Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite material that is formed from a textile substrate having a surface, the textile substrate formed from a yarn, where the yarn is formed from a plurality of fibres or filaments, such that the yarn has a core region of fibres or filaments surrounded by a peripheral region of fibres or filaments; and a cured elastomeric material layer laid over the whole or part of the textile substrate surface, where the cured elastomeric material penetrates into the yarn and is attached to the fibres or filaments in the peripheral region of the yarn.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a garment component for use in a garment. The garment component comprises: a liquid impermeable base layer; a liquid impermeable peripheral layer disposed along a periphery of the liquid impermeable base layer; and a space defined by the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers. When the garment comprising the garment component is worn on a user, the garment forms a sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer and the user's skin, such that the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers prevent liquid flow into and out of the space and the space collects bodily fluids from the user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is aweft knit spacer fabric having variable thicknesses, the fabric formed from: a first surface layer formed from a first set of yarn; a second surface layer formed from a second set of yarn; and a set of spacer yarn between the first and second surface layer, where the fabric is formed from a plurality of courses of the sets of first, second and spacer yarns, where each course is connected to at least one other course in a wale direction, wherein the thickness is varied by varying one or both of: a density of tuck stitches along each course, where each tuck stitch is formed by the spacer yarn with the first and/or second surface layers; and a thickness of the set of spacer yarn in each course.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a weft knit spacer fabric (200) having variable thicknesses, comprising a first surface layer (210) formed from a first set of yarn (215); a second surface layer (220) formed from a second set of yarn (225); and a set of spacer yarn (230) between the first and second surface layers (210, 220), where the thickness is varied by varying in each course one or both of: the density of tuck stitches (235) formed by the set of spacer yarn (230) with the first and/or second surface layers (210, 220); and the thickness of the spacer yarn (230) in each course, provided that when the fabric (200) has a free-standing 3-dimensional shape, it is a moulded fabric.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a knitting machine (100) for knitting a fabric by yarn plating. The knitting machine (100) comprises: a yarn feeder set (120) configured for reciprocating motion along the bed (102) and for feeding yarns (122) to the knitting needles (104), the yarn feeder set (120) comprising: a first hole (124a) for feeding a first yarn (122a) at a first angle with respect to the bed (102); a second hole (124b) for feeding a second yarn (122b) at a second angle with respect to the bed (102), the second angle greater than the first angle; and a third hole (124c) for feeding a third yarn (122c) at a third angle with respect to the bed (102), the third angle greater than the second angle, wherein knitting needles (104) form plated yarn loops comprising the third yarn (122c) interposed between the first and second yarns (122a, 122b).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a garment component for use in a garment. The garment component comprises: a liquid impermeable base layer; a liquid impermeable peripheral layer disposed along a periphery of the liquid impermeable base layer; and a space defined by the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers. When the garment comprising the garment component is worn on a user, the garment forms a sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer and the user's skin, such that the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers prevent liquid flow into and out of the space and the space collects bodily fluids from the user.

Abstract: An absorbent pad for use in a garment is disclosed. The absorbent pad includes a liquid impermeable barrier layer and a functional layer disposed adjacent to the barrier layer, the functional layer having a liquid absorbent component. The absorbent pad also includes a first attaching element coupled to a periphery of the functional layer and a periphery of the barrier layer; and a second attaching element having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion coupled to the first attaching element. The second portion of the second attaching element is arranged to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment. The absorbent pad is washable and reusable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite material that is formed from a textile substrate having a surface, the textile substrate formed from a yarn, where the yarn is formed from a plurality of fibres or filaments, such that the yarn has a core region of fibres or filaments surrounded by a peripheral region of fibres or filaments; and a cured elastomeric material layer laid over the whole or part of the textile substrate surface, where the cured elastomeric material penetrates into the yarn and is attached to the fibres or filaments in the peripheral region of the yarn.

