Weft knit wicking fabric and method of making same
First Claim
1. A method of making a weft knit, wicking fabric on a dual bed knitting machine comprising the steps of:
- knitting a first discrete fabric layer from a hydrophobic yarn on a first needle bed of the weft knitting machine,knitting a second discrete fabric layer from a hydrophilic yarn on a second needle bed of the weft knitting machine, andknitting a series of courses reciprocating between the first and second needle beds to form a plurality of spacer yarns the spacer yarns securing the first and second fabric layers together in a spaced relationship separated from each other, said series of courses being knit from a moisture transporting yarn for wicking moisture from the first fabric layer to the second fabric layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-layer weft knit fabric for absorbing moisture and wicking it from a first fabric layer to a second layer is described, as well as a method for making the fabric. The multi-layer fabric includes a first hydrophobic layer and a second hydrophilic layer, with the layers being secured together by a series of courses forming spacer yarns which maintain the fabric layers in a spaced relationship relative to each other. The spacer yarns are adapted to wick moisture from the hydrophobic layer to the hydrophilic layer. The spacer yarns are preferably knit-in or laid-in to the respective knit fabric layers, and a plastic water-resistant layer can be secured proximate the hydrophilic fabric layer. A method of integrally knitting the multi-layer fabric on a circular knitting machine is also described.
343 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of making a weft knit, wicking fabric on a dual bed knitting machine comprising the steps of:
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knitting a first discrete fabric layer from a hydrophobic yarn on a first needle bed of the weft knitting machine, knitting a second discrete fabric layer from a hydrophilic yarn on a second needle bed of the weft knitting machine, and knitting a series of courses reciprocating between the first and second needle beds to form a plurality of spacer yarns the spacer yarns securing the first and second fabric layers together in a spaced relationship separated from each other, said series of courses being knit from a moisture transporting yarn for wicking moisture from the first fabric layer to the second fabric layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A multi-layer weft knit fabric for wicking moisture away from a first surface comprising:
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a first substantially hydrophobic weft knit discrete fabric layer, a second substantially hydrophilic weft knit discrete fabric layer, and a plurality of moisture transporting spacer yarns secured within the knit structure of each of said first and second layers and extending between the layers to secure the layers in spaced relationship separated from each other, said spacer yarns promoting wicking of moisture from said first knit substantially hydrophobic fabric layer to said second substantially hydrophilic layer. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A multi-layer, weft knit fabric comprising:
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a first discrete layer knit from a hydrophobic yarn, a second discrete layer knit from a hydrophilic yarn, a plurality of moisture transporting spacer yarns extending substantially between the first and second layers to hold them in a spaced relationship to each other and for wicking moisture from the first layer to the second layer, and a moisture-resistant layer secured adjacent the second layer, to block the transfer of moisture from the second layer. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An item of bedclothing for incontinent use comprising:
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an upper substantially hydrophobic weft knit discrete fabric layer, a lower substantially hydrophilic weft knit discrete fabric layer, and a plurality of moisture transporting spacer yarns secured within the knit structure of each of the upper and lower layers and extending between the layers to secure them in spaced relationship separated from each other, said spacer yarns for wicking moisture from the upper substantially hydrophobic fabric layer to the lower substantially hydrophilic layer. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification