Cooling garment

The cooling garment incorporates a safety valve to discharge cooling fluid when external pressure exceeds a threshold, preventing path rupture and ensuring continuous cooling performance.

JP2025084377AActive Publication Date: 2025-06-03LIBRE INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023198235
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-22
Publication Date
2025-06-03
Estimated Expiration
2043-11-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing cooling garments with cooling fluid paths are prone to rupture due to external pressure, especially during physical activities.

Method used

A cooling garment design featuring a storage unit for a cooling substance with solidifiable properties, a cooling fluid path, a tube connected to the storage unit and the fluid path, a pump, and a safety valve that opens when external pressure exceeds a specified threshold to discharge the cooling fluid and prevent path rupture.

Benefits of technology

The design effectively prevents the cooling fluid path from rupturing under external pressure, ensuring continuous cooling performance and safety during use.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a cooling garment for preventing a possibility of bursting a cooling-fluid path due to pressure from outside the cooling-fluid path.SOLUTION: A cooling garment 11 comprising a storage section 31 for freely and removably storing a cooling material M, and a cooling-fluid path 21 for guiding a cooling fluid stored in the storage section 31, the cooling garment comprises a tube 42 whose one end is connected to the storage section 31 and whose other end is connected to the cooling-fluid path, a pump 41 attached to the tube 42, and a safety valve 51 that opens when pressure from outside the cooling-fluid path 21 exceeds twice the pressure at which the cooling fluid N is fed from a discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward a second outflow part 24. The cooling-fluid path 21 is formed of an inner sheet material 16 having a front surface 16A coming into contact with a wearer and a back surface 16B opposite to the front surface 16A, and an outer sheet material 17 being bonded to the inner sheet material 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling garment that cools the wearer's body.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there have been many sweltering days that are uncomfortable for people. On such sweltering days, as a measure to prevent heat stroke, in addition to taking small sips of water, the use of appropriate air-conditioning equipment is encouraged. However, due to reasons such as the absence of air-conditioning equipment or insufficient cooling effect, workers working outdoors in sweltering heat or indoors in a stuffy environment, and people engaged in recreation, sports, watching games, etc. under the scorching sun cannot cool off with an air-conditioning device. Therefore, for people seeking to escape the heat, clothing with a cooling function has become popular, and in recent years, cooling garments with a cooling fluid path for circulating cold water attached to the garment body have also been developed. An example of this is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling garment provided with a plurality of cooling panels composed of an inner sheet that contacts the human body surface and does not deform when supplying a cooling fluid (cooling water), and an outer sheet that is adhered to the outer surface of the inner sheet and forms a cooling fluid path through which the cooling fluid is supplied between the inner sheet. Patent Document 1 also discloses that the cooling panels are used by being attached to the inner side of the front of the upper garment, the inner side of the back of the upper garment, and the inside of the trousers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 has the following problems. When the wearer of the cooling garment disclosed in Patent Document 1 is engaged in sports or the like, there is a risk that the cooling fluid path provided in the cooling garment may rupture due to pressure being applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cooling garment that prevents the cooling fluid path from rupturing due to pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the cooling garment according to the present invention has the following configuration. (1) In a cooling garment including a storage unit capable of freely storing and retrieving a cooling substance having a solidifiable physical property, and a cooling fluid path for guiding the cooling fluid stored in the storage unit, a tube having one end connected to the storage unit and the other end connected to the cooling fluid path, a pump attached to the tube, and a safety valve that opens when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path exceeds a specified pressure, the cooling fluid path is formed by an inner sheet material having a surface that comes into contact with the wearer of the cooling garment and a back surface on the opposite side of the surface, and an outer sheet material that adheres to the inner sheet material. (2) In the cooling garment according to (1), the pump includes a suction unit that sucks the cooling fluid stored in the storage unit through the tube connected to the storage unit, and a discharge unit that discharges the cooling fluid toward the cooling fluid path through the tube connected to the cooling fluid path, and it is preferable that the safety valve is provided on the tube side connected to the cooling fluid path. (3) In the cooling garment according to (2), the garment body has a front body and a back body, the other end side of the tube is connected to the cooling fluid path provided in the back body, and it is preferable that it is located on the surface side of the inner sheet material. (4) In the cooling garment according to (3), the cooling fluid path is provided so as to be continuous between the back body and the front body via the shoulders, and it is preferable that the cooling fluid flowing out from the other end side of the tube into the cooling fluid path is guided toward the front body. (5) In the cooling garment according to any one of (1) to (4), it is preferable that the safety valve has a function of opening when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path exceeds the specified pressure and discharging the cooling fluid to the outside of the safety valve. (6) In the cooling garment according to any one of (1) to (4), it is preferable that the surface of the inner sheet material is subjected to a raising process.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The operation and effects of the cooling garment according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described.

[0009] (1) Due to the features provided by the present invention, the cooling fluid in contact with the coolable substance stored in the storage portion is sucked from one end side of the tube connected to the storage portion by the operation of the pump attached to the tube and discharged from the other end side of the tube connected to the cooling fluid path, and is guided by the cooling fluid path. Further, when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path formed of a thin material, i.e., the inner sheet material having a surface in contact with the wearer of the cooling garment and a back surface on the opposite side of the surface, exceeds the specified pressure, the safety valve is opened to discharge the cooling fluid.

[0010] Due to this feature, even if pressure is applied from the outside of the water-cooled garment and the pressure exceeds the specified pressure, the safety valve is opened and the cooling fluid is discharged, thereby preventing the cooling fluid path from rupturing due to the high-pressure cooling fluid.

[0011] (2) Due to the features provided by the present invention, the cooling fluid stored in the storage portion is sucked from the tube connected to the storage portion by the suction portion provided in the pump, and the cooling fluid is discharged from the discharge portion provided in the pump toward the cooling fluid path through the tube. Further, when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path exceeds the specified pressure, the safety valve provided on the tube side at the other end connected to the cooling fluid path is opened to discharge the cooling fluid.

[0012] Due to this feature, when the pressure from outside the cooling fluid path exceeds the specified pressure, the safety valve provided on the tube side connected to the cooling fluid path is opened and the cooling fluid is discharged to the outside, so that the pressure applied to the cooling fluid decreases, preventing the pump that operates to cause the cooling fluid to flow out from the tube connected to the cooling fluid path into the cooling fluid path by the discharge part from being overloaded.

[0013] (3) Due to the feature provided by the present invention, when the pressure from outside the cooling fluid path exceeds the specified pressure, the safety valve provided on the tube side of the other end that is connected to the cooling fluid path provided at the back part rather than the front part and is located on the surface side of the inner sheet material is opened to discharge the cooling fluid.

[0014] Due to this feature, when the safety valve provided on the tube side of the other end connected to the cooling fluid path at the back part is opened and the cooling fluid is discharged, for example, it is possible to prevent the front part from being soiled by the cooling fluid.

[0015] (4) Due to the feature provided by the present invention, the cooling fluid path is provided continuously to the back part and the front part of the clothing body through the shoulder, and the cooling fluid discharged from the other end side of the tube connected to the cooling fluid path provided at the back part is guided toward the front part to cool the wearer's body.

[0016] Due to this feature, by the operation of the pump, the cooling fluid discharged from the other end side of the tube connected to the cooling fluid path provided at the back part is guided toward the front part, so that, for example, not only the back but also the chest of the wearer of the cooling clothing can be uniformly cooled.

[0017] (5) Due to the feature provided by the present invention, when the pressure from outside the cooling fluid path exceeds the specified pressure, the safety valve is opened to discharge the cooling fluid to the outside of the safety valve, thereby preventing the pressure of the cooling fluid in the cooling fluid path from rising.

[0018] Due to this feature, when the pressure from outside the cooling fluid path exceeds the specified pressure and the safety valve opens to discharge the cooling fluid to the outside of the safety valve, the pressure inside the cooling fluid path escapes to the outside and the pressure inside the cooling fluid path decreases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cooling fluid path from bursting.

[0019] (6) Due to the feature provided by the present invention, the surface of the inner sheet material that comes into contact with the wearer of the cooling clothing is subjected to a raising process.

[0020] Due to this feature, even when the body of the wearer of the cooling clothing comes into contact with the surface of the inner sheet material, since the surface is subjected to a raising process, the comfort of the cooling clothing is improved, and the comfort when wearing the cooling clothing can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

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Figure 14B

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, the cooling garment according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings with reference to embodiments. The cooling garment according to the present invention is used, for example, for cooling the body of a wearer such as a worker working outdoors in sweltering heat, a worker working in a stuffy indoor environment, a person engaged in recreation, sports, watching a game, etc. under the scorching sun. The form of this cooling garment includes, in addition to work clothes worn during work, multi-purpose upper garments and the like that can be worn for various purposes, including entertainment, leisure, events, sports, jogging, bicycles, and the like.

[0023] <Overview of Cooling Garment 11> First, an overview of the cooling vest 1 to which the cooling garment 11 is adhered to the lining will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the cooling vest according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 shows the back view of the cooling vest shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows the front view of the inside of the cooling vest shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the front side of the vest front body.

[0024] In the cooling vest 1 according to this embodiment, for example, the cooling garment 11 is attached to the cooling vest 1 through the hook-and-loop fastener 20 and is detachable. As a method thereof, a female hook-and-loop fastener 20 is installed on the lining 10 of the cooling vest 1, and a male hook-and-loop fastener 20 is installed on the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17 that forms the cooling garment 11. Since the cooling garment 11 is attached to the cooling vest 1 through the hook-and-loop fastener 20 and is detachable, for example, when the cooling garment 11 is removed from the cooling vest 1 and only the cooling garment 11 is worn, or when the cooling garment 11 is removed from the cooling vest 1 and only the cooling garment 11 is washed in a washing machine or the like, it is possible.

[0025] <Regarding the vest body 2> First, the vest body 2 with the cooling garment 11 attached will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vest body 2 is formed in the form of a vest (work clothes without cuffs) having a vest front body 4 and a vest back body 5. However, this cooling vest 1 may be work clothes with long sleeves, short sleeves, or the like.

[0026] In the vest body 2, the fabric 3 is formed in a vest shape by a front-side fabric 3A and a back-side fabric 3B. Both the front-side fabric 3A and the back-side fabric 3B are made of synthetic resin fibers excellent in heat resistance, strength, and transpiration, such as nylon and polyester, for example. However, it is not limited to this, and both the front-side fabric 3A and the back-side fabric 3B may be made of leather.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the cooling vest 1 to which the cooling garment 11 is attached, the vest body 2 and the cooling garment 11 are provided.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, on the front fabric 3A of the vest body 2, for example, a first storage portion 7 and a second storage portion 8, which are pockets, are provided. The first storage portion 7 and the second storage portion 8 are provided in an internal space formed between the front fabric 3A and the lining 10 of the front body 4 of the vest body 2. Thus, the portable battery 65 is taken in and out from the first storage portion 7 and the second storage portion 8.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the first storage portion 7, a storage portion opening 9, which is a portion opened so that the pump wiring 66 can be inserted, is provided between the front fabric 3A and the lining 10 of the front body 4 of the vest body 2. Thus, even when the pump wiring 66 is in a state of being stored in the first storage portion 7 on the one end side on the portable battery 65 side, it can be exposed to the inside of the cooling vest 1 through the storage portion opening 9.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cooling garment 11 of the present embodiment is attached to the lining 10 of the cooling vest 1 so as to be continuous with the back body 5 and the front body 4 of the vest body 2 via the vest shoulder portion 6 of the cooling vest 1. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, the right front body portion 13A of the garment 11 to be described later is disposed on the right side portion of the lining 10 of the front body 4 of the vest, and the left front body portion 13B to be described later is disposed on the left side portion of the lining 10 of the front body 4 of the vest. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a storage portion 31 to be described later is disposed on the lining 10 of the back body 5 of the vest.

[0031] When the cooling garment 11 is attached to the lining 10 of the cooling vest 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the surface 16A of the inner sheet material 16 forming the cooling garment 11 comes into contact with the body of the wearer wearing the cooling vest 1 to which the cooling garment 11 is attached. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the fastener 19 for opening and closing the storage portion 31 is disposed near the back of the cooling garment 11 on the surface 16A side of the inner sheet material 16.

[0032] <Regarding the garment body 12> Next, an overview of the cooling garment 11 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a front view of the cooling garment according to the embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the cooling garment shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment includes a garment body 12, and a bottomed bag-shaped storage portion 31 that can freely receive and remove a PET bottle 90X containing a coolable substance M, such as water or drinking water, in a state where the coolable substance M is stored in a PET bottle 90. It also includes a cooling fluid path 21 for guiding the cooling fluid stored in the storage portion 31, a pump 41, a tube 42, a safety valve 51, a pump operation unit 61, and a portable battery 65.

[0034] The cooling garment 11 of the present embodiment is worn by a person working in a high-temperature environment or the like to cool the body. The garment body 12 of the cooling garment 11 of the present embodiment is formed by an inner sheet material 16 and an outer sheet material 17. The inner sheet material 16 and the outer sheet material 17 are made of a fabric made of synthetic resin fibers excellent in waterproofness, flexibility, heat resistance, strength resistance, and transpiration, such as nylon and polyester. The inner sheet material 16 and the outer sheet material 17 have a heat-bonding property in which they are heat-bonded to each other at their contact portions. The inner sheet material 16 shown in FIG. 4 is placed on the outer sheet material 17 shown in FIG. 5, and then the back surface 17B of the outer sheet material 17 and the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16 are heat-bonded by a known heat-bonding device. Here, according to the definition of the Japanese Standard Industrial Classification, a sheet is a soft material with a thickness of 0.2 mm or more. Therefore, the inner sheet material 16 of the present embodiment is a soft material having a thickness of about 2 mm, and the outer sheet material 17 of the present embodiment is a soft material having a thickness of about 1 mm.

[0035] The inner sheet material 16 of the present embodiment has a surface 16A that contacts the body of the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11, and a back surface 16B that contacts the cooling fluid (water in the present embodiment). Further, the outer sheet material 17 of the present embodiment has a surface 17A that contacts the lining 10 of the cooling vest 1 of the present embodiment, and a back surface 17B that contacts the cooling fluid.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the garment body 12 has a front part 13 of the garment divided into left and right, a back part 14 of the garment, a shoulder part 15 of the garment, and the like. The back part 14 of the garment and the front part 13 of the garment divided into left and right are connected via the shoulder part 15 of the garment. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cooling garment 11 is viewed from the front, among the front part 13 of the garment, the right side part of the wearer is the right front part 13A of the garment, and the left side part of the wearer is the left front part 13B of the garment. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a fastener 19 for opening and closing a storage part 31 provided near the back of the back part 14 of the garment body 12 is provided on the surface 16A of the inner sheet material 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cooling garment 11 is viewed from the front, among the shoulder part 15 of the garment, the right side part of the wearer is the right shoulder part 15A of the garment, and the left side part of the wearer is the left shoulder part 15B of the garment.

[0037] The cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment includes a cooling fluid path 21, a storage part 31, a tube 42 made of a flexible resin, a first outflow part 32 on one end side of the tube 42, a second outflow part 24 on the other end side of the tube 42 on the opposite side, a pump 41 for sending a cooling fluid N (water in the present embodiment) into the tube 42, and the like. The first outflow part 32 is disposed in the storage part 31, which will be described in detail later. Further, the second outflow part 24 is disposed in the cooling fluid path 21, which will be described in detail later. The pump 41 includes a suction part 43 that sucks the cooling fluid N from the first outflow part 32 through the tube 42 by the operation of the pump 41, and a discharge part 44 that discharges the cooling fluid N toward the cooling fluid path 21 through the tube 42 by the operation of the pump 41.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 5, seventeen male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17 that forms the cooling clothing 11. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, three male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the portion of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17 corresponding to the right front body part 13A of the clothing. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, two male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the portion of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17 corresponding to the right shoulder part 15A of the clothing. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, three male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the portion of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17 corresponding to the left front body part 13B of the clothing. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, two male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the portion of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17 corresponding to the left shoulder part 15B of the clothing. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, one male hook-and-loop fastener 20 is installed on the neck part of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, two male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the right side part of the back of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, two male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the left side part of the back of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, two male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 are installed on the lower part of the back of the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17. Note that on the lining 10 of the cooling vest, seventeen female hook-and-loop fasteners are installed so as to be adhesive to the seventeen male hook-and-loop fasteners 20 installed on the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17. By adhering the seventeen male hook-and-loop fasteners installed on the surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17 that forms the cooling clothing 11 to the seventeen female hook-and-loop fasteners installed on the lining 10 of the cooling vest 1, the cooling clothing 11 can be attached to the cooling vest 1.

[0039] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The cooling fluid path 21 and the storage portion 31 of the present embodiment are formed by placing the inner sheet material 16 shown in FIG. 4 on the outer sheet material 17 shown in FIG. 5, and then thermocompression bonding the back surface 14B of the outer sheet material 17 and the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16 by a known thermocompression bonding apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, by thermocompression bonding the back surface 14B of the outer sheet material 17 and the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16, an internal space 21S of the cooling fluid path 21 is provided. Also, by thermocompression bonding the back surface 14B of the outer sheet material 17 and the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16, an internal space 31S of the storage portion 31 is provided.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, by thermocompression bonding the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16 and the back surface 17B of the outer sheet material 17 to create a thermocompression bonded portion NT, the first branch path 22 of the cooling fluid path 21, the storage portion 31, and the second branch path 23 of the cooling fluid path 21 are formed between the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16 and the front surface 17A of the outer sheet material 17. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, in the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment, the storage portion 31 is interposed between the first branch path 22 and the second branch path 23.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the front surface 16A of the inner sheet material 16 is subjected to a raising process. The front surface 16A of the inner sheet material 16 of the present embodiment has a so-called peach raising with a texture like the skin of a peach (see FIG. 6). Thereby, when the cooling garment 11 is worn, a large number of raised portions 16S provided on the front surface 16A of the inner sheet material 16 come into contact with the body of the wearer, and a comfortable feeling can be given to the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11.

[0042] <Regarding the cooling fluid path 21> As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the cooling fluid path 21 is formed in the cooling garment 11 by thermocompression bonding the back surface 17B of the outer sheet material 17 and the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, the cooling fluid path 21 is provided in the cooling garment 11 so as to be continuous with the front body part 13 (right front body part 13A and left front body part 13B) and the back body part 14 of the garment body 12 through the garment shoulder part 15 of the cooling garment 11.

[0043] The storage part 31 is preliminarily filled with the cooling fluid N, and after the PET bottle 90 is stored, the cooling fluid N stored in the storage part 31 is sent from the first outflow part 32 through the tube 42 to the suction part 43 of the pump 41 by the pump 41, and is sent from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 through the tube 42 to the second outflow part 24 and flows out into the cooling fluid path 21. The pump 41 according to the present embodiment discharges the cooling fluid N sucked from the first outflow part 32 toward the second outflow part 24, then causes it to flow out from the second outflow part 24, branches it into the first branch path 22 and the second branch path 23, and plays a role of refluxing it to the storage part 31 through the first reflux path 27 and the second reflux path 28 provided in the cooling fluid path 21. Further, the cooling fluid path 21 guides the cooling fluid N flowing out from the second outflow part 24 to branch into the first branch path 22 and the second branch path 23, and plays a role of bringing the cooling fluid N guided to the storage part 31 through the first reflux path 27 and the second reflux path 28 provided in the cooling fluid path 21 into contact with the outer peripheral surface 90a of the PET bottle 90 to cool it.

[0044] The cooling fluid path 21 includes a first branch path 22, a second branch path 23, a first change path 25, a second change path 26, a first reflux path 27, a second reflux path 28, and a confluence restriction portion 29. The first branch path 22 is a path that guides the cooling fluid sent from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 to the second outflow portion 24 and flowing out into the cooling fluid path 21 toward the right front body area 13A of the clothing. Also, the second branch path 23 is a path for guiding the cooling fluid sent from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 to the second outflow portion 24 and flowing out into the cooling fluid path 21 toward the left front body area 13B of the clothing. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first change path 25 is a path for guiding the cooling fluid guided to the right front body area 13A of the clothing by the first branch path 22 toward the first reflux path 27. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the second change path 26 is a path for guiding the cooling fluid guided to the left front body area 13B of the clothing by the second branch path 23 toward the second reflux path 28. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the first reflux path 27 is a path for refluxing the cooling fluid guided to the back body area 14 of the clothing through the first change path 25 to the storage portion 31. Also, the second reflux path 28 is a path for refluxing the cooling fluid guided to the back body area 14 of the clothing through the second change path 26 to the storage portion 31. The confluence restriction portion 29 is formed by thermocompression bonding the back surface 17B of the outer sheet material 17 and the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16 so as to guide each cooling fluid toward the storage portion 31 through separate paths without allowing the cooling fluid guided to the back body area 14 through the first change path 25 and the cooling fluid guided to the back body area 14 through the second change path 26 to confluence. The cooling fluid path 21 includes the first branch path 22, the second branch path 23, the first change path 25, the second change path 26, the first reflux path 27, and the second reflux path 28, whereby, for example, it is possible to prevent a significant difference in the cooling effect from occurring due to the cooling fluid path 21 through which the cooling fluid flows and the contact portion with the wearer.

[0045] <Regarding the storage portion 31> Next, the storage unit 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing how to insert and remove a PET bottle containing a cooling substance into the storage unit of the cooling garment according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing, in perspective, a state in which a PET bottle containing a cooling substance is inserted through the opening for the storage unit of the cooling garment according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing, in perspective, a state in which the PET bottle containing the cooling substance is stored in the storage unit of the cooling garment and the storage unit is closed.

[0046] The storage unit 31 of the present embodiment is formed near the back of the cooling garment 11 by thermally bonding the back surface 17B of the outer sheet material 17 and the back surface 16B of the inner sheet material 16. The storage unit 31 is formed in a bottomed bag shape capable of storing the cooling fluid N. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the storage unit 31 is formed in a bag shape by the inner sheet material 16 and the outer sheet material 17, and an opening 18 for the storage unit is provided in a part thereof. By sliding the fastener 19 with the storage unit 31 closed, the opening 18 for the storage unit can be opened. Also, by sliding the fastener 19 with the opening 18 for the storage unit open, that is, with the storage unit 31 open, the opening 18 for the storage unit can be closed. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the opening 18 for the storage unit is formed so that the internal space 31S of the storage unit 31 can communicate with the outside of the garment body 12 by sliding the fastener 19 to open the opening 18 for the storage unit. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, by sliding the fastener 19 to close the opening 18 for the storage unit, the storage unit 31 is hermetically closed, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is opened when the PET bottle 90X containing the cooling substance and the cooling fluid N enter and exit between the internal space 31S of the storage unit 31 and the outside thereof.

[0047] In this embodiment, the cooling garment 11 cools the cooling fluid N with the solidifiable cooling substance M (such as water or drinking water) and uses it while the cooling substance M is stored in the storage portion 31. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cooling garment 11 is used in a state where the PET bottle 90 containing the cooling substance M, which is in a state of storing the cooling substance M in the PET bottle 90, is immersed in the cooling fluid N stored in the storage portion 31. Therefore, the storage portion 31 is sized to freely insert and remove the PET bottle 90 (the PET bottle 90X containing the cooling substance). Further, the storage portion 31 is formed so that the PET bottle 90X containing the cooling substance can be stored in the internal space 31S through the storage portion opening 18.

[0048] <Regarding the circulation of the cooling fluid> Next, the circulation of the cooling fluid will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of the cooling fluid due to the operation of the pump. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the cooling fluid in the entire cooling garment shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing how the cooling fluid is cooled by the cooling substance in the PET bottle in the cooling garment according to the embodiment.

[0049] First, with reference to FIG. 10, the circulation of the cooling fluid in the cooling garment 11 will be described due to the operation of the pump 41. The arrows shown in FIG. 10 indicate the flow of the cooling fluid N. As shown in FIG. 10, when the pump 41 is operated, the cooling fluid N stored in the storage portion 31 from the first outflow portion 32 is sucked into the suction portion 43 through the tube 42. Then, the cooling fluid sucked from the suction portion 43 is discharged from the discharge portion 44 through the tube 42 toward the cooling fluid path 21 by the operation of the pump 41. The cooling fluid discharged from the discharge portion 44 flows out from the second outflow portion 24 to the cooling fluid path 21 through the tube 42 and the safety valve 51.

[0050] The cooling fluid that has reached the second outflow section 24 flows out from the second outflow section 24 into the cooling fluid path 21 and returns to the storage section 31 via the cooling fluid path 21. The cooling fluid that has flowed into the storage section 31 is cooled through contact with the PET bottle 90X containing the solidifiable cooling substance M (such as water or drinking water) stored in the storage section 31. Then, due to the operation of the pump 41, the cooling fluid stored in the storage section 31 is again sucked from the first outflow section 32 through the tube 42 into the suction section 43. As shown in FIG. 10, the cooling fluid stored in the storage section 31 is configured to circulate.

[0051] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 11, the flow of the cooling fluid in the cooling fluid path 21 and the storage section 31 will be described. The arrows shown in FIG. 11 indicate the flow of the cooling fluid N. For example, when the pump operation section 63 is pressed by the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11, the power supply to the pump 41 is turned on. As a result, the pump 41 is operated, and the cooling fluid N stored in the storage section 31 is sent out from the first outflow section 32 and sucked into the suction section 43 of the pump 41 through the tube 42. Subsequently, the cooling fluid N discharged from the discharge section 44 of the pump 41 through the tube 42 is sent to the second outflow section 24 via the safety valve 51. Subsequently, the cooling fluid N sent out from the second outflow section 24 flows out into the cooling fluid path 21 and branches into the first branch path 22 and the second branch path 23. As a result, the cooling fluid N branched into the first branch path 22 is guided to the vicinity of the right side of the back of the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11. On the other hand, the cooling fluid N branched into the second branch path 23 is guided to the vicinity of the left side of the back of the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11. Therefore, the cooling fluid N branched into the first branch path 22 and the second branch path 23 can efficiently cool the back of the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11 from both the left and right sides.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the cooling fluid N guided to the first branch path 22 is guided along the periphery of the storage portion 31 toward the first change path 25 provided in the right front body part 13A of the cooling garment 11. Thereby, before being guided to the first change path 25, the cooling fluid can cool not only the right side portion of the wearer's back but also the vicinity of the right shoulder and right chest of the wearer. On the other hand, the cooling fluid N guided to the second branch path 23 is guided along the periphery of the storage portion 31 toward the second change path 26 provided in the left front body part 13B of the cooling garment 11. Thereby, before being guided to the second change path 26, the cooling fluid N can cool not only the left side portion of the wearer's back but also the vicinity of the left shoulder and left chest of the wearer.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, the cooling fluid N guided to the first change path 25 is guided by the first change path 25 through the first change path 25 toward the first reflux path 27. Thereby, before being guided to the first reflux path 27, the cooling fluid N can cool not only the vicinity of the right chest of the wearer but also the vicinity of the right shoulder and the collar of the wearer. On the other hand, the cooling fluid N guided to the second change path 26 is guided by the second change path 26 through the second change path 26 toward the second reflux path 28. Thereby, before being guided to the second reflux path 28, the cooling fluid N can cool not only the vicinity of the left chest of the wearer but also the vicinity of the left shoulder and the collar of the wearer.

[0054] The cooling fluid N guided to the back body part 14 via the first change path 25 returns vigorously to the storage part 31 located downstream of the first reflux path 27 without being merged with the cooling fluid N guided to the back body part 14 via the second change path 26 by the first reflux path 27, thereby stirring the cooling fluid N stored in the storage part 31 and making the temperature of the cooling fluid N stored in the storage part 31 uniform. Then, it merges with the cooling fluid N guided to the back body part 14 via the second change path 26 and the cooling fluid N stored in the storage part 31. Thereby, not only the vicinity of the wearer's head but also the right side of the center of the back can be cooled by the cooling fluid. On the other hand, the cooling fluid guided to the back body part 14 via the second change path 26 by the second reflux path 28 returns vigorously to the storage part 31 located downstream of the second reflux path 28 without being merged with the cooling fluid guided to the back body part 14 via the first change path 25, thereby stirring the cooling fluid N stored in the storage part 31 and making the temperature of the cooling fluid N stored in the storage part 31 uniform. Then, it merges with the cooling fluid guided to the back body part 14 via the first change path 25 and the cooling fluid stored in the storage part 31. Thereby, not only the vicinity of the wearer's head but also the left side of the center of the back can be cooled by the cooling fluid.

[0055] Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the role of the PET bottle 90X containing the cooling substance stored in the storage part 31 will be described. The arrow shown in FIG. 12 indicates the flow of the cooling fluid N.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 12, the storage part 31 is filled with the cooling fluid N (such as water) so that it can be stored in the internal space 31S of the storage part 31. Further, the PET bottle 90X containing the cooling substance in a state where the cooling substance M (such as water or drinking water) is solidified (or, for example, in a liquid state cooled to a low temperature close to zero degrees) is stored in the internal space 31S of the storage part 31 in a standing posture and immersed in the stored cooling fluid N as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIG. 12, and then the cooled clothing 11 is used.

[0057] The cooling fluid N stored in the internal space 31S is continuously sent from the second outflow portion 24 to the cooling fluid path 21 by the pump 41 as shown in FIGS. 10 to 11. The cooling fluid N returns to the internal space 31S of the storage portion 31 again from the first reflux path 27 and the second reflux path 28 after flowing through the cooling fluid path 21. At this time, since the cooling fluid N (water) takes heat from the body of the wearer of the cooling garment 11 and is refluxed from the first reflux path 27 and the second reflux path 28 to the internal space 31S, it is hotter than the water temperature at the time of sending from the first outflow portion 32 and the second outflow portion 24, that is, as an example, it has risen by about 2 degrees or about 3 degrees.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 12, the heated cooling fluid N flows into the internal space 31S from the first reflux path 27 and the second reflux path 28, and then flows through the internal space 31S while contacting the outer peripheral surface 90a of the plastic bottle 90X containing the cooling substance. Therefore, the heated cooling fluid N exchanges heat with the cooling substance M through the outer peripheral surface 90a of the plastic bottle 90X containing the cooling substance while maintaining the delivery flow rate by the pump 41, and is cooled and lowered in temperature, and is adjusted to a suitable temperature at which the wearer of the cooling garment 11 feels comfortable. The cooling fluid N cooled in the internal space 31S is sent out from the outlet 32a of the first outflow portion 32 toward the suction portion 43 of the pump 41, and can continuously cool the wearer.

[0059] However, inside the plastic bottle 90X containing the cooling substance, as shown in FIG. 12, the solidified cooling substance M (such as ice) gradually melts over time and changes into a cooling and melting substance K (such as water) which is a melt (liquid). Since the temperature of the cooling and melting substance K gradually rises after the phase change of the cooling substance M from the solid state to the melt state, the cooling effect of the cooling and melting substance K on the heated cooling fluid N gradually decreases compared to the cooling substance M before the phase change.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 12, while flowing along the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface 90a of the PET bottle 90, it flows toward the first outflow portion 32 and is sent out from the first outflow portion 32 toward the suction portion 43 of the pump 41. Thereafter, the cooling fluid sent out from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 is sent out from the outlet 24a of the second outflow portion 24 and flows out into the cooling fluid path 21. The cooling fluid N flowing out from the cooling fluid path 21 is branched into a first branch path 22 and a second branch path 23. The cooling fluid branched into the first branch path 22 is guided toward the right shoulder portion 15A of the clothing along the periphery of the storage portion 31. The cooling fluid branched into the second branch path 23 is guided toward the left shoulder portion 15B of the clothing along the periphery of the storage portion 31.

[0061] <Safety valve> Subsequently, the structure and operating principle of the safety valve will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14A, 14B, and 14C. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the safety valve according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the flow and pressure of the cooling fluid when no pressure that hinders the operation of the pump is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path. FIG. 14B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the flow and pressure of the cooling fluid when pressure that hinders the operation of the pump is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path. FIG. 14C is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the flow and pressure of the cooling fluid when the cooling fluid is discharged from the discharge port of the safety valve.

[0062] For example, when a person other than the wearer comes into contact with the cooling fluid path 21 or the storage portion 31 of the worn cooling clothing 11, pressure that hinders the operation of the pump 41 is applied, which places a burden on the cooling fluid path 21, the storage portion 31, and the pump 41, and there is a risk of causing rupture of the cooling fluid path 21, rupture of the storage portion 31, or failure of the pump 41. Therefore, for example, when the pressure applied by contact with a person other than the wearer to the cooling fluid path 21 of the worn cooling clothing 11 becomes a pressure that hinders the operation of the pump, drainage is performed from the safety valve 51 to reduce the pressure so as not to place a burden on the cooling fluid path 21, the storage portion 31, and the pump 41.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 13, the safety valve 51 of the present embodiment includes a valve body 52 placed inside a valve member 53, a valve member 53 for accommodating the valve body 52 and a spring 55, a communication portion 54 formed by the valve body 52 and the valve member 53, a spring 55, and a discharge port 56 that communicates with the inside of the safety valve 51 and discharges the cooling fluid. As shown in Fig. 13, in the safety valve 51 according to the present embodiment, a tube 42 is inserted into the safety valve 51 so that the safety valve 51 cannot be removed from the tube 42. The biasing force of the spring 55 according to the present embodiment is, for example, twice the pressure (discharge pressure) for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow portion 24.

[0064] The safety valve 51 of the present embodiment is configured such that the cooling fluid discharged from the discharge portion 44 by the operation of the pump 41 and flowing through the tube 42 branches off from the main flow path SK, and the pressure of the main flow path SK also acts on the valve body 52 from the branch point BK. Since the valve body 52 is pressed by the spring 55, the safety valve 51 is in a closed state.

[0065] When the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment is worn and a pressure is applied from outside the cooling fluid path 21 or the storage portion 31 that hinders the operation of the pump 41, if the pressure that biases in the direction opposite to the spring 55 from the branch point BK overcomes the pressure (biasing force) with which the spring 55 biases toward the valve body 52, the valve body 52 moves toward the spring 55 and the safety valve 51 opens. When the safety valve 51 opens, the cooling fluid flows into the communication portion 54 and is drained through the discharge port 56. The pressure (specified pressure) that hinders the operation of the pump 41 from outside the cooling fluid path 21 in the present embodiment is, for example, a pressure exceeding twice the pressure (discharge pressure) for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow portion 24. That is, the safety valve 51 according to the present embodiment has a function of opening when the pressure from outside the cooling fluid path 21 exceeds the pressure that hinders the operation of the pump 41 (twice the pressure (discharge pressure) for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow portion 24), and discharging the cooling fluid to the outside from the discharge port 56 of the safety valve 51.

[0066] Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the flow and pressure of the cooling fluid will be described when no pressure that hinders the operation of the pump is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path or the storage section, and when pressure that hinders the operation of the pump is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path or the storage section. Note that the white arrows shown in FIG. 14 indicate the magnitude of the pressure applied to the cooling fluid N, and the larger the white arrow, the greater the pressure applied to the cooling fluid N.

[0067] First, with reference to FIG. 14A, the flow and pressure of the cooling fluid when no pressure that hinders the operation of the pump is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path or the storage section will be described. As shown in FIG. 14A, since the valve body 52 is pressed by the spring 55, the safety valve 51 is in a closed state.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 14A, when no pressure is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 or the storage section 31 (that is, when the pressure does not exceed twice the pressure for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge section 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow section 24), the pressure P0 is applied to the cooling fluid N discharged from the discharge section 44 by the operation of the pump 41. Also, as shown by the flow NG of the cooling fluid (see FIG. 14A), when no pressure that hinders the operation of the pump 41 is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21, the cooling fluid N flows from the discharge section 44 toward the second outflow section 24 by the operation of the pump 41.

[0069] Next, with reference to FIG. 14B, the flow and pressure of the cooling fluid when a pressure that hinders the operation of the pump 41 is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 or the storage unit 31 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14B, when a pressure that hinders the operation of the pump 41 is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 or the storage unit 31 (for example, when a pressure is applied to the cooling fluid path 21 of the worn cooling garment 11 due to contact with a person other than the wearer), a pressure P1 (in this embodiment, a pressure exceeding twice the pressure (discharge pressure) for sending the cooling fluid N from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow part 24) is applied to the cooling fluid N discharged from the discharge part 44 by the operation of the pump 41 and flowing toward the second outflow part 24. As shown in FIG. 14B, the pressure P1 in the main flow path SK acts on the valve body 52 from the branch point BK, and the pressure P1 is applied to the valve body 52. Note that the pressure P1 shown in FIG. 14B is larger than the pressure P0 shown in FIG. 14A. Also, as shown in the flow NG of the cooling fluid (see FIG. 14B), when a pressure that hinders the operation of the pump is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path, the cooling fluid N flows from the discharge part 44 toward the second outflow part 24 by the operation of the pump 41.

[0070] With reference to FIG. 14C, the flow and pressure of the cooling fluid when the cooling fluid N is discharged from the discharge port 56 and depressurized will be described. When the valve body 52 moves toward the spring 55 and the safety valve 51 is in an open state, as shown in FIG. 14C, the cooling fluid flows into the communication part 54, and the cooling fluid N is discharged through the discharge port 56, so that the pressure applied to the cooling fluid N in the tube 42 is reduced to a pressure P2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14C, the pressure P2 applied to the valve body 52 is smaller than the pressure P1 shown in FIG. 14B, and the pressure P2 applied to the cooling fluid N flowing toward the second outflow part 24 through the safety valve 51 is also smaller than the pressure P1 shown in FIG. 14B. Also, as shown in the flow NG of the cooling fluid (see FIG. 14C), when the cooling fluid N is discharged from the discharge port 56, there are cases where the cooling fluid N is discharged from the discharge port 56 and cases where the cooling fluid N flows from the discharge part 44 toward the second outflow part 24 by the operation of the pump 41.

[0071] For example, when the wearer of the cooling garment disclosed in Patent Document 1 is engaged in sports or the like, there is a risk that the cooling fluid path provided in the cooling garment may rupture due to pressure being applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path. In the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment, when a pressure that hinders the operation of the pump 41 is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 or the storage unit 31 (for example, when pressure is applied to the cooling fluid path 21 of the worn cooling garment 11 due to contact with a person other than the wearer), the pressure applied to the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling fluid path 21 increases. In this case, when the pressure that biases in the direction opposite to the spring 55 from the branch point BK overcomes the biasing force of the spring 55 on the valve body 52, the valve body 52 moves toward the spring 55 and the safety valve 51 opens. As a result, the cooling fluid flows into the communication portion 54 and is drained through the discharge port 56, so that the pressure applied to the cooling fluid N in the tube 42 is reduced. Therefore, since the pressure applied to the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling fluid path 21 is also reduced, it is possible to avoid the risk that the cooling fluid path 21 ruptures due to the pressure applied to the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling fluid path 21.

[0072] <Regarding the pump operation unit 61> FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a pump operation unit provided in the cooling garment 11 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the cooling garment 11 includes a pump operation unit 61, and the pump operation unit 61 includes a pump control unit 62, a pump operation unit 63, a pump display unit 64, and the like. In the pump operation unit 61, the pump operation unit 63 and the pump display unit 64 are electrically connected to the pump control unit 62.

[0073] The pump 41 is electrically connected to the portable battery 65 via the pump operation unit 81 by wiring. The portable battery 65 is a storage battery such as a primary battery or a secondary battery that supplies power to the pump 41. The power supply unit and the wiring are detachably connected to each other via a connector such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. The power of the power supply unit is supplied to the pump operation unit 61 through the wiring.

[0074] The pump control unit 62 is a control means for electrically controlling the pump 41. Specifically, the pump control unit 62 performs, for example, current control when energizing the pump 41. Note that the pump control unit 62 may control the pumping (circulating) flow rate of the cooling fluid N flowing through the cooling fluid path 21 by the pump 41 as necessary.

