Fabric

Abstract

A graphene-infused fabric is provided as a sound reducing acoustic layer for object such as a pickleball paddle. The graphene-infused fabric is made from polymer fibers, at least one of which is a graphene-infused polymer fiber. Graphene is blended into a polymer material, and fibers are manufactured from said material such as by extrusion. The graphene-infused polymer is combined with other fibers to be made into a woven or non-woven fabric.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A graphene-infused fabric for a sound reducing layer of a pickleball paddle, wherein the graphene-infused fabric reduces sound generation from the pickleball paddle, the graphene-infused fabric comprising polymer fibers, wherein the polymer fibers comprise N66 fiber, polypropylene fiber, and graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber, wherein the graphene-infused fabric comprises by weight:
 i. between 5% to 15% graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber,   ii. between 40% to 60% N66 fiber, and   iii. between 30% to 40% polypropylene fiber,   
       wherein the polymer fibers are blended and compressed to form the graphene-infused fabric. 
     
     
         2 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber is a composite fiber made from polyethylene terephthalate and graphene. 
     
     
         3 . The fabric of  claim 2 , wherein the graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber is an extruded fiber made from a mixture of graphene powder and molten polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         4 . The fabric of  claim 1 , comprising about 10% graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber by weight of the graphene-infused fabric. 
     
     
         5 . The fabric of  claim 1 , comprising about 55% N66 fiber by weight of the graphene-infused fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The fabric of  claim 1 , comprising about 35% polypropylene fiber by weight of the graphene-infused fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The fabric of  claim 1 , comprising about 1-10% by weight waterproofing or water resistant additive sprayed onto the polymer fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The fabric of  claim 7 , comprising by weight:
 i. between 5% to 10% graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber,   ii. between 40% to 55% N66 fiber,   iii. between 30% to 40% polypropylene fiber, and   iv. about 5% waterproofing or water resistant additive.   
     
     
         9 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the graphene-infused fabric is a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 9 , comprising a felt. 
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 10 , wherein the polymer fibers are repeatedly compressed into a fabric by needle punching. 
     
     
         12 . A pickleball paddle for reducing the loudness and/or frequency of sound generated when a ball strikes the pickleball paddle, wherein the paddle comprises a sound reducing fabric layer applied to a playing surface of the paddle, wherein the sound reducing fabric layer reduces sound generation from the exterior playing surface, wherein the sound reducing fabric layer comprises graphene-infused fabric of polymer fibers, wherein the polymer fibers comprise N66 fiber, polypropylene fiber, and graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber. 
     
     
         13 . The pickleball paddle of  claim 12  wherein the polymer fibers are blended, and compressed to form the sound reducing fabric layer. 
     
     
         14 . The paddle of  claim 12 , further comprising an internal layer comprising graphene-infused fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The paddle of  claim 12 , wherein the sound reducing fabric layer is applied on opposing outer surfaces of the paddle to cover the playing surface of the paddle. 
     
     
         16 . The paddle of  claim 12 , wherein the sound reducing fabric layer comprises a shell encasing the playing surface of the pickleball paddle. 
     
     
         17 . The paddle of  claim 12 , wherein the sound reducing fabric layer is applied along an edge of the paddle, and on the playing surface. 
     
     
         18 . The paddle of  claim 12 , wherein the sound reducing fabric layer is removable. 
     
     
         19 . The paddle of  claim 12 , wherein the graphene-infused fabric comprises by weight
 between 5% to 15% graphene-infused polyethylene terephthalate fiber,   between 40% to 60% N66 fiber, and   between 30% to 40% polypropylene fiber.   
     
     
         20 . A sound reducing acoustic fabric for application to a surface, the fabric comprising polymer fibers, wherein the polymer fibers comprise N66 fiber, polypropylene fiber, and graphene powder-polyethylene terephthalate composite fiber, wherein the polymer fibers are blended and compressed to form the sound reducing acoustic fabric, the sound reducing acoustic fabric comprising a non-woven felt.