Article of waterproof, breathable apparel and the method of making same
OwnerCole Williamsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Articles of clothing and the method of making the same which will allow water vapor due to perspiration to transpire through the article but will prevent liquid water from external sources from reaching the wearer's foot. The articles made by this method of the invention include socks and gloves which are of three-ply construction with the inside and outside plies being knit and the intermediate ply being made from an elastomeric polyurethane film. The three plies are uniquely bonded together using a pliant, waterproof adhesive.
Claims20
A method of making an article of apparel used to cover a wearer's extremities comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a waterproof, breathable material into a stretchable bladder having an open cuff portion and an extremity receiving portion having the general shape of the wearer's extremity to be covered and including an outer surface and an inner surface generally conformable to the contours of the extremity to be covered;
- and
- (b) bonding a first fabric covering member having the general shape of the wearer's extremity to said inner surface of said extremity receiving portion of said bladder to form a subassembly portion of said article, said fabric covering member having a cuff portion extending beyond said cuff portion of said bladder and being constructed of water-wicking fibers whereby perspiration will be carried toward said cuff portion of said covering member for evaporation to atmosphere.
A method of making a waterproof article of apparel constructed of an inner fabric covering, an outer fabric covering and an intermediate pliant, waterproof, breathable bladder having a continuous extremity receiving portion in the general shape of the wearer's extremity, said bladder having a continuous inner and outer surface, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying a thin layer of heat activated adhesive over said inner and outer surfaces of said bladder to form a coated bladder;
- (b) placing said coated bladder over the inner fabric covering to form a subassembly;
- (c) placing the outer fabric covering over said subassembly to form a precursor article;
- and
- (d) heating said precursor article to a temperature sufficient to activate said heat adhesive whereby said inner and outer fabric coverings will be adhesively bonded to the continuous inner and outer surfaces of the bladder.
A method of making a waterproof glove constructed of an inner fabric glove, an outer fabric glove and an intermediate pliant, waterproof, breathable bladder having a continuous extremity receiving portion in the general shape of the wearer's hand and having a continuous inner and outer surface said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying a thin layer of heat activated adhesive over said inner and outer surfaces of said bladder to form a coated bladder;
- (b) placing said coated bladder over the inner fabric glove to form a subassembly;
- (c) placing the outer fabric glove over said subassembly so that said layer of adhesive on said outer surface of said bladder is proximate the outer fabric glove to form a precursor article;
- and
- (d) heating said precursor article to a temperature sufficient to activate said heat adhesive whereby said inner and outer gloves will be adhesively bonded to the continuous inner and outer surfaces of the bladder.
A glove used to cover a wearer's hand comprising:
- (a) an elastomeric, breathable and waterproof stretchable elastic bladder, including as a part thereof a continuous hand receiving portion in the general shape of the user's hand and including a continuous outer surface and a continuous inner surface generally conformable to the user's hand;
- and
- (b) inner and outer fabric gloves bonded to said bladder along a substantial portion of said inner and outer surface of said bladder.
An article of apparel used to cover a wearer's extremity comprising:
- (a) an elastomeric, breathable and waterproof, stretchable, elastic bladder, having a cuff portion and including a continuous extremity receiving portion in the general shape of an extremity of the user, said bladder having a continuous outer surface and a continuous inner surface generally conformable to the extremity;
- and
- (b) inner and outer fabric coverings bonded to said bladder along a substantial portion of said inner and outer surface of said bladder, said inner fabric covering being constructed from a multiplicity of fibers having water-wicking capabilities and having a cuff portion extending beyond said cuff portion of said bladder whereby perspiration from the user's extremity will be conducted by said water-wicking fibers toward said cuff portion of said inner fabric covering for evaporation to atmosphere.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.