Wet/dry suit with knitted wool layers

Abstract

The invention relates to the provision of a suit for use to be worn by a person when immersed in water or in contact with water and may be provided, for example, as a wetsuit construction or a dry suit construction. The suit includes an outer intermediate layer typically of a knitted or woven material and in accordance with the invention there is provided on the inner side of said layer, at least one portion of the suit, an inner layer of wool blended with other material. This inner wool containing layer typically lies in contact with the wearer. In one embodiment the wool used is that obtained from Merino sheep which is found to be particularly well suited.

1 . 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 fibers or materials, said layer provided to contact with the person;   wherein said inner layer, retains at least some of the liquid which enters the suit from an external source and/or from the person wearing the suit and the intermediate layer is knitted or woven and is substantially impermeable to the passage of liquid therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the inner layer absorbs the liquid to form an insulating and substantially non-compressible layer of the suit. 
     
     
         3 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate layer of the suit is manufactured by knitting or weaving to form a membrane, 
     
     
         4 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate layer is formed from a compressible foam rubber material. 
     
     
         5 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the outer layer is formed of lycra and/or a polyester stretch fabric. 
     
     
         6 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the inner layer 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. 
     
     
         7 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the inner layer includes an elasticated material. 
     
     
         8 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate layer is permeable to the passage of air therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate layer is elastic in at least one direction 
     
     
         10 . A suit according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate layer is formed at least partially of polyurethane or urethane based material. 
     
     
         11 . A suit according to  claim 1  characterized in that the suit is a wetsuit and at least a portion or portions of said suit, water can pass between the inner surface of the said outer layer of material and the person wearing the suit. 
     
     
         12 . A suit according to  claim 1  characterized in that the wool or wool blend is integral with the outer layer of material. 
     
     
         13 . A suit according to  claim 12  characterized in that the wool or wool blend is attached by lamination to the inner surface of the outer layer of material so as to lie adjacent the diver's skin when the suit is worn. 
     
     
         14 . A suit according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the wool which is used includes or is wholly, wool from the Merino breed of sheep. 
     
     
         15 . 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 at least at one portion thereof an inner panel of wool, or wool blended with other fibers 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 attachable to the inner face of the suit.   
     
     
         16 . A suit according to  claim 11  wherein the said panel is applied directly to the inner face of the suit or via a backing layer provided in contact with the wool or wool blend panel.