Dynamic materials integrated into articles for adjustable physical dimensional characteristics
First Claim
1. An article of clothing having an auxetic structure, comprising:
- a carrier material of flexible material;
a plurality of dynamic material portions physically associated with the carrier material such that the carrier material and the plurality of dynamic material portions form an auxetic structure geometrically responsive to a stimulus; and
the auxetic structure extending in an X-Y plane and having a thickness in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane and the auxetic structure being convertible between a first state and a second state in response to a transition from a lower temperature to a higher temperature, wherein in response to the transition from the lower temperature to the higher temperature the dynamic material responds by extending in an x-direction of the X-Y plane to cause the auxetic structure lengthen in a y-direction of the X-Y plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Dynamic materials might be integrated into articles to provide various adjustable physical characteristics, such as aesthetic and functional characteristics. For example, in response to a human body heat, a dynamic material may change shape to allow additional permeability in an article of clothing. Similarly, in response to the presence of moisture, an article of clothing may close a vent to prevent the introduction of rain into an internal portion of the article. The shape-changing material may change shape that merely affects a feature formed by the shape changing material. Additionally, it is contemplated that the shape-changing material may change shape that affects a geometric structure of the article as a whole, such as through protrusions, dimples, and vents.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An article of clothing having an auxetic structure, comprising:
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a carrier material of flexible material; a plurality of dynamic material portions physically associated with the carrier material such that the carrier material and the plurality of dynamic material portions form an auxetic structure geometrically responsive to a stimulus; and the auxetic structure extending in an X-Y plane and having a thickness in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane and the auxetic structure being convertible between a first state and a second state in response to a transition from a lower temperature to a higher temperature, wherein in response to the transition from the lower temperature to the higher temperature the dynamic material responds by extending in an x-direction of the X-Y plane to cause the auxetic structure lengthen in a y-direction of the X-Y plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of manufacturing a dynamic auxetic-material-activated article, the method comprising:
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providing an article comprising a carrier material; applying a dynamic auxetic material to a surface of the carrier material; programming the dynamic auxetic material in a first shape; and exposing the dynamic auxetic material arranged in a second shape to a stimulus sufficient to change auxetically from the second shape to the first shape. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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16. An article of clothing having an auxetic structure, comprising:
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a flexible carrier material; a plurality of dynamic-material portions physically associated with the flexible carrier material, such that the flexible carrier material and the plurality of dynamic-material portions form an auxetic structure geometrically responsive to a stimulus, wherein a first grouping of the plurality of dynamic-material portions include radially-extending portions that are radially oriented about a common point of the carrier material; and the auxetic structure extending in an X-Y plane and having a thickness in a Z-direction substantially perpendicular to the X-Y plane, and the auxetic structure being convertible between a first state and a second state in response to the stimulus, wherein in response to the stimulus the radially-extending portions adjust in an x-direction of the X-Y plane to cause the common point of the carrier material to transition from a first height to a second height in the Z-direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification