INTERWOVEN PLASTIC AND FABRIC THREADS

Abstract

A fabric sheet with interwoven plastic strips is provided. The fabric sheet includes a plurality of weft threads and a plurality of warp threads interwoven together. One of the weft threads and the warp threads includes a fabric material and the other of the weft threads and the warp threads includes a plastic material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fabric material and, more particularly, to interwoven plastic and fabric threads.

Plastic is a material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organics that are malleable and can be molded into solid objects of diverse shapes. Plastic shopping bags, carrier bags, or plastic grocery bags are a type of shopping made from various kinds of plastic. In use by consumers worldwide since the 1960s, these bags are sometimes called single-use bags, referring to carrying items from a store to a home. In recent decades, numerous countries have introduced legislation restricting the sale of plastic bags, in a bid to reduce littering and pollution. Plastic bags are harmful to the environment. Plastic bags are either thrown into landfills or, when applicable, are recycled by means of rendering into pellets and melted for reuse. Melting of plastic releases toxins into the air and plastic do not break down in landfills.

As can be seen, there is a need for a environmental friendly methods of recycling plastic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an interwoven material comprises: a plurality of weft threads; and a plurality of warp threads, wherein the warp threads are interwoven with the weft threads, and one of the weft threads and the warp threads is a fabric material and the other of the weft threads and the warp threads is a plastic material.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of making a fabric sheet comprises: cutting a plurality of strips of plastic; weaving the plurality of strips of plastic with a fabric material to form an interwoven material; washing and drying the interwoven material; and heat pressing the interwoven material up to a temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a detail perspective view indicated by line 1A-1A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate form of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

The present invention includes fabric woven with traditional materials and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags. The fabric thread and HDPE or LDPE plastic strips are woven together to create a sheet of fabric. The fabric thread is loaded as the “warp” (vertical) thread in a loom. A plurality of plastic strips is the “weft” (horizontal) threads, and combined, create the fabric. The present invention reduces plastic in landfills and the oceans. Further, the present invention is environmentally friendly by reducing emissions of melted plastic or the need for more resources to produce plastic. 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.

The present invention includes fabric woven with traditional materials and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags. The fabric thread and HDPE or LDPE plastic strips are woven together to create a sheet of fabric. The fabric thread is loaded as the “warp” (vertical) thread in a loom. A plurality of plastic strips is the “weft” (horizontal) threads, and combined, create the fabric. The present invention reduces plastic in landfills and the oceans. Further, the present invention is environmentally friendly by reducing emissions of melted plastic or the need for more resources to produce plastic.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention includes an interwoven material 10 forming a fabric sheet 12. The fabric sheet 12 includes a plurality of weft threads 16 and a plurality of warp threads 14 interwoven together. One of the weft threads 16 and the warp threads 14 includes a fabric material and the other of the weft threads 16 and the warp threads 14 includes a plastic material. For example, the weft threads 16 may be the plastic material and the warp threads 14 may be the fabric material.

In certain embodiments, the fabric material may include a synthetic fabric and a natural fabric. For example, the fabric material may be polyester, cotton, and the like. The plastic material may be a high-density polyethylene, a low-density polyethylene or a combination thereof.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. The plastic bags 20 are washed and dried eliminating dirt and debris. Bags 22 are cut into thin strips. The size of the strips depends on the coarseness of the desired fabric. The plastic strips are then woven together with the fabric thread from a spool 30 at regular intervals to allow for an even blend. A loom may be used to weave the fabric and plastic strips together. The resulting sheet is washed and dried for shrinkage and then pressed between rollers 32 at a temperature less than 185 degrees Fahrenheit. The fabric sheet 12 may be rolled 18 for storage. The fabric sheet 12 may then be cut and sewn.

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.

Claims

1. An interwoven material comprising:

a plurality of weft threads; and

a plurality of warp threads, wherein

the warp threads are interwoven with the weft threads, and

one of the weft threads and the warp threads is a fabric material and the other of the weft threads and the warp threads is a plastic material.

2. The interwoven material of claim 1, wherein the weft threads is the plastic material and the warp threads is the fabric material.

3. The interwoven material of claim 1, wherein the fabric material is at least one of a synthetic fabric and a natural fabric.

4. The interwoven material of claim 1, wherein the plastic is at least one of a high-density polyethylene and a low-density polyethylene.

5. The interwoven material of claim 1, wherein the fabric material is at least one of polyester and cotton.

6. A method of making a fabric sheet comprising:

cutting a plurality of strips of plastic;

weaving the plurality of strips of plastic with a fabric material to form an interwoven material;

washing and drying the interwoven material; and

heat pressing the interwoven material up to a temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fabric material is at least one of a synthetic fabric and a natural fabric.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the fabric material is at least one of polyester and cotton.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the plastic is at least one of a high-density polyethylene and a low-density polyethylene.