Electrically conductive elastic composite yarn, methods for making the same, and articles incorporating the same

A method for forming an electrically conductive elastic composite yarn comprising:

• an elastic member having a relaxed length (L);
• and
• at least one conductive covering filament surrounding the elastic member,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• drafting the elastic member to a drafted length N×L where N is from about 1.2 to about 8.0;
• twisting the conductive covering filament with the drafted elastic member;
• and thereafter
• allowing the elastic member to relax.

The method of claim 8 wherein the electrically conductive elastic composite yarn further comprises an inelastic synthetic polymer yarn surrounding the elastic member,

• the method further comprising the steps of:
• twisting the inelastic synthetic polymer yarn with the elastic member and the conductive covering filament;
• and thereafter
• allowing the elastic member to relax.

The method of claim 9 wherein the electrically conductive elastic composite yarn further comprises a second inelastic synthetic polymer yarn surrounding the elastic member,

• the method further comprising the steps of:
• twisting the second inelastic synthetic polymer yarn with the elastic member, the conductive covering filament and the first inelastic synthetic polymer yarn;
• and thereafter
• allowing the elastic member to relax.

A method for forming an electrically conductive elastic composite yarn comprising,

• an elastic member having a relaxed length (L);
• and
• at least one conductive covering filament surrounding the elastic member,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• forwarding the elastic member through an air jet with the elastic member stretched to a length N×L where N is from about 1.2 to about 8.0;
• within the air jet, covering the elastic member with the conductive covering filament;
• and thereafter
• allowing the elastic member to relax.