U.S. patent application number 13/489544 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for stretchable fabrics and protective gloves formed thereof, including with touch screen compatibility.
This patent application is currently assigned to MMI-IPCO, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Moshe Rock. Invention is credited to Moshe Rock.
Application Number | 20130180027 13/489544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48778935 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130180027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rock; Moshe |
July 18, 2013 |
STRETCHABLE FABRICS AND PROTECTIVE GLOVES FORMED THEREOF, INCLUDING
WITH TOUCH SCREEN COMPATIBILITY
Abstract
A stretchable fabric has first and opposite second surfaces, the
first, outer surface including filaments, multi-filaments, spun
yarns of staple fibers, and/or yarns having high modulus and high
tenacity, and the second, inner surface having a raised surface.
Garments, e.g. gloves, formed of the fabric have relatively high
cut and/or abrasion resistance and/or flame resistance. Gloves
having defined regions containing electrically conductive elements
in at least the first, outer surface layer additionally have
capacitive touch screen compatibility.
Inventors: |
Rock; Moshe; (Brookline,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rock; Moshe |
Brookline |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MMI-IPCO, LLC
Lawrence
MA
|
Family ID: |
48778935 |
Appl. No.: |
13/489544 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61585794 |
Jan 12, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/167 ;
442/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/01505 20130101;
A41D 19/0024 20130101; D04B 1/04 20130101; Y10T 442/413 20150401;
A41D 2500/10 20130101; A41D 31/12 20190201; D04B 1/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/167 ;
442/306 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/015 20060101
A41D019/015; D04B 21/18 20060101 D04B021/18 |
Claims
1. A fabric comprising: a stretchable fabric body having a first
surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the
stretchable fabric body comprising an elastomeric fiber, the first
surface comprising filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple
fibers, and/or yarns having high modulus and high tenacity, and the
second surface being a raised surface comprising loop yarns.
2. The fabric of claim 1, wherein at least the first surface
comprises flame retardant filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn of
staple fibers, and/or yarns.
3. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the loop yarns of the second
surface comprise flame retardant filaments and/or yarns.
4. The fabric of claim 3, wherein the loop yarns of the second
surface comprise non-melt non-drip filaments and/or yarns.
5. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the filaments, multi-filaments,
spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns having high modulus have a
modulus of at least about 425 gdp.
6. The fabric of claim 1 or claim 5, wherein the filaments,
multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns of the
first surface comprise p-aramid or ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple
fibers, and/or yarns.
7. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the filaments, multi-filaments,
spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns having high tenacity have
tenacity over about 6 gdp.
8. The fabric of claim 7, wherein the filaments, multi-filaments,
spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns having high tenacity have
tenacity over about 10 gdp.
9. The fabric of claim 8, wherein the filaments, multi-filaments,
spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns having high tenacity have
tenacity over about 20 gdp.
10. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the stretchable fabric body has
a single face plaited construction having a technical face defining
the first surface and an opposite technical back defining the
second surface.
11. The fabric of claim 10, wherein the single face plaited
construction comprises a single face plaited terry sinker loop
construction having the technical face defining the first surface
and the opposite technical back defining the second surface.
12. The fabric of claim 11, wherein the technical face defining the
first surface comprises a smooth jersey construction and the
technical back defining the second surface comprises raised terry
sinker loop yarns.
13. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the first surface exhibits cut
resistance.
14. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the raised surface is
velour.
15. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the raised surface comprises
first regions of raised pillars having a first pile height and
second regions having a second pile height, or no pile height,
lower than the first pile height, the second regions forming
interconnected channels separating the first regions.
16. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric body has 4-way
stretch.
17. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric body has an air
permeability of less than about 200 ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min, tested
according to ASTM D-737 under a pressure difference of 1/2 inch of
water across the fabric body.
18. The fabric of claim 17, wherein the air permeability is less
than about 100 ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min.
19. A glove comprising: a fabric comprising a stretchable fabric
body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the
first surface, the stretchable fabric body comprising an
elastomeric fiber, the first surface comprising fibers/yarns having
high modulus and high tenacity, and the second surface being a
raised surface and comprising loop yarns; an inner surface of the
glove facing a skin surface of a wearer being the second surface of
the fabric body, and an outer surface of the glove facing away from
the skin of the wearer being the first surface of the fabric
body.
20. The glove of claim 19, wherein the high modulus fibers/yarns
have a modulus of at least about 425 gdp.
21. The glove of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the high modulus
fibers/yarns in the first surface comprise p-aramid or ultra-high
molecular weight polyethylene.
22. The glove of claim 19, wherein the tenacity is over about 6
gdp.
23. The glove of claim 22 wherein the tenacity is over about 10
gdp.
24. The glove of claim 23, wherein the tenacity is over about 20
gdp.
25. A capacitive touch screen compatible glove, comprising a
plaited terry sinker loop knit construction fabric defining a
glove, the fabric comprising a stretchable fabric body comprising
elastomeric fibers and having: a technical face layer defining a
first, smooth surface comprising fibers/yarns having high modulus
and high tenacity and forming an outer surface of the glove, a
technical back layer defining an opposite, second, raised surface
and forming an inner surface of the glove, and an interface region
where yarns of the technical face layer and yarns of the technical
back layer are intimately plaited together, and at least the
technical face layer comprising defined regions containing
electrically conductive elements disposed for exposure to ambient
environment at the first, smooth surface, whereby, when a glove
wearer applies a defined region of the glove fabric to an opposed
region of a touch screen of a capacitive touch screen device, with
very low pressure, electrical conductivity of the wearer's body is
conducted by the defined region of the fabric to the opposed region
of the touch screen in a manner to create a desired distortion of
the touch screen electrostatic field.
26. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein the electrically conductive elements disposed for exposure
to ambient environment at the first, smooth surface are plaited
over the fibers/yarns having high modulus and high tenacity.
27. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein the electrically conductive elements disposed for exposure
to ambient environment at the first, smooth surface comprise a
coating of conductive polymer over the fibers/yarns having high
modulus and high tenacity.
28. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein the technical face layer and the technical back layer
comprise corresponding defined regions containing electrically
conductive elements disposed in an electrically conductive
relationship.
29. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein the technical face layer and the technical back layer
comprise corresponding defined regions containing electrically
conductive elements disposed in an electrically conductive
relationship.
30. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
comprising a pair of touch screen compatible gloves.
31. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein the fabric of the glove is thermally insulating.
32. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein additional surfaces of the glove, beyond index fingertip
surfaces, are compatible for operation of a touch screen of a
capacitive touch screen device.
33. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 32
wherein the additional surfaces of the glove comprise one or more
surfaces selected from among: other fingertip surfaces, thumb tip
surfaces, knuckle surfaces, hand palm surfaces, and back-of-the
hand surfaces.
34. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25
wherein the inner surface of the glove has a velour finish.
35. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein the inner surface of the glove has a raised grid finish,
comprising discrete pillar regions of raised pile, surrounded by
intersecting channels of low pile or no pile.
36. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein at least one of the technical face layer and the technical
back layer comprises elastomeric elements.
37. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 36,
wherein the elastomeric elements have predetermined size of about
20 denier to about 150 denier.
38. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 36,
wherein the elastomeric elements are incorporated on every course,
or repeat at every other course, or at every "X" course, where "X"
is any integer.
39. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 36,
wherein the elastomeric elements are plaited under jersey yarn on
the technical back layer.
40. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25,
wherein the electrically conductive elements have an electrical
resistivity of about 1.times.10.sup.7 Ohms/cm or less.
41. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 40,
wherein the electrically conductive elements have an electrical
resistivity of about 1.times.10.sup.5 Ohms/cm or less.
42. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25
wherein the electrically conductive elements are in the form of
conductive yarns.
43. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25
wherein the electrically conductive elements are in the form of
conductive fiber blends.
44. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25
wherein the electrically conductive elements are spaced apart by
insulative/nonconductive yarns in the defined regions of the at
least technical face in a predetermined distribution.
45. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 44,
wherein the predetermined distribution is a pattern extending
across a width of a finger of the glove.
46. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 44,
wherein the predetermined distribution is a pattern extending along
a length of a finger of the glove.
47. The capacitive touch screen compatible glove of claim 25
wherein one or more electrically conductive elements comprise wires
extending across the width or along the length of one or more glove
fingers and/or thumb, and the electrically conductive elements are
incorporated by cut-and-sew fabrication techniques.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/585,794, filed Jan. 12, 2012, now pending, the
complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to stretchable fabrics and work wear
garments, such as gloves, including touch screen compatible gloves,
made from such stretchable fabrics.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fabrics having features of body-hugging, 4-way stretch and
breathability, e.g., Polartec.RTM. Power Stretch.RTM. fabrics,
available from Polartec, LLC, of Lawrence, Mass. U.S.A, are
suitable for use in outdoor and fitness clothing or other types of
garments, such as gloves. Garments made of such fabrics can be worn
next to the skin of wearer and can keep the wearer dry from sweat
and provide the wearer with warmth and comfort. The wearer can move
flexibly without substantial restriction from the garments. The
garments can also be wind and abrasion resistant.
SUMMARY
[0004] One aspect of the disclosure provides a fabric comprising a
stretchable fabric body having a first surface and a second surface
opposite to the first surface, the stretchable fabric body
comprising an elastomeric fiber, the first surface comprising
filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or
yarns having high modulus and high tenacity, and the second surface
being a raised surface comprising loop yarns.
[0005] Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include
one or more of the following additional features. For example, at
least the first surface comprises flame retardant filaments,
multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns. The loop
yarns of the second surface comprise flame retardant filaments
and/or yarns, e.g. loop yarns comprising non-melt non-drip
filaments and/or yarns. The filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn
of staple fibers, and/or yarns having high modulus have a modulus
of at least about 425 gdp. The filaments, multi-filaments, spun
yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns of the first surface comprise
p-aramid or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene filaments,
multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns. The
filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or
yarns having high tenacity have tenacity over about 6 gdp, e.g.
over about 10 gdp, or, e.g. over about 20 gdp. The stretchable
fabric body has a single face plaited construction having a
technical face defining the first surface and an opposite technical
back defining the second surface, the single face plaited
construction comprising a single face plaited terry sinker loop
construction having the technical face defining the first surface
and the opposite technical back defining the second surface, the
technical face defining the first surface comprising a smooth
jersey construction and the technical back defining the second
surface comprising raised terry sinker loop yarns. The first
surface exhibits cut resistance. The raised surface is velour. The
raised surface comprises first regions of raised pillars having a
first pile height and second regions having a second pile height,
or no pile height, lower than the first pile height, the second
regions forming interconnected channels separating the first
regions. The fabric body has 4-way stretch. The fabric body has an
air permeability of less than about 200 ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min,
e.g., less than about 100 ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min, tested according
to ASTM D-737 under a pressure difference of 1/2 inch of water
across the fabric body.
