Abstract:
A garment, such as a shirt, shorts, socks, or a hat, is disclosed for efficiently cooling an individual by water evaporation, thereby reducing perspiration, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and discomfort. The garment includes at least one property that is intentionally non-uniform, so as to concentrate and retain applied water in areas where enhanced cooling is desired. Variable properties include structure, density, composition, texture, type and/or quantity of additive substances, included fabric layers, and degree of contact with a user&#39;s body. A source of water can be included, for example in an attachable container. The container can be compressed, water can be pumped, or compressed air can push water from the container. A pump can be actuated by hand or by natural movements of a user. A drinking port can be included, and a pouch can hold a removable, water-absorbing and water-releasing insert that can be pre-wetted and/or pre-cooled.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to cooling individuals, and more specifically to evaporative cooling of individuals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Exercise is generally known to have many benefits for individuals of all ages. These benefits include improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, prevention of bone and muscle loss, maintenance of a healthy weight, improved psychological heath, and many others. However, exercise is generally accompanied by a certain degree of discomfort, including overheating, sweating, etc, and this leads to a significant reduction in the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise undertaken by many individuals, thereby reducing the health benefits that can be derived from recreational and conditioning exercise. Excess heating during exercise can also reduce peak athletic performance, because the performance of a muscle deteriorates when the muscle is overheated. 
         [0003]    Overheating of an individual can also occur during leisure activities due to exposure to sunlight and other warm weather conditions. Such overheating can reduce the comfort of these activities and shorten the amount of time that they can be enjoyed. In addition, individuals can become overheated while performing work in a hot environment, either indoors or outdoors, thereby decreasing their productivity and comfort, and possibly even endangering their health. 
         [0004]    The body&#39;s primary method of cooling when overheated is perspiration. Perspiration is highly effective because water has a high heat capacity and a high heat of vaporization, and so the evaporation of perspiration is an efficient mechanism for eliminating unwanted heat. However, there are several major disadvantages to perspiration, including dehydration, loss of electrolytes, chafing of the skin, and unwanted odors. Also, perspiration often collects in locations on the body and in clothing where evaporation is least effective, such as under the arms or in shirt tails. This can increase weight and discomfort without any increase in the cooling effect. 
         [0005]    There are many approaches known for helping to keep a physically active individual cool, thereby reducing perspiration and discomfort. For example, if an activity takes place indoors, the ambient air can be maintained at a low temperature by an air conditioning system. However, cooling by this method is limited because air has a low heat capacity and does not make good thermal contact with the body. Fans and humidity controllers can be used to increase heat transfer from the body of an individual to the air, but these approaches still cannot provide sufficient cooling in all cases. And when exercise, leisure activities, or work occur outdoors, these approaches are largely unavailable. 
         [0006]    One of the simplest ways to cool an individual is to apply water to clothing being worn by the individual. The clothing retains the water and presents it over a significant area for evaporation, while simultaneously making contact with the skin of the individual so as to transfer the evaporative cooling to the individual. However, this approach has several flaws, since water that is applied or that drains to areas that are not in thermal contact with the individual&#39;s body will add unnecessary weight to the clothing, causing chafing and other kinds of discomfort, and contributing little to the cooling of the individual. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A garment is claimed for efficiently cooling an individual by water evaporation, so as to reduce the need for the individual to perspire, thereby reducing the dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and discomfort associated with perspiration. The garment includes at least one property that is intentionally non-uniform, so as to concentrate water received by the garment in areas of the body where enhanced cooling is desired, while minimizing the tendency for water to collect in areas of the garment where it is not effective in cooling the individual. 
         [0008]    The invention is a wearable apparatus for cooling a person, the apparatus including a garment formed so as to cover and fit in contact with a portion of the skin of a person, the garment being able to cool the person by allowing evaporation of water received by the garment, at least one property of the garment being non-uniform across the garment so that enhanced cooling is applied to portions of the body of the person where cooling is intended. 
         [0009]    In preferred embodiments, cooling is intended where at least one of the following occurs: cooling of subcutaneous blood is enhanced; cooling of exercising muscles is enhanced; and comfort of the person is enhanced. In some preferred embodiments the structure, density, composition, and/or texture of the garment is spatially varied so as to localize and evaporate received water unevenly. And in other preferred embodiments a type and/or quantity of additive substances applied to and/or embedded in the garment is spatially varied so as to localize and evaporate received water unevenly. 
         [0010]    In certain preferred embodiments there is a water absorbent substance embedded in the garment that moderates the wetness of the garment by absorbing water from the garment when too much water is received, and releasing water into the garment when insufficient water is present. 
         [0011]    In further preferred embodiments thermal contact between the garment and the portion of the body of the person is spatially uneven. And in some preferred embodiments the garment includes a layer with non-uniform properties that mediates the rate of evaporative cooling of the body of the person. 
         [0012]    In various preferred embodiments the garment is a shirt, shorts, socks, or a hat, the garment is disposable, and/or the garment is able to receive water exuded by the person as perspiration. 
         [0013]    In preferred embodiments the invention further includes a source of water. In some of these embodiments the source of water includes a container that can contain water, and in some of these embodiments the container is at least attachable to the garment, and/or can be attached to the garment and surrounded by layers of garment. In other of these embodiments the garment is able to direct water from the container to areas of the garment where evaporative cooling is desired. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments that include a container of water, the container can be compressed by the person so as to push water onto the garment. And in some of these embodiments the garment includes two shoulders, and sources of water are attachable to the two shoulders of the garment. 
         [0015]    In further embodiments that include a source of water, the invention further includes a pump that is able to pump water from the source of water to the garment. And in some of these embodiments the pump is operated automatically when the body of the person undergoes body movements such as breathing, walking, arm movements, and leg movements. 
         [0016]    In yet further embodiments that include a source of water, the source of water includes an air space cooperative with water contained in the source of water, the air space being fillable with compressed air so as to apply pressure to the water, thereby pushing water onto the garment. And in some of these embodiments the air space is separated from the water in the source of water by a flexible barrier that is able to apply pressure to the water while ensuring that only water will be delivered by the source of water to the garment. In other of these embodiments the source of water includes a pump operable by the person so as to compress the air in the air space. And in some of these embodiments the pump is operated automatically when the body of the person undergoes movements such as breathing, walking, arm movements, and leg movements. 
         [0017]    In various embodiments that include a source of water, at least some of the water supplied by the source of water is maintained in thermal contact with the person before it is delivered to the garment. And in other such embodiments a drinking port is included that can be used by the person to drink from the source of water. In some of these embodiments water can be pushed onto the garment by blowing into the drinking port. 
         [0018]    In certain preferred embodiments the garment is able to receive and retain a removable water-absorbing and water-releasing insert, so as to accumulate water and supply water to a non-uniform area where cooling is desired. In some of these preferred embodiments water can be absorbed by the water-absorbent insert before the water-absorbent insert is retained by the garment, thereby delivering water to the garment for evaporative cooling. And in other of these preferred embodiments the water-absorbent insert can be cooled before being retained by the garment. 
         [0019]    In still other preferred embodiments, the garment further includes a water barrier that tends to restrain water received by the garment within a desired region of the garment 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective drawing of a shirt with a water retaining area in the chest; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective drawing of a shirt with a water retaining area in the chest surrounded by a water barrier that tents to prevent water from migrating from the water retaining area into other regions of the shirt; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective drawing of a shirt with a water retaining area in the chest that includes a pocket into which a water absorbent and/or water saturated item can be placed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a close-up, cross-sectional drawing of ordinary fabric; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a close-up, cross sectional view of the fabric of  FIG. 2A  with a second layer added as so as to keep prevent water in the fabric from reaching the skin of someone wearing the fabric; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2C  is a close-up, cross sectional view of fabric that is smooth on the inside and has texture on the outside so as to increase the surface area available for evaporative cooling; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2D  is a close-up, cross sectional view of a fabric similar to the fabric of  FIG. 2C , but with indentations on the inside so as to maintain a uniform fabric thickness; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2E  is a close-up, cross sectional view of fabric that combines the features of  FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 2D ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2F  is a close up, cross sectional view of fabric similar to the fabric of  FIG. 2E , except that the inner layer fills the indentations in the inner surface of the outer layer; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2G  is a close-up, cross sectional view of fabric similar to the fabric of  FIG. 2F  except that an additional padding layer has been added to make the fabric more comfortable to wear; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2H  is a close-up, cross sectional view of fabric with particles embedded in the fabric that moderate the wetness of the fabric by absorbing excess water and releasing water when too little is present; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser using a stationary exercise device while wearing a shirt that concentrates perspiration in the chest area and is cooled by a fan; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser on a bicycle wearing both a shirt and shorts that include water concentrating areas, with the bicycle rider spraying water onto the shirt from a water bottle; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser on a bicycle wearing both a shirt and shorts that include water concentrating areas, with the bicycle rider spraying water onto the shorts from a water bottle; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser on a bicycle wearing a shirt that includes a water concentrating area and shorts that include water concentrating areas on the tops of the thighs, with water supplied by gravity to the shirt and shorts from a container of water carried on the bicycle rider&#39;s back; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4D  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser on a bicycle wearing a shirt that includes a water concentrating area on the back, with water pumped to the shirt from a container of water mounted to the frame of the bicycle; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4E  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser on a bicycle wearing both a shirt and shorts that include water concentrating areas, with water supplied to the shirt and shorts under air pressure from a container of water carried on the bicycle rider&#39;s back, a drinking port also being supplied with water by the container of water; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional side view of a water bottle that uses air compressed in a space above the water to push water onto the garment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional side view of a water bottle that uses air compressed in a bladder surrounding water to push water onto the garment of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5C  is a cross sectional drawing of the water bottle of  FIG. 5B  oriented at right angles to the drawing of  FIG. 4C ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a runner running while wearing the shirt of  FIG. 1A  as well as a hat with a water concentrating area on the forehead, the runner being illustrated as spraying water from a water bottle onto the shirt; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a runner running while wearing the shirt of  FIG. 1A , to which a visual indication has been added that encourages onlookers to spray water onto the water retaining area; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a worker painting the exterior of a house while wearing a shirt with a water absorbent area on the back, a source of water, and a hand pump for pumping water onto the shirt; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the worker of  FIG. 7A  wherein the hand pump is able to compress air into the source of water so as to force water onto the shirt; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the worker of  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  wherein the pump is activated automatically by movement of the painter&#39;s leg so as to pump compressed air into the source of water and force water onto the shirt; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a hiker wearing a shirt with a water concentration region that includes a pouch into which the hiker is preparing to insert a wet towel; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a tennis player wearing socks that include water retaining regions on the calf areas and water barriers that discourage water from flowing downward into the shoes worn by the tennis player; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10A  is a thermogram of the back of an individual, with the dark areas indicating the areas that radiate the greatest amount of heat; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 10B  is a shirt with a water retaining region on the back that is designed to approximate the region of greatest heat radiation revealed by the thermogram of  FIG. 10A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0049]    With reference to  FIG. 1A , the apparatus of the invention includes a garment, shown in  FIG. 1A  as a shirt  100 , the garment including a cooling region  102 , having a property intentionally chosen to optimize evaporative cooling in a corresponding region of a users body where cooling is desirable. In  FIG. 1A , the cooling region  102  is a region of high absorbency that retains water and inhibits it from flowing into lower regions of the shirt where the cooling benefits of the water would be minimal. In various embodiments, properties that enhance evaporative cooling include increased thickness, higher absorbency, greater surface area, fabric weave, imbedded water-absorbent polymer particles, and multiple layers. Water can be applied to the shirt by any convenient means, such as a spray bottle or hose, and/or it can be supplied by perspiration of a user. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a preferred embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , except that a water-repelling region  104  surrounds the cooling region. The water-repelling region  104  serves as a water barrier so as to further inhibit migration of water beyond the cooling region  102 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a preferred embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , except that the non-uniform area  102  includes a pouch  106  into which a water-retentive object  108  such as a sponge or a block of hydro-gel polymer can be inserted. The water-retentive object  108  serves to increase the water retaining capacity of the non-uniform region  102 , replenishing the region with water  110  as water evaporates. The water-retentive object  108  can be saturated with water  110  before being inserted in the pouch  106 , and/or it can absorb water  110  applied by some other means. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2H  illustrate fabric designs from various preferred embodiments that enhance evaporative cooling in areas of a user&#39;s body where cooling is desired.  FIG. 2A  presents a close-up view of the water-absorbent fabric  102  used to absorb and concentrate water in the shirt of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2B  illustrates similar fabric  102  to which an inner, waterproof, thermally conducting layer  104  has been added to inhibit water from reaching a user&#39;s skin. In  FIG. 2C  the inward-facing surface of the fabric  102  is smooth while texture  202  is included on the outward-facing surface of the fabric  102 , so as to increase the area of exposure to the air, consequently increasing the rate of evaporative cooling.  FIG. 2D  is similar to  FIG. 2C , except that the fabric retains a uniform thickness, thereby forming pockets  203  on the inward-facing surface. The fabric illustrated in  FIG. 2E  combines the features of  FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 2D , while the fabric illustrated in  FIG. 2F  is similar to  FIG. 2E  except that the inner layer fills in the pockets  205  of the outer layer  102 .  FIG. 2G  illustrates an embodiment similar to  FIG. 2F  in which an innermost padding layer has been added to enhance the comfort of a user. And  FIG. 2H  illustrates a fabric similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , except that water absorbent particles  208  are embedded in the fabric  102 . The water absorbent particles  208 , which in preferred embodiments are gel polymers, moderate the degree of wetness of the fabric  102  by absorbing water when too much water is applied, and releasing water when too little water is present. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing showing an exerciser  300  using a stationary exercise device  302  while wearing the shirt  100  of  FIG. 1A . Water is supplied to the shirt  100  by any convenient means, such as spraying it on from a spray bottle. So as to further increase the cooling effect, a fan  304  is used to blow air onto the shirt and increase the rate of evaporative cooling. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are perspective drawings of a bicycle rider  400  riding a bicycle  402  while wearing a shirt  100  similar to the shirt of  FIG. 1A , including a non-uniform area  102  on the front of the shirt that retains and concentrates water for enhanced cooling. The bicycle rider  400  is also wearing shorts  404  that include non-uniform areas  406  surrounding the upper legs that retain and concentrate water so as to further cool the bicycle rider  400 . A flow of air resulting from movement of the bicycle  402  enhances the evaporative cooling of the shirt  100  and shorts  404 . In  FIG. 4A , the bicycle rider  400  is supplying water  408  to the shirt  100  by spraying the water  408  onto the shirt  100  from a water bottle  410 . In  FIG. 4B  the bicycle rider is supplying water in the same manner to the shorts. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective drawing of a bicycle rider  400  similar to the bicycle rider  400  of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 4B , except that water is supplied through a hose  412  to the non-uniform area  102  on the shirt  100  from a water bottle  414  carried on the back of the bicycle rider  400 . Similarly, water is supplied from the water bottle  414  through the hose  412  to non-uniform, water-retaining areas  406  that cover just the fronts of the bicycle rider&#39;s thighs, thereby enhancing the athletic performance of the bicycle rider  400  by cooling the muscles that are working the hardest, while at the same time keeping the remainder of the bicycle rider&#39;s shorts dry for maximum comfort. 
         [0056]      FIG. 4D  is similar to  FIG. 4C , except that only the shirt includes a non-uniform area  102 , and the non-uniform area  102  is on the back of the shirt  100 . In addition, the water bottle  414  is mounted to the frame of the bicycle  402 , rather than being carried on the back of the bicycle rider  400 . In this embodiment, the bicycle rider  400  can control the amount of water delivered to the shirt  100  by pressing on a water pump handle (not shown) conveniently positioned on the handlebars of the bicycle  402 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4E  is similar to  FIG. 4D , except that the bicycle rider is also wearing the shorts  404  of  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , and the non-uniform areas  102 ,  406  of the shirt  100  and shorts  404  are supplied with water through a set of hoses  412  from a water bottle  414  attached horizontally to the back of the bicycle rider  400 . The water bottle  414  in  FIG. 4E  contains pressurized air that forces the water onto the shirt  100  and the shorts  404 . Water from the water bottle  414  is also supplied to a drinking port  416  located near the mouth of the bicycle rider  400 , allowing the water to be used for drinking as well as cooling. In addition, the bicycle rider can pressurize the air in the water bottle  414  by blowing into the drinking port  416 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 5A  presents a cross sectional diagram of a water bottle  500  that can be used in preferred embodiments as a source of water for the garment of the invention. Water  502  can be contained in the bottle  500  and dispensed through a fitting  504  mounted at one end of the bottle  500 . The water  502  flows to the fitting  504  through a tube  506  that draws the water  502  from the bottom of the bottle  500 . An air space  508  located above the water  502  can be filled with pressurized air using an air fitting  510 , thereby causing the water  502  to flow onto the garment under pressure. The embodiment of  FIG. 5A  is appropriate for circumstances wherein the bottle  500  will be maintained in a substantially upright orientation, as shown for example in  FIG. 4C . 
         [0059]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a water bottle  500  used in embodiments where the orientation of the bottle  500  will not necessarily be vertical, for example as shown in  FIG. 4E . In  FIG. 5B , compressed air  508  is separated from the water  502  by a flexible membrane  512  that allows the air  508  to apply pressure to the water  502 , but prevents the air  508  from being accidentally drawn out of the bottle  500  instead of the water  502 . The central tube  506  in this embodiment includes holes  514  that allow water to enter the tube  506  at a plurality of locations along its length, thereby preventing any blockage of water flow as the membrane  512  collapses inward.  FIG. 5C  presents a cross section of the water bottle of  FIG. 5B . 
         [0060]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective drawing of a runner  600  running while wearing the shirt  100  of  FIG. 1A , including a water concentrating region  102  on the front of the shirt. The runner is also wearing a hat  602  with a non-uniform region  604  that enhances cooling of the runner&#39;s forehead. The runner  600  is shown spraying water  408  onto the non-uniform area  102  of the shirt  100  from a water bottle  410 . Water can be applied to the water concentrating region of the hat  604  in a similar manner. 
         [0061]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , except that the runner  600  is not wearing a hat ( 602  of  FIG. 6A ), and a visible text illustration  606  is included on the non-uniform region  102  of the shirt  100  so as to encourage bystanders to spray water  408  onto the indicated region  102  of the shirt  100  as the runner  600  passes by. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7A  illustrates use of the present invention to cool a worker performing outdoor work that could otherwise lead to overheating. In  FIG. 7A , a house painter  700  is painting the exterior of a house on a warm day while standing in direct sunlight. He is wearing a shirt  702  that includes a non-uniform region  704  on the back that retains water for maximum evaporative cooling in that region. Water is pushed to the non-uniform region  704  through a hose  706  by a hand pump  708  so as to keep the non-uniform region  704  wet. A bottle  708  strapped to the painter&#39;s waist supplies water. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 7A , except that the water bottle  710  contains pressurized air that forces water onto the non-uniform region  704  of the shirt  702 . The painter  700  uses a squeezable pump  708  to maintain the pressure of the air inside of the water bottle  710 . In this embodiment, water is supplied continuously to the shirt  702  by the pressurized air, thereby maintaining continuous cooling of the painter  700  while requiring the painter  700  to operate the pump  708  only occasionally so as to maintain pressure in the water bottle  710 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 7B , except that the air in the water bottle  710  is automatically pressurized by a pump  712  attached to the leg of the house painter  700 , such that the pump  712  is actuated automatically by the natural movements of the house painter  700 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 8  is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment in which a hiker  800  is hiking while wearing a shirt  802  that includes non-uniform areas on the shoulders  804  and collar  806 . The hiker  800  has soaked towels in a local source of water, and has inserted them into pouches  106  also located on the shoulders, so as to serve as a supply of water for evaporative cooling of the non-uniform region  102  on the shoulders of the shirt  802 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 9  is a perspective drawing of a tennis player  900  wearing socks  902  that include water retaining regions  904  that enhance cooling of the calves of the tennis player  900 . The socks  902  also include water-repellant barriers  906  that inhibit water from flowing from the water retaining regions  904  into the shoes  908  worn by the tennis player  900 . 
         [0067]    In preferred embodiments, it is desirable to locate regions of enhanced cooling in areas of the garment that will be in contact with areas of a user&#39;s body that emit the greatest amount of heat. One approach to determining these areas is to measure them using a thermogram.  FIG. 10A  illustrates a thermogram  1000  obtained from the back of an individual that indicates the relative amounts of heat emitted from different regions of the individual&#39;s back. The darkest areas  1002  indicate areas of greatest heat emission.  FIG. 10B  illustrates a shirt  1004  in a preferred embodiment where the non-uniform region  1006  has been shaped and located according to the information obtained from the thermogram  1000 . 
         [0068]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.