cellular phone, laptop, an I-POD, or any confidential data storage device is totally shielded against Cyber Intrusion, the ability of a third party from accessing the mobile device. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment the pocket can be a double pocket is which a person can either place the mobile device in the shielded area such as the pocket of  FIG. 7  where the mobile device can neither receive nor transmit RF signal, or it can be placed in a partially shielded pocket where the mobile device can transmit and receive RF signals but RF radiation cannot be received by a person wearing the pocket. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment, a pouch such as a laptop case having radio frequency blocking material on both sides of the pouch can be provided to block radio frequencies from being received or transmitted by a mobile device such as a computer located in the pouch. Thus, the computer, while in the pouch can neither receive RF radiation from an external source nor transmit RF radiation to an external source and is totally shielded against Cyber Intrusion, the ability of a third party to access the computer. Many people use the laptop on their laps during which time harmful RF radiation is being emitted. By using the pouch, the laptop case as a tray between their lap and the laptop, the user will have a higher level of RF radiation protection. 
         [0054]    While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.