Breathable clothing and breathable inserts for clothing

Abstract

A breathable article of clothing (50,500) and a breathable insert (10) for the article of clothing (50,500), the article of clothing (50,500) comprising an outer enclosure (51,510) having a surface with at least one opening for the evacuation of vapor-phase sweat in an upper region of the article of clothing (50,500), a breathable outer cover (11) including means (12,112) for the external retention of water, impurities, etc., and an inner layer (13) facing the body of a user of the article of clothing (50,500), the inner layer (13) having a gap formed by means (16,116,216) for spacing the outer cover (11) from the user's body, for the passage of vapor-phase sweat generated by the body and circulating within the gap to the outer cover (11). The outer cover (11), means for external retention of water, impurities, etc. (12, 112), and inner layer (13) are disposed within a breathable pre-assembled insert (10), which is configured to be positioned in the opening and provide protection and support both during assembly and operation.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to breathable apparel and breathable inserts for apparel. [Background technology]

[0002] As is known, humans wear clothing and shoes to protect their bodies from atmospheric agents such as snow, rain, wind, and especially from the cold.

[0003] Protection of the human body is primarily achieved through the use of various layers of clothing, the first layer (undergarments) being in direct contact with the body, followed by successive layers depending on the external temperature and environmental conditions.

[0004] Thus, adding or removing one or more layers of clothing is sufficient to achieve the optimum temperature.

[0005] The human body has innate mechanisms that help it thermally adapt to its environment.

[0006] In fact, humans have an autoregulatory system that maintains the body's internal temperature at approximately 37°C. When the temperature rises excessively, two processes are activated: first, vasodilation increases blood flow to the skin, initiating sweating. Sweating is an excellent cooling method because the energy used to evaporate sweat is removed from the skin. An increase in internal temperature of several tens of degrees stimulates sweating, quadrupling the dissipation of energy from the body. When the internal temperature drops excessively, the first response is vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the skin. The second response is an increase in internal energy production, which acts on the muscles and thus activates shivering. This system is also efficient and can significantly increase energy production. The control system that regulates body temperature is extremely complex, and two major sensor groups are known: those located in the skin and the hypothalamus.

[0007] Sensors in the hypothalamus are sensitive to high temperatures and activate defense mechanisms against heat when the internal temperature exceeds 37°C. Sensors in the skin are sensitive to cold and activate defense mechanisms against cold when the skin temperature falls below 34°C. If the sensors send signals simultaneously, the human brain will suppress one or both of the defense responses.

[0008] In addition to sweating, heat generated by the human body is also transferred to the outside through radiation.

[0009] This heat, always present, causes heating of the air contained between the body and the clothing, which air rises, causing further overheating and discomfort, for example in the shoulders and back, which constitute accumulation areas.

[0010] To avoid this drawback, it is necessary to use the pressure difference created between the inside and outside of the clothing to generate or maximize air exchange inside the clothing (essentially a ventilation effect) independent of the release of vapor.

[0011] For example, if the external temperature is 5° C., the relative humidity is 50%, and the internal temperature is 25° C., the relative humidity is equal to 90%, the resulting pressure difference is about 24 mbar, which is not a negligible factor.

[0012] If water vapor cannot escape the protective enclosure (clothing) that surrounds the human body, humidity increases until the vapor condenses back into liquid sweat, and soaking of the clothing itself begins with the underwear that constitutes the first layer.

[0013] This unpleasant drawback can be addressed, for example, after a tough climb, by removing wet clothing and replacing it with dry clothing, but doing so can cause sudden cooling of the body, putting the body at risk for pneumonia and cold-related illnesses.

[0014] On the one hand, the protection of the human body from the most severe cold conditions is extremely effective through the use of high thermal insulation, but on the other hand, it is inevitable to apply stresses to the body that do not allow normal sweating, ensuring the escape of water vapor produced by sweating.

[0015] Obviously, this problem is felt more in the warmer seasons, when many people are forced to take multiple showers and constantly change their clothing during the day.

[0016] Attempts to overcome these drawbacks have been made by forming more or less closable openings in the garment in areas where sweating is concentrated, such as under the arms, but this has not been found to ensure a particular effect, and the openings do not ensure effective air exchange inside the garment.

[0017] Even with a larger number of openings, the results were not satisfactory.

[0018] In fact, to tell the truth, some parts of clothing are always in direct contact with the body, especially in the shoulder and neck area, so that the water vapor generated by the evaporation of sweat from the body remains trapped between the body itself and areas that are not in direct contact with the clothing (generally the abdomen, the lower back and especially the armpit area), preventing it from escaping.

[0019] Other known solutions involve providing openings in the front, side parts and back of the garment to create ventilation and avoid condensation of water vapor generated by sweat inside the garment, however these solutions themselves prove to be rather expensive and significantly lengthen the manufacturing process of the garment.

[0020] Accordingly, clothing has been devised in which the release of moist, warm air occurs primarily by taking advantage of the natural tendency of moist, warm air to rise (by convection).

[0021] In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,034 includes teachings for providing channels inside the garment that are traversed from below upward by moist, warm air, while exposing the garment to the ingress of liquids, e.g., water, from outside inward via the open ends.

[0022] The technical solution proposed in EP 1 194 049 overcomes the above drawbacks by proposing to provide a garment with a protective outer envelope provided with an inner layer forming an internal gap. The inner layer has holes for access to the gap for moist warm air to circulate inside the gap by taking advantage of the convection "stack effect", at least in the areas of the human body most prone to sweating. The inner layer and the outer envelope have holes in the vertex area of ​​the garment for the evacuation of moist warm air combined with external retention means for water, impurities, etc.

[0023] This solution is not free from drawbacks, such as the difficulty of constructing the garment due to the fact that, in order to maintain the gap, in addition to the inner layer and the outer enclosure, an intermediate layer, which is constituted by a fabric, for example, as described in European Patent No. 2007235 in the name of the same applicant, must also be connected to prevent the gap from collapsing. This significantly increases the manufacturing effort of the garment, since it requires the use and handling of at least one additional intermediate layer, compared to the conventional process of instead providing an inner layer and an outer enclosure. In fact, to prevent the intermediate layer from being visible from the outside, the outer fabric must have an appropriate thickness. This entails significant limitations on styling freedom and fit due to the overall rigidity of the garment.

[0024] Furthermore, in order to manufacture an article of clothing, all of the elements to be constructed must be simultaneously available, which prevents the postponement of some operations and the delocalization of individual production activities, in addition to preventing the application of inventory logic systems that currently seek greater flexibility in production.

[0025] Other disadvantages are related to production waste, which is the result of, for example, cutting operations, forcing clothing manufacturers to provide excessive amounts of material, which makes it difficult to monitor the actual use of material for official production contracted exclusively by suppliers.

[0026] Furthermore, providing breathable clothing often requires the use of an interlining of moderate thickness, which is usually sewn along one side of the fabric, typically a three-dimensional fabric, to provide a gap along one side of the lining or outer enclosure for the passage of vapor-phase sweat. These interlinings are used to avoid the need to sew the three-dimensional fabric directly to the lining or outer enclosure of the garment. In fact, three-dimensional fabrics have a significantly greater thickness than the lining, and sewing together materials of significantly different thicknesses often results in the creation of wrinkles and folds due to relative slippage between the materials, which makes it difficult to provide seams according to best manufacturing practices and detracts from the aesthetics of the final product.

[0027] Additionally, cuts and seams are often required in the outer envelope of the garment to hide the step created by the transition between areas of the garment containing three-dimensional fabric and areas without.

[0028] Seams joining separate pieces of three-dimensional fabric are also required, interrupting the continuity of the steam passageway and creating false edges which overlap the retention means and thereby impair its operation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0029] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing that improves upon the prior art in one or more of the above aspects.

[0030] Within this objective, the object of the invention is to ensure adequate air exchange inside the garment.

[0031] Another object of the invention is to propose an insert, which provides a garment without complex systems requiring user intervention to regulate perspiration.

[0032] A further object of the present invention is to provide clothing that ensures perspiration, allows water vapor generated by perspiration to escape, and prevents water from entering from the outside.

[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide an insert that can be easily and quickly attached to any coat or jacket or other article of manufacture and allows for natural ventilation by taking advantage of the "stack effect", i.e., the natural tendency of warm air to move upwards.

[0034] Another object of the present invention is to provide an insert that can be worn in many types of apparel, whether sports, formal or casual.

[0035] The present invention further has the object of overcoming the drawbacks of the background art in an alternative way to existing solutions.

[0036] A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and at a competitive cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0037] This object, as well as these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an article of clothing according to claim 1, provided where appropriate by one or more of the features of the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of the article of clothing according to the invention, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a garment according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the garment shown in FIG. 1, showing the inner layer of the insert. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view of the same article of clothing as in FIG. 1, seen from the rear. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the insert. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a first variant of the inner layer of the insert. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a second variant of the inner layer of the insert. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a third variant of the inner layer of the insert. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a modified example of the holding means. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the same detail as in Figure 9. [Figure 11] 1 is a front view of a further article of clothing according to the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Referring to the foregoing figures, an article of clothing according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 50, is breathable and comprises: an outer envelope 51, the surface of which has at least one opening for the evacuation of perspiration in the gas phase in the upper region of the same article of clothing 50; A breathable outer cover 11. This includes means 12, 112 for external retention of water, impurities, etc. An inner layer (13) of the garment 50 facing the user's body, which is provided by the means 16, 116, 216 for spacing the outer cover 11 from the user's body, forming an interspace for the passage of vapor-phase sweat produced by the body and circulating within the interspace to the outer cover 11.

[0041] The outer cover 11, means 12, 112 for external retention of water, impurities, etc., and the inner layer 13 are disposed within a breathable preassembled insert 10, which is disposed in at least one opening and is configured to provide protection and support both during assembly and operation.

[0042] The insert 10 is joined along the periphery of the opening by a method selected from, for example, sewing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, radio frequency welding, and, in the case of a seam, a waterproof tape can be applied to said seam.

[0043] In the illustrated cases (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), the article of clothing 50 according to the present invention comprises a jacket.

[0044] The outer envelope 51 is preferably water repellent and, if desired, is also waterproof if a waterproof and breathable membrane is bonded to it on the interior side of the garment 50 .

[0045] The structure of the insert 10 is clearly visible in FIGS.

[0046] The spacer means 16 may, by way of example, consist of a pin or strip interposed between the outer cover and the inner layer (eg, molded or heat-sealed to either the cover or the layer).

[0047] In the preferred illustrated embodiment, the inner layer 13 is connected to the outer cover 11 and together with its structure forms the spacer means 16, 116, 216. In this case, said spacer means 16, 116, 216 may preferably and advantageously consist of a three-dimensional fabric.

[0048] Preferably, the outer cover 11 comprises an outer layer 14 that is at least breathable and designed to face the external environment upon fitting of the insert 10 in the article of clothing 50, and the retention means 12 comprises a waterproof and breathable functional layer 15.

[0049] The outer layer 14 is also preferably water repellent.

[0050] The outer layer 14 may also be made of, for example, a fabric made of natural or synthetic materials, and may have the function of protecting the functional layer 15 from impacts from external objects and allowing for the installation of a wide range of aesthetic variations (for example, with various colors and decorative patterns).

[0051] The functional layer 15 comprises a membrane that is permeable to vapor and / or air and impermeable to water.

[0052] It may be made, for example, of a material selected from expanded (expanded) polytetrafluoroethylene (acronym ePTFE), polyurethane (acronym PU), polyethylene (acronym PE), polyester (acronym PES), or other polymeric materials.

[0053] An element is impermeable to water if fewer than three crossing points are detected when exposed to a water column of at least 1000 mm. More specifically, waterproofness is assessed as the resistance of a test specimen to the penetration of water under pressure according to the EN 20811:1992 standard. Surface 100 cm 2 The specimen of the material is fixed in a horizontal position on the test head to prevent slippage between the clamps and to avoid protrusions. Furthermore, the clamps must be leak-proof. The specimen is exposed to a steadily increasing water column, which acts above or below the specimen. The distilled or deionized water is at a temperature of 20±2°C or 27±2°C, and the water column increases at a rate of 10±0.5cmH2O / min or 60±3cmH2O / min, with 1cmH2O being equivalent to approximately 1 millibar.

[0054] Hereinafter, the term "waterproof" is understood to mean impermeable to water.

[0055] The vapor permeability is determined according to the method described in chapter 6.6 of the ISO 20344-2004 standard. Chapter 6.6 of the ISO 20344-2004 standard, "Determination of Water Vapor Permeability" relating to safety shoes, describes a test method in which a test specimen of the material to be tested is clamped to a closed bottle containing a quantity of desiccant, i.e., silica gel. The bottle is exposed to a strong air current in a controlled atmosphere. The bottle is rotated to agitate the desiccant and optimize its drying effect on the air contained in the bottle. The bottle is weighed before and after the test period to determine the mass of moisture that has passed through the material and absorbed into the desiccant. The water vapor permeability is measured in milligrams per square centimeter per hour [mg / cm]. 2 ·h] and is calculated based on the measured moisture mass, the open area of ​​the bottle and the test time.

[0056] The terms "vapor permeable" and "breathable" are used interchangeably below.

[0057] An element is water-repellent if it allows water droplets to slide on its surface, because a very high contact angle is created between the surface and the water droplet, which does not allow absorption on the part of the material in the absence of hydrostatic pressure. Unlike elements that are waterproof, water-repellent elements cannot withstand the penetration of water in the presence of hydrostatic pressure. For example, water-repellent properties obtained by finishing treatments that convert water impinging on a fabric into droplets that slide on the surface instead of penetrating the fabric are destined to fade over time or in the presence of dry cleaning.

[0058] The functional layer 15 is waterproof and constitutes an external water retention means while allowing the passage of water vapor, so that when the insert 10 is worn in a garment, water arriving from the outside, for example in the form of rain, cannot penetrate the insert, while perspiration in gas phase originating from the body of the wearer of the garment can escape to the outside, ensuring the body's natural thermoregulation and the garment's ventilation.

[0059] In addition to the functional layer 15, the holding means 12 can also comprise a support layer (not shown) facing the outer layer 14 or facing the inner layer 13 for the latter. The support layer supports the functional layer 15 and, if facing the inner layer, can facilitate adhesive bonding of the functional layer to the latter.

[0060] This support layer can be made of, for example, a fabric or nonwoven, and protects the functional layer 15 against deterioration or possible contact with blunt objects that could destroy the functional layer 15 .

[0061] The garment 50 according to the invention may also advantageously be provided with a breathable lining, not shown but of a type known per se, configured to at least partially cover the inner layer 13 on the side facing the user, allowing the dual use of a reversible garment onto which the insert 10 can be fitted.

[0062] This lining is advantageously provided with holes for the passage of perspiration in gas phase produced by the body of the user of the article of clothing in which the insert 10 is worn.

[0063] The garment 50 may also advantageously include a layer of padding between the retention means 12 and the gap, substantially within the insert 10 .

[0064] As previously mentioned, the inner layer 13 may form, with its structure, the spacer means 16, 116, 216, which in this case are advantageously constituted by a three-dimensional fabric, which therefore creates the presence of gaps and occupies a volume that is to a large extent filled with air.

[0065] The term "three-dimensional fabric" is generally understood to refer to a single fabric in which the component fibers are arranged in a mutually perpendicular planar relationship. From the perspective of the production process, in a 3D type weaving, fiber sets X and Y are woven with rows and columns of actual fiber Z. The expression "fiber set X and Y" refers to the horizontal and vertical weft yarn sets, respectively. The expression "set of fibers X and Y" is understood to refer to the horizontal and vertical weft yarn sets, respectively. The term "fiber Z" is understood to refer to the multi-layer warp yarn set. It is also possible to obtain three-dimensional fabrics with a 2D type weaving process. Three-dimensional fabrics can also be obtained by knitting on flat or circular knitting machines.

[0066] The three-dimensional fabric shown in Figure 6 has, as spacer means 16, preferential paths for the vapor phase of perspiration formed by a series of channels 17. In particular, in this variant, it has ribs 18 interleaved by channels 17, which, when insert 10 is worn in clothing 50, form preferential paths for perspiration that are directed towards the user's body and extend mainly vertically from below upwards.

[0067] In fact, the insert 10 should be fitted into the garment with the channels 17 positioned primarily perpendicular to the position of use of the garment in which it is worn. These thus provide a preferential passageway for moist, warm air, which must exit to the exterior by passing through the retaining means 12. Figures 1-3 show the fitting of the insert 10 into the garment 50, which will be described in more detail below, with Figure 2 in particular showing the inner layer 13 and illustrating the vertical position of the channels 17.

[0068] The three-dimensional fabric, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 6, comprises: A first layer 19 facing the user's body, which is breathable and configured to direct liquid and vapor phases of sweat away from the user's body. A second intermediate spacing layer 20, which is interleaved with ribs 18 and channels 17, forming interspaces and ribs 18 for transport of vapor-phase sweat outward from the first layer 19. A breathable third layer 21, substantially similar to the first layer 19, which closes the second layer 20 in a sandwich fashion.

[0069] The first layer 19 is constituted by strips of fabric, each of which is arranged to affect a corresponding rib 18. The first layer 19 (the strips that make it up) and the second layer 20 are preferably made of polyester or polypropylene fibers, or other equivalent fibers as appropriate.

[0070] Preferably, first layer 19 is hydrophobic to facilitate the passage of liquid sweat from the user's body toward second layer 20 and third layer 21 (alternatively, dampening it, as would occur if it were hydrophilic). Second layer 19 is also preferably hydrophobic or hydrophilic, depending on the desired sweat transport rate for the system. In this manner, liquid sweat passes through first layer 19, which is hydrophobic and therefore pre-configured to allow liquid to pass through, through ribs 18 of second layer 20, and onto third layer 21. Third layer 21 is preferably hydrophilic, allowing the liquid sweat to spread and be deposited over the largest available surface area, allowing it to evaporate more easily.

[0071] The internal layer 13 is preferably connected to the functional layer 15 by an adhesive layer interposed between the two.

[0072] In particular, this connection can be achieved by means of a double adhesive, which is provided with a protective film that is removed before connection to the functional layer 15. Alternatively, this connection can be made by sewing or high frequency welding.

[0073] Alternatively, the internal layer 13 is connected to the functional layer 15 by means of an adhesive, which can be arranged in spots or according to a pre-set pattern, for example a strip or mesh, and can be thermally activated.

[0074] An adhesive connection is advantageous because it does not involve perforating the functional layer 15, as would occur if sewing were done instead, and it avoids subsequent operations to waterproof the functional layer 15.

[0075] In general, all of the mentioned or equivalent connection methods must not prevent the insert 10 from being breathable.

[0076] The outer cover 11, inner layer 13, and optional lining are preferably joined using a perimeter seam 22, shown in FIG.

[0077] One possible variant of the inner layer forms spacer means 116, again consisting of a three-dimensional fabric, and is shown in Figure 7 and designated by the reference number 113. The three-dimensional fabric in this case comprises a pile fabric material layer 120, in particular comprising: A first layer 119 facing the user's body, which is breathable and configured to direct liquid and vapor phase sweat away from the user's body. A second intermediate spacing layer 120. This forms an interspace for the transport of vapor-phase sweat outward from the first layer 119 and is obtained using a pile fabric material. A breathable third layer 121, substantially similar to the first layer 119, which closes the second layer 120 in a sandwich fashion.

[0078] A further possible variant of the inner layer forms spacer means 216 again constituted by a three-dimensional fabric and is shown in Figure 8 and designated by the reference number 213. In this case, the three-dimensional fabric comprises a plurality of tubes 217 laterally adjacent to one another, which essentially replace the channels of the first variant.

[0079] This variant comprises the following: A first layer 219 facing the user's body, which is breathable and configured to direct liquid and vapor phase sweat away from the user's body. A second intermediate spacing layer 220, which forms an interspace for the transport of vapor-phase sweat outward from the first layer 219, and is constituted by a plurality of tubes 217 laterally adjacent to one another so that the interspace is provided by a set of passages inside each of said tubes 217. A breathable third layer 221, substantially similar to the first layer 219, which closes the second layer 220 in a sandwich fashion.

[0080] Again, the insert 10 must be fitted to the garment to facilitate the upward passage of steam through the gaps, so that the tubes 217 are in a position that is primarily perpendicular to the position of use of the garment when worn. They thus provide a preferential passage for moist warm air to pass through the retaining means 12 and outer cover 11 and exit to the exterior.

[0081] The outer cover 11 is conveniently provided with openings for the escape of water vapor carried by the gaps.

[0082] In the region of the outer cover 11 where the steam discharge opening is present, the retaining means 12 can be constituted by a one-way valve.

[0083] According to another possible variant, the holding means, in this case designated 112 and shown in Figures 9 and 10, comprises a protective dome 123 in the area where the steam discharge opening is provided, on which holes 124 are provided, distributed evenly in the area other than the center.

[0084] The dome 123 is fixed to a disk-shaped head 125 of a mushroom-shaped element 126 provided with a tubular stem 127 .

[0085] In other cases, the head 125 may have a polygonal, oval, elliptical, or other contour.

[0086] The dome 123 is elevated from the disk-shaped head 125 except for the fixed area.

[0087] The disk-shaped head 125 constitutes a ventilation element having a frustum-like shape, thus sloping towards the peripheral region and having in the upper region a central opening 128, which in this case is circular. The mushroom-shaped element 126 is configured to be attached to the outer cover 11 at one of the openings connecting the gap to the outside environment.

[0088] In fact, the retaining means 112 allows the passage of water vapor, which can easily exit by passing through the holes 128, 124, while at the same time allowing air from the outside to enter the area below the outer cover 11, ensuring optimal thermal ventilation of the human body. In the case of rain, water droplets can penetrate the holes 124 but cannot pass through the openings 128, as they are not aligned with the holes 124. Furthermore, due to the frustoconical extension of the disk-shaped head 125, the droplets slide towards its outside and exit through the matching holes 124 arranged along the periphery of the protective dome 123.

[0089] In a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the insert 10, as shown in Figures 1-4, it is shaped to include a central portion 29 configured to at least partially occupy the neck region of the garment 50, and two wings 30 extending on either side of the central portion 29, each of the wings 30 adapted to at least partially occupy a separate region of the back below the shoulders of said garment 50. This arrangement is clearly visible in Figure 3.

[0090] In addition to the outer envelope, the garment 50 advantageously also comprises a breathable inner lining 52, which may extend into the insert 10 and be interposed between it and the user's body, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0091] If, as in the case shown, the inner lining 52 also extends into the insert 10, holes 53 are conveniently provided to provide access to the gap for sweat vapor.

[0092] Also in the example shown, the lining 52 extends with breathable and / or perforated fabric in the shoulder blade area and, if desired, at the front of the jacket in a manner not shown.

[0093] A breathable insert 10 is also the subject of the patent and comprises: A breathable outer cover 11. This includes means 12, 112 for external retention of water, impurities, etc. an inner layer 13 facing the body of the wearer of the garment in which the insert 10 is worn, by the means 16, 116, 216 for spacing the outer cover 11 from the body of the wearer, forming an interspace for the passage of sweat in gas phase produced by the body and circulating within the interspace to the outer cover 11;

[0094] The insert 10 preferably has the characteristics already presented therefor in the description of the article of clothing.

[0095] The clothing according to the present invention functions as follows.

[0096] When the clothing 50 in which the insert 10 is attached, such as a jacket in the illustrated example, is used, the warm air inside the clothing 50 tends to rise by its own nature and is pushed up due to the pumping caused by the movement of the wearer of the clothing (for example, in the case of a jacket, the vibrating movement of the arms), carrying vapor-phase sweat with it.

[0097] In the upper region, the sweat in vapor phase passes through the inner lining 52 and reaches the insert 10 .

[0098] In the insert 10, the steam passes through the gaps, for example by circulating in the channels 17, or, depending on the type of three-dimensional fabric, by moving between the fibers of the pile fabric material or by passing through the tubes 217, and is transported to the outer cover 11 from where it is discharged to the outside.

[0099] A further preferred embodiment of the article of clothing comprises headgear 500.

[0100] The headgear 500 shown in FIG. 11 comprises a brim 501 and a crown 502, the latter indicating the portion of the headgear 500 above the brim 501.

[0101] The headgear 500 is breathable and includes: an outer enclosure 510, the surface of which has at least one opening for the evacuation of sweat in the gas phase in the upper region of the same headgear 500; A breathable outer cover 11. This includes means 12, 112 for external retention of water, impurities, etc. the inner layer 13 facing away from the outer cover 11. This is because the means 16, 116, 216 for spacing the outer cover 11 from the user's body creates an interspace for the passage of sweat in gas phase produced by the body and circulating within the interspace to the outer cover 11.

[0102] The outer cover 11, means 12, 112 for external retention of water, impurities, etc., and inner layer 13 are disposed within a breathable preassembled insert 10, which is disposed within the at least one opening and is configured to provide protection and support both during assembly and operation.

[0103] The insert 10 is joined along the periphery of the opening by a method selected from, for example, sewing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, and radio frequency welding.

[0104] Additionally, in the case of seams, waterproof tape can be applied to said seams.

[0105] In FIG. 11, the insert 10 is positioned at the underside of the crown 502, but it may be conveniently positioned at a different height on the crown 502 if desired.

[0106] The "upper region" of the headgear is understood to mean the part of the headgear that is above the brim 501, i.e. the crown 502.

[0107] During use of the headgear 500 in which the insert 10 is fitted, such as the headgear in the illustrated example, warm air inside the headgear 500 will, by its own nature, tend to rise and reach the insert 10 .

[0108] Thus, outward evacuation of the article of clothing 50,500 occurs at the opening provided for the attachment of the insert 10.

[0109] It should be noted that, with respect to known types of clothing, the insert 10 makes it possible to obtain a breathable and ventilated clothing item, limiting the use of three-dimensional fabrics only to areas where the presence of air space is essential, preventing gaseous sweat from becoming trapped between the user's body and the clothing item.

[0110] Furthermore, it should be noted that by using inserts, no interlining is required, no cuts and seams are required at the transitions between areas with and without three-dimensional fabric, and no seams are required to join different parts of the three-dimensional fabric and interrupt the continuity of the channels.

[0111] The insert allows the manufacture of the garment to avoid direct handling of the functional layer 15 alone, which can be particularly delicate if it is made of, for example, a thin polymer film, and thus avoids the risk of damage.

[0112] It should also be noted that the insert is breathable and, due to its unique and previously described structure, is able to prevent the ingress of water from the outside, making it possible to provide a garment that is breathable and impervious to the ingress of water, and thus does not require complex systems for regulating perspiration or requiring user intervention.

[0113] If a padding layer is present between the retaining means and the gap, this will increase the thermal insulation of the winter clothing while also achieving the advantage of avoiding obvious unsightly thickness variations (which are difficult to control during manufacturing of the clothing).

[0114] Furthermore, the insert can be easily and quickly attached to jackets, coats, headgear, other clothing items, or other articles of manufacture where natural ventilation is desired.

[0115] Indeed, the present invention has been found to achieve its intended aims and objectives, to be structurally simple, to be impervious to external water infiltration, yet to provide adequate air exchange in breathable clothing.

[0116] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the appended claims. All details may further be substituted with other elements which are technically equivalent.

[0117] In fact, the materials used may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art, as long as they are adapted to the particular application and the incidental shapes and dimensions.

[0118] The disclosure of Italian Patent Application No. 102017000056188, from which this application claims priority, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0119] Where technical features described in any claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the clarity of the claim, and these reference signs shall not have a limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by these reference signs, by way of example only.

Claims

1. A breathable garment (50, 500) comprising: an outer enclosure (51, 510) whose surface has at least one opening for the evacuation of vapor-phase sweat in the upper region of said article of clothing (50, 500); a breathable outer cover (11) including a retaining means (12, 112) for external retention of water, impurities, etc.; an inner layer (13) of said garment (50, 500) facing the user's body, said inner layer (13) having a gap formed by a means (16, 116, 216) for spacing said outer cover (11) from the user's body, for the passage of sweat in gas phase produced by the body and circulating in said gap to said outer cover (11); said retention means (12) for external retention of water, impurities, etc., comprising a waterproof and breathable functional layer (15); the garment (50, 500) comprises the outer cover (11), the waterproof and breathable functional layer (15), the retaining means (12, 112) for external retention of water, impurities, etc., and the inner layer (13) disposed within a breathable pre-assembled insert (10), the insert (10) being joined along the periphery of the at least one opening and configured to provide protection and support both during assembly and operation; The article of clothing is characterized in that the inner layer (13) does not overlap the outer envelope (51, 510).

2. 2. An article of clothing according to claim 1, characterized in that said inner layer (13) forms, together with its structure, said spacer means (16, 116, 216).

3. 3. An article of clothing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer cover (11) comprises at least a breathable outer layer (14).

4. Clothing as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the retaining means (12) for externally retaining water, impurities, etc. includes a support layer for the functional layer (15).

5. 5. The article of clothing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer layer (14) is water-repellent.

6. 6. An article of clothing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a breathable lining arranged to at least partially cover said inner layer (13) on the side facing the user.

7. 7. An article of clothing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lining is provided with holes for the passage of sweat in gas phase produced by the user's body to the gaps.

8. An article of clothing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spacer means (16, 116, 216) consists of a three-dimensional fabric.

9. 9. An article of clothing according to claim 8, characterized in that the three-dimensional fabric is provided with ribs (18) interleaved with channels (17) that form preferential passages for vapor phase sweat.

10. 9. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the three-dimensional fabric comprises a layer (120) of pile fabric material.

11. 9. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the three-dimensional fabric comprises a plurality of tubes (217) arranged side by side with one another.

12. The insert (10) comprises a central portion (29) configured to at least partially occupy the neck region of the garment (50), and two wings (30) extending on either side of the central portion (29); 12. An article of clothing according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the wings (30) is configured to at least partially occupy a discrete area of ​​the back below the shoulders of the article of clothing (50).

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