Patent Application
20170088983
The present disclosure relates to a pillow article, a textile material for forming a pillow article, and method of making the textile material and pillow article.
Cosmetics and toiletry manufacturers have spent years developing face creams, lotions, and washes and other skin care products. Moisturizers, UV protection, and anti-aging products are sold to improve skin care health. Demand for such products is strong and shows no signs of abating. Consumers have a wide range of skin care options and competition among manufactures to deliver more robust and verifiable improvements to skin health is fierce. Manufacturers have responded with new compositions that have improved deposition of useful vitamins, minerals, and other herbal extracts onto the skin. Advances in delivery mechanisms, such as wipes, toilettes, applicators and other implements, have resulted in improvements as well. Implementing skin care compositions on textile materials is challenging. Compositions designed for direct application to skin are not directly translatable into textile dyeing and finishing processes. Balancing raw materials and processing variables to achieve end-use performance requirements is difficult and unpredictable.
There is a need for a pillow article, a textile material, and a method of making same that can provide a skin care or wellness benefit. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure is an improved pillow article. The pillow article is configured to provide a skin care benefit and includes a pillow case. The pillow case includes upper and lower panels that define an internal space sized to receive a cushion member. The pillow case defines a first end, a second end spaced from the first end along a first direction, and opposed sides spaced apart with respect to each other along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. At least one of the sides defines a seam that connects the upper panel to the lower panel. The pillow case is configured to be opened to provide access to the inner space. Further, each panel includes a plurality of warp yarns and a plurality of weft yarns interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven fabric, the woven fabric including a composition disposed thereon that includes a hyaluronic acid component.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a woven fabric that includes cotton and silk fibers. The woven fabric includes a plurality of warp yarns with each warp yarn including a blend of cotton fibers and silk fibers, and a plurality of weft yarns that are interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven structure. Each weft yarn includes at least cotton fibers. The warp and the weft yarns include a count in a range of about 10 Ne to about 80 Ne. The woven fabrics also include a composition impregnated into the woven fabric. The composition includes a hyaluronic acid component disposed on the woven fabric at a percent add-on of about 0.03 wt. % to about 10 wt. %.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a woven fabric that includes linen fibers. The woven fabric includes a plurality of warp yarns with each warp yarn including spun yarns that include either cotton fibers or linen fibers. The woven fabric also includes a plurality of weft yarns that are interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven structure. Each weft yarn is a spun yarn that includes at least linen fibers. The warp and the weft yarns include a count in a range of about 10 Ne to about 80 Ne. The woven fabric also includes a composition impregnated into the woven fabric. The composition includes a hyaluronic acid component disposed on the woven fabric at a percent add-on of about 0.03 wt. % to about 10 wt. %.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a knitted fabric that includes a plurality of yarns formed into a knitted fabric that includes courses and wales of loops. Each yarn has a count in a range of about 10 Ne to about 80 Ne. The knitted fabric includes a composition impregnated thereon. The composition includes a hyaluronic acid component disposed on the woven fabric at a percent add-on of about 0.03 wt. % to about 10 wt. %. Another embodiment is a method of making a pillow article with such a knitted fabric.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of manufacturing a textile article. The method includes weaving a plurality of warp yarns with a plurality of warp yarns to define a woven fabric, wherein the warp and the weft yarns include a count in a range of about 10 Ne to about 80 Ne. The method includes printing a design onto a face of the woven fabric. The method includes applying a composition to the woven fabric. The composition includes a hyaluronic acid component at a concentration of about 0.03 wt. % to about 10 wt. %. The method includes curing the composition onto the woven fabric.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a textile article 2 illustrated in the form of a pillow 10.
Continuing with
As shown
As shown in
The cushion member 14 can be any type of insert or structure that provides cushion and resilience to the pillow 10. For instance, the cushion member can be a bag of fiber fill, down feathers, or ground foam particles. The cushion member 14 can also be a monolithic insert. The monolithic insert may be latex, memory foam, open or closed cell foams a batting material, or any combination thereof. A batting material is lofty assembly of fibers that may be either mechanical, chemically, or thermally bonded together.
The pillow case 10 is formed from a textile material that includes a composition of one or more functional agents described above. As illustrated, the textile material is a woven fabric that includes a plurality of warp yarns and a plurality of weft yarns interwoven with the plurality of warp yarns to define a woven structure. The woven fabric may be defined by a number of different woven structures. Exemplary woven structures include, but are not limited to, satins (e.g. 5/1 satins, 4/1 satin, 4/1 satin base strip, 4/1 stain swiss dot, 4/1 down jacquard), 1×1 plain weave, basket weaves, 2×1 rib weave, 2×2 rib weave, or 3×1 rib weave, and twill weaves. In one example, the satin woven structures are preferred, such as the 4/1 satin, etc.
The warp yarns can be any type of spun yarn structure. For example, the warp yarns can be ring spun yarns, open end yarns, or rotor spun yarns, or filaments. In another embodiment, the warp yarns can be Hygrocotton® brand yarns marketed by Welspun India Limited. Furthermore, yarns can be formed as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,833,075, entitled “Hygro Materials for Use In Making Yarns And Fabrics,” (the 075 patent). The 075 patent is incorporated by reference into present disclosure. Preferred warp yarns are ring spun.
The warp yarns can be formed from any number of fiber types. For instance, the warp yarns include natural fibers, synthetic fiber yarns, or blends of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferred natural fibers include cotton, silk and linen. However, other natural fibers could be used, such as flax, bamboo, hemp, wool, and the like. Preferred synthetic fibers are those fibers that result in fabric structures with good hand, drape, and softness. Preferred synthetic fibers may include rayon fibers (e.g. Modal, Lyocell). In some examples, thermoplastic fibers could be used blend yarns, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber, polylactic acid (PLA) fiber, polypropylene (PP) fibers, polyamide fibers, and microfiber staple fibers.
The warp yarns can be single fiber yarns or blended yarns. In one example, the warp yarns are formed from cotton fibers. In another example, the warp yarns are blended yarns that include cotton fibers and silk fibers. For instance, such blended yarns include about 50 wt. % to about 80 wt. % cotton fibers and about 20 wt. % to about 50 wt. % silk fibers. In other words, the blend yarns include about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 to about 80 wt. % of cotton fibers to about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, to about 50 wt. % of silk fibers. In yet another example, the warp yarns are blended yarns that include about 70 wt. % cotton fibers and about 30 wt. % silk fibers. In another example, the warp yarns are blended yarns that include cotton fiber and rayon fibers. In another example, the warp yarns are formed from linen fibers.
The modifier “about” as used herein discloses the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.” When used to modify a single number, the term “about” may refer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated number and includes the indicated number. For example, “about 10%” may indicate a range of 9% to 11%, and “about 1” means 0.9 to 1.1.
The warp yarns have a range of counts for the yarn types and fibers as described above. For instance, the warp yarns can have count of about 10 Ne to about 80 Ne. In other words, the warp yarns can have a count of about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, to about 80 Ne. In one example, the warp yarns have a count of about 10 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 14 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 20 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 24 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 30 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 40 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 50 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 60 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 70 Ne. In another example, the warp yarns have a count of about 80 Ne. In addition, the warp yarns can be plied yarns. As used herein, the term “plied” refers to a yarn having two or more strands and is abbreviated “ply”. In one example, the natural fiber warp yarn is 2-ply yarn. In another example, the warp yarns yarn is a 3-ply yarn.
The weft yarns can be any type of spun yarn structure. For example, the weft yarns can be ring spun yarns, open end yarns, rotor spun yarns, or filaments. In another embodiment, the weft yarns can be Hygrocotton® brand yarns.
