Apparel thermo-regulatory system

Abstract

Aspects herein are directed to an apparel item that promotes thermo-regulation through the use of engineered openings, venting, and/or stand-off structures. In exemplary aspects, 20-45% of the apparel item may comprise the engineered openings. Vents may be positioned on the apparel item in areas that experience high amounts of air flow to help channel air into the apparel item. The stand-off structures may be positioned on an inner-facing surface of the apparel item where they help to create a space between the apparel item and the wearer's body surface in which air can flow and help cool the wearer by promoting evaporative cooling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparel item comprising:
 a textile material comprising a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, the plurality of first portions comprising standoff structures that are separated from each other by the plurality of second portions, wherein:
 the textile material of the plurality of first portions has a first thickness and is biased in a tensioned, lengthened state, 
 the textile material of the plurality of second portions has a second thickness and is maintained in a tension-free resting state, and 
 the first thickness is equal to or less than the second thickness. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the textile material comprises one of a knitted material or a woven material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein a first length of the textile material in the plurality of first portions is 110-160% greater than the first length in a tension-free resting state. 
     
     
         4 . The apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the first portions comprise a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparel item of  claim 4 , wherein the thermoplastic material comprises a film. 
     
     
         6 . The apparel item of  claim 4 , wherein the thermoplastic material is positioned on a first surface of the textile material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of standoff structures are positioned on one or more of an inner-facing surface and an outer-facing surface of the apparel item. 
     
     
         8 . The apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the textile material of the plurality of first portions is tensioned in both a first direction and a second direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparel item of  claim 8 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The apparel item of  claim 1 , wherein the textile material of the plurality of first portions is tensioned in a cross-wise grain direction of the textile material. 
     
     
         11 . An apparel item comprising:
 a textile material comprising a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, the plurality of first portions comprising standoff structures that are separated from each other by the plurality of second portions, wherein:
 the textile material of the plurality of first portions comprises a tensioned state that is stretched in a first direction and a second direction, and 
 the textile material of the plurality of second portions comprises a tension-free resting state. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparel item of  claim 11 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The apparel item of  claim 11 , wherein the first portions comprise a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The apparel item of  claim 11 , wherein the first portions comprise a surface treatment. 
     
     
         15 . The apparel item of  claim 14 , wherein the surface treatment comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The apparel item of  claim 15 , wherein the surface treatment comprises a cooling material. 
     
     
         17 . The apparel item of  claim 15 , wherein the surface treatment comprises a reflective material. 
     
     
         18 . An apparel item comprising:
 a textile material comprising a plurality of first portions and a plurality of second portions, the plurality of first portions comprising standoff structures that are separated from each other by the plurality of second portions, wherein:
 the textile material of the plurality of first portions has a first thickness and is tensioned, by a surface treatment, in both a first direction and a second direction, 
 the textile material of the plurality of second portions has a second thickness and is maintained in a tension-free resting state, and 
 the first thickness is equal to or less than the second thickness. 
   
     
     
         19 . The apparel item of  claim 18 , wherein the surface treatment comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         20 . The apparel item of  claim 18 , wherein the surface treatment is a film.