Jade-containing fiber, yarn, and moisture wicking, cooling fabric
The present disclosure describes a yarn comprising a blend of jade-containing fibers, such as jade-containing polyester fibers, with hydrophobic cotton fibers and optionally conventional fibers. The jade in the jade-containing polyester fibers provides the yarn with a cooling effect when it contacts a person's skin. The hydrophobic cotton fibers provide the yarn with hydrophobicity. When included in a fabric that also contains yarn having hydrophilic properties in a manner such that a higher percentage of the hydrophobic yarn is present on the back surface of the fabric than on the front surface of the fabric, the fabric has a cooling and moisture-wicking effect. The yarn may be used as the fill of a denim twill weave to provide denim clothing having enhanced cooling and moisture-wicking properties.
1. A yarn comprising a blend of:
conventional fibers;
hydrophobic cotton fibers; and
jade-containing polyester fibers,
wherein the yarn exhibits a moisture vapor transmission result greater than a moisture vapor transmission result of a second yarn in the absence of the jade-containing polyester fibers when tested in accordance with ASTM E96-80.
2. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the blend comprises
between about 20% and about 40% of conventional fibers;
between about 20% and about 40% of hydrophobic cotton fibers;
between about 20% and about 40% of jade-containing polyester fibers.
3. The yarn of claim 2 , in which the blend comprises
about 33% conventional fibers;
about 33% hydrophobic cotton fibers;
about 33% jade-containing polyester fibers.
4. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the yarn comprises a blend of staple fibers.
5. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the conventional fibers comprise cotton, polyester, or a mixture thereof.
6. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the jade-containing polyester fibers comprise between about 0.3 wt. % and about 1.5 wt. % jade.
7. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the jade is substantially evenly distributed throughout the jade-containing polyester fibers.
8. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the conventional fibers comprise high-tenacity polyester.
9. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the hydrophobic cotton fibers comprise a water-repelling fluorochemical.
10. A moisture-wicking and cooling fabric comprising
a warp, and
a fill,
wherein the fill comprises the yarn of claim 1 .
11. The fabric of claim 10 , in which the warp comprises a conventional cotton yarn.
12. The fabric of claim 11 , in which
greater than 50% of the warp is exposed on the front surface of the fabric, and
greater than 50% of the fill is exposed on the back surface of the fabric.
13. The fabric of claim 11 , in which
greater than 70% of the warp is exposed on the front surface of the fabric, and
greater than 70% of the fill is exposed on the back surface of the fabric.
14. The fabric of claim 11 , in which the fabric comprises a denim twill weave.
15. The fabric of claim 11 , in which at least the warp yarn comprises an indigo dye.
16. The fabric of claim 11 , in which the fabric has a permeability index of at least 0.60.
17. The fabric of claim 11 , in which the fill consists entirely of the yarn of claim 1 .
18. The fabric of claim 11 , in which the warp consists entirely of conventional cotton yarn.
19. A pant comprising the fabric of claim 11 .
20. A shirt comprising the fabric of claim 11 .
21. The yarn of claim 1 , in which the jade-containing polyester fibers comprise jade powder.
22. The yarn of claim 21 , in which the jade-containing polyester fibers are prepared by:
mixing a jade powder into a polyester melt;
extruding the jade-containing polyester melt to produce a filament;
cutting the filament to produce jade-containing polyester staple fibers.