Patent Application
20220183397
This application relates to clothing, and more particularly to illness prevention.
Fashion and style are important considerations for many people. There is an increasing awareness of contagions, and how contagions are spread and cause illness.
In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a garment. The garment includes a loose fitting cowl; wherein the cowl covers the nose and mouth when deployed in an up position and drapes loosely in the front of the garment when in a relaxed position; wherein the cowl can be used as a face covering.
A garment. The garment includes a section of fabric constructed in a tube; wherein the lower edge of the tube attaches to the neck opening of a garment. The tube covers the nose and mouth when deployed in an up position and drapes loosely in the front of the garment when in a relaxed position.
Further aspects and embodiments are provided in the foregoing drawings, detailed description, and claims.
The drawings are provided to illustrate certain embodiments described herein. The drawings are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of claimed inventions and are not intended to show every potential feature or embodiment of the claimed inventions. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; in some instances, certain elements of the drawing may be enlarged with respect to other elements of the drawing for purposes of illustration.
The following description recites various aspects and embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein. No particular invention is intended to define the scope of the invention. Rather, the embodiments provide non-limiting examples of various compositions, and methods that are included within the scope of the claimed inventions. The description is to be read from the perspective of one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, information that is well known to the ordinarily skilled artisan is not necessarily included.
The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below, unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ other terms and phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other terms and phrases shall have the meanings they would possess within the context of this disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some instances, a term or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. In such instances, it is understood that any term in the singular may include its plural counterpart and vice versa, unless expressly indicated to the contrary.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the like.
As used herein, “for example,” “for instance.” “such as,” or “including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, such examples are provided only to aid in understanding embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion. Nor do these phrases indicate any kind of preference for the disclosed embodiment.
Awareness of the danger posed by airborne contagions is increasing. The desire to protect one's self and others from these contagions is also increasing. There is increasing evidence that covering the nose and mouth decreases the transmission of airborne contagions. Masks are one effective method of covering the nose and mouth, however masks can be inconvenient to carry and then remove from whatever location they are in and put on. Masks can also be inadvertently dislodged during physical activity. If a mask is removed it can easily be misplaced or lost. If a mask is dislodged, misplaced, or lost, it can no longer be worn and will provide no protection. Additionally, masks are most often not stylish. A mask is not a typical fashion accessory. This makes it less likely that people will want to wear a mask.
A garment has been developed which addresses both the issue of having a protective face covering at hand and adding to the style of a casual garment. The elements discussed herein can be added to a variety of garments such as hooded sweatshirts, non-hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, sweaters, crewneck pullover, polo shirt, button down shirt, dresses, and other garments. For convenience and ease of discussion the garment will be referred to as a garment throughout this specification. The garment or other garment is preferably constructed in such a way as to be as comfortable as possible. The material of the garment is also preferably as comfortable as possible. Some examples of comfortable materials include 100% cotton, cotton polyester blends, wool, merino wool, wool cotton blends, wool polyester blends, wool cotton polyester blends. In the preferred embodiment the material is a polyester blend.
To increase the stylishness and protectiveness of the garment an attachment is added to the neck area of the garment. The attachment a tube of fabric, where the bottom of the tube attaches to the neck opening of the garment and the top of the tube is open. Such loose fitting garment accessories are referred to by multiple names including; gaiter, cowl, cowl neck, and tubular scarf. Throughout the specification for convenience the attachment will be referred to as a cowl.
The custom sewn tubular accessory serves as a loose fitting cowl. The cowl adds stylistic elements to the garment. The stylistic elements can increase the acceptability of wearing the garment in various settings. Or the cowl can simply increase the desirability of wearing the garment.
In some embodiments the tube of the cowl is constructed by weaving the material into a tube. This embodiment generally utilizes materials that have some stretch in their construction including polyester, nylon, or materials blended with elastic materials such as spandex. In embodiments utilizing a woven tube, the tube will be free of seems. Alternative embodiments employ sheets of fabric sewn together. In some embodiments utilizing sheets of fabric sewn together, the tube is constructed by rolling a single sheet of fabric into a tube and sewing the ends that meet up together. In other embodiments utilizing sheets of fabric sewn together, the tube is constructed of multiple panels of sheet fabric. The advantage to using multiple fabrics to construct the tube is that different materials have different properties. These different properties enable the fabrics to perform different functions. For example, a stretch woven fabric, generally polyester or nylon, will stretch and conform; non-woven polypropylene catches many particles and acts as a filter. Cotton also acts as a filter. There are many ways to construct fabric, and just as each type of fabric has specific properties and strengths, each method for constructing the fabric also has specific strengths. The embodiment utilizing panels makes use of the different properties of different fabrics and different constructions. A tube with a front panel made from cotton, and a back panel made from stretch woven polyester would utilize the protective qualities of the cotton fabric to cover the mouth and nose and the comfort and stretch properties of the stretch woven fabric together to make a cowl that is both protective and comfortable.
When left in a relaxed state and not pulled up over a part of the face, the cowl drops down and lays loosely over the seam and approximately 2-4″ on the front of the garment. It does not engage the neck and remains loose.
The cowl is constructed to allow pulling it over the face. While typically used to cover the nose and mouth the cowl is large and long enough to cover more of the face. In most embodiments, the length of the cowl ranges from 18″-24″ depending on the size of the garment. In other embodiments, the length of the cowl ranges from 12″-28″ depending on the size of the garment. The construction leaves the cowl loose about the neck and face. Even when used to cover the face, as a mask would cover the face, the cowl remains loose, with the cowl engaging the face only where the upper edge of the cowl rests on the face. This loose construction leaves space between the rest of the face and neck and allows air space between the cowl and the face and neck.
The looseness of the cowl is an advantage to people with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. The effects of these skin conditions are often exacerbated or flare ups initiated by contact. Even materials and fabrics that are generally acceptable to wear can lead to irritation under certain circumstances. The cowl reduces the possibility of these irritations and circumstances by reducing the contact of the cowl with the skin.
In certain embodiments, when pulled up as a face covering the cowl is kept in place by a strip of elastic material sewn into the upper edge of back side of the cowl. The elastic needs to be long enough to provide a secure fit, it is also desirable that the fit remain comfortable and that the cowl not dig into the face. The length of the elastic material is preferably from 4 to 12 inches. The length of the elastic is more preferably from 5 to 10 inches. The length of the elastic material is most preferably from 6-8 inches. In another embodiment, the cowl is kept in place by a strip of elastic material sewn into the upper edge of front side of the cowl. In another embodiment, the cowl is kept in place by elastic material sewn into the entire upper edge of the cowl. The elastic material secures the front edge of the cowl to a person's face.
In yet another embodiment the cowl is kept in place by a piece of moldable material sewn into the upper front edge of the cowl. The moldable material is a material that the owner of the garment can shape to the contours of their face. The material needs to be pliable enough for the owner of the garment to be able to shape so that it will fit their face, yet stiff enough to keep the shape it is contoured into, and resilient enough to hold up to multiple instances of being molded to shape. In some of the embodiments with moldable material, the moldable material is a thin metal strip. In some of these embodiments the metal is aluminum. In other embodiments the metal is steel or stainless steel.
In yet another embodiment, the cowl is constructed of material that is stretchy. The cowl therefore conforms to the face and is held in place by the stretch of the material.
In some embodiments, the cowl incorporates multiple methods for securing the cowl on a face. In some of these embodiments, the cowl is constructed of a stretch woven material combined with a strip of elastic at the back of the cowl. In another embodiment, the cowl is constructed of stretch woven material combined with a moldable nose piece.
When the cowl is pulled up over the face, the cowl functions as a face mask. Masks have been found to limit the spread of airborne contagions. Fabric face masks are most effective at preventing a sick person from spreading airborne contagions to those around them, the face mask limits the dispersal of the contagion. Similar to covering the mouth when coughing limits the dispersal of airborne contagions. This is especially important when interacting with people in vulnerable populations. These populations include older people, people with underlying medical conditions, people with compromised immune systems, and those who have recurring illnesses. Individuals do not always know when they will interact with others who are in a vulnerable population and carrying a facemask is not often desirable or practical. The cowl garment enables safer interaction with individuals in vulnerable populations because the face protection is built into the cowl garment. The material of the cowl is typically a tightly woven material that allows air to pass through but catches many particles. Similar to the construction of the body of the garment, the cowl can be constructed of a variety of materials, including 100% cotton, cotton polyester blends, wool, merino wool, wool cotton blends, wool polyester blends, wool cotton polyester blends. In the preferred embodiment the material is a polyester blend.
Sometimes contagions become more prevalent or more dangerous contagions are proliferating, in these circumstances it is desirable to have protections from others. The typical standard for protection are materials that have an N95 rating. A material with an N95 rating will filter out 95% of particles which are 0.3 microns or larger. These materials are often incorporated into filter masks or filter inserts for masks. The filtering keeps droplets containing contagions and other harmful particles from reaching the nose and mouth. It is not always convenient to carry an N95 rated filter mask. While the N95 filters are most common, other filters are available as well. For example, there are N99 rated filters. The N99 filters will filter out 99% of particles 0.3 microns or larger.
In some embodiments the cowl garment incorporates a filter into the cowl of the cowl garment. In some embodiments the filter material is incorporated into the tubular material of the cowl. The filter is sewn into the cowl between the inner and outer surfaces of the cowl. In this embodiment the filter is an integral part of the garment and the user never needs to worry about the filter or where the filter is. In these embodiments it is not possible to tell from the outside whether the cowl has a filter or not. This is desirable for many people who do not wish to be seen wearing masks.
In other embodiments, the cowl garment incorporates an envelope for a filter to be inserted into the cowl. In some of these embodiments the envelope is located between the inner and outer layers of the cowl. These embodiments incorporate a slit in the inner surface of the cowl. The filter is inserted into the envelope through the slit. The envelope is invisible from the outside of the cowl, so the cowl appears the same whether there is a filter inserted or not. Filters are able to be removed and inserted. This allows for new filters to be used. In these embodiments it is not possible to tell from the outside whether the cowl has a filter envelope or not. This is desirable for many people who do not wish to be seen wearing masks.
In yet other embodiments, the filter envelope is sewn to the outside surface of the cowl. These embodiments enable the filter to be inserted and removed. They also show that the person is using a filter mask. This is beneficial when interacting with individuals who are known to have a contagion, and do not wish to infect others. In certain of these embodiments the envelope is constructed of a transparent material, this allows the filter to be seen and for other individuals to know that a filter is in use.
In other embodiments, the filter envelope is sewn onto the inside surface of the cowl. These embodiments enable the filter to be inserted and removed. They are concealed from the outside but visible from the inside. This can be beneficial in situations similar to those beneficial to having the filter envelope on the outside of the cowl. An individual could demonstrate to other individuals that they are using a mask, while not allowing the general public to see that they are wearing a mask.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In certain embodiments, when pulled up as a face covering the cowl is kept in place by a strip of elastic material 519 sewn into the upper edge of back side of the cowl. The elastic needs to be long enough to provide a secure fit, it is also desirable that the fit remain comfortable and that the cowl does not dig into the face. The length of the elastic material is preferably from 4 to 12 inches. The length of the elastic is more preferably from 5 to 10 inches. The length of the elastic material is most preferably from 6-8 inches. In another embodiment, the cowl is kept in place by a strip of elastic material sewn into the upper edge of front side of the cowl. In another embodiment, the cowl is kept in place by elastic material sewn into the entire upper edge of the cowl. The elastic material secures the front edge of the cowl to a person's face.
Now referring to
All patents and published patent applications referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference. However, any reference to prior publication is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement, admission, or suggestion that the prior publication, or any information derived from it is part of the general common knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates. The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. Nevertheless, it is understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to provisional patent application 63/036,051 filed on Jun. 8, 2020 and titled Protective Cowl Garment.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63036051 | Jun 2020 | US |
