Body Warmers Patents (Class 126/204)
  • Patent number: 4777930
    Abstract: A disposable heat storage unit comprises a hermetically sealed, heat conductive pouch containing a quantity of a latent heat substance which may be preheated to an initial temperature higher than that of its heat of fusion so that, upon cooling, it releases first its sensible heat followed by the release of the heat of fusion at a constant temperature over a sustained period of time. The unit may be placed in a container within which is positioned an article whose temperature is to be maintained at an elevated level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Marvin E. Hartz
  • Patent number: 4756311
    Abstract: Microwavable instant and/or cold pack gel package including an envelope fabricated from a laminate, for example, of films of synthetic resins and an aqueous gel in said envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Jack Frost Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam E. Francis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4756299
    Abstract: A heating pad of the type having a particulate chemical mixture, which is exothermically reactive in the presence of air, and a pair of opposed panels forming an envelope containing the mixture and admitting air to support the reaction. Differing perforation sets in the opposed panels allows the pad to generate two levels of heat and allows opposed body-contact surfaces of the pad to apply two different heat conditions to the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Hypertherm Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl W. Podella
  • Patent number: 4691688
    Abstract: A portable heater comprising a double-wall vessel which forms a combustion chamber and encloses a suitable fuel. Air passages provide an airflow through the vessel for supporting combustion. Also included are endless conduits which entrap displaced fuel to prevent it from escaping from the heater through the air passages. Thus, fuel is prevented from escaping from the heater in all positions of the same in the event that the heater is dropped or otherwise upset. A set of cooling fins, encircling a fuel holder, cool the fuel to help maintain an even burn rate. The heater further includes an adjustable flame attenuator for selective heat control. At a low heat setting the invention may be used as a personal or close contact heater wherein an outer wall serves as a guard for preventing contact burns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Charles L. Urso
  • Patent number: 4688572
    Abstract: A thermal pack having a first pocket (12) and a second pocket (28) connected together by a stretchable material section (22), and therapeutic material holding bladders (14, 30) insertable into respective pockets. A pair of stretchable and Velcro-equipped straps (16, 18) attached to one pocket (28) are engagable with a brushed pile surface (20) of the other pocket (12). The pockets (12, 28) are constructed having a liner (34) for wicking to the outer surface moisture condensed on the bladders (14, 30), and constructed having a durable nonstretchable outer layer (32, 42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Tecnol, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance M. Hubbard, Welton K. Brunson, Darrell S. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 4685442
    Abstract: A portable heater for generating and circulating heat in wearing apparel and consisting of a closed container for containing a liquid heat transfer medium therein and a second container which is received in the closed container and is adapted to receive a heat evolving means therein such as a combustible fuel stick of the type utilized in conventional hand warmers, the heat evolving means being received through an opening to the exterior of the improved heater assembly. A portion of the exterior walls of the second container are exposed in heat exchange relationship to the interior of the closed container for efficient heat transfer through the walls of the second container to a liquid heat transfer medium contained within the closed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Leonard Cieslak
  • Patent number: 4685453
    Abstract: The thermoformable element comprises a strip (1) formed from two layers of foam (2, 3) of a thermoplastic polymer. The layers are welded to one another along their longitudinal edges so as to form a space between them in the shape of a channel (4). The inlet for the channel can be controlled by a non-return valve (6) whereas the exit can comprise a plug (7). The element is thermoformed by circulating a fluid heated to 130.degree. to 140.degree. C. through the channel until the foam becomes soft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventors: Claude Guignard, Tony Giglio, Abdelkader Benmiloud
  • Patent number: 4683869
    Abstract: A breath transfer device which uses the heat of exhaled air to warm the body of the wearer of the device in cold environments, and which facilitates condensation of moisture in the device to eliminate the formation of vapor clouds. The device uses a mouthpiece into which exhaled air is blown, and a length of insulated tubing to direct the warm air to a vest-like radiating chamber garment. The moisture in the expelled air condenses on the inner surfaces of the chamber and is retained in special condensing pockets formed at the ends of internal partitions which provide a sinuous path for air flow through the chamber. Cooled dry air is finally exhausted at the lowermost point of the radiating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventor: Robert B. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 4676223
