Cuff Pocket

Garments may have a variety of different shapes and sizes. Many garments include sleeves. The end portions of such sleeves are sometimes referred to as cuffs.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

Disclosed are example garments that include pockets within the sleeve cuffs. The pockets may be used for a variety of purposes. In some implementations, the pockets are sized and located for receiving the fingers or the hand of a person wearing the garment. In such implementations, the pockets protect the person's hands and may assist in keeping the hands warm in cold environments. In some implementations, the pockets may also or alternatively be used for other purposes, such as for containing various items.

In some implementations, the pockets have interior floors that extend along and adjacent to an edge of the cuff. Because the interior floors extend along and adjacent to the edge of the cuff, the interior floors may be provided at lower locations without increasing the overall length of the sleeve or lowering the sleeve opening. Because the floor of the pocket is lower, the pocket may be deeper without impacting the ability the person wearing the garment to retract his or her hands into the sleeve to insert his or her hands into the pocket. Because the floors of the pockets are lower, the extent to which the arms of the person wearing the garment are retracted into the sleeves while the hands reside within the pockets is reduced. As result, the garment may be more comfortable to wear when such pockets are being utilized for receiving hands.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “sleeve opening” refers to the location along the sleeve where the hand, wrist or arm of the person wearing the garment is no longer completely circumscribed or surrounded by the sleeve. In some implementations, the “sleeve opening” is entirely defined by the edge of the cuff, such as where the sleeve has a uniform length about its circumference and the entire edge of the cuff terminates in a single plane perpendicular to a longitudinal center axis of an interior of the sleeve.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “cuff” refers to those regions of the sleeve that include the lowermost edges of the sleeve. The cuff may be split and closable by means of a button or link. The cuff may not be split, forming continuous unbroken tubular region. The cuff may be a band of material or materials secured to a remainder of the sleeve. The cuff may be formed from the same sheet or panel of material that forms the rest of the sleeve, being integrally formed with the remainder of the sleeve that extends upward to shoulder regions of the garment.

As indicated above, in some implementations, the lower edges of the cuff form an entirety of the sleeve opening. As will be described hereafter, in other implementations, portions of the cuff or portions of the cuff edge may protrude downwardly below the sleeve opening such that portions of the cuff only extend on one side of the longitudinal center axis of the sleeve interior, extending adjacent to one side of the person's hand, wrist or arm while leaving the other side exposed when the hand is not received within the pocket. Such extension portions of the cuff may have lower edges that transition from those portions of the cuff that define the sleeve opening.

In such implementations, the lower edges of the extension portions of the cuff may linearly slope or ramp downward from the sleeve opening or may curve downwardly (in a concave or convex manner) from the sleeve opening. In such implementations, at least portions of the pocket floor may be supported by the extension portions of the cuff, providing the pocket floor with a lower location without lowering the sleeve opening. As noted above, because the floor of the pocket is lower, the pocket may be deeper without impacting the ability the person wearing the garment to retract his or her hands into the sleeve to insert his or her hands into the pocket. Because the floor of the pocket is lower, the extent to which the arms of the person wearing the garment are retracted into the sleeve while the hand resides within the pocket is reduced. As result, the garment may be more comfortable to wear when the pocket is being utilized for receiving a hand.

In some implementations, the internal floor of the pocket may extend along and adjacent to the lower edges of those portions of the cuff that extend or protrude below the sleeve opening. In some implementations, the internal floor of the pocket may be supported by the extension portions of the cuff while being spaced from or above the lower edges of those portions of the cuff that extend or protrude below the sleeve opening. In each of such alternative implementations where the floor of the pocket is below the sleeve opening, beyond and below the interior of the sleeve, the pocket may still have an upwardly facing entrance opening or mouth within the interior of the sleeve, above the lower sleeve opening.

The sleeve is generally tubular, having an inner side facing torso portion of the garment, an outer side opposite the inner side, a forward facing side and a rearward facing side. In some implementations, the pocket is formed within the interior of the sleeve on the outer side of the sleeve such that the pocket faces the back of the person's hand or wrist when the pocket is not receiving the person's hand. As result, a person wearing the garment may more easily retract his or her hand into the interior to access the mouth of the pocket and then extend his or her hand forwardly into the pocket.

In some implementations where the cuff comprises an extension that projects below the sleeve opening, the extension is also located on the outer side of the sleeve. As result, the extension may cover the back of a person's hand and/or fingers when the hand is not being received within the pocket. With such a configuration, the palm of the hand or at least the palm side of the fingers of the hand remain exposed, permitting the person to continue to use his or her hand when grasping or manipulating articles, depressing environmental surfaces and/or providing touch. In those implementations where the pocket is at least partially carried by the extension portion of the cuff, the pocket is also less likely to interfere with use of the hand when the hand is not being received within the pocket.

In some implementations, the extension of the cuff may be located on a rear side of the sleeve, providing a greater degree of exposure to the person's thumb for manual manipulations. In yet other implementations, the extension of the cuff may be located on the front or inner side of the sleeve.

In some implementations, the garment may comprise a second auxiliary pocket adjacent to the above-described “primary” pocket, wherein the primary pocket in the auxiliary pocket at least partially overlap one another. The second auxiliary pocket may be at least partially coextensive with the first “primary pocket”. The second auxiliary pocket may be sized and configured to receive a removable heating element. In such implementations, the removable heating element may be received within the auxiliary pocket to further warm the fingers or hand of the person wearing the garment.

In some implementations, the heating element may comprise a flexible pouch or bag containing a fluid material (a liquid or particulate material) configured to absorb energy or heat and slowly release heat. For example, a pouch or bag may contain a liquid or spherical particles which may be heated using microwave oven or other heat sources, wherein the stored heat is slowly released. In some implementations, the removable heating element may comprise a flexible bag or pouch containing isolated chemicals, wherein manual or other manipulation of the pouch or bag results in the chemicals being mixed to create an exothermic reaction that releases heat. In yet other implementations, the heating element may comprise other forms or mechanisms that slowly release heat.

In some implementations, interior portions of the “primary” pocket may be lined with electrically resistive heating elements which when supplied with electrical current, emit heat for warming the contents of the primary pocket. In some implementations, where the auxiliary pocket is provided, the auxiliary pocket may be figured to receive a battery and a switch for selectively supplying electrical current to the electrically resistive heating elements. In implementations where the auxiliary pocket is not provided, the garment may be provided with other compartments or compartments at other locations for containing a battery and switch for selecting supplying electrical power to the electrically resistive heating elements.

In some implementations, the primary pocket or cuff pocket may be formed by a single panel which is secured against an interior surface of the sleeve. In some implementations, the primary pocket or cuff pocket may be formed by a pair of overlapping or coextensive panels secured to and against an interior surface of the sleeve, wherein one of the pockets forms a back interior surface of the pocket and the other the pockets forms a front interior surface of the pocket. In such implementations, the panels may be chosen from materials that are softer, more flexible, more compressible and/or more insulative as compared to the internal surface of the sleeve to which such panels are secured. In some implementations, the primary pocket or cuff pocket may be formed by a single panel that is folded to form the front and rear interiors of the pocket, wherein the fold may extend along or itself form the floor of the pocket. In some implementations, the two portions on opposite sides of the fold of the folded panel may be provided with different lengths.

In each of the implementations, the “panel” may comprise a single layer of a perforate or breathable material or a single layer of an imperforate material. The “panel” may comprise a single layer of material which is coated or to which another layer is fused. The “panel” may comprise multiple layers of the same or different material secured to one another by stitching, welds, fusing or the like. In some implementations, the “panel” may comprise multiple layers of different thicknesses or multiple layers that capture or sandwich a third thicker insulative layer therebetween. The “panel” may include a layer of the same material as that of the inner surface of the sleeve.

In some implementations, the panel or panels may be secured to the sleeve by stitching. In some implementations, the floor of the pocket formed by the panel or panels may be defined by stitching, wherein the pocket shares the same as the stitching that forms the sleeve along the cuff. For example, lower portions of sleeve may be folded along the edge of the cuff, wherein the folded panels of the sleeve are secured by the same stitch line that defines the floor of the pocket. In other implementations, the panel or panels may be secured to the sleeve in other fashions such as with adhesives, welds or fusing or the like. In some implementations, the panel or panels forming the pocket may be releasably secured to interior surfaces of the sleeve (and interior facing surfaces of the extension portions of the cuff that extend below the sleeve opening, when provided). For example, the cuff pocket may be releasably secured to the sleeve by hook and loop fasteners, one or more zippers, snaps, buttons or the like, permitting the pocket be removed in circumstances where the pocket is not required or desired, such as during warmer times of the year, or when weight reduction is desired.

In some implementations, the outermost panel of the pocket is elastic or resilient so as to tightly conform to the interior shape of the sleeve, extending in contact and closely along interior surface of the sleeve and any extensions when not receiving an article or a person's hand. In some implementations, the entirety of the outermost panel is formed from a resilient or elastic material such as spandex, Lycra or elastane. In some implementations, portions along the mouth or entrance opening of the pocket may be provided with an elastic band, strip or cord which may extend along an exterior of the mouth or may be contained within a fold along the mouth, wherein the elastic band, strip, or cord retains mouth in a closed position when the pocket is not being used and may retain the mouth against the interior surfaces of the sleeve. In some implementations, the outermost panel of the pocket may be provided with a series of multiple elastic bands, strips or cord for elastically retaining a majority of the pocket in close conformity with and adjacent to interior surfaces of the sleeve or arm-facing surfaces of those portions of the cuff that extend below the sleeve opening.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shall mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members, or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

For purposes of this disclosure, the phrase “configured to” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties the stated function/use to the physical characteristics of the feature proceeding the phrase “configured to”.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “releasably” or “removably” with respect to an attachment or coupling of two structures means that the two structures may be repeatedly connected and disconnected to and from one another without material damage to either of the two structures or their functioning.

illustrates portions of an example garment. Garmentmay be in the form of a coat, jacket, hoody, sweater, shirt or other garment having a torso portionand a pair of sleeves-,-. Torso portioncomprises that portion of garmentconfigured to clothe a person's torso, including the person's chest, back and, in some implementations, abdomen. Torso portioncomprise shoulder regions-and-on opposite sides of a neck opening. In some implementations, neck openingmay additionally comprise a neck cuff or turtleneck or may be bordered by a hood. Although illustrated as being concave or curved downward, in other implementations, neck openingmay extend across and be level with shoulder regionsor may have a V shape. In some implementations, torso portioncontinuously extends across the front and back of the person wearing garment. In other implementations, the front and/or back of the torso portionmay be split, wherein opposite sides of the split may be selectively closed by a closing mechanism(shown in broken lines). The closing mechanismmay be in the form of a zipper, hook and loop fastener, one or more hooks and/or one or more buttons. Although not illustrated, torso portionmay additionally comprise external or internal pockets.

Sleeves-,-(collectively referred to as sleeves) extends laterally from shoulder regions-and-, respectively. Sleeves-and-each terminate at cuffs-and-, respectively. Sleeves-and-are substantially identical to one another.

are sectional views of sleeve-. As shown by, sleeve-is generally tubular in shape and comprises an interiorthat terminates at sleeve opening. In the example illustrated, cuff-does not include any extension such that the lower edgesof cuff-coincide with sleeve opening. Sleeve-has an inner sidethat faces and is closest to torso portion, an outer sideopposite to inner side, a forward facing side, and a rearward facing side.

Although the cross-sections shown inillustrate sleeve-as being formed by a panel or wallcomprising a single “layer” for ease of illustration, it should be appreciated that the single layer shown schematically represents wallof sleeve-, wherein the tubular wallforming sleeve-may comprise a single layer or multiple layers. For example, in some implementations, to the tubular wallof sleeve-may be formed from inner and outer layers with an insulative layer therebetween. The lower edges of wallforming the lower edgesof cuff-may be hemmed turned under, or folded and secured, such as by stitching line. In the example illustrated, wallis continuous, extending from shoulder region-to lower edgeof cuff-. As indicated above, in some implementations, wallmay be part of a cuff-that is joined or secured to a remainder of sleeve-at a location further toward shoulder region-.

As further shown by, garmentadditionally comprises a panelsecured within the interiorproximate a cuff-to form cuff pocketon the rearward facing side of sleeves. In other implementations, cuff pocketmay extend along the outer side or other sides of sleeves. Cuff pocketcomprises a floor, lateral sidesand an entrance opening or mouththat form a pocket interior. Floorextends along and adjacent to cuff edge. In one example implementation, flooris located within the interiorof the sleeve-no greater than 0.5 inches from cuff edge. As a result, the extent to which the arms of the person wearing the garment are retracted into the sleeve-while the hand resides within the pocketis reduced. As result, the garmentmay be more comfortable to wear when pocketis being utilized for receiving a hand. Although flooris illustrated as being generally parallel to cuff edge, in other implementations, floormay be V-shaped, or may be concave.

Sidesextend upwardly from floorand cooperate with floorto form the interior of pocket. Mouthprovides access to the interior of pocket. Mouthis located within the interiorof sleeve-. In the example illustrated, mouthis spaced from floorsuch that the interior pockethas a depth D sufficient to receive at least an entire length of each of the fingers of a hand received within pocket. In some implementations, pockethas a depth D within the range of 8 cm to 13 cm. Pockethas a width W sufficient to receive at least the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and pinky of the hand received within pocket. In some implementations, pockethas a width W of at least 4 cm. In some implementations, the pockethas a width within the range of 4 cm to 7 cm. In some implementations, the pocketcan have a pocket ratio of approximately 65 percent or approximately 234 degrees about the centerlineof the interiorof the sleeve-(or about the circumference of the sleeve at the cuff pocket). The pocket ratio refers to the amount of the circumference of the sleeve that is covered by the pocketover 360 degrees. In some implementations, pocketextends within the range of 180 degrees to 260 degrees about the axial centerlineof the interiorof sleeve-(or about the circumference of sleeve at the cuff pocket) or a pocket ration within the range of 50% to 72%. In some implementations, pocketextends greater than 260° about the axial centerlineof the interiorof sleeve-.

In some implementations, the mouthof pocketmay additionally be associated with a releasable connector(schematically shown in) for releasably securing or maintaining mouthin a closed state. As result, the person's hand is the lines likely to accidentally extend into the pocketduring initial insertion of the person's arm through the sleeve-. Examples of connectorinclude, one or more snaps, one or more hook and loop fasteners, one or more hooks/loops and/or one or more buttons/buttonholes.

In the example illustrated, panelis secured to the interior surfaces of sleeve-by connectorsin the form of stitching or stitch lines extending along floorand sides. In some implementations, the connectorssecuring panelalong floorcomprise the same stitch linethat hems lower edgesof cuff-. In other implementations, connectorsmay alternatively be in the form of heat welds, fusing, adhesives or the like. In some implementations, panelmay be releasably secured to the interior surfaces of sleeve-by connectorsin the form of one or more zippers, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or the like.

As shown by, panelis secured within the interior of sleeve-and is configured such that paneland pocketremain in close conformity with the interior surfaces of sleeve-when pocketis not receiving a hand or is not containing any articles. In some implementations, at least portions of panelare formed from a resilient elastic material. In some implementations, