Garment for applying cold or heat to digits

Abstract

A garment for applying cold or heat to a digit of a wearer, which comprises at least one digit sleeve and a securing mechanism for securing the digit sleeve to a digit of the wearer. The digit sleeve is composed of a protective outer layer, a heating/freezing middle layer and an inner comfort layer. A cavity formed within the digit sleeve is configured for receiving the digit of the wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment for applying cold or heat to digits of a wearer, comprising:
 at least one digit sleeve having:
 a heating/freezing layer; and 
   a securing mechanism for securing the digit sleeve to a digit of the wearer;   wherein a cavity formed within the digit sleeve is configured for receiving the digit of the wearer.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one digit sleeve further comprises:
 a protective outer layer.   
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one digit sleeve further comprises:
 an inner comfort layer.   
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one digit sleeve further comprises:
 a protective outer layer; and   an inner comfort layer.   
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one digit sleeve includes a projection configured to cover a knuckle of the digit of the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the heating/freezing layer is composed of a heating/freezing agent selected from the group consisting of gel, water and rubbing alcohol, Cryogel™, hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl and coated silica gel. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein the protective outer layer is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of Neoprene™, Goretex™, Lycra™, waterproof/breathable-Tex, Spandex™, Nylon™, polyester, polyethylene, elastoester, rayon, acrylic fibers, polypropylene and plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 3 , wherein the inner comfort layer is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of knitting mesh, Lycra™, Nylon™, power mesh and leno mesh. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the digit sleeve is a finger sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 9 , wherein the securing mechanism is a draw string to tighten the finger sleeve around the digit of the wearer, 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 9 , further comprising a fingerless glove and wherein the securing mechanism is configured for securing the digit sleeve to the fingerless glove. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the securing mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a band having snap fastener grooves at opposite ends corresponding to snap fastener protruding lips on the finger sleeve and the fingerless glove, a Velcro™ band with corresponding Velcro™ anchors on the finger sleeve and the fingerless glove, a band having magnetic contacts at opposite ends corresponding magnetic contacts on the finger sleeve and the fingerless glove, buckles, and hook and eye. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the digit sleeve is a toe sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 13 , wherein the securing mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a draw string to tighten the toe sleeve around the digit of the wearer, an elastic strap around the wearer's ankle and elastic strap attached to a band around the wearer's ankle. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 13 , further comprising a toeless sock and wherein the securing mechanism is configured for securing the toe sleeve to the toeless sock. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 15 , wherein the securing mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a band having snap fastener grooves at opposite ends corresponding to snap fastener protruding lips on the finger sleeve and the fingerless glove, a Velcro™ band with corresponding Velcro™ anchors on the finger sleeve and the fingerless glove, a band having magnetic contacts at opposite ends corresponding magnetic contacts on the finger sleeve and the fingerless glove, buckles, and hook and eye. 
     
     
         17 . A garment for applying cold or heat to a finger of a wearer, comprising:
 at least one finger sleeve having:
 a protective outer layer; 
 a heating/freezing middle layer; 
 an inner comfort layer; and 
   a securing mechanism for securing the finger sleeve to a finger of the wearer;   wherein a cavity formed within the finger sleeve is configured for receiving the finger of the wearer.   
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 17 , further comprising a fingerless glove and wherein the securing mechanism is configured for securing the digit sleeve to the fingerless glove. 
     
     
         19 . A garment for applying cold or heat to a toe of a wearer, comprising:
 at least one toe sleeve having:
 a protective outer layer; 
 a heating/freezing middle layer; 
 an inner comfort layer; and 
   a securing mechanism for securing the toe sleeve to a toe of the wearer;   wherein a cavity formed within the toe sleeve is configured for receiving the toe of the wearer.   
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 19 , further comprising a toeless sock and wherein the securing mechanism is configured for securing the toe sleeve to the toeless sock.