WO2002019852A2

WO2002019852A2 - Cushioning means suitable for use in a garment

Info

Publication number: WO2002019852A2
Application number: PCT/AP2001/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Basil Constan-Tatos
Original assignee: Constan Tatos Peter Basil
Priority date: 2000-09-08
Filing date: 2001-09-07
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: AU2002220337A1; WO2002019852A3

Abstract

The invention relates to cushioning means [10] particularly suitable for use as a lining material in a garment [18]. The cushioning means [10] is designed to conform to the anatomical profile of a user and is characterized therein that it comprises at least one layer of closed-cell foam [12], and a plurality of breather apertures [14] extending through the cushioning means [10] for permitting through-flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer [12] and for accommodating displacement of the foam [12] under a compression force. The cushioning means [10] is further characterized therein that crease line formation within and cushioning characteristics of the cushioning means [10] are changeable by altering location of the breather apertures [14] within the cushioning means [10]. The invention also extends to a garment, and particularly a sports garment such as cycling pants, including such cushioning means [10], which is attached to the garment such that it generally covers the buttocks region, the perineal region between the legs and the lower pelvic region in use.

Description

CUSHIONING MEANS SUITABLE FOR USE IN A GARMENT

Technical field

This invention relates to cushioning means particularly suitable for use in a sports garment, such as cycling pants, swimwear, leotards, exercise suits and the like.

Background Art

Padded inserts for use in lining seat and crotch portions of sports garments, such as cycling pants, typically include a lining of an open-cell type foam, such as open-cell polyurethane, which is generally flame-bonded to a chamois layer. Open-cell foam is used as lining inserts in such sports garments not only because the sponge-like texture of the foam provides cushioning to those parts of a user's body that is particularly subjected to strain, but also because open-cell foam absorbs moisture. The open-cell foam permits at least partial passage of air through the lining and accordingly limits moisture build-up from perspiration in the seat and crotch portion of the garment.

However, open-cell foam has a number of disadvantages when used as a garment lining material. One of the disadvantages is that open-cell foam reaches a moisture saturation point. Once the open-cell foam lining has been saturated in use it no longer absorbs moisture and prevents airflow through the lining. The already absorbed moisture is retained within the lining, causing it to become soggy. This can cause chaffing and substantial discomfort to a user. It is for this reason, for example, that open-cell foam is unsuitable for use as a lining material in sports garments for use by tri- or bi-athletes, where such athletes participate in both a swimming and a cycling race. These athletes are often obliged to change garments between the swimming and the cycling leg of the race since cycling shorts, which include the open-cell foam lining for padding purposes, cannot also be worn for swimming.

Open-cell foam is a resilient material comprising a multitude of foam cells, the foam material being characterized therein that upon compression thereof, air escapes from the foam cells and upon release of the compression, air re-enters the foam cells. It is this resilient nature of open-cell foam that provides the cushioning in garment linings. However, open-ceil foam loses some of its resilience with use, causing such garment lining gradually to loose its cushioning characteristic.

In addition, it is well known that cushioning linings for use in sports garments usually comprise at least two sections that are seamed together before being stitched or otherwise attached to the garment for forming a lining. In this regard, one of the further disadvantages of open-cell foam is that because it gradually loses resilience with use, the seams in the lining tend to remain as hard ridges within the lining. This again causes substantial discomfort in use.

Object of the invention

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide novel cushioning means particularly suitable for use in a sports garment that will overcome or minimize spme of the disadvantages associated with known garment lining materials, or at least to provide a useful alternative to existing garment liners.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a garment including the cushioning means.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention there is provided cushioning means particularly suitable for use as a lining material in a garment wherein the cushioning means is designed to conform to the anatomical profile of a user, the cushioning means being characterized therein that it comprises at least one layer of closed-cell foam, and a plurality of breather apertures extending through the closed-cell foam for permitting through-flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer and for accommodating displacement of the foam under a compression force.

The cushioning means may have a two-ply construction, comprising the layer of closed-cell foam, and a layer of fabric, such as brushed nylon chamois, bonded to the foam layer. The layer of closed-cell foam may be bonded to the fabric layer to form the cushioning means before the same is attached to the garment. The layers of closed-cell foam and fabric may be bonded to each other by means of any suitable moisture curable contact adhesive.

The breather apertures may extend through both the closed-cell foam layer and the fabric layer. Particularly, the breather apertures are die-cut apertures through the cushioning means. The breather apertures each may have a radius of approximately 2mm to 5mm. More particularly, each breather aperture may have a uniform radius of approximately 4mm.

The breather apertures may have a specific configuration which is determined by the requisite cushioning characteristics of the cushioning means, the arrangement being such that an increase in breather apertures per square centimeter of the cushioning area increases the cushioning characteristics of that area. The cushioning means is accordingly characterized therein that its cushioning characteristics may be manipulated by manipulating the breather apertures per square centimeter of the cushioning means.

The configuration of the breather apertures also may be determined by the requisite crease lines of the cushioning means, the arrangement being such that increasing the number of breather apertures in a specific line forms the crease line.

The cushioning means may comprise at least two portions seamed together such that the cushioning means conforms to the anatomical profile of a user, a first portion being substantially elliptical in dimension and including a wedge-shaped cut-out; and a second substantially wedge-shaped portion attachable to the first portion such that the wedge- shaped portion is beatable in the cut-out.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a garment including cushioning means characterized therein that it includes at least one layer of closed-cell foam; and a series of breather apertures extending through the cushioning means for permitting through-flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer. The cushioning means may be attached to the garment by stitching it to an interior surface of the garment, or by laminating it directly to the garment material surface.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided cycling pants including cushioning means designed to conform to the anatomical profile of a user and generally covering the buttocks region, the perineal region between the legs and the lower pelvic region in use, the cushioning means being characterized therein that it includes at least one layer of closed-cell foam; and a series of breather apertures extending through the cushioning means for permitting through-flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer.

Specific embodiment of the invention

Without limiting the scope thereof, one embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein -

Figure 1 A is a perspective view of a first portion of a cushioning means according to the invention; Figure 1B is a perspective view of a second portion of a cushioning means according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cushioning means according to the invention with the first and second portions seamed to each other; and

Figure 3 is an illustration of where the cushioning means is located on a user.

Cushioning means according to the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The cushioning means 10 comprises one layer of closed-cell foam 12, and a plurality of breather apertures 14 extending through the cushioning means 10 for permitting through-flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer 12 and for accommodating displacement of the foam 12 under a compression force.

The cushioning means 10 have a two-ply construction. In particular, it comprises the layer of closed-cell foam 12 and a layer of fabric 16, such as brushed nylon chamois, bonded to the foam layer 12. The closed-cell foam may be Airex foam, for example, and the fabric may be Eschler brushed nylon chamois.

The layer of closed-cell foam 12 is bonded to the fabric layer 16 to form the cushioning means 10 before the same is attached to a garment 18, such as cycling pants. The cushioning means 10 is attached to the garment 18 such that the fabric layer 16 is in contact with a user's body in use. The layers of closed-cell foam 12 and fabric 16 are bonded to each other by means of any suitable moisture curable contact adhesive.

The breather apertures 14 extend through the closed-cell foam layer 12 and the fabric layer 16. The breather apertures 14 are die-cut after the foam layer 12 and fabric layer 16 are bonded to each other. The breather apertures 14 each have a uniform radius of approximately 4mm.

The cushioning means 10 comprise two portions 20, 22 that are seamed together such that the cushioning means 10 conforms to the anatomical profile of a user. The first portion 20 is substantially elliptical in dimension and includes a wedge-shaped cutout 21. The second portion 22 is substantially wedge-shaped and is attachable to the first portion 20 such that the wedge-shaped portion 22 is beatable in the cutout 21. In use, the wedge-shaped second portion 22 is located adjacent the perineal region between the legs and the lower pelvic region of a user, with the first portion 20 arranged adjacent the buttocks region.

The applicant believes that, although closed-cell foam is generally unsuitable for use as a garment lining because of its inability to absorb moisture, the combination of closed-cell foam with breather apertures extending there through is not only suitable for such use, but will provide advantages over the use of open-cell foam. The applicant believes that such closed-cell cushioning means should provide cushioning without absorbing moisture, whilst at the same time permitting airflow through the breather apertures in the lining, thus keeping a user dry.

So, for example, the applicant believes that the closed-cell foam cushioning means will retain its cushioning characteristic for longer than the open-cell foam, since the cushioning characteristic is not dependant on the intrinsic resilience of the material, but on the number of breather apertures extending there through. It is for this same reason that the applicant believes that the closed-cell foam will provide increased cushioning for the same thickness of material in comparison with the open-cell foam, since each cell in the closed-cell foam effectively acts as an individual "cushion". Furthermore, it is envisaged that the use of closed-cell foam should alleviate the problem of seam ridges forming, because it retains its cushioning characteristic. It is also envisaged that because the closed-cell foam does not absorb moisture, it should be useable in garments for tri-athletes, for example. It will be appreciated that numerous other embodiments of the invention may be possible without deporting from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

Cushioning means [10] particularly suitable for use as a lining material in a garment [18] wherein the cushioning means [10] is designed to conform to the anatomical profile of a user, the cushioning means [10] being characterized therein that it comprises at least one layer of closed-cell foam [12], and a plurality of breather apertures [14] extending through the closed-cell foam [12] for permitting through- flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer [12] and for at least partially accommodating displacement of the foam [12] under influence of a compression force.

The cushioning means [10] according to claim 1 characterized therein that the cushioning means [10] has a two-ply construction comprising the layer of closed-cell foam [12] and a layer of fabric [16], such as brushed nylon chamois, bonded to the foam layer [12].

3. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 2 characterized therein that the layer of closed-cell foam [12] is bonded to the fabric layer [16], and the breather apertures [14] formed to extend through both the closed-cell foam layer [12] and the fabric layer [16] to form the cushioning means [10] before the same is attached to the

garment [18].

4. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 3 characterized therein that the layers of closed-cell foam [12] and fabric [16] are bonded to each other by means of any suitable moisture curable contact adhesive.

5. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 3 characterized therein that the breather apertures [14] are die-cut apertures extending through the cushioning means [10].

6. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 5 characterized therein that the breather apertures [14] each have a radius of between approximately 2mm and 5mm.

7. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 6 characterized therein that each breather aperture [14] has a uniform radius of approximately 4mm.

8. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 1 characterized therein that the breather apertures [14] have a specific configuration which is determined by the requisite cushioning characteristics of the cushioning means [10], the arrangement being such that the cushioning characteristics of an area of the cushioning means [10] is increased by increasing the number of breather apertures [14] per square centimeter in that area.

9. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 1 characterized therein that the configuration of the breather apertures [14] is also determined by the requisite crease lines of the cushioning means [10], the arrangement being such that a crease line is formed in the cushioning means [10] by increasing the number of breather apertures [14] arranged in a specific line.

10. The cushioning means [10] according to claim 1 characterized therein that the cushioning means [10] comprises at least two portions [20, 22] seamed together such that the cushioning means [10] conforms to the anatomical profile of a user, a first portion [20] being substantially elliptical in dimension and including a wedge- shaped cut-out [21]; and a second substantially wedge-shaped portion [22] attachable to the first portion [20] such that the wedge-shaped portion [22] is beatable in the cut-out [21].

11. A garment [18] including cushioning means [10] characterized therein that it includes at least one layer of closed-cell foam [12]; and a series of breather apertures [14] extending through the cushioning means [10] for permitting through-flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer [12].

12. The garment [18] according to claim 11 characterized therein that the cushioning means [10] is attached to the garment [18] by stitching it to an interior surface of the garment [18], or by laminating it directly to the garment [18] material surface.

13. A sports garment, such as cycling pants, including cushioning means [10] designed to conform to the anatomical profile of a user and generally covering the buttocks region, the perineal region between the legs and the lower pelvic region in use, the cushioning means [10] being characterized therein that it includes at least one layer of closed-cell foam [12]; and a series of breather apertures [14] extending through the cushioning means [10] for permitting through-flow of air through the closed-cell foam layer [12].

14. The sports garment [18] according to 13 characterized therein that the cushioning means [10] has a two-ply construction comprising the layer of closed-cell foam [12] and a layer of fabric [16], such as brushed nylon chamois, bonded to the foam layer [12].

15. The sports garment [18] according to claim 14 characterized therein that the layer of closed-cell foam [12] is bonded to the fabric layer [16], and the breather apertures [14] are formed to extend through both the closed-cell foam layer [12] and the fabric layer [16] to form the cushioning means [10] before the same is attached to the garment [18].

16. The sports garment [18] according to claim 15 characterized therein that the layers of closed-cell foam [12] and fabric [16] are bonded to each other by means of any suitable moisture curable contact adhesive.

17. The sports garment [18] according to claim 15 characterized therein that the breather apertures [14] are die-cut apertures extending through the cushioning means [10].

18. The sports garment [18] according to claim 17 characterized therein that the breather apertures [14] each have a radius of between approximately 2mm and 5mm.

19. The sports garment [18] according to claim 18 characterized therein that each breather aperture [14] has a uniform radius of approximately 4mm.

20. The sports garment [18] according to claim 13 characterized therein that the breather apertures [14] have a specific configuration which is determined by the requisite cushioning characteristics of the cushioning means [10], the arrangement being such that the cushioning characteristics of an area of the cushioning means [10] is increased by increasing the number of breather apertures [14] per square centimeter in that area.

21. The sports garment [18] according to claim 13 characterized therein that the configuration of the breather apertures [14] is also determined by the requisite crease lines of the cushioning means [10], the arrangement being such that crease lines are formed in the cushioning means [10] by increasing the number of breather apertures [14] arranged in a specific line.

22. The sports garment [18] according to claim 13 characterized therein that the cushioning means [10] comprises at least two portions [20, 22] seamed together such that the cushioning means [10] conforms to the anatomical profile of a user, a first portion [20] being substantially elliptical in dimension and including a wedge- shaped cut-out [21]; and a second substantially wedge-shaped portion [22] attachable to the first portion [20] such that the wedge-shaped portion [22] is beatable in the cut-out [21].