SPORTS ACTIVITY GARMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to sport apparel in particular but not exclusively to a sports activity garment having a compartment adapted to hold and actively cool a drinkable liquid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art water sports apparel such as wetsuits and buoyancy vests are known. Proponents of such aquatic activity and wearers of such apparel often spend lengthy periods on the water, for example, surfers often have to spend a lot of time sitting on their surfboards waiting for the right wave. Sail board riders and dinghy sailors similarly spend long hours on their sailboards and yachts. As it is often difficult to have access to drinking liquids when engaging in such strenuous activity, dehydration poses a real problem for those engaging in these activities. Prior art solutions to this problem have included tying and lashing drink bottles or cans to the masts of sailboards and dinghies. In the case of surfing, surfers have been known to carry drink bottles or cans inside their wetsuits. Such stowage of drink bottles and cans is dangerous to the surfer especially during a wipe out when the drink bottles and cans can be smashed into the surfer's body. Damage to surfboards due to loose drink bottles and cans are also a further disadvantage. In the case of drink bottles and cans lashed into a sailboard or dinghy mast, a capsize can result in the loss of the drink bottle and can thereby contributing to the litter and pollution of waterways and the ocean. There have been prior art garments, typically jackets worn during sporting activity, for transporting drinking liquids. Some of there prior art examples are described in the following:
DE19827356 (CEBECI, ERTUGRUL) discloses a jacket with pouches adapted for transporting drinking liquids in a ergonomic fashion in an efficient temperature regulated environment by the use of insulating materials to encircle or enclose the pouches. The insulating materials include a metal component, typically aluminum.
FR2723686 (DEGRE 7 ENTERPRISE UNIIPERSONNELLE A RESP LIMITEE) discloses a sports vest adapted to contain a drinking liquid in an isothermal pouch which allows the wearer freedom to engage in sports such as mountaineering and is adapted to counter cold temperatures tending to cool the liquid when engaging in such sports.
WO99/01045 (QUEBEC INC) discloses a sports shirt with a pocket of elastic fabric installed on the inner surface of the shirt. The pocket adapted to contain an elongated flexible pouch containing drinking water accessible through a flexible plastic tube with a bite valve. The invention being directed to enable a person to carry a water filled pouch in a stable fashion while engaging in sport involving significant body movement such as cycling or cross country skiing.
In the above examples, initial temperature of the drinking liquid is maintained by means of thermally insulating materials to encompass a pouch or bladder containing the liquid. The active cooling of the liquid is not a priority or goal as it is when engaging in sports where body heat or heat from the sun can warm the liquid. There is therefore a need for a sports garment that can transport and actively cool and keep cool a drinking liquid in conditions where the temperature of the liquid can potentially be raised. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to seek to ameliorate the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resolves in a pouch for containing a drinking liquid, the pouch adapted to be worn about the body of a wearer by use of straps, body harness or other support means, the pouch having dispensing means for consumption of the drinking liquid, the pouch having at least one panel of fabric material specially adapted to provide an evaporative cooling effect to the drinking liquid on evaporation of a cooling liquid, typically water from an outer surface of the panel, wherein in use, the wearer can consume liquid from the pouch through the dispensing means and wherein the pouch and thereby, the drinking liquid, is actively cooled and kept continually cool by the evaporative cooling effect
In another aspect, the invention resides in a sports garment, the garment having a compartment adapted to contain a drinking liquid; the compartment having dispensing means for consumption of the drinking liquid, the compartment having at least one panel of fabric material specially adapted to provide an evaporative cooling effect to the drinking liquid on evaporation of a cooling liquid, typically water from an outer surface of the panel, wherein in use, the drinking liquid can be consumed through the dispensing means and wherein the compartment and thereby, the drinking liquid, is actively cooled and kept continually cool by the evaporative cooling effect.
In another aspect, the invention resides in a garment for use in aquatic activity, the garment having a pocket adapted for the insertion of a removable container or bladder, the container or bladder adapted for holding a drinking liquid, the pocket of the garment insulating the container or bladder from body heat of a wearer and heat from the external environment, the pocket having at least one panel of fabric material specially adapted to provide an evaporative cooling effect to the drinking liquid on evaporation of a cooling liquid, typically water from an outer surface of the panel, wherein in use, drinking liquid can be consumed through the dispensing means and wherein the container or bladder and thereby, the drinking liquid, is actively cooled and kept continually cool by the evaporative cooling effect
In preference where the drinking liquid is water the drinking liquid is also the cooling liquid, and, the fabric material of the outer panel allows the transportation by capillary action or other action of the water from an inner surface of the panel to the outer surface wherein the evaporation of the water from the outer surface provides the evaporative cooling effect.
In one example the garment is an aquatic activity garment such as a wetsuit, typically for use in activities such as surfing or sailboarding, or is a buoyancy vest typically used in the activities of dinghy sailing, yachting or kayaking.
Preferably where the garment is a wetsuit it is constructed of rubber or neoprene 3mm or 5mm in thickness. Where the garment is a buoyancy vest it can be constructed of nylon, canvas or any other fabric or material. Preferably the panel or pocket is of a light colour or reflective material improve
the cooling effect by reflection of heat from the external environment.
In one example, the fabric material of the panel is canvas with an inner sealed
surface and an outer non-sealed surface to facilitate cooling of the inner surface by
evaporation of water from the outer surface.
Preferably the dispensing means is a plastic tube of suitable diameter
extending to the bottom of the pouch, compartment, bladder or container whereby
liquid can be consumed on demand by sucking on the free end of the tube.
Preferably the dispensing means has a one way valve means to allow flow of
liquid from the compartment, pouch, bladder or container but prevents entry of water
into the compartment, pouch, bladder or container. Suitably the one way valve
means is positioned at or substantially proximal to the free end of the tube.
Preferably the pouch, compartment, container or bladder has separate filling
means which is closeable or sealable.
Preferably the container or bladder is removable from the pocket so that both
can be easily cleaned.
Preferably the filling means is a screw cap with a watertight rubber or
neoprene compressible washer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the present invention be more readily understood and put into
practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrations
wherein:
Figures 1 , 1A and 1 B show a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figures 2, 2A to 2D show a preferred embodiment of the invention according, and
Figure 3 shows a further example of the invention, and Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross section through a further embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Figure 1 , 1A and Figure 1 B
There is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a wetsuit 10 having a compartment 12 adapted to hold a drinking liquid. The compartment is shown comprising an outer panel 16 of fabric material, preferably canvas sealed on the inner surface 16a. Evaporation of water wetting the outer unsealed canvas surface results in a cooling of the inner surface thereby cooling the beverage or liquid in the compartment. The compartment is shown with a dispensing means preferably in the form of a clear plastic tube 8 of a small diameter that enters the compartment that extends to the bottom of the compartment. At the end of the plastic tube dispensing means is a one way valve 20 which allows the wearer of the garment to consume the liquid in the compartment by sucking on the one way valve. The one way valve prevents entry of water, such as seawater, into the compartment when suction is not applied to the plastic tube. It will be evident that as the water evaporates from the outer surface of the canvas panel that the liquid will be kept continually cool in the compartment. The thickness of the neoprene 10a between the compartment and the body of the wearer will also insulate the compartment from the body heat of the wearer. In a preferably version, the outer canvas material may also be lightly coloured to increase any reflection of radiant heat from the external environment.
In another preferred version, where the drinking liquid is water, the inner surface 16a is not sealed and the drinking water is transported by capillary or other action through the canvas material to the outer surface of the panel to evaporate from the outer surface thereby providing the evaporative cooling effect.
Also shown is a preferable filling means in the form of a screw cap 17 with a watertight rubber or neoprene compressible washer under the cap.
Figures 2, 2A, 2B. 2C, and 2D:
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross section through the invention as a wetsuit. Figures 2A - 2D show other views of the invention according to other preferred embodiments. In these embodiments, the wetsuit 30 (Figure 2, 2A and 2B), buoyancy vest 31 , short sleeve diving/scuba top 33(Figure 2C) have a pocket 32 in which a removable bladder 34 containing drinking fluids is inserted. The thickness of the wetsuit 30 between the wearer and the pocket 32 insulates the bladder 34 from the body heat of the wearer whereas the thickness of the wetsuit material exposed to the external environment insulates the bladder from external heat. In a preferred version, the external material of the pocket 32 can be lightly
coloured to increase the reflection of sunlight and can be a reflective material such
as a metal foil. Consumption of fluid held in the bladder is via sucking on plastic tube
37 with a one way valve 35.
Figure 3A and 3B
Figures 3A and 3B show a further example of the invention in the form of a
lifesaving buoyancy vest 40. The vest has a pocket 42 for the insertion of a
container 44 preferably of about a litre capacity of drinking fluid. Connected to the
container is a flexible tube 45 with a one way valve 46 at the end of the tube for
consumption of the fluid by the wearer sucking on the tube. The one way valve prevents re-entry of water into the bladder on being submerged such as during a
capsizing when yachting or kayaking. Similarly, the external material of the pocket
housing the container can be of a light reflective material to reduce external heat absorption.
As in all the above examples, the container or bladder is preferably removable
from the pocket for easy cleaning purposes.
Figure 4
Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross section of the invention as a wet suit 30.
The wet suit 30 has a compartment 34 wherein drinking water on the inside of
the compartment is transported by capillary action through the fabric of the
compartment wherein it evaporates from the outside surface 34a of the compartment
thereby cooling the compartment and the drinking liquid therein.
The water in the compartment is accessible by way of the dispensing means
37 which comprises a plastic tube of suitable diameter extending to the bottom of the compartment. There is positioned at the end of the tube a one way valve 35 so that
the liquid can be consumed on demand by sucking on the valve.
The thickness 32 of the wet suit insulates the compartment from the body heat of the wearer. Suitably the compartment is also of a light colour adapted to
reflect heat from the sun and the environment.
VARIATIONS It will of course be understood that while the foregoing has been given by way of examples of this invention that are intended to be illustrating and not restrictive, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. The scope of the invention should therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.