U.S. patent application number 10/082482 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for protective yarn.
Invention is credited to Andrews, Gregory V., Andrews, Mark A..
Application Number | 20020127398 10/082482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26693686 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020127398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews, Mark A. ; et
al. |
September 12, 2002 |
Protective yarn
Abstract
A protective yarn having a single fiberglass core fiber and one
or more cover members is disclosed. At least one of the cover
members are fibers selected from the group consisting of aramid
fiber, ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fiber, polyester,
nylon and polyacrylic fibers. To prevent glass fragment breakout,
the cover members are wrapped, wound or twisted around the core in
a manner which permits successive layers to be wrapped, wound or
twisted around the core in an opposite direction from the cover
member immediately below. In a preferred embodiment, one of the
cover members is a substantially non-slippery fiber. The
non-slippery fiber is selected from the group consisting of
polyester, nylon and cotton. The construction and composition of
the invented protective yarn provides a low cost component for
making protective gloves and other protective garments capable of
providing a user substantial cut protection while affording the
user significant freedom of movement. The invented protective yarn
also resists shrinkage during the cleaning process which is typical
of existing protective gloves and garments.
Inventors: |
Andrews, Mark A.; (Concord,
NC) ; Andrews, Gregory V.; (Concord, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Adams, Schwartz & Evans, P.A.
2180 Two First Union Center
Charlotte
NC
28282
US
|
Family ID: |
26693686 |
Appl. No.: |
10/082482 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10082482 |
Feb 20, 2002 |
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09453273 |
Dec 2, 1999 |
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60020640 |
Jun 27, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/370 ;
428/373 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D02G 3/185 20130101;
D02G 3/38 20130101; Y10S 428/911 20130101; Y10T 428/2924 20150115;
Y10S 428/902 20130101; D04B 1/28 20130101; Y10T 428/2936 20150115;
Y10T 428/2933 20150115; D02G 3/442 20130101; Y10T 428/2929
20150115; Y10T 428/298 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/370 ;
428/373 |
International
Class: |
D02G 003/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A composite yarn comprising: a) a core consisting of a
fiberglass strand; b) a non-metallic sheath strand wrapped around
the core; and c) at least one cover strand wrapped around the
sheath strand, whereby the sheath strand permits the fiberglass
strand to be knitted using conventional knitting equipment.
2. The composite yarn of claim 1, wherein said sheath strand is
formed of fibers or filaments selected from the group consisting of
extended chain polyethylene, aramid, nylon, and polyester.
3. The composite yarn of claim 1, further comprising a second
non-metallic cover strand wrapped on said yarn, said second cover
strand being wrapped about said at least one cover strand in a
direction opposite that of the at least one cover strand.
4. The composite yarn of claim 3, wherein said second cover strand
is wrapped at a rate of about 8.2 turns per inch.
5. The composite yarn of claim 3, wherein said second cover strand
has a denier of 650.
6. The composite yarn of claim 3, wherein said at least one cover
strand is formed of fibers or filaments selected from the group
consisting of extended chain polyethylene, aramid, nylon, and
polyester.
7. The composite yarn of claim 1, further comprising a second
non-metallic cover strand wrapped on said yarn, said second cover
strand being wrapped about said at least one cover strand in a
direction opposite that of the at least one cover strand, wherein
the yarn has a composite denier of 3190 or 3780.
8. The composite yarn of claim 7, wherein said second cover strand
is wrapped at a rate of about 8.2 turns per inch.
9. The composite yarn of claim 7, wherein said second cover strand
has a denier of 650.
10. The composite yarn of claim 7, wherein said at least one cover
strand is formed of fibers or filaments selected from the group
consisting of extended chain polyethylene, aramid, nylon, and
polyester.
11. A composite yarn comprising: a) a core consisting of a
fiberglass strand; b) a non-metallic inner cover, the inner cover
being wrapped around the core; and c) a middle cover wrapped around
the inner cover, whereby the inner cover permits the fiberglass
strand to be knitted using conventional knitting equipment.
12. The composite yarn of claim 11, further comprising an outer
cover wrapped on said yarn, said outer cover being wrapped about
said middle cover in a direction opposite that of the middle cover,
wherein the yarn has a composite denier of 3190 or 3780.
13. The composite yarn of claim 12, wherein said outer cover is
wrapped at a rate of about 8.2 turns per inch.
14. The composite yarn of claim 12, wherein said outer cover has a
denier of 650.
15. The composite yarn of claim 12, wherein said middle cover is
formed of fibers or filaments selected from the group consisting of
extended chain polyethylene, aramid, nylon, and polyester.
16. A flexible, composite, cut and abrasion resistant yarn
comprising: a) a non-metallic composite core consisting of a single
fiberglass strand; b) an inner cover, the inner cover being wrapped
around the core whereby the inner cover permits the core to be
knitted using conventional knitting equipment; and c) a
non-metallic covering wrapped on said core and said inner cover,
said covering including: i) a middle cover wrapped about the inner
cover in a first direction; ii) an outer cover wrapped about said
middle cover in a second direction opposite to the first
direction.
17. The composite yarn of claim 16, wherein said inner cover is
formed of fibers or filaments selected from the group consisting of
extended chain polyethylene, aramid, nylon, and polyester.
18. The composite yarn of claim 16, wherein said middle cover is
formed of fibers or filaments selected from the group consisting of
extended chain polyethylene, aramid, nylon, and polyester.
19. The composite yarn of claim 16, wherein said outer cover is
formed of fibers or filaments selected from the group consisting of
extended chain polyethylene, aramid, nylon, and polyester.
20. The composite yarn of claim 1, wherein said middle cover is
wrapped about said inner cover at a rate of about 9.1 turns per
inch.
21. The composite yarn of claim 16, wherein said outer cover is
wrapped about said middle cover at a rate of about 8.2 turns per
inch.
22. The composite yarn of claim 16, wherein said middle cover has a
denier of about 650.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/020,640, filed Jun. 27, 1996.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to protective yarns. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a protective yarn
having a fiberglass fiber core and one or more cover members of
fibers that are of dissimilar materials from the core fibers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Protective clothing has existed for hundreds of years. Among
the first type of protective clothing was armor worn by knights. Of
course, these heavy and inflexible metal sheets limited a knight's
movement and visibility. While providing excellent protection
against blade injuries, plate armor limited the manual dexterity of
the wearer. Later, armorers developed chain mail, and while
permitting some manual dexterity on the part of the wearer, their
mail was heavy and quickly fatigued the wearer.
[0004] Until recently, meat cutting plants employed chain mail type
gloves to prevent accidental cuts to a meat cutters' hands. Like
their medieval counterparts, the chain mail worn by meat cutters
quickly fatigued the user's hands.
[0005] More recently, users needing protection against cuts and
also requiring a high level of dexterity have turned to gloves
knitted from engineered yarns. While dramatically increasing the
flexibility and manual dexterity, gloves engineered using aramid
fibers such as "Kevlar.RTM." and gloves engineered using ultrahigh
molecular weight polyolefin fiber such as ultrahigh molecular
weight polyethylene or polypropylene extended chain polyethylenes
are extremely costly. Commercial examples of gloves using these
engineered yarns include Spectra.RTM. 900 and Spectra.RTM. 1000,
sold by AlliedSignal, Inc and Kevlar.RTM., sold by the Du Pont
Company of Wilmington, Del. Garments knitted with yarns such as
Spectra.RTM. have problems with yarn shrinkage.
[0006] A need, therefore, exists for an engineered protective yarn
which provides cut protection and freedom of movement at a lower
cost. A need also exists for an engineered protective yarn which
resists the effects of high temperatures such as shrinkage.
[0007] Numerous attempts have been made to employ fiberglass fiber
in protective yarns which are then knitted into protective gloves.
However, a new problem has been created by adding fiberglass fiber
to yarn. Fiberglass fiber is brittle and small glass fragments are
likely to separate from the glass fibers and irritate the skin of
the user. Naturally, glove irritation reduces the likelihood that a
user will wear their protective garments. Attempts have been made
to coat fiberglass fiber in order to prevent skin irritating
fragments from detaching from the main fiber strand. However, these
coating attempts have proven to be less than completely
successful.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0008] Applicants are aware of the following relevant U.S.
patents.
1 U.S. PAT. NO. ISSUE DATE INVENTOR TITLE 4,383,449 05-23-1983
Byrne, Sr. PROTECTIVE GLOVES et al. AND THE LIKE AND A YARN WITH
FLEX- IBLE CORE WRAPPED WITH ARAMID FIBER 4,651,514 03-24-1987
Collett ELECTRICALLY NONCONDUCTIVE, ABRASION AND CUT RESISTANT YARN
4,777,789 10-18-1988 Kolmes et al. WIRE WRAPPED YARN FOR PROTEC-
TIVE GARMENTS 4,818,587 04-04-1989 Ejima et al. NONWOVEN FABRICS
AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THEM 4,838,017 06-13-1989 Kolmes et al.
WIRE WRAPPED YARN FOR PROTEC- TIVE GARMENTS 4,886,691 12-12-1989
Wincklhofer CUT RESISTANT JACKET FOR ROPES, WEBBING, STRAPS,
INFLATABLES AND THE LIKE 4,936,085 06-26-1990 Kolmes et al. YARN
AND GLOVE 5,010,723 04-30-1991 Wilen TWISTED YARN WHICH WILL
MAINTAIN ITS TWIST AND PRODUCTS PRODUCED THEREFROM 5,119,512
06-09-1992 Dunbar et al. CUT RESISTANT YARN, FABRIC AND GLOVES
5,177,948 01-12-1993 Kolmes et al. YARN AND GLOVE
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,449 shows protective gloves and the like
and a yarn comprising a core of a flexible wire alongside an aramid
fiber strand or strands and a covering of aramid fiber such as that
manufactured and sold under the trademark `Kevlar` by the DuPont
Company of Wilmington, Del. in which the aramid fiber is either
spun or filament. Two aramid fiber strands, either spun or
filament, are wrapped around the core with one strand wrapped in a
clockwise direction and the other strand wrapped in a
counter-clockwise direction with the opposite spiral wrapping of
the strands serving to secure the strands in position on the core
without any other securing means. The yarn having a flexible core
with aramid fiber strands wrapped thereon is used to make
protective gloves on conventional glove knitting or weaving
machinery and is capable of movement in relation to needle eyes and
the like without jamming in the same manner as various natural and
synthetic fiber yarns. The yarn having a flexible core with aramid
fiber strands wrapped thereon is also used in making various other
products normally made of conventional fiber yarn.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,514 shows an electrically
non-conductive, cut and abrasion resistant yarn for use in the
manufacture of protective coverings including a core of
monofilament nylon having a diameter in the range of about 0.004 to
0.020 inches, a first wrap on the core of at least one strand of
aramid fiber having a cotton count size in the range of about 1/1
to 30/1 and a second wrap on the core of texturized nylon of two to
eight ply construction. Each ply is made up of 24 to 44 nylon
filaments with each filament being about 50-90 denier.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,789 shows an improved yarn, fabric and
protective garment made from such yarn where the yarn, fabric and
garment exhibit increased cut resistance. The yarn includes a core
made of fiber and a covering wrapped around the core, the covering
includes at least one strand of wire wrapped around the core.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,587 shows nonwoven fabrics contain at
least 30% by weight of heat-adhesive composite fibers consisting of
core portion and sheath portion, said core portion being of the
side-by-side type composite structure comprising two core
components of different polypropylene base polymers in a composite
ratio of 1:2 to 2:1, one of said core components having a Q value,
expressed in terms of the weight-average molecular weight/the
number-average molecular weight, equal to or higher than 6 and the
other having a Q value equal to or lower than 5, and said sheath
portion meeting at least the requirement that it should comprise a
sheath component of a polyethylene base polymer having a melting
point lower by at least 20.degree. C. than the lower one of the
melting points of said two core components. The nonwoven fabrics
are bulky and soft due to the crimps of the heat-adhesive composite
fibers resultant form the core portion and are stabilized by the
inter-fiber bonds of the sheath portion.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,017 shows an improved yarn, fabric and
protective garment made from such yarn where the yarn, fabric and
garment exhibit increased cut resistance. The yarn includes a core
made of fiber and a covering wrapped around the core, the covering
includes at least one strand of wire wrapped around the core.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,691 shows a cut resistant article
comprising a cut resistant jacket surrounding a less cut resistant
member. The jacket comprises a fabric of yarn and the yarn consists
essentially of a high strength, longitudinal strand having a
tensile strength of at least 1 GPa. The strand is wrapped with
another fiber or the same fiber.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,085 shows an improved yarn, fabric and
protective garment made from such yarn, where the yarn, fabric and,
garment exhibit increased cut resistance, flexibility, pliability
and softness. The yarn is non-metallic and includes a core made of
fiber and a covering wrapped around the core. At least one of the
strands is fiberglass, the non-fiberglass strands are preferably
nylon or polyester.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,723 shows a yarn produced from two or
more twisted cellulosic fibers, such as cotton or cotton rayon
fibers, the plies being helically wound around a thermoplastic
filament core which is subsequently melted to bind the inner
