Lightweight recyclable apparel with stretch properties

Abstract

Aspects herein are directed to a lightweight, recyclable, double-knit textile used to form a recyclable, apparel item having stretch properties. The double-knit textile utilizes a combination of yarns, including a recyclable, elastic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer yarn, in a knit construction where the technical face of the textile is formed form a non-elastic yarn such as a polyamide yarn, the technical back of the textile is formed the non-elastic yarn and the TPU polymer yarn in a plated relationship, and linking yarns that extend between the technical face and the technical back include the non-elastic yarn. The knit construction as described balances the need for opacity, optimal stretch features, support, and durability to an apparel item formed from the textile while still being lightweight.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A double-knit textile used to form an apparel item, the double-knit textile comprising:
 a technical face formed from a polyamide yarn;   a technical back formed from the polyamide yarn and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer yarn in a plated relationship; and   a plurality of linking yarns that extend between the technical face and the technical back of the double-knit textile, the plurality of linking yarns including the polyamide yarn.   
     
     
         2 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the TPU polymer yarn is a monofilament yarn having a denier from about 60 denier to about 80 denier. 
     
     
         3 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 2 , wherein the denier of the TPU polymer yarn is about 70 denier. 
     
     
         4 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the polyamide yarn has a denier from about 38 denier to about 45 denier. 
     
     
         5 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 4 , wherein the denier of the polyamide yarn is about 40 denier. 
     
     
         6 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 4 , wherein the polyamide yarn has from about 30 filaments to about 40 filaments per yarn. 
     
     
         7 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 6 , wherein the polyamide yarn has about 34 filaments per yarn. 
     
     
         8 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the double-knit textile has a weight not exceeding 300 grams per square meter (gsm). 
     
     
         9 . The double-knit textile used to form the apparel item of  claim 8 , wherein the weight of the double-knit textile is from about 220 gsm to about 240 gsm. 
     
     
         10 . An apparel item for athletic wear, the apparel item comprising:
 a double-knit textile used to form the apparel item, the double-knit textile comprising:
 from 65% to 70% by weight of polyamide yarn; and 
 from 30% to 35% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer yarn, the double-knit textile having a weight not exceeding 300 grams per square meter (gsm). 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 10 , wherein the double-knit textile comprises a technical face formed from the polyamide yarn and a technical back formed from the polyamide yarn and the TPU polymer yarn in a plated relationship. 
     
     
         12 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 11 , wherein the technical face does not include the TPU polymer yarn. 
     
     
         13 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 11 , wherein the double-knit textile includes a plurality of linking yarns that extend between the technical face and the technical back, the plurality of linking yarns including the polyamide yarn. 
     
     
         14 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 10 , wherein the weight of the double-knit textile is from about 220 gsm to about 240 gsm. 
     
     
         15 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 10 , wherein the TPU polymer yarn is elastic, and wherein the polyamide yarn is not elastic. 
     
     
         16 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 10 , wherein the apparel item is an athletic tight. 
     
     
         17 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 10 , wherein the apparel item is an athletic shirt. 
     
     
         18 . The apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 10 , wherein the apparel item is a sport bra. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing an apparel item for athletic wear, the method comprising:
 forming a double-knit textile into the apparel item, the double-knit textile comprising:
 from 65% to 70% by weight of polyamide yarn; and 
 from 30% to 35% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer yarn, the double-knit textile having a weight not exceeding 300 grams per square meter (gsm). 
   
     
     
         20 . The method of manufacturing the apparel item for athletic wear of  claim 19 , wherein the double-knit textile comprises a technical face formed from the polyamide yarn and a technical back formed from the polyamide yarn and the TPU polymer yarn in a plated relationship, and wherein the technical back forms an inner-facing surface of the apparel item.