Abstract:
A cap defines a cap body with a coolant reservoir. The cap is configured with side pockets that receive coolant packs; or the cap carries the coolant reservoir integrated into the cap structure. A cap configured as a swim cap protects and cools the user&#39;s hairdo in humid situations and carries a surface décor concealing the traditional austerity of a swim cap design.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/502,335 filed Jun 29, 2011, copending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention generally relates to apparel and more specifically to head coverings. The invention is a therapeutic device in a head covering, providing a cooling effect. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0005]    Caps provide special purpose protection against ambient conditions such as temperature and moisture. Protection is passive, in that the cap covers the head to block transfer of heat and moisture. In practice, such caps are not suited to protect head or hair for a prolonged period. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to protect the scalp and hair for a prolonged period. Further, it would be desirable to have a means to artificially adjust temperature under a cap so that the scalp can be kept cool and avoid perspiration. Similarly, it would be desirable to protect a hairdo against degradation from undue moisture or perspiration. 
         [0007]    To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the method and apparatus of this invention may comprise the following. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Against the described background, it is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a cap that cools the scalp or head, protecting a hairdo from degradation due to heat or moisture. 
         [0009]    According to the invention, a cap carries a coolant reservoir. The cap is configured with side pockets that receive coolant packs; or the cap carries the coolant reservoir integrated into the cap structure. A cap configured as a swim cap protects and cools the user&#39;s hairdo in humid situations and carries a surface décor concealing the traditional austerity of a swim cap design. 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric assembly view of a cap, taken from a lower side position, showing the insertion of cooling packages into pockets within the cap. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the cap of  FIG. 1 , showing a plurality of possible varieties of panel shapes. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , showing a cross-section of a pocket within one panel of the cap. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing another embodiment of the cap. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a right side isometric view of a third embodiment of the cap. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front isometric view of a wig adapted for use with the cap of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The invention is an apparatus and method for maintaining a cool scalp and hairdo. In one embodiment, a cap is suitably formed to carry a plurality of coolant packs distributed around the sides and back of the cap, with provision for extension of the cooled area to the top of the head and additional provision to cool the user&#39;s forehead and temple areas, as may be desired. Depending upon the exact configuration and choice of materials, the cap may be suited for wear in the shower or casually for household duties. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the cap  10  is an assemblage of coolant pack pockets arranged in a circle. Each pocket has an open edge  12 , such as the bottom edge, to permit the insertion and removal of a coolant pack. The pockets may be configured to define the entire cap. It is desirable for the pockets to define the dome of the cap as well as the front, sides, and back. A suitable choice of pocket configuration includes pockets of two different configurations. A first configuration is a side pocket  14  that extends from the lower side edge of the cap to the edge of the dome of the cap. A second configuration is a combined side and dome pocket  16  that extends from the lower side edge of the cap through the dome area of the cap. As an example best shown in  FIG. 2 , three pockets  14  may be combined in side-by-side array to form the majority of the sides of the cap. As further example, two pockets  16  may be combined in side-by-side array to form the remainder of the sides of the cap and to form the dome. The use of these two types of pockets to define the entire cap results in a cap that can carry coolant packs at substantially its entire area. 
         [0019]    In order to fully utilize the available pockets used to define a cap  10 , each configuration of pocket is associated with a matching, coordinated, or similar sized coolant pack. Thus, the side pockets  14  may receive a coolant pack  18  of coordinated size. The side and dome pockets  16  may receive a coolant pack  20  that is longer than a pack  18  so that the pack can extend into the dome area of the cap. Coolant packs can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and to fit a pocket of almost any configuration. The arrows  21  show the direction of insertion for each coolant pack into its associated pocket. 
         [0020]    Coolant packs  18  can be made according to various technologies. Some packs are reusable while others are instant. Reusable coolant packs are frozen in a freezer prior to use and can be refrozen again for reuse. Such reusable coolant packs contain a refrigerant substance with high enthalpy of fusion, with water being a simple example of a chemical that freezes from liquid water to solid ice. Others contain water mixed with another chemical substance that improves the qualities of the water by causing the mixture to remain a gel throughout the temperature range for use. Chemicals such as hydroxyethyl cellulose or vinyl coated silicagel can be mixed with water to produce such a gel. Instant coolant packs contain two initially isolated chemicals, separated by a barrier. The barrier can be broken to mix the chemicals. When mixed, the chosen chemicals have a high enthalpy of fusion. Examples are water mixed with any of ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, or potassium chloride. A chemical or mixture with high enthalpy of fusion sometimes is referred to as a phase change material (PCM). 
         [0021]    The coolant pockets can be sealed at edge  12  by a selective fastener  22  to retain the coolant packs in the downward opening pockets and to prevent undue interchange with warmer air. The fastener  22  may be of the type known as hook-and-loop. 
         [0022]    An adjustable belt  24  surrounds the opening of the cap. The belt allows a user to fit the cap loosely over the head, such as over a hairdo, and then close the cap around the base of the user&#39;s hairdo. By closing the cap, the belt increases the efficiency of the cooling operation. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a second embodiment  30  of the cap is formed of multiple panels  32 . Each panel  32  is joined to a coolant reservoir. As illustrated, the coolant reservoir is formed of one of more conduits or tubes  34 . Where multiple tubes  34  are employed, optionally the tubes are connected such that they communicate with one another. Appropriate barb connectors  36  are suitable for joining together assemblies of tubes, such as by using T-connectors  36  to form triple junctions as illustrated in the drawing. The tubes are filled with a coolant chemical, which may be a phase change material (PCM) or any other type of coolant chemical presently known or developed hereafter. One of the connectors may include a fill port  38  allowing the tube or tube matrix to be filled with the coolant chemical. 
         [0024]    One suitable method of attaching a panel to a coolant reservoir is by stitching the junction between panels  32  to include a reservoir portion. Thus, a tube  34  may be housed in a seam assembly. Another joining technique is to employ tubes that have two opposite joining edges or side flanges. Each flange can be sewn into a seam with a juxtaposed panel  32 . This fastening arrangement causes the conduit to be exposed on both faces of the junction. Tube locations are not limited to seam areas. Tubes can cross panels  32  in any direction, whether at seams or intermediate the panel edges. If desired, some tubes can be sewn into seams while other tubes are attached to panel surfaces by adhesive or another means. Tubing may be increased in density above the illustrated usage. As an example, tubing may be arranged in a stacked spiral of abutting courses from near the bottom edge of the cap  30  to near the dome. In some cases, the tubing can be stitched to other tubing, such as to flanges of flanged tubing, without requiring other panel structure. 
         [0025]    Maintaining a hairdo can be difficult in settings such as swimming pools, steam rooms, and saunas. A bathing cap  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  can protect the hair from water, steam, and other sources of moisture. Traditional bathing caps provide a single layer of rubber or plastic material. Such a traditional structure can be modified by the addition of tubes or another style of reservoir to allow the addition of coolant to the bathing cap. A simple expedient is to produce a bathing cap  40  with double skin, such that a large portion of the cap defines a reservoir that may contain coolant chemical. The cap  40  may be defined by two sides, a back, and a top. The coolant reservoir may extend through all of these portions of the cap, such that the coolant is applied to the two sides, back, and top of the user&#39;s head. 
         [0026]    A belt  42 , similar to belt  24 , may surround the opening of bathing cap  40 . The belt is helpful both to retain coolant properties inside the cap and to provide an improved moisture barrier. 
         [0027]    Traditional bathing caps might be considered too austere for many fashion conscious people to employ. Accordingly, attachment panels  44  are provided on the cap  42 . These panels  44  may be hook-and-loop fastener or any other type of fastener suitable for use in a moist environment. The attachment panel allows the user to cover the cap with an acceptable, more desirable surface treatment. 
         [0028]    A possible surface treatment is the wig  50  of  FIG. 6 . While the outside, wig hair portion  52  can be of any desired appearance or style, the inner base or cap  54  of the wig is adapted to attach to the bathing cap. More specifically, the wig cap  54  is coordinated with the bathing cap to be secured to the attachment panels  44 . Thus, the wig cap  54  may carry mating hook-and-loop fastener panels  56  in appropriate positions to attach the wig to the bathing cap. The use of a wig or another surface covering over a bathing cap provides the practical benefit of insulating the cap against transfer of heat into the cap, such as in a sauna or steam bath. 
         [0029]    In summary, the invention provides a cap for cooling the head and protecting a hairdo from heat and any accompanying moisture. The cap, itself, can be an attractive covering for the head, with a cooling reservoir containing a PCM or other cooling means. This cooling concept can be applied to a bathing cap. Such a bathing cap can be made more attractive by a surface covering, which also protects against loss of cool. 
         [0030]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be regarded as falling within the scope of the invention.