Thermal body-care element and method of use of same
OwnerRonald J. Gillespie, Robert Hamlen +2inventors
InventorsRonald J. Gillespie, Robert Hamlen, Raymond J. Hull, JR., Michael H. Kuchavik, SR.
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Abstract
A thermal body-care element includes a container having at least one thermally conductive surface enclosing an electric heater in thermal contact with a thermal energy storage medium comprising a phase change storage medium and an electrical connection for selective coupling to an external electrical power source. The external electrical power source is external to the thermal body-care element. A method of applying heat to a skin surface of a human or animal is also disclosed.
Claims23
A thermal body-care element comprising:
- a) a container having at least one thermally conductive surface, the container enclosing an electric heater in thermal contact with a thermal energy storage medium comprising a phase change storage medium;
- and
- b) an electrical connection for selective coupling to an external electrical power source;
- wherein the external electrical power source is external to the thermal body-care element.
A method of applying heat to a skin surface of a human or animal comprising the steps of:
- a) electrically connecting an electric heater to an external electrical power source to heat a thermal energy storage medium in thermal contact therewith, the electric heater and thermal energy storage medium enclosed in a container arranged and configured for gripping by a human hand;
- b) disconnecting the electric heater from the external electrical power source;
- and
- c) applying the body-care surface to the skin surface while the electric heater is disconnected from the external electrical power source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.