Garment having an integrated filter panel

Abstract

A garment, e.g., a neck gaiter or balaclava, includes a tube of fabric material extending from a first open end to a second open end forming an interior space. The fabric material includes an outer-most layer of material and an inner-most layer of material. The garment also includes a filter panel formed of breathable material provided between the outer-most layer of material and the inner-most layer of material of the tube of fabric material. The filter panel is adapted to provide greater filtration of airborne particulate matter than the outer-most layer of material and/or the inner-most layer of material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment, comprising:
 a tube of fabric material extending from a first open end to a second open end forming an interior space, the fabric material including an outer-most layer of material and an inner-most layer of material; and   a filter panel formed of breathable material provided between the outer-most layer of material and the inner-most layer of material of the tube of fabric material, the filter panel adapted to provide greater filtration of airborne particulate matter than the outer-most layer of material and/or the inner-most layer of material.   
     
     
         2 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter panel extends from the first open end toward the second open end and is spaced apart from the second open end. 
     
     
         3 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter panel is spaced apart from the first open end and from the second open end. 
     
     
         4 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube of fabric material is formed of a first panel of material and a second panel of material connected together at opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The garment according to  claim 4 , wherein slits are formed in seams connecting the opposite sides of the first panel and the second panel, the slits being adapted to receive ears of a wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter panel is sized and positioned relative to the tube of fabric material to cover a wearer's mouth and/or nose. 
     
     
         7 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube of material has a circumference of 18″ to 20″ and a height of 10″ to 21″ between the first open end and the second open end. 
     
     
         8 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the outer-most layer of material and the inner-most layer of material is formed of an elastic, stretchable, and/or breathable material. 
     
     
         9 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein a mesh size of the filter panel is smaller than a mesh size of the outer-most layer of material and the inner-most layer of material. 
     
     
         10 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter panel is bonded, laminated, sewn, and/or adhered to the outer-most layer of material and/or the inner-most layer of material. 
     
     
         11 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer-most layer of material and/or the inner-most layer of material is formed of an approximately 130 to 190 g/m 2  fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer-most-layer of material and/or the inner-most layer of material is formed of approximately 92% polyester and approximately 8% spandex. 
     
     
         13 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer-most layer of material and/or the inner-most layer of material is formed of 75% to 95% polyester and 5% to 25% spandex. 
     
     
         14 . The garment according to  claim 4 , wherein the first panel is visually and/or tactilely different than the second panel. 
     
     
         15 . The garment according to  claim 4 , wherein the filter panel is located in the first panel. 
     
     
         16 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein an elastic band and/or cinch tie is provided at the first open end and/or the second open end. 
     
     
         17 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the garment is arranged as a neck gaiter. 
     
     
         18 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the garment is arranged as a balaclava. 
     
     
         19 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the garment is wearable so that the filter panel selectively covers a wearer's mouth and/or nose. 
     
     
         20 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter panel is adapted to reduce transmission of airborne illnesses. 
     
     
         21 . The garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube of material has a circumference of approximately 18″ and a height of approximately 10.5″ between the first open end and the second open end.