Lightweight, cut and/or abrasion resistant garments, and related protective wear

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cut and/or abrasion resistant garment that is lightweight, has improved comfort, flexibility and pliability and provides a cooling effect on the wearer, and is particularly suitable for use as hosiery products such as stockings, pantyhose and tights, or for protective coverings for the arms of the wearer.

1 . A cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric, comprising:
 at least one high tenacity nylon yarn and at least one high performance yarn, wherein each yarn in the fabric has a denier of from 10 to 325, wherein the fabric has a fabric weight of 7 OPSY or less and a cut resistance according to ASTM-1790 of 1.5 or higher.   
     
     
         2 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises yarns having a sum of all deniers of from 100 to 800. 
     
     
         3 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high tenacity nylon yarn and at least one high performance yarn combined comprise at least 50% by weight of all yarns making up the fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is knit from at least 4 ends, wherein the at least 4 ends comprise the at least one high tenacity nylon yarn and at least one high performance yarn. 
     
     
         5 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the at least one high tenacity nylon yarn and at least one high performance yarn are a composite yarn. 
     
     
         6 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wicking yarn. 
     
     
         7 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 1 , wherein at least one yarn is antimicrobial. 
     
     
         8 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 4 , wherein the at least 4 ends comprise at least 2 ends of high tenacity nylon yarn and at least 2 ends of high performance yarn. 
     
     
         9 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the high tenacity nylon yarn is a composite yarn comprising a high tenacity nylon yarn. 
     
     
         10 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 9 , wherein the composite yarn comprises at least one high tenacity nylon yarn as core and a first cover layer of a member selected from the group consisting of high performance yarns, thermoplastic yarns and wicking yarns, wherein any one or more components of the composite yarn can optionally be antimicrobial. 
     
     
         11 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit fabric of  claim 9 , wherein the composite yarn comprises at least one high tenacity nylon yarn as core, a first cover layer of at least one high performance yarn, and a second cover layer of one member selected from the group consisting of high performance yarns, thermoplastic yarns, and wicking yarns, wherein any one or more components of the composite yarn can optionally be antimicrobial. 
     
     
         12 . A cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment formed from the fabric of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 12 , wherein the garment is a member selected from the group consisting of socks, stockings, full or partial arm coverings, gloves, undershirts, underpants, bodysuits, and pantyhose. 
     
     
         14 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 13 , wherein the garment is stockings. 
     
     
         15 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 14 , wherein the stockings comprise a foot portion and a leg portion, wherein the leg portion comprises the at least one high tenacity nylon yarn and at least one high performance yarn. 
     
     
         16 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 15 , wherein both the foot portion and the leg portion comprises the at least one high tenacity nylon yarn and at least one high performance yarn. 
     
     
         17 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 13 , wherein the garment is a full or partial arm covering. 
     
     
         18 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 17 , wherein the full or partial arm covering further comprises a glove portion. 
     
     
         19 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 13 , wherein the garment is an undershirt. 
     
     
         20 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 19 , wherein the undershirt is short sleeved. 
     
     
         21 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 19 , wherein the undershirt is long sleeved. 
     
     
         22 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 19 , wherein the undershirt is a tank-top. 
     
     
         23 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 13 , wherein the garment is a bodysuit. 
     
     
         24 . The cut and/or abrasion resistant knit garment of  claim 13 , wherein the garment is underpants.