Patent Publication Number: US-2011048035-A1

Title: Animal cooling apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
     This application relates generally to the field of cold therapy treatment and more particularly to cold therapy treatment for animals. 
     SUMMARY  
     Animals are frequently exposed to extended periods of time in the sun and/or extended periods of work or sport. In addition, animals are frequently transported in trailers, or the like, which are not air conditioned. These conditions often lead to the animal becoming extremely hot. Extended periods of time at such elevated temperatures may lead to substantial health problems for the animal, including, but not limited to, heat stroke and even death. One common means for cooling an animal involves spraying the animal down with water from a hose which may not be efficient in terms of either time or cooling effect. Therefore, there exists a significant need for an apparatus for cooling an animal which is efficient and easy to use. 
     In particular, this application discloses a cooling apparatus comprising: a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal, the neck portion including: an upper end; a lower end; a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion; a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion; a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant; and a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal, the poll cap including a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant. 
     This application also discloses a cooling apparatus comprising: a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal, the neck portion including: an upper end; a lower end; a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion; a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion; a first pocket containing a refrigerant; and a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal, the poll cap including a second pocket containing a refrigerant. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a cooling apparatus; and 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of the cooling apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout and wherein a cooling apparatus  100  is shown. The apparatus  100  generally includes a neck portion  102  and a poll cap portion  104 . The neck portion  102  may include an upper end  106 , a lower end  108 , a first edge  110  extending between the ends  106 ,  108  and a second edge  112  extending between the ends  106 ,  108 . A securing mechanism may be coupled to one or both of the edges  110 ,  112 . The securing mechanism may be configured to releasably secure the first edge  110  to the second edge  112  such that the neck portion  102  may be releasably wrapped around the neck  15  of an animal  10 . While the illustrative animal  10  is a horse, it will be appreciated that the apparatus  100  may be utilized with any suitable animal. In the illustrative embodiment, the securing mechanism  116  a Velcro® assembly with one of the hook and loop portion coupled at or near the first edge  110  and the other of the hook and loop portion coupled at or near the second edge  112 . However, it will be appreciated that any suitable mechanism may be coupled to the neck portion  102  which permits the neck portion  102  to be releasably wrapped about the neck of an animal and such embodiments remain within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, and without limitation, the securing mechanism may be a button assembly, a buckle assembly, a clip assembly, a hook and loop assembly, a hook and catch assembly, a magnet assembly, an adhesive assembly, or any other suitable device or assembly operable to releasably secure the neck portion  102  in a wrapped position about the neck of the animal. 
     The neck portion  102  may include an upper panel  114  and a lower panel (not shown) defining a pocket therebetween. The pocket may be adapted to contain a refrigerant therein. The refrigerant may be any suitable device or material capable of cooling the neck of an animal. In one embodiment, the refrigerant is a one-time, or single-use, use endothermic refrigerant, such as water and ammonium chloride that are segregated within the pocket and subsequently mixed together by a user to produce an endothermic reaction that is capable of cooling the neck of the animal. In an alternative embodiment, the refrigerant may be a reusable refrigerant, such as water, a gel refrigerant, or any other refrigerant capable of multiple uses. Other suitable refrigerant devices or materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the pocket may extend substantially the length and width of the neck portion  102 . Alternatively, it will be appreciated that neck portion  102  may be segregated such that neck portion includes a plurality of pockets and/or ribs. In yet another alternative, one or more smaller pockets may be disposed about the neck portion  102 . 
     The poll cap portion  104  is adapted to cover at least a portion of the poll  20  of the animal  10 . The poll cap portion  104  may be configured to cover a portion of the poll  20 , the entire poll  20 , or the poll  20  as well as other portions of the animal&#39;s skull adjacent to the poll  20 . The poll cap portion  104  may be positioned at or near the upper edge  106  of the neck portion  102 . While the illustrative embodiment shows the poll cap  104  as having a generally round shape, it will be appreciated that the poll cap portion  104  may have any suitable shape. Additionally, the poll cap portion  104  may include an upper panel  118  and a lower panel (not shown) defining a pocket therebetween. The pocket may be adapted to contain a refrigerant therein. The refrigerant may be substantially similar to those discussed with respect to the neck portion  102  and operable to cool the poll  20  of the animal  10 . In one embodiment, the neck portion pocket and poll cap portion pocket are in fluid communication and share a common refrigerant. Alternatively, the pockets may not be in fluid communication and may or may not have the same, or same type (e.g., single use, reusable, etc.) of, refrigerant therein. In one embodiment, the refrigerant of at least one of the neck portion pocket and poll portion pocket is operable to also cool veins, such as one or more jugular veins, and blood flowing therethrough. 
     The apparatus  100  may also include one or more apertures  120  for receiving one or more ears  25  of the animal  10 . The apertures  120  may extend through one or both of the neck portion  102  and poll cap portion  104 . The neck portion  102  and poll cap portion  104  may be formed from any suitable material. Illustrative materials include, without limitation, textiles, polymers, etc. In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  is formed from a lightweight, water-proof and durable material. Additionally, the portion of each inner panel (of one or both of the neck portion  102  and poll cap portion  104 ) that contacts the neck  15  and/or poll  20  of the animal  10  may include materials and/or features to enhance heat transfer from the animal  10  to the apparatus  100 . For example, a textile, such as terry cloth, may be disposed on the inner panel and dampened prior to application of the apparatus  100  to the animal  10  such that heat transfer between the animal  10  and apparatus  100  may be enhanced. Other materials, features and/or techniques for enhancing such heat transfer will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.