100 at the point of rupture. Partially filling the fluid-filled bladder 100, as opposed to fully filling the fluid-filled bladder 100, allows the fluid-filled bladder 100 to change shape when exposed to a moisture stimulus.

FIG. 1B depicts a view of the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 before being exposed to the moisture stimulus. The fluid-filled bladder 100 is shown in the form of a circle although other shapes are contemplated herein. The perimeter edge 114 extends around a circumference or perimeter of the fluid-filled bladder 100. In one example aspect, a diameter for the circle may be selected to achieve a desired amount of stand-off when the fluid-filled bladder 100 is in a second shape such as stand-off in the range of 3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. In example aspects, the diameter may be from about 5 cm to about 15 cm, from about 7 cm to about 12 cm, or about 10 cm.

FIG. 1C depicts a side view of the fluid-filled bladder 100 after the first surface 110 has been exposed to moisture 118 in the form of, for example, perspiration or precipitation, where the fluid-filled bladder 100 comprises the second shape. In the second shape, the surface plane of the first surface 110 is no longer parallel to the surface plane of the second surface 112. For instance, the first surface 110 may be convex while the second surface 112 may be substantially planar. FIG. 1D depicts a view of the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 after being exposed to the moisture 118 with the shading indicating the convexity of the first surface 110.

In one example aspect, when the fluid-filled bladder 100 is incorporated into a garment, the first surface 110 may be positioned adjacent to a body surface of a wearer. Moisture in the form of perspiration produced by the wearer may then contact the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 without contacting the second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder 100. The moisture 118 causes the film material forming the first surface 110 to undergo a change in dimension in one or more of the x-direction, the y-direction and the z-direction. By way of example, the first surface 110 may undergo a decrease in dimension in the x-direction and the y-direction and an increase in dimension in the z-direction. The change in dimension of the first surface 110 causes the first surface 110 to become convex in relation to the second surface 112 and the fluid 116 contained within the fluid-filled bladder 100 to redistribute to occupy the space created by the change in shape of the first surface 110. As explained further below, the change in shape from the first shape to the second shape can be used to space apart the garment from the wearer's body surface to reduce cling and promote the movement of air in this space.

In another example aspect, the first surface 110 may be positioned adjacent to an external environment when the fluid-filled bladder 100 is incorporated into a garment. Moisture in the form of precipitation may contact the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 without contacting the second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder 100. The moisture 118 causes the film material forming the first surface 110 to undergo a change in dimension in one or more of the x-direction, the y-direction and the z-direction. The change in dimension of the first surface 110 causes the first surface 110 to become convex in relation to the second surface 112 and the fluid 116 contained within the fluid-filled bladder 100 to redistribute to occupy the space created by the change in shape of the first surface 110. In this example, the change in shape from the first shape to the second shape may be used to redirect the flow of precipitation striking the garment.

Although moisture is described as only contacting the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100, it is contemplated herein that moisture may contact both the first surface 110 and the second surface 112. For example, moisture in the form of perspiration may contact the first surface 110 when the first surface 110 is positioned adjacent to a body surface of a wearer, and precipitation may contact the second surface 112 when the second surface 112 is positioned to face an external environment. In this example, both the first surface 110 and the second surface 112 may transition to a convex shape where the first surface 110 creates stand-off between the garment and the wearer's body surface and the second surface 112 redirects the flow of precipitation striking the garment. When the moisture 118 in the form of perspiration or precipitation no longer contacts the first surface 110 and/or second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder 100, the fluid-filled bladder 100 transitions back to the relatively flat first shape where the surface plane of the first surface 110 is substantially parallel and offset with respect to the surface plane of the second surface 112.

FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively depict a detailed view of the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 before and after being exposed to the moisture 118. With respect to FIG. 2A, the first surface 110 includes an inner layer 210 that is laminated to an outer layer 212 using an adhesive layer 214. The adhesive layer 214, in example aspects, may include a hot melt adhesive although other adhesives are contemplated herein. The inner layer 210 faces an interior of the fluid-filled bladder 100, and the outer layer 212 faces externally. When the fluid-filled bladder 100 is positioned within a garment, the outer layer 212 would, for example, face toward a body surface of a wearer and thus be exposed to moisture in the form of perspiration produced by the wearer. In example aspects, the inner layer 210 may be a polyurethane or a thermoplastic polyurethane film that does not undergo a change in dimension when exposed to, for example, moisture. In example aspects, the inner layer 210 may have a thickness 218 from about 50 microns to about 70 microns. The outer layer 212 may be the film material that transports or diffuses moisture from one surface of the film to a second opposite surface of the film such as a TPEE film or a PBT-based TPEE film. The outer layer 212 in FIG. 2A may have a first thickness 216 from about 40 microns to about 80 microns, from about 45 microns to about 75 microns, or about 50 microns to about 70 microns.

In FIG. 2B, the outer layer 212 is exposed to the moisture 118 in the form of perspiration and undergoes a change in dimension in at least the z-direction to a second thickness 220 where the second thickness 220 is greater than the first thickness 216. The outer layer 212 may also undergo a change in the x-direction and the y-direction (e.g., a decrease in the x-direction and the y-direction). As explained above, the change in dimension in the outer layer 212 causes the outer layer 212 to transition from a generally planar shape to more of a convex shape and the fluid-filled bladder 100 to transition from the first shape to the second shape.

FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively depict a detailed view of the second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 before and after the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 is exposed to the moisture 118. With respect to FIG. 3A, the second surface 112 includes an inner layer 310 that is laminated to an outer layer 312 using an adhesive layer 314. The adhesive layer 314 may include, for example, a hot melt adhesive although other adhesives are contemplated herein. The inner layer 310 faces the interior of the fluid-filled bladder 100, and the outer layer 312 faces externally. When the fluid-filled bladder 100 is positioned within a garment, the outer layer 312 would face away from a body surface of a wearer. In example aspects, the inner layer 310 may be a polyurethane film or a thermoplastic polyurethane film that does not undergo a change in dimension when exposed to, for example, moisture. In example aspects, the inner layer 310 may have the thickness 218. The outer layer 312 may be the film material that transports or diffuses moisture from one surface of the film to a second opposite surface of the film such as a TPEE film or a PBT-based TPEE film. The outer layer 312 in FIG. 3A may have the first thickness 216. With respect to FIG. 3B, since the second surface 112 is not exposed to the moisture 118 in this example, there is generally not a change in dimension of the outer layer 312. As such, the outer layer 312 maintains the first thickness 216 after the fluid-filled bladder 100 is exposed to the moisture 118. Because there is not a change in dimension of the outer layer 312, the second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder generally maintains a planar shape before and after being exposed to the moisture 118.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of a process for forming the fluid-filled bladder 100. At a step 410, the layers forming the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 are stacked together to form a first stacked construction 409. For instance, the outer layer 212, the adhesive layer 214, and the inner layer 210 may be stacked together to form the first stacked construction 409. In an alternative aspect, the adhesive layer 214 may be included as part of the inner layer 210 in which case only two layers would be stacked together. At the same step 410, the layers forming the second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 are stacked together to form a second stacked construction 411. For example, the outer layer 312, the adhesive layer 314, and the inner layer 310 may be stacked together to form the second stacked construction 411. In an alternative aspect, the adhesive layer 314 may be includes as part of the inner layer 310 in which case only two layers would be stacked together.

At a step 412, devices 414 are used to apply heat and/or pressure to one or more of the opposing surfaces of the first stacked construction 409 including the inner layer 210, the adhesive layer 214, and the outer layer 212. The heat and/or pressure causes the adhesive layer 214 to, for example, melt and secure the inner layer 210 to the outer layer 212 to form a first laminate construction 413. At the same step 412, the devices 414 apply heat and/or pressure to one or more of the opposing surfaces of the second stacked construction 411 including the inner layer 310, the adhesive layer 314, and the outer layer 312. The heat and/or pressure causes the adhesive layer 314 to, for example, melt and secure the inner layer 310 to the outer layer 312 to form a second laminate construction 415.

At a step 416, the first laminate construction 413 is stacked with the second laminate construction 415 such that the respective inner layers 210 and 310 are positioned adjacent to each other and the outer layers 212 and 312 face externally. At a step 418, devices 420 apply a vacuum to the first laminate construction 413 and the second laminate construction 415 where the vacuum forces are in opposing directions. At the same time, the perimeters edges of the first and second laminate constructions 413 and 415 are bonded together. More specifically, the perimeter edges of the respective inner layers 210 and 310 are bonded together. This may be done through, for example, a radio-frequency welder although other bonding techniques are contemplated herein. Bonding the perimeter edges together while maintaining the first and second laminate constructions 413 and 415 under vacuum ensures that a fluid, such as air, is trapped or sealed within the resulting fluid-filled bladder 100 as shown at step 424. The amount of vacuum produced by the devices 420 may be adjusted to ensure that the fluid-filled bladder 100 is filled to less than maximum fill capacity. For example, vacuum forces may be decreased to ensure the fluid-filled bladder 100 is only partially filled.

The steps depicted in FIG. 4 are just one example process for creating the fluid-filled bladder 100. In another example aspect, the fluid-filled bladder 100 may be formed with a two-way valve that enables a wearer to manually inflate and deflate the fluid-filled bladder 100. For example, the wearer would inflate the fluid-filled bladder 100 when stand-off or a change in shape is desired and deflate, or at least partially deflate, the fluid-filled bladder 100 when stand-off or a change in shape is no longer needed. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspect herein.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate one example way of incorporating the fluid-filled bladder 100 into a garment. FIG. 5A illustrates the fluid-filled bladder 100 in the first relatively flat shape, and FIG. 5B illustrates the fluid-filled bladder 100 in the second shape after the first surface 110 is exposed to moisture. FIG. 5A illustrates the second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 secured to a textile layer 510 using, for example, an adhesive, a hook-and-loop fastening system, and the like. Alternatively, the perimeter edges 114 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 may be secured to the textile layer 510 using bonding, stitching, an adhesive, and the like. In one example aspect, the fluid-filled bladder 100 may be removably attached to the textile layer 510 using, for instance, a releasable adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. In this example, the fluid-filled bladder 100 may be removed before washing the garment. The first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 is positioned adjacent to a body surface 512 of a wearer. In example aspects, because the fluid-filled bladder 100 is generally flat, there is minimal stand-off between the textile layer 510 and the body surface 512 as indicated by a distance 514 such that the textile layer 510 is in contact or near contact (e.g., within about 10 mm or less) with the body surface 512 of the wearer. Stated differently, the fluid-filled bladder 100 extends in the z-direction by the distance 514 with respect to a surface plane of the textile layer 510. Having the textile layer 510 in contact or near contact with the wearer's body surface 512 may provide needed warmth when the wearer is at rest. Moreover, the fluid contained within the fluid-filled bladder 100 may serve an additional insulation function.

In FIG. 5B, perspiration produced by the wearer's body surface 512 causes the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 to change in dimension and assume a convex shape. The convex shape increases the level of stand-off between the textile layer 510 and the body surface 512 to a distance 516 that is greater than the distance 514. Stated differently, the fluid-filled bladder 100 extends in the z-direction by the distance 516 with respect to the surface plane of the textile layer 510. In example aspects, the distance 516 may be from about 1 cm to about 5 cm, from about 1.5 cm to about 4.5 com, from about 2 cm to about 4.25 cm, or about 3 cm to about 4 cm. The stand-off created by the fluid-filled bladder 100 may lessen the perception of cling and may also create a space between the body surface 512 and the textile layer 510 through which air can circulate causing the perspiration to evaporate and cooling the wearer.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another example way of incorporating the fluid-filled bladder 100 into a garment. FIG. 6A illustrates the fluid-filled bladder 100 in the first shape, and FIG. 6B illustrates the fluid-filled bladder 100 in the second shape after the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 is exposed to moisture. FIG. 6A illustrates the fluid-filled bladder 100 positioned between a first textile layer 610 and a second textile layer 612. The second surface 112 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 is secured to the first textile layer 610 using, for example, an adhesive, a hook-and-loop fastening system, and the like. Alternatively, the perimeter edges 114 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 may be secured to the first textile layer 610 using bonding, stitching, an adhesive, and the like. In one example aspect, the fluid-filled bladder 100 may be removably attached to the first textile layer 610 using, for instance, a releasable adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. The first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 is positioned adjacent to the second textile layer 612. The second textile layer 612 in this example is an innermost-facing surface of a garment and is in contact or near contact with a body surface 614 of a wearer. In example aspects, the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 is not secured to the second textile layer 612 such that the second textile layer 612 can move freely with respect to the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100. Alternatively, the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 may be secured to the second textile layer 612 using one of the affixing technologies described herein.

The second textile layer 612, in example aspects, may include a mesh construction having a large number of closely spaced holes that are created by way of, for instance, a knitting or weaving process or through a post-weaving or knitting process such as by laser cutting, die cutting, and the like. The holes allow moisture produced by the body surface 614 of the wearer to contact the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100. Additionally, or alternatively, the second textile layer 612 may include a moisture-wicking textile that transport moisture produced by the body surface 614 to the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100. The transport mechanism may include denier differential, capillary action, a moisture-wicking finish, and the like. Use of a second textile layer 612 prevents direct contact of the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 with the body surface 614 which may improve wearer comfort.

In example aspects, because the fluid-filled bladder 100 is generally flat in the first shape and as shown in FIG. 6A, there is minimal stand-off between the first textile layer 610 and the body surface 614 as indicated by a distance 616 such that the first and second textile layers 610 and 612 are in contact or near contact with the body surface 614 of the wearer. Stated differently, the fluid-filled bladder 100 extends in the z-direction by the distance 616 with respect to a surface plane of the first textile layer 610. Having the first and second textile layers 610 and 612 in contact or near contact with the wearer's body surface 614 may provide needed warmth when the wearer is at rest. Moreover, the fluid contained within the fluid-filled bladder 100 may serve an additional insulation function.

In FIG. 6B, perspiration produced by the wearer's body surface 614 causes the first surface 110 of the fluid-filled bladder 100 to change in dimension and assume a convex shape. The convex shape increases the level of stand-off between the first textile layer 610 and the body surface 614 to a distance 618 that is greater than the distance 616. Stated differently, the fluid-filled bladder extends in the z-direction by the distance 618 with respect to the surface plane of the first textile layer 610. In example aspects, the distance 618 may be from about 1 cm to about 5 cm, from about 1.5 cm to about 4.5 com, from about 2 cm to about 4.25 cm, or about 3 cm to about 4 cm. The stand-off created by the fluid-filled bladder 100 may lessen the perception of cling and may also create a space between the body surface 614 and the first and/or second textile layers 610 and 612 through which air can circulate causing the perspiration to evaporate and cooling the wearer. With respect to both FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B, when the wearer stops perspiring, the fluid-filled bladder 100 returns to the relatively flat shape shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A and stand-off is decreased.

As mentioned, the fluid-filled bladder described herein may be zonally incorporated in a garment based on, for example, heat and/or sweat maps and/or rain contact maps of a human body. FIGS. 7A-9 illustrate some example configurations for the fluid-filled bladder described herein along with some example zonal locations. FIG. 7A illustrates an upper-body garment 700 in the form of a jacket. The upper-body garment 700 is shown in an open state such that the inner-facing surface of the upper-body garment 700 is visible. A fluid-filled bladder 710 in a T-shape is shown at a central back area 712 of the upper-body garment 700 where the arms of the T-shape are positioned adjacent to a neck opening of the upper-body garment 700 and the stem of T-shape is located adjacent to a waist opening of the upper-body garment 700