A method for creating textiles with an enhanced camouflage pattern

Abstract

The invention is a method that facilitates the making of camouflage articles that take advantage of negative space by applying patterns to textiles that blend in with negative spaces. The patterns are created by selecting the target terrain, selecting the season, acquiring a plurality of high-resolution images of the terrain elements, digitally flattening said high-resolution images, layering said high-resolution images, creating the negative space image by removing the straight lines from the layered images; applying the negative space image to a textile; and converting the textile into an article.

Description

A Method for Creating Textiles with an Enhanced Camouflage PatternCross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Application, Serial No. 63 / 559,372, filed on February 29, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.Background

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a method for creating enhanced camouflage patterns to be printed on textiles; the method and concept are described herein.

[0003] Current camouflage patterns employ various straight or "hard lines" and / or images of prominent vegetation. The pattern is inferior to the invention because the human eye is drawn to straight lines and primary terrain elements (i.e., trees, medium bushes, large rocks, stumps, etc.) Improved concealment is achieved by blending into the "negative space" where the eye does not naturally observe. The invention is a method that facilitates concealment in negative space by applying the required image(s) on a textile.

[0004] Negative space can be described as the space around and between an image's subject(s). Non-limiting examples of negative natural space include grasses, leaves, and twigs. The invention aims to provide a pattern that blends with unobtrusive terrain within the negative space, providing a truly Multi-Environment Ready Concealment (M.E.R.C.). The enhanced camouflage pattern works almost like a chameleon, morphing and adapting to the negative space within a given environment by assimilating seamlessly into surrounding colors. For example, when placed in a tan environment, the human eye is drawn to the tan coloration within the pattern. Similarly, the green coloration becomes more prominent when placed in a green environment.

[0005] To use the negative space camouflage pattern, the pattern is printed on a textile that is then converted into a wearable article such as a uniform or a ghillie suit. Proper concealment is necessary for sportsmen and nature enthusiasts who wish to blend into the environment. Additionally, military and police forces must blend into the environment toaccomplish their missions and provide safety. Thus, there exists a need for improved camouflage patterns.Summary of the Invention

[0006] The negative space camouflage pattern is created by printing layers on a textile. As many layers as needed may be used, but at this time, twelve layers are used due to the physical limitations of current textile screen roller processes. The layers provide depth and allow the pattern to blend within various terrain spaces. The negative space pattern is layered using high-resolution images of terrain elements coupled with rough outlines. Physical spray paint may be used to roughen the outlines. The elements are layered and digitally refined to create the negative space pattern.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Fig. 1 is an example of a brown / green or woodland pattern.

[0008] Fig. 2 is an example of a white or winter pattern.Detailed Description

[0009] The disclosed invention will become better understood by reviewing the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

[0010] Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of examples are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, using related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given examplewill be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.Definitions

[0011] The following definitions apply herein unless otherwise indicated.

[0012] "Comprising," "including," and "having" (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.

[0013] "High Resolution" means images with at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) or greater.

[0014] "Substantially" means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a "substantially cylindrical" object means that the object resembles a cylinder but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

[0015] Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group or the like and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.A Method for Creating Textiles with an Enhanced Camouflage Pattern

[0016] With reference to the figures, A METHOD FOR CREATING TEXTILES WITH AN ENHANCED CAMOUFLAGE PATTERN will now be described. The negative space camouflage pattern is created by printing a series of layers on a textile. The layers provide depth and allow the pattern to blend within various terrain spaces.

[0017] Any method or device for acquiring or taking high-resolution images in current use or hereinafter devised can be used. A non-limiting example of a method is taking multiple photos of different objects and stitching the images together. Non-limiting examples of image-capturing devices include cameras, either a stand-alone camera or part of other devices such as phones,tablets, or computers. Further image-capturing devices include photocopiers and scanners. The medium that records the images can be digital or film, such as 35mm or 120 mm film.

[0018] The images are manipulated using current digital image processing techniques now known or hereinafter devised, with non-limiting examples such as Adobe Photoshop, DxO Photolab, and Corel Printshop. Film images can be manipulated using any darkroom process now known or later devised.

[0019] The layered image is applied to a textile using any current application method now known or hereinafter devised, with non-limiting examples including screen, digital, 3-D, flexography, offset lithography, gravure, letterpress, or spray painting. The textile may be any textile used to create articles that are now known or later devised. Non-limiting examples include textiles made from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, or silk and synthetic fibers such as nylon, rayon, or polyester, including blends of the latter.

[0020] The images collected are of terrain elements. Non-limiting examples of terrain elements include grass, leaves, twigs, bark, flowers, rocks, stones, gravel, sand, earth, dirt, mud, snow, or ice. Tarrian elements also include elements found in urban and rural environments. Nonlimiting examples include glass, automobiles, automobile parts, tires, roads, concrete, asphalt, discarded household goods, refuse, litter, trash, residential and non-residential structures, and crops. Images acquired come from virtual images of terrain elements or images of the actual terrain element.

[0021] The images are layered to create the pattern, starting with high-resolution digital images. In one embodiment, up to 50 high-resolution pattern images were layered. The images were then digitally flattened, and the pattern was adjusted to conform with the industrial 12-layer limitation. The negative space pattern is layered using high-resolution images of terrain elements and modified to have rough outlines.

[0022] One method for producing an enhanced camouflage adapted to concealment in negative space comprises: (1) selecting the target terrain, such as woodland, grassland, desert,or rocky; (2) selecting the season, such as spring, summer, fall, or winter; (3) taking a plurality of high-resolution images of the terrain elements; (4) creating a plurality of layers using said images; (5) creating the final pattern by removing the straight lines in the images by roughing the images straightedges; (6) printing the final pattern on a textile; and (7) converting the textile into an article.

[0023] A second and preferred method for producing an enhanced camouflage adapted to concealment in negative space comprises: (1) selecting physical samples terrain features; (2) spray painting using multiple passes over the physical samples; (3) capturing high-resolution images after each pass; (4) digitally refining images to create the final pattern; (5) printing the final pattern on a textile; and (6) converting the textile into an article.

[0024] A third method for producing an enhanced camouflage adapted to concealment in negative space comprises: (1) collecting a plurality of physical samples of terrain elements (2) arranging the terrain element in a physical space forming pattern; (3) taking a high-resolution image of the pattern; (4) tracing each element to create a multi-layer modifiable digital working image; (5) printing the final image on a textile; and (6) converting the textile into an article.

[0025] Non-limiting examples of articles include clothing such as shirts, pants, jackets, hats, coats, overalls, boots, shoes, gloves, scarves, or other ordinary clothing. Other non-limiting clothing examples include ghillie suits, fatigues, and battle dress uniforms. Lastly, the articles include items with non-limiting examples like tents, sleeping bags, and ground cloths.

[0026] The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non- obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite "a" element, "a first" element, or any suchequivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

[0027] Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements, and / or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Claims

Claims1. A method for creating textiles with an enhanced camouflage pattern comprising:(a) selecting the target terrain;(b) selecting the season;(c) acquiring a plurality of high-resolution images of the terrain elements;(d) digitally flattening said high-resolution images;(e) layering said high-resolution images;(f) creating the negative space image by removing the straight lines from the layered images;(g) applying the negative space image to a textile; and(h) converting the textile into an article.

2. The method of claim 1 , where the image's resolution is at least 300 DPI.

3. The method of claim 1 , where the number of image layers is at least one.

4. The method of claim 1 , where the negative space image is applied to the textile by using at least one of the following printing methods: screen, digital, 3-D printing, flexography, offset lithography, gravure, or letterpress.

5. The method of claim 1 , where the negative space image is applied to the textile by spray painting.

6. A method for creating textiles with an enhanced camouflage pattern comprising:(a) selecting physical negative space terrain elements;(b) passing multiple layers of spray paint onto the physical terrain elements;(c) capturing high-resolution images after each pass;(d) digitally refining images to create the final pattern;(e) printing the final pattern on a textile; and(f) converting the textile into an article.

7. The method of claim 6, where the image's resolution is at least 300 DPI.

8. The method of claim 6, where digitally refining the images, includes layering them and removing the straight lines from them.

9. The method of claim 8, where the number of layers is at least one.

10. The method of claim 6, where the final pattern is applied to the textile by using at least one of the following printing methods: screen, digital, 3-D printing, flexography, offset lithography, gravure, or letterpress.

11. The method of claim 6, where the final pattern is applied to the textile by spray painting.

12. A method for creating textiles with an enhanced camouflage pattern comprising:(a) collecting a plurality of physical samples of terrain elements;(b) arranging the terrain elements in a physical space to form a pattern;(c) taking a high-resolution image of the pattern;(d) tracing each element to create a digital image;(e) digitally modifying the image to create the final image;(f) printing the final image on a textile; and(g) converting the textile into an article.

13. The method of claim 10, where the image's resolution is at least 300 DPI.

14. The method of claim 10, where digitally modifying includes at least one of the following: adding color, blending colors, shading, removing straight lines, layering multiple images, or increasing or decreasing resolution.

15. The method of claim 12 the final image is applied to the textile by using at least one of the following printing methods: screen, digital, 3-D printing, flexography, offset lithography, gravure, or letterpress.

16. The method of claim 1 , where the final image is applied to the textile by spray painting.

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