CN115190770A

CN115190770A - Evaporative cooling garment with capillary bed fiber tube liquid and sweat management system

Info

Publication number: CN115190770A
Application number: CN202180017743.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 范金土; A·沙赫扎德
Original assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University HKPU
Current assignee: Hong Kong Polytechnic University HKPU
Priority date: 2020-03-10
Filing date: 2021-03-02
Publication date: 2022-10-14
Also published as: WO2021179955A1

Abstract

The invention provides an evaporative cooling garment (100), in which garment (100) a mesh layer (101) shaped as a top is located between outer and inner fibre tube networks (201, 202). The two networks (201, 202) form a first and a second capillary bed (181, 182), respectively, for transporting a cooling liquid over the mesh layer (101) and for absorbing and evaporating sweat produced by the wearer. The mesh layer (101) has openings (115) extending between the inner and outer sides of the mesh layer (101) such that ventilation channels are formed across the mesh layer (101) for creating a 3D air ventilation environment to accelerate sweat evaporation from the inner side and reduce thermal insulation between the two sides, thereby increasing the effect of cooling the wearer and reducing the relative humidity of the wearer. The inner capillary network (202) also collects excess sweat when the second capillary bed (182) is saturated with sweat, thereby avoiding excess sweat from dripping out of the second capillary bed (182) to irritate the wearer.

Description

Evaporative cooling garment with capillary bed fiber tube liquid and sweat management system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims benefit and priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/987,392, filed on 10/3/2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system that can be fitted to a garment and fitted with an outer and an inner network of capillaries for cooling the wearer of the garment and accelerating the absorption and evaporation of the wearer's sweat. The present disclosure also relates to an evaporative cooling garment equipped with the system.

Background

Feeling hot or being wetted with sweat can cause discomfort. It is important to cool a person and to accelerate the evaporation of perspiration to avoid discomfort. It would be desirable if the cooling device/material could be fitted to or installed in a garment so that a person could receive cooling and have sweat rapidly evaporated or removed while enjoying freedom of movement. In the art, there are a considerable number of garments with cooling function and cooling facilities that can be fitted to the garments.

In US 2012/0190259, a three-layer quilted textile material for evaporative cooling garments and articles is developed. An evaporative cooling garment structurally comprises three layers, wherein the outer layer is nylon oxford fabric, the inner layer is waterproof nylon taslon fabric, and the middle layer is a non-woven mixture of viscose/cellulose and sodium acrylate fibers bonded together in a sheet form.

In US 8,443,463 an evaporative cooling garment system is disclosed comprising a wicking fabric shirt and a hose connected at one end to a liquid reservoir and at the other end to an upper region of the garment to distribute water over the shirt fabric. Due to wicking under gravity, the shirt fabric transfers liquid (which is typically perspiration produced by the wearer) from the upper region to a plurality of lower regions, spreading the liquid across the surface for evaporation, thereby effecting cooling of the wearer.

In WO 2010/011614, a garment with a regionally variable evaporative cooling performance is disclosed. The garment is shaped to cover and be adapted to contact a portion of a person's skin. The garment is used to cool a person by allowing water received by the garment from some external source to evaporate.

In WO 2011/010993 and US 2010/0011491, wearable catheter systems for promoting evaporative cooling of an individual are disclosed. An evaporative cooling garment is provided with a conduit water distribution system on shirt fabric. The conduit water distribution system is connected to a hose for receiving water from an external water supply. The shirt fabric is attached to: a thermally conductive impermeable layer (made of metal or polymer) the inner side of which is in contact with the skin of the wearer and the outer side of which is in contact with the catheter system, or a fabric in which a water-absorbing substance is embedded; or an inner layer for sweat absorption and limiting water exposure to the skin; or a fabric having an inner and outer layer shape for increased surface area.

In the disclosures of t.sakoi, n.tominaga, a.k.melikovm and s.kolent i kov a, "Cooling clothes using water evaporation (Cooling water evaluation)", 2014 Indoor Air bulletin (Proceedings of Indoor Air 2014) [ HP0470], international society for Indoor Air quality and climate, hong kong, 2014, a Cooling clothes using water evaporation is disclosed. The cooling garment is a T-shirt fabric with a water repellent inner side and a hollow fiber supported sliver on the upper side for water distribution. Water is supplied to the upper portion of the shirt through a watertight hose, one end of which is connected to a motor pump, which is further connected to a water bottle, a Direct Current (DC) power supply, and a computer-assisted programmable controller device.

