Watertight container for use with a cooling garment

Abstract

A watertight container has a container body, and first and second elongate locking elements. The container body includes a side wall that defines an interior and extends to a perimeter that defines an opening to the interior of the watertight container. The perimeter of the container body has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has a first plurality of apertures, and the second portion has a second plurality of apertures. The first and second elongate locking element are rigid and adapted to abut the first and second portions, respectively, of the perimeter of the container body. A plurality of fasteners removably fasten the first and second elongate locking elements together, such that the first and second elongate locking elements together seal closed the opening of the container body.

1 . A watertight container comprising:
 a container body that is flexible and waterproof, the container body having a side wall that defines an interior and extends to a perimeter that defines an opening to the interior of the waterproof container;   the perimeter of the container body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first plurality of apertures, and the second portion having a second plurality of apertures that each correspond with one of the first plurality of apertures;   a first elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the first portion of the perimeter of the container body;   a second elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the second portion of the perimeter of the container body;   a plurality of locking apertures through the second elongate locking element;   a plurality of externally threaded posts extending from the first elongate locking element, each of the plurality of externally threaded posts being adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures of the container body, the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures, and one of the plurality of locking apertures of the second elongate locking elements; and   a plurality of internally threaded locking nuts, each adapted to threadedly engage one of the plurality of locking posts such that tightening the locking nuts with respect to the locking posts clamps the first and second elongate locking elements together, thereby compressing and sealing the opening of the container body.   
     
     
         2 . The watertight container of  claim 1 , further comprising a ridge extending longitudinally along the first elongate locking element, and a mating groove extending longitudinally along the second elongate locking element, the ridge and the groove being adapted to interlock and further seal the opening of the container body. 
     
     
         3 . The watertight container of  claim 1 , further comprising a first side opening through the side wall of the container body, and a second side opening through the side wall of the container body. 
     
     
         4 . The watertight container of  claim 3 , further comprising a first conduit and a second conduit, the first and second conduits being operably attached to the container body so that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication with the interior of the container body through the respective first and second side openings. 
     
     
         5 . The watertight container of  claim 4 , further a pump operably attached to the second conduit. 
     
     
         6 . A cooling garment comprising:
 a watertight container comprising:
 a container body that is flexible and waterproof, the container body having a side wall that defines an interior and extends to a perimeter that defines an opening to the interior of the waterproof container, the perimeter of the container body having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first plurality of apertures, and the second portion having a second plurality of apertures that each correspond with one of the first plurality of apertures; 
 a first elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the first portion of the perimeter of the container body; 
 a second elongate locking element that is rigid and adapted to abut the second portion of the perimeter of the container body; 
 a plurality of fasteners for removably fastening the first and second elongate locking elements together, the plurality of fasteners being adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures of the container body and the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures, such that the first and second elongate locking elements together close the opening of the container body; 
   a first side opening through the side wall of the container body, and a second side opening through the side wall of the container body;   a first conduit and a second conduit, the first and second conduits being operably attached to the container body so that the first and second conduits are in fluid communication with the interior of the container body through the respective first and second side openings;   a garment body adapted to be worn by a user;   a length of tubing having an inlet end, and outlet end, and a medial portion, the medial portion being attached to the garment body; and   a pump adapted to pump a cooling fluid from the watertight container, through the length of tubing, and back to the watertight container via the first and second conduits.   
     
     
         7 . The cooling garment of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of fasteners comprise:
 a plurality of locking apertures through the second elongate locking element;   a plurality of externally threaded posts extending from the first elongate locking element, each of the plurality of externally threaded posts being adapted to be positioned through one of the first plurality of apertures of the container body, the corresponding one of the second plurality of apertures, and one of the plurality of locking apertures of the second elongate locking elements; and   a plurality of internally threaded locking nuts, each adapted to threadedly engage one of the plurality of locking posts such that tightening the locking nuts with respect to the locking posts clamps the first and second elongate locking elements together, thereby compressing and sealing the opening of the container body.   
     
     
         8 . The cooling garment of  claim 6 , further comprising a pack that is adapted to be worn by the user for housing the watertight container. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling garment of  claim 6 , further comprising a pack that is adapted to be worn by the user, the pack further housing the pump. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling garment of  claim 6 , further comprising a ridge extending longitudinally along the first elongate locking element, and a mating groove extending longitudinally along the second elongate locking element, the ridge and the groove being adapted to interlock and further seal the opening of the container body.