Abstract:
An article of clothing, or a part thereof or an accessory therefor, comprises a fabric formed at least partly from fibres having a diameter of up to 1 μm.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to articles of clothing, or parts thereof. The invention is concerned with articles of clothing which require a gripping functionality. This functionality may be exercised against the skin of the wearer, for instance, in connection with intimate apparel, socks and hosiery and sports inner and outerwear. Alternatively, the gripping functionality may be exercised against a surface external to the wearer, for instance, the inside of a shoe, in the case of a sock, or a vehicle steering wheel in the case of a glove. 
         [0002]    The present invention has use in, for example, knitted or woven narrow elastic bands, knitted or woven strip cut broad fabric bands and knitted or woven strategically placed structure zones within fabric constructions. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently, a gripping function is provided in the intimate apparel sector by the localised application of a bead of silicon to effect the required increase in friction. 
         [0004]    This technique is not satisfactory for the following reasons:
   1. discomfort is caused to the wearer; the material is not able to breathe and therefore causes sweating and irritation in wearers if worn for any length of time;   2. the use of rounded beads of silicon material can lead to localised pressure marks on the skin, since the silicon itself adds modulus to the gripper band;   3. the silicon beads can also cause skin sensitisation in susceptible individuals.   
 
       STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides an article of clothing, or part thereof, or an accessory therefor, comprising a fabric formed at least partly from fibres having a diameter of up to 1 μm. 
         [0009]    Reference will be made hereinbelow to nanofibres but it should be understood that, as used herein, this term covers any fibre having a diameter of up to 1 μm. 
         [0010]    The use of materials incorporating nanofibres to provide the required grip confers the following advantages over existing silicon applications:
   1. the fibres present a flat friction surface to the wearer, eliminating or minimising pressure marks. Modulus is not significantly increased when gripping fibres are used. Hence the elastomeric pressure is independent of nanofibre coverage and density;   2. the fibres transport moisture away from the skin so that the nanofibre material is breathable and quick drying, thereby eliminating sweating and enhancing the comfort of the wearer.   3. the fibres are hypoallergenic, heavy metal free and antistatic.   
 
         [0014]    The nanofibres used in the present invention may be made from any suitable material. One possible material which can be used is a polyester. The polyester may be a chemically recycled polyester. 
         [0015]    A particular application of the present invention is in connection with nanofibre gripper bands which may be applied by, for instance, the following means:
   1. narrow knitted or woven elastic or non-elastic bands with functional nanofibres orientated in such a way as to bear against the skin of the wearer due to the appropriate positioning of the bands onto strategic locations on the garment. They may be applied to the garment by, for instance, stitching or bonding;   2. strip cut broad fabrics containing nanofibres in whole or part and of knitted or woven construction. Such fabrics may be applied either by stitching or bonding the bands into strategic locations on a garment;   3. nanofibre yarns knitted or woven as an integral part of a fabric construction so as to present a localised “zone” of functional gripping nanofibres against the skin. Such fabric constructions may be, for instance, stitched, bonded or otherwise formed into the garment.   
 
         [0019]    For example, the nanofibres may be present as a plush back finding elastic providing a loopy surface face similar to that of a towel. 
         [0020]    The present invention is applicable to clothing for both men and women and to both inner and outerwear, including sports clothing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The accompanying drawings are as follows: 
           [0022]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show knickers of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a bra of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows hosiery of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  comprises three views of a bodyshaper in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a soft top sock of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a further embodiment of a sock in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a glove of the present invention; and 
           [0029]      FIGS. 9 to 22  show sportswear applications of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the accompanying drawings, a pair of knickers  1  is shown in  FIG. 1  in front view and in  FIG. 2  showing the inside surface not visible in  FIG. 1 . A waistband  3  extends around the entire internal edge of the knickers from position A to position B. Similarly, leg bands  5  and  7  extend around the inner edge of each of the legs of the garment from position C to position D. 
         [0032]    Each of the bands  3 ,  5 ,  7  comprises nanofibres which present their nanofibre surface to the skin of the wearer. In this way they unobtrusively grip the body and hold the garment in place without causing sweating or discomfort. 
         [0033]    Referring to now to  FIG. 3  of the accompanying drawings, a Multi-way underwired bra  9  includes various nanofibre bands. Band  11  in the underarm extends from position A to position B. Band  13  in the underband extends from position C to position D. Band  15  in the wirecasing extends from position E to position F. Band  17  in the underside of the detachable strap extends from position G to position H. 
         [0034]    The garment shown in  FIG. 3  may be used either with or without the strap. When used as a strapless option, the nanofibre bands  11 ,  13  and  15  grip the body to hold the garment in place. When using the straps the band  17  stops the straps from slipping off when they are in place, thereby enhancing both functionality and comfort. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 4  of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated hosiery of the present invention. The nanofibres may be used in elastic narrow bands, strip cut broad fabric or knitted into the back of narrow elastic stretch lace bands to provide a stocking top hold-up gripper for the hosiery. As illustrated, the upper drawing shows an elastic or narrow fabric band with a nano back (item  19 ). The lower drawing shows the use of a lace top band with nano back (item  21 ). 
         [0036]    In a similar way, the present invention could be applied to shorter knee-high type hosiery. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5  of the present invention, there is illustrated three views of a Multi-way Bodyshaper. The upper drawing is a view on the back of the garment showing the internal features of the bra. The lower left--hand drawing is a front view and the lower right-hand drawing is a back view showing the bra closed. Nanofibre bands are provided around the leg edge  23  from position A to position B, the underarm  25  from position C to position D, the lower wing and across the back  27  from position E to position F, around the wirecasing  29  from position G to position H and on the underside of the detachable strap  31  from position Ito position J. 
         [0038]    The provision of nanofibre bands in these various positions will enable the garment to stay in place when the detachable straps are removed. When the straps are in use, they will not slip off the shoulder. Similarly the bands of the legs will prevent the garment from riding up with the pull of the Bodyshaper. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 6  of the accompanying drawings, a sock  33  has nanofibres knitted into the back of the soft top of the sock, where the ribbed structure is engineered to be relatively loose to alleviate uncomfortable constriction. However, this more open structure does result in the sock not anchoring so well. The addition of nanofibre at region  35 , extending circumferentially from A to B and longitudinally from C to D enables the soft top to hold to the skin. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 7  of the accompanying drawings, a further sock  37  in accordance with the present invention has nanofibres knitted into the face side of the sock sole  39  in an area extending from A to B. This application can apply to both fine hosiery or to heavy gauge hosiery. The nanofibres provide a non-slip region which helps avoid the loss of footwear or helps prevent a fall. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 8  of the accompanying drawing, a glove  41  of the present invention is provided with nanofibres knitted into the face side in the finger areas  43  and the palm area  45 . Nanofibres can be knitted into heavy or lighter gauge products for application in leisure or sports uses requiring anti-slip functionality. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 9 to 22  illustrate various sportswear applications of the invention. In each case one or more shaded areas are shown and these are the areas where nanofibres are present. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows a ladies or men&#39;s pair of jodhpurs.  FIG. 10  shows a ladies or men&#39;s pair of running trousers. Such a garment could also be of knee or thigh length. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 11 to 13  illustrate legwear items, suitable for men or ladies, which are applicable for various end uses such as gymwork, running, cycling, football, rugby and cricket. 
         [0045]    Triathlon suits are illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 .  FIG. 14  shows a thigh length suit and  FIG. 15  shows a longleg triathlon suit. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 16 to 18  show sports tops or jackets. These are suitable for men or women. Illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17  are innerwear top-short and long sleeved items. These are suitable for many uses such as gymwork, running, cycling, rugby, football, cricket and weights.  FIG. 18  shows a fitted cycle top or jacket. 
         [0047]      FIG. 19  shows a jock strap and  FIG. 20  shows a ladies sports crop top which may be either inner or outerwear. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 21 and 22  show cycling accessories for men or women.  FIG. 21  is a fitted arm warmer and  FIG. 22  is a fitted leg warmer. 
         [0049]    In a trial wearer process, nanofibres in the range 600-800 nm, typically 700 nm, were found to be effective in generating a functional friction surface effect equivalent to a conventional silicone beaded product when the fibres were incorporated in the plush back of woven narrow binding and strap elastic constructions.