Insulating Clothing Systems and Methods of Use

Abstract

An insulating clothing system includes an article of clothing having a front portion and at least one pocket in the front portion. The pocket is configured to at least partially cover at least one intimate part of a user. At least one insulating insert including at least one layer of thermal insulation material is removably positioned in the pocket and configured to passively provide thermal insulation to the intimate part. The at least one insulating insert can provide an R-value of greater than about 3.5.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An insulating clothing system comprising:
 a bra including a front portion adapted for receiving at least one breast of a user, said front portion defining at least one pocket extending substantially between a top and a bottom of said front portion, and at least one pocket opening in communication with said at least one pocket, said at least one pocket opening formed in an outer layer of said bra such that the user can access said at least one pocket without having to remove or lift the bra away from the breast; and   at least one insulating insert removably positionable in said at least one pocket and arranged to substantially shield and thermally insulate the at least one breast from an external environment, said at least one insulating insert including at least one layer of thermal insulation material and exhibiting an R-value greater than about 3.5.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert comprises at least one layer of synthetic fiber thermal insulation material secured within a cover made from a soft woven fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said cover is substantially wind-resistant. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert comprises:
 a down fill material;   an inner cover containing said down fill material;   at least one layer of synthetic fiber thermal insulation material situated on an outer surface of said inner cover; and   an outer cover containing said inner cover and said at least one layer of synthetic fiber thermal insulation material, said outer covering defining at least one exterior layer of said at least one insulating insert.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said inner cover is configured to be positioned between the skin surface of the user and said at least one layer of synthetic fiber thermal insulation material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said outer cover includes a merino wool material or a flannel material. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert comprises a synthetic fiber thermal insulation material and down fill. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said insulating insert is configured to at least in part conform to the contour of the intimate part. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert exhibits an R-value greater than about 5. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert exhibits an R-value greater than about 6. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert covers substantially an entirety of the breast. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert increases a Clo value of the bra by at least about 15 percent. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insulating insert includes a moisture-wicking material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one breast comprises a breast implant. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pocket opening is located at or near a centerline of said front portion. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pocket opening comprises a slit extending between the top and the bottom of said front portion. 
     
     
         17 . An insulating clothing system comprising:
 a bra including:
 a back portion; and 
 a front portion opposite said back portion, and adapted for receiving at least one breast of a user, said front portion defining at least one pocket and at least one pocket opening in communication with said at least one pocket, said at least one pocket extending substantially between a top and a bottom of said front portion; and 
   at least one insulating insert removably positionable in said at least one pocket and arranged to substantially shield and thermally insulate the at least one breast from an external environment, said at least one insulating insert including at least one layer of thermal insulation material.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one pocket opening is formed in an outer surface of said front portion. 
     
     
         19 . An insulating clothing system comprising:
 a bra including:   a back portion; and   a front portion opposite said front portion, and adapted for receiving at least one breast of a user, said front portion defining at least one pocket and at least one pocket opening in communication with said at least one pocket, both said at least one pocket and said at least one pocket opening extending substantially between a top and a bottom of said front portion; and   at least one insulating insert removably positionable in said at least one pocket and arranged to substantially shield and thermally insulate the at least one breast from an external environment, said at least one insulating insert including at least one layer of synthetic fiber thermal insulation situated within a cover formed of wool.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said at least one pocket opening is formed in an outer surface of said front portion.