Abstract:
Neck warmer is a device designed to hold a plurality of chemically warming packet insert(s) for keeping a wearer warm and comfortable. The neck warmer utilizes chemically warming packet insert(s) in an efficient manner, allowing the user to enjoy cold weather activities for longer periods of time. The neck warmer is ideal for use while hunting, ice fishing, skiing or simply being outside during the colder seasons.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/310,024, filed Mar. 3, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR  1 . 71 (d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the field of scarves and more specifically relates to a scarf designed to hold a plurality of chemically warming packet insert(s) for keeping a wearer warm and comfortable. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0007]    A scarf is typically a piece of fabric worn around the neck, near the head or around the waist for warmth, cleanliness, fashion or for religious reasons. Scarves may come in a variety of different colors. 
         [0008]    The neck is a primary region on the body that loses heat rapidly especially when a person is subjected to cold temperatures for extended periods of time. The key to enjoying the outdoors when the temperature is low is to dress warmly and try to generate and conserve as much heat as possible. Many consumers prefer to wear a scarf to keep their face, neck and upper chest warm. In order for a conventional scarf to provide enough heat to make it worthwhile, the consumer must wear a long, bulky scarf and wrap it around their neck numerous times. This arrangement can get in the way of many activities. Chemical warming packet insert(s) may be used to warm the hands and feet but warming extremities may not centrally warm the body. Therefore a need exists for a scarf designed to hold at least one chemically warming packet insert(s) for keeping the wearer warm and comfortable 
         [0009]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,265,669; 5,507,793; 5,005,374; D407,824; 5,605,144; and D557,476. This prior art is representative of neck warmers. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0010]    Ideally, a neck warmer should be user-friendly, and comfortable in-use. Additionally, the neck warmer must operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable neck warmer designed to hold a plurality of chemically warming packet insert(s) for keeping the wearer warm and comfortable to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known scarf art, the present invention provides a novel neck warmer system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a scarf designed to hold a plurality of chemically warming packet insert(s) for keeping the wearer warm and comfortable. The neck warmer utilizes chemically warming packet insert(s) in an insulted and efficient manner, allowing the user to enjoy cold weather activities for longer periods of time. The Neck Warmer is ideal for use while hunting, ice fishing, skiing, as a spectator at an outdoor sporting event or simply being outside during the colder seasons. 
         [0012]    The present neck warmer described herein preferably comprises: a reversible wool scarf garment; at least one pocket with a single fabric layer and double fabric layer located on opposing sides; and at least one chemically warming packet insert(s) that may be enclosed within the pocket. The reversible wool scarf garment is removably wrappable around a neck and donable by at least one wearer. 
         [0013]    The at least one pocket of the scarf garment receives one or more removable chemical warming packet insert(s). Further, the pocket comprises at least one fastener for temporarily storing the chemical warming packet insert(s) in an enclosed position. The reversible scarf comprises the opposing sides including a first side and a second side. The reversible scarf comprises the single fabric layer on the first side thereby enabling the wearer to select an increased temperature transfer orientation of the pocket. The reversible scarf further comprises the double fabric layer on the second side thereby enabling the wearer to select a decreased temperature transfer orientation of the reversible scarf. The single fabric layer comprises a thickness and insulator less than that of the double fabric layer. The double fabric layer comprises an insulator more than that of the single fabric layer. In this way the chemical warming packet insert(s) warms a body portion of the wearer at a user-preferred temperature according to an orientation of the reversible scarf. 
         [0014]    A kit is embodied herein for the scarf garment system comprising: at least one reversible scarf garment; at least one pocket; at least one chemically warming packet insert(s); and a set of user instructions. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use is disclosed herein comprising: step one inserting at least one chemically warming packet insert(s) into a pocket(s) located integral with a scarf garment; step two donning and wrapping the scarf garment around a neck of a wearer for protection from cold weather; step three removing the scarf garment; step four removing the at least one chemical warming packet insert(s) for a next in-use wear-period; and step five reversing the scarf garment in relation to the wearer to create a comfortable temperature about the wearer&#39;s neck. 
         [0016]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a neck warmer system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, neck warmer system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a neck warmer system in an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a removable chemically warming packet insert inside a pocket of a scarf garment of the neck warmer system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a chemically warming packet insert(s) as insertable into the pocket according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a fastener for temporarily storing the at least one chemical warming packet insert(s) in an enclosed position according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5 . is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0023]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a scarf device and more particularly to neck warmer system  100  designed to hold a plurality of chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  for keeping the wearer warm and comfortable. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  showing a perspective view of neck warmer system  100  in an ‘in-use’ condition  106  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Neck warmer system  100  preferably comprises scarf garment  102  donable by at least one wearer  150 . Scarf garment  102  is preferably removably wrappable around neck  154  of wearer  150 . Scarf garment  102  preferably comprises fleece or wool material; however other suitable and durable materials such as cloth may be used. Additionally, scarf garment  102  may be reversible. With scarf garment  102  being reversible, two different patterns, designs, or colors may be used on first side  160  and second side  170  to create two separate and distinct looks. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4  showing perspective views of scarf garment  102  of neck warmer system  100  according to embodiments of the present invention. Scarf garment  102  comprises at least one pocket  110  as shown best in  FIG. 2 . Removable, scarf garment  102  may include single fabric layer  114  and double fabric layer  118  located on opposing sides (first side  160  and second side  170 ). Pocket  110  preferably receives chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  as shown best in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 . Accordingly, chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  may be used to warm a body portion of wearer  150  at a user-preferred temperature according to an orientation of removable scarf garment  102 . 
         [0027]    A first type of chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  that may be used with the present embodiment may contain iron powder, salt, water, an absorbent material, and activated carbon. When chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  is/are removed from its outer packaging, oxygen drifts across the pouch&#39;s permeable covering. With salt and water present, the oxygen reacts with the iron powder located inside to form iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) and release heat. Certain chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  may last seven hours, and other versions can last more than 24 hours. 
         [0028]    A second type of chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  may generate heat through exothermic crystallisation of supersaturated solutions (typically sodium acetate) and are usually reusable. These can be recharged by boiling the heaters and allowing them to cool. Heating of these pads is triggered by snapping a small metal device buried in the pad, which generates nucleation centers that initiate crystallisation. Heat is required to dissolve the salt in its own water of crystallisation and it is this heat that is released when crystallisation is initiated. This type of chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  typically has a shorter heat duration of 20 minutes to 2 hours. To lengthen the time chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  lasts, some companies opt to increase the amount of iron in the packet. Wearer  150  may choose which type of chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  to use according to application and duration he/she may be exposed to cold weather. 
         [0029]    The main difference between disposable and reusable versions of chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  is the chemicals used to produce the heat-releasing reaction. Reusable chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  don&#39;t contain iron but instead use a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate that releases heat as it crystallizes. Boiling the used chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  restores the solution to its supersaturated state. Air-activated chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  can&#39;t be reused. 
         [0030]    Further, pocket  110  comprises at least one fastener  114  (fastening means) for temporarily storing chemical warming packet insert(s)  120  in an enclosed position  118 . Fastener  114  temporarily secures chemical warming packet insert(s)  120  inside pocket  110  thereby providing heat to neck  154  of wearer  150  via chemical warming packet insert(s)  120 . Fastener  114  may comprise, but is however not limited to a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro, at least one button, or at least one snap. 
         [0031]    As stated above removable scarf garment  102  comprises opposing sides including first side  160  and second side  170 . Pocket  110  preferably comprises a section sewn between first side  160  having a single fabric layer and second side  170  also having a single fabric layer. Pocket  110  is closable by folding first side  160  over second side second side  170  and securing in place with fastener  114 . This preferably enables wearer  150  to select an increased temperature transfer orientation of removable scarf to neck  154  of wearer  150  by choosing to wear scarf garment  102  with first side  160  to neck  154 , or choosing to wear scarf with second side  170  with closable layer  118  to neck  154 . This double fabric layer preferably enables wearer  150  to select a decreased temperature transfer orientation of scarf. 
         [0032]    It should be noted that single fabric layer located on first side  160  of scarf garment  102  comprises a thickness less than that of double fabric layer located on second side  170  of scarf garment  102 . Further, the single fabric layer comprises an insulator less than that of the double fabric layer; and whereas the double fabric layer comprises an insulator more than that of the single fabric layer. It should be appreciated that double fabric layer comprises a greater thickness, thereby increasing insulation between skin surface and chemically warming packet insert(s)  120  minimizing relative heat transfer. 
         [0033]    Neck warmer system  100  may be sold as kit  106  comprising at least one scarf garment  102 ; at least one chemical warming packet insert(s)  120 ; and a set of user instructions. 
         [0034]    Neck warmer system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5 . shows a flowchart  550  illustrating a method of use  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 . showing a method (at least herein embodying method of use  500 ) of using scarf garment  102  preferably comprises the steps of: step one  501  inserting at least one chemical warming packet insert(s)  120  pocket(s)  110  located integral with scarf garment  102 ; step two  502  donning and wrapping scarf garment  102  around neck  154  of wearer  150  for protection from cold weather; step three  503  removing scarf garment  102 ; step four  504  removing at least one chemical warming packet insert(s)  120  for a next in-use wear-period; and step five  505  reversing scarf garment  102  in relation to wearer  150  to create a comfortable temperature about neck  154  of wearer  150 . 
         [0036]    It should be noted that steps three  503  through step six  505  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 
         [0037]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0038]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.