Abstract: A wearable device, such as a garment or containing garment portions, for managing and/or reducing the symptoms of a hot flash in a subject. The device comprises: a first set of components, each comprising a fabric comprising a cooling yarn; a second set of components, each comprising a quick-dry wicking fabric; and a third set of components, each comprising a phase change material fabric, wherein the first set of components are adapted to cover at least a neckline region and a peripheral region that extends adjacently around the armpit and the clavicle of the subject; the second set of components are adapted to cover at least the abdominal muscles and the lumbar regions of the subject; and the third set of components are adapted to cover at least the mammary and the dorsum regions of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an absorbent component (100) for use in a garment. The absorbent component (100) comprises: a first layer composite (120) comprising a first foam layer (122) and a first liquid impermeable layer (124); an absorbent layer composite (140) bonded to the first liquid impermeable layer (124) for absorbing bodily fluids; and a second liquid impermeable layer (164) bonded to the absorbent layer composite (140) and first layer composite (120) to contain the bodily fluids absorbed by the absorbent layer composite (140), wherein the second liquid impermeable layer (164) forms an opening (166) for receiving the bodily fluids to the absorbent layer composite (140); and wherein the first foam layer (122) is moulded to shape the absorbent component (100).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a seamlessly knitted structure (100) for a male garment (200), the knitted structure (100) comprising: a main fabric layer (110); a support fabric layer (120) knitted to the main fabric layer (110), the support fabric layer (120) formed of a stiffer material than the main fabric layer (110); and a pouch fabric layer (130) knitted to and extending outwardly from the main fabric layer (110) and supported by the support fabric layer (120), the pouch fabric layer (130) forming a pouch space for accommodating a groin region of a male user wearing the male garment (200) comprising the knitted structure (100).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fabric having variable fabric properties, the fabric comprising a plurality of fabric regions, each fabric region formed from at least one set of yarns; and the sets of yarns of the fabric regions belonging to a common family of thermoplastic polymer materials, wherein the fabric is moulded and the fabric regions have different fabric properties from each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a garment component for use in a garment. The garment component comprises: a liquid impermeable base layer; a liquid impermeable peripheral layer disposed along a periphery of the liquid impermeable base layer; and a space defined by the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers. When the garment comprising the garment component is worn on a user, the garment forms a sealing engagement between the liquid impermeable peripheral layer and the user's skin, such that the liquid impermeable base and peripheral layers prevent liquid flow into and out of the space and the space collects bodily fluids from the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an absorbent pad for use in a garment. The absorbent pad includes: a liquid impermeable barrier layer; a functional layer attached to the barrier layer, the functional layer comprising a liquid absorbent component; a liquid impermeable peripheral sealing element bonded to peripheries of the functional layer and barrier layer; and a peripheral attaching element having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion bonded to the peripheral sealing element. The second portion of the peripheral attaching element is detached from the peripheral sealing element and is arranged to be attached to a fabric body of the garment, thereby attaching the absorbent pad to the garment.

Abstract: A wearable device, such as a garment or containing garment portions, for managing and/or reducing the symptoms of a hot flash in a subject. The device comprises: a first set of components, each comprising a fabric comprising a cooling yarn; a second set of components, each comprising a quick-dry wicking fabric; and a third set of components, each comprising a phase change material fabric, wherein the first set of components are adapted to cover at least a neckline region and a peripheral region that extends adjacently around the armpit and the clavicle of the subject; the second set of components are adapted to cover at least the abdominal muscles and the lumbar regions of the subject; and the third set of components are adapted to cover at least the mammary and the dorsum regions of the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite materials suitable for use in wearable technology and other similar applications. The composite includes a fabric (12, 20, 30, 40) and a wire (11, 22, 32, 41, 1100, 1210) hidden within the fabric (12, 20, 30, 40) in such a way that the fabric (12, 20, 30, 40) protects the wire (11, 22, 32, 41, 1100, 1210) from mechanical stresses. In addition, the wire (11, 22, 32, 41, 1100, 1210) may comprise a yarn material that has a core of an elastic polymeric material surrounded by a wire. Processes to make these materials are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A wearable device, such as a garment or containing garment portions, for managing and/or reducing the symptoms of a hot flash in a subject. The device comprises: a first set of components, each comprising a fabric comprising a cooling yarn; a second set of components, each comprising a quick-dry wicking fabric; and a third set of components, each comprising a phase change material fabric, wherein the first set of components are adapted to cover at least a neckline region and a peripheral region that extends adjacently around the armpit and the clavicle of the subject; the second set of components are adapted to cover at least the abdominal muscles and the lumbar regions of the subject; and the third set of components are adapted to cover at least the mammary and the dorsum regions of the subject.

Abstract: A conductive tape formed by laying a conductive pathway on a tape layer is disclosed. Various apparatus and methods for laying conductive pathways to form conductive tape are disclosed. The conductive pathways may be laid by varying the lateral position of the conductive pathway on the tape substrate. Such patterns all stretchable conductive tape to be realized. Multiple conductive pathways may be laid in the tape and the lateral separation of the pathways in the tape may vary. In some embodiments the pathways are formed from conductive yarn or by printing or laying conductive ink.

Abstract: Provided herein are platens for printing on an item of clothing, where the platens are adapted to enable the printing of a pattern on the item of clothing, such that the pattern may encircle the entire item of clothing in a seamless manner. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus that makes use of said platens and a method of printing with said platens.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a textile (100) and a manufacturing method (200) thereof. The textile (100) comprises: a fabric body (102) formed from one or more types of yarns; a continuous channel (104) formed within the fabric body (102); and an insulated conductive element (106) disposed within the continuous channel (104), wherein the textile (100) is heatable in response to electrical current being conducted through the insulated conductive element (106).