WO2006114121A1

WO2006114121A1 - Textile foot-clothing item, in particular sock or stocking, providing nbc protective function

Info

Publication number: WO2006114121A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/004539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rinehart Dixie
Original assignee: BLüCHER GMBH
Priority date: 2005-04-28
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2006-11-02
Also published as: DE102005021143A1; DE102005021143B4

Abstract

Described is a textile foot-clothing item (1), in particular in the form of a sock or stocking, preferably providing a protective function against poisons and/or wars fare agents, such as NBC warfare agents, the textile foot-clothing item (1) being formed of a cut (2) of a textile sheet material (3), the cut (2) having an uninterrupted sole section (4) having a margin (5) extending therebeyond, wherein the textile foot-clothing item (1) is formed exclusively of a one-piece cut (2), and/or wherein the width (B1) of a front marginal section (5’) of the margin (5) exceeds at least half the width (B2) of the sole section (4) at least along the longitudinal side of the sole section (4) and longitudinal sections (6) of the front marginal section (5') are joined together along a back (7) of the textile foot-clothing item. (1). The textile foot-clothing item provides good wear comfort coupled with excellent protection against poisons and/or warfare agents.

Description

Textile foot-clothing item, in particular sock or stocking, providing NBC protective function

The present invention relates to a textile foot-clothing item as classified in the preamble of claim 1 and to a textile foot-clothing unit.

There are a whole series of chemical and other entities which are absorbed by the skin and lead to serious physical harm. Examples include the vesicatory mustard gas Yellow Cross and the nerve gas sarin. People likely to come into contact with such poisons must wear a suitable protective suit or be protected against these poisons by suitable protective materials.

Suits are available to protect the body, especially the extremities and the trunk. The head, especially the face and also the respiratory tract airways are generally protected by wearing NBC protective masks with or without hoods.

There are in principle three types of protective suits: air and water vapour impervious protective suits which are equipped with a layer of rubber impervious to chemical poisons and which very rapidly lead to a build-up of heat; air and water vapour pervious protective suits, which offer the highest wear comfort; and finally protective suits equipped with a membrane which is pervious to water vapour but not to the poisons mentioned.

NBC protective clothing is thus traditionally produced either from completely impermeable systems (suits composed of butyl rubber, for example) or else permeable, adsorptive filtering systems based on activated carbon (powders, fibres or spherocarbon). Protective suits against chemical poisons that are intended for prolonged deployment under a variety of conditions must not lead to any heat build-up for the wearer. Therefore, mainly air pervious materials are utilized. The air pervious, permeable protective suits generally possess an adsorption layer based on activated carbon which binds the chemical poisons very durably, so that even badly contaminated suits do not pose any danger to the wearer whatsoever. The great advantage of this system is that the activated carbon is accessible on the inside as well as the outside, so that poisons which have succeeded in penetrating at damaged or otherwise nontight locations are very rapidly adsorbed. But care must also be taken to ensure that the feet are equipped with adequate protection against such poisons. More particularly, protective footwear suitable for military deployment or NBC deployment must be used.

The prior art solution for this purpose is to protect the feet for military deployment or NBC deployment by using NBC protective overshoes which are pulled over the actual footwear. This has the decisive disadvantage that the footwear has to bear additional weight and, what is more, the wear comfort is drastically reduced by the NBC overshoe. Finally, an NBC overshoe does not provide means for efficient sealing joining to an NBC protective suit, so that chemical poisons, warfare agents for example, can penetrate through the transition of NBC overshoes and NBC protective glove and act on the wearer of the NBC protective suit.

An alternative is to use protective inner shoe materials. US 4 843 739 A relates to an adsorption-capable inner shoe material comprising activated carbon, the activated carbon being in the form of particles which are adhered, by means of an adhesive, dotwise to one side of the inner shoe material. The inner shoe material can be disposed for example between a shoe's upper and liner.

Another alternative for the aforementioned reasons is NBC protective socks, which can for example be worn in conventional military boots. One disadvantage of these NBC protective socks is often the low level of wear comfort, and this can, in particular in the event of physical exertion, for example during military deployments, lead to the foot taking a beating and consequently to blistering and callusing of the skin.

Clothing items for the foot region which provide a protective function against poisons and/or warfare agents are known in principle from the prior art. DE 200 12 098 Ul relates to a sock for protecting a foot against chemical warfare agents, the sock consisting of a composite having two extendable textile plies and an adsorbing layer disposed in between. The sock is produced from plural flat pieces of the composite which have been joined together via stitches. The result is a circumferential seam along one margin of a sole section and fur- ther seams along the inside and outside surfaces of a sock shaft. The method of producing such a sock is relatively complicated, in particular since such a sock has to be produced from plural cuts and consequently has a multiplicity of seams. It has been determined in commercial practice that such socks consisting of plural pieces or cuts of material, do not always meet the high requirements expected in relation to good wear comfort.

