Patent Publication Number: US-11639567-B2

Title: Wet-activated cooling fabric

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/100,939, filed on Aug. 10, 2018, which is a continuation application of International Application No.: PCT/US2017/035734, filed Jun. 2, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, and which claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/345,321, filed Jun. 3, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     (1) Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to textile fabrics and, more particularly, to multi-layer knitted fabric constructions that provide the ability to cool skin below a current temperature of the skin for a longer duration primarily when wetted but secondarily in a dry state. 
     (2) Description of Prior Art 
     Previous wet-activated cooling fabrics have used woven and double knit constructions using absorbent yarns which have moisture absorbing properties. A first layer, located next to the skin, provides a sustained cooling effect. However, such fabrics generally quickly dry out and/or warm up to the skin temperature of the user, negating any cooling effect. Therefore, a need exists for a multi-layer cooling fabric employing more advanced yarns and construction techniques which can provide a sustained cooling effect for a greater amount of time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to textile fabrics and, more particularly, to multi-layer knitted fabric constructions that provide the ability to cool skin below a current temperature of the skin for a longer duration, primarily when wetted, but secondarily in a dry state. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    depicts a representational cross-sectional view of the cooling fabric showing the different layers of the fabric. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  depict cross sectional views of yarn filaments used in construction of the cooling fabric. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 E  depict a pattern for making a warp knit construction, showing the placement of each yarn in the cooling fabric. 
         FIG.  4    depicts a brushing process. 
         FIG.  5    depicts an embossing process. 
         FIG.  6    depicts an image of a brushed and embossed cooling fabric. 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 D  depict yarns for use in seamless knitting constructions. 
         FIG.  8    depicts the yarns of  FIGS.  7 A- 7 D  used in a seamless knit construction. 
         FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  depicts faces and backs, respectively, of a seamless knit cooling fabric. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Warp Knit Construction 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , an embodiment of the cooling fabric  100  is intended to be worn next to the skin  102  of a user, such as an athlete. The cooling fabric  100  may form an entire garment, such as a shirt or a pair of shorts, or be strategically integrated into garments where extra cooling is needed, such as near the shoulders/underarms of a user. The cooling fabric  100  may also be utilized to form standalone cooling products such as headbands, towels, hats, etc. 
     The layers of cooling fabric  100  depicted in  FIG.  1    in cross-section are shown separated for clarity and illustrative purposes. In the actual manufactured fabric, the different layers  104 - 108  are interconnected in a knit construction that is described with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 E , for example. 
     A first layer  104  of the cooling fabric  100 , to be warn against the skin  102 , is preferably formed of a combination of a stretchable synthetic yarn and an evaporative yarn. Suitable stretchable synthetic yarns include, but are not limited to, spandex, lycra or elastane. Preferably, spandex is used in the construction of cooling fabric  100 . A cross-section of a single filament of a stretchable synthetic yarn, such as spandex, is depicted in  FIG.  2 D . However, the spandex may be omitted from first layer  104  if stretch or draping qualities are not needed for cooling fabric  100 . 
     The evaporative yarn of first layer  104 , together with the spandex, creates hydrophobic and hydrophilic channels for perspiration to enter the absorbent center of cooling fabric  100  while also allowing the chilled (e.g., 60° F.) center to provide conductive cooling against skin  102  (e.g., at an average skin temperature of 93.2° F.) as shown by the arrows near skin  102 . The evaporative yarn of first layer  104  is preferably a nylon or polyester yarn having a unique cross-section (as seen in  FIG.  2 A ) and is embedded with minerals (e.g., jade or mica) to transport and evaporate moisture from skin  102  while still providing conductive cooling from center layer  106  while also a cooling touch from layer  104 . Examples of suitable evaporative yarns include AQUA-X and ASKIN, both manufactured by Hyosung Corporation of the Republic of Korea, both of which also provide UV protection. 
     The second layer  106  of cooling fabric  100  is formed from a highly absorbent yarn designed to absorb and hold moisture that is wicked from skin  102  by first layer  104 . The high absorbance of the second layer  106  is also important to provide a cooling effect to skin  102 . That is, because the second layer  106  is highly absorbent, it is able to retain a greater quantity of cooled water when wetted while still providing the ability to absorb wicked moisture. 
     Second layer  106  is preferably formed from a conjugated bi-component polyester and nylon yarn with a special star-shaped cross-section (the star-shaped cross-section is formed as the result of a treatment applied after cooling fabric  100  is knitted) as depicted in  FIG.  2 B . Such a yarn is more absorbent than traditional absorbent yarns used in most cooling fabrics. An example of a yarn suitable for use in the second layer  106  is Hyosung MIPAN XF. The yarn utilized in the second layer  106  is preferably Hyosung MIPAN XF which has a wicking rate and a wicking distance more than twice that of cotton of equivalent density. 
     The third layer  108  of cooling fabric  100  is formed from a yarn designed to transport moisture and provide a cool touch. The third layer  108  allows the moisture trapped in second layer  106  to evaporate into the ambient air and also allows ambient air to move into second layer  106  to cool the center of cooling fabric  100 . A cross-section of a single filament of a yarn suitable for use in third layer  108  is depicted in  FIG.  2 C . 
     The cooling effect for cooling fabric  100  follows the principles of evaporative cooling. This principle details that water must have heat applied to change from a liquid to a vapor. Once evaporation occurs, this heat from the liquid water is taken due to evaporation resulting in cooler liquid. Once the cooling fabric  100  is wetted with water and preferably wringed to remove excess water, snapping or twirling in the air is a recommended process as it helps facilitate and expedite the moisture movement from the second layer  106 , where water is stored, to the outer evaporative layers  104  and  108 , where water evaporation occurs. Snapping or twirling in the air also increases the evaporation rate and decreases the material temperature more rapidly by exposing more surface area of the material to air and increased air flow. More specifically, the cooling fabric  100  functions as a device that facilitates and expedites the evaporative process. 
     Once the temperature of the remaining water in the outer evaporative layer  108  drops through evaporation, a heat exchange happens within water through convection, between water and fabric through conduction, and within fabric through conduction. Thus, the temperature of cooling fabric  100  drops. The evaporation process further continues by wicking water away from the layer  106  to layers  104  and  108  until the stored water is used up. The evaporation rate decreases as the temperature of cooling fabric  100  drops. The temperature of cooling fabric  100  drops gradually to a certain point where equilibrium is reached between the rate of heat absorption into material from environment and heat release by evaporation. 
     Once the wetted cooling fabric  100  is placed onto one&#39;s skin, cooling energy from the cooling fabric  100  is transferred through conduction. After the cooling energy transfer has occurred, the temperature of the cooling fabric increases to equilibrate with the skin temperature. Once this occurs, the wetted cooling fabric  100  can easily be re-activated by the snapping or the twirling method to again drop the temperature. 
     The various views depicted in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  are cross-sectional diagrams of a single filament used in the different yarns for layers  104 - 108 . However, each yarn used in the present invention contains multiple filaments. 
     The four-yarn combination utilized in cooling fabric  100  allows for more absorption of water to occur while transporting water efficiently through cooling fabric  100  to create an evaporative cooling effect which increases the conductive cooling effect of cooling fabric  100 . Further benefits of cooling fabric  100  include:
         Cool touch provided by third layer  108  (exterior) and first layer  104  (against skin  102 ) when the cooling fabric  100  is dry. A cool touch fabric is a fabric that physically feels cooler than the ambient air when touched by a user, whether wet or dry.   Temperature decrease of the fabric surface by up to 30° F. below average body temperature (e.g., at 98.6° F.) when wet and activated through wringing, snapping or twirling.   Up to a 30% increase in conductive cooling power measured in Watts/m 2  when compared to other fabrics such as cotton.   Cooling for up to two hours after wetting depending on ambient air conditions.   UV protection.       

     Next, with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 E , the unique knitting construction of cooling fabric  100  is described which allows for four different yarns to be used in the same material. Preferably, a warp knit is used during the construction of cooling fabric  100 . Warp knits include, but are not limited to, tricot, raschel, spacer, and lace. 
     Examples of warp knit tricot 4-bar will be described herein. A first example for warp knit tricot 4-bar construction, depicted in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 E , utilizes the following stitch and yarn combinations: 
       FIG.  3 A —Bar 1—1-0/2-3 (evaporative yarn such as AQUA-X) 
       FIG.  3 B —Bar 2—1-2/1-0 (absorbent yarn such as MIPAN XF) 
       FIG.  3 C —Bar 3—0-1/2-1 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
       FIG.  3 D —Bar 4—1-0/1-2 (elastic yarn such as Spandex) 
     Preferably, bar 1 is a 35 Denier/24 filament nylon fully drawn yarn; bar 2 is a 50 Denier/48 filament conjugated polyester/nylon bi-component fully drawn yarn; bar 3 is a 75 Denier/36 filament polyester draw textured yarn; and bar 4 is a 40 Denier spandex. This configuration results in a fabric having a density of 100-600 g/m 2 , but more preferably 160-400 g/m 2 . The combined multi-layer cooling fabric  100  resulting from this stitch is depicted in  FIG.  3 E . 
     The yarn Deniers and filament counts used on bars 1-4 can be varied using the following ranges:
         Bar 1: Evaporative yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 2: Absorbent yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 3: Evaporative yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 4: Elastomeric yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-340 Denier       

     As another example, Bar 2 may utilize a yarn such as Nanofront polyester yarn manufactured by Teijin which has significantly smaller filaments than traditional absorbent yarns. 
     Another embodiment of cooling fabric  100  uses the following 4-bar knitting stitch and yarn combination: 
     Bar 1—1-0/2-3 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
     Bar 2—1-2/1-0 (absorbent yarn such as MIPAN XF) 
     Bar 3—0-1/2-1 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
     Bar 4—1-0/1-2 (elastic yarn such as Spandex) 
     In this stitch configuration, bar 1 is a 45 Denier/24 filament polyester fully drawn yarn; bar 2 is a 50 Denier/48 filament polyester and nylon conjugated fully drawn yarn; bar 3 is a 75 Denier/36 filament polyester draw textured yarn; and bar 4 is a 40 Denier spandex. 
     In both knitting stitch examples, bars 1 and 3 are cool touch/quick dry/absorption materials as have already been described. The Qmax for these yarns is greater than 0.140 W/cm 2  on the face side and 0.120 W/cm 2  on the back side of the material which indicates a cooling touch effect as has already been described. The wet Qmax for these yarns is greater than 0.280 W/cm 2  on face side and 0.180 W/cm 2  on back side. Bar 2 is a conjugated highly absorbent yarn (MIPAN XF) which has a wicking rate and a wicking distance more than twice that of cotton of equivalent density. The spandex yarn provides hydrophobic properties, provides stretch properties, and a draping effect. 
     Another example for warp knit tricot 4-bar construction utilizes the following stitch and yarn combinations: 
       FIG.  3 A —Bar 1—1-0/2-3 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
       FIG.  3 B —Bar 2—1-2/1-0 (absorbent yarn such as Nylon/Polyester Conjugated 
     Yarn) 
       FIG.  3 C —Bar 3—0-1/2-1 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
       FIG.  3 D —Bar 4—1-0/1-2 (elastic yarn such as Spandex) 
     Preferably, bar 1 is a 50 Denier/72 filament polyester draw textured yarn; bar 2 is a 75 Denier/36 filament conjugated polyester/nylon bi-component draw textured yarn; bar 3 is a 75 Denier/36 filament polyester draw textured yarn; and bar 4 is a 70 Denier spandex. This configuration results in a fabric having a density of 100-600 g/m 2 , but more preferably 250-350 g/m 2 . The combined multi-layer cooling fabric  100  resulting from this stitch is depicted in  FIG.  3 E . 
     The overall fiber content for this example is approximately 86% Polyester, 7% Polyamide, and 7% Elastane. 
     The yarn Deniers and filament counts used on bars 1-4 can be varied using the following ranges:
         Bar 1: Evaporative yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 2: Absorbent yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 3: Evaporative yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 4: Elastomeric yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-340 Denier       

     Furthermore, the stitch notation for this example can vary from the above stated to the following: 
     Bar 1—1-0/3-4 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
     Bar 2—1-2/1-0 (absorbent yarn such as Nylon/Polyester Conjugated Yarn) 
     Bar 3—0-1/2-1 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
     Bar 4—1-0/1-2 (elastic yarn such as Spandex) 
     A further example for warp knit tricot 4-bar construction utilizes the following stitch and yarn combinations: 
       FIG.  3 A —Bar 1—1-0/2-3 (evaporative yarn such as AQUA X) 
       FIG.  3 B —Bar 2—1-2/1-0 (absorbent yarn such as Nylon/Polyester Conjugated Yarn) 
       FIG.  3 C —Bar 3—0-1/2-1 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
       FIG.  3 D —Bar 4—1-0/1-2 (elastic yarn such as Spandex) 
     Preferably, bar 1 is a 50 Denier/24 filament fully drawn nylon yarn; bar 2 is a 75 Denier/36 filament conjugated polyester/nylon bi-component draw textured yarn; bar 3 is a 20 Denier/36 filament polyester draw textured yarn; and bar 4 is a 40 Denier spandex. This configuration results in a fabric having a density of 100-600 g/m 2 , but more preferably 200-350 g/m 2 . The combined multi-layer cooling fabric  100  resulting from this stitch is depicted in  FIG.  3 E . 
     The overall fiber content for this example is approximately 55% Polyester, 38% Polyamide, and 7% Elastane. 
     Furthermore, this example uses two additional finishing techniques. The first finishing technique used is brushing the surface on one side. After brushing the surface, the fabric is also embossed on the commercial face side of the material. 
     The yarn Deniers and filament counts used on bars 1-4 can be varied using the following ranges:
         Bar 1: Evaporative yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 2: Absorbent yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 3: Evaporative yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-200 Denier, Filament range—1 filament-400 filaments   Bar 4: Elastomeric yarn with Denier range—10 Denier-340 Denier       

     Furthermore, the stitch notation for this example can vary from the above stated to the following: 
     Bar 1—1-0/3-4 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
     Bar 2—1-2/1-0 (absorbent yarn such as Nylon/Polyester Conjugated Yarn) 
     Bar 3—0-1/2-1 (evaporative yarn such as ASKIN) 
     Bar 4—1-0/1-2 (elastic yarn such as Spandex) 
     Additional Performance Yarn 
     An embodiment of the present invention is the use of other performance yarns to enhance evaporative and absorbency effects. Specifically, for the yarns listed in layers  104  and  108 , other evaporative yarns with additional performance properties can be added, blended, or twisted with the evaporative yarns to intensify the cooling effect of fabric  100 . Possible additional evaporative yarns include, but are not limited to, the following:
         Mineral containing—An embodiment of the present invention involves incorporating yarns impregnated with various minerals such as mica, jade, coconut shell, volcanic ash, etc. These mineral containing yarns could be added to first layer  104  or third layer  108  to provide a cool touch and/or increased evaporative performance. Mineral yarn could be used to also provide greater surface area for added evaporation power. An example of this type of mineral containing yarn is 37.5 polyester or 37.5 nylon, both of which are manufactured by Cocona, Inc. Both of these example yarns contain particles permanently embedded at the fiber level which capture and release moisture vapor. The active particles provide approximately 800% more surface area to the fiber and also provide a unique driving force to remove moisture vapor. By actively responding to body heat, the active particles use this energy from the body to accelerate the vapor movement and speed up the conversion of liquid to vapor, significantly increasing drying rates. Using highly evaporative yarns allows for increase evaporation from the absorbent layers.   Absorbent yarns—An embodiment of the present invention includes the use of highly absorbent yarns such as bi-component synthetic, alternative modified cross-section synthetic yarn, cellulosic, and non-cellulosic blended yarns. This can include both filament and spun yarn and yarn combinations thereof which can be incorporated into layer  106 . This also includes yarns described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,506,187 entitled “Textile Dyeing Using Nanocellulosic Fibers.” Other absorbent yarns may include Nanofront polyester yarn manufactured by Teijin. For example, some Nanofront polyester filaments have a diameter of 400 nanometers, or 22500, times smaller than the cross-sectional area of a strand of hair.   Phase Change—Phase change yarns such as “Outlast” polyester and “Outlast” nylon, both of which are manufactures by Outlast Technologies LLC, can be incorporated into layer  106 . Other cellulosic and non-cellulosic blended fibers as described above can be added to layer  106  the present invention to provide added cooling power and cooling touch.       

     Finishing Practices 
     In addition to normal textile finishing practices, an embodiment of the present invention includes applying extra finishing practices before or after construction of cooling fabric  100  which impart added cooling power, duration, temperatures and other cooling performance properties when the cooling fabric  100  is wetted to activate. The following provides examples of additional finishing practices suitable for use with cooling fabric  100 . Combinations of the following methods may also be employed.
         Burn out—Using a combination of yarns allows certain yarns to be chemically burned out of the material. This allows certain portions of the material to maintain a complete bundle of cooling yarns while other burned-out sections will not contain the complete bundle of cooling evaporative and absorbent yarns. This finishing method therefore allows for higher air transfer between burned out and non burned out sections, thereby adding to the evaporation rate and increased cooling ability. The burn-out finishing technique also allows for a mapping or patterns for areas of higher and lower cooling ability to be designed for a specific end-use. As an example, a yoga cooling towel will have a different burn out engineered burned-out pattering than a cooling shirt designed as a base layer under football pads.   Brushing and Shearing—Brushing, using methods such as pin brushing or less obtrusive ceramic paper brushing, provides pile height to the cooling fabric. This pile height provides a softer hand feel aesthetically and added absorbent ability. Additionally, added surface area for water evaporation helps speed the rate of evaporation. In addition to the pin brushing method, shearing the fabric surface to a select pile height or variable pile heights can create differential evaporation rates within the same textile. A diagram of a pin-type brushing machine is depicted in  FIG.  4   . As shown, one face of the cooling fabric  100  is fed over pin brusher  402  which rotates in a direction opposite to the direction that fabric  100  is fed. As cooling fabric  100  passes over pins  404 , the pins slowly brush the surface of cooling fabric  100 , leaving the back unscathed. In some embodiments, both sides of cooling fabric  100  can be brushed.   Embossing—Embossing creates a reorientation of the fibers on the fabric surface. This finishing method is used to add surface area by flattening the yarn surface. This added surface area allows for a higher evaporation rate which thereby creates additional cooling properties and a higher level of evaporation. A diagram of an embossing machine and process is depicted in  FIG.  5   . Here, the cooling fabric  100  is fed between heated roller  502  and non-heated roller  504 . The surface of heated roller  502  generally contains the pattern which is to appear on the final embossed fabric. In other embodiments, the fabric may be reversed if both sides of cooling fabric  100  are to be embossed.   Brushed+Embossed—Using a combination of brushing and embossing can impart added cooling properties to the cooling fabric. Brushing and Embossed performance benefits are both described above. A sample of textured cooling fabric  100  is depicted in  FIG.  6    which has been both brushed and embossed.       

     Fabric Construction and Yarn Positions 
     A variety or combination of any of the following described constructions can impart added cooling power, duration, and lower temperatures when the cooling fabric is wetted to activate.
         Yarn placement/position changes—The conjugate yarn used in layer  106  can also be used in other layers such as layer  104  (e.g., combined on bar 1,  FIG.  3 A ) and combined with the evaporative yarn and spandex. This added yarn would provide more absorption power against the skin  102 .   Warp knit pattern changes—The warp knit patterns described with respect to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 E  can be modified while still producing a similar layering effect depicted in  FIG.  1   . For example, in  FIG.  3 A , bar 1-0/2-3 can be modified to 1/0-3/4.   Warp Knit Spacer—A similar layering effect depicted in  FIG.  1    can also be achieved using a warp knit spacer. A warp knit spacer machine has the added capability of inserting additional yarns such as a mono-filament yarn to provided added thickness to the cooling fabric  100 . This added thickness created by yarns such as mono-filament yarns can be substituted or combined intermittently with conjugate yarn while the outside yarns used can be highly evaporative yarns or previously described yarns.   Warp Knit Jacquard—A similar layering effect depicted in  FIG.  1    can also be achieved using a warp knit jacquard. A warp knit jacquard can be utilized to create unique patterns such as but not limited to lace, fancy knits, mesh, body mapped, and other three-dimensional designs. Warp knit jacquard can creatively place highly evaporative yarns with highly absorbent yarns within the same construction to create a uniquely designed cooling fabric with or without patterns such as mesh and graphics.   Circular Knit Spacer—A similar layering effect depicted in  FIG.  1    can also be achieved using a circular knit spacer. A circular knit spacer machine has the added capability of inserting additional yarns such as a mono-filament yarn to provided added thickness to the material. This added thickness created by yarns such as monofilament yarn can be substituted or combined intermittently with conjugate yarn while the outside yarns used can be highly evaporative yarns or any previously described yarns.   Circular Knit Interlock, Ponte&#39;, Pique—A similar layering effect depicted in  FIG.  1    can also be achieved using a circular knit interlock, ponte, or pique constructions. A circular knit interlock machine has the added capability of inserting additional evaporative and absorbent yarns to provided added evaporative cooling ability to the fabric.   Circular Knit Jacquard—A similar layering effect depicted in  FIG.  1    can also be achieved using a circular knit jacquard. A circular knit jacquard can be utilized to create unique patterns, such as, but not limited to, fancy knits, mesh, body-mapped patterns, and other three-dimensional designs. Circular knit jacquard can creatively place highly evaporative yarns with highly absorbent yarns within the same construction to create a uniquely designed cooling fabric with or without patterns such as mesh and graphics.   Flat bed knitting—A similar layering effect depicted in  FIG.  1    can also be achieved using a flat knitting machine. A flat knitting machine is very flexible, allowing complex stitch designs, shaped knitting and precise width adjustment. The two largest manufacturers of industrial flat knitting machines are Stoll of Germany, and Shima Seiki of Japan.       

     Seamless and Hosiery Construction and Yarns 
     Seamless constructions require the use of a single yarn feed (which is typically a combination of nylon or polyester plus spandex) during construction. This single feed can be a single yarn or composed of multiple yarns during construction. In a first described embodiment, described is a multi-filament yarn construction that can be used in seamless constructions (e.g., for hosiery) that provides the same cooling effect as cooling fabric  100  described with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 9   .  FIG.  7 A  illustrates a first yarn construction  700  compatible with seamless constructions. As shown, the core  702  of the yarn  700  is composed of multiple filaments of a stretchable yarn such as Lycra or spandex at various deniers. Additionally, the core  702  preferably comprises multiple filaments of a highly absorbent yarn such as that used in layer  106  of cooling fabric  100 . Preferably, the absorbent yarn is a conjugated bi-component polyester and nylon yarn with having filaments with a special star-shaped cross-section as depicted in  FIG.  3 B . 
     The core  702  is either double covered ( FIG.  7    A), single-covered ( FIG.  7 B ), air jet covered ( FIG.  7 C ), or corespun ( FIG.  7 D ) by multiple filaments of evaporative yarn  704  such as that used in first layer  104 . The evaporative yarn of covering  704  is preferably a nylon or polyester yarn having filaments with a unique cross-section (as seen in  FIG.  2 A ) and is embedded with minerals (e.g., jade or mica) to transport and evaporate moisture from skin  102  to core  700  while still providing a cooling touch. 
     When yarn  700  is used in a seamless construction, the evaporative yarn, located in covering  704 , rests against the skin of the user and it wicks moisture to the core  700 . The moisture can then leave the fabric through covering  704  which is also exposed to the air (i.e., because it surrounds the core  700  on all sides). In this way, yarn  700  can be used to provide a similar layering effect to that of cooling fabric  100  depicted in  FIG.  1   . 
     An example of a seamless knit construction utilizing yarn  700  is depicted in  FIG.  8   .  FIG.  9 A  depicts a front face of a seamless knit fabric utilizing yarn  700  and  FIG.  9 B  depicts a rear face of the same seamless knit fabric. As can be seen, the front and rear faces of the seamless knit fabric have different patterning. With seamless, patterns are easily altered and practically an unlimited amount of patterns are available. 
     Other methods can also be used to form yarn  700  as depicted in  FIGS.  7 C and  7 D . The yarn  700  depicted in  FIG.  7 C  employs an air jet covering technique to cover core  702  (stretchable and absorbent yarns) with covering  704  (evaporative yarns). And, as depicted in  FIG.  7 D , the stretchable and absorbent yarns, are wrapped with evaporative yarns and corespun into a single yarn  700  which can also be used in seamless knit constructions. 
     Seamless knit constructions have the advantage of being tubular and can be used to create unique patterns to impart added or lessened cooling zones within the material. The yarns shown in  FIGS.  7    A- 7 D can also be used to create woven fabrics. 
     In other embodiments, the yarn used in the seamless or hosiery construction can be a single feed utilizing any combination of the yarns containing the filaments shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D . For example, a first yarn used in the feed may be a combination of a highly absorbent yarn with a evaporative yarn and a second yarn may be a multiple filament spandex yarn In practical terms, the highly absorbent yarn can be plated separately into any seamless construction which also contains evaporative yarns to create a cooling material. 
     The present invention has been described with respect to various examples. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the following claims.