Hybrid Materials & Methods

Abstract

A hybrid material may be configured as a hybrid fabric. An illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a differential in moisture spreading speed one a first face of the hybrid fabric compared to that of a second face. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm/min. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two welded yarns produced via welding processes differently configured such that the resulting welded yarns have one or more differing properties. Illustrative embodiments of such hybrid fabrics include but are not limited to pique and jersey and pique fabrics constructed of cotton.

1 . A hybrid fabric comprising:
 a. a first yarn;   b. a second yarn, wherein said first and second yarn are engaged with one another to construct said hybrid fabric, wherein said hybrid fabric exhibits an absorbency time of 10 seconds or less, wherein said hybrid fabric exhibits a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm per minute, and wherein said hybrid fabric is made of a biopolymer.   
     
     
         2 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said biopolymer is further defined as cellulose. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said absorbency time is further defined as determined using an AATCC 79 test protocol. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said hybrid fabric is further defined as constructed of cotton. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said planar wicking rate is further defined as determined using an AATCC 197 test protocol. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein a breathability of said hybrid fabric is at least 200 cfm. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 6  wherein said breathability of said hybrid fabric is further defined as determined using an ASTM D737 test protocol. 
     
     
         8 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said biopolymer is further defined as a naturally occurring biopolymer. 
     
     
         9 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said hybrid fabric is further defined as having no chemical finishes applied thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein a dry rate of said hybrid fabric is at least 0.7 mL/hr. 
     
     
         11 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 10  wherein said dry rate of said hybrid fabric is further defined as determined based on an AATCC 201 test protocol. 
     
     
         12 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said hybrid fabric is further defined as substantially completely made from said biopolymer. 
     
     
         13 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein a planar wicking rate of said first yarn is at least 100% greater a planar wicking rate of said second yarn. 
     
     
         14 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein a planar wicking rate of said first yarn is at least 150% greater than a planar wicking rate of said second yarn. 
     
     
         15 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein a planar wicking rate of said first yarn is at least 300% greater than a planar wicking rate of said second yarn. 
     
     
         16 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said hybrid fabric exhibits a pilling rank of at least 3.5 
     
     
         17 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said hybrid fabric is further defined as a knit fabric. 
     
     
         18 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 17  wherein said hybrid fabric is further defined as a jersey knit fabric. 
     
     
         19 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 1  wherein said hybrid fabric further comprises:
 a. a first surface having a first moisture spreading speed; and, 
 b. a second surface having a second moisture spreading speed, wherein a differential of said first moisture spreading speed and said second moisture spreading speed is at least 25%. 
 
     
     
         20 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 19  wherein said hybrid fabric is further defined as a pique fabric. 
     
     
         21 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 20  wherein said first surface is further defined as a technical back of said hybrid fabric. 
     
     
         22 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 21  wherein said first yarn is positioned primarily on said technical back of said hybrid fabric. 
     
     
         23 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 22  wherein said first yarn is further defined as welded. 
     
     
         24 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 23  wherein said hybrid fabric is further defined as used in a garment having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and wherein said technical back is positioned adjacent said exterior surface. 
     
     
         25 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 24  wherein said second yarn is positioned primarily in a middle of said hybrid fabric. 
     
     
         26 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 25  wherein said second yarn is further defined as a conventional cotton yarn. 
     
     
         27 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 26  wherein said second surface is further defined as a technical face of said hybrid fabric, and wherein said technical face is positioned adjacent said exterior surface of said garment. 
     
     
         28 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 19  wherein said first moisture spreading speed and said second moisture spreading speed are further defined as determined using an AATCC 195 test protocol. 
     
     
         29 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 19  wherein a first one-way moisture transfer from said first surface to said second surface is at least 50% different than a second one-way moisture transfer from second surface to said first surface. 
     
     
         30 . The hybrid fabric according to  claim 29  wherein said first one-way moisture transfer and said second one way-moisture are further defined as determined based on an AATCC 195 test protocol.