U.S. patent application number 12/017410 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for sweat absorber and headwear using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yupoong, Inc.. Invention is credited to Byoung-Woo Cho.
Application Number | 20090183300 12/017410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40875238 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090183300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho; Byoung-Woo |
July 23, 2009 |
Sweat Absorber and Headwear Using the Same
Abstract
The present invention relates to a sweat absorber and headwear
using the sweat absorber. The sweat absorber is formed by a porous
panel including a first layer that is knitted in a warp direction
to have a plurality of first porous structures, a second layer that
is knitted in a warp direction to have a plurality of second porous
structures, and a plurality of connecting yarns for connecting the
first layer and the second layer. The porous panel may be a double
raschel fabric panel. The sweat absorber may semi-permanently
maintain a shape of a crown portion of a headwear and may be
prevented from being contaminated from sweat. In addition, a
contaminated part may be replaced.
Inventors: |
Cho; Byoung-Woo;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FELLERS SNIDER BLANKENSHIP;BAILEY & TIPPENS
THE KENNEDY BUILDING, 321 SOUTH BOSTON SUITE 800
TULSA
OK
74103-3318
US
|
Assignee: |
Yupoong, Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
40875238 |
Appl. No.: |
12/017410 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/181 ; 2/195.1;
66/171; 66/192; 66/195 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B 21/20 20130101;
A42C 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/181 ; 2/195.1;
66/171; 66/192; 66/195 |
International
Class: |
A42C 5/02 20060101
A42C005/02; A42B 1/00 20060101 A42B001/00; D04B 1/24 20060101
D04B001/24; D04B 21/00 20060101 D04B021/00 |
Claims
1. Headwear comprising: a crown portion for being worn on a head of
a wearer; a visor portion combined to the crown portion; and a
sweat absorber combined to a lower part of an inner surface of the
crown portion, wherein the sweat absorber is formed by a porous
panel including a first layer that is knitted in a warp direction
to have a plurality of first porous structures, a second layer that
is knitted in a warp direction to have a plurality of second porous
structures, and a plurality of connecting yarns for connecting the
first layer and the second layer.
2. The headwear of claim 1, wherein the porous panel is a double
raschel fabric panel.
3. The headwear of claim 2, wherein a monofilament yarn in which
polyester is used as the connecting yarn in the double raschel
fabric panel.
4. The headwear of claim 2, wherein the porous panel of the sweat
absorber comprises a covering portion for efficiently absorbing
sweat.
5. The headwear of claim 1, wherein the covering portion is formed
one of cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and acryl, or texture formed
by a combination of 70 to 98% thereof and polyurethane at 2% to
30%.
6. The headwear of claim 1, wherein the connecting yarn is
integrally knitted with the first and second layers, and elasticity
of the porous panel is determined according to a width and a length
of the connecting yarn weaved or knitted.
7. The headwear of claim 1, wherein the connecting yarn includes a
first connecting yarn connected to the first layer and a second
connecting yarn connected to the second layer.
8. The headwear of claim 7, wherein tension of a part of the first
connecting yarn or the second connecting yarn that touches a
forehead is formed to be greater.
9. The headwear of claim 7, wherein the first connecting yarn and
the second connecting yarn comprise male and female members so that
at least one of the first and second layers may be replaced.
10. The headwear of claim 1, further comprising at least one
protrusion portion that is protruded from the first layer to the
second layer or from the second layer to the first layer, and that
has a width and tension that are greater than the connecting
yarn.
11. A sweat absorber formed by a porous panel including a first
layer that is knitted in a warp direction to have a plurality of
first porous structures, a second layer that is knitted in a warp
direction to have a plurality of second porous structures, and a
plurality of connecting yarns for connecting the first layer and
the second layer.
12. The sweat absorber of claim 11, wherein the porous panel is a
double raschel fabric panel.
13. The sweat absorber of claim 11, further comprising a covering
portion formed of one of cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and acryl,
or texture formed by a combination of 70 to 98% thereof and
polyurethane at 2% to 30%.
14. The sweat absorber of claim 11, wherein a first porous
structure of the first layer is larger than a second porous
structure of the second layer, the first porous structures of the
first layer are sequentially connected, and the second porous
structures of the second layer are non-sequentially connected.
15. The sweat absorber of claim 11, wherein the connecting yarn is
integrally knitted with the first and second layers, and elasticity
of the porous panel is determined according to a width and a length
of the connecting yarn weaved or knitted.
