IP Library › Granted Patent US 12686194
Granted Patent B2
US 12686194 · App. 18/559,002 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Composite material with elongate openings

Inventors: Bonny Violet Allison (Wilmington, DE); Cory Michael Olson (Wilmington, DE); Jeffrey Allen Dorton (Wilmington, DE)
Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.
B32B3/266B32B5/02B32B7/14B32B27/12B32B2250/03B32B2250/40B32B2307/724B32B2307/7265B32B2437/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12686194
App. No.
18/559,002
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A composite material comprises a first textile layer and a slit layer coupled to the first textile layer. The slit layer comprises a plurality of elongate slits configured to transition from a first state to a second state when actuated. The first state provides a first air permeability of less than about 10 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and the second state provides a second air permeability of greater than about 10 CFM.

Claims (30)

1 . A composite material comprising:

a first textile layer;

a second textile layer; and

a slit layer coupled to the first textile layer and the second textile layer, wherein the slit layer comprises a main body having a plurality of elongate slits formed therein, the plurality of elongate slits being arranged such that, when the composite material is stretched in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the plurality of elongate slits, the plurality of elongate slits open, thereby transitioning the composite material from a first state to a second state;

wherein in the first state, the composite material is in a relaxed condition in which the plurality of elongate slits are closed, and the composite material has a first air permeability of less than about 10 cubic feet per minute (CFM);

wherein in the second state, the composite material is in a stretched condition in which the plurality of elongate slits are at least partially open, and the composite material has a second air permeability of greater than about 10 CFM;

wherein the main body comprises a first plurality of dots of adhesive arranged in a first line;

wherein the main body comprises a second plurality of dots of adhesive arranged in a second line;

wherein the first line is parallel to the second line; and

wherein at least a subset of the elongate slits are disposed between the first line and the second line on the main body.

2 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the second state provides a second air permeability of greater than about 20 CFM.

3 . The composite material of claim 1 wherein the second state provides a second air permeability of greater than about 30 CFM.

4 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the elongate slits are arranged in a longitudinal direction.

5 . The composite material of claim 4 , wherein each of the elongate slits is configured to open in the longitudinal direction due to a stretching force received by the composite material in a transverse direction.

6 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the elongate slits are arranged in a transverse direction.

7 . The composite material of claim 6 , wherein the elongate slits are configured to open in the transverse direction due to a stretching force received by the composite material in a longitudinal direction.

8 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the elongate slits are arranged in a first diagonal direction.

9 . The composite material of claim 8 , wherein the elongate slits are configured to open in a second diagonal direction perpendicular to the first diagonal direction due to a stretching force received by the composite material in the second diagonal direction.

10 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the elongate slits are arranged in two or more of a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction or a diagonal direction and are configured to open in an opposite direction to each direction in which the plurality of elongate slits are arranged in response to a stretch force applied in the opposite direction.

11 . The composite material of claim 10 , wherein the first material and the second material have a different at least one of water resistance, wind resistance, or air permeability.

12 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the first textile layer comprises a first material and the second textile layer comprises a second material different than the first material.

13 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first textile layer or the second textile layer is configured to increase the expansion of the plurality of elongate slits in response to the stretch force.

14 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first textile layer or the second textile layer is configured to restrict the expansion of the plurality of elongate slits in response to the stretch force.

15 . The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the slit layer is a waterproof breathable laminate or membrane.

16 . A composite material comprising:

a first textile layer;

a second textile layer; and

a slit layer coupled to the first textile layer and the second textile layer, wherein the slit layer comprises material having a plurality of elongate slits formed therein, and the plurality of elongate slits being arranged such that, when the material is stretched in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the plurality of elongate slits, the plurality of elongate slits open, thereby transitioning the material from a first state to a second state;

wherein in the first state, the material is in a relaxed condition in which the plurality of elongate slits are closed, and the material has a first air permeability of less than about 10 cubic feet per minute (CFM); and

wherein in the second state, the material is in a stretched condition in which the plurality of elongate slits are at least partially open, and the material has a second air permeability of greater than about 10 CFM.