Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02826612 2013-08-06
TEXTILE SUBSTRATE WITH WATER AND WATER VAPOUR WICKING
PROPERTIES
The invention relates to a textile substrate consisting
of warp and weft, which wicks water and water vapour
and comprises wool and at least regenerated cellulose
fibres.
Such textile substrates are characterized by an
outstanding capacity to absorb and wick water and water
vapour. They have, for example, the property that
moisture (e.g. water, water vapour) reaching an outer
surface of the respective textile substrate is wicked
away from the surface and is transported into the
interior of the textile substrate. On account of this
property, such textile substrates are suitable for
example as a seat cover of a seat unit, especially as a
seat cover formed from such a textile substrate can
absorb and transport moisture which is produced by a
person and released when sitting on the seat cover, so
that even after sitting for a relatively long time the
person does not perceive the seat cover to be moist,
but generally as dry. Accordingly such seat covers
ensure "air-conditioned" seating, which is associated
with very comfortable seating.
These textile substrates generally have a high
breathability, a comparatively low thermal resistance
and a good capacity to transport and absorb moisture
and can therefore generally ensure "passive" air-
conditioned seating (without influencing the moisture
by control engineering means): In combination with one
another, the aforementioned properties of these textile
substrates result in seat surfaces formed from such
textile substrates remaining relatively dry and
pleasantly cool. Therefore such textile substrates are
suitable in particular as seat covers for seat units
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which are generally used for long periods of sitting
without interruption, e.g. for seat units in
automobiles and buses, in rail vehicles and in aircraft
and for office chairs, wheelchairs, etc.
Known from EP 1 127 969 Bl, for example, is a textile
substrate for absorbing and wicking water which is
composed of a first thread system in the form of warp
threads (hereinafter "warp") and a second thread system
in the form of weft threads (hereinafter "weft") and
contains fibres of wool and fibres of a regenerated
cellulose in the form of viscose (CV). One of the said
thread systems (i.e. the warp or the weft) comprises a
mixed yarn consists of 30-70 percent by weight
(referred to below as "% by weight") of wool and 30-70
% by weight of viscose and the respective other one of
the thread systems (i.e. the weft or the warp)
comprises alternately a mixed yarn consisting of 30-70
% by weight of wool and 30-70 % by weight viscose and a
yarn consisting of 100 % by weight of viscose. In this
textile substrate the viscose fibres in particular are
capable of absorbing relatively large amounts of water
and wicking it over relatively large distances into the
respective fibres, so that the textile substrate has an
absorption capacity with regard to water which is
suitable in order to use the substrate for seat covers.
Furthermore textile substrates are known which
transport the moisture by means of capillary systems.
They preferably consist of fibres of polymeric
materials. As a rule such fibres only absorb extremely
little or no moisture, so that textile substrates made
of such fibres absorb and transport the moisture in
each case into intermediate spaces between the
respective fibres, where the moisture forms boundary
layers adjoining surfaces of individual fibres and can
be transported in these boundary layers along the
I
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respective surfaces of the fibres. Such textile
substrate are generally sorbent for moisture because of
their structure, i.e. the respective geometric
arrangement of the surfaces of the individual fibres
determines the ability of the respective textile
substrate to absorb and to transport moisture. In
general moisture can only be transported relatively
efficiently between different fibres if the fibres are
relatively thin and are disposed in a relatively high
density in bundles so that capillary effects can be
effective. This results in the disadvantage that with
regard to the geometric arrangement of the respective
fibres in the respective textile substrate there is
only a little scope for varying the arrangement of the
fibres, especially since otherwise the requirements for
air-conditioned seating cannot be met. Furthermore the
transport of the moisture is also restricted: as a
result of the capillary effects, the moisture is
preferably distributed along the respective fibre
bundle so that the moisture is distributed
substantially along a surface which is determined by
the arrangement of the respective fibres. For specific
requirements, for example in the case of sports
clothing, this is desirable, especially since on the
boundary surfaces a high cooling performance and
simultaneously rapid drying can be achieved, due to
evaporation of water on the boundary surfaces and the
extraction of the amount of heat required for this
process from the textile substrate. However, the afore-
mentioned effects conflict with essential prerequisites
which must be met for passively air-conditioned seating
and which can generally only be achieved under
conditions which are not compatible with "air-
conditioned" seating. On the one hand, a textile
substrate of the afore-mentioned type actually achieves
the afore-mentioned cooling effect only when the person
sitting thereon is already perspiring intensely. When a
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person who is perspiring has been in contact for a
relatively long time with a surface of such a textile
substrate and subsequently moves away from this
surface, then the moisture collected on this surface
evaporates and cools this surface relatively intensely
in a relatively short time. A renewed contact with the
surface of the textile substrate would be perceived the
person under the afore-mentioned conditions as "cold
and wet". The latter speaks against the use of such a
textile substrate as a seat cover for a seating unit
for long periods of sitting, especially as people on
such seat units sit for a relatively long time period
with brief interruptions, so that a person would
perceive a renewed contact with the respective seat
cover after any such interruption as "cold and wet" and
thus as unpleasant.
Furthermore textile substrates are known which contain
intimate mixtures of wool with 5%-15% of polymer
fibres. The disadvantages of this are the relatively
slow drying of the right side of the product and a low
transport of heat, and an advantage is the good
abrasion resistance. Furthermore, textile substrates
containing fibres made of wool and polymers are known,
the behaviour of which with regard to moisture is
determined by the aforementioned capillary effects of
fibres made of polymers and the property of wool to
absorb water vapour. In this case, a high proportion of
staple fibres made of polymers has the effect that the
drying ability of the substrate is improved, but
disadvantages are a limited absorption and storage of
moisture and a low thermal conductivity of the textile
substrate.
Textile substrates are also known which are formed as a
multi-layer structure formed of a plurality of layers
disposed one above the other, optionally composed of
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different materials and connected to one another. Such
textile substrates are generally relatively expensive
because of their complex structure. Furthermore, on
account of their multi-layer structure such textile
substrates generally have insufficient surface
stability for use as a seat cover.
With regard to seat units there is a constant
requirement on the one hand to reduce the weight of the
seat unit as much as possible and moreover to improve
the seating comfort by means which positively influence
and regulate the seating climate. This results in the
requirement to construct seat units from the fewest
possible lightweight components which can guarantee the
desired properties of the seat unit. In this case, the
seat surface occupies a particular position as the
interface between person and seat for well-being when
sitting. Seat units generally comprise a deformable
sub-structure which supports the respective seat cover.
Such sub-structures are predominantly produced from
foamed materials which are not very thick in order to
reduce weight. The thinner such sub-structures are, the
less moisture they are able to absorb. The same applies
to textile substrates which are used as seat covers.
Such designs frequently lead to the person perspiring
when sitting in the region of the contact surface with
the seat cover. These negative effects are frequently
compensated by energy-intensive and costly solutions
for cooling the environment of the seat unit with
simultaneous air drying, where experience suggests that
as a result, for a person sitting on the seat unit, the
seating comfort (in the sense of prolonged wellbeing)
is insufficient, because a seated person generally
reacts sensitively to differences between the
properties of the respective seat (in the present case
the person tends to be aware of moist seat surfaces and
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high seat surface temperatures) and properties of the
environment (in this case the person is aware of an
artificially lowered ambient temperature and a reduced
humidity) and these differences are perceived as all
the more irritating, the greater these differences are.
The object of the present invention is to avoid the
said disadvantages and to create a textile substrate
which is of relatively simple construction and can be
produced cost-effectively and with regard to wicking
moisture (water and/or water vapour) has properties
which make it possible to use the textile substrate as
a seat cover which allows passive air-conditioned
seating with improved seating comfort during long
periods of sitting.
The textile substrate according to the invention
according to variant 1 consists of warp and weft and
comprises wool and at least regenerated cellulose
fibres, where the warp comprises a plurality of warp
threads and the weft comprises a plurality of weft
threads and where each warp thread crosses over a
plurality of weft threads respectively at least at one
intersection point and each weft thread crosses over a
plurality of warp threads respectively at least at one
intersection point, so that the warp and the weft
together form a layer which has a first surface on one
side and has a second surface opposite the first
surface on another side. In this case it is presupposed
that at least one of the weft threads consists of a
first yarn and at least one of the weft threads
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consists of a second yarn.
According to the invention the first yarn is a three-
component yarn which comprises a plurality of first
fibres made of wool, a plurality of second fibres made
of regenerated cellulose and a plurality of third
fibres in the form of continuous fibres made of a
synthetic material. Furthermore the second yarn
contains a predetermined amount of regenerated
cellulose fibres, where the percentage fraction of the
mass ("mass fraction") of the regenerated cellulose
fibres respectively contained in the second yarn to the
respective total mass of the second yarn is greater
than the percentage fraction of the mass ("mass
fraction") of the respective second regenerated
cellulose fibres contained in the first yarn to the
respective total mass of the first yarn.
Furthermore the layer comprises at least one region in
which the at least one weft thread consisting of the
first yarn and the at least one weft thread consisting
of the second yarn extend in such a manner that
(i) the at least one weft thread consisting of the
first yarn comprises one or more longitudinal sections,
which each extend between two neighbouring intersection
points and run on the first surface of the layer, and
one or more longitudinal sections which each extend
between two neighbouring intersection points and run
over at least a part of their length on the second
surface of the layer, and
(ii) the at least one weft thread consisting of the
second yarn comprises one or more longitudinal
sections, which each extend between two neighbouring
intersection points and run over at least a part of
their length on the first surface of the layer, and one
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or more longitudinal sections which each extend between
two neighbouring intersection points and run on the
second surface of the layer, and
(iii) in the case of
the at least one weft thread
consisting of the first yarn, the overall length of all
those longitudinal sections which run in the at least
one region of the layer on the first surface of the
layer is greater than the overall length of all those
longitudinal sections which run in the at least one
region of the layer on the second surface of the layer,
and
(iv) in the case of the at least one weft thread
consisting of the second yarn, the overall length of
all those longitudinal sections which run in the at
least one region of the layer on the first surface of
the layer is smaller than the overall length of all
those longitudinal sections which run in the at least
one region of the layer on the second surface of the
layer.
