Mesh Material for Flexible Structures with Coated Porous Concealment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing materials for hunting blinds, tents, and similar structures are limited by their durability, water-resistance, and ventilation properties, failing to effectively conceal occupants while allowing airflow.
Innovation Solution
A mesh material composed of interwoven polyester, polyurethane, or PVC yarns with acrylic and silicone/EVA coatings, and printed patterns and dark colors, providing durability, water-resistance, and partial light transmissivity, while being semi-permeable to air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials are used for hunting blinds and tents, then durability and water-resistance are achieved, but ventilation and concealment effectiveness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple layers with different properties: a base fabric layer providing structural durability, an acrylic coating layer providing water-resistance, and a silicone/EVA coating layer providing flexibility and seam slippage resistance. This multi-layer composite structure enables the material to simultaneously achieve durability, water-resistance, ventilation, and concealment effectiveness that single materials cannot provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh material employs a porous structure with controlled aperture sizes that allow air flow through the material while maintaining concealment. The aperture density is specifically designed to be semi-permeable to air flow, enabling ventilation while the overall structure remains opaque enough to conceal occupants from external view.
2Reliability
If the fabric is coated with PVC for durability, then water-resistance is improved, but the material cannot withstand high temperatures required for heat transfer printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the coating material from PVC to acrylic and silicone/EVA. This parameter change allows the coating to withstand temperatures up to almost 230°C without melting, enabling heat transfer printing processes to be performed on the fabric while maintaining the water-resistance and durability properties provided by the coating layers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mesh apertures are made larger for better ventilation, then air flow is improved, but light transmissivity increases and concealment effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple coating layers with different optical properties on the fabric surface. The acrylic and silicone/EVA coatings create a surface layer that reflects light and maintains opacity even through the mesh apertures, while the aperture density is optimized for air flow. This local differentiation between the porous structure and the coated surface enables simultaneous ventilation and effective concealment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mesh material effectively conceals occupants by reflecting more light than allowing through, while maintaining ventilation and withstanding high temperatures for printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of incident radiation directed at a first side of the mesh material is reflected off the material so that a person or object behind the second side of the material is not easily seen
Implementation Method 2
The patterns on the heat transfer papers are then transferred to the coated fabric through a sublimation heat transfer machine
Implementation Method 3
a camouflage pattern is printed on one side of the coated fabric and a black or other dark color is printed on the opposite side of the coated fabric. If a heat transfer paper printing process is used, it may be carried out continuously on a heated roller, cylindrical screen, by means of a heated platen, or with the use of steam or dry, warm air under atmospheric pressure or in vacuo
Data Source
AI summary
A mesh material for fabricating hunting blinds, tents, and other similar flexible structures. The material is durable, water-resistant, and partially light-transmissive such that persons or objects inside or behind the structures are not easily seen from outside the structures. The material is also semi-permeable to air flow for ventilation purposes. The mesh material is fabricated from an interwoven polyester, polyurethane, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric that is coated with acrylic and a mixture of silicone and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Patterns and/or colors are printed on both sides of the fabric with a heat transfer paper printing process to provide a desired level of light transmissivity.