Thermal warming devices

• US 6,770,848 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoang, Tu Ba
• Application Number:
  US10/115,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20020153367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 219/212, 219/211, 219/527, 219/528, 219/529, 219/535, 219/543, 219/548, 219/549, 219/522, 219/219, 219/539, 219/217, 607/96, 607/108-111, 338/307, 338/314
• US Class Current: 219/212
• 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 temperature control device comprising a heater element and a power source. The heater element having a conductive ink affixed to a substrate. The power source connected to the conductive ink to supply power to said conductive ink, thereby heating the heater element.

Claims

1. A blanket comprising a pocket defining a substantially enclosed pocket space;

a substrate having upper and lower sides;

a heating matrix associated with the substrate, the heating matrix including a circuit printed on at least one side of the substrate;

a pouch defining a substantially enclosed pouch space receiving the substrate with the heating matrix thereon;

the pouch being removably received in the pocket space; and

means for connecting the heating matrix to a power source.

2. A blanket as set forth claim 1, wherein the pouch is made of a sheet of a non-flammable material.

3. A blanket as set forth in claim 2, wherein the non-flammable material is a non-woven polypropylene fabric.

4. A blanket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power source is a direct current power source.

5. A blanket as set forth in claim 4, wherein the direct current power source is comprised of a rechargeable battery.

6. A blanket as set forth in claim 4, including an AC/DC converter to allow a standard 110 V AC wall outlet to act as the power source.

7. A blanket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for connecting the power source with the heating matrix includes a power cord with a first end attached to the substrate, said first end being electrically connected with the heating matrix, and a second end detachably connected with the power source.

8. A blanket as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first end of the power cord is attached to the substrate by an adhesive.

9. A blanket as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for connecting the power source with the heating matrix includes a plug attached to the substrate, said plug being electrically connected with the heating matrix and a power cord with first and second ends and with a receptacle at the first end designed to accept the plug and detachably connected at the second end with the power source.

10. A blanket as set forth in claim 9, wherein the plug is attached to the substrate by an adhesive.

11. A blanket as set forth in claim 9, wherein the second end of the power cord is provided with a second plug suitable for insertion into a cigarette lighter receptacle, allowing the cigarette lighter receptacle to function as the power source.

12. A blanket as set faith in claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the temperature of the heating matrix including a temperature sensing means in communication with the hearing matrix and a temperature controller connected with the temperature sensing means.

13. A blanket comprising a substrate of polyethylene film having upper and lower sides;

a heating matrix associated with the polyethylene film, the heating matrix having a heating circuit printed on at least one side of the substrate of the polyethylene film;

a pocket defining a substantially enclosed pouch space;

a pouch defining a substantially enclosed pouch space receiving the substrate with the heating matrix thereon substrate;

the pouch being removably received in the pocket and means for connecting the heating matrix to a power source.

14. A heating article comprising:

a pocket defining a substantially enclosed pocket space;

a substrate having upper and lower sides;

a heating matrix associated with the substrate, the heating matrix including a circuit printed on at least one side of the substrate;

a pouch defining a substantially enclosed pouch space receiving the substrate with the heating matrix thereon;

the pouch being removably received in the pocket space;

and means for connecting the heating matrix to a power source.