Method of fluid transport

• US 6,320,160 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Osmolife A.S.
• Original Assignee: Consensus AB
• Inventors: Eidsnes, Trond, Ellingsen, Olav
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAHBOUR, HENRY
• Application Number:
  US09/446,519
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 219/211, 219/212, 219/209, 219/210, 219/217, 219/528, 219/529, 219/545, 219/549, 36/43, 36/44, 361/224, 442/179, 252/62.9 R, 428/408
• US Class Current: 219/211
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/002 with controlled internal environment
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/04 characterised by special function or use protective clothing affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents or for use at high altitudes A62B17/00; composition of materials for coverings or clothing affording protection against harmful chemical agents A62D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/12 Hygroscopic; Water retaining
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/145 using layered materials

Abstract

A method for the transport of liquid in a textile or porous structure, whereby the liquid is forced to travel through the textile with the aid of electric pulses applied to a conductor or semi-conductor which is woven onto, or in some other fashion applied to, each side of the material which may be a single textile or several layers of textiles which together form a laminate.

Claims

1. A method of transporting liquid in a porous textile material selected from the group consisting of clothing, garments, shoes and tents, which comprises forcing the liquid to travel through the material by applying electric pulses to conductors or semiconductors which are associated to each side of the material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material comprises several layers of textiles which together form a laminate.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductors and semiconductors are woven onto the material.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductors and semiconductors are printed onto the material.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductors and semiconductors are thread-shaped and adapted to be woven into a garment to be treated.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductors and semiconductors comprise a perforated film adapted to be attached to a garment to be treated.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductors and semiconductors are connected to an electric pulse transmitter, which comprises an oscillating electric generator adapted to be attached to a garment worn by a person and actuated by the person'"'"'s own movements.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the oscillating electric generator comprises a spring-suspended permanent magnet, a coil and a housing.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the oscillating electric generator comprises a piezoelectric material, which on mechanical actuation transmits an electric pulse.