Textile object with a passage area

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile article provided with an access zone (2) for the entire human hand, wherein the access zone (2) has an independent textile surface (4) whose edge is connected to the edge of a recess in a surrounding textile surface (3), wherein the independent textile surface (4) and the region of the surrounding textile surface (3) surrounding it can be laid flat in a state that is respectively elastically relaxed and crease-free, wherein the material of the independent textile surface (4) is more elastically extensible and flexible than the material of the surrounding textile surface (3). The edge of the independent textile surface (4) and the edge of the recess have the same shape and size. An opening (5) is located in the independent textile surface (4), which is completely surrounded by the independent textile surface (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a textile object equipped with a pass-through area. Typically, the textile object is a garment; however, it can also be, for example, a bag or a backpack.

[0002] CA 2 716 301 A1 shows a pocket for a knee pad that can be inserted into a cutout in a trouser leg. The pocket has an opening that can be closed with a zipper.

[0003] US 2016007665 A1 and US 2016295933 A1 each disclose trousers with a pocket that, when empty, forms a flat surface. The interior of the pocket is bounded by an inner and an outer textile surface. The inner textile surface extends beyond the pocket's surface area, the outer textile surface is sewn onto the inner textile surface, and the material of the outer textile surface is more elastically stretchable and softer than the material of the inner textile surface. The opening to the interior of the pocket is located at a portion of the edge of the inner textile surface. When the trousers are worn as intended and the pocket is empty, the inner textile surface lies flat against the person's body, the outer textile surface lies flat against the inner textile surface, and the opening to the interior narrows to a line.If the trousers are not held in shape by the body of a person wearing them, the opening can be significantly open even without external force, so there is a risk that items may unintentionally fall out of the pocket.

[0004] US Patent 2020029637 A1 also shows garments with pockets whose interior is bounded by an inner and an outer textile surface, the inner textile surface extending beyond the pocket area, and the outer textile surface sewn onto the inner textile surface. The opening extending between the inner textile surface and an edge of the outer textile surface is enclosed by a third, highly elastic textile surface, which, when inflated, has approximately the shape of a funnel. The edge of the elastic textile surface that may define the larger funnel opening is sewn to both the outer and inner textile surfaces. The edge of the elastic textile surface that may define the smaller funnel opening is not sewn to any other textile and forms the opening to the interior of the pocket.This opening, designed for inserting objects, is reversibly elastic and expandable. When the garment is used as intended, the third textile panel is compressed between the inner and outer textile panels. To prevent it from hanging unsightly after a hand is removed from the opening, it may be sewn to either the inner or outer textile panel at the area of ​​the inner funnel opening. This results in a reduction in the pocket's volume.

[0005] US Patent 2015007379 A1 discloses a pouch made of an elastic, flat textile material, formed into a closed, ring-shaped tube. When worn as intended, the pouch encircles the transition area between a person's hips and waist, lying flat and close to the body. The ring-shaped pouch can be the upper, belt-like part of trousers—typically used for athletic activities—or a separate garment. The pouch opening is a relatively narrow hole in the outer surface of the tube-like structure, reinforced with an elastic band. Due to the elasticity of the textile material, this hole can be reversibly stretched to allow objects to pass through.

[0006] JP 2001207318 A describes a flat access panel made of a rubber-like plastic for attachment to an opening in the textile surface of a garment. This access panel is not a textile, i.e., not made of threads, but a film-like, monolithic component, and it is stiffer than the surrounding textile. It features a slit whose edges can be elastically bent open to allow access and which reliably return to their closed position after access. The haptic and visual appearance of the access panel, as well as its large surface area relative to the possible width of its opening, are problematic.

[0007] US patent 2008010718 A1 shows openings on a glove for the optional insertion of a single fingertip to enable tactile exploration. The openings are encased in a textile material that is more elastic and stretches more readily and softly than the glove's usual material, which encases the elastic textile.

[0008] The inventor realized that there are a number of common situations in which people have little or no access to their clothing pockets, and / or that after accessing a pocket, both hands are needed to close it – making it impossible to close the pocket while, for example, driving a vehicle. Furthermore, many common types of closures on clothing are difficult for small children to use properly.

[0009] Accordingly, the object underlying the invention is to propose a pass-through opening in a textile surface, which is, for example, part of a garment and can be used, for example, as a pocket opening, which can be easily reached through with a whole hand and which returns itself to the state as before the pass-through after the hand has been reached, and is designed in such a way that it can be used regardless of the type of textile surface to be reached through and on which area of ​​the textile surface the pass-through opening is located.

[0010] To solve the problem, it is proposed to form the opening for a person's entire hand by means of a separate textile surface, wherein the separate textile surface is connected with its edge to the edge of a surrounding textile surface in such a way that the separate textile surface and the surrounding area of ​​the surrounding textile surface can be arranged flat together in an elastically relaxed and wrinkle-free state, wherein the material of the separate textile surface is elastically stretchable more widely and softly per area than the material of the surrounding textile surface, and wherein there is an opening in the separate textile surface.The separate textile surface is inserted into a recess in the surrounding textile surface, wherein the edge of the separate textile surface and the edge of the recess in the surrounding textile surface are connected to each other, and wherein the recess in the surrounding textile surface has the same shape and size as the separate textile surface when both textile surfaces are in a flat and elastically relaxed state, wherein the opening is completely enclosed by the separate textile surface and is spaced away from all outer edges of the separate textile surface.

[0011] The invention, including advantageous further developments, is illustrated and explained with reference to drawings in which the textile object according to the invention is a garment: Fig. 1: shows a stylized section of a first exemplary garment equipped according to the invention in its intended position, viewed from the front. Fig. 2: shows a stylized section of a second exemplary garment equipped according to the invention in its intended position, viewed from the front. Fig. 3: shows a stylized section of a third exemplary garment equipped according to the invention in its intended position, viewed from the back. Fig. 4: shows a stylized section of a fourth garment equipped according to the invention.

[0012] In the four drawings, parts that have the same function are labelled with the same position number.

[0013] The first garment of Fig. 1 The garment 1 has a through-hole 2 which is inserted into an opening in the surrounding textile surface 3. The through-hole 2 also has a separate textile surface 4 which replaces the surrounding textile surface 3 in its area. The separate textile surface 4 is perforated by an opening 5, which, as shown, is spaced apart from all outer edges of the separate textile surface 4 and, as shown, is preferably bordered by a hem 6.

[0014] The material of the separate textile surface 4 is more elastically stretchable and softer than the material of the surrounding textile surface 3. The hem 6 of the opening 5 in the separate textile surface 4 is also made of a material that is elastically stretchable and soft. This allows the cross-sectional area and circumference of the opening 5 to be relatively small in its relaxed state, yet still allows one to reach through the opening 5 with a hand or move relatively large objects through it, because the opening 5 can be elastically—and therefore reversibly—expanded as needed.

[0015] The outer edge of the separate textile surface 4 is connected along its entire length to an edge of the surrounding textile surface 3, typically by sewing. Instead of sewing, gluing, welding, riveting, etc., would also be possible. Both surfaces are dimensioned such that they are equal in size when the textile surfaces 3 and 4 are elastically relaxed. This ensures that the access area 2 and the surrounding textile surface 3 remain wrinkle-free when nothing is inserted through the opening 5.

[0016] The material of the separate textile surface 4 is more elastically stretchable and softer, relative to the same base area, than the material of the surrounding textile surface 3. The planar elasticity of the textile material can be attributed both to its structure, composed of inherently rubbery, soft, elastic, stretchable threads, and to the way the thread-like base material is woven or knitted into a planar structure. Textile experts possess well-established knowledge of how to produce planar elastic fabrics, which is why the precise details of this process will not be discussed here.

[0017] The opening 5 in the separate textile surface 4 is a hole that is completely surrounded by material of the separate textile surface 4, such that it is at least 2 cm away from the nearest area of ​​the edge 5 of the separate textile surface 4. This distance allows the opening 5 to expand considerably relative to its overall circumference when necessary to allow a hand or a comparatively large object to pass through it, and then to reliably constrict again significantly due to elastic recoil without requiring any further action.

[0018] Alternatively, the opening 5 can be completely surrounded by the separate textile surface 4, but in some sections it can be located very close to an edge of the separate textile surface 4, for example, only a few millimeters away. With respect to the length of the circumference of the opening 5 in the elastically relaxed state of the textile surfaces 3, 4, the opening 5 cannot be stretched as far as if it were located far from the edges of the separate textile surface, but this can offer optical advantages.

[0019] Preferably, the opening 5 is designed as a straight slit, which, when the surrounding textile material is elastically relaxed, is approximately as long as the flat palm (excluding the thumb) of a person using the garment 1 as intended. Furthermore, preferably, the opening 5 is elastically expandable at least to the point where the entire flat hand of said person can be inserted lengthwise through it. Such a high degree of elasticity of the circumference of the opening 5 can be readily achieved by selecting the minimum elasticity of the material of the separate textile surface 4 and, if applicable, the material of the hem 6, and is best determined experimentally. This optimally combines good handling with good security against the unintentional falling out of the pocket 2.

[0020] Optionally, an additional operable locking mechanism can be attached to opening 5, allowing the width of opening 5 to be selectively reduced or enlarged. As in Fig. 2 In outline form, this actuated locking mechanism could, for example, be a snap fastener 7 – that is, a two-part mechanism in which the two parts can be locked together or released from each other by overcoming a locking force. While this mechanism reduces the size of the opening, its elasticity and function are nevertheless maintained.

[0021] In the Fig. 2 In the optional case shown, the access area 2 leads into a pocket 8 (outline shown in dashed lines) of the garment 1, which lies within the surrounding textile area 3 and is accessible not only through the access area 2 but also through an opening 9, which can be designed as in known pockets in garments. The opening 9 can be significantly wider than the opening 5 in the access area according to the invention. The wider opening 9 can be used specifically for inserting particularly large objects, and the narrower opening 5 for quick access.

[0022] However, a passageway 2 according to the invention can also be the only opening to a pocket in the garment 1. If, as sketched, the passageway 2 leads into a pocket 8 of a garment, the area of ​​the pocket 8 is preferably larger than the area of ​​the passageway 2. More precisely, this means that the area of ​​the pocket 8 projected at a right angle onto the plane of the surrounding textile surface 3, laid flat, is preferably larger than the flat area of ​​the passageway 2. Preferably, the area of ​​the pocket 8 (or the aforementioned projected area) is more than twice the area of ​​the passageway.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a through-access area 2 according to the invention can be a connecting area between two pockets of a garment, wherein each of the two pockets has a further access opening, one of these access openings leading to the outside of the garment and the other to the inside of the garment. This allows access to an inner pocket of a garment without having to open the garment – ​​namely, through an outer pocket – while still maintaining a separation between the inner and outer pockets, preventing objects from unintentionally passing from one pocket to the other.

[0024] The access area 2 on a garment does not necessarily have to lead into a pocket of the garment; it can simply lead from the outside of the garment into the space enclosed by it, for example to provide easy access to another garment inside.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the access area 2 is located on an upper body garment and is positioned such that, when the upper body garment is worn as intended, the opening 5 of the access area 2 is located at the front of the wearer's body at a height extending from 5 cm below the navel to 10 cm above the navel, and is no more than 10 cm away from the body's plane of symmetry. An upper body garment in this sense is a garment for a person that covers the torso from the neck down and has openings for the arms, typically a jacket, shirt, vest (gilet), or sweater.Thanks to the aforementioned arrangement, the access area can also be used effectively when the person wearing garment 1 is wearing a climbing harness, a backpack with a hip belt, or is strapped into a car seat.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment (not shown), the shape of the surface of the opening in or on the separate textile surface (4) is elongated in the relaxed state, and the direction of the largest dimension of this surface is rising away from the body symmetry plane of the person wearing the garment.

[0027] Using the example according to Fig. 3 Two pockets 8 are located on the lower rear area of ​​a garment 1 designed as an upper body garment, and are equipped with access areas 2 according to the invention. This garment 1 is, for example, well suited for cycling. The openings 5 ​​of the access areas 2 are elongated in their elastically relaxed state, with the longitudinal direction sloping away from the body symmetry plane of the person wearing the garment 1 – thus allowing the wearer to comfortably reach into the pockets 8 without contortions. A cover strip 10 is attached to the garment 1 outside each of the openings 5 ​​of the access areas 2.This is a strip of textile material, which is attached at an edge to a surface area of ​​the garment 1 located above the respective opening 5. In the absence of any external influence other than gravity, it hangs downwards from its attachment point, thereby covering the respective opening 5. The cover strips 10 hardly interfere with access to the opening 2, but very effectively prevent moisture running off the garment 1 during rain from flowing into the pockets 8. (See example below.) Fig. 4An inventive access area 2 to a pocket 8 is shown. The access area 2 is arranged behind an outer pocket opening 11, which in the example shown is designed as a zipper. To reach into the pocket 8, one must reach through the outer pocket opening 11 and the opening 5 of the inventive access area 2, which is designed as an inner pocket opening. The circumference of the outer pocket opening 11 is significantly longer than the circumference of the opening 5 in the access area 2 when the latter is elastically relaxed. This design is helpful, for example, in situations where a person only has one hand free to take something out of a pocket in their clothing, but cannot close the pocket after taking something out, as they would need two hands to do so.In this case, the self-closing function of the access area 2 according to the invention provides at least a temporarily sufficiently good closure for the pocket 8.

Claims

1. A textile article equipped with a reach-through region (2) for an entire hand of a person, wherein the reach-through region (2) has a separate textile surface (4) which is fastened to a surrounding textile surface (3) in such a way that the separate textile surface (4) and that region of the surrounding textile surface (3) which surrounds it can be arranged planarly together in a respectively elastically relaxed and respectively wrinkle-free state, wherein the material of the separate textile surface (4) can be elastically stretched further and more flexibly per area than the material of the surrounding textile surface (3), and wherein an opening (5) is located in the separate textile surface (4), characterized in that the opening (5) is completely encircled by the separate textile surface (4), and is at a distance from all outer edges of the separate textile surface (4), and in that the separate textile surface (4) is inserted into a cutout in the surrounding textile surface (3), wherein the edge of the separate textile surface (4) and the edge of the cutout are connected to one another, and the edge of the cutout has the same shape and size as the edge of the separate textile surface (4) when the two textile surfaces (3, 4) are in the planar and elastically relaxed state.

2. The textile article as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the opening (5) is bordered by a hem (6) which, in the region in which it adjoins the separate textile surface (4), can be elastically stretched at least as far and as flexible per area as the material of the separate textile surface (4).

3. The textile article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening (5) in the separate textile surface (4) has the shape of a straight slot in the elastically relaxed state of the surrounding material.

4. The textile article as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that an actuatable closure mechanism, preferably in the form of a snap fastener (7), is attached to the opening (5), by means of which the width of the opening (5) can be selectively adjusted.

5. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it has an inner side and an outer side, and in that the opening (5) is covered on the outer side of the textile article by a foldable cover strip (10).

6. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reach-through region (2) leads into a pocket (8) on the textile article.

7. The textile article as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the area of the pocket (8) normally projected at right angles to the surrounding textile surface (3) is greater, preferably more than two times greater, than the area of the reach-through region (2).

8. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the separate textile surface (4), which has the opening (5), is covered on its outer side by a further textile surface which has a further opening (11), wherein the further opening (11) can be selectively closed, for example, by a zip fastener.

9. The textile article as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is an item of clothing (1).

10. The textile article as claimed in claim 9 and one of claims claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the reach-through region (2) is a connection between an inner pocket and an outer pocket of the item of clothing (1).

11. The textile article as claimed in claim 9 and one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the reach-through region (2) does not lead into a pocket, but rather leads from the outer side of the item of clothing (1) into the space enveloped by the latter.

12. The textile article as claimed in claim 9 or 11, characterized in that the item of clothing (1) is an item of clothing for the upper body, and the reach-through region (2) is positioned in such a way that, when the item of clothing for the upper body is worn as intended by a person, the opening (5) of the reach-through region (2) is located, with respect to the body of the person, in a height range which extends from 5 cm below the navel to 10 cm above the navel, and is no further than 10 cm away from the body plane of symmetry.

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