COOLING BEACH BLANKET

Abstract

A personal cooling system for controlling personal body temperature at the beach comprises a first layer having a first edge region defining a size and a shape of the first layer, the first layer comprising a cooling gel pack, wherein the gel pack has an outer surface and a plurality of compartments for storing a temperature-controlling ingredient therein; a second layer having a second edge region defining a size and a shape of the second layer; and an outside bag, to an inside surface of the outside bag the first layer and the second layer are attached. The second layer in the system further comprises a liquid dispenser that is embedded in the mesh material of the second layer. The actions of the cooling system and the dispenser can be controlled by a remote controller.

Claims

1. A system for body temperature control comprising: a first layer having a first edge region defining a size and a shape of the first layer, the first layer comprising a gel pack, wherein the gel pack has an outer surface and a plurality of compartments storing a temperature-controlling gel therein; a second layer having a second edge region defining a size and a shape of the second layer; and an outside bag, to an inside surface of which the first layer and the second layer are attached.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gel pack defines the first edge region of the first layer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first layer further comprises a first material that covers the outer surface of the gel pack.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first material includes an opening having a size and shape, wherein the gel pack has a size and shape substantially the same as the size and shape of the opening, and the gel pack is positioned in and securely fastened to said opening of the first material by stitching, adhesive or hook-and-loop fasteners about a periphery of the gel pack.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a skirt disposed along an outer periphery of the outside bag, and in addition, a closure fastener disposed along a periphery of the outside bag and a mating closure fastener disposed along another periphery of the outside bag, such that the outside bag may be selectively opened or closed with the closure fastener and the mating closure fastener.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the gel pack is made from polymer material.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprises two individual thermally insulated panels disposed on two sides of the outside bag, wherein there are built-in fans and ventilation disposed on the panels to allow the cooled air from the cooling gel pack to travel through said side panels and through the ventilation to circulate throughout the entire system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the gel pack is filled with i) a cooling composition that is capable of generating a below-ambient temperature for a period of time; and ii) a phase change material that prolongs the period of time during which the cold temperature is generated.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the cooling composition is selected from the group consisting of dry ice, water-based compositions such as ice cubes, cold-water, heat-storing antifreeze solution, polymeric cold-retaining agents, and endothermic ingredients.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the phase change material is selected from the group consisting of liquid, linear or branched hydrocarbon oils, liquid fatty alcohols or derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first material is made from a foil material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, thermoplastic and rubber based materials.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the second layer is made from a fabric or mesh material that is selected from the group consisting of cotton cloth, linen, wool, and synthetic fabrics.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second layer further comprises a liquid dispenser that is embedded in the mesh material of the second layer.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the liquid dispensed through the liquid dispenser is selected from the group consisting of sunscreen, body lotion, moisturizer, and insect repellent sprays.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the outside bag is made from a terri-cloth or fabric material.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlling action of the gel pack and the action of the liquid dispenser are controlled by an on-board controller.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the on-board controller is powered by regular batteries or solar panels that are mounted on an outside surface of the outside bag.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlling action of the gel pack and the action of the liquid dispenser are remotely controllable by a controller.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the remote controller is powered by regular batteries or solar panels that are mounted on an outside surface of the controller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a top view of one of the embodiments of the invention in an open configuration.

[0033] FIG. 2. shows a top view of the same embodiment as in FIG. 1, but in a zip-closed configuration.

[0034] FIG. 3. shows a top view of another embodiment of the invention (in a zip-closed configuration).

[0035] FIG. 4. shows a top view of another embodiment (remote control) of the invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0038] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, which is, according to an embodiment of the invention, a top view of a personal cooling system 100, which consists of a beach blanket 10 with a cooling gel pack 15. The personal cooling system 100 may include a first layer 11 having a first edge region defining a size and a shape of the first layer 11, the first layer further includes a topical cooling insert/gel pack 15, wherein the gel pack 15 has an outer surface and a plurality of compartments used for storing a temperature-controlling ingredient therein; a second layer 21 having a second edge region defining a size and a shape of the second layer 21; and an outside bag 31, to an inside surface of which the first layer 11 and the second layer 21 are attached.

