Abstract:
The device includes an air intake channel, a vacuum source, a cooling means, and a cool air distribution channel. Ambient air is brought into contact with the cooling means and cool air is distributed to desired areas. Cooling of the person may also be achieved by virtue of indirect contact with the cooling source. The device and method are particularly suited to provide comfort to a person wearing a costume or mask.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to portable air conditioning devices and more particularly to a device for cooling a person wearing a costume, mask, or other clothing. 
     2. Related Background Art 
     Costumes and masks are worn for a variety of purposes, including for celebrations, entertainment, or promotion. For example, people wear costumes and masks for holidays such as Halloween, Mardi Gras, and Christmas as well as for themed occasions. Entertainers and entertainment organizations also use costumes and masks for theatrical presentations, strolling entertainment, and telegram-style entertainment for groups or individuals. Further, many theme parks, restaurants, casinos, and other recreational facilities use costumes and masks to entertain their patrons and guests. Finally, costumes and masks are used to promote products, companies, schools, and other institutions. 
     In the United States alone, there is a vast number of mask and costume manufacturers and retailers. In addition, craft, fabric, and sewing supply outlets throughout the country provide materials for individuals to construct their own mask or costume. 
     Traditional costumes and masks share a similar flaw in that the materials and design needed to create the desired effect or illusion results in an uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe environment for the wearer. More specifically, traditional costumes are poorly ventilated and the wearer can experience extreme discomfort, especially when the surrounding temperature is warm. 
     There are several prior art devices that attempt to solve this problem. A mascot-style costume traditionally uses a molded, hardened material such as fiberglass for its head structure, which is then covered with fur or material. The eyes and mouth in the head of a mascot-style costume are usually made of a screen material to allow the wearer to see out and let air in. 
     One known means of combating the discomfort caused by wearing a mascot-style costume is to install a fan inside the head of the costume. The fan circulates air inside the head and cools the user by drying perspiration on the wearer&#39;s face. However, this prior art solution to the problem introduces little fresh air into the costume and any comfort initially provided is generally short lived. 
     Alternatively, a fan can be mounted in an opening in the mascot head. To maintain the aesthetic quality of the costume, the opening is usually located on the top or back of the head. The direction of the airflow depends on the placement of the fan. If the airflow is directed inwardly, the fan&#39;s placement limits the flow of fresh air in the proximity of the wearers nose and mouth. If the airflow is directed outwardly, it will draw in fresh air through the eye and mouth holes of the costume, but a very small fan is needed in that mode to avoid undue noise and preserve the illusion created by the custom. Under these circumstances, the resulting air movement caused by the fan is so limited and diffused that it provides little comfort for the wearer. In either mode, the degree of comfort experienced by the costume wearer is dependent on the surrounding air temperature. 
     Another drawback of the foregoing devices is that they require a rigid mascot-style head for mounting. Moreover, these devices do not do anything to reduce the wearer&#39;s internal body temperature. 
     There are devices available to lower a person&#39;s internal body temperature. One such device uses the physics of condensation and evaporation to extract heat from a person&#39;s body. Specifically, metal plates are spaced apart, one of which is in contact with the back of the wearer&#39;s neck. The plates are moistened with a damp, sponge-type material and then the condensation is evaporated with the use of a small fan. This method is not effective inside of a costume, however, because the humidity developed remains inside the costume. This results in discomfort and possible damage to the costume. 
     Other known devices for lowering a person&#39;s body temperature are the cold wrap and cold vest. The cold wrap is brought into indirect contact with the neck, and the cold vest comes into contact with the chest and back. The gel paks are covered with insulating fabric or material to prevent frostbite and also to provide a wearable item for the user. A disadvantage of these devices is that they concentrate the cooling in isolated areas. 
     Another device for reducing internal body temperature is a circulatory vest or suit. This device uses a long hose, which is serpentined throughout the outfit, and a battery-powered pump to circulate water through the hose. The water is cooled by passing through a reservoir containing ice. This device is often used for quadriplegics as it provides distributed cooling of the body. Although a portable model is available for costume purposes, its noise level and high cost of production precludes its use in the costume and entertainment field. 
     Another device used to reduce internal body temperature employs a portable, Freon®-based air conditioner. These devices have their principle application in astronaut suits. The size, noise, weight, and cost of these devices makes them impractical in the costume or entertainment field. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a device and method of cooling a costume or mask that can deliver comfort in a light and compact package and without compromising the desired effect of the costume. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention has each of the foregoing advantages and more. In a preferred embodiment, a personal cooling device is provided. The device includes a vacuum source in fluid communication with an air intake channel for drawing ambient air into the device. Means for cooling the ambient air drawn into the intake channel are also provided, with the cooling means being in fluid communication with the input channel. Finally, the device includes a cool air distribution channel for distributing cooled air in the vicinity of the person. 
     A new method for cooling a person is also provided. The method includes the steps of drawing in ambient air through an intake channel; cooling the air below ambient temperature by means of a cooling source in fluid communication with the intake channel; and delivering the cooled air in a desired area adjacent the person to provide comfort. In an alternative embodiment, the method includes the step of placing the cooling source in indirect contact with the person. 
     It is an object of the subject invention to provide a device and method for providing comfort to a person wearing a costume, mask, or visor. A further object of the invention is to provide a device and method that cools a person with fresh air. These and other objects and advantages of the subject invention will become more apparent and fully understood from the detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention exists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of various parts of the device, specifically defined by the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view in partial section of a preferred embodiment of the cooling device of the present invention adapted for a costume; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational view of the cooler and fan unit of the device of FIG. 1 shown in partial section; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view of the preferred cooling unit assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the gel pak insert shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cooling unit assembly shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a device according to the present invention that is attached to a costume; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the intake elbow and fitting shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a hands-free connector and output elbow shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a partially-exploded rear elevational view of another embodiment of the device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a partially-exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a device according to the invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the core housing of the device according to FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the core housing shown in FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the core housing of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a device according to the subject invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a head mask adapted for use with the device of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a device according to the subject invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 18 installed in a mask; 
     FIG. 20 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the device according to the subject invention; 
     FIG. 21 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the device according to the subject invention; 
     FIG. 22 is an exploded view of some of the components of another embodiment of the device according to the subject invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an alternative gel pak insert for use in a device according to the subject invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another alternative gel pak insert for use in a device according to the subject invention; 
     FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of a visor incorporating another embodiment of the device according to the subject invention; and 
     FIG. 26 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a device according to the subject invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention for use in a costume is shown in FIG. 1 as device  10 . Device  10  generally comprises a cooler and fan unit  20 , an intake hose  50 , an output hose  60 , and a distribution hose  70 . These elements function in combination to draw ambient air into the cooler and fan unit  20  through the intake hose  50 , cooling the air below ambient temperature by means of a cooling device in fluid communication with the intake channel, and delivering the cooled air via distribution hose  70  to a desired area adjacent the costume wearer to provide comfort. The details of the components of device  10  are provided below. 
     With further reference to FIG. 2, cooler and fan unit  20  houses the air cooling and delivery means necessary to operate device  10 . Cooler and fan unit  20  is comprised of three concentric and preferably lightweight plastic sections that are fastened together, namely core housing  26 , lid  28 , and fan assembly  30 . Core housing  26  comprises a hollow exterior cylinder  21  having a cylindrical wall  27 , a bottom surface  23 , and lips  25  extending upwardly therefrom. The outside diameter of the cylinder  21  is substantially the same as the inside diameter of lid  28 . Concentric with exterior cylinder  21  is nozzle  34 , which is integrally formed within lower portion  29  of core housing  26 . Nozzle  34  has an opening  33  in the lower portion  29  and an outlet  35  between lips  25 . 
     Contained within cooler and fan unit  20  are fan assembly  30  and cooling unit assembly  40 . Fan assembly  30  includes a fan housing  37  comprising a central section  37   a , an upper section  37   b , and a lower section  37   c . These sections are integrally formed hollow tubes of varying diameters; specifically, the central section  37   a  is of a slightly greater diameter than the diameter of upper and lower sections  37   b  and  37   c , which are substantially the same. The outside diameter of upper section  37   b  is substantially the same as the inside diameter of opening  33  so as to provide an interference fit between the core housing  26  and fan assembly  30 . 
     Fan or impeller  32  comprising a center shaft portion  32   a  and vanes  32   b  extending therefrom is mounted on a spindle  38  for rotational movement within central section  37   a  of fan housing  37 . The longitudinal axis of center shaft portion  32   a  is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of fan housing  37 , and vanes  32   b  of impeller  32  are disposed at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the center shaft portion  32   a . The fan assembly further includes a fan inlet  31   a  in the lower section  37   c  and a fan outlet  31   b  in the upper section  37   b . The energy source for the fan is most preferably two batteries that form part of an electronic circuit having a series to parallel switch, which enables the fan to operate at multiple speeds. 
     Cooling unit assembly  40  is contained within core housing  26  and provides the means for cooling air drawn into device  10  by fan assembly  30 . A preferred embodiment of cooling unit assembly  40  is shown in FIGS. 3-5. It is comprised of gel pak insert  42 , interior cylinder  44  having a cylindrical wall  47 , and a plurality of temperature conducting rods  46 . As used in this specification, a gel pak insert means a container for storing a non-toxic, gelatinous liquid that has been chilled or frozen. In this embodiment, gel pak insert  42  includes a plurality of cells  43  containing the liquid, which cells are joined together in a predetermined arrangement with strands  45 , forming an opening  41 . Gel pak insert  42  is positioned between wall  27  and wall  47  of interior cylinder  44  and seated on bottom surface  23  of core housing  26 . Gel pak insert  42  thus provides the cooling source in this embodiment of the invention. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, temperature conducting rods  46  are positioned within interior cylinder  44  in a stacked arrangement. Specifically, the bottom rod  46   a  in the stack is oriented perpendicular to the rod  46   b  directly above it, and that arrangement continues for the remaining rods in the stack. Temperature conducting rods  46  are preferably made of an efficient temperature conducting material such as aluminum or, alternatively, liquid-filled rods. The ends of the rods are in contact with the cylindrical wall  47 , which contact provides vertical support for the rods. 
     Cooler and fan unit  20  is assembled by securing lid  28  to wall  27  of core housing  26  (containing cooling unit assembly  40 ) and inserting upper section  37   b  of fan assembly  30  into opening  33  of the lower portion  29  of core housing  26 . Similarly, intake hose  50  is securely coupled to the lower section  37   c  of fan assembly  30 , output hose  60  is securely coupled to the upper portion of lid  28 , and distribution hose  70  is securely coupled to output hose  60  by conventional means (not shown). Intake hose  50  and output hose  60  are preferably made from flexible, corrugated plastic material that is capable of relatively sharp bending angles, while distribution hose  70  is made of a cloth fabric and contains air distribution holes  72  at the upper end thereof. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the foregoing hose connections must be well sealed for device  10  to operate properly. 
     FIG. 6 shows a device  100  according to the subject invention attached to a costume. In this embodiment, a hollow intake elbow  52  is connected to intake hose  50  on one end and a hollow fitting  54  on the other. With further reference to FIG. 7, fitting  54  has a screen  55  secured to it in a conventional way. The outside surface of screen  55  is secured within an opening in the costume (not shown) such that it is substantially flush with the outside surface of the costume. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, a hands-free connector  64  having a conical filter  65  joins a hollow output elbow  62  to output hose  60 . In turn, distribution hose  70  is coupled to output elbow  62  and is secured to the costume by a plurality of velcro tabs  74  arranged in a spaced relationship along distribution hose  70 . As one skilled in the art will appreciate, each such velcro tab  74  has two mating components (not shown), one secured to distribution hose  70  and the other to the costume. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Device  200  is substantially the same as the device of FIG. 1 except that distribution hose  70  is secured to an inside surface of the costume through the use of velcro tabs  74  as in FIG.  6 . 
     Another embodiment of the device according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 10 is device  300 . In this embodiment, cooler and fan unit  20  is secured to attachment pad  80  by mating velcro tabs  82 ,  84  and the attachment pad  80  is in turn removably secured to shoulder straps  86 . Thus, unlike the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 9, the cooling apparatus in this embodiment would be directly supported by the user. 
     FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the invention that may be used in connection with a cold vest (CV). The cold vest (CV) has a plurality of pockets (P) for holding device  300  and additional gel pak inserts  342 , which are comprised of an array of rectangular cells  343 . When the cold vest (CV) is worn by a user, at least some of the gel pak inserts  342  are in indirect contact with the body of the user, the separation distance being the thickness of the cold vest. It is envisioned that this embodiment would have applications outside of the entertainment realm, including backpacking. 
     With further regard to FIGS. 12-15, device  300  is comprised of intake hose  50 , output hose  60 , core housing  326 , and fan assembly  30 . Core housing  326  has an integrally molded top portion  328  with a central opening  329  around which one end of the output hose  60  is secured. Temperature conducting rods  346  are mounted perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core housing  326  in a series of rows. The rows of temperature conducting rods  346  are separated from one another by temperature conducting plates  347  having openings to receive the ends of each temperature conducting rod  346 . 
     The subject invention is also adapted for use with a head unit or mask. The embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is a device  400  that is preferably positioned at the base of the back of the head or mask. Device  400  is comprised of a fan assembly  430 ; core housing  426  comprising a plurality of temperature conducting coils  494 ; gel pak  442 ; cold bridge  490 ; and insulating fabric  492 . In this embodiment, ambient air is drawn into core housing  426  through intake opening  431  by impeller  32 . The air molecules then come into contact with temperature conducting coils  494 , which cool the air molecules because the coils are at a lower temperature by virtue of their thermal communication with gel pak  442  via cold bridge  490 . The cold bridge and conducting rods are preferably made of thermally conductive material such as aluminum. 
     As shown in FIGS. 17-19, device  400  can be secured to a plurality of air distribution hoses  470   a ,  470   b , and  470   c  through a connector ring  476 . Connector ring  476  is coupled to a junction  471  formed by the interconnection of hoses  470   a ,  470   b , and  470   c . These hoses have a plurality of air distribution holes  472  though which cool air is introduced in the mask or head unit at various locations. 
     Further embodiments of the device according to the subject invention are shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG. 20 shows a device  500  substantially the same as device  10  except that it also provides for warm air removal from the costume. More particularly, warm air is removed from the costume head by drawing air through a warm air intake hose  596  through exhaust fan  597  and out of the costume through warm air output hose  598 . Likewise, FIG. 21 shows a device  600  similar to device  10  except that it is adapted to be used with a cool air suit. This type of suit is worn under costumes and allows for circulation of cool air over the wearer&#39;s entire body. This is accomplished through a plurality of cool air output hoses  660  and  661  that extend from a junction (not shown) at the outlet of cooler and fan unit  620 . 
     FIG. 22 illustrates yet another embodiment of a device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, device  710  comprises a cooler and fan unit  720  and intake hose  750  and output hose  760 . Each of these components is preferably formed from closed-cell foam rubber that has a latex coating. Cooler and fan unit  720  comprises a gel pak chamber  726  and fan compartment  730  in fluid communication with gel pak chamber  726 . 
     Cooler and fan unit  720  also comprises a lid (not shown) preferably constructed of a thinner closed-cell foam rubber, which lid covers gel pak chamber  726  and fan compartment  730 . This construction provides the wearer with the option of placing the lid side of device  710  against his body or the relatively thicker back walls  726   a  and  730   a  of gel pak chamber  726  and fan compartment  730 . The former option provides for greater thermal conductivity than the latter, but the construction is such that frostbite is avoided with both options. 
     To achieve the cooling effect in device  710 , the gel pak chamber  726  contains a gel pak  742  formed in a rectangular pattern and comprising of a plurality of cells  743 . With further reference to FIG. 23, cells  743  have a plurality of integrally formed ribs  744  designed to generate turbulence as air flows over them. Alternatively, this effect can be achieved by molding a serpentine channel  844  in the face of cell  843 , as shown in FIG.  24 . In either embodiment, the turbulence created has the effect of more even heat transfer between the gel pak and the air molecules passing over the gel pak. 
     Another embodiment of the device according to the subject invention is shown in FIG. 25, adapted to a sun visor (SV). Device  810  comprises an air intake channel  850 , core housing  826  containing gel pak insert  842 , distribution channel  870  contained within sun visor (SV), and fan  830 , all of which are in fluid communication with one another. Ambient air molecules drawn into device  810  by fan  830  come into contact with gel pak insert  842 , causing the air to be cooled below ambient temperature. This cool air is conveyed through distribution channel  870  and discharged by the fan  830  located in the visor to cool the wearer&#39;s face. Moreover, device  810  also cools the wearer&#39;s head by contact with the distribution channel  870  and core housing  826 . These qualities make this device ideal for outdoor usage in places such as beaches or amusement parks. 
     FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Device  910  is adapted for use in a circulatory vest (V) that uses cold water pumped through the vest for cooling. Battery-powered water pump  991  pumps cold water through ice chamber  992  and circulatory hose  993  that is coiled through the vest, including the air cooling chamber  940 . In this embodiment, ambient air drawn into the air cooling chamber  940  through intake hose  950  by fan  930  and then delivered from the air cooling chamber  940  through outake hose  960 . The ambient air passing through the air cooling chamber  940  is thus cooled as it passes over the circulatory hose  993  within the chamber. In addition, the wearer of circulatory vest (V) receives cooling comfort by virtue of indirect contact with circulatory hose  993 . 
     Besides an electric fan, other methods of driving airflow could be used with any design. For example, a diaphragm design could be used. This would use an external air bladder attached to the torso. As the wearer breathes in, his chest expands and compresses the air bladder, which in turn expels air through the cooling system. As the wearer breathes out, his chest contracts, allowing the air bladder to expand back to its normal size, thus filling with air. One-way valves in the input and output of the air bladder control the air&#39;s direction. 
     Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to variations, modifications and changes in detail, some of which have been expressly stated herein, it is intended that all matter described throughout this specification or shown in the accompanying drawings be considered illustrative and not limiting the scope of the invention. It should thus be evident that a device constructed in accordance with the concept of the present invention, or substantially equivalent thereto, will accomplish the objects of this invention.