U.S. patent application number 14/692355 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for head cooling system and devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Denise Haggard, Richard Haggard. Invention is credited to Denise Haggard, Richard Haggard.
Application Number | 20150342279 14/692355 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54700314 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150342279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haggard; Richard ; et
al. |
December 3, 2015 |
HEAD COOLING SYSTEM AND DEVICES
Abstract
Head cooling systems including head cooling devices configured
to be worn on a user's head are shown and described. The head
cooling devices have a concave body including: a ceiling having a
plurality of ceiling pouches and ceiling seams disposed between
each of the plurality of ceiling pouches; a curved side wall
attached to a perimeter of the ceiling having a plurality of side
wall pouches a plurality of ceiling seams disposed between each of
the plurality of ceiling pouches; and a freezable material disposed
in each of the plurality of ceiling pouches and each of the
plurality of side wall pouches. During wear, the ceiling is
proximal to an apex of the wearer's head, while the curved side
wall is encompasses a forehead, a rear, and sides of the wearer's
head. In some examples, the head cooling system further includes an
elastic sleeve that is fittable over the concave body and is
configured to be in an at least partially stretched state during
wear of the head cooling device.
Inventors: |
Haggard; Richard; (Portland,
OR) ; Haggard; Denise; (Portland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Haggard; Richard
Haggard; Denise |
Portland
Portland |
OR
OR |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54700314 |
Appl. No.: |
14/692355 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62004654 |
May 29, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/171.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/062 20130101;
A42B 1/069 20130101; A42B 1/008 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/00 20060101
A42B001/00 |
Claims
1. A head cooling system having a head cooling device configured to
be worn on a head of a user, the head cooling device having a
concave body comprising: a ceiling configured to be proximal to an
apex of the head during wear, the ceiling having a plurality of
ceiling pouches, and a plurality of ceiling seams disposed between
each of the plurality of ceiling pouches; a curved side wall
attached to a perimeter of the ceiling and configured to encompass
a forehead, a rear, and sides of the head during wear, the curved
side wall having: a plurality of side wall pouches, and a plurality
of side wall seams disposed between each of the side wall pouches;
and a freezable material disposed in each of the plurality of
ceiling pouches and each of the plurality of side wall pouches.
2. The head cooling system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
ceiling seams are points of flexibility between each of the ceiling
pouches and the plurality of side wall seams are points of
flexibility between each of the side wall pouches.
3. The head cooling system of claim 1, further comprising a
perimeter seam disposed between the ceiling and the side wall at a
location of attachment between the ceiling and the side wall.
4. The head cooling system of claim 3, the perimeter seam, the
plurality of ceiling seams, and the plurality of side wall seams
are points of flexibility in the concave body and are configured to
deform to fit the head of the user during wear of the head cooling
device.
5. The head cooling system of claim 1, wherein each of the ceiling
pouches are comprised of an inner lining and an outer lining, the
inner lining and the outer lining being joined at each of the
ceiling seams, and wherein each of the side wall pouches are
comprised of the inner lining and the outer lining, the inner
lining and the outer lining being joined at each of the side wall
seams, the inner lining being disposed on an inner surface of the
concave body and the outer lining being disposed on an outer
surface of the concave body.
6. The head cooling system of claim 5, wherein the outer lining is
comprised of a reflective material waterproof material.
7. The head cooling system of claim 5, wherein the outer lining is
comprised of a plastic waterproof material having an embedded
network of fibers.
8. The head cooling system of claim 5, wherein the inner lining is
comprised of a plastic waterproof material having an embedded
network of fibers.
9. The head cooling system of claim 5, wherein the inner lining and
the outer lining are comprised of an elastic waterproof
material.
10. The head cooling system of claim 1, wherein the concave body is
insertable into a hat and fittable within boundaries of the hat
when inserted into the hat.
11. The head cooling system of claim 1, further comprising an
elastic sleeve that is fittable over the concave body to contact an
outer surface of the concave body and is configured to be in an at
least partially stretched state during wear of the head cooling
device.
12. The head cooling system of claim 1, wherein the freezable
material comprises one or more of water, refrigerant gel, and
refrigerant beads.
13. A head cooling system having a head cooling device configured
to be worn on a head of a user, the head cooling device having a
concave body comprising: a ceiling configured to be proximal to an
apex of the head during wear, the ceiling having: a plurality of
ceiling pouches, and a plurality of ceiling seams disposed between
each of the plurality of ceiling pouches; a curved side wall
attached to a perimeter of the ceiling and configured to encompass
a forehead, a rear, and sides of the head during wear, the curved
side wall having: a plurality of side wall pouches, and a plurality
of side wall seams disposed between each of the side wall pouches;
a perimeter seam disposed between the ceiling and the side wall at
a location of attachment between the ceiling and the side wall; and
a freezable material disposed in each of the plurality of ceiling
pouches and each of the plurality of side wall pouches, wherein
each of the ceiling pouches are comprised of an inner lining and an
outer lining, the inner lining and the outer lining being joined at
each of the ceiling seams, and wherein each of the side wall
pouches are comprised of the inner lining and the outer lining, the
inner lining and the outer lining being joined at each of the side
wall seams, the inner lining being disposed on an inner surface of
the concave body and the outer lining being disposed on an outer
surface of the concave body.
14. The head cooling system of claim 13, wherein the outer lining
is comprised of a reflective material waterproof material.
15. The head cooling system of claim 13, wherein the outer lining
and the inner lining are comprised of a plastic waterproof material
having an embedded network of fibers.
16. The head cooling system of claim 13, wherein the inner lining
and the outer lining are comprised of an elastic waterproof
material.
17. The head cooling system of claim 13, wherein the concave body
is insertable into a hat and fittable within boundaries of the hat
when inserted into the hat.
18. The head cooling system of claim 13, further comprising an
elastic sleeve that is fittable over the concave body to contact an
outer surface of the concave body and is configured to be in an at
least partially stretched state during wear of the head cooling
device.
19. The head cooling system of claim 13, wherein the freezable
material comprises one or more of water, refrigerant gel, and
refrigerant beads.
20. A head cooling system having a head cooling device configured
to be worn on a head of a user, the head cooling device having a
concave body comprising: a ceiling configured to be proximal to an
apex of the head during wear, the ceiling having: a plurality of
ceiling pouches, and a plurality of ceiling seams disposed between
each of the plurality of ceiling pouches, each of the ceiling
pouches having an inner lining and an outer lining, the inner
lining and the outer lining being joined at each of the ceiling
seams; a curved side wall attached to a perimeter of the ceiling
and configured to encompass a forehead, a rear, and sides of the
head during wear, the curved side wall having: a plurality of side
wall pouches, and a plurality of side wall seams disposed between
each of the side wall pouches, each of the side wall pouches having
the inner lining and the outer lining, the inner lining and the
outer lining being further joined at each of the side wall seams,
the inner lining being disposed on an inner surface of the concave
body and the outer lining being disposed on an outer surface of the
concave body; a perimeter seam disposed between the ceiling and the
side wall at a location of attachment between the ceiling and the
side wall; a freezable material disposed in each of the plurality
of ceiling pouches and each of the plurality of side wall pouches,
the freezable material being one or more of water, refrigerant gel,
and refrigerant beads; and an elastic sleeve that is fittable over
the concave body to contact an outer surface of the concave body
and is configured to be in an at least partially stretched state
during wear of the head cooling device, wherein the concave body is
insertable into a hat and fittable within boundaries of the hat
when inserted into the hat.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of copending U.S. Provisional Patent
Application, Ser. No. 62/004,654, filed on May 29, 2014, which is
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to head cooling
devices. In particular, flexible head cooling devices that can be
worn in combination with a user's hat and/or an elastic sleeve are
described.
[0003] Working, playing, and/or other outdoor activities are
difficult to perform in hot climates (i.e., high temperatures). In
some cases, a hat can be worn to block sunlight from the face
and/or neck and shoulders of a wearer. In extreme temperatures
(i.e., high temperatures), a hat may provide insufficient cooling
to a wearer. Alternatively, a head cooling device can be worn to
provide a cooling source to the scalp of a wearer. Head cooling
devices can also be used to reduce a body temperature and/or
provide physical relief during illness and injury.
[0004] Known head cooling devices are not entirely satisfactory for
the range of applications in which they are employed. For example,
many head cooling devices are large and unattractive, thereby
inhibiting a wearer from wearing the head cooling device in public.
Further, many head cooling devices are unstable and are subject to
"falling off" of a user during wear. In another example, some
conventional head cooling devices use small frozen pouches in
combination with a specially designed hat having a pocket for
receiving the frozen pouch. In these examples, the wearer is
limited to wearing the head cooling device with the hat. Further,
the conventional head cooling device may provide insufficient
cooling to the wearer.
[0005] Thus, there exists a need for head cooling devices that
improve upon and advance the design of known head cooling devices.
Examples of new and useful head cooling devices relevant to the
needs existing in the field are discussed below.
[0006] Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing
needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of
references relevant to head cooling devices include U.S. patent
References: U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,365, U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,473, U.S.
Pat. No. 7,930,772, U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,474, U.S. Pat. No.
5,957,964, U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,807, U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,579, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,163,425, U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,363, U.S. Pat. No.
4,356,709, U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,803, U.S. Pat. No. 2,158,571, U.S.
Pat. No. 2,049,723, U.S. Pat. No. 1,127,221, patent publication
20100703031. The complete disclosures of the above patents and
patent publication are herein incorporated by reference for all
purposes.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure is directed to head cooling systems
including a head cooling device configured to be worn on a user's
head. The head cooling device has a concave body including a
ceiling having a plurality of ceiling pouches and ceiling seams
disposed between each of the plurality of ceiling pouches; a curved
side wall attached to a perimeter of the ceiling having a plurality
of side wall pouches a plurality of ceiling seams disposed between
each of the plurality of ceiling pouches; and a freezable material
disposed in each of the plurality of ceiling pouches and each of
the plurality of side wall pouches. During wear, the ceiling is
configured to be proximal to an apex of the wearer's head, while
the curved side wall is configured to encompass a forehead, a rear,
and sides of the wearer's head. In some examples, the head cooling
system further includes an elastic sleeve that is fittable over the
concave body and is configured to be in an at least partially
stretched state during wear of the head cooling device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1A and 1B are bottom plan views of first and second
examples of head cooling devices, respectively, depicting inner
surfaces of the head cooling devices.
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B are top plan views of the first and second
examples of head cooling devices shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,
respectively, depicting outer surfaces of the devices.
[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side elevation views of the first and
second examples of head cooling devices shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,
respectively.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the first example head
cooling device shown in FIG. 1A depicting the head cooling device
disposed within an example hat.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first example head
cooling device shown in FIG. 1A depicting the head cooling device
disposed within the example hat.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second example head
cooling device shown in FIG. 1B depicting the head cooling device
disposed within an example elastic sleeve.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the second example head cooling
device shown in FIG. 1B depicting the head cooling device disposed
within the example elastic sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The disclosed head cooling devices will become better
understood through review of the following detailed description in
conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures
provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed
examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing
from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations
are contemplated for different applications and design
considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every
contemplated variation is not individually described in the
following detailed description.
[0016] Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of
head cooling device examples are provided. Related features in the
examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different
examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be
redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related
feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related
feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example
explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be
described in that particular example. The reader should understand
that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the
specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or
example.
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1-7 a first example of a head
cooling device, head cooling device 100, and a second example of a
head cooling device, head cooling 200, will now be described. Head
cooling devices 100 and 200 function to reduce the temperature of a
wearer's head during experiences of high body temperature (e.g.,
illness including fever, exposure to high temperature climates,
etc.). Additionally or alternatively, each of head cooling devices
100 and 200 can be used in combination with a wearer's hat to
disguise or mask the wearing of the head cooling device. Further,
additionally or alternatively, each of head cooling devices 100 and
200 can be worn in combination with an elastic cap or the head
cooling device can have an elastic casing to assist in holding the
cap to the wearer's head during use of the head cooling device.
[0018] Head cooling devices 100 and 200 address many of the
shortcomings existing with conventional head cooling devices. For
example, the presently described head cooling devices have a small
enough profile to be fitted underneath the hat of a wearer, yet
provide a larger cooling surface area than conventional head
cooling devices. In another example, the subject head cooling
devices can be worn alternatively be worn under a hat or alone as
desired by the wearer. In even another example, when the subject
head cooling devices are worn with an elastic cap or include an
elastic coating, the head cooling devices are less subject to
"falling off" than conventional head cooling devices.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, head cooling device 100 includes a
concave body 102 including a curved side wall 104 and a ceiling
106. The concave body is configured to be generally "head-shaped".
In other examples, the head cooling device can exclude the ceiling
and comprise a curved side wall with a central opening. In these
other example, the head cooling device can have a conical cylinder
shape that is generally "head-shaped".
[0020] Each of curved side wall 104 and ceiling 106 are comprised
of a plurality of pouches 108 that are filled with a freezable
material (e.g., water, gel, etc.). Pouches 108 are formed by an
inner lining 110 and an outer lining 112 that are joined at a
plurality of seams 114. The seams are locations of flexibility
between each of the pouches and allow movement and/or deformation
of the head cooling device even when the freezable material is
frozen (i.e., solid and/or stiff). Thus, the head cooling device
can be flexed and/or deformed to fit a wearer's head even when the
freezable material is in a frozen state. It will be appreciated
that the head cooling device can include more seams for greater
flexibility/deformability.
[0021] In the example of head cooling device 100, inner lining 110
is a clear (i.e., transparent) plastic material and outer lining
112 is a reflective plastic material. When worn outside by the user
the outer lining reflects sunlight (e.g., UV rays, heat, etc.) and
maintains a cooler temperature (i.e., resists thawing) of the
freezable material in each of the pouches for a longer period of
time. In some examples, the inner lining can also be made of the
reflective plastic material.
[0022] A second example of a head cooling device, head cooling
device 200 will now be described. Head cooling device 200 includes
many similar or identical features to head cooling device 100.
Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of head cooling device
200 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions
between head cooling device 200 and head cooling device 100 will be
described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion
above for features substantially similar between the two head
cooling devices.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, head cooling device 200 includes a
concave body 202 including a curved side wall 204 and a ceiling
206. The concave body is configured to be generally "head-shaped".
In other examples, the head cooling device can exclude the ceiling
and comprise a curved side wall with a central opening. In these
other example, the head cooling device can have a conical cylinder
shape that is generally "head-shaped".
[0024] Each of curved side wall 204 and ceiling 206 are comprised
of a plurality of pouches 208 that are filled with a freezable
material (e.g., water, gel, etc.). Pouches 208 are formed by an
inner lining 210 and an outer lining 212 that are joined at a
plurality of seams 214. The seams are locations of flexibility
between each of the pouches and allow movement and/or deformation
of the head cooling device even when the freezable material is
frozen (i.e., solid and/or stiff). Thus, the head cooling device
can be flexed and/or deformed to fit a wearer's head even when the
freezable material is in a frozen state. It will be appreciated
that the head cooling device can include more seams for greater
flexibility/deformability.
[0025] Different from head cooling device 100, in the example of
head cooling device 200, a durable coating 216 is disposed over
inner lining 210 and outer lining 212. The durable coating can be a
plastic material that is thicker than the plastic material of the
inner and outer linings. In the present example, the durable
material is a plastic material having an embedded network of fibers
(e.g., duct tape). In other examples, the durable material can be
an elastic material that is stretched to fit over the head of a
wearer and then retracts to a non-stretched or partially stretched
state to maintain its position on the head of the wearer and/or
resist "falling off" the head of the wearer.
[0026] Turning attention to FIGS. 4 and 5, head cooling device 100
is shown in combination with a hat 120 of the wearer. Hat 120
includes a curved side wall 122, a ceiling 124, and a brim 126.
Curved side wall 104 and ceiling 106 are configured with fit within
the boundaries of curved side wall 122 and ceiling 124 so that
concave body 102 substantially fits into an interior shape of hat
120. Brim 126 is configured to block sunlight from the face and
eyes of the wearer. When worn in combination with hat 120, head
cooling device 100 can be undetectable/unobservable by others.
Significantly, the head cooling device is selectively removable
from the hat and can be removed for freezing of the freezable
material, wear of the hat without the head cooling device, wear of
the head cooling device without the hat, and/or wear of the head
cooling device with a different hat.
[0027] Turning attention to FIGS. 6 and 7, head cooling device 200
is shown in combination with an elastic sleeve 220. Elastic sleeve
220 is comprised of an elastic material (e.g., spandex, silicone,
rubber, etc.). Elastic sleeve 220 includes a curved side wall 222
and a ceiling 224. Curved side wall 204 and ceiling 206 are
configured with fit within the boundaries of curved side wall 222
and ceiling 224 so that concave body 202 substantially fits into an
interior shape of elastic sleeve 220 when the elastic sleeve is in
a partially or fully stretched state. When worn in combination with
head cooling device 200, elastic sleeve 220 can assist in
maintaining a position of the head cooling device on the head of
the wearer and/or assist in resisting "falling off" of the head
cooling device from the head of the wearer. Significantly, the head
cooling device is selectively removable from the elastic sleeve and
can be removed for freezing of the freezable material and/or wear
of the head cooling device without the elastic sleeve.
[0028] It will be appreciated that although head cooling device 100
is depicted in combination with hat 120 and head cooling device 200
is depicted in combination with elastic sleeve 220, in alternate
examples, head cooling device 100 can be used in combination with
elastic sleeve 220 and head cooling device 200 can be used in
combination with hat 220. In some examples, the elastic sleeve can
be disposed between a head cooling device and a hat to have both of
the advantages of disguising the head cooling device with the hat
and assisting in maintaining the position of the head cooling
device with the elastic sleeve.
[0029] It will be further appreciated that the example head cooling
devices can be manufactured in a variety of sizes. For example, a
head cooling device can be manufactured in a smaller size to fit
the head of a child. In another example, a head cooling device can
be manufactured in a medium size to fit the head of a woman. In
even another example, a head cooling device can be manufactured in
a larger size to fit the head of a man. In some examples, the head
cooling devices could be manufactured and labeled according to
specific sized (e.g., extra small, small, medium, large, extra
large, etc.).
[0030] The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct
inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions
has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments
disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a
limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject
matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious
combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features,
functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those
skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the
disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite "a" element, "a
first" element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or
claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such
elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such
elements.
[0031] Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to
combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that
are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in
other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions,
elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of
those claims or presentation of new claims in the present
application or in a related application. Such amended or new
claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a
different invention and whether they are different, broader,
narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be
considered within the subject matter of the inventions described
herein.
* * * * *