RonKMiller
Aug 17th, 2006, 11:51 am
Yep, we've been busy little bees this summer.... Introducing Polar Mesh Extreme Heat Gear. (PATENT PENDING)
I was not impressed with any of the current designs and decided it was time for a new approach. The patent pending was filed a few weeks ago and so here it is. Unfortunately it will NOT be available for purchase until after the first of the year since it is a seasonal item, and we'll be stocking inventory for spring 2007 delivery. Still deciding on a price point and it looks like it will come in just under $200.00.
Not only is this design easier to use and MUCH more comfortable to wear, due to the reticulated, banded mesh it provides colder air as well. We've achieved a 40F depression in temperature as opposed to a maximum of 20F in current designs. (we've extensively tested them all - and they ALL max out at -20F since they are all essentially the exact same design) You'll also never have a clammy, wet piece of fabric next to your skin, or slimy silicone oozing out due to over saturation. You can actually see through this mesh. One HUGE benefit of our design is that it works even when it is humid - due to the simple fact that you can manage the amount of water saturation "on the fly" down to zero - at that point the mesh literally wicks perspiration away from your skin.
During hot weather the user fills the reservoir with either potable water or potable water and ice cubes, or all ice. The user zips up the vest, then gently squeezes the bulb to start water flowing into the network of perforated tubing around the collar, shoulders and armholes. The perforations in the tubing allow water to slowly weep into and throughout the mesh fabric, providing a 2.5mm thick microclimate of cooled air. The user can adjust the desired amount of cooling water by squeezing the bulb harder and more frequently, or not at all. To obtain drinking water the user simply sucks on the Big Bite Valve and receives a supply of cool, potable water. If the user decided to take a long day hike, he could fill the vest in the morning with 100% pure ice and no water. During the cool morning hours there is little demand for water or cooling, but as the day progresses and temperatures rise the demand for both rises exponentially. Since the reservoir is insulated, the ice will melt slowly and provide a long lasting supply of ice water for cooling and drinking.
To dry the vest the user can continue to wear it without supplying water, or remove it and allow it to line dry, typically within half an hour. (Instead of the 3 to 4 days as with other designs) As an alternative the vest can be rapidly air dried by removing the reservoir and laying it on a sweater drying rack inside a conventional clothes dryer on an air only setting for a period of 5 minutes.
With 3 litres of ice water available for cooling and/or drinking, the Polar Mesh Extreme Heat Gear vest is just in time for global warming. Put it on your wish list as a must have for next summer's riding season! :D
http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/RonKMiller/Vest/
I was not impressed with any of the current designs and decided it was time for a new approach. The patent pending was filed a few weeks ago and so here it is. Unfortunately it will NOT be available for purchase until after the first of the year since it is a seasonal item, and we'll be stocking inventory for spring 2007 delivery. Still deciding on a price point and it looks like it will come in just under $200.00.
Not only is this design easier to use and MUCH more comfortable to wear, due to the reticulated, banded mesh it provides colder air as well. We've achieved a 40F depression in temperature as opposed to a maximum of 20F in current designs. (we've extensively tested them all - and they ALL max out at -20F since they are all essentially the exact same design) You'll also never have a clammy, wet piece of fabric next to your skin, or slimy silicone oozing out due to over saturation. You can actually see through this mesh. One HUGE benefit of our design is that it works even when it is humid - due to the simple fact that you can manage the amount of water saturation "on the fly" down to zero - at that point the mesh literally wicks perspiration away from your skin.
During hot weather the user fills the reservoir with either potable water or potable water and ice cubes, or all ice. The user zips up the vest, then gently squeezes the bulb to start water flowing into the network of perforated tubing around the collar, shoulders and armholes. The perforations in the tubing allow water to slowly weep into and throughout the mesh fabric, providing a 2.5mm thick microclimate of cooled air. The user can adjust the desired amount of cooling water by squeezing the bulb harder and more frequently, or not at all. To obtain drinking water the user simply sucks on the Big Bite Valve and receives a supply of cool, potable water. If the user decided to take a long day hike, he could fill the vest in the morning with 100% pure ice and no water. During the cool morning hours there is little demand for water or cooling, but as the day progresses and temperatures rise the demand for both rises exponentially. Since the reservoir is insulated, the ice will melt slowly and provide a long lasting supply of ice water for cooling and drinking.
To dry the vest the user can continue to wear it without supplying water, or remove it and allow it to line dry, typically within half an hour. (Instead of the 3 to 4 days as with other designs) As an alternative the vest can be rapidly air dried by removing the reservoir and laying it on a sweater drying rack inside a conventional clothes dryer on an air only setting for a period of 5 minutes.
With 3 litres of ice water available for cooling and/or drinking, the Polar Mesh Extreme Heat Gear vest is just in time for global warming. Put it on your wish list as a must have for next summer's riding season! :D
http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c393/RonKMiller/Vest/