Micro-climate conditioning clothing

• US 5,243,706 A
• Filed: 03/02/1992
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Department of National Defence of Canada, For Her Majesty In Right of Canada
• Original Assignee: Her Majesty The Queen As Represented By The Minister of National Defence of Her Majesty's Canadian Government
• Inventors: Michas, Robert D. E., Frim, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VANATTA, AMY B
• Application Number:
  US07/844,100
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 2/102, 2/97, 2/171.3, 2/DIG. 1, 2/DIG. 3, 2/2, 2/2.1 R, 2/2.1 A, 2/69, 2/DIG. 10, 2/87, 2/7, 2/92, 2/81, 428/138, 428/255
• US Class Current: 2/455
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0025 by means of forced air circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/085 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/01 Ventilated garment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24331 including nonapertured component

Abstract

Heat control for an animal body is provided by way of micro-climate conditioning clothing incorporating an inner first layer of spacer mesh material. A second layer of impermeable material is in contact with the first layer and has perforations therethrough. A third layer of spacer mesh material is provided as well as a fourth outer layer of impermeable material which is fastened along its edges to the second layer. An inlet/outlet port for a gaseous fluid is provided.

Claims

1. Heat control means for an animal body comprising:

(a) an inner first layer of spacer mesh material,

(b) a second layer of impermeable material, impermeable to a cooling fluid, said second layer adjacent said inner layer and having perforations therethrough adjacent said inner layer,

(c) a third layer of spacer mesh material adjacent and outside the second layer, and

(d) an outer layer of impermeable material,

(e) said heat control means being provided with means for connecting the layers to a flow means for gaseous fluid.

2. Micro-climate conditioning clothing comprising:

(a) an inner first layer of spacer mesh material,

(b) a second layer of impermeable material, impermeable to a fluid, said second layer in contact with said first layer and having perforations therethrough adjacent said first layer,

(c) a third layer of spacer mesh material on an outer side of said second layer and

(d) a fourth layer of impermeable material on a side of said third layer remote from said second layer,

(e) the second and fourth layers being fastened together along at least part of their edges to form a space therebetween, and

(f) fluid flow means connected to said space for fluid flow connection thereto.

3. Micro-climate conditioning clothing according to claim 2 wherein said first, second and fourth layers are fastened together.

4. Micro-climate conditioning clothing according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said layers are fastened together by stitching.

5. Micro-climate conditioning clothing according to claim 2 or 3 wherein said layers comprise RF-sealable materials, and are fastened together by an RF-sealing process.

6. Micro-climate conditioning clothing according to claim 2 which is an aircrew cooling vest for cooling the body of an aircrew person.

7. Micro-climate conditioning clothing according to claim 3 which is an aircrew cooling vest for cooling the body of an aircrew person.

8. An aircrew cooling vest according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said fluid flow means is air inlet means sealed to an opening in said fourth layer.

9. An aircrew cooling vest according to claim 6 wherein hook and pile fasteners are provided to interface said first layer and said second layer.

10. An aircrew cooling vest according to claim 6, 7 or 9 wherein hook-and-loop fastener material is provided on an outside surface of the fourth layer to interface with an external pressure garment.

11. Micro-climate conditioning clothing according to claim 2, 3 or 6 wherein said perforations are provided over only a part of said second layer at selected sites for appropriate control of air distribution.

12. Micro-climate conditioning clothing according to claim 7 or 9 wherein said perforations are provided over only a part of said second layer at selected sites for appropriate control of air distribution.

13. Heat control means for an animal body comprising:

(a) an inner layer of spacer mesh material and,

(b) a manifold member, outside the inner layer, made up of a layer of impermeable material, impermeable to a gaseous fluid, said impermeable material in contact with said inner layer and having perforations therethrough adjacent said inner layer, an outer layer of impermeable material and an intermediate layer of spacer mesh material,

(c) said manifold member being provided with means for connecting the layers to a flow means for gaseous fluid.

14. Air cooling clothing for cooling an animal body comprising:

(a) an inner layer of spacer mesh material and,

(b) a manifold member, outside the inner layer, made up of a first layer of impermeable material, impermeable to air, said first layer in contact with said inner layer and having perforations therethrough adjacent said inner layer, a second outer layer of impermeable material and an intermediate layer of spacer mesh material between said first and second layers of impermeable material,

(c) said manifold member being provided with connection means for providing a flow of air.

15. An air cooling vest for cooling an animal body comprising:

(a) an inner layer of spacer mesh material and,

(b) a manifold member, outside the inner layer, made up of a first layer of impermeable material, impermeable to air, said first layer in contact with said inner layer and having perforations therethrough adjacent said inner layer, a second outer layer of impermeable material and an intermediate layer of spacer mesh material between said first and second layers of impermeable material,

(c) said manifold member being provided with connection means for providing a flow of air.

16. An air cooling vest according to claim 15 wherein said first and second layer soft impermeable material are fastened together around their edges.

17. A vest according to claim 16 wherein said first and second layers are stitched around their edges.

18. A vest according to claim 16 wherein said first and second layers are sealed together around their edges.

20. A vest according to claim 15, 16 or 19 wherein said connection means is sealed to an opening in said second layer of impermeable material.

21. A vest according to claim 15, 16 or 19 wherein hook and pile fasteners are provided to interface said manifold and said inner layer of spacer mesh material.

22. A vest according to claim 15, 16 or 19 wherein hook-and-loop fastener material is provided on an outside surface of the second layer of impermeable material interface with an external pressure garment.

23. A vest according to claim 15, 16 or 19 wherein said perforations are provided over only a part of said first layer at selected sites for appropriate control of air distribution.

19. An aircrew air cooling vest for cooling the body of an aircrew person comprising:

(a) an inner layer of spacer mesh material for contact with said body and

(b) a manifold member made up of a first layer of impermeable material, impermeable to air, said first layer in contact with said inner layer and having perforations therethrough adjacent said inner layer, a second outer layer of impermeable material and an intermediate layer of spacer mesh material between said first and second layers of impermeable material,

(c) said manifold member being provided with connection means for providing a flow of air.