GB2182530A - Flexible heater - Google Patents

Abstract

Heater of the kind comprising a flexible band incorporating a flexible electrically powered heating element for securing around the exterior of a container to heat the contents of the latter has opposite end portions of the band provided with flexible securing means e.g. elasticated tape or the like either permanently connecting said end portions into a loop or being releasably engageable to form said loop.

Description

SPECIFICATION Heater This invention relates to heaters, especially but not exclusively for such domestic activities or hobbies as home-brewing or aquaria involving the need to warm liquid in a container to an appropriate temperature for most effective fermentation, orforthe health or breeding of tropical fish for example.

More specifically the invention relates to a heater of the kind comprising a flexible band incorporating a flexible electrically powered heating element and a flexible lead extending from a junction with the heating element in the band for connection an electric power supply, said band being secured closely around the exteriorofthe side walls of a container of liquid in use so that heat is transferred through said wallsto said liquid and said heaters are hereinafter referred to as "heaters of the kind described".

One known example of a heaterofthe kind described is detailed in my British Patent No.

1599,759.

The object ofthe invention is to provide a heater of the kind described which is simple and cheap, and particularly adaptable and convenient in use.

According to the invention there is provided a heater of the kind described characterised in that opposite end portions ofthe band are provided with securing means which are resiliently extendable and/or have releasable mutually inter-engageable portions, enabling the band to be operatively posi tioned arou nd the container as a loop about its side walls,theeffective girth ofthe band enabling itto closely fit around a range of sizes of container.

Whilethesecuring means maybea length of elasticatestape or other resilient material permanently connecting said end portions it may be preferably for some applications that the securing means comprises releasable inter-engageable formations so that the band can be positioned around the container before being secured to form the loop, thus avoiding the need to pass the loop overthe end ofthe container before it is tightened thereon as this may be difficult or inconvenient in some circumstances particularly where movement ordistrubance of the container and its liquid contents is undesirable.

The securing means is preferably itself at least as flexibleasthe remainderofthe band and may include a pair of tapes (which may or may not be elasticated or otherwise resilient) which can be secured bytieing together or be provided with adjustable or other fastening means, for example a press-stud or buckle type fastener, portions of plastics loop and hook material such as that sold underthetrade mark "VELCRO"; hook and eyefastenings; or possibly releasable engageable adhesive coated surfaces.

It is also preferred that the tensioning ofthe band to fit closely about the container stresses only the outer or other supporting casing within which the heating element and its associated wiring is located without putting any substantial strain on the element or its flexible leadthus reducing the riskofdamagetothe electrically conductive components ofthe heater so providing longer life and enhanced safety of operation.

1. A heater of the kind described characterised in that opposite end portions ofthe band are provided with securing means which are resiliently extendable and/or have releasable mutually inter-engageable portions, enabling the band to be operatively positioned around the container as a loop about its side walls,the effective girth ofthe band enabling itto closely fit around a range of sizes of container.

2. A heater as in Claim 1 wherein the securing means is a length of elasticated tape or other resilient material permanently connecting said end portions.

3. A heater as in Claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises releasable inter-engageable forma tionssothatthebandcan be positioned around the container before being secured to form the loop.

4. AheaterasinClaim 1,20r3whereinthe securing means is itself at least as flexible as the remainder ofthe band.

5. Aheateras in any preceding claimwhereinthe band comprises an outer or other supporting casing within which the heating element and its associated wiring is located, the securing means acting to stress only said casing on tensioning the band to fit closely about the container in use without putting any substantial strain on the element or the associated wiring and/orflexible lead.

6. A heater substantially as herein before de- scribed.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed- by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Heater This invention relates to heaters, especially but not exclusively for such domestic activities or hobbies as home-brewing or aquaria involving the need to warm liquid in a container to an appropriate temperature for most effective fermentation, orforthe health or breeding of tropical fish for example. More specifically the invention relates to a heater of the kind comprising a flexible band incorporating a flexible electrically powered heating element and a flexible lead extending from a junction with the heating element in the band for connection an electric power supply, said band being secured closely around the exteriorofthe side walls of a container of liquid in use so that heat is transferred through said wallsto said liquid and said heaters are hereinafter referred to as "heaters of the kind described". One known example of a heaterofthe kind described is detailed in my British Patent No. 1599,759. The object ofthe invention is to provide a heater of the kind described which is simple and cheap, and particularly adaptable and convenient in use. According to the invention there is provided a heater of the kind described characterised in that opposite end portions ofthe band are provided with securing means which are resiliently extendable and/or have releasable mutually inter-engageable portions, enabling the band to be operatively posi tioned arou nd the container as a loop about its side walls,theeffective girth ofthe band enabling itto closely fit around a range of sizes of container. Whilethesecuring means maybea length of elasticatestape or other resilient material permanently connecting said end portions it may be preferably for some applications that the securing means comprises releasable inter-engageable formations so that the band can be positioned around the container before being secured to form the loop, thus avoiding the need to pass the loop overthe end ofthe container before it is tightened thereon as this may be difficult or inconvenient in some circumstances particularly where movement ordistrubance of the container and its liquid contents is undesirable. The securing means is preferably itself at least as flexibleasthe remainderofthe band and may include a pair of tapes (which may or may not be elasticated or otherwise resilient) which can be secured bytieing together or be provided with adjustable or other fastening means, for example a press-stud or buckle type fastener, portions of plastics loop and hook material such as that sold underthetrade mark "VELCRO"; hook and eyefastenings; or possibly releasable engageable adhesive coated surfaces. It is also preferred that the tensioning ofthe band to fit closely about the container stresses only the outer or other supporting casing within which the heating element and its associated wiring is located without putting any substantial strain on the element or its flexible leadthus reducing the riskofdamagetothe electrically conductive components ofthe heater so providing longer life and enhanced safety of operation. CLAIMS

1. A heater of the kind described characterised in that opposite end portions ofthe band are provided with securing means which are resiliently extendable and/or have releasable mutually inter-engageable portions, enabling the band to be operatively positioned around the container as a loop about its side walls,the effective girth ofthe band enabling itto closely fit around a range of sizes of container.

2. A heater as in Claim 1 wherein the securing means is a length of elasticated tape or other resilient material permanently connecting said end portions.

3. A heater as in Claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises releasable inter-engageable forma tionssothatthebandcan be positioned around the container before being secured to form the loop.

4. AheaterasinClaim 1,20r3whereinthe securing means is itself at least as flexible as the remainder ofthe band.

5. Aheateras in any preceding claimwhereinthe band comprises an outer or other supporting casing within which the heating element and its associated wiring is located, the securing means acting to stress only said casing on tensioning the band to fit closely about the container in use without putting any substantial strain on the element or the associated wiring and/orflexible lead.

6. A heater substantially as herein before de- scribed.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed- by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.