towel

Abstract

To provide a printed towel which can be applied not only to a polyester yarn but also to various kinds of yarns and can precisely express a pattern of a predetermined color tone.SOLUTION: The towel 1 has a pile fabric 2, a non-pile area 4 formed in the pile fabric 2 and having no pile on the surface, and a pattern part 5 having a pattern formed by DTF printing in the non-pile area 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a towel having a printed design. [Background technology]

[0002] Towels have a pile surface formed by pile yarns protruding from the surface, and are soft to the touch, highly absorbent, and popular as cloth personal items. To enhance the design, patterns are sometimes expressed using threads of different colors. Patent Document 1 proposes a towel with a pattern expressed by dye sublimation transfer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-216762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By using dye sublimation transfer, such as that described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to create delicate designs that are not possible with screen printing. In addition, because images can be created by printing onto dye sublimation transfer paper, it is also suitable for printing on towels produced in small quantities.

[0005] However, the dyes used in sublimation transfer are only compatible with certain thread materials, and do not adhere to cotton, the main type of thread used in towels. Patent Document 1 lists polyester fiber, polypropylene fiber, acrylic fiber, nylon fiber, etc., but in practice, only polyester fiber is used, and polyester microfiber is used to create detailed patterns like those in photographs.

[0006] In addition, with dye sublimation transfer, the pattern printed on the dye transfer paper is not necessarily transferred to the fabric exactly as it is, and the color may change depending on how the dye adheres. Furthermore, if the fabric itself has color, the color of the fabric may show through even after transfer, and the expected color may not be achieved.

[0007] To provide a printed towel which is applicable to various kinds of yarns, not limited to polyester yarns, and which can precisely express a pattern of a predetermined color. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the towel of this invention has a pile fabric, a non-pile area formed in the pile fabric where no pile is formed on the surface, and a patterned area in the non-pile area where a pattern is formed by DTF printing. The non-pile area is preferably formed of a full-grain weave, a hidden weave, a plain weave, a satin weave, or a gauze weave. Cotton yarn can also be used as the thread. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The handkerchief of this invention can display designs on a variety of fabrics, including cotton. The design adheres well to the fabric without waviness and is highly resistant to washing. Furthermore, the design printed on the plate is faithfully printed on the towel, making it easy to design. Once the design is decided, a transfer sheet can be easily created, making it suitable for small-scale production. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a towel. [Figure 2] 1 is a weave diagram showing the weaving of a non-pile region in Example 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the knitting structure of the fabric in Comparative Example 2. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the fabric in Comparative Example 2. [Figure 6] 10 is a weave diagram showing the weaving of the non-pile region in Example 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a weave diagram showing the weaving of the non-pile region in Example 3. [Figure 8] 10 is a weave diagram showing the weaving of the non-pile region in Example 4. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a weave diagram showing the weaving of the non-pile region in Example 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a towel;

[0012] The towel 1 to which this invention is applied is a cloth personal item used in daily life, and includes towels such as towel handkerchiefs and face towels, as well as large towels such as sports towels and bath towels.

[0013] The fabric 2 of the main body is a pile fabric. The yarns constituting the pile fabric may be cotton yarns, synthetic fibers such as polyester yarns, or a mixture of these. Because the fabric 2 is a pile fabric, it has a pile region 3 where the pile protrudes from the surface.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, the fabric 2 has non-pile areas 4 on the surface where no pile fibers protrude. The non-pile areas 4 must be recognizable as having no protruding pile fibers, and do not include short pile fibers. The non-pile areas 4 can be formed, for example, using a full-length weave, a hidden weave, a plain weave, a satin weave, or a gauze weave.

[0015] A pattern portion 5 is formed within the non-pile region 4, with a printed design. In the present invention, the pattern portion 5 is formed by DTF printing. DTF stands for Direct to Film, and is a method of creating a transfer sheet by directly printing a special film with aqueous pigment ink using an inkjet printer. The design is printed on the film with aqueous pigment ink, then printed on top with white ink, and a heat-melting adhesive powder is applied. The adhesive powder is then heated to melt, forming an adhesive layer, thereby obtaining a transfer sheet. This transfer sheet is then placed on fabric and heat-pressed using a heat press, which melts the adhesive layer again and transfers the design to the fabric.

[0016] DTF printing allows you to create transfer sheets directly by printing onto film with a printer, making it easy to produce small quantities and even printing just one sheet. The white ink forms a base, making it difficult for the fabric to show through in the printed area, and the colors of the design printed on the transfer sheet are faithfully reproduced.

[0017] DTF printing also allows for precise printing of images and can display photographs and small point-size text.

[0018] Example 1 A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. This is an example in which a non-pile region is formed by a full-length ochi weave. The yarns used in this example are as follows: Warp: 40 / 2 cotton thread Weft: 20 / 2 cotton thread Pile yarn: 30 / 1 cotton yarn These yarns are woven into pile fabric using a reed 52 and a weft 52. 2 is a weave diagram showing the weave of the non-pile region in Example 1. This weave forms a flat surface with no pile protruding from the surface. The areas other than the non-pile area are made of normal pile weave.

[0019] DTF printing was performed on the non-pile region thus formed. The pattern was printed well in the resulting pattern portion. A wash resistance test was performed on the pattern portion of the resulting towel. The test method was JIS L1930C4M hanging, repeated five times, and was carried out by the Japan Textile Products Quality and Technology Center, a general incorporated foundation. As a result, the pattern portion of this example was rated as "good" with no waviness or the like.

[0020] It should be noted that the yarns shown in this example are merely examples, and other yarns may also be used. For example, pile yarns may range from 10 / 1 to 40 / 1 for single yarns and 20 / 2 to 100 / 2 for two-ply yarns. The same applies to warp and weft yarns. Furthermore, the yarn material is not limited to cotton yarn, and polyester yarn or mixed yarns may also be used. Other examples of the present invention will be described later, and although cotton yarns are used for all of the warp, weft, and pile yarns in these examples, the yarn material and thickness can be selected appropriately depending on the type of towel to be used.

[0021] (Comparative Example 1) The first comparative example will be described. The yarn used was the same, but a pattern was formed in a pile area formed by normal pile weaving. The pattern was formed by DTF printing using the same type of transfer sheet as used in Example 1. A wash resistance test for the pattern in Comparative Example 1 was also conducted in the same manner as in Example 1. In this example, wavyness was observed on the printed surface of the pattern, and it was judged to be "poor." After DTF printing, the pattern was well displayed in the pattern, and it appeared that the towel could be manufactured as is. However, by deliberately conducting a rigorous wash resistance test, it was discovered that the towel in Comparative Example 1 had problems with wash resistance.

[0022] (Comparative Example 2) A second comparative example will now be described. The pile fabric in Example 2 is a pile fabric with a circular knitting structure. Fig. 3 shows the first side, and Fig. 4 shows the second side. The first pile yarn L1 is a polyester long fiber yarn, and uses a 75 denier / 36 split yarn. The second pile yarn L2 uses a 32 count single cotton yarn. The pile stop yarn L3 is a 40 denier / 36 filament polyester, and the bobbin yarn L4 is a 75 denier / 36 filament polyester. These yarns were used for circular knitting at a density of 28 gauge (rows) per inch on a circular knitting machine.

[0023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the fabric. The first side (upper side in Figure 5) has a looped pile made of polyester first pile yarn, and shearing is performed on this first side. A pattern is formed on this first side by DTF printing.

[0024] A wash resistance test of the design portion of Comparative Example 2 was also conducted in the same manner as in Example 1. In this example, waviness was observed on the printed surface of the design portion after one printing run, and after five printing runs, the waviness became significant, and all were rated as "poor." A good design portion was formed on the first surface of Comparative Example 2 using dye sublimation transfer, but a good design portion with wash resistance was not obtained using DTF printing. In Comparative Example 2, the design appeared well in the design portion after DTF printing, and it appeared that the towel could be manufactured as is. However, by deliberately conducting a rigorous wash resistance test, it was discovered that the towel of Comparative Example 2 also had problems with wash resistance.

[0025] Example 2 A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. This is an example in which a non-pile area is formed by a hidden weave. Figure 6 is a weave diagram showing the weave of the non-pile area in Example 2. This weave prevents the pile yarns from appearing on the surface, creating a flat surface. A pattern was formed in the non-pile area thus formed by DTF printing. A good pattern can be formed in the non-pile area thus formed by DTF printing.

[0026] Example 3 A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. This is an example in which a non-pile region is formed using a flat weave. Figure 7 is a weave diagram showing the weave of the non-pile region in Example 3. This weave prevents the pile from protruding, forming a flat surface. A pattern was formed in the non-pile region thus formed by DTF printing. A good pattern can be formed in the non-pile region thus formed by DTF printing.

[0027] Example 4 A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. This is an example in which a non-pile region is formed using a satin weave. Figure 8 is a weave diagram showing the weave of the non-pile region in Example 4. This weave prevents the pile from protruding, forming a flat surface. A pattern was formed in the non-pile region thus formed by DTF printing. A good pattern can be formed in the non-pile region thus formed by DTF printing.

[0028] Example 5 A fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. This is an example in which a non-pile region is formed using a gauze weave. Figure 9 is a weave diagram showing the weaving of the non-pile region in Example 5. This is an example of a double-woven gauze weave. This weave prevents the pile from protruding, forming a flat surface. A good pattern can be formed in the non-pile region thus formed using DTF printing.

[0029] In the case of double-woven gauze, if the non-pile area is large, the two gauze layers tend to separate. In such cases, appropriate fastenings are inserted. Figure 9(b) is a weave diagram showing a weave with a large non-pile area. The areas indicated by circles are fastenings. By inserting fastenings in various places like this, the two gauze layers are connected and a unity is achieved.

[0030] The above examples show examples of non-pile areas. These examples can be implemented on a normal towel loom. In the above examples, cotton yarn is used, and although it appears in the non-pile areas, good patterns can be formed using DTF printing without any problems.

[0031] The towel of the present invention has a pile region in addition to a non-pile region. Because it has a pile region, it has excellent water absorbency and a pleasant feel, similar to ordinary towels. The pile region may be provided on the same side as the non-pile region, on the opposite side, or on both sides. The non-pile region may be provided in one location or in multiple locations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1. Towel 2. Fabric 3. Pile section 4. Non-pile section 5. Design section

Claims

1. The towel has a pile fabric, a non-pile area formed in the pile fabric on the surface where no pile is formed, and a patterned part in the non-pile area where a pattern is formed by DTF printing.

2. 2. The towel according to claim 1, wherein the non-pile region is formed by a full weave, a hidden weave, a plain weave, a satin weave or a gauze weave.

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