Apparel thermo-regulatory system

{
  "publication_number": "US11330851B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Apparel thermo-regulatory system",
  "abstract": "Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings, venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item may comprise the engineered openings. Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method of forming an apparel item having stand-off structures, the method comprising: providing a textile material comprising a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface; applying tension in an x-direction and in a y-direction to the textile material; applying a surface treatment to the first surface of a plurality of first portions of the textile material while maintaining the plurality of first portions of the textile material under tension, wherein the surface treatment is not applied to a plurality of second portions of the textile material, the plurality of second portions positioned adjacent to the plurality of first portions; incising the plurality of first portions of the textile material while maintaining the plurality of first portions under tension to form one or more openings; and releasing the tension from the textile material, wherein upon releasing the tension from the textile material, the plurality of first portions with the one or more openings form a plurality of vent structures that extend outward in a z-direction with respect to the textile material, and wherein the one or more vent structures are configured to facilitate air flow from the first surface to the second surface of the textile material.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein the textile material comprises a pattern piece for the apparel item.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tension is applied such that the textile material is stretched to 110 to 160% of its resting length.",
    "4. The method of claim 1, further comprising curing the surface treatment while the textile material is under tension.",
    "5. The method of claim 4, further comprising releasing the tension applied to the textile material after the surface treatment has been applied.",
    "6. The method of claim 5, further comprising applying steam to the textile material after the tension is released.",
    "7. The method of claim 6, further comprising forming the textile material into an upper torso garment.",
    "8. The method of claim 7, wherein when the textile material is formed into the upper torso garment, the first surface of the textile material comprises an inner-facing surface of the upper torso garment."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Aspects herein relate to an apparel item configured to promote thermo-regulation.\n\nTraditional athletic apparel items may be configured to either provide insulation or help dissipate heat, but are rarely configured to achieve both of these features. Thus, they are often limited to a specific environmental condition (e.g., hot weather or cold weather). Moreover, when configured to help dissipate heat, the amount of heat dissipated is often inadequate to maintain the athlete in optimal temperature ranges.\n\nAspects herein relate to an apparel item comprising at least one textile material having at least one opening defined by at least a first edge and a second edge; and at least one elastically resilient trim piece positioned within the opening to maintain the opening in an open state, wherein the elastically resilient trim piece is coupled to at least the first edge of the opening. The opening is formed by incising the at least one textile material, and the opening allows for airflow between an inner surface and an outer surface of the apparel item. The trim piece comprises an arched shape which aids in maintaining the opening in the open state.",
  "cpc": [
    "A41D 13/0015",
    "A41D 13/002",
    "A41D 2400/10",
    "A41D 2500/10",
    "A41D 2500/20",
    "A41D 27/28",
    "A41D 27/285",
    "A41D 31/065",
    "A41D 31/125",
    "A41D 31/14",
    "A41D 31/145",
    "A41D 31/185"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A41D 13/00",
    "A41D 27/28",
    "A41D 13/002",
    "A41D 31/14",
    "A41D 31/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Nike Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Collin Bailey",
    "Kim D. Baschak",
    "Olivia A. Echols",
    "Stacey L. Hansen",
    "Lucas Hartman",
    "Rebecca P. Hurd",
    "Adam Parkinson",
    "Shannon K. Redell",
    "David Sagan",
    "Susan L. Sokolowski",
    "Stuart B. Brown",
    "Matthew J. Hancock"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-05-26",
  "publication_date": "2022-05-17",
  "grant_date": "2022-05-17",
  "priority_date": "2016-05-31",
  "application_number": "US-201715606308-A",
  "family_id": "60420680",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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}