Patent ID: 8298645

Claim:
A composite velour fabric garment including a laminate comprising: an outer shell layer, the outer shell layer comprising spandex in a warp direction and in a weft direction for stretch and recovery in both a length direction and a width direction; an inner thermal layer of knit construction, with an inner surface facing inwardly, away from the outer shell layer, between a body of a wearer and the inner thermal layer, and with an opposite outer surface, the inner surface defining discrete pillar regions of relatively deeper pile, said discrete pillar regions of relatively deeper pile being spaced apart and isolated from each other by regions of relatively shorter pile or no pile that form a plurality of intersecting channels passing among said discrete pillar regions and open to skin of the wearer, said plurality of intersecting channels defining insulation regions to contain a cushion of air for promoting warmth under static conditions during periods of wearer inactivity and defining circulation regions creating avenues for flow of air and enhanced evaporation of moisture from the skin of the wearer for creating a heat dissipation or cooling effect during periods of physical activity by the wearer, and the inner thermal layer of knit construction having stretch in both the length direction and the width direction, in harmony with the outer shell layer; and an intermediate layer having controlled air permeability, said intermediate layer being disposed between and laminated to at least one of the outer shell layer and the inner thermal layer; and wherein the garment has good flame retardant properties, with one or more of the outer shell layer, the inner thermal layer, and the intermediate layer comprising a flame retardant material, and the garment has good stretch and recovery.