U.S. patent application number 13/011943 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for thermally insulated personal article.
Invention is credited to Furio Orologio.
Application Number | 20110203028 13/011943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44065388 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110203028 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orologio; Furio |
August 25, 2011 |
THERMALLY INSULATED PERSONAL ARTICLE
Abstract
An article having an inner article layer and an outer article
layer to be worn by a mammal comprising a thermally insulating
layer of a reflective metal polymeric insulation material adjacent
to at least one of the inner and outer article layers. The
insulation material provides enhanced thermal retention.
Inventors: |
Orologio; Furio; (Etobicoke,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44065388 |
Appl. No.: |
13/011943 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 ;
2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2400/10 20130101;
A41D 31/065 20190201 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 ;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41D 31/02 20060101
A41D031/02; A41D 27/00 20060101 A41D027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 23, 2010 |
CA |
2694424 |
Claims
1. An article having an inner article layer and an outer article
layer to be worn by a mammal comprising a thermally insulating
layer of a reflective metal polymeric insulation material adjacent
to at least one of said inner and outer article layers.
2. An article as claimed in claim 1 selected from the group
consisting of apparel, hats, tuques, muffs, gloves, boots and
shoes.
3. An article as claimed in claim 2 wherein said apparel is
selected from coats, trousers, vests, waistcoats and dresses.
4. An article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insulation
material comprises a foam material selected from a closed cell
foam, polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam and expanded
polystyrene foam, multi-film layers assembly, and a bubble
pack.
5. An article as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bubble pack
comprises a first thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions
wherein each of said portions defines a cavity; a second
thermoplastic film in sealed engagement with said first film to
provide a plurality of closed said cavities.
6. An article as claimed in claim 5 comprising at least a single
layer comprising a metal laminated to a thermoplastic layer or a
metalized thermoplastic layer.
7. An article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material has a
first face and a second face and comprises a laminated layer of
metal adjacent or a metalized layer on at least one of said first
face and said second faces.
8. An article as claimed in claim 4 comprising a bubble pack
assembly having (i) a first bubble pack having a first
thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions wherein each of
said portions defines a cavity and a second thermoplastic film in
sealed engagement with said first film to provide a plurality of
closed said cavities; and (ii) a second bubble-pack having a third
thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions wherein each of
said portions defines a cavity and a fourth thermoplastic film in
sealed engagement with said third film to provide a plurality of
closed said cavities; and (iii) a metal layer or metalized
thermoplastic film interposed between and bonded to said first
bubble pack and said second bubble pack.
9. An article as claimed in claim 4 comprising a bubble pack
assembly comprising: (i) a first bubble-pack having a bubbled first
thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions between said
bubbles wherein each of said portions defines a cavity and a second
thermoplastic film in heat sealed engagement with said first film
to close said cavities; (ii) a second bubble-pack having a bubbled
third thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions between
said bubbles wherein each of said portions defines a cavity and a
fourth thermoplastic film in heat sealed engagement with said third
film to close said cavities; and (iii) a film selected from a metal
laminate or a metalized thermoplastic film interposed between said
second and fourth thermoplastic films and laminated thereto by
heat-sealing to provide said composite bubble pack assembly.
10. An article as claimed in claim 9 wherein said metalized
thermoplastic or metal laminate is a layer interposed between a
pair of polyethylene films to constitute a layer interposed between
said first bubble-pack and said second bubble-pack and laminated
thereto by heat sealing.
11. An article as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one of said
first, second, third, and fourth films is formed of a thermoplastic
selected from the group consisting of a low density polyethylene, a
linear low density polyethylene and a nylon.
12. An article as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bubble pack
further comprises one or more additional thermoplastic films.
13. An article as claimed in claim 4 having at least one outer
layer of laminated metal or metalized film.
14. An article as claimed in claim 4 having two outer layers formed
of laminated metal or metalized thermoplastic film.
