Full-fashioned garment with sleeves having intelligence capability

• US 6,315,009 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2000
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Park, Sungmee, Jayaraman, Sundaresan
• Primary Examiner(s): Calvert, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MUROMOTO JR, ROBERT H
• Application Number:
  US09/713,147
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 139/387.R, 139/55.1, 139/388, 139/387, 245/5, 290/5, 210/2, 224/3, 128/664, 128/639, 428/68, 428/196, 428/257, 428/195, 428/36
• US Class Current: 139/387.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/005 with embedded cable or connector
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1236 Patients' garments
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1245 for the upper part of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1263 Suits
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0484 Garment electrodes worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0088 Fabrics having an electronic function
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 11/02 Fabrics formed with pockets, tubes, loops, folds, tucks or flaps fabrics consisting of a single tube D03D3/02
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/00 Woven fabrics characterised by the material, structure or properties of the fibres, filaments, yarns, threads or other warp or weft elements used
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/217 natural from plants, e.g. cotton
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/242 inorganic, e.g. basalt
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/283 : synthetic polymer-based, e.g. polyamide or polyester fibres cellulose-based artificial fibres D03D15/225
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/292 : Conjugate, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/33 : Ultrafine fibres, e.g. microfibres or nanofibres
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/47 : multicomponent, e.g. blended yarns or threads multicomponent fibres or filaments D03D15/292
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/547 : with optical functions other than colour, e.g. comprising light-emitting fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/67 : Metal wires
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 3/02 : Tubular fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 15/55 : Epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 23/16 : Processes for the non-uniform application of treating agents, e.g. one-sided treatment; Differential treatment
• CPC Class Codes: D06Q 1/00 : Decorating textiles
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/20 : Metallic fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2201/02 : Cotton
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2321/021 : polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2321/022 : polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2331/04 : polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate [PET]
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/16 : antistatic; conductive
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/20 : optical
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/02431 : with electronic components, e.g. sensors or switches
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/00 : Wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2509/00 : Medical; Hygiene
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/02 : Armoured or projectile- or missile-resistant garments; Composite protection fabrics F41H5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/22 : the conductive material comprising metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/905 : Electric

Abstract

The invention comprises a full-fashioned weaving process for the production of a woven garment which can accommodate and include sleeves. The garment is made of only one, single integrated fabric and has no discontinuities or seams. Additionally, the garment can include intelligence capability, such as the ability to monitor one or more body vital signs, or garment penetration, or both, by including a selected sensing component or components in the weave of the garment.

Claims

1. A process for continuously weaving a full-fashioned garment with integrated sleeves, comprising the steps of;

providing at least two sets of warp threads to be used alternately, one set for the front and the other set for the back of the garment;

providing at least two sets of filling threads;

weaving a tubular structure section of the garment from the filling and warp threads;

a combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section continuously from the said tubular structure section;

a stand-alone double layer structure section from the said combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section; and

then a combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section from the said stand-alone double layer structure section; and

the vaxious structure sections being woven continuously one from the other to form the garment.

2. A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of weaving the tubular structure section includes interlacing one thread or set of threads helically and continuously on the front and back of the garment.

3. A process as defined in claim 1, further including the step of weaving in a sensing component fiber for providing the capability of monitoring a body vital sign or penetration of the garment.

4. A process as defined in claim 3, wherein the sensing component fiber is selected from the group of either optical fibers and electrical conducting fibers or both.

5. A process as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of weaving in a form-fitting component fiber.

6. A process as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of weaving in a static dissipating component fiber.

7. A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of weaving the combination self-stitched—

double layer sections interspersed with the stand-alone double layer structure section results in sleeves on either side of the garmtmt in said sections.

8. A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section is woven continuously from the tubular structures a stand-alone double layer structure section is woven continuously from the combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section, and a second combination self-stiched—

double layer structure section is woven continuously from the stand-alone double layer structure section.

9. A woven garment with integrated sleeves comprising:

(a) a tubular structure section;

(b) a combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section woven continuously from the tubular structure;

(c) a stand-alone double layer structure section woven continuously from the combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section; and

(d) a second combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section woven continuously from the stand-alone double layer structure section; and

(e) the various sections being woven continuously one from the other to form the garment.

10. A woven garment as defined in claim 9, wherein the section formed by the two combination self-stitched—

double layer structure sections interspersed with the stand-alone double layer structure section includes sleeves on either side of the garment.

11. Woven garment as defined in claim 9, wherein the tubular structure section includes a thread or set of threads interlaced helically and continuously on the front and back of the garment.

12. A woven garment as defined in claim 9, further comprising a sensing component fiber for providing the capability of monitoring a body vital sign or penetration of the garment.

13. A woven garment as defined in claim 12, wherein the sensing component is selected from the group consisting of either optical fibers and electrical conducting fibers or both.

14. A woven garment as defined in claim 9, further comprising a form-fitting component fiber.

15. A woven garment as defined in claim 9, further comprising a static dissipating component fiber.

16. A woven garment as defined in claim 9, wherein the combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section is woven continuously from the tubular structure, a stand-alone double layer structure section is woven continuously from the combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section, and a second combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section is woven continuously fromt the stand-alone double layer structure section.

17. A woven garment with integrated sleeves comprising:

(a) a woven structure comprising the following sections;

a tubular section;

a combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section;

a stand-alone double layer structure section; and

a second combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section; and

(b) a sensing component fiber selected from the group consisting of either optical fibers, electrical conducting fibers, or both.

18. A woven garment with integrated sleeves comprising:

(a) a woven structure comprising a tubular structure section;

a combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section woven continuously from the tubular structure;

a stand-alone double layer structure section woven continuously from the self-stitched—

double layer structure section woven continuously from the stand-alone double layer structure section, the various sections being woven continuously one from the other to form the garment; and

(b) a sensing component fiber selected from the group consisting of either optical fibers, electrical fibers, or both.

19. A process from continuously weaving a full-fashioned garment with integrated sleeves, comprising the steps of producing each of the following sections:

a tubular structure section;

a combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section;

a stand-alone double layer structure section; and

a second cobination self-stitched—

double layer structure section.

20. A process for continuously weaving a full-fashioned garment with integrated sleeves comprising the steps of:

weaving a comfort component of the garment comprising the step of weaving a tubular structure section;

a combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section woven continuously from the tubular structure;

a stand-alone double layer structure section woven continuously from the combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section; and

a second combination self-stitched—

double layer structure section woven continuously from the stand-alone double layer structure section, the various sections being woven continuously one from the other to form the garment; and

weaving a sensing component fiber selected from the group consisting of either optical fibers, electrical fibers, or both into the comfort component of the garment.