Multi-seamed self-contained personal warming apparatus and method of warming

Abstract

Self-contained disposable single-use heat generating apparatuses and methods for providing heat are disclosed. One exemplary apparatus includes a heat generating pack having a first bag layer defined by a first surface area bonded to a second bag layer defined by a second surface area and creating multiple pouches therebetween. A heat generating agent is disposed within the pouches and adapted to consume air at a predetermined consumption rate in an exothermic reaction. At least a portion of one of the first surface area and the second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area having a predetermined airflow rate such that the heat generating agent remains substantially evenly distributed within the pouches.

1 . A self-contained, disposable, single-use heat generating apparatus, comprising: 
 a heat generating pack comprising: 
 a first bag layer having a first surface area;  
 a second bag layer having a second surface area, said second bag layer being fixed to said first bag layer, such that said first bag layer and said second bag layer defining a plurality of pouches therebetween;  
 a heat generating agent disposed in the pouches, said heat generating agent arranged and configured to consume air at a predetermined air consumption rate in an exothermic reaction; and  
 at least one of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area having a predetermined airflow rate at which air is introduced to said heat generating agent, said predetermined airflow rate being arranged and configured to be less than said predetermined air consumption rate such that said heat generating agent remains substantially evenly distributed within said pouch.  
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first bag layer is defined by a set of dimensions substantially corresponding to a set of dimensions defining said second bag layer.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first bag layer and said second bag layer comprises a microporous material.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said microporous material comprises a fabric having a plurality of fibers forming an inter-locking web, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of fibers are bonded to each other.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area and the other of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air permeable surface area and the other of said first surface area and said second surface area comprises an air impermeable surface area.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said air impermeable surface area comprises a low coefficient of friction.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a protective package for receiving said heat generating pack, said protective package being air impermeable and retarding said exothermic reaction.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said protective package is hermetically sealed with said heat generating pack disposed therein.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pouches are formed from seams in the heat generating pack.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat generating agent disposed in each of the pouches is free-flowing prior to its consumption of air.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of heat generating pouches comprise a substantially constant thickness, whereby a substantially even heat profile is emitted across the surface area of the first bag layer and the second bag layer.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pouches are formed from pockets in the heat generating pack.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pouches includes a scented substance.  
   
   
       15 . A method for providing therapeutic heat, comprising the steps of: 
 containing a heat generating composition in a plurality of pouches in a self-contained heat generating pack, the composition having a predetermined air consumption rate;    introducing air to said heat generating composition at a predetermined airflow rate arranged and configured to be less than said air consumption rate such that said heat generating composition remains substantially evenly distributed within said heat generating pack; and    providing a low coefficient of friction.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of removing said self-contained heat generating pack from an air impermeable protective package.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the pouches in the heat generating pack by forming seams in the heat generating pack.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the pouches in the heat generating pack by forming seams in the heat generating pack, wherein the seams are formed by melting together two layers of material of the heat generating pack.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the pouches in the heat generating pack by forming seams in the heat generating pack, wherein the seams are formed by bonding two layers of material of the heat generating pack.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming the pouches in the heat generating pack by forming seams in the heat generating pack, wherein the seams are formed by sewing together two layers of material of the heat generating pack.