Abstract: Disclosed is a fabric having a first side and a second side, that is provided at least on part of the first side with a pattern of protrusions, wherein the protrusions comprise an expanded heat-expanding material, namely a heat-expanding material that has been expanded by heating. A polymeric layer is provided to the woven fabric to coat at least part of the protrusions. Also disclosed is a process for the production of the fabric and a garment comprising the fabric.

Abstract: It is disclosed a stretchable touchpad (10) of the capacitive type including a stretchable textile fabric (20) having a plurality of conductive elements incorporated therein. The conductive elements are resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form electrodes to detect a change of capacitance caused by a touch. It is also disclosed a method for operating a stretchable touchpad (10) comprising the steps of measuring continuously a capacitance analog signal provided by a resistive strain gauge (30, 40) of the stretchable touchpad (10); and comparing the measured capacitance signal with a threshold value in order to determine whether or not a touch has taken place, wherein the threshold value is continuously adjusted as a function of the actual measurement of capacitance and as a function of the resistance of said resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form the capacitor electrodes of said touchpad (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabric having a first side and a second side, that is provided at least on part of the first side with a pattern of protrusions, wherein the protrusions comprise an expanded heat-expanding material, namely a heat-expanding material that has been expanded by heating. A polymeric layer is provided to the woven fabric to coat at least part of the protrusions. Also disclosed is a process for the production of the fabric and a garment comprising the fabric.

Abstract: It is disclosed a stretchable touchpad (10) of the capacitive type including a stretchable textile fabric (20) having a plurality of conductive elements incorporated therein. The conductive elements are resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form electrodes to detect a change of capacitance caused by a touch. It is also disclosed a method for operating a stretchable touchpad (10) comprising the steps of measuring continuously a capacitance analog signal provided by a resistive strain gauge (30, 40) of the stretchable touchpad (10); and comparing the measured capacitance signal with a threshold value in order to determine whether or not a touch has taken place, wherein the threshold value is continuously adjusted as a function of the actual measurement of capacitance and as a function of the resistance of said resistive strain gauges (30, 40) which form the capacitor electrodes of said touchpad (10).