Performance gauge for fabric and cushioning material
First Claim
1. A performance gauge that provides for monitoring fabric degradation and/or cushioning material degradation, comprising:
- a body that can be affixed to fabric and/or cushioning material;
a first plurality of microcapsules embedded within said body, each microcapsule of the first plurality of microcapsules having (a) a first outer shell encompassing a first inner volume and (b) a dye that is contained within said first inner volume, wherein said dye can escape the first inner volume upon rupture of the first outer shell; and
a second plurality of microcapsules embedded within said body, each microcapsule of the second plurality of microcapsules having (a) a second outer shell encompassing a second inner volume and b) a co-reactant that is contained within said second inner volume, wherein said co-reactant can escape the second inner volume upon rupture of the second outer shell, and said co-reactant will activate with the dye upon contact therewith, to produce color indication.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Athletic apparel, including compression garments and athletic footwear, is disclosed as capable of monitoring the wear of compression fabric and/or cushioning material by attaching a performance gauge onto the apparel. The performance gauge includes microcapsules that contain a colorless dye and/or a co-reactant, wherein the microcapsules can breakdown in concert with the wear and degradation of the compression fabric or cushioning material, thereby allowing the dye and co-reactant to mix and produce color indication. As the wear of the fabric and cushioning material increases, more microcapsules breakdown resulting in a progression of color change visible through additional layers on the performance gauge, or by the fabric and/or cushioning material. The microcapsules can be engineered to breakdown based on any variation of factors that correspond to the degradation of compressive fabric and cushioning material, including shear force, tension, impact force, and/or exposure to high temperature and water.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A performance gauge that provides for monitoring fabric degradation and/or cushioning material degradation, comprising:
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a body that can be affixed to fabric and/or cushioning material; a first plurality of microcapsules embedded within said body, each microcapsule of the first plurality of microcapsules having (a) a first outer shell encompassing a first inner volume and (b) a dye that is contained within said first inner volume, wherein said dye can escape the first inner volume upon rupture of the first outer shell; and a second plurality of microcapsules embedded within said body, each microcapsule of the second plurality of microcapsules having (a) a second outer shell encompassing a second inner volume and b) a co-reactant that is contained within said second inner volume, wherein said co-reactant can escape the second inner volume upon rupture of the second outer shell, and said co-reactant will activate with the dye upon contact therewith, to produce color indication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An athletic garment that provides for monitoring fabric degradation, comprising:
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a garment body having a compressive fabric, the garment body configured to conform to a portion of the wearer, the garment body having an initial elasticity; and a performance gauge secured to the compressive fabric of the garment body, the performance gauge having; a first plurality of microcapsules, each microcapsule of the first plurality of microcapsules having (a) a first outer shell encompassing a first inner volume and (b) a substance for color indication that is contained within said first inner volume, such that said substance can escape the first inner volume upon rupture of the first outer shell, such that the first plurality of microcapsules progressively rupture
1) as the elasticity of the garment body reduces from the initial elasticity, and
2) when subject to high temperature and/or exposure to detergent, sweat, or water, such that the progressive rupturing of the first plurality of microcapsules indicate progressive fabric degradation. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An athletic garment that provides for monitoring fabric degradation, comprising:
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a garment body having a compressive fabric, the garment body configured to conform to a portion of the wearer, the garment body having an initial elasticity; and a performance gauge secured to the compressive fabric of the garment body, the performance gauge having; a first plurality of microcapsules, each microcapsule of the first plurality of microcapsules having (a) a first outer shell encompassing a first inner volume, and (b) a dye that is contained within said first inner volume, such that said dye can escape the first inner volume upon rupture of the first outer shell, and a second plurality of microcapsules, each microcapsule of the second plurality of microcapsules having (a) a second outer shell encompassing a second inner volume, and (b) a co-reactant that is contained within said second inner volume, such that said co-reactant can escape the second inner volume upon rupture of said second outer shell, and said co-reactant will activate with the dye upon contact therewith, to produce color indication, the first and second plurality of microcapsules configured to progressively rupture as the elasticity of the garment body reduces from the initial elasticity, so as to indicate progressive fabric degradation. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification