U.S. patent application number 11/277191 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for articles for providing heating and cooling benefit to a person.
Invention is credited to Michael D. Shows.
Application Number | 20060156449 11/277191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46324125 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060156449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shows; Michael D. |
July 20, 2006 |
ARTICLES FOR PROVIDING HEATING AND COOLING BENEFIT TO A PERSON
Abstract
Articles that provide heating and/or cooling for wearers of
various types of wearing apparel are disclosed. The articles
comprise removable inserts for wearing apparel that are activated
by exposure to air or breaking an internal bag of the insert and
shaking the inserts to provide single use disposable inserts. The
disposable inserts provide heating or cooling for an extended
period of time. A reusable insert is disclosed that is activated by
heating or by refrigeration to provide either heating or cooling.
Heating or cooling is provided by wearing apparel comprising at
least one chamber for a compressed gas cylinder. The chamber may be
recharged as needed to provide continuous heating or cooling of a
person's head or various parts of a person's body. In one
embodiment, the articles comprise a length of tubing extending
along at least a portion of the wearing apparel and an aperture for
the release of gas from a compressed gas cylinder into the tubing.
The wearing apparel may be recharged as needed to provide
continuous heating or cooling of various parts of a person's head
or various parts of a person's body.
Inventors: |
Shows; Michael D.; (Mission
Viejo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
46324125 |
Appl. No.: |
11/277191 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10637232 |
Aug 11, 2003 |
7017283 |
|
|
11277191 |
Mar 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 7/02 20130101; A61F
2007/0242 20130101; A42B 1/008 20130101; A61F 7/034 20130101; A61F
2007/0276 20130101; A41D 13/0058 20130101; A41B 11/10 20130101;
A61F 7/106 20130101; A61F 2007/108 20130101; A61F 2007/0045
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Claims
1. A temperature altering article for wearing apparel comprising,
in combination: a wearing apparel product; a first chamber and a
second chamber on the wearing apparel product, wherein the first
chamber is located proximate a first portion of the wearer's body
and the second chamber is located proximate a second portion of the
wearer's body; a first self-contained and removable insert
providing one of heating and cooling; wherein the first insert is
adapted to be received in the first chamber; means located on the
first insert for causing it to provide one of heating and cooling
to the first portion of the wearer's body; a second self-contained
and removable insert providing one of heating and cooling; wherein
the second insert is adapted to be received in the second chamber;
and means located on the second insert for causing it to provide
one of heating and cooling to the second portion of the wearer's
body.
2. The temperature altering article of claim 1 wherein each of the
first insert and the second insert contains one of a reactive core
and an internal bag, wherein the reactive core provides warming of
the insert when the insert is exposed to air and wherein the
internal bag provides cooling when the internal bag of the insert
is broken and the insert is shaken.
3. The temperature altering article of claim 1 wherein each of the
first insert and the second insert contains a fluid having a high
heat capacity that provides warming of the insert when the insert
is heated by an exterior heating source and which provides cooling
of the insert when the insert is cooled by an exterior cooling
source.
4. The temperature altering article of claim 1 wherein the one of
heating and cooling means comprises a compressed gas cylinder
containing one of a heating and cooling gas.
5. The temperature altering article of claim 4 further comprising a
valve system for retaining the one of heating and cooling gas in
the insert when the compressed gas cylinder is withdrawn.
6. The temperature altering article of claim 4 further comprising a
spike for piercing the compressed gas cylinder to release the one
of heating and cooling gas.
7. The temperature altering article of claim 1 wherein the wearing
apparel product is one of a jumpsuit, hat, helmet, sock,
firefighter suit, and military combat suit.
8. A temperature altering article for wearing apparel comprising,
in combination: a first wearing apparel product; a first chamber on
the first wearing apparel product, wherein the first chamber is
located proximate a first portion of the wearer's body; a second
wearing apparel product; a second chamber on the second wearing
apparel product, wherein the second chamber is located proximate a
second portion of the wearer's body; a first self-contained and
removable insert providing one of heating and cooling; wherein the
first insert is adapted to be received in the first chamber; means
located on the first insert for causing it to provide one of
heating and cooling to the first portion of the wearer's body; a
second self-contained and removable insert providing one of heating
and cooling; wherein the second insert is adapted to be received in
the second chamber; and means located on the second insert for
causing it to provide one of heating and cooling to the second
portion of the wearer's body.
9. The temperature altering article of claim 8 wherein the each of
the first insert and the second insert contains one of a reactive
core and an internal bag, wherein the reactive core provides
warming of the insert when the insert is exposed to air and wherein
the internal bag provides cooling when the internal bag of the
insert is broken and the insert is shaken.
10. The temperature altering article of claim 8 wherein each of the
first insert and the second insert contains a fluid having a high
heat capacity that provides warming of the insert when the insert
is heated by an exterior heating source and which provides cooling
of the insert when the insert is cooled by an exterior cooling
source.
11. The temperature altering article of claim 8 wherein the one of
heating and cooling means comprises a compressed gas cylinder
containing one of a heating and cooling gas.
12. The temperature altering article of claim 11 further comprising
a valve system for retaining the one of heating and cooling gas in
the insert when the compressed gas cylinder is withdrawn.
13. The temperature altering article of claim 11 further comprising
a spike for piercing the compressed gas cylinder to release the one
of heating and cooling gas.
14. The temperature altering article of claim 8 wherein the first
wearing apparel product is one of a jumpsuit, hat, helmet, sock,
firefighter suit, and military combat suit and the second wearing
apparel product is another of a jumpsuit, hat, helmet, sock,
firefighter suit, and military combat suit.
15. A temperature altering article for wearing apparel comprising,
in combination: a wearing apparel product; a length of tubing
extending along a portion of an interior of the wearing apparel
product; and a source of a gas fluid adapted to be introduced into
the tubing and adapted to be activated by a person for internally
altering a temperature of the wearing apparel product.
16. The temperature altering article of claim 15 wherein the gas
fluid is a cooling gas fluid to thereby internally cool the wearing
apparel product and cool at least a portion of the wearer's
body.
17. The temperature altering article of claim 15 wherein the gas
fluid is a heating gas fluid to thereby internally heat the wearing
apparel product and heat at least a portion of the wearer's
body.
18. The temperature altering article of claim 15 wherein the length
of tubing defines a plurality of weep holes for dispersing the gas
fluid toward an inner portion of the wearing apparel product.
19. The temperature altering article of claim 15 wherein the source
of a gas fluid comprises a compressed gas cylinder.
20. The temperature altering article of claim 19 further comprising
a spike for piercing the compressed gas cylinder to release the gas
fluid into the tubing.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from and is a continuation
in part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/637,232,
filed on Aug. 11, 2003. In addition, this application claims
priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/339,886 filed on
Jan. 26, 2006, and from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/364,281
filed on Feb. 28, 2006 in the name of the applicant of this
application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to articles and methods for
providing heating and cooling benefit to a person, whether for
pain-relief purposes or otherwise and, more particularly, to
articles that provide heating and/or cooling when positioned in
wearing apparel on a wearer thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various forms of heating and cooling methods are commonly
used to provide pain-relief or other benefit for various parts of a
person's body. In the past, numerous articles have been used for
such purposes, such as ice packs, gel packs, heating pads, wraps,
and the like. Typically, such articles are used by positioning them
over a part of the body where the heating and/or cooling is needed.
Limitations exist with such prior art devices. For example, many of
them require the user to either remain stationary while using the
device or to hold the device in place, so as to keep the device in
position while pain-relief is being provided. As a further example,
some of the prior art devices, such as electronic heating pads, may
require the use of an electrical outlet. These limitations are a
disadvantage for users of the heating/cooling articles who have a
need or desire to be physically active while using such
articles.
[0004] A need therefore exists for articles that provide heating
and/or cooling to the head and/or body, that can be positioned in
and removed from various types of wearing apparel.
[0005] The present invention satisfies these needs and provides
other, related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
temperature altering article for wearing apparel is disclosed. The
article comprises, in combination: a wearing apparel product; a
first chamber and a second chamber on the wearing apparel product,
wherein the first chamber is located proximate a first portion of
the wearer's body and the second chamber is located proximate a
second portion of the wearer's body; a first self-contained and
removable insert providing one of heating and cooling; wherein the
first insert is adapted to be received in the first chamber; means
located on the first insert for causing it to provide one of
heating and cooling to the first portion of the wearer's body; a
second self-contained and removable insert providing one of heating
and cooling; wherein the second insert is adapted to be received in
the second chamber; and means located on the second insert for
causing it to provide one of heating and cooling to the second
portion of the wearer's body.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a temperature altering article for wearing apparel is
disclosed. The article comprises, in combination: a first wearing
apparel product; a first chamber on the first wearing apparel
product, wherein the first chamber is located proximate a first
portion of the wearer's body; a second wearing apparel product; a
second chamber on the second wearing apparel product, wherein the
second chamber is located proximate a second portion of the
wearer's body; a first self-contained and removable insert
providing one of heating and cooling; wherein the first insert is
adapted to be received in the first chamber; means located on the
first insert for causing it to provide one of heating and cooling
to the first portion of the wearer's body; a second self-contained
and removable insert providing one of heating and cooling; wherein
the second insert is adapted to be received in the second chamber;
and means located on the second insert for causing it to provide
one of heating and cooling to the second portion of the wearer's
body.
[0008] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present
invention, a temperature altering article for wearing apparel is
disclosed. The article comprises, in combination: a wearing apparel
product; a length of tubing coupled to and extending along a
portion of an interior of the wearing apparel product; and a source
of a gas fluid adapted to be introduced through an aperture in a
portion of the wearing apparel product into the tubing and adapted
to be activated by a person for internally altering a temperature
of the wearing apparel product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of wearing apparel consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 1A is a front view of the wearing apparel of FIG. 1
showing interior pockets thereof, consistent with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a front view of the wearing apparel of FIG. 1
showing interior pockets containing removable inserts, consistent
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a cap, consistent with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of the cap of FIG. 2
showing a valve and valve spike device, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of a removable insert for wearing
apparel, consistent with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a valve spike device,
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a hat, consistent with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of the hat of FIG. 5
showing a valve and valve spike device, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a sports helmet,
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of the sports helmet of
FIG. 6 showing a valve and valve spike device, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a sock having an
interior pocket with a removable insert, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7A is a side perspective view of the sock of FIG. 7
showing a valve and valve spike device, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a military combat
suit, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of the military combat
suit of FIG. 8 showing a length of tubing coupled thereto,
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a firefighter uniform,
consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 9A is a side perspective view of the firefighter
uniform of FIG. 9 showing interior pockets containing removable
inserts, and showing a valve and valve spike device, consistent
with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring first to FIGS. 1-1B, an embodiment of a
heating/cooling article for wearing apparel 10, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment,
the heating/cooling article 10 includes the following main
components: a wearing apparel product 12 having a plurality of
interior pockets 14 (as best seen in FIG. 1A) located thereon, into
which a plurality of removable inserts 30 (as best seen in FIG. 1B)
may be inserted. In this embodiment, the wearing apparel product 12
comprises a jumpsuit, but other forms of wearing apparel products
could be used, including but not limited to shirts, jackets, pants,
shorts, socks, stockings, hats, caps, helmets, headbands,
wristbands, sweatbands, military apparel, wet suits, dive suits,
firefighter uniforms, and the like. (A few examples of such
embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2-2A and FIGS. 5-9A).
[0027] Preferably, the interior pockets 14 are positioned in such a
manner that when the wearing apparel product 12 is worn, individual
interior pockets 14 are situated over different areas of a person's
body for which it may be desired to provide heating and/or cooling.
In this embodiment, six interior pockets 14 are employed, but more
or less pockets could be used, as desired, with pockets 14 being
located over different body extremities. Also in this embodiment,
the interior pockets 14 have a top opening 16 to allow the
removable inserts 30 to be inserted. It may be desired to provide a
closure at the top of the interior pockets 14, such as a zipper,
button, snap, Velcro, or the like, to help secure the removable
inserts 30 in place within the interior pockets 14.
[0028] Referring specifically to FIG. 1B, removable inserts 30 are
inserted in the interior pockets 14. The removable insert 30 in
this embodiment is substantially elongated, but other shapes could
be used for the removable insert 30, in order to accommodate
various forms of wearing apparel products, as best seen in FIGS.
2A, 5A, and 6A. As best seen in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the
removable insert 30 comprises an outer layer 32, a gas valve 34,
and a valve system (not shown). The outer layer 32 encloses a gas
that is released when the valve 34 of a compressed gas cylinder
(not shown) contained within the insert 30 is pierced by a valve
spike 40 (as best seen in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 2A, 5A, 6A, 7A and
9A). The release of gas from the compressed gas cylinder results in
cooling of the removable insert 30 which, in turn, results in
cooling of a person wearing the wearing apparel product 12
containing the removable inserts 30. The valve system (not shown)
prevents gas escaping from the removable insert 30 when the
compressed gas cylinder is pierced by the valve spike 40 and also
after the empty compressed gas cylinder is withdrawn. Another valve
system (not shown) may be provided for exhausting the gas before
refilling the removable insert 30 with the gas. Any gas that is
non-flammable and non-toxic may be used, but carbon dioxide is a
preferred gas in the compressed gas cylinder. It may be desired to
couple a compressed gas cylinder to the wearing apparel product 12,
or to other forms of wearing apparel products, including but not
limited to shirts, jackets, pants, shorts, socks, stockings, hats,
caps, helmets, headbands, wristbands, sweatbands, military apparel,
wet suits, dive suits, firefighter uniforms, and the like.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, the valve spike 40 is preferably made
of a durable material, such as metal or plastic. While the valve
spike 40 is shown as being separate from the cylinder, the valve
spike 40 could be located in an upper portion of a removable cap
that can be inverted and placed in position, or there may be other
means for accomplishing the piercing of the cylinder.
[0030] In another embodiment, the removable insert 30 comprises an
outer layer 32 and an inner core (not shown), comprised of a
reactive material, enclosed by the outer layer 32. The core is
activated by exposing the removable insert 30 to air or by breaking
an inner bag (not shown) of the removable insert 30 and shaking the
removable insert 30. In one example, the core comprises a
combination of iron powder, water, activated carbon, vermiculite,
salt, wooden powder and PURGE.TM. natural mineral powder,
obtainable as a product named BEYOND BODI HEAT.RTM. (made by
Okamoto Industries Inc., Japan). When the removable insert 30 is
exposed to air, the removable insert 30 heats up exothermically to
maintain an average temperature of 104.degree. F. for 12 hours. The
removable insert 30, comprising BEYOND BODI HEAT.RTM. as the core,
is disposed after use, but requires no outside source other than
exposure to air to activate the product.
[0031] In another example, the core (not shown) comprises an inner
bag (not shown) separating ammonium nitrate and water. On breaking
the inner bag and shaking the removable insert 30, the ammonium
nitrate dissolves in water, resulting in endothermic dissolution
with resulting cooling of the mixture of ammonium nitrate and
water. THERA-MED.RTM. (Thera-Med, Inc., Waco, Tex., U.S.A.) is an
example of a commercially available ammonium nitrate based product.
The removable insert 30, comprising THERA-MED.RTM. as the core, is
disposed after use, but requires no outside source other than
breaking the inner bag and shaking the removable insert 30 to
activate the removable insert 30.
[0032] In yet another example, the core (not shown) comprises a gel
pack (not shown). The removable insert 30 comprising the gel pack
core may either be placed into a refrigerator for cooling or into a
microwave oven for heating. TRU-FIT.TM. I.C.E./HEAT (distributed by
BD.TM. Consumer Healthcare, Franklin Lakes, N.J., U.S.A.) is an
example of a commercially available Gel Pack consisting essentially
of a high heat capacity solution of a polyacrylamide in water. The
removable insert 30, comprising TRU-FIT.TM. I.C.E./HEAT as the core
is reusable but requires an outside source to activate the
product.
[0033] The removable inserts 30 either cool or warm various parts
of a person's body. A warming removable insert 30 may assist in
easing muscle pain. In addition, a warming removable insert 30 may
be of particular value to a person performing various activities,
such as hiking, mountain climbing, playing sports, laboring, or the
like, in a cold climate. A cooling removable insert 30 may also
assist in easing muscle pain and/or treating swelling. In addition,
a cooling removable insert 30 may be of particular value to, for
example, a hiker, soldier, laborer, or athlete in a hot
climate.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 8-8A, an embodiment of a
heating/cooling article for wearing apparel 80, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment,
the heating/cooling article 80 includes the following main
components: a wearing apparel product 82 and a length of tubing 84
(shown in FIG. 8A) coupled thereto. Preferably, the tubing 84 is
located on the interior surface of the wearing apparel product 82.
It may be desired to couple the tubing 84 to the exterior of the
wearing apparel product 82. In this embodiment, the tubing 84
branches out several times while passing throughout various areas
of the wearing apparel product 82. It may be desired for the tubing
84 to form a loop. A gas valve 34 may be attached to the tubing. A
heating/cooling gas may be released when the valve 34 of a
compressed gas cylinder (not shown) is opened, or when a seal on
the cylinder is pierced by a spike 40. The spike may be coupled to
a portion of the tubing 84. In this embodiment, the wearing apparel
product 82 comprises a military combat suit, but other forms of
wearing apparel products could be used with the tubing 84,
including but not limited to shirts, jackets, pants, shorts, socks,
stockings, hats, caps, helmets, headbands, wristbands, sweatbands,
jumpsuits, wet suits, dive suits, firefighter uniforms, and the
like.
[0035] The release of gas from the compressed gas cylinder (not
shown) results in heating or cooling of the wearing apparel product
82 which, in turn, results in cooling of a person wearing the
wearing apparel product 82 containing the tubing 84. As shown in
FIG. 8A, the tubing 84 preferably defines a plurality of weep holes
86 (or dispersion holes) for dispersing the gas toward the interior
of the wearing apparel product 82. The weep holes 86 may be
positioned at uniform angles along the tubing 84 or at alternative
angles to allow for multidirectional dispersion of the gas within
the interior of the wearing apparel product 82. The number of weep
holes 86 may be increased or decreased as desired. It may be
desired for the tubing 84 to not include any weep holes 86.
[0036] The wearing apparel product 82 may be recharged with the gas
as needed to continue heating or cooling the wearing apparel
product 82. Any gas that is non-flammable and non-toxic may be
used, but carbon dioxide is a preferred gas in the compressed gas
cylinder. It may be desired to couple a compressed gas cylinder to
the wearing apparel product 82, or to other forms of wearing
apparel products, including but not limited to shirts, jackets,
pants, shorts, socks, stockings, hats, caps, helmets, headbands,
wristbands, sweatbands, wet suits, dive suits, firefighter
uniforms, and the like.
[0037] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing
and other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
instead of using interior pockets 14, it may be desired to position
pockets on the exterior of a particular wearing apparel product 12.
Also, it may be desired to provide within wearing apparel products
such as shirts, jackets, pants, shorts, socks, stockings, hats,
caps, helmets, headbands, wristbands, sweatbands, jumpsuits, wet
suits, dive suits, firefighter uniforms, and the like) an empty
chamber into which a heating/cooling gas may be inserted.
* * * * *