Garment with integral wipe zones

Hydrophobic fabrics and garments made therefrom are provided. The fabrics and garments in accordance with aspects herein comprise at least two seamlessly adjacent woven zones, where the first fabric/garment zone comprises substantially planar surfaces, and the second fabric/garment zone comprises a plurality of integrally raised structures on at least one of the surfaces of the fabric/garment. The integrally raised structures in the second fabric/garment zone are continuously woven/knit with the first zone. The integrally raised structures in the second zone of the fabric/garment are provided on the garments, in accordance with aspects herein, as wipe zones for transferring fluids away from a wearer's skin upon the wearer rubbing their wet skin off on the wipe zone(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At a high level, aspects herein are directed to garments comprising integral wipe zones. The integral wipe zones in the garments may comprise a plurality of integrally raised structures that extend outward from the surface of the garment. The integrally raised structures provide a surface with higher friction than other garment surfaces that are substantially planar. In other words, the integrally raised structures provide more surface area to the otherwise substantially planar surface of the garment, to effectively wipe away moisture from an athlete's skin when the skin is rubbed against or otherwise moved across the integrally raised structures. In accordance with aspects herein, surfaces that are “substantially planar” may be defined as surfaces having components or structures that have a height that is 20% or less of the height of the integrally raised structures, where the height is measured perpendicularly from the plane of the fabric surface.

The garments in accordance with aspects herein may be made of warp/weft knitted or woven hydrophobic fabrics. When woven, the fabrics in accordance with aspects herein may exhibit high durability characteristics and be resistant to snagging. Further, the fabrics, when woven, may hold their shape, be less susceptible to shrinking and/or stretching, and be able to withstand multiple wash cycles without being deformed. Further properties of the fabrics may be varied by introducing yarns with different properties when knitting or weaving, such as elastic yarns to make the woven fabrics or knit fabrics more elastic in accordance with aspects hereof. Additionally, the fabrics used may be inherently hydrophobic due to, for instance, forming the fabrics from polyester fibers. Alternatively, the fabrics used may be natural or synthetic fabrics made hydrophobic by applying a hydrophobic coating such as a durable water repellent (DWR) coating to one or both surfaces of the fabric.

The hydrophobic fabrics used in accordance with aspects herein comprise one or more engineered zones that are integrally woven or knit, each zone having its own characteristics. For example, a first zone of the hydrophobic fabric may have a substantially planar first surface and an opposite planar second surface. A seamlessly adjacent second zone may have a substantially planar first surface and a textured opposite second surface. The first zone and second zone of the hydrophobic fabric in accordance with aspects herein are continuously or integrally woven or knitted with one another using the same set of fibers/yarns.

In accordance with further aspects herein, the hydrophobic fabrics may comprise a denier differential with the first surface of the first zone comprising a fiber/yarn having a first denier per filament (DPF), the second surface of the first zone comprising a fiber/yarn having a second DPF, the first surface of the second zone comprising a fiber/yarn having a third DPF, and the second surface of the second zone comprising a fiber/yarn having a fourth DPF. The second DPF may be greater than the first DPF, while the third DPF may be greater than the fourth DPF. The DPF may aid in the transport of moisture from a first location to a second location on the hydrophobic fabric by capillary action, moving the moisture from the yarns with greater DPF toward the yarns with lower DPF.

The textured second surface of the second zone in the hydrophobic fabric in accordance with aspects herein comprises a plurality of integrally raised structures. These integrally raised structures may have a height that can be measured along a first plane that is perpendicular to a second plane, the second plane comprising the first or second surface of the hydrophobic fabric. The integrally raised structures may be configured to transfer fluids away from a moist or wet surface, such as a wearer's skin, when the integrally raised structures come into contact with the moist or wet surface. The fluid transfer is greatly increased when a frictional force is applied in a direction that is parallel to the second plane, or in other words, by making a wiping motion in a direction that is perpendicular to the first plane.

The garments made from the hydrophobic fabric in accordance with aspects herein may comprise, for example, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, jerseys, t-shirts, jackets, coats, vests, gloves, sweaters, jumpsuits, and the like, or any other type of garment suitable to be worn on a wearer's body. The hydrophobic fabric may be woven or knit according to specifications of characteristics of a particular garment being manufactured for strategically weaving or knitting the first zone and the second zone at intended locations corresponding to the finalized garment construct. The specifications, for example, could be specific to whether the garment is to be worn on an upper body, a lower body, etc.

