Metalized fabric heating blanket and method of manufacturing such
There is disclosed a warming blanket ( 8 ) having a metalized fabric exterior layer and a heating element ( 23 ). The heating element is formed from electrically conductive metal ink. The warming blanket also has a electrically insulative fabric or layer ( 18 ) which diffuses the heat produced by the heating element.
1 . A heating blanket comprising,
a first fabric having a metallic layer;
an electrically resistive heating element coupled to said first fabric, and
an electrically insulative second fabric covering said electrically resistive heating element and positioned oppositely from said first fabric.
2 . The heating blanket of claim 1 further comprising an electrically insulative third fabric positioned between said electrically resistive heating element and said first fabric.
3 . The heating blanket of claim 1 wherein said first fabric also includes a first thermoplastic layer overlaying a first surface of said metallic layer, and a second thermoplastic layer overlaying a second surface of said metallic layer oppositely disposed from said first surface of said metallic layer.
4 . The heating blanket of claim 1 wherein said heating elements are electrically conductive ink heating elements.
5 . The heating blanket of claim 1 wherein said electrically insulative second fabric is a spunbond material.
6 . The heating blanket of claim 2 wherein said electrically insulative third fabric is a spunbond material.
7 . The heating blanket of claim 6 wherein said electrically insulative second fabric is a spunbond material.
8 . The heating blanket of claim 1 wherein said electrically resistive heating element comprises a plurality of electrically resistive heating elements which are electrically coupled together through electrically conductive ink strips.
9 . The heating blanket of claim 1 further comprising an electrical control circuit electrically coupled to said electrically resistive heating element.
10 . A heating blanket comprising,
a metalized fabric having an outwardly facing thermoplastic layer covering a metal layer;
a conductive ink electrically resistive heating element coupled to said metalized fabric, and
a first electrically insulative heat diffusing fabric covering said conductive ink electrically resistive heating element and oppositely disposed from said metalized fabric.
11 . The heating blanket of claim 9 further comprising a second electrically insulative heat diffusing fabric positioned between said conductive ink electrically resistive heating element and said metalized fabric.
12 . The heating blanket of claim 10 wherein said first electrically insulative heat diffusing fabric is a spunbond material.
13 . The heating blanket of claim 11 wherein said second electrically insulative heat diffusing fabric is a spunbond material.
14 . The heating blanket of claim 13 wherein said first electrically insulative heat diffusing fabric is a spunbond material.
15 . The heating blanket of claim 10 wherein said conductive ink electrically resistive heating element comprises a plurality of electrically resistive heating elements which are electrically coupled together through electrically conductive ink strips.
16 . The heating blanket of claim 10 further comprising an electrical control circuit electrically coupled to said conductive ink electrically resistive heating element.
17 . A method of manufacturing a heating blanket comprising the steps of:
(A) providing a metalized fabric;
(B) coupling an electrically resistive heating elements to the metalized fabric;
(C) coupling a first electrically insulative fabric over the electrically resistive heating elements, and
(D) coupling an electrical control circuit to the electrically resistive heating elements.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein the metalized fabric includes a first electrically insulative layer, a metallic layer, a second electrically insulative layer overlaying the metallic layer opposite from the first electrically insulative layer.
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein the electrically resistive heating elements are deposited upon the metalized fabric.
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein a second electrically insulative fabric is provided between the metalized fabric and the electrically resistive heating elements.
21 . The method of claim 20 wherein the electrically resistive heating elements are deposited upon the second electrically insulative fabric.
22 . The method of claim 19 wherein said electrically resistive heating elements are made of an electrically conductive ink.
23 . The method of claim 21 wherein said electrically resistive heating elements are made of an electrically conductive ink.
24 . The heating blanket of claim 1 wherein said electrically resistive heating element is a carbon fiber material.
25 . The method of claim 17 wherein said electrically resistive heating elements are a carbon fiber material.