Composite insulation material

Claim 2

A heat insulating garment and the like for heat retention, comprising: an outer fabric shell adapted to be disposed to cover a portion of the body of a wearer; a composite interlining sheet material for said fabric shell, said composite interlining sheet material including (i) a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces, and (ii) a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings, and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer; and said composite interlining sheet material being disposed in fixed relation to said outer fabric shell.

Claim 3

The garment and the like of claim 1, wherein the size of said openings at said base are greater than the size of said openings at said apex such that said openings form tapered capillaries.

Claim 4

The garment and the like of claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material comprises a first flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material, and further including a second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 5

The garment and the like of claim 3, wherein said second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material has a plurality of openings extending therethrough.

Claim 6

The garment and the like of claim 4, wherein said openings in said second flexible sheet comprise capillary openings having a base open to one surface of said second flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said second flexible sheet and an apex extending away from the other surface of said second flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 7

The garment and the like of claim 5, wherein said one surface of said second flexible sheet is adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 8

The garment and the like of claim 3, wherein said second surface of said first flexible sheet is substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said first flexible sheet, and wherein said second flexible sheet has a first surface facing said internal layer and a second surface which is nonreflective.

Claim 9

The garment and the like of claim 7, wherein said second reflective surface of said first flexible sheet comprises a layer of metallized reflective material deposited on said first flexible sheet.

Claim 10

The garment and the like of claim 8, further including a layer of transparent material overlying said layer of metallized reflective material.

Claim 11

The heat insulating garment and the like of claim 4, wherein said internal layer is perforated.

Claim 12

The garment and the like of claim 1, wherein the size of said openings at said apex is in the range from about 0.004" to 0.100".

Claim 13

The garment and the like of claim 1, wherein the height of said apexes of said openings above said second surface of said flexible sheet is in the range of from about 0.005" to about 0.030".

Claim 14

The garment and the like of claim 1, wherein said flexible sheet comprises a sheet of polyethylene.

Claim 15

The garment and the like of claim 1, wherein the number of openings in said flexible sheet is on the order of 30 to 1500 per square inch.

Claim 16

The garment and the like of claim 1, wherein said composite sheet material is disposed relative to said outer fabric shell so that said second surface of said flexible sheet is disposed to face away from the body of the wearer when said outer fabric shell is disposed to cover a portion of the body of the wearer.

Claim 17

An insulating composite interlining sheet material comprising: a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer at at least spaced intervals so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer.

Claim 18

An insulating composite interlining sheet material comprising: a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer at at least spaced intervals so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer.

Claim 19

The composite sheet material of claim 16, wherein the size of said openings at said base are greater than the size of said openings at said apex such that said openings form tapered capillaries.

Claim 20

The composite sheet material of claim 16 wherein said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material comprises a first flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material, and further including a second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 21

The composite sheet material of claim 18, wherein said second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material has a plurality of openings extending therethrough.

Claim 22

The composite sheet material of claim 19, wherein said openings in said second flexible sheet comprise capillary openings having a base open to one surface of said second flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said second flexible sheet and an apex extending away from the other surface of said second flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 23

The composite sheet material of claim 20, wherein said one surface of said second flexible sheet is adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 24

The composite sheet material of claim 18 wherein said second surface of said first flexible sheet is substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said first flexible sheet, and wherein said second flexible sheet has a first surface facing said internal layer and a second surface which is nonreflective.

Claim 25

The composite sheet material of claim 22 wherein said second reflective surface of said first flexible sheet comprises a layer of metallized reflective material deposited on said first flexible sheet.

Claim 26

The composite sheet material of claim 19, wherein said internal layer is perforated.

Claim 27

The composite sheet material of claim 16, wherein the size of said openings at said apex is in the range from about 0.004" to 0.100".

Claim 28

The composite sheet material of claim 16, wherein the height of said apexes of said openings above said second surface of said flexible sheet is in the range of from about 0.005" to about 0.030".

Claim 29

The composite sheet material of claim 16, wherein said flexible sheet material comprises a sheet of polyethelene.

Claim 30

The composite sheet material of claim 16, wherein the number of openings in said flexible sheet is on the order of 30 to 1500 per square inch.

Claim 31

A heat insulating composite sheet material for garments and the like, said composite sheet material comprising: a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer.

Claim 32

A heat insulating composite sheet material for garments and the like, said composite sheet material comprising: a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer.

Claim 33

The composite sheet material of claim 29, wherein the size of said openings at said base are greater than the size of said openings at said apex such that said openings form tapered capillaries.

Claim 34

The composite sheet material of claim 29, wherein said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material comprises a first flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material, and further including a second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 35

The composite sheet material of claim 31, wherein said second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material has a plurality of openings extending therethrough.

Claim 36

The composite sheet material of claim 32, wherein said openings in said second flexible sheet comprise capillary openings having a base open to one surface of said second flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said second flexible sheet and an apex extending away from the other surface of said second flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 37

The composite sheet material of claim 33, wherein said one surface of said second flexible sheet is adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 38

The composite sheet material of claim 32, wherein said internal layer is perforated.

Claim 39

The composite sheet material of claim 29, wherein the size of said openings at said apex is in the range from about 0.004" to 0.100".

Claim 40

The composite sheet material of claim 29, wherein the height of said apexes of said openings above said second surface of said flexible sheet is in the range of from about 0.005" to about 0.030".

Claim 41

The composite sheet material of claim 29, wherein said flexible sheet material comprises a sheet of polyethelene.

Claim 42

The composite sheet material of claim 29, wherein the number of openings in said flexible sheet is on the order of 30 to 1500 per square inch.

Claim 43

A heat insulating garment and the like for heat retention, comprising: an outer fabric shell adapted to be disposed to cover a portion of the body of a wearer: a composite interlining sheet material for said fabric shell, said composite interlining sheet material including (i) a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces, and (ii) a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface of said flexible sheet being substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said sheet, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings, and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer; and said composite interlining sheet material being disposed in fixed relation to said outer fabric shell.

Claim 44

A heat insulating garment and the like for heat retention, comprising: an outer fabric shell adapted to be disposed to cover a portion of the body of a wearer: a composite interlining sheet material for said fabric shell, said composite interlining sheet material including (i) a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces, and (ii) a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface of said flexible sheet being substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said sheet, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings, and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer; and said composite interlining sheet material being disposed in fixed relation to said outer fabric shell.

Claim 45

The garment and the like of claim 40, wherein the size of said openings at said vase are greater than the size of said openings at said apex such that said openings form tapered capillaries.

Claim 46

The garment and the like of claim 40, wherein said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material comprises a first flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material, and further including a second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 47

The garment and the like of claim 42, wherein said second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material has a plurality of openings extending therethrough.

Claim 48

The garment and the like of claim 43, wherein said openings in said second flexible sheet comprise capillary openings having a base open to one surface of said second flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said second flexible sheet and an apex extending away from the other surface of said second flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 49

The garment and the like of claim 44, wherein said one surface of said second flexible sheet is adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 50

The garment and the like of claim 40, wherein the size of said openings at said apex is in the range from about 0.004" to 0.100".

Claim 51

The garment and the like of claim 40, wherein the height of said apexes of said openings above said second surface of said flexible sheet is in the range of from about 0.005" to about 0.030".

Claim 52

The garment and the like of claim 40, wherein said flexible sheet comprises a sheet of polyethelene.

Claim 53

The garment and the like of claim 40, wherein the number of openings in said flexible sheet is on the order or 30 to 1500 per square inch.

Claim 54

The garment and the like of claim 40, wherein said composite sheet material is disposed relative to said outer fabric shell so that said second surface of said flexible sheet is disposed to face away from the body of the wearer when said outer fabric shell is disposed to cover a portion of the body of the wearer.

Claim 55

A reversible garment and the like for maximizing heat retention when the garment and the like is disposed in a first orientation relative to the body of the wearer and for minimizing heat retention when the garment and the like is disposed in a second reversible orientation relative to the body of a wearer, said reversible garment comprising: an outer fabric shell adapted to be disposed in a first orientation to cover the portion of the body of a wearer and in a second reversible orientation to cover the portion of the body of a wearer; a composite interlining sheet material for said fabric shell, said composite interlining sheet material including (i) a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces, (ii) a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface of said flexible sheet being substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said sheet, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings, and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer and so that said second reflective surface of said flexible sheet serves to decrease the emissivity of said composite sheet material and reduce the conduction of heat in a direction away from said second surface of said internal layer twoard said first surface of said internal layer; and (iii) the surface of said composite interlining sheet material which faces away from said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material b3eing nonreflective; and said composite interlining sheet material being disposed in fixed relation relative to said outer fabric shell so that said second surface of said flexible sheet is disposed so as to face away from the body of the wearer when said outer fabric shell is disposed in said first orientation to thereby maximize heat retention and so that said second surface of said flexible sheet faces toward the body of the wearer when said outer fabric shell is disposed in said second reversible orientation to thereby minimize heat retention.

Claim 56

A reversible garment and the like for maximizing heat retention when the garment and the like is disposed in a first orientation relative to the body of the wearer and for minimizing heat retention when the garment and the like is disposed in a second reversible orientation relative to the body of a wearer, said reversible garment comprising: an outer fabric shell adapted to be disposed in a first orientation to cover the portion of the body of a wearer and in a second reversible orientation to cover the portion of the body of a wearer; a composite interlining sheet material for said fabric shell, said composite interlining sheet material including (i) a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resiliency, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces, (ii) a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface of said flexible sheet being substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said sheet, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings, and said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer and so that said second reflective surface of said flexible sheet serves to decrease the emissivity of said composite sheet material and reduce the conduction of heat in a direction away from said second surface of said internal layer twoard said first surface of said internal layer; and (iii) the surface of said composite interlining sheet material which faces away from said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material b3eing nonreflective; and said composite interlining sheet material being disposed in fixed relation relative to said outer fabric shell so that said second surface of said flexible sheet is disposed so as to face away from the body of the wearer when said outer fabric shell is disposed in said first orientation to thereby maximize heat retention and so that said second surface of said flexible sheet faces toward the body of the wearer when said outer fabric shell is disposed in said second reversible orientation to thereby minimize heat retention.

Claim 57

The reversible garment and the like of claim 51, wherein the size of said openings at said base are greater than the size of said openings at said apex such that said openings form tapered capillaries.

Claim 58

The reversible garment and the like of claim 51, wherein said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material comprises a first flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material, and further including a second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 59

The reversible garment and the like of claim 53, wherein said second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material has a plurality of openings extending therethrough.

Claim 60

The reversible garment and the like of claim 54, wherein said openings in said second flexible sheet comprise capillary openings having a base open to one surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said second flexible sheet and an apex extending away from the other surface of said second flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 61

The reversible garment and the like of claim 55, wherein said one surface of said second flexible sheet is adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 62

An insulating composite interlining sheet material comprising: a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resilience, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface of said flexible sheet being substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said sheet, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer at at least spaced intervals so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer.

Claim 63

An insulating composite interlining sheet material comprising: a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and high resilience, said internal layer being of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency and having a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, and said internal layer having first and second surfaces; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface of said flexible sheet being substantially continuously reflective in a direction facing away from said first surface of said sheet, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; said flexible sheet being adhered to said internal layer at at least spaced intervals so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said first surface of said internal layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said internal layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said first surface of said internal layer.

Claim 64

The composite sheet material of claim 57, wherein the size of said openings at said base are greater than the size of said openings at said apex such that said openings form tapered capillaries.

Claim 65

The composite sheet material of claim 57, wherein said flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material comprises a first flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material, and further including a second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 66

The composite sheet material of claim 59, wherein said second flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material has a plurality of openings extending therethrough.

Claim 67

The composite sheet material of claim 60, wherein said openings in said second flexible sheet comprise capillary openings having a base open to one surface of said second flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said second flexible sheet and an apex extending away from the other surface of said second flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 68

The composite sheet material of claim 61, wherein said one surface of said second flexible sheet is adhered to said second surface of said internal layer.

Claim 69

The composite sheet material of claim 57, wherein the size of said openings at said apex is in the range from about 0.004" to 0.100".

Claim 70

The composite sheet material of claim 57, wherein the height of said apexes of said openings above said second surface of said flexible sheet is in the range of from about 0.005" to about 0.030".

Claim 71

The composite sheet material of claim 57, wherein said flexible sheet comprises a sheet of polyethelene.

Claim 72

The composite sheet material of claim 57, wherein the number of openings in said flexible sheet is on the order of 30 to 1500 per square inch.

Claim 73

A garment and the like comprising: a fabric shell adapted to be disposed to cover a portion of the body of the wearer; an insulation layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, said insulation layer being disposed in fixed relationship to said fabric shell; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being disposed in fixed relationship with respect to said fabric shell and said insulation layer so that said insulation layer is disposed intermediate said flexible sheet and the body of the wearer when said fabric shell is disposed to cover a portion of the body of a wearer, and said flexible sheet being oriented so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces toward said insulation layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said insulation layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from the body of the wearer when said fabric shell is disposed to cover a portion of the body of the wearer.

Claim 74

A garment and the like comprising: a fabric shell adapted to be disposed to cover a portion of the body of the wearer; an insulation layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable, said insulation layer being disposed in fixed relationship to said fabric shell; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethrough, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being disposed in fixed relationship with respect to said fabric shell and said insulation layer so that said insulation layer is disposed intermediate said flexible sheet and the body of the wearer when said fabric shell is disposed to cover a portion of the body of a wearer, and said flexible sheet being oriented so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces toward said insulation layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said insulation layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from the body of the wearer when said fabric shell is disposed to cover a portion of the body of the wearer.

Claim 75

The garment and the like of claim 67, wherein said flexible sheet is adhered at at least spaced intervals to one of said fabric shell and said insulation layer.

Claim 76

The garment and the like fo claim 67, wherein said fabric shell comprises an outer fabric shell, and wherein said flexible sheet is interposed between said outer fabric shell and said insulation layer.

Claim 77

A composite sheet material for garments and the like, said composite sheet material comprising: an insulation layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethorugh, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being adhered to said insulation layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said insulation layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said insulation layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said insulation layer.

Claim 78

A composite sheet material for garments and the like, said composite sheet material comprising: an insulation layer of porous material having a low heat conductivity and a composition and thickness such that it is supple and drapable; a flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material having a first surface and a second surface, said flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extending therethorugh, each of said openings having a base open to said first surface of said flexible sheet and lying substantially in the plane of said flexible sheet, and an apex extending away from said second surface of said flexible sheet and remote from the plane of said flexible sheet, said openings being of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids through said openings; and said flexible sheet being adhered to said insulation layer so that said first surface of said flexible sheet faces said insulation layer and said second surface of said flexible sheet faces away from said insulation layer so that said apexes of said openings are remote from said insulation layer.