Patent ID: 7763061

Claim:
A thermal covering that comprises an exothermic coating at a solids add-on level of from about 100% to about 5000%, the exothermic coating containing an oxidizable metal powder in an amount from about 40 wt. % to about 95 wt. %, a carbon component in an amount from about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, a metal halide in an amount from about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, and a binder in an amount from about 0.01 wt. % to about 20 wt. % within a single layer, wherein the binder comprises a polymer latex that is sufficiently crosslinked to be substantially insoluble in water and has a glass transition temperature of about 30° C. or less, wherein said exothermic coating is generally free of moisture prior to activation, and wherein exposure of said exothermic coating to oxygen and moisture activates an exothermic reaction to generate heat, such heat being transferable to a patient or user through an outer surface defined by the thermal covering.