Apparel with thermochromic dyes for monitoring and optimizing exercise performance

Abstract

Apparel for monitoring optimal body shell temperature during physical activity. The apparel uses thermochromic dyes and thermochromic inks to indicate changes in body shell temperature as physical activity commences and progresses. The thermochromic dyes and inks reveal when the body shell temperature has reached a temperature indicating optimal muscle performance, and inform the wearer of the apparel whether to increase or decrease the intensity of the physical activity to establish or maintain the optimal body shell temperature.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. Exercise apparel for monitoring optimal body shell temperature in a wearer of the apparel, comprising a first set of fibers having a first thermochromic dye infused therein that changes color at 32 degrees C., a second set of fibers having a second thermochromic dye infused therein that changes color at 34 degrees C., and a third set of fibers having a third thermochromic dye infused therein that changes color at 36 degrees C.;
 and   wherein the apparel is capable of showing the temperatures of portions of the wearer's body based on the color changes of the thermochromatic dyes.   
     
     
       2. The exercise apparel of  claim 1 , further comprising a logo or a design comprising a thermochromic ink that changes color at 34 degrees C. 
     
     
       3. The exercise apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers comprise cotton and nylon fibers. 
     
     
       4. The exercise apparel of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth set of fibers having a fourth thermochromic dye infused therein that changes color at 38 degrees C. 
     
     
       5. The exercise apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the apparel is a shirt. 
     
     
       6. The exercise apparel of  claim 5 , wherein the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and the third thermochromic dye are present only in a sleeve of the exercise apparel. 
     
     
       7. The exercise apparel of  claim 5 , wherein the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and the third thermochromic dye are present only on a shoulder portion of the exercise apparel. 
     
     
       8. The exercise apparel of  claim 5 , wherein the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and the third thermochromic dye are present only on a chest portion of the exercise apparel. 
     
     
       9. The exercise apparel as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a portion of the fibers are moisture wicking fibers. 
     
     
       10. Exercise apparel for monitoring optimal body shell temperature in a wearer of the apparel, comprising a first set of fibers having a first thermochromic dye infused therein that changes color at 33 degrees C., a second set of fibers having a second thermochromic dye infused therein that changes color at 35 degrees C., and a third set of fibers having a third thermochromic dye infused therein that changes color at 37 degrees C.;
 and   wherein the apparel is capable of showing the temperatures of portions of the wearer's body based on the color changes of the thermochromatic dyes.   
     
     
       11. The exercise apparel of  claim 10 , further comprising a logo or a design comprising a thermochromic ink that changes color at 35 degrees C. 
     
     
       12. The exercise apparel of  claim 10 , wherein the fibers comprise cotton and nylon fibers. 
     
     
       13. The exercise apparel of  claim 10 , wherein the apparel is a shirt. 
     
     
       14. The exercise apparel of  claim 10 , wherein the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and the third thermochromic dye are present only in a sleeve of the exercise apparel. 
     
     
       15. The exercise apparel of  claim 10 , wherein the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and the third thermochromic dye are present only on a shoulder portion of the exercise apparel. 
     
     
       16. The exercise apparel of  claim 10 , wherein the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and the third thermochromic dye are present only on a chest portion of the exercise apparel. 
     
     
       17. The exercise apparel as claimed in  claim 10  wherein a portion of the fibers are moisture wicking fibers. 
     
     
       18. An apparel for monitoring optimal body shell temperature, comprising:
 a first set of fibers infused with a first thermochromic dye, the first thermochromic dye changing to a first color when the set of fibers reaches 31-33 degrees Celsius; and   a second set of fibers infused with a second thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye changing to a second color when the set of fibers reaches 33-35 degrees Celsius,   wherein the apparel is configured to show a bodily temperature in a portion of a body under the apparel, based on the first or second color of the thermochromic dye.    
     
     
       19. The apparel of claim 18, further comprising a third set of fibers infused with a third thermochromic dye, the third thermochromic dye changing to a third color when the set of fibers reaches 35-37 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
       20. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the apparel is used for medical purposes.  
     
     
       21. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the apparel is used as a head band.  
     
     
       22. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the apparel is apparel for medical use.  
     
     
       23. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the apparel is formed of cotton.  
     
     
       24. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the apparel is formed of nylon.  
     
     
       25. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the apparel is formed of a blended material.  
     
     
       26. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the apparel is infused with the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and a regular dye, and wherein the regular dye is coated on the surface of the fibers with the first and second thermochromic dyes.  
     
     
       27. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the first thermochromic dye and the second thermochromic dye are comprised of thermochromic ink.  
     
     
       28. The apparel of claim 18, wherein the first set of fibers corresponds to an optimal temperature and the second set of fibers corresponds to a non-optimal temperature.  
     
     
       29. An apparel for monitoring body temperature for medical purposes, comprising:
 a first set of fibers infused with a first thermochromic dye, the first thermochromic dye changing to a first color when the set of fibers reaches 31-33 degrees Celsius;   a second set of fibers infused with a second thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye changing to a second color when the set of fibers reaches 33-35 degrees Celsius; and   
       a third set of fibers infused with a third thermochromic dye, the third thermochromic dye changing to a third color when the set of fibers reaches 35-37 degrees Celsius,
 wherein the apparel is configured to show a bodily temperature in a portion of a body under the apparel, based on the first or second color of the thermochromic dye.  
 
     
     
       30. The apparel of claim 29, further comprising a fourth set of fibers infused with a fourth thermochromic dye, the fourth thermochromic dye changing to a fourth color when the set of fibers reaches greater than 37.5 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
       31. The apparel of claim 29, wherein the apparel is used as a head band.  
     
     
       32. The apparel of claim 29, wherein the apparel is formed of cotton.  
     
     
       33. The apparel of claim 29, wherein the apparel is formed of nylon.  
     
     
       34. The apparel of claim 29, wherein the apparel is formed of a blended material.  
     
     
       35. The apparel of claim 29, wherein the apparel is infused with the first thermochromic dye, the second thermochromic dye, and a regular dye, and wherein the regular dye is coated on the surface of the fibers with the first and second thermochromic dyes.  
     
     
       36. The apparel of claim 29, wherein the first thermochromic dye and the second thermochromic dye are comprised of thermochromic ink.