Fabric material

Abstract

A method for making a fabric material includes the steps of weaving a plurality of strands of a warp yarn in a warp direction with a plurality of strands of a first filling yarn impregnated with silver ions in a filling direction and a plurality of strands of a second filling yarn impregnated with copper ions in the filling direction. Each of the plurality of stands of the first filling yarn and each of said plurality of strands of the second filling yarn are alternately woven with the plurality of strands of the warp yarn in the filling direction. The method further includes scouring the fabric material to remove external matter, conditioning the fabric material in order to soften it, drying the fabric material, and calendaring the fabric material to smoothen it.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 666,212, filed on Nov. 1, 201 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 555,581, filed on Nov. 4, 2011 entitled FABRIC FOR BED SHEET, all of which a e incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to fabric material, and, more particularly, to fabric material having antimicrobial and healing properties, as well as a low coefficient of friction.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Products made from fabric materials, such as bed sheets and pillow cases used in hospitals nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, are a potential source of bacterial colonization, skin irritation, and migration or worsening of skin infections. Bed sheets and pillow cases often produce irritated areas on a patient's skin as a result of friction caused by motion or lack of motion of the patient rela...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In an embodiment, the silver ion impregnated filling yarn and the copper ion impregnated filling yarn are manufactured separately and inserted alternately in the filling direction of the weave. In an embodiment the silver and cooper ions of the filling yarns provide antimicrobial and healing properties which are effective in combating the growth and proliferation of harmful bacteria and fungus. With the silver and copper ions being inherently impregnated, they are resistant to being removed during repeated launderings of the fabric material, which enables the fabric's antimicrobial and healing properties to remain effective.

[0009]In an embodiment, the weave of the fabric material provides a low coefficient of friction on the face-side of the fabric, which inhibits irritation of a user's skin. In an embodiment the rayon used in the warp direction of the weave possesses a low coefficient of friction that reduces the level of friction experienced by a user (such as a patient on a bed sheet) when he / she moves from side-to-side relative to the fabric. The reduced level of notion inhibits the formation of skin abrasions which is one of the causes of pressure ulcers. In an embodiment, the fabric material includes a higher coefficient of friction on the back-side thereof versus the coefficient of friction on the face-side thereof. The higher coefficient on the back-side inhibits movement of the fabric material during movement by the user, when he / she moves from side-to-side thereon, thus reducing formation of wrinkles and creases that causes irregularity in the fabric's surface and creates additional friction points for the user.

[0010]In an embodiment, the fabric material is used for medical bed sheets, pillow cases, and other pressure ulcer related medical products. In an embodiment, the fabric material is absorbent and possesses a low coefficient of friction. In an embodiment, medical bed sheets that are fabricated from the fabric material provide patients comfort and pressure ulcer mitigation. Mitigation of patient pressure ulcers provides a benefit to the overall medical treatment and well being of the patient. In an embodiment the low coefficient of friction on the face-side of the bed sheet greatly enhances rotation of disabled or sedentary patients by hospital staff. In an embodiment, the fabric material helps support a significantly enhanced ergonomic process in the hospital environment (e.g., it facilitates patient movement and rotations by hospital care giver staff). In an embodiment, the reduction in the required physical demands on care giver staff not only reduces lost time to injuries but also tends to increase the actual number of patient rotations completed by care givers. If patient rotations are easier to accomplish, care givers may be far more physically-able to complete timed rotations of the patients.

Problems solved by technology

Products made from fabric materials, such as bed sheets and pillow cases used in hospitals nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, are a potential source of bacterial colonization, skin irritation, and migration or worsening of skin infections.

Bed sheets and pillow cases often produce irritated areas on a patient's skin as a result of friction caused by motion or lack of motion of the patient relative to the bed sheets and pillow cases.

This skin irritation contributes to the formation of pressure ulcers.

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