U.S. patent application number 10/548630 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-30 for woven or knitted cloth containing two different yarns from and exhibiting reduction of interstitial rate in becoming wet.
Invention is credited to Seiji Mizohata, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Satoshi Yasui.
Application Number | 20060270293 10/548630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34100957 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060270293 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yasui; Satoshi ; et
al. |
November 30, 2006 |
Woven or knitted cloth containing two different yarns from and
exhibiting reduction of interstitial rate in becoming wet
Abstract
A woven or knitted fabric, formed from two types of yarns
different in self-elongating property upon absorbing water and
capable of increasing the opening area (%) when wetted with water
compared with that in dry condition, is constituted so that a ratio
A/B of a mean length A of yarns (1) having a high self-elongating
upon absorbing water to a mean length B of yarns (2) arranged in
the same direction as that of the yarn (1) and having a lower
self-elongating upon absorbing water than that of the yarn (1) is
adjusted to more than 0.9.
Inventors: |
Yasui; Satoshi; (Osaka,
JP) ; Mizohata; Seiji; (Ehime, JP) ;
Yamaguchi; Takeshi; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Family ID: |
34100957 |
Appl. No.: |
10/548630 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
July 20, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/10590 |
371 Date: |
September 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
442/181 ;
442/304; 442/308; 442/310 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D10B 2403/0114 20130101;
Y10T 442/438 20150401; D02G 3/444 20130101; A41D 31/14 20190201;
Y10T 442/425 20150401; D03D 15/567 20210101; D04B 1/14 20130101;
A41D 2400/26 20130101; Y10T 442/30 20150401; Y10T 442/40 20150401;
C08L 2201/12 20130101; D10B 2401/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
442/181 ;
442/304; 442/310; 442/308 |
International
Class: |
D03D 15/00 20060101
D03D015/00; D04B 21/00 20060101 D04B021/00; D04B 21/14 20060101
D04B021/14; D04B 1/14 20060101 D04B001/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2003 |
JP |
2003-281630 |
Claims
1. A woven or knitted fabric containing two types of yarns
different in self-elongating property upon absorbing water, from
each other, wherein when a test piece is prepared from the fabric
in such a manner that said woven or knitted fabric is stabilized in
dimension in the atmosphere having a temperature at 20.degree. C.
and a relative humidity at 65% and then cut into pieces of 30 cm
long in the warp or wale direction and 30 cm long in the weft or
course direction; and yarns (1) having a high water-absorbing and
self-elongating property and yarns (2) having a low water-absorbing
and self-elongating property and respectively contained in the test
pieces satisfy the following requirement: A/B>0.9 wherein A
represents a mean length of the yarns (1) having high
water-absorbent and self-elongative property and B represents a
mean length of said yarns (2) having low water-absorbing and
self-elongating property, the yarns (1) and (2) being arranged in
the same direction as each other in the test piece and picked up
from the test piece; the length of the respective yarn being
measured under a load of 1.76 mN/dtex when the yarn is a
non-elastic yarn having an elongation at break of 200% or less or
under a load of 0.0088 mN/dtex when the yarn is an elastic yarn
having an elongation at break higher than 200%, and whereby an
opening area percentage of the fabric decreases when wetted with
water.
2. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, wherein when the two types of yarns
(1) and (2) different in the water-absorbing, self-elongating
property are respectively subjected to a measurement of
self-elongation upon absorbing water in such a manner that each of
the yarns is wound 10 times around a reel for a hank having a
circumference of 1.125 m long under a load of 0.88 mN/dtex to form
a hank; the hank is removed from the reel and left to stand in the
air atmosphere having a temperature at 20.degree. C. and a relative
humidity at 65% for 24 hours to dry the hank; then the length (Ld,
m) of the dry hank is measured under a load of 1.76 mN/dtex when
the yarn is a non-elastic yarn having an elongation at break of
200% or less, or under a load of 0.0088 mN/dtex when the yarn is an
elastic yarn having an elongation at break higher than 200%; the
hank is immersed in water at a temperature at 20.degree. C. for 5
minutes; then the hank is taken out from water; a length (Lw, m) of
the wet hank is measured under the same load as described above in
response to the elongation at break of the hank; and the
self-elongation of each yarn is calculated in accordance with the
following equation: Self-elongation of yarn
(%)=[(Lw-Ld)/(Ld)].times.100 one (1) of the two type of yarns is a
high water-absorbing, self-elongating yarn having a mean
self-elongation of +5% or more and the other (2) is a low
water-absorbing, self-elongating yarn having a mean self-elongation
lower than +5%.
3. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 2, wherein the difference
(E.sub.(1)-E.sub.(2)) between the self-elongation (E.sub.(1)) upon
absorbing water of the yarn (1) and the self-elongation E.sub.(2))
upon absorbing water of the yarn (2) is in a range of from 5 to
35%.
4. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, having a circular knitting structure
in which the yarns (1) and (2) are combined in parallel with each
other, and the combined yarns form composite yarn loops in the
circular knitting structure.
5. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, having a weave structure in which the
yarns (1) and (2) are combined in parallel with each other, and the
combined yarns form at least one of warp and weft of the woven
fabric.
6. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, wherein the yarns (1) and the yarns
(2) are arranged alternately with every at least one yarn in at
least one direction selected from the warp and weft directions of a
woven fabric structure or in at least one direction selected from
the wale and course directions in a knitted fabric structure.
7. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, wherein at least one of the yarns (1)
is combined with at least one of the yarn (2) to form a composite
yarn.
8. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, wherein fibers from which the yarn (1)
having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating property is
constituted, are selected from polyetherester fibers formed from
polyetherester elastomer comprising hard segments comprising
polybutylene terephthalate blocks and soft segments comprising
polyoxyethylene glycol blocks.
9. A woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, wherein fibers from which the yarn (2)
having a low water-absorbing and self-elongating property is
constituted, are selected from polyester fibers.
10. A woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 1, wherein when the fabric is subjected
to a measurement of change in opening area of the fabric in such a
manner that a plurality of test pieces of the woven or knitted
fabric are left to stand in the air atmosphere having a temperature
at 20.degree. C. and a relative humidity at 65% for 24 hours to
prepare a plurality of dry test pieces, and separately a plurality
of other test pieces of said woven or knitted fabric are immersed
in water at a temperature at 20.degree. C. for 5 minutes, then
taken out from water, and sandwiched between a pair of filter
papers under the pressure of 490 N/m.sup.2 for one minute to remove
water existing in the interstices between fibers in the test pieces
to prepare a plurality of wet test pieces, surfaces of each of the
dry and wet test pieces are observed by an optical microscope at a
magnification of 20 and the opening areas of the dry and wetted
test pieces are calculated in accordance with the following
equation: Opening area (%)=[(total area of openings between
yarns)/(observed area)].times.100 then, a mean value of the
measured opening areas of each of the dry and wetted test piece are
calculated and a change between the mean opening area of the wetted
test pieces and the mean opening area of the dry test pieces was
calculated in accordance with the following equation: Change in
opening area (%)=[(mean opening area of dry test pieces)-(mean
opening area of wetted test pieces)]/(mean opening area of dry test
pieces).times.100, and the resultant change in the yarn gap area is
at least 10%.
11. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 2, having a circular knitting structure
in which the yarns (1) and (2) are combined in parallel with each
other, and the combined yarns form composite yarn loops in the
circular knitting structure.
12. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 3, having a circular knitting structure
in which the yarns (1) and (2) are combined in parallel with each
other, and the combined yarns form composite yarn loops in the
circular knitting structure.
13. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 2, having a weave structure in which the
yarns (1) and (2) are combined in parallel with each other, and the
combined yarns form at least one of warp and weft of the woven
fabric.
14. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 3, having a weave structure in which the
yarns (1) and (2) are combined in parallel with each other, and the
combined yarns form at least one of warp and weft of the woven
fabric.
15. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 2, wherein the yarns (1) and the yarns
(2) are arranged alternately with every at least one yarn in at
least one direction selected from the warp and weft directions of a
woven fabric structure or in at least one direction selected from
the wale and course directions in a knitted fabric structure.
16. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 3, wherein the yarns (1) and the yarns
(2) are arranged alternately with every at least one yarn in at
least one direction selected from the warp and weft directions of a
woven fabric structure or in at least one direction selected from
the wale and course directions in a knitted fabric structure.
17. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 2, wherein at least one of the yarns (1)
is combined with at least one of the yarn (2) to form a composite
yarn.
18. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 3, wherein at least one of the yarns (1)
is combined with at least one of the yarn (2) to form a composite
yarn.
19. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 2, wherein fibers from which the yarn (1)
having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating property is
constituted, are selected from polyetherester fibers formed from
polyetherester elastomer comprising hard segments comprising
polybutylene terephthalate blocks and soft segments comprising
polyoxyethylene glycol blocks.
20. The woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of
yarns as defined by claim 3, wherein fibers from which the yarn (1)
having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating property is
constituted, are selected from polyetherester fibers formed from
polyetherester elastomer comprising hard segments comprising
polybutylene terephthalate blocks and soft segments comprising
polyoxyethylene glycol blocks.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a woven or knitted fabric
containing two types of yarns different from each other and capable
of decreasing an opening area in the weave or knit structure of the
fabric upon wetting with water, and of increasing the opening area
in the weave or knit structure of the fabric upon drying.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A fabric having an opening area percentage, in the fabric
structure, capable of reversibly changing between that upon wetting
with water and that upon drying is referred to as a
moisture-sensitive fabric, and currently various types of
moisture-sensitive fabrics have been proposed.
[0003] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
10-77544 (Patent reference 1) discloses a woven or knitted fabric
formed from yarns which has been formed from a moisture-absorbing
polymer and twisted. In this type of woven or knitted fabric, a
twist torque is generated upon absorbing moisture, to cause a flat
structure form of the woven or knitted fabric to change into a
cubic structure form and, thereby, the opening area of the fabric
to increase and the air permeability of the fabric to increase.
Also, the inventors of the present invention proposed a woven or
knitted fabric formed from self-elongating yarns upon absorbing
water and non-self-elongating yarns and capable of increasing an
opening area of the fabric upon wetting with water and decreasing
the opening area percentage upon drying.
[0004] When conventional woven or knitted fabrics constituted from
synthetic fibers and/or natural fibers are used for swimming wear
and sportswear, a problem such that the resultant wear exhibits a
high light permeability upon wetting with, for example, rain and,
thus, a high see-through property, occurs. This problem must be
solved. Also, a supply of a fabric which exhibit an increased
waterproof property when wetted with water and an enhanced air
permeability when dried, and has an excellent comfort in wear, is
desired.
[0005] However, every moisture-sensitive fabric as mentioned above
exhibits an increased opening area percentage upon wetting with
water and a decreased opening area percentage upon drying, and thus
is not desirable for the above-mentioned use. Thus, the woven or
knitted fabric of which the opening area percentage changes
reversibly, so as to decrease when wetted with water and increase
when dried, is desired.
[0006] Patent Reference 1: JP-10-77544-A
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a woven or
knitted fabric capable of decreasing an opening area percentage of
the fabric upon wetting with water and increasing the opening area
percentage of the fabric upon drying, the change in dimensions and
form of the fabric, between wetting and drying, being small.
[0008] The inventors of the present invention have extensively
searched to attain the above-mentioned object, and have found that,
in the production of a woven or knitted fabric from two types of
yarns different in water-absorbing and self-elongating property,
the change in dimensions of the fabric between wet and dry
conditions can be made small, and when wetted with water (upon
absorbing water or moisture) the opening area percentage of the
fabric can be made small and the air permeability of the fabric can
be decreased, and when dried, the opening area percentage of the
fabric can be made large and the air permeability of the fabric can
be increased, by imparting a specific difference in yarn length to
the two types of the yarns different from each other. The present
invention has been completed on the basis of the finding.
[0009] The woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two types of yarns different, in self-elongating
property upon absorbing water, from each other, is characterized in
that when a test piece is prepared from the fabric in such a manner
that said woven or knitted fabric is stabilized in dimension in the
atmosphere having a temperature at 20.degree. C. and a relative
humidity at 65% and then cut into pieces of 30 cm long in the warp
or wale direction and 30 cm long in the weft or course direction;
and yarns (1) having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating
property and yarns (2) having a low water-absorbing and
self-elongating property and respectively contained in the test
pieces satisfy the following requirement: A/B>0.9 wherein A
represents a mean length of the yarns (1) having high
water-absorbent and self-elongative property and B represents a
mean length of said yarns (2) having low water-absorbing and
self-elongating property, the yarns (1) and (2) being arranged in
the same direction as each other in the test piece and picked up
from the test piece; the length of the respective yarn being
measured under a load of 1.76 mN/dtex when the yarn is a
non-elastic yarn having an elongation at break of 200% or less or
under a load of 0.0088 mN/dtex when the yarn is an elastic yarn
having an elongation at break higher than 200%, and whereby an
opening area percentage of the fabric decreases when wetted with
water.
[0010] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, when the two types of
yarns (1) and (2) different in the water-absorbing, self-elongating
property are respectively subjected to a measurement of
self-elongation upon absorbing water in such a manner that each of
the yarns is wound 10 times around a reel for a hank having a
circumference of 1.125 m long under a load of 0.88 mN/dtex to form
a hank; the hank is removed from the reel and left to stand in the
air atmosphere having a temperature at 20.degree. C. and a relative
humidity at 65% for 24 hours to dry the hank; then the length (Ld,
m) of the dry hank is measured under a load of 1.76 mN/dtex when
the yarn is a non-elastic yarn having an elongation at break of
200% or less, or under a load of 0.0088 mN/dtex when the yarn is an
elastic yarn having an elongation at break higher than 200%; the
hank is immersed in water at a temperature at 20.degree. C. for 5
minutes; then the hank is taken out from water; a length (Lw, m) of
the wet hank is measured under the same load as described above in
response to the elongation at break of the hank; and the
self-elongation of each yarn is calculated in accordance with the
following equation: Self-elongation of yarn
(%)=[(Lw-Ld)/(Ld)].times.100
[0011] one (1) of the two type of yarns is preferably a high
water-absorbing, self-elongating yarn having a mean self-elongation
of +5% or more and the other (2) is preferably a low
water-absorbing, self-elongating yarn having a mean self-elongation
lower than +5%.
[0012] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, the difference
(E.sub.(1)-E.sub.(2)) between the self-elongation (E.sub.(1)) upon
absorbing water of the yarn (1) and the self-elongation (E.sub.(2))
upon absorbing water of the yarn (2) is preferably in a range of
from 5 to 35%.
[0013] The woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns may have a circular
knitting structure in which the yarns (1) and (2) are combined in
parallel with each other, and the combined yarns form composite
yarn loops in the circular knitting structure.
[0014] The woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns as defined by any one of
claims 1 to 3, may have a weave structure in which the yarns (1)
and (2) are combined in parallel with each other, and the combined
yarns form at least one of a warp and a weft of the woven
fabric.
[0015] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns as defined by any one of
claims 1 to 3, preferably, the yarns (1) and the yarns (2) are
arranged alternately with every at least one yarn in at least one
direction selected from the warp and weft directions of a woven
fabric structure or in at least one direction selected from the
wale and course directions in a knitted fabric structure.
[0016] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, preferably at least one of
the yarns (1) is combined with at least one of the yarn (2) to form
a composite yarn.
[0017] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, fibers from which the yarn
(1) having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating property is
constituted, are preferably selected from polyetherester fibers
formed from polyetherester elastomer comprising hard segments
comprising polybutylene terephthalate blocks and soft segments
comprising polyoxyethylene glycol blocks.
[0018] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, the fibers from which the
yarn (2) having a low water-absorbing and self-elongating property
is constituted are preferably selected from polyester fibers.
[0019] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, when the fabric is
subjected to a measurement of change in opening area of the fabric
in such a manner that a plurality of test pieces of the woven or
knitted fabric are left to stand in the air atmosphere having a
temperature at 20.degree. C. and a relative humidity at 65% for 24
hours to prepare a plurality of dry test pieces, and separately a
plurality of other test pieces of said woven or knitted fabric are
immersed in water at a temperature at 20.degree. C. for 5 minutes,
then taken out from water, and sandwiched between a pair of filter
papers under the pressure of 490 N/m.sup.2 for one minute to remove
water existing in the interstices between fibers in the test pieces
to prepare a plurality of wet test pieces, surfaces of each of the
dry and wet test pieces are observed by an optical microscope at a
magnification of 20 and the opening areas of the dry and wetted
test pieces are calculated in accordance with the following
equation: Opening area (%)=[(total area of openings between
yarns)/(observed area)].times.100
[0020] then, a mean value of the measured opening areas of each of
the dry and wetted test piece are calculated and a change between
the mean opening area of the wetted test pieces and the mean
opening area of the dry test pieces was calculated in accordance
with the following equation: Change in opening area (%)=[(mean
opening area of dry test pieces)-(mean opening area of wetted test
pieces)]/(mean opening area of dry test pieces).times.100,
[0021] the resultant change in the opening area is preferably at
least 10%.
[0022] The woven or knitted fabric of the present invention having
two different types of yarns is advantageous that, in the change in
dimensions and form of the fabric between dry condition and wetted
condition, the opening area (%) of the fabric decreases upon
absorbing and wetting with water and reversibly increase upon
drying. When the woven or knitted fabric is employed for swimwear
or sportswear, the opening area (%) of the woven or knitted fabric
decreases upon wetting with water, and thus no increase in light
permeability and a see-through property occurs upon wetting with
water and the waterproof property of the fabric is enhanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In FIG. 1, FIG. 1-(A) shows an explanatory plane view of a
circular knitting structure (loop structure) in dry state, formed
from paralleled yarns constituted from two yarns different from
each other, as an embodiment of the types of woven or knitted
fabric containing two different types of yarns of the present
invention, and FIG. 1-(B) shows an explanatory plan view of the
circular knitting structure formed from the paralleled yarns as
shown in FIG. 1-(A), upon wetting with water;
[0024] In FIG. 2, FIG. 2-(A) shows an explanatory plan view of a
plain weave structure in dry state, formed from paralleled yarns
constituted from two types of yarns different from each other, as
another embodiment of the woven or knitted fabric containing two
different types of yarns of the present invention, and FIG. 2-(B)
shows an explanatory plan view of the plain weave structure formed
from the paralleled yarns as shown in FIG. 2-(A) upon wetting with
water;
[0025] In FIG. 3, FIG. 3-(A) shows an explanatory plan view of a
circular knit structure (loop structure), in dry state, of a front
surface ply of a two ply circular knitted fabric constituted from
the front surface ply having a circular knit structure formed from
the two different types of yarns arranged alternately with each
other, as another embodiment of the woven or knitted fabric of the
present invention having two different types of yarns, and FIG.
3-(B) is an explanatory plan view of the circular knit structure
(loop structure), in water-wetted state, of the front surface layer
as shown in FIG. 3-(A); and
[0026] In FIG. 4, FIG. 4-(A) shows an explanatory plan view of a
plain weave structure in dry state, formed from two different types
of yarns used as warp and weft yarns, as another embodiment of the
woven or knitted fabric containing two different types of yarns of
the present invention, and FIG. 4-(B) shows an explanatory plan
view of the plain weave structure as shown in FIG. 1-(A) upon
wetting with water.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0027] The woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns is a fabric containing two
types of yarns different from each other, in a self-elongating
property, upon absorbing water.
[0028] When the woven or knitted fabric is stabilized in dimension
in an air atmosphere having a temperature at 20.degree. C. and a
relative humidity at 65%, and then cut into test pieces of 30 cm
long in the warp or wale direction and 30 cm long in the weft or
course direction, the yarns (1) having a high water-absorbing and
self-elongating property, and the yarns (2) having a low
water-absorbing and self-elongating property contained in the
fabric pieces satisfy the following equipment; A/B>0.9 wherein A
represents a mean length of the yarns (1) having high
water-absorbent and self-elongative property and B represents a
mean length of the yarns (2) having low water-absorbing and
self-elongating property, the yarns (1) and (2) being arranged in
the same direction as each other in the test piece and picked up
from the test piece; the length of the respective yarn being
measured under a load of 1.76 mN/dtex when the yarn is a
non-elastic yarn having an elongation at break of 200% or less or
under a load of 0.0088 mN/dtex when the yarn is an elastic yarn
having an elongation at break higher than 200%, and whereby the
resultant woven or knitted exhibit such a specific performance that
when the woven or knitted fabric is wetted with water and absorbs
water, the opening area of the fabric decreases and thus the air
permeability of the fabric decreases and when the fabric is dried,
the opening area of the fabric increases and thus the air
permeability of the fabric increases. The number (n) of the test
pieces of yarns for the measurement of the mean length of the yarns
is preferably 5 to 20.
[0029] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention, the
ratio A/B in the mean length of the yarn (1) having a high
water-absorbing and self-elongating property to that of the yarn
(2) having a low water-absorbing and self-elongating property must
be more than 0.9, as described above, preferably in a range from
1.0 to 2.0, more preferably from 1.0 to 1.5. If the ratio A/B is
0.9 or less, the decrease in the opening area and air-permeability
of the woven or knitted fabric by wetting with water becomes
insufficient.
[0030] The yarns (1) having a high water-absorbing and
self-elongating property and usable for the present invention may
be formed from either elastic fibers or non-elastic fibers,
preferably they exhibit elastic stretchability and shrinkability.
The elastic yarn constituted from the elastic fibers preferably has
an elongation at break higher than 200%. On the other hand, while
there is no limitation in the elongation at break of the yarn
formed from the non-elastic fibers, it is preferably 200% or
less.
[0031] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, the yarns (1) and (2)
different in the water-absorbing and self-elongating property from
each other preferably satisfy the following condition:
[0032] When the two types of yarns (1) and (2) different in the
water-absorbing, self-elongating property are respectively
subjected to a measurement of self-elongation upon absorbing water
in such a manner that each of the yarns is wound 10 times around a
reel for a hank having a circumference of 1.125 m long under a load
of 0.88 mN/dtex to form a hank; the hank is removed from the reel
and left to stand in the air atmosphere having a temperature at
20.degree. C. and a relative humidity at 65% for 24 hours to dry
the hank; then the length (Ld, m) of the dry hank is measured under
a load of 1.76 mN/dtex when the yarn is a non-elastic yarn having
an elongation at break of 200% or less, or under a load of 0.0088
mN/dtex when the yarn is an elastic yarn having an elongation at
break higher than 200%; the hank is immersed in water at a
temperature at 20.degree. C. for 5 minutes; then the hank is taken
out from water; a length (Lw, m) of the wet hank is measured under
the same load as described above in response to the elongation at
break of the hank; and the self-elongation of each yarn is
calculated in accordance with the following equation:
Self-elongation of yarn(%)=[(LW-Ld)/(Ld)].times.100, preferably one
(1) of the two type of yarns is a high water-absorbing,
self-elongating yarn having a mean self-elongation of +5% or more
and the other (2) is a low water-absorbing, self-elongating yarn
having a mean self-elongation lower than +5%. More preferably, the
mean self-elongation of the yarn (1) is +6% or more, and the mean
self-elongation of the yarn (2) is +4% or less. Still more
preferably, the yarns (1) and (2) have a mean self-elongations of
+8 to +30% and 0 to +3%, respectively. The number (n) of the test
pieces for the above-mentioned measurement is preferably 5 to
20.
[0033] The difference (E.sub.(1)-E.sub.(2)) between the
self-elongation (E.sub.(1)) upon absorbing water of the yarn (1)
and the self-elongation (E.sub.(2)) upon absorbing water of the
yarn (2) is preferably in a range of from 5 to 35%, more preferably
7 to 30%, still more preferably 10 to 30%. If the self-elongation
difference (E.sub.(1)-E.sub.(2)) is less than 5%, the difference in
the opening area (%) of the woven or knitted fabric containing two
different types of yarns between dry condition and wetted condition
may become insufficient and thereby to cause the air-permeability
of the fabric in the dry condition to be insufficient. Contrarily,
if the difference exceeds 35%, the air-permeability of the fabric
may become too low in the wetted state with water and too high in
the dry state.
[0034] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention, a
ratio in mass of the yarn (1) having a high water-absorbing and
self-elongating property to the yarn (2) having a low
water-absorbing and self-elongating property is preferably, in the
case of the woven fabric, in a range from 10:90 to 70:30, more
preferably from 15:85 to 50:50, while preferably in the case of the
knitted fabric, in a range from 10:90 to 60:40, more preferably
from 20:80 to 50:50.
[0035] In one embodiment of the woven or knitted fabric of the
present invention containing two different types of yarns, the
fabric has a circular knitting structure wherein the two types of
yarns (1) and (2) are paralleled with each other to form composite
yarn loops in the resultant circular knitting structure.
[0036] In another embodiment of the woven or knitted fabric of the
present invention containing two different types of yarns, the
fabric has a weave structure and the two types of yarns (1) and (2)
are paralleled with each other and the resultant paralleled yarns
constitute at least one of the warp and weft in the weave
structure.
[0037] In an embodiment of the woven or knitted fabric of the
present invention containing two different types of yarns, as shown
in FIG. 1 (FIGS. 1-(A) and 1-(B)), the fabric has a knitting
structure, for example, a circular knitting structure, and the two
types of yarns (1) and (2) are employed in the form of paralleled
yarn in which the yarns (1) and (2) are paralleled to each other.
In FIG. 1, the two types of yarns (1) and (2) are paralleled to
each other in a dry state. In the resultant knitted fabric, a
plurality of openings 3 are formed by the loops formed from the
paralleled yarns. In this case, the ratio A/B in mean length of the
yarn (1) to the yarn (2) is more than 0.9. When the knitted fabric
is wetted by absorbing water, the yarn (1) having a high
water-absorbing and self-elongating property elongates and has a
longer yarn length than that of the yarn (2) having a low
water-absorbing and self-elongating property, and the elongated
yarn (2) is entangled around the yarn (1) to cause the apparent
thickness of the paralleled yarn to increase. Thus, the ratio of
the total area of openings 3 to whole surface area of the knitted
fabric upon wetting with water becomes lower than that upon drying,
and the air permeability of the fabric decreases by wetting with
water.
[0038] In another embodiment of the woven or knitted fabric of the
present invention containing two different types of yarns, as shown
in FIG. 2 (FIG. 2-(A) and FIG. 2-(B)) the fabric has a woven fabric
structure, for example a plain weave structure wherein warp and
weft yarns are respectively constituted by paralleled yarns
constituted from the yarn (1)1 having a high water-absorbing and
self-elongating property and the yarn (2)2 having a low
water-absorbing and self-elongating property. When such paralleled
yarns are used as warp and weft yarns to form a woven fabric, and
the ratio A/B is controlled to be more than 0.9 openings 3 are
formed between the warp and weft yarns.
[0039] When the woven fabric is wetted with water to allow the
fabric to absorb water, the yarn length of the yarn (1)1 having a
high water-absorbing and self-elongating property becomes longer
than that of the yarn (2)2 having a low water-absorbing and
self-elongating property. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2-(B), the yarn
(2)2 having a longer yarn length crimps around the yarn (1)1 having
a shorter yarn length, to cause the resultant paralleled yarn to
exhibit an increased apparent thickness. Thus the opening area
between the yarns in the resultant wetted woven fabric becomes
smaller than that in the dry state.
[0040] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, the opening areas (%) of
the fabric in the dry and wetted states and the change in the
opening area of the fabric between the dry state and the wet state
is determined by the following measurement.
[0041] A plurality of test pieces of the woven or knitted fabric
are left to stand in the air atmosphere having a temperature at
20.degree. C. and a relative humidity at 65% for 24 hours to
prepare a plurality of dry test pieces, and separately a plurality
of other test pieces of said woven or knitted fabric are immersed
in water at a temperature at 20.degree. C. for 5 minutes, then
taken out from water, and sandwiched between a pair of filter
papers under the pressure of 490 N/m.sup.2 for one minute to remove
water existing in the interstices between fibers in the test pieces
to prepare a plurality of wet test pieces, surfaces of each of the
dry and wet test pieces are observed by an optical microscope at a
magnification of 20 and the yarn gap areas of the dry and wetted
test pieces are measured in accordance with the following equation:
Opening area (%)=[(total area of openings between yarns)/(observed
area)].times.100 then, a mean value of the measured opening areas
of each of the dry and wetted test piece and a change in mean
opening area between the wetted test pieces and the dry test pieces
was calculated in accordance with the following equation: Change in
opening area (%)=[(mean opening area of dry test pieces)-(mean
opening area of wetted test pieces)]/(mean opening area of dry test
pieces).times.100.
[0042] The number n of the test pieces for the above-mentioned
measurement is preferably 5 to 20.
[0043] The change in opening area of the woven or knitted fabric of
the present invention containing the two different types of yarns,
between the dry state and the wetted state is preferably at least
10%, more preferably 15 to 20%, still more preferably 8 to 50%. If
the change in opening area is less than 10%, there might be a case
wherein the opening area of the fabric in the dry state is
insufficient.
