Moisture-management in hydrophilic fibers

Abstract

A nano technology process for the manufacture of a fabric that comprises fibers, such as man-made fibers, cotton fibers or cellulose fibers, which are essentially hydrophilic, with improved moisture-management performance, in which the fibers are individually encapsulated with a nano chemistry water-repellant surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a process for imparting to hydrophilic fibers less absorbing of moisture properties, and improved moisture-management in yarns and fabrics thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to cotton or man-made cotton or cellulose fibers within yarns or fabric constructions, where their moisture transmission throughout is improved. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Moisture-management rapidly accumulates increased interest in high-tech textile industry as an important factor in recreational as well as customary garments and apparels. The need for fast drying type fabrics, especially for athletic purposes, has so far been satisfied with the use of synthetic hydrophobic materials that do not absorb moisture. However, the ability to control perspiration absorption, transport, and evaporation off skin tissue through apparels, made of natural hydrophilic materials, especially ones as cotton, to the atmosphere enables...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] The present invention provides the benefits of both a fabric comprising modified textile fibers, imparting a pleasant sensation upon contact with skin tissue, and improved moisture-management performance, essentially alleviating uncomfortable perspiration and heat off the skin.

[0022] Moisture- or water-management in hydrophilic yarns and fabrics, especially in hydrophilic cotton or man-made cotton or cellulose yarns and fabrics, is achieved through wicking of excessive moisture through the fibers themselves and through pores in between them. Wicking in hydrophobic silicone-encapsulated fibers is carried-out through capillaries formed between individually encapsulated fibers. That is, each fiber is encapsulated with a moisture-repellant material, the fibers are tightly bound together, and wicking does not take place through the fibers themselves. Especially, treatment of either cotton or man-made fibers with silicone, which is a hydrophobic material, and silicone encapsulation is therefore of double purpose; preventing penetration of moisture inside the fibers themselves, for example during body perspiration, or in any other form of secretion of water, aqueous solutions, suspensions, dispersions and the like at the same time ensuring moisture-transportation and evaporation through capillary wicking in between the fibers.

[0023] Furthermore, a commonly known drawback in most contemporary improved fabrics in this field is the gradual, continuous deterioration in moisture-management during use, and especially after repeated washings. Contrary to that, the process of the present invention, and the fibers, and fabrics thereof, offer at least sustaining moisture-management performance level during use, and in most cases even its improvement, especially after repeated washings. The latter phenomenon results due to washing-off of extra silicone particles inhabiting the inter-fiber capillaries, thus opening them, and allowing better breath ability, and wicking of moisture absorbed. This fact sets an important advantage of the process of the present invention over other processes for the manufacture of fibers and fabrics thereof known in this field, demonstrating a more resilient, life-extended fiber, fabrics, textile, and garment articles comprising it.

[0024] In accordance with the nano technology process of the present invention, encapsulation treatment of the fibers is carried-out with water-repellant nano chemistry silicone. Preferably, this encapsulation is conducted essentially by bringing each individual fiber in contact with silicone nano-particles, also termed nano-silicone. Preferably, this contact takes place by immersing the fibers in particulate silicone suspension, thus ensuring maximal silicone coverage of each fiber surface area. Since silicone is a hydrophobic material, moisture penetration into the cotton fibers is thus prevented, while capillary wicking process takes over in moisture transportation off the skin, the concurrent evaporation, and as a result a cool and comfortable feeling.

[0025] A preferable feature of the fibers, aiding in the wicking process, is their surface morphology. As is demonstrated in FIGS. 1A and B, the cotton fibers employed, may be of an alternating concave / convex and flattened shape. The fibers morphology may be alternatively described as that of bean shape, where the fibers take a slightly flat and twisted shape. Such morphology forms multiple conduits between the fibers, which are designated in FIG. 1A as I, II, III, and IV, in which moisture-air surface tension increases, vertical capillarity of moisture is enhanced, and as a result wicking process is accelerated through these conduits

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, a commonly known drawback in most contemporary improved fabrics in this field is the gradual, continuous deterioration in moisture-management during use, and especially after repeated washings.

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