JP2012526008A - Patterned thermal management materials - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to garments having designed performance characteristics, and in particular, include an array of thermal management elements coupled to the base material to conduct body heat while maintaining the desired transfer characteristics of the base material. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus to be used. In some embodiments, the thermal management material element includes a thermal management element that reflects or conducts heat and directs heat toward or away from the user's body. it can.
[Selection] Figure 1E

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a provisional application filed on May 7, 2009, whose disclosure is incorporated herein in its entirety. Claim the benefit of 61/176448 filing date. This application is incorporated by reference in its entirety for US Design Patent Application No. 5 29/336730, U.S. design patent application no. 29/360364, US design patent application no. 29/346787, U.S. design patent application no. 29/346784, US design patent application no. 29/346788, U.S. design patent application no. 29/346785 and US design patent application no. 29/346786, a continuation-in-part application, alleging the benefit of those filing dates.

  Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to fabrics or other materials used in garments and other commodities with designed performance characteristics, and in particular, heat through reflection or conduction while maintaining the desired transfer characteristics of the base fabric. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus that utilizes an array of thermal management / conducting elements coupled to a base fabric that manages the temperature.

  Currently, heat reflectors such as aluminum and mylar usually take the form of a single solid film that is glued or attached to the interior of a garment such as a jacket. The purpose of this layer is to suppress heat radiation by reflecting the wearer's body temperature, thereby keeping the wearer warm in the cold state.

  However, these heat reflective linings do not transfer water vapor and do not allow air passages, so they do not trap moisture near the body. The use of heat-reflective materials interferes with breathability and other functions of the underlying base fabric, so the use of heat-reflective materials during physical activity moistens the inside of the garment, thereby causing discomfort and wet Heat loss is accelerated due to the inherent heat conduction of the material. In addition, these heat reflective coating materials impair the ability of the material to stretch, drape, or hang in the desired manner.

  Embodiments of the present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a top garment such as a coat having a lining of a base material having a heat transfer / management element disposed thereon, according to various embodiments. FIG. 1B is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric or material, according to various embodiments. FIG. 1C is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric or material, according to various embodiments. FIG. 1D is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric or material, according to various embodiments. FIG. IE is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric or material, according to various embodiments. FIG. 2A is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric, according to various embodiments. FIG. 2B is a diagram of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric, according to various embodiments. FIG. 3A is a diagram of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric, according to various embodiments. FIG. 3B is a diagram of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric, according to various embodiments. FIG. 3C is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric, according to various embodiments. FIG. 3D is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric, according to various embodiments. FIG. 3E is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element disposed on a base fabric, according to various embodiments. FIG. 4 illustrates a top garment, such as a coat, having a base material lining with a heat transfer / management element disposed thereon, according to various embodiments. FIG. 5 illustrates a top garment, such as a coat, having a base material lining with a heat transfer / management element disposed thereon, according to various embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a top garment, such as a coat, having a base material lining with a heat transfer / management element disposed thereon, according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates a top garment such as a coat having a base material lining having a heat transfer / management element disposed thereon, according to various embodiments. FIG. 8A is a diagram of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a jacket, according to various embodiments. FIG. 8B is a diagram of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a jacket, according to various embodiments. FIG. 8C is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a jacket, according to various embodiments. FIG. 8D is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a jacket, according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a boot, according to various embodiments. FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a glove with cuffs wrapped outward to show a lining, according to various embodiments. FIG. 11 is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a hat, according to various embodiments. FIG. 12 is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a set of pants, according to various embodiments. FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a sock, according to various embodiments. FIG. 14 is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a boot, according to various embodiments. FIG. 15A is an illustration of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used in a reversible tent canvas, according to various embodiments. FIG. 15B is a diagram of an example of a patterned heat transfer / management element used on a portion of a tent body, according to various embodiments.

  In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustrative embodiments, in which the disclosure may be practiced. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents based on the disclosure of the invention.

  The various operations are described as a plurality of discontinuous operations in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention, but the order of explanation is that these operations are order dependent. Should not be interpreted as meaning.

  The description uses descriptions based on aspects such as top / bottom, back / front and top / bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate discussion and are not intended to limit the application of embodiments of the present invention.

