Quick-Dry Towel Using Zero-Twist Yarns and Segmented Weave
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available towels are heavy and take longer to dry due to their focus on maximum absorption, which compromises their aesthetic appeal and quick-drying capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A quick-dry towel design featuring a woven ground fabric with alternating pile and flat weave portions, using zero-twist terry loop yarns to create a lightweight and textured surface that facilitates faster drying, while maintaining a soft and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If towels are designed for maximum absorption, then absorption capability is improved, but drying time increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The towel is divided into distinct pile weave portions and flat weave portions, creating a segmented structure where different regions serve different functions. The pile portions provide absorption while the flat portions facilitate rapid drying, resolving the contradiction between absorption capability and drying time.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the towel have different local qualities - the pile weave portions have high absorption quality while the flat weave portions have high drying quality. This local differentiation allows the towel to achieve both maximum absorption and quick drying capabilities simultaneously.
2Quantity of substance
If towels are designed for maximum absorption, then absorption capability is improved, but fabric weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The towel structure segments absorption functions (pile portions) from weight-bearing functions (flat portions), allowing the towel to achieve necessary absorption capability with minimal fabric weight. The flat weave portions provide structural support without adding excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Absorption capability is concentrated in the pile weave portions rather than being distributed throughout the entire towel. This local concentration of absorption quality allows the towel to achieve maximum absorption with less total material, reducing fabric weight below 350 g/m2.
3Loss of time
If aesthetic properties such as bulk and softness are reduced, then drying time decreases and weight decreases, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The towel is segmented into pile weave portions that provide aesthetic qualities (bulk and softness) and flat weave portions that provide quick-drying functionality. This segmentation allows the towel to maintain aesthetic appeal while achieving rapid drying times of 20 minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
Aesthetic qualities are localized to the pile weave portions where they are needed for consumer appeal, while the flat weave portions are optimized for drying performance. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between aesthetic properties and drying time.
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 towel achieves quick drying times of 20 minutes with a fabric weight of less than 350 g/m2, significantly outperforming conventional towels in both weight and drying speed while maintaining superior hand feel and bulk.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pile weave portions extending from the woven ground fabric; wherein the pile weave portions comprise terry loop yarns raised above the woven ground fabric to form terry loops
Implementation Method 2
quick drying times of 20 minutes with a fabric weight of less than 350 g/m2
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-dry textured towel is disclosed. The quick-dry textured towel comprises a lightweight fabric including a plurality of low-twist pile yarns forming a textured weave design.