1
DESCRIPTION
FIBER HIGHLY COOL TO TOUCH
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The invention relates to a fiber excellent in cool
contact feeling which is excellent in hand and skin touch
and capable of preventing unpleasant feeling in the wet
state and a woven fabric, clothing, and underwear excellent
in cool contact feeling and obtainable by using the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
Recently, as underwear have been investigated those
for summer using fibers excellent in cool contact feeling
which can cause sensation of cool feeling at the time of
wearing and give refreshing feeling.
Conventionally, methods of improving the water
absorption property of fibers and methods of improving heat
conductivity of fibers have been employed as a method of
obtaining such fibers excellent in cool contact feeling.
[0003]
The fibers comprising resins into which hydrophilic
groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl are introduced can be
exemplified as the fibers having the improved water
absorption property.
The fibers comprising resins in which fillers having
high heat conductivity are kneaded and fibers subjected to
surface coating treatment can be exemplified as the fibers
having the improved heat conductivity.
However, in the case of using these fibers, although
the cool touch feeling can theoretically be expected to be
obtained, the fibers are scarcely distinguished from

2
untreated ones in an actual sensory test by human being and
cannot give them cool contact feeling.
[0004]
Patent Document 1 discloses a fiber having cool
contact feeling obtained by making the fiber retaining
porous inorganic particles enclosing a water-absorbing
polymer. The fiber has surely sensible cool contact
feeling. However, it is required to add a large quantity
of the porous inorganic particles to give sufficient cool
contact feeling and accordingly, the hand and skin touch is
adversely affected and thus the fiber cannot be used for
underwear.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Kokai Publication 2002-235278
DISCLOSUER OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS WHICH THE INVENTION IS TO SOLVE
[0005]
It is the object of the invention to provide a fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling which can give
sufficiently sensible cool contact feeling in a sensory
test and is excellent in hand and skin touch and preferably
usable for underwear and to provide a woven fabric,
clothing, and underwear excellent in cool contact feeling
and obtainable by using the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE OBJECT
[0006]
The invention is a fiber which contains a
thermoplastic elastomer and an inorganic filler.
Hereinafter, the invention will be descried more in
detail.
[0007]
The inventors have made various investigations and

3
have found that a fiber obtained by spinning a
thermoplastic elastomer is excellent in cool contact
feeling in the case of using the fiber for clothing.
However, in the case the fiber containing a thermoplastic
elastomer is used for clothing, although the clothing are
excellent in cool contact feeling, they become sticky or
inferior in skin touch in the wet state owing to sweat and
the like and therefore, in the case the fiber is used for
clothing having direct contact with the skin such as
underwear, it causes the new problem of unpleasant feeling.
Therefore, the inventors have made further investigations
and accordingly have found that addition of an inorganic
filler to a fiber containing a thermoplastic elastomer
makes it possible to prevent unpleasant feeling at the time
of wetting in the case the fiber is used for clothing and
to give excellent hand and skin touch and therefore the
fiber is preferably usable for clothing particularly
underwear, and accordingly have accomplished the invention.
[0008]
The thermoplastic elastomer is not particularly
limited, however a polyamide type elastomer and/or a
polyester type elastomer is preferable.
[0009]
The polyamide type elastomer is not particularly
limited and examples are polyether block amide copolymers,
polyether amide copolymers, and polyester amide copolymers.
They may be used alone or two ore more of them may be used
in combination.
Commercialized polyamide type elastomers among them
are, for example, Pebax (manufactured by Arkema), UBE Nylon
(manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.), Grilon ELX and
Grilamid ELY (manufactured by Ems-Showa Denko KK), Daiamid
and Vestamid (manufactured by Daicel-Degussa Ltd.).
[0010]
The polyester type elastomer is not particularly

4
limited and examples are polyether ester copolymers and
polyester ester copolymers. They may be used alone or two
ore more of them may be used in combination.
Commercialized polyester type elastomers among them
are Grilux (manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals,
Inc.), Nouvelan (manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.),
Pelprene (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.), Hytrel
(manufactured by Du pont-Toray Co., Ltd.), and Primalloy
(manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation).
[0011]
Among these thermoplastic elastomers, polyether block
amide copolymers represented by the following formula (1)
are particularly preferable since they are suitable for
obtaining fibers remarkably excellent in cool contact
feeling, excellent in spinning property, and suitable for
producing a woven fabric, clothing and underwear which is
light owing to having a light specific gravity.
Commercialized products of such polyether block amide
copolymers may be, for example, Pebax (manufactured by
Arkema).
[0012]
[Chem. 1]

[0013]
In the formula (1), PA represents polyamide and PE
represents polyether.
[0014]
As a resin component contained in the fiber excellent
in cool contact feeling of the invention, the thermoplastic
elastomers alone may be used, however, a fiber containing

5
only a thermoplastic elastomer as the resin component
generally has a sticky feeling and sometimes becomes
difficult for spinning and therefore another resin may be
used in combination with the thermoplastic elastomers.
[0015]
The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention contains further an inorganic filler.
Addition of the inorganic filler forms very small
roughness in the surface of the fiber and reforms the fiber
surface, so that the sticky feeling, which is a
characteristic of the thermoplastic elastomers in the wet
state, can be prevented and in the case the fiber is used
for clothing, the skin touch of the clothing in the case of
putting on the skin and the releasing property at the time
of taking off the clothing can remarkably improved.
Further, since the sticky property of the fiber can be
lowered, the spinning property at the time of producing raw
yarns can be improved.
With respect to the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling of the invention, since the inorganic filler is
added not for providing the cool contact feeling but for
preventing the sticky feeling at the time of wetting, it
need not add a large quantity of the inorganic filler and
even if the fiber is used for clothing, the addition does
not cause adverse effect on the hand and skin touch.
[0016]
The inorganic filler is not particularly limited and
examples may include mineral type pigments, such as calcium
carbonate such as light calcium carbonate and heavy calcium
carbonate, barium carbonate, magnesium carbonate such as
basic magnesium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate,
titanium dioxide, iron oxide, tin oxide, titanium oxide,
zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, ferrite powder, zinc sulfide,
zinc carbonate, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, Satin
White, diatomaceous earth such as fired diatomaceous earth,

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calcium silicate, aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate,
silica such as amorphous silica, amorphous synthesized
silica, and colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, pseudo
boehmite, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, alumina,
hydrated alumina, litopon, zeolite, hydrated halloysite,
clay, hydrotalcite, aluminosilicate, talc, pyrophyllite,
smectite such as saponite, hectorite, sauconite, stevensite,
montmorillonite, beidellite and nontromite, vermiculite,
mica such as phologopite, biotie, zinnwaldite, muscovite,
paragonite, celadonite and glauconite, clinochlore,
chamosite, nimite, pennantite, sudoite, donbasite,
clintonite, margarite, thulite, antigorite, lizardite,
chrysotile, mesite, cronstedite, berthierine, greenalite,
garnierite, kaorin such as kaolinite, dickite, nacrite and
hallosite, delaminated kaolin, calcined kaolin, sepiolite,
palygorskite, imogolite, allophane, hisingerite, penwithite,
activated earth, bentonite, and sericite. They may be used
alone or two or more kinds of them may be used in
combination.
Preferable examples among them are titanium oxide,
zinc oxide, barium oxide, and silica.
The form of the inorganic fillers is not particularly
limited and examples are finite forms such as spherical,
needle-like, plate type forms and the like, or nonfinite
forms.
[0017]
The preferable lower limit of an average particle
diameter of the inorganic fillers is 0.20 ΜM, and the
preferable upper limit of that is 3.00 μm. If the average
particle diameter is less than 0.20 μm, the effect to
improve the unpleasant feeling such as sticky feeling at
the time of wetting sometimes becomes insufficient and if
it is more than 3.00 μm, the hand and skin touch may
possibly be deteriorated in the case the fiber is used for
producing clothing or the strength of the fiber may be

7
decreased in some cases.
[0018]
The preferable lower limit of the content of the
inorganic filler is 2% by weight, and the preferable upper
limit of that is 30% by weight. And the more preferable
upper limit is 7% by weight. If it is less than 2% by
weight, the effect to improve the unpleasant feeling such
as sticky feeling at the time of wetting sometimes becomes
insufficient and if it is more than 30% by weight, the
strength of the fiber may be decreased. And the spinning
property may be decreased in some cases.
[0019]
The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention may only comprise the fiber containing the
thermoplastic elastomer and inorganic filler, however the
fiber may be twisted with another fiber for improving the
factors required for underwear such as skin touch within an
extent that the aim of the invention is not inhibited.
Such another fiber is not particularly limited and examples
are polyamide type resins such as nylon 6 and nylon 12;
polyesters, cotton, and rayon.
[0020]
The preferable lower limit of a qmax value of the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention is
0.20 J/sec/cm2. If the qmax value is less than 0.20
J/sec/cm2, most subjects do not feel cool contact feeling
even if a sensory test is performed. The more preferable
lower limit is 0.21 J/sec/cm2 and the further preferable
lower limit is 0.22 J/sec/cm2.
In this description, the qmax value is defined as a
peak value of the heat flow quantity of stored heat
transferring to a sample at a lower temperature in the case
a prescribed heat is stored in a heat plate with a
specified surface area and a specified weight and
immediately after the heat plate is brought into contact

8
with the sample surface. It is supposed that the qmax value
simulates the body heat removed from the body by the sample
when clothing is put on and it is supposed that as the qmax
value is higher, the body heat removed from the body is
higher and the cool contact feeling is more excellent when
the clothing is put on.
[0021]
The preferable lower limit of the heat conductivity
of the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention is lx10-3°C/W-m2. The heat conductivity is also
supposed to be one of important parameters to which the
cool contact feeling is corresponding. If the heat
conductivity is less than lxl0-3oC/W.m2, most subjects may
not feel cool contact feeling even if a sensory test is
performed.
In this description, the heat conductivity can be
calculated by measuring the heat loss speed after a heat
plate is layered on a sample put on a sample stand and the
temperature of the heat plate is stabilized at a prescribed
temperature and performing calculation by the following
formula (2).
Heat conductivity (W/cm/°C) = W-D/A/AT (2)
W: heat flow quantity (J/sec)
D: thickness of a sample (cm)
A: heat plate surface area (cm2)
AT: temperature difference (°C) between the sample
stand and the heat plate
[0022]
The preferable lower limit of the wet slippage
starting angle of the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling of the invention is 20°, and the preferable upper
limit of that is 25°. If the angle is less than 20°, the
hand and skin touch may possibly be deteriorated, and if it
is more than 25°, the releasing property from the skin in
the case the fiber is used for underwear may possibly be

9
deteriorated. The wet slippage starting angle can be
calculated by measuring the slippage starting angle by a
gradient method according to JIS P 8147.
[0023]
The preferable lower limit of the wet slippage
resistance value of the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling of the invention is 1.28 CN/cm2, and the preferable
upper limit of that is 1.58 CN/cm2. If it is less than
1.2 8 CN/cm2, the hand and skin touch may possibly be
deteriorated and if it is more than 1.58 CN/cm2, the
releasing property from the skin may possibly be
deteriorated in the wet state. The wet slippage resistance
value is the electrostatic resistance value in the wet
state and can be measured by a gradient method according to
JIS P 8147.
[0024]
The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention may be used in form of a composite fiber
comprising the thermoplastic elastomer and another resin
and is particularly preferable to have a core-sheath
structure and comprises a core part containing a dyeable
resin and a sheath part containing a thermoplastic
elastomer resin, a thickness of the sheath part being 20 μm
or thinner (hereinafter referred to as a core-sheath type
composite yarn in some cases).
[0025]
The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention can be a fiber having the core-sheath structure
having good dyeability, keeping excellent properties of the
thermoplastic elastomer such as cool contact feeling by
using such a dyeable resin for the core part and the
thermoplastic elastomer having the cool contact feeling and
excellent in the flexibility for the sheath part.
[0026]
Generally, a thermoplastic elastomer has no dyeing

10
sites necessary for dyeing or a very few if it has the
dyeing sites and therefore, it has been difficult to dye it
with an acidic dye or a cationic dye. To deal with such
problems, a method of dyeing a thermoplastic elastomer such
as polyurethane by using a disperse dye is disclosed in
Japanese Kokai Publication 2003-247177. Also, various
methods such as a method of making dyeing possible by
introducing dyeing sites into a thermoplastic elastomer
type resin, a method of coloring by coloring a raw material
by adding an inorganic type pigment to pellets of a
thermoplastic elastomer type resin, and a method of making
dyeing possible by blending a polyamide type resin with a
polyamide type elastomer resin as the thermoplastic
elastomer type resin, have been investigated. However, any
method cannot sufficiently solve the dyeing problems.
[0027]
On the contrary, in the case dyeing is carried out
using the core-sheath type composite yarn, a dye permeates
the sheath part containing the thermoplastic elastomer
scarcely having the dyeing sites and dyes the core part
containing the dyeable resin. Accordingly, in the case
dyeing is carried out using the core-sheath type composite
yarn, dyeing can be carried out preferably even with a dye
such as an acidic dye or a cationic dye and as compared
with a fiber using solely the thermoplastic elastomer, it
exhibits excellent dyeability.
[0028]
The core-sheath type composite yarn is preferable to
contain a dyeable resin in the core part.
The dyeable resin is not particularly limited if it
can be dyed and is usable as a fiber and examples are
polyamide type resins such as nylon 6, nylon 66, and nylon
12, polyester type resins such as PET, PBT, and PTT, rayon,
acrylic resins and the like. Particularly preferable
resins among them are polyamide type resins. They may be

11
used alone or two or more of them may be used in
combination.
[0029]
With respect to the core-sheath type composite yarn,
although it differs depending on the resin to be used, the
preferable lower limit of the content of the dyeable resin
in the core part is 5% by weight. If it is less than 5% by
weight, the dyeability may possibly be decreased.
[0030]
The core-sheath type composite yarn may contain
various additives, based on the necessity, in the core part
besides the dyeable resin. The additives are not
particularly limited, and examples are an antioxidant, a
preserver, an antistatic agent, a stabilizer, an
oxidization preventing agent, a delustering agent, a light
fastness improving agent, a lubricant, a fragrance, a
plasticizer, a surfactant, and a flame retardant.
[0031]
The core-sheath type composite yarn is preferable to
contain the thermoplastic elastomer and inorganic filler in
the sheath part.
With respect to the core-sheath type composite yarn,
although it differs depending on the resin to be used, the
preferable lower limit of the content of the thermoplastic
elastomer in the sheath part is 15% by weight. If it is
less than 15% by weight, the cool contact feeling may
possibly be decreased.
[0032]
The core-sheath type composite yarn may contain
various additives, based on the necessity, in the sheath
part besides the thermoplastic elastomer. The additives
are not particularly limited, and examples are an
antioxidant, a preserver, an antistatic agent, a stabilizer,
an oxidization preventing agent, a delustering agent, a
light fastness improving agent, a lubricant, a fragrance, a

12
plasticizer, a surfactant, and a flame retardant.
[0033]
The form of the core-sheath type composite yarn is
not particularly limited and the cross-sectional shape
formed in the case the fiber is cut perpendicularly to the
longitudinal direction of the fiber may be true round,
elliptical and the like. Also, the fiber may have a
concentric core-sheath type structure in which the core
part and sheath part are formed concentrically or an
eccentric core-sheath type structure in which the core part
and sheath part are formed eccentrically. Also, the fiber
may have a structure in which multiple core parts exist in
the case the fiber is cut perpendicularly to the
longitudinal direction of the fiber.
[0034]
In the core-sheath type composite yarn, the
preferable upper limit of the thickness of the sheath part
is 20 μm. If it is more than 20 μm, it becomes difficult
for a dye to permeate the sheath part at the time of dyeing
and the dyeability may possibly become insufficient. The
preferable lower limit of the thickness of the sheath part
is 2 (am. If it is less than 2 μm, the sheath part is too
thin to exhibit the cool contact feeling effect.
[0035]
In the case the fiber has the concentric core-sheath
type structure in which the core part and sheath part are
formed concentrically, the preferable lower limit of the
ratio of the diameter of the core part and the thickness of
the sheath part (core part/sheath part) is 5/20, and the
preferable upper limit of that is 46/2. If it is less than
5/20, the rate of the sheath part is so high as to make the
dyeability insufficient and if it is more than 46/2, cool
contact feeling and flexibility may possibly be
deteriorated.
[0036]

13
The preferable lower limit of a qmax value of the
core-sheath type composite yarn is 0.17 J/sec/cm2. If the
qmax value is less than 0.17 J/sec/cm2, it is almost same as
those of polyesters and nylon and most subjects may not
feel cool contact feeling even if a sensory test is
performed. The more preferable lower limit is 0.18
J/sec/cm2 and further preferable 0.19 J/sec/cm2.
[0037]
The preferable lower limit of the heat conductivity
of the core-sheath type composite yarn is 0. 9xl0-3°C/W-m2.
If the heat conductivity is less than 0. 9xl0-3oC/W.m2, most
subjects may not feel cool contact feeling even if a
sensory test is performed.
[0038]
A method of producing the fiber excellent in cool
contact feeling of the invention is not particularly
limited and conventionally known methods such as a method
of producing it by producing resin pellets containing the
thermoplastic elastomer and the inorganic filler and
melting and spinning, using the obtained resin pellets, may
be employed.
The core-sheath type composite yarn may also be
produced by, for example, loading resin pellets containing
the dyeable resin, the thermoplastic elastomer, and the
inorganic filler into a composite spinning apparatus and
melting and spinning them.
[0039]
The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention may be used in form of a woven fabric such as a
knit, a textile, and a bonded textile. The woven fabric
excellent in cool contact feeling which is obtainable by
using the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention also constitutes the invention.
The woven fabric excellent in cool contact feeling of
the invention may solely comprise the fiber excellent in

14
cool contact feeling of the invention and also comprise the
fiber and another fiber twisted together for improving the
factors required for underwear such as skin touch within an
extent that the aim of the invention is not inhibited.
Such another fiber is not particularly limited and examples
are polyamide type resins such as nylon 6 and nylon 12,
polyesters, cotton, and rayon.
[0040]
The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention and the woven fabric excellent in cool contact
feeling of the invention are used for producing clothing,
so that clothing preventing the unpleasant feeling at the
time of wetting and excellent in the hand and skin touch
can be produced. The clothing excellent in cool contact
feeling also constitutes the invention.
Since the clothing excellent in cool contact feeling
of the invention contains the thermoplastic elastomer, it
can cause sensation of cool feeling at the time of wearing
and give refreshing feeling. Also, addition of the
inorganic filler makes the clothing free from sticky
feeling at the time of wetting and excellent in hand and
skin touch and suitable for underwear.
[0041]
The clothing excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention may be produced using the fiber excellent in cool
contact feeling entirely and it is particularly preferable
to be clothing excellent in cool feeling comprising a woven
fabric having a reversible structure and excellent in
refreshing feeling, 30 to 70% by number of total loops
comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling, the
loops comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling being arranged in a skin contact side (hereinafter,
also referred to as refreshing clothing).
[0042]
With respect to the clothing comprising a woven

15
fabric having a reversible structure as clothing excellent
in cool contact feeling of the invention, the ratio of the
number of loops comprising the fiber excellent in cool
contact feeling is controlled within a prescribed range and
such loops comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling are arranged only in the skin contact side, so that
the clothing can have an effect of preventing unpleasant
feeling caused by much sweating.
[0043]
In recent years, various kinds of clothing having
improved functions as underwear to be put on in an occasion
of sweating in summer, in the case of exercises, sports and
the like, have been developed and proposed, and such
functional clothing is suggested, for example, clothing
produced from hydrophobic fibers such as polyester. Also,
a method of increasing the air permeability by using a
hydrophilic fiber in combination with cotton and a method
of increasing the air permeability by forming a mesh
structure for a cloth or by forming a moss knitting of a
derivative weave of a plain knitting and warp knitting,
have been investigated, and Japanese Kokai Publication
2003-155669 discloses a reformed cloth by depositing a
hydrophilic chemical substance on the surface of a
hydrophobic fiber composing the cloth. However, in the
case of clothing comprising such hydrophobic fibers,
although the generated heat can efficiently be released, it
causes unpleasant feeling due to wet feeling in the case
the skin or the clothing is wetted because of sweating and
at the same time the woven fabric tends to be stuck to the
skin to cause the problem that the clothing restrains the
movement.
[0044]
On the other hand, with respect to the refreshing
clothing comprising the woven fabric having a reversible
structure, it can cause sensation of cool feeling at the

16
time of wearing and give refreshing feeling and
simultaneously it can prevent unpleasant feeling due to wet
feeling at the time of sweating and prevent sticking of the
woven fabric to the skin due to deterioration of the
separation from the skin by controlling the ratio of the
number of loops comprising the fiber excellent in cool
contact feeling to be within a prescribed range. Also, the
loops comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling are arranged only in the skin side, so that the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling can be brought into
direct contact with the skin and clothing with further
improved refreshing feeling and cool contact feeling can be
produced.
[0045]
In the refreshing clothing, the preferable lower
limit of the ratio of the loops of the fiber excellent in
cool contact feeling is 30% of the total number of loops,
and the preferable upper limit of that is 70% of the total
number of loops. If it is less than 30%, the effect to
cause refreshing feeling and cool contact feeling becomes
insufficient in some cases and if it is less than 70%, it
causes unpleasant feeling due to wet feeling in the case
the skin or the clothing is wetted because of sweating and
at the same time the woven fabric tends to be stuck to the
skin to cause the problem that the clothing restrains the
movement. The more preferable lower limit is 33%, and the
more preferable upper limit is 67%.
Also, in the case the skin side of the refreshing
clothing comprises only loops of the fiber excellent in
cool contact feeling, the preferable lower limit of the
ratio of the loops of the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling is 50% of the total number of loops, and the
preferable upper limit of that is 70% of the total number
of loops, and in the case the skin side of that comprises
the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling and a

17
hydrophobic fiber, the preferable lower limit of the ratio
of the loops of the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
is 30% of the total number of loops, and the preferable
upper limit of that is 50% of the total number of loops.
Additionally, in the refreshing clothing, the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling is preferable to have a
qmax value of 0.07 J/sec/cm2 or more.
[0046]
The refreshing clothing is preferable to contain the
thermoplastic elastomer and inorganic filler.
In this case, among fibers containing the
thermoplastic elastomer, fibers containing a resin mixture
of a polyamide type elastomer A whose hard segment is
polyamide 12 and soft segment is polyethylene glycol and a
polyamide type elastomer B whose hard segment is polyamide
12 and soft segment is polytetramethylene glycol provide
extremely excellent cool contact feeling and are excellent
in the damp-absorbing and desorbing property and diffusion
property and therefore they are preferable.
Preferable examples as a fiber containing the
thermoplastic elastomer are fibers containing 60% by weight
or more of Pebax 1014 SA 01 (manufactured by ATOFINA Japan
Co., Ltd.), which is a polyether block amide copolymer;
fibers made porous and subjected to treatment for making
the surface hydrophilic; and fibers with improved cool
contact feeling by adding 1 to 5% by weight of an inorganic
substance such as titanium oxide to synthetic fibers such
as polyesters and nylon.
[0047]
In the refreshing clothing, in the case the thickness
of the woven fabric is to be made as thin as possible, the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling may be used in
combination with another fiber. In this case, the
preferable lower limit of the content of the thermoplastic
elastomer in the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling is

18
50% by weight. If it is less than 50% by weight,
sufficient cool contact feeling cannot be caused in some
cases.
[0048]
In the refreshing clothing, the loops comprising the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling are preferable to
be arranged only in the skin side. Arrangement in such a
manner makes the loops comprising the fiber excellent in
cool contact feeling have mainly contact with the skin and
causes the cool contact feeling and refreshing feeling, and
as described later, arrangement of loops comprising a
hydrophobic fiber in the outside improves the diffusion and
evaporating property of the heat and water emitted from the
skin.
[0049]
In the refreshing clothing, the loops other than the
loops comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling are preferably the loops comprising a hydrophobic
fiber.
In the refreshing clothing, as described, since the
loops comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling are arranged only in the skin side, the loops
comprising a hydrophobic fiber are arranged mainly in the
outside. Accordingly, the sweat evaporation is promoted
and the generated heat can emitted efficiently.
[0050]
In this description, the hydrophobic fiber means a
chemical fiber having a official water percentage of 5.0%
or less. Practically, fibers comprising polypropylenes
(official water percentage: 0%), polyesters (0.4%), acrylic
resins (2.0%), nylon (4.5%), and vinylon (5.0%) can be
exemplified. They may be used alone or two or more kinds
of them may be used in combination. In this connection,
the official water percentage means water percentage at
20°C and 65% RH.

19
[0051]
The refreshing clothing may contain natural fibers
such as cotton and flax, and semi-synthesized fibers such
as rayon and acetate based on the necessity besides the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling and the hydrophobic
fiber.
[0052]
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of one example of the
refreshing clothing. Fig. 1 (a) is a plane view observing
the refreshing clothing from the skin side and Fig. 1(b) is
a cross-sectional view in which the outside is set upper
and the skin side is set lower.
As shown in Fig. 1, the refreshing clothing 11 is
composed of the part 12 formed by weaving the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling and the part 13 formed by
weaving the hydrophobic fiber and the part 12 formed by
weaving the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling has a
linear form which alternately has a rectangular part. The
part formed by weaving the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling means the part having loops comprising the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling and the part formed by
weaving the hydrophobic fiber means the part having no loop
comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling but
having only loops comprising the hydrophobic fiber.
The part 12 formed by weaving the fiber excellent in
cool contact feeling is arranged only in the skin side
(lower side) and in the case the refreshing clothing is put
on, the part 12 formed by weaving the fiber excellent in
cool contact feeling is mainly to be brought into contact
with the skin.
[0053]
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of another example of
the refreshing clothing. Fig. 2(a) is a plane view
observing the refreshing clothing from the skin side and
Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view in which the outside is

20
set upper and the skin side is set lower.
As shown in Fig. 2, the refreshing clothing 21 is
composed of the part 22 formed by weaving the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling and the part 23 formed by
weaving the hydrophobic fiber. And the part 22 formed by
weaving the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling is
arranged only in the skin side (lower side) and in the case
the refreshing clothing is put on, the part 22 formed by
weaving the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling is
mainly to be brought into contact with the skin.
[0054]
Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the flow of heat
and steam emitted from the skin in the case the refreshing
clothing is put on.
As shown in Fig. 3, heat and steam emitted from the
skin at first pass the part 12 formed by weaving the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling and at that time the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling absorbs the heat
and steam. The heat and water which are not absorbed by
the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling are diffused by
passing the part 13 formed by weaving the hydrophobic fiber
and then released and evaporated outside. Fig. 3 shows
only a portion having both of the part formed by weaving
the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling and the part
formed by weaving the hydrophobic fiber, however in a
portion having only the part formed by weaving the
hydrophobic fiber, the heat and steam emitted from the skin
are diffused and successively released and evaporated
outside.
In the refreshing clothing, since the ratio of the
portion having both of the part formed by weaving the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling and the part formed by
weaving the hydrophobic fiber is controlled within a proper
range, it can cause sensation of cool feeling and
refreshing feeling at the time of wearing and

21
simultaneously it can prevent unpleasant feeling due to wet
feeling at the time of sweating and prevent sticking of the
woven fabric to the skin due to deterioration of the
separation from the skin.
[0055]
The preferable lower limit of the air permeability of
the refreshing clothing is 200 cm3/cm2/sec, and the
preferable upper limit of that is 500 cm3/cm2/sec. If it is
less than 200 cm3/cm2/sec, the air permeability is
deteriorated and the diffusion of heat and evaporation of
sweat emitted from the skin may possibly be inhibited and
if it is more than 500 cm3/cm2/sec, transfer of the heat
and water through the clothing cannot be carried out
sufficiently and contrarily the outer air may penetrate.
The air permeability can be measured by using a
fragile type air permeability tester according to JIS L
1096 A method.
[0056]
In the refreshing clothing, the preferable lower
limit of the weight per square-meter is 90 g/m2 and the
preferable upper limit of that is 200 g/m2. If it is less
than 90 g/m2, the heat and water transfer becomes difficult
and the refreshing effect may possibly be deteriorated and
if it is more than 200 g/m2, the cooling feeling may
possibly be deteriorated because of increase of the weight
and the heat transmission resistance.
[0057]
The woven fabric having with the reversible structure
can be produced by using a rib stitch machine and the like,
adjusting the quantity of weaving needles in forming loops.
Practically, it can be produced by the method of weaving
while adjusting the number of the weaving needles for
forming the loops of the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling to be 30 to 70%.
[0058]

22
A method of producing the clothing excellent in cool
contact feeling of the invention is not particularly
limited and for example, conventionally known methods such
as a method of producing clothing by weaving the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention can be
employed.
Also, the refreshing clothing can be produced by the
conventionally known methods of sewing, cutting and the
like, using the woven fabrics with the reversible structure
obtained by the above-mentioned manner.
[0059]
Underwear excellent in cool contact feeling can be
produced by using the fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling of the invention or the woven fabric excellent in
cool contact feeling of the invention. Also, the clothing
excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention can be
used as underwear.
The underwear excellent in cool contact feeling also
constitutes the invention.
[0060]
Since the underwear excellent in cool contact feeling
of the invention contains the thermoplastic elastomer, it
can cause sensation of cool feeling at the time of wearing
and give refreshing feeling. Also, since the underwear
contains the inorganic filler, it does not cause sticky
feeling at the time of wetting and is excellent in the hand
and skin touch. The underwear excellent in cool contact
feeling of the invention is brought into direct contact
with the skin and therefore, it can cause a particularly
excellent effect.
[0061]
Besides the underwear excellent in cool contact
feeling of the invention, stockings, gloves, face masks,
mufflers and the like can be produced by using the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention or the

23
woven fabric excellent in cool contact feeling of the
invention. They are brought into direct contact with the
skin and therefore, they can cause a particularly excellent
effect.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0062]
According to the invention, a fiber excellent in cool
contact feeling which is excellent in hand and skin touch
and capable of preventing unpleasant feeling in the wet
state and a woven fabric, clothing, and underwear excellent
in cool contact feeling and obtainable by using the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling can be provided.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0063]
Hereinafter, the invention will be described more in
detail with reference to examples, however it is not
intended that the invention be limited to these examples.
[0064]
(Example 1)
After 2% by weight of titanium oxide (D918,
manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; average
particle diameter 0.2 6 (im) was added to 98% by weight of a
polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax 1041SA01,
manufactured by Arkema), which is a thermoplastic polyamide
type elastomer, the mixture was melted and mixed and
palletized by a pelletizer to obtain resin pellets.
Next, using obtained resin pellets, a raw yarn was
obtained by spinning by a melt spinning method. The
obtained yarn was woven to produce a woven fabric.
[0065]
(Example 2)
A woven fabric was produced in the same manner as
Example 1, except the addition amount of the titanium oxide

24
(D918, manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.;
average particle diameter 0.2 6 μm) was 4% by weight and the
addition amount of the polyether block amide copolymer
(Pebax 1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) was 96% by weight.
[0066]
(Example 3)
A woven fabric was produced in the same manner as
Example 1, except the addition amount of the titanium oxide
(D918, manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.;
average particle diameter 0.26 μm) was 6% by weight and the
addition amount of the polyether block amide copolymer
(Pebax 1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) was 94% by weight.
[0067]
(Example 4)
After 2% by weight of titanium oxide (D918,
manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; average
particle diameter 0.26 (am) was added to 98% by weight of a
polyether ether copolymer (Hytrel 8171, manufactured by Du
pont-Toray Co., Ltd.), which is a thermoplastic polyamide
type elastomer, the mixture was melted and mixed and
palletized by a pelletizer to obtain resin pellets.
Next, using obtained resin pellets, a raw yarn was
obtained by spinning by a melt spinning method. The
obtained yarn was woven to produce a woven fabric.
[0068]
(Example 5)
After 2% by weight of barium sulfate (B-30NC,
manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; average
particle diameter 0.3 am) was added to 98% by weight of a
polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax 1041SA01,
manufactured by Arkema), which is a thermoplastic polyamide
type elastomer, the mixture was melted and mixed and
palletized by a pelletizer to obtain resin pellets.
Next, using obtained resin pellets, a raw yarn was
obtained by spinning by a melt spinning method. The

25
obtained yarn was woven to produce a woven fabric.
[0069]
(Example 6)
After 2% by weight of zinc oxide (fine zinc flower,
manufactured by The Honjo Chemical Corporation; average
particle diameter 0.3 μm) was added to 98% by weight of a
polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax 1041SA01,
manufactured by Arkema), which is a thermoplastic polyamide
type elastomer, the mixture was melted and mixed and
palletized by a pelletizer to obtain resin pellets.
Next, using obtained resin pellets, a raw yarn was
obtained by spinning by a melt spinning method. The
obtained yarn was woven to produce a woven fabric.
[0070]
(Example 7)
After 2% by weight of silica particles (Excelica SH-
03, manufactured by Tokuyama Corp.; average particle
diameter 0.2 μm) was added to 98% by weight of a polyether
block amide copolymer (Pebax 1041SA01, manufactured by
Arkema), which is a thermoplastic polyamide type elastomer,
the mixture was melted and mixed and palletized by a
pelletizer to obtain' resin pellets.
Next, using obtained resin pellets, a raw yarn was
obtained by spinning by a melt spinning method. The
obtained yarn was woven to produce a woven fabric.
[0071]
(Example 8)
After 30% by weight of ferrite powder (average
particle diameter 0.88 μm) was added to 70% by weight of a
polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax 1041SA01,
manufactured by Arkema), which is a thermoplastic polyamide
type elastomer, the mixture was melted and mixed and
palletized by a pelletizer to obtain resin pellets.
Next, using obtained resin pellets, a raw yarn was
obtained by spinning by a melt spinning method. The

