US5391198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable thermal compress
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-02-16
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Granted: 1995-02-21
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Expires: 2014-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A method of applying heat or cold to human or animal parts and a reusable compress utilized therein. The method involves saturating crystals of a water soluble acrylic polymer and a thickening agent through the porous fabric of a compress bag containing the acrylic polymer and the thickener. The compress is heated in a warm water or a microwave oven or cooled in a cool environment. The compress is applied to a human or animal part to warm or cool the body part. When the compress is no longer needed the gel is de-hydrated and the compress is easily stored for safe reuse.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry H. Cheney, III
- 👤 Michael Vecchione
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/02; A61F2007/0203; A61F2007/0206; A61F2007/0209; A61F2007/0214; A61F2007/0242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A reusable thermal compress used in the process of cooling or warming a human or animal body part comprising: a water porous fabric bag; a plurality of dehydrated water soluble acrylic polymer crystals contained within said bag and of large enough size to remain contained within said bag, wherein said water soluble acrylic polymer is a crosslinked modified acrylic polymer; and a thickening agent contained within said fabric bag, wherein said thickening agent is trisaminothane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A reusable thermal compress used in the process of cooling or warming a human or animal body part comprising: a water porous fabric bag; a plurality of dehydrated water soluble acrylic polymer crystals contained within said bag and of large enough size to remain contained within said bag, wherein said water soluble acrylic polymer is a crosslinked modified acrylic polymer; and a thickening agent contained within said fabric bag, wherein said thickening agent is trisaminothane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A reusable thermal compress as recited in claim 1, wherein: said water soluble acrylic polymer crystals have a granular size of from two to four millimeters in diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A reusable thermal compress as recited in claim 2, wherein: said fabric bag contains 0.2 to 5 ounces of a crosslinked modified acrylic polymer in a granular size of 2 to 4 millimeters in diameter, and 1 to 2 cubic centimeters of trisaminothane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for warming human or animal body parts, comprising the steps of: placing a reusable thermal compress comprised of a water porous fabric bag containing crosslinked modified acrylic polymer crystals large enough to be contained within said bag and a trisaminothane thickening agent into water; saturating said compress with water until a saturated gel is formed within said bag; warming said compress with an external source; applying said compress to a body part to be warmed; drying said compress until said crosslinked modified acrylic polymer is dehydrated; and storing said compress for reuse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for warming human or animal body parts, comprising the steps of: placing a reusable thermal compress comprised of a water porous fabric bag containing crosslinked modified acrylic polymer crystals large enough to be contained within said bag and a trisaminothane thickening agent into water; saturating said compress with water until a saturated gel is formed within said bag; warming said compress with an external source; applying said compress to a body part to be warmed; drying said compress until said crosslinked modified acrylic polymer is dehydrated; and storing said compress for reuse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for cooling human or animal body parts, comprising the steps of: placing a reusable thermal compress comprised of a water porous fabric bag containing crosslinked modified acrylic polymer crystals large enough to be contained within said bag and a trisaminothane thickening agent into water; saturating said compress with water until a saturated gel is formed within said bag; cooling said compress with an external source; applying said compress to a body part to be warmed; drying said compress until said crosslinked modified acrylic polymer is dehydrated; and storing said compress for reuse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for cooling human or animal body parts, comprising the steps of: placing a reusable thermal compress comprised of a water porous fabric bag containing crosslinked modified acrylic polymer crystals large enough to be contained within said bag and a trisaminothane thickening agent into water; saturating said compress with water until a saturated gel is formed within said bag; cooling said compress with an external source; applying said compress to a body part to be warmed; drying said compress until said crosslinked modified acrylic polymer is dehydrated; and storing said compress for reuse.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-20 | 1998-08-22 | 1999-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-20 | 2002-08-22 | 2003-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-20 | 2006-08-22 | 2007-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |