Assignee: CONFSPORT SRL UNIPERSONALE, Via Jolanda 59, 36056 Tezze sul Brenta (VI), Italy

Inventor: Olivetto, Alberto TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a fabric with anti-cut characteristics. The fabric, object of the invention, can find application in different sectors, but is designed in particular for use in the sports field and in particular in the ski field. The fabric includes several components, in particular the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene yarns that provide the fabric with anti- cut quality.

STATE OF THE ART

In recent years there has been more and more talk of safety on skis, in all various forms, because skiing today has become, as statistics show, a sport with a high incidence of accidents.

It is necessary, if not mandatory, to search for systems that can make it accessible, but, above all as safe as possible, to every practitioner and even more to the competitive athlete, to ensure that every possible risk can be minimized, if not cancelled, without ever removing the importance of the athlete's gestural freedom. In 2015, after numerous injuries occurred in World Cup races, in the various specialties and disciplines, various athletes were rescued for cutting injuries, due to contact with the ski blades. When an athlete ends up off-track in the nets, or when, in ski cross, falls, for the ones who follow him it is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid him, or, last but not least, in parallel-slalom with the tracking required to be very close, for television framing needs, with the highest risk of impact between athletes. There is therefore a particular need to create clothing that would protect athletes from physical contact with skis, without hindering gestures. We all know that, in recent years, skis, built with new techniques and systems, have led to the blades becoming real sharp "knives".

In recent years, the world of sports has been focusing not only on the performance in general terms of the products developed and sold, but also on the safety of the person who uses these products. With regard to the world of winter sports and in particular to the case of the world of skiing, many accidents have occurred over the years due to dangerous falls. In particular, many athletes complained that on the market, both for the competitive market and for the commercial one, there was no product that could avoid cuts due to the impact between the ski blade and the limbs of the body.

This problem, little by little, began to emerge not only in the World Cup races, but also in the ski clubs, where young skiers train and compete with professionally prepared skis. The state of the art describes, e.g. in documents WO 2014/134682 Al, WO 2018/097737 Al, US 2012/0278981 Al and WO 2018/104589 Al fabrics with anti-cut characteristics.

The clothing currently on the market is still not satisfactory from the point of view of its anti cut features.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose skiwear, which maintains the performance of breathability and the warmth of the body, the freedom in the technical gesture, but which at the same time provides protection from cutting with skis, in particular to create clothing and related fabric that does not alter the current rules established by the FIS (International Ski Federation) regulation regarding the passage of air, which allows the athlete to have no impediments in physical function and technical gesture, therefore having a possibly bi-elastic fabric, which would protect more from the cold by having excellent thermal protection and which would be anti-cut. A further object of the invention is to provide a fabric that combines the following characteristics: warmth, easy wearability, abrasion resistance, cut resistance, low temperature resistance and lightness. In addition, for the competitive market it is important to guarantee the aerodynamic performance given by the suit and undersuit combination.

About the listed requirements, it is an object of the present invention to provide a skiwear or a relative fabric that could be certified with a cut resistance level 3 or higher according to EN 388: 2016, and as PPE (personal protective equipment) according to EN ISO 13688:2013.

The object is achieved by a fabric, in particular with a cut resistance level 3 or higher according to EN 388: 2016, comprising:

(a) an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene PE-UHMW yarn;

(b) a thermal polymer yarn, such as polyester or polypropylene; and (c) a yam of an elastomer, for example a polyurethane or elastane;

wherein the three yarns are intertwined between them with a double warp and simple weft circular knit, and namely with a plurality of feeds of polyethylene yarn and the same number of thermal polymer yarn feeds between which the elastomer yarn is inserted internally with a thread guide between the needles creating a double-face fabric. Polyethylene and polyester correspond to the double warp, the elastomer to the weft.

The double-face fabric according to the invention, consisting of two warps and a weft, therefore results in a fabric with two sides or correct sides, here of a different nature due to the different feeds, and without a wrong side. Advantageously, the fabrics according to the invention have a single layer of fabric and the sides cannot be separated.

The fabric according to the invention advantageously has bi-elastic characteristics.

The term "thermal" indicates the property of giving the human body a warm sensation. Thermal polymers are polyesters and polypropylene, particularly preferred is polyester.

The double-face has polyethylene fabric on one side, polyester fabric on the other.

