Self-contained personal warming apparatus and method of warming

• US 20040199231A1
• Filed: 04/01/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kobayashi Consumer Products, LLC (Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Heatmax Incorporated (Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Company Limited)
• Inventors: Yim, Daniel H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,886,553 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0258 with a fluid permeable layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/034 Flameless

Abstract

A self-contained disposable single-use heat generating apparatus comprising a heat generating pack having a first bag layer defined by a first surface area bonded to a second bag layer defined by a second surface area and creating a pouch therebetween. A heat generating agent is disposed within the pouch and adapted to consume air at a predetermined consumption rate in an exothermic reaction. At least a portion of one of the first surface area and the second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area having a predetermined airflow rate such that the heat generating agent remains substantially evenly distributed within the pouch. A method of providing therapeutic heat is also provided.

Claims

1. A self-contained, disposable, single-use heat generating apparatus, comprising:

a heat generating pack comprising;

a first bag layer having a first surface area;

a second bag layer having a second surface area, said second bag layer being fixed to said first bag layer, such that said first bag layer and said second bag layer defining a pouch therebetween; and

a heat generating agent disposed in said pouch, said heat generating agent being capable of consuming air at a predetermined air consumption rate in an exothermic reaction;

wherein at least one of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area having a predetermined airflow rate such that said heat generating agent remains substantially evenly distributed within said pouch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first bag layer is defined by a set of dimensions substantially corresponding to a set of dimensions defining said second bag layer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first bag layer and said second bag layer comprises a microporous material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said microporous material comprises a fabric having a plurality of fibers forming an inter-locking web, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of fibers are bonded to each other.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area and the other of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area and the other of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air impermeable surface area.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said air impermeable surface area comprises a low coefficient of friction.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said predetermined airflow rate is less than said predetermined air consumption rate.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a protective package for receiving said heat generating pack, said protective package being air impermeable and retarding said exothermic reaction.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said protective package is hermetically sealed with said heat generating pack disposed therein.

11. A method for providing therapeutic heat comprising:

containing a heat generating composition in a self-contained heat generating pack;

introducing air to said heat generating composition at a predetermined airflow rate such that said heat generating composition remains substantially evenly distributed within said heat generating pack; and

providing a low coefficient of friction.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

removing said self-contained heat generating pack from an air impermeable protective package.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

creating an exothermic reaction with said heat generating composition having a predetermined air consumption rate; and

introducing air to said heat generating composition at a rate being less than said predetermined air consumption rate.