Method of manufacturing a disposable elastic thermal joint wrap
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a disposable thermal joint wrap having a plurality of components comprising at least one piece of flexible material comprising one or more elastic laminate structures, at least one strap portion, one or more heat cells, and a fastening means, wherein said method comprises the step of forming said elastic laminate structure prior to assembly of said plurality of components to form said wrap and wherein said elastic laminate structure is formed comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a first carrier layer;
b) providing a second carrier layer;
c) providing a mesh, disposed between said first and second carrier layers, having a plurality of first strands intersecting a plurality of second strands, said first and second strands having a softening temperature at an applied pressure, wherein said softening temperature of said second strands, at said applied pressure, is greater than said softening temperature of said first strands at said applied pressure;
d) heating said mesh to said softening temperature of said first strands and less than said softening temperature of said second strands;
e) applying a bonding pressure to said first strands; and
f) integrally bonding from about 10% to about 100% of said first strands to said first and second carrier layers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to disposable elastic thermal uniaxial joint wraps having an elastic laminate structure formed from a polymeric mesh and two fabric carrier layers, and one or more heat cells, preferably one or more thermal packs comprising a plurality of individual heat cells, wherein heat is applied to specific areas of the user'"'"'s body, preferably for the knee and/or elbow, preferably for pain relief. These wraps provide good conformity to user'"'"'s body to deliver consistent, convenient and comfortable heat application.
78 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a disposable thermal joint wrap having a plurality of components comprising at least one piece of flexible material comprising one or more elastic laminate structures, at least one strap portion, one or more heat cells, and a fastening means, wherein said method comprises the step of forming said elastic laminate structure prior to assembly of said plurality of components to form said wrap and wherein said elastic laminate structure is formed comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a first carrier layer; b) providing a second carrier layer; c) providing a mesh, disposed between said first and second carrier layers, having a plurality of first strands intersecting a plurality of second strands, said first and second strands having a softening temperature at an applied pressure, wherein said softening temperature of said second strands, at said applied pressure, is greater than said softening temperature of said first strands at said applied pressure; d) heating said mesh to said softening temperature of said first strands and less than said softening temperature of said second strands; e) applying a bonding pressure to said first strands; and f) integrally bonding from about 10% to about 100% of said first strands to said first and second carrier layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification