CN117120679A

CN117120679A - Sweat mark-free fabric with moisture management function

Info

Publication number: CN117120679A
Application number: CN202280027191.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: Y·V·丹达普尔; P·C·罗干; R·曼娜
Original assignee: Canada Luluolemeng Sporting Goods Co ltd
Current assignee: Canada Luluolemeng Sporting Goods Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-09
Filing date: 2022-04-07
Publication date: 2023-11-24
Also published as: EP4320298A1; CA3214968A1; US20230172294A1; WO2022213199A1; US20230240400A1

Abstract

An example of a knitted or woven fabric having moisture management functionality is described herein that includes a surface fabric layer with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) additive that forms a hydrophobic outer surface of the fabric, and a backside fabric layer having a second yarn that is highly hydrophilic that forms a moisture regain core to absorb moisture and diffuse it to the inner surface of the backside fabric layer. Due to the DWR additive added to the first yarn, the outer layer (surface layer) of the fabric is hydrophobic, while the inner layer (backside layer) of the fabric is highly hydrophilic, absorbing moisture and diffusing it to the inside of the backside layer, allowing it to dry faster, thus allowing the outer surface of the surface fabric layer to dry, thereby reducing the appearance of water/liquid stains on the outer surface of the surface fabric layer.

Description

Sweat mark-free fabric with moisture management function

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 63/173,093 filed on 4/9 of 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

The present application provides a fabric with moisture management which reduces the occurrence of wet (fluid) spots, such as sweat, water or blood spots, on the surface of the fabric.

Background

Fabrics designed for use in apparel for athletic activities are contemplated to achieve the following objectives: the body performance is maximized by significantly controlling the body temperature and keeping moisture away from the human body. The current challenge is how to make such garments that can generally exhibit properties that improve performance without affecting appearance and/or human comfort. Moisture in sweat generated by physical exertion can form undesirable spots on the surface of the garment. It is very convenient for the wearer to have a fabric that reduces the creation of wet spots, who can wear sports to do exercises and to buy something or drink coffee, without having to worry about perspiration. On hot and humid days, commuters also wish to wear fabrics that do not leave sweat marks on their clothing.

Accordingly, an improved fabric that reduces the occurrence of wet spots on the surface would be highly desirable.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present application provides a knitted or woven fabric having moisture management functionality. The fabric comprises: a surface fabric layer having a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) additive that forms a substantially hydrophobic fabric outer surface; a back fabric layer composed of hydrophilic second yarns forming a moisture regain core to absorb moisture and diffuse the moisture onto an inner surface of the back fabric layer; and connecting yarns that join the front fabric layer and the back fabric layer together.

In one embodiment, the first yarn is spun by using DWR additives within the yarn.

In another embodiment, the first yarn is finished with a DWR additive.

In a complementary embodiment, the fabric is a weft or warp knit, or a woven fabric.

In one aspect, the moisture regain of the backside fabric layer is between 4% -18%.

In another aspect, the first yarn is a synthetic polymer selected from nylon, dacron, polypropylene, acrylic, or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the first yarn is nylon 6.6 having a denier in the range of 20D to 100D and a filament count of 10 to 186.

In another aspect, the surface fabric layer further comprises a third yarn connected to the first yarn such that the third yarn is located on the inside of the surface fabric layer and the first yarn is located on the outside of the surface fabric layer.

In one aspect, the second yarn comprises natural or regenerated cellulose fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, wool, modal, micromimol, viscose rayon, lyocell, cuprammonium rayon, regenerated cellulose fibers, regenerated protein fibers, and any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the third yarn is an elastic fiber.

In another embodiment, the elastic fibers have a denier between 10D and 70D.

In a complementary embodiment, the surface fabric layer is a composite blend of synthetic polymer with DWR additives and elastic fibers braided together.

In another aspect, the backside fabric layer further comprises a fourth yarn connected with the second yarn such that the fourth yarn is located on the inside of the backside fabric layer and the second yarn is located on the outside of the backside fabric layer.

In one aspect, the second yarn is a hydrophilic synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of nylon, modified polyester, modified polypropylene, modified acrylic, and combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the fourth yarn is an elastic fiber.

In one aspect, the elastic fiber has a denier between 10D and 70D.

In another embodiment, the second fabric layer is a composite blend of natural or regenerated cellulose fibers and elastic fibers woven together.

In another embodiment, the backside fabric layer is roughened or napped to increase its surface area.

In another aspect, the connecting yarns are at least single ply.

In another embodiment, the connecting yarns are synthetic polymers.

In another aspect, the connecting yarns are elastic fibers.

In another aspect, the outer surface of the surface fabric layer is finished with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating.

In another aspect, the outer surface of the back fabric layer is finished with sweat guiding.

In one aspect, the fabric is knitted from a double knit structure.

In one aspect, the fabric is a knitted single layer knit fabric.

In one aspect, the fabric is a knitted warp knit fabric.

In one aspect, the fabric is a double woven fabric.

In another embodiment, the fabric is a beaded fabric or a tricot fabric.

In one aspect, the present application provides an article of apparel comprising a fabric as defined herein.

Drawings

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a double knit fabric knit structure in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a sweat bead-free terry cloth fabric showing the four-channel structure or repeating pattern that makes up the terry cloth, according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 shows a double layer woven fabric according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows a tricot structure according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a knitted or woven fabric having a moisture management function, comprising: a surface fabric layer comprising a first yarn having a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) additive or DWR finishing layer forming a hydrophobic or substantially hydrophobic outer surface; a back fabric layer comprising a second yarn that is highly hydrophilic, forming a moisture regain core to absorb moisture and diffuse the moisture to an inner surface of the back fabric layer; and connecting yarns for bonding the front fabric layer and the back fabric layer together. Moisture absorbed and diffused onto the inner surface between the back and surface fabric layers will evaporate through the surface fabric layers over time. Due to the addition of DWR additives or DWR finishing layers on the first yarns, the outer layer (surface layer) of the fabric is hydrophobic, while the inner layer (backside layer) of the fabric is hydrophilic, it absorbs and diffuses moisture to the inside of the backside layer, thereby allowing it to dry faster and causing the outer surface of the surface fabric layer to dry, thereby avoiding or reducing the appearance of liquid spotting on the outer surface of the surface fabric layer.

As shown in fig. 1, the fabric 10 includes a back layer (inner layer) 12, which is a layer that is against the skin of the wearer, and a surface layer (outer layer) 14, which corresponds to a layer of the fabric 10 that is outwardly and away from the skin of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the connecting yarns 16 join the back fabric layer 12 and the front fabric layer 14 together, thereby connecting the fabrics 10 together. Moisture on the wearer's skin is pushed through the back fabric layer 12 and spreads across the back of the fabric 10, generally from side a (the wearer's skin) to side B (the outer surface away from the wearer's skin). Absorbed moisture evaporates over time and does not leave sweat marks on surface layer 14 of fabric 10.

The surface fabric layer 14 includes first yarns 23 that include a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) additive or DWR finishing layer, thereby forming a hydrophobic outer fabric surface, thereby avoiding or reducing perspiration marks on the outer surface of the fabric 10 during perspiration-causing activities. For example, the first yarn 23 may be spun using DWR additives therein, or the yarn 23 may have a DWR finish. The back fabric layer 12 includes second yarns 18 which are hydrophilic and form a moisture regain core that absorbs moisture from the skin and spreads it to the inner surface of the back fabric layer, thereby allowing it to dry faster while keeping the outer surface of the surface fabric layer 14 dry and perspiration is not visible on the outside of the fabric 10.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the surface fabric layer 14 further includes a third yarn 24 knitted or woven with the first yarn 23 such that the third yarn 24 is located on the inside of the surface fabric layer 14 and the first yarn 23 is located on the outside of the surface fabric layer 14. In certain embodiments, the first yarn 23 may be a synthetic polymer such as, but not limited to, nylon, dacron, polypropylene, acrylic, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the first yarn 23 may be 15 to 100 denier (D), 10 to 184 filaments (F) nylon 6.6 containing DWR additives. The third yarn 24 may be an elastic fiber, such as 10D to 70D spandex. The third yarn may also be the same DWR yarn as used for the surface. The surface fabric layer 14 may be a composite blend of synthetic polymers with DWR additives or with DWR finishing layers braided with elastic fibers. In various embodiments, the outer surface of the surface fabric layer 14 includes a DWR finishing layer.

