EXOTHERMIC GLOVE INSERT

Abstract

An exothermic glove insert for warming fingertips. The thermal inserts are very thin, ergonomically designed heat packs for use on each individual finger or thumb. The inserts have a non-permeable membrane heat pack cover that allows specifically placed pin holes to produce heat according to a desired profile exactly where it needs to be provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand warmers, and more particularly to exothermic hand warmers applied to gloves, mittens, or other hand wear.

Existing exothermic warming products heat just the hand or heat in instances when used with mittens may heat the fingers together. Existing exothermic warming products are too bulky to be practical. Consequently, the user's fingers are not heated in a manner that allows the user individual finger dexterity.

As can be seen, there is a need for providing a thin, ergonomically designed heat packs to provide warmth for each individual finger and/or thumb.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a thermal insert for a glove, includes a sealed pouch formed of a non-permeable layer of material defining a cavity therein. The pouch may have a notch formed at an end distal from a rounded tip portion. An exothermic composition is contained within the cavity and a plurality of spaced apart holes are defined in the non-permeable layer. The exothermic composition may include a mixture of iron, millorganite, charcoal, salt and water. Preferably, the thermal insert is configured to conform to a posterior portion of a user's finger. In certain preferred embodiments, an apex of the notch is defined at a point that is distal to a second knuckle of the user's finger. The thermal insert has a width permitting the thermal insert to conform to an upper lateral portion of the user's finger. The non-permeable layer may be formed from a metalized polyethylene terephthalate film.

In other aspects of the invention, the thermal insert may also include a glove insert having a plurality of finger portions; and the thermal insert is applied to a posterior portion of one or more of the plurality of finger portions. The thermal insert may be applied with an adhesive. The thermal may also include an envelope formed of an air impermeable material and dimensioned to receive the glove insert. The envelope may be provided with a sealing closure operable to selectively open and close the envelope in a sealing engagement. In certain embodiments, a removable sealing film covers the plurality of spaced apart holes.

In other aspects of the invention an exothermic insert is configured to be received in a finger portion of a glove. The exothermic insert includes a sealed pouch formed of a non-permeable layer of material defining a cavity therein. The pouch is configured to conform to a posterior portion of a user's finger distal from a second knuckle thereof and has an exothermic composition contained within the cavity. A plurality of spaced apart holes are defined in the non-permeable layer. The pouch preferably has a rounded tip portion. More preferably, the pouch has a notch configured to permit movement of a user's finger about the second knuckle.

In certain embodiments, the insert includes a finger element configured to be received on a distal portion of the user's finger and an adhesive layer secures the insert to a posterior portion of the finger element. A removable sealing film may be applied to cover the plurality of spaced apart holes.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a glove with thermal inserts.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the glove and thermal inserts.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the thermal inserts.

FIG. 3B a perspective view of an embodiment of toe warming thermal insert.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a waterproof thermal insert.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sport glove and thermal insert.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the glove with thermal insert taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detail section view of thermal insert.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention, shown packaged in an envelope 24.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a glove with thermal inserts.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a glove with thermal inserts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an exothermic insert for keeping the digits of an extremity, such as the fingertips of a hand, warm. The article of the present invention warms cold fingers inside of a glove.

As seen in reference to the drawings, the present invention provides a glove liner that has a plurality of exothermic heat packs attached to the posterior or backside of each fingertip and thumb. Aspects of the present invention may also find applicability to thermal footwear, such as socks, to warm a user's toes. The exothermic heat packs utilized with the present invention produce heat when exposed to air. The glove liner with the activated heat packs may then placed inside of a conventional glove or a mitten.

A device according to the present invention heats only the finger tips or toe tips, is very thin, and transfers heat better. As seen in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a glove with thermal inserts 10 according to the present invention includes a glove 12, and a plurality of pouched thermal finger inserts, such as a finger pouch 14, a thumb pouch 16 and a pinky thermal pouch 18. The glove 12, or other extremity wear, such as a sock for footwear, provides an outer shell for receiving a plurality of pouched thermal inserts for one or more digits 28 of the extremity.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, the thermal inserts may include an exothermic material 20 contained within a non-permeable layer of material 14, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or foil to form heat pack. Preferably the non-permeable layer 14 is comprised of a flexible or formable material. A plurality of spaced apart pin holes 22 are defined in the non-permeable layer 14 so as to localize the dispersion of heat due to the exothermic reaction at locations conducive to heating the fingers 28 or toes, collectively digits. As such, the pin holes 22 in the non-permeable membrane 14 develop a customized heat profile and may be ergonomically designed specifically for the finger tips 28 (last two joints). The ergonomic design may include a notch 23 formed in the insert distal from a tip portion 25 of the insert.

As seen in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the non-permeable membrane 14 of the thermal insert may be filled with an exothermic material 20, such as a mixture of iron, millorganite, charcoal, salt and water, which is sealed within the insert to prevent activation of the exothermic reaction. In some embodiments of the invention the heat pack may further include baffles positioned within the insert, the baffles may be made of a high density foam material. The baffles, when included are used to maintain a uniform thickness of the thermal insert 14.

As seen in reference to the drawings the thermal packet is defined by a pouch that is shaped to have a rounded fingertip portion 25, a linear central portion, and a pair of extending flanges forming a V or U-shaped notch 23 at an interior portion opposite the fingertip portion 25. The pouch 14 is filled with the exothermic powder 20 and trimmed to become the heart insert. A plurality of pinholes 22 are then strategically placed in the heat insert.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the V or U-shaped notch 23 is dimensioned so as to permit the thermal packet 14, 16, 18 to wrap around the forward portion of the user's digits 28. In a preferred embodiment the length of the pouch extends so that the apex of the notch is positioned proximal to the beginning of the second joint of the user's digit to permit flexing of the respective digit. The width of the pouch 14 is dimensioned to wrap around the posterior and the upper lateral aspects of a user's finger 28.

As shown in FIG. 6, the thermal inserts 14 may be attached to the fingertip portions of an inner glove liner 13 with any suitable adhesive, such as a double sided tape. Inner liner 13 may be made of any suitable material, such as nylon, cotton or the like. The inner liner 13, with attached heat insert elements 14 may then be packaged in a sealed envelope or wrapper 24, more preferably one that is vacuum packed, so as to arrest the exothermic reaction. Alternatively, the pinholes 22 may be sealed with a removable tape layer so that the user can open the pin holes 22 and activate the thermal inserts 14 before placing the liner 13 or thermal inserts 14 into a glove or mitten.

In further reference to FIG. 6, the liner 13 with thermal inserts 14, 16, 18, may be packaged and sealed as a unit within an air impermeable envelope 24 that may be placed over the assembly and packaged with a seal 26 so as to preserve the exothermic reaction for later activation to warm the user's fingertips 28 when needed. The re-sealable envelope may be vacuum sealed and contain an oxygen absorber and a moisture absorber to preserve thermal insert life. The outer shell layer 12 may be fabricated of nylon, cotton, wool, leather, or any material suitable for a glove or footwear.

In yet other embodiments, such as shown in reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the thermal insert 14 may be formed with a finger sleeve assembly 30 having a fabric fingertip cover 32. The sleeve assembly 30 may be placed on one or more of a user's fingers 28 or digits and then inserted into an outer glove 12. The insert 14 may be secured to an outer surface of the fingertip cover 32 via a suitable adhesive 27.

In use the assembly may be removed from the sealed package 24 and slid over the user's hand. The hand with the assembly may then be placed into any glove, if not already provided with the assembly. As will be appreciated, the pinholes 22 in the thermal insert 14 release heat when exposed to air. The placement of the holes 22 controls where and when he heat is released over the back of the finger 28 from approximately the nail to the second knuckle. Representative patterns for the pin holes 22 as shown in reference to FIGS. 3A-3D. As seen in 3A, the length and width of the inserts 14, 16, and 18 are dimensioned for a user's fingers 28. FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment for use as a footwear insert for user's toes, having a shorter longitudinal dimension than that for the fingers. In FIG. 3C a waterproof insert has an outer layer 36 that is impermeable to water. In FIG. 3D, the insert 38 is dimensioned for utilization in a sport glove. This embodiment will have a narrower profile due to the requirement for greater dexterity in the user's finger 28.

As explained above, the outer glove liner 13 is optional for most gloves but it is desirable if placed into tight gloves. The compartments of the thermal inserts (whether sealed in or baffles are used) are not required for all applications. The use of baffles or compartments may or may not be necessary as they are primarily are used to maintain a uniform thickness of the thermal insert.

Additionally: This thin, directed and uniform heat insert technology can used in any application where heat is required only in a specific area. One such use could be on toes, ears, around eyes or any other part of the body.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A thermal insert for a glove, comprising: a sealed pouch formed of a non-permeable layer of material defining a cavity therein, the pouch having a notch formed at an end distal from a rounded tip portion;an exothermic composition contained within the cavity;a plurality of spaced apart holes defined in the non-permeable layer.

2. The glove insert of claim 1, wherein the exothermic composition comprises: iron, millorganite, charcoal, salt and water.

3. The glove insert of claim 1, wherein the thermal insert is configured to conform to a posterior portion of a user's finger.

4. The glove insert of claim 3, wherein an apex of the notch is defined at a point that is distal to a second knuckle of the user's finger.

5. The glove insert of claim 4, wherein the thermal insert has a width permitting the thermal insert to conform to an upper lateral portion of the user's finger.

6. The thermal insert of claim 1, wherein the non-permeable layer is formed from a polyethylene terephthalate film.

7. The thermal insert of claim 5, further comprising: a glove insert having a plurality of finger portions; andthe thermal insert is applied to a posterior portion of one or more of the plurality of finger portions.

8. The thermal insert of claim 7, wherein the thermal insert is applied with an adhesive.

9. The thermal insert of claim 7, further comprising: a vacuum sealed envelope formed of an air impermeable material and dimensioned to receive the glove insert.

10. The thermal insert of claim 9, wherein the envelope further comprises: a sealing closure operable to selectively open and close the envelope in a sealing engagement.

11. The thermal insert of claim 9, wherein the envelope further comprises: an oxygen absorber and a moisture absorber.

12. The thermal insert of claim 6, further comprising: a removable sealing film covering the plurality of spaced apart holes.

13. An exothermic insert configured to be received in a finger portion of a glove, comprising: a sealed pouch formed of a non-permeable layer of material defining a cavity therein, the pouch configured to conform to a posterior portion of a user's finger distal from a second knuckle thereof;an exothermic composition contained within the cavity;a plurality of spaced apart holes defined in the non-permeable layer.

14. The insert of claim 13, wherein the pouch has a rounded tip portion.

15. The insert of claim 14, wherein the pouch has a notch configured to permit movement of a user's finger about the second knuckle.

16. The insert of claim 13, further comprising: a finger element configured to be received on a distal portion of the user's finger; andan adhesive layer securing the insert to a posterior portion of the finger element.

17. The insert of claim 13, further comprising: a removable sealing film covering the plurality of spaced apart holes.