An exemplary finalized garment construct, in one aspect, may comprise a lower body garment. For example, the lower body garment may comprise a pair of shorts such as basketball shorts. Basketball athletes, for example, due to their constant high paced motion, tend to sweat from the palms of their hands. Having wet or damp hands while participating in a game would be undesirable because it would potentially lower the athletes' performances by making their palms slippery and unable to get a good grip on the ball, particularly when the ball is passed to them. Typically, athletes will attempt to dry the palms of their hands by wiping them on their shorts or jerseys. However, oftentimes, the athletes' shorts or jerseys will not be very effective in removing sweat or perspiration from the athletes' palms because these garments conventionally have smooth and slippery surfaces. Additionally, after one or two wiping motions, and as physical exertion increases over time, these garments may themselves become saturated with sweat or other fluids, making them ineffective for removing sweat from the athletes' palms. Basketball shorts are just one example of the finalized garment construct contemplated herein. Other exemplary garment constructs comprise, for instance, garments for tennis players, football players, softball or baseball players, and the like.

The lower body garment comprising the hydrophobic fabric may, for example, comprise a back panel and a front panel. In exemplary aspects, the back panel may comprise two integrally woven or knit engineered zones and the front panel may comprise one woven or knit engineered zone. As described above, the first zone in the back panel may comprise substantially planar first and second surfaces, and in the second zone, one of the surfaces may be textured with a plurality of integrally woven/knit structures extending outwardly or projecting from the surface plane. In exemplary aspects, the integrally woven/knit structures may be located on an outer-facing surface of the lower body garment. The second zone in the lower body garment may be strategically placed on the back panel such that when the lower body garment is worn by a wearer, the second zone is configured to overlay a lower back and side torso area of a wearer. The size and shape of the second zone may be varied based on utility (e.g., optimal performance) as well as aesthetics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects herein provide fabrics and garments comprising integrally knit or woven wipe zones. Additionally, aspects herein provide for manufacturing garments with integrally knit or woven wipe zones. In one exemplary aspect, the fabrics described herein may be formed from yarns/fibers that are inherently hydrophobic. Exemplary yarns/fibers may comprise, for example, polyester. In another exemplary aspect, the fabrics may be treated with one or more treatments to impart hydrophobic characteristics to the fabric. One such exemplary treatment may comprise a durable water repellant (DWR). One or both surfaces of the fabrics may be hydrophobic. The hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic fabrics refers to a physical property of the fabric that repels water or moisture away from their hydrophobic surface(s) and/or away from individual yarns/fibers.

In accordance with aspects herein, “integrally knit or woven” refers to two or more contiguously or continuously knit or woven fabric configurations and/or structures formed without having to stitch, adhere, glue, or otherwise piece together two or more knit or woven fabrics with different configurations and/or structures. As such, the contiguously knit or woven configurations and/or structures are seamlessly adjacent to one another. The two or more continuously knit or woven fabric configurations and/or structures are engineered for providing the resulting fabric with at least two different properties within the same knit or woven fabric piece. In other words, the fabric configurations and/or structures engineered for providing the fabric with at least two different properties within the same knit or woven fabric piece are knit or woven side-by-side and comprise a single fabric layer. To put it yet another way, the different properties are achieved within the same fabric without having to layer different fabrics having the different properties on top of one another or adjacent to one another.

As used throughout this disclosure, the term “zone” is used to refer to each individual knit or woven fabric configuration within the same knit or woven fabric piece. And, as used throughout this disclosure, the term “wipe zone” refers to a “zone” having engineered “integrally knit or woven” raised structures capable of efficiently wiping moisture away from a wet surface.

Turning now toFIG. 1,FIG. 1depicts a close up view of a piece of a hydrophobic fabric100in accordance with aspects herein. As depicted, the hydrophobic fabric100comprises a first zone110and a second zone120, wherein the second zone120forms an integral wipe zone. The hydrophobic fabric100in accordance with aspects herein may be knit or woven with a configuration having functionality in the final product. For example, the fabric in accordance with aspects herein may be a woven jacquard, such as an engineered pattern woven jacquard. For example, the hydrophobic fabric100may be specifically woven/knit in a configuration usable for the construction of a lower body garment (as shown inFIGS. 2A to 2D). In another example, the hydrophobic fabric100may be woven/knit in a configuration usable for the construction of an upper body garment (as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6A-6B). In other words, the hydrophobic fabric100may be knit or woven with wipe zones (e.g., second zone120) that are shaped and sized for a particular garment or other product to be manufactured, placing the wipe zones at predetermined locations of the hydrophobic fabric100, corresponding with the final location for the wipe zones on the final constructed garment or other product. Alternatively, a pre-woven/knit hydrophobic fabric100may be cut into appropriate product panels, placing the first zone110and the second zone120at desired locations in the constructed product.

In accordance with aspects herein, one or both surfaces of the woven/knit hydrophobic fabric100may be hydrophobic and may comprise at least two different zones110and120, as shown inFIG. 1. For example, the first zone110may comprise a first hydrophobic inner face135and a first hydrophobic outer face130, where both the first hydrophobic inner face135and the first hydrophobic outer face130have a planar surface and are substantially planar with respect to one another. A second zone120may comprise a second hydrophobic inner face145and a second hydrophobic outer face140, where the second hydrophobic inner face145also has a planar surface. The second hydrophobic outer face140, on the other hand, comprises a plurality of integrally raised structures150extending outward from the second hydrophobic outer face140. In exemplary aspects, the integrally raised structures150may further comprise micro-channels170to improve and speed up moisture transport through the integrally raised structures150. In the second zone120, the integrally raised structures150may comprise interconnected ridges155with valleys160located between the interconnected ridges155. The second hydrophobic inner face145of the second zone120, although substantially planar, may have shadow structures175corresponding to the interconnected ridges155and valleys180corresponding to the valleys160. The second zone120is configured to function as an integral wipe zone for the fabrics in accordance with aspects herein.

As described, the hydrophobic fabrics in accordance with aspects herein may comprise inherently hydrophobic yarns/fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon), or natural yarns/fibers (e.g., cotton, hemp, silk) treated with a hydrophobic coating. Alternatively, a combination of natural and synthetic yarns may be used to construct the fabrics in accordance with aspects herein, and the formed fabrics may be treated with a hydrophobic coating(s) on one or both surfaces of the fabrics. Additionally, the fabrics may be stretch woven or knit, or in other words, the fabrics may be formed with added elasticity by interweaving or interknitting elastic yarns/fibers (e.g., elastane.) For example, the hydrophobic fabrics may contain at least 2% of elastic yarns/fibers. In aspects herein, the fabrics may contain between 2% and 25% of elastic yarns/fibers. For example, the fabrics may comprise up to 40% elastic fibers and up to 60% synthetic or natural fibers, or a combination of both, the fabrics may comprise up to 30% elastic fibers and up to 70% synthetic or natural fibers, or a combination of both, the fabrics may comprise up to 20% elastic fibers and up to 80% synthetic or natural fibers, or a combination of both, or the fabrics may comprise up to 10% elastic fibers and up to 90% synthetic or natural fibers, or a combination of both. Alternatively, the fabrics may comprise between 2% and 25% elastic fibers and between 98% and 75% hydrophobic yarns/fibers or the like (such as other inherently hydrophobic fibers or natural fibers treated with a hydrophobic coating), between 5% and 15% elastic fibers and between 95% and 85% hydrophobic yarns/fibers or the like. For example, the fabrics in accordance with aspects herein may comprise 10% elastane or other elastic fibers and 90% polyester or nylon, or a combination of polyester and nylon.

As described above, the hydrophobic fabric100in accordance with aspects herein comprises at least two different integrally woven/knit and seamlessly adjacent zones110and120, the adjacent zones being configured differently from each other. The hydrophobic fabric100may be integrally woven/knit with the at least two adjacent zones110and120having different configurations by changing the stitch at locations where the integrally raised structures150are presented. Additionally or alternatively, the yarns/fibers may be switched or additional yarns/fibers may be introduced at the locations where the integrally raised structures150are presented during the weaving or knitting of the hydrophobic fabric100. In yet a different example, the integrally raised structures150may be provided by embroidery methods, such as by embroidering the integrally raised structures150into suitable patterns with suitable yarns/fibers. The yarns/fibers forming the integrally raised structures may have a DPF that is greater than the DPF of the rest of the yarns/fibers forming the rest of the fabric surface on which the integrally raised structures150are provided. Alternatively, the yarns/fibers forming the integrally raised structures150may have a DPF that is equal to or greater than the DPF of the yarns/fibers forming the substantially planar first hydrophobic inner face135and the opposite substantially planar first hydrophobic outer face130, not comprising the integrally raised structures150.

FIGS. 2A to 2Ddepict different perspective views of an exemplary lower body garment20comprising the hydrophobic fabric100in accordance with aspects herein. As shown in the front view200of the lower body garment20depicted inFIG. 2A, the lower body garment20comprises a front panel231and a back panel233(FIGS. 2B and 2C) joined by two lateral seams forming left seam line222and an opposite right seam line (not shown). The front panel231comprises a first hydrophobic fabric having a first outer face and a first inner face that are substantially planar, such as the first zone110of the hydrophobic fabric100shown inFIG. 1, above. The lower body garment20inFIG. 2Acomprises an optional waistband202. The waistband202has a thickness210measured from a waistband top edge214to a waistband bottom edge216. InFIG. 2A, the lower body garment20shown is a pair of shorts having an overall length212measured from the waistband bottom edge216to the lower body garment bottom edge218. Although the lower body garment20shown inFIGS. 2A-2Dis depicted as a pair of knee length shorts, it is contemplated herein that the lower body garment20may be in the form of shorter shorts, long pants, three-quarter pants, Capri-pants, mini-skirt, knee-length skirt, long skirt, skorts of different lengths, and the like, without departing from aspects herein. In exemplary aspects, the lower body garment20comprises optional pockets206A and206B with pocket openings208A and208B respectively that are adjacent to an upper portion of the left seam line222and opposite right seam line.

The lower body garment20shown inFIGS. 2A to 2Dcomprises the at least one front panel231and the at least one back panel233. As shown inFIG. 2B, the front panel231and back panel233may be sewn or joined together at the left seam line222and the corresponding right seam line on the opposite side (not shown) to form the lower body garment20. In exemplary aspects, the left seam line222may extend from the waistband bottom edge216to the lower body garment20bottom edge218. In aspects, the left seam line222extends a distance221from the waistband bottom edge216to a stitch point223that sits at least 1/10 of a distance, measured from the waistband bottom edge216to the lower body garment20bottom edge218, above the lower body garment20bottom edge218. The shorter seam line may allow for an increased freedom of movement for the legs of a wearer of the exemplary lower body garment20shown inFIGS. 2A to 2D, when the lower body garment20is worn.

The lower body garment back panel233further comprises wipe zone(s)204A and204B, which would correspond to the second zone120in the woven/knit hydrophobic fabric100ofFIG. 1, where the second zone120comprises the plurality of integrally raised structures150on the second hydrophobic outer face140of the knit/woven hydrophobic fabric100. The wipe zone(s)204A and204B may extend from a predetermined area of the lower body garment20up to the left seam line222and corresponding right seam line that may also be aligned with the pocket openings208A and208B. The wipe zone(s)204A and204B may be configured to overlay at least a portion of the lower back torso area of a wearer when the lower body garment20is in an as-worn configuration, as shown inFIG. 2D. For example, the predetermined area may extend from a hypothetical vertical midline (not shown) that bisects the back panel into equal right and left halves up to the left seam line222as shown in the lateral view230of the lower body garment20shown inFIG. 2B, and corresponding right seam line (not shown). The wipe zone(s)204A and204B may have a shape and size that is both suitable for its intended purpose and at the same time is aesthetically appealing.

In exemplary aspects, the wipe zones204A and204B may be present in only the back panel233of the lower body garment20and may take up at least 5% of the total area of the back panel233of the lower body garment20shown inFIGS. 2A-2D. In additional exemplary aspects, the wipe zones204A and204B may take up at least 10% of the back panel233of the lower body garment20shown inFIGS. 2A-2D. In other examples, the front panel231of the lower body garment20may also comprise integral wipe zones taking up at least 5% of the total area of the front panel231of the lower body garment20(not shown.)

Although the lower body garment20inFIGS. 2A-2Dis depicted as comprising a front panel231and a back panel233, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the number of panels needed to construct the lower body garment20may change depending on the type of construction method used and the style of lower body garment being constructed. For example, the lower body garment20may be circular knit in a single piece when the fabric is knit to have no seam lines, or flat knit or woven as a single piece to have a single seam line. Alternatively, the lower body garment20may be constructed from three, four, five, etc., number of panels with three, four, five, etc., number of seam lines. This concept, although described in the context of a lower body garment, is also applicable to any type of garment or object being constructed.

With particular respect toFIG. 2C, the wipe zones204A and204B may comprise a single wipe zone204AB that is configured to extend across the back panel233, as shown in back view240, at an area that is adapted to overlay a lower back torso area of a wearer when the lower body garment20is worn. In exemplary aspects, the wipe zone204AB may be wider closer to pocket openings208A and208B and taper toward a vertical midline of the back panel233, as shown in the back view240ofFIG. 2C. For example, upper edges224A and224B of wipe zones204A and204B, or upper edge224AB of wipe zone204AB may be abut waistband bottom edge216, or may lie a uniform distance220away from waistband bottom edge216such that the upper edges224A and224B, or upper edge224AB is parallel to the waistband bottom edge216. While lower edges226A and226B of wipe zones204A and204B, or lower edge226AB of wipe zone204AB, may taper from left seam line222at an angle10measured in reference to a perpendicular plane P relative to the lower body garment20(as shown inFIG. 2B). Alternatively, the wipe zone(s)224AB may comprise a uniform width throughout (not shown.)

The integrally woven/knit wipe zones in accordance with aspects herein will be described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 3A to 3C.FIG. 3Adepicts a portion of a cross-section of back panel233depicted inFIG. 2Cof lower body garment20, along the cut line3A-3A and is referenced generally by the numeral300. As seen inFIG. 3A, the wipe zone(s)224AB comprises a first (inner) surface302and a second (outer) surface304. The first surface302may be substantially planar when compared to the second surface304. The second surface304comprises a plurality of integrally raised structures308extending outward from the second surface304. The integrally raised structures308may be arranged in any suitable pattern to provide the desired moisture removal effect, while at the same time providing a desired visual effect. For example, the integral wipe zones may comprise an array of interconnected ridges155and valleys160, as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 4A to 4B, different configurations410and420for the wipe zones may be possible. For instance, the integrally raised structures may comprise an array of two or more separate different shapes such as412and414as shown inFIG. 4A, or422and424as shown inFIG. 4B, between valleys416and426, respectively. These are only exemplary configurations and are illustrative and not limiting. Other configurations may, for example, include patterns of team logos, brand logos, or any other shape deemed suitable in accordance with aspects herein.

Referring collectively back toFIGS. 3A and 3B, the hydrophobic fabric may comprise a thickness314in a first zone320, measured as the distance between the first surface302to the second surface304. The integrally raised structures308may have a predetermined height306measured from the second surface304to apexes316of the integrally raised structures308. Therefore, an overall thickness312in a second zone330may be obtained by adding the thickness314of the hydrophobic fabric in the first zone320plus the predetermined height306of the integrally raised structures308. As seen inFIG. 3A, the integrally raised structures308may comprise apexes316that form ridges309, with valleys310at the bases of the ridges309or integrally raised structures308.

As described above in reference toFIG. 1, both the first surface302and the second surface304of the fabric of, for example, the lower-body garment20may be hydrophobic. Therefore, the lower body garment20in accordance with aspects herein will have a tendency to stay dry by repelling moisture and letting any water-based liquids, such as water and sweat, slide off the surfaces of the garment. For example,FIG. 3Bdepicts a close up view ofFIG. 3A, where moisture transport from the first (interior) surface322(corresponding to first surface302inFIG. 3A) of the first zone320to the second (outer) surface324(corresponding to second surface304inFIG. 3A) of the first zone320of the fabric300may be accomplished by providing a denier differential for the fabric300in accordance with aspects herein. For instance, in order to encourage moisture transport away from a wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the yarns/fibers provided for the first surface322at the first zone320may have a greater DPF than the yarns/fibers provided for the second surface324. When the yarns/fibers of the first surface322contact the wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the greater DPF of the first surface322will cause the absorption of moisture away from the wearer's skin toward the second surface324by capillary action. Subsequently, the moisture gathered on the second surface324with a smaller DPF may slide off the fabric through the natural pull of gravity.

On the other hand, at the second zone330, where integrally raised structures318are provided, the DPF of yarns/fibers forming the integrally raised structures318may be greater than the DPF of the opposite surface322of the fabric300. The integrally raised structures318may be formed of hydrophobic yarns/fibers. Therefore, as the integrally raised structures318are used to wipe moisture away from a moist or wet surface (e.g., a wearer's skin), the moisture will travel from the integrally raised structures318toward the second surface324into the valleys319formed between the integrally raised structures318. The second surface324comprises yarns/fibers having a smaller DPF than the yarns/fibers forming the integrally raised structures318and the DPF forming the surface322of the fabric300(as shown.) Therefore, as moisture is gathered in the valleys319, the moisture will have a tendency to slide off the overall second surface324of the fabric300without it being absorbed through the fabric300.

Moisture tends to be absorbed into the yarns/fibers with the greater DPF and is carried away by capillary action to the surface with the smaller DPF. Thus, moisture will flow in one direction350in the first zone320and in an opposite direction360in the second zone330, and as such, the moisture that is gathered on the second surface324and valleys319will be readily eliminated by letting it “drip” as it is pulled by the force of gravity.

Furthermore,FIG. 3Cdepicts a close-up of the area370designated as3C inFIG. 2Cof the wipe zone204AB. As shown, the wipe zone204AB comprises an array or pattern of integrally raised structures374with valleys372formed between the arrays of integrally raised structures374. Further, the integrally raised structures374may comprise micro-channels376to further aid in speeding up the moisture transport away from a moist/wet surface (e.g., a user's skin) when the wipe zone204AB is used to wipe away the moisture from the moist/wet surface. For example, the micro-channels376create passageways for the moisture gathering first at the apexes316to efficiently travel toward the valleys310where the moisture may be allowed to accumulate to a sufficient amount that is susceptible to the pull of gravity, thereby causing the moisture to slide off the outer surfaces304/324shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 2Ddepicts the lower body garment20described inFIGS. 2A to 2Cin an as-worn configuration250. As it can be seen in the as-worn configuration250, the wipe zone204AB is configured to overlay a lower back torso of a wearer, where it is readily accessible to the athlete (wearer) for quickly and readily wiping his/her palms with a generally downward or sideways motion, when needed. In particular, in sports such as basketball, baseball, or tennis where hands are heavily involved, the discomfort of having sweaty or wet hands may be readily alleviated by providing a wipe zone on the garment itself. Thereby, the performance of the athlete may also be readily improved by alleviating the slippery nature of sweaty or wet hands, by allowing the athlete to have a better control of the ball, bat, or racquet, depending on the sport or position being played.

FIG. 5depicts an exemplary upper body garment500constructed from the hydrophobic fabric in accordance with aspects herein. As background, when a person exerts herself physically, she will most likely sweat from her head. As the physical exertion continues and/or becomes more intense, the sweat from her head will most likely increase and start to drip on her forehead into her face, including into her eyes. This creates great discomfort. Oftentimes, a person who is engaged in a physically demanding activity will carry a towel with her. However, having to carry a towel around is often cumbersome, and once the towel becomes saturated, the towel will become ineffective for its intended purpose. If a towel is unavailable, a person will impulsively take the bottom front portion of her upper body garment and use this bottom front portion to wipe away the sweat on her face.

Taking this motion into account, the garment500may be an upper body garment with at least a front panel505and a back panel507, the front panel505having a first zone510and a seamlessly adjacent second zone520on the surface that is opposite (exposed to the external environment) from the skin-contacting surface of the garment500. The second zone520is located at a bottom portion of the front panel505near a bottom edge of the garment500and comprises integrally woven or knit raised structures522similar to those described above in reference to the lower body garment20depicted inFIGS. 2A-2D. The second zone520may extend from a first edge530to a second edge540. The size and shape of the second zone520may be varied according to the functionality and aesthetic appeal desired for the particular garment500. Although the garment500inFIG. 5is depicted as a short sleeved crew neck t-shirt, it is contemplated herein that the lower body garment500may be in the form of a V-neck sleeveless t-shirt, long-sleeved V-necked or crew necked t-shirt, a short or long sleeved hoodie, a short or long sleeved sweater, a thin, medium, or thick jacket, a tank top, a jersey tank top, and the like, without departing from aspects herein.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bdepict a different exemplary upper body garment600in the form of a jersey, in accordance with aspects herein. When sweat or another aqueous solution drips into the face of a person, another impulsive motion to wipe away the moisture from his/her face is by taking a front panel660of the upper body garment600over his/her head and wiping his/her head on an interior (skin-contacting) aspect of the front panel660. As such, the upper body garment600in accordance with aspects herein comprises a first zone610and a seamlessly adjacent second zone620, wherein the second zone620is located on an upper interior portion624(skin-contacting surface when worn) of the front panel660of the upper body garment600, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, where the integrally raised structures622are shown in shadow form inFIG. 6A, to represent that they are internal and may not be actually visible on the outer surface. In a different aspect, a back panel650of the upper body garment600may also comprise integrally raised structures622at, for example, shoulder and/or upper back interior portions (not shown), for providing a wiping functionality with the natural shifting of the upper body garment600on the wearer's body when the wearer is undergoing physical exertion (such as in a game of basketball).

The second zone620comprising the integrally raised structures622, may extend from a first edge630to a second edge640. The size and shape of the second zone620may be configured according to the functionality and aesthetic appeal desired for the particular upper body garment600. Since the integrally raised structures622are internal to the upper body garment600, the aesthetic appeal may play a lesser role than when the integrally raised structures622are external to the upper body garment, as in the upper body garment500inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7depicts an exemplary method700for manufacturing a lower body garment, such as the exemplary lower body garment20shown inFIGS. 2A to 2D. For example, the lower body garment20shown inFIGS. 2A to 2Dmay be manufactured by forming a waistband for the lower body garment20at block710. The waistband may be made to be entirely elastic or stiff, or alternatively, the waistband may be manufactured from a combination of elastic and non-elastic materials. In exemplary aspects, step710may comprise an optional step. Next, a first hydrophobic moisture management fabric may be woven or knit at block720, the first hydrophobic moisture management fabric comprising a first zone and a second zone with an optional denier differential between its first face and its second face. Then, as described at block730, a back panel for the lower body garment20may be formed from the first hydrophobic moisture management fabric. Then, as described at block740, a second hydrophobic moisture management fabric having an optional denier differential between its first face and its second face may be woven or knit, from which a front panel of the lower body garment20may be formed at block750. Once the front panel and the back panel of the lower body garment20are formed, the front panel and the back panel may be affixed to each other, as described at block760. Finally, the waistband formed in block710may also be affixed to the affixed front panel and back panel of the lower body garment20to complete construction of the lower body garment20. It should be understood that the method presented inFIG. 7is only exemplary and non-limiting. The different steps described may or may not follow the order of events, as described.

FIG. 8depicts an exemplary method800for manufacturing garments in accordance to aspects herein. First, one or more panels of a garment comprising a first zone and a second zone, where the first zone comprises a substantially planar construction, and where the second zone comprises integrally raised structures, may be knit/woven at block810, such as the first zone110and the second zone120shown inFIG. 1. The one or more panels knit/woven at block810may be knit/woven from inherently hydrophobic materials, or alternatively, the panels may be treated with hydrophobic coating material(s) after the panels have been knit/woven. Then, as described at block820, one or more panels of the garment comprising a construction equivalent to only the first zone (substantially planar construction) may be knit or woven. Finally, as described at block830, the one or more panels knit or woven at block810may be affixed to the one or more panels knit or woven at block820according to specified configurations of a desired garment construction to form the garment.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that aspects described herein are well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.