Abstract:
A heat containing hand warming device. The apparatus comprises a generally tubular muff with a hand warming chamber; an adjustable strap from the generally tubular muff; a snap for connecting and disconnecting the strap; auto sizing openings at the ends of the said hand warming chamber; a resealable pocket for belongings; and a resealable heat source chamber; a heat reflective layer encompassing the muff.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to the field of hand muff devices, and more particularly to a heat containment apparatus to warm human hands. 
   The information provided below will address the current deficiencies and provide a solution for individuals to warm hands in cold weather. 
   Human hands are often exposed to cold weather while working or enjoying recreational activities. Gloves and mittens have been used to retain heat and shield the cold from effecting the function and pain associated with long exposure to the elements of cold weather. Gloves aid in retaining heat and shielding heat while allowing the use of each individual finger. Mittens keep hands warmer as the fingers are encompassed by the insulating material while the thumb is usually what becomes the most effected by the cold, as with individual fingers of the glove. Hand muffs have been used to allow the user to place both hands into an insulating device creating in essence a double mitten, thus keeping both hands even warmer. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,727,241 issued to Smith goes a step further with the hand muff to allow a pocket for traditional heat sources in the center of the muff. Giese, U.S. Pat. No. 2,835,896 states a hand warming muff including a neck strap and easy hand access. Kisnoshita, U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,643 created a carrier for a portable heat source where hands may then be inserted to warm. U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,954 issued to Cohen; Florence describes a heating element enclosed in a hand muff where the hands may grab a heat source. 
   Brock; Kenneth, U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,355 describes a hand muff that is semi rigid to conform to the body and allow one hand to be free when inserting the other. 
   All mentioned muffs provide means for hands to be insulated from the elements and some providing the use of additional heat sources though fail to create a muff to contain the heat and shield human order from exiting the muff that is important to hunters. There is also a need for a muff to utilize reuseable heat sources reducing waste into the environment and reduce overall cost of heating the hands in cold weather. 
   The information following will address the deficiencies in current hand muff devices and address the solutions to them. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary object of the invention is a heat containment hand warming device. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a chamber for a heat source inside the heat containment area. 
   A further with the object of the invention is variable openings at the ends of the heat containment warming device for hand insertion and sealing. 
   A further object of the invention is to be moisture resistant. 
   Another object of the invention is to posses a pocket for storage of the user&#39;s belongings. 
   Yet another object of the invention is to have human odor containtment or adsorbment properties. 
   A further object of the invention is to be secured to the waist with a connection snap on a strap variable in size. 
   Yet another object of the invention is variable in material color patterns and options of the exterior material. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a heat containing hand warming device comprises an insulating heat reflective elongated generally tubular hand warming chamber; a connection means from the generally tubular hand warming chamber to itself that is adjustable in length and a disconnecting means; auto sizing openings at the ends of the said heat reflective elongated generally tubular hand warming chamber; a resealable pocket for belongings; and a resealable heat source chamber inside the said heat reflective elongated tubular hand warming chamber. 
   Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL DRAWINGS 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the variable sized hand insertion point and heat source chamber. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view enlarged showing resealable opening of the heat chamber and heat source insertion. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment identifying layers of materials. 
       FIG. 4  shows the muff being worn with hands inserted in the hand insert areas. 
       FIG. 4A  shows the back view of the muff device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
   With reference to the drawings, a preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1. 21  is the generally tubular hand muff with hand insertion areas  22 , located at opposite ends of the muff.  33  are elastic material ends to automatically seal around the wrists or forearms when the hands are inserted into the muff. The elastic is sewn on the inside of the outer shell material.  25  is a zipper to a pocket  27  on the front side of the muff for easy access to belongings being carried in the pocket  27 . The pocket  27  runs the length of the hand warming chamber to be able to carry longer items such as game calls for hunters and tools for work purposes for example. The muff is strapped around the body at the waist by strap  26 . An adjustable buckle  24  is used where the strap  26  is doubled between  24  and one end of snap  23 . This allows the user to adjust one time for there body size and attach and detach the muff from the waist through the snap  23 . The series of events to elongate or shorten the strap with a snap is well known in the art. 
     FIG. 2  shows a left side view of the muff exposing the insertion area  22  to the warming chamber and  32  the opening to the heat chamber.  32  resides only on one side of the muff to reduce the openings to the heat chamber.  32  is easily opened and resealed using Velcro or hook and loop material. The heat chamber  31  is located at the back side of the muff. This places the heat against the body and more directly to the hands due to the heat reflective material in  FIG. 3 ,  43 . 
     FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of the side of the muff with the resealable opening  32  behind hand insertion area  22  and the elastic material  33  to automatically seal the opening  22  when hands are inserted.  34  is a reusable heat source device and is inserted into heat chamber  32 .  34  is made from liquid sour wax in a semi-transparent flexible enclosure. A perforated disc  35  is immersed inside the sour wax and flexible semi-transparent enclosure. When pressed/snapped the air vibrations start a chemical reaction and turns the sour wax hot. When insulated, the sour wax will stay warm for hours and then turn to a solid wax state. Another heat source may then replace the expired heat source. The expired reusable heat source can then be boiled for a short period of time to once again return to a liquid state and be reused hundreds of times. This is the preferred heat source as it is reusable, though other heat sources could be placed in the heat chamber  32  such as air activated disposable heat pouches, electric heat sources and self contained liquid burning heat sources and preheated sources. 
     FIG. 3  explains further the separate chambers and layers of materials for the muff.  41  is the center hand warming chamber.  42  is the heat chamber. The heat chamber and hand warming chamber are surrounded with permeable insulation material to allow the heat to transfer from the heat chamber to the hand warming chamber and also insulate the hands from direct contact with the heat source. They both are then surrounded with heat reflective material  43 , such as perforated metalized needlepoint insulation. Other features of the invention are that the muff posseses human scent containment or adsorbing materials. Layer  45  is the human scent lock layer. An example of this layer is carbon based material though all human scent locking materials may be utilized. The scent containment is key to hunters who want to be able to utilize there lightly gloved or bare hands to operate a firearm or archery equipment. Scent locking is key when hunting larger game.  46  outer layer is waterproof or water resistant insulating material surrounding pocket  47  and entire muff. 
     FIG. 4  displays the muff  21  being worn with hands inserted in hand insert areas  22 .  FIG. 4A  displays the back view of the muff device where strap  26  is around the waist of the user and  24  is preset to the proper size and  23  allows for quick snap connect and disconnect. The muff may also reside under the lower ends of the jacket when the muff is not needed for quick hand access. The muff can also be spun around the waist and reside on the back when not needed. 
   While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.