Ventilation material

Abstract

A ventilation structure as a material for manufacturing sheet of cloth, mat, footwear, mattress cover, etc. is disclosed that includes a lower layer of knitted fabric formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric; an upper layer of knitted fabric formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric; a plurality of support members formed between the upper and the lower layers; and a plurality of reticulated air ducts formed between the upper and the lower layers with the support members disposed thereamong. In one embodiment, the support members are shaped as triangle. Preferably, the support members are formed of plastic. In another embodiment, the hardness of a first portion of the support members is higher than that of the remaining portions of the support members. In yet another embodiment, the support members have a projecting portion contacting either the upper layer or the lower layer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to ventilation materials and more particularly to a three-layer sheet-like article having an improved ventilation structure formed therein as a material for manufacturing sheet of cloth, mat, footwear, mattress cover, or the like.

2. Description of Related Art

Footwear, protective devices for athletes, mats, or mattress covers typically have a ventilation material formed therein for bringing a feeling of comfort to a person wearing same or lying or sitting thereon. A sheet of article having a conventional ventilation material formed therein is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The sheet of article comprises a lower layer of knitted fabric 30 formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric, an upper layer of knitted fabric 32 formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric, and an intermediate layer of ventilation material 31 formed between the upper and lower layers 32 and 30. The layer of ventilation material 31 comprises a plurality of longitudinal apertures 311 arranged in parallel rows as air ducts.

It is designed to cause the sheet of article to have a ventilation effect. However, in fact, it is not true. In detail, the apertures 311 are too small to conduct sufficient air flow through the layers 30, 31, and 32. Further, the heat absorbing area of the layer of ventilation material 31 is relatively large. Thus, for example, a person wearing a pair of shoes having the layer of ventilation material 31 formed therein may feel a degree of discomfort and coldness. Furthermore, the layer of ventilation material 31 is an integral pad having the same stiffness in every portion. Thus, it is impossible of producing an article (e.g., a protective device for athlete) requiring some enhanced portions as protection by means of the well known ventilation material 31. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a ventilation structure, comprising a lower layer of knitted fabric formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric; an upper layer of knitted fabric formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric; a plurality of support members formed between the upper and the lower layers; and a plurality of reticulated air ducts formed between the upper and the lower layers with the support members disposed thereamong.

In one aspect of the invention the support members are shaped as triangle.

In another aspect of the invention the support members are formed of rubber, plastic, or bamboo charcoal.

In a further aspect of the invention the hardness of a first portion of the support members is higher than that of the remaining portions of the support members.

In a yet further aspect of the invention the support members have a projecting portion contacting either the upper layer or the lower layer.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet of article incorporating a preferred embodiment of ventilation material according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken away view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an enlarged portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sheet of article having a conventional ventilation material formed therein;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an enlarged portion of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a sheet of article incorporating a preferred embodiment of ventilation material according to the invention is shown. The sheet of article comprises a lower layer of knitted fabric 10 formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric, an upper layer of knitted fabric 12 formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric, and a plurality of triangular support members 11 formed between the upper and lower layers 12 and 10 and arranged in parallel rows. Preferably, the support members 11 are formed of rubber, plastic or the like having a desired stiffness. Alternatively, the support members 11 are formed of bamboo charcoal for specifically absorbing smell and moisture. Further, shape of the support member 11 other than triangle is contemplated by the invention. In addition, stiffness of some support members 11 may be different from that of the remaining support members 11 depending on applications. For example, stiffness enhancement of some portions of a protective device for athlete made of the sheet of article is desired. As shown in FIG. 2, one side of one support member 11 of one row is parallel with one side of one support member 11 of an adjacent row. Note that the orientation of the support members 11 other than above is also contemplated by the invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 specifically, a plurality of air ducts 111 are formed between the layers 10 and 12. Also, the air ducts 111 are reticulated with the support members 11 disposed among them. Advantageously, a total space occupied by the air ducts 111 is sufficiently large. Thus, the desired ventilation effect can be achieved by conducting air flow through the lower layer 10, the air ducts 111, and the upper layer 12. Hence, for example, a person wearing a pair of shoes having the intermediate support members 11 formed therein may feel a degree of comfort. Additionally, padding material such as foam can be placed in some air ducts 111 for increasing the shock absorbing capability of the sheet of article without adversely affecting the ventilation effect.

In one application, a mat incorporating the support members 11 with thus formed air ducts 111 can be placed on a sheet of cloth. Thereafter, person(s) may sit on the mat. Advantageously, the mat can bring a degree of comfort to the person(s) sitting thereon.

Alternatively, the support members 11 have a projecting portion contacting either the upper layer 12 or the lower layer 10 such that a massaging effect to the corresponding body portion is carried out when a person sits on, for example, a mat having the support members 11 formed therein.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A ventilation structure, comprising:

a lower layer of knitted fabric formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric;

an upper layer of knitted fabric formed of a water-impermeable and water vapor-permeable fabric;

a plurality of support members formed between the upper and the lower layers; and

a plurality of reticulated air ducts formed between the upper and the lower layers with the support members disposed thereamong.

2. The ventilation structure of claim 1, wherein the support members are shaped as triangle.

3. (canceled)

4. The ventilation structure of claim 1, wherein the support members are formed of plastic.

5. (canceled)

6. The ventilation structure of claim 1, wherein the hardness of a first portion of the support members is higher than that of the remaining portions of the support members.

7. The ventilation structure of claim 1, wherein the support members have a projecting portion contacting either the upper layer or the lower layer.