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US 11,510,447 B2Granted
Breathable, wicking nonwoven material
AssigneeZephyros, Inc.
InventorsGreg Thompson, Marc Engel, Christophe Chaut
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An article including one or more moisture wicking layers and one or more fibrous layers. The fibrous layers may have generally vertically oriented fibers, which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to a surface having or producing moisture. The article may be adapted to remove moisture form the surface having or producing moisture. The article may be breathable. The article may be quick drying. The article may provide cushioning. The article may be a wearable item.
Claims30
A wearable article for transferring perspiration away from an outer surface of a user consisting of:
- a. a first layer that is permeable and is configured to contact the perspiration on the outer surface of the user while being worn;
- and
- b. a second layer being disposed opposite the first layer and including fibers that have been processed for alignment in a substantially parallel orientation relative to each other, the second layer configured to include a plurality of undulations having a crest and a trough defined from being vertically lapped and thereby resulting in a plurality of fibers oriented generally perpendicularly to the first layer and a plurality of interstitial spaces between and among the fibers for at least partially defining a fluid transport path for transporting the perspiration away from the first layer and through the second layer;
- wherein the second layer has a thickness defined between a first side and a second side, the first side being in opposing contacting relation with the first layer and the second side having no opposing layer or contact surface;
- wherein the thickness at least partially defines the fluid transport path where the second side is exposed to air for evaporation of the perspiration;
- wherein the fibers include bi-component fibers that are mechanically carded, lapped, and fused in space as a network so that the wearable article has structure and body;
- wherein the wearable article is washable and reusable.
4 more elements
A wearable article for transferring perspiration away from an outer surface of a user comprising:
- a. a first layer that is permeable and is configured to contact the perspiration on the outer surface of the user while the wearable article is being worn;
- b. a second layer that is a fibrous layer including fibers that have been carded for alignment in a substantially parallel orientation relative to each other, the second layer configured to include a plurality of undulations having a crest and a trough defined from being vertically lapped and thereby resulting in a plurality of fibers oriented generally perpendicularly to the first layer and a plurality of interstitial spaces between and among the fibers for defining a fluid transport path for transporting the perspiration away from the first layer and through the second layer;
- wherein the interstitial spaces are defined by a frequency of the undulations;
- wherein the material of the second layer contains a mixture of synthetic fibers and a binder in an amount about 40 percent by weight or less of the fibrous layer;
- wherein the fibers of the second layer have an average linear mass density of about 15 denier or less;
- wherein the fibers and/or binder include bi-component fibers that are mechanically carded, lapped, and fused in space as a network so that the wearable article has structure and body;
- and
- c. a third layer that is permeable and receives the perspiration from the second layer and is configured for wicking of the perspiration transported from the second layer and distributing the perspiration to promote evaporation, wherein the third layer is the outermost layer of the wearable article;
- wherein a total thickness of the second layer is greater than a total thickness of the first layer and the third layer;
- wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer each exhibit a permeability of about 600 L/m2/s or greater at 100 Pa;
- wherein the first layer, the third layer, or both comprises Lycra, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, or a combination thereof;
- and
- wherein the article exhibits antimicrobial characteristics, antifungal characteristics, or both.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.