Cloth Or Other Fabric Patents (Class 219/529)
  • Patent number: 11166344
    Abstract: A heating element composite comprises a substrate of one or more fibers or threads and an electrically-conductive polymer coating comprising an electrically-conductive polymer material deposited onto the one or more fibers or threads. A thickness of the electrically-conductive polymer coating is at least about 100 nanometers and the electrically-conductive polymer coating covers at least about 75% of an external surface area of the one or more fibers or threads of the substrate. The resulting heating element composite has a sheet resistance of from about 2 ?/? to about 200 ?/?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Trisha L. Andrew, Lushuai Zhang, Morgan Baima
  • Patent number: 11154168
    Abstract: A toilet seat conditioning assembly for heating or cooling a toilet seat includes a cover that is formed into a circular shape for positioning on top of a toilet seat. A thermal unit is integrated into the cover and the thermal unit is actuatable to heat the cover or the cool the cover to enhance comfort for the user. A plurality of vibration units is each integrated into the cover. Each of the vibration units vibrates the cover when the vibration units are turned on to enhance comfort for the user. A remote control is in remote communication with the thermal unit and each of the vibration units for remotely controlling the thermal unit and the vibration units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Monica Johnson
  • Patent number: 11149720
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber twist-inserted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the coiled polymer fibers actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile, braid, clothing, smart packaging, or a mechanical system, and the coiled polymer fiber in the coiled polymer fiber actuator can have a stroke amplification factor of 5 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 11143169
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 11084593
    Abstract: An additively manufactured heating element is printed on a flexible substrate and attached to an aircraft component having a complex geometric surface. The heating element is made of a plurality of layers of a conductive ink, which is electrically connected to a controller through one or more leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Adam George, Reid Philip Beery, James A. Mullen
  • Patent number: 10992075
    Abstract: An attachable surface cover for a USB port has a casing and a base plate. The casing has an attachment component. The casing is attached to a piece of cloth by means of the attachment component penetrating through the cloth. The attachment component is detachably connected to the base plate. The attachable surface cover for a USB port has a plug hole for insertion and removal of a USB cable. An entrance of the plug hole is on the casing. An exit of the plug hole is used to configure a USB port. The attachable surface cover for a USB port of the present invention has a reasonable design and is highly practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Duraflex Hong Kong Limited
    Inventor: Man Chak Chan
  • Patent number: 10935346
    Abstract: A firearm heater system for warming a scope of a firearm. The firearm heater system comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a pocket portion and an edge portion. The upper portion is attached to the pocket portion. The lower portion is attached to the pocket portion. The edge portion is attached to the pocket portion. The edge portion comprise one or more dial apertures. The one or more dial apertures configured to allow access to portions of the scope. The pocket portion comprise a pocket. The pocket is configured to receive a portion of a hand warmer. The firearm heater system configured to wrap around a portion of the scope and hold a portion of the hand warmer against the scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: John Franklin
  • Patent number: 10856364
    Abstract: The heat generating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a positive temperature coefficient thermistor heat generating element including an electrode layer; a first electrode terminal; a second electrode terminal; a holder configured to house the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heat generating element; and a heat conductive sheet, in which the heat conductive sheet includes a graphite particle and a polymer compound, a major axis direction of the graphite particle is substantially orthogonal to the surface of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heat generating element, and the positive temperature coefficient thermistor heat generating element and the holder are assembled in a state in which they are biased so as to apply pressure to the heat conductive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: KURABE INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Watanabe, Kazuya Kokubo, Muneaki Ikuma, Junpei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10743372
    Abstract: An electrical heating device comprising a support and a heating layer made of carbon fibre composite on the support mid connected to an electrical power supply to warm the device. The heating layer has a volume which comprises an electrically conducting circuit part which extends along at least one continuous line, and an electrically non-conducting insulation part which fills the remainder of the volume of the heating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Alexandre Lewandowski, Franck Rey-Bethbeder, Dominique Delaporte, Alain Lechon, Maurice Geli, Yann Buzaré
  • Patent number: 10584431
    Abstract: A metal fabric (10) uses warp metal wires (40) as the warp, and weft metal wires (50) as the weft, where the warp metal wires (40) and the weft metal wires (50) are composed of different metal materials. A curtain (100) as an interior decoration uses the metal fabric (10). A partition member (200) is configured to have the metal fabric (10) and a frame (210) which supports the outer circumference of the metal fabric (10). A clothing is configured to contain the metal fabric (10), and an electromagnetic shielding member is configured to contain the metal fabric (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: ISHIKAWA WIRE NETTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukio Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10201039
    Abstract: A heater comprising: (a) a non-woven heating layer having: a forward surface, a rearward surface, and a plurality of edges around a periphery of the heating layer; (b) two or more connections to a power source; wherein the heating layer is made up of a plurality of individual fibers that are randomly oriented; and wherein substantially all of the non-woven heating layer produces heat when power is to the non-woven heating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Jack Barfuss, Matt Zuzga, Syed Rafat Iqbal
  • Patent number: 10030637
    Abstract: An actuator includes a first actuator unit including first actuator fibers and a second actuator unit including second actuator fibers located between plate members. The first and second actuator fibers stretch or contract when temperature changes. A spring rate of the second actuator fibers is higher than that of the first actuator fibers. A maximum displacement amount of the second actuator unit is smaller than that of the first actuator unit. The temperature of the first actuator fibers is controlled in a case where a displacement amount of one plate member relative to the other plate member is smaller than a first displacement amount, and the temperature of the first actuator fibers and the temperature of the second actuator fibers are controlled in a case where the displacement amount is equal to or larger than the first displacement amount and equal to or smaller than a maximum displacement amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Asai
  • Patent number: 9933818
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a textile motherboard (TMB) employable in garments, tablecloths, gowns, etc. that incorporates at least a central processing unit (CPU) or a peripheral or a combination thereof, with the intention of monitoring, informing, or controlling parameters of interest. The garments may be utilized or worn by users (human or not). The textile of the garment is utilized as substrate to conform the TMB. The TMB may exhibit multiple-layer structures and VIAs (Vertical Interconnect Accesses). The routings of the TMB are conformed of textile material capable of transmitting signals between CPU and a means to register information or between the CPU and the combination of peripherals. Layers, routings, and VIAs may be incorporated into the TMB by using known textile manipulation techniques such as: knitting, weaving, stamping, perforating, or they may also be printed on the textiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Paulino Vacas Jacques
  • Patent number: 9781987
    Abstract: The heater bag for bakery products comprises a flexible or semi-rigid casing defining a bottom (111), side walls (110), an opening (112), and means (113) for selectively closing the opening (112). At least one semi-flexible heater plate (121, 122) having an electrical heater element (141, 142) incorporated therein is itself inserted in a pocket of natural material comprising cotton, flax, and wool, said pocket constituting a portion of the flexible or semi-rigid casing of the bag. For each heater plate (121, 122), the heating power per cm2 lies in the range 0.13 W to 0.24 W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Serge Saadoun
    Inventor: Serge Saadoun
  • Patent number: 9763326
    Abstract: An electronics assembly includes one or more electronic components coupled to a fabric. Each electronic component includes one or more electrical connection points, such as a bond pad or solder bump. The electronics assembly also includes one or more electrically conductive wire braids, one electrically conductive wire braid coupled to one electrical connection point on an electronic component. The electrically conductive wire braid is stitched to the fabric by an electrically conductive wire, thereby providing an electrical connection between the electronic component and the electrically conductive wire via the electrically conductive wire braid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Weifeng Liu, Zhen Feng, Anwar Mohammed
  • Patent number: 9626853
    Abstract: Technology for a thermal switch is described. The thermal switch can include a first conducting layer. The thermal switch can include a second conducting layer. The thermal switch can include a material layer in between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer. The material layer can be a conductor when above a defined temperature and a dielectric when below the defined temperature. The thermal switch can be operable to close an electrical circuit when the material layer is a conductor and open the electrical circuit when the material layer is the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Adam C. Wood
  • Patent number: 9040876
    Abstract: A heating and cooling device is disclosed. The device has an outer covering, and a plurality of heating and cooling coils within the covering. A plurality of flexible air flow chambers inside the covering provide air flow over the heating and cooling coils, and a plurality of vents exit the outer covering from the plurality of air conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Dick Bixler, Nancy Cudney Bixler
  • Publication number: 20150083709
