Insect barrier fabric

Abstract

An insect barrier fabric includes a fabric substrate, a plurality of conical spacers formed within the fabric substrate, where each conical spacer being defined by a cone shaped depression having an open top end within the fabric substrate and a converging bottom end. In addition, a coating is formed over a surface of each of the conical spacers. The plurality of conical spacers are configured to suspend the fabric substrate away from a skin of a user in order to protect against insect bites.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insect barrier fabric comprising:
 a fabric substrate;   a plurality of conical spacers formed within the fabric substrate, wherein each conical spacer defined by a cone shaped depression having an open top end within the fabric substrate and a converging bottom end; and   a coating formed over a surface of each of the conical spacers.   
     
     
         2 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric substrate is a mesh material. 
     
     
         3 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 1 , the plurality of conical spacers configured to suspend the fabric substrate away from a respective surface. 
     
     
         4 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 3 , wherein the respective surface is a skin of a person. 
     
     
         5 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the coating is a flexible sealant. 
     
     
         6 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conical spacers are arranged in a diamond pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The insect barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric substrate comprises a shirt. 
     
     
         8 . The insect barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric substrate is a woven material. 
     
     
         9 . The insect barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conical spacers are formed from the fabric substrate. 
     
     
         10 . An insect barrier fabric comprising:
 a fabric mesh substrate;   a plurality of conical spacers formed within the fabric substrate, wherein each conical spacer defined by a cone shaped depression having on open top end within the fabric substrate and a converging bottom end; and   a flexible coating formed over a surface of each of the conical spacers;   wherein the plurality of conical spacers being configured to suspend the fabric substrate away from a respective surface.   
     
     
         11 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 10 , wherein a depth of the cone shaped depression from the open top end to the converging bottom end is about 9.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible coating comprises a reflective material configured to reflect visible and infrared light waves. 
     
     
         13 . The insect barrier fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the insect barrier fabric comprises a shirt. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing an insect barrier fabric comprising:
 providing a fabric substrate;   forming a plurality of conical spacers within the fabric substrate, wherein each conical spacer defined by a cone shaped depression having an open top end within the fabric substrate and a converging bottom end; and   forming a coating over a surface of each of the conical spacers.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fabric substrate is a mesh material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of conical spacers configured to suspend the fabric substrate away from a respective surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the respective surface is a skin of a person. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the coating is a flexible sealant. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of conical spacers are arranged in a diamond pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the coating comprises a reflective material.