The backside fabric layer 12 includes second yarns 18 that are hydrophilic to provide a high moisture regain, thereby forming a hydrophilic moisture regain core of the fabric 10. For example, the moisture regain of the second yarn 18 may be in the range of 4% -18%. The second yarns 18 may be any suitable natural or regenerated cellulose fibers. For example, the second yarn 18 may be selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, wool, modal, micro-modal, viscose rayon, lyocell, cuprammonium rayon, and any combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, second yarn 18 may be a hydrophilic synthetic polymer, for example, second yarn 18 may be selected from the group consisting of nylon, dacron, polypropylene, acrylic, and combinations thereof. The backside fabric layer 12 also includes a fourth yarn 20 knitted or woven with the second yarn 18 such that the fourth yarn 20 is located on the inside of the backside fabric layer 12 and the second yarn 18 is located on the outside of the backside fabric layer 12. The fourth yarn 20 may also be a synthetic polymer, such as an elastic fiber. For example, the fourth yarn 20 may be 30D or 40D spandex. In one embodiment, the back fabric layer 12 may be a composite blend of natural fibers, hydrophilic synthetic polymers, or regenerated cellulose fibers woven together with elastic fibers. The surface layer DWR yarns and the back surface layer hydrophilic yarns can be used independently without braiding with spandex. In another embodiment, the back fabric layer 12 may be a composite blend of a completely hydrophilic synthetic polymer (e.g., nylon) and spandex braided together. One means of increasing the hydrophilicity of the back layer 12 is to increase its surface area. It is therefore contemplated that the outside (skin facing side) of the back fabric layer 12 may be roughened or napped to increase its surface area.

The connecting yarns 16 join the front fabric layer 14 and the back fabric layer 12 together and may be at least single yarns. In one embodiment, the connecting yarns 16 may be elastic fibers. For example, the connecting yarns 16 may be 10D to 70D spandex. In certain embodiments, the connecting yarns 16 may be a synthetic polymer, such as nylon, dacron, polypropylene, acrylic, polyacrylonitrile, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the connecting yarns 16 may be natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, modal, micromemol, rayon, lyocell, viscose, or combinations thereof. The connecting yarns are preferably herringbone structures between the back fabric layer 12 and the front fabric layer 14. The connecting yarns 16 may be single or multi-ply. Each of the plurality of strands 16 may have a separate chevron configuration. The connecting yarns 16 may also be yarns having DWR components.

In one embodiment, the outer surface of the surface fabric layer 14 may be finished with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating to further reduce water or perspiration appearing on the outer surface of the fabric 10. For example, after finishing the surface fabric layer, a DWR coating may be printed on the outer surface of the surface fabric layer 14. For example, DWR coatings may be printed, such as by screen printing, ink jet printing, lamination, or spray coating. In one embodiment, the DWR coating may have a predetermined pattern to direct moisture out of the surface fabric layer 14 to achieve rapid drying. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the back side fabric layer 12 may be subjected to a sweat-guiding finishing, for example by adding a chemical finishing layer containing hydrophilic molecules, which is attached to the outer surface of the back side fabric layer 12.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, a double woven fabric is included in which the first yarns 23 also connect the front fabric layer 14 to the back fabric layer 12. In this embodiment, surface fabric layer 14 includes yarns 23 that are finished with DWR. Thus, the back side of the double woven fabric is hydrophilic, while the surface layer is DWR yarn.

In certain embodiments, the fabric 10 is a knitted structure, which may be a weft knit or warp knit structure, as described herein. For example, the fabric may be a double knit structure (as shown in FIG. 1) or a tricot needle structure (as shown in FIG. 4).

In another embodiment, a fabric 100 is disclosed wherein the backside layer comprises hydrophilic yarns 54 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, the hydrophilic yarns 54 are made of natural or regenerated cellulose fibers, preferably modal fibers or hydrophilic synthetic polymers. The connecting yarn 50 is a composite blend of synthetic polymer with DWR additives and DWR finishing layers braided together. The surface fabric layer includes yarns 52 knitted or woven with connecting yarns 50 and surface fabric or first yarns 56 such that yarns 52 are on the inside of the surface fabric layer and first yarns 56 are on the outside of the surface fabric layer. Fabric 100 is a knitted fabric or "terry cloth" fabric. In this context, a "bead cloth" is a traditional weave pattern with a waffle weave structure. The resulting double knit structure can be seen from the double number of yarns in the face fabric layer compared to the back layer yarns, thereby forming raised and recessed areas in the material. Thus, different patterns can be woven. In the illustrated embodiment, the beaded floor covering structure is a repeating pattern of four-pass structures, but the structure may have a different repeating pattern without departing from the scope of the present application. First yarn 56 is a composite blend of synthetic polymer with DWR additives and DWR finishing layers braided together. Yarn 52 is an elastic fiber, such as 5D spandex. Figure 2 shows a four-channel structure or repeating pattern that makes up the bead cloth fabric 100.

As described herein, knitted fabrics with moisture management and no sweat marks on the surface can be used in any type of garment, including shirts, headwear, jackets, pants, underwear, gloves, socks, and footwear.

As shown herein, the performance of the fabric was tested and the results of the Moisture Management Test (MMT) confirmed that the salt solution used in the test was not permeable into the fabric during the test. The fabric, while blocking moisture, is breathable, which is a desirable feature in terms of thermal comfort.

Based on the above results, the fabrics provided herein clearly have unique engineered moisture barrier properties.

Example I

Fabric testing characteristics

The liquid moisture management characteristics of the woven fabrics shown in the figures were tested using a Moisture Management Tester (MMT). The fabric is placed between two layers of sensors (top layer sensor and bottom layer sensor) with the fabric surface layer facing down. 0.2 ml of saline solution was applied to the back layer of the fabric (the side of the fabric that was in contact with the skin). Thus, the "top layer" is the skin-contacting side/back layer of the fabric, while the "bottom layer" is the outside/surface layer of the fabric. The results are set forth in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1

Liquid moisture management index	Average of	Standard deviation of	Grade ×
				Top wet time, WTT (seconds)	2.93	1.02	5
Bottom layer wetting time, WTB (seconds)	120	0	1
				Top layer absorption rate, ART (%/sec)	55.8	6.2	4
Absorption rate of the substrate, ARB (%/sec)	0	0	1
				Top layer maximum wetting radius, MWRT (millimeters)	25.0	0	5
Bottom layer maximum wetting radius, MWRB (millimeter)	0	0	1
				Top diffusion speed, SST (millimeter/second)	4.62	1.06	5
Bottom diffusion rate, SSB (millimeter/second)	0	0	1
				One-way transport capacity, R (%)	-1100	50	1
Overall moisture management performance, OMMC	0	0	1

* Grade indicates a grading of the textile from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, consistent with the intended function, 1 being the worst, and not consistent with the intended result of the material.

The fabric was tested for liquid absorption properties, with the back side (skin contact surface) in contact with the applied test liquid (distilled water). The liquid absorption rate (20-80% water absorption capacity) for horizontal perspiration in grams per second was 0.011.

For the drying rate of the textile under the water absorption capacity, an air flow method is adopted. The test conditions were: the air temperature is 21+1 ℃; the relative humidity is 65+2%; direction of air flow: a vertical air flow from the back side of the fabric to the surface of the fabric; the air flow rate before installing the fabric was 2.5+0.5/sec; the air flow rate after fabric installation was 0.10 m/s. Observations indicate that water cannot pass through the fabric.

A quick drying method is also used because this test method determines the drying rate thereof based on the evaporation rate generated at an approximate water absorption capacity. The test sample is mounted on the lifting ring. With vertical air flow through the fabric (air flow perpendicular to the fabric surface). The higher the drying rate of the fabric, the better its drying performance. The test conditions were: the air temperature is 21+1 ℃; the relative humidity is 65+2%; the temperature of the hot plate is 37+1 ℃, and the back surface (the surface contacted with the skin) of the fabric is contacted with the hot plate; the wind speed was 1.5.+ -. 0.5m/s (horizontal air flow across the fabric surface). The measured drying rate was 1.66mL/h.

To measure the air permeability of the fabric, the following method was used to measure the drying rate of the fabric, which was exposed to a prescribed amount of water while being in contact with a heating plate set at 37 ℃ (simulated skin surface temperature). The fabric surface has a horizontal air flow. The higher the drying rate of the fabric, the better its drying performance. The test pressure was 125 Pa in a test area of 38 square cm, and the measurement results were as follows.

TABLE 2

	Unit (B)	Numerical value
			Air permeability, average	cfm	34.8
Air permeability, maximum	cfm	36.2
			Air permeability, minimum	xfm	33.8
CV	％	2.2

The fabrics provided herein were tested for total heat loss under standard conditions, which were conducted under the following atmospheric conditions: air temperature: 25.0+0.1 ℃; relative humidity 65+4% r.h.; at least 12 hours (sample thickness. Ltoreq.5 mm)/at least 24 hours (sample thickness >5 mm).

