US20120240918A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20120240918A1
Application number: US13/424,824
Authority: US
Inventors: Keri Z. Kirsch; Sean Huson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-25
Filing date: 2012-03-20
Publication date: 2012-09-27

Abstract

A warming device for directing energy from a heating pad. The warming device includes a sleeve of insulating material, a heat pad receiving pocket, and a reflective material positioned inside the pocket. The heating pad receiving pocket is disposed along a first surface side of the sleeve, while the reflective material positioned inside of the heating pad receiving pocket along the first surface side of the sleeve.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/467,802, filed Mar. 25, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a warming device and in particular to a warming device having an internal pocket for receiving a heating element.

BACKGROUND

When the human body is exposed to cold temperatures, the body thermoregulates itself to keep its core body temperature within certain boundaries. For instance, blood vessels carrying blood to superficial capillaries under the surface of the skin can shrink (constrict), thereby rerouting blood away from the skin and towards the warmer core of the body. The body in defense reroutes blood from parts losing heat to the surroundings, and minimizes dropping of the core body temperature. However, in exposure to cold conditions, blood generally fails to maintain body temperature at the bodies extremities, such as the hands and feet. As a result, these extremities may become numb or frostbitten, which may cause permanent damage.

The ulnar and radial arteries are main blood vessels positioned in the forearm that extend into the hand. These arteries not only carry oxygenated blood through the forearm and to the hand, but also provide thermoregulation of body temperature in the hand. It is possible that heat is lost through thin skin in the wrist. As it is known, articles of clothing, such as gloves and jackets, insulate these areas, so the body can maintain some body heat as the blood flows through these arteries.

Warming devices are also known, that not only provide insulation but also a directed heat source to the exposed area. For instance, portable hand and feet warmers can be positioned in gloves and boots to provide activated heat directly to the exposed area. This heat radiates from the source in all directions. Many known warming devices, even used for heat therapy, include a pocket formed in an insulated material. However, the radiated heat is free to radiate away from the exposed area in all directions, and as a result, the warming device is inefficient in directing heat to the exposed area.

SUMMARY

In view of these needs, the present invention provides a warming device directing heat to a target area using reflective materials. The warming device includes a sleeve of insulating material, a heat pad receiving pocket, and a reflective material positioned inside the pocket. The heating pad receiving pocket is disposed along a first surface side of the sleeve, while the reflective material positioned inside of the heating pad receiving pocket along the first surface side of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a warming device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the warming device ofFIG. 1, cut along the2-2 line;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the warming device ofFIG. 2, cut along the3-3 line;

FIG. 4 is another warming device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the warming device ofFIG. 4, cut along the5-5 line and lying along full length from the cut line; and

FIG. 6 is another warming device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings, awarming device1 according to the invention is a device used to hold a heating pad (not shown) for warming of parts of the body. Thewarming device1 is designed to hold and direct localized application of heat to underlying blood vessels and muscles in a target area. Types of heating pads may include electric pads, chemical heat reservoirs or a one-time chemical reaction pads, and/or a container having a material that has a high specific heat capacity. Heating pads are a type of temperature control element. It is conceivable that other types of temperature control elements could be used with the warming device according to the invention, including cooling elements.

According to the invention, thewarming device1 shown inFIGS. 1-3 includes abody10, apocket20, and afastener30.

Thebody10 is an insulative fabric designed as a sleeve to conform around a body part. For instance, thebody10 may be a spandex or neoprene type material, capable of stretching around a body part, such as a wrist or thigh. However, it is possible that thebody10 is made from other materials that are not stretchable, but flexible and come in differing sizes. Thebody10 should be flexible in order to wrap and conform to the body part and cover the target area. Thebody10 has a length L being greater than its width W, and greater than a pocket length Lp. The width W of thebody10 is substantially the same dimension of a pocket width Wp in the embodiment shown. However, it is possible that the width W of the body is larger than pocket width Wp, sincepocket20 may be incorporated into articles of clothing, such as sleeves, socks, etc. The dimensions, such as length and width, may vary depending on application of thewarming device1 to a specific target area, such as wrist, arm, torso, or leg.

In the embodiment shown, thebody10 includes afastener30 on an outer surface14, while apocket20 is formed on aninner surface12. Thefastener30 is adapted to the outer surface14 of thebody10, and secures two ends of thebody10 around the body part and covers the target area, in the embodiment shown. For instance, thefastener30 may be secured to the outer surface14 through a hem, a seam, and/or adhesive. As shown inFIG. 1, thefastener30 may be a pair of fabric sections having hook-and-loop fasteners, afirst fastener32 and asecond fastener34. Thefirst fastener32 is positioned at one end of thebody10, while thesecond fastener34, which has a larger surface area than thefirst fastener32, is positioned inward from another end of thebody10 in the embodiment shown. However, it is possible that thesecond fastener34 is positioned at the other end, and extends to a substantial middle of the outer surface14. For instance, in this embodiment, thesecond fastener34 includes a larger surface area to adjust thebody10 around a body part and secure thepocket20 over the target area.

It is possible that the fasteners may be other types of fasteners, such as buttons, clips and hooks, and fabric grip, which may secure thebody10 and pocket20 over the target area. If other fasteners are used, then position of those fasteners should allow for accommodation and securing of thewarming device1 around a body part.

While thefastener30 is used to secure thewarming device1, a layer ofgrip40 may be applied to theinner surface12 of thebody10. Thegrip40 may be any applicable material used for friction and resistance. Thegrip40 can be layered on an entirety of open surface or applied in sections, and is used to prevent thewarming device1 from slippage or movement away from the target area of the body part. Types ofgrip40 may be a layer of cloth, a layer of adhesive, or applied polymers.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, thepocket20 is positioned on theinner surface12 of thebody10. Thepocket20 is designed to hold an existing heating pad, which may be disposable or recyclable. Thepocket20 dimensions, including pocket length Lp and pocket width Wp, may vary. For instance, thewarming device1 used leg applications may include multiple heating pads, and accordingly, thepocket20 will have larger dimensions to accommodate multiple heating pads. Additionally, it is possible thatlarger warming devices1, includemultiple pockets20, which may be strategically positioned for placement over a large target area or multiple target area of a single body part.

Thepocket20 includes afront wall22, areceiving passageway24, areflective backing material26, and aninternal compartment28 formed as open space between thefront wall22, receivingpassageway24, andreflective backing material26. Thefront wall22, in the shown embodiment, is made from the same material as thebody10. However, it is possible that thefront wall22 is prepared from a shear or perforated material that does not infringe on heat passing there through. In addition, thefront wall22, in the shown embodiment, secures to theinner surface12 of thebody10 along three sides of thefront wall22, and a receivingpassageway24 is formed along an open end. The receivingpassageway24 allows for ingress and egress of a heating pad within thepocket20. The receivingpassageway24 has a depth D that is large enough to receive the heating pad, but small enough to secure the heating pad in thepocket20. If thefront wall22 is elastic, then the receivingpassageway24 can also be elastic. As a result, the receivingpassageway24 can open and close, first receiving the heating pad and securing the heating pad in theinternal compartment28 of thepocket20.

Thepocket20 further includes thereflective backing material26 used to focus heat from the heating pad to the target area. Thereflective backing material26 is positioned along theinner surface12 of thebody10. In the embodiment shown, thereflective backing material26 is a section of fabric that covers one or more surfaces of theinternal compartment28. In the least, thereflective backing material26 covers a side opposite thefront wall22. However, the reflective material can also cover sides that extend from theinner surface12 of thebody10 to thefront wall22.

Thereflective backing material26 is any material capable of radiating heat away from the surface of thereflective backing material26. For instance, thereflective backing material26 may be a metalized polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These materials are known and used their high tensile strength, chemical and dimensional stability, transparency, reflectivity, gas and aroma barrier properties and electrical insulation. Other materials that perform similar properties may be used as well. Accordingly, thereflective backing material26 radiates heat, directed away from the target area, back to the target area, performing insulation nonetheless. As a result, heat loss is minimized and thewarming device1 is more efficient than standard heating pads and apparatuses.

A layer ofgrip40 may be further applied on an outer surface of thefront wall22, as shown inFIG. 2. Thegrip40 may any applicable material used for friction and resistance. Thegrip40, wherever positioned, is used to prevent thewarming device1 from slippage or movement away from the target area of the body part. Types ofgrip40 may be a layer of cloth, a layer of adhesive, or applied polymers. If thefront wall22 is perforated, then thegrip40 should not interfere with the perforations. Furthermore, thegrip40 should not impede radiation of heat from the heating device, but may insulate heat applied to the target area.

In another embodiment shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, thewarming device1 includes abody110 that is a sleeve of material. Afastener30 is not needed since thebody110 is a sleeve through which a body part is inserted. Thepocket20 is positioned inside thebody110, along aninner surface112 of the sleeve. Thepocket20 includes afront wall22, a receivingpassageway24, and areflective backing material26 used to focus heat from the heating pad to the target area. Thefront wall22 is made from the same material as thebody110. However, it is possible that thefront wall22 is prepared from a shear or perforated material that does not infringe on heat passing there through.

As shown inFIG. 5, thefront wall22 attaches to theinner surface112 of thebody110 along three sides, leaving a receivingpassageway24 to receive the heating pad within thepocket20. The receivingpassageway24 has a depth D that is large enough to receive the heating pad, but small enough to secure the heating pad in thepocket20. If thefront wall22 is elastic, then the receivingpassageway24 can also be elastic. As a result, the receivingpassageway24 can open and close, receiving the heating pad and securing the heating pad in aninternal compartment28 of thepocket20.

Thereflective backing material26 is positioned along theinner surface112 of thebody110. Thereflective backing material26 is a section of fabric that covers one or more surfaces of theinternal compartment28. In the least, thereflective backing material26 covers a side opposite thefront wall22. However, the reflective material can also cover sides that extend from theinner surface112 of thebody110 to thefront wall22. Hence, thereflective backing material26 cups the heating pad inserted into theinternal compartment28.

Thereflective backing material26 is a material capable of radiating heat away from the surface of thereflective backing material26. For instance, thereflective backing material26 may be a metalized polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, other materials that perform similar thermal properties may be used as well. Thereflective backing material26 reflects heat that has been directed away from the target area, back to the target area. Additionally, thereflective backing material26 may include an insulation layer to perform insulation, as well.

A layer ofgrip40 may be further applied to theinner surface112 of thebody110 as well as an outer surface of thefront wall22, as shown inFIG. 5. Again, thegrip40 may any applicable material used for friction and resistance. Thegrip40 is used to prevent thewarming device1 from slippage or movement away from the target area of the body part. Types ofgrip40 may be a layer of cloth, a layer of adhesive, or applied polymers. If thefront wall22 is perforated, then thegrip40 should not interfere with the perforations. Furthermore, thegrip40 should not impede radiation of heat from the heating device, but may insulate heat applied to the target area.

As shown inFIG. 6, anotherwarming device1 is shown having abody210 having two ends that connect with apocket20, as described above. However, thereflective backing material26 has anadditional wear layer29 that is positioned on an outer surface of thereflective backing material26. Thewear layer29 is positioned with anouter surface214 of thebody210, and protects thereflective backing material26 from exposure.

The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance, thepocket20 described above, may be utilized in the construction of gloves, socks, sporting equipment, shoes, and/or boots. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.

Claims

1. A warming device comprising:

a sleeve of insulating material,

a heating pad receiving pocket disposed along a first surface side of the sleeve; and

a reflective material positioned inside of the heating pad receiving pocket along the first surface side of the sleeve.

2. The warming device according toclaim 1, wherein the heating pad is a one-time chemical reaction pad.

3. The warming device according toclaim 1, wherein the sleeve is flexible.

4. The warming device according toclaim 3, wherein one end on the sleeve includes a fastener that connects to another end of the sleeve to form an adaptive wrap.

5. The warming device according toclaim 4, wherein the fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener system.

6. The warming device according toclaim 1, further comprising a layer of grip disposed along the first surface side of the sleeve and an outer surface of the heating pad receiving pocket.

7. The warming device according toclaim 6, wherein the layer of grip is a frictional and resistance material.

8. The warming device according toclaim 6, wherein the layer of grip is an adhesive.

9. The warming device according toclaim 1, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket includes at least two sides secured to the sleeve and at least one opening for receiving the heating pad.

10. The warming device according toclaim 9, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket is elastic.

11. The warming device according toclaim 9, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket includes a front wall prepared from a perforated material.

12. The warming device according toclaim 11, wherein the reflective material faces the front wall.

13. The warming device according toclaim 1, wherein the reflective material is a metalized polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

14. The warming device according toclaim 1, further comprising a wear layer positioned on an outer surface of the reflective material.

15. The warming device according toclaim 1, further comprising another wear layer positioned on an outer surface of the sleeve.

16. The warming device according toclaim 1, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket includes at least three sides lined with the reflective material.

17. The warming device according toclaim 1, wherein the sleeve is an elastic tubular structure having an outer surface and an inner surface on which the heating pad receiving pocket is positioned.

18. The warming device according toclaim 17, further comprising a layer of grip disposed along the first surface side of the sleeve and an outer surface of the heating pad receiving pocket.

19. The warming device according toclaim 17, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket includes at least two sides secured to the sleeve and at least one opening for receiving the heating pad.

20. The warming device according toclaim 19, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket is elastic.

21. The warming device according toclaim 20, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket includes a front wall prepared from a perforated material.

22. The warming device according toclaim 21, wherein the reflective material faces the front wall.

23. The warming device according toclaim 17, further comprising a wear layer positioned on an outer surface of the reflective material.

24. The warming device according toclaim 17, wherein the heating pad receiving pocket includes at least three sides lined with the reflective material.

25. A blank for a temperature control element, the blank comprising:

a sleeve of insulating material,

a temperature controlled element receiving pocket disposed along a first surface side of the sleeve and adapted to removably secure the temperature control element against the first surface side of the sleeve; and

a reflective material positioned inside of the pocket along the first surface side of the sleeve and facing the pocket.

26. A warming device comprising:

a sleeve of insulating material,

a heating pad receiving pocket disposed between two ends of the sleeve; and

a reflective material positioned along an inner surface of the pocket.

27. The warming device according toclaim 26, wherein the pocket includes at least two sides secured to the sleeve and at least one receiving passageway.

28. The warming device according toclaim 27, wherein the pocket is elastic.

29. The warming device according toclaim 26, wherein the pocket includes a front wall prepared from a perforated material and a rear wall having the reflective material.

30. The warming device according toclaim 29, wherein the reflective material faces the front wall.