We examined the relationship between clothing pressure and ease in dressing/giving assistance in dressing, and wearer comfort for 12 types of socks, including some designed for elderly people. We also considered some socks with loops at the top. Our results were as follows. The range in differences among the types of socks in terms of clothing pressure was large around the elastic band at the top of the socks, but not elsewhere. The most comfortable and easiest to put on showed less clothing pressure at the elastic band and were loose fitting. Less comfortable and more difficult to put on exhibited greater clothing pressure. For caregivers, looser socks and those with double rib structure were ranked highest. It was difficult for caregivers to put on calf-length socks or those with greater clothing pressure. Socks with loops were found useful for the elderly or those with disabilities, but it is important to consider the position of the loops plus such things as their hardness, length, and width.

  Studies were made on durability evaluation of the waterproof sheets composed of synthetic leathers having various resin compositions by use of the newly devised linen washing promotion testing equipment. Polymeric materials used for testing were : polycarbonate (PC) based polyurethane with superior hydrolysis characteristics-resistance, general polyester (PEs) based polyurethane, and commercial polyvinylchloride (PVC).

  Experimental results revealed that the state of 150 times repeated commercial washing in the linen supply reappeared in a short time by confirming the behaviors of waterproof performance and adhesive strength before and after testing. Evaluation for the synthetic leathers with polyurethane resins yielded that the washing durability performance could be attained by combination of the results of hydrolysis deterioration of resins and physical deterioration due to dynamic load while washing. Overall, the waterproof sheet of PC based polyurethane synthetic leathers showed the durability performance having the quality level of PVC leather, and gave the humidity permeation performance which was not found in PVC leathers.