Ventilation element

Abstract

The present invention concerns a ventilation element for an article of apparel, footwear, or a sports accessory, including: a first surface, including a foam; a second surface; where the first surface and the second surface are spaced apart, creating a void, so that air may circulate between the first surface and the second surface.

Claims

1. A ventilation element for an article of apparel, footwear, or a sports accessory, comprising: a first bridge extending in a first direction, wherein the first bridge comprises a first surface configured to contact a body part of a user of the article of apparel, the footwear, or the sports accessory, and wherein the first bridge comprises a foam; a second bridge extending in a second direction and spaced apart from the first bridge in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction such that a void is formed between the first bridge and the second bridge; and a recess adjacent to the first bridge and the second bridge, the recess extending in the third direction and having a width in a fourth direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction, wherein the second bridge comprises a second surface configured to contact a portion of the article of apparel, the footwear, or the sports accessory, wherein the second direction is opposite of the first direction, and wherein a bottom of the recess is coplanar in the third direction and the fourth direction with a low portion of the first bridge and a raised portion of the second bridge.

2. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the first surface has a first surface area and the second surface has a second surface area and the ratio of the first surface area and the second surface area is between 0.2 and 5.

3. The ventilation element according to claim 2, wherein the first bridge and the second bridge are arranged to form a first channel in the void.

4. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the first bridge and the second bridge are arranged adjacent to each other.

5. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein a spacing between the first bridge and the second bridge is at least 0.5 cm and no more than 5 cm.

6. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the first bridge and/or the second bridge is between 0.5 mm and 20 mm.

7. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the second bridge comprises the foam.

8. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the foam comprises a thermoplastic polymer.

9. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the foam has a hardness of 10-80 Shore A.

10. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the foam has a density of between 25 and 400 kg per cubic meter.

11. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the foam has an elongation at break of at least 50%.

12. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the foam has an elastic modulus of 1 to 100 MPa.

13. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the foam comprises ethyl vinyl acetate.

14. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation element is a single unitary piece.

15. An article of apparel, footwear, or a sports accessory comprising the ventilation element according to claim 1.

16. The ventilation element according to claim 1, wherein the recess extends continuously in the third direction.

17. A ventilation element for a sports accessory, comprising: a first plurality of bridges extending in a first direction, wherein each of the bridges of the first plurality of bridges comprises a surface configured to contact a body part of a user of the sports accessory; a second plurality of bridges extending in a second direction and spaced apart from the first plurality of bridges; and a first channel defined by the first plurality of bridges and the second plurality of bridges such that air flows through the first channel to ventilate the sports accessory, wherein each of the bridges of the second plurality of bridges comprises a surface configured to contact a portion of the sports accessory, wherein the second direction is opposite of the first direction, wherein the bridges of the first plurality of bridges and the bridges of the second plurality of bridges are arranged on the ventilation element in an alternating pattern, and wherein a low portion of one of the plurality of first bridges and a raised portion of one of the plurality of second bridges are level with each other and extend in a third direction and a fourth direction, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and wherein the fourth direction is perpendicular to the first direction, the second direction, and the fourth direction.

18. The ventilation element of claim 17, further comprising: a third plurality of bridges extending in the first direction; a fourth plurality of bridges extending in the second direction and spaced apart from the third plurality of bridges such that a second channel is formed between the third plurality of bridges and the fourth plurality of bridges; a first recess arranged between the first plurality of bridges and the third plurality of bridges; and a second recess arranged between the second plurality of bridges and the fourth plurality of bridges.

19. The ventilation element according to claim 18, wherein the first plurality of bridges is aligned with the third plurality of bridges in the fourth direction, and wherein the second plurality of bridges is aligned with the fourth plurality of bridges in the fourth direction.

20. The ventilation element of claim 17, wherein the first channel comprises: a first width at a first end of the first channel; a second width at a second end of the first channel; and a third width at a location between the first end of the first channel and the second end of the first channel, wherein the first width and the second width are each greater than the third width.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures. The figures show:

(2) FIGS. 1A-D: an exemplary ventilation element according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2: an exemplary backpack according to the present invention.

(4) FIGS. 3A-D: another exemplary ventilation element according to the present invention.

(5) FIGS. 4A-4C: an exemplary ventilation element for a shoulder strap and a method for producing the same according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5: an exemplary ventilation element for a shoulder strap according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) In the following only some possible embodiments of the invention are described in detail. It is to be understood that these exemplary embodiments can be modified in a number of ways and combined with each other whenever compatible and that certain features may be omitted in so far as they appear dispensable.

(8) FIGS. 1A-D show an exemplary ventilation element 10 according to the present invention. The ventilation element 10 is for an article of apparel, footwear, or a sports accessory. The ventilation element 10 comprises: a first surface 11, comprising a foam; a second surface 12; wherein the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are spaced apart, creating a void, so that air may circulate between the first surface and the second surface.

(9) In this example, the first surface 11 contacts a body part directly during normal use of the article of apparel, footwear, or the sports accessory. The second surface 12 contacts a contacting portion of the article of apparel, footwear, or the sports accessory during normal use. A contacting portion may be any portion of the article of apparel, footwear, or the sports accessory. In this example, a contacting portion may be a backside of a backpack that would, during normal use, be in contact with the back of the athlete (see also FIG. 2). A contacting portion may also be a side of a strap of a backpack that, during normal use, would contact part of the shoulders or upper body of an athlete wearing the backpack.

(10) In this example, the ventilation element 10 is arranged between the contacting portion and the body part during normal use. However, it is not necessary that the ventilation element 10 is arranged between the contacting portion and the body part during normal use.

(11) FIG. 1A shows a top view of the ventilation element 10. Part of the side of the ventilation element 10 shown in FIG. 1A would normally be in contact with the body part. FIG. 1B shows a bottom view of the ventilation element 10. Part of the side of the ventilation element 10 shown in FIG. 1B would normally be in contact with the contacting portion of the article of apparel or footwear or the sports accessory.

(12) The first surface 11 has a first surface area and the second surface 12 (shown in FIG. 1B) has a second surface area and the first surface and the second surface are formed such that the ratio of the first surface area and the second surface area is between 0.9, i.e. the first surface area is 90% of the second surface area.

(13) The first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are arranged to form a first channel 13a in the void. The first channel 13a has a first width at a first end 15, a second width at a second end 16, and a third width at a location 17 between the first end 15 and the second end 16. In this example, the first channel 13a has a third width at a location 17 arranged in the middle between the first end 15 and the second end 16. In this example, the first, second, and third width of the first channel 13a are identical. However, it is possible that the first width may be greater than the third width and the second width may be greater than the third width.

(14) The ventilation element 10 comprises a second channel 13b. The second channel 13b has the same properties as the first channel 13a described herein. In this example, the ventilation element 10 also comprises a third channel 13c and a fourth channel 13d. In this example, the second channel 13b is substantially parallel to the first channel 13a.

(15) The first channel 13a is arranged at a first distance from the second channel 13b at a first end 15, a second distance from the second channel 13b at a second end 16, and a third distance from the second channel 13b at a location 17 between the first end 15 and the second end 16. In this example, the first channel 13a is arranged at a third distance from the second channel 13b at a location 17 in the middle between the first end 15 and the second end 16. In the example of FIGS. 1A-C, the first, second, and third distance are identical. However, in other embodiments the first distance and the second distance may be greater than the third distance. In other words, the distance between the first channel 13a and the second channel 13b is greater at the first end 15 and the second end 16 than at a location 17 in between the first end 15 and the second end 16. Therefore, the first channel 13a and the second channel 13b may not be substantially parallel to each other.

(16) The ventilation element 10 comprises a first bridge 18a and a second bridge 18b; wherein the first surface 11 is an outward-facing surface of the first bridge 18a and the second surface 12 is an inward-facing surface of the second bridge 18b. A bridge in the present context is any construction comprising a low portion and a raised portion. The first surface 11 is an outward-facing surface of the raised portion 20a of the first bridge 18a. The second surface 12 is an inward-facing surface of a low portion 19b of the second bridge 18b.

(17) The first bridge 18a and the second bridge 18b are arranged adjacent to each other. In particular, the low portion 19a of the first bridge 18a are arranged at the same level as the raised portion 20b of the second bridge 18b.

(18) The first bridge 18a extends outwards and the second bridge 18b extends inwards. Outwards means in this case towards the body part and inwards means in this case towards the article of apparel, or footwear, or the sports accessory.

(19) In this example, the arrangement of the first 18a and the second 18b bridge is symmetrical. The ventilation element 10 comprises a symmetry axis 22, and the second bridge 18b is essentially identical to the first bridge 18a but rotated by 180° around the symmetry axis 22. Essentially identical means in this case the height of the first bridge 18a and height of the second bridge 18b may not be identical. However, in this example, the height of the first bridge 18a and the height of the second bridge 18b is identical. Moreover, some other differences may result from manufacturing imperfections.

(20) The ventilation element 10 comprise a plurality of first bridges 18a and a plurality of second bridges 18b arranged to extend outwards and inwards in an alternating manner.

(21) Such an arrangement of a first bridge 18a and a second bridge 18b is particularly simple to produce and provides excellent ventilation uniformly throughout the ventilation element 10.

(22) In this example, a spacing along an outward-facing direction between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is 2 cm. A thickness of the first bridge 18a and the second bridge 18b may be 5 mm.

(23) The second surface 12 also comprises the foam. The foam comprises a thermoplastic polymer. The foam has a hardness of 50 Shore A. The hardness may, for example, be measured according to DIN 53505 in the version of the standard valid on Jan. 1, 2018, or according to DIN ISO 7619-1 in the version of the standard valid on Jan. 1, 2018, or according to ASTM 2240 in the version of the standard valid on Jan. 1, 2018. There may be small differences in the value of the hardness determined according to these different standards that are not pertinent to the technical effects described herein.

(24) In this example, the foam has a density of 50 kg per cubic meter, which may be determined by any suitable method. The foam has an elongation at break of 150%. The foam has an elastic modulus of 2 MPa. The foam comprises ethyl vinyl acetate, also known as EVA. However, in other embodiments, these values may be different.

(25) In this example, the ventilation element 10 is for a backpack 25 and the ventilation element 10 comprises a recess 14 to be arranged along a longitudinal direction of the backpack 25. The recess 14 is for receiving a portion of the spine that protrudes from the back of the athlete. The wearing comfort of the ventilation element 10 is improved, since it may not directly contact the spine. In this example, the recess 14 is 30 cm long and 4 cm wide. This way, even during dynamic movement of the athlete, the ventilation element 10 may generally not be in direct contact with the spine.

(26) In this example, the ventilation element 10 is formed as a single unitary piece. Forming a spacing between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 comprises the application of heat and pressure. Such a method may be described as thermoforming. In this example, a sheet of the foam is pressed and heated in a form in order to form a spacing between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12.

(27) Forming the first bridge 18a and the second bridge 18b comprises making a cut in a sheet comprising the foam. This allows a simple production of the ventilation element 10 that does not require an injection molding setup. Cutting may be performed by die cutting or laser cutting.

(28) FIG. 1C shows a lateral view of the ventilation element 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, showing in particular the first 13a, second 13b, third 13c, and fourth 13d channel. The first surface 11 is located at the top, while the second surface 12 is located at the bottom.

(29) Also shown is the low portion 19a of the first bridge 18a, the low portion 19b of the second bridge 18b, the raised portion 20a of the first bridge 18a, and the raised portion 20b of the second bridge 18b. The first surface 11 is an outward-facing surface of the raised portion 20a of the first bridge 18a. The second surface 12 is an inward-facing surface of a low portion 19b of the second bridge 18b. In this example, the low portion 19a of the first bridge 18a are arranged at the same level as the raised portion 20b of the second bridge 18b.

(30) FIG. 1D illustrates in particular the relationship between the void 21 and the channels 13a-d. The void 21 is the entire space created by spacing apart the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. The spacing is determined as the spacing between a plane in which the first surface 11 is located and a plane in which the second surface 12 is located. In other words, a lateral separation between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is not considered to add to the spacing between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. The minimum spacing between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is considered as the sum of the thickness of the first surface 11 and the thickness of the second surface 12. At this minimum spacing, there is no void 21. The void 21 may or may not be one connected region. In this example, the void 21 is one connected region. The void comprises for example void parts 21a, 21b, 21b. Void part 21a is connected to void parts 21b and 21c. Void part 21b is the channel 13b. Void parts 21a and 21c are located between the second channel 13b and the third channel 13c.

(31) FIG. 2 shows an exemplary sports accessory according to the present invention. In this example, the sports accessory is a backpack 25. The backpack 25 comprises two shoulder straps 26, a top end 23, a bottom end 24, and a main compartment 27. The backpack 25 also comprises a ventilation element 10 according to the present invention. In particular, the ventilation element 10 serves as a back panel of the backpack 25.

(32) In this exemplary ventilation element 10, the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are arranged to form a first channel 13a in the void. The first channel 13a is arranged substantially along a longitudinal direction of the ventilation element 10. A longitudinal direction is essentially along a vertical direction. Essentially along a vertical direction means in this context, extending in the direction from a bottom end 24 of the backpack 25 to a top end 23 of the backpack 25 but allowing for a sideways deviation of up to 30°, preferably 20°.

(33) The inventors have found that the dynamic movement of the athlete causes a chimney effect in the first channel 13a, thus substantially improving the ventilation provided by the ventilation element 10. For example, the dynamic movement of the athlete, combined with the cushioning and elastic properties of the foam, may cause the spacing between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 to vary dynamically during use, thereby creating a “breathing” effect.

(34) The first channel 13a extends substantially from one end of the article of apparel, footwear, or the sports accessory to another end, i.e. the first channel 13a extends substantially from a bottom end 24 to the top end 23. “Substantially” in this context means 80% of the length.

(35) FIG. 3A-D show another example of a ventilation element 10 according to the present invention. The exemplary ventilation element 10 is for the shoulder straps 26 of a backpack, such as the backpack 25 of FIG. 2.

(36) The ventilation element 10 comprises: a first surface 11, comprising a foam; a second surface 12; wherein the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are spaced apart, creating a void, so that air may circulate between the first surface and the second surface.

(37) In this example, the first surface 11 contacts a body part, such as a shoulder (or clothing, e.g. a shirt, worn by an athlete) directly during normal use of the backpack.

(38) In this example, it is desired that the ventilation element 10 is particularly elastic in order to absorb shocks resulting from the dynamic movement of the athlete. The foam therefore has an elongation at break of 300%. This way, the ventilation element 10 may help to absorb shocks resulting from the dynamic movement of the athlete without tearing or breaking. The foam also has a very low elastic modulus of 10 MPa. This way, the ventilation element 10 is very stretchable thus helping to absorb shocks resulting from the dynamic movement of the athlete.

(39) FIGS. 4A-4C show an exemplary ventilation element 10 for a shoulder strap 26 and a method for producing the same according to the present invention. In particular, the ventilation element 10 provides both a ventilation and a suspension, i.e. a shock-absorbing, function.

(40) FIG. 4A shows a shoulder strap 26 for a backpack. The shoulder strap 26 comprises a ventilation element 10 according to the present invention as well as a fabric 48 comprising a woven material.

(41) The ventilation element 10 comprises a first surface 11 (shown in the cross-sectional view in the bottom right), comprising a foam and a second surface 12; wherein the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are spaced apart, creating a void 21, so that air may circulate between the first surface and the second surface.

(42) In this example, the first surface 11 contacts a body part (or clothing, e.g. a shirt, worn by an athlete) only indirectly during normal use of the backpack since the fabric 48 extends behind the first surface 11. However, it is also possible that the fabric 48 extends only around the edges and not behind the first surface 11.

(43) In this example, the second surface may not contact a contacting portion of the backpack during normal use. A contacting portion may be any portion of the article of apparel, footwear, or the sports accessory. In this example, the ventilation element 10 is not arranged between a contacting portion and a body part during normal use. Therefore, the first surface may only indirectly contact the body part (or clothing, e.g. a shirt, worn by an athlete). However, it is possible that the ventilation element is arranged between the contacting portion and the body part during normal use.

(44) The ventilation element 10 comprises a first bridge 18a and a second bridge 18b, formed in a thermoforming process wherein the first surface 11 is an inward-facing surface of the first bridge 18a and the second surface 12 is an outward-facing surface of the second bridge 18b. The first bridge 18a comprises a low portion 19 and the second bridge 18b comprises a raised portion 20. The second surface 12 is an outward-facing surface of the raised portion 20 of the second bridge 18b. The first surface 11 is an inward-facing surface of the low portion 19 of the second bridge 18b. The first bridge 18a and the second bridge 18b also each comprise a ramping portion 49. The ramping portion 49 connects the low portion 19 of the first bridge 18a to the surrounding area 43. The ramping portion 49 connects the raised portion 20 of the second bridge 18b to the surrounding area 43.

(45) Inward-facing means, in this case, towards the body part and towards the fabric 48 of the shoulder strap 26. Outward-facing means, in this case, away from the body part and the fabric 48 of the shoulder strap 26.

(46) The ventilation element 10 comprises a plurality of first bridges and a plurality of second bridges arranged to extend outwards and inwards in an alternating manner.

(47) The ventilation element 10 comprises an elastic portion 44 and a less-elastic portion 47. The difference in the elasticity between the elastic portion 44 and the less-elastic portion 47 is effected by a different elastic modulus of the elastic portion 44 and the less-elastic portion 47. In this example, the elastic modulus of the elastic portion 44 is 2 MPa, while the elastic modulus of the less-elastic portion 47 is 10 MPa. This difference in elastic modulus may be effected by a different material composition of the elastic portion 44 and the less elastic portion 47.

(48) A cross-section is shown in the bottom right of FIG. 4A showing the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. In this example, a spacing 46 along an outward-facing direction between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is 2 cm. A thickness 45 of the first bridge and the second bridge is 5 mm.

(49) FIG. 4B shows the semi-finished ventilation element 41 used for producing the ventilation element 10 shown in FIG. 4A. The semi-finished ventilation element 41 comprises ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.

(50) This semi-finished ventilation element 41 is shaped to generally conform to the shape of the shoulder strap 26. The semi-finished ventilation element 41 comprises a plurality of cuts 42. The plurality of cuts 42 is produced by a die-cutting process.

(51) The second surface 12 is indicated in the figure. However, it is to be understood that at this stage, the semi-finished ventilation element 41 is essentially flat.

(52) FIG. 4C shows the finished ventilation element 10 prior to incorporation into the shoulder strap 26. A spacing 46 between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 is formed by the application of heat and/or pressure. Such a method may be described as thermoforming. In this example, the semi-finished ventilation element 41 is pressed and heated in a form in order to form the spacing 46 between the first surface and the second surface.

(53) The ventilation element 10 comprises a first bridge 18a and a second bridge 18b, formed in a thermoforming process wherein the first surface is an inward-facing surface of the first bridge 18a and the second surface 12 is an outward-facing surface of the second bridge 18b. The first bridge 18a comprises a low portion 19 and the second bridge 18b comprises a raised portion 20. The second surface 12 is an outward-facing surface of the raised portion 20 of the second bridge 18b. The first surface is an inward-facing surface of the low portion 19 of the second bridge 18b. The first bridge 18a and the second bridge 18b also each comprise a ramping portion 49. The ramping portion 49 connects the low portion 19 of the first bridge 18a to the surrounding area 43. The ramping portion 49 connects the raised portion 20 of the second bridge 18b to the surrounding area 43.

(54) The ventilation element 10 maintains its different elastic properties during the thermoforming process such that the ventilation element 10 comprises an elastic portion 44 and a less-elastic portion 47. Therefore, the shoulder strap 26 comprising the ventilation element 10 may provide both a ventilation and a suspension, i.e. a shock-absorbing, function.

(55) FIG. 5 shows a shoulder strap 26 for a backpack 25. The shoulder strap 26 comprises a ventilation element 10 according to the present invention as well as a mesh 51.

(56) The ventilation element 10 comprises: a first surface 11, comprising a foam; a second surface 12; wherein the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are spaced apart, creating a void 21, so that air may circulate between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface 11 and the second surface 12 are arranged to form a plurality of channels 13 in the void 21.

(57) The purpose of the mesh is to evenly distribute the load on a body part 50, in this example especially the shoulder, of the wearer. In this example, the first surface 11 contacts the body part 50 indirectly, since the mesh 51 is arranged between the first surface 11 and the body part 50. However, it is also possible that the first surface 11 contacts the body part (or clothing such as a shirt) directly. For example, in other embodiments, there may be no mesh 51 such that the first surface 11 is in direct contact with the body part (or clothing such as a shirt). It is possible that the shoulder strap 26 consists only of the ventilation element 10 and no additional components.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(58) 10: ventilation element 11: first surface 12: second surface 13a-d: first-fourth channel 14: recess 15: first end 16: second end 17: location between first end and second end 18a: first bridge 18b: second bridge 19: low portion 20: raised portion 21, 21a-c: void 22: axis through interface 23: top end 24: bottom end 25: backpack 26: shoulder strap 27: main compartment 41: semi-finished ventilation element 42: cut 43: surrounding area 44: elastic portion 45: thickness 46: spacing 47: less-elastic portion 48: fabric 49: ramping portion 50: body part 51: mesh