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Consumers recognize the appearance and texture of fabric through viewing photographic images on E-commerce. However, the relationship between evaluations of the actual fabric and its image remains unclear. To understand the evaluation difference between actual fabric and its image, we investigated the relationship of visual evaluations including the price evaluation between actual white fabrics used for dress shirts and their photographic images concerning the online purchase of items presented by their photos. Participants evaluated the impressions of 24 white fabrics (actual fabrics and their images), comparing them with a standard white fabric. Participants also estimated the prices of shirts hypothetically made from different fabrics. We compared the difference between the results for actual fabrics and images. We also carried out a principal component analysis of those impressions and examined the relationship among principal component analysis results, weave structure, and fabric materials and price estimation. In a comparison of actual fabric and image evaluations, the impression of glossiness and brightness differed, with the actual fabrics being rated significantly higher in terms of glossiness and brightness. These differences are due to the difference in media (i.e., direct viewing versus screen display), although the visual environment of the lighting and displays may have had an effect. In principal component analysis, the first principal components were Delicateness and Glossiness for both actual fabrics and their images. The second principal components were Lightness and Coolness for the images of fabrics and Lightness, Coolness, and Softness for the actual fabrics. Fabrics evaluated highly in the first principal component had high price estimations. Thus, it is clear that Delicateness and Glossiness affected the price evaluation for both actual white fabrics and their images. Fabrics with a high value of Delicateness and Glossiness were a poplin made of at least 95% cotton. In contrast, fabrics containing linen and having a small repeating dobby pattern with roughness were evaluated as having low Delicateness and Glossiness and were assessed at a lower price. Additionally, even in the case of blended fabrics such as a cotton–polyester fabric, the expected price was high for diagonal patterns such as stripes and checks. These results will be helpful in the procurement of fabrics with which to make clothing and in the marketing of clothing for E-commerce.

We investigated the effects of the combinations of patternmaking methods and dress forms on the appearance of a garment. Six upper garments were made using three patternmaking methods used in France, Italy, and Japan, and two dress forms made in Japan and France. The patterns and the appearances of the garments were compared using geometrical measurements. Sensory evaluations of the differences in garment appearance and fit on each dress form were also carried out. In the patterns, the positions of bust and waist darts were different. The waist dart length, bust dart length, and positions of the bust top were different depending on the patternmaking method, even when the same dress form was used. This was a result of differences in the measurements used and the calculation methods employed for other dimensions. This was because the ideal body shape was different for each patternmaking method. Even for garments produced for the same dress form, the appearances of the shoulder, bust, and waist from the front, side, and back views were different depending on the patternmaking method. As a result of the sensory evaluation, it was also found that the bust and waist shapes of the garments were different depending on the combination of patternmaking method and dress form. Therefore, to obtain a garment with better appearance, it is necessary to understand the effects of the combinations of patternmaking methods and body shapes.

The effect of the patternmaker’s proficiency on the creation of clothing was investigated by the observation of the patternmaking process for clothing that satisfies the designer. We asked Japanese and French patternmakers to make a clothing pattern for the same design. The reasons for the differences in resultant clothing patterns and toiles made by the two patternmakers are discussed. Although the patternmaking processes used by the proficient patternmakers were similar, the resultant patterns were different owing to different recognition of the design. In particular, the shape and size of the collar that the designer emphasized in the illustration were different in the resultant patterns. Differences in patternmaking originated from differences in the patternmakers′ levels of expertise in terms of education, experience, and proficiency. However, the designer was satisfied with both patterns.

We investigated the distinctive characteristics of jean fabrics (denim fabrics obtained from jeans) and compared the physical properties and the hand. We used 13 kinds of jean fabric from commercial jeans and 26 other fabric types. The physical properties were measured using the Kawabata evaluation system, and the fabric hand was evaluated by 20 subjects using a semantic differential method. To characterise the hand of jean fabrics compared with other fabrics, we used principal component analysis and obtained three principal components. We found that jean fabrics were characterised by the second principal component, which was affected by feelings of thickness and weight. We further characterised the jean fabrics according to ‘softness & smoothness’ and ‘non-fullness’, depending on country of origin and type of manufacturer. The three principal components were analysed using multiple linear regression to characterise the components according to the physical properties. We explained the hand of fabrics including jean fabrics using its association with physical properties.

To better understand the reasons for the marketability of clothing now designed and sold in China and Japan, we asked Japanese and Chinese experts to evaluate Chinese and Japanese brands of clothing currently for sale in the Japanese market. The marketability of the Chinese apparel items in the Japanese market was evaluated by the Japanese experts. Five Japanese jackets were purchased from a department store in Tokyo, and ten items of Chinese clothing were purchased from a department store in Beijing. Five of the Chinese clothing samples were judged as impossible to sell in Japanese department stores primarily because the sewing quality was incompatible with Japanese requirements, the designs were outdated, and the materials were of low quality. However, the other five Chinese clothing samples received high evaluations of marketability in Japan. We found that Japanese experts focused on general design and sewing finish, while Chinese experts considered more general design points. Thus, our results indicate that clothing is evaluated differently in Japan and China. We conclude that it is necessary to consider the respective evaluation points used in each country as we pursue globalisation.

The effect of a fabric softener treatment on the properties of the crossing torque–intersecting angle behavior of yarns and the transverse compression properties of single and crossing yarns, which are related to the shear properties of a fabric, is investigated. The crossing torque required to change the intersecting angle between two yarns, the hysteresis in the crossing torque–intersecting angle curve (i.e., crossing torque hysteresis), and the compression properties of cotton yarns after water treatment with and without softener were measured. To measure those properties, the drying condition was varied after the treatment to comprise crossed yarns with an applied load and parallel yarns in a bundled state. The average crossing torque value of the sample with a softener treatment was less than that with a water treatment for yarns from a bundle. For yarns dried while crossed, the average crossing torque value of the sample with a softener treatment was somewhat less than that with a water treatment. For both drying conditions, the average crossing torque hysteresis value decreased after a softener treatment. The compressional resilience value of the sample with a softener treatment was greater (bouncier) than that with a water treatment for yarns dried while crossed. The results suggest that the softener treatment reduces the crossing torque and increases the compressional resilience of yarns. This is due to the reduction of hydrogen bonding between surface fibers via the softener. The softener treatment also decreased the crossing torque hysteresis, corresponding to decreased friction between fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a measuring method of shear deformation in drape using three-dimensional (3D) scanning. We measured the local shear angles in fabric drape based on the Fabric Research Laboratories (FRL) drape test for woven fabrics using the proposed method. We investigate the effects of the relative positions of the node to the center grainlines that cross at the fabric center, and the bending and shear properties of fabric on the shear angles. To measure the local shear deformation, we obtained 3D drape shapes of four different fabrics with three to six nodes. We covered the obtained drape shapes using a fabric model composed of square cells that allowed shear deformation. By calculating the shear angles of the cells, we obtained the local shear deformation. We found that the FRL drape can be characterized by three areas, except for the flat areas of the support disks: (a) areas along the center grainlines with zero or small shear angles within 3°, which could result from single curvature bending; (b) areas in the bias directions with relatively large shear angles over 3°, which could result from double curvature bending; and (c) polygon edges connected by tangents of the support disk with relatively larger shear angles than their surroundings, which could result from both bending and shear deformation, such as folding and wrinkles. By investigating the relationships between areas with large shear angles and the bending rigidity/shear stiffness, we clarified that the bending rigidity indirectly affects the local shear deformation of drape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of fabric dimension on drape deformation are analyzed using a model of a circular segment cantilever for infinite shear stiffness (upper limit) and the deflection of strip cantilevers in radial directions for zero shear stiffness (lower limit). The drape shapes are determined by nondimensional parameters K and K′ in addition to the parameters m and m′, which are given by the ratio of the fabric radius and segment cantilever length, respectively. K and K′ are given by the segment cantilever length for the upper limit and by the differences between the radii of the fabric and support disk for the lower limit, with weights, and bending rigidity. The drape coefficient (DC) limits of fabrics are theoretically obtained using the model in three cases according to the relationship of m and m′. Even for different fabrics, the drape shapes are similar for the same m and K, or m′ and K′, in each case. The effects of dimension on fabric drape are therefore clarified theoretically. The obtained limits are experimentally verified for eight woven fabrics and one sheet. It is found that the DCs of samples are between the two theoretical curves of limits, although there are variations even for the same K or K′. The variations might be due to depressions between adjacent nodes or the presence of double-curvature deformation due to lower shear stiffness. The effects of dimensions in the drape test considering bending rigidity for infinite and zero shear stiffness are thus clarified theoretically and experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical stimuli from contacted objects are recorded by skin receptors and are transmitted to neural signals to the cerebrum to generate touch perceptions. Despite numerous studies having been conducted on the link between the physical properties of contacted objects and psychological sensations, factors besides the stimuli themselves have seldom been investigated. The contact method and acclimation to environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, could affect the functions of responsible receptors, which, in consequence, might affect the touch perception. This study is designed around a series of experiments involving 226 human subjects adapted to the climate environments of six East-Asia cities. The results revealed that the contact method affected the responses of smoothness sensation but not the stimuli discriminations. This agrees with the hypothesis that both the slowly adapting type I (SA1) fiber and the Pacinian afferent (PC) fiber are responsible for smoothness sensation. SA1 fibers can function through passive touch because of a superficial location in the dermis, while PC fibers, which are located deeper in the dermis, are triggered during active touching. The effect of contact method on softness sensation is not significant because the responsible receptor is the SA1 fiber. The effects of acclimation to temperature and relative humidity were also investigated. Positive relationships were found with smoothness perception and negative relationships were found with warmth perception. This suggests that acclimation to temperature and relative humidity can affect the receptor thresholds and, in consequence, affect the touch sensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the surface fitting ability of woven fabric under low tension using a new measurement method. The limit angle of shear buckling, the maximum shear angle, is defined as the surface fitting ability. To estimate the maximum shear angle, we measured the base radius of a spherical crown of woven fabrics while covering the spherical surface without wrinkles. The relationship between the maximum shear angle and base radius was calculated numerically. We constructed a new testing equipment to determine the surface fitting ability of fabric with an aluminum hemisphere set on a laboratory jack and acrylic boards with holes of varying size at the center. Nineteen kinds of woven fabric samples and three hemispheres of different radii were used to measure the surface fitting ability. The relationships among the maximum shear angle and mechanical and structural properties were investigated. Thickness, interlacing point density and shear stiffness showed high correlation with the surface fitting ability. Using these properties, a new prediction formula for surface fitting ability was proposed. The predictive values showed a good agreement with the measured values. Therefore, the proposed method and the prediction equation are useful for evaluating the surface fitting ability of woven fabrics. The effect of the sphere radius on the surface fitting ability was also clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of crimp on torsional rigidity of monofilament and cotton spun yarns was studied. Two kinds of polymeric monofilament yarns and four kinds of cotton spun yarns were examined. Different crimps were applied to the yarn using original crimp setting equipment. To fix the crimp, the polymeric monofilaments were treated with heat, and the cotton spun yarns were treated with steam. The test samples were then produced following two protocols: with or without the application of weight. The yarn torsional rigidities with crimp were measured using a torsional measurement device, and were compared with those without crimp. Almost no weight was applied to the cotton spun yarns to preserve the crimp during testing. The results with and without the application of weight were compared. For the monofilament yarns, the torsional rigidities of the crimped yarns had a linear relationship with the crimp ratio. For the cotton spun yarns, the torsional rigidities of the crimped yarns were smaller than those of the straight yarns. The smaller the yarn count, the smaller the yarn torsional rigidity. The effect of crimp on torsional rigidity differed according to the yarn counts. There was almost no difference in crimped yarn torsional rigidity between the straightened and non-straightened yarns after crimp setting. Therefore, there is a possibility that the change in yarn properties could have resulted from the bending of the fiber during crimp setting, and not from the shape of the crimp afterwards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We proposed a new method for measuring apparent Poisson’s ratio for yarn and developed a new tensile tester equipped with a digital micrometer that can measure the omni-directional diameter of the yarn annularly while the yarn is elongated. Values of apparent Poisson’s ratio were obtained from the longitudinal and transverse strains continuously. The mean diameter measured omni-directionally was used to calculate the transverse strain for each longitudinal strain. We tested five spun yarns, one monofilament yarn and two filament yarns and obtained values of apparent Poisson’s ratio against longitudinal strain for all samples. Apparent Poisson’s ratio was not constant for spun and filament yarns, while it was constant for monofilament yarn. When the longitudinal strain was low, apparent Poisson’s ratios of ring spun yarns and filament yarns were large, owing to the fiber packing density. As the longitudinal strain increased, apparent Poisson’s ratio gradually decreased. Furthermore, we approximated the relationship between apparent Poisson’s ratio and the longitudinal strain using a power function. The apparent Poisson values can be used in the simulation of fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of yarn torsional rigidity was verified on the Cooper model for fabric bending rigidity in any direction. We made five cotton fabrics with different weft densities and prepared three commercial fabrics as experimental samples. The torsional rigidity of yarn from the bobbin and that of yarn directly extracted from fabric were measured with a yarn torsional tester. The bending rigidity of yarn from the bobbin was measured using the same pure bending tester as used in fabric bending testing. The bending rigidity of thin fabric was calculated using torsional rigidities of yarns extracted from the fabric and showed better agreement with the experimental values than that calculated using the torsional rigidity of yarn from the bobbin. Indeed, measurements showed that the torsional rigidity of yarn from the bobbin was appreciably higher than the torsional rigidity of yarn from the fabric. This is due to the crimp in the yarn. The fabric bending rigidity can be predicted using the Cooper model with torsional rigidities of yarns extracted from the fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A shear model for laminated fabrics bonded with dot-type adhesive interlining was proposed. The effect of fixing two or more interlacing points by adhesive on the shear stiffness of laminated fabric was taken into account. Using the proposed model, a prediction method for shear stiffness of laminated fabrics was proposed and verified experimentally. The increasing ratio (IR) of the shear stiffness of face fabric due to bonding interlining was defined as the ratio of difference between shear stiffness of laminated fabrics and pressed adhesive interlining, and the initial shear stiffness of face fabric. The relationships among the ratio of fixed interlacing points, IR and adhesive mass were investigated. It is clear that IR is affected by the adhesive fixing of adjacent floating yarns in addition to the fixing of interlacing points. The experimentally obtained IR for a face fabric shows a linear relation with adhesive mass. Then, a regression equation for IR was formulated as a function of the mass of the adhesive agent using a small number of interlinings. It was possible to predict shear stiffness of other laminated fabrics with the regression equation and adhesive mass. Furthermore, the shear stiffness values of laminated fabrics were predicted more precisely by dividing the regression area according to the mass of adhesive applied during interlining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the effect of adhesive interlining on the appearance of tailored jackets with different rigidity. Design/methodology/approach – Four tailored jackets having the same pattern and fabric and three different adhesive interlinings or no adhesive interlining were prepared as experimental samples. Criteria and characteristics for assessing jacket appearance were investigated in sensory tests. A paired comparison of the jacket appearance was conducted using a ranking method. Smoothness and constriction values were proposed and obtained using three-dimensional shape data. The smoothness value refers to the degree of wrinkling on the jacket surface and the constriction value refers to the degree of constriction of the waistline. A quantitative assessment model of jacket appearance was proposed using multiple regression analysis. Findings – The sensory test reveals that the number of wrinkles, acceptability of wrinkling and degree of constriction of the waist are important criteria in the assessment of jacket appearance. The smoothness value for the front body and the constriction value of the waist partially agreed with the normal scores of sensory test results. Sensory evaluation values for the entire jacket appearance were estimated employing multiple regression analysis with the constriction and smoothness values. The values of jacket appearance estimated using multiple regression analysis were in good agreement with the sensory test results. Originality/value – Criteria and characteristics to be used in the assessment of the appearance of a jacket with adhesive interlining were clarified. Employing the proposed methodology, it is possible to predict jacket appearance for different adhesive interlinings, quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to produce an upper garment model for three-dimensional (3D) pattern making. This model will take into account ease allowance and silhouette, and will be used to propose a size-changing method. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used two real garment bodices with a surface suitable for pattern development. The garments were fitted to a designated dummy body and scanned. Using the scanned data, the authors made those upper garment basic models suitable for 3D pattern making. Using one model, the authors produced two bodice patterns, one with the original seam lines and the other with seam lines that differed from the original ones, and then compared them with the original jacket bodice. To construct garment models that were different in size from the basic model, the authors calculated multiplication factors of cross-sectional dimensions (in the front, back and lateral directions) between the basic garment and the actual garment shape worn on a body for each basic model. Using the multiplication factors, the authors made two different size garment models from two different size dummies for each basic model. The authors used these models to make patterns and garments. Findings – The reproduced jackets had similar shapes, silhouettes and ease allowances to the original jacket. Two garments of different sizes for each original jacket were made using the multiplication factors, and these garments also had similar silhouettes to the original jacket. Research limitations/implications – The implications of the work could be the new size-changing method. Originality/value – Using the modeling method, the authors were able to make complex new garment models that take into account ease allowance and silhouette. The ability to size these models up or down using multiplication factors could be a substitute for the grading method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors affecting the impression of elegance of a jacket’s appearance. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey on the impression of jacket appearance was conducted using images of jackets of Japanese and European brands. A paired comparison and sensory test were carried out for four Japanese and European jackets. To explain different jacket appearances, the jacket patterns and silhouettes were investigated from an engineering point of view. Findings – Most Japanese subjects responded that European jackets in images were more elegant and characteristic of European style. In a comparison of jacket silhouettes, Jacket 1 (European brand) was evaluated as the most elegant. The waist and bust parts of Jacket 1 had three-dimensional shape whereas the Japanese jackets had planar and rectilinear shapes. This was due to the difference in the waist darts and curved lines in the patterns. Jacket appearance in terms of elegance is thus mainly affected by the waist and bust shapes, which are affected by darts and lines in the patterns. Originality/value – This is pioneering research on the elegance of garment appearance from an engineering point of view, using actual clothing. The comparison results for commercial jackets will be valuable to the apparel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid migration in woven fabrics was investigated by measuring the wicking coefficients of hydrophilic cotton and hydrophobic PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) monofilament fabrics and some other fabrics. The coefficients of fabrics with cotton warp yarns were essentially equal along the weft direction but differed along the warp because of variations in the warp yarn crimps. Then factors affecting the liquid migration along the weft direction were investigated, especially the effect of hydrophobic weft yarns, by using three different warp weave densities for fabrics with both cotton and PVDF weft yarns. The results showed that in the warp direction, liquid moved along longitudinal yarns and migrated to hydrophilic but not hydrophobic transverse yarns. In the weft direction, similar results were obtained for fabrics with cotton weft yarns. Fabrics with PVDF weft yarns, however, showed no migration through the longitudinal yarns, although liquid did move along the transverse direction of connected cotton warp yarns. The largest wicking coefficient was associated with the highest warp weave density. Liquid did not move through transverse yarns separated from one another. It is apparent that liquids can migrate along transverse, adjacent, in-contact hydrophilic yarns of fabrics incorporating longitudinal hydrophobic yarns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new method was proposed for the measurement of in-plane capillary water flow within fabrics automatically. The method was based on the use of thermocouples to measure temperature changes as the fabric absorbed water. The wicking length of three different woven fabrics and two knitted fabrics in the warp, weft and 45° bias directions was measured using this technique. The wicking length was found to have a linear relationship with the square root of time, in agreement with the Washburn equation. Comparing the results with the data acquired using the horizontal Byreck method, the thermocouple technique was found to be suitable for the precise measurement of in-plane capillary water flow through fabrics automatically. Moreover, based on this method, the feasibility of estimating the water contents of fabrics from temperature differences generated during the flow process was also investigated. We found that it was possible to estimate the water content of a fabric, provided the moisture level is below the critical water content at equilibrium. This can be used to estimate the water content of fabric when it is worn. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study is to predict bending rigidity of laminated weft knitted fabric using three prediction methods and to determine their suitability for predicting. The methods are as follows: Method 1: the laminate theory using bending rigidities and thicknesses of components, Method 2: an equation derived from the laminate theory taken into account the tensile and in-plane compressive moduli of components, Method 3: an equation in consideration of the position of the neutral axis in bending on a face fabric. Six weft knitted fabrics and ten adhesive interlinings, sixty laminated composites with those combinations were used. Tensile properties and bending rigidities, thicknesses of samples were measured. The other necessary parameters for the prediction were obtained by additional experiments and calculation. It was found that the results by Method 3 showed the closest agreements with experimental ones. It is due to the relative positions of the neutral axes for all knitted fabric samples are not in the centroid. It became clear that the position must be taken into account for calculating bending rigidities of laminated knitted fabric with adhesive interlining. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The bending rigidity of laminated fabric was investigated considering the positions of the neutral axes in bending for components in addition to the tensile and in-plane compressive moduli of components. Theoretically derived equations were proposed to obtain the position of the neutral axis and to predict bending rigidity of laminated fabric. Eight face fabrics, ten adhesive interlinings and eighty laminated fabrics of those combinations were used for experimental samples. Tensile properties, bending rigidities and thicknesses of samples were measured and used to investigate the validity of the theory. The positions of the neutral axes for the face fabrics were obtained and they were not close to the centroid of the fabric. The calculated bending rigidities of laminated fabrics using the obtained position of neutral axes were more agreed with the experimental ones than the results by the method without considering the position of neutral axis. Therefore, it was found that the bending rigidity of laminated fabric can be predicted more precisely considering the position of neutral axis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study focuses on business relationships in Japan for industries pertaining to dyeing and finishing. The authors analyzed complex networks of 3354 companies contained in the Annual Report on the Textile-Related Trade, 1998 edition published by Sen-I Sha Company. Based on the community extraction proposed by Newman in 2004, there are forty-six communities in complex network and two large competitive communities containing a lot of dyeing and finishing companies are existed. As results of community extraction of complex network that deletes one big company on the betweenness centrality, the structure of the community is changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheepskin refers to the hide taken from a sheep and is composed of a layer of skin and the attached hair. It has unique fabric handle properties, and sheepskin quality assessments generally depend on a subjective hand evaluation via sensory test. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the fabric handle of sheepskin mechanically. For this study, we focused on perceived elasticity, and attempted to clarify the relationship between the tactile sensation and the mechanical properties of sheepskin through the development of a new three-dimensional tactile sensation measurement system (3D-TSMS) to measure the compression properties in three axial directions. For compression testing, the compression parameters were calculated as follows: compression linearity (LC), compressional energy (WC), compressional resilience (RC), compressional flexibility coefficient (αmax), pressure relieving energy (ΔEPR), and continuous mean deviation (CMD), etc. As a result of compression testing, the sheepskin samples which were highly rated for their perceived elasticity showed a convex curve during the initial compression process. In the statistical comparison analysis, LC, CMD, and ΔEPR showed a correlation to the perceived elasticity of sheepskin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study is to predict bending rigidity of laminated fabric with adhesive interlining considered tensile and in-plane compressive moduli. The predicting method considering those moduli was proposed by theoretical derivation based on laminate model. Tensile and in-plane compressive moduli of neutral surface for face fabric and adhesive interlining respectively before laminating and modulus for bending rigidity were considered independently. The calculating equation for in-plane compressive modulus was proposed from the relationship between bending rigidities and tensile properties. The proposed predicting method was verified experimentally. Bending rigidities, tensile properties and thicknesses of adhesive interlinings, face fabrics and laminated fabrics with adhesive interlinings were measured by KES-FB system. The in-plane compressive moduli of adhesive interlinings were calculated by the proposed equation with the results of tensile properties for face fabrics. With the results of tensile and in-plane compressive moduli, the bending rigidities of laminated fabric with adhesive interlinings were calculated. The predicted bending rigidities considered with measured tensile properties and calculated in-plane compressive moduli were precisely closer to experimental results than the ones of the laminated model from our previous study. Therefore, this model gives a new way to predict bending rigidity of laminated fabric with adhesive interlining. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We are currently faced with a super-aged society. With the increase of senior citizens, our society will have many problems for them. The clothing issue is especially important. Because the body of senior citizens has a wide variety of shapes compared to the young people's body, their clothes will require diversity. However, the research on senior citizen's clothes is little. Then, we paid attention to the underwear which has many functions such as body protection and hygiene maintenance and so on. Therefore we performed the attitude survey to clarify the consciousness of senior citizens for their underwear. As a result, following matters were revealed. • About items of convenience such as washing and clothes maintenance etc., the elderly women had the higher consciousness than the elderly men. • Urinary incontinence, obstacle of purchasing and body odor of elderly are unique and serious problems for elderly persons. • Senior citizens are also interested in fashion and style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of pressing on bending rigidities of the face fabric, adhesive interlining and bonded composite fabric and verify the prediction method for bending rigidity of those. Predicting methods of bending rigidity for composite with face fabric and adhesive interlining based on laminated theory were verified with measured bending rigidities and thickness of samples. Bending rigidities and thicknesses of woven fabrics, adhesive interlinings and composites with those were measured by the KES-FB system. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film was used for measuring mechanical properties of pressed adhesive interlining. Bending rigidities of adhesive interlinings became larger and thicknesses were reduced compared to those before pressing. Bending rigidities of face fabrics didn’t change though the thicknesses became thinner than before pressing. It was found that the case of considering mechanical properties of pressed face fabric and pressed interlining was more efficient to predict bending rigidity of composite with laminated model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study explored, for the first time, the potential for using cellulose whiskers (CWs) for reducing the fibrillation properties of highly oriented and crystalline fibres such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The CWs were prepared from native cotton, and their aqueous suspension was homogeneously mixed with the PVA solution. The PVA-CW suspensions were gel-spun and hot-drawn up to their maximum possible draw ratio. The PVA-CW fibres, even when containing a small amount of CWs (5 wt% of PVA), showed a drastic reduction in fibrillation under a severe beating action. Upon incorporating CWs, a dramatic reduction in inter-fibrillar voids, which are responsible for the fibrillation, in highly drawn PVA fibres was observed. The oriented CWs were assumed to be embedded in the inter-fibrillar regions and formed lateral interlinks between fibrils by hydrogen bonding that resist the PVA fibrils from being pushed apart. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, we discussed the particle based mechanical model for numerical simulation of clothing pressure. Human body and clothing were represented as an elastic body by particle system, collision between human body and clothing was represented by impulse force based model. The two simulations were conducted to evaluate the validity of the suggested model. In the first simulation, clothing pressure on the elastic cylinder covered with cloth was predicted to evaluate the precision of static clothing pressure prediction. As a result, it was confirmed that it had the accuracy of 0.08 kPa, but there was a room for improvement to predict on the edge of cloth. Although it is considered that the mesh resolution (particle distance) caused the problem, it is important to decide a suitable mesh resolution for purpose because it is directly with calculation time. In the second simulation, we conducted the simulation that winding elbow with sleeve to evaluate the precision of dynamic clothing pressure prediction. As a result, it was observed that clothing pressure changed with elbow flexion. However it was not able to obtain the accurate result caused by numerical instability in the case of fast elbow flexion. It is considered that time step and collision model between clothing and human body on the simulation caused numerical instability. Improvement and implementation of the simulation considering whole body motion for dynamic clothing pressure prediction are our future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote the recycle of fiber products, it is necessary to expand the application of recovered fibers. In the present study, the forming method of spherical fiber assembly using recovered fibers was devised; its compatibility as pillow fillers was evaluated as well. By revealing the relationship between structure and compression property of the obtained spherical fiber assembly, it was found that the compression property can be controlled by changing the mixture ratio of core-sheath conjugate fiber, the density of fiber assembly, and the fiber composition. Consequently, it was shown that by using the spherical fiber assembly as pillow fillers, it was possible to make pillows with controlled sinking ratio and body pressure value, indicating that the spherical fiber assembly had sufficient physical properties required for application to pillow fillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new creditable and effective multiaxial circular tensile tester (MACTT) with 16 load sensors installed around a circumference has been developed. The new tester could be used to measure tensile properties in various directions with one sample simultaneously under the same initial conditions. As a result, not only an error could be reduced, but also the experiment samples and time could be saved. The experimental results showed good agreement with the theoretical approximate values calculated based on Hooke's Law. We also compared the stress distributions obtained by the new tester with those tested by the Kawabata's Evaluation System (KES) instrument and the results confirmed that the new tester was theoretically reasonable and practically feasible for measuring orthotropic tensile properties of the fabrics with symmetrical structures, and that the new tester could also be used to test and evaluate the anisotropic tensile properties of fabrics with no orthogonal main axes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]