  The terms “coupled” and “joined” can be used along with their derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in certain embodiments, “joined” is used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” is used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” means that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but still cooperates or interacts with each other.

  For illustrative purposes, the phrase “A / B” or “A and / or B” forms means (A), (B), or (A and B). For illustrative purposes, phrases in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” are (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), ( B and C) or (A, B and C). For illustrative purposes, a phrase of the form “(A) B” means (B) or (AB), that is, A means an optional element.

  The description uses the phrases “in an embodiment” or “in a plurality of embodiments” each referring to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, terms such as “comprising”, “including”, “having” and the like are synonymous when used in connection with embodiments of the present invention.

  In various embodiments, the material for the garment manages body heat, for example, by directing heat toward or away from the body as needed while maintaining the desired transfer characteristics of the base fabric. It is disclosed to use a pattern of thermal management material elements bonded to a base fabric for. For example, referring to FIGS. 1B-1E, in one embodiment, a plurality of thermal management or thermal guidance elements 10 are disposed in a generally non-continuous array of base fabrics 20 so that portions of the base fabrics are adjacent. Exposed between thermal management elements. The thermal indicating function of the thermal management element is directed towards the body via reflection or away from the body via conduction and / or heat generation or other heat transfer characteristics.

  The thermal management element 10 covers a sufficient surface area of the base fabric 20 to provide the desired thermal management (e.g., heat away from the body so that heat can be reflected or directed toward the body to increase warmth). Conduction). Sufficient area of the base fabric is exposed to provide the desired base fabric function (eg, stretch, drape, breathability, water vapor and air permeability, or wicking).

  In various embodiments, the base fabric may be bodywear (eg, see FIGS. 1A and 4-13), sleeping bag (see, eg, FIG. 14), blanket, tent (eg, see FIG. 15B), canvas (eg, see FIG. 15A). ) Etc. can be part of any form of clothing. As used herein, bodywear includes jackets, pants, scarves, shirts, hats, gloves, mittens and other outerwear, shoes, boots, slippers and other underwear, pajamas, nightclothes such as robes, and robes, and It is defined to include anything worn on the body, including but not limited to underwear, heat retaining underwear, socks, socks and the like.

  In various embodiments, a single layer garment is used and can be composed of a single layer of base fabric, whereas other embodiments are base fabrics bonded to one or more other layers. Multiple layers of fabric comprising one or more layers can be used. For example, the base fabric can be used as a fabric lining for garments.

  In various embodiments, the array of thermal management elements is disposed on a base fabric having one or more desired properties. For example, the underlying base material has properties such as breathability, water vapor transfer and / or wickability that are common needs for garments used in both indoor and outdoor applications Can do. In other embodiments, the separation between the thermal management elements helps to allow the base material to have the desired drape, appearance and / or weave. In some embodiments, the separation between the thermal management elements helps to allow the base material to have the desired stretch. Suitable base fabrics are nylon, polyester, rayon, cotton, spandex, wool, silk, or mixtures thereof, or the desired appearance, feel, weight, thickness, weave, and / or weave, or other desired Any other material that includes the following characteristics may be included. In various embodiments, allowing a specified percentage of the remaining base fabric not covered by the thermal management element can cause body heat to flow in a desired direction, for example, toward or away from the user's body. Allow that portion of the base fabric to perform the desired function while leaving enough surface area of the thermal management material element to guide.

  For example, the thermal management element is made of a material that is placed in such a manner and helps direct the heat generated by the body. In one embodiment, the thermal management element is configured to reflect the user's body heat towards the user's body, which is particularly suitable for cold environments. In other embodiments, the thermal management element is configured to direct the user's body heat away from the user's body, which is particularly suitable in warm environments.

  In various embodiments, the base fabric is positioned so that the element faces the user's body and is thus positioned to manage body heat (eg, reflect or direct heat) as described above. A thermal management element disposed on the innermost surface of the garment. In some embodiments, the thermal management elements are exposed to an environment that allows the thermal management elements to reflect heat away from the user, for example, while the base fabric performs the desired function sufficiently. Can be placed on the outer surface of the garment and / or base fabric. In some embodiments, the thermal management element can perform these functions without adversely affecting the stretch, drape, feel or other properties of the base fabric.

  In some embodiments, the thermal management element can be an aluminum-based material (especially optimized for reflectivity), a copper-based material (especially suitable for conductivity), or other metal or metal alloy-based material. . Non-metallic or alloy-based materials are used in other embodiments as heat conducting materials such as metal plastics, mylars, or other artificial materials provided to have heat reflected heat or heat conducting properties. Can do.

  In various embodiments, the thermal management element can be permanently bonded to the base fabric by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, gluing, hot pressing, printing or stitching. In some embodiments, the thermal management element can be coupled to the base fabric by frequency welding such as radio or ultrasonic welding.

  In various embodiments, the thermal indicating characteristics of the thermal management element are affected by the composition of the base fabric or the overall structure of the garment. For example, the base fabric is used with an important insulating property. When combined with a heat management element having heat reflective properties, an insulating backing / lining helps to limit the conductivity that occurs naturally and can improve the reflective properties of the heat management element. In another example, the base fabric provides little or no insulation, but can be bonded to an insulating layer provided on the side of the base fabric opposite the thermal management material element. A separate insulating layer helps reduce the possibility of thermal conductivity of the element and improve its reflectivity. In some embodiments, the thermal management element becomes more conductive as the air layer between the garment and the wearer becomes hotter and humid. Such an example is suitable for use in cold weather applications, for example.

  In various embodiments, the base fabric is used to have little or no insulating properties. When combined with a thermal management element that is configured primarily to conduct heat as opposed to reflecting heat, the base fabric and thermal management element may be used in warm climates or when engaged in extreme physical activity. Helps remove excess body heat generated in the body. Such an embodiment is suitable for warm weather.

  In various embodiments, the thermal management material elements can be in a pattern or continuous or discontinuous arrangement defined by the manufacturer. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, the thermal management element 10 may be a series of dot-like heat reflective (or thermally conductive) elements that are bonded or secured to the base fabric 20 in a desired pattern. it can. Such a configuration allows the base fabric to perform a function of one or more desired characteristics (eg, allowing water vapor to exit through the fabric to reduce the level of respiration and moisture accumulation) ( Providing the user with heat reflection and therefore warmth (for example when a heat-reflecting element is used) or alternatively providing the user with heat-conduction and thus coolness (for example when a heat-conducting element is used) It was discovered.

  Although the illustrated embodiment shows the thermal management material element as a separate element, in some embodiments some or all thermal management elements allow a partial pattern of a grid pattern or base fabric They can be arranged to be coupled to each other like other patterns.

  In various embodiments, the configuration and pattern of the thermal management element is itself selected by the user and can take any of a variety of forms. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, FIGS. 3A-3E, and FIGS. 4-6, the configuration of the thermal management element 10 disposed on the base fabric 20 used for the garment can vary in geometry. It can be in the form of a pattern (eg, line, wave, triangle, square, logo, word, etc.).

  In various embodiments, the pattern of the thermal management element can be symmetric, orderly, random, and / or asymmetric. Furthermore, as will be described below, the pattern of thermal management elements can be placed on a base material in a strategic position to improve the performance of the bodywear. In various embodiments, the size of the thermal management element can be varied to balance the need for enhanced heat transfer properties and maintain the functionality of the base fabric.

  In an embodiment, the density and ratio of the surface area covered by the heat management material element to the surface area of the base fabric remaining uncovered by the heat management material element is about 3: 7 (30%) to about 7: 3. (70%). This range shows that it provides a good balance of thermal management properties (eg, reflective or conductive) with the desired properties (eg, breathability and moisture wicking) of the base fabric. In certain embodiments, this ratio can be about 4: 6 (40%) to about 6: 4 (60%).

  In various embodiments, the arrangement, pattern, and / or range of thermal management elements can be varied. For example, the thermal management elements are concentrated in specific areas where thermal management is more important (eg body core) and other areas where the functioning of the base fabric properties is more important (eg away from the body) Can be absent or extremely limited in the area under the arm or back part) to escape. In various embodiments, different areas of the garment may have different coverage ratios, eg, 70% on the chest and 30% on the limbs, to help optimize the need for warmth and breathability, for example. Have.

  In various embodiments, the size of the thermal management element is the largest in the core region of the body (or the smallest space between them) due to increased reflection or conduction in these regions, The size is the smallest in the surrounding area of the body (or the space between them is the largest). In some embodiments, the degree of coverage by the thermal management element can be changed in a gradual manner throughout the garment depending on the need for local thermal management. Some embodiments may use heat reflecting elements in one area and heat conducting elements in other areas of the garment.

  In various embodiments, the thermal management element is configured to resist moisture accumulation in the thermal management element itself and enhance the function of the base fabric (eg, breathability and moisture wicking). In one embodiment, decreasing the area of individual elements and increasing the density tends to decrease the moisture accumulated on the thermal management element as the thermal direction (eg reflective or conductive) and the base fabric It has been found to provide a better balance between functionality. In some embodiments, it has been found that maintaining the surface area of individual thermal management elements below one square centimeter can help reduce the potential for moisture accumulation. In various embodiments, the thermal management element has a maximum dimension (diameter, hypotenuse, length, width, etc.) that is less than or equal to about 1 cm. In some embodiments, the maximum dimension can be 1 to 4 mm. In other embodiments, the largest dimension of the thermal management element can be as small as 1 mm or smaller.

  In some embodiments, the localization profile of individual thermal management elements can prevent moisture from adhering to the thermal management element. For example, the thermal management element can be convex, conical, grooved or other protrusion that helps promote moisture to flow towards the base fabric. In some embodiments, the surface of the thermal management element is treated with a compound that limits the accumulation of water vapor on the element and helps to better guide moisture to the base fabric without significantly affecting the thermal conductivity characteristics of the element. Can be One example treatment can be hydrophobic fluorocarbons that can be applied to the element via lamination, spray deposition or in a chemical bath.

  In various embodiments, the thermal management element can be removed from the base fabric and, if desired, zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners (eg, Velcro®), and other removable It can be reconfigured using various removable coupling fasteners such as an interface. In addition, the base material can be formed as an individual garment item and used in combination with other garments to improve the thermal management of the user's body heat. For example, the upper body under a garment garment can be configured with a thermal management element in accordance with various embodiments. The upper body under the wear garment is worn by one user, in which case heat conduction away from the user's body generally occurs or is insulated to increase the heat reflectivity of the user's body heat Occurs in connection with outer garments.

  In various embodiments, the thermal management element is applied to the base fabric such that the surface of the thermal management element is concave, concave, or concave with respect to the base fabric such that the surface is disposed below the surface of the base fabric. be able to. This configuration has the effect of improving moisture wicking when, for example, the base fabric is a garment part or garment lining that engages the user's skin or potential cloth. Further, such contact with the base fabric can increase comfort to the wearer of the garment in applications where the skin is in direct contact with the base fabric (eg, gloves, mittens, underwear, or socks).

  8 to 15 are a jacket (FIGS. 8A-D), a boot (FIG. 9), a glove (FIG. 10), a hat (FIG. 11), a pants (FIG. 12), a sock (FIG. 13), and a sleeping bag (FIG. 14). FIG. 16 shows various views of patterned thermal management fabrics used in various garment applications, such as tent canvas (FIG. 15A) and tent (FIG. 15B). Each illustrated garment portion includes a base material 20 having a plurality of thermal management elements 10 disposed thereon.

  While the embodiments of the principles described herein include a thermal management element disposed on the inner surface of the base fabric in various embodiments, the thermal management material element is exposed, for example, to the outer surface of a garment. Can be used on the outside of the garment to reflect or conduct heat. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1B-3E, the base fabric and heat reflecting elements may be coated, sleeping bags, tents or tent canvases, etc. to reflect heat away from the user. It can be applied to the outer or outer surface of the garment.

  In some embodiments, the garment is reversible so that the user can decide whether to use a cloth that conducts heat toward the body or away from the body. Can do. An example of such a reversible garment is shown in FIG. 15A. In this embodiment, the thermal management element can be included on one side of the tent canvas. In one embodiment, the tent canvas can be used with an outward thermal management element, for example in hot weather or sunny conditions, to reflect heat away from the tent user's body. Conversely, in cold weather, the tent canvas is turned over, for example, the tent canvas has an inward thermal management element towards the user's body so that it reflects body heat towards the inside of the tent. Can be attached. Although tent canvases are used to illustrate this principle, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same concept applies to other garments such as reversible jackets, coats, hats and the like. FIG. 15B shows an example in which at least a portion of the tent body includes a fabric having a plurality of thermal management elements disposed thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat reflecting element is configured to face outward and reflect heat away from the body of the tent user according to the direction away from the tent. In other embodiments, the elements can be configured inwardly.

  While specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, a wide variety of alternative and / or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purpose are within the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that substitutions may be made for the illustrated and described embodiments without departing. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments according to the present invention can be implemented in various ways. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of any of the embodiments described herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments according to the present invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims (25)

A thermal management material suitable for use in clothes,
A base material having transfer characteristics suitable to permit the prevention and / or restriction of natural element passage through the base material;
An array of thermally conductive elements coupled to the first side of the base material;
The heat conducting elements are arranged to conduct heat in the desired direction;
The arrangement and space of the heat transfer element is a heat management material that helps the base material to perform the transfer characteristics of the heat transfer element. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The base material comprises the innermost layer of the garment, and the heat conducting element is disposed inwardly and is arranged to conduct heat toward the body of the garment user. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The base material comprises the outermost layer of the garment, and the thermal management material is disposed on the base material so that the heat conducting element faces away from the garment user's body. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
Natural elements are heat management materials that are air, moisture, water vapor or heat. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The base material is a heat management material that is a hygroscopic fabric. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The base material is a thermal management material that is one or more insulating or water resistant materials. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The base material is a thermal management material that is bonded to an insulating or water resistant material disposed on the opposite side of the thermal management element. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
A thermal management material having a surface area ratio of the heat conducting element to the base material of from about 7: 3 to about 3: 7. The thermal management material according to claim 8,
A thermal management material having a surface area ratio of the heat transfer element to the base material of from about 3: 2 to about 2: 3. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The heat management element is a heat management material that is a metal or metal alloy. The thermal management material according to claim 10,
The heat management element is a heat management material, which is aluminum that enhances heat reflection or copper that enhances heat conduction. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The heat conducting material has a maximum dimension less than about 1 cm. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The thermal management material is a thermal management material that is treated with a hydrophobic material to resist the accumulation of moisture on the thermal conduction element. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The heat conducting material has a maximum space less than about 1 cm. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The heat transfer element is a heat management material having a minimum space greater than about 1 cm. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
Thermal management material that is part of a coat, jacket, shoes, boots, slippers, gloves, mittens, hat, scarf, pants, socks, tent, tent canvas or sleeping bag. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
The heat management element is a heat management material that is concave or convex. The thermal management material according to claim 1,
A heat-conducting element is a heat management material that is recessed into the base material such that the outer surface of the heat-conducting element is below the surface of the base material. A method of manufacturing a thermal management garment material comprising:
An array of heat-conducting elements arranged to conduct heat in a desired direction on a base material having transfer characteristics suitable to permit prevention and / or restriction of natural element passage through the base material. Combining,
Combining thermal management garment material with the garment part;
Providing body heat management and base material functionality to the base material. The method of claim 19, wherein
Combining the array of thermally conductive elements comprises combining thermally conductive elements of a size and space that cover from about 30% to about 70% of the base material. The method of claim 19, wherein
Coupling the array of heat conducting elements comprises coupling the heat conducting elements such that there is a space of about 2 mm to 1 cm between adjacent heat conducting elements. The method of claim 19, wherein
The base material further provides insulating properties, and the heat conducting element reflects heat towards the user's body. The method of claim 19, wherein
A method in which the base material does not provide sufficient insulating properties and the heat conducting element conducts heat away from the user's body. The method of claim 19, wherein
A method wherein the heat transfer element further comprises treating the heat transfer element with a hydrophobic treatment that resists moisture accumulated in the heat transfer element. The method of claim 19, wherein
Providing body heat management and base material functionality to the base material
Providing a heat conducting element adapted to conduct heat away from the wearer's body or to reflect heat towards the wearer's body;
Providing a base material comprising one or more functional properties including breathability, moisture wicking and thermal breathability.

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