Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
  • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
  • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
  • D02G3/44—Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed
  • D02G3/441—Yarns or threads with antistatic, conductive or radiation-shielding properties
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
  • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
  • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
  • D02G3/02—Yarns or threads characterised by the material or by the materials from which they are made
  • D02G3/04—Blended or other yarns or threads containing components made from different materials
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
  • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
  • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
  • D02G3/44—Yarns or threads characterised by the purpose for which they are designed
  • D02G3/443—Heat-resistant, fireproof or flame-retardant yarns or threads
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D03—WEAVING
  • D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
  • D03D15/00—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
  • D03D15/50—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the properties of the yarns or threads
  • D03D15/533—Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used characterised by the properties of the yarns or threads antistatic; electrically conductive
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04B—KNITTING
  • D04B1/00—Weft knitting processes for the production of fabrics or articles not dependent on the use of particular machines; Fabrics or articles defined by such processes
  • D04B1/14—Other fabrics or articles characterised primarily by the use of particular thread materials
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D10—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
  • D10B2401/00—Physical properties
  • D10B2401/16—Physical properties antistatic; conductive
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/249921—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
  • Y10T442/30—Woven fabric [i.e., woven strand or strip material]
  • Y10T442/3976—Including strand which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous composition, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
  • Y10T442/40—Knit fabric [i.e., knit strand or strip material]

Definitions

• Static electricity has a tendency to build up within and on the surface of fabrics during use. Buildup of static electricity is a nuisance in garment handling and to the wearer and may also pose a hazard to the wearer in certain environments, and in particular in flammable gas environments. As a result, it is desirable for fabrics to prevent or minimize static electricity build up.
• antistatic filament yarns have been known to incorporate antistatic filament yarns into fabrics to satisfy one or more standards for static electricity in apparel, including EN 1149 (Electrostatic properties of protective clothing) and MIL-C-83429B (Military specification: cloth, plain and basket weave, aramid) (as tested in accordance with FTMS 191A Test Method 5931).
• One known antistatic filament yarn is available from Barnet under the trade name Nega-Stat®.
• the antistatic filament yarn is a conductive yarn, which dissipates (or prevents the buildup of) static electricity by conducting the electric charge along the filament yarns to a ground (such as the body of a user).
• the antistatic filament yarn has been incorporated into fabrics in a continuous grid pattern to facilitate conduction of static electricity through the garment. While such constructions effectively dissipate static electricity in the fabric, the filament yarn is expensive and results in a high fabric cost.
• Another known method for minimizing or preventing static electricity build up in a fabric is to form a fabric from spun yarns (rather than filament) and incorporate approximately 2% or more antistatic staple fibers into the spun yarns used in the fabric.
• the antistatic staple fibers such as 401-ECS staple fibers, available from Ascend Performance Materials under the No-Shock® line of products
• 401-ECS staple fibers have a carbon-based antistatic component. It will be recognized that in such constructions, the antistatic fibers are not continuous and thus will not conduct electricity through the fabric; rather, the antistatic fibers dispersed throughout the fabric dissipate the static electricity that builds up by way of an inductive field.
• Antistatic fibers are relatively dark as compared to typical staple fibers used in fabric constructions.
• the appearance of fabrics having antistatic staple fibers dispersed throughout the fabric is undesirable when light shades of fabric are desired, and in particular when it is desirable for the fabric to satisfy standards for high visibility apparel. It may not be possible, for example, to satisfy ANSI 107 (High- Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear) when using a fabric having the relatively darker antistatic staple fibers dispersed throughout.
• ANSI 107 High- Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear
• a similar problem can occur when trying to form a fabric from dark shades, as the antistatic fibers, while darker than light shade fibers, are not as dark as commonly used dark shade fibers and will thus appear lighter against the dark background of the other staple fibers. Neither result is desirable.
• Visual appearance problems can also occur when using conductive antistatic filament yarns in a grid pattern due to voids or variation in the appearance of the filament in the pattern.
• a fabric includes base yarns and antistatic spun yarns that include antistatic staple fibers.
• the antistatic spun yarns are located in discrete portions of the fabric such that the fabric complies with one or more standards for static dissipation in fabric.
• standards include but are not limited to EN 1149-5, EN 1149-3, MIL-C-83429B, and FTMS 191A Test Method 5931.
• the antistatic staple fibers are inductive antistatic staple fibers.
• the antistatic spun yarns have less than 20% inductive antistatic staple fibers.
• the antistatic spun yarns may be woven or knit into the fabric in a grid pattern or a stripe pattern.
• the fabric is a woven fabric and the antistatic spun yarns are inserted into the fabric in both the warp and filling directions.
• the ratio of antistatic spun yarns to base yarns in the woven fabric is from 1:1 to 1:40 in one or both of the warp and filling directions.
• the base yarns may be flame resistant yarns such that the fabric complies with one or more standards for flame resistant fabrics.
• the fabric may comply with one or more standards for high visibility apparel.
• the fabric has a total antistatic fiber content of less than about 1%.
• inventions relate to an antistatic fabric in which the antistatic content in the fabric is provided by an intimate blend including antistatic staple fibers formed into spun yarns, and in which the spun yarns are located in discrete portions of the fabric, such as in a grid or stripe pattern. Locating the antistatic staple fibers in discrete portions of the fabric provides inductive static dissipation properties to the fabric, while also allowing the fabric to meet high visibility requirements.
• the fabrics of the present invention are different from previous fabrics that included either (1) antistatic conductive filament yarns located in a grid pattern or (2) included antistatic staple fibers blended throughout the fabric.
• antistatic spun yarns a relatively high content of antistatic staple fibers is spun into the yarns (“antistatic spun yarns") that will be located in discrete portions of the fabric, while the remainder of the yarns in the fabric (the “base yarns”) may be formed of any desired spun yarns and/ or filament yarns.
• the antistatic spun yarns may include from about 2% to about 50% antistatic staple fiber, with the balance being any other desired staple fiber.
• the antistatic spun yarns may include from about 2% to 30% antistatic staple fiber, from about 2% to 20% antistatic staple fiber, from about 2% to 15% antistatic staple fiber, from about 2% to 10% antistatic staple fiber, from about 2% to less than or equal to about 30% antistatic staple fiber, from about 2% to less than or equal to about 20% antistatic staple fiber, from about 2% to less than or equal to about 15% antistatic staple fiber, or from about 2% to less than or equal to about 10% antistatic staple fiber, with the balance being any other desired staple fiber.
• the antistatic spun yarns may include from about 2% to less than or equal to about 20% antistatic staple fiber.
• the antistatic spun yarn may include less than 20% or even less than or equal to about 10% antistatic staple fiber and a fabric incorporating such yarns can still satisfy one or more standards for static electricity in apparel by dissipating static using an inductive field; in contrast a fabric utilizing conductive fibers would require at least 20% conductive fibers in the antistatic yarn to ensure adequate contact between the conductive fibers to ensure a conductive path for static dissipation.
• 100% continuous filament in contrast to antistatic filament yarns, are not conductive yarns and do not provide the fabric with conductive static dissipation properties; rather, the yarns provide the fabric with inductive static dissipation properties.
• Fabrics of the invention formed from antistatic spun yarns located in discrete portions of the fabric may satisfy one or more standards for static electricity in apparel, including but not necessarily limited to EN 1149 (Electrostatic properties of protective clothing) and MIL-C-83429B (Military specification: cloth, plain and basket weave, aramid) (as tested in accordance with FTMS 191A Test Method 5931).
• Another benefit of the fabrics of the present invention is that, because the relatively dark antistatic staple fiber is located in only discrete portions of the fabric, the rest of the fabric can include base yarns (spun yarns or filament yarns) having a lighter shade, or yarns that are dyeable to a lighter shade, such that the fabrics can still satisfy a high visibility standard such as that found in ANSI 107 (High- Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear).
• the fabrics of the present invention do not include antistatic filament yarns and the defects found therein (noted above), the fabrics of the present invention are free from these visual defects.
• the fabrics of the present invention having a relatively high content of antistatic staple fibers spun into yarns located in discrete portions of the fabric, may have a total antistatic fiber content in the fabric of from about 0.125% to about 5%, and in some features from about 0.125% to about 2%, about 1% or even about 0.5%. In yet other features, the fabric has a total antistatic fiber content of less than or equal to about 5%, less than or equal to about 2%, less than or equal to about 1% or less than or equal to about 0.5%.
• these fabrics, having such a low total content of antistatic staple fibers located in only discrete portions of the fabric would have acceptable static electricity properties.
• previously known fabrics including conductive antistatic filament yarns had an antistatic content of at least 1 %, and fabrics including an intimate blend of antistatic staple fibers dispersed throughout the entire fabric had an antistatic content of at least 2% .
• the antistatic spun yarns may be located in discrete portions of the fabric in any desirable pattern.
• the antistatic spun yarns are woven or knit into the fabric in a grid pattern or a stripe (e.g., horizontal or vertical) pattern. Any desirable weave (e.g., plain, twill) or knit (e.g., single, double, plain, interlock) pattern may be used.
• the antistatic spun yarns may be located in either the warp or filling direction in the fabric or, when incorporated into the fabric in, e.g., a grid pattern, in both the warp and filling directions.
• the antistatic spun yarns may also be plied with one or more other antistatic spun yarns and / or with one or more non-antistatic yarns (spun or filament) to form a thicker plied yarn.
• the fabric is a woven fabric and no more than one antistatic spun yarn is inserted into the fabric for every 40 base yarns in either or both of the warp and filling directions.
• the ratio of antistatic spun yarn to base yarn in the fabric is no more than 1:40.
• the ratio of antistatic spun yarn to base yarns is from 1:1 to 1:40 in either or both of the warp and filling directions, or in other features from 1:1 to 1:35, or from 1:1 to 1:30, from 1:1 to 1:25, from 1:5 to 1:40, from 1:5 to 1:35, from 1:5 to 1:30, from 1:5 to 1:25, from 1:10 to 1:40, from 1:10 to 1:35, from 1:10 to 1:30, from 1:10 to 1:25, from 1:15 to 1:40, from 1:15 to 1:35, from 1:15 to 1:30, or from 1:15 to 1:25 in either or both of the warp and filling directions.
• the antistatic spun yarns can include any other desirable staple fiber in addition to the antistatic staple fiber, and the remainder of the yarns in the fabric (base yarns) can include any desired spun yarns and / or filament yarns.
• the fabric includes no antistatic fibers (filament or spun) other than the antistatic staple fibers located in the antistatic spun yarns, although it will be recognized that the base yarns could include a small amount of antistatic fibers which could enhance the inductive static dissipation properties of the fabric without substantially affecting the high visibility
• the antistatic staple fiber can be any suitable antistatic fiber.
• One such fiber is 401-ECS, available from Ascend Performance Materials under the No-Shock® line of products.
• 401-ECS staple fibers are inductive antistatic staple fibers, as they have a core/ sheath construction with a carbon-containing core and a nonconductive polyamide sheath.
• the 401-ECS staple fibers have a carbon-containing core (carbon dispersed in a polymeric matrix), the fibers are not conductive because the relatively large amount of nonconductive sheath in the fiber prevents the carbon- containing core from contacting the cores of other antistatic fibers when the fibers are spun into the yarn with other non-antistatic fibers, which prevents the antistatic spun yarns from conducting electricity.
• the antistatic spun yarns when formed into a fabric in accordance with features described herein, provide the fabric with inductive static dissipation properties.
• the antistatic staple fiber may be an inductive antistatic staple fiber.
• the antistatic staple fiber may be a conductive staple fiber such as carbon fiber or stainless steel.
• the fabric is a protective fabric suitable for use in personal protective apparel.
• the fabric is a flame resistant fabric that satisfies one or more standards for flame resistant fabrics, including but not limited to NFPA 2112 (Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel against Flash Fire).
• Exemplary suitable fibers for use in the base yarn of the present invention include, but are not limited to, flame resistant fibers such as para-aramid fibers, polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers, PBI fibers, modacrylic fibers, poly ⁇ 2,6- diimidazo[4,5-b:40; 50-e]-pyridinylene-l,4(2,5-dihydroxy)phenylene ⁇ (“PIPD”) fibers, and natural and synthetic flame resistant cellulosic fibers (either naturally flame resistant or treated to make them flame resistant), such as but not limited to lyocell and FR rayon.
• flame resistant fibers such as para-aramid fibers, polybenzoxazole (PBO) fibers, PBI fibers, modacrylic fibers, poly ⁇ 2,6- diimidazo[4,5-b:40; 50-e]-pyridinylene-l,4(2,5-dihydroxy)phenylene ⁇ (“PIPD”) fibers, and natural and synthetic flame resistant cellulosic fibers (e
• the base yarns are formed entirely from these fibers.
• all of the base yarns in the fabric may be formed with 100% of a single type of these fibers or alternatively a blend of different types of these fibers.
• base yarns formed entirely from these fibers may be all or an intimate blend of staple fibers, filaments, or a combination of filaments and staple fibers.
• the base yarns in the fabric include fibers such as those disclosed above and one or more types of secondary fibers that are used to enhance a secondary property of the fabric other than flame resistance (e.g., comfort, dyeability/ printability, etc.) (referred to as "secondary fibers").
• secondary fibers some features of the fabric may be formed from yarns having 100% flame resistant fibers (such as those disclosed above) and yarns that include one or more types of secondary fibers (either in addition to, or to the exclusion of, the flame resistant fibers described above).
• yarns forming the fabric are formed from a blend of one or more flame resistant fibers (such as those disclosed above) and one or more types of secondary fibers.
• the blended yarns may be a combination of spun fibers, filaments, or a combination of filaments and staple fibers.
• Such secondary fibers can be selected to enhance a property of the fabric, such as, but not limited to, the comfort, durability, and/ or
• the secondary fibers may also be flame resistant.
• Comfort fibers Secondary fibers that enhance the comfort of the fabric (i.e., have higher moisture regain, soft hand, etc.) are referred to herein as “comfort fibers.”
• “Comfort fibers” as used herein include, but are not limited to, cellulosic fibers, polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibers, TANLONTM (available from Shanghai Tanlon Fiber Company), rayon, wool, and blends thereof.
• PBI polybenzimidazole
• TANLONTM available from Shanghai Tanlon Fiber Company
• rayon wool
• blends thereof examples include cotton, rayon, acetate, triacetate, and lyocell fibers (as well as their flame resistant counterparts FR cotton, FR rayon, FR acetate, FR triacetate, and FR lyocell).
• Suitable rayon fibers are ViscoseTM and ModalTM by Lenzing, available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• Examples of lyocell fibers include TENCEL G100TM and TENCEL A100TM, both available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• An example of an FR rayon fiber is Lenzing FRTM, also available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• Disposable fibers Secondary fibers that enhance the dyeability/ printability of the fabric are referred to herein as “dyeable fibers” and include fibers that are dyeable and dyestuff printable (as opposed to pigment printable).
• “Dyeable fibers” as used herein include, but are not limited to, modacrylic fibers, cellulosic fibers, meta- aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibers, melamine fibers, TANLONTM
• cellulosic fibers include cotton, rayon, acetate, triacetate, and lyocell fibers (as well as their flame resistant counterparts FR cotton, FR rayon, FR acetate, FR triacetate, and FR lyocell).
• suitable rayon fibers are ViscoseTM and ModalTM by Lenzing, available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• lyocell fibers include TENCEL G100TM and TENCEL A100TM, both available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• An example of an FR rayon fiber is Lenzing FRTM, also available from Lenzing Fibers Corporation.
• meta-aramid fibers examples include NOMEXTM (available from DuPont), CONEXTM (available from Teijin), and Kermel (available from Kermel).
• An example of melamine fibers is BASOFILTM (available from Basofil Fibers).
• Additional secondary fibers suitable for use in the base yarns of the invention include, but are not limited to ultra-high density polyethylene fibers, carbon fibers, silk fibers, polyamide fibers, and polyester fibers.
• ultrahigh density polyethylene fibers examples include Dyneema and Spectra.
• An example of a polyester fiber is VECTRANTM (available from Kuraray).
• Fabrics according to the invention can have any desirable weight.
• single or multi-layer fabrics can have a weight of from about 1 to 20 osy, or from about 3 to 15 osy, or even 3 to 12 osy or 4 to 9 osy.
• the antistatic spun yarns can include any other desirable staple fiber in addition to the antistatic staple fiber.
• staple fibers include, but are not limited to, any of the flame resistant or secondary fibers described above, including blends thereof.
• antistat 401-ECS staple fiber
• Induction decay testing was conducted for fabrics A, B and C for compliance with EN 1149-5 (2008) and EN 1149-3 (2004 Method 2 Induction decay). Each fabric was conditioned and tested at 23 ⁇ 1 °C and 25 ⁇ 5% r.h. A cleansing pretreatment of five wash/ dry cycles according to EN ISO 6330 (2012 Procedure 5M) was conducted at 50 °C with tumble drying (Procedure F, max. 60 °C outlet temperature). The results are summarized below:
• the induction decay test results can be compared to known prior art antistatic fabrics, including those including conductive antistatic filament yarns (Comparative Fabric A) and an intimate blend of antistatic fibers dispersed throughout the fabric (Comparative Fabric B). Induction decay test results of these fabrics are provided below for comparison.
• Comparative Fabric A 47/37/15/1 (modacrylic/lyocell/para- aramid/Nega-stat® antistatic filament (total content in fabric). Fabric weight: 5.8 osy.
• Comparative Fabric B 47/36/14/3 (modacrylic/lyocell/para- ar amid/ No-Shock® antistatic staple fiber (total content in fabric). Fabric weight: 5.8 osy.
• Comparative Fabrics A and B like Samples A, B and C, each satisfied the EN 1149 requirements as expected. It is notable, however, that the total antistatic content in the fabrics was 1% (Comparative Fabric A) and 3% (Comparative Fabric B). As seen above, however, fabrics according to the present invention can be made with a substantially lower antistatic fiber content while still satisfying the EN 1149 requirements. The reduction in antistatic fiber content reduces the cost of the fabric and makes it easier for the fabric to satisfy high visibility requirements because less of the relatively darker antistatic fibers are included in the fabric. Further, when used in darker shades, fabrics according to the present invention provide a more visually desirable fabric because less of the relatively lighter antistatic fibers are present in the fabric (as compared to the darker base fibers in the fabric).
• antistat 401-ECS staple fiber

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Woven Fabrics (AREA)
• Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=54016810

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2015
  • 2015-03-05 CA CA2941407A patent/CA2941407C/en active Active
  • 2015-03-05 US US14/639,567 patent/US10316438B2/en active Active
  • 2015-03-05 AU AU2015227086A patent/AU2015227086B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-03-05 JP JP2016555323A patent/JP2017508897A/ja active Pending
  • 2015-03-05 PL PL15758636.3T patent/PL3114264T3/pl unknown
  • 2015-03-05 WO PCT/US2015/018938 patent/WO2015134732A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-03-05 EP EP15758636.3A patent/EP3114264B1/en active Active
  • 2015-03-05 ES ES15758636T patent/ES2960196T3/es active Active
• 2019
  • 2019-04-29 US US16/397,838 patent/US20190249341A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (2)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events