Stretchable fabric

Abstract

First warp yarns and second warp yarns are each interwoven with weft yarns to produce a one-layer, lightweight, stretchable fabric. The first warp yarns include stretchable yarns that are activatable to achieve a contracted state, and the second warp yarns include non-stretchable yarns. The first warp yarns may include a stretchable core yarn with non-stretchable wrap yarn wrapped around the stretchable core yarn. The first warp yarns may be in an alternating arrangement with the second warp yarns. When the yarns are woven together, the first warp yarns are in an extended state and the second warp yarns are in an unbunched state. The fabric then undergoes a finishing procedure during which the first warp yarns are activated to achieve a contracted state. The second warp yarns thus achieve a bunched state, and the resulting fabric is stretchable in the warp direction.

Description

BACKGROUNDAs textile technology advances, consumers seek fabrics and clothing that are functional, comfortable, and affordable. For example, police officers, military personnel, and other individuals may desire clothing that is both fire resistant, to guard against exposure to high heat and flames, and stretchable to allow the wearer to perform his / her required activities with relative ease and comfort. A fabric that satisfies these requirements may thus need to include fabrics that are fire resistant, strong, soft, stretchable, and / or flexible.Often times, different parts of the same garment are subjected to different forces and must withstand different performance conditions, depending on the proximity to a moving body part. For example, fabric located near a wearer's joint, such as an elbow or a knee, may often experience greater stresses due to the movement of the wearer's joint as the wearer conducts work or recreational activities as compared to other parts of the same garment...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Systems and methods are therefore provided for forming a fabric that incorporates stretchable and non-stretchable yarns into a unitary, one-layer, lightweight, stretchable fabric.

Problems solved by technology

For example, fabric located near a wearer's joint, such as an elbow or a knee, may often experience greater stresses due to the movement of the wearer's joint as the wearer conducts work or recreational activities as compared to other parts of the same garment in other areas, such as the upper arm.

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