    Abstract: A personal warmer has a container with an imperforate top, a perforate seat on the top, a hot air diffuser on the seat, a heater support in the container, a movable hot air exhaust pipe for directing a convective flow of warm air into a persons clothing, and a swivel base enabling the container and seat and exhaust to co-rotatably turn and remain with the person. A method of warming a person has the steps of lighting a burner, sustaining the burning in a container, heating a seat, and directing hot air from inside of the warmer into a persons clothing, and raising and lowering the warm air exhaust structure between usage and storage positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Warren J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4662352
    Abstract: An improved catalytic heater for heating an oxidizing gas, normally air, that contains a small percentage of a catalytically oxidizable gas, normally hydrogen, and a novel method of operation within the catalytic heater. A preheat catalytic chamber is defined within a primary catalytic chamber, and the air/hydrogen mixture is first flowed through the preheat chamber and then through the primary chamber, so that the gas will first be catalytically preheated as it passes through the preheat chamber and will be further heated within increased thermodynamic efficiency because of the preheating as it passes through the primary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Applinc
    Inventor: Ernesto R. Aviles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4640284
    Abstract: A therapeutic device for applying structures in direct contact with the skin of the human body to heat and to cool the same. A hot plate and a cool plate are provided on opposite sides of conventional electrical means to produce the heating and cooling. A plurality of vanes normal to the hot plate are fixed thereto and extend to an auxiliary plate to which they are also fixed. The vanes and the auxiliary plate aid in reducing the temperature of the hot plate and thereby aid in reducing the temperature of the cold plate. A fabric sock having differently weighted swatch portions for different thermal insulation surrounds the cold and auxiliary plates. A fan cools the vanes. A tray shaped body support is provided with holes to permit the escape of warm air produced by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Inventor: Max J. Ruderian
  • Patent number: 4604987
    Abstract: A heated stadium cushion has a pad having a pocket adapted to contain an air-activated chemical heating packet. A second pocket contains weather-resistant clothing, such as a poncho. In another embodiment a slipcover is provided for enclosing a conventional seat cushion, the slipcover having an enclosed pocket for the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Inventor: Heidi Keltner
  • Patent number: 4598192
    Abstract: An electrically heated handle, particularly for fishing rods, has an elongated thermally conductive shell enclosing an interior chamber in which is located a solid body of a material having high electrical resistance, such as Steatite, defining a heater core having its entire outer surface in heat transfer engagement with the shell. An elongated electric heating coil, e.g., of Nichrome, extends longitudinally through the interior of the heater core and is connected to an external power source through a switch and power supply conductors extending through the rear end portion of the handle. The front end portion of the handle is formed with an elongated socket chamber thermally insulated from the interior chamber and adapted to receive and fit over the butt end of a fishing rod. Once the heater core of the handle is initially heated, the heat is stored for slow dissipation to the handle and hand of the holder, requiring infrequent replenishing of electric current to the electric heating coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Inventor: John E. Garrett
  • Patent number: 4584787
    Abstract: A heated handle structure for a fishing rod comprises an outer cylindrical container attached to the end of the rod, an inner cylindrical container for receiving a solid fuel stick, the inner container being rotatably mounted in the outer container, registrable vents in the respective container walls, the degree of opening of which is adjusted by relative rotation of the containers in order to vary the amount of heat supplied by the fuel stick, and a spring-loaded adjustment mechanism between the containers for releasably retaining them in selected angular positions of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Robert E. Aho
  • Patent number: 4579103
    Abstract: A device to removably hold a solid fuel heating module includes a body member defining an open ended chamber and generally U-shaped channels in each of an opposing pair of side walls. The elongated channels are sized and configured to slidably receive a respective side edge of the heating module when the heat module is inserted in a rectilinear direction between the opposing side walls. A space is defined in a top wall in communication with the chamber so as to be in registry with the heating module and guard members bridge the space to prevent the user's foot from directly contacting the heating module contained in the chamber. A chimney defined in the body permits cool air to flow from a direction from the rear wall towards the chamber, be heated by the heat module and then transferred to the user's foot by virtue of the space defined in the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Perry S. Poffenbarger
  • Patent number: 4572188
    Abstract: An airflow cover for controlling the body temperature of a patient covers a portion of the patient's body and provides a generalized thermal bathing of the covered portion through the delivery of a temperature controlled gas mixture to the covered portion. The cover is formed from a series of inflatable tubes which are joined together in a parallel array having an upper surface facing away from the patient's body and an oppositely directed lower surface which faces the covered portion of the patient's body. An entry port is provided through the upper surface and into one tube, transverse ports open between the tubes, and exit ports are formed in the lower surface. A thermally controlled gas mixture is introduced through the entry port, circulates in the tubes by means of the transverse ports and inflates the tubes, and exits through the exit ports in the direction of the covered body portion to provide the desired thermal bathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Douglas J. Augustine
  • Patent number: 4557320
    Abstract: This device attaches to a suit, and serves to keep a driver or other wearer cool, or warm, when desired. Primarily, it consists of a main unit with a blower, and the main unit may be coupled to a second unit that can be worn by another person, who may be a passenger in an open top vehicle. It further includes an attachable air cooler, and an attachable propane gas heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Inventor: Norris K. Allen
  • Patent number: 4522190
    Abstract: This invention is for an inexpensive flexible heater material (heat pad) for food heating, medical compresses and the like. The heat pad is a composite material consisting of a supercorroding metallic alloy powder dispersed throughout a porous polyethylene matrix. The supercorroding alloy material consists of a powdered alloy of magnesium and iron which is produced by high energy powder metallurgical milling techniques. Pressureless sintering of a mixture of the supercorroding alloy powders with UHMW polyethylene powder results in the formation of a flexible porous matrix material with active ingredients therein that are readily activated with a suitable electrolyte fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: William E. Kuhn, Kwoh H. Hu, Stanley A. Black
  • Patent number: 4516564
    Abstract: A heat generating body suitable for use as a body warmer or the like. The heat generating body is composed of a closed bag locally provided with at least one air permeable portion constituted by a group of fine pores of a diameter equivalent of not more than 20 microns, and a heat generating composition accommodated in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Japan Pionics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Koiso, Kenji Ohtsuka, Shigeo Yahara
  • Patent number: 4495935
    Abstract: A boot and foot warming device for skiers and other outdoor sportsmen comprising:a chamber bounded by a top wall having a front and a rear portion, a bottom wall, a back wall and side walls; a leg receiving opening within the front portion of the top wall; a chair structure having a back support mounted upon the top wall rearwardly of the leg receiving opening; a pivoting door hinged to the side walls thereby providing a front wall for the chamber; an air circulating heater mounted within the chamber; the bottom wall being sloped for allowing water run-off; and a drain located in the sloped bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Jack K. Lanier
  • Patent number: 4475532
    Abstract: This invention relates to portable duck blind stools in general, and more specifically to a heated stool construction that can be inverted to serve as a carrying case for transporting articles to and from a duck blind, and which is further provided with a securable lid member having a plurality of closed fuel receptacles attached thereto, to create a heat source for the stool proper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventor: Cecil M. Woods
  • Patent number: 4457295
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for heating people, particularly those travelling on motor cycles or in motor vehicles, such as open motor vehicles, or watercraft, tracked vehicles or working vehicles having internal combustion engines, or working on ocean-going ships, floating drilling platforms, etc, in which a hot air producing apparatus supplied with the waste heat of an internal combustion engine comprising a heat exchanger whose casing tube surrounds the exhaust pipe portion of the internal combustion engine and having a cold air inlet and a hot air outlet connection with a meterable cold air supply, is connected by means of a flexible hose connection to the inner area of a double-layer article of clothing, to which is supplied by means of a blower the hot air produced by the heat exchanger and which on the side facing the person wearing the clothing is provided with hot air outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Oskar W. K. Roehr
  • Patent number: 4449034
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a warm environment within a cold environment, comprising a table having a surface member, heating means disposed beneath the surface member, an insulating layer disposed between the surface member and the heating means, and a skirt member secured to the surface member and depending therefrom, defining the warm environment, whereby persons sitting at the table are partially enveloped by the skirt and thereby kept comfortably warm, despite substantially cooler temperatures in the cold environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 4441483
    Abstract: A portable furnace for generating and circulating heat in wearing apparel. The furnace consists of a compact closed container for containing a liquid therein and a second container is received in the closed container and adapted to receive a heating element therein through an opening to the exterior. At least a portion of the exterior walls of the second container are exposed to the interiors of the compact container for heat transfer through the walls to a liquid contained within the compact container. A flexible liquid conduit has both ends thereof connected for circulation of heated liquid from the container through the conduit and a positive displacement pump is connected to the conduit for hand manipulation to circulate heated liquid from the compact container through the conduit on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventors: Stanley Cieslak, Leonard K. Cieslak
  • Patent number: 4418745
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for heating persons travelling in or on motorcycles or motor vehicles having internal combustion engines, particularly open motor vehicles, racing vehicles or rail vehicles, particularly working vehicles or working on ships, floating drilling platforms, etc. comprising a hot air generator supplied with the waste heat of the internal combustion engine and an article of clothing connected to said generator by means of a flexible line and by means of which hot air can be supplied to the person wearing the clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Inventor: Oskar W. K. Roehr
  • Patent number: 4338098
    Abstract: A solid heat-generating composition utilizing the heat of hydration of calcium oxide, comprising calcium oxide and a solid substance supplying water capable of reacting with calcium oxide such as a solid substance having water of absorption, adsorption or crystallization, and an organic compound which yields water by an intramolecular or intermolecular reaction at elevated temperature. The composition can be utilized in various applications utilizing heat generation, for example for thawing and heating frozen foods, controlled releasing of agricultural chemicals such as insecticides or repellents, warming human body, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Teitin Limited
    Inventor: Teizo Yamaji
  • Patent number: 4334519
    Abstract: A portable heater for generating and circulating heat in wearing apparel. The heater consists of a compact insulated case having a cavity therein which is adapted to receive a chemical heat cartridge which gives off heat through an exothermic chemical reaction when an activator or catalyst is added to the chemical content of the cartridge. A liquid reservoir is positioned in the case for radiant heat transfer from the chemical heat cartridge. A flexible liquid conduit has opposite ends thereof connected for circulation of the heated liquid from the reservoir in a closed circuit, and a pump is provided for circulating the heated liquid through the conduit on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Inventors: Stanley Cieslak, Leonard K. Cieslak
  • Patent number: 4294225
    Abstract: High-pressure air from the air supply is admitted into the heater system through a pressure regulator. Fuel, such as propane, enters the system from a fuel canister. The air and fuel of controlled volumes mix and flow together into a catalytic combustion chamber where combustion is initiated by a spark generator. The heat of combustion is caused to pass through the walls of the combustion chamber, then through thermoelectric modules, converting part of the heat to electricity. The remaining and larger part of the heat passes to a heat exchanger on the opposite side of the thermoelectric module. Circulating water passes through the heat-exchanging chamber, absorbs the heat produced by the combustion reaction and is further pumped to the diver's suit. The electricity generated by the thermoelectric modules is used to power an electric motor driving a circulating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Energy Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Mayo
  • Patent number: 4282005
    Abstract: A body warmer for heating a human body by means of exothermic heat which consists of a particulate exothermic substance containing a main constituent for reducing a metallic oxide with the air and water content externally supplied for heating the body by the chemical reaction thereof, a fibrous agricultural solid waste impregnated with sodium chloride, bitter or composition salt, and an air permeable bag for filling the exothermic substance and the fibrous agricultural solid waste. Thus, the body warmer can heat at safe and effective temperature continuously for extremely long time so as to cure even neuralgia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Kensen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Sato, Michio Sugiura
  • Patent number: 4268272
    Abstract: This invention is an exothermic composition prepared by mixing an iron powder with a mixed fibrous and carbonaceous powder as impregnated with a solution prepared by dissolving a proper amount of a neutral salt in an aqueous solution of an alkali or alkaline weak acid salt so as to mature when left sealed and a warming bag wherein said exothermic composition is contained in a ventilative inner bag provided in a part with a group of ventilating holes and a nonventilative label covering it and this inner bag is contained in a nonventilative outer bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignees: Eiichi Ito, Teruchika Taura
    Inventor: Miyako Taura
  • Patent number: 4241721
    Abstract: A body warmer is provided that includes a platform, a heat source, an envelope surrounding the user, and hoops in the envelope. The envelope is kept from contacting the heat source by the hoops. The user is kept from contacting the heat source by a shield. The heat source is pivotally connected to the platform and movable from a first position in which it is stored to a second position in which it is used. A cushion is attached to the inside of a cover that seals the body warmer for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Inventor: Gordon L. Holly
  • Patent number: 4236502
    Abstract: A portable heating system for individuals which system includes a heating device for heating a quantity of fluid, an energy source for supplying a fuel to the heating device and an emitting device operatively connected with the heating device for emitting a quantity of heat. The energy source, the heating device and the heat emitting device are constructed as a structural unit with the heat emitting device being insertable into a sheath surrounding an individual so as to provide for the thermal requirements of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Inventor: Hans Kuhl
  • Patent number: 4223661