    Abstract: A heating panel system for producing heat, comprises a heating panel comprising a layer of heating textile, the heating textile layer being made of a non-woven three-dimensional network of non-woven non-electrically conductive synthetic fibers and electrically conductive strands of synthetic fibers or fine metal wires consolidated therewith. A shapeable structural layer laminated to the heating textile layer. Electrodes are conductively secured to the heating textile layer at opposite ends, the wires being adapted to be connected to a power source to form a circuit with the panel of heating circuit to circulate electric power within the heating textile layer. A method for thermo-shaping the panel is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Francois Pepin, Alain Poirier, Oliver Guy Robert Vermeersch, Begriche Aldjia
  • Publication number: 20150001205
    Abstract: A cloth material of the invention includes a cloth material main body that includes a plurality of conductive wires that generate heat by conduction, and a conductive connecting member that is provided on a side portion of the cloth material main body and electrically connects the plurality of conductive wires together. End portions of the plurality of conductive wires are exposed from the side portion of the cloth material main body so as to be exposed portions. The connecting member electrically connects the plurality of conductive wires together by being welded in a state sandwiching the exposed portions and the side portion of the cloth material main body. Welded portions formed by the welding are arranged alternately with non-welded portions, lined up in a line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Masao TADA
  • Patent number: 8919370
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank for storing a liquid active ingredient for operating an aggregate of a motor vehicle, particularly a unit for post treatment of exhaust gases of the motor vehicle, comprising a container and at least one functional element (11, 18) extending into the container, wherein the functional element is provided with at least one agent (25, 26) for abrasion protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Krause, Rainer Haeberer
  • Patent number: 8916806
    Abstract: A heating pad assembly includes a pad and a heating plate is connected in the pad. A receptacle and a temperature control button unit are connected to the pad. The heating pad, the receptacle and the temperature control button unit are electrically connected to each other by wires. Electric power is provided to the heating pad assembly via the receptacle, and the temperature control button unit controls the operation of the heating pad. A fastening strip is cooperated with the pad to secure the pad to desired portion of the user's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Chien-Chou Chen
  • Publication number: 20140332522
    Abstract: The cloth-like heater of the present invention has an upper layer 2 in which a plurality of upper layer conducting parts 4 is provided, a lower layer 3 in which at least one lower layer conducting part 6 is provided, and an intermediate heat generation layer 8 that links the upper layer 2 to the lower layer 3 and has electroconductivity, and the most principal characteristic is that a linking string 8a of the intermediate heat generation layer 8 between the upper layer conducting part 4 and the lower layer conducting part 6, to which a voltage is applied, generates heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Miura, Takashi Sunda, Yasuhiro Fukuyama
  • Publication number: 20140319123
    Abstract: A controller for use in textile heating devices, such as heating pads, heating blankets, and the like is provided. The controller provides a display system for conveying to a user the selected heat setting. Such display system is useful in low light condition, where a user cannot readily see the heat setting indicia on the controller. The display system includes a plurality of lighted elements. The lighted elements are illuminated at different intensity levels to indicate the selected heat setting, In this manner, a user is provided with a visual frame of reference to indicate the selected heating setting. Namely, the differentiation between the intensity levels enables a user to visual determine the selected heating setting by the position of a higher intensity lighted element in relationship to lesser intensity lighted elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel Kohn
  • Patent number: 8841588
    Abstract: A heater includes a substrate, a plurality of first electrode down-leads, a plurality of second electrode down-leads and a plurality of heating units. The plurality of first electrode down-leads are located on the substrate in parallel to each other and the plurality of second electrode down-leads are located on the substrate in parallel to each other. The first electrode down-leads cross the second electrode down-leads and define a plurality of grids. One heating unit is located in each grid. Each heating unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a heating element. The heating element includes a carbon nanotube structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peng Liu, Liang Liu, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8816251
    Abstract: The invention concerns a heating or cooling mat (1) with a carrying sheet (2) having a top side (9) and a bottom side (11), and at least one heating and cooling unit (5) located on the carrying sheet (2), an adhesive being located on the bottom side (11) of the carrying sheet (2). It is endeavored to improve the handling properties of the heating or cooling mat. For this purpose, the adhesive is located on a double-sided adhesive tape (12), which is fixed on the bottom side (11) of the carrying sheet (2), the adhesive on the bottom side of the adhesive tape (12) being covered by the top side of the carrying sheet (2) and the adhesive tape (12) bonding with the top side of the carrying sheet (2) in the rolled up state of the heating or cooling mat (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Leif Olsen, Thomas Melballe, Taj Bernth, Verner Utoft