[0075] The pump operation unit 63 is configured in a manner that enables an operation for controlling the on / off switching of the energization to the pump 41 by pressing a pressing portion on the upper surface of the pump operation unit 61. The pump display unit 64 is a display unit on the upper surface of the pump operation unit 61 and is configured in a manner that can selectively emit light from a plurality of colors.

[0076] The pump operation unit 63 is configured in a manner that enables an operation for controlling the pump control unit 62 by gently pressing a pressing portion on the pump operation unit 61 with a finger based on a predetermined operation mode. The pump display unit 64 is a display unit on the pump operation unit 61 and is configured in a manner that can selectively emit light from a plurality of colors corresponding to the operation performed by the pump operation unit 63.

[0077] Next, the operation and effects of the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment will be described. The cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 31 that can freely store and retrieve a cooling substance M having a solidifiable physical property, and a cooling fluid path 21 for guiding the cooling fluid N stored in the storage unit 31. In the cooling garment 11, it includes a tube 42 having one end connected to the storage unit 31 and the other end connected to the cooling fluid path 21, a pump 41 attached to the tube, and a safety valve that opens when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 exceeds twice the pressure for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow portion 24. It is formed by an inner sheet material having a surface 16A that contacts the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11 and a back surface 16B on the opposite side of the surface 16A.

[0078] Due to this feature, the cooling fluid that comes into contact with the coolable physical property cooling substance M stored in the storage section 31 is sucked from one end side of the tube 42 connected to the storage section 31 by the operation of the pump 41 attached to the tube 42, and discharged from the other end side of the tube 42 connected to the cooling fluid path 21, and guided by the cooling fluid path 21. Further, when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 formed by the inner sheet material 16 and the outer sheet material 17 having the surface 16A that comes into contact with the wearer wearing the cooling clothing 11 and the back surface 16B on the opposite side of the surface 16A exceeds twice the pressure for sending the cooling fluid N from the discharge section 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow section 24, the safety valve opens, and the cooling fluid is discharged from the discharge port 56. As a result, even if pressure is applied from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 and that pressure exceeds twice the pressure for sending the cooling fluid N from the discharge section 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow section 24, the safety valve 51 opens and the cooling fluid is discharged. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the cooling fluid path 21 from bursting due to high-pressure cooling fluid.

[0079] Further, in the cooling clothing 11 according to the present embodiment, the pump 41 includes a suction section 43 that sucks the cooling fluid stored in the storage section 31 through the tube 42 connected to the storage section 31, and a discharge section 44 that discharges the cooling fluid toward the cooling fluid path 21 through the tube 42 connected to the cooling fluid path 21. The safety valve 51 is provided on the tube 42 side connected to the cooling fluid path 21.

[0080] Due to this feature, when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 exceeds twice the pressure for sending the cooling fluid N from the discharge section 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow section 24, the safety valve 51 provided on the tube 42 side connected to the cooling fluid path 21 opens, so that the cooling fluid is discharged and the pressure applied to the cooling fluid in the tube 42 and the cooling fluid path 21 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the cooling fluid path 21 from bursting and prevent a burden from being imposed on the pump 41 that discharges the cooling fluid by the discharge section 44.

[0081] Also, in the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment, the garment body 12 has a front body part 13 and a back body part 14 of the garment, and the other end side of the tube 42 is connected to a cooling fluid passage 21 provided in the back body part 14 of the garment and is located on the surface 16A side of the inner sheet material 16.

[0082] Due to this feature, when the safety valve 51 provided on the other end side of the tube 42, which is connected to the cooling fluid passage 21 provided in the back body part 14 of the garment and is located on the surface 16A side of the inner sheet material 16, is opened and the cooling fluid is discharged, for example, it is possible to prevent the front body part 13 side of the cooling garment 11 or the front body part 4 side of the cooling vest 1 to which the cooling garment 11 is attached from being soiled by the cooling fluid.

[0083] Also, in the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment, the cooling fluid passage 21 is provided to be continuous between the back body part 14 and the front body part 13 of the garment via the garment shoulder part 15, and the cooling fluid passage 21 guides the cooling fluid flowing out from the other end side of the tube 42 to the cooling fluid passage 21 toward the front body part 13 of the garment.

[0084] Due to this feature, by the operation of the pump 41, the cooling fluid discharged from the other end side of the tube 42 connected to the cooling fluid passage 21 provided in the back body part 14 of the garment is guided toward the front body part 13 of the garment, so that, for example, not only the back but also the chest of the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11 can be cooled uniformly.

[0085] Also, in the cooling garment 11 according to the present embodiment, due to the function of the safety valve 51, when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid passage 21 exceeds twice the pressure for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow part 24, the valve is opened to discharge the cooling fluid to the outside of the safety valve 51.

[0086] Due to this feature, when the safety valve 51 opens if the pressure from outside the cooling fluid path 21 exceeds twice the pressure that sends the cooling fluid N from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow part 24, the cooling fluid is discharged from outside the safety valve 51. As a result, the pressure applied to the cooling fluid in the tube 42 escapes to the outside of the cooling clothing 11 and the pressure in the cooling fluid path 21 is reduced, so that it is possible to prevent the cooling fluid path from bursting.

[0087] Further, in the cooling clothing 11 according to the present embodiment, it is characterized in that the surface 16A of the inner sheet material 16 is subjected to a raising process.

[0088] Due to this feature, even when the body of the wearer wearing the cooling clothing 11 comes into contact with the surface 16A of the inner sheet material 16, since the surface 16A is subjected to a raising process, the comfort of the cooling clothing 11 is improved, and the comfort when wearing the cooling clothing 11 can be enhanced.

[0089] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and applied without departing from the gist thereof.

[0090] In the cooling vest 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, the cooling clothing 11 was detachably connected to the cooling vest 1 through the hook-and-loop fastener 20. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the cooling clothing 11 may be sewn to the lining 10 of the cooling vest 1. Further, for example, the cooling clothing 11 may be fixable to the lining 10 of the cooling vest 1 with buttons. Further, for example, each way of wearing the clothing such as wearing the cooling clothing 11 without sewing it to other clothes, wearing the cooling clothing 11 over the inner wear, and wearing the outer wear while wearing the cooling clothing 11 may be adopted.

[0091] For example, in the embodiment, the cooling vest 1 formed in the form of a vest is cited, but it is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications are possible, such as a long-sleeved upper garment, a jacket, etc.

[0092] The thickness of the inner sheet material 16 according to this embodiment was about 2 mm, and the thickness of the outer sheet material 17 was about 1 mm. However, it is not limited to this. Depending on the thickness of the cooling garment 11, the thicknesses of the inner sheet material 16 and the outer sheet material 17 can be appropriately changed as long as they do not cause discomfort to the wearer wearing the cooling garment 11.

[0093] Also, in the embodiment, a cooling garment 11 that cools a cooling fluid N (water) with a PET bottle 90X containing a cooling substance M (such as water or drinking water) in a PET bottle 90 was cited. However, in addition to ice, the cooling substance may be a latent heat storage material composition in which, as a so-called cold insulating agent, for example, an acetate hydrate such as sodium acetate trihydrate is used as a main component and additives are added to adjust the freezing point of the latent heat storage material to near zero degrees Celsius. Such a latent heat storage material composition may be stored in the internal space of the storage portion in a bagged state.

[0094] Also, in the embodiment, the outer shape of the cooling garment 11 was set to the shape shown in FIGS. 4 to 5. However, the outer shape of the cooling garment 11 is not limited to the embodiment and can be appropriately changed. Also, the arrangement mode of the cooling fluid path 21 and the storage portion 31 in the cooling garment 11 is not limited to the embodiment and can be appropriately changed.

[0095] The safety valve 51 according to this embodiment opens when the pressure exceeding the biasing force of the spring 55 (the pressure twice the pressure (discharge pressure) for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow part 24), and discharges the cooling fluid to the outside of the safety valve 51. However, it is not limited to this. For example, as long as the safety valve 51 is configured to open when the pressure biasing in the direction opposite to the spring 55 overcomes the pressure (biasing force) with which the spring 55 biases toward the valve body 52, the biasing force of the spring 55 can be appropriately changed, for example, to 1.5 times, 2.5 times, etc. of the pressure (discharge pressure) for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow part 24. However, for example, when a wearer wearing the cooling garment 11 is pressed by a wall, a chair, etc., the pressure applied to the cooling fluid path 21 and the storage part 31 causes the pressure biasing in the direction opposite to the spring 55 to overcome the pressure (biasing force) with which the spring 55 biases toward the valve body 52, and it is preferable that the biasing force of the spring 55 is such that the safety valve 51 does not open.

[0096] When the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 exceeds twice the pressure for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow part 24, the safety valve 51 according to this embodiment opens and discharges the cooling fluid from the discharge port 56 to the outside of the cooling garment 11. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the safety valve 51 may be provided in the cooling fluid path 21. In this case, when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 exceeds twice the pressure for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge part 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow part 24, it may be configured to open and discharge the cooling fluid from the discharge port 56 from the cooling fluid path 21 to the storage part 31 to reduce the pressure applied to the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling fluid path 21.

[0097] Also, the safety valve 51 according to the present embodiment had the shape shown in FIG. 13, but is not limited thereto. For example, a safety valve having a valve body portion that blocks the inflow of the cooling fluid from the outside of the tube 42 into the internal space of the tube 42 and blocks the outflow of the cooling fluid from the internal space of the tube 42 to the outside of the tube 42, while allowing the air in the internal space of the tube 42 to flow out to the outside may be provided. In this case, the valve main body may be formed of a waterproof and moisture-permeable film using a waterproof and moisture-permeable material that has waterproof properties to block the flow of the cooling fluid and moisture-permeable properties to allow only air to flow between the internal space and the outside of the tube 42. By using this safety valve, for example, when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path 21 exceeds twice the pressure for sending out the cooling fluid N from the discharge portion 44 of the pump 41 toward the second outflow portion 24, the valve body portion of the safety valve breaks, so that the cooling fluid is discharged from the safety valve and the pressure applied to the cooling fluid in the tube 42 can be reduced. Further, this safety valve may be provided not only in the tube 42 but also in the cooling fluid path 21 or the storage portion 31.

[0098] In the cooling fluid path 21 according to the present embodiment, the cooling fluid N flowing out from the second outflow portion 24 into the cooling fluid path 21 was branched into a first branch path 22 and a second branch path 23. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, the cooling fluid flowing out from the second outflow portion 24 into the cooling fluid path 21 may be circulated in one direction by the cooling fluid path 21.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0099] 11 Cooling garment (Cooling garment) 12 Garment body 13 Front part of the garment (Front part) 13A Right front part of the garment (Right front part) 13B Left front part of the garment (Left front part) 14 Back part of the garment (Back part) 15 Shoulder part of the garment (Shoulder part) 15A Right shoulder of the garment 15B Left shoulder of the garment 16 Inner sheet material (Inner sheet material) Surface of the 16A inner sheet material (surface) Back surface of the 16B inner sheet material (back surface) 17 Outer sheet material Surface of the 17A outer sheet material Back surface of the 17B outer sheet material 18 Storage part opening 19 Fastener 21 Cooling fluid path (cooling fluid path) 22 First branch path (first branch path) 23 Second branch path (second branch path) 24 Second outflow part (outflow part) 25 First change path 26 Second change path 27 First reflux path (first reflux path) 28 Second reflux path (second reflux path) 31 Storage part (storage part) 32 First outflow part 41 Pump (pump) 42 Tube (tube) 43 Suction part (suction part) 44 Discharge part (discharge part) 51 Safety valve (safety valve) 52 Valve body 53 Valve member 54 Communication part 55 Spring 56 Drain port 61 Pump operation unit 62 Pump control part 63 Pump operation part 64 Pump display part 65 Portable battery 66 Pump wiring M Cooling substance (cooling substance) N Cooling fluid (cooling fluid)

Claims

1. A storage unit capable of freely storing and retrieving a coolant with solidifiable physical properties, and In a cooling garment provided with a cooling fluid path for guiding the cooling fluid stored in the storage unit, A tube having one end connected to the storage unit and the other end connected to the cooling fluid path, A pump attached to the tube, A safety valve that opens when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path exceeds a specified pressure, The cooling fluid path is A cooling garment formed by an inner sheet material having a surface in contact with the wearer of the cooling garment and a back surface on the opposite side of the surface, and an outer sheet material adhered to the inner sheet material.

2. In the cooling garment according to claim 1, The pump includes a suction part that sucks the cooling fluid stored in the storage unit through the tube connected to the storage unit, and a discharge part that discharges the cooling fluid toward the cooling fluid path through the tube connected to the cooling fluid path. The safety valve is A cooling garment provided on the tube side connected to the cooling fluid path.

3. In the cooling garment according to claim 2, The main body of the garment has a front body and a back body, The other end side of the tube is Connected to the cooling fluid path provided on the back body, A cooling garment located on the surface side of the surface of the inner sheet material.

4. In the cooling garment according to claim 3, The cooling fluid path is Provided continuously to the back body and the front body via the shoulders, A cooling garment that guides the cooling fluid flowing out from the other end side of the tube to the cooling fluid path toward the front body.

5. In the cooling garment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The safety valve is A cooling garment that has a function of opening when the pressure from the outside of the cooling fluid path exceeds the specified pressure and discharging the cooling fluid to the outside of the safety valve.

6. In the cooling garment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A cooling garment in which the surface of the inner sheet material is subjected to a raising process.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Temperature adjusting garment

    JP1995308338A