Patent Publication Number: US-11638453-B2

Title: Sleeve with integrated insert

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application, having Ser. No. 16/579,100 and entitled “Sleeve with Integrated Insert,” claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/755,920, entitled “Sleeve with Integrated Insert,” and filed Nov. 5, 2018. The entirety of the aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects herein are directed to a sleeve with an integrated insert. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditional sleeves, whether incorporated into an upper body garment or as a stand-alone article, generally cover a wearer&#39;s arm and terminate at a single opening positioned proximate to a wearer&#39;s wrist. Traditional sleeves have a fixed length and cover a fixed amount of a wearer&#39;s arm and thus generally do not provide protection from environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, wind, etc.) to certain portions of a wearer&#39;s limb (e.g., hand, fingers, etc.). 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a posterior view of a wearer wearing a sleeve having an integrated insert in a retracted state, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a posterior view of a wearer wearing the sleeve of  FIG.  1    in an extended state, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an anterior view of a wearer wearing the sleeve of  FIG.  1    in the extended state of  FIG.  2   , in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an exterior side of a sleeve laid flat after two seams have been unjoined, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an interior side of the sleeve of  FIG.  4    laid flat after two seams have been unjoined, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG.  6    is a medial side view of the sleeve of  FIG.  4    after the two seam have been rejoined, in accordance with aspects herein; 
         FIG.  7    is a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing a sleeve having an integrated insert, in accordance with aspects herein; and 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a front view of an upper body garment having a pair of sleeves that each include an integrated insert, in accordance with aspects herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated. 
     At a high level, aspects herein are directed to a sleeve having a first opening opposite a second opening at opposing ends of the sleeve, the sleeve also having a third opening proximate a distal end of the sleeve, an insert affixed to the sleeve proximate the third opening, and a releasable fastener configured to close the third opening and maintain the insert interior to the sleeve. The sleeve thus described has a first length when the releasable fastener is fastened and the insert is maintained interior to the sleeve and also has a second length when the releasable fastener is unfastened. Thus, the sleeve may cover the same portion of a wearer&#39;s arm as a typical sleeve when the releasable fastener is fastened and the insert is maintained interior to the sleeve, but may then expand to cover more of the wearer&#39;s arm when the releasable fastener is unfastened. 
     Positional terms as used herein to describe the sleeve such as “front,” “back,” “upper,” “proximal,” “distal,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “lower,” “bottom,” “interior,” “exterior,” and the like are to be given their customary meaning with respect to an appropriately sized sleeve worn as intended and as shown and described herein by a wearer standing in an anatomical position. With respect to the term “anatomical position,” a wearer&#39;s arms would be positioned at the wearer&#39;s sides with the wearer&#39;s palms facing forward. In this position, the wearer&#39;s thumbs would extend laterally. The terms “distal end” and “proximal end” when used in relation to an end of the sleeve may mean a terminal edge of the sleeve. Such terms may further mean a portion of the sleeve within about 10 centimeters of the terminal edge of the sleeve. The term “about” when used in relation to measurements means within ±10% of a designated value. The term “proximate” when used in relation to positions means within ±10 centimeters of a designated position. Terms such as “attached,” “secured,” “affixed,” and the like may mean elements that are releasably attached to one another using, for example, snap systems, slider systems, hook-and-loop closure systems, releasable adhesives, buttons, hooks, and the like. These terms may further mean elements that are permanently attached to one another using, for example, stitching, bonding, welding, and the like. The terms “axial direction” and “longitudinal direction” are used interchangeably herein and mean the direction the sleeve extends from a proximal end of the sleeve to a distal end of the sleeve. 
     The term “mesh,” or “mesh material” as used herein may mean a textile having a large number of closely spaced holes. Aspects herein contemplate that the mesh material may be formed from a loosely knitted or woven textile, or the mesh material may be formed by perforating a textile in a post-weaving or post-knitting step to form the holes. The term “first sleeve state” as used herein refers to the sleeve when the releasable fastener is fastened such that the insert is contained within the sleeve and the sleeve has a first length. And the term “second sleeve state” as used herein refers to the sleeve when the releasable fastener is unfastened such that the insert is not contained within the sleeve and the sleeve has a second length. The term “releasable fastener” as used herein refers to a fastener system that can be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled to respectively secure or disengage components from each other. An example releasable fastener may comprise, buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, slider systems including zippers, and the like. In line with this, the term “complementary” when describing components of a releasable fastener system means components having structures that mechanically engage with each other. 
     The term “elastomeric” as used herein when describing yarns generally means a yarn type that may provide a maximum stretch greater than about 200% under load prior to returning to its non-stretched state when the load is removed, and some elastomeric yarns provide a maximum stretch of about 400%. Examples of elastomeric yarn types include, Lycra®, elastane, spandex, rubber, and the like. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  1 - 3   , a wearer  100  is shown wearing a sleeve  110  in the first sleeve state  112  ( FIG.  1   ) and in the second sleeve state  114  ( FIGS.  2  and  3   ). The sleeve  110  includes a distal end  170  and a proximal end  172  opposite the distal end  170 , a first opening  116  at the distal end  170 , and a second opening (not shown) at the proximal end  172 . In some aspects, the proximal end  172  of the sleeve  110  may be affixed to an upper body garment (e.g., shirt, jacket, and the like). In other aspects, the sleeve  110  may be integrally formed with an upper body garment. In still other aspects, the sleeve  110  is a stand-alone article worn separately by the wearer  100 . The illustrated aspect depicts the sleeve  110  as tubular and having a cylindrical wall extending longitudinally between the proximal end  172  and the distal end  170 . In other aspects, the sleeve  110  may have a wall of another geometry (e.g., a polygonal shape, an irregular shape, and the like) extending longitudinally between the proximal end  172  and the distal end  170 . 
     The sleeve  110  also includes a third opening  118  positioned proximate the distal end  170 . The third opening  118  may be of any suitable size and shape. The third opening  118  may be positioned from about 2 cm to about 16 cm from the distal end  170  of the sleeve  110 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . The longitudinal length of the sleeve  110  may change as a result of the third opening  118 . That is, when the third opening  118  is substantially closed (as seen in  FIG.  1   ) the sleeve has a first length  176 . When the third opening  118  is opened and the distal end  170  of the sleeve  110  is pulled distally (as seen in  FIGS.  2  and  3   ) the sleeve has a second length  178  that is greater than the first length  176 . 
     For example, the sleeve  110  in the first sleeve state  112  may extend from the proximal end  172  to the distal end  170  and terminate about the wrist of the wearer  100 . The sleeve  110  in the second sleeve state  114 , however, may terminate at a point distal to the wrist of the wearer  100 . The third opening  118  allows a portion  120  of the distal end  170  of the sleeve  110  to extend forward and cover a portion of the wearer&#39;s  100  limb distal to their wrist (e.g., hand, fingers). In some aspects, the portion  120  hinges forward with respect to a fixed anchor point  180  located on the medial side of the sleeve  110 . In these aspects, the length of only part of the distal end  170  of the sleeve  110  increases as measured from the proximal end  172 . For example, the length of the sleeve  110  along a medial side of the sleeve  110  may not change between the first sleeve state  112  and the second sleeve state  114  while the length of the sleeve  110  along a lateral side of the sleeve  110  may change between said states. Hinging about the fixed anchor point  180  may maintain the integrity of the sleeve  110 . Hinging about the fixed anchor point  180  may also make it easier to recouple the distal end  170  to the sleeve  110  than a construction where the distal end  170  completely disengages from the sleeve  110  (whether completely separate or connected only by insert  122 ). Positioning the fixed anchor point  180  on the medial side may allow more expansion on the lateral side of the sleeve  110  which is advantageous because of the location of the wearer&#39;s thumb (e.g., additional expansion proximate the wearer&#39;s thumb may allow the wearer to more easily extend their thumb through a thumb portion). 
     An insert  122  may be affixed to the sleeve  110  to prevent, limit, or restrict communication through the third opening  118 . Thus, the insert  122  may also provide warmth or other protection from an exterior environment when the sleeve  110  is in the second sleeve state  114 . The insert  122  may comprise a panel of fabric affixed to the sleeve  110 . In other aspects the insert  122  may be integrally formed with the sleeve  110 . In some aspects, the insert  122  may be attached to the sleeve  110  around a perimeter of the third opening  118 . For example, the insert  122  may be affixed to an interior surface of the cylindrical wall of the sleeve  110  proximate the third opening  118 . The insert  122  may include a thumb opening  124  allowing the wearer&#39;s  100  thumb to extend from an interior chamber of the sleeve  110  to an exterior point. In some aspects, the insert  122  includes a thumb channel  126  through which the wearer&#39;s  100  thumb may extend. The thumb opening  124  may be located at a distal end of the thumb channel  126 . The thumb channel  126  may cover a portion of the wearer&#39;s  100  thumb but leave a distal portion thereof exposed, thus providing some additional coverage without completely covering the thumb. This configuration may be advantageous when the wearer  100  is performing a task requiring dexterity and their sense of feel/touch is important. In some aspects the thumb channel  126  may comprise a cylindrical sheath. The cylindrical sheath may have a frustoconical shape. In other aspects, the insert  122  may have a thumb channel  126  that completely covers the wearer&#39;s  100  thumb. This configuration may be advantageous when protection from an exterior environment is important. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within the scope herein. 
     The third opening  118  may be held in a closed position by a releasable fastener  128 . The releasable fastener  128  may be spaced a first distance from the distal end  170  of the sleeve  110 . In the illustrated aspect, the releasable fastener  128  comprises a zipper system having a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape fastened to the sleeve  110  around the perimeter of the third opening  118 . Thus, the illustrated aspect of the sleeve  110  is in the first sleeve state  112  when the zipper is closed and is in the second sleeve state  114  when the zipper is open. In other aspects, other types of releasable fasteners may be used, even if such releasable fasteners do not completely seal the third opening  118 . For example, a button may be affixed to the sleeve  110  on one side of the third opening  118  and a loop or button hole may be positioned on the sleeve  110  on an opposing side of the third opening  118 . In this example, the sleeve  110  may be in the first sleeve state  112  when the button is received through the loop or the button hole even though the third opening  118  would not be completely closed. This example demonstrates that the releasable fastener  128  may provide more than one function. That is, when fastened the releasable fastener  128  may restrict the length of the sleeve  110  by preventing the portion  120  from hinging distally. In some aspects, when fastened the releasable fastener  128  may also seal the insert  122  within an interior cavity of the sleeve  110 . 
     The sleeve  110  and the insert  122  may be comprised of any suitable material. In some aspects, both of the sleeve  110  and the insert  122  are made of the same material. In other aspects, the sleeve  110  is made from a different material than the insert  122 . For example, the sleeve  110  may be comprised of a panel of woven material and the insert  122  may be comprised of a mesh material. One, or both, of the sleeve  110  and the insert  122  may be made from an elastomeric material. Likewise, one, or both, of the sleeve  110  and the insert  122  may be comprised of a woven material or a knit material. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  4 - 6   , one manner of construction of the sleeve  110  will be described.  FIG.  4    illustrates an exterior side of an unassembled sleeve  110 A laid flat, but having the releasable fastener  128  attached as shown.  FIG.  5    illustrates an interior side of the unassembled sleeve  110 A. In this aspect, the sleeve  110  is comprised of a first panel  130 , the portion  120 , the insert  122  and the releasable fastener  128 . The first panel  130  includes a first edge  132  that may be joined to a second edge  134  at a seam (not shown) when the sleeve  110  is assembled. The first panel  130  also includes a staggered distal edge comprised of a first distal edge  136  and a second distal edge  138 . The staggered distal edge may include the first distal edge  136  being positioned distal to the second distal edge  138  such that the two distal edges are staggered in the axial direction of the sleeve  110 . As discussed below, the staggered distal edge may allow the third opening  118  to be formed in a direction that is not normal to the axial direction of the sleeve  110 . In some aspects, the third opening  118  may be formed by making an incision in the sleeve  110  at a desired position. In other aspects, the third opening  118  may be formed by attaching separate panels together via a releasable fastener (e.g., a first panel and a second panel connected with opposing zipper tapes with the panels also joined at seams to form a sleeve). In some aspects, an incision is made in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve  110  from the staggered distal edge proximally up the first panel  130 . A seam  140  may close this incision and provide increased strength to the sleeve  110  and the connection between components proximate thereto. 
     One, or both, of the first distal edge  136  and the second distal edge  138  may extend normal to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve  110 . In other aspects, such as the illustrated aspect, the first distal edge  136  and/or the second distal edge  138  may not extend normal to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve  110 . In such aspects, when the sleeve  110  is in the first sleeve state  112 , the edges of the third opening  118  may be positioned proximate to one another such that the third opening  118  may resemble a line extending across a portion of the sleeve  110 . In these aspects, such line may extend around a portion of the sleeve in a helical manner where one end of the line is distal to the other end of the line, as seen in  FIG.  6   . The direction the line extends, whether normal to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve  110 , or not, controls both the amount the distal end  170  may hinge and the direction the distal end  170  may hinge. For example, having the line extend in a helical direction, as shown in  FIG.  6   , may allow the distal end  170  to hinge in a manner that conforms more closely to the typical wearer&#39;s anatomy (e.g., the shape of the wearer&#39;s limb). 
     The releasable fastener  128  shown in the illustrated aspect comprises a zipper system having a first zipper tape  142 , a second zipper tape  144 , and a slider having a pull tab  146 . The first zipper tape  142  may be joined to the second zipper tape  144  at a first stop  148  and a second stop (not shown). The first stop  148  and the second stop may be at opposite ends of the zipper tapes  142  and  144 . In other aspects, the first zipper tape  142  may not be joined to the second zipper tape  144  at a second stop. In these aspects, each of the first zipper tape  142  and the second zipper tape  144  have their own separate second stop. The first zipper tape  142  may be affixed in part to the first distal edge  136  and in part to the second distal edge  138  as shown in  FIG.  6   . In the aspect shown in  FIG.  6   , both of the first stop  148  and the second stop may be adjacent to the seam  140  but longitudinally offset from one another such that the first stop  148  is proximal to the second stop (which is covered, but would be next to the pull tab  146 ). In this way, the third opening  118  may be closed with the zipper system and the zipper system may extend around a portion of the sleeve  110  in a helical manner as discussed above. 
     The portion  120  may include a proximal edge  150 , a first side edge  152 , a second side edge  154  and a distal edge  156 . The second zipper tape  144  may be affixed to the proximal edge  150  of the portion  120 . Part of the first side edge  152  may be joined to the first panel  130  at the seam  140 . In some aspects, the seam  140  may continue distally up the sleeve  110  and join the remainder of the first side edge  152  to the second side edge  154  as shown in  FIG.  6   . The distal edge  156  may be the distal end  170  of the sleeve  110 . In aspects, the distal end  170  of the portion  120  may be folded back and secured to an interior portion of the sleeve  110  (i.e., the distal end  170  may be hemmed). In such aspects, the fold defines the distal edge  156  of the portion  120 . 
     The insert  122  may be affixed to the zipper system. For example, the insert  122  may include a proximal edge  182  affixed to the first zipper tape  142  and a distal edge  184  affixed to the second zipper tape  144 . The insert  122  may have an insert width extending between the proximal edge  182  and the distal edge  184  (shown more clearly in  FIGS.  2  and  3   ). In example aspects, an entire length of each of the proximal edge  182  and the distal edge  184  of the insert  122  may be affixed to a respective zipper tape. In some aspects, the length of the proximal edge  182  may be different from the length of the distal edge  184  of the insert  122 , while in other aspects the length is the same. When the zipper is opened, the insert  122  may provide coverage to wearer&#39;s limb while allowing the first zipper tape  142  to pull away from the second zipper tape  144 , as opposed to a third opening  118  not having an insert  122 . When the sleeve  110  is in the second sleeve state  114 , the thumb opening  124  may be eccentrically positioned with respect to the length of the insert  122  such that it is located on a lateral aspect of the insert  122 . In other aspects, the insert  122  may be affixed to an interior surface  158  of the sleeve  110 . For example, the insert  122  may be affixed to the interior surface  158  proximate the first distal edge  136  and the second distal edge  138  of the first panel  130  and the proximal edge  150  of the portion  120 . 
     In use, a wearer  100  may pass a limb through the sleeve  110 . The proximal end  172  of the sleeve  110  may be positioned proximate the shoulder of the wearer  100  when the sleeve  110  is in the as-worn position. The distal end  170  of the sleeve  110  may be positioned at a first position proximate the wrist of the wearer  100  when the sleeve  110  is in the as-worn position and the sleeve  110  is in the first sleeve state  112  (seen in  FIG.  1   ). If more coverage of the limb is desirable, the wearer  100  may unfasten the releasable fastener  128  and pull the distal end  170  of the sleeve  110  distally to cover a portion of the limb distal to the first position. In some aspects, the wearer  100  may extend their thumb through the thumb channel  126  of the insert  122  and out of the thumb opening  124 . To return the sleeve from the second sleeve state  114  (seen in  FIG.  2   ) to the first sleeve state  112  (seen in  FIG.  1   ), the wearer may remove their thumb from the thumb channel  126 , position the insert  122  interior to the sleeve  110  and fasten the releasable fastener  128 . 
     Another aspect of a method  200  of manufacturing a sleeve having an integrated insert is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . The method  200  may include the step of providing a cylindrical tube having a first opening at a proximal end and a second opening at a distal end, as seen at block  202 . The distal end may be opposite from the proximal end. The method  200  may further include the step of forming a third opening in the cylindrical tube between the distal end and the proximal end, as seen at block  204 . The third opening may have a perimeter. The method  200  may include step of affixing an insert to the cylindrical tube around the perimeter of the third opening, as seen at block  206 . The method  200  may further include the step of affixing a releasable fastener to the cylindrical tube proximate the third opening, as seen at block  208 . The sleeve may have a first length when the sleeve is in an extended state. The sleeve may have a second length when the sleeve is in a retracted state. The first length may be longer than the second length. 
     In some aspects, the method  200  may include the step of forming a thumb opening in the insert, as seen at block  210 . In other aspects, the method  200  may include the step of affixing the proximal end of the cylindrical tube to a torso portion of an article of apparel, as seen at block  212 . The article of apparel may comprise a jacket. 
     As discussed above, the sleeve  110  may be incorporated into an upper torso garment. One aspect of an upper torso garment  300  is depicted in  FIG.  8   . The upper torso garment  300  includes a torso portion  302  that includes a front aspect and a back aspect that define a neck opening  304 , a waist opening  306 , a first sleeve opening  308 , and a second sleeve opening  310 . The upper torso garment  300  further includes a first sleeve  312  and a second sleeve  314 . The first sleeve  312  may be coupled to the a torso portion  302  at the first sleeve opening  308 . The second sleeve  314  may be coupled to the torso portion  302  at the second sleeve opening  310 . In other aspects, the first sleeve  312  and the second sleeve  314  may be integrally formed with the torso portion  302 . 
     Each of the first sleeve  312  and the second sleeve  314  may include each of the features the sleeve  110  described above in reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   . Thus, the first sleeve  312  and the second sleeve  314  each may include an insert  122  affixed around a perimeter of a third opening in said sleeve. Further, the first sleeve  312  and the second sleeve  314  each may include a releasable fastener  128  that may hold said sleeve in a retracted state or may allow said sleeve to move to an extended state. For example, in the illustrated aspect the first sleeve  312  is shown in the retracted state where the releasable fastener  128  is fastened. Likewise, in the illustrated aspect the second sleeve  314  is shown in the extended state where the releasable fastener  128  is unfastened and the insert  122  is exposed. 
     The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting. 
     Clause 1. A sleeve comprising: 
     a cylindrical tube having a first opening at a proximal end and a second opening at a distal end, the distal end being opposite the proximal end, the cylindrical tube further comprising a third opening through the cylindrical tube, the third opening positioned proximate the second opening; 
     an insert having one or more perimeter edges, each of the one or more perimeter edges coupled to the cylindrical tube proximate a perimeter of the third opening; and 
     a releasable fastener coupled proximate to the perimeter of the third opening. 
     Clause 2. The sleeve of clause 1, wherein the cylindrical tube is comprised of a knit or woven fabric. 
     Clause 3. The sleeve of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the one or more perimeter edges of the insert are affixed to a perimeter edge of the third opening. 
     Clause 4. The sleeve of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the insert includes a cylindrical sheath configured to receive a thumb. 
     Clause 5. The sleeve of clause 4, wherein the cylindrical sheath includes an aperture at a distal end of the cylindrical sheath. 
     Clause 6. The sleeve of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the insert is affixed to an interior surface of the cylindrical tube proximate the perimeter of the third opening. 
     Clause 7. The sleeve of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the insert is integrally formed with the cylindrical tube. 
     Clause 8. The sleeve of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the insert is exposed through the third opening when the releasable fastener is unfastened. 
     Claus 9. The sleeve of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the insert is stowed within the sleeve when the releasable fastener is fastened. 
     Clause 10. An extendable sleeve comprising: 
     a cylindrical tube having a first opening at a proximal end, a second opening at a distal end, the distal end being opposite the proximal end, and a third opening through the cylindrical tube between the distal end and the proximal end; 
     an insert affixed to the cylindrical tube proximate a perimeter of the third opening; and 
     a releasable fastener coupled to the sleeve proximate the third opening, 
     wherein the sleeve is in an extended state when the releasable fastener is unfastened, and 
     wherein the sleeve is in a retracted state when the releasable fastener is fastened. 
     Clause 11. The sleeve of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the releasable fastener comprises a zipper system. 
     Clause 12. The sleeve of clause 11, wherein the zipper system includes a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape, wherein the first zipper tape is affixed to the cylindrical tube around a first portion of the perimeter of the third opening, and wherein the second zipper tape is affixed to the cylindrical tube around a second portion of the perimeter of the third opening. 
     Clause 13. The sleeve of any of clauses 11-12, wherein the zipper system extends around a portion of the cylindrical tube in a direction normal to an axial direction of the cylindrical tube when the sleeve is in the retracted state. 
     Clause 14. The sleeve of any of clauses 11-13, wherein the zipper system is positioned proximate a wearer&#39;s wrist when the sleeve is in the retracted state in an as-worn configuration. 
     Clause 15. The sleeve of any of clauses 11-14, wherein the zipper is spaced a first distance from the distal end of the cylindrical tube. 
     Clause 16. The sleeve of any of clauses 11-15, wherein the distal end of the cylindrical tube can be pulled in an axial direction of the cylindrical tube to move the sleeve to the extended state after the zipper has been unfastened. 
     Clause 17. The sleeve of any of clauses 10-16, wherein a portion of a wearer&#39;s hand is covered by the distal end of the cylindrical tube when the sleeve is in the extended state in an as-worn configuration. 
     Clause 18. The sleeve of any of the clauses 10-17, wherein the insert is exposed when the sleeve is in the extended state. 
     Clause 19. A method of manufacturing a sleeve having an integrated insert, the method comprising: 
     providing a cylindrical tube having a first opening at a proximal end and a second opening at a distal end, the distal end being opposite the proximal end; 
     forming a third opening through the cylindrical tube between the distal end and the proximal end, the third opening having a perimeter; 
     affixing an insert to the cylindrical tube around the perimeter of the third opening; and 
     affixing a releasable fastener to the cylindrical tube proximate the third opening, wherein the sleeve has a first length when the sleeve is in an extended state, wherein the sleeve has a second length when the sleeve is in a retracted state, wherein the first length is longer than the second length. 
     Clause 20. The method of manufacturing a sleeve having an integrated insert of clause 19, further comprising forming a thumb opening in the insert. 
     Clause 21. The method of manufacturing a sleeve having an integrated insert of any of clauses 19-20, further comprising affixing the proximal end of the cylindrical tube to a torso portion of an article of apparel. 
     Clause 22. The method of manufacturing a sleeve having an integrated insert of any of clauses 19-21, wherein the article of apparel comprises a jacket. 
     Clause 23. An upper torso garment comprising: 
     a torso portion having a front aspect and a back aspect that define a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening; 
     a sleeve extending from the first sleeve opening, the sleeve comprising a tube extending distally from the torso portion to a distal end, the sleeve further comprising a distal opening at the distal end and a lateral opening positioned proximate the distal end, wherein the lateral opening is opened in a first state of the sleeve and the lateral opening is closed in a second state of the sleeve; 
     an insert having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a panel affixed to a perimeter of the lateral opening, the second portion having a cylindrical sheath configured to receive a thumb shape; and 
     a releasable fastener coupled to the sleeve proximate the lateral opening, wherein the releasable fastener is unfastened in the first state of the sleeve and the releasable fastener is fastened in the second state of the sleeve. 
     Clause 24. The upper torso garment of clause 23, wherein the cylindrical sheath includes an aperture at a distal end of the cylindrical sheath. 
     Clause 25. The upper torso garment of any of clauses 23-24, wherein cylindrical sheath has a frustoconical shape. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.