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Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and deviceRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Body GarmentsAnti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060107436, Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/317,155 filed on Dec. 12, 2002 (attorney docket number 01026-1005), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/212,213 filed on Aug. 6, 2002 (attorney docket number 01026-1002), which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/934,755 filed on Aug. 23, 2001; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to textile fabrics, and more particularly to a multilayered material used to construct garments, gears, or devices capable of providing therapeutic effects relating to various forms of arthritis (particularly osteoarthritis) and conditions associated with hypothermia. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Usability of a material in the construction of garments, gears, and devices depends largely on whether the material can be readily manipulated and that the material can effectively exhibit certain desired characteristics. For instance, clothing and gear manufacturers are continually seeking out materials to satisfy the demands of its customers for comfortable, lightweight garments and gears to provide protection against the elements (i.e., harsh weather conditions stemming from extreme temperatures and/or rain, sleet, and snow). Conventionally, to achieve the desired protection against the weather, manufacturers have utilized fabrics that are difficult to handle because of their inflexibility and bulkiness. Fabric material characteristics are also critical in the product of medical garments and devices. Manufacturers of therapeutic garments and devices are likewise tasked with developing new products to address various medical conditions. Because of the limitations of the materials used to construct such products, aesthetics and comfort are sacrificed. Therefore, the material characteristics sought after by clothing and gear manufacturers and that of medical garments and devices manufacturers are traditionally divergent, with respect to comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. [0004] To combat harsh weather conditions, a waterproof material (e.g., rubber, plastics) is employed to prevent moisture from entering the garment. For example, one traditional construction of a wet suit provides a bonded layer to form a solid film of a water resistant contact cement to resist any transfer of water. The materials used in a wet suit do not permit wide application to other garments, in part because of its bulkiness and because it cannot be worn for a long period of time. [0005] Another consideration on the desirability of materials is whether they cause any allergic reaction with the skin. For instance, foam rubber is not a material that should be in contact with the skin for any length of time, as it can cause severe irritation and does not allow the escape of perspiration. [0006] For therapeutic applications, conventional garments localize heat and moisture using non-porous materials, such as plastics or rubber, to cover the particular afflicted area of the body. One drawback with such an approach stems from the fact that plastics are non-porous and causes perspiration buildup. This buildup of moisture does not permit the garment to be worn for any extended period of time, and thus, may detract from any therapeutic effect. These materials, however, are suitable for outdoor garments and gears, as they are not worn for any extended period. [0007] Therefore, there is a need for a material that provides therapeutic effects. There is also a need for a material that can be used to construct a wide range of garments, gears, and devices. Additionally, there is a need for a material that is a non-irritant. There is also a need for a material that is thin, lightweight, flexible, and water-repellent. Further, there is a need for a material that can be worn for a prolonged period of time, without any ill effects. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] These and other needs are addressed by the present invention, in which a multilayered material can be used to construct a garment, a device, or a gear for exhibiting therapeutic effects for relieving the pain and swelling of various forms of arthritis (particularly osteoarthritis), delaying the onset of osteoarthritis, or preventing hypothermia or alleviating conditions caused by hypothermia. The material is flexible, and breathable, and can retain as well as augment body temperature of the body parts covered by the material to well above that of the normal body temperature. The multilayered material can be used to avoid "tight-fitting" application to any of the body parts that are covered by the material, thereby advantageously eliminating the reduction of circulation. The multilayered material can be used to produce garments that are light-to-medium weight and provide medical benefits, physical fit, and a cosmetic appearance. The present invention advantageously permits a garment, device, or gear constructed from the multilayered material to be worn continuously for a prolonged period, if necessary, without any adverse effects because of its breathability. An inner layer, according to one embodiment, is soft, flexible, breathable, light-to-medium weight, and hypoallergenic (i.e., does not cause allergic reaction or skin irritation). A middle layer is soft, flexible, breathable, light-to-medium weight, heat retentive and augmentative, and can be made to meet the requirements of the particular body parts. An outer layer, according to an embodiment of the present invention, provides water-repellent characteristics to withstand various types of weather conditions, including water immersion; the outer layer is flexible, light-to-medium weight, breathable, and synthetic. The multilayered material can also be used to construct a number of devices and gear. Furthermore, the material can be further layered to accommodate more extreme weather conditions. The above arrangement advantageously provides a multilayered material that has wide applicability, enables continuous use, and exhibits therapeutic effects. [0009] In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a multilayered material includes a first layer of soft and hypoallergenic material, a second layer of soft, heat retentive material contacting the first layer, and a third layer of water repellent material contacting the second layer, wherein each of the layers is breathable. [0010] In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a multilayered garment includes a plurality of coverings aligned with respective areas of a body, wherein each of the plurality of coverings is multilayered fabric material that includes a first layer of soft, flexible, hypoallergenic, and breathable material, a second layer of soft, flexible, heat retentive, and breathable material overlaid on the first layer, and a third layer of water repellent, breathable material overlaid on the second layer. [0011] In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a method for constructing a garment, a device, or a gear is disclosed. The method includes layering a plurality of fabric materials according to a sequence indicating a first one of the fabric materials to be adjacent to a second one of the fabric materials to be adjacent to a third one of the fabric materials, wherein the first one of the fabric materials is soft, flexible, hypoallergenic, and breathable, the second one of the fabric materials is soft, flexible, heat retentive, and breathable, and the third one of the fabric materials is flexible, synthetic, water repellent, and breathable. The method also includes stitching the plurality of fabric materials to form the garment, the device, or the gear. [0012] In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a therapeutic garment includes a plurality of sections for loosely covering areas of a body. Each of the sections is a multilayered flexible and breathable material to retain body heat at the covered areas to delay the onset of forms of arthritis, relieving the pain thereof, and reducing effects of hypothermia. The multilayered material includes an inner layer of soft, flexible, breathable, and non-irritant fabric material, a middle layer of soft, flexible, and breathable fabric material having heat retention characteristics, and an outer layer of flexible, and breathable material having water repellent characteristics. [0013] In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a garment for enclosing selected movable joints of humans and animals subject to arthritis, osteoarthritis and hypothermia is disclosed. The garment includes a multilayered flexible, and breathable material having body heat retention and augmentation characteristics surrounding at least one of the joints of the body, in order to retain heat in such joints for delaying onset of forms of arthritis, relieving the pain thereof and reducing effects of hypothermia. [0014] In yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a body joint covering for enclosing selected movable joints of humans and animals subject to arthritis, osteoarthritis and hypothermia is disclosed. The body joint covering includes a multilayered flexible material having two opposite open ends surrounding and containing the joint and retaining body heat in such joints which delays onset of forms of arthritis, relieving the pain thereof and reducing effects of hypothermia. The multilayered flexible material includes an inner tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material that does not irritate the exterior surface of the joints; a middle tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material having high heat retention characteristics; and an outer tubular layer of lightweight flexible synthetic material having water repellent characteristics. The inner tubular layer is retained by the two opposite ends while being spaced from and loosely worn around the selected movable joint to allow freedom of movement of the joint within the body joint covering while retaining heat thereabout. [0015] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: [0017] FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of multilayered materials capable of providing heat retention and repelling water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process of constructing a multilayered material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIGS. 3A-3C are diagrams of various perspective views of a therapeutic garment, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device... Full patent description for Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Protective device Next Patent Application: Expandable material for use in a garment Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device patent info. 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