LADDERPROOF STRETCH FABRIC

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a ladderproof stretch fabric (1), particularly for producing garments for sports activities or for producing bathing garments for leisure time, comprising at least three threads (3, 5, 7) knitted-in on a plurality of combs, where at least two of said three threads (3, 5, 7) were knitted-in according to a closed or open stitch weave.
Said at least three threads (3, 5, 7) comprise at least one artificial or synthetic rigid thread (3), at least one synthetic elastic thread (5) and at least one natural rigid thread (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a ladderproof stretch fabric, particularly for producing garments intended for sports activities and/or for producing garments for leisure time.

[0002] Ladderproof fabrics are warp stitch fabrics which, being "non-knitted" are generally more resistant to the strain that develop during the use of the garment produced with such fabric.

[0003] However, ladderproof fabrics of the known type and in particular ladderproof stretch fabrics, when used for garments intended for dynamic sports, i.e. that require intense physical activity, but also when used for garments for leisure time, have undesired drawbacks.

[0004] For example, the level of comfort perceived by the user of garments made of ladderproof stretch fabrics of the known type is poor, with respect for example to garments made with other types of fabrics that are more comfortable to wear.

[0005] The main task of the present invention consists of realising a ladderproof stretch fabric that obviates the drawbacks and overcomes the limits of the prior art, allowing garments to be realised that can provide excellent and comfortable wearability and at the same time high resistance and durability.

[0006] Within the scope of this task, an object of the present invention is that of realising a ladderproof stretch fabric that has excellent resistance to mechanical strain and is therefore resistant to tearing, abrasion and deformation.

[0007] Another object of the invention consists of the fact that a ladderproof fabric that is soft to wear is realised.

[0008] A further object of the invention consists of realising a ladderproof stretch fabric that is capable of providing the broadest guarantees of reliability and safety when used.

[0009] Another object of the invention consists of realising a ladderproof stretch fabric that is easy to make and is economically competitive when compared with the known technique.

[0010] The task disclosed above, and also the objects mentioned and others which are more apparent below, are achieved by a ladderproof stretch fabric as illustrated in claim 1.

[0011] Other characteristics are envisaged in the dependent claims.

[0012] Further features and advantages shall be more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a ladderproof stretch fabric, illustrated by mere way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically illustrates some examples of weaves on single combs, with a closed stitch (figures A, B, C and D) and in a weft weave (figures E, F, G and H);

figure 2 illustrates an example of combined weaves on four combs, for realising a ladderproof stretch fabric, according to the invention;

figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a ladderproof stretch fabric, according to the invention, realised on the basis of the example of figure 2.

[0013] With reference to the mentioned figures, the ladderproof stretch fabric, indicated overall with reference number 1 comprises, according to the invention, at least three sets of threads 3, 5, 7 each knitted-in on at least one comb of a plurality of combs, wherein at least two of said three threads 3, 5, 7 are knitted-in according to a closed or open stitch weave, and where said at least three threads 3, 5, 7 comprise:

• at least one artificial or synthetic rigid thread 3,
• at least one synthetic elastic thread 5, and
• at least one natural rigid thread 7.

[0014] Advantageously at least one of the three threads 3, 5, 7 is knitted-in according to a weft weave.

[0015] In this way the two threads knitted-in according to a closed or open stitch weave, realise a warp stitch that allows the third thread knitted-in according to a weft weave also to be held in place.

[0016] In the examples shown in figures 2 and 3, the artificial or synthetic rigid threads 3 are represented with a thick continuous line, the synthetic elastic threads 5 are represented with a thick broken line, whereas the natural rigid threads 7 are represented with a continuous thin line.

[0017] The term synthetic indicates the threads obtained from polymerization or polycondensation processes of simple substances of a non-natural nature, such as petroliferous fractions, whereas the term artificial means threads obtained from the transformation of natural polymeric products such as cellulose.

[0018] Advantageously, the artificial or synthetic rigid thread 3 may be selected from the group consisting of:

• a polyamide thread;
• a polyester thread;
• an acrylic thread; and
• a cupro thread.

[0019] Preferably the artificial or synthetic rigid thread 3 is a polyamide or polyester synthetic rigid thread.

[0020] Advantageously the synthetic rigid thread may be made of standard, or recycled, or biodegradable, polyester or polyamide.

[0021] Advantageously the polyamide thread may be of the "Nylon 6" or "Nylon 6, 6" type.

[0022] Advantageously the polyamide thread may be a multi-fibre thread or a micro-fibre thread.

[0023] Advantageously the polyamide thread may have a titre comprised between 20 dtex and 78 dtex.

[0024] Advantageously the polyester thread may be of the standard or cationic type.

[0025] Advantageously the polyester thread may be a multi-fibre thread or a micro-fibre thread.

[0026] Advantageously the polyester thread may have a titre comprised between 20 dtex and 110 dtex.

[0027] Advantageously the synthetic elastic thread 5 may be a polyurethane based thread, or a polyester based thread, or an elastolefin-based thread.

[0028] Advantageously the synthetic elastic thread 5 is made of an elastomeric polymer.

[0029] Advantageously the synthetic elastic thread 5 may be made of a standard, or recycled, or biodegradable elastomeric material.

[0030] Advantageously the synthetic elastic thread 5 can comprise elastic synthetic fibres of the spandex or elastan type.

[0031] The elastic thread 5 can be advantageously selected from the group comprising the following yarns commercially known as Lycra, Creora, Roica, XLA, Elaspan, SHN or HNM.

[0032] Advantageously the synthetic elastic thread 5 can have a titre comprised between 10 and 100 dtex.

[0033] Advantageously, the natural rigid thread 7 is selected from the group consisting of:

• a pure wool thread;
• a blended wool thread;
• a pure silk thread;
• a blended silk thread;
• a pure cotton thread;
• a blended cotton thread; and
• a linen thread.

[0034] Preferably the natural rigid thread 7 is a pure wool thread or a blended wool thread.

[0035] Advantageously the blended wool thread is obtained in a blend with textile fibre having a titre comprised between 20 dtex and 250 dtex.

[0036] Advantageously the blended silk thread is obtained in a blend with textile fibre having a titre comprised between 20 dtex and 250 dtex.

[0037] Advantageously the blended cotton thread is obtained in a blend with textile fibre having a titre comprised between 20 dtex and 250 dtex.

[0038] Advantageously the textile fibre used in the aforesaid blends can be selected from the group consisting of:

• Polyamide 6;
• Polyamide 66,
• Acrylic;
• Cotton:
• Wool;
• Silk;
• Polyester;
• Cationic polyester;
• Linen; and
• Cupro.

[0039] Preferably the textile fibre used in the aforesaid blends can be selected from the group consisting of Polyamide 6, Polyamide 66, Polyester and Cationic polyester.

[0040] Advantageously the synthetic component of the aforesaid blended threads may be of the standard, recycled or biodegradable type.

[0041] Advantageously the closed stitch weave is selected in the group consisting of weaves of the 1-0/1-2, 1-0/2-3, 1-0/3-4 and, possibly, 1-0/4-5 type, such as the weaves illustrated respectively in figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. In the closed stitch weaves the loop of the thread is fastened onto the tooth of the comb.

[0042] Advantageously the open stitch weave is selected in the group consisting of weaves of the 0-1/2-1, 0-1/3-2, 0-1/4-3 and, possibly, 0-1/5-4 type. In the open stitch weaves the loop of the thread is not fastened onto the tooth of the comb but is only wrapped around it.

[0043] Advantageously the weft weave is selected in the group consisting of weaves of the 0-0/2-2, 0-0/3-3, 0-0/4-4 and 0-0/5-5 type, such as the weaves illustrated respectively in figures 1E, 1F, 1G and 1H.

[0044] Advantageously all of the aforesaid weaves can be combined on the loom in phase or in counterphase.

[0045] Advantageously the ladderproof stretch fabric 1 can be produced on looms for warp stitch weaving with fineness comprised between 18 and 36 (meaning the number of needles per inch).

[0046] Advantageously the ladderproof stretch fabric 1 can be produced on single bed looms, of the simple tricot type, of the rashel type, of the tricot type with texture or of the double knit type.

[0047] Advantageously the looms for producing ladderproof stretch fabric 1 can comprise from 2 to 6 combs.

[0048] Advantageously the ladderproof stretch fabric 1 will have natural rigid threads in one or more combs, synthetic or artificial rigid threads in one or more combs and synthetic elastic threads in one or more combs.

[0049] Each of the aforesaid combs can have full threading or any ratio of full to empty spaces.

[0050] Advantageously, the at least one natural rigid thread 7 is mainly visible from a first face of the ladderproof stretch fabric 1, while the at least one artificial or synthetic rigid thread 3 is mainly visible from a second face of the ladderproof stretch fabric 1 opposite said first face.

[0051] In this way the ladderproof stretch fabric 1 has, on a first face, the typical resistance of synthetic fibres and on the opposite face has the typical comfort to wear of natural fibres, assisted by the wearability comfort provided by the elastomeric yarn.

[0052] Advantageously the correct selection of weaves and textile constructions and the correct selection of the preparation, dyeing and finishing methods of the yarns allows this triple result to be obtained.

[0053] Advantageously the ladderproof stretch fabric 1 may be subject to one or more processes selected from the group consisting of: purging, dyeing, heat setting, raising, sanding and brushing.

[0054] Figures 2 and 3 represent, respectively, an example of combined weave on 4 combs and the related textile construction.

[0055] In this example the ladderproof stretch fabric 1 comprises an artificial or synthetic rigid thread 3 knitted-in according to a closed stitch weave of the 1-0/2-3 type, an elastic synthetic thread 5 knitted-in according to a closed stitch weave of the 1-0/1-2 type and a pair of natural rigid threads 7 knitted-in according to a weft weave of the 0-0/3-3 and 0-0/4-4 type, respectively.

[0056] The present invention further relates to a garment for sports activities, a garment for outdoor use or a swimming costume, made with a ladderproof stretch fabric 1 as described above.

[0057] In the specific example of figures 2 and 3 the weaves and positionings of the yarns were designed so as to be able to perform a raising process for the purpose of mainly fraying the natural yarns, to obtain a ladderproof stretch fabric 1 finished with a face mainly composed of synthetic yarn and with a smooth surface effect, and with the opposite face, the so-called skin-side, mainly composed of natural yarns with a furry surface effect.

[0058] Therefore, the natural rigid thread 7 is preferably raised, i.e. it has been subjected to a raising process.

[0059] In this way the natural rigid thread 7 is also able to confer an insulating effect to the ladderproof stretch fabric 1.

[0060] The present invention therefore also relates to a garment for sports activities made of a ladderproof stretch fabric 1 with raised natural rigid thread 7, wherein the face mainly comprising natural yarn is the inner face of the garment, i.e. the one in contact with the body of the wearer, the so called skin-side.

[0061] A preferred embodiment of the invention, being particularly highly performing in terms of resistance, elasticity, comfort and heat-regulating capacity, is comprised of the following combination of technical characteristics:

• the synthetic rigid thread 3 is knitted-in according to a closed stitch weave of the 1-0/2-3 type or an open stitch of the 0-1/3-2 type and is made of polyester or polyamide, possibly recycled and/or biodegradable;
• the synthetic elastic thread 5 is knitted-in according to a closed stitch weave of the 1-0/1-2 type or an open stitch of the 0-1/2-1 type and is made of an elastomeric material, possibly recycled and/or biodegradable;
• the natural rigid thread 7 is knitted-in according to a weft weave of the 0-0/4-4 or 0-0/5-5 type and is made of raised wool yarn, or raised blended wool yarn. It has in practice been noted how the ladderproof stretch fabric, according to the present invention, fulfils the task and the predefined objects as it is comfortable to wear and is particularly resistant to mechanical strain and chemical agents.

[0062] Another advantage of the ladderproof stretch fabric, according to the invention, consists of the fact that it is particularly adapted to the realisation of garments intended for practising sports, but not only, as the presence of synthetic elastic threads confers excellent characteristics to the sports garment in terms of elastic modulus, such as to allow the fabric to be deformed without being ruined also when used for particularly intense sports activities.

[0063] Thanks to the presence of synthetic threads, both rigid and elastic, the garments obtained with the fabric according to the invention also display excellent resistance to tearing and abrasion, and therefore are further particularly adapted to be used in dynamic sports. They also display excellent resistance to chemical agents, and therefore are resistant to contact with sweat or washing detergents.

[0064] The ladderproof stretch fabric according to the invention, dyed in the piece, also has excellent colour solidity to washing, in contact with sweat and exposure to light.

[0065] A further advantage of the ladderproof stretch fabric, according to the invention, consists of the fact that the use of natural threads confers softness to the fabric, such as to make it absolutely comfortable to wear. Furthermore the natural threads also confer high hygroscopic, natural heat regulation and antistatic characteristics.

[0066] In practice, the ladderproof stretch fabric according to the invention allows the elasticity and resistance characteristics of ladderproof fabrics produced with synthetic yarns to be combined with the classic comfort characteristics of fabrics made with natural fibres.

[0067] The ladderproof stretch fabric as conceived herein is susceptible to many modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as their dimensions, can be of any type according to the technical requirements.

[0068] In practice, the materials used, provided they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions and the contingent shapes, can be any according to the requirements.

Claims

1. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) comprising at least three sets of threads (3, 5, 7) each knitted-in on at least one of a plurality of combs, at least two of said three threads (3, 5, 7) being knitted-in according to a closed or open stitch weave, said at least three threads (3, 5, 7) comprising at least one synthetic or artificial rigid thread (3), at least one synthetic elastic thread (5) and at least one natural rigid thread (7).

2. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of said three threads (3, 5, 7) is knitted-in according to a weft weave.

3. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said at least one synthetic or artificial rigid thread (3) is selected in the group consisting of:

- a polyamide thread;

- a polyester thread;

- an acrylic thread; and

- a cupro thread.

4. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one synthetic elastic thread (5) is a polyurethane-based or polyester-based, or elastolefin-based thread.

5. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one natural rigid thread (7) is selected in the group consisting of:

- a pure wool thread;

- a blended wool thread;

- a pure silk thread;

- a blended silk thread;

- a pure cotton thread;

- a blended cotton thread; and

- a linen thread.

6. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said closed stitch weave is selected in the group consisting of weaves of the 1-0/1-2, 1-0/2-3, 1-0/3-4, and 1-0/4-5 type and in that said open stitch weave is selected in the group consisting of weaves of the 0-1/2-1, 0-1/3-2, 0-1/4-3 and 0-1/5-4 type.

7. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said weft weave is selected in the group consisting of weaves of the 0-0/2-2, 0-0/3-3, 0-0/4-4 and 0-0/5-5 type.

8. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one natural rigid thread (7) is mainly visible from a first face of said ladderproof stretch fabric (1), said at least one synthetic or artificial rigid thread (3) being mainly visible from a second face of said ladderproof stretch fabric (1) opposite to said first face.

9. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one synthetic elastic thread (5) is selected within the group consisting of the following threads commercially known as Lycra, Creora, Roica, XLA, Elaspan, SHN or HNM.

10. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one synthetic elastic thread (5) comprises elastic synthetic fibres of the spandex or elastane type.

11. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to claim 1 and to claim 8, characterised in that said natural rigid thread (7) is raised.

12. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that said natural rigid thread (7) is a pure wool thread or a blended wool thread and in that said synthetic or artificial rigid thread (3) is a polyamide thread or a polyester thread.

13. Ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that:

- said synthetic or artificial rigid thread (3) is knitted-in according to a closed stitch weave of the 1-0/2-3 type or according to an open stitch weave of the 0-1/3-2 type;

- said synthetic elastic thread (5) is knitted-in according to a closed stitch weave of the 1-0/1-2type or according to an open stitch weave of the 0-1/2-1 type;

- said natural rigid thread (7) is knitted-in according to a weft weave of the 0-0/4-4 or 0-0/5-5 type.

14. Item of clothing for sport activities made in a ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

15. Item of clothing for sport activities made in a ladderproof stretch fabric (1) according to one or more of claims 11 or 12 or 13, characterized in that said first face of said ladderproof stretch fabric (1) is the internal face of said item, so called "skin-side".

Drawing