[0044] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, fibers usable for the yarn
(1) having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating property are
preferably selected from, for example, polyether-ester fibers
formed from polyether ester elastomer containing hard segments
comprising polybutylene terephthalate blocks and soft segments
comprising polyoxyethylene glycol blocks, although not necessarily
limited thereto.
[0045] Other fibers for the yarn (1) are, for example, polyester
fibers consisting of a polyester composition comprising a polyester
polymer blended with a polyacrylate metal salt, polyacrylic acid or
a copolymer thereof, polymethacrylate or a copolymer thereof,
polyvinyl alcohol or a copolymer thereof, polyacrylamide or a
copolymer thereof, polyoxyethylene polymer or another, or polyester
fibers containing copolymerized 5-sulfoisophthalate. Among them,
the polyether ester fibers are preferably used, which are formed
from a polyether ester elastomer comprising hard segments formed
from polybutylene terephthalate blocks and soft segments formed
from polyoxyethylene glycol blocks.
[0046] The polybutylene terephthalate used for the hard segments
preferably contains butylene terephthalate units of 70 mol % or
more. The content of the butylene terephthalate segments is
preferably 80 mol % or more, more preferably 90 mol % or more. An
acid component for the polymer for constituting the hard segments
contains mainly terephthalic acid which may be copolymerized with a
small amount of other dicarboxylic acid component, and the glycol
component mainly comprises tetramethylene glycol which may be
copolymerized with other glycol component.
[0047] The dicarboxylic acid component other than terephthalic acid
used for forming the polymer for the hard segments is selected
from, for example, aromatic or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid
components such as naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, isophthalic acid,
diphenyl dicarboxylic acid, diphenylxyethane dicarboxylic acid,
.beta.-hydroxyethoxy benzoic acid, p-oxybenzoic acid, adipic acid,
sebacic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid. Further, tri-or
more-functional polycarboxylic acids such as trimellitic acid or
pyromellitic acid may be used as a copolymer component within a
range wherein the achievement of the object of the present
invention is not disturbed.
[0048] The diol component other than tetramethylene glycol used for
forming the polymer for the hard segments is selected from, for
example, aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic diol compounds such as
trimethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol or
neopentyl glycol. Also, tri- or more-functional polyol such as
glycerin, trimethyrol propane or pentaerythritol may be used as a
copolymer component within a range wherein the achievement of the
object of the present invention is not disturbed.
[0049] Also, polyoxyethylene glycol for forming the soft segments
preferably contains oxyethylene glycol units in a content of 70 mol
% or more. The content of oxyethylene glycol is more preferably 80
mol % or more, further more preferably 90 mol % or more. Propylene
glycol, tetramethylene glycol or glycerin may be copolymerized in
addition to the oxyethylene glycol, within a range wherein the
achievement of the object of the present invention is not
disturbed.
[0050] The number-average molecular weight of polyoxyethylene
glycol for the soft segment is preferably in a range from 400 to
8,000, more preferably from 1,000 to 6,000.
[0051] The above-mentioned polyether-ester elastomer can be
produced, for example, by a transesterificaiton reaction of
dimethyl phthalate with a material containing tetramethylene glycol
and polyoxyethylene glycol in the presence of a transesterificaiton
catalyst to prepare bis(co-hydroxybutyl) terephthalate monomer
and/or oligomer, and then the monomer and/or oligomer is subjected
to a melt-polycondensation reaction in the presence of a
polycondensation catalyst and a stabilizer at a high temperature
and under a reduced pressure.
[0052] A ratio by mass of the hard segments to the soft segments in
the polyether-ester elastomer as mentioned above is preferably in a
range from 30/70 to 70/30.
[0053] When a metal salt of an organic sulfonic acid is
copolymerized with polyetherester polymer for the yarn (1), the
water-absorbing and self-elongating property of the elastomer is
further enhanced.
[0054] The polyether-ester fiber for the yarn (1) is produced by
melting and extruding the above-mentioned polyetherester in and
through a conventional melt-spinning spinneret, then is taken up at
a take-up speed in a range from 300 to 1200 m/min (preferably from
400 to 980 m/min) and wound at a draft of 1.0 to 1.2 times
(preferably 1.0 to 1.1 times) the take-up speed.
[0055] Fibers constituting the yarn (2) having a low
water-absorbing and self-elongating property used for the woven or
knitted fabric of the present invention containing two different
types of yarns, include natural fibers such as cotton or hemp
fibers, cellulose chemical fibers such as rayon or cellulose
acetate fibers, and synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers,
typically polyethylene terephthalate and polytrimethylene
terephthalate fiber, polyamide polyacrylonitrile and polypropylene
fibers. Among them, conventional (non-elastic) polyester fibers are
preferably used.
[0056] The fibers, from which the yarns (1) and (2) used for the
woven or knitted fabric of the present invention are constituted,
optionally contain one or more types of inorganic particles, for
example, a delusterant (titanium dioxide), micro-void forming
agents (metal salts of organic sulfonic acids), a
coloration-preventing agent, a heat stabilizer, a flame retardant
(diantimony trioxide), a fluorescent brightener, a coloring
pigment, an anti-static agent (metal salts of sulfonic acids), an
hygroscopic agent (polyoxyalkylene glycol), an anti-fungus agent
and others.
[0057] There is no limitation to a type of the fibers from which
the yarn (1) and (2) are constituted; that is, the fibers may be
either multifilament fibers or staple fibers. However, for the
purpose of obtaining a soft touch, the filament fibers are
preferably employed.
