ANIMAL COOLING APPARATUS

Abstract

A cooling apparatus includes a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal and a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal. The neck portion includes an upper end, a lower end, a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion, a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion, and a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant. The poll cap portion includes a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant. The apparatus may be employed with any suitable refrigerant, including, but not limited to, a single-use refrigerant or a reusable refrigerant.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to the field of cold therapy treatment and more particularly to cold therapy treatment for animals.

SUMMARY

Animals are frequently exposed to extended periods of time in the sun and/or extended periods of work or sport. In addition, animals are frequently transported in trailers, or the like, which are not air conditioned. These conditions often lead to the animal becoming extremely hot. Extended periods of time at such elevated temperatures may lead to substantial health problems for the animal, including, but not limited to, heat stroke and even death. One common means for cooling an animal involves spraying the animal down with water from a hose which may not be efficient in terms of either time or cooling effect. Therefore, there exists a significant need for an apparatus for cooling an animal which is efficient and easy to use.

In particular, this application discloses a cooling apparatus comprising: a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal, the neck portion including: an upper end; a lower end; a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion; a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion; a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant; and a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal, the poll cap including a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant.

This application also discloses a cooling apparatus comprising: a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal, the neck portion including: an upper end; a lower end; a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion; a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion; a first pocket containing a refrigerant; and a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal, the poll cap including a second pocket containing a refrigerant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cooling apparatus; and

FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout and wherein a cooling apparatus 100 is shown. The apparatus 100 generally includes a neck portion 102 and a poll cap portion 104. The neck portion 102 may include an upper end 106, a lower end 108, a first edge 110 extending between the ends 106, 108 and a second edge 112 extending between the ends 106, 108. A securing mechanism may be coupled to one or both of the edges 110, 112. The securing mechanism may be configured to releasably secure the first edge 110 to the second edge 112 such that the neck portion 102 may be releasably wrapped around the neck 15 of an animal 10. While the illustrative animal 10 is a horse, it will be appreciated that the apparatus 100 may be utilized with any suitable animal. In the illustrative embodiment, the securing mechanism 116 a Velcro® assembly with one of the hook and loop portion coupled at or near the first edge 110 and the other of the hook and loop portion coupled at or near the second edge 112. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable mechanism may be coupled to the neck portion 102 which permits the neck portion 102 to be releasably wrapped about the neck of an animal and such embodiments remain within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, and without limitation, the securing mechanism may be a button assembly, a buckle assembly, a clip assembly, a hook and loop assembly, a hook and catch assembly, a magnet assembly, an adhesive assembly, or any other suitable device or assembly operable to releasably secure the neck portion 102 in a wrapped position about the neck of the animal.

The neck portion 102 may include an upper panel 114 and a lower panel (not shown) defining a pocket therebetween. The pocket may be adapted to contain a refrigerant therein. The refrigerant may be any suitable device or material capable of cooling the neck of an animal. In one embodiment, the refrigerant is a one-time, or single-use, use endothermic refrigerant, such as water and ammonium chloride that are segregated within the pocket and subsequently mixed together by a user to produce an endothermic reaction that is capable of cooling the neck of the animal. In an alternative embodiment, the refrigerant may be a reusable refrigerant, such as water, a gel refrigerant, or any other refrigerant capable of multiple uses. Other suitable refrigerant devices or materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the pocket may extend substantially the length and width of the neck portion 102. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that neck portion 102 may be segregated such that neck portion includes a plurality of pockets and/or ribs. In yet another alternative, one or more smaller pockets may be disposed about the neck portion 102.

The poll cap portion 104 is adapted to cover at least a portion of the poll 20 of the animal 10. The poll cap portion 104 may be configured to cover a portion of the poll 20, the entire poll 20, or the poll 20 as well as other portions of the animal's skull adjacent to the poll 20. The poll cap portion 104 may be positioned at or near the upper edge 106 of the neck portion 102. While the illustrative embodiment shows the poll cap 104 as having a generally round shape, it will be appreciated that the poll cap portion 104 may have any suitable shape. Additionally, the poll cap portion 104 may include an upper panel 118 and a lower panel (not shown) defining a pocket therebetween. The pocket may be adapted to contain a refrigerant therein. The refrigerant may be substantially similar to those discussed with respect to the neck portion 102 and operable to cool the poll 20 of the animal 10. In one embodiment, the neck portion pocket and poll cap portion pocket are in fluid communication and share a common refrigerant. Alternatively, the pockets may not be in fluid communication and may or may not have the same, or same type (e.g., single use, reusable, etc.) of, refrigerant therein. In one embodiment, the refrigerant of at least one of the neck portion pocket and poll portion pocket is operable to also cool veins, such as one or more jugular veins, and blood flowing therethrough.

The apparatus 100 may also include one or more apertures 120 for receiving one or more ears 25 of the animal 10. The apertures 120 may extend through one or both of the neck portion 102 and poll cap portion 104. The neck portion 102 and poll cap portion 104 may be formed from any suitable material. Illustrative materials include, without limitation, textiles, polymers, etc. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 is formed from a lightweight, water-proof and durable material. Additionally, the portion of each inner panel (of one or both of the neck portion 102 and poll cap portion 104) that contacts the neck 15 and/or poll 20 of the animal 10 may include materials and/or features to enhance heat transfer from the animal 10 to the apparatus 100. For example, a textile, such as terry cloth, may be disposed on the inner panel and dampened prior to application of the apparatus 100 to the animal 10 such that heat transfer between the animal 10 and apparatus 100 may be enhanced. Other materials, features and/or techniques for enhancing such heat transfer will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal, the neck portion including: an upper end; a lower end; a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion; a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion;

a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant; and

a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal, the poll cap including a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first edge is adapted to be releasably coupled to the second edge such that the neck portion is capable of being releasably wrapped around the neck of the animal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a securing mechanism for releasably coupling the first edge to the second edge such that the neck portion is capable of being releasably secured about the neck of the animal.

4. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the securing mechanism is a button assembly, a Velcro assembly, a buckle assembly, a clip assembly, a hook and loop assembly, a hook and catch assembly, a magnet assembly, or an adhesive assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a refrigerant disposed within at least one of the neck portion pocket and the poll cap portion pocket.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the refrigerant is activated via a chemical reaction.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the refrigerant is a reusable refrigerant.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the refrigerant comprises a gel refrigerant.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the poll cap portion is coupled to the upper end of the neck portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one aperture adapted to receive at least one ear of the animal.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one aperture extends through both the neck portion and the poll cap portion.

12. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal, the neck portion including: an upper end; a lower end; a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion; a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion;

a first pocket containing a refrigerant; and

a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal, the poll cap including a second pocket containing a refrigerant.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first and second pockets are in fluid communication.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a securing mechanism for releasably coupling the first edge to the second edge such that the neck portion is capable of being releasably secured about the neck of the animal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the securing mechanism is a button assembly, a Velcro assembly, a buckle assembly, a clip assembly, a hook and loop assembly, a hook and catch assembly, a magnet assembly, or an adhesive assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the neck portion refrigerant and poll cap portion refrigerant are the same.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the refrigerant is activated by a chemical reaction.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the refrigerant is a gel refrigerant.

19. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising at least one aperture adapted to receive at least one ear of the animal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein at least one aperture extends through both the neck portion and the poll cap portion.