26
obtained yarn was woven to produce a woven fabric.
[0072]
(Comparative Example 1)
Using pellets of a polyether block amide copolymer
(Pebax 1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema), which is a
thermoplastic polyamide type elastomer, a raw yarn was
obtained by spinning by a melt spinning method. The
obtained yarn was woven to produce a woven fabric.
[0073]
(Evaluation)
The woven fabrics obtained in Examples 1 to 8 and
Comparative Example 1 were evaluated by the following
methods. The results are shown in Table 1.
[0074]
(1) Measurement of the wet slippage starting angle
The wet slippage starting angle was measured by a gradient
method according to JIS P 8147.
Practically, a slide was inclined at a raising speed of
2°/s and a weight with 93.37 g was used, and the gradient
angle at the moment when the weight to which each wet
sample was attached, started moving was measured.
[0075]
(2) Measurement of wet slippage resistance
The wet slippage starting angle was measured by a gradient
method according to JIS P 8147.
Practically, a slide was inclined at a raising speed of
2°/s and a weight with 93.37 g was used and the static
friction resistance value at the moment when the weight to
which each wet sample was attached started moving was
measured.
[0076]
(3) Measurement of qmax value
Each woven fabric was put on a sample stand set at
20.5°C and immediately after a heat plate heated at 32.5°C
was overlapped on the fabric with a contact pressure of

27
0.098 N/cm2, the peak value of the heat quantity of the
stored heat transferred to the sample fabric at a lower
temperature was measured. THERMO LABO II type Precise and
Prompt Thermal-Property Measuring Instrument (manufactured
by Kato Tech. Co. Ltd.) was employed for the measurement.
[0077]
(4) Measurement of heat conductivity
Each woven fabric was put on a sample stand set at
20.5°C and a heat plate heated was overlapped on the fabric
with a contact pressure of 0.059 N/cm2 and the temperature
of the heat plate was adjusted and stabilized at 32.5°C.
The heat loss speed at the time when the heat plate
temperature was stabilized at a prescribed temperature was
measured by THERMO LABO II type Precise and Prompt Thermal-
Property Measuring Instrument (manufactured by Kato Tech.
Co. Ltd.). The heat conductivity was calculated from the
measured value.
[0078]
(5) Spinning property
The number of disconnection of filament in the
extrusion, drawing, and thermosetting steps was counted in
the case the resin pellets used for Examples and
Comparative Examples were continuously melted and spun for
24 hours and the spinning property was evaluated based on
the following criteria.
©: the number of disconnection of filaments was 0 time
O: the number of disconnection of filaments was 1 to 3
times
A: the number of disconnection of filaments was 4 times or
more
[0079]
(6) Sensory test
A sensory test was carried out by 10 subjects for
cool contact feeling at the moment of touching each woven
fabric and the separation of the woven fabric from the skin

28
when the fabric was slipped on the skin and the evaluation
was carried out based on the following criteria. Also, ©
was scored at 3 point, O was scored at 2 point, A was
scored at 1 point, and x was scored at 0 point and the
total points of 10 subjects were calculated to give the
evaluation points.
©: cool and the separation of the fabric from the skin was
good in both dry and wet states:
O: cool but the separation of the fabric from the skin was
ordinary in both dry and wet states;
A: cool but the separation of the fabric from the skin was
inferior in wet state; and
x: cool but the separation of the fabric from the skin was
inferior.
[0080]
[Table 1]

30
[0081]
As shown in Table 1, the woven fabrics using raw
yarns containing the thermoplastic elastomers and inorganic
fillers produced in Examples 1 to 8 were found having high
qmax value and heat conductivity and therefore excellent in
cool contact feeling and having not so high wet slippage
resistance values, so that in the case they were used for
clothing, the separation from the skin in wet state was
good.
On the other hand, the woven fabric using raw yarns
produced in Comparative Example 1 was found having high qmax
value and heat conductivity and therefore excellent in cool
contact feeling, however it was also found having so high
wet slippage resistance value to deteriorate the separation
from the skin in wet state in the case it was used for
clothing.
[0082]
(Example 9)
As a resin for a core part, 85% by weight of nylon 12
(UBESTA 3014U, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.), which
is a polyamide resin, and as a resin for a sheath part, 15%
by weight of a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) to which 5% by weight of
titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by Sakai Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle diameter 0.26 μm) was
added were loaded to a composite spinning apparatus and
spinning was carried out by a melt spinning method to
obtain a core-sheath type composite yarn with a diameter of
50 μm.
The cross-section of the obtained core-sheath type
composite yarn was photographed by an electron microscope
and the thickness of the sheath part was measured to find
it was 2 μm.
The obtained core-sheath type composite yarn was
woven to obtain a woven fabric.

31
[0083]
(Example 10)
As a resin for a core part, 65% by weight of nylon 12
(UBESTA 3014U, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.), which
is a polyamide resin, and as a resin for a sheath part, 35%
by weight of a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) to which 5% by weight of
titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by Sakai Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle diameter 0.26 (xra) was
added were loaded to a composite spinning apparatus and
spinning was carried out by a melt spinning method to
obtain a core-sheath type composite yarn with a diameter of
50 μm.
The cross-section of the obtained core-sheath type
composite yarn was photographed by an electron microscope
and the thickness of the sheath part was measured to find
it was 5 μm.
The obtained core-sheath type composite yarn was
woven to obtain a woven fabric.
[0084]
(Example 11)
As a resin for a core part, 50% by weight of nylon 12
(UBESTA 3014U, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.), which
is a polyamide resin, and as a resin for a sheath part, 50%
by weight of a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) to which 5% by weight of
titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by Sakai Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle diameter 0.26 μm) was
added were loaded to a composite spinning apparatus and
spinning was carried out by a melt spinning method to
obtain a core-sheath type composite yarn with a diameter of
50 μm.
The cross-section of the obtained core-sheath type
composite yarn was photographed by an electron microscope
and the thickness of the sheath part was measured to find

32
it was 7 μm.
The obtained core-sheath type composite yarn was
woven to obtain a woven fabric.
[0085]
(Example 12)
As a resin for a core part, 35% by weight of nylon 12
(UBESTA 3014U, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.), which
is a polyamide resin, and as a resin for a sheath part, 65%
by weight of a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) to which 5% by weight of
titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by Sakai Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle diameter 0.26 μm) was
added were loaded to a composite spinning apparatus and
spinning was carried out by a melt spinning method to
obtain a core-sheath type composite yarn with a diameter of
50 μm.
The cross-section of the obtained core-sheath type
composite yarn was photographed by an electron microscope
and the thickness of the sheath part was measured to find
it was 10 μm.
The obtained core-sheath type composite yarn was
woven to obtain a woven fabric.
[0086]
(Example 13)
As a resin for a core part, 5% by weight of nylon 12
(UBESTA 3014U, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.), which
is a polyamide resin, and as a resin for a sheath part, 95%
by weight of a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) to which 5% by weight of
titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by Sakai Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle diameter 0.26 μm) was
added were loaded to a composite spinning apparatus and
spinning was carried out by a melt spinning method to
obtain a core-sheath type composite yarn with a diameter of
50 μm.

33
The cross-section of the obtained core-sheath type
composite yarn was photographed by an electron microscope
and the thickness of the sheath part was measured to find
it was 20 μm.
The obtained core-sheath type composite yarn was
woven to obtain a woven fabric.
[0087]
Hereinafter, to make it clear that it is possible to
produce woven fabrics excellent in the dyeability because
the core-sheath type composite yarns obtained in Examples 9
to 13 have a prescribed core-sheath structure, Experimental
Examples of woven fabrics obtainable by using the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention but
having no prescribed core-sheath structure will be shown.
(Experimental Example 1)
Using a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) to which to which 5% by
weight of titanium titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by
Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle
diameter 0.2 6 urn) was added, spinning was carried out by a
melt spinning method, and a raw yarn was obtained. The raw
yarn was woven to obtain a woven fabric.
[0088]
(Experimental Example 2)
As a resin for a core part, 3% by weight of nylon 12
(UBESTA 3014U, manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd.), which
is a polyamide resin, and as a resin for a sheath part, 97%
by weight of a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema) to which 5% by weight of
titanium titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by Sakai
Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle diameter 0.26
urn) was added were loaded to a composite spinning apparatus
and spinning was carried out by a melt spinning method to
obtain a core-sheath type composite yarn with a diameter of
60 μm.

34
The cross-section of the obtained core-sheath type
composite yarn was photographed by an electron microscope
and the thickness of the sheath part was measured to find
it was 25 μm.
The obtained core-sheath type composite yarn was
woven to obtain a woven fabric.
[0089]
(Evaluation)
The woven fabrics obtained in Examples 9 to 13 and
Experimental Examples 1 and 2 were dyed with an acidic dye
(Nylosan, manufactured by Clariant Japan K.K.) and
evaluations were carried out by the following methods. The
results are shown in Table 2.
[0090]
(1) Dyeability
After each woven fabric was dyed and the clearness
was evaluated by 5 subjects with eye observation and
compared. The results were comprehensively determined and
evaluated according to the following four grades.
@: clearness and evenness are very good
O: clearness is good
A: clearness is inferior
X: clearness is bad
[0091]
(2) Measurement of qmax value
Each woven fabric was put on a sample stand set at
20.5°C and immediately after a heat plate heated at 32.5°C
was overlapped on the fabric with a contact pressure of
0.098 N/cm2, the peak value of the heat quantity of the
stored heat transferred to the sample fabric at a lower
temperature was measured. THERMO LABO II type Precise and
Prompt Thermal-Property Measuring Instrument (manufactured
by Kato Tech. Co. Ltd.) was employed for the measurement.
[0092]
(3) Measurement of heat conductivity

35
Each woven fabric was put on a sample stand set at
20.5°C and a heat plate heated was overlapped on the fabric
with a contact pressure of 0.059 N/cm2 and the temperature
of the heat plate was adjusted and stabilized at 32.5°C.
The heat loss speed at the time when the heat plate
temperature was stabilized at a prescribed temperature was
measured by THERMO LABO II type Precise and Prompt Thermal-
Property Measuring Instrument (manufactured by Kato Tech.
Co. Ltd.) . The heat conductivity was calculated from the
measured value.
[0093]
[Table 2]

[0094]
(Example 14)
While a fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
containing a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax
1041SA01, manufactured by Arkema), which is a thermoplastic
polyamide type elastomer, and titanium oxide (D918,
manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; average
particle diameter 0.26 μm) as an inorganic filler was
arranged only in the skin side and a polyester fiber

36
(Technofine, manufactured by Asahi Chemical Industry Co.,
Ltd.), which is a hydrophilic fiber, was arranged mainly in
the outside, the fibers were woven to produce a woven
fabric having the reversible structure according to the
structure drawing 1 as shown in Fig. 4 by a rib stitch
machine and a T-shirt was produced using it.
In the obtained T-shirt, the number of loops
comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling was
50% of the total number of the loops and the number of
loops comprising the hydrophobic fiber was 50% of the total
number of the loops. The ratio of the loops of the
hydrophobic fiber was 100% in the outside of the T-shirt
and the ratio of the loops comprising the fiber excellent
in cool contact feeling was 100% in the skin side. Further,
the weight per square-meter of the obtained T-shirt was 184
g/m2.
The air permeability of the obtained T-shirt was
measured according to JIS L 1096A by using a fragile type
air permeability tester (TEXTIEL AIR PERMEABILITY TESTER,
manufactured by Yamaguchi Kagaku Sangyo Co., Ltd.) to find
it was 326 cm3/m2/sec.
[0095]
(Example 15)
A fiber excellent in cool contact feeling containing
a polyether block amide copolymer (Pebax 1041SA01,
manufactured by Arkema), which is a thermoplastic polyamide
type elastomer and titanium oxide (D918, manufactured by
Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; average particle
diameter 0.26 urn) as an inorganic filler to compose the
loops of the skin side and a polyester fiber (Technofine,
manufactured by Asahi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), to
compose the loops of the outside were woven to produced a
woven fabric having the reversible structure according to
the structure drawing 2 as shown in Fig. 5 by a rib stitch
machine and a T-shirt was produced using it.

37
In the obtained T-shirt, the number of loops
comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling was
33.3% of the total number of the loops and the number of
loops comprising the hydrophobic fiber was 66.7% of the
total number of the loops. The ratio of the loops
comprising the hydrophobic fiber was 100% in the outside of
the T-shirt and the ratio of the loops comprising the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling was 50% and the ratio of
the loops of the hydrophobic fiber was 50% in the skin side.
Further, the weight per square-meter of the obtained T-
shirt was 152 g/m2.
The air permeability of the obtained T-shirt was
measured by the same method as Example 14 to find it was
397.6 cm3/m2/sec.
[0096]
(Comparative Example 2)
A commercialized polyester fiber (Sophista,
manufactured by KURARAY Co., Ltd.) whose surface was made
hydrophilic was woven into a mesh-like woven fabric by warp
knitting to produce T-shirt(manufactured by MIZUNO) , and
the T-shirt was used.
[0097]
(Comparative Example 3)
A T-shirt obtained by plain weaving using a
commercialized cotton, was used.
[0098]
(Evaluation)
The T-shirts obtained in Examples 14 and 15 and
Comparative Examples 2 and 3 were evaluated by the
following methods.
[0099]
(1) Evaluation in environment control room
Simulating early morning walking in summer, subjects
put on the T-shirts obtained in Example 14 and Comparative
Examples 2 ad 3 a environment control room in 28°Cx65% RH

38
environments, sit still on a chair for 15 minutes, walked
for 30 minutes in a tread mill while frontward being blown
with a wind at 1 m/sec velocity, and successively sit still
on a chair for 30 minutes for recovery and the temperature
fluctuation in the inside of the clothing, the humidity
fluctuation in the inside of the clothing, and the oxygen
intake were measured. The results are shown in Fig. 6.
The measurement was carried out for 6 healthy male
adults and the average values are shown.
From Fig. 6, it was found that increase of the
temperature and the humidity in the inside of the clothing
in the case the T-shirt of Example 14 was put on was
suppressed as compared with those in the case the T-shirts
produced in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 were put on. Also,
the oxygen intake during the walking in the case the T-
shirt of Example 14 was put on was also suppressed to low
as compared with those in the case the T-shirts produced in
Comparative Examples 2 and 3 were put on. It is supposed
that since the T-shirt produced in Example 14 brought
comfortable inner environments of the clothing as compared
with the T-shirts produced in Comparative Examples 2 and 3,
the exercise load was lessened and the exercise could be
performed with lessened energy consumption.
[0100]
(2) Sensory evaluation 1
A sensory evaluation was carried out by subjects in a
manner that the subjects putting on the T-shirt obtained in
Example 14 and the T-shirt obtained in Comparative Example
2 participated the family walking event (hosted by Kyoto
Walking Kyokai) held in July 2004 in Kyoto city and later
answered to questionnaires as compared with commonly
wearing T-shirts. The results are shown in Fig. 7. The
sensory evaluation was carried out by 9 healthy male adults
and the average values are shown.
The measurements of temperature in the rectum and

39
temperature in the inside of the clothing were also carried
out by 2 subjects among the 9 subjects by whom the sensory
evaluation was carried out. The results are shown in Fig.
7.
As being made clear from Fig. 7, it was found that
the T-shirt produced in Example 14 was evaluated highly in
all items as compared with the commonly wearing T-shirts
and was particularly excellent in the easiness for moving
and the skin touch. On the other hand, the T-shirt
produced in Comparative Example 2 was evaluated to be
inferior in the sweat absorbing property and the separation
from the skin at the time of sweating. Also, in the case
the T-shirt produced in Example 14 was put on, the
temperature in the rectum and the temperature in the inside
of the clothing were both lower than those in the case of
the T-shirt produced in Comparative Example 2 was put on.
[0101]
(3) Sensory evaluation 2
A sensory evaluation was carried out by male
university students belonging in an athletic club in a
manner that the students putting on the T-shirt produced in
Example 15 and Comparative Example 2 did running on
November 2004 and later answered to questionnaires as
compared with commonly wearing T-shirts. The results are
shown in Fig. 8. The sensory evaluation was carried out by
29 students and the average values are shown.
From Fig. 8, it was found that the T-shirt produced
in Example 15 gained the highest scores in all 13 items and
the scores in 11 items among them significantly exceeded
those of the T-shirt produced in Comparative Example 2.
Particularly, the T-shirt produced in Example 15 was
evaluated highly in the items of sticky feeling, easiness
for movement, following property, lightness, skin touch,
and wearing feeling.

40
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0102]
According to the invention, a fiber excellent in cool
contact feeling which is excellent in hand and skin touch
and capable of preventing unpleasant feeling in the wet
state and a woven fabric, clothing, and underwear excellent
in cool contact feeling and obtainable by using the fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling can be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0103]
Fig. 1(a) is a schematic view showing one example of
clothing excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention.
Fig. 1(b) is a schematic view showing one example of
clothing excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention.
Fig. 2(a) is a schematic view showing one example of
clothing excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention.
Fig. 2(b) is a schematic view showing one example of
clothing excellent in cool contact feeling of the invention.
Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the flow of heat
and steam emitted from the skin in the case the refreshing
clothing is put on.
Fig. 4 is a structure drawing showing the woven
fabric having a reversible structure formed in Example 14.
Fig. 5 is a structure drawing showing the woven
fabric having a reversible structure formed in Example 15.
Fig. 6 is a graph showing the evaluation results in
the environment control room carried out in Examples.
Fig. 7 is a graph showing the evaluation results of
the sensory evaluation 1 carried out in Examples.
Fig. 8 is a graph showing the evaluation results of
the sensory evaluation 2 carried out in Examples.
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
[0104]

41
11, 21: refreshing clothing
12, 22: part formed by weaving fibers excellent in cool
contact feeling
13, 23: part formed by weaving hydrophobic fibers

42
CLAIMS
1. A fiber excellent in cool contact feeling,
which contains a thermoplastic elastomer and an
inorganic filler.
2. The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 1,
which has a core-sheath structure and comprises a
core part containing a dyeable resin and a sheath part
containing a thermoplastic elastomer resin and an inorganic
filler, a thickness of the sheath part being 20 μm or
thinner.
3. The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyamide
elastomer and/or a polyester elastomer.
4. The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyether
block amide copolymer.
5. The fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4,
which contains 2 to 30% by weight of the inorganic
filler.
6. A woven fabric excellent in cool contact feeling,
which is obtainable by using the fiber excellent in
cool contact feeling according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
7. Clothing excellent in cool contact feeling,
which is obtainable by using the fiber excellent in

43
cool contact feeling according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, or
the woven fabric excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 6.
8. The clothing excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 7,
which is clothing excellent in cool contact feeling
comprising a woven fabric having a reversible structure and
excellent in refreshing feeling,
30 to 70% by number of total loops comprising the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling, the loops
comprising the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
being arranged in a skin contact side.
9. The clothing excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 7 or 8,
wherein the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling
contains 50% by weight or more of a thermoplastic elastomer.
10. The clothing excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 8 or 9,
wherein the loops other than the loops comprising the
fiber excellent in cool contact feeling comprises a
hydrophobic fiber.
11. Underwear excellent in cool contact feeling,
which is obtainable by using the fiber excellent in
cool contact feeling according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
the woven fabric excellent in cool contact feeling
according to claim 6, or the clothing excellent in cool
contact feeling according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10.

It is the object of the invention to provide a fiber
excellent in cool contact feeling which is excellent in
hand and skin touch and capable of preventing unpleasant
feeling in the wet state and a woven fabric, clothing, and
underwear excellent in cool contact feeling and obtainable
by using the fiber excellent in cool contact feeling.
The invention is a fiber excellent in cool contact
feeling, which contains a thermoplastic elastomer and an
inorganic filler.