Abstract: A heating/warming textile article (11) with a fabric body (13) with electrical resistance heating/warming elements (15) also contains a phase change component (17) which releases and absorbs latent heat in a cycle corresponding to ON/OFF operation of a power source (23), e.g., a battery, thus to conserve and extend useful battery life.

Abstract: A double-face velour fabric article consists of a fabric body having a technical face formed by a filament stitch yarn and a technical back formed by a filament loop yarn. The filament stitch yarn includes a heat sensitive material, e.g. a hot melt material or a heat shrinkable material, and/or an elastomeric material, such as spandex. The fabric body has a velour surface formed at both the technical back and the technical face. Raised fibers of at least one of the technical face and the technical back may be entangled, including in and/or through interstices of the fabric body, toward the other of the technical face and the technical back, e.g., by a hydroentanglement process applied after finishing. The fabric body has permeability of about 80 ft3/ft2/min, or less, under a pressure difference of ½ inch of water across the fabric body.

Abstract: Fabrics, formed, for example, by joining stitch and loop yarns to form a fabric prebody, with the loop yarn forming in loops that overlay the stitch yarn at the technical face and back of the fabric prebody, and thereafter finishing the fabric prebody to form raised fleece at both surfaces, have a first surface and an opposite, second surface of contrasting, i.e., different, colors. Regions of one or both surfaces may be treated to resist raising so that design elements of the raised or fleece regions stand out in relief, forming surface(s) with contour. Methods of forming the fabrics are also described.

Abstract: Electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles have a fabric layer having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, and an electric resistance heating/warming element in the form of a conductive yarn mounted upon first surface of the fabric layer, e.g. in embroidery stitching, and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A barrier layer may be positioned, for example, at least adjacent to the first or second surface of the fabric layer. Methods of forming electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles are also described.

Abstract: A composite textile fabric for removing moisture from the skin is provided. The composite fabric includes an inner, first fabric layer comprising either a polyester, polypropylene, acrylic or nylon yam material which is naturally, or has been rendered, hydrophilic and an outer, second fabric layer incorporating either a moisture-absorbent material such as cotton or a synthetic yarn which has been rendered hydrophilic, or a combination thereof. The first and second fabric layers are formed concurrently by knitting a plaited construction. The second fabric layer, but not the first layer, is blended with synthetic fibers treated to have antimicrobial properties or the second fabric layer is treated with an anti-microbial paste. An elastomeric yarn material may be added to both layers so that the composite fabric is stretchable.

Abstract: A wind resistant and water vapor permeable composite fabric is provided. The composite fabric includes an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an intermediate vapor barrier. The vapor barrier may be selected from an adhesive material or an adhesive/membrane combination that is designed so that the fabric has a variable water vapor diffusion resistance which substantially decreases as air speed impinging on the fabric increases.

Abstract: Electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles have a fabric layer having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, and an electric resistance heating/warming element in the form of a conductive yarn mounted upon first surface of the fabric layer, e.g. in embroidery stitching, and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A barrier layer may be positioned, for example, at least adjacent to the first or second surface of the fabric layer. Methods of forming electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles are also described.

Abstract: A fabric article that generates heat upon application of electrical power is formed, for example, by joining stitch and loop yarns to form a fabric prebody, with the loop yarn overlaying the stitch yarn at a technical face and forming loops at a technical back of the fabric prebody. An electrical resistance heating element, e.g., in the form of a conductive yarn, is incorporated into the fabric prebody at symmetrical and/or asymmetrical spaced-apart intervals as the stitch yarn, the electrical resistance heating elements extending between opposite edge regions of the fabric and conductor elements, e.g. located along edge regions, connect the electrical resistance heating elements to a source of electrical power. The technical face and/or the technical back of the fabric body may have fleece formed by finishing in a manner to avoid damage to electrical conductance of the electrical resistance heating elements.

Abstract: A fibrous article that generates heat upon application of electrical power is formed, for example, by joining stitch and loop yarns to form a fibrous prebody, with the loop yarn overlaying the stitch yarn at a technical face and forming loops at a technical back of the fabric prebody. An electrical resistance heating element, e.g., in the form of conductive elements, is joined with the stitch and loop yarns in the prebody at symmetrical and/or asymmetrical spaced-apart intervals as the stitch yarn, the electrical resistance heating elements extending between opposite edge regions of the fibrous article and conductor elements, e.g. located along edge regions, connect the electrical resistance heating elements to a source of electrical power. The technical face and/or the technical back of the fabric body may have fleece formed by finishing non-conductive fibers of the stitch yarn and/or loop yarn in a manner to avoid damage to electrical conductance of the electrical resistance heating elements.

Abstract: Methods of forming an electric heating/warming composite fabric article include the steps of applying an electricity-conducting paste upon a surface in a predetermined pattern of an electric circuit, and curing the electricity-conducting paste to form an electric heating/warming element in the form of a flexible, electricity-conducting film defining an electric circuit, the electric heating/warming element being adapted for connection to a power source, thereby to generate heating/warming. The fabric article includes a fabric layer, and may include a barrier layer joined to or associated with a surface of the fabric layer. The electric circuit may be formed directly upon a surface of the fabric layer or upon a surface of the barrier layer. The circuit may be formed and cured upon the barrier layer before or after it is joined to the fabric layer.

Abstract: A fabric article that generates heat upon application of electrical power is formed, for example, by joining stitch and loop yarns to form a fabric body, with the loop yarn overlaying the stitch yarn at a technical face and forming loops at a technical back of the fabric body. An electrical resistance heating element, e.g., in the form of a conductive yarn, is incorporated into the fabric body at symmetrical and/or asymmetrical spaced-apart intervals as the stitch yarn, the electrical resistance heating elements extending between opposite edge regions of the fabric and conductor elements, e.g. located along edge regions, connect the electrical resistance heating elements to a source of electrical power. The technical face and/or the technical back of the fabric body may have fleece formed by finishing in a manner to avoid damage to electrical conductance of the electrical resistance heating elements.

Abstract: A double-face velour fabric article consists of a knitted fabric body having a technical face formed by a micro-denier filament stitch yarn and a technical back formed by a micro-denier filament loop yarn. The fabric body has a velour surface formed at both the technical back and the technical face. The fabric body has a permeability of about 80 ft3/ft2/min, or less, under a pressure difference of ½ inch of water across the knitted fabric body.

Abstract: A fabric article that generates heat upon application of electrical power is formed, for example, by knitting or weaving, to form a fabric prebody. An electrical resistance heating element in the form of a conductive yarn is incorporated into the fabric prebody, the electrical resistance heating elements extending between opposite edge regions of the fabric. Conductive elements are provided for connecting the electrical resistance heating elements to a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A fabric article that generates heat upon application of electrical power is formed, for example, by joining stitch and loop yarns to form a fabric prebody, with the loop yarn overlaying the stitch yarn at a technical face and forming loops at a technical back of the fabric prebody. An electrical resistance heating element, e.g., in the form of a conductive yarn, is incorporated into the fabric prebody at symmetrical and/or asymmetrical spaced-apart intervals as the stitch yarn, the electrical resistance heating elements extending between opposite edge regions of the fabric and conductor elements, e.g. located along edge regions, connect the electrical resistance heating elements to a source of electrical power. The technical face and/or the technical back of the fabric body may have fleece formed by finishing in a manner to avoid damage to electrical conductance of the electrical resistance heating elements.

Abstract: Electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles have a fabric layer having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, and an electric resistance heating/warming element in the form of a conductive yarn mounted upon first surface of the fabric layer, e.g. in embroidery stitching, and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A barrier layer may be positioned, for example, at least adjacent to the first or second surface of the fabric layer. Methods of forming electric resistance heating/warming composite fabric articles are also described.

Abstract: A fabric article that generates heat upon application of electrical power is formed, for example, by knitting or weaving, to form a fabric prebody. An electrical resistance heating element in the form of a conductive yarn is incorporated into the fabric prebody, the electrical resistance heating elements extending between opposite edge regions of the fabric. Conductive elements are provided for connecting the electrical resistance heating elements to a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A fabric with a patterned velvet on one face and a different patterned velour on the other is formed from a three dimensional fabric using a double bar knitting machine. Preferably, at least either the stitching or backing yarn within the fabrics is made with a bulk high enough so that after the three dimensional structure is knitted and split, the back can be napped to form the velour from such yarn.

Abstract: A fabric with a patterned velvet on one face and a different patterned velour on the other is formed from a three dimensional fabric using a double bar knitting machine. Preferably, at least either the stitching or backing yarn within the fabrics is made with a bulk high enough so that after the three dimensional structure is knitted and split, the back can be napped to form the velour from such yarn.

Abstract: A composite textile fabric for removing moisture away from the skin is provided. The composite fabric includes a first fabric layer comprising either a polyester, acrylic or nylon material which is naturally, or has been rendered, hydrophilic and a second fabric layer incorporating either a moisture-absorbent material such as cotton, or a synthetic yarn which has been rendered hydrophilic, or a combination thereof. The first and second fabric layers are formed concurrently by knitting a plaited construction. The second fabric layer is exclusively blended with treated synthetic fibers having anti-microbial properties. An elastomeric yarn material may be added to both layers so that the composite fabric is stretchable.

Abstract: A raised surface fabric knit on a conventional terry knitting machine is provided. The process utilizes yarns of different color or dyeability in alternating courses; by way of example, yarn A (undyed) is used for course 1, yarn B (dyed) is used for course 2, yarn A is used for course 3, yarn B for course 4, etc. Either yarn A or yarn B has a low shrinkability, with the other yarn then having a high shrinkability.