Hand Warming Device And Associated Methods

Abstract

A hand warmer device maintains hand warmth while not inhibiting dexterity in the wearer. The device includes a flexible sheet having an adhesive portion on an inner face thereof. The sheet is formed generally in the shape of a hand in two dimensions. Affixed to an outer face of the sheet is an activatable heating element containing a composition including materials the mixing of which causes an exothermic reaction. In use, a person can affix the sheet to a top of the hand by adhering the inner face thereto. The heating element can be activated by flexing the fingers, causing a mixing of the composition materials, and thereby the emission of heat. The heating device can thus keep the hand and fingers warm for some number of hours while leaving the palms and insides of the fingers free to perform a desired task.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hand warming device comprising:
 a. a flexible sheet attached to a dorsal side of a hand, where the flexible sheet includes an adhesive portion on an inner face thereof to secure the flexible sheet to the hand;   b. a removable protective cover sheet over the adhesive portion of the flexible sheet; and   c. a plurality of activateable heating element affixed to an outer face of the flexible sheet, where the plurality of activateable heating element includes a composition of materials that when mixed cause an exothermic reaction.   
     
     
         2 . The hand warming device according to  claim 1 , where the flexible sheet is shaped as a hand with five finger portions for placement over a user's fingers. 
     
     
         3 . The hand warming device according to  claim 1 , where the flexible sheet is made from a transparent plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The hand warming device according to  claim 1 , where the plurality of activateable heating element includes a rectangular element and five elongated heating elements, where the rectangular element is positioned over a user's back of the hand, and where the five elongated heating elements are positioned over each of the user's fingers. 
     
     
         5 . The hand warming device according to  claim 1 , where the plurality of activateable heating element includes a thin, liquid impervious envelope housing the composition of materials. 
     
     
         6 . A method of use for a hand warming device comprising the steps of:
 a. affixing a flexible sheet to a top of a hand by adhering an adhesive portion on an inner face of the flexible sheet to the top of the hand;   b. activating a plurality of heating elements attached to the flexible sheet by flexing the fingers;   c. mixing a composition of materials within the plurality of heating elements to cause an exothermic reaction; and   d. warming the hand and fingers while leaving the palm and underside of the fingers uncovered.   
     
     
         7 . The method of use for the hand warming device according to  claim 6  further comprising the steps of:
 a. warming the hand and fingers for a number of hours; and 
 b. performing a task while wearing the hand warming device.