Patent Application
20180177248
This patent application relates generally to garments, such as jackets and pants, and more specifically, recreational clothing having panels of three-dimensional mesh for improved ventilation.
Clothing for people with an active lifestyle has existed for a number of years. For example, such clothing is typically used during recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Additionally, recreational clothing is often worn for everyday life activities. Examples of recreational clothing include at least, for example, jackets, shirts, pants, shorts, and other types of outerwear. Due to body heat that may be generated during recreational activities, there is often a need for recreational clothing to provide adequate ventilation. Additionally, in order to protect against inclement weather, there is often a need for the clothing to be waterproof while providing sufficient breathability and ventilation to the wearer.
According to an embodiment, a garment is disclosed comprising: a garment shell; and a ventilation region, wherein the ventilation region comprises a three-dimensional mesh member attached to the garment shell.
According to another embodiment, a garment is disclosed comprising a three-dimensional mesh panel; and an outer layer; wherein the three-dimensional mesh panel comprises a face and an edge; wherein the outer layer overlays the three-dimensional mesh panel; wherein the three-dimensional mesh panel is connected to the outer layer at the edge of the three-dimensional mesh panel and the face of the three-dimensional mesh panel is at least partially disconnected from the outer layer.
According to another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a garment is disclosed comprising providing a plurality of outer garment layer panels; providing a three-dimensional mesh panel; attaching the three-dimensional mesh panel to at least one of the outer layer panels to form at least one ventilation garment panel; and attaching the plurality of outer garment layer panels to form the garment.
The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
Various embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While specific embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
As used herein, terms such as “horizontal” and “x-y” when referring to, for example, a material, is used to describe the direction of the surface or face of the material, while terms such as “vertical” and “z-” are used to describe the direction perpendicular to the surface or face of the material and is also referred to as the “depth” or “thickness” of the material. Terms such as “horizontal,” “x-y,” “vertical,” “z-,” “first,” “second,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” and “back” are used to describe positions relative to one another only and not to denote an absolute position. For example, a “vertical” or “z-” portion may become a “horizontal” or “x-y” portion by rotating the item, although it may still be referred to as a “vertical” portion of the item. In the same manner, a “first portion” may become a “second portion” by rotating the item.
Embodiments may provide garments that selectively combine waterproof materials and ventilation. For example, a jacket may include a shell of waterproof and breathable materials, as well as ventilation panels of mesh fabrics, for air flow and ventilation. Although the term “jacket” may be used to describe embodiments of the invention, a person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other garments or clothing, such as shirts, vests, pants, and other garments may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the injection.
A material is “two-dimensional” if the material is comprised of x-y (horizontal) components but does not have a significant z-(vertical) component. A two-dimensional material may include a single layer of material, such as a single knit or woven layer. A two-dimensional material may also include a thin, multi-layer laminate, such as a waterproof breathable laminated fabric such as, for example, GORE-TEX® made by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del., or DVstorm made by eVent of Overland Park, Kans. A material that has a noticeable vertical component may be considered “three-dimensional.” A three-dimensional material may include multiple layers of material that are interconnected, such as a double knit material. In an embodiment, a three-dimensional fabric may include a first knit layer created by a stitch yarn and a second knit layer created by a stitch yarn, the first knit layer and second knit layer interconnected with a pile yarn. The interconnecting yarns may be spaced such that the three-dimensional fabric may provide for a “space” or “void” between the layers of material.
Embodiments may provide a shell of waterproof breathable material including panels of mesh that aid in ventilation. The mesh may comprise a two or three-dimensional knitted, woven, or non-woven material or combination thereof. In some embodiments, the mesh may be comprised of a continuously knitted or woven material with a significant z-direction component. According to an embodiment, the mesh is comprised of two knit or woven layers of x-y components, with z-oriented pile fibers or yarns interconnecting the two substantially two-dimensional layers. In the above described mesh, the two knit or woven layers contain pores, and the z- or vertically oriented fibers create an air space to distance the shell of the garment away from the skin or clothing of the wearer to provide a space for air flow. According to an embodiment, the mesh may comprise a 100% polyester, double knit, 2 mm mesh made by Burltex in Hong Kong, China; however, other materials are possible.
Embodiments may provide garments that selectively combine waterproof materials and ventilation. For example, a jacket may include a shell of waterproof and breathable material, as well as ventilation panels of mesh fabrics for air flow and ventilation. According to embodiments, the shell material may have an outer face fabric, a waterproof breathable membrane, and an inner liner laminated together. According to embodiments, the mesh fabric may be attached on the inside of the garment to the inner liner.
Referring to
Referring now to
According to embodiments, the second fastening member 22 may comprise a zipper track, and the first fastening members 18, 20 may comprise complementary zipper tracks such that the second fastening member 22 may engage with either first fastening members 18, 20 with a zipper slide. According to embodiments, one or more zipper slides may reside on any of second fastening member 22, and first fastening members 18, 20. According to embodiments, multiple zipper tracks may reside on a fastening member to allow for selectively engaging the complementary zipper track.
As mentioned above, and as further shown in
In an embodiment, a ventilation panel may comprise a three-dimensional mesh located inside the jacket 10 such that the mesh face contacts either the wearer's skin or clothing. According to an embodiment, the three-dimensional mesh is substantially covered on the exterior face of the jacket 10 by a shell material that is substantially the same shape as the three-dimensional mesh. According to an embodiment, the three-dimensional mesh material may have a thickness or z-direction that is greater than the thickness of the shell material.
Due to the thickness of the three-dimensional mesh used in the ventilation panels, the mesh can lift the water-proof breathable shell material away from the wearer's body or mid/under layers. The mesh may define an open lattice through which air flow is possible, allowing body heat and air to flow freely through the mesh from the wearer to the shell material. By elevating the shell material away from the wearer's body via the mesh, a wearer's body may cool by evaporative cooling. Additionally, the likelihood of the shell material becoming saturated with perspiration is reduced, preserving the waterproof nature of the waterproof-breathable shell material.
Referring to
According to an embodiment, the jacket 10 may include a hood 40 comprising a hood ventilation panel 42 located inside the hood 40. The hood ventilation panel 42 may be substantially covered on the external face of the hood by the exterior hood panel 44 comprising shell material. Thus, the exterior hood panel 44 may protect the head of a wearer from precipitation and the elements, while the hood ventilation panel 42 located within the interior of the exterior hood panel 44 allows air to flow freely through the mesh between the wearer and the shell material. For example, the three-dimensional mesh of the hood ventilation panel 42, as shown in
In embodiments, a garment is constructed by piecing together a plurality of separate panels to form a garment of the desired shape. For example, a garment may be constructed by determining the shape of the desired finished garment; determining the shape and configuration of the plurality of panels; determining the placement of panels that will include a ventilation panel; providing the plurality of shell panels of a shell material; providing at least one or more of three-dimensional mesh panels corresponding to the shape of the determined at least one or more of the plurality of shell panels to be the ventilation panel; affixing the three-dimensional mesh panel to the shell panel to form the ventilation panel; and affixing the shell panels and the ventilation panels together to form the garment. In embodiments, any of the plurality of panels may be selected to be the ventilation panel based on, for example, the type of garment, desired ventilation in a particular body region of a wearer, and the activity the garment is intended for. In other embodiments, the mesh doesn't necessarily correspond to a shell panel and may be formed as an “island” on a larger shell panel, or the mesh may be placed over multiple panels of shell material that are joined together.
Referring again to
Referring to
According to an embodiment, the three-dimensional mesh 48 may be connected to the inner shell 58 by stitching to form seams extending around all or a part of the mesh panel's perimeter. See, for example, seams 58a and 58b. As an alternative (or addition) to stitching, all or a portion of the mesh panel's perimeter may be seam sealed to the inner shell 58. According to an embodiment, the inner shell 58 may be connected to the outer shell 56 at seams 56a and 56b by stitching and/or seam sealing or taping. As is apparent from
Although the shell material is referred to as “substantially solid,” embodiments are envisioned where the shell material has some degree of porosity, e.g., containing pores sized large enough to facilitate escape of sweat vapors, but small enough to substantially prevent penetration by wind, rain, or snow. Although embodiments of the shell material may have some degree of porosity, generally, the pores may not be visible to the human eye. Outer shell 56 and inner shell 58 may be the same fabric or different fabrics. According to embodiments, inner and outer shells 56 and 58 may include layers of tightly woven or knitted cotton/nylon blends, nylon and nylon blends, polyester and polyester blends. According to embodiments, inner and/or outer shells 56 and 58 comprise a waterproof breathable laminated material (such as GORE-TEX®) including, for example, an outer face fabric, a membrane, and an inner liner laminated together. According to embodiments, inner and/or outer shells 56 and 58 may be constructed from a laminated or coated waterproof material, such as those made by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del., eVent Fabrics of Overland Park, Kans.; Toyota Tsusho of Nagoya, Japan; Amaterrace Inc. of Osaka, Japan; TORAY® of Tokyo, Japan, and PERTEX® of Tokyo, Japan; however, other fabrics known in the art may alternatively be used.
As shown in
According to an embodiment, jacket 10 may be constructed using various materials and construction techniques. For example, all or parts of jacket 10 may be constructed from synthetic and/or natural fiber materials or fabrics, such as cotton, cotton blends, nylon, nylon blends, polyester, polyester blends, polyamide, and polypropylene. Other materials and/or combinations of materials will be identifiable by one of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure depending on the type and style of garment and/or intended use of the garment.
According to an embodiment, all or a portion of the fabric for jacket 10 may be coated, for example, with a durable water repellent (DWR) or other coating. According to an embodiment, jacket 10 may be constructed by joining multiple panels of material using techniques such as, for example, sewing, gluing, bonding, adhering, taping, seam sealing, or ultrasonic bonding. According to an embodiment, the jacket 10 may include additional features, such as pockets, loops, toggles, draw cords, gussets, vents, and flaps.
In the foregoing description, reference is made to “stitching” various parts of jacket 10 together. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, based on this disclosure, that other construction techniques may alternatively be used, for example, without limitation, mechanical bonding, adhesives, lamination, ultrasonic welding, seam taping, or other technique known in the art or a combination of these applications.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should instead be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
