EP1992725A1

EP1992725A1 - Towel product

Info

Publication number: EP1992725A1
Application number: EP07737654A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shuichi Hozumi
Original assignee: Uchino Co Ltd
Current assignee: Uchino Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-03
Filing date: 2007-03-02
Publication date: 2008-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-02
Also published as: US20090025818A1; EP1992725B1; WO2007100077A1; EP1992725A4; JPWO2007100077A1; JP4697756B2

Abstract

A towel product excellent in water absorbency (water-wiping property), dryability (high drying rate), and light-weight property. The towel product is constituted of warps, wefts, and pile yarns, wherein the warp density is 27-33 yarns per inch, the weft density is 49-58 yarns per inch, the pile ratio is 3.8-6.2, and the pick is 5, 6, or 7, the pile yarns being hollow fibers.

Description

[APPLICABLE FIELD IN THE INDUSTRY]

The present invention particularly relates to a towel product that is excellent in a water absorbency property (wiping-off property of water), a drying property (fast drying speed), and a lightness property.

[BACKGROUND ART]

The towel product has been widely used nowadays. A towel fabric is employed, for example, in such a wide-range field of a towel, a bath towel, a gown such as a towel-znade yukata, and in addition hereto, a sheet.
By the way, the currently used towel fabric weighs fairly heavy. For example, the mean weight of the towel or the bath towel that is used in a general household is 442g/m². The mean weight of the towel or the bath towel that is used in a hotel is 529g/m². And, the towel having a weight of 400g/m² or more never gives rise to a lightness feeling.
Therefore, a progress in an aging in the society nowadays necessitates an urgent development in the towel fabric that actually feels light.
Further, that it is weighty (a use amount of the yarn is much) means that it is excellent in water retention to the extent and it dries slowly after cleaning.

[DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION]

[PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]

Well, nowadays, a hollow yarn is known.
Accordingly, it may safely be said that if the towel is woven by employing the hollow yarn, surely, its towel product becomes light.
However, it is also thinkable that the fact that the towel product has become light differs from the fact that a person actually feels that it has become light. That is, it is true that the bath towel that weighs 400g/m² is lighter than the bath towel that weighs 440g/m²; however whether or not a person actually feels that the bath towel that weighs 400g/m² is light is another question.
The investigation by this inventor demonstrated that very few persons actually sensed the lightness of the towel of which the weight was 400g/m². For example, it was impossible to actually sense the lightness of the towel woven similarly to the conventional method by employing the hollow yarn for a pile yarn.
Thereupon, in order to allow the person to actually sense the lightness property, the towel was woven by employing only the hollow yarn for all yarns. That is, with all of the warp, the weft, and the pile yarn assumed to be a hollow yarn, the towel was fabricated with only this hollow yarn.
This enabled the considerable lightness to be sensed.
However, the towel woven by employing only the hollow yarn, of which strength was weak as a fabric, resulted in being heavily damaged due to the cleaning, and fundamentally lacked a value (durability) as a product.
Thus, granted the towel was woven by employing the hollow yarn, it was necessary to think about how to weave it.
Further, the towel is frequently employed, for example, for the purpose of drying a wet body after bathing. Thus, it is also a requisite for the towel that moisture that adhered to the wet body can be efficiently wiped off, i.e. that it is excellent in the water absorbency property.
Further, for example, it is also a requisite for the towel that it dries fast for a short time, for example, after cleaning.
Thus, the problem to be solved by the present invention is solved by providing the towel product that is excellent in the water absorbency property (wiping-off property of water), the drying property (fast drying speed), and the lightness property.

[PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]

As a result of earnestly having prompted a study for solving the foregoing problem, it has become clear that fabricating the towel product not only by employing the hollow yarn, but also by changing the conventional weaving method to a special weaving method brings about the lightness to the extent that it also can be actually sensed, yet an excellent drying property as well, and in addition hereto, an improvement in the water absorbency property as well.
That is, as a result of having investigated various characteristics about the towels configured in various weaving method in the case of having employed the hollow yarn for the warp, the weft, or the pile yarn, and yet of having employed respective yarns, it has become clear that only the case of employing the special weaving method, and yet employing the hollow yarn for the pile yarn in its weaving method can satisfy any specific characteristic of the water absorbency property (wiping-off property of water), the drying property (fast drying speed), and the lightness property.
The present invention has been accomplished based upon the above-mentioned knowledge.
That is, the foregoing problem is solved by the towel product configured by employing the warp, the weft, and the pile yarn, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch and yet a weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch, a pile scale factor is 3.8 to 6.2, a pick number is six, and the pile yarn is a hollow yarn.
In particular, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, a weft density is 52 to 58 ends/inch, and a pile scale factor is four to six. Above all, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 28.5 to 31.5 ends/inch, a weft density is 53.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and a pile scale factor is 4.0 to 5.2. In addition hereto, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a hollow rate of the hollow yarn (pile yarn) is 17 to 33 weight% (particularly, 20 to 30 weight%).
That is, the foregoing problem is solved by the towel product configured by employing the warp, the weft, and the pile yarn, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch and yet a weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch, a pile scale factor is 3.8 to 6.2, a pick number is seven, and the pile yarn is a hollow yarn.
In particular, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, a weft density is 52 to 58 ends/inch, and a pile scale factor is 3.8 to 5.2. Above all, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 28.5 to 31.5 ends/inch, a weft density is 53.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and a pile scale factor is 4.0 to 5.2. In addition hereto, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a hollow rate of the hollow yarn (pile yarn) is 17 to 33 weight% (particularly, 20 to 30 weight%).
That is, the foregoing problem is solved by the towel product configured by employing the warp, the weft, and the pile yarn, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch and yet a weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch, a pile scale factor is 3.8 to 6.2, a pick number is five, and the pile yarn is a hollow yarn.
In particular, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, a weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch, and a pile scale factor is 4.5 to 6.2. Above all, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a warp density is 28.5 to 32.5 ends/inch, a weft density is 50.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and a pile scale factor is 4.7 to 6.2. In addition hereto, the foregoing problem is solved by the above-mentioned towel product, which is characteristic in that a hollow rate of the hollow yarn (pile yarn) is 17 to 33 weight% (particularly, 20 to 30 weight%).

[AN ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION]

The towel product of the present invention has the lightness to the extent that with the towel product in a hand, its lightness property can be actually sensed as compared with the conventional towel product.
Further, when the towel product is dried after cleaning, its drying speed is high. That is, the advantage that it dries for a short time works.
Further, the towel product, which enables a drop of water that adhered to the body to be finely wiped off in a case of having dried a wet body therewith, is excellent in a wiping-off feeling.
And, the towel product is excellent in durability as well, and has a high product value.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a cross-section diagram of a fabric of the towel product of a first embodiment.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a design diagram of the fabric of the towel product of the first embodiment.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a warp weave diagram of the fabric of the towel product of the first embodiment.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a graph of a water absorbency characteristic of the fabric of the towel product of the first embodiment.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a graph of a drying characteristic of the fabric of the towel product of the first embodiment.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a cross-section diagram of the fabric of the towel product of a second embodiment.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a design diagram of the fabric of the towel product of the second embodiment.

[BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION]

The towel product of the present invention is a towel product configured by employing the warp, the weft, and the pile yarn. And, the pile yarn is the hollow yarn. The hollow rate of this hollow yarn (pile yarn) is preferably 17 to 33 weight% (more preferably, 20 to 30 weight%). Additionally, each of the warp and the weft as well may be the hollow yarn; however preferably, it is a normal yarn that is not hollow (non-hollow yarn). The warp density thereof is 27 to 33 ends/inch, and the weft density thereof is 49 to 58 ends/inch. The pile scale factor is 3.8 to 6.2. The pick number is one of five, six, and seven.
With the case that the pick number is five, particularly, the warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, the weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.5 to 6.2. Above all, particularly, the warp density is 28.5 to 32.5 ends/inch, the weft density is 50.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.7 to 6.2.
With the case that the pick number is six, particularly, the warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, the weft density is 52 to 58 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is four to six. Above all, the warp density is 28.5 to 31.5 ends/inch, the weft density is 53.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.0 to 5.2.
With the case that the pick number is seven, particularly, the warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, the weft density is 52 to 58 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 3.8 to 5.2. Above all, the warp density is 28.5 to 31.5 ends/inch, the weft density is 53.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.0 to 5.2.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in details.
Each of Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 illustrates the first embodiment of the towel product relating to the present invention, Fig. 1 is a cross-section diagram thereof, Fig. 2 is a design diagram, and Fig. 3 is a warp weave diagram.
The towel product (bath towel) of the present invention is one woven by employing the warp, the weft, and the pile yarn. The warp of the above-mentioned bath towel is the ordinary yarn (yarn that is not hollow) having a thick count, being an equivalent-of-a-single-yarn count of 20/1 or greater, for example, a yarn count of 16/1. The weft of the above-mentioned bath towel is the ordinary yarn (yarn that is not hollow) having a thick count, being an equivalent-of-a-single-yarn count of 20/1 or greater, for example, a yarn count of 20/1. The pile yarn of the above-mentioned bath towel is the hollow yarn (a hollow rate 20 weight%) having a thick count, being an equivalent-of-a-single-yarn count of 20/1 or greater, for example, a yarn count of 30/2.
And, with this bath towel, the warp density thereof is 27 to 33 ends/inch, particularly, 30 ends/inch. The weft density thereof is 52 to 58 ends/inch, particularly, 55 ends/inch.
Yet, this bath towel is one woven at a ratio of one pile yarn over one warp.
Besides, as apparent from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, this bath towel is one woven with the pick number assumed to be six.
In addition hereto, it is one woven with the pile scale factor assumed to be four to six, particularly, five.
Additionally, a list of the weave of this bath towel is shown in Table-1 described below.
By the way, the various characteristics of a bath towel U of the present invention configured as mentioned above, a bath towel V for a household that was normally used in a general household, and a bath towel W for a hotel that was normally used in a hotel was investigated, so its result is described below.
At first, the weight will be described.
The weight of the bath towel U of the present invention is 372g/m², whereas the mean weight of the bath towel V for a household is 442g/m², and the mean weight of the bath towel W for a hotel is 529g/m².
By the way, the bath towel W for a hotel, which is used for hotel business, is woven with a use amount of the yarn increased for the purpose of allowing for a high-grade feeling/durability. Thus, comparing the bath towel V for a household with the bath towel W for a hotel demonstrates that the latter becomes heavy inevitably. That is, it is also said safely that the bath towel V for a household is relatively lightweight. However, the bath towel V for a household, which is said to be relatively lightweight, also feels heavy for the aged, or for children.
On the other hand, the bath towel U in accordance with the present invention is considerably lighter as compared with the bath towel V for a household that is said to be relatively lightweight. Thus, it is understood that it weighs to the extent of being handled with ease and is excellent in a handling property.
Next, a water absorbency test (after a one-time cleaning) of the bath towel U of the present invention, the bath towel V for a household, and the bath towel W for a hotel was carried out.

Its result is shown in Table-2 and Fig. 4 described below.

Table-2

sample name	time (second) for which the maximum water absorbency water absorbency rate is shown	maximum water absorbency rate (ml/sec)	water absorbency amount at the time of the maximum water absorbency rate (ml)	water absorbency property evaluation index
towel of the present invention	3	0.184	0.514	1273
towel for a hotel	2	0.196	0.362	1089
towel for a household	2	0.202	0.376	1124

According to this, the bath towel U of the present invention, of which the maximum water absorbency rate itself is lowest by 10 percent or so among three towels, demonstrates that the time for which water is absorbed at its maximum water absorbency rate is longer by 50 percent or so. Thus, the bath towel U of this claimed invention demonstrates that the water absorbency amount, being its integral calculus value, is the largest value. Besides, also as apparent from Fig. 4, the water absorbency amount is the largest value even after a lapse of one minute.
Accordingly, it is understood that the bath towel U of the present invention is also excellent in the water absorbency property. That is, this signifies that in a case of having dried a wet body therewith, a satisfaction feeling of finely and yet speedily wiping off moisture that adhered to the body is high, resultantly giving an excellent refreshment feeling.
At last, the drying property test (060126 (QTEC)) was carried out for making an evaluation as to how quickly the bath towel got dry in a case of having dried it up after washing.
Its result is shown in Table-3 and Fig. 5 described below.
It is understood from this that the moisture regain/time (drying speed) of the bath towel U of the present invention is largest, whereby it dries fast.
As mentioned above, the bath towel U of the present invention, which has a high water absorbency property, enables the moisture that adhered to the body to be effectively wiped off, and though it might give an anxiety of drying slowly because a large quantity of water is included, as a matter of fact, it has a high drying speed, dries for a short time, and is lightweight, whereby a great advantage having a triple threat works in such a manner that it is excellent in the handling property.
Additionally, upon fabricating the towel (towel other than the towel of the present invention) having the condition identical to that of the towel of the present invention except that no hollow yarn was employed for the pile to investigate the lightness property/water absorbency property/drying property of this towel other than the towel of the present invention, the lightness property that was characteristic of the present invention was not sensed, and further not only the water absorbency property but also the drying property that was characteristic of the present invention was not attained.
Further, upon fabricating the towel (towel other than the towel of the present invention) having the condition (the pick number was three) similar to that of the conventional towel notwithstanding employing the hollow yarn for the pile to investigate the lightness property/water absorbency property/drying property of this towel other than the towel of the present invention, similarly to the above-mentioned towel other than the towel of the present invention, the lightness property that was characteristic of the present invention was not sensed, and further not only the water absorbency property but also the drying property that was characteristic of the present invention was not attained.
Each of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shows the second embodiment of the towel product relating to the present invention, Fig. 6 is a cross-section diagram, and Fig. 7 is a design diagram.
The towel product (bath towel) of the present invention is one woven by employing the warp, the weft, and the pile yarn. The warp of the above-mentioned bath towel is the ordinary yarn (yarn that is not hollow) having a thick count, being an equivalent-of-a-single-yarn count of 20/1 or greater, for example, a yarn count of 16/1. The weft of the above-mentioned bath towel is the ordinary yarn (yarn that is not hollow) having a thick count, being an equivalent-of-a-single-yarn count of 20/1 or greater, for example, a yarn count of 20/1. The pile yarn of the above-mentioned bath towel is the hollow yarn (a hollow rate 20 weight%) having a thick yarn, being an equivalent-of-a-single-yarn count of 20/1 or greater, for example, a yarn count of 30/2.
And, with this bath towel, the warp density thereof is 27 to 33 ends/inch, particularly, 30 ends/inch. The weft density is 52 to 58 ends/inch, particularly, 55 ends/inch.
Yet, this bath towel is one woven at a ratio of one pile yarn over one warp.
Besides, this bath towel is one woven with the pick number assumed to be seven.
In addition hereto, it is one woven with the pile scale factor assumed to be 3.8 to 5.2, particularly, 4.4.
Additionally, a list of the weave of this bath towel is shown Table-4 described below.
Similarly to the bath towel of the first embodiment, the bath towel as well having the above-mentioned condition in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, which has a high water absorbency property, enables the moisture that adhered to the body to be effectively wiped off.
Though it might give an anxiety of drying slowly after washing because a large quantity of water is included, as a matter of fact, it has a high drying speed, dries for a short time.
Besides, it is excellent in the handling property because it is lightweight.
That is, a great advantage having a triple threat of the lightness property/water absorbency property/drying property works.
Further, the bath towel of the above-mentioned embodiment was similarly fabricated except that the warp density and weft density were changed into 28 ends/inch, and 53 ends/inch, respectively. Further, the bath towel of the above-mentioned embodiment was similarly fabricated except that the warp density and weft density were changed into 32 ends/inch, and 57 ends/inch, respectively. And, upon investigating the lightness property/water absorbency property/drying property for these bath towels as well, they are more excellent therein as compared with the conventional bath towel after all.
Further, the bath towel of the above-mentioned embodiment was similarly fabricated except that the pile scale factor was changed into four. Further, it was similarly fabricated except that the pile scale factor was changed into 5.2. And, upon investigating the lightness property/water absorbency property/drying property for these bath towels as well, they are more excellent therein as compared with the conventional bath towel after all.
Further, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the bath towel was similarly fabricated except that the pick number and the pile scale factor were assumed to be five and 4.5, respectively. Further, it was similarly fabricated except that the pick number and the pile scale factor were assumed to be five and 6.2, respectively. And, upon investigating the lightness property/water absorbency property/drying property for these bath towels as well, they are more excellent therein as compared with the conventional bath towel after all.

[HOW THE INVENTION IS CAPABLE OF INDUSTRIAL EXPLOITATION]

The present invention is particularly useful for the products such as a towel, a bath towel, and a towel-fabricated gown.

Claims

A towel product configured by employing a warp, a weft, and a pile yarn, wherein:
a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, and yet a weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch;

a pile scale factor is 3.8 to 6.2;

a pick number is six; and

said pile yarn is a hollow yarn.
The towel product as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, the weft density is 52 to 58 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is four to six.
The towel product as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the warp density is 28.5 to 31.5 ends/inch, the weft density is 53.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.0 to 5.2.
A towel product configured by employing a warp, a weft, and a pile yarn, wherein:
a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, and yet a weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch;

a pile scale factor is 3.8 to 6.2;

a pick number is seven; and

said pile yarn is a hollow yarn.
The towel product as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, the weft density is 52 to 58 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 3.8 to 5.2.
The towel product as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the warp density is 28.5 to 31.5 ends/inch, the weft density is 53.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.0 to 5.2.
A towel product configured by employing a warp, a weft, and a pile yarn, wherein:
a warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, and yet a weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch;

a pile scale factor is 3.8 to 6.2;

a pick number is five; and

said pile yarn is a hollow yarn.

8 The towel product as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the warp density is 27 to 33 ends/inch, the weft density is 49 to 58 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.5 to 6.2.
9 The towel product as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the warp density is 28.5 to 32.5 ends/inch, the weft density is 50.5 to 56.5 ends/inch, and the pile scale factor is 4.7 to 6.2.
10 The towel product as claimed in one of Claim 1 to Claim 9, wherein a hollow ratio of the hollow yarn is 17 to 33 weight%.