Fabric Material and Article of Apparel Including the Fabric Material

Abstract

Articles of apparel include front and back portions, and a plurality of 3D nodules are positioned at or near one or more zones where the front portion transitions to the back portion. The nodules are arranged to reduce drag and promote more aerodynamic airflow over / around the article of apparel. The 3D nodules may include one or more of: (i) a right upper grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion over a top right shoulder region, (ii) a left upper grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion over a top left shoulder region; (iii) a right lower grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion around a right side of the torso portion; (iv) a left lower grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion around a left side of the torso portion.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application is a U.S Non-Provisional Patent Application and claims priority benefits based on (a) U.S Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63 / 780,995 filed Mar. 31, 2025 and entitled “Fabric Material and Article of Apparel Including the Fabric Material,” and (b) U.S Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63 / 781,020 filed Mar. 31, 2025 and entitled “Article of Apparel.” Each of U.S Provisional Appln. No. 63 / 780,995 and U.S Provisional Appln. No. 63 / 781,020 is entirely incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a fabric material, an article of apparel (e.g., including the fabric material), an apparel kit (e.g., including articles of apparel, one or more of which may include the fabric material), and / or methods of making and / or using such fabric materials, articles of apparel, and / or apparel kits.BACKGROUND

[0003] Fabric materials have certain characteristics affecting their suitability for a particular use. For example, a fabric material may have a specific density, thickness, breathability, flexibility, and / or surface roughness that affect the function and feel of the fabric material when used in an article of apparel.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be exemplary rather than to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fabric material that has an outer surface with zones of different surface roughness.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a closeup view of the outer surface at one of the zones of the fabric material of FIG. 1 as indicated at 2 in FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a closeup view of the outer surface at another one of the zones of the fabric material of FIG. 1 as indicated at 3 in FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a closeup view of the outer surface at yet another one of the zones of the fabric material of FIG. 1 as indicated at 4 in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fabric material of FIG. 1 taken at lines 5-5 in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a person wearing various articles of apparel while running with airflow at the articles of apparel represented with arrows.

[0011] FIG. 7 is an overhead view of an object with airflow around the object represented with arrows.

[0012] FIG. 8 is an overhead view of an object with airflow around the object represented with arrows and showing features that reduce drag of the airflow.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a front view of an apparel kit that includes articles of apparel of fabric material, including a unitary body suit, left and right detached arm sleeves, left and right detached leg sleeves, and head wear in the form of a headband.

[0014] FIG. 10 is a back view of the unitary body suit of FIG. 9.

[0015] FIG. 11 is an end view of an edge of a right leg opening of the unitary body suit of FIG. 10.

[0016] FIG. 12 is a front view of another apparel kit that includes articles of apparel of fabric material, including a unitary body suit having three-dimensional (3D) nodules secured to the fabric material, left and right detached arm sleeves, left and right detached leg sleeves, and head wear in the form of a headband.

[0017] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the unitary body suit of FIG. 12.

[0018] FIGS. 14 and 14A are a fragmentary views of example arrangements of 3D nodules secured to fabric material.

[0019] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of one of the nodules and the fabric material of FIG. 14 taken at lines 15-15in FIG. 14.

[0020] FIG. 16 is a front view of another apparel kit that includes articles of apparel of fabric material, including a unitary body suit having 3D nodules secured to the fabric material, left and right detached arm sleeves, left and right detached leg sleeves, and head wear in the form of a headband.

[0021] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the unitary body suit of FIG. 16.

[0022] FIG. 18 is a front view of another apparel kit that includes articles of apparel of fabric material, including a unitary body suit having 3D nodules secured to the fabric material, left and right detached arm sleeves, left and right detached leg sleeves, and head wear in the form of a headband.

[0023] FIG. 19 is a rear view of the unitary body suit of FIG. 18.

[0024] FIG. 20 is a rear view of a left leg sleeve of a fabric material.

[0025] FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of an alternative leg sleeve of a fabric material.

[0026] FIG. 22 is a plan view of an arm sleeve of a fabric material.

[0027] FIG. 23 is a side view of a headband of a fabric material.

[0028] FIG. 24 is a rear view of the headband of FIG. 23.DESCRIPTION

[0029] Disclosed herein is a fabric material in which yarns exposed at an outer surface of the fabric material are flattened to provide a desired surface roughness. The fabric material may be for an article of apparel and the surface roughness may optimize the suitability of the article of apparel for the intended use, such as by improving aerodynamics of the article of apparel. As used herein, a fabric material is a textile and may be alternatively referred to as such.

[0030] Also disclosed herein is an article of apparel of a fabric material that has a portion at which the outer surface is flatter than another portion. Such “zones” of relative surface roughness may be selected for desired aerodynamic properties, including drag reduction corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer of the article of apparel.

[0031] Further disclosed herein is an article of apparel of a fabric material, which may be configured as a unitary body suit or otherwise, and that has such a relatively flat portion of the outer surface as well as three-dimensional nodules secured to the outer surface and arranged in a pattern, such as a pattern that may be based on exposure of the unitary body suit to air profiles associated with an athletic activity when worn. Apparel kits and methods of manufacturing associated with the above are also disclosed.

[0032] More specifically, within the scope of the disclosure, a fabric material may include yarns. In an example, the fabric material may comprise a knit structure. The knit structure may include the yarns. Portions of the yarns exposed at an outer surface of the fabric material may be flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface. For example, a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material may be from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers.

[0033] In an example, the yarns are arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales. Each of the wales may have an average width and an average spacing between adjacent wales at the outer surface of the fabric material may be less than one quarter of the average width. For example, the flattening of the exposed yarns resulting from heat pressing may cause the yarns to be closer together than prior to flattening.

[0034] The knit structure may be at least one of an interlock knit, a spacer knit, a double knit, a tricot warp, a weft knit, a warp knit, a jacquard knit, or a jersey knit. In an example of the fabric material, the yarns may comprise at least one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, or elastane.

[0035] In an implementation, the outer surface of the fabric material may be a heat-pressed outer surface. In an example, a calendaring process may be used. The heat pressing may be at a sufficient temperature, at a sufficient pressure, and for a sufficient amount of time, which is dependent upon the material composition of the fabric material, to cause the outer surface of the fabric material to molten and flatten portions of the yarns at the outer surface, transforming a relatively rough outer surface to a smoother outer surface. Heat pressing according to different parameters can result in a desired surface roughness for the specific material composition of the fabric material. Alternatively, a relatively smooth outer surface may be achieved by applying a film to the fabric material, such as by laminating the film to the fabric material, at a zone of the fabric material where a relatively smooth outer surface is desired.

[0036] Within the scope of the disclosure, an article of apparel may include any of the fabric materials described herein. For example, the article of apparel may include a fabric material that includes yarns. At at least a portion of an outer surface of the fabric material, portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface of the fabric material may be flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface of the fabric material. A surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material may be selected for aerodynamic affects including desired drag reduction corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer. In an example, the surface roughness may be from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers.

[0037] In an implementation, the fabric material may have at least a first zone and a second zone, the yarns extending in both of the first zone and the second zone with a seamless transition from the first zone to the second zone, and a material composition of the fabric material being the same in the first zone and the second zone. A surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone may be less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone. In an example, the fabric material may be thicker in the second zone than in the first zone.

[0038] In an implementation, the fabric material comprises a knit structure and the yarns of the knit structure are arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales. The wales of the knit structure at the outer surface of the fabric material at the second zone may be spaced further apart than at the first zone.

[0039] In an example of the article of apparel, the fabric material may be configured as a unitary body suit, the first zone may be at a front portion of the unitary body suit, and the second zone may surround the first zone. In one implementation, the front portion of the unitary body suit includes a front chest portion, and the first zone is disposed at the front chest portion of the unitary body suit.

[0040] In an example, the unitary body suit may include integral right and left leg portions. The integral right and left leg portions may be sized and dimensioned to terminate above a knee of a wearer in an as-worn state. The unitary body suit may be sleeveless.

[0041] In an implementation, portions of the unitary body suit or other article of apparel configured to be exposed at a front of the wearer in an as-worn state may be seamless. This may reduce aerodynamic drag in comparison to an implementation having a seam exposed at a front of the article of apparel, assuming motion of the wearer in at least partially forward direction.

[0042] In an implementation, the fabric material of the unitary body suit may have a right shoulder strap, a left shoulder strap, a front chest portion, and a back portion. The right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap may extend seamlessly from the front chest portion to ends that are secured to the back portion at respective seams configured to be disposed at a back of a wearer in an as-worn state of the unitary body suit.

[0043] Edges of the fabric material of the unitary body suit at one or more of a neck opening, at arm openings, and at leg openings may be raw edges. As used herein, a raw edge is a simple cut edge of the fabric material. For example, raw edges may be unhemmed.

[0044] In an example, the unitary body suit may be configured for donning and doffing through a neck opening, and the neck opening may extend further downward at a back of the unitary body suit than at a front of the unitary body suit. In this implementation or in another implementation, the unitary body suit may have an absence of closure devices. Furthermore, the back of the unitary body suit may have a greater elasticity than the front of the unitary body suit.

[0045] In an example, the fabric material of the unitary body suit may include an integral collar portion defining a neck opening and extending continuously around the neck opening.

[0046] In an example, the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone may be a heat-pressed outer surface and the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone is either not heat pressed or is heat pressed to a lesser extent than the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone.

[0047] In an example, the article of apparel may be a detached leg sleeve or a detached arm sleeve. In one implementation, the article of apparel may be a detached arm sleeve having three sections extending along a length of the detached arm sleeve. The three sections may include a distal section, a proximal section, and an intermediate section between the distal section and the proximal section. Each section may define a portion of an arm opening configured to receive an arm with the arm surrounded by the detached arm sleeve. A distal end of the proximal section may be secured to a proximal end of the intermediate section at a first seam, and a distal end of the intermediate section may be secured to a proximal end of the distal section at a second seam. A longitudinal center axis of the proximal section may be angled relative to a longitudinal center axis of the intermediate section such that the detached arm sleeve is articulated at the first seam. A longitudinal center axis of the distal section may be angled relative to the longitudinal center axis of the intermediate section such that the detached arm sleeve is further articulated at the second seam. An arm sleeve configured to be articulated in this manner may enable a wearer’s arm to more easily adopt a position correlated with a particular use when worn, such as a position in which the arm is bent at the elbow as may be expected during running.

[0048] In an implementation, the outer surface of the fabric material of the articulated arm sleeve at each of the distal section, the proximal section, and the intermediate section may be a heat pressed outer surface. The heat pressed outer surface of the fabric material of each of the distal section, the proximal section, and the intermediate section may be heat pressed at the same temperature and for the same amount of time.

[0049] In another example, the article of apparel may be head wear. For example, the head wear may be a headband having a width from a front edge to a rear edge that tapers from a top of the headband to a bottom of the headband.

[0050] Within the scope of the disclosure, an apparel kit may include any two or more articles of apparel selected from the group comprising a unitary body suit, a detached arm sleeve, a detached leg sleeve, and head wear, and the any two or more articles of apparel may each comprise a fabric material as disclosed herein.

[0051] Within the scope of the disclosure, an article of apparel may include fabric material configured as a unitary body suit. The fabric material and the unitary body suit may be as described herein. For example, the fabric material may have a knit structure including yarns arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales. A plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules may be secured to the outer surface of the fabric material and arranged in a pattern.

[0052] In an aspect, at at least a portion of an outer surface of the fabric material, portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface may be flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface.

[0053] In an implementation, the pattern may be based on exposure of the unitary body suit to air profiles associated with an athletic activity when the article of apparel is in an as-worn state, and the 3D nodules may be configured to direct air flow around a wearer during the athletic activity to reduce drag. The athletic activity may include but is not limited to running in a loop, including an oval or a circle. For example, the 3D nodules may cause small disturbances in the airflow, which may be referred to as “trips”, creating small eddies that effectively bend the airflow such that the airflow may more closely follow the contours of the unitary body suit along the outer surface of the unitary body suit than without the nodules, reducing overall drag.

[0054] Within the scope of the disclosure, the pattern of the 3D nodules may include a right upper grouping and a left upper grouping. The right upper grouping of the 3D nodules may have an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at a front of the unitary body suit and a rearmost edge either at a top right of the unitary body suit or at a back of the unitary body suit with the right upper grouping extending over the top right of the unitary body suit to the back of the unitary body suit. The left upper grouping of the 3D nodules may have an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at the front of the unitary body suit and a rearmost edge either at a top left of the unitary body suit or at the back of the unitary body suit with the left upper grouping extending over the top left of the unitary body suit to the back of the unitary body suit.

[0055] In an example, the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping may angle outward in a direction away from a longitudinal centerline of the unitary body suit from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping. The outer perimeter of the left upper grouping may angle outward in an opposite direction away from the longitudinal centerline from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping. For example, the outer perimeters may angle outward and upward from the foremost edges (e.g., the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping and the left upper grouping may angle outwardly and away from one another).

[0056] The outer perimeter of the right upper grouping and the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping may be spaced apart from one another, non-abutting, and non-overlapping. In another example, the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules may abut at a front chest area of the unitary body suit.

[0057] In an implementation, the fabric material of the unitary body suit may have a right shoulder strap, a left shoulder strap, a front chest portion, and a back portion. The right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap may extend from the front chest portion to the back portion, a top right of the unitary body suit may be at the right shoulder strap and a top left of the unitary body suit may be at the left shoulder strap. The right upper grouping of the 3D nodules may extend along the right shoulder strap from the foremost edge above the front chest portion, over the top right, to the rearmost edge at the back of the unitary body suit. The left upper grouping of the 3D nodules may extend along the left shoulder strap from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping above the front chest portion, over the top left, to the rearmost edge of the left upper grouping at the back of the unitary body suit.

[0058] In an implementation, the 3D nodules may increase in size from the foremost edge of the right upper grouping to the top right and from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping to the top left. In the same or in a different implementation, the 3D nodules may decrease in size from the top right to the rearmost edge of the right upper grouping and from the top left to the rearmost edge of the left upper grouping.

[0059] In an aspect, the 3D nodules may be hemispheres and may increase in diameter and / or height from the foremost edge of the right upper grouping to the top right and from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping to the top left.

[0060] The right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap may extend seamlessly from the front chest portion to ends that are secured to the back portion at respective right and left seams of the fabric material and are configured to be disposed at a back of a wearer in an as-worn state of the unitary body suit. The rearmost edge of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules may be spaced apart from the right seam. The rearmost edge of the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules may be spaced apart from the left seam.

[0061] In an example, the 3D nodules may be hemispheres having bases secured to the fabric material.

[0062] In an aspect, the 3D nodules may increase in size from outer edges of the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings toward inner edges of the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings. For example, the 3D nodules may be hemispheres and may increase in diameter and / or height from the outer edges of the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings toward the inner edges of the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings.

[0063] In an implementation, the pattern of the 3D nodules may include a right lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right hip area of the unitary body suit and a left lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left hip area of the unitary body suit. Respective outer perimeters of the right lower grouping of the 3D nodules and the left lower grouping of the 3D nodules may be spaced apart from one another and from the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, and may be non-abutting and non-overlapping with one another and with the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules.

[0064] In an implementation, the outer perimeters of the right lower grouping and the left lower grouping extend from the front to the back of the unitary body suit.

[0065] In an implementation, the pattern of the 3D nodules may include a right rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right rear area of the back of unitary body suit and a left rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left rear area of the back of the unitary body suit. For example, an outer perimeter of the right rear grouping may be spaced apart from and may be non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the right lower grouping with a right leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween. Similarly, an outer perimeter of the left rear grouping may be spaced apart from and may be non-abutting and non-overlapping with the left lower grouping with a left leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

[0066] In still another aspect, the outer perimeter of the right rear grouping may be spaced apart from and may be non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the left rear grouping with a rear center seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

[0067] The fabric material to which the 3D nodules are secured may be the knit structure described herein that includes yarns having portions exposed at the outer surface of the fabric material that are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface of the fabric material. In an example, a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers and may be selected for desired drag reduction corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer.

[0068] For example, the fabric material may have at least a first zone and a second zone, the yarns extending in both of the first zone and the second zone with a seamless transition from the first zone to the second zone and a material composition of the fabric material being the same in the first zone and the second zone. The first zone may be at a front chest portion of the unitary body suit, and the second zone may surround the first zone with the plurality of 3D nodules disposed in the second zone. A surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone may be less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone.

[0069] In an implementation, the knit structure may further include a third zone. The material composition of the fabric material may be the same in the third zone as in the first zone and the second zone. Flexibility of the fabric material may be greater in the third zone than in the first zone, and may be greater in the third zone than in the second zone.

[0070] In an example, the knit structure may further include a third zone, and the material composition of the fabric material may be the same in the third zone as in the first zone and the second zone. Flexibility of the fabric material may be greater in the third zone than in the first zone, and may be greater in the third zone than in the second zone. In an implementation, the third zone may be disposed at and may extend across an upper back portion of the back of the unitary body suit.

[0071] The unitary body suit with the fabric material and the plurality of nodules secured thereto as described herein may be provided as a kit, in combination with one or more of a detached arm sleeve, a detached leg sleeve, or head wear each of the same or a different fabric material as the unitary body suit.

[0072] In an implementation, the detached leg sleeve may include another plurality of 3D nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material of the detached leg sleeve and configured to extend in an elongated vertical pattern in an as-worn state.

[0073] In an example, the detached arm sleeve, the detached leg sleeve, and the head wear may each be of the same fabric material which is different than the fabric material of the unitary body suit.

[0074] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though in the following the embodiments may be separately described, single features thereof may be combined in additional embodiments.

[0075] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the views, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fabric material 10. As shown, the fabric material 10 has an outer surface 12 that has portions specifically configured to have different surface roughnesses. A first zone Z1 of the fabric material 10 is bounded by an outer perimeter P1. A second zone Z2 of the fabric material 10 falls between and is bounded by the outer perimeter P1 and an outer perimeter P2. A third zone Z3 of the fabric material 10 includes the remainder of the fabric material 10 outside of the outer perimeter P2 of the second zone Z2. As such, the outer surface 12 has a first portion 12A corresponding with and extending throughout the first zone Z1, a second portion 12B corresponding with and extending throughout the second zone Z2, and a third portion 12C corresponding with and extending throughout the third zone Z3. For purposes of discussion, the surface roughness of the portion 12A of the outer surface 12 is the same throughout the entire first zone Z1, the surface roughness of the portion 12B of the outer surface 12 is the same throughout the entire second zone Z2 (and is different than the first zone Z1), and the surface roughness of the portion 12C of the outer surface 12 is the same throughout the entire third zone Z3 (and is different than in both the first zone Z1 and the second zone Z2).

[0076] It should be appreciated that the configuration of the fabric material 10 of FIG. 1 is a non-limiting example and that, within the scope of the disclosure, the fabric material 10 could have only one or two zones and corresponding portions of surface roughness, or could have more than three zones and corresponding portions of different surface roughnesses. Additionally, the shape and relative location of the various zones may be different than shown in FIG. 1.

[0077] With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the fabric material 10 is shown as a knit structure. For example, the knit structure may be one of an interlock knit, a spacer knit, a double knit, a tricot warp, a weft knit, a warp knit, a jacquard knit, or a jersey knit. FIG. 2 is a closeup view of the outer surface 12C at the third zone Z3 of the fabric material 10. FIG. 3 is a closeup view of the outer surface 12B at the second zone Z2 of the fabric material 10. FIG. 4 is a closeup view of the outer surface 12A at the first zone Z1 of the fabric material 10. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fabric material 10 taken at lines 5-5 in FIG. 1. Only the yarns 14 of the knit structure closest to the outer surface 12 are depicted in FIG. 5. In other words, there may be additional yarns, spacer layers, etc. at the cross-section of FIG. 5 below the layer depicted in FIG. 5.

[0078] With reference to FIG. 2, the outer surface 12, 12C of the knit structure of the fabric material 10 in the third zone Z3 is shown including yarns 14 arranged in rows of courses C1, C2, C3 C4, and C5 and columns of wales W1, and W2. Only some of the yarns 14 are labelled in FIG. 2. Portions of five rows of courses C1, C2, C3 C4, and C5 are indicated in FIG. 2. Portions of two columns of wales W1 and W2 are indicated. The yarns 14 extend in the first zone Z1, the second zone Z2 and the third zone Z3 with a seamless transition from the first zone Z1 to the second zone Z2 and a seamless transition from the second zone Z2 to the third zone Z3, and a material composition of the fabric material 10 is the same in each of the first zone Z1, the second zone Z2, and the third zone Z3. The zones Z1, Z2, and Z3 in this example are differentiated from one another by the different amount of heat-pressing (or lack thereof) to which each zone is subjected and the difference in surface roughnesses of the zones results from this difference in processing of the fabric material 10 at the zones.

[0079] In FIG. 2, the outer surface 12, 12C in the third zone Z3 (e.g., third portion 12C) is not a heat-treated outer surface and, as such, the portions of the yarns 14 exposed at the outer surface 12, 12C in the third zone Z3 are not flatter than portions of the same yarns disposed away from the outer surface 12, 12C in the third zone Z3. This is best illustrated in FIG. 5, in which a portion 14C1 of one of the yarns 14 at the outer surface 12, 12C extends between point 1A and point 2A at the top of the view in FIG. 5 and has about the same curvature as any remaining portion of the yarn 14 disposed away from the outer surface 12, 12C (e.g., a portion 14C2 extending between point 1A and point 2A at the bottom of the view in FIG. 5). Because the outer surface 12C is not heat-pressed in this specific example, the cross-sectional shape of the yarn 14 generally remains circular. In FIG. 5, the cross-section through the fabric 10 is illustrated as being perpendicular to the center axis of the yarn 14 for purposes of simplicity, but the cross section may actually cut through at an angle to the center axis, e.g., depending on the orientation of the loops forming the courses and wales as shown in FIGS. 2-4.

[0080] Referring again to FIG. 2, at the portion 12C of the outer surface 12, each of the wales W1 and W2 has an average width WC. This is indicated with respect to wale W2 and applies equally to wale W1, and to other wales, the entire width of which are not shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, at the portion of the outer surface 12C, an average spacing XC between adjacent wales at the outer surface 12C of the fabric material 10 has a dimension that is relatively large in comparison to heat pressed portions of the outer surface (e.g., in comparison to portions 12A and 12B). For example, the average spacing XC may be greater than one-eighth of the average width WC of the wales at the outer surface 12C.

[0081] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the portions 12B and 12A of the outer surface 12 shown are heat-pressed. The flattening of the exposed yarns 14 resulting from heat pressing may cause the exposed portions of the yarns 14 (which include the flattened portions) to spread at the outer surface, effectively taking up more of the total surface area of the outer surface, such that the exposed portions of the yarns 14 are closer together than prior to flattening. As indicated in FIG. 3, the average width WB of a column of wales (indicated at wale W2) is greater than the average width WC in FIG. 2, and the average spacing XB between adjacent columns of wales W1 and W2 is less than the spacing XC in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 4, where the outer surface 12, 12A is heat-pressed to an even greater extent than the outer surface 12, 12B in FIG. 3, the average width WA of a column of wales (indicated at wales W2) is greater than the average width WB in FIG. 3, and the average spacing XA between adjacent columns of wales is less than the spacing XB in FIG. 3. The average spacing XB may be less than one-eighth of the average width WB and / or the average spacing XA may be less than one-eighth of the average width WA.

[0082] Stated differently, the heat pressing causes flattened portions of the yarns 14 at the outer surface 12, transforming a relatively rough outer surface to a smoother outer surface. Prior to heat-pressing, the outer surface 12 of the entire fabric 10 has the same surface roughness. In other words, the portions of the outer surface 12 in the first and second zones Z1 and Z2 have the same surface roughness as the portion in the third zone Z3 prior to the heat-pressing and resulting flattening. The heat-pressing causes portions of the yarns 14 exposed at the outer surface 12 of the fabric material 10 to be flatter than portions of the yarns 14 disposed away from the outer surface 12. For example, in FIG. 3, the outer surface 12, 12B is heat-pressed, but to a lesser extent than the outer surface 12, 12A in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the portions of the yarns 14 exposed at the portion 12A of the outer surface 12 are flatter than the portions of the yarns 14 exposed at the portion 12B of the outer surface 12. This is evident in the plan views of FIGS. 3 and 4, in which the yarns 14 have spread outward, filling in the spacing between adjacent rows and wales to some extent in FIG. 3 relative to the outer surface 12, 12C of FIG. 2, and to an even greater extent in FIG. 4. Accordingly, in FIG. 5, the spacing XA between adjacent wales of the yarns 14 in the first zone Z1 is smaller than the spacing XB between adjacent wales of the somewhat flattened second zone, and both spacings XA and XB are smaller than the spacing XC between adjacent wales of the yarns 14 in the third zone Z3, which is the original spacing that existed in all zones of the fabric material 10 prior to heat-pressing in the first and second zones Z1 and Z2.

[0083] FIG. 5 best shows that portions of the yarns 14 exposed at the outer surface 12, 12B in the second zone Z2 are flatter than portions of the same yarns 14 disposed away from the outer surface 12, 12B in the second zone Z2. For example, a flattened portion 14B1 of one of the yarns 14 at the outer surface 12, 12B in the second zone Z2 is indicated as extending between point 3A and point 4A at the top of the view in FIG. 5 and is flatter than any remaining portion of the yarn 14 disposed away from the outer surface 12, 12B (e.g., a portion 14B2). Similarly, a flattened portion 14A1 of one of the yarns 14 at the outer surface 12, 12A in the first zone Z1 is indicated as extending between point 5A and point 6A at the top of the view in FIG. 5 and is flatter than any remaining portion of the yarn 14 disposed away from the outer surface 12, 12B (e.g., a portion 14A2).

[0084] Due to the flattened outer surface in the first zone Z1 and in the second zone Z2, the yarns 14 are thicker in the third zone Z3 than in the second zone Z2. The yarns 14 are thicker in the second zone Z2 than in the first zone Z1. An example of the thickness of the yarns 14 in the third zone Z3 is shown as thickness T1. An example of the thickness of the yarns 14 in the second zone Z2 is shown as thickness T2. An example of the thickness of the yarns 14 in the first zone Z1 is shown as thickness T3. Accordingly, the fabric material 10 is thicker in the third zone Z3 than in the second zone Z2, and is thicker in the second zone Z2 than in the first zone Z1.

[0085] In various examples, depending upon the material composition of the fabric material 10, the surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material 10 may be from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers, and, if different heat-pressing parameters (e.g., different pressing forces, different pressing plate surface materials or hardnesses, different pressing times, etc.) or a lack of heat pressing is present in various zones, numerical surface roughnesses within this range will be different at the different zones. As used herein “about” means within 5 percent of a numerical value. Surface roughness may be measured according to any standard procedure, such as by the deviation of the surface profile from a mean line or a reference plane that is used as a baseline for the measurements and may be in quantified according to a metric such as but not limited to arithmetic mean roughness or root mean square roughness.

[0086] The fabric material 10 may be used in an article of apparel. Specifically, the surface roughness of the one or more zones of the fabric material 10 may be selected for desired drag reduction during an athletic event corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer of the article of apparel. FIG. 6 is an illustration of a person 20 wearing various articles of apparel while running and representing airflow at the articles of apparel with arrows AF. Specifically, the articles of apparel that the person 20 is wearing include a unitary body suit 22, right and left arm sleeves 24 that are mirror images of one another, right and left leg sleeves 26 that are mirror images of one another, and a headband 28. The air flow is represented by arrows AF and is shown coming from a direction in front of the person 20 and deflecting around the surface of the articles of apparel 22, 24, 26, and 28.

[0087] When the air flows at a frontal area of the wearer and around the wearer, aerodynamic drag is created, increasing resistance to the forward motion of the person 20. Depending upon the athletic event, air flow may come from a direction other than from in front of the wearer (person 20). Some athletic events may involve a person not moving in a straight linear path. For example, if the person is running in a closed loop, such as an oval track or in a circle, a wind direction may create additional air flow coming from different directions and / or from changing directions, e.g., depending upon the location of the person along the closed loop. Still further, in some events, the person may change the direction of their body relative to a direction of air flow in other ways, such as during a pole vault or high jump event.

[0088] FIG. 7 shows an overhead view of an object 50 having a frontal area FA exposed to and facing airflow. Only some of the airflow is represented as arrows AF moving around sides of the object 50. In addition to drag at the front and sides of the object 50, an object that is not perfectly aerodynamic will experience a backward pull on its back side 52 facing away from the air flow due to eddies 54 created by turbulence, contributing to drag.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7, airflow AF incident on the frontal area FA of an object 50 will flow along the surface of the object 50, e.g., toward the sides and then toward the back side 52. The layer of air located at the surface of the object is called a “boundary layer.” As the object 50 moves, eventually air from that boundary layer will “detach” or release from the surface of the object 50. That detachment and movement of air associated with it causes the turbulence and eddie currents 54 mentioned above, which contribute to the drag.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 8, one way to help reduce drag is by selecting surface roughness along a profile of the object to control the airflow and the overall resulting turbulence and drag. Drag created on the object 50 facing into and / or moving forward into the airflow is reduced in part by reducing surface roughness at the frontal area FA exposed to and facing the air flow, and gradually introducing friction at the sides of the object 50 that the air flows past. For example, in some areas, the surface roughness of the object 50 can be increased and / or protrusions, such as three-dimensional (3D) nodules 58, may be utilized to create a topology that is not smooth. Such 3D nodules 58 may be secured to the outer surface of fabric material of an article of apparel. The outer surface of a fabric material that is relatively rough will have a topology that creates small eddies in comparison to a smoother surface. The surface roughness of the fabric material may also be selected and utilized in correspondence with the topology of specific portions of the body of the wearer to manipulate air flow and reduce drag. By selecting the height, size, spacing, and pattern of the 3D nodules 58 (e.g., shape of the outer perimeter of the pattern and the area covered by the pattern) based on the contours of the portion of the body at which the nodules 58 will extend, the reduction in drag can be controlled. Specifically, small interruptions 60 to laminar airflow, similar to eddies, will be induced at the rough outer surface and / or at the 3D nodules 58. These interruptions 60 can help the air flow going past the outer sides of the object 50 from the front side to the back side to more closely track the contours of the object 50 (e.g., and help prevent the boundary layer from detaching from the object 50’s surface too far forward), avoiding large eddies at the back side (such as eddies 54 in FIG. 7) that would otherwise be created. The impact of aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of the speed at which the object 50 is moving relative to the speed of the air. Accordingly, by reducing air drag, a person can conserve energy in comparison to running at the same speed against increased drag and / or the person can run at a faster speed with the same energy output.

[0091] The frontal area FA of the object 50 facing air flow, e.g., considered perpendicular to the air flow, will direct the air flow off of the frontal surface toward the sides. Drag is best reduced by minimizing the surface roughness of the center 55 of the frontal area FA, assuming a relatively planar topology at the center 55 (e.g., not a large concavity, for example). Additionally, a very smooth surface at the frontal area FA center 55 may create a small bow wave-like effect (represented by wave 62) at the front of the object. Stated differently, a three-dimensional bow wave 62 shape may be induced in the air forward of the object 50, altering the direction of air flow around the object 50 forward of the object 50, creating a more aerodynamic leading edge for the air to encounter and move around.

[0092] Additionally, a frontal area of an article of apparel worn by a person facing the air flow that has a very smooth outer surface experiences high pressure from the air flow hitting it, and the low friction in this area results in a relatively high air speed of the air after it is deflected off of a very smooth surface at this area in comparison to if the frontal area had a relatively rough outer surface. Placing protruding 3D nodules 58 on the outer surface of the fabric material of the article of apparel at portions of a wearer’s body along which this relatively high speed air flows and which present a relatively small radius of curvature and / or an angular surface (such as over the collar bones and / or between the neck and shoulders), will benefit most from introducing interruptions in the airflow to guide the air flow along the surface. Placing such interruptions (using vortex generators, such as nodules 58) at the outer surface at the sides of the object 50 helps to manipulate the air to turn more closely along the outer contours of the object 50 for a greater portion of the contour toward the back side of the object 50 (keeping the boundary layer “attached” to the surface of the object 50 for a greater portion of the contour)—as shown in FIG. 8—rather than creating large areas of low pressure and associated large eddies 54 formed behind where the airflow departs from following the surface contour—as shown in FIG. 7—, which large eddies increase drag more than the series of small interruptions 60 generated by the 3D nodules 58. Manipulating the surface roughness and / or adding protruding nodules 58 prior to (e.g., forward of) a point along the outer contour that the air would otherwise separate from the outer contour helps to begin pulling the air along the outer surface and to remain tracking along the outer surface further at the back side than otherwise. As the radius of the angle of the contour changes, the portions of the object 50 with the smallest radius (e.g., more severe topology) benefit from more 3D nodules 58 having a greater height, spaced more closely to one another and / or having a greater width.

[0093] In other words, manipulating the surface roughness and / or adding protruding nodules 58 at appropriate locations can help maintain longer boundary layer attachment on the surface of the object 50 (e.g., extending further toward the back side 52 of the object 50) than otherwise would occur.

[0094] Because the nodules 58 need only be placed at locations that will best help reduce drag rather than over the entire outer surface of an article of apparel, the thermal regulation of the fabric material of an article of apparel is not adversely affected and added weight is minimized. The material of the 3D nodules 58 is selected to be sufficiently durable to withstand stretching of the fabric material to which they are secured. An acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material, a polyurethane-based material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a thermoset material, or a thermoplastic elastomeric material are some examples of suitable materials. In an example, the 3D nodules may be 3D printed onto the fabric material.

[0095] The 3D nodules 58 may have many different shapes. Nodules 58 that are rounded, such as hemispheres and / or other domed structures (e.g., having smoothly curved exposed surfaces), have an exposed rounded surface that is the same and / or curved in all directions, and are thus able to function consistently when facing air flow from any direction and / or from changing directions. Accordingly, if the direction of airflow relative to the wearer changes (such as by the wind shifting direction and / or the wearer moving in a different direction), rounded nodules 58 would still help to reduce drag, at least to some extent, whereas a protrusion with a shape having a specific leading portion that must be directed into the airflow may not as effectively reduce drag from for airflow from different and / or varying directions.

[0096] By utilizing fabric material as described herein and customizing the fabric material of each of the articles of apparel specifically for the airflow expected at each of the articles of apparel, drag may be reduced. For example, each of the articles of apparel may have a fabric material of a specific material composition and / or a specific surface roughness or various roughnesses by placement of different zones of roughness as discussed herein. These parameters may be different for each of the articles of apparel, or the same for some or all of the articles of apparel. Additionally or alternatively to customizing the surface roughness of the fabric material as discussed herein, a plurality of nodules or groups of nodules may be secured to the outer surface of the fabric of one or more of the articles of apparels at one or more specific locations, in one or more specific groupings, and having one or more specific shapes and sizes or range of sizes to reduce drag as further discussed with respect to FIGS. 12-21, for example. Various implementations of fabrics and / or 3D nodules secured to fabrics of articles of apparel are discussed with respect to FIGS. 9-24 and may be worn by the person 20 of FIG. 6, for example.

[0097] FIG. 9 is a front view of an apparel kit 100 that includes articles of apparel of fabric material, including a unitary body suit 122, left and right detached arm sleeves 124 that are mirror images of one another, left and right detached leg sleeves 126 that are mirror images of one another, and head wear in the form of a headband 128. FIG. 10 is a back view of the unitary body suit 122 of FIG. 9. The detached arm sleeve 124 is shown and discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 22. Although the kit 100 is shown as including each of the unitary body suit 122, the left and right detached arm sleeves 124, the left and right detached leg sleeves 126, and the headband 128, within the scope of the disclosure, a kit may include any two or more of these.

[0098] The articles of apparel included in the apparel kit 100 may each comprise any of the various fabric materials with any of the material compositions discussed herein, including fabric material 10 having any one or more of the zones discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-5. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9-10, the unitary body suit 122 has a fabric material 110 with a knit structure that includes yarns arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales as discussed with respect to FIGS. 2-5.

[0099] The front 122A of the unitary body suit 122 is shown in FIG. 9 and the back 122B is shown in FIG. 10. The front 122A includes an upper chest portion 122C, also referred to herein as a front chest portion. A first zone Z1 of the fabric material 110 is bounded by an outer perimeter P3 and is centered at the upper chest portion 122C of the unitary body suit 122 and may extend continuously from the front chest portion down to an abdomen portion 122D of the unitary body suit 122. The outer perimeter P3 of the first zone Z1 may be generally oval, as shown, although other shapes may be provided. A second zone Z2 of the fabric material includes the remainder of the front 122A of the unitary body suit 122, and the back 122B of the unitary body suit 122 except at an upper back portion 122F that is a third zone Z3.

[0100] A surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material 110 may be from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers and may be selected for desired drag reduction corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer. Specifically, aerodynamic analysis may indicate that the topology of the front 122A of the unitary body suit 122 at the first zone Z1, at a macro level, when worn by the person 20, is among the portions of the unitary body suit 122 most perpendicular to the direction of air flow when running in a forward direction. Reducing aerodynamic drag indicates that a relatively low surface roughness is particularly beneficial at this zone Z1. In the second zone Z2, the topology at the front 122A when worn is more rounded (e.g., near the clavicle toward the top of the trapezius near the neck, at the front of the thighs, around the sides of the chest and / or abdomen, and / or around the hips). Reduction of surface roughness at such more rounded areas still reduces drag, but some surface roughness relative to the first zone Z1 may be beneficial in order to create some friction causing some controlled redirection of the airflow (and / or airflow turbulence) as the airflow begins to move around the person 20 from the front toward the back, creating small eddies that move the airflow around the person, while closely tracking the outer shape of the person (e.g., keeping the boundary layer of the airflow attached along the article of apparel surface for a longer distance).

[0101] At the back 122B, the second zone Z2 continues to create a relatively low amount of friction that helps manage eddies that might otherwise create a vacuum at the back side that would increase drag force. At the third zone Z3, positioned well inward of the outer sides of the person 20, there is less interaction of the fabric material 110 with any eddies caused by the air flow. Accordingly, it is more advantageous in overall reduction of drag to ensure that this zone Z3 is flexible rather than have a minimal surface roughness. For example, maintaining flexibility of the third zone Z3 enables the unitary body suit 122 to be configured for donning and doffing through a neck opening 122E and allows the unitary body suit 122 to have an absence of closure devices in at least some examples of this technology. Due to the upper back portion 122F with third zone Z3 of surface roughness, the back 122B of the unitary body suit 122 has a greater elasticity than the front 122A of the unitary body suit 122.

[0102] The neck opening 122E of this example extends further downward at the back 122B of the unitary body suit 122 than at the front 122A as indicated by the front portion 122E1 of the neck opening 122E relative to the back 122E2 of the neck opening 122E in FIG. 10. This enables the neck opening 122E to be large enough for donning and doffing purposes while providing more fabric material 110 covering the front of the wearer’s body than the rear. Generally, the more skin covered by the fabric material 110 at the front of the runner, the greater the drag reduction when the person 20 moves in a forward direction.

[0103] In the example shown, the first zone Z1 has a heat-pressed outer surface 12A that is heat pressed at a higher temperature and / or for a greater amount of time than the outer surface 12B at the second zone Z2. The third zone Z3 at the upper back portion 122F has an outer surface 12C that is not heat pressed, as discussed with respect to third zone Z3 of FIG. 1. Accordingly, portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface 12A of the fabric material 110 in the first zone Z1 are flatter than portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface 12B in the second zone Z2, which are flatter than portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface 12C in the third zone Z3.

[0104] In the example shown, the third zone Z3 is a separate panel stitched to other portions of panels in the second zone Z2 at seams 130A1, 130A2, 130A, 130B, and 130C as discussed herein. Alternatively, in some examples, the yarns could extend continuously from the second zone Z2 to the third zone Z3 in some areas so that at least some of the seams could be omitted and the transition from the second zone and the third zone is seamless in those areas, as in FIG. 5.

[0105] In another example, the outer surface 12A of the fabric material 110 in the first zone Z1 is heat-pressed and the outer surface of the fabric material 110 in the second zone Z2 is either not heat pressed or is heat pressed to a lesser extent than the outer surface of the fabric material 110 in the first zone Z1. Additionally, instead of providing a third zone Z3, the second zone Z2 may extend over the entire back portion 122B of the unitary body suit 122.

[0106] The unitary body suit 122 includes integral right and left leg portions 122G1 and 122G2, respectively. The integral right and left leg portions 122G1, 122G2 are sized and dimensioned to terminate above a knee of a wearer in an as-worn state, similar to the leg portions of the unitary body suit 122 shown on the person 20 in FIG. 6. The unitary body suit 122 is sleeveless. The relatively short leg portions 122G1 and 122G2 and the sleeveless design of the unitary body suit 122 leave much of the arms and legs uncovered. However, the detached arms sleeves 124 and the detached leg sleeves 126 cover much of the arms and legs of the wearer, especially the lower portions of the arms and legs (e.g., below the elbow and the knee, respectively).

[0107] As indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10, portions of the unitary body suit 122 exposed at a front of the wearer in an as-worn state may be seamless. Stated differently, all seams of the unitary body suit 122 are at the back 122B, and the front 122A is seamless. This may reduce aerodynamic drag in comparison to an implementation having a seam exposed at the front 122A. FIG. 10 shows longitudinal seams 130A, 130B extending from near respective right and left arm openings 122H1 and 122H2 to respective right and left leg openings 122J1 and 122J2. A single panel 122A1 of the fabric material 110 establishes the entire front 122A and wraps around the sides of the wearer to the seams 130A, 130B to also establish part of the rear 122B of fabric material 110. The rear 122B is also referred to herein as the back or the back portion. Separate panels establish a right rear portion 122B1 and a left rear portion 122B2 of the back 122B of the unitary body suit 122. Another separate panel establishes the upper back portion 122F.

[0108] The single panel 122A1 that wraps around from the front 122A to the back 122B is secured to the upper back portion 122F and to the right and left rear portions 122B1, 122B2, respectively, by the longitudinal seams 130A and 130B. The upper back portion 122F is secured to the top of the right and left rear portions 122B1, 122B2 at a horizontal seam 130C. The right and left rear portions 122B1, 122B2 are secured to one another at a lower center seam 130D. Finally, a right shoulder strap 122K1 and a left shoulder strap 122K2 (that are integral portions of the panel at the front 122A) extend seamlessly from the upper chest portion 122C to ends 122L1 and 122L2, respectively, that are stitched or otherwise secured to the upper back portion 122F at respective seams 130A1 and 130A2 that are configured to be disposed at a back of a wearer in an as-worn state of the unitary body suit 122. All seams of the detached leg sleeves 126 and the headband 128 are similarly disposed at the back of the wearer when worn, as shown and discussed with respect to FIGS. 20 and 23-24.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 9, edges 122L of the fabric material 110 of the unitary body suit 122 at the neck opening 122E, at the arm openings 122H1, 122H2, and at the leg openings 122J1, 122J2 are raw edges. As used herein, a raw edge is a simple cut edge of the fabric material 110. For example, raw edges are unhemmed. FIG. 11 is an end view of a raw edge 122L of the right leg opening 122J1 of the unitary body suit 122. At least some of the edges of the detached leg sleeves 126 and / or the detached arm sleeves 124 and / or the headband 128 may also be raw edges.

[0110] Referring again to FIG. 9, the detached arm sleeves 124, the detached leg sleeves 126, and the headband 128 may each be of the same fabric material 110A which may be different than the fabric material 110 of the unitary body suit.

[0111] FIG. 12 is a front view of another apparel kit 200 that includes articles of apparel of a fabric material 110, including a unitary body suit 222 having three-dimensional (3D) nodules 58 as previously described secured to the fabric material 110. The fabric material 110 and other aspects of the unitary body suit 222 are the same as described with respect to the unitary body suit 122 of FIGS. 9-11 except that 3D nodules 58 are secured to the outer surface 12 of the unitary body suit 222 as shown, and the entire outer surface 12A at the front 122A is as described with respect to the second zone Z2 in FIG. 9. That is, the unitary body suit 222 does not have the first zone Z1 of a different surface roughness. The same reference numbers used for features of the unitary body suit 122 that are the same as those of the unitary body suit 222 are also used with respect to the unitary body suit 222.

[0112] The apparel kit 200 includes the left and right detached arm sleeves 124, the left and right detached leg sleeves 126, and the head wear in the form of the headband 128 as described with respect to FIGS. 9-11. FIG. 13 is a rear view of the unitary body suit of FIG. 12.

[0113] The 3D nodules 58 are placed in various grouping, each having a pattern that is based on exposure of the unitary body suit 222 to air profiles associated with an athletic activity when the unitary body suit 222 is in an as-worn state (e.g., worn by the person 20 in FIG. 6). In the patterns provided, along with the sizes and spacing of the 3D nodules 58, the 3D nodules 58 are configured to affect direction of the air flow around the contours of the wearer during the athletic activity to reduce drag. The athletic activity may include but is not limited to running in a loop, including an oval or a circle.

[0114] The pattern of the 3D nodules 58 includes a right upper grouping 58A and a left upper grouping 58B. The right upper grouping 58A has an outer perimeter P4 with a foremost edge P4A at the front 122A of the unitary body suit 222 and a rearmost edge P4B at the back 122B of the unitary body suit 222, with the right upper grouping 58A extending over the top right TR of the unitary body suit 222 from the foremost edge P4A to the rearmost edge P4B at the back of the unitary body suit 222. Alternatively, the rearmost edge P4B could be at the top right TR of the unitary body suit 222 (e.g., at the top of the right shoulder strap 122K1 when worn).

[0115] Similarly, the left upper grouping 58B of the 3D nodules 58 has an outer perimeter P5 with a foremost edge P5A at the front 122A of the unitary body suit 222 and a rearmost edge P5B at the back 122B of the unitary body suit 222, with the left upper grouping 58B extending over the top left TL of the unitary body suit 222 from the foremost edge P5A to the rearmost edge P5B at the back of the unitary body suit 222. Alternatively, the rearmost edge P5B could be at the top left TL of the unitary body suit 222 (e.g., at the top of the left shoulder strap 122K2 when worn).

[0116] The rearmost edge P4B of the right upper grouping 58A of the 3D nodules 58 is spaced apart from the right seam 130A1. The rearmost edge P5B of the left upper grouping 58B of the 3D nodules 58 is spaced apart from the left seam 130A2.

[0117] As shown, the outer perimeter P4 of the right upper grouping 58A and the outer perimeter P5 of the left upper grouping 58B are spaced apart from one another, are non-abutting, and are non-overlapping.

[0118] The outer perimeter P4 of the right upper grouping 58A angles outward (e.g., upward and laterally outward toward the right side) in a direction away from a longitudinal centerline CL of the unitary body suit 222 from the foremost edge P4A of the outer perimeter P4 of the right upper grouping 58A toward the rearmost edge P4B of the outer perimeter P4. The outer perimeter P5 of the left upper grouping 58B angles outward in an opposite direction (e.g., upward and laterally outward toward the left side) away from the longitudinal centerline CL from the foremost edge P5A of the outer perimeter P5 of the left upper grouping 58B toward the rearmost edge P5B.

[0119] The 3D nodules 58 increase in size from the foremost edge P4A of the right upper grouping 58A to the top right TR and from the foremost edge P5A of the left upper grouping 58B to the top left TL. The 3D nodules 58 also decrease in size from top right TR to the rearmost edge P4B of the outer perimeter P4 of the right upper grouping 58A and from the top left TL to the rearmost edge P5B of the outer perimeter P5 of the left upper grouping 58B. More specifically, the forwardmost edge nodules 58 and the rearwardmost edge nodules 58 have smaller widths and / or heights than the interior nodules 58 within the right upper grouping 58A and / or the interior nodules within the left upper grouping 58B.

[0120] The 3D nodules 58 of the right and left upper groupings 58A, 58B are shown as hemispheres, each having a shape as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and increase in diameter as well as height (e.g., maximum distance away from the fabric material 110) from the foremost edge P4A of the right upper grouping 58A to the top right TR and from the foremost edge P5A of the left upper grouping 58B to the top left TL. Alternatively or in addition, the density of the 3D nodules 58 may also increase from the foremost edge P4A of the right upper grouping 58A to the top right TR and from the foremost edge P5A of the left upper grouping 58B to the top left TL. That is, spacing between adjacent ones of the 3D nodules 58 may decrease from the foremost edge P4A of the right upper grouping 58A to the top right TR and from the foremost edge P5A of the left upper grouping 58B to the top left TL. Any or all of these characteristics of the 3D nodules 58 of the right and left upper grouping 58A, 58B will help to direct the airflow around the contours of the wearer at the straps 122K1 and 122K2 (help maintain boundary layer attachment) to reduce drag as discussed with respect to airflow redirection in FIG. 8.

[0121] The 3D nodules 58 also may increase in size (diameter and / or height) and or in density from outer edges P4C, P5C of the outer perimeters P4, P5 of the right and left upper groupings 58A, 58B toward inner edges P4D, P5D of the outer perimeters P4, P5. Thus, the side edge nodules 58 may have smaller widths and / or heights than the interior nodules 58 within the right upper grouping 58A and / or the interior nodules within the left upper grouping 58B.

[0122] While FIGS. 12 and 13 show the right upper grouping 58A of nodules 58 extending as a continuous grouping or region from the front of the garment (at foremost edge P4A), over the top right TR, and to the rear of the garment (at rearmost edge P4B), in some examples of this technology, this right upper grouping 58A may be separated into two or more spaced apart regions or groupings. For example, the garment may be provided with a front right torso grouping of nodules 58 (e.g., extending at least to a top right TR shoulder region) and a separated back right torso grouping of nodules 58, e.g., with a space of about 25 mm or more between nodules 58 of the front right torso grouping and the nodules 58 of the back right torso grouping. Additionally or alternatively, while FIGS. 12 and 13 show the left upper grouping 58B of nodules 58 extending as a continuous grouping or region from the front of the garment (at foremost edge P5A), over the top left TL, and to the rear of the garment (at rearmost edge P5B), in some examples of this technology, this left upper grouping 58B may be separated into two or more spaced apart regions or groupings. For example, the garment may be provided with a front left torso grouping of nodules 58 (e.g., extending at least to a top left shoulder region) and a separated back left torso grouping of nodules 58, e.g., with a space of about 25 mm or more between nodules 58 of the front right torso grouping and the nodules 58 of the back right torso grouping.

[0123] The pattern of 3D nodule 58 secured to the outer surface 12 of the fabric material 110 of the unitary body suit 222 also may include a right lower grouping 58C of the 3D nodules 58 at a right hip area 122N1 of the unitary body suit 222 and a left lower grouping 58D of the 3D nodules 58 at a left hip area 122N2 of the unitary body suit 222. Respective outer perimeters P6 and P7 of the right lower grouping 58C and the left lower grouping 58D are spaced apart from one another and from the outer perimeters P4 and P5 of the right upper grouping 58A and the left upper grouping 58B, and are non-abutting and non-overlapping with one another and with the outer perimeters P4 and P5.

[0124] The outer perimeters P6 and P7 extend from the front 122A to the back 122B of the unitary body suit 222 at the right and left hip areas 122Nb and 122Nb, respectively. In other words, the right lower grouping 58C and the left lower grouping 58D wrap from front to back such that they are disposed at the outer side contours of the unitary body suit 222 when viewed in a profile as in FIGS. 12 and 13 and when the unitary body suit 222 is worn.

[0125] Nodules 58 of the right lower grouping 58C may increase in size (diameter and / or height) and / or density from a front inner edge P6A (the edge nodules 58) to an outermost portion 58C1 of the right lower grouping 58C (e.g., the portion that is furthest outward when worn on a body), and from a back inner edge P6B (the edge nodules 58) to the outermost portion 58C1. Similarly, the nodules 58 of the left lower grouping 58D may increase in size (diameter and / or height) and / or density from a front inner edge P7A (the edge nodules 58) to an outermost portion 58Db of the left lower grouping 58D (e.g., the portion that is furthest outward when worn on a body), and from a back inner edge P7B (the edge nodules 58) to the outermost portion 58D1.

[0126] The pattern of 3D nodules 58 secured to the outer surface 12 of the fabric material 110 of the unitary body suit 222 also may include a right rear grouping 58E secured to the outer surface 12 of the fabric material 110 at a right rear area 122M1 of the back 122B of unitary body suit 222 and a left rear grouping 58F secured to the outer surface 12 of the fabric material 110 at a left rear area 122M2 of the back 12B of the unitary body suit 222. The outer perimeter P8 of the right rear grouping 58E is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter P6 of the right lower grouping 58C with a right leg seam (part of seam 130A) of the fabric material 110 extending therebetween. Similarly, an outer perimeter P9 of the left rear grouping 58F is spaced apart from and non-abutting and non-overlapping with the left lower grouping 58D with a left leg seam (part of seam 130B) of the fabric material 110 extending therebetween. In still another aspect, the outer perimeter P8 of the right rear grouping 58E is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter P9 of the left rear grouping 58F with the rear center seam 130D of the fabric material 110 extending therebetween.

[0127] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of a fabric material 110 with an example arrangement of 3D nodules 58 secured to the fabric material 110. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of one of the nodules 58 and the fabric material 110 of FIG. 14 taken at line 15-15 in FIG. 14. The 3D nodules 58 are shown as hemispheres having bases 59 secured to the fabric material 110. One base 59 is indicated in FIG. 15.

[0128] The 3D nodules 58 are shown varying in width (diameter), one having a relatively large width 58W1 and one having a relatively small width 58W2. A height 58H1 of one of the nodules 58 is shown in FIG. 15. A single fabric material 110 may have nodules 58 of multiple different widths and / or multiple different heights. Only some of the 3D nodules 58 are labelled with a reference number in FIG. 14.

[0129] Nodule 58 sizes may vary in specific examples of this technology. As some examples, nodules 58 may have a width dimension W (e.g., a greatest diagonal and / or diameter dimension 58W1 and / or 58W2 in FIG. 14) within a range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and in some examples, from 0.75 mm to 7.5 mm, from 1 mm to 6 mm, or from 1 mm to 5 mm. In example garment structures where nodules 58 of two (or more) sizes are provided in a single grouping or region of the garment (e.g., smaller nodules 58 located at a forward edge and / or a rearward edge and / or a perimeter edge (also called “edge nodules” herein) and larger nodules 58 located at a region transitioning from the garment front to garment back and / or in an interior region of the grouping (also called “interior nodules” herein)): (A) the smaller sized nodules 58 of the region or grouping (e.g., edge nodules) may have a width dimension within a range of 0.5 mm to 4 mm, and in some examples, from 0.75 mm to 3 mm, or from 1 mm to 2.5 mm; and / or (B) the larger sized nodules 58 of the grouping (e.g., interior nodules) may have a width dimension within a range of 2 mm to 10 mm, and in some examples, from 2.5 mm to 7.5 mm, or from 2.75 mm to 6 mm, or from 3 mm to 5 mm; and / or (C) the smaller sized nodules 58 of the grouping may have a width dimension W that is at least 10 % smaller than the width dimension W of the larger sized nodules 58 of the grouping, and in some examples, at least 25 % smaller, at least 30 % smaller, or at least 40 % smaller.

[0130] Additionally or alternatively, nodules 58 may have a height dimension H (e.g., from its base 59 to its outermost point, such as height 58H1 shown in FIG. 15) within a range of 0.25 mm to 5 mm, and in some examples, from 0.375 mm to 3.75 mm, from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm. In example garment structures where nodules 58 of two (or more) sizes are provided in a single grouping or region of the garment (e.g., smaller nodules 58 located at a forward edge and / or a rearward edge and / or a perimeter edge (also called “edge nodules” herein) and larger nodules 58 located at region transitioning from the garment front to garment back and / or in an interior region of the grouping (also called “interior nodules” herein)): (A) the smaller sized nodules 58 of the grouping (e.g., edge nodules) may have a height dimension within a range of 0.25 mm to 2 mm, and in some examples, from 0.375 mm to 1.5 mm, or from 0.5 mm to 1.25 mm; and / or (B) the larger sized nodules 58 of the grouping (e.g., interior nodules) may have a height dimension within a range of 1 mm to 5 mm, and in some examples, from 1.25 mm to 3.75 mm, or from 1.375 mm to 3 mm, or from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm; and / or (C) the smaller sized nodules 58 of the grouping may have a height dimension that is at least 10 % smaller than the height dimension of the larger sized nodules 58 of the grouping, and in some examples, at least 25 % smaller, at least 30% smaller, or at least 40 % smaller.

[0131] Additionally or alternatively, nodule 58 spacing may vary in specific examples of this technology. Nodule spacing, as used herein, means the closest direct distance from the base 59 of one nodule 58 to a base 59 of an adjacent nodule 58. In at least some examples of this technology, this spacing distance may be within a range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, and in some examples, from 0.75 mm to 7.5 mm, from 1 mm to 6 mm, or from 1 mm to 5 mm. In example garment structures where nodules 58 of two (or more) sizes are provided in a single grouping or region of the garment (e.g., smaller nodules 58 located at a forward edge and / or a rearward edge and / or a perimeter edge and larger nodules 58 located at region transitioning from the garment front to garment back): (A) the smaller sized nodules 58 of the grouping may be spaced from other nodules 58 within the grouping by a distance of 0.5 mm to 4 mm, and in some examples, from 0.75 mm to 3 mm, or from 1 mm to 2.5 mm; and / or (B) the larger sized nodules 58 of the grouping may be spaced from other nodules 58 within the grouping by a distance of 2 mm to 10 mm, and in some examples, from 2.5 mm to 7.5 mm, or from 2.75 mm to 6 mm, or from 3 mm to 5 mm. Spacing may vary within a single grouping or region.

[0132] Additionally or alternatively, nodule 58 packing density (or distribution density, i.e., nodules 58 per unit area) may vary in different specific examples of this technology. As some more specific examples, nodules 58 within a grouping may be present with a packing density within a range of: 1 nodule / cm2 to 25 nodules / cm2, and in some examples, from 1.5 nodules / cm2 to 20 nodules cm2, or from 2 nodules / cm2 to 15 nodules / cm2, or from 3 nodules / cm2 to 12 nodules cm2.

[0133] A “region” or “grouping” of nodules 58, as that term is used herein, may contain at least 10 discrete nodules 58, and in some examples, at least 20 nodules, at least 25 nodules, at least 40 nodules, at least 60 nodules, at least 100 nodules, at least 150 nodules, or at least 200 nodules. To be part of a “region” or “grouping,” a nodule 58 must be located within at least 25 mm of at least one other nodule 58 within the region or grouping. An “outer perimeter” of a grouping or region of nodules 58 may be defined by a line or curve that extends around outermost edges or surfaces of outermost nodules 58 of the region or grouping (e.g., a line or curve connecting outermost edges or surfaces of a group of nodules 58 located within 25 mm of at least one other nodule 58). Note perimeters PA4-P10 discussed herein.

[0134] Nodule 58 shapes other than dome shaped may be used in other specific examples of this technology. FIG. 14A shows a view similar to FIG. 14, but with more angular and / or aerodynamic “fin” shaped nodules 1458 as vortex generators (e.g., structures generating smaller “interruptions” in airflow as described herein in conjunction with FIG. 8). The nodules 1458 may have widths, heights, spacings, and / or packing densities and / or may vary in size within a grouping or region, e.g., within the various ranges described for these features above in conjunction with FIG. 14. Additionally or alternatively, an individual nodule 1458 may taper in height, e.g., getting taller from front-to-back on the garment, getting shorter from front-to-back on the garment, getting shorter in from upstream-to-downstream with respect to the expected direction of airflow, etc. Still additionally or alternatively, the nodule 1458 shape and / or orientation may change within a given region or grouping, e.g., depending on the expected direction of airflow at the local area within the given region or grouping. Still additionally or alternatively, nodules of different shapes may be provided within a single grouping or region and / or on a single garment. Thus, a wide variety of variations in the nodules 58, 1458 are possible in different specific examples of this technology.

[0135] While several figures herein illustrate dome shaped and hemispherical nodules of the types described herein, any one or more of the dome shaped and hemispherical nodules in any of the noted figures may be replaced with an angular and / or aerodynamic fin shaped nodule, e.g., of the types shown and described above in conjunction with FIG. 14A. Additionally, in this disclosure, unless a specific shape is called out, the term “nodule” and / or reference number 58 may be considered to refer to nodules having any three-dimensional shape, including angular and / or aerodynamic fin shapes of the types described in conjunction with FIG. 14A.

[0136] Nodules 58 can be incorporated into an article of apparel structure in many different ways in various specific examples of this technology. As one example, nodules 58 may be printed directly onto a fabric material 110 or onto another substrate (e.g., a film substrate) that may be applied to a fabric material 110. Examples of such printing techniques include 3D printing techniques, such as jetting processes (e.g., material jetting, binder jetting, etc.), laser sintering processes, solid deposition modeling (also called “fused deposition modeling”) processes, additive manufacturing processes, etc. As other examples, the nodules 58 may be formed by screen printing processes.

[0137] Other manufacturing methods are possible in other specific examples of this technology. For example, the nodules 58 may be formed by molding techniques, such as injection molding, blow molding, etc. The nodules 58 may be molded directly to a fabric material 110 or onto another substrate (e.g., a film) that may be applied to a fabric material 110 for an article of apparel. Additionally or alternatively, the nodules 58 may be formed by casting techniques (e.g., casted directly onto a fabric material 110 or onto another substrate (e.g., a film) that may be applied to a fabric material 110.

[0138] In some examples, material for one or more nodules 58 may be placed into a mold or casting. The mold or casting may include or may be formed as a substrate that includes multiple individual nodule chambers into which the material of the nodule(s) 58 may be placed (e.g., akin to an ice cube tray). In this manner, the three-dimensional surface (e.g., the rounded surface) of the nodules 58 will be located in the nodule chambers of the substrate, the bottom bases 59 of the nodules 58 will be exposed, and multiple nodules 58 can be formed using a single substrate. Once the nodule material sets (e.g., hardens, becomes cross-linked, etc.), or at another appropriate time, a hot melt or other adhesive material may be applied to the exposed bases 59 of the nodule(s) 58. In some examples, the hot melt or other adhesive material and bases 59 then may be covered for storage, e.g., with a release layer (e.g., release film or paper), if storage is needed, until the nodules 58 are ready to be used. Once ready to be used, the release layer can be removed to expose the adhesive on the bases 59, and the nodules 58 can be fixed to a surface 12 of the fabric material 110 via the adhesive, e.g., using heat and / or pressure (if needed). If still present, any remaining substrate surface holding the nodules 58 (e.g., any portion of the mold or casting including the nodule chambers) may be removed so that only the nodules 58 remain present in the finally formed article of apparel product (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 14, 14A, and 15). In other words, after the bases 59 are fixed to the fabric material 110, the remaining mold or casting that was holding the three-dimensional surfaces of the nodules 58 (if any), may be removed (e.g., peeled off the nodules 58) so that only the nodules 58 remain on the fabric material 110.

[0139] Alternatively, in other methods according to this technology, multiple nodule(s) 58 may be formed with their bases 59 located on a first surface of a substrate layer. A second surface of that substrate layer opposite the first surface may be fixed to a surface 12 of the fabric material 110 to provide the nodule 58 region on the fabric material 110. The substrate layer then may remain on the article of apparel during intended use (i.e., an additional substrate layer may be located between base 59 and fabric material 110 in the structure shown in FIG. 15). In some such examples, the first surface of the substrate layer between adjacent nodules 58 may be texturized as desired, e.g., to provide desired surface roughness features for the area of the fabric material 110 on which the nodule 58 region is placed (e.g., suitable roughness to provide desired fluid flow and / or aerodynamic properties for the region).

[0140] FIG. 16 is a front view of another apparel kit 300 that includes articles of apparel of fabric material 110, including a unitary body suit 322 having 3D nodules 58 secured to the fabric material 110, the left and right detached arm sleeves 124, left and right detached leg sleeves 126, and head wear in the form of a headband 128. The left and right detached arm sleeves 124, left and right detached leg sleeves 126, and head wear in the form of a headband 128 are the same as those of the apparel kits 100 and 200. Reference numbers used for features of the unitary body suit 122 that are the same as those of the unitary body suit 322 are also used with respect to the unitary body suit 322.

[0141] The unitary body suit 322 differs from the unitary body suit 222 in that the right and left upper groupings 58A, 58B extend further downward and inward and merge together. Stated differently, the foremost edge P4A of the outer perimeter P4 of the right upper grouping 58A of the 3D nodules 58 and the foremost edge P5A of the outer perimeter P5 of the left upper grouping 58B of the 3D nodules 58 abut at the upper chest portion 122C of the unitary body suit 322. More specifically, the foremost edges P4A and P5A meet at the longitudinal centerline CL and the right and left upper groupings 58A, 58B appear to merge as a single grouping. Thus, in this example, the right upper grouping 58A and left upper grouping 58B extend to form a continuous grouping of nodules 58 at the front of body suit 322.

[0142] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the unitary body suit 322 of FIG. 16. The unitary body suit 322 also differs from the unitary body suits 122 and 222 in that the fabric material 110 of the unitary body suit 322 includes an integral collar portion 322P defining a back portion 322E2 of a neck opening 322E and extending continuously around the neck opening formed between a front portion 322E1 and the back portion 322E2. The back portion 322E2 is higher than the back portion 122E2, which remains below the integral collar portion 322P. The front portion 322E1 is the same as the front portion 122E1 of FIG. 9, for example, and forms a front of the collar 322P. The integral collar portion 322P may help to maintain the unitary body suit 322 higher on the chest and neck of the wearer than otherwise, covering a greater area of skin at the front of the wearer, and thereby reducing drag.

[0143] FIG. 18 is a front view of another apparel kit 400 that includes articles of apparel of fabric material 110, 110A, including a unitary body suit 422. FIG. 19 is a rear view of the unitary body suit 422 of FIG. 18. The unitary body suit 422 is identical to the unitary body suit 322 except including the first zone Z1 of relatively smooth outer surface 12A as discussed with respect to FIG. 9. This first zone Z1 separates the right upper grouping 58A from the left upper grouping 58B at the front of this example unitary body suit 422. The apparel kit 400 also includes the left and right detached arm sleeves 124, the left and right detached leg sleeves 126, and head wear in the form of a headband 128 as discussed herein.

[0144] As discussed with respect to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, when airflow is directed toward a relatively smooth outer surface at the frontal area of an object, such as at the first zone Z1 in the front of the chest portion 122C, the velocity of the air deflected away from the first zone Z1 the will be greater than it would be if slowed down by a rougher surface. The three-dimensional bow-like waves 62 of FIG. 8 may also occur. Drag on the wearer of the unitary body suit 422 will be less than if the outer surface of the fabric material 110 was rougher in the first zone Z1. Some of this relatively high velocity air flow will flow from the front upper chest portion 122C at the first zone Z1 onto and along the right and left shoulder straps 122K1 and 122K2 toward the tops of the shoulder straps 122K1, 122K2. The plurality of nodules 58 in the right and left upper groupings 58A, 58B are specifically configured to manage this relatively high speed airflow and redirect the airflow so that it hugs the contours of the wearer at the shoulder straps 122K1, 122K2 (and help maintain boundary layer attachment) further along the shoulder straps 122K1, 122K2 than would be the case without the nodules 58, thereby reducing the size of eddies at the back and rearward of the unitary body suit 422, further reducing overall drag on the unitary body suit 422 and the wearer.

[0145] FIG. 20 is a rear view of the left leg sleeve 126 of a fabric material 110A as discussed with respect to FIG. 9. The right leg sleeve 126 may have any of the features described herein for the left leg sleeve 126, e.g., as a mirror image of the left leg sleeve 126. A vertical seam 130E is disposed at the rear of the detached leg sleeve 126 so that the front of the detached leg sleeve 126 having a frontal area facing air flow when the wearer is moving in a forward direction is seamless and presents a relatively smooth surface.

[0146] FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of an alternative detached leg sleeve 526 that may be used in place of the detached leg sleeve 126 in any of the apparel kits 100, 200, 300, and 400. Similar to the detached leg sleeve 126, the detached leg sleeve 526 has the rear vertical seam 130E and is of the fabric material 110A.

[0147] The detached leg sleeve 526 is shown as a left leg sleeve and has a plurality of 3D nodules 58, like those described with respect to the unitary body suit 222, secured to an outer surface of the fabric material 110A of the detached leg sleeve 526 and configured to extend in an elongated vertical pattern in an as-worn state. Stated differently, the 3D nodules 58 secured to the detached leg sleeve 526 are arranged in a grouping 58G that has an outer perimeter P10 that is elongated in the vertical direction of the detached leg sleeve 526 (between a top opening 526A and a bottom opening 526B). As such, the plurality of 3D nodules 58 will be positioned over the outer side of the calf of the wearer. The example of FIG. 21 further shows a similar nodule 58 grouping (e.g., a mirror image of grouping 58G) that optionally may be secured to the leg sleeve 526 at the inner side of the calf of the wearer in at least some examples of this technology. A lower leg of a runner changes position relative to air flow coming from a forward direction through a single stride. Air flowing around the lower left leg of the wearer will be directed by the 3D nodules 58 in a manner to reduce drag as discussed herein when the leg is at some of the many positions relative to the air flow during the stride.

[0148] In at least some examples of this technology, if desired, the leg sleeve(s) 126, 526 may include zones of different surface roughness, different yarn flatnesses, different yarn thicknesses, and / or different overall fabric material 110A thicknesses, e.g., as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-5 and Zones Z1, Z2, and / or Z3. As some more specific examples, the front central region of the leg sleeves 126, 526 (e.g., and a forward facing region of the leg sleeves 126, 526 with respect to a user’s direction of motion) may include a smoother zone, a flatter zone, and / or a less thick zone of fabric material 110A, such as a heat pressed and / or heat treated material, e.g., of the types included in Zone Z1 described above. The side regions of leg sleeves 126, 526 may include a rougher zone, such as a less heat pressed and / or less heat treated material and / or a non-heat pressed and / or non-heat treated material, e.g., of the types included in Zone Z2 and / or Z3 described above. The rear region of the leg sleeves 126, 526 may include a rougher zone as compared to the front region, such as a less heat pressed and / or less heat treated material and / or a non-heat pressed and / or non-heat treated material, e.g., of the types included in Zone Z2 and / or Z3 described above. In some examples, at least the rear region and / or at least one of the side regions of the leg sleeves 126, 526 may be made from a stretchable and / or elastomeric material, e.g., to facilitate donning and doffing and / or to help maintain desired positioning of the leg sleeves 126, 526 on the user. While FIGS. 20 and 21 show potential locations for zones of different roughnesses, etc., the sizes, shapes, and locations of such zones may vary widely in specific examples of this technology.

[0149] FIG. 22 is a plan view of the front of the left detached arm sleeve 124 of FIGS. 9, 12, 16 and 18. The right arm sleeve 124 may have any of the features described herein for the left arm sleeve 124, e.g., as a mirror image of the left arm sleeve 124. The detached arm sleeve 124 has three sections extending along a length of the detached arm sleeve 124 (where the length is from a top arm opening 124A to a bottom hand opening 124B that fingers extend out of when worn). The arm sleeve 124 of this example also defines a thumb opening 124C. The arm sleeve 124 defines an internal arm opening 124G extending from the top arm opening 124A to the bottom hand opening 124B.

[0150] The three sections of the detached arm sleeve 124 include a distal section 124D, a proximal section 124F, and an intermediate section 124E between the distal section 124D and the proximal section 124F. Each section 124D, 124E, and 124F defines a portion of the arm opening 124G that is configured to receive an arm with the arm surrounded by the detached arm sleeve 124.

[0151] A distal end 124F1 of the proximal section 124F is secured to a proximal end 124E1 of the intermediate section 124E at a first seam 130F. A distal end 124E2 of the intermediate section 124E is secured to a proximal end 124D1 of the distal section 124D at a second seam 130G. Each of the sections 124D, 124E, and 124F has a respective longitudinal center axis which extends along a centerline of the arm opening 124G within the respective section of the detached arm sleeve 124. In the state shown in FIG. 22, in which the detached arm sleeve 124 is not on the arm of a wearer, a longitudinal center axis LA1 of the proximal section 124F is angled relative to a longitudinal center axis LA2 of the intermediate section 124E as shown at angle θ1 such that the detached arm sleeve 124 is articulated at the first seam 130F. A longitudinal center axis LA3 of the distal section 124D is angled relative to the longitudinal center axis LA2 of the intermediate section 124E as shown at angle θ2 such that the detached arm sleeve 124 is further articulated at the second seam 130G. An integral hand portion 124D2 of the distal section 124D (e.g., cut from the same fabric panel as the remainder of the distal section 124D) has another longitudinal axis LA4 that is further angled relative to the longitudinal axis LA3 of the remainder of the distal section 124D as shown at angle θ3. An arm sleeve 124 configured to be articulated in this manner may enable a wearer’s arm to more easily adopt a position correlated with a particular use when worn, such as a position in which the arm is bent at the elbow as may be expected during running.

[0152] In an implementation, the outer surface 112A of the fabric material 110A of the articulated arm sleeve 124 at each of the distal section 124D, the proximal section 124F, and the intermediate section 124E may be a heat pressed outer surface. In an example, the heat pressed outer surface 112A of the fabric material 110A of each of the distal section 124D, the proximal section 124F, and the intermediate section 124E may be heat pressed at the same temperature and for the same amount of time.

[0153] In some more specific examples, the distal section 124D, the proximal section 124F, and / or the intermediate section 124E may have any of the features of zone Z1 and / or Z2 discussed above.

[0154] Additionally or alternatively, the arm sleeve(s) 124 may include nodules 58 of the types described herein, e.g., located at positions along the surface of arm sleeves 124 where airflow transitions from the front to the back (e.g., along the inside and / or outside of one or more of the distal section 124D, the intermediate section 124F, and / or the proximal section 124E). Any seams provided in the arm sleeves 124 (if any) may be provided at a rear of the arm sleeve with respect to a direction of typical motion.

[0155] FIG. 23 is a side view of the headband 128 of the fabric material 110A and FIG. 24 is a rear view of the headband 128 of FIG. 23. The headband 128 has a width from a front edge 128A to a rear edge 128B that tapers from a top 128D of the headband 128 to a bottom 128E of the headband 128. The headband 128 has a single seam 130H that is disposed at the bottom 128E of the headband 128 at a rear of the head of a wearer when worn. Accordingly, the widest part of the headband 128 (at the top 128D) that covers the top of a wearer’s head will be exposed to airflow from a forward direction when a wearer is moving in the forward direction and the seam 130H will be at the rear of the wearer’s head, near the neck, and shielded from the airflow coming from the forward direction.

[0156] In at least some examples of this technology, if desired, the headband 128 may include zones of different surface roughness, different yarn flatnesses, different yarn thicknesses, and / or different overall fabric material 110A thicknesses, e.g., as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-5 and Zones Z1, Z2, and / or Z3. As some more specific examples, the front central region of the headband 128 (e.g., and a forward facing region of the headband 128 with respect to a user’s direction of motion) may include a smoother zone, a flatter zone, and / or a less thick zone of fabric material 110A, such as a heat pressed and / or heat treated material, e.g., of the types included in Zone Z1 described above. The side regions of headband 128 may include a rougher zone, such as a less heat pressed and / or less heat treated material and / or a non-heat pressed and / or non-heat treated material, e.g., of the types included in Zone Z2 and / or Z3 described above. The rear region of the headband 128 may include a rougher zone as compared to the front region, such as a less heat pressed and / or less heat treated material and / or a non-heat pressed and / or non-heat treated material, e.g., of the types included in Zone Z2 and / or Z3 described above. In some examples, at least the rear region and / or at least one of the side regions of the headband 128 may be made from a stretchable and / or elastomeric material, e.g., to facilitate donning and doffing and / or to help maintain desired positioning of the headband 128 on the user. While FIGS. 23 and 24 show potential locations for zones of different roughnesses, etc., the sizes, shapes, and locations of such zones may vary widely in specific examples of this technology.

[0157] Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of this technology, the headband 128 may include nodules 58, e.g., of the types described above in conjunction with at least FIGS. 8 and 12-19. FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate example regions that may include such nodules 58 as regions enclosed in dash-double dot lines. The dash-double dot lines in FIGS. 23 and 24 may generally correspond to outer perimeters of nodule 58 containing regions, e.g., as discussed above. In the example of FIGS. 23 and 24, the nodule 58 containing region(s) is (are) positioned to extend from front side regions of the headband 128, around the sides, and optionally into the rear region of the headband 128. The nodules 58 may change in size, e.g., getting somewhat larger in a direction from the front to the side-most regions of the headband 128 and getting somewhat smaller in a direction from the side-most regions toward the rear of the headband 128.

[0158] While apparel kits described herein included multiple apparel components (e.g., two or more of a unitary body suit, left and / or right detached arm sleeves, left and / or right detached leg sleeves, and head wear in the form of a headband), articles of apparel in accordance with aspects of this technology may include any one individual apparel component of the types described herein (e.g., any one of a unitary body suit, a left detached arm sleeve, a right detached arm sleeve, a left detached leg sleeve, a right detached leg sleeve, and / or head wear in the form of a headband).

[0159] Additionally or alternatively, unitary body suit articles of apparel in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology may include attached and / or integrally formed arm sleeves of any desired length (e.g., typical “short sleeve” length, typical “long sleeve” length, and / or lengths corresponding to the lengths of the detached arm sleeves 124 shown herein). Still additionally or alternatively, unitary body suit articles of apparel in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology may include attached and / or integrally formed leg sleeves of any desired length (e.g., above the knee, to the knee, below the knee, and / or lengths corresponding to the lengths of the detached leg sleeves 126 shown herein). In other words, the integral right and left leg portions 122G1 and 122G2 shown in FIG. 9 (and the corresponding leg portions shown in other figures) may extend any desired length down a wearer’s leg, in different specific examples of this technology.

[0160] Additionally or alternatively, articles of apparel in accordance with at least some examples of this technology may take on other suitable forms. For example, rather than a unitary body suit, at least some aspects of this technology may be incorporated into an “upper body” only garment (e.g., a shirt, tank top, etc.) and / or into a “lower body” only garment (e.g., shorts, pants, leggings, leotards, etc.). As some more specific examples, the unitary body suits shown in FIGS. 9-13 and 16-19 could be separated at a waist region and formed as separate upper body garments and / or lower body garments. Upper body garments may be formed with integrated arm sleeves (long sleeves or short sleeves) and / or may be used with separate arm sleeves of the types shown in FIGS. 9, 12, 16, 18, and / or 22. Additionally or alternatively, lower body garments may be formed with integrated leg sleeves (long sleeves extending beyond the knee or short sleeves terminating above the knee) and / or may be used with separate leg sleeves of the types shown in FIGS. 9, 12, 16, 18, 20, and / or 21. Such upper body garments and lower body garments may be used together or individually in different examples of this technology.

[0161] The following Clauses provide example configurations of a fabric material, an article of apparel, an apparel kit, and a method of manufacturing disclosed herein.Clause Set A

[0162] Clause 1. An article of apparel comprising: a fabric material including yarns; wherein, at at a least a portion of an outer surface of the fabric material, portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface of the fabric material are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface of the fabric material; and wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is selected for desired drag reduction corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer.

[0163] Clause 2. The article of apparel of clause 1, wherein the surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers.

[0164] Clause 3. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the yarns comprise at least one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, or elastane.

[0165] Clause 4. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the fabric material comprises a knit structure that is at least one of an interlock knit, a spacer knit, a double knit, a tricot warp, a weft knit, a warp knit, a jacquard knit, or a jersey knit.

[0166] Clause 5. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the fabric material has at least a first zone and a second zone, the yarns extend in both of the first zone and the second zone with a seamless transition from the first zone to the second zone, and a material composition of the fabric material is the same in the first zone and the second zone; and wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone.

[0167] Clause 6. The article of apparel of clause 5, wherein the fabric material is thicker in the second zone than in the first zone.

[0168] Clause 7. The article of apparel of clause 5, wherein the fabric material comprises a knit structure and the yarns of the knit structure are arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales; and wherein the wales of the knit structure at the outer surface of the fabric material at the second zone are spaced further apart than at the first zone.

[0169] Clause 8. The article of apparel of clause 5, wherein the fabric material is configured as a unitary body suit, the first zone is at a front portion of the unitary body suit, and the second zone surrounds the first zone.

[0170] Clause 9. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the front portion of the unitary body suit includes a front chest portion, and the first zone is disposed at the front chest portion of the unitary body suit.

[0171] Clause 10. The article of apparel of clause 9, wherein the front portion of the unitary body suit further includes an abdomen portion, and the first zone extends continuously from the front chest portion to the abdomen portion.

[0172] Clause 11. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein an outer perimeter of the first zone is generally oval.

[0173] Clause 12. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the unitary body suit includes integral right and left leg portions.

[0174] Clause 13. The article of apparel of clause 12, wherein the integral right and left leg portions are sized and dimensioned to terminate above a knee of a wearer in an as-worn state.

[0175] Clause 14. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the unitary body suit is sleeveless.

[0176] Clause 15. The article of apparel of clause 14, wherein the fabric material of the unitary body suit has a right shoulder strap, a left shoulder strap, a front chest portion, and a back portion; and wherein the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap extend seamlessly from the front chest portion to ends that are secured to the back portion at respective seams configured to be disposed at a back of a wearer in an as-worn state of the unitary body suit.

[0177] Clause 16. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein portions of the unitary body suit configured to be exposed at a front of the wearer in an as-worn state of the unitary body suit are seamless.

[0178] Clause 17. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein edges of the fabric material of the unitary body suit at one or more of a neck opening, at arm openings, and at leg openings are raw edges.

[0179] Clause 18. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the unitary body suit is configured for donning and doffing through a neck opening, and the neck opening extends further downward at a back of the unitary body suit than at a front of the unitary body suit.

[0180] Clause 19. The article of apparel of clause 18, wherein the back of the unitary body suit has greater elasticity than the front of the unitary body suit.

[0181] Clause 20. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the unitary body suit has an absence of closure devices.

[0182] Clause 21. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the fabric material of the unitary body suit includes an integral collar portion defining a neck opening and extending continuously around the neck opening.

[0183] Clause 22. The article of apparel of clause 5, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone is either not heat pressed or is heat pressed to a lesser extent than the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone.

[0184] Clause 23. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material is heat pressed at a temperature from about 150 to 200 degrees Celsius for about 10 to 60 seconds and / or a film is applied to portions of the outer surface of the fabric material, wherein a surface roughness of an outer surface of the film is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the outer surface of the fabric material to which the film is applied.

[0185] Clause 24. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the article of apparel is a detached leg sleeve or a detached arm sleeve.

[0186] Clause 25. The article of apparel of clause 24, wherein the article of apparel is a detached arm sleeve having three sections extending along a length of the detached arm sleeve, the three sections including a distal section, a proximal section, and an intermediate section between the distal section and the proximal section, each section defining a portion of an arm opening configured to receive an arm with the arm surrounded by the detached arm sleeve; wherein a distal end of the proximal section is secured to a proximal end of the intermediate section at a first seam, and a distal end of the intermediate section is secured to a proximal end of the distal section at a second seam; wherein a longitudinal center axis of the proximal section is angled relative to a longitudinal center axis of the intermediate section such that the detached arm sleeve is articulated at the first seam; and wherein a longitudinal center axis of the distal section is angled relative to the longitudinal center axis of the intermediate section such that the detached arm sleeve is further articulated at the second seam.

[0187] Clause 26. The article of apparel of clause 25, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material at each of the distal section, the proximal section, and the intermediate section is a heat pressed outer surface.

[0188] Clause 27. The article of apparel of clause 26, wherein the heat pressed outer surface of the fabric material of each of the distal section, the proximal section, and the intermediate section is heat pressed at the same temperature and for the same amount of time.

[0189] Clause 28. The article of apparel of clause 25, wherein the distal section has a distal end configured to extend at least partially over a hand of a wearer and includes a thumb opening.

[0190] Clause 29. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the article of apparel is head wear.

[0191] Clause 30. The article of apparel of clause 29, wherein the head wear is a headband having a width from a front edge to a rear edge that tapers from a top of the headband to a bottom of the headband.

[0192] Clause 31. An apparel kit comprising: any two or more articles of apparel selected from the group comprising a unitary body suit, a detached arm sleeve, a detached leg sleeve, and head wear; wherein the any two or more articles of apparel each comprise a fabric material including yarns; wherein portions of the yarns exposed at an outer surface of the fabric material are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface; and wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is selected for desired drag reduction corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer.

[0193] Clause 32. The apparel kit of clause 31, wherein the surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers.

[0194] Clause 33. The apparel kit of clause 31, wherein the yarns comprise at least one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, or elastane.

[0195] Clause 34. The apparel kit of clause 31, wherein the fabric material comprises a knit structure that is at least one of an interlock knit, a spacer knit, a double knit, a tricot warp, a weft knit, a warp knit, a jacquard knit, or a jersey knit.

[0196] Clause 35. The apparel kit of clause 31, wherein the fabric material has at least a first zone and a second zone, the yarns extending in both of the first zone and the second zone with a seamless transition from the first zone to the second zone and a material composition of the fabric material being the same in the first zone and the second zone; and wherein the surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone.

[0197] Clause 36. The apparel kit of clause 35, wherein the fabric material comprises a knit structure; wherein the yarns of the knit structure are arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales; and wherein the wales of the knit structure at the outer surface of the fabric material at the second zone are spaced further apart than at the first zone.

[0198] Clause 37. The apparel kit of clause 35, wherein one of the any two or more articles of apparel is the unitary body suit and the first zone is disposed at a front chest portion of the unitary body suit.

[0199] Clause 38. The apparel kit of clause 31, wherein one of the any two or more articles of apparel is the detached arm sleeve; wherein the detached arm sleeve has three sections extending along a length of the detached arm sleeve, the three sections including a distal section, a proximal section, and an intermediate section between the distal section and the proximal section, each section defining a portion of an arm opening configured to receive an arm with the arm surrounded by the detached arm sleeve; wherein a distal end of the proximal section is secured to a proximal end of the intermediate section at a first seam, and a distal end of the intermediate section is secured to a proximal end of the distal section at a second seam; wherein a longitudinal center axis of the proximal section is angled relative to a longitudinal center axis of the intermediate section such that the detached arm sleeve is articulated at the first seam; and wherein a longitudinal center axis of the distal section is angled relative to the longitudinal center axis of the intermediate section such that the detached arm sleeve is further articulated at the second seam.

[0200] Clause 39. A fabric material comprising: a knit structure including yarns; wherein portions of the yarns exposed at an outer surface of the fabric material are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface; and wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers.

[0201] Clause 40. The fabric material of clause 39, wherein the yarns are arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales; wherein each of the wales has an average width; and wherein an average spacing between adjacent wales at the outer surface of the fabric material is less than one-eighth of the average width.

[0202] Clause 41. The fabric material of any of clauses 39-40, wherein the yarns comprise at least one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, or elastane.

[0203] Clause 42. The fabric material of any of clauses 39-40, wherein the knit structure is at least one of an interlock knit, a spacer knit, a double knit, a tricot warp, a weft knit, a warp knit, a jacquard knit, or a jersey knit.

[0204] Clause 43. The fabric material of any of clauses 39-40, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material is a heat-pressed outer surface that is heat pressed at a sufficient temperature, at a sufficient pressure, and for a sufficient amount of time to cause the outer surface of the fabric material to molten and flatten.

[0205] Clause 44. The fabric material of clause 43, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material is heat pressed at a temperature from about 150 to 200 degrees Celsius for about 10 to 60 seconds and / or a film is applied to portions of the outer surface of the fabric material, wherein a surface roughness of an outer surface of the film is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the outer surface of the fabric material to which the film is applied.

[0206] Clause 45. The fabric material of any of clauses 39-40, further comprising:

[0207] a film applied to the knit structure such as by laminating the film to the knit structure, and wherein a surface roughness of an outer surface of the film is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the knit structure.

[0208] Clause 46. An article of apparel including the fabric material of any of clauses 39-45.

[0209] Clause 47. A method of manufacturing a fabric material, the method comprising: heat pressing a first zone of the fabric material at a first temperature for a first amount of time such that an outer surface of the fabric material at the heat-pressed first zone has a different surface roughness than an outer surface of the fabric material at a second zone of the fabric material and / or applying a film an outer surface of the fabric material, wherein a surface roughness of an outer surface of the film is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the knit structure.

[0210] Clause 48. The method of manufacturing of clause 47, wherein the fabric material comprises a knit structure including yarns arranged in rows of courses and wales; and wherein portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface of the fabric material in the heat-pressed first zone are flatter than portions of the same yarns in the heat-pressed first zone that are disposed away from the outer surface of the fabric material in the heat-pressed first zone.

[0211] Clause 49. A method of manufacturing a fabric material for an article of apparel, the method comprising: heat pressing the fabric material at a first temperature for a first amount of time such that an outer surface of the fabric material has a surface roughness selected for desired drag reduction during an athletic event and corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer of the article of apparel and / or applying a film to an outer surface of the fabric material to create a composite structure, wherein a surface roughness of an outer surface of the film is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material.

[0212] Clause 50. The method of manufacturing of clause 49, wherein the heat pressing is at a first zone of the fabric material and the outer surface of the fabric material at the heat-pressed first zone has a different surface roughness than an outer surface of the fabric material at a second zone of the fabric material.

[0213] Clause 51. An article of apparel of any of clauses 1-30 manufactured according to the method of manufacturing of any of clauses 47-50.

[0214] Clause 52. The apparel kit of any of clauses 31-38 manufactured according to the method of manufacturing of any of claims 47-50.

[0215] Clause 53. A fabric material of any of clauses 39-44 manufactured according to the method of manufacturing of any of claims 47-50.Clause Set B

[0216] Clause 1. An article of apparel comprising: a fabric material configured as a unitary body suit; a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material and arranged in a pattern that includes: a right upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the right upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at a front of the unitary body suit and a rearmost edge either at a top right of the unitary body suit or at a back of the unitary body suit with the right upper grouping extending over the top right of the unitary body suit to the back of the unitary body suit; and a left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the left upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at the front of the unitary body suit and a rearmost edge either at a top left of the unitary body suit or at the back of the unitary body suit with the left upper grouping extending over the top left of the unitary body suit to the back of the unitary body suit.

[0217] Clause 2. The article of apparel of clause 1, wherein the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping angles outward in a direction away from a longitudinal centerline of the unitary body suit from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping; and wherein the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping angles outward in an opposite direction away from the longitudinal centerline from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping.

[0218] Clause 3. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the pattern is based on exposure of the unitary body suit to air profiles associated with an athletic activity when the article of apparel is in an as-worn state, and the 3D nodules are configured to direct air flow around a wearer during the athletic activity to reduce drag.

[0219] Clause 4. The article of apparel of clause 3, wherein the athletic activity includes running in a loop, including an oval or a circle.

[0220] Clause 5. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping and the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping are spaced apart from one another, are non-abutting, and are non-overlapping.

[0221] Clause 6. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules abut at a front chest area of the unitary body suit.

[0222] Clause 7. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the fabric material of the unitary body suit has a right shoulder strap, a left shoulder strap, a front chest portion, and a back portion; wherein the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap extend from the front chest portion to the back portion, a top right of the unitary body suit is at the right shoulder strap and a top left of the unitary body suit is at the left shoulder strap; wherein the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules extends along the right shoulder strap from the foremost edge above the front chest portion, over the top right, to the rearmost edge at the back of the unitary body suit; and wherein the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules extends along the left shoulder strap from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping above the front chest portion, over the top left, to the rearmost edge of the left upper grouping at the back of the unitary body suit.

[0223] Clause 8. The article of apparel of clause 7, wherein the 3D nodules increase in size from the foremost edge of the right upper grouping to the top right and from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping to the top left.

[0224] Clause 9. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the 3D nodules decrease in size from top right to the rearmost edge of the right upper grouping and from the top left to the rearmost edge of the left upper grouping.

[0225] Clause 10. The article of apparel of clause 8, wherein the 3D nodules are hemispheres and increase in diameter and / or height from the foremost edge of the right upper grouping to the top right and from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping to the top left.

[0226] Clause 11. The article of apparel of clause 7, wherein the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap extend seamlessly from the front chest portion to ends that are stitched to the back portion at respective right and left seams of the fabric material configured to be disposed at a back of a wearer in an as-worn state of the unitary body suit; wherein the rearmost edge of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules is spaced apart from the right seam; and wherein the rearmost edge of the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules is spaced apart from the left seam.

[0227] Clause 12. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the 3D nodules increase in size from outer edges of the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings toward inner edges of the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings.

[0228] Clause 13. The article of apparel of clause 12, wherein the 3D nodules are hemispheres and increase in diameter and / or height from the outer edges of the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings toward the inner edges the outer perimeters of the right and left upper groupings.

[0229] Clause 14. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the pattern of the 3D nodules includes: a right lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right hip area of the unitary body suit; and a left lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left hip area of the unitary body suit; wherein respective outer perimeters of the right lower grouping of the 3D nodules and the left lower grouping of the 3D nodules are spaced apart from one another and from the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, and are non-abutting and non-overlapping with one another and with the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules.

[0230] Clause 15. The article of apparel of clause 14, wherein the outer perimeters of the right lower grouping and the left lower grouping extend from the front to the back of the unitary body suit.

[0231] Clause 16. The article of apparel of clause 15, wherein the pattern of the 3D nodules includes: a right rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right rear area of the back of unitary body suit; and a left rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left rear area of the back of the unitary body suit; wherein an outer perimeter of the right rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the right lower grouping with a right leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween; and wherein an outer perimeter of the left rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the left lower grouping with a left leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

[0232] Clause 17. The article of apparel of clause 16, wherein the outer perimeter of the right rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the left rear grouping with a rear center seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

[0233] Clause 18. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein portions of the fabric material of the unitary body suit configured to be exposed at a front of a wearer are seamless.

[0234] Clause 19. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the 3D nodules are hemispheres having bases secured to the fabric material.

[0235] Clause 20. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the fabric material to which the 3D nodules are secured is a knit structure including yarns at the outer surface of the fabric material; and wherein portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface of the fabric material are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface of the fabric material.

[0236] Clause 21. The article of apparel of clause 20, wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers and is selected for desired drag reduction corresponding with an area of a body of a wearer.

[0237] Clause 22. The article of apparel of clause 20, wherein the yarns comprise at least one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, or elastane.

[0238] Clause 23. The article of apparel of clause 20, wherein the knit structure is at least one of an interlock knit, a spacer knit, a double knit, a tricot warp, a weft knit, a warp knit, a jacquard knit, or a jersey knit.

[0239] Clause 24. The article of apparel of clause 20, wherein portions of the outer surface of the fabric material are heat pressed at a sufficient temperature, at a sufficient pressure, and for a sufficient amount of time to cause the outer surface of the fabric material to molten and flatten, such as at a temperature from about 150 to 200 degrees Celsius for about 10 to 60 seconds and / or a film is applied to portions of the outer surface of the fabric material, wherein a surface roughness of an outer surface of the film is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the outer surface of the fabric material to which the film is applied.

[0240] Clause 25. The article of apparel of clause 20, wherein the fabric material has at least a first zone and a second zone, and a material composition of the fabric material being the same in the first zone and the second zone; wherein the first zone is at a front chest portion of the unitary body suit, and the second zone surrounds the first zone with the plurality of 3D nodules disposed in the second zone; and wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone.

[0241] Clause 26. The article of apparel of clause 25, wherein the fabric material is thicker in the second zone than in the first zone.

[0242] Clause 27. The article of apparel of clause 25, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone is either not heat pressed or is heat pressed to a lesser extent than the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone.

[0243] Clause 28. The article of apparel of clause 25, wherein the knit structure further includes a third zone, and the material composition of the fabric material is the same in the third zone as in the first zone and the second zone; and wherein flexibility of the fabric material is greater in the third zone than in the first zone, and is greater in the third zone than in the second zone.

[0244] Clause 29. The article of apparel of clause 28, wherein the third zone is disposed at and extends across an upper back portion of the back of the unitary body suit.

[0245] Clause 30. The article of apparel of clause 29, wherein the yarns of the knit structure are arranged in rows of courses and columns of wales; and wherein the wales of the knit structure at the outer surface of the fabric material at the third zone are spaced further apart than at the first zone and than at the second zone.

[0246] Clause 31. The article of apparel of clause 1, wherein the unitary body suit is sleeveless and includes integral right and left leg portions that are sized and dimensioned to terminate above a knee of a wearer in an as-worn state.

[0247] Clause 32. The article of apparel of clause 31, wherein edges of the fabric material of the unitary body suit at one or more of a neck opening, at arm openings, and at leg openings are raw edges.

[0248] Clause 33. The article of apparel of clause 31, wherein the unitary body suit is configured for donning and doffing through a neck opening, the neck opening extending further downward at the back of the unitary body suit than at the front of the unitary body suit.

[0249] Clause 34. The article of apparel of clause 33, wherein the unitary body suit has an absence of closure devices.

[0250] Clause 35. The article of apparel of clause 33, wherein the fabric material has greater elasticity at the back of the unitary body suit than at the front of the unitary body suit.

[0251] Clause 36. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the fabric material of the unitary body suit includes an integral collar portion defining a neck opening and extending continuously around the neck opening.

[0252] Clause 37. The article of apparel of any of clauses 1-2, in combination with one or more of a detached arm sleeve, a detached leg sleeve, or head wear each of the same or a different fabric material as the unitary body suit.

[0253] Clause 38. The article of apparel of clause 37, wherein the detached leg sleeve includes another plurality of 3D nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material of the detached leg sleeve and configured to extend in an elongated vertical pattern in an as-worn state.

[0254] Clause 39. The article of apparel of clause 37, wherein the detached arm sleeve, the detached leg sleeve, and the head wear are each of the same fabric material which is different than the fabric material of the unitary body suit.

[0255] Clause 40. The article of apparel of clause 39, wherein the fabric material of the detached arm sleeve, the detached leg sleeve, and the head wear includes yarns comprising at least one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, or elastane, and wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers.

[0256] Clause 41. An article of apparel comprising: a fabric material configured as a unitary body suit and including yarns; wherein, at at least a portion of an outer surface of the fabric material, portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface; and a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material and arranged in a pattern.

[0257] Clause 42. The article of apparel of clause 41, wherein the pattern is based on exposure of the unitary body suit to air profiles associated with an athletic activity when the article of apparel is in an as-worn state, and the 3D nodules are configured to direct air flow around a wearer during the athletic activity to reduce drag.

[0258] Clause 43. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, wherein the fabric material has at least a first zone and a second zone, the yarns extend in both of the first zone and the second zone with a seamless transition from the first zone to the second zone, and the material composition of the fabric material is the same in the first zone and the second zone; wherein the first zone is at a front chest portion of the unitary body suit, and the second zone surrounds the first zone with the nodules disposed in the second zone; and wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone.

[0259] Clause 44. The article of apparel of clause 43, wherein the fabric material is thicker in the second zone than in the first zone.

[0260] Clause 45. The article of apparel of clause 43, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone is either not heat pressed or is heat pressed to a lesser extent than the outer surface of the fabric material in the first zone.

[0261] Clause 46. The article of apparel of clause 43, wherein the plurality of nodules are secured to the outer surface of the fabric material in the second zone and the pattern is based on reducing drag of air flowing from the first zone and over the plurality of nodules.

[0262] Clause 47. The article of apparel of clause 43, wherein the fabric material of the unitary body suit has a right shoulder strap, a left shoulder strap, a front chest portion, and a back portion; wherein the right shoulder strap and the left shoulder strap extend from the front chest portion to the back portion, a top right of the unitary body suit is at the right shoulder strap and a top left of the unitary body suit is at the left shoulder strap; wherein a right upper grouping of the 3D nodules extends along the right shoulder strap from a foremost edge above the front chest portion, over the top right, to a rearmost edge at the back of the unitary body suit; and wherein a left upper grouping of the 3D nodules extends along the left shoulder strap from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping above the front chest portion, over the top left, to the rearmost edge of the left upper grouping at the back of the unitary body suit.

[0263] Clause 48. The article of apparel of clause 47, wherein the 3D nodules increase in size from the foremost edge of the right upper grouping to the top right and from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping to the top left.

[0264] Clause 49. The article of apparel of clause 48, wherein the 3D nodules decrease in size from top right to the rearmost edge of the right upper grouping and from the top left to the rearmost edge of the left upper grouping.

[0265] Clause 50. The article of apparel of clause 47, wherein the 3D nodules are hemispheres and increase in diameter and / or height from the foremost edge of the right upper grouping to the top right and from the foremost edge of the left upper grouping to the top left.

[0266] Clause 51. The article of apparel of clause 43, wherein the fabric material further includes a third zone, the yarns further extending in the third zone with a seamless transition from the first zone and / or the second zone to the third zone and the material composition of the fabric material is the same in the third zone as in the first zone and the second zone; and wherein flexibility of the fabric material is greater in the third zone than in the first zone, and is greater in the third zone than in the second zone.

[0267] Clause 52. The article of apparel of clause 51, wherein the third zone is disposed at a rear of the unitary body suit and extends across an upper back portion of the unitary body suit.

[0268] Clause 53. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, wherein the unitary body suit is sleeveless and includes integral right and left leg portions that are sized and dimensioned to terminate above a knee of a wearer in an as-worn state.

[0269] Clause 54. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, wherein edges of the fabric material of the unitary body suit at a neck opening, at arm openings, and at leg openings are raw edges.

[0270] Clause 55. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, wherein the unitary body suit is configured for donning and doffing through a neck opening, the neck opening extending further downward at a back of the unitary body suit than at a front of the unitary body suit.

[0271] Clause 56. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, wherein the unitary body suit has an absence of closure devices.

[0272] Clause 57. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, wherein the fabric material at a back of the unitary body suit has greater elasticity than the fabric material at a front of the unitary body suit.

[0273] Clause 58. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, wherein the fabric material of the unitary body suit includes an integral collar portion defining a neck opening and extending continuously around the neck opening.

[0274] Clause 59. The article of apparel of any of clauses 41-42, in combination with one or more of a detached arm sleeve, a detached leg sleeve, or head wear, each of a fabric material that is the same fabric material as the unitary body suit or is a different fabric material as the unitary body suit.

[0275] Clause 60. The article of apparel of clause 59, wherein the detached leg sleeve includes another plurality of 3D nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material of the detached leg sleeve and configured to extend in an elongated vertical pattern in an as-worn state.

[0276] Clause 61. The article of apparel of clause 59, wherein the detached arm sleeve, the detached leg sleeve, and the head wear are each of the same fabric material which is a different fabric material than the unitary body suit.

[0277] Clause 62. The article of apparel of clause 41, wherein a surface roughness of the outer surface of the fabric material is from about 0.4 to about 1.1 micrometers.

[0278] Clause 63. The article of apparel of clause 41, wherein the yarns comprise at least one of polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, recycled nylon, or elastane.

[0279] Clause 64. The article of apparel of clause 41, wherein the fabric material comprises a knit structure that is at least one of an interlock knit, a spacer knit, a double knit, a tricot warp, a weft knit, a warp knit, a jacquard knit, or a jersey knit.

[0280] Clause 65. The article of apparel of clause 41, wherein the outer surface of the fabric material is heat pressed at a sufficient temperature, at a sufficient pressure, and for a sufficient amount of time to cause the outer surface of the fabric material to molten and flatten, such as at a temperature from about 150 to 200 degrees Celsius for about 10 to 60 seconds and / or a film is applied to portions of the outer surface of the fabric material, wherein a surface roughness of an outer surface of the film is less than a surface roughness of the outer surface of the outer surface of the fabric material to which the film is applied

[0281] Clause 66. An article of apparel comprising: a fabric material comprising a first zone having a first surface roughness and a second zone having a second surface roughness, the second surface roughness greater than the first surface roughness; and a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material within the second zone; wherein the second zone is adjacent to the first zone.

[0282] Clause 67. A method of manufacturing the article of apparel of any of clauses 1-66, the method of manufacturing comprising: heat-pressing a first zone of a fabric material of the article of apparel such that the fabric material has a surface roughness in the first zone different than in a second zone; and securing a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules to an outer surface of the fabric material such that the 3D nodules are arranged in a pattern; wherein the location of the first zone and the pattern of the 3D nodules are based on exposure of the article of apparel to air profiles associated with an athletic activity when worn.

[0283] Clause 68. An article of apparel comprising: (A) a torso portion including a fabric material; (B) a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material and arranged in a pattern that includes: (i) a right upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the right upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at a front of the torso portion and a rearmost edge either at a top right of the torso portion or at a back of the torso portion with the right upper grouping extending over the top right of the torso portion to the back of the torso portion; and (ii) a left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the left upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at the front of the torso portion and a rearmost edge either at a top left of the torso portion or at the back of the torso portion with the left upper grouping extending over the top left of the torso portion to the back of the torso portion.

[0284] Clause 69. The article of apparel of clause 68, wherein the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping and the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping are spaced apart from one another, are non-abutting, and are non-overlapping.

[0285] Clause 70. The article of apparel of clause 68 or 69, wherein the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping angles outward in a direction away from a longitudinal centerline of the torso portion from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping; and / or wherein the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping angles outward in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping.

[0286] Clause 71. The article of apparel of clause 68, wherein the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules abut at a front chest area of the torso portion.

[0287] Clause 72. The article of apparel of clause 68, wherein in each of the right upper grouping and the left upper grouping, the 3D nodules increase in size from outer edges of the outer perimeters of the respective upper grouping toward inner edges of the outer perimeters of the respective upper grouping.

[0288] Clause 73. The article of apparel of clause 72, wherein in each of the right upper grouping and the left upper grouping, the 3D nodules are hemispheres and increase in diameter and / or height from the outer edge of the outer perimeter toward the inner edge of the outer perimeter of the respective upper grouping.

[0289] Clause 74. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 68 to 73, wherein the fabric material to which the 3D nodules are secured is a knit structure including yarns at the outer surface of the fabric material; and wherein portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface of the fabric material are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface of the fabric material.

[0290] Clause 75. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 68 to 74, wherein the torso portion of the article of apparel forms a body suit.

[0291] Clause 76. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 68 to 75, wherein the pattern of the 3D nodules further includes: (A) a right lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right hip area of the torso portion; and (B) a left lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left hip area of the torso portion; wherein respective outer perimeters of the right lower grouping of the 3D nodules and the left lower grouping of the 3D nodules are spaced apart from one another and from the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, and are non-abutting and non-overlapping with one another and with the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules.

[0292] Clause 77. The article of apparel of clause 76, wherein the outer perimeters of the right lower grouping and the left lower grouping extend from the front to the back of the torso portion.

[0293] Clause 78. The article of apparel of clause 77, wherein the pattern of the 3D nodules further includes: (A) a right rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right rear area of the back of the torso portion; and (B) a left rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left rear area of the back of the torso portion; wherein an outer perimeter of the right rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the right lower grouping with a right leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween; and wherein an outer perimeter of the left rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the left lower grouping with a left leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

[0294] Clause 79. The article of apparel of clause 78, wherein the outer perimeter of the right rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the left rear grouping with a rear center seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

[0295] Clause 80. An article of apparel comprising: (A) a torso portion having a front torso portion and a back torso portion; (B) a first group of 3D nodules positioned at a right upper portion of the front torso portion; and (C) a second group of 3D nodules positioned at a left upper portion of the front torso portion.

[0296] Clause 81. The article of apparel of clause 80, wherein the first group of 3D nodules extends over a right shoulder portion and / or wherein the second group of 3D nodules extends over a left shoulder portion of the torso portion.

[0297] Clause 82. The article of apparel of clause 80, wherein a third group of 3D nodules is positioned at a right upper portion of the back torso portion and / or wherein a fourth group of 3D nodules is positioned at a left upper portion of the back torso portion.

[0298] Clause 83. The article of apparel of clause 82, wherein one or more nodules of the third group of 3D nodules are hemispheres, and wherein one or more nodules of the fourth group of 3D nodules are hemispheres.

[0299] Clause 84. The article of apparel of clause 82 or 83, wherein one or more nodules of the third group of 3D nodules are aerodynamic fins, and wherein one or more nodules of the fourth group of 3D nodules are aerodynamic fins.

[0300] Clause 85. The article of apparel of clause 80, wherein the first group of 3D nodules extends continuously from the right upper portion over a right shoulder portion, and into a right upper portion of the back torso portion of the article of apparel; and / or wherein the second group of 3D nodules extends continuously from the left upper portion over a left shoulder portion, and into a left upper portion of the back torso portion of the article of apparel.

[0301] Clause 86. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 80 to 85, wherein one or more nodules of the first group of 3D nodules are hemispheres, and wherein one or more nodules of the second group of 3D nodules are hemispheres.

[0302] Clause 87. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 80 to 86, wherein one or more nodules of the first group of 3D nodules are aerodynamic fins, and wherein one or more nodules of the second group of 3D nodules are aerodynamic fins.

[0303] Clause 88. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 80 to 87, wherein the article of apparel is a body suit.

[0304] Clause 89. An article of apparel comprising: (A) a torso portion having a front torso portion and a back torso portion; and (B) a plurality of 3D nodules positioned at one or more zones where the front torso portion transitions to the back torso portion; and wherein the plurality of 3D nodules each have a dome shape; and wherein in each of the one or more zones, the plurality of 3D nodules are spaced apart from each other; and wherein a height of one or more edge 3D nodules at or near a perimeter of each zone is different from a height of one or more interior 3D nodules within the respective zone.

[0305] Clause 90. The article of apparel of clause 89, wherein a first zone of the one or more zones includes a first group of 3D nodules positioned at a right upper portion of the front torso portion; and wherein a second zone of the one or more zones includes a second group of 3D nodules positioned at a left upper portion of the front torso portion.

[0306] Clause 91. An article of apparel, comprising: (A) a front portion and a back portion; (B) a plurality of 3D nodules positioned at or near one or more zones where the front portion transitions to the back portion; and wherein the plurality of 3D nodules each have a dome shape; and wherein in each of the one or more zones, the plurality of 3D nodules are spaced apart from each other; and wherein a height of one or more edge 3D nodules at or near a perimeter of each zone is different from a height of one or more interior 3D nodules within the respective zone.

[0307] Clause 92. The article of apparel of clause 91, wherein a first zone of the one or more zones includes a first group of 3D nodules positioned at a right limb portion of the front portion; and wherein a second zone of the one or more zones includes a second group of 3D nodules positioned at a left limb portion of the front portion.

[0308] Clause 93. The article of apparel of clause 92, wherein the first group of 3D nodules extends from the right limb portion of the front portion to a right limb portion of the back portion; and / or wherein the second group of 3D nodules extends from the left limb portion of the front portion to a left limb portion of the back portion.

[0309] Clause 94. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 91 to 93, wherein the front portion and the back portion are coupled via one or more seams.

[0310] Clause 95. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 91 to 94, wherein the article of apparel is an upper body garment.

[0311] Clause 96. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 91 to 94, wherein the article of apparel is a lower body garment.

[0312] 97. The article of apparel of any one of clauses 91 to 94, wherein the article of apparel is a body suit.

[0313] To assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims). Additionally, all references referred to are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0314] “A”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. Unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, “about” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range.

[0315] The terms "comprising", “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims.

[0316] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., may be used descriptively relative to the figures, without representing limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0317] The term “longitudinal” particularly refers to a direction extending a length of a component. For example, a longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between a forefoot region and a heel region of the shoe. The term “forward” or “anterior” is used to particularly refer to the general direction from a heel region toward a forefoot region, and the term “rearward” or “posterior” is used to particularly refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified with a longitudinal axis as well as a forward and rearward longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as an anterior-posterior direction or axis.

[0318] The term “transverse” particularly refers to a direction extending a width of a component. For example, a transverse direction of a shoe extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the shoe. The transverse direction or axis may also be referred to as a lateral direction or axis or a mediolateral direction or axis.

[0319] The term “vertical” particularly refers to a direction generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in cases where a sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of a sole. The term “upward” or “upwards” particularly refers to the vertical direction pointing towards a top of the component, which may include an instep, a fastening region and / or a throat of an upper. The term “downward” or “downwards” particularly refers to the vertical direction pointing opposite the upwards direction, toward the bottom of a component and may generally point towards the bottom of a sole structure of an article of footwear.

[0320] The “interior” of an article, such as an article of apparel, particularly refers to portions at the space that is occupied by a wearer when the article is worn. The “inner side” of an article particularly refers to the side or surface of the article that is (or will be) oriented toward the interior of the article in an assembled article. The “outer side” or “exterior” of an article particularly refers to the side or surface of the article that is (or will be) oriented away from the interior of the article in an assembled article. In some cases, other components may be between the inner side of an article and a wearer. Similarly, other components may be between an outer side of an article and the space external to the article. Further, the terms “inward” and “inwardly” particularly refer to the direction toward the interior of the article of footwear, and the terms “outward” and “outwardly” particularly refer to the direction toward the exterior of the article. In addition, the term “proximal” particularly refers to a direction that is nearer a center of an article as it is worn by a user. Likewise, the term “distal” particularly refers to a relative position that is further away from a center of the article when the article is worn by a user. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood to provide generally opposing terms to describe relative spatial positions. With respect to an article worn on an appendage, such as an arm or a leg, a proximal end of the article is on a part of the appendage closer to the trunk of the wearer than a distal end of the article, and a distal end of the article is on a part of the appendage further from the trunk than the proximal end of the article, such as closer to a hand when worn on an arm, or closer to a foot when worn on a leg.

[0321] While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

[0322] While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize as implied by, structurally and / or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise rendered obvious based upon the included content, and not as limited solely to those explicitly depicted and / or described embodiments.

Claims

1. An article of apparel comprising:a torso portion including a fabric material;a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material and arranged in a pattern that includes: a right upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the right upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at a front of the torso portion and a rearmost edge either at a top right of the torso portion or at a back of the torso portion with the right upper grouping extending over the top right of the torso portion to the back of the torso portion; anda left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the left upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at the front of the torso portion and a rearmost edge either at a top left of the torso portion or at the back of the torso portion with the left upper grouping extending over the top left of the torso portion to the back of the torso portion.

2. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping and the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping are spaced apart from one another, are non-abutting, and are non-overlapping.

3. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping angles outward in a direction away from a longitudinal centerline of the torso portion from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping; andwherein the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping angles outward in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline from the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping toward the rearmost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping.

4. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the foremost edge of the outer perimeter of the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules abut at a front chest area of the torso portion.

5. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein in each of the right upper grouping and the left upper grouping, the 3D nodules increase in size from outer edges of the outer perimeters of the respective upper grouping toward inner edges of the outer perimeters of the respective upper grouping.

6. The article of apparel of claim 5, wherein in each of the right upper grouping and the left upper grouping, the 3D nodules are hemispheres and increase in diameter and / or height from the outer edge of the outer perimeter toward the inner edge of the outer perimeter of the respective upper grouping.

7. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the fabric material to which the 3D nodules are secured is a knit structure including yarns at the outer surface of the fabric material; andwherein portions of the yarns exposed at the outer surface of the fabric material are flatter than portions of the yarns disposed away from the outer surface of the fabric material.

8. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the torso portion of the article of apparel forms a body suit.

9. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the pattern of the 3D nodules further includes:a right lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right hip area of the torso portion; anda left lower grouping of the 3D nodules secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left hip area of the torso portion;wherein respective outer perimeters of the right lower grouping of the 3D nodules and the left lower grouping of the 3D nodules are spaced apart from one another and from the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, and are non-abutting and non-overlapping with one another and with the outer perimeters of the right upper grouping of the 3D nodules and the left upper grouping of the 3D nodules.

10. The article of apparel ofclaim 9, wherein the outer perimeters of the right lower grouping and the left lower grouping extend from the front to the back of the torso portion.

11. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the pattern of the 3D nodules further includes:a right rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a right rear area of the back of the torso portion; anda left rear grouping secured to the outer surface of the fabric material at a left rear area of the back of the torso portion;wherein an outer perimeter of the right rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the right lower grouping with a right leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween; andwherein an outer perimeter of the left rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the left lower grouping with a left leg seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

12. The article of apparel of claim 11, wherein the outer perimeter of the right rear grouping is spaced apart from and is non-abutting and non-overlapping with the outer perimeter of the left rear grouping with a rear center seam of the fabric material extending therebetween.

13. An article of apparel comprising:a torso portion having a front torso portion and a back torso portion;a first group of 3D nodules positioned at a right upper portion of the front torso portion; anda second group of 3D nodules positioned at a left upper portion of the front torso portion.

14. The article of apparel of claim 13, wherein the first group of 3D nodules extends over a right shoulder portion and / or wherein the second group of 3D nodules extends over a left shoulder portion of the torso portion.

15. The article of apparel of claim 13, wherein a third group of 3D nodules is positioned at a right upper portion of the back torso portion and / or wherein a fourth group of 3D nodules is positioned at a left upper portion of the back torso portion.

16. The article of apparel of claim 15, wherein one or more nodules of the third group of 3D nodules are hemispheres, and wherein one or more nodules of the fourth group of 3D nodules are hemispheres.

17. The article of apparel of claim 15, wherein one or more nodules of the third group of 3D nodules are aerodynamic fins, and wherein one or more nodules of the fourth group of 3D nodules are aerodynamic fins.

18. The article of apparel of claim 13, wherein the first group of 3D nodules extends continuously from the right upper portion over a right shoulder portion, and into a right upper portion of the back torso portion of the article of apparel; and / or wherein the second group of 3D nodules extends continuously from the left upper portion over a left shoulder portion, and into a left upper portion of the back torso portion of the article of apparel.

19. The article of apparel of claim 13, wherein the article of apparel is a body suit.

20. An article of apparel, comprising:a front portion and a back portion;a plurality of 3D nodules positioned at or near one or more zones where the front portion transitions to the back portion; andwherein the plurality of 3D nodules each have a dome shape; andwherein in each of the one or more zones, the plurality of 3D nodules are spaced apart from each other; andwherein a height of one or more edge 3D nodules at or near a perimeter of each zone is different from a height of one or more interior 3D nodules within the respective zone.

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