JP2015532368A - Woven fabric and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A fabric for thermal management that involves cooling objects such as human skin. The fabric is formed of a plurality of functional zones arranged to extend the cooling period without the use of artificial cooling chemicals. These functional zones include one or more of three different functional zone types. The first type diverts moisture. The second type retains and stores moisture. The third type absorbs moisture. One of the functional zones can be stamped to create perforations, provide the fabric's flexibility, and help divert the liquid from within the fabric. An anchor system facilitates holding the fabric on the object.

Description

Disclosure details

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fabrics and methods for making the fabrics. More specifically, the present invention relates to fabrics that are manufactured to adjust internal moisture distribution to increase the ability to provide evaporative or retained cooling. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fabric that cools when activated by a liquid and then remains cold for an extended period of time, and a method of making the fabric.

2. Description of Prior Art Everyone enjoys a warm and sunny day, but the outside air temperature is too hot to enjoy. At such times, some people choose to stay or withdraw from the air-conditioned home or office to avoid or escape the heat. However, such a solution is impractical for those who have to stay outside, for example highway workers, and for example athletes, theme park patrons Or it is unsatisfactory for those who want to stay outside, such as beachgoers. Textile performance varies with weather, humidity, and air flow.

  People have taken different approaches to cool outdoors. These efforts are largely ineffective and are not completely satisfactory. For example, many people exposed to sultry heat can immerse one of many existing textile materials, such as cotton towels or towels, in cold water and apply it to the skin. cool off. While this technique is effective, it is only effective for a very short time, perhaps on the order of a minute. The cause of this technology failure is that the heat and temperature of the individual's body rapidly warms the initially cold water to a temperature at which it no longer cools the skin. The most commonly adopted “solution” to this problem is to immerse towels or washcloths in cold water repeatedly as necessary, but this is more satisfactory as it requires more effort. It is not practical, and it is necessary to always be near the source of cold water.

  Other mechanisms that individuals utilize to cool include the application of ice, alcohol soaked towels, and cloths with phase change materials that are relatively limited in use. The effectiveness of ice in any given situation may be limited. Ice formation can be expensive and the ability to match any part of the majority of the body is very limited. Although towels soaked in alcohol are not widely used, they tend to be the focus of cooling measures for professional sports teams. However, alcohol is dry to the skin and can cause rashes and other dermatitis. Phase change materials are chemicals that absorb and transfer heat through changes between the solid and liquid states. The chemicals used for that purpose can be dangerous and invalid if their carriers are torn.

  Currently, there are no effective non-chemical means to thermally regulate the evaporation rate in devices that can be used to match the human body, for example, around the neck. Evaporative cooling is a natural effect that allows moisture to escape to the atmosphere at will. The ability to adjust the moisture dispersion rate over a long period of time in devices such as textiles and create a personal cooling environment is desirable. It would also be desirable to provide an effective non-chemical means of regulating the temperature of a subject, including the body, such as by providing a cooling element over an extended period of time. Do both today's therapeutic and compression wraps contain undesirable chemicals or become too stiff when cooled to lower temperatures to produce specific temperature conditions such as cooling effects? Or simply does not maintain the desired thermal state long enough.

  Thus, such as a fabric that is kept at a desired temperature for a long time when applied to a subject and is sufficiently flexible or conformable to be formed to the subject, such as around an arm or leg, There is a need for a convenient, easy to use, flexible device and method for making the fabric. There is also a need for moisture management that allows the user to establish a sustained thermal environment with minimal effort and without artificial chemicals that provide a cooling effect.

[Summary of the Invention]
The object of the present invention is to provide a convenient, easy-to-use, flexible, kept at a desired temperature for an extended period of time when in contact with an object to be temperature controlled, such as human skin, or an inanimate object for which temperature management is desired. It is to provide a fabric and a method of manufacturing the fabric. To provide a moisture management fabric that can help maintain a subject's sustained thermal conditions over a long period of time with minimal effort and without temperature-control chemicals in the fabric Is also an object of the present invention. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing such a fabric having such characteristics.

  The fabric of the present invention is formed by weaving or knitting multiple yarns together to form multiple zones, each zone performing a specific function related to controlling the movement of liquid through the fabric. To do. The movement of the liquid results in an adjustment of the thermal conditions of the object that the fabric contacts, including for example certain parts of the human body. There are three main types of functional zones of fabric. The first major functional zone type performs the function that causes the first liquid movement rate, which is faster than the liquid movement through any of the other zone types. The first functional zone type is generally moisture resistant in that it is formed of a hydrophobic material or is formed to include a hydrophobic material and has water repellent characteristics. The second major functional zone type performs the function that causes the second liquid movement rate, which is slower than the liquid movement through any of the other zone types. The second functional zone type is located within the interior of the fabric, which creates a plurality of tortuous paths through which the liquid must pass before reaching another functional zone of the fabric. It may be formed of one or more materials selected and configured, such as by manual manipulation. These pathways are established by a gap or capillary network, and the configuration of the gap or capillary network is defined by the shape of the fibers and the arrangement of the fibers relative to each other. Due to the control of liquid movement within the fabric, which is enabled by the second functional zone type, the liquid can be cooled or even warmed as it passes through the fabric. The second functional zone type operates like a siphon in that liquid is drawn into and out of the zone. The third functional zone type of the fabric performs the function of causing a third liquid movement rate, which is intermediate between the liquid movement speeds in the first and second functional zone types. The third functional zone type generally slows down the liquid movement, but does not slow down, and thus slows down the substantial change in liquid temperature provided by the second zone type. The third functional zone type is formed of or includes a hydrophilic material and generally absorbs more moisture than a hydrophobic material and is more effective than a hydrophobic material Can be considered as a wicking structure.

  The composition of a particular embodiment of the fabric can vary as each can be formed of one or more materials having characteristics that determine the characteristics of each functional zone type. The functional zone types can be combined in any selectable manner depending on the overall characteristics of the fabric desired. Each functional zone may be embodied in a specific physical layer of the fabric, or some or all functional zones may be established in fewer physical layers of the fabric, including just one physical layer. Good. The hydrophobic material may be polyester, the middle portion of the fabric may include hollow fiber material, and the hydrophilic material may be nylon or nylon combined with polyester to form a homogeneous mixture. Good. Other materials used to make textile yarns can be used. If the intermediate portion comprises hollow fibers, such as hollow polyester fibers, the liquid is sucked up within the conduit established by each individual fiber and into or out of other functional zones of the fabric While facilitating transport, it also provides the ability to store the liquid inside its intermediate portion. Supplementary materials can be incorporated into the fabric for supplementary purposes. For example, antistatic, antibacterial, and / or anti-odor additive materials can be used. One example of such an additive is silver thread suitable for antibacterial functionality.

