Cooling clothes

Abstract

With fan-operated types, excessive sweating can cause heat to build up. Furthermore, the air escapes from the neck area after convection, making it difficult to feel cool. The same applies to the armpits and back. Additionally, the garment itself tends to bulge outwards. [Solution] Air is drawn in from the outside of the jacket 49 into the ducts 41, 41, with momentum as an airflow. A portion of the drawn-in air, without losing momentum and while absorbing heat of vaporization, is ejected as an air jet from the penetration port 37. Since the penetration port 37 is located on the underarm side, the air jet hits the sweaty underarms or the area near the underarms. Furthermore, the air rises up the duct 41 and is blown out from the neck opening 21 side, hitting the neck. The remaining air enters the central outlet 43 and escapes to the back side through the holes in the mesh fabric lining 31. This escaped air is gradually blown out between the jacket 49 and the body.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to cooling clothing suitable for use in work sites in high-temperature environments and the like.

Background Art

[0002] The cooling clothing described in Patent Document 1 is such that when air is taken in between the body and the clothing by the operation of a fan attached to the clothing, the air convects and then exits from the neck. In the process of convection, the sweat that has come out from the surface of the body is vaporized by taking away the heat of vaporization from the body side, thereby cooling the body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of cooling clothing, in order to ensure the convection state of air, the air outlet is restricted. When a large amount of sweat is produced, vaporization cannot keep up, and heat accumulates between the body and the clothing, making it easier to suffer from heatstroke. Also, the neck and armpits are areas where a direct feeling of coolness can be felt when the wind hits. However, when wearing the above type of cooling clothing, the air hitting the neck has no momentum as wind after convection, and moreover, it is warmed including the vaporized sweat, making it difficult to feel cool. Moreover, the armpits are covered with clothing, making it even more difficult to feel cool. Furthermore, the clothing side bulges outwards due to the air taken in. Recently, due to the influence of sweltering heat, not only work involving physical labor but also activities including private activities such as being outdoors or moving outdoors are often worn daily. In that case, appearance is also an important factor in product selection, so it is desirable to suppress the bulge that may cause a sense of discomfort as much as possible.

[0005] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a novel and useful cooling garment that utilizes a mechanism in which air taken in by the operation of a fan attached to the garment is used to cool the body by evaporating sweat released from the body surface by taking heat of vaporization from the body side, while also making improvements to the structure of the garment itself to guide the taken-in air in a way that is different from conventional garments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and is a cooling garment characterized by comprising: a jacket body that encloses the body when worn; left and right ducts formed on both sides of the back of the jacket body, each opening at the upper neck area; through openings formed in the left and right ducts and penetrating around the armpits; a central air outlet at the back, where the enclosed side is formed to allow ventilation on the back of the jacket body; and a fan attached to the duct-forming portion of the jacket body, with a fan attached to the jacket side having a communication portion that connects the left and right ducts and the central air outlet, respectively, wherein the airflow formed by the operation of the fan is distributed, with some being ejected from the through openings, some rising up the left and right ducts and blown out from the upper openings, and the remainder being blown out from the central air outlet via the communication portion.

[0007] Preferably, the back of the jacket body has a lining made of mesh fabric and windproof fabric that overlaps, and the lining is used to form a duct and a central air outlet, and a hole is made in the windproof fabric at the location of the central air outlet, opening outwards through the mesh fabric. Preferably, inside the central air outlet, an insulating sheet is superimposed on the jacket body side and a net sheet on the lining side, with a gap formed between them, and the communication section opens into the gap. Preferably, a fingertip insertion hole is provided near the fan mounting area of ​​the duct, which can be opened and closed.

[0008] Preferably, adhesive storage pockets are provided on the lower inner surface of the left and right front panels of the jacket.

[0009] Preferably, the back of the jacket is provided with a waterproof pocket that can be opened and closed from the outside and also opens at at least one shoulder, allowing the hydration system to be carried with its refill pouch stored in the pocket and the hose connected to the refill pouch pulled out through the opening.

[0010] Preferably, the main body of the jacket is constructed in a vest style, with the back and front panels connected via the shoulders, and the left and right ducts and the central outlet are formed on the back panel side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The cooling garment of this invention utilizes a mechanism that cools the body by evaporating sweat using air drawn in by the operation of a fan, similar to conventional methods. However, at the neck and armpits, the drawn-in air is not convected but instead blown directly onto the body as if it were being sprayed, resulting in a significantly cooler feeling. Furthermore, because convection occurs only between the body and the garment at the back while the surrounding area is open, heat does not build up between the body and the garment even when sweating profusely. In addition, the garment does not bulge outward due to the drawn-in air. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a cooling vest according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the back. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cooling vest from the front. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the inside view of the cooling vest with the front panel opened and laid flat. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of the air supply mechanism based on Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the cooling vest. [Figure 6] This is a schematic exploded perspective view of the cooling vest, seen from a different direction than Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the cooling vest with a hydration system attached. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A cooling garment according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the cooling garment is a vest-type cooling vest 1, and its outer surface is made of synthetic fiber fabric such as nylon or polyester, which is windproof. This outer surface corresponds to the main body of the jacket 3. The back panel 5 and left and right front panels 7 and 9 of the jacket body 3 are connected via the shoulder area. The section between the left front panel 7 and the back panel 5, and the section between the right front panel 9 and the back panel 5 are connected by belts 11, and the section between the left front panel 7 and the right front panel 9 is also connected by a similar belt 13.

[0014] The back panel 5 has a tongue-shaped cutout that extends upwards, forming a flap-like lid portion 15a for the storage pocket 15. This opening edge 15b is opened and closed with a zipper. Reference numeral 19 indicates a partition fabric, which has an inverted U-shaped outline, excluding the flap-like lid portion 15a from the back body 5. The partition fabric 19 is overlapped with the back body 5 with its edges aligned, and the edges of the partition fabric 19 are sewn to the back body 5, except for the neckline edge 19a. Therefore, the area between the unsewn neckline edge 19a and the back body 5 forms a neckline opening 21. Furthermore, the partition fabric 19, together with the back panel 5, forms a tubular shape. In the area where it is sewn together to form a tubular shape, the width dimension of the partition fabric 19 in the left-right direction is set to be larger than the width dimension of the back panel 5 in the left-right direction, so that sufficient space is created inside the tube when it is sewn together to form a tubular shape.

[0015] On the back side, a pocket fabric 15c with a contour similar to that of the back body part 5 is overlapped with the back body part 5 with their edges aligned, and the edges are sewn together. The part that overlaps with the partition fabric 19 is sewn to the back body part 5 together with the partition fabric 19. However, on the shoulder side of the pocket fabric 15c, it is not sewn to the upper body main body 3 (and the partition fabric 19), and there is an opening between the pocket fabric 15c and the upper body main body 3 (and the partition fabric 19). Also, at the part of the neck edge 19a, the pocket fabric 15c is sewn only to the partition fabric 19, and the neck opening 21 between the partition fabric 19 and the back body part 5 is secured. A storage pocket 15 is formed using the pocket fabric 15c. This storage pocket 15 is opened by a flap-shaped lid part 15a.

[0016] On the left and right front body parts 7 and 9 sides of the upper body main body 3, cut openings 7a and 9a are respectively formed. Also, as described above, on the shoulder side of the pocket fabric 15c, there is an opening between the pocket fabric 15c and the upper body main body 3 (and the partition fabric 19), so the inside of the storage pocket 15 opens outward toward the outside of the cooling vest 1 through the flap-shaped lid part 15a and the openings 7a and 9a. The inner surface of the storage pocket 15 is overlapped with a waterproof sheet to be waterproof. On the inner surface of the flap-shaped lid part 15a of the storage pocket 15, a patch pocket 15d that opens upward is provided by pasting a net-like sheet. Also, a storage pocket 17 is formed using a pocket fabric 17a in the same manner as the storage pocket 15. The opening 17b of this storage pocket 17 is also opened and closed by a fastener, but it is not waterproof. Also, when viewed from the outside, the storage pocket 15 and the storage pocket 17 seem to be arranged vertically side by side, but the inside of the storage pocket 15 reaches near the lower end of the upper body main body 3, and the storage pocket 17 overlaps from the outside on the lower part of the storage pocket 15.

[0017] The back panel 5 bulges outward on the left and right sides at the bottom, extending to the area under the armpits when worn. In this area, circular fan mounting holes 23, 23 are formed, respectively, to serve as fan mounting points. Near the top of the fan mounting holes 23, there is a section with a slit that opens and closes from the surface with a zipper. When this slit is spread flat, it becomes a hole. This slit forms the hand insertion hole 25. Additionally, a detachable hood (27) is attached to the back of the garment (5) using buttons.

[0018] On the reverse side of the pocket fabric 15c, an insulating sheet 29 with a similar outline to the pocket fabric 15c is overlapped with the pocket fabric 15c (and the partition fabric 19 and the back body 5) with its edges aligned, and its edges are sewn in place. However, on the shoulder side of the pocket fabric 15c, it is sewn only to the pocket fabric 15c, and an opening is maintained between the pocket fabric 15c and the main body of the jacket 3. Similarly, the neck opening 21 is also secured at the neck edge 19a.

[0019] Furthermore, reference numeral 31 indicates the lining, which has the same outline as the main body of the jacket 3. This lining 31 is made of a breathable mesh fabric. A windproof fabric 33, which has the same outline as the lining 31, is overlapped with it, with their edges aligned. In this windproof fabric 33, a large square cutout is made in the center of the back area when worn, forming the cutout hole 33a. Furthermore, a net sheet 35 is layered over the windproof fabric 33 so as to surround the notch 33a. Except for the area of ​​the notch 33a, the lining 31, windproof fabric 33, and net sheet 35 are layered together, and the lining 31 forms the inner surface of the cooling vest 1 and comes into contact with the body when worn. The lining 31 and the windproof fabric 33 are overlapped with their edges aligned, and the edges are sewn together. In addition, the edges of the net sheet 35 are sewn to the windproof fabric 33.

[0020] The lining 31 (and windproof fabric 33 and net sheet 35) is overlapped on the back side of the main body 3 of the jacket (and partition fabric 19, pocket fabric 15c, and insulation sheet 29), with the edges aligned, and the edges are sewn together to form a single unit. However, the stitching is designed not to affect the opening configuration on the main body 3 of the jacket, and on the shoulder side of the pocket fabric 15c, it is sewn only to the pocket fabric 15c, ensuring that the opening between the pocket fabric 15c and the main body 3 of the jacket is maintained. Similarly, the neck opening 21 is also secured at the neck edge 19a.

[0021] As described above, the lower left and right sides of the back panel 5 bulge outwards, and fan mounting holes 23 and hand insertion holes 25 are formed in these left and right sections, respectively. The partition fabric 19, pocket fabric 15c, insulation sheet 29, windproof fabric 33, and lining 31 also bulge outwards to the left and right, corresponding to the bulges on the left and right sides of the back panel 5. In the bulging portion of the partition fabric 19, a long, narrow rectangular through-hole 37a and a circular communication hole 39a are formed at intervals. The communication hole 39a is smaller than the fan mounting hole 23.

[0022] Similarly, the pocket fabric 15c, insulation sheet 29, windproof fabric 33, and lining 31 also have through-holes 37b, 37c, 37d, and 37e formed in the same positions. The edges of each of these openings are then sewn together to form a single through-hole 37. This through-hole 37 is open at the partition fabric 19 and lining 31, and is open to the outside through the lining 31. The gaps between adjacent fabrics and sheets of the overlapping partition fabric 19, pocket fabric 15c, insulation sheet 29, windproof fabric 33, and lining 31 are sealed by the edges of this through-hole 37.

[0023] Similarly, the pocket fabric 15c and the insulation sheet 29 also have connecting holes 39b and 39c formed in the same positions. The edges of each are sewn together to form a single connecting hole 39. This connecting hole 39 is open in the partition fabric 19 and the insulation sheet 29. The windproof fabric 33 adjacent to the insulation sheet 29 does not have a connecting hole, but it is open to the outside through the mesh of the net sheet 35, the notched holes 33a in the windproof fabric 33, and the mesh-like lining 31.

[0024] The main body of the jacket 3 is constructed as described above, forming a cylindrical shape enclosed by the partition fabric 19 and the back panel 5, and is closed at the lower end. The opening at the upper neck opening 21 is a duct 41. A pair of ducts 41, 41 are arranged on the left and right sides. A fan mounting hole 23 is formed on the jacket body 3 side of this duct 41, and a through-hole 37a and a communication hole 39a are formed on the partition fabric 19 side. The through-hole 37a is part of the through-hole 37 that penetrates the fabric of the main body of the jacket 3 in the direction of its thickness, and this through-hole 37 penetrates from inside the duct 41 toward the outside of the lining 31. The through-hole 37 is located in the area around the armpit when the main body of the jacket 3 is worn. The gap between the net sheet 35 and the insulation sheet 29 forms the central air outlet 43. This central air outlet 43 communicates with the inside of the duct 41 through a communication hole 39, which serves as a connecting section. It is also open to the outside through the mesh of the net sheet 35, the notched holes 33a of the windproof fabric 33, and the mesh-like lining 31, with the notched holes 33a located around the back.

