Patent Publication Number: US-2023144806-A1

Title: Mutli-pocket garment apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a garment system, and more particularly, to a garment apparatus having a plurality of pockets with a plurality of heat exchangers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A top, or an upper garment, is an item of clothing that covers the chest, the belly, the waist, the arms, and the neck. Usually, the upper garment covers most of the upper human body between the neck and the waist. The bottom of the upper garment can be as short as mid-torso, or as long as mid-thigh. For men, the upper garment is generally paired with pants, and for women, the upper garment is generally with pants or skirts. Common types of the upper garment are t-shirts, blouses and shirts. 
     The upper garment is an item worn on the upper human body. Typically, the upper garment is made of fabrics or textiles, but over time there are upper garments made from animal skin and other thin sheets of materials and natural products found in the environment or artificial products. The wearing of the upper garment is mostly restricted to human beings and is a feature of all human societies. The amount and type of the upper garment worn depends on race, gender, body type, social factors, and geographic considerations. 
     The upper garment serves many purposes. For example, the upper garment can serve as protection from the elements, rough surfaces, sharp stones, rash-causing plants, insect bites, splinters, thorns and prickles, since the upper garment is able to provide a barrier between the skin and the environment. The upper garment is able to insulate against cold or hot conditions. Additionally, the upper garment is able to provide a hygienic barrier, keeping infectious and toxic materials away from the upper human body. The upper garment is able to protect the upper human body from injury and discomfort or facilitate navigation in varied environments. The upper garment is able to also provide protection from ultraviolet radiation. The upper garment is able to prevent glare or increase visual acuity in harsh environments. The upper garment is able to provide protection against injury in specific tasks and occupations, sports, and warfare. 
     The upper garment may have significant social factors as well. Wearing the upper garment is a variable social norm. The upper garment may connote modesty. Being deprived of the upper garment in front of others may be embarrassing, especially for women. In many parts of the world, not wearing the upper garment in public so that genitals, breasts, or buttocks are visible could be considered indecent exposure, especially for women. The upper garment also may be used to communicate social status, wealth, group identity, and individualism. 
     Furthermore, the upper garment may have pockets, belts, or loops as a means to carry things. For example, pouches of pockets of the upper garment may carry heating packets or cooling packets. A known upper garment for heating body temperature or cooling body temperature has pouches for accommodating inserted heating packets or cooling packets. Another known ice cooling upper garment is used to alleviate physiological strain due to heat stress and has sealed pockets containing water which can be frozen so as to provide body cooling. However, these known upper garments do not describe that an upper garment apparatus provides therapy functions to shoulders, a back and a waist of a wearer. 
     Accordingly, there is need for a solution to at least one of the aforementioned problems. For instance, there is an established need for a preferably garment apparatus that could give relief to users who may suffer from muscle and arthritic pain, degenerative disc disease, post physical therapy pain, post-surgery pain, sports injury related pain, heat exhaustion, inflammation and muscle pain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a garment apparatus. The garment apparatus comprises a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel, a panel fastener, a neck section, a first shoulder section, a second shoulder section, a bust section, a waist section, a first shoulder pocket, a second shoulder pocket, a waist pocket and a back pocket. The rear panel is connected in between the first front panel and the second front panel. The first front panel and the second front panel are removably and laterally engaged with each other via the panel fastener. The first front panel comprises a first exterior surface, a first interior surface, a first front upper portion, a first front middle portion and a first front lower portion. The second front panel comprises a second exterior surface, a second interior surface, a second front upper portion, a second front middle portion and a second front lower portion. The rear panel comprises a rear exterior surface, a rear interior surface, a rear upper portion, a rear middle portion and a rear lower portion. The neck section is formed across and around the first front upper portion, the rear upper portion and the second front upper portion. The first shoulder section is formed across and around the first front upper portion and the rear upper portion. The second shoulder section is formed across and around the second front upper portion and the rear upper portion. The bust section is formed across and around the first front middle portion, the rear middle portion and the second front middle portion. The waist section is formed across and around the first front lower portion, the rear lower portion and the second front lower portion. The first shoulder pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the first exterior surface and the rear exterior surface. Alternatively, the first shoulder pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the first interior surface and the rear interior surface. The first shoulder pocket is located at the first shoulder section. The second shoulder pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the second exterior surface and the rear exterior surface. Alternatively, the second shoulder pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the second interior surface and the rear interior surface. The second shoulder pocket is located at the second shoulder section. The waist pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear exterior surface. Alternatively, the waist pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear interior surface. The waist pocket is located at and extends along the waist section. The back pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear exterior surface. Alternatively, the back pocket is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear interior surface. The back pocket extends from the waist section, through the bust section to the neck section. 
