Fabric formed from a largely untwisted yarn

Abstract

Presented is a fabric comprised of a staple fiber yarn exhibiting a twist multiplier of less than a prescribed value, preferably 1.5. Yarn is formed from staple fibers twisted together with a certain number or twists-per-inch. The twist-per-inch of the yarn in the fabric is related to the yarn count and a proper balancing of the two results in a twist multiplier of preferably less than 1.5. The Yarn Count is indirectly related to the fiber diameter. The fabric embodying the present invention has a softer more luxurious feel, more bulk, and greater absorbency than a conventional fabric.

1 . A knitted fabric comprising: 
 at least a first yarn made of staple fibers;    the first yarn and a second yarn being intermeshed to form a matrix;    the matrix composed of loops formed from the first yarn and the second, wherein the loops are joined together; and    at least the first yarn is a yarn having a twist multiplier of less than about 1.5.    
   
   
       2 . The knitted fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is one of a warp knitted fabric and a weft knitted fabric.  
   
   
       3 . The knitted fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is a processed fabric; and 
 the fabric bears the result of at least one of a mercerizing process, a dye process, a bleach process, and a print process.    
   
   
       4 . The knitted fabric of  claim 3 , wherein the processed fabric comprises a finishing effect; and wherein the finishing effect imparts physical properties to the fabric.  
   
   
       5 . The knitted fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first yarn comprises one of cotton and any other staple fiber.  
   
   
       6 . A woven fabric comprising: 
 at least a first yarn made of staple fibers;    the first yarn and a second yarn being interlaced to form a matrix comprised of a warp yarn and a weft yarn, which are about perpendicular to one another; and    at least the first yarn is a yarn having a twist multiplier of less than about 1.5;    wherein the first yarn is one of the warp yarn and the weft yarn.    
   
   
       7 . The woven fabric of  claim 6 , wherein the fabric is a processed fabric; and 
 the fabric bears the result of at least one of a mercerizing process, a dye process, a bleach process, and a print process.    
   
   
       8 . The woven fabric of  claim 7 , wherein the processed fabric comprises a finishing effect; and wherein the finishing effect imparts physical properties to the fabric.  
   
   
       9 . The woven fabric of  claim 6 , wherein at least the first yarn comprises one of cotton and any other staple fiber.