Temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts

Abstract

In one embodiment, the invention is a mechanical and synthetic material composition using a cationic carbon base infrastructure that incorporates specially designed compartments for housing thermal modifying inserts. Using both the temperature regulating fabric and one of three optional inserts, depending on desired effect, in combination creates a suitable solution for temperature regulation. By placing the temperature modifying source in its assigned compartment in key locations allows for a transfer of energy throughout the fabrics construction like a conduit and in close proximity to the subject surface.

Description

This application emanates from a previous provisional patent filing dated Aug. 24, 2009, application No. 61/236,475.

This application could not be filed successfully via USPTO electronic filing on Aug. 24, 2010 due to failures at the USPO filing system. Attempts were made at 9 pm (pacific time) Aug. 24, 2010

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts for use in hot or cold conditions

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Perspiration is inevitable. Our bodies produce sweat for the purpose of trying to keep us at a normal temperature and use either convection or evaporative cooling to do so. Whether it's the middle of summer or in a man-made hot working environment, when our bodies are exposed to extreme heat it can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue and dehydration. The same can be said for mechanical or sensitive electronics. Long term exposure to high heat or cold environments can be detrimental.

This invention uses a thermal exchanging rapid release process, which embraces both convection and evaporative cooling along with directional fabric mapping to produce an overall desired thermal exchange. This product will boost the body's natural defense tactics and at the same time directionally send enhanced cooling or heating to areas where it would be the most beneficial. For example—When working in a hot environment the design uses up to four of its activated cooling inserts. These inserts can be frozen and ready to use in less than one hour, or for immediate use can be simply hydrated and put into action.

Once inserts are placed in the desired pocket located in strategic locations it will start to send a cooling solution and sensation. As the inserts start to release this cooling solution it is captured and channeled throughout the fabric using a hydrophilic material composition that is hyper evaporative, retaining moisture while remaining dry to the touch. When activated it becomes noticeably cooler than the outside air temperature. Surrounding this material is a hydrophobic carbon base that adsorbs excessive heated moisture turning it into a thin film on the outside surface of the material flash spreading a cooling sensation across the material due to its conduit like properties. Because the rule in nature is heat always travels towards cold, this product serves a dual purpose by first creating a satisfy cooling sensation on the skins surface and also sending a signal to the bodies inner core where excessive body heat is being generated to travel toward the cooling surface where it is captured and utilized and then released away from the body in the form of a vapor.

This product primarily replaces athletic wicking apparel on the market, which has proven to quickly dehydrate the user. This invention still captures perspiration, however in conjunction with the natural way off cooling, evaporative and convection. It utilizes these basic principals by channeling the effectiveness of the fabric structure and thermal exhaust properties along with the temperature modifying inserts can control the ambient temperature in close proximity to the users surface and throughout the fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is comprised of synthetic fabric, which may contain polyester, nylon, polyisobutylene, polypropylene in combination or used separate with a cationic carbon base infrastructure in conjunction with specially designed compartments for housing thermal modifying inserts. Synthetic materials possess a quick reaction to thermal energy. Because the synthetic material is adsorbent it allows rapid transference of energy by traveling on the outer surface of the material. Using both the temperature regulating fabric and one of three optional inserts in combination creates a suitable solution for temperature regulation. By placing the temperature modifying source in its assigned compartment in key locations allows the originating source to transfer energy throughout the fabrics construction in a conduit fashion and in close proximity to the subject surface. The thermal exchange occurs when the synthetic fabric is altered by the cooling or heating source then flash spreading across the material changing the temperature of the fabric and the air in close proximity of the surface. Inserts can be removed and replaced. Inserts require recharging before each use. Cooling inserts are activated by hydration with tap water and then can be frozen. Each insert is specially designed to be flexible in order to follow the contour shape of the applied surface. Because the material can be designed and constructed to form many shapes this invention can be used to adjust or control a desired temperature on many surfaces, such as protective athletic apparel or temperature sensitive electronics or machinery. Thermal modification inserts use both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic material composition, generally found in a natural anti-bacterial cotton or plant base cellulose blend along with a synthetic hyper evaporative material such a poly vinyl alcohol. Poly sodium acrylate can also be used to create a dense pykrete like polymer, this can further assist in temperature regulation.

Thermal modification inserts in Hot Conditions (two styles of Inserts)—use both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic material composition, generally found in a natural anti-bacterial cotton base and/or cellulose blend and a synthetic hyper evaporative material such a poly vinyl alcohol. Poly sodium acrylate can also be used as a dense pykrete polymer, this can further assist in temperature regulation. Activation for these particular inserts is accomplished by using water. Using a special water channeling and directional forced fed design. This will allow water to pass through an opening where it is captured and used for hydration purposes. The specially designed opening can be in a round shape, can have tapered end, such as a funnel shape to reduce or prevent moisture escape. This design can also use a multi layer of plastic sheets to form an outer casing with opening to create a water flow transfer and a self-closing design. Using this slow moisture release design allows small amounts of cooled moisture to be released into the thermal regulating fabric which activates the conduit feature providing cooler temperatures.

Insert for Cold Conditions or environments can be made from a polypropylene material or other fabric such as canvas. This insert primary function is to offer structural support for commercially available heated options to be placed inside the insert opening. This insert will then fit inside thermal regulations pockets where it will heat the fabric synthetic composition and then transfer out across fabric blend creating a heated barrier from external cold conditions.

The thermal exchanging composite materials provides the cooling catalyst needed for the transition of generated heat located inside a core mass. It is then directed towards the surface where it will be converted to a useful coolant. This changeover is achieved by the merger of synthetic materials to form a composite blend that is both, hydrophobic and hydrophilic in function, which creates the needed prime to pull the cooling solution and sensation first provided by the introduction of the activated cooling insert throughout the fabric blend. With the introduction of the inserts energy source, the fundamental design will then activate the cooling properties found inside the materials composition. Because this merger of materials is adaptive to molecular motion and phase transition, heat exchange will occur. Heat exchange, also known as thermal exchange is the transference of thermal energy from a hotter source to a cooler source. When an object, such as the torso is at a higher temperature than its surroundings, transference of thermal energy or heat exchange is evident.

Capable of many uses where excessive heat is being generated and a need for it to be removed or replaced is obvious. The technology behind this invention uses several synthetic blends of material that act as a conduit for transferring cooling energy derived from a removable and replaceable cooling energy source. This source offers multiple options of usage and applications for the end product. Cooling energy is first activated by water, which when introduced begins a hyper-evaporation process that allows the material to maintain a cooler temperature than its environment. When implemented, the cooling energy is soon introduced to the surrounding material, which activates an overall cooling sensation and begins the transition of excessive generated heat to a reduced temperature.

Thermal Exchanging Composite Materials in conjunction with Natural Cooling

Harnessing Molecular Motion:

Heat always travels towards a cooler source, this means that heat generated inside the body will move to the surface as long as the difference between the two temperatures is great enough. This design and use of materials augments the natural process by creating a substantial difference in temperature and assuring a constant flow of heated core temperatures to the surface.

Harnessing Phase Transition:

This process will begin with the creation of moisture on the surface from gathered perspiration or condensation. As this moisture begins to evaporate, it cools the surrounding air. However, as humidity levels rise the natural process of evaporation is reduced due to the amount of moisture already in the air. The fabric make-up will strain all collected moisture to a thin film to be utilized with with the cooling inserts until the leftover excited heated molecules are removed through rapid evaporation, and will further utilize the created vapor to flash spread the cooling properties throughout.

Applications:

Studies show that moisture conducts heat away approximately 25 times more efficiently than cool air temperatures. Water has a thermal conductivity of 0.58 Wm⁻¹K⁻¹ while still air has a thermal conductivity of 0.024 Wm⁻¹K⁻¹. This technology could be used anywhere excessive heat is being generated in an environment that makes it difficult to remove the heat away from the source and could prevent dehydration, fatigue and overheating. As an example, this material would be used in close proximity to a motor, generator, processor or human body that produces any amount of heat without a sufficient cooling solution such as an airflow source from a fan, natural breeze or air-conditioning.

Uses in Active Wear:

Fabrics that only promote the wicking aspect of a material make-up creates a false sense, in that by quickly pulling perspiration up and away from the skins surface will leave the user feeling cooler. Perspiration or sweat is the body's natural way of cooling down, without sweat we would not be able to tolerate the heat our bodies produce, 90% of generated heat is found in the torso area. We sweat in order to keep the body at its normal temperature, which is 98.6° Fahrenheit (37° Celsius). If we lost this bodily function or something prevented the natural use of perspiration we could suffer from heatstroke. Heat transferring composite materials that use quick release technology embraces and then supplements two of the body's natural defense mechanisms, convection and evaporative cooling, while controlling any over saturation of moisture brought on by excessive perspiration. This aspect of the design along with thermal regulation and cooling inserts will assist in the prevention of the dangers brought on by the overexposure to heat.

Used around Motors and Generators:

During normal use, motors produce a heat by-product, which could be damaging to the overall performance and life span of the equipment. Precautions normally require chemical coolants (see also Antifreeze) which create a toxic byproduct. Studies show using this material in close proximity will alter the air temperature to a cooler beneficial level.

Using Heat Transference Through Composite Materials around Computer Systems:

Computer cooling is a necessary process of removing excessive heat from inside computers and their components. Computer components can produce large amounts of heat during operations and this heat must be dissipated in order to keep these components within a safe operating temperatures. Using the heat transferring composite materials in close proximity to the computers cooling fans will reduce noise pollution caused by high demands to maintain processor performance.

Used in Cold Weather Conditions:

By applying the same thermal energy transfer technology as used in Hot conditions application. This material will respond the same way in cold weather conditions. Introducing a source of heat can be accomplished using various natural heating applications such as air-activated heaters. By placing inside the custom fitted insert specially designed for cold weather application and then inserting them inside one or all of the strategically placed pockets on the fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—illustrates a close up view of the woven fibers and how the transference of energy moves through it.

FIG. 2—Illustrates the out flow of thermal energy and the upward travel of core heat to the material surface

FIG. 3—shows the use in apparel, the location of insert pockets and the inserts energy moving outward away from source

FIG. 4—illustrates the layers of one insert and material used

FIG. 5—demonstrates the flow of water into the multiple layers of another insert

FIG. 6—shows a top and side view of one of the openings used on the insert where water will pass through the tapered opening.

Detailed Description of Drawings:

Claims

1. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts comprising:

(a) a mechanical and synthetic fabric which embodies a cationic base.

(b) compartmentalized housing for thermal modifying inserts

2. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts of claim 1 wherein the material uses any collected moisture to enhance conductive properties to transfer temperature altering energy.

3. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts of claim 1 wherein thermal exchange occurs when the synthetic fabric is altered, ie. cooled or heated, then flash spreads across material changing the temperature of the fabric.

4. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts of claim 1 wherein cooling inserts are hydrated for activation.

5. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts of claim 1 wherein fabric with inserts can be used near most surfaces that a need to alter surface temperature is present.

6. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts of claim 1 wherein cooling inserts use both hydrophilic and hydrophobic material composition.

7. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts of claim 1 wherein cooling inserts can use a special water channeling and directional forced fed design. Allowing water to pass through an opening where it is captured and used for hydration purposes. Opening can be round in shape and can have a tapered end used as a funnel or prevent excessive moisture escape.

8. A temperature regulating fabric with removable thermal modifying inserts of claim 1 wherein heating inserts use a polypropylene or canvas like material to house.