BODY COOL DOWN DEVICE AND METHOD
A series of side-by-side inter-contacting cooling gel channels acting together form a body cool-down device which cools the body for at least three days or up to several weeks without needing re-soaking. Two semipermeable membrane sheets of fabric are attached together with a series of side-by-side channels sewn into the fabric. Granular super absorbent polymer or super absorbent polymer gel capsules are loaded into the channels. Soaking the device in water for five to fifteen minutes transforms the super absorbent polymer into a greatly expanded volume of cooling gel causing the channels to expand in contact with each other acting together as a single passive open system thermodynamic device for cooling a body.
The present utility patent application claims the benefit of Provisional Application #60/670,393, filed 11 MAY 2018.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to devices and methods for controlling body temperature and in particular to a multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device and method, the device comprising adjacent inter-contacting channels of hydrated super absorbent polymer forming a cooling gel layer, each channel in direct physical contact with each adjacent channel, to form a system wherein all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass creating a passive open system thermodynamic device to conduct heat from a body in contact with an inner surface of the cool-down device and evaporate moisture from an outer surface into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently cool-down the body contacting the cool-down device, with a cooling layer of cooling gel sandwiched by an inner layer and an outer layer of semipermeable webbing fabric comprising a plurality of channels all in direct contact with each adjacent channel, each of the channels holding a volume of super water absorbing material, a super absorbent polymer preferably polyacrylamide, which when soaked in water is adapted to transform into a heat-absorbing cooling gel into a cooling layer sufficiently increased in volume to cause each adjacent pair of channels to be in physical contact over a sufficient mutually contacting surface area of the channels to enable the entire volume of cooling gel in the cooling layer to act as one cooling gel unit over the entire cooling layer, which is configured in a shape to cover a portion of the body for maximum cooling, the body cool-down device adapted to contact the user's body to draw heat from user's body by conduction through the semipermeable membrane into the cooling gel layer of the cool-down device; the body cool-down device further adapted to circulate the heat by convection through the entire cooling gel layer acting as a single unit; the body cool-down device further adapted to evaporate the water from the cooling gel as water vapor through the outer layer of the cool-down device out into the surrounding air, the semipermeable membrane of the outer layer serving to limit the rate of evaporation and maintain the body cool-down device at a desired cool-down temperature for several days to several weeks depending on the environmental conditions and the volume of the cooling gel and then requiring only a short soaking in water to enable the device to continue to cool the body for several more days to several weeks in repeatable cycles; and, after many years of use when the super water absorbent material is used up, the cooling device is adapted for a user to refill the cooling layer with more super water absorbent polymer material to continue use of the device and repeat many cycles of usage.
Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
A significant comfort and health problem is the inevitable fact that bodies get overheated for various reasons including but not limited to the actual temperature of the surrounding environment. Bodies can get overheated from weather, exercise, activity, illness, menopause, hormonal changes, migraines, fever, burns and many more causes. Overheating due to weather causing heat exhaustion is one of the major causes of death from natural environmental conditions.
Prior art has tried to solve this problem with cooling towels and vests that are ineffective and only produce cooling effects for a very short amount of time: 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the ambient temperature. Prior art devices often need to be recharged by soaking in water every thirty minutes or they need long exposure to refrigeration. Prior art neck towels only cover the neck and do not cool down the whole body while the prior art vests only last for a short time with minimal cooling effects.
Most prior art devices fail in the hottest temperatures. While still others have made products that cool in hot temperatures, but they are cumbersome vests that are battery operated and require heavy equipment and pumps to pump ice water throughout the garment.
Most gelled prior art products will only last 9-12 months with heavy use. So they are useless after one year.
Prior art devices with a single cooling compartment or multiple cooling compartments spaced far apart do not work well for efficient cooling and have portions of fabric covering the skin that are not cooling the skin. Devices with cooling elements laid too thin over wider surfaces, like some of the infused fabric designs, are not effective in cooling for long periods of time.
Some prior art devices include U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,110, issued May 26, 1998 to Silvas; U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,654, issued Feb 23, 2016 to Gallaher; U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,746, issued Mar. 4, 1997 to Shelton et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,581, issued May 19, 1988 to Rosenthal; U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,294, issued Aug. 15, 1989 to Scaringe et al; and US Patent Application #20020092312, published Jul. 18, 2002 by Head.
What is needed is a body cool-down system requiring no refrigeration or mechanical or electrical devices and which remains effective cooling the body down to a desired temperature for days or weeks depending on conditions and require only a quick water soaking for a few minutes to restore to full cooling after the water evaporates. A body cooling system is needed which provides adjacent inter-contacting channels of hydrated super absorbent polymer forming a cooling gel layer, each channel in direct physical contact with each adjacent channel, wherein all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass creating a passive open system thermodynamic device to stay cool for days or weeks without re-soaking and never requiring refrigeration to maintain the body at a comfortable temperature throughout the day in all environments and all bodily exertions. And further needed is a body cooling device which is refillable with cooling ingredients by the user so that it is fully usable for multiple years.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the prior art problems. The body cool-down device of the present invention is light weight and relatively flat in the dray state and stays cool for several days or weeks in the transformed cooling gel state without re-soaking in water and without refrigeration of any type. Because the present invention's body cooling effect lasts all day for several days or weeks without re-soaking or refrigeration it can help maintain the body at a comfortable temperature throughout the day in all environments and bodily exertions. This allows less water intake for the user because the body doesn't sweat as much or at all if the body temperature is maintained at the proper healthy level.
One major object of the present invention is to provide a body cool-down device which is adjustable for desired body temperature, desired time of usage before resoaking, and particular heat conditions by adjusting the desired quantity of super water absorbent material installed in the device and adjusting the amount of water absorbed in the cooling gel layer by adjusting the amount of time that the device is soaked in water.
The body cooling device of the present invention is refillable with granular super absorbent polymer material or cooling gel capsules by the user easily restoring the device to full usage whenever depletion of the cooling ingredients occurs, so that the present invention is fully usable for many years.
With the present invention, the more a body moves, the cooler the invention gets, naturally charging itself using the body's own kinesthetics. The shape of the present invention is key to its success in the way the channels are aligned and connected together to so that the cooling gel acts as a single unit adapted to absorb a user's body heat by conduction, circulate the heat through the entire cooling gel layer by convection, and evaporate the water from the cooling gel by controlled evaporation through the outer semipermeable layer lowering the temperature of the cooling gel layer, increasing evaporation and heat radiation with increased movement of the user's body and lowering the temperature of the body cool down device.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a body cooling device against a user's body to draw heat away from the user's body by conduction and circulate the heat through the entire cooling gel layer by convection to the outer semipermeable layer where controlled evaporation to lower the temperature of the cooling gel in the body cooling device.
One more primary object of the present invention is to provide side-by-side inter-contacting placement of the channels over the entire device to produce a large working volume of the cooling gel acting as one unit to enable highly effective cooling with a slow controlled evaporation rate enabled by the semipermeable outer layer and the fact that the original super water absorbent polymer material is adapted to absorb moisture so that one soaking of the device with water charges the cooling gel for at least three days and up to several weeks (depending on the environmental conditions) without re-soaking.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a body core cooling device over the core of the body to cool the concentration of heat which normally exists in the core of the body housing the heart, aorta, main arteries from the heart, and backbone and thereby cool the entire body by instantly cooling the blood circulated to the brain, the torso and the extremities.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling surface against the most vital hot spots of the body, including the front or back of the user's body housing the heart, main arteries leading to the brain and head and torso and extremities and along the spine and under the arms with the optional cooling straps, the cooling surface remaining dry and cool due to the semipermeable inner surface of the cooling layer which admits air, but not water.
An added object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable collar to push up as desired to control the cooling process by extending the volume of the cooling gel and providing added outer surface for evaporation and heat convection into the surrounding air, the temperature of the main portion of the body cool-down device further lowered as the air evaporates the moisture from the collar, so that raising the collar high to catch the wind or body motion from walking, riding, running, exercising, or other body motion activities enhances the cooling effect of the body cooling cover by increasing evaporation from the collar. With the collar in its most upright position, air evaporates the moisture most effectively.
Removing the cool down device from the user's body and swinging the body cool down device back and forth in the air generates airflow over the entire device on all surfaces significantly lowers the temperature of the body cool down device immediately. In as little as a minute or two a user will see a dramatic temperature change. The temperature of the body cool down device will even be instantly and dramatically cooled off by exposing both sides of the body cool down device to a heater blowing hot air, because the water is quickly evaporated from the cooling gel to cool down the device.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a body heating and cooling device which has health benefits for specific body ailments including providing a pillow insert (helps sleep better and can be used rolled up and in various position and body parts), a knee brace (simple cooling brace), a recovery knee brace (full coverage, much bigger than knee brace, offers restriction, compression, cooling and heat), a wrist brace (for heating/cooling to control pain as well as swelling and maintain the forearm, wrist, and hand in a rigid position for proper healing), a baby buddy (a pillow insert type of device but made with a different material so that the coolness is not so startling to an infant), an expectant mommy cool-down (fits around tummy of expectant mother), cooling head gear for sports activities and a cooling cap (for head aches, magraines, and other head problems), cooling booties for foot problems and for warming or cooling the user's body by warming or cooling the feet, cooling mittens for hand problems, a tummy covering device for menstruation (can be heated as well as cooled), braces (for shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, upper and lower back, ankle).
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device for any general body cooling comfort applications including an eyes mask, a face mask, a neck wrap, a scarf, a car seat cover, a baby stroller and child car seat cover, a baby blanket, bed covers, a bed insert, male and female genital cool-downs, and other desired insertable cooling devices for use in any desired body location.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a cool-down device for the bodies of animals including dogs, cats, any pets, and small animals (providing cool-down shelters, carriers, covers, blankets, beds, jackets). For larger animals the present cool-down device provides surgery cool-down blankets, equine cool-down devices including ready wraps, blankets, covers, saddle blankets, chest plates, and head gear.
In brief, the present invention comprises a multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device, the device comprising a cooling gel layer comprising a plurality of adjacent inter-contacting channels each containing a super water absorbent material hydrated to form a cooling gel, each channel in direct physical contact with each adjacent channel, adapted so that all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device adapted to conduct heat from a body in contact with the cool-down device, and adapted to evaporate moisture from an outer surface of the cooling gel layer into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently maintain the body in contact with the cool-down device at a desired comfortable temperature cooler than the surrounding air.
Each of the channels holds any desired adjustable volume of a super water absorbent material, preferably a super absorbent polymer or polyacrylamide gel having an essentially neutral pH, which will break down into nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water with no residual toxicity. The present invention preferably utilizes a super absorbent polymer which, when soaked in water, is adapted to transform the polymer into a heat-absorbing cooling gel sufficiently increased in volume to substantially increase the thickness and the overall mass of cooling gel and causing each adjacent pair of channels to be in physical contact over a sufficient mutually contacting surface area of the channels to enable the entire volume of cooling gel in the cooling layer to act as one cooling gel mass over the entire cooling layer, all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass creating a passive open system thermodynamic device. The layer of cooling gel is configured in a shape to cover and contact the any desired portions of the body for maximum cooling.
The cool-down device secured against the user's body absorbs heat from the body through the inner semipermeable membrane by conduction and circulates the heat by convection through the entire body of the cooling gel of the cooling layer, and dissipates the heat by controlled evaporation through the outer semipermeable membrane thereby lowering the temperature of the body cooling device and cooling the user's body.
An inner surface and an outer surface of the cooling layer each comprises a semipermeable membrane, such as a tulle mesh or other materials admitting air and water vapor through the material but not water, attached around the edges to retain the super water absorbent material and further subdivided into narrow adjacent channels adapted to retain the granular dry super water absorbent material within the channels so that the granular dry super water absorbent material is spread evenly over the entire cooling layer. The semipermeable membrane is permeable to air and water vapor but not permeable to water which is not under pressure. Each membrane is adapted to allow air and water vapor to pass through the membrane but not allow water to pass out through the membrane from the soaked cooling gel. The membranes cover and contain the cooling gel therebetween. When the cooling device is soaked in a body of water or sprayed with water, the water under pressure passes through the membrane to soak the super water absorbent material to transform it into a greatly expanded volume of cooling gel.
The semipermeable membrane comprising the inner surface of the cooling layer in contact with the body feels cool and dry to the skin while allowing heat from the body to dissipate by conduction from the user's body through the semipermeable membrane into the cooling gel. The semipermeable membrane comprising the outer surface exposed to the air retains water in the water soaked gel and is adapted for slow controlled evaporation of the water to lower the temperature of the cooling gel while retaining the water in the cooling gel for a longer time by controlling the speed of evaporation, so that each soaking of the cooling gel with water lasts for at least three days under extreme heat conditions and possibly several weeks depending on the environment and usage. The cooling gel drying effect from evaporation begins around the outer edges of the cooling gel layer so the center area of the cooling gel layer maintains its cooling effect for the longest time on the vital area of the user's body covered by the present invention.
After the water evaporates, a short soaking in water for approximately five to fifteen minutes soaks the super water absorbent material again to reform into an expanded volume cooling gel and enable the device to continue to cool the body for several more days or weeks in repeatable cycles; and, after many years of use when the super water absorbent material is used up, the cooling device is adapted for a user to refill the cooling layer with more super water absorbent material or cooling gel capsules to continue use of the device and repeat many cycles of usage.
The present invention stays cool in the hottest temperatures with a multilayered fabric structure having a cooling layer comprising adjacent channels each filled with a granular super water absorbent material which expands in volume up to fifty times the volume of the granular super water absorbent material. The quantity of super water absorbent material and amount of water absorbed to form the cooling gel are both adjustable to establish a desired body temperature and determine the length of cooling time before needing a re-soaking in water. The heat circulates in a convection current throughout the entire volume of the cooling gel. Controlled evaporation from the outer surface of the cooling layer provides long term ongoing cooling, maintaining the user's body temperature at a healthy comfortable level. The present invention stays cool for at least three days under extreme conditions of heat and possibly several weeks on a single soaking. Some embodiments may have venting inserted in key locations.
The core body cool-down device of the present invention is configured in a trapezoid shape tapering downward against the back or front of the user's body from a wide portion at the shoulders down to a narrower portion below the center of the back or front like a small cape on the back or large lobster bib on the front with a top adjustable collar or evaporation cooling fin extending upwardly from the main body of the device behind the neck and base of the head or in front of the neck. The device is placed on the back or front of the user's body in contact with the user's body over the core body temperature regulating area and most vital body hot spots over the heart and aorta and the main arteries to the brain and head, and along the spine, while cooling straps may extend over the shoulder and under the arms, cooling the user's body core temperature and instantly sending cooled blood circulating through the brain and head, the torso, and the extremities.
The core body cooling embodiment of the cooling device of the present invention preferably further comprises a continuation of the inter-contacting channels in an extensible collar or cooling fin adapted for varying degrees of evaporative cooling by varying amounts of raising the collar for greater or lesser exposure to the air to increase or decrease the amount of evaporation due to the surrounding air contacting the collar. When fully soaked with water the expanded cooling gel in the collar channels stiffens the collar so that the collar stays in place when adjusted up or down. A stiffening layer in the collar may also be used to further enable the collar to stay in place as desired. The evaporation from both front and back of the collar greatly improves the cooling effect of the portion of the present invention contacting the user's body.
Preferably, the cooling gel works best in 1 inch to 2 inch channels stacked next to each other in the multilayered core body cooling device configured to contact the core body temperature controlling area on a back of a body over the heart, aorta, main arteries leaving the heart and backbone cooling the blood so that the heart immediately pumps the cooled blood through the head and body as well as cooling the hot spots of the user's body and the skin over the hot spots. A core body cool-down device with one inch wide channels which expand outward to a thickness of one inch from the expanded cooling gel provides sufficient cooling comfort for the average adult for at least three days and up to several weeks with a single soaking of the device. A five to fifteen minute re-soaking keeps it cool for another three days or several weeks, depending on environmental conditions. The present invention works anywhere with only occasional re-soaking in water.
The primary concentration of heat in the body is centered around the body core including the heart, the main arteries from the heart to the brain and to the rest of the body, along the spinal chord, and under the arms. The present invention is configured to cover the user's body core on the back or front of the user's body with optional cooling straps under the arms for greater cooling.
Various binding means, including the cooling straps under the arms and over the shoulder and adjustable straps with buckles, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or other fastening means can be used to hold the present invention against the user's body for the most effective cooling under all environmental conditions and all activities. The present invention may be used over clothing conducting heat through the clothing or directly on the skin.
The present invention can be fabricated in multiple versions, including but not limited to the following applications having the device built into shirts, vests, pads, pillows, blankets, braces, headwear, eye covers, hand covers, bottle coolers, food containers, chair covers, outdoor equipment, car seat covers, pet products and cooling systems, pet shelters, pet carriers, animal core covers, animal blankets, animal leg braces as well as used in various health settings such as for paramedic devices, medical braces, burn victim covers, shoulder braces, back braces, wrist braces, knee braces, tummy covers, heat stroke covers, fever reduction head bands.
A primary advantage of the present invention is that it provides a large working volume of cooling gel acting as one unit to enable highly effective cooling with a slow evaporation rate so that one soaking of the device with water charges the cooling gel for at least three days under extreme heat conditions and up to several weeks of normal usage.
Another advantage is that the present invention is adjustable for desired body temperature, desired time of usage before resoaking, and particular heat conditions.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a body cooling cover over the core of the body to cool the concentration of heat there in the heart, arteries, and backbone and thereby cool the entire body by up to twenty degrees instantly cooling the blood pumped by the heart to the brain, the torso and the extremities.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an energizing effect from the cooling blood circulating up the main arteries to the brain.
An added advantage of the present invention is that it draws the heat from the user's body so that sweating, the natural cooling system of the user's body is reduced or eliminated thereby allowing better water retention in the user's body.
An ensuing advantage of the present invention is that maintaining the user's body temperature at a comfortable level enables better performance.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it may be transported as a dry relatively flat and lightweight item. Further it may be stored for long periods of time in either the dry state or enclosed in an airtight container in the cooling gel state. And the present invention may also be shipped without the super water absorbent material or super absorbent polymer in the device allowing a user to input a desired amount of desiccant or polymer into the cool-down device to meet the needs of the user. Refills of the super water absorbent material or super absorbent polymer or cooling gel capsules may be purchased to re-use the cool-down device for years until the actual fabric wears out.
These and other details and advantages of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitations of the invention, and in which drawings:
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An adjustable cooling fin or collar 23 extends upwardly from the body covering portion to further enhance the cooling effect by raising the collar to increase evaporation from the cooling device.
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The inner semipermeable membrane 22B is adapted to receive air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner semipermeable membrane 22B into the cooling gel 25B, shown in
The outer semipermeable membrane 22A is adapted to limit the flow of air and water vapor out through the outer semipermeable membrane to evaporate the water from the cooling gel 25B at a controlled rate, slowing the evaporation process, the cool-down device adapted to provide a cooling cycle of at least three days under extreme heat and up to several weeks of effective cooling on a single soaking of the cooling gel 25B in water.
The inner covering of planar material 21B secured under the inner semipermeable membrane 22B is adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner covering to the inner semipermeable membrane 22B and into the cooling gel 25B.
The outer covering of planar material 21A secured over the outer semipermeable membrane 22A is adapted to allow warm air and water vapor from the cooling gel 25 and outer semipermeable membrane 22A to pass through the outer covering and evaporate into the surrounding air. The outer covering is provided with at least an outer surface adapted for visual appeal.
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The inner surface of the body core temperature cooling device of the present invention held against the body draws away the heat from the warmest part of the user's body by conduction, circulates the heat by convection currents through the entire cooling gel layer, and the outer surface of the body core temperature cooling device allows evaporation of the water from the outer surface to cool the device maintaining a cool temperature on the inner surface cooling the core body temperature internal parts and blood flow as well as cooling the skin of the body, thereby lowering overall body temperature. It takes at least three days or up to several weeks for the water in the super saturated cooling gel to evaporate and require a quick five to fifteen minutes soaking in water under pressure to re-soak the cooling gel.
Because the user can now maintain a comfortable body temperature, the user's body will sweat less because of the body temperature maintenance and the user's body will retain more water for added health benefit and comfort.
The more a user moves, the cooler the cool-down device gets, even in temperatures as hot as 122 degrees F. It is structured to work with the movement of the body to make it even cooler as a user moves, works, exercises or goes about his or her day as well as in a sedentary state. The multi-channel, multi-layered structure of the device creates the volume needed for the thermal heat absorbing gel to work effectively with the channels for efficient heat conduction from the user's body, efficient convection of the heat throughout the entire cooling gel layer, and efficient evaporation through all exposed surfaces to create an ongoing long lasting cooling effect that last for at least three days and up to several weeks. The multilayered fabric structure allows for a slow evaporation of each unit giving it staying time in the hottest weather.
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The material for the inner layer 21B and outer layer 21A of the device are preferably of 100 percent cotton and cotton blends but can be substituted with many other types of fabric that have the properties of allowing air and moisture to pass freely from the body and into the air, respectively. The facing outer material 21A is preferably a breathable material exposing the cooling gel to airflow for the purpose of evaporation causing the device to cool down and give a cooling effect for the user. This is coupled with the thermal heat absorbing inner material layer 21B drawing away heat from the body by conduction.
The semipermeable layers 22A and 22B housing the cooling gel are preferably thermal retention webbing that holds the coolness and moisture in the thermal gel for long periods of time, preferably for many days. The semipermeable webbing affects the evaporation process in a way that the moisture cannot escape causing the evaporation process to become slower or retarded. The effect is a body cooling device that last for many days without re-soaking giving the user long term cooling effects. Tulle and similar fabric can be used. The desired effect of the material is creating a semipermeable membrane which allows air and water vapor to pass through but does not allow water to pass through, except under pressure to soak the dry super water absorbing polymer material.
The super water absorbent material, or granular super absorbent polymer or gel capsules used in the device to form the thermal heat absorbing cooling gel are preferably non-toxic non-irritating inert material, such as a polyacrylamide material. This is chosen because of its ability to absorb greater than 50 time it weight in water, giving the volumes needed to keep and maintain a constant cooling temperature in the device. Preferably the super water absorbent material or super absorbent polymer used is non-toxic, biodegradable, and completely safe for the environment. It has been discovered that soaking the super water absorbent material or super absorbent polymer with water transforms the super water absorbent material or super absorbent polymer and expands it into a heat absorbing cooling gel of much greater volume than the original granular super water absorbent material or granular super absorbent polymer to form a powerful body cooling gel which is adapted to conduct heat from a user's body, to circulate the heat by convection currents through the entire cooling gel layer, and to evaporate the water from the cooling gel.
The super water absorbing material in each of the channels comprises poured in dry super absorbing polymer granular material or inserted super water absorbing polymer gel capsules, the super absorbent polymer comprising at least one water absorbing hydrogel taken from the list of water absorbing hydrogels including hygroscopic material, water absorbing polymers, polyacrylamide, polyacrylamide polymer, anionic polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate, potassium polyacrylate, starch-acrylonitrile co-polymer, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.
The effects are that the user does not sweat or sweats far less, thus retaining the user's body moisture and maintaining a constant temperature as the user's own blood pumps the cooled blood of the body core to the body, head, and extremities, as illustrated in
The channels 26 are a key component of this invention in the way that it creates the volume of gel needed to maintain a constant temperature and cooling affect for extremely long periods of time. The channels are made side by side in varying size width from a fraction of an inch to 1, 2, 3, 4 inches and more, size channels which could any fractional increments. Even Larger sized channels may be used for different uses and configurations. The channels are sewn to be side by side with no space in between each pair of adjacent channels for the majority of the cooling devices. Vents may be strategically placed in the body cool-down device depending on the configuration and the intended use. The channels placement and configuration are very important and configured in a way to enhance airflow as the user moves, generating the right amount of airflow to remain cool but not to evaporate too quickly. The channels are configured in a way to create convection of heat in the entire gel cooling layer acting as a unit and evaporation of the water in the cooling gel from every exposed surface to cool the body cool-down device and help keep the device ever cool. The channels dry from the outside channel to the inside channel so the outer channel dries first leaving the inner ones still full of activated gel. The channels insulate themselves due to their side by side inter-contacting configuration with the entire cooling gel layer acting as one unit.
The webbing structure of the inner and outer semipermeable membranes 22B and 22A is what holds more water in the product and allows it to hold on to the water for a much longer time, which keeps it cooler far longer and it allows the fabric to be dry while wearing it.
The volume and placement of channels are highly significant in the effectiveness of the cooling device of the present invention. Because they are channel on channel and holding large volumes of cooling gel the product does not evaporate quickly at all. Depending on the size of the cooling device, the effective use time before re-soaking is required varies. A core body temperature cool-down device 20, of
The collar 23 is a major key to the success of the present invention in the way that the collar is the cooling fin that sticks out in the air not contacting the body, always remaining out in the air for optimal cooling and convection effects. The collar has several settings to be customized by the user. In
The body cool-down device is configured to stay tight and snug on the user to better absorb the heat of the user's body by conduction and not move or bounce around in heavy activity. There are several loops or actual buckles on the straps to use to fasten the garment close to the body in heavy movement activity such as running, working, horseback riding, gardening, etc. This can be used in the collar up or down mode depending on user needs and desired amount of cooling affect.
The straps are configured with and without thermal gel encased in them according to the user's needs and desires. Providing thermal gel in the straps gives an added cooling effect and comfort to the user.
The collar may include a heavy plastic fabric, such as structural mesh, to allow the collar to remain in the up or down positions.
The outer layer is preferably fabricated of material adapted to admit water vapor through the material to slowly evaporate the water vapor from the cooling gel layer. The inner layer contacting the body or the clothing of the user is preferably fabricated of a material adapted to conduct heat from the user's body into the cooling gel layer. Cotton layers satisfy the requirement for both the outer layer and the inner body contacting layers.
In use, the body cool-down device is soaked for approximately 5-15 minutes or until desired turgor is acquired. The more water that is absorbed the more days it will last and the more rigid the device will be. The body cool-down device is configured to be customized by a user for the preferred amount of turgor and water absorption. Some users may want a super cooling effect by maximum soaking time with full water adsorption and full gel expansion within each channel, while others may want a minimal cooling effect with short soaking time and minimal water absorption and minimal gel expansion.
The elongated channels 26 containing the dry super water absorbing material or granular super absorbent polymer or gel capsules are side by side and swell up when the super water absorbent material or super absorbent polymer is saturated with water forming a heat absorbing cooling gel which draws heat from the body by conduction, so that the entire body core temperature cooling gel layer 25 acts as a single cooling unit with the heat from the user's body circulating by convection currents through the entire cooling gel layer to the outer surface 21A and 22A of the body core temperature cooling device to slowly evaporate the water from the cooling gel on the outer surface thereby cooling the device.
The present invention is structured to move with the body to generate airflow keeping the body core temperature cooling device super cooled throughout its use in work, recreational, and other activities and in all environments regardless of how hot the external temperature might be. The more the body moves, the cooler it gets, giving the user all day relief for at least three days up to several weeks with the same water soaked gel. Evaporation and wind or airflow from walking, riding, running, exercising, or other activities keeps the body core temperature cooling device even cooler than just remaining stationary.
The method of cooling a body using a passive open system thermodynamic device of the present invention comprises the following steps:
a. providing a multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device, the device comprising a cooling gel layer comprising a plurality of adjacent inter-contacting channels each containing a super water absorbent material hydrated to form a cooling gel, each channel in direct physical contact with each adjacent channel, adapted so that all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device adapted to conduct heat from a body in contact with the cool-down device, and adapted to evaporate moisture from an outer surface of the cooling gel layer into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently maintain the body in contact with the cool-down device at a desired comfortable temperature cooler than the surrounding air;
b. providing an inner semipermeable membrane on an inner side of the cooling layer forming a body contacting surface which is adapted to be dry to contact with the body, the inner semipermeable membrane adapted to admit air and water vapor to pass through the semipermeable membrane to absorb heat from the body into the cooling layer and adapted to prevent liquid from passing from the cooling layer through the semipermeable membrane without external water pressure;
c. providing an outer semipermeable membrane on an outer surface of the cooling layer thereby limiting the flow of air and water vapor out through the outer semipermeable membrane to evaporate the water from the cooling gel out into the surrounding air at a controlled rate, slowing the evaporation process, the cool-down device adapted to provide a cooling cycle of at least three days and up to several weeks of effective cooling on a single soaking of the cooling gel in water, the outer semipermeable membrane adapted to prevent liquid from passing through the semipermeable membrane without external water pressure;
d. installing a quantity of super water absorbing material in each of the plurality of channels, the quantity adjusted to achieve a desired cooling duration time;
e. soaking the device in water for a number of minutes adjusted to achieve a desired quantity of water absorption in the cooling gel to adjust the cooling duration time and cooling temperature to transform the super water absorbing material into a heat-absorbing cooling gel sufficiently increased in volume to cause each adjacent pair of channels to be in physical contact over a sufficient mutually contacting surface area of the channels to enable the entire volume of cooling gel in the cooling layer adapted to act as one cooling gel unit over the entire cooling layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device, the duration of soaking time determining the quantity of water absorbed in to the cooling gel and thereby establishing the cool down temperature and duration of cooling;
f. placing the body temperature control device substantially in contact with a body of a user to absorb heat by conduction from the body contacting the inner permeable membrane surface of the cooling layer, thereby cooling the body;
g. circulating the heat through the entire cooling gel layer adapted to act as one cooling unit in convection currents forming a passive open system thermodynamic device;
h. exposing the outer surface of the body temperature control device to surrounding air to allow water to evaporate slowly from the outer semipermeable membrane surface of the cooling layer exposed to airflow, thereby evaporating moisture slowly to cool the cooling device to maintain a desired cool body temperature for at least three days under extreme heat conditions and up to several weeks until the water is evaporated from the cooling gel layer;
i. after the water in the cooling gel layer is substantially evaporated, soaking the water-depleted cooling gel layer in water to re-soak the super water absorbing granular material of the cooling layer to enable the device to continue to cool the body for at least three more days and up to several weeks in repeatable cycles.
The method further comprises a step of filling the channels with super water absorbent material initially and refilled with more super water absorbent material should the super water absorbent material become used up after one or more years of use to continue use of the cooling device and repeat many cycles of rehydration and use.
The method still further comprising a step of forming the channels by connecting the inner semipermeable membrane and the outer semipermeable membrane together in an array of spaced connection lines forming the channels between the lines to form an array of aligned elongated channels each having end openings communicating with at least one common intersecting channel provided with at least one closable opening adapted to admit a desired quantity of super water absorbent material through the opening for dispersion of the super water absorbent material evenly distributed in all of the channels.
The method of the present invention wherein installing the super water absorbing material in each of the channels comprises pouring in dry super absorbing polymer granular material or inserting super water absorbing polymer gel capsules, the super absorbent polymer comprising at least one water absorbing hydrogel taken from the list of water absorbing hydrogels including hygroscopic material, water absorbing polymers, polyacrylamide, polyacrylamide polymer, anionic polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate, potassium polyacrylate, starch-acrylonitrile co-polymer, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.
The method of the present invention further comprises a step of adapting the cool-down device for any of a variety of cool-down applications by structuring the cool-down device in any of a variety of configurations taken from the list of configurations including hats, shirts, vests, pads, pillows, chair covers, blankets, shoulder braces, back braces, wrist braces, knee braces, tummy covers, eye covers, headwear, hand covers, outdoor equipment, chair covers, car seat covers, paramedic devices, medical braces, heat stroke covers, fever reduction head bands, pet shelters, pet carriers, animal core covers, animal blankets, animal leg braces, bottle coolers, food containers.
The method of the present invention further comprises a step of providing:
an inner covering of planar material secured over the inner semipermeable membrane, the inner covering material adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner covering to the inner semipermeable membrane and into the cooling gel;
an outer covering of planar material secured over the outer semipermeable membrane, the outer covering material adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow warm air and water vapor from the cooling gel and outer semipermeable membrane to pass through the outer covering and evaporate into the surrounding air, the out covering adapted with at least an outer surface adapted for visual appeal.
The present invention may be used in life-saving applications or overheating situations due to hot weather or hot environment and full-body comfort and performance in any activity including working, sports, and any other strenuous activity including race car driving, boat racing, or any situation requiring the user to be in an enclosed space with an engine or motor producing too much heat.
It is understood that the preceding description, the specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of some of the specific ways to make and use the invention but do not limit the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.
Claims
1. A passive open system thermodynamic device for cooling a body comprising:
- a multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device, the device comprising a cooling gel layer comprising a plurality of adjacent inter-contacting channels each containing a super water absorbent material hydrated to form a cooling gel, each channel in direct physical contact with each adjacent channel, adapted so that all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device adapted to conduct heat from a body in contact with the cool-down device, and adapted to evaporate moisture from an outer surface of the cooling gel layer into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently maintain the body in contact with the cool-down device at a desired comfortable temperature cooler than the surrounding air;
- an inner surface of the cooling gel layer comprising an inner semipermeable membrane adapted to receive air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner semipermeable membrane into the cooling gel absorbed by the cooling gel;
- an outer surface of the cooling gel layer comprising an outer semipermeable membrane adapted to limit the flow of air and water vapor out through the outer semipermeable membrane to evaporate the water from the cooling gel at a controlled rate, slowing the evaporation process, the cool-down device adapted to provide a cooling cycle of at least three days under extreme heat conditions and up to several weeks of effective cooling on a single soaking of the cooling gel in water;
- the inner semipermeable membrane and outer semipermeable membrane covering the cooling gel acting together by absorbing heat from the body and evaporating moisture into the surrounding air acting as a passive open system thermodynamic device for cooling the body;
- the cooling gel comprising an adjustable measured quantity of super water absorbent material installed in each channel, the super water absorbent material adapted to be evenly distributed throughout each channel to be relatively flat in a dry state, the super water absorbent material adapted to be hydrated with a desired quantity of water for a desired time period allowing the water to be absorbed by the super water absorbent material adapted to transform the super water absorbent material into a hydrated cooling gel greatly expanded in volume to transform the dry super water absorbent material into a heat absorbing gel sufficiently expanded in volume to fill each channel to a desired capacity and increase the thickness of the cooling gel layer to cause each adjacent pair of channels to be in physical contact over a sufficient mutually contacting surface area of the channels to enable the entire volume of hydrated cooling gel in the cooling layer to act together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device adapted to conduct heat from a body in contact with the cool-down device, and adapted to evaporate moisture from an outer surface of the cooling gel layer into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently maintain the body in contact with the cool-down device at a desired comfortable temperature for a desired number of days, from three days under extreme heat, to a desired number of weeks, up to several weeks or more, adjustable according to the quantity of super water absorbent material and the degree of hydration determined by time duration of hydration and quantity of water absorbed and dependent on the surrounding air temperature and humidity and airflow;
- after some or all of the water is evaporated from the hydrated cooling gel layer, the device is adapted to be rehydrated for a desired number of minutes to expand the hydrated cooling gel layer to the desired thickness for a desired amount of body cooling time and the cooling gel is adapted for repeated cycles of rehydration and use.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the channels are adapted to be filled with super water absorbent material initially and refilled with more super water absorbent material should the super water absorbent material become used up after one or more years of use to continue use of the cooling device and repeat many cycles of rehydration and use.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the channels are formed by connecting the inner semipermeable membrane and the outer semipermeable membrane together in an array of spaced connection lines forming the channels between the lines to form an array of aligned elongated channels each having end openings communicating with at least one common intersecting channel provided with at least one closable opening adapted to admit a desired quantity of super water absorbent material through the opening for dispersion of the super water absorbent material evenly distributed in all of the channels.
4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:
- an inner covering of planar material secured over the inner semipermeable membrane, the inner covering material adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner covering to the inner semipermeable membrane and into the cooling gel;
- an outer covering of planar material secured over the outer semipermeable membrane, the outer covering material adapted to allow warm air and water vapor from the cooling gel and outer semipermeable membrane to pass through the outer covering and evaporate into the surrounding air, the outer covering adapted with at least an outer surface adapted for visual appeal.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the super water absorbing material in each of the channels comprises poured in dry super absorbing polymer granular material or inserted super water absorbing polymer gel capsules, the super absorbent polymer comprising at least one water absorbing hydrogel taken from the list of water absorbing hydrogels including hygroscopic material, water absorbing polymers, polyacrylamide, polyacrylamide polymer, anionic polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate, potassium polyacrylate, starch-acrylonitrile co-polymer, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the cool-down device is adaptable for any of a variety of cool-down applications by structuring the cool-down device in any of a variety of configurations taken from the list of configurations including hats, shirts, vests, pads, pillows, chair covers, blankets, shoulder braces, back braces, wrist braces, knee braces, tummy covers, eye covers, headwear, hand covers, outdoor equipment, chair covers, car seat covers, paramedic devices, medical braces, heat stroke covers, fever reduction head bands, pet shelters, pet carriers, animal core covers, animal blankets, animal leg braces, bottle coolers, food containers.
7. A passive open system thermodynamic device for cooling a body comprising:
- a multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device, the device comprising a cooling gel layer comprising a plurality of adjacent inter-contacting channels each containing a super water absorbent material hydrated to form a cooling gel, each channel in direct physical contact with each adjacent channel, adapted so that all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device adapted to conduct heat from a body in contact with the cool-down device, and adapted to evaporate moisture from an outer surface of the cooling gel layer into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently maintain the body in contact with the cool-down device at a desired comfortable temperature cooler than the surrounding air;
- an inner surface of the cooling gel layer comprising an inner semipermeable membrane adapted to receive air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner semipermeable membrane into the cooling gel absorbed by the cooling gel, the inner semipermeable membrane adapted to prevent liquid from passing from the cooling gel out through the semipermeable membrane, thereby providing a body contacting surface which is substantially dry to contact, and adapted to receive water under external water pressure through the inner semipermeable membrane to be absorbed by the super water absorbent material;
- an outer surface of the cooling gel layer comprising an outer semipermeable membrane adapted to limit the flow of air and water vapor out through the outer semipermeable membrane to evaporate the water from the cooling gel at a controlled rate, slowing the evaporation process, the cool-down device adapted to provide a cooling cycle of at least three days and up to several weeks of effective cooling on a single soaking of the cooling gel in water;
- the inner semipermeable membrane and outer semipermeable membrane covering the cooling gel acting together by absorbing heat from the body and evaporating moisture into the surrounding air acting as a passive open system thermodynamic device for cooling the body;
- the cooling gel comprising an adjustable measured quantity of granular super water absorbent material installed in each channel, the granular super water absorbent material adapted to be evenly distributed throughout each channel to be relatively flat in a dry state, the granular super water absorbent material adapted to be hydrated with a desired quantity of water for a desired time period allowing the water to be absorbed by the super water absorbent material adapted to transform the super water absorbent material into a hydrated cooling gel greatly expanded in volume to transform the dry super water absorbent material into a heat absorbing gel sufficiently expanded in volume to fill each channel to a desired capacity and increase the thickness of the cooling gel layer to cause each adjacent pair of channels to be in physical contact over a sufficient mutually contacting surface area of the channels to enable the entire volume of hydrated cooling gel in the cooling layer to act together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device adapted to conduct heat from a body in contact with the cool-down device, and adapted to evaporate moisture from an outer surface of the cooling gel layer into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently maintain the body in contact with the cool-down device at a desired comfortable temperature for a desired number of days, from three days under extreme heat, to a desired number of weeks, up to several weeks or more, adjustable according to the quantity of granular super absorbent polymer and the degree of hydration determined by time duration of hydration and quantity of water absorbed and dependent on the surrounding air temperature and humidity and airflow;
- after some or all of the water is evaporated from the hydrated cooling gel layer, the device is adapted to be rehydrated for a desired number of minutes to expand the hydrated cooling gel layer to the desired thickness for a desired amount of body cooling time and the cooling gel is adapted for repeated cycles of rehydration and use;
- the multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device further comprising an inner covering of planar material secured over the inner semipermeable membrane, the inner covering material adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner covering to the inner semipermeable membrane and into the cooling gel;
- the multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device further comprising an outer covering of planar material secured over the outer semipermeable membrane, the outer covering material adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow warm air and water vapor from the cooling gel and outer semipermeable membrane to pass through the outer covering and evaporate into the surrounding air, the out covering adapted with at least an outer surface adapted for visual appeal.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the channels are adapted to be filled with super water absorbent material initially and refilled with more super water absorbent material should the super water absorbent material become used up after one or more years of use to continue use of the cooling device and repeat many cycles of rehydration and use.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the channels are formed by connecting the inner semipermeable membrane and the outer semipermeable membrane together in an array of spaced connection lines forming the channels between the lines to form an array of aligned elongated channels each having end openings communicating with at least one common intersecting channel provided with at least one closable opening adapted to admit a desired quantity of super water absorbent material through the opening for dispersion of the super water absorbent material evenly distributed in all of the channels.
10. The device of claim 7 wherein the super water absorbent material in each of the channels comprises poured in dry super absorbing polymer granular material or inserted super water absorbing polymer gel capsules, the super absorbent polymer comprising at least one water absorbing hydrogel taken from the list of water absorbing hydrogels including hygroscopic material, water absorbing polymers, polyacrylamide, polyacrylamide polymer, anionic polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate, potassium polyacrylate, starch-acrylonitrile co-polymer, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.
11. The device of claim 7 wherein the hydrated super water absorbent material expands the aligned and connected channels forming undulating outer and inner surfaces with aligned grooves to facilitate heat dissipation and optimal air flow for optimum heat absorption from the body on the undulating inner surface and optimal airflow on the outer undulating surface for optimum cooling by evaporation due to airflow over the outer surface from air movement or movement of the user through the air, and the mutually contacting sides of the channels acting together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer for optimum convection through the thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer forming a passive open system thermodynamic device using heat absorption, heat convection, evaporation and heat dissipation for cooling a body.
12. The device of claim 7 wherein both the outer semipermeable membrane and the inner semipermeable membrane are each fabricated of a fine mesh fabric.
13. The device of claim 7 wherein the body cool-down device comprises a multilayered body core temperature cooling device configured to be worn alternately on a back and a front of a human body, the body core temperature cooling device adapted to cover a core body temperature control area over a heart, aorta, main arteries to the brain, and main arteries along the spine, the device adapted to cool down blood immediately circulated through the body and head of a user, and the cool-down device adapted so that the evaporation process dries outer portions of the cooling gel mass first leaving a central portion of cool-down device over the heart, aorta, and main arteries hydrated to maintain the cool body cored temperature over a longer time period before the entire cool-down device is dehydrated; and the body cool-down device further comprises an adjustable cooling fin or collar extending upwardly from the body cool-down device, the cooling fin having channels of cooling gel in contact with and interacting with the channels of the body cool-down device to be a part of the passive open system thermodynamic device for cooling a body, the cooling fin or collar adjustable up and down by a desired amount and adapted to further enhance the cooling effect by raising the collar to increase evaporation from the cooling device and decrease the cooling effect by lowering the collar.
14. The device of claim 7 wherein the cool-down device is adaptable for any of a variety of cool-down applications by structuring the cool-down device in any of a variety of configurations taken from the list of configurations including hats, shirts, vests, pads, pillows, chair covers, blankets, shoulder braces, back braces, wrist braces, knee braces, tummy covers, eye covers, headwear, hand covers, outdoor equipment, chair covers, car seat covers, paramedic devices, medical braces, heat stroke covers, fever reduction head bands, pet shelters, pet carriers, animal core covers, animal blankets, animal leg braces, bottle coolers, food containers.
15. A method of cooling a body using a passive open system thermodynamic device, the method comprising:
- a. providing a multilayered and multi-channeled body cool-down device, the device comprising a cooling gel layer comprising a plurality of adjacent inter-contacting channels each containing a super water absorbent material hydrated to form a cooling gel, each channel in direct physical contact with each adjacent channel, adapted so that all of the cooling gel channels act together in a thermodynamic mass cooling gel layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device adapted to conduct heat from a body in contact with the cool-down device, and adapted to evaporate moisture from an outer surface of the cooling gel layer into the surrounding air to cool the cool-down device and consequently maintain the body in contact with the cool-down device at a desired comfortable temperature cooler than the surrounding air;
- b. providing an inner semipermeable membrane on an inner side of the cooling layer forming a body contacting surface which is adapted to be dry to contact with the body, the inner semipermeable membrane adapted to admit air and water vapor to pass through the semipermeable membrane to absorb heat from the body into the cooling layer and adapted to prevent liquid from passing from the cooling layer through the semipermeable membrane without external water pressure;
- c. providing an outer semipermeable membrane on an outer surface of the cooling layer thereby limiting the flow of air and water vapor out through the outer semipermeable membrane to evaporate the water from the cooling gel out into the surrounding air at a controlled rate, slowing the evaporation process, the cool-down device adapted to provide a cooling cycle of at least three days and up to several weeks of effective cooling on a single soaking of the cooling gel in water, the outer semipermeable membrane adapted to prevent liquid from passing through the semipermeable membrane without external water pressure, the inner semipermeable membrane and outer semipermeable membrane covering the cooling gel acting together by absorbing heat from the body and evaporating moisture into the surrounding air acting as a passive open system thermodynamic device for cooling the body;
- d. installing a quantity of super water absorbing material in each of the plurality of channels, the quantity adjusted to achieve a desired cooling duration time;
- e. soaking the device in water for a number of minutes adjusted to achieve a desired quantity of water absorption in the cooling gel to adjust the cooling duration time and cooling temperature to transform the super water absorbing material into a heat-absorbing cooling gel sufficiently increased in volume to cause each adjacent pair of channels to be in physical contact over a sufficient mutually contacting surface area of the channels to enable the entire volume of cooling gel in the cooling layer adapted to act as one cooling gel unit over the entire cooling layer creating a passive open system thermodynamic device, the duration of soaking time determining the quantity of water absorbed in to the cooling gel and thereby establishing the cool down temperature and duration of cooling;
- f. placing the body temperature control device substantially in contact with a body of a user to absorb heat by conduction from the body contacting the inner permeable membrane surface of the cooling layer, thereby cooling the body;
- g. circulating the heat through the entire cooling gel layer adapted to act as one cooling unit in convection currents forming a passive open system thermodynamic device;
- h. exposing the outer surface of the body temperature control device to surrounding air to allow water to evaporate slowly from the outer semipermeable membrane surface of the cooling layer exposed to airflow, thereby evaporating moisture slowly to cool the cooling device to maintain a desired cool body temperature for at least three days under extreme heat conditions and up to several weeks until the water is evaporated from the cooling gel layer;
- i. after the water in the cooling gel layer is substantially evaporated, soaking the water-depleted cooling gel layer in water to re-soak the super water absorbing granular material of the cooling layer to enable the device to continue to cool the body for at least three more days and up to several weeks in repeatable cycles.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising a step of filling the channels with super water absorbent material initially and refilled with more super water absorbent material should the super water absorbent material become used up after one or more years of use to continue use of the cooling device and repeat many cycles of rehydration and use.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of forming the channels by connecting the inner semipermeable membrane and the outer semipermeable membrane together in an array of spaced connection lines forming the channels between the lines to form an array of aligned elongated channels each having end openings communicating with at least one common intersecting channel provided with at least one closable opening adapted to admit a desired quantity of super water absorbent material through the opening for dispersion of the super water absorbent material evenly distributed in all of the channels.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein installing the super water absorbing material in each of the channels comprises pouring in dry super absorbing polymer granular material or inserting super water absorbing polymer gel capsules, the super absorbent polymer comprising at least one water absorbing hydrogel taken from the list of water absorbing hydrogels including hygroscopic material, water absorbing polymers, polyacrylamide, polyacrylamide polymer, anionic polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate, potassium polyacrylate, starch-acrylonitrile co-polymer, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.
19. The method of claim 15 comprising a step of adapting the cool-down device for any of a variety of cool-down applications by structuring the cool-down device in any of a variety of configurations taken from the list of configurations including hats, shirts, vests, pads, pillows, chair covers, blankets, shoulder braces, back braces, wrist braces, knee braces, tummy covers, eye covers, headwear, hand covers, outdoor equipment, chair covers, car seat covers, paramedic devices, medical braces, heat stroke covers, fever reduction head bands, pet shelters, pet carriers, animal core covers, animal blankets, animal leg braces, bottle coolers, food containers.
20. The method of claim 15 further comprising a step of providing:
- an inner covering of planar material secured over the inner semipermeable membrane, the inner covering material adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow air and water vapor from the body to pass through the inner covering to the inner semipermeable membrane and into the cooling gel;
- an outer covering of planar material secured over the outer semipermeable membrane, the outer covering material adapted for comfortable non-irritating contact with the body and adapted to allow warm air and water vapor from the cooling gel and outer semipermeable membrane to pass through the outer covering and evaporate into the surrounding air, the out covering adapted with at least an outer surface adapted for visual appeal.
Type: Application
Filed: May 11, 2019
Publication Date: Oct 10, 2019
Inventor: Stacey B Ainslie (Ripon, CA)
Application Number: 16/409,777