As polyester, it is possible to use in fact any type of polyester common in the textile sector, the same applies to the elastomer, particularly suitable is elastane.

The main characteristics of the polyester thread are in addition to excellent toughness and resistance, high resistance to abrasion, pleats and heat, a high modulus of elasticity, good resistance to chemical and physical agents, a low absorbency coefficient of liquids and humidity, making it highly waterproof and resistant to dirt.

Another very important characteristic of polyester is that of being provided with flexibility, lightness and high mechanical resistance. The low heat transfer coefficient allows to retain body heat with slightly better characteristics than those of wool.

The third thread of the combination is an elastomer thread. Particularly suitable is the elastane elastomer. It is advantageously an elastomeric synthetic fibre with continuous burr consisting of at least 85% of the mass of segmented polyurethane. It is produced by extruding molten polyurethane or in solution through a spinneret in a spinning plant. Finds application to elasticize fabrics. Main characteristics are: block copolymer yarn with polyurethane segments, of which exploiting the high crystallinity and rigidity, and segments of polyethylene glycols which give elasticity. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE: ultra-high-molecular-weight ) is also known as high modulus polyethylene (HMPE: high modulus polyethylene ), has extremely long chains with a molecular mass usually between 3.5 and 7.5 million daltons. In other words, it is polyethyl enes with typically 100,000 to 250,000 monomer units with respect to the 700-1800 monomers of the HDPE {high-density polyethylene), i.e. of the high density polyethylene. They can be produced with a gel spinning process followed by high ironing. Manufacturers of these polyethylenes are DSM (Netherlands) with the Dyneema® brand, DSM-Toyobo from Japan, Mitsui, also from Japan, with the TEKMILON brand and Allied (USA) under license from DSM with the SPECTRA brand, and Celanese on DSM license. Dyneema® is a synthetic fibre particularly suitable for the anti-cut fabric according to the invention. A production method is described in the US patent 5 342 567. The Dyneema® fibre derives from a solvent spinning process of UHMW polyethylene. The extension (stretching) of the fibre introduces a molecular alignment and a high crystallinity level.

The UHMW polyethylene is suitable as a technopolymer with semi -crystalline qualities. PE compared to other polyolefins has a very low density with values comprised between 0.91 and 0.97 g/cm ³ , low hardness, high resilience and elongation at break, good resistance to abrasion and wearing, excellent electrical characteristics (insulation), tensile strength increases linearly with density, high permeability to 0 ₂ , C0 ₂ and aromatic substances (decreases while density increases), a resistance to the absorption of H ₂ 0, resistance to saline solutions, acids and alkalis. PE must be stabilized by photo-oxidation and is physiologically harmless. The glass transition temperature corresponds to - 100°C, while the melting range is between 110 and 135°C.

As far as the mechanical characteristics of polyethylene are concerned, they depend strongly on crystallinity and molecular weight. UHMW polyethylene has extremely long chains which allow to transfer high loads along the polymer chain. This results in a very resistant material, with the highest impact resistance of any other thermoplastic material produced. The UHMW- PE is linear in structure and has a density of about 0.93 g/cm ³ . The molecular weight is comprised between 3 x 10 ⁶ and 6 x 10 ⁶ g/cm ³ . Crystallinity varies between 40 and 60%. The operating temperature is between -260 and 95°C. It is a rigid material suitable for the production of fibres and monofilaments. The first studies conducted for the production of high molecular weight flexible fibres (UHMW PE or PE HT), were carried out by English researchers (Andrews, Ward, Capaccio) who studied the spinning of the PE spindle of high molecular weight. The first fibres produced had a resistance of 1.3 GPa, an elastic modulus of 60 GPa and an elongation at break of 5%.

The real success of this fibre is due to the studies of Smith and Lemstra (e.g. P. Smith and P. J. Lemstra, Makromol. Chem. 180, 2983 (1979)) who carried out a facilitated process of fibre production or a gel spinning process followed by high stretches, managing to use PE with molecular weights higher than 10 ⁶ . With this process it is possible to obtain fibres with an elastic modulus that can reach 100 GPa and resistances of the order of 2 GPa with a density approaching 0.97 g/cm ³ . Its specific resistance, therefore, can also be higher than that of the more advanced classic aramid fibres.

