Jersey fabrics and clothing

Abstract

To provide a jersey fabric that is soft, lightweight, breathable and has sufficient strength, and to provide clothing made from the jersey fabric. [Solution] A jersey fabric is provided which comprises a single-layer portion consisting of a single piece of knitted fabric and a multi-layer portion which has a two-layer structure consisting of a lining and an outer layer, the single-layer portion and the multi-layer portion being periodically repeated in a two-dimensional direction, the multi-layer portion having a hollow portion between the lining and the outer layer, and adjacent single-layer portions being separated by the multi-layer portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a jersey fabric that is soft, lightweight, breathable, and has sufficient strength, and to clothing made from the jersey fabric. [Background technology]

[0002] Jersey fabric is a knitted fabric, and due to its stretchability and other properties, it is used for a wide variety of purposes such as underwear, outerwear, sportswear, workwear, etc. (see Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-002283 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, due to the effects of global warming, summer temperatures can exceed 40°C. The number of times and areas with high temperatures is expanding, especially in urban areas, making it urgent to take measures to prevent heatstroke in everyday life.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a jersey fabric that is soft, lightweight, breathable, and has sufficient strength, and a garment made from the jersey fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a jersey fabric comprising a single-layer portion made of one knitted fabric and a multi-layer portion having a two-layer structure of a lining and a surface, the single-layer portion and the multi-layer portion being periodically and repeatedly arranged in a two-dimensional direction, the multi-layer portion having a hollow portion between the lining and the surface, and the adjacent single-layer portions being separated by the multi-layer portion. The size of the stitches of the single layer portion is larger than the size of the stitches of the outer fabric of the multi-layer portion. Jersey fabric provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a jersey fabric that is soft, lightweight, breathable, and has sufficient strength, and a garment made from the jersey fabric. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance (surface) of a knitted fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] Enlarged photograph of the surface of a jersey fabric according to one embodiment (surface illuminated) [Figure 4] Enlarged photograph of the surface of a jersey fabric according to one embodiment (backside lighting) [Figure 5] Enlarged photograph of a cross section of a jersey fabric according to one embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a garment made of a knitted fabric according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] -Jersey fabric- Fig. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the surface of a jersey fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the jersey fabric. Fig. 2 corresponds to the cross section taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged photographs of the surface of a jersey fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention. The photographs in Figs. 3 and 4 were taken under different conditions so that the surface shape of the jersey fabric could be seen. The photograph in Fig. 3 was taken in front light so that the surface (appearance) could be seen, and the photograph in Fig. 4 was taken in back light so that the stitches could be seen. Fig. 5 is an enlarged photograph of a cross section of a jersey fabric according to one embodiment.

[0011] The jersey fabric 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 is a knitted polyester fabric. The polyester fibers that make up the jersey fabric 1 are water-repellent fibers that have been treated with a water-repellent agent, and the surface of each fiber is coated with a water-repellent agent. The jersey fabric 1 comprises a single-layer portion 2 having a single layer structure made of a single knitted fabric, and a multi-layer portion 3 having a two-layer structure made of a lining 3a and a front 3b. The single-layer portion 2 and the multi-layer portion 3 are periodically and repeatedly arranged in two dimensions (vertically and horizontally) as shown in Figure 1. A single knitted fabric refers to a knitted fabric whose front and back surfaces are not separated. For example, even if the knitted fabric itself is two-layered, if the loops of the front layer and the loops of the back layer are connected or interlocked as a whole, this will be referred to as a single layer, not a multi-layer, in this specification.

[0012] In this embodiment, the multi-layer portion 3 is connected in a mesh or lattice pattern as shown in FIG. 1, and each mesh portion of the multi-layer portion 3 forms a single-layer portion 2. Each single-layer portion 2 is completely surrounded by the multi-layer portion 3, and adjacent single-layer portions 2 are separated by the multi-layer portion 3. Per unit area of ​​the jersey fabric 1, the single-layer portion 2 has an area equal to or more than half that of the multi-layer portion 3, and in this embodiment, the areas of the single-layer portions 2 and the multi-layer portions 3 are approximately the same. In the cross section of FIG. 2, the single-layer portions 2 and the multi-layer portions 3 are alternately formed at a pitch of several millimeters. Since the single-layer portion 2 is made of a single knitted fabric, the stitches are open in a mesh-like pattern, resulting in a highly breathable structure. In contrast, the multi-layer portion 3 is made of two knitted fabrics, a lining 3a and a front 3b, and therefore has lower breathability but greater strength than the single-layer portion 2.

[0013] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stitch sizes of the single-layer section 2 and the multi-layer section 3 are approximately the same. However, for example, the stitch size of the single-layer section 2 may be relatively large and the stitch size of the multi-layer section 3 (or its outer surface 3b) may be relatively small. In this case, the stitch size of the multi-layer section 3 can be set within a range in which the surface tension that forms water into beads due to the water-repellent effect of the water-repellent fiber exceeds the force that draws water into the stitches due to capillary action. On the other hand, when the stitch size of the single-layer section 2 is set relatively large, the stitch size can be set within a range in which the surface tension that forms water into beads due to the water-repellent effect of the water-repellent fiber does not exceed the force that draws water into the stitches due to capillary action. In other words, the stitch size of the single-layer section 2 may be large enough not to firmly hold water droplets, for example, approximately 0.1-0.3 mm. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the yarn that constitutes the single-layer section 2 may be approximately the same as that of the yarn that constitutes the multi-layer section 3 (or its outer surface 3b), or it may be thinner than the yarn that constitutes the multi-layer section 3. In this case, the stitches of the single layer part 2 knitted with thin yarn are opened larger by the difference in yarn thickness compared to the stitches of the multi-layer part 3 knitted with thick yarn, thereby further improving breathability.

[0014] The surface (front surface) of the jersey fabric 1 is an uneven surface with the multi-layer portion 3 protruding from the single-layer portion 2, whereas the lining 3a of the multi-layer portion 3 is flat and continuous with the single-layer portion 2, and the back surface of the jersey fabric 1 is an entirely flat surface. Needless to say, the jersey fabric 1 is a flexible material, and "flat" here means that when the jersey fabric 1 is placed on a flat surface such as a desk, the back surface will lie flat along the flat surface. The jersey fabric 1 is formed by knitting a single knitted fabric together with a mesh-like outer fabric 3b, and the portion where the single knitted fabric is knitted together with the outer fabric 3b to form two layers can be considered to be the multi-layer portion 3, and the portion where the single knitted fabric is exposed without overlapping with the outer fabric 3b can be considered to be the single-layer portion 2. In other words, the portion of the single knitted fabric facing the outer fabric 3b is the lining 3a of the multi-layer portion 3, and the portion of the single knitted fabric excluding the lining 3a is the single-layer portion 2. In Figure 5, the single layer portion 2 appears thick due to the disorder of the cut and frayed yarn fibers, but as can be seen from Figure 4, the single layer portion 2 has the fabric structure shown in Figure 2. The lining 3a of the multi-layer portion 3 (the flat surface of the jersey fabric 1 excluding the single layer portion 2) has a smaller area than the outer layer 3b, and the difference in area causes the outer layer 3b to bulge out in a dome shape compared to the flat lining 3a.

[0015] The outer fabric 3b of the mesh-like multilayer portion 3 is connected to the lining fabric 3a at the outline (inner periphery) of the mesh, and the portions between the mesh are not connected to the lining fabric 3a, leaving a hollow space 3c between the lining fabric 3a and the outer fabric 3b. After knitting, the jersey fabric 1 is heat-treated at a temperature (e.g., approximately 120-180°C) above the glass transition point of polyester (70°C) and below the melting point of polyester (225°C). This stabilizes the shape of the polyester fiber in the curved shape of the outer fabric 3b, and stably maintains the hollow space 3c of the multilayer portion 3. The hollow space 3c is filled with nothing other than air. The multilayer portion 3 also plays a role in ensuring the strength of the jersey fabric 1.

