U.S. patent application number 10/485388 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for piece of clothing.
Invention is credited to Lambertz, Bodo W.
Application Number | 20040210988 10/485388 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7959946 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040210988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lambertz, Bodo W |
October 28, 2004 |
Piece of clothing
Abstract
The invention relates to a clothing item or piece of clothing,
in particular, for direct wearing on the skin. The piece of
clothing comprises at least two different yarns (1,2). The yarn
(2), facing the skin, has a completely sealed and smooth surface
and is in one piece. In a version thereof, the yarn (2), comprises
a number of individual filaments (21) collected into one thread.
Said yarn has a sealed and smooth surface.
Inventors: |
Lambertz, Bodo W; (Herdecke,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLSON & HIERL, LTD.
20 NORTH WACKER DRIVE
36TH FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
7959946 |
Appl. No.: |
10/485388 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
July 31, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE02/02801 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 31/00 20130101;
A41D 31/12 20190201; D01D 11/06 20130101; A41B 17/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/239 |
International
Class: |
A41B 011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2001 |
DE |
201 12 626.5 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A clothing item, in particular for being worn directly on the
skin, said item consisting of at least two different yarns (1, 2),
characterized in that the yarn (2) facing the skin has a completely
closed and smooth surface and is made of one piece.
2. The clothing item, in particular for being worn directly on the
skin, said item consisting of at least two different yarns (1, 2),
characterized in that the yarn (2) facing the skin consists of a
plurality of individual filaments (21) which are joined to form a
fiber and have a closed and smooth surface.
3. The clothing item according to claim 1, characterized in that
the yarn (2) is coated.
4. The clothing item according to claim 1, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of copper.
5. The clothing item according to claim 1, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.
6. The clothing item according to claim 1, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of silver.
7. The clothing item according to claim 1, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of gold.
8. The clothing item according to claims 3, characterized in that
in the coating (3) is applied galvanically.
9. The clothing item according to claim 3, characterized in that
the yarn (2) is crimped and is woven with the yarn (1).
10. The clothing item according to claim 1, characterized in that
the clothing item is a sock.
11. The clothing item according to claim 1, characterized in that
the clothing item is underwear.
12. The clothing item according to claim 2, characterized in that
the yarn (2) is coated.
13. The clothing item according to claim 2, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of copper.
14. The clothing item according to claim 2, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.
15. The clothing item according to claim 2, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of silver.
16. The clothing item according to claim 2, characterized in that
the coating (3) is made of gold.
17. The clothing item according to claims 12, characterized in that
in the coating (3) is applied galvanically.
18. The clothing item according to claim 13, characterized in that
the yarn (2) is crimped and is woven with the yarn (1).
19. The clothing item according to claim 2, characterized in that
the clothing item is a sock.
20. The clothing item according to claim 2, characterized in that
the clothing item is underwear.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an item of clothing, in
particular, for being worn directly on the skin, and more
particularly, it consists of at least two different yarns.
[0002] The clothing items of the type in question here are
essentially underwear and/or stockings. Especially high demands
with regard to wearing comfort are made of these clothing items
because they are constantly in direct contact with the skin of the
wearer. The materials used to produce these clothing items must
therefore be made of materials having a pleasant feel. At the same
time, an important demand of such clothing items is that they must
absorb perspiration as it is produced by the human body and must
nevertheless retain the pleasant wearing feeling. This requirement
is made of clothing items intended for wear in athletic activities,
in particular, because perspiration production is definitely
increased because of the many rapid movements involved.
Furthermore, the clothing items worn directly on the skin are
covered by clothing or shoes worn directly on top of them, thus
making it difficult for the perspiration that has been absorbed to
evaporate.
[0003] It is known that to improve the properties of clothing
items, one method is to texturize the yarns used. In texturizing,
smooth structureless filament yarns based on synthetics are given a
permanent crimp (crimped yarn) by utilizing their thermoplasticity.
This should influence the hand and appearance of the yarn to make
it like spun yarn, while increasing its volume for the purpose of
increased retention of heat and absorption of moisture and
increasing its stretchability and elasticity (see Brockhaus
Encyclopedia, 19th edition, vol. 52, "Tep-Ur," p. 49).
