U.S. patent application number 12/277457 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for garments having auxetic foam layers.
Invention is credited to Andrew Alderson, Kim Lesley Alderson, Martin Bentham.
Application Number | 20090119820 12/277457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38997721 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090119820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bentham; Martin ; et
al. |
May 14, 2009 |
Garments Having Auxetic Foam Layers
Abstract
A garment is provided that has a support region and a foam pad
at the region. The foam pads has at least one auxetic foam layer. A
garment is also provided that includes at least one auxetic foam
layer.
Inventors: |
Bentham; Martin; (Barnsley,
GB) ; Alderson; Andrew; (Formby, GB) ;
Alderson; Kim Lesley; (Formby, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC
ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING 32ND FLOOR, P.O. BOX 7037
ATLANTA
GA
30357-0037
US
|
Family ID: |
38997721 |
Appl. No.: |
12/277457 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11498032 |
Aug 2, 2006 |
7455567 |
|
|
12277457 |
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/267 ;
450/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41C 3/12 20130101; A41D
2500/52 20130101; B29C 44/357 20130101; A41D 2400/36 20130101; A41D
31/00 20130101; A41C 3/144 20130101; A41B 2500/52 20130101; A41B
2400/36 20130101; A41B 17/00 20130101; B29C 44/56 20130101; A41F
15/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/267 ;
450/57 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/26 20060101
A41D027/26; A41C 3/10 20060101 A41C003/10 |
Claims
1. A garment having at least one padded portion, the padded portion
comprising: an auxetic foam layer having first and second surfaces;
a non-auxetic foam layer adjacent the first surface of the auxetic
foam layer; at least one fabric layer adjacent the second surface
of the auxetic foam layer; and wherein the padded portion maintains
at least a constant thickness when stretched in at least one
direction.
2. A garment having a padded portion, the padded portion
comprising: an auxetic foam layer having a first surface; a fabric
layer adjacent the first surface of the auxetic foam layer; and
wherein the auxetic foam layer is selected from the group
consisting of foam layers having a negative through-thickness
Poisson's ratio, a negative in-plane Poisson's ratio, and
combinations thereof.
3. A garment having a padded portion, the padded portion
comprising: an auxetic foam layer having a first surface; a fabric
layer adjacent the first surface of the auxetic foam layer; and
wherein the auxetic foam layer is selected from the group
consisting of a polymer auxetic foam layer, a metallic auxetic foam
layer, and combinations thereof.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/498,032, filed Aug. 2, 2006, still pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure is related to garments. More
particularly, the present disclosure is related to garments having
at least one auxetic foam layer.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Many garments such as, but not limited to, intimate apparel
garments including brassieres, camisoles, bathing suits, pantyhose,
leotards, and others are known. Many garments include one or more
support and/or shaping regions ("support regions"). For example,
brassieres typically include a pair of breast cups for supporting
and/or shaping the breasts of the wearer. Some prior art breast
cups included a molded foam member that is sewn or otherwise
secured to the brassiere in the area of the breast cups.
[0006] Unfortunately, typical molded foam members in the breast
cups have not proven effective for use as sports brassieres.
Namely, such molded foam members alone do not provide sufficient
support of the breasts when exposed to the conditions present
during running, jogging, jumping, and other sports related
movements. Thus, typical sports brassieres use high elastic knit
structures, in lieu of or in addition to the molded foam members,
to provide sufficient support, which can lead to discomfort during
use.
[0007] Moreover, brassieres having typical molded foam members in
the breast cups can provide limited support to the user during
stretching movements common in everyday life.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for garments that
overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of the above
deleterious effects of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
garment having one or more auxetic foam layers.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present
disclosure are provided by a garment that has a support region and
a foam pad at the support region.
[0011] The above-described and other features and advantages of the
present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description,
drawings, and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a garment having a foam pad according to the present
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foam pad of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a structure of an
auxetic foam layer of the foam pad of FIG. 2 when unstressed;
and
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the polymer structure
of FIG. 3 when placed in tension.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring now to the figures and in particular to FIGS. 1
and 2, an exemplary embodiment of an intimate apparel garment
according to the present disclosure is generally illustrated by
reference numeral 10. Garment 10 includes one or more support
regions 12 (two shown) each having a foam pad 14 secured thereto.
For purposes of clarity, garment 10 is illustrated as a brassiere
and support region 12 is illustrated as breast cup regions of the
brassiere.
[0017] Foam pad 14 can be secured to garment 10 in any known
manner. For example, foam pad 14 can be secured to garment 10 by a
seam, an adhesive, and combinations thereof. In exemplary
embodiments, the seam can be a sewn seam and/or a welded seam.
[0018] Advantageously, foam pad 14 includes at least one auxetic
foam layer 16 (only one shown). In one embodiment, foam pad 14 can
also include one or more conventional or non-auxetic foam layers 18
(only one shown). Auxetic foam layer 16 and/or conventional foam
layers 18 can be open-cell foam or closed-cell foam. Auxetic foam
layer 16 can be a polymer auxetic foam layer, a metallic auxetic
foam layer, or any combinations thereof.
[0019] As used herein, the term "auxetic foam" means a foam
structure that exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio. Specifically,
auxetic foam layer as used herein is a foam layer that expands in
one or more directions when placed under tension. Thus, auxetic
foam can become fatter in one or more directions when
stretched.
[0020] Such auxetic behavior is in contrast to ordinary or
conventional foam layers that become substantially thinner when
stretched. Thus, traditional or prior art foam pads having only
conventional foam layers get smaller during body movements, which
is a time when the body needs additional support. Advantageously,
it has been determined that garment 10 having foam pad 14 including
at least one auxetic foam layer 16 provides support and shaping
during times that the foam pad is placed in tension, such as when
the wearer is stretching.
[0021] Further, auxetic foams, much like typical foams, contract in
one or more directions when placed under compression so that the
foam becomes thinner in one or more directions when compressed.
[0022] Foam pad 14 can also include one or more fabric layers 20
covering auxetic foam layer 16 and, when present, conventional foam
layer 18. For example, foam pad 14 can include a fabric layer 20 on
one or both sides of auxetic foam layer 16, when only auxetic foam
layer 16 is present. Additionally, foam pad 14 can include a fabric
layer 20 on one side of auxetic foam layer 16 and/or conventional
foam layer 18, when the conventional foam layer is present.
[0023] For purposes of clarity, foam pad 14 is illustrated having
one auxetic foam layer 16 adjacent one conventional foam layer 18,
the composite of which is sandwiched between two fabric layers 20.
Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for foam
pad 14 to include a plurality of auxetic foam layers 16, a
plurality of conventional foam layers 18, a plurality of fabric
layers 20 on one or more sides of the foam pads, or any
combinations thereof. It is contemplated by the present disclosure
for fabric layer 20 to be part of garment 10, for example foam pad
14 can be sewn or otherwise joined directly to garment 10.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an exemplary embodiment of a
structure of auxetic foam layer 16 is shown schematically. Auxetic
foam layer 16 includes a structure that unfolds or opens when
placed under tension. In the illustrated embodiment, auxetic foam
layer 16 is a bi-directional polymer structure that unfolds or
opens when subjected to tension in a first direction 22 and/or a
second direction 24.
[0025] Of course, it is contemplated for auxetic foam layer 16 to
have any desired structure sufficient for the layer to open or
unfold in at least one direction (e.g., uni-directional), in a
number of directions (multi-directional), or all directions (e.g.,
omni-directional).
[0026] In addition, it is also contemplated for foam pad 14 to
include a plurality of unidirectional auxetic foam layers 16, where
the unidirectional auxetic foam layers are oriented with respect to
one another so that the resultant foam pad can open or unfold in as
many directions as desired.
[0027] Auxetic foam layer 16 can have a negative through-thickness
Poisson's ratio and/or a negative in-plane Poisson's ratio.
[0028] A negative through-thickness Poisson's ratio leads to
thickening of the foam when stretched. In embodiments where foam
pad 14 includes both auxetic and conventional foam layers 16, 18,
the magnitude of the through-thickness negative Poisson's ratio can
be sufficient to, for example, maintain a constant thickness of
foam pad 14 or to lead to an overall increase in thickness of the
foam pad 14, when stretched. For a constant thickness foam pad 14,
the magnitude of the negative through thickness Poisson's ratio of
auxetic foam layer 16 should be substantially similar to the
magnitude of the conventional foam layer 18. If equal thicknesses
of auxetic and conventional foam layers 16, 18 are employed, then
the auxetic foam layers' Poisson's ratio should be equal in
magnitude but opposite in sign to that of the conventional foam
(e.g., conventional foam layer having Poisson's ratio: 0.2 to 0.3,
and auxetic foam layer having Poisson's ratio: -0.2 to -0.3) to
maintain constant thickness of foam pad 14. If the auxetic foam
layer 16 has a smaller thickness than the conventional foam layer
18, then the auxetic foam will require a larger magnitude of
(negative) Poisson's ratio than that of the (positive Poisson's
ratio) conventional foam. Preferably, auxetic foam layer 16 has a
through-thickness negative Poisson's ratio of between about 0.0 to
about -1.0 and any subranges therebetween.
[0029] A negative in-plane Poisson's ratio leads to increase in the
area of foam pad 14 cup on stretching. Preferably, foam pad 14 has
a negative in-plane Poisson's ratio sufficient to maintain the
surface area and/or shape of the foam pad upon deformation. For
example, foam pad 14 can have a negative in-plane Poisson's ratio
in the range of about 0.0 to about -1.0 and any subranges
therebetween. Preferably, foam pad 14 has a negative in-plane
Poisson's ratio of about -0.8.
[0030] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, auxetic foam
layer 16 can be configured to release of one or more chemical
agents (not shown) when in the open or unfolded position shown in
FIG. 4. The chemical agents can include agents such as, but not
limited to, deodorants, perfumes, antiperspirants, medications, and
others.
[0031] It should be recognized that it is contemplated by the
present disclosure for foam pad 14 to find use in support regions
12 of garment 10 other than breast cup region such as, but not
limited to, a strap region 26 (FIG. 1), chest band region 28 (FIG.
1), and a side wing panel 30, any other garment region where
support and shaping are desired, and any combinations thereof.
[0032] It is also contemplated by the present disclosure for foam
pad 14 to find use in garments 10 other than a brassiere. For
example, foam pad 14 can find use in any intimate apparel garment
including a camisole, a bathing suit, a leotard, a panty, or any
other garment for females or males where support and shaping are
desired.
[0033] Foam pad 14 can have any shape desired for support region
12. For example, when foam pad 14 is used as a breast cup, the foam
pad can have a generally hemispherical shape. In some embodiments,
auxetic foam layer 16, and when present conventional foam layer 18,
are first formed as flat sheets then molded to the desired shape
(i.e., a molded foam layer). In other embodiments, auxetic foam
layer 16 can be cut or machined to the desired shape from a block
of auxetic foam (i.e., a machined foam layer). In still other
embodiments, a sheet of the auxetic foam layer 16 can be cut from a
block of auxetic foam and then molded to the desired shape (i.e., a
machined and molded foam layer).
[0034] Auxetic foam layer 16 having the negative in-plane Poisson's
ratio can be produced by, for example, a triaxial compression and
heat treatment process to produce a large isotropic auxetic foam
block, from which a sheet (flat or curved) is then cut or
machined.
[0035] It should also be recognized that the terms "first",
"second", "third", "upper", "lower", and the like may be used
herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a
spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements
unless specifically stated.
[0036] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without
departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that
the present disclosure not be limited to the particular
embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the appended claims
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