Composite heating element with an integrated switch

A composite heating element suitable for heating an article when activated by a power source, said composite heating element comprising:

• a first backing layer formed of a dielectric material;
• a discontinuous circuit formed from a conductive ink composition disposed on said first backing layer with said discontinuous circuit having terminal ends for electrical connection with the power source and defining at least one gap between said terminal ends;
• a second backing layer spaced from said first backing layer;
• and
• a trace formed from a conductive material disposed on said second backing layer and aligned with said at least one gap for forming a complete circuit when said first and second backing layers at least partially abut each other with said trace extending across said gap and contacting said discontinuous circuit.

An article capable of being heated when activated by a power source, said article comprising:

• a substrate,
• a first backing layer,
• a discontinuous circuit formed of a conductive material disposed on said first backing layer with said discontinuous circuit having terminal ends for electrical connection with the power source and defining at least one gap between said terminal ends,
• a second backing layer spaced from said first backing layer with said second backing layer coupled to said substrate, and
• a trace formed of a conductive material disposed on said second backing layer and aligned with said at least one gap for forming a complete circuit when said first and second backing layers abut each other with said trace extending across said gap and contacting said discontinuous circuit.