[0039] The gel pack 15 in the aforementioned personal cooling system 100 defines the first edge region of the first layer 11, which further comprises a first material that covers the outer surface of the gel pack 15 and the first material includes an opening having a size and shape that are substantially the same as the size and shape of the gel pack 15, wherein the gel pack 15 is positioned in said opening of the first material and securely fastened to said first material by stitching, adhesive or hook and loop fasteners about a periphery of the gel pack 15.

[0040] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the first material in the aforementioned personal cooling system 100 is made from a foil/polymer material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, thermoplastic and rubber based materials, while the second layer 21 is made from a fabric or mesh material that is selected from the group consisting of cotton cloth, linen, wool, and synthetic fabrics. Examples of the first material can include vinyl, urethane, copolymer latex of butadiene-acrylonitrile, copolymer of vinylidene chloride-acrylic, resinous latex, rubber latexes, epoxy polymers, polyurethane polymers, acrylic polymers, cellulose acetate, polyamides, any resin, or the like.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the personal cooling system 100 further comprises a skirt disposed along an outer periphery of the outside bag, and in addition, a closure fastener 41 disposed along a periphery of the outside bag and a mating closure fastener 42 disposed along another periphery of the outside bag 31, such that the outside bag 31 may be selectively opened or closed with the closure fastener 41 and the mating closure fastener 42. Here, FIG. 1 shows a top view of one of the embodiments of the invention in an open configuration, while FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment in a closed configuration. Analogously, FIG. 3 shows the same embodiment in a closed configuration. The outside bag 31 in the aforementioned system 100 is made from a terri-cloth or fabric material.

[0042] According to another one of the embodiments, the present invention further provides that the personal cooling system 100 further comprises two individual thermally insulated panels 45 on two sides of the bag 31, wherein there are built-in fans and ventilation disposed on the panels 45 to allow the cooled air from the cooling gel pack 15 to travel through the side panels 45 and filter through the vents 47, thus allowing the cooled air to circulate throughout the entire towel bag 31.

[0043] While the personal cooling system 100 of the present invention preferably has a suitable flexibility such that it can be applied to a human body, and/or equally suitable, to the body of an animal body. Herein, the personal cooling system 100 of the present invention is described primarily in terms of human use, but it should be understood that the cooling effects and benefits herein can also be used with equal advantage for animals. As a result, it should be understood that the personal cooling system 100 of the present invention is not limited to human use.

[0044] According to another one of the embodiments, the present invention provides that the gel pack 15 in the aforementioned personal cooling system 100 is made from a foil/polymer material and filled with an ingredient consisting of a cooling composition that is capable of generating, for a period of time, a range of below-ambient temperatures therefore sensible by a user, as well as a phase change material that prevents an extreme cold feel and moderates the minimum cold temperature thus generated by the cooling composition, and therefore moderates the cooling effect it supplies and prolongs the period of time during which the below-ambient temperature is felt by the user.

[0045] According to another one of the embodiments, the present invention further provides that the gel pack 15 is made from at least one flexible polymer material, which means a material that allows the user to comfortably fit it to the user's body. Preferably, the flexible polymer materials herein are made of any polymer materials to impart a soft feel, which can include, for example, an elastic film which is typically a synthetic resin film having sufficient strength during use and transport, and the like. Examples of the synthetic films include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyurethane, and other synthetic resins. Composite and laminate films of these materials are also available. Polyester, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films, blends, or laminates of these materials are preferred.

[0046] According to another one of the embodiments, the phase change material of the present invention adjusts the minimum temperature felt by the user of the aforementioned personal cooling system 100. While not wishing to be bound by theory, the cold temperature generated from the cooling composition in the gel pack 15, which is generally from about 5 to about 20 C., is believed to allow the phase change material to undergo a transition from liquid to solid and such external energy absorption by the phase-change material is believed to control the cold temperature to levels appropriate for the user body. The absorbed cold temperature is further believed to be released from the phase change material to be felt by the user and due to the characteristic of the phase change material, the releasing speed for the temperature from the phase change material tends to be slower than when the gel pack 15 containing only the cooling composition contacts the user body directly. The presence of the phase change material also physically prevents extreme chill feeling. Therefore, the phase change material is preferably positioned between the user body and the cooling composition.

