The present invention relates to a garment, comprising a textile which is formed from at least one yarn and which is provided at least with an electronic contact surface and an electronic conductor to the contact surface, wherein the conductor track is connected to the contact surface in electrically conductive manner, wherein the textile is formed from at least one first yarn and at least one second yarn, wherein the at least one first yarn is at least substantially electrically non-conductive, wherein the at least one second yarn is electrically conductive, wherein the textile comprises at the position of the conductor track and the contact surface the second yarn, thereby forming respectively the conductor track and the contact surface which transpose substantially seamlessly into each other.

Such a garment forms the basis of what is also referred to as smart textile, wherein incorporated in or on the garment are one or more electrical conductors with contact surfaces which, when the garment is worn, make and maintain contact with the skin of the user. This is then particularly an undershirt or shirt which is worn on the user's torso, such that different bodily functions of the user can be recorded with the contact surfaces and sensors connected thereto. The conductor track to such a contact surface serves for instance for an electronic connection between the relevant contact surface and a processing device which is worn elsewhere and is here for this purpose particularly fastened in or to said garment. An example of a smart textile is known from International patent application WO 2016/050525. The textile described therein is manufactured from an elastic yarn and an electronic component with a contact surface is attached mechanically to the textile, for instance by means of adhesion. Conductor tracks to the electronic component are formed by metal threads which are incorporated into the textile in a usual manner. An adhesive or soldered connection provides for an electrical contact between the contact surface and the metal thread.

A drawback of such a known configuration is that the connections between the conductor tracks and the contact surfaces and of the contact surfaces to the textile are fragile and are particularly susceptible to breaking. This is particularly a problem when the textile is intended for a dynamic use, such as for instance for a garment, such as a shirt or undershirt, for intensive exercise. An attachment between a relatively rigid contact surface and the supple textile is here subjected to significant shear and delamination loads.

American patent application US 2007/0089800 describes a textile of the type described in the preamble, wherein an electrically conductive yarn is combined with standard, non- conductive yarn so as to form conductive contact surfaces and conductive connections to the contact surfaces in the textile, these being fully integrated therein. At the position where conductive tracks and/or contact surfaces must be formed the standard yarn is exchanged for the electrically conductive yarn during knitting or weaving, whereby conductive tracks or surfaces are knitted or woven into the textile at this location. This has the advantage that the electrically conductive parts are unable to separate from the textile and the above described problem of thread breakage will not occur.

It has nevertheless been found in practice that knitting or weaving in electrically conductive contact surfaces and conductor tracks in this manner produces a less clean electrical signal. It has been found that the useful signal which is picked up by the sensors is disrupted and deteriorated by noise, which has a detrimental effect on the signal-to- noise ratio.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a garment of a textile in which electrical conductor tracks and contact surfaces are integrated but such noise is counteracted.

In order to achieve the stated object a garment of the type described in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the textile comprises a continuous zone which provides less stretch than an adjacent part of the textile, which relatively low-stretch zone comprises the conductor track and the contact surface. The invention is here based on the insight that the noise in an electronic measurement signal which is received via the contact surface and the conductor track and emitted to a processing unit is to at least significant extent due to mechanical stresses which are built up in the textile during use of the textile as garment. By providing as according to the invention a relatively low-stretch zone in the textile and accommodating the contact surface and conductor track therein the mechanical load of the contact surface and conductor track can be limited, whereby a cleaner signal is emitted. In a preferred embodiment the garment is characterized here in that the relatively low-stretch zone extends all the way around in the textile.

In order to further mechanically relieve the conductor track and the contact surface a further preferred embodiment of the garment according to the invention has the feature that the conductor track and the contact surface are trimmed at least on an outer side of the textile with an at least substantially sturdy top layer which is arranged on the textile at this location, particularly with an at least substantially sturdy tape. Any stretch which may still remain in the zone at the position of the conductor track and the contact surface is thus further removed by the relatively rigid material of the top layer. A sturdy plastic tape which is stitched or adhered to the textile is particularly applied for this purpose. Motion artefacts in the signal are thus reduced further so as to finally obtain a cleaner signal.

The conductor track serves particularly for an electrical resistance measurement or signal transfer to a processing device configured for this purpose. An electronic interaction with the skin of the user could disrupt such a signal transfer. Such an interference is suppressed and a signal-to-noise ratio improved in a further preferred embodiment of the garment according to the invention, characterized in that the conductor track is covered on a body side of the textile with an insulating top layer, preferably an at least substantially sturdy tape. The conductor track is thus electrically separated from the skin, wherein a substantially sturdy tape also mechanically passivates the conductor track so as to also counteract resistance fluctuations resulting from a mechanical deformation and stresses.

The tape comprises for instance a stiff, sturdy plastic and is preferably stitched or adhered to the textile at this location.

With a view to a further electronic connection of the contact surface a further particular embodiment of the garment according to the invention has the feature that the conductor track is provided at a free outer end with a connector for connection to an electronic device.

The relatively low-stretch zone can be realized by making use of a less elastic textile fibre therein. A particular embodiment of the garment according to the invention however has the feature that the textile has in the relatively low-stretch zone an increased textile density relative to the adjacent part of the textile. Use can thus be made of the same textile material in the relatively low-stretch zone as in the remaining part of the garment, whereby material properties associated therewith are preserved.

Both the contact surface and the conductor track form an integral part of the textile used for the garment. A further preferred embodiment of the garment has the feature here according to the invention that the conductor track and the contact surface transpose at least substantially seamlessly into each other. Owing to such a seamless transposition of the conductor track into the contact surface, a transfer resistance is limited to a minimum. All in all, a particularly reliable connection is thereby possible between the contact surface and conductor track, which moreover does not detract from the wearer comfort of the garment as a whole, or hardly so.

In a preferred embodiment the garment according to the invention is characterized in that the textile is formed at the position of the contact surface and the conductor track at least substantially wholly from the second yarn. The conductor track and the contact surface are thus formed exclusively from electrically conductive yarn or yarns, this contributing to a low electrical resistance thereof. Further contributing thereto is a further preferred embodiment in which the garment according to the invention is characterized in that the textile has at the position of at least one of the contact surface and the conductor track an increased density relative to the adjacent part of the textile.

The textile density in the electrically conductive parts is thus dictated by a desired reduction of the electrical resistance and contact resistance, while a lower density can be used in the remaining part of the textile with a view to a greater suppleness of the textile and wearer comfort. In this respect a preferred embodiment of the garment according to the invention has the feature that the textile forms a shirt and that the zone of increased textile density forms a torso part thereof, and that the textile provides in a shoulder zone lying thereabove an increased flexibility. The shoulder zone thus provides more freedom of movement in the part of the textile which is most in need thereof during use. This unequivocally results in a greater wearer comfort, while preserving a sufficient signal-to- noise ratio in the relatively stiff zone in the torso part lying thereunder. A particular embodiment of the garment has the feature according to the invention that the textile is knitted, that the textile has at the position of at least one of the contact surface and the conductor track a first stitch size, and that the textile has outside the at least one of the contact surface and the conductor track a second stitch size, this being greater than the first stitch size. Use is thus made in the garment of different stitch sizes which ensure that the garment fits the body in an ideal manner and the contact surface can make optimal skin contact. The stitch size is tighter at the contact surface and/or the conductor track, whereby the contact surface will lie more tightly against the skin of the user.

A further particular embodiment of the garment has the feature here that the textile has adjacently of the at least one of the contact surface and the conductor track a third stitch size which lies between the first stitch size and the second stitch size. This provides for a more uniform transition in density of the textile and thereby a smoother transition from the electrically conductive parts to the remaining part of the textile.

A number of contact surfaces, each with a conductor track extending seamlessly therefrom, can thus particularly be provided in the garment in similar manner. With a view to a uniform approach to the different contact surfaces by an electronic processing device a further preferred embodiment of the garment has the feature here according to the invention that a number of contact surfaces, each with at least a conductor track, is incorporated in the textile, and that the contact surfaces experience at least substantially the same electrical resistance with a free outer end of a conductor track connected thereto. The conductor tracks are here particularly embodied with at least substantially the same width and length.

Particularly good results have been achieved with a particular embodiment of the garment according to the invention, characterized in that the second yarn comprises metal plated synthetic fibres, particularly a silver plated polyamide fibre. For the first yarn use is advantageously made of natural fibres and/or synthetic fibres, particularly a blend of natural fibres and/or synthetic fibres, more particularly a blend of nylon fibres and polyurethane fibres. This latter provides a combination of strength/wear-resistance and suppleness owing to the elastic polyurethane fibres.

