GB2110060A

GB2110060A - An electric bed warmer

Info

Publication number: GB2110060A
Application number: GB08135036A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Alfred James Homer
Original assignee: AQUATRON
Current assignee: AQUATRON
Priority date: 1981-11-20
Filing date: 1981-11-20
Publication date: 1983-06-08
Also published as: GB2110060B

Abstract

A portable heating device of the type heated at one venue and used at another comprises a container body 6, sealingly closed by a closure member 10 and containing an electric heating element 16 and heat storage material. The heat storage material is heated by the electric heating element 16 by connecting a source of electric power to the heating element 16 via socket 12, the heat storage having reached a desired temperature the source of electric power may be disconnected and the heating device transported to a desired place of use such as a bed. The heat storage material may be water, an oil or silica beads. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Heating devices This invention is concerned with improvements relating to heating devices, particularly of the kind (hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified) which are portable, and which are heated at one venue, and used at another.

The most common form of heating device of the kind specified is a hot water bottle. This must be filled with heated water from a kettle, which is often dangerous, particularly for old or infirm people.

According to this invention there is provided a heating device of the kind specified, comprising an enclosed container, a heat storage material in the container, an electric heating element in the container, and a socket for connection of the heating element to a source of electric power.

The container may be of rubber, and may otherwise be similar to a conventional hot water bottle.

The electric socket may be of the type as are commonly used in coffee percolators.

By the use of the invention, the device needs merely to be plugged into a source of electric power for heating thereof, such as in a domestic kitchen, and unplugged and carried to, for example, the bedroom when it is required to be used. Thus the device will not be required to provide heat when plugged in, and safety problems as are encountered with electric blankets are not encountered in the use of this invention.

Further, the hangers inherent in pouring hot water into the narrow mouth of a conventional hot water bottle are eliminated, and moreover, the heat storage material (which may be water) may be permanently sealed within the container, reducing problems of leakage.

The heating element may be relatively low powered, for example 100-150 watts, reducing problems of insulation of the element.

Preferably the heating element is flexible and elongate, and means, such as flexible spacer elements, may be provided to reduce contact between the heating element at different points along the length thereof and between the heating element and the walls of the container.

Another problem encountered in the use of conventional hot water bottles is that they tend to cool quickiy, and to provide a desirable heating performance, there is a tendency to fill then with unduly hot water which exacerbates the dangers previously mentioned. Indeed, for only a relatively short period of time is a conventional hot water bottle at a comfortable temperature.

Preferably therefore in accordance with this invention, the container is filled with a heat storage material having a thermal capacity higher than that of water.

Preferably the heat storage material is, or behaves to some extent as a fluid affording the device with the conventional "squishy'' feel associated that hot warer bottles. Thus the material may be a high thermal capacity liquid such as an oil, or may be a solid material in particulate form, such as silica beads, which have a loe coefficient of friction.

In this manner, the device may be heated for use to a temperature lower than would be used for a hot water bottle, and will retain heat for longer than would such a hot water bottle, providing greater comfort to a user over a longer period.

Preferably the device comprises a temperature sensative switch, operative to disconnect the heating element from the source of electricity when a desired or maximum temperature has been reached.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawning, of a heating device which is the preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

The heating device is similar in general terms to a hot water bottle, and comprises a container body 6 having a neck 8. Extending into the neck is a sealing block 10, within which there is provided on the exterior side an electric socket formation 12, terminals 1 4 thereof being connected on their interior sides to the core of an elongate flexible heating element 1 6 which extends within the container 6. Spacer members 18 are provided to retain the heating element 1 6 in a desired position within the container, such as to maintain, or tend to maintain, lengths of the heating element separate from one another, and from the walls of the container.

Located within the container, to fill the container and to totally surround the heating element 1 6 is a heat storage medium, which in the preferred embodiment may be silica beads, or heating oil, or other material having a thermal capacity greater than that of water.

If desired, there may be provided in the sealing block 10 a safety device operative to interrupt the supply of electricity to the heating elements 1 6 when a desired, or safe maximum temperature has been obtained.

