Garment with Regionally Varied Evaporative Cooling Properties

Abstract

A garment, such as a shirt, shorts, socks, or a hat, is disclosed for efficiently cooling an individual by water evaporation, thereby reducing perspiration, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and discomfort. The garment includes at least one property that is intentionally non-uniform, so as to concentrate and retain applied water in areas where enhanced cooling is desired. Variable properties include structure, density, composition, texture, type and/or quantity of additive substances, included fabric layers, and degree of contact with a user's body. A source of water can be included, for example in an attachable container. The container can be compressed, water can be pumped, or compressed air can push water from the container. A pump can be actuated by hand or by natural movements of a user. A drinking port can be included, and a pouch can hold a removable, water-absorbing and water-releasing insert that can be pre-wetted and/or pre-cooled.

1 . A wearable apparatus for cooling a person, the apparatus comprising:
 a garment shaped so as to cover and fit in contact with a portion of the skin of a person;   the garment being able to cool the person by allowing evaporation of water received by the garment; and   at least one property of the garment being varied across the garment, so as to enhance the ability of a region of the garment to provide evaporative cooling of a corresponding region of the body of the person where enhanced cooling is desirable.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein cooling is intended where at least one of:
 cooling of subcutaneous blood is enhanced;   cooling of exercising muscles is enhanced; and   comfort of the person is enhanced.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the structure, density, composition, and texture of the garment is spatially varied so as to localize and evaporate received water unevenly. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a type and quantity of additive substances at least one of applied to and embedded in the garment is spatially varied so as to localize and evaporate received water unevenly. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the garment includes a water absorbent substance embedded in the garment that moderates the wetness of the garment by absorbing water from the garment when too much water is received, and releasing water into the garment when insufficient water is present. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein thermal contact between the garment and the portion of the body of the person is spatially uneven. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the garment includes a layer with non-uniform properties that mediates the rate of evaporative cooling of the body of the person. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is one of a shirt, shorts, socks, and a hat. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is disposable. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is able to receive water exuded by the person as perspiration. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of water. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the source of water includes a container that can contain water. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the container is at least attachable to the garment. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the container can be attached to the garment and surrounded by layers of the garment. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the garment is able to direct water from the container to areas of the garment where evaporative cooling is desired. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the container can be compressed by the person so as to push water onto the garment. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the garment includes two shoulders, and sources of water are attachable to the two shoulders of the garment. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the source of water includes a pump that is able to pump water from the source of water to the garment. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 18 , wherein the pump is operated automatically when the body of the person undergoes movement that is at least one of:
 breathing;   walking;   moving of arms;   moving of legs;   and other body movements.   
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the source of water includes an air space cooperative with water contained in the source of water, the air space being fillable with compressed air so as to apply pressure to the water, thereby pushing the water onto the garment. 
     
     
         21 . The garment of  claim 20 , wherein the air space is separated from the water in the source of water by a flexible barrier that is able to apply pressure to the water while ensuring that only water will be delivered by the source of water to the garment. 
     
     
         22 . The garment of  claim 20 , wherein the source of water includes a pump operable by the person so as to compress the air in the air space. 
     
     
         23 . The garment of  claim 22 , wherein the pump is operated automatically when the body of the person undergoes movement that is at least one of:
 breathing;   walking;   moving of arms;   moving of legs;   and other body movements.   
     
     
         24 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the water supplied by the source of water is maintained in thermal contact with the person before it is delivered to the shirt. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a drinking port that can be used by the person to drink from the source of water. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein water can be pushed onto the garment by blowing into the drinking port. 
     
     
         27 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is able to receive and retain a removable water-absorbing and water-releasing insert, so as to accumulate water and supply water to a non-uniform area where cooling is desired. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the removable water-absorbing and water-releasing insert can be received by the garment in a state wherein it is pre-wetted. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the removable water-absorbing and water-releasing insert can be cooled before being retained by the garment. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a water barrier that tends to restrain water received by the garment within a desired region of the garment.