  • Patent number: 8777120
    Abstract: A hydronic radiant flooring heating system includes a pipe having pipe sections, and a grid of a thermally conductive material. The pipe sections are arranged substantially parallel to one another along a first axis, where there is a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The pipe is to carry a heated liquid to radiantly heat a flooring under which the pipe is situated. The grid is situated relative to the sections. A portion of the grid is positioned substantially parallel to the second axis, and has an increased gauge to provide for lateral heat flow from the sections along the second axis. Heating of the flooring under which the pipe and the grid are situated is substantially uniform at least partially due to the increased gauge of the portion of the grid positioned substantially parallel to the second axis, while permitting wider spacing between adjacent of the pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Todd W. Bates
  • Patent number: 8772676
    Abstract: An electric heating blanket including a flexible sheet-like heating element and a shell. The shell covers the heating blanket and includes two sheets of flexible material welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Augustine Temperature Management LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Randall C. Arnold, Ryan S. Augustine, Rudolf A. Deibel, Scott A. Entennman, Gordon D. Lawrence, Keith J. Leland, Thomas F. Neils
  • Patent number: 8772679
    Abstract: Methods and system for controlling a heater conductor in a heating element including a sensor conductor separated from the heater conductor by an NTC layer. The heating element is coupled to a control circuit and the flow of electricity from a direct current source through the circuit is controlled such that a change of the resistance of the NTC layer is indicative of the temperature of the heater conductor. This resistance is detected based on a time or amplitude analysis and based thereon, a heating mode of the heater conductor is controlled. In a variation, the circuit is operated in a two-period measurement mode wherein the energy transferred through the NTC layer in one period is equal and opposite to the energy transferred through the NTC layer in the other period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Weiss Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Lenny Novikov
  • Patent number: 8759724
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an elongated object (1) including a cable (2) being surrounded by an external protection (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e), said external protection comprising at least one protection layer including at least two elongated extruded hollow profiles (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e), each elongated extruded hollow profile comprising at least one elongated empty cavity (32), characterized in that each profile (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e) of said external protection is a single element along the whole length of the cable portion to be protected, and that the total cross section area of the empty parts of the external protection represents at least 20% of the total cross section area of the external protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Jan Erik Karlsen, Lars Hennig, Anders Henrik Bla, Hans Kvarme
  • Publication number: 20140138374
    Abstract: A heating pad assembly includes a pad and a heating plate is connected in the pad. A receptacle and a temperature control button unit are connected to the pad. The heating pad, the receptacle and the temperature control button unit are electrically connected to each other by wires. Electric power is provided to the heating pad assembly via the receptacle, and the temperature control button unit controls the operation of the heating pad. A fastening strip is cooperated with the pad to secure the pad to desired portion of the user's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: CHIEN-CHOU CHEN
  • Patent number: 8712227
    Abstract: Fluid conduit segments are provided that include, but are not limited to integrated heating systems for protection against freezing. To this effect PTC-fabric heating elements are provided that are integrated in the fluid conduit segments and that in the negative temperature range include, but are not limited to a PTC-temperature-dependent resistance. The heating system thus provides a higher output in the negative temperature range and a lower output in the positive temperature range, i.e., the heating limits itself until temperature equalization has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Meisiek, Torsten Maulitz
  • Publication number: 20140110397
    Abstract: This invention proposes a flexible electrical heating element comprising a substrate, a metal interlayer coating and a far-infrared emissive carbon film. The flexible electrical heating element utilizes a low-cost and environmental friendly vacuum coating technique to deposit the metal interlayer coating and the far-infrared emissive carbon film on the flexible and insulating substrate which can provide uniform heating, and the far-infrared emissive carbon film can emit far-infrared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Feng Chia University
    Inventors: Ju-Liang He, Chiao-Chih Hsu, Jen-Tsung Wang, Chun-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8698044
    Abstract: The invention provides a laminate composite fabric which is robust, laundry-durable, and a method for forming such fabric. The laminate fabric is provided with at least one element that provides heat or warmth (heating element). Generally, the laminate fabric with heating element(s) is sufficiently robust for incorporation into garments or warming textile structures (pads and blankets). The laminate fabric may include one or more stretch and recovery elements to cause the laminate to be more adaptable for securing about any three dimensional body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Textronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacey B. Burr, Qaizar N. Hassonjee
  • Patent number: 8674265
    Abstract: A heating device is formed from an electrically conducting, flexible resistance material of carbon fibers arranged between at least two electrodes provided for electrical contacting. The carbon fibers are stretch-broken carbon fiber yarns with a titer of 30 tex to 800 tex and a resistivity of 100 to 600 ?/m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: SGL Carbon SE
    Inventor: Reiner Bode
  • Patent number: 8674271
    Abstract: A breathable electrical heater element for a topical application device such as a wound dressing or a therapeutic heating pad is disclosed. The heater element is formed by photochemically etching a track pattern onto a porous metallised fabric (e.g. nickel coated woven polyester). The heater element has a skin or wound contact layer laminated to the front face of the heater element. An adhesive layer is laminated to the back face of the heater element. The adhesive layer forms an overhang to provide an adhesive border around the wound contact layer to adhere the device to the skin of a patient. Therapeutically active drugs (optionally microencapsulated) may be incorporated into the skin or wound contact layer. Operation of the heater element causes the skin or wound contact layer to release the active drugs to the skin or wound of the patient. Appropriate control of the temperature of the heater element allows control of the release of the active drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: NEL Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8664571
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a clothing piece, such as a glove, with a heating device, in particular for the warming and/or temperature control of a skin surface with deep-acting effect upon areas of a human body, comprising at least one heat transfer element, at least one connection for an energy supply device, at least one control field with an encapsulation and with at least one circuit board with an electrical control circuit for controlling the temperature of the heat transfer element and at least two switches for the manual adjustment of the temperature. The encapsulation comprises a chamber that holds the circuit board and a protruding edge that surrounds the chamber, wherein the edge is made of a flexible material. In addition, the switches are made up of at least two contact elements located on the inside of the encapsulation and at least two contact elements formed on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sidas Central GmbH
    Inventors: David Macher, Gerhard Kremer, Urs Maron
  • Patent number: 8664572
    Abstract: A limited use or disposable nonwoven blanket including at least one spunlace layer having an inner surface and outer surface and at least one continuous filament layer having an inner surface and outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the continuous filament layer is metallized. The limited use or disposable nonwoven blanket further includes at least one heating element proximate to the metallized surface of the continuous filament layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: PGI Polymer, Inc.
    Inventor: Cliff Bridges
  • Publication number: 20140020672
    Abstract: Thermal cloth for football fields, comprising: a polyvinyl chloride sheet; an electrical heating resistor cable glued on top of said polyvinyl chloride sheet according to predetermined pattern and distances; an aluminium sheet glued on top of said polyvinyl chloride sheet and of said heating resistor cable; a control system for supplying said heating resistor cable; said thermal cloth is positioned on said football field with said aluminium sheet placed upwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Enrico VERO
  • Patent number: 8604391
    Abstract: An electric heating blanket includes a flexible sheet-like heating element, a first unheated flap extending from a first edge of the heating element, and a second unheated flap extending from a second edge of the heating element. A flexible water-resistant shell may cover the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Augustine Temperature Management LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Augustine, Scott A. Entenman, Keith J. Leland, Gordon D. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8525079
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flat heating element in particular for heating surfaces in contact with the user in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising at least one electrical conductor. According to the invention, the electrical conductivity of at least one of these electrical conductors is at least temporarily reduced if the temperature thereof at least locally exceeds a permissible maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Publication number: 20130186884
    Abstract: A heater comprising: (a) a non-woven heating layer having: a forward surface, a rearward surface, and a plurality of edges around a periphery of the heating layer; (b) two or more connections to a power source; wherein the heating layer is made up of a plurality of individual fibers that are randomly oriented; and wherein substantially all of the non-woven heating layer produces heat when power is to the non-woven heating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: W.E.T. AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130168381
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article is provided. The method includes applying a coating onto a fabric layer, wherein the coating absorbs solar energy and converts solar energy into electrical energy. Moreover, the method includes applying a membrane onto the fabric layer. An insulation layer is applied onto the membrane. Further, a heat conductive coating is applied onto at least one of the membrane and the insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Reena Srivastava, Jamison William Janawitz, Taher Mousa Abujoudeh, Vishal Bansal, Martin Gregory Hatfield, Gaston Justice MacMillan
  • Publication number: 20130168382
    Abstract: Provided is a planar heating body characterized by comprising: a knitted structure; a plurality of first heating threads which are laterally woven with a space therebetween in the longitudinal direction in the knitted structure; and a plurality of conducting threads which are longitudinally woven in edge sections at both sides of the knitted structure in the lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: HOKURIKU S.T.R. COOPERATIVE
    Inventors: Takerou Teramoto, Hidekazu Shirasawa, Daigo Kakiuchi, Yuusuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 8450662
    Abstract: A sheet heater structured so that heating wire is fixed to air-passing base material by sewing. This structure can provide a sheet heater that has improved durability of heating wire 2 against the load imposed on the seat during sitting, comfortable feeling of sitting in the seat, and high air-passing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yoneyama, Naohito Asami, Akira Shiratake, Norio Abe, Kazumi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8431868
    Abstract: A thermally regulated electrical deicing apparatus with a flexible cover portion is mounted to an exterior surface of a vehicular windshield; the flexible cover portion includes an electrical deicing element with either a resistance element heat tape or a serpentine woven heating element directed therethrough in electrical communication with an alternating current power supply. A thermistor effects selective heating in the heating element. The electrical deicing element further includes a male alternating current electrical plug conducting current to the heating element through an electrical power supply line, wherein the thermistor is interposed between the male alternating current plug and the heating element, and controls the current conducted to the heating element; and a female alternating current electrical plug attached to the power supply line, which provides a connection means for a second thermally regulated electrical deicing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: John T. Akin
  • Publication number: 20130097897
    Abstract: A heating device for the ironing top of an ironing board, comprising a flexible flat element, to be associated with a top of an ironing board, provided with heating elements arranged so as to affect at least part of at least one of its main surfaces. Advantageously, the device comprises elements for the quick and reversible fixing of the flexible flat element to an ironing top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Sudhana Hem
  • Publication number: 20130068753
    Abstract: An electrothermal article with a foldable structure includes an upper sheet and a lower sheet both made from a hot-melt gum, a bundle of fibers made from a carbon fiber or a stainless steel. The fibers are received between the up and lower sheets and arranged as a sinusoid. After a thermal pressing step, the shape and the location of the fibers are fixed with the two sheets. In this arrangement, the heating wire is difficult to break when bent inappropriately or during a washing operation. In addition, the fibers are never exposed into the air along the seaming line for a long period using.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: CHUNG-YENG LIN
  • Patent number: 8383995
    Abstract: The invention provides a flexible hot plate and cooking unit, with a temperature differential of at least 40° C. between the two sides of the unit comprising a heating element sandwiched between an upper and a lower layer of flexible material wherein said upper layer provides a temperature along its upper surface of at least 80° C. for heating an object placed thereon, and said lower layer is provided with a plurality of insulating air passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Raphael Gabbay
    Inventor: Raphael Gabbay
  • Patent number: 8357881
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube fabric includes a heating element and at least two electrodes. The heating element includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined end to end. The at least two electrodes are separately located and electrically connected to the carbon nanotubes of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Feng, Kai-Li Jiang, Liang Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8334226
    Abstract: Presented is a variety of products and apparatuses employing a conductive nonwoven web. Products and apparatuses include an RFID system, a radiofrequency shielding system, a flexible electronic circuit component, a heating element, an antenna, an electromagnetic energy shield, a membrane switch, a keypad, and a packaging system. In one embodiment, the conductive nonwoven web contains conductive carbon fibers in combination with pulp fibers and/or synthetic fibers. Electric pathways are formed into the conductive material using ultrasonic energy. The electric pathways can be used to produce various electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Davis-Dang H. Nhan, Thomas Michael Ales, Thomas David Ehlert, Sudhanshu Gakhar