Protective garment with comfort collar

Abstract

A protective garment including an outer shell having an outer collar, and an inner liner configured to be worn between the outer shell and a wearer. The inner liner includes an inner collar and a comfort collar configured to conformingly engage a neck of the wearer when the garment is worn.

1 . A protective garment comprising:
 an outer shell having an outer collar; and   an inner liner configured to be worn between the outer shell and a wearer, the inner liner including an inner collar and a comfort collar configured to conformingly engage a neck of the wearer when the garment is worn.   
     
     
         2 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the inner liner is releasably attachable to the outer shell. 
     
     
         3 . The protective garment of  claim 2  wherein said inner liner includes a moisture barrier and a thermal barrier that are permanently coupled together, and wherein the inner liner is entirely removably from the outer shell. 
     
     
         4 . The protective garment system of  claim 3  wherein said thermal barrier has a TPP of at least about twenty, and wherein said moisture barrier is made of a material that is generally liquid impermeable and generally moisture vapor permeable. 
     
     
         5 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said comfort collar extends radially inwardly from said inner collar such that said comfort collar and said inner collar define an annular gap therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein a radially inner-most portion of said comfort collar has a circumference of less than about 15 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said comfort collar is generally elastic. 
     
     
         8 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said comfort collar is made of a material that is softer than said inner collar and said outer collar. 
     
     
         9 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said inner collar has an upper edge extending around a periphery thereof, and wherein said comfort collar is entirely vertically spaced below from said upper edge. 
     
     
         10 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said inner liner includes a body portion, and wherein said inner collar and said comfort collar are both coupled to said body portion by a common seam. 
     
     
         11 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said inner collar is joined to said inner liner by a seam, and wherein said comfort collar generally covers said seam such that said comfort collar is positioned between said seam and said wearer when said garment is worn. 
     
     
         12 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said comfort collar has a length extending circumferentially thereabout, and wherein said comfort collar is configured to engage said neck of said wearer along substantially the entire length. 
     
     
         13 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said comfort collar is made of a water repellent material or made of a material that is treated to be water repellent. 
     
     
         14 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said comfort collar is the inner-most layer of said garment in the neck area of said garment. 
     
     
         15 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said inner liner includes a moisture barrier and a thermal barrier, and wherein said inner collar includes a moisture barrier and a thermal barrier. 
     
     
         16 . The protective garment of  claim 15  wherein said moisture barrier of said inner liner and said moisture barrier of said inner collar are in direct contact to provide continuous moisture barrier protection. 
     
     
         17 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said inner liner is configured to be positioned between said outer shell and said wearer when said garment is worn. 
     
     
         18 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the comfort collar is made of flame and heat resistant material. 
     
     
         19 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein said outer collar, said inner collar, and said comfort collar are all made of separate and discrete pieces of material, and are configured such that a radial line extends through said outer collar, said inner collar, and said comfort collar to provide a three-ply collar arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . The protective garment system of  claim 1  wherein the outer shell and outer collar are made of a material that resists igniting, burning, melting, dripping, or separation when exposed to temperatures of 500° F. for five minutes. 
     
     
         21 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the inner liner is permanently attached to the outer shell. 
     
     
         22 . A protective garment system comprising:
 an outer shell having a torso portion and an outer collar; and   an inner liner positioned within the outer shell, said inner liner having a torso portion and an inner liner collar, the inner liner further including a comfort collar attached to the torso portion of the liner and being configured and positioned to conformingly engage a neck of a wearer of the garment system.   
     
     
         23 . A protective garment comprising:
 an outer shell made of an abrasion-resistant material that resists igniting, burning, melting, dripping, or separation when exposed to a temperature of 500° F. for five minutes;   an inner liner configured to be worn between the outer shell and a wearer, the inner liner having a moisture barrier, a thermal barrier, the inner liner further including a body portion and an inner liner collar; and   a comfort collar coupled to said inner liner, and wherein said inner liner collar and said comfort collar liner are both coupled to said inner liner body by a single, common seam.