The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a garment according to the invention in the form of a T-shirt;

Figure 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a garment according to the invention in the form of an undershirt; and

Figures 3A-C show several cross-sections through the garment of figures 1 and 2. It is noted here that the figures are purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

Figure 1 shows a garment 1 in which a set of contact surfaces 2A-2C is arranged as according to the present invention, these each being provided with a conductor track 3A- 3C which leads to the relevant contact surface 2A-2C. At a free outer end the conductor tracks 3A-3C are each provided with a connector 5 for connection of an electronic processing device (not drawn) which has a power supply, electronic memory, computing power and a communication module for wireless data transfer to for instance a smart phone, tablet or laptop computer. The connectors are for instance embodied, as they are here, as a 10 millimetre prym female-male snap button. Loaded with software tailored thereto, the processing device is able to wholly or partially process electronic signals and electronic parameters which are recorded and transmitted via one or more of the contact surfaces 2A-2C (electrodes) and conductor tracks 3A-3C. It is also possible to provide therein or therewith electronic sensors which generate sensor signals, for instance a temperature sensor which senses a body temperature.

Garment 1 is manufactured from a textile in which the contact surfaces 2A-2C and conductor tracks 3A-3C are seamlessly integrated. To form the textile use is for this purpose made of different yarns, i.e. one or more normal, non-conductive yarns for a base of the garment and one or more electrically conductive yarns for the conductor tracks and contact surfaces. The different yarns needed for the production are placed in a circular knitting machine (Santoni SM8-EVO4J).

A combination of Nylon and Lycra is applied for the yarns which are used to create the base part of the shirt. A grey base colour is created by alternately knitting black and white Nylon yarns which are plated with white Lycra yarns. 40g of Nylon and 25g of Lycra is typically used. If desired, the ratio of Nylon to Lycra can be adjusted to the wishes of the user, wherein Nylon provides strength and wear-resistance while Lycra is an elastomer polyurethane fibre which provides elasticity and suppleness.

For the purpose of forming the conductive contact surfaces 2A-2C and conductor tracks 3A-3C the knitting machine is fed with an electrically conductive yarn. Use is made for this purpose of a silver plated polyamide fibre. This yarn (Silver plated polyamide yarn) is commercially available under the brand name Shieldex ® and imparts an excellent electrical conductivity to parts of the textile embodied therefrom. The machine knits the textile, wherein the conductive tracks 3A-3C and electrodes 2A-2C are integrated directly in the knit and transpose seamlessly into each other.

In order to ensure that garment 1 will fit in ideal manner and the integrated electrodes 2A- 2C make optimal skin contact, different stitch sizes are used in the shirt. A tighter stitch size is applied at electrodes 2A-2C and the area around the electrodes. The electrodes hereby come to lie more tightly against the skin. In this example a stitch size of 110 is applied as stitch size for the greater part 1 A, 1C of the shirt, a stitch size of 75 for the electrodes 2A-2C and conductor tracks 3A-3C, while the zone 1 B (which comprises no conductive yarns) adjacently of and around electrodes 2A-2C and conductor tracks 3A-3C is embodied with a stitch size of 85. This latter provides for a more uniform transition from electrodes 2A-2C to the non-conductive part of the textile. For conductor tracks 3A-3C use is likewise made of these values.

Just as the contact surfaces 2A-2C connected thereby, the conductor tracks 3A-3C lie as according to the invention wholly in a zone 1 B of the textile with a reduced stretchability. This relatively low-stretch zone 1 B is created by applying a higher textile density by making use therein of a tighter stitch size of 85, which is expressed in the figure by a more densely hatched part. This zone 1 B lies roughly at the position of a torso of the user wherein the torso of the user allows for little movement anyway. For the purpose of a desired freedom of movement and wearer comfort of the garment use is made in both a shoulder zone 1 A lying thereabove and a stomach zone 1C lying thereunder of a more flexible textile by also applying a looser stitch with a stitch size of 110 here. Such relative differences in stretch can also be realized by making use of more stretchable or less stretchable fibres and yarns which are adapted thereto. The different zones 1A-1C are knitted wholly in the round and thus cover both a back panel and a front side of the garment. The garment can be embodied in different colours and dimensions, wherein use is made here of four sizes, i.e. small, medium, large and extra large, having a circumference of respectively 80-85 cm, 86-

91 cm, 92-97 cm and 98-102 cm. The design is created by means of a tailored software program, after which a file corresponding therewith is uploaded to the machine. Within this program the settings for the circular knitting machine can be adjusted. The pattern and path along which the conductive tracks 3A-3C run can be varied, and the positions of the contact surfaces 2A-2C can also be set in the software. In practice, these will also depend on the placement of the processing device on or at the outer ends. It is advantageous for the conductive tracks 3A- 3C of all electrodes 2A-2C to have with the same width substantially the same length. This is because there will hereby be no or hardly any difference in resistance to the different electrodes.

The knit is removed from the circular knitting machine and is steamed by means of a steam iron, whereby the textile shrinks as a whole. The knit is then made into garments on the basis of a correct size, wherein optional sleeves, neck and edges are finished further. For an electrical insulation of the conductor tracks relative to the skin the conductor tracks are covered on a body side L of the textile with an insulating top layer 4, see figures 3B and 3C. In this example use is made for this purpose of a stiff, substantially sturdy polyurethane tape (Poli-Flex Turbo Flex film 4902 Black) which is provided with a layer of hot-melt adhesive. The tape is applied to the conductive tracks 3A-3C on the body side by means of an iron, whereby a strong adhesion results. The electrically insulating tape 4 provides for an electronic separation of the conductor tracks 3A-3C relative to the skin, whereby electronic interference of the signal is counteracted. This material, with which the conductive tracks 3A-3C are thus laminated, has a stiff structure. It hereby 'sticks' against the skin and keeps the electrodes 2A-2C fixed. This material is further not stretchable, or hardly so. This also reduces an incidence of motion artefacts in a diminished signal in that mechanical stresses are thereby also transmitted away.

Both the conductive tracks 3A-3C and the electrodes 2A-2C are likewise mechanically relieved on the visible side Z by depositing thereon a sturdy top layer 6. In this case use is preferably also made therefor of an electrically insulating tape 6, see figures 3A and 3B. Use can for this purpose for instance be made of a ribbed polyester tape 6 which is stitched into place, or also a polyurethane film which is then stuck to the textile at increased temperature as described above. Connectors 5, for which Jersey press studs can for instance be used, are placed at the free outer ends of the conductor tracks.

A number of biometric sensors which provide real-time feedback about the performance, fitness and health of the user are interwoven into the textile and integrated in the garment in the above described manner. These data are collected by a processing device worn on the body and optionally already wholly or partially processed into a personal recommendation which is exchanged with a smart phone or the like. As such, the garment provides accurate measurements and monitoring of six different body signals, including hydration status, heart rate, breathing, skin conductance and temperature. The processing device can moreover be equipped with a GPS sensor to record a movement (speed) and location of the user. The body temperature can be recorded more or less directly with a temperature sensor provided for this purpose. To measure the heart rate an electro-muscular muscle tension is measured between individual electrodes 2A-2C. Breathing can be deduced from a change in resistance in the chest, which can then be measured between individual electrodes. For this purpose the same contact surfaces 2A-2C can be used as for measuring of the heart rate. Instead of using a resistance measurement, breathing can otherwise also be recorded by means of an RIP (inductive respiration) sensor provided for this purpose. The skin conductance and hydration status result from resistance measurements between individual electrodes intended for this purpose.

To measure the hydration status the processing device makes use of a bioelectrical impedance analysis. This has been found to be a readily applicable method for measuring the overall hydration status. This measurement works according to the following principal: when an electric current is conducted through a cell, the current will pass in and then out through the cell membrane. The current is therefore conducted through the cell membrane twice and is delayed to some extent thereby. The amount of moisture in the cell has a significant impact on the speed at which the current is able to pass through the cell membranes, wherein a frequency at which measuring takes place is also important. In the present example use is made of a 50 kHz measurement with a current intensity of 80 pA. The 50 kHz measurement can determine the electrolyte balance particularly accurately because only the moisture in the Fat Free Mass (FFM) is measured herein. This is the moisture which can be absorbed and used by the body in the short term. The duration of the delay depends on the electrolyte balance (the amount of moisture) and the impedance of the cell associated therewith. The current hydration status can be determined from this value. Besides being used in a T-shirt, as shown in figure 1, a (sports) shirt can be equipped with electrodes 2A-2C and conductor tracks 3A-3C in similar manner. Use is here also made as according to the invention of a relatively low-stretch zone 1 B at the position of the torso, in which the conductor tracks 3A-3C and the contact surfaces 2A-2C are provided. The shoulder zone 1 A lying thereabove and the stomach zone 1C lying thereunder provide the desired freedom of movement during use of the shirt as a sports shirt. It is noted here that three electrodes are in each case shown in the figures, but that more or fewer electrodes can if desired be provided in practice, the same going for the conductor tracks.

Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only two exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.