Abstract:
A combination body cooler and bottle holder for a person&#39;s neck includes: a band adapted to wrap around an upper portion of the person&#39;s body, the band having a first end and a second end; a means for removably attaching and securing the first end of the band to the second end of the band so that the device is retained around the upper portion; and a holder secured to the band, adapted to carry the bottle horizontally so that the bottle is held adjacent to a back of the neck.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/234,787, filed Aug. 18, 2009, titled “Combination body cooler and bottle holder for a person&#39;s neck”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a body cooling device and, more specifically, to a combination body cooler and bottle holder. 
         [0004]    2. The Prior Art 
         [0005]    Hyperthermia is a situation in which the actual body temperature is higher than the body&#39;s “basal metabolism”, which is when the body is at idle. It can occur as a response to heat exposure if the body cannot get rid of the heat that it is absorbing from the environment as well as the heat it produces itself. The body attempts to return its temperature to the “basal metabolism” set point. There are several health problems that can develop if the body is not able to deal effectively with hyperthermia. For example, an extended elevated body temperature will eventually result in tissue damage; people that experience heat stress also develop aggressive behavior; recklessness is another symptom that develops; and performance also slows down. The body begins to compensate for its immediate problem of too much heat when the brain receives the heated blood. As body temperature rises, the brain sends out instructions to decrease the muscle tone. Individuals may feel tired and listless, and not able to work as well. Not only does production suffer as a result, but also the individual feels more of the burden of work. It becomes increasingly harder to perform their regular tasks. 
         [0006]    The health problems that result from heat stress can be serious. They include heat stroke, which is, by far, the most serious. 1700 people in the U.S. died of heat-related causes during one year. The mortality rate where individuals do not know how to handle this medical emergency can be upwards of 50%. Some other health problems are: heat syncope, which is fainting from exposure to heat. Another is heat edema, which usually happens a day or two after the individual enters into a hot environment. Heat edema is the result of the body not able to dump the salt and water it is ingesting, and usually shows up as ankle swelling; another major health problem is heat exhaustion. In this case there is no sensation of thirst—usually because they have been drinking water already, but not enough. The person exhibits headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and anxiety. 
         [0007]    As noted above, extreme heat affects the brain. Numerous solutions to overheating the human body have been developed over the ages. Many utilize evaporative cooling. Others utilize ice or cold liquids. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This patent discloses and claims a useful, novel, and unobvious invention for a combination body cooler and bottle holder in the over-the-counter medical device field. 
         [0009]    A combination body cooler and bottle holder for a person&#39;s neck includes: a band adapted to wrap around an upper portion of the person&#39;s body, and a holder secured to the band, adapted to carry the bottle horizontally so that the bottle is held adjacent to a back of the neck. In one embodiment, the band has a first end and a second end, each end having a means for removably attaching and securing the two ends of the band together. In another embodiment, the band is continuous. 
         [0010]    A bottle containing cold, even frozen, liquids is held in a bottle holder or carrier that can be worn around a person&#39;s neck or head. The cold bottle cools the person through contact with the holder or carrier. Then, if the person is also thirsty, that person can also remove the bottle from the carrier and drink out of it. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in use; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  in the fastened position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrated in the open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-3  in the fastened position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-4  in the fastened position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-5  in the open position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Being outdoors, whether it be for walking a dog, gardening, or other outdoor activities in extreme heat (i.e. &gt;98° F.) can be nearly intolerable. An embodiment of the present invention is a hands-free device that keeps the body cool with the combination of a frozen bottle of water (e.g. 0.5 L), by securing the frozen bottle at the neck or around the head of a user. The frozen water melts while the person is out in extreme heat, and the wearer is also able to hydrate from the bottle of water in the holder. 
         [0020]    Bottle holders available today are typically meant to be worn at the waist, or other body part, but not the neck or around the head. Also, these bottle holders do not offer any “cooling” element. 
         [0021]    One embodiment of the present invention relates to a combination body cooler and bottle holder for the neck. In one embodiment, the first element of the device is the neck band or neck wrap. The neck band is made of fabric and secured at the neck using fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners or the like. In another embodiment, the band is continuous. The band may be available in different sizes depending on the size of the wearer. For example, where multiple sizes are provided, the medium size may be about 20 inches in length, and about 4 inches in width in the widest portion which sits at the back of the neck. This neck band then tapers down to about 1.25 inches in the front where it is fastened with the hook and loop tape. In alternative embodiments, the band may be worn around the head of the wearer. 
         [0022]    A second element of the device is a bottle holder or carrier portion which is permanently secured to the neck or head band. The bottle holder may also be made of the same fabric, but preferably with elastic on both sides of the holder so that a bottle of water can be held in a horizontal position on the neck band. The width of the bottle holder may be about 4 inches and the inside diameter of the holder may be about 2.5 inches. These sizes are exemplary only and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other sizes are also within the scope of the present invention. The elastic on both sides may be utilized to secure a water bottle in place. In an alternative embodiment, one end of the carrier is open, and the second end is closed, allowing insertion and removal of a bottle from only one end. Additionally, the bottle may have other dimensions, and if it does, the dimensions of the holder or carrier are correspondingly different. 
         [0023]    This embodiment includes both elements (neck band and bottle holder), which are to provide a hands-free device. In alternate embodiments a bottle of cold but not frozen water, or other cold beverages of similar size may be used. 
         [0024]    One embodiment includes the neck band to secure the bottle holder to the neck without requiring the user to hold the bottle with his or her hands. According to a non-limiting example, standard half liter bottle of water can be frozen and placed in the bottle holder, and this combination provides a cooling effect. 
         [0025]    One exemplary embodiment of the device is secured by hook and loop fastener at the front of the neck and the bottle holder portion is stationary at the back of the neck. Other methods of securing the two ends of the band together will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art and are also within the scope of the present invention. Also, in other embodiments, the band is a continuous loop. When this device is worn with a frozen half liter bottle of water, it allows the wearer to tolerate extreme heat for a longer period of time than without the device. This length of time depends on the activity the wearer is engaged in as well as the temperature and humidity of the environment. One might rollerblade for an hour and a half with one frozen half litter bottle of water in an ambient temperature of 108° Fahrenheit. 
         [0026]    To make this embodiment of the present invention using fabric, the device can be sewn to the desired shape. In embodiments, the width of the bottle holder portion can be altered for different size necks. The device can be made from an array of different fabrics, and the fastening device can also be made from many different options (i.e. snaps, buttons, etc). In one embodiment, the band portion is constructed of breathable material. In one embodiment, the bottle holder is at least partially constructed from a wicking material. Different sizes of bands and different bottle sizes are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, a custom made rigid or soft walled container could be used in place of a generic water bottle. Such a bottle could be contoured to match the curvature of the neck for added comfort and maximum cooling effect. Also, the neck band/neck wrap may be redesigned in a more fashionable sense to simulate a bandana or neckerchief. 
         [0028]    To use an embodiment of the invention, a person can place a pre-frozen or pre-chilled bottle in the bottle holder prior to donning the device. Then the person may position the bottle holder so that the bottle is at the back of the neck, and the neck band is secured with a fastening system such as hook and loop fasteners at the front of the neck. It should preferably be secure enough that the water bottle does not pull at the front of the neck, but loose enough to feel comfortable (i.e. like a properly worn neck tie). Alternately, a person can fasten the device to the neck prior to inserting a water bottle in the fashion described above, and place the water bottle into the holder once the neck band is in place and secured. Tension and comfort can be adjusted easily with the Velcro closure. 
         [0029]    Embodiments of this device can also be worn on other body parts, and in particular, body parts that have a similar diameter as the neck (i.e. thigh, arm). In additional embodiments, the device is designed to be worn around the head. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in use. A user  20  wears the system around his neck. The device  10  comprises a neck band  12  that has a bottle holder with elastic ends  16  attached to the middle. Inserted into the bottle holder  16  is a bottle  18  typically containing a frozen liquid, such as ice, or alternatively a cold liquid. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  in the fastened position. This view is shown without the wearer  20  of the device  10 . The neck band  12  has a bottle holder with elastic ends  16  to the middle. A bottle  18  is shown inserted into the bottle holder  16 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrated in the open position. The neck band  12  is shown extended, showing two ends. Fastening means, for example, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® are attached to both ends of the neck band  12  in order to close the neck band  12 . The hook and loop fastener on one end of the neck band  12  will typically contain hooks, and the opposite side of the opposite end of the neck band  12  will typically contain the loop portion of the hook and loop fasteners  14 . On one side, attached in the middle, is the bottle holder  16  with elastic ends on both ends. A bottle  18  is shown separately, but with a dotted line showing where it can be inserted into the bottle holder  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the bottle is constructed of a plastic that be repeatedly frozen while containing fluids. Some examples of bottles that may be utilized in such a manner are constructed of plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene high-density (PEHD), or polycarbonate resin thermoplastic such as Lexan®. One well known line of such bottles are Nalgene® bottles. If it is not required to freeze the bottle while containing liquids, such as water, non-plastic bottles, such as constructed from a metal such as aluminum may also be utilized. Other types of bottles are also within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-3  in the fastened position. A neck band  12  forms a circle that can be fastened around a user&#39;s  20  neck when attached by closing the two fasteners  14  on either end of the neck band together. Attached to the middle of the neck band  12  is the bottle holder  16  with elastic ends designed to accept a bottle  18  inserted and carried horizontally. The bottle  18  is shown inserted into the neck band  12 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-4  in the fastened position. This view shows the horizontal insertion of the bottle  18  into the bottle holder  16 . Also shown is that the neck band  12  may taper inwards somewhat between the bottle holder  16  and the ends that connect together with fasteners  14 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-5  in the open position. In this illustration, the neck band  12  is shown fully open from the back. Attached to each end of the neck band  12  are fasteners  14  attached to each end of the neck band  12 . The bottle holder  16  and bottle  18  are shown in dotted lines to indicate that this view is of the back of the neck band  12 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention in use. A user  20  wears the system around his head, in this embodiment, around the front of the forehead and to the back of the neck, somewhat like a sweatband. The apparatus comprises a head band  22  that has a bottle holder with elastic ends  16  attached to the middle. Inserted into the bottle holder  16  is a bottle  18  typically containing a frozen liquid, such as ice, or alternatively a cold liquid. This method of wear allows the wearer to keep their hair back similar to a headband. This method of wear also tends to cover the ear and can act as an earmuff in colder settings if used as a simple bottle holder. In such a usage, the wearer may fill the bottle with a warmer liquid to help him keep warm. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention in use. A user  20  wears the system around his head, in this embodiment, around the top of the head (coronally) and to the back of the neck. The apparatus comprises a head band  24  that has a bottle holder with elastic ends  16  attached to the middle. Inserted into the bottle holder  16  is a bottle  18  typically containing a frozen liquid, such as ice, or alternatively a cold liquid. This method of wear allows the wearer to have a more fashionable appearance than in the previous embodiments, as it allows some hair to be worn in front of the band. Again, this embodiment may tend to cover the ear which has the benefits as described in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0038]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention encompass all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.