Belt, band or other object that can be worn by a user and includes a heating pad with a perforated metallic layer

Abstract

This utility certificate refers to a belt, band, or other wearable object equipped with an integrated heating pad comprising: a) a cover made of at least two textile elements bonded together; b) a heating element interposed between said two textile elements; and c) at least one metallic layer interposed between said heating element and one of said two textile elements, in which the heating element and the metallic layer are thermally insulated, and in which said at least one metallic layer is provided with a plurality of holes. In this way, by interposing at least one metallic layer between the layers of fabric, the temperature of the wire is considerably reduced without affecting the expected result, namely a surface temperature of approximately 40 °C.Furthermore, the presence of holes in at least one metallic layer allows air to pass through these holes; consequently, the problem of perspiration on the skin of the person using or wearing the heating pad is solved. FIG. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Belt, band or other object that can be worn by a user and includes a heating pad provided with a perforated metal layer Technical field

[0001] This utility certificate relates to a thermal device, such as a heating pad. More specifically, this utility certificate relates to a belt, band or other object that can be worn by a user and includes a heating pad provided with a perforated metal layer. State of the art

[0002] Heating pads are intended to locally warm a part of the body or to be worn by a user; a wearable heating pad is generally thin and can therefore be integrated into a belt or band to be placed under clothing. It is generally designed to operate on battery power or connected to a very low supply voltage not exceeding 24 volts DC.

[0003] Battery-powered heating pads or heating pads designed to be powered by a safe, ultra-low voltage source have been known for a long time. They generally comprise a power control unit and a control unit electrically connected to it. The control unit generally comprises a cover, for example made of two layers of textile material joined together, and at least one heating element distributed in channels arranged inside the cover.

[0004] The heating element is generally composed of at least one electrically insulated, serpentine carbon-based wire or conductor consisting of alternating linear portions and curved elements (or "loops") connecting two adjacent linear portions, so that the surface temperature of the heating pad is uniformly distributed.

[0005] Known heating pads are provided with a metal layer interposed between the fabric layers (see for example patent application published under No. US 2020 / 113357 or patent application published under No. US 2018 / 208190). This minimizes the temperature of the heating element, which could then cause skin burns, even if it is insulated from the fabric layer of the heating pad that is in contact with the skin.

[0006] However, the metal layer between the fabric layers creates sweating problems on the skin and, consequently, serious problems for the user who is thus subjected to major sweating problems.

[0007] The applicant for this utility certificate has therefore identified a need to produce a heating pad which can both reduce the temperature of the heating element and obtain good performance in terms of perspiration of the skin of the person using or wearing the heating pad. Summary of the invention

[0008] This utility certificate refers to a belt, band or other object wearable by a user, such as that set forth in claim 1.

[0009] Indeed, the applicant of the present application has surprisingly found that the technical problem identified above can be solved effectively and reliably by means of a belt, band or other object that the user can wear and which includes an integrated heating pad, wherein said heating pad comprises: a) a cover consisting of at least two textile elements fixed to each other; b) a heating element interposed between said two textile elements; c) at least one metal layer interposed between said heating element and one of said two textile elements, wherein said heating element (3) and said metal layer (4) are thermally insulated, characterized in that said at least one metal layer is provided with a plurality of holes.

[0010] Thus, on the one hand, by interposing at least one metal layer between the fabric layers, the temperature of the wire decreases considerably, without affecting the expected result, namely a surface temperature of approximately 40°C. Indeed, from a thermal point of view, the interposed metal layer acts as a conductive material, minimizing the difference between the temperature of the heating element and the outer surface of the heating pad cover, also reducing the time required to reach the surface temperature, by approximately 40°C.

[0011] Furthermore, in parallel, the presence of holes on at least one metal layer allows the passage of air through these holes; the problem of perspiration of the skin of the person using or wearing the heating pad is thus reduced.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, said holes are arranged along a plurality of lines parallel to each other and where there is a channel devoid of said holes between each of said lines and another of said lines which is adjacent to it.

[0013] This creates an alternation in said at least one metal layer of areas provided with holes and areas without holes.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, said heating element consists of a serpentine electric wire with alternating linear portions and curved elements connecting two adjacent linear portions, and in which at least one of said linear portions of said heating element is placed at one of said channels devoid of said holes.

[0015] In this way, the heating element is placed in the heating pad with its linear parts placed at the channels without holes in the metal element, thus avoiding any interference with the lines of holes and allowing air to pass through these holes to ensure good transpiration.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, each of said plurality of holes has a cross-section ranging from 1.0 mm2 to 50.0 mm2.

[0017] This allows for adequate air passage through the holes.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, said holes have a substantially round shape; however, in other alternative embodiments, said holes have an elliptical, rectangular, square or similar shape.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the metal of said at least one metal layer has a thermal conductivity coefficient of at least 100 W / mk, preferably at least 200 W / mk.

[0020] In this way, said at least one metal layer is highly conductive, since it has a high thermal conductivity.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the metal of said at least one metal layer is chosen from the group comprising brass, zinc, aluminum, copper and silver, or their alloys; preferably aluminum.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the heating pad used in this utility certificate also comprises a battery or other power source, such as a power supply, capable of providing a voltage not exceeding 24 volts direct current (DC), preferably not exceeding 12 volts DC, to activate said heating element.

[0023] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the heating pad used in the present utility certificate also comprises a power source, such as a power supply, capable of providing a voltage not exceeding 24 volts alternating current (ac), preferably not exceeding 12 volts ac, to activate said heating element.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, said battery or other power source must be integrated into said heating pad or be able to be electrically connected to said heating pad.

[0025] In this way, it is possible to connect the heating pad, for example, to a computer or other device via a USB socket.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, said battery or other power source is connected to said heating pad via an interconnection cable.

[0027] In this way, the battery can be separated from the heating pad and recharged after use.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the heating pad used in the present utility certificate comprises a first metal layer interposed between said heating element and one of said two textile elements, and a second metal layer interposed between said heating element and the other of said two textile elements.

[0029] In this way, both external surfaces of the blanket are heated appropriately, without increasing the temperature of the heating element. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of this utility certificate will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated solely for informational purposes but without limitation, based on the attached drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig.l], a schematic view of one embodiment of a heating pad used in this utility certificate, showing a single metal layer provided with holes;

[0032] [Fig.2], a detail of the heating pad of [Fig.l], with the heating element positioned in the channels between the holes of the metal element;

[0033] [Fig.3], a schematic view of an embodiment of the internal face of a lumbar elastic band of this utility certificate, in contact with the body of a user, equipped with a heating element of Figures 1 and 2. Detailed description of the invention

[0034] The following detailed description refers to particular embodiments of this utility certificate, without limiting its content.

[0035] [Fig.l] describes a heating pad 1 intended to be worn by a user, for example integrated into a belt or band 10 of this utility certificate, as shown in [Fig.3], or applied to the user's body, in such a way that the heat released by the heating pad can reach the user's body, which is beneficial for the user.

[0036] The heating pad 1 comprises a cover made by assembling two fabric elements 2a, 2b between which is interposed a heating element 3, consisting of a serpentine electric wire, that is to say with an alternation of linear parts 3a and curved elements (or “loops”) 3b connecting two adjacent linear parts 3a.

[0037] The heating pad 1 also comprises a metal layer 4 interposed between the heating element 3 and the textile element 2a; the metal included in the metal layer 4 is a high-conductivity metal, with a conductivity coefficient of approximately 200 W / mk, such as aluminum.

[0038] The metal layer 4 is provided with holes 6 with a diameter of approximately 3 mm to allow air to pass through. The holes 6 are arranged along a plurality of lines 7a, 7b, 7c, ... (illustrated in detail in [Fig.2]) parallel to each other; in the metal layer 4, between each line 7a, 7b, 7c and a line 7a, 7b, 7c adjacent to it, channels 8a, 8b are formed, devoid of holes 6.

[0039] In at least some of these channels 8a, 8b devoid of holes 6 is located at least one of the linear parts 3a of the heating element 3.

[0040] Therefore, the presence of holes 6 on the metal layer 4 allows the passage of air through these holes 6; the problem of perspiration of the skin of the person using or wearing the heating pad is thus reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, by placing the heating element 3 (in particular the linear parts 3a of the heating element) at the channels 8a,8b without holes 6 in the metal layer 4 between the fabric layers 2a,2b, the advantage is that the holes 6 are not obstructed (thus allowing air to pass freely through the holes 6). At the same time, the advantage is to considerably lower the temperature of the wire, without affecting the expected result, namely a surface temperature of about 40 °C. Indeed, from a thermal point of view, the interposed metal layer 4 acts as a conductive material, minimizing the difference between the temperature of the heating element 3 and the outer surface of the cover of the heating pad 1, also reducing the time required to reach the surface temperature, of about 40 °C.

[0042] The dimensions of the holes 6, the number of holes 6 for each line 7a,7b,7c and the number of lines 7a,7b,7c are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the size of the metal layer 4, the size of the heating element 3 and the number of linear parts 3a of the heating element 3.

[0043] According to a first embodiment, the heating element 3 is activated by a battery (not visible in the figure) which is connected to the heating pad 1 via the interconnection cable 5. The battery can be separated and recharged after use.

[0044] According to an alternative embodiment, the heating element 3 is activated by a safe and ultra-low voltage power supply not exceeding 24 volts ac (or, alternatively, dc), preferably not exceeding 12 volts ac (or, alternatively, dc), via said interconnection cable 5.

[0045] According to another alternative embodiment, the heating element 3 is activated by a safe and ultra-low voltage power supply not exceeding 24 volts ac (or, alternatively, dc), preferably not exceeding 12 volts ac (or, alternatively, dc), directly integrated in the heating pad 1.

[0046] [Fig. 3] shows a schematic view of the inner face of an embodiment of an elastic band 10 of the present utility model, which comes into contact with the body of a user. According to this embodiment, the elastic band 10 is a lumbar elastic band 10 intended to be applied to the lower part of the back of a user.

[0047] The embodiment of the lumbar elastic band 10 of [Fig. 3] shows a central portion 13, a first end portion 14 and a second end portion 15 arranged symmetrically with respect to the central portion 13. The first end portion 14 and the second end portion 15 are made of elastic material, while the central portion 13 is made of non-elastic material. Furthermore, the first end portion 14 and the second end portion 15 are provided with corresponding Velcro closure devices 16, 17 which allow the end portions 14 and 15 to attach to each other in order to close the elastic band 10 in a loop, once attached to the user's body.

[0048] [Fig. 3] also contains the heating pad 1, which is arranged in a first pocket 20 located in the central part 13 of the elastic band 10; the interconnecting cable 5 is connected to the heating pad 1.

[0049] Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to observe numerous modifications and variations of the preferred embodiments described, while remaining within the scope of this utility certificate.

[0050] For example, in the embodiment described above, the structure of the heating pad 1 provides for the presence of two fabrics 2a, 2b forming the cover, a heating element 3 and a battery. However, other alternative embodiments, also falling within the scope of this utility certificate, may have a greater quantity of fabrics forming the cover, as well as a greater quantity of heating elements or batteries, or interconnecting cables intended to be powered from a safe, ultra-low voltage source not exceeding 24 volts ac (or, alternatively, dc), or combinations of these alternative embodiments.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the structure of the heating pad 1 provides the presence of a metal layer provided with holes. However, according to other alternative embodiments, the heating pad used in the present utility certificate may comprise a first metal layer interposed between said heating element and one of the two textile elements, and a second metal layer interposed between said heating element and the other of the two textile elements, in which said first and second metal layers are both provided with holes. In this case, each hole of the first metal layer and a corresponding hole of the second metal layer are arranged along the same vertical line to allow air to pass freely.

[0052] In this way, both external surfaces of the blanket are heated appropriately, without increasing the temperature of the heating element.

[0053] Thus, this utility certificate is not limited to the preferred embodiments described, illustrated for example purposes only and without limitation, but is defined by the following claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user and which comprises an integrated heating pad (1), wherein said heating pad comprises: a) a cover consisting of at least two textile elements (2a, 2b) fixed to each other; b) a heating element (3) interposed between said at least two textile elements (2a, 2b); c) at least one metal layer (4) interposed between said heating element (3) and one of said two textile elements (2a, 2b), wherein said heating element (3) and said metal layer (4) are thermally insulated, characterized in that said at least one metal layer (4) is provided with a plurality of holes (6).

2. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to claim 1, wherein said holes (6) are arranged along a plurality of lines (7a,7b,7c) parallel to each other and wherein there is a channel (8a,8b) devoid of said holes (6) between each of said lines (7a,7b,7c) and another line (7a,7b,7c) adjacent thereto.

3. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to claim 2, wherein said heating element (3) consists of a serpentine electric wire with alternating linear portions (3a) and curved elements (3b) connecting two adjacent linear portions (3a), and wherein at least one of said linear portions (3a) of said heating element (3) is placed at one of said channels (8a,8b) devoid of said holes (6).

4. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to any preceding claim, wherein each of said plurality of holes (6) has a cross-section of between 1.0 mm2 and 50 mm2.

5. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to any preceding claim, wherein the metal of said at least one metal layer (4) has a thermal conductivity coefficient of at least 100 W / mk.

6. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to any preceding claim, wherein the metal of said at least one metal layer is selected from the group comprising brass, zinc, aluminum, copper, silver, or their alloys.

7. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to any preceding claim, which also comprises a battery, or other power supply integrated into said heating pad, capable of providing a voltage not exceeding 24 volts direct current (dc) to activate said heating element (3).

8. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which also comprises a power supply capable of providing a voltage not exceeding 24 volts alternating current (ac) to activate said heating element (3).

9. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said battery or other power source is integrated into said heating pad (1) or is electrically connectable to said heating pad (1).

10. A belt, band or other object (10) wearable by a user according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said battery or other power source is connected to said heating pad (1) via an interconnecting cable (5).

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