GB2307859A

GB2307859A - Product and process for cooling a body part

Info

Publication number: GB2307859A
Application number: GB9523932A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Philpot
Original assignee: COOL NECK Ltd
Current assignee: COOL NECK Ltd
Priority date: 1995-11-23
Filing date: 1995-11-23
Publication date: 1997-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-23
Also published as: GB9523932D0; GB2307859B

Abstract

The product comprises a fabric incorporating therein particles of an acrylamide copolymer and is particularly formed by two or more fabric sheets stitched together to form at least one sealed pocket containing the particles. The fabric may be a woven, non-woven or knitted textile or may be made from non-fibrous material, slit plastics film or sheet material. The product may form a headband, neckband, wristband, leg wrap or fetlock wrap and is used by immersing it in water at below ambient temperature and applying the wet fabric to the part to be cooled.

Description

COOLING PRODUCT AND PROCESS The present invention relates to a fabric for use by warm-blooded animals which acts to cool the area of the body to which it is applied. In particular, the invention relates to fabrics and garments made therefrom for sports men and women where there is a need to cool parts of the body during and/or following exercise, to minimise discomfort and assist in recovery, especially where muscular, ligament and/or tendon damage may have occurred.

Fabric and garments according to the invention may also be used by horses, dogs and other animals for similar reasons.

The expression fabric is used in this specification in a broad sense and is intended to encompass traditional textile fabrics derived from woven, knitted and non woven fibrous materials, as well as fabrics made from non fibrous, slit plastic film and sheet materials.

Traditionally, cooling body parts has been attempted by soaking bandages or garments in cold water before application/fitting, but the cooling effect which is derived thereby is usually short-lived, requiring the inconvenience of repeat attempts. So-called ice packs have also been used to produce a cooling effect, but such packs are bulky and do not readily lend themselves to being worn by sportsmen or animals.

In the present invention the applicants have devised a fabric suitable for use by humans and other warm-blooded animals which can provide a prolonged cooling effect when compared with traditional methods, thus reducing considerably the need for repeated cooling applications.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a fabric incorporating therein particles of a polyacrylamide copolymer.

The present invention also comprises a process for cooling a part of the body of a warm-blooded animal by applying thereto a fabric incorporating therein particles of a polyacrylamide copolymer which have been exposed to water at a temperature below ambient temperature.

Preferably, the polyacrylamide copolymer is cross-linked.

Fabrics according to the invention may conveniently comprise textile fabrics such as cotton bandages or garments made up from such fabrics, for example, headbands, neckbands, wristbands for human use, or leg and fetlock wraps for horses.

The particles of polyacrylamide copolymer are suitably about lmm-3mm in diameter. Incorporation in a fabric is conveniently achieved by locating the particles between two sheets of fabric material which are then stitched together to form a number of sealed pockets which act to retain the particles within them. Typically, 5ml-10ml of particles are retained per pocket (Figure 1).

In Figure 1, which is illustrative only of the present invention, part of a two-piece woven cotton fabric laminate strip 1 is shown comprising a pattern of stitched squares 2, each square containing (trapped within it) 5ml of lmm diameter granular particles 3 of a cross-linked polyacrylamide copolymer. Suitable absorbent particles are available from Aquatrols Corporation, New Jersey, USA, under the trade mark SUPERSORB C. Such strips may comprise a bandage or in the case of a corresponding 1 metre wide laminate fabric, a source of material for making up into garments, such as sleeves and wraparounds.

In use, the particle containing fabric is first immersed in cold water (preferably distilled water when the benefits of the invention are enhanced). The lower the temperature of the water below ambient temperature the better, and the fabric should, typically, be totally immersed for 10-30 minutes, roughly depending upon the water temperature and the dry weight of the fabric or garment, i.e. a wristband for a tennis player will require less soaking than a fetlock wrap for a polo pony, to achieve a similar effect.

On contacting with water, the copolymer particles expand rapidly taking up a considerable volume of water which cannot be "wrung-out". Applying the fabric to a "hot" body part results in slow water evaporation over a prolonged period of time, and thereby a corresponding long lasting cooling effect. The fabric may be repeatedly immersed in cold water when it quickly regains its full working capacity. Additional cooling can be obtained by placing the "soaked" fabric in a refrigerator before use.

The value of the cooling effect can be pronounced. Sportsmen and women have reported that wearing a cotton neck band according to the invention reduces sweating and increases comfort and ability during and after exertion. Motor racing drivers often exceed body temperatures of 380C inside their body suits, and wearing "soaked" garments made up from fabrics of the invention have been found to have a dramatic effect on driver comfort during and after racing.

Strained and tired muscles, ligaments and tendons also benefit from the invention which can greatly assist in reducing tissue swelling.

Other warm-blooded animals have been found to benefit considerably from the present invention. Fabric wraps according to the invention have been used to good effect in the treatment of leg and fetlock injuries to horses and discomfort following periods of stabling, travel and exercise. Similar benefits have also been obtained for racing greyhounds.

Claims

1. A fabric incorporating therein particles of a polyacrylamide copolymer.

2. The fabric according to Claim 1 which is selected from the group comprising textile fabrics derived from woven, knitted and non-woven fibrous or non-fibrous materials, slit plastic film or sheet materials.

3. The fabric according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the polyacrylamide copolymer is cross-linked.

4. The fabric according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the polyacrylamide copolymer particles are from about 1 mm to 3 mm in diameter.

5. The fabric according to any one of the preceding claims comprising two or more sheets of fabric material stitched together to form at least one sealed pocket containing the particles of polyacrylamide copolymer.

6. The fabric according to Claim 5 wherein the or each pocket contains from 5 ml to 10 ml of particles.

7. A process for cooling a part of the body of a warm blooded animal comprising immersing a fabric according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 in water at a temperature below ambient temperature and applying the wet fabric to the part to be cooled.

8. The process according to Claim 7 wherein the fabric is immersed in water for from 10 to 30 minutes.

9. An article of clothing or garment comprising the fabric according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

10. A bandage comprising the fabric according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

11. The bandage according to Claim 10 which comprises a headband, neckband, wristband, leg wrap or fetlock wrap.

12. A blanket or wraparound comprising the fabric according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

13. The fabric according to Claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. The use of a fabric according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 for cooling an object or body, wherein the fabric is immersed in water at a temperature below ambient temperature before applying it to the object or body.