Method For Making A Breathable Cool-Feeling Fabric And The Breathable Cool-Feeling Fabric Made Thereby

Abstract

A method for making a breathable cool-feeling fabric includes blending a liquid gel matrix containing a precursor hydrogel and a solvent with a cross-linking agent to prepare an emulsion which includes hydrogel microbeads formed by gelation of the precursor hydrogel with the cross-linking agent, and press-printing a base fabric with the emulsion such that the hydrogel microbeads are trapped between interwoven yarns of the base fabric.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 106106268, filed on Feb. 24, 2017.

FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a method for making a fabric, and more particularly to a method for making a breathable cool-feeling fabric. The disclosure also relates to the fabric made thereby.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Due to the continuously increasing demand for comfortability of clothes, fabric characteristics such as moisture absorbance, fast dryness, non-stickiness, breathability, and the like have become issues which are widely researched.

[0004] TW201326491 discloses a one-way wicking fabric structure, which comprises a first synthetic fiber and a second synthetic fiber. The first synthetic fiber is imbibed with a moisture absorbent on a surface thereof. The second synthetic fiber is imbibed or coated with a water repellant on a surface thereof. The first synthetic fiber and the second synthetic fiber are interlaced with each other to form a first surface and a second surface of the fabric structure. The second synthetic fiber forms a plurality of micro-embossments on the second surface which is in contact with the skin of a wearer. The second surface which absorbs sweat discharged from the wearer may be spaced apart from the skin of the wearer by the micro-embossments to provide breathability and non-stickiness.

[0005] Although the aforementioned one-way wicking fabric structure may provide breathability and non-stickiness, the wearer may have an uncomfortable feeling due to the presence of the micro-embossments on the second surface in contact with the wearer's skin. In addition, since the micro-embossments are formed by the second synthetic fiber which is imbibed or coated with a water repellant, the micro-embossments do not have a moisture absorption effect. Therefore, the moisture absorption effect of the one-way wicking fabric structure is insufficient.

[0006] CN101370978A discloses a shape-changeable cloth in which a waterproof layer is optionally disposed on at least one side of a cloth, and in which a water-swelling layer comprising a water-insoluble and water-swellable resin disposed in a pattern arrangement is formed as an outermost layer. The cloth may be a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knitted fabric, and may be made from synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers, natural fibers, or combinations thereof. Examples of the resin include an acrylic acid grafted starch-based resin, a polyacrylic chloride-based resin, a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, a polyether-based urethane resin, a polyester-based urethane resin, a polyester-polyether-based urethane resin, and the like. The water-swelling layer will swell as a result of absorption of sweat discharged from the wearer to change the shape of the cloth such that the cloth may be spaced apart from the skin of the wearer to provide breathability and non-stickiness.

[0007] Although the effects of breathability and non-stickiness may be provided by the aforementioned shape-changeable cloth, the wearer may have an uncomfortable feeling due to the presence of the water-swelling layer. In addition, since the water-swellable resin is formed as an outermost layer, it is liable to come off from the cloth after repeated washing.

SUMMARY

[0008] An object of the disclosure is to provide a method for making a breathable cool-feeling fabric so as to overcome the aforesaid shortcomings of the prior art.

[0009] Another object of the disclosure is to provide a breathable cool-feeling fabric made by the method.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method for making a breathable cool-feeling fabric, comprising steps of:

[0011] a) blending a liquid gel matrix containing a precursor hydrogel and a solvent with a cross-linking agent to prepare an emulsion which includes hydrogel microbeads formed by gelation of the precursor hydrogel with the cross-linking agent; and

[0012] b) press-printing a base fabric with the emulsion such that the hydrogel microbeads are trapped between interwoven yarns of the base fabric.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a breathable cool-feeling fabric made by the method. The breathable cool-feeling fabric comprises a base fabric including interwoven yarns, and a plurality of hydrogel microbeads trapped between the interwoven yarns of the base fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment (s) with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side view of an embodiment of a breathable cool-feeling fabric made by a method for making a breathable cool-feeling fabric according to the disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic view showing a configuration of the embodiment of the breathable cool-feeling fabric in which an array of hexagonal units formed by hydrogel microbeads is configured;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary schematic view showing another configuration of the embodiment of the breathable cool-feeling fabric in which an array of rhombus units formed by hydrogel microbeads is configured; and

[0018] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic side view of the embodiment of the breathable cool-feeling fabric in a swollen state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] An embodiment of a method for making a breathable cool-feeling fabric according to the present disclosure comprises steps of:

[0020] a) blending a liquid gel matrix containing a precursor hydrogel and a solvent with a cross-linking agent to prepare an emulsion which includes hydrogel microbeads formed by gelation of the precursor hydrogel with the cross-linking agent;

[0021] b) press-printing a base fabric with the emulsion such that the hydrogel microbeads are trapped between interwoven yarns of the base fabric; and

[0022] c) removing the solvent.

[0023] The precursor hydrogel includes a polyether-based polymer. In certain embodiments, the polyether-based polymer has a weight average molecular weight ranging from 7,500 to 50,000 cps. In certain embodiments, the polyether-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyether-based polymer containing an ester group, a polyether-based polymer containing an amide group, and a combination thereof.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the precursor hydrogel has a volume expansion rate larger than 200%.

[0025] The polyether-based polymer includes a hard segment repeating unit which has a weight average molecular weight smaller than 1,000, and a soft segment repeating unit which has a weight average molecular weight larger than 1,000 and which is linked to the hard segment repeating unit. In certain embodiments, the soft segment repeating unit has a weight average molecular weight ranging from 2,000 to 8,500. The soft segment repeating unit and the hard segment repeating unit are independently formed by subjecting a polyacid compound or a polyisocyanate compound and a polyol compound to a polymerization reaction. The soft segment repeating unit contains an ether group. In certain embodiments, a weight ratio of the hard segment repeating unit to the soft segment repeating unit is in a range from 50:50 to 10:90 so as to provide superior hydrophilicity and moisture absorption for the precursor hydrogel.

[0026] Examples of the polyacid compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, terephthalic acid (TPA), isophthalic acid (IPA), adipic acid (AA), succinic acid (SA), and dimer acid. These compounds may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

[0027] Examples of the polyisocyanate compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), xylyl diisocyanate (XDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). These compounds may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

[0028] Examples of the polyol compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol (EG), butylene glycol (BG), hexylene glycol (HG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), and polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight ranging from 200 to 11,000. These compounds may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

[0029] Examples of the cross-linking agent suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, a polyisocyanate compound, an epoxy cross-linking agent, and a silane cross-linking agent. These compounds may be used alone or in admixture of two or more. Examples of the polyisocyanate compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, and hexamethylene diisocyanate, which may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

[0030] The amount of the cross-linking agent is in a range from 3 parts by weight to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a solid content of the liquid gel matrix. When the amount of the cross-linking agent is larger than 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the solid content of the liquid gel matrix, the hydrogel microbeads thus formed may have excessively high hardness such that the a breathable cool-feeling fabric containing such hydrogel microbeads may have a relatively hard and coarse touch feeling.

[0031] Examples of the solvent suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, a ketone compound, an alcohol compound, an ester compound, an amide compound, a benzene compound, a haloalkane compound, and an ether compound. These compounds may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

[0032] Examples of the ketone compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, 2-butanone and acetone, which may be used alone or in admixture.

[0033] A non-limiting example of the ester compound suitable for the present disclosure is ethyl acetate.

[0034] Examples of the alcohol compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol, which may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

[0035] A non-limiting example of the ether compound suitable for the present disclosure is tetrahydrofuran.

[0036] A non-limiting example of the haloalkane compound suitable for the present disclosure is chloroform.

[0037] Examples of the benzene compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, toluene and chlorophenol, which may be used alone or in admixture.

[0038] Examples of the amide compound suitable for the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and N,N-diethylacetamide, which may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.

[0039] In step b), the base fabric is an elastic fabric in certain embodiments. The elastic fabric may be a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, or a non-woven fabric. The base fabric may be formed by polyester yarns, cotton yarns, nylon yarns, or combinations thereof. Examples of a combination of the polyester yarns with cotton yarns include CVC yarns and T/C yarns.

[0040] The press-printing in step b) may be performed by a gravure printing process, a relief printing process, or the like. In certain embodiments, the gravure printing process is performed by intaglio printing, screen printing, photogravure printing, or the like.

[0041] In order to permit the hydrogel microbeads to be beneficially trapped between interwoven yarns of the base fabric, the emulsion has a viscosity ranging from 500 cps to 10,000 cps. In certain embodiments, the emulsion has a viscosity ranging from 1,500 cps to 3,500 cps at 35.degree. C.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a breathable cool-feeling fabric made by the method according to the present disclosure is shown to comprise a base fabric 1 including interwoven yarns, and a plurality of hydrogel microbeads 2 trapped between the interwoven yarns of the base fabric 1 and in contact with skin 3 of a wearer.

[0043] As described above, the hydrogel microbeads 2 are formed by gelation of the precursor hydrogel with the cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, an area ratio of the hydrogel microbeads 2 in a surface of the base fabric 1 in contact with the skin 3 of the wearer ranges from 40% to 80% so as to provide the breathable cool-feeling fabric with satisfactory non-stickiness, breathability and cool feeling effects.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hydrogel microbeads 2 may be configured in an array of geometric units 20, each of which contains a plurality of the hydrogel microbeads 2. Examples of the geometric units 20 include circular units, annular units, oval units, square units, hexagonal units, rhombus units, and the like.

[0045] Since the hydrogel microbeads 2 are trapped between interwoven yarns of the base fabric 1, the breathable cool-feeling fabric has substantially flat surfaces before moisture, such as sweat, is absorbed by the hydrogel microbeads 2 such that the wearer will not feel uncomfortable due to the presence of the hydrogel microbeads 2.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 4, when sweat discharged by the wearer is absorbed by the hydrogel microbeads 2 in the breathable cool-feeling fabric, a skin temperature of the wearer may be reduced so as to provide a cool feeling to the wearer. In addition, the breathable cool-feeling fabric is deformed due to the expansion of the hydrogel microbeads 2 by absorption of the sweat such that a plurality of protrusions 21 are formed to define a plurality of ventilating spaces 22 among them. The breathable cool-feeling fabric may be spaced apart from the skin of the wearer by the protrusions 21 so as to reduce an uncomfortably sticking feeling due to the presence of sweat in the fabric. In addition, a ventilation effect may be produced by the ventilating spaces 22 so as to enhance evaporation of the sweat and reduce the skin temperature. After the sweat absorbed by the hydrogel microbeads 2 evaporates from the hydrogel microbeads 2, the breathable cool-feeling fabric returns to the state shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] The breathable cool-feeling fabric may be used to make, for example, undershirts, sweat clothes, oversleeves, sports garments, and the like.

[0048] Examples of the disclosure will be described hereinafter. It is to be understood that these examples are exemplary and explanatory and should not be construed as a limitation to the disclosure.

Preparation Example 1

Preparation of a Liquid Gel Matrix

[0049] Terephthalic acid (22.0 g), ethylene glycol (3.29 g) and polyethylene glycol (180.13 g) were mixed, followed by an esterification reaction at 240.degree. C. for 4 hours. A polycondensation reaction was then performed at a temperature of 275.degree. C. under a pressure of 2 torr for 4 hours to obtain a precursor hydrogel having a weight average molecular weight of about 40,000 and containing a hard segment repeating unit formed from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and a soft segment repeating unit formed by terephthalic acid and polyethylene glycol. A weight ratio of the hard segment repeating unit to the soft segment repeating unit was 10:90. The soft segment repeating unit had a weight average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 11,000. 2-butanone was added to the precursor hydrogel to form a liquid gel matrix having a solid content of 30 wt % based on the weight of the liquid gel matrix.

Preparation Example 2

Preparation of a Liquid Gel Matrix

[0050] Terephthalic acid (50.0 g), ethylene glycol (16.5 g) and polyethylene glycol (139.92 g) were mixed, followed by an esterification reaction at 240.degree. C. for 4 hours. A polycondensation reaction was then performed at a temperature of 275.degree. C. under a pressure of 2 torr for 4 hours to obtain a precursor hydrogel having a weight average molecular weight of about 40,000 and containing a hard segment repeating unit formed from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and a soft segment repeating unit formed by terephthalic acid and polyethylene glycol. A weight ratio of the hard segment repeating unit to the soft segment repeating unit was 30:70. The soft segment repeating unit had a weight average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 11,000. N,N-dimethylacetamide was added to the precursor hydrogel to form a liquid gel matrix having a solid content of 20 wt % based on the weight of the liquid gel matrix.

Preparation Example 3

Preparation of a Liquid Gel Matrix

[0051] Terephthalic acid (85.4 g), ethylene glycol (29.42 g) and polyethylene glycol (100.09 g) were mixed, followed by an esterification reaction at 240.degree. C. for 4 hours. A polycondensation reaction was then performed at a temperature of 275.degree. C. under a pressure of 2 torr for 4 hours to obtain a precursor hydrogel having a weight average molecular weight of about 40,000 and containing a hard segment repeating unit formed from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and a soft segment repeating unit formed by terephthalic acid and polyethylene glycol. A weight ratio of the hard segment repeating unit to the soft segment repeating unit was 50:50. The soft segment repeating unit had a weight average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 11,000. Chloroform and chlorophenol were added to the precursor hydrogel to form a liquid gel matrix having a solid content of 20 wt % based on the weight of the liquid gel matrix.

Evaluation:

1. Moisture Absorption Rate:

[0052] A water-repellent release paper was weighed, and the weight thus measured was indicated as W1. The liquid gel matrix prepared in Preparation Example 1 was applied onto the water-repellent release paper using a doctor blade. The water-repellent release paper applied with the liquid gel matrix was baked in an oven at 130.degree. C. for 3 minutes and was then weighed, and the weight thus measured was indicated as W2. The water-repellent release paper applied with the liquid gel matrix was soaked with water for 5 minutes and was then weighed, and the weight thus measured was indicated as W3. The moisture absorption rate of the liquid gel matrix was calculated as follows:

Moisture absorption rate=(W3-W2)/(W2-W1).

[0053] The moisture absorption rates of the liquid gel matrices prepared in Preparation Examples 2 and 3 were also evaluated according to the aforesaid procedure. The results are summarized in Table 1 below. The larger the moisture absorption rate, the better the moisture absorbency of the liquid gel matrix.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 MAR* W1 (g) W2 (g) W2 - W1 (g) W3 (g) (%) Prep. Ex. 1 1.6764 1.924 0.2476 5.2731 13.5 Prep. Ex. 2 1.5312 1.7843 0.2531 4.1029 9.2 Prep. Ex. 3 1.5631 1.8086 0.2455 3.6120 7.3 *MAR: Moisture absorption rate

2. Water Droplet Contact Angle:

[0054] A water droplet was dropped onto a knitted fabric made from polyester yarns, and a contact angle of the water droplet was measured using a drop shape analyzer (EasyDrop FM40, Kruss GmbH, Hamburg, Germany). The measured contact angle was indicated as A1. The liquid gel matrix prepared in Preparation Example 1 was applied onto a water-repellent substrate, followed by a drying treatment to forma film (thickness: 30 .mu.m) of the liquid gel matrix on the substrate. A water droplet was dropped onto the film, and a contact angle of the water droplet was measured using the drop shape analyzer. The measured contact angle was indicated as A2. The larger the difference between A2 and A1, the better the hydrophilicity of the liquid gel matrix. The water droplet contact angles of the liquid gel matrices prepared in Preparation Examples 2 and 3 were also evaluated according to the aforesaid procedure. The results are summarized in Table 2 below.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Prep. Ex. 1 (.degree.) Prep. Ex. 2 (.degree.) Prep. Ex. 3 (.degree.) A1 about 72 about 72 about 72 A2 5-10 15-20 35-40 A1-A2 about 62-67 about 52-57 about 32-37

Preparation Example 4

Preparation of an Emulsion

[0055] The liquid gel matrix (10 kg) prepared in Preparation Example 1 and a cross-linking agent (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, WH-2110 manufactured by An Fong Development Co., Ltd., Taiwan, 0.3 kg) were blended sufficiently, followed by gelation to form an emulsion which included a plurality of hydrogel microbeads. The emulsion had a viscosity of 2,000.+-.500 cps at 35.degree. C.

Preparation Example 5

Preparation of an Emulsion

[0056] The liquid gel matrix (10 kg) prepared in Preparation Example 2 and a cross-linking agent (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, WH-2110 manufactured by An Fong Development Co., Ltd., Taiwan, 0.2 kg) were blended sufficiently, followed by gelation to form an emulsion which included a plurality of hydrogel microbeads. The emulsion had a viscosity of 2,000.+-.500 cps at 35.degree. C.

Preparation Example 6

Preparation of an Emulsion

[0057] The liquid gel matrix (10 kg) prepared in Preparation Example 3 and a cross-linking agent (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, WH-2110 manufactured by An Fong Development Co., Ltd., Taiwan, 0.06 kg) were blended sufficiently, followed by gelation to form an emulsion which included a plurality of hydrogel microbeads. The emulsion had a viscosity of 1,500.+-.500 cps at 35.degree. C.

Evaluation:

Moisture Absorption Rate and Volume Expansion Rate:

[0058] A dry film having a thickness of 12.1 .mu.m was formed from the emulsion prepared in Preparation Example 4 and was weighed. The weight of the dry film was indicated as Wd. The density of the dry film was measured using a density meter manufactured by Mettler Toledo. The dry film was soaked in water at room temperature for 5 minutes, and was then taken out of water to obtain a water-soaked film. The water-soaked film was weighed after removing the water remaining on surfaces thereof. The weight of the water-soaked film was indicated as Ws.

[0059] The moisture absorption rate of the dry film of the emulsion was calculated as follows:

Moisture absorption rate=((Ws-Wd)/Wd).times.100%.

[0060] The volume expansion rate of the dry film of the emulsion was calculated as follows:

Volume expansion rate=(a total of volume of the dry film and volume of the water soaked in the film/volume of the dry film).times.100%,

wherein

volume of the dry film=weight of the dry film/density of the dry film, and

volume of the water soaked in the film=(weight of the water-soaked film-weight of the dry film)/1.

[0061] The moisture absorption rates and the volume expansion rates of the emulsions prepared in Preparation Examples 5 and 6 were also evaluated according to the aforesaid procedure. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Thickness weight of Moisture Density Volume of dry Weight of water-soaked absorption of dry Volume of expansion film dry film film rate film dry film rate Emulsion (.mu.m) (g) (g) (%) (cm.sup.3) (cm.sup.3) (%) Prep. Ex. 4 12.1 0.2246 0.855 281 1.15 0.1953 422.78 Prep. Ex. 5 14.2 0.2731 0.7319 168 1.18 0.2314 298.24 Prep. Ex. 6 13.5 0.255 0.5228 105 1.2 0.2125 226.02

Example 1

Preparation of a Breathable Cool-Feeling Fabric

[0062] A knitted fabric made from polyester yarns was press-printed with the emulsion prepared in Preparation Example 4 using a stainless intaglio roller (concave depth: 100 .mu.m) such that the hydrogel microbeads contained in the emulsion were trapped between interwoven polyester yarns of the knitted fabric, followed by a dryness treatment in an oven at 120.degree. C. for 60 seconds.

Examples 2 to 14

[0063] The procedure for Example 1 was repeated using the concave depths, the coverage rates, and the emulsion amounts shown in Table 4.

Comparative Example 1

[0064] The knitted fabric made from polyester yarns was used in which the hydrogel microbeads were not trapped between interwoven polyester yarns of the knitted fabric.

Evaluation:

[0065] 1. Coverage rate: an area ratio of the hydrogel microbeads in a surface of the knitted fabric.

[0066] 2. Protrusion height (.mu.m): Each of the breathable cool-feeling fabrics of Examples 1-14 was soaked in water for 1 minute and was then measured using a 3-D measuring microscope (VR-3100, Keyence International Belgium) to measure the average height of protrusions formed in each of the breathable cool-feeling fabrics.

[0067] 3. One-way transport capability (OTC, %): The measurement was performed according to Test Method 195-2010 of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) using a Moisture Management Tester from ATLAS.

[0068] 4. Instant cool feeling (Q-max, W/cm.sup.2): Instant cool feeling is evaluated by measuring the maximum heat loss of the moment of the simulation of skin in contact with a fabric, which is the largest value of instantaneous heat flow passing through the fabric. The measurement was performed using a thermal property-measuring instrument KES-F7 THERMO LABO II.

[0069] 5. Continuous cool feeling temperature (.degree. C.): A filter paper absorbed with water (1.5 ml) was disposed on a breathable cool-feeling fabric. A glass plate (183 g) was disposed on the filter paper, following by disposition of a weight (1 kg) on the glass plate for 1 minute. The weight and the glass plate were removed and the temperature of a surface of the breathable cool-feeling fabric was measured.

[0070] 6. Apparent temperature variation (.degree. C.): A testee wearing a clothes having both of the breathable cool-feeling fabric prepared in one of Examples 1-14 and the knitted fabric of Comparative Example 1 stitched on the clothes undertook a run on a treadmill set at a speed of 10 km/hour for 20 minutes. After the run, the temperatures at both of the breathable cool-feeling fabric prepared in one of Examples 1-14 and the knitted fabric of Comparative Example 1 on the clothes worn on the testee were measured using an infrared camera FLIR E60, and were indicated as T2 and T1, respectively. The apparent temperature variation was indicated by a difference between T2 and T1.

[0071] 7. Dimensional Change (DC, %): AATCC Test Method 135-2003 was used. A dimension of the breathable cool-feeling fabric prepared in each of Examples 1-14 and a dimension of the knitted fabric of Comparative Example 1 were measured and were indicated as D0. The dimension of the breathable cool-feeling fabric and the dimension of the knitted fabric after being washed 20 times were measured and were indicated as D1. Dimensional change was calculated by a formula of (D1-D0).times.100%.

[0072] 8. Height of protrusions on a breathable cool-feeling fabric after being washed 20 times: The breathable cool-feeling fabric after being washed 20 times was soaked in water for 1 minute, and was measured using a 3-D measuring microscope (VR-3100, Keyence International Belgium).

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Protrusion Protrusion height Prep. Ex. height after Concave Coverage Emulsion before washing 20 depth rate amount washing times OTC Ex. (.mu.m) (%) Emulsion (g) (.mu.m) (.mu.m) (%) 1 100 40 4 30 250 202 200 2 100 60 4 45 300 235 220 3 100 80 4 60 350 288 250 4 100 60 4 46 280 211 215 5 100 80 4 62 310 240 245 6 120 40 4 40 255 198 215 7 120 60 4 60 320 236 250 8 120 80 4 80 375 305 320 9 130 60 4 86 400 310 330 10 100 90 4 70 180 135 160 11 100 30 4 23 100 75 100 12 100 60 5 45 201 162 200 13 100 80 5 60 236 189 225 14 100 60 6 45 155 135 185 Comp. -- -- -- -- -- -- 50 Ex. 1

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Continuous Apparent cool feeling temperature Q-max temperature variation DC Ex. (W/cm.sup.2) (.degree. C.) (.degree. C.) (%) 1 0.14 -1.7 -1.7 1 2 0.14 -1.8 -1.8 1 3 0.15 -1.9 -1.9 1 4 0.14 -1.7 -1.7 1 5 0.14 -1.8 -1.8 1 6 0.14 -1.7 -1.7 1 7 0.14 -1.8 -1.8 1 8 0.16 -2.0 -2.0 1 9 0.18 -2.2 -2.3 1 10 0.14 -1.7 -1.7 1 11 0.13 -1.6 -1.6 1 12 0.12 -1.6 -1.6 1 13 0.13 -1.7 -1.7 1 14 0.12 -1.5 -1.5 1 Comp. Ex. 1 0.02 -0.2 -0.2 1

[0073] As shown in Tables 4 and 5 above, the cool feeling of the breathable cool-feeling fabric made by the method according to the present disclosure is enhanced by the hydrogel microbeads trapped between the interwoven yarns of the base fabric. In addition, the moisture or sweat absorbed by the hydrogel microbeads in the breathable cool-feeling fabric made by the method according to the present disclosure may effectively evaporate by virtue of a ventilation effect produced by the ventilating spaces 22 defined by the swollen hydrogel microbeads. Furthermore, it is evident from the data of protrusion heights before and after washing that the breathable cool-feeling fabric made by the method according to the present disclosure has superior wash fastness.

[0074] In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects.

[0075] While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is (are) considered the exemplary embodiment(s), it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A method for making a breathable cool-feeling fabric, comprising steps of: a) blending a liquid gel matrix containing a precursor hydrogel and a solvent with a cross-linking agent to prepare an emulsion which includes hydrogel microbeads formed by gelation of the precursor hydrogel with the cross-linking agent; and b) press-printing a base fabric with the emulsion such that the hydrogel microbeads are trapped between interwoven yarns of the base fabric.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of removing the solvent after step b).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) is performed by gravure printing.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the precursor hydrogel comprises a polyether-based polymer.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the emulsion has a viscosity ranging from 500 cps to 10,000 cps at 35.degree. C.

6. A breathable cool-feeling fabric comprising: a base fabric including interwoven yarns; and a plurality of hydrogel microbeads trapped between said interwoven yarns of said base fabric.

7. The breathable cool-feeling fabric according to claim 6, wherein said hydrogel microbeads are formed by gelation of a precursor hydrogel with a cross-linking agent.

8. The breathable cool-feeling fabric according to claim 7, wherein said precursor hydrogel comprises a polyether-based polymer.

9. The breathable cool-feeling fabric according to claim 8, wherein said polyether-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyether-based polymer containing an ester group, a polyether-based polymer containing an amide group, and a combination thereof.

10. The breathable cool-feeling fabric according to claim 6, wherein an area ratio of said hydrogel microbeads in a surface of said base fabric ranges from 40% to 80%.

11. The breathable cool-feeling fabric according to claim 6, wherein said base fabric is an elastic fabric.

12. The breathable cool-feeling fabric according to claim 11, wherein said elastic fabric is a knitted fabric.