Patent ID: 7829485
Filing Date: 2010-11-09
Classification: D02G,D04H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A stretchable composite fiber formed: by forming an integral composite fiber having a circular cross-section having a center, comprising a stretchable fiber and unstretchable fibers that are integrally joined together, said stretchable fiber contains the center and has longitudinally extending first exposed surfaces that are circumferentially spaced from each other, said unstretchable fibers are radially outwardly spaced from the center and have longitudinally extending second exposed surfaces each disposed between a circumferentially adjacent pair of said first exposed surfaces, and said unstretchable fibers are spaced from each other by the stretchable fiber; wherein one of said first exposed surfaces has a larger surface area than the other or others of said first exposed surfaces, said other or each of said others of said first exposed surfaces having a surface area ratio of less than 0.8 with respect to the surface area of said one of said first exposed surfaces; and by stretching said integral composite fiber in the longitudinal direction thereof, thereby separating said stretchable fiber and said unstretchable fibers from each other, and causing said unstretchable fibers to be three-dimensionally crimped and helically twisted around said stretchable fiber; wherein the unstretchable fibers are not present in the center of the composite fiber, and the composite fiber has only one single stretchable fiber component.