SUN PROTECTIVE GARMENTS

A sun protective garment that includes a garment front that is an ultraviolet protective (UVP) fabric having a channel and a cord that extends through the channel is described. The cord secures the garment around a user's neck such that the garment front drapes over a user's chest. By arranging the garment front of the sun protective garment on the user, it protects against ultraviolet (UV) damage to the user's chest area when the user is exposed to sunlight.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to sun protective garments and, more particularly, to sun protective garments that protect the chest area from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Description of the Related Art

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a leading cause of skin cancer. Protection from harmful UV radiation is important for skin cancer prevention, treatment, and recovery. Many active wear tops have a neckline that has a large opening, such as a scoop neck, V-neck, square neck, plunging neck, sweetheart neck, or keyhole neck that does not provide users with sufficient protection from UV radiation in the chest area. Although users may apply sunscreen to protect from UV exposure, the effectiveness of sunscreen is limited for extended periods due to the sunscreen being rubbed off, washed off, or evaporated from the skin.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a sun protective garment to protect a user's chest from sun exposure and damage during a variety of activities. Such a garment can be worn with various tops (including swim suits), and protects a particularly sensitive area of a user's skin from damage from the sun. The described sun protective garments include a garment front that is an ultraviolet protective (UVP) fabric having a channel, and a cord that extends through the channel of the UVP fabric. The fabric front is arranged over at least a portion of the chest of a user in use, and is secured around the neck of a user by the cord. Such sun protective garments maybe adjusted (for example, to be wider or narrower) by re-arranging the garment front on the user's chest in order to properly fit the user and accommodate a specific outfit of the user. The sun protective garment may be draped over or tucked into a user's top, and may be worn wet or dry during indoor or outdoor activities. By arranging the sun protective garment on a user's chest, it protects against ultraviolet (UV) exposure and damage to the skin of the chest area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a sun protective garment that includes a garment front of an ultraviolet protective (UVP) fabric that is secured by a cord around a user's neck. The garment front has a channel through which the cord extends. In use, the garment front is arranged to cover at least a portion of the user's chest. Such a sun protective garment protects a user against ultraviolet (UV) exposure and damage. Further, sun protective garments of the present disclosure are modular, allowing a variety of garment fronts to be coupled to a variety of cords, such that the size and shape of the garment front, as well as the length of the cord can be adjusted for a particular user's preference or needs. Additionally, described below are methods of manufacturing such sun protective garments.

In order to describe particular embodiments of the sun protective garments of the disclosure, reference is made to the appended figures. This discussion should not be construed as limiting, as the particular details of the embodiments described herein are by way of example and are for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the present disclosure.

A sun protective garment100of the present disclosure includes a garment front110that is an UVP fabric having a channel120and a cord130that extends through the channel, as shown inFIG. 1. The sun protective garment100is secured around the neck of the user with the cord130and the garment front110is draped over the chest of the user. The garment front110can be any suitable shape, for example, narrowest at the channel120and widest at the bottom.

Regardless of the specific shape of the garment front110, the garment front110generally covers substantially the user's entire chest. In other words, the garment front110covers at least an area extending between the midpoint of a user's first clavicle to the midpoint of the user's second clavicle, and along a majority of the user's sternum.

The UVP fabric of the garment front110has a fluid or moderate drape, such that the UVP fabric could be comfortably worn over or tucked into a top140(e.g., a bikini top). As shown inFIG. 1, the sun protective garment100is worn over an opening of the top140. The garment front110has a width allowing for the garment front to be tucked into a first and second strap of bra of the user. For example, if the user were wearing both the bra and V-neck shirt, the garment front can be tucked into the V-neck and under straps of the bra.

By arranging the garment front110of the sun protective garment100on the chest of the user, the garment front110protects against UV damage to the user's chest while the user is exposed to the sun (e.g., during outdoor activities). A sun protective garment of the disclosure may be worn while a user takes part in indoor activities or outdoor activities, and can be worn wet or dry. This garment is light weight, transportable, and easy to repeatedly remove, apply, and arrange on the user. A front view of a sun protective garment200of the disclosure is shown inFIG. 2. The sun protective garment200includes a cord230, which is shown in an open configuration, and a garment front210of a UVP fabric. In this view, the cord230having a first end231and a second end232is arranged through the channel220.

The garment front210has a first side257, a second side opposite the first side277, the second side277being a length213away from the first side257. The first side257, the second side277, or both are substantially straight. Additionally, the garment front210has six corners,254a,254b,264a,264b,274a,274b.Any of the corners254a,254b,264a,264b,274a,274bmay be pointed or rounded, regardless of the shape of the other corners.

The garment front210includes a first portion250, a second portion260, and a third portion270. The first portion250extends from a first side257toward a hem290, and includes the channel220. The channel220has a channel width225between the first side257to the hem290. A first width255is measured at the first side257.

The second portion260of the garment front210extends from the hem290to a midpoint267of the garment front210. The second portion260is narrowest adjacent to the first portion250, and widens toward the midpoint267. A second width265is measured at the midpoint267. The second width265is greater than the first width255.

The third portion270of the garment front210extends from the midpoint267to a second side277of the garment front210that is opposite the first side257. A third width275is measured at the second side277. The second width265, which is substantially the same as the third width275. In other embodiment, the third width275is less than the second width265. In a further embodiment, the third width275is greater than the second width265. Additionally, the third width275is wider than the first width255. In other embodiments, the third width275is less than or substantially the same as the first width255.

Accordingly, the garment front210includes a first portion250, the first portion250having a channel220and a first width255; and a second portion260having a second width265, the second width265being greater than the first width255; and a third portion270that is separated from the first portion250by the second portion260, the third portion270having a third width275; and a cord230that extends through the channel220in the first portion250.

In this embodiment, the width of the garment front210increases for a portion of the length from the first side257toward the midpoint267, reaches a maximum width, and then is maintained for the remainder of the length of the garment front210. In this example, the maximum width is reached in the second portion260of the garment front210. However, in other embodiments, the maximum width may be reached at the midpoint267of the garment front210or in a third portion270of the garment front210.

As shown inFIG. 2, the garment front210is a polygon (e.g., a regular polygon or an irregular polygon) with at least 4 sides. In particular, the garment front210is an irregular hexagon. The first portion250includes two corners254a,254beach having an angle of about 100° to 140° (e.g., about 120°), the second portion260includes two corners264a,264beach having an angle of about 130° to 170° (e.g., about 150°), and the third portion270includes two corners274a,274beach having an angle of about 45° to 135° (e.g., about 90°). In embodiments, the third portion270has more than two corners (e.g., three corners).

In specific embodiments, the first width255is about 8 to 14 inches (e.g., about 11 inches), the second width265is about 14.5 to 22 inches (e.g., about 18 inches), the third width275is about 14.5 to 22 inches (e.g., about 18 inches), and the channel width225is about 0.25 to 1.25 inches (e.g., about 0.75 inches).

As described above, the garment front210generally substantially covers a user's entire chest, and is made of a UVP fabric. Any fabric that provides suitable UV protection (e.g., an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 40, or at least 50) can be used. For example, a nylon fabric, a polyester fabric, a spandex fabric, a treated cotton fabric, or a blend fabric (e.g., a polyester and spandex blend; a cotton and spandex blend; a micro-polyester and spandex blend; a nylon and polyester blend; or a nylon and spandex blend). Particularly suitable UVP fabrics include a polyester and spandex blend, for example a polyester-spandex blend that includes at least 85% polyester (e.g., a polyester-spandex blend that includes about 80% polyester and about 20% spandex). In certain embodiments, the UVP fabric is a microsuede that has an UPF of at least 50.

The UVP fabric may have other properties that render it more suitable for a particular use, for example, it may be a quick dry fabric, a water resistant fabric, a water repellent fabric, or a water proof fabric. In certain embodiments, the UVP fabric is a stretch fabric.

FIG. 3is a side view of a garment front310of sun protective garment300similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 2. Similar to the garment ofFIG. 2, the garment front310includes a first portion350, a first side357, a second portion360, a midpoint367, a third portion370, and a second side377. The first portion350extends from a first side357to a hem390. In this view, a first edge351can also been seen. The first edge351is folded to contact a first surface352and secured with the hem390, thereby defining the channel320. In other words, the channel320is a doubling over of fabric formed when the first edge351is folded toward a second side377of the garment front and secured onto the first surface352. In some embodiments, the first edge351is secured to the first surface352by stitching, glue, fabric tape, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye closures, buttons, zippers, or clips. In certain embodiments, the first edge351is sewn to the first surface352with thread. In various embodiments, the first edge351has a width that is less than the width of the first side (shown as255inFIG. 2). In other embodiments, the first edge351has a width that is substantially the same as the width of the first side. As described above, the channel320has a channel width325extends from a first side357to the hem390.

The garment front310has a length313between the first side357and the second side377. In some embodiments, the garment distance313is about 10 to 15 inches (e.g., about 12.5 inches).

A front view of a sun protective garment400of the disclosure is shown inFIG. 4, with a cord430shown in a closed configuration. As described above, the sun protective garment400includes a cord430and a garment front410that includes a first portion450, a second portion460, and a third portion470. The cord430includes a first end431, which is coupled to a second end432via a clasp480. Although a clasp480is shown in this embodiment, suitable alternatives, such as a knot, could be used. In this view, because the first end431of the cord430is coupled to the second send432, the first side457of the garment front410is gathered. The first width455is still measured at the first side457and the second width465is still measured at a midpoint467.

As shown inFIG. 4, the second portion460is narrowest adjacent to the first portion450, and widens toward the midpoint467. In this embodiment, the third width475is greater than the second width465. In other words, the width of the garment front410changes from the first side457to the second side477. As shown inFIG. 4, the rate by which the width changes varies along the length413of the garment front410. In other embodiments, the width changes at a substantially constant rate along the length413of the garment front410. In specific embodiments, the first width255is about 6 to 12 inches (e.g., about 9 inches), the second width265is about 14.5 to 22 inches (e.g., about 16 inches), and the third width275is about 14.5 to 22 inches (e.g., about 18 inches).

Accordingly, garment front410is an irregular polygon. The first portion450includes two corners454a,454bthat each have an angle of about 100° to 140° (e.g., about 120°). The second portion460includes two corners464a,464bthat each have an angle of about 130° to 170° (e.g., about 170°). The third portion470includes two corners474a,474beach having an angle of about 45° to 135° (e.g., 60°). In other embodiments, the third portion470includes more than two corners474a,474b.Although illustrated as pointed, some of all of corners454a,454b,464a,464b,474a,474bcould be rounded in any embodiment.

An embodiment of a cord530is shown in more detail inFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B. InFIG. 5B, the cord530includes a first end531and a second end532. The first end531may be coupled to the second end532by a clasp580. In some embodiments, the clasp580includes an insert closure clasp, a spring right clasp, a fishhook clasp, a lobster clasp, a barrel clasp, a toggle clasp, an S-hook clasp, a slide lock clasp, or a magnetic clasp. An example of an insert closure clasp580is shown inFIG. 5A. The clasp580has a female part581and a male part582. Returning toFIG. 5B, the cord530has a cord width533and a cord length. The cord width533is less than the channel width of the garment front (e.g., channel width255as shown inFIG. 2). The cord length is generally longer than the first width255of the garment front210, as shown inFIG. 2. In other words, when the cord530is arranged through the channel (e.g., as shown inFIG. 2), the first end531and the second end532protrude from the channel (e.g., by at least 1 inch on each end). In some embodiments, the cord length is about 15 to 22 inches (e.g., about 16.5 inches) and the cord width533is about 0.05 to 0.10 inches (e.g., 0.07 inches).

The cord530may be any suitable material (e.g., silicone, metal, silk, or leather) and may take any suitable form (e.g., a string, a ribbon, a strap, a tie, a line, a rope, a chain, a cable, or a wire). In specific embodiments, the cord530is a silicone material. In some embodiments, the cord material stretches (e.g., by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50%).

A front view of a different embodiment of a sun protective garment600of the disclosure with the cord630decoupled from the garment front610is shown inFIG. 6. The garment front610has a first portion650that extends from a first side657to a hem690, and includes the channel620, a second portion660that extends from a hem690to a midpoint667, and a third portion670that extends from the midpoint667to a second side677. A first width655is measured at the first side657, a second width665is measured at the midpoint667, and a third width675is measured at the second side677.

In this embodiment, the third portion670is widest at the midpoint667, and narrowest at the second side677. Accordingly, the second width656of the garment front610is wider than the first width655and the third width675. In other words, width of the garment front610increases from the first edge657toward the midpoint667, reaches a maximum, maintains the maximum at the midpoint667, and then decreases toward the second edge677.

In this embodiment, the garment front710is an irregular heptagon. The first portion650includes two corners654a,654beach having an angle of about 100° to 140° (e.g., about 120°), the second portion660includes two corners664a,664beach having an angle of about 130° to 170° (e.g., about 150°), the third portion670includes three corners674a,674b,and674ceach having an angle of about 130° to 170° (e.g., about 120°). In other embodiments, one of corners674a,674b,674chas a wider angle than the others (e.g., two of corners674a,674ceach have an angle of about 110° and one of the third portion corners674bhas an angle of about 140°).

In other words, the second side677includes a first edge671asecond edge671b.The first edge671aand the second edge671bform a triangle shape676if connected by a horizontal line.

A front view of another embodiment of a sun protective garment700of the disclosure with the cord730decoupled from the garment front710is shown inFIG. 7. The sun protective garment700includes a cord730and a garment front710that has a first portion750extending from a first side757to a hem790and including the channel720, a second portion760extending from the hem790to a midpoint767, and a third portion770extending from the midpoint767to a second side777. A first width755is measured at the first side757, a second width765is measured at the midpoint767, and a third width775is measured at the second side777.

As shown inFIG. 7, the second portion760is narrowest adjacent to the first portion750, and widens toward the midpoint767. The width of the garment front710changes for a portion of the length of the garment front710from the first side757toward the midpoint767, reaches a maximum width, is maintained for a portion of the length, and then narrows toward the second side777. In other words, the first width755and the third width775are less than the second width765

This embodiment of a sun protective garment700includes a garment front710that is an irregular octagon. The first portion750includes two corners754a,754bthat each have an angle of about 100° to 140° (e.g., about 120°), the second portion760includes two corners764a,764bthat each have an angle of about 130° to 170° (e.g., about 150°), and the third portion770includes four corners774a-774dthat each have an angle of about 110° to 160°. The angle of the corners774a-774dmay be substantially the same (e.g., about 135° each). In other embodiments, two of the corners774a,774dhave an angle that is substantially the same (e.g., about 125° each) and the other two corners774b,774chave an angle that is substantially the same (e.g., about 145° each).

A front view of another embodiment of a sun protective garment800of the disclosure with the cord830decoupled from the garment front810is shown inFIG. 8. The sun protective garment800includes a cord830and a garment front810that has a first portion850extending from a first side857to a hem890and including the channel820, a second portion860extending from the hem890to a midpoint867, and a third portion870extending from the midpoint867to a second side877. A first width855is measured at the first side857, a second width865is measured at the midpoint867, and a third width875is measured at the second side877.

Similar to the embodiment show inFIG. 7, the second portion860is narrowest adjacent to the first portion850, and widens toward the midpoint867. The width of the garment front810changes for a portion of the length of the garment front810from the first side857toward the midpoint867, reaches a maximum width, is maintained for a portion of the length, and then narrows toward the second side877. In other words, the first width855and the third width875are less than the second width865

This embodiment of a sun protective garment800includes a garment front810that is an irregular hexagon. The first portion850includes two corners854a,854bthat each have an angle of about 100° to 140° (e.g., about 120°), the second portion860includes two corners864a,864bthat each have an angle of about 130° to 170° (e.g., about 150°), and the third portion870includes two corners874a,874bthat each have an angle of about 45° to 135° (e.g., about 90°). In this embodiment, corners are854a,854bare pointed and corners864a,864b,874a,874bare rounded. However, as is understood, a different subset of corners are pointed or rounded in various other embodiments. An embodiment of a sun protective garment900of the present disclosure that is worn by a user is shown inFIG. 9. The sun protective garment900is secured around the neck of the user with a cord930and the garment front910is draped over the chest of the user. The garment front910can be any suitable shape that substantially covers the user's chest, as described above.

As shown inFIG. 9, an embodiment of a sun protective garment900that is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 6is arranged on a user. The UVP fabric of the garment front910has a fluid or moderate drape, such that the UVP fabric can be tucked into a top940. Although, in this case the top940is a bikini top, it is understood that the sun protective garment900could be as easily used with a top940that has a scoop neck, a V-neck, a square neck, a plunging neckline, a sweetheart neckline, or a keyhole neckline.

By arranging the garment front910on the chest of the user, the garment front910protects against UV damage to the user's chest while the user is exposed to the sun (e.g., during outdoor activities). As described above, the sun protective garment of the disclosure may be worn while a user takes part in indoor activities or outdoor activities (e.g., driving, walking, hiking, cycling, site seeing, exercising, traveling, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, abseiling, running, fishing, hunting, gardening, horseback riding, tennis, watching sporting events, playing various sports, sun bathing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, sailing, surfing, or boating), and can be worn wet or dry.

In the preceding description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter. However, the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.

The term “about” has the meaning reasonably ascribed to it by a person of ordinary skill in the art when used in conjunction with a stated numerical value or range, i.e., denoting somewhat more or somewhat less than the stated value or range, to within a range of ±20%; ±19%; ±18%; ±17%; ±16%; ±15%; ±14%; ±13%; ±12%; ±11%; ±10%; ±9%; ±8%; ±7%; ±6%; ±5%; ±4%; ±3%; ±2%; or ±1% of the stated value.

The term “substantially” has the meaning reasonably ascribed to it by a person of ordinary skill in the art when used to describe a physical characteristic of an item, i.e., indicating that the item possesses the referenced characteristic to a significant extent, e.g., to within a range of ±20%; ±19%; ±18%; ±17%; ±16%; ±15%; ±14%; ±13%; ±12%; ±11%; ±10%; ±9%; ±8%; ±7%; ±6%; ±5%; ±4%; ±3%; ±2%; or ±1% of the referenced characteristic.