Abstract:
A container for heating textiles including at least one thermochromatic sensor element incorporated into one of the sidewalls to indicate when the product being warmed inside the container has reached a certain temperature. The container is insulated and constructed of flexible materials so as to be collapsible. One or more heating elements inside the container provide heat for warming the textiles. The container may take many shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval, round) to acconunodate different textiles and other articles within the container, and the container may include a hook to hang the device on a bar.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    a) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention concerns a container for heating textiles. In particular the present invention concerns a so-called “soft-sided” container including a heating element for warming towels, garments, etc. 
         [0003]    b) Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    It is known to provide an electrically heated container having separate compartments for warm food, cool food, and a beverage, whereby the container is constructed of rigid, i.e. not collapsible, sides with a hinge connecting the cover to the body of the lunch box. Such devices may also include a separate compartment underneath the warm food compartment. These containers may also be formed from a molded plastic electrically heated container. These containers do not include collapsible surfaces. 
         [0005]    It is also known to provide a lunch box for keeping its contents cool during hot weather to prevent spoiling of food, and heating its contents if desired. 
         [0006]    However, the prior art device(s) do not provide a convenient means for identifying the temperature of the inside of the container using a suitable visual indicator that is easily incorporated into the external surfaces of the container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In many instances it is desirable to have warmed towels (e.g. after bathing) or warmed garments (e.g. when dressing an infant) and/or warmed food items (e.g., bottle(s)), for example, for infants. An objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible, insulated container which includes a heating element for warming textiles such as towels, food items or garments. The container itself may take many shapes and forms (e.g., rectangular, round, etc) and may be deformable to provide a flexible arrangement for use. 
         [0008]    To solve the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a thermochromatic fabric fixed to the container in order to identify when the product in the container is warn. The thermochromatic fabric is visible to the user and is easily incorporated into the sides or top of the container. 
         [0009]    These and other benefits of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation illustrating the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a right-side elevation illustrating the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a back elevation illustrating a modified version of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a eft-side elevation illustrating the modified version of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a top view illustrating the modified version of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view illustrating an alternate version of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the interior. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  provide side views illustrating the invention in various collapsed states. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the container of  FIG. 3  shown along section line IX-IX with a modification to show towel bar hooks. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show the present invention wherein a container  10  includes access to the interior of the container  10  through an aperture in the top of the container  10 . A first closure  12  covers the aperture and includes a forward facing flap  14  adapted to secure the first closure  12  to one of a plurality of collapsible surfaces  16 . A textile (not shown) is placed within, and removed from, a first enclosure  17  within the interior of the container  10  via the aperture. A handle  18  is provided for ease of carrying the container  10 . 
         [0020]    At least one heating element  20  is located inside the interior and/or the back surface of the container  10  for warming the textile. The heating element  20  is in the form of a flexible sheet covering a majority of at least one surface  16  and/or the first closure  12 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a single heating element  20  is shown covering a majority of both the forward surface  16  and the bottom surface  16 . 
         [0021]    Notably, a thermochromatic sensor element  40  in the form of a fabric element is incorporated into at least one of the sidewalls  16  in order to identify and indicate when the product inside the container is warm. The thermochromatic sensor fabric element  40  should be located to accurately reflect the warmth of the product inside the container and also located to be easily viewed by the user. The thermochromatic material may pass through the sidwalls or be disposed on the outside surface. The sensor assembly includes a body, temperature sensor or a thermometer element and an adjacent temperature scale. The thermometer element is preferably of the known temperature-sensitive, thermochromatic type which is composed of a multi-layered sheet. Other types of thermometers may be used. For example, a thermometer may be used to sense when the unit is heated to a suitable degree. The scale may be read by reference to the mark indicated on the thermometer element. The invention may also use thermochromic dyes based on mixtures of leuco dyes with suitable other chemicals, displaying a color change (usually between the colorless leuco form and the colored form) in dependence on temperature. Liquid crystals are capable of displaying different colors at different temperatures and may also be used to form the thermochromatic sensor  40 . The color change is dependent on selective reflection of certain wavelengths by the crystallic structure of the material, as it changes between the low-temperature crystallic phase, through anisotropic chiral or twisted nematic phase, to the high-temperature isotropic liquid phase. 
         [0022]    An optional partition  22  is shown extending upward from the bottom surface  16  so as to partially divide the interior of the container  10 . The heating element  20  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is shown extending up one side of the partition  22 , over the top of the partition  22 , and down the opposite side of the partition  22 . 
         [0023]    Temperature and/or operating time of the heating element may be regulated by a control switch  24  located on the exterior of the container  10 . A power cord  26  extends out of the container  10  and provides electrical energy to the heating element  20  via the control switch  24 . The power cord  26  is stored within a second enclosure  27  inside the container  10 . A second closure  28  includes a rearward facing flap  30  covering the second enclosure  27  and secured to one of the plurality of collapsible surfaces  16 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 3-5  show a modified version of the present invention having two heating elements  20 ′, 20 ″ separated by the partition  22 . All other elements are similar to those described and indicated with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It is also envisioned that the arrangement of the heating elements  20 ′, 20 ″ could divide the interior  17  without a separate partition  22  as described above. The control switch  24  may control both heating elements  20 ′, 20 ″ or separate controls may be provided for the respective heating elements  20 ′, 20 ″. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  shows an alternate version of the present invention wherein a single heating element  20  covers the bottom of the container  10  and also extends upward over a majority of two opposed surfaces  16  which are adjacent to the bottom of the container  10 . In the alternate version illustrated in  FIG. 6 , no partition is present to divide the interior  17 . 
         [0026]    In each version of the present invention, it is envisioned that the plurality of collapsible surfaces  16 , as well as the first closure  12  could be insulated so as to avoid the transfer of heat from the interior  17  to outside the container  10 .  FIGS. 7 and 9  illustrate the insulation  16   a  provided on the collapsible surfaces  16  and the closure  12 .  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrate the container of this invention in various collapsed states. 
         [0027]    By virtue of the design of the present invention a large contact surface between the heating element(s)  20 ,  20 ″,  20 ″ and a textile provide relatively uniform heat transfer to the textile. Inasmuch as the partition  22  may only partially divide the interior  17 , the textile may be folded over the partition to further enhance heat transfer. 
         [0028]    Manufacture of the container  10  is preferably accomplished with flexible sheet goods such as fabric or plastics such that connections between the surfaces  16 , as well as the connection between the first and second closures  12 ,  28  may be similarly effected by sewing or thermoelectric welding, respectively. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  shows an alternate embodiment where the container  10  is provided with towel hooks  18   a  in place of the handle  18  shown in the other embodiment. Alternatively, a strap or other hanging element(s) may be used in place of the hooks  18   a  to hang the container on a shower hook, a stroller, or similar article. 
         [0030]    While the foregoing embodiments have been shown with reference to specific shapes and details, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the container may be rectangular or round or square or may take a deformable shape to provide flexibility during use. Additionally, the thermochromatic sensor may be disposed on a surface of the container or the sensor may be integrated into one side in such a manner to pass from an inside to an outside of the container to indicate the degree of warming of the article in the container. Additionally, the container may utilize a battery pack to provide electric energy for the heating elements etc. Other changes are envisioned with this invention.