WO2014062067A1

WO2014062067A1 - Micro climate system

Info

Publication number: WO2014062067A1
Application number: PCT/NO2013/050175
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sarah RANDALL; Philip TAVELL
Original assignee: Helly Hansen As
Priority date: 2012-10-19
Filing date: 2013-10-17
Publication date: 2014-04-24
Also published as: NO20121227A1; NO334771B1

Abstract

A system for a breathable garment comprising an outermost layer (303), an insulating layer (302), air vents (101, 102) and is further characterised in that it comprises pads (201) attached to the insulating layer creating pathways between the insulating layer and the body (301) of the user.

Description

MICRO CLIMATE SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a garments, and more specifically to a system for a garment suitable for outdoor use and especially jackets suitable for outdoor use at various levels of activity and weather conditions.

Background of the invention

Weather shifts quickly, a sunny winter day can turn suddenly cold, and blue skies can quickly turn to snow or sleet. The body's climate can fluctuate at an even faster rate as internal temperature and perspiration levels vary during even moderate physical training. Excessive moisture in a jacket can also dramatically reduce the warmth it can provide to its wearer. These constantly varying conditions create a need for the enthusiast to manage his/her own personal climate. Until now, e.g . skiers have had to basically accept that they would at various stages be either too hot or too cold. This effectively reduces their performance, comfort, and enjoyment. Our invention introduces a micro climate system to provide the wearer with the unique capability to regulate their own personal climate, i.e. moisture and temperature, across a variety of outdoor conditions and activities - all within one jacket. This is achieved through a series of proprietary elements, unique combination of existing elements and a mechanical ventilation system that utilizes natures' elements.

US Patent 4,242,769 describes an anti-exposure inflatable structure suit designed for airmen. This structure is designed with spaced inflatable cavities and water vapour openings to prevent water from entering through the structure next to the body. Perspiration can get trapped under the structure next to the body and cannot escape creating an excessively wet environment within the jacket. The suit is breathable only at the outer layer and does not influence the internal moisture or temperature, that is, there is no ability to regulate the micro climate around the body. US Patent 7,013,489 describes a light weight jacket with a sealed air polymer cellular thermal layer. It is water impermeable and offers thermal protection and water buoyancy. This garment is multipurpose and intended for nautical work and outdoor use. These designs are intended for extreme climates. However, this solution is not lightweight and is therefore not applicable for a range of physical activities. As it is intended for nautical work, it is not breathable, as moisture will get locked into the suit next to the body, and there is no ability to regulate the micro climate around the body.

The main reason for freezing is when the user produces more moisture then the garment can transport away from the inside, this makes the garment wet inside. When a garment is wet inside it loses a big part of its heating properties.

Jackets and outerwear such as the above, are built for use within a specific climate spectrum, e.g. for warm and sometimes rainy weather the jacket should be waterproof and not insulated. In extremely cold and dry weather, the jacket should be heavily insulated and breathable but not water resistant. Jackets have had to be built this way to keep the jacket wearer comfortable when in that specific climate.

The ability for a single jacket to provide protection, performance and comfort in a broader range of climates has been limited due to the lack of innovative materials and designs specifically targeting the micro climate that is created by the body's' natural perspiration and heat generated around the torso.

The term micro climate system as it is used here can be defined by temperature, humidity and airflow around the body. By regulating the micro climate around the body, the wearer of the garment can adjust to changing weather conditions as well as activity levels, e.g. more intense activities will introduce more heat and moisture in the micro climate.

Jackets on the market today have limited versatility, because they have been designed with a specific climate in mind, e.g. the cold/dry jackets would not function well when it's warm/rainy. Because the external climate and the micro climate within the jacket are constantly changing, the wearer is often either too warm, too cold, or too sweaty, leaving them uncomfortable as there is little opportunity to adjust their micro climate beyond the traditional means of venting zippers - or simply removing the jacket.

Summary of the invention

The present invention, as it is stated in the set of claims, solves the problems mentioned above. This is done by introducing a garment with a micro climate system that provides the wearer with the capability to regulate their own personal climate, i.e. moisture and temperature, across a variety of outdoor conditions and activities. This is achieved through a series of proprietary elements, a novel combination of existing elements and a mechanical ventilation system. This invention will help in moving moisture away from the garment and help the wearer to stay dry and warm.

It is created a system where the user can regulate the heat or cooling of the garment depending of outside conditions with the help of pads, air circulation, and more rapid ventilation. Venting is achieved via the air vents, which are sized and positioned to create a negative air pressure so the excess of moist and heated air is sucked out in an efficient way.

Through the unique application of the outer barrier, insulation that provides for air circulation, and a venting system, the user is able to manage temperature and humidity in order to stay dry, comfortable and performing at their best throughout the day.

The system is based on the application of three elements:

- An outer barrier / shell that provides protection from the elements and makes sure that the user don ^'t get wet from the outside,

- insulation that incorporates pads giving positive and negative spaces and provides for air circulation, and

- a venting system with strategically placed in-take and out-take "air vents" that promote rapid ventilation.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a front and back view of a jacket with an embodiment of the present invention incorporated.

Figure 2 is a view of the inside of a jacket with a preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporated, showing the different components of the entire system. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 is an illustration of the outer layer of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an illustration of the pads according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is an illustration of the ventilation vents according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description

Figure 1 is a front and back view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is shown the micro climate system incorporated in a jacket. On the front of the jacket it is placed a set of zippers 101. These zippers 101 can be closed or opened according to the climate inside the jacket. When opened it is created air vents. These air vents allow the air on the inside of the jacket to be circulated.

On the back of the jacket it is situated at least one further zipper 102. When all zippers 101, 102 are opened they allow for maximum ventilation. The user can choose the level of ventilation by either closing all the zippers 101, 102, by opening some of the zippers, or by opening all of the zippers 101, 102.

Figure 2 shows the inside of a jacket comprising of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The breathable protective shell allows moisture to penetrate from the inside of the jacket to the outside. Further the breathable protective shell stops water penetrating from the outside of the jacket to the inside.

It also shows the air vents 101, 102, situated in the front and in the back of the jacket.

In addition to this a number of pads 201 are placed on the inside of the jacket. The pads 201 add extra air space allowing the heated air to evaporate faster. This hinders the moisture from entering the insulation and reducing the insulating properties. These pads 201 are preferably placed in areas where the body naturally produces the highest levels of sweat. In the embodiment shown in figure 2 the pads 201 are placed at an angle slanting downwards from the centre of the back of the jacket 202. The pads 201 are placed in a pattern making pathways between the pads 201. These pathways allow warm, moist air to circulate and to be transported out through the air vents 101, 102. Further the jacket comprises an adjustment system 203 at the lower edge of the jacket. This adjustment system 203 allows the user to tighten and loosen the lower edge of the jacket around the body. This is a further option for adjusting the ventilation of the jacket. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the inside of a jacket with the micro climate system incorporated. The system comprises a protective outer shell 303. To this outer shell 303 it is attached a lining 302. The pads 201 are attached to the lining 302 of the jacket. The pads 201 rest against the body of the user 301. This creates spaces between the body and the lining 302 of the jacket. These spaces create pathways where the air can circulate.

The lining 302 of the jacket can preferably be an insulated layer or it can also be a breathable inner layer.

Figure 4 is a view of the layers of a jacket according to the invention. The outermost layer is a breathable protective shell. The layer includes an outer shell fabric, such as a polyester micro light weight rip-stop which is water repellent and can function as a wind stopper. The outer shell fabric can also be a textile covered with a water repellent and vapour permeable membrane.

Figure 5 shows the pads 201 at three different angles, from the side, in perspective and from above. The pads 201 can be in any different size and have any particular shape. The function of the pads 201 is to separate the fabric of the jacket from the body 301. The pads 201 can be made of different fabrics. Further the pads 201 can be placed in a pattern as shown in figure 2, or they can be placed randomly throughout the whole lining 302 or any other pattern.

Figure 6 shows an example of an air vent 101, 102. In the jacket, there is provided air vents 101, 102, being a mechanical ventilation system. The air vents 101, 102 are provided in the exterior or outermost layer of the jacket and can be opened and shut via opening and locking means such as zippers, Velcro or hooks and loops, snap fasteners or other suitable locking means. The air vents 101, 102 allow the wearer to regulate the flow of air into, out of and through the jacket. Garments according to the present invention have a number of advantages over other garments in the marketplace. The air vents is a simple and efficient mechanical ventilation system that uses natures' elements. The micro climate system according to the invention presents a unique combination of a protective shell 303, air vents 101, 102 and pads 201.

While the best effects of micro climate control will be realized while combining all the elements, it is possible to combine some of the elements in unique

combinations to deliver similar results.

It is also conceivable that a garment according to the invention can be realized through other elements that would provide enhanced insulation properties and increased air flow such as other combinations of insulation and air pockets, other synthetics, down, etc., combinations of air flow vents, insulation and exaggerated air pockets or liners that enhance air flow while providing exaggerated air pockets for insulation. However, for the garment or apparel according to the invention to work in an efficient manner, the garment should be provided with at least one breathing layer, at least one insulating layer and preferably at least one layer being able of transporting humidity and to some extent allow for circulation of the air. The outermost breathable layer 303 can be a simple textile functioning as a wind stopper. It can also be a more advanced material also providing water repellent and/or vapour permeable properties. In some applications of the invention, it is beneficial to provide an outermost layer including several layers, for example a textile covered with one or more membranes with different properties or a layer where one or more textiles are adhered to each other with or without one or more membranes.

The invention can also be used in shoes, gloves, sleeping bags, blankets, backpacks and socks.

Claims

1. A garment comprising at least one layer of fabric (303), air vents (101, 102) and which is further c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t it comprises pads (201) attached to the inside of the garment creating space between the garment and the body (301) of the user.

2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of fabric (303) comprises a water repellent, vapour permeable, exterior shell covering the garment.

3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the air vents (101, 102) are in the form of either zippers, Velcro, hooks, loops, snap fasteners or any other suitable locking means.

4. A garment according to claim 1, wherein said pads (201) are placed on the inside of a jacket at an angle slanting downwards from the centre of the back (202) of the jacket.

5. A garment according to claim 1, wherein said jacket comprises an adjustment system (203) at the lower edge of the jacket.