[0047] The personal cooling system 100 of the present invention provides the user with a pleasant feeling of a below-ambient temperature without extreme cold and for an extended period of time. Preferably, the below-ambient temperature generated from the personal cooling system 100 is less than about 30 C. In addition, the below-ambient temperature thus generated may be maintained for a period of time that can depend on various factors, e.g., ranging from periods of about 20 minutes to periods of about 4 hours after the below-ambient temperature is first generated.

[0048] While many suitable cooling compositions are known and may be used in the aforementioned personal cooling system 100, it is very desirable, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, that such a cooling composition is non-toxic and safe to humans and does not have an offensive odor. Preferably, such cooling compositions are selected from the group consisting of dry ice, water-based compositions such as ice cubes, cold-water, heat-storing antifreeze solution, polymeric cold-retaining agents, and endothermic ingredients.

[0049] While dry ice is for one-time use only, various water-based cooling compositions are, of course, re-useable, by way of, for example, being refrigerated after the previous use. On the other hand, the endothermic ingredient, upon combining with water, generates an endothermic reaction. A variety of endothermic ingredients are useful herein provided that the ingredient(s) are capable of slowly absorbing heat when dissolved in water. The endothermic ingredients useful herein include inorganic salts, alkali metal salts, calcium salts, ammonium salts, urea, simple saccharides, and mixtures thereof. Sodium phosphate salts, sodium ammonium phosphate salts, and ammonium halide and nitrate salts are generally preferred due to their relatively high heat absorption and ability to maintain fine crystal morphology despite repeated dissolving and re-precipitation of crystals. More preferred are ammonium halides and ammonium nitrate.

[0050] Examples of sodium phosphate salts are disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, trisodium phosphate, and hydrates thereof. Examples of sodium ammonium phosphate salts and ammonium phosphate salts are sodium ammonium hydrogen phosphate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, triammonium phosphate, and hydrates thereof. These salts may be used singly or in combinations of two or more; preferably, the combination of at least one sodium phosphate salt and at least one sodium ammonium phosphate salt or ammonium phosphate salt. Examples of inorganic salts other than phosphates are sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium sodium carbonate, sodium chromium carbonate, sodium scandium carbonate, sodium cerium carbonate, sodium sulfate, and hydrates of the above. These may be used alone, but preferably are used with the phosphates or other inorganic salts listed above for the purpose of controlling crystal precipitation and dissolving temperature.

[0051] While many suitable phase change materials are known and may be used in the aforementioned personal cooling system 100, it is also very desirable, in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, that such a phase change material is non-toxic and safe to humans and does not have an offensive odor. Preferably, such phase change materials are selected from the group consisting of liquid, linear or branched hydrocarbon oils, liquid fatty alcohols or derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Examples of phase changing materials include pivaldehyde, 3-bromoacetophenone, acrylic acid, adiponitrile, 2-nitroanisole, 3-chlorobenzaldehyde, benzene, ortho-dichlorobenzene, 3,3-dimethylbiphenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanol, 1-hexadecene para-cresol, cylcooctane, 1-decanol, diethylsulfoxide, 1,4-dioxane, ethanolamine, formic acid, 1-heptadecene, 1-hexadecyne, methyl laurate, nonanoic acid, olelyl alcohol, 1-pentadecene, methacrylic acid, pyruvic acid, methyl sorbate, tetradecane, pentadecane, among others.