16. The sweat absorber of claim 11, wherein the connecting yarn
includes a first connecting yarn connected to the first layer and a
second connecting yarn connected to the second layer.
17. The sweat absorber of claim 11, wherein tension of a part of
the first connecting yarn or the second connecting yarn that
touches a forehead is formed to be greater.
18. The sweat absorber of claim 16, wherein the first connecting
yarn and the second connecting yarn comprise male and female
members so that at least one of the first and second layers may be
replaced.
19. The sweat absorber of claim 11, further comprising at least one
protrusion portion that is protruded from the first layer to the
second layer or from the second layer to the first layer, and that
has a width and tension that are greater than the connecting yarn.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a sweat absorber and
headwear using the sweat absorber. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a sweat absorber formed by a porous
multi-layered fabric panel (e.g., double raschel fabric) to
increase ventilation, sweat evaporation, shape recovery, and
wearing comfort properties, and headwear including the sweat
absorber.
[0003] (b) Description of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, headwear (e.g., a cap, a hat, a visor, etc.)
includes a crown portion for being worn on a head of a wearer, and
a visor portion formed entirely or partially at an interior
circumference of a bottom side of the crown portion. Such headwear
may include a sweat absorber combined thereto at its lower
interior.
[0005] The sweat absorber is formed in a band shape provided along
an interior circumference of the bottom side of the crown portion.
The sweat absorber absorbs sweat from a head or forehead of a
wearer, such that the headwear may maintain its comfort. In
addition, the sweat absorber prevents a wearer from being directly
touched by seams of the crown portion or the visor portion, and the
headwear may not be easily removed.
[0006] Accordingly, the sweat absorber closely contacts the
wearer.
[0007] Generally, the sweat absorber includes an inner panel, and a
covering portion surrounding the inner panel. Headwear having the
crown portion that is not elastic or headwear having a size
controller for controlling a head circumference of the crown
portion uses weaved or knitted fabric as the covering portion, and
uses sponge or non-woven fabric as the inner panel to absorb sweat
and provide a cushion function.
[0008] In the elastic head wear without the size controller, the
sweat absorber is formed of a slim elastic band, or the covering
portion formed by the elastic weaved or knitted fabric panel is
sewed to the elastic band circumference to form the sweat
absorber.
[0009] However, when the sweat absorber is formed by the elastic
band or overlapping double or triple fabric panels, there are
problems in that uncomfortable pressure is applied to the wearer
and the temperature where the sweat absorber touches skins of the
wearer increases.
[0010] In addition, when the headwear is worn for a long time, the
sweat absorber may loose elasticity, its shape may be varied, and
the headwear may be easily removed.
[0011] Further, sweat stays in the sweat absorber so that the sweat
absorber may be easily contaminated.
[0012] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
invention and therefore it may contain information that does not
form the prior art that is already known in this country to a
person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide
a sweat absorber having great elasticity so that a shape of a crown
portion is semi-permanently maintained, and headwear using the
sweat absorber.
[0014] In addition, the present invention has been made in an
effort to provide a sweat absorber having great ventilation so that
the sweat absorber is not easily contaminated, and headwear using
the sweat absorber.
[0015] Further, the present invention has been made in an effort to
provide a sweat absorber having great elasticity, efficient
absorption of sweat, and efficient evaporation of the sweat, and
headwear using the sweat absorber.
[0016] Still further, the present invention has been made in an
effort to provide a sweat absorber that may be replaced when the
sweat absorber is contaminated, and headwear using the sweat
absorber.
[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, headwear includes a crown portion, a visor portion, and
a sweat absorber. The crown portion is worn on a head of a wearer,
the visor portion is combined to the crown portion, and the sweat
absorber is combined to a lower part of an inner surface of the
crown portion. The sweat absorber is formed by a porous panel
including a first porous layer that is knitted in a warp direction,
a second porous layer that is knitted in a warp direction and a
plurality of connecting yarns for connecting the first layer and
the second layer. The porous panel may be a double raschel fabric
panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view representing headwear using a
sweat absorber according to a first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view representing the sweat absorber
according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b are cross-sectional views along a line
of III-III shown in FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a graph comparing pressures between headwear using
the sweat absorber according to the first exemplary embodiment of
the present invention and headwear using the conventional sweat
absorber.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view representing headwear using a
sweat absorber according to a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In the following detailed description, only certain
exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and
described, simply by way of illustration.
[0024] Throughout the specification, a sweat absorber is applied to
elastic headwear without a head circumference controller, but it is
not limited thereto.
[0025] For example, a sweat absorber according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention may be applied to all types of
headwear including set size headwear having a crown portion,
headwear having a size controller for controlling a head
circumference, and elastic headwear, and it may be applied to a
baseball cap having a visor portion and a visor having a visor
portion and a sweat absorber.
[0026] When the sweat absorber according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is applied to the elastic
headwear, extensible yarn may be used to enhance elasticity of the
sweat absorber.
[0027] In addition, yarn disposed in a height direction (Y axis
direction) is defined as a "weft", and yarn disposed in a length
direction (X axis direction) is defined as a "warp", but they are
not limited thereto. For example, the yarn disposed in the height
direction may be defined as the "warp", and the yarn disposed in
the length direction may be defined as the "weft".
[0028] A sweat absorber according to a first exemplary embodiment
of the present invention and headgear using the sweat absorber will
now be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.
[0029] Headwear 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention includes a crown portion 130 for being worn on a
head of the wearer, a visor portion 150 extending from the crown
portion 130, and sweat absorber 170 disposed on a lower part of an
inner surface of the crown portion 130. The sweat absorber 170 may
be provided to the entire area of the lower part of the inner
surface of the crown portion 130, or it may be provided to the
lower part of the inner surface of the crown portion 130 except for
a front part where the visor portion 150 is combined thereto.
[0030] The sweat absorber 170 according to the exemplary embodiment
of the present invention is formed to efficiently absorb sweat
flowing from a head or a forehead of the wearer, efficiently
evaporate the sweat, ventilate air, and maintain the shape of the
crown portion.
[0031] Accordingly, the sweat absorber 170 according to the first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is formed by using a
porous panel without using an additional covering portion.
[0032] The porous panel 17 is formed in a multi-layered
configuration so that the headwear does not slip and does not
impart uncomfortable pressure. That is, the porous panel 17
includes a first layer 171 that is knitted in a warp direction by a
raschel knitting device to have a plurality of first porous
structures 171a, a second layer 173 that is knitted in a warp
direction by the raschel knitting device to have a plurality of
second porous structures 173a, and a plurality of connecting yarns
175 for connecting the first layer 171 and the second layer 173 (in
a Z-axis direction). Herein the porous structures may include many
pores or other small spaces or interstices or vessels or holes that
can hold a gas or liquid or allow it to pass through.
[0033] The multi-layered configuration may be formed in a
honeycombed shape or in a cube shape.
[0034] In this case, the first porous structure 171a may be the
same size as the second porous structure 173a, and as shown in FIG.
2, and the size of the first porous structure 171a may be greater
than that of the second porous structure 173a.
[0035] When the size of the first porous structure 171a is greater
than that of the second porous structure 173a, the second layer 173
may be disposed on an inner surface of the sweat absorber 170 to
provide a comport feeling and the first layer 171 is disposed on an
outer surface of the sweat absorber 170 to quickly absorb and
evaporate sweat.
[0036] The plurality of first porous structures 171a and the
plurality of second porous structures 173a are sequentially formed
in a honeycombed shape, in a cube shape, or in a flower shape.
[0037] The porous panel 17 may be formed in a double raschel
texture of one fabric panel in which a front surface (a first
layer), a connecting yarn (an connecting yarn), and a rear surface
(a second layer) are simultaneously knitted in an initial knitting
step.
[0038] In this case, the connecting yarn is formed in a
monofilament bundle in which the front and rear surfaces are
alternately and vertically weaved, and therefore elastic strength
may be provided.
[0039] The elastic strength may be adjusted according to a
thickness of the connecting yarn, and cushion strength may be
adjusted according to a length of the connecting yarn.
[0040] In the above configuration, problems in which sweat is
absorbed by a sponge or a non-woven fabric of a conventional sweat
absorber and is unpleasantly evaporated and the sponge or the
non-woven fabric is contaminated by the sweat may be easily
solved.
[0041] That is, in the double raschel texture, the sweat is quickly
evaporated through an empty space between the connecting yarns of
the front and rear surfaces, and therefore the wearer may feel
comfort.
[0042] In addition, the connecting yarn is formed of a monofilament
yarn in which polyester is used and a polyurethane yarn at 0 to 20%
is mixed according to its elasticity, poly 75d/36f or 75d/72f is
used for yarns of the front and rear surfaces, and poly 20d/1f is
used for a yarn for a middle cushion function, and therefore
elasticity may be further provided.
[0043] In addition, the connecting yarn 175 may be integrally
formed when one fabric panel is knitted, or a first connecting yarn
175a connected to the first layer 171 and a second connecting yarn
175b connected to the second layer 173 may be combined to form the
connecting yarn 175. That is, the first and second connecting yarns
175a and 175b may further include male and female combining
portions 175aa and 175bb.
[0044] When the first connecting yarn 175a connected to the first
layer 171 and the second connecting yarn 175b of the second layer
173 are combined, tension of a part of the first connecting yarn
175a or the second connecting yarn 175b that touches a forehead is
increased to semi-permanently maintain its elasticity and
shape.
[0045] In addition, the first layer 171 or the second layer 173 may
be separated and replaced.
[0046] Accordingly, when the sweat absorber is partially
contaminated, or the elasticity of the sweat absorber is
deteriorated, at least one of the first and second layers 171 and
173 may be separated and replaced.
[0047] Although the connecting yarns 175 is formed of a mono
filament yarn such as polyester or nylon to have a predetermined
tension, the connecting yarns 175 are knitted or weaved to have a
deformable porous structure. Accordingly the crown portion expands
when the sweat absorber 170 is placed over the head and is
recovered to its original shape when the headwear is removed from
the head, so that the shape of the crown portion may be
maintained.
[0048] In addition, since the plurality of connecting yarns 175
expand at a part receiving pressure and are recovered to the
original shape at a part where the pressure is not applied, the
headwear may not be easily removed, and the shape of the headwear
is appropriately formed.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a graph comparing pressures between the headwear
using the sweat absorber according to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention and the headwear using the
conventional sweat absorber.
[0050] In FIG. 4, a load (gf) according a head size is measured
while headwear of 52 cm are put on a measuring unit.
[0051] When the load according to the head size increases, the
pressure increases.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure of the headwear using the
sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is less than that of the headwear using the conventional
sweat absorber.
[0053] In addition, the sweat absorber may be prevented from being
contaminated since the sweat absorbed by the sweat absorber is
quickly evaporated through the porous structure.
[0054] Further, a protrusion portion 177 is formed of a material
such as synthetic resin, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, and
urethane on the first layer 171 and the second layer 173 to prevent
the connecting yarn 175 from being damaged by excessive tension
when the headwear is worn and removed. In this case, the protrusion
portion 177 is protruded from the first layer 171 to the second
layer 173 or from the second layer 173 to the first layer 171.
[0055] Headwear 100' using a sweat absorber according to a second
exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described
with reference to FIG. 5.
[0056] A sweat absorber according to the second exemplary
embodiment of the present invention includes the porous panel 17
used as an inner panel and disposed in a band shape, a covering
portion 18 covering the porous panel 17, and one or more lines of
sewn portions 181 that are sewn in a width direction.
[0057] When the headwear is the elastic headwear, the sewn portion
181 is formed of yarn.
[0058] The covering portion is formed of one of cotton, polyester,
nylon, wool, and acryl, or texture formed by a combination of 70 to
98% thereof and polyurethane of 2%.about.30%
[0059] A sweat absorber 170' is formed in a multi-layered
configuration so that the headwear does not slip and does not
impart uncomfortable pressure. That is, the porous panel 17
includes a first layer that is knitted in a warp direction by a
raschel knitting device to have a plurality of first porous
structures, a second layer that is knitted in a warp direction by
the raschel knitting device to have a plurality of second porous
structures, and a plurality of connecting yarns for connecting the
first layer and the second layer (in a Z-axis direction shown in
FIG. 2), which are the same as the sweat absorber according to the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and therefore
detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0060] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a sweat absorber may semi-permanently maintain a shape
of a crown portion of a headwear and may be prevented from being
contaminated from sweat. In addition, a contaminated part may be
replaced.
[0061] Further, elasticity may be semi-permanently maintained,
sweat may be efficiently absorbed and evaporated, and a shape of a
crown portion may be maintained according to a shape of a head of a
wearer.
[0062] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *