Method for Manufacturing a Waterproof and Breathable Article of Clothing

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a waterproof and breathable article of clothing 1 comprising an envelope 2 that has inner 3 and outer 4 surfaces, the method involving: at least one step of coating ( 100 ), during which the inner surface 3 is outward-facing, comprising coating the outward-facing inner surface with a solution 6 with a base of at least one polymer, with air A under pressure being injected into the envelope during the coating, then drying the envelope in order to form a first layer 10 of waterproof and breathable polymer on the inner surface; and at least one step of impregnation ( 200 ), during which the inner surface 3 is inward-facing, comprising pouring into the envelope a solution 11 with a base of at least one polymer, removing the excess solution 11, injecting air A under pressure into the envelope, and drying the envelope in order to form a second layer 15 of waterproof and breathable polymer on the first layer 10.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a waterproof and breathable article of clothing comprising the steps of:
 providing an article of clothing ( 1 ), said article comprising an envelope ( 2 ) that has an inner surface ( 3 ) intended to be worn in the vicinity of a portion of the body of a wearer and an outer surface ( 4 ) opposite said inner surface;   turning the envelope over in such a way that its inner surface ( 3 ) is outward-facing;   coating ( 100 ) the article, wherein the step of coating the article comprises the steps of:
 coating said inner surface with a first solution ( 6 ) comprising at least one waterproof and breathable polymer, with air (A) under pressure being injected into said envelope during said coating; and 
 drying said envelope in order to form a first layer ( 10 ) of waterproof and breathable polymer on said inner surface; 
   turning the envelope over in such a way that its inner surface ( 3 ) covered with the first layer ( 10 ) of polymer is inward-facing; and   impregnating ( 200 ) the article, wherein the step of impregnating the article comprises the steps of:
 pouring into said envelope a second solution ( 11 ) comprising at least one waterproof and breathable polymer; 
 removing the excess second solution ( 11 ) from said envelope; 
 injecting air (A) under pressure into said envelope; and 
 drying said envelope in order to form a second layer ( 15 ) of waterproof and breathable polymer on the first layer ( 10 ). 
   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first solution ( 6 ) and/or the second solution ( 11 ) comprises a hydrophilic polymer with a polyurethane base. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of coating the article ( 100 ) and/or the step of impregnating the article ( 200 ) is repeated at least two times. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the step of coating said inner surface with a first solution ( 6 ) utilizes first solutions ( 6 ) of different compositions at each repetition, and/or the step of pouring into said envelope ( 11 ) utilizes second solutions ( 11 ) of different compositions at each repetition. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of coating the inner surface ( 3 ) further comprises the step of immersing the envelope ( 2 ) in a bath ( 9 ) containing the solution ( 6 ) of polymer. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of coating the inner surface ( 3 ) further comprises the step of spraying the solution ( 6 ) of polymer on said inner surface. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of drying the envelope to form a first layer ( 10 ) and/or the step of drying the envelope to form a second layer ( 15 ) further comprises injecting air under pressure into the envelope ( 2 ) while it is being dried. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to any of  claims 1 , further comprising the step of arranging a lining in the envelope ( 2 ) after the excess second solution ( 11 ) is removed and before drying said envelope, in order to fix said lining to said envelope during said drying by the intermediary of the second layer ( 15 ) of polymer. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the step of injecting air under pressure into the lining. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the lining comprises at least one layer of material that has thermal insulation properties. 
     
     
         11 . A waterproof and breathable article of clothing obtained by implementing the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing a waterproof and breathable article of clothing comprising the steps of:
 providing an article of clothing comprising an envelope having an inner surface and an outer surface;   coating said inner surface with a first solution while pressure is applied to said outer surface; and   impregnating said inner surface with a second solution while pressure is applied to said inner surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of coating said inner surface with a first solution further comprises the steps of:
 turning the article of clothing such that said inner surface is outward-facing; and   applying said first solution to said inner surface while applying air pressure to said outer surface.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of impregnating said inner surface with a second solution further comprises the steps of;
 turning the article of clothing such that said inner surface is inward-facing;   applying said second solution to said inner surface; and   applying air pressure to said inner surface after said second solution is applied.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of applying said first solution further comprises the step of immersing said article of clothing at least partially into said first solution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of applying said first solution further comprises the step of spraying said first solution onto at least a portion of said article of clothing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the steps of arranging a liner to the inner surface after said second solution is applied and pressing said liner against said inner surface. 
     
     
         18 . A method for manufacturing a waterproof and breathable article of clothing comprising the steps of:
 providing an article of clothing comprising an envelope having an inner surface and an outer surface;   turning the article of clothing such that said inner surface is outward-facing;   coating said inner surface with a first solution comprising at least one waterproof and breathable polymer while applying air under pressure to the outer surface to form a layer on said inner surface;   turning the article of clothing such that said inner surface is inward-facing; and   impregnating said inner surface with a second solution.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of impregnating said inner surface with a second solution further comprises the steps of:
 applying said second solution to said layer on said inner surface, wherein said second solution comprises at least one waterproof and breathable polymer; and   applying air pressure to said inner surface to force said second solution into any pores and voids in said layer; and   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:
 arranging a liner to the inner surface after impregnating said inner surface with said second solution; and   pressing said liner against the second solution before the second solution is fully dried or cured to fix the liner to the inner surface.