Self-cleaning fabric covers for aircraft fixtures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023193515-A1
Application number	US-202017925595-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 10, 2020
Priority date	May 18, 2020
Publication date	Jun 22, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Described are self-cleaning covers for attaching to passenger seats. Embodiments of self-cleaning covers can include an antimicrobial fabric having at least one antimicrobial fiber interwoven with a second fiber, as well as an attachment element connected with the antimicrobial fabric for removably affixing the cover to the seat. The antimicrobial fabric and the attachment element can be shaped to partially enclose and to removably attach the self-cleaning cover to at least a portion of the passenger seat, such as a seat cushion, armrest, or headrest.

First claim

1 . A passenger seating assembly, comprising:
a passenger seat frame configured to attach to a floor of a passenger compartment; a passenger seat mounted to the passenger seat frame; and a self-cleaning cover removably attached to the passenger seat, the self-cleaning cover comprising:
an antimicrobial fabric comprising at least a first antimicrobial fiber interwoven with a second antimicrobial fiber, wherein the first antimicrobial fiber comprises at least one of silver or copper and the second antimicrobial fiber comprises at least one of calcium alginate or zinc alginate; and
an attachment element connected with the antimicrobial fabric configured to secure the self-cleaning cover to the passenger seat.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The passenger seating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a third fiber that is not antimicrobial and that is interwoven with one of the first antimicrobial fiber or the second antimicrobial fiber.

4 . The passenger seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first antimicrobial fiber is a silver-coated or copper-coated nylon fiber.

5 . The passenger seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second antimicrobial fiber comprises calcium alginate.

6 . The passenger seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second antimicrobial fiber comprises zinc alginate.

7 . The passenger seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial fabric comprises one of a hydrophobic, oleophobic, non-stick, or flame-retardant material.

8 . The passenger seating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a seat cushion connected with the passenger seat, wherein the self-cleaning cover is a seat cushion cover.

9 . The passenger seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the self-cleaning cover is shaped to partially enclose the passenger seat.

10 . A self-cleaning cover for attaching to a passenger seat, the self-cleaning cover comprising:
an antimicrobial fabric comprising at least a first antimicrobial fiber interwoven with a second antimicrobial fiber, wherein the first antimicrobial fiber comprises at least one of silver or copper and the second antimicrobial fiber comprises at least one of calcium alginate or zinc alginate; and an attachment element connected with the antimicrobial fabric, wherein the antimicrobial fabric and the attachment element are configured to partially enclose and to removably attach the self-cleaning cover to at least a portion of the passenger seat.

11 . The self-cleaning cover of claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial fabric is shaped to at least partially enclose a headrest of the passenger seat.

12 . The self-cleaning cover of claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial fabric is shaped to at least partially enclose an armrest of the passenger seat.

13 . The self-cleaning cover of claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial fabric is shaped to at least partially enclose a cushion of the passenger seat.

14 . The self-cleaning cover of claim 10 , wherein the first antimicrobial fiber comprises at least one of a silver-coated nylon fiber or a copper-coated nylon fiber.

15 . (canceled)

16 . The self-cleaning cover of claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial fabric is formed by weaving a first fiber with the second antimicrobial fiber, and subsequently treating the antimicrobial fabric to coat the first fiber with antimicrobial nanoparticles to form the first antimicrobial fiber.

17 . The self-cleaning cover of claim 10 , wherein the first antimicrobial fiber comprises a metal nanoparticle-coated or metal oxide nanoparticle-coated fiber.

18 . The self-cleaning cover of claim 10 , wherein the self-cleaning cover is at least one of hydrophobic, oleophobic, non-stick, or flame retardant.

19 . A method of equipping a passenger seat with an antimicrobial fabric cover, the method comprising:
removably enclosing at least a portion of the passenger seat with the antimicrobial fabric cover comprising at least a first antimicrobial fiber interwoven with a second antimicrobial fiber, wherein the first antimicrobial fiber comprises at least one of silver or copper and the second antimicrobial fiber comprises at least one of calcium alginate or zinc alginate; and securing the antimicrobial fabric cover to the passenger seat via an attachment element.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
removing a used antimicrobial fabric cover from the passenger seat prior to the enclosing.

Assignees

• Safran Seats Usa Llc
• Safran Seats Gb Ltd
• Safran Seats Tunisia
• Safran Seats

Inventors

• Realyvazquez Guevara Paula Rebeca
• Herrera Murillo Mario Gerardo
• Py Benjamin
• Woodington James
• Ben Amor Ghassen
• Cotta Gérald
• Beauvais Adrien

Classifications

• B64D11/0647

  Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features · CPC title

• B60N2/60

  Removable protective coverings · CPC title

• B60N3/002

  of trays · CPC title

• B60N2/75

  Arm-rests · CPC title

• D01F1/103 Primary

  Agents inhibiting growth of microorganisms · CPC title