U.S. patent application number 11/340584 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for apparel with enhanced breathability.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sympatex Technologies Inc.. Invention is credited to Heike Altenhofen, Henricus Johannes Maria Van De Ven, Gabriele Beate Wittmann.
Application Number | 20060185053 11/340584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36910990 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060185053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wittmann; Gabriele Beate ;
et al. |
August 24, 2006 |
Apparel with enhanced breathability
Abstract
The breathability of garments, for example, jackets, trousers,
and the like, is enhanced by a novel ventilation device. This
ventilation device is composed of one or more openings in the outer
material over which a closable cover having a closure tab is
located, which ensures a clearance from the opening. An opening
facing downward is formed between the outer material and the cover,
the cover being composed of an additional outer material. This
downward-facing opening can be closed as required.
Inventors: |
Wittmann; Gabriele Beate;
(Wuppertal, DE) ; Altenhofen; Heike; (Koeln,
DE) ; Van De Ven; Henricus Johannes Maria;
(Aldenhaagstraat, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
Sympatex Technologies Inc.
Hampton
NH
|
Family ID: |
36910990 |
Appl. No.: |
11/340584 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 27, 2005 |
EP |
05001620.3 |
Claims
1. A garment with enhanced breathability which has at least one
ventilation device, comprising a ventilation opening in an outer
material of the garment and a cover having a border, wherein the
cover extends on the outer material of the garment over the
ventilation opening and forms with the outer material a further
opening in at least one region; the border of the cover is attached
in the remaining regions of the border to the outer material, the
cover between the regions in which the cover is attached to the
outer material having a clearance relative to the outer material,
and having a closure tab in at least one region in which the cover
forms the further opening with the outer material, by which closure
tab the further opening is closable; and the closure tab in an
opened state is movable inward into the cover such that the cover
forms an arch stabilized by the closure tab.
2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is equipped
with a waterproof, windproof and water-vapor-permeable
membrane.
3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the border of the cover
of the ventilation device has four sides and is attached on at
least two opposing said sides to the outer material, and at least
one side forms the region which with the outer material forms the
further opening.
4. A garment according to claim 3, wherein the cover is attached to
the outer material on three sides, and on a fourth side forms the
further opening-with the outer material.
5. A garment according to claim 3, wherein the cover is attached to
the outer material at lateral and top borders, and forms with the
outer material said further opening facing downward.
6. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation device
has a longitudinal axis that is roughly parallel to a longitudinal
axis of a body of a wearer of the garment.
7. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation device
has a ratio length.sub.ventilation device/width.sub.ventilation
device that is greater than 1.
8. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation device
is located in a region of the garment corresponding to a region of
greater perspiration of a wearer of the garment.
9. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation opening
of the ventilation device is located only in the outer
material.
10. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation opening
of the ventilation device is located in the outer material and in a
lining of the garment.
11. A garment according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation opening
of the ventilation device is located in the outer material, in a
lining of the garment, and in the membrane.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to apparel with enhanced breathability
which is achieved by a novel ventilation device.
[0002] During the finishing of outer fabric or inner materials with
little permeability to air, garments are provided with ventilation
passages to enable ventilation. A known example--also presented in
the specification of EP 0,648,438 B1--involves
metal-eyelet-encompassed ventilation holes in the shoulder region.
The ventilation effect of this measure is insufficient,
however.
[0003] The same document also describes how the openings of
waterproof garments are frequently covered by a flap composed of
the same material as the outer material. This flap can cover the
ventilation opening in such a way that effective ventilation is no
longer provided.
[0004] The purpose of a ventilation device is to maximize the
exchange of air. When the water vapor formed by perspiration is not
able to escape through the garment, the humidity on the inside of
the garment may increase until the water vapor condenses. The
garment worn under this garment becomes wet.
[0005] The use of windproof, waterproof and water-vapor-permeable
membranes intended to carry off to the outside the moisture
produced by perspiration is not always a sufficient measure.
Especially in the case of increased physical exertion or at sites
of increased secretion of sweat, the capacity of these membranes is
insufficient.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,511 B1 describes a breathable garment.
At the sites of increased sweat formation, holes are provided on
the inside through which the vaporized sweat is able to penetrate
more quickly into the intermediate space. Holes for ventilation are
provided in the outer material. At the same time, the purpose is to
prevent the penetration of fluid from outside in order to maintain
waterproofness. This is achieved by a multilayer design. Located
below the outer material is a layer of hydrophilic material which
is able to absorb perspiration, while under this is another layer
forming an intermediate space in which the vapor is transported
upwards by a stack effect to the ventilation holes within the outer
material. In order to ensure that no fluid can enter these holes
from the outside, various structural measures, such as valves, are
used to make these closable. The disadvantage of this invention is
the high design-related, and thus fabrication-engineering-related,
cost of implementing the ventilation.
[0007] EP 0,648,438 B1 discloses a waterproof passage cover of a
passage opening, in particular, a ventilation opening for a
garment. This opening contains on the outside a flap attached on
one end, the flap completely covering the opening when in the
down-hanging state. Another embodiment is a ventilation opening
which contains a zipper by which the opening can be opened or
closed. This embodiment is not covered by a flap. Air is able to
pass unimpeded through the opening. For the embodiment with the
flap, it is possible to provide a device to keep the flap open, the
device ensuring that air is able to pass unimpeded through the
opening.
[0008] Disadvantages of this ventilation opening correspond to
those of the ventilation opening disclosed in the document EP
1,002,470 A2 "Wearing Apparel with Venting Arrangement." In the
event of increased sweat secretion due to physical exertion, the
garments worn under waterproof or windproof clothing become wet.
Functional materials are permeable to vapor, but not to condensed
water. The breathability of these materials is limited and is not
able to exceed a given vapor transfer rate. Sweating that exceeds
this rate must result in condensation. Here too the approach is
recognized by which it is possible to improve breathability by
using ventilation openings that can be opened or closed as desired.
The ventilation device here is implemented as a slit. An elastic
expander is attached to the slit or to the closing device, the
elastic expander ensuring that the ventilation opening is
maintained in the opened state.
[0009] In the case of a simple ventilation opening which is
implemented as a slit and is closable, a minimum distance between
the opposing sides of the opening in the open state is not ensured,
with the result that circulation can be impeded. An opening
stabilized, for example, by an elastic expander results both in the
body becoming visible under the clothing as well as being directly
exposed unprotected to external climatic conditions and draft. An
additional covering again impedes ventilation.
[0010] Document DE 700,490 discloses a garment protecting against
wetness having ventilation openings which are overlapped by a
fabric component. The ventilation opening is held open by a fillet
which is able to bow outward as a result of various measures, such
as, for example, a draw strap or pockets into which the fillet is
inserted.
[0011] GB 2,388,297 A also discloses a garment with ventilation
devices. Here again use is made of self-supporting ventilation
channels that are open on each end. The inherent stability of the
ventilation channels is achieved through the use of a band or a
strip composed of thermoplastic material or by a corrugated channel
profile.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,883 discloses a garment with ventilation
openings. Located over the ventilation openings is a cover in the
form of a flap. The cover can either lie flat over the opening so
as to close it, or it can arch over the opening in a tunnel shape,
thereby allowing for improved ventilation. The cover is held in the
closed and open, that is, tunnel-shaped position, by a hook and
loop (e.g., Velcro.RTM.-type) fastener.
[0013] FR-A-1,008,240 discloses a coat composed of a waterproof
material and having ventilation channels formed by pleats and
placed on the back section, the ends of the pleats being open and
extending upwards to the inside of the collar.
[0014] GB-A-375,207 discloses a ventilation device for garments and
composed of openings in the garment and covers over these openings.
The covers are attached to the garment; a three-sided cover is
attached, for example, on two sides to the garment and forms,
together with the third side, an opening with the garment material.
The side unattached to the garment is able to be drawn together by
a draw string, thereby enabling the cover to arch over the
opening.
SUMMARY
[0015] An object of embodiments of the present invention is an
effective and simple ventilation system for apparel such as outer
garments, which system improves breathability and is applicable for
a wide variety of garments, including waterproof and windproof
athletic and work apparel.
[0016] In embodiments, a garment has at least one ventilation
device to enhance breathability. The device is preferably composed
of at least one ventilation opening and a cover, wherein the cover
extends on the outer material of the garment over the ventilation
opening and forms with the outer material an opening in at least
one region. Preferably, the border of the cover is attached at the
remaining regions to the outer material, the cover between the
regions at which the cover is attached to the outer material has a
clearance relative to the outer material, and has a closure tab in
at least one region in which the cover forms the opening with the
outer material, by which tab the opening is closable. The closure
tab in the opened state is preferably configured to be movable
inward into the cover such that the cover forms an arch stabilized
by the closure tab. By this structure, the opening which forms the
cover with the outer material may be securely held open.
[0017] In embodiments, the closure tab may be an extension of the
cover, the border of which is not attached to the outer material
and can thus be moved inward into the cover. In order to ensure
that the closure tab does not unintentionally close the opening
which the cover forms with the outer material, but in fact
stabilizes the arch, the closure tab may be configured to be fixed
in the desired position by appropriate measures, such as, for
example, hook-and-loop (e.g., a Velcro.RTM.-type) or snap or other
fastener. The closure tab thus not only may serve to close the
opening as required but may also ensure in the opened state that
the cover is stiffened or stabilized by a second layer, thereby
securely holding open the cover which is formed with the outer
material.
[0018] The ventilation device is especially well suited for
waterproof and windproof functional garments that are equipped with
a membrane, for example, a water vapor permeable membrane. For
these functional garments, the cover of the ventilation device is
attached at attachment sites to the outer material so as to prevent
water from penetrating. Attachment can be effected, for example, by
stitching, gluing, welding, or other attachment techniques, or by a
combination of attachment techniques.
[0019] The clearance between cover and outer material may be,
depending on the embodiment, but need not be, essentially constant
over the width and length of the cover. In some embodiments, the
clearance may be greater in the center region of the cover than in
the border region and diminish towards the border where the cover
is attached to the outer material. The clearance between outer
material and cover preferably measures between 1 mm and 100 mm. It
is advantageous if the clearance of the cover relative to the outer
material measures between 5 mm and 85 mm; in a preferred
embodiment, the clearance of the cover relative to the outer
material is between about 10 mm and 70 mm, while a measurement
between 15 mm and 50 mm is especially preferred.
[0020] Any shape of the cover and also of the ventilation opening
may be selected as desired. For example, circular shapes,
rectangles, even free forms may be selected. In terms of
fabrication technology, a rectangular or trapezoidal design is
preferred; that is, the ventilation device normally has four sides
including two shorter and two longer sides, although four sides of
roughly equal length are also possible.
[0021] The preferably four-sided cover of the ventilation device is
preferably attached to the outer material on at least two opposing
sides and forms an opening with the outer material on at least one
side, for example on two opposing sides. A preferred embodiment
with a four-sided cover employs attachment of the cover on three
sides to the outer material. In this case the cover has only one
opening. The opening may, for example, be formed on one of the
longer sides by the cover, which has the clearance from the outer
material, and the outer material; preferably, the opening is
implemented on one of the two shorter sides. It is of course also
possible for the opening formed by the cover and outer material to
be formed on the longer side of the cover, in which case it is
preferable that the inward-moved closure tab sufficiently
stabilizes the cover such that the clearance between cover and
ventilation opening is maintained.
[0022] In principle, the opening which is formed by the cover,
which has a clearance from the outer material, and the outer
material may be oriented in any direction. It is especially
advantageous if the cover forms with the outer material an opening
facing downward so as to limit or prevent rain from reaching the
inside of the garment through the ventilation opening.
[0023] The cover is located on the outer material and is preferably
composed of the same material as the outer material, although the
use of different materials is not excluded.
[0024] Apparel according to preferred embodiments of the invention
prevents the wearer from being directly exposed to external
conditions and to draft.
[0025] In order to ensure that the ventilation opening maintains
its shape and is not pulled apart, it is possible to provide the
ventilation opening with a mesh or the like that is attached at
borders of the ventilation opening. Another possibility is to
incorporate transverse links, which are preferably composed of the
same material as the outer material. It is also possible to provide
(e.g., cut out) multiple ventilation openings adjacent to one
another so that links remain between the openings. Making it
impossible for the ventilation opening to be pulled apart in normal
use can simultaneously help in ensuring that the cover which arches
over the ventilation opening does not come to lie on the
ventilation opening and impede ventilation.
[0026] In preferred embodiments, the cover extends over the
ventilation opening, in an arc-like or semicircular manner, the
opposing sides running parallel, being attached at three sides to
the garment, and forming with the outer material an opening facing
downward, thereby creating a ventilation tunnel. The
cross-sectional area of such an opening is preferably roughly
constant over the entire length of the ventilation device. In an
especially preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the
opening widens downward such that the arch of the cover increases
proceeding downward. This design achieves an even greater
ventilation effect.
[0027] It is also possible for the opposing sides attached to the
garment to run in a non-parallel manner, for example, so as to
narrow towards the ventilation opening. In terms of enhancing the
ventilation effect, it is preferred that the opposing sides
attached to the garment have the greatest mutual clearance at the
lower end of the cover and the smallest mutual clearance at the top
end of the cover. The opposing sides can also meet at their apex
and form a partial conical cover which together with the outer
material exhibits an opening facing downward. In this case, the
cover may be attached only to the lateral borders of the outer
material; the top border may be, for example, eliminated if the
lateral borders meet at their apex.
[0028] A particular advantage of the described embodiments of this
ventilation device is the fact that they can provide a design
feature with functional characteristics which may be set off by
color or accentuated by color-highlighted seams.
[0029] The longitudinal axis of the ventilation device preferably
runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, although this
axis can also run at an angle of approximately 90.degree. to the
longitudinal axis of the body, or at any desired angle. The ratio
length.sub.ventilation device/width.sub.ventilation device is
preferably greater than 1. The cover is preferably at least as
large as the ventilation opening such that the ventilation opening
is completely covered by the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the
cover extends beyond the point at which it forms the opening with
the outer material.
[0030] In a preferred approach, the ventilation device is located
in regions of increased perspiration. In order to effectively
protect the body from cold even under extreme weather conditions,
the ventilation device has, in an especially preferred embodiment,
a fastener, for example, a zipper or hook and loop (e.g.,
Velcro.RTM.-type) fastener or snap fastener.
[0031] The ventilation opening may extend only through the outer
material, but may also extend through outer material and lining, or
outer material, membrane, and lining. The ventilation opening may
be completely open, or it may be provided with an air-permeable
material, for example, a mesh. The opening formed by the cover with
the outer material may also be completely open, or be provided with
an air-permeable material, for example, a mesh.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The following discussion explains embodiments of the
invention in more detail based on the figures. A preferred
embodiment is shown. However, the invention is not limited to this
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows an outer material having two ventilation
openings;
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an outer material having a ventilation device
composed of two ventilation openings and a cover; and
[0035] FIG. 3 is a sectional drawing of a ventilation opening along
the axis AA drawn in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The embodiments shown in the figures illustrate an
embodiment of an outer garment according to the invention with
enhanced breathability. The outer garment shown in sectional view
in FIGS. 1-3 has a ventilation opening or a ventilation device
composed of at least one ventilation opening 1 and a cover 4 which
is closable by a closure tab 7. Cover 4 is located on the outer
material 3 of the garment. The cover arches over ventilation
opening 1 and has along the longitudinal axis a clearance "a" from
ventilation opening 1. Cover 4 is attached to outer material 3 at
the lateral borders 5 and top border 6, and in the opened state
forms an opening facing downward with outer material 3.
[0037] FIG. 1 shows an outer material 3 having two ventilation
openings 1. For the sake of clarity, the cover is not shown here.
Ventilation openings 1 lie adjacent to one another and are cut out
so as to leave a link 2 between the openings. This link 2 ensures
that ventilation opening 1 retains its shape and is not pulled
apart. This feature ensures that cover 4, which arches over the
ventilation opening, does not lie against the ventilation opening
and impede ventilation.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows an outer material 3 having a ventilation device
composed of two ventilation openings 1 and a cover 4. The opposing
sides of the cover run parallel. The cover is attached to outer
material 3 on three sides--the lateral borders 5 and the top border
6--and forms an opening facing downward with outer material 3. For
the sake of clarity, in this illustration closure tab 7 is not
moved inward. In the embodiment shown, the closure tab may be
affixed in the desired position by a snap fastener 8. The portion
of the snap fastener located on the inside of cover 4 to affix the
inward-moved closure tab 7 is not shown in the illustration. The
cover may also be shaped as discussed above. The attachment of
outer material to cover shown in FIG. 2 is a seam. In addition to
stitching, the attachment can be effected by gluing, welding, or
other attachment techniques, or by a combination of techniques. The
length of the cover is preferably at least as great as the length
of the opening; in the embodiment shown, the cover extends beyond
the opening. FIG. 2 shows a ventilation device without a closing
mechanism.
[0039] FIG. 3 presents a cross-sectional drawing of the ventilation
opening along the sectional axis shown in FIG. 2, illustrating how
cover 4 arches over ventilation opening 1 and has a clearance "a"
from outer material 3. The cover arches preferably in an arc-like
or semicircular manner over the ventilation opening. The
ventilation opening may extend only through the outer material, but
may also extend through outer material and lining, or outer
material, membrane, and lining. The ventilation opening here may be
completely open, or it may be provided with an air-permeable
material, for example, a mesh.
* * * * *