CLAiMS

1. A heating device of the kind specified comprising a container having an opening, said opening being adapted to receive a closure member, to sealingly close the container, said container being cabable of receiving a heat storage material and an electric heating element, electrical connecting means being provided to enable said electric heating element to be connected to a source of electric power.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Heating devices This invention is concerned with improvements relating to heating devices, particularly of the kind (hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified) which are portable, and which are heated at one venue, and used at another. The most common form of heating device of the kind specified is a hot water bottle. This must be filled with heated water from a kettle, which is often dangerous, particularly for old or infirm people. According to this invention there is provided a heating device of the kind specified, comprising an enclosed container, a heat storage material in the container, an electric heating element in the container, and a socket for connection of the heating element to a source of electric power. The container may be of rubber, and may otherwise be similar to a conventional hot water bottle. The electric socket may be of the type as are commonly used in coffee percolators. By the use of the invention, the device needs merely to be plugged into a source of electric power for heating thereof, such as in a domestic kitchen, and unplugged and carried to, for example, the bedroom when it is required to be used. Thus the device will not be required to provide heat when plugged in, and safety problems as are encountered with electric blankets are not encountered in the use of this invention. Further, the hangers inherent in pouring hot water into the narrow mouth of a conventional hot water bottle are eliminated, and moreover, the heat storage material (which may be water) may be permanently sealed within the container, reducing problems of leakage. The heating element may be relatively low powered, for example 100-150 watts, reducing problems of insulation of the element. Preferably the heating element is flexible and elongate, and means, such as flexible spacer elements, may be provided to reduce contact between the heating element at different points along the length thereof and between the heating element and the walls of the container. Another problem encountered in the use of conventional hot water bottles is that they tend to cool quickiy, and to provide a desirable heating performance, there is a tendency to fill then with unduly hot water which exacerbates the dangers previously mentioned. Indeed, for only a relatively short period of time is a conventional hot water bottle at a comfortable temperature. Preferably therefore in accordance with this invention, the container is filled with a heat storage material having a thermal capacity higher than that of water. Preferably the heat storage material is, or behaves to some extent as a fluid affording the device with the conventional "squishy'' feel associated that hot warer bottles. Thus the material may be a high thermal capacity liquid such as an oil, or may be a solid material in particulate form, such as silica beads, which have a loe coefficient of friction. In this manner, the device may be heated for use to a temperature lower than would be used for a hot water bottle, and will retain heat for longer than would such a hot water bottle, providing greater comfort to a user over a longer period. Preferably the device comprises a temperature sensative switch, operative to disconnect the heating element from the source of electricity when a desired or maximum temperature has been reached. There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawning, of a heating device which is the preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example. The heating device is similar in general terms to a hot water bottle, and comprises a container body 6 having a neck 8. Extending into the neck is a sealing block 10, within which there is provided on the exterior side an electric socket formation 12, terminals 1 4 thereof being connected on their interior sides to the core of an elongate flexible heating element 1 6 which extends within the container 6. Spacer members 18 are provided to retain the heating element 1 6 in a desired position within the container, such as to maintain, or tend to maintain, lengths of the heating element separate from one another, and from the walls of the container. Located within the container, to fill the container and to totally surround the heating element 1 6 is a heat storage medium, which in the preferred embodiment may be silica beads, or heating oil, or other material having a thermal capacity greater than that of water. If desired, there may be provided in the sealing block 10 a safety device operative to interrupt the supply of electricity to the heating elements 1 6 when a desired, or safe maximum temperature has been obtained. CLAiMS

2. A heating device of the kind specified comprising an enclosed container, a heat storage medium in the container, and electric heating element in the container, an electrical connection means to enable connection of the heating element to a source of electric power.

3. A heating device of the kind specified and said electrical connecting means is readily disconnectible to a source of electric power.

4. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said connecting means comprises a socket element secured relative to said container.

5. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of the preceding claims whereas in said container is made from a flexible material.

6. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said container is made from a rubber or a synthetic rubber like of material.

7. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the heating element is flexible.

8. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the heating element is of elongate form.

9. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising spacer elements situate intermediate said container and said heating element.

1 0. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said spacer elements are made from a flexible material.

11. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the heat storage material is permanently sealed in the container.

1 2. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the heat storage material comprises water.

1 3. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein said heat storage material has a thermal capacity higher than that of water.

14. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in Claim 1 3 wherein said heater storage material is oil.

1 5. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 or Claim 1 3 wherein heat storage material is a solid material in particulate form.

1 6. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in Claim 1 5 wherein said heat storage material comprises silica beads.

1 7. A heating device of the kind specified as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising switching means adapted to disconnect the heating element from the source of electricity on attainment of the heat storage material of a predetermined temperature.

1 8. A heating device of the kind specified substantially as hereinbefore described.

1 9. A heating device of the kind specified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

20. A heating device of the kind specified including any novel feature or novel combination of features as disclosed in the specification and/or drawings accompanying the specification.