Evaporative cooling material

Abstract

Three-layer quilted textile material is suitable for evaporative cooling garments and articles. Superabsorbent layer is a non-woven felt; a blend of cellulose and polyacrylate fibers bonded together to form a non-linting fibrous core. Absorbent layer has inner and outer facings of nylon fabrics for controlled transpiration of water vapor without surface dampness. Cooling material requires immersion in water for one to two minutes and useful cooling time is five to ten hours.

1 . Evaporative cooling material, including:
 an outer water-vapor transmission layer for providing mechanical protection of said material without substantially hindering the evaporation of water or passage of water vapor;   an inner moisture barrier layer for providing a smooth inner surface and for blocking transmission of liquid water or vapor; and   a middle fibrous absorbent layer disposed between said outer and said inner layers, for absorbing applied water and releasing the water as vapor over a useful time period, thereby causing said inner barrier layer to be maintained at a temperature substantially cooler than ambient temperature; said fibrous absorbent layer created from a blend of suitable fibers bonded together by suitable bonding means such that said cooling material can be cut without shedding fibers or particles; said outer, inner, and absorbent layers being connected together by suitable connection means to provide stability of said material.   
     
     
         2 . The evaporative cooling material of  claim 1 , said fibrous absorbent layer comprising:
 a non-woven mat of cellulose and sodium acrylate co-polymer fibers blended in the ratio of approximately three parts cellulose to four parts acrylate.   
     
     
         3 . The evaporative cooling material of  claim 1 , said fibrous absorbent layer further including:
 a suitable bonding fiber for bonding together all fibers comprising said fibrous layer.   
     
     
         4 . The evaporative cooling material of  claim 1  wherein: said inner barrier layer blocks water and said outer transmission layer allows passage of liquid and vapor due to intrinsic properties of the materials selected, including suitable weave density and type, and suitable fiber composition 
     
     
         5 . The evaporative cooling material of  claim 4 , said inner barrier layer being composed of Taslan™ nylon fabric and said outer transmission layer being composed of oxford nylon fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The evaporative cooling material of  claim 1 , wherein the component goods are selected such that the evaporative cooling material has properties suitable for cutting, shaping, and sewing said material to create evaporative cooling garments