Garment for use with sensitive skin, and method and fabric for use in making same

Abstract

Garments designed for use by people with sensitive skin, such as those suffering from eczema or dermatitis, which enhance wearer comfort are described. The garments have a lower coefficient of friction and superior moisture transport properties relative to conventional cotton T-shirts currently recommended for wear by sensitive skin sufferers. The garments are made from polyester fabrics which are specially constructed to minimize the coefficient of friction, optimize moisture transport, and provide antimicrobial characteristics. Fabrics and methods or making and using the fabrics are also described.

1 . A garment designed to enhance the comfort of a wearer's skin comprising: 
 a knit, substantially all-polyester fabric, wherein said fabric defines a wearer-contacting surface and an exterior surface, and wherein said wearer contacting surface has a dynamic coefficient of friction of less than about 0.26 when tested according to ASTM Test Method D1894-00, a Kawabata System Bending Force of about 0.02 or less, a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches or greater after 5 minutes, a Drying Time of less than about 170 minutes, moisture transport per unit time of at least about 0.023 g/min /sq m, and a functioning antimicrobial.    
   
   
       2 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said garment comprises at least one seam, and wherein said at least one seam is in the form of a flatlock seam.  
   
   
       3 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said fabric further comprises a static coefficient of friction of about 0.27 or less.  
   
   
       4 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said fabric consists essentially of spun yarns made from staple fibers having a denier per filament of about 1.5 or less.  
   
   
       5 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said fabric consists essentially of filament yarns comprising individual fibers having a denier per filament of about one or finer.  
   
   
       6 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said fabric is a jersey knit fabric having at least about 28 wales per inch.  
   
   
       7 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said garment is in the form of a T-shirt.  
   
   
       8 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein said garment is in the form of a nether garment.  
   
   
       9 . A fabric for use in base layer garments comprising: 
 a knit fabric consisting essentially of yarns about 160 denier or less in size consisting of polyester filaments about 1 dpf in size or finer, said fabric further comprising at least one chemical treatment for facilitating moisture transport and a functioning antimicrobial, wherein said fabric has a dynamic coefficient of friction on at least one surface of about 0.24 or less when tested according to ASTM D1894-00 test method, a Vertical Wicking of about 4.9 inches or greater, a Drying Time of less than about 100 minutes, a moisture transport per unit time of greater than about 0.028 g/min/sq m, and a Kawabata System bending force of about 0.01 or less.    
   
   
       10 . The fabric according to  claim 9 , wherein said fabric has a static coefficient of friction of about 0.27 or less.  
   
   
       11 . A fabric for use in base layer garments comprising: 
 a knit fabric consisting essentially of spun polyester yarns about 26 cotton count or finer, said yarn being made from staple fibers having a denier per filament of about 1.5 or less, said fabric further comprising at least one chemical treatment for facilitating moisture transport and a functioning antimicrobial, wherein said fabric has a dynamic coefficient of friction on at least one surface of about 0.24 or less when tested according to ASTM D1894-00 Test method, a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches or greater, Drying Time of less than 170 minutes, moisture transport per unit time of greater than about 0.023 g/min/sq m, and a Kawabata System bending force of about 0.012 or less.    
   
   
       12 . The fabric according to  claim 11 , wherein said fabric has a static coefficient of friction of about 0.27 or less.  
   
   
       13 . A method of improving the condition of sensitive skin comprising the steps of: 
 wearing a base layer of substantially all polyester with a first layer surface contacting at least a portion of the wearer's skin, wherein said first layer surface has a dynamic coefficient of friction of less than about 0.26, and said base layer has a Kawabata System bending of about 0.02 or less, a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches or greater after 5 minutes, drying time of less than about 170 minutes, moisture transport per unit time of at least 0.023 g/min/sq m, and a functioning antimicrobial.    
   
   
       14 . A knit, substantially all-polyester fabric, having a functioning antimicrobial, wherein at least one surface has a dynamic coefficient of friction of less than about 0.26 when tested according to ASTM Test Method D1894-00, a Kawabata System Bending Force of about 0.02 or less, a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches or greater after 5 minutes, a Drying Time of less than about 170 minutes, moisture transport per unit time of at least about 0.023 g/min /sq m.