[0006] Another aspect of the disclosure features a glove comprising
a fabric comprising a stretchable fabric body having a first
surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the
stretchable fabric body comprising an elastomeric fiber, the first
surface comprising fibers/yarns having high modulus and high
tenacity, and the second surface being a raised surface and
comprising loop yarns; an inner surface of the glove facing a skin
surface of a wearer being the second surface of the fabric body,
and an outer surface of the glove facing away from the skin of the
wearer being the first surface of the fabric body.
[0007] Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include
one or more of the following additional features. For example, the
high modulus fibers/yarns have a modulus of at least about 425 gdp.
The high modulus fibers/yarns in the first surface comprise
p-aramid or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The tenacity
is over about 6 gdp, e.g. over about 10 gdp, or, e.g. over about 20
gdp.
[0008] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a capacitive touch
screen compatible glove, comprising a plaited terry sinker loop
knit construction fabric defining a glove, the fabric comprising a
stretchable fabric body comprising elastomeric fibers and having,
e.g., a technical face layer defining a first, smooth surface
comprising fibers/yarns having high modulus and high tenacity and
forming an outer surface of the glove, a technical back layer
defining an opposite, second, raised surface and forming an inner
surface of the glove, and an interface region where yarns of the
technical face layer and yarns of the technical back layer are
intimately plaited together, and at least the technical face layer
comprising defined regions containing electrically conductive
elements disposed for exposure to ambient environment at the first,
smooth surface, whereby, when a glove wearer applies a defined
region of the glove fabric to an opposed region of a touch screen
of a capacitive touch screen device, including with very low
pressure, electrical conductivity of the wearer's body is conducted
by the defined region of the fabric to the opposed region of the
touch screen in a manner to create a desired distortion of the
touch screen electrostatic field.
[0009] Implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include
one or more of the following additional features. For example, the
electrically conductive elements disposed for exposure to ambient
environment at the first, smooth surface are plaited over the
fibers/yarns having high modulus and high tenacity. The
electrically conductive elements disposed for exposure to ambient
environment at the first, smooth surface comprise a coating of
conductive polymer over the fibers/yarns having high modulus and
high tenacity. The technical face layer and the technical back
layer comprise corresponding defined regions containing
electrically conductive elements disposed in an electrically
conductive relationship. The technical face layer and the technical
back layer comprise corresponding defined regions containing
electrically conductive elements disposed in an electrically
conductive relationship. The capacitive touch screen compatible
glove comprises a pair of touch screen compatible gloves. The
fabric of the glove is thermally insulating. Additional surfaces of
the glove, beyond index fingertip surfaces, are similarly
compatible for operation of a touch screen of a capacitive touch
screen device. The additional surfaces of the glove comprise one or
more surfaces selected from among, e.g., other fingertip surfaces,
thumb tip surfaces, knuckle surfaces, hand palm surfaces, and
back-of-the hand surfaces. The inner surface of the glove has a
velour finish. The inner surface of the glove has a raised grid
finish, comprising discrete pillar regions of raised pile,
surrounded by intersecting channels of low pile or no pile. At
least one of the technical face layer and the technical back layer
comprises elastomeric elements. The elastomeric elements have
predetermined size of about 20 denier to about 150 denier. The
elastomeric elements are incorporated on every course, or repeat at
every other course, or at every "X" course, where "X" is any
integer. The elastomeric elements are plaited under jersey yarn on
the technical back layer. The electrically conductive elements have
an electrical resistivity of about 1.times.10.sup.7 Ohms/cm or
less, e.g. about 1.times.10.sup.5 Ohms/cm or less. The electrically
conductive elements are in the form of conductive yarns. The
electrically conductive elements are in the form of conductive
fiber blends. The electrically conductive elements are spaced
apart, e.g. by insulating, nonconductive yarns in the defined
regions of at least the technical face, in a predetermined
distribution. The predetermined distribution is a pattern extending
across a width of a finger of the glove. The predetermined
distribution is a pattern extending along a length of a finger of
the glove. One or more electrically conductive elements comprise
wires extending across the width or along the length of one or more
glove fingers and/or thumb, and the electrically conductive
elements are incorporated by cut-and-sew fabrication
techniques.
[0010] Implementations can include one or more of the following
advantages. In some implementations, the stretchable fabrics offer
increased wind breaking and thermal insulation during periods of
relative inactivity by the wearer, and increased air permeability,
which promotes convective heat transfer and moisture evaporation,
during the periods of wearer activity. Channels, e.g. intersecting
channels, can be provided along the inner surface (i.e., the
technical back) of the fabric to facilitate moisture evaporation
and/or convective heat transfer during wearer activity. The stretch
and light weight of the fabrics can provide the wearer with overall
comfort.
[0011] In some implementations, the stretchable fabrics can have an
outer surface (i.e., the technical face) that is cut and/or
abrasion resistant. Such fabrics can be employed for garments worn
in harsh work environments, such as meat cutting, metal cutting,
metal grinding, metal welding, glass cutting, various assembly
lines, construction, industrial maintenance, and others. The
fabrics can also be flame retardant, and can also be suitable for
use in garments worn under fire hazard and military or law
enforcement conditions.
[0012] In some implementations, work wear gloves can be made from
stretchable fabrics of the disclosure. In use, the gloves can fit
snugly onto a wearer's hands, e.g., taking advantage of the stretch
of the fabric. The gloves can be relatively thin and light weight,
providing the wearer with comfort, good dexterity, tactility, and a
secure grip on items to be handled by the wearer. The work wear
glove outer surface (i.e., the fabric technical face of the
stretchable fabric) has high cut and/or abrasion resistance, so the
gloves can protect a wearer's hands, and also withstand hard use
and wear-and-tear for extended periods of use, even in harsh work
environments. The inner surface of the work wear glove (i.e. the
technical back of the stretchable fabric) has a raised surface that
provides comfort, warmth, and heat dissipating and cooling effects,
e.g., effective and rapid sweat removal (wicking) and/or drying to
the user. The gloves can also be flame resistant to further protect
a wearer's hand under harsh work environments, including, e.g.,
those involving fire hazard. The gloves can also be constructed to
permit actuation of capacitive touch screens while being worn in
cold weather conditions. Other aspects, features, and advantages
are in the description, drawings, and claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1A is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a fabric
of the disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 1B is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a raised
surface of the fabric of FIG. 1A (i.e., the technical back);
and
[0015] FIG. 1C is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view of the
fabric of FIG. 1A.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front (palm side) perspective view of a pair of
gloves of the disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the pair of gloves of
FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic edge section view of a
representative fabric incorporated into gloves of this
disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another glove of this
disclosure, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.
[0020] FIGS. 6A and 6B are somewhat schematic views of alternative
inner fabric surfaces of gloves of this disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side section view of capacitive touch screen
device being operated by a user wearing a glove of this disclosure,
e.g. having enhanced cut and/or abrasion resistance, and FIGS. 7A
and 7B are much enlarged, somewhat schematic edge section views of
alternative implementations of electrically conductive fabric
incorporated the glove of this disclosure during operation of the
touch screen device.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front (palm side) perspective view of another
capacitive touch screen compatible glove of the disclosure, with
one or more electrically conduct elements incorporated by
cut-and-sew techniques and extending across the width of one or
more of the fingers and or thumb.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1A, a stretchable fabric 10 includes a
knit fabric body 12 having a technical back, B, with a raised
surface 14 (see, e.g., FIG. 1B) and a technical face, F, with a
smooth (jersey) surface 16. When the stretchable fabric 10 is
incorporated into a garment, the technical back, B, defines an
inner surface 34 of the garment, to face the skin of a wearer, and
the technical face, F, forms an outer surface 32 of the garment, to
face outward, away from the skin of the wearer.
[0024] The stretchable fabric 10 is a body-huggable, 4-way stretch
fabric that is breathable and provides warmth and comfort to the
wearer of garments made from such fabrics 10. In some
implementations, the stretchable fabric 10 has stretch of at least
about 120%, e.g., about 122%, in the lengthwise (wale-wise)
direction (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the individual
courses of the knit fabric), and stretch of at least about 150%,
e.g., about 155%, in the widthwise (course-wise) direction (i.e., a
direction perpendicular to the individual wales of the knit
fabric). The fabric 10 can be relatively thin, and/or relatively
lightweight, e.g., having a weight of about 2.0 oz./yd..sup.2 to
about 10.0 oz./yd..sup.2.
[0025] In some implementations, the knit fabric body 12 has a
single face plaited construction, e.g., a single face plaited terry
sinker loop construction. The raised surface 14 of the technical
back, B, can be formed of loop yarns, e.g., terry sinker loop
yarns, and the smooth surface 16 of the technical face, F, can be
formed of stitch yarns. The raised surface 14 of the technical
back, F, can have various features. For example, referring to FIG.
1B, the loop yarn of the technical back, F, may be formed into
discrete pillar regions 18 of relatively high pile that are spaced
apart and isolated from each other by regions 20 of relatively
shorter pile and/or no pile. The regions 20 form intersecting
channels (e.g., vertical and horizontal channels 22, 24) among,
e.g. surrounding, the discrete pillar regions 18. In the example
shown in the figures, the configuration of the regions 18, 20 is a
grid. The regions 18, 20 can be arranged to provide other
configurations. In some implementations, the pillar regions 18 can
provide comfortable contact with the skin of the wearer. A wide
variety of pillar and channel and other configurations and/or
dimensions may be employed in region 20.
[0026] When used in a garment, e.g. gloves, the features of the
fabric technical back, B, provide enhanced warmth to the wearer and
achieve good heat dissipation and cooling effects. In particular,
the intersecting channels 22, 24 facing the skin of the wearer can
allow air to flow between the inner surface of the fabric body 12
and the surface of the wearer's skin, serving to wick away sweat
from the skin surface, e.g., as generated during activity by the
wearer, such as exercise or work. The wicked sweat passes through
the fabric body 12 to be dried quickly by evaporation at the
exposed outer surface 16 of the fabric. The intersecting channels
22, 24 also maintain a cushion of air along the wearer's skin
surface for added warmth, e.g., during periods of relative
inactivity by the wearer, and/or for enhanced convective heat
transfer, e.g., during the physical activity by the wearer.
[0027] The heat dissipating and cooling effects provided by the
features of the fabric technical back, B, are further enhanced by
the elastic stretchability of the fabric body 12. For example, when
the wearer is active and the fabric body 12 is stretched by
physical movements, interstices between yarns of the fabric
construction are opened, allowing air to pass through the fabric
body 12. The stretching is elastic, so that as the wearer returns
to inactivity, the fabric body 12 returns towards its unstretched
state and provides good thermal insulation and warmth to the
wearer, with decreased air permeability. In this manner, the
textile fabric 10 of the disclosure can dynamically adapt to
changing thermal requirements of the wearer over time, e.g., during
periods of the activity and inactivity by the wearer.