[0016] -Clothing- FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a garment made from jersey fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention. The garment 10 shown in the figure is made from jersey fabric 1. While the figure shows athletic shorts as an example of the garment 10, it goes without saying that long jersey pants and athletic wear worn on the upper body can also be made from jersey fabric 1. Furthermore, jersey fabric 1 can be applied to a variety of garments, not just athletic wear, such as various types of workwear, loungewear, and sleepwear. When using jersey fabric 1 for garments, it is desirable to have the textured surface facing outward and the flat back surface in contact with the skin.

[0017] -effect- (1) The jersey fabric 1 has a structure in which a mesh-like single-layer portion 2 and a multi-layer portion 3 consisting of two knitted fabrics are alternately arranged in a two-dimensional direction. Therefore, the single-layer portion 2 ensures excellent flexibility, breathability, and lightness, while the multi-layer portion 3 compensates for the strength that may be lacking in the thin single-layer portion 2 alone, ensuring sufficient strength for the entire fabric. In addition, unlike fabric structures in which multiple knitted fabrics are layered by bonding opposing surfaces together and the multiple knitted fabrics block each other's stitches, the multi-layer portion 3 has a structure in which the single-layer lining 3a and outer fabric 3b are separated by a hollow portion 3c. Therefore, the lining 3a and outer fabric 3b do not block each other's stitches, and the decrease in breathability due to the multiple knitted fabrics is suppressed. Thus, according to this embodiment, a jersey fabric 1 can be provided that is soft, lightweight, breathable, and has sufficient strength.

[0018] A tensile test based on the JIS L 1096 strip method was conducted on jersey fabric 1, and good results were obtained: warp (wale) direction = 396.0 (N) / weft (course) direction = 313.0 (N) (standard values: warp = 200 (N) / weft = 200 (N)). A tear test based on the JIS L 1096 pendulum method also gave good results: warp (wale) direction = 45.9 (N) or more / weft (course) direction = 55.7 (N) (standard values: thin fabric = 7 (N) / thick fabric = 10 (N)).

[0019] (2) The multi-layer portion 3 has a two-layer structure consisting of a lining 3a and an outer layer 3b, making it difficult to see through, and the presence of such multi-layer portion 3 throughout the jersey fabric 1 also has the advantage of making it difficult to see through. In an evaluation of the ultraviolet ray blocking rate based on JIS L 1925, a good result of 95.6% was obtained for wavelengths of 290 to 400 nm.

[0020] (3) While soft knitted fabrics are generally prone to pilling, the jersey fabric 1 of this embodiment has the advantage that the shape of the hollow portions 3c is stabilized by separately treating the polyester, and also has the advantage of being less prone to pilling. In the pilling evaluation based on the JIS L 1076A method, a good result of grade 5 was obtained.

[0021] (4) For example, typical jerseys used as sportswear are made of flat fabric and cannot express patterns without using color, whereas the garment 10 of this embodiment has a unique aesthetic appearance because the uneven surface of the jersey fabric 1 itself becomes the pattern. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 1...jersey fabric, 2...single layer portion, 3...multi-layer portion, 3a...lining, 3b...outer fabric, 3c...hollow portion, 10...garment

Claims

1. A jersey fabric comprising a single-layer portion consisting of one knitted fabric and a multi-layer portion having a two-layer structure consisting of a lining and a surface, the single-layer portion and the multi-layer portion being periodically and repeatedly arranged in a two-dimensional direction, The multi-layer portion has a hollow portion between the lining and the outer layer, The adjacent single-layer portions are separated by the multi-layer portion, The size of the stitches of the single-layer portion is larger than the size of the stitches of the outer fabric of the multi-layer portion. Jersey fabric.

2. 2. The jersey fabric according to claim 1, wherein the lining of the multi-layered portion has a smaller area than the outer fabric, and the lining is flat while the outer fabric is dome-shaped.

3. A jersey fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size of the stitches in the single layer portion is 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

4. The jersey fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the multi-layered portion is connected in a mesh or lattice pattern.

5. The jersey fabric according to claim 4, wherein the single layer portion has an area equal to or greater than half of the multi-layer portion.

6. A garment made from the jersey fabric of claim 1.

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