blanket

Abstract

We provide blankets that not only offer high heat insulation but also have a pleasant feel against the skin and enable the effective utilization of heat emitted from the human body. [Solution] The blanket 10 has a six-layer structure, with the first layer 11 and the sixth layer 16 being woven fabric, the second layer 12 being cotton with heat insulation properties, the third layer 13 being a sheet with a metal mesh structure, the fourth layer 14 being cotton with heat storage properties, and the fifth layer 15 being cotton with moisture absorption and heat generation properties. The second layer may be made of cotton fibers into which aerogel is blended. Conventional technology has focused on the high heat insulation properties of aerogel, but has the problem that it has not sufficiently considered aspects such as a pleasant feel against the skin and the effective utilization of heat emitted from the human body, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blanket, and particularly to a multi-layer blanket containing aerogel, which is also known as a heat insulating material for space suits.

Background Art

[0002] Aerogel is known as a high-performance heat insulating material showing an extremely low thermal conductivity due to its porous structure, and has a track record of use in harsh environments such as heat insulation of space suits and space exploration vehicles. In recent years, heat insulating materials for clothing and bedding containing this aerogel in fibers or sheets have also been proposed.

[0003] On the other hand, in conventional household blankets and futons, it is common to enhance heat retention by thickening the batting such as polyester cotton or microfiber. However, these have problems in that the thickness and weight increase to obtain sufficient heat insulation performance, leading to easier turning over and deterioration of storage properties.

[0004] Regarding this problem, articles have been proposed that use a sheet containing aerogel to impart high heat insulation while being thin and lightweight. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an aerogel-containing fabric having an intermediate layer containing aerogel and front and back fabric layers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, such conventional technologies focus on the high heat insulation of aerogel, and there is a problem that sufficient consideration has not been given to the feel and effective utilization of heat emitted from the human body, etc.

[0007] This invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a blanket that not only has high heat insulation properties but also a pleasant feel against the skin and enables the effective utilization of heat emitted from the human body, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In view of the above problems, this invention has the following configuration. [1] A blanket having a 6-layer structure, The first and sixth layers are woven fabrics. The second layer is made of cotton, which has insulating properties. The third layer is a sheet with a metal mesh structure. The fourth layer is made of cotton with heat retention properties, The fifth layer is made of cotton with moisture-absorbing and heat-generating properties. A blanket made of [materials]. [2] The six-layer structure is The layers are stacked in the order of the first layer, second layer, third layer, fourth layer, fifth layer, and sixth layer from the front side. [1] The blanket described above. [3] The second layer is made of cotton fibers into which aerogel is incorporated. [1] The blanket described above. [4] The third layer is made of aluminum, The mesh structure is at least fine enough to allow sweat and moisture to escape. [1] The blanket described above. [5] The user is provided with an identifier to distinguish between the first and sixth layers. A blanket as described in any one of the items [1] through [4]. [6] The identifier is the fabric sewn onto the first layer. [4] The blanket described above. [7] The identifier is provided on one end of the blanket in the longitudinal direction. [6] The blanket described above. [8] The identifier is a quality label tag sewn onto the sixth layer. [5] The blanket described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The blanket of the present invention has the configuration as described above, and it is possible to provide a blanket that not only has high heat insulation but also has a good touch and enables effective utilization of heat and the like emitted from the human body and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is an exploded perspective view of the blanket of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a view showing microfiber fibers. [Figure 3] It is a view showing an identifier. [Figure 4] It is a view showing cotton fibers blended with aerogel.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following embodiments are an example of embodying the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say, it can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0012] The directions are defined as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, the side of the first layer 11 is the farthest from the human body among the blanket 10 and is defined as the front side of the blanket 10. The side of the sixth layer 16 is the closest to the human body and is defined as the back side of the blanket 10. Among the longitudinal direction of the blanket 10, the side where the cloth 11a is provided is defined as the head side of the blanket 10. Among the longitudinal direction of the blanket 10, the side opposite to the head side is defined as the foot side of the blanket 10. The left - right direction of the blanket 10 is defined as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] 1. First Embodiment 1.1. Overall Configuration of the Blanket 10 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the blanket 10 is mainly composed of a six - layer structure of a first layer 11, a second layer 12, a third layer 13, a fourth layer 14, a fifth layer 15, and a sixth layer 16. Hereinafter, specifically, each configuration will be described.

[0014] 1.1.1. The first layer 11 and the sixth layer 16 The first layer 11 and the sixth layer 16 are made of a fabric using microfiber filaments S1 as shown in FIG. 2. The microfiber filaments S1 mainly consist of synthetic fibers made of polyester and / or polyamide, have an extremely fine diameter of their single fibers, and have a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

[0015] The diameter of the single fiber is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 8 μm or less. The cross-sectional shape of the short fiber is not particularly limited, but has a shape with radially arranged grooves M.

[0016] Since the microfiber filaments S1 have such a shape, the first layer 11 and the sixth layer 16 can form more air layers, and it is possible to make the blanket 10 have higher heat retention performance.

[0017] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, it is also preferable to provide an identifier A for distinguishing the first layer 11 and the sixth layer 16 on the surface of the first layer 11 and / or the sixth layer 16. The blanket 10 has a six-layer structure, and by arranging each layer in a specific order, more desirable effects can be achieved. Therefore, by providing the identifier A, the user of the blanket 10 can avoid using it by mistake between the first layer and the sixth layer.

[0018] The configuration of the identifier A is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be composed of a cloth 11a sewn on the surface of the first layer 11. By adopting such a configuration, the identifier A can be provided with a simpler configuration.

[0019] And the cloth 11a is preferably sewn on the head side of the blanket 10 as shown in FIG. 3. By adopting such a configuration, the user can recognize the side with the cloth 11a in the longitudinal direction of the blanket 10 as the head side.

[0020] Furthermore, the identifier A can be composed of, for example, a quality label tag sewn onto the surface of the sixth layer 16, as shown in Figure 3. This configuration allows for the identification A to be provided in a simpler form.

[0021] 1.1.2.Second layer 12 The second layer 12, as shown in Figure 1, is located on the back side of the first layer 11, and as shown in Figure 4, aerogel B is incorporated into the cotton fibers S2. Alternatively, a base fiber coated with an agent containing aerogel B can be used.

[0022] Aerogel B is a porous solid material containing a three-dimensional network structure and numerous micro-voids formed inside and around the network. The size of the network in the network is not particularly limited, but is approximately a few nanometers to several tens of nanometers. Air is retained in the micro-voids formed within the network of this network, which enhances the heat retention effect of the blanket 10.

[0023] The amount of aerogel B incorporated into the cotton fibers S2 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 50% by mass.

[0024] 1.1.3.Third layer13 As shown in Figure 1, the third layer 13 is located on the back side of the second layer 12 and has a mesh structure made of aluminum.

[0025] The method for forming the mesh structure is not particularly limited, but it may be constructed by weaving together wires made of aluminum, or by creating holes in a single aluminum plate. It can also be formed by vapor deposition of aluminum.

[0026] The diameter of the aluminum wire and the thickness of the aluminum plate are not particularly limited, but considering the overall weight of the blanket 10, they are preferably about 0.03 mm to 0.5 mm. Also, the opening of the mesh structure is not particularly limited, but considering the amount of infrared reflection from the metal surface and the breathability and flexibility through the openings, it is preferably about 0.5 mm to 10 mm.

[0027] Because the blanket 10 has a third layer 13 with the structure described above, it can more effectively warm the space between the human body and the blanket 10 by reflecting the heat and infrared rays emitted from the human body with the metal surface, and the mesh structure allows moisture from sweat and other sources to escape.

[0028] 1.1.4.Fourth layer14 As shown in Figure 1, the fourth layer 14 is located on the reverse side of the third layer 13 and is made of a woven fabric using heat-retaining fibers. The heat-retaining fibers are not particularly limited, but a base fiber coated with a heat-retaining agent can be used. Because of this configuration, it can effectively store body heat, thus keeping the space between the body and the blanket 10 warm for a longer period of time.

[0029] 1.1.5.5th layer 15 As shown in Figure 1, the fifth layer 15 is located on the reverse side of the fourth layer 14 and is made of a woven fabric using fibers that have moisture-absorbing and heat-generating properties. The fibers that have moisture-absorbing and heat-generating properties are not particularly limited, but fibers that have moisture-absorbing and heat-generating properties themselves, such as rayon, or base fibers coated with an agent that has moisture-absorbing and heat-generating properties can be used. Because of this structure, the space between the human body and the blanket 10 can be warmed more effectively by utilizing sweat from the human body.

[0030] 1.2. Effects Because the blanket 10 of the first embodiment has the configuration described in detail above, it is possible to provide a blanket that not only has high heat insulation properties but also a pleasant feel against the skin and enables effective utilization of heat emitted from the human body, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 10: Blanket 11: 1st layer 11a: Cloth 12: 2nd layer 13:Third layer 14: 4th layer 15: 5th layer 16: 6th layer A: Identifier B: Aerogel M:Groove S1: Microfiber S2: Fiber

Claims

1. A blanket having a six-layer structure, The first and sixth layers are woven fabrics. The second layer is made of cotton, which has insulating properties. The third layer is a sheet with a metal mesh structure. The fourth layer is made of cotton with heat retention properties, The fifth layer is made of cotton with moisture-absorbing and heat-generating properties. A blanket made of [materials].

2. The aforementioned six-layer structure is The layers are stacked in the order of the first layer, second layer, third layer, fourth layer, fifth layer, and sixth layer from the front side. The blanket according to claim 1.

3. The second layer is made of cotton fibers into which aerogel is incorporated. The blanket according to claim 1.

4. The third layer is made of aluminum. The mesh structure is at least fine enough to allow sweat and moisture to escape. The blanket according to claim 1.

5. An identifier is provided to allow the user to distinguish between the first and sixth layers. The blanket according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The identifier is the fabric sewn onto the first layer. The blanket according to claim 4.

7. The identifier is provided on one end of the blanket in the longitudinal direction. The blanket according to claim 6.

8. The identifier is a quality label tag sewn onto the sixth layer. The blanket according to claim 5.

Images