Cooling apparatus and method of using the same

Abstract

A cooling apparatus is disclosed, and comprises one or more liquid permeable enclosures, an absorbent material that facilitates controlled evaporation of fluid, and at least one tab extending from the enclosure. The enclosure defines an enclosed cavity and an absorbent material is disposed within the cavity. Upon contact with liquid, the absorbent material is configured to retain the liquid so that the liquid acts to absorb heat from a surrounding environment. The at least one tab extends from the enclosure and includes a first magnetic member and at least one second magnetic member. The at least one tab can be folded to bring the first magnetic member into magnetic attraction with the at least one second magnetic member to retain the enclosure adjacent some portion of a user's body.

1 . A cooling apparatus, comprising:
 a liquid permeable enclosure that defines an enclosed cavity;   an absorbent material disposed within the cavity so that, upon contact with liquid, the absorbent material retains liquid so that the liquid acts to absorb heat from a surrounding environment; and   at least one tab extending from the enclosure and including a first magnetic member and having at least one second magnetic member so that the at least one tab can be folded to bring the first magnetic member into magnetic attraction with the at least one second magnetic member to retain the enclosure adjacent some portion of a user's body.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material is one or more polymer crystal. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the absorbent material is acrylamide. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the water has a temperature lower than a temperature of the user's body. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is comprised of a first layer of material coupled with a second layer of material. 
     
     
         7 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein first layer of material is stitched to the second layer of material. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is formed of a fabric material. 
     
     
         9 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab is coupled with the enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one tab is stitched to the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab is configured to be folded over a collar of an article of clothing so that the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member magnetically attract on opposite sides of the article of clothing. 
     
     
         12 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member frictionally engage the article of clothing so that the enclosure is at least partially supported by the at least one tab on the article of clothing. 
     
     
         13 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are disposed on opposing end portions of the at least one tab. 
     
     
         14 . The cooling apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are retained in respective pockets formed within the at least one tab. 
     
     
         15 . A method of cooling a user, comprising:
 providing a cooling apparatus that comprises a liquid permeable enclosure that defines an enclosed cavity, an absorbent material disposed within the cavity, and at least one tab extending from the enclosure and including a first magnetic member and at least one second magnetic member;   exposing the enclosure to liquid so that the absorbent material retains at least a portion of the liquid;   moving the enclosure near a body of the user so that the liquid absorbs heat from the body of the user; and   folding the at least one tab over a portion of an article of clothing of the user so that the first magnetic member and the at least one second magnetic member are aligned so that an attractive magnetic force is exerted therebetween.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of removing excess liquid from the enclosure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of placing the enclosure in direct contact with the body of the user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of exposing the enclosure to liquid after liquid has evaporated from the enclosure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of folding the at least one tab includes folding the at least one tab about a portion of a helmet.