Breathable double-knit or interlock elastic fabric with single component material
An elastic double-knit or interlock fabric of non-elastomeric-elastic yarn which exhibits improved breathability and case of recyclability as compared to conventional elastic double-knit or interlock spandex fabrics, while maintaining the fabric weight and length and width stretch of conventional elastic double-knit or interlock spandex fabrics is provided. Also provided are methods for production of the elastic double-knit or interlock fabric and garments produced from the fabric.
1 . A double-knit or interlock fabric comprising a first layer of fabric and a second layer of fabric, wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise yarns or fibers selected from the group consisting of non-elastomeric-elastic yarn(s)/fiber(s) blended with non-elastic yarn(s)/fiber(s), and non-elastomeric elastic yarn(s)/fiber(s), and wherein at least one of the first layer or the second layer comprises a non-elastomeric-elastic yarn/fiber and a non-elastic yarn/fiber, and a yarn binding the first and second layers together,
wherein the non-elastomeric-elastic yarn/fiber comprises one or more of polyethylene terephthalate, poly(trimethyleneterephthalate), and poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) or any combination thereof.
2 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 wherein the yarn binding the first and second layers together is a non-elastomeric-elastic yarn.
3 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the first layer of fabric comprises non-elastomeric-elastic yarn and non-elastic yarn.
4 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 wherein the first layer of fabric is knitted on dial needles.
5 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the second layer of fabric comprises a non-elastomeric-elastic yarn and a non-elastic yarn.
6 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the second layer of fabric is knitted on cylinder needles.
7 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic yarn is combined by plaiting or twisting, or entanglement, or co-insertion, with the non-elastomeric-elastic yarn and fed to knitting needles.
8 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastomeric-elastic yarn is a polyester bi-component filament comprising poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and poly(tetramethyleneterephthalate) or any combination thereof.
9 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the yarn denier of the non-elastomeric-elastic yarn is from about 20 to about 600.
10 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic yarn comprises polyester, nylon, or cotton.
11 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 10 , wherein the non-elastic yarn is a blended yarn comprising at least 50% of one or more of polyester, nylon, or cotton.
12 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic yarn is dyed before knitting.
13 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 12 , wherein the non-elastic yarn is indigo dyed yarn.
14 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , wherein the non-elastic yarn comprises a yarn that is dyed to a color and the non-elastomeric-elastic yarn is not dyed or dyed to a different color.
15 . The double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 produced using a circular knit machine, a seamless machine, or a flat knit machine.
16 . A garment at least a portion of which comprises the double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 .
17 . A method for producing the double-knit or interlock fabric of claim 1 , said method comprising:
knitting yarns into a first layer of fabric; and
knitting yarns into a second layer of fabric, wherein at least one of the first or second layers of fabric comprises a non-elastomeric-elastic yarn; and
binding the first and second layers together with yarn.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first layer of fabric comprises non-elastomeric-elastic yarn and non-elastic yarn knitted together on dial needles.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the second layer of fabric comprises a non-elastomeric-elastic yarn and a non-elastic yarn knitted together on cylinder needles.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the yarn binding the first and second layers together is a non-elastomeric-elastic yarn.