High Thermal Performance Arc and Flame Protective Fabric

Embodiments of the present invention may include high thermal performance arc and flame protective fabric. The fabric may be a combination of different fibers contained in differing amounts at differing locations The fabric may also have two and three differing main yarns. Further, the fabric warp may have a singular yarn type while the fill may include a different yarn type, or vice versa.

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Description

This invention relates to the field of special use clothing and other items. It relates to fabric constructions for use in applications that require special protection for a wearer. Specifically, it relates to items of clothing and fabrics for use in such items in conditions whereby either or both fire protection or electrical discharge protection is desired or required with excellent thermal performance, comfort, durability and reliability.

BACKGROUND

In many applications, it is desired to have items of clothing that combines superior thermal performance with other properties. These properties may include some degree of protection from or resistance to conditions of either flame or electrical discharge. As one example, in fire fighting, military, or other such governmental services conditions, obviously it can be desired to provide good thermal performance with some degree of fire resistance. While items such as polypropylene or polyethylene or other synthetic under- or over-garments may afford good thermal performance, they may not provide an adequate combination of fire or flame protection or resistance. The magnitude of this aspect can be well understood by the fact that by some estimates 85% of all wounding occurring to our military in Iraq is from burns. While currently popular undergarments may wick sweat and provide a comfortable feel, their very chemical structure may be such that upon contact by a flame or other explosion such as from an improvised explosive device (IED) or the like, the undergarment may actually melt onto the wearer's skin and may cause significant injury. Similarly, when a fireman or other emergency person is responding to a situation in a cold or wet environment such as often occurs, while the use of special fire protective clothing such as Nomex® or the like may protect against flame, the wearer may not be kept adequately warm.

Similar concerns may exist for persons involved in working within the electrical or public utility industry. Specifically, in situations of servicing high voltage overhead wires or the like, service personnel are required to wear special clothing that affords a high resistance to electrical breakdown. Such special clothing is referred to as Arc Thermal protective clothing and there are even ratings provided to certify such items for use in these applications. Again, while there are fabrics and items of clothing (ranging from jackets and gloves to undershirts and socks) that have been especially formulated to provide the desired electrical breakdown protections, these rarely combine the desired thermal performance. In addition to the special arc thermal or other property required, each such items may need or at least be desired to provide a high degree of protection from or performance with respect to both or either heat or cold and/or wet or dry conditions.

At the same time, wearer comfort is also required. This is desired both from the perspective of providing a desired items for the wearer, but also from the practical perspective that if more comfortable, the focal point, namely, the protection of the soldier, fire fighter, or utility employee, will be more reliably achieved if the wearer is not unhappy wearing the required item and if the wearer is not prone to altering the desired layers such as by adding a more comfortable undergarment next to the skin, thereby reducing the efficacy of the overall system. This also has a desired cost impact whereby the fabric or resulting item of clothing is available at a cost that permits its widespread use to achieve the desired goals.

Further, it is necessary that the item of protective clothing be able to be washed and treated in the same fashion as common items of clothing. This is a particular concern because until now, protective clothing items such as Nomex® and Kevlar® and the like have often needed special care. In some circumstances, they may not have been able to be washed. Often, merely subjecting such items to a detergent could ruin them. Ideally, such items need to be launderable while still maintaining adequate protective (or perhaps even certified) fire resistant or arc resistant characteristics. Further, they may not have been able to be place in direct sunlight without significant degradation. sometimes merely placing such items on the dash of a vehicle has ruined them or at least caused them to no longer meet the ASTM standard such as the minimal threshold arc thermal requirement of about 8 cal/cm2, or the like. Obviously unusual care requirements are not desired and in practice may not be achieved.

In the field, efforts have often focused on one performance characteristic to the effective exclusion of the others. U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,178 to Berbner describes a melamine fabric having fire retardant properties. Although its construction indicates that it includes wool (presumably largely for its thermal insulative properties), it utilizes wool that it characterizes as “normal flammable” and thus, it requires more expensive elements, coating, or the like in order to achieve its stated goals. Furthermore, no mention is made of any electrical discharge or breakdown protection. Most importantly, it does not provide the needed balance between fire, electrical, thermal, comfort, and cost factors to achieve a fabric or item of clothing to the degree needed.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,785 to Barbeau describes a Nomex® and aramid (Kevlar®) fabric having fire retardant properties. Its construction indicates that it includes Nomex® and Kevlar® for their fire protection properties. There is not mention of the thermal insulative properties desired. In addition, there is, once again, no mention of any electrical discharge or breakdown protection. It also does not provide the needed balance between fire, electrical, thermal, comfort, and cost factors to achieve a fabric or item of clothing to the degree needed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,264 to Kalin describes a wool and synthetic fabric not for clothing, but for seat covers such as for use in a wheelchair or the like. Its goal is durability, not fire-protective or electrical discharge-protective properties. With no mention of fire or electrical discharge properties, it also does not provide the needed balance between fire, electrical, thermal, comfort, and cost factors to achieve a fabric or item of clothing to the degree needed.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,235 to Chi describes a high strength fabric including a high percentage of Kevlar®. As a denim, it is designed for high durability, but again, there is no mention of any fire resistant, or electrical discharge protection. Similarly, it does not provide the needed balance between fire, electrical, thermal, comfort, and cost factors to achieve a fabric or item of clothing to the degree needed.

Perhaps the degree to which an almost myopic focus on one property occurs to the exclusion of others can be seen in various references disclose focused fire protective fabrics and items. Although each may function well in its limited environment, US Patent Application Publication No. 2003203690 to Hess, Japanese Patent No. 3261412 to Junzo, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,876 to Lem each describe fire retardant or flame resistant fabrics or items, however, each has its own limited focus and makes no mention of the need for combined properties that include all of the electrical discharge, thermal, cost, and comfort factors needed. Again, these do not provide the needed balance between fire, electrical, thermal, comfort, and cost factors to achieve a fabric or item of clothing to the degree needed.

Similarly, European Publication No. 748595 to Dapsalmon describes an aramid fabric designed for a mechanically protective purpose. It focuses on a Kevlar® or aramid item that provides mechanical protection such as cut or abrasion protection with no mention of any fire resistant, electrical discharge, or thermal protection properties and similarly does not provide the needed balance of properties. Further, while International Patent Publication No WO218688 to Howland describes a general fabrication technique, the very general nature of its focus is not for a specific property but rather the fabrication of a variety of items, not specific properties to be achieved by them.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,023 to Gerhardt describes an arc welder's item to address factors from a thermal, arc, fire, and comfort perspective. It, however, does not achieve a balance of properties such as the present invention. European Publication No. 896644 to Berbner returns to the flame protective focus, but it, too, does not strike the proper balance of properties to achieve the performance of the present invention from the varied perspectives.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,537 to Devlin describes an improved aramid fabric coated with diamond-like carbon included for enhanced mechanical properties. There is no mention made of any fire, electrical discharge, or breakdown protections. It also does not provide the needed balance between fire, electrical, thermal, comfort, and cost factors to achieve a fabric or item of clothing to the degree needed.

Even specialty fire and electrical resistant fabrics and fibers such as that mentioned in TohoTenax Specification for Pyromex® polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber and Zoltek Specification for Pyron® PAN fiber are not mentioned in combination with the total collection of properties desired here. Neither is taught to be used in the combination disclosed such that a result achieves the needed balance between fire, electrical, thermal, comfort, and cost factors to achieve a fabric or item of clothing to the degree needed here.

In summary, the desired degree of combination of capabilities has not been made adequately available in a system or in a fabric that appropriately combines needed and desired characteristics. From a simplified perspective, high fire retardant, strong mechanical, and arc resistant fabrics such as Nomex®, Kevlar® and other items either get too cold when wet, breakdown in sunlight or when washed, or otherwise miss the mark for a fabric such as achieved here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one type of embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of another type of embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a conceptual cross section of an encased yarn having two layering twisted fibers.

 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As mentioned earlier, the present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

The invention can be understood by reference to two specific initial embodiments and the figures generally depicting fabric constructions. The two specific embodiments having specific compositions are referred to under the existing Omnitherm® and Omnilite® brands but should be understood as new and enhanced types of fabrics and products sold under the existing brands. Each of these fabrics and items involve specific weaves that may be accomplished on a Jacquard or other weave or mill with initial values as shown. Jacquard weaving is helpful because it affords an ability to sequence weavings and control placements in a programmed manner.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in generally, there may be a combination of different fibers contained in differing amounts at differing locations. The examples in the figures depict embodiments of fabrics having two and three differing main yarns. These two types may even be further segmented into specific compositions for differing locations within the fabric. FIG. 1 depicts a weave having a warp (up-down) (1) and a fill or weft (left-right)(2). As shown, the warp may have a singular yarn type while the fill may include a different yarn type. Further, one of the fill yarn types may be the same or similar to that in the warp. Thus, as shown in the embodiment on FIG. 1, there may be only two different types of yarn. As also shown, the fill (2) may include a main fill yarn type (3) and a secondary fill yarn type (4). This main fill yarn type (3) and a secondary fill yarn type (4) may be sequenced perhaps regularly to provide the desired constituency.

Similarly, the embodiment in FIG. 2 shows a warp(1) and fill (2) in which the warp (1) may contain two different yarn types and the fill may be a singular, third type of yarn. As also shown, the warp may contain a main warp yarn type (5) and a secondary warp yarn type (6). Further in creating the weave, patterns can be programmed to achieve the desired overlap and underlay construction as is well known. This may even be programmed to create patterns or impressions such as camouflaging or the like.

Regardless of locations and perhaps in desired arrangements, the yarns used may be composed of fibers such as wool, aramid or Kevlar®, cotton, oxi-PAN fibers (OPF), or other such inclusions. As but one example, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 may be understood as representing in one embodiment perhaps a fabric such as the Enhanced OmniLite® fabric discussed below. This may include a first wool warp component yarn (7), perhaps such as a 2/56s wool, a second wool fill component yarn (8), perhaps such as a 3.75 run wool, and even a first interstitial fill yarn (9), perhaps such as a 2/30 cc oxi-PAN fiber yarn (OPF). In an alternative embodiment such as shown in FIG. 2, yarn may include a wool fill component yarn (13), perhaps such as a 3.00 run wool, a cotton warp component yarn (14), perhaps such as a 26/2 cc cotton, and an interstitial warp yarn (15), perhaps such as an oxi-PAN fiber yarn (OPF).

Regardless of whether configured as a fill or warp yarn, the interstitial yarn may be an item such as an oxi-PAN fiber yarn. This OPF may be a PAN fiber wrapped or encased somehow in a protective or other functional yarn such as carbon and wool protective layers or coatings or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, this interstitial or other yarn may have first and second encasement twisted fibers (10) and (11) around one or more main strands (12) in some selected ratio and with some selected twist.

As to the specifications set forth throughout, it should be understood that these are provided in initial units only. Various possibly equivalent units of each should be understood to encompass values as might be calculated from a conversion perhaps such as provided by Cleave Books in their understanding of textile yarns and the like and the various systems in use internationally.

To understand an initial embodiment, the following table lists characteristics for one embodiment here referred to as an enhanced Omnitherm® embodiment as a Base Specification listing:

Omnitherm® Base Specification

3.00 run 26/2 cc 2/20 cc 20/2 cc wool cotton OPF Fill Warp Warp 70.7 ------1800ends---- pks/in --- 83% 15% 2% 14.6 t/″ Z 8.7 t/″ S

In the above, the fabric may include an OPF component which may have the following Base OPF Specification:

Oxi-PAN Base Specification

pan wool&Kevlar ® Kevlar ®/para-aramid 40% 30% 30%

i.e. 20/2 cc 14.6 t/″ Z 8.7 t/″ S

In each of the above tables, it should be understood that these list two initial embodiments to illustrate aspects of the invention. Referring to the upper portion of the Omnitherm® table, it can be seen that the table lists general components and this embodiment may comprise a wool, cotton, and oxi-PAN (OPF) fiber. Further even the oxi-PAN fiber may comprise constituents that include a PAN fiber, a wool fiber, and a para-aramid or perhaps Kevlar® fiber. In addition to the mere constituency, specific grades of yarn may be used. These may include a cotton having the grade specification 26/2, namely including a two ply fiber, perhaps each with a number 26 sizing using the English Cotton (cc) specification system. Further, this cotton may be provided in the warp direction such as on a Jacquard weave or the like. Similarly as to the wool specification of this embodiment, the wool may be included or comprised of a yarn having a 3.00 run such as set forth in a Woollen, American Run system of specification. This may be provided in a fill or weft direction with respect to the above cotton in this embodiment. The oxi-Pan fiber (OPF) may be also sized according to an English Cotton (cc) specification and may have a 2/20 or perhaps equivalent 20/2 specification. This again, may be a two ply yarn with each yarn having a number 20 sizing again according to the English Cotton specification system. The oxi-PAN fiber may be included in a warp direction. In addition to the above specifications, set percentages may be included. In the finished fabric, the above wool may be included so as to comprise about 83%, the cotton about 15%, and the OPF about 2%, each of the finished fabric. In setting such specification, the term “about” should be understood to include disclosure of each of the value specified (regardless of units), and values ranging up or down from the disclosed value by about 10%, 5%, and 2% of and from the specified value. With respect to percentage specifications, it can also be understood from the table that the OPF itself may have percentage allocations itself with perhaps about 40% of the OPF being PAN, about 30% of the OPF being wool, and the remaining about 30% of the OPF being a para-aramid or Kevlar® or the like. Further in the weaving specification, it should be understood that the above fill yarn may have about 70.7 picks per inch and the above warp yarn may have about 1800 ends in a 55″ wide weave. The OPF may similarly have about 14.6 twists per inch in the Z direction and about 8.7 twists per inch in the S direction. Further, each of the above may be woven with patterns or programmed sequencing to achieve a desired look, such as camouflaged, patterned, uniform, two sided, or other looks.

As another embodiment, the following table lists characteristics for one embodiment here referred to as an enhanced OmniLite® embodiment as a Base Specification listing:

OmniLite® Base Specification

2/56 s 3.75 run 2/30 cc 30/2 cc wool wool OPF Warp Fill Fill 3447 ends -----49.8 pks/in--- --- ---------97%------ — 3% --- 14.6 t/″ Z 8.7 t/″ S

The enhanced Omnitherm® may have a similar OPF component which may have the following Base OPF Specification:

Oxi-PAN Base Specification

pan wool Kevlar ®/para-aramid 40% 30% 30%

i.e. 30/2 cc 14.6 t/″ Z 8.7 t/″ S

Similarly, referring to the upper portion of the OmniLite® table, it can be seen that the table lists general components and this embodiment may comprise mainly a wool and oxi-PAN (OPF) fiber. Further even the oxi-PAN fiber may comprise constituents that include a PAN fiber, a wool fiber, and a para-aramid or perhaps Kevlar® fiber. In addition to the mere constituency, specific grades of yarn may be used. These may include a wool having the grade specification 2/56, namely including a two ply fiber, perhaps each with a number 56 sizing, here, using the Worsted specification system. Further, this wool may be provided in the warp direction such as on a Jacquard weave or the like. Similarly as to the fill specification of this embodiment, there may also be included a wool perhaps comprised of a yarn having a 3.75 run such as set forth in a Woollen, American Run system of specification. This may be provided in a fill or weft direction with respect to the above warp wool in this embodiment. The oxi-Pan fiber (OPF) may be sized according to an English Cotton (cc) specification and may have a 2/30 or perhaps equivalent 30/2 specification. This again, may be a two ply yarn with each yarn having a number 30 sizing again according to the English Cotton specification system. In this embodiment, the oxi-PAN fiber may be included in the fill direction. In addition to the above specifications, set percentages may be included. In the finished fabric, the above wool (in both warp and fill) may be included so as to comprise about 97%, and the OPF about 3%, each of the finished fabric. Again the term “about” should be understood to include disclosure of each of the various values as set forth above, including the disclosed value and a range of values altered by about 10%, 5%, and 2% of and from the specified value. Again, the OPF itself may have percentage allocations itself with perhaps about 40% of the OPF being PAN, about 30% of the OPF being wool, and the remaining about 30% of the OPF being a para-aramid or Kevlar® or the like. Further in the weaving specification, it should be understood that the above fill yarn may have about 49.8 picks per inch and the above warp yarn may have about 3447 ends, here in a 59″ wide weave. The OPF may similarly have about 14.6 twists per inch in the Z direction and about 8.7 twists per inch in the S direction. Once again, each of the above may be woven with patterns or programmed sequencing to achieve a desired look, such as camouflaged, patterned, uniform, two sided, or other looks.

A variety of variations may also be included. For example, in the following two tables, alternative values for the Enhanced Omnitherm® fabric and the Enhanced OmniLite® fabric are also specified. The Omnitherm® may have alternative specification as follows:

Omnitherm® Alternative Specification

wool cotton OPF Direction Fill Warp Warp Worsted equiv 8.6 19.5 15 yds(hank)/lb 4816 10920 8400 CC equiv 5.7 13 10 yds(hank)/lb 4788 10920 8400 denier equiv 930 409 531 gm/9 km 930 409 531 tex 103 45.4 59.1 gm/km 103 45.4 59.1

From the above Omnitherm® alternative specification table, it should be understood that various alternative weights or grades of the various yarns may be included in other embodiments. In considering worsted specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about a number 8.6 worsted may be included in the fill direction, a cotton totaling (again, regardless of plies) about a number 19.5 worsted may be included in the warp direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about a number 15 worsted may be included in the warp direction. In considering yards (hank) per pound specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about 4816 or perhaps about 4788 yards (hank) per pound may be included in the fill direction, a cotton totaling (again, regardless of plies) about 10920 yards (hank) per pound may be included in the warp direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about 8400 yards (hank) per pound may be included in the warp direction. Within this OPF, it is also possible that the PAN (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 3360 yards (hank) per pound, the wool (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 2520 yards (hank) per pound, and the Kevlar® or para-aramid (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 2520 yards (hank) per pound, or may be about equal. In considering English Cotton specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about a number 5.7 english cotton may be included in the fill direction, a cotton totaling (again, regardless of plies) about a number 13 english cotton may be included in the warp direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about a number 10 english cotton may be included in the warp direction. In considering denier specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about 930 denier or gm/9 km may be included in the fill direction, a cotton totaling (again, regardless of plies) about 409 denier or gm/9 km may be included in the warp direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about 531 denier or gm/9 km may be included in the warp direction. Within this OPF, it is also possible that the PAN (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 212.4 denier or gm/9 km, the wool (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 159.3 denier or gm/9 km, and the Kevlar® or para-aramid (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 159.3 denier or gm/9 km, or may be about equal. In considering the international tex specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about 103 tex or gm/km may be included in the fill direction, a cotton totaling (again, regardless of plies) about 45.4 tex or gm/km may be included in the warp direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about 59.1 tex or gm/km may be included in the warp direction. Within this OPF, it is also possible that the PAN (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 23.6 tex or gm/km, the wool (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 17.7 tex or gm/km, and the Kevlar® or para-aramid (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 17.7 tex or gm/km, or may be about equal.

A variety of variations may also be included for OmniLite® as well. For example, in the following tables, alternative values for the Enhanced OmniLite® fabric are specified:

OmniLite® Alternative Specification

wool wool OPF Warp Fill Fill Worsted equiv 28 10.7 22.5 yds(hank)/lb 15680 5992 12600 CC equiv 18.7 7.14 15 yds(hank)/lb 15708 5997.6 12600 denier equiv 285 744 354 gm/9 km 285 744 354 tex 31.6 82.7 39.4 gm/km 31.6 82.7 39.4

From the above OmniLite® alternative specification table, it should be understood that various alternative weights or grades of the various yarns may be included in other embodiments. In considering worsted specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about a number 28 worsted may be included in the warp direction, a wool totaling (again, regardless of plies) about a number 10.7 worsted may be included in the fill direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about a number 22.5 worsted may be included in the fill direction. In considering yards (hank) per pound specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about 15680 or perhaps about 15708 yards (hank) per pound may be included in the warp direction, a wool totaling (again, regardless of plies) about 5992 or perhaps 5998 yards (hank) per pound may be included in the fill direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about 12600 yards (hank) per pound may be included in the fill direction. Within this OPF, it is also possible that the PAN (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 5040 yards (hank) per pound, the wool (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 3780 yards (hank) per pound, and the Kevlar® or para-aramid (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 3780 yards (hank) per pound, or may be about equal. In considering English Cotton specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about a number 18.7 english cotton may be included in the warp direction, a wool totaling (again, regardless of plies) about a number 7.14 english cotton may be included in the fill direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about a number 15 english cotton may be included in the fill direction. In considering denier specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about 285 denier or gm/9 km may be included in the warp direction, a wool totaling (again, regardless of plies) about 744 denier or gm/9 km may be included in the fill direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about 354 denier or gm/9 km may be included in the fill direction. Within this OPF, it is also possible that the PAN (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 141.6 denier or gm/9 km, the wool (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 106.2 denier or gm/9 km, and the Kevlar® or para-aramid (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 106.2 denier or gm/9 km, or may be about equal. In considering the international tex specifications, a wool totaling (regardless of plies) about 31.6 tex or gm/km may be included in the warp direction, a wool totaling (again, regardless of plies) about 82.7 tex or gm/km may be included in the fill direction, and an OPF totaling (again, regardless of plies and composition) about 39.4 tex or gm/km may be included in the fill direction. Within this OPF, it is also possible that the PAN (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 15.8 tex or gm/km, the wool (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 11.8 tex or gm/km, and the Kevlar® or para-aramid (regardless of plies and composition) may have about 11.8 tex or gm/km, or may be about equal.

Overall weight of produced fabric with the above percentages or other specifications may be as shown in the Overall Specification Table for the Enhanced Omnitherm® fabric:

Omnitherm® Finish Specification

OPF OPF OPF wool cotton OPF pan wool Kevlar ® Overall oz/yd@55″ 17.1 3.1 0.41 0.16 0.12 0.12 20.6 oz/sqyd 11.2 2.0 0.27 0.11 0.08 0.08 13.5 oz/yd@59″ 18.3 3.3 0.44 0.18 0.13 0.13 22.1

In this Omnitherm® overall specification, it can be seen that the overall fabric may have a weight per square yard of about 13.5 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 22.1 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 20.6 oz/yard at 55 inches width. Of these amounts, the fill wool alone may constitute or comprise about 11.2 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 18.3 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 17.1 oz/yard at 55 inches width, the warp cotton alone may constitute or comprise about 2.0 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 3.3 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 3.1 oz/yard at 55 inches width, and the warp OPF alone may constitute or comprise about 0.27 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.44 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.41 oz/yard at 55 inches width. Within the OPF, the PAN fiber alone may constitute or comprise about 0.11 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.18 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.16 oz/yard at 55 inches width, the wool twist fiber alone may constitute or comprise about 0.08 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.13 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.12 oz/yard at 55 inches width, and the para-aramid or Kevlar® twist fiber alone may constitute or comprise about 0.08 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.13 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.12 oz/yard at 55 inches width, or may be about equal.

Overall weight of produced fabric with the above percentages or other specifications may be as shown in the Overall Specification Table for the Enhanced Omnitherm® fabric:

OmniLite® Finish

Specification

OPF OPF OPF Over- wool cotton OPF pan wool Kevlar ® all oz/yd@55″ 13.4 <---------- 0.41 0.17 0.12 0.12 13.8 oz/sqyd 8.8 <---------- 0.27 0.11 0.08 0.08  9.0 oz/yd@59″ 14.4 <---------- 0.44 0.18 0.13 0.13 14.8

In this OmniLite® overall specification, it can be seen that the overall fabric may have a weight per square yard of about 9.0 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 14.8 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 13.8 oz/yard at 55 inches width. Of these amounts, the wool alone may constitute or comprise about 8.8 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 14.4 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 13.4 oz/yard at 55 inches width, and the fill OPF alone may constitute or comprise about 0.27 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.44 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.41 oz/yard at 55 inches width. Within the OPF, the PAN fiber alone may constitute or comprise about 0.11 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.18 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.17 oz/yard at 55 inches width, the wool twist fiber alone may constitute or comprise about 0.08 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.13 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.12 oz/yard at 55 inches width, and the para-aramid or Kevlar® twist fiber alone may constitute or comprise about 0.08 oz/sq yd or an equivalent overall weight of about 0.13 oz/yard at 59 inches width or about 0.12 oz/yard at 55 inches width, or may be about equal.

In result, the above fabrics have excellent fire and flame resistive properties and excellent arc discharge and arc thermal properties. For example, test have shown that some of the fabrics disclosed can achieve an arc thermal rating of about 20.8 cal/cm2 and have also achieved a heat attenuation factor of about 88.9%. This can even outperform some specialty fabrics such as certain items made from Nomex® or the like.

Further, to some degree the fabrics may be viewed as if having unique radiant heat impacts. It may serve to keep a wearer warm as well as cool. It may even serve as a sparkplug to seemingly generate a feel (if not actuality) of heat in cold environments. It may act to absorb moisture from the wearer and may act to add caloric content at the right instant. The vapors generated and adsorbed may enhance both heat and cool insulative properties and feel to the wearer. Vapor absorption may also act in hunting or other situations to control scent release from a wearer and may serve scent suppressive requirement for outdoor enthusiasts and the like all with a comfort level not to be matched. Further, if launderable, this may even serve to recharge scent suppressive characteristics.

Important to the breadth of this disclosure is the fact that each of the above may be varied within ranges and by amounts and may be combined in any manner. As some examples, it should be understood that a variety of values (all with “about” variability as specified above) may be specified and claimed. For example, ultimately the following specifications (each understood as independent and building on each and any of the others) may be used as a basis for claims for which protection is or may be ultimately sought.

A fabric having significant flame resistant properties.

A fabric having significant arc discharge resistant properties.

An fabric having significant arc thermal properties.

An above fabric having significant thermal properties.

An above fabric that is launderable while retaining significant properties such as listed above.

A fabric comprising: a wool, a flame resistant fiber, and a protective thread encasement.

An above fabric wherein the flame resistant component comprises fibers selected from a group consisting of: an aramid, a para-aramid, a meta-aramid, a polybenzimidazole, a polyimide, a polyamidelimide, a polyphenylenesulfide, a melamine, a homopolymer acrylic, a UHMPE, a carbon, an oxidized polyacrylonitrile, a “Kevlar” fiber, and a “Nomex” fiber.

An above fabric having balanced cost with significant flame resistant properties.

An above fabric wherein the fibers are combined in a single layer weave.

An fabric comprising: a wool, a cotton a flame resistant fiber, and a protective thread encasement in various interrelations of warp and fill.

An above fabric wherein the flame resistant component comprises an encased fiber.

An above fabric wherein the encased fiber is encased by a carbon material.

An above fabric wherein the carbon material comprises a twisted encasing.

An above fabric wherein the wool and flame resistant fibers are contained at percentages selected from a group consisting of ranged percentages for wool: flame resistant substance of: 0% to about 99%:1% to about 10%, 90% to about 98%:2% to about 10%, 96% to about 98%:2% to about 4%, and 97%:3%.

An above fabric wherein the wool and flame resistant fibers are contained at percentages selected from a group consisting of ranged percentages for wool: flame resistant: cotton substance of: 0% to about 95%:1% to about 10%:5% to about 20%, 70% to about 90%:2% to about 10%:10% to about 20%, 80% to about 85%:2% to about 4%:12% to about 18%, 83%:15%:2%, and 84%:14%:2%.

An above fabric having a finished weight selected from a group consisting of: 15 oz/yd@55″ width to about 25 oz/yd@55″ width, 19 oz/yd@55″ width to about 22 oz/yd@55″ width, 20 to about 21 oz/yd@55″ width, about 20.6 oz/yd@55″ width, 12 oz/yd@59″ to about 20 oz/yd@59″, 14 oz/yd@59″ to about 16 oz/yd@59″, about 15 oz/yd@59″, about 14.8 oz/yd@59″, 5 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd, 7 oz/sqyd to about 11 oz/sqyd, 8 oz/sqyd to about 10 oz/sqyd, about 9.0 oz/sqyd, 8 oz/sqyd to about 20 oz/sqyd, 11 oz/sqyd to about 17 oz/sqyd, 13 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd, and about 13.5 oz/sqyd.

An above fabric having a wool component weight selected from a group consisting of: 11 oz/yd@55″ to about 15 oz/yd@55″, 13 oz/yd@55″ to about 14 oz/yd@55″, about 13.5 oz/yd@55″, about 13.4 oz/yd@55″, about 13.6 oz/yd@55″, 15 oz/yd@55″ to about 19 oz/yd@55″, about 17 oz/yd@55″, about 17.1 oz/yd@55″, about 17.2 oz/yd@55″, 11 oz/yd@59″ to about 18 oz/yd@59″, 14 oz/yd@59″ to about 15 oz/yd@59″, 14.4 oz/yd@59″, 14.5 oz/yd@59″, 13 oz/yd@59″ to about 23,16 oz/yd@59″ to about 20,18 oz/yd@59″,18.3 oz/yd@59″, 18.4 oz/yd@59″,5 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd, 8 oz/sqyd to about 10 oz/sqyd, 9 oz/sqyd, 8.8 oz/sqyd, 8.9 oz/sqyd, 8 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd, 10 oz/sqyd to about 13 oz/sqyd, 11 oz/sqyd, 11.2 oz/sqyd, and 11.3 oz/sqyd.

An above fabric having a wool wrapping or encasing component weight selected from a group consisting of: 0.08 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.16 oz/yd@55″, 0.10 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.14 oz/yd@55″, 0.12 oz/yd@55″, 0.09 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.17 oz/yd@59″, 0.11 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.15 oz/yd@59″, 0.13 oz/yd@59″, 0.05 oz/sqyd to about 0.15 oz/sqyd, 0.06 oz/sqyd to about 0.10 oz/sqyd, and 0.08 oz/sqyd.

An above fabric having a flame resistant component weight selected from a group consisting of: 0.2 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.6 oz/yd@55″, 0.3 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.5 oz/yd@55″, 0.4 oz/yd@55″, 0.41 oz/yd@55″, 0.2 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.6 oz/yd@59″, 0.3 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.5 oz/yd@59″, 0.4 oz/yd@59″, 0.44 oz/yd@59″, 0.1 oz/sqyd to about 0.6 oz/sqyd, 0.2 oz/sqyd to about 0.4 oz/sqyd, 0.3 oz/sqyd, and 0.27 oz/sqyd.

An above fabric having a para-aramid component weight selected from a group consisting of: 0.1 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.3 oz/yd@55″, 0.2 oz/yd@55″, 0.17 oz/yd@55″, 0.16 oz/yd@55″, 0.1 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.3 oz/yd@59″, 0.2 oz/yd@59″, 0.18 oz/yd@59″, 0.05 oz/sqyd to about 0.15 oz/sqyd, 0.1 oz/sqyd, and about 0.11 oz/sqyd.

An above fabric having a PAN component weight for a flame resistant yarn selected from a group consisting of: 0.08 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.16 oz/yd@55″, 0.10 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.14 oz/yd@55″, 0.12 oz/yd@55″, 0.09 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.17 oz/yd@59″, 0.11 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.15 oz/yd@59″, 0.13 oz/yd@59″, 0.05 oz/sqyd to about 0.15 oz/sqyd, 0.06 oz/sqyd to about 0.10 oz/sqyd, and about 0.08 oz/sqyd.

An above fabric having a cotton component weight selected from a group consisting of: 2.7 oz/yd@55″ to about 3.5 oz/yd@55″, 3.0 oz/yd@55″ to about 3.2 oz/yd@55″, 3.1 oz/yd@55″, 2.9 oz/yd@59″ to about 3.7 oz/yd@59″, 3.2 oz/yd@59″ to about 3.4 oz/yd@59″, 3.3 oz/yd@59″, 1.6 oz/sqyd to about 2.4 oz/sqyd, 1.9 oz/sqyd to about 2.1 oz/sqyd, and 2.0 oz/sqyd.

An above fabric having a wool component ply number selected from a group consisting of: 1 to about 6, 2 to about 4, and about 2 plies.

An above fabric having a wool component yarn size selected from a group consisting of: 8 worsted system number to about 12 worsted system number, 10 worsted system number, 10.7 worsted system number, 40 worsted system number to about 80 worsted system number, 50 worsted system number to about 60 worsted system number, 56 worsted system number, 1/28 ply/worsted system number, 2/56 ply/worsted system number, 3/84 ply/worsted system number, 4/112 ply/worsted system number.

