Thermal exchange composition and articles for use thereof
AssigneeThermionics Corporation
InventorsThomas E. Hughes, R. Scott Sparkman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermal exchange composition made from clay, glycol and/or water for retaining and slowly releasing hot and cold temperatures is provided. The composition can further include polyacrylamide, for mixing with water, and olivine. The composition can be incorporated and used in a variety of applications. For instance, the thermal exchange composition can be used in hot and cold packs for therapeutic treatment to sore areas of the body. Other articles incorporating the thermal exchange composition include food trays, stadium seats, and the like. A thermal delivery device is also provided. The thermal delivery device can be incorporated into a variety of articles, including toys and food containers.
Claims41
A thermal delivery device for retaining and slowly releasing hot and cold temperatures, said thermal delivery device comprising:
- a thermal exchange composition;
- said composition consisting essentially of a microwave reactive clay and a glycol, said clay being present in said composition in an amount from about 20 percent to about 75 percent by weight and said glycol being present in said composition from about 25 percent to about 80 percent by weight;
- and
- means for encapsulating said thermal exchange composition for preventing the egress of said composition from said device, said encapsulating means allowing hot and cold temperatures retained within said composition to be released from said device.
A thermal delivery device for retaining and slowly releasing hot and cold temperatures, said device comprising a sealed outer covering, said covering completely enclosing a thermal exchange composition therein, said outer covering being made from a plastic material, said thermal exchange composition comprising:
- a) a microwave reactive clay, said clay being present in said composition in an amount from about 20 percent to about 90 percent by weight;
- b) a polyacrylamide and water gel, said water portion of said gel being present in said composition in an amount up to about 75 percent by weight of said composition;
- and
- c) olivine.
A hot and cold pack comprising:
- a) a sealed outer covering for completely enclosing a thermal exchange composition therein, said outer covering being made from a plastic material;
- and
- b) a thermal exchange composition enclosed within said sealed outer covering for retaining and slowly releasing hot and cold temperatures through said outer covering, said composition consisting essentially of a microwave reactive clay and propylene glycol, said clay being present in said composition in an amount from about 20 percent to about 75 percent by weight and said propylene glycol being present in said composition up to about 80 percent by weight.
A thermal delivery device for retaining and slowly releasing hot and cold temperatures, said thermal delivery device comprising:
- a) a tubular hot and cold pack having a heat and cold releasing surface, said pack comprising a sealed outer covering made from a flexible plastic material wherein said outer covering contains a thermal exchange composition, said thermal exchange composition consisting essentially of a microwave reactive clay and propylene glycol, said propylene glycol being present in said composition from about 30 percent to about 80 percent by weight.
A thermal delivery device for retaining and slowly releasing hot and cold temperatures, said thermal delivery device comprising:
- a) an outer covering containing at least two layers of materials with different thermal capabilities;
- b) a bottom layer made from a thermal insulating material, said material being chosen from the group consisting of perlite and vermiculite;
- and
- c) a top layer comprising a thermal exchange composition capable of retaining and slowly releasing, hot and cold temperatures said top layer comprising a microwave reactive clay material.
A toy figurine containing a thermal exchange composition for making said toy figurine warm or cool to the touch, said toy figurine comprising:
- a heat and cold releasing covering, said covering being in the shape of a toy figure and defining an inner cavity;
- and
- a hot and cold pack received within said cavity, said hot and cold pack comprising a thermal exchange composition encapsulated in a flexible container, said container preventing the egress of said composition from said cavity, said thermal exchange composition consisting essentially of a microwave reactive clay blended with a glycol, said glycol being present in said composition in an amount of at least 25 percent by weight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.