Reflective and phosphorescent garment and method of manufacture

Abstract

A reflective and phosphorescent garment for use by humans or pets, as well as the method of manufacture. The garment includes light reflective capabilities as well as phosphorescent capabilities enabling the garment to simultaneously radiate and reflect light, thereby optimizing visibility. In the preferred embodiment, a visual means may be applied to a fabric member. Then a phosphorescent substance and a reflective substance may be applied to enhance the wearer's visibility.

1 . A garment for use by humans or pets, said garment comprising: a fabric member, said fabric member having an inner surface adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's body; an outer surface of said fabric member adapted for treatment with a mixture of at least one phosphorescent substance and at least one light reflective substance; and said outer surface of said fabric member being decorated with at least one visual means, said visual means at least partially underlying said mixture of said phosphorescent substance and said reflective substance. 
   
   
       2 . The garment as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said fabric member has generally triangular margins and laterally opposite ends. 
   
   
       3 . A garment as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said fabric member is configured to encircle the bottom portion of the wearer's face and hang loosely about the wearer's mouth region and chin region. 
   
   
       4 . A garment as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the laterally opposite ends of said fabric member are configured to extend around the wearer's face region and detachably connect at the back of the wearer's head or neck region. 
   
   
       5 . A garment as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said outer surface of said fabric member is decorated with a visual means comprising at least one aesthetic design. 
   
   
       6 . A garment as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said fabric member and said visual means being treated with a mixture of said phosphorescent substance and said reflective substance. 
   
   
       7 . A garment as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said phosphorescent substance is a phosphorescent ink. 
   
   
       8 . A garment as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said light reflective substance is a reflective powder. 
   
   
       9 . A garment as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said mixture of said phosphorescent substance and said reflective substance is a direct screen print onto said outer surface of said fabric member and said visual means. 
   
   
       10 . A garment for use by humans or pets, said garment comprising: a fabric member configured for encircling the wearer's face and neck and having a face region with margins generally triangular in shape and laterally opposite ends; an inner surface of said fabric member adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's face; an outer surface of said fabric member adapted for treatment with at least one phosphorescent substance; said outer surface adapted for treatment with at least one light reflective substance; and said outer surface of said fabric member being decorated with at least one visual means, said visual means at least partially underlying said phosphorescent substance and said reflective substance. 
   
   
       11 . A garment as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said outer surface of said fabric member is decorated with a visual means comprising at least one aesthetic design. 
   
   
       12 . A garment as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said visual means being treated with said phosphorescent substance. 
   
   
       13 . A garment as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said visual means and said phosphorescent substance being treated with said light reflective substance. 
   
   
       14 . A garment as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said visual means is a direct screen print onto said outer surface of said fabric member. 
   
   
       15 . A method of making a reflective and phosphorescent garment comprising the steps of:
 a. Providing a fabric member configured for encircling the wearer's face and neck and having a face region having margins generally triangular in shape and laterally opposite ends; an inner surface of said fabric member adapted for contiguous relationship with the wearer's face; an outer surface of said fabric member adapted for treatment with at least one phosphorescent substance; said outer surface adapted for treatment with at least one light reflective substance; and said outer surface of said fabric member being decorated with at least one visual means, said visual means at least partially underlying said phosphorescent substance and said reflective substance;   b. Contiguously and integrally attaching to the outer surface of said fabric member a visual means;   c. Contiguously and integrally attaching to the underlying visual means a second layer of phosphorescent substance;   d. Contiguously and integrally attaching to the underlying second layer of phosphorescent substance a third layer of reflective substance;   e. Whereby the visual means is at least partially visible underneath the second phosphorescent layer and third reflective layer; and   f. Whereby the garment may simultaneously emit light from the second phosphorescent layer and reflect light from the third reflective layer.   
   
   
       16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  including the step of applying said visual means to the outer surface of said fabric member by direct screen print onto said fabric member. 
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  including the step of applying said phosphorescent substance to the visual means by direct screen print onto said visual means. 
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  including the step of applying said reflective substance to the phosphorescent substance by direct screen print onto said phosphorescent substance. 
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the visual means, phosphorescent substance, and reflective substance are composed of plastisol ink. 
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the first, second, and third layers are heat cured.