Article of apparel incorporating a zoned modifiable textile structure

Abstract

An article of apparel is disclosed that includes zones with a textile having a structure than changes or is otherwise modified by a physical stimulus, such as the presence of water or a temperature change, to modify a property of the textile. The zones may be along a center back area and/or side areas of the apparel, and the textile may increase in air permeability when exposed to water. In some embodiments, slits are formed in the textile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of apparel comprising:
 a torso region having a front area, a back area, and a pair of side areas, at least a first portion of the torso region being formed from a first woven material formed from one or more dimensionally transformative weft yarns and one or more dimensionally transformative warp yarns, wherein each of the one or more dimensionally transformative weft yarns and the one or more dimensionally transformative warp yarns includes filaments of a moisture absorbing polyester and filaments of a non-absorptive polyester, and wherein the one or more dimensionally transformative weft yarns and the one or more dimensionally transformative warp yarns exhibit a dimensional transformation upon absorbing water.   
     
     
         2 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel is a shirt. 
     
     
         3 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first woven material extends along at least one of the pair of side areas of the torso region. 
     
     
         4 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first woven material extends along the back area of the torso region. 
     
     
         5 . The article of apparel of  claim 4 , wherein the first woven material extends in a vertical direction along a central portion of the back area. 
     
     
         6 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein a second portion of the torso region is formed from a second material different from the first woven material. 
     
     
         7 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first woven material exhibits a first air permeability prior to being exposed to water, and wherein the first woven material exhibits a second air permeability after being exposed to water. 
     
     
         8 . The article of apparel of  claim 7 , wherein the second air permeability is less than the first air permeability. 
     
     
         9 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first woven material is further formed from one or more dimensionally stable weft yarns that are dimensionally stable upon exposure to water. 
     
     
         10 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first woven material is further formed from one or more dimensionally stable warp yarns that are dimensionally stable upon exposure to water. 
     
     
         11 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first woven material is entirely formed from the dimensionally transformative weft yarns and the dimensionally transformative warp yarns. 
     
     
         12 . An article of apparel comprising:
 a torso region having at least a front area, a back area, and a pair of side areas, at least a first portion of the torso region being formed from a first woven material formed from dimensionally transformative weft yarns, wherein the dimensionally transformative weft yarns include filaments of a moisture absorbing polyester and filaments of a non-absorptive polyester, and wherein the dimensionally transformative weft yarns exhibit a dimensional transformation upon absorbing water.   
     
     
         13 . The article of apparel of  claim 12 , wherein the first woven material is further formed from dimensionally stable warp yarns that are dimensionally stable upon exposure to water. 
     
     
         14 . The article of apparel of  claim 13 , wherein the article of apparel is a shirt. 
     
     
         15 . The article of apparel of  claim 13 , wherein the first woven material extends along at least one of the pair of side areas of the torso region. 
     
     
         16 . The article of apparel of  claim 13 , wherein the first woven material extends along the back area of the torso region. 
     
     
         17 . The article of apparel of  claim 16 , wherein the first woven material extends in a vertical direction along a central portion of the back area. 
     
     
         18 . The article of apparel of  claim 13 , wherein a second portion of the torso region is formed from a second material different from the first woven material. 
     
     
         19 . The article of apparel of  claim 13 , wherein the first woven material exhibits a first air permeability prior to being exposed to water, and wherein the first woven material exhibits a second air permeability after being exposed to water. 
     
     
         20 . The article of apparel of  claim 19 , wherein the second air permeability is less than the first air permeability.