WATERTIGHT CONTAINER FOR USE WITH A COOLING GARMENT

Abstract

A watertight container has a container body, and first and second elongate locking elements. The container body includes a side wall that defines an interior and extends to a perimeter that defines an opening to the interior of the watertight container. The perimeter of the container body has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has a first plurality of apertures, and the second portion has a second plurality of apertures. The first and second elongate locking element are rigid and adapted to abut the first and second portions, respectively, of the perimeter of the container body. A plurality of fasteners removably fasten the first and second elongate locking elements together, such that the first and second elongate locking elements together seal closed the opening of the container body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent is a continuation-in-part of a previously filed utility patent, currently pending, having the application Ser. No. 12/398,172 filed Mar. 4, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to watertight containers, and more particularly to a watertight container that resists leakage even when subjected to trauma, such as during the use of a cooling garment.

2. Description of Related Art

Various cooling garments are known in the art. The following art defines the present state of this field:

Laxo, U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,012, teaches a controlled temperature garment using the counter flow heat exchanger principle to maintain an equal temperature distribution along the inner surface of the garment. Three layers of material are bonded together in such a manner as to provide flow channels along the garment. The garment comprises distribution, turning and collection chambers at each end of the channels; and a fluid discharge and collecting manifold to control the flow of the temperature controlling fluid.

Gammons, U.S. 2007/0085340, teaches a cooling garment that includes a cooling apparatus. The apparatus includes cooling tubing that include quick-release connectors for connecting the garment with a thermal unit.

Dean U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,412, teaches a medical cooling vest that includes a sealed, coolant receiving space through which coolant may pass. A source of liquid coolant at ambient pressure is connected to the space and a suction producing device is connected to an outlet for the space for drawing coolant from the source through the space at sub-atmospheric pressure, so that coolant will not leak from the vest in the event a leak develops. The vest may be formed of two flexible membranes sealed to each other to define the space.

Butzer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,338, teaches a garment (e.g., jacket, pants) for use in cooling body temperature. The garment has a body section adapted to receive a portion of the torso of the wearer and extensions from the body section to receive the wearer's limbs, and includes a system for circulating temperature controlling fluid from a suitable source through patches removably received in pockets in each of body section and extensions.

Larsen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,415, teaches a body cooling apparatus that includes a compressor and a condenser which feeds liquid coolant to a flexible tube network which is held adjacent the body to be cooled. The cooling takes place by the boiling of the liquid within the flexible tube network. The flow of liquid into the network is controlled depending upon the amount of cooling needed.

Zafred, U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,119, teaches a cooling garment for protection against heat stress. The cooling garment includes a pair of separate linings stitched together to form tube-receiving chambers which microporous tubes are detachably connectable to a source of liquid carbon dioxide which converts to a solid phase and then gradually sublimates to carbon dioxide gas that is released into the chambers for cooling a wearer of the article of clothing, and the article being untethered to the source of liquid carbon dioxide when worn.

Szczesuil et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,164, teaches a body heating/cooling garment which utilizes fluid-carrying tubes and provides both air and vapor permeability to promote convective heat transfer while also providing conductive heat transfer. Critically, the garment includes adhesive dots that secure the tubing without interfering with permeability through the garment.

Other references of interest include Jenkins, U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,015, How et al., U.S. 2003/0167559, Pirkle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,354, Rose et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,275, Shegerin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,798, Szczesuil et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,382, Mandin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,926, Hayashi U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,039, Weber, U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,519, Naaman, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,687, Szczesuil et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,608, Pasternack, U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,439, Steele et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,448, and Rankin U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,201.

The above-described references are hereby incorporated by reference in full.

The prior art teaches various cooling garments that include sealed containers of a cooling fluid (e.g., ice water). The cooling fluid is circulated through the garment to cool a person in a hot environment, and/or a person engaged in strenuous physical exertion. However, the cooling fluid is prone to leak if the sealed container experiences physical trauma during use of the cooling garment. The prior art does not teach a watertight container that includes a very strong seal to prevent leakage in spite of extreme shaking and physical impacts upon the cooling garment. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a watertight container for use in a cooling garment. The watertight container includes a container body, and first and second elongate locking elements. The container body is flexible and waterproof, and includes a side wall that defines an interior and extends to a perimeter that defines an opening to the interior of the watertight container. The perimeter of the container body has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has a first plurality of apertures, and the second portion has a second plurality of apertures that each correspond with one of the first plurality of apertures. The first elongate locking element is rigid and adapted to abut the first portion of the perimeter of the container body. The second elongate locking element is rigid and adapted to abut the second portion of the perimeter of the container body. A plurality of fasteners removably fasten the first and second elongate locking elements together. The plurality of fasteners are adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures of the container body and the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures, such that the first and second elongate locking elements together close the opening of the container body.

In one embodiment, the container body includes a first side opening through the side wall, and a second side opening through the side wall. A first conduit and a second conduit is operably attached to the container body so that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication with the interior of the container body through the respective first and second side openings.

In one embodiment, the cooling garment includes a garment body adapted to be worn by a user, and a length of tubing having an inlet end, and outlet end, and a medial portion. The medial portion is attached to the garment body, and a pump is adapted to pump a cooling fluid from the watertight container, through the length of tubing, and back to the watertight container via the first and second conduits.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a watertight container having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a watertight container that is adapted to be used with a cooling garment.

A further objective is to provide a watertight container that seals closed in a secure manner so that the watertight container does not during the use of the cooling garment, despite extreme shaking and physical impacts upon the cooling garment and/or the watertight container.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling garment;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof illustrating a user wearing the cooling vest;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view thereof,

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a connector/valve assembly of the cooling vest;

FIG. 5 a perspective view of the connector/valve assembly;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5, illustrating valve elements in a closed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view as in FIG. 6, illustrating valve elements in an open configuration;

FIG. 8 is perspective view of one embodiment of a watertight container that functions as a reservoir for the cooling garment; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a cooling garment 10 that is adapted to cool a user 14 during hard work and/or while operating in a hot environment. The cooling garment 10 is particularly well suited for use by athletes in active and/or athletic competitions, such as motorcycle riding and other sports.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cooling garment 10. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view thereof illustrating a user 14 wearing the cooling garment 10. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the cooling garment 10 comprises a garment body 20 that is adapted to be worn by the user 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the garment body 20 is a vest; however, in alternative embodiments, the garment body 20 may be in the form of other articles of clothing adapted to be worn by the user 14 (e.g., pants, jackets, hats, helmets, etc.).

The garment body 20 includes a front portion 22 and an opposing back portion 24. A length of tubing 26 is affixed to the garment body 20. The length of tubing 26 may be attached to the front and/or back portions 22 and 24 (e.g. bonding, welding, or otherwise sewn or affixed thereto), or may be integrally formed within the garment body 20. The length of tubing 26 has an inlet end 28, an outlet end 30, and a medial portion 32. While a single tube is illustrated, multiple tubes, conduits, or other related structures may also be used, and are hereby defined to be within the scope of the term “tubing.” In one embodiment, the length of tubing 26 is welded to the garment body 20 in a serpentine pattern; however, the tubing 26 may also be sewn or otherwise attached or integrally formed with the garment body 20, and may also be arranged in any alternative pattern such that provides adequate coverage over the garment body 20.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the garment body 20 may include a closure 34, such as a zipper closure, for facilitating removal of the cooling garment 10, however, other closures well known in the art may be used and should be considered within the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the cooling garment 10 further includes a pair of connector/valve assemblies 50, and a cooling unit 36 configured to circulate a cooling fluid 12 through the length of tubing 26 via the pair of connector/valve assemblies 50.

In one embodiment, the cooling unit 36 may include a reservoir 38 for storing the cooling fluid 12, and a pump 40 that is adapted to pump 40 the cooling fluid 12 through the tubing 26. The reservoir 38 may be, for example, a plastic bag or similar container that may be sealed to contain the cooling fluid 12. One embodiment of the reservoir 38 is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, and described in greater detail below.

The pump 40 may be electronically or manually powered, and may be any form of pump known in the art, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the reservoir 38 and the pump 40 may be stored and carried in a waist pack or packs 42 (i.e., a fanny pack), a backpack or pouch, or other similar conveyance.

In one embodiment, the cooling fluid 12 is ice water that is conveyed by the pump 40 through the length of tubing 26, effectively cooling the user 14. As the ice in the reservoir 38 melts, it merely adds to the supply of water in the cooling garment 10, and if needed, the user 14 may drink the water for hydration, especially in the event of an emergency.

The cooling garment 10 cools the user 14 when the ice water 12 stored in the reservoir 38 is pumped via the pump 40 through pump tubing 44 to the connector/valve assembly 50 where it is then conveyed into and through the length of tubing 26. The ice water 12 then exits the tubing 26 through reservoir tubing 46 and returns to the reservoir 38 of the cooling unit 36. The cooling fluid 12 flows in a continuous loop through the cooling unit 36, the connector/valve assemblies 50, and the length of tubing 26 until the user 14 deactivates the pump 40 and ceases the flow of the ice water 12.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector/valve assembly 50. FIG. 5 a perspective view thereof. FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5, illustrating the connector/valve assembly 50 in a closed configuration, and FIG. 7 is the sectional view of FIG. 6, illustrating connector/valve assembly 50 in an open configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, each connector/valve assembly 50 has a first valve housing 52 and a second valve housing 70 that may be quickly and easily interlocked using first and second connectors 78 and 82, described in greater detail below.

The first valve housing 52 may be any form of housing defining a conduit 54 or some form of hollow chamber through which the cooling fluid 12 may pass. The first valve housing 52 includes a unit connector 56 for operably connecting the first valve housing 52 with the cooling unit 36, and a first connector 78 for connecting the first valve housing 52 with the second valve housing 70, as described in greater detail below. In one embodiment, the unit connector 56 is a fitting such as a tubing barb that removably engages the pump tubing 44 that is operably connectable with the pump 40. While one embodiment of the unit connector 56 is illustrated herein, alternative or equivalent embodiments known in the art may also be utilized, and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

The first valve housing 52 also includes a first valve element 58 for regulating the flow of the fluid 12 through the first valve housing 52. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, the first valve element 58 may be a barrel valve 58 having a barrel 60 rotatably mounted within the first valve housing 52. The barrel 60 includes an outer surface 64 and two ends 66, and a conduit 62 extends therethrough. While a barrel valve 58 is used in the present embodiment, other suitable valves known in the art may also be utilized, and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

The first valve housing 52 may also include a first actuator 68 for operably controlling the first valve element 58. In one embodiment, the first actuator 68 may be a lever or similar element (e.g., knob, pin, screw, etc.) for operably controlling the position of the barrel 60 in the present embodiment of the first valve element 58 (or operably controlling any other form of valve). In one embodiment, the first actuator 68 may be a generally U-shaped lever with each end attached to one of the ends 66 of the barrel 60 of the first valve element 58.

The second valve housing 70 may be substantially similar to the first valve housing 52, and may include a tubing connector 72, a second connector 82, a second valve element 74, and a second actuator 76. The tubing connector 72 may be a fitting such as a tubing barb, or equivalent connector, as described above. The second connector 82 is adapted to removably engage the first connector 78.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, in one embodiment the first connector 78 is a female receiver with a locking channel 80 that removably engages the second connector 82, which may be a male element which may include a locking tab 84 extending outwardly for engaging the locking channel 80 of the first connector 78. The male element 82 and the locking tab 84 removably engage the female receiver 78 and the locking channel 80 in order to secure the first valve housing 52 to the second valve housing 70. While the described elements represent one embodiment of the first and second connector 82s, alternative structures (e.g., threaded engagement, various frictional fits, snaps, locking arms and element, etc.) known to those skilled in the art may be used to establish the removably connection, and such alternatives should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second valve element 74 may also be the barrel valve 58 described above for controlling the fluid flow from the second connector 82, through the second valve housing 70, to the tubing connector 72. The second actuator 76 may be of similar construction as described above, or may include another form of actuator known in the art.

When the cooling garment 10 is not being worn, or when the user 14 wishes to remove the cooling garment 10, it is first necessary to cease the flow of fluid as well as contain the fluid. If the cooling garment 10 is being used, the user 14 first turns off the pump 40. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first and second actuators 68 and 76 of each of the connector/valve assemblies 50 are turned to a closed configuration, thus causing the first and second valve elements 58 and 74 to block the flow of fluid so that the fluid is contained within the cooling garment 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the barrel 60 blocks the flow of fluid. The first and second connectors 78 and 82 may then be disconnected from each other, thereby enabling the garment body 20 to be removed from the user 14, and the cooling unit 36 may be removed separately. The cooling fluid 12 is contained within the tubing 26 and the cooling unit 36, cannot spill or be lost. If the cooling garment 10 is needed again, it can be donned and the first and second connectors 78 and 82 may be reconnected for further use.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the first and second actuator 68 and 76 are moved by the user 14 to the open configuration, the first and second actuators 68 and 76 manipulate the barrels 60 of the first and second valve elements 58 and 74 to allow the flow of cooling fluid 12 to proceed throughout the length of tubing 26 attached to the cooling garment 10 and through the cooling unit 36. The pump 40 of the cooling unit 36 pumps the cooling fluid 12 through the tubing 26. The cooling fluid 12 (e.g. water) is cooled by the ice in the reservoir 38, and melting water from the ice increases the supply of the cooling fluid 12.

