Garment for cooling and insulating

Abstract

A garment includes a fabric having dome-shaped indentations formed therein to define air channels. The fabric includes: a first yarn preferably being a single monofilament of polyester; a second yarn preferably formed from staple or filament yarn; and a third yarn being an elastomeric yarn that provides proper stretch and recovery to enable a proper fit of the garment next to the body of the wearer. The first yarn preferably is a single monofilament of polyester. The second yarn preferably provides softness for comfort. The third yarn preferably is spandex. For certain applications of the garment, the second yarn is formed from staples of synthetic materials such as Kevlar, Nomex, or Spectra in order to provide fire retardence, cut resistance, and/or impact/ballistic protection. The indentations may be formed only in selected areas of the garment in accordance therewith.

1 . A garment comprising a fabric having at least one area of dome-shaped indentations formed therein so as to define air channels next to the body of the wearer of the garment.  
   
   
       2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric includes a plurality of distinct and separate areas of dome-shaped indentations formed therein, each said area thereby defining air channels next to the body of the wearer of the garment.  
   
   
       3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises a shirt, and wherein a tale of the shirt includes no areas of dome-shaped indentations formed therein.  
   
   
       4 . A combination of an outer garment and an undergarment, comprising: (a) an outer garment; and (b) an undergarment comprising a fabric having at least one area of dome-shaped indentations formed therein so as to define air channels next to the body of the wearer of the undergarment.  
   
   
       5 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric of the undergarment includes a plurality of distinct and separate areas of dome-shaped indentations formed therein, each said area thereby defining air channels next to the body of the wearer of the garment.  
   
   
       6 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 5 , wherein the outer garment overlays each said area of dome-shaped indentations of the fabric of the undergarment.  
   
   
       7 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the undergarment comprises, (i) a first yarn providing sufficient rigidity to define and maintain the shape of the indentations in and after the forming thereof, (ii) a second yarn, and (iii) a third yarn comprising an elastomeric yarn providing sufficient stretch and recovery to enable a proper fit of the undergarment next to the body of the wearer.  
   
   
       8 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment comprises protective equipment.  
   
   
       9 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 8 , wherein the fabric of the undergarment includes a plurality of distinct and separate areas of dome-shaped indentations formed therein, each said area thereby defining air channels next to the body of the wearer of the garment, and wherein the protective equipment at least partially overlays each said area of dome-shaped indentations of the fabric of the undergarment.  
   
   
       10 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment comprises a bulletproof vest.  
   
   
       11 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 10 , wherein the fabric of the undergarment includes a plurality of distinct and separate areas of dome-shaped indentations formed therein, each said area thereby defining air channels next to the body of the wearer of the garment, and wherein the bulletproof vest at least partially overlays each said area of dome-shaped indentations of the fabric of the undergarment.  
   
   
       12 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment comprises battle gear for military use.  
   
   
       13 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment comprise protective gear for athletic or sporting use.  
   
   
       14 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment includes a vent.  
   
   
       15 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment includes a vent that is adjustable for selectively admitting airflow to the undergarment.  
   
   
       16 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment includes a vent that is adjustable for selectively admitting airflow to the undergarment, and wherein the vent overlies indentations in the undergarment.  
   
   
       17 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment is wind resistant or wind proof.  
   
   
       18 . The combination of an outer garment and an undergarment of  claim 4 , wherein the outer garment includes a port and further comprising a conduit connected to the port supplying cool air to the air channels of the undergarment.  
   
   
       19 . A garment comprising a fabric having at least one area of dome-shaped indentations formed therein so as to define air channels next to the body of the wearer of the garment, wherein the garment comprises: (a) a first yarn providing sufficient rigidity to define and maintain the shape of the dome-shaped indentations after the forming thereof; (b) a second yarn providing fire retardence to the garment; and (c) a third yarn comprising an elastomeric yarn providing sufficient stretch and recovery to enable a proper fit of the garment next to the body of the wearer.  
   
   
       20 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the fabric includes a plurality of distinct and separate areas of dome-shaped indentations formed therein, each said area thereby defining air channels next to the body of the wearer of the garment.