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AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsJoshua Friedensohn, Nefetari Bordain Murph, Roger Bradshaw Quincy, III, Karen McKenzie
Estimating the term…
A chemically-activated conformable thermal device that generates heat upon activation is provided. The thermal device typically contains an oxidizable metal that is capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction in the presence of moisture and air to generate heat. Although such metals, as well as other components of the composition (e.g., carbon), are relatively inflexible and stiff, the present inventors have nevertheless discovered that one or more conformable segments may be employed to impart flexibility and conformability to the thermal device. The conformable segments are malleable so that they yield under shear stress and acquire the shape of a surface (e.g., body part) without rupturing. The conformable segments are likewise stiff or hard enough to substantially retain the desired shape during use.
A chemically activated thermal device that comprises an exothermic composition positioned within an enclosure and multiple conformable segments positioned within at least two pockets, wherein a first pocket is peripherally located on a first side of the enclosure and a second pocket is peripherally located on a second side of the enclosure, wherein the conformable segments are malleable and have an aspect ratio of from about 20 to about 400, wherein the enclosure and the first pocket are bonded together at a seal and wherein the enclosure and the second pocket are bonded together at a seal so that the exothermic composition is constrained within the enclosure and the conformable segments are moveably constrained within the pockets.
A package comprising a chemically activated thermal device that comprises an exothermic composition positioned within an enclosure and multiple conformable segments positioned within at least two pockets, wherein a first pocket is peripherally located on a first side of the enclosure and a second pocket is peripherally located on a second side of the enclosure, wherein the conformable segments are malleable and have an aspect ratio of from about 20 to about 400, wherein the enclosure and the first pocket are bonded together at a seal and wherein the enclosure and the second pocket are bonded together at a seal so that the exothermic composition is constrained within the enclosure and the conformable segments are moveably constrained within the pockets, wherein the enclosure inhibits the passage of oxygen, moisture, or both to the exothermic composition.
A method for providing heat to a body part, the method comprising placing a thermal device adjacent to the body part and conforming the device to the shape of the body part, wherein the thermal device comprises an exothermic composition positioned within an enclosure and multiple conformable segments positioned within at least two pockets, wherein a first pocket is peripherally located on a first side of the enclosure and a second pocket is peripherally located on a second side of the enclosure, wherein the conformable segments are malleable and have an aspect ratio of from about 20 to about 400, wherein the enclosure and the first pocket are bonded together at a seal and wherein the enclosure and the second pocket are bonded together at a seal-so that the exothermic composition is constrained within the enclosure and the conformable segments are moveably constrained within the pockets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.