An above fabric having a wool component yarn size selected from a group consisting of:

1 American Run to about 6 American Run, 2 American Run to about 5 American Run, 4 American Run, about 3.75 American Run, all perhaps as fill, 1 American Run to about 5 American Run, 2 American Run to about 4 American Run, 3 American Run, all perhaps as fill, 4000 yds/lb to about 8000 yds/lb, 5000 yds/lb to about 7000 yds/lb, 6000 yds/lb, 5992 yds/lb, all perhaps as fill, 12000 yds/lb to about 20000 yds/lb, 14000 yds/lb to about 18000 yds/lb, 15000 yds/lb to about 17000 yds/lb, 16000 yds/lb, 15680 yds/lb, all perhaps as warp, 200 denier to about 400 denier, 250 denier to about 350 denier, 300 denier, 285 denier, all perhaps as warp, 500 denier to about 1000 denier, 650 denier to about 850 denier, 750 denier, 744 denier, all perhaps as fill, 20 tex to about 40 tex, 25 tex to about 35 tex, 30 tex, 31.6 tex, all perhaps as warp, 60 tex to about 100 tex, 70 tex to about 90 tex, 80 tex, 82.7 tex, all perhaps as fill

An above fabric having a flame resistant ply number selected from a group consisting of: 1 to about 6, 2 to about 4, and 2 plies.

An above fabric having a flame resistant yarn size selected from a group consisting of: 10 english cotton number to about 80 english cotton number, 15 english cotton number to about 50 english cotton number, 15 english cotton number to about 25 english cotton number, 20 english cotton number to about 40 english cotton number, 20 english cotton number, 25 english cotton number to about 35 english cotton number, and 30 english cotton number.

An above fabric having a flame resistant yarn specification selected from a group consisting of: 2/20, 20/2,10/1,30/3, and 40/4, all perhaps as warp, 2/30, 30/2,15/1,45/3, and 60/4, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a flame resistant yarn with PAN: para-aramid: wool percentages selected from a group consisting of: 0% to about 80%:0% to about 60%:0% to about 60%, 20% to about 60%:15% to about 45%:15% to about 45%, 30% to about 50%:20% to about 40%:20% to about 40%, and 40%:30%:30%.

An above fabric having a flame resistant yarn twist selected from a group consisting of: 7 Z direction turns/in to about 23 Z direction turns/in, 10 Z direction turns/in to about 20 Z direction turns/in, 13 Z direction turns/in to about 16 Z direction turns/in, 15 Z direction turns/in, and 14.6 Z direction turns/in, 5 S direction turns/in to about 15 S direction turns/in, 8 S direction turns/in to about 10 S direction turns/in, 9 S direction turns/in, and 8.7 S direction turns/in, all perhaps having no wax and no finish.

An above fabric having a flame resistant component selected from a group consisting of: 5000 yds/lb to about 20000 yds/lb, 9000 yds/lb to about 16000 yds/lb, 11000 yds/lb to about 14000 yds/lb, 13000 yds/lb, about 12600 yds/lb, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a wool component selected from a group consisting of: 2000 yds/lb to about 8000 yds/lb, 3000 yds/lb to about 5000 yds/lb, 4000 yds/lb, about 3780 yds/lb, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a para-aramid component selected from a group consisting of: 2000 yds/lb to about 8000 yds/lb, 3000 yds/lb to about 5000 yds/lb, 4000 yds/lb, about 3780 yds/lb, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a PAN component selected from a group consisting of: 2000 yds/lb to about 8000 yds/lb, 4000 yds/lb to about 6000 yds/lb, 5000 yds/lb, and about 5040 yds/lb.

An above fabric having a flame resistant component weight selected from a group consisting of: 5000 yds/lb to about 11000 yds/lb, 7000 yds/lb to about 9000 yds/lb, 8000 yds/lb, about 8400 yds/lb, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a wool component selected from a group consisting of: 1000 yds/lb to about 4000 yds/lb, 2000 yds/lb to about 3000 yds/lb, 2500 yds/lb, and about 2520 yds/lb, all perhaps as warp wool yds/lb.

An above fabric having a para-aramid component selected from a group consisting of: 1000 yds/lb to about 4000 yds/lb, 2000 yds/lb to about 3000 yds/lb, 2500 yds/lb, 2520 yds/lb, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a wool component selected from a group consisting of: 1000 yds/lb to about 4000 yds/lb, 2000 yds/lb to about 3000 yds/lb, 2500 yds/lb, 2520 yds/lb, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a PAN component selected from a group consisting of: 2000 yds/lb to about 5000 yds/lb, 3000 yds/lb to about 4000 yds/lb, 3400 yds/lb, 3360 yds/lb, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a flame resistant component weight selected from a group consisting of: 200 denier to about 600 denier, 300 denier to about 500 denier, 350 denier, 354 denier, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a wool component weight selected from a group consisting of: 25 denier to about 200 denier, 50 denier to about 150 denier, 100 denier, 106 denier, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a PAN component weight selected from a group consisting of: 50 denier to about 300 denier, 100 denier to about 200 denier, 150 denier, 142 denier, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a para-aramid component weight selected from a group consisting of: 25 denier to about 200 denier, 50 denier to about 150 denier, 100 denier, 106 denier, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a flame resistant component weight selected from a group consisting of: 200 denier to about 800 denier, 400 denier to about 600 denier, 500 denier, 531 denier, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a wool component weight selected from a group consisting of: 50 denier to about 300 denier, 100 denier to about 200 denier, 150 denier, 159 denier, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a PAN component weight selected from a group consisting of: 100 denier to about 300 denier, 150 denier to about 250 denier, 200 denier, 212 denier, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a para-aramid component weight selected from a group consisting of: 50 denier to about 300 denier, 100 denier to about 200 denier, 150 denier, 159 denier, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a fill component weight selected from a group consisting of: 20 tex to about 60 tex, 30 tex to about 50 tex, 40 tex, and 39.4 tex.

An above fabric having a wool component weight selected from a group consisting of: 10 tex to about 15 tex, 11 tex to about 13 tex, 12 tex, 11.8 tex, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a PAN component weight selected from a group consisting of: 13 tex to about 19 tex, 15 tex to about 17 tex, 16 tex, 15.8 tex, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a para-aramid component weight selected from a group consisting of: 10 tex to about 15 tex, 11 to about 13 tex, 12 tex, 11.8 tex, all perhaps as fill.

An above fabric having a warp component weight selected from a group consisting of: 40 tex to about 80 tex, 50 tex to about 70 tex, 60 tex, 59.1 tex.

An above fabric having a wool component weight selected from a group consisting of: 12 tex to about 24 tex, 15 tex to about 21 tex, 18 tex, 17.7 tex, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a PAN component weight selected from a group consisting of: 15 tex to about 35 tex, 20 tex to about 30 tex, 22 tex to about 26 tex, 24 tex, 23.6 tex, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a para-aramid component weight selected from a group consisting of: 12 tex to about 24 tex, 15 tex to about 21 tex, 18 tex, 17.7 tex, all perhaps as warp.

An above fabric having a cotton fiber ply number selected from a group consisting of: 1 to about 6, 2 to about 4, and 2 plies.

An above fabric having a cotton specification number selected from a group consisting of: 10 english cotton system to about 40 english cotton system, 20 english cotton system to about 32 english cotton system, and 26 english cotton system.

An above fabric having a cotton specification selected from a group consisting of: 2/26, 26/2, 13/1, 39/3 and, 52/4.

An above fabric having a cotton weight selected from a group consisting of: 5000 yds/lb to about 15000 yds/lb, 8000 yds/lb to about 14000 yds/lb, 10000 yds/lb to about 12000 yds/lb, and about 10920 yds/lb, about 200 denier to about 600 denier, about 300 denier to about 500 denier, about 350 denier to about 450 denier, about 409 denier, about 40 tex to about 50 tex, about 42 tex to about 49 tex, about 44 tex to about 47 tex, and about 45.4 tex.

An above fabric having a fill density selected from a group consisting of: 50 picks/inch to about 90 picks/inch, 60 picks/inch to about 80 picks/inch, 65 picks/inch to about 75 picks/inch, 70 picks/inch, and 70.7 picks/inch,

An above fabric having a fill density selected from a group consisting of: 30 picks/inch to about 70 picks/inch, 40 picks/inch to about 60 picks/inch, 45 picks/inch to about 55 picks/inch, 50 picks/inch, and 49.8 picks/inch.

An above fabric having a wool selected from a group consisting of: worsted wool and woolens wool.

An above fabric having an arc thermal capability or rating selected from a group consisting of: 10 cal/cm2 to about 27 cal/cm2, 15 cal/cm2 to about 25 cal/cm2, 18 cal/cm2 to about 24 cal/cm2, cal/cm2 to about 22 cal/cm2, 21 cal/cm2, and about 20.8 cal/cm2.

An above fabric having a heat attenuation factor capability or rating selected from a group consisting of: 70% HAF to about 98% HAF, 80% HAF to about 95% HAF, 82% HAF to about 93% HAF, 85% HAF to about 90% HAF, 89% HAF, 88.9% HAF

An above fabric having a yarn spacing selected from a group consisting of: 2000# per 59″ to about 6000# per 59″, 3000# per 59″ to about 5000# per 59″, 3500# per 59″, 3447 # per 59″, all perhaps as warp and all perhaps as wool, 40 to about 80,50 to about 60,45 to about 55,50,49.8 picks/in all perhaps a fill and all perhaps as wool plus flame resistant yarn, 1000 # per 55″ or 36″ to about 4000# per 55″ or 36″, 1500 # per 55″ or 36″ to about 3000# per 55″ or 36″, 200# per 55″ or 36″, 1800# per 55″ or 36″, all perhaps as warp, 1000 # per 55″ or 36″ to about 4000# per 55″ or 36″, 1500 # per 55″ or 36″ to about 3000# per 55″ or 36″, 2000# per 55″ or 36″, 1800 # per 55″ or 36″, all perhaps as cotton plus flame resistant yarn, 50 picks per inch to about 100 picks per inch, 60 picks per inch to about 80 picks per inch, 70 picks per inch, 70.7 picks per inch, all perhaps as wool, and all perhaps as fill.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both fabric and clothing made of certain fabrics, as well as the items of clothing themselves. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this patent application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. Further claims presented with only initial dependencies; any combination may be included as well. The description also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in this or any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any claims in a patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system, fabric, garment, or the like.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “weave” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “weaving” to about to about whether explicitly discussed or not to about to about and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “weaving”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “weave” (or fabric) and even a “means for weaving” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent or cited in an information disclosure statement are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority case claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the Information Disclosure Statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the fabrics as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiii) all inventions described herein. In addition and as to computer aspects and each aspect amenable to programming or other electronic automation, such as in the programming of a machine to transform fibers into a fabric or cloth or garment, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: xiv) processes to transform a physical item perhaps performed with the aid of or on a computer as described throughout the above discussion, xv) a programmable apparatus as described throughout the above discussion, xvi) a computer readable memory encoded with data to direct a computer comprising means or elements which function as described throughout the above discussion or to achieve a physical transformation, xvii) a computer configured as herein disclosed and described, xviii) individual or combined subroutines and programs as herein disclosed and described, xix) the related methods disclosed and described, xx) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems and methods, xxi) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, xxii) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxiii) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, and xxiv) the various combinations and permutations of each of the above.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that each claims may be dependent upon any other claims or claims, and that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, such may require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept and all permutations and combinations thereof. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. As to all claims, dependencies should be understood as possibilities and every dependent claims should be understood as potentially containing the phrase, “or any other claim” to provide support for any claim to be dependent on any other claim or combination of claims, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim were dependent “on claim 20” with the possibility of including the above-stated implied language of “or any other claim”, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or even claims 152 through 715 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

Claims

1. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric comprising:

a wool fiber,
a flame resistant fiber,
a protective thread encasement, combined in a manner to provide
a flame resistant component having arc discharge resistant properties, arc thermal properties, and thermal insulative properties with launderability in a manner that substantially retains such properties after repeated laundering, and wherein said fibers comprise a single layer weave.

2. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 1 wherein said protective thread encasement comprises a twisted wool encasement configured around said flame resistant fiber that provides a wool component to said fabric having a wool component weight of about 0.12 oz/yd@55″.

3. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 2 wherein said fibers are contained at percentages of about 97% wool fiber to about 3% flame resistant fiber.

4. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 3 wherein said fabric has a finished weight selected of about 20.6 oz/yd@55″ width.

5. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 4 wherein said flame resistant fiber comprises a polyacrylonitrile fiber that provides a component to said fabric having a flame resistant component weight of about 0.12 oz/yd@55″.

6. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 5 wherein said flame resistant fiber comprises: and wherein said flame resistant fiber has a polyacrylonitrile to para-aramid to wool percentage of about 40% polyacrylonitrile with about 30% para-aramid with about 30% wool.

a polyacrylonitrile,
a para-aramid, and
a wool,

7. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 6 wherein said flame resistant fiber is encased in first twisted fiber having a yarn twist of about 14.6 Z direction turns/inch and no wax and no finish and also in a second twisted fiber having a yarn twist of about 8.7 S direction turns/inch and no wax and no finish.

8. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 7 wherein said fabric has an arc thermal rating of about 20.8 cal/cm2.

9. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 8 wherein said fabric has a heat attenuation factor rating of about 88.9% HAF.

10. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric comprising: and wherein said fibers comprise a single layer weave.

a wool fiber,
a flame resistant fiber,
a cotton fiber,
a protective thread encasement, combined in a manner to provide
a flame resistant component having arc discharge resistant properties, arc thermal properties, and thermal insulative properties with launderability in a manner that substantially retains such properties after repeated laundering,

11. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 10 wherein said protective thread encasement comprises a twisted wool encasement configured around said flame resistant fiber that provides a wool component to said fabric having a wool component weight of about 0.12 oz/yd@55″.

12. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 11 wherein said fibers are contained at percentages of about 84% wool fiber to about 14% flame resistant fiber to about 2% cotton fiber.

13. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 12 wherein said fabric has a finished weight selected of about 20.6 oz/yd@55″ width.

14. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 13 wherein said flame resistant fiber comprises a polyacrylonitrile fiber that provides a component to said fabric having a flame resistant component weight of about 0.12 oz/yd@55″.

15. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 14 wherein said cotton fiber provides a component to said fabric having a cotton component weight of about 3.1 oz/yd@55″.

16. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 15 wherein said flame resistant fiber comprises: and wherein said flame resistant fiber has a polyacrylonitrile to para-aramid to wool percentage of about 40% polyacrylonitrile with about 30% para-aramid with about 30% wool.

a polyacrylonitrile,
a para-aramid, and
a wool,

17. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 16 wherein said flame resistant fiber has a yarn twist of about 14.6 Z direction turns/inch and no wax and no finish.

18. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 17 wherein said fabric has an arc thermal rating of about 20.8 cal/cm2.

19. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 18 wherein said fabric has a heat attenuation factor rating of about 88.9% HAF.

20. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric comprising:

a wool fiber,
a flame resistant fiber,
a protective thread encasement, combined in a manner to provide
a flame resistant component having arc discharge resistant properties, arc thermal properties, and thermal insulative properties with launderability in a manner that substantially retains such properties after repeated laundering.

21. (canceled)

22. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 and further comprising a cotton fiber.

23. (canceled)

24. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said a flame resistant fiber and said protective thread encasement comprise warp and fill interrelated elements.

25. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said protective thread encasement is configured around said flame resistant fiber.

26. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 25 wherein said protective thread encasement comprises a carbon material.

27. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said protective thread encasement comprises a twisted encasement.

28. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said fibers are contained at percentages selected from a group consisting of ranged percentages for wool fiber to flame resistant fiber selected from a group consisting of:

about 0% to about 99% wool fiber to about 1% to about 10% flame resistant fiber,
about 90% to about 98% wool fiber to about 2% to about 10% flame resistant fiber,
about 96% to about 98% wool fiber to about 2% to about 4% flame resistant fiber, and
about 97% wool fiber to about 3% flame resistant fiber.

29. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 22 wherein said fibers are contained at percentages selected from a group consisting of ranged percentages for wool fiber to flame resistant fiber to cotton fiber selected from a group consisting of:

about 0% to about 95% wool fiber to about 1% to about 10% flame resistant fiber to about 5% to about 20% cotton fiber,
about 70% to about 90% wool fiber to about 2% to about 10% flame resistant fiber to about 10% to about 20% cotton fiber,
about 80% to about 85% wool fiber to about 2% to about 4% flame resistant fiber to about 12% to about 18% cotton fiber,
about 83% wool fiber to about 15% flame resistant fiber to about 2% cotton fiber, and
about 84% wool fiber to about 14% flame resistant fiber to about 2% cotton fiber.

30. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 28 wherein said fabric has a finished weight selected from a group consisting of:

about 15 oz/yd@55″ width to about 25 oz/yd@55″ width,
about 19 oz/yd@55″ width to about 22 oz/yd@55″ width,
about 20 oz/yd@55″ width to about 21 oz/yd@55″ width,
about 20.6 oz/yd@55″ width,
about 12 oz/yd@59″ to about 20 oz/yd@59″,
about 14 oz/yd@59″ to about 16 oz/yd@59″,
about 15 oz/yd@59″,
about 14.8 oz/yd@59″,
about 5 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd,
about 7 oz/sqyd to about 11 oz/sqyd,
about 8 oz/sqyd to about 10 oz/sqyd,
about 9.0 oz/sqyd,
about 8 oz/sqyd to about 20 oz/sqyd,
about 11 oz/sqyd to about 17 oz/sqyd,
about 13 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd, and
about 13.5 oz/sqyd.

31. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said wool fiber provides a wool component to said fabric having a wool component weight selected from a group consisting of:

about 11 oz/yd@55″ to about 15 oz/yd@55″,
about 13 oz/yd@55″ to about 14 oz/yd@55″,
about 13.5 oz/yd@55″,
about 13.4 oz/yd@55″,
about 13.6 oz/yd@55″,
about 15 oz/yd@55″ to about 19 oz/yd@55″,
about 17 oz/yd@55″,
about 17.1 oz/yd@55″,
about 17.2 oz/yd@55″,
about 11 oz/yd@59″ to about 18 oz/yd@59″,
about 14 oz/yd@59″ to about 15 oz/yd@59″,
about 14.4 oz/yd@59″,
about 14.5 oz/yd@59″,
about 13 oz/yd@59″ to about 23,
about 16 oz/yd@59″ to about 20,
about 18 oz/yd@59″,
about 18.3 oz/yd@59″,
about 18.4 oz/yd@59″,
about 5 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd,
about 8 oz/sqyd to about 10 oz/sqyd,
about 9 oz/sqyd,
about 8.8 oz/sqyd,
about 8.9 oz/sqyd,
about 8 oz/sqyd to about 15 oz/sqyd,
about 10 oz/sqyd to about 13 oz/sqyd,
about 11 oz/sqyd,
about 11.2 oz/sqyd, and
about 11.3 oz/sqyd.

32. Aflame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said protective thread encasement comprises a wool encasement.

33. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 32 wherein said wool encasement provides a wool component to said fabric having a wool component weight selected from a group consisting of:

about 0.08 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.16 oz/yd@55″,
about 0.10 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.14 oz/yd@55″,
about 0.12 oz/yd@55″,
about 0.09 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.17 oz/yd@59″,
about 0.11 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.15 oz/yd@59″,
about 0.13 oz/yd@59″,
about 0.05 oz/sqyd to about 0.15 oz/sqyd,
about 0.06 oz/sqyd to about 0.10 oz/sqyd, and
about 0.08 oz/sqyd.

34. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said flame resistant fiber provides a component to said fabric having a flame resistant component weight selected from a group consisting of:

about 0.2 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.6 oz/yd@55″,
about 0.3 oz/yd@55″ to about 0.5 oz/yd@55″,
about 0.4 oz/yd@55″,
about 0.41 oz/yd@55″,
about 0.2 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.6 oz/yd@59″,
about 0.3 oz/yd@59″ to about 0.5 oz/yd@59″,
about 0.4 oz/yd@59″,
about 0.44 oz/yd@59″,
about 0.1 oz/sqyd to about 0.6 oz/sqyd,
about 0.2 oz/sqyd to about 0.4 oz/sqyd,
about 0.3 oz/sqyd, and
about 0.27 oz/sqyd.

35-36. (canceled)

37. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 22 wherein said cotton fiber provides a component to said fabric having a cotton component weight selected from a group consisting of:

about 2.7 oz/yd@55″ to about 3.5 oz/yd@55″,
about 3.0 oz/yd@55″ to about 3.2 oz/yd@55″,
about 3.1 oz/yd@55″,
about 2.9 oz/yd@59″ to about 3.7 oz/yd@59″,
about 3.2 oz/yd@59″ to about 3.4 oz/yd@59″,
about 3.3 oz/yd@59″,
about 1.6 oz/sqyd to about 2.4 oz/sqyd,
about 1.9 oz/sqyd to about 2.1 oz/sqyd, and
about 2.0 oz/sqyd.

38. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said wool fiber provides a component to said fabric having a component ply number selected from a group consisting of:

1 plies to about 6 plies,
2 plies to about 4 plies, and
about 2 plies.

39. (canceled)

40. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said wool fiber comprises a wool component yarn size selected from a group consisting of:

about 20 American Run to about 6 American Run,
about 2 American Run to about 5 American Run,
about 4 American Run,
about 3.75 American Run,
about 20 American Run fill to about 6 American Run fill,
about 2 American Run fill to about 5 American Run fill,
about 4 American Run fill,
about 3.75 American Run fill,
about 20 American Run to about 5 American Run,
about 2 American Run to about 4 American Run,
about 22 American Run,
about 20 American Run fill to about 5 American Run fill,
about 2 American Run fill to about 4 American Run fill,
about 22 American Run fill,
about 4000 yds/lb to about 8000 yds/lb,
about 5000 yds/lb to about 7000 yds/lb,
about 6000 yds/lb,
about 5992 yds/lb,
about 4000 yds/lb fill to about 8000 yds/lb fill,
about 5000 yds/lb fill to about 7000 yds/lb fill,
about 6000 yds/lb fill,
about 5992 yds/lb fill,
about 12000 yds/lb to about 20000 yds/lb,
about 14000 yds/lb to about 18000 yds/lb,
about 15000 yds/lb to about 17000 yds/lb,
about 16000 yds/lb,
about 15680 yds/lb,
about 12000 yds/lb warp to about 20000 yds/lb warp,
about 14000 yds/lb warp to about 18000 yds/lb warp,
about 15000 yds/lb warp to about 17000 yds/lb warp,
about 16000 yds/lb warp,
about 15680 yds/lb warp,
about 200 denier to about 400 denier,
about 250 denier to about 350 denier,
about 300 denier,
about 285 denier,
about 200 denier warp to about 400 denier warp,
about 250 denier warp to about 350 denier warp,
about 300 denier warp,
about 285 denier warp,
about 500 denier to about 1000 denier,
about 650 denier to about 850 denier,
about 750 denier,
about 744 denier,
about 500 denier fill to about 1000 denier fill,
about 650 denier fill to about 850 denier fill,
about 750 denier fill,
about 744 denier fill,
about 20 tex to about 40 tex,
about 25 tex to about 35 tex,
about 30 tex,
about 31.6 tex,
about 20 tex warp to about 40 tex warp,
about 25 tex warp to about 35 tex warp,
about 30 tex warp,
about 31.6 tex warp,
about 60 tex to about 100 tex,
about 70 tex to about 90 tex,
about 80 tex,
about 82.7 tex,
about 60 tex fill to about 100 tex fill,
about 70 tex fill to about 90 tex fill,
about 80 tex fill, and
about 82.7 tex fill.

41. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said flame resistant fiber has a ply number selected from a group consisting of:

about 20 ply to about 6 plies,
about 2 plies to about 4 plies, and
about 2 plies.

42. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said flame resistant fiber has a yarn size selected from a group consisting of:

about 10 english cotton number to about 80 english cotton number,
about 15 english cotton number to about 50 english cotton number,
about 15 english cotton number to about 25 english cotton number,
about 20 english cotton number to about 40 english cotton number,
about 20 english cotton number,
about 25 english cotton number to about 35 english cotton number, and
about 30 english cotton number.

43. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said flame resistant fiber has a yarn specification selected from a group consisting of:

about 2/20,
about 20/2,
about 10/1,
about 30/3,
about 40/4,
about 2/20 warp,
about 20/2 warp,
about 10/1 warp,
about 30/3 warp,
about 40/4 warp,
about 2/30,
about 30/2,
about 15/1,
about 45/3,
about 60/4,
about 2/30 fill,
about 30/2 fill,
about 15/1 fill,
about 45/3 fill, and
about 60/4 fill.

44. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said flame resistant fiber comprises:

a polyacrylonitrile,
a para-aramid, and
a wool.

45. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 44 wherein said flame resistant fiber has a polyacrylonitrile to para-aramid to wool percentage selected from a group consisting of:

about 0% polyacrylonitrile to about 80% polyacrylonitrile with about 0% para-aramid to about 60% para-aramid with about 0% wool to about 60% wool,
about 20% polyacrylonitrile to about 60% polyacrylonitrile with about 15% para-aramid to about 45% para-aramid with about 15% wool to about 45% wool,
about 30% polyacrylonitrile to about 50% polyacrylonitrile with about 20% para-aramid to about 40% para-aramid with about 20% wool to about 40% wool, and
about 40% polyacrylonitrile with about 30% para-aramid with about 30% wool.

46. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said flame resistant fiber has a yarn twist selected from a group consisting of:

about 7 Z direction turns/inch to about 23 Z direction turns/inch,
about 10 Z direction turns/inch to about 20 Z direction turns/inch,
about 13 Z direction turns/inch to about 16 Z direction turns/inch,
about 15 Z direction turns/inch,
about 14.6 Z direction turns/inch,
about 5 S direction turns/inch to about 15 S direction turns/inch,
about 8 S direction turns/inch to about 10 S direction turns/inch,
about 9 S direction turns/inch,
about 8.7 S direction turns/inch,
about 7 Z direction turns/inch having no wax to about 23 Z direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 10 Z direction turns/inch having no wax to about 20 Z direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 13 Z direction turns/inch having no wax to about 16 Z direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 15 Z direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 14.6 Z direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 5 S direction turns/inch having no wax to about 15 S direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 8 S direction turns/inch having no wax to about 10 S direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 9 S direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 8.7 S direction turns/inch having no wax,
about 7 Z direction turns/inch having no finish to about 23 Z direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 10 Z direction turns/inch having no finish to about 20 Z direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 13 Z direction turns/inch having no finish to about 16 Z direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 15 Z direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 14.6 Z direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 5 S direction turns/inch having no finish to about 15 S direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 8 S direction turns/inch having no finish to about 10 S direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 9 S direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 8.7 S direction turns/inch having no finish,
about 7 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish to about 23 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 10 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish to about 20 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 13 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish to about 16 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 15 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 14.6 Z direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 5 S direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish to about 15 S direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 8 S direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish to about 10 S direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 9 S direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish,
about 8.7 S direction turns/inch having no wax and no finish, and
any combinations and permutations of the above.

47. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said flame resistant fiber has a yarn weight selected from a group consisting of:

about 5000 yds/lb to about 20000 yds/lb,
about 9000 yds/lb to about 16000 yds/lb,
about 11000 yds/lb to about 14000 yds/lb,
about 13000 yds/lb,
about 12600 yds/lb,
about 5000 yds/lb as fill to about 20000 yds/lb as fill,
about 9000 yds/lb as fill to about 16000 yds/lb as fill,
about 11000 yds/lb as fill to about 14000 yds/lb as fill,
about 13000 yds/lb as fill, and
about 12600 yds/lb as fill.

48-70. (canceled)

71. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 22 wherein said cotton fiber has a ply number selected from a group consisting of:

about 20 ply to about 6 plies,
about 2 plies to about 4 plies, and
about 2 plies.

72-74. (canceled)

75. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 and further comprising a fill component having a fill density selected from a group consisting of:

about 50 picks/inch to about 90 picks/inch,
about 60 picks/inch to about 80 picks/inch,
about 65 picks/inch to about 75 picks/inch,
about 70 picks/inch, and
about 70.7 picks/inch.

76. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 and further comprising a fill component having a fill density selected from a group consisting of:

about 30 picks/inch to about 70 picks/inch,
about 40 picks/inch to about 60 picks/inch,
about 45 picks/inch to about 55 picks/inch,
about 50 picks/inch, and
about 49.8 picks/inch.

77. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said wool fiber is selected from a group consisting of: worsted wool and woolens wool.

78. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said fabric has an arc thermal rating selected from a group consisting of:

about 10 cal/cm2 to about 27 cal/cm2,
about 15 cal/cm2 to about 25 cal/cm2,
about 18 cal/cm2 to about 24 cal/cm2,
about 20 cal/cm2 to about 22 cal/cm2,
about 21 cal/cm2, and
about 20.8 cal/cm2.

79. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said fabric has a heat attenuation factor rating selected from a group consisting of:

about 70% HAF to about 98% HAF,
about 80% HAF to about 95% HAF,
about 82% HAF to about 93% HAF,
about 85% HAF to about 90% HAF,
about 89% HAF, and
about 88.9% HAF.

80. A flame protective, thermal performance fabric as described in claim 20 wherein said fabric has a yarn spacing selected from a group consisting of:

about 2000# per 59″ to about 6000# per 59″,
about 3000# per 59″ to about 5000# per 59″,
about 3500# per 59″,
about 3447 # per 59″,
about 2000# per 59″ as warp to about 6000# per 59″ as warp,
about 3000# per 59″ as warp to about 5000# per 59″ as warp,
about 3500# per 59″ as warp,
about 3447 # per 59″ as warp,
about 2000# per 59″ wool yarn spacing to about 6000# per 59″ wool yarn spacing,
about 3000# per 59″ wool yarn spacing to about 5000# per 59″ wool yarn spacing,
about 3500# per 59″ wool yarn spacing,
about 3447 # per 59″ wool yarn spacing,
about 40 picks/inch to about 80 picks/inch,
about 50 picks/inch to about 60 picks/inch,
about 45 picks/inch to about 55 picks/inch,
about 50 picks/inch,
about 49.8 picks/inch,
about 40 picks/inch as fill to about 80 picks/inch as fill,
about 50 picks/inch as fill to about 60 picks/inch as fill,
about 45 picks/inch as fill to about 55 picks/inch as fill,
about 50 picks/inch as fill,
about 49.8 picks/inch as fill,
about 40 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing to about 80 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 50 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing to about 60 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 45 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing to about 55 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 50 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 49.8 picks/inch wool plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 1000# per 55″ to about 4000# per 55″,
about 1500 # per 55″ to about 3000# per 55″,
about 2000# per 55″,
about 1800# per 55″,
about 1000# per 36″ to about 4000# per 36″,
about 1500 # per 36″ to about 3000# per 36″,
about 2000# per 36″,
about 1800# per 36″,
about 1000# per 55″ as warp to about 4000# per 55″ as warp,
about 1500 # per 55″ as warp to about 3000# per 55″ as warp,
about 2000# per 55″ as warp,
about 1800# per 55″ as warp,
about 1000# per 36″ as warp to about 4000# per 36″ as warp,
about 1500 # per 36″ as warp to about 3000# per 36″ as warp,
about 2000# per 36″ as warp,
about 1800# per 36″ as warp,
about 1000# per 55″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing to about 4000# per 55″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 1500 # per 55″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing to about 3000# per 55″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 2000# per 55″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 1800# per 55″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 1000# per 36″ to about 4000# per 36″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 1500 # per 36″ to about 3000# per 36″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 2000# per 36″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 1800# per 36″ cotton plus flame resistant yarn spacing,
about 50 picks per inch to about 100 picks per inch,
about 60 picks per inch to about 80 picks per inch,
about 70 picks per inch,
about 70.7 picks per inch,
about 50 picks per inch as wool to about 100 picks per inch as wool,
about 60 picks per inch as wool to about 80 picks per inch as wool,
about 70 picks per inch as wool,
about 70.7 picks per inch as wool,
about 50 picks per inch as fill to about 100 picks per inch as fill,
about 60 picks per inch as fill to about 80 picks per inch as fill,
about 70 picks per inch as fill, and
about 70.7 picks per inch as fill,
any combinations and permutations of the above.

81-83. (canceled)

Patent History
Publication number: 20110171467
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 10, 2008
Publication Date: Jul 14, 2011
Inventor: King Cavalier, II (Loveland, CO)
Application Number: 12/268,179
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Including Textile, Cloth Or Fabric (428/365)
International Classification: D02G 3/04 (20060101);