Thermal warming devices

• US 20040256381A1
• Filed: 05/27/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thinheat LLC
• Original Assignee: William J. Haas, William S Haas
• Inventors: Haas, William J., Haas, William S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,022,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/543
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0051 Heated garments heated divers' suits B63C11/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0001 Body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0071 using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0233 connected to or incorporated in clothing or garments A61F2007/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0272 For heating of fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/845 specially adapted for reflecting surfaces, e.g. bathroom - or rearview mirrors

Abstract

A heating article including a covering and a thermal warming device for generating heat in the heating article. The covering may be in the form of a blanket or an article of clothing. The covering and the thermal warming device may be separable from each other. The covering may be disposable or reusable. The thermal warming device may be reusable.

Claims

1. A heating article comprising:

a covering having a pocket defining a pocket cavity and a pocket opening contiguous with the pocket cavity, and means for opening the pocket opening and for closing the pocket opening to enclose the pocket cavity; and

a thermal warming device configured to generate heat, the thermal warming device removably receivable by the pocket cavity through the pocket opening when the opening and closing means is in an open position, the thermal warming device comprising a pouch defining a pouch cavity and a heating element received by the pouch cavity.

2. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the means for opening and closing the pocket opening includes a flap movable between open and closed positions.

3. The heating article of claim 2 wherein the means for opening and closing the pocket further includes structure for releasably retaining the flap in the closed position.

4. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the means for opening and closing the pocket includes a zipper.

5. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises a substrate and conductive ink affixed to the substrate configured to generate heat.

6. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the covering comprises a blanket.

7. The heating article of claim 6 wherein the blanket is disposable.

8. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the covering comprises an article of clothing.

9. The heating article of claim 8 wherein the article of clothing is disposable.

10. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the heating element is removably received by the pouch cavity.

11. The heating article of claim 1 further comprising a power source electrically connected to the heating element.

12. The heating article of claim 11 wherein the heating element comprises a substrate and conductive ink affixed to the substrate, the power source electrically connected to the conductive ink.

13. The heating article of claim 12 wherein the conductive ink is configured to cause an electric current provided by the power source to short circuit to generate heat.

14. The heating article of claim 1 further including a direct current power source electrically connected to the heating element.

15. The heating article of claim 1 further including a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the heating element.

16. The heating article of claim 1 further including a power source and means for connecting the thermal warming device to the power source.

17. The heating article of claim 16 wherein the connecting means comprises a power cord with a first end attached to the thermal warming device, and a second end detachably connected with the power source.

18. The heating article of claim 1 further comprising means for controlling the temperature of the thermal warming device including a temperature sensing means in communication with the heating element and a temperature controller connected with the temperature sensing means.

19. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the covering is disposable.

20. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the pouch is disposable.

21. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the covering comprises non-woven polypropylene fabric.

22. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the covering comprises a non-flammable material.

23. The heating article of claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises a sheet of acetate and conductive ink affixed thereto.

24. A heating article including:

a covering having a pocket defining a pocket cavity and a pocket opening contiguous with the pocket cavity, and means for opening the pocket opening and for closing the pocket opening to enclose the pocket cavity; and

a thermal warming device removably receivable by the pocket cavity through the pocket opening when the pocket opening is in an open position, the thermal warming device comprising a pouch defining a pouch cavity, a substrate received by the pouch cavity, and conductive ink affixed to the substrate for generating heat.

25. The heating article of claim 24 further comprising a power source electrically connected to the conductive ink.

26. The heating article of claim 25 wherein the conductive ink causes an electric current provided by the power source to short circuit to generate heat.

27. The heating article of claim 24 wherein the means for opening and closing the pocket opening comprises a flap.

28. The heating article of claim 27 wherein the means for opening and closing the pocket opening further comprises structure for releasably retaining the flap in a closed position.

29. The heating article of claim 24 wherein the covering comprises a blanket.

30. The heating article of claim 24 wherein the covering comprises an article of clothing.

31. The heating article of claims 24 further comprising means for controlling the temperature of the thermal warming device.

32. A heating article including:

a covering having a pocket defining a pocket cavity and a pocket opening contiguous with the pocket cavity, and a flap movable between an open position for opening the pocket opening and a closed position for closing the pocket opening to enclose the pocket cavity; and

a thermal warming device removably receivable by the pocket cavity through the pocket opening when the flap is in the open position, the thermal warming device comprising a pouch defining a pouch cavity, a substrate received by the pouch cavity, and conductive ink affixed to the substrate for generating heat; and

a power source electrically connected to the conductive ink.