GB2193429A - Thermoregulatory clothing - Google Patents

Abstract

One function of clothing is to provide humans with a means of maintaining body temperature between limits which are both comfortable and necessary for normal body function. The present invention provides a means by which clothing may be made more effective in its role in assisting temperature regulation, by specific insulation or ventilation of brown fat areas: insulating brown fat areas to conserve heat produced in extremes of cold; ventilating brown fat areas to dissipate heat produced in warm conditions. The areas concerned are illustrated by cross-hatching in the figure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Thermoregulatory clothing This invention relates to the thermoregulatory nature of articles of clothing.

One function of clothing is to provide humans with a means of maintaining body temperature between limits which are both comfortable and necessary for normal body function.

The human body possesses a tissue known as adipose tissue or fat, of which there are two recognised types; 'Yellow or White Fat' and 'Brown Fat'. Each characterised by; structure, localisation, vascularisation and function of the cells.

Brown fat is a tissue capable of metabolism which actively generates heat, thereby assisting temperature regulation. Brown fat cells are found in localised areas over the human body.

The anatomical distribution of which is characteristic to all humans.

It is recognised that active brown fat possesses the ability to generate heat in response to cold stress, and of all tissues it is believed to have the greatest capacity for heat production.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means by which clothing may be made more effective in its role in assisting temperature regulation, by specific insulation or ventilation of brown fat areas: Insulating brown fat areas to conserve heat produced in extremes of cold; ventilating brown fat areas to dissipate heat produced in warm conditions.

Furthermore the present invention provides a means by which the incorporation of sectors of relatively lower insulatory capacity, specifically at sites of brown fat tissue, may be adopted, permitting increased local temperature sensitivity in these areas, and facilitating brown fat tissue adaptability to environmental temperature.

According to the invention there is provided clothing which incorporate sectors of different insulatory capacity specifically at the sites of brown fat tissue.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to a wetsuit/drysuit, i.e. an article of clothing generally adopted to assist in body temperature regulation in water associated pursuits.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a side, back and front view respectively, of a wetsuit/drysuit, wherein the panels, shown by the crosshatched area, are of a greater insulatory capacity, located at brown fat sites.

It will be appreciated that a wetsuit/drysuit efficient in heat insulation and made in accordance with the invention, may be constructed to be less bulky and hence more comfortable by the selective nature of insulation.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations of clothing, insulated or ventilated, with removable or permanent panels specifically located in areas normally associated with brown fat sites, being possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. Clothing is provided which incorporate sectors of different insuiatory capacity specifically at the sites of brown fat tissue.

2. A wetsuit/drysuit: generally adopted to assist in body temperature regulation in water associated pursuits, is provided which incorporate sectors of different insulatory capacity specifically at the sites of brown fat tissue.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Thermoregulatory clothing This invention relates to the thermoregulatory nature of articles of clothing. One function of clothing is to provide humans with a means of maintaining body temperature between limits which are both comfortable and necessary for normal body function. The human body possesses a tissue known as adipose tissue or fat, of which there are two recognised types; 'Yellow or White Fat' and 'Brown Fat'. Each characterised by; structure, localisation, vascularisation and function of the cells. Brown fat is a tissue capable of metabolism which actively generates heat, thereby assisting temperature regulation. Brown fat cells are found in localised areas over the human body. The anatomical distribution of which is characteristic to all humans. It is recognised that active brown fat possesses the ability to generate heat in response to cold stress, and of all tissues it is believed to have the greatest capacity for heat production. It is an object of the present invention to provide a means by which clothing may be made more effective in its role in assisting temperature regulation, by specific insulation or ventilation of brown fat areas: Insulating brown fat areas to conserve heat produced in extremes of cold; ventilating brown fat areas to dissipate heat produced in warm conditions. Furthermore the present invention provides a means by which the incorporation of sectors of relatively lower insulatory capacity, specifically at sites of brown fat tissue, may be adopted, permitting increased local temperature sensitivity in these areas, and facilitating brown fat tissue adaptability to environmental temperature. According to the invention there is provided clothing which incorporate sectors of different insulatory capacity specifically at the sites of brown fat tissue. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to a wetsuit/drysuit, i.e. an article of clothing generally adopted to assist in body temperature regulation in water associated pursuits. Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a side, back and front view respectively, of a wetsuit/drysuit, wherein the panels, shown by the crosshatched area, are of a greater insulatory capacity, located at brown fat sites. It will be appreciated that a wetsuit/drysuit efficient in heat insulation and made in accordance with the invention, may be constructed to be less bulky and hence more comfortable by the selective nature of insulation. It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations of clothing, insulated or ventilated, with removable or permanent panels specifically located in areas normally associated with brown fat sites, being possible without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. Clothing is provided which incorporate sectors of different insuiatory capacity specifically at the sites of brown fat tissue.

2. A wetsuit/drysuit: generally adopted to assist in body temperature regulation in water associated pursuits, is provided which incorporate sectors of different insulatory capacity specifically at the sites of brown fat tissue.