Moisture Management Upper Torso Garments

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/635,823, filed Apr. 18, 2024, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to a garment and, more particularly, to an upper torso garment providing moisture management to a wearer.

Perspiration is a natural physiological occurrence that is intended to thermoregulate and cool one's body. In addition, perspiration may be a hormonal response, a result of prolonged physical activity, a response to heat exposure, and/or an emotional response. For some people, undesired or excessive perspiration may be a daily issue. Specifically, the moisture may accumulate and become visibly evident on one's garment, leading to adverse feelings such as embarrassment, discomfort, and insecurity. Moreover, ineffective management of moisture and perspiration may lead to garment stains and perceptible odors, which may further increase one's discomfort.

When purchasing garments, a consumer may consider many criteria (e.g., fit, appearance, price, and performance). For example, a consumer may consider a garment's ability to manage moisture. To achieve moisture management, manufacturers may utilize fabrics, materials, and chemical treatments or finishes. However, to date, it has been difficult for manufacturers to provide a garment that provides effective moisture management and/or moisture transport, while also providing a good fit and in-wear comfort. More specifically, current garment solutions often suffer from excessive thickness and bulk (e.g., from utilizing five or more layers of fabric to absorb moisture), which may contribute to in-wear discomfort and, in some instances, trap moisture and leave a wearer feeling damp in certain areas (e.g., in the underarm area). Regardless of the reason why one may experience perspiration, there is a long-felt need for a garment that provides moisture management to a wearer without sacrificing comfort or adding bulk to the garment.

The present systems and methods disclosed herein overcome many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art devices discussed above. For example, the garments of the present disclosure are designed to provide improved moisture management and overcome many of the shortcomings and limitations of existing products. The garments of the present disclosure provide improved moisture management by incorporating moisture-absorbent or moisture-adsorbent zones that contact areas of the body that generate greater amounts of perspiration (e.g., areas that have higher sweat gland densities).

In one aspect, a garment is disclosed. The garment includes a body having a first opening positioned opposite a second opening, a first sleeve and a second sleeve coupled to the body proximate to the second opening, and a first gusset disposed at least in part in a first underarm region and coupled to the first sleeve and the body. The first gusset includes at least two fabric layers. A first fabric layer of the at least two fabric layers is designed to transport moisture, and a second fabric layer of the at least two fabric layers is imparted with moisture-resistant properties.

In some instances, the first gusset is substantially symmetrical with respect to a coronal axis of the garment.

In certain instances, the first gusset is asymmetrical with respect to a coronal axis of the garment.

In some instances, the body further includes a front torso portion coupled to a rear torso portion, the first gusset is coupled to at least one of the first sleeve, the front torso portion, and the rear torso portion via a first gusset seam, and a second gusset is coupled to at least one of the second sleeve, the front torso portion, and the rear torso portion via a second gusset seam.

In certain instances, the body further includes a front torso portion integrally formed with a rear torso portion, the first gusset is coupled to at least one of the first sleeve, the front torso portion, and the rear torso portion via a first gusset seam, and a second gusset is coupled to at least one of the second sleeve, the front torso portion, and the rear torso portion via a second gusset seam. In some such instances, the front torso portion and the rear torso portion may be formed from a tubular construction.

In some instances, the at least two fabric layers of the first gusset includes a third fabric layer disposed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, and the third fabric layer is designed to transport moisture.

In certain instances, a hydrophobic film is coupled to the second fabric layer and imparts the second fabric layer with moisture-resistant properties.

In some instances, the first gusset consists of the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

In certain instances, the first fabric layer includes a first wearer-facing sublayer and a first outward-facing sublayer, and the second fabric layer includes a second wearer-facing sublayer and a second outward-facing sublayer. The first outward-facing sublayer is laminated with a hydrophobic film comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane.

In some instances, the first fabric layer includes a technical face having a plurality of pores designed to transport moisture.

In certain instances, the body includes a first fabric, the second fabric layer includes a second fabric, and the first fabric and the second fabric are each composed of hydrophilic fibers or threads. In addition, a moisture-repellent finish is applied to the second fabric.

In some instances, the first fabric layer is substantially hydrophobic. In some such instances, the first fabric layer comprises polyester. In some such instances, the first fabric layer comprises polyester and either an elastic yarn or an elastic fiber. In some such instances, the first fabric layer comprises a hydrophobic fiber. In some such instances, the first fabric layer comprises a hydrophobic yarn.

In another aspect, a garment is disclosed. The garment includes a body provided in the form of front and rear torso portions, a neck opening disposed opposite a waist opening, left and right sleeves coupled to the front and rear torso portions, a left gusset disposed at least partially within a left underarm region and coupled to the left sleeve and to the front and rear torso portions, and a right gusset disposed at least partially within a right underarm region and coupled to the right sleeve and to the front and rear torso portions. The left gusset and the right gusset are designed to impart moisture management properties to the garment. The left gusset and the right gusset each include a first gusset layer having a first perimeter edge and a second gusset layer having a second perimeter edge. The first perimeter edge is coupled to the second perimeter edge.

In some instances, the first gusset layer and the second gusset layer are coextensive.

In certain instances, each of the left and right gussets includes a third gusset layer, and the first gusset layer, the second gusset layer, and the third gusset layer are substantially coextensive. In other instances, each of the left and right gussets includes a third gusset layer, and at least one of the first gusset layer, the second gusset layer, and the third gusset layer are not coextensive with one or more of the first gusset layer, the second gusset layer, and the third gusset layer. In such instances, a length of the first gusset layer and/or the second gusset layer may be less than a length of the third gusset layer.

In some instances, the first gusset layer and the second gusset layer of each of the left and right gussets are coupled to one another via bonding. In addition, the left gusset is coupled to the front torso portion, the rear torso portion, and the left sleeve via one or more seams, while the right gusset is coupled to the front torso portion, the rear torso portion, and the right sleeve via one or more seams.

In certain instances, neither the left gusset nor the right gusset includes a laminated film.

In some instances, at least one of the first gusset layer and the second gusset layer is treated with one or more agents selected from a group consisting of a wicking agent, a soil release agent, an odor control agent, a water-repelling agent, a water-resistant agent, an antibacterial agent, an antimicrobial agent, a hygiene agent, and combinations thereof.

In some instances, each of the left and right gussets includes a first gusset layer having a technical face and a technical back. The technical face of the first gusset layer is imparted with a first texture to facilitate moisture adsorbance, and the technical back of the first gusset layer is imparted with a second texture. In some such instances, the second texture is substantially flat and untextured.

In certain instances, each of the left and right gussets includes a first gusset layer having a technical face and a technical back. The technical face of the first gusset layer is imparted with a first texture to facilitate moisture absorbance, and the technical back of the first gusset layer is imparted with a second texture. In some such instances, the second texture is substantially flat and untextured.

In some instances, the left gusset and the right gusset each further includes a third gusset layer positioned between the first and second gusset layers. The third gusset layer is substantially similar to the first gusset layer.

In certain instances, each of the left and right gussets includes a first gusset layer having a first wearer-facing sublayer and a first outward-facing sublayer as well as a second gusset layer having a second wearer-facing sublayer and a second outward-facing sublayer. The first wearer-facing sublayer and the first outward-facing sublayer of the first gusset layer are provided in substantially the same form, and the second wearer-facing sublayer and the second outward-facing sublayer of the second gusset layer are provided in substantially the same form.

In some instances, each of the left and right gussets includes a first gusset layer having a first wearer-facing sublayer and a first outward-facing sublayer as well as a second gusset layer having a second wearer-facing sublayer and a second outward-facing sublayer. The first wearer-facing sublayer and the first outward-facing sublayer are provided in different forms, and the second wearer-facing sublayer and the second outward-facing sublayer are provided in different forms.

In a further aspect, an upper torso garment is disclosed. The garment includes a body provided in the form of front and rear torso portions, a neck opening disposed opposite a waist opening, left and right sleeves coupled to the front and rear torso portions, and a gusset disposed at least partially within a right underarm region and extending to the front and rear torso portions. The gusset is coupled to the right sleeve and to the front and rear torso portions, and the gusset is configured to provide moisture management properties. The gusset is defined by a first gusset end, a second gusset end positioned opposite the first gusset end, and a length extending linearly between the first and second gusset ends. The gusset is further defined by a first width at the gusset second end, a second width positioned between the first width and the first gusset end, a third width positioned between the second width and the first gusset end, and a fourth width positioned between the third width and the first gusset end. The second width is greater than the first width, the third width is less than each of the first and second widths, and the fourth width is less than each of the first, second, and third widths.

In an additional aspect, a garment is provided. The garment includes front and rear torso portions, neck and waist openings, left and right sleeves coupled to the front and rear torso portions, a left gusset disposed at least in part in a left underarm region and coupled to the left sleeve and to the front and rear torso portions, and a right gusset disposed at least in part in a right underarm region and coupled to the right sleeve and to the front and rear torso portions. Each of the left and right gussets comprises two or more fabric layers including a first fabric layer that absorbs or adsorbs moisture and a second fabric layer that is resistant to moisture.

In some instances, the left and right gussets are each substantially symmetrical with respect to a coronal axis of the garment.

In certain instances, the left and right gussets are each asymmetrical with respect to a coronal axis of the garment.

In some instances, the left gusset is coupled to at least one of the left sleeve, the front torso portion, and the rear torso portion via a first gusset seam, and the right gusset is coupled to at least one of the right sleeve, the front torso portion, and the rear torso portion via a second gusset seam.

In certain instances, at least a portion of each of the left and right gussets is seamless.

In some instances, the left and right gussets each include a hydrophobic film.

In certain instances, each of the left and right gussets consists of the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

In some instances, the first fabric layer includes a first wearer-facing surface and a first outward-facing surface, and the second fabric layer includes a second wearer-facing surface and a second outward-facing surface.

In certain instances, the first outward-facing surface is laminated with a hydrophobic film provided in the form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

In another aspect, a garment is provided. The garment includes a body provided in the form of front and rear torso portions, a neck opening disposed opposite a waist opening, left and right sleeves coupled to the front and rear torso portions, a left gusset disposed at least partially in the left underarm region and coupled to the left sleeve and to the front and rear torso portions, and a right gusset disposed at least partially in the right underarm region and coupled to the right sleeve and to the front and rear torso portions. Each of the left and right gussets includes a first, wearer-facing fabric layer having a first wearer-facing surface, a first outward-facing surface, and a first perimeter edge. Each of the left and right gussets further includes a second fabric layer disposed beneath the first, wearer-facing fabric layer and having a second wearer-facing surface, a second outward-facing surface, and a second perimeter edge. The first perimeter edge is coupled to the second perimeter edge.

In some instances, the first, wearer-facing fabric layer and the second fabric layer are coextensive.

In certain instances, the first, wearer-facing fabric layer and the second fabric layer are coupled to one another via bonding, and the left gusset and the right gusset are coupled to the front torso portion, the rear torso portion, and the left sleeve and the right sleeve, respectively, via seams.

In some instances, the first outward-facing surface is laminated with a hydrophobic film including thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

In certain instances, the first, wearer-facing fabric layer and/or the second fabric layer is treated with one or more agents selected from a list comprising: wicking agents, soil release agents, odor control agents, water repelling or water-resistant agents, antibacterial agents, antimicrobial agents, and hygiene agents.

In some instances, the first wearer-facing surface is imparted with a texture to facilitate moisture absorbance, and the first outward-facing surface is substantially flat and untextured.

In certain instances, the left gusset and the right gusset each further includes a third fabric layer positioned between the first, wearer-facing fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

In some instances, the third fabric layer includes a third wearer-facing surface and a third outward-facing surface, and the third fabric layer is provided in substantially the same form as the first, wearer-facing fabric layer.

In a further aspect, a method of manufacturing an upper torso moisture management garment is provided. The method comprises the step of providing a torso portion, a pair of sleeves, and a pair of gussets. Each of the gussets includes a first, wearer-facing fabric layer and a coextensive second fabric layer disposed beneath the first, wearer-facing fabric layer. The first wearer-facing fabric layer adsorbs moisture, and the second fabric layer repels moisture. The method further comprises the step of coupling the first, wearer-facing fabric layer, the coextensive second fabric layer, the torso portion, and the pair of sleeves along perimeter edges of the first, wearer-facing fabric layer and the coextensive second fabric layer.

In some instances, coupling the first, wearer-facing fabric layer, the coextensive second fabric layer, the torso portion, and the pair of sleeves along perimeter edges of the first, wearer-facing fabric layer and the coextensive second fabric layer further includes the steps of coupling the first, wearer-facing fabric layer of each of the pair of gussets to the associated coextensive second fabric layer via bonding, and coupling the pair of gussets to the torso portion and the pair of sleeves via seams extending at least partially along the perimeter edges.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific instance thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular instance disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.