Time Magazine's annual issue introducing “the most amazing inventions of the year” named TRAPTEK technology incorporated in Cannondales Carbon LE garments as one of the worlds most amazing inventions for 2005. TrapTeks invention permanently embeds activated carbon, derived from coconut shells, into fiber and yarns to enhance the performance of fabrics.
The new fabrics, engineered by United Knitting, exhibit a significant break through by not only managing or wicking moisture, but also drying at unprecedented rates keeping cyclist cool and dry. Additionally, these knits naturally trap odor and UV in the carbon pore structure, keeping the finished products fresh and lightweight with superior UPF qualities.
“Being recognized by Time Magazine promotes our fibers many benefits to the consumer and the amazing fact that it comes from coconuts.” says Brad Poorman, President TrapTek, LLC. “The recognition for our invention would not have been possible without United Knitting and Cannondales efforts to engineer exceptional fabrics and garments.”
“We first started working with the TRAPTEK product a year ago and immediately saw the superior performance attributes that differentiated the product from anything on the market.” says Phillip Sporidis General Manager, Global Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories, Cannondale Bicycle Corporation. “We designed a collection of Mens and Womens products, head to toe, that are engineered to deliver multiple comfort enhancing benefits to cyclists”.
Coconut shells are a waste product from the coconut industry and are well-recognized as providers of the best activated carbon for filtering impurities from water and air, while adsorbing unpleasant odors. The Cannondale cycling jersey made with TRAPTEK activated carbon particles creates a surface area equal to that of a football field which rapidly disperses moisture initiating an evaporative cooling effect.
“Imagine wiping a blackboard with a damp cloth; as the water spreads over the surface it quickly evaporates. Athletes have noticed that products with TRAPTEK yarns aide the bodys natural process of cooling through spreading and evaporating perspiration. Drier also translates into being more comfortable in cold weather” says Gregory Haggquist Ph.D., the inventor of TRAPTEK technology. “We believe that coconut carbon is the right choice scientifically and by recycling a natural material, it is a responsible choice. We realize all this attention to detail makes us a little nuts; but we like it that way”.
TrapTek LLC., has developed a global supply chain and is developing multiple new ways of delivering performance into yarns, fibers, films and even Chemical warfare protective garments. The technology will add comfort, as well as freshness, to a variety of apparel products from athletic gear, to polo shirts / lifestyle pieces, and even to business suits.
“United Knitting is constantly innovating throughout our offerings with new technologies and constructions. TRAPTEK offers a yarn that has multiple benefits permanently embedded in the product, so one yarn can deliver multiple functionalities.” said Jerry Miller, President of United Knitting. “We can design our technical fabrics to highlight these benefits depending on what activities the garments will be used and in what season”.
