Seamless-knit sports garment with three climate-regulating elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a sports garment (0), comprising one or more seamlessly knitted fabric sections, which together compose a textile layer (1) knitted from at least two different yarns. The purpose of the invention is to regulate the core temperature of a user. This is achieved in that the textile layer (1) is composed of a main knitted fabric component having a first climate element in the form of a knitted fabric component with a textile outer surface (10) made from a hydrophilic outer surface yarn (101) and with a textile skin contact surface (11), knitted using a hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn, in particular made of polyester, and facing inwards from the textile layer (1), and additionally is composed of knitted regions made of a second climate-regulating element (2), knitted in with in each case a multiplicity of spatial loops (20) composed of the skin contact surface yarn and projecting inwards away from the textile skin contact surface (11), wherein the spatial loops (20) project from the textile layer (1) in the direction of the skin of a user, and additionally is composed of a third climate-regulating element (3) with at least one air channel (30), said air channel being knitted in so as to be guided partially or completely through at least one second climate-regulating element (2) or being guided adjacently thereto.

Description

[0001] Seamless knit sportswear with three climate control elements

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention describes a sportswear garment comprising one or more seamless knitted sections, which together form a textile layer knitted from at least two different yarns.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Seamless knits, also known as non-woven knits, are knitted fabrics, primarily used for sportswear or underwear, that are manufactured without seams or visible connections. Seamless sportswear made from these fabrics is characterized by a close fit to the body and the absence of visible seams, which not only provides an aesthetically pleasing look but also increases wearing comfort. Seamless knits consist of at least one knitted layer of fabric, which can also be made of multiple layers.

[0006] The goal is to create a knitted sportswear garment that gives the wearer the feeling of a dry skin surface during physical activity. To achieve this, 3D structures such as channels, ribs, or the integration of pads or inserts have been tested. Essentially, suitable knitting patterns were sought, and additional 3D structures were incorporated into the knit fabric using the pads or inserts. In practice, however, perspiration doesn't dry quickly enough, and the knit fabric, including the 3D structures, becomes saturated with moisture quite rapidly. Simply combining a hydrophilic (water-attracting) and a hydrophobic (water-repellent) yarn in the knit fabric, or applying special finishes to the knit fabric, has not yet yielded satisfactory results.

[0007] One example is the use of pure cotton yarn where the inner layer is treated to be hydrophobic, while the outer layer is hydrophilic. This process results in knitted textile layers with different properties regarding water absorption and repellency. While such textiles can utilize the advantages of both water-repellent and water-attracting fibers, they do not yet achieve the aforementioned goal.

[0008] A hydrophilic yarn is a multi-filament yarn that has the ability to absorb or attract water. This property is achieved through the integration of hydrophilic fibers or coatings. One example of the use of hydrophilic yarns is in the production of medical gauze. Here, the hydrophilic yarn ensures that the gauze can absorb water, which is particularly important when used in medical applications. However, this does not create the feeling of dry skin during exercise.

[0009] Currently, it is not possible to create a seamless knit fabric that directly eliminates the feeling of dampness on an athlete's skin during the knitting process. For production and cost reasons, the use of additional sweat-wicking agents added to or attached to the knit fabric is to be avoided. The basic method of creating a seamless knit fabric from a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic yarn has not yet achieved the desired sweat wicking effect.

[0010] Our approach is to support the body in maintaining a core temperature of 37°C using technology. The resulting

[0011] The energy saved (P249773) can then be used for athletic performance instead of thermoregulation. We asked ourselves how we could improve thermoregulation using the latest technological developments. By observing polar bears and termites, we found inspiration in nature that helped us overcome the known disadvantages.

[0012] Description of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to create a sportswear garment comprising one or more seamless knitted sections, which supports the user in regulating their core temperature to 37 °C during athletic activity, thus improving climate control and enabling greater performance during athletic activity. The features according to the characterizing part of the first claim are required to achieve this objective.

[0014] Variations in feature combinations or minor adjustments to the invention can be found in the detailed description, illustrated in the figures, and included in the dependent patent claims.

[0015] Brief description of the drawings

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the following description of slightly modified versions.

[0018] P249773 Execution of the invention, which is partly clear to the person skilled in the art from the drawings alone. They are shown in

[0019] Figure 1a is a schematic front view of a knitted sportswear garment with a textile layer consisting of several seamless knitted sub-layers with several knitted-in climate control elements.

[0020] Figure 1b shows a schematic view of the knitted fabric of the textile layer from the later skin contact side with a smooth knit, comprising a hydrophilic outer surface yarn and a hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn, which runs distributed over the entire textile layer and is referred to as the first climate regulation element.

[0021] Figure lc shows a schematic view of the knitted fabric from the later skin contact side in the area of ​​a second climate control element designed as a loop area, comprising a large number of embroidered space loops.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the textile skin contact surface in the area of ​​a transition from the second climate control area as a loop area on the right to a third climate control area with an air channel on the left.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the textile layer lying on a skin surface, with two second climate control areas spaced apart from a third climate control area as an air channel, and air convection and liquid transport represented by arrows.

[0024] P249773 Description

[0025] A sportswear garment 0, comprising one or more seamless knitted sections, is described, which together form a textile layer 1 made of at least two different yarns, wherein the textile layer 1 has been industrially knitted using circular or flat knitting machines. Here, the sportswear garment 0 is shown as an example of outerwear.

[0026] Along the textile skin contact surface 11, which faces the user's skin, a two-part yarn mixture is knitted in as the first climate control element, along with a second climate control element 2 with a multitude of space loops 20 and a third climate control element 3 with several air channels 30. The second climate control elements 2 are shown schematically in darkened detail in Figure 1a, and the directly adjacent convection channels 30 are shown with dashed edges. The second climate control elements 2 and the third climate control elements 3 are arranged in areas of high perspiration.

[0027] The entire knitted textile layer 1 has a textile outer surface 10, which features various outer surface knitting patterns. A highly hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101 is arranged across the entire surface of the textile layer 1, and thus of the sportswear garment 0, pointing outwards. During the knitting process on the knitting machine, the outer surface yarn 101 is inserted and processed using the outer surface knitting pattern in such a way that the outer textile layer 1 forms an outer surface with the hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101 pointing outwards across its entire surface. In particular, a smooth knit is used.

[0028] P249773 A polyamide yarn is preferably used as the hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101, which is knitted in facing outwards and draws liquid away to the outside.

[0029] In addition to the hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101, a hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn 111 is always knitted in during the same knitting process, whereby this hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101 forms a textile skin contact surface 11, facing the body of a user when worn and lying directly on the skin 4 of the user.

[0030] The hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn 111, which is more hydrophobic than the outer surface yarn 101, points inwards from the textile skin contact surface 11.

[0031] Polyester 111 is preferably used as the hydrophobic yarn for the skin contact surface, as its molecular structure makes it prone to repelling water. Various yarns based on polyester threads are known and can be used here.

[0032] During the knitting process, preferably on a circular knitting machine, the more hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101 and the more hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn 111 are fed in simultaneously and knitted in with different knitting patterns, wherein the textile outer surface 10 is made more hydrophilic than the textile skin contact surface 11.

[0033] The textile outer surface 10, made of more hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101, and the textile skin contact surface 11, made of more hydrophobic skin contact yarn 111, draw sweat outwards through the textile layer 1. This push-pull effect brings the moisture to the outside of the textile outer surface 10 and increases the evaporation rate of the sweat. This results in improved cooling performance for the user or athlete. The textile skin contact surface 11 is shown in Figure 1b with both yarns as a smooth knit.

[0034] P249773 The textile layer 1 of this next generation comprises a basic knitted pattern made of a hygro-diffusive yarn sandwich as the first climate-regulating element, which actively distributes moisture from the inside out. The hygro-diffusive yarn sandwich necessarily consists of hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns, whereby the yarns wick moisture away from the body into a storage layer on the outer textile surface 10.

[0035] To increase comfort and the push-pull effect, in parts of the textile layer 1 the second climate control element 2 with a multitude of room loops 20 projecting inwards from the textile skin layer 11 is knitted in, and in some parts the third climate control element 3 in the form of several air channels 30 is knitted in adjacent to the multitude of room loops 20 and passing through the second climate element.

[0036] Figure 1c shows the second climate control area 2 with its multitude of space loops 20, viewed from the textile skin contact surface 11. This area is accordingly referred to as loop area 2, which is positioned on the textile layer 1 where the user typically sweats heavily. When worn, these space loops 20 extend from the textile layer 1 towards the skin 4. The height h of the space loops 20, as a distance from the outer surface yarn 101 or the knitted layer with outer surface yarn 101, is at least between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. The space loops 20 are formed from the skin contact yarn 111 during the knitting process.

[0037] The use of the two different yarns and the arrangement of climate control areas 2 with several space loops 20 already enhances the climate control effect of the sportswear 0 by transporting moisture to the outer textile surface 10.

[0038] P249773 Strategically placed areas with space loops 20 as a second climate control element 2 create a fur-like texture on the inside of the sportswear garment 0. This layer functions like the fur of a polar bear, providing insulation by trapping warm air directly against the skin and keeping it where it is needed.

[0039] Advanced technical knitting machines make it possible to create soft, space-filling loops in specific areas where the body perspires more. These space-filling loops create sponge-like surfaces that insulate and retain heat.

[0040] In the schematic top view of the textile skin contact surface 11 according to Figure 2, the third climate control element 3, with at least one knitted-in or recessed air channel 30 or convection channel 30, is arranged next to the second climate control element 2. The second climate control element 2 is part of the seamless knit and is clearly distinguishable from a base knit made of outer surface yarn 101 and skin contact surface yarn 111 by the large number of space loops 20. The skin contact surface knit pattern with loop formation can also be described as terry knit. However, the height of the space loops must exceed 0.5 mm. The dashed arrows in the second climate control element 2 indicate the increased moisture removal from the textile skin contact surface 11 away from the textile outer surface 10. The moisture is thus carried away perpendicularly from the skin.

[0041] The third climate control element 3, shown schematically here as an air channel 30 in Figure 2, is knitted as a smooth knit adjacent to the second climate control element 2 and runs more or less parallel to the skin surface when the textile layer 1 is worn. The tube-like air channel 30 creates a space between

[0042] P249773 Skin surface and textile skin contact surface 11 formed, whereby heat can flow into cooler areas by convection.

[0043] In order to achieve a sufficient effect, a plurality of convection channels 30 should be interwoven with second climate control elements 2, either partially or completely penetrating them or adjacent to them.

[0044] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the design of an air duct 30 between two areas, each with a plurality of space loops 20. The air ducts 30 can be linear, V-shaped, or X-shaped, running between or through second climate control elements 2. The adjacent plurality of space loops 20 forms the gap between the skin 4 and the base fabric of the air duct 30, which consists of the two yarn types. Natural convection can thus take place through the air ducts 30.

[0045] The hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101 is always more hydrophilic than a skin contact surface yarn 111. For example, discarded car tires are regenerated into high-quality hydrophilic outer surface yarns 101 in an environmentally friendly production process. This production method significantly reduces carbon emissions and does not rely on fossil resources.

[0046] Preferably, the hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101, in the form of polyamide 6,6 fibers, additionally comprises silver ions, which make the yarn bacteriostatic. The growth and reproduction of bacteria are thus inhibited by the addition of the silver ions.

[0047] The preferred hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101 has finenesses between 44 and 78 dtex, with 34 to 68 filaments per yarn thread. The unit of measurement dtex stands for decitex and indicates how many grams the

[0048] P249773 yarn weighs [weight] when it has a length of 10,000 meters. The structure specification indicates the number of filaments in the yarn per thread. This information is relevant for the strength and texture of the fabric or product made from this yarn. To increase sustainability, a recycled polyamide 6.6 fiber is preferably used as a component of the hydrophilic outer surface yarn 101, which is made from 100% recycled raw materials.

[0049] P249773 Reference numeral list

[0050] 0 sportswear item

[0051] 1 layer of textile,

[0052] (made from several seamless knitted layers, circular knitting, flat knitting, single or multi-layered, knitted with two yarns)

[0053] 10 Textile outer surface (knitted, hydrophilic, sweat-resistant)

[0054] 101 Outer surface yarn (hydrophilic, polyamide*) Outer surface knitting pattern, plain knit = smooth knit or «jersey»

[0055] 11 Textile skin contact surface (hydrophobic, sweat-wicking)

[0056] 111 Skin contact yarn (hydrophobic, polyester*)

[0057] 2. Second climate control element = loop area

[0058] 20 space loops (inner surface) h Height of the space loops (from 0.5mm, preferably less than 1mm)

[0059] 3 third climate regulation element

[0060] 30 air duct / convection duct

[0061] 4 skin

[0062] P249773

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sports clothing item (0) comprising one or more seamless knitted sections which together form a textile layer (1) knitted from at least two different yarns, characterized in that the textile layer (1) - from a first climate element as a knitted fabric with a textile outer surface (10) made of a hydrophilic outer surface yarn (101), in particular made of polyamide fibers with finenesses between 44 and 78 dtex, with 34 to 68 filaments per yarn thread and from a Textile skin contact surface (11), knitted with a hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn (111), in particular made of polyester, is formed from a base knit pointing inwards from the textile layer (1), additionally - knitted areas made of a second climate control element (2), each with a plurality of space loops (20) projecting inwards from the textile skin layer (11) formed by the skin layer yarn (111), wherein the space loops (20) project from the textile layer (1) towards the skin (4) of a user and additionally - a third climate control element (3) with at least one air channel (30), which is partially or completely knitted through or adjacent to at least a second climate control element (2).

2. Sports clothing item (0) according to claim 1, wherein the second climate control areas (2) are knitted into positions of the textile layer (1) where the user sweats more during sporting activity. P249773 3. Sports clothing item (0) according to claim 1, wherein the space loops (20) of the second climate control areas (2) are made of skin contact surface yarn (111) with heights (h) projecting away from the outer surface yarn (101) or the knitted layer with outer surface yarn (101) by between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

4. Sports clothing item (0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the space loops (20) are formed from the more hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn (111).

5. Sports clothing item (0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the knitting of the air channels (30) is formed as a smooth knit from the hydrophilic outer surface yarn (101) and hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn (111).

6. Sports clothing item (0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of convection channels (30) are knitted through second climate control elements (2), the latter partially or completely passing through them.

7. Sports clothing item (0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air channels (30) are formed linearly, v-shaped or x-shaped between or through second climate control elements (2).

8. Sports clothing item (0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in all climate control areas (2, 3) the hydrophilic outer surface yarn (101) points away from the textile outer surface (10) and the overlying textile skin contact surface (11) of the textile layer (1) made of hydrophobic skin contact surface yarn (111) points inwards towards the skin (4) and partially rests on it. P249773 9. Sports apparel (0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyamide yarn (101) comprises a proportion of recycled polyamide 6,6 fiber obtained from 100% recycled raw materials.

10. Sports clothing item (0) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein silver ions are added to the fibers of the hydrophilic outer surface yarn (101) which make the outer surface yarn (101) bacteriostatic. P249773

Images