Self-heated or self-cooled towel

Abstract

A self-heating or self-cooling towel is disclosed that includes a moistened cloth material surrounding and attached to a flexible reaction vessel which comprises two compartments containing reactants which are separated by a frangible seal. Manipulating the disclosed towel ruptures the frangible seal, joining the compartments and mixing the reactants, and causing an exothermic or endothermic reaction. The reaction heats or cools the moistened cloth-like outer material and keeps it at an elevated or depressed temperature for a period of time, during which the towel article may be used for various personal care, cleaning, medical, therapeutic, and other purposes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A towel comprising:
 a flexible reaction vessel, wherein the reaction vessel includes a first compartment containing a first reactant and a second compartment containing a second reactant;   a frangible seal separating the first compartment and the second compartment; and   a cloth at least partially attached to the towel and at least partially forming an outer surface of the towel.   
     
     
         2 . A towel according to  claim 1  wherein the cloth comprises a liquid solution. 
     
     
         3 . A towel according to  claim 2 , wherein mechanically manipulating the towel breaks the frangible seal, joins the first compartment and the second compartment into a combined compartment, and allows the first reactant and the second reactant to mix and form a reaction mixture, thereby releasing or absorbing heat and changing the temperature of the cloth material and the liquid solution. 
     
     
         4 . A towel according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of compartments and a plurality of frangible seals. 
     
     
         5 . A towel according to  claim 4 , wherein at least two of the plurality of compartments can be joined by rupturing at least one of the plurality of frangible seals. 
     
     
         6 . A towel according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible reaction vessel is impermeable to the first reactant and the second reactant. 
     
     
         7 . A towel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first reactant comprises water and the second reactant comprises an inorganic salt. 
     
     
         8 . A towel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first reactant comprises water and the second reactant comprises urea. 
     
     
         9 . A towel according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more seals are made by ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         10 . A towel according to  claim 1 , wherein the cloth comprises a non-woven. 
     
     
         11 . A towel according to  claim 1 , comprising a phase change material. 
     
     
         12 . A towel according to  claim 2 , wherein the liquid solution is selected from a cleaning solution, a detergent solution, a cosmetic ingredient, a drug, and a medical product. 
     
     
         13 . A towel according to  claim 1 , wherein the cloth comprises a mechanical attachment. 
     
     
         14 . A towel according to  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical attachment is selected from hook-and-loop, straps, strings, and adhesives. 
     
     
         15 . A towel according to  claim 12 , wherein the liquid solution comprises an antiseptic. 
     
     
         16 . A towel according to  claim 1 , comprising a fold along the frangible seal, and further comprising an exterior envelop that contains the towel. 
     
     
         17 . A towel according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more reactants comprises a color. 
     
     
         18 . A towel comprising:
 a flexible reaction vessel, wherein the reaction vessel includes a first compartment containing a first reactant and a second compartment containing a second reactant;   a frangible seal separating the first component and the second component; and   a cloth at least partially attached to the reaction vessel and at least partially forming an outer surface of the towel,   wherein the first reactant and the second reactant mix and comprise enzymes.   
     
     
         19 . A towel according to  claim 18 , wherein the microorganisms biodegrade at least a portion of the towel. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using a towel comprising
 providing a towel that includes
 a flexible reaction vessel, wherein the reaction vessel includes a first compartment containing a first reactant and a second compartment containing a second reactant; 
 a frangible seal separating the first compartment and the second compartment; and 
 a cloth at least partially attached to the reaction vessel and at least partially forming an outer surface of the towel; 
   breaking the frangible seal; and   mixing the first reactant and the second reactant to form a reaction mixture,
 wherein the reaction mixture causes the temperature of the towel to change.