KR20050016687A - A fluid-advancing fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

Using conventional methods, a fluid-advancing fiber has been provided that can be sewn, woven or knitted with a conductive mesh for use with various wearable fabrics for direct contact with the skin. The fluid-advancing fiber has one or more conductive elements adjacent the inner and outer portions and the outer portion. Here, one or more conductive elements are adapted to contract when heated by a current and expand when cooled. The fluid-advanced fibers facilitate comfortable fluid communication between other wearable fabrics and the skin.

Description

A-FLUID-ADVANCING FIBER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fiber construction, and more particularly, to the flexible, fluid-advancing fibers usable in various types of wearable fabrics.

Combining active principles of cosmetics, medicine, or health and wellness with various wearable fabrics is well known in the textile industry. It is also known to provide systems for regulating body temperature to other wearable fabrics. Typically, such wearable fabrics are configured to use encapsulated fluids or materials connected to one or more fabrics and to interact with the skin through wear or rubbed contacts. An important disadvantage associated with this dual-purpose fabric is that it has a relatively short useful life (typically 30 to 40 washes). As a result, there is a need for a more robust system to efficiently maintain or advance fluids or materials through a flexible fiber network of wearable fabrics.

1 is a plan view in the longitudinal direction of a first fluid-advancing fiber according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the first fluid-advancing fiber showing advancing of the fluid according to the first exemplary embodiment.

3 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction of a second fluid-advanced fiber according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction of a second fluid-advancing fiber showing a first step of fluid advancement according to the second exemplary embodiment.

5 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the second fluid-advancing fiber showing a second state of fluid advancement according to the second exemplary embodiment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fiber for use in wearable fabrics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fiber that facilitates comfortable contact with the skin.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid-advancing fiber designed to pass through and advance a fluid.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fluid-advancing fiber which can be woven, knitted and / or sewn by conventional methods.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fluid-advancing fiber that is adapted to facilitate efficient and effective advancement of the fluid through various wearable fabrics.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid-advanced fiber adapted to facilitate efficient and effective flow of fluid between the wearable fabric and the skin of the user.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fluid-advanced fiber that enhances comfort and extends the useful life of the wearable fabric incorporating the active principles of cosmetics, medicine, health and wellness, and / or temperature control systems. .

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the fluid-advancing fibers of the present invention. This fluid-advancing fiber has an inner portion, and an outer portion, one or more conductive elements adjacent to the outer portion. Here, the one or more conductive elements are adapted to contract when heated by a current and expand when cooled. Such fluid-advancing fibers may be woven using any known conventional method, including weaving, sewing, and knitting to form a stiff, flexible, and comfortably wearable fabric.

The invention can be understood in more detail by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings set out below.

Referring to the drawings, in particular with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an improved fiber according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, is shown. Preferably, the fluid-advancing fiber 10 has an inner portion 20 and an outer portion 30 and a conductive element 40 adjacent the outer portion 30. Here, one or more conductive elements 40 are adapted to contract when heated by a current and expand when cooled.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 2, the inner portion 20 is preferably a hollow portion for allowing fluid or material to pass or advance. It is noted that the inner portion 20 may also be a solid material having sufficient permeability or porosity to allow the fluid or material to advance with minimal resistance and sufficient flexibility to allow for selective shrinkage. Preferably, the inner portion 20 is surrounded by the outer portion 30 such that fluid or material is retained therein and / or advanced through it. Thus, the inner portion 20 preferably provides a passageway for efficiently and effectively retaining and / or advancing the fluid or material through any wearable fabric incorporating the one or more fluid-advancing fibers 10. It is noted that the inner portion 20 need not be a hollow portion and can be any porous material that allows fluid to advance through.

Preferably, outer portion 30 is sufficiently permeable or porous to allow selective flow of fluid or material within inner portion 20 with the skin. The outer portion 30 may preferably be made of any suitable material that provides sufficient penetration for selective discharge of fluids or materials within the inner portion 20 and provides sufficient strength and flexibility during weaving and wearing. Thus, the outer portion 30 facilitates effective and efficient advancement and / or discharge of the fluid or material, preferably through the fibers and / or from the fibers, respectively, for selective interaction with the skin. It is noted that the outer portion 30 need not be permeable and may be designed and / or formed from any material sufficient to facilitate other applications of use. For example, a fabric or similar structure capable of selectively applying various cosmetic products and / or therapeutic agents to the skin, a fabric or similar structure capable of selectively providing the medical product and / or therapeutic agent to the skin, or a body temperature can be controlled. There is a fabric or similar structure. Thus, inner portion 20 and outer portion 30 are fluid advancing fibers 10 sufficient to be used in a variety of wearable fibers that are designed to contact the skin and are woven or sewn in a plurality of different patterns to facilitate different applications in use. Adjust to form).

Preferably, conductive element 40 takes the form of a wire made of a temperature sensitive memory alloy. In addition, the conductive element 40 is preferably located adjacent the outer portion 30 so that when the conductive element 40 is heated by a current, the element contracts. This contraction action causes the fluid or material to pass through the permeable or porous surface to advance the fluid or material through the inner portion 20 and / or to communicate and / or interact with the skin near the outer portion 30. It can be used to penetrate the portion 30. Preferably, when no current flows and the conductive element 40 cools, the element returns to its original shape and structure. Thus, selective heating and cooling of the one or more conductive elements 40 preferably allows coordinated shrinkage and expansion of the outer portion 30 to advance the fluid or material in the inner portion 20. In addition, the one or more conductive elements 40 may be selectively retracted, preferably to adjust for selective discharge or penetration of fluid or material of the inner portion 20 through the outer portion 30. Thus, the one or more conductive elements 40 preferably allow selective fluid-communication of the skin with the fluid or object in the fiber 10. This fluid communication preferably facilitates a variety of other applications such as, for example, other cosmetics, medicine, health and / or exercise therapy.

Preferably, the fluid-advancing fiber 10 may be woven using any known conventional method of weaving, sewing or knitting, and may be made of any natural or artificial material sufficient to achieve the above mentioned properties. Fiber 10 may also preferably have other shapes and / or sizes to be incorporated into other wearable fabrics and / or fabric combinations to suit other applications.

3 to 5, an improved fiber according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 100, is shown. Preferably, the fluid-advanced fiber 100 comprises a fluid penetrable inner portion 200, a flexible and rigid outer portion 300, one or more first conductive elements 400, and one or more second conductive elements 410. Have Here, the first conductive element 400 and the second conductive element 410 are adapted to selectively contract when heated by a current and expand when cooled.

Preferably, inner portion 200 is a hollow portion that allows fluid or material to pass or advance. It is noted that the inner portion 200 may also be a rigid material having sufficient permeability or porosity to allow the fluid or material to advance with minimal resistance and having sufficient flexibility to allow for selective shrinkage. Preferably, the inner portion 200 is surrounded by the outer portion 300 so that the fluid or material can be retained and / or advanced through. Thus, the inner portion 200 preferably has substantially the same features and functions as the inner portion 20 identified and discussed above.

Preferably, outer portion 300 is sufficiently permeable or porous to allow selective flow of fluid or material within skin 200 into the inner portion 200. The outer portion 300 may preferably be made of any suitable material that provides sufficient penetration for selective drainage of fluids or materials within the inner portion 200 and provides sufficient strength and flexibility during fabric and wear. Thus, the outer portion 300 preferably essentially has the same features and functions as the outer portion 30 identified and discussed above. The outer portion 300 is unique in that it preferably has one or more recesses 310 spaced at regular intervals along the outer portion 300.

Preferably, both the first conductive element 400 and the second conductive element 410 take the form of a line of temperature sensitive memory alloy. Preferably, the first conductive element 400 is adjacent to the recess 310 and the second conductive element 410 is adjacent to the outer portion 300 along the distance 320 between the recesses. When the first conductive element 400 is heated by a current, the element contracts. This retraction operation, as shown in FIG. 4, causes the recess 310 to act as a flow valve 330 for selective control of the advancement of the fluid or material through the inner portion 200. When one or more valves 330 are closed, the second conductive element 410 may be selectively heated by a current that causes one or more distances 320 between the recesses 310 to be pressed or retracted. This contraction action preferably causes one or more fluid or material portions 340a and 340b to advance. Preferably, when no current flows and the conductive elements 400 and 410 cool, the elements return to their original shape and configuration. Thus, preferably, the first conductive element 400 and the second conductive element 410 adjust in a synchronized manner to selectively advance the fluid or material in the inner portion 200. In addition, the one or more conductive elements 410 may preferably be selectively retracted to adjust for selective discharge or penetration of fluid or material within the inner portion 200 through the outer portion 300. One or more conductive elements 400, 410 preferably allow selective fluid-communication between the skin or the fluid or material in the fiber 100. This fluid communication preferably facilitates various other applications such as, for example, other cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and health and / or fitness therapies.

Preferably, the fluid-advancing fiber 100 may be woven using any known conventional method of weaving, sewing, or knitting, and may be made of any natural or artificial material sufficient to achieve the properties discussed above. . Fiber 100 may also have other shapes and / or sizes to be incorporated into other wearable fabrics and / or fabric combinations, preferably to suit other uses.

Having described the present invention with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it is apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein.

As noted above, the present invention can be applied to flexible, fluid-advanced fibers that can be used in various types of wearable fabrics.

Claims (20)

As fluid-advancing fibers 10, 100, Fibers 10, 100 having an inner portion 20, 200 and an outer portion 30, 300, One or more first conductive elements 40, 400 adjacent the outer portion 30, 300 of the fiber 10, 100, Wherein said at least one first conductive element (40, 400) is adapted to contract when heated by a current and expand when cooled. 2. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 1, wherein the inner portion (20, 200) is a hollow portion to allow fluid to advance therethrough. 2. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 1, wherein the inner portion (20, 200) is sufficiently permeable to allow the fluid or material to pass through with minimal resistance. 3. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 2, wherein the outer portion (30, 300) is sufficiently permeable to allow the fluid in the inner portion (20, 200) to penetrate and interact with the skin. The method of claim 4 wherein the one or more first conductive elements 40, 400 are selectively heated and cooled to adjust the contraction and expansion for advancing the fluid or material through the inner portion 20, 200. Fluid-advanced fiber adapted to be. 5. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 4, wherein the outer portion (30, 300) has one or more recesses (310). 7. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 6, further comprising one or more second conductive elements (410). 8. A fluid-advanced fiber according to claim 7, wherein the at least one first conductive element (40, 400) is adjacent to the at least one recess (310). 9. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 8, wherein the one or more recesses (310) are spaced apart (320) relative to each other. 10. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 9, wherein the at least one second conductive element (410) is adjacent to the outer portion (30, 300) according to the distance (320) between at least one recess (310). 11. The fluid-advanced fiber of claim 10, wherein the at least one second conductive element (410) is adapted to contract when heated by a current and expand when cooled. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more first conductive elements 40, 400 and the one or more second conductive elements 410 interact with the fluid through the inner portion 20, 200 to interact with the skin. A fluid-advanced fiber adapted to be selectively heated and cooled to advance material and / or to adjust the contraction and expansion for selectively discharging the fluid or material through the outer portion (30, 300). As a method for circulating a fluid or material through the fibers (10, 100), Providing a fiber (10, 100) having an inner portion (20, 200), an outer portion (30, 300), and one or more first conductive elements (40, 400) adjacent the outer portion (30, 300) Providing one or more of the first and second conductive elements 40, 400 adapted to shrink when heated by a current and expand when cooled, Drawing the fluid or material through the inner portion 20, 200 of the fiber 10, 100 by selective heating and cooling of the one or more first conductive elements 40, 400 to adjust shrinkage and expansion. Advancing a fluid or material through the fibers. 14. The inner portion 20, 200 is sufficiently permeable to allow fluid or material to pass through with minimal resistance, and the outer portion 30, 300 is in the inner portion 20. 200) A method for circulating a fluid or material through a fiber that is sufficiently permeable to allow the fluid in the skin to penetrate and interact with the skin. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more first conductive elements (40, 400) are adapted to be selectively heated and cooled to adjust the contraction and expansion. The fluid or material of claim 15 further comprising providing at least one second conductive element 410 and providing at least one recess 310 in the outer portion 30, 300. Method for circulating. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one first conductive element 400 is adjacent to the at least one recess 310 and the at least one recess 310 is spaced 320 apart from each other. A method for circulating a fluid or material through fibers. 17. The fluid or fluid of claim 16, wherein the one or more second conductive elements 410 are adjacent to the outer portion (30, 300) along the distance 320 between the one or more recesses (310). Method for circulating the material. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more second conductive elements 410 are adapted to contract when heated by a current and expand when cooled, so that the one or more first conductive elements 40, 400 are selectively heated. And when the recess 310 acts as the flow valve 330, the one or more second conductive elements 410 interact with the skin one distance through the inner portions 20, 200. Through fiber, modulatedly heated and cooled to deflate and expand to advance the fluid or material from 320 and / or to selectively discharge the fluid or material through the outer portion 30, 300. A method for circulating a fluid or substance. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the adjusted contraction action of the one or more first conductive elements 40, 400 and the second conductive element 410 causes one or more fluid or object portions 340a, 340b to advance. A method for circulating a fluid or material through fibers.