Washington, Dec 8: Two graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Stout have invented a warm-weather garment lining for pants that can be taken off without removing the outer pants, or even the wearer’s shoes.

The invention has now been licensed to a global manufacturer

Thanks to Pamela Anhalt and Karl Fels, the next time you go out wearing your winter-lined pants only to start sweating it out when the temperature heats up, you might not have to find a secluded area to remove the lining.

Anhalt and Fels, as part of Anhalt’s functional clothing class assignment in 2004, invented the removable garment lining that can be worn under any type of pants to keep the wearer warm in cold weather.

Its novelty suggests that it can be taken off without removing the outer pants, or even the wearer’s shoes.

“Students know opportunities for improving current products or inventing sewn products for new markets is becoming a major focus for the apparel industry. Pamela and Karl’s design is a perfect example of meeting consumer demand for performance products, ” Gindy Neidermyer, UW-Stout program director for apparel design and development and instructor of the course, said.

The invention has been exclusively licensed to apparel manufacturer JMI USA Ltd. JMI, whose research and development headquarters is based in Merrill, Wis., has initial plans to produce the lining for hunting and construction uses. The exclusive license is the first of its kind for a UW System student-led technology, according to the UW System technology transfer organization WiSys.

“We are both very excited about the whole patent process and that a company has licensed our idea. We are anxious for the removable garment lining to hit the apparel market, ” Anhalt said (ANI)