Since each warp thread crosses over a plurality of weft
threads at least at one intersection point, and each
weft thread crosses over a plurality of warp threads at
an intersection point so that the warp and the weft
together form a layer, it is achieved that the textile
substrate according to the invention does not form a
multi-layer structure, i.e. a structure in which
specific part-quantities of the warp threads together
with specific part-quantities of the weft threads are
disposed in different layers constructed above one
another within the textile substrate. Since the warp
threads and weft threads together are disposed in only
one layer, the textile substrate has the advantage that
it can be produced by relatively simple means and with
relatively low expenditure and thus cost-effectively.
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The textile substrate wicks water and water vapour,
where for the wicking of water and water vapour on the
one hand, the material of the fibres contained in the
first yarn and in the second yarn and on the other
hand, the spatial arrangement of the different fibres
or the spatial arrangement of the first yarn and of the
second yarn in the textile substrate play a significant
part.
If the textile substrate is used as a seat cover and a
person sitting on the textile substrate, when seated,
releases moisture (e.g. water and/or water vapour) and
generally also heat to the textile substrate, then the
wicking of the moisture released to the textile
substrate and the respective temperature of the
substrate substantially determine the seating comfort.
The invention is therefore based on the idea that in
order to optimize the seating comfort, the spatial
arrangement of the different fibres contained in the
first yarn and in the second yarn is selected so that
the person seated perceives the reaction of the textile
substrate to the moisture and heat released to the
textile substrate to be as pleasant as possible.
The reaction of the textile substrate according to the
invention to moisture is substantially determined by
the fact that the first yarn and the second yarn on the
one hand comprise different fibres (i.e. fibres made of
wool and regenerated cellulose and fibres in the form
of continuous fibres made of a synthetic material in
the case of the first yarn, at least fibres made of
regenerated cellulose in the case of the second yarn),
and that the first yarn and the second yarn are each
disposed differently relative to the first surface or
the second surface respectively. The consequence of
this on the one hand is that the first yarn and the
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second yarn exhibit a different behaviour relative to
moisture. A further consequence of this is that the
textile substrate exhibits an asymmetry under the
action of moisture: on account of the different
arrangement of the first yarn and of the second yarn,
the first surface and the second surface of the textile
substrate also exhibit a different behaviour under the
action of moisture.
Both the respective fibres made of wool and the
respective fibres made of regenerated cellulose are
textile fibres which can absorb large amounts of
moisture and, in an environment in which the indoor
climate and thus also the moisture can change, these
fibres can absorb so much moisture that the fibres are
continuously in a moisture equilibrium with the
environment (at least within a certain spectrum of
different indoor climate conditions). In order to
continuously enable a moisture balance between the
respective fibres and the environment, in each case an
absorption and a desorption of moisture, based upon
molecular permeation, takes place simultaneously.
However, in this connection it should be borne in mind
that fibres made of wool and fibres made of regenerated
cellulose differ with regard to their ability to absorb
water or water vapour or to transport this in the
respective fibres. Fibres made of regenerated cellulose
can for example absorb water (in the liquid state)
substantially more quickly and can also release it
substantially more quickly than fibres made of wool.
Accordingly fibres made of wool require a substantially
longer time for drying than fibres made of regenerated
cellulose. On the other hand, fibres made of wool (in
contrast to fibres made of regenerated cellulose)
absorb relatively large amounts of water vapour.
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The continuous fibres made of a synthetic material
which are present in the textile substrate influence a
reaction of the textile substrate to moisture in two
respects. On the one hand, these continuous fibres can
transport moisture on their surfaces by sorption and
therefore have the tendency to distribute moisture on
their surfaces, preferably in intermediate spaces
between neighbouring continuous fibres by means of
capillary effects, and to dry rapidly. On the other
hand, these continuous fibres made of a synthetic
material are used in order to influence the spatial
arrangement of fibres made of wool or regenerated
cellulose in the textile substrate so that the
respective arrangement of these continuous fibres also
indirectly influences the reaction of the respective
fibres made of wool and made of regenerated cellulose.
As a result of the afore-mentioned features (i)-(iv),
the textile substrate according to the invention has
the following properties with regard to reaction to
moisture:
since both the respective weft thread made of the
first yarn and also the respective weft thread
made of the second yarn according to the features
(i) and (ii) run at least in sections on the first
surface and at least in sections on the second
surface, both the respective weft thread made of
the first yarn and also the respective weft thread
made of the second yarn enable an exchange of
moisture from the first surface to the second
surface and vice versa.
Both the first yarn and also the second yarn each
comprise one or more fibres made of regenerated
cellulose. Since the mass fraction of the
respective regenerated cellulose fibres contained
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in the second yarn to the respective total mass of
the second yarn is greater than the mass fraction
of the respective second fibres made of
regenerated cellulose contained in the first yarn
to the respective total mass of the first yarn and
the respective fibres made of cellulose regenerate
can absorb water (in the liquid state)
substantially more quickly and in larger amounts
than the respective fibres made of wool (present
at least in the first yarn), considerably more
water is generally absorbed by the second yarn
than by the first yarn from a quantity of water
which may be brought into contact (in the liquid
state) with the textile substrate. This difference
with regard to the amount of water absorbed per
unit of time is increased, the greater the
difference is between the mass fraction of the
regenerated cellulose fibres respectively
contained in the second yarn to the total mass of
the second yarn and the mass fraction of the
respective second regenerated cellulose fibres
contained in the first yarn to the respective
total mass of the first yarn. Accordingly liquid
water is predominantly absorbed by the respective
weft threads consisting of the second yarn.
Accordingly, if water in the liquid state is brought
into contact with the first surface of the textile
substrate, then this water is preferably absorbed
via the respective longitudinal sections of the weft
threads consisting of the second yarn and running on
the first surface and thus transported into the
interior of the textile substrate. Since in the case
of the respective weft thread consisting of the
second yarn, the overall length of all those
longitudinal sections which run in the at least one
region of the layer on the first surface of the layer is
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less than the overall length of all those
longitudinal sections which run in the at least
one region of the layer on the second surface of
the layer, the majority of the water penetrating
from the first surface into the interior of the
textile substrate collects in the longitudinal
sections of the respective weft threads consisting
of the second yarn running on the second surface
of the textile substrate. Accordingly this water
is concentrated in the vicinity of the second
surface of the textile substrate.
Those longitudinal sections of the at least one
weft thread consisting of the first yarn which,
according to feature (iii), run in the at least
one region of the layer on the first surface of
the layer, and those longitudinal sections of the
at least one weft thread consisting of the second
yarn which, according to feature (iv), run in the
at least one region of the layer on the second
surface of the layer, cross over the respective
warp threads on opposing sides of these warp
threads (i.e. on the side of the respective warp
thread facing the first surface or on the side of
the respective warp thread facing the second
surface). The warp threads have the effect that
those longitudinal sections of the at least one
weft thread consisting of the first yarn which
according to feature (iii) run in the at least one
region of the layer on the first surface of the
layer, and those longitudinal sections of the at
least one weft thread consisting of the second
yarn which according to feature (iv) run in the at
least one region of the layer on the second
surface of the layer, are spatially separated by
the warp threads in the direction of a vertical
with respect to the first surface of the layer (or
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in the direction of a vertical with respect to the
second surface of the layer). This spatial
separation increases the greater the thickness of
the respective warp threads. This spatial
separation in the direction of the vertical has
the effect that the water, which (as set out
above) is preferably concentrated in the vicinity
of the second surface, is concentrated at a
relatively large distance from the first surface.
This results in a spatial distribution of the
concentration of moisture in the interior of the
textile substrate between the first surface and
the second surface in such a manner that the
concentration of the moisture - starting from the
first surface - increases progressively in the
direction of the second surface. The latter is
explained in greater detail hereinafter.
Due to the spatial arrangement of the first yarn
and of the second yarn (according to the features
(iii) and (iv)) with regard to absorption of water
(in the liquid state) on the first surface, the
textile substrate according to the invention
behaves in a weakly hydrophobic manner, whereas
the textile substrate on the second surface is
hydrophilic and strongly absorbent for water (in
the liquid state).
The respective fibres made of wool ensure that the
textile substrate has a high permeability for
moisture in vapour form (water vapour) over the
entire cross-section of the textile substrate.
Accordingly the permeability for moisture in
vapour form (water vapour) is accordingly
particularly high in the regions of the textile
substrate in which the respective weft threads
made of the first yarn run. If water vapour is
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introduced from the first surface into the textile
substrate, then this has the effect that the water
vapour can penetrate into the interior of the
textile substrate or can penetrate the textile
substrate and optionally condense. Such
condensation of the water vapour generally takes
place in the vicinity of the second surface of the
textile substrate. Accordingly the heat of
condensation released during condensation is
produced at a relatively large distance from the
first surface. This has the effect that heat of
condensation in the textile substrate is produced
in a region of the textile substrate which is
remote from the first surface. In this way an
increase in temperature of the first surface due
to heat of condensation is advantageously largely
avoided. In this case the water produced by the
condensation of the water vapour can preferably be
absorbed by the respective weft threads consisting
of the second yarn, so that this water also is
concentrated principally in the vicinity of the
second surface (on account of feature (iv)).
Since the first yarn contains both regenerated
cellulose fibres and continuous fibres made of a
synthetic material, absorption of (liquid) water
in the first yarn leads to an inhomogeneous
moisture distribution, especially as the
regenerated cellulose fibres can absorb water
quickly and in large amounts whilst the continuous
fibres made of a synthetic material dry quickly.
In the production of the first yarn the respective
continuous fibres made of a synthetic material
(third fibres) are guided so that the respective
continuous fibres are disposed primarily on the
outer edge of the cross-section of the first yarn
whilst the fibres made of regenerated cellulose
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are disposed in the centre or in the vicinity of
the centre of the cross-section. Such a
distribution of the fibres has the effect that the
first yarn after absorption of liquid water in a
layer adjoining the surface of the yarn can dry
quickly because of the respective continuous
fibres made of a synthetic material. Consequently,
after a short time the water absorbed by the first
yarn is spatially distributed in such a manner
that the concentration of the water - relative to
a cross-section of the first yarn - is at a
maximum in a central region of the cross-section
whilst the concentration of the water on the edge
of the cross-section is low, so that the
instantaneous distribution of the moisture
contained in the first yarn has a gradient which
is directed to the centre of the cross-section of
the first yarn. This leads to several advantages.
On the one hand, the first surface of the textile
substrate can dry within an extremely short time
after absorption of water so that the first
surface of the textile substrate feels dry. On the
other hand, the water which is contained in the
respective fibres made of regenerated cellulose
can be released in a metered manner to the surface
of the first yarn and evaporate there. The latter
leads to a metered cooling of the first surface of
the textile substrate, especially as on account of
feature (iii) the first yarn runs over a greater
length on the first surface than on the second
surface so that the afore-mentioned evaporation of
water and cooling accompanying the evaporation
takes place principally on the first surface of
the textile substrate.
Since the respective second yarn also runs at
least over a certain part its length on the first
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surface (features (ii) and (iv)), moisture can
pass via the second yarn from the second surface
to the first surface and can be desorbed and
evaporated by the respective longitudinal sections
of the second yarn running on the first surface.
This process also enables metered cooling of the
first surface of the textile substrate.
The afore-mentioned properties are in particular
advantageous with regard to use of the textile
substrate as a seat cover of a seat unit and in this
case in particular create the prerequisite for passive
air-conditioned seating with an improved seating
comfort during long periods of sitting.
If the textile substrate is used as a seat cover, then
it is in particular advantageous if the first surface
of the textile substrate serves as seat surface (i.e.
as the right side of the seat cover). If a person
sitting for a long period of time on the textile
substrate having body contact with the first surface of
the textile substrate continuously releases moisture
(water in the liquid state and/or water vapour) onto
the first surface in the at least one region of the
textile substrate, then several advantageous effects
are apparent.
On the one hand, the moisture (i.e. the water
penetrating via the first surface into the textile
substrate and the water produced by condensation of the
water vapour in the textile substrate) is distributed
in the at least one region of the textile substrate on
account of the spatial arrangement of the weft threads
consisting of the first yarn or the second yarn and the
arrangement of the respective fibres in the first yarn
or in the second yarn spatially in different layers
which extend substantially parallel to the respective
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surfaces of the textile substrate and are disposed
consecutively in a direction perpendicular to the
textile substrate, wherein the respective concentration
of the moisture varies in each case as a function of
the distance from the first surface. In this case, the
concentration of the moisture increases progressively
in the textile substrate as a function of the distance
from the first surface generally in the direction of
the second surface, so that the concentration of the
moisture in the textile substrate as a function of the
distance from the first surface exhibits a non-linear
gradient, in particular progressively increasing in the
direction of the second surface (hereinafter
"progressive moisture gradient"). In this case, the
concentration of the moisture has a maximum in the
vicinity of the second surface, i.e. at a distance from
the first surface. On the other hand, the concentration
of the moisture in a layer adjoining the first surface
within a certain distance from the first surface is low
in such a manner that the seated person perceives the
first surface as dry. In this case it is a particular
advantage of the textile substrate according to the
invention that this "dry" layer can exist on the first
surface as long as the saturation limit of the textile
substrate with respect to moisture is not yet reached,
that is to say optionally for any length of time as
long as it is ensured that the saturation limit of the
textile substrate is not reached.
The progressive behaviour of the concentration of the
moisture as a function of the distance from the first
surface also has advantages with regard to the drying
of the textile substrate and the cooling of the
substrate as a result of evaporation of water. On the
one hand, relatively little water evaporates on the
first surface so that the first surface is cooled in a
metered manner by evaporation. Furthermore the fact
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that fibres made of wool require a substantially longer
time for drying than fibres made of regenerated
cellulose loses importance.
Since the water vapour penetrating into the textile
substrate in the vicinity of the second surface can
condense and thus the heat of condensation released
during the condensation is produced at a distance from
the first surface and on the other hand, the first
surface is constantly cooled in a metered manner by
evaporation of water, the temperature of the textile
substrate on the first surface can be stabilized at a
value close to the body temperature of the seated
person. The latter also applies when the seated person
interrupts the sitting after a relatively long sitting
phase. During this interruption the first surface will
cool only very slowly, since the cooling of the first
surface takes place in a metered manner by evaporation
of water. This has the advantage that the seated person
can interrupt the sitting after a relatively long
sitting phase and can continue sitting after the
interruption without making cooling of the first
surface following the interruption perceptible in an
unpleasant manner for this person.
The textile substrate according to the invention
according to variant 2 consists of warp and weft and
comprises wool and at least regenerated cellulose
fibres, where the warp comprises a plurality of warp
threads and the weft comprises a plurality of weft
threads and wherein each warp thread crosses over a
plurality of weft threads respectively at least at one
intersection point and each weft thread crosses over a
plurality of warp threads respectively at least at one
intersection point, so that the warp and the weft
together form a layer which has a first surface on one
side and has a second surface opposite the first
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surface on another side. In this case it is presupposed
that at least one of the warp threads consists of a
first yarn and at least one of the warp threads
consists of a second yarn.
According to the invention the textile substrate
according to variant 2 is configured in such a manner
that the first yarn is a three-component yarn which
comprises a plurality of first fibres made of wool, a
plurality of second fibres made of regenerated
cellulose and a plurality of third fibres in the form
of continuous fibres made of a synthetic material.
Furthermore the second yarn contains a predetermined
amount of regenerated cellulose fibres, wherein the
percentage fraction of the mass ("mass fraction") of
the regenerated cellulose fibres respectively contained
in the second yarn to the respective total mass of the
second yarn is greater than the percentage fraction of
the mass ("mass fraction") of the respective second
regenerated cellulose fibres contained in the first
yarn to the respective total mass of the first yarn.
Furthermore the layer comprises at least one region in
which the at least one warp thread consisting of the
first yarn and the at least one warp thread consisting
of the second yarn extend in such a manner that
(a) the at least one warp thread consisting of the
first yarn comprises one or more longitudinal sections,
which each extend between two neighbouring intersection
points and run on the first surface of the layer, and
one or more longitudinal sections which each extend
between two neighbouring intersection points and run
over at least a part of their length on the second
surface of the layer, and
(b) the at least one warp thread consisting of the
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second yarn comprises one or more longitudinal
sections, which each extend between two neighbouring
intersection points and run over at least a part of
their length on the first surface of the layer, and one
or more longitudinal sections which each extend between
two neighbouring intersection points and run on the
second surface of the layer, and
(c) in the case of the at least one warp thread
consisting of the first yarn, the overall length of all
those longitudinal sections which run in the at least
one region of the layer on the first surface of the
layer is greater than the overall length of all those
longitudinal sections which run in the at least one
region of the layer on the second surface of the layer,
and
(d) in the case of the at least one warp thread
consisting of the second yarn, the overall length of
all those longitudinal sections which run in the at
least one region of the layer on the first surface of
the layer is smaller than the overall length of all
those longitudinal sections which run in the at least
one region of the layer on the second surface of the
layer.
The textile substrate according to variant 2 differs
from the textile substrate according to variant 1
substantially in that the arrangement or the function
of the respective warp threads in the textile substrate
according to variant 2 correspond to the arrangement or
the function of the respective weft threads in the
textile substrate according to variant 1 and the
arrangement or the function of the respective weft
threads in the textile substrate according to variant 2
correspond to the arrangement or the function of the
respective warp threads in the textile substrate
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according to variant 1. Consequently the properties and
advantages which are mentioned above with regard to the
weft threads or the warp threads of the textile
substrate according to variant 1 correspond analogously
to the properties and advantages which may be assigned
to the warp threads or the weft threads of the textile
substrate according to variant 2.
Accordingly in the case of the textile substrate
according to variant 2, the at least one warp thread
consisting of the first yarn and the at least one warp
thread consisting of the second yarn on the basis of
the features (a)-(d) with regard to transport of
moisture (water, water vapour) ensure the same effects
which in the case of the textile substrate according to
variant 1 are ensured by the at least one weft thread
consisting of the first yarn and the at least one weft
thread consisting of the second yarn on the basis of
the features (i)-(iv).
Correspondingly in the case of the textile substrate
according to variant 2 the respective weft threads have
the same function as the respective warp threads in the
event of the textile substrate according to variant 1.
In particular in the case of the textile substrate
according to variant 2, the respective weft threads
have the effect that those longitudinal sections of the
at least one warp thread consisting of the first yarn
which according to feature (c) run in the at least one
region of the layer on the first surface of the layer,
and those longitudinal sections of the at least one
warp thread consisting of the second yarn which
according to feature (d) run in the at least one region
of the layer on the second surface of the layer, are
spatially separated by the weft threads in the
direction of a vertical with respect to the first
surface of the layer (or in the direction of a vertical
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with respect to the second surface of the layer). This
spatial separation increases, the greater the thickness
of the respective weft threads. This spatial separation
in the direction of the vertical has the effect that
the moisture is preferably concentrated in the vicinity
of the second surface and in particular at a relatively
large distance from the first surface. This results in
a spatial distribution of the concentration of moisture
in the interior of the textile substrate between the
first surface and the second surface in such a manner
that the concentration of the moisture - starting from
the first surface - increases progressively in the
direction of the second surface.
An embodiment of the textile substrate according to
variant 1 is configured in such a manner that the weft
thread consisting of the first yarn is a single yarn or
a ply formed from a plurality of single yarns and/or
the weft thread consisting of the second yarn is a
single yarn or a ply formed from a plurality of single
yarns. Correspondingly an embodiment of the textile
substrate according to variant 2 is configured in such
a manner that the warp thread consisting of the first
yarn is a single yarn or a ply formed from a plurality
of single yarns and/or the warp thread consisting of
the second yarn is a single yarn or a ply formed from a
plurality of single yarns. Accordingly the at least one
weft thread consisting of the first yarn (in the case
of the aforementioned embodiments of the textile
substrate according to variant 1) or the at least one
warp thread consisting of the first yarn (in the case
of the aforementioned embodiments of the textile
substrate according to variant 2) and the at least one
weft thread consisting of the second yarn (in the case
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of the aforementioned embodiments of the textile
substrate according to variant 2) do not have to be a
single yarn: the at least one weft thread or warp
thread consisting of the first yarn can also for
example be one ply which contains a plurality of single
yarns twisted together, where the first yarn forms the
respective single yarn; correspondingly the at least
one weft thread or warp thread consisting of the second
yarn can be one ply which contains a plurality of
single yarns twisted together, wherein the second yarn
forms the respective single yarn. In this way, a high
mechanical load-bearing capacity of the respective
yarns and of the respective textile substrate, in
particular a high tensile strength of the respective
yarns and of the textile substrate, is ensured.
In the case of a further embodiment of the textile
substrate according to variant 1, one or more warp
threads can consist of the first yarn. This embodiment
has the advantage that the at least one weft thread
consisting of the first yarn is crossed over by one or
more warp threads consisting of the same (first) yarn.
In this way it is advantageously ensured that moisture
(in particular water vapour) - according to the
aforementioned properties of the first yarn - can be
transported efficiently within the textile substrate in
two spatial dimensions parallel to the first surface
(or the second surface). Since the warp threads
consisting of the first yarn cross over both the
respective weft threads consisting of the first yarn
and also the respective weft threads consisting of the
second yarn, the warp threads consisting of the first
yarn ensure an efficient transport of moisture from the
first surface of the textile substrate to the
respective weft threads consisting of the second yarn.
In this way, moisture penetrating into the textile
substrate via the first surface (i.e. the water
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penetrating via the first surface into the textile
substrate and the water produced by condensation of the
water vapour in the textile substrate) in the at least
one region of the textile substrate on account of the
spatial arrangement of the weft threads and warp
threads consisting of the first yarn or of the weft
threads consisting of the second yarn and the
arrangement of the respective fibres in the first yarn
or in the second yarn is distributed spatially in such
a manner that the respective concentration of the
moisture progressively increases particularly markedly
in the vicinity of the second surface in each case as a
function of the distance from the first surface.
A further development of the afore-mentioned embodiment
of the textile substrate according to variant I can be
configured in such a manner that one or more weft
threads consist of the second yarn and the respective
weft threads cross over the respective warp threads in
such a manner that a warp thread consisting of the
first yarn forms one or more weave points in each case
with weft threads consisting of the second yarn or (in
addition or alternatively) a weft thread consisting of
the second yarn forms one or more weave points in each
case with warp threads consisting of the first yarn.
In this context one warp thread forms a "weave point"
with certain weft threads when the warp thread on the
one hand crosses over three weft threads disposed
adjacent to one another in such a manner that the warp
thread crosses over the middle one of the afore-
mentioned three weft threads on one side of the textile
substrate and crosses over the other two of the afore-
mentioned three weft threads on the other side of the
textile substrate. In this case, "weave point"
designates in each case a location (intersection point)
at which the warp thread crosses over the middle one of
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the three weft threads.
Accordingly one weft thread forms a "weave point" with
certain warp threads when the weft thread on the one hand
crosses over three warp threads disposed adjacent to one
another in such a manner that the weft thread crosses over
the middle one of the afore-mentioned three warp threads
on one side of the textile substrate and crosses over the
other two of the afore-mentioned three warp threads on the
other side of the textile substrate. In this case, "weave
point" designates in each case a location (intersection
point) at which the weft thread crosses over the middle
one of the three warp threads.
Since one warp thread consisting of the first yarn forms
one or more weave points in each case with weft thread
consisting of the second yarn, it is achieved that the
warp thread consisting of the first yarn is in contact
with the weft thread consisting of the second yarn at the
respective weave point on a particularly large surface.
This has the advantage, that moisture from the respective
first yarn can be released particularly efficiently at one
of the respective weave points to the respective second
yarn and vice versa. In this way, moisture can be
efficiently transferred between a first yarn and the
respective second yarn in particular at the respective
weave point. A corresponding advantage is achieved if a
weft thread consisting of the second yarn forms one or
more weave points .in each case with warp threads
consisting of the first yarn.
In the case of a further embodiment of the textile
substrate according to variant 2 (analogously to the
afore-mentioned embodiment of the textile substrate
according to variant 1) one or more weft threads can
consist of the first yarn. In this way the same
advantages are achieved which are present in the case
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of the textile substrate according to variant 1 if one
or more warp threads consist of the first yarn.
Accordingly a further modification of the afore-
mentioned embodiment of the textile substrate according
to variant 2 may be configured in such a manner that
one or more warp threads consist of the second yarn and
the respective warp threads cross over the respective
weft threads in such a manner that a weft thread
consisting of the first yarn forms one or more weave
points in each case with warp threads consisting of the
second yarn or (in addition or alternatively) a warp
thread consisting of the second yarn forms one or more
weave points in each case with weft threads consisting
of the first yarn.
An embodiment of the textile substrate is characterized
in that the first yarn has a central longitudinal axis
and a core zone surrounding the central longitudinal
axis and extending along the central longitudinal axis
and an outer zone surrounding the core zone and
extending along the central longitudinal axis, and the
respective first fibres, the respective second fibres
and the respective third fibres are spatially
distributed in the first yarn in such a manner that
a concentration of the second fibres (made of
regenerated cellulose) in the core zone is greater
than in the outer zone and
a concentration of the first fibres (made of wool) in
the outer zone is greater than in the core zone and
a concentration of the third fibres (in each case
in the form of a continuous fibre made of a
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synthetic material) in the outer zone is greater
than in the core zone.
It is thereby achieved that moisture (water and/or
water vapour) is absorbed by the first yarn in such a
manner that the outer zone of the respective (warp or
weft) threads consisting of the first yarn dries
quickly because of the respective third fibres and
remains dry and can ensure transport of water vapour
through the outer zone because of the fibres made of
wool, whilst on the other hand water penetrating into
the textile substrate or condensed in the textile
substrate is absorbed by the second fibres made of
regenerated cellulose in the core zone. In this case
moisture is distributed in the first yarn, which
enables a rapid and nevertheless metered evaporation of
water. The latter has the advantage that the surfaces
of the textile substrate, in particular the first
surface of the textile substrate, dry in a particularly
short time and the respective surfaces of the textile
substrate have a pleasantly cool effect.
A further embodiment of the textile substrate is
characterized in that the second fibre (made of
regenerated cellulose) in the first yarn is formed as a
staple fibre. Since staple fibres are generally
relatively short, the respective staple fibres in the
first yarn are frequently disposed in such a manner
that one of their ends projects as far as the surface
of the first yarn. In this way, the respective second
fibre can absorb moisture more quickly (via an end of
the fibre projecting as far as the surface of the first
yarn).
The respective third fibre of the first yarn can, for
example, comprise a polymer or a mixture of different
polymers. For example, the respective third fibre can
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comprise one or more of the polymers polyamide,
polyester or poiyolefin.
In the case of a further embodiment of the textile
substrate the first yarn comprises the respective first
fibres (made of wool) in a fraction of 25-55 % by
weight, the respective second fibres (made of
regenerated cellulose) in a fraction of 25-55 % by
weight and the respective third fibres (in the form of
a continuous fibre made of a synthetic material) in a
fraction of 5-40 % by weight. In this case, the
regenerated cellulose fibres enable a suitable metered
evaporation of water. This reduces the danger that
moisture penetrating from the first surface into the
textile substrate is absorbed by the respective second
yarn in a mass such that the moisture builds up in the
textile substrate from the second surface to the first
surface. This prevents an excessive build-up of
moisture from occurring on the second surface of the
textile substrate and ensures that the first surface of
the textile substrate remains dry and the textile
substrate is not saturated with moisture.
In a further embodiment of the textile substrate the
proportion by weight of the respective first fibres and
the respective second fibres relative to the total
weight of the first yarn is greater than the proportion
by weight of the respective third fibres relative to
the total weight of the first yarn. In this case it is
advantageous that the respective first yarn can have a
small diameter in spite of relatively coarse first and
second fibres.
In the case of a further embodiment of the textile
substrate, the second yarn comprises 50-100 % by weight
of regenerated cellulose fibres. In this way a
particularly large proportion of the moisture which is
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optionally absorbed by the textile substrate can be
absorbed by the second yarn. This has in particular the
advantage that moisture which is brought into contact
with the first surface of the textile substrate can be
transported particularly efficiently via the second
yarn to the second surface. Moreover the moisture in
the textile substrate is distributed in such a manner
that a particularly large moisture gradient is produced
which is directed from the first surface to the second
surface.
With regard to the fibres made of regenerated cellulose
which are contained in the first yarn or in the second
yarn, a number of variants are possible. Each
individual one of the respective second fibres of the
first yarn and/or each individual one of the respective
regenerated cellulose fibres of the second yarn
preferably consists of one the materials viscose (CV),
modal (CMD) or lyocell (CLY) or mixtures of these
materials. The first and the second yarn can also in
each case contain several different regenerated
cellulose fibres which differ in that they are composed
of different ones of the afore-mentioned materials or
of different mixtures of the afore-mentioned materials.
The textile substrate according to the invention has
the further advantage that it can be produced in a
simple manner, e.g. as fabric.
In the case of a further embodiment of the textile
substrate, the respective first fibre and/or the
respective second fibre and/or the respective third
fibre and/or the respective regenerated cellulose of
the second yarn and/or the first yarn as a whole and/or
the second yarn as a whole and/or the textile substrate
as a whole is impregnated with a flame-retardant agent.
Thanks to this impregnation the textile substrate is
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suitable for use in many areas in which high safety
standards with regard to fire protection must be met,
e.g. for applications in automobiles, airplanes,
railway trains, public buildings, etc.
With regard to a use of the textile substrate as a seat
cover, for example, the resistance to water vapour
permeability and/or the thermal resistance of the
textile substrate can be optimized in order to achieve
that a person seated on the textile substrate, even
after a long sitting phase, finds it as pleasant as
possible ("air-conditioned") with regard to the
moisture and the temperature which the person perceives
on contact with the textile substrate.
For this purpose the respective textile substrate can
preferably be configured in such a manner that with
regard to penetration of water vapour through the
textile substrate, it has a resistance to water vapour
permeation Ret with a Ret value of less than 9 m2Pa/W
(measured on the basis of a skin model for human skin
with an internationally standardized testing process
according to DIN EN 31092 at a temperature of 35 C and
a relative humidity of 40%). Furthermore the respective
textile substrate can preferably be configured in such
a manner that it has a thermal resistance Rct which is
less than 24 x 10-3 m2K/W (measured on the basis of a
skin model for human skin with an internationally
standardized testing process according to DIN EN 31092
at a temperature of 20 C and a relative humidity of
65%). Both the resistance to water vapour permeation
Ret and also the thermal resistance Rct of the
respective textile substrate depend on different
parameters, inter alia on the density of the respective
warp threads and weft threads in the textile substrate
and the density and the type of fibres contained in the
respective warp threads and weft threads, and can
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accordingly be changed by varying these parameters.
If the resistance to water vapour permeation Ret of the
textile substrate is less than 9 m2E'a/W, when a person
is seated on such a textile substrate it can be ensured
that the textile substrate is sufficiently permeable
("breathable") for the water vapour released by the
person whilst sitting on the textile substrate, so that
the water vapour released to the textile substrate
changes the temperature of the textile substrate and
the respective moisture contained in the textile
substrate, even after a long sitting phase, in a way
which is acceptable for the respective person.
If the thermal resistance Rct of the textile substrate
is less than 24 x 10-3 m2K/W, when a person is seated on
such a textile substrate it can be ensured that the
textile substrate can remove sufficient heat in order
that the textile substrate is cooled sufficiently
whilst the person is sitting thereon and the
temperature of the textile substrate does not rise to
an extent which is unacceptable for the respective
person, even after a long sitting phase. Thus the
seated person is prevented from detecting a build-up of
heat on the textile substrate or being caused to
perspire in those areas of the body in contact with the
textile substrate and thus releasing an excessive
amount of sweat into the textile substrate.
If the textile substrate is to be provided with dyes in
order to colour the textile substrate differently from
the natural colours of the fibres contained in the
textile substrate, then it is helpful to colour the
textile substrate with the respective dyes in such a
manner that the textile substrate (compared with a
corresponding undyed textile substrate) does not absorb
infrared radiation excessively strongly because
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otherwise, if exposed to infrared radiation, the
textile substrate would warm up in such a manner that
air-conditioned seating on the textile substrate can no
longer be ensured.
In order to achieve the afore-mentioned aim, the
textile substrate according to the invention can
preferably be coloured in such a manner that it has a
reflectivity for infrared radiation in the wavelength
range from 800 nm to 2000 nm on average of at least
50%. The magnitude of the reflectivity of the textile
substrate can in this case be influenced by
conventional means, for example by an appropriate
choice of dyes, by the respective amount of dyes for
colouring or by a choice of the fibres contained in the
respective yarns in such a manner that the afore-
mentioned condition is met. The afore-mentioned textile
substrate has the advantage that the reflectivity of
the textile substrate - compared with the reflectivity
of the corresponding undyed textile substrate - is
relatively less reduced in the wavelength range from
800 nm to 2000 nm. Thus this textile substrate reflects
a relatively large part of the infrared radiation in
the wavelength range from 800 nm to 2000 nm, so that
the textile substrate is only warmed up to a relatively
small extent under the action of such infrared
radiation and the temperature of the textile substrate
only rises slightly. Consequently the intensity of any
thermal radiation emitted by the textile substrate
changes relatively little if infrared radiation in the
wavelength range from 800 nm to 2000 nm acts on the
textile substrate, so that under the said circumstances
the textile substrate makes little contribution to any
warming up of its surroundings. Therefore the textile
substrate is outstandingly suitable for a use in spaces
which are flooded by sunlight and can optionally be
heated by thermal radiation, e.g. for use as seat
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covers for seats in automobiles or other means of
transport or in living areas.
The textile substrate according to the invention is
suitable for example as a covering material for
covering a seat and/or a seat back and/or a side part
and/or an armrest of a seat unit, where the first
surface in each case forms the outwardly directed side
(right side of the product) of the covering material.
Accordingly the invention also relates to a seat unit
comprising a seat and/or a seat back and/or a side part
and/or an armrest, where the seat comprises a textile
substrate according to the invention and the first
surface of the textile substrate forms an outer surface
of the seat and/or the seat back comprises a textile
substrate according to the invention and the first
surface of the textile substrate forms an outer surface
of the seat back and/or the side part comprises a
textile substrate according to the invention and the
first surface of the textile substrate forms an outer
surface of the side part and/or the armrest comprises a
textile substrate according to the invention and the
first surface of the textile substrate forms an outer
surface of the armrest.
Further details and in particular examples of
embodiment of the invention are explained hereinafter
with reference to the appended drawings. In the
figures:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a textile
substrate according to the invention in the
form of a fabric;
Figure 2A shows a region of the textile substrate
according to Fig. 1 in a first embodiment,
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with warp threads made of a first yarn and
weft threads made of a first yarn and a
second yarn, in a plan view from one side of
the textile substrate;
Figure 2B shows the region of the textile substrate
according to Fig. 2A but in a plan view from
the other side;
Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the region of
the textile substrate according to Figs. 2A
or 2B along the line in Figs. 2A and
2B;
Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the first yarn
according to Fig. 2A;
Figure 5 shows a cross-section through a textile
substrate according to the invention and a
spatial distribution of water (in liquid
form) in the textile substrate as a function
of time, with a drop of water on a surface of
the textile substrate at a starting time t =
to (Fig. 5A) and a representation of the
spread of the water contained in the drop in
the textile substrate at later times ti (Fig.
5B) and t2 (Fig. 50);
Figure 6 shows a cross-section through a textile
substrate according to the invention and
distribution of moisture in the textile
substrate after application of water vapour
to the textile substrate on one side of the
textile substrate;
Figure 7A shows a region of the textile substrate
according to Figure 1 in a second embodiment,
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with weft threads made of a first yarn and
warp threads made of a first yarn and a
second yarn, in a plan view from one side of
the textile substrate;
Figure 7B shows the region of the textile substrate
according to Fig. 7A but in a plan view from
the other side;
Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the region of
the textile substrate according to Figs. 7A
or 7B along the line VIII-VIII in Figs. 7A
and 7B;
Figure 9 shows a seat unit with outer surfaces which
are formed by a surface of a textile
substrate according to the invention.
In the following detailed description of the drawings
components which are the same or have the same effect
have been provided with the same reference numbers for
reasons of clarity.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a textile
substrate 1 according to the invention in the form of a
fabric which in the present example extends parallel to
one plane. In this case the textile substrate 1 forms a
flat layer with the thickness d and has a first surface
2-1 and a second surface 2-2 opposite the first surface
2-1. In Fig. 1 an arrow IIA points perpendicular to the
first surface 2-1 and an arrow IIB points perpendicular
to the second surface 2-2.
Figure 2A shows a region 1-1 of the textile substrate 1
shown in Fig. 1 in a plan view of the first surface 2-1
in the direction of the arrow IIA whilst Fig. 2B shows
the region 1-1 of the textile substrate 1 in a plan
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view of the second surface 2-2 in the direction of the
arrow IIB.
As Figs. 2A and 2B indicate, the textile substrate 1 is
composed of a warp K consisting of a plurality of warp
threads Ki, and of a weft S consisting of a plurality
of weft threads Sj, where the references i and j in
this connection symbolize numbers which are used in
order to number and appropriately identify the
respective warp threads of the warp K and the
respective weft threads of the weft S.
As can be seen from Figs. 2A and 2B, the region 1-1
comprises the warp threads Ki with i = 10,..., 39 and
the weft threads Sj with j = 10,..., 35, i.e. a total
of 30 warp threads and 26 weft threads. As can be seen,
each of the illustrated warp threads Ki crosses over a
plurality of the illustrated weft threads Sj
respectively at an intersection point in such a manner
that at least individual longitudinal sections of the
respective warp thread run on the surface 2-1 and other
individual longitudinal sections of the respective warp
thread Ki run on the surface 2-2. Correspondingly each
of the illustrated weft threads Sj crosses over a
plurality of the illustrated warp threads Ki
respectively at an intersection point in such a manner
that at least individual longitudinal sections of the
respective weft thread Sj run on the surface 2-1 and
other individual longitudinal sections of the
respective warp thread Ki run on the surface 2-2.
Accordingly all the warp threads and weft threads of
the textile substrate are connected in such a manner
that the warp K and the weft S together form a layer.
As can be seen from Figs. 2A and 2B, the textile
substrate is made of a first yarn 15 and a second yarn
16. In this case, in the present example all warp
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threads Ki of the warp K consist of the first yarn 15,
where the respective warp thread Ki for example
consists of a single first yarn 15 or can comprise a
plurality of first yarns 15 which are worked to form a
ply. On the other hand the weft S also comprises, in
addition to weft threads which consist of the first
yarn 15 (in the form of an individual first yarn 15 or
a ply formed of a plurality of first yarns 15), weft
threads which consist of the second yarn 16 (in the
form of an individual second yarn 16 or a ply formed of
a plurality of second yarns 16).
As can be seen from Figs. 2A and 2B, at least in the
region 1-1 the weft S consists alternately of a weft
thread consisting of the first yarn 15 and a weft
thread consisting of the second yarn 16, so that in
each case a weft thread consisting of the first yarn 15
is disposed between two weft threads consisting of the
second yarn 16.
The first yarn 15 is a three-component yarn which
comprises fibres made of wool, fibres made of
regenerated cellulose and at least one continuous fibre
made of a synthetic material.
The second yarn 16 contains regenerated cellulose
fibres, where the percentage fraction of the mass
("mass fraction") of the regenerated cellulose fibres
respectively contained in the second yarn 16 to the
respective total mass of the second yarn 16 is greater
than the percentage fraction of the mass ("mass
fraction") of the respective second regenerated
cellulose fibres contained in the first yarn 15 to the
respective total mass of the first yarn 15.
In Figs. 2A and 28 the respective warp threads and weft
threads are each shown as three-dimensional objects in
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a plan view of the textile substrate 1, where curved
surfaces of these objects are in each case shown with
the aid of different shades of grey and the warp or
weft threads respectively consisting of the first yarn
15 are in each case shown in a lighter shade of grey
than the respective weft threads consisting of the
second yarn 16.
In order to be able to characterize the properties of
the respective warp threads, it is assumed hereinafter
that each warp thread Ni in the region 1-1 is composed
of a plurality of longitudinal sections disposed one
after the other, the lengths of which are determined by
the weft threads crossing the warp threads Ni, wherein
the two (intersection) points at which two neighbouring
weft threads Sj and S(j+1) cross over the respective
warp thread Ni in each case define the two ends of one
of the respective longitudinal sections of the warp
thread Ni.
In order to be able to characterize the properties of
the respective weft threads, it is assumed hereinafter
that each weft thread Sj in the region 1-1 is composed
of a plurality of longitudinal sections disposed one
after the other, the lengths of which are determined by
the warp threads crossing the weft threads Sj, wherein
the two (intersection) points at which two neighbouring
warp threads Ni and K(i+1) cross over the respective
weft thread Sj in each case define the two ends of one
of the respective longitudinal sections of the weft
thread Sj.
With regard to the present invention it is relevant in
this connection that the afore-mentioned longitudinal
sections of the respective weft thread Sj are not
identical with regard to their spatial arrangement
relative to the surfaces 2-1 and 2-2: individual ones
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of these longitudinal sections of the respective weft
thread Sj extend in this case between the two
neighbouring warp threads which cross over the
respective longitudinal section of the weft thread Sj
at the two ends thereof in such a manner that one of
the two ends of the longitudinal section lies on one of
the surfaces 2-1 or 2-2 and the other of the two ends
of the longitudinal section lies on the respective
other one of the surfaces 2-1 or 2-2; on the other
hand, other ones of these longitudinal sections of the
respective weft thread Sj extend exclusively on one of
the two surfaces 2-1 or 2-2, i.e. either exclusively on
the surface 2-1 or exclusively on the surface 2-2.
As can be seen from Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, in the region
1-1 all weft threads (Sll, S13, S15, S17, S19, S21,
S23, S25, S27, S29, S31, S33 and S35) consisting of the
first yarn 15 have the following asymmetry with regard
to their behaviour relative to the surfaces 2-1 and 2-2
of the textile substrate 1: in the case of each weft
thread consisting of the first yarn 15, the overall
length of all those longitudinal sections which run in
the region 1-1 on the first surface 2-1 of the textile
substrate 1 is greater than the overall length of all
those longitudinal sections which run in the region 1-1
on the second surface 2-2 of the textile substrate 1.
As can be seen from Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, in the region
1-1 all weft threads (S10, S12, S14, S16, S18, S20,
S22, S24, S26, S28, S30, S32 and S34) consisting of the
second yarn 16 also have an asymmetry with regard to
their behaviour relative to the surfaces 2-1 and 2-2 of
the textile substrate 1: in the case of each of the
weft threads consisting of the second yarn 16, the
overall length of all those longitudinal sections which
run in the region 1-1 on the first surface 2-1 of the
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textile substrate 1 is smaller than the overall length
of all those longitudinal sections which run in the
region 1-1 on the second surface 2-2 of the textile
substrate 1. As can be seen from Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B,
none of the weft threads consisting of the second yarn
16 has a longitudinal section which on its overall
length (i.e. between the intersection points at which
two neighbouring warp threads cross over the respective
weft thread) runs exclusively on the first surface 2-1
(the respective longitudinal sections of the respective
weft threads consisting of the second yarn 16 run
either exclusively on the second surface 2-2 or have
two ends of which one lies on the first surface 2-1 and
the other on the second surface 2-2).
The afore-mentioned asymmetry of the weft threads
consisting of the first yarn 15 and the afore-mentioned
asymmetry of the weft threads consisting of the second
yarn 16 are in each case inverse with regard to the
first surface 2-1 and the second surface 2-2. In the
present example this is shown in particular in that, of
the part of the first surface 2-1 of the textile
substrate 1 formed by weft threads in the region 1-1,
more than 75% is formed by weft threads consisting of
the first yarn 13 and less than 25% is formed by weft
threads consisting of the second yarn 16 (see Fig. 2A)
and in that, of the part of the second surface 2-2 of
the textile substrate 1 formed by weft threads in the
region 1-1, approximately 25% is formed by weft threads
consisting of the first yarn 15 and approximately 75%
is formed by weft threads consisting of the second yarn
16 (see Fig. 23).
The afore-mentioned asymmetries can also be seen with
reference to Fig. 3. Figure 3 shows a cross-section
through the region 1-1 of the textile substrate 1 along
the line in Figs. 2A and 23;
in this case only
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the section 3 of the region 1-1 of the textile
substrate 1 is shown, which in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is
delimited by the rectangle provided with the reference
number 3 (and shown by white broken lines). Figure 3
shows in particular the configuration of the weft
thread S29 consisting of the first yarn 15 (the
contours of this thread are shown in Fig. 3 by solid
lines) and the behaviour of the weft thread S30
consisting of the second yarn 16 (the contours of this
thread are shown in Fig. 3 by broken lines) relative to
9 different warp threads K26, K27, K28, K29, 1<30, K31,
K32, 1<33, 1<34. The afore-mentioned warp threads Ki
(where i = 26,...,34) run in Fig. 3 in each case
perpendicular to the drawing plane, where in Fig. 3 the
outline of the cross-section of the respective warp
thread Ki is shown as a broken circle and in the centre
of the respective circle a cross formed of broken lines
is shown which marks the central longitudinal axis of
the respective warp thread Ki.
In Fig. 3 the respective intersection points at which
the respective weft threads Sj (where j = 29 or 30)
cross the respective warp threads Ki (where i
26,...,34) are also each characterized by a symbol
"C(Sj, Ki)" and an arrow associated with the symbol
C(Sj, Ki). In this case the symbol "C(Sj, Ki)"
identifies the intersection point at which the weft
thread Sj crosses the warp thread Ki, and the
respective associated arrow marks the position of the
respective intersection point relative to the
respective weft thread Sj (in Fig. 3 the position of
the intersection point C(Sj, Ki) is characterized: by
the projection of the central longitudinal axis of the
warp thread Ki onto the first surface 2-1 if the weft
thread Sj at the intersection point C(Sj, Ki) extends
on the first surface 2-1, or alternatively by the
projection of the central longitudinal axis of the warp
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thread Ki onto the second surface 2-2 if the weft
thread Sj at the intersection point C(Sj, Ki) runs on
the second surface 2-2).
As can be seen from Fig. 3, the weft thread S29
consisting of the first yarn 15 in the section 3 of the
region 1-1 in each case has eight longitudinal sections
which extend between a respective two neighbouring
intersection points of the intersection points C(S29,
1(26), C(S29, 1(27), C(S29, K28), C(S29, 1(29), C(S29,
1(30), C(S29, 1(31), C(S29, 1(32), C(S29, 1(33) and C(S29,
K34). Of these eight longitudinal sections a total of
five longitudinal sections run exclusively on the first
surface 2-1 (this applies to all those longitudinal
sections which extend between the intersection points
C(S29, 1(27) and C(S29, 1(32)) and one longitudinal
section runs exclusively on the second surface 2-2
(this applies to the longitudinal section extending
between the intersection points C(S29, 1(33) and C(S29,
K34)).
On the other hand, two of the eight afore-mentioned
longitudinal sections run over a part of their length
on the first surface 2-1 and over another part of their
length on the second surface 2-2: the latter applies to
the longitudinal section which extends between the
intersection points C(S29, 1(32) and C(S29, 1(33) and the
longitudinal section extending between the intersection
points C(S29, 1(26) and C(S29, 1(27)).
The difference L(S29) between the overall length of all
sections of the weft thread S29 which run on the first
surface 2-1 and the overall length of all sections of
the weft thread S29 which run on the second surface 2-2
can be considered as a quantitative measure for the
asymmetry which characterizes the behaviour of the weft
thread S29 between the first surface 2-1 and the second
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surface 2-2. The longitudinal section which extends
between the intersection points C(S29, K32) and C(S29,
K33) and the longitudinal section which extends between
the intersection points C(S29, K26) and C(S29, K27)
make no contribution to this difference A(S29),
especially as each of these two longitudinal sections
extends with equal parts of its length on the first
surface 2-1 and on the second surface 2-2. Consequently
the difference A(S29) is identical to the difference of
the overall length of all sections of the weft thread
S29 which run exclusively on the first surface 2-1 and
the overall length of all sections of the weft thread
S29 which run exclusively on the second surface 2-2.
Accordingly the difference A(S29) in the present
example - based on section 3 of the region 1-1 of the
textile substrate 1 - is the difference between the
length of those five longitudinal sections which extend
between the intersection points C(S29, K27) and C(S29,
K32) and the length of the one longitudinal section
which extends between the intersection points C(S29,
K33) and C(S29, K34). The calculation of the difference
A(S29) described above can be carried out analogously
for the behaviour of the weft thread S29 in the region
1-1 with the result that A(S29)>0.
As can be seen from Fig. 3, the weft thread S30
consisting of the second yarn 16 has in the section 3
of the region 1-1, analogously to the weft thread S29,
eight longitudinal sections which extend between a
respective two neighbouring intersection points of the
intersection points C(S30, K26), C(S30, K27), C(S30,
K28), C(S30, K29), C(S30, K30), C(S30, K31), C(S30,
K32), C(S30, K33) and C(S30, K34). Of these eight
longitudinal sections a total of four longitudinal
sections run exclusively on the second surface 2-2
(this applies to all those longitudinal sections which
extend between the intersection points C(S30, K28) and
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C(S30, K32)), whilst no longitudinal section runs
exclusively on the first surface 2-1.
On the other hand, four of the eight afore-mentioned
longitudinal sections run over a part of their length
on the first surface 2-1 and over another part of their
length on the second surface 2-2: the latter applies to
the longitudinal section which extends between the
intersection points C(S30, K26) and C(S30, K27), the
longitudinal section which extends between the
intersection points C(S30, K27) and C(S30, K28), the
longitudinal section which extends between the
intersection points C(S30, K32) and C(S30, K33) and the
longitudinal section which extends between the
intersection points C(S30, K33) and C(S30, K34).
The difference A(S30) between the overall length of all
sections of the weft thread S30 which run on the first
surface 2-1 and the overall length of all sections of the
weft thread S30 which run on the second surface 2-2 can be
considered as a quantitative measure for the asymmetry
which characterizes the behaviour of the weft thread
S30 between the first surface 2-1 and the second
surface 2-2. The four longitudinal sections which
extend between the intersection points C(S30, K26) and
C(S30, K27), or between the intersection points C(S30,
K27) and C(S30, K28), or between the intersection
points C(S30, K32) and C(S30, K33) or between the
intersection points C(S30, K33) and C(S30, K34) make no
contribution to this difference A(S30), especially as
each of these longitudinal sections extends with equal
parts of its length on the first surface 2-1 and on the
second surface 2-2. Consequently the difference A(S30) is
identical to the difference of the overall length of all
sections of the weft thread S30 which run exclusively on the
first surface 2-1 and the overall length of all sections of
the weft thread S30 which run exclusively on the second
CA 02826612 2013-08-06
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surface 2-2. Accordingly the difference A(S30) in the
present example - based on section 3 of the region 1-1
of the textile substrate 1 - is the negative value of
the length of those four longitudinal sections which
extend between the intersection points C(S30, K28) and
C(S30, K32). The calculation of the difference A(S30)
described above can be carried out analogously for the
configuration of the weft thread S30 in the region 1-1
with the result that A(S30) < 0.
As can also be seen from Fig. 3, the weft thread S30
has a weave point in each case both on the warp thread
1K27 and also on the warp thread 1<33. These weave points
are designated in Fig. 3 by the symbols B(S30, 1<27) or
B(S30, K33) and have the same position as the
intersection points C(S30, 1<27) or C(S30, 1<33). As can
be seen from Figs. 2A and 2B, the weft thread S30 has
further weave points. Correspondingly all the other
weft threads consisting of the second yarn 16 in the
region 1-1 have a plurality of weave points.
The structure of a preferred embodiment of a first yarn
15 is explained below with reference to Fig. 4. Figure
4 shows a cross-section of the first yarn 15 and the
spatial distribution of the respective first fibres
(made of wool), second fibres (made of regenerated
cellulose) and third fibres (continuous fibres made of
a synthetic material) contained in this yarn. The first
yarn 15 has a central longitudinal axis 15' extending
in the longitudinal direction of the yarn 15, wherein
an outer contour of the cross-section is shown in Fig.
4 by a broken circle which surrounds the central
longitudinal axis 15' with a radius R2. As can be seen
from Fig. 4, the first yarn 15 has a core zone 15-1
surrounding the central longitudinal axis 15' and
extending along the central longitudinal axis 15' and
an outer zone 15-2 surrounding the core zone 15-1 and
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extending along the central longitudinal axis 15'. The
outer contour of the core zone 15-2 is shown in Fig. 4
as a broken circle with a radius R1 around the central
longitudinal axis 15'. Figure 4 also shows - in a
schematic representation in each case as a function of
the radial spacing r from the central longitudinal axis
15' - the concentration V1(r) of the first fibres, the
concentration V2(r) of the second fibres and the
concentration V3(r) of the third fibres.
According to Fig. 4 the respective first fibres, the
respective second fibres and the respective third
fibres are spatially distributed over the cross-section
of the first yarn in such a manner that
- the concentration V2(r) of the second fibres in
the core zone 15-1 is greater than in the outer
zone 15-2 and
- the concentration V1(r) of the first fibres in the
outer zone 15-2 is greater than in the core zone
15-1 and
- the concentration V3(r) of the third fibres in the
outer zone 15-2 is greater than in the core zone
15-1.
In this case, the concentration V2(r) of the second
fibres (regenerated cellulose) is greatest in the
middle of the core zone 15-1, whilst the concentration
V3(r) of the third fibres (continuous fibre made of a
synthetic material) is greatest in the vicinity of the
outer contour of the outer zone 15-2. The first yarn 15
according to Fig. 4 has the property that water can be
absorbed principally in the core zone 15-1, whilst the
outer zone 15-2 generally dries quickly. The first yarn
15 having the spatial distributions of the respective
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fibres given in Fig. 4 can be created for example
whereby fibres made of wool are spun intimately with
staple fibres made of regenerated cellulose with a
textured continuous polymer yarn being worked in
simultaneously. The staple fibres made of regenerated
cellulose can in this case have approximately the same
length as the fibres made of wool. During spinning of
the respective fibres the different qualities of the
surfaces of the fibres can be taken into consideration.
The staple fibres made of regenerated cellulose
generally have a smoother surface and are less curly
than the wool fibres and than the fibres of the
textured polymer yarn which are generally tangled.
During spinning, the fibres made of regenerated
cellulose tend increasingly to lie in the middle of the
yarn, whilst the tangled fibres of the textured polymer
yarn and the fibres made of wool tend increasingly to
be arranged in the outer zone 15-2 of the first yarn
15. A plurality of single yarns of the afore-mentioned
type can also be twisted to form plies.
Figures 5A-5C and Fig. 6 illustrate reactions of a
textile substrate 1 according to Figs. 1-3 to moisture
in the form of (liquid) water and water vapour. The
reactions illustrated in Figs. 5A-5C and Fig. 6 have
been determined experimentally with the aid of a
textile substrate 1 in which the first yarn 15
consisted of 25% to 55% by weight of wool, 25% to 55%
by weight of regenerated cellulose in the form of
viscose and 5% to 40% by weight of polyamide (in the
form of a textured continuous polyamide yarn) and the
second yarn 16 of which 100 % by weight consisted of
regenerated cellulose in the form of viscose. The warp
and weft threads consisting of the first yarn 15 were
in this case produced as a ply which was twisted out of
a plurality of first yarns 15 each present as single
yarns. In this case, the respective first yarn 15 was
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produced in such a manner that - as indicated in Fig. 4
- the concentration of the respective fibres made of
regenerated cellulose (viscose) is greatest in a core
zone (15-1 in Fig. 4) of the first yarn 15 and the
concentration of the respective fibres made of wool and
polyamide is greatest in an outer zone (15-2 in Fig. 4)
of the first yarn 15. The regenerated cellulose fibres
used for the production of the first yarn 15 were
present as staple fibres of which the fibre length
corresponds approximately to the fibre length of the
fibres made of wool which are present in the first
yarn. The warp and weft threads consisting of the first
yarn 15 were in each case produced as a mixed yarn Nm
36/2. Threads of this type can be ordered from
commercial worsted yarn spinning mills under the
heading "Covergarn", e.g. from businesses belonging to
the "Wagenfelder Spinning Group" (Wagenfelder
Spinnereien GmbH, D-49419 Wagenfeld, Germany). The weft
threads consisting of the second yarn 16 were produced
as standardized staple yarn Nm 18.
Figures 5A-5C illustrate the reaction of a textile
substrate 1 of the afore-mentioned type to water, which
in the liquid state in the region 1-1 impinges upon the
first surface 2-1 of the textile substrate 1, as a
function of time t. In this case Fig. 5A - as a
starting point at a time t = tO - shows a drop of water
20 which is brought into contact with the surface 2-1
of the textile substrate, the textile substrate 1 being
shown in cross-section. As Fig. 5B indicates, the water
contained in the drop of water first of all penetrates
through the surface 2-1 into the textile substrate 1
and is transported substantially perpendicularly to the
surfaces 2-1 and 2-2, so that at a time tl > tO the
water reaches the surface 2-2 without immediately
spreading on the first surface 2-1 parallel to the
first surface 2-1: in Fig. 5B the surface designated by
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if denotes the region of the cross-section of the
textile substrate 1 in which the water has been
distributed up to the time ti. When the time advances
to a time t2 > ti, then transport of the water takes
place substantially on the second surface 2-2, where
the water is quickly distributed in two dimensions
along the second surface 2-2 whilst immediately on the
first surface 2-1 no significant spread of the water
takes place parallel to the first surface 2-1 (the
surface designated by if in Fig. 5C indicates the
region of the cross-section of the textile substrate 1
in which the water has been distributed up to the time
t2). The transport of the water within the textile
substrate I illustrated in Figs. 5A-5C is driven
substantially by the rapid absorption of water in the
weft fibres consisting of the second yarn 16
(containing regenerated cellulose fibres) and the
spatial arrangement of these weft fibres within the
textile substrate 1. The state shown in Fig. 5C is
already established after a few seconds, where the
first surface 2-1 already feels dry after a few seconds
whilst the water is visibly and perceptibly
concentrated and spreads on the second surface 2-2. It
can be seen here that the water - starting from the
first surface 2-1 - is not distributed symmetrically
relative to the two surfaces 2-1 and 2-2 in the textile
substrate 1 and the distribution of the water within
the region if of the textile substrate 1 in particular
has a gradient which is directed from the first surface
2-1 to the second surface 2-2 and in the direction of
the second surface 2-2 becomes progressively greater as
a function of the distance from the first surface 2-1
in the direction of the second surface 2-2.
Figure 6 illustrates the reaction of a textile
substrate 1 of the afore-mentioned type to an
atmosphere containing water vapour which borders on the
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first surface 2-1 of the textile substrate 1 in the
entire region 1-1. In this case, water vapour can
penetrate through the first surface 2-1 into the
textile substrate 1 and can spread within the textile
substrate 1. The distribution of moisture (condensed
water and optionally water vapour) within the region 1
of the textile substrate 1 for different times as a
function of the location was measured by means of
computer tomography.
Figure 6 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of
the textile substrate 1 in combination with a diagram
which shows schematically the moisture F which is
present in the textile substrate and is measured at a
certain time as a function of the distance z from the
second surface 2-2. As the measured behaviour F(z) of
the moisture indicates, the moisture is distributed as
a function of the distance z within the textile
substrate 1 between the first surface 2-1 and the
second surface 2-2 substantially in three "layers"
which are in each case disposed one above another and
perpendicular relative to the second surface 2-2 and
extend in each case parallel to the first surface 2-1
or to the second surface 2-2. These three layers are
illustrated schematically in Fig. 6 as layers (A), (B)
and (C) which are indicated in the view of the textile
substrate 1 and are in particular characterized in that
they exhibit characteristic differences with regard to
the distribution of the moisture, so that the moisture
is distributed asymmetrically over the layers (A), (B)
and (C). As the measured behaviour F(z) of the moisture
according to Fig. 6 indicates, the layer (A) adjoining
the first surface 2-1 is characterized in that it
contains no measurable moisture so that it may be
regarded as dry. The middle layer (B) (adjoining the
layers (A) and (C)) has a moisture which decreases
linearly as a function of the distance z in the
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direction of the surface 2-1 and accordingly has a
gradient which is directed onto the second surface 2-2
and is constant within the layer (B). In the layer (C)
adjoining the second surface 2-2 the moisture increases
very progressively as a function of the distance z in
the direction of the surface 2-2. Accordingly the
moisture F(z) within the layer (C) has a gradient which
is directed onto the second surface 2-2 and becomes
greater within the layer (C) in the direction of the
surface 2-2.
In this case in the present example, the moisture in
the layer (A) is approximately 0%, in the layer (B)
approximately 2-4% (averaged over the layer (B)) and in
the layer (C) approximately 8-12% (averaged over the
layer (C)). In this case it is apparent that because of
the design of the textile substrate 1 according to the
invention, this asymmetric distribution of the moisture
can be kept constant. The layer (C) can absorb moisture
up to the saturation limit, where a concentration of
the moisture takes place in the layer (C) up to the
saturation limit whilst the layer (A) remains
constantly dry. In order to be able to maintain this
asymmetric distribution of the moisture for any length
of time, it is possible to transport moisture away
through the surfaces 2-2 out of the layer (C). The
moisture contained in the layer (B) ensures a
controlled evaporation of moisture over the first
surface 2-1 and enables metered cooling of the textile
substrate 1 in the region of the first surface 2-1.
This layering of the moisture results inter alia from
the fact that the fibres made of regenerated cellulose
present in the textile substrate 1 (in comparison to
the other fibres present in the textile substrate) have
an extremely high absorption rate for water and
moreover they are present on the first surface 2-1 in a
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lower concentration than on the second surface 2-2.
Moreover on the first surface 2-1 in the region of the
layer (A) fibres made of polyamide and wool are present
in a relatively high concentration which promotes
relatively rapid drying of the textile substrate 1
within the layer (A). In order that the afore-mentioned
layering of the moisture can be kept constant, it is
relevant that moisture can be exchanged efficiently
between the different fibres present in the textile
substrate 1. In order that this exchange of moisture
takes place efficiently, a low resistance to water
vapour permeation Ret and a relatively low thermal
resistance Rct are conducive.
As a comparison of Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 indicates,
predominantly warp threads, in the present example warp
threads made of the first yarn 15 extend within the
(middle) layer (B) (averaged over the layer): as Fig. 3
indicates, the weft thread S29 consisting of the first
yarn 15 extends at least in sections (e.g. between the
two intersection points C(S29, 1(33) and C(S29, 1(32) and
the two intersection points C(S29, 1(26) and C(S29,
1(27)) also through the layer (B) and likewise the weft
thread S30 consisting of the second yarn 16 extends at
least in sections (e.g. between the intersection points
C(S30, 1(26) and C(S30, 1(27), between the intersection
points C(S30, 1(27) and C(S30, 1(28), between the
intersection points C(S30, 1(32) and C(S30, 1(33) and
between the intersection points C(S30, 1(33) and C(S30,
1(34)) also through the layer (B); however, the weft
threads consisting of the first yarn 15 or the second
yarn 16 - in comparison with the warp threads - include
a relatively small part of the layer (B). The
concentration of the moisture in the layer (B) in the
present example is substantially determined by the
moisture contained in the warp threads. As a comparison
of Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 indicates, predominantly weft
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threads made of the second yarn 16 extend within the
layer (C) (averaged over the layer) so that the
concentration of the moisture in the layer (C) is
determined substantially by the moisture which is
contained in the weft threads consisting of the second
yarn 16. Accordingly, predominantly weft threads made
of the first yarn 15 extend within the layer (A)
(averaged over the layer), so that the concentration of
the moisture in the layer (A) is determined
substantially by the moisture which is contained in the
weft threads consisting of the first yarn 15.
The textile substrate illustrated in Figs. 1-6 was
produced for example with a warp thread density of 36
warp threads per cm and a weft thread density of 16
weft threads per cm. This results in a resistance to
water vapour permeation having a Ret value < 6 m2Pa/W
(this corresponds to the definition "extremely
breathable" relative to textile substrates) and a
thermal resistance Rcq- < 19 x 10-3 m2K/W.
The textile substrate illustrated in Figs. 1-6 can be
modified in many ways within the context of the
invention. For example the composition of the
respective warp and weft threads, the arrangement of
the respective fibres in the warp and weft threads and
the arrangement of the respective warp and weft threads
in the textile substrate can be varied.
Figures 7A and 7B show a textile substrate 1A according
to variant 2, which differs from the textile substrate
1 according to Figs. 2A, 2B and 3 in that the textile
substrate in a region 1-1 has the weft threads Si with
i = 10,..., 39 and the warp threads Kj with j =
10,...,35, i.e. a total of 30 weft threads and 26 warp
threads.
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Figure 7A shows a region 1-1 (being characterized in Fig.
1) of the textile substrate 1A in a plan view of the
first surface 2-1 in the direction of the arrow IIA
whereas Fig. 7B shows the region 1-1 of the textile
substrate lA in a plan view of the second surface 2-2 in
the direction of the arrow IIB.
As can also be seen from Figs. 7A and 7B, the textile
substrate lA is made of a first yarn 15 and a second yarn
16.
Figure 8 shows a cross-section through the region 1-1
of the textile substrate 1A along the line VIII-VIII in
Figs. 7A and 7B. A comparison between Figures 3 and 8
shows that with regard to the warp threads K29 and K30
the textile substrate lA has the same asymmetry as the
weft threads S29 and S30 of the textile substrate 1.
Figure 9 shows a use of a textile substrate 1 according
to the invention as a covering material for a seat unit
50. The seat unit 50 comprises a seat 51, a seat back
52, two side parts 53 and two armrests 54 each fastened
to one of the side parts 53. As indicated by Figure 9,
the seat 51, the seat back 52, each of the two side
parts 53 and each of the two armrests 54 are covered
with a textile substrate 1 according to Figs. 1-3 in
such a manner that the first surface 2-1 of the
respective textile substrate 1 in each case forms an
outer surface of the seat 51, the seat back 52, each of
the two side parts 53 and each of the two armrests 54
and thus serves as the right side of the respective
textile substrate 1, whilst the second surface 2-2 of
the respective textile substrate 1 serves as the left
side. In Figure 9 the chequered surfaces in each case
characterize the regions 1-1 of the surface of the seat
unit 50 on which a person sitting on the seat unit 50
usually releases moisture (water and water vapour) to
CA 02826612 2013-08-06
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the respective textile substrates 1 during long periods
of sitting. In order to ensure air-conditioned seating
at least those regions 1-1 of the respective textile
substrates 1 according to Fig. 9 are designed like the
region 1-1 of the textile substrate 1 according to
Figs. 1-3 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B. Alternatively each
textile substrate 1 according to Fig. 9 can naturally
also be designed like the region 1-1 of the textile
substrate 1 according to Fig. 1-3 shown in Figs. 2A and
2B. The seat unit 51 can be formed so that water can be
wicked from the left side of the product of the
respective textile substrate 1 into the interior of the
seat unit 51. In this way it is ensured that the first
surface 2-1 of the respective textile substrate 1
always remains dry even after long periods of sitting
and the first surface 2-1 takes on a temperature close
to the body temperature of the seated person.