[0028] The raised surface 14 of the technical back, B, can also
have features in addition to (or other than) the features of FIG.
1B. For example, referring to FIG. 1C, the raised surface 14 of the
technical back, B, may be a velour. The velour surface can provide
warmth to the wearer and also a more comfortable touch to a
wearer's skin. For example, air can be trapped within the velour
yarns or fibers of the inner surface to provide thermal insulation.
The elastic stretch of the fabric 10 can also provide heat
dissipating and cooling effects similar to those described above.
The thickness of the raised surface 14 on the technical back, B,
e.g., the height of the pillars 18 of FIG. 1B or the height of the
velour, can be selected or controlled to provide the fabric 10 (or
the garment made from the fabric 10) with desired thermal
properties. Other parameters, such as the density of the pillars
18, the width and/or depth of the channels 22, 24, and/or the
density of the velour yarns can also be adjusted to control the
thermal properties of the fabric 10.
[0029] In some implementations, the smooth surface 16 of the
technical face, F, of the stretchable fabric 10 (as seen, e.g., in
FIGS. 1A-1C) includes filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn of
staple fibers, and/or yarns exhibiting a relatively high modulus,
e.g. a modulus over about 425 gdp, and/or high tenacity, e.g. a
tenacity over about 6 gdp, or over about 10 gdp, or over about 20
gdp, to provide the stretchable fabric 10 with relatively high cut
and/or abrasion resistance. Suitable materials exhibiting
relatively high modulus, e.g. in filaments, multi-filaments, spun
yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns, include, e.g., p-aramid, such
as KEVLAR.RTM. (available from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company,
of Wilmington, Del. U.S.A.); or ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene, such as SPECTRA.RTM. (available from Honeywell
International Inc., of Morristown, N.J., U.S.A.) or DYNEEMA.RTM.
(available from DSM High Performance Fibers B.V., of Heerlen,
Netherlands); or aramid, such as TWARON.RTM. (available from Teijin
Aramid B.V., of Arnhem, Netherlands). The filaments,
multi-filaments, spun yarn of staple fibers, and/or yarns
exhibiting high modulus can form the smooth outer surface 16 of the
technical face, F, of the fabric, and the outer surface 32 of
gloves 30 formed of the fabric, providing the surface with high cut
and abrasion resistance. In testing to date, fabrics formed of
materials exhibiting high modulus, e.g., p-aramid KEVLAR.RTM., have
been shown to provide relatively improved performance when used in
filament and/or multi-filament form, e.g. as compared to fabrics
formed of high modulus p-aramid KEVLAR.RTM. in spun yarn form. This
preliminary finding may also be valid for other materials
exhibiting high modulus. Garments made of the fabric 10, such as
work wear clothing or gloves, with an outer surface 16 formed by
technical face, F, can be used under in harsh working environments
for long periods of time, while continuing to protect the wearer
from harsh working conditions. Examples of such harsh working
environments may include, e.g.: meat cutting, metal cutting, metal
welding, metal grinding, glass cutting, various assembly lines,
construction, industrial maintenance, and others.
[0030] The materials of the filaments, multi-filaments, spun yarn
of staple fibers, and/or yarns used in forming the stretchable
fabric 10 of FIGS. 1A-1C can be selected based on the intended use
of the fabric. For example, the stretchable fabric 10 can be used
in garments for wear in hazardous environments, such as conditions
frequently experienced by fire, military, police, and other
emergency response personnel, where the garments are desirably
flame resistant and/or flame retardant. The technical back, B, can
include flame retardant yarns and/or fibers, e.g., a blend of
cotton or regenerated cellulose fibers such as TENCEL.RTM.
(regenerated cellulose, available from Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft,
of Lenzing, Austria) with modacrylic at a weight ratio of about
65:35. Other flame retardant yarns include, e.g. NOMEX.RTM.
(aramid) and KEVLAR.RTM. (p-aramid),both available from E.I. du
Pont de Nemours and Company, of Wilmington, Del. U.S.A.);
BASOFIL.RTM. (melamine), available from Basofil Fibers, LLC, of
Enka, N.C. U.S.A.; PBI (polybenzimidazole), available, e.g., from
PBI Performance Products, Inc., of Charlotte, N.C. U.S.A.; P84.RTM.
(polyimide), available from Evonik Fibres GmbH, of Lenzing,
Austria; carbon-carbon composites; and other suitable materials. In
addition to the high modulus fibers, the technical face, F, can
include flame retardant and/or non-melt non-drip fibers. Examples
of flame retardant fibers include, e.g., fibers formed of the
materials listed above, and examples of non-melt non-drip fibers
include, e.g., FR cotton, FR wool, wool, silk, rayon, and other
suitable materials. Other suitable materials for the yarns/fibers
of the technical back, B, can include synthetic fibers, e.g., 100%
synthetic fibers such as polyester, natural fibers, or a
combination or blend of various fibers. The fabric body 12 can be
plaited elastomeric fibers and/or yarns, such as spandex, e.g.,
LYCRA.RTM., nylon, or a blend of various fibers. A typical weight
ratio of stitch yarn to loop yarn in a fabric 10 is between about
95:5 and about 30:70.
[0031] In some implementations, the fabric body 12 having a terry
knit construction is formed by joining stitch yarns and loop yarns
on a circular knitting machine, e.g., 24 cut, 26-inch cylinder. The
terry knit construction can have regular plaiting. The technical
face, F, has a smooth jersey construction, while loops of the loop
yarn extend outwardly at the technical back, B, to form a raised
surface 14, e.g., the raised surfaces of FIGS. 1B and 1C. Various
methods can be used to form the pillar/channel (grid) configuration
on the technical back, B, such as that shown in FIG. 1B. For
example, tipped and tipless sinkers, high and low sinkers, and/or
the combinations thereof are used to form channels along one
direction, e.g., vertical channels 22 of FIG. 1B. Intersecting
channels, such as horizontal channels 24 of FIG. 1B, can be formed
by removing the loop yarn from one or more feeds. In some
implementations, shrinkable loop yarns are used on the technical
back, B, so that when the shrinkable loop yarns are processed with
heat, e.g., wet heat such as hot water or steam, or dry heat such
as hot air, the yarns shrink to form channels on the technical
back, B.
[0032] Different levels of thermal insulation can be provided by
reducing or increasing a height of the raised surface, e.g., the
sinker height or the velour height. For example, for the grids of
FIG. 1B, as the sinker height is increased, the fiber pillar height
is increased and the insulation factor of the fabric 10 is
increased. Details for the formation of discrete pillar regions and
intersecting channels are also described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,927,182, issued Aug. 9, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] In some implementations, the loop yarns forming the
technical back, B, of the fabric body 12 are textured yarns formed
of fibrous materials as discussed previously. The loop yarns can
have a denier in the range of about 40 denier to about 300 denier
(or equivalent for spun yarn), e.g., about 70 denier. The denier
per filament (dpf) may be about 0.3 dpf to about 5.0 dpf, e.g.,
about 1.0 dpf. A suitable loop yarn is a 70/68 textured nylon
yarn.
[0034] In some implementations, the stitch yarns forming the
technical face, F, of the fabric body 12 are textured yarns formed
of fibrous materials as previously discussed. For example, when the
stitch yarns include a blend of elastomeric fibers and synthetic
fibers, the synthetic fibers in the stitch yarns can have a denier
in the range of about 60 denier to about 70 denier, e.g., about 70
denier (or equivalent for spun yarn). The elastomeric fibers in the
stitch yarns can have a denier, e.g., of about 70 denier. In some
implementations, a suitable stitch yarn is a 70/68 textured nylon
yarn commingled with 70 denier Lycra.RTM. (available from E.I. du
Pont de Nemours and Company, of Wilmington, Del. U.S.A.).
[0035] In some implementations, the stretchable fabric 10 is
further processed before use. For example, the surface 14 (i.e.,
loops of the loop yarn) at the technical back, B, of the fabric
body 12 may be sanded, brushed, and/or napped. Such processes can
help the fabric body 12 to maintain good wind breaking properties
in static conditions. In static (i.e., unstretched) conditions, the
finished stretchable fabric 10 has an air permeability of less than
10 ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min, tested according to ASTM D-737 under a
pressure difference of 1/2 inch of water across the fabric body
12.
[0036] The textile fabric 10 can be incorporated in a wide range of
garments including shirts, jackets, pants, socks, and gloves for
use in a variety of activities, e.g., jogging, cross-country
skiing, team sports, such as soccer, football, etc., and/or in a
work environment. During such activities and/or in such a work
environment, a wearer's thermal insulating requirements have a
tendency to change over time, depending on the level of physical
activity.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of work wear gloves 30 is
made from the fabric 10 of the disclosure, e.g. as described above
and seen in FIGS. 1A-1C. The gloves can fit snuggly onto a wearer's
hands (not shown), e.g., as a result of the stretchability of the
fabric 10. The gloves 30 are thin and light in weight, providing
the wearer with comfort, good dexterity, tactility, and good grip
of items to be handled by the wearer. The outer surface 32 of the
work wear gloves 30 is formed by the smooth surface 16, of the
technical face, F, of the fabric 10 and has high cut and/or
abrasion resistance, so that the gloves can protect the wearer's
hands and withstand wear and tear for extended periods of time in
harsh work environments. The inner surface 34 of the work wear
gloves 30 is formed by the raised surface 14 of the technical back,
B, of the fabric 10. The raised surface 14 (not shown) on the inner
surface 34 of the work wear glove 30 provides the wearer with
comfort, warmth, and heat dissipating and cooling effects, e.g.,
effective and rapid sweat drying. The gloves 30 can also be flame
retardant to further protect the wearer's hand under harsh work
environments that involve fire hazard.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0038] A fabric, designated E793B, was formed in accordance with
the disclosure. The fabric had a single face plaited construction,
namely a single face plaited terry sinker loop construction, formed
of loop yarn, stitch yarn, and plaited yarn, with a first surface
(i.e., the technical face) having a smooth jersey construction, and
an opposite second surface (i.e., the technical back) having raised
sinker loop yarns. The loop yarn consisted of 36/1, 70:30
modacrylic:TENCEL.RTM. (regenerated cellulosic), having FR (flame
retardant) properties, with the loop yarn representing 48.80 wt. %
of the finished fabric. The stitch yarn had two ends, consisting of
42/1 KEVLAR.RTM., representing 44.29 wt. % of the finished fabric.
The plaited yarn (spandex yarn consisting of 70 denier LYCRA.RTM.)
was plaited under the stitch yarn and represented 6.91 wt. % of the
finished fabric.
[0039] In this trial, the loop yarn included FR (flame retardant)
material, i.e. modacrylic, with KEVLAR.RTM., to provide the entire
fabric with FR characteristics (keeping in mind that KEVLAR.RTM.
has inherent FR properties), with good thermal performance. Also,
the number of ends of the stitch yarn (KEVLAR.RTM.) was doubled,
from 1 to 2, to simulate coarser yarn, with the count of two ends
of 42/1 equivalent to 21/1, in to order to achieve enhanced cut
protection for the wearer in the finished product.
Example 2
[0040] Another test fabric, designated E793C, was also formed in
accordance with this disclosure. As in the first example, the
fabric had a single face plaited construction, namely a single face
plaited terry sinker loop construction, formed of loop yarn, stitch
yarn, and plaited yarn, with a first surface (i.e., the technical
face) having a smooth jersey construction, and an opposite second
surface (i.e., the technical back) having raised sinker loop yarns.
The loop yarn consisted of 70/48 textured polyester, with the loop
yarn, representing 32.49 wt. % of the finished fabric. As above,
the stitch yarn had two ends, consisting of 42/1 KEVLAR.RTM.,
representing 58.39 wt. % of the finished fabric. The plaited yarn,
a spandex yarn consisting of 70 denier LYCRA.RTM., was plaited
under the stitch yarn and represented 9.11 wt. % of the finished
fabric.
[0041] In this trial, the number of ends of the stitch yarn
(KEVLAR) again was doubled, to simulate coarser yarn, with the
count of two ends of 42/1 equivalent to 21/1, to order to achieve
more protection for the wearer in the finished product. The loop
yarn was formed of 100% polyester, to generate softer hand and
relatively greater thermal insulation.
Other Implementations
[0042] According to another implementation of the fabric and gloves
of this disclosure, referring to FIG. 4, in one implementation, the
fabric 10 has plaited terry sinker loop knit construction, with a
raised (e.g. velour or fleece) surface 14 on the technical back, B,
and a smooth jersey surface 16 on the technical face, F. Yarn 26
forming the technical face, F, and yarn 28 forming the technical
back, B, are plaited together along an interface region, I, which
is suggested in broken line.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, when the fabric 10 is incorporated into
gloves 30R, 30L, the raised (e.g. velour or fleece) surface 14 on
the technical back, B, defines the inside surface 30 of the glove
30L, positioned to face the glove wearer's skin surface, S, and the
smooth jersey surface 16 on the technical face defines the outside
surface 32 of the glove 30L. Referring also to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the
raised terry loop surface on the inside of the glove can be, e.g.,
in a plain velour 30A (FIG. 6A) or in a grid-like pattern 30B (FIG.
6B) having raised pile pillars 18 defined by region 20 of
relatively low pile or no pile in intersecting vertical and
horizontal channels 22, 24, respectively, e.g. as shown and
discussed above, and as described in Rock et al. U.S. Pat. No.
6,927,182, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 7, and also to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a
touch screen capacitive device 50 with a touch screen 52 is shown
being operated by contact of the fingertip surface 54 (by way of
example only) of the finger 56 of an operator wearing a glove 30L
of the disclosure (only one finger portion 58 of the glove is
shown). Referring to FIG. 7A, the yarn 26 forming the technical
face, F, of the fabric 10, and forming the outside surface of the
glove, also includes a conductive, e.g., electrically conductive,
yarn or includes an electrically conductive fiber blend (for
convenience, the term "conductive", as used below, includes
"electrically conductive"). The yarn 26 or the conductive elements
in the yarn 26, e.g., the conductive yarn or the conductive fiber
blend, can have an electrical resistivity of 1.times.10.sup.7
Ohms/centimeter or less, e.g., 1.times.10.sup.5 Ohms/cm. The
conductive yarn, e.g. in filament form, or conductive fiber blend,
e.g., in spun yarn form, on the jersey side, i.e. the technical
face, F, can be in spaced apart regions 60A, 60B that are located
at predetermined locations on the surface layer 16 of the gloves
30R, 30L.
[0045] The conductive elements of the yarn 26 are flexible
(knittable), abrasion resistant to maintain conductivity for
actuation of the touch screen after abrasion. Abrasion resistance
can be demonstrated on Martindale or Taber laboratory abrasion
testing equipment). The conductive elements in the yarn 26 can be
made of multifilament metal wire, e.g. stainless steel VN14/1X90
316L, available from Baekaert Corporation (Akron, Ohio), having
electrical resistivity of 1.times.10.sup.7 Ohms/cm. The conductive
yarn can be made of filaments or of staple fibers where conductive
particles are embedded in thermoplastic fiber (polyester, nylon,
polypropylene, or acrylic). The conductive particles can be in
micrometer (mm) or nanometer (nm) size. The conductive particles
can be made of carbon and/or metal, like copper, silver, etc. The
conductive particle can be embedded across the whole cross section
of the thermoplastic fiber, or in core-sheath pattern where the
conductive particles can be in the sheath region (see, e.g.,
RESISTAT.RTM. conductive fibers created by a suffusion process that
chemically saturates the outer skin of a fiber with carbon
particles, as available from Shakespeare Conductive Fibers, LLC, of
Columbia, S.C. U.S.A., e.g., RESISTAT.RTM.F901, X505 fiber, having
electrical resistivity of 1.times.10.sup.5 Ohms/cm.) or in the core
region (see, e.g., CLARETTA.RTM. conductive fibers with carbon
contained layer(s) (polyamide) in a polyester sheath and core, as
available from Kuraray Co., Ltd., of Yokayama, Japan). The
conductive particles can also be embedded in the cross section of
the thermoplastic fiber in a predetermined pattern (see, e.g.,
NEGA-STAT.RTM. conductive fibers with a trilobal conductive core
surrounded by a polyester sheath, as available from W. Barnet &
Son, LLC., of Arcadia, S.C. U.S.A., or see, e.g., MEGANA.RTM.
conductive fibers with high concentrations of carbon in a polyester
filament yarn or MEGA.RTM.III conductive fibers formed of nylon
filament containing carbon particles, both as available from
Unitika Fibers Ltd., of Japan.
[0046] In other implementations, the conductive fibers of the yarn
26 can be made by metal deposition on the yarn's surface (vapor
deposition, arcing, etc.), or by a process of depositing a
conductive "metal" layer on the outer surface of a synthetic fiber
by chemical reaction reduction-oxidation (RED-OX), where a layer of
copper (see, e.g., CUPRON.RTM. conductive fibers formed of polymers
and/or textiles treated with copper oxide, as available from Cupron
Inc., of Israel) or silver (see, e.g., X-STATIC.RTM. silver-coated
conductive fibers, as available from Noble Fiber Technologies, LLC,
of Scranton, Pa. U.S.A.) is applied to fiber surfaces. The
conductive fibers can be commingled with or wrap a nonconductive
filament yarn, e.g. a thermoplastic yarn or the fibers/yarns having
high modulus and high tenacity, for exposure at the outer, i.e. the
smooth jersey surface (technical face). The non-conductive filament
yarns may also contain fibers coated with a conductive polymer,
e.g. polyaniline or polypyrole, also for exposure that the outer
surface of the glove. The conductive fibers (staples) can be
blended with nonconductive fiber at a predetermined ratio. Other
examples of commercially available conductive fibers include, e.g.:
S-SHIELD.TM. PES conductive fibers of 80% polyester and 20% Inox,
as available from Schoeller Textiles AG, of Switzerland;
CONDUCTROL.RTM. conductive fibers of acrylic polymer suffused to
carbon fibers, as available from Sterling Chemicals International,
Inc., of Houston, Tex. U.S.A.; BELLTRON.RTM. conductive fibers with
a polymer matrix (nylon or polyester) and conductive particles
(carbon or metal) exposed on the surface, as available from Kanebo
Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan; and MEGATOPIA.TM. conductive fibers, as
available from Toray Industries, Inc., of Japan. Alternatively, the
conductive yarns/fibers can be made of carbon fiber (in contrast to
synthetic thermoplastic fiber loaded/filled with carbon
particles).
[0047] Referring again to FIG. 5, the plaited terry sinker loop
knit construction 12, with smooth jersey surface 32 on the
technical face, F, and with a raised surface 30 on the technical
back, B, includes elastomeric yarn elements 38 as part of the
jersey (technical face, F) or plaited with the jersey yarn 26. The
elastomeric filaments can wrap, cover, or can be commingled with
the stitch yarn 26. The elastomeric yarn elements 38 can have any
predetermined size, e.g. about 20 denier to about 150 denier, and
the elastomeric yarn elements 38 can be incorporated into the
fabric on every course, or repeat, e.g., at every other course, or
at every X course, where "X" is any integer). Elastomeric yarn
elements 38 can also, or instead, be plaited under the jersey yarn
26 on the technical back, B.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 7B, in another implementation, conductive
yarns or conductive fiber blend 26 can be on the jersey side 16 of
the technical face, F, and in the terry loop yarn 28 on the velour
or raised side 14 of the technical back, F, in regions 62A and 62B
of the same course, e.g., courses X and Y. In this implementation,
the conductive fiber of the terry sinker loop surface 14 (of the
technical back, B), in a yarn form or as a raised surface like a
velour, will have direct contact to the wearer's skin surface 54,
or in close proximity to the skin surface, and have direct contact
through the plaited interface construction, I, with the conductive
yarn on the jersey surface 16 (of the technical face, F) in order
to generate direct conductive bridge between the user/wearer's skin
surface 54 and the touch screen surface 52.
[0049] The conductive yarns/fibers may be inserted on the technical
face, F, between and/or plaited with nonconductive yarns/fibers 26,
in a predetermined distribution. A textile fabric can include
electrically conductive yarns spaced apart by insulative
nonconductive yarns, e.g., in the predetermined distribution. The
fibers/yarns of the general textile construction are typically made
of nonconductive materials, such as: synthetic materials (e.g.,
polyester, nylon, polypropylene, acrylic); natural materials (e.g.,
cotton or wool); regenerate fibers (e.g., rayon, modal, or
TENCEL.RTM. (i.e. Lyocell biodegradable fiber made from wood pulp
cellulose)); and/or flame retardant fibers (e.g., p-aramid,
m-aramid, PBI (polybenzimidazole), modacrylic, FR synthetic yarn,
and FR treated cellulosic).
Other Embodiments
[0050] While a terry knit fabric with regular plaiting construction
has been described, in some embodiments, the fabric body can
alternatively be constructed as terry with reverse plating, two-end
fleece, three-end fleece, tricot, etc.
[0051] Although a single face construction has been described, in
some embodiments, the fabric body can be finished at both the
technical face and the technical back, form a double face fabric,
if desired.
[0052] Also, referring to FIG. 8, in another implementation of a
capacitive touch screen compatible glove of the disclosure, a glove
100 may have electrically conductive contact regions 102 disposed
at one or more fingertip regions 104 and/or the thumb tip region
105, formed by textile fabric elements of conductive yarns and/or
wire patterns extending across the width (106) or along the length
(108) of one or more glove fingers and/or thumb, and the
electrically conductive elements are incorporated by cut-and-sew
fabrication techniques.
[0053] Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *