CA1065728A - Packaged heat generator - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A packaged heat generator is used for warming or heating the human body, canned foods and other objects. It consists of three bags: a first bag contains a composition of metallic powders; a second bag has a vent portion through which air is introduced, and contains the first bag and a composition of oxidation promotors in an isolated relation, such as by two-folding it, before use; and a third bag encloses the first and second bags, whereby for use, relatively gentle forces applied to the first and second bags with the third bag completely removed cause the two compositions to be mixed inside the second bag so that the mixtures provide heat of oxidation and heat of hydration by exposure to air through the second bag.

Description

~06S728 This invention relates to a packaged heat generator usually known as a body warmer which provides thermal energy by mixing two compositions of metallic powders and oxidation promotors and by exposing the mixtures to air.
It is known in the prior art to provide heat by mixing two or more kinds of elements including metallic powder such as iron powder and an oxidation promotor such as humidified activated charcoal powder, and by exposing the mixture to air.
Conventional body warmers or pocket heaters usually in use during the winter days, and other conventional heaters in therapeutic or medical use incorporate the above art. However, those heaters are given little or no consideration of the amount of thermal energy or duration of heating that the heaters should provide, and therefore, they are not satisfactory from a practical stand-point. In other words, the conventional heaters have several - '-problems. First, unless provision is made to prevent the surface `` oxidation of the metallic powders, the surface oxidation will : .
persist through the period during which they remain not in use or sealed, and at the time the heaters are actually used, they will have lost considerable amounts of heating potential, and last only for a very short period of time. Secondly, if the mixtures are only made to be exposed to air, they will be unable to provide the `
different temperatures of heating desired depending on the different situation in which they are used. Thirdly, once they have been made to begin heating, the heating cannot be interrupted at any desired time, but continues until the heating potential is finally exhausted.
` The heat generator of the invention has a three-package form; a first bag, which is innermost, encloses a composition of powdered metals; a second bag, which is intermediate, has a vent portion and encloses the first bag and a composition of - oxidation promotors is an isolated relation, such as by two-~? , .: . . .:

10657~8 folding it, until it is used and a third bag, which i8 outermost, is openably fastened and encloses the first and second bags isolated from each other. For use, the outermost bag is first completely removed, and relatively gentle forces, such as swinging and rubbing, are then exerted on the other two bags, thus causing the two compositions to be mixed together within the second bag so that the mixtures can produce heating by being exposed to air through the second bag.
The invention has the following merits and features:
a first is that the heat generation elements are so enclosed in ~
the first bag as to prevent the surface oxidation thereof; a -second is that the amount of air supplied through the second bag can be adjusted by providing the second bag with vent holes of variable dimensions; and a third is the controlled function of the second bag, which is made possible by exposing the second `
bag to air with the third bag removed, and by cutting off the air supply by again enclosing the second bag in the third bag.
The invention is further described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: ~`
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the first bag in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the second bag in Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the second bag in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the second bag of a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the second bag in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the second bag of a third preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the second bag of ~.::., - -: .. . . .
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Fig. 7 as it is used with a can of food, for example;
Fig. 9 iS a perspective view showing the second bag of a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing the first bag of a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the second bag formed of different materials, of a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention.
A first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 1, in which a second or intermediate enclosure 2, usually having a bag form, has a venting portion 1 on one face thereof through which air is introduced into the bag 2, and contains a composition of oxidation promotors 3 therein. A first or inner-most enclosure 5, having a bag form, contains a composition of powdered metals 4 therein. The bag 5 enclosed inside the second bag 2. The second bag 2, enclosing the first bag 5 therein, has its opposite ends heat-sealed so that air cannot eQter it except through the venting portion 1. Furthermore, the second bag, having the first bag 5 contained therein, is placed inside a third or outermost enclosure 7 in the form of a bag which is made of air-impermeable material and has one end 6 thereof openably fastened. In the above embodiment, as shown in details in Fig. 2, the first bag 5 has a generally cylindrical form, and has on one side thereof a portion 20 which is heat-sealed to separate the bag 5 into an end portion 23 and an enclosing portion ;jin which the metallic powders 4 are held. The end of the bag 5 i~on the other side is open, and has a portion which is folded or bent as shown so as to prevent the contents 4 unexpectedly escaping through the open end. The bag 5 thus constructed is held - 30 inside the second bag 2 in such a manner that the end portion 23 of the bag 5 is united with the end portion 24 of the bag 2 by means of heat-sealing so that the bag 5 is secured to the bag 2 -3- ;

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at the end portions 23 and 24 of the two bags 5 and 2, and in such a manner that the other end portion of the bag 5 i8 expandably folded as shown in Fig. 2.
I~hen it is desired to make the heat generator produce heat for use, the outermost bag 7 is first removed, and then forces are applied to the remaining bags 2 and 5 such as by swinging and rubbing. Swinging is effected with the heat-sealed -portions 23 and 24 held by the fingers, and rubbing is effected -through the second bag 2. During the rubbing operation, the applied forces are transmitted through the second bag 2 to the -first bag 5 so that the folded portion can be unfolded as shown ;~
by the dot-dash lines in Fig. 2 to allow the contents 4 to come out through the open end of the bag 5 and into the area of the bag 2. The contents 4 then become mixed with the oxidation promotors 3 within the bag 2 during a further rubbing operation, ' and the mixtures also become exposed to air or oxygen in the air through the venting portion 1 of the bag 2 so that the powdered metals become oxidized to provide heat of oxidation and heat of hydration. The heat generator is applied in this state to a part of the human body, for example, that is desired to be warmed or heated. It has other uses of warming or heating articles -such as canned foods, for example. - In the above embodiment, the ;
metallic powders 4 enclosed in the bag 5 are always isolated from or not exposed to moisture and air until the heater is actually used, so that the surface oxidation of the metals 4 can be prevented. As mentioned earlier, the third or outermost bag 7 is made of air-impermeable material, and-is openably fastened at the portion 6 by means of a fastener. Thus, if it is desired to stopheating of the bag 2 during the use thereof, the bag 2 is again placed inside the bag 7, and the portion 6 is closed so that air supply can be cut off from the mixtures of the metallic powders 4 and oxidation promotors 3, thus interrupting .: - - , . .
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the heat generation.
As particularly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bag 2 is made of air-impermeable material such as polyvinyl chloride, for example, having a generally cylindrical form 8 as shown. It has opposite edges spaced apart to provide a spacing or channel 9 through which air is to be introduced into the bag 2. The -spacing or channel 9 is covered with a strip of air-permeable material 10 such as unwoven fabric, for example, from the inside of the bag 2, which serves as the venting portion 1. The bag 2 and the air-permeable material 10 are united by means of heat-sealing the overlapped edge portions of the bag 2 and the air-permeable material 10 along the edges of the channel 9. The - -width of the channel 9 has an influencing effect on the amount of air which can pass therethrough so as to cause the mixtures -to produce heat, and the amount or temperature of heating depends on the amount of air passing through the channel 9.
Therefore, the width or spacing of the channel 9 may previously -~
be determined so that the bag 2 can meet different needs or purposes, such as locations and/or time of the day or year where it is to be used. During the use of the heater, its heating can be adjusted to different temperatures desired by applying one or more separate sheets of adhesive sealing material 11 of air-impermeable character to the outside of the venting portion 1 of the bag 2. Application of one or more sheets 11 controls the area of the portion 1 through which air can be introduced, and the amount of air through the portion 1 can be regulated accordingly.
~ A plurality of air holes may be provided as a substitute i for the channel 9, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In the second embodiment of Figs. S and 6, a second or intermediate bag 2a has generally a similar form to the corresponding bag in the first embodiment. The bag 2a con ists of two kinds of materials :. ,..... . ~,, .. . . :

lO~;S7~8 which have a generally like form, and axe laminated as shown in Fig. 5. One material 12 has an air-permeable character, and other material 14 has an air-permeable character and has a plurality of vent holes 13 at regularly spaced intervals as shown in Fig. 6. The vent holes 13 serve as the venting portion 1 through which air is introduced into the bag 2a. The number of the vent holes 13 effectively influences the amount of air passing therethrough, and accordingly the temperature of heating.
Thus, any number of air holes 13 may previously be chosen depending on the purpose for which the heater is to be used.
Otherwise, one or more sheets lla of the same character as in the first embodiment may be applied to the corresponding holes so that the temperature of heating can be regulated as desired.
In a third embodiment of Fig. 7, an intermediate bag 2b -consists of air-impermeable base material 15 of a generally cylindrical form having on one side a plurality of vent holes 16 at regularly spaced intervals, and a coating of air-permeable and heat-insulating material 17 applied over said one side of -'; the material 15. As easily understood from the above, the thermal energy or heat produced inside the bag 2b will not escape through the heat-insulating coating 17 on the one side, but ` ;
will totally and effectively be delivered through the vent holes 16 of the air-impermeable material 15 on the other side. As shown in Fig. 8, for example, a can of food 18 is wrapped with the bag 2b for the purpose of heating the food or keeping it warm.
As seen from Fig. 8, the can is wrapped with the bag 2b so that the can is surrounded and the heat-insulating material I7 faces outwards. In this case, it is also possibie to have different temperatures of heating by adjusting the holes 16 to different diameters or providing the holes 16 at different locations.
In a varied form of the embodiment of Fig. 8, the bag 2b may consist of, on one side, a sheet of air-impermeable material 15 .~...... . . . . .
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10657'~8 having vent holes 16, and on the other side a sheet of air-permeable and heat-insulating material 17, the two sheets 15 and 17 being united by heat~sealing the edges thereof to form a bag.
A varied form of the embodiment of Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 9, has the following consideration: if there should be unexpectedly some slight leaks of the contents 4 out of the bag 5 under occasional swinging or shaking forces during the packaging work of assorted products for shipping or during the transport-ation thereof, and then if the leaked contents should becomemixed with the oxidation promotors 3 within the bag 2, the mixtures would be likely to produce some heating by being exposed to air remaining in the bag 7. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the bag 2 in Fig. 1 is two-foldable at mid-position so that the bag 5 can definitely be isolated from the contents 3, and is enclosed as folded within the bag 7. In this manner, if the products in a shipping carton should be subject to occasional swinging or other external forces during transportation, there will be no unexpected leaks of the contents 4 with no accompanying mixture of the two different compositions.
This means that heat generation will never take place under the above circumstances. It should also be noted that there is no other particular means of keeping the two compositions away from each other than by simply two-folding or bending in two parts. The bag 5 may have a further varied form as shown in Fig. 10, which can reliably prevent the surface oxidation of ~ ~;
the chemicals 4 therein. As particularly shown in Fig. 10, an innermost bag 5a is made of material which can be broken by the application of relatively gentle or moderate forces such as pressure, bending or impact, and it contains a composition of powdered metals therein. The bag 5a is enclosed in the intermediate bag 2, and has an end thereof united by means of :; : . . -10~;57Z8 heat-sealing with the corresponding end of the bag 2. According to the embodiment of Fig. 10, for use, relatively gentle forces are applied by way of the bag 2 to the bag 5a, causing the bag 5a to collapse so that the compositions 4 and 3 can be mixed together, and heating can take place as the composition 4 become oxidized by being exposed to air through the bag 2. In this embodiment, the work of placing the bag 5a inside the bag

2 can be carried out with greater ease than the work in the earlier embodiments. A further advantage of the embodiment of Fig. 10 is that as the composition 4 remain tightly sealed by the bag 5a until the bag is made to collapse, it cannot be exposed to air during that period, with no accompanying surface oxidation. Those advantages of the bag 5a shown in Fig. 10 have a good effect on keeping its capability of heating unaffected during a long period of time until it is made to collapse for use.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, an intermediate bag 21 is made of air-permeable material 19, such as paper, , unwoven fabric or woven fabric, and has a printing or coating 20 of synthetic resin ink over the material 19, or a coverage of synthetic resin material fused and united by heating to the material 19, the coating or coverage 20 serving to close the vent holes of the air-permeable material 19. In this example, the coating of ink may have an advertising effect if it is made to represent appropriate letters, figures or patterns.
Table 1 shows examples of compositions of the metallic powders and the oxidation promotors, which are used for the various embodiments of the invention described heretofore.

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10657;~8 , Table l l. Composition of Metallic Powders Elements I Contents _ _ percent (%) by weight¦
Iron powder 65 to 80 Aluminum powder 5 to 8 Ferro-silicon powder 5 to 8 Silicon powder 3 to 6 Graphite 8 to ll Bentonite 0 to 5 2. Composition of Oxidation Promotors ___ _._ . ... .. _.. .... .~
Elements Contents _ __percent (%) by weight Humidified activated charcoal : powder 52 to 55 Fabric powder 10 to 12 Chaffed charcoal powder 7 to 9 Zeolite 7 to 9 Bentonite 0 to 9 Other oxidation promotors 9 to 12 , .-As seen from the above table, the principal elements of ... ..
the two compositions are iron powder and humidified activated charcoal powder, respectively. In the composition of the metal powders, on one hand, aluminum powder and ferro-silicon powder can promote the heat generation of the iron powder.
Silicon powder and graphite prevent the surface oxidation of the iron powder. Because of its good base changeability, ~ bentonite has a good effect on preventing the surface oxidation ; 30 of the iron powder particularly through the period of time during which they are not used. In the oxidation promotors, on the other hand, chaffed charcoal powder and zeolite have the ::
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10~5728 effect of absorbing and holding the moisture which evaporates from the activated charcoal powder which become humidified during the heat generation of the metallic powders. This has a favorable effect on lengthening the life of the heat generating capabilities. Because of its swelling character, bentonite promotes the moisture holding function of the powdered fabrics, etc., and also has the effect of gradually humidifying the activated charcoal powders. Other elements which promote the oxidation of the metallic powders include sodium chloride (known as common salt), ferric chloride and copper chloride, for example, which are dissolved in the moisture which humidifies 7 the activated charcoal powders.
The total amount of the two compositions present in the bag 2 or 2a is preferably about 5 to about 50% of the capacity of the bag 2 or 2a so that an appropriate amount of room can be provided for accommodating these two compositions inside the bag 2 or 2a, the reason for which will be clarified later. This room provides a space in which the moisture from the oxidation promotors can be held, thus enhancing the water-holding function of the powdered fabrics, etc. referre~ to ! earlier, and preventing the oxidation promotors from becoming dry.
The relationship between the total amount of the two compositions ~
of the heat-generating elements and the capacity of the bag 2 -~ or 2a is now considered: if the former is less than 5% with `, respect to the latter, the elements will produce only a small ~ amount of heat, as compared with considerable amounts of the ;~' thermal loss from the surface of the bag 2 or 2a, and insufficient- -ly low temperatures of heating will occur; and if the amount of the elements is more than 50%, the movement of the elements c 30 within the bag 2 or 2a will be restricted when the bag 2 or 2a ~-is subjected to the swinging or shaking forces, and the resulting mixtures will become non-uniform which limits the heating to ~- . . . . .

,- ,: : - , ~ , , - , ,: . ' . . , ~06Si"~8 very low temperatures. As easily understood from the above observation, therefore, the range of between 5% and 50% of the compositions is preferable. As an element of the oxidation promotors, the cupped forms of chaffed charcoal powders having rugged surfaces, and therefore have a good effect on holding the moisture from the activated charcoal powders.
: If proper amounts of smelling or deodorizing substances or volatile elements such as disinfectants, insecticides or insect powders are added to the metallic powders, the heat generator can provide an emission of fragrant smells, or serve for deodorizing, disinfecting, etc., the neighboring area of the location where it is applied.
The packaged heat generator described heretofore consists essentially of three bags, the innermost bag containing a composition of powdered metals, the intermediate bag containing the innermost bag and a composition of oxidation promotors in an ~ J '' isolated relation before use, and the outermost bag containing the two aforementioned bags. The heat generator provides the following advantages. As the metallic powders are enclosed in the innermost bag constructed to prevent the surface oxidation of the metallic powders therein, they can remain unaffected -during a very long period of time, and for all that, they can ;
still provide different temperatures of heating as desired.
Because of its own construction or by means of using one or more ; separate sheets of adhesive sealing material, the intermediate bag can be made to provide different temperatures of heating which depend on the purpose for which it is used. Furthermore, the outermost bag, openably fastened, enables the heater to be used as many times as possible, as the heating can be discontinued by again enclosing the intermediate bag in the -outermost bag and resumed at any desired time.

Claims (14)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A packaged heat generator for warming objects, said heat generator comprising heat generating material; first enclosing means of air-impermeable material surrounding said head generating material for containing said heat generating material therein;
second enclosing means of air-impermeable material surrounding said first enclosing means for containing said first enclosing means therein, said second enclosing means having air passage means therethrough for allowing air to enter into said second enclosing means; oxidation promotion material within said second enclosing means and outside of said first enclosing means; and third enclosing means of air impermeable material surrounding said second enclosing means for removably containing said second enclosing means therein, said third enclosing means being openable and recloseable at one end.

2. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second enclosing means is folded into two portions along a fold line inside said third enclosing means, said first enclosing means being on one side of said fold line and said oxidation promotion material being on the other side of said fold line, whereby said heat generating material is securely kept away from said oxidation promotion material.

3. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air passage means is comprised of a channel extending longitudin-ally along one side of said second enclosing means; and a strip of air-permeable material beneath and lining said channel.

4. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second enclosing means is comprised of two laminated sheet materials, one being air-permeable, and the other being air-impermeable with a plurality of air holes therethrough.

5. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second enclosing means is comprised of a generally cylindrical air-impermeable base material having on one side thereof a plurality of air holes; and a coating of air-permeable and heat insulating material applied over said side of said air-impermeable base material having said holes therein.

6. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat generating material is a mixture of powdered metals selected from the group consisting of powdered iron; powdered aluminum;
powdered ferro-silicon; powdered silicon; and graphite.

7. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat generating material is a mixture of powdered metals selected from the group consisting of powdered iron; powdered aluminum;
powdered ferro-silicon; powdered silicon; graphite; and bentonite.

8. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oxidation promoting material is a mixture of materials selected from the group consisting of humidified activated charcoal powders;
powdered fabrics; chaffed charcoal powders; and zeolite.

9. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oxidation promoting material is comprised of a mixture of materials selected from the group consisting of humidified activated charcoal powders; powdered fabrics; chaffed charcoal powders; zeolite; and bentonite.

10. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first enclosing means is open at one end thereof and is expandably folded closed, and the other end thereof is heat related to said second enclosing means.

11. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first enclosing means is adapted to collapse by application of pressure, bending or gentle impact.

12. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amounts of said heat generating material and said oxidation promot-ing material require substantially 5% to 50% of the capacity of said second enclosing means.

13. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, in said first enclosing means, materials selected from the group consisting of fragrant smelling substances;
deodorant substances; insecticides, and insect repellent substances.

14. A heat generator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second enclosing means is comprised of air-permeable material of a generally cylindrical form; and synthetic resin material attached by means of a heat-fusion to at least a portion of said air-permeable material whereby portions of said air-permeable material are impermeable to air.