VARIABLE GARMENTS

Abstract

A thermally adaptive garment comprising one or more adaptive garment sections. Each of the one or more adaptive garment sections comprises a pouch defined by a first and second pouch side, the pouch having a front edge and rear edge, the pouch defining a front pouch opening at the front edge and a rear pouch opening at the rear edge, the front and rear pouch openings operable to assume an open and closed configuration, the first and second pouch sides of the pouch defining an internal pouch cavity between the first and second pouch sides. Each of the one or more adaptive garment sections also comprises a lofting layer disposed within the internal pouch cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents heat flux data for an insulating garment pouch with either conventional insulation or a responsive insulation, in both a closed and open configuration, and under both dry and wet conditions.

FIG. 2 presents heat flux data under different air speed conditions for an insulating garment pouch with either conventional insulation or responsive insulation, both in a closed and open configuration.

FIG. 3a illustrates an insulating pouch in a closed configuration, comprising a lofted layer inside that provides some thickness.

FIG. 3b illustrates an insulating pouch in an open configuration, comprising a lofted layer inside that provides some thickness.

FIG. 4 illustrates the open insulating pouch of FIG. 3b and illustrates air movement through the interior of the lofting layer and pouch.

FIG. 5 illustrates the front of a ventilated garment in an open configuration with a vertical arrangement of structural features in the lofting layer that permit air movement through the garment openings.

FIG. 6 illustrates the front of a ventilated garment in an open configuration with a horizontal arrangement of structural features in the lofting layer that permit air movement through the garment openings.

FIG. 7 illustrates the front of a ventilated garment in an open configuration with an angled arrangement of structural features in the lofting layer that permit air movement through the garment openings.

FIG. 8 illustrates the side of a ventilated garment in an open configuration with a horizontal arrangement of structural features in the lofting layer that permit air movement through the garment openings.

FIG. 9a illustrates a lofting layer in a flat configuration.

FIG. 9b illustrates a lofting layer in a lofted configuration where the lofting layer has an ellipse profile.

FIG. 9c illustrates a lofting layer in a lofted configuration where the lofting layer has a planar profile.

FIG. 10 presents heat flux data for an insulating garment pouch with either conventional insulation or a non-responsive static lofting layer with a wave-structure, in both a closed and open configuration, and under both dry and wet conditions.

FIG. 11 presents data on the relation between heat loss and wind speed for variable garments in different configurations and with different lofting layers.

FIG. 12 presents insulation data for lofting layers of different thicknesses measured in closed pouch or garment configurations that do not encourage air to pass through the interior of the pouch or garment.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures do not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A person's thermal comfort can depend on environmental factors, such as air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar exposure, as well as personal factors such as activity level, sweating, body position, and clothing. Some of these factors may be beyond the control of a person and/or may change suddenly, making thermal comfort elusive. Thus, it can be advantageous to provide a person with a garment with variable levels of insulation and/or ventilation.

Structural features of textiles, garments, and other soft goods can impact properties that are of practical consequence to their characteristics and range of use. For an adaptive or responsive textile, such as a textile that adapts or responds to temperature or humidity to change some feature or features of the textile, the adaptive response can be important in some embodiments, but other characteristics can be equally important in certain applications. The adaptive response to a change in temperature can include the magnitude of the response (e.g., change in insulation per change in temperature) and the range or limits of the response (e.g., temperature above or below which the thermal response becomes much smaller or becomes unimportant). Other properties, such as the air permeability, moisture vapor transport, and wicking, can also be important for thermal comfort, and properties such as weight, thickness, hand feel, drape, abrasion resistance, and sheen can be important for appearance and practical performance.

Some cool or cold weather garments use materials such as goose down or a fiber batting to create a lofting layer between an inner lining fabric and an outer shell fabric. The lofting layer insulates by creating a cavity between the lining fabric and shell fabric that effectively traps air, and that trapped air acts as an insulator. In some embodiments, opening the cavity to allow air to move through the cavity can reduce the amount of air that is trapped, reducing the amount of insulation that the garment layer provides. In some embodiments, wind can push air through the cavity to displace trapped air and reduce the insulation of the garment. In some embodiments, the activity of a person moving through air, for example running, can create a windy condition that displaces trapped air within the cavity, reducing the insulation of the garment.

Heat is generated in the body during physical activity. Evaporative cooling through sweating is an effective way to remove the heat from periods of exertion. When sweat evaporates, energy is transferred from the nearby environment, including the warm sweating body. The rate of evaporation of sweat depends upon the vapor pressure of water of the air near the skin. Humidity increases in the air near a sweating body, and if that air is trapped around the body the evaporation rate may be significantly slowed, limiting the cooling provided by the evaporation of sweat. Thus, air movement around a body and the ventilation of a garment can be important in the removal of heat from a person.

The removal of heat from the body can be important in warm environments, where sweating may occur even at low activity levels. The removal of heat, not only the retention of heat, can be important in cool environments if a person's level of activity is high enough. The desire for heat dissipation may also change at various times during an activity or as a person shifts from one activity or another. For example, prior to a middle- or long-distance run an athlete might first stretch or engage in some other relatively low activity level warm up exercise, followed by the initial period of running where the body begins to warm up, followed by an extended running period marked with sweating, and then finished with a cool down period featuring stretching or some other activities characterized by lower levels of exertion. In some embodiments, the clothing desired for comfort during a warm-up period may be substantially different than the clothing desired during a period of high exertion. In some embodiments, opening a section of the garment to allow air to move through the cavity between a lining fabric and a shell fabric can increase the rate of evaporation and moisture transport through the garment. In some embodiments, wind can push air through the cavity to increase the rate of evaporation and moisture transport through the garment. In some embodiments, the activity of a person moving through air, for example running or cycling, can create a windy condition that moves air through the cavity, increasing the rate of evaporation and moisture transport through the garment and decreasing the amount of insulation provided by the lofting layer by displacing trapped insulating air within the lofting layer. In some embodiments, prior to the onset of sweating, air movement through a garment cavity can increase heat loss, even if there is not a meaningful increase in evaporative heat loss.

Many of the following embodiments deal with an opening or plurality of openings in a garment. In some embodiments the opening is a closure that has been opened, where each opening includes one or more closure mechanisms, including but not limited to zippers, buttons, snaps, magnets, flaps, ties, cords, or hook-and-loop fasteners. In some embodiments one or more openings do not have a closure mechanism and the opening is a slit or puncture in the garment section that allows air to move between the environment outside the garment and the interior of the garment between the shell fabric and lining fabric of the garment. Such a slit or puncture may be similar to a pocket opening, where the opening leads to the interior portion of the garment where trapped air can contribute to the garment insulation. In some embodiments two or more openings are utilized to form a path for air to travel through a cavity within the garment. Such pairs of openings can allow for a type of cross ventilation through the lofting layer in the garment, which can displace trapped air and increase evaporative heat loss.

In some embodiments an opening in a garment can result from an adjustment of the fit of the garment, for example relaxing a cinch cord in the garment that enables easier access for air to move in and out of the garment interior, reducing the amount of trapped air. Such an adjustment to the fit of a garment can use one or more closure or adjustment mechanisms, including but not limited to zippers, buttons, snaps, magnets, flaps, ties, cords, or hook-and-loop fasteners. In some embodiments, adjusting the fit of the garment at one or more of its edges forms an opening that allows air to move into and out of the garment interior, or reduces an opening to more effectively trap air in the garment interior.

Openings in a garment can be oriented horizontally, vertically, or at various angles, and can be placed in the torso, back, sleeves, hood, or other location. In some embodiments openings may be in locations convenient for a wearer to open and close. In some embodiments openings may be placed in positions to maximize air flow through the garment, preferably including the front torso, which can experience higher wind speeds during some activities with a high level of exertion, such as running and cycling. In some embodiments two or more openings may be placed in a garment to encourage air flow through the garment, preferably providing a path between the two openings for air to move through the garment without much restriction. Air movement through garment sections that have a lot of curvature around the body or have thin or narrow passageways may restrict air flow and reduce the efficacy of the vented garment, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, an opening to the interior of a garment can be effective at venting heat if the opening is in close proximity to the open end of a channel or continuous path or passageway that connects the air outside the garment to the interior garment air so that air can move through the garment interior.

To effectively vent a garment, air can come into the garment interior through openings to displace trapped air. Displacing a larger portion of the trapped air within a garment can be more effective than displacing a smaller portion or section of a garment, and in some embodiments an opening with linear dimension of 5 cm or greater is used to open the garment interior to external air, more preferably an opening 10 cm or greater, and even more preferably an opening 20 cm or greater. In some embodiments a closure mechanism can be opened to varying degrees as determined or desired by the user or wearer of the garment to control the amount of garment venting, preferably from 5 cm to 10 cm, more preferably from nearly 0 cm to 20 cm or greater.

In conventional insulated garments, the insulating materials that comprise the lofting layer are typically not seen and are not able to be directly touched by the wearer. Goose down and synthetic insulating clusters are materials that require isolation from the wearer and must be contained within the garment or else they might escape. Many of the insulating materials that comprise the lofting layer comprise fine fibers and may not be robust enough to withstand repeated touching. In some embodiments, an opening that allows air to pass through the interior of a garment may be outfitted with a mesh or other highly permeable fabric or structure at the opening to prevent the direct touching of the insulating material.

The conventional insulation materials that comprise a lofting layer in an insulated garment may not provide a low resistance path for air to move through the interior of a garment. Such materials frequently comprise many fine fibers in a batting, which can be effective at trapping air and also effective at limiting air movement through the material.

In some embodiments a lofting layer creates a volume within which air can be trapped while a garment or garment section is in a closed configuration, but the lofting layer also provides minimal resistance to air flow through a garment or garment section while it is in an open configuration. In some embodiments a lofting layer has a structure that resembles a wave, with the wave-structure providing loft to the layer so that it can trap air and insulate, and also providing one or more channels that allow for easy movement of air through the layer when the garment has one or more openings, reducing the amount of trapped air and insulation. In some embodiments the lofted layer comprises a single layer of fabric with a wave-like structure of similar wavelength and with a loft thickness from trough to peak of at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, and even more preferably at least 10 mm. In some embodiments the lofted layer comprises a single layer of fabric with a wave-like structure of similar wavelength and with a loft thickness from trough to peak of at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, and even more preferably at least 5 mm. As the loft thickness of a simple wave-like fabric structure becomes greater, the size of the air channel becomes greater and air passage can become easier when the lofting layer is open to vent to the outside air. When the lofting layer is closed off from outside air, as the loft thickness of simple wave-like fabric structure becomes greater, the amount of trapped air and the insulation of the layer increase.