  One embodiment of a fabric that includes a single physical layer and is suitable for extracting moisture, such as sweat, from a person or providing cooling to a person in a hot environment (for example, but not limited to) Includes three different functional zones. A first functional zone of the fabric, referred to herein as the fabric backside, positioned adjacent to the object to be cooled (or maintained at defined thermal conditions) keeps moisture away from the object. Of the first functional zone type selected. The interior of the fabric is of the second functional zone type that is selected to retain the liquid that has passed through it from the back side of the fabric. A third functional zone of the fabric, referred to herein as the front side of the fabric, located on the side away from the subject adjacent to the environment when the first functional zone is adjacent to the subject, It is of the third functional zone type that has been selected to cause liquid movement to occur at a rate slower than the rate at which the liquid moves away from the subject. This embodiment of the present invention does not use artificial chemicals to create a cooling effect, but cools someone in a particularly hot environment or participating in exercise. Specifically, it allows liquid to be extracted from the object when the surface of the object is likely to be at the highest temperature, allowing the liquid to cool and become a more effective evaporative agent at higher temperatures Thus, by storing liquid inside the fabric and limiting the ability of the chilled liquid to evaporate quickly from the environment side of the fabric, a substantially longer cooling capacity is ensured than previously available.

  Another embodiment of the present invention provides cooling or, more generally, for subjects such as certain parts of the human body, over a period of time that exceeds the thermal regulation provided by existing compression and other therapeutic wraps. It is effective to adjust the thermal conditions. This is achieved by this second embodiment of the fabric without the use of chemicals. This embodiment of the fabric is a configuration of four functional zones. The fabric can be moistened and placed in a cold environment, such as a freezer, to cool down. In this embodiment, the fabric remains flexible after freezing and maintains the cooling temperature for an extended period. The first functional zone, which is the back side of the fabric arranged to be placed adjacent to the object, is of the third functional zone type. The second functional zone, adjacent to the back side, is of the second functional zone type selected to hold the liquid therein at the desired temperature for an extended period of time. The third functional zone adjacent to the second functional zone is of the third functional zone type. These first three functional zones are configured to hold the liquid internally at a desired temperature with limited controlled passage of the liquid therefrom, within a single physical layer. Can be established. The fourth functional zone, which is the front side of the fabric when the back side is adjacent to the object, is designed to minimize the entry of moisture into the interior of this embodiment of the fabric and liquid from the interior of the fabric. It is of the first functional zone type selected to minimize evaporation. The fourth functional zone may be embodied in a single physical layer that is joined to the other three functional zones, such as by bonding with a waterproof adhesive. This second embodiment of the fabric of the present invention is the first implementation in that it does not allow the liquid to substantially evaporate from the fabric, but is intended to retain the liquid therein. Different from form.

  The second embodiment of the fabric may include a plurality of perforations as a variation of at least the fourth functional zone. These perforations are used to aid in the compressive stretch of the fabric. Perforation increases evaporation and helps cool the fabric when it is relatively wet. Perforation increases the breathability of the fabric when the fabric is relatively dry. Perforation also increases the flexibility of the fabric, especially when the fabric is frozen. The number of perforations, and the dimensions of the perforations, are at least the material of the fourth functional zone, and the flexibility of one or more of the other functional zones, the thickness of the fabric, the desired fabric under various temperatures Depending on the flexibility of the fabric and the length of time it is desired for the fabric to cool the underlying surface, such as the skin. This embodiment of the invention allows the user to wrap the fabric around the body part where cooling is desired and maintain cold compression at that part. The cold compression configuration may also include an anchoring component so that the fabric can be held around the body part, such as but not limited to arms or legs.

  After the fabric is formed by weaving or knitting, the fabric can optionally be subjected to one or more treatments such as, for example, a scouring and bleaching treatment. These processes can be performed, for example, for the purpose of preparing the fabric to dye and / or print one or more designs on the fabric. In some embodiments of the invention, after undergoing any optional treatment including, for example, scouring, bleaching, dyeing, and / or printing, the fabric is brushed or peached to break some of the yarn. Can be sheared to adjust the pile height of the yarn to a selectable value. For purposes of describing several versions of the present invention, the process of making a fabric is described as including a step of peaching, and the word peaching is used to refer to brushing or peaching as understood by those skilled in the art. Is done. In some versions, the fabric can be mechanically modified, such as but not limited to peaching, so that the fibers on the front side of the fabric are pulled toward the back side of the fabric. This is accomplished, for example, by peating the fabric on the back side before peaching on the front side.

  The peaching step of the manufacturing method of the present invention involves peaching both the front side and the back side of the fabric multiple times, each creating a homogeneous mixture of different materials. That is, at least a part of the front side fiber material and the back side fiber material are entangled with each other. Use of a homogeneous mixture of materials with different characteristics helps to maximize the uniqueness of individual fiber properties and thus controls / adjusts liquid transport rates, storage and evaporation depending on specific functional zone types , The atmosphere is maintained.

  The present invention relates to creating a controlled environment within a fabric that retains liquid molecules within the fabric structure. The present invention uses yarns / fibers organized as described herein to maximize the characteristics of the fabric that interfere with the normal evaporation process. As used herein, “evaporation” means that a liquid turns into a vapor at a temperature below the boiling point of the liquid and exists on the surface of the liquid where the molecule with the highest kinetic energy can escape. It is a state to do. When this happens, the average kinetic energy of the liquid decreases and its temperature decreases. With that in mind, the present invention facilitates evaporation if desired, causes cooling through the liquid, or at least reduces warming of the liquid and delays evaporation of the liquid if desired. Configured. Fiber characteristics, density, and alignment are all involved in regulating evaporation and liquid cooling rates. The present invention includes fiber selection, positioning, and physical modification to achieve the desired evaporation and temperature control.

  The fabric of the present invention, when in its finished form, is used in any one or more of a wide variety of purposes and includes a wide variety of products, including but not limited to clothing, accessories, and therapeutic products Can be used to partially or fully form any one or more of these. It is understood that the functional zones can be combined in various ways and in different numbers for the purpose of specific fabric functionality. For example, in addition to the two embodiments described above, the fabric may be formed by two first functional zone types that are separated from each other by a second functional zone type. The fabric may also be formed by two third functional zone types that are separated from each other by a second functional zone type. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other combinations are possible. Furthermore, as described above, functional zones may be embodied in one or more physical layers.

