Composite yarns and moisture management fabrics made therefrom

Abstract

A composite textile yarn and a moisture management fabric made therefrom, the yarn comprising hydrophilic fibers embedded at the yarn center within a matrix of hydrophobic fibers such that the hydrophobic fibers are concentrated at the periphery of the yarn, a transition area between the center hydrophilic fibers and the peripheral hydrophobic yarns in which both fiber types are present.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composite textile yarn, comprising both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers with the hydrophilic fibers embedded substantially at the yarn center within a matrix of the hydrophobic fibers with the hydrophobic fibers concentrated at the periphery of the yarn, there being a transition area between the center hydrophilic fibers and the peripheral hydrophobic fibers in which both fiber types are present.  
     
     
         2 . A composite textile yarn, comprising at least 8 percent but not more than 75 percent by weight of hydrophilic fibers embedded within a matrix of hydrophobic fibers with the hydrophilic fibers positioned substantially at the yarn center and the hydrophobic fibers positioned predominantly at the periphery, there being a transition area between the center hydrophilic fibers and the peripheral hydrophobic fibers in which both fiber types are present.  
     
     
         3 . A composite textile yarn according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the hydrophobic fibers comprise flat or textured continuous filament yarn of polyester fibers and the hydrophilic fibers comprise flat or textured continuous filaments of a modified 6-nylon or a spun staple yarn of a modified 6-nylon.  
     
     
         4 . A composite textile yarn according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the hydrophobic fibers comprise flat or textured continuous filament yarn of polyester fibers and the hydrophilic fibers comprise flat or textured continuous filament or spun staple yarn of a modified 66-nylon.  
     
     
         5 . A plied textile yarn, comprising the composite textile yarn according to  claim 1 , and further comprising a hydrophobic yarn of essentially 100 percent hydrophobic fibers plied with the composite yarn.  
     
     
         6 . A plied textile yarn, comprising the composite textile yarn according to  claim 2  and further comprising a hydrophobic yarn of essentially 100 percent hydrophobic fibers plied with the composite yarn.  
     
     
         7 . A composite yarn according to the  claim 1  or  2 , produced by feeding a flat or textured continuous filament hydrophilic yarn under tension at a predetermined rate into an air jet texturing device along with a flat or textured continuous filament hydrophobic yarn fed at a rate of at least 10 percent but not more than 50 percent greater than said predetermined rate.  
     
     
         8 . A moisture management fabric made from the composite yarn according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         9 . A moisture management fabric made from the composite yarn according to  claim 2 .  
     
     
         10 . A moisture management fabric made from the composite yarn according to  claim 3 .  
     
     
         11 . A two-faced moisture management fabric for wearing apparel, comprising at least one hydrophobic yarn essentially 100 percent hydrophobic fibers, and a composite yarn according to  claim 1 , the hydrophobic yarn being concentrated in the body contacting face of the fabric, and the composite yarn being concentrated in an outer face of the fabric.  
     
     
         12 . A two-faced moisture management fabric for wearing apparel, comprising at least one hydrophobic yarn of essentially 100 percent hydrophobic fibers, and the composite yarn according to  claim 2 , the hydrophobic yarn being concentrated in the body contacting face of the fabric, and the composite yarn being concentrated in an outer face of the fabric.  
     
     
         13 . A two-faced moisture management fabric for wearing apparel, comprising at least one hydrophobic yarn of essentially 100 percent hydrophobic fibers, and the composite yarn according to  claim 3 , the hydrophobic yarn being concentrated in the body contacting face of the fabric, and the composite yarn being concentrated in an outer face of the fabric.