In some embodiments a lofting layer with a structure that resembles a wave also bends with the curvature of the body so that the loft and air channels in the fabric are not forced closed by pinching off the channel structure of the lofting layer in the garment. Such bending can occur in the trough area of the wave-like fabric structure allowing the peak of the lofting layer to remain lofted. In some embodiments the lofting layer comprises a single textile layer with a wave-like structure characterized by more than one wavelength. In some embodiments the lofting layer comprises more than one wave-like textile layer. Multiple textile layers within a lofting layer can increase the thickness of the lofting layer, adding to the amount of trapped air and insulation when the garment is not open to the outside air, while still allowing for air movement through channels or passageways within the lofting layer when the garment is open to vent to the outside air. In some embodiments a lofting layer comprising more than one textile layer can allow for multiple configurations, where the entire lofting layer can be closed for minimal air flow and maximum insulation or where one or more of the textile layers within the lofting layer can be opened up at the ends to allow air flow through a layer of the garment to reduce the heat trapping effectiveness of the lofting layer or a portion or segment of the lofting layer.

For a garment with variable ventilation, in some embodiments the lofting layer provides thickness for conditions where insulation is desired and provides minimal resistance to air movement for conditions where insulation is not desired, for example connected channels or air passages that run through the lofting layer from one end to another. In some embodiments a lofting layer comprises textiles with domed structures or other structures with peak-and-valley shapes that have an interconnected network of open air passageways to allow air to move through at least a portion of the garment interior. In some embodiments a lofting layer comprises tubes embedded within a fiber batting. In some embodiments a lofting layer comprises a sheet or membrane structured to provide both a lofted thickness and a passageway for air. In some embodiments the lofting layer comprises a zig-zag or sawtooth structure.

With high levels of wind or gusts of wind, a garment with an opening in it can catch the wind like a sail, which can be undesirable in some embodiments. Garment sections with two connected openings that allow for direct airflow through the interior of a garment section can reduce the tendency of a garment to catch wind. In some embodiments, one or more tethers can be used to connect the shell and lining fabrics to limit the ability of the shell fabric to catch wind. In some embodiments one or both of a shell and lining fabric can be connected to the lofting layer through stitches, tacks, tethers, bonding, adhesives, or other means, thereby potentially reducing the tendency for an open garment portion to catch wind.

Adaptive textiles or responsive textiles (the terms are used interchangeably herein) can change some property in response to a stimulus. In some embodiments, such adaptive or responsive textiles can include materials as described in one or more of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/160,439, filed May 20, 2016 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMALLY ADAPTIVE MATERIALS” with attorney docket number 0105198-002US0; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/949,881, filed Apr. 10, 2018 entitled “COILED ACTUATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD” with attorney docket number 0105198-019US0; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/292,965, filed Mar. 5, 2019 entitled “THERMALLY ADAPTIVE FABRICS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME” with attorney docket number 0105198-026US0.

Such textiles can include, but are not limited to, woven or knit fabrics, including warp knit fabrics, crochet, nonwovens, narrow-width fabrics, ribbons, or responsive yarns. Textile properties that can possibly undergo a change include, but are not limited to, thickness, linear dimension, areal dimension, and porosity, properties which can impact other properties of the responsive textile, including, but not limited to, thermal resistance, evaporative resistance, and porosity. In some embodiments, responsive textiles can change their effective thickness in response to an environmental change (such as temperature or humidity), forming small pockets within the fabric or within a larger textile construction, such as a garment or blanket, where the small pockets can trap air so that the insulation increases. In some embodiments, such changes are reversible such that exposure to a different temperature or humidity condition can cause a decreased thickness with smaller pockets that can trap less air, which can lead to a lower insulation value.

In various embodiments, a thermally adaptive material can be a material that alters its insulation value in response to changes in temperature. Such thermal actuation can be achieved through the use of bimorphs or, alternatively, materials that undergo a phase change at a temperature of interest, including but not limited to shape memory polymers and materials that undergo a glass transition.

For example, in some embodiments of shape memory polymers and materials, a glass transition can govern properties and behavior of such shape memory polymers and can allow shape memory materials to have the ability to “remember” their original shape and return to the original when subjected to specific external stimuli, such as changes in temperature. The glass transition in shape memory polymers can refer to a reversible transition between two distinct states: the rubbery state and the glassy state. At temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg), the shape memory polymer can be in a rigid and glassy state. In this state, polymer chains of the material can be locked in a relatively fixed and disordered arrangement, leading to a stiff and solid-like behavior. In the glassy state, the material can be easily deformed, and the material can retain this temporary shape even when the external force is removed. However, when the shape memory polymer is heated above its glass transition temperature (Tg), it transitions to a rubbery state. In this state, the polymer chains can have increased mobility, allowing the material to easily return to its original, permanent shape. The rubbery state can be characterized by increased flexibility and elasticity, enabling the material to recover its initial shape when subjected to a specific “programming” process. The process of programming shape memory polymers can involve deforming the material at a temperature above the Tg and then cooling it back to the glassy state while maintaining the deformed shape. This process can set the temporary shape into the material's memory. When the material is subsequently heated above its Tg, it reverts to its original shape.

In some embodiments, it can be desirable for bimorphs to respond continuously to temperature changes, bending or straightening as temperature changes. Such changes can be reversible in some embodiments. In various embodiments, a thermally adaptive material may also be responsive to changes in moisture level. In various embodiments, an adaptive material may be responsive to changes in moisture level but relatively unresponsive to changes in temperature.

In contrast to materials with a continuous response to environmental stimuli, some example materials respond with a phase change that occurs at a discrete temperature, creating a stepped response to temperature. Such materials can be used in accordance with various embodiments to achieve a continuous response profile by using a set of materials with different phase change temperatures.

In various embodiments, a bimorph can comprise two or more materials laminated, glued, welded, or otherwise joined, held, or constrained to be together in any suitable way. As used herein, the term bimorph can include textile structures that suitably constrain or hold together two or more materials with different thermal expansion properties, moisture absorption properties, or other stimuli responses that lead to a change in dimension. In some embodiments, the two or more different materials in a bimorph can have the same chemical composition while having different stimuli response properties. This can be a result of differences in the processing history of the materials comprising the bimorph and the structure-property relationships in the materials. In some embodiments, a bimorph can possess distinct thermal expansion characteristics such that as the environmental temperature changes, one side of the bimorph expands more than the other, causing the bimorph to bend. A bimorph can have a “flat temperature”—a temperature where the structure is flat or straight. In some embodiments, both above and below such a “flat temperature,” the bimorph can curve in opposite directions due to the difference in thermal expansion in the two layers.

This temperature-controlled bending in bimorphs can be leveraged to construct fabrics and garments with temperature-dependent properties—for example, fabrics that become thicker when temperatures drop, thereby becoming more insulating, and/or fabrics that become more open when temperatures increase, thereby becoming more porous and allowing for more cooling.

In order to achieve the relatively large changes in thickness that can be desirable for a thermally adaptive material, the arrangement of bimorph fibers, ribbons, sheets, fabrics, or the like, can be controlled so that the combined changes across multiple layers yield the desired change.

The pairing of two dissimilar materials to form a bimorph, where the physical geometry or length of each of the materials depends on a feature of the environment (temperature, moisture, etc.), can yield structures that translate relatively small changes in size of length (in some embodiments a 10% change or less) into relatively large changes in effective height or thickness (in some embodiments a 100% increase or greater).

In some embodiments it may be advantageous to have an alternating or double-sided structure where a first material or substrate has a second material with a different coefficient of thermal expansion patterned or laid out on both sides of the first material, where the patterns alternate, causing the individual bimorph to bend in an alternating fashion in response to temperature change. Alternating bimorph structures can have regions of local curvature and bending without long-range bending. The length and thicknesses of the two materials that minimally comprise the bimorph can be selected for a desired curvature for a given temperature change and can be controlled to create zones of varied curvature within the alternating bimorph layer. Related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/292,965, filed Mar. 5, 2019 (publication no. 2019/0269188 and attorney docket number 0105198-026US0) describes bimorph fabric structures of some embodiments. This application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

For bulk synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values can be about 0.05 mm/m/° C., but not exceed about 0.1 mm/m/° C. In drawn fibers or sheets, the ordering of polymeric chains can give rise to anisotropic properties and CTE values can drop by a factor of 10 or more, even becoming negative in some cases. Such small CTE values can limit the movement of a bimorph constructed with such materials. However, in some embodiments, a material's thermomechanical response can be effectively amplified through the use of a coil or spring structure. Commodity and specialty fibers and yarns can be coiled or “cylindrically snarled” through the insertion of a high level of twist, producing coiled thermal actuators that have been described as “artificial muscles”, essentially twisted fibers or yarns that have been coiled like a spring so that they have giant or exaggerated thermal expansion properties. Other production methods can be used to create such yarn and fiber structures. For example, related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/949,881, filed Apr. 10, 2018 (publication no. 2018/0291535 and attorney docket number 0105198-019US0) describes example yarn production methods of some embodiments. This application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Many of the following embodiments deal with an alternating bimorph structure where the two materials that are constrained together comprise a conventional yarn with only a small dimensional response to a change in temperature, moisture, or other environmental parameter, and a highly twisted and/or coiled fiber or yarn actuator that, in some embodiments, has a large dimensional response to a change in temperature, moisture, or other environmental parameter. The two materials can be constrained within the structure of the textile, a knit, woven, or a nonwoven, forming the bimorph structure and can give rise to the desired geometric response in the textile structure. Constraint can come from the presence of neighboring materials that block or impede motion, from thermal bonds or welds, from adhesives, from stitches or fibers or yarns in the textile, or from another suitable connection between the two or more materials of the bimorph structure.

The term bimorph, as discussed herein, describes two materials paired together so that they collectively bend or undergo a physical distortion in response to one or more suitable environmental condition, including but not limited to temperature, humidity and/or exposure to liquids (e.g., saturation by liquids). For example, in some embodiments it can be desirable for adaptive insulation in a garment to respond to both temperature changes and moisture changes (e.g., based on humidity and/or sweat of a user). Accordingly, the use of moisture-sensitive polymers and other suitable materials in various bimorph structures can be configured to be both temperature and moisture responsive. Such materials might be primarily responsive to moisture or chemical stimulus.

The adaptive textiles can change their effective thickness in response to an environmental change (such as temperature or humidity), forming small pockets that increase the effective thickness of the fabric, trapping air so that the insulation increases (conversely, upon decreasing in thickness and trapping less air, insulation decreases). For example, related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/160,439, filed May 20, 2016 (publication no. 2016/0340814 and attorney docket number 0105198-002US0) describes example adaptive textiles. This application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

In some embodiments it can be advantageous to utilize a responsive textile as a lofting layer inside a garment with openings operable to allow air to pass through the responsive textile when the garment is in an open ventilation configuration. With such a garment the responsive textile can respond to temperature change to alter its thickness and insulation value when the garment is in a closed configuration, and the responsive textile can serve as a passageway for air to move through the garment interior when the garment is in an open configuration. Some responsive textile structures, including but not limited to textiles with a wave-like structure, can create a continuous path for air to easily move through the lofting layer when the garment interior is open to air outside the garment. In some embodiments the lofting layer of the garment is separated from the outside air with a closure mechanism that can be opened or closed as desired by the wearer of the garment. In some embodiments the lofting layer of the garment is separated from the outside air with a closure that comprises a responsive textile that adapts to a change in humidity or temperature such that the garment opens and forms one or more ventilated sections as certain conditions change, including, but not limited to, changes in temperature and humidity. In some embodiments a closure comprises both a responsive textile and a closure mechanism, where such a closure can naturally respond to environmental changes and a wearer can override that response by selecting an open or closed position that encourages or discourages air movement through the lofting layer of the garment.

In some embodiments it can be advantageous to utilize a non-responsive textile with a lofted structure as a lofting layer 330 inside a garment with openings operable to allow air to pass through the responsive textile when the garment is in an open ventilation configuration. In some embodiments a non-responsive textile lofting layer 330 comprises a sawtooth or wave-like fabric. A non-responsive textile lofting layer can offer some advantages, as there is no need for actuating yarns or other responsive materials, providing an opportunity for lower weight and lower cost lofting layers that are well-suited for both insulation (in a close configuration where air is trapped in the lofted space created by the lofting layer) and for ventilation (in an open configuration where air is able to pass through the channels 335 of lofting layer 330).

In some embodiments the pouch or garment section containing the lofting layer has two openings to allow cross ventilation through the lofting layer but only one of the two openings is operable, such that when the one operable opening is in the closed state the cross ventilation is limited and the lofting layer traps air and functions as an insulator. In some embodiments where there is only a single operable opening for a lofting layer in a garment portion, the opening comprises a responsive textile that adapts to a change in humidity or temperature such that the garment opens or closes to forms one or more ventilated sections as certain conditions change, including, but not limited to, changes in temperature and humidity.

The illustrations and examples described herein typically focus on a jacket or an insulating pouch that can be imagined as a section or portion of a garment, but it should be clear that many variations in the type or style of garment are possible with the fabric and garment structures described herein and further embodiments can relate to any other suitable article such as a sleeping bag, tent, blanket, or the like.

Data comparing the heat flux measured for different garment pouches and configurations are presented in FIG. 1. In the tests, heat flux was measured from a hot plate (set at skin temperature, approximately 35° C.), through a t-shirt and a small air gap (approximately 8 mm, created with a thin metal grid that could stand off the t-shirt) and finally through a test pouch. The test pouch was constructed of tightly woven polyester fabric, approximately 90 grams per square meter (gsm), with flaps at two opposite ends that could be opened up or closed, and inside the pouch was either a single layer of a temperature-responsive fabric or a conventional synthetic batting. When in the closed configuration the flaps covered the opening with approximately 1 cm of the pouch fabric. Flaps spanned the entire edge of the pouch, which was large enough (approximately to 23 cm on each side) cover the entire hot plate surface (approximately 20 cm on each side). Measurements were made in pairs, with the pouch tested with both ends open (marked “open” in FIG. 1) and also tested with both ends closed (marked “closed” in FIG. 1). A second set of measurements are also shown in FIG. 1, where heat flux was measured as before but the t-shirt was wet with water to simulate sweating and heat loss from sweating. Heat loss was much greater for all tests when the t-shirt was wet and evaporative cooling was a part of the test. Tests shown in FIG. 1 were carried out in approximately 1 m/s air flow and 1° C. ambient air temperature, and the lofting layers were approximately 20 cm squares.

In FIG. 1, for the pouch with conventional insulation, the data show that the open and closed pouch configurations had a similar level of heat loss, both when measured in a dry condition (both open and closed measurements were approximately 95 W/m²) and when measured in a wet, sweating condition (both open and closed measurements were approximately 200 W/m²). The sweating test condition approximated sweating conditions by spraying 11 g of water directly onto the t-shirt layer to mimic sweating through a t-shirt. Wetting covered the area of the t-shirt above the hot plate and covered the locations of the heat flux sensors used in the measurements. The t-shirt was in contact with the hot plate surface, which was a stand-in for skin and was maintained at skin temperature throughout the test. Under these test conditions, when the test pouch contained the conventional insulating synthetic batting, the displacement of trapped air when the pouch was open was insufficient to substantially increase heat loss. The conventional insulation comprises a network of many fine fibers that may resist air flow through the insulation. In contrast, the responsive fabric that was tested in the experiments summarized in FIG. 1 had a wave-like structure that formed channels that extend from one end of the fabric to the opposite end. The peak-to-peak distance in the fabric was approximately 5 cm, and the peak height or the amplitude of the wave structure was approximately 8 mm. Each repeating wave in the structure of the fabric was approximately the same size, with at least 3 wave crests in the fabric lofting layer within the test pouch. The responsive fabric was active in the temperature range of the test, starting to loft up at an ambient temperature of around 15° C., well above the temperature of the test (1° C.). At the temperature of the test, looking at the opening in the pouch provided a clear view of the responsive fabric lofting layer and it was possible to look all the way through the pouch. In contrast to the control experiments with conventional insulation, the tests with the responsive fabric lofting layer show that opening the pouch increased heat loss substantially. In a dry condition the heat flux increased from 86 W/m² to 138 W/m² upon opening both ends of the pouch. In a wet, sweating condition the increase in heat flux was also notable, increasing from 190 W/m² to 277 W/m². These same tests also found that drying times were fastest for the open pouch with the temperature-responsive fabric lofting layer.

The relations between heat loss and wind speed for a garment pouch in open and closed configurations with either a temperature-responsive fabric or conventional insulation as a lofting layer are shown in FIG. 2. The open pouch configuration with the temperature-responsive fabric used as a lofting layer shows a steeper slope in the relation between wind speed and heat loss. As wind speed increases, heat loss increases more with the open pouch with the temperature-responsive fabric lofting layer, which has a wave-like structure that creates a channel for air movement from one opening to the other. The closed pouch with the responsive fabric, the closed pouch with the conventional insulation, and the open pouch with the conventional insulation all have a similar response and a noticeably smaller increase in heat loss with wind speed when compared to the open pouch with temperature-responsive fabric.

In FIG. 2, the higher wind speed (2.2 m/s) data point for the conventional insulation in an open pouch showed a larger increase in heat flux, and the pouch itself was billowing as wind passed through it. Still, heat flux was much less than with the temperature responsive fabric. The billowing character may be undesirable in some embodiments, and tethers or other connections between the various fabric layers of the garment can reduce the propensity for the fabric to catch wind as it passes through the interior of the garment.

In a similar test that is not a part of the data presented in FIG. 2, a testing pouch containing a single-layer piece of temperature-responsive fabric (approximately 20 cm by 20 cm) with zipper closures on either end of the pouch was tested with the zippers closed so that air would not readily move through the pouch. As with the testing setup for the data presented in FIG. 2, the test setup was a hot plate (approximately 20 cm by 20 cm) set at skin temperature (approximately 35° C.) with a cut piece of fabric from a t-shirt sitting over the hot plate, followed by the pouch containing the responsive fabric. The pouch was analogous to a garment, and the overall test setup similar to the conditions under which such a garment might be worn, over a t-shirt. The pouch was approximately 23 cm on each side, with zipper closures on opposite sides and spanning the majority of the 23 cm edge and allowing for a maximum opening of approximately 18 cm. Heat flux and temperature were measured at the hot plate surface, and temperature was also measured at the bottom surface of the pouch, at the top surface of the fabric pouch, and in the ambient air around the pouch and test set apparatus. In this test the entire test apparatus was placed in a cold environment that was controlled at approximately 7° C. A variable speed fan was used to provide wind at approximately 1.2 or 2.2 m/s to the surface of the pouch, or to provide no additional wind, in which case the wind was estimated to be 0.2 m/s. With the pouch zipped to close off the interior of the pouch, the responsive fabric lofting layer inside the pouch was lofted approximately 5 mm. As soon as the zippers were moved to an open position, even at low wind speeds air moved through the pouch along the and through the channel structures of the responsive fabric, displacing trapped air and lowering the interior temperature of the pouch and the temperature responsive fabric lofting layer, and lowering the temperature measured on the bottom side of the pouch. The opening up of the pouch allowed for cold air to come in and displace the trapped air, lowering the temperature around the responsive fabric, causing it to loft more, which could be seen by eye, as the fabric lofted up by a few more mm.

Turning to FIGS. 3a and 3b, an example embodiment of a variable garment section 300 with a lofting layer is shown, as represented by a pouch 310 with two closures or openings. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the garment section 300 comprises a pouch 310 defined by a first and second pouch side 305A, 305B that are coupled on peripheral side edges 306. In some embodiments, the pouch sides 305 can be separate pieces of material coupled at the peripheral side edges 306 or in some embodiments the pouch sides 305 can be part of a loop of material including contiguous coupling of the loop of material at the peripheral side edges 306. In various embodiments, the peripheral side edges 306 can be disposed in parallel or at any suitable angle to each other.

The pouch 310 can define a front and rear edge 311A, 311B, which can be defined respectively by front and rear first pouch side edges 307A, 307B and front and rear second pouch side edges 308A, 308B. In various embodiments, the front and rear edges 311A, 311B can be disposed in parallel or at any suitable angle to each other.

As shown in the example embodiment 310A of FIG. 3a, the pouch 310 can be configured with the rear edges 311A, 311B coupled together or configured to be open as shown in the example embodiment 310B of FIG. 3b. For example, in various embodiments, the front and/or rear edge 311A, 311B can comprise a zipper assembly 320 having zipper lines 321 and a zipper pull 322. For example, sliding the zipper pull 322 can cause zipper lines 321 on opposing side edges 307A, 308A of the front edge 311A to be coupled together, which can cause the front edge 311A of the pouch 310 to be closed as shown in the embodiment 310A of FIG. 3b. Sliding the zipper pull 322 in the opposite direction can cause zipper lines 321 on opposing side edges 307A, 308A of the front edge 311A to be de-coupled together to generate a front pouch opening 315A at the front edge 311A. A rear pouch opening 315B can be similarly generated at the rear edge 311B.

While the examples of FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate examples where one or both of the edges 311 of the pouch 310 can be closed via a zipper assembly 320, further embodiments can include any suitable element(s) to close the edges 311 such as buttons, snaps, magnets, flaps, ties, cords, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like.

The pouch sides 305 of the pouch 310 can define an internal pouch cavity 325 between the pouch sides 305. In various configurations (e.g., configuration 310A of FIG. 3a), the pouch cavity can be closed or enclosed such as by front and rear edges 311A, 311B of the pouch 310 being closed as discussed herein. However, in various embodiments, the internal pouch cavity 325 can be open based on one or both of the front and rear edges 311A, 311B being open.

In various embodiments, data has shown that having one edge 311 open is enough to effectively trap air and cross ventilation though the cavity 325 is required for effective heat loss; however, in some embodiments, direct application of wind from a fan can cause the back panel opening 315B to billow in the wind and heat loss increases as a result. But in some examples, wind can push pouch sides 305 together and there is no way to get wind out or through the cavity 325 without a lofting layer resisting the flattening forces of the wind and providing a path through the garment, and so having just one edge 311 open in various embodiments still creates an effective variable garment section 300 with desirable characteristics.

As shown in the example of FIGS. 3a and 3b, a lofting layer 330 can be disposed within the pouch cavity 325 with the lofting layer 330 in various embodiments configured to assume a flat configuration and assume a lofted configuration as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. In various embodiments as discussed in detail herein, the lofting layer 330 can be configured to change from a flat configuration to a lofted configuration based on an environmental condition such as temperature, humidity, and the like. The lofting layer 330 can define a lofting layer front edge 331 and a lofting layer rear edge 332 and a pair of lofting layer side edges 333.

The lofting layer 330 can define a wave-like profile having one or more upper ridge lines 337 and one or more lower ridge lines 339. For example, the lofting layer 330 can be linear along a y-axis between the front and rear edges 331, 332 and can have the wave-like profile in the x-axis, which maintains a consistent wave-like profile shape along y-axis as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b such that the front and rear edges 331, 332 generally have the same wave-like profile along the length between the front and rear edges 331, 332 of the lofting layer 330.

In FIGS. 3a and 3b, the front edge 311A of the pouch 310 is taken to run along an x-direction, with the wave-like form of the lofting layer 330 having varying amplitude in a z-direction that generates thickness and lofting throughout the pouch 310 substantially over the width of the pouch in the x-direction and the length or depth of the pouch in a y-direction.

In FIG. 3a the pouch 310A is shown with a zipper assembly 320 at the front edge 311A of the pouch 310A closed and zipper pull 322 at the left side of front edge 311A of the pouch 310A, with rear pouch edge 311B also closed, encasing lofting layer 330 inside the pouch cavity 325, including within the front edge 311A and rear edge 311A, with the outline of the wave-like structure of lofting layer fabric 330 represented with a long dashed line.

In FIG. 3b the pouch 310 in this configuration 310B is shown with zipper assembly 320 open and zipper pull 322 at the right side of the front edge 311A of the pouch 310, with the upper pouch front edge 308A separated from the lower pouch front edge 307A defining the front pouch opening 315A at the front edge 311A of the pouch 310, and with the upper pouch rear edge 308B separated from the lower pouch rear edge 307B defining the rear pouch opening 315B at the rear edge 311B of the pouch 310.

In FIG. 3b, lofting layer 330, which sits inside the open pouch configuration 310B and is represented with long dashed lines wherever the pouch 310 in this configuration would block the direct view of the lofting layer 330, creates distance between the first and second pouch sides 305A, 305B so that the front and rear pouch openings 315A, 315B are open to each other and air can move through the pouch cavity 325 of the pouch 310, moving both over and under the front edge 331 and rear edge 332 of the lofting layer 330.

The wave-like shape of the lofting layer 330 can generate channels 335 within the pouch cavity 325 that can allow air to move directly through the pouch cavity 325, (e.g., generally in the y-direction), between the lower layer 305B of the pouch 310 and upper ridge lines 337 of the lofting layer 330. One or more air channels 335 can also be formed by the wave-like structure of the lofting layer 330 in the area above the lofting layer 330 between the two ridge lines, where the wave-like structure of the lofting layer 330 drops down to a trough and is in contact with the lower portion 305B of the pouch 310.

In other words, in various embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can define one or more upper and lower ridge lines 337, 339 based on the wave-like profile or undulations of the lofting layer 330. The lofting layer 330 can be sized and configured to expand within the cavity 325 of the pouch 330 such that the upper and lower ridge lines 337, 339 are generated and contact and respectively apply force to the upper and lower pouch sides 305A, 305B, which can cause expansion of the pouch cavity 325 including in configurations 310A, 310B of the pouch 310 where the front and rear edges 311A, 311B are open and/or closed as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.

A plurality of channels 335 can be generated within the pouch cavity 325 defined by the upper or lower ridge lines 337, 339 of the lofting layer 330 contacting the first or second pouch side 305A, 305B, with such channels 335 being contiguous and at least generally of consistent shape and size between the front and rear edges 311A, 311B and configured to allow air to pass through the channels 335 when the front and rear edges 311A, 311B of the pouch 310 are open as shown in the configuration 310B of FIG. 3b. In various embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can have a waveform shape that is sufficiently rigid to expand the pouch cavity 325 and maintain the channels 335 within the pouch cavity 325 under the pressure or weight of the first and/or second pouch sides 305A, 305B.

In some embodiments, the entire lofting layer 330 or portions thereof can be free-floating within the pouch cavity 325 or portions of the lofting layer 330 can be coupled to the pouch 310. For example, in some embodiments, the lofting layer side edges 333 can be respectively coupled with the pouch side edges 306 (e.g., at a seam that defines the pouch side edges 306, tacked to the pouch side edges 306, or the like). In some embodiments, one or more upper ridge lines 337 of the lofting layer 330 can be coupled to an internal face of the upper pouch side 305A (e.g., via a seam, weld, or the like) with some embodiments including the entire length of the one or more upper ridge lines 337 coupled to the upper pouch side 305A or only one or more portions of the upper ridge lines 337 coupled to the upper pouch side 305A. In some embodiments, one or more lower ridge lines 339 of the lofting layer 330 can be coupled to an internal face of the lower pouch side 305B (e.g., via a seam, weld, or the like) with some embodiments including the entire length of the one or more lower ridge lines 339 coupled to the lower pouch side 305B or only one or more portions of the lower ridge lines 339 coupled to the lower pouch side 305B.

The example embodiments 310A, 310B of FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate a variable garment section 300 where five channels 335 are generated by the lofting layer 330 within the pouch cavity 325. However, in further embodiments, any suitable number channels 335 can be generated by the lofting layer 330 within the pouch cavity 325, including in some preferred embodiments 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or a range between such example values, and in some embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, or the like.

Also, the example embodiment 310B of FIG. 3b illustrates a variable garment section 300 where the front and rear pouch openings 315A, 315B have a pointed ellipse shape and the pouch 310 similarly has a pointed ellipse profile along the length of the pouch 310 between the front and rear edges 311 of the pouch 310. Such pointed ellipse profile and shape can be generated by the peripheral side edges 306 of the pouch 310 constraining the first and second pouch sides 305A, 305B at the peripheral side edges 306 with central portions of the first and second pouch sides 305A, 305B between the peripheral side edges 306 being less constrained. Accordingly, expansion of the lofting layer 330 can be more constrained proximate to the peripheral side edges 306 of the pouch 310 and less constrained centrally between the peripheral side edges 306. Accordingly, the configuration of the pouch 310 can cause the lofting layer 330 to have a pointed ellipse profile and shape such as shown in FIG. 3b. Such a shape and profile can similarly be generated in the lofting layer in various examples when the front and rear pouch openings 315A, 315B are closed such as shown in FIG. 3a.

As discussed herein, the lofting layer 330 can be configured to assume a flat and lofted configuration in response to environmental conditions (see e.g., FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c). In various embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can be configured to have a consistent response to environmental conditions (e.g., the amount of change in the fabric dimension along the width of the lofting layer 330 between the lofting layer side edges 333 such that if the lofting layer 330 was outside of the internal pouch cavity 325 of the pouch 310, the lofting layer 330 would have a flat wave-like shape and profile (see e.g., FIG. 9c) instead of a pointed ellipse profile and shape generated by the configuration of the pouch 310 (see e.g., FIG. 9b). However, in some embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can be configured to have a varied response to environmental conditions along the width of the lofting layer 330 between the lofting layer side edges 333 such that if the lofting layer 330 was outside of the internal pouch cavity 325 of the pouch 310, the lofting layer 330 would have a pointed ellipse profile and shape (see e.g., FIG. 9b), a concave profile on one or both sides of the lofting layer 330, a convex profile on one or both sides of the lofting layer 330, a flat profile on one or both sides of the lofting layer 330 or the like.

For example, when a variable garment section 300 is part of a garment being worn by a user, the second pouch side 305B may be disposed proximate to body of the user and may conform to the body contour(s) of the user where the variable garment section 300 is disposed. Accordingly, in some examples, the second pouch side 305B can assume a concave profile such as when wrapping around the front, side, or rear torso, or the like (see e.g., FIGS. 5-8). Such a profile can be along the x-axis, y-axis or other suitable direction based on the orientation and location where the variable garment section 300 is disposed on the garment and user. Additionally, a lofting layer 330 with greater or lesser amounts of loft and curvature compared to the example of FIGS. 3a and 3b can be preferred in some embodiments. The profile of the second pouch side 305A and/or lofting layer 330 may be similarly affected.

In FIG. 3b, the zipper assembly 320 is shown open with zipper pull 322 all the way to the right. In some embodiments, an opening 315A, 315B may be partially open. Zippers can provide a high degree of control regarding the amount of opening, but other fasteners can similarly provide variable openings that a wearer can adjust to allow more or less of an opening through the pouch 310 (e.g., via the pouch cavity 325 and/or channels 335) or through a garment interior.

The lofting layer 330 of FIGS. 3a and 3b is shown with only two peaks 337, as denoted with short dashed lines across the peak ridges of the structure of the lofting layer 330, but any number of peaks and troughs in a wave-like structure may be appropriate in various embodiments. The wave-like form of the lofting layer 330 in the configurations 310A, 310B are meant to be illustrative, and other structures, for example sawtooth shapes or dome shapes, can be appropriate for creating loft and a passageway (e.g., one or more channels 335) for air to move through the interior pouch cavity 325 of the open pouch 310, in some embodiments. With closed pouch 310A of FIG. 3a, air permeability through the pouch 310A in various examples can be controlled by the air resistance from the pouch materials and the lofting layer 330. With open pouch 310B of FIG. 3b, air permeability through the pouch 310B can be controlled by the air resistance of the lower pouch side 305B of the pouch 310 and contributions from the lofting layer 330B and material of the upper pouch side 305A, although the degree of openness of the pouch at the front and rear openings 315A, 315B and the air movement through the pouch cavity 325 can render the permeability limitations imposed by the lofting layer 330 and the materials of the upper pouch 305A relatively small. In FIG. 3b, air can be free to move through the open channels 335 formed at least in part by the structure of the lofting layer 330.

In some embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can be a responsive textile. In some embodiments a responsive textile can change its effective thickness in response to changing environmental conditions such as temperature or humidity, changing the loft of the lofting layer 330 in the z-direction and the effective thickness of the pouch 310 or garment section 300 that the lofting layer 330 is in. In some embodiments, a responsive textile with a wave-like structure shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b can undergo some contraction in the x-direction and/or they-direction when the loft increases in the z-direction. In some embodiments, a temperature-responsive lofting layer in a closed pouch 310 or garment as illustrated in FIG. 3a can become substantially colder upon direct exposure to air when the pouch 310 or garment is opened as illustrated in FIG. 3b, with the temperature change causing additional temperature-response in the lofting layer 330, further increasing the thickness in the z-direction and contracting the lofting layer 330 in the x-direction and/or the y-direction. In some embodiments, the extent of lofting of the temperature-responsive lofting layer 330 can be controlled by limiting the degree of the contraction response of the lofting layer 330 by tethering or connecting the edges 333 and/or corners of the lofting layer 330 to the pouch 310 or by limiting the size of the pouch cavity 325 that can be formed between the upper and lower portions 305A, 305B of the pouch 310 by connecting the upper and lower portions 305A, 305B of the pouch 310 in one or more locations.

The lofting layer 330 is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b with straight passageways or channels 335, illustrated by ridge lines 337, 339, but in some embodiments these passageways can run at an angle, can curve, and/or can jog back-and-forth, and channels 335 that run through lofting layers 330 can be of various and varying sizes. A lofting layer 330 does not have to have the wave-like single-layer structure shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, and lofting layers 330 of some embodiments can comprise multiple layers of similar or different structure. Lofting layers 330 of some embodiments can comprise a textile, including but not limited to woven, knit, warp knit, crochet, nonwoven, and membrane textiles, can comprise a thin film, and/or can comprise an extruded material. In some embodiments a spacer knit can have a thickness appropriate for a lofting layer 330 and can also provide a passageway for air to move through one or more openings 315 in a pouch 310 or garment to displace air within the interior pouch cavity 325. In some embodiments, lofting layers 330 can have raised portions such as dots or mounds that can have a thickness appropriate for a lofting layer 330 and can also provide a passageway for air to move through one or more openings 315 in a pouch 310 or garment to displace air within the interior pouch cavity 325, and such structures can be identical to each other or varied in size or shape, and they can be in a regular hexagonal or square or other array, or in an irregular arrangement.

In FIGS. 3a and 3b, a pouch 310 is used for illustration purposes, but such structures can apply to garments or garment sections, as well. The pouch openings 315A, 315B in FIGS. 3a and 3b are illustrated as having different configurations. Looking at FIG. 3b, with the pouch 310B in the open configuration, the front opening 315A has a zipper assembly closure 320 that is open, while no closure is shown for the rear opening 315B at the rear of the pouch 310. Many suitable closures for the rear opening 315B can be used in further embodiments, including a passive closure that is similar to a shirt pocket with access to the interior of the garment or pouch cavity 325, closed only by the forces applied by the structure of the garment or construction of the pouch 310. In some embodiments the use of a passive closure allows for a small or negligible opening to increase in size when air begins to move through the pouch cavity 325 from the other side: for example air passing through front opening 315A can open or pass through rear opening 315B. In some embodiments, the use of a passive opening can lead to an opening in the pouch 310 or garment that does not completely close, but the opening does not lead to large heat loss while the other opening in the garment or pouch 310 is closed because the other opening being in the closed configuration eliminates a direct channel for air to flow through the garment or pouch interior cavity 325.

In a series of tests similar to those shown in FIG. 2 but going up to 3.2 m/s air speed, a measurement of heat flux loss with a pouch 310 in a closed condition found the same level of heat loss for two different styles of the closed pouch. Both styles had a zip closure 320 at the front opening 315A of the pouch 310, with the zipper closed. In one case, the rear opening 315B of the pouch 310 had a passive opening, similar to a pocket or slot, and in the other case the rear opening 315B of the pouch 310 was taped closed. The lofting layer 330 inside the pouch cavity 325 was the same in both tests; a temperature-responsive fabric with a wave-like structure and a loft of approximately 8 mm.

In some embodiments, a closure can comprise a flap covering the opening 315 that can have a responsive textile integrated into the flap so that the flap responds to environmental change, including but not limited to increasing temperature and/or increasing humidity, which can act as an environmentally responsive vent. In some embodiments, a closure includes an element or design feature that biases the closure to either an open or a closed position to facilitate fully opening or closing the vent when desired. As an example, a flap that covers an opening 315 of a pouch 310 can be designed to typically sit in a closed position under the normal action of gravity (e.g., while being worn by a user), with the use of at least one fastener, such as a button or snap, to keep the flap open when desired.

Turning to FIG. 4, air movement through channels 335 in a pouch cavity 325 of a pouch 310 is represented by arrows 450 showing air entering the front opening 315A of pouch 310 and passing through the open space within the pouch interior cavity 325 and channels 335 of the lofting layer 330 to exit the pouch at the rear opening 315B, as represented by air movement arrows 451. The pouch 310 is in an open position with zipper assembly 320 open and zipper pull 322 fully to the right, allowing upper front pouch fabric layer edge 308A to separate from lower front pouch fabric layer edge 307A. On the rear pouch side 305B of the pouch, upper rear pouch layer edge 308B is shown separated from lower rear pouch fabric layer edge 307B. Air movement 450 can move over or under front lofting layer edge 331 and over or under rear lofting layer edge 332. When air movement 450 moves under and/or over the wave-like shape of lofting layer 430 it can run inside channels 335 that run underneath or above the lofting layer ridge lines 337, 339 respectively.

In various embodiments, one or more variable garment section 300 can be incorporated in various garments or articles. For example FIGS. 5-7 illustrate example embodiments of a garment with three different orientations of a variable garment section 300 having a lofting layer 330 with wave-like structure. In each illustration of FIGS. 5-7 only a single garment portion 300 or panel is shown, but in some embodiments multiple ventilating and/or responsive garment sections 300 can be preferred, so these example illustrations should not be construed as limiting.

Turning to FIG. 5, a vertical ventilation garment section 300 is shown on the front 502 of a jacket 500 with the garment section in an open configuration. Lofting layer 330 has a wave-like structure that forms channels 335 that run vertically and are marked by lofting layer ridge line 337. A first opening 315A at the base or hem 504 of the jacket is illustrated as an air inlet for moving air 450, which passes through the interior cavity 325 of the garment section 300 and emerges through a second opening 315B, with arrows 451 representing the displaced and vented air from inside the cavity 325 and channels 335 of the garment section 300. The upper second opening 315B is shown with a zipper assembly 320 as a closure, and the zipper pull 321 is shown in the open position, which in this example illustration is all the way to the right. Lofting layer 330 can be a responsive textile or an unresponsive textile with a structure that provides thickness to the garment section 300 and also provides a path through the garment section 300 for air movement when the garment section 300 is open. In FIG. 5, the lower opening 315A is shown in the hem 504, but it could be located higher up in the garment in further embodiments. The upper opening 315B in this example is illustrated as having a zip closure, but other closure types can be used in further embodiments. The lower opening 315A in this example is illustrated as a passive opening, with no direct closure mechanism, but other closure types, including zip closures, can be used in further embodiments. In some embodiments, the lofting layer 330 itself acts as the garment's lining fabric and the internal garment cavity that provides insulation (when the garment is in the closed configuration) and provides a path for air movement through the garment (when it is in the open configuration) in the cavity space that the lofting layer creates between the wearer's body and the outer shell fabric of the garment.

Additionally, the example of FIG. 5 illustrates the channels 335 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 being linear with a main axis of the channels 335 being parallel to the center front zipper 506 of the jacket 500 and, parallel to the vertical axis of a person when wearing the jacket 500 and perpendicular to the hem 504 of the jacket 500. However, channels 335 of the pouch 310 of a garment section 300 can be disposed in various suitable ways in further embodiments.

For example, in FIG. 6, a horizontal ventilation garment section 300 is shown on the front of a jacket 500 in the open configuration. Lofting layer 330 has a wave-like structure that forms channels 335 that run horizontally and are marked by lofting layer ridge line 337. A first opening 315A of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 close to the center 506 of the jacket 500 is illustrated as an air inlet for moving air 450, which passes through the interior cavity 325 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 and emerges through opening 315B, with arrows 451 representing the displaced and vented air from inside the channels 335 and internal cavity 325 of the garment section 300. The first opening 315A is shown with a zipper assembly 320 as a closure, and the zipper pull 321 is shown in the open position, in this illustration all the way to the bottom. Lofting layer 330 can be a responsive textile or an unresponsive textile with a structure that provides thickness to the garment section 300 and also provides a path through the internal cavity 325 of the garment section 300 for air movement when the first end 315A of the garment section 300 is open. In FIG. 6, the opening 540 is shown in the center 506 of the garment, but it can be located in other sections of the jacket 500 in further embodiments. The first opening 315A is illustrated as having a zip closure, but other closure types can be used in further embodiments. The second opening 315B is illustrated as a passive opening, with no direct closure mechanism, but other closure types, including zip closures, can be used in further embodiments. In some embodiments a mesh or highly permeable fabric can sit or otherwise be disposed at the opening 315B to allow air to move through the garment as the wearer desires and to physically protect the lofting layer 330 from direct contact with any materials that do not belong in the garment interior.

Additionally, the example of FIG. 6 illustrates the channels 335 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 being linear with a main axis of the channels 335 being perpendicular to the center front zipper 506 of the jacket 500 and perpendicular to the vertical axis of a person when wearing the jacket 500 and parallel to the hem 504 of the jacket 500. However, channels 335 of the pouch 310 of a garment section 300 can be disposed in various suitable ways in further embodiments.

For example, in FIG. 7, an angled ventilation garment section 300 is shown on the front 502 of a jacket 500 in an open configuration. Additionally, the example of FIG. 7 illustrates the channels 335 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 being linear with a main axis of the channels 335 being disposed at 45° relative to the center front zipper 506 of the jacket 500 and, disposed at 45° relative to the vertical axis of a person when wearing the jacket 500 and disposed at 45° relative to the hem 504 of the jacket 500. However, channels 335 of the pouch 310 of a garment section 300 can be disposed in various suitable ways in further embodiments.

Lofting layer 330 has a wave-like structure that forms channels 335 that run at an angle across the garment 500 and are marked by lofting layer ridge line 337. A first opening 315A at the base or hem 504 of the jacket 500 is illustrated as an air inlet for moving air 450, which passes through the interior cavity 325 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 and emerges through a second opening 541 near to the side 508 of garment 500, with arrows 451 representing the displaced and vented air from inside the channels 335 and internal cavity 325 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300. The second upper side opening 315B is shown with a zipper assembly 320 as a closure that cannot be fully seen in the illustration of FIG. 7, but runs vertically along the side 508 of the garment where the second side opening 315B sits, and the zipper pull 321 is shown in the open position, which in this illustration all the way to the bottom. Lofting layer 330 can be a responsive textile or an unresponsive textile with a structure that provides thickness to the garment section 300 and also provides a path through the garment section 300 for air movement when the garment section 300 is open. In FIG. 7, the first lower opening 315A is shown in or at the hem 504, but it can be located higher up in the garment 500 in another location on the garment 500 in further embodiments. The second opening 315B is illustrated as having a zip closure, but other closure types can be used in further embodiments. The lower opening 315A is illustrated as a passive opening, with no direct closure mechanism, but other closure types, including zip closures, can be used in further embodiments.

A ventilated garment section 300 comprising a lofting layer 330 can be placed in many different areas of a garment 500. In FIG. 8, an illustration of a ventilated garment section 300 on the side 508 of a garment 500 below the arm 510 of the garment 500 is shown. A horizontal ventilation garment section 300 is shown on the side of a jacket 500 in the open configuration. The example of FIG. 8 illustrates the channels 335 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 being linear with a main axis of the channels 335 being perpendicular to the center front zipper 506 of the jacket 500 and perpendicular to the vertical axis of a person when wearing the jacket 500 and parallel to the hem 504 of the jacket 500.

Lofting layer 330 has a wave-like structure that forms channels 335 that run horizontally through the garment 500 and are marked by lofting layer ridge line 337. A first opening 315A at the front 502 of the jacket is illustrated as an air inlet for moving air 450, which passes through the channels 335 of the interior cavity 325 of the garment section 300 and emerges through second opening 451 closer to the back side 512 of the garment 500, with arrows 451 representing the displaced and vented air from inside the channels 335 of the interior cavity 325 of the pouch 310 of the garment section 300. The first opening 315A is shown with a zipper assembly 320 as a closure and the zipper pull 321 is shown in the open position, which in this illustration is all the way to the bottom. Lofting layer 330 can be a responsive textile or an unresponsive textile with a structure that provides thickness to the garment section and also provides a path through the garment section 300 for air movement when the garment section is open. In FIG. 8, the first opening 315A is illustrated as having a zip closure, but other closure types can be used in further embodiments. The second opening 315B is illustrated as a passive opening, with no direct closure mechanism, but other closure types, including zip closures, can be used in further embodiments.

In FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the direction of air moving through the pouch 310 of the garment section 300 is not intended to indicate the only way air can move through the garment section 300 or pouch 310. In cases where a wearer of a ventilated garment is running or rapidly moving through the air, it can be the case that wind rushing at and around the moving body will drive air through the garment section 300 as illustrated in FIG. 8, but when moving backward or in high wind conditions air can move in the opposite direction through the open interior cavity 325 of the pouch 310 of the section 300 in the garment.

The scale, shape, number and types of openings of ventilated and/or responsive garment sections shown in FIGS. 5-7 and FIG. 8 are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. In some embodiments, a lofting layer 330 can wrap around the body or pass over an area of high or varied curvature, which can limit air flow through channels 335 or openings 315 in the lofting layer 330, reducing the heat loss in some examples during a period where the garment section 300 is in an open configuration.

The lofting layer 330 and pouch 310 can be various suitable sizes in various embodiments, and the lofting layer 330 can generate a loft of various amounts and have channels 335 of various suitable sizes. While some embodiments of a lofting layer 330 can have dimensions, loft, channel size and other configurations of any suitable amount or size, some embodiments of a lofting layer 330 can be specifically configured for being part of a garment such as a coat 500 including being disposed within a pouch 310 of garment section 300 that allows air to pass through the channels 335 defined by the lofting layer 330 within a pouch cavity 325 of the pouch 310 to generate a desired amount of cooling, ventilation, or the like based on airflow through the channels 335 defined by the lofting layer 330 within a pouch cavity 325 of the pouch 310.

Accordingly, configuration or characteristics of a lofting layer 330 in various embodiments is not a simple general design choice and can be based on the specific requirements and configurations of the garment. For example, the shape and size limitations of a coat 500 can dictate the size and shape that a lofting layer 330 within a pouch 310 of garment section 300 can be. Moreover, in some embodiments, a certain shape, length and/or size of channels 335 may be necessary to generate desired cooling or ventilation characteristics of a lofting layer 330 within a pouch 310 of a garment section 300 disposed on a garment such as a coat 500. For example, given how the garment section 300 will be disposed on the garment and how the garment will conform to the body of a user can require certain sizes and/or shapes of the channels 335 given that the channels 335 may bend around the body of a user or otherwise bend or deform while the garment is being worn by the user (e.g., during walking, running, or the like).

Accordingly, the configuration of the novel garments, having one or more garment sections 300 with a lofting layer 330 within a pouch 310 and openings 315 on opposing sides are not mere design choices or obvious variations of any similar garments that may exist in the art, and to characterize such specific elements as such within the context of the teachings of the present disclosure would be improper hindsight reasoning based on the present disclosure.

For example, FIG. 9a illustrates a lofting layer 330 in a flat configuration, FIG. 9b illustrates a lofting layer 330 in a lofted configuration where the lofting layer 330 has an ellipse profile and FIG. 9c illustrates a lofting layer 330 in a lofted configuration where the lofting layer 330 has a planar profile. In various embodiments as discussed herein, a lofting layer 330 can be configured to change configurations from a flat configuration (e.g., FIG. 9a) to a lofted configuration (e.g., FIGS. 9b, 9c) in response to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, or the like. The lofting layer 330 can assume a lofted configuration having an elliptical or planar configuration based on characteristics of the lofting layer 330 and/or a pouch 310 that the lofting layer 330 is disposed in.

In various embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can assume a lofted configuration having a maximum loft (LM) such as shown in FIG. 9b defined by a maximum thickness of the lofting layer 330 between a pair of upper ridge line 337 and a lower ridge line 339 or vice versa. In some embodiments, such as in FIG. 9c where the lofting layer 330 has a planer profile in the lofted configuration, the lofting layer 330 can have a loft defined by the thickness of the lofting layer between various sets of upper ridge lines 337 and lower ridge lines 339. In various embodiments, a flat non-lofted lofting layer 330 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9a) can be defined as having a loft of zero (0).

In some embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can be configured to be flat and lofted at different temperatures or within different temperature ranges. For example, a flat temperature above skin temperature can be 36° C. or higher in some embodiments such that the responsive fabric is always in a state of some amount of loft while being worn. In other embodiments a warm flat temperature can be desirable (e.g., 31° C. or higher). In still other embodiments, a moderate flat temperature can be desirable (e.g., 26° C.). And in still other embodiments a cooler flat temperature is can be desirable, (e.g., 21° C. or 16° C. or colder for some applications). In some embodiments, an adaptive textile can change configuration from a flat configuration within a temperature range of 0 to 40° C., 5 to 30° C., 10 to 20° C., or the like.

In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, garment section 300, pouch 310, or the like, can include a lofting layer 330 with a maximum loft (LM) or loft (L) of 5.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, 7.5 mm, 8.0 mm, 8.5 mm, 9.0 mm, 9.5 mm, 10.0 mm, 10.5 mm, 11.0 mm, 11.5 mm, 12.0 mm, 12.5 mm, 13.0 mm, 13.5 mm, 14.0 mm, 14.5 mm, 15.0 mm, 15.5 mm, 16.0 mm, 16.5 mm, 17.0 mm, 17.5 mm, 18.0 mm, 18.5 mm, 19.0 mm, 19.5 mm, 20.0 mm, or the like or a range between such example values.

In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, garment section 300, pouch 310, or the like, can include a lofting layer 330 comprising a thermally actuating yarn or fiber with an effective coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value of greater than or equal to 500 μm/m/K, 1000 μm/m/K, 2000 μm/m/K, 2500 μm/m/K, 3000 μm/m/K, 4000 μm/m/K, 5000 μm/m/K, or the like, or a range between such example values.

In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, garment section 300, pouch 310, or the like, can include a lofting layer 330 or portion thereof having a temperature thickness response with a magnitude greater than or equal to 0.2 mm/° C., 0.5 mm/° C., 1.0 mm/° C., 1.5 mm/° C., 2.0 mm/° C., or the like, or a range between such example values.

In various embodiments, the lofting layer 330 can assume a lofted configuration having a maximum, minimum or average column width (CW) defined by maximum, minimum or average length between pairs of upper ridge lines 337 and/or lower ridge lines 339 (see e.g., FIGS. 9b and 9c). In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, garment section 300, pouch 310, or the like, can include a lofting layer 330 with a maximum, minimum or average column width (CW) of 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 1.5 cm, 2 cm, 2.5 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, or the like or a range between such example values.

In various embodiments, it can be desirable for the channels 335 of a lofting layer 330 to be as long as possible to maximize the surface area of the variable garment section 300 so as to maximize the cooling and/or ventilation capacity of the variable garment section 300, while having the lofting layer 330 not being so long such that channels 335 are prone to become bent closed or otherwise obstructed when the lofting layer 330 is part of a variable garment section 300 of a variable garment being worn by a user. In other words, the length of the channels 335 can be maximized to maximize surface area of the lofting layer 330 while also being limited so that a variable garment section 300 that is part of a garment being worn by a user maintains performance characteristics above a defined threshold while the garment with the variable garment section 300 is being worn by the user and/or during certain activities.

In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, garment section 300, pouch 310, or the like, can include a lofting layer 330 with a column length or maximum column length (CL) with a magnitude greater than or equal to 7.5 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm or the like or a range between such example values.

In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, the lofting layer 330 can have a surface mass density of less than or equal to 15 grams per square meter (gsm), 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 30 gsm, 35 gsm, 40 gsm, 45 gsm, 50 gsm, 60 gsm, 80 gsm, or the like or a range between such example values.

In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, openings 315 at one or both of the ends 305 of a pouch 310 can have a linear dimension of greater than or equal to 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm or greater or the like or a range between such example values.

In various preferred embodiments that generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, a lofting layer 330 and openings 315 at the ends 305 of a pouch 310 (e.g., via channels 335 defined by the lofting layer 330) can allow for an open internal structure that does not substantially limit air flow through the cavity 325 such as allowing for an air flow therein of greater than or equal to 0.2 m/s, 0.4 m/s, 0.6 m/s, 0.8 m/s, 1.0 m/s, 1.2 m/s, 1.4 m/s, 1.6 m/s, 1.8 m/s, 2.0 m/s, 2.2 m/s, 2.4 m/s, 2.6 m/s, 2.8 m/s, 3.0 m/s, 3.2 m/s or the like or a range between such example values.

In various preferred embodiments a garment section 300, pouch 310, lofting layer 330 or the like, that can generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, including in a dry user condition, enabling heat dissipation or heat flux equal to or being at least 50 W/m², 60 W/m², 70 W/m², 80 W/m², 90 W/m², 95 W/m², 100 W/m², 110 W/m², 120 W/m², 130 W/m², 140 W/m², 150 W/m², or a range between such example values, over the area of a variable garment portion. In a dry, non-sweating condition, when moving from a closed garment configuration to an open garment configuration, a lofting layer that facilitates air movement through the garment can increase heat loss in the region where air moves through the garment by at least 20 W/m² in some embodiments, by at least 40 W/m² in some further embodiments, and by at least 60 W/m² in further embodiments. In various preferred embodiments a garment section 300, pouch 310, lofting layer 330 or the like, that can generate preferred characteristics of a variable garment, including in a wet sweating user condition, providing heat dissipation or heat flux equal to or being at least 100 W/m², 120 W/m², 150 W/m², 180 W/m², 190 W/m², 195 W/m², 200 W/m², 210 W/m², 220 W/m², 230 W/m², 240 W/m², 250 W/m², 260 W/m², 270 W/m², 280 W/m², 290 W/m², 300 W/m², 325 W/m², 350 W/m², 375 W/m², 400 W/m², 425 W/m², 450 W/m², 475 W/m², 500 W/m², or a range between such example values, over the area of a variable garment portion. In a sweating condition, when moving from a closed garment configuration to an open garment configuration, a lofting layer that facilitates air movement through the garment can increase heat loss in the region where air moves through the garment by at least 50 W/m² in some embodiments, by at least 100 W/m² in some further embodiments, and by at least 200 W/m² in further embodiments. In some embodiments, such a characteristic can be generated when only one or when both of the openings 315 of a garment section 300 are open. With a lofting layer that can facilitate air movement through the garment, transitioning from a closed garment configuration worn in a dry condition to an open garment configuration worn in a sweating condition can increase heat loss by at least 100 W/m² in some embodiments, by at least 200 W/m² in some further embodiments, and by at least 400 W/m² in further embodiments.

Data comparing the heat flux measured for different embodiments of garment pouches 310 and configurations are presented in FIG. 10. In the tests, heat flux was measured from a hot plate (set at skin temperature, approximately 35° C.), through a t-shirt and a lightweight fabric test pouch. The test pouch 310 had flaps at two opposite ends that could be opened up or closed, and inside the cavity 325 of the pouch 310 was either a single layer of 20-30 gsm polyester fabric that had been heatset to permanently have a wave-structure (to create a loft that could trap air to add insulation when the pouch was closed, or to provide channels to move air through the layer for cooling when the ends of the pouch were opened), or a conventional synthetic batting. Measurements were made in pairs, with the pouch 310 tested with both ends open (marked “open” in FIG. 10) and also tested with both ends closed (marked “closed” in FIG. 10). A second set of measurements is also shown in FIG. 10, where heat flux was measured as before, but the t-shirt was wet with water to simulate sweating and heat loss from sweating. Heat loss was much greater for all tests when the t-shirt was wet and evaporative cooling was a part of the test. Tests in FIG. 10 were carried out in approximately 9 km/h air flow and 14° C. ambient air temperature, and the lofting layers 330 were approximately 20 cm squares. The overall pouch size was slightly larger, approximately 23 cm on each side.

In FIG. 10, for the pouch 310 with conventional insulation, the data show that the open and closed pouch configurations had a similar level of heat loss, both when measured in a dry condition (both open and closed measurements were approximately 85 W/m²) and when measured in a wet, sweating condition (both open and closed measurements were approximately 275 W/m²). Under the test conditions, with the conventional insulating synthetic batting, the displacement of trapped air when the pouch 310 was open was insufficient to substantially increase heat loss. The conventional insulation comprises a network of many fine fibers. In contrast, the fabric that was tested in the experiments summarized in FIG. 10 had a static (unresponsive to temperature) wave-like structure with channels that extended from one end of the fabric to the opposite end. The peak height was approximately 6 mm and the peak-to-peak distance was approximately 19 mm. The fabric was polyester and had been heatset to retain the wave-like shape. In contrast to the control experiments with conventional insulation, the tests with the wave-structure textile lofting layer 330 show that opening the pouch increased heat loss substantially. In a dry condition the heat flux increased by more than 80 W/m², from 86 W/m² to 167 W/m², upon opening both ends of the pouch. In a wet, sweating condition where the t-shirt was sprayed with water to mimic sweat from the body, as described in the discussion of FIG. 1, the increase in heat flux was also notable, increasing by more than 200 W/m², from 274 W/m² to 485 W/m².

Under similar test conditions (approximately 14° C. air temperature and 8 km/h wind), the t-shirt's insulation alone measured approximately 0.3 do in a dry test (1 clo=0.155 m²° C./W), and the t-shirt and a windbreaker together measured approximately 0.5 do. In the test with the t-shirt, only, heat loss was measured at 220 W/m². In the test with the t-shirt and windbreaker, heat loss was smaller and measured at 180 W/m². The t-shirt with a pouch 310 containing the static venting insulation in the closed configuration was measured and found to have an insulation value of 1.3 do and a heat loss of 80 W/m². In a test with the t-shirt and a pouch containing a conventional 40 gsm synthetic batting or padding insulation a value of 1.3 do and a heat loss of 80 W/m² was also measured. In the open configuration, when tested in a wet or sweating condition where the t-shirt was sprayed with water to mimic sweat from the body, as described in the discussion of FIG. 1, the heat loss for the synthetic batting increased to 280 W/m², while the heat loss for the static venting structure jumped to 480 W/m², close to the value for the t-shirt and windbreaker measured in the same type of wet sweating test (500 W/m²), and not too far from the value measured during a sweating test for the t-shirt alone (590 W/m²). When in the closed configuration, the static venting structure fabric was thermally indistinguishable from an insulative batting, but when opened the static venting structure was similar to a windbreaker, allowing for much greater heat loss. Overall, this type of lofting layer 330 and garment structure can provide either heat retention or heat loss, whenever desired by the wearer.

In a different test, a static venting lofting layer 330 in open and closed configurations in a vest prototype was compared with a purchased commercial garment that had been marketed for its venting abilities. The commercial garment was similar to a windbreaker but had vents in it. The design featured openings on the front of the garment, on either side of a central zipper, and a large opening on the back. A wind speed of approximately 8 km/h was used for each of these tests, with a heated torso set to approximately 35° C. and air temperature controlled at approximately 21° C. With wind blowing on the front of the garment, for the vest containing the static venting structure, heat flux increased between 26 and 39 W/m² when the front section of the garment was opened up so that air could move through the lofting layer, with the variation attributable to differences in the positions of the openings. For the conventional garment, which was measured repeatedly in 8 different positions near the vents in the garment, there was no difference measured when the vents were open (as the garment was designed and manufactured) or closed (by applying tape). Only by directly blowing on the back of the commercial jacket, which caused the back vent to billow, was a change in heat loss observed between the open vent and the closed vent. This was a somewhat impractical test, as direct wind applied to the backside of a garment implies a substantial tailwind or that a wearer is running backwards. With a person wearing the commercial garment and running in it, arm movement might be enough to create an opportunity for air to move through the garment, or arm movement might pump or force some air through the garment to enhance cooling in a small area near the air vents. However, without such garment movement, in testing the commercial garment showed no meaningful ability to lose heat through its vents without direct application of wind to the back of the garment. In contrast, the wave-structure lofting layer provided an opportunity for both more insulation and more heat loss in the closed and open configurations, respectively.

In FIG. 11, data from a series of heat loss measurements for different insulation materials in open and closed pouches under different wind conditions are shown. As air movement increases, heat loss increases for all materials and configurations. However, heat loss increases a lot only when there is an opening that enables air to move through the lofting layer, especially when evaporative heat losses are possible in a wet or sweating test. As before, tests were carried out on a hot plate set at skin temperature (approximately 35° C.) with a t-shirt on it and a pouch constructed to resemble a jacket's lining and shell fabrics, with different insulating materials inside and the possibility to open the ends of the pouch to create an “open” condition whereby air could potentially move through the lofting layer. The heat flux passing through the assembly was measured in different wind conditions, with the air temperature kept at approximately 14° C. throughout. For a wave-like textile structure with a thickness of approximately 6 mm and wave-to-wave peak-to-peak distance of approximately 19 mm (represented with the solid dots for the closed configuration and open dots for the open configuration) there is a considerable increase in heat loss when the pouch structure is opened up and ventilation through the channels of the lofting layer is possible. For the tests with the conventional synthetic insulative batting, open or closed configurations did not matter, as air was not able to move through the batting. For the conventional batting, only the open configuration tests are shown, and they roughly match the results observed with the wave-like lofting layer in the closed configuration. Dashed lines are meant to guide the eyes but are not best fit lines.

A comparison of the total measured insulation for a t-shirt plus additional materials is shown in FIG. 12. As additional insulating materials are added on top of the t-shirt, whether it be a windbreaker or a garment-style pouch lofted by a 40 gsm conventional insulation or a wave-like or sawtooth textile structure, insulation increases approximately linearly with thickness up to approximately 1 cm. The 40 gsm batting has the highest insulation per thickness, but the wave-like or sawtooth textile structures have the highest insulation per weight, as they typically weigh 40 gsm or less, preferably 30 gsm or less, more preferably 25 gsm or less. In some embodiments, lofting layers can be partially punctured or cut to reduce weight. In some embodiments a static venting layer that does not actuate in response to changes in temperature is produced from a woven, knit, warp knit, or non-woven textile that is thermally set in a lofted structure such as a wave or sawtooth pattern. In some embodiments the structure of a static venting layer that does not actuate in response to changes in temperature is the product of the textile structure or heatset history of the lofting layer.

The variable insulation and ventilation structures described herein are discussed in the context of a garment but may find use in other applications where variable insulation and ventilation may be of value, such as footwear, bedding, and sleeping bags.

The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. Additionally, elements of a given embodiment should not be construed to be applicable to only that example embodiment and therefore elements of one example embodiment can be applicable to other embodiments. Additionally, elements that are specifically shown in example embodiments should be construed to cover embodiments that comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of such elements, or such elements can be explicitly absent from further embodiments. Accordingly, the recitation of an element being present in one example should be construed to support some embodiments where such an element is explicitly absent.

For example, some embodiments of a garment section 300 can consist of or consist essentially of a pouch 310 defined by a first and second pouch side 305A, 305B with a lofting layer 330 disposed within an interior cavity 325 of the pouch 310, with the pouch 310 consisting or consisting essentially of only a pair of openings 315.

Claims

1. A thermally adaptive garment comprising a plurality of adaptive garment sections, with each of the plurality of adaptive garment sections comprising: a pouch defined by a first and second pouch side that are coupled on parallel peripheral side edges, the pouch having a front edge and rear edge defined respectively by front and rear first pouch side edges and front and rear second pouch side edges, the pouch defining a front pouch opening at the front edge and a rear pouch opening at the rear edge, the front and rear pouch openings operable to assume an open and closed configuration, the first and second pouch sides of the pouch defining an internal pouch cavity between the first and second pouch sides, wherein at least one of the front edge and rear edge comprises a zipper assembly having zipper lines and a zipper pull configured to cause at least one of the front pouch and rear edge openings to assume the closed configuration; anda lofting layer disposed within the internal pouch cavity, the lofting layer configured to assume a flat configuration and to assume a lofted configuration, the lofting layer having a wave-like profile comprising: a plurality of upper ridge lines with at least two upper ridge lines and no more than four upper ridge lines,one or more lower ridge lines with at least three lower ridge line and no more than five lower ridge lines,a plurality of channels defined at least in part by the lofting layer within the internal pouch cavity including at least five channels and no more than nine channels, the plurality of channels defined at least in part by the upper ridge lines or lower ridge lines of the lofting layer contacting the first or second pouch side, with the plurality of channels being contiguous and of consistent shape and size between the lofting layer front edge and lofting layer rear edge and configured to allow air to pass through the channels when the front and rear edges of the pouch are open, the lofting layer in the lofted configuration being sufficiently rigid to expand the internal pouch cavity and maintain the channels within the internal pouch cavity under pressure or weight of the first and/or second pouch sides,wherein the lofting layer in the lofted configuration has a maximum loft (LM) of between 2 mm and 12 mm,wherein the lofting layer comprises a temperature-responsive yarn or fiber with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) with a magnitude greater than or equal to 1000 μm/m/K,wherein the lofting layer has an average column width (CW) of between 3 cm and 10 cm,wherein the lofting layer has an average column length (CL) of between 10 cm and 30 cm,wherein the channels allow for an air flow therein of greater than or equal to 1.0 m/s,wherein each of the plurality of adaptive garment sections enables heat flux equal to or being at least 100 W/m2 in a dry user condition within the garment section, andwherein the lofting layer is linear along a y-axis between the lofting layer front edge and the lofting layer rear edge, with the wave-like profile in an x-axis that is perpendicular to the y-axis, the wave-like profile in an x-axis maintaining a consistent wave-like profile shape along the y-axis.

2. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 1, wherein the rear edge of the pouch defines a passive always-open opening without a zipper assembly or snaps or buttons or magnets.

3. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 1, wherein the thermally adaptive garment is a jacket and wherein at least one garment section of the plurality of adaptive garment sections is disposed on a front of the jacket.

4. A thermally adaptive garment comprising one or more adaptive garment sections, with each of the one or more adaptive garment sections comprising: a pouch defined by a first and second pouch side, the pouch having a front edge and rear edge, the pouch defining a front pouch opening at the front edge and a rear pouch opening at the rear edge, the front and rear pouch openings operable to assume an open and closed configuration, the first and second pouch sides of the pouch defining an internal pouch cavity between the first and second pouch sides; anda lofting layer disposed within the internal pouch cavity, the lofting layer configured to assume a flat configuration and to assume a lofted configuration, the lofting layer defining a lofting layer front edge disposed at the front edge of the pouch and a lofting layer rear edge disposed at the rear edge of the pouch, the lofting layer having a wave-like profile comprising: a plurality of upper ridge lines with at least two upper ridge lines and no more than five upper ridge lines,one or more lower ridge lines with at least one lower ridge line and no more than six lower ridge lines,a plurality of channels defined at least in part by the lofting layer within the internal pouch cavity including at least three channels and no more than thirteen channels, the plurality of channels defined at least in part by the upper ridge lines or lower ridge lines of the lofting layer contacting the first or second pouch side, with the plurality of channels being contiguous and of consistent shape and size between the lofting layer front edge and lofting layer rear edge and configured to allow air to pass through the channels when the front and rear edges of the pouch are open, the lofting layer in the lofted configuration being sufficiently rigid to expand the internal pouch cavity and maintain the channels within the internal pouch cavity under pressure or weight of the first and/or second pouch sides.

5. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 4, wherein the lofting layer in the lofted configuration has a maximum loft (LM) of between 2 mm and 15 mm.

6. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 4, wherein the lofting layer comprises a temperature-responsive yarn or fiber with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) with a magnitude greater than or equal to 10001 μm/m/K.

7. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 4, wherein the lofting layer has an average column width (CW) of between 3 cm and 12 cm.

8. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 4, wherein the lofting layer has an average column length (CL) of between 10 cm and 40 cm.

9. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 4, wherein the channels allow for an air flow therein of greater than or equal to 0.6 m/s.

10. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 4, wherein each of the one or more adaptive garment sections enable a heat flux equal to or being at least 50 W/m2 in a dry user condition.

11. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 4, wherein the lofting layer is linear along a y-axis between the lofting layer front edge and the lofting layer rear edge, with the wave-like profile in an x-axis that is perpendicular to the y-axis, the wave-like profile in an x-axis maintaining a consistent wave-like profile shape along the y-axis.

12. A thermally adaptive garment comprising one or more adaptive garment sections, with each of the one or more adaptive garment sections comprising: a pouch defined by a first and second pouch side, the pouch having a front edge and rear edge, the pouch defining a front pouch opening at the front edge and a rear pouch opening at the rear edge, the front and rear pouch openings operable to assume an open and closed configuration, the first and second pouch sides of the pouch defining an internal pouch cavity between the first and second pouch sides; anda lofting layer disposed within the internal pouch cavity.

13. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer defines a wave-like profile comprising: one or more upper ridge lines,one or more lower ridge lines with at least one lower ridge line,a plurality of channels defined at least in part by the lofting layer within the internal pouch cavity, the plurality of channels configured to allow air to pass through the channels when the front and rear edges of the pouch are open.

14. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 13, wherein the lofting layer has an average column width (CW) of between 0.5 cm and 5 cm.

15. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 13, wherein the lofting layer has an average column length (CL) of between 10 cm and 40 cm.

16. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer has a maximum loft (LM) of between 2 mm and 12 mm.

17. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer is configured to assume a flat configuration and to assume a lofted configuration.

18. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer has a surface mass density of less than or equal to 40 grams per square meter (gsm).

19. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the one or more adaptive garment sections allow for an air flow therein of greater than or equal to 1.0 m/s.

20. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein each of the one or more adaptive garment sections enable heat flux equal to or being at least 50 W/m2 in a dry user condition.

21. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer is a liner of the thermally adaptive garment.

22. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer is a non-responsive fabric.

23. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer comprises a heatset polyester.

24. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer is a moisture responsive fabric.

25. The thermally adaptive garment of claim 12, wherein the lofting layer of the garment is separated from the outside air with a closure at at least one of the front opening and rear opening that comprises a responsive textile that adapts to a change in humidity or temperature such that the garment opens and forms one or more ventilated sections as certain environmental conditions change.