Cool Strip

Abstract

A cooling device is disclosed herein. The disclosed cooling device comprises a sensor or thermometer that indicates body temperature and contains an activatable cooler. In some versions, the disclosure discusses an activatable cooler comprising water and an endothermic salt. The device is designed to promote safety and comfort of the user-wearer.

Claims

1. A cooling device comprising: a pouch; an activatable cooler disposed in the pouch; substrate disposed in the pouch; a thermometer affixed to the pouch; and a connector on an outer surface of the pouch wherein the connector secures the pouch to a body region.

2. The cooling device of claim 1, further comprising an insulator disposed between the thermometer and the pouch.

3. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein the insulator is an insulating strip.

4. The cooling device of claim 2, wherein the thermometer is electronic.

5. The cooling device of claim 4, wherein the thermometer comprises a plastic strip including color-changing material.

6. The cooling device of claim 5, wherein the connector comprises a belt and alternatively a strap.

7. The cooling device of claim 5, wherein the connector comprises adhesive disposed on the outer surface of the pouch.

8. The cooling device of claim 7, wherein the cooler comprises endothermic salt.

9. The cooling device of claim 8, wherein the pouch is a plastic bag and the endothermic salt is disposed in a sealed, frangible container.

10. The cooling device of claim 8, wherein the substrate includes a gel and alternatively water and a gelling agent.

11. A cooling device comprising: a plastic bag; an activatable cooling part including an endothermic salt in a sealed, frangible container disposed in the plastic bag; substrate disposed in the pouch and including a gel; a thermometer affixed to the pouch and comprising a plastic strip including color-changing; an insulating strip disposed between the thermometer and the plastic bag; and adhesive material on an outer surface of the plastic bag wherein the adhesive material secures the plastic bag to a body region. wherein the body region includes the neck, armpit, and groin regions.

12. A method of using a cooling device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cooling device including: a pouch; an activatable cooler disposed in the pouch; substrate disposed in the pouch; a thermometer affixed to the pouch; and a connector on an outer surface of the pouch wherein the connector is configured to secure the pouch to a body region; securing the cooling device to a body region; and activating the cooler.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a cool strip, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cooling device during an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooling device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3A is a front view of the cooling device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3B is a left side view of a version of the cooling device of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3C is a rear view of a version of the cooling device of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the cooling device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wearable cooling device and more particularly to a cool strip as used to improve the instant cold packs.

[0020] Generally, the present invention provides users with a small gel cooling patch or strip designed to reduce body temperature when applied to the neck, armpits, or groin area. It measures the wearer's temperature immediately when applied, notifying the individual of their body temperature. It activates a cooling mechanism when squeezed, allowing the user's temperature to be reduced while waiting for help to arrive. This eliminates the worry of the body reaching extremely dangerous temperatures when the individual is suffering from heat exhaustion, fever, fainting, or seizures. The present invention functions as a cooling tool for those working outdoors and in other hot environments.

[0021] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of cooling device 100. FIG. 1 shows cooling device 100 during an in-use condition by user 40, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of cooling device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows cooling device 100 with substrate 110, thermometer 120, cooler 130, and pouch 160.

[0023] FIG. 3A shows a front view of cooling device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, FIG. 3A illustrates cooling device 100, which can include substrate 110, thermometer 120, and pouch 160. FIG. 3B is a side view of cooling device 100 and depicts substrate 110, thermometer 120, cooler 130, connector 140, insulator 150, and pouch 160. Finally, FIG. 3C shows a back view of cooling device 100 and depicts substrate 110, connector 140, and pouch 160.

[0024] As shown, substrate 110 and cooler 130 are disposed inside of pouch 160. Thermometer 120 is disposed on insulator 150 that in turn is mounted to the surface of pouch 160. In some versions, connector 140 is disposed on the surface of pouch 160, as well. Substrate 110 serves to transfer heat from cooler 130 to pouch 160. In some versions, substrate 110 is water and in other versions, substrate 110 comprises a gelling agent. Connector 140 connects cooling device 100 to a portion of a patient's body to hold the cooling device against the patient's skin. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize diverse types of connector 140 to be useful in this invention. In some versions, connector 140 is a belt, a strap, an adhesive strip, or an arrangement of hook-and-loop fastener. Cooler 130 comprises a material that causes cooler 130 to cool when activated. For instance, in some versions, cooler 130 comprises water and an endothermic salt separated with an easily breakable barrier. When the barrier is broken, the water and salt combine and the combination absorbs energy from its surroundings, in this case substrate 110. Alternatively, substrate 110 comprises water and cooler 130 comprises an endothermic salt that is activated when cooler 130 is broken inside of substrate 110 distributing the endothermic salt to water similarly to the previous version. Using endothermic salts to provide cold therapy is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some versions, the endothermic salt is selected from ammonium nitrate, urea, or ammonium chloride.

[0025] In some versions, substrate 110 is pre-cooled by placing it in a refrigerator or freezer. Sometimes this pre-cooling of cooling device 100 allows a version of cooling device 100 to dispense with cooler 130. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other ways of cooling substrate 110 exist. In various versions, these ways are useful in cooling device 100.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3B, insulator 150 sits between pouch 160 and thermometer 120 so that thermometer 120 accurately reads the temperature of the patient's skin instead of the temperature of pouch 160 and substrate 110. Thermometer 120 can take many different forms as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which forms are useful in various versions of cooling device 100. For instance, thermometer 120 can be based on an electrical sensor or a color-changing plastic material or film.

[0027] In use, when a patient is outside or in a hot or heated environment, the thermometer indicates skin temperature when contacted with the skin. If the patient's skin temperature is too high, the patient or a caregiver activates the cooling device, in some versions by freeing the endothermic salt to dissolve in the water-based substrate. The cold cooling device 100 is placed against an appropriate region of the patient. In some versions, this region is the neck, armpits, or groin area. By doing this, cooling of the patient's body begins before other medical assistance arrives.

[0028] FIG. 4 is flow diagram 400 illustrating a method of using a cooling device 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of using a cooling device 100 may include the steps of: providing 401 a cooling device including a pouch; an activatable cooler disposed in the pouch; substrate disposed in the pouch; a thermometer affixed to the pouch; and a connector on an outer surface of the pouch; securing 402 the cooling device to a body region with the connector; and activating 403 the cooler.

[0029] The use of step of should not be interpreted as step for, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for the cooling device 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

[0030] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.