The present invention therefore has for its object to provide a textile foot-clothing item and also a textile foot-clothing unit which each provide enhanced wear comfort combined with simple, inexpensive construction and/or a superior barrier function against poisons and/or warfare agents, especially NBC warfare agents. The textile foot-clothing item shall possess in particular good air and water vapour perviousness ("breathability").

This object is achieved by a textile foot-clothing item according to claim 1 or a textile foot-clothing unit according to claim 21. Advantageous further developments form the subject matter of subsidiary claims.

One aspect of the present invention is that the present invention's textile foot-clothing item is formed exclusively from a one-piece cut. This leads to simplified, inexpensive production. The reduced number of seams significantly enhances not only the wear comfort but also the protection against poisons and warfare agents, since the present invention's textile foot-clothing item has fewer possible pressure points and fewer possible breakthrough locations for poisons and warfare agents.

It is a further, independently as well as dependently realizable aspect of the pre- sent invention that the width of a front marginal section of a margin of the cut along the longitudinal side of a sole section is such that this width exceeds at least half the width of the sole section and longitudinal sections of the front marginal section are joined together along a back of the textile foot-clothing item. The result is just one seam on the back of the textile foot-clothing item; not only the sole region but also the region between the sole and the back of the foot are free of joins or seams, which leads to a further improvement in wear comfort.

In the realm of the present invention, "back of the textile foot-clothing item" refers to that region of the textile foot-clothing item which, in the wear state, faces the footsole-remote region of the toes of the foot and also the back (= instep) of a foot inside the textile foot-clothing item. In other words, "back of the textile foot- clothing item" is thus to be taken as referring to that region of the textile foot-clothing item which when the textile foot-clothing item is being worn covers that part of the foot which is remote from the sole of the foot.

Furthermore, in the realm of the present invention, "shaft of the textile foot- clothing item" is to be understood as referring to that region of the textile foot- clothing item which, in the wear state, covers, or encloses, the lower leg including the ankle or including the upper region of the heel, i.e. that region of the heel which is not assigned to the sole of the user's foot.

The term "sole section" is to be understood as referring to that region of the textile foot-clothing item on which, in the wear state, the sole of a foot accommodated by the textile foot-clothing item rests; that is, in other words, that region of the textile foot-clothing item which has the sole of a foot covered by the textile foot-clothing item on it.

The term "front" (as in front marginal section, for example) refers to the regions of the present invention's textile foot-clothing item, or to be more precise of the cut used in its production, which are oriented towards a forefoot region of a foot accommodated by the textile foot-clothing item, i.e. the region of the toes, of the ball of the foot and of the front midfoot. In other words, the term "front" refers to those regions of the textile foot-clothing item which, in the wear state, are at the front viewed in the direction of motion.

Furthermore, the term "rear" (as in rear marginal flap, for example) refers to those regions of the textile foot-clothing item which are oriented towards a rear- foot region of a foot accommodated by the textile foot-clothing item. It refers, in other words, to those regions which, in the wear state, are at the rear viewed in the direction of motion.

The term "equal in area" (as in cuts being equal in area, for example) refers in the realm of the present invention to an at least essentially identical size of area, differences in shape being possible. By "congruent" (as in congruent cuts, for example) is meant that the shapes are identical as well as the areas.

The term "join" is to be understood as meaning manners of joining in the sector of textile processing which are known as such to one skilled in the art. Nonlim- iting examples of methods of joining are sewing, adhering, welding, stapling, ta- cking and the like.

Finally, the terms "sock" and "stocking" are to be understood in the realm of the present invention as referring to such a clothing item as, in general, is capable of accommodating the foot and the lower leg of a user and enclosing or covering them on all sides at least essentially completely. The foot-clothing item of the present invention can be constructed in the manner of a sock, with a relatively short section of the lower leg above the ankle being covered by a shaft of the textile foot-clothing item. It is additionally possible to construct the textile foot- clothing item in the manner of a stocking, in which case the shaft of the textile foot-clothing item can cover the length of the lower leg almost completely.

Further advantages, features, properties and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings, where

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a textile foot-clothing item according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a back view of the textile foot-clothing item;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the textile foot-clothing item with an accommodated foot; Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a cut used for the textile foot-clothing item;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a textile sheet material from which the cut is cut; and

Fig. 6 shows a schematic section through a preferred composite construction of the textile sheet material.

Like reference numerals refer to like or similar parts in the figures, with corre- spending properties and advantages being achieved, even though repeated description has been omitted for simplicity.

Figures 1 and 2 show a present invention textile foot-clothing item 1 (in particular in the form of a sock or stocking) which preferably provides a protective function against poisons and/or warfare agents, such as NBC warfare agents. The textile foot-clothing item 1 is formed of a cut 2 (depicted in Figures 4 and 5) of a textile sheet material 3. The cut 2 has an uninterrupted sole section 4 having a margin 5 extending therebeyond. The margin 5 preferably adjoins the sole section 4 on all sides at least essentially. In other words, as Fig. 4 shows, the margin 5 completely encloses the sole section 4's circumference, which is in the plane of the drawing.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate that the textile foot-clothing item 1 is preferably formed exclusively from a one-piece cut 2.

Figures 1, 3 and 4 illustrate that a width Bl of a front marginal section 5' of the margin 5 of the cut 2 exceeds at least half the width B2 of the sole section 4 that at least along the longitudinal side of the sole section 4 and longitudinal sections 6 of the front marginal section 5' are joined together along a back 7 of the present invention's textile foot-clothing item 1. The specific one-piece cut 2 and its specific shape result in a present invention textile foot-clothing item 1 (in particular a sock or stocking) which has a low number of joins in the sense mentioned at the beginning, in particular a low number of seams, and thus a simple construction. The textile foot-clothing item 1 offers a high wear comfort while at the same time providing high protection against poisons and/or warfare agents, such as NBC warfare agents.

Figure 4 illustrates the preferred construction of the one-piece cut 2 from which the textile foot-clothing item 1 is produced. The cut 2 is at least essentially sym- metrical, especially mirror-symmetrical, to an axis A along the sole section 4. The axis A - as depicted in Fig. 4 - extends along the longitudinal dimension of the sole section 4, i.e., so to speak, along the rear and front region of the sole section 4. There may be minimal departures from the symmetrical shape of the cut 2, in particular in order that the cut 2 may be further conformed to a foot shape to enhance the wear comfort provided by the textile foot-clothing item 1.

The cut 2 for a right-hand side textile foot-clothing item 1 and the cut 2 for a left-hand side textile foot-clothing item 1 may be equal in area and preferably congruent. The cut 2 is in this case simpler to produce, since only one cutting shape or pattern is needed. There is a further advantage in this case in that the textile sheet material 3, which may be an infinite sheet material for example, can be optimally utilized from a making-up point of view by minimizing the cutting loss, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

As is evident from Figures 1 and 3, the longitudinal sections 6, which subdivide the front marginal section 5' of the margin 5, preferably form the back 7 of the textile foot-clothing item 1. Furthermore, the longitudinal sections 6 advantageously have an arcuate trajectory, as shown in Fig. 4. The arcuate trajectory may be at least essentially conformed to the shape of the toes and/or the forefoot, in particular against the background of optimally conforming the textile foot-clothing item 1 to the user's foot shape. The longitudinal sections 6, ema- nating from the sole section 4, are so to speak disposed above the region of the toes and above the back 9 of a foot. The back 7 thus formed accordingly faces the foot's back 9 in the wear state, as illustrated by Fig. 3. The foot's back 9 is at least essentially completely covered by the back 7 formed by the longitudinal sections 6.

In the depicted embodiment, the sole section 4 is free of overlaps and/or joins, in particular has free of seams. The wear comfort is thus not affected by noticeable overlaps or joins in the particularly stressed and sensitive region of the sole of a foot. The absence of such overlaps and/or joins in the region of the sole section 4 further leads to an improvement in the protection against poisons and/or warfare agents, since it is an aspect of the present invention that specifically the highly stressed sole section 4 is free of potential breakthrough locations for poisons and/or warfare agents.

Preferably, the margin 5 of the cut 2 has a rear marginal flap 5" and in particular has two rear marginal flaps 5", as indicated in Fig. 4. The rear marginal flaps 5" are at least essentially equal in area and preferably essentially mirror- symmetrical, and are preferably disposed in the rear region of the sole section 4.

The two rear marginal flaps 5" are preferably disposed along the longitudinal direction of the sole section 4 to be opposite each other. The maximum width B4 of the cut 2 preferably corresponds at least essentially to twice the width B3 of the rear marginal flap 5". As Figure 4 further illustrates, the width B3 of the rear marginal flap 5" may be greater than the width Bl of the front marginal section 5^'. The transition between the rear marginal flap 5" and the front marginal section 5' may be at least essentially arcuate. But it similarly possible for the rear marginal flap 5" to be at least essentially rectangular. The length L3 of each rear marginal flap 5" in the longitudinal direction of the sole section 4 is at least essentially equal to half the length Ll of the cut 2 or is greater, in which case the length L3 can even be greater than the length Ll. The latter applies in particular when the cut 2 has merely just a single rear margin flap 5".

Furthermore, the rear marginal flap 5" has a longitudinal edge 19 extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sole section 4, and has a transverse edge 20 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sole section 4. Preferably, the transverse edge 20 extends essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the sole section 4. The transverse edge 20 forms in general the rear conclusion of the cut 2.

Preferably, the rear marginal flap 5" forms a shaft 8 of the textile foot-clothing item 1. In particular, the two rear marginal flaps 5" form the shaft 8, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2.

The width B 1 of the longitudinal sections 6 and also the width B3 and/or the length L3 of the rear marginal flap 5" are preferably chosen such that the back 9 of the foot of the user of the textile foot-clothing item 1 is, when the textile foot- clothing item 1 is actually being worn, at least essentially completely enclosed by the back 7, which is formed by the longitudinal sections 6, and that the lower leg 10 of the user is, in the wear state, at least essentially completely enclosed by the shaft 8, which is formed by the at least one rear marginal flap 5".

Preferably, the length of the shaft 8 is at least essentially equal to the width B3 of the rear marginal flap 5". In the case of a sock having a short shaft 8, the width B3 is therefore smaller than in the case of a stocking having a stocking-length shaft 8. The diameter of an upper opening 15 of the shaft 8 is predetermined by the length L3 of the rear marginal flap 5". It is thus possible for the textile foot- clothing item 1 to be optimally conformed to a foot shape or to various sizes of feet through specific selection of the width B3 and/or of the length L3 of the rear marginal flap 5" and/or of the width Bl of the longitudinal sections 6. Specific conformation to the foot shape is similarly possible through specific engineering of the arcuate transition between the rear marginal flap 5" and the front marginal region 5'. This is because the arcuate transition between the rear marginal flap 5" and the front marginal region 5' is, in the wear state, oriented towards a transition which is formed by a portion of the back 9 of the foot and a region of lower leg 10 that is oriented towards the back 9 of the foot. Conforming the textile foot- clothing item 1 may also be effected via the choice of length L2 and of width B2 for sole section 4.

As shown by Figures 1 to 3, the textile foot-clothing item 1 has an uninterrupted first join 11 in the sense mentioned at the beginning, in particular a seam. This seam joins the longitudinal sections 6 of the front marginal section 5' and the two rear marginal flaps 5" together. The first join 11 preferably trajects simul- taneously along the back 7 and also along the shaft 8 formed by the rear marginal flaps 5". It is particularly preferable here that the first join 11 trajects essentially in the longitudinal direction of the sole section 4. In other words, the first join 11 is disposed in that region of the textile foot-clothing item 1 which faces the back 9 of the foot and also that portion of the lower leg 10 which faces the back 9 of the foot. The first join 1 1 joins so to speak the back 7 to the shaft 8 in the longitudinal direction of the present invention's foot-clothing item 1. The first join 11 is preferably disposed such that the first join 1 1 trajects essentially centrally along the back 9 of the foot and, as the case may be, the shaft 8.

Preferably, the textile foot-clothing item 1 has a second join 12 in the sense mentioned at the beginning, especially a seam. The second join 12 joins the two rear marginal flaps 5" together. Preferably, the second join 12 trajects along that side of the shaft 8 which is remote from the back 7. As shown by Fig. 2, the second join 12 trajects at least essentially perpendicularly to the sole section 4.

The first and second joins 11, 12 may utilize different manners of joining, in particular as described above. Also, different manners of joining may be realized within the first and/or second joins 1 1, 12 as such. For example, the starting region of the first or second join 11, 12 may be configured differently than the sub- sequent regions. It is also possible for the first and/or second joins 11, 12 to be additionally provided with a covering layer which may be applied atop the first and/or second joins 11, 12, in particular by adhering, in the form of a covering strip for example.

The first and/or second joins 11, 12 are disposed on the textile foot-clothing item 1 such that they are not situated at highly loaded or stressed locations, such as the sole section 4. The wear comfort provided by the textile foot-clothing item 1 is thus at least essentially not affected by the first and/or second joins 11, 12.

The textile foot-clothing item may have gathered regions 17, 18, in particular in the region of the starting regions of the first and/or second joins 1 1, 12, as indi- cated in Figures 1 and 2. The cut 2 and/or the textile sheet material 3 may be selected such that the size or surface area of the gathered regions 17, 18 is minimized, or in other words the gathered regions 17, 18 are at least essentially eliminated. This may be achieved, illustratively and nonlimitingly, through the use of an elastic, i.e. reversibly extendable, sheet material, in particular as de- scribed hereinbelow. In the gathered regions 17, 18, the first and/or second joins 11, 12 may be configured differently to the remaining regions of the first and/or second joins 11, 12. This may take the form for example of a particular choice for the manner of joining, for example through a specific selection of a stitch width for the seam.

When the cut 2 contemplated for producing the present invention's textile foot- clothing item 1 has only one rear marginal flap 5", the trajectory of the joins 1 1, 12 may depart from the trajectories described above. The first join may join just the two longitudinal sections 6 together, while the shaft 8 and the back 7 may be joined together, for example, via an additional join trajecting transversely to the joining seam 1 1.

The textile sheet material 3 may be any desired textile material, preferably an air pervious and/or breathable textile material. Nonlimiting examples are textile wovens, textile formed-loop knits, textile drawn-loop knits, textile nonwoven scrims, textile composites, textile batts and the like. According to the present invention it is also possible to use a reversibly extension-capable, or elastic, textile sheet material 3, for example in order to minimize the gathered regions 17, 18 in the region of the first and/or second joins 11, 12 and/or in order to achieve a close fit for the textile foot-clothing item 1 on the foot. Elastic textile sheet materials will be known to one skilled in the art. It is advantageous, in particular, when the textile sheet material 3 can be extended or stretched in at least one direction by not less than 10%, in particular not less than 20% and preferably not less than 30%.

Furthermore, the textile sheet material 3 may have a basis weight in the range from 25 to 300 g/m², in particular in the range from 50 to 250 g/m² and prefera- bly in the range from 75 to 200 g/m².

Preferably, the textile sheet material 3 is provided or impinged with a material 13 capable of adsorbing poisons and/or warfare agents, such as NBC warfare agents. In particular activated carbon, preferably in the form of activated carbon particles and/or activated carbon fibres is used as material 13 capable of adsorbing poisons and/or warfare agents.

The good wear properties of the present invention's foot-clothing item 1 are ad- ditionally improved by the buffering effect of the activated carbon when an activated carbon based material 13 is used for adsorbing poisons and/or warfare agents, since the activated carbon serves as a moisture or water store or buffer (for foot perspiration for example). When, for example, activated carbon particles in the form of activated carbon spherules are used as poisons and/or warfare agents adsorbent 13, an add-on of up to about 250 g/m² or more is capable, for example in the event of sweating, of storing about 40 g/m² of moisture, which can then be released again to the outside.

The material 13 which is capable of adsorbing poisons and/or warfare agents is secured or fixed to the textile sheet material 3 in a conventional manner, for example by continuous or preferably discontinuous application of an adhesive atop the textile sheet material 3, and subsequently the material 13, which is capable of adsorbing poisons and/or warfare agents, is fixed to the adhesive. Useful adhe- sives will be known as such to one skilled in the art; they include for example, thickened polymeric dispersions, hotmelts or else reactive adhesives, such as, for example, in particular polyurethane-based one- or two-component systems, for example blocked prepolymeric diisocyanates which crosslink via di- or poly- functional amines or alcohols. Advantageous adhesives for the purposes of the present invention are breathable in the fully cured state, examples being polyu- rethane-based adhesives.

To enhance the wear comfort, in particular to avoid any stiffness, on the part of the textile sheet material 3, it is preferable for the adhesive to be applied discon- tinuously and in particular dotwise; that is, the textile sheet material 3 is advan- tageously applied discontinuously or dotwise with the poisons and/or warfare agents adsorbent 13 in a regular or irregular pattern or grid. The dotwise application of adhesive leaves the softness, flexibility/extensibility and air perviousness of the textile sheet material 3 substantially intact. An efficient adsorbing performance requires that preferably not less than 50%, in particular not less than 60% and more preferably not less than 70% of the textile sheet material 3 is impinged with the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents. The amount of adhesive used should advantageously be chosen such that the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents is freely accessible to the poisons and/or warfare agents to be adsorbed to an extent of not less than 50%, in particular not less than 60% and preferably not less than 70%, i.e., is not completely pressed or sunk into the adhesive.

The adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents may consist for example of discrete particles of activated carbon, preferably in granule form ("granulocar- bon"). In this case, the average diameter of the activated carbon particles is preferably less than 1.0 mm, especially less than 0.5 mm, more preferably less than 0.4 mm and even more preferably less than 0.3 mm, but is generally not less than 0.1 mm. In this embodiment, the activated carbon particles are generally applied atop the textile sheet material 3 in an amount in the range from 5 to 500 g/m², in particular in the range from 10 to 400 g/m², preferably in the range from 20 to 300 g/m², more preferably in the range from 25 to 250 g/m², even more prefera- bly in the range from 50 to 150 g/m² and most preferably in the range from 50 to 120 g/m². Suitable activated carbon particles have an internal surface area (BET) of not less than 800 m²/g, in particular of not less than 900 m²/g, preferably of not less than 1000 m²/g and more preferably in the range from 800 to 1500 m²/g. Granulocarbon, especially spherocarbon, has the decisive advantage of being enormously abrasion resistant and very hard, which is of great importance with regard to wear resistance properties. Preferably, the bursting pressure of an individual activated carbon particle, in particular an activated carbon granule or spherule, is not less than 5 newtons and in particular not less than 10 newtons, and can be up to about 20 newtons.

In an alternative embodiment, the textile sheet material 3 may be provided or impinged with activated carbon fibres, in particular in the form of an activated carbon sheet material. The basis weight of such activated carbon sheet materials may be for example in the range from 20 to 200 g/m², in particular in the range from 30 to 150 g/m² and preferably in the range from 50 to 120 g/m². The activated carbon sheet material may be for example a woven, loop-formingly knitted, nonwoven-scrim or bonded activated carbon fibre fabric, based in particular on carbonized and activated cellulose and/or carbonized and activated acryloni- trile.

It is also similarly possible to combine activated carbon particles and activated carbon fibres with each other. Activated carbon particles have the advantage of a higher adsorption capacity, whereas activated carbon fibres possess better adsorption kinetics.

To increase the adsorption efficiency and/or performance, it is possible for the adsorbent 13 for the poisons and/or warfare agents, in particular the activated carbon particles and/or activated carbon fibres, to be additionally impregnated with at least one catalyst. Catalysts useful for the purposes of the present invention include for example enzymes and/or metal ions, preferably copper, silver, cadmium, platinum, palladium, zinc and/or mercury ions. The amount of catalyst may vary within wide limits; it is generally in the range from 0.05% to 12% by weight, preferably in the range from 1% to 10% by weight and more preferably in the range from 2% to 8% by weight, based on the weight of the adsorbent 13 for the poisons and/or warfare agents.

The adsorbent 13 for the poisons and/or warfare agents is preferably disposed on that side of the textile sheet material 3 which is remote from the foot in the wear state. It is also possible, in principle, for the textile sheet material 3 to be impinged on both sides with the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents. In general, however, it will be sufficient for the textile sheet material 3 to be im- pinged on just one side with the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents.

The textile carrying material 3 may also be constructed as a composite material, as shown by Fig. 6. The composite material has a sandwich structure wherein the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents is disposed between two textile carrying plies 14. The materials for the textile carrying plies 14 correspond to those of the textile sheet material 3, although it is possible according to the present invention for the textile carrying plies 14 of the composite material to have different constructions. The composite material as such should in any event possess a certain degree of elasticity as well as good bendability for the afore- mentioned purposes. Compared with the single-layered textile sheet material 3, the elasticity of the composite material as a whole is somewhat less. In general, however, the composite material is extendable or stretchable in at least one di- rection by an extent of not less than 5% and preferably not less than 10%.

Preferably, the textile sheet material 3 impinged with the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents, or as the case may be, when a sandwich structure is used, the composite material, should have a 25°C water vapour transmission rate of not less than 15 1/m² per 24 h, in particular not less than 20 1/m² per 24 h, preferably not less than 25 1/m² per 24 h and more preferably not less than 30 1/m² per 24 h or even more (measured by the inverted cup method of ASTM E 96 and at 25°C) (For details concerning the measurement of the water vapour trans- mission rate [WYTR] cf. also McCullough et al. "A comparison of standard methods for measuring water vapour permeability of fabrics" in Meas. Sci. Tech- nol. [Measurements Science and Technology] 14., 1402-1408, August 2003) to achieve good wear comfort. This ensures a particularly high wear comfort.

The textile sheet material 3 impinged with the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents, or as the case may be, when a sandwich structure is used, the composite material, should, to achieve good wear comfort, also have a water vapour transmission resistance R_et under steadystate conditions - measured according to DIN EN 31 092: 1993 of February 1994 ("Textiles - Physiological Ef- fects, Measurement of Heat and Water Vapour Transmission Resistance Under Steadystate Conditions (sweating guarded-hotplate test)") or according to the equivalent international standard ISO 11 092 - at 35°C of not more than 20 (m^{2 •} pascal)/watt, in particular not more than 15 (m^{2 •} pascal)/watt, preferably not more than 10 (m^{2 ■} pascal)/watt and more preferably not more than 5 (m^{2 •} pascal)/watt.

Furthermore, the textile sheet material 3 impinged with the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents, or as the case may be, when a sandwich structure is used, the composite material, should have a high air perviousness to achieve good wear comfort. More particularly, the air perviousness (as measured to DIN 53887) should be more than 200 1/m² per second, preferably more than 300 1/m² per second, more preferably more than 400 1/m² per second, even more preferably more than 600 1/m² per second and most preferably more than 800 1/m² per second.

To achieve a good protective effect against poisons and/or warfare agents while at the same time providing high water vapour and air perviousness, the permea- tion resistance of the textile sheet material 3 impinged with the adsorbent 13 for poisons and/or warfare agents, or of the composite material when a sandwich structure is used, to chemical warfare agents, especially bis[2-chloroethyl] sulphide (also known via the synonyms of mustard gas, Hd or Yellow Cross), measured according to CRDEC-SP-84010, method 2.2, allows the passage of not more than 4 μg/cm² per 24 h, in particular not more than 3.5 μg/cm² per 24 h, preferably not more than 3.0 μg/cm² per 24 h and more preferably not more than 2.5 μg/cm² per 24 h. This makes it possible to achieve extremely high protection against poisons and/or warfare agents.

The present invention similarly concerns a textile foot-clothing unit (in particular in the form of a sock or stocking) comprising the above-described textile foot-clothing item 1 and at least one joining element (not depicted). The joining element can be joined to an opening 15 of a shaft 8 of the textile foot-clothing item 1. The joining element can be a one-piece construction and be joined to the opening 15 of the shaft 8 after the present invention's textile foot-clothing unit has been ready produced. It is similarly possible for the joining element to be given a two-piece construction, in which case the respective piece of the joining element has been joined to the longitudinal edge 19 of each rear marginal flap 5" before the textile foot-clothing unit is ready produced. In the course of the textile foot-clothing unit being ready produced, the pieces of the joining element may be joined together by lengthening the first join 11 and the second join 12.

The joining element of the present invention's textile foot-clothing unit may be for example a finishing band, preferably with elastic properties. The present invention's foot-clothing unit is in contact with the lower leg 10 in the region of the elastic finishing band. This prevents any slippage on the part of the textile foot- covering unit and ensures enhanced protection against poisons and/or warfare agents due to the additional sealing effect. The material for the joining element may also comprise the poisons and/or warfare agents adsorbent 13, in particular as defined above. According to the present invention, the joining element may similarly, and nonlimitingly, be constructed as a cuff or as a zip or touch and close fastener, whereby effective and secure joining to other clothing items, such as trousers, underpants or shoes for example, can be achieved. The foot-clothing unit of the present invention can thus be part of, for example, a (whole body) protective suit. The textile foot-clothing item of the present invention and the foot-clothing unit of the present invention offer efficient protection against poisons and warfare agents while at the same time providing excellent wear comfort. The present invention has succeeded in providing a textile foot-clothing item and a textile foot-clothing unit which, by virtue of a whole series of specific measures, such as in particular a specific cut, number and arrangement of joins, a specific choice of textile sheet material, etc., combines the decisive advantages of a high wear comfort with those of a high protection against poisons and/or warfare agents. This is because, owing to the small number of joins and their specific arrange- ment, the present invention has succeeded in minimizing the number of possible pressure points and potential breakthrough locations for warfare agents and/or poisons. Owing to the simplicity of construction in connection with the use of one-piece cuts, the foot-clothing item according to the present invention and its production are distinctly simplified and therefore remarkably inexpensive.

The textile foot-clothing item or unit has excellent air and water vapour pervi- ousness and thus a high level of breathability, additionally improving the wear comfort. Moisture, especially in the form of perspiration, can be effectively conducted away from the foot even under high physical exertion. This effect is ef- fectively supported by the high level of air perviousness. This keeps the skin pleasantly dry even under severe exertion, so that the skin does not, in particular, go all soggy.

The specific arrangement for the joins or seams of the textile foot-clothing item or unit on the one hand and the high level of breathability on the other are effective in preventing blistering and/or callusing in the region of the foot.

The aforementioned properties make the present invention's textile foot-clothing item and the present invention's textile foot-clothing unit especially useful for military deployment or NBC deployment (for example in the form of a military sock or stocking).

The high efficiency of the protective function provided by the present invention's foot-clothing item and by the present invention's foot-clothing unit makes it pos- sible to use breathable materials, such as leather for example, in relation to the shoes to be worn, so that the wear comfort can be still further enhanced in this way without the wearer of the present invention's foot-clothing item or of the present invention's foot-clothing unit being exposed to an elevated risk due to the use of a breathable shoe material.

The present invention's foot-clothing item and the present invention's foot-clo- thing unit may be produced in a conventional manner. This will be very well known to one skilled in the art of manufacturing foot-clothing items, in particular socks or stockings. For example, the present invention's foot-clothing item or the present invention's foot-clothing unit may be produced by first preparing a cut, especially as described above, from a textile sheet material, in particular as de- scribed above, and joining this cut together such that longitudinal sections of the cut form a back for the textile foot-clothing item and preferably two rear marginal sections form a shaft for the textile foot-clothing item. In the course of the manufacturing process, the textile sheet material may be impinged with an adsorbent for poisons and/or warfare agents, in particular with an adsorbent as de- scribed above, to further enhance the protective effect against poisons and/or warfare agents. The above remarks concerning the present invention's foot-clothing item on the one hand and the present invention's foot-clothing unit on the other apply mutatis mutandis in relation to the manufacturing process.

Further embodiments, modifications and variations of the present invention will become readily apparent to and realizable by the ordinarily skilled on reading the description without their having to go outside the realm of the present invention.

Claims

1. Textile foot-clothing item (1), in particular in the form of a sock or sto- ^' eking, preferably providing a protective function against poisons and/ or warfare agents, such as NBC warfare agents, the textile foot-clothing item

(1) being formed of a cut (2) of a textile sheet material (3), the cut (2) having an uninterrupted sole section (4) having a margin (5) extending there- beyond, characterized in that the textile foot-clothing item (1) is formed exclusively of a one-piece cut (2), and/or the width (B l) of a front marginal section (5') of the margin (5) exceeds at least half the width (B2) of the sole section (4) at least along the longitudinal side of the sole section (4) and longitudinal sections (6) of the front marginal section (5') are joined together along a back (7) of the textile foot-clothing item (1).

2. Textile foot-clothing item according to Claim 1, characterized in that the one-piece cut (2) is at least essentially symmetrical, especially mirror- symmetrical, preferably to an axis (A) along the sole section (4).

3. Textile foot-clothing item according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cut (2) for a right-hand side textile foot-clothing item (1) and the cut (2) for a left-hand side textile foot-clothing item (1) are equal in area and in particular congruent.

4. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the margin (5) adjoins the sole section (4) on all sides at least essentially.

5. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal sections (6) are arcuate.

6. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal sections (6) form the back (7) of the textile foot-clothing item (1).

7. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole section (4) is free of overlaps and/or joins, in particular free of seams.

8. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the margin (5) has a rear marginal flap (5") and preferably has two rear marginal flaps (5") which are in particular at least essentially equal in area and preferably at least essentially mirror- symmetrical.

9. Textile foot-clothing item according to Claim 8, characterized in that the width (B3) of the rear marginal flap (5") is greater than the width (Bl) of the front marginal section (5').

10. Textile foot-clothing item according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transition between the rear marginal flap (5") and the front marginal section (5') is at least essentially arcuate.

11. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, charac- terized in that the length (L3) of the rear marginal flap (5") in the longitudinal direction of the sole section (4) is at least essentially equal to half the length (Ll) of the cut (2).

12. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, charac- terized in that the rear marginal flap (5") has a longitudinal edge (19) extending at least essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sole section (4).

13. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of Claims 8 to 12, charac- terized in that the rear marginal flap (5") has a transverse edge (20) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sole section (4), the transverse edge (20) forming in particular the rear conclusion of the cut (2).

14. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of Claims 8 to 13, charac- terized in that the rear marginal flap (5") and in particular the two rear marginal flaps (5") forms and form respectively a shaft (8) of the textile foot- clothing item (1).

15. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of Claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the longitudinal sections (6) of the front marginal section (5') and the two rear marginal flaps (5") are joined together by an uninterrupted first join (11), in particular a seam.

16. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of Claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the first join (11), in particular a seam, trajects along the back

(7) and the shaft formed by the two rear marginal flaps (5"), preferably essentially in the longitudinal direction of the sole section (4).

17. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of Claims 8 to 16, characterized in that a second join (12), in particular a seam, joins the two rear marginal flaps (5") together, in particular at respective transverse edges (20).

18. Textile foot-clothing item according to Claim 17, characterized in that the second join (12), in particular a seam, trajects along that side of the shaft

(8) which is remote from the back (7) and preferably at least essentially perpendicularly to the sole section (4).

19. Textile foot-clothing item according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile sheet material (3) is provided or impinged with a material (13) capable of adsorbing poisons and/or warfare agents, such as NBC warfare agents, in particular activated carbon, preferably in the form of activated carbon particles and/or activated carbon fibres.

20. Textile foot-clothing item according to Claim 19, characterized in that the textile sheet material (3) is a composite material, the material (13) capable of adsorbing poisons and/or warfare agents being disposed between two textile carrying plies (14).

21. Textile foot-clothing unit, in particular in the form of a sock or stocking, comprising a textile foot-clothing item (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one joining element which is preferably joined to an opening (15) of a shaft (8) of the textile foot-clothing item (1).