Neck-Wearable Heating Garment

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/674,313 which was filed on Jul. 23, 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to wearable garments and personal thermal comfort devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a scarf-like heating garment configured to deliver targeted, sustained warmth to the neck region of a user. The invention comprises a flexible body formed of thermally insulative and skin-compatible fabric, foldable into a triangular configuration for comfortable wear around the neck. A plurality of heating pockets are integrated to warm the neck and back area of a user. Each heating pocket is configured to securely receive and retain a removable heating element, such as a chemical or air-activated heat pack, using a retention mechanism, for example, a hook-and-loop closure or elastic slit. When worn, the garment conforms to the user's anatomy and delivers adjustable heat to alleviate discomfort and protect against cold exposure. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, in cold weather conditions, individuals like to maintain body warmth, which is also essential for comfort and health. While garments such as jackets, gloves, and thermal socks address the core and extremities, the neck region often remains inadequately protected, even though it is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Traditional scarves offer some degree of insulation; however, they lack active heating functionality and are limited to passive heat retention.

Individuals commonly use chemical or air-activated heating packets for warming hands and feet, however, using such packets for delivering directed heat to the neck area is difficult and cumbersome. Accordingly, users often attempt makeshift solutions, such as placing hand warmers inside scarves or collars, which are ineffective, uncomfortable, or unsafe. Therefore, individuals desire a wearable garment specifically designed to provide adjustable, targeted warmth to the neck.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a wearable garment that provides directed, adjustable warmth to the neck region in cold environments. There is a long-felt need for a scarf-like accessory that incorporates removable heating elements in a manner that is safe, comfortable, and compatible with everyday wear. Furthermore, there is a need for a neck-warming garment that is machine-washable, hypoallergenic, and suitable for a variety of outdoor and indoor activities without compromising style or user comfort. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a scarf-like garment that helps to keep a user comfortable in cold conditions by keeping neck warm. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a wearable garment that helps to prevent neck stiffness and discomfort caused by cold weather.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment, comprises a wearable heating garment configured as a scarf. The garment includes a flexible body formed of a thermally insulative and skin-compatible material, shaped generally as a rectilinear and foldable along a diagonal to create a triangular configuration for wrapping around a user's neck. A plurality of integrated heating pockets are disposed along the long diagonal edge of the flexible body, including a central pocket positioned to align with the back of the neck and lateral pockets on either side to target the sides of the cervical region. Each pocket is configured to securely receive a standard heating element, such as a chemical or air-activated heat pack, via an openable end secured by a retention mechanism including a hook-and-loop fastener, snap, button, or elastic slit.

In one embodiment, each heating pocket is thermally conductive to retain warmth. The scarf may further include sewn edges and a secure fastening mechanism, enabling the garment to wrap snugly around the user's neck and remain in place during use. The heating elements provide sustained warmth for a duration ranging from approximately four to twelve hours, depending on the type and composition of the heat pack.

In this manner, the wearable heating garment of the present invention addresses longstanding shortcomings in conventional winter accessories. The invention integrates reusable heat delivery functionality directly into the structure of a scarf and offers an effective solution to maintaining neck warmth during exposure to cold weather. The garment is modular, stylish, and versatile, making it suitable for daily commuting, outdoor work, winter sports, and recreational activities. Additionally, the customizable pocket arrangement enables users to adapt the level and distribution of warmth to their personal comfort preferences, thereby improving both thermal performance and user satisfaction. The garment helps to prevent neck stiffness and discomfort caused by cold weather, potentially reducing the risk of related health issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a wearable heating garment. The garment includes a flexible body formed of a thermally insulative and skin-compatible fabric. The flexible body has a generally rectilinear shape and is configured to be foldable along a diagonal axis into a triangular configuration for wearing around a user's neck. A plurality of heating pockets are integrated into a rear surface of the flexible body, the plurality of heating pockets includes a central heating pocket positioned at a central vertex of the triangular configuration and dimensioned to align with a posterior cervical region of the user when worn. At least two lateral heating pockets are positioned on opposite sides of the central heating pocket, each heating pocket is dimensioned to align with lateral cervical regions of the user. Each of the heating pockets is configured to removably receive a heating element and comprises a retention mechanism selected from the group consisting of a stitched seam enclosure, a hook-and-loop fastener, a button, a snap, and an elastic slit. Each heating pocket is thermally conductive to direct heat inward toward the neck of the user.

In another embodiment, a neck-wearable heating accessory is disclosed. The neck-wearable heating accessory includes a scarf-shaped garment made from a hypoallergenic and washable textile material; wherein the garment has a rectilinear form with two opposing ends or corners and is configured to be foldable along a diagonal to form a triangular configuration. A set of three heating pockets is integrally affixed along a diagonal edge of the garment such that, upon folding, the pockets align with the neck region of a wearer. Each pocket includes an openable end for insertion of a heating element, sewn side and bottom edges to form a cavity, and a closure or retention mechanism to secure the heating element within the pocket during user activity, wherein the inserted heating element is configured to deliver sustained heat between approximately four and twelve hours.

In one embodiment, a method of providing targeted thermal comfort to a user's neck is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a flexible, scarf-like garment formed from a thermally insulative and skin-compatible fabric, the garment being substantially rectilinear in shape and foldable along a diagonal axis into a triangular configuration, integrating into the garment a plurality of heating pockets, including a central heating pocket configured to align with a posterior cervical region of the user, and lateral heating pockets disposed adjacent the central heating pocket and configured to align with left and right cervical regions of the user, inserting removable heating elements into each of the heating pockets, the heating elements are retained by fasteners selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop closures, snaps, buttons, and elastic enclosures, and wrapping the garment around the user's neck such that the heating pockets are positioned in contact with the neck and the garment is fastened to maintain thermal contact.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends or corners, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of wearable heating garment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a heating pocket used in the wearable heating garment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the wearable heating garment in a folded or triangular shape in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a user wearing the wearable heating garment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a wearable garment that provides directed, adjustable warmth to the neck region in cold environments. There is a long-felt need for a scarf-like accessory that incorporates removable heating elements in a manner that is safe, comfortable, and compatible with everyday wear. Furthermore, there is a need for a neck-warming garment that is machine-washable, hypoallergenic, and suitable for a variety of outdoor and indoor activities without compromising style or user comfort. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a scarf-like garment that helps to keep a user comfortable in cold conditions by keeping neck warm. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a wearable garment that helps to prevent neck stiffness and discomfort caused by cold weather.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a neck-wearable heating accessory. The neck-wearable heating accessory includes a scarf-shaped garment made from a hypoallergenic and washable textile material; the garment has a rectilinear form with two opposing ends or corners and is configured to be foldable along a diagonal to form a triangular configuration. A set of three heating pockets is integrally affixed along a diagonal edge of the garment such that, upon folding, the pockets align with the neck region of a wearer. Each pocket includes an openable end for insertion of a heating element, sewn side and bottom edges to form a cavity, and a closure or retention mechanism to secure the heating element within the pocket during user activity, wherein the inserted heating element is configured to deliver sustained heat between approximately four and twelve hours.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of wearable heating garment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. The wearable heating garment 100 of the present invention is preferably designed as a scarf-like garment for providing warmth and comfort during cold weather. The wearable heating garment 100 includes a flexible body 102 made from a thermally insulative and skin-compatible fabric. The flexible body 102 is generally rectilinear shaped and is configured to be folded along a diagonal 104 extending across an imaginary axis between the two opposing ends or corners 106, 108 of the flexible body 102 into a triangular configuration. The garment 100 in the triangular configuration can be worn around the neck of a user.

As illustrated, the rear surface 110 of the flexible body 102 includes a plurality of integrated heating pockets 112a, 112b, 112c. The central heating pocket 112b is positioned at the central vertex 114 of the rear surface 110 of the flexible body 102. The central heating pocket 112b is dimensioned and positioned to align with the posterior cervical region of the user when the garment is worn. The heating pockets 112a, 112c may have substantially same size and shape as of the central heating pocket 112b and are disposed on either side of the central heating pocket 112b.

Each heating pocket of the plurality of integrated heating pockets 112a, 112b, 112c is configured to securely and removably receive and retain a heating element such as a standardized chemical or air-activated heating packet. Further, each heating pocket includes a retention mechanism such as a stitched seam enclosure, a hook-and-loop fastener, a button, a snap, or an elastic slit as illustrated later in the disclosure. The outer surface 116 of each heating pocket of the plurality of heating pockets 112a-c, is thermally conductive to provide heat toward a user's neck.

The wearable heating garment 100 is machine-washable, made from hypoallergenic fabric to minimize skin irritation during prolonged wear, and can be made in a plurality of sizes, colors, and designs to suit user preferences.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a heating pocket used in the wearable heating garment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. The heating pocket 112b shown as an example, has an openable end 202 which is configured to receive the heating element 204. The pocket 112b preferably has sewn side edges 206, 208 and bottom edge 210, for retaining the heating element 204 inside the pocket 112b. A retention mechanism 212 is disposed along the openable end 202 for securing the heating element 204 inside the pocket 112b even during movement of a user while wearing the wearable heating garment 100. The heating element 204 and the pocket 112 can provide a sustained heat for a period ranging from about 4 hours to about 12 hours.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the wearable heating garment in a folded or triangular shape in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the garment 100 is folded along the two opposing ends or corners 106, 108 of the flexible body 102 such that the opposite corners 302, 304 overlap each other to transform the flexible body 102 from the rectilinear state into the triangular shape. The heating pockets 112a-c are positioned along the diagonal or long edge 104 such that the heating pockets 112a-c align with the neck of a user when the garment 100 is worn.

FIG. 4 illustrates a user wearing the wearable heating garment of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. The garment 100 is folded into a triangular configuration as described in FIG. 3 with the garment 100 extending downward along the back 402 of the user 404. The heating pockets 112a-c are positioned internally to align with the posterior, left, and right cervical regions of the user's neck. The scarf 100 wraps securely around the user's neck using the opposite ends or corners 106, 108 and is tied or fastened at the front to maintain a snug and secure fit. The heating pockets 112a-c provide consistent heat delivery and comfort to the user. It should be understood that any number and size of the pockets can be included in the garment 100 to meet requirements of different users.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “wearable heating garment, “neck-wearable heating accessory”, “heating scarf”, “garment”, and “scarf” are interchangeable and refer to the neck-wearable heating accessory 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the neck-wearable heating accessory 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the neck-wearable heating accessory 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other configurations of the neck-wearable heating accessory 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the neck-wearable heating accessory 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the neck-wearable heating accessory 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.