  The cooling properties of the fabric of the present invention, which can include maintaining the subject at a selected temperature for some time, can be used in a wide variety of applications. For example, textiles form fully or partially multiple garments and personal products that can be worn or otherwise used by a person to stay cool, in hot sunlight or while exercising Can be used to do. As another example, the fabric forms fully or partially a plurality of skin-related medical health products that can be used to keep the patient cool or otherwise maintain a controlled temperature. Can be used to

  These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
The present invention is a fabric that may be single-ply or multi-ply. In a first embodiment of the invention, the fabric (1) cools when exposed to liquids such as sweat from an individual's body and / or cools a surface such as a part of the body; ) Can absorb (transport) sweat, water, or other liquids from subjects such as personal skin; (3) It can absorb liquids with a weight that is the majority of the fabric's weight; (4) Efficiently adjusts the evaporation rate, maintains the liquid for a long time with minimal liquid loss, and cools the underlying surface, such as human skin, for a long time; (5 ) Control moisture release, ie provide moisture management; (6) Reusable and retains all of these features with each use. The present invention is also a method for producing a fabric having these characteristics.

  The side of the first embodiment of the fabric that is positioned adjacent to the object to be cooled, referred to herein as the back side, is configured to enhance liquid movement from the object, such as by wicking, while The other side of the fabric, spaced from the object, is configured to slow evaporation. The back side may be relatively more porous than the front side as a mechanism to facilitate liquid movement. Further, the wicking characteristics can be optimized, such as by using fibers made of a hydrophobic material and / or having a large peripheral surface area. That is, the back side provides a first functional zone type, as previously described herein. On the other hand, the front side may be relatively less porous than the back side as a mechanism to slow liquid evaporation (by capturing liquid or at least slowing progress to the outer surface of the fabric). Further, the wicking characteristics can be minimized, such as by using fibers made of absorbent or at least relatively hydrophilic materials and / or having a reduced peripheral surface area. That is, the front side provides a third functional zone type as previously described herein. The intermediate section of the fabric is configured to store the liquid in the intermediate section to allow the liquid to reach from the back side for cooling and to slow the liquid out of the fabric through the front side. That is, the middle section provides a second functional zone type as previously described herein.

  The selected materials and material configurations for the back side and front side separated by the middle section act in concert to improve liquid transfer / transport from the surface of interest to the core of the fabric structure. The cooled liquid falls back towards the object or remains long enough inside the fabric to establish a sufficient thermal gradient and effectively remove heat from the object surface. This provides moisture transfer in a controlled manner that enhances and stretches the ability of the fabric to transfer heat between the object and the interior of the fabric. In fact, while the cooled liquid inside the fabric is close enough to the object on the back side to provide cooling, the warm liquid adjacent to the surface of the object is drawn from the object surface on the back side of the fabric and moves forward To do. On the front side, the liquid from the fabric is conditioned and slowly evaporates, thereby extending the time for the cooled liquid inside the fabric to act as a heat sink of interest.

  Some methods of manufacturing fabrics create gaps that act as fluid passages, but the combination of fabric material selection and mechanical manipulation, such as but not limited to peaching, allows the passage of the passages. Features become much more substantial and a capillary web system is created. Capillary web systems store and direct moisture molecules and hold them in a suspended state until, for example, the fabric is activated, so that the molecules are actuated and cause disorientation of the moisture molecules. Moisture molecules tend to move toward or away from the object to be cooled or kept at a certain temperature. This moisture recycling back and forth through the fabric core creates a regulated, controlled, extended evaporative cooling device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the fabric 10 of the present invention is shown in a single layer form, but includes a plurality of warp yarns 12 through which at least one weft yarn 14 passes. Is woven or knitted. It will be appreciated that the weft thread 14 may be a single integral thread or a plurality of threads. If the weft yarn 14 is a plurality of yarns, the plurality of yarns may be tied together, such as by tying, or may be woven or knitted separately through the warp yarns 12. When formed with warp yarns 12 and weft yarns 14, fabric 10 has a front side 16 and a back side 17 (shown in FIG. 9) opposite the front side 16.

  The warp yarn 12 and the weft yarn 14 include a plurality of fibers. (Hereinafter, unless the term “yarn” is specifically referred to as either “warp” or “weft”, it is understood that “yarn” includes both “warp” and “weft”.) The 12/14 fibers may be formed from any one or more of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, polyester and nylon, for example, nylon on the front side 16 and polyester on the back side. The product CoolMax (registered trademark) available from EI DuPont de Nemours and Company in Wilmington, Delaware, or the product CoolPass (registered trademark) available from Jiangsu Hengli, Jiangsu, China, is the right choice for the polyester material on the back Can be. Any nylon is suitable for the front 16 material and can be obtained from a wide variety of sources as is known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the fabric 10 includes hollow polyester fibers as an intermediate material, and fluid transport through the fabric 10 for a period sufficient to evaporate and cool the liquid while the front 16 material reduces liquid evaporation loss, and the fabric. The liquid storage inside 10 can be improved. Furthermore, additional materials can be incorporated into the fabric 10 fabrication. Such additives may be selected for the purpose of eliminating odors, microbial formation or presence, static, or other undesirable characteristics. One example of such an additive is silver fiber suitable for antimicrobial protection. X-Static®, a silver-coated fiber available from Noble Materials, Scranton, Pennsylvania, is an example of a suitable silver fiber additive.

  In one version of the first embodiment of the present invention, the fabric 10 may be about 65% to about 85% polyester and about 15% to about 35% nylon. In another embodiment, the fabric 10 may be about 80% polyester and about 20% nylon. In yet another embodiment, the fabric 10 may be about 77% polyester and about 23% nylon. The selection of actual fiber types and their usage percentage will depend on the desired function of the fabric 10.

  The relative thickness and fiber count of the yarn 12/14 are variable. Exemplary warp yarns 12 include warp yarns 12 ranging from about 50 denier to about 100 denier. For example, the warp yarn 12 may be about 75 denier. (The finer the denier, the greater the ability to make lofts or pockets that can retain moisture.) However, it is understood that the weft thread 12 is not limited to those having these characteristics.

  Exemplary weft yarns 14 include weft yarns 14 having a fiber number in the range of about 125 to about 175 denier and in the range of about 50 to about 175. For example, the weft yarn 14 is about 160 denier and can have a fiber count of about 70 or about 72. As another example, weft thread 14 may be about 160 denier and have a fiber count of about 144. However, it is understood that the warp yarns 14 are not limited to those having these characteristics.

  Further, the yarn 12/14 may be any one of a variety of fabrics and glosses. For example, the yarn 12/14 may be a drawn yarn (DTY), a light yarn, a semi-gloss yarn, and a bright, semi-bright and semi-dull hollow (SDH). Not limited.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fibers used to form the front side 16 of the fabric 10 are preferably relatively larger than the fibers used to form the back side 17 of the fabric 10 shown in FIG. Specifically, the larger fibers on the front side 16 have fewer gaps 30 through which liquid can escape from inside the fabric 10. On the other hand, the smaller fibers on the back side 17 have more gaps 31 and the liquid can pass through the gaps 31 more quickly than would be expected with a relatively few gaps on the front side 16. In addition, the smaller denier of the backside 17 fibers has a greater peripheral surface area where wicking occurs. Furthermore, the use of a hydrophobic material on the back side 17 increases the tendency to repel the liquid, thus accelerating liquid uptake into the interior of the fabric 10, while using a hydrophilic material on the front side 16; The tendency to absorb the liquid becomes stronger, so that it is slow to suck the liquid through the fabric 10 and out of the fabric 10. It will be appreciated that either side of the fabric 10 may include a single fiber size or multiple fiber sizes. For example, by selecting different fiber materials and / or fiber sizes for the front side 16 and the back side 17, various thermal controls can be established from one part of the fabric 10 to another.

  Liquid wicking can be further improved by increasing the peripheral surface area of the fiber where wicking enhancement is desired. For example, the fibers on the back side 17 may be shaped fibers that are smaller than the fibers on the front side 16 and / or have non-uniform cross-sectional areas in addition to being hydrophilic rather than hydrophobic. For example, FIG. 4 shows a fiber shape that is not a uniform circle. The peripheral surface area of each such fiber is larger than the corresponding fiber of uniform shape and similar cross-sectional area. Certain embodiments of the present invention include making the back side 17 of the fabric 10 with such non-uniform fibers.

  The fabric 10 of the present invention may be a material configured to maximize liquid transport and storage for the second functional zone type. As shown in FIG. 5, the first embodiment of the hollow fiber 32 may be used as a second functional zone type intermediate material in an intermediate section of the fabric 10, wherein one or more such fibers are , Positioned between the front side 16 and the back side 17 of the fabric 10. The hollow fibers 32 are illustrated with a uniform cross-sectional area. This is preferably made of a hydrophilic material so as to slow up wicking at least compared to a hydrophobic material. The interior of the hollow fiber 32 acts as a container for liquid passing through it. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 6, the second hollow fiber 34 is of non-uniform cross-sectional area. Its increased peripheral surface area and hollow interior maximizes liquid retention within the fabric 10. This ability to leave a relatively warm liquid near the backside 17 within the middle section of the fabric allows the liquid to cool to a point sufficient to act as a heat sink as the retained liquid approaches the front side 16 of the fabric 10. It is certain that it will occur. The second hollow fiber 34 is preferably made of a hydrophilic material so as to slow up wicking at least compared to a hydrophobic material.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of intermediate section materials, such as a plurality of hollow fibers 32 and / or second hollow fibers 34, are formed on the front 16 and back 17 fibers to form a second functional zone of the fabric. Can be used with materials. With the identified combination of components, the fabric 10 can accelerate the uptake of liquid from the surface of interest on the back side 17, which can leave the liquid inside the intermediate section 36 of the fabric, and Complete liquid evaporation from the fabric 10 is delayed at the front side 16. Thus, the fabric 10 includes three functional zone types as described above and shown in FIG. 9, the backside 17 is of the first functional zone type, and the intermediate section 36 is the second functional zone type. It is of the functional zone type and the front side 16 is of the third functional zone type.

  The fabrication method of the present invention, suitable for forming the fabric 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention, includes a plurality of steps in the fabrication of the first embodiment of the fabric, some of the steps being Is optional. In general, the steps of method 100 may be performed as shown in FIG. In step 110, fabric 10 is formed by weaving or knitting yarns 12/14 together. For purposes of describing the present invention, these two terms may be used interchangeably and if the method 100 is stated to include a weaving step, it means weaving or knitting the yarn together. Yes. In optional step 115, fabric 10 may be sized simultaneously with step 110. In an optional step 120, the fabric 10 may be pretreated as described herein to prepare the fabric, for example, for subsequent dyeing and / or printing, or for any other purpose. In optional step 125, the fabric 10 may be dyed in any color using any one dye or combination of dyes. In optional step 130, one or more designs can be printed on one or both of the front side 16 and the back side of the fabric 10. Since steps 125 and 130 are each optional, fabric 10 may be dyed but not printed, printed but not dyed, both dyed and printed, or It may not be dyed or printed. In step 135, the fabric 10 is peached and sheared, and in an optional step 140, the fabric 10 is subjected to a tenter until the fabric 10 has the desired weight per area value. (Therefore, the basis weight of the fabric 10 can be selected.)

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the yarn 12/14 can be woven or knitted to form the fabric 10 using any one or more of a variety of techniques well known in the art. Will recognize. For example, those skilled in the art will recognize that such weaving can be performed by using an air jet frame, and that weaving can be performed using a 28-gauge double-loop circular frame (28-gauge double It will be appreciated that this can be done by using a loop circular frame). Indeed, it is not constrained or restricted to these exact types of equipment. Extensive research and development would be necessary to reproduce the physical structure that produces the same results for different equipment, but they are achievable.

  The fabric 10 can optionally be sized, for example, for the purpose of increasing the strength of the yarn. Sizing can be performed, for example, by adding one or more sizing agents, preferably water soluble sizing agents, during the weaving / knitting process.

  The fabric 10 is also optionally dyeable and / or printable (ie, one or more designs can be printed on the fabric 10). If the fabric 10 is to be dyed and / or printed, the fabric 10 can be pretreated before dyeing and / or printing the fabric 10. For example, prior to dyeing and / or printing, the fabric 10 can optionally be subjected to one or more treatments such as, for example, a scouring and bleaching treatment. Furthermore, if the fabric 10 is sized, the fabric 10 can then be desized. Desizing can be performed, for example, simply by soaking the fabric in hot water.

  Scouring can be performed, for example, for the purpose of removing impurities such as wax, oil, and dust from the fabric 10. Scouring can be accomplished by treating the fabric 10 with a scouring agent while the fabric 10 is exposed to heat and pressure, where the temperature is selected based on the fibers selected to make the fabric. For example, if hollow fibers are not used, or if the hollowness of the fibers is not important enough, the heating may be, for example, about 350 ° F. (about 176.67 ° C.). The scouring agent may be, for example, a sodium hydroxide solution. In addition, the scouring agent may be, for example, any one of the products in the Zelcon® line of products made available by EI DuPont de Nemours and Company in Wilmington, Delaware, and Imperial Chemical Industries in London, UK. , May be a commercially available polymeric soil release agent, such as Milease T made available by PLC.

  The fabric 10 may also optionally be bleached for the purpose of whitening the fabric 10. In general, bleaching can be carried out, for example, by treating the fabric 10 with a bleach, keeping the fabric 10 at an elevated temperature for an extended period of time, and washing and drying the fabric 10. Suitable bleaching agents include, but are not limited to, for example, solutions containing sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite and / or hydrogen peroxide. If the selected bleach is an alkaline solution, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, bleaching can be performed simultaneously with the scouring process.

  It will be appreciated that the fabric 10 can be pre-treated, eg desiccated, scoured, or bleached, even if the fabric 10 is not subsequently dyed and / or printed. The For example, the fabric 10 may be bleached if the fabric 10 is white in its final form, but may not be dyed and / or printed. As another example, the fabric 10 may be scoured if the fabric 10 retains its natural color in its final form, but may not be dyed or printed.

  Even if the fabric 10 is pre-treated, subsequent dyeing of the fabric 10 is accomplished, for example, by using one or more disperse dyes of any color or combination of colors in a pressure and continuous dyeing process. Can be done. Dyeing with the use of disperse dyes also exposes the fabric 10 to one or more dyes while the fabric 10 is exposed to high heat and pressure, depending on the materials used to make the fabric 10. Can include. Under such conditions, one or more dyes can penetrate the thread 12/14 of the fabric 10 to effectively dye the fabric 10.

  Further, even if the fabric 10 has been pretreated and / or dyed, then one or more designs can optionally be printed on the fabric 10. It may be desirable to print one or more designs on the fabric 10 for a variety of reasons. For example, if a theme park intends to distribute a product containing the fabric 10, the theme park may want to print a cartoon character or its logo on the fabric 10 to promote the sale of the brand. In this example, the printed design is probably fancy and will include multiple colors. As another example, if a hospital plans to own a medical product that includes fabric 10, the hospital wants to print the name of the hospital on the product to help prevent the product from leaving the hospital. You might think. In this example, indeed, the printed design is simple and may contain only one color (eg, the name of the hospital may appear in a standard font black font).

  Thus, the design can be printed on the fabric 10 by using one or more dyes or pigments. Further, the design can be printed on the fabric 10 using a variety of methods and devices known to those skilled in the art. For example, printing can be accomplished by rotary screen printing, in which the fabric 10 passes under a series of cylindrical screens, each screen printing a different color on the fabric 10.

  Regardless of whether the fabric 10 is dyed and / or printed, the fabric 10 can be mechanically manipulated and then sheared, such as, but not limited to, peaching. Prior to operation, moisture can be extracted from the fabric 10 by any one of a variety of techniques well known to those skilled in the art. This extraction can be achieved, for example, by centrifugation. The fabric 10 can also be dried, for example, by using a continuous hot oil drum. Alternatively, the fabric 10 need not be peached as described herein. Alternatively, the fibers can be machined such that they become entangled, thereby increasing the tortuousness of the liquid path moving through the fabric 10.

  It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when peching is performed, it can be accomplished by performing any one or more of a variety of techniques and by using any one or more of a variety of devices. Will recognize. For example, peaching can be achieved by using a polishing machine that includes a series of circular pads that rotate in different directions to break the yarn 12/14 fibers. Further, as an alternative to this peaching process, the fabric 10 can be brushed by using a series of tubes with wire bristles that rotate in a circular motion around the cylinder. In this configuration, the bristles contact the fabric front side 16 and / or fabric back side 17, thereby destroying some of the fibers. The back side 17 of the fabric is peached before the front side 16 is peached, and some of the yarns on the front side 16 are back side of the fabric as a result of the peaching process to form a uniform mixture of different fiber materials. Up to 17. The final weight of the fabric is ultimately determined by creating the correct face to back pile ratio.

  One skilled in the art will further recognize that shearing can be achieved by performing any one or more of a variety of techniques using any one or more of a variety of devices. Will. Shearing can be achieved, for example, by using equipment that features a single cylindrical rotation on a honed blade. In this configuration, the blade can cut the previously peached front side 16 and / or back to the desired pile height. The pile height of the front side 16 or the back side 17 can be selected to maximize or otherwise determine the moisture absorption capacity of the fabric 10, for example, by creating pile density or volume. Although very specific exemplary pile heights are described in the Examples section included herein, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to those values. In fact, one skilled in the art will recognize that a large number of pile height values can be achieved.

  The fabric 10 can also be used to adjust the basis weight of the fabric 10 to a specific selectable value, such as by using any one or more of tentering techniques well known to those skilled in the art. It can also be put on the dispenser. In one exemplary tentering technique, the fabric 10 is affixed to a device having a tenter frame of open width that is not limited in width. (The “tenter frame” is a set of rails that extend parallel to the floor on which the equipment is installed.) On these rails, the fabric 10 is gripped to hold the fabric 10 in place on the equipment. Multiple sets of needles are located. The width of the frame may be changed as the fabric 10 moves through the device, and once the fabric 10 has the desired width, live steam is injected into the fabric 10 to create the memory in the fabric. ). ("Memory" is a phenomenon where the fabric returns to the machined size whenever the fabric is stretched, for example, by a human hand.) Although described in the specification, it is understood that the invention is not limited to those values. In fact, those skilled in the art will recognize that a number of basis values can be achieved. Thereafter, final printing can be performed on the fabric 10.

  The fabric 10 of the present invention is intended to partially or fully form any one or more of a wide variety of purposes and any one or more of a very wide variety of products. One skilled in the art will recognize that it can be used. For example, the fabric 10 may be clothing or non-garment products such as towels, towels, shirts, trousers, jackets, shorts, vests, ties, footwear, gloves, bandanas, hats, handkerchiefs, underwear, socks, bras, and bandages. Can be used to form partially or completely. In addition, these products can be designed for recreational, athletic, medical and military use, for example. For example, the fabric 10 forms a towel to be sold or otherwise distributed to people who are exposed to hot temperatures for extended periods of time, such as, for example, outdoor theme park customers, beach players, or athletes. Can be used to As another example, the fabric 10 can be wetted to form completely or partially a poultice that can be placed on the forehead of a person with high body temperature to keep the person cool. However, regardless of how and for what reason the fabric 10 is used, the fabric 10 may completely or partially produce a product intended to provide immediate and long-term coolness to the user. It is particularly useful to be included to form.

  Once manufactured, the fabric 10 can be used by performing the following steps. The fabric 10 is first immersed in a liquid such as water, and the fabric is immersed in the liquid. The liquid may be at any of a variety of temperatures for the soaking process. Next, any excess liquid located on or in the gap of the fabric 10 is squeezed, such as by twisting the fabric 10 (which is flexible), to remove excess liquid from the fabric 10. Can be extruded. The squeezed fabric 10 can then be “snapped” to cause activation of the thermal control capability of the fabric 10. For purposes of describing the present invention, snapping means any mechanical procedure in which the wet fabric 10 is quickly moved from one position to another. For example, one person can quickly move the fabric 10 by holding the periphery of the fabric 10 with both hands and moving it quickly up and down in one or more cycles. Alternatively, quick movement can be accomplished by other means, such as by mechanical devices.

  Formation of the fabric 10 by the combination of materials described herein, configured with respect to each other as described above, creates a plurality of dense capillary networks within the fabric 10. Liquid molecules are absorbed deep within the core of the fabric 10 and are compressed hydraulically into the capillary network of the fabric 10 through the activation process described above. Water molecules are directed inside the capillary network by an activation process that allows maximum evaporative cooling to occur through the fabric 10. Furthermore, the composition of the fabric material through the handling process, as well as the characteristics of the material, suppresses the other natural occurrence of evaporative liquid loss that can occur with conventional fabric structures. In fact, the fabric 10 of the present invention puts liquid in an evaporative cooling cycle near the object to be cooled and is cooled back to the object as the evaporated liquid approaches the opposite hydrophilic side of the fabric. Until then, the evaporating liquid moving away from the object is caught in the interstices of the fabric. This repeated cooling cycle is achieved by the structure of the fabric 10 and allows the user to use water as the liquid used for evaporative cooling. This eliminates the need for the fabric 10 to use chemicals such as alcohol and / or PCM as an artificial coolant.

  The fabric 10 and method of the present invention will be more specifically described with reference to the examples, but should not be construed as being limited thereto. The fabric 10 of this example maintained structural integrity and exhibited cooling characteristics.

〔Example〕
Fabric formation. A first fabric of the first embodiment of the present invention having about 77% polyester and about 23% nylon was made in this example. The warp yarns included as part of the fabric were DTY and SDH and had a relative thickness of about 75 denier. The weft included as part of the fabric was DTY and had a relative thickness of about 160 denier per 144 fibers.

  Prior to weaving, these yarns are air jet looms (with a width of 10,612 ends) at a density of about 160 yarns per square inch (about 6.45 square cm). Added to. The yarn was then woven to form a fabric according to standard protocols well known to those skilled in the art.

  Print pre-processing. After being woven, the fabric was scoured using Zelcon to remove any dust, wax, oil, or other contaminants that may be present.

  Textile printing. After scouring, multiple multicolor designs were printed on the surface of the fabric using a sublimation printer according to protocols well known to those skilled in the art. Suitable printers for accomplishing such printing are available, for example, from Roland DGA Corporation, Irvine, California, and Mimaki USA, Inc., Suwanee, Georgia.

  After the printing process was completed, more than 90% of the moisture absorbed by the fabric was extracted from the fabric by centrifuging the fabric for about 12 minutes. The fabric is then dried at about 400 ° F. (about 204.44 ° C.) while in the gas continuous hot oil drum, and the “A-frame” screw-folder is used to Rolled into a shape. The back side of the fabric was peached and sheared to about 0.0939 inch (about 0.2385 cm). After the back side of the fabric was peached, the surface of the fabric was peached and then sheared to about 0.0313 inches (about 0.0795 cm). The details here are based on the desired finished weight based on the particular end use that requires weight variations to match the intended performance level. This final weight is directly proportional to the final finish and the change in yarn denier yarn (front / back side / fill).

After peaching and subsequent shearing, the fabric was placed on a tenter at about 380 ° F. (about 193.33 ° C.). The weight of the woven fabric after the tentering was about 208 g / m ² .

  A second embodiment of the fabric 100 of the present invention as a compression wrap is described with respect to FIGS. The fabric 100 is a multi-layer fabric formed from a first fabric physical layer 102 and a second fabric physical layer 104. The first fabric layer 102 is configured to retain liquid therein and allow some absorption and evaporation. The second fabric layer 102 is configured to limit evaporation and minimize moisture from entering the first fabric layer 104. The first fabric layer 102 is configured to be placed against an object whose temperature is to be adjusted, such as a body part to be cooled. The second fabric layer 104 is configured to be adjacent to the environment when it is bonded to the first fabric layer 102 and the fabric 100 is applied to an object to be heat conditioned.

  The first fabric layer 102 of the fabric 100 includes a first functional zone 106 corresponding to the back side 17. The first functional zone 106 is of the third functional zone type described herein in that it allows wicking and some retention of moisture from the underlying surface. The first fabric layer 102 also includes a second functional zone 108 that is spaced from the object when the fabric is applied to the object by the first functional zone 106. The second functional zone 108 is a second function described herein in that it allows for the retention and storage of liquid therein and reduces the rate of liquid transport from the first fabric layer 102. Zone type. The first fabric layer 102 also includes a third functional zone 110 that is separated from the first functional zone 106 by a second functional zone 108. The third functional zone 110 is described herein in that it allows moisture retention within the second functional zone 108 and allows some evaporation of the liquid up to the second fabric layer 104. Of the third functional zone type described in the document. The second fabric layer is described herein in that it promotes the evaporation of liquid from the first fabric layer 102 and minimizes the entry of moisture into the first fabric layer 102 from the surroundings. And a fourth functional zone of the first functional zone type.

  The fabric 10 is configured to regulate fluid exiting through the fabric 10 enough to allow the warm moisture on the backside 17 to cool within the fabric 10 before it can exit the front side 16. However, the fabric 100 substantially restricts fluid from exiting the fabric 100. Instead, the fabric 10 is designed to remove warm moisture, such as sweat, from the body part, while the fabric 100 removes cooling moisture near the surface of the subject, such as the body part where cooling or compression packs are desired. Designed to keep. Specifically, the fabric 100 includes fibers that are partially or wholly made of a hydrophilic material in the first functional zone 106 and the third functional zone 110, thereby reducing the fabric 100 from the fabric 100. Moisture uptake is limited. On the other hand, the fabric 10 is configured to facilitate the uptake of moisture from the fabric 10, so that it substantially includes fibers of hydrophilic material in the first functional zone located on the back side 17.

  The fabric 100 includes a plurality of warp yarns 12 through which at least one weft yarn 14 is woven or knitted. It will be appreciated that the weft yarn 14 may be a single, integral yarn or may be a plurality of yarns. If the weft yarn 14 is a plurality of yarns, these plurality of yarns may be tied together, such as by binding, or may be woven or knitted separately through the warp yarn 12. . The warp and weft yarns 12/14 include a plurality of fibers. The fibers of the thread 12/14 may be formed from the materials described herein with respect to the fabric 10. The configuration of the warp and weft 12/14 may be similar to that shown in FIG. Although shown in FIG. 1 as a relatively coarse weave or knitting, it is understood that the weaving or knitting may be made tighter by the yarns being stitched close together. The fabric 100 may include one or more hollow fiber materials, including hollow polyester fibers of the type described herein with respect to the fabric 10 as an intermediate material that enhances fluid retention and transport within the fabric 100. Further, additive materials may be incorporated into the fabric 100 fabrication. Such additives may be selected for the purpose of eliminating odors, microbial formation or presence, static or other undesirable characteristics. One example of such an additive is silver fiber suitable for antimicrobial protection. Silver coated fibers are described herein.

  The second fabric layer 104 may be configured as a “hook-and-loop” independent fabric structure, as described above. The second fabric layer 104 can be bonded to the first fabric layer 102 in the third functional zone 110 by physical or chemical bonding, such as bonding with a water resistant adhesive. The second fabric layer 104 can be needle punched prior to joining the first fabric layer 102 to provide a plurality of perforations 120 as shown in FIG. 11 to increase the flexibility of the fabric 100. Perforations 120 also provide a small passage for moisture to move out of fabric 100. The size and number of perforations 120 can be selected as a function of the desired degree of moisture movement and flexibility.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the first fabric layer 102 of the fabric 100 may be about 65% to about 85% nylon fiber, and about 15% to about 35% polyester fiber, and the second fabric. Layer 104 is substantially formed from a polyester material. In another embodiment, the first fabric layer 102 may be about 80% nylon fibers and about 20% polyester fibers. In yet another embodiment, the first fabric layer 102 may be about 77% nylon fibers and about 23% polyester fibers. The actual fiber type selections and their usage percentage will depend on the desired cooling capacity and flexibility desired for the fabric 100.

  The relative thickness and number of fibers of the yarn 12/14 for the fabric 100 are variable. Exemplary warp yarns 12 include warp yarns 12 ranging from about 50 denier to about 100 denier. For example, the warp yarn 12 may be about 75 denier. (The finer the denier, the greater the ability to make a bulge or pocket that can retain moisture.) However, it is understood that the weft 12 is not limited to those having these characteristics. Exemplary weft yarns 14 include weft yarns 14 ranging from about 125 to about 175 denier and having a fiber number ranging from about 50 to about 175. For example, weft yarn 14 is about 160 denier and can have a fiber count of about 70 or about 72. As another example, weft thread 14 is about 160 denier and can have a fiber count of about 144. However, it is understood that the warp 114 is not limited to having these characteristics. Further, the thread 12/14 may be any of a variety of hand and gloss. For example, the yarn 12/14 may be, but is not limited to, drawn yarn (DTY), light yarn, semi-gloss yarn, and semi-dark hollow yarn (SDH). The fabric 100 may be further processed as described herein with respect to the fabric 10 for stretching, printing, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 10-13, the fabric 100 includes an optional anchor 130 that allows the user to place the fabric 100 embodied as a compression or cooling wrap around a body part, such as an arm. Can be fixed to. Anchor 130 is a ring or other structure with an open inner section 132 that is sized to allow at least the width of fabric 100 to pass through. The anchor 130 may be translucent nylon, urethane, or stretch cord, but is not limited thereto. The fabric 100 as a wrap having a first end 140 and a second end 142 has the second end 142 folded over the main body 144 of the fabric 100, such as flatlock stitching. It is configured to be joined to the main body 144 by stitching. Prior to its joining, the second end 142 is installed within the inner section 132 of the anchor 130 around the legs 134 and then joined to the main body 144. Thereby, the anchor 130 is held with respect to the fabric 100. The user applies the fabric 100 to the object to be thermally managed and passes the first end 140 of the fabric through the open inner section 132, for example with Velcro (TM) on the main body 144 or anchor. The first end 140 can be fixed in place with respect to the 130 second leg 136.

  The fabric 100 may be used as a poultice and can be used in any of at least four ways. First, the fabric 100 can be applied directly to the body and used as a dry compression wrap. Second, the fabric 100 can be immersed in a liquid such as water and soaked to ensure that the fabric 100 substantially reaches its maximum liquid storage capacity. The fabric 100 can be squeezed to remove any excess liquid and then applied to the body as a cold compression wrap. Third, the fabric 100 can be soaked in a liquid such as water and soaked to ensure that the fabric 100 substantially reaches its maximum liquid storage capacity. The fabric 100 can be squeezed to remove any excess liquid. The fabric 100 is then placed in a cooling container such as a freezer and held therein for a sufficient amount of time to cool the liquid but not to solidify. The configuration of the fabric 100 ensures that the fabric remains flexible even if a cold liquid is retained therein. The fabric 100 can be removed from the cooling container and applied to the body as a cold compression wrap. Finally, the fabric 100 can be soaked in a liquid such as water and soaked to ensure that the fabric 100 substantially reaches its maximum liquid storage capacity. The fabric 100 can be squeezed to remove any excess liquid. The fabric 100 is then placed in a cooling container such as a freezer and held therein for a sufficient time to solidify the liquid. The configuration of the fabric 100 ensures that the fabric remains flexible even when solidified liquid is retained therein. The fabric 100 can be removed from the cooling container and affixed to the body as a compression wrap to replace ice. Anchor 130 can be used to secure fabric 100 in place in any of these use options. Due to the configuration of the fabric 100, warm liquid near the surface to be cooled will enter the interior of the fabric 100 where it will cool and become colder or still solidified will move to the surface to be cooled. That is certain. The use of the first fabric layer 102 and the second fabric layer 104 limits the extent to which liquid can exit the fabric 100.

  The invention has been described with reference to various embodiments. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Embodiment
(1) In a fabric having a front side and a back side, the front side of the fabric is a side adjacent to the environment when the fabric is used, and the back side is thermally managed when the fabric is used. On the side adjacent to the object to be measured, the fabric is
a. A first functional zone on the back side configured to absorb moisture;
b. A second functional zone adjacent to the first functional zone configured to restrict the passage of liquid within the fabric;
c. A third functional zone adjacent to the second functional zone configured to absorb moisture;
d. The front fourth functional zone adjacent to the third functional zone configured to inhibit moisture absorption;
Including textiles.
(2) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 1,
The first and third functional zones include a plurality of fibers;
The plurality of fibers are woven fabrics including fibers formed of a hydrophilic material.
(3) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 1,
The fourth functional zone includes a plurality of fibers;
The plurality of fibers include a woven fabric including fibers formed of a hydrophobic material.
(4) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 1,
The second functional zone comprises a plurality of fibers;
The plurality of fibers are woven fabrics including hollow fibers.
(5) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 4,
The hollow fiber is a woven fabric formed of a hydrophilic material.

(6) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 1,
A fabric further comprising an additive material.
(7) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 6,
The additive material is a woven fabric which is silver fiber.
(8) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 1,
The first, second, and third functional zones of the fabric are located in a first physical fabric layer, and the fourth functional zone is located in a second physical fabric layer. ,fabric.
(9) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 8,
The second physical fabric layer includes a plurality of perforations.
(10) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 9,
The size and number of the perforations are selectable, the fabric.

(11) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 8,
The second physical fabric layer is a fabric made from polyester.
(12) In the woven fabric according to Embodiment 1,
A fabric further comprising an anchor system joined to an end of the fabric and configured to hold the fabric in a compressed position when the fabric is affixed to the object.
(13) In the method of cooling an object with a fabric having a front side and a back side, the front side of the fabric is a side adjacent to the environment when the fabric is used, and the back side uses the fabric. On the side adjacent to the subject, the method comprising:
a. Placing the fabric in contact with a liquid, the fabric comprising:
i. A first functional zone on the back side configured to absorb moisture;
ii. A second functional zone adjacent to the first functional zone configured to restrict the passage of liquid within the fabric;
iii. A third functional zone adjacent to the second functional zone configured to absorb moisture; and
iv. The front functional zone adjacent to the third functional zone, configured to inhibit moisture absorption;
Including a process,
b. Removing excess liquid from the fabric;
c. Cooling the fabric;
d. Applying the cooled fabric to the object;
Including a method.
(14) In the method according to embodiment 13,
The method further comprising securing the fabric around the object.
(15) In the method according to embodiment 13,
The first and third functional zones of the fabric include a plurality of fibers;
The method wherein the plurality of fibers includes fibers formed of a hydrophilic material.

(16) In the method of embodiment 13,
The fourth functional zone includes a plurality of fibers;
The method wherein the plurality of fibers includes fibers formed of a hydrophobic material.
(17) In the method according to embodiment 13,
The second functional zone comprises a plurality of fibers;
The method wherein the plurality of fibers comprises hollow fibers.
(18) In the method of embodiment 17,
The method, wherein the hollow fiber is formed of a hydrophilic material.
(19) In the method according to embodiment 13,
The first, second, and third functional zones of the fabric are located in a first physical fabric layer, and the fourth functional zone is located in a second physical fabric layer. ,Method.
(20) In the method of embodiment 19,
The method wherein the second physical fabric layer includes a plurality of perforations.

1 is an enlarged view of a fabric of the present invention showing the general form of the fabric as comprising a plurality of warp and one weft. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of a simplified depiction of the front side of a fabric. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of a simplified depiction of the back side of a fabric. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a plurality of fiber materials having increased surface area to improve wicking. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a hollow fiber material for improving liquid transport and storage. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a hollow fiber material for improving liquid wicking, transport and storage. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of a fabric of the present invention showing an intermediate fiber material between the back side and the front side of the fabric. Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the general steps that can be performed to carry out the method of the present invention, some of which are optional. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fabric of the present invention with three functional zones. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a fabric of the present invention with four functional zones. FIG. 1 is a front view of a compressed wrap version of a fabric of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure of the back side of the compression wrap of FIG. FIG. 12 is a top view of the anchor of the compression wrap of FIG. 11.

Claims (20)

In a fabric having a front side and a back side, the front side of the fabric is the side adjacent to the environment when the fabric is used, and the back side is an object to be thermally managed when the fabric is used. On the adjacent side, the fabric is
a. A first functional zone on the back side configured to absorb moisture;
b. A second functional zone adjacent to the first functional zone configured to restrict the passage of liquid within the fabric;
c. A third functional zone adjacent to the second functional zone configured to absorb moisture;
d. The front fourth functional zone adjacent to the third functional zone configured to inhibit moisture absorption;
Including textiles. The woven fabric according to claim 1,
The first and third functional zones include a plurality of fibers;
The plurality of fibers are woven fabrics including fibers formed of a hydrophilic material. The woven fabric according to claim 1,
The fourth functional zone includes a plurality of fibers;
The plurality of fibers include a woven fabric including fibers formed of a hydrophobic material. The woven fabric according to claim 1,
The second functional zone comprises a plurality of fibers;
The plurality of fibers are woven fabrics including hollow fibers. The woven fabric according to claim 4,
The hollow fiber is a woven fabric formed of a hydrophilic material. The woven fabric according to claim 1,
A fabric further comprising an additive material. The woven fabric according to claim 6,
The additive material is a woven fabric which is silver fiber. The woven fabric according to claim 1,
The first, second, and third functional zones of the fabric are located in a first physical fabric layer, and the fourth functional zone is located in a second physical fabric layer. ,fabric. The woven fabric according to claim 8,
The second physical fabric layer includes a plurality of perforations. The woven fabric according to claim 9,
The size and number of the perforations are selectable, the fabric. The woven fabric according to claim 8,
The second physical fabric layer is a fabric made from polyester. The woven fabric according to claim 1,
A fabric further comprising an anchor system joined to an end of the fabric and configured to hold the fabric in a compressed position when the fabric is affixed to the object. In the method of cooling an object with a fabric having a front side and a back side, the front side of the fabric is the side adjacent to the environment when the fabric is used, and the back side is the side when the fabric is used. On the side adjacent to the subject, the method comprising:
a. Placing the fabric in contact with a liquid, the fabric comprising:
i. A first functional zone on the back side configured to absorb moisture;
ii. A second functional zone adjacent to the first functional zone configured to restrict the passage of liquid within the fabric;
iii. A third functional zone adjacent to the second functional zone configured to absorb moisture; and
iv. The front functional zone adjacent to the third functional zone, configured to inhibit moisture absorption;
Including a process,
b. Removing excess liquid from the fabric;
c. Cooling the fabric;
d. Applying the cooled fabric to the object;
Including a method. The method of claim 13, wherein
The method further comprising securing the fabric around the object. The method of claim 13, wherein
The first and third functional zones of the fabric include a plurality of fibers;
The method wherein the plurality of fibers includes fibers formed of a hydrophilic material. The method of claim 13, wherein
The fourth functional zone includes a plurality of fibers;
The method wherein the plurality of fibers includes fibers formed of a hydrophobic material. The method of claim 13, wherein
The second functional zone comprises a plurality of fibers;
The method wherein the plurality of fibers comprises hollow fibers. The method of claim 17, wherein
The method, wherein the hollow fiber is formed of a hydrophilic material. The method of claim 13, wherein
The first, second, and third functional zones of the fabric are located in a first physical fabric layer, and the fourth functional zone is located in a second physical fabric layer. ,Method. The method of claim 19, wherein
The method wherein the second physical fabric layer includes a plurality of perforations.

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