Patent Description:
Conventionally, cloths having water repellency have been demanded in the fields of sportswear, casual clothing, umbrella fabrics, and the like, and water repellents such as fluorine-based water repellents have been attached to cloths (see, e.g., PTL <NUM> and PTL <NUM>).

In addition, in recent years, in order to be environmentally friendly, cloths using a fluorine-free water repellent without using a compound that may affect living organisms (e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, etc.) have been proposed (see, e.g., PTL3).

However, these cloths have been problematic in that they are not sufficient in terms of stretchability.

[PTL <NUM>] <CIT>; [PTL <NUM>] <CIT>; [PTL <NUM>] <CIT><CIT>. JPH05163632A relates to a stretchable fabric having a function of water repellency. <CIT> relates to fabrics for jumpsuits and swimsuits for competitive sports and, particularly, to a swimsuit fabric. <CIT> relates to a fabric, in particular to a close-fitting thermal insulation swimwear fabric.

The invention has been accomplished against the above background. An object thereof is to provide a water-repellent cloth that is excellent in water repellency as well as stretchability, and also a textile product using the water-repellent cloth.

The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and, as a result, found that in a water-repellent cloth given water repellent processing, by skillfully devising fibers that constitute the cloth, etc., a water-repellent cloth that is excellent in water repellency as well as stretchability can be obtained. As a result of further extensive research, they have accomplished the invention.

Thus, the invention provides "a water-repellent cloth given water repellent processing, the water-repellent cloth being characterized in that the cloth includes a composite yarn containing a stretch fiber and an ultrafine fiber having a single fiber fineness of <NUM> dtex or less.

The stretch fiber is a conjugate fiber made of two components joined in a side-by-side manner or an eccentric sheath-core manner or is a polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber. It is preferable that the cloth is a woven fabric having a cover factor CF of <NUM>,<NUM> or more. Note that the cover factor CF is defined by the following formula. <MAT> [DWp is the warp total fineness (dtex), MWp is the warp weaving density (yarns/<NUM>), DWf is the weft total fineness (dtex), and MWf is the weft weaving density (yarns/<NUM>).

In the water-repellent cloth of the invention, it is preferable that a surface of the cloth has formed thereon fine fiber loops composed of the ultrafine fiber. A surface of the cloth has a water-repellent roll-off angle of <NUM>° or less. In addition, it is preferable that the degree of water repellency measured in accordance with JIS L1092-<NUM><NUM>, Test for Resistance to Surface Wetting (Spray Method), is Level <NUM> or higher. In addition, it is preferable that after <NUM> washes as specified in JIS L0217-<NUM> (using the JAFET standard combination detergent), the degree of water repellency measured in accordance with JIS L1092-<NUM><NUM>, Test for Resistance to Surface Wetting (Spray Method), is Level <NUM> or higher. The stretchability in the warp direction or the weft direction measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, B Method, is <NUM>% or more. In addition, it is preferable that the recovery of stretchability in the warp direction or the weft direction measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, B-<NUM> Method, is <NUM>% or more. In addition, it is preferable that the tear strength in the warp direction or the weft direction measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, D Method, is <NUM> N or more. The composite yarn is obtained from an air-mingling method, wherein air-mingling is performed by air-texturing.

In addition, the invention provides a textile product using the water-repellent cloth described above.

According to the invention, a water-repellent cloth that is excellent in water repellency as well as stretchability and also a textile product using the water-repellent cloth are obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail. The water-repellent cloth of the invention is a water-repellent cloth given water repellent processing. The cloth includes a composite yarn, and the composite yarn contains an ultrafine fiber having a single fiber fineness of <NUM> dtex or less (more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> dtex, and particularly preferably <NUM> to <NUM> dtex) and a stretch fiber. Because of such a configuration, fine fiber loops composed of the ultrafine fiber are formed on the cloth surface, whereby lotus leaf-like fine irregularities are formed on the cloth surface, resulting in excellent water repellency. In addition, at the same time, due to the effect of the stretch fiber, the cloth is also excellent in stretchability. Here, when the single fiber fineness of the ultrafine fiber is more than <NUM> dtex, fine fiber loops are not formed; therefore, this is undesirable. In addition, for the formation of fine fiber loops, it is preferable that the ultrafine fiber is a non-crimped fiber. For example, when the ultrafine fiber is a false-twist crimped yarn, fine fiber loops may not be formed.

As the ultrafine fiber, polyester fibers, acrylic fibers, nylon fibers, rayon fibers, and acetate fibers, as well as natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, and the like and combinations thereof, are usable. Polyester fibers include conjugate fibers containing at least one polyester component. At this time, examples of conjugate fibers include side-by-side conjugate fibers, eccentric sheath-core conjugate fibers, sheath-core conjugate fibers, and islands-in-sea conjugate fibers. In addition, nylon fibers include Nylon <NUM> fibers and Nylon <NUM> fibers.

As polyester fiber-forming polyesters, polyesters in which the main acid component is terephthalic acid, and the main glycol component is at least one member selected from the group consisting of C<NUM>-<NUM> alkylene glycols, that is, ethylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, pentamethylene glycol, and hexamethylene glycol, are preferable. Among them, a polyester whose main glycol component is ethylene glycol (polyethylene terephthalate) and a polyester whose main glycol component is trimethylene glycol (polytrimethylene terephthalate) are particularly preferable.

Such a polyester may have a copolymerized component in a small amount (usually <NUM> mol % or less) as necessary. At this time, as bifunctional carboxylic acids used other than terephthalic acid, for example, aromatic, aliphatic, and alicyclic bifunctional carboxylic acids such as isophthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, diphenyldicarboxylic acid, diphenoxyethanedicarboxylic acid, β-hydroxyethoxybenzoic acid, p-oxybenzoic acid, <NUM>-sodium sulfoisophthalic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, and <NUM>,<NUM>-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid can be mentioned. In addition, as diol compounds other than the above glycols, for example, aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic diol compounds such as cyclohexane-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethanol, neopentyl glycol, bisphenol A, and bisphenol S, polyoxyalkylene glycols, and the like can be mentioned.

The polyester may be synthesized by an arbitrary method. For example, in the case of polyethylene terephthalate, its production is possible through a first-stage reaction in which terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol are directly subjected to an esterification reaction, a lower alkyl ester of terephthalic acid, such as dimethyl terephthalate, and ethylene glycol are subjected to a transesterification reaction, or terephthalic acid and ethylene oxide are allowed to react, thereby producing a glycol ester of terephthalic acid and/or an oligomer thereof, and a second-stage reaction in which the product of the first-stage reaction is heated under reduced pressure to cause a polycondensation reaction until the desired degree of polymerization is reached. In addition, the polyester may also be a material-recycled or chemically recycled polyester, or alternatively a polyester obtained using a catalyst containing a specific phosphorus compound or titanium compound as described in <CIT> or <CIT>. Further, a biodegradable polyester such as polylactic acid or stereocomplex polylactic acid is also possible.

In addition, when the ultrafine fiber contains a UV absorber in an amount of <NUM> wt% or more (preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt%) based on the fiber weight, the cloth is provided with UV-shielding properties; therefore, this is preferable. Examples of such UV absorbers include benzoxazine-based organic UV absorbers, benzophenone-based organic UV absorbers, benzotriazole-based organic UV absorbers, and salicylic-acid-based organic UV absorbers. Among them, benzoxazine-based organic UV absorbers are particularly preferable in that they do not decompose at the spinning stage.

Preferred examples of such benzoxazine-based organic UV absorbers include those disclosed in <CIT>, such as <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-one, <NUM>-butyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-one, <NUM>-phenyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-one, <NUM>,<NUM>'-ethylenebis(<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-one), <NUM>,<NUM>'-tetramethylenebis(<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-one), <NUM>,<NUM>'-p-phenylenebis(<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-one), <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tri(<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-on-<NUM>-yl)benzene, and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tri(<NUM>,<NUM>-benzoxazin-<NUM>-on-<NUM>-yl)naphthalene.

In addition, when the ultrafine fiber contains a delusterant (titanium dioxide) in an amount of <NUM> wt% or more (preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt%) based on the fiber weight, the cloth has improved anti-see-through properties; therefore, this is preferable.

Further, as necessary, the ultrafine fiber may also contain one or more kinds of micropore-forming agents (organic metal sulfonates), coloring inhibitors, heat stabilizers, flame retardants (diantimony trioxide), fluorescent brighteners, coloring pigments, antistatic agents (metal sulfonates), moisture absorbents (polyoxyalkylene glycols), antibacterial agents, and other inorganic particles.

Meanwhile, as the stretch fiber, a fiber composed of one polytrimethylene terephthalate component, or a conjugate fiber made of two components joined in a side-by-side manner is used.

Here, the conjugate fiber is preferably a conjugate fiber in which at least one component is composed of polytrimethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, or polyethylene terephthalate. Specifically, examples of such two components include polytrimethylene terephthalate and polytrimethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.

Here, polytrimethylene terephthalate refers to a fiber made of a polyester whose main repeating unit is a trimethylene terephthalate unit, in which the trimethylene terephthalate unit is <NUM> mol% or more, preferably <NUM> mol% or more, still more preferably <NUM> mol% or more, and particularly preferably <NUM> mol% or more. Therefore, polytrimethylene terephthalate containing another acid component and/or another glycol component as a third component in a total amount within a range of <NUM> mol% or less, preferably <NUM> mol% or less, still more preferably <NUM> mol% or less, and particularly preferably <NUM> mol% or less, is contained.

Polytrimethylene terephthalate is produced by condensing terephthalic acid or a functional derivative thereof and trimethylene glycol or a functional derivative thereof in the presence of a catalyst under appropriate reaction conditions.

As third components to be added, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (oxalic acid, adipic acid, etc.), alicyclic dicarboxylic acids (cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, etc.), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (isophthalic acid, sodium sulfoisophthalic acid, etc.), aliphatic glycols (ethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-trimethylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, etc.), alicyclic glycols (cyclohexane glycol, etc.), aromatic dioxy compounds (hydroquinone bisphenol A, etc.), aromatic-containing aliphatic glycols (<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(β-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, etc.), aliphatic oxycarboxylic acids (p-oxybenzoic acid, etc.), and the like can be mentioned.

The polyethylene terephthalate may be obtained by the copolymerization of three components or may also be obtained by material recycling or chemical recycling. Further, it may also be obtained using a catalyst containing a specific phosphorus compound or titanium compound as described in <CIT> or <CIT>.

The polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and the like described above may contain one or more kinds of micropore-forming agents, cationic dye dyeable agents, coloring inhibitors, heat stabilizers, fluorescent brighteners, delusterants, colorants, moisture absorbents, and inorganic fine particles.

The conjugate fiber can be produced, for example, by the method described in <CIT>.

In the stretch fiber, the single fiber fineness is not particularly limited, but is preferably within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> dtex (more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> dtex, and particularly preferably <NUM> to <NUM> dtex).

In addition, in the ultrafine fiber and/or the stretch fiber, as the single-fiber cross-sectional shape, in addition to a round cross-section, the cross-section may also be elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, cross-shaped, flat, flat with constrictions, H-shaped, W-shaped, or the like, for example.

The water-repellent cloth of the invention includes a composite yarn containing the ultrafine fiber and the stretch fiber. The ultrafine fiber, the stretch fiber, and other fibers as necessary are aligned, and then air-mingled by air-texturing (interlacing processing or Taslan® processing). The air-mingling method is used.

At this time, the composite yarn is preferably an entangled yarn that has been subjected to interlacing processing to have <NUM> to <NUM> entanglements/m.

In addition, when the three kinds of fibers are combined, the overfeed rate may be suitably changed. In addition, it is also possible that two kinds of fibers are first combined, and then the other yarn is combined in the subsequent step.

In the composite yarn, the total fineness is preferably within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> dtex.

The cloth of the invention includes the composite yarn. At this time, the composite yarn is preferably contained in an amount of <NUM> wt% or more (most preferably <NUM> wt%) based on the cloth weight.

In the cloth of the invention, the structure of the cloth is not particularly limited, but a woven fabric is preferable in order to obtain excellent water repellency. At this time, the structure of the woven fabric is not particularly limited. For example, examples thereof include three foundation weaves such as a plain weave, a twill weave, and a satin weave, modified weaves, one-side backed weaves such as a warp-backed weave and a weft-backed weave, and warp velvet. Also with respect to the number of layers, the structure may be monolayer or multilayer including two or more layers.

In addition, when the cover factor CF of the woven fabric defined by the following formula is <NUM>,<NUM> or more (preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, and particularly preferably <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>), even better water repellency can be obtained; therefore, this is preferable.

Note that DWp is the warp total fineness (dtex), MWp is the warp weaving density (yarns/<NUM>), DWf is the weft total fineness (dtex), and MWf is the weft weaving density (yarns/<NUM>).

In addition, the weaving density is, in order to obtain excellent water repellency, preferably such that the warp density is not less than <NUM> yarns/<NUM> (more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> yarns/<NUM>) and the weft density is not less than <NUM> yarns/<NUM> (more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> yarns/<NUM>).

The cloth of the invention can be produced, for example, by the following method. That is, first, a cloth is knitted or woven using the composite yarn. At this time, the knitting or weaving method may be an ordinary method using an ordinary weaving machine (e.g., ordinary water jet loom, air jet loom, rapier loom, etc.) or knitting machine. In addition, the composite yarn may also be twisted with the twist coefficient represented by the following formula being about <NUM>,<NUM> or less (preferably <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>). The number of twists is preferably within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> t/m.

Note that the fineness [de] is a product of the fineness [dtex] multiplied by <NUM>.

Next, the cloth is subjected to a scouring treatment or dyeing processing (preferably a scouring treatment and dyeing processing). At this time, as a result of the heat treatment during the scouring treatment or dyeing processing, in the case where the stretch fiber is a conjugate fiber, the latent crimp of the conjugate fiber becomes apparent, whereby the cloth shrinks to increase the cloth density. At the same time, the ultrafine fiber becomes relatively long, and fine fiber loops composed of the ultrafine fiber are formed on the cloth surface.

Next, the cloth is subjected to water repellent processing. In such water repellent processing, the kind of water repellent is not particularly limited. For example, fluorine-based compounds are applicable, and examples also include environmentally friendly water repellents such as hydrocarbon-based compounds and silicone-based compounds. It is preferable that, as necessary, an antistatic agent, a melamine resin, and a catalyst are mixed to give a processing agent having a water repellent concentration of about <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and the surface of the cloth is treated using the processing agent at a pick-up rate of about <NUM> to <NUM>%. Examples of methods for treating the surface of the cloth with the processing agent include a padding method and a spray method. Among them, in order for the processing agent to penetrate the inside of the cloth, a padding method is preferable. The pick-up rate is the weight percentage (%) of the processing agent relative to the cloth (before processing agent application) weight.

Incidentally, as the antistatic agent, a polyesterbased resin containing a polyethylene glycol group, a urethane-based resin containing a polyethylene glycol group, a reaction product of a polycationic compound containing a polyethylene glycol group and diglycidyl ether, or the like is preferable. Anionic surfactants such as higher alcohol sulfate ester salts, sulfated oils, sulfonate salts, and phosphate ester salts, cationic surfactants such as amine salt type, quaternary ammonium salts, and imidazole type quaternary salts, nonionic surfactants such as polyethylene glycol type and polyhydric alcohol ester type, antistatic compounds, e.g., amphoteric surfactants such as imidazole type quaternary salts, alanine type, and betaine type, are also applicable.

In addition, in at least either the pre-process or post-process of the water repellent processing step, conventional dyeing processing, alkaline weight reduction processing, and napping processing may be performed. Further, a UV shielding agent, an antibacterial agent, a deodorant, an insect repellent, a phosphorescent agent, a retroreflective agent, a negative ion generator, and the like may be additionally applied. Incidentally, in the case where the cloth contains a conjugate fiber, the latent crimp of the conjugate fiber becomes apparent (coiled) due to the thermal history of the dyeing processing or the like.

In the water-repellent cloth thus obtained, because the cloth includes the composite yarn, fine fiber loops composed of the ultrafine fiber are formed on the cloth surface, and lotus leaf-like fine irregularities are formed on the cloth surface. Then, such fine fiber loops form a microscopic layer of air, and thus excellent water repellency is exhibited when water droplets fall on the cloth surface. Incidentally, such an effect is sometimes referred to as "lotus effect".

The water-repellent roll-off angle of the cloth surface is <NUM>° or less, preferably <NUM>° or less, and particularly preferably <NUM> to <NUM>°.

Note that the water-repellent roll-off angle is, when <NUM> cc of water is gently dropped onto a planar test sample mounted on a horizontal plate, and the flat plate is gently tilted at a constant speed, the angle at which the water droplet begins to roll.

In addition, it is preferable that the degree of water repellency measured in accordance with JIS L1092-<NUM> <NUM>, Test for Resistance to Surface Wetting (Spray Method), is Level <NUM> or higher. In addition, it is preferable that after <NUM> washes as specified in JIS L0217-<NUM> (using the JAFET standard combination detergent), the degree of water repellency measured in accordance with JIS L1092-<NUM> <NUM>, Test for Resistance to Surface Wetting (Spray Method), is Level <NUM> or higher.

