Patent Publication Number: US-2012031582-A1

Title: Personal Cooling Device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and device for cooling the groin area of a human. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For many people, excessive sweating in the groin area is a serious problem. While it is possible to control perspiration to some degree by wearing loose clothes and frequent showering, the only practical solution for many is to actually cool the groin area. But cooling the groin can be awkward when the person is in a public setting, such as an office. Although it is common to see office workers using fans at their desks or cubicles, such fans are typically not directed toward the groin; to do so would cause embarrassment. Furthermore, such fans are not suitable for placement under the clothes. 
     Additionally, many users of laptop computers experience discomfort from heat emitted from these devices. According to one study, the combination of the heat generated by the laptop and the position of the thighs can lead to higher scrotal temperatures, which can result in decreased sperm production. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A personal cooling device cools the groin area by moving relatively cooler air to this part of the body. The personal cooling device is designed to be placed in close proximity with the user&#39;s groin, preferably, worn under the clothes. The device includes a housing including an air inflow opening, an air outflow opening, an interior chamber, and an air movement component within the interior chamber that moves air flowing into the air inflow opening through the interior chamber and outwardly from the air outflow opening toward the groin area. Preferably, the air movement component includes an electric fan. Preferably, the outer surfaces of the housing are smooth for comfort, and a tapered V-shaped portion is provided to facilitate placement in the user&#39;s groin (between the user&#39;s legs). Preferably, the air outflow opening includes a plurality of accordion slots that provide wide air dispersal for more effective cooling. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a personal cooling device in operation, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a close-up perspective view of the personal cooling device; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the personal cooling device; 
         FIG. 4  shows an electrical diagram of the air movement component of the personal cooling device; 
         FIG. 5  shows air flow of the personal cooling device; 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of the personal cooling device; and 
         FIG. 7  shows the personal cooling device connected to a USB port of a computer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a personal cooling device  100  is placed adjacent to the user&#39;s groin, preferably atop or under an undergarment  120 . As will be described in greater detail, when the personal cooling device  100  is placed in this manner, relatively cooler air is directed to the user&#39;s groin area (as indicated by the air flow arrows), thereby causing the groin area to be perceptively cooled. 
       FIG. 2  shows a close-up perspective view of the personal cooling device  100 . As illustrated, the personal cooling device  100  includes a top housing  160  and a bottom housing  165  which are joined together during assembly, preferably by friction fitting interlocking pieces; a tapered V-shaped portion  120  provided to facilitate placement in the user&#39;s groin (between the user&#39;s legs); and a switch  125 . As shown, the outer surfaces of the housing are smooth for user comfort. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device measures between about 4 to 6 inches in width and about 3 to 5 inches in length. Preferably, the housing is constructed of a durable plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or Proprietary Closed Cell Resin (PCCR) material which is antimicrobial and odor-resistant, and the top housing  160  and the bottom housing  165  are formed separately using an injection molding process. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the personal cooling device  100 . For illustrative purposes, the top housing  160  and the bottom housing  165  are shown separated, exposing the internal components of the personal cooling device  100 . In particular, the internal components include a power source  162 , an electric fan  164 , and the switch  125 , as shown (hereinafter referred to collectively as the air movement component  150 ). Also shown are an air inflow opening  140  for receiving ambient air and an air outflow opening  145  for blowing the air toward the user&#39;s groin area. Preferably, the outflow opening  145  includes a plurality of accordion slots to allow for wide dispersal of the air from the air outflow opening  145 , as shown. 
       FIG. 4  shows an electrical diagram of the air movement component  150  of the personal cooling device  100 . As illustrated, the power source  162  is electrically connected to (and powers) the electric fan  164 . The switch  125  is disposed on the negative wiring between the power source  162  and the electric fan  164 . Preferably, the power source  162  includes a plurality of direct current (DC) batteries (e.g., 1.5 V alkaline or 1.2 V NiCad or NiMH “AA” batteries), as required to adequately power the electric fan  164 . Alternatively, or in addition, the power source  162  can include electrical attachment to a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computer system (such as a laptop computer). In this case, the electrical current would be supplied by the computer system using pin 1 (+5V) and pin 4 (ground). 
     Although the electrical diagram illustrates a simple “on/off” switch  125 , it is to be understood that the device could also include a variable speed control device to allow selection of a particular motor speed (e.g., “low”, “medium”, “high”). 
       FIG. 5  shows the air flow characteristics of the personal cooling device  100 . As illustrated, ambient air is drawn into the air inflow opening  140  and the air movement component  150  directs the air outwardly from the air outflow opening  145  toward the groin area. As shown, the air inflow opening  140  is situated on a first side (top) of the device housing and air entering through the air inflow opening  140  is blown by the air movement component  150  through an L-shaped interior chamber and out the air outflow opening  145  formed in a second side (front) of the device housing. 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of the personal cooling device  100 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the personal cooling device  100  connected to a computer system  300  using a USB cable  190 . Preferably, a USB Type A plug is attached to the computer system  300  and a USB Type B plug is attached to the personal cooling device  100 . By providing this means for powering the device, a user needn&#39;t worry about running out of batteries. Furthermore, users of laptop computers can use the device to avoid excessive heat generated from their laptops and will find that it is convenient to use the USB power source. 
     Although the preferred embodiment described above utilizes an electric fan to move relatively cool ambient air to a relatively hotter body region, it is to be appreciated that cooling could be accomplished using other techniques, such as, for example, using a Peltier (thermoelectric) cooler. Additionally, it is to be understood that the particular design shown in the drawings is provided for illustrative purposes. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary 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.