Articles of Apparel Utilizing Targeted Venting or Heat Retention Zones That May Be Defined Based on Thermal Profiles

Abstract

Garments may include targeted vent or heat retention zones including openings or heat insulation areas in the fabric of various different sizes. The locations and sizes of these openings or heat insulation areas, at least in part, may be determined based on a thermal profile of a body from which the garment is designed. For example, openings or heat insulation areas of a larger size may be provided in the garment at locations where the body typically releases a large amount of heat, and openings or heat insulation areas of smaller sizes may be provided at other locations, e.g., where the body releases less heat. Several thermal profiles may be collected and used to develop a collection of opening patterns, e.g., corresponding to specific body characteristics, body types, and/or ultimate end uses for the garment. Custom patterns may be determined and used in garments specially designed for individual users.

1 . A garment including at least a torso region, the garment comprising:
 a first fabric panel including a pattern of openings, the pattern of openings defined based on a thermal profile of a body, the thermal profile defining at least a first area of the body having a first thermal characteristic and a second area of the body having a second thermal characteristic; and   wherein the pattern of openings in the first area includes a first plurality of openings having a first size corresponding to the first thermal characteristic and a second plurality of openings having a second size corresponding to the second thermal characteristic, the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings interspersed throughout the first fabric panel such that the first and second plurality of openings at least partially overlap one another.   
     
     
         2 . A garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermal profile is determined during or after the body is engaged in a particular type of activity. 
     
     
         3 . A garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second thermal characteristics correspond to amounts of heat released at the first and second areas of the body. 
     
     
         4 . A garment according to  claim 3 , wherein the first area of the body releases more heat than the second area of the body, and wherein the first plurality of openings having the first size are larger than the second plurality of openings having the second size. 
     
     
         5 . A garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermal profile further defines at least a third area of the body having a third thermal characteristic, and wherein the pattern of openings defines a third plurality of openings having a third size corresponding to the third thermal characteristic. 
     
     
         6 . A garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermal profile is determined based on the body of a wearer of the garment such that the pattern of openings in the first fabric panel is custom designed for the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . A garment according to  claim 1 , wherein interspersing of the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings is based on the thermal profile of the body. 
     
     
         8 . A garment according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of side vented zones extending from an area proximate a respective arm opening of the garment to an area proximate a waist opening of the garment, wherein each of the pair of side vented zones includes a plurality of side vent openings that are separate from the first and second plurality of openings of the first fabric panel. 
     
     
         9 . A garment, comprising:
 a garment structure for at least a portion of an upper torso, wherein the garment structure includes at least a first fabric panel; and   a pattern of openings formed in the first fabric panel of the garment structure, wherein the pattern of openings is defined based on a thermal profile of a body, wherein the pattern of openings includes:   a first plurality of openings of a first size provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to at least a portion of a wearer's spine; and   a second plurality of openings of a second size that is smaller than the first size provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to a first area of the wearer's back laterally located on a first side of the wearer's back with respect to the wearer's spine;   wherein the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings are interspersed throughout the first fabric panel such that at least one opening of the first plurality of openings is positioned between openings of the second plurality of openings and at least one opening of the second plurality of openings is positioned between openings of the first plurality of openings.   
     
     
         10 . A garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the second plurality of openings includes openings corresponding to the first size and positioned on the first side of the wearer's back proximate the wearer's neck. 
     
     
         11 . A garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the pattern of openings further includes a third plurality of openings corresponding to the second size provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to a second area of the wearer's back laterally located on a second side of the wearer's back with respect to wearer's spine that is opposite the first side of the wearer's back. 
     
     
         12 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein the third plurality of openings includes openings corresponding to the first size and positioned on the second side of the wearer's back proximate the wearer's neck. 
     
     
         13 . A garment according to  claim 9 , wherein the plural openings smaller than the first size located on the first side of the wearer's back include plural openings of a second size, wherein the second size is smaller than the first size, and plural openings of a third size or smaller, wherein the third size is smaller than the second size. 
     
     
         14 . A garment according to  claim 9 , wherein interspersing of the openings of the first size and the second size is based on the thermal profile of the body. 
     
     
         15 . A garment according to  claim 9 , further comprising a pair of side vented zones, which are separate from the plural openings, wherein each of the side vented zones extends from proximate a respective arm opening to proximate a waist opening. 
     
     
         16 . A garment, comprising:
 a garment structure for at least a portion of an upper torso, wherein the garment structure includes at least a first fabric panel; and   a pattern of openings formed through the first fabric panel of the garment structure, wherein the pattern of openings is defined based on a thermal profile of a body, wherein the pattern of openings includes:
 plural openings of a first size or larger provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to at least a portion of a wearer's spine, 
 plural openings smaller than the first size provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to a first area of the wearer's back laterally located on a first side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine, 
 plural openings smaller than the first size provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to a second area of the wearer's back laterally located on a second side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine, 
 plural openings of the first size or larger provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to a third area of the wearer's back laterally located on the first side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine and proximate to the wearer's neck, and 
 plural openings of the first size or larger provided in a portion of the garment structure corresponding to a fourth area of the wearer's back laterally located on the second side of the wearer's back from the wearer's spine and proximate to the wearer's neck; 
   wherein the plural openings of the first size and the plural openings smaller than the first size are interspersed throughout the first fabric panel such that at least one opening of the first size is positioned between plural openings smaller than the first size and at least one opening of the plural openings smaller than the first size is positioned between plural openings of the first size.   
     
     
         17 . A garment according to  claim 16 , wherein the plural openings smaller than the first size provided in the portion of the garment structure corresponding to the first area of the wearer's back includes plural openings of a second size smaller than the first size and plural openings of a third size or smaller, wherein the third size is smaller than the second size. 
     
     
         18 . A garment according to  claim 17 , wherein the plural openings smaller than the first size provided in the portion of the garment structure corresponding to the second area of the wearer's back includes plural openings of the second size and plural openings of the third size or smaller. 
     
     
         19 . A garment according to  claim 16 , wherein interspersing of the openings of the first size and the second size is based on the thermal profile of the body. 
     
     
         20 . A garment according to  claim 16 , further comprising a pair of side vented zones, which are separate from the plural openings, wherein each of the side vented zones extends from proximate a respective arm opening to proximate a waist opening.