COMBINATION BODY COOLER AND BOTTLE HOLDER
A combination body cooler and bottle holder for a person's neck includes: a band adapted to wrap around an upper portion of the person's body, the band having a first end and a second end; a means for removably attaching and securing the first end of the band to the second end of the band so that the device is retained around the upper portion; and a holder secured to the band, adapted to carry the bottle horizontally so that the bottle is held adjacent to a back of the neck.
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/234,787, filed Aug. 18, 2009, titled “Combination body cooler and bottle holder for a person's neck”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a body cooling device and, more specifically, to a combination body cooler and bottle holder.
2. The Prior Art
Hyperthermia is a situation in which the actual body temperature is higher than the body's “basal metabolism”, which is when the body is at idle. It can occur as a response to heat exposure if the body cannot get rid of the heat that it is absorbing from the environment as well as the heat it produces itself. The body attempts to return its temperature to the “basal metabolism” set point. There are several health problems that can develop if the body is not able to deal effectively with hyperthermia. For example, an extended elevated body temperature will eventually result in tissue damage; people that experience heat stress also develop aggressive behavior; recklessness is another symptom that develops; and performance also slows down. The body begins to compensate for its immediate problem of too much heat when the brain receives the heated blood. As body temperature rises, the brain sends out instructions to decrease the muscle tone. Individuals may feel tired and listless, and not able to work as well. Not only does production suffer as a result, but also the individual feels more of the burden of work. It becomes increasingly harder to perform their regular tasks.
The health problems that result from heat stress can be serious. They include heat stroke, which is, by far, the most serious. 1700 people in the U.S. died of heat-related causes during one year. The mortality rate where individuals do not know how to handle this medical emergency can be upwards of 50%. Some other health problems are: heat syncope, which is fainting from exposure to heat. Another is heat edema, which usually happens a day or two after the individual enters into a hot environment. Heat edema is the result of the body not able to dump the salt and water it is ingesting, and usually shows up as ankle swelling; another major health problem is heat exhaustion. In this case there is no sensation of thirst—usually because they have been drinking water already, but not enough. The person exhibits headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and anxiety.
As noted above, extreme heat affects the brain. Numerous solutions to overheating the human body have been developed over the ages. Many utilize evaporative cooling. Others utilize ice or cold liquids.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis patent discloses and claims a useful, novel, and unobvious invention for a combination body cooler and bottle holder in the over-the-counter medical device field.
A combination body cooler and bottle holder for a person's neck includes: a band adapted to wrap around an upper portion of the person's body, and a holder secured to the band, adapted to carry the bottle horizontally so that the bottle is held adjacent to a back of the neck. In one embodiment, the band has a first end and a second end, each end having a means for removably attaching and securing the two ends of the band together. In another embodiment, the band is continuous.
A bottle containing cold, even frozen, liquids is held in a bottle holder or carrier that can be worn around a person's neck or head. The cold bottle cools the person through contact with the holder or carrier. Then, if the person is also thirsty, that person can also remove the bottle from the carrier and drink out of it.
Being outdoors, whether it be for walking a dog, gardening, or other outdoor activities in extreme heat (i.e. >98° F.) can be nearly intolerable. An embodiment of the present invention is a hands-free device that keeps the body cool with the combination of a frozen bottle of water (e.g. 0.5 L), by securing the frozen bottle at the neck or around the head of a user. The frozen water melts while the person is out in extreme heat, and the wearer is also able to hydrate from the bottle of water in the holder.
Bottle holders available today are typically meant to be worn at the waist, or other body part, but not the neck or around the head. Also, these bottle holders do not offer any “cooling” element.
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a combination body cooler and bottle holder for the neck. In one embodiment, the first element of the device is the neck band or neck wrap. The neck band is made of fabric and secured at the neck using fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners or the like. In another embodiment, the band is continuous. The band may be available in different sizes depending on the size of the wearer. For example, where multiple sizes are provided, the medium size may be about 20 inches in length, and about 4 inches in width in the widest portion which sits at the back of the neck. This neck band then tapers down to about 1.25 inches in the front where it is fastened with the hook and loop tape. In alternative embodiments, the band may be worn around the head of the wearer.
A second element of the device is a bottle holder or carrier portion which is permanently secured to the neck or head band. The bottle holder may also be made of the same fabric, but preferably with elastic on both sides of the holder so that a bottle of water can be held in a horizontal position on the neck band. The width of the bottle holder may be about 4 inches and the inside diameter of the holder may be about 2.5 inches. These sizes are exemplary only and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other sizes are also within the scope of the present invention. The elastic on both sides may be utilized to secure a water bottle in place. In an alternative embodiment, one end of the carrier is open, and the second end is closed, allowing insertion and removal of a bottle from only one end. Additionally, the bottle may have other dimensions, and if it does, the dimensions of the holder or carrier are correspondingly different.
This embodiment includes both elements (neck band and bottle holder), which are to provide a hands-free device. In alternate embodiments a bottle of cold but not frozen water, or other cold beverages of similar size may be used.
One embodiment includes the neck band to secure the bottle holder to the neck without requiring the user to hold the bottle with his or her hands. According to a non-limiting example, standard half liter bottle of water can be frozen and placed in the bottle holder, and this combination provides a cooling effect.
One exemplary embodiment of the device is secured by hook and loop fastener at the front of the neck and the bottle holder portion is stationary at the back of the neck. Other methods of securing the two ends of the band together will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art and are also within the scope of the present invention. Also, in other embodiments, the band is a continuous loop. When this device is worn with a frozen half liter bottle of water, it allows the wearer to tolerate extreme heat for a longer period of time than without the device. This length of time depends on the activity the wearer is engaged in as well as the temperature and humidity of the environment. One might rollerblade for an hour and a half with one frozen half litter bottle of water in an ambient temperature of 108° Fahrenheit.
To make this embodiment of the present invention using fabric, the device can be sewn to the desired shape. In embodiments, the width of the bottle holder portion can be altered for different size necks. The device can be made from an array of different fabrics, and the fastening device can also be made from many different options (i.e. snaps, buttons, etc). In one embodiment, the band portion is constructed of breathable material. In one embodiment, the bottle holder is at least partially constructed from a wicking material. Different sizes of bands and different bottle sizes are also within the scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment, a custom made rigid or soft walled container could be used in place of a generic water bottle. Such a bottle could be contoured to match the curvature of the neck for added comfort and maximum cooling effect. Also, the neck band/neck wrap may be redesigned in a more fashionable sense to simulate a bandana or neckerchief.
To use an embodiment of the invention, a person can place a pre-frozen or pre-chilled bottle in the bottle holder prior to donning the device. Then the person may position the bottle holder so that the bottle is at the back of the neck, and the neck band is secured with a fastening system such as hook and loop fasteners at the front of the neck. It should preferably be secure enough that the water bottle does not pull at the front of the neck, but loose enough to feel comfortable (i.e. like a properly worn neck tie). Alternately, a person can fasten the device to the neck prior to inserting a water bottle in the fashion described above, and place the water bottle into the holder once the neck band is in place and secured. Tension and comfort can be adjusted easily with the Velcro closure.
Embodiments of this device can also be worn on other body parts, and in particular, body parts that have a similar diameter as the neck (i.e. thigh, arm). In additional embodiments, the device is designed to be worn around the head.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention encompass all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device to carry a bottle behind a person's neck to provide cooling or heating to the person, comprising:
- a band adapted to wrap around an upper portion of the person's body; and
- a holder secured to the band, adapted to carry the bottle horizontally so that the bottle is held adjacent to a back of the neck.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the band is formed as a continuous loop.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the band has a first end and a second end, and includes fasteners configured for removably attaching and securing the first end of the band to the second end of the band so that the device is retained around the upper portion of the person's body.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.
5. The device in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the person's body is a head.
6. The device of claim 3 wherein:
- the band has an inside, an outside, and a middle;
- the holder is attached to the middle of the outside of the band; and
- the first end and the second end of the band are narrower than the middle of the band.
7. The device of claim 3 wherein:
- the holder has a first end and a second end;
- both the first end and the second end are open; and
- the first end and the second end contain stretchable material capable of retaining the bottle in the holder.
8. The device of claim 3 wherein:
- the holder has a first end and a second end;
- the first end is open and the second end is closed; and
- the first end comprises stretchable material capable of retaining the bottle in the holder.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the band is manufactured from a breathable material.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the holder is manufactured from a material that wicks moisture.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 16, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 24, 2011
Inventor: Eva I. Liang (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 12/725,039
International Classification: A45F 3/16 (20060101);