Apparel with dynamic vent structure
Aspects herein are directed to an article of apparel having a vent opening formed by overlapping the edges of a first panel and a second panel. A plurality of discrete overlay film structures are applied to the second panel adjacent to the vent opening. When the article of apparel is exposed to an external stimulus, the film structures undergo a reversible increase in dimension in at least the z-direction which cause the second panel of material to undergo a reversible decrease in dimension in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the vent opening thereby causing the vent opening to dynamically transition from a closed state to an open state.
1 . An article of apparel comprising:
a panel comprising a first surface and an opposite second surface;
a slit extending through the panel from the first surface to the second surface, the slit comprising a first edge, an opposing second edge, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end;
a plurality of discrete overlay film structures affixed to the panel, the plurality of discrete overlay film structures comprising a first discrete overlay film structure and a second discrete overlay film structure positioned adjacent to the first edge of the slit, and;
two spaced-apart stiffening panels affixed to the first surface between the first discrete overlay film structure and the second discrete overlay film structure, the two spaced-apart stiffening panels comprising a different material than the plurality of discrete overlay film structures.
2 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein when the panel is exposed to an external stimulus, the plurality of discrete overlay film structures undergo an increase in dimension in a z-direction to cause the slit to transition from a closed state to an open state.
3 . The article of apparel of claim 2 , wherein when the first plurality of discrete overlay film structures and the second plurality of discrete overlay film structures are exposed to the external stimulus, the first edge and the second edge of the slit undergo a decrease in dimension in a first direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
4 . The article of apparel of claim 2 , comprising a gap between a first stiffening panel and a second stiffening panel of the two spaced-apart stiffening panels, and wherein an apex of a slit opening that is formed when the slit is in the open state is aligned with the gap.
5 . The article of apparel of claim 4 , wherein the gap is generally positioned at a midpoint of the slit between the first end and the second end.
6 . The article of apparel of claim 4 , wherein the gap is between a first edge of the first stiffening panel and a second edge of the second stiffening panel, with the first edge of the first stiffening panel and the second edge of the second stiffening panel being parallel to each other.
7 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein the two spaced-apart stiffening panels are triangular in shape.
8 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein a first edge of each of the two spaced-apart stiffening panels adjacent to the slit is parallel to the slit.
9 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein the first discrete overlay film structure and the second discrete overlay film structure are affixed to the second surface.
10 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discrete overlay film structures further comprises a third discrete overlay film structure adjacent to the second edge of the slit.
11 . The article of apparel of claim 10 , wherein the first discrete overlay film structure and the second discrete overlay film structure are affixed to the second surface.
12 . The article of apparel of claim 10 , wherein the third discrete overlay film structure is affixed to the second surface.
13 . The article of apparel of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of discrete overlay film structures includes a long axis and a short axis, and wherein the long axis of the each of the discrete overlay film structures are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the slit.
14 . The article of apparel of claim 10 , wherein the third discrete overlay film structure is positioned between the first end and the second end of the slit.
15 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discrete overlay film structures comprise a thermoplastic polyester elastomer.
16 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises a first material having a first degree of stiffness, and wherein the two spaced-apart stiffening panels comprise a second material having a second degree of stiffness greater than the first degree of stiffness.
17 . The article of apparel of claim 16 , wherein the first material is a knit textile.
18 . The article of apparel of claim 1 , wherein the slit is linear.
19 . An article of apparel comprising:
a panel comprising a textile material with a first surface and an opposite second surface;
a slit extending through the panel from the first surface to the second surface, the slit comprising a first edge, an opposing second edge, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end;
a plurality of discrete overlay film structures affixed to the textile material, the plurality of discrete overlay film structures comprising:
a first discrete overlay film structure and a second discrete overlay film structure positioned adjacent to the first edge of the slit, and;
at least one additional discrete overlay film structure adjacent to the second edge of the slit, and
two spaced-apart stiffening panels affixed to the first surface between the first discrete overlay film structure and the second discrete overlay film structure, the two spaced-apart stiffening panels comprising a different material than the plurality of discrete overlay film structures;
wherein:
the textile material has a first degree of stiffness, and the two spaced-apart stiffening panels have a second degree of stiffness greater than the first degree of stiffness;
when the panel is exposed to an external stimulus, the plurality of discrete overlay film structures undergo an increase in dimension in a z-direction to cause the slit to transition to a more open state.
20 . The article of apparel of claim 19 , wherein a gap between a first stiffening panel and a second stiffening panel of the two spaced-apart stiffening panels, with an apex of a slit opening that is formed when the slit is in the more open state being aligned with the gap.