    Abstract: Supercorroding magnesium alloys that react rapidly and predictably with seawater to produce heat and hydrogen gas. The alloys are formed by a mechanical process that bonds magnesium and noble metal powder particles together. The alloy powders can be sintered to form barstock, etc., suitable for self-contained corroding links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Inventors: Sergius S. Sergev, Stanley A. Black, James F. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 4208152
    Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the life, safety, comfort, and usefulness of an underwater diver by pumping seawater, or other ambient water in which the diver may be located, under pressure from a surface site to the submerged diver site, and locally converting by hydraulic friction at the diver site the hydraulic energy of such pressurized pumped seawater into diver-warming heat or/and mechanical energy for operating tools, pumps, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: John R. Colston
  • Patent number: 4195619
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit is carried on the back of a free swimming diver and includes small tanks of propane and oxygen and a mixing chamber into which the two gases are fed and mixed. The gaseous mixture is then fed through a burner nozzle and burned to heat the atmosphere in a heat exchange chamber. The chamber includes a first coil therethrough in which air from the main oxygen tank is circulated and heated on its way to the diver's mask. A second coil through the heat exchange chamber carries water or other heating fluid from the diver's suit which is heated and returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Inventor: James P. Hollen
  • Patent number: 4118946
    Abstract: A flexible sheet or garment to be worn on or around the human body, or body member for cooling and having two flexible plastic sheets or films which are joined or adhered to form two tortuous, adjacent, generally co-extensive, non-communicating fluid paths, one of said fluid paths being substantially and permanently filled with a viscous liquid heat transfer media and the other of said fluid paths being in communication with a reservoir of pressurized gas, means between said reservoir and other fluid path for regulating the flow of pressurized gas through said other fluid path and a pressure relief means in said other fluid path and positioned at a point remote from said reservoir to limit the gas pressure and gas flow rate in said other fluid path; and means for holding said sheet or garment in place on or around the human body, or body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Inventor: Eddie Sam Tubin
  • Patent number: 4114591
    Abstract: An exothermic metallic composition for a body warmer comprising (1) one or more members selected from the group comprising iron, aluminum and magnesium in the form of fine particle and (2) an oxidation agent comprising one or more members selected from the group comprising ferrosoferric oxide, plumboblumbic oxide, trimanganese tetroxide, black copper oxide and manganese dioxide in the form of fine particle, water and particulate oxidation assistants such as sodium chloride and active carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 4106477
    Abstract: A water activated therapeutic moist heat pad structure is described formed with outer porous water retaining layers which enclose an inner layer of distributed heat generating heat cells and an associated water retaining absorbent inner porous layer. In a preferred embodiment the heat cells are formed of electrochemical heat cells wherein a suitable dry electrolyte is provided such as table salt. The inner porous layer is sized to provide the electrochemical heat cells with adequate electrolyte to use up their active ingredients and achieve an extended heating period. The segmentation of the heat cells and their distribution throughout the structure combine to provide a flexible therapeutic moist heating pad which can conform to the body surface to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Chem-E-Watt Corporation
    Inventor: Sheldon L. Feld
  • Patent number: 4080953
    Abstract: A heating device is taught which includes a subdivided electrochemical cell comprising subdivided metal pieces which serve as the anode and conductive cathode layers coated on the anode pieces. When such coated pieces are enveloped in a liquid electrolyte, heat is generated by electrochemical-cell reactions; and the reactions and accompanying production of heat are accelerated by the direct electrical contact between the anode pieces and cathode layers. The cathode layers can be coated on the anode pieces either prior to assembly of the heating device, or in situ after the device has been activated. In the latter case, plating is accomplished through the presence in the liquid electrolyte of a plating salt that reacts with the metal anode pieces and produces an electroless deposition on the pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William C. Mitchell, Gregory R. Wyberg
  • Patent number: 4067064
    Abstract: The following specification discloses a conformable elastomeric diving suit, known in the art as a wet suit. The suit includes conduits for delivering heated fluid, preferably water, to the diver at different portions along the diver's body by means of a conduit that has been formed as an elongated hollow member that can be stitched or adhered into the suit's seams. The conduits have openings that relate to those portions of the body to which hot water is to be delivered between the diver's skin and the interior of the wet suit. The conduits are extruded or made from plastic or elastomeric material that is stitched or adhered to seams within the wet wuit material, so as to provide one continuous seam or joining member in the seam, which serves to provide the hot water flow to the diver for heating purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: U.S. Divers Co.
    Inventors: Leon A. Cerniway, Bruce C. Marx
  • Patent number: 4038698
    Abstract: A one-piece rainsuit having mask removably attached thereto. Exhaled air is directed through the mask to the interior of the rainsuit to warm the interior of the rainsuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Inventor: Leroy Smith
  • Patent number: 4018585
    Abstract: A cooled enclosure comprising a container having side and end walls and a bottom wall which define an enclosure having an open top. A cover associated with the enclosure includes a heat conductive layer on at least the bottom surface thereof which faces the enclosure. Refrigerant means are positioned in the enclosure and supported therein by resilient supporting means which bias the refrigerant means into intimate contact with the bottom surface of the cover whereby the cooling effect of the refrigerant means is transferred by the layer to the outside surface of said cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Inventor: Robert J. Loratto
  • Patent number: 4016878
    Abstract: A heater and humidifier for use with a breathing mask or other breathing apparatus, to avoid unpleasant and injurious effects of prolonged breathing of cold dry air, or other breathing gas mixture. The action is accomplished by injection and combustion of hydrogen directly in the breathing gas, and is carried out in a safe manner adjacent to or in the breathing mask. In addition to the heating effect, the hydrogen combines with oxygen in the breathing gas to produce moisture. The apparatus is adaptable to use under water, or in the atmosphere at any altitude and can be operated without a special power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: Foundation for Ocean Research
    Inventors: David Castel, Stephen E. Suess
  • Patent number: 3976049
    Abstract: A unified structure of a warmer is obtained by accommodating an exothermic composition consisting of iron powder, a chloride or sulfate of a metal having a tendency of ionization greater than iron, active carbon and water in a bag composed of a cloth or cloths and a film or films having aeration holes and encapsulating the resulting warmer in an air-tight envelope. Heat of oxidation of iron powder is utilized for the purpose for creating and keeping warmth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Iwao Yamashita, Miyuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 3951127
    Abstract: A flexible container having a substantially planar configuration encloses a first chemical having characteristics for being supercooled to maintain a liquid state even at temperatures below its melting point. A second chemical can be mixed with the first chemical in the container to initiate the crystallization of the first chemical at the substantially constant temperature of the melting point of the first chemical. The container can be enclosed in an insulation envelope to moderate the temperature of the device. The first chemical may include sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate which provides a desirable constant temperature of 48.degree. C. The second chemical may include sodium borate pentahydrate or sodium sulfite which provides the first chemical with a desirable sandy configuration during crystallization in the .alpha. pentahydrate form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: Kay Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Steves Watson, William Keith Ross Watson
  • Patent number: 3948246
    Abstract: The invention concerns heaters, particularly for sports benches and more especially for the benches on which substitute players of the team sit during games. In the preferred form, a self-contained heater such as a combustion operated construction heater with blower produces the heat behind the bench, and the heat is conducted through a conduit into the space beneath the bench, and then through a T-conduit in either direction to points from which it is distributed. The space beneath the bench confines the heat on the front, back, sides and bottom. Heat is distributed through openings in the top of the bench toward the back, and also through openings in the front of the bench, which may be at the top of the front of the bench and at the bottom of the bench. In a less preferred embodiment, heaters may be in spaces continuous with the bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Inventor: John F. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 3946733
    Abstract: Therapeutic device for locally topical treatment of the body comprising a skin-applicable open-mouthed combustion chamber, a grating support for herbs or other combustible material and means such as a pressurized air supply and/or a restricted combustion gas outlet to pressurize gases held at the skin by the combustion chamber mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Inventor: Jin Suk Han
  • Patent number: RE32026
    Abstract: A unified structure of a warmer is obtained by accommodating an exothermic composition consisting of iron powder, a chloride or sulfate of a metal having a tendency of ionization greater than iron, active carbon and water in a bag composed of a cloth or cloths and a film or films having aeration holes and encapsulating the resulting warmer in an air-tight envelope. Heat of oxidation of iron powder is utilized for the purpose for creating and keeping warmth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Iwao Yamashita, Miyuki Shimizu