When the user 14 wishes to remove the cooling garment 10 and cease the flow of fluid 12 as well as contain the fluid 12, the user 14 again turns off the pump 40 and turns the first and second actuator 68 and 76 of each of the connector/valve assemblies 50 to the closed configuration of FIG. 6, thus causing the barrels 60 of the first and second valve elements 58 and 74 to block the flow of fluid 12 so that the fluid 12 is contained within the cooling garment 10. The first and second connectors 78 and 82 may then be disconnected from each other, thereby enabling the garment body 20 to be removed from the user 14, and the cooling unit 36 may be removed separately. The cooling fluid 12 is contained within the tubing 26 and the cooling unit 36, and cannot spill or be lost. If the cooling garment 10 is needed again, it can be donned and the first and second connectors 78 and 82 may be reconnected for further use.

If the cooling garment 10 is worn for a long time, and the supply of ice is exhausted, additional ice may be added to the reservoir 38. Furthermore, in the event of an emergency (e.g., a motorcycle breaking down in the middle of the desert), the user 14 may close the first and second valve elements 58 and 74 of each of the connector/valve assemblies 50 to conserve the water, and then drink the water from the tubing 26 and the reservoir 38, until help arrives.

The mere reversal of any of these elements, or exchanging them for equivalent elements, is hereby expressly defined to be within the scope of the claim terminology, and is therefore expressly within the scope of the following claims.

FIG. 8 is perspective view of one embodiment of a watertight container 100 that functions as the reservoir 38 for the cooling garment 10. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view thereof. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the watertight container 100 includes a container body 102 that is flexible and waterproof, and is adapted to contain a quantity of ice and/or cool water (or a heated fluid in the event the garment is used for heating). The watertight container 100 may be formed of any suitable material known in the art (e.g., heavy duty plastic, or other suitable material).

The container body 102 has a side wall 104 that defines an interior 106 and extends to a perimeter 108 that defines an opening 110 to the interior 106 of the watertight container 10. The perimeter 108 of the container body 102 has a first portion 112 and a second portion 114, the first portion 112 having a first plurality of apertures 116, and the second portion 114 having a second plurality of apertures 118 that each correspond with one of the first plurality of apertures 116. The first and second portions 112 and 114 may be pulled away from each other, for the purpose of filling the container body 102 with ice and/or water. The first and second portions 112 and 114 may then be placed adjacent to each other and locked together, to removably close the container body 102. It is critical that the first and second portions 112 and 114 be locked together with substantial strength, so that the opening 110 is not forced open during use of the cooling vest (e.g., following sudden movements, impacts upon the container body 102, etc.).

To securely close the opening 110 of the container body 102, the watertight container 100 further includes a first elongate locking element 120 and a second elongate locking element 122 that together sandwich the perimeter 108 of the container body 102, to close the opening 110. The first elongate locking element 120 is rigid and adapted to abut the first portion 112 of the perimeter 108 of the container body 102, and the second elongate locking element 122 is rigid and adapted to abut the second portion 114 of the perimeter 108 of the container body 102.

A plurality of fasteners 124 are further included for removably fastening the first and second elongate locking elements 120 and 122 together. The plurality of fasteners 124 are adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures 116 of the container body 102 and the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures 118, such that the first and second elongate locking elements 120 and 122 together close the opening 110 of the container body 102.

In one embodiment, the plurality of fasteners 124 comprise a plurality of locking apertures 126, a plurality of externally threaded posts 128, and a plurality of internally threaded locking nuts 130. The plurality of locking apertures 126 are positioned through the second elongate locking element 122. The plurality of externally threaded posts 128 extend from the first elongate locking element 120, such that each of the plurality of externally threaded posts 128 is adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures 116 of the container body 102, the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures 122, and one of the plurality of locking apertures 126 of the second elongate locking elements 122. Finally, the plurality of internally threaded locking nuts 130 are each adapted to threadedly engage one of the plurality of externally threaded posts 128 such that tightening the locking nuts 130 with respect to the externally threaded posts 128 clamps the first and second elongate locking elements 120 and 122 together, thereby compressing and sealing the opening 110 of the container body 102.

While the externally threaded posts 128 may be integrally formed with the first elongate locking element 120, they may also be separate screws that are positioned through the first elongate locking element 120. Furthermore, while the locking nuts 130 may be separate elements as illustrated, they may be integrally formed as part of the second elongate locking element 122. These and other equivalent constructions are considered within the scope of the present invention. Obviously, reversals of the claimed construction are expressly considered within the scope of the present invention, and the above-described terms are hereby defined to include constructions that are the reverse of those described.

In one embodiment, the watertight container 100 further comprises a ridge 132 extending longitudinally along the first elongate locking element 120, and a mating groove 134 extending longitudinally along the second elongate locking element 122. The ridge 132 and the groove 134 are adapted to interlock and further seal the opening 110 of the container body 102.

In one embodiment, the watertight container 100 may further include a first side opening 136 through the side wall 104 of the container body 102, and a second side opening 138 through the side wall 104 of the container body 102. A first conduit 140 is operably attached to the container body 102 so that the first conduit 140 is in fluid communication with the interior 106 of the container body 102 through the first side opening 136. A second conduit 142 is operably attached to the container body 102 so that the second conduit 142 is in fluid communication with the interior 106 of the container body 102 through the second side opening 138. The first and second conduits 140 and 142 may be operably attached to the cooling garment 10 as described above.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application.

Claims

1. A watertight container comprising:

a container body that is flexible and waterproof, the container body having a side wall that defines an interior and extends to a perimeter that defines an opening to the interior of the waterproof container;

the perimeter of the container body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first plurality of apertures, and the second portion having a second plurality of apertures that each correspond with one of the first plurality of apertures;

a first elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the first portion of the perimeter of the container body;

a second elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the second portion of the perimeter of the container body;

a plurality of locking apertures through the second elongate locking element;

a plurality of externally threaded posts extending from the first elongate locking element, each of the plurality of externally threaded posts being adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures of the container body, the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures, and one of the plurality of locking apertures of the second elongate locking elements; and

a plurality of internally threaded locking nuts, each adapted to threadedly engage one of the plurality of locking posts such that tightening the locking nuts with respect to the locking posts clamps the first and second elongate locking elements together, thereby compressing and sealing the opening of the container body.

2. The watertight container of claim 1, further comprising a ridge extending longitudinally along the first elongate locking element, and a mating groove extending longitudinally along the second elongate locking element, the ridge and the groove being adapted to interlock and further seal the opening of the container body.

3. The watertight container of claim 1, further comprising a first side opening through the side wall of the container body, and a second side opening through the side wall of the container body.

4. The watertight container of claim 3, further comprising a first conduit and a second conduit, the first and second conduits being operably attached to the container body so that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication with the interior of the container body through the respective first and second side openings.

5. The watertight container of claim 4, further a pump operably attached to the second conduit.

6. A cooling garment comprising:

a watertight container comprising: a container body that is flexible and waterproof, the container body having a side wall that defines an interior and extends to a perimeter that defines an opening to the interior of the waterproof container, the perimeter of the container body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first plurality of apertures, and the second portion having a second plurality of apertures that each correspond with one of the first plurality of apertures; a first elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the first portion of the perimeter of the container body; a second elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the second portion of the perimeter of the container body; a plurality of fasteners for removably fastening the first and second elongate locking elements together, the plurality of fasteners being adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures of the container body and the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures, such that the first and second elongate locking elements together close the opening of the container body;

a first side opening through the side wall of the container body, and a second side opening through the side wall of the container body;

a first conduit and a second conduit, the first and second conduits being operably attached to the container body so that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication with the interior of the container body through the respective first and second side openings;

a garment body adapted to be worn by a user;

a length of tubing having an inlet end, and outlet end, and a medial portion, the medial portion being attached to the garment body; and

a pump adapted to pump a cooling fluid from the watertight container, through the length of tubing, and back to the watertight container via the first and second conduits.

7. The cooling garment of claim 6, wherein the plurality of fasteners comprise:

a plurality of locking apertures through the second elongate locking element;

a plurality of externally threaded posts extending from the first elongate locking element, each of the plurality of externally threaded posts being adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures of the container body, the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures, and one of the plurality of locking apertures of the second elongate locking elements; and

a plurality of internally threaded locking nuts, each adapted to threadedly engage one of the plurality of locking posts such that tightening the locking nuts with respect to the locking posts clamps the first and second elongate locking elements together, thereby compressing and sealing the opening of the container body.

8. The cooling garment of claim 6, further comprising a pack that is adapted to be worn by the user for housing the watertight container.

9. The cooling garment of claim 6, further comprising a pack that is adapted to be worn by the user, the pack further housing the pump.

10. The cooling garment of claim 6, further comprising a ridge extending longitudinally along the first elongate locking element, and a mating groove extending longitudinally along the second elongate locking element, the ridge and the groove being adapted to interlock and further seal the opening of the container body.