CLOTHING ARTICLE USING ZONE-MODERATE BELÜFTUNGSUND/ODER OTHER BODY COOLING CHARACTERISTICS OR - PROCEDURES

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to apparel including vented zones at targeted locations in the garment structure to provide enhanced or improved cooling effects. Pre-wetting an athlete's apparel or other equipment, including pieces of apparel having zoned venting characteristics, in a pre-event or pre-exercise body cooling routine, also may slow the rate-of-rise and help regulate body temperature and improve the athlete's performance.

One of the biggest challenges athletes face when competing or training, particularly in moderate to hot temperature conditions, is heat. Not only must the athlete cope with heat from the external environment, but he/she also must cope with heat generated within his/her own body as a result of physical exertion.

Substantial heat may be generated in a person's body as a result of physical activity and exertion. In general, a body's core temperature rises with increased physical activity. Less than 25% of the energy created during physical activity is converted into work energy (e.g., energy used to move the body and/or resist an applied force). The remaining 75%+ of the created energy typically must be dissipated as released heat. The human body's most effective mechanism for dealing with excess heat is through evaporative cooling. When a person's core body temperature rises to a certain level, the body will start to sweat. When this liquid sweat evaporates, the physical conversion of the liquid to its corresponding gas form (i.e., the drying) draws heat from the nearest heat source. In the case of sweat, the nearest heat source is the skin. In this manner, sweating cools a person due to the evaporative cooling action as the sweat dries. This evaporation of sweat is dependent upon the water vapor pressure (or relative humidity) of the air in contact with the skin. Air movement also is an important factor. For example, ambient air gains humidity as it picks up moisture during the evaporation of sweat. In the absence of adequate air movement (ventilation), this humidified air becomes trapped in areas surrounding the skin, thus inhibiting the cooling provided by the continued evaporation of sweat.

Failure to properly release and move heat away from the body during exercise in a warm environment can cause a dangerous rise in the person's body temperature, potentially resulting in adverse health consequences, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Various known garment features are available and used to assist athletes in coping with excess heat generated as a result of physical exertion. For example, mesh venting has been used in garments to help dissipate heat. In sports apparel, it is common to see underarm vents provided by very small or closed-hole meshes, or by small eyelets provided through the fabric. While helpful, such meshes or vents typically are too small or too impermeable to provide adequate cooling effects. Additionally, such vents typically are not large enough and/or located at targeted positions so as to provide improved cooling action.

Known garments or other athletic equipment also do little or nothing to help prepare an athlete for core body temperature increases that accompany an athletic event or exercise routine. In many instances, a garment and/or a training or preparation method that helps regulate core body temperature prior to, during, and/or after an event or exercise routine may be useful to improve or maximize the athlete's performance, e.g., by helping to cool the body to reduce core body temperature prior to the event, to slow the rate-of-rise in core temperature during the event, and/or to cool the body after the event. International Patent Application WO 91/09544 discloses an article of clothing with a vented area positioned exclusively over the spine and areas not protected by fat pads. European Patent Application EP 1329167 discloses an article of clothing with vented portions. However, there is no disclosure of an article of clothing with vented portions at the " back and at the sides.US Patent 5,105,478 discloses an article of clothing having mesh inserts down the sides of the article. There is no disclosure of an article of clothing with vented portions at the back and at the sides. Internet article "Look cool in hot times with Eco-Mesh" by Stephen Regenold discloses an article of clothing with vented portions down the sides and a vented portion on the upper back. There is no disclosure of an article of clothing with vented portions at the sides and a vented portion on the back which extends from the neck opening to a waist area. Japanese Patent Application 08-113804A discloses an article of clothing with a number of vented portions. However, there is no disclosure of an article of clothing with vented portions at the sides and down the back.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide apparel with targeted vented zones at targeted locations of the body to improve cooling action, and in many instances, to optimize and/or maximize the cooling action on the body. Such venting, in at least some instances, would improve the athlete's comfort and/or performance during the physical activity. Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide apparel and/or other athletic equipment and/or a preparation method that first anticipates the onset of heat stress and then enhances the body's thermoregulatory mechanism to function properly, e.g., to cool the body, before, during, and/or after the event or exercise routine.

