An integrated approach to develop performance index of bed linen fabric

Abstract

The quality of woven bed sheets is often conveyed by the thread count i.e. the number of threads per square inch of the fabric. However, bed linens need to encompass three essential characteristics such as high breathability, moisture absorbency and soft feel to ensure quality sleep. Sleep quality is significantly influenced by thermal regulation characteristics such as thermal conductivity, air permeability and moisture vapor permeability of the sheeting cloth. Hand of sheeting material is also considered as one of the most important attributes of a high quality bed linen as it comes in direct contact with human body for a substantial duration. In this research, an effort has been made to develop an objective method to measure the performance behavior of the bed linen fabric. Performance index is a calculation of how well a material works to meet its defined goals. The subjective assessment of bed linen performance indicators was conducted by expert opinion to decide the properties affecting the bed linen performance index (BLPI) along with their weightage. Discriminant analysis and coefficient of concordance was determined to find the agreement among the judges. The eight shortlisted properties were determined objectively and the results were normalized to shrink the data in the scale 1 to 5. The weightage and normalized data was used to determine the BLPI by using the developed equation. A high correlation of 0.84 was found between the subjective and objective BLPI. This study concludes that the BLPI could be estimated well using the developed equation.

Objective and subjective evaluations of quilted mattress ticking fabrics for their thermal comfort performances

“…Sweat removal from the body, ensuring dryness by vapour and liquid transfer and enabling the comfortable microclimate conditions is crucial for also bed textile system. Therefore, high breathability and moisture absorbency are among the requirements of a bedding system besides soft feel and OEKO-TEX certified chemical finish (Ahirwar et al ., 2020).…”

“…Besides main mattress structure, the upper textile components such as ticking layers, covers and bedsheets were also investigated that although features are season specific (cooler and warmer touch sensations for summer and winter in turn), common necessities of all seasons were stated as; dry contact feeling with quick liquid transfer and drying features, breathability with sufficient water vapour and air permeabilities. Effects of material (cotton, cotton/PU, cotton/PES) and structures (woven and knitted) of bed sheet fabrics on thermal conductivity and breathability in dry and wet states were investigated (Ahirwar et al ., 2020; Hes et al ., 2014; Ikeda and Fukai, 2005).…”

A mathematical model for objective hand evaluation of automotive seat fabrics

“…They carried out subjective evaluation by a group of professional judges and then transferred this subjective evaluation into objective evaluation by precisely measuring fabric parameters using a set of equipment which measure low stress mechanical properties of the fabric. After its success in men's suiting, this method became widespread and applied in wide range of other fabrics like shirting, ladies dress materials [18], futon cloth [19], terry fabrics [20], disposable diapers top sheet [21], blankets [22], performance of bed linen fabrics [23] etc. Kawabata et al developed a series of hand equations for different fabrics and end uses.…”