Abstract: A composite fabric garment includes a first garment portion disposed in one or more upper regions of the fabric garment, i.e. those regions relatively more likely in use to be exposed to wind and rain, and a second garment portion disposed in one or more lower regions of the fabric garment, i.e. those regions relatively less likely in use to be exposed to wind and rain. The first garment portion is formed of a first composite fabric having first inner and outer fabric layers and a first intermediate barrier layer disposed between and bonded to at least one of the first inner and outer fabric layers, the first intermediate barrier layer being breathable and substantially impermeable to wind and liquid water. The second garment portion is formed of a second composite fabric formed of second inner and outer fabric layers and having predetermined air permeability.

Abstract: Electric heating/warming composite fabric articles have at least a fabric layer having inner and outer surfaces, and an electric heating/warming element in the form of a flexible, preferably stretchable, electricity-conducting film disposed at the inner surface of the fabric layer and adapted to generate heating/warning when connected to a power source. A barrier layer may be positioned, for example, adjacent to the inner surface of the fabric layer; e.g., with the electric heating/warming element formed thereupon, including to protect the electric circuit, e.g. against abrasion. Methods of forming electric 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, e.g., laid in, e.g., in the knit-welt or tuck-welt configuration, 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 of knitted or woven construction with multi-filament, interlaced yarns has a pile or raised or fleece region on its inner surface and a discontinuous coating of binder material on its outer surface. The binder material provides improved durability against pilling and fraying without substantial adverse effect on characteristics of the base fabric. A method of forming the fabric article is also described.

Abstract: An electric heating/warming element consists of a water-resistant, vapor permeable bladder containing an electrical heating/warming circuit that generates heat when attached to a source of electrical power.

Abstract: An air-permeable composite fabric is provided. The composite fabric has an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an intermediate vapor barrier. The vapor barrier is selected from adhesive material and an adhesive/membrane combination designed so the composite fabric has a level of air permeability to allow air flow between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer and a variable level of water vapor diffusion resistance that decreases as air speed impinging on the composite fabric increases.

Abstract: An electrically conductive fabric for use in articles of clothing worn for shielding against electromagnetic radiation includes a knit body with a first broad surface and an opposite, second broad surface where at least one of the surfaces includes a fleece or raised surface. The conductive fabric further includes stitch yarns of electrically conductive fibers and loop yarns comprising non-conductive fibers. The non-conductive fibers of the loop yarns are finished upon at least one of the first broad surface and second broad surface to form the fleece or raised surface, with electrically conductive fibers of the stitch yarns being embedded among the non-conductive fibers and between and spaced from the first and the second broad surfaces.

Abstract: A double face knit fabric has a technical face with a velour or fleece surface and a first set of appearance characteristics and a technical back with a velvet surface and a second set of appearance characteristics. The first set of appearance characteristics is different from the second set of appearance characteristics. Pile yarns are processed by napping or raising to form the velour or fleece surface at the technical face and the pile yarns are processed to form the velvet surface at the technical back.

Abstract: A fabric is formed by cooperatively knitting together a plurality of backing or stitch yarns and pile yarns to define a technical face with a velour surface and a first set of appearance characteristics and a technical back with a velvet face and a second set of appearance characteristics, the first set of appearance characteristics contrasting to the second set of appearance characteristics. A method of forming the fabric is also described.

Abstract: A 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 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 loop yarn includes flame retardant material, such as M-Aramide fiber. The fabric body has a velour surface formed at one or both of 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 90 ft3/ft2/min, or less, under a pressure difference of ½ inch of water across the fabric body.

Abstract: A 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 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 loop yarn includes flame retardant material, such as M-Aramide fiber. The fabric body has a velour surface formed at one or both of 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 90 ft3/ft2/min, or less, under a pressure difference of ½ inch of water across the fabric body.

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: A raised surface fabric knit on a conventional terry knitting machine is provided. On one face of the fabric, a foamed liquid wicking composition is applied, and on the other face, a foamed liquid repellent composition is applied. Preferably, one or both faces of the fabric are napped prior to application of the foam. Further, it is preferable to first apply the foamed liquid repellent composition before applying the formed liquid wicking composition.

Abstract: A multi-layered garment system including a primary garment including a thermal layer with at least one raised surface and an outer shell garment including a body constructed of a tightly woven fabric. The shell fabric is breathable, water repellent, and wind resistant. The body of the shell has an upper portion and a lower portion. A vapor permeable moisture barrier that is waterproof and windproof covers the upper portion of the body.

Abstract: A 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 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 loop yarn includes flame retardant material, such as M-Aramide fiber. The fabric body has a velour surface formed at one or both of 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 90 ft3/ft2/min, or less, under a pressure difference of ½ inch of water across the fabric body.

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: Electric heating/warning composite fabric articles have at least a fabric layer having inner and outer surfaces, and an electric heating/warming element, formed, e.g., of die cut, conductive textile or plastic sheeting or metal foil, affixed at the inner surface of the fabric layer and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A barrier layer may be positioned, for example, adjacent to the inner surface of the fabric layer; e.g., with the electric heating/warming element formed thereupon, including to protect the electric circuit, e.g. against abrasion.

Abstract: An electrically conductive fabric for use in articles of clothing worn for shielding against electromagnetic radiation includes a knit body with a first broad surface and an opposite, second broad surface where at least one of the surfaces includes a fleece or raised surface. The conductive fabric further includes stitch yarns of electrically conductive fibers and loop yarns comprising non-conductive fibers. The non-conductive fibers of the loop yarns are finished upon at least one of the first broad surface and second broad surface to form the fleece or raised surface, with electrically conductive fibers of the stitch yarns being embedded among the non-conductive fibers and between and spaced from the first and the second broad surfaces.

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.