Dynamic materials integrated into articles for adjustable physical dimensional characteristics

• US 10,842,210 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2018
• Issued: 11/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Nordstrom, Matthew D., Williams, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Muromoto, Jr., Robert H
• Application Number:
  US16/180,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20190069621A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 2 69, 2115, 2102, 2106, 22431, 73 1201, 7337901, 73488, 7386253
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/00 Garments for children A41D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/10 Heat retention or warming
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/285 with closure adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/02 Layered materials characterised by special function or use A41D31/04
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/065 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/02 2 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/03 3 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/732 Dimensional properties
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/00 Clothing anti-ballistic clothing B32B2571/02
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/08 characterised by added members at particular parts layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B3/14, B32B3/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/085 spaced apart pieces on the surface of a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/10 characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/14 characterised by a face layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/28 characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet , i.e. the layer having its entire thickness deformed out of the plane, e.g. corrugated, crumpled B32B29/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/14 characterised by the properties of the layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/144 using layers with different mechanical or chemical conditions or properties, e.g. layers with different thermal shrinkage, layers under tension during bonding constructional features for tensioning B32B38/1825
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/022 Non-woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/024 Woven fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/026 Knitted fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/04 characterised by a layer being specifically extensible by reason of its structure or arrangement , e.g. by reason of the chemical nature of the fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/00 : Woven fabrics designed to make specified articles
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/24 : wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/06 : Details of garments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Systems and methods of integrating dynamic materials into articles for adjustable physical characteristics including aesthetic and functional characteristics are provided herein. For example, in response to a human'"'"'s 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 protrusions, dimples, vents, etc.

Claims

1. An article of apparel comprising:

a base material; and

a first plurality of shape memory polymer members coupled to an upper surface of the base material, the first plurality of shape memory polymer members having elongated portions, wherein the elongated portions of the first plurality of shape memory polymer members form a first lattice structure having a first plurality of vertices.

2. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of vertices extend a first distance away from the base material when the first plurality of shape memory polymer members is in a first state, and wherein the first plurality of vertices extend a second distance away from the base material when the first plurality of shape memory polymer members is in a second state.

3. The article of apparel of claim 2, wherein the article of apparel further comprises a second plurality of shape memory polymer members coupled to a lower surface of the base material, the second plurality of shape memory polymer members having elongated portions.

4. The article of apparel of claim 3, wherein the elongated portions of the second plurality of shape memory polymer members form a second lattice structure having a second plurality of vertices.

5. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein the second plurality of vertices extend a third distance away from the base material when the second plurality of shape memory polymer members is in the first state, and wherein the second plurality of vertices extend a fourth distance away from the base material when the second plurality of shape memory polymer members is in the second state.

6. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein a distance between the first plurality of vertices of the first lattice structure and a distance between the second plurality of vertices of the second lattice structure increases when the article transitions from the first state to the second state.

7. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein a distance between the first plurality of vertices of the first lattice structure and a distance between the second plurality of vertices of the second lattice structure decreases when the article transitions from the first state to the second state.

8. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein the first plurality of vertices of the first lattice structure and the second plurality of vertices of the second lattice structure are coterminous.

9. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of shape memory polymer members have a convexity with respect to the base material.

10. The article of apparel of claim 9 wherein the convexity of the first plurality of shape memory polymer members increases in response to the article of apparel transitioning from a first state to a second state.

11. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the first state transitions to the second state in response to a stimulus, and wherein the stimulus is selected from a group consisting of thermal energy, light, moisture, electrical, magnetic, or mechanical energy.

12. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein at least one property of the first plurality of shape memory polymer members changes in response to a stimulus.

13. The article of apparel of claim 12 wherein the at least one property of the first plurality of shape memory polymer members is a thickness, a length or a width.

14. An article of apparel comprising:

a base material; and

a first reactive framework having a plurality of shape memory polymer members, the first reactive framework defining a first set of interstitial voids, the plurality of shape memory polymer members having elongated portions, wherein the elongated portions of the plurality of shape memory polymer members form a first lattice structure having a plurality of vertices.

15. The article of apparel of claim 14, wherein the first reactive framework is convex.

16. The article of apparel of claim 14, wherein the first reactive framework further comprises at least one electrically activated polymer portion and a conductive link portion.

17. The article of apparel of claim 16, wherein the conductive link portion facilitates transmission of electric current to the at least one electrically activated polymer portion.

18. A method of manufacturing an article of apparel, the method of manufacturing comprising:

providing a base material having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

coupling a first plurality of shape memory polymer members to the upper surface of the base material, the first plurality of shape memory polymer members having a first plurality of elongated portions; and

wherein the first plurality of elongated portions of the first plurality of shape memory polymer members form a first lattice structure having a plurality of vertices.

19. The method of manufacturing an article of apparel of claim 18, wherein the first plurality of shape memory polymer members have a convexity.

20. The method of manufacturing an article of apparel of claim 19, wherein the convexity of the first plurality of shape memory polymer members increases in response to a stimulus.