Patent Publication Number: US-6904612-B2

Title: Weather and climate adaptive Halloween costume

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND 
   Traditionally, Halloween costumes started as relatively unelaborate arrangements. Simple dime store masks which only covered the eyes, wild west robber masks comprising a simple handkerchief taken from the household stock, and perhaps homemade makeups like burnt cork, mom&#39;s makeup, cherry juice or the like were all within the range of acceptable getups for Halloween. 
   With increasing prosperity and the technology which fostered it, Halloween getups and related items began to evolve into increasingly elaborate forms. For example, there emerged widespread availability of colored pastel chalks for making up the face, accessories such as jack o lantern baskets, and masks meant to simulate various traditional figures associated with the Halloween holiday, such as witches, goblins, devils, and so forth. At approximately the same time, there also emerged the commercial Halloween costume, usually a relatively inexpensive low quality product made of relatively light weight synthetic materials printed with material intended to simulate the particular personality which the costume was meant to emulate, such as a skeleton, witch, or other fantastical creature. 
   Successful Halloween costumes must meet numerous criteria. They must be attractive, they must be comfortable to wear, and they should be inexpensive. In addition, in order to avoid marketing problems, costumes should be functional over a wide range of climates, and for each of those climates over a wide range of weather conditions typical of those climates during the mid fall period. For example, if a Halloween costume is to be marketed nationwide, it must be comfortable in relatively hot fall weather for the state of Texas as well as relatively cold fall weather for the state of Maine. At the same time, it should also function well in other states for both relatively hot and relatively cold weather conditions. The difference in climate between, for example, New York and South Carolina is not insignificant. In addition, because weather is not predictable, a Halloween costume bought for wearing on Halloween must be wearable whether the weather turns out to be relatively hot or relatively cold. Unlike regular clothing, where the child has a wardrobe with numerous garments suitable for various weather conditions, a Halloween costume is generally a single item in a child&#39;s wardrobe and will be worn only once. The problem is compounded because the costume must be purchased a week or perhaps even a month before Halloween, when weather conditions can hardly be anticipated. 
   In connection with accommodating variations in temperature, it is noted that increases in temperature cause far more serious problems than decreases in temperature. In particular, increases in temperature, particularly with a costume made of plush material will result in overheating. On the other hand, decreases in temperature can be accommodated by wearing extra clothing, such as a sweater, gloves or the like. 
   In addition, not only must the wearer be subject to changes in temperature, it is also necessary that the wearer deal with changes in humidity. Increases in humidity can be just as serious as increases in temperature in the higher temperature ranges. Failure to take into account the factors of temperature and humidity, and also other factors such as expected levels of physical activity, and other aspects of the wearing of a Halloween costume, can result in extreme discomfort and, potentially, illness. 
   In recent years, the increasing popularity of plush materials in stuffed animal toys has, not surprisingly, suggested the use of this material in Halloween costumes. While the substitution of plush, that is a fabric with a fur-like outer surface and a woven backer, in principal, for traditional Halloween costume materials may be made by simple substitution, the same gives rise to a number of problems, as discussed above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Plush is a relatively dense and insulative material and tends to hold in both heat and moisture. In addition, the desire, for aesthetic reasons, to make plush costumes of the type which completely cover the wearer, including a head portion, arm portions, leg portions, and of course, body portions, compounds the problems that can be caused by the insulative properties of plush. 
   In addition to the above problems, the costume must accommodate not only losses of humidity, but also losses of heat in order to maintain comfort. These objectives are achieved in accordance with the present invention. In particular, in accordance with the invention, the above objectives are achieved through the use of venting. Venting is accomplished using a mesh, net-like material, or other ventilated fabric in the fabrication of the costume. Such venting materials are used in a range of colors, textures and other physical appearances designed to compliment the appearance of the Halloween costume. At the same time, in accordance with the invention, venting materials are placed, to the extent possible, in areas not visible from the front of the inventive costume. In addition, in accordance with the invention, venting is placed at the ends of the extremities, that is adjacent to wrists and ankles, around the neck, under the arms and in the back of the costume. Further, in accordance with the present invention, relatively large areas of venting material are situated on the inventive Halloween costume in such a manner that they appear as relatively small areas, thus maintaining large venting areas at the interface between potentially too humid or too hot air inside the costume and the ambient, thus promoting transfer of heat and humidity through venting. However, in certain instances, as alluded to above, the venting material has a smaller apparent area. 
   This is achieved by ruffling or crumpling the venting material to reduce apparent costume area while still maintaining venting area. The same is achieved by putting venting material adjacent to the normally elastic cuffs of a costume adjacent to the wrist and extending up the arm toward the body. This same structure is also applied to elastic cuffs at the bottom of the pants portion of a costume adjacent the ankles of the wearer. It is noted that these cuffs contain an elastic member in order to give the costume some form and to prevent drafts. 
   The inventive Halloween costume comprises a first garment base member portion generally defining the shape of at least a portion of a Halloween character to define the appearance of the Halloween character. The first garment base member portion being configured and dimensioned to be worn by a person. The insulative material is disposed over at least a portion of the first garment base member portion. The second garment base member portion is secured to the first garment base member portion. The second garment base member portion and the first garment base member portion together define the complete shape on the Halloween character. The second garment base member portion comprises a venting material which functions as a ventilator for the Halloween costume. At least one decorative member is secured to either the first or the second garment base members. The decorative member further outlines the appearance of the Halloween character. 
   The Halloween costume may be manufactured using the insulative material, such as a fur-like material. 
   The Halloween costume may be manufactured using such fur-like material as a plush fabric. The Halloween costume comprises a venting material such as netting. The netting material in the Halloween costume may be a textile mesh. The Halloween costume having a complete shape, which defines a cuff and further comprising an elastic member for closing the cuff. The Halloween costume&#39;s venting material defines the portion of the cuff and is compressed by the elastic member. 
   The Halloween costume&#39;s complete shape includes a frontal portion and a back portion, and further comprises a zipper extending across the frontal portion or the back portion. The zipper has a length sufficient to enable an individual to put on the suit when the zipper is open. 
   The Halloween costume&#39;s complete shape defines a head portion. The head portion is configured, dimensioned and positioned to serve as a hat for an individual wearing the costume. 
   The Halloween costume&#39;s complete shape defines two arms and a body portion. Also, the costume&#39;s complete shape defines two legs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a head portion of the invention in its useful position; 
       FIG. 3  is a back view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative fabric venting material arrangement; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates cups in compressed position; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates cups in stretched out position; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a fabric venting material. 
       FIG. 8  is a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which venting material is applied to the interior of the hood and neck region such that the plush will not be against a wearer; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the head portion of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-section of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  along lines  10 — 10 ; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-section of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  along lines  11 — 11 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which venting material is sewn into the neck region such that the venting material can be seen from the outside of the costume; 
       FIG. 13  is a plan view of one type of mesh fabric that can be employed in practicing the invention; and 
       FIG. 14  is a plan view of one type of mesh fabric that can be employed in practicing the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION 
   Turning to  FIG. 1 , a costume that can be constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. While the inventive costume may take numerous forms, in the illustrated embodiment costume  10  represents an animal, in particular an elephant. 
   Costume  10  is comprised of different materials. In particular, the head  12  and ears  14  of the animal are made of plush material. Plastic eyes  16  are provided. Various features of the animal including tusks  18 , snout  20 , and frontal neck area  22  are also made of plush material. In accordance with the preferred embodiment it is contemplated that the head  24  of the elephant will function as a hat, as illustrated in FIG.  2 . This allows the wearer  26  to see clearly, while preserving the appearance of the overall costume. 
   The costume includes frontal body portions  28  which are also made of plush material. Likewise, frontal arm portions  30  are made of plush and include plush decorations such as elephant claws  32 . In accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that claws  32  are made of plush, perhaps with different characteristics such as color, texture or the like. In addition, claws  32  may be stuffed to protrude from the surface of frontal arm portion  30 . 
   Similarly, frontal leg portions  34  are also made of plush material and are decorated with foot claws  36  with are also made of contrasting plush material in accordance with the preferred embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the construction of the rear of the suit is similar including rear arm portions  38 , rear leg portions  40  and rear body portion  42 . The costume also in includes a plush tail  44  mounted on rear body portion  42 . Additional decorations or features include claws  46  and  48  which are also made of plush material with, optionally, contrasting color or texture, and optionally maybe stuffed to protrude from the surface of rear arm portion  38 . 
   In accordance with the invention, venting is provided by venting material which is sewn to the plush portions of the costume already described above to complete the body form fitting and body covering suit nature of the costume. In particular, venting material is provided in neck regions  52  along the top length of the arms in region  54  and arm bottom regions  56 . Venting is also provided on the sides  58  of costume  10  as well as on the inseam  60  of the inventive costume. The structure of the suit is completed by a frontal zipper  62  (FIG.  1 ). 
   In accordance with the invention, any one of numerous materials may be used to provide venting of heat and moisture accumulated within costume  10  when it is worn. Likewise, all venting areas such as neck regions  52 , top arms region  54 , bottom arms regions  56 , sides  58  and inseam  60  may all be made of the same material. Such material may comprise a loosely knitted fabric, or a fabric mesh with large voids or holes  64 . Thus, after a child puts on the suit and closes zipper  62 , holes  64  act to release moisture and heat. 
   In accordance with the invention, the provision of venting in certain areas of the costume is particularly important. For example, venting in underarm area  68  as well as inseam area  70  are of particular value. 
   Referring in particular, it is noted that the cups  72  and  74  are loosely fitting and thus promote venting. This construction is particularly cost effective. 
   An alternative approach is illustrated in  FIG. 4  where fabric venting material  156  in costume  110  includes holes  164 . Here the cup  174  is sewn is around an elastic member  176  shown in hidden lines in FIG.  4 . The effect of elastic  176  is to squeeze the cuff around the wrist of the wearer, thus causing it to close, and have a more defined aesthetically attractive form. In accordance with this embodiment loss of venting is accommodated by a relatively large area of venting material  156 . 
   In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , venting material  156  is crumpled into folds  178 , thus giving it a smaller visual appearance, but preserving the overall area of venting material, thus promoting the loss of heat and humidity. Such overall effective area of venting material is effectively utilized during use of the costume, because, as the individual wearing the costume moves, such movement has the effect of compressing and opening up volumes within the costume, thus resulting in the ejection of hot or moist air during compression cycles and the input of cooler and less moist ambient air into the costume thru venting material  156  and holes  164 . 
   In addition, the inventive costume allows the cups  174  to be opened up and expanded from the compressed position illustrated in  FIG. 5  to an open position illustrated in  FIG. 6 , thus allowing the hands of the user to pass through cuffs  174  after which the cuffs are allowed to elastically return from the stretched out configuration illustrated in  FIG. 6  to the unstretched configuration illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
   A close-up view of venting material  156  is illustrated in FIG.  7 . Venting material  156  includes holes  164 . Holes  164 , are defined in venting material  156 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, holes  164  are formed during the knitting or weaving of venting material  156 . The manner of forming holes in fabric is not a part of the invention and may be accomplished in a number of ways which are known in the art. 
   An alternative embodiment of the present invention which uses venting material in the head and/or neck area only is illustrated in FIG.  8 . This provides venting in the most critical areas. Costume  210  is comprised of a plush material forming a hooded jacket like structure. Attached to hood  224  is a character head  212  and ears  214  which are made of a plush material. 
   Costume  210  includes a frontal body portion  228  which is made of a plush material. Likewise, frontal arm portions  230  are made of plush and can optionally include plush decoration corresponding to the character illustrated on hood  224 . As would be common with a jacket, body portions  228  can be completed using a frontal zipper  262 . Body portions  228  can optionally include plush decoration corresponding to the character illustrated on hood  224 . 
   In accordance with the present invention, venting is provided by a venting material  256  which is sewn as a lining for the head area including the scalp, ears, and the back of the neck, into the interior portion of the jacket like structure described above. In particular, venting material  256  is provided in the hood region  224  and neck region  252 . Venting material  256  includes holes  264 , and acts as a spacer, prompting air flow and comfort. Venting material has absorptive wicking characteristics. The wicking function and evaporation of moisture can be enhanced by using plush as the backer of similar material to form the head portion of the inventive costume, although this is not required. In either case, the natural tendency of plush to breathe helps promote the exhaust of moist air throughout the plush with this function enhanced by the mesh material. 
   Venting material  256  may be used to provide venting of heat and moisture accumulated within the hood  224  when the same is worn. Venting material  256  provides a space to promote air circulation between the user&#39;s head and the plush outer material of hood  224 . Venting material  256  is not visible from the outside of costume  210 . This provides venting around the periphery of the face hole  266 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , it is a close-up view of hood region  224  previously described, illustrating in further detail the relationship of hood  224 , and user  226 . Further illustrated in  FIG. 9  is the relationship of a character figure with the characters head to  12  and ears to  14  on hood  224 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a cross-section view inside hood region  224  showing the full inside of the rear and the front of hood  224 , respectively, are lined with the venting material  256 , comprising holes  264 . 
   It is also intended within the scope of the present invention to include an embodiment in which the full inside surface of the costume  210 , or parts there of, are lined with venting material  256 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an alternative embodiment similar to the  FIGS. 8-9  embodiment, but with additional venting in hood region  324  is illustrated. Venting material  356  is sewn into neck region  352 . Venting material  356  can be seen from the outside of costume  310 . It is intended within the scope of the present invention wherein a costume  310  can have venting material  356  in other areas where the same is viewable from the outside of costume  310 . It is also intended within the scope of the present invention to have a costume  310  wherein venting material  356  is in areas where the same is viewable from the outside of costume  310 , and also have venting material  356  in areas of costume  310  that are not visible from the outside of costume  310 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , various types of mesh fabric which may be used with the invention are illustrated. A knitted mesh  456  comprised of loops of yarn  470  knitted to define holes  464  in a manner known in the knitting industry may not be used. Likewise, a “fisherman&#39;s net” mesh  556  defining holes  564  (such as the material employed in T shirts and other garments) may also be used to promote comfort, wicking, evaporation, spacing and air flow. 
   While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is, of course, understood that various modifications will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the appended claims.