Disposable outerwear

Abstract

Outerwear that substantially protects the wearer from the elements during extended athletic activity events and is sufficiently inexpensive to be considered disposable, and a method for using the outerwear in such events wherein the events include a defined route, such method comprising distributing the outerwear to participants in the events, providing a plurality of containers along the event route, using the containers to collect the outerwear that is discarded by participants, and recycling the discarded outerwear. The outerwear is preferably made of a lightweight single layer of nonwoven microporous material, which is non-restricting, wind resistant, water repellant yet breathable, and provides sufficient protection under most conditions so as to eliminate a need for extra layers, and may include a first portion embodying a jacket and a second portion embodying pants wherein each portion may include one or more of the following: zippers, snaps, buttons, Velcro or the like, perforations, and elastic members for gathering the material to provide a snug fit against the wearer. The outerwear can be marked with indicia to promote a particular athletic event or a product, service, or sponsor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 751,394, filed Jan. 5, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 460,912, filed Apr. 7, 2003, the entire content of all are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention pertains generally to articles of clothing, and more particularly to disposable clothing for outdoor athletic activities.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Individuals participating in extended-length endurance athletic activities, (e.g., marathon, half marathon, triathlon, cross-country skiing, mountaineering, etc.) typically begin the activity wearing multiple layers of clothing in order to be prepared for changing weather conditions. For example, a marathon always begins in the morning, often quite early, when the temperature is relatively cool. Because the marathon is run over an extended period of time, the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In one aspect, the invention provides disposable outerwear that substantially protects the wearer from the elements during athletic activities and is sufficiently inexpensive to be considered expendable or disposable. The outerwear may include a first portion embodying a jacket and a second portion embodying pants. Each of the first and second portions may include zippers, snaps, buttons, velcro or the like, perforations, and elastic members for providing a snug fit against the wearer. The outerwear is lightweight, non-restricting, wind resistant, water repellant yet breathable, and provides sufficient protection so as to obviate a need for extra layers.

Problems solved by technology

The bags, however, have no sleeves, are not very comfortable because they billow as they are not designed to be used as clothing, and do not allow perspiration to escape.

Sweatshirts and sweatpants do not protect against rain or wind.

If they get wet, they tend to make the wearer colder, rather than warmer, and add unwanted weight due to absorbed perspiration and precipitation.

While popular for recreational running, the use of technical outerwear in marathons is disadvantageous.

The removed item is typically discarded, however, since technical outerwear is relatively expensive (a jacket and pants together may cost as much as $500), a marathon runner may wish to retain removed technical outerwear on account of its cost, and may carry or otherwise affix the item to themselves, thereby creating an undesirable encumbrance or otherwise restricting the runner's mobility for the remaining duration of the marathon.

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