Three-dimensional high-low bulk spacer fabric

• US 6,156,406 A
• Filed: 03/19/1998
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MMI-IPCO LLC
• Original Assignee: Malden Mills Industries Incorporated (Polartec LLC)
• Inventors: Rock, Moshe, Lohmueller, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Terrel
• Assistant Examiner(s): SINGH-PANDEY, ARTI R
• Application Number:
  US09/044,623
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 428/86
• US Class Current: 428/86
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/04 braided, knotted, knitted or crocheted
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/029 Pneumatic upper, e.g. gas filled
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0207 Elastomeric fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2305/182 knitted
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/02 Gloves, shoes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/026 Knitted fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/06 characterised by a fibrous or filamentary layer mechanically connected, e.g. by needling to another layer, e.g. of fibres, of paper
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/12 characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other
• 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: D10B 2403/0122 Smooth surfaces, e.g. laminated or coated
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0222 with at least one baggy or puckered ply
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/043 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23914 Interlaminar

Abstract

A three-dimensional knit spacer fabric is provided. The fabric includes a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and yarns interconnecting the two layers. A portion of the yarns interconnecting the two layers is perpendicular to each of the first and second fabric layers, while the remaining interconnecting yarns will be disposed at an angle between the two layers.

Claims

1. An inflatable three-dimensional knit spacer fabric comprising:

a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and a plurality of pile yarns interconnecting said first and second layers with the spacer fabric being selectively transformable from a first uninflated condition to a second inflated condition;

wherein said spacer fabric has a first thickness defined between said layers and includes at least a first portion in which the pile yarns thereof are perpendicularly disposed between said layers and at least a second portion adjacent said first portion in which the pile yarns thereof are disposed at an angle between said first and second fabric layers when said fabric is in said first uninflated condition;

wherein the pile yarns of said second portion are disposed perpendicularly between said fabric layers when said fabric is in said second inflated condition such that said second portion has a second thickness defined between said layers that is greater than the said first thickness defined between said layers of said first portion.

2. The fabric layer of claim 1, wherein said pile yarns are monofilament.

3. The fabric of claim 1, wherein said pile yarns are multifilament.

4. The fabric of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second fabric layers includes an elastomeric yarn.

5. The fabric of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said fabric layers includes raised fibers.

6. The fabric of claim 1, wherein said second portion includes a plurality of pile yarn courses in which the yarns in at least two adjacent courses vary in angular orientation with respect to said layers.

7. The fabric of claim 1, wherein said second portion has a plurality of yarn courses in which the yarns have the same angular orientation with respect to said layers.

8. The fabric of claim 1, further including an impermeable membrane disposed along each of said fabric layers.

9. A high-low bulk knit spacer fabric, comprising:

a first fabric portion and a second fabric portion continuous with said first fabric portion, each of said fabric portions comprising a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer and pile yarns perpendicularly interconnecting said first and second layers;

wherein the distance between said first and second fabric layers is greater in said second portion than in said first portion, such that the thickness of the fabric increases from said first portion to said second portion.