     In a first aspect, the first shoulder pocket comprises a first shoulder pocket body, a first shoulder pocket compartment and a first shoulder heat exchanger. The first shoulder pocket compartment is formed within the first shoulder pocket body. The first shoulder heat exchanger is accommodated within the first shoulder pocket compartment. The second shoulder pocket comprises a second shoulder pocket body, a second shoulder pocket compartment and a second shoulder heat exchanger. The second shoulder pocket compartment is formed within the second shoulder pocket body. The second shoulder heat exchanger is accommodated within the second shoulder pocket compartment. The waist pocket comprises a waist pocket body, a waist pocket compartment and a waist heat exchanger. The waist pocket compartment is formed within the waist pocket body. The waist heat exchanger is accommodated within the waist pocket compartment. The back pocket comprises a back pocket body, a back pocket compartment and a back heat exchanger. The back pocket compartment is formed within the back pocket body. The back heat exchanger is accommodated within the back pocket compartment. 
     In a second aspect, the first shoulder pocket further comprises a first shoulder pocket opening and a first shoulder pocket fastener. The first shoulder pocket opening traverses into the first shoulder pocket body and is in spatial communication with the first shoulder pocket compartment. The first shoulder pocket fastener is configured to close or open the first shoulder pocket opening. The second shoulder pocket further comprises a second shoulder pocket opening and a second shoulder pocket fastener. The second shoulder pocket opening traverses into the second shoulder pocket body and is in spatial communication with the second shoulder pocket compartment. he second shoulder pocket fastener is configured to close or open the second shoulder pocket opening. The waist pocket further comprises a waist pocket opening and a waist pocket fastener. The waist pocket opening traverses into the waist pocket body and is in spatial communication with the waist pocket compartment. The waist pocket fastener is configured to close or open the waist pocket opening. The back pocket further comprises a back pocket opening and a back pocket fastener. The back pocket opening traverses into the back pocket body and is in spatial communication with the back pocket compartment. The back pocket fastener is configured to close or open the back pocket opening. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    presents a front view of a garment apparatus with a plurality of pockets of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    presents a rear view of the garment apparatus with the plurality of pockets of the present invention: 
         FIG.  3    presents a front view of the garment apparatus with a plurality of heat exchangers of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  4    presents a rear view of the garment apparatus with the plurality of heat exchangers of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG.  1   . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a garment apparatus. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the garment apparatus  100  comprises a first front panel  102 , a second front panel  104 , a rear panel  106 , a panel fastener  108 , a neck section  110 , a first shoulder section  112 , a second shoulder section  114 , a bust section  116 , a waist section  118 , a first shoulder pocket  120 , a second shoulder pocket  122 , a waist pocket  124  and a back pocket  126 . 
     The first front panel  102  is laterally connected with the rear panel  106 . The second front panel  104  is laterally connected with the rear panel  106 . The rear panel  106  is connected in between the first front panel  102  and the second front panel  104 . The first front panel  102  and the second front panel  104  are oppositely located to each other about the rear panel  106 . The panel fastener  108  is attached to the first front panel  102  and/or the second front panel  104 . The first front panel  102  and the second front panel  104  are removably and laterally engaged with each other via the panel fastener  108 . The first front panel  102  comprises a washable and light weight nylon material. Alternatively, the first front panel  102  may be fabricated of a material of low thermal insulation capabilities. The second front panel  104  comprises a washable and light weight nylon material. Alternatively, the second front panel  104  may be fabricated of a material of low thermal insulation capabilities. The rear panel  106  comprises a washable and light weight nylon material. Alternatively, the rear panel  106  may be fabricated of a material of low thermal insulation capabilities. 
     The first front panel  102  comprises a first exterior surface  128 , a first interior surface  130 , a first front upper portion  132 , a first front middle portion  134  and a first front lower portion  136 . The second front panel  104  comprises a second exterior surface  138 , a second interior surface  140 , a second front upper portion  142 , a second front middle portion  144  and a second front lower portion  146 . The rear panel  106  comprises a rear exterior surface  148 , a rear interior surface  150 , a rear upper portion  152 , a rear middle portion  154  and a rear lower portion  156 . 
     The first exterior surface  128  and the first interior surface  130  are oppositely located to each other. The first front middle portion  134  is formed in between the first front upper portion  132  and the first front lower portion  136 . The second exterior surface  138  and the second interior surface  140  are oppositely located to each other. The second front middle portion  144  is formed in between the second front upper portion  142  and the second front lower portion  146 . The rear exterior surface  148  and the rear interior surface  150  are oppositely located to each other. The rear middle portion  154  is formed in between the rear upper portion  152  and the rear lower portion  156 . 
     The first front upper portion  132  is laterally connected with the rear upper portion  152 . The second front upper portion  142  is laterally connected with the rear upper portion  152 . The rear upper portion  152  is connected in between the first front upper portion  132  and the second front upper portion  142 . The first front upper portion  132  and the second front upper portion  142  are oppositely located to each other about the rear upper portion  152 . The first front middle portion  134  is laterally connected with the rear middle portion  154 . The second front middle portion  144  is laterally connected with the rear middle portion  154 . The rear middle portion  154  is connected in between the first front middle portion  134  and the second front middle portion  144 . The first front middle portion  134  and the second front middle portion  144  are oppositely located to each other about the rear middle portion  154 . The first front lower portion  136  is laterally connected with the rear lower portion  156 . The second front lower portion  146  is laterally connected with the rear lower portion  156 . The rear lower portion  156  is connected in between the first front lower portion  136  and the second front lower portion  146 . The first front lower portion  136  and the second front lower portion  146  are oppositely located to each other about the rear lower portion  156 . 
     The panel fastener  108  is attached to at least one of the first front upper portion  132 , the first front middle portion  134  and the first front lower portion  136  of the first front panel  102  and/or at least one of the second front upper portion  142 , the second front middle portion  144  and the second front lower portion  146  of the second front panel  104 . The panel fastener  108  might be, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap and button fastener, or a Velcro. 
     The neck section  110  is formed across and around the first front upper portion  132 , the rear upper portion  152  and the second front upper portion  142 . The first shoulder section  112  is formed across and around the first front upper portion  132  and the rear upper portion  152 . The second shoulder section  114  is formed across and around the second front upper portion  142  and the rear upper portion  152 . The bust section  116  is formed across and around the first front middle portion  134 , the rear middle portion  154  and the second front middle portion  144 . The waist section  118  is formed across and around the first front lower portion  136 , the rear lower portion  156  and the second front lower portion  146 . 
     The first shoulder pocket  120  is permanently or removably mounted onto the first exterior surface  128  and the rear exterior surface  148 . Alternatively, the first shoulder pocket  120  is permanently or removably mounted onto the first interior surface  130  and the rear interior surface  150 . The first shoulder pocket  120  is located at the first shoulder section  112 . The second shoulder pocket  122  is permanently or removably mounted onto the second exterior surface  138  and the rear exterior surface  148 . Alternatively, the second shoulder pocket  122  is permanently or removably mounted onto the second interior surface  140  and the rear interior surface  150 . The second shoulder pocket  122  is located at the second shoulder section  114 . The waist pocket  124  is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear exterior surface  148 . Alternatively, the waist pocket  124  is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear interior surface  150 . The waist pocket  124  is located at and extends along the waist section  118 . The back pocket  126  is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear exterior surface  148 . Alternatively, the back pocket  126  is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear interior surface  150 . The back pocket  126  extends from the waist section  118 , through the bust section  116  to the neck section  110 . 
     The first shoulder pocket  120  comprises a first shoulder pocket body  158 , a first shoulder pocket compartment  160  and a first shoulder heat exchanger  162 . The first shoulder pocket body  158  is permanently or removably mounted onto the first exterior surface  128  and the rear exterior surface  148 . The first shoulder pocket body  158  is located at the first shoulder section  112 . The first shoulder pocket compartment  160  is formed within the first shoulder pocket body  158 . The first shoulder heat exchanger  162  is accommodated within the first shoulder pocket compartment  160 . The first shoulder heat exchanger  162  is a heater or a cooler. The heater is adapted for dissipating the heating temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The cooler is adapted for dissipating the cooling temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The first shoulder heat exchanger  162  comprises a clay material or a gel material. The first shoulder pocket body  158  may comprise a water-proof material. Additionally, the first shoulder pocket body  158  may comprise a material of low thermal insulation capabilities. 
     The first shoulder pocket  120  further comprises a first shoulder pocket opening  164  and a first shoulder pocket fastener  166 . The first shoulder pocket opening  164  traverses into the first shoulder pocket body  158  and is in spatial communication with the first shoulder pocket compartment  160 . The first shoulder pocket fastener  166  is attached to the first shoulder pocket body  158  and is adjacently located to the first shoulder pocket opening  164 . The first shoulder pocket fastener  166  is configured to close or open the first shoulder pocket opening  164 . The first shoulder pocket fastener  166  might be, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap and button fastener, or a Velcro. When the first shoulder pocket opening  164  is closed by the first shoulder pocket fastener  166 , the first shoulder heat exchanger  162  is prevented from being slipping, crimping or dislodging out of the first shoulder pocket compartment  160 . 
     The second shoulder pocket  122  comprises a second shoulder pocket body  168 , a second shoulder pocket compartment  170  and a second shoulder heat exchanger  172 . The second shoulder pocket body  168  is permanently or removably mounted onto the second exterior surface  138  and the rear exterior surface  148 . The second shoulder pocket body  168  is located at the second shoulder section  114 . The second shoulder pocket compartment  170  is formed within the second shoulder pocket body  168 . The second shoulder heat exchanger  172  is accommodated within the second shoulder pocket compartment  170 . The second shoulder heat exchanger  172  is a heater or a cooler. The heater is adapted for dissipating the heating temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The cooler is adapted for dissipating the cooling temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The second shoulder heat exchanger  172  comprises a clay material or a gel material. The second shoulder pocket body  168  may comprise a water-proof material. Additionally, the second shoulder pocket body  168  may comprise a material of low thermal insulation capabilities. 
     The second shoulder pocket  122  further comprises a second shoulder pocket opening  174  and a second shoulder pocket fastener  176 . The second shoulder pocket opening  174  traverses into the second shoulder pocket body  168  and is in spatial communication with the second shoulder pocket compartment  170 . The second shoulder pocket fastener  176  is attached to the second shoulder pocket body  168  and is adjacently located to the second shoulder pocket opening  174 . The second shoulder pocket fastener  176  is configured to close or open the second shoulder pocket opening  174 . The second shoulder pocket fastener  176  might be, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap and button fastener, or a Velcro. When the second shoulder pocket opening  174  is closed by the second shoulder pocket fastener  176 , the second shoulder heat exchanger  172  is prevented from being slipping, crimping or dislodging out of the second shoulder pocket compartment  170 . 
     The waist pocket  124  comprises a waist pocket body  178 , a waist pocket compartment  180  and a waist heat exchanger  182 . The waist pocket body  178  is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear exterior surface  148 . The waist pocket body  178  is located at and extends along the waist section  118 . The waist pocket compartment  180  is formed within the waist pocket body  178 . The waist heat exchanger  182  is accommodated within the waist pocket compartment  180 . The waist heat exchanger  182  is a heater or a cooler. The heater is adapted for dissipating the heating temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The cooler is adapted for dissipating the cooling temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The waist heat exchanger  182  comprises a clay material or a gel material. The waist pocket body  178  may comprise a water-proof material. Additionally, the waist pocket body  178  may comprise a material of low thermal insulation capabilities. 
     The waist pocket  124  further comprises a waist pocket opening  184  and a waist pocket fastener  186 . The waist pocket opening  184  traverses into the waist pocket body  178  and is in spatial communication with the waist pocket compartment  180 . The waist pocket fastener  186  is attached to the waist pocket body  178  and is adjacently located to the waist pocket opening  184 . The waist pocket fastener  186  is configured to close or open the waist pocket opening  184 . The waist pocket fastener  186  might be, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap and button fastener, or a Velcro. When the waist pocket opening  184  is closed by the waist pocket fastener  186 , the waist heat exchanger  182  is prevented from being slipping, crimping or dislodging out of the waist pocket compartment  180 . 
     The back pocket  126  comprises a back pocket body  188 , a back pocket compartment  190  and a back heat exchanger  192 . The back pocket body  188  is permanently or removably mounted onto the rear exterior surface  148 . The back pocket body  188  extends from the waist section  118 , through the bust section  116  to the neck section. The back pocket compartment  190  is formed within the back pocket body  188 . The back heat exchanger  192  is accommodated within the back pocket compartment  190 . The back heat exchanger  192  is a heater or a cooler. The heater is adapted for dissipating the heating temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The cooler is adapted for dissipating the cooling temperature to a wearer of the garment apparatus  100 . The back heat exchanger  192  comprises a clay material or a gel material. The back pocket body  188  may comprise a water-proof material. Additionally, the back pocket body  188  may comprise a material of low thermal insulation capabilities. 
     The back pocket  126  further comprises a back pocket opening  194  and a back pocket fastener  196 . The back pocket opening  194  traverses into the back pocket body  188  and is in spatial communication with the back pocket compartment  190 . The back pocket fastener  196  is attached to the back pocket body  188  and is adjacently located to the back pocket opening  194 . The back pocket fastener  196  is configured to close or open the back pocket opening  194 . The back pocket fastener  196  might be, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap and button fastener, or a Velcro. When the back pocket opening  194  is closed by the back pocket fastener  196 , the back heat exchanger  192  is prevented from being slipping, crimping or dislodging out of the back pocket compartment  190 . 
     When the garment apparatus  100  is worn by a user, the first shoulder pocket  120  and the second shoulder pocket  122  are in close proximity to two shoulder parts of a user body of the user, the waist pocket  124  is in close proximity to a waist part and a lumbar spine of the user body of the user, and the back pocket  126  is in close proximity to a neck part, a cervical spine, a bust part and a thoracic spine of the user body of the user. 
     The garment apparatus  100  may further comprise a waist belt  198 . The waist belt  198  is permanently or removably attached to the first front lower portion  136 , the rear lower portion  156  and the second front lower portion  146  so as to insure a snug fit for a wearer. 
     The garment apparatus  100  is designed specifically to give relief to users who may suffer from muscle and arthritic pain, degenerative disc disease, post physical therapy pain, post-surgery pain, sports injury related pain, heat exhaustion, inflammation and muscle pain, etc. The garment apparatus  100  is not to be worn in excess of twenty minutes; however, the usage duration may be extended dependent on the situation. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.