The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 16, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 23, 1999
Donald Aldridge, New Carlisle, OH (US);
Nicholas J Curtis, Dayton, OH (US);
Lion Apparel, Inc., Dayton, OH (US);
Abstract
A protective garment, such as a firefighting garment, is provided that is relatively lightweight, possesses relatively high resistance to liquid water absorption, and also possesses high moisture vapor transport characteristics when compared to conventional firefighter garments. The garment of the present invention comprises at least an outer shell, and thermal liner positioned within the outer shell. A discrete moisture barrier layer is not required, but is utilized in certain embodiments. At least the insulating material of the thermal liner is treated with a durable, water repellant finish to reduce the amount of moisture absorbed by the thermal liner. Preferably, the outer shell, and optionally, the fabric substrate of the thermal liner may also be treated with a durable, water repellant finish to minimize liquid transfer therethrough. Thus, the construction of the garment substantially reduces the amount of liquid moisture absorbed by the thermal liner, thereby maintaining insulating properties of the thermal liner and also maintaining desirable lightweight properties of the thermal liner for longer periods. Furthermore, the construction of the garment enhances the transport of moisture vapor therethrough for breathability and enhanced body-cooling. Such durable, water repellant finishes are provided by treating the components with a commercially available perfluorohydrocarbon finish such as TEFLON (a trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc.).