GB2401302A

GB2401302A - Tailored apparel with moisture management

Info

Publication number: GB2401302A
Application number: GB0310336A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Guthrie Caldwell; John Thomas Callagan Boyle
Original assignee: DEWHIRST GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: DEWHIRST GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-06
Filing date: 2003-05-06
Publication date: 2004-11-10
Also published as: GB0310336D0

Abstract

The item of apparel is typically a tailored jacket or a pair of trousers, having a moisture management system whereby the wearer stays dry and comfortable during everyday wear such as when working and travelling even in hot and/or humid conditions. The moisture management is achieved by introducing into the fabric e.g. a polyester material which wicks perspiration away from the body of the wearer to the outer surface of the garment where it can evaporate quickly. More particularly the fabric is a blend of wool and a breathable polyester, a spun worsted polyester fibre being woven with wool to provide a polyester weft at the rear of the garment with wicking properties and a wool warp at the front of the garment.

Description

ITEM OF APPAREL

This invention relates to items of apparel, and more particularly to tailored items such as jackets and trousers.

It is now well established practice to produce items of sportswear, typically for activities such as gymnastics, aerobics and athletics, which incorporate what can be termed moisture management systems enabling the wearer to remain dry and comfortable during periods of activity.

Such items of sportswear incorporate long fibres of polyester spun into filament yarn of a predetermined denier which is subsequently knitted into the item.

It is also now an established practice to provide tailored garments, for example jackets and trousers incorporating wool, which are washable and crease resistant, and whereby such garments can be washed in washing machines without adversely affecting the garments.

However, the wearing of such garments can lead to discomfort to the wearer in hot or humid conditions, or in the event of unexpected exertion, in view of the nature of the fabric, which may typically be wool/polyester blends.

It would be desirable to be able to provide a tailored item of apparel, for example a jacket or a pair of trousers, which allows the wearer to remain dry and comfortable during everyday wear, particularly when working or travelling.

According to the present invention there is provided a tailored item of apparel, typically a jacket or a pair of trousers, comprising a fabric which wicks perspiration away from the body of the wearer to the outer surface of the item of apparel where it them evaporates. Such an item thereby incorporates a moisture management system which enables the wearer to remain dry and comfortable at all times.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fabric is breathable, washable and quick drying.

The preferred fabric comprises a blend of wool and a wickable polyester, for example 60% wool and 40% polyester.

Conveniently the fabric is woven and comprises a polyester weft and a wool warp. The polyester enables perspiration to be wicked from the body of the wearer to the outside surface of the fabric where it then evaporates.

The item of apparel may be lined with, for example, viscose polyester, which also allows perspiration to be wicked to the surface away from the wearer.

The item of apparel may incorporate non-woven inserts, for example shoulder pads, the fabric of which wicks moisture to the surface away from the wearer.

Conveniently the item of apparel is sewn with thread of a fusible nature to avoid puckering both before and after washing of the item.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. l is a schematic side view of a jacket according to the invention) Fig. 2 shows schematic examples of the fusible parts used in the manufacture of the suit jacket of Fig. l; Fig. 3 shows the overlooking of fabric and lining edges to prevent fraying in an item of apparel according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a concealed hem tack to avoid the hem of an item of apparel according to the invention from dropping during a wash; Fig. 5 shows a shaped under collar to assist maintaining collar shape in a jacket according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows fusible tapes used to avoid cuff hems of a jacket according to the invention from dropping during a wash; Fig. 7 shows the use of fusible tapes to secure front pocket bags of a jacket according to the invention sewn into a facing seam to reduce creasing during a wash; Fig. 8 shows the inbreast pocket bag of a jacket according to the invention sewn into a facing seam to reduce creasing during a wash; Fig. 9 shows the use of overlooking and pinking of chest and sleeve head canvas in a jacket according to the invention to obviate fraying, and Fig. 10 shows the tape inserts used to secure the shoulder pads of a jacket according to the invention to avoid creasing during a wash.

An example of the invention will now be described in greater detail.

The item of apparel according to the invention is typically a tailored jacket or a pair of trousers, the invention introducing a moisture management system into such tailored items for the first time whereby the wearer stays dry and comfortable during everyday wear such as when working and travailing even in hot and/or humid conditions.

The moisture management is achieved by introducing into the fabric a polyester material which wicks perspiration away from the body of the wearer to the outer surface of the garment where it can evaporate quickly.

More particularly the fabric is a blend of wool and a breathable polyester, a spun worsted polyester fibre being woven with wool to provide a polyester weft at the rear of the garment with winking properties and a wool warp at the front of the garment.

Such a fabric is breathable even when wet, is inherently washable, quick drying and has a crease memory whereby, on washing, the garment retains its before-wash appearance.

The garment is lined with a man-made/synthetic blend fabric, typically a viscose polyester, which is both breathable and incorporates a moisture management system.

The garment includes thermo-regulating non-woven components in specific areas, and is sewn with thread of a fusible nature to avoid puckering both before and after washing - conveniently the fusible thread is sewn with a heated needle and sets in place as it is sewn.

The construction of the garment is achieved using manufacturing techniques which ensure washability. In particular, the garment incorporates washable interlining, back stitching of seams, overlooking of edges, taping of seams, and the securing of pocket bags, facings and hems see the accompanying drawings. All fuseables and inserts are of a washable nature.

Thus there is provided an item of apparel, in particular a jacket and/or a pair of trousers, which incorporates a moisture management system, and which is breathable, washable, quick drying and crease resistant, thereby allowing the wearer to remain dry and comfortable at all times.

Claims

CLAIMS: l. A tailored item of apparel, comprising a fabric which wicks

perspiration away from the body of the wearer to the outer surface of the item of apparel where it then evaporates.
2. A tailored item of apparel according to claim l, which is a jacket or a pair of trousers.
3. A tailored item of apparel according to claim l or 2 in which said fabric is a blend of wool and wickable polyester.
4. A tailored item of apparel according to claim 3, wherein said fabric is woven and comprises a polyester weft and a wool warp.
5. A tailored item of apparel according to any one of claims l to 4, wherein the item is lined with viscose polyester.
6. A tailored item of apparel according to any one of claims l to 5, incorporating non-woven inserts, the fabric of which wicks moisture to the surface away from the wearer.
7. A tailored item of apparel according to any one of claims l to 6, which is sewn with thread of a fusible nature to avoid puckering both before and after washing of the item.
8. A tailored item of apparel according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said fabric is washable.
9. An item of apparel substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.