Antimicrobial and antibacterial thermal-regulating fabric for use in garments, within garments and in other objects

Abstract

The present invention concerns the creating of a fabric made from a novel effective mixture of fibers having antimicrobial properties and fibers providing thermal-regulating properties, for use in the creation of garments and other items used to aid in the health and comfort of the body part and the individual using the fabric. In a preferred embodiment a fifty-fifty mixture of brand name fibers PurThread® having antimicrobial elements, including silver, and Outlast®, having thermal-regulating properties, is made and added to additional fibers having such properties as elasticity and durability and a fabric is woven at least in part therefrom. Some objects that can be created using the prescribed mixture are socks, gloves, body suits, support hosiery and other garments as well as face masks, bedding and wound coverings all helping to deter the setting in of microbes and the thermal-regulation of the body or body part therewithin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fabric created by weaving at least a first yarn comprising a mix of first antimicrobial embedded fibers and second thermal-regulating fibers, the first antimicrobial embedded fibers being impregnated with particles known to have antimicrobial properties to create, when combined with the second thermal-regulating fibers, the first yarn, which is then woven to form an operatively antimicrobial, antibacterial and thermal-regulating fabric. 
     
     
         2 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the impregnation of the first fibers, with particles known to have antimicrobial properties, affixes the antimicrobial particles in the yarn, such that the resulting fabric has enhanced retention of the antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         3 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is fashioned as a sock, shaped for use on human feet. 
     
     
         4 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial particles, known to have antimicrobial properties, are silver salt ions. 
     
     
         5 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial fiber is PurThread® fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal-regulating fiber is Outlast® fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is fashioned as one or more of a glove, a shirt, trousers and a jump suit. 
     
     
         8 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is fashioned as bedding. 
     
     
         9 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn comprises a mix of 50% antimicrobial fibers, and 50% thermal-regulating fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a yarn having a mix of 31% PurThread® fibers, 31% Outlast® fibers and 38% of one or more other fibers, the composition of the other fibers being determined by the desired characteristics of the fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 1 , including at least a second yarn having characteristics complementary to antimicrobial and thermal-regulating properties. 
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein the yarn comprises a minimum of 25% antimicrobial fibers and 25% thermal-regulating fibers. 
     
     
         13 . The fabric of  claim 1 , wherein a weft and a warp of the fabric are created of identical yarns. 
     
     
         14 . A fabric created by weaving a first yarn comprising;
 a mix of 31% first antimicrobial embedded fibers, 31% second thermal-regulating fibers and 38% one or more other fibers, the composition of the other fibers being determined by the desired characteristics of the fabric;   the first antimicrobial embedded fibers being impregnated with particles known to have antimicrobial properties to create, when combined with the second thermal-regulating fibers, the yarn which is then woven together to form an operatively antimicrobial, antibacterial and thermal-regulating fabric, and   wherein the impregnation of the first fibers, with particles known to have antimicrobial properties, affixes the antimicrobial particles in the yarn, such that the resulting fabric has enhanced retention of the antimicrobial properties.   
     
     
         15 . The fabric of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial fiber is PurThread® fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The fabric of  claim 14 , wherein the thermal-regulating fiber is Outlast® fibers. 
     
     
         17 . The fabric of  claim 14 , wherein the fabric is fashioned as one or more of a sock, a glove, a shirt, trousers, bedding, a cast liner and a jump suit. 
     
     
         18 . The fabric of  claim 14  including a second yarn having supplemental garment desirable characteristics.