Abstract:
A synthetic radiator fabric with permanent mechanical wicking defines an inner surface and has a raised knit body defining an opposite outer surface. The fabric includes hydrophilic and hydrophobic fiber-containing yarns. At the inner surface, the hydrophilic fiber-containing yarns collect liquid sweat from a wearer's skin surface and maintain the collected sweat at the inner surface, generally in the vicinity of and/or in contact with the wearer's skin, for encouraging evaporation of sweat and providing evaporative cooling. The raised knit body extends from the inner surface toward, and defines, the opposite outer surface. The hydrophobic fiber-containing yarns are arranged in a radiator-like construction forming egg-crate or honey-comb like cells or pores, defined by the knit body and open to the inner surface. At the outer fabric surface, the hydrophobic fibers receive excess sweat from the wearer's body, thereby to encourage rapid evaporation and drying, for improved breathability.
Abstract:
A medical health care blanket or fabric, formed of micro-denier fibers, e.g., polyester or other suitable polymer, has at least one raised surface, and incorporates an antimicrobial system having durable antimicrobial properties after at least 50, 100, 150, or even up to 200 industrial laundering cycles. A method of contributing to a sanitary health care environment is also described.
Abstract:
A flame resistant composite fabric includes a first flame resistant fabric layer, a second flame resistant fabric layer, and a barrier layer that bonds the first flame resistant fabric layer to the second flame resistant fabric layer. The barrier layer is capable of withstanding temperature of 500°F for at least 5 minutes without substantial change in the integrity of the flame resistant composite fabric.
Abstract:
A chemical protective fabric garment (12) includes a first fabric layer (22, 24), and a barrier layer (26) bonded to the first fabric layer. The barrier layer includes a nonwoven membrane (60, 80) that is formed of fibers with embedded particles (63) having one or more detoxifying properties, such as being absorptive of hazardous gases and/or being catalytically destructive of hazardous gases.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for fabric selection and performance matching. The method includes selecting a fabric combination from a set of different constructions and materials, the selection being made on a basis of predetermined characteristics of fabric performance and comfort required to meet specified parameters of conditions and manner of use.
Abstract:
Among other things, the disclosure features an insulated composite fabric (120) including an inner fabric layer (121), an outer fabric layer (122), and an insulating-filler fabric layer (123) enclosed between the inner and outer fabric layers. The insulating-filler fabric layer is a textile fabric with a raised surface (133) on at least one side of the fabric and includes multicomponent fibers (1050) formed of at least a first polymer (1051) and a second polymer (1052) disposed in side-by-side relationship. The first and second polymer exhibit differential thermal elongation or contraction, causing the multicomponent fibers to bend or curl and reversibly recover in response to changes in temperature, adjusting insulation performance of the textile fabric in response to ambient conditions.
Abstract:
Among other things, the disclosure features a thermal blanket including a unitary fabric element having predetermined discrete regions of contrasting insulative capacities arranged based on insulative needs of corresponding regions of a user's body. At least two of the predetermined, discrete regions of contrasting insulative capacities, in one or more first discrete regions of the unitary fabric element, consisting of loop yarn having a first pile height, and in one or more other discrete regions of the unitary fabric element, consist of loop yarn having another pile height different from and relatively greater than the first pile height.
Abstract:
A hybrid composite fabric garment includes a first fabric portion and a second fabric portion. The first fabric portion includes a first inner fabric layer, a first outer fabric layer, and a first barrier layer disposed therebetween. The first barrier includes a first nonwoven membrane that has a first hydrophobic material disposed on its surfaces and that has a first predetermined air permeability. The second fabric portion includes a second inner fabric layer, a second outer fabric layer, and a second barrier layer disposed therebetween. The second barrier layer includes a second nonwoven membrane and has a second predetermined air permeability substantially greater than the first predetermined air permeability.
Abstract:
A composite undergarment fabric has an inner side fabric layer of synthetic yarn and an outer side fabric layer of yarn selected from among moisture-absorbent hydrophilic yarn, synthetic yarn rendered hydrophilic, and combinations thereof, an inner surface of the inner side fabric layer having a non-continuous treatment of durable, water repellent chemical, and the outer side fabric layer being relatively more hydrophilic than the inner side fabric layer. The inner and outer side fabric layers may be formed concurrently by knitting a plaited construction. In another implementation, the composite undergarment fabric has a pseudo plaited construction of a body of hydrophilic material with an inner side surface having a non-continuous treatment of durable water repellent chemical.
Abstract:
Among other things, the disclosure features an insulated composite fabric (120) including an inner fabric layer (121), an outer fabric layer (122), and an insulating-filler fabric layer (123) enclosed between the inner and outer fabric layers. The insulating-filler fabric layer is a textile fabric with a raised surface (133) on at least one side of the fabric and includes multicomponent fibers (1050) formed of at least a first polymer (1051) and a second polymer (1052) disposed in side-by-side relationship. The first and second polymer exhibit differential thermal elongation or contraction, causing the multicomponent fibers to bend or curl and reversibly recover in response to changes in temperature, adjusting insulation performance of the textile fabric in response to ambient conditions.