The weft yarns can be formed from any number of fiber types. For instance, the weft yarns include natural fibers, synthetic fiber yarns, or blends of natural and synthetic fibers. In some embodiments, the natural fibers include cotton, silk and linen. However, other natural fibers could be used, such as flax, bamboo, hemp, wool, and the like. The synthetic fibers are those fibers that result in fabric structures with good hand, drape, and softness. In some embodiments, the synthetic fibers include rayon fibers (e.g. Modal, Lyocell). In other embodiments, thermoplastic fibers may be included in blended yarns. Thermoplastic fibers include, without limitation, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber, polylactic acid (PLA) fiber, polypropylene (PP) fibers, polyamide fibers, and microfiber staple fibers.
The weft yarns may be single fiber yarns or blended yarns. In one embodiment, the weft yarns include cotton fibers. In other embodiment, the weft yarns are blended yarns that include cotton fibers and silk fibers. For instance, the blended yarns may include about 50 wt. % to about 80 wt. % cotton fibers and about 20 wt. % to about 50 wt. % silk fibers. In other words, the blended yarns may include about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, to about 80 wt. % cotton fibers and about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 to about 50 wt. % silk fibers. In one example, the weft yarns are blended yarns that include about 70 wt. % cotton fibers and about 30 wt. % silk fibers. In another example, the weft yarns include cotton and rayon (e.g. lycocell) fibers. For instance, such weft yarns contain about 40 wt. % to about 80 wt. % rayon fibers and about 20 wt. % to about 60 wt. % cotton fibers. In other words, the weft yarns contain about 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 to about 80 wt. % rayon fibers and about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 to about 60 wt. % cotton fibers. In one example, the blended yarns include about 40 wt. % cotton fibers and about 60 wt. % rayon fibers. In another example, the weft yarns are formed from linen fibers.
The weft yarns have a range of counts for the yarn types and fibers used as described above. For instance, the weft yarns can have count of about 10 Ne to about 80 Ne. In other words, the weft yarns have a count of about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 to about 80 Ne. In one example, the weft yarns have a count of about 10 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 14 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 20 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 24 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 30 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 40 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 50 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 60 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 70 Ne. In another example, the weft yarns have a count of about 80 Ne. In addition, the weft yarns can be plied yarns. In one example, the natural fiber weft yarn is 2-ply yarn or greater. In another example, the weft yarns yarn is a 3-ply yarn.
In alternative embodiments, the textile material may be a knit fabric. The knit fabric may be a weft knit, such as single jersey knit fabric, a double knit, rib knit, or any other type of weft knitted fabric. The knit fabric may alternatively be a warp knit, such as a tricot or rachel warp knitted fabric. The knit fabric may include any one of the warp or weft yarns described above with respect to the woven fabric, including fiber type, yarn type and yarn counts. In some embodiments, the knit fabric can include yarns with cotton fibers; yarns that include cotton fibers and silk fibers; yarns that include cotton and rayon (e.g. lycocell) fibers; or yarns formed from linen fibers.
The composition of functional agent applied to the woven fabric may include a hyaluronic acid component, an aloe vera component, a vitamin E component, and an antimicrobial component. Each component will be discussed below. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the functional agent includes at least one of a hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, vitamin E emulsion, an antimicrobial agent, and a catalyst. It should be appreciated that additional functional agents could be used, such as softeners and the like.
The hyaluronic acid component helps to firm skin cells, acts as an antioxidant and can increase further active oxygenation in skin cells. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body. Typically, hyaluronic acid it is found in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. The hyaluronic acid that is used as medicine may be extracted from rooster combs or made by bacteria in the laboratory. Hyaluronic acid has been used for joint disorders, oral or injected, certain eye surgeries including cataract removal, corneal transplantation, and repair of a detached retina and other eye injuries. It is injected into the eye during the procedure to help replace natural fluids. Further, hyaluronic acid is also used as a filler in plastic surgery. Utilizing hyaluronic acid in applied the woven fabric, or pillow case, can result moisturizing and film-forming properties, wrinkle reduction, promote skin self-hydration.
