Polymer filaments having profiled cross-section
The present invention is directed to a multi-filament yarn formed at least in part from filaments having cross-sectional zigzag shape with a 180 degree axis of symmetry. The filaments have a denier per filament generally in the range of about 0.1 to about 4.0. Fabrics made from yarns formed with the filaments have high moisture wicking, soft hand, and a silk-like lustrous appearance.
1 . A synthetic polymer filament, comprising:
a cross-section that includes at least five contiguous segments in zigzag configuration, said cross-section having a nominal width, a nominal length and a nominal thickness.
2 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 , wherein adjacent segments form an angle between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees.
3 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 , wherein the synthetic polymer filament comprises a polyamide synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyhexamethylene adipamide; polycaproamide; polyenanthamide; nylon 10; polydodecanolactam; polytetramethylene adipamide; polyhexamethylene sebacamide homopolymer; a polyamide of n-dodecanedioic acid and hexamethylenediamine homopolymer; and a polyamide of dodecamethylenediamine and n-dodecanedioic acid.
4 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the nominal width to the nominal thickness is less than about 3.
5 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 having a denier per filament between about 0.1 and about 4.0.
6 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 , having an indentation to thickness ratio between about 0.25 and 0.6.
7 . A yarn formed at least in part from the synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 .
8 . The yarn of claim 7 , wherein the yarn is formed from a number of filaments and the synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 comprises at least about 50% of the number of filaments in said yarn.
9 . The yarn of claim 7 having a denier of between about 15 and about 200.
10 . A fabric formed at least in part from the yarn of claim 7 .
11 . A garment formed at least in part of the fabric of claim 10 .
12 . A fabric formed at least in part from the synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 .
13 . The fabric of claim 12 , wherein said fabric is a double sided fabric comprising the synthetic polymer filament of claim 1 on one side of the fabric.
14 . The fabric of claim 13 , wherein a wetting agent is applied to the one side.
15 . The fabric of claim 14 , wherein said wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic polyamide, hydrophilic silicone, and hydrophilic polyester.
16 . A synthetic polymer filament, comprising:
a cross-section that includes five contiguous segments in zigzag configuration, wherein each segment defines a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a distal end of a first segment is connected to a proximal end of a second segment, wherein a distal end of the second segment is connected to a proximal end of a third segment, wherein a distal end of the third segment is connected to a proximal end of a fourth segment, wherein a distal end of the fourth segment is connected to a proximal end of a fifth segment, and wherein a pivot point is defined along the fourth segment and the cross-section of the filament is symmetrical when rotated 180 degrees about said pivot point.
17 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 16 , wherein adjacent segments form an angle between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees.
18 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 16 , wherein the synthetic polymer filament comprises a polyamide synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of: polyhexamethylene adipamide; polycaproamide; polyenanthamide; nylon 10; polydodecanolactam; polytetramethylene adipamide; polyhexamethylene sebacamide homopolymer; a polyamide of n-dodecanedioic acid and hexamethylenediamine homopolymer; and a polyamide of dodecamethylenediamine and n-dodecanedioic acid.
19 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 16 having a denier per filament of about 1.0 to about 4.0.
20 . The synthetic polymer filament of claim 16 having an indentation-to-thickness ratio between about 0.25 and about 0.6.
21 . A yarn formed at least in part from the synthetic polymer filament of claim 16 .
22 . The yarn of claim 21 , wherein the yarn is formed from a number of filaments and the synthetic polymer filament of claim 16 comprises at least about 50% of the total number of filaments in said yarn.
23 . The yarn of claim 20 having a denier of between about 16 and about 200.
24 . Fabric formed at least in part from the yarn of claim 21 .
25 . Garment formed from at least in part from the fabric of claim 24 .
26 . The fabric of claim 24 , wherein said fabric is a double sided fabric comprising the synthetic polymer filament of claim 16 on one side of the fabric.
27 . The fabric of claim 26 , wherein a wetting agent is applied to the one side.
28 . The fabric of claim 26 , wherein said wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic polyamide, hydrophilic silicone, and hydrophilic polyester.
29 . A synthetic polymer filament, comprising:
a cross-section having multiple segments arranged in a five-legged zigzagged shape including an upright W-shaped portion with an additional leg added to the W shape.