15. An article as claimed in claim 5 further comprising at least
one additional thermoplastic film.
16. An article as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one of said
first, second, third or fourth films is formed of a thermoplastics
material selected from the group consisting of a low density
polyethylene, a linear low density polyethylene, an ethylene-vinyl
acetate polymer, a nylon, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride.
17. An article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflective metal
polymeric insulation material comprises aluminum.
18. An article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said insulation
material has a first external outer layer and a second external
outer layer and wherein at least one of said first and second outer
layers has a plurality of external spacers adhered to said outer
layer at suitable locations intermittent of said outer layer, and
by which said material is retained to at least one of said inner
and outer article layers.
19. An article as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bubble pack
comprises a reflective metal polymeric insulation bubble pack
assembly comprising a first reflective metal bubble pack; a second
reflective metal bubble pack; and a first plurality of intervening
bubble spacers suitably located between said first and said second
bubble packs as to define at least one inner insulative air chamber
between said first and second bubble packs.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to thermally insulated articles worn
by a mammal, particularly human beings, and particularly to
articles of clothing and footwear.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Apparel and footwear worn by mammals, particularly human
beings, are typically thermally insulated by means of a thick or a
plurality of wool or other fabric layers per se or insulative foam,
wool or other fabric material between an inner lining and the outer
skin of cloth making up the jacket, trousers, coats and the
like.
[0003] At present, satisfactory insulated apparel in cold or very
cold environments generally need to be bulky to provide a
satisfactory comfort level.
[0004] There is, however, a need to provide thermally insulated
clothing that provides satisfactory thermal insulation that is not
relatively bulky.
[0005] Reflective metal polymeric insulation materials are known in
the construction industry, particularly for use in residential,
commercial, and industrial buildings and establishments, wherein
the insulation material is adjacent frame structures, walls, crawl
spaces, ceilings, around water heaters and pipes and under concrete
floors and roads. Examples of such uses are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,322,873--issued Nov. 27, 2001 to Orologio, Furio and No.
6,562,439--issued May 13, 2003 to Orologio, Furio; and Canadian
Patent No. 2,554,754--issued Dec. 4, 2007 to Orologio, Furio.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides articles to be worn by a
person in the form of apparel or clothing, such as, for example,
jackets, coats, trousers, headgear, hats, tuques, muffs and gloves,
as well as boots and shoes, insulated with a layer of a reflective
metal polymeric insulating material.
[0007] The layer of insulating material may be adhered, sewn or
otherwise suitably affixed within or to the inner and/or outer
layers of the article.
[0008] Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides an
article having an inner article layer and an outer article layer to
be worn by a mammal comprising a thermally insulating layer of a
reflective metal polymeric insulation material adjacent to at least
one of said inner and outer article layers.
[0009] Preferably, the invention provides an article as hereinabove
defined selected from the group consisting of apparel, hats, awes,
muffs, gloves, boots and shoes.
[0010] Preferably, the apparel is selected from coats, trousers,
vests, waistcoats and dresses.
[0011] Preferably, the insulation material comprises a foam
material selected from a closed cell foam, polyethylene foam,
polypropylene foam and expanded polystyrene foam, multi-film layers
assembly, and a bubble pack.
[0012] Preferably, the invention provides an article wherein the
bubble pack comprises a first thermoplastic film having a plurality
of portions wherein each of said portions defines a cavity; a
second thermoplastic film in sealed engagement with said first film
to provide a plurality of closed said cavities.
[0013] Preferably, the invention provides an article comprising at
least a single layer comprising a metal laminated to a
thermoplastic layer or a metalized thermoplastic layer.
[0014] More preferably, the invention provides an article wherein
said material has a first face and a second face and comprises a
laminated layer of metal adjacent or a metalized layer on at least
one of said first face and said second face.
[0015] In further preferred embodiments, the invention provides an
article comprising a bubble pack assembly having
[0016] (i) a first bubble pack having a first thermoplastic film
having a plurality of portions wherein each of said portions
defines a cavity and a second thermoplastic film in sealed
engagement with said first film to provide a plurality of closed
said cavities; and
[0017] (ii) a second bubble-pack having a third thermoplastic film
having a plurality of portions wherein each of said portions
defines a cavity and a fourth thermoplastic film in sealed
engagement with said third film to provide a plurality of closed
said cavities; and
[0018] (iii) a metal layer or metalized thermoplastic film
interposed between and bonded to said first bubble pack and said
second bubble pack.
[0019] In further embodiments, the invention provides an article
comprising a bubble pack assembly comprising:
[0020] (i) a first bubble-pack having a bubbled first thermoplastic
film having a plurality of portions between said bubbles wherein
each of said portions defines a cavity and a second thermoplastic
film in heat sealed engagement with said first film to close said
cavities;
[0021] (ii) a second bubble-pack having a bubbled third
thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions between said
bubbles wherein each of said portions defines a cavity and a fourth
thermoplastic film in heat sealed engagement with said third film
to close said cavities; and
[0022] (iii) a film selected from a metal laminate or a metalized
thermoplastic film interposed between said second and fourth
thermoplastic films and laminated thereto by heat-sealing to
provide said composite bubble pack assembly.
[0023] In further embodiments, the invention provides an article
wherein said metalized thermoplastic or laminate is a layer
interposed between a pair of polyethylene films to constitute a
layer interposed between said first bubble-pack and said second
bubble-pack and laminated thereto by heat sealing.
[0024] In further embodiments, the invention provides an article
wherein at least one of said first, second, third, and fourth films
is formed of a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of
a low density polyethylene, a linear low density polyethylene and a
nylon.
[0025] In yet further embodiments, the invention provides an
article wherein said bubble pack further comprises one or more
additional thermoplastic films.
[0026] In yet further embodiments, the invention provides an
article having at least one outer layer of laminated metal or
metalized film.
[0027] In yet further embodiments, the invention provides an
article having two outer layers formed of laminated metal or
metalized thermoplastic film.
[0028] In yet further embodiments, the invention provides an
article further comprising at least one additional thermoplastic
film.
[0029] In yet further embodiments, the invention provides an object
wherein at least one of said first, second, third or fourth films
is formed of a thermoplastics material selected from the group
consisting of a low density polyethylene, a linear low density
polyethylene, an ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer, a nylon,
polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride.
[0030] In preferred embodiments, the invention provides an article
wherein said reflective metal polymeric insulation material
comprises aluminum.
[0031] In further embodiments, the invention provides an article
wherein said insulation material has a first external outer layer
and a second external outer layer and wherein at least one of said
first and second outer layers has a plurality of external spacers
adhered to said outer layer at suitable locations intermittent of
said outer layer, and by which said material is retained to at
least one of said inner and outer article layers.
[0032] In further embodiments, the invention provides an article
wherein said bubble pack comprises a reflective metal polymeric
insulation bubble pack assembly comprising a first reflective metal
bubble pack; a second reflective metal bubble pack; and a first
plurality of intervening bubble spacers suitably located between
said first and said second bubble packs as to define at least one
inner insulative air chamber between said first and second bubble
packs.
[0033] The thickness and location of the insulative layer may be
selected dependent on the particular article. A typical thickness
of material for the inside of an overcoat, between the inner lining
and outer cloth, such as, wool, or a waterproof outer layer is
preferably Xmm to Ymm.
[0034] The insulation material, preferably, may be suitably sewn or
adhered by an adhesion as is desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] In order that the invention may be better understood,
preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example only,
with references to the accompanying drawings wherein
[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a person wearing
apparel, footwear and headgear with a reflective metal polymeric
insulation material according to the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an article (in
part) according to the invention;
[0038] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views through
a reflective metal insulation bubble pack having an interposed
aluminum foil or metalized polymeric film of use in the practise of
the invention;
[0039] FIGS. 5 to 16 represent diagrammatic, exploded sectional
views of bubble pack assemblies of use in the practise of the
invention; and wherein the same numerals denote like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] FIG. 1 shows generally as 1, a person 2, wearing headgear 3,
jacket 4, gloves 5, trousers 6 and boots 7 lined with reflective
metal polymeric insulation material according to the invention.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 2, this shows generally as 100, a
double layer, bubble-pack with aluminum foil insulation assembly
adhered between the outer skin 202 and inner lining 204 of a jacket
material. The double layer consists of a pair of bubble arrays 120,
140 bonded together through an intervening low density polyethylene
film 160. Arrays, 120, 140 are formed of a plurality of bubble or
sealed cavities 180, 200, respectively, from a 5 mil polyethylene
film 220, 240, respectively. Each of films 220, 240 at their outer
surfaces is bonded to a reflective aluminum foil 260, 280,
respectively, to provide the whole assembly with external aluminum
surfaces.
[0042] Assembly 100 has approximately twenty, 1 cm diameter, 0.5 cm
high bubbles per 30 cm length and breadth within each of films 220,
240.
[0043] The aforesaid assembly 100 is made by a double hot roller
thermal and vacuum forming process for cavity forming and
lamination sealing techniques known in the art.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 3, this shows generally as 200 a
composite double bubble-pack assembly according to the invention,
having an aluminum foil 102 disposed between and bonded to bubble
arrays 112 and 114 formed as for FIG. 2 assembly. Bubbles 118 and
120 are encapsulated between polyethylene films 116 and 128.
[0045] Aluminum foil 102 has a low emissivity value of less than 5%
on each surface to essentially eliminate heat transfer by
radiation.
[0046] Each of the single bubble-pack layers 112, 114 provides both
thermal conduction and convection insulation, and, in combination
with the aluminum surfaces, excellent radiation insulation.
[0047] The composite bubble-pack 100 offers significant resistance
to heavy loading whereby appreciate non-breakage of the air bubbles
is often found. Preferably, outer layers 128 are made slightly
thicker than inner layers 116 to better resist abrasion. Additional
water resistance or abrasion resistant films may be bonded or
formed laminated to layer 128.
[0048] Further, in consequence that composite assemblies of the
invention have better thermal R-values than prior art assemblies,
thinner or higher insulative assemblies may be provided.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a bubble pack generally as 80 having a pair of
insulative air chambers 81 created by inner spacers 88 laminated to
individual bubble packs 82, 84.
[0050] FIG. 4 assembly also has a plurality of external spacers 83
adhered to outer layer 85 to define with layer 85 open cavities 87,
which when adhered or sewn to an inner or outer lining 90 of an
article provides a sealed insulative air chamber 89 from open
cavities 87 between the bubble pack assembly 88 and lining 90.
Assembly 88 has a pair of aluminum laminate or metalized films 92
adhered together.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 5 to 16 the following numerals
denote the same materials throughout the drawings, as follows: --
[0052] 12--48 gauge aluminum metalized polyester (PET) film; [0053]
14--adhesive; [0054] 16--1.2 ml polyethylene film; [0055] 18--2.0
ml polyethylene film (bubbled); [0056] 20--1.2 ml ethylene vinyl
acetate-polyethylene film; [0057] 22--2.0 ml polyethylene film;
[0058] 24--aluminum foil; [0059] 26--polyester scrim; [0060] FR
denotes 18% w/w antimony oxide fire retardant; [0061] W denotes
presence of TiO.sub.2 pigment (white).
[0062] The bubble pack layer is preferably of a thickness selected
from 0.5 cm to 1.25 cm. The other polyethylene layers are each of a
thickness, preferably, selected from 1 to 6 mls.
[0063] Although this disclosure has described and illustrated
certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be
understood that the invention is not restricted to those particular
embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which
are functional or mechanical equivalence of the specific
embodiments and features that have been described and
illustrated.
* * * * *