COOLING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A cooling apparatus is disclosed, and comprises one or more liquid permeable enclosures, an absorbent material that facilitates controlled evaporation of fluid, and at least one tab extending from the enclosure. The enclosure defines an enclosed cavity and an absorbent material is disposed within the cavity. Upon contact with liquid, the absorbent material is configured to retain the liquid so that the liquid acts to absorb heat from a surrounding environment. The at least one tab extends from the enclosure and includes a first magnetic member and at least one second magnetic member. The at least one tab can be folded to bring the first magnetic member into magnetic attraction with the at least one second magnetic member to retain the enclosure adjacent some portion of a user's body.

Description

FIELD

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for facilitating the transfer of heat from a user and/or a surrounding environment to provide cooling to a user, and in particular, to a wearable apparatus for providing cooling for a user.

BACKGROUND

Cooling apparatuses are configured to provide cooling by facilitating heat transfer to remove heat from a target object and/or surrounding environment, such as a user's body and surrounding air and/or articles of clothing. Cooling apparatuses may be used to provide relief to users operating in heated and/or humid environments, for example, construction workers, soldiers, police, firefighters, or other individuals who may need to operate in hot and/or humid environments, and/or who may become overheated in the course of their work. Some cooling apparatuses may utilize electrical power to remove heat, such as in fans or air conditioning units. In some situations, for example, where electrical power is not available or mobility of a user is a factor, cooling apparatuses may be provided that utilize other modalities of removing heat from an environment. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a cooling apparatus that does not require electrical power to remove heat from an environment and which may be mobile in conjunction with a user. It would further be desirable to provide such a cooling apparatus that may be disposed on or near a user in a hands-free manner so that a user is free to perform other tasks while receiving relief from the cooling apparatus.

SUMMARY

A cooling apparatus is disclosed, and comprises a liquid permeable enclosure, an absorbent material, and at least one tab extending from the enclosure. The enclosure defines an enclosed cavity and an absorbent material is disposed within the cavity. Upon contact with liquid, the absorbent material is selected to retain the liquid so that the liquid acts to absorb heat from a surrounding environment through evaporation. The at least one tab extends from the enclosure and includes a first magnetic member and the structure includes at least one second magnetic member. The at least one tab can be folded to bring the first magnetic member into magnetic attraction with the at least one second magnetic member to retain the enclosure adjacent some portion of a user's body.

In embodiments, the absorbent material changes state upon contact with liquid.

In embodiments, the absorbent material releases liquid through controlled evaporation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the absorbent material is one or more polymer crystal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the absorbent material is acrylamide.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liquid is water.

In an exemplary embodiment, the water has a temperature lower than a temperature of the user's body.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enclosure is comprised of a first layer of material coupled with a second layer of material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first layer of material is stitched to the second layer of material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enclosure is formed of a fabric material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tab is coupled with the enclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tab is stitched to the enclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tab is configured to be folded over a collar of an article of clothing so that the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member magnetically attract on opposite sides of the article of clothing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member frictionally engage the article of clothing so that the enclosure is at least partially supported by the at least one tab on the article of clothing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are disposed on opposing end portions of the at least one tab.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are retained in respective pockets formed within the at least one tab.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of cooling a user comprises providing a cooling apparatus that comprises a liquid permeable enclosure that defines one or more enclosed cavities, an absorbent material disposed within the one or more enclosed cavities, and at least one tab extending from the enclosure and including a first magnetic member and at least one second magnetic member. The method further comprises: exposing the enclosure to liquid so that the absorbent material retains at least a portion of the liquid; moving the enclosure near a body of the user so that the liquid absorbs heat from the body of the user; and folding the at least one tab over a portion of an article of clothing of the user so that the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are aligned so that an attractive magnetic force is exerted therebetween.

In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of removing excess liquid from the enclosure.

In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of placing the enclosure in direct contact with the body of the user.

In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of exposing the enclosure to liquid after liquid has evaporated from the enclosure.

In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of folding the at least one tab about a portion of a helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, shown partially in breakaway, of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 being submerged in a container of liquid;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of an interior portion of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 following exposure to liquid;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a user placing the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 under an article of clothing;

FIG. 3D is a side view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 being coupled with the article of clothing;

FIG. 3E is a side view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 facilitating heat transfer between the user and the cooling apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1 coupled with another object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling apparatus, generally designated by reference 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Cooling apparatus 100 comprises an enclosure 110 and one or more attachment members 120 extending therefrom for coupling the enclosure 110 with another object, as will be described further below.

With additional reference to FIG. 2, enclosure 110 includes a first layer 112, a second layer 114, and one or more cavities 116 formed therebetween. Enclosure 110 defines a substantially flat, planar profile, as shown. Enclosure 110 may have a planar configuration, for example, to maximize available surface area for contacting a target object for cooling. In embodiments, enclosure 110 may have any desirable shape, configuration, and/or construction to define an enclosed member with one or more cavities formed therein. In embodiments, enclosure 110 may be formed of a single layer that is folded upon itself to form an enclosed member with a cavity formed therein.

First layer 112 and second layer 114 are formed of a material that is at least semi-permeable to liquid, such as a fabric material. In embodiments, first layer 112 and second layer 114 may each be formed of similar or different materials. In embodiments, first layer 112 and/or second layer 114 may be formed of cotton, polyester, nylon, and/or a blended material, to name a few.

First layer 112 and second layer 114 are coupled to one another to form enclosure 110 with a substantially enclosed outer periphery. First layer 112 and second layer 114 may be stitched together to form a merrow edge along the outer periphery of enclosure 110, as shown. In embodiments, first layer 112 and second layer 114 may be coupled in a manner such that stitching or another coupling medium is obscured from view. In embodiments, first layer 112 and second layer 114 may be coupled to one another in a different manner, such as through adhesion or through one or more joining members such as tacks, pins, buttons, or clamps, to name a few. In embodiments, attachment members 120 may be coupled with or monolithically formed with enclosure 110. In embodiments, attachment members 120 may be coupled with and/or extend from any portion of enclosure 110.

Enclosure 110 defines an outer periphery with a substantially straight top edge 110a and substantially straight lateral sides 110b, 100c joined by a curved bottom edge 110d so that enclosure 110 has a substantially D-shaped profile extending from the top edge 110a. First layer 112 and second layer 114 have a substantially similar configuration so that enclosure 110 has a substantially symmetrical vertical and lateral side profile. In embodiments, first layer 112 and second layer 114 may each have different configurations from that shown and/or from one another. In embodiments, one of first layer 112 and second layer 114 may be larger than the other of first layer 112 and second layer 114. In embodiments, enclosure 110 may have any desirable shape or configuration. In embodiments, cooling apparatus 100 may include multiple enclosures.

Cavity 116 formed between enclosure 110 defines a volume determined by the surface area of each of first layer 112 and second layer 114. Cavity 116 includes compartments 117a separated by partitions 117b disposed within cavity 116. Partitions 117b are formed by interiorly joined regions of first layer 112 and second layer 114 along lines of stitching. In embodiments, partitions may be formed as walls of material, such as strips of fabric, separate from first layer 112 and second layer 114. In embodiments, cavity 116 may include any number of partitions, or may be configured as a single compartment devoid of any partitions. In embodiments, partitions between compartments may be formed in another manner, such as by adhesion, tacking, stapling, pinning, buttoning, or clamping interior portions of first layer 112 and second layer 114, or by the inclusions of partitions formed separately from first layer 112 and second layer 114. In embodiments, cavity 116 may include a liner that is separable from enclosure 110. In embodiments, compartments 117a may have any desirably shape or configuration, such as linear or curved.

An absorbent material 118 is disposed in one or more compartments 117a of cavity 116 within enclosure 110. Absorbent material 118 has the form of a plurality of granules and/or powdered particles of a polymer crystalline material, for example, acrylamide. In embodiments, absorbent material 118 may be formed of, for example, polyvinyl acetate, cellulose sponge, polymer-embedded fabric, phase change cooling material, and/or renewable phase change cooling material, to name a few. Absorbent material 118 is configured to absorb and retain a fluid, for example, liquid water. Upon contact with a fluid, absorbent material 118 is configured to transition from a first condition in which the absorbent material 118 is substantially devoid of fluid, to a second condition in which the absorbent material 118 retains a volume of fluid. In embodiments, absorbent material 118 may be configured to retain a volume of fluid having a mass greater than the mass of absorbent material 118 in the first condition. In embodiments, exposure of absorbent material 118 to fluid may cause an at least partial phase change, for example, from a solid to a gel or from a solid to a liquid. In embodiments, absorbent material 118 may have a different configuration, such as a fluid material, a gel-like material, and/or a unitary configuration. In embodiments, absorbent material 118 may comprise multiple different types of absorbent materials. In embodiments, absorbent material 118 may be disposed in each compartment 117a or in any number and/or combination of compartments 117a within cavity 116 of enclosure 110.

Attachment members 120 extend from the top edge 110a of enclosure 110 such that attachment members 120 are capable of movement relative to enclosure 110. Attachment members 120 may be configured as, for example, tabs or strips of material. Attachment members may be formed of one or more layers of material, and may have a hollow configuration. In embodiments, attachment members 120 may be formed of different or similar materials to enclosure 110.

Each attachment member 120 includes a first magnetic member 122a and at least one second magnetic member 122b. Magnetic members 122a, 122b may be any suitable magnetic material, for example, permanent magnets, temporary magnets, or electromagnets. As shown, magnetic members 122a, 122b may be disposed on opposing end portions of attachment members 120. Attachment members 120 may incorporate stitching or another type of partition as is known in the art to define respective pockets 124a, 124b to substantially maintain magnetic members 122a, 122b in predetermined positions within attachment members 120. In embodiments, attachment members 120 may include any number of magnetic members in any desirable arrangement so that attachment members 120 can couple enclosure 110 to other objects, as will be described further below.

Turning to FIG. 3A, cooling apparatus 100 may be provided to a user so that the user can bring at least enclosure 110 into contact with a liquid, for example, a container of liquid water W, as shown. In embodiments, a user may at least partially submerge a portion of cooling device 100 into a liquid, or may move a liquid into contact with cooling device 100, for example, by spraying or splashing cooling apparatus 100 with liquid. In embodiments, cooling apparatus 100 may be used with a different fluid, for example, water vapor or a refrigerant material.

With reference to FIG. 3B, as the enclosure 100 is brought into contact with water W, water W may move through the at least semi-permeable enclosure 110 and enter cavity 116. As the water W moves through cavity 116, water W contacts absorbent material 118 so that a volume of water W is absorbed by absorbent material 118. Absorption of water W by absorbent material 118 causes the absorbent material 118 to transition from the first condition that is substantially devoid of liquid to the second condition in which a volume of water W is releasably retained. In the second condition, absorbent material 118 may have a gel-like consistency. In the second condition, absorbent material 118 may increase in volume as a result of the water W retained therein. In embodiments, absorbent material 118 may increase in size in the second condition proportional to the volume of water W releasably retained by the absorbent material 118.

In addition to the volume of water W absorbed and retained by the absorbent material 18, a volume of water W may be absorbed by one or more of first layer 112, second layer 114, partitions 117b, and attachment members 120. A user may optionally remove a volume of water W from such components, for example, by wringing, squeezing, or shaking enclosure 110 and/or attachment members 120, or by contacting cooling apparatus 100 with another absorbent article.

Turning to FIGS. 3C and 3D, a user may position cooling apparatus 100 near or in contact with a portion of his or her body B. As shown, a user may place the enclosure 110 between his or her body B and an article of clothing C, such as a shirt disposed thereupon. In embodiments, a user may place cooling apparatus 100 in direct contact with his or her body B, or may place one or more layers of clothing or padding between cooling apparatus 100 and body B. In embodiments, a user may position enclosure 110 near a front portion of his or her body B, for example, near his or her chest, near a back portion of his or her body B, for example, near his or her back, and/or along any other desired portion of his or her body B.

A user may fold one or more attachment tabs 120 so that a respective first magnetic member 122a is aligned with a respective second magnetic member 122b on opposing sides of the article of clothing C of a user, such as the collar portion of a shirt. Each magnetic member 122a, 122b generates a respective magnetic field M₁, M₂ as shown. Magnetic members 122a, 122b are oriented on opposite sides of the article of clothing C so that magnetic members 122a, 122b are polarized in opposing directions to cause an attractive magnetic force F_M to be exerted therebetween. Magnetic force F_M causes magnetic members 122a, 122b to frictionally engage the article of clothing C so that enclosure 110 is at least partially supported by attachment members 120 on the article of clothing C. In this manner, attachment members 120 are configured to maintain enclosure 110 in a substantially stationary position relative to a body B of a user via coupling with an article of clothing C. Accordingly, cooling apparatus 100 may be disposed proximate a user's body B while the user is free to perform other tasks. In embodiments, attachment members 120 may be coupled to other objects or to each other, as will be described further below.

The volume of water W retained in the first or second layers 112, 114 of enclosure 110, partitions 117b, attachment members 120, and/or article of clothing C may draw thermal energy in the form of heat H from the body B of the user via conduction through direct or intermediate solid contact with the body B of the user and/or via convection by transferring absorbing heat H through a fluid medium such as air or a body fluid such as sweat. The amount of heat H absorbed from the body B is determined by the differential in thermal energy between the body B of the user and the water W retained by the absorbent material 118, and correlates to the differential between the temperature of the body B and the temperature of the water W retained by the absorbent material 118. It will be understood that heat may be transferred among body B, cooling apparatus 100, and a surrounding environment through radiation in addition to evaporation as described above.

A sufficient temperature differential between the temperature of the body B of the user and the temperature of the water W retained by the absorbent material 118 causes a quantity of heat H′ known as latent heat to be absorbed by the volume of water W retained by the absorbent material 118 sufficient to cause a phase change of the water W from liquid to vapor. Latent heat H′ is absorbed from the higher temperature of the body B of the user, and may additionally be drawn from other objects in proximity to absorbent material 118, such as air surrounding absorbent material 118, sweat and/or water disposed on the body B of the user or in other portions of cooling apparatus 100. Accordingly, the volume of water W retained by the absorbent material 118 may be released from cooling apparatus 100 in part or in whole through evaporation. Evaporated particles of the water W retained by the absorbent material 118 may escape into a surrounding environment, such as air, a portion of cooling apparatus 100 and/or an article of the user's clothing. In this manner, absorbent material 118 may revert partially or entirely from the second condition to the first condition as the volume of water W retained therein is released through evaporation. Cooling apparatus 100 may then be brought into contact with another source of liquid water or other fluid so that cooling apparatus 100 may continue to be used in the manner described above.

In this regard, cooling apparatus 100 is configured to absorb heat, and thereby cool, the body of a user and/or regions in close proximity to the body of a user. Because the method of heat transfer described above relies upon a temperature differential to generate a transfer of heat, it will be understood that a source of water or other fluid having a lower temperature than a body of a user and/or a surrounding environment should be chosen for use with cooling apparatus 100. As described above, cooling apparatus 100 is configured for continuous and/or repetitive use by a user with access to a source of fluid, without requiring a source of electrical power and without confining a user to a predetermined location.

In embodiments, cooling apparatus 100 may be coupled with a user or an article of clothing or other object proximate a user through a different form of coupling, for example, hook and loop-type interengaging surfaces, one or more interengaging surfaces treated with flocking, adhesion, ultrasonic welding, clamping, snaps, and/or interlocking surface features such as a hook and ring, to name a few.

Turning to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, cooling apparatus 100 may be coupled with another object, such as a portion of a helmet 200, as shown. Helmet 200 may be an article of clothing worn in the course of job performance of a user, for example, a hard hat. In embodiments, cooling apparatus 100 may be coupled with another type of headgear. Helmet 200 may include an internal strap 210, for example, to adjust the fit of helmet 200 with a user's head. Strap 210 is positioned such that a clearance is defined between the strap 210 and the interior surface of the helmet 200. As shown, the attachment members 120 of cooling apparatus 100 may be folded around strap 210 so that magnetic members 122a, 122b are brought into alignment to magnetically attract in the manner described above. In this regard, cooling apparatus 100 is configured such that attachment members 120 may couple with enclosure 110 to couple cooling apparatus 100 with helmet 200. Cooling apparatus 100 may be at least partially suspended from the strap 210 so that enclosure 110 is free to hang, for example, behind the helmet 200 proximate a user's neck. In embodiments, enclosure 110 may be positioned at least partially beneath an article of clothing, such as a shirt collar. In embodiments, a user may position the enclosure 110 atop his or her head so that the enclosure 110 may be disposed between the helmet 200 and the user's head to provide cooling relief in the manner described above.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cooling apparatus, comprising:

a liquid permeable enclosure that defines an enclosed cavity;

an absorbent material disposed within the cavity so that, upon contact with liquid, the absorbent material retains liquid so that the liquid acts to absorb heat from a surrounding environment; and

at least one tab extending from the enclosure and including a first magnetic member and having at least one second magnetic member so that the at least one tab can be folded to bring the first magnetic member into magnetic attraction with the at least one second magnetic member to retain the enclosure adjacent some portion of a user's body.

2. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material is one or more polymer crystal.

3. The cooling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the absorbent material is acrylamide.

4. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid is water.

5. The cooling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the water has a temperature lower than a temperature of the user's body.

6. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is comprised of a first layer of material coupled with a second layer of material.

7. The cooling apparatus of claim 6, wherein first layer of material is stitched to the second layer of material.

8. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is formed of a fabric material.

9. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab is coupled with the enclosure.

10. The cooling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one tab is stitched to the enclosure.

11. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab is configured to be folded over a collar of an article of clothing so that the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member magnetically attract on opposite sides of the article of clothing.

12. The cooling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member frictionally engage the article of clothing so that the enclosure is at least partially supported by the at least one tab on the article of clothing.

13. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are disposed on opposing end portions of the at least one tab.

14. The cooling apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are retained in respective pockets formed within the at least one tab.

15. A method of cooling a user, comprising:

providing a cooling apparatus that comprises a liquid permeable enclosure that defines an enclosed cavity, an absorbent material disposed within the cavity, and at least one tab extending from the enclosure and including a first magnetic member and at least one second magnetic member;

exposing the enclosure to liquid so that the absorbent material retains at least a portion of the liquid;

moving the enclosure near a body of the user so that the liquid absorbs heat from the body of the user; and

folding the at least one tab over a portion of an article of clothing of the user so that the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are aligned so that an attractive magnetic force is exerted therebetween.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing excess liquid from the enclosure.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of placing the enclosure in direct contact with the body of the user.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of exposing the enclosure to liquid after liquid has evaporated from the enclosure.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of folding the at least one tab includes folding the at least one tab about a portion of a helmet.