In the field of high-performance fibres with extremely high mechanical characteristics, HT polyethylene plays a leading role. A recent type of Dyneema® has a toughness of 4N/tex (45 g/den) which makes it usable for applications where high mechanical strength is required. UHMW-PE fibres have a toughness that exceeds 15 times that of steel (high capacity to absorb shocks), has a high coefficient of friction and an abrasion resistance that is superior to the main high performance fibres approaching that of nylon. Compared to aramid fibres it has a lower loss of toughness due to UV rays. Its chemical structure gives it a high resistance to acids and bases given by its chemical structure. A weakness is the low melting temperature of 150°C. It has good electrical insulation. The absorption of water and water vapour is poor. UHMW-PE fibre fully satisfies the properties that the undersuit must have. This fibre in fact guarantees a marked lightness, due to a density lower than that of water, and lower also to other fibres on the market. In addition, the use of this fibre in a snow environment is optimal because it has poor water absorption and excellent resistance at low temperatures. The most important detail is also its high resistance to abrasion and cutting resulting in the use also in the world of fencing. The use of the fabric at low temperatures (such as skiwear) allows to maintain optimal anti-cut characteristics.

The PE melts about 130°C, but a deformation is already present at lower temperatures (90- 100°C), where the anti-cut characteristics are lost; therefore certain temperatures must be respected during processing, such as during vaporisation. The construction of this knitted fabric is distinguished from other fabrics by the property of having a remarkable elasticity of its own, independent of that of the yam that composes it, and a great porosity. The elasticity is due to the fact that the braided knitted threads act as springs, yielding to the tension and returning to the primitive position as soon as the tension ceases. This knitted fabric is made up of bushes or meshes (undulations of the thread) intertwined both transversally and longitudinally. This processing is preferably carried out on a circular machine/loom, so-called because it has the needles arranged in a circular bed and the mechanism for forming the mesh with a circular movement. Preferably one works with a fineness between 14 and 26, preferably with a fineness about 20. The distance between the needles determines the "fineness" which therefore expresses the number of needles in a given area. The fabric obtained is of tubular shape. Advantageously, in this loom the needles used are beaked, arranged radially and fixed horizontally and vertically on the cylinder plate.

By falling centrally to the machine/loom, the tubular-shaped fabric is formed which, by gravity, is deposited in the bottom of the same. It is preferably fed by 96 thread feeds arranged as follows: 48 feeds with polyethylene thread and 48 feeds with polyester thread, e.g. in microfibre. The insertion of the elastomer with thread guide internally between the needles gives the fabric the necessary elasticity.

The anti-cut fabric according to the invention as a double-sided shirt is a fabric with the right and wrong sides of different appearance. Advantageously, the fabric is composed of three basic elements (polyethylene, polyester and elastomer yarns), which allows two different weaves to stand out on each side, thanks to the particular weaving of the binding that is obtained by using the double warp and simple weft and in particular also with multiple curvilinear threads, i.e. twisted threads. Polyester can also be made as a twisted thread. There are three elements that intertwine with each other so as to keep each other in a certain position. During use the polyethylene face is on the outside of the garment, the polyester face on the inside.

In a preferred variant of the invention, in the fabric according to the invention, polyethylene is present in percentages between 50 and 70% by weight, the thermal polymer in percentages between 25 and 35% by weight and the elastomer in percentages between 5 and 15% by weight. Particularly preferred to achieve the desired characteristics are percentages of about 60% by weight of polyethylene, about 30% by weight of polyester and about 10% by weight of elastomer.

An important point to optimize the anti -cut qualities of the fabric is the yarn titre (linear mass density), in particular of the polyethylene yam, used to form the fabric. Advantageously, the PE-UHMW titre is 165 - 255 dtex, more preferably 200 - 240 dtex. Preferably the titre of the thermal polymer is 36 - 55 dtex and advantageously the titre of the elastomer is 70 - 90 dtex. Particularly preferred are values of 222 dtex for polyethylene, and 78 dtex for the elastomer. The person skilled in the art with his general knowledge easily produces and processes fibres with dtex values in the sense of the invention.

Titration is the operation that determines the titre of a thread or a yarn. Often, as it is not possible to measure the section of a fibre directly because it is easily deformable and most of the time not circular, the titre is used to characterize its fineness.

The tex is a measurement unit for linear density and corresponds to one gram per kilometre (for example of thread or yarn): 1 tex = 1 g/km. It is used in the textile field for the indication of the titre of textile fibres. The most commonly used is decitex, abbreviated as dtex, which corresponds to 1 gram over 10 kilometers. It is possible to calculate the diameter of a thread by applying the following formula (I):

where p represents the density of the material. The dtex value can be measured for example according to ASTM D1577-07.

In a very preferred embodiment of the invention, the PE-UHMW yam has a degree of twist of between 350 and 450 turns/metre, preferably about 400 turns/metre. The degree of twist is determined by the relative setting of the machine which confers the twist to the yarn. Degrees of twist of the finished yarn can be measured according to ISO 2061.

In an embodiment of the invention, the PE-UHMW yarn is a yarn of the multifilament type produced by gel spinning. The yam can therefore be composed of a plurality of monofilaments.

Advantageously, the fabric according to the invention has a height not greater than 150 cm with a maximum tolerance of +/- 2-4%, preferably +/- 3%. A narrow height, in particular in combination with the number of needles used to produce the knit (preferably 96) and the relative fineness of the machine, guarantees a high compactness of the fabric with higher anti cut characteristics. In the textile sector, height means the width of the fabric produced. The desired height is reached by stretching, tightening.

The preferred weight of the fabric according to the invention is between 300 and 450 g/m ² , preferably between 330 and 420 g/m ² , more preferably about 380 g/m ² . One method of determining the weight is ISO 3801 : 1977.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastomer is thermofixed at temperatures between 80 and 90°C. Usual temperatures in the textile sector are about 130°C. The thermofixing serves to close the stitches and give further compactness. A thermofixing at temperatures too high includes the risk of gluing of the stitches which removes and modifies the anti-cut characteristics, due to the hardening via the crystallization of the polyethylene. Preferably, the fabric according to the invention has been subjected to a finishing with the following steps:

(i) preparation of the raw fabric with the characteristics according to the invention;

(ii) scouring of the fabric with washing in rope;

(iii) aperture of the tubular fabric with drop-needle stitch;

(iv) hydroextraction between the various steps in humidity, in particular after the scouring;

(v) the fixing in certain humidity conditions, well known to the expert;

(vi) drying in a free stenter with weft straightener for knitwear; and

(vii) vapour treatment, advantageously carried out with the application of vapour at temperatures not above 90 °C.

The finishing defines the coverage factor, i.e. the space left free by the stitches.

Advantageously, the washing of step (ii) comprises the following steps:

(ii-1) soaking with water and mechanical rubbing action;

(ii-2) prewashing and cold washing (temperatures <30°C),

(ii-3) degreasing in a water bath containing detergent products wherein the bath temperature varies from 20°C to 60°C; and

(ii-4) rinsing with water.

These finishing steps help to provide the product with anti-cut characteristics, in particular with a cut resistance level 3 or higher according to EN 388: 2016, so far, to the knowledge of the inventor, not obtained for other fabrics of this kind. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for the production of the fabric according to the invention comprising the following steps:

(a) making available an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene yam, a polyester yarn and an elastomer yam, preferably with the above specified characteristics, e.g. the titre and the degree of twist;

(b) production of a circular knit or double-face tubular with a machine which is fed with a plurality of feeds, in particular 48, of the polyethylene yarn and a plurality of feeds, in particular 48, of polyester yarn and in which the elastomer yarn is inserted with a thread guide internally between the needles;

(c) a finishing as specified above.

The features described for one aspect of the invention may be transferred mutatis mutandis to the other aspect of the invention.

The fabric according to the invention is particularly suitable for the manufacture of skiwear, such as shirts, tights and undersuits to be worn under the actual ski suit.

A further aspect of the invention therefore relates to skiwear, in particular a shirt, tights or ski undersuit, produced with the fabric according to the invention or with a fabric obtained according to the above described method, wherein the part which covers the spinal column, if the case, is preferably realized with an elastic and ladder-proof fabric. Ladder-proofness is generally a characteristic of the fabrics, made on looms for chain knitwear, which do not allow the threads used, following a break, to lose the stitch (running) with the disintegration of the fabric as a consequence.

In a preferred form of the invention, the skiwear is combined with or integrated by an airbag system, preferably in the upper part of the torso. The dimensions and positioning are easily adaptable by the person skilled in the art. The market offers a wide range of airbags for skiers. Said objects and advantages will be further highlighted during the description of preferred embodiment examples of the invention given, by way of example and not of limitation Embodiments of the invention are the object of the dependent claims. The description of preferred embodiment examples of the fabric, of the skiwear of the method for producing the fabric is given, by way of example and not of limitation, with reference to the attached drawings. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT EXAMPLES

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment example for an undersuit according to the invention in a front view.

Fig. 2 shows the undersuit of Fig. 1 in a rear view.

The skiwear according to the invention is made with different fabrics. Exemplary clothing is a long-sleeved shirt, trousers ¾ (i.e. tights of length that ends at the center of the calf) or a one- piece undersuit that combines the shirt and the trousers ¾. The complete suit (the undersuit) is therefore made up of two items: long-sleeved shirt and tights of a length that ends in the center of the calf. The clothing described is worn under the racing suit.

The fabrics used in the following examples are the following:

Table 1

* EN 12127: 1997; ** EN 388: 2016 after 5 washing cycles procedure 3N at 30°C, drying procedure A (EN ISO 6330: 2012)

The fabric A is certified BLADE CUT RESISTANCE Level 3 (blade cut resistance level 3) UNI EN 388 (paragraph 6.2) and as a category II personal protective equipment (PPE) according to the reference standards EN 388:2016 and EN ISO 13688:2013.

Three accessories are used in the examples:

A-l : Zip Spiral type hinge, chain 5, fixed, elastic, YKK fastening standard

B-l : dtex 337 stitching thread, 64% polyester, 36% cotton, breaking load 1140, elongation 18/22%, toughness 37 g/tex, residual return 150° x 15' 0.8%, lubricated

C-l : non-slip elastic with applied silicone, height 30 mm, 70% nylon, 30% lycra, elasticity on 10 cm: 120%, weight per linear meter: 18 g, 30 mm Jacquard elastic Shirt making.

As for the bust, the front of the shirt is a single piece in fabric A, which covers and protects the front of the bust. The muscle parts that are protected are in particular: pectoralis major, abdominal oblique, abdominal rectum, anterior dentate, external oblique. A fixed chain 5 zip (A-l) is inserted in the upper part of the neck, with another piece of protection underneath in the fabric A, which when open allow the passage of the user's head.

The back of the shirt is made up of two lateral pieces in fabric A, and a central piece in fabric B, which covers and protects the back of the torso, allowing the user to have maximum freedom when required.

The muscular parts that are protected are in particular: teres minor, teres major, infraspinatus, rhomboid, latissimus dorsi. The three pieces are joined together with a seam made with a 4 flat seamed needle machine (B-l). An anti-slip silicone elastic (C-l) is applied to the bottom, which helps to keep the mesh in the correct position even during the continuous movements that the user makes.

As for the sleeves, they are made from two pieces of type A fabric. Both the right and left sleeves have been marked with a one-piece pattern, which covers the entire surface of the arm. The muscular parts that are protected are in particular: deltoid, biceps cuff, triceps, brachioradialis, anconeus, extensor of the carpus, long palmar, trapezius, deltoid, extensor of the fingers. The arterial and venous areas that are protected are in particular: subclavian artery D., humeral artery, radial artery.

The sleeves are closed together and joined to the bust with a seam made with a 4-needle flat seam machine (B-l). At the bottom of the sleeve, the cuff is finished with a two-needle sewing machine cover (B-l), with the addition of a buttonhole built with type B fabric, in the shape of a tape, to be inserted in the thumb of the hand to allow the sleeve to be held in the correct position when another garment is worn over it.

On the back, a piece in the fabric B, joins together the two sleeves, the two pieces of the neck and the back of the pelvis in the central rear part.

The neck has four pieces of different sizes, two external of type B, and two internal of type A, which cover the total circumference of the neck. The muscle parts that are protected are in particular: trapezius, sternocleidomastoid. The arterial and venous areas that are protected are in particular: 1. carotid artery, jugular vein. They are joined together with a 4 flat-stitched needles (B-l) machine, with the insertion in the rear central part of the back of the type B fabric, in the upper final part of the neck it is edged with a type B fabric edge, of the 8 mm finished height with 2-needle collar machine, in order to give the fabric a correct adherence to the neck without tightening.

Making of the tights :

As for the legs, these are two pieces of the fabric A, one right and one left shaped to give a better fit to the wearer, covering the buttocks, thigh and tibia.

The muscular parts that are protected are in particular: gluteus maximus, sartorius, adductor, quadriceps, vastus lateral, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, gracilis, large adductor, semitendinosus, semimembranous, gastrocnemius, anterior tibialis, rectus femur. The arterial and venous areas that are protected are: femoral artery, internal saphenous vein, tibial artery, popliteal artery, circumflex femoral artery, genicular artery, perforating branches.

An anti-slip silicone elastic (C-l) is applied to the waist, which helps to keep the tights in the correct position even during the continuous movements that the user makes.

In the rear part of the knees, to give a better wearability and fit, two cuts are inserted, all joined-sewn together with a 4 flat-stitched machine (B-l). The bottom of the garment is built with double-layered B fabric for a more snug fitting and to keep the garment worn in the correct position. Internally, in each of the legs are inserted-sewn with a 3 -needle cover machine, three pockets each made up of two pieces of fabric D, two located in the external femoral part, one centrally in the knee, to give the possibility of inserting protections or padding in the fabric C for absorbing the impact against the poles.

Also, the fabrics that have been used for the construction of the whole undersuit are of two different compositions, namely the fabrics A and B above, while the accessories A-l and B-l above are needed.

The undersuit, generally referred to as 1, modelling is made up of several pieces:

As for the chest, these are two 2/2' and 4/4' pieces in fabric A, of equal size, one that covers and protects the right part and one the left part of the chest muscular system (in particular: pectoralis major, abdominal oblique, abdominal rectum, anterior dentate, external oblique) and the back of the thorax (teres minor, teres major, infraspinatus, rhomboid, latissimus dorsi), joined/sewn together with a machine with 4 flat-stitched needles. A fixed elastic zip 6 spiral 5 (A-l) is inserted centrally, which when open allows the suit to be worn. It protects in particular the pulmonary veins, the intercostal arteries, the hepatic artery, the splenic artery, the renal artery, the descending aorta, the aortic arch. The right rear part 2' and the right front part 2 form a single piece, the same applies to the left rear part 4' and the left front part 4.

As for the sleeves, it is a pair of pieces in fabric A, both the right sleeve and the left sleeve are made up of a single piece indicated in the drawing with two reference numbers 8 and 10, which cover and protect the muscular and arterial system of the whole arm. The piece is closed between 8 and 10, as is evident from Fig. 2. The muscular parts that are protected are in particular: deltoid, biceps cuff, triceps, brachioradialis, anconeus, extensor of the carpus and long palmar, extensor of the fingers. The arterial and venous areas that are protected are in particular: subclavian artery D., humeral artery, radial artery, axillary artery, brachial artery, interosseous artery, ulnar artery. The two pieces of fabric 8 of each sleeve join together in the central rear above the lumbar part, through an insert 12 in the fabric B, with stitching performed with a 4-needle flat-stitched machine (B-l), to leave the maximum freedom to the athlete's gestures in movements where maximum extensibility of the garment is required. At the bottom of the sleeve, the cuff is finished with a 2-needle sewing machine cover (B-l), with the addition of a buttonhole built with type B fabric the shape of a tape, to be inserted in the thumb of the hand to allow the sleeve to be held in the right position when another suit is worn over it.

The back is therefore composed of a piece 12 in the fabric B, which joins together the two back parts 2', 4', the two pieces of the neck 14, 16, and the back part 8 of the sleeves.

As for the neck, it is made up of four pieces of different sizes, two externals in fabric B, and two internal in fabric A, which cover and protect the muscular and arterial system of the neck. The figures show only the external pieces 14, 16. The muscle parts that are protected are in particular: trapezius and sternocleidomastoid. The arterial and venous areas that are protected are in particular: 1. carotid artery, and jugular vein. The two pieces of fabric are joined together by 4 flat-stitched needles (B-l) machine, with the central piece 12 of the upside of the head in fabric B, in the upper final part the neck is finished with a type B fabric edge of the finished height 8 mm, with 2-needle collar machine, to be able to give a correct adhesion of the fabric to the neck itself without tightening. As for the legs, two pieces 18/18', 20/20' are made in fabric A, a right piece 18/18' and a left piece 20/20' of equal size and shape, shaped to give a better fit for those who wear it, which cover and protect the muscular and arterial system of the buttocks of the thigh and tibia. The muscular parts that are protected are in particular: gluteus maximus, sartorius, adductor, quadriceps, vastus lateral, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, gracilis, large adductor, semitendinosus, semimembranous, gastrocnemius, anterior tibialis, rectus femur. The arterial and venous areas that are protected are, in particular: femoral artery, internal saphenous vein, tibial artery, popliteal artery, iliac artery, perforating branches, circumflexed femoral artery, genicular artery. In the part of the rear knee the fabric is cut and joined to provide a better wearability, all joined-sewn together with a 4-needle flat-stitched machine (A-l). In order not to create further thickness in the final part of the suit, which is inserted inside the boot, below the knee, the fabric has been left in its single form, finishing it only with a passage of the cut and sewn machine.

The undersuit and shirt are BLADE CUT RESISTANCE Level 3 UNI EN 388: 2016 certified for protective gloves against mechanical risks (§ 6.2 blade cutting; similar and partial application) and as a personal protective device (PPE) category II according to the standards reference EN 388: 2016 and EN ISO 13688: 2013. The test has conferred the EU-type examination certificate for a garment indicated to be worn under clothing for skiing, to protect against cutting made by ski edges.

An important point of the fabric according to the invention to optimize the cut-resistant characteristics desired is the finishing after weaving.

The preparation of the raw fabric can take place in the following way: the pieces coming from the crude oil control phase are usually rolled, one by one on special pallets or already rolled, they must be sewn head-tail to undergo the same treatments, then wrapped in large rolls just to get to the dry cleaners.

The scouring of the fabric follows. This process has the purpose of washing in rope several pieces of cloth in a single machine called fulling mill.

The washing and desizing, which have the purpose of removing all impurities from the fabric (sizing, textile oil, dirt, also resulting from the previous processes), is carried out in a washing in rope.

However, an exemplary washing process consists of four successive steps: (1) Soaking: the fabric is impregnated with water and a mechanical rubbing action eliminates insoluble substances, such as dirt, dust and unattached dyes, etc.

(2) Prewashing, cold washing, light and fast, which eliminates colour and dirt excesses, which could attach on the cloth in the subsequent degreasing step.

(3) Degreasing in a water bath containing soaps, detergent products and auxiliaries, wherein the oily substances used in the spinning and any desizing, oily stains, etc. are emulsified. The temperature of the bath is fundamental, varying in relation to impurities and components to be eliminated from 20°C to 60°C.

(4) Rinsing, with plenty of water the emulsion is removed with all the substances to be removed.

Opening the tube is a delicate phase; to make a perfect cut, the drop-needle stitch must be performed on the circular machine (a stretch mark along the entire length of the piece obtained by removing a needle from the circular machine). The opening of the tubular takes place during the finishing.

The hydroextraction is carried out, before definitively drying the fabric, in the pauses between the various wet processes, in particular after washing. This continuous processing leaves 10- 15% more water in the pieces compared to drying in a stenter, but eliminates downtime and offers superior production.

The fixing is a preliminary treatment to the finishing processes which stabilizes the fabric which, when subjected to the action of water, can be distorted and deformed as a result of the tensions inside the fabric itself. The fixing is preferably done by blocking the external sides of the fabric (selvedge) with needles placed on rollers where the fabric is made to pass.

The device called "weft straightener", which serves to keep the wefts perpendicular to the warp threads, i.e. to straighten the weft, is found in the drying process in a stenter. The stenter is a machine for drying fabrics continuously with hot air.

Free drying takes place for knitwear: this operation is carried out on the previously opened fabric, it guarantees a good return because it takes place without any tensioning of the fabric itself both in length and in width.

During the vapour treatment, at the end of the finishing cycle the fabric is subjected to vapour treatments which give it the desired hand and stabilize hand and size. The vapour treatment corresponds to the thermofixing. The finishing steps were extracted from different textile treatment processes for different types of fabrics, such as wool and cotton.

During operation, further embodiment modifications or variants to fabric, to skiwear and to the production method of the invention, not described herein, may be implemented. If such modifications or such variants should fall within the scope of the following claims, they should all be considered protected by the present patent.