JP7715488B2 - Stretchable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying knitted fabric and its uses - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a stretchable knitted fabric that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying, and more specifically, to a stretchable knitted fabric that is suitable for producing jackets or knit pants and can keep human skin dry.

With the development of science and technology, new design concepts are constantly being applied to the development of apparel fabrics, and sweat management has become an important issue. Humans can cool their bodies to a comfortable temperature by sweating. However, when sweating heavily, clothing becomes completely soaked with sweat and sticks to the skin, preventing further cooling through sweating and causing discomfort such as stuffiness and pressure. Furthermore, when wearing clothing, humans perform stretching movements, which can cause the fabric to stretch and feel restrictive, reducing comfort.

Currently, much research is being conducted on the issue of moisture absorption and perspiration in fabrics. For example, Patent Document CN203866490U discloses a knitted fabric with moisture absorption and perspiration properties and unidirectional moisture conductivity, including a moisture-conducting layer, a diffusion layer, and an evaporation layer. The moisture-conducting layer uses an inlay weave and yarns with a low respiration rate, such as polyester or polyamide fibers, while the diffusion and evaporation layers use ultrafine polyester yarns with a high respiration rate or strong capillary action. This gives the knitted fabric unidirectional moisture conductivity. However, simply using a high respiration rate and a low respiration rate or relying on capillary action to transport sweat from the inner layer to the outer layer is limited in its ability to do this, and in the event of heavy sweating, the garment will still stick to the skin, causing discomfort. Furthermore, because the material used is a non-crimping yarn, the stretchability is clearly insufficient, significantly reducing wearing comfort. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5371110 also discloses a knitted fabric for clothing. The back surface uses two types of yarn, with the raised areas made of hydrophobic synthetic fibers that are water-repellent, and the rest made of hydrophobic synthetic fibers that are not water-repellent. Using this combination of yarns on the back surface of the knitted fabric has somewhat improved the sticky feeling when sweating, but because the raised areas are made of hydrophobic synthetic fibers that are water-repellent, the water absorption performance of the back surface is significantly reduced. At the same time, the ability to diffuse water to the surface is also reduced, and the quick-drying properties of the clothing tend to be impaired. Furthermore, because all the materials used are non-crimping yarns, there are still problems with insufficient stretchability and reduced comfort when wearing.

Patent document CN105986358A discloses a moisture-absorbing, quick-drying single-knit fabric that combines moisture absorption and sweat drainage with stretchability. The back surface of the fabric has a concave-convex structure, which reduces the contact area with the skin, alleviating stickiness during sweating and maintaining a dry feel against the skin. Furthermore, the convex portions can be made of polyester-based crimpable fibers to impart a certain degree of stretch to the knit. This fabric is particularly suitable for the manufacture of summer T-shirts. The dry feel against the skin of the fabric is determined by the height of the convex portions, but the higher the convex portions, the lower the wearing comfort (touch comfort) of the knitted fabric. Therefore, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve both a dry feel against the skin and a comfortable wearing experience. Furthermore, the amount of polyester-based crimpable fiber used must be considered, and the stiffness of the knitted fabric needs to be further improved.
Therefore, it is very important to develop knitted fabrics that can maintain a dry feeling on the skin even in the case of heavy sweating, and that have excellent contact comfort and stretchability.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a knitted fabric that is easy to manufacture, maintains a dry feeling on the skin, and has excellent contact comfort and stretchability, as well as uses for the same.

The stretchable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying knitted fabric of the present invention has a front layer and a back layer, and the back layer contains at least 50% by weight of polyester-based crimpable fibers. As a complete structure, at least one course of the back layer is made up of parts A and B formed by two different knitting operations, and part B is formed by a non-knitting operation.
In the present invention, a polyester-based crimpable fiber is used as the back layer, and at least one course of one complete weave in the back layer is formed by two different knitting operations, and adjacent loops are shifted in position to form gaps, thereby improving the sweat-transmitting ability and stretchability of the knitted back layer. The knitted fabric of the present invention is particularly suitable for the manufacture of jackets, knit pants, etc., and is excellent in wearing comfort.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the double knitted fabric of the present invention, in which part A is formed by knitting and part B is formed by welt knitting.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the single knitted fabric of the present invention, in which part A is formed by tuck knitting and part B is formed by welt knitting.

To achieve excellent moisture absorption and quick-drying properties, particularly to keep the skin surface dry, the present invention provides a top layer and a back layer. The back layer acts as a moisture-conducting layer to quickly guide sweat to the top layer. The top layer acts as an evaporation layer to continuously evaporate the sweat absorbed by the top layer.

In the present invention, the lining layer contains at least 50% by weight of polyester-based crimpable fiber. During the dyeing process, the polyester-based crimpable fiber crimps, causing adjacent loops in the lining layer to shift position, forming gaps. This reduces the uniformity of the loop arrangement and increases the number of sweat-conducting channels in the lining layer, improving the sweat-conducting ability of the lining layer. This also imparts excellent stretchability to the knitted fabric, improving wearing comfort. When the polyester-based crimpable fiber content is less than 50% by weight, the polyester-based crimpable fiber crimps during the post-dyeing process, but the effect of shifting the loop positions is undesirable. That is, the loop arrangement in the lining layer is too uniform, resulting in too narrow a sweat-conducting channel and insufficient sweat-conducting ability of the lining layer. As a result, the knitted fabric still adheres to the skin when sweating heavily. At the same time, the stretchability of the knitted fabric is significantly reduced, resulting in poor wearing comfort.

The knitted fabric of the present invention may be obtained by knitting on a double knitting machine or a single knitting machine. When knitting on a single knitting machine, the denseness of the surface layer of the knitted fabric can be improved by adopting a high gauge, resulting in a woven-like effect. When knitting on a double knitting machine, the denseness of the knitted fabric can be improved by weaving design, such as a pique weave, resulting in a woven-like effect. Currently, knitting operations include knitting, tuck knitting, and welt knitting (non-knit knitting). As a complete weave of the present invention, at least one course of the back layer consists of sections A and B formed by two different knitting operations, with section B formed by a non-knit operation. When the back layer is entirely knitted, or consists of knitting and tuck knitting, the loop arrangement of the back layer is too uniform, resulting in too few sweat-conducting channels and making it difficult to maintain a dry feel in the back layer. In the present invention, the greater the number of channels formed by two different knitting operations, the less uniform the loop arrangement of the back layer of the knitted fabric and the more sweat-conducting channels there are, which is advantageous for the sweat-conducting properties of the knitted fabric. Therefore, the number of knitting operations is preferably 1 to 72 courses, and more preferably 3 to 18 courses.

In the present invention, the arrangement ratio of the knitting operation of section A and the knitting operation of section B has a significant impact on the sweat-conducting performance and stretchability of the knitted fabric. The greater the ratio of the knitting operation of section B, the less uniform the loop arrangement in the back layer becomes, and the better the sweat-conducting performance and stretchability of the knitted fabric. However, if the arrangement ratio of sections A and B exceeds 1:5, the loop arrangement in the back layer becomes relatively loose, and while the stretchability of the knitted fabric increases, the stretch recovery rate also tends to decrease, which may affect the dimensional stability and stiffness of the knitted fabric. Therefore, it is preferable that the ratio be between 1:1 and 1:5.

The polyester-based crimpable fiber used in the present invention is preferably a crimpable fiber with a stretch recovery rate (CR value) of 30% or more. Polyester-based crimpable fibers with a CR value within this range have good crimping properties, and knitted fabrics formed from them have an appropriate degree of loop alignment in the back layer after dyeing, ensuring not only excellent sweat conductivity and stretchability, but also stretch recovery rate and stiffness. The polyester-based crimpable fiber used in the present invention is more preferably a crimpable fiber with a CR value of 40% to 60%.

The type of polyester-based crimpable fiber used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be a monocomponent crimpable fiber, a bicomponent side-by-side crimpable fiber, or a highly crimpable false twisted yarn. Preferred are polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polybutylene terephthalate/polyethylene terephthalate (PBT/PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate/polyethylene terephthalate (PTT/PET), and high-viscosity PET/low-viscosity PET. The form is not particularly limited, and may be fully drawn FDY yarn or false twisted DTY yarn. The fineness of the polyester-based crimpable fiber is not particularly limited, and is preferably 30 to 200 denier (abbreviated as D) in consideration of the lightweight nature of the knitted fabric.

In the present invention, considering the stretchability of the knitted fabric, it is preferable to use polyester-based crimpable fibers for the entire back layer. More preferably, polyester-based crimpable fibers are used in both the front and back layers, i.e., the content of polyester-based crimpable fibers in the knitted fabric is 100% by weight. Furthermore, the types of polyester-based crimpable fibers used in the front and back layers may be the same or different, and are not particularly limited. The interwoven yarn may be natural or synthetic. Considering the moisture absorption and quick-drying properties of the knitted fabric, synthetic fibers are preferred.

According to JIS L1096:2010, the knitted fabric of the present invention preferably has a weft elongation rate of 20% to 150% and a weft elongation recovery rate of 70% or more after 30 seconds, and more preferably a weft elongation rate of 80% to 120% and a weft elongation recovery rate of 80% to 95% after 30 seconds.

In the present invention, the lower the moisture retention rate of the lining layer, the drier the knitted fabric will feel. Even if a large amount of sweat is released, the sweat is quickly absorbed, transferred, and diffused to the surface, maintaining a dry feel on the surface in contact with the skin, without affecting comfort when worn for long periods of time. The moisture absorption rate is preferably 3 seconds or less. The front/back diffusion area ratio is preferably 3.0 or more, more preferably 3.0 to 10.0. The moisture retention rate of the lining layer is preferably 20.0% or less, more preferably 5.0% or less.

The knitted fabric of the present invention preferably has a basis weight of 100 to 400 g/ ^m² . More preferably, it is 150 to 300 g/ ^m² . If the density of the knitted fabric in the weft or warp direction is less than 30 courses/inch, the stiffness of the knitted fabric tends to decrease. If the density of the knitted fabric in the weft or warp direction is greater than 80 courses/inch, the denseness of the knitted fabric tends to increase and the crimping properties tend to decrease. Therefore, it is preferable that the density of the knitted fabric in both the weft and warp directions be 30 to 80 courses/inch.
The knitted fabric of the present invention is suitable for producing jackets, knit pants, and the like.

In the present invention, the properties were evaluated by the following methods.
(1) Growth rate
Measurements are based on JISL1096:2010 standards.
(2) Extension recovery rate
Measurements are based on JISL1096:2010 standards.

(3) Water absorption rate (dropping method)
Take three samples of approximately 15cm x 15cm, fix the samples face down in a 10cm diameter frame so that there is no extra tension, fix them in a jig so that the surface of the sample is horizontal, fix the tip of the burette so that it is 5cm away from the surface of the horizontally placed sample, read the time from when the water droplets are dropped until the special reflection disappears even when the water droplets drip onto the sample (read to 0.1 seconds), measure the water absorption time at any three points on the three samples using the same method, and calculate the average value of a total of nine data points.

(4) Front and back diffusion area ratio
Take three 10cm x 10cm samples and condition them for 4 hours at 20°C and 65% humidity. Use a pipette to absorb 1mL of ink and drop it onto a glass plate. Cover the back of the sample with the ink facing downwards. After 3 minutes, use an area meter to measure the ink diffusion area on the front layer (S _front ) and the back layer (S _back ) (displayed to 3 decimal places). Then, calculate the front and back diffusion area ratio using the following formula (displayed to 1 decimal place):
Front and back diffusion area ratio = S _front /S _back
The front and back diffusion area ratios of the three samples are measured consecutively, and the average value is calculated.

(5) Water retention rate of the lining layer
[1] Take three 10cm x 10cm samples, six filter papers of the same size, and one organic glass of the same size. Measure the weight of the organic glass (W ₀ ) and the weight of the sample (W ₁ ) in an environment of 20°C and 65% humidity (display to three decimal places);
[2] Place 2 cc of distilled water on the organic glass using a syringe, quickly place the sample on the water drop, leave it for 1 minute, and then measure the weight (W ₂ ) of the sample that has absorbed the distilled water (display to three decimal places);
[3] After the above measurement, measure the weight (W ₃ ) of the organic glass and the remaining distilled water (display to three decimal places);
[4] Measure the weight of the two filter papers (w1, w3) before absorbing water (display to three decimal places);
[5] After absorbing water, the sample is sandwiched between two pieces of filter paper, a 500g weight is placed on top, and after leaving it for 1 minute, the weights of the top and bottom filter papers (w2, w4) are measured (displayed to three decimal places);
[6] Calculate the moisture retention rate on both sides using the following formula (display to one decimal place):
Water retention rate of the back layer (%) = (w4-w3)/( _W2 - _W1 ) x 100
W ₁ : Weight of sample before water absorption (g)
W ₂ : Weight of sample after absorbing water (g)
_W3 : Weight of the organic glass and residual distilled water after water absorption (g)
w1: Weight of the surface filter paper before water absorption (g)
w2: Weight of the surface filter paper after absorbing water (g)
w3: Weight of back filter paper before water absorption (g)
w4: Weight of the back filter paper after absorbing water (g).

(6) Elasticity recovery rate (CR value)
a. First, the sample is conditioned under standard atmospheric pressure for 12 hours.
b. Using a skein length measuring device, tie the beginning and end of a sample with a skein length of 10 m (10 turns * 1 m/turn), tie a marking color thread to the skein to mark it, and hang it on a frame.
c. Leave the sample at standard atmospheric pressure for at least 12 hours to equilibrate before heat treatment.
d. Add a predetermined amount of soft water to the thermostatic water bath to ensure that the sample is completely immersed and does not touch the wall of the water bath. Set the temperature of the water bath to 90°C. Fold the sample in half, then in half again, and place it in a mesh bag in a relaxed state. Then, place the mesh bag containing the sample in hot water and stir it evenly with a glass rod. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the mesh bag with a clip and place it on a tray. After cooling, hang the mesh bag in a tensionless state and allow it to equilibrate under standard atmospheric pressure after heat treatment.
e. Calculation of initial load and constant load:
Initial load (G): 0.002g/denier x thread size x 2 x number of turns
Constant load (G): 0.1g/denier x thread size x 2 x number of turns
The unit of yarn fineness is denier,
f. One day before the test, put soft water into a large-capacity measuring cylinder and adjust the temperature to 20°C for 12 hours under standard atmospheric pressure.
g. Hang the sample on the hook, and apply an initial load and a constant load sequentially to the other end of the marking color thread. While adjusting the tension, place it in soft water in a large-capacity measuring cylinder, while recording the time with a stopwatch. After leaving it for 2 minutes, use a staff to read the length L of the sample to the nearest 1 mm. Remove the constant load with the hook, and after leaving it for 2 minutes, with the initial load still applied, use a staff to read the length L1 of the sample to the nearest 1 mm. Calculate the stretch recovery rate (i.e., the CR value of the thread) using the following formula.

Where: CR: stretch recovery rate , %
L: sample length when the initial load and constant load are applied simultaneously, mm;
L1: Sample length when the constant load is removed and the initial load is applied, mm.

The present invention will be further explained below with reference to examples and comparative examples.
The yarns in the examples and comparative examples were manufactured by Toray Synthetic Fibers (Nantong) Co., Ltd.

Example 1
Four courses are knitted into one complete weave on a 28G double knitting machine. The first and third courses are fully knitted using 75D-72f-regular PET DTY to form the surface layer, while the second and fourth courses are fully knitted using 60D-24f-PBT DTY (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY to form the back layer, respectively, to obtain a greige fabric. The second course is knitted using 60D-24f-PBT DTY with a knit and welted knitting ratio of 1:1, and the fourth course is fully knitted using 60D-36f-regular PET DTY.
The resulting grey fabric was pretreated (1 g/L scouring agent, 95°C), dyed (disperse dye, 130°C for 30 min), and finished (10 g/L hydrophilic resin, 1 g/L neutralizing acid) to obtain a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 42 x 53 loops per inch and a basis weight of 232 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 2
A 36G single-knit machine was used to knit four courses into one complete structure. The first and third courses were fully knitted using 75D-72f-regular PET DTY to form the surface layer, while the second and fourth courses were fully knitted using 60D-24f-PBT DTY (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY to form the back layer, respectively, to obtain a greige fabric. The second course was knitted using 60D-24f-PBT DTY with tuck and welt knitting in a 1:1 ratio, and the fourth course was fully knitted using 60D-36f-regular PET DTY. The remaining conditions were the same as in Example 1, and the knitted fabric of the present invention was obtained. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 44*59/inch and a basis weight of 167 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 3
Ten courses were knitted on a 28G double knitting machine, forming a complete structure. The odd-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 75D-72f-regular PET DTY yarn using a cylinder knitting machine to form the surface layer. The even-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 60D-24f-PTT DTY yarn (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY yarn using a dial knitting machine to form the back layer. The second, sixth, and tenth courses were knitted entirely with 60D-24f-PTT DTY yarn using a knitting and welt knitting method, with a knit-to-welt ratio of 1:1. The third and eighth courses were knitted entirely with 60D-36f-regular PET DTY yarn using a knitting method. The remaining conditions were the same as in Example 1, and the knitted fabric of the present invention was obtained. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 41*49/inch and a basis weight of 213 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 4
Ten courses were knitted on a 36G single-knit machine, forming one complete structure. The odd-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 75D-72f-regular PET DTY to form the surface layer, and the even-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 60D-24f-PTT DTY (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY to form the back layer, resulting in a greige fabric. The second, sixth, and tenth courses were knitted entirely with 60D-24f-PTT DTY using tuck and welt knitting, with a 1:1 tuck/welt ratio. The fourth and eighth courses were knitted entirely with 60D-36f-regular PET DTY using knitting. The remaining conditions were the same as in Example 1, resulting in a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 42*56/inch and a basis weight of 154 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 5
A 28G double knitting machine was used to create a complete knit with 36 courses. The odd-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 75D-36f-PBT/PET DTY (CR value 41%) to form the surface layer, while the even-numbered courses were knitted and welt-knit with 40D-24f-PBT DTY (CR value 39%) to form the back layer, resulting in a greige fabric. The knit/welt ratio in the even-numbered courses was 1:5, and the other conditions were the same as in Example 1, resulting in a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 38*47/inch and a basis weight of 194 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 6
A 36G single-knit machine was used to knit 36 courses into one complete design. The odd-numbered courses were fully knitted using 50D-36f-PBT/PET DTY (CR value 49%) to form the front layer, while the even-numbered courses were knitted using 40D-24f-PBT DTY (CR value 39%) to form the back layer with tuck and welt knitting. The ratio of tuck knitting to welt knitting in the even-numbered courses was 1:5. The other conditions were the same as in Example 1, resulting in a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 39*54/inch and a basis weight of 142 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 7
A 36G single-knit machine was used to knit 12 courses into one complete design. The odd-numbered courses were fully knitted using 75D-72f-regular PET DTY to form the surface layer. The even-numbered courses were fully knitted using 60D-24f-PBT DTY (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY to form the back layer. The second, sixth, and tenth courses were fully knitted using 60D-24f-PBT DTY with a tuck knitting and welt knitting ratio of 1:8. The fourth, eighth, and twelfth courses were fully knitted using 60D-36f-regular PET DTY. The other conditions were the same as in Example 1, and the knitted fabric of the present invention was obtained. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 36*50/inch and a basis weight of 131 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 8
A 28G double knitting machine was used to knit 36 courses into one complete design. Odd-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 75D-72f-regular PET DTY yarns using a cylinder knitting technique to form the surface layer. Even-numbered courses were knitted with 40D-24f-PBT DTY yarns (CR value 39%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY yarns using a dial knitting technique in a 1:1 pattern to form a grey fabric. The PBT/PET yarns were knitted and welt knitted in a 1:5 ratio, with the other conditions remaining the same as in Example 1. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 37*45/inch and a basis weight of 183g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Example 9
The second course was knitted using 60D-24f-PBT DTY with a CR value of 41%, with a knit and welt knitting ratio of 1:1. The other conditions were the same as in Example 1, and a knitted fabric of the present invention was obtained. The number of loops in the warp and weft directions of the obtained knitted fabric was 42 x 54/inch, and the basis weight was 234g/ ^m² . The specific details are shown in Table 1.

Example 10
The second course was knitted using 60D-24f-highly crimpable PET DTY with a CR value of 25%, with the other conditions being the same as in Example 9, to obtain a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 41*52 loops/inch and a basis weight of 214 g/ ^m² . Specific details are shown in Table 1.

Example 11
The second course was knitted using 60D-24f-highly crimpable PET DTY with a CR value of 35%, with the other conditions being the same as in Example 9, to obtain a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 41*54 loops/inch and a basis weight of 231 g/ ^m² . Specific details are shown in Table 1.
Jackets or knit pants are made from the knitted fabrics of Examples 1-11.

Comparative Example 1
Six courses were knitted on a 28G double knitting machine, forming a complete knit. The odd-numbered courses were fully knitted with 75D-72f-regular PET DTY yarns using a cylinder knitting machine to form the surface layer. The even-numbered courses were fully knitted with 100D-48f-PBT DTY yarns (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY yarns using a dial knitting machine to form the back layer. The second course was fully knitted with 100D-48f-PBT DTY yarns using a knitting and welt knitting method, with a knitting to welt knitting ratio of 1:1. The fourth and sixth courses were fully knitted with 60D-36f-regular PET DTY yarns using the same knitting conditions as in Example 1, resulting in a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 40*51/inch and a basis weight of 225g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2
A 36G single-knit machine was used to knit eight courses into a complete design. The odd-numbered courses were fully knitted with 75D-72f-regular PET DTY to form the front layer, and the even-numbered courses were fully knitted with 150D-72f-PBT DTY (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY to form the back layer. The second course was knitted with 150D-72f-PBT DTY using tuck and welt knitting in a 1:1 ratio. The fourth, sixth, and eighth courses were fully knitted with 60D-36f-regular PET DTY. The other knitting conditions were the same as in Example 1, resulting in a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 42*57/inch and a basis weight of 158 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 3
A 28G double knitting machine was used to knit 10 courses into a complete design. The odd-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 75D-72f-regular PET DTY yarns using a cylinder knitting machine to form the surface layer. The even-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 60D-24f-PTT DTY yarns (CR value 35%) and 60D-36f-regular PET DTY yarns using a dial knitting machine to form the back layer. The second, sixth, and tenth courses were knitted entirely with 60D-24f-PTT DTY yarns (CR value 35%), and the fourth and eighth courses were knitted with 60D-36f-regular PET DTY yarns. The other knitting conditions were the same as in Example 1, resulting in a knitted fabric of the present invention. The warp and weft loop counts of the resulting knitted fabric were 44*58/inch, and the basis weight was 269 g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 4
A 36G single knitting machine was used to knit eight courses into one complete structure. The odd-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 75D-72f-regular PET DTY to form the front layer, and the even-numbered courses were knitted entirely with 60D-36f-regular PET DTY to form the back layer. The second course was knitted with tuck knitting and welt knitting at a 1:1 ratio. The fourth, sixth, and eighth courses were knitted entirely with knit knitting. The other knitting conditions were the same as in Example 1, resulting in a knitted fabric of the present invention. The resulting knitted fabric had a warp and weft loop count of 42*55/inch and a basis weight of 145g/ ^m² . The details are shown in Table 1.

According to the table above,
(1) From Examples 1 and 3, and Examples 2 and 4, it can be seen that under the same conditions, a knitted fabric with a 50% polyester crimpable fiber content in the back layer has the same water absorbency as a knitted fabric with a 60% polyester crimpable fiber content in the back layer, but the quick-drying property of the former (smaller front/back diffusion area ratio and higher back layer water retention) is slightly worse than that of the latter. The former has a smaller elongation rate than the latter, but a higher elongation recovery rate.

(2) Looking at Examples 7 and 4, under the same conditions, a knitted fabric with a 1:8 ratio of A to B in the back layer has the same water absorbency as a knitted fabric with a 1:1 ratio of A to B, and the former has better quick-drying properties (smaller front/back diffusion area ratio and higher back layer water retention) and elongation rate than the latter. However, the elongation recovery rate is lower than the latter, which affects dimensional stability, etc.

(3) From Examples 5 and 8, it can be seen that under the same conditions, a knitted fabric with a PBT/PET surface layer and a PBT lining has the same water absorbency as a knitted fabric with a regular PET surface layer and a regular PET and PBT lining, and the quick-drying properties (larger front/back diffusion area ratio and smaller lining water retention rate) and elongation rate of the former are both superior to the latter.

(4) Looking at Examples 11 and 10, under the same conditions, a knitted fabric using a highly crimpable PET knitted fabric with a CR value of 35% as the back layer has the same water absorbency as a highly crimpable PET knitted fabric with a CR value of 25% as the back layer, and the quick-drying properties (larger front/back diffusion area ratio and lower back layer water retention rate) and elongation rate of the former are superior to those of the latter.

(5) Looking at Comparative Example 1 and Example 1, under the same conditions, the knitted fabric with a PBT fiber content of 33% in the lining layer is far inferior to the knitted fabric with a PBT fiber content of 50% in the lining layer in terms of water absorption, quick-drying properties (smaller front/back diffusion area ratio and higher lining layer water retention rate), and elongation rate.

(6) Looking at Comparative Example 2 and Example 2, under the same conditions, the quick-drying properties (smaller front/back diffusion area ratio and higher back layer water retention rate) and elongation rate of the knitted fabric with a 28% PBT fiber content in the back layer are far worse than those of the knitted fabric with a 50% PBT fiber content in the back layer.

(7) Judging from Comparative Example 3 and Example 1, under the same conditions, the fabric with an entirely knitted back layer is far inferior to the fabric with a knitted back layer plus welt knitting in terms of water absorption, quick-drying properties (smaller front/back diffusion area ratio, higher back layer water retention rate), and elongation rate.

(8) Looking at Comparative Example 4 and Example 2, and Comparative Example 4 and Example 4, under the same conditions, knitted fabrics with both the surface and back layers made of regular PET have the same water absorbency as knitted fabrics with a surface layer made of regular PET and a back layer made of regular PET and polyester-based crimpable fiber, but the quick-drying properties (smaller surface-to-back diffusion area ratio and higher back layer water retention rate) and elongation rate of the former are both far worse than the latter.

Claims (6)

A stretchable, moisture-absorbing, quick-drying knitted fabric having a surface layer and a back layer, the back layer containing at least 50% by weight of polyester-based crimpable fiber, and at least one course of the back layer consisting of part A and part B formed by two different knitting operations as a complete structure, and part B formed by a non-knitting operation, the polyester-based crimpable fiber having a stretch recovery rate of 30% or more, and the polyester-based crimpable fiber being polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate , or polybutylene terephthalate/polyethylene terephthalate . The stretchable, moisture-absorbing, quick-drying knitted fabric described in claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of parts A to parts B within the same course in the back layer of the knitted fabric is 1:1 to 1:5. The stretchable, moisture-absorbing, quick-drying knitted fabric described in claim 1, characterized in that the yarns constituting the front and back layers of the knitted fabric are both polyester-based crimped fibers. A stretchable, moisture-absorbing, quick-drying knitted fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, according to JIS L1096:2010, the knitted fabric has a weft elongation rate of 20% to 150%, a weft elongation recovery rate of 70% or more after 30 seconds, a water absorption rate of 3 seconds or less, a front/back diffusion area ratio of 3.0 or more, and a water retention rate of 20% or less in the back layer. The stretchable, moisture-absorbing, quick-drying knitted fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knitted fabric has a basis weight of 100 to 400 g/ ^m2 and a density of 30 to 80 loops/inch in both the horizontal and vertical directions. A jacket or knit pants manufactured using the stretchable, moisture-absorbing, quick-drying knit fabric described in claim 1.