Although there are many prior art techniques available for developing garments with cooling capabilities and cooling devices that can be fitted to garments, these techniques still suffer from a number of drawbacks. First, liquid sweat management is ineffective because sweat is absorbed and spread throughout the substrate, making it heavy, unwieldy, and eventually dripping when the sweat is fully saturated. Second, due to the multi-layer or compact infrastructure, there is less air circulation over the skin, thereby preventing evaporation directly from the skin surface. Third, in the existing evaporative cooling garment technology, a multi-layer structure is used for water management, which increases heat insulation and evaporation resistance, thereby causing thermal and wet stress. Fourth, some prior art techniques require numerous fittings to supply and condition water to desired portions of the garment, thereby adding weight and complexity to use. Fifth, a conduit system with many terminal separation channels spreads the water throughout the substrate, resulting in rapid saturation of the substrate and resulting in increased weight and water droplet flow on the bottom side of the substrate. Sixth, the prior art fails to take into account the accumulated water that begins to drip after the shirt fabric is over saturated, and the accumulated liquid perspiration that exceeds the saturation limit of the base fabric when the wearer is performing a significant amount of exercise or is in a humid climate. Seventh, for evaporative cooling garments based on the commercially available prior art, liquid evaporation can only be done via the top surface.

There is a need in the art for an improved cooling system that overcomes one or more of the above-identified deficiencies. The cooling system can be assembled to a garment to form a garment with cooling functionality.

Disclosure of Invention

A first aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an evaporative cooling garment for cooling a wearer of the garment.

The garment includes a mesh layer and a capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system. The mesh layer is shaped into a garment for the wearer. A capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system may be fitted to the mesh layer for managing coolant distribution and sweat dissipation. The system includes an outer fiber tube network and an inner fiber tube network. An outer fiber network is located on the outside of the mesh layer for conveying a coolant over the mesh layer to promote heat exchange between the coolant and the mesh layer. An inner fiber network is located on the inside of the mesh layer for absorbing and evaporating perspiration produced by the wearer. Advantageously, the mesh layer comprises a plurality of openings on the surface of the mesh layer. The plurality of apertures extend between the medial side and the lateral side and form ventilation channels across the mesh layer for creating a three-dimensional (3D) air ventilation environment to accelerate sweat evaporation from the medial side and reduce thermal insulation between the medial side and the lateral side of the mesh layer. Thereby, it improves the cooling effect of the wearer.

Preferably, the outer fiber network includes a plurality of first channels, one or more upper terminal branches and one or more lower terminal branches. The plurality of first channels are interwoven together to form a first capillary bed that at least partially wraps the mesh layer on an exterior side. The plurality of first channels are configured to spread a cooling liquid over the first capillary bed, thereby facilitating heat exchange of the cooling liquid with the mesh layer via the first capillary bed. The one or more upper terminal branches are connected to the first capillary bed for receiving the cooling fluid and delivering the received cooling fluid into the first capillary bed. The one or more lower terminal branches are connected to the first capillary bed for collecting the cooling liquid released from the first capillary bed. In particular, the one or more upper terminal branches are located higher than the one or more lower terminal branches when the wearer is standing upright and wearing the garment. This causes the cooling liquid to continuously flow from the one or more upper terminal branches to the one or more lower terminal branches through the plurality of first channels, thereby allowing the cooling liquid to be refreshed from time to further enhance the cooling effect for the wearer.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of first channels is divided into a first subset and a second subset of first channels. The first and second subsets of first channels are located on the front and back panels of the mesh layer, respectively.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of first channels comprise a hydrophobic outer shell for preventing leakage of the cooling fluid from the plurality of first channels.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of first channels further comprises a first fibrous material surrounded by a hydrophobic outer shell. The first fiber material is selected to configure the plurality of first channels to distribute the cooling liquid over the first capillary bed by diffusion.

Preferably, the inner fiber network includes a plurality of second channels interwoven together to form a second capillary bed for partially wrapping the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer. The plurality of second channels are water permeable to absorb perspiration from the wearer. The plurality of second channels are also configured to distribute sweat over the second capillary bed to promote evaporation of sweat.

Preferably, the plurality of second channels are connected to the one or more lower terminal branches for draining excess sweat from the second capillary bed when the second capillary bed is saturated with sweat. This, in turn, avoids excess perspiration dripping from the second capillary bed to irritate the wearer.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of second channels comprise a second fibrous material selected to configure the plurality of second channels to distribute sweat over the second capillary bed by diffusion.

