Thermal liner for an article of clothing

Abstract

A thermal liner for an article of clothing includes a housing having a top and a bottom, with a thermal material layer interposed therebetween, and a perimeter portion substantially peripherally enclosing the thermal material layer. The perimeter portion can be defined, for example, by peripheral margins of the top and bottom that are sealed together, or by a separate frame interposed between the top and bottom, or by a frame integral with the top and bottom.

1 . A thermal liner for an article of clothing, comprising: 
 a thermal material layer; and    a housing having a top and a bottom wherein the thermal material layer is interposed therebetween, and further having a perimeter portion substantially peripherally enclosing the thermal material layer.    
   
   
       2 . The thermal liner of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter portion is defined by peripheral margins of the top and bottom, wherein the peripheral margins are sealed together.  
   
   
       3 . The thermal liner of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter portion is defined by a separate frame interposed between the top and bottom.  
   
   
       4 . The thermal liner of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter portion is defined by a frame integral with the top and bottom.  
   
   
       5 . The thermal liner of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal material layer is an insulating layer sealed between the top and bottom, wherein the insulating layer comprises an aerogel material.  
   
   
       6 . The thermal liner of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom is an impermeable first layer, the top includes an impermeable second layer, and the frame is sealingly attached therebetween.  
   
   
       7 . The thermal liner of  claim 6 , wherein the second layer includes an impermeable polymeric material and a wearing material applied thereto.  
   
   
       8 . The thermal liner of  claim 6 , wherein the second layer includes an encapsulated phase change material.  
   
   
       9 . The thermal liner of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is injection molded such that the top, bottom, and frame are integral and the housing defines a cavity.  
   
   
       10 . The thermal liner of  claim 9 , wherein the housing also includes a closure member and the frame of the housing includes an opening to receive the thermal material layer into the cavity and a closure member to close the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The thermal liner of  claim 10 , wherein the closure member is sealingly attached to corresponding portions of the top, bottom, and frame.  
   
   
       12 . The thermal liner of  claim 9 , wherein the thermal material layer is at least one of an aerogel-containing insulating material or a phase change material.  
   
   
       13 . A thermal liner for an article of clothing, comprising: 
 an insulating layer; and    a housing including a first layer and a second layer, and a frame interposed therebetween, wherein the insulating layer is interposed between the first and second layers and peripherally enclosed by the frame.    
   
   
       14 . The thermal liner of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom is an impermeable first layer, the top includes an impermeable second layer, the frame is sealingly attached therebetween, and the insulating layer comprises an aerogel material.  
   
   
       15 . The thermal liner of  claim 13 , further comprising a frontal region defined by portions of the first and second layers bonded together without said insulating layer therebetween and including contour lines identifying cut lines along which the liner may be trimmed to various sizes.  
   
   
       16 . The thermal liner of  claim 13 , wherein the second layer includes an encapsulated phase change material.  
   
   
       17 . A thermal liner for an article of clothing, comprising: 
 a thermal material layer; and    an injection molded housing including an integral top, bottom, and frame defining an opening through which the thermal material layer is inserted and further defining a cavity in which the thermal material layer is disposed, and further including a closure member to close the opening.    
   
   
       18 . The thermal liner of  claim 17 , wherein the closure member is sealingly attached to corresponding portions of the top, bottom, and frame.  
   
   
       19 . The thermal line of  claim 17 , wherein the thermal material layer is separately encapsulated before being inserted into the housing.  
   
   
       20 . The thermal liner of  claim 17 , wherein the thermal material layer is at least one of an aerogel-containing insulating liner or a phase change material.