Perspiration shield and method of making same

Abstract

An odor reducing article of apparel and the method of making same which includes perspiration shields that are strategically located contiguous to areas of perspiration which not only effectively absorb perspiration, but also significantly reduce perspiration odor. More particularly, the perspiration shields of the invention are constructed from interwoven wicking and silver coated yarn that functions to substantially eliminate odor causing bacteria contained within the perspiration of the wearer. The perspiration shields also include a protective membrane that protects the clothing from perspiration stains.

1 . A method of making a perspiration shield for interconnection with a garment comprising the steps of: 
 (a) constructing a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component by interweaving a wicking yarn with a silver coated yarn;    (b) constructing a garment shield component comprising a flexible membrane having first and second surfaces by distributing a heat activated adhesive on said first surface of said membrane to form an adhesive coated membrane    (c) over laying said adhesive coated membrane over said perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component to form a precursor subassembly; and    (d) simultaneously heating and compressing said precursor subassembly to bond together said adhesive coated membrane and said perspiration absorbing, odor eliminating component.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , including a further step of heating said first surface of said membrane to fuse said heat activated adhesive thereto.  
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , including a further step of distributing a heat activated adhesive on said second surface of said membrane.  
   
   
       4 . A method of making an odor reducing article of apparel from a garment having a body covering portion covering an area of heavy perspiration comprising the steps of: 
 (a) constructing a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component by interweaving a wicking yarn with a silver coated yarn;    (b) constructing a garment shield component comprising a flexible membrane having first and second surfaces by distributing a heat activated adhesive on said first surface of said membrane to form an adhesive coated membrane;    (c) over laying said adhesive coated membrane over said perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component to form a precursor subassembly;    (d) simultaneously heating and compressing said precursor subassembly to bond together said adhesive coated membrane and said perspiration absorbing, odor eliminating component; and    (e) interconnecting said perspiration shield with the body covering portion of the garment covering an area of heavy perspiration.    
   
   
       5 . A method of making an odor reducing article of apparel from a garment having an underarm covering portion comprising the steps of: 
 (a) constructing a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component by interweaving a wicking yarn with a silver coated yarn;    (b) constructing a garment shield component comprising a flexible membrane having first and second surfaces by distributing a heat activated adhesive on said first surface of said membrane to form an adhesive coated membrane    (c) over laying said adhesive coated membrane over said perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component to form a precursor subassembly;    (d) simultaneously heating and compressing said precursor subassembly to bond together said adhesive coated membrane and said perspiration absorbing, odor eliminating component;    (e) distributing a heat activated adhesive on said second surface of said membrane to form a perspiration shield;    (f) placing said perspiration shield over the underarm covering portion of the garment so that said second surface of said membrane is in engagement with the underarm covering portion of the garment; and    (g) simultaneously heating and compressing said perspiration shield and said underarm covering portion of the garment to bond together said perspiration shield and said garment.    
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , including a further step of prior to placing said perspiration shield over the underarm covering portion of the garment, heating said first surface of said membrane to fuse said heat activated adhesive thereto.  
   
   
       7 . An odor reducing article of apparel having an underarm covering portion, including a perspiration shield affixed to said underarm covering portion, said perspiration shield comprising: 
 (a) a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component comprising a wicking yarn interwoven with a silver coated yarn; and    (b) a garment shield comprising a yieldable membrane connected to said perspiration absorbing odor reducing component to form a precursor subassembly, said precursor subassembly being connected to the underarm covering portion.    
   
   
       8 . The article of apparel as defined in  claim 7  in which said yieldable membrane comprises a polyurethane membrane.  
   
   
       9 . The article of apparel as defined in  claim 7  in which said wicking yarn comprises a polyester yarn.  
   
   
       10 . The article of apparel as defined in  claim 7  in which said yieldable membrane is coated with a heat activated adhesive.