The actual test conditions are as follows: the air temperature is 25.0+0.1 ℃; relative humidity 65+3% r.h.; the air flow velocity is 1.0 + -0.1 m/s (horizontal air flow across the fabric surface); the temperature of the hot plate is 35.0+0.1 ℃; sample direction: the sample is laid flat on the measuring device, with the side facing the body generally facing the measuring device. The back of the fabric (skin contact surface) is in contact with the hot plate. The following are measured values:

average intrinsic thermal resistance of the sample itself, rcf (Kxm ² /W)：0.015

Average apparent intrinsic evaporation resistance of sample, R _ef ^A (kPa×m ² /W)：0.002

Total heat loss, Q _t (W/m ² )：796

While the disclosure has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the disclosure is capable of further modifications and this disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the application following, in general, the principles of the application and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the application pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as follows in the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fabric having moisture management functions, comprising:

a surface fabric layer comprising first yarns having a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) additive forming a substantially hydrophobic fabric outer surface;

a backside fabric layer comprising a second yarn having high moisture regain fibers, said second yarn being substantially hydrophilic, forming a moisture regain core to absorb moisture and diffuse moisture to an inner surface of said backside fabric layer; and

and connecting yarns for bonding the front fabric layer and the back fabric layer together.

2. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the first yarn is spun using DWR additives within the yarn.

3. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the first yarn is finished with a DWR additive.

4. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the first yarn additionally acts as the connecting yarn.

5. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the first yarn is a synthetic polymer.

6. The fabric of claim 5, wherein the first yarn is selected from the group consisting of nylon, dacron, polypropylene, acrylic, and any combination thereof.

7. The fabric of claim 6 wherein the first yarn is nylon 6.6 having a denier in the range of 20D-100D and a filament count of 10 to 186.

8. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the surface fabric layer further comprises a third yarn connected with the first yarn, the third yarn being located on an inner side of the surface fabric layer and the first yarn being located on an outer side of the surface fabric layer.

9. The fabric of claim 8, wherein the third yarn is an elastic fiber.

10. The fabric of claim 9, wherein the elastic fiber has a denier between 10D and 70D.

11. The fabric of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the surface fabric layer is a composite blend of synthetic polymer with DWR additives and elastic fibers woven together.

12. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second yarns comprise natural fibers or regenerated cellulose fibers.

13. The fabric of claim 12, wherein the second yarn is selected from the group consisting of cotton, silk, wool, modal, micro modal, viscose rayon, lyocell, cuprammonium rayon, regenerated cellulose fibers, regenerated protein fibers, and any combination thereof.

14. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the backside fabric layer further comprises a fourth yarn connected with the second yarn, whereby the fourth yarn is located on an inner side of the backside fabric layer and the second yarn is located on an outer side of the backside fabric layer.

15. The fabric of claim 14, wherein the fourth yarn is an elastic fiber or DWR yarn.

16. The fabric of claim 15, wherein the elastic fiber has a denier in the range of 10D to 70D.

17. The fabric of claim 14, wherein the second fabric layer is a composite blend of natural or regenerated cellulose fibers and elastic fibers woven together.

18. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the second yarn is a hydrophilic synthetic polymer.

19. The fabric of claim 16, wherein the second yarn is selected from the group consisting of nylon, modified polyester, modified polypropylene, modified acrylic, and combinations thereof.

20. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the moisture regain of the back fabric layer is in the range of 4% -18%.

21. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the back fabric layer is roughened or napped to increase its surface area.

22. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the connecting yarns are at least single ply.

23. The fabric of claim 19, wherein the connecting yarns are synthetic polymers.

24. The fabric of claim 20, wherein the connecting yarns are elastic fibers.

25. The fabric of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the surface fabric layer is finished with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating.

26. The fabric of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the back surface fabric layer is sweat-finished.

27. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the fabric is knitted from a double knit structure.

28. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the fabric is a weft or warp knit fabric, or a woven fabric.

29. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the fabric is a knitted single layer knit.

30. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the fabric is a knitted warp knit fabric.

31. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the fabric is a double-woven fabric.

32. The fabric of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the fabric is a burley fabric or a tricot fabric.

33. An article of apparel comprising the fabric of any of claims 1 to 32.