Abstract:
A sweat absorber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first sweat absorber extended in a head circumferential direction and a second sweat absorber partially surrounding the first sweat absorber and formed of a different material having a different strechability, and the sweat absorber is highly stretchable, provides wearing comfort, improves sweat absorbing capability, is quick drying, and has antibacterial and deodorization functions, and provides a temperature control function to maintain a constant temperature.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0094401 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 28, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an elastic multi-functional sweat absorber having improved wearing comfort. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-functional sweat absorber that is highly stretchable and provides wearing comfort, improves sweat absorbing capability, is quick drying, and has antibacterial and deodorization functions, and provides a temperature control function to maintain a constant temperature. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In general, headwear includes a crown portion worn on a head of a wearer, a visor portion coupled to the crown portion and functioning as a visor, and a sweat absorber disposed at an interior circumference of the crown portion so as to prevent sweat produced from the head or forehead from flowing to the eyes or face of the wearer. 
         [0004]    The sweat absorber directly contacts the skin and thus is closely related to sensitivity of the wearer. In particular, when the headwear is free-sized and thus both of the crown portion and the sweat absorber have elasticity, the sweat absorber is closely attached to the head, and accordingly, the function and importance of the sweat absorber are higher than with other styles of headwear. 
         [0005]    The sweat absorber prevents sweat produced from the head or forehead during exercise from flowing to the face or eyes. 
         [0006]    In addition, the sweat absorber reduces pressure applied to the head or forehead due to the hard sewing portion of the visor portion or the crown portion. 
         [0007]    Although it is limited to a free-sized product, the sweat absorber may be elastically stretchable to make the elastic crown portion fit the head size of the wearer. 
         [0008]    Thus, the sweat absorber of the free-sized headwear may not be able to fully satisfy the above-stated functions. 
         [0009]    When the sweat absorber is formed of an only elastic band, elasticity may be improved and various expressions such as a logo or characters can be woven in the outer surface thereof, but impressions may be remained on the forehead of the wearer along the edge of the sweat absorber or the wearer may have uncomfortable feelings and sensations of compression on the forehead. Further, if the wearer wears on the hat for a long time, sweat may flow to the face or eyes of the wearer because the elastic band is formed of a single sheet. 
         [0010]    When the sweat absorber is formed of an elastic band and a cover portion that surrounds the elastic band, impression and compression problems can be reduced such that the wearing comfort may be improved, but the headwear may not be applied to various-sized heads because elasticity is weakened. 
         [0011]    In addition, characters or logos may be woven on the cover portion of the sweat absorber, but workability may be deteriorated and a loss may occur due to cutting. 
         [0012]    The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention has been made in an effort to provide an elastically stretchable multi-functional sweat absorber that is highly stretchable and provides wearing comfort, improves sweat absorbing capability, is quick drying, and has antibacterial and deodorization functions, as well as providing a temperature control function to maintain a constant temperature. 
         [0014]    A sweat absorber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first sweat absorber extended in a head circumferential direction and a second sweat absorber partially surrounding the first sweat absorber wherein the first sweat absorber and the second sweat absorber are formed of a different material having an elasticity difference. 
         [0015]    The sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses polypropylene as at least one of a warp yarn and a weft yarn. 
         [0016]    The sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is highly stretchable, provides wearing comfort, improves sweat absorbing capability, is quick drying, and has antibacterial and deodorization functions, and provides a temperature control function to maintain a constant temperature. 
         [0017]    In addition, the first sweat absorber and the second sweat absorber may have the same color, but they may have different colors such that the headwear may provide an aesthetic effect, and functionality of the headwear can be further visually emphasized. 
         [0018]    Further, the second sweat absorber can be detachably formed using a female or male fastening portion formed of Velcro and the like rather than being integrally formed with the first sweat absorber such that replacement can be easily performed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of headwear having a sweat absorber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 , taken along the line B-B. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  is an enlarged top plan view for description of a method for manufacturing a first sweat absorber of the sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a graph showing an elasticity difference between a first sweat absorber and a second sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary variation of the sweat absorber of  FIG. 2  of the present invention, taken along the line B-B. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary variation of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5C  shows an exemplary variation of  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of headwear having a sweat absorber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , headwear  100  having the sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a crown portion  101  worn on the head of a wearer, a visor portion  103  coupled to the crown portion  101  to function as a visor, and a sweat absorber  105  coupled to an inner circumferential portion of the crown portion  101 . 
         [0030]    The present invention is not limited to the cap-type headwear having the crown portion  101  of  FIG. 1 , but  FIG. 1  exemplarily illustrates one example of the present invention. The present invention may be applied to various types of headwear such as a visor used for blocking sunlight in summer or formal headwear. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the sweat absorber  105  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is elastically stretchable in a longitudinal direction (i.e., the arrow direction), and includes a first sweat absorber  105 - 1  and a second sweat absorber  105 - 2  partially surrounding a front of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  and sewn by a sewing yarn  105 - 2 C. 
         [0032]    The first sweat absorber  105 - 1  and the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  may be respectively formed of different materials, each having different stretchability, and this will be described later. 
         [0033]    In the sweat absorber  105  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pattern portion  105 - 1 C such as characters or logos is woven together when the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  is woven using a warp yarn (head circumferential direction, length direction, or arrow direction; ( 105 - 1   aa  of  FIG. 3B ) and a weft yarn ( 105 - 1   ab  of  FIG. 3B ), and thus a loss can be reduced compared to a case of printing using a cover, and the pattern portion  105 - 1 C can be located in a desired correct location thereby providing aesthetic appreciation. 
         [0034]    The first sweat absorber  105 - 1  and the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  may have the same color, or they may have different colors such that the headwear may provide an aesthetic effect, and functionality of the headwear can be further visually emphasized. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , a configuration of the sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in further detail. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 , taken along the line B-B, and  FIG. 3B  is an enlarged top plan view provided for description of a manufacturing method of the first sweat absorber of the sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , the functional sweat absorber  105  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  is formed of a main body portion  105 - 1   a  and a wing portion  105 - 1   b  that is integrally formed at both ends from the main body portion  105 - 1   a  in a direction of the weft yarn and is partially surrounded by the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  that is formed of two sheets of separation-type piece panels. 
         [0038]    In the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 , at least one of the warp yarn  105 - 1   aa  and the weft yarn  105 - 1   ab  is woven from polypropylene, and particularly, an elastically stretchable yarn  105 - 1   ac  is partially used as the warp yarn for elastic stretchability in a direction of the weft yarn (i.e., the head circumferential direction marked by the arrow in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0039]    The second sweat absorber  105 - 2  is formed of two sheets of piece panels formed by sewing a cover portion  105 - 2   a  surrounding the wing portion  105 - 1   b  of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  from a rear side and a sewing portion  105 - 2   b  bent inward at a front end of the cover portion  105 - 2   a  and thus disposed in a front of the wing portion  105 - 1   b  with a sewing yarn  105 - 2   c,  and the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  improves tactility of a portion that imprints impressions on the forehead of the wearer or applies compression to the forehead by contacting the forehead. 
         [0040]    Since the sewing portion  105 - 2   b  is disposed in the front of the wing portion  105 - 1   b,  the design of the headwear can be aesthetically improved by matching different textures or colors. 
         [0041]    The cover portion  105 - 2   a  and the sewing portion  105 - 2   b  of the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  may be formed of a fabric or knit that is integrally woven or knitted and thus is stretchable in the head circumferential direction. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 3B , the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  of the functional sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in further detail. 
         [0043]    The first sweat absorber  105 - 1  functions to determine a size range of a free-sized headwear, and as shown in Table 1, the main body portion  105 - 1   a  is formed further thicker by increasing the density of the warp yarn with a pattern yarn  105 - 1   ad  to form characters and both wing portions  105 - 1   b  are formed thinner by decreasing the density of a bottom yarn  105 - 1   aa,  which is the warp yarn. 
         [0044]    The density of the warp yarn of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  is 147 strands/inch, which is less than 220 strands/inch of a comparative example, and a first density of the warp yarn  105 - 1   aa  in the main body portion  105 - 1   a  formed of the pattern yarn  105 - 1   ad  such as a logo or a pattern is higher than a second density of in the wing portions  105 - 1   b.  For example, 104 strands among about 147 strands are concentrated in the main body portion  105 - 1   a,  and the density of strands in the wing portions  105 - 1   b  are significantly reduced to about 21 strands and 22 strands, respectively. 
         [0045]    Since the second density of the wrap yarn of the wing portions  105 - 1   b  is lower than the first density of the warp yarn of the main body portion  105 - 1   a,  the wing portions  105 - 1   b  are thin and less pressed, but the wing portions  105 - 1   b  are covered by the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  so that wearing comfort can be improved when being close to the forehead of the wearer. 
         [0046]    In addition, the density of the stretchable yarn  105 - 1   ac  of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is decreased to 9 strands compared to 20 to 30 strands of the comparative example with reference to the width of about 30 mm, so that feeling of pressure in wearing can be reduced. 
         [0047]    The first sweat absorber  105 - 1  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses a reduced number of elastically stretchable yarns  105 - 1   ac  but uses a monofilament yarn having elasticity and strength as the weft yarn  105 - 1   ab  rather than using a multifilament yarn, unlike the comparative example, and therefore sufficient stretchability can be provided from the combination of the elastically stretchable yarns and the weft yarns  105 - 1   ab.    
         [0048]    As shown in Table 1, in case of the comparative example in which warp yarns and weft yarns have compact densities, 20 to 30 strands of elastically stretchable yarns are added to provide stretchability of more than 25% and thus compression also can be increased as the number of elastically stretchable yarns is increased. 
         [0049]    The first sweat absorber  105 - 1  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses the reduced number of elastically stretchable yarns  105 - 1   ac  so that the compression of 35% is improved compared to that of the comparative example when being stretched 25% . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Comparative Example 
               
               
                   
                   
                 FLEXFIT ® (sweat 
               
               
                   
                 First sweat absorber 105-1 
                 absorber of the applicant) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Warp yarn 
                 Warp yarn density (pattern 
                 About 147 strands 
                 About 220 strands 
               
               
                   
                 yarn, bottom yarn) 
               
               
                   
                 Stretchable yarn density 
                 About 9 strands 
                 About 20 to 30 strands 
               
               
                 Weft warn 
                   
                 monofilament 
                 Multifilament 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Pressure (load, gf) from 25% of stretch 
                 Average 1692 (36% 
                 Average 2650 
               
               
                   
                 improved compared to 
               
               
                   
                 comparative example) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0050]    According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an elastic yarn formed of polyester-covered latex or a PU yarn may be used as the stretchable yarns  105 - 1   ac  respectively arranged with a constant gap along the width direction of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 . 
         [0051]    The main body portion  105 - 1   a  of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  is formed of the pattern yarn  105 - 1   ad  that forms a logo, a character, or a pattern, and may include about 104 strands with reference to the width of about 30 mm and is made of polyester or nylon for improving a sense of beauty and texture. 
         [0052]    The wing portion  105 - 1   b  of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  is formed of the bottom yarns  105   aa  made of polyester or nylon. 
         [0053]    Thus, the main body portion  105 - 1   a  is thicker than the wing portion  105 - 1   b.    
         [0054]    As described above, the weft yarn  105 - 1   ab  is arranged along the width direction of the sweat absorber, and one strand of a monofilament yarn is zigzagged and thus weaved with the warp yarns  105 - 1   aa.  Since the weft yarn  105 - 1   ab  is formed of the monofilament yarn, the sweat absorber  105  can be closely attached to the crown portion  101  due to the elasticity and strength of the weft yarn even through the weft yarn has lower density than the warp yarn  105 - 1   aa,  and the bottom of the crown portion  101  can be maintained in the round shape. 
         [0055]    The weft yarn  105 - 1   ab  can support the round shape of the crown portion  101  after attaching the sweat absorber  105  to the crown portion  101 , and the density is preferably about 90 to 110 strand/inch. 
         [0056]    One of the weft yarn and the warp yarn used in the main body portion includes a polypropylene yarn for moisture permeability and quick drying, and therefore the sweat absorber  105  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is lighter than that of the comparative example, and sweat can be sufficiently emitted and anti-bacterial and deodorization functions can be provided even through the thickness of the sweat absorber  105  is further decreased. 
         [0057]    The polypropylene yarn has moisture absorptivity of 0.05%, which is close to zero, and thus it transports humidity to the outside, thereby providing the anti-bacterial and deodorization functions and the load of the polypropylene yarn is 0.92, the lightest among fibers, so that the sweat absorber can be light-weighted. Further, thermal conductivity of the polypropylene yarn is the lowest among fibers so that it can provide thermal insulation and cool insulation effects by blocking high temperature in summer and blocking emission of body temperature to the outside in winter. 
         [0058]    In particular, the polypropylene yarn used in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is spun by mixing an additional inorganic compound so that excellent anti-bacterial and deodorization functions and thermal insulation and cool insulation functions can be provided. 
         [0059]    The second sweat absorber  105 - 2  supports extension of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  in the head circumferential direction so that a knit is preferably used rather than using a stretchable yarn. 
         [0060]    In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the knit can be extended and then restored not 100% but somewhat, and thus the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  can be extended as much as the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  and accordingly the headwear can be applicable to various sizes of heads. In this case, it is preferred to improve wearing comfort by using thinner and softer yarn and formation. 
         [0061]    A sense of soft touch may be provided by using micro yarn of less than 1 denier, i.e., 75D/72F or 150D/144F, as the second sweat absorber  105 - 2 . 
         [0062]    In addition, a shaped yarn or sweat absorption and quick dry can be provided by post-processing an absorption softener. Even through polyurethane (PU) is not mixed, a warp knit or a weft knit using 100% polyester yarn is used for natural stretchability. Further, a single jersey is used to prevent impressions from remaining in the forehead of the wearer when the headwear is being worn by performing to be thin. 
         [0063]    As described, since the shaped yarn or post-processed absorption softener is used as the second sweat absorber  105 - 2 , moisture or sweat can be well absorbed and quickly dried so that sweat can be more quickly absorbed and more quickly dried by supporting the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 . 
         [0064]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , it will be described in detail that the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  can be extended sufficiently in accordance with the extension of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  in the sweat absorber  105  according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0065]      FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating a stretchability difference between the first sweat absorber and the second sweat absorber of the sweat absorber according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a load of about 374 gf is applied when the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  is not stretched and a load of about 1692 gf is applied when being stretched to 25%, and a load of almost 0 gf is applied when the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  is not stretched and a load of about 941 gf is applied when being stretched to 25%. 
         [0067]    Since almost zero load is applied to the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  when being stretched according to stretch of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 , the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  can support functionality and wearing comfort without interfering with the stretch of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 . 
         [0068]    That is, when the sweat absorber  105  is formed of only the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 , sweat may be permeated to the crown portion  101  due to the material of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  and thus sweat may smear on the crown portion  101  or run down to the face or eyes of the wearer. However, when the sweat absorber  105  is formed of the first and second sweat absorbers  105 - 1  and  105 - 2 , the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  can absorb the sweat and quickly dry, and deterioration of wearing comfort due to compression or impressions from the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  can be prevented. 
         [0069]    A sweat absorber according to an exemplary variation will now be described with reference to  FIG. 5A  to  FIG. 5C . 
         [0070]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a sweat absorber according to the exemplary variation of the present invention of  FIG. 2 , taken along the line B-B,  FIG. 5B  shows an exemplary variation of  FIG. 3A , and  FIG. 5C  shows an exemplary variation of  FIG. 5A . 
         [0071]    According to an exemplary variation embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5A , a second sweat absorber  105 - 2 ′ is formed of one panel formed by connecting a cover portion  105 - 2   a ′ and two sewing portions  105 - 2   b ′, and the cover portion  105 - 2   a ′ faces one side of a main body portion  105 - 1   a ′ of a first sweat absorber  105 - 1 ′. The sewing portions  105 - 2   b ′ formed by surrounding wing portions  105 - 1   b ′ may be coupled using a sewing yarn  105 - 2   c′.    
         [0072]    Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 5B , female or male fastening portions  107  formed as Velcro, a loop, or a hook are formed in the wing portions  105 - 1   b  provided in both ends of the main body portion  105 - 1   a  of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1  and in inner both ends of the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  so as to provide a fastening of the second sweat absorber  105 - 2  to the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 . 
         [0073]    Also, as shown in  FIG. 5C , the second sweat absorber  105 - 2 ′ may be formed of a single panel by connecting the cover portion  105 - 2   a ′ and the sewing portion  105 - 2   b ′, and the cover portion  105 - 2   a  may face one side of the main body portion  105 - 1   a  of the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 ′. Then, a female or male fastening portion  107 ′ formed as Velcro, a loop, or a hook is formed in the sewing portion  105 - 2   b ′ corresponding to the wing portion  105 - 1   b ′ so as to provide a fastening of the second sweat absorber  105 - 2 ′ to the first sweat absorber  105 - 1 ′. 
         [0074]    With such a configuration, the sweat absorber can be maintained clean by changing only the second sweat absorbers  105 - 2  and  105 - 2 ′ when the second sweat absorbers  105 - 2  and  105 - 2 ′ are stained with sweat. 
         [0075]    The second sweat absorbers  105 - 2  and  105 - 2 ′ surround the upper and lower ends of the first sweat absorbers  105 - 1  and  105 - 1 ′, that is, the wing portions  105 - 1   b  and  105 - 1   b ′, so that an unpleasant feeling from the first sweat absorbers  105 - 1  and  105 - 1 ′ can be reduced and impressions due to compression of the first sweat absorbers  105 - 1  and  105 - 1 ′ can be prevented from being imprinted even though a monofilament yarn is used as the weft yarn at the portion of the headwear that contacts the sensitive forehead when being worn on the head. 
         [0076]    In addition, the main body portions  105 - 1   a  and  105 - 1   a ′ of the first sweat absorbers  105 - 1  and  105 - 1 ′ may be thickened due to pattern portions  105 - 1   c  and  105 - 1   c ′ where characters or logos are formed, but the wing portions  105 - 1   b  and  105 - 1   b ′ of the upper and lower ends are surrounded so that the sweat absorber  105  can be entirely smoothened, thereby improving wearing comfort. 
         [0077]    While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 &lt;Description of Symbols&gt; 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 101: crown portion 
                 103: visor portion 
               
               
                   
                 105: sweat absorber 
                 105-1: first sweat absorber 
               
               
                   
                 105-2: second sweat absorber 
                 105-1a: main body portion 
               
               
                   
                 105-1b: wing portion 
                 105-1c: logo portion 
               
               
                   
                 105-2a: cover portion 
                 105-2b: sewing portion 
               
               
                   
                 107: female or male fastening 
               
               
                   
                 portion 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0078]    Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.