Patent ID: 8029190

Claim:
A method of sensing and visually indicating relative body temperature, the method comprises: a) providing a body covering that is fabricated at least in part with a melt-extrudable polymer material and at least two thermochromic colorants pre-blended with a semi-crystalline carrier resin, wherein the thermochromic colorants and the carrier resin are contained within a matrix of said polymeric material, said thermochromic colorants including a proton-accepting chromogen and a solvent, said solvent having a melting point that controls relative temperature at which the chromogen will change color, wherein the thermochromic colorants are visually reactive at a certain temperature or temperature range, and at least one of said thermochromic colorants is sensitive to a temperature within a range from about 32° C. to about 38° C.; b) applying said body covering to a portion of a heat-emanating body, and c) monitoring for an observable change in color of the body covering.