FABRIC

Abstract

A fabric having a knitted material into which a hollow fiber membrane is knitted is provided, and which provides a configuration in which a liquid flows inside the hollow fiber membrane. Also, the fabric provides a configuration that prevents a needle from penetrating into the hollow fiber membrane when the fabric having the knitted material into which the hollow fiber membrane is knitted is sewn on an article of clothing or when the fabrics each having the knitted material into which the hollow fiber membrane is knitted is sewn to produce an article of clothing. Problems are solved in such a way that a hollow fiber membrane, serving as an insertion thread, is knitted into a knitted material. Also, problems are solved in such a way that a pump is provided for supplying the liquid to the hollow fiber membrane in which the pump is manually operated.

Claims

1. A fabric comprising: a hollow fiber membrane having a tube wall with micropores; and a knitted material composed of a warp thread and a weft thread, the hollow fiber membrane, as an insertion thread, being knitted into the knitted material in a longitudinal direction, wherein the hollow fiber membrane appears on one side of the knitted material, or the hollow fiber membrane is laid in a double layer bag-like structure portion in the knitted material, the knitted material being composed of an upper material and a lower material, the double layer bag-like structure portion being formed by the upper material and lower material that are separated from each other.

2. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the hollow fiber membrane appears in a corrugated shape on one side of the knitted material.

3. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the knitted material is warp-knitted.

4. The fabric according to claim 1, comprising a pump for supplying a liquid to the hollow fiber membrane, wherein the liquid flows inside the hollow fiber membrane.

5. The fabric according to claim 4, wherein the liquid is water.

6. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the fabric is in a tape shape.

7. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the hollow fiber membrane includes an escape and is arranged on the knitted material, the escape being configured to avoid penetration of a needle into the hollow fiber membrane when the fabric is sewn.

8. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the knitted material has water absorption and high water diffusibility.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 FIGS. 1(a) to 1(b) show Example 1.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows Example 2.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows Example 2.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows Example 3.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows Example 3 and Example 4.

[0037] FIG. 6 FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) show Example 4.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows Example 5.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows Example 5.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows a conventional example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to drawings. Examples 1 and 2 are examples in which a knitted material is formed by warp knitting, and a hollow fiber membrane is knitted as an insertion thread in parallel with the formation of the knitted material. Example 1 is an example in which a hollow fiber membrane appears in a corrugated shape on one side of the knitted material, and Example 2 is an example in which a hollow fiber membrane extends while being wrapped in a double layer bag-like structure portion. Example 3 is an example in which water is allowed to flow inside a hollow fiber membrane knitted into a knitted material. Example 4 is an example in which a fabric into which hollow fiber membranes are knitted is made into a tape shape and is attached to an article of clothing for use. Example 5 is an example in which escapes are provided so that a needle does not penetrate into the hollow fiber membranes when a fabric into which hollow fiber membranes are knitted is sewn to be attached to a product.

Example 1

[0042] Example 1 is shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). As shown in FIG. 1(a), in Example 1, a knitted material 10 is formed by warp knitting, and in parallel with the formation of the knitted material 10, a hollow fiber membrane 20 is knitted as an insertion thread inserted in the longitudinal direction.

[0043] In warp knitting, warp threads 30 extending in a Y-axis direction is intertwined and fixed with weft threads 40 extending in an X-axis direction to form stitches. The work in which the warp threads 30 is intertwined and fixed with one weft thread 40 successively advances in the X-axis direction, and then the work turns back when the intertwining and fixing has been performed up to the end of the weft thread 40, to sequentially form similar stitches on a different weft thread 40 adjacent in the Y-axis direction.

[0044] The method of knitting the hollow fiber membrane 20 is as follows. When the warp threads are intertwined and fixed with the weft threads to form the knitted material, the warp threads are intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane together with the weft threads to be intertwined and fixed. The threads seen at the parts indicated by reference numerals 50 in FIG. 1(a) (the hollow fiber membrane stopper 50) are the warp threads each intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane and the weft thread together.

[0045] In Example 1, the hollow fiber membrane is arranged so as to form a corrugated shape on the knitted material. Therefore, the hollow fiber membrane stopper 50 is changed in position in a predetermined cycle. This will be described with reference to FIG. 1(b). FIG. 1(b) shows one stitch by a square space, and the black space is a position where the hollow fiber membrane is intertwined and fixed.

[0046] When the knitted material is formed, stitches are made in the order of 6a to 1a, 1b to 6b, 6c to 1c, (an omission of middle parts), 6m to 1m, 1n to 6n, and 6o to 1o. In other words, the warp threads 30 are intertwined and fixed with the weft threads 40 one by one in this order. When stitches 6a to 1a are made, at the position 5a, a warp thread overlaps, and is intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane 50 together with the weft thread to be intertwined and fixed. When stitches 1b to 6b are formed, a warp thread is intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane at 4b, which is shifted by one in the negative direction of the X axis. Thereafter, a warp thread is intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane at the position 3c when stitches 6c to 1c are made, and at position 2d when stitches 1d to 6d are made. When stitches 6e to 1e, if to 6f, and 6g to 1g are made, the warp threads are not intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane. When stitches of 1h to 6h are made, a warp thread is intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane at the position 2h. Thereafter, a warp thread is intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane at the position 3i when stitches 6i to 1i are made, at the position 4j when stitches 1j to 6j are made, and at the position 5k when stitches 6k to 1k are made. When stitches 1l to 6l, 6m to 1m, and in to 6n are made, the warp threads are not intertwined and fixed with the hollow fiber membrane. Up to this point, the one cycle is formed. Thereafter, this cycle is repeated.

[0047] Knitting as described above arranges the hollow fiber membranes in a corrugated shape on one side of the knitted material as shown in FIG. 1(a). The warp threads of the knitted material overlap, and are intertwined and fixed with weft threads, so that the hollow fiber membrane is in tight contact with the knitted material. Therefore, the liquid oozing out from the micropores on the surface of the hollow fiber membrane efficiently permeates into the knitted material. Further, adjustment of the tension of the warp threads can prevent the hollow from collapsing according to the properties of the hollow fiber membrane. The apex angle of the corrugated shape can be determined according to the properties of the hollow fiber membrane to be knitted and fixed, and the positions where the hollow fiber membrane is knitted and fixed can be determined so that the membrane is arranged at such an angle.

[0048] The outer diameter, the inner diameter and the like of the hollow fiber membrane are determined from the viewpoints of having a large flow rate of water when water flows through it and having strength that does not cause problems in use. The small thickness makes knitting easily but reduces the amount of water. Also, increase in the water permeability through the micropores reduces the strength. A hollow fiber membrane suitable for use is, for example, as follows: [0049] Outer diameter: 504 ?m [0050] Inner diameter: 264 ?m [0051] Water permeability: 155 L/(m.sup.2.Math.bar.Math.hr) [0052] Breaking load: 2.5N [0053] Breaking strength: 17.6 MPa [0054] Breaking elongation: 180%

Example 2

[0055] FIG. 2 shows Example 2. In Example 2, the knitted material 10 is knitted by warp knitting, and in parallel with the formation of the knitted material 10, the hollow fiber membrane 20 is knitted as an insertion thread to be inserted in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the knitted material 10 is composed of an upper material 10a and a lower material 10, and the hollow fiber membrane 20 extends in a bag-like space formed by the upper material and the lower material that are not joined. In parts other than the bag-like space, the upper material and the lower material are knitted and fixed to be joined together. The dotted line in FIG. 2 indicates that there is a bag-like space formed by the upper material and the lower material that are not joined, and there is the hollow fiber membrane in the bag-like space.

[0056] The knitting method of the hollow fiber membrane in Example 2 is as follows. In Example 2, the weft threads are doubled with the weft threads forming the front side and the weft threads forming the back side. A hollow fiber membrane is knitted as an insertion thread that are inserted in the warp direction. The insertion thread is intertwined and fixed with the warp threads. In Example 2, the position where the insertion thread is intertwined and fixed is not shifted in the X-axis direction, the insertion thread is intertwined and fixed at the same position in the X-axis direction over the entire area, and the knitting proceeds in the Y-direction. This knitting method is a known knitting method. The following describes the arrangement, etc. of the threads at the position where the insertion threads are intertwined and fixed. First, a weft thread to be the back side is pulled in the weft direction, and then the insertion thread is pulled to the front side thereof in the warp direction and is prepared at the insertion position. Next, a weft thread to be the front side is pulled in the weft direction. At this stage, there are threads in the order of the back weft thread, the insertion thread, and the front weft thread; and then the warp threads are knitted so as to bind the above threads. In this way, the insertion thread to be knitted in the warp direction are knitted without touching the warp threads.

[0057] As a result, the part of the knitted material where the hollow fiber membrane is intertwined and fixed becomes a space, and the hollow fiber membrane is contained in this space.

Example 3

[0058] In Example 3, the following describes an example in which water is allowed to flow inside the hollow fiber membranes knitted into the knitted material. As shown in FIG. 4, both open ends of each hollow fiber membrane 20 are connected to the pump 60. The pump 60 is made of an elastic body and can pump out water by pushing it by fingers. The water to be used is tap water.

[0059] The pump is a manual type that is pushed by fingers, so no power source or switch is required. Since no power source or switch is required, it is convenient to attach this fabric to a product and use it. In addition, manual type pump allows freely adjusting the flow rate of water. The preferred flow rate varies depending on the air temperature, humidity, water permeability of the hollow fiber membrane, etc. However, if this fabric is used for an article of clothing, for example, the wearer can manually adjust the flow rate.

[0060] When the amount of water decreases due to evaporation, the cover of the pump can be opened to replenish or replace the water inside. To prevent water putrefaction, it is preferable that tap water have a sterilizing and deodorizing function.

[0061] There can be a configuration in which the water flowing inside the hollow fiber membrane does not circulate. An example of the configuration without circulation is shown in FIG. 10. In this case, only one end of the hollow fiber membrane is connected to the pump 60 and the other end is open. Most of the water flowing inside disappears by evaporation before reaching the other end.

Example 4

[0062] In Example 4, a fabric in a tape shape into which the hollow fiber membrane is knitted is attached to an article of clothing. The tape shape means a narrow and long shape. The method of knitting the hollow fiber membranes, the number of hollow fiber membranes, and the material of the knitted material are selected depending on the location where the fabrics are attached.

[0063] The tape-shaped fabric is attached, by sewing or pasting it, to a part of an article of clothing that is desired to be cooled. From the viewpoint of attachment to an article of clothing, the width of the tape is easy to handle if it is, for example, about 1 cm to 2 cm.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, tape-shaped fabrics 15 are sewn onto an article of clothing 62. The tape-shaped fabric 15 has a hollow fiber membrane 20 knitted therein. A reference numeral 25 denotes a seam. One end of the hollow fiber membrane 20 is connected to the pump 60. FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) illustrate relationships of arrangements of the hollow fiber membranes 20 and seams 25. In FIG. 6(a), FIG. 6(b) and FIG. 6(c), the hollow fiber membranes are knitted in a corrugated shape, and the tape-shaped fabric is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. They are suitable for attaching to parts that need to be stretchable. In this case, the knitted material is made of a stretchable thread. In FIG. 6(d), the hollow fiber membrane extends linearly and is not stretchable in the longitudinal direction.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 6(a) to FIG. 6(d), depending on the position of the hollow fiber membranes 20 knitted into the tape-shaped fabrics 15, the fabrics 15 are each sewn to the object at a point where the needle does not pass over the hollow fiber membranes 20.

[0066] In Example 4, the object to which the tape-shaped fabric is attached is an article of clothing, but the object to which it is attached is not limited to clothing. For cooling purposes, the tape-shaped fabrics can be used for furniture, car seats, exterior walls, and roofs of buildings. In addition, for the purposes of humidification, the tape-shaped fabrics can be used for indoor curtains and partitions.

[0067] The tape-shaped fabrics can also be used in various ways depending on the liquids that flow inside the hollow fiber membrane, and can be attached to products accordingly. For insect repellent purposes, the tape-shaped fabrics can be used in tents in addition to clothing. In addition, for the purpose of sterilization, the tape-shaped fabrics can be used for indoor curtains and partitions in addition to clothing.

Example 5

[0068] In Example 5, description is made on an example of providing escapes so that the needle does not penetrate into the hollow fiber membrane in sewing the fabric into which the hollow fiber membrane is knitted.

[0069] The fabric into which the hollow fiber membrane is knitted goes through a sewing process when the fabric is used for a product. Also when the fabric into which the hollow fiber membrane is knitted is made into a tape shape and is sewn into a product, the fabric goes through a sewing process. Since water flows inside the hollow fiber membranes, it is necessary to avoid needles penetrating into the hollow fiber membranes in sewing. The part through which the needle passes in sewing is unknown when the fabric into which the hollow fiber membrane is knitted is produced. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to avoid penetration of the needle into the hollow fiber membrane regardless of which part is to be sewn.

[0070] FIGS. 7 and 8 are examples of escapes in the case of a tape-shaped fabric with hollow fiber membranes knitted on the surface. In FIG. 7, the hollow fiber membranes 20 are provided with loops 22 in relation to the knitted material 10, and the membranes 20 are not knitted into the knitted material 10 at the positions of the loops 22. In sewing, positions are sewn that are indicated by the seams 25, in other words, that have no hollow fiber membranes knitted into the knitted material 10. Each of the loops 22 corresponds to an escape (escape A). In FIG. 8, the hollow fiber membrane has positions indicated by reference numerals 24 where the membranes are not knitted into the knitted material 10, but the membranes are not looped. Each of the non-knitting positions 24 corresponds to an escape (escape B). In sewing, the positions of the seams 25 are sewn while the hollow fiber membranes at the positions 24 are lifted up for avoidance.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0071] 10 knitted material [0072] 10a upper material [0073] 10b lower material [0074] 15 tape-shaped fabric [0075] 20 hollow fiber membrane [0076] 22 escape A [0077] 24 escape B [0078] 25 seam [0079] 30 warp thread [0080] 40 weft thread [0081] 50 hollow fiber membrane stopper [0082] 60 pump [0083] 62 clothing [0084] 70 clothing [0085] 71 hollow fiber membrane [0086] 72 pump [0087] 73 water container [0088] 74 power source [0089] 75 switch