Temperature regulating cap

Claim 2

A temperature regulating cap to provide comfort for the wearer of the cap, said cap comprising, a cap body, a unitary temperature regulating insert therewithin comprising at least one layer of flexible fabric, a connector for fastening the unitary insert within the cap, the unitary insert includes a water-absorbing element capable of providing a cooling effect for the user after the insert has been immersed in water, the unitary insert includes a crown portion wherein the crown portion is devoid of an opening above the top of the head during use such that the crown portion contacts the top of the head of the wearer while in use, a forwardly extending downwardly dependent front portion for cooling the forehead and absorbing perspiration during hot weather and the insert includes a receptacle for receiving a heating packet to provide heat to warm the head of the wearer during cold weather by supporting the heating packet in heat conductive relationship with the head of the wearer.

Claim 3

A temperature regulating cap to provide comfort for the wearer of the cap, said cap comprising, a cap body, a unitary temperature regulating insert therewithin comprising at least one layer of flexible fabric, a connector for fastening the unitary insert within the cap, the insert includes a water-absorbing element capable of providing a cooling effect for the user after the insert has been immersed in water, the unitary insert includes a crown portion that is centered above the top of the head, the crown portion is devoid of an opening above the top of the head during use such that the crown portion contacts the top of the head of the wearer while in use, a forwardly extending downwardly dependent front portion for cooling the forehead and absorbing perspiration during hot weather and a receptacle in the insert for receiving a heating packet to provide heat to warm the head of the wearer during cold weather by holding the heating packet in heat conductive relationship with the head of the wearer.

Claim 4

A temperature regulating cap to provide comfort for the wearer of the cap, said cap comprising, a cap body, a unitary temperature regulating insert therewithin comprising at least one layer of flexible fabric, a connector for fastening the unitary insert within the cap, the insert includes a water-absorbing element capable of providing a cooling effect for the user after the insert has been immersed in water, the unitary insert includes a crown portion that is centered above the top of the head, the crown portion is devoid of an opening above the top of the head during use such that the crown portion contacts the top of the head of the wearer while in use, a forwardly extending downwardly dependent front portion for cooling the forehead and absorbing perspiration during hot weather and a receptacle in the insert for receiving a heating packet to provide heat to warm the head of the wearer during cold weather by holding the heating packet in heat conductive relationship with the head of the wearer.

Claim 5

A temperature-regulating cap to provide comfort for the wearer of the cap, said cap comprising, a cap body, a unitary temperature regulating insert therewithin comprising at least one layer of flexible fabric, a connector for fastening the unitary insert within the cap, the unitary insert includes a water-absorbing element capable of providing a cooling effect for the user after the insert has been immersed in water, the unitary insert includes a crown portion that is centered above the top of the head and the crown portion is devoid of an opening above the top of the head during use such that the crown portion contacts the top of the head of the wearer while in use, a forwardly extending, downwardly dependent front portion for cooling the forehead and absorbing perspiration during hot weather, the connector is a releasable connector that is positioned between a top portion of the cap body and the portion of the crown that is centered over the top of the head, and said front portion of the insert hangs forwardly during use in contact with the forehead of the user.

Claim 6

A temperature-regulating cap to provide comfort for the wearer of the cap, said cap comprising, a cap body, a unitary temperature regulating insert therewithin comprising at least one layer of flexible fabric, a connector for fastening the unitary insert within the cap, the unitary insert includes a water-absorbing element capable of providing a cooling effect for the user after the insert has been immersed in water, the unitary insert includes a crown portion that is centered above the top of the head and the crown portion is devoid of an opening above the top of the head during use such that the crown portion contacts the top of the head of the wearer while in use, a forwardly extending, downwardly dependent front portion for cooling the forehead and absorbing perspiration during hot weather, the connector is a releasable connector that is positioned between a top portion of the cap body and the portion of the crown that is centered over the top of the head, and said front portion of the insert hangs forwardly during use in contact with the forehead of the user.

Claim 7

The cap of claim 3 wherein the insert includes a top layer that is formed from water-permeable fabric.

Claim 8

The cap of claim 3 wherein the insert includes a lower outer layer that is semi-permeable to water.

Claim 9

The cap of claim 3 wherein the insert comprises a five layer composite including a lower moisture-permeable layer and an upper layer that are joined at thier edges to enclose a moisture-permeable composite comprising a moisture-absorbent layer sandwiched between an inner layer and an outer layer of fabric.

Claim 10

The cap of claim 3 having an insert including a three layer composite comprising a lower moisture transfer layer and an upper backing layer with a central moisture-absorbing layer enclosed therebetween.

Claim 11

The cap of claim 3 having an insert wherein an upper layer comprises poplin fabric.

Claim 12

The cap of claim 3 having an insert wherein the water-absorbing element contains a super-absorbent polymer.

Claim 13

The cap of claim 9 having an insert wherein the polymer is a hydrocolloid polymer adapted to form a gel when saturated with moisture.

Claim 14

The cap of claim 3 wherein the insert comprises a composite laminate formed from a plurality of flexible layers including and internal layer containing a super-absorbent polymer present both in the crown portion and in the front portion for forming a water and gel mixture when the insert is immersed in water and thereafter placed within the cap for cooling the head of the wearer.

Claim 15

The cap of claim 3 wherein the flexible fabric comprises a layer of nylon or poplin.

Claim 16

The cap of claim 3 wherein the water-absorbing element comprises a super-absorbent polymer in sheet form or a polymer supported upon a non-woven fabric.