Moisture sensitive article of clothing and method of manufacturing the same

• US 5,435,010 A
• Filed: 10/18/1993
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert E. May
• Original Assignee: Robert E. May
• Inventors: May, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HALE, GLORIA M
• Application Number:
  US08/137,552
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 2/67, 2/69, 2/115, 2/1, 2/243.1, 106/21 R, 106/21 A, 252/408.1, 8/637.1, 604/361, 428/29, 428/913, 116/206, 116/207
• US Class Current: 2/67
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/00 Materials specially adapted for outerwear
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 7/00 Bathing gowns; Swim-suits, drawers, or trunks; Beach suits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/913 Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture

Abstract

An article of clothing that changes color when exposed to varying moisture levels within the article. The article has a body with an outer surface, and a moisture sensitive coating disposed upon the outer surface of the body that changes color when in contact with varying moisture levels in the body.

Claims

1. An article of clothing, comprising:

a. a body having an outer surface; and

b. a moisture sensitive colored coating disposed upon the outer surface of the body, wherein the color of said coating changes when in contact with varying moisture levels in the body,

said moisture sensitive coating including a plurality of distinct moisture sensitive dyes, each disposed upon distinct portions of the outer surface of said body, thereby creating a moisture sensitive color change that varies about the outer surface of said body.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1, in which said body is comprised of fabric.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1, in which said body is comprised of rubber.

4. The article of clothing of claim 1, in which said moisture sensitive coating is an ink comprised of an inorganic hydrate compound in microbead form.

5. The article of clothing of claim 1, in which said variable moisture sensitive dye coating is disposed upon the fabric body such that it yields a first design when wet and second design when dry.

6. The article of clothing of claim 1, in which said variable moisture sensitive coating is disposed upon the fabric body such that it yields a plurality of designs that are visible at distinct moisture levels in the fabric body.

7. The article of clothing of claim 1, in which said moisture sensitive coating is disposed below the outer surface such that it permeates through the fabric body to an inner surface of the fabric body.

8. The article of clothing of claim 1, in which said moisture sensitive coating is permanent.

9. A bathing sail, comprising:

a. a fabric body with an outer surface;

b. a first design permanently disposed upon the outer surface of said fabric body;

c. a moisture sensitive coating disposed upon both the outer surface of said body and said first design, wherein said coating changes color when exposed to varying moisture levels in the fabric body; and

a second design permanently disposed upon said outer surface and below said moisture sensitive coating, said second design visible only when the fabric is saturated with water.

10. The bathing suit of claim 9, in which said first design is visible only when said fabric body is saturated with water.

11. The bathing suit of claim 9, in which said first design is visible only when said fabric body is dry.

12. The bathing suit of claim 9 further having a plurality of permanent designs disposed upon the outer surface and below said moisture sensitive coating, where said plurality of designs are visible at distinct moisture levels in the fabric body.

13. The bathing suit of claim 9, in which said design is a picture.

14. The bathing suit of claim 9, in which said moisture sensitive dye is permanent.