Thermally insulated personal article

Abstract

An article having an inner article layer and an outer article layer to be worn by a mammal comprising a thermally insulating layer of a reflective metal polymeric insulation material adjacent to at least one of the inner and outer article layers. The insulation material provides enhanced thermal retention.

1 . An article having an inner article layer and an outer article layer to be worn by a mammal comprising a thermally insulating layer of a reflective metal polymeric insulation material adjacent to at least one of said inner and outer article layers. 
     
     
         2 . An article as claimed in  claim 1  selected from the group consisting of apparel, hats, tuques, muffs, gloves, boots and shoes. 
     
     
         3 . An article as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said apparel is selected from coats, trousers, vests, waistcoats and dresses. 
     
     
         4 . An article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said insulation material comprises a foam material selected from a closed cell foam, polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam and expanded polystyrene foam, multi-film layers assembly, and a bubble pack. 
     
     
         5 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said bubble pack comprises a first thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions wherein each of said portions defines a cavity; a second thermoplastic film in sealed engagement with said first film to provide a plurality of closed said cavities. 
     
     
         6 . An article as claimed in  claim 5  comprising at least a single layer comprising a metal laminated to a thermoplastic layer or a metalized thermoplastic layer. 
     
     
         7 . An article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said material has a first face and a second face and comprises a laminated layer of metal adjacent or a metalized layer on at least one of said first face and said second faces. 
     
     
         8 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  comprising a bubble pack assembly having
 (i) a first bubble pack having a first thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions wherein each of said portions defines a cavity and a second thermoplastic film in sealed engagement with said first film to provide a plurality of closed said cavities; and 
 (ii) a second bubble-pack having a third thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions wherein each of said portions defines a cavity and a fourth thermoplastic film in sealed engagement with said third film to provide a plurality of closed said cavities; and 
 (iii) a metal layer or metalized thermoplastic film interposed between and bonded to said first bubble pack and said second bubble pack. 
 
     
     
         9 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  comprising a bubble pack assembly comprising:
 (i) a first bubble-pack having a bubbled first thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions between said bubbles wherein each of said portions defines a cavity and a second thermoplastic film in heat sealed engagement with said first film to close said cavities; 
 (ii) a second bubble-pack having a bubbled third thermoplastic film having a plurality of portions between said bubbles wherein each of said portions defines a cavity and a fourth thermoplastic film in heat sealed engagement with said third film to close said cavities; and 
 (iii) a film selected from a metal laminate or a metalized thermoplastic film interposed between said second and fourth thermoplastic films and laminated thereto by heat-sealing to provide said composite bubble pack assembly. 
 
     
     
         10 . An article as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said metalized thermoplastic or metal laminate is a layer interposed between a pair of polyethylene films to constitute a layer interposed between said first bubble-pack and said second bubble-pack and laminated thereto by heat sealing. 
     
     
         11 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  wherein at least one of said first, second, third, and fourth films is formed of a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of a low density polyethylene, a linear low density polyethylene and a nylon. 
     
     
         12 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said bubble pack further comprises one or more additional thermoplastic films. 
     
     
         13 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  having at least one outer layer of laminated metal or metalized film. 
     
     
         14 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  having two outer layers formed of laminated metal or metalized thermoplastic film. 
     
     
         15 . An article as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising at least one additional thermoplastic film. 
     
     
         16 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  wherein at least one of said first, second, third or fourth films is formed of a thermoplastics material selected from the group consisting of a low density polyethylene, a linear low density polyethylene, an ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer, a nylon, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         17 . An article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said reflective metal polymeric insulation material comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         18 . An article as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said insulation material has a first external outer layer and a second external outer layer and wherein at least one of said first and second outer layers has a plurality of external spacers adhered to said outer layer at suitable locations intermittent of said outer layer, and by which said material is retained to at least one of said inner and outer article layers. 
     
     
         19 . An article as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said bubble pack comprises a reflective metal polymeric insulation bubble pack assembly comprising a first reflective metal bubble pack; a second reflective metal bubble pack; and a first plurality of intervening bubble spacers suitably located between said first and said second bubble packs as to define at least one inner insulative air chamber between said first and second bubble packs.