[0052] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in still another one of the embodiments, the present invention provides that a water reservoir 51 is disposed to an inside part of the aforementioned personal cooling system 100. The reservoir 51 is connected through a tubing to an inlet of a water pump 53, while the outlet of the water pump 53 is connected through another tubing to the cooling gel pack 15, wherein the cooling composition comprise a type of chemicals, as mentioned above, can cause an endothermic reaction to occur when is dissolved in water. This type of chemicals is selected from the group consisting of polymeric cold-retaining agents, and endothermic ingredients. As such, the amount of water introduced, through the water pump 53, into the gel pack 15 is proportionally related to the extent of the endothermic reaction occurred, which, in turn, determines the extent of the resulted cooling of the gel pack 15. The extent of the cooling is further adjustable and maintained by the presence of an appropriate phase change agent in a separate compartment of the gel pack 15. This phase change agent is selected from the group consisting of liquid, linear or branched hydrocarbon oils, liquid fatty alcohols or derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

[0053] According to such an embodiment, the aforementioned water pump 53 can effectuate a slow, but steady, introduction of water into the gel pack 15 containing said chemical, which is capable of causing an endothermic reaction when dissolved in water. When coupled with an appropriate phase change agent present in the vicinity of the chemical, the resulting endothermic reaction can lead to an overall lasting effect of the cooling felt by the user. The extent of the cooling, which is related to the resulting cold temperature of the gel pack 15 and the rate of the temperature change are both determined by the actions of the aforementioned water pump 53. The water pump 53 is powered and controlled through electronic circuitries that are disposed on an inside surface of the bag 31. The electronic circuitries are, in turn, powered by regular batteries, or solar panels, disposed on an outside surface of the bag 31 and controlled by a control panel 61 with an LCD screen and push buttons also disposed on another outside section of the bag 31 (FIG. 2).

[0054] According to still another embodiments, the present invention further provides that the second layer 21 in the aforementioned personal cooling system 100 comprises a liquid dispenser that is embedded in the mesh material of the second layer 21. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a sunscreen/liquid reservoir 57 is disposed to an inside part of the aforementioned system and is connected through a tubing to an inlet of a liquid pump 59. The outlet of the liquid pump is connected through another tubing to the aforementioned liquid dispenser. As such, the liquid pump 59 can effectuate a slow, but steady, flow of a liquid, such as UV sunscreen, into the liquid dispenser and the amount of UV sunscreen supplied to the dispenser is determined by the action of the liquid pump. This liquid pump 59 is powered and controlled through electronic circuitries that are disposed on an inside section of the bag 31. The electronic circuitries are, in turn, powered by regular batteries, or solar panels, disposed on an outside surface of the bag 31 and controlled by a control panel 61 with an LCD screen and push buttons also disposed on another outside surface of the bag 31 (FIG. 2).

[0055] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the liquid/UV sunscreen stored in aforementioned reservoir 57 and dispensed from said dispenser is selected from the group consisting of sunscreen, body lotion, moisturizer, and insect repellent sprays.

[0056] In still another one of the embodiments of the present invention, the controlling of the extent and rate of change of the temperature of the gel pack 15 and that of the action of the UV sunscreen/liquid dispenser are remotely controllable by a remote controller 70 with push buttons. Referring now to FIG. 4, which shows such a remote controller 70 for initiating and adjusting the temperature controlling action of the gel pack 15 and the action of the liquid dispenser embedded in the second material. The controlling actions of this remote controller 70 are effectuated through communication by way of the aforementioned electronic circuitries via WIFI and/or Bluetooth. The remote controller 70 is powered by regular batteries, or solar panels 71 that are mounted on an outside surface of a middle section of the remote controller 70, which are used in the place, or in conjunction, of the regular batteries 75 to power the controller 70. Disposed in a top section of the remote controller are two rows of push buttons 73, one row for controlling the cooling action of gel pack 15 and another for controlling the action of the liquid dispenser.

[0057] The various embodiments of the present invention therefore provide beachgoers with a multi-functional beach blanket that is easy to carry and has a built-in personal cooling system for body temperature control and a reservoir for storing/dispensing sun-screens, both of which can be controlled and regulated through a remote control, and is especially suited to those beachgoers who prefer not going into water, but staying dry under the hot sun.

[0058] The many elements of the present invention make it unique in the field. The novelty is illustrated by the various options for nearly every aspect of the invention that allow it to be used in the proper exercise form by a variety of users, both in terms of body size and fitness level. Additionally, there is a wide range of exercises available to any user of the present invention, and users can perform exercises that use the upper and lower extremity muscle groups simultaneously.

[0059] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.