[0058] There is no limitation to the form of the yarn (1) and (2);
that is, the yarns may be either spun yarns of staple fibers or
multifilament yarns. Also, there is no limitation to a
cross-sectional profile of the fibers; that is, the profile may be
any of conventional profiles including a circular, triangular,
flat, cross-shaped, hexalobal and hollow profiles. Also, there is
no limitation to total yarn thickness, individual fiber thickness,
and the number of filaments. Usually the total yarn thickness, is
preferably in a range from 30 to 300 dtex, the individual fiber
thickness is preferably in a range from 0.1 to 50 dtex, more
preferably from 0.6 to 3 dtex, and the number of filaments is
preferably in a range from 1 to 300, more preferably from 20 to 150
per yarn, in view of the hand and/or the productivity of the
fabric.
[0059] A ratio by mass of the yarn (1) to the yarn (2) from which
the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention is constituted
is preferably in a range from 10:90 to 60:40, more preferably from
20:80 to 50:50, for the purpose of effectively decreasing the
opening area percentage in a wetted state which purpose is a main
object of the present invention.
[0060] There is no limitation to the structure of the woven or
knitted fabric of the present invention. For example, the weave
structure for the woven fabric includes three basic weave
structures, that is, plain, twill and satin weave structures
modifications thereof for example, a modified twill weave
structures, warp or weft two-ply weaves such as warp backed two-ply
weave and weft backed two-ply weave structure, and a warp velvet.
The knitting structure of the knitted fabric may be either a weft
knitting or warp knitting structure or circular knitting structure.
The knitting structures preferably include plain, interlock, rib
stitch, tuck, half tricot, tricot knitting structures, etc.
[0061] The woven or knitting fabric structures for the present
invention include multi-ply weave or knitting structures, for
example, two ply weave or knitting structure. In the woven or
knitting fabric of the present invention, there is no limitation to
the yarn arrangement of the yarn (1) and the yarn (2), as long as
the requirement to the yarn length ratio, namely A/B>0.9, is
satisfied. The yarns (1) and (2) may be arranged in accordance with
the weave or knitting structure as shown below, which structure is
other than that shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
[0062] In an embodiment of the woven or knitted fabric of the
present invention containing two different types of yarns,
consisting of the two types of yarns (1) and (2) alternately
arranged with every one yarn in a weave structure at least one of
the weft and warp directions or in a knitting structure in at least
one direction selected from wale and course directions,
respectively. A composite yarn may be formed by combining at least
one yarn (1) with at least one yarn (2) selected from the two
different types of yarns (1) and (2). A ratio in the number of
yarns of the composite yarn or the paralleled yarns of the yarns
(1) and (2) to that of the yarn (2) in each yarn direction may be
1:1, or 1:(1 to 5), or 2:1, or 2:(2 to 5), or 3:1, or 3: (2 to 5),
or 3:(4 or 5) or 3:(1 to 5).
[0063] In the knitting structure shown in FIG. 3, (FIG. 3-(A) and
FIG. 3-(B)), only a front surface ply of a knitted fabric having a
two ply circular knitting structure in which a front surface ply
having a circular knitting structure is formed from the yarns (1)
and (2) and a back surface ply having a circular knitting structure
is formed from only the yarns (2). In FIG. 3-(A), the yarns (1) and
(2) from which the front surface ply is formed extend in the course
direction are arranged alternately with every one yarn (1:1) in the
wale direction. This fabric having the two ply knitting structure
has, upon drying, the circular knitting structure as shown in FIG.
3-(A), and in this dry state, the yarn length ratio A/B of the
front surface ply is more than 0.9. When the two ply knitted fabric
is wetted with water by absorbing water, no change in dimensions of
the back surface ply formed from only the yarns (2) occurs, the
yarn (2) in the front surface ply absorbs water and self-elongates
to increase the yarn length thereof. In this case, as the whole
area of the front surface layer cannot change under a restriction
due to back surface ply formed from only the yarn (2), the yarn (1)
in the front surface ply is bent in a wave form to cause the area
of openings in loops to decrease. Thus, the opening area between
the yarns (1) and (2) in the front surface ply decreases and the
air-permeability of the fabric decreases, as a whole.
[0064] In FIG. 4 (FIG. 4-(A) and FIG. 4-(B)), a plain weave
structure is formed from yarns (1) and (2), which are respectively
arranged, as warp yarns and weft yarns, alternately with every one
yarn (1:1).
[0065] The woven fabric which is in dry state exhibits a weave
structure as shown in FIG. 4-(A), and the yarn length ratio A/B of
the yarns (1) to the yarns (2) is more than 0.9. When the woven
fabric is wetted with water by absorbing water, the yarns (2)
having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating property
self-elongate as shown in FIG. 4-(B), so as to increase the yarn
length of the yarns (1), and are bent in wave form, to cause the
gaps between the yarns to become small and the opening area of the
fabric to decrease.
[0066] In the woven or knitted fabric of the present invention
containing two different types of yarns, the yarn (1) having a high
water-absorbing and self-elongating property and the yarn (2)
having a low water-absorbing and self-elongating property may be
combined to form a composite yarn such as a combined filament yarn,
a composite false twist-textured yarn, a combined and twisted yarn
or a covering yarn.
[0067] To create the difference in yarn length between the yarns
(1) and (2) in the woven fabric as shown in, for example, FIG. 1
and FIG. 2, the following weaving methods (1), (2) and (3) are
used.
Weaving Method (1) for Fabric Having a Difference in Yarn
Length
[0068] The polyetherester fibers having a high stretch modulus of
elongation as mentioned hereinbefore are used for the yarns (1),
the yarns (1) are paralleled with the yarns (2) having a low
water-absorbing and self elongating property and they are then fed
to the same yarn feeder at the same feed rate as each other for the
weaving or knitting procedure. At that time, for the purpose of
controlling the yarn length ratio A/B to a desired value, a some
draft may be applied, to an appropriate extent, to the
polyetherester fiber yarns (1).
Weaving or Knitting Method (2) for a Fabric Having a Difference in
Yarn Length
[0069] When a woven or knitted fabric containing two different
types of yarns is woven or knitted from the yarns (1) and (2), for
the yarns (2) having a low water-absorbing and self-elongating
property, yarns having the same or a higher shrinkage in boiling
water as, or than, that of the yarns (1) having a high
water-absorbing and self-elongating property are employed. When the
fabric containing these yarns (1) and (2) is subjected to the
conventional dyeing process, the yarn (2) more largely shrinks than
the yarn (1) and a fabric having a difference in yarn length
between the yarns (1) and (2) is obtained.
Weaving or Knitting Method (3) for a Fabric Having a Difference in
Yarn Length
[0070] When the yarns (1) and (2) are combined with to each other
to form paralleled yarns, only the yarns (1) are overfed and
paralleled to the yarns (1). The resultant paralleled yarns are
subjected to an air filament-combining procedure, a twisting
procedure or a covering procedure to provide composite yarns. In
the resultant composite yarns, there is a difference in yarn length
between the yarns (1) and (2); that is, the yarns (1) are longer
than the yarns (2). The resultant composite yarns have a different
in yarn length. A desired fabric is woven or knitted from the
composite yarns and the yarns (2).
[0071] The woven or knitted fabric of the present invention is
optionally subjected to a dyeing and/or finishing treatment. The
dyeing treatment includes both dip-dyeing work and printing work.
The finishing treatment may be applied to one or both surfaces of
the fabric, and includes various function-imparting treatments such
as a water-repellent treatment, a ultraviolet ray-shielding
treatment, an anti-fungus treatment, a deodorization treatment, a
moth-proofing treatment, a light-storage agent treatment, a
retro-reflecting agent treatment, a negative-ion-generator
treatment and others.
EXAMPLES
[0072] The present invention will be further explained with
reference to the following examples which are not intended to limit
the scope of the present invention in any way. In the examples, the
measurements described below were carried out.
[0073] (1) Length of a yarn in a woven or knitted fabric in dry and
wet states Measurement was carried out by the method as described
hereinbefore.
[0074] (2) Self-elongation of yarn
[0075] Measurement was carried out by the method as described
hereinbefore.
[0076] (3) Shrinkage of yarn in boiling water
[0077] Measurement was carried out in accordance with JIS L
1013-1998, 7.15. The number n of test pieces was 3.
[0078] (4) Opening areas (%) of woven or knitted fabric in dry and
wetted states and the change in the opening area between dry and
wetted states.
[0079] Measurement was carried out by the method as described
hereinbefore.
[0080] (5) Air-permeabilities of woven or knitted fabric in dry and
wetted states and the change in the air-permeability between dry
and wetted states.
[0081] Measurement was carried out by the method as described
hereinbefore.
Example 1
[0082] A polyetherester polymer consisting of 49.8 parts by mass of
hard segments formed from polybutylene terephthalate and 50.2 parts
by mass of soft segments formed from polyoxyethylene glycol having
a number-average molecular weight of 4,000 was melted at
230.degree. C. and the resultant melt was extruded through a
spinneret for spinning monofilament at an extrusion rate of 3.05
g/min. Of this melt-extruded polymer, streams were taken up through
two godet rollers at a speed of 705 m/min and then wound at a speed
of 750 m/min (so that a winding draft is 1.06), resulting in an
elastic yarn (1) having a high water-absorbing and self-elongating
property and a yarn count of 44 dtex/one filament. The
self-elongation of this yarn (1) upon absorbing water was 10% in
the axial direction of the filament, and the shrinkage thereof in
boiling water was 8%.
[0083] Also, conventional polyethylene terephthalate multifilament
yarns (84 dtex/24 filaments) having a shrinkage of 10% in boiling
water and a self-elongation of 1% or less in a wet state was used
as a non-self-elongating yarn (2).
[0084] The yarns (1) and the yarns (2) were fed in parallel to each
other to a 28 gauge single circular knitting machine to produce a
circular knitted fabric having a plain knitting structure at
densities of 47 courses/2.54 cm and 40 wales/2.54 cm. This circular
knitted fabric was subjected to the dyeing and finishing
treatments. In the resultant circular knitted fabric, circular
knitted composite loops were formed from the yarns (1) and (2) as
shown in FIG. 1-(A), and a ratio A/B, in mean yarn length of the
resultant knitted fabric, was 1.0. The opening area between the
yarns of the resultant circular knitted fabric was 30% in a dry
state and 25% in a wet state, the change in opening area was 17%,
the air-permeability of the fabric was 210 ml/cm.sup.2 in a dry
state and 380 ml/cm.sup.2 in a wet state. In this circular knitted
fabric, it was confirmed that the opening area decreased as the
fabric absorbs water and is wetted with water and the opening area
and the air-permeability of the fabric increased as the fabric is
dried.
Comparative Example 1
[0085] A knitted fabric having the same knitting structure as in
Example 1 was produced from the same yarns (1) and (2) as those
used in Example 1 by the same procedures as in Example 1, and the
resultant fabric was then subjected to the same dyeing and
finishing treatment, as in Example, except that in the paralling
procedure, a draft of 50% was applied to the yarns (1) while the
yarns (1) were paralleled with the yarns (2) and the resultant
paralleled yarns were fed to the circular knitting machine. The
resultant circular knitted fabric, had, in dry state, a yarn length
ratio A/B of 0.7 and an opening area (%) of 15%, and, in the wetted
state with water, an opening area (%) of 23% which was higher than
that in the dry state.
UTILIZABILITY IN INDUSTRY
[0086] A woven or knitted fabric exhibiting a small change in
dimensions and form and having a reversibly changeable opening area
between dry state and water-wetted state can be obtained in
accordance with the present invention. When such a woven or knitted
fabric is used for underwear or sportswear, the opening area of the
woven or knitted fabric decreases upon being wetted with water and,
thus, when wetted with rain, no increase in light permeability,
namely, a see-through property, of the fabric, occurs and the
waterproof property of the fabric is enhanced. On the contrary,
upon drying the opening area of the woven or knitted fabric
increases and the air permeability of the fabric is enhanced.
[0087] The woven or knitted fabric having the above-mentioned
effects has a very high industrial utilizability.
* * * * *