SLEEPING BAG

Abstract

For any given thickness of thermal insulation, the usable lower temperature range of a sleeping bag assembly may be extended by constructing it using an inner lining material that in addition to its normal functions of being flexible and capable of retaining insulating materials, is also capable of functioning as a vapor barrier and a radiation barrier. In addition to the standard sleeping bag design approach of incorporating various insulating materials to reduce heat lost by thermal conductivity, the subject disclosure is directed to methods by which heat loss by radiation and evaporation may also be reduced.

Claims

1. A sleeping bag comprising: a first half and a second half arranged in opposing relationship with one another from an entrance end to a lower end to define a sleeping compartment therebetween; said first half and said second half each having an outer shell disposed in facing relationship with an environment of the sleeping bag and an inner shell disposed in facing relationship with said sleeping compartment; and said inner shell of each of said first and second halves comprised of a polymer film and a low emissivity coating disposed in overlaying relationship with one another to control heat loss from said sleeping compartment due to both evaporation and radiation.

2. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein said low emissivity coating has an emissivity less than 0.1.

3. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 2, wherein said low emissivity coating is comprised of an aluminized coating.

4. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 2, wherein said polymer film is impervious to moisture in either a liquid or vapor form.

5. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 4, wherein said polymer film is comprised of polyester, PET, or BoPET.

6. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein said polymer film of each of said inner shells is disposed in adjacent and facing relationship with said sleeping compartment, and said low emissivity coating is disposed outwardly of said polymer film.

7. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 6, wherein said inner shell includes a second polymer film disposed outwardly of said low emissivity coating.

8. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein said low emissivity coating is disposed in adjacent and facing relationship with said sleeping compartment, and said polymer film is disposed outwardly of said low emissivity coating.

9. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein said polymer film is reinforced with man-made or natural fibers to provide added strength to said inner shells.

10. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a closure device extending from said entrance end to said lower end to interconnect and secure said first and second halves to one another.

11. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 10, wherein said closure device is comprised of a zipper assembly.

12. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an insulating material inserted and retained between said inner and outer shells of said first and second halves.

13. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, wherein said outer shell is comprised of a lightweight fabric.

14. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 13, wherein said lightweight fabric is comprised of at least one of nylon or polyester.

15. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 10, further comprising a draft tube facing said sleeping compartment and disposed in overlaying relationship with said closure device from said entrance end to said lower end to provide insulation along a length of said closure device.

16. The sleeping bag as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a drawstring lock disposed adjacent said entrance end to partially cinch closed said sleeping compartment adjacent said entrance end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only for selected exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Similar or identical elements are given consistent reference numerals throughout the various figures.

[0035] Reference now will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary side-zippered sleeping bag constructed in accordance with the present teachings; and

[0037] FIGS. 2A and 2B show exemplary views of types of sleeping bag inner lining materials incorporating the teachings of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The following exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices and schematic configurations to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed, that the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a typical, exemplary sleeping bag 10 having an integral hood, which may be optional since some bags have separate hoods, is shown in a partially open position, and may be constructed to have an entrance end, denoted generally by reference numeral 11. In the case of sleeping bags having separate hoods, this disclosure applies equally to the separate hoods. The entrance end 11 corresponds to the end of sleeping bag 10 which is intended to receive a user's head and upper body while a lower end 13 corresponds to the end of sleeping bag 10 intended to receive a user's legs and feet. The sleeping bag 10 is generally shown to include an outer shell 12, an inner shell 14, and a closure device such as a zipper assembly 16 (the zipper is for ingress and egress convenience and is not essential in all cases or applications). Some specialized insulating material 18 having a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and good compressibility is inserted and retained between the outer shell 12 and the inner shell 14. As is conventional, lightweight fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, are used for the exterior surfaces defined by outer shell 12 and the interior surfaces defined by inner shell 14.

[0040] Elaboration on the inner shell 14 materials and function as it pertains to this disclosure are to follow. The sleeping bag 10 has a first half 15 and a second half 17 arranged in opposing facing relation so that first half 15 and second half 17 are configured to define a sleeping compartment therebetween when the zipper assembly 16 is closed. A draft tube 22, filled with insulating material, backs the zipper assembly 16 to maintain insulating thickness the length of the zipper. A drawstring 23 can be used in conjunction with a pair of draw hems 20 to adjustably vary an opening at the top of sleeping bag 10 once zipper assembly 16 has been drawn to its closed position. A drawstring lock 21 is also provided to maintain the drawstring 23 in a preferred cinched or partially cinched position.

[0041] The sleeping bag 10 has incorporated an inner shell material 14 that affects the warmth of the sleeping bag by reducing heat loss due to evaporation and radiation, FIGS. 2A and 2B show exemplary types of inner shell 14 materials that in addition to performing the tasks of providing an inner surface to the sleeping bag and retaining the insulating materials, also function as a combined moisture barrier in either liquid or vapor form and a radiation barrier. For example, FIG. 2A shows a polymer film 33, such as polyester, PET, BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate), etc., that is impervious to moisture in either a liquid or vapor form that has had a low emissivity coating (emissivity less than 0.1), such as an aluminized coating 35 applied to it as a radiation barrier. FIG. 2B shows a polymer film 33 that is impervious to moisture in either a liquid or vapor form that has been reinforced with either man-made or natural fibers 34 for added strength that has had a low emissivity coating (emissivity less than 0.1), such as an aluminized coating, 35, either on the exterior or interior to the composite laminate, applied to it as a radiation barrier. This reinforced composite polymer film may consist of one or more film layers and one or more fiber reinforcing layers. Dyneema, previously known a Cuben Fiber and other similar reinforced polymer films are good examples of this type of reinforced polymer film. Reinforcing fibers may be arranged in single, multiple or random directions to give the composite corresponding directions of strength.

[0042] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.