Fast-Drying Fabric and Garment, and Method and System for Producing Them

Abstract

A garment includes: a first garment-region, that is formed of cotton and/or polyester, wherein the first garment-region has a first level of drying capability; and a second garment-region, that is formed of fast-drying yarns that include at least 75% cotton, wherein the second garment-region has a second level of drying capability. The second level of drying capability is greater than the first level of drying capability. A squared-centimeter of the first garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T1 seconds; whereas, a squared-centimeter of the second garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T2 seconds; wherein N is a pre-defined positive number; wherein T2 is smaller than T1.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) of PCT international application number PCT/IL2021/051198, having an international filing date of Oct. 6, 2021, published as international publication number WO 2022/079709 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; which claims priority and benefit from US 63/090,305, filed on Oct. 12, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention is related to the field of clothing.

BACKGROUND

Clothing articles and clothes are typically formed of textile material and are worn on the body. Clothes are worn for various purposes, for example, to keep the human body warm in a cold weather, to protect the human body from rough surfaces or insects or plants, to provide a hygienic barrier between the human body and the environment, to protect the human body from ultraviolet radiation, to cover genitals, for social reasons or as fashion, or the like.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a garment includes: a first garment-region, that is formed of cotton and/or polyester, wherein the first garment-region has a first level of drying capability; and a second garment-region, that is formed of fast-drying yarns that include at least 75% cotton, wherein the second garment-region has a second level of drying capability. The second level of drying capability is greater than the first level of drying capability. A squared-centimeter of the first garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T1 seconds; whereas, a squared-centimeter of the second garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T2 seconds; wherein N is a pre-defined positive number; wherein T2 is smaller than T1.

In some embodiments, the second garment-region is formed of fast drying yarns which comprise a first yarn (Yarn A), a second yarn (Yarn B), and a third yarn (Yarn C). For example, Yarn A is formed of cotton cellulose and a hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein Yarn A is hydrophobic at least 25% more relative to cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent. For example, Yarn B is a single-thread yarn that is formed of a blend of a first fiber material and a second fiber material; wherein the first fiber material is cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein the second fiber material is beechwood cellulose; wherein said blend comprises at least 90% of the first fiber material and not more than 10% of the second fiber material. For example, Yarn C is formed of a long-chain synthetic polymer comprising at least 85% of segmented polyurethane; wherein Yarn C is capable of stretching, upon application of a stretching force thereon, from an original idle length (L) to a stretched length of at least 3 times said original idle length (3L).

Some embodiments may provide other and/or additional benefits and/or advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1A is a schematic illustration of a knitting structure, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of another knitting structure, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of yet another knitting structure, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a back-side of a shirt, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a back-side of a pair of pants (or leggings, or tights), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2C is an illustration of a front-side of a pair of underpants (or briefs), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2D is an illustration of a side-view of a sock, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME DEMONSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments include a fast-dry of fast-drying or quick-dry or quick-drying fabric, that is formed of a particular blend of two or more different yarns or yarn-types (or yarns of two or more different types); as well as garments and clothes that are made of such fast-dry or fast-drying fabric; and methods and systems for manufacturing or producing such fabric and/or such garments and/or articles of clothing.

The Applicants have realized that cotton is a natural material that is typically hydrophilic, and that cotton typically absorbs and retains water or other liquids (e.g., human sweat). The Applicants have realized that it may be beneficial to develop a fabric, that is made from a blend of cotton yarn(s) and other (non-cotton) types of yarn(s), that will have improved or enhanced or hastened drying properties or fast drying properties or quick drying capabilities or rapid drying properties; in order to shorten the time that it takes for such fabric (and for garments or clothing articles that are made of such fabric) to dry completely, or to become at least partially dry, or to become dry in at least one or more particular garment-regions there, and/or to significantly reduce the level of wetness of the entire garment or of one or more particular garment-regions.

Reference is made to FIG. 1A, which is a schematic illustration of a knitting structure 101, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For demonstrative purpose, knitting structure 101 shows Single Jersey knitting; however, embodiments of the present invention may include or may utilize other and/or additional types of knitting techniques or knitting structures, for example, Jersey, Single Jersey, Double Jersey, Rib, Pique, Mesh, Miss, Tack, Terry, or a combination of two or more knitting techniques or knitting patterns or knitting structures; and may optionally utilize knitting needle selection of (for example) 1×1, or 1×2, or 2×1, or the like.

Knitting Structure 101 comprises, for example, three yarns that are knitted together to form the fast-dry fabric or garment. They are denoted as Yarn A, Yarn B, and Yarn C.

Yarn A is a pre-treated hydrophobic cotton yarn (e.g., with for example count of NE 50/1), such as, a yarn of cotton that was pre-treated or pre-modified (e.g., chemically) to become hydrophobic, or to become water repellent, or to become non-hydrophilic, or to become less hydrophilic than natural non-treated cotton molecules, or to become at least 25% percent more hydrophobic relative to natural non-treated cotton molecules, or to become at least 50% percent more hydrophobic relative to natural non-treated cotton molecules, or to become at least 25% less hydrophilic relative to natural non-treated cotton molecules, or to become at least 50% less hydrophilic relative to natural non-treated cotton molecules. It is noted that Yarn A is still formed exclusively of cotton cellulose (which was treated to become hydrophobic), and Yarn A does not include any non-natural fiber or any non-natural yarn or any synthetic yarn or yarn-portions (e.g., Polyester, or Spandex, or polyether-polyurea copolymer).

In some embodiments, Yarn B is a single yarn that is formed, for example: from 100% of Modal yarn or Modal material made from beechwood tree cellulose or beechwood molecules or beechwood cellulose or beechwood fiber.

In some embodiments, Yarn B is a single yarn that is formed, for example: from 100% of Tencel yarn or Tencel material made from eucalyptus tree or eucalyptus fiber or eucalyptus plants or eucalyptus cellulose or eucalyptus molecules.

In some embodiments, Yarn B is a single yarn that is formed from a combination or a blend or a mixture of: (i) P percent of Modal yarn made from beechwood tree cellulose or beechwood molecules or beechwood cellulose or beechwood fiber, and (ii) 100-P percent of Tencel yarn made from eucalyptus tree or eucalyptus fiber or eucalyptus plants or eucalyptus cellulose or eucalyptus molecules.

In some embodiments, for example, Yarn B may be a single yarn that is formed by blending together two yarns or two materials or two fibers which can be, for example: (i) cotton yarn that is made from cotton molecules or cotton cellulose, and (ii) Modal yarn that is made from beechwood tree cellulose or beechwood molecules or beechwood cellulose or beechwood fiber.

In some embodiments, for example, Yarn B may be a single yarn that is formed by blending together two yarns or two materials or two fibers which can be, for example: (i) cotton yarn that is made from eucalyptus tree or eucalyptus fiber or eucalyptus plants or eucalyptus cellulose or eucalyptus molecules.

In some embodiments, Yarn B may be formed with a blend ratio or mixture ratio of, for example: cotton cellulose 95%, and beechwood/Modal cellulose 5%; or, cotton cellulose 90%, and beechwood/Modal cellulose 10%; or, cotton cellulose 92%, and beechwood/Modal cellulose 8%; or, cotton cellulose 97%, and beechwood/Modal cellulose 3%; or beechwood/Modal cellulose in the range of 1 to 10 percent, and cotton cellulose as the remaining percentage.

In some embodiments, Yarn B may be formed with a blend ratio or mixture ratio of, for example: cotton cellulose 95%, and eucalyptus/Tencel cellulose 5%; or, cotton cellulose 90%, and eucalyptus/Tencel cellulose 10%; or, cotton cellulose 92%, and eucalyptus/Tencel cellulose 8%; or, cotton cellulose 97%, and eucalyptus/Tencel cellulose 3%; or eucalyptus/Tencel cellulose in the range of 1 to 10 percent, and cotton cellulose as the remaining percentage.

In some embodiments, Yarn B may be formed with a blend ratio or mixture ratio of, for example: cotton cellulose 95%, and eucalyptus cellulose and beechwood cellulose 5%; or, cotton cellulose 90%, and eucalyptus cellulose and beechwood cellulose 10%; or, cotton cellulose 92%, and eucalyptus cellulose and beechwood cellulose 8%; or, cotton cellulose 97%, and eucalyptus cellulose and beechwood cellulose 3%; or eucalyptus cellulose and beechwood cellulose in the range of 1 to 10 percent, and cotton cellulose as the remaining percentage.

In accordance with some embodiments Yarn B is non-treated for dryness or is non-pre-treated for dryness; or is generally hydrophilic; or is generally non-hydrophobic; or is non-treated for water repellence. In some embodiments, Yarn B may have properties of, for example, count of NE 50/1.

In some embodiments, Yarn B may be formed exclusively of natural cellulose (such as Modal or beechwood cellulase, and/or Tencel or eucalyptus cellulose, and optionally also cotton cellulose); and Yarn B does not include any non-natural fiber or any non-natural yarn or any synthetic yarn or yarn-portions (e.g., Polyester, or Spandex, or polyether-polyurea copolymer). In other embodiments, Yarn B may optionally include also a polyester ingredient or a polyether-polyurea copolymer or a synthetic ingredient. In some embodiments, Yarn B may be a single yarn that is formed of a blend of cotton with polyester.

In some embodiments, Yarn B may be a single yarn that is formed of a blend of cotton with polyester and also with Modal or beechwood cellulose; wherein the Modal or beechwood cellulose is not more than 10 percent of the ingredients of Yarn B. In some embodiments, Yarn B may be a single yarn that is formed of a blend of cotton with polyester and also with Tencel or eucalyptus cellulose; wherein the Tencel or eucalyptus cellulose is not more than 10 percent of the ingredients of Yarn B. In some embodiments, Yarn B may be a single yarn that is formed of a blend of cotton with polyester and also with Tencel or eucalyptus cellulose and also with Modal or beechwood cellulose; wherein the Tencel and Modal, or wherein the eucalyptus cellulose and the beechwood cellhouse, together, are not more than 10 percent of the ingredients of Yarn B.

Yarn C is formed of Spandex, or polyether-polyurea copolymer, or polyurethane, or Lycra, or Elastane; or yarn formed of a long-chain synthetic polymer comprising at least 85% of segmented polyurethane. Yarn C is a synthetic, non-natural, high-elasticity yarn or high-stretchability yarn or high stretch capability yarn, able to stretch or to elongate by at least 3 or 5 times (relative to its idle size) without breaking upon application of a stretching force. Yarn C may have thickness of, for example, 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30 denier. In some embodiments, Yarn C may be formed of Nylon, or polyester, or other synthetic material.

The arrangement of Yarn A, Yarn B and Yarn C is, for example, as demonstrated in knitting structure 101. For example, Yarn B and Yarn C are looped together through or around Yarn A, as shown. For example, 50% of the total number of yarn feeders of a knitting machine are fed with Yarn A; and the remaining 50% of the total number of yarn feeders of the knitting machine are fed with Yarn B and Yarn C.

In a demonstrative experiment, a fabric was knitted from the materials described above and based on the knitting structure described above. The resulting fabric is a fast-dry fabric or a quick-dry fabric, or a rapidly-drying fabric; or a fabric with accelerated drying properties. For example, in a drying rate time test that was conducted by the Applicants, this fabric has reached 90% of dryness within 45 minutes; compared to 43% of dryness that was achieved within 45 minutes by a conventional cotton fabric.

Reference is made to FIG. 1B, which is a schematic illustration of a knitting structure 102, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For demonstrative purpose, knitting structure 102 shows Single Jersey knitting; however, embodiments of the present invention may include or may utilize other and/or additional types of knitting techniques or knitting structures, for example, Jersey, Single Jersey, Double Jersey, Rib, Pique, Mesh, Miss, Tack, Terry, or a combination of two or more knitting techniques or knitting patterns or knitting structures; and may optionally utilize knitting needle selection of (for example) 1×1, or 1×2, or 2×1, or the like.

Knitting Structure 102 comprises, for example, three yarns that are knitted together to form the fast-dry fabric or garment. They are denoted as Yarn A, Yarn B, and Yarn C. The arrangement of Yarn A, Yarn B and Yarn C is, for example, as demonstrated in knitting structure 102. For example, Yarn A and Yarn C are looped together through or around Yarn B, as shown. For example, 50% of the total number of yarn feeders of a knitting machine are fed with Yarn B; and the remaining 50% of the total number of yarn feeders of the knitting machine are fed with

Yarn A and Yarn C. The resulting fabric is a fast-dry fabric or a quick-dry fabric, or a rapidly-drying fabric; or a fabric with accelerated drying properties.

Reference is made to FIG. 1C, which is a schematic illustration of a knitting structure 103, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For demonstrative purpose, knitting structure 103 shows Single Jersey knitting; however, embodiments of the present invention may include or may utilize other and/or additional types of knitting techniques or knitting structures, for example, Jersey, Single Jersey, Double Jersey, Rib, Pique, Mesh, Miss, Tack, Terry, or a combination of two or more knitting techniques or knitting patterns or knitting structures; and may optionally utilize knitting needle selection of (for example) 1×1, or 1×2, or 2×1, or the like.

Knitting Structure 103 comprises, for example, four yarns that are knitted together to form the fast-dry fabric or garment. They are denoted as Yarn A, Yarn B, Yarn C1 (which is similar or identical to Yarn C described above), and Yarn C2 (which is similar or identical to Yarn C described above). The arrangement of Yarn A, Yarn B, Yarn C1 and Yarn C2 is, for example, as demonstrated in knitting structure 103. For example, Yarn A and Yarn C1 are looped together, through or around Yarn B and Yarn C2, as shown. For example, 50% of the total number of yarn feeders of a knitting machine are fed with Yarn A and Yarn C1; and the remaining 50% of the total number of yarn feeders of the knitting machine are fed with Yarn B and Yarn C2. The resulting fabric is a fast-dry fabric or a quick-dry fabric, or a rapidly-drying fabric; or a fabric with accelerated drying properties.

In some embodiments, optionally, knitting structures 101 or 102 or 103 may be modified such that Yarn C (or, Yarn C1 and/or Yarn C2) are utilized as laid-in yarn(s) or as inlaid yarn(s) or as inlay yarn(s), that are laid-in (instead of being looped) during the same knitting cycle; optionally using one or more suitable mechanisms or techniques for maintaining the position of such laid-in yarn(s), such as, using tuck stitches, using sinker loops, using underlaps, or the like.

In some embodiments, optionally, yarn A which may be a pre-treated Hydrophobic Cotton yarn, may be fed to 50 or 55 or 60 or 66 or 75 or 80 or 85 percent (or, 50 to 75 percent; or, 50 to 85 percent) of the feeders of the knitting machine; for example, with (or without) a Spandex or synthetic C1 yarn; and the remainder of the feeders of the knitting machine are fed the Hydrophilic non-treatment Yarn B yarns, or may include the Hydrophilic non-treated Yarn B together with Spandex or other synthetic C2 yarns.

In some embodiments, the knitting may be performed using a circular knitting machine, a seamless knitting machine, a sock knitting machine, a needle selector knitting machine (which allows programmed selection of needles via a needle-by-needle control program), or the like.

In some embodiments, optionally, the fabric or the garment may be subject to one or more finishing processes, for example, fixation, steaming, boarding, ironing, dipping in (or mixing with) a chemical agent, or the like. Such process(es) may be performed prior to coloring or dyeing of the fabric, and/or after coloring or dyeing of the fabric. Such processes may be performed prior to washing of the fabric, and/or after washing of the fabric.

In some embodiments, optionally, even though Yarn A is originally a hydrophobic yarn, the knitted fabric may be subject to a post-knitting process that reduces the hydrophobic properties of the fabric or that increases the hydrophilic properties of the fabric. In other embodiments, optionally, the knitted fabric may be subject to a post-knitting process that increases the hydrophobic properties of the fabric or that reduces the hydrophilic properties of the fabric. Optionally, anti-bacterial agents or materials may be added to the fabric, odor emitting or aroma emitting agents may be added to the fabric, or other types of agents may be added to the fabric.

In some embodiments, an entire garment or an entire article of clothing may be knitted or formed from the fabric of the present invention. In other embodiments, the fabric of the present invention may be used only in particular region(s) of a garment (e.g., particularly in regions that cover a body-organ or a body-region that is prone to sweat or that tends to swear more, such as armpit area, central back area, lower back area, crotch area, sole area); and other fabric(s), such as cotton and/or polyester, may be used in other region(s) of the same garment. In some embodiments, the fabric of the present invention may be incorporated as a garment-region via one or more techniques or connection mechanisms, for example, via a gluing or bonding or taping mechanism, via stitching, via seamless connection(s), via ultrasonic cutting and/or ultrasonic welding, or the like.

Reference is made in to FIG. 2A, which is an illustration of a back-side of a shirt 210, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. The fabric of the present invention is used, for example, under or around the armpits (regions 211 and 212) and/or along the central back (region 213) of the human wearer.

Reference is made in to FIG. 2B, which is an illustration of a back-side of a pair of pants 220 (or leggings, or tights), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. The fabric of the present invention is used, for example, under or around or behind the knees (regions 221 and 222) and/or along the central back or above the buttocks (region 223) of the human wearer.

Reference is made in to FIG. 2C, which is an illustration of a front-side of a pair of underpants 230 (or briefs), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. The fabric of the present invention is used, for example, around or near or in front of the genitalia (region 231) of the human wearer.

Reference is made in to FIG. 2D, which is an illustration of a side-view of a sock 240, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. The fabric of the present invention is used, for example, under or beneath or around the sole area of the foot and/or the arch area (region 243) of the foot of the human wearer, and/or around or beneath the toes of the human wearer (region 241), and/or around or beneath the heel and/or the ankle of the human wearer (region 242).

The above are only demonstrative non-limiting examples; the fabric of the present invention may be utilized to form other garments and/or other garment-regions; for example, lingerie items, shapers, under-garments, bras, pajama and sleepwear, sportswear, long-sleeve shirts, short-sleeve shirts, or the like.

In some embodiments, the fast-drying garment or the fast-drying garment-region of the present invention, is formed of (and consists of) a single-layer fabric that is knitted as described above, which has a single unified level of hydrophobicity; and is not formed of two or more (or multiple) fabric layers having different degrees of hydrophobicity or different levels of hydrophobicity; and is not a multiple-layers garment region that has a first fabric-layer that operates as “roots” and is covered by a second fabric-layer that operates as ‘branches”.

In some embodiments, optionally, Yarn A, or the pre-treated hydrophobic cotton yarn, may be or may include, for example: pre-treated cotton yarn(s) that are known as “TransDRY” cotton from “Cotton Incorporated” (headquartered in Cary, N.C., USA); or pre-treated cotton yarn(s) that are known as “Charged Cotton” from “Under Armor” (headquartered in Baltimore, Md., USA); cotton yarn(s) that are pre-treated or coated with hydrophobic (water-repellant, water-resistant) coating that is available from “Aculon” (headquartered in San Diego, Calif., USA); cotton yarn(s) that are pre-treated or coated with oleophobic (oil repellant, oil resistant) coating that is available from “Aculon” (headquartered in San Diego, Calif., USA).

In some embodiments, optionally Yarn A may be or may include, for example, cotton yarn(s) and/or cotton fibers and/or cotton molecule and/or cotton cellulose, that was treated with (or coated with, or mixed with, or dipped in) a hydrophobic agent or that was processed to become hydrophobic or water repellant or water resistant (e.g., relative to natural cotton, or relative to non-treated cotton); including, but not limited to, processes and/or coatings and/or agents and/or material(s) that are disclosed in any one of the following United States patents, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,725,619; 8,486,847; 7,625,149; 8,178,004; 8,236,426; 8,025,974; 8,999,438; 7,919,417; 7,906,177; 7,879,403; 7,425,367; 6,756,076; 6,607,636.

In some embodiments, for example, Yarn A or the hydrophobic cotton yarn may be formed of hydrophobic cotton fibers which include a water-repelling fluorochemical; and/or, cotton that was treated by one or more hydrophobic treatment, such as, application of silicones, fluorochemicals, zirconium compounds, oils, latexes, waxes, crosslinking resins such as dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU), urea formaldehyde, ethylene urea, melamine resins, dimethyl urea glyoxal (DMUG), carboxylic acids and polycarboxylic acids including citric, maleic, butane tetra carboxylic, polymaleic acids, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, Yarn A may be cotton yarn that was treated by a hydrophobic treatment which comprises application of one or more fluorochemicals, such as a C6 fluoro-carbon based water repellent or a C8 fluoro-carbon based water repellent.

In some embodiments, Yarn A may include cotton that was treated by a super-hydrophobic surface modification process or by a biomimetic procedure that prepares super-hydrophobic cotton textiles or fibers or yarns; for example, as described in the publication by by Hoefnagel et al., “Biomimetic Superhydrophobic on Highly Oleophobic Cotton Textiles” (2007) Langmuir, 23, 13158-163), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; and which describes methods for creating a super-hydrophobic (e.g., having a water Contact Angle (CA) greater than 155 degrees) cotton textile by introducing silica particles in situ to cotton fibers to generate a dual-scale surface roughness, followed by hydrophobization with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

In some embodiments, Yarn A may include cotton yarns or cotton fiber having and hydrophobic and/or oleophobic polymer coating; for example, an aqueous hydrophobic and oleophobic coating composition having a critical micelle concentration and containing a surfactant and a hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer consisting of one monomer; the hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating formed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers; wherein voids disposed between the plurality of individual fibers having the hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating on the at least one surface are free of the hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating; the surfactant having a hydrophilic head group, a hydrophobic tail group, and a concentration less than the critical micelle concentration. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic and/or oleophobic polymer coating is formed by the aqueous hydrophobic and oleophobic coating composition being coated on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers; wherein the aqueous hydrophobic and oleophobic coating composition disposed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers then being introduced with an initiator. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic and/or oleophobic polymer coating is formed by initiating a polymerization reaction on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers coated with the aqueous hydrophobic and oleophobic coating composition. In some embodiments, Yarn A may be prepared via a method of making a material having a hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating on at least one surface thereof, the method including: (a) providing a sheet of material having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface having a plurality of individual fibers, each of the individual fibers having at least one surface; (b) introducing an aqueous hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating composition having a critical micelle concentration, the aqueous hydrophobic and oleophobic coating composition containing a surfactant and a hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer consisting of one monomer on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers to form the hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating, the surfactant having a hydrophilic head group, a hydrophobic tail group and a concentration less than the critical micelle concentration; (c) introducing an initiator to the aqueous hydrophobic and oleophobic coating composition disposed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers to form a hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers; wherein voids disposed between the plurality of individual fibers having the hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating on the at least one surface are free of the hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer coating. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic agent is at least partly insoluble in water at a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic agent is selected from the group consisting of: hydrophobic waxes, polymers produced from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, low molecular weight polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, oxidized polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, polyolefin, polyurethane, ethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, co-polymers, and emulsifiable waxes. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic agent(s) may include those which are at least partly insoluble in water at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, and which have a melting point or glass transition temperature below 100 degrees Celsius, and preferably between about 45 degrees Celsius to below 100 degrees Celsius. Such hydrophobic agents may include, for example, hydrophobic polymer, copolymers, and copolymers containing hydrophobic monomers. Some hydrophobic agents may include hydrophobic waxes, such as paraffin waxes; and including paraffins that are completely liquid at room temperature, e.g., paraffins having a solidification point below 25 degrees Celsius, and/or paraffins that are solid at room temperature (e.g., a paraffin wax that is solid at room temperature and can be present in completely liquid form at 100 degrees Celsius). In some embodiments, the hydrophobic agents may be produced from ethylenically unsaturated monomers; such as, styrene, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters of aliphatic C1 to C18 alcohols, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid; Poly(meth)acrylates of two or more of these monomers, which may optionally contain other monomers in small quantities, may also be used. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic agents may include emulsifiable waxes, capable of forming wax emulsions; for example, oxidized polyethylene, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, and montanic acid and ester waxes. In some embodiments, the hydrophobic agents may include polyolefin waxes, maleic grafted polyolefin waxes, paraffin, other hydrocarbon waxes and vegetable waxes, such as camauba and candelillia; as well as emulsifiable waxes which may include polyethylene, polypropylene, oxidized polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, ethylene acrylic copolymers, and maleic grafted polyolefins.

In some embodiments, Yarn A or the hydrophobic cotton may include, for example, surface coated with a very thin film of polystyrene using an admicellar polymerization method; such that the hydrophobic cotton fabric retains air permeability.

In some embodiments, Yarn A or the hydrophobic cotton may include, for example, a cotton substrate having an admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, comprising: a cotton substrate comprised of a plurality of individual fibers, each of the individual fibers having at least one surface; and an admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating formed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers, wherein voids disposed between the plurality of individual fiber, having the admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating on the at least one surface are free of the admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating. In some embodiments, the admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating is formed by an aqueous hydrophobic coating composition containing a surfactant and a monomer of a hydrophobic polymer being coated on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers, the aqueous hydrophobic coating composition disposed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers then being introduced with an initiator. In some embodiments, the admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating is formed by initiating an admicellar polymerization reaction on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers coated with the aqueous hydrophobic coating composition for a predetermined period of time. In some embodiments, the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the monomer of a hydrophobic polymer is styrene. In some embodiments, the initiator is sodium persulfate. In some embodiments, the initiator is AIBN. In some embodiments, the cotton substrate having the hydrophobic coating composition disposed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers and the initiator introduced thereon, is heated to a temperature of from about 40 degrees Celsius to about 100 degrees Celsius for a predetermined time of from about 30 minutes to about 180 minutes. In some embodiments, the substrate having the hydrophobic coating composition disposed on the at least one surface and the initiator introduced thereon is heated to a temperature of about 80 degrees Celsius for a predetermined time of about 60 minutes. In some embodiments, the cotton substrate has an admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating thereon; the cotton substrate comprising a plurality of individual fibers, each of the individual fibers having at least one surface; and an admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating formed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers, wherein voids disposed between the plurality of individual fibers having the admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating on the at least one surface are free of the admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating, the admicellar hydrophobic polymer coating being formed by an aqueous hydrophobic coating composition containing a surfactant and a monomer of a hydrophobic polymer being coated on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium dodecyl sulfate, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate and combinations thereof and the monomer of a hydrophobic polymer is styrene, the aqueous hydrophobic coating composition disposed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers then being introduced with an initiator to initiate an admicellar polymerization reaction on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers coated with the aqueous hydrophobic coating composition, wherein the initiator is AIBN, the substrate having the hydrophobic coating composition disposed on the at least one surface of the plurality of individual fibers and the initiator introduced thereon is heated to a temperature of about 80 degrees Celsius for a predetermined period of about 60 minutes, wherein the substrate having the admicellar coating thereon has an air permeability substantially the same as the air permeability of an uncoated substrate.

In some embodiments, Yarn A or the hydrophobic cotton may include, for example, cotton prepared by a process for producing hydrophobic cotton fabric, by: (a) bleaching cotton fabric with an optical whitener; (b) affixing the fabric to a conveying machine; (c) applying 7 lbs. of water resistance chemical solution for each approximately 100 lbs. of fabric, by conveying the fabric through a pad bath; (d) conveying the fabric through a tenter frame machine having a heating chamber set to approximately 340 degrees Fahrenheit, such that the fabric passes through the heating chamber at a speed of approximately 17 yards per minute; (e) repeating step (d) a second time, to effect curing of the chemical solution thereby resulting in a water-resistant cotton fabric.

In some embodiments, Yarn A or the hydrophobic cotton may include, for example, hydrophobic fibers that are chemically treated with an amino polysiloxane; or hydrophobic fibers that are treated cellulosic fibers, which are treated with one or more of: polysiloxanes, flourine compounds, silicone compounds, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), waxes, polyurethane emulsions, fats, and fatty acid derivatives.

In some embodiments, a garment comprises: a first garment-region, that is formed of cotton and/or polyester, wherein the first garment-region has a first level of drying capability; a second garment-region, that is formed of fast-drying yarns that comprise at least 75% cotton, wherein the second garment-region has a second level of drying capability; wherein the second level of drying capability is greater than the first level of drying capability; wherein a squared-centimeter of the first garment region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T1 seconds; wherein a squared-centimeter of the second garment region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T2 seconds; wherein N is a pre-defined positive number; wherein T2 is smaller than T1.

In some embodiments, the second garment-region is formed of fast-drying yarns which comprise a first yarn (Yarn A), a second yarn (Yarn B), and a third yarn (Yarn C); wherein the first yarn, which is Yarn A, is formed of cotton cellulose and a hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein Yarn A is hydrophobic at least 25% more relative to cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein the second yarn, which is Yarn B, is a single-thread yarn that is formed of a blend of a first fiber material and a second fiber material; wherein the first fiber material is cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein the second fiber material is beechwood cellulose and/or eucalyptus cellulose; wherein said blend comprises at least 90% of the first fiber material and not more than 10% of the second fiber material; wherein the third yarn, which is Yarn C, is formed of a long-chain synthetic polymer comprising at least 85% of segmented polyurethane; wherein Yarn C is capable of stretching, upon application of a stretching force thereon, from an original idle length (L) to a stretched length of at least 3 times said original idle length (3L).