The hyaluronic acid component as disclosed herein may be used in a powder form and applied after dilution. Typically, the hyaluronic acid dilution has a pH of about 6 to about 8. It should be appreciated that hyaluronic acid and salts thereof could be used as described herein. Examples of salts of hyaluronic acid include, without limitation, sodium hyaluronate, potassium hyaluronate. Table 1 below illustrates some exemplary properties of hyaluronic acid that are suitable for use in the composition as described herein.
As used herein, the molecular weight for the hyaluronic acid refers to the weight average molecular weight (Mw). The Mw recited herein is determined by gel permeation chromatography using the following equation, where Mi is the molecular weight of a chain and Ni is the number of chains of that molecular weight.
The term “aloe vera” as used herein refers to one or more of the phytochemicals in aloe vera leaves. The phytochemicals may be utilized may be used as part of the aloe vera leaf or extracted therefrom. Such phytochemicals include, without limitation, acetylated mannans, polymannans, anthraquinones such as emodin, anthraquinone C-glycosides, anthrones, and lectins. The aloe vera component may also be an emulsion of an aloe vera extract. In other forms, the aloe vera component may be an emulsion of aloe vera extract and Jojoba oil. Accordingly, the aloe vera component may include other agents, such as jojoba oil.
The vitamin E component is lipid-soluble vitamin in the form of a-tocopherol (“alpha-tocopherol”). In some embodiments, the vitamin component may be in form of an emulsion of alpha-tocopherol. The emulsion can include a polyurethane microcapsule wall material and alpha-tocopherol oil as the core.
The antimicrobial components include agents that can limit bacterial growth on the woven fabric. The antimicrobial agent can be silver (such as colloidal silver and formulations containing silver salts), nano-silver (such as nanoparticles of silver which are in the range of about 1 to about 100 nm in size), quaternary ammonium salt, or other antibacterial agents. In one example, the antimicrobial agent is a silver compound. In another example, the antimicrobial agent is a nano-silver compound.
When the composition is applied to the fabric as further explained below, each component can have a percent (%) add-on within the ranges summarized in table 2 below. Percent add-on is the product of the concentration of the component and the wet pick up (WPU) during the application process. The concentration is obtained by dividing the total weight of the component by the total weight of the composition (including water). The percent add-on values in table 1 are based on the range of component concentration and WPU for applying the composition to the woven fabric as further detailed below. Table 2 illustrates an example where each functional agent is applied to the woven fabric.
Aloe
Vera
In some embodiments, the composition applied to the fabric may include just one of the components listed Table 2, water, and nominal amounts of process aids, such as a catalyst (if needed), buffers, surfactants, or other agents may be used even when just one of the components is used. For example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the hyaluronic acid at a percent add-on of about 0.03 wt. % to about 10 wt. %. In other words, the composition applied to the fabric may include the hyaluronic acid at a percent add-on of about 0.03, 0.05, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 to about 10 wt. %. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the aloe vera component at a percent add-on of about 0.03 wt. % to about 15 wt. %. In other words, the composition applied to the fabric may include the aloe vera component at a percent add-on of about 0.03, 0.05, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5 to about 15 wt. %. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the vitamin E component at a percent add-on of about 0.03 wt. % to about 15 wt. %. In other words, the composition applied to the fabric may include the vitamin E component at a percent add-on of about 0.03, 0.05, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5 to about 15 wt. %. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the antimicrobial component at a percent add-on of about 0.03 wt. % to about 15 wt. %. In other words, the composition applied to the fabric may include the anti-microbial component at a percent add-on of about 0.03, 0.05, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5 to about 15 wt. %.
In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the composition applied to the fabric may include just two of the components listed Table 2, water, and nominal amounts of other process aids. In one example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the hyaluronic acid component and the aloe vera component. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the hyaluronic acid component and the vitamin E component. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the hyaluronic acid component and the antibacterial component. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the vitamin E component and the aloe vera component. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the vitamin E component and the antibacterial component. In another example, the composition applied to the fabric may include the aloe vera component and the antibacterial component. In all examples in this paragraph, for each respective component, the percent add-on is similar to the percent add-on summarized in Table 2 above.
In one example, the composition of the functional agents applied to woven fabric includes the hyaluronic acid component, the aloe vera component, and the vitamin E component. In another example, the composition includes the hyaluronic acid component, the aloe vera component, and the antibacterial component. In another example, the composition includes the hyaluronic acid component, the vitamin E component, and the antibacterial component. In another example, the composition includes the aloe vera component, the vitamin E component, and the antibacterial component. In all examples in this paragraph, for each respective component, the percent add-on is similar to the percent add-on summarized in Table 1 above.
Turning to
The filament formation forms continuous filament yarns. During filament formation, polymer resins (such as PET, PLA, and PP) are melted and extruded through orifices at temperatures that approach the polymer melting temperature (Tm). From the orifices, the filaments may be tensioned by passing over one or more godets before being wound onto yarn packages. Additional bulking or texturizing steps may be included to increase the bulk and impart false twist to the yarns as is known in the textile arts.
During yarn formation 210, the weft yarns may be formed with similar fiber types and using the same or similar yarn spinning systems used to form the warp yarns. As needed, the weft yarns may be plied in 2-ply, 3 ply, or 4-ply configurations. Following weft yarn spinning, the weft winding step 222 prepares wound packages of weft yarns. The wound packages are then staged for weft insertion during fabric formation steps discussed further below.
As noted above, warping step 220 follows the yarn formation step 210. In the warping step 220, warp yarn ends are removed from their respective yarn packages, arranged in a parallel form, and wound onto a warp beam. The warping step 220 also includes a sizing step where a typical sizing agent is applied to each warp yarn to aid in fabric formation. The warping step 220 results in a warp beam of warp yarns prepared for weaving. The warp beam can be positioned on a mounting arm of a weaving loom so that the warp yarns can be drawn through the loom components, as further described below.
Continuing with
During the formation phase of the weaving step 240, weft yarns are interwoven with the warp yarns to define the woven design constructions. Exemplary fabric woven constructions can include but are not limited to, satins (e.g. satin 5/1, satin 4/1 satin; 4/1 satin base strip; 4/1 stain swiss dot; 4/1 down jacquard; 5/1 satins); 1×1 plain weave; basket weaves; 2×1 rib weave; 2×2 rib weave; or 3×1 rib weave; and twill structures. In one example, the satin woven structures are preferred, such as the 4/1 satin, etc. The formation phase can utilize different weft insertion techniques, includes air-jet, rapier, or projectile type weft insertion techniques. The weaving step 240 can further include weaving one or more selvedge edges along a length L of the woven fabric.
The weaving step 240 can form woven fabrics having any number of different fabric constructions. In one example, the woven fabrics can be formed to include about 10 to about 100 warp ends/cm. In other words, the woven fabrics can be formed to include about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 to about 100 warp ends/cm. In some embodiments, the woven fabrics include about 40 and 80 warp ends/cm. The weft or pick density can be about 10 to about 60 picks/cm. In other words, the weft or pick density can be about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 to about 60 picks/cm. In some embodiments, the pick density is about 20 picks/cm to about 40 picks/cm.
Following weaving step 240, the woven fabric passes through desizing and bleaching step 250. Desizing may be accomplished with typical enzymes used to remove sizing material from the warp ends. Bleaching may include typical bleaching agents known in the art, such as hydrogen peroxide bleaching. Step 250 may include singing the fabric.
Next, a printing step 260 applies a design on the face of the woven fabric The design is printed so that the design is displayed on the upper and lower panels of the pillow case 12 when assembled. The printing step 260 initiates with a preparation step that includes padding the woven fabric with a paste, such as a paste containing sodium alginate and alkali, at a typical WPU and utilizing typical concentrations which are known in the art. After padding the paste onto the woven fabric, a digital printer prints a design the fabric using reactive inks or dyestuffs. After printing, the printed, woven fabric is steamed and washed. The steaming and washing steps remove the printing gums and any unfixed dyestuffs.
After printing step 260, a finishing step 270 applies a composition including one or more of the functional agents to the woven fabric. The finishing step 270 includes multiple steps including a) an application step, b) a drying step, and c) a curing step where the functional agents applied to the woven fabric are cured.
As noted above, the application step includes applying the composition to the woven fabric. A padding operation may be used to apply the composition to the woven fabric. In one particular example, the composition applied to fabric is summarized in Table 3 below.
Aloe
Vera
During padding, a targeted wet pick-up (WPU) is about 60 wt. % to about 160 wt. % for a targeted add-on levels. It should be appreciated that the WPU ranges from about 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, or 150 to about 160% WPU. In some embodiments, the targeted WPU is about 90% to about 110%. As used herein, WPU is equal to the weight of the solution picked up ×100 divided by the dry weight of the fabric just prior to application step. The composition listed above has a pH of about 5.0 to about 6.0 during padding. It should be appreciated that the values listed in Table 3 are exemplary and should not be considered a limitation herein. For example, each component may be used a different g/L depending on the specific fiber and fabric combination. Thus, the weight of each component per liter of solution may be increased or decreased as needed.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can include compositions with the hyaluronic acid component at a concentration of about 0.03 wt. % to about 10 wt. %; the aloe vera component at a concentration of about 0.03 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; the vitamin E component at a concentration of about 0.03 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; the antimicrobial component at a concentration of about 0.03 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; and the catalyst at a concentration of about 0.03 wt. % to about 15 wt. %.
Next, the drying step of finishing 270 removes excess moisture from the woven fabric and composition. During the drying step, the woven fabric is advanced through a heating machine at a rate of about 2.0 meters/min to about 30 meters/min, which varies based on number heating zones. In other words, the woven fabric is advanced through a heating machine at a rate of about 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, to about 30 meters/min. The heating machine may be set to expose the fabric to at about 140° C. for a period of time. The drying step may include convection, heated steam, infrared, hot air, surface rolls, hot oil can, through-air ovens and the like.
After drying, the components of the composition on the fabric are cured. The curing step includes exposing the woven fabric to thermal energy for a period of time that is sufficient to induce cure in the composition components. Curing may include exposing the woven fabric to heated air, a heated surface (e.g. a calendar roll), or an infrared heat source. In one example, the woven fabric is exposed to about 150° C. for about 45 to about 60 seconds, which could be about 2.0 meters/min up to about 30 meters/min based on the number heating zones. The heating machine could also dry and cure the fabric.
Following the curing step, the fabric is assembled into the article in step 280. As illustrated, the assembly step 280 includes cutting the woven fabric size for use a pillow case. Following cutting, additional edge binding or a hem can be applied to finish the cut edges. In one example, a block hem 30 can be formed in step 242 using a typical fabric formation processes known in the art. The block hem 30 can be dyed separately using reactive dyes as in known in the art and finished in step 252. The block hem 30 is then used in article assembly step 280 to finish the pillow case 10. In some cases, the cutting and sewing may include inserting the cushioning member 14 in the completed pillow case 10. However, the process does not require completed pillows with a cushioning member 14. Rather, the method 200 can result in the pillow case 10 formed as described herein.
After the cutting step, a packaging step 290 places the pillow case (or completed pillow) in suitable packaging for shipment.
Tables 4-13 below illustrate exemplary fabrics formed as described herein. The examples should not be considered limiting. For each example discussed below, the composition illustrated in tables 2 and 3 could be applied to the fabric as described above in method 200.
Each exemplary fabric summarized in tables 4-13 includes a printed design and a composition that includes the hyaluronic acid component, the aloe vera component, the vitamin E component, and the antimicrobial component at the concentrations summarized in Table 3.
While the disclosure is described herein using a limited number of embodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. The precise arrangement of various elements and order of the steps of articles and methods described herein are not to be considered limiting. For instance, although the steps of the methods are described with reference to sequential series of reference signs and progression of the blocks in the figures, the method can be implemented in a particular order as desired.
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/232,323, filed Sep. 24, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62232323 | Sep 2015 | US |
