Abstract:
A cooling apparatus is disclosed, and includes a body and a plurality of couplings spaced along the body. The body is formed of a flexible and absorbent polymer material, and is configured to absorb fluid. The plurality of couplings is spaced along the body of the cooling apparatus. A first set of couplings of the plurality of couplings is configured to releasably couple with a second set of couplings of the plurality of couplings.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    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 relief to a user, and in embodiments, to a wearable apparatus for providing cooling, sweat absorption, and/or otherwise providing comfort and/or relief for a user. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Cooling apparatuses are designed to provide cooling by facilitating heat transfer from a target object and/or surrounding environment, such as a user&#39;s body, articles of clothing and/or equipment worn by the user, and/or surrounding air. 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. 
         [0003]    During the course of such activities in which cooling apparatuses are used, users may have one or more portions of his or her body covered, for example, by clothing or equipment such as hard hats, helmets, caps, or other headgear. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cooling relief to a user by facilitating heat transfer from the body of the user. In embodiments, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cooling relief that is configured to be disposed on, along, and/or about an article of clothing or equipment worn by a user. 
         [0005]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a cooling apparatus is disclosed, and comprises a body and a plurality of couplings spaced along the body. The body is formed of a flexible and absorbent polymer material, and is configured to absorb fluid. The plurality of couplings is spaced along the body of the cooling apparatus. A first set of couplings of the plurality of couplings is configured to releasably couple with a second set of couplings of the plurality of couplings. 
         [0006]    In embodiments, the absorbent polymer material is a hydrogel. 
         [0007]    In embodiments, the absorbent polymer material is at least partially water-soluble. 
         [0008]    In embodiments, the absorbent polymer material is polyvinyl alcohol. 
         [0009]    In embodiments, the absorbent polymer material comprises a blend of absorbent fibers. 
         [0010]    In embodiments, the blend of absorbent fibers includes polyvinyl alcohol and at least one other absorbent fiber. 
         [0011]    In embodiments, the at least one other absorbent fiber is selected from the group consisting of: acetate, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene. 
         [0012]    In embodiments, the body of the cooling apparatus is formed of a plurality of polymer chains that are configured to cross-link in the presence of fluid. 
         [0013]    In embodiments, the body of the cooling apparatus is configured to absorb a quantity of fluid greater than ten times than a weight of the body of the cooling apparatus. 
         [0014]    In embodiments, the body of the cooling apparatus has a planar configuration. 
         [0015]    In embodiments, the body of the cooling apparatus has a rectangular configuration. 
         [0016]    In embodiments, the body of the cooling apparatus includes an extent extending outwardly therefrom along a plane defined by the body of the cooling apparatus. 
         [0017]    In embodiments, the extent is semicircular. 
         [0018]    In embodiments, the couplings of the plurality of couplings are snaps. 
         [0019]    In embodiments, the first set of couplings of the plurality of couplings includes a protrusion extending therefrom. 
         [0020]    In embodiments, the second set of couplings of the plurality of couplings includes a recess configured to releasably receive the protrusion of the respective couplings of the first set of couplings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    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: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a cooling apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the cooling apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the cooling apparatus of  FIG. 1  being exposed to fluid; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a first sequential cross-sectional view taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 3A  as the cooling apparatus is exposed to fluid; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a second sequential cross-sectional view taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 3A  as the cooling apparatus is exposed to fluid; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  is a first sequential perspective view of the cooling apparatus of  FIG. 1  being coupled with a head-mounted accessory; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  is a second sequential perspective view of the cooling apparatus of  FIG. 1  being coupled with a head-mounted accessory; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 4C  is a third sequential perspective view of the cooling apparatus of  FIG. 1  being coupled with a head-mounted accessory. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the words “may” and “can” are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a top perspective view of a cooling apparatus is generally designated as  100 . Cooling apparatus  100  is formed of a body  110  and has an outer periphery  112  that extends along the boundary of the overall shape of the cooling apparatus  100 . In embodiments, a seam or a series of stitches may extend along outer periphery  112  and may form attachment points, for example, for multiple layers or sheets that overlie each other to form the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100 . A semicircular extent  114  or protrusion may extend outwardly in the plane of the body  110 , as shown. While the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  is illustrated as having a generally rectangular, planar configuration with the semicircular protrusion  114 , in embodiments, body  110  may have other desired shapes and/or configurations, for example, circular, ovular, or square, to name a few. In embodiments, the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  can include any number of extents, or may be devoid of any extents. In embodiments, body  110  may include a non-semicircular protrusion. 
         [0032]    In embodiments, the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  may have a generally rectangular shape with a length between about 8 inches and 12 inches, for example, 8 inches, 9 inches, 10 inches, 11 inches, or 12, inches, to name a few, and a width of between about 2 inches and 6 inches, for example, 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, 5 inches, or 6 inches, to name a few. In such embodiments, the semicircular extent  114  may extend away from the body  110  with a radius of between about 1 inch and 3 inches, for example, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 2.5 inches. or 3 inches, to name a few. In embodiments, the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  may have different dimensions. 
         [0033]    Body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  has a generally flexible configuration so that the body  110  can be, for example, folded, curved, and/or twisted depending on a desired use. Accordingly, body  110  may be configured to be disposed around another structure, for example, a portion of a user&#39;s body or an article of clothing, accessory, and/or equipment disposed on a portion of the user&#39;s body, as described herein. 
         [0034]    Accordingly, cooling apparatus  100  may include one or more couplings such that the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  can be affixed to, on, and/or around another object, as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  includes one or more engaging snaps  116  that correspond to one or more receiving snaps  118  disposed on the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100 . Engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  may be disposed on diametrically opposed edges of the body  110  of cooling apparatus  110 . While cooling apparatus  100  is illustrated having four engaging snaps  116  and four receiving snaps  118 , in embodiments, cooling apparatus  100  may include different numbers, for example, three, four, five, or six, of engaging snaps  116  and/or receiving snaps  118 . 
         [0035]    Each engaging snap  116  may include a protrusion  117  that can pressibly fit within a corresponding recess  119  formed within each receiving snap  118  so that, upon compression with one another, engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  become releasably coupled to one another. Engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  may be disposed on or through the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  in any suitable manner, for example, engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  may be disposed through holes or apertures formed within the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100 . In embodiments, engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  may be coupled with cooling apparatus  100  in another suitable manner, for example, through adhesives or ultrasonic welding. As shown, a surface of engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  e.g., opposite the respective protrusions  117  and recesses  119 , may be substantially devoid of engaging features, and may have a smooth or matte texture. In embodiments, opposing sides of engaging snaps  116  and/or receiving snaps  118  may include respective protrusions  117  and recesses  119 . 
         [0036]    In embodiments, cooling apparatus  100  may include snaps that are undifferentiated and configured for coupling with one another. In embodiments, the body  110  of cooling apparatus  110  may include an equal number of engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118 , or may include different numbers of engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  so that an excess number of engaging snaps  116  and/or receiving snaps  118  is provided, for example, so that a variety of combinations and arrangements for coupling respective engaging snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  is possible. 
         [0037]    It will be understood that, in embodiments, cooling apparatus  100  may include different types of couplings, for example, buttons, tabs and slots, zippers, and/or hook-and-loop type fasteners, to name a few. 
         [0038]    Body  110  is formed of a material that is configured to readily absorb fluids upon contact, e.g., body  110  is formed of a material that includes a series of pores within which fluids such as water or sweat readily migrate and/or the material is configured to bond with fluids upon contact. Accordingly, body  110  may be formed of one or more flexible and absorbent materials, for example, polymeric material such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In embodiments, body  110  may be formed of a material that is at least partially water-soluble. In embodiments, body  110  may be formed of a blend of materials, for example, a plurality of PVA fibers with a matrix of other absorbent fibers, for example, acetate, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and/or polyethylene, to name a few. 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , use and operation of cooling apparatus  100  will be described in detail. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a quantity of fluid F being brought into contact with cooling apparatus  100 . While fluid F is shown being a liquid poured onto cooling apparatus  100 , it will be understood that fluid F may include liquids and/or gases, and that a variety of methods of bringing fluid F into contact with cooling apparatus  100  may be used, for example, steaming or other vapor deposition, dipping, soaking, and/or spraying, to name a few. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 3B and 3C , a cross-section of the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  is shown along line  3 - 3  ( FIG. 3A ). As fluid F is brought into contact with the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100 , body  110  contacts and draws fluid F into the interior of body  110 , for example, through hydrogen bonding of portions of the body  110  with fluid F. In embodiments, body  110  may define a plurality of pores therein configured to accommodate quantities of fluid F. The body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  may develop a gel-like feel due to cross-linking of constituent polymer chains in the presence of fluid F. 