In some embodiments, the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn B and Yarn C looped together around Yarn A.

In some embodiments, the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn A and Yarn C looped together around Yarn B.

In some embodiments, the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has: Yarn A and Yarn C, looped together around Yarn B and Yarn C2; wherein Yarn C2 is identical to Yarn C.

In some embodiments, Yarn A is a super-hydrophobic cotton yarn having a water Contact Angle (CA) of at least 155 degrees.

In some embodiments, Yarn A is a super-hydrophobic cotton yarn which comprises silica particles and which has dual-scale surface roughness.

In some embodiments, Yarn A is a super-hydrophobic cotton yarn which comprises polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

In some embodiments, Yarn A is hydrophobic at least 50% more relative to cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent.

In some embodiments, Yarn A is formed of (i) cotton cellulose and (ii) said hydrophobic chemical agent and also (iii) an oleophobic oil-repellant chemical agent.

In some embodiments, the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn B and Yarn C looped together around Yarn A; wherein the second garment-region has a total number of yarns; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn A; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn B and Yarn C.

In some embodiments, the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn A and Yarn C looped together around Yarn B; wherein the second garment-region has a total number of yarns; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn B; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn A and Yarn C.

In some embodiments, the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has: Yarn A and Yarn C, looped together around Yarn B and Yarn C2; wherein Yarn C2 is identical to Yarn C; wherein the second garment-region has a total number of yarns; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn A and Yarn C; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn B and Yarn C2.

In some embodiments, Yarn C and/or Yarn C2 are incorporated into the second garment-region as non-knitted inlaid yarns.

In some embodiments, said second garment-region is a single-layer knitted fabric which has a unified level of hydrophobicity across an entirety of said single-layer knitted fabric; wherein said second garment-region is not formed of two or more fabric-layers having a root fabric layer that transports wetness towards one or more branches fabric layers.

In some embodiments, the garment is a shirt; wherein the second garment-region is a region selected from the group consisting of: a garment-region beneath a left-side armpit, a garment-region below a right-side armpit, an elongated garment-region that is a generally vertical column that starts at a rear side of a collar of the shirt and ends at a lower-central region of a back side of the shirt.

In some embodiments, the garment is a garment selected from the group consisting of: long pants, leggings, tights, training pants, yoga pants; wherein the second garment-region is a region that covers a rear side of a knee of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the garment is a garment selected from the group consisting of: underwear, briefs; wherein the second garment-region is a region that covers a crotch area of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the garment is a sock; wherein the second garment-region is a region selected from the group consisting of: a garment-region that covers toes of a wearer, a garment-region that covers a heel of the wearer, a garment-region that is beneath a foot arch of the wearer.

Some embodiments include a method of producing a garment, the method comprising: producing a first garment-region, that is formed of cotton and/or polyester, wherein the first garment-region has a first level of drying capability; producing a second garment-region, that is formed of fast-drying yarns that comprise at least 75% cotton, wherein the second garment-region has a second level of drying capability; wherein the second level of drying capability is greater than the first level of drying capability; wherein a squared-centimeter of the first garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T1 seconds; wherein a squared-centimeter of the second garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T2 seconds; wherein N is a pre-defined positive number; wherein T2 is smaller than T1; wherein the second garment-region is formed of fast drying yarns which comprise a first yarn (Yarn A), a second yarn (Yarn B), and a third yarn (Yarn C); wherein Yarn A is formed of cotton cellulose and a hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein Yarn A is hydrophobic at least 25% more relative to cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein Yarn B is a single-thread yarn that is formed of a blend of a first fiber material and a second fiber material; wherein the first fiber material is cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein the second fiber material is beechwood cellulose and/or eucalyptus cellulose; wherein said blend comprises at least 90% of the first fiber material and not more than 10% of the second fiber material; wherein Yarn C is formed of a long-chain synthetic polymer comprising at least 85% of segmented polyurethane; wherein Yarn C is capable of stretching, upon application of a stretching force thereon, from an original idle length (L) to a stretched length of at least 3 times said original idle length (3L).

Some embodiments include a system for producing a garment, the system comprising: a knitting machine comprising a hardware processor to execute code of a knitting program, and to selectively control a plurality of knitting needles to perform a knitting method comprising: producing a first garment-region, that is formed of cotton and/or polyester, wherein the first garment-region has a first level of drying capability; producing a second garment-region, that is formed of fast-drying yarns that comprise at least 75% cotton, wherein the second garment-region has a second level of drying capability; wherein the second level of drying capability is greater than the first level of drying capability; wherein a squared-centimeter of the first garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T1 seconds; wherein a squared-centimeter of the second garment-region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T2 seconds; wherein N is a pre-defined positive number; wherein T2 is smaller than T1; wherein the second garment-region is formed of fast drying yarns which comprise a first yarn (Yarn A), a second yarn (Yarn B), and a third yarn (Yarn C); wherein Yarn A is formed of cotton cellulose and a hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein Yarn A is hydrophobic at least 25% more relative to cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein Yarn B is a single-thread yarn that is formed of a blend of a first fiber material and a second fiber material; wherein the first fiber material is cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein the second fiber material is beechwood cellulose and/or eucalyptus cellulose; wherein said blend comprises at least 90% of the first fiber material and not more than 10% of the second fiber material; wherein Yarn C is formed of a long-chain synthetic polymer comprising at least 85% of segmented polyurethane; wherein Yarn C is capable of stretching, upon application of a stretching force thereon, from an original idle length (L) to a stretched length of at least 3 times said original idle length (3L).

It is noted that the particular values or ranges-of-values, or percent values or their ranges, as described above and/or herein, are not merely a design choice; but rather, they are one of several inventive features of the present invention, as they may enable to produce and to utilize cotton—which is generally hydrophilic—in a manner that causes such cotton, due to its adjacent proximity to (or its mixing or blending or co-threading with) the beechwood cellulose and/or the eucalyptus cellulose, to have hydrophobic properties or near-hydrophobic properties or reduced-hydrophilic properties, or to become fast-drying or faster-drying relative to conventional cotton; thereby enabling to produce garments and clothing articles that are still based, or dominantly based, on cotton and on natural cellulose as their main ingredient(s) yet also provide fast-drying properties or functionalities.

Some embodiments of the present invention further comprise or provide a fabric, such as a textile fabric or a surface-like fabric sheet, or a roll of fabric or a rollable sheet of fabric, or a fabric that can be rolled and/or folded, or a fabric that is provided as a roll having a fixed width from which a user can spread and then cut a desired length; wherein such fabric is formed similarly to the second (fast-drying or faster-drying) garment-region described above; and such fabric by itself, before being incorporated as a second garment-region or as a garment-region, provides the inventive features described above and/or below.

Any parameter(s) described above or herein, such as N or T or T1 or T2 or the like, may be a suitable positive number that may be pre-defined or pre-selected or pre-configured to achieve particular functionalities or features.

In some embodiments, Yarn A may be, for example: a Hydrophobic Modal yarn, or a Hydrophobic Rayon yarn, or a Hydrophobic Viscose yarn, or a hydrophobic yarn that is formed of beech tree cellulose, or a hydrophobic yarn that is formed of bamboo cellulose, or a hydrophobic yarn that is formed of pine tree cellulose, or a hydrophobic yarn that is formed of a tree cellulose or a plant cellulose that is coated by a Hydrophobic agent or by a Hydrophobic material or that was soaked (e.g., for at least T hours, wherein T is a pre-defined threshold value; such as 12 or 24 hours) in a Hydrophobic material, or that was otherwise treated with a Hydrophobic material, or a Tencel yarn or a Hydrophobic Tencel yarn, or a Hydrophobic polyester yarn, or a Hydrophobic Nylon yarn, or a Hydrophobic Polypropylene yarn, or other Hydrophobic Synthetic yarn, or a Hydrophobic semi-synthetic yarn (e.g., that may be based on plant cellulose yet was treated with a Hydrophobic material), or a Hydrophobic natural yarn; or a water repellent yarn, or a water repelling yarn; or a yarn that was pre-treated or pre-coated with a water repellent agent; or a yarn that was pre-soaked in a water repellent agent; or a blend or mixture or combination of two or more yarns from the above-mentioned list of Hydrophobic yarns.

In some embodiments, Yarn B may be, for example: a Hydrophilic yarn, a Hydrophilic natural yarn, a Hydrophilic Synthetic yarn, a Hydrophilic Semi-Synthetic yarn (e.g., that may be based on plant cellulose yet was treated with a Hydrophobic material); a Hydrophilic Modal yarn, or a Hydrophilic Rayon yarn, or a Hydrophilic Viscose yarn, or a Hydrophilic yarn that is formed of beech tree cellulose, or a Hydrophilic yarn that is formed of bamboo cellulose, or a Hydrophilic yarn that is formed of pine tree cellulose, or a Hydrophilic yarn that is formed of a tree cellulose or a plant cellulose that is coated by a Hydrophilic agent or by a Hydrophilic material or that was soaked (e.g., for at least T hours, wherein T is a pre-defined threshold value; such as 12 or 24 hours) in a Hydrophilic material, or that was otherwise treated with a Hydrophilic material; or a Tencel yarn or a Hydrophobic Tencel yarn, or a Hydrophilic polyester yarn, or a Hydrophilic Nylon yarn, or a Hydrophilic Polypropylene yarn, or other Hydrophilic Synthetic yarn, or a Hydrophilic semi-synthetic yarn (e.g., that may be based on plant cellulose yet was treated with a Hydrophilic material), or a Hydrophilic natural yarn; or a blend or mixture or combination of two or more yarns from the above-mentioned list of Hydrophilic yarns.

In some embodiments, optionally, the fabric or garment-region has two sides which may be treated differently, or which may be treated by a different treating process. For example, the inner or inwardly-facing or body-facing or body-touching side of the fabric in a particular garment region (e.g., such as, the fabric region that is intended to cover beneath an armpit, or that is around a collar or neck area), is treated with a hydrophobic agent coating or a hydrophobic agent deposition or a hydrophobic agent brushing or a hydrophobic agent soaking or a three-dimensional printing/deposition of a hydrophobic agent or layer or paste or cream, which solidifies into a flexible fabric-like material (or: coated-fabric material) that is water-repellent or liquid-repellent or sweat-repellent on that side, and reduces or prevents transfer or transport of sweat or spreading of sweat or dripping of sweat, or formation of sweat stains; whereas, the outer or outwardly-facing side of the fabric in that particular garment region (e.g., the side that is not facing the body, and that is not directly touching towards the body but rather is facing outwardly away from the body) may lack such treatment with water-repellent or liquid-repellent or sweat-repellent material(s), and may instead be formed of a breathable fabric-region and/or a mesh fabric and/or perforated fabric of knitted yarn(s) that enables at least some passage of air there-through and thus allows the body to “breathe” while also being covered with a garment, and thus providing a dual-side fabric-region or garment-region that on its inner side has water-repellent/sweat-repellent properties, to prevent or reduce the transfer or the transport of sweat; while on its outer side has a breathable knitted structure that lacks any water-repellent/sweat-repellent properties coating or treatment. In other embodiments, the two sides that are described above are switched, to provide a dual-side fabric-region or garment-region that on its outer side has water-repellent/sweat-repellent properties, while on its inner side has a breathable knitted structure that lacks any water-repellent/sweat-repellent properties coating or treatment.

In some embodiments, a garment-region (such as, a garment-region that is intended or configured to cover beneath/under/around an armpit of the human wearer) is formed of a fabric having two sides: (I) an inner side or an inwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a hydrophobic agent or material, or was pre-soaked with a hydrophobic agent or material, or was subject to a deposition or a brushing or a three-dimensional printing of a hydrophobic agent or material; and (II) an outer side or an outwardly-facing side, that was not pre-treated with any hydrophobic agent or material, and that was not pre-soaked with any hydrophobic agent or material, and that was not subject to any deposition or brushing or three-dimensional printing of a hydrophobic agent or material, and rather, may optionally be a knitted fabric-region with a mesh structure or with a plurality of ventilation perforations or with other breathable knitted structure.

In some embodiments, a garment-region (such as, a garment-region that is intended or configured to cover beneath/under/around an armpit of the human wearer) is formed of a fabric having two sides: (I) an inner side or an inwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a hydrophilic agent or material, or was pre-soaked with a hydrophilic agent or material, or was subject to a deposition or a brushing or a three-dimensional printing of a hydrophilic agent or material; and (II) an outer side or an outwardly-facing side, that was not pre-treated with any hydrophilic agent or material, and that was not pre-soaked with any hydrophilic agent or material, and that was not subject to any deposition or brushing or three-dimensional printing of a hydrophilic agent or material, and rather, may optionally be a knitted fabric-region with a mesh structure or with a plurality of ventilation perforations or with other breathable knitted structure.

In some embodiments, a garment-region (such as, a garment-region that is intended or configured to cover beneath/under/around an armpit of the human wearer) is formed of a fabric having two sides: (I) an inner side or an inwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a hydrophilic agent or material, or was pre-soaked with a hydrophilic agent or material, or was subject to a deposition or a brushing or a three-dimensional printing of a hydrophilic agent or material; and (II) an outer side or an outwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a hydrophobic agent or material, or was pre-soaked with a hydrophobic agent or material, or was subject to a deposition or a brushing or a three-dimensional printing of a hydrophobic agent or material.

In some embodiments, a garment-region (such as, a garment-region that is intended or configured to cover beneath/under/around an armpit of the human wearer) is formed of a fabric having two sides: (I) an outer side or an outwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a hydrophilic agent or material, or was pre-soaked with a hydrophilic agent or material, or was subject to a deposition or a brushing or a three-dimensional printing of a hydrophilic agent or material; and (II) an inner side or an inwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a hydrophobic agent or material, or was pre-soaked with a hydrophobic agent or material, or was subject to a deposition or a brushing or a three-dimensional printing of a hydrophobic agent or material.

In some embodiments, a garment-region (such as, a garment-region that is intended or configured to cover beneath/under/around an armpit of the human wearer) is formed of a fabric having two sides: (I) an outer side or an outwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a material or agent or three-dimensional deposition or cream or paste or solution, that provides water-repellant/sweat-repellent properties to that particular fabric-side; and (II) an inner side or an inwardly-facing side, that was not pre-treated with a material or agent or three-dimensional deposition or cream or paste or solution, and that does not provide water-repellant / sweat-repellent properties to that particular fabric-side, and that conversely provides perforations and/or ventilation holes and/or a meshed structure that provides breathable properties to that particular side of that fabric-region or garment-region.