[0004] In addition, there are known so-called pile fabrics having a
furry surface or thread loops on one or both sides. These fabrics
also include terry cloth, which usually consists of two different
materials, e.g., polyester and wool which are twisted together
unevenly, whereby loops are formed by the one material (e.g., wool)
so that the loops protrude out of the fabric and yield an irregular
pile effect that is visible on both sides of the fabric (see
Brockhaus Encyclopedia, 19th edition, vol. 7, "Ex-Frt," p. 701).
These pile fabrics also include terry cloth that consists of a base
fabric with pile loops woven into it. Because of the high
absorbency required, terry cloth is made primarily of cotton yarn
and twisted yarn (Brockhaus loc. cit., p. 701). Although the
clothing items produced from the fabrics mentioned above have a
relatively good ability to take up moisture, the moisture is
absorbed by the entire fabric, so that the fibers of the fabric
which come in contact with the skin are moist, which thus has a
very negative effect on wearing comfort. At the same time, in
particular in the case of stockings made of such materials, the
risk of blisters forming on the foot is relatively high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention seeks to remedy this situation. The
object of this invention is to create clothing items, in particular
for being worn directly on the skin, which will have a high wearing
comfort that will not decline even if the wearer perspires heavily.
According to this invention, this object is achieved by the fact
that the yarn facing the skin is completely closed and consists of
one piece. This object is also achieved by the fact that the yarn
facing the skin consists of a plurality of individual filaments
that are joined to form a fiber and it has a closed and smooth
surface.
[0006] This invention creates a clothing item, in particular for
being worn directly on the skin, which has a high wearing comfort.
The yarn facing the skin is not capable of absorbing moisture
because of its completely closed surface. Instead, the moisture is
directed in the direction of the yarn which faces away from the
skin and absorbs the moisture. This results in exclusively "dry
yarn" being in contact with the skin even when the wearer is
perspiring heavily, so this gives the impression that the entire
clothing item is dry. Therefore, the wearing comfort is high even
for those participating, for example, in extreme athletic
activities.
[0007] In another refinement of this invention, the yarn is coated.
The coating is preferably applied galvanically, which ensures,
among other things, that the coating will cover the entire surface
of the yarn.
[0008] The coating preferably consists of silver, copper or gold.
These coatings have a magnetic shielding effect. Silver and copper
also prevent the spread of bacteria or even kill bacteria. In
particular when worn on the foot, the skin cells are renewed most
frequently. Therefore, a corneous stratum, i.e., a horny layer, or
dead skin layers often develop in the preliminary stage, where
bacteria and foot fungus accumulate. With the help of these
coatings, bacteria are killed by the metal ions contained in the
coating and/or the propagation of the bacteria or fungi is
prevented. This reduces the risk of foot odor and foot fungus. Use
of these coatings in underwear reduces the odor due to
perspiration. Gold also has an antistatic effect. There is no
oxidation so the high conductivity is preserved.
[0009] In another embodiment of this invention, the coating
consists of polytetrafluoroethylene. This material, which is known
by the brand name Teflon, is also characterized by good lubricant
properties. When used as a coating for the yarn, this results in a
great reduction in the friction of the clothing on the skin, which
also contributes to an increase in wearing comfort.
[0010] Other embodiments and refinements of this invention are
described hereafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] An exemplary embodiment of this invention is depicted in the
drawing and is described in greater detail below. The figures
show:
[0012] FIG. 1 a detail of a clothing item consisting of two
different yarns;
[0013] FIG. 2 a cross section through two woven yarns with a
coating, where the yarn is produced from monofilament, shown on an
enlarged scale;
[0014] FIG. 3 a clothing item in the form of a sock; and
[0015] FIG. 4 a clothing item in the form of a body suit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The clothing items of the type in question here are those
that come in direct contact with the skin, as is the case with
stockings and underwear, in particular. The clothing item consists
of two different yarns, namely yarn 1, which is facing away from
the skin--toward the outside--while yarn 2 is facing the
skin--toward the inside. Yarn 1 is usually a yarn known for use in
clothing items, e.g., cotton, wool or the like.
[0017] The yarn 2 facing the skin has a completely closed and
smooth surface in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. It
consists of one piece, which means in particular that the yarn 2
consists essentially of a single thread. The yarn 2 is essentially
inelastic and is woven with the yarn 1, forming a "crimped"
surface. This design may also be referred to as "loops." The yarn 2
has a very great thickness. The thickness preferably amounts to 84
dtex. Processing is performed, for example, by means of edging,
causing the yarn 2 to crimp. Due to the crimped form of the yarn 2,
a relatively dense surface is formed on the side facing the skin
when this yarn is woven together with yarn 1. As a result
approximately 80 to 90% of the skin covered by the clothing item is
in contact with the yarn 2. Thus, an almost completely closed dry
surface is created on the inside of the clothing item, imparting an
extremely pleasant feel in wearing, in particular for the case when
the yarn 1 has already taken up moisture.
[0018] In a modification, the yarn 2 may consist of a plurality of
fibers, which are tangled together (FIG. 2). The yarn 2 preferably
consists of monofilaments 21 which are joined to form a fiber. The
fiber thus created may also be edged [sic; carded] to produce a
rippled (or crimped) shape. The yarn 2 consisting of a plurality of
fibers is also woven with the yarn 1.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the yarn 3
is coated. The coating 3 is preferably applied galvanically. The
coating 3 consists of copper, silver, gold,
polytetra-fluoroethylene or the like. Different effects can be
achieved with the help of different coatings. For example, an
antifungal effect can be achieved with the help of copper or
silver. A coating of polytetrafluoroethylene, however, causes a
reduction in the friction produced by the clothing item on the
skin.
[0020] Even when the yarn 2 is produced from a plurality of fibers
according to the exemplary embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2, it is
also coated. The coating 3 also consists here of the substances
mentioned above. First, there is the possibility of coating each
individual fiber 21 and then combining them to form the yarn 2.
However, there is also the possibility of first combining the
fibers 21 to form the yarn 2 and then coating them.
[0021] For example, FIG. 3 shows a sock as the clothing item, in
particular for athletic activities. The sock consists of a foot
part 4 and a shaft (or trunk) 5. The foot part 4 has a toe area 41,
a heel area 42 and a tread area 43 between the toe area and the
heel area.
[0022] The shaft 5 is provided with a collar 51 on its end facing
away from the foot part 4. In the area of the calf, the shaft 5 is
provided with cushions 52, whereby in the example depicted here,
strip-shaped padding is provided. Other forms of padding are also
possible. Cushions 53 are also provided in the lower area of the
ankle going into the span of the foot part. Cushions may also be
provided in the area of the Achilles tendon.
[0023] The cushions are generally made of synthetic yarns or woven
compound fabrics or yarn or similar materials. In the exemplary
embodiment, the cushioning in the sock is made of hollow chamber
fibers with wool or cotton spun around them. The hollow chamber
synthetic yarns have particularly good shock absorbing and pressure
damping effects.
[0024] In addition, the sock is provided with an X-cross bandage
54, which is made of an elastic climate-regulating woven fabric.
The X-cross bandage 54 supports the ankle in the transitional area
between the leg and foot.
[0025] In the exemplary embodiment, an air channel 55 proceeds from
the collar 51 and extends into the arch of the foot. It is made of
a climate regulating mesh knit fabric. The air channel 55
contributes to the wick function in leading moisture upward out of
the contact area of the sole. Such an air channel 55 may also be
provided on the sock on the outside of the leg.
[0026] With the sock chosen here, the toe area 41, the heel area 42
and the sole area 43 between the toe area and the heel area are
made of the two different yarns 1, 2. Due to the loop design, 80%
to 90% of the skin contact here is with yarn 2. Since the yarn 2
achieves the effects described above, very good prevention of foot
fungus is achieved due to the design of areas 41, 42 and 43
described here. It is of course also possible to design other areas
of the sock in the manner described here.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows as an example an item of clothing, in
particular to be worn in athletic activities. The item of clothing,
which is preferably worn as underwear, has different climate zones
and different materials or combinations of materials are used over
the entire item of clothing, depending on the particular burden of
perspiration or stress. For example, air channels 6 which permit
better air circulation and removal of moisture are provided. In
addition, 7 cushions are provided at locations which are at
particular risk, such as the knees or (not shown) the elbows.
[0028] In the case of the clothing item depicted in FIG. 4, the
area of the armpits 8, the crotch 9 and (not shown) the area of the
back of the knees are made of the two different yarns 1, 2. Here
again due to the loop design in these areas 80 to 90% of the skin
comes in contact with yarn 2. Since the yarn 2 achieves the effects
described above, a very good preventive effect against the
development of diseases is achieved due to the design of the areas
that are exposed to high bacterial levels. In addition, there is
also a pleasant feeling in the areas exposed to the most
perspiration when this item of clothing is worn.
* * * * *