Abstract:
A breathable garment to be worn to improve the comfort of the human body, comprising a protective outer covering (11) with an internal layer (12, 13) which extends over at least part of the extension of the outer covering (11) and internally forms an interspace (14). The internal layer (12, 13) has, at least at the regions of the human body covered by the breathable garment (10), where sweat forms more abundantly, holes (16) for access to the interspace for the perspiration vapor. The internal layer (12, 13) and the outer covering (11) have, in the top regions of the garment, holes (17) for venting the vapor channeled by a stack effect inside the interspace (14), combined with a membrane for keeping out water, impurities or other matter.
Abstract:
A garment for aiding in ventilation of a wearer's body for relief from heat and providing a buffer zone between the wearer's body and any force exerted thereon. This garment includes a porous underlayer for absorbing moisture from the wearer's body due to perspiration and is normally worn under a non-porous outerlayer which may be attached to the underlayer. The outerlayer is separated from the underlayer by at least two layered groups of ribs. Each group of ribs includes a number of individual ribs which are spacedly positioned from each other to create channels therebetween. The groups of ribs are positioned so that the ribs of each group of ribs are layered with respect to the ribs of the remaining groups of ribs thereby creating cross-channels throughout the garment. This allows the garment to maintain a uniform comfortable temperature throughout. A pump may be used to circulate ambient air in the channels and the non-porous outer layer may allow outward passage of moisture while preventing inward passage.
Abstract:
A system for measuring a thermal property of a garment includes a mannequin having a form similar to at least a portion of a mammalian body and adapted to wear the garment. Fluid is circulatable through at least a portion of the mannequin. An outer surface temperature sensor is affixed to the mannequin, and a fluid pressure regulator and temperature controller are located exterior of the mannequin. A meter monitors the energy usage of the controller, which is indicative of the thermal property of the garment. Environmental conditions are controllable, including variable wind speeds and included mannequin motion.
Abstract:
A method of appliqué and the resulting article is described that includes forming a first image (20) on a mesh-like material layer (18), forming a second image (24) on an underlying substrate (22), and attaching the mesh-like material layer to the substrate so that the first image overlays the second image. The first and second images are substantially the same images. In one embodiment, the mesh-like material layer is attached to the substrate such that the first image directly overlays the second image. In another embodiment, the mesh-like material layer is attached to the substrate such that the first image overlays the second image at a slight offset. By attaching the mesh-like material layer over the substrate in either of these ways, the resulting combined image appears three-dimensionalized.
Abstract:
Fabrics and garments may include "dimensionalized" structures. The fabric (100) may be "dimensionalized" by integrally forming a plurality of self-standing fabric surface modifying elements (108a, 108b) in the fabric material to thereby provide a fabric contact level different from (and/or reduced in surface area as compared to) the fabric base level. Garments may include this "dimensionalized" material, e.g., positioned at various locations to promote better evaporative cooling of the body or heat retention, such as along the wearer's spine, sides, and/or other locations that release substantial heat. The "dimensionalizing" structure may be formed in the material, for example, by molding, rolling, embossing, calendering, stretching, crimping, pressing, heating, and/or the like.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to apparel, and in particular, to a garment with a venting structure and a method of using the venting structure.
Abstract:
Thermoregulatory apparel includes garments for close-fitting, skin-contacting wear having, in preferred embodiments, a base fabric of COOLMAX high moisture evaporation fabric having one or more insulating panels of THERMAX or THERMASTAT hollow core fiber fabric having moisture-wicking capability and applied to the inner side of the garment for skin contact at selected areas of the body where muscle protection is desired. The insulating panels maintain body heat in the protected muscles while evaporative cooling is encouraged by wicking of perspiration away from the body for evaporation from the outer COOLMAX fabric. Alternative fabric choices and various garment combinations may be utilized.
Abstract:
A textile material having thermal image masking or suppression in the mid and far infrared region without compromising the effectiveness of visual and near IR camouflage or comfort level, or the effectiveness, and mobility of a person. Specifically the invention is directed to an air permeable, moisture vapour transmissive, waterproof, heat reflecting material consisting essentially of at least one metallized microporous membrane (10), with an oleophobic coating (14) over the metallized portions (13) thereof. This membrane is laminated to at least one other layer or textile backing material (23) such as woven, nonwoven or knitted nylon, polyester, cotton, silk, etc. or additional microporous layers, in which the metal in the metallized membrane forms a discontinuous layer on the surface and on the pore walls adjacent the surface of the microporous membrane.
Abstract:
A hazardous materials protective garment may use a two-stage evaporative cooling process to ease heat strain on the wearer of the garment. The garment may include an impermeable inner layer and a wicking outer layer. One or more reservoirs may be disposed interior to the inner layer for collecting condensed and/or unevaporated sweat. One or more pumps may move the sweat to the exterior of the impermeable layer for distribution in the wicking layer and evaporation from the garment.
Abstract:
Personal body armor (20) has hard armor plates (26,28,30) on the front and back of the wearer which extend between a left vest section (25) and a right vest section (24) formed of soft armor. Foam pads (60,62,65,66,68,70) are affixed to the interior of the vest sections which space the soft armor and the hard armor plates from the wearer's body and define multiple vertically extending air channels (36,74,76) between the wearer (34) and the hard armor plates (26,28,30) and the interior of the soft armor. The air channels (36,74,76) promote cooling of the wearer. For additional comfort, the soft armor is formed of multiple conventional layers of ballistic material (38) and a 1/16 inch molded plastic layer (40). The hard armor plates (26,28,30) avoid interference with the usual range of motion of the wearer.