Elastomer Fibers And Methods Of Making And Using Thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a fiber excellent in cool contact feeling which is excellent in hand and skin touch and capable of preventing unpleasant feeling in the wet state while also having excellent elasticity. The invention also relates to fabric, clothing, and underwear excellent in cool contact feeling and obtainable by using said fiber as well as the methods of making the fibers and articles thereof.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fiber prepared from a composition comprising the reaction product of:
 (i) a hydroxyl terminated intermediate, comprising a polyester, a polyether, a polycarbonate or a combination thereof, wherein the intermediate has a Tg of no more than 22 degrees C.;   (ii) a diisocyanate; and   (iii) a linear alkylene glycol chain extender.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the Tg of the composition from which the fiber is prepared is no more than 22 degrees C. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein (i) the hydroxyl terminated intermediate is substantially free of polyether block amide copolymers. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the fiber has a percent elongation of 200% to 300%. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the fiber has an effective cooling power of at least 49 watts per square meter, measured at 30% relative humidity and a 3 m/s wind speed. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the fiber is substantially free of inorganic fillers. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein (i) the hydroxyl terminated intermediate comprises polyethylene glycol, (ii) the diisocyanate comprises methylene diphenyl diisocyanate; and (iii) the linear alkylene glycol chain extender comprises 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber of  claim 1  wherein the composition from which the fiber is prepared is a polymer alloy comprising:
 (a) a multiphase copolymer prepared by reacting a polymer and/or copolymer segment with at least one other polymer and/or copolymer segment; 
 (b) a polymer blend prepared mixing a polymer and/or copolymer with at least one other polymer and/or copolymer, wherein each of the polymers and/or copolymers is compatible and/or miscible in one another; or 
 (c) combinations thereof. 
 
     
     
         9 . The fiber of  claim 8  wherein said polymer alloy is derived from the reaction of: (i)(a) a polyol; (i)(b) a polyester intermediate derived from a polyol and a dicarboxylic acid; (ii) at least one diisocyanate; and (iii) at least one chain extender. 
     
     
         10 . A fabric comprising the fiber of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The fabric of  claim 10  wherein said fabric further comprises one or more additional fibers, other than the fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is 10 to 80 percent by weight of these additional fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The fabric of  claim 11  wherein the additional fibers are selected from the group consisting of nylon fibers, polyester fibers, rayon fibers, acrylic fibers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . An article comprising the fabric of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the article is a garment and wherein the fibers of the fabric are arranged in said garment to be in direct contact with the skin of a wearer of said garment. 
     
     
         15 . A method of providing a cooling effect in an article that comes into direct contact with human skin, comprising the steps of:
 I. preparing a fabric comprising the fiber of  claim 1 ;   II. preparing an article that comprises said fabric;   III. bringing said article into direct contact with human skin.   
     
     
         16 . A method of making a fiber comprising the steps of:
 I. preparing an elastomer resin in an internal mixing device wherein said elastomer resin is prepared by reacting:
 (i) a hydroxyl terminated intermediate, comprising a polyester, a polyether, a polycarbonate or a combination thereof, wherein the intermediate has a Tg of no more than 22 degrees C.; 
 (ii) a diisocyanate and 
 (iii) a linear alkylene glycol chain extender; 
   II. melt-spinning said elastomer resin into a monofilament or multifilament fiber.   
     
     
         17 . A method of making a fabric comprising the steps of:
 I. preparing an elastomer resin in an internal mixing device wherein said elastomer resin is prepared by reacting:
 (i) a hydroxyl terminated intermediate, comprising a polyester, a polyether, a polycarbonate or a combination thereof, wherein the intermediate has a Tg of no more than 22 degrees C.; 
 (ii) a diisocyanate and 
 (iii) a linear alkylene glycol chain extender; 
   III. melt-spinning said elastomer resin into a monofilament or multifilament fiber;   IV. processing said fiber, optionally in combination with one or more other fibers, into a fabric.