In some embodiments, a garment-region (such as, a garment-region that is intended or configured to cover beneath/under/around an armpit of the human wearer) is formed of a fabric having two sides: (I) an inner side or an inwardly-facing side, that was pre-treated with a material or agent or three-dimensional deposition or cream or paste or solution, that provides water-repellant/sweat-repellent properties to that particular fabric-side; and (II) an outer side or an outwardly-facing side, that was not pre-treated with a material or agent or three-dimensional deposition or cream or paste or solution, and that does not provide water-repellant/sweat-repellent properties to that particular fabric-side, and that conversely provides perforations and/or ventilation holes and/or a meshed structure that provides breathable properties to that particular side of that fabric-region or garment-region.

It is clarified that the terms “fast-drying” or “slow-drying”, as used above and/or herein, particularly in the context of yarn(s) and/or fabric and/or fabric-region and/or garment-region, are not vague terms; but rather they are terms that can be clearly and precisely defined and utilized, in accordance with some embodiments. For example, a “slow-drying” (or: regular drying capability) yarn/fabric/garment-region may be defined, in some embodiments, as a yarn/fabric/garment-region in which a squared-centimeter thereof, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes completely dry within T1 seconds; whereas, a “fast-drying” (or fast-drying capability) yarn/fabric/garment-region may be defined, in some embodiments, as a yarn/fabric/garment-region in which a squared-centimeter thereof, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes completely dry within T2 seconds; wherein N is a pre-defined positive number; wherein T2 is smaller than T1. In some embodiments, for example, it may be defined or configured that T2 is not more than 0.75 of T1; or that T2 is not more than 0.66 of T1; or that T2 is not more than 0.50 of T1; or that T2 is not more than 0.40 of T1; or that T2 is not more than 0.33 of T1; or other suitable threshold values or ranges-of-values which may be defined or configured. Particularly, in some embodiments, such fast-dry/slow-dry (or: regular-dry) properties, of a particular yarn/fabric/fabric-region/garment-region, may be specifically configured and obtained; for example, by configuring or modifying of selecting the amount of hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) material that is applied to a squared-centimeter of that fabric/fabric-region/garment-region or to a meter of that yarn; and/or by configuring or modifying of selecting the amount of hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) material or solution in which a squared-centimeter of that fabric/fabric-region/garment-region or to a meter of that yarn are soaked; by configuring or modifying of selecting the thickness of hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) material or coating or deposition or paste that is applied to a squared-centimeter of that fabric/fabric-region/garment-region or to a meter of that yarn; by configuring or modifying of selecting the time-length (e.g., in minutes, or in hours, or in days) a squared-centimeter of that fabric/fabric-region/garment-region or a meter of that yarn that is allocated for soaking or coating or treating or brushing it with such hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) material; or by configuring or modifying of selecting the number of coating layers or deposition layers of the such hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) material (e.g., one coating layer, or 3 coating layers, or 6 coating layers), that are coated upon or brushed upon or deposited upon a squared-centimeter of that fabric/fabric-region/garment-region or a meter of that yarn such hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) material; and/or by otherwise configuring or selecting particular properties during the production process in order to reach particular fast-drying/regular-drying/slow-drying properties for a particular yarn/fabric/fabric-region/garment region.

In accordance with some embodiments, (a) said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer. In accordance with some embodiments, (b) a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophobic agents. In accordance with some embodiments, (c) a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophobic agent.

In accordance with some embodiments, (a) said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer. In some embodiments, a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophilic agents. In some embodiments, a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophilic agent.

In some embodiments, (a) said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer. In some embodiments, (b) a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophilic agents. In some embodiments, (c) a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophobic agents.

In some embodiments, (a) said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer. In some embodiments, (b) a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophobic agents, and comprises a non-perforated knitting structure. In some embodiments, (c) wherein a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophobic agent, and comprises a perforated knitting structure.

In some embodiments, (a) said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer. In some embodiments, (b) a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophilic agents, and comprises a non-perforated knitting structure. In some embodiments, (c) a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side, lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophilic agent, and comprises a perforated knitting structure.

It is clarified that in accordance with some embodiments, it is possible and it can be beneficial for a particular garment-region or fabric-region, to have, concurrently and simultaneously, (i) a first fabric-side/garment-side, that is facing inwardly towards the body of the wearer and/or that is intended to be directly touching the body of the wearer; and (ii) a second, opposite, fabric-side/garment-side, that is facing outwardly, away from the body of the wearer and/or that is intended to not be directly touching the body of the wearer; with the following additional characteristics: (A) such that the first fabric-side/garment-side has hydrophobic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent), while the second fabric-side/garment-side lacks any such hydrophobic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent); or, (B) such that the first fabric-side/garment-side has hydrophilic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent), while the second fabric-side/garment-side lacks any such hydrophilic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent); or, (C) such that the first fabric-side/garment-side has hydrophilic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent), while the second fabric-side/garment-side has hydrophobic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent); or, (D) such that the first fabric-side/garment-side has hydrophobic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent), while the second fabric-side/garment-side has hydrophilic properties (or coating, or soaking, or deposition, or paste, or brushed layer, or agent). In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively to the above: (E) the first fabric-side/garment-side has perforations or apertures or ventilation holes, while the second fabric-side/garment-side lacks any such perforations or apertures or ventilation holes; or, (F) the second fabric-side/garment-side has perforations or apertures or ventilation holes, while the first fabric-side/garment-side lacks any such perforations or apertures or ventilation holes; or, (G) the first fabric-side/garment-side has perforations or apertures or ventilation holes, while the second fabric-side/garment-side also has any such perforations or apertures or ventilation holes; or, (H) the first fabric-side/garment-side lacks any perforations or apertures or ventilation holes, while the second fabric-side/garment-side also lacks any such perforations or apertures or ventilation holes. In some embodiments, the different properties or characteristics of the first fabric-side/garment-side relative to the second fabric-side/garment-side, or vice versa, may be achieve by one or more suitable production methods; for example, (i) by brushing or coating or spraying only one of the two sides, and not the other side, of the fabric-region/garment-region, with a particular coating layer or agent or material; and/or (ii) by performing paste deposition or three-dimensional printing deposition or other type of additive process, only on (or at) one of the two sides, and not on (or at) the other side, of the fabric-region/garment-region; and/or (iii) by carefully soaking or wetting or dipping, only one of the two sides of the fabric-region/garment-region, with or within a particular solution or agent or material (for example, the entire thickness of the fabric-region/garment-region is 5 millimeters; and only the first two millimeters of the fabric thickness are soaked or wetted or dipped in (or by) a particular material or agent or solution, wherein the dipping/soaking depth is carefully controlled manually (e.g., with a human inspector) and/or via a machine-based process that ensures that only some, but not all, of the thickness of the fabric is treated; and/or (iv) by producing or creating or knitting a dual-layer knitted structure, in which a first side of the knitted structure is a first layer of knitted yarns that have the first set of properties, whereas a second side of the knitted structure is a second layer of knitted yarns that have the second set of properties, and wherein (optionally) a third layer of knitted yarns is sandwiched or trapped between the two layers, or where the two layers are glued or bonded to each other back-to-back; and/or (v) by knitting a knitted structure in which, for example, at least 99 95 or 90 or 80 or 75 percent of the yarns that are facing outwardly towards a first side of the fabric-region/garment-region have the first set of properties, while at least 99 95 or 90 or 80 or 75 percent of the yarns that are facing outwardly towards a second side of the fabric-region/garment-region have the first set of properties, and wherein the two types of yarns may optionally be interwind among them at particular regions or connection points or connection regions, such that the first side of the fabric-region/garment-region has the first set of properties since its majority is knitted from the first type of yarns, whereas the second side of the fabric-region/garment-region has the second set of properties since its majority is knitted from the second type of yarns.

Some embodiments may be implemented by using a machine or an automated or semi-automatic production line, which may comprise, for example: cutting unit, welding unit, bonding unit, ultrasonic operations unit, gluing unit, conveyor belt, robotic arm, control unit, workstation; as well as suitable hardware components and/or software components, for example, processor to execute code, memory unit, storage unit, input unit (keyboard, mouse, touch-screen), output unit (screen, touch-screen), modems, transceivers or transmitters or receivers, wireless and/or wired communication links and/or transceivers or transmitters or receivers, power sources, Operating System (OS) and suitable applications, or the like.

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa.

While certain features of some embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A garment comprising:

a first garment-region, that is formed of cotton and/or polyester, wherein the first garment-region has a first level of drying capability;

a second garment-region, that is formed of fast-drying yarns that comprise at least 75% cotton, wherein the second garment-region has a second level of drying capability;

wherein the second level of drying capability is greater than the first level of drying capability,

wherein a squared-centimeter of the first garment region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T1 seconds,

wherein a squared-centimeter of the second garment region, being wet by absorbing N milliliters of water, becomes dry within T2 seconds,

wherein N is a pre-defined positive number,

wherein T2 is smaller than T1.

2. The garment of claim 1,

wherein the second garment-region is formed of fast-drying yarns which comprise a first yarn (Yarn A), a second yarn (Yarn B), and a third yarn (Yarn C);

wherein the first yarn, which is Yarn A, is formed of cotton cellulose and a hydrophobic chemical agent, wherein Yarn A is hydrophobic at least 25% more relative to cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent;

wherein the second yarn, which is Yarn B, is a single-thread yarn that is formed of a blend of a first fiber material and a second fiber material; wherein the first fiber material is cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent; wherein the second fiber material is beechwood cellulose and/or eucalyptus cellulose; wherein said blend comprises at least 90% of the first fiber material and not more than 10% of the second fiber material;

wherein the third yarn, which is Yarn C, is formed of a long-chain synthetic polymer comprising at least 85% of segmented polyurethane; wherein Yarn C is capable of stretching, upon application of a stretching force thereon, from an original idle length (L) to a stretched length of at least 3 times said original idle length (3L).

3. The garment of claim 2,

wherein the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn B and Yarn C looped together around Yarn A.

4. The garment of claim 2,

wherein the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn A and Yarn C looped together around Yarn B.

5. The garment of claim 2,

wherein the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has: Yarn A and Yarn C, looped together around Yarn B and Yarn C2; wherein Yarn C2 is identical to Yarn C.

6. The garment of claim 1,

wherein Yarn A is a super-hydrophobic cotton yarn having a water Contact Angle (CA) of at least 155 degrees.

7. The garment of claim 1,

wherein Yarn A is a super-hydrophobic cotton yarn which comprises silica particles and which has dual-scale surface roughness.

8. The garment of claim 1,

wherein Yarn A is a super-hydrophobic cotton yarn which comprises polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

9. The garment of claim 1,

wherein Yarn A is hydrophobic at least 50% more relative to cotton cellulose that lacks said hydrophobic chemical agent.

10. The garment of claim 1,

wherein Yarn A is formed of (i) cotton cellulose and (ii) said hydrophobic chemical agent and also (iii) an oleophobic oil-repellant chemical agent.

11. The garment of claim 2,

wherein the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn B and Yarn C looped together around Yarn A;

wherein the second garment-region has a total number of yarns; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn A; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn B and Yarn C.

12. The garment of claim 2,

wherein the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has Yarn A and Yarn C looped together around Yarn B;

wherein the second garment-region has a total number of yarns; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn B; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn A and Yarn C.

13. The garment of claim 2,

wherein the second garment-region comprises said fast drying yarns in accordance with a knit structure in which each knit loop has: Yarn A and Yarn C, looped together around Yarn B and Yarn C2; wherein Yarn C2 is identical to Yarn C;

wherein the second garment-region has a total number of yarns; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn A and Yarn C; wherein 50 percent of the total number of yarns of the second garment-region are Yarn B and Yarn C2.

14. The garment of claim 13,

wherein Yarn C and/or Yarn C2 are incorporated into the second garment-region as non-knitted inlaid yarns.

15. The garment of claim 1,

wherein said second garment-region is a single-layer knitted fabric which has a unified level of hydrophobicity across an entirety of said single-layer knitted fabric;

wherein said second garment-region is not formed of two or more fabric-layers having a root fabric layer that transports wetness towards one or more branches fabric layers.

16. The garment of claim 1,

wherein the garment is a shirt;

wherein the second garment-region is a region selected from the group consisting of:

a garment-region beneath a left-side armpit,

a garment-region below a right-side armpit,

an elongated garment-region that is a generally vertical column that starts at a rear side of a collar of the shirt and ends at a lower-central region of a back side of the shirt.

17. The garment of claim 1,

wherein the garment is a garment selected from the group consisting of: long pants, leggings, tights, training pants, yoga pants;

wherein the second garment-region is a region that covers a rear side of a knee of a wearer.

18. The garment of claim 1,

wherein the garment is a garment selected from the group consisting of: underwear, briefs;

wherein the second garment-region is a region that covers a crotch area of a wearer.

19. The garment of claim 1,

wherein the garment is a sock;

wherein the second garment-region is a region selected from the group consisting of:

a garment-region that covers toes of a wearer,

a garment-region that covers a heel of the wearer,

a garment-region that is beneath a foot arch of the wearer.

20. The garment of claim 1,

(a) wherein said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer;

(b) wherein a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophobic agents;

(c) wherein a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophobic agent.

21. The garment of claim 1,

(a) wherein said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer;

(b) wherein a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophilic agents;

(c) wherein a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophilic agent.

22. The garment of claim 1,

(a) wherein said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer;

(b) wherein a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophilic agents;

(c) wherein a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophobic agents.

23. The garment of claim 1,

(a) wherein said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer;

(b) wherein a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophobic agents, and

comprises a non-perforated knitting structure;

(c) wherein a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophobic agent, and

comprises a perforated knitting structure.

24. The garment of claim 1,

(a) wherein said garment-region has (i) an inwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing inwardly towards a body of a wearer, and (ii) an outwardly-facing side that is intended to be facing outwardly away from the body of the wearer;

(b) wherein a first side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

comprises yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with one or more hydrophilic agents, and

comprises a non-perforated knitting structure;

(c) wherein a second side selected from the group consisting of: the inwardly-facing side, the outwardly-facing side,

lacks any yarns that are pre-treated or pre-soaked or pre-coated with any hydrophilic agent, and

comprises a perforated knitting structure.