ELECTRIC BLANKET AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING AN ELECTRIC BLANKET

• US 20080179307A1
• Filed: 04/01/2008
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inotec, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Inotec, Inc.
• Inventors: Keane, Barry P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,829,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/212
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/005 using multiple resistive elements or resistive zones isolated from each other
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/016 Heaters using particular connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/347 woven fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/56 Heating cables
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/905 Electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/30 Woven fabric [i.e., woven strand or strip material]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3024 Including elastic strand or strip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3382 Including a free metal or alloy constituent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3976 Including strand which is stated to have specific attributes [e.g., heat or fire resistance, chemical or solvent resistance, high absorption for aqueous composition, water solubility, heat shrinkability, etc.]

Abstract

An electric blanket has a woven web of warp and weft fibers. At least a portion of the warp fibers are electrically conductive. At least a portion of the weft fibers are electrically conductive and interweave with the electrically conductive warp fibers at a first area of the web. A power source in electrical communication with the web applies a voltage to the web that produces a wide area electrical distribution at the first area.

Claims

1. An electric blanket, said blanket comprising:

a woven web comprised of warp and weft fibers,

wherein a first group of said warp fibers are electrically non-conductive and a second group of said warp fibers are electrically conductive,

wherein a first group of said weft fibers are electrically non-conductive and a second group of said weft fibers are electrically conductive,

wherein fibers of the first group of warp fibers comprise flame resistant fibers or are coated with a flame resistant material, and

wherein said second group of warp fibers and said second group of weft fibers interweave in electrical contact with each other at a central area of the web;

a pair of electrically conductive wires separate from each other and in electrical contact with the second group of warp fibers and the second group of weft fibers;

a power source in electrical contact with the pair of conductive wires so that the power source applies a voltage across the conductive wires that produces a wide area electrical distribution at the central area.

2. The electric blanket as in claim 1, wherein fibers of the first group of weft fibers comprise flame resistant fibers or are coated with a flame resistant material.

3. The electric blanket as in claim 1, wherein fibers of the second group of warp fibers, and fibers of the second group of weft fibers, comprise carbon black fibers.

4. The electric blanket as in claim 1, wherein fibers of the second group of warp fibers, and fibers of the second group of weft fibers, comprise conductive polymer fibers.

5. The electric blanket as in claim 1, wherein fibers of the second group of warp fibers, and fibers of the second group of weft fibers, comprise metallic fibers.