ARTICLE FOR THERMAL TRANSFER

Abstract

Thermal transfer garments and methods are provided. In an embodiment, a glove comprises a glove portion, a thermal transfer portion attached to the glove portion, a pocket in the thermal transfer portion proximate a user's inner wrist and forearm, the pocket including an opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, and fasteners to releasably secure the glove portion and the thermal transfer portion to the user's person.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to garments and methods for thermal transfer. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to gloves that provide heating and/or cooling effects to a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

People may be exposed to non-ideal temperatures (e.g., either above or below a user's comfort threshold). While adequate clothing choices are employed to enable the people to operate in the non-ideal temperatures, the solutions may not be ideal. For example, a person may wish to have their fingers uncovered in a cold environment, perhaps to allow for fine motor control, which would be obscured within heavy gloves or mittens.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides garments and methods for thermal transfer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a glove is provided. The glove may comprise a glove portion, a thermal transfer portion attached to the glove portion, a pocket in the thermal transfer portion proximate a user's inner wrist and forearm, the pocket including an opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, and fasteners to releasably secure the glove portion and the thermal transfer portion to the user's person.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of providing localized thermal transfer is provided. The method may comprise providing a glove. The glove may comprise a glove portion, a thermal transfer portion attached to the glove portion, a pocket in the thermal transfer portion proximate a user's inner wrist and forearm, the pocket including an opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, and fasteners to releasably secure the glove portion and the thermal transfer portion to the user's person. The method may further comprise inserting a thermal transfer element into the pocket.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a glove is disclosed. The glove comprises a glove portion. The glove may also comprise a thermal transfer portion in releasable communication with the glove portion. The glove may also comprise a pocket in the thermal transfer portion proximate a user's inner wrist and forearm, the pocket including an opening, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The glove may also comprise one or more fasteners to secure the glove portion and the thermal transfer portion to the user's person.

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a thermal glove according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the thermal glove of FIG. 1, where the glove flap is open.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the thermal glove of FIG. 1, showing the pocket in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the reverse side of the thermal glove of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the reverse side of the thermal glove of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a thermal glove with a detachable thermal portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the subject matter of the disclosure. Although the disclosure describes a specific embodiment of a glove 100 with a thermal transfer portion 101, it should be understood that the concepts presented herein may be used in other various configurations consistent with this disclosure.

Shown with reference to FIG. 1, a glove 100 includes a glove portion 103 attached to a thermal transfer portion 101. A heating or cooling element 105 rests in a pocket 111 in the thermal transfer portion 101. When a user places their hand inside of the glove 100 and secures fasteners 403a and 403b, the heating or cooling element 105 rests in a location proximate the user's inner wrist and forearm. The heating or cooling element 105 transfers thermal energy to or receives thermal energy from the user's inner wrist and forearm, providing a localized heating or cooling effect, which may also warm or cool the user's circulatory system and warm or cool the user's hand and fingers.

The glove portion 103 forms a pocket 111 into which a user may place their hand and fingers, and includes a plurality of finger holes 121 through which the user's fingers exit the glove. The glove portion 103 may be made of material suitable to the characteristics and requirements of the glove 100. For example, if flexibility is a desirable characteristic, the glove 100 may be made of a stretchable elastic material. If thermal insulation is a desirable characteristic, the glove 100 may be made of a cotton material or a material that removes perspiration from the user's hand. Other characteristics that may be considered for the selection of material for the glove portion 103 may include, but are not limited to, impact resistance, abrasion resistance, weight, permeability, and thermal resistance. Additionally, different materials may be used on the palm side 125 of the glove 100 than are used on the hand side 127 of the glove 100. For example, and without limitation, leather may be used on the palm side 125 of the glove 100, to improve resistance to wear or increase the durability of the glove portion 103. The glove portion 103 in FIG. 1 is shown without additional material to cover the user's fingers, but other embodiments may include a glove 100 that fully covers the user's hand and fingers.

Shown in FIG. 4, the glove portion 103 contains fasteners 401a and 401b which cooperate to secure the glove 100 to the user's hand. The fasteners 401a and 401b, when unfastened, increase the diameter of the void into which the user places their hand. The fasteners 401a and 401b are fastened to secure the user's hand within the glove portion 103. One or more fasteners may be used, such as, for example and without limitation, hook-and-loop fasteners, tie fasteners, snap fasteners, button fasteners, or other suitable fasteners. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the fasteners 401a and 401b are located on an adjustment strap 201, and may be attached to the thermal transfer portion adjustment strap 203.

The thermal transfer portion 101, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, is connected to the glove portion 103. Connected may indicate that the thermal transfer portion 101 and the glove portion 103 are affixed to one another such as through, for example and without limitation, sewing or heat bonding, or may indicate that the thermal transfer portion 101 and the glove portion 103 are integral. During use, the thermal transfer portion 101 encircles the user's forearm and/or wrist, and includes a pocket 111 to hold a heating or cooling element 105. In an embodiment, more than one heating or cooling element 105 may be placed within the pocket 111. The thermal transfer portion 101 includes an adjustment strap 203 to size the thermal transfer portion 101 so that the pocket 111 and the heating or cooling element 105 rest against the user's inner wrist and/or forearm. In the embodiment, the adjustment strap 203 works with the fasteners 403a and 403b to secure the glove 100 to the user's hand and forearm. Shown in FIGS. 2-4, the adjustment strap 203 may create an opening the length of the thermal transfer portion 101, so that the thermal transfer portion 101 may be opened and wrapped around the user's forearm and/or wrist. In another embodiment, the adjustment strap 203 may be a portion of the length of the thermal transfer portion 101, so that the user may insert their hand into the thermal transfer portion 101, and then use the adjustment strap 203 to secure the thermal transfer portion 101 to the user's wrist and/or forearm.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, the pocket 111 is located on the inner side of the thermal transfer portion 101, positioned proximate to the user's inner forearm and/or wrist. In an embodiment, the pocket 111 is positioned proximate the user's forearm and wrist so that the location of the pocket 111 and the heating and cooling element 105, when inserted into the pocket 111, does not substantially interfere with the flexibility and movement of the user's wrist, hand, and/or fingers, and does not substantially interfere with the fine motor skills of the user's fingers.

In another embodiment, the location of the pocket 111 and the heating and cooling element 105 is a sufficient distance from the bone and/or muscle structure of the wrist so that there is no impact on the use of the user's finger digits, or does not interfere with the flexibility and movement of the user's wrist, hand, or fingers, or does not interfere with the fine motor skills of the user's fingers. The location of the pocket 111 in the embodiment allows for full movement and range of motion of the user's wrist, hand, and/or fingers. The location of the pocket 111 may be, for example and without limitation, on the glove 100 so that the pocket 111 rests against the user's inner forearm above the wrist, between the user's wrist and elbow.

The pocket 111 includes an inner surface 117 and an outer surface 119 secured to form an opening 113. The inner surface 117 contacts the user's wrist and/or forearm, and the inner surface 117, the outer surface 119, and the fasteners 115a and 115b cooperate to prevent the heating or cooling element 105 from substantial movement. The opening is releasably closed with the use of fasteners 115a and 115b. The fasteners 115a and 115b may include snap fasteners, shown in FIG. 3, with an engaging portion releasably coupling with a receiving portion, or may include another type of fastener, for example hook-and-loop fasteners, tie fasteners, snap fasteners, button fasteners, or other suitable fasteners. The opening is sized to allow a heating or cooling element 105 to be inserted into the pocket 111, and the fasteners 115a and 115b are engaged to prevent the removal of the heating or cooling element 105.

The inner surface 117 of the thermal transfer portion 101 that contacts the user's skin is made of a thermally conductive material or is open to allow heat transfer. For example, and without limitation, the inner surface 117 may be a mesh. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, both the inner surface 117 and the outer surface 119 are made of a mesh fabric. The outer surface 119 of the thermal transfer portion 101 may, in some embodiments, be made of a different material than the inner surface 117. If, for example, and without limitation, the heating or cooling element 105 requires exposure to the atmosphere to initiate or sustain a chemical reaction, then the outer surface 119 may include a plurality of openings to connect the heating or cooling element 105 and the pocket 111 to the outside atmosphere. The outer surface 119 of the pocket 111 may, in another embodiment, be made of or contain an energy reflective material or an insulation material.

Fasteners, shown as 401a, 401b, 403a, and 403b, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, may be used to fasten the glove portion 103 and/or the thermal transfer portion 101 to create a range of diameters for the void, and may therefore accommodate users with different sizes of arm and hand. Other fasteners, such as snap or button fasteners, generally create a single diameter for the void, and so different sizes of glove 100 may be provided to accommodate users with different sizes of arm and hand, or a plurality of receiving fasteners may be used to create different diameters (e.g., a line of receiving fasteners may be provided on the glove portion 103, so that an engaging fastener engages with one of the plurality of receiving fasteners).

The heating or cooling element 105, or thermal transfer element, is warmer or cooler than the ambient temperature, although the heating or cooling element 105 may eventually warm or cool to the ambient temperature. The heating or cooling element 105, in an embodiment, includes one or more substances that chemically react to change the temperature of the heating or cooling element 105. Examples of heating elements include, but are not limited to, a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate, which crystallizes in an exothermic reaction and is reversible, the oxidation of iron, either alone or in the presence of another substance, which is an exothermic reaction, or the dissolution of calcium chloride, which is also an exothermic reaction. Examples of cooling elements include, but are not limited to, the dissolution of ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride in water, which are endothermic reactions. The chemical reactions to produce heat or cold may be reversible, so that the heating or cooling element 105 may be reused if desired.

The heating or cooling element 105, in an embodiment, may be one or more substances with a property, such as a high heat capacity or a high enthalpy of fusion, that allows the substance or substances to radiate heat over a period of time, or absorb heat. For example, the heating or cooling element 105 may be a bladder that may hold heated or chilled water, or ice.

In another example, the heating or cooling element 105 may be a bladder or rigid structure that contains a gel or other liquid that may be frozen or heated. The state changes of the substance or substances may be reversible, so that the heating or cooling element 105 may be reused if desired.

In another embodiment, the heating or cooling element 105 may be a thermal transfer device in thermal communication with one or more remote devices to circulate a heated or chilled liquid or gas. For example, chilled liquid may be circulated in a loop between a chiller, which chills the liquid, and the thermal transfer device. Similarly, heated liquid may be circulated in a loop between a warmer and the thermal transfer device. The loop may include one or more tubes to circulate the heated or chilled liquid. In the embodiment, the thermal transfer device is inserted into the pocket 111, and the circulation tubes exit the pocket 111 through the openings in the pocket 111 formed by the fasteners 115a and 115b.

The heating or cooling element 105 may be a single use device, or may be reusable. In an embodiment, the inner surface 117 and the outer surface 119 of the pocket 111 are adapted to the requirements of the heating or cooling element 105. For example, if the heating or cooling element 105 intended for use requires air flow to initiate and/or maintain a chemical reaction, then the outer surface 119 of the pocket 111 may be a material that allows air to flow through the outer surface 119 to the pocket 111, and also allows air or other gasses generated by the heating or cooling element 105 outside of the pocket 111. If the heating or cooling element 105 produces an effect that is uncomfortable for the user, is too hot or too cold, for example, then the inner surface 117 of the pocket 111 may be an insulating material, to prevent the user's skin from direct contact with the heating or cooling element 105.

A heating element is described to show the operation of an embodiment of the disclosure, but a cooling element may also be used. In operation, a user unfastens the fasteners 115a and 115b and places a heating or cooling element 105 into the pocket 111. The user fastens the fasteners 115a and 115b, opens the fasteners 401a, 401b, 403a, and 403b to open the glove 100, and inserts the user's fingers and hand into the void of the glove 100. The user adjusts the adjustment strap 201 and/or the thermal transfer portion adjustment strap 203 so that the pocket 111 rests comfortably against the user's forearm and wrist. The adjustment moves the inner surface 117 of the pocket 111 into contact with the user's skin. The user secures the glove 100 by fastening the fasteners 401a, 401b, 403a, and 403b. In another embodiment, the user may wear a garment with sleeves, and the inner surface 117 of the pocket 111 may contact the sleeve at the user's forearm and/or wrist. The fabric of the glove 100 around the fingers and wrist flex and twist with the user's movements, so that movement of the user's fingers and wrist do not substantially change the position of the pocket 111 against the user's wrist and/or forearm. The user may optionally repeat the process using another glove 100 for the user's other hand.

The heating element 105 is located against the inner wrist and forearm of the user while the glove 100 is attached to the user and the heating element 105 is located within the glove 100. The heating element 105 warms the inner surface 117 of the pocket 111, which in turn warms the user's inner wrist and/or forearm. Arteries near the surface of the user's inner wrist and forearm carry blood, which is warmed by the heating element 105. The warmed blood is carried to the user's hand and fingers, warming the hand and fingers. The blood returns via veins, and the blood in the veins near the user's wrist and forearm are also warmed, carrying warmed blood back to the user's core for recirculation. The heating element 105 also warms the skin and nerves around the site of the heating element 105 via direct contact or contact with the inner surface 117 of the pocket 111, creating a warming sensation which may radiate to the user's hand and fingers.

The user removes the glove 100 by unfastening the fasteners 401a, 401b, 403a, and 403b and removing the user's hand from the glove 100. The user then unfastens the fasteners 115a and 115b and removes the heating element 105. The user may recharge the heating element 105 for additional use by reversing the chemical reaction or by changing the phase of the substance or substances in the heating element 105. The user may optionally repeat the process using another glove 100 for the user's other hand.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, described with reference to FIG. 6, the thermal transfer portion 101 is detachable from the glove portion 103. The glove portion 603 may be similar to glove portion 103 described with reference to FIGS. 1-5, and the thermal transfer portion 601 may be similar to thermal transfer portion 101, except that the glove portion 603 may include fasteners 605 that engage with complimentary fasteners 607 on the thermal transfer portion 601. For example, if the fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener, the hook portion may be located on the glove portion 603 and the loop portion may be located on the thermal transfer portion 601. The hook portion 605 and the loop portion 607 engage when placed together, reversibly fastening the glove portion 603 to the thermal transfer portion 601. One or more fasteners may be used, such as, for example and without limitation, hook-and-loop fasteners, tie fasteners, snap fasteners, button fasteners, or other suitable fasteners. The fasteners 605 on the glove portion 603 and the fasteners 607 on the thermal transfer portion 601 may be sized so that more than one glove portion 603 can interact with the fasteners 607 on the thermal transfer portion 601, and vice versa. For example, different glove portions 603 may be available, such as a glove portion 603 that does not include material to cover the user's fingers, or a mitten, or glove portions 603 of different fabrics or sizes. The user may reversibly couple a single set of thermal transfer portions 601 to a plurality of sets of glove portions 603. Different thermal transfer portions 601 may also be used with the same set of glove portion 603. For example, thermal transfer portions 601 may be made of materials that allow the use of different kinds of heating or cooling elements 105, or that include different fabrics or other materials to interact with the heating or cooling element 105.

While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A glove, comprising:

a glove portion;

a thermal transfer portion attached to the glove portion;

a pocket in the thermal transfer portion proximate a user's inner wrist and forearm, the pocket including an opening, an inner surface and an outer surface; and

fasteners to releasably secure the glove portion and the thermal transfer portion to the user's person.

2. The glove of claim 1, further comprising a thermal transfer element positioned within the pocket.

3. The glove of claim 2, wherein the thermal transfer element is reusable.

4. The glove of claim 1, further comprising one or more second fasteners positioned on the opening, the one or more second fasteners cooperating to releasably close the pocket.

5. The glove of claim 1, wherein the pocket is located proximate the user's inner wrist and forearm, and does not substantially interfere with the movement of the user's fingers.

6. The glove of claim 1, further comprising an opening in the thermal transfer portion, to allow the thermal transfer portion to be resized according to the arm size of the user.

7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the pocket is a substantially thermally conductive material.

8. The glove of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the pocket is a substantially thermally insulating material.

9. The glove of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the pocket is a mesh fabric.

10. A method of providing localized thermal transfer, comprising:

providing a glove comprising: a glove portion, a thermal transfer portion attached to the glove portion, a pocket in the thermal transfer portion proximate a user's inner wrist and forearm, the pocket including an opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, and fasteners to releasably secure the glove portion and the thermal transfer portion to the user's person; and

inserting a thermal transfer element into the pocket.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the thermal transfer element is reusable.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising one or more second fasteners positioned on the opening, the one or more fasteners cooperating to releasably close the pocket.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the pocket is located proximate the user's inner wrist and forearm.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising inserting the user's hand into the glove, wherein the pocket rests against a user's inner wrist and forearm, and does not substantially interfere with the movement of the user's fingers.

15. A glove, comprising:

a glove portion;

a thermal transfer portion in releasable communication with the glove portion;

a pocket in the thermal transfer portion proximate a user's inner wrist and forearm, the pocket including an opening, an inner surface, and an outer surface; and

one or more fasteners to secure the glove portion and the thermal transfer portion to the user's person.

16. The glove of claim 15, where one or more fasteners are attached to the glove portion and one or more second fasteners are attached to the thermal transfer portion, so that the thermal transfer portion and the glove portion are in releasable communication.

17. The glove of claim 15, further comprising one or more fasteners positioned on the opening, the one or more fasteners cooperating to releasably close the pocket.

18. The glove of claim 15, wherein the pocket is located proximate the user's inner wrist and forearm, and does not substantially interfere with the movement of the user's fingers.

19. The glove of claim 15, wherein the inner surface of the pocket is a substantially thermally conductive material.

20. The glove of claim 15, wherein the outer surface of the pocket is a substantially thermally insulating material.