Patent Description:
Many garments in the market today incorporate heating elements to provide thermal comfort / therapeutic benefit to a user wearing the garment. Particularly, the garment is made through integration of the heating elements on the garment's fabric material. For example, the heating elements are continuous conductive yarns that are spread across the area of the fabric material where heating is desired. However, if the heating area is relatively large, the overall length of the conductive yarns is increased, and this causes higher overall electrical resistance in such a system. A power source would be needed to supply more electrical current to generate heat in the conductive yarns, and this often means the user would need to carry around a larger / heavier power source so that the garment can be used for a desired period of time. The conductive yarns are also exposed to the external environment and after several wash cycles would have a different electrical resistance due to wear and tear on the conductive yarns. Moreover, exposed conductive yarns may result in oxidation on the yarns that may compromise the reliability of the heating.

<CIT> discloses a detachable heatable coat liner including two front panels and a back panel joined together by a waist belt, each panel having a fire retardant layer to which is attached a length of electric resistance wire, a layer of fabric with a coating of "Teflon" positioned such that the coating lies against the resistance wire, and two outside layers of coat fabric enclosing the other two layers, a lead wire connecting all lengths of resistance wire and a plug attachable to a source of power, the liner being attachable to the coat by strips of "Velcro" fastener.

<CIT> discloses heated gloves that have a resistance heating wire between a lining and an outer glove and connected via a cable to the motor-bike's electrical system. The heating wire loops to conform to the shape of the hand i.e. it travels up and down each finger and is mounted on backing material between the lining and the outer glove. The backing material is covered by perforated metal foil on the side facing the back of the glove. The backing material is made of electrically-insulating textile and may be coated in plastic. The backing material follows the contours of the glove and covers the entire back of the glove. The heating wire is sewn onto the backing.

<CIT> discloses an electrically heated, cold weather garment. The garment includes a lightweight, stretchable, form-fitting fabric for covering portions of the body of a wearer of the garment; a plurality of flexible, electrical heating wires cover stitched to the fabric by sewing; an electronic controller for controlling current flowing through each of the heating wires in a pulse-width modulated fashion, to thereby independently control the heat generated by each heating wire; a plurality of potentiometers for controlling the level of power supplied to each heating wire; and a master power level potentiometer for controlling the power supplied to each of the heating wires in a uniform and simultaneous fashion. In a first preferred embodiment of <CIT>, the controller utilizes a combination of analog and digital-like signals to control in a pulse-width modulated fashion the current flow through the heating elements. In a second preferred embodiment of <CIT>, the controller includes a microprocessor which is operable to sense changes in the temperature of the heating wires themselves, and to regulate automatically and independently the power supplied to each of the heating wires.

Therefore, in order to address or alleviate at least the aforementioned problem or disadvantage, there is a need to provide an improved heating product.

The present invention provides a heating product according to claim <NUM>.

The present invention also provides a method making a heating product according claim <NUM>.

The present invention also provides a wearable product according to claim <NUM>.

Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by way of non-limiting examples only, along with the accompanying drawings.

Disclosure, depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular figure or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, or an analogous element or element number identified in another figure or descriptive material associated therewith. The use of "/" in a figure or associated text is understood to mean "and/or" unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of a particular numerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be a recitation of an approximate numerical value or value range.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a heating product, in accordance with the drawings. While aspects of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents to the embodiments described herein, which are included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be recognized by an individual having ordinary skill in the art, i.e. a skilled person, that the present disclosure may be practiced without specific details, and/or with multiple details arising from combinations of aspects of particular embodiments. In a number of instances, well-known systems, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In representative or exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, there is a heating product <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The heating product <NUM> is in the form of a composite material and comprises a base layer <NUM> and a heating layer <NUM> formed on the base layer <NUM>. The heating product <NUM> may further comprise a cover layer <NUM> formed on the heating layer <NUM>, wherein the heating layer <NUM> is interposed between the base layer <NUM> and cover layer <NUM>.

The base layer <NUM> and cover layer <NUM> may be made of a fabric material which can be knitted, woven, or non-woven. Preferably, the fabric material is knitted to achieve stretchability properties. The fabric material of the base layer <NUM> and cover layer <NUM> would make the heating product <NUM> more suitable for integration with garments that require heating functionalities, such as to provide thermal comfort / therapeutic benefit to a user wearing the garment. Notably, when the heating product <NUM> is in use by the user, the base layer <NUM> is arranged closer to the skin of the user, and possibly with direct skin contact.

Further with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the heating layer <NUM> comprises a plurality of electrically conductive wires <NUM> arranged electrically in parallel to each other. The wires <NUM> are connectable to a power source for conducting an electrical current through the wires <NUM>, thereby generating heat in the wires <NUM>. The electrically conductive wires <NUM> may be referred to as heating wires <NUM>. More specifically, each wire <NUM> has an electrically positive end and an electrically negative end, and the wires <NUM> are arranged such that the electrical current can flow in parallel between the positive and negative ends of the respective wires <NUM>. The heating layer <NUM> further comprises thermally conductive cording yarns <NUM> that attach each wire <NUM> to the base layer <NUM> by cording embroidery, the cording yarns <NUM> extending along and cording around the respective wire <NUM>. The heating product <NUM> further comprises at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> formed on the base layer <NUM>, wherein the at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> is arranged for substantially uniform heat transfer from the heating layer <NUM>. The at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> is described further below.

Each wire <NUM> may have a multifilament structure comprising a plurality of electrically conductive filaments and an insulation element surrounding the electrically conductive filaments. The electrically conductive filaments may be made of any material suitable for generating heat in response to an electrical current. For example, the electrically conductive filaments may be made of copper and may be coated with tin to improve sustainability. The insulation element may be made of any material suitable for electrically insulating the copper filaments from the external environment. Additionally, the insulation element may be made of a material suitable for reinforcing or strengthening the wire <NUM>. For example, the insulation element is made of nylon or other synthetic material. The insulation element provides additional protection to the user and improves the lifespan of the heating product <NUM>.

The multifilament structure may further comprise a protective coating around the insulation element. The protective coating which is the outermost layer of the wire <NUM> provides added protection and reinforcement to the wire <NUM> and prevents ingress of external elements, such as water penetration especially during washing of a garment integrated with the heating product <NUM>. For example, the protective coating is made of or comprises a polymer material such as polyurethane which is tougher and more flexible so that the protective coating does not stiffen the wire <NUM>. The overall diameter of the wire <NUM> is also kept small, such as up to <NUM>-<NUM>, to maintain flexibility of the wire <NUM> and to allow for better drapability of the heating product <NUM>, especially when used in a garment. The multifilament structure may further comprise a core surrounded by the electrically conductive filaments to provide additional support to the wire <NUM>. The core may be made of nylon or other synthetic material.

Further as shown in <FIG>, each wire <NUM> is corded and attached to the base layer <NUM> by the thermally conductive cording yarns <NUM>, and the ends of the wire <NUM> are connectable to the power source. For example, respective positive and negative ends of the wire <NUM> are connectable to the power source directly or via corresponding electrical elements <NUM>, such as lead wires. The electrical elements <NUM> are preferably thin wires with very low electrical resistance to enable electrical current flow through the wire <NUM> with minimal heat generation in the electrical elements <NUM>. The electrical elements <NUM> are preferably coated with a protective coating, such as waterproofing adhesive, hot glue, or polyurethane-based glue, to prevent water seepage into electrically conductive filaments of the electrical elements <NUM>. For example, the protective coating covers any filament-exposed areas of the electrical elements <NUM>. As the electrical elements <NUM> can only be exposed where they are peeled open and the exposed areas for connection to the power source are usually small, the protective coating (particularly glue) should be applied in a mild form to maintain the sleekness of the heating product <NUM>.

In the heating layer <NUM>, the electrically conductive or heating wires <NUM> are arranged electrically in parallel to each other. The heating wires <NUM> are electrically in parallel in terms of electrical connectivity without limiting the physical arrangement or design of the heating wires <NUM>. Various arrangements of multiple wires <NUM> can be created in the heating layer <NUM> to cover various area sizes. For example, multiple wires <NUM> may be arranged in similar or dissimilar patterns and distributed across a larger area for better heating efficiency. The arrangement of the wires <NUM> can improve stretch and recovery properties in different directions. For example, arranging the wires <NUM> generally linearly along one direction can improve stretch and recovery properties along a perpendicular direction. It will be appreciated that the wires <NUM> can be suitably arranged to achieve such properties in one or more or all directions.

More importantly, having multiple wires <NUM> connected to a common power source obviates a single continuous wire for the same area and reduces overall electrical resistance as the wires <NUM> are electrically parallel to each other (following Ohm's law). The lower overall electrical resistance of the wires <NUM> would thus require the same power source to supply less electrical current at the same voltage across to generate approximately the same level of heat in the wires <NUM>. The power source can be lighter and smaller in size to achieve the desired useable life of the heating product <NUM> and hence would be more portable for the user. As less electrical current is flowing through the wires <NUM>, the heating product <NUM> would be safer for the user.

In one embodiment as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heating layer <NUM> has two wires <NUM> arranged electrically in parallel to each other. Each wire <NUM> may be of the same length and type, e.g. same material, such that the electrical resistance of each wire <NUM> is the same. For example, wires <NUM> of equal lengths have the same resistance and the electrical current would be distributed equally in the wires <NUM>, resulting in low current flow in any individual wire <NUM>. As both wires <NUM> are arranged electrically in parallel, the overall electrical resistance of the wires <NUM> will be halved. Following the Joule heating process, the heat generated in the wires <NUM> will increase if the same voltage is applied as the electrical current will be higher. Similarly, a lower voltage can be applied to generate the same amount of heat in the wires <NUM> due to the lower overall electrical resistance. It will be appreciated that the overall electrical resistance will be further reduced if more wires <NUM> are arranged electrically in parallel to each other.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cording yarns <NUM> extend along and cord around the wires <NUM> and attach the wires <NUM> to the base layer <NUM> by cording embroidery. The cording yarns <NUM> are made of any material having a high thermal conductivity value to facilitate heat transfer from the heating layer <NUM> to the base layer <NUM>. For example, the cording yarns <NUM> are natural yarns or synthetic yarns made of polyester, nylon, or a metallic material. The wires <NUM> are corded embroidered across substantial lengths of the wires <NUM> using the cording yarns <NUM>. The cording yarns <NUM> surround the wires <NUM> and protect the wires <NUM> from the external environment, such as during wash cycles. This mitigates the risk of damage on the wires <NUM> and maintains the electrical resistance and thermal efficiency of the wires <NUM> over their useable lifespan. By using the cording yarns <NUM> to capture the wires <NUM>, the wires <NUM> are more firmly attached to the base layer <NUM> without compromising on the integrity of the wires <NUM>. The heating layer <NUM> may further comprise reinforcement stitches <NUM>, such as bar tack stitches, to fasten one or more portions of the wires <NUM> to the base layer <NUM>. For example, the reinforcement stitches <NUM> are positioned at or near the end portions of the wires <NUM>.

Further as shown in <FIG>, the wires <NUM> are attached to the base layer <NUM> by cording embroidery using the cording yarns <NUM>. The wires <NUM> and cording yarns <NUM> will be visible on one side of the base layer <NUM> (<FIG>), and only the cording yarns <NUM> will be visible on the other side (skin-facing side) of the base layer <NUM> (<FIG>). Cording embroidery is different from traditional embroidery as cording embroidery can be used to attach the cording yarns <NUM> to create 3D convex structures on one side of the fabric while forming only thin lines of threads on the other side (skin-facing side). Various design decorations may be created and formed on the base layer <NUM> by cording embroidery of the cording yarns <NUM> along the wires <NUM>.

In traditional embroidery as shown in <FIG>, heating yarns or wires <NUM> are directly embroidered on and integrated with a base layer <NUM>, such that the heating yarns <NUM> would be in direct contact with the skin <NUM>. This would create localized high-temperature zones around the area of the heating yarns <NUM> which can lead to skin damage or necrosis, while other areas of the skin <NUM> that are not in contact with the heating yarns <NUM> would receive less heat. The non-uniform temperature distribution across the user's skin may result in changes in dermal activity. Such a heating product would likely be considered unsafe and unreliable.

In the cording embroidery of the heating product <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the heating wires <NUM> are laid on the base layer <NUM> and the highly thermally conductive cording yarns <NUM> secure the heating wires <NUM> onto the base layer <NUM>. The heating wires <NUM> are not in direct contact with the skin <NUM>, thus avoiding localized high-temperature zones. Heat generated by the heating wires <NUM> efficiently delivered to the skin <NUM> through the combination of cording yarns <NUM> and thermally conductive layer <NUM>.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is a method <NUM> of making the heating product <NUM>. The method comprises a step of forming the base layer <NUM>. The method further comprises a step of forming the heating layer <NUM> on the base layer <NUM>, the heating layer <NUM> comprising the plurality of electrically conductive wires <NUM> arranged electrically in parallel to each other. The method further comprises a step of attaching each wire <NUM> to the base layer <NUM> by cording embroidery using the thermally conductive cording yarns <NUM>, the cording yarns <NUM> extending along and cording around the respective wire <NUM>. A cording machine may be used to attach the wires <NUM> by cording embroidery using cording yarns <NUM>. As mentioned above, the wires <NUM> are connectable to the power source for conducting an electrical current through the wires <NUM>, thereby generating heat in the wires <NUM>. The method further comprises forming at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> on the base layer <NUM>, wherein the at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> is arranged for substantially uniform heat transfer from the heating layer <NUM>. The at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> is described further below.

In some embodiments, the wires <NUM> are formed separately or piecewise on the base layer <NUM>. In some embodiments as shown in <FIG>, the heating layer <NUM> is formed by first forming or disposing a continuous electrically conductive wire <NUM> on the base layer <NUM>. More specifically, the continuous wire <NUM> is laid on the base layer <NUM> in a looping manner, forming one or more loops <NUM>, and distributed across the desired heating area. The loops <NUM> are created so that they can be cut to thereby form the plurality of wires <NUM>. The continuous wire <NUM> is continuously laid on the base layer <NUM> using the cording yarns <NUM> before the loops <NUM> are cut. There may not be any cording at the loops <NUM> to free portions of the wires <NUM> for easier cutting subsequently. Optionally, the reinforcement stitches <NUM> may be formed near the loops <NUM> as well as other areas of the continuous wire <NUM> to secure the continuous wire <NUM> onto the base layer <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the loops <NUM> are then cut to thereby form the individual wires <NUM>, each wire <NUM> having its respective positive and negative ends. The positive ends of the wires <NUM> can be collectively connected to a common positive terminal of the power source, and similarly the negative ends of the wires <NUM> can be collectively connected to a common negative terminal of the power source. In this electrical circuit, the wires <NUM> are electrically in parallel to each other, thereby reducing their overall electrical resistance. Depending on the positions of the loops <NUM> that are cut, the resultant positive ends / negative ends of the wires <NUM> may be positioned close together or further apart. Lead wires may be used to connect the positive / negative ends together if they are separated apart to facilitate connection to the common positive / negative terminals of the power source.

<FIG> shows another design and arrangement of the wires <NUM>. A continuous wire <NUM> is similarly laid on the base layer <NUM> in a looping manner to form loops <NUM> and distributed across the desired heating area. Reinforcement stitches <NUM> may be formed near the loops <NUM> as well as other areas of the continuous wire <NUM> to secure the continuous wire <NUM> onto the base layer <NUM>. The loops <NUM> are then cut to thereby form the individual wires <NUM>, each wire <NUM> having its respective positive and negative ends. The positive and negative ends of the wires <NUM> can be collectively connected to respective common terminals of the power source.

<FIG> shows another design and arrangement of the wires <NUM>. A continuous wire <NUM> is similarly laid on the base layer <NUM> in a looping manner to form loops <NUM> and distributed across the desired heating area. Additionally, the continuous wire <NUM> is laid around some functional elements <NUM> of the heating product <NUM> that provide certain functions to the user. For example, these functional elements <NUM> include sensors and actuators such as stimulation and vibration devices. This is enabled through the flexible wire arrangements and the wires <NUM> can be arranged to accommodate the functional elements <NUM> to create various combination of technologies.

Accordingly, the heating layer <NUM> can be formed by first disposing the continuous wire <NUM> and attaching it to the base layer <NUM> by cording embroidery using the cording yarns <NUM>. The attached continuous wire <NUM> can then be cut at one or more loops <NUM> thereof to thereby form the plurality of wires <NUM> arranged electrically in parallel to each other. In this way, the wires <NUM> and a large number of them can be formed in a single manufacturing run or process without discontinuing the cording embroidery process. Particularly, the cording yarns <NUM> cord around the continuous wire <NUM> in a continuous run. This reduces manufacturing time as opposed to forming individual wires and attaching them individually with respective cording yarns which would be more complex and take more time. The heating product <NUM> can thus be manufactured more quickly and efficiently, saving production costs in the process.

In some embodiments, as the base layer <NUM> is arranged closer to the user's skin, the base layer <NUM> may comprise thermally conductive yarns to facilitate heat transfer from the heating layer <NUM> to the user. For example, the base layer <NUM> may comprise metallic yarns or may be made of a metallic material.

Importantly, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heating product <NUM> further comprises at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> formed on or attached to the base layer <NUM>. The thermally conductive layer <NUM> may be attached to the base layer <NUM> such as by printing, bonding, or applying by means of adhesion. Alternatively, the thermally conductive layer <NUM> may be knitted or weaved into the fabric material of the base layer <NUM>. The thermally conductive layer <NUM> may be made of a thin material such as graphene, gold, silver, copper, aluminium, or other metallic materials. For example, graphene has a very high thermal conductivity value of around <NUM>-<NUM> W/m·K, and a graphene coating can distribute heat from a single location efficiently across an area, thereby achieving homogeneous heating across the area. Alternatively, the thermally conductive layer <NUM> may be made of a material comprising a variety of fibre blends, or any material or yarns (e.g. metallic or non-metallic) with a high thermal conductivity value.

The at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> is arranged for substantially uniform heat transfer from the heating layer <NUM>. The at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> may include a first thermally conductive layer <NUM>, wherein the base layer <NUM> is interposed between the heating layer <NUM> and first thermally conductive layer <NUM>. The first thermally conductive layer <NUM> is arranged to be close to the skin, possibly with direct skin contact, and facilitates substantially uniform heat transfer from the heating layer <NUM> to the user. The first thermally conductive layer <NUM> laterally dissipates heat generated by the heating layer <NUM> more efficiently across a wider area, thereby uniformly spreading the heat across the user's skin. As such, the wires <NUM> do not need to cover the whole desired heating area and the heat generated in the wires <NUM> can be spread to areas not covered by the wires <NUM>. This shortens the overall length of the wires <NUM> used, reduces wire density across the heating product <NUM>, saves material usage and costs, and improves material flexibility.

The thermally conductive layer <NUM> helps with thermal stabilisation of the heat generated by the heating layer <NUM>, provides homogenous thermal comfort to the user, and maintains consistent temperature across the heating product <NUM>. For example, the heating product <NUM> is integrated in a therapeutic product such as a garment and having consistent heating across the desired heating area improves therapeutic benefit to the user. In some embodiments, the at least one thermally conductive layer <NUM> may comprise a second thermally conductive layer <NUM> formed on the reverse side of the base layer <NUM> and interposing the base layer <NUM> and heating layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the heating product <NUM> may comprise both the first and second thermally conductive layers <NUM> cooperative to facilitate substantially uniform heat distribution to the user, minimizing the temperature gradient across the user's skin that is in contact with the heating product <NUM>.

In some embodiments as shown in <FIG>, the heating product <NUM> further comprises a thermal insulation layer <NUM> formed on or attached to the heating layer <NUM>, wherein the heating layer <NUM> is interposed between the base layer <NUM> and thermal insulation layer <NUM>. The thermal insulation layer <NUM> functions as a barrier to reduce heat loss that is generated by the heating layer <NUM> and directed away from the user's skin, thereby improving thermal efficiency of the heating product <NUM> and heat retention on the user's skin. The thermal insulation layer <NUM> is preferably thin, lightweight, and flexible and has a thickness of not more than <NUM>-<NUM>. The thermal insulation layer <NUM> may be made of any knitted, woven, or non-woven material having a low thermal conductivity value. The thermal insulation layer <NUM> is preferably porous or has an open-space structure. For example, the thermal insulation layer <NUM> is made of a 3D fabric or spacer or foam. Alternatively, the thermal insulation layer <NUM> is made of an aerogel material which is a synthetic, porous, and lightweight material that has very low density and thermal conductivity. The porous or open-space structure of the thermal insulation layer <NUM> creates air spaces in the thermal insulation layer <NUM> to capture air, which has a very low thermal conductivity value of around <NUM> W/m·K, thereby reducing overall heat loss to the external environment in a cost-effective manner.

In some embodiments as shown in <FIG>, the heating product <NUM> further comprises a thermal reflective layer <NUM> formed on or attached to the thermal insulation layer <NUM>, wherein the thermal insulation layer <NUM> is interposed between the heating layer <NUM> and thermal reflective layer <NUM>. The thermal reflective layer <NUM> may be formed on the underside of the cover layer <NUM> as a coating or laminate or a bonded layer. The thermal reflective layer <NUM> may have pores for air permeation through the heating product <NUM>. The thermal insulation layer <NUM>, particularly with its porous structure, forms a buffer or gap between the heating layer <NUM> and thermal reflective layer <NUM>. Any heat loss through the thermal insulation layer <NUM> would be reflected by the thermal reflective layer <NUM> and radiated back towards the heating layer <NUM>. This further reduces overall heat loss and improves thermal efficiency. The thermal reflective layer <NUM> is made of a material with a low emissivity value that is preferably close to zero to reflect at least <NUM>% of the heat that is radiated to the thermal reflective layer <NUM>. The material may be aluminium, gold, or silver. For example, aluminium has a low emissivity value of <NUM> which reflects <NUM>% of the heat back to the heating layer <NUM>.

The thermal insulation layer <NUM> and thermal reflective layer <NUM> are thus cooperative to preserve most of the heat that is generated by the heating layer <NUM> and to redirect most of the heat towards the user. This combination reduces overall heat loss to the external environment and improves the overall thermal efficiency of the heating product <NUM>. Less power would be required to heat the wires <NUM> and generate the desired temperature and thermal comfort for the user.

In some embodiments, the wires <NUM> are attached directly onto the base layer <NUM> by cording embroidery using the cording yarns <NUM>. In some embodiments, the heating layer <NUM> further comprises an intermediary layer or film and the wires <NUM> are attached onto the intermediary layer. The intermediary layer is made of a material that allows the heating layer <NUM> to be transferred and attached to the base layer <NUM> such that the intermediary layer interposes the heating layer <NUM> and base layer <NUM>. For example, the intermediary layer is made of thermoplastic polyurethane which is a film-like that can be bonded or glued to other surfaces.

The heating product <NUM> can be integrated in various products, such as wearable products or garments, that may incorporate various other technologies, such as to provide therapeutic benefits to users. There are applications of the heating product <NUM> where such heating can be used for therapeutic treatment purposes by providing stable homogenous temperature for longer period of time to an area. The thin and flexible structure of the heating product <NUM> enables it to be easily integrated in other products. One reason for this versatility is the arrangement of the wires <NUM> allows space for integrating components for other technologies in the same heating product <NUM>. For example, the technologies may relate to pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) / repetitive TMS (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), photobiomodulation (PBM), electromyography (EMG), electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), cold therapy, active compression, vibration therapy, and with ointment dispersion in combination with heating, etc. Various types of sensors / actuators, such as thermal sensors, may be added to the heating product <NUM> to measure various types of data that can complement the technologies.

In some embodiments, there is a wearable product, such as a garment, comprising a fabric body and the heating product <NUM> attached to the fabric body. In one embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the wearable product is a heating glove <NUM> comprising the heating product <NUM>. The heating glove <NUM> can be used for gaming to provide hand / wrist thermal comfort to active gamers. The heating product <NUM> is embedded in the fabric body of the heating glove <NUM> such that the heating layer <NUM> is distributed over two areas of the heating glove <NUM>, namely the wrist area <NUM> and the dorsal area <NUM>. Particularly, the wrist area <NUM> is arranged to cover the volar side of the user's wrist, and the dorsal area <NUM> is arranged to cover the dorsal side of the user's hand and/or wrist. <FIG> illustrates the electrical circuit of the electrically-parallel wires <NUM> in the heating layer <NUM>. Notably, the wires <NUM> loop around the wrist area <NUM> and dorsal area <NUM> and terminate at around the same area for connection to the power source <NUM> such as a battery or power bank.

The heating glove <NUM> may comprise an intermediary connector <NUM>, such as a host plate, to connect between the wires <NUM> (or electrical elements / lead wires <NUM> if connected to the ends of the wires <NUM>) and the power source <NUM>. The intermediary connector <NUM> comprises suitable connection elements for the power source <NUM> to connect to. The connection elements are configured to allow ease of attachment and detachment of the power source <NUM> so that the user can use the heating glove <NUM> as and when necessary. The connection elements may comprise a pair of magnetic elements that correspond to the positive and negative terminals of the power source <NUM>. The magnetic elements may be made of neodymium and are lightweight with high connection strength. For example, the pair of magnetic elements can have a connection strength of close to <NUM> N or over <NUM>. This connection strength allows the power source <NUM> to have a weight of close to <NUM> while keeping it securely fastened to the heating glove <NUM> even with hand motions by the user. In another example, the connection elements may comprise USB connectors or ports. It will be appreciated that the connection elements can be of various types to facilitate ease of physical and electrical connection between the power source <NUM> and the heating glove <NUM>.

The heating glove <NUM> can be used to achieve active thermal comfort / therapeutic benefit. The heating glove <NUM> is able to generate heat in the heating wires <NUM> to a temperature of around <NUM> and achieve the desired temperature on the user's skin without causing any discomfort to the user. In the electrical circuit of the heating glove <NUM>, the overall electrical resistance is below <NUM>Ω and the power source <NUM> is a <NUM> V battery. Due to the low resistance, the heating glove <NUM> can be powered by the battery for close to <NUM> hours at the desired temperature. A lower resistance would generally be beneficial for small systems and garments that have limited space for the wires <NUM>.

The heating glove <NUM> was found to be effective at providing thermal comfort to users with repetitive strain injury. The thin and flexible structure of the heating product <NUM> also enables the heating glove <NUM> to achieve a sleek profile. Additionally, the wearable product or heating glove <NUM> may be integrated with active / passive compression properties that complement the heating properties from the heating product <NUM>. For example, the wearable product or heating glove <NUM> comprises compression elements attached to the fabric body, the compression elements configured for applying compression pressure. Such heating glove <NUM> was tested with several groups of users and these users reported better thermal comfort and reduced pain in their fingers, hand, and around the wrist areas together with improved player performance and play time after weeks of use. Tests were also conducted on the heating glove <NUM> to investigate the time taken for the heating glove <NUM> to reach a peak temperature. According to the test results shown in <FIG>, the heating glove <NUM> was able to reach the desired peak temperature in less than <NUM> seconds. Once the peak temperature was reached, this was held stable throughout the entirety of the treatment cycle. A low-voltage battery with low MWh capacity was able to power the heating product <NUM> used in the gaming glove <NUM> for over <NUM> minutes. Use of a small battery module has benefits of safety as well as being lightweight and the possibility of designing sleek and attractive end products.

The heating product <NUM> functions as a lightweight, drapeable, and flexible product that is very thin in nature and can be incorporated with other products such as garments with any form factor. The heating product <NUM> has an overall thickness below <NUM> and this enables the heating product <NUM> to be easily integrated into any type of garments from gloves to socks to jackets. The heating product <NUM> uses a combination of the heating layer <NUM> (having the heating wires <NUM> and corded yarns <NUM>) and thermal dissipation layer to dissipate heat uniformly and efficiently across a wider area. For example, the heating product <NUM> is integrated in a garment and the user wearing the garment would feel the heat uniformly distributed on the user's skin.

Claim 1:
A heating product (<NUM>) comprising:
a base layer (<NUM>);
a heating layer (<NUM>) formed on the base layer (<NUM>) , the heating layer (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of electrically conductive wires (<NUM>) arranged electrically in parallel to each other; and
thermally conductive cording yarns (<NUM>) that attach each wire (<NUM>) to the base layer (<NUM>) by cording embroidery, the cording yarns (<NUM>) extending along and cording around the respective wire (<NUM>) such that the wire (<NUM>) is corded embroidered to the base layer (<NUM>); and at least one thermally conductive layer (<NUM>) formed on the base layer (<NUM>),
wherein the wires (<NUM>) are connectable to a power source (<NUM>) for conducting an electrical current through the wires (<NUM>), thereby generating heat in the wires (<NUM>); and
wherein the cording yarns (<NUM>) facilitate heat transfer from the heating layer (<NUM>) to the base layer (<NUM>), and the at least one thermally conductive layer (<NUM>) is arranged for substantially uniform heat transfer from the heating layer (<NUM>).