The present invention relates to fabrics suitable for use in various garments .

The selection of fabrics for garments depends upon numerous criteria including the inherent characteristics of the fibre from which the yarn has been made as well as the process by which the fabric has been made.

Examples of previously published special purpose fabrics include : AU-A 36188/89 (Strauss et al) , and

AU-B 28537/77 (Patent 513103) Mehta et al .

Strauss et al discloses a knitted fabric for recreational clothing and concerns a core spun yarn having a core of a resilient continuous filament yarn and a cotton fibre outer covering of the core. Secondly a cotton yarn is knitted with the core spun yarn such that cotton yarn is exposed on one side of the fabric, but on the other side it is a combination of the core spun yarn and the cotton yarn which is exposed.

Mehta et al discloses a knitted or woven dual ply fabric comprised of textile yarns intermeshed with strands of heat reflective and protective materials, so that a major proportion of the other side of the fabric is composed of heat reflective and protective strands. This prior art is concerned expressly with protective garments in which it appears that by virtue of the phrase "textile yarns" one face of the fabric must comprise two or more textile yarns and the other face is quite separate of protective strands. Although mentioning knitting the citation focuses on the preferred approach of double beam weaving.

There has been a longstanding need to provide new and useful fabrics which would provide useful options for garment designers, yet permit the garments to function effectively with a combination of desirable properties. Characteristics such as the drape, handle, appearance, stability, durability, soil resistance and capability of being readily cleaned all are relevant criteria.

The present invention is directed to providing useful alternatives to known proposals, preferably with attractive fabric properties.

Broadly, the present invention consists of a fabric formed by inter-engaging respective filaments of two different yarns having different physical characteristics, the interengagement being constructed such that yarn of one type predominantly provides one surface of the fabric and the other yarn predominantly provides the other surface of the fabric and wherein the first yarn comprises wool fibres and the second yarn comprises cotton fibres. The respective yarns need not be of pure cotton and pure wool, although this is preferred.

By contrast to the prior art discussed above, the present invention is concerned with a combination of features comprising selecting a knitting process and also selecting two yarns one of which comprises wool fibres and the other of which comprises cotton fibres and the knitting being conducted in such a manner that one yarn predominates on one surface and the other yarn predominates on the other surface. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented using conventional knitting equipment and techniques. However, the present invention for the first time is believed to provide a fabric of different properties which is a particular characteristic lending itself to new options in garment design. The respective yarns give to each surface a

respective characteristic in terms of appearance, touch to the skin, comfort, drape and lustre, but most importantly it has found that the selected yarns with a knitting process provide a most useful working combination of yarns. A garment fabric must be a good performer in terms of stretch, capacity to be tailored and being responsive to cleaning processes such as washing. Embodiments of the invention have been found to be surprisingly beneficial in terms of performance.

Use of the present invention permits the distinct advantage of providing a fabric where one side has the physical characteristics of one fibre in terms of touch, sight and inherent performance, whereas the other side has different physical characteristics. Particularly since wool and cotton are the chosen fibres, it has been found that a very soft and smooth surface can be provided by the cotton fibres which is particularly attractive for contact with skin, whereas the external appearance has the typical characteristics of wool in terms of durability, sheen, drape, crumple resistance and resistance to soiling. However, a significant effect of fabrics according to the invention is that the two types of yarn with their interengagement work together to provide and overall physical characteristics which are not found in other either fibre alone.

It has been found that the embodiments of the invention can perform satisfactorily in washing tests and it is thought that the particular combination of wool and cotton fibres is a synergistic combination in terms of washing or other cleaning capability. It has been found possible to maintain the characteristics of the fabric of the garment without significant deterioration over a number of washing cycles.

Use of the two different forms of yarns permits reversal of the knitting pattern in order to provide

- A - surface embellishments; where portions of the knitting are reversed so that for example cotton yarns are present on the exterior of the garment for design reasons.

One especially beneficial embodiment of the invention is a knitted fabric wherein wool and combed cotton yarns respectively are knitted together for example as a jersey fabric. Preferably the construction is that known in the industry as a "1 x 1" rib construction with the jersey fabric platted so that the wool yarn predominates on the front of the fabric and the cotton yarn on the back of the fabric.

Any convenient machine can be used for the knitting such as a 10 gauge stoll machine and the yarn used can be for example 2/24 pure wool yarn and 2/20 combed cotton yarn.

For illustrative purposes only, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is a sketch illustrating schematically one face of a fabric knitted in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the loops of a different yarn forming the other face of the fabric of Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate schematically the array of loops in the knitting on the respective sides of the fabric. The drawings respectively indicate only portions of loops essentially at the surface of the knitting and the drawings are exaggerated to separate the loops in their respective rows. In practice the loops lie much closer together. Thus on one surface of the fabric the general nature and appearance of the threads is a series

of horizontal wavy lines whereas on the other side chevron-shaped loops present a vertical rib effect.

Embodiments of the invention can provide for an attractive combination of features which particular characteristics of drape, texture, lustre and general appearance and touch characteristics.

Any other convenient knitting configurations can be utilised within the scope of the present inventive concept .