Vapor permeable retroreflective garment

Abstract

The disclosure describes vapor permeable retroreflective material for use on protective garments. The material may be formed in a non-continuous pattern that provides a high-level of retroreflective brightness, yet also provides adequate permeability to prevent exposure to trapped thermal energy and heated moisture. The non-continuous retroreflective pattern may include retroreflective regions and non-retroreflective regions arranged such that thermal decay through the protective garment is not substantially decreased in the regions corresponding to the retroreflective material. Rather, vapor permeation and thermal decay through the garment may be substantially the same as if the retroreflective material was not present.

1 - 62 . (canceled)  
   
   
       63 . A high visibility safety garment for wearing by an individual exposed to hazardous vehicular traffic, said garment constructed to comply with retroreflection standards of an acknowledged and recognized safety garment standard specifying a minimum coefficient of retroreflectivity R min  for a horizontal stripe on a safety garment intended for encircling the torso of an individual wearing the safety garment, comprising: 
 a torso covering safety garment base formed at least partially of a fluorescent colored background material;    a horizontal high visibility retroreflective safety stripe attached to and encircling the base so as to encircle the torso of a garment wearer;    said stripe having a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments separated by stripe spaces to approximate a continuous stripe in appearance;    said stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material having a coefficient of retroreflection R A ;    said stripe segments and stripe spaces occupying an area A stripe , and said stripe segments occupying an area A segment  that is a sufficient percentage of the area A stripe  to satisfy the relationship (A segment /A stripe )×R A ≧R min .    
   
   
       64 . The safety garment of  claim 63  including: 
 one or more additional safety stripes on the garment base formed of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments that are formed of a material having a coefficient of retroreflection and occupy a percentage of the total area occupied by the stripe to satisfy said relationship.    
   
   
       65 . The safety garment of  claim 64  wherein: 
 said additional stripes are vertical.    
   
   
       66 . The safety garment of  claim 65  wherein: 
 said base is configured as a safety vest.    
   
   
       67 . The safety garment of  claim 64  wherein: 
 said stripes have an area and said stripe segments have a coefficient of retroreflection so as to comply with the standard of ANSI/ISEA 107 for a class 1 garment.    
   
   
       68 . The safety garment of  claim 64  wherein: 
 said stripes have an area and said segments have a coefficient of retroreflection so as to comply with the standards of a ANSI/ISEA 107 for a Class 2 garment.    
   
   
       69 . The safety garment of  claim 64  wherein: 
 said stripes have an area, and said stripe segments have a coefficient of retroreflection so as to comply with the standards of ANSI/ISEA 107 for a Class 3 garment.    
   
   
       70 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said base is configured as a tee shirt.    
   
   
       71 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said base is configured as a jacket.    
   
   
       72 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said base and stripe are in compliance with the standards specified in the American National Standards Institute for High Visibility Safety Apparel.    
   
   
       73 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said stripe has an area and said stripe segments have a coefficient of retroreflection so as to comply with European standard EN471.    
   
   
       74 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said stripe has a width of at least 35 mm, said base has an exposed background material area of at least 775 square inches and a stripe area of at least 201 square inches.    
   
   
       75 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said stripe has a width of at least 50 mm, said base has an exposed background material area of at least 1240 square inches and a stripe area of at least 310 square inches.    
   
   
       76 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said segments are comprised of closed geometric figures in the shape of a parallelogram, in a repetitive segment-space pattern.    
   
   
       77 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said segments are comprised of closed geometric figures in the shape of chevrons, in a repetitive segment-space pattern.    
   
   
       78 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said segments are comprised of closed geometric figures in the shape of crosses, in a repetitive segment-space pattern.    
   
   
       79 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said segments are comprised of closed geometric figures in the shape of pentagons, in a repetitive segment-space pattern.    
   
   
       80 . The safety garment of  claim 63  wherein: 
 said stripe includes identifying indicia.    
   
   
       81 . A high visibility safety garment for wearing by an individual exposed to hazardous vehicular traffic, said garment constructed to comply with retroreflection standards of an acknowledged and recognized safety garment standard specifying a minimum coefficient of retroreflection for a horizontal stripe on a safety garment intended for encircling the torso of an individual wearing the safety garment, comprising: 
 a torso covering safety garment base formed of a fluorescent colored background material;    a horizontal high visibility retroreflective safety stripe attached to and encircling the garment base so as to encircle the torso of a wearer;    said safety stripe having top and bottom borders and a length so as to define a stripe area;    said safety stripe having a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments to approximate a continuous stripe in appearance;    said stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material having a coefficient of retroreflection higher than the minimum coefficient of retroreflection specified by the standard being addressed;    said stripe segments occupying a portion of the total area of the stripe sufficient that when the ratio of the surface area occupied by the stripe segments to the total stripe area is multiplied by the retroreflection coefficient of the segment material, the result is at least equal to the minimum coefficient of retroreflection specified by the standard being addressed.    
   
   
       82 . The safety garment of  claim 81  including: 
 one or more additional safety stripes on the garment base formed of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments that are formed of a material having a coefficient of retroreflection and occupy a percentage of the total area occupied by the stripe to satisfy said relationship.    
   
   
       83 . The safety garment of  claim 82  wherein: 
 said additional stripes are vertical.    
   
   
       84 . The safety garment of  claim 82  wherein: 
 said base is configured to be a safety vest.    
   
   
       85 . The safety garment of  claim 83  wherein: 
 said base is configured to be a jacket.    
   
   
       86 . The safety garment of  claim 82  wherein: 
 said base is configured to be a tee shirt.    
   
   
       87 . The safety garment of  claim 81  wherein: 
 said stripe has an area and said stripe segments have a coefficient of retroreflection so as to comply with the standard of ANSI/ISEA 107 for a garment chosen from the category of class 1, 2 or 3.    
   
   
       88 . The safety garment of  claim 81  wherein: 
 said segments are comprised of closed geometric figures in a repetitive pattern for the length of the stripe.    
   
   
       89 . The safety garment of  claim 81  wherein: 
 said safety stripe includes identifying indicia.    
   
   
       90 . A high visibility safety garment for wearing by an individual exposed to hazardous vehicular traffic, said garment constructed to comply with retroreflection standards of an acknowledged and recognized safety garment standard specifying a minimum coefficient of retroreflection for a horizontal stripe on a safety garment intended for encircling the torso of an individual wearing the safety garment, comprising: 
 a torso covering safety garment base formed of a fluorescent colored background material;    a horizontal high visibility retroreflective safety stripe attached to and encircling the garment base so as to encircle the torso of a wearer;    said safety stripe having top and bottom boarders and a length so as to define a stripe area;    said stripe including a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material and that together occupy a sufficient amount of the total stripe area such that the stripe has a composite coefficient of retroreflection that equals or exceeds the coefficient of retroreflection specified by the standard being addressed.    
   
   
       91 . A graphic transfer device for use in fabrication of the high visibility safety stripe for a high visibility safety garment for wearing by an individual exposed to hazardous vehicular traffic, said garment constructed to comply with retroreflection standards of an acknowledged and recognized safety garment standard specifying a minimum coefficient of retroreflection for a horizontal stripe on a safety garment intended for encircling the torso of an individual wearing the safety garment, having a torso covering safety garment base formed of a fluorescent colored background material, a horizontal high visibility retroreflective safety stripe attached to and encircling the garment base so as to encircle the torso of a wearer; said safety stripe including a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments to approximate a continuous stripe in appearance, said stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material having a coefficient of retroreflection higher than the minimum coefficient of retroreflection specified by the standard being addressed, comprising: 
 a flexible backing;    a layer of retroreflective optical elements adhered to one surface of the backing and having a coefficient of retroreflection that is greater than the minimum coefficient of retroreflection specified by the standard being addressed;    a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced adhesive strips located on said bead layer forming a stripe pattern corresponding to the intended safety stripe pattern of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments of a retroreflective material occupying a sufficient portion of the total stripe area such that when the ratio of the surface area occupied by the stripe segments to the total stripe area is multiplied by the retroreflection coefficient of the segment material, the result is at least equal to the minimum coefficient of retroreflection specified by the standard being addressed;    said adhesive strips having a heat activated adhesive whereby the pattern of adhesive strips can be adhered to a high visibility safety garment base with adhering retroreflective optical elements facing outward as part of the fabrication process of attaching a high visibility safety stripe to the garment base.    
   
   
       92 . A high visibility safety garment for wearing over the torso of a wearer, comprising: 
 an outer surface;    fluorescent material on the outer surface of the garment to provide improved daytime visibility;    a horizontal high visibility retroreflective safety stripe attached to the outer surface of the safety garment;    said stripe having a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments separated by stripe spaces to approximate a continuous stripe in appearance;    said stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material having a coefficient of retroreflection R A ;    said stripe segments and stripe spaces occupying an area Astripe, and said stripe segments occupying an area Asegment that is a sufficient percentage of Astripe to satisfy the relationship (A segment /A stripe )×R A ≧250 candelas/lux*meter 2 .    
   
   
       93 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein (A segment /A stripe )×R A  is approximately 375 candelas/lux*meter 2 .  
   
   
       94 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein (A segment /A stripe )≦80%.  
   
   
       95 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein (A segment /A stripe )≦75%.  
   
   
       96 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein (A segment /A stripe )≦50%.  
   
   
       97 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein R A  is approximately 500 candelas/lux*meter 2 .  
   
   
       98 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 97 , wherein (A segment /A stripe ) is approximately 50%.  
   
   
       99 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 97 , wherein (A segment /A stripe ) is approximately 66%.  
   
   
       100 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 97 , wherein (A segment /A stripe ) is approximately 75%.  
   
   
       101 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , further comprising one or more additional safety stripes on said outer surface formed of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments that are formed of a material having a coefficient of retroreflection and occupy a percentage of the total area occupied by the stripe to satisfy said relationship.  
   
   
       102 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 101 , wherein said additional stripes are vertical.  
   
   
       103 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein said outer surface is configured as a jacket.  
   
   
       104 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 92 , wherein said segments are comprised of closed geometric figures in the shape of a parallelogram, in a repetitive segment-space pattern.  
   
   
       105 . A high visibility safety garment, comprising: 
 a torso covering safety garment outer shell;    fluorescent material on the outer shell to provide improved daytime visibility;    a horizontal high visibility retroreflective safety stripe attached to the outer shell of the safety garment;    said stripe having top and bottom borders and a length so as to define a stripe area;    said stripe having a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments separated by stripe spaces to approximate a continuous stripe in appearance;    said stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material having a coefficient of retroreflection of at least approximately 350 candelas/lux*meter 2 ;    said stripe segments occupying a portion of the total area of the stripe sufficient that when the ratio of the surface area occupied by the stripe segments to the total stripe area is multiplied by the retroreflection coefficient of the segment material, the result is at least equal to 250 candelas/lux*meter 2 .    
   
   
       106 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 105 , wherein said material has a coefficient of retroreflection of approximately 500 candelas/lux*meter 2 .  
   
   
       107 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 106 , wherein the result is approximately 375 candelas/lux*meter 2 .  
   
   
       108 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 106 , wherein the result is approximately 330 candelas/lux*meter 2 .  
   
   
       108 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 106 , wherein the result is approximately 250 candelas/lux*meter 2 .  
   
   
       109 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 105 , wherein said stripe segments occupy less than 80% of the total area of the stripe.  
   
   
       110 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 105 , wherein said stripe segments occupy less than 75% of the total area of the stripe.  
   
   
       111 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 105 , wherein said stripe segments occupy less than 50% of the total area of the stripe.  
   
   
       112 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 105 , further comprising one or more additional safety stripes on said outer shell formed of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments that are formed of a material having a coefficient of retroreflection and occupy a percentage of the total area occupied by the stripe to satisfy said relationship.  
   
   
       113 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 112 , wherein said additional stripes are vertical.  
   
   
       114 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 105 , wherein said outer shell is configured as a jacket.  
   
   
       115 . The high visibility safety garment as claimed in  claim 105 , wherein said segments are comprised of closed geometric figures in a repetitive pattern for the length of the stripe.  
   
   
       116 . A high visibility safety garment, comprising: 
 a torso covering safety garment outer shell;    fluorescent material on the outer shell to provide improved daytime visibility;    a horizontal high visibility retroreflective safety stripe attached to the outer shell of the safety garment;    said stripe having top and bottom borders and a length so as to define a stripe area;    said stripe including a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material and that together occupy a sufficient amount of the total stripe area such that the stripe has a composite coefficient of retroreflection that equals or exceeds 250 candelas/lux*meter 2 .    
   
   
       117 . A graphic transfer device for use in fabrication of a high visibility safety stripe of a high visibility safety garment to be worn over the torso of a wearer, said safety stripe including a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments to approximate a continuous stripe in appearance, said stripe segments formed of a retroreflective material having a coefficient of retroreflection of at least approximately 350 candelas/lux*meter 2 , comprising: 
 a substrate;    a layer of retroreflective optical elements adhered to one surface of the substrate and having a coefficient of retroreflection of at least approximately 350 candelas/lux*meter 2 ;    a plurality of disconnected but closely spaced adhesive strips located on said layer of optical elements forming a stripe pattern corresponding to the intended safety stripe pattern of disconnected but closely spaced stripe segments of a retroreflective material occupying a sufficient portion of the total stripe area such that when the total surface area occupied by the stripe segments to the total stripe area is multiplied by the retroreflection coefficient of the segment material, the result is at least equal to 250 candelas/lux*meter 2 ;    said adhesive strips having a heat activated adhesive whereby the pattern of adhesive strips can be adhered to a high visibility safety garment with adhering retroreflective optical elements facing outward as part of the fabrication process of attaching a high visibility safety stripe to the garment base.