The water-repellent cloth of the invention includes the composite yarn, the composite yarn contains the stretch fiber, and thus the cloth also has stretchiness (stretchability). The stretchability in the warp direction or the weft direction (preferably the warp direction and the weft direction) measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, B Method, is <NUM>% or more (preferably <NUM> to <NUM>%). In addition, it is preferable that the recovery of stretchability in the warp direction or the weft direction (preferably the warp direction and the weft direction) measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, B-<NUM> Method, is <NUM>% or more.

In addition, in the water-repellent cloth of the invention, it is preferable that the tear strength in the warp direction or the weft direction (preferably the warp direction and the weft direction) measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, D Method, is <NUM> N or more (more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> N). In addition, in terms of lightweightness, it is preferable that the weight per unit of the cloth is <NUM>/m<NUM> or less (more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>).

Next, the textile product of the invention includes the water-repellent cloth described above. Because the textile product includes the cloth described above, its water repellency and stretchability are excellent. Incidentally, such textile products include umbrella fabrics and garments. Then, such garments include down garments, badminton shirts, running shirts, soccer pants, tennis pants, basketball pants, table tennis pants, badminton pants, running pants, golf pants, undershirts for various sports, innerwear for various sports, sweaters, T-shirts, jerseys, sweatshirts, windbreakers, jackets, dustproof garments, medical gowns, and the like.

Next, examples and comparative examples of the invention will be described in detail, but the invention is not limited thereto. Incidentally, measurement items in the Examples were measured by the following methods.

Stretchability (%) was measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, B Method.

Recovery of stretchability (%) was measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, B-<NUM> Method.

Tear strength (N) was measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, D Method.

The cover factor CF of a woven fabric was calculated by the following formula.

<NUM> cc of water was gently dropped onto a planar test sample mounted on a horizontal plate, and the flat plate was gently tilted at a constant speed. The angle at which the water droplet began to roll was defined as the water-repellent roll-off angle. Incidentally, the smaller the water-repellent roll-off angle, the better the water repellency, and an angle of <NUM>° or less is rated as pass.

The degree of water repellency (level) was measured in accordance with JIS L1092-<NUM><NUM>, Test for Resistance to Surface Wetting (Spray Method).

The weight per unit (g/m<NUM>) of a woven fabric was measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>.

Polyethylene terephthalate was spun at a spinning temperature of <NUM>, taken up at <NUM>,<NUM>/min, and, without being wound up once, successively drawn to <NUM> times its original length, thereby giving a polyester multifilament of <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil (ultrafine fiber formed of a non-crimped fiber) in which the filament transverse cross-sectional shape was a round cross-section.

In addition, in the method described in <CIT>, Example <NUM>, only the total fineness and the number of filaments were changed, and a conjugate fiber (stretch fiber) having a total fineness of <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil made of a polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) component and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) component joined in a side-by-side manner was obtained.

Next, the non-crimped yarn and the conjugate fiber (stretch fiber) were combined and subjected to an airentangling treatment, thereby giving a composite yarn (total fineness: <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil).

Next, using the composite yarn as warp and weft, a woven fabric having a plain structure (woven fabric composed only of the composite yarn) was woven using an ordinary water jet loom weaving machine.

Next, the woven fabric was subjected to an open-width scouring treatment at <NUM> using a scouring apparatus. Next, dyeing processing with a disperse dye was performed at a temperature of <NUM> using a jet dyeing machine, and then the following water repellent processing was performed. In the water repellent processing, the following processing agent was used, and the liquid was squeezed out at a pick-up rate of <NUM>%, followed by drying at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes and then a heat treatment at <NUM> for <NUM> seconds.

In the water-repellent woven fabric thus obtained, the weight per unit was <NUM>/m<NUM>, the warp density was <NUM> yarns/<NUM>, the weft density was <NUM>/<NUM>, the cover factor was <NUM>,<NUM>, the tear strength was <NUM> N (warp) and <NUM> N (weft), the warp stretchability was <NUM>%, the recovery of warp stretchability was <NUM>%, the weft stretchability was <NUM>%, the recovery of weft stretchability was <NUM>%, and the roll-off angle was <NUM>°. The surface of the water-repellent woven fabric had formed thereon fine fiber loops composed of the ultrafine fiber (lotus leaf-like fine irregularities), and the degree of water repellency of the water-repellent woven fabric was Level <NUM>, while after <NUM> washes as specified in JIS L0217-<NUM> (using the JAFET standard combination detergent), the degree of water repellency was Level <NUM>. In addition, because the water-repellent woven fabric had attached thereto the water repellent described above, the water-repellent woven fabric was an environmentally friendly woven fabric. A windbreaker (sportswear) was sewn using the water-repellent woven fabric, and a tester wore the windbreaker. As a result, the windbreaker was excellent in water repellency and stretchability.

Next, the non-crimped yarn and the conjugate fiber (stretch fiber) were combined and subjected to an airentangling treatment to give a composite yarn (total fineness: <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil).

Next, the yarn was twisted at Z <NUM> t/m, and then, using the composite yarn as warp and weft, a woven fabric having a plain structure (woven fabric composed only of the composite yarn) was woven using an ordinary water jet loom weaving machine.

Polyethylene terephthalate was spun at a spinning temperature of <NUM>, taken up at <NUM>,<NUM>/min, and, without being wound up once, successively drawn to <NUM> times its original length, thereby giving a polyester multifilament of <NUM> dtex/72fil (ultrafine fiber formed of a non-crimped fiber) in which the filament transverse cross-sectional shape was a round cross-section.

Next, the yarn was twisted at Z <NUM> t/m, and then, using the composite yarn as warp and weft, a woven fabric having a twill structure (woven fabric composed only of the composite yarn) was woven using an ordinary water jet loom weaving machine.

The same procedure as in Example <NUM> was performed, except that the ultrafine fiber in Example <NUM> was changed in the number of filaments to a polyester multifilament of <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil (non-crimped fiber, single fiber fineness: <NUM> dtex), and the resulting composite yarn (total fineness: <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil) was used as warp and weft.

In the obtained water-repellent woven fabric, the weight per unit was <NUM>/m<NUM>, the warp density was <NUM> yarns/<NUM>, the weft density was <NUM>/<NUM>, the cover factor was <NUM>,<NUM>, the tear strength was <NUM> N (warp) and <NUM> N (weft), the warp stretchability was <NUM>%, the recovery of warp stretchability was <NUM>%, the weft stretchability was <NUM>%, and the recovery of weft stretchability was <NUM>%, which were excellent, but the roll-off angle was <NUM>°. In addition, fine irregularities were not formed, and the degree of water repellency after <NUM> washes as specified in JIS L0217-<NUM> (using the JAFET standard combination detergent) was Level <NUM>.

The same procedure as in Example <NUM> was performed, except that the conjugate fiber (stretch fiber) in Example <NUM> was replaced with a polyester multifilament of <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil (non-crimped fiber) to give a composite yarn (total fineness: <NUM> dtex/<NUM> fil), and then the composite yarn was used as warp and weft.

In the obtained water-repellent woven fabric, the weight per unit was <NUM>/m<NUM>, the warp density was <NUM> yarns/<NUM>, the weft density was <NUM>/<NUM>, the cover factor was <NUM>,<NUM>, and the tear strength was <NUM> N (warp) and <NUM> N (weft), which were excellent, but the stretchability was less than <NUM>%. The roll-off angle was <NUM>°.

The same procedure as in Example <NUM> was performed, except that the water repellent processing in Example <NUM> was not performed. In the woven fabric thus obtained, the weight per unit was <NUM>/m<NUM>, the warp density was <NUM> yarns/<NUM>, the weft density was <NUM>/<NUM>, the cover factor was <NUM>,<NUM>, the tear strength was <NUM> N (warp) and <NUM> N (weft), the warp stretchability was <NUM>%, the recovery of warp stretchability was <NUM>%, the weft stretchability was <NUM>%, the recovery of weft stretchability was <NUM>%, and fine fiber loops composed of the ultrafine fiber (lotus leaf-like fine irregularities) were formed on the surface of the woven fabric. However, the degree of water repellency of the water-repellent woven fabric was Level <NUM>, and, after <NUM> washes as specified in JIS L0217-<NUM> (using the JAFET standard combination detergent), the degree of water repellency was Level <NUM>; that is, its water repellency was inferior.

Claim 1:
A water-repellent cloth given water repellent processing,
the water-repellent cloth including a composite yarn containing a stretch fiber and an ultrafine fiber having a single fiber fineness of <NUM> dtex or less;
characterized in that
the stretch fiber is a conjugate fiber made of two components joined in a side-by-side manner or an eccentric sheath-core manner or is a polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber;
wherein a surface of the cloth has a water-repellent roll-off angle of <NUM>° or less, as measured according to the method described in the description;
wherein the stretchability in the warp direction or the weft direction measured in accordance with JIS L1096-<NUM><NUM>, B Method, is <NUM>% or more; and
wherein the composite yarn is obtained from an air-mingling method, wherein air-mingling is performed by air-texturing.