Wipe Heating System

Abstract

The present invention is a pre-moistened wipe heating system capable of heating a number of pre-moistened wipes to a desired temperature. The system includes a package formed of a suitable moisture-impervious material within which a number of pre-moistened wipes are positioned. The system also includes a heating mechanism disposed in the package in contact with the wipes that has a chemical heating element, and an activation device selectively engagable with the heating element. The activation device is actuated to activate the heating element, which initiates an exothermic reaction. The heat from the reaction is transmitted from the element to and through the wipes as a result of the moisture held within the wipes and within the package in order to heat the wipes to a desired temperature while also allowing the package to be handled by an individual as the wipes are heated.

1 . A wipe heating system comprising:
 a) a moisture-impervious package adapted to hold a number or pre-moistened wipes therein; and   b) a heating mechanism disposed within the package, the heating mechanism including a chemical heating element and an activation device disposed adjacent the heating element and engageable with the heating element to initiate an exothermic reaction within the heating element.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the activation device includes at least one activation member. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the at least one activation member includes a pair of panels movably connected to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising a hinge interconnecting the pair of panels. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the hinge is integrally formed with each of the pair of panels. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the activation device is formed of a generally rigid material. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of stacks of pre-moistened wipes disposed within the package on opposite sides of the heating mechanism. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the wipes in each stack located closest to the heating mechanism are in thermal contact with the heating element. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein each of the wipes in the pair of stacks is positioned in thermal contact with the immediately adjacent wipes. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  comprising multiple chemical heating elements in the heating mechanism. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the number of wipes in each stack is selected to enable the pair of stacks of wipes to effectively dissipate the heat generated by the heating element throughout the pair of stacks. 
   
   
       12 . A wipe heating system comprising:
 a) a moisture-impervious package formed of a pair of thermoplastic sheets secured to one another to define an interior adapted to hold a number or pre-moistened wipes therein; and   b) a heating mechanism disposed within the interior of the package, the heating mechanism including a chemical heating element capable of initiating an exothermic reaction within the package.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  comprising multiple chemical heating elements in the heating mechanism. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising at least one wipe positioned on opposite sides of the heating element. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a pair of stacks of pre-moistened wipes disposed within the package on opposite sides of the heating mechanism, wherein the number of wipes in each stack is selected to enable the pair of stacks of wipes to effectively dissipate the heat generated by the heating element throughout the pair of stacks. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the number of wipes in each stack is selected to enable the pair of stacks of wipes to be generally evenly heated to a desired temperature. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the desired temperature is between about 104° F. and about 107° F. 
   
   
       18 . A method for heating a number of pre-moistened wipes to a desired temperature, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a wipe heating system comprising a moisture-impervious package adapted to hold a number or pre-moistened wipes therein, a heating mechanism disposed within the package, the heating mechanism including a chemical heating element capable of initiating an exothermic reaction within the packaging, and a number of pre-moistened wipes disposed within the package on opposite sides of the heating mechanism; and   b) activating the heating element.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of activating the heating element comprises engaging an activation device disposed within the package adjacent the heating element with the heating element to initiate an exothermic reaction within the heating element. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of dispensing the wipes from the package after activating the heating element.