Heat exchange medium and articles for use thereof

Abstract

A novel heat exchange medium made from a clay and oil mixture for use in absorbing, retaining, and dispensing heat is provided. The composition and variations thereof are most effective when heat treated so as to reduce the expansion of gases when the composition is encapsulated in sealed packaging. Particularly, the composition may employ microwave heatable and/or microwave invisible clays in combination with microwave invisible oils, such as mineral oils or microwave heatable oils, such as vegetable oils. Various constituents may be added to the medium, such as fibers made of polymeric substances and/or cloth, moisture absorbents such as polyacrylamide, and plastics such as polypropylene and the like. Various applications of the heat exchange medium are provided and are specifically directed to industrial heat exchange applications and domestic items such as hair rollers, heating pads, heating packs, including a booster-type pack with varying levels of thermal capabilities, and heat exchange medium-coated fibers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.