In certain embodiments, the garment further comprises one or more upper containers, one or more wicks, and one or more lower containers. The one or more upper containers are for storing a cooling liquid to be supplied to the outer fiber tube network. The one or more wicks connect the one or more upper reservoirs to the one or more upper terminal branches for transferring the cooling fluid stored in the one or more upper reservoirs to the first capillary bed. The one or more lower containers are arranged to receive the cooling liquid collected from the one or more terminal branches.

In certain embodiments, the mesh layer is hydrophobic.

In certain embodiments, the mesh layer is formed into a shirt.

In certain embodiments, the capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system may be fitted to the coat, or designed within the mesh layer, or even created by physical, chemical, or combination surface treatments of the coat.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system that may be fitted to a jacket for managing cooling liquid distribution and sweat dissipation to cool a wearer of the jacket.

The system includes an outer fiber tube network and an inner fiber tube network. An outer fiber network is arranged on the outside for conveying the cooling liquid over the upper garment, thereby facilitating heat exchange between the cooling liquid and the upper garment. The inner network of tubes is arranged to be located on the inner side for absorbing and evaporating sweat captured from the wearer.

The outer fiber network includes a plurality of first channels, one or more upper terminal branches, and one or more lower terminal branches. The plurality of first channels are interwoven together to form a first capillary bed arranged to at least partially wrap the top on an outer side. The plurality of first channels are also configured to distribute the cooling fluid over the first capillary bed to facilitate heat exchange of the cooling fluid with the jacket via the first capillary bed. The one or more upper terminal branches are connected to the first capillary bed for receiving the cooling fluid and delivering the received cooling fluid into the first capillary bed. The one or more lower terminal branches are connected to the first capillary bed for collecting the cooling liquid released from the first capillary bed. In particular, the one or more upper terminal branches are positioned higher than the one or more lower terminal branches when the wearer is standing upright and wearing the coat. This causes the cooling liquid to continuously flow from the one or more upper terminal branches to the one or more lower terminal branches through the plurality of first channels, thereby allowing the cooling liquid to be refreshed from time to further enhance the cooling effect for the wearer.

The inner fiber network includes a plurality of second channels interwoven together to form a second capillary bed for partially wrapping a wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer. The plurality of second channels are permeable to water to absorb perspiration from the wearer. The plurality of second channels are also configured to distribute sweat over the second capillary bed to promote evaporation of sweat. In addition, the plurality of second channels are connected to the one or more lower terminal branches for draining excess sweat from the second capillary bed when the second capillary bed is saturated with sweat, thereby avoiding excess sweat from dripping from the second capillary bed and irritating the wearer.

In certain embodiments, the system further comprises one or more upper containers, one or more wicks, and one or more lower containers. The one or more upper containers are for storing a cooling liquid to be supplied to the outer fiber tube network. The one or more wicks connect the one or more upper reservoirs to the one or more upper terminal branches for transferring the cooling fluid stored in the one or more upper reservoirs to the first capillary bed. The one or more lower containers are arranged to receive the cooling liquid collected from the one or more terminal branches.

Other aspects of the disclosure are disclosed as shown in the examples below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 depicts a front view of an evaporative cooling garment according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the garment has a shirt-shaped mesh layer with a plurality of openings for air ventilation; a first capillary bed for distributing a cooling liquid (typically water) over the mesh layer; and a plurality of lower containers for collecting the cooling liquid at the lower terminal branches of the garment.

Fig. 2 depicts a rear view of an evaporative cooling garment in which a plurality of upper containers adjacent to the shoulder portions of the mesh layer carry cooling liquid for delivery into the first capillary bed through the upper terminal branches of the garment.

Fig. 3 depicts a view of the inside of the mesh layer, wherein the inside of the mesh layer is fitted with a second capillary bed for absorbing and evaporating sweat captured from the wearer.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

Detailed Description

As used herein, "coat" refers to a garment designed for a person to be worn on the torso of the person's body. Examples of coats include shirts, sweaters, and jackets.

In biology, a fiber bundle is a transport system in plants, consisting of fibers and electrically conductive tissue, for transporting water. Here a network of fiber tubes is used, similar to a bundle of fiber tubes in terms of water transport properties. As used herein, "fiber optic conduit network" refers to a network of branches connected or crosslinked together, wherein each branch is a channel for transporting liquid therein from one portion of the branch to another portion thereof or to another branch to which the branch is joined. The branches (or channels) in a fiber tube network may or may not have the same cross-sectional dimension or the same length, but in practice the branches most often have different cross-sectional dimensions and different lengths. The individual branches (or individual channels) may or may not be formed of fibrous material.

As used herein, a "terminal branch" of a network refers to a branch having two ends, where one end is connected to one or more branches of the network, while the other end remains open or connected to an entity outside the network.

In biology, a capillary bed is an interwoven network of capillaries that supply nutrients to and carry waste products away from an organ. The term is used herein in the context of garments and clothing. As used herein, "capillary bed" refers to an interwoven network of physical channels, forming a mesh that covers an area or surface or at least partially encases an object, wherein each channel is used to transport a liquid.

The present disclosure provides an evaporative cooling garment and a capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system that can be fitted to the evaporative cooling garment. Evaporative cooling garments for cooling the garment wearer create a 3D air circulation environment to accelerate the evaporation of sweat and delivery of cool air with the aid of a capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system. Capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management systems utilize the principle of siphon action to distribute a cooling liquid (usually water) over the garment and remove excess sweat.

The evaporative cooling garment and capillary bed wick liquid and sweat management system disclosed herein are shown by way of example with the aid of fig. 1-3. Fig. 1 depicts a front view of an exemplary evaporative cooling garment 100, showing the front panel of the garment 100. The garment 100 is a coat and is shaped as a shirt for illustration. Fig. 2 depicts a rear view of the garment 100, showing a rear panel thereof. Fig. 3 depicts a view of the inside of the garment 100, where the inside is used to enclose or wrap the wearer when the garment 100 is worn by the wearer.

In fig. 1-3, a reference vertical direction 92 is drawn parallel to the direction of gravity and is used hereinafter to describe the operating principle of the garment 100. In the description herein and in the appended claims, positional modifiers, such as "upper", "higher", "lower", "above", and "below", are all referred to with reference to the vertical direction 92. Note also that in fig. 1-3, the garment 100 is drawn in a normal, upright orientation with the wearer wearing the garment 100 and standing upright.

Garment 100 includes a mesh layer 101 and a capillary bed wicking liquid and sweat management system 102.

The mesh layer 101 is shaped as a coat and is configured to be worn by a wearer. Since the mesh layer 101 is garment-like and intended to be worn by the wearer, the outer and inner sides of the mesh layer 101 are definable. The inner side (as shown in fig. 3) is a portion of the mesh layer 101 for covering or partially enclosing the torso of the wearer. Thus, the inner side faces the torso. The outer side (as shown in fig. 1 and 2) is another portion of the mesh layer 101 that is opposite the inner side such that the outer side does not face the torso of the wearer.

System 102 may be fitted to mesh layer 101 for managing coolant distribution and sweat dissipation. The system 102 includes an outer fiber network 201 and an inner fiber network 202. An outer fiber network 201 is located on the outside of the mesh layer 101 for conveying the cooling liquid over the mesh layer 101, thereby promoting heat exchange between the cooling liquid and the mesh layer 101. In normal operation, the outer fiber network 201 is located near the mesh layer 101. Due to the wide availability of water, the cooling liquid is usually chosen to be water or ice water. An inner fiber tubing network 202 is located on the inside of the mesh layer 101 for absorbing and evaporating perspiration produced by the wearer.

Advantageously, mesh layer 101 includes a plurality of openings 115 on mesh layer surface 113. A plurality of apertures 115 extend between the medial and lateral sides and form ventilation channels across the mesh layer 101. Sweat captured by the inner network of fibers 202 is evaporated and the wet air stream carrying the evaporated sweat more readily escapes from the inside of the mesh layer 101 to the outside thereof via the plurality of openings 115. In addition, the cool air stream after being cooled by the outer fiber network 201 can more easily enter the inner side through the plurality of openings 115. Some of the openings in the mesh layer surface 113 allow the flow of moist air from the inside, while others promote the flow of cool air into the inside. Thereby creating a 3D air ventilation environment through the plurality of apertures 115. The 3D air ventilation environment accelerates the evaporation of perspiration from the inside and reduces the thermal insulation between the inside and outside of the mesh layer 101, thereby improving the cooling effect for the wearer. In addition, the accelerated evaporation of perspiration helps to reduce the relative humidity on the wearer's skin more quickly, thereby improving the comfort of the wearer.

To simplify the manufacture of the garment 100 and to achieve the effectiveness of contacting the orifice layer 101, preferably the outer fiber network 201 is implemented as a mesh, while the different branches of the outer fiber network 201 do not cross each other in a 3D manner. As depicted in fig. 1 and 2, the outer fiber network 201 preferably includes a plurality of first channels 171 interwoven together to form a first capillary bed 181 that at least partially wraps around the mesh layer 101 on the outside. The plurality of first channels 171 are configured to spread the cooling liquid over the first capillary bed 181, thereby facilitating heat exchange of the cooling liquid with the mesh layer 101 via the first capillary bed 181. In certain embodiments, manufacturing may be further simplified by dividing the plurality of first channels 171 into a first subset of first channels 171a and a second subset of first channels 171 b. A first subset 171a of the first channels is located on the front sheet of the mesh layer 101 (as shown in fig. 1). A second subset 171b of the first channels is located on the back sheet of the mesh layer 101 (as shown in fig. 2). Note that the upper ends of the first and

second subsets

171a, 171b of the first channels combine at the shoulder portion of the mesh layer 101, while the lower ends thereof combine at the hip portion of the mesh layer 101.

In addition, the outer fiber optic pipe network 201 further includes one or more upper terminal branches 131 and one or more lower terminal branches 132. One or more upper terminal branches 131 and one or more lower terminal branches 132 are connected to the first capillary bed 181. The one or more upper terminal branches 131 are for receiving cooling fluid (e.g., from a cooling fluid reservoir) and delivering the received cooling fluid into the first capillary bed 181 (e.g., by diffusion). The one or more lower terminal branches 132 are used to collect the coolant (i.e., spent coolant) released from the first capillary bed 181. In particular, when the wearer wears the garment and the torso of the wearer remains in a normally upright position (e.g., when the wearer is upright), the one or more upper terminal branches 131 are located higher than the one or more lower terminal branches 132. This causes the cooling fluid to continuously flow from the one or more upper terminal branches 131 to the one or more lower terminal branches 132 through the plurality of first channels 171, thereby allowing the cooling fluid to be refreshed from time to further enhance the cooling effect on the wearer.

It is desirable to prevent the plurality of first channels 171 from leaking coolant and wetting the mesh layer 101 and other portions of the garment 100. In certain embodiments, the plurality of first channels 171 comprise a hydrophobic outer shell for preventing the cooling fluid from leaking from the plurality of first channels 171. Since the hydrophobic outer shell serves to transfer heat between the cooling liquid and the mesh layer, it is preferable that the hydrophobic outer shell is thin enough to achieve low thermal resistance in the radial direction of the respective first channels.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of first channels 171 further comprise a first fibrous material surrounded by a hydrophobic outer shell. The first fibrous material is selected to configure the plurality of first channels 171 to spread the cooling liquid over the first capillary bed 181 by diffusion. It is also possible that the first fibrous material is selected to slow down the transport of the cooling liquid in the first plurality of first channels 171, compared to realizing the plurality of first channels 171 with only a hydrophobic outer shell. The use of a hollow housing to implement the plurality of first channels 171 may cause the coolant to flow too fast before heat exchange between the coolant and the mesh layer 101 is effectively performed. As an example, the first fibrous material may be composed of hydrophilic fibers, or may be a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers.

As mentioned above, water or ice water is generally used as the cooling liquid. Additives may be added to water to form a water-based cooling fluid to achieve secondary objectives as well as primary cooling objectives. For example, a fungicide or bactericide may be added to water to form a water-based coolant for inhibiting pathogen growth in the outer fiber optic pipe network 201.

To supply cooling fluid to the outer fiber network 201, the garment 100 preferably further includes one or more upper containers 121 and one or more wicks 105. One or more upper containers 121 are used to store the cooling fluid supplied to the external fiber optic network 201. One or more wicks 105 connect the one or more upper reservoirs 121 to the one or more upper terminal branches 131 for transferring the cooling fluid stored in the one or more upper reservoirs 121 to the first capillary bed 181. The cooling liquid may conveniently be stored in one or more water bladders 104a that are placed in one or more upper containers 121 to form one or more cooling liquid reservoirs.

To collect spent coolant from the outer fiber network 201, the garment 100 preferably further includes one or more lower containers 122 arranged to receive coolant collected from the one or more lower terminal branches 132. One or more water bladders 104b may be provided in one or more lower containers 122 for storing the collected used cooling fluid. Note that since the one or more upper terminal branches 131 are higher than the one or more lower terminal branches 132 during normal operation of the outer fiber network 201, the one or more upper containers 121 are also located higher than the one or more lower containers 122.

With the structural details of the outer fiber network 201 as disclosed above, the operating principle of the outer fiber network 201 to transport the cooling liquid over the mesh layer 101 is explained as follows. It is contemplated to use water as the cooling fluid. Water is filled in one or more water bladders 104a located in one or more upper containers 121. One or more cores 105 are inserted into one or more water bladders 104a such that the one or more cores 105 are submerged in the water. The water rises up the wick or wicks 105 due to capillary action against gravity. As one or more wicks 105 are connected to one or more upper terminal branches 131 at the shoulder portions of mesh layer 101, water moves downward along the path of one or more wicks 105 at the shoulder portions, thereby supplying water through one or more upper terminal branches 131 to a plurality of first channels 171 (which includes a first subset of first channels 171a at the front panel and a second subset of first channels 171b at the rear panel). When water is received by the one or more upper terminal branches 131, the water begins to move downwardly due to capillary action and under the influence of gravity. In this way, siphoning of water begins in the first capillary bed 181. Note that water is spontaneously supplied to the first capillary bed 181 by siphoning without the use of a DC motor to pump water from the one or more water bladder 104a to the first capillary bed 181. While moving downwards, water from one or more upper terminal branches 131 (which are generally wider than each first channel) is distributed into the subsequent first channels (whose cross-sectional width gradually narrows). The individual first channels of the plurality of first channels 171 then merge together and eventually terminate at one or more lower terminal branches 132. One or more lower terminal branches 132 at the lower end of the first capillary bed 181 are connected to one or more water pockets 104b held in one or more lower reservoirs 122 secured to the mesh layer 101. Siphoned water from the plurality of first channels 171 (i.e., from the first and second subsets of

first channels

171a, 171 b) reaches the one or more lower terminal branches 132 and is eventually collected in one or more water bladders 104b disposed in the one or more lower reservoirs 122.

Similar to the outer fiber network 201, preferably the inner fiber network 202 is implemented as a mesh, while the different branches of the inner fiber network 202 do not cross each other in a 3D manner, to simplify the manufacturing of the garment 100. As depicted in fig. 3, the preferred inner fiber tube network 202 includes a plurality of second channels 172 interwoven together to form a second capillary bed 182 for partially wrapping the wearer when the garment 100 is worn by the wearer. The plurality of second channels 172 are water permeable to absorb perspiration from the wearer. As can be seen, the plurality of second channels 172 are hydrophilic. Further, the plurality of second channels 172 are configured to spread sweat over the second capillary bed 182 to facilitate evaporation of the sweat.

For simplicity of illustration, fig. 3 depicts a plurality of second channels 172 on the inside of one sheet (front or back sheet) of the mesh layer 101. However, in practical cases, it is more preferable that the plurality of second channels 172 are distributed on the front and rear sheets of the mesh layer 101 because it is advantageous that sweat from the front and rear sides of the wearer's torso can be absorbed and then evaporated. The present disclosure encompasses two embodiments in which the plurality of second channels 172 are disposed on one or both sheets of the mesh layer 101.

Preferably, the plurality of second channels 172 are connected to the one or more lower terminal branches 132 for draining excess sweat from the second capillary bed 182 when the second capillary bed 182 is saturated with sweat. This, in turn, avoids excess perspiration from dripping out of the second capillary bed 182 to irritate the wearer.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of second channels 172 further comprises a second fibrous material. In addition to being water permeable, the second fibrous material is selected to additionally configure the plurality of second channels 172 to distribute sweat over the second capillary bed 182 by diffusion. As an example, the second fibrous material may be comprised of hydrophilic fibers.

With the structural details of the inner fiber tube network 202 as disclosed above, the principle of operation of the inner fiber tube network 202 to absorb and evaporate sweat generated by the wearer is explained as follows. The second capillary bed 182, which is located on the inside of the mesh layer 101, is exposed to the wearer's skin, thereby functioning to collect sweat from the skin. Due to hydrophilic absorption, sweat permeates the plurality of second channels 172. Due to capillary action, sweat is then distributed within the plurality of second channels 172 over a larger surface area of the branched network (i.e., second capillary bed 182) rather than into a restricted circular area of a continuous fabric layer of textile material. Sweat can be rapidly distributed over the branched network for evaporation. Further, in the event sweat in the plurality of second channels 172 is saturated, the sweat is directed along the plurality of second channels 172 toward the one or more lower terminal branches 132 to collect into the one or more water pockets 104b disposed in the one or more lower reservoirs 122.

Since the inner network of capillaries 202 is designed to absorb and evaporate sweat and to collect excess sweat in the case of sweat saturation, it is desirable that the mesh layer 101 and the inner network of capillaries 202 do not compete with each other in terms of sweat absorption. Otherwise, sweat retention in mesh layer 101 may cause discomfort to the wearer and may cause annoying sweat dripping to the wearer. Preferably, mesh layer 101 is hydrophobic, substantially hydrophobic, or at least more hydrophobic than the plurality of second channels 172 in terms of sweat absorption rate per unit area.

As mentioned above, the mesh layer 101 is shaped as a jacket. In certain embodiments, mesh layer 101 is shaped into a shirt. The shirt may be a camping shirt, a T-shirt, polo shirt, or the like.

With the various embodiments of garment 100 as disclosed above, garment 100 may be advantageously used for sweat management, as described in detail below. Sweating is in two stages. The first stage is non-sensory perspiration, and the second stage is liquid perspiration. The intermediate mesh layer 101 activates evaporation from the skin surface of the wearer to achieve non-sensible perspiration and helps to reduce the relative humidity on the skin surface. This prolongs the time that vapor accumulates on the skin before liquid sweat is produced. Further, in the case of performing physical exercise or where the ambient relative humidity is high, if the wearer's body produces liquid sweat, the inner fiber tube network 202 is activated to absorb the liquid sweat and transport the absorbed liquid sweat along the plurality of second channels 172 toward the one or more water bladders 104 b. Thus, garment 100 as disclosed herein solves the problem of perspiration spreading across the fabric layer when wearing ordinary garments. The problem of sweat distribution makes normal garments heavy, clumsy and odorous. Garment 100 also solves the problem of perspiration dripping from the underside of a conventional garment onto the floor when a wearer generates a lot of perspiration.

In summary, evaporative cooling garment 100 as disclosed herein is useful in the following respects: as sportswear; for construction workers; the device is used by industrial workers in a high-temperature working environment; the air conditioner is used by residents in hot dry climates or hot humid climates; for occupational thermal stress management; and for animal use. Other uses for garment 100 are possible as deemed suitable by those skilled in the art.

While evaporative cooling garment 100 provides cooling to the wearer through the advantageous combination of mesh layer 101 and capillary bed fiber liquid and sweat management system 102, system 102 may be first manufactured as a separate item to be subsequently fitted into a coat, or may be physically or chemically designed within mesh layer 101 or on mesh layer 101. It follows that the system 102 may be fitted to a coat, or may be designed within the mesh layer 101, or may even be produced by a physical, chemical or combined surface treatment of the coat. In addition to protecting garment 100, the present disclosure also claims a capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system that can be fitted to a coat according to any of the embodiments disclosed above for system 102.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. An evaporative cooling garment for cooling a wearer of the garment, the garment comprising:

a mesh layer shaped as a top garment to be worn by the wearer; and

a capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system fittable to the mesh layer for managing coolant distribution and sweat dissipation, the system comprising an outer network of fibers on the outside of the mesh layer for transporting coolant over the mesh layer to facilitate heat exchange between the coolant and the mesh layer, and an inner network of fibers on the inside of the mesh layer for absorbing and evaporating sweat produced by the wearer;

wherein the mesh layer comprises a plurality of openings on a mesh layer surface extending between the inner side and the outer side and forming ventilation channels across the mesh layer for creating a three-dimensional (3D) air ventilation environment to accelerate sweat evaporation from the inner side and reduce thermal insulation between the inner side and the outer side of the mesh layer, thereby enhancing the effect of cooling the wearer.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer fiber network comprises:

a plurality of first channels interwoven together to form a first capillary bed at least partially encasing the mesh layer on the exterior side, the plurality of first channels configured to spread the cooling liquid over the first capillary bed to facilitate heat exchange of the cooling liquid with the mesh layer via the first capillary bed;

one or more upper terminal branches connected to the first capillary bed for receiving the cooling fluid and delivering the received cooling fluid into the first capillary bed; and

one or more lower terminal branches connected to the first capillary bed for collecting the cooling liquid released from the first capillary bed, wherein the one or more upper terminal branches are located at a higher position than the one or more lower terminal branches when the wearer is standing upright and wearing the garment, such that the cooling liquid continuously flows from the one or more upper terminal branches to the one or more lower terminal branches through the plurality of first channels, thereby allowing the cooling liquid to be refreshed from time to further increase the effect of cooling the wearer.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first channels comprise a hydrophobic outer shell for preventing the cooling fluid from leaking from the plurality of first channels.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the plurality of first channels further comprises a first fibrous material surrounded by the hydrophobic shell, the first fibrous material selected to configure the plurality of first channels to distribute the cooling liquid over the first capillary bed by diffusion.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner fiber network comprises:

a plurality of second channels interwoven together to form a second capillary bed for partially wrapping the wearer when the wearer is wearing the garment, the plurality of second channels permeable to water to absorb sweat from the wearer, the plurality of second channels configured to spread the sweat over the second capillary bed to facilitate evaporation of the sweat.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the plurality of second channels comprise a second fibrous material selected to configure the plurality of second channels to distribute the sweat over the second capillary bed by diffusion.

7. The garment of claim 2, wherein the inner fiber network comprises:

a plurality of second channels interwoven together to form a second capillary bed for partially enveloping the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer, the plurality of second channels permeable to water to absorb sweat from the wearer, the plurality of second channels configured to distribute the sweat over the second capillary bed to facilitate evaporation of the sweat, wherein the plurality of second channels are connected to one or more lower terminal branches for draining excess sweat from the second capillary bed when the second capillary bed is saturated with sweat, thereby avoiding dripping of the excess sweat from the second capillary bed to irritate the wearer.

8. The garment of claim 2, further comprising:

one or more upper vessels for storing the cooling liquid to be supplied to the outer fiber optic network;

one or more wicks connecting the one or more upper reservoirs to the one or more upper terminal branches for transferring the cooling liquid stored in the one or more upper reservoirs to the first capillary bed; and

one or more lower containers arranged to receive the cooling liquid collected from the one or more terminal branches.

9. The garment of claim 7, further comprising:

10. The garment of any of claims 1-9, wherein the plurality of first channels are divided into first and second subsets of first channels, the first and second subsets of first channels being located on the front and back panels of the mesh layer, respectively.

11. The garment of any of claims 1-9, wherein the cooling fluid is water.

12. The garment of any of claims 1-9, wherein the mesh layer is hydrophobic.

13. The garment of any of claims 1-9, wherein the mesh layer is shaped as a shirt.

14. The garment of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system can be fitted to the coat, or designed within the mesh layer, or even created by a physical, chemical or combined surface treatment of the coat.

15. A capillary bed capillary liquid and sweat management system mountable to a coat for managing coolant distribution and sweat dissipation to cool a wearer of the coat, the coat having an exterior and an interior, the system comprising:

an outer fiber optic network disposed on the outer side for transporting a cooling fluid over the jacket to facilitate heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the jacket, wherein the outer fiber optic network comprises:

a plurality of first channels interwoven together to form a first capillary bed arranged to at least partially wrap the jacket on the outside, the plurality of first channels configured to spread the cooling liquid over the first capillary bed to facilitate heat exchange of the cooling liquid with the jacket via the first capillary bed;

one or more lower terminal branches connected to the first capillary bed for collecting the cooling liquid released from the first capillary bed, wherein the one or more upper terminal branches are located at a higher position than the one or more lower terminal branches when the wearer stands upright and wears the jacket, such that the cooling liquid continuously flows from the one or more upper terminal branches to the one or more lower terminal branches through the plurality of first channels, thereby allowing the cooling liquid to be refreshed from time to further enhance the effect of cooling the wearer; and

an inner network of capillaries arranged on the inner side for absorbing and vaporizing sweat captured from the wearer, wherein the inner network of capillaries comprises:

a plurality of second channels interwoven together to form a second capillary bed for partially enveloping the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer, the plurality of second channels permeable to water to absorb sweat from the wearer, the plurality of second channels configured to distribute the sweat over the second capillary bed to facilitate evaporation of the sweat, wherein the plurality of second channels are connected to the one or more lower terminal branches for draining excess sweat from the second capillary bed when the second capillary bed is saturated with sweat, thereby avoiding dripping of the excess sweat from the second capillary bed to irritate the wearer.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of first channels comprise a hydrophobic outer shell for preventing the cooling fluid from leaking from the plurality of first channels.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of first channels further comprises a first fibrous material surrounded by the hydrophobic outer shell, the first fibrous material selected to configure the plurality of first channels to distribute the cooling liquid over the first capillary bed by diffusion.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of second channels comprise a second fibrous material selected to configure the plurality of second channels to distribute the sweat over the second capillary bed by diffusion.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

connecting the one or more upper containers to one or more wicks of the one or more upper terminal branches for transferring the cooling liquid stored in the one or more upper containers to the first capillary bed; and

20. The system of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the cooling fluid is water.