Flame-resistant functional undergarment for racing drivers and astronauts

Abstract

The flame-retardant effect of knitted functional underwear made from a base yarn and a basic knitted structure along at least one area of ​​the functional underwear, with several additional areas having different functional knitted structures, is intended to be increased. This is achieved by the fact that the knitted, single-layer functional underwear predominantly has a 3D knitted structure knitted with the base yarn, which comprises a plurality of knitted, raised hollow shapes with air inclusions, i.e., tubular or circular.tubular and thus longer than wide hollow forms are knitted in during the knitting process and the base yarn of the 3D knitted structure is formed from a multifilament yarn of - between 80 and 120 individual yarn filaments, and wherein the total weight of the multifilament yarn is proportionally formed from: - 50wt% to 60wt% viscose filament, preferably > 55wt%, - 20wt% to 30wt% aramid filament, preferably 20wt% and 25wt%, - 10wt% to 20wt% polyamide filament, preferably between 15wt% and 20wt%, - 1wt% to 5wt% elastane filament, most preferably 3wt% and - 0.1wt% to 2wt% carbon fibers, preferably 1wt%.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention describes a knitted functional underwear with flame-retardant effect made of a base yarn and a basic knit structure at least along one area of ​​the functional underwear, wherein additionally several areas with different functional knit structures are knitted in and a flame-retardant multifilament yarn. State of the art

[0002] Functional underwear is also known as technical underwear or base layer and is a special type of clothing that is worn under a sports suit to protect the body and to regulate it optimally, so that moisture transport and temperature regulation can be achieved, often differently in different areas of the body.

[0003] Functional underwear has several key features. First, it specializes in effectively wicking moisture away from the skin to keep the body dry, making it particularly useful during strenuous activities and changing weather conditions. At the same time, it helps with temperature regulation, with models available for both cold and warm weather conditions. The close fit ensures it's comfortable and easy to move without causing unpleasant friction. This underwear often has odor-inhibiting properties to minimize unwanted odors, especially during intense physical activity. Additionally, some models offer UV protection, making them ideal for outdoor activities.

[0004] Functional underwear is versatile and provides an important foundation for activities such as hiking, skiing, running, cycling and more.

[0005] The knitted baselayers of interest here can be made from a variety of materials and construction methods, and knitting is one of the ways it can be manufactured. Most knitted baselayers are made from synthetic or technical fibers such as polyester, nylon, or merino wool. These materials are often processed in special knitting patterns to achieve desired properties such as moisture management, temperature regulation, and breathability.

[0006] Knitted baselayers can feel particularly comfortable against the skin if they are preferably at least partially seamless to minimize friction and irritation. Individual pieces are knitted seamlessly and tubularly. The choice of material and knitting pattern depends on the intended use. For example, merino wool can provide natural insulation and odor control, while synthetic fibers such as polyester can offer better moisture wicking and drying properties.

[0007] The knitted functional underwear currently commercially available is poorly designed for use under a racing suit for racing drivers and, for example, for astronauts in space. Neither the strength, abrasion resistance, flame retardancy, nor comfort are satisfactorily met according to these requirements. Neither the knitting patterns used nor the knitted material can produce the desired robustness of knitted functional underwear. Description of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to develop a flame-retardant knitted functional underwear which is optimized for use under a racing suit or an astronaut suit and has improved properties in the areas of strength, abrasion resistance and, above all, flame protection, while still offering greater wearing comfort than known functional underwear.

[0009] This goal is achieved by choosing and combining a special yarn and an optimized 3D knitting structure.

[0010] Variations of feature combinations or minor adaptations of the invention can be found in the detailed description, illustrated in the figures and included in the dependent patent claims. Short description of the drawings

[0011] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the following description of slightly modified embodiments of the invention, which will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the drawings alone. Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a knitted functional underwear with several knitting patterns and a base yarn, while Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the knitted functional underwear, partially cut away from the outside. Figure 1Figure 3a shows a schematic view of a single raised-knit hollow form on a knitted surface of the base yarn. Figure 3b shows an embodiment of the 3D knitted structure with hexagonally arranged hollow forms in a top view of the knitted surface, while Figure 3c shows a 3D knitted structure with elongated hollow forms aligned differently parallel to one another, and Figure 3d shows a top view of a plurality of hollow forms arranged in a uniform rectangular pattern. Description

[0012] The knitted functional underwear presented here, usually seamless and single-layered, at least in part, is knitted with a special multifilament yarn in a base knit structure along at least several areas in a novel 3D knit structure. This multifilament yarn forms the base yarn of the functional underwear and can also be knitted with other, different yarns in certain sections. Seamlessly knitted tubular parts of the functional underwear are joined to form an upper and lower part. The special multifilament yarn can be used exclusively in some areas of the functional underwear and can be interlaced with an additional, different yarn during the knitting process in other areas. The functional underwear is primarily flame-retardant.

[0013] Since different areas are less exposed to elevated temperatures and / or additional functions such as moisture wicking or breathability are desired, the yarn mix and knitting pattern may vary in these areas, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 recognizable.

[0014] The basic knit made of special multifilament yarn has a 3D knitting structure, which is created by the knitting pattern used, knitted on a circular knitting machine.

[0015] The additional functional knit structures are knitted into the functional underwear from the multifilament yarn alone, mixed with other yarns, or from a different yarn, as evident from the differently structured and colored sections of the functional underwear. Here, the correspondingly different functional knit structures are knitted into the elbows, spine, chest, genitals, and backs of the knees.

[0016] This 3D knitted structure made from the special multifilament yarn comprises knitted hollow shapes with air pockets. These hollow shapes are created during the knitting process as elongated elements, i.e., longer than they are wide and thus tubular or hose-shaped. Due to the air pockets and tubular shape, these hollow shapes protrude from the knitted surface, forming raised hollow shapes. Distributed across the functional underwear, this 3D knitted structure forms the base fabric made from the multifilament yarn defined in more detail below. A plurality of hollow shapes is preferably homogeneous and distributed in a regularly repeating pattern across the functional underwear.

[0017] Due to the 3D knitting structure, knitted hollow forms with air inclusions, which are arranged in different hollow pattern, lie directly on the skin of the user, i.e. protruding towards the skin side from the knitted surface of the base yarn. The user's skin is in Figure 3a indicated by the thick black line. This hollow pattern comprises a plurality of knitted hollow shapes, thereby forming the 3D knitted structure. The elongated hollow shapes and the knitted surface are formed by the multifilament yarn, as schematically shown in Figure 3a In addition to hollow forms that are open at the bottom, these can also be knitted with the knitted surface or form part of the knitted surface, which is shown in the scheme of Fig. 3a was indicated.

[0018] The majority of the hollow shapes should be evenly distributed over the surface in at least one area of ​​the functional underwear. Figure 3bis a hexagonal structure of hollow shapes, each with a hollow shape at the center, as indicated by the dashed hexagon, shown as an example. However, the hollow shape in the center can also be omitted. All raised hollow shapes face the skin of the wearer when the functional underwear is worn.

[0019] In Figure 3c are longer than in Figure 3b Hollow shapes are shown in different orientations rotated relative to each other. Here, too, air inclusions within the hollow shapes, as well as in the rows between them, are beneficial for the flame retardancy.

[0020] Of course, the knitted production offers especially regular patterns, which can be seen on a rectangular pattern made up of a variety of hollow shapes in Figure 3d As indicated, a parallelogram arrangement can also be defined with or without a central hollow shape.

[0021] The individual hollow forms can be spaced and aligned or touching each other or partially connected as in Figure 3c As shown, they should be arranged raised above the knitted surface of the base yarn. It is important to create air channels between the knitted surface and the user's skin.

[0022] All 3D structures should be knitted over a large area, distributed in at least one area of ​​the functional underwear, especially in areas of the functional underwear that are exposed to flames, i.e. preferably in areas where higher heat loads occur, i.e. where the flame-retardant effect is particularly required.

[0023] The finished functional underwear is preferably worn directly against the skin under racing suits or astronaut clothing. The 3D knit structure significantly increases the surface area in contact with the air and the body, significantly increasing heat and flame resistance. The special 3D knit structure creates a better microclimate and enhances flame-retardant performance for a driver or astronaut.

[0024] To enhance the performance of the finished functional underwear, the base yarn used is a multifilament yarn consisting of at least 80 to 120 individual yarn filaments. The number of individual yarn filaments in the multifilament yarn is preferably greater than 100, and particularly preferably 115 + / - 5 individual yarn filaments in one strand of the multifilament yarn. Due to the high number of individual yarn filaments, the multifilament yarn exhibits extremely high strength.

[0025] Since the yarn filaments are produced by extrusion, the average diameters of the individual yarn filaments are typically between 50 micrometers and 200 micrometers and the average diameter of the processed multifilament yarn is typically between 0.8 mm and 1.6 mm.

[0026] Thinner multifilament yarns with Tex values ​​ranging from 50 to a maximum of 200 are used to manufacture this functional underwear. Tex is a metric unit and measures the weight in grams of 1000 meters of yarn.

[0027] Additionally, the individual yarn filaments are preferably twisted or braided together, resulting in a stranded multifilament yarn, which increases the cohesion of the yarn filaments and further enhances the overall strength. This can be achieved by high-twist or air-texturing or air-entangling.

[0028] The chemical composition of the resulting multifilament yarn is close to the protein structure of wasp spider silk, resulting in robust and ultimately flame-retardant multifilament yarn composed of the following yarn filaments in weight percent of the resulting multifilament yarn: 50wt% to 60wt% viscose filament, a chemical fiber made from cellulose, which is also called rayon, preferably > 55wt%, most preferably 56wt%, 20wt% to 30wt% aramid filament, preferably between 20wt% and 25wt%, most preferably 23wt%, where aramid is defined as a polyamide with aromatic groups in the main chain, in which at least 85% of the amide groups are directly bonded to two aromatic rings. Meta-aramids (e.g. Nomex®< from DuPont or Teijinconex®< from Teijin Aramid), para-aramids (e.g. Kevlar®< from DuPont), and para-aramid copolymers (Technora®< from Teijin Aramid) can be used as aramid. 10wt% to 20wt% polyamide filament, preferably between 15wt% and 20wt%, most preferably 17wt%, wherein the polyamide is preferably PA 6.6 = polyhexamethylene adipamide and / or PA 6 = polycaprolactam and / or PA14 = polytetradecanamide and / or PA11 = polyaminoundecanedioamide and / or PA12 = polylaurolactam.1wt% to 5wt% elastane filament, mostly preferably 3wt%, i.e. an elastomer filament that consists of at least 85% by weight polyurethane and is therefore abbreviated to PUE (for PolyUrethane Elastic) and 0.1wt% to 2wt% carbon fibers or carbon fibers, mostly preferably 1wt%. of the total weight of the resulting multifilament yarn with advantageously 80 to 120 individual yarn filaments made of the different materials.

[0029] The chemical and physical properties of the individual yarn filaments along and across the fiber longitudinal direction or fiber orientation are different, which is why the individual yarn filaments and the multifilament yarn can be described as anisotropic.

[0030] The nature of the multifilament yarn, the strand formation, and the chemical composition described above effectively prevent heat conduction. The slightly textured surface of the multifilament yarn offers little surface area for flames to attack, thus providing a flame-retardant effect. This flame-resistant multifilament yarn has no melting point, so there is no risk of burns from hot, liquid plastic. The material only carbonizes at temperatures above 400°C.

[0031] The properties of the multifilament yarn alone can achieve a flame-retardant effect. Combining the multifilament yarn with the 3D structures described above, with a plurality of hollow shapes distributed throughout the single-layer functional underwear, results in flame-retardant functional underwear optimized for racing drivers and astronauts.

[0032] Elements such as cuffs on arms and legs, the collar and the waistband of the trousers are not provided in the form of 3D knitting with hollow shapes, but are knitted in a different way, possibly with additional yarn.

[0033] It is advantageous to knit compression bandages along the knitted leg lengths, formed from multifilament yarn or other yarns, or even knitted silicone or latex inserts. These compression bandages spiral around the entire upper and / or lower legs.

Claims

1. Knitted functional underwear with flame-retardant properties made from a base yarn and a basic knitted structure along at least one area of ​​the functional underwear, with several additional areas having different functional knitted structures being knitted in, characterized in thatthe knitted single-layer functional underwear predominantly forms a 3D knitted structure knitted with the base yarn, which comprises a plurality of knitted raised hollow shapes with air inclusions, i.e. tubular or hose-shaped and thus longer than wide hollow shapes, knitted into the knitting process, and the base yarn of the 3D knitted structure is formed from a multifilament yarn of - between 80 and 120 individual yarn filaments, and wherein the total weight of the multifilament yarn is proportionally from: - 50wt% to 60wt% viscose filament, preferably > 55wt%, - 20wt% to 30wt% aramid filament, preferably 20wt% and 25wt%, - 10wt% to 20wt% polyamide filament, preferably between 15wt% and 20wt%, - 1wt% to 5wt% elastane filament, most preferably 3wt% and - 0.1wt% to 2wt% carbon fibers, preferably 1wt%.

2. Knitted functional underwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of hollow shapes are homogeneous and distributed in a regular repeating pattern over the functional underwear.

3. Knitted functional underwear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the knitted raised hollow shapes with air inclusions are knitted in such a way that they project from a knitted surface of the base yarn towards the skin side of a wearer when the functional underwear is worn.

4. Knitted functional underwear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least parts of the functional underwear and the plurality of hollow shapes are seamlessly knitted in during the knitting process on a circular knitting machine. ​5. Knitted functional underwear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow shapes with air inclusions of the knitted 3D structure are arranged in a hexagonal structure of hollow shapes with or without a hollow shape in the center.

6. Knitted functional underwear according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multifilament yarn comprises 115 (+ / -5) individual yarn filaments.

7. Flame retardant multifilament yarn, characterized in that the multifilament yarn is formed from between 80 and 120 individual yarn filaments, the yarn filaments making up the following proportions in weight percent of the resulting multifilament yarn: - 50wt% to 60wt% viscose filament, preferably > 55wt%, - 20wt% to 30wt% aramid filament, preferably 20wt% and 25wt%, - 10wt% to 20wt% polyamide filament, preferably between 15wt% and 20wt%, - 1wt% to 5wt% elastane filament, most preferably 3wt% and - 0.1wt% to 2wt% carbon fibers, preferably 1wt%.

8. Flame-retardant multifilament yarn according to claim 7, wherein the multifilament yarn comprises 115 (+ / -5) individual yarn filaments.

9. The flame-retardant multifilament yarn according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the average filament diameters of the individual yarn filaments are between 50 micrometers and 200 micrometers, and the individual yarn filaments are twisted or braided together so that the multifilament yarn has a stranded configuration.

10. Flame-retardant multifilament yarn according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the average diameters of the processed multifilament yarn are between 0.8 mm and 1.6 mm.

11. Flame-retardant multifilament yarn according to one of claims 7 to 10, which has Tex values ​​between 50 and 200 Tex.

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