Mesh fabric and mesh fabric garment

Abstract

A warp knitted mesh fabric constructed of synthetic, or synthetic and natural, fibers is characterized by having a low density, open construction with a high profile for spacing a garment constructed from the fabric from the skin of a wearer of the garment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A knitted mesh fabric, comprising:
 a. a plurality of longitudinally and transversely extending warp-knitted yarns constructed of synthetic, or synthetic and natural, fibers forming an open, planar framework;   b. the open, planar framework including air transmission openings defined by a yarn/void ratio of between 40-55 percent; and   c. the fabric further characterized by air permeability of at least 1000 CFI between an underlying surface and an overlying surface in relation to the fabric.   
     
     
         2 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 2 , wherein the synthetic fibers are modacrylic fibers and rayon fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 3 , wherein the rayon fibers are flame retardant rayon fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of about 78 percent modacrylic fibers and about 22 percent flame retardant rayon fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the air transmission openings are diamond-shaped in relation to a lengthwise side edge and a widthwise side edge of the fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has an uncompressed thickness of between 0.0198 in. (0.5 mm) and 0.0242 in. (0.6 mm). 
     
     
         8 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of synthetic fibers and natural fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 8 , wherein the synthetic fibers are rayon and nylon fibers and the natural fibers are wool fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 9 , wherein the rayon fibers are flame retardant rayon fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 10 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of about 50 percent flame retardant rayon, about 30 percent wool and about 20 percent nylon fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the warp knit fabric is a tricot warp knit fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has stretch in the width direction of between about 25 percent and 35 percent. 
     
     
         14 . The knitted mesh fabric according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric has a weight of between about 3.5 oz/yd 2  (118 g/m 2 ) and about 4.3 oz/yd 2  (146 g/m 2 ). 
     
     
         15 . A garment constructed of a knitted mesh fabric, comprising:
 a. a plurality of longitudinally and transversely extending warp-knitted yarns constructed of synthetic, or synthetic and natural, fibers forming an open, planar framework;   b. the open, planar framework including air transmission openings defined by a yarn/void ratio of between 40-55 percent; and   c. the garment further characterized by the fabric having an air permeability of at least 1000 CFM between an underlying skin surface and an overlying surface in relation to the fabric.   
     
     
         16 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the garment is an undergarment selected from the group consisting of an upper body undergarment for a human, a lower body undergarment for a human and a full body garment for a human. 
     
     
         17 . The garment according to  claim 16 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The garment according to  claim 17 , wherein the synthetic fibers are modacrylic fibers and rayon fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The garment according to  claim 18 , wherein the rayon fibers are flame retardant rayon fibers. 
     
     
         20 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of about 78 percent modacrylic fibers and about 22 percent flame retardant rayon fibers. 
     
     
         21 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the air transmission openings are diamond-shaped in relation to a lengthwise side edge and a widthwise side edge of the fabric. 
     
     
         22 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the fabric has an uncompressed thickness of between xxx in. (xxx mm) and xxx in. (xxx mm). 
     
     
         23 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of synthetic fibers and natural fibers. 
     
     
         24 . The garment according to  claim 23 , wherein the synthetic fibers are rayon and nylon fibers and the natural fibers are wool fibers. 
     
     
         25 . The garment according to  claim 24 , wherein the rayon fibers are flame retardant rayon fibers. 
     
     
         26 . The garment according to  claim 24 , wherein the fabric is constructed of yarns formed of about 50 percent flame retardant rayon, about 30 percent wool and about 20 percent nylon fibers. 
     
     
         27 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the warp knit fabric is a tricot warp knit fabric. 
     
     
         28 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the fabric has stretch in the width direction of between about 25 percent and 35 percent. 
     
     
         29 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the fabric has a weight of between about 3.5 oz/yd2 (118 g/m2) and about 4.3 oz/yd2 (146 g/m2). 
     
     
         30 . The garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the air transmission openings are diamond-shaped in relation to a lengthwise side edge and a widthwise side edge of the fabric.