The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 20, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 23, 2006
Joshua Friedensohn, Arlington, TX (US);
Nefetari Bordain Murph, Tucker, GA (US);
Roger Bradshaw Quincy, Iii, Cumming, GA (US);
Karen Mckenzie, Marietta, GA (US);
Joshua Friedensohn, Arlington, TX (US);
Nefetari Bordain Murph, Tucker, GA (US);
Roger Bradshaw Quincy, III, Cumming, GA (US);
Karen McKenzie, Marietta, GA (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
A chemically-activated conformable thermal device that generates heat upon activation is provided. The thermal device typically contains an oxidizable metal that is capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction in the presence of moisture and air to generate heat. Although such metals, as well as other components of the composition (e.g., carbon), are relatively inflexible and stiff, the present inventors have nevertheless discovered that one or more conformable segments may be employed to impart flexibility and conformability to the thermal device. The conformable segments are malleable so that they yield under shear stress and acquire the shape of a surface (e.g., body part) without rupturing. The conformable segments are likewise stiff or hard enough to substantially retain the desired shape during use.