Multi-layer moisture management fabric

• US 5,217,782 A
• Filed: 11/12/1991
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Daniel L. Brier, Herbert L. Moretz
• Inventors: Brier, Daniel L., Moretz, Herbert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lesmes, George F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAIMUND, CHRISTOPHER W
• Application Number:
  US07/791,066
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 604/358, 604/378, 428/913, 428/252, 428/253, 428/91, 428/97, 428/91
• US Class Current: 428/91
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 2400/34 antimicrobial or antibacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 2400/62 through several layers
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 9/004 characterized by the crotch
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 9/02 Drawers or underpants for men, with or without inserted crotch or seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 9/04 Knickers for ladies, with or without inserted crotch or seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/51121 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/537 characterised by a layer facilitating or inhibiting flow in one direction or plane, e.g. a wicking layer A61F13/538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/15121 for mild incontinence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51165 with the combination of films and nonwovens
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51423 the vapour permeability being less than 500g/m/24h
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/51445 comprising microfibres, e.g. Gore-Tex
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/530226 with polymeric fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/4401 with absorbent pads diapers A61F13/49
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0261 Polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0276 Polyester fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/726 Permeability to liquids, absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/728 Hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/73 Hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/00 Clothing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 Non-woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/024 : Woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/026 : Knitted fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 : another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 21/14 : Fabrics characterised by the incorporation by knitting, in one or more thread, fleece, or fabric layers, of reinforcing, binding, or decorative threads; Fabrics incorporating small auxiliary elements, e.g. for decorative purposes pile fabrics D04B21/02; non-woven fabrics in general D04H
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2395 : Nap type surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3512 : Three or more fabric layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/352 : One of which is a nonwoven fabric layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/488 : Including an additional knit fabric layer

Abstract

A multi-layer moisture management fabric for being placed in garments. The multi-layer fabric includes a relatively thick inner moisture permeable hydrophobic fabric layer having for being positioned next to the skin of the wearer of the garment, a first, relatively thin intermediate hydrophilic fabric layer positioned adjacent the hydrophobic fabric layer on the side thereof away from the skin of the wearer, and a second, relatively thick outer hydrophilic fabric layer positioned adjacent the first hydrophilic fabric layer on the opposite side thereof from the hydrophobic fabric layer.

Claims

1. A reusable, launderable, multi-layer moisture management fabric for being incorporated into reusable launderable garments, and comprising:

(a) a relatively thick knitted or woven inner moisture permeable hydrophobic fabric layer for being positioned next to the skin of the wearer of the garment;

(b) a first, relatively thin knitted or woven intermediate hydrophilic fabric layer positioned adjacent the hydrophobic fabric layer on the side thereof away from the skin of the wearer; and

(c) a second, relatively thick knitted or woven outer hydrophilic moisture permeable fabric layer positioned adjacent the first hydrophilic fabric layer on the opposite side thereof from the hydrophobic fabric layer, said relatively thick hydrophilic fabric layer comprising a brushed hydrophilic nylon fiber.

2. A multi-layer fabric according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic fabric layer is formed of polyester fiber.

3. A multi-layer fabric according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic fabric layer is formed of polyester fiber, and further wherein said fabric layer is brushed.

4. A multi-layer fabric according to claim 2, wherein said first relatively thin hydrophilic fabric layer is formed of hydrophilic nylon fiber.

5. A multi-layer fabric according to claim 1, and including a hydrophilic moisture vapor permeable and liquid impermeable membrane positioned adjacent said second hydrophilic fabric layer on the side thereof opposite the first hydrophilic fabric layer.