US6017606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reusable multicompartment thermal compress
Assignee: Danscott Enterprises
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Filing: 1997-05-15
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Granted: 2000-01-25
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Expires: 2017-05-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a reusable thermal pack that comprises a bag formed of a water-permeable fabric defining a plurality of laterally adjacent compartments, and a superabsorbent polymer disposed in the bag compartments, wherein the polymer forms a gel in the presence of an aqueous solution, and the bag compartments are gel-retainable. The thermal pack of the present invention can be applied as a cold or hot compress for medicinal purposes, and also as an aid for cooling down following exercise. The thermal pack of the present invention, once hydrated in the presence of the aqueous solution, becomes cool and stays cool for several days without refrigeration, and can be made cooler if chilled in the refrigerator or freezer, or warmed if placed in the microwave, if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Linda Sage
- 👤 Don Sage
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/02; A61F2007/0059; A61F2007/0063; A61F2007/0064; A61F2007/0065; A61F2007/0203; A61F2007/0206; A61F2007/0209; A61F2007/0214; A61F2007/0215; A61F2007/0219; A61F2007/0242; A61F2007/0244; A61F2007/0258; A61F7/10; A61F2007/108; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/233; Y10T428/234; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24033; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/2457; Y10T428/24579; Y10T428/24777
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A reusable thermal compress for application to a human or animal body part comprising a bag consisting essentially of a water-permeable fabric defining a plurality of laterally adjacent compartments, and a superabsorbent polymer disposed in the bag compartments, wherein the polymer forms a gel in the presence of an aqueous solution, the bag compartments are gel-retainable and the reusable thermal compress is configured and dimensioned for application to the body part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A reusable thermal compress for application to a human or animal body part comprising a bag consisting essentially of a water-permeable fabric defining a plurality of laterally adjacent compartments, and a superabsorbent polymer disposed in the bag compartments, wherein the polymer forms a gel in the presence of an aqueous solution, the bag compartments are gel-retainable and the reusable thermal compress is configured and dimensioned for application to the body part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The compress of claim 1, having a pair of longitudinally spaced end portions defining a length L therebetween, and a pair of traversely spaced edges defining a W therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The compress of claim 2, wherein the bag compartments are separated by a bag compartment separator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The compress of claim 3, wherein the bag compartment separator is a seam or a plurality of seams defining an area devoid of superabsorbent polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The compress of claim 2, wherein the bag compartments include a plurality of longitudinally extending compartments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The compress of claim 5, wherein each of the longitudinally extending compartments extend between the pair of longitudinally spaced end portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The compress of claim 5, wherein the longitudinally extending compartments are parallel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The compress of claim 2, wherein the bag compartments include a plurality of traversely extending compartments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compress of claim 8, wherein each of the traversely extending compartments extend between the pair of traversely spaced edges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The compress of claim 8, wherein traversely extending compartments are parallel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The compress of claim 2, where in the longitudinally spaced end portions are devoid of superabsorbent polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The compress of claim 11, wherein the longitudinally spaced end portions comprise elements of a mating system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The compress of claim 1, wherein the water-permeable fabric is nylon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The compress of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent polymer absorbs at least 100 times it weight in water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The compress of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is in the form of crystalline granules.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The compress of claim 1, wherein the superabsorbent polymer is disposed in the bag compartments in an amount effective to promote uniform distribution of the gel in the presence of a sufficient quantity of an aqueous solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
77 words
A reusable thermal compress for application to a human or animal body part consisting essentially of a water-permeable nylon fabric defining a plurality of laterally adjacent bag compartments, and a superabsorbent polymer disposed in the bag compartments, wherein the polymer forms a gel in the presence of an aqueous solution, the superabsorbent polymer absorbs at least 100 times it weight in water, and the reusable thermal compress is configured and dimensioned for application to the body part.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
A reusable thermal compress for application to a human or animal body part consisting essentially of a water-permeable nylon fabric defining a plurality of laterally adjacent bag compartments, and a superabsorbent polymer disposed in the bag compartments, wherein the polymer forms a gel in the presence of an aqueous solution, the superabsorbent polymer absorbs at least 100 times it weight in water, and the reusable thermal compress is configured and dimensioned for application to the body part.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The compress of claim 17, where the superabsorbent polymer absorbs 300-400 times it weight in water.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The compress of claim 17, which further comprises elements of a mating system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-24 | 2003-07-26 | 2004-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-07-26 | 2008-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-24 | 2011-07-26 | 2012-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |