Patent ID: 6686562
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A heating element having a heating film comprising:(a) a flexible electrically nonconductive support layer including a polymeric material; (b) a flexible electrically nonconductive cover layer including a polymeric material; and (c) a substantially metallic conductive layer substantially sandwiched between the cover layer and the support layer for forming the heating film wherein; i) the film includes one or more outer edges defining a periphery of the film; ii) the film includes a plurality of recesses forming a conductive path for guiding current through the conductive layer, each of the plurality of recesses extending into the film from the one or more outer edges of the film; iii) the film includes at least one slit extending through the film and extending substantially entirely along the conductive path internal of the one or more edges, the slit forming the conductive path into a plurality of conductive strips extending along the conductive path, the slit extending from adjacent a first end of the conductive path to adjacent a second end of the conductive path; and (d) a first contact area and a second contact area, the first contact area and the second contact area being in electrical communication with the conductive path for electrically connecting the path to a power source; and wherein the heating film is located below a cover layer of a seat of an automotive vehicle and wherein the support layer and a cover layer are integrally joined at the boundaries of the at least one slit.