Patent Publication Number: US-2023157382-A1

Title: Garment body of fan-equipped garment and fan-equipped garment

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2021- 190271, filed on Nov. 24, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a garment body of a fan-equipped garment and the fan-equipped garment. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     In recent years, a fan-equipped garment for cooling the body of a person has been put to practical use and rapidly spread. A fan-equipped garment includes, for example, a garment body made of a material having low air breathability; two fans mounted on the back side of the garment body; a power source that supplies electrical power to the two fans; and a connection cable that electrically connects the power source to the two fans. 
     When the fans are activated, the fans introduce a large volume of air into the garment body. With the pressure of the introduced air, a space through which air flows is automatically formed between the garment body and the wearer’s body. The introduced air flows in the formed space along the surface of the wearer’s body or the surface of the underwear worn under the garment body. The air is then discharged to the outside through air discharge parts, which are openings at a collar part and sleeve parts, for example. 
     While flowing through the space between the garment body and the wearer’s body or the underwear, the introduced air allows sweat drained from the body to evaporate. Through the evaporation, the body is cooled by evaporation heat (for example, see international publication No. 2005/063065). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to improve the cooling capability, it is preferable that such a fan-equipped garment be able to make the air flow uniform, which is introduced inside the garment body by the fans, so as to avoid differences in air flow directions and air amounts depending on parts inside the garment body. 
     Although a known fan-equipped garment has a sufficient cooling capability, it cannot restrain air that is introduced inside the garment body by the fans from spreading in various directions. 
     An object of the present invention is to improve the capability of a fan-equipped garment for cooling the wearer’s body by making the flow of introduced air uniform and effectively cooling the wearer’s body. 
     To achieve at least one of the above objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment body of a fan-equipped garment, including: an outer cloth in which a fan mount part is formed, the fan mount part being configured to receive a fan; and an inner cloth disposed closer to a wearer than the outer cloth, wherein an air-through part is formed only at a hem part of the garment body, the air-through part connecting a space between the outer cloth and the inner cloth and a space at an inner surface side of the inner cloth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention but illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of a fan-equipped garment in an embodiment, wherein a front-body opening-closing tool is open; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the fan-equipped garment worn by a wearer in the embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a back view of the fan-equipped garment worn by the wearer in the embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross section along the IV-IV line in  FIG.  3   , wherein arrows indicate directions of air flow; 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of the fan-equipped garment in a modification, wherein the front-body opening-closing tool is open; and 
         FIG.  6    is a cross section of the fan-equipped garment worn by the wearer along the line as in  FIG.  4   , wherein arrows indicate directions of air flow. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  6   . However, the technical scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. The embodiment described below can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     The description below is based on the state of a fan-equipped garment  100  worn by a wearer, and the forward direction from a wearer W is the front; the backward direction from the wearer is the back; the upward direction from the wearer is up; the downward direction from the wearer is down; the rightward direction from the wearer is the right; and the leftward direction from the wearer is the left. 
     In the state where the front-body opening-closing tool  13  of a garment body  1  is open, the direction in which the inner surface of the garment body  1  faces (the surface that faces toward the wearer W when being worn) is the front, and the opposite direction is the back. 
     1. Configuration of Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the fan-equipped garment  100  of this embodiment includes the garment body  1 ; fans  2  that introduce air into the garment body  1 ; a power source  3  that supplies the fans  2  with electric power; and a connection cable  4  that connects the power source  3  to the fans  2 . The fan-equipped garment  100  introduces air into the garment body  1  with the fans  2 , flows the introduced air along the body surface of the wearer W or along the surface of the underwear, and then releases the air from air discharge parts  17  that are formed at the collar and sleeves of the garment body  1 , so that the sweat drained from the body to evaporate. Through evaporation of the sweat, the body is cooled by evaporation heat. 
     Garment Body 
     The garment body  1  refers to a garment part of the fan-equipped garment  100  except electric components such as the fans  2 , the power source  3 , and the connection cable  4 . As shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , the garment body  1  is a blouson-type upper garment that covers the trunk and arms of the wearer W. However, the shape of the garment body  1  is not limited to this. For example, the garment body  1  can be formed as a vest that covers only the trunk of the wearer W. 
     In the state of being worn by the wearer W, the surface of the garment body  1  that faces the wearer W is referred to as the inner surface of the garment body  1 , and the surface opposite the inner surface is referred to as the outer surface of the garment body  1 . 
     With respect to an outer cloth  11  and an inner cloth  12 , the surface that faces the wearer W when being worn is referred to as the inner surface of the outer cloth  11 /inner cloth  12 , and the surface opposite the inner surface is referred to as the outer surface of the outer cloth  11 /inner cloth  12 . 
     The garment body  1  includes the outer cloth  11  disposed at the outer surface side of the garment body  1 ; the inner cloth  12  disposed at the inner surface side of the garment body  1 ; the front-body opening-closing tool  13 ; an air-leakage preventer  14 ; and a power source holder  15 , as shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  4   . 
     At the hem part of the garment body  1 , an air-through part  16  is formed that connects the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  and the space at the inner surface side of the inner cloth  12 . At the collar ends and the sleeve ends of the garment body  1 , air discharge parts  17  are formed that connect the space inside the garment body  1  and the space outside the garment body  1 . 
     A. Outer Cloth 
     The outer cloth  11  is formed of a garment cloth having no breathability or having a certain level of breathability to be inflated with air introduced by the fans  2 . As shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , the outer cloth  11  is formed to cover the trunk and arms of the wearer W. In the outer cloth  11 , fan mount parts  111  are formed. 
     The fan mount parts  111  are holes that connect the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  of the garment body  1  and the space outside the garment body  1 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . The fan mount parts  111  are formed on the back body of the outer cloth  11  at positions corresponding to the left and right waist of the wearer W, as shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  3   . 
     The fan mount parts  111  have a circular shape, and the diameter of the fan mount parts  111  is approximately equal to the diameter of the fans  2 , which are described later. The fans  2  are mounted by being inserted to the fan mount parts  111 . Accordingly, the fans  2  can introduce outside air into the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  of the garment body  1  through the fan mount parts  111 . 
     It is preferable that the portions around the fan mount parts  111  be reinforced by attaching flat, ring-shaped members made of plastic or by folding and sewing portions of the garment cloth that constitutes the outer cloth  11  around the fan mount parts  111 , for example. 
     B. Inner Cloth 
     The inner cloth  12  is formed of the same garment cloth as the outer cloth  11 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the inner cloth  12  is provided from around the upper end to the hem part of the garment body  1  on the inner surface side of the back body of the outer cloth  11 , so as to cover portions where the fan mount parts  111  are formed. 
     When the fan mount parts  111  are formed at positions corresponding to the waist of the wearer W as in this embodiment, the hem part of the garment body  1  refers to the part of the garment body  1  below the lower end of the fan mount parts  111 . When, unlike this embodiment, the fan mount parts  111  are not formed at positions corresponding to the waist of the wearer W, the hem part of the garment body  1  refers to the part within 20 centimeters in width from the lower end of the garment body  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the entire peripheral edge of the inner cloth  12  except the lower end thereof is closely joined to the outer cloth  11  by sewing or gluing, for example. The lower end of the inner cloth  12  is not joined to the outer cloth  11 . 
     To prevent swelling of the garment body  1  by the air layer formed between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12 , the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  may be partially joined (e.g., by sewing) at portions other than the end part of the inner cloth  12  to adjust the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12 . 
     The space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  may be filled with air only, or may be filled with a material (e.g., material having air spaces, such as down or padding) that does not prevent air that is introduced into the space by the fans  2  mounted to the fan mounting parts  111  from flowing through the air-through part  16  into the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body. 
     C. Air-Through Part 
     As described above, the lower end of the inner cloth  12  is not joined to the outer cloth  11 . Accordingly, the air-through part  16  is formed between the outer cloth  11  and the lower end of the inner cloth  12  that is at the hem part of the garment body  1 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . The air-through part  16  is an opening that connects the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  and the space at the inner surface side of the inner cloth  12  (the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body when the garment body  1  is worn by the wearer W), as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     The entire periphery of the inner cloth  12  except the lower end thereof, which is located at the hem part of the garment body  1 , is closely joined to the outer cloth  11 . Therefore, the air-through part  16  is formed only between the outer cloth  11  and the lower end of the inner cloth  12 , which is at the hem part of the garment body  1 . 
     D. Front-Body Opening-Closing Tool 
     The front-body opening-closing tool  13  allows the front body of the garment body  1  to be front-open. The front-body opening-closing tool  13  is a tool for opening and closing the front body of the garment body  1  when the wearer W wears the fan-equipped garment  100 . As shown in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the front body of the outer cloth  11  is divided into left and right portions by the front-body opening-closing tool  13  at around the center in the right-left direction. For example, the front-body opening-closing tool  13  is a zipper that is provided at the left and right portions of the outer cloth  11  and that allows the left and right portions to be attachable to or detachable from each other. 
     E. Air-Leakage Preventer 
     The air-leakage preventer  14  is provided at around the lower end of the outer cloth  11 , as shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  4   . The air-leakage preventer  14  prevents air in the space between the garment body  1  and the wearer W’s body from leaking outside through the lower end of the garment body  1  when the wearer W wears the fan-equipped garment  100 . For example, the air-leakage preventer  14  may be an elastic material (e.g., a rubber cord) provided at the lower end portion of the outer cloth  11  so as to circle around the wearer W’s body. 
     By the elasticity of the rubber cord or the like, the air-leakage preventer  112  narrows the hem part of the outer cloth  11  below the air-through part  16 , so that the hem part below the air-through part  16  closely fits to the wearer W’s body. The air-leakage preventer  112  thus prevents air from leaking outside through the lower end of the garment body  1 . 
     The structure of the air-leakage preventer  14  is not limited to the one that utilizes elasticity of the rubber cord or the like as described above, as long as the air-leakage preventer  14  can narrow the hem part of the outer cloth  11  below the air-through part  16 ; cause the hem part below the air-through part  16  to closely fit to the wearer W’s body; and prevent air from leaking outside through the lower end of the garment body  1 . 
     For example, (i) a tubular cord-through member formed to circle around the wearer W’s body, (ii) a cord inserted through the cord-through member, and (iii) a cord stopper at a portion of the cord protruding from the cord-through member may be provided around the lower end of the outer cloth  11 . When the wearer W wears the fan-equipped garment  100 , the wearer W can narrow and fit the hem part of the outer cloth  11  below the air-through part  16  to the wearer W’s body by pulling the portion of the cord protruding from the cord-through member and fastening the cord stopper. 
     F. Power Source Holder 
     The power source holder  15  holds the power source  3  at a position where the power source  3  can supply electric power to the fans  2  through the connection cable  4 . For example, the power source holder  15  can be a pocket that is provided on the inner surface side of the front body of the garment body  1  and that can house the power source  3 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     The specific structure of the power source holder  15  is not limited to the above as long as the power source holder  15  can hold the power source  3  at a position where the power source  3  can supply electric power to the fans  2  through the connection cable  4 . 
     G. Air-Discharge Part 
     The air-discharge parts  17  are the openings for discharging the air that has been introduced into the garment body  1  by the fans  2  and that has flown along the wearer W’s body or the underwear, as described below. As shown in  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  4   , the air-discharge parts  17  are formed at (i) the opening between the neck of the wearer W and the edge of the collar of the garment body  1  and (ii) the opening between the arms of the wearer W and the edges of the sleeves of the garment body  1 . 
     Fans 
     The fans  2  are attached to the garment: body  1  by being inserted to the fan mount parts  111  formed in the outer cloth  11  of the garment body  1 , as shown in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4   . The fans  2  send air into the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  of the garment body  1  through the fan mount parts  111 , thereby introducing the air into the garment body  1 . 
     The fans  2  receive necessary electric power for operation from the power source  3  through the connection cable  4 . 
     The detailed structure of the fans  2  is not specifically limited as long as the fans  2  can be attached to the outer cloth  11  of the garment body  1  by being inserted to the fan mount parts  111  and can introduce air into the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12 . 
     In this embodiment, two fans  2  are mounted to the two fan mount parts  111  at the positions corresponding to the waist of the wearer W. Although such an arrangement is most preferable, the number and positions of fans  2  is not limited to this. 
     Power Source 
     The power source  3  supplies electric power to the fans  2 . For example, the power source  3  includes a built-in lithium-ion battery pack provided with a security circuit, and the power source  3  is connected to the fans  2  via the connection cable  4 . The power source  3  also includes a switch for switching on/off the electric power supplied to the fans  2 . 
     The detailed structure of the power source  3  is not specifically limited as long as it can supply electric power to the fans  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the power source  3  is attached to the garment body  1  by being housed inside the power source holder  15 , which is a pocket provided on the inner surface side of the garment body  1 . 
     Connection Cable 
     The connection cable  4  connects the power source  3  and the fans  2 . Via the connection cable  4 , the power source  3  supplies the fans  2  with electric power necessary for activating the fans  2 . 
     The detailed structure of the connection cable  4  is not specifically limited as long as the power source  3  can supply the fans  2  with electric power necessary for activating the fans  2  through the connection cable  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the connection cable  4  is passed through the air-through part  16 , which is formed between the outer cloth  11  and the lower end of the inner cloth  12 , into the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12 . In the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12 , the connection cable  4  is connected to the fans  2 . 
     2. Advantageous Effects of Embodiment 
     According to the fan-equipped garment  100  in this embodiment, the garment body  1  includes: the outer cloth  11  in which the fan mount parts  111  are formed; and the inner cloth  12  that is disposed on the inner surface side of the garment body  1  and that is closer to the wearer W than the outer cloth  11 , wherein the air-through part  16  is formed at the hem part of the garment body  1 , the air-through part  16  connecting the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  and the space at the inner surface side of the inner cloth  12  (the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body). 
     Except the lower end of the inner cloth  12  that is at the hem part of the garment body  1 , the entire periphery of the inner cloth  12  is closely joined to the outer cloth  11 . Therefore, the air-through part  16  is formed only between the outer cloth  11  and the lower end of the inner cloth  12  that is at the hem part of the garment body  1 . 
     According to such a configuration, by activating the fans  2  that are mounted to the fan mount parts  111  formed in the outer cloth  11  of the garment body  1 , all the air introduced into the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  by the fans  2  is sent to the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body, as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     The air-leakage preventer  14  prevents the air leakage through the lower end of the garment body  1 . Therefore, the air that has been sent to the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body altogether flows upward, and is eventually discharged outside through the air-through parts  17  formed at (i) the opening between the wearer W’s neck and the edge of the collar of the garment body  1  and (ii) the openings between the wearer W’s arms and the edges of the sleeves of the garment body  1 . 
     In the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body, a uniform flow of air is formed from the lower part toward the upper part along the surface of the wearer W’s body or the wearer W’s underwear worn under the fan-equipped garment  100 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . Thus, the air flows in a uniform direction in the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body. The direction of air flow and the amount of air is less likely to vary depending on the position, and the air is less likely to remain at certain positions. This improves the cooling capability of the fan-equipped garment  100  for cooling the wearer W’s body. 
     Suppose that the air-through part for connecting the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  and the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body is not only formed at the lower end of the inner cloth  12  at the hem part of the garment body  1  but also formed at a different part (e.g., the lateral end or the upper end of the inner cloth  12 ). In such a case, the above-described air flow from the lower part toward the upper part is disturbed by the air flowing through the air-through part at the different part into the space between the inner cloth  12  and the wearer W’s body. Thus, the above-described advantageous effects cannot be achieved. That is, the above-described advantageous effects are achieved only when (i) the air-through part  16  is formed at the hem part of the garment body  1  and (ii) the air-through part  16  is not formed at the other parts. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the air-through part  16  is formed between the lower end of the inner cloth  12  and the outer cloth  11  by not joining the lower end of the inner cloth  12  to the outer cloth  11 . Thus, the air-through part  16  having a sufficient opening area can be easily formed without specific processing, such as forming a hole in the inner cloth  12 . 
     Further, the air layer formed in the space between the outer cloth  11  and the inner cloth  12  can block ultraviolet rays and thereby block heat from outside the garment, for example. 
     3. Modification 
     As shown in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , a fan-equipped garment  100 A may have an air-through part  16 A that is continuously formed from the hem part of the back body to the hem part of the front body of the garment body  1 A. To form the air-through part  16 A, the inner cloth  12 A of the garment body  1 A is formed so as to continuously cover the back body to the front body of the inner surface side of the outer cloth  11 ; the entire periphery of the inner cloth  12 A except the lower end thereof is joined to the outer cloth  11 ; and only the lower end of the inner cloth  12 A is not joined to the front cloth  11 . 
     According to such a configuration, a uniform air flow can be formed from the lower part toward the upper part in the garment body  1  not only at the back side of the wearer W but also at the front side of the wearer W along the wearer W’s body or along the surface of the wearer W’s underwear worn under the fan-equipped garment  100 . Thus, the cooling capability of the fan-equipped garment for cooling the wearer’s body can be further improved.