The present invention relates to a garment, comprising:

• a first garment portion formed of a fabric material, wherein the first garment portion has an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft² (168m³/min per m²) measured according to ASTM D737-96 using a Frazier Low Pressure Air Permeability Machine 750;
• a second garment portion forming a garment structure with at least the first garment portion, wherein the second garment portion includes a first vented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168m³/min per m²) measured according to ASTM D737-96 using a Frazier Low Pressure Air Permeability Machine 750, and wherein the first vented zone extends along a center back portion of the garment structure from proximate to a neck opening to a waist area of the garment structure, is at least 12 in² (77 cm²) and is provided at a first targeted location in the garment structure to cool the wearer's body;
• a third garment portion forming part of the garment structure, wherein the third garment portion includes a second vented zone separate from the first vented zone, wherein the second vented zone is formed from a material having an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168m³/min per m²) measured according to ASTM D737-96 using a Frazier Low Pressure Air Permeability Machine 750, wherein the second vented zone is at least 12 in² (77 cm²) and is provided at a second targeted location in the garment structure to cool the wearer's body, and wherein the second vented zone is at a first torso side of the garment structure and extends from proximate to a first armpit seam or a first arm opening to proximate to a waist area of the garment structure; and
• a fourth garment portion forming part of the garment structure, wherein the fourth garment portion includes a third vented zone separate from the first vented zone and the second vented zone, wherein the third vented zone is formed from a material having an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168m³/min per m²) measured according to ASTM D737-96 using a Frazier Low Pressure Air Permeability Machine 750, wherein the third vented zone is at least 12 in² (77 cm²) and is provided at a third targeted location in the garment structure to cool the wearer's body, and wherein the third vented zone is at a second torso side of the garment structure and extends from proximate to a second armpit seam or a second arm opening to proximate to the waist area of the garment structure.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods for forming the garment according to the present invention.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent and more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an example upper torso garment having a center back vented zone;

Figure 2 illustrates another example upper torso garment having a center back vented zone;

Figure 3 illustrates an example upper torso garment having two side vented zones;

Figure 4 illustrates an example upper torso garment in accordance with the invention having a center back vented zone and two side vented zones;

Figure 5 illustrates another example garment having a center back vented zone;

Figure 6 illustrates another example garment having two side vented zones;

Figure 7 illustrates another example garment in accordance with the invention having a center back vented zone and two side vented zones;

Figure 8 illustrates an example garment in accordance with the invention in which one vented zone is discontinuous;

Figure 9 illustrates an example garment in accordance with the invention in which all of the vented zones are discontinuous;

Various specific examples of the invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the attached drawings. To assist the reader, this specification is divided into various subsections, as follows: Terms; General Description of Aspects of the Invention; Specific Examples of the Invention; and Conclusion.

The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below.

"Air permeability," as used in this specification, means the volume of air (e.g., in cubic feet) that passes through a given area of the material tested (e.g., a square foot) in a given time period (e.g., a minute) under predetermined testing conditions. While various ways of measuring air permeability of a material are known and may be used, one suitable method of measuring air permeability involves the use of a Frazier Low Pressure Air Permeability Machine 750 using standard test ASTM D737-96.

A given type of material (e.g., a polyester, spandex, cotton, wool, or other type of material) may have a wide range of different air permeabilities, depending on various factors associated with the specific material sample. For example, the air permeability characteristics of a given material may depend on various characteristics of the ultimate fabric sample containing the material, such as: thread or fiber thickness; thread or fiber count; yam twist; weave or knit density; weave or knit construction; material or weave flexibility or stretchability; the presence or absence of mesh openings (or other openings); the mesh or opening size; the percentage of material surface area covered by mesh or openings; fabric thickness; number of plies; surface and/or finishing treatments (if any); and the like. Accordingly, in at least some examples of this invention, the various "garment portions" having different air permeabilities, as these terms are used in the present specification, may be made from the same type of material, but characteristics of that material may be adjusted in at least one of the garment portions to alter its air permeability (e.g., the fabric may be treated or otherwise constructed or arranged in the vented zone to increase its air permeability as compared to the air permeability of the fabric at locations in the first garment portion (i.e., the portion not containing the vented zone) or the fabric in the first garment portion may be treated or otherwise constructed or arranged to lower its air permeability as compared to that of the material in the vented zone). In other examples of the invention, a different material may make up the vented zone as compared to the material in the first garment portion.

"Garment," as used in this specification, includes any type of wearing apparel for the torso, arms, and legs. "Garments" do not include hats, caps, gloves, or footwear).

In general, aspects of this invention relate to garments having vented zones at specifically targeted locations of the garment structure to improve cooling efficiency and effectiveness and thereby, in at least some instances, increase the athlete's comfort level and improve his or her performance. As described above, much heat energy is generated in an athlete's body as a result of physical exertion, and this heat energy must be dissipated in some manner to provide a more comfortable workout and/or to prevent the athlete's core body temperature from rising to dangerous levels. Physiological research conducted in connection with this invention demonstrated that if a limited area of mesh is positioned on an athlete's upper torso, applying those mesh panels to the sides and down the center of the back provided the most effective ventilatory cooling during work in heat. Garments having targeted venting zones provided at these locations allow a significant reduction in the core body temperature rise during exercise and physical exertion as compared to garments having no venting and garments having venting in other areas.

Garments having targeted venting may include, for example: (a) a first garment portion formed of a fabric material, wherein the first garment portion has an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²); and (b) a second garment portion forming a garment structure with at least the first garment portion, wherein the second garment portion includes a first vented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²), and wherein the first vented zone is at least 12 in² (77 cm²) and is provided at a targeted location in the garment structure to cool the wearer's body. The vented zone may be any desired size, for example, at least 20 in² (129cm²) or even at least 30 in² (194cm²). One or more, additional garment portions including one or more additional vented zones like those described above may be included in the garment structure. Such additional vented zones, when present, may be located separate from the first vented zone. In at least some examples, the first garment portion may form a majority of the garment structure.

Garments according to at least some more specific examples fit at least a portion of an upper torso of a wearer and include: (a) a first garment portion formed of a fabric material and having an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²); and (b) a second garment portion forming a garment structure with at least the first garment portion, wherein the second garment portion includes a first vented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²). In at least some examples, at least a portion of the first vented zone may be from about 2 to about 6 inches (2 to 15 cm) in a first dimension and at least about 10 inches (25 cm) in another dimension and extend along a center back portion of the garment structure. In other examples, at least a portion of the first vented zone may be from about 2 to about 6 inches (2 to 15 cm) in a first dimension and at least about 6 inches (15 cm) in another dimension and extend along a first side portion of the garment structure. Optionally, each side portion of the garments may include vented zones like those described above. Garments in accordance with at least some examples of this invention include the center back vented zone and the side vented zones.

In at least some examples, the first garment portion may have an air permeability of less than 500 ft³/min per ft² (152 m³/min per m²), and even less than 450 ft³/min per ft² (137 m³/min per m²). Additionally or alternatively, at least some example garments will have a second garment portion having an air permeability of at least 600 ft³/min per ft² (183 m³/min per m²), and in some examples, the air permeability will be at least 700 ft³/min per ft² (213 m³/min per m²) and even at least 800 ft³/min per ft² (244 m³/min per m²).

Zoned venting, like that described above, helps keep an athlete cooler by increasing air flow over various targeted regions of the body (e.g., the center back and two sides). The body releases a significant amount of its excess heat in the center back area, and increased air flow in this region, via zoned venting, speeds up the evaporation of sweat from the skin, and hence, speeds up the evaporative cooling process (as described above). Additionally, this improved air flow moves fresh and relatively cool air into the targeted regions and moves the heated air out. Vented zones at the athlete's sides help improve intake and exhaust air flow when the body is moving forward or laterally, movement that typically occurs during exercise and/or sporting events. When vented zones are provided at the center back and both lateral sides, air can flow into the garment at the garment sides and around to the back and out, evaporating sweat and moving heated air away from the body.

In at least some studies, the rise in core body temperature during exercise when wearing an example garment in accordance with the invention (i.e., a garment having center back and two side vented zones) was between about 0.2°F to 0.5°F (0.1 to 0.3°C) lower as compared to exercise under similar conditions wearing garments vented in other areas (with the same total venting area) and as compared to exercise under similar conditions wearing unvented garments. Although this may be meaningless to the athlete who is merely "warm," an increase of even a few tenths of a degree can be very distressing to the athlete who is approaching his/her limit of heat tolerance.

Methods for forming garments having targeted vented zones, e.g., like those described above, may include, for example: (a) providing a first garment portion formed of a fabric material, wherein the first garment portion has an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²); (b) providing a second garment portion including a first vented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²), and wherein the first vented zone is at least 12 in (77 cm²), and in some examples may be at least 20 in (129 cm²), or even at,least 30 in (194 cm²); and (c) forming a garment structure including at least the first garment portion and the second garment portion, wherein the first vented zone is provided at a targeted location in the garment structure to cool the wearer's body. If desired, the garment structure may be formed to include a plurality of vented zones, as generally described above.

As a more specific example, for garments that fit at least a portion of an upper torso of a wearer, methods in accordance with some examples may include: (a) providing a first garment portion formed of a fabric material, wherein the first garment portion has an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²); (b) providing a second garment portion including a first vented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²), and wherein at least a portion of the first vented zone is from about 2 to about 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) in a first dimension and at least about 6 (15 cm) or at least about 10 inches (25 cm) in a second dimension; and (c) forming a garment structure including at least the first garment portion and the second garment portion, wherein the first vented zone extends along a center back portion of the garment structure or along a side portion of the garment structure. Again, plural vented zones may be included in the garment structure without departing from the invention.

The figures in this application illustrate various examples of apparel. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same part or element throughout.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example garment 100 for at least partially fitting an upper torso of a wearer. The garment 100 includes a head or neck opening 102, two arm openings 104, and a waist opening 106, as is conventional and known in the art. While the garment 100 is shown as a short-sleeved athletic jersey, any desired garment style may be used, including, for example: a long sleeved jersey; a tank top type jersey; a tight, body-fitting garment, such as a track suit, wrestling uniform, or leotard; and the like.

The garment 100 includes a vented zone 108 that extends along a center back portion of the garment structure (i.e., along the garment wearer's spine). The vented zone 108 may be of any suitable or desired size, shape, arrangement, or dimension, for example, depending on the overall size of the garment 100. In at least some examples, for a center back vented zone like zone 108 shown in Fig. 1, the zone may be at least about 20 in² (129 cm²), and in some examples, it may be at least about 30 in² (194 cm²), or even at least about 40 in² (258 cm²)or 80 in² (516 cm²)or larger. For a generally rectangular vented zone, like that illustrated in Fig. 1, the zone 108 (or at least a portion thereof) in some examples may be 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) wide (dimension "W" in Fig. 1). In some examples, at least a portion of the vented zone 108 may be from about 2 to about 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) wide or from about 3 to about 5 inches (7.5 to 13 cm) wide. In still other more specific examples, men's garments may have an about 4 inch (10 cm) wide center back vented zone 108, and women's garments may have an about 3 inch (7.5 cm) wide center back vented zone 108.

The overall length (dimension "L" in Fig. 1) of a generally rectangular center back vented zone 108 like that illustrated in Fig. 1 also may vary, for example, depending on the overall size of the garment. As examples, the center back vented zone 108 may extend from proximate to the neck opening 102 in the garment structure 100 to a waist area of the garment structure 100 (i.e., the area where a wearer's waist would be located when the garment 100 is worn), as shown in Fig. 1. In numerical terms, the center back vented zone 108 in at least some examples of the invention may extend at least 10 inches (25 cm) (dimension "L"), or even at least 15 inches (38 cm) or at least 20 inches (50cm) or more in some examples. "Proximate" to the neck opening 102, as used in this example (and as also generally used in this specification), means having an end within about 3 inches (7.5 cm) from the neck opening 102. Vented zones terminating or beginning at an opening are considered to be located "proximate to" the opening, for purposes of this specification.

Fig. 2 illustrates another example garment 200. In this example, the center back vented zone 202 extends essentially the entire length of the center back of the garment 200, i.e., from at the neck opening 102 (or closely proximate to it) to the waist opening 106 (or closely proximate to it). The term "closely proximate," as used in this example (and as also generally used in this specification), means having an end within about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the respective opening in the garment. Vented zones terminating or beginning at an opening are considered to be located "closely proximate to" the opening, for purposes of this specification.

Another example of a garment 300 is illustrated in Fig. 3. In this example, the garment 300 includes two vented zones 302 and 304, one zone located beneath each of the garment structure's sleeves and extending toward the garment structure's waist opening 106. For these side vented zones 302 and 304, the various sizes, shapes, arrangements, and dimensions also may vary, for example, depending on the overall size of the garment. Additionally, the dimensions, size, shape, and arrangement of a side vented zone need not be identical to those of the vented zone on the opposite side of the garment, although the vented zones may be the same. As some examples, each side vented zone 302 and 304 may be at least about 12 in² (77cm²), and in some examples, at least about 20 in² (129 cm²) or even at least 30 in² (194 cm²) or more. For generally rectangular shaped vented zones, like those illustrated in Fig. 3, at least a portion of each side vented zone 302 and 304 may be about 2 to about 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) wide and extend at least partially down the side portion of the garment 300 (e.g., to be located immediately beneath the user's arms and at the user's sides when wearing the garment 300). In some examples, at least a portion of the side vented zones 302 and 304 may be from about 2 to about 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) wide or from about 3 to about 5 inches (7.5 to 13 cm) wide. As still more specific examples, men's garments may have side vented zones 302 and 304 that are about 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide, and women's garments may have side vented zones 302 and 304 that are about 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) wide.

The overall length of the side vented zones 302 and 304 also may vary, for example, depending on the size of the garment. As examples, the side vented zones may extend from proximate to (or closely proximate to) an armpit seam or proximate to (or closely proximate to) an arm opening (e.g., along the garment's sleeves or at an arm opening for a tank top type garment) in the garment structure 300 to a waist area of the garment structure 300. In other examples, each side vented zone 302 and 304 may extend proximate to or closely proximate to a waist opening 106 in the garment structure 300, as illustrated in Fig. 3. For some more specific numeric examples, the side vented zones 302 and 304 may extend at least 6 inches (15 cm) along the side of the garment structure 300, and even at least 10 inches (25 cm) or at least 15 inches (38 cm) in other examples.

Fig. 4 illustrates a garment structure 400 in accordance with the invention. In this illustrated example, the garment structure 400 includes both a center back vented zone 202 and two side vented zones 302 and 304. While the illustrated example garment structure 400 shows the vented zones extending all the way or closely proximate to the waist opening 106, the various vented zones 202, 302, and 304 can take on any suitable dimensions, size, arrangement, and shape within the invention as claimed without departing from the invention, including, for example, the various dimensions, sizes, arrangements, and shapes described above.

Aspects of this invention are not limited to use with jerseys, tank tops, and other garments for covering only the upper torso of a wearer. Fig. 5 illustrates another example garment structure 500. In Fig. 5, the garment 500 is a leotard or track suit type garment that at least partially covers both the wearer's upper torso and lower torso. As illustrated, this example garment structure 500 includes a neck or head opening 102, two arm openings 104, and two leg openings 502. In this example, the garment structure 500 includes a single center back vented zone 504 that extends from proximate to the neck opening 102 down to the waist area of the garment structure 500. The vented zone 504 may take on any desired size, shape, dimensions, and arrangement, including the various sizes, shapes, dimensions, and arrangements described above in conjunction with Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

Fig. 6 illustrates another example leotard or track suit type garment structure 600 . In this example, rather than a center back vented zone, vented zones 602 are provided along each side of the garment structure 600. While in the illustrated example each side vented zone 602 extends all the way down and closely proximate to leg opening 502, any suitable or desired size, shape, arrangement, and dimensions may be used for the side vented zones 602, including the various sizes, shapes, arrangements, and dimensions described above in conjunction with Figs. 3-4.

Fig. 7 illustrates a leotard or track suit type garment structure 700 in accordance with the invention. In this example, the garment structure 700 includes a center back vented zone 702 and two side vented zones 704. The example illustrated in Fig. 7 illustrates various other dimensions and arrangements of the vented zones 702 and 704 within the garment structure 700. For example, in the structure 700 of Fig. 7, the center back vented zone 702 extends substantially all the way or closely proximate to the neck opening 102 in the garment structure 700. The side vented zones 704 and the center back vented zone 702 in this example all terminate at their lower ends in the waist area of the garment structure 700. Of course, any suitable or desired size, shape, arrangement, and dimensions may be used for the various vented, zones 702 and 704 within the invention as claimed without departing from the invention, including the various sizes, shapes, arrangements, and dimensions described above in conjunction with; Figs. 1-6.

The various vented zones in a garment structure (e.g., the center back vented zone and/or one- or more the side vented zones) also may be continuous or discontinuous, for example, over their width and/or length and/or other dimensions, without departing from the invention. Fig. 8 illustrates an example garment structure 800 in accordance with the invention in which the center back vented zone 802 is discontinuous over its length, but the side vented zones 806 are continuous over their lengths. As illustrated, vented zone 802 is made up of four distinct vented zone regions, namely regions 802A, 802B, 802C, and 802D, wherein the material of the remainder of the garment (e.g., material having an air permeability less than 600 ft³/minute/ft² (183m³/min/m²) is provided between the vented zone regions 802A, 802B, 802C, and 802D (i.e., in the regions labeled 804). Any number of vented zone regions may be included in a garment structure without departing from the invention. In at least some examples, the overall length of the vented zone 802, which corresponds to the sum of the lengths of the vented zone regions 802A through 802D (i.e., L_A + L_B + L_C + L_D), may be at least 10 inches (25 cm), or even at least 15 inches (38 cm) or at least 20 inches (50 cm) or more in some examples. Alternatively, in at least some examples, any one or more individual vented zone region 802A through 802D may be at least 10 inches (25 cm) long, or at least 15 or 20 inches (38 or 50 cm) long without departing from the invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates another garment structure 900 of the leotard or track suit type in accordance with the invention in which all of the illustrated vented zones are discontinuous. Specifically, in this example, both the center back vented zone 902 and the side vented zones 904 are discontinuous and composed of a plurality of vented zone regions. The size, shape, arrangement, and dimensions of the various vented zones 902 and 904 and their associated vented zone regions can vary widely, including, for example, in the various manners described above in conjunction with Figs. 1-8.

Garments in accordance with aspects of the present invention may be made from any desired material without departing from the invention, including from conventional materials known to those skilled in the art. In at least some examples of the invention, the fabric material forming the vented zone(s) may be a mesh type material or a material formed to include mesh openings, while the fabric material making up the other portions of the garment may be a.non-mesh material (or not processed to include mesh openings and/or containing fewer mesh openings). The garment portions other than the portions including the vented zones, in at least some examples of the invention, may make up a majority of the garment structure and/or may cover a majority of the upper torso and/or the lower torso of the wearer.

As mentioned above, the entire garment may be made from a single type of material (and even from a single piece of material), in at least some examples of the invention, but the material provided in the vented zones of the garment may be processed or otherwise altered in some manner to increase its air permeability (and thereby provide the vented zone). Such processing may include, for example: laser treatments (to perforate the material and/or provide a mesh structure); calendaring, rolling, and/or other physical treatments to perforate the material and/or provide a mesh structure; stretching the fabric and/or weave (to increase inter-fiber distance); and the like. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the entire garment may be made from a single type of material, but material provided in the portions of the garment not including the vented zones may be processed or otherwise altered in some manner to reduce its air permeability (e.g., by heat treatment to reduce inter-fiber distance in the weave, by applying a second layer or ply, and the like). As still another alternative, different types of weaves and/or yarn or fiber thicknesses may be used in the various regions of the garment structure to provide the vented regions and/or the less air permeable regions. The processing or other activity to alter the air permeability of at least some portion of the garment, if any, may take place either before or after the actual garment structure is formed (e.g., sewn together) without departing from the invention.

In still other examples, garments in accordance with the invention may be made such that different types of material (and/or different pieces of material) make up the various portions of the garment structure. Such pieces of material may be sewn together and/or otherwise joined together to form a garment structure in any suitable or desired manner without departing from the invention, including in conventional manners known in the art. Any desired number of different types of materials and/or materials having different air permeability characteristics may be included in garments without departing from the invention. Additionally, if desired, the materials used for creating the various vented zones may be the same or different within a single garment, and, if desired, the different vented zones may have different air permeability characteristics with respect to one another within a single garment.

Examples of suitable materials for the garments in accordance with the invention include both natural and synthetic materials and mixtures thereof. More specific examples of suitable natural materials include: leathers, cotton materials, wool materials, silk materials, and the like. More specific examples of synthetic materials include: polyesters, vinyls, nylons, rubbers, spandex, polyester microfibers, polyester microfiber cotton blends, polyester microfiber cotton spandex blends, and the like. In some examples, garments in accordance with the invention may include peppermint coated or infused fabric or fibers, as described in more detail below.

Methods for forming garments like those described above may include, for example: (a) providing a first garment portion formed of a fabric material, wherein the first garment portion has an air permeability of less than 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²); (b) providing a second garment portion including a first vented zone, wherein a material forming the first vented zone has an air permeability of at least 550 ft³/min per ft² (168 m³/min per m²); and (c) forming a garment structure including at least the first garment portion and the second garment portion, wherein the first vented zone extends along a center back portion of the garment structure or along a side portion of the garment structure. Moreover garments may be formed for covering further portions of the body and/or the vented zones may be provided at locations other than and in addition to the garment's back center or sides.

The various method steps described above may take place in any order. For example, as mentioned above, the garment may be formed first (e.g., from a single type of fabric material), and then the vented zone or zones may be provided (at the appropriate desired location(s)) by increasing the air permeability of the fabric at the vented zone location (e.g., by perforating the fabric, by laser treatment, by creating a mesh structure, by eliminating a layer or ply of material, by stretching the fabric, or in any other suitable or desired manner). As another option, two different garment portions (having different air permeabilities, and optionally formed of different types of materials) may be provided and then the garment structure may be formed in any suitable or desired manner, for example, by sewing the garments portions together (optionally with an intervening fabric between the two garment portions), or in any other conventional manner.

The vented zones also may take on any suitable or desired color or shape without departing from the invention. As examples, the garment portion(s) including the vented zones may be made a different color from the garment portions having a lower air permeability, and indeed the various vented zones may be differently colored from one another. As another example, there is no need to make the vented zones in a rectangular shape as illustrated in Figs. 1-9, but rather, the vented zones may be round, oval, elliptical, or any other desired shape. Different shapes may be used in a single garment or in a single vented zone. If desired, the vented zones themselves and/or discontinuities in the vented zone structures may be used, for example, to form or partially form printed information, logos, trademarks, designs, and the like in the garment structure. Any type of information or design may be included or formed by the vented zones and discontinuities in the vented zones without departing from this invention.

[721] Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the above embodiments simply exemplify the invention. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.