Crimpled material cooling device for heat stress relief
A cooling device comprising an elongated fabric having a first end and a second end. The elongated fabric including a fastening element to connect the first end to the second end, and an elastic band to deform a shape of the elongated fabric, creating a bunching, gathering, or crimpling of the elongated fabric. The elongated fabric is disposed around a surface to be cooled, and the crimpled or bunched surface provides a airflow between the cooling device and the surface to be cooled.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to cooling devices made of cloth or cloth-like material to be used for cooling contact surfaces.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
There are cooling devices in the art for use by a person exercising or working in an environment where the person is likely to sweat or overheat. Some of these devices are designed to provide a “cooling effect” to a wearer by making the wearer's skin feel cooler. More specifically, in one design in the art, the user wets a band of flat polymer cloth and then ties the band around the user's neck or head. The cooling effect occurs due to the heat removed from the surface to be cooled and the cooling device by the evaporation of water.
There is needed a device that provides sustained cooling over a period of time.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe invention relates to a cooling device for cooling a surface. The cooling device includes a cooling fabric constructed from polyvinyl alcohol having a first end and a second end; a fastening element for connecting the first end to the second end; and an elastic material stretched between the first and second ends so as to cause the cooling fabric to crimple or gather. The cooling device may also be formed as a non-crimpled or gathered device that may be worn over a portion of a user's body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is directed to a cooling device formed of a textured and crimpled (i.e., pressed together or gathered) material used for heat stress relief and general cooling of humans, animals, liquids, and other objects. More particularly, the invention relates to a cooling device formed of fabric that is crimpled together so as to facilitate cooling when in contact or close contact with a surface.
As seen in
To create the band 100, the cooling fabric 102 may be formed into a tube like structure having an outer surface and a first end and a second end. As best seen in
The cooling fabric 102 may be, for example, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The cooling fabric 102 may be, depending on the material used, chemically resistant, resilient, machine washable or colorable.
As best seen in
For example, the inner layer 104 and the cooling fabric 102 may be sewn together such that the overall length of the inner layer 104 is slightly shorter than the cooling fabric 102. In one embodiment, one end of the inner layer 104 may be positioned along a portion of the cooling fabric 102 and sewn in place. The other end of the inner layer 104 is stretched along the cooling fabric 102 and sewn in place. This arrangement causes the cooling fabric 102 to form crimples or gathers 110 when the inner layer 104 returns to the unstretched position.
In another embodiment, the cooling fabric 102 may be formed into a tube, as best seen in
As best seen in
In all the foregoing figures and examples, the surfaces to be cooled such as 210, 310, and 410 are not limited to human skin. Other embodiments of the invention adapt the band 100 for cooling the exterior of a human body, animal, inanimate object, or a container containing fluids.
In an alternative embodiment, the cooling device may be constructed as a vest 500, as best seen in
The cooling device, whether constructed as a band 100 or a vest 500, may be wetted, folded and placed in an enclosure. The enclosure is preferably formed using a water resistant material. In one embodiment, the enclosure may be a selectively openable and closeable plastic pouch. When sealed the enclosure helps keep the cooling device moist. Thus, the cooling device may be stored for long periods of time without drying out.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the band 100 and the vest 500 could be covered by a woven or nonwoven material, such as, for example, cotton. Thus, the covering material would form the outer layer that directly contacts the surface to be cooled. In the case of the band 100 the covering layer would also crimple or gather to create an air gap between the band 100 and the surface to be cooled. Thus, the accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. A cooling device for cooling a surface comprising:
- a cooling fabric constructed from polyvinyl alcohol having a first end and a second end;
- a fastening element for connecting the first end to the second end; and
- an elastic material stretched between the first and second ends so as to cause the cooling fabric to crimple or gather.
2. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein a portion of said fastening element is supported by the first end and a portion is supported by the second end.
3. The cooling device as defined in claim 2, the fastening element being selected from the group consisting of snaps, hook and loop fasteners, latch fasteners, buttons, a zipper, or ties.
4. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is the skin of a human user.
5. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is a portion of the head of a human user.
6. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is that of an animal other than a human.
7. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled is that of an inanimate object.
8. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface to be cooled comprises a portion of a container containing fluids.
9. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is textured.
10. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is flexible.
11. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the cooling device is placed in an enclosure.
12. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is moistened.
13. The cooling device as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongated fabric is covered by a woven or non-woven material.
14. A cooling device, in the form of a vest, comprising a layer of a cooling material constructed using polyvinyl alcohol.
15. A method for cooling a surface comprising:
- providing a cooling device having an outer fabric formed of polyvinyl alcohol coupled to a stretchable inner layer, such that the outer fabric crimples or gathers, the cooling device having a first end and a second end;
- wetting the cooling device with a liquid, wherein evaporation of the liquid from the cooling device causes the fabric to drop in temperature;
- placing the cooling device on or over the surface to be cooled; and
- attaching the first end to the second end of the cooling device.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 27, 2006
Inventor: Cindy Komechak (Ozona, TX)
Application Number: 11/261,089
International Classification: A42C 5/02 (20060101); A42C 5/00 (20060101);