Nike, Inc.

Nike International Ltd.

Michael Robert Baron

Lashurya M Wise

Karin Elizabeth Carter

Carrie Lynn Davis

Karin Eliabeth Carter

Rebecca Pirkl Hurd

Jordan J Wand

Ian H Muir

Loren G Myhre

Chia Pei C Hung

Bhupesh Dua

Sophie Louise Mather

An article of apparel is disclosed that includes zones with a textile having a structure than changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change, to modify a property of the textile. The zones may be along a center back area and/or side areas of the apparel, and the textile may increase in air permeability when exposed to water. In some embodiments, slits are formed in the textile.

Article of apparel incorporating a zoned modifiable textile structure

Garments may include: (a) one garment portion having an air permeability of less than 550 ft/min per ft; and (b) another garment portion including one or more vented zones, wherein a material forming the vented zones has an air permeability of at least 550 ft/min per ft. The vented zones may extend along a center back portion and/or along at least one side portion of the garment. Methods for forming such garments may include: (a) providing one garment portion having an air permeability of less than 550 ft/min per ft; (b) providing another garment portion including at least one vented zone, wherein a material forming the vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft/min per ft; and (c) forming a garment structure including these garment portions. The vented zones may extend along a center back portion and/or along at least one side portion of the garment structure. In some instances, apparel or equipment (including garments having zoned venting) may be wetted and worn by the athlete prior to the event or exercise, in order to pre-cool the athlete's body.

Article of apparel utilizing zoned venting and/or other body cooling features or methods

An article of apparel is disclosed that includes zones with a textile having a structure that changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change, to modify a property of the textile. The zones may be along a center back area and side areas of the apparel, and the textile may increase in air permeability when exposed to water. The zones may also be in an upper area of the torso and in a lower back area, and the textile may increase in texture when exposed to water. In some embodiments, slits are formed in the textile.

An article of apparel may include a torso region with a front area, a back area, and a pair of side areas. At least a portion of each of the side areas are formed from a material with (a) a first air permeability when unexposed to water and (b) a second air permeability when exposed to water. The first air permeability may be less than 279 cm/second per cmmeasured in accordance with ASTM D 737, and the second air permeability may be greater than 279 cm/second per cmmeasured in accordance with ASTM D 737. In some configurations, at least a portion of the back area may be formed from the material. The article of apparel may be a shirt, and the article of apparel may include arm regions that extend outward from the torso region.

Article of apparel with variable air permeability

An article of apparel is disclosed that includes a textile with at least one property that changes upon exposure to a physical stimulus. The textile has a modifiable structure formed from one or more yarns that exhibit a dimensional transformation upon exposure to the physical stimulus. The yarns have a first set of dimensions when unexposed to the physical stimulus, and the yarns have a second set of dimensions when exposed to the physical stimulus. The structure of the textile is modified by exposing the textile to the physical stimulus such that the yarns transform from the first set of dimensions to the second set of dimensions and change the property of the textile. Reinforcing structures, incisions, partial incisions, and coatings may also be utilized to enhance the textile structures.

Article of apparel incorporating a modifiable textile structure

An embossed material and an article of apparel incorporating the embossed material are disclosed. The embossed material includes a textured surface that defines a plurality of extended regions and at least one compressed region. The extended regions may have an elongate or elliptical configuration, for example, and the compressed region may extend around each extended region. When incorporated into the article of apparel, the textured surface may face inward to form at least a portion of an interior surface of the article of apparel. Accordingly, the extended regions may be positioned to contact an individual wearing the article of apparel.

Article of apparel incorporating an embossed material

A flocked material and an article of apparel incorporating the flocked material are disclosed. The flocked material includes a substrate and a plurality of flocking fibers. The substrate is formed from a two-dimensional material and has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The flocking fibers are secured to the second surface. In addition, the flocking fibers may form a plurality of apertures that expose at least a portion of the second surface of the substrate. When incorporated into the article of apparel, the flocking fibers may face inward to form at least a portion of an interior surface of the article of apparel. Accordingly, the flocking fibers may be positioned to contact an individual wearing the article of apparel.

Growing community of inventors

Tigard, OR, United States of America

Michael Robert Baron