         [0042]    In this regard, the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  may be configured to absorb a quantity of fluid F in excess of the weight of body  110 . In embodiments, body  110  of cooling apparatus may be configured to absorb a quantity of fluid F in excess of ten times the weight of body  110 , for example, 11 times the weight of body  110 , 12 times the weight of body  110 , or 13 times the weight of body  110 , to name a few. As the fluid retention capacity of body  110  may be greater than desired by a user, e.g., body  110  may absorb and retain fluid F of a quantity sufficient to saturate body  110  with fluid F such that body  110  becomes excessively weighted and/or wet to the touch, a user may optionally eject fluid F from the cooling apparatus by exerting a compressive force on one or more portions of body  110 , e.g., by wringing or squeezing the cooling apparatus  100 . In embodiments, a user may desire to reduce the volume of fluid retained by body  110  such that additional fluid retention capacity is available to absorb further quantities of fluid. 
         [0043]    Turning to  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B , and  FIG. 4C , a method of using cooling apparatus  100  is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As described, above cooling apparatus  100  may be folded and disposed about an article of clothing or piece of equipment worn by a user. As shown, cooling apparatus  100  may be folded about a strap S extending along an interior portion of a piece of headgear H. The piece of headgear H may be, for example, a cap, hood, hard hat, or helmet. Accordingly, strap S may be part of a harness, netting, or other internal structure disposed within the head-engaging portion of the piece of headgear H. 
         [0044]    As shown, cooling apparatus  100  may be folded about the strap S and the respective engagement snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  ( FIG. 2 ) coupled with one another such that the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100 , in a folded configuration, extends circumferentially along a portion of the strap S. Cooling apparatus  100 , in the folded configuration shown best in  FIG. 4B , may be disposed such that a portion of the strap S extends through the folded cooling apparatus  100  like a belt loop. As described above, the engagement snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118  may be offset a lateral distance, such that upon securing of the engagement snaps  116  and receiving snaps  118 , the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  is caused to have a curved configuration. 
         [0045]    In this regard, the cooling apparatus  100  may extend along a portion of the strap S within the piece of headgear H in a manner such that the cooling apparatus  100  is disposed to circumferentially engage a user&#39;s head when the piece of headgear H is worn by the user. 
         [0046]    With specific reference to  FIG. 4C , the semicircular extent  114  of cooling apparatus  100  may protrude outwardly from the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100 . Accordingly, and as shown, the semicircular extent  114  can be folded, curled, and/or creased and inserted, packed, and/or stuffed between the piece of headgear H and a head of a user such that an additional layer of cooling apparatus  100  is provided, for example, for comfort or padding, to minimize movement between the piece of headgear H and a user&#39;s head, and/or to provide additional material for cooling relief for a user. In embodiments, the semicircular extent  114  may be left extending away from the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  to extend along another portion of a user&#39;s body, for example, a user&#39;s forehead or down a user&#39;s neck, to name a few. 
         [0047]    In this regard, cooling apparatus  100  is configured to provide cooling relief to a user along a portion of an article of equipment and/or clothing worn by a user. Cooling apparatus  100  is configured to provide cooling relief through contact of fluids F ( FIG. 3A ) retained within the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  and/or through evaporative cooling of the fluid F over time. 
         [0048]    In embodiments, cooling apparatus  100  may be coupled with the piece of headgear H as described above in a wetted, e.g., containing fluid F, condition or an unwetted condition in which the cooling apparatus  100  is substantially devoid of fluid F. Cooling apparatus  100  may be coupled with the piece of headgear H in an unwetted condition, for example, so that cooling apparatus  100  is disposed to absorb and/or retain fluids generated by the user, for example, perspiration and/or fluids disposed within the environment surrounding the user. 
         [0049]    In embodiments, the body  110  of cooling apparatus  100  can be dimensioned to be disposed about another piece of equipment or clothing by a user, or about a body portion of a user. 
         [0050]    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.