[0025] Storage pockets 45 are provided at the bottom of the left and right front panels 7 and 9, respectively. These storage pockets 45 are formed in the same way as the storage pockets 17 described above, and the zippers open in an L-shape. Furthermore, on the exposed surface of the lining 31, separate fabric is attached to the areas where it overlaps with the lower parts of the left and right front panels 7 and 9, forming adhesive storage pockets 47, 47. These storage pockets 47 have an opening at the top.

[0026] The jacket 49 is configured as described above, with the fan 51 attached to the fan mounting hole 23, forming the cooling vest 1. The fan 51 consists of a bottomed circular case and a lid that also serves as a protective guard, with the fan blades housed in the case. The lid is screwed onto the case to close it, and the flanges provided on each side press against the edge of the fan mounting hole 23, thereby attaching the fan 51 to the jacket 49. The user grasps the case with their fingertips, inserts it into the duct 41 through the fingertip insertion hole 25, and then, after the threaded portion protrudes from the fan mounting hole 23, the lid is screwed on from the outer side of the jacket 49. In this way, the presence of the fingertip insertion hole 25 makes it easy to install the fan 51.

[0027] The power cable 53 for the fan 51 is split into two at one end, with one end being longer. Each of these two ends is connected to the fan 51 mounted on the left and right sides. The ducts 41, 41 are connected to the storage pocket 15 via small connecting holes, so the power cable 53 branches out within one duct 41 and enters the other duct 41 through the connecting holes. Within each duct 41, 41, it is detachably connected to the fan 51, 51. The other end of the power cable 53 is routed out through the opening 7a. The other end is then detachably connected to a battery 55 equipped with an operation button. The battery 55 is stored in a storage pocket 45 accessible from the outside of the jacket 49, allowing it to be turned on and off by operating the control buttons while wearing the jacket 49. The battery 55 also has a USB cable connector for charging. The storage pocket 47 can hold commercially available flat-pack ice packs 57.

[0028] Cooling vest 1 is configured as described above. When worn and fans 51, 51 are activated, the blades of fans 51, 51 rotate, drawing air from the outside of the jacket 49 into the ducts 41, 41 with force as an airflow. The duct 41 has a through-hole 37 formed on the inner side of the jacket 49, and since it is almost opposite the fan 51, as shown by the arrow, a portion of the intake air is ejected from the through-hole 37 as an air jet without losing momentum and before absorbing evaporative heat. Since the through-hole 37 is located on the underarm side, the air jet hits the sweaty underarm or the surrounding area, and the sweat is evaporated by evaporative heat from the underarm side. Therefore, you can feel the coolness directly from both underarms. Furthermore, the airflow rises through the duct 41 and is similarly blown out from the neck opening 21, hitting the neck. Therefore, you can feel the coolness directly from your sweaty neck.

[0029] Meanwhile, the remaining air from the left and right ducts 41, 41 enters the central outlet 43 through the connecting holes 39, 39. From this central outlet 43, the air escapes to the back through the mesh holes in the lining 31. This escaped air, similar to conventional fan-type cooling clothing, is gradually blown between the jacket 49 and the body as indicated by the arrow, absorbing the heat of vaporization from the body and evaporating the sweat released from the back. Since the neck, armpits, and underarms are not blocked but open, convection between the back and the jacket 49 does not persist, and the air carrying the sweat vapor is quickly expelled. Therefore, even when sweating profusely, heat does not build up between the body and the jacket 49. Furthermore, the jacket 49 does not bulge outward due to the intake of air.

[0030] In this way, the air taken in by the operation of fan 51 is not wasted on convection but is distributed and directed directly as an airflow to areas where sweating is common, and the cooling effect on the body through the evaporation of sweat is efficiently realized. Furthermore, the cooling effect can also be enjoyed on the left and right front panels 7 and 9 when the ice pack 57 is applied. Therefore, the feeling of freshness when wearing it is significantly improved compared to the conventional type of jacket described in Patent Document 1. Furthermore, since the jacket 49 does not bulge, it does not feel bulky when worn as an outer garment. Also, because it does not bulge, a harness can be attached to the outside of the jacket, making it suitable for use in dangerous work at heights.

[0031] Storage pockets 15, 17, and 45 can be used to store various small items such as wallets and smartphones, but storage pocket 15 on the back is particularly large, and jacket 49 can also be used as a backpack primarily for storage. Furthermore, storage pocket 15 is designed to keep things cool, and by placing an ice pack 59 in patch pocket 15d, you can keep things cold for a longer period of time. You can also store a plastic bottle if you don't mind it bulging.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, it can also be used to carry the hydration system 61. The hydration pouch 63 of the hydration system 61 is made of a flexible plastic material and is manufactured as a flat pouch with an opening at the top. It is double-locked with a zipper and a fastener 64. This hydration pouch 63 is stored in the storage pocket 15. A detachable hose 65 is connected to the hydration pouch 63, but the storage pocket 15 is also open on the opening 9a side, and the drinking end of the hose 65 hangs down from there. While wearing the system, the user can replenish their hydration by removing the cap from the drinking end with a single touch and bringing it to their mouth to drink the water contained in the hydration pouch 63. Even with the 63 resupply bag stored inside, it doesn't bulge, so carrying the 61 hydration system doesn't detract from the jacket's appearance.

[0033] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes or other modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the invention. For example, the shape of the jacket 49, the layering structure of the jacket body 3 and the lining 31, the materials used for each, and the structure of the fan 51 can all be selected in various ways within the scope of achieving the objectives of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1…Cooling vest 3…Main jacket 5...Back panel 7...Left front panel 9…Right front panel 7a, 9a…Opening 11... Belt 13... Belt 15...Storage pocket 15a...Flap-type lid 15b…Opening edge 15c…Pocket fabric 15d... Patch pocket 17... Storage pocket 17a...Pocket fabric 17b...Opening 19... Divider fabric 19a... Neckline edge 21…Opening at the neck 23…Fan mounting hole 25…Hand insertion hole 27…Hood 29…Insulation sheet 31…Lining (mesh) 33…Windproof fabric 33a…Notch hole 35…Net sheet 37 (37a, 37b, 37c, 37d, 37e)...through hole 39(39a, 39b, 39c)...Communication hole 41...Duct 43...Central air outlet 45...Storage pocket 47...Storage pocket 49...Jacket 51...Fan 53…Power cable 55…Battery 57...Cooling pack 59...Cooling pack 61… Hydration System 63…Supply bag 64…Closing tool 65...Hose

Claims

1. The garment comprises a main body that encloses the body when worn, left and right ducts formed on both sides of the back of the main body and opening at the neck area above, through-holes formed in the left and right ducts and passing through around the armpits, a central air outlet at the back area formed on the back of the main body so that the enclosed side is ventilated, and a fan attached to the duct-forming portion of the main body, with a connecting portion that connects the left and right ducts and the central air outlet, respectively. Cooling garment characterized in that the airflow formed by the operation of the fan is distributed, a portion is ejected from the through-hole, a portion rises through the left and right ducts and is blown out from the upper opening, and the remainder is blown out from the central outlet via the connecting portion.

2. In the cooling garment described in claim 1, The cooling garment is characterized in that the back of the main body of the jacket has a lining made of mesh fabric and windproof fabric that overlaps, and the lining is used to form a duct and a central air outlet, and in the area of ​​the central air outlet there is a hole in the windproof fabric that opens outwards through the mesh fabric.

3. In the cooling garment described in claim 2, A cooling garment characterized in that, inside the central air outlet, an insulating sheet is layered on the main body side of the jacket and a net sheet is layered on the lining side, with a gap formed between them, and the communication section opens into the gap.

4. In a cooling garment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A cooling garment characterized by having an opening for inserting the fingertips near the mounting point of the fan in the duct, which can be opened and closed.

5. In the cooling garment described in claim 4, A cooling garment characterized by having adhesive storage pockets attached to the lower inner surface of the left and right front panels of the jacket.

6. In the cooling garment described in claim 5, The back of the jacket features a waterproof pocket that can be opened and closed from the outside and also opens at at least one shoulder. A cooling garment characterized in that a hydration system can be carried with its refill pouch stored in the pocket and the hose connected to the refill pouch extended from the opening.

7. In the cooling garment described in claim 6, The main body of the garment is made of fabric in which the back and front panels are connected via the shoulders, and is constructed in a vest style, with the left and right ducts and the central air outlet formed on the back panel side.

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