portions of the yarn together so that it does not untwist or shed
lint readily. The yarn is employed in a dust mop or floor mat for a
shampoo bonnet for stain resistant treated carpet.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,512 shows a cut resistant article
comprising a cut resistant jacket surrounding a less cut resistant
member. The jacket comprises a fabric of yarn and the yarn consists
essentially of a high strength, longitudinal strand having a
tensile strength of at least 1 GPa. The strand is wrapped with
another fiber or the same fiber. In another embodiment, the
invention is a highly cut resistant yarn of at least two
nonmetallic fibers. One fiber is inherently cut resistant like high
strength polyethylene, polypropylene or aramids. The other fiber in
the yarn has a high level of hardness.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,948 shows an improved non-metallic yarn,
fabric and protective garment made from such yarn, where the yarn,
fabric and garment exhibit increased cut resistance, flexibility,
pliability and softness. The yarn is non-metallic and includes a
core made of fiber and a covering wrapped around the core. At least
one of the strands of the core is fiberglass, the non-fiberglass
strands are preferably nylon, extended chain polyethylene, aramid
or polyester.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
protective yarn has a single fiberglass core fiber and one or more
cover members. The cover members are selected from the group
consisting of aramid fiber, ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin
fiber, polyester, nylon and polyacrylic fibers. The cover members
are wrapped, wound or twisted around the core in a manner which
permits successive layers to be wrapped, wound or twisted around
the core in an direction opposite that of the cover member
immediately below.
[0020] By using only one fiberglass core instead of multiple
non-glass fiber cores, the present invention provides cut
resistance equal to or greater than that obtained by using purely
engineered cut resistant fibers such as Spectra.RTM. and
Kevlar.RTM. at a significantly lower cost. Substituting a lower
strength hard and brittle fiber material such as fiberglass to the
core of the yarn adds a significant level of cut resistance at a
fraction of the cost. The addition of new yarn components has
substantially reduced a user's manual dexterity problems and
increased the protection offered for cuts.
[0021] The present invention overcomes the limitations of existing
protective yarns by using a single longitudinal core fiber that is
a hard and brittle material. Typically, the core material is a
strand of fiberglass. In order to minimize the amount of fiberglass
fragments that break free from the fiberglass strand and irritate
the skin of the person coming in contact with the fiberglass
fragments, a series of covering wraps are employed. These covering
wraps may also be a highly cut resistant material in and of
themselves. In addition, the outer cover wrap may be a fiber that
is smooth to the touch such as polyester or nylon. However, in
order to maximize cut resistance, the covering wraps may be
selected from the group consisting of polyolefins such as
Spectra.RTM. or aramids such as Kevlar.RTM..
[0022] Preferably, the cover members are wrapped, wound or twisted
around the core in a manner which permits successive layers to be
wrapped, wound or twisted around the core in an opposite direction
from the cover element immediately below.
[0023] The resulting protective yarns are then suitable for
knitting into protective gloves and other protective garments.
These yarns offer an inexpensive alternative to existing protective
yarns while providing substantial cut protection without irritating
a user's skin.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] An object of the present invention is to provide a
protective yarn.
[0025] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
yarn with a sufficiently low composite denier such that the
composite yarn is knittable into a protective glove or other
protective apparel.
[0026] Another objection of the present invention is to provide a
protective yarn that can be knitted into a glove which does not
irritate the wearer's skin, thereby increasing the likelihood that
a person will continuously wear the gloves.
[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide a protective
yarn that can be knitted into a glove which is flexible and which
does not unacceptably diminish the manual dexterity of the
wearer.
[0028] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
protective yarn that can maintain its size when it is exposed to
the extremely high temperatures employed in washing protective
garments and gloves in order to kill bacteria.
[0029] Another objective of the present invention is to minimize
the undesirable shrinkage of composite yarns having Spectra.RTM.
fiber or other similar fiber when the composite yarn is subjected
to the cleaning process.
[0030] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
yarn having fewer defects for efficient knotting of protective
garments and gloves with superior characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0031] From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that we have
invented an improved protective yarn. The improved protective yarn
is a single longitudinal fiberglass fiber core wraped with cover
layers composed of fibers selected from the group consisting of
polyolefins such as Spectra.RTM. or aramids such as Kevlar.RTM..
Winding the cover layers on the fiberglass core so that an adjacent
cover layer is wound in a direction opposite to the layer
immediately beneath it gives the protective yarn the desired
characteristics at a much lower cost than existing yarns. The
invented protective yarn is flexible enough that it can be knitted
into a protective fabric or garment on conventional knitting or
weaving machines and yet is strong enough to offer substantial cut
resistance. Finally, the invented protective yarn resists shrinkage
which results from exposure to extremely high temperatures during
the washing process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The foregoing and other objects will become more readily
apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the
appended drawing in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a front view of a partially unwound protective
yarn of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a front view of a partially unwound alternative
embodiment of the protective yarn of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invented
protective yarn, referred to generally as 10. The protective yarn
10 is a composite which includes a core 20 and at least one cover
member, referred to generally as 30. The cover members 30 minimize
break out of fiberglass fragments from the core strand 20. In order
to include knittability and minimize fiberglass core fragment
breakout, the cover members 30 are wrapped, wound or twisted in a
direction opposite that of an adjacent member.
[0036] Preferably, the cover member 30 has three helical covers. An
inner cover 40 is wrapped, wound or twisted on the core 20. A
middle cover 50 is wrapped, wound or twisted on the inner core 40
such that the orientation of the middle cover helix is opposite
that of the inner cover helix. An outer cover 60 is wrapped, wound
or twisted on the middle cover 50 such that the orientation of the
outer cover helix is opposite that of the middle cover helix.
[0037] In FIG. 1, the inner cover 40 is wrapped on the core 20 in a
right hand direction. The middle cover 50 is wrapped on the inner
cover 40 in a left hand direction. The outer cover 60 is wrapped on
the middle cover 50 in a right hand direction.
[0038] The core 20 is preferably a single longitudinal strand of
fiberglass fiber. The fiber must have be substantially hard and
sufficently flexible to permit the protective yarn to be knitted
into a protective fabric or garment on conventional knitting or
weaving machines. A G-50 glass fiber having an 890 denier is
exemplary. Naturally, a fiberglass strand having about the same
denier count may be substituted for the G-50 glass fiber 20 shown
in FIG. 1.
[0039] While the core 20 is a glass fiber, the cover members 30
will have at least one layer of a fiber which will provide cut
protection. Furthermore, at least one of the cover members 30 will
be a fiber selected from the group consisting of aramid fiber,
ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fiber, polyester, nylon and
polyacrylic fibers.
[0040] In the embodiment seen in FIG. 1, inner cover 40 is 650
denier Spectra.RTM., an extended chain polyethylene or polyolefin.
The middle cover 50 is a 650 Spectra.RTM. fiber. As seen in FIG. 1,
the Inc. outer cover is a Type 1000 650 denier Spectra.RTM. from
AlliedSignal Inc. as opposed to Type 900 650 denier AlliedSignal
Spectra.RTM.. Of course, outer cover 60 may also employ Type 900
AlliedSignal Spectra.RTM. or a substantially equivalent denier. The
composite denier of protective yarn 10 is 3190.
[0041] The number of turns per inch that the cover members 30 are
wound around the core 20 varies according to the cover layer and
cover material. In FIG. 1, the inner cover 40 is wound on the core
20 at approximately 4.8 turns per inch. The middle cover 50 is
wound on the inner cover 40 at approximately 9.1 turns per inch.
The outer cover 60 is wrapped on the middle cover 50 at
approximately 8.2 turns per inch.
[0042] The triple winding of the cover members 30 in opposite
directions on the fiberglass core 20 minimizes glass fragment
breakout and therefore reduces the amount of irritation from the
glass fragments to the hands of a wearer.
[0043] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 2. A protective yarn, generally referred to as 110, has a
single longitudinal strand of fiberglass as the yarn core 120.
Cover members, generally referred to as 130, are wound on the core
120.
[0044] In this embodiment of the present invention, one of the
cover members 30 is a substantially non-slippery fiber. The
non-slippery fiber is selected from the group consisting of
polyester, nylon and cotton. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer cover 60
is a 1000 denier Polyester.
[0045] In FIG. 2, the yarn core 120 is a G-50 glass strand of 890
denier. The cover members 130 has three helical covers. An inner
cover 140 is wrapped on the core 120. A middle cover 150 is wrapped
on the inner core 140 such that the orientation of the middle cover
helix is opposite that of the inner cover helix. An outer cover 160
is wrapped on the middle cover 150 such that the orientation of the
outer cover helix is opposite that of the middle cover helix.
[0046] In FIG. 2, the inner cover 140 is wrapped on the core 120 in
a right hand direction. The middle cover 150 is wrapped on the
inner cover 140 in a left hand direction. The outer cover 160 is
wrapped on the middle cover 150 in a right hand direction.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows an inner cover 140 using 650 denier
AlliedSignal Spectra.RTM. Type 900. The inner cover 140 is wound
around the core 120 at 4.8 turns per inch. The middle cover 150
uses 650 denier AlliedSignal Spectra.RTM. Type 900. The middle
cover 150 is wound on the inner cover 140 at 9.1 turns per inch.
The outer cover 160 is 1000 denier polyester. The outer cover 160
is wound on the middle cover 150 at 8.2 turns per inch. The
composite denier of protective yarn 110 is 3780.
[0048] The triple winding of the cover members 130 in opposite
directions on the fiberglass core 120 minimizes glass fragment
breakout and therefore reduces the amount of irritation from the
glass fragments to the hands of a wearer.
[0049] It should be noted that outer cover 160 could be polyester,
nylon, cotton or a similar non-high cut-resistant fiber. The use of
a non-high cut-resistant fiber as an outer cover 160 reduces the
"slickness" of any glove or other fabric knitted from protective
yarn 110. Because it is known that Spectral is "slick" therefore
making it more difficult for a user to grasp an item without
slippage while wearing a glove formed from a protective yarn 110 in
which outer covers 160 are Spectra.RTM., the outer cover 160 is so
formulated.
[0050] An additional benefit of the present invention's yarn
structure and yarn components is that the shrinkage of any fabric
made from such yarn is reduced from that of a yarn having a
Spectra.RTM. member(s) in the core 120. Because Spectra.RTM.
shrinks along its longitudinal axis from exposure to extreme heat
typical in the cleaning process, the garment or item composed soley
of such fibers will tend to shrink or disform thereby rendering the
garment useless. The fiberglass core in the present invention,
however, does not suffer from this problem. Furthermore, when the
Spectra.RTM. cover member shrink around the fiberglass core, the
cover members will merely wrap somewhat more tightly around the
core 120.
[0051] Table 1 reflects the reduction in shrinkage between gloves
containing fiberglass as in the present invention and gloves
containing only Spectra.RTM. fibers as in the prior art.
[0052] It is to be understood that the foregoing description and
specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of
the invention and the principles thereof, and that various
modifications and additions may be made to the apparatus by those
skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of
this invention.
TABLE 1
[0053] Shrink Testing of Wrapped Spectra/Fiberglass Invention
[0054] I felt the best way to test this new invention was not in
glove form, but individual length. Knitted gloves have inherent
shrinkage because of the looseness of the knit. I placed the length
of fiber in a steam box at high temperature. Most gloves are washed
at temperature of 180 degrees F. I washed them at 200 degrees F.
The following numbers represent the outcomes of my tests.
[0055] WF 278 90 cm 200 degrees F. 1 hour wet/200 degrees F. 1 hour
dry
2 Old Process (UK1 process) New Process 1. 87.5 1. 89.5 2. 87.2 2.
89.9 3. 87.7 3. 89.8 4. 88.0 4. 89.6 5. 87.8 5. 89.7 6. 87.7 6.
89.6 7. 87.3 7. 89.5 8. 87.5 8. 89.6 9. 89.1 9. 89.7 10. 87.8 10.
89.8 Ave. 87.56 2.7% Ave. 89.67 .36%
[0056] WF 239 90 cm 200 degrees F. 1 hour hot/200 degrees F. 1 hour
dry
3 Old Process (UK1 process) New Process 1. 89.0 1. 89.8 2. 88.6 2.
89.9 3. 88.8 3. 89.7 4. 88.9 4. 89.8 5. 88.7 5. 89.9 6. 88.6 6.
89.6 7. 88.9 7. 89.8 8. 88.7 8. 89:8 9. 88.5 9. 89.7 10. 89.0 10.
89.9 Ave. 88.77 1.36% Ave. 89.79 .23%
* * * * *