BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of body heating garments have been previously proposed but they suffer from numerous short¬ comings. It is a general objective of the present inven¬ tion to provide a garment for holding one or more air- activated chemical heat-producing packets next to the body at specific locations to provide the user with the desired warmth while also providing comfort for the user so that even when the heating packet becomes fairly hot, the user will still remain comfortable. A further object is to provide a garment that will hold an air-activated chemical heating packet close to the body while a person is engaged in physical activity such as hunting, skiing or working, and to achieve efficient heating of the body without producing a feeling of discomfort or a burning sensation throughout a wide range of activities and body movements while allowing the heating packets to be moved or removed and replaced as required. A further object is to make provision for the piece of cloth between the body and the heating packet to act as a physical diffusing and heat modulating layer to prevent overheating or a sensation of burning by allowing heat to be transferred to the body in a comfortable manner. A further object is to provide a

garment that provides warmth and comfort for the user even after the heating packet is used up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While in the past particular emphasis has been given to warming the body extremities, particularly the hands and feet, the present invention is directed especially toward the provision of an effective means for trans¬ ferring heat from an air-activated chemical heating packet directly to the body core by heating the head, neck or torso. In accordance with the present invention, a garment is provided for heating the body by applying heat to any of the neck, head or torso or combination thereof by means of one or more air-activated chemical heating packets. The garment comprises a garment article formed from cloth. The garment is flexible, preferably soft and sufficiently supple to conform to the body contours during use. The garment includes two layers of cloth lying adjacent to one another. A pouch is provided between these layers of cloth for holding the air-activated chemical heat-producing packet. One of the layers of cloth is positioned between the body and the packet. The garment is constructed and arranged to hold the pouch adjacent to the body so that the pouch is in heat- conductive relationship with the body for transferring heat from the packet to the body, whereby the heat so

transferred to the skin can be distributed throughout the entire body, including the extremities, by the circulation of blood through the body.

The invention has several forms. In one form, the garment comprises a vest-like garment with one or more pouches positioned to hold the packets in heat conductive relationship with the heart/lungs and abdomen. In another form of the invention, the garment comprises a strip or wrap that encircles the head or neck. The wrap also includes a pouch for holding the air-activated heating packet in heat conductive relationship with the neck or with the head. An opening, e.g., a slit, is provided in the garment for inserting and removing the heating packet from the pouch. In a preferred form of the invention, the garment includes a layer of cloth as a wall of the pouch. This layer of cloth is placed between the heating packet and the body and is formed from a soft, high pile fabric for diffusing and modulating the heat as it is transferred from the packet to the body.

When the garment comprises a neck wrap or scarf, the neck wrap has a specifically designed pouch that allows

the user to shift t _h e heating packet so as to position the heating packet in a desired location where heat can be efficiently transferred to the body, especially in locations on the body where there is good blood circula- tion that will efficiently transfer heat to the core of the body and thereby help to prevent discomfort due to a general cooling of the body, i.e., hypothermia. In one form of the invention, heat is transferred to the neck, especially at the back of the neck adjacent to the cer- vical vertebra to make use of blood circulation through the neck, especially via the carotid artery to carry heat to the body.

In other forms of the invention, the heating packet is positioned to efficiently transfer heat to the body in the heart/lung area, i.e., the chest and upper abdomen to warm the center, i.e., the core of the body from which it is carried to the extremities by circulation of the blood.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures.

THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a perspective left side view of two forms of the invention comprising a heated vest and heated neck wrap; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of Figure 1 ^;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the heated vest illus ^¬ trated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 3A is a partial perspective view of the inside of the front panel of another form of vest ^;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a neck wrap in accordance with one form of the invention as it appears when laid flat;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the neck wrap of Figure 4 as it appears when being readied for use;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of another form of neck wrap as seen before being placed about the neck;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a heated headband in accordance with the invention; Figure 6A is a partial perspective view of a modi ^¬ fied form of the headband;

Figure 7 is a partial front elevational view of a jacket embodying the invention;

Figure 7A is a partial perspective view of the collar of the jacket of Figure 7 showing alternate heater positions;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the center portion of the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another form of headband in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Refer now to Figures 1-3 which illustrate two forms of the invention: a heated vest 10 and a neck wrap 12

which for convenience have been shown in the same illus ^¬ tration ₍ Figs. 1 and 2) but which in practice can be used separately or, if desired, together as illustrated. The heated vest 10 will be described first with reference to Figures 1-3.

In this embodiment, the fabric is cut to form two generally rectangular panels including a generally rec ^¬ tangular front panel 14 and a generally rectangular back panel 16 which are sewn together at 18 and 20 to form shoulder sections on either side of a cutout opening 22 for the head that can measure about 8 inches by 10 inches. The fabric panels together form a vest 10. The edges of the vest 10 can be hemmed at 24. To hold the vest 10 firmly and securely against the body, the back panel 16 is provided with four stracs 26. The straps 26 and corresponding aligned portions of the front panel 14 are provided with fasteners, e.g., mating hook-and-loop fasteners such as _V elcro® fastening strips 28, for holding the vest 10 close to the body. Other retaining means can be used in place of the straps 28 for holding the vest 10 firmly against the body. Examples are elastic panels, elastic bands or the provision of a snug fit, in which case the vest 10 is made to pull down over the head and body. In that form of the invention, the means for holding the heated pouch firmly against the body comprises sizing the vest 10 so that it fits snugly but comfortably about the torso. This can be accom ^¬ plished by furnishing the vest 10 in many different sizes corresponding, for example, to shirt sizes and also pre-

ferably by providing the vest 10 with sufficient elas ^¬ ticity, e.g., by forming it either partially or completely from an elastic fabric so that it conforms to the body contours with at least one heated pouch in close proxi- mity to the skin. It is preferred, however, to provide adjustable straps 26 and fasteners 28 such as Velcro ^® as shown so that only one or two vest sizes will accommodate most individuals and maintain each of the pouches in heat conductive relationship with the body. On the front panel 14 of the vest 10 are provided two centrally located, vertically aligned pouches 30 and 32, one positioned above the other and each adapted to receive one air-activated flexible chemical heating packet 34 ₍ Fig. 3). It will be seen in Figure 2 that the upper heating packet 34 contained in pouch 30 is posi ^¬ tioned adjacent to the core portion of the body where the heart H and lungs L are located. The packet 34 contained in the pouch 32 is located adjacent to and in heat con ^¬ ductive relationship with the abdomen and particularly the upper portion of the abdomen for conducting heat to the torso. Heat conducted to the core portion of the body in this manner will be distributed throughout the body including the extremities through the circulation of blood. Each of the pouches 30, 32 has an upper open slit ^¬ like opening 36 which is held shut after the packet 34 has been inserted by means of mating hook-and-loop faste ^¬ ners such as Velcro® fasteners 38. Each of the pouches 30, 32 is formed by providing a rectangular patch of

cloth that forms a cloth layer 40 which is held in place on the inside of the panel 14 by sewing at 41 along its side and bottom edges.

The back panel 16 of the vest 10 includes a back heating pouch 42 formed by a rectangular piece of fabric 44 which is held in place by means of sewing 46 along the side and bottom edges so as to leave a slit-like upper opening 48 which is sealed after a heating packet 50 is placed in the pouch 42 by means of a suitable fastener such as mating hook-and-loop fastener strips 52.

The pouches 30 and 32 can be about 6 inches wide and 5 inches high for holding a disposable heating packet 34 that is about 4 inches wide by 3 inches high. The pouch 42 can be of a larger size, for example 9 inches high by 11 wide for holding a commercially available disposable air-activated flexible heating packet 34 that is 8 inches wide and 10 inches high.

We have found that the heat requirement varies widely for different individuals under a variety of con- ditions. The present invention is nevertheless highly effective in providing different amounts of heat to any of several parts of the body. If one is chopping wood, for example, the requirement for heat may be relatively small and in which event it may be desirable to place only one of the smaller packets 34 in one of pouches 30 or 32. Heat is probably carried to the extremities faster from the pouch 30 than the pouch 32 because of the greater vascularization of the upper portion of the thorax and the proximity of the heart and lungs to the

pouch. If the individual is doing less work or if the weather is more severe, the body tends to cool off more rapidly. In such a case, the user can place an addi ^¬ tional heating packet 34 in the pouch 32 so that both the upper and lower pouches 30, 32 are heated. However, if it is desired to provide heat further down on the thorax, a packet 34 can be placed only in the lower pouch 32. If the weather becomes colder, a larger sized heating packet 50 can be placed in the rear pouch 42. The heating pouches 30, 32, 42 can be used in any combination or all can be used simultaneously to provide the greatest amount of heat to the core of the body. If less heat is desired, the straps 26 can be loosened to allow the pouches 30, 32, 42 to be spaced somewhat further away from the skin and thereby reduce the amount of heat con ^¬ ducted to the body. If desired, the packets 34, 50 can be removed altogether but the vest 10 will still keep the user warm because of its insulating properties.

Refer now to Figures 9 and 10. It is preferred that the entire vest 10, including panels 14, 16 and the patches which make up layer 40 that form the pouches 30, 32 and the patch 44 that defines the pouch 42 all be formed from a soft, high pile cloth that is porous and has good air trapping qualities. By the term "high pile" is meant a fabric that has a woven or knitted base 60

₍ Fig. 10 ₎ with fibers 62 that extend outwardly therefrom so that the cloth has an overall thickness of at least about 1.5 mm and most preferably about 2.0 mm to about 5.0 mm. It is especially preferred to use a soft cloth

such as a fluffy, fleece-like cloth which typically has a thickness of about 4.0 mm. Another suitable cloth is a knitted cloth such as a knitted wool, Orion or ^p olyester cloth. If a fluffy fleece-like cloth is used, one suit- able cloth is a poly/acrylic fleece or a poly/cotton fleece cloth such as that distributed by Menra Mills Corporation, Rutherford, NJ or Dyersberg Fabrics, Inc., New York, NY. It has been found that if a high pile cloth is used as described herein for the layer 40 between the body 43 and the heating packet 34, the high pile layer 40 will serve to control heat distribution by acting as a means for modulating or diffusing the heat supplied by the packet 34, thereby distributing the heat more evenly and gently to the body 43. By contrast, if a thin cloth such as ordinary cotton broadcloth of the type used in a cotton bedsheet is employed, the heat will usually be distributed so rapidly as to cause overheating of the skin and discomfort for the user. However, if a high pile cloth is employed, and most preferably a fluffy fleece-like cloth is used as described herein, the heat will be diffused and distributed in a controlled way, thereby modulating the distribution of the heat to the body and assuring comfort for the user. In Figure 10, numeral 45 designates an article of clothing such as a shirt between the fabric layer 40 and the body 43.

The provision of a plurality of pockets in different locations serves as a means for shifting the heat- producing packet 34 from one location to another to achieve the desired heating effect for maximizing user

comfort. In this way the vest 10 provides heat to the body in a convenient, comfortable and efficient way through the use of heat-producing packets 34 held in selected locations, all in heat conductive relationship with the body. The straps 26 and fasteners 28 are highly effective in holding the vest 10 in place and tightening the sides of the vest 10 to maintain the pouches 30, 32 and 42 close to the body. In addition, the vest 10 pro¬ vides heat to specific areas of the body for heating the body core without providing excess heat, discomfort or a burning sensation. The invention also enables the heating packets to be quickly, easily and conveniently removed and replaced whenever desired. This is important since the heating packets will usually produce heat for only about 18 hours. If desired, by reversing the front and back panels 14, 16 of the vest 10 on the body, the posi¬ tions of the large and the small pouches can be changed so that the large pouch 42 rests against the chest and upper portion of the abdomen and the two smaller pouches 30, 32 rest against the back of the body.

It will be noticed that the preferred vest design illustrated is substantially different from an ordinary vest which opens in front, typically by means of a row of buttons. By contrast, the present invention provides a vest 10 with solid front and back panels 14, 16 which support the heat-producing pouches against the center of the chest and back. The head opening 22 can be about 8 inches wide and about 10 inches long.

The vest 10 is formed so that even without the heat- producing packets 34 or 50 it will provide warmth for the user, thereby enhancing user comfort with or without the heater packets 34 or 50. In this way the invention pro- vides a form-fitting vest 10 that permits direct contact of each of the heating pouches 30, 32, 42 containing the heating packets 34 or 50 with the outer surface of clothing such as a shirt, i.e., with the body, to make effective use of the heat producing packets 34 and 50 without causing discomfort.

Refer now to Figure 3A which illustrates a modified form of the invention. In this form of the invention at least the front panel 14 of the vest 10, which in this view is seen from the inside, is composed of superimposed inner and outer layers of cloth 60 and 62, respectively. The inner layer 60 is preferably composed of a soft, high pile fabric such as a polyester acrylic fleece to give it a soft, fluffy feeling and to provide an air trapping capability, especially by trapping air between a large number of closely spaced minute fibers which extend from the center of the layer of cloth outwardly toward its surface. One suitable woven fleece-like fabric has an overall thickness of about 4.0 mm. The outer layer 62 is a different material, in this case a relatively thin, tightly-woven cloth such as nylon or polyester cloth with no pile. One suitable cloth is a lightweight nylon cloth of the type used in a parachute or windbreaker. The back panel 16 (not shown in this view ⁾ is similarly formed with a tightly woven outer cloth layer 62.

The cloth layers 60, 62 are held together along their edges by means of a hem 64, only a part of which is shown. The inner fleece layer 60 is provided with two vertically spaced apart, horizontally extending slits 66 and 68 that define the opening of pouches 70 and 72 formed by two ^U - shaped lines of stitching 74 and 76 between layers 60 and 62. Horizontal lines of stitching 78 and 80 above the slits 66 and 68 complete the pouches which during use are filled with flexible, air-activated chemical heating packets 82. The heating packets 82 can be used either singly to provide heat to the desired part of the torso or together under colder conditions to provide heat to both upper and lower portions of the abdomen. ^A single heating packet 82 can be used in either the top pouch 70 or the bottom pouch 72 as desired. The provi ^¬ sion of a plurality of pouches serves as a means for allowing the heat producing packets 82- to be shifted from one position to another in the garment for deli ^¬ vering heat to different parts of the body and thereby provide optimum comfort for the user.

Refer now to Figures 4 and 4A which illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In this case the

(also shown at 12 in Figs. 1 & 2 ⁾ garments in t _h e rorm ot a nec wrap or scarf 90 wh ⁱ ch consists of a pair of elongated strips of cloth 92 and 94 sewn together along parallel longitudinally extending edges 96 and 98. It can be seen from Figure 4 which illustrates the pattern of the neck wrap 90 that the strips 92, 94 are curved somewhat. One end of the neck wrap 90 is sewn shut at 100 while the other end 102 is

left unsewn to provide an opening 104 for the insertion of a chemical heating packet 106 of the type already described. The opening 104 is about 2. inches long to allow insertion of a heat producing packet 106 that is about 2 inches wide by 3 inches long.

The ends of the neck wrap 90 are provided with suitable releasable fastening means such as mating hook- and-loop (Velcro®) strips 108 and 110 on upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the neck wrap 90. In this way, the neck wrap 90 is provided with a flattened elongated interior pouch 112 that allows the heat generating packet 106 to be shifted to the left or right as desired to provide heat to whatever part of the neck is desired. If desired, two or more heating packets 106 can be placed in the neck wrap 90 and each shifted from side to side to provide heat to whatever part of the neck is desired. During use the Velcro ^® fasteners 108, 110 are joined together and placed most conveniently just above the sternum as shown in Figures 1 and 2 so as to hold the neck wrap 90 securely and snuggly around the neck. The heat transferred to the core of the body in this manner will be carried throughout the body by the circulation of blood, particularly in this case by the carotid artery passing through the neck. The elongated shape of the pouch 112 serves as a means for shifting the heat producing packets 106 within the garment to different ferent positions in heat transfer relationship with dif¬ ferent parts of the body for delivering heat so as to provide optimum heating and comfort for the user.

Refer now to Figure 5 which illustrates a different form of neck wrap wherein the same numerals refer to corresponding parts already described in Figures 4 and 4 _A . Positioned just centrally of the Velcro ^® fasteners 108 and 110 in this embodiment are transverse rows of stitches 118 and 120 which define the ends of the pouch 112. The stitches 118 and 120 prevent the heating packets 106 from being shifted into either end of the neck wrap 116 adjacent to the Velcro ^® fasteners 108 and 110. One or more flexible heating packets 106 are inserted into the neck wrap 116 through a longitudinally extending opening or slit 122 which can be about 2 inches long and may simply comprise an interruption in the seam 96. The neck wrap 116 can be about 34 inches long and 3 inches wide, permitting as many as several heat producing packets 106 measuring 2 inches by 3 inches to be inserted and positioned at various locations around the entire circumference of the neck. This places the packets 106 in heat conductive relationship with the body for trans ^¬ ferring heat efficiently to the body core. The slit 122 can be positioned approximately intermediate the ends of the neck wrap 116.

It is preferred that the outer and inner fabric strips 92, 94 comprise a soft, flexible and comfortable fabric such as a fluffy fleece-like cloth. One preferred fabric is a poly/acrylic fleece-like fabric or a poly/cotton fleece-like fabric of the type described _. above in connection with the vest 10 of Figures 1-3A.

The neck wraps 90, 116 provide extra warmth when the heat producing packet 106 is used, but even without the packets 106 continue to protect the neck from cold and thereby provide additional warmth after the heating packet 106 has been used up.

Another garment embodying the invention is shown in Figure 6 and in a modified in Figure 6A. In this case the garment indicated at 130 comprises a headband com¬ posed of inner and outer fabric strips 132, 134 which are joined together along aligned edges by means of upper and lower seams 136, 138. The headband 130 is most pre¬ ferably composed of a fabric known in the art as stretch fleece. The upper seam 136 has an opening 140 in the form of an elongated slot for inserting and removing air- activated chemical heating packets indicated at 106 of the same type already described from a pouch 142 located between strips 132 and 134. The invention has the advan¬ tage that the packets 106 can be shifted from left to right as desired within the elongated annular pouch 142 between the inner and outer fabric strips 132, 134 to thereby position one or several heating packets 106 to whatever position is desired by the user to provide effi¬ cient heat transfer to the body core while providing the greatest possible comfort. The ends of the strips 132, 134 are stitched together by means of a transverse seam 145.

The cloth strips 132, 134 are preferably composed of a high pile cloth as described above or, if desired, a knitted cloth such as a high pile knitted wool or Orion

cloth, preferably with a fuzzy, fleece-like surface tex ^¬ ture to provide a great deal of comfort and warmth for the user even after the packets 106 have become inactive. _M oreover, the dead air spaces within the high pile fabric of the inner strip 134 will serve to diffuse the heat and thereby modulate the transfer of heat from the packets 106 to the body in such a way as to keep the body warm while preventing overheating of the skin or a burning sensation which is, of course, unacceptable.

It has been found that because of the friction between the pouch 142 and the packets 106, and because adjacent layers of the pouch 142 are ordinarily in con ^¬ tact with one another, the heating packet 106 will almost never move from the desired position in the pouch 142. Refer now to the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 6 _A wherein the same numerals refer to the same parts already described. In this embodiment the ends of the headband 130 are not connected together by the seam 143. _i n this case, the ends of the headband 130 are sewn shut by transverse seams at 146 and 148. The ends of the headband 130 are provided with suitable releasable fastening means such as mating Velcro ^® strips 150, 152 on the inner and outer surfaces which are joined together during use to hold the headband 130 in place with the inner strip 134 in contact with the head and ears. The _V elcro _® fasteners 150, 152 allow for size adjustment to provide a snug fit so as to easily fit various size heads for maximizing user comfort. By shifting the packets 106 from left to right within the pouch 142 they can be

placed in the center of the forehead, at the back of the head, or over the ears as desired by the user. Several packets 106 can be inserted to provide a ring of warmth extending around the entire head. The elongated pouch 142 serves as a means for shifting the packets 106 within the garment to different positions in heat transfer rela¬ tionship with different parts of the body for distri¬ buting heat to provide optimum heating and comfort for the user. _R efer now to Figures 7-8 which illustrate a modified form of the invention, in this case a winter jacket which includes a collar 162 formed from inner and outer fabric layers 164 and 166, respectively, joined together by means of a top seam 168, left and right upright seams 170, 172 and a transversely extending neck seam 174 which is parallel to the top seam 168. Extending from side to side between the inner and outer fabric layers 164, 166 is a transversely elongated pouch 176 for holding one or more heating packets 106 which are inserted just before use through a transverse slit 178 that can be about

2} inches long near the top of the inner fabric layer 164. The heat producing packets 106 can be placed one on each side as shown in Figure 7 or, if desired as shown in Figure 7A, a single packet 106 can be provided and placed in the center of the collar 162. The packet 106 can be shifted laterally to whatever position is most comfort¬ able for the user. The collar 162 can be formed from any suitable fabric, with the inner fabric layer 164 pre¬ ferably formed from a high pile cloth such as a fleece-

like fabric cloth or woolen cloth. The most preferred cloth is a polyester/acrylic fleece or polyester/cotton fleece. The outer layer 166 is preferably a woven or knitted fabric that is similar to tne outside of other portions of the jacket to provide a good match.

During use, the heating packet 106 provides heat efficiently and comfortably to warm the neck of the per ^¬ son wearing the jacket 160. The heat is carried by blood circulation throughout the body. The jacket 160 and the other garments described above hold the packets 106 in place adjacent to the skin and in good heat conductive relationship with the body while allowing free, unimpeded movement during a variety of physical activities. The garments also allow the heat producing packets 106 to be readily replaced when used up. in addition, the garments can be manufactured using high speed and low cost mass production methods. The invention thus provides an economical and cost-effective means of furnishing heat to the core of the body. Refer now to Figure 11 which illustrates another form of headband 180 wherein the same numerals refer to corresponding parts already describe in connection with Figure 6. The headband 180 has three heating packet insertion slits 140, 141 and 143 to permit insertion of the heat-producing packets 106 at various locations within the headband 180. The headband 180 also includes a pair of opposed downwardly depending ear flaps 182, 184 for covering the ears. The slits 141, 143 are positioned immediately above the ear flaps 182, 184, respectively,

to facilitate insertion of the heat-producing packets such as packet 106a into the ear flap section 184. The headband 180 can be formed from any of the fabrics described above or from a variety of other fabrics that will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Many variations of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art once the principles described herein are understood.