Patterned Moisture-Control Fabric to Prevent Cling and Show-Through
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sweat-proof materials either inhibit airflow and cause discomfort due to rigidity, or lead to full saturation and garment cling, failing to efficiently manage moisture and provide quick drying properties.
Innovation Solution
A fabric structure with a hydrophobic outer surface and an inner surface featuring alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, allowing moisture to be directed away from the skin while preventing accumulation on the outer surface, thereby reducing cling and enhancing drying times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin plastic film is incorporated to prevent water movement, then moisture control is improved, but air flow is inhibited and fabric rigidity increases causing wearer discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous hydrophilic material as the base fabric that allows air and moisture vapor to pass through while maintaining liquid moisture control. The porosity enables breathability and flexibility unlike solid plastic films, resolving the contradiction between moisture control reliability and wearer comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines hydrophilic base fabric with hydrophobic coating materials to create a composite structure. The hydrophilic material provides breathability and flexibility while the hydrophobic coating prevents liquid penetration, achieving both moisture control and comfort simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If hydrophobic coatings are applied to prevent liquid movement through the material, then breathability is improved, but the inside of the fabric reaches full saturation causing garment cling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrophobic treatment only to specific regions of the fabric rather than uniformly across the entire material. This localized approach allows certain areas to remain hydrophilic for moisture absorption while treated areas prevent liquid penetration, balancing breathability with moisture control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric is divided into treated and untreated regions with different moisture management properties. The segmentation creates a functional gradient where hydrophobic zones block liquid while hydrophilic zones manage moisture, preventing full saturation and garment cling.
3Reliability
If inherently hydrophobic materials are used to create sweat-proof materials, then liquid penetration is prevented, but perspiration remains on the skin surface causing wearer discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous hydrophilic base material that allows perspiration to be absorbed and transported through the fabric structure. The porosity enables moisture wicking to the outer surface for evaporation, preventing skin surface accumulation and improving wearer comfort while maintaining liquid barrier functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fabric effectively manages moisture, preventing saturation, reducing garment cling, and facilitating quicker drying, while maintaining wearer comfort and preventing staining.
Implementation Method 1
an outer surface comprising a hydrophobic material
Implementation Method 2
an inner surface comprising: one or more first regions, wherein the one or more first regions each comprise a hydrophobic material, and one or more second regions, wherein the one or more second regions each comprise a hydrophilic material
Implementation Method 3
Perspiration is the primary means of thermoregulation for the human body, during which sweat (mainly composed of water) is secreted through the skin and evaporation of the fluid removes the heat from the surface underneath
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides articles of manufacture with improved moisture control as well as methods of making such articles. In some embodiments, provided herein the article has a fabric with an outer hydrophobic surface and an inner surface with hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions where the hydrophilic regions can form a pattern, allowing moisture to collect and move through the pattern, and the hydrophobic regions prevent the whole inner surface from becoming moist and the outer hydrophobic regions does not show moisture. The fabric may be used to make garments. The entire inner surface of the garment may be patterned with hydrophilic patterns for partial absorption, and the entire outer surface of the garment is hydrophobic, thereby preventing perspiration from being seen from outside of the garment. Further provided herein are methods of making fabrics with improved moisture control including by printing or knitting.