WO2012104652A2 - Combinaison destinée à être portée dans ou sur une masse d'eau - Google Patents

Combinaison destinée à être portée dans ou sur une masse d'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012104652A2
WO2012104652A2 PCT/GB2012/050235 GB2012050235W WO2012104652A2 WO 2012104652 A2 WO2012104652 A2 WO 2012104652A2 GB 2012050235 W GB2012050235 W GB 2012050235W WO 2012104652 A2 WO2012104652 A2 WO 2012104652A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
suit
layer
wool
panel
water
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2012/050235
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2012104652A3 (fr
Inventor
John Gordon
Corey Gordon
Original Assignee
John Gordon
Corey Gordon
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by John Gordon, Corey Gordon filed Critical John Gordon
Priority to EP12704900.5A priority Critical patent/EP2670266A2/fr
Priority to US13/982,982 priority patent/US20130318672A1/en
Publication of WO2012104652A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012104652A2/fr
Publication of WO2012104652A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012104652A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/02—Divers' equipment
    • B63C11/04—Resilient suits
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/012—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches for aquatic activities, e.g. with buoyancy aids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
    • A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
    • A41D31/10—Impermeable to liquids, e.g. waterproof; Liquid-repellent
    • A41D31/102—Waterproof and breathable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2500/00—Materials for garments
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2500/00—Materials for garments
    • A41D2500/10—Knitted
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2500/00—Materials for garments
    • A41D2500/50—Synthetic resins or rubbers
    • A41D2500/52—Synthetic resins or rubbers in sheet form

Definitions

  • the invention to which this application relates is a suit for use in or in association with water, said suit being worn by a person when in or on water and/or in conjunction with other diving apparatus.
  • reference to the suit of the invention includes wetsuits, drysuits, emergency suits, deep diving suits and are hereafter referred to as a suit in this application.
  • the basic structure of suits of this type is provided to allow a limited amount of water to enter, and be held, within the suit to improve the insulation of the same and hence improve the warmth of the wearer.
  • the water is not permitted to flush in and out of the wetsuit as, if this occurred, a large percentage of the retained diver heat energy would be lo st.
  • This control is typically achieved by the provision of relatively snug fitting cuffs in the wrist and ankles and a snug collar or attached hood around the neck or head.
  • Zippers can also be provided and, in conjunction with sealing flaps, can be adjusted to limit the passage of water through the zipper and hence the wetsuit.
  • a drysuit can be formed of similar materials but does not allow the passage of water into the same. However a dry suit can provide warmth via perspiration from the diver which can be retained in the suit.
  • the suits are conventionally manufactured using at least one layer of a closed cell foam rubber such as, for example, using neoprene or chloroprene.
  • the foam rubber material includes closed cells which act to trap air or gas therein and afford thermal protection and benefit to the wearer.
  • the water pressure increases on the suit, and hence the rubber foam, and acts to crush the closed cells in the rubber foam material, thus reducing the volume of trapped air and depleting the thermal protection offered by the suit as the wearer descends and, when one considers that the water itself is likely to get colder as the wearer goes deeper, it will be appreciated that the wearer can experience discomfort due to the temperature drop which can act as a limitation on the activities o f the wearer.
  • every 10 metres of added depth adds another atmosphere of pressure exerted on the suit and, as the majority o f diving activity occurs at depths of 25-50 metres so the pressure exerted can be relatively large and in the order of 1 1000 to 23000 lbs per square foot in that depth range.
  • the effect of this on the rubber foam material used for the suit is to, for example, crush a 7mm thick neoprene suit to under 2mm at the 30 metre depth range, thereby significantly crushing the closed cells in the foam rubber and hence significantly reducing the thermal protection provided.
  • buoyancy loss can be significant and, as a result, the diver is often required to wear a buoyancy compensator which is typically worn about the upper torso in a similar manner to a life jacket. As required, air is forced into the compensator from the diver's air tank under the control of the diver. While the buoyancy compensator is effective it does represent another piece of apparatus required to be carried by the diver and can, in certain instances, limit the degree of access which the diver has to certain confined areas. As such, the buoyancy compensator is regarded as being necessary, but inconvenient.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide an improved suit for use on or in water and to provide the same in a configuration which allows the thermal advantage provided to the wearer to be improved, particularly when pressures of the extent discussed are exerted on the wetsuit and also allowing the flexibility and comfort of the suit to the wearer to be improved.
  • a suit to be worn by a person when in contact with water said suit including at least an outer layer of material, an intermediate layer and at least a portion of the suit includes an inner layer of wool, or wool blended with other fibres or materials, said layer provided to contact with the person and retain at least some of the liquid which enters the suit from an external source and/or from the person wearing the suit and wherein the intermediate layer is provided in the form of a membrane which is substantially impermeable to the passage of liquid therethrough.
  • the suit comprises only three layers as specified above, namely an outer layer, an intermediate membrane layer and an inner layer including wool.
  • the intermediate layer can be provided as a breathable membrane to allow the passage of air therethrough.
  • the membrane is non breathable but in either case, it is substantially impermeable to the passage of liquid therethrough.
  • the membrane is elastic in at least one direction.
  • the membrane is formed at least partially of polyurethane or urethane based material.
  • the membrane when provided to be breathable, it can be either or both of chemically breathable in which it allows air to pass therethrough and/or microscopically breathable in that it includes porous openings which are large enough to allow molecules of air to pass therethrough but not water.
  • the membrane to form the intermediate layer rather than the conventional use of a foam rubber, is particularly advantageous in relation to the wearing of the suit for activities which require greater physical exertion and in particular, those activities which are performed on the surface of a body of water as the thickness of the wall of the suit is considerably reduced than the case when it includes a layer of foam rubber.
  • the use of the membrane intermediate layer rather than the foam rubber intermediate layer is of particular advantage duet o the ability for the same to be breathable.
  • the membrane can be provided to be thinner than the equivalent foam rubber intermediate layer and still allow the same benefits in terms of thermal efficiency to be achieved.
  • the membrane is a hydrophilic monolithic material provided as a film which is laminated to either or both of the inner and/or outer layer of the suit.
  • the intermediate layer of material of the suit is manufactured by knitting or weaving to form the membrane.
  • solely wool is provided in the inner layer but in alternative embodiments the wool can be provided mixed with other fibres or materials to add or provide specific features to the wool.
  • the wool blended material is positioned to form the inner layer at least over portions of the suit which include any or any combination of the torso, legs and/or arms, or alternatively forms an inner layer extending across substantially all of the suit
  • the suit design can be made to the suit design to suit particular uses.
  • the need for the seams of the suit to be watertight is reduced as the person wearing the suit may only come into irregular contact with the water and indeed may never actually be submersed within the body of water.
  • the intermediate layer and/or inner wool blend layer may be reduced in thickness in comparison to a suit for wear by a person in an underwater activity.
  • the thickness of the wool blend layer and/or intermediate layer may be increased to provide particular advantages to the person wearing the suit at greater depths in the body of water.
  • water can pass between the inner surface of the said intermediate layer and the person wearing the suit.
  • the wool blend layer is provided at said portion or portions to lie between the person and the said intermediate layer in order to allow the wool blend layer to absorb the water and form an insulating and substantially non- compressible layer of the suit.
  • the wool blend layer is provided wherever water is permitted to pass between the diver and intermediate layer of material. Typically water is permitted to enter and pass into the same locations as in a conventional wetsuit.
  • the wool blend layer is separate to the intermediate layer of material and worn as a separate layer, although the same is more typically attached to the said layer at one or several locations.
  • the wool blend layer is provided attached, typically by lamination or other adhesion means, to the inner surface of the intermediate layer of material so as to lie adjacent the diver's skin when the suit is worn.
  • the wool blend layer is knitted and provided in a laminated arrangement with the layer of material so as to provide an even thickness lining on the interior of the suit.
  • the wool blend layer acts to absorb and contain the water or other fluids which is permitted to pass within the suit and between the layer of material and the wearer.
  • the wool used is Merino wool.
  • the suit includes an outer layer, said outer layer formed of a suitable material to provide required protection from the external environment in which the suit is to be worn.
  • the outer layer is formed of lycra and/or a polyester stretch fabric.
  • the wool blend is knitted into a layer and laminated to the intermediate layer.
  • wool and one or more synthetic yarns to be used to form the wool blend are introduced simultaneously and separately without previously having being twisted, wound or otherwise joined together or with the wool.
  • the inner layer of a wool blend is a gain in strength, especially if the material added is synthetic.
  • a further feature is that by adding selected material or fibres, the co st of the wool blend layer can be reduced by the use of material which is cheaper than the wool.
  • a yet further advantage is to improve the stretch of the inner layer whilst maintaining the strength of the same.
  • the wool blend includes a synthetic yarn in a proportion of about 1 % to 40% more preferably 10-20% by weight of the overall weight of the blend
  • Another feature is to add a material to the wool which is at least partially elasticated to offer improved elasticity (stretch) to the layer and hence the suit.
  • the preferred manner of providing the wool inner layer is as a knitted layer of material
  • an alternative is to form the inner layer from tufts or groups of wool or wool blend threads which are secured to a backing material.
  • the tufts or groups may be spaced apart in a predefined manner so as to cause the formation of a network of channels between said tufts or groups of wool or wool blend which may, for example, aid the flow of liquid through the inner layer of the suit.
  • the intermediate layer acts to form one side of a volume, the other side of which is defined by the wearers skin and in which the inner layer is located , with the wool blend inner layer acting to retain the liquid in said volume and hence provide the thermal efficiency to the wearer.
  • the synthetic and/or other natural materials added to the wool are added in such a manner so as to ensure that the performance and advantages of added comfort, improved feel and look are maintained along with the inherent advantages of using a natural material.
  • the provision of the wool material in the inner layer ensures that the inner layer acts to lock in liquid when wetted in the interior of the suit, and, when dry, to act as a hollow fibre insulating layer.
  • a method of manufacturing a suit for use with water comprising forming outer and intermediate layers of material into a shape for wearing by a person, and providing an inner layer of wool or wool blend to lie between the person and the layer of material when the suit is worn and laminating the wool blend inner layer material as a lining to the inner surface of the intermediate layer of material which is provided as a liquid impermeable membrane.
  • the method includes the step of providing means in the said material to permit the flow of water between the inner surface of said intermediate layer and the divers skin when the wet suit is worn and providing control means to allow the control of the quantity of water and in a manner to ensure that the water passing into the area between the diver and the layer o f material contacts and is absorbed by the wool material.
  • the inner layer typically includes wool in a blend with other material or fibre, such as a synthetic and includes a material to provide elasticity to the inner layer.
  • the wool used is Merino wool and the synthetic yarn is any of the range of yarns available such as polyester and the like.
  • the advantages of improved hygiene, due to the wool blend layer being antibacterial, the ability for the suit to be worn for a relatively long period of time, and the improved thermal capacity, are achieved and provided to the wearer of the suit, regardless of whether the suit is worn and used on the surface of, or within, the body of water.
  • the method of manufacturing the wool blend inner layer includes the step o f setting the synthetic yarn so as to define the level of extension or elasticity of the wool blend layer in sub sequent use.
  • the synthetic yarns are only set when they have already been provided and integrated into the wool blend inner layer, typically by knitting.
  • the wool blend inner layer is stretched to the required amount and passed through heated calendared rollers with opposing ends of the inner layer being restrained and kept under tension so as to ensure that the setting of the yarn by the heat takes place with the layer held at the required extent of stretch.
  • the setting by applying the heat by using the calendared rollers is performed after the dying and drying of the wool blend layer.
  • the synthetic yarns which are added to the wool are spandex or a similar elastic yarn, and/or nylon.
  • the wool and all of the synthetic yarns are separately supplied to at least some of the needles of the knitting machinery used to form the inner layer, together and simultaneously such that the blend is effectively created at the time of knitting.
  • the inner layer has a stretch capacity in at least one direction of 100% or more than its original length. More preferably, the stretch of the inner layer in one direction is 130% or greater and in a further direction is 200% or greater. This therefore means that where the stretch is for example, 220%, the inner layer which has a normal, relaxed length of 10cm can be stretched to up to 320cm.
  • a suit which includes an inner wool blend or wool layer in combination with an intermediate layer which is formed of a membrane of sheet material.
  • the said inner layer of wool, or wool blended with other fibres or materials is provided as a panel provided of a dimension which typically, but not necessarily, is less than that of the overall suit, said panel provided to be positioned adjacent to the wearers body when the suit is worn and the face of the panel opposing the wearer of the suit, is attached or attachable to the inner face of the suit at a selected location.
  • the panel can be supplied as a separate component and be available for purchase separately from the suit and applied to the suit by retrofitting the same at the desired position.
  • the panel includes a backing layer which is formed of a membrane of the form as described herein.
  • a suit to be worn by a person when in contact with water said suit including at least an outer layer of material, and at least a portion of the suit includes at least at one portion thereof an inner panel of wool, or wool blended with other fibres or materials, said panel provided to contact with the person wherein the said panel is of a dimension which is less than that of the overall suit, said panel provided to be positioned adjacent to the wearers body when the suit is worn and the face of the panel opposing the wearer of the suit, is attached, or attachable, to the inner face of the suit.
  • a panel provided to be applied to an inner face of a suit to be worn on or in a body of water said panel including a layer of wool or wool blend and a backing layer, said backing layer attachable to the said inner face of the suit to allow the panel to form part of the suit and the wool or wool blend layer to be positioned adjacent the body of the wearer of the suit when worn.
  • the said panel is applied directly to the inner face of the suit.
  • the said panel is provided with a backing layer which is a membrane as described herein.
  • the panel is attached to the inner wall of the suit using suitable attachment means, such as laminating and using an adhesive such as heat activated adhesive.
  • the panel can be located on the interior of the suit so as to be located at a particular location with regard to the anatomy of the wearer of the suit to provide additional warmth and/or comfort at that particular location as desired by the wearer.
  • the panel can be attached to the inner face o f the suit so as to straddle two or more panels of the suit such that the panel in accordance with the invention will extend across seams or joins between the panels of the suit.
  • the provision of the panel in accordance with the invention allows the additional warmth which the panel will provide to be specifically located on the suit and to be located without regard to the particular manufacture or shape of the panels which form the suit.
  • the panel can be applied at the time of manufacture of the suit or alternatively, can be applied at the time of sale of the suit such as the panel can be applied at a retail outlet or yet further, the panel can be obtained separately from the suit and attached to the suit separately so as to allow the panel to be retrospectively applied to an already existing suit.
  • the provision of the backing layer in conjunction with the wool or wool blend layer can be provided to allow greater thermal resistance and/or provide greater structural strength to the panel whilst, at the same time being sufficiently thin to allow heat to pass therethrough.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a cro ss section of part of a wetsuit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, being worn;
  • Figure 2 illustrates a cross section through part of the wetsuit in accordance with the invention in more detail in which the cross section is through a portion of the suit of Figure 1 in which the inner layer is provided;
  • FIGS 3a and b illustrates a further embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of part of suit of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 1 there is illustrated a wearer 2 wearing a suit 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • the example given is of a wetsuit however the same principles of the invention construction apply when provided as part of a drysuit.
  • the Figure 1 illustrates the suit with the wall of the same cut through in section for the purpose of illustration.
  • the wetsuit comprises, in this embodiment, an outer protective layer, an intermediate layer of a polyurethane or urethane membrane 6 and on the inner surface o f the same is a layer of Merino wool blend 8 laminated to the layer 6.
  • the wool blend layer acts to at least partially absorb the water which passes between the inner surface 20 of the layer 6 and the skin 10 of the wearer 2. The water is absorbed and held by the wool fibres in the inner layer 8 to form a thermal barrier between the diver's skin and the membrane layer 6.
  • control zones in the form in this case smoothskin seals at the collar 12 and cuffs 14 which serve to restrict and control the flow of water in and out of the inner volume 24 of the suit.
  • the head portion 1 6 of the wetsuit is permanently attached to or can be sealed with the same by the collar 12 and may also include the wool blend lining 8.
  • the control zones prevent and/or control the flushing of water in and out of the suit and hence minimise heat loss and ensure that the water enters the interior of the wet suit in a controlled manner by allowing the restriction of the flow as required at selected locations on the wetsuit.
  • Figures 2 and 4 illustrates a typical portion of the material wall o f the wetsuit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in cross section.
  • the wall includes the intermediate membrane layer 6 which acts as a barrier to prevent the flow of at least water therethrough.
  • the layer can be provided to be air permeable so as to be breathable and has an "inner" surface 20 which, when worn, faces towards the wearers skin 10.
  • a wool blend layer 8 preferably including knitted Merino wool, which in turn contacts the divers skin 10.
  • the outer protective layer 22 is typically a Lycra or similar material which is a 1 80 gm/ sqm knitted nylon warp Tricot with a water repellent treatment laminated to the outer surface of the intermediate layer 6 as shown to improve the strength and durability of the suit and Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which water droplets 26 are retained on the outer surface 30of the suit.
  • the inner layer is provided to extend across the interior of substantially the whole suit and in this case the inner layer will typically be laminated to the intermediate layer as part of the manufacturing process for the wetsuit or drysuit.
  • the wool blend layer can be provided as a panel 40 which is shaped as appropriate and provided for attachment at a selected location on the interior of the suit and in this case the panel can be attached at the time of manufacture or alternatively can be purchased separately to the suit and then be sub sequently attached to the suit, for example, at the time of purchase of the suit or thereafter by the owner of the suit.
  • the panel 40 comprises an inner layer 42 of wool blend as described herein and also, optionally a backing layer 44 in the form of a membrane of the type used in the intermediate layer of the suit as described herein.
  • the provision of the one or more panels as separate entities allows the same to be bought separately from a suit and then applied to that suit to allow the advantages o f the provision of the inner wool blend layer and also the membrane backing layer, if provided, to be obtained on suits which originally did not include the same.
  • the same advantages in terms of comfort and insulation are obtained and as the panels can be attached selectively they can be used to provide the advantages to specific areas of the suit as required by the specific user and on suits of any design and layer configuration and other than that defined herein a.
  • the membrane which is used to form the intermediate layer 6 and backing layer 44 can comprise a polyurethane or urethane layer which acts as a barrier to the passage of water therethough and also acts to prevent the effect of wind passing through the suit when it is worn on the surface of water rather than in the same.
  • the membrane is provided as a film and is microporous with high stretch characteristics.
  • the layer and preferably the suit as a whole is neutrally buoyant.
  • the intermediate layer thus forms one side of the volume 24 which allows the retention of the water in the same and which in turn is held by the wool in the wool blend layer 8 and is controlled through the use of control zones 12, 14.
  • the wool blend inner layer faces and contacts the skin 10 of the diver.
  • the layer is typically knitted and laminated using gluing/ laminating techniques, to the inner face 20 of the intermediate layer.
  • the weight of the wool lining can be, but is not limited to, 50 to 500 grammes per square metre.
  • the water, when it enters the volume 24 between the inner surface 20 of the intermediate layer 6 and the skin 10 in which the inner layer is located is thus absorbed by the wool and this has several advantageous effects.
  • the water and inner layer forms a layer of, for example 3-5mm, which is substantially non-compressible.
  • This layer and in particular the water held in the layer acts as a very efficient thermal barrier which, because it is sub stantially non compressible is not significantly acted upon the increased pressure as the depth of the diver in the water increases and therefore maintains its thermal efficiency at increasing depths.
  • the water is absorbed by the inner layer and retained by the wool fibres to form the thermal barrier between the diver skin and the intermediate, non-water permeable layer.
  • the wool is natural, the highly intricate surface scale structures that are inherent in the wool yarn is significantly better than the synthetic yarn surface structures which are sub stantially homogeneous.
  • the Merino wool in the inner layer will absorb typically a 0.5mm to 3.0 mm layer of water into the fibre of the wool such that as a diver descends, the layer of water in the wool is sub stantially non compressible, it is not crushed and hence the thickness of the layer and hence thermal efficiency and benefits are maintained for the diver.
  • Another important advantage is that as the water has a relatively high thermal inertia, it is able to absorb a large amount of heat energy and thus effectively a heat sink is created around the diver which absorbs the heat emitted by the diver during periods of work, retains the same and emits the same back to the diver during periods of lower exercise.
  • a further result of the use of a wool including inner layer in accordance with the invention is that the level of buoyancy lo ss as the diver descends is reduced in comparison to the conventional wetsuits. There is less requirement for inflation and deflation in use of the buoyancy compensator and an easier, more comfortable, and safer diving profile can be maintained by the diver. This can be particularly used to advantage with the inner layer increased in thickness thereby retaining and improving the thermal efficiency of the wetsuit while at the same time improving the buoyancy of the wetsuit as the compressible element o f the wetsuit is reduced.
  • Merino breed wool provides an exothermic reaction during the wetting process which can be referred to as the heat of sorption.
  • Merino wool also has high wrinkle and crush recovery thus further enhancing the thermal properties.
  • the Merino wool is resistant to odour, hydrophilic, highly elastic with excellent recovery characteristics and relatively non itchy and comfortable in wet or dry condition which is obviously advantageous when the layer is to be positioned close to the skin. It is therefore preferred that the wool layer is formed of or contains elements of Merino wool therein, although it will be appreciated that this should not limit the scope of the patent application to this form of wool alone as all wools contain to some degree all of the aforementioned advantages.
  • the wool blend inner layer 8 is knitted to a weight of between around 50 to around 500 grammes per sq. metre but can be anything from as fine as less than 50 and upwards of 500. It is found that ribbed knit has typically better water absorbing properties than any other knit for a given weight of wool and therefore this is the preferred knit. If required lycra can be added, (typically 1 to 2%) and can significantly improve the elasticity and strength of the final knit without detracting from the thermal and other advantageous properties of the wool. In another feature the wool or wool blend can be knitted such that there is a relatively coarse/heavy/bulky weave to the back face, and a finer micron yarn to the face that will be placed onto the wearer's skin when the suit is worn. This allows an increase in the bulk and therefore the water absorption ability whilst still keeping a "soft" and non-itchy surface to the diver's skin.
  • the Merino wool fibre is spun into yarn on a worsted spinning system and to ensure comfort next to the skin the fabric surface in contact with the skin is preferably made from fibre with an average micron of finer than 19.
  • different yarn counts are used to achieve varying fabric weight and structures depending upon the final type of suit that the lining will be used in (i. e a surface wetsuit, a cold water wetsuit, a warm water wetsuit, or a drysuit) .
  • the Merino and lycra and /or other synthetic yarns are blended at the time of the knitting process to increase strength and stretch rather than preblending the same.
  • the blending o f synthetic yarns or materials with the wool is in the 1 to 40% range but this is not exclusive and blending with other synthetics may be employed to reduce co sts.
  • the knitting structures are selected which allow for maximum extension and recovery in both length and width direction. Structures selected may also vary in "end counts" and "picks".
  • the structures are weft knitted using Rib and Double Knit machines, and the fabric weight typically ranges from approximately 50 gms or below through to upwards of 500 gms depending on the quality and function of the suit style.
  • the yarn weight can be varied on each side of the weave in order to achieve weights in excess of 400 gms without impairing or compromising the soft fine "feel" next to the skin. These are particularly useful in drysuits and deep diving cold water wetsuits.
  • a process of heat setting the synthetic fibre or yarns is performed while maintaining very low extension during the dyeing and subsequent drying processes when preparing the wool blend.
  • the wool blend inner layer is formed, the same is attached, typically by lamination, to the inner face 20 of the membrane layer 6 which, in turn, has been, or is, laminated to the inner face 32 of the outer layer 22 to form a unitary wall structure, as shown in Figure 2, of the suit in accordance with the invention.
  • the wetsuit structure in accordance with the invention therefore provides a solution to the thermal and buoyancy problems conventionally experienced.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une combinaison telle qu'une combinaison isothermique ou une combinaison étanche destinée à être utilisée dans ou sur une masse d'eau. La paroi de la combinaison comprend une couche intérieure de laine ou de matériau mélangé à de la laine, une membrane intermédiaire sensiblement imperméable au passage de l'eau la traversant, et une couche extérieure agissant comme une couche protectrice. Il est inutile de fournir une couche de caoutchouc mousse, ce qui permet à l'épaisseur de la paroi de la combinaison d'être réduite par rapport aux combinaisons classiques. L'invention concerne également le procédé de fabrication de la couche de laine ou de laine mélangée et la fourniture d'un ou de plusieurs panneaux comprenant ladite couche et pouvant être fixés à la face intérieure des combinaisons.
PCT/GB2012/050235 2011-02-03 2012-02-03 Combinaison destinée à être portée dans ou sur une masse d'eau WO2012104652A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12704900.5A EP2670266A2 (fr) 2011-02-03 2012-02-03 Combinaison destinée à être portée dans ou sur une masse d'eau
US13/982,982 US20130318672A1 (en) 2011-02-03 2012-02-03 Suit for to be worn in or on a body of water

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1101865.2 2011-02-03
GBGB1101865.2A GB201101865D0 (en) 2011-02-03 2011-02-03 suit for use in or on water

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012104652A2 true WO2012104652A2 (fr) 2012-08-09
WO2012104652A3 WO2012104652A3 (fr) 2012-11-15

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US9056662B2 (en) * 2012-02-29 2015-06-16 Nike, Inc. Wetsuits with hydrodynamic interlocking and kinesiologic features
US20130254963A1 (en) * 2012-04-03 2013-10-03 Bartosz Milczarczyk Two Piece Drysuit
FR2990108B1 (fr) * 2012-05-02 2014-06-13 Spirotech Ind Commerc Vetement sec de plongee
EP3094552A1 (fr) * 2014-01-15 2016-11-23 Ossur Iceland EHF Combinaison dotée de composants d'étanchéité
US9421734B2 (en) * 2014-02-12 2016-08-23 Shei Chung Hsin Ind. Co., Ltd. Fabric structure for manufacturing water sports garments
US20170129575A1 (en) * 2015-11-05 2017-05-11 Otto Canchani Comfort fit life jacket
CN114013607B (zh) * 2021-12-01 2023-04-07 中国人民解放军海军特色医学中心 一种高弹性高抗压潜水服

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EP1590235A1 (fr) 2003-02-03 2005-11-02 John Gordon Combinaison isothermique

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CA1117252A (fr) * 1978-04-14 1982-02-02 Her Majesty The Queen, In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of National Defence Isolant multicouche a entre-deux gonflables ou degonflables pour costume de plongee
GB9929500D0 (en) * 1999-12-15 2000-02-09 Multifabs Survival Ltd Survival garment
US20030126673A1 (en) * 2002-01-04 2003-07-10 Kristin Yardley Welded seam outerwear

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EP1590235A1 (fr) 2003-02-03 2005-11-02 John Gordon Combinaison isothermique

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US20130318672A1 (en) 2013-12-05
GB201101865D0 (en) 2011-03-23
WO2012104652A3 (fr) 2012-11-15
EP2670266A2 (fr) 2013-12-11

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