FIBERS, WOVEN FABRICS INCLUDING THE FIBERS, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

Abstract

Fibers, yarns, woven fabric including the yarns and fibers, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. Fibers can include base material staple fibers and dissolvable or water-soluble fibers. At least the base material staple fiber is mixed and cleaned to form a base material web or sliver. The clean base material web or sliver is then intimately mixed with the dissolvable fibers in a blow room to form a homogenously-mixed base material/dissolvable material sliver. The homogenously-mixed base material/dissolvable material sliver is then blended again during drawing so as to produce a twice-mixed, ultra-homogenous yarn comprising base material and dissolvable material. A processing step can allow for removal of the dissolvable fibers to produce a yarn defining a plurality of pores that are uniformly distributed throughout the structure of the yarn.

Claims

1. An improved process for making a thermal-insulating fabric, comprising: providing a cotton bale and introducing the same to a first independent bale opener, the first independent bale opener opening the cotton bale such that cotton fibers can be carried to a first independent blow-room stage, the cotton fibers further being cleaned and carded to produce a cleaned cotton sliver; providing a bale of water-soluble fibers and introducing the same to a second independent bale opener, the second independent bale opener opening the bale of water-soluble fibers such that the water-soluble fibers can be carried to a second independent blow-room stage, the water-soluble fibers being cleaned and carded to produce a cleaned water-soluble sliver, wherein the cleaned cotton sliver and cleaned water-soluble sliver are produced independently on separate processing lines; mixing cleaned cotton slivers comprising cleaned cotton fibers with cleaned water-soluble slivers comprising cleaned water-soluble fibers at a third joint blow-room stage to produce one or more homogenously-blended slivers; drawing the homogenously-blended slivers on a draw frame to produce a twice-mixed ultra-homogenous sliver; spinning the twice-mixed ultra-homogenous sliver using a low twist multiplier empirical value of between about 3.2 to about 4.0 to produce a twice-mixed ultra-homogenous yarn with a bulky surface; using the twice-mixed ultra-homogenous yarn in preparatory to make beam; and weaving the twice-mixed ultra-homogenous yarn into a greige fabric for better thermal comfort.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising dissolving the water-soluble fiber to form a plurality of micro passageways in the yarn of the greige fabric, the plurality of micro passageways extending from a plurality of locations at an outer surface of the twice-mixed ultra-homogenous yarn to a central core portion thereof.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the fabric has a thread count from about 80 thread count per square inch to about 1000 thread count per square inch.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of weaving the twice-mixed ultra-homogenous yarn includes orienting the twice-mixed ultra-homogenous yarn in both the warp and weft directions of the fabric to produce maximum thermal comfort.

5. The process of claim 1, further comprising providing a base staple material yarn such that the step of weaving to form a greige fabric comprises the twice-mixed ultra-homogenous yarn in the warp direction and the base staple material yarn in the weft direction.

6. The process of claim 1, further comprising hot washing the greige fabric, after desizing it, at about 98 degrees Celsius for about 15 minutes on a jigger machine or other dyeing machine to provide increased contact time of the water-soluble fiber with water.

7. The process of claim 6, further comprising processing the greige fabric to fix up the micro passageways produced from the dissolved water-soluble fibers, wherein the processing provides durability to the micro passageways such that they maintain their shape throughout the lifetime of the fabric.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble fiber is a fine PVA fiber, about 0.9 denier to about 1.2 denier, with a 38 mm staple length, which helps uniform mixing at the third joint blow-room stage.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of mixing with water-soluble fiber includes mixing a PVA fiber in an amount of about 10% to about 25% by weight in the yarn.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of spinning includes spinning the cotton fiber with water-soluble fiber using an S or Z twist only.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric comprises a thermal resistance index of about 0.024 C M2/W to about 0.030 C M2/W at about 23 degrees Celsius ambient temperature when tested according to testing method ASTM D 1518-11A.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric comprises a total insulation value of about 0.12 Clo to about 0.20 Clo when tested according to testing method ASTM D 1518-11A.

13. The process of claim 1, wherein the woven fabric comprises a dry heat flux of about 100 W/mt2 to about 140 W/mt2 when tested according to testing method ASTM D 1518-11A.

14. A method of forming a twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn comprising: mixing a plurality of base material staple fibers, cleaning the base material staple fiber, carding the base material staple fiber and forming a cleaned base material staple sliver; mixing a plurality of dissolvable fibers, cleaning the dissolvable fiber, carding the dissolvable fiber and forming a cleaned dissolvable sliver, wherein the cleaned base material staple sliver and cleaned dissolvable sliver are produced independently on separate processing lines; combining the cleaned base material staple sliver and the cleaned dissolvable sliver for mixing in a blow room to produce a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; cleaning the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; carding the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; forming a homogenously-blended sliver comprising a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; drawing the homogenously-blended sliver on a draw frame; and spinning the homogenously-blended sliver to produce the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn, the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn comprising an ultra-homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers that are evenly and uniformly distributed throughout the cross section thereof, wherein the dissolvable fibers are positioned amongst the base material staple fibers such that the removal thereof defines a plurality of air voids, wherein when viewing the yarn's cross-section the plurality of air voids are positioned such that at least one air void path, defined between the central core of the yarn and the outer surface, is defined between about every 1-30 degrees around the entire 360 degree circumference of the specialized yarn.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of base material staple fibers can be selected from a group consisting of cotton, silk, modal, acrylics, a blend of cotton and polyester, a blend of polyester and viscose, a blend of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and cotton, a blend of Lyocell and cotton, a blend of cotton and bamboo, a blend of cotton and sea weed, a blend of cotton and silver, a blend of cotton and charcoal, and a blend of cotton and modal or any combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the dissolvable fibers comprise polyvinyl alcohol.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol fibers are between about 0.9 denier-1.2 denier with a staple length of about 38 mm.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising producing an ultra-homogenous blended roving on the roving machine after drawing the homogenously-blended sliver on the draw frame.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising storing the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn such that the same can be issued to weaving to be used to weave a fabric.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn is only provided in the warp direction of the fabric.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn is provided in both the warp and weft directions of the fabric.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising dissolving the dissolvable fibers of the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn so as to form a plurality of pores in the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized fiber, the pores being uniformly distributed throughout the structure of the yarn so as to provide a plurality of micro passageways extending from a plurality of positions along an outer surface thereof and to within a central core portion of the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn, wherein at least one micro passageway of the plurality of micro passageways is provided between about every 1-30 degrees around the entire 360 degree circumference of the outer surface of the specialized yarn.

23. A specialized yarn comprising an ultra-homogenous blend of base insoluble fibers and dissolvable fibers, the base insoluble fibers and the dissolvable fibers being uniformly distributed and evenly dispersed throughout the structure of the yarn, wherein the uniform distribution and even disbursement of the base insoluble fibers and dissolvable fibers allow for the dissolvable fibers to be positioned amongst the base insoluble fibers such that the eventual removal of the dissolvable fibers causes a plurality of air voids to form, wherein when viewing a cross-section of the yarn after the removal of the dissolvable fibers, at least one air void path is defined between about every 1-30 degrees around the entire 360 degree circumference of the specialized yarn, the air void paths being defined by a plurality of adjacent or proximal air voids that are positioned throughout a central core portion, an intermediate portion, and an outer surface portion of the yarn such that fluid communication is permitted from a first outer surface location, through the intermediate portion, through the central core, through the intermediate portion and to a second outer surface location that is different that the first outer surface location.

24. The specialized yarn of claim 23, wherein the specialized yarn is provided for weaving a fabric in at least one of the warp and weft directions, wherein the woven fabric comprises a 2-move or 3-move sateen weave.

25. The specialized yarn of claim 23, wherein two specialized yarns are twisted together to form a 2-ply specialized yarn.

26. The specialized yarn of claim 23, wherein three specialized yarns are twisted together to form a 3-ply specialized yarn.

27. The specialized yarn of claim 23, wherein the specialized yarn and a base staple yarn are twisted together to form a hybrid 2-ply specialized yarn.

28. The specialized yarn of claim 23, wherein one or more specialized yarns and one or more base staple yarns are twisted together to form a hybrid 3-ply specialized yarn, the hybrid 3-ply specialized yarn comprising either two specialized yarns and one base staple yarn or one specialized yarn and two base staple yarns.

29. The specialized yarn of claim 28, wherein three specialized yarns are configured to run parallel with respect to each other so as to form a 3-ply parallel specialized yarn.

30. A woven fabric comprising at least one specialized yarn, the specialized yarn comprising a plurality of base material fibers and a plurality of air voids, the plurality of air voids being evenly and uniformly distributed throughout the structure of the yarn, between the central core portion, an intermediate portion and an outer surface portion, wherein when viewing a cross-section of the specialized yarn, at least one micro passageway is defined between about every 1-30 degrees around the entire 360 degree circumference of the specialized yarn, wherein each of the micro passageways are defined by a plurality of adjacent or proximal air voids that are positioned ultra-homogenously throughout the central core portion, the intermediate portion, and the outer surface portion of the yarn, and wherein each of the micro passageways permit the absorption of heat and moisture from a user covering at least a portion thereof with the woven fabric.

31. The woven fabric of claim 30, wherein the woven fabric comprises a 2-move or 3-move sateen weave.

32. The woven fabric of claim 30, wherein the at least one specialized yarn is single ply.

33. The woven fabric of claim 30, wherein the at least one specialized yarn is 2-ply.

34. The woven fabric of claim 30, wherein the at least one specialized yarn is 3-ply.

35. The woven fabric of claim 30, wherein the at least one specialized yarn is provided in the warp direction of the fabric.

36. The woven fabric of claim 30, wherein the specialized yarn is provided in the warp and weft directions of the fabric.

37. The woven fabric of claim 30, wherein the plurality of base material staple fibers can be selected from a group consisting of cotton, silk, modal, acrylics, a blend of cotton and polyester, a blend of polyester and viscose, a blend of poly (trimethylene terephthalate) and cotton, a blend of Lyocell and cotton, a blend of cotton and bamboo, a blend of cotton and sea weed, a blend of cotton and silver, a blend of cotton and charcoal, and a blend of cotton and modal or any combination thereof.

38. A method of forming a twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn comprising: mixing a plurality of base material staple fibers in a first blow room, cleaning the base material staple fiber, carding the base material staple fiber and forming a cleaned base material staple web; providing a plurality of dissolvable fibers, wherein the dissolvable fibers of the specialized yarn are between about 10%-25% of the weight of the sum of the dissolvable fibers and the base material staple fibers; combining the cleaned base material staple web and the plurality of dissolvable fibers for mixing in a third blow room to produce a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; cleaning the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; carding the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; forming a homogenously-blended sliver comprising a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; drawing the homogenously-blended sliver on a draw frame to produce a twice-blended ultra-homogenous sliver; and spinning the twice-blended ultra-homogenous sliver to produce the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn, the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn comprising an ultra-homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers that are evenly and uniformly distributed throughout the cross section thereof, wherein the dissolvable fibers are positioned amongst the base insoluble fibers such that the removal thereof defines a plurality of air voids, wherein when viewing the yarn's cross-section the plurality of air voids are positioned such that at least one air void path, defined between the central core of the yarn and the outer surface, is defined between about every 0.5-15 degrees around the entire 360 degree circumference of the specialized yarn.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising mixing the plurality of dissolvable fibers in a second blow room, cleaning the dissolvable fibers, carding the dissolvable fibers and forming a cleaned dissolvable fiber web, and wherein the cleaned base material staple web and the dissolvable fiber web are combined in the third blow room and intimately mixed together to produce a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1A is an end cross section view of a prior art yarn, the yarn including a hollow central core.

[0031] FIG. 1B is an end cross section view of another prior art yarn, the yarn including random pores passing through portions thereof.

[0032] FIG. 1C is a side cross-sectional view of the prior art yarn of FIG. 1A taken along line 1C-1C.

[0033] FIG. 1D is a side cross-sectional view of the prior art yarn of FIG. 1B taken along line 1D-1D.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a prior art drawing process for blending slivers to produce the yarn of FIGS. 1B and 1D.

[0035] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a pre-spinning process for manufacturing a specialized yarn according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of a spinning process for manufacturing a specialized yarn according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a pre-spinning process and an initial portion of a spinning process for manufacturing a specialized yarn according to another example embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a weaving process and a finishing process for manufacturing a specialized fabric from the specialized yarn according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows an end cross section of the specialized yarn produced from the spinning process of FIG. 4.

[0040] FIG. 7A shows the end cross section of the specialized yarn of FIG. 6, and showing pores formed thereby after the dissolvable or water-soluble fibers have been dissolved therefrom.

[0041] FIG. 7B shows a side cross-sectional view of the specialized yarn of FIG. 7A taken along lines 7B-7B.

[0042] FIGS. 8A-B show a woven fabric including the specialized yarn of FIG. 7A according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIGS. 9A-B show a woven fabric including a specialized yarn of FIG. 7A according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0044] The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

[0045] Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

[0046] In example embodiments, the present invention relates to a specialized yarn and to methods of making and using the specialized yarn. In example embodiments, the specialized yarn is preferably porous and provides for excellent thermal insulation properties, and thus, provides for greater thermal insulation compared to known yarns. In example embodiments, as will be described below, the specialized yarn comprises an ultra-homogenous blend of insoluble fibers (e.g., base material staple fibers) and dissolvable (or water-soluble) fibers. According to one example embodiment, the insoluble fiber comprises cotton and the dissolvable fibers comprise polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Preferably, after producing the yarn or after the yarn is used for weaving a fabric, the dissolvable yarns are exposed to a treatment process, for example, such that they dissolve and disappear, thereby causing a plurality of pores to form in the specialized yarn. Accordingly, the specialized yarn preferably defines a plurality of insoluble yarns (comprising pores defined by the dissolved fibers) that are homogenously and uniformly distributed through the cross section thereof. According to example embodiments, the plurality of pores throughout the structure of the yarn defines a plurality of micro passageways extending from a plurality of positions along an outer surface of the specialized yarn and to within a central core portion thereof. In example embodiments, one or more fabrics can be woven from the specialized yarn. Preferably, fabric that is woven from the specialized fabric is preferably thermally-insulating and highly absorbent, for example, so as to provide for improved heat and moisture absorbency properties. According to some example embodiments, the fabric produced by at least one of the specialized yarns comprises a thread count of between about 80-1000. According to some example embodiments, the fabric comprises a thread count of between 80-500. According to other example embodiments, the fabric comprises a thread count of between 500-1000.

[0047] With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 3A shows a pre-spinning process 100 for manufacturing a specialized yarn according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In example embodiments, the pre-spinning process 100 includes providing a cotton fiber 102 (e.g., base material staple fibers) and a PVA fiber 112 for example a water-soluble or dissolvable fiber such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In alternate embodiments, the cotton fiber 102 can comprise various other insoluble fibers or mixtures such as a cotton/poly blend, or other blends including bamboo, linen, silk, wool, milk, poly (trimethylene terephthalate), acrylics, Lyocell, sea weed, silver, charcoal, viscose, modal, TENCEL or other cellulosic fibers, and/or other conventional fibers. According to example embodiments, the cotton fiber 102 is mixed at a blow-room stage 104, followed by a cleaning stage 106 and a carding stage 108 to result in producing a cotton sliver 110. Similarly, PVA fiber 112 is mixed at a blow-room stage 114, followed by a cleaning stage 116 and a carding stage 118 to result in producing a PVA sliver 120.

[0048] According to example embodiments, the cotton and PVA fibers 102, 112 are typically first introduced to the pre-spinning process 100 as bales, for example, which are presented to the bale opener and further carried to the blow-room stage 104, 114, followed by cleaning 106, 116, carding 108, 118, to produce cotton and PVA slivers 110, 120. According to example embodiments, a processing line can be provided for each of the cotton and PVA materials, for example, such that the cotton and PVA fibers are independently processed to produce, for example, one or more cotton slivers 110 on a first processing line and one or more PVA slivers 120 on a second processing line. For example, according to one example embodiment, at least a first bale opener and blow room can be provided for the pre-spinning processing of the cotton and at least a second bale opener and blow room can be provided for the pre-spinning processing of the PVA. In alternate example embodiments, a single bale opener and blow room can be configured for processing both the cotton and PVA, for example, so long as they are processed independently to produce a clean cotton sliver 110 and a clean PVA sliver 120.

[0049] According to example embodiments, the dissolvable fibers are between about 0.9 Dn-1.2 Dn with a staple length of about 38 mm. According to one example embodiment, the dissolvable fibers have a denier of between 0.9-1.2 and a staple length of 38 mm. According to another example embodiment, the PVA fibers are between 0.5 Dn-2.5 Dn with a staple length that is equal to or more than 28 mm and equal to or shorter than 55 mm. In other example embodiments, the PVA fibers can preferably a desired denier and length.

[0050] As depicted in FIG. 3B, once the cotton and PVA fibers are independently cleaned and formed into slivers, the spinning process 200 can begin. In example embodiments, the cotton sliver 110 and the PVA sliver 120 are returned to the blow-room stage 202 to be mixed together in desirable proportions to produce a homogenous mixture of cotton and PVA fibers (see stage 204). Accordingly, the independently cleaned and prepared cotton and PVA slivers 110, 120 are broken down back into cotton and PVA fibers 102, 112, however, the broken-down cotton and PVA fibers 102, 112 have been thoroughly cleaned, and thus any contaminants, trash, and/or other impurities have been removed from the broken-down cotton and PVA fibers 102, 112. Accordingly, it is clean cotton fibers and clean PVA fibers that are homogenously mixed together at the blow-room stage 202. According to example embodiments, the mixture of the clean cotton fibers and clean PVA fibers produced by the blow room is at least about 97% homogenous, for example, at least about 99% homogenous according to some example embodiments. According to one example embodiment, the mixture is 97% homogenous. According to another example embodiment, the mixture is 98% homogenous. According to another example embodiment, the mixture is 99% homogenous.

[0051] Next, the homogenous mixture of cotton and PVA fibers proceed with a cleaning stage 206 and a carding stage 208 to result in producing a homogenously blended cotton/PVA sliver 210. According to example embodiments, the mixture can be varied so as to contain a desired amount of PVA fiber mixed with the cotton fiber (as will be described below).

[0052] The spinning process 200 then includes a series of steps to complete the making/spinning of the specialized yarn 228. For example, the spinning process 200 can include conventional steps using conventional equipment as are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the depicted spinning process 200 includes steps using equipment related to a sliver and ribbon lap former at 214 and 216 (optionally using a unilap), combing at 218, drawing at 220, speed frame/roving at 222, spinning at 224 (optionally ring frame with low twist multiplier (TM)), and auto coner at 226, to produce the specialized yarn 228. The specialized yarn 228 can then be packaged for example in a carton for transporting to a weaving location.

[0053] According to example embodiments, during drawing at 220, two or more homogenously blended cotton/PVA slivers 210 are drawn together in the draw frame of a spinning system and output as a single, ultra-homogenous cotton/PVA sliver. Thus, according to preferred example embodiments of the present invention, the cotton and PVA fibers are first blended together at the blow room stage 202 to produce the homogenous mixture of cotton/PVA fibers, for example, which is carded at 208 to produce the homogenously blended cotton/PVA sliver at 210. Then, at the drawing step 220, two or more of the homogenously blended cotton/PVA slivers 210 are further blended together (drawn together in draw frame) to form an ultra-homogenous cotton/PVA sliver, for example, such that the cotton and PVA fibers are uniformly distributed throughout the sliver and thereby resulting in the specialized yarn 228 comprising an ultra-homogenous and uniformly-blended structure defining cotton and PVA fibers 102, 112.

[0054] Preferably, by both mixing/blending together at the blow room stage 202 and then further mixing/blending at drawing stage 220, an ultra-homogenous yarn structure of uniformly distributed cotton and PVA fibers is achievable (e.g., specialized yarn 228). In example embodiments, by initially mixing/blending the cotton and PVA fibers 102, 112 in the blow room stage 202, intimate mixing of fibers 102, 112 is achievable so as to produce a 97%-99% homogenous mixture of the cotton and PVA fibers 204. This is quite different from the prior art yarns as shown in FIGS. 1-2, for example, where only the core of the yarn comprises the dissolvable fibers (e.g., defining an air space channel at the core of the yarn—no homogeneity) or where an uneven distribution of cotton and PVA fibers (lacking uniformity and homogeneity—only up to 80% homogenous) are produced by only blending at the draw frame.

[0055] According to one example embodiment, in the step for spinning at 224, a roving formed from the roving step of 222 (comprising an ultra-homogenous mixture of cotton and PVA fibers 102, 112) is spun on a ring frame using a relatively low TM (aka twist factor) to form the yarn. For example, the TM can be about 3.2 to about 4.0. In other embodiments, the TM is about 3.2 to about 3.7, and in yet other embodiments the TM is about 3.2 to about 3.3. The specific TM selected can be based on the yarn count. This results in providing a relatively bulkier surface without adding any extra weight to the yarn, which provides improved thermal comfort in the resulting fabric. This is because lower density and greater mass result in better thermal insulation because there is a larger volume of air pockets throughout the yarn (similarly to for example wool).

[0056] Thus, according to example embodiments of the present invention, finer yarns of higher counts can be produced by spinning on a ring frame at a low TM, for example, as described above. In example embodiments, the ring frame can be configured for accepting a homogenous sliver or roving. In some example embodiments, coarser yarns of lower counts can be produced by spinning on an open end spinning machine. In some example embodiments, the open end machine is configured for accepting a homogenously blended and uniformly distributed sliver comprising base staple fibers and dissolvable fibers.

[0057] According to another example embodiment, the pre-spinning process 100 and at least an initial portion of the spinning process 200 can be altered as desired. For example, FIG. 4 shows a pre-spinning process 100′ and an initial portion of a spinning process 200′. According to example embodiments, the resulting homogenously-blended cotton/PVA sliver 210, 210′ is the same, however, the pre-spinning and spinning processes 100′, 200′ are altered with respect to the pre-spinning and spinning processes 100, 200.

[0058] Starting with the pre-spinning process 100′, cotton fiber 102′ is provided in bale form, which is drawn by a bale opener to be opened and mixed at a blow-room stage 104′, followed by a cleaning stage 106′ and a carding stage 108′ to result in producing a cotton web 110′. Preferably, additional equipment or processes including conventional steps using conventional equipment as are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art can be provided so as to produce the cotton web 110′. According to example embodiments, the cotton web 110′ can be moved along a conveyor or other transportation means so as to be directed to a blow room 202′ for mixing with a PVA fiber 120′.

[0059] For example, after producing the cotton web 110′, the cotton web 110′ and PVA fiber 120′ are homogenously mixed together in the blow room 202′ in a desired proportion (e.g., the PVA fiber not being more than about 25% of the entire weight of the combination of cotton fibers and PVA fibers). Thus, rather than introducing cotton slivers 110 and PVA slivers 120 in the blow room 202 of the spinning process 100 for mixing the same, a cotton web 110′ and PVA fibers 120′ are introduced in the blow room 202′ and are homogenously mixed together. Thereafter, the spinning process 200′ is generally similar to the spinning process 200, for example, wherein the blow room 202′ produces a homogenous blend of cotton/PVA fibers 204′. The homogenous blend of cotton/PVA fibers 204′ then proceed through a cleaning stage 206′, and then are carded at carding stage 208′, which produces a homogenously-blended cotton/PVA sliver 210′. The homogenously-blended cotton/PVA sliver 210′ can then be processed as similarly described above, including processing the homogenously-blended cotton/PVA sliver 210′ through a sliver and ribbon lap former at 214 and 216 (optionally using a unilap), combing at 218, drawing at 220, speed frame/roving at 222, spinning at 224 (optionally ring frame with low twist multiplier (TM)), and auto coner at 226, to produce the specialized yarn 228.

[0060] Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 4, the cotton fiber 102′ is opened, cleaned, carded and formed into a web (e.g., cotton web 110′) before being mixed together in the blow room 202′ with the PVA fiber 120′. According to one alternate example embodiment, rather than introducing the cotton web 110′ and PVA fiber 120′ in the blow room 202′, the PVA fiber 120′ can go through a pre-spinning process similar to the pre-spinning process 100′, for example, wherein the PVA fiber 120′ is processed through a blow room, cleaned and carded to produce a PVA web. Accordingly, in some example embodiments, rather than introducing the cotton web 110′ and PVA fiber 120′ in the blow room 202′, the cotton web 110′ and a PVA web are introduced in the blow room 202′ to be homogenously mixed together.

[0061] Accordingly, according to example embodiments of the present invention, the base staple material and dissolvable material can be processed in various ways so as to produce the specialized yarn 228. As described above, according to one example embodiment, cotton and PVA fibers are opened and mixed independently from each other to produce cotton slivers and PVA slivers, for example, which are then returned to the blow room for mixing together in desired proportions. According to another example embodiment, a cotton sliver can be returned to the blow room for mixing together with PVA fibers. According to another example embodiment, a cotton web can be returned to the blow room for mixing with PVA fibers. According to another example embodiment, a cotton web and a PVA web can be returned to the blow room for mixing together in desired proportions. Thus, according to example embodiments of the present invention, preferably the base staple material is at least cleaned independently before being returned to the blow room to be mixed with the dissolvable fibers. In some examples, the base staple material is opened, cleaned, carded and formed into a sliver. In other examples, the base staple material is opened, cleaned and formed into a web. The base staple material sliver or web is then mixed together in the blow room with the raw PVA fibers, or for example, the PVA fibers can be introduced into the blow room in the form of a sliver or web.

[0062] FIG. 5 shows a weaving process 300 for manufacturing a specialized fabric 420 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. According to one example embodiment, the specialized fabric is woven from the specialized yarn 228 that is formed by the spinning process 200. As will be described below, the specialized yarn 228 can be woven in the warp and/or weft directions, and for example, can be single ply or multiple ply.

[0063] In example embodiments, the weaving process 300 can include conventional steps using conventional equipment as are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the depicted weaving process 300 includes steps using equipment related to special yarn storage at 302, special yarn issue to weaving at 304, setting up special yarn at 306, sizing at low temperature at 308, and weaving at 310, to produce the unfinished raw fabric 312. The greige fabric 312 is typically inspected for quality control purposes.

[0064] Preferably, the step of setting up special yarn at 306 includes setting up the special yarn 228 in the warp direction for weaving at 310. Using the special yarn 228 in the warp direction results in yarn coverage in the flat bedding product (e.g., bed sheets) with increased surface area contact with the user, so that when the user sleeps, more of their released body heat is trapped in the air pockets for enhanced thermal properties. Typically, the special warp yarns 228 are woven together with conventional yarns (e.g., 100 percent cotton, cotton/poly blend, or other blends including bamboo, linen, silk, wool, milk, TENCEL or other cellulosic fibers, and/or other conventional fibers) in the weft direction to make the fabric. To weave some fabrics, the special yarn 228 is also used in the weft direction for weaving at 310, for example for sateen weave fabrics for which users tend to touch the warp surface of the fabric, including for fitted sheets and flat sheets. According to alternate example embodiments, the conventional yarns can be selected from a group consisting of modal, acrylics, a blend of polyester and viscose, a blend of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and cotton, a blend of Lyocell and cotton, a blend of cotton and bamboo, a blend of cotton and sea weed, a blend of cotton and silver, a blend of cotton and charcoal, and a blend of cotton and modal or any combination thereof.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a finishing process 400 for the specialized woven fabric according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The finishing process 400 can include conventional steps using conventional equipment as are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the depicted finishing process 400 includes steps using equipment related to fabric issue to processing at 402, desizing with enzyme at 404, rotation at 406, hot wash (to dissolve the PVA fiber 112, 120′ to create the hollow pores) at 408, bleaching at 410, dyeing at 412, finishing at stenter at 414, sanforizing at 416, and calenering at 418, to produce the finished fabric 420. According to some example embodiments, an additional step can be added to the finishing process 400, for example, such as crosslinking so that that the plurality of pores resulting from the dissolved PVA are durable and maintain their shape throughout the lifetime of the fabric. Thus, according to example embodiments, the finishing process 400 can further include the step of crosslinking the fabric, for example, so as to set or fix up the porosity of the pores to remain therein throughout the life of the fabric. As such, the fabric comprising the specialized yarn is preferably configured so as to not be affected by one or more washes or other process or actions that the fabric may go through during its lifetime, for example, such that the pores of the specialized yarn are prevented from shrinking over time.

[0066] The finished fabric 420 can then be made into flat bedding products such as sheets, pillow cases, comforters, blankets, duvets, mattress covers and skirts, and the like. Such flat bedding products can be made from the finished fabric 420 using conventional steps using conventional equipment as are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, according to some example embodiments, one or more cutting/stitching routines can be performed such as length cutting, length stitching, cross cutting, cross stitching, and/or other various routines to produce desired flat bedding products.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the specialized yarn 228 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the specialized yarn 228 preferably comprises an ultra-homogenous blend of cotton fibers 102 and PVA fibers 112, for example, which provides for the uniform distribution of PVA fibers 112 throughout the structure of the specialized yarn 228. According to example embodiments, the ultra-homogenous blend is attainable by a combination of 1) first mixing/blending the cotton and PVA fibers at the blow-room stage 202 to produce a homogenously blended cotton/PVA sliver 210; and 2) further mixing/blending one or more homogenously blended cotton/PVA slivers 210 on the draw frame of the drawing stage 220 (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, according to some example embodiments as depicted in FIG. 3A, the cotton fibers 102 and PVA fibers 112 can be first independently mixed, cleaned and carded to produce the clean cotton sliver 110 and clean PVA sliver 120. Thereafter, the clean cotton sliver 110 and clean PVA sliver 120 can be combined together (in desired proportions) in the blow-room stage 202, for example, such that the clean cotton sliver 110 and clean PVA sliver 120 are broken back down into a homogenous blend of cotton/PVA fibers 204. Furthermore, as described above, the cleaned cotton web 110′ and PVA fibers 120′ can be mixed together in the blow-room stage 202′, or for example, the cleaned cotton web 110′ and a cleaned PVA web can be mixed/blended together in the blow-room stage 202′, both of which result in a homogenous mixture or blend of cotton/PVA fibers 204, 204′ for producing a homogenous mixture/blend cotton/PVA sliver 210, 210′.

[0068] FIG. 7A shows a cross section of a processed specialized yarn 228′, for example, wherein the PVA fibers 112 have been dissolved to define a porous yarn structure comprising a plurality of hollow pores, channels or conduits P uniformly distributed throughout the cotton fibers 102. In example embodiments, pores P are provided throughout the yarn structure such that pores P are present at an outer surface or periphery of the yarn 228′ and proximal the central core thereof, for example, so as to provide a plurality of channels or conduits for permitting fluid communication from an outer surface of the yarn 228′ to the central core thereof. As depicted in FIG. 7B, the yarn 228′ comprises a homogenous distribution (between 97%-99%) of cotton fibers 102 and pores P (e.g., formed form the PVA fibers 112) provided throughout the length of the yarn 228′. In some example embodiments, the pores P can be configured so as to permit fluid communication from a first outer surface of the yarn, through the central core thereof, and to a second outer surface of the yarn, for example, wherein the first and second outer surfaces of the yarn are generally on opposite or at least partially different outer side surfaces of the yarn.

[0069] According to one example embodiment, at least one micro passageway (e.g., defined by a plurality of interconnected or spaced-apart pores P), extending from a plurality of positions along an outer surface of the at least one specialized yarn and to within a central core portion thereof, is provided at least about every 1-30 degrees around the entire 360 degrees of the outer surface of the processed specialized yarn 228′. According to another example embodiment, at least one micro passageway (extending from an outer surface to the central core) is provided every 0.5-15 degrees around the entire 360 degrees of the outer surface of the processed specialized yarn 228′ (see FIG. 7A).

[0070] FIGS. 8A-9B show woven fabrics according to example embodiments of the present invention. According to one example embodiments, the woven fabrics can comprise the specialized yarn incorporated therein, for example, in only the warp direction, or for example, in both the warp and weft direction. For example, FIG. 8A shows a woven fabric 500 defining a 3-move sateen weave comprising a plurality of warp and weft yarns 502, 504. As depicted, the warp yarns 502 comprise the specialized yarn 228 and the weft yarn 504 comprises a desired yarn, for example, 100% cotton, cotton/poly blend, and/or other yarn as desired. According to some example embodiments, the weft yarn 504 comprises two or more yarns, for example, as provided by multi-pick insertion. As shown in FIG. 8B, the woven fabric 500 defines a top side 510 and a bottom side 512. Preferably, the sateen weave structure is such that the top side 510 of the fabric 500 comprises a plurality of the specialized yarns 228 exposed thereon, and thus, provides for more contract with the skin of a user, for example, when the fabric 500 is a sheet that is being used for covering (or contacting) the user while sleeping. According to example embodiments, with the specialized yarn 228 being exposed to the user's skin, the pores P preferably help absorb body heat and moisture from the user.

[0071] FIG. 9A shows a woven fabric 600 defining a 3-move, 5-end sateen weave comprising a plurality of warp and weft yarns 602, 604. As depicted, both the warp yarn 602 and the weft yarns 604 comprise the specialized yarn 228. According to some example embodiments, the weft yarn 604 can comprise two or more yarns, for example, as provided by multi-pick insertion. As shown in FIG. 9B, the woven fabric 600 defines a top side 610 and a bottom side 612, and wherein both the top and bottom sides 610, 612 comprise the specialized yarn 228 exposed thereon. According to alternate example embodiments, other sateen weave configurations are possible, for example, a 2-move, 5-end sateen weave. In further example embodiments, the specialized yarn 228 can be used for making fabrics of other weaves or configurations as desired. For example, according to some example embodiments, a 6-end, 7-end, 8-end or 10-end sateen weave fabric can be woven wherein at least one of the yarns comprises the specialized yarn 228. According to some example embodiments, the specialized yarn 228 is provided for making a fabric comprising a 5-move, 7-end sateen weave fabric, for example, with the thread count being between about 500-1000. According to some example embodiments, multi-pick insertion can be provided in either of the warp and/or weft directions. According to alternate example embodiments, at least one of the specialized yarns 228 can be provided for making fabrics comprising other weaves such as a plain weave, an oxford weave, a basket weave or a twill weave. Optionally, other weaves can be provided as desired.

[0072] According to the depicted example embodiments, the specialized yarn 228 is a single ply yarn, and for example, can be woven together with another specialized yarn 228, or for example, can be woven with another conventional yarn comprising cotton, a cotton/poly blend, or for example, a desired material and/or composition. According to some example embodiments, the specialized yarn can comprise a 2-ply yarn, or for example, a 3-ply yarn. In such a case, preferably two or three single ply specialized yarns can be twisted together, for example, using an S or Z twist such that additional bulk, strength and/or absorbency can be provided in the finished fabric. According to some example embodiments, the warp and/or weft yarn can comprise a 2-ply or 3-ply yarn comprising a combination of one or more specialized yarns 228 and one or more conventional yarns. Accordingly, according to some example embodiments, a fabric can comprise at least one of a warp or weft yarn that is at least 2-ply or 3-ply, for example, wherein at least one of the yarns of the 2-ply or 3-ply yarns comprises the specialized yarn 228.

[0073] According to another example embodiment, the warp and/or weft yarns of the fabric can comprise a 3-ply parallel specialized yarn 228 configuration, for example, wherein three specialized yarns 228 run parallel with respect to each other in either of the warp and/or weft directions. According to example embodiments, by providing three specialized yarns 228 (e.g., 3-ply parallel warp and/or weft), a greater amount of surface area of the specialized yarns 228 (and thus pores P) are exposed to the skin of the user, and thus, a greater amount of heat and moisture absorbency is attainable. On alternate example embodiments, a 4-ply, 5-ply or 6-ply parallel yarn configuration can be provided, for example, for providing even greater heat and moisture absorbency.

[0074] Referring back to FIG. 5, additional details of example preparatory and weaving settings to perform the weaving process 300 are included in Tables 1-3. In particular, Table 1 relates to special yarn warping at 306, Table 2 relates to sizing at 308, and Table 3 relates to weaving at 310. In addition, Table 4 highlights some typical/representative machine settings in the warping at 306, sizing at 308 and the weaving at 310 for making the unfinished greige fabric 312 relative to for making conventional sheets.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example SOP followed during rewinding and warping 1) machine properly cleaned before rewinding cones and ensured not to mix the normal yarn fluff before starting the rewinding process. 2) Warping machine property cleaned at creel, Headstock and ensured not to mix the normal yarn fluff before starting the set. 3) Identified board fixed during the warping. 4) Machine run at 650 RPM 5) The prepared warping beam with proper check of beam qulity being stored with proper identification. Machine parameter during process 1) Drum pressure 180 dan 2) Machine speed 650 mpm

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example SOP followed during sizing 1) Machine properly cleaned at creel, headstock and ensured not to mix the normal yarn fluff before starting the set. 2) Previous set chemical being drained out and ensured the proper cleaning of cooker, storage tank and saw box. 3) Adequate moisture (6-6.5%) in beam managed with the synchronizing of cylinder temperature and machine speed. 4) Managed the warp stretch between 0.6 to 0.7% throughout the set. 5) Managed the size pick up 9-10%. 6) Managed with 3-4 lappers in a beam by proper creel tension, saw box roll pressure. Machine parameter during process 1) Machine speed 55 mpm 2) Creel tension 600-650N 3) Zone 4 2300-2500N 4) Zone 5 3100-3300N 5) Press roll value 2950-3100N 6) Cyl. Temp. (Zones 1 & 2) 120-125 deg. C. 7) Cyl. Temp. (Zone 3) 105-110 deg. C. 8) Squeezing pressure @ 5 mpm 5-6 kN 9) Squeezing pressure @ 100 mpm 10-12 kN 10) Saw box temp. 88 deg. C. 11) Cooking temp. 130 deg. C. 12) Chemical holding time 25 min. 13) RF 9% 14) Viscosity 8 sec. 15) The sized beam being drawn with identified board and loaded on loom.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Example SOP followed in loom shed 1) Properly cleaning being followed before loading the set. 2) Before starting the production, ensure the standard setting of the loom. 3) Ensure the quality of fabric before starting the loom for bulk production. 4) 70 meter of roll being doffed and ensured for the quality of woven fabric. 5) The doffed roll being covered with proper polythene to free from dust. 6) The doffed roll being inspected at 4 point system. Machine setting during process 1) Loom speed 505 RPM 2) Head frame height in mm 70.70.68.67.70.72 3) Backrest position 15/3 4) Shed crossing 290 deg (angular) 5) Weft insertion-start 80 deg (angular) 6) Weft insertion-arrival 240 deg (angular) 7) Loom efficiency 80%

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Present Comparison of Sizing and Loom Settings Invention Prior Art During warping, creel tension on yarn 3 Gms/meter 5 Gms/meter maintained with 3 Gms/meter as against 5 Gms/meter for normal yarn. During sizing, managed the warp stretch warp stretch warp below 0.5% as against 0.9% for normal below stretch @ yarn, for better loom performance with 0.5% 0.9% minimum warp breaks. During weaving, loom shed setting 15 mm 30 mm maintained for minimum stress on warp by setting the back rest height @ 15 as against 30 for normal yarn; and Setting the shed crossing 290 deg. as 290 deg 310 deg against 310 deg. for normal yarn.

[0075] As shown in Table 4, several machine settings in the warping at 306, sizing at 308 and the weaving at 310 for making the unfinished greige fabric 312 are shown in comparison to the machine settings used for making conventional sheets. In example embodiments, at warping 306 the creel tension on the yarn is maintained at 3 GMs/meter as compared to conventional warping at 5 Gms/meter. During sizing at 308, the warp stretch is managed below about 0.6% for better loom performance and minimum warp breaks, for example compared to a warp stretch of about 0.9% for conventional sizing settings. During weaving at 310, the loom shed setting is maintained for minimum stress on the warp yarn by setting the back rest height to 15 mm compared to 30 mm for conventional weaving. And the shed crossing is set to 290 degrees compared to 310 degrees for conventional machine settings.

[0076] According to example embodiments, testing was done to confirm the improved thermal properties of the finished fabric 420, including the following thermal resistance test. According to one example embodiment, a test plate is set to 35 C (roughly equivalent to skin temperature) while the ambient conditions are set to 20 C to 25 C and 65% relative humidity. Due to the temperature difference, heat leaves the plate and travels through the test fabric 420 into the ambient air. This heat loss causes the test plate temperature to drop whereby the instrument supplies more power to the plate to bring the temperature back up to and maintain it at 35 C. This power input (in W/m.sup.2) is then used to calculate the thermal resistance. This test is driven by the temperature differential between the plate and ambient air. The results of the thermal resistance test conducted on a dry hot plate are detailed in Table 5.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Wool Research Association Thermal Insulation test by Hot Plate Value Test Method:-ASTM D 1518-11a(Ambient temp-23 degree celsius) Test result (Thermal Insulation Value) Dry Heat S. No TC Product Construction Weave Blend Shade Article {circumflex over ( )}C.m.sup.2/W Clo Flux(W/M2) 1 400 Aero-1 80SK55s/205X66*3 Sateen 100% Cotton Clay Brick Fabric 0.0242 0.156 120.76 2 400 Aero-2 70PvaX60s/205X66*3 Sateen 100% Cotton Aqua Ocean Fabric 0.0274 0.1768 116.23 3 400 Conventional 60sX80s/185X72*3 Sateen 100% Cotton Bright White Fabric 0.016 0.105 122.8 Sheet

[0077] The thermal testing was conducted based on ASTM D 1518-11A (Standard Test Method for Thermal Resistance of Batting Systems Using a Hot Plate) at the Wool Research Association in India. Three specimens were used, with Specimen 1 labeled “Aero-1,” Specimen 2 labeled “Aero-2,” and Specimen 3 labeled “Conventional Sheet” in Table 5. Specimens 1 and 2 were the samples of the finished fabric 420, and their test results demonstrate the improved thermal properties of the finished fabric 420. As can be seen from Table 5, the two tested Specimens 1 and 2 of the finished fabric 420 have a better thermal insulation index than the tested conventional sheet (Specimen 3). The Clo value for the Specimen 1 and 2 fabric sheets are in fact far superior to the Specimen 3 conventional sheet.

[0078] The dry heat flux, which is the heat loss to keep the human body at 35 degrees Celsius, was calculated based on the thermal insulation index and Clo value by the following formula, with the heat loss parameter calculated from the thermal transport measurements.

[0079] Total thermal resistance: (Rtf)−(c mtr2/w)=total thermal resistance (insulation) provided by the hot plate. Total insulation value: (It)−(Clo)=total insulation provided by the hot plate, product ensemble expressed in units of Clo, which is a unit of thermal resistance that indicates the insulating ability of the test material, with materials having higher Clo values providing more thermal insulation. Total dry heat flux (Qdry), [W/m2], gives the measured heat loss at the thermal hot plate from which the fabric insulation values are calculated. The test was conducted at 23 degrees Celsius ambient temperature to calculate total heat loss.

[0080] According to another example embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of forming a twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn. According to example embodiments, the method comprises mixing a plurality of base material staple fibers, cleaning the base material staple fiber, carding the base material staple fiber and forming a cleaned base material staple sliver; mixing a plurality of dissolvable fibers, cleaning the dissolvable fiber, carding the dissolvable fiber and forming a cleaned dissolvable sliver; combining the cleaned base material staple sliver and the cleaned dissolvable sliver for mixing in a blow room to produce a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; cleaning the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; carding the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; forming a homogenously-blended sliver comprising a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; drawing the homogenously-blended sliver on a draw frame; and spinning the homogenously-blended sliver to produce the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn, the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn having an ultra-homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers that are evenly and uniformly distributed throughout the cross section thereof.

[0081] According to another example embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of forming a twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn. The method comprises mixing a plurality of base material staple fibers, cleaning the base material staple fiber, carding the base material staple fiber and forming a cleaned base material staple web; providing a plurality of dissolvable fibers; combining the cleaned base material staple web and the plurality of dissolvable fibers for mixing in a blow room to produce a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; cleaning the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; carding the homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; forming a homogenously-blended sliver comprising a homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers; drawing the homogenously-blended sliver on a draw frame to produce a twice-blended ultra-homogenous sliver; and spinning the twice-blended ultra-homogenous sliver to produce the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn, the twice-blended ultra-homogenous specialized yarn comprising an ultra-homogenous blend of base material staple fibers and dissolvable fibers that are evenly and uniformly distributed throughout the cross section thereof.

[0082] While the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.