Patent ID: 12201188

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated inFIGS.1-11, apparel, footwear, sports equipment, and accessories (“articles of wear10”) or components thereof are formed from a color changing material12. In certain embodiments, as shown inFIGS.2A-2B, the material12comprises at least a first layer14, a second layer16, and a third layer18. However, a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the material12may comprise more or less layers as needed or desired to achieve the desired properties of the material12.

In certain embodiments, the first layer14comprises a stretchable material, which may include but is not limited to polyurethane (“PU”) or thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) films, paint, dye, rubber, or other suitable materials. The material that comprises the first layer14may include a first coloration, which may be any suitable color including but not limited to any color within the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light spectrum.

In certain embodiments, the second layer16also comprises a stretchable material, which may include but is not limited to PU or TPU films. The second layer16comprises a substantially translucent appearance that becomes increasingly opaque as increasingly higher magnitudes of stretching forces are applied until the second layer16becomes substantially opaque. In other words, the degree of opacity of the second layer16is related to the magnitude of stretching force applied to the second layer16until second layer16reaches a substantially opaque appearance, and this property is best illustrated inFIGS.2A-2B.

In certain embodiments, the third layer18comprises a stretchable material, which may include but is not limited to PU or TPU films, paint, dye, rubber, or other suitable materials. The material that comprises the third layer18may include a second coloration, which may be any suitable color including but not limited to any color within the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light spectrum. In certain cases, it may be desirable to have the third layer18include a coloration that is different from the coloration of the first layer14.

In certain embodiments, the colors of the first layer14and the third layer18are chosen as complimentary colors which, when combined in the right proportions, produce a desired third color. Examples of such color combinations may be based on subtractive colors, such as the traditional primary/secondary color pairs of red-green, yellow-violet, and blue-orange, or may be based on additive colors, such as the RGB color model where the complementary pairs are red-cyan, green-magenta, and blue-yellow. Other color combinations may include yellow-black, yellow-red, red-blue, metallic, glow in the dark, and reflective combinations.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the material12comprises an “unstretched condition” and a “stretched condition.” The material12is in the “unstretched condition” so long as the second layer16remains in substantially translucent. The material12is in the “stretched condition” when a stretching force of a sufficiently large magnitude is applied to the material12so that the second layer16is substantially opaque. In certain embodiments, the material12may reach the “stretched condition” when the material12has been stretched to approximately 10% of its total potential stretchability. However, a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the “stretched condition” may be achieved when the material12has been stretched to any desirable amount of the total potential stretchability of the material12.

In certain embodiments, the transition between the unstretched condition and the stretched condition of the material12results in a change in the colored appearance of the material12. For example, as illustrated inFIGS.1and2A, the material12displays an “unstretched colored appearance” when the material12is in the unstretched condition. In contrast, as illustrated inFIGS.1and2B, the material12displays a “stretched colored appearance” when the material12is in the stretched condition.

For example, as illustrated inFIGS.1,3,4, and7-11, the first layer14may have a yellow coloration, and the third layer18may have a black coloration. When the material12is in the unstretched condition, the second layer16is substantially translucent. As a result, the material12has a green appearance because the unstretched colored appearance is a combination of the yellow first layer14and the black third layer18(which is visible through the substantially translucent second layer16), as illustrated inFIGS.1and2A.

In contrast, when the material12is in the stretched condition, the second layer16is substantially opaque. As a result, the material12has a yellow appearance because the stretched colored appearance is based on the yellow first layer14and the substantially opaque second layer16(because the black third layer18is substantially concealed by the second layer16).

A person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the first layer14, the second layer16, and/or the third layer18may be coupled to one another via any suitable method including but not limited to laminating, adhering, bonding, silk screening, roller forming, vacuum forming, or any other suitable mechanical, chemical, or heat treatment method.

According to some embodiments, the fourth layer20comprises a bonding material that may allow the material12to be laminated or otherwise coupled to other materials. The bonding material may include but is not limited to a hot melt material or an adhesive layer.

According to some embodiments, the fifth layer22comprises a backing material that may allow the material12to be laminated or otherwise coupled to other materials. The backing material22may include but is not limited to leather, synthetic leather, PU, TPU, rubber, fabric, nylon, or any other suitable material for the desired application.

In certain embodiments, the total thickness of the material12comprises approximately 0.3-0.5 mm, but may range from 0.1 to 1.5 mm. In these embodiments, the third layer18comprises approximately 0.1 mm, but may range from 0.05 to 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, the total thickness of the material12cannot be too thick or it will become too resistant to stretching. In contrast, the total thickness of the material12cannot be too thin or it will become too weak and easily broken, and may appear transparent even when stretched.

In certain embodiments, the material12may comprise at least one elastic portion24. In these embodiments, the elastic portion24comprises the unstretched and stretched conditions, as described above. When the elastic portion24is in the stretched condition and the stretching force is removed, the elastic portion24is configured to return to the unstretched condition due to its elastic properties.

In certain embodiments, the material12may further comprise at least one fixed portion26. In these embodiments, the fixed portion26may at least initially comprise the unstretched condition and the stretched condition, as described above. However, the fixed portion26may be treated so that when the fixed portion26is in the stretched condition and the stretching force is removed, the fixed portion26is configured to remain in the stretched condition, also known as a “permanently stretched condition.”

For example, as illustrated inFIGS.4-6, the fixed portion26is subjected to a molding or vacuum forming process while in the stretched condition. As a result, when the molding or vacuum forming process is complete, the fixed portion26has been transformed into the permanently stretched condition so that the fixed portion26displays the stretched colored appearance, as described above, regardless of the magnitude of external force applied to the fixed portion26.

In certain embodiments, the material12may be treated with the two-dimensional vacuum forming process and/or the three-dimensional vacuum forming process described in “Methods of Vacuum Forming Articles of Wear,” filed by Tiberiu Iovu, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/540,451, filed on Nov. 13, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

In certain embodiments, as best illustrated inFIGS.4-6, the material12may be used in articles of wear10so as to include the elastic portion24in a toe region where a wearer's toes may press against an interior surface of the article of wear10that is too small so as to provide a color changing effect in that location. For example, in these embodiments, the material12may be used as an indicator of the degree of stretch being applied in that location so that parents are alerted when a child's toes are cramped in the toe area of the shoe and/or so that any wearer may be aware that they are wearing article of wear10that are not properly sized for the wearer's foot. The fixed portion26may be included for aesthetic reasons in areas of the article of wear10that do not receive a stretching force of a sufficiently large magnitude to transition the material12to the stretched condition during normal use. The fixed portion26may also be included for aesthetic reasons in areas of the article of wear10where an indication of the degree of stretch is not needed or desirable, such as along the sides or back of a shoe upper, as illustrated inFIGS.4-6.

The material12may also provide a color changing effect to sports equipment, shoes, or apparel for a short duration, as illustrated inFIGS.7-11. The result is a surface treatment that changes to the stretched colored appearance when in the stretched condition and then returns to its unstretched colored appearance once the stretching force is removed.

In certain embodiments, the technology may be included with certain apparel items so that when the material12is stretched until it reaches the stretched condition, it changes color to the stretched colored appearance and then reverts back to the unstretched colored appearance once the stretching force is removed. This design provides a very dynamic effect and may be tuned to provide an indication of how far the garment was stretched (i.e., the color change from the unstretched colored appearance to the stretched colored appearance is gradual so that the degree of color change may be correlated to the degree of force applied to the garment).

When used in conjunction with a material12with known elastic properties, one may use a color coding chart to adjust the amount of pressure (or tension) applied to a certain body segment (e.g., when applying medical stretch tape (used in rehabilitation and injury prevention)) so that it does not exceed a predetermined safe pressure limit.

This visual indicator may also be used to indicate how well a garment fits. Because of the dynamic nature of the material12, an athlete may be filmed in motion while wearing the apparel and studied to see how much color change is visible in the material12during dynamic motions. The amount of color change may indicate that a garment is too restrictive or too loose in certain areas and this information may then be used to custom tailor an article.

In certain embodiments, the material12is used with articles of wear10to give fans a better indication of how fast an athlete is moving. For example, soccer players are beginning to wear jerseys with stretch membranes during games. Membranes incorporating the material12may give spectators and coaches a visual indication if a player is just lightly jogging (where there might be minimal color change) or if the player is in an all-out sprint for the ball (where the color change could be very dramatic based on the greater extension of the limbs).

In certain electronic training programs, colored zones are currently used to describe effort. For example, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 8,200,323, FIG. 8, at a slow jog, a runner's heart rate or pace is described as being in the blue zone, a stronger effort in the green zone up to the aerobic threshold, then the yellow zone in the anaerobic zone, and lastly red, which represents maximum effort. In certain embodiments, apparel, footwear, and accessory products (i.e., articles of wear10) may incorporate the material12to mimic this color change scheme so that as a runner is increasing effort, some or all of the articles of wear10change color to mimic the color zones and also to indicate to other runners the rapidity of their pace.

As described above, the fixed portions26of the material12may be provided in other locations of any of the above articles of wear10so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing look in areas where an indicator of the degree of stretch is not relevant or desirable.

In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

1. An article of wear comprising

a material with color changing properties comprising:a first layer;a third layer positioned below the first layer; anda second layer positioned between the first layer and the third layer, wherein the second layer comprises a substantially translucent appearance in an unstretched condition, and a substantially opaque appearance in a stretched condition;at least one elastic portion of the material comprising an unstretched colored appearance when the second layer is in the unstretched condition and a stretched colored appearance when the second layer is in the stretched condition, wherein the unstretched colored appearance is different from the stretched colored appearance; andat least one fixed portion of the material comprising a permanently stretched condition, wherein the at least one fixed portion comprises the stretched colored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external force applied to the at least one fixed portion.
2. The article of wear of example 1, wherein the first layer comprises a first coloration, and the third layer comprises a second coloration that is different from the first coloration,wherein the unstretched colored appearance comprises a combination of the first coloration and the second coloration, andwherein the second coloration is concealed from the stretched colored appearance by the second layer.
3. The article of wear of example 2, wherein the first coloration is complementary to the second coloration.
4. The article of wear of any preceding example, wherein the second layer is polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane film.
5. The article of wear of any preceding example, wherein the at least one fixed portion is located on a shoe upper.
6. The article of wear of any preceding example, wherein the at least one elastic portion is located over a toe region of a shoe upper.
7. The article of wear of example 6, wherein the at least one elastic portion is an indicator of when a shoe comprising the shoe upper is not properly sized for a wearer's foot.
8. The article of wear of example 7, wherein the at least one fixed portion is located in an area of the shoe upper where an indicator of the magnitude of the external force being applied to the at least one fixed portion in that location is not needed.
9. An article of wear comprising:a material with color changing properties comprising:at least one elastic portion comprising an unstretched colored appearance and a stretched colored appearance;at least one fixed portion comprising the stretched colored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external force applied to the at least one fixed portion;wherein the at least one elastic portion is positioned within the article of wear in a location where the at least one elastic portion is an indicator of a magnitude of an external force being applied to the at least one elastic portion in that location; andwherein the at least one fixed portion is positioned within the article of wear in a location where an indicator of the magnitude of the external force being applied to the at least one fixed portion in that location is not needed.
10. The article of wear of example 9, wherein the unstretched colored appearance is different from the stretched colored appearance.
11. The article of wear of example 9 or 10, wherein the at least one fixed portion is located on a shoe upper.
12. The article of wear of any of examples 9-11, wherein the at least one elastic portion is located over a toe region of a shoe upper.
13. The article of wear of any of examples 9-12, wherein the at least one elastic portion is an indicator of when a shoe comprising the shoe upper is not properly sized for a wearer's foot.
14. An article of wear comprising:a material with color changing properties comprising:a first layer having a first coloration;a third layer having a second coloration and positioned below the first layer; anda second layer positioned between the first layer and the third layer;at least one elastic portion of the material comprisingan unstretched colored appearance comprising a combination of the first coloration and the second coloration; anda stretched colored appearance that does not include the second coloration;wherein the at least one elastic portion is positioned within the article of wear in a location where the at least one elastic portion is an indicator of a magnitude of an external force being applied to the at least one elastic portion in that location; andat least one fixed portion comprising the stretched colored appearance regardless of a magnitude of an external force applied to the at least one fixed portion;wherein the at least one fixed portion is positioned within the article of wear in a location where an indicator of the magnitude of the external force being applied to the at least one fixed portion in that location is not needed.
15. The article of wear of example 14, wherein the first coloration is different from the second coloration.
16. The article of wear of example 14 or 15, wherein the first coloration is complementary to the second coloration.
17. The article of wear of any of examples 14-16, wherein the second layer is polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane film.
18. The article of wear of any of examples 14-17, wherein the at least one fixed portion is located on a shoe upper.
19. The article of wear of any of examples 14-18, wherein the at least one elastic portion is located over a toe region of a shoe upper.
20. The article of wear of any of examples 14-19, wherein the at least one elastic portion is an indicator of when a shoe comprising the shoe upper is not properly sized for a wearer's foot.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.