U.S. patent application number 12/759364 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for quick-dry textured towel.
This patent application is currently assigned to J. C. Penney Private Brands, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cynthia K. Henderson, Carl Melvin Huffstickler, Karen Wertz.
Application Number | 20110041948 12/759364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42982841 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110041948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huffstickler; Carl Melvin ;
et al. |
February 24, 2011 |
QUICK-DRY TEXTURED TOWEL
Abstract
A quick-dry textured towel is disclosed. The quick-dry textured
towel comprises a lightweight fabric including a plurality of
low-twist pile yarns forming a textured weave design.
Inventors: |
Huffstickler; Carl Melvin;
(Prosper, TX) ; Wertz; Karen; (Dallas, TX)
; Henderson; Cynthia K.; (Parker, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BILL R. NAIFEH
15303 Dallas Parkway, Suite 700
Addison
TX
75001
US
|
Assignee: |
J. C. Penney Private Brands,
Inc.
Plano
TX
|
Family ID: |
42982841 |
Appl. No.: |
12/759364 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61169615 |
Apr 15, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
139/420R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
139/420.R |
International
Class: |
D03D 15/00 20060101
D03D015/00 |
Claims
1. A quick dry towel, comprising: a woven ground fabric comprising:
a plurality of warp yarns substantially parallel to each other, a
plurality of weft yarns substantially parallel to each other and
intersecting the plurality of warp yarns such that the plurality of
weft yarns are substantially perpendicular to the plurality of warp
yarns; a plurality of pile weave portions extending from the woven
ground fabric; a plurality of flat weave portions alternating
between the pile weave portions to form a diagonal design extending
across a substantial portion of the towel, wherein the pile weave
portions comprise: terry loop yarns raised above the woven ground
fabric to form terry loops where the loop is substantially wider
the terry loop yarn, and the terry loop yarns comprise zero twist
yarns; such that a fabric weight of the towel is less than 350
g/m.sup.2.
2-18. (canceled)
19. The quick dry towel of claim 1, wherein the towel comprises
substantially cotton yarns.
20. The quick dry towel of claim 1, wherein the towel comprises
yarns selected from the group consisting of polyester, rayon, silk,
and wool.
21. The quick dry towel of claim 1, wherein the zero twist pile
yarns comprise low twist pile yarns.
22. A quick dry towel, comprising: a woven ground fabric
comprising: a plurality of warp yarns substantially parallel to
each other, a plurality of weft yarns substantially parallel to
each other and intersecting the plurality of warp yarns such that
the plurality of weft yarns are substantially perpendicular to the
plurality of warp yarns; a plurality of longitudinal pile weave
portions extending from the woven ground fabric; a plurality of
longitudinal flat weave portions alternating between the pile weave
portions to form a longitudinal design extending across a
substantial portion of the towel, wherein the pile weave portions
comprise: terry loop yarns raised above the woven ground fabric to
form terry loops where the loop is substantially wider the terry
loop yarn, and the terry loop yarns comprise zero twist yarns; such
that a fabric weight of the towel is less than 350 g/m.sup.2.
23. The quick dry towel of claim 22, wherein the towel comprises
substantially cotton yarns.
24. The quick dry towel of claim 22, wherein the towel comprises
yarns selected from the group consisting of polyester, rayon, silk,
and wool.
25. The quick dry towel of claim 22, wherein the zero twist pile
yarns comprise low twist pile yarns.
26. A quick dry towel, comprising: a woven ground fabric
comprising: a plurality of warp yarns substantially parallel to
each other, a plurality of weft yarns substantially parallel to
each other and intersecting the plurality of warp yarns such that
the plurality of weft yarns are substantially perpendicular to the
plurality of warp yarns; a plurality of pile weave portions
extending from the woven ground fabric; a plurality of flat weave
portions alternating between the pile weave portions to form a
stripe design extending across a substantial width of the towel,
wherein the pile weave portions comprise: terry loop yarns raised
above the woven ground fabric to form terry loops where the loop is
substantially wider the terry loop yarn, and the terry loop yarns
comprise zero twist yarns; such that a fabric weight of the towel
is less than 350 g/m.sup.2.
27. The quick dry towel of claim 26, wherein the warp yarns and
weft yarns of the woven ground fabric comprise substantially cotton
yarns.
28. The quick dry towel of claim 26, wherein the towel comprises
substantially cotton yarns.
29. The quick dry towel of claim 26, wherein the towel comprises
yarns selected from the group consisting of polyester, rayon, silk,
and wool.
30. The quick dry towel of claim 26, wherein the zero twist pile
yarns comprise low twist pile yarns.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/169,615 filed Apr. 15, 2009 entitled "Quick-Dry
Textured Towel," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Towels are typically used for drying. Accordingly,
commercially available towels are designed for maximum absorption.
At maximum absorption, it has been observed that commercially
available towels weigh more than desirable, and also require longer
than desirable drying times. One approach to reducing towel drying
times and weight is to reduce the aesthetic properties (e.g., look
and feel) of the towels, such as towels' bulk and softness.
However, consumers desire aesthetically pleasing towels with quick
drying times. Although commercially available towels have been
generally adequate for the intended purposes, they have not been
entirely satisfactory in all respects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The present disclosure is best understood from the following
detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is
emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the
industry, various features are not drawn to scale and are used for
illustration purposes only. In fact, the dimensions of the various
features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of
discussion.
[0004] FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic view of a quick-dry textured towel
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0005] FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic view of a surface portion of the
quick-dry textured towel of FIG. 1A;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a portion
of the quick-dry textured towel of FIG. 1A; and
[0007] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating quick-dry and lightweight
properties of the quick-dry textured towel of FIG. 1A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] The present disclosure relates generally to towels, and more
particularly, to a quick-dry textured towel. FIG. 1A is a
diagrammatic view of a quick-dry textured towel 100 according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic
view of a surface portion 100A of the quick-dry textured towel 100
of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a
portion of the quick-dry textured towel 100 of FIG. 1A. The
quick-dry textured towel 100 includes a lightweight fabric with a
textured weave design. The textured weave design is achieved by
alternating pile-weave portions 102 and flat-weave portions 104.
The alternating pile-weave portions 102 and flat-weave portions 104
can extend along the length and/or width of the towel. The
alternating textured weave design may extend substantially over one
or both surfaces of the towel 100. The textured weave design can
also be in designated areas of the towel 100 to achieve ornamental
design. For example, the alternating textured weave design can
extend diagonally with respect to the length and/or width of the
towel. The textured weave design gives the quick-dry towel 100 a
bulky, soft appearance despite its lightweight.
[0009] In the depicted embodiment, the pile-weave portions 102 are
sandwiched between flat-weave portions 104. The alternating
pile-weave portions 102 and flat weave portions 104 extend from a
woven ground fabric 106 of the quick-dry textured towel 100. A
"woven fabric" can include fabric made by interlacing two or more
systems of yarns at essentially right angles to each other. For
example, the woven ground fabric 106 can include a set of warp
yarns and a set of weft (or filling) yarns intersecting and locked
together. The set of warp yarns are substantially parallel to each
other and the set of weft yarns are substantially parallel to each
other. The set of warp yarns and set of weft yarns are
substantially perpendicular to each other. The set of warp yarns
are periodically interlaced with the set of weft yarns to form the
woven ground fabric 106. The woven ground fabric 106 may be a plain
or twill weave construction.
[0010] The pile-weave portions 102 include a plurality of pile
yarns 102A, and the flat weave portions 104 include a plurality of
yarns 104A. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pile yarns 102A and yarns
104A extend outwardly from at least one surface of the woven ground
fabric 106. In the present embodiment, the yarns 102A extend
further from the surface of the ground fabric 106 than the yarns
104A. Alternatively, the flat-weave portions 104 may not include
yarns 104A, instead comprising the portions of the woven ground
fabric 106 that do not have the pile yarns 102A extending
therefrom. In yet another alternative, the pile yarns 102A and/or
yarns 104A include yarns that extend varying distances from the
woven ground fabric 106.
[0011] The pile yarns 102A and/or yarns 104A may be formed as
additional warp yarns interspersed between the ground warps and
interlaced with the weft yarns as known in the art, such that the
yarns are tied into the woven ground fabric 106. "Pile" are raised
loops or cut loops that form a surface of a pile fabric. A pile
fabric is a fabric having tufts protruding from a backing, such as
the woven ground fabric 106. In the present embodiment, the pile
yarns 102A extend from the ground fabric in the form of one or more
terry loops. The yarns 104A can also extend from the ground fabric
in the form of one or more terry loops. As illustrated in FIG. 2,
the terry loop yarns 104A may comprise a substantially wider loop
than the terry loop yarns 102A. Alternatively, the pile yarns 102A
and/or yarns 104A may extend from the woven ground fabric 106 in
the form of cut ends. The pile yarns 102A of the quick-dry textured
towel 100 comprise low-twist yarn. The low-twist yarn may be zero
twist yarn. In the depicted embodiment, the pile yarns 102A
comprise a zero twist terry yarn. The textured weave design opens
up the terry loops to facilitate faster drying.
[0012] The quick-dry textured towel 100 comprises any suitable
material. In the present embodiment, the towel 100 comprises
substantially all cotton, for example, 100% cotton. The towel 100
may comprise other materials, such as polyester or rayon.
Alternatively, the quick-dry textured towel 100 comprises one or a
combination of combination of cotton, polyester, rayon, silk, wool,
and/or other suitable man-made and/or natural materials.
[0013] In summary, the quick-dry textured towel 100 includes a
lightweight fabric including a plurality of low-twist pile yarns in
a texture weave design. The lightweight fabric includes a fabric
weight of less than about 350 g/m.sup.2. It has been observed that
a direct relationship exists between a weight of a towel and its
dry rate. For example, Table 1 below compares the quick-dry
textured towel 100 of the present disclosure to commercially
available towels.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Fabric Weight Sample Dry Time (g/m.sup.2)
Total Size Quick-Dry 20 min. 345 30.4'' .times. 54.7'' Textured
Towel Towel # 1 20 min. 398 24.4'' .times. 41.3'' Towel # 2 20 min.
352 24.5'' .times. 44.3'' Towel # 3 35 min. 491 25.5'' .times.
48.5'' Towel # 4 30 min. 612* 30 .times. 56'' Towel # 5 30 min.
602* 30'' .times. 56'' Towel # 6 30 min. 610 30.6'' .times. 54.8''
Towel # 7 25 min. 481 39.1'' .times. 71.1''
[0014] Table 1 provides a dry time, fabric weight, and total size
of each towel. The dry time represents the total time required for
the towel to dry in minutes. The fabric weight, illustrated in
grams per square meter of towel (g/m.sup.2), is determined from the
total weight and total size of the towel. The total size for the
towel represents the length and width of the towel in inches. As
evident from Table 1, the quick-dry textured towel exhibits one of
the quickest drying times (e.g., 20 minutes) while maintaining the
lightest fabric weight (e.g., 345 g/m.sup.2). It should be noted
that from Table 1 above that while the fabric weight (g/m.sup.2)
for Towel 1 and 2 are similar, the size, hand feel, loft, bulk, and
absorbency of the quick-dry textured towel 100 is superior and
significantly different from Towels 1 and 2.
[0015] Table 2 below also compares the quick-dry textured towel 100
of the present embodiment to commercially available towels,
specifically providing test results related to a weight of each
towel while drying.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Quick-Dry Textured Towel Towel # 1 Towel # 2
Towel # 3 Towel # 4 Towel # 5 Towel # 6 Towel # 7 TIME (minutes) 0
25.182 24.221 25.828 46.591 42.58 41.14 44.04 35.172 5 19.884
19.514 20.947 41.517 37.54 35.29 39.25 30.116 10 15.985 15.657
17.281 35.630 32.58 30.02 34.52 25.077 15 13.307 14.307 15.360
29.686 29.48 26.33 30.60 21.232 20 12.632 14.194 15.044 24.851
27.16 24.01 27.47 18.926 25 21.686 25.74 22.78 25.34 18.301 30
19.950 25.30 22.49 24.34 35 19.628 40
The weight of each towel was measured in grams at 5-minute time
intervals. For example, the quick-dry textured towel 100 took 20
minutes to dry. The quick-dry textured towel began with a weight of
25.182 grams and ended with a weight of 12.632 grams when dry. From
Table 2, it is evident that the quick-dry textured towel weighs
substantially less when wet and dry as compared to other towels.
FIG. 3 is a graph 200 that corresponds with Table 2 and illustrates
the quick-dry and lightweight properties of the quick-dry textured
towel 100. From FIG. 3, it is clear that the quick-dry textured
towel weighs substantially less when wet and dry as compared to
other towels, while drying quicker than commercially available
towels.
[0016] Although the specific description herein focuses on a towel
embodiment, the same features are applicable to other items,
including blankets, sheets, clothing, bathrobes, wraps, beach
towels, hair towels, accessories, shoes, swimwear, carpets, or any
other suitable item. It is understood that the present disclosure
provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing
different features of the invention. Specific examples of
components and arrangements are described above to simplify the
present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are
not intended to be limiting. Further, the foregoing outlines
features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art
may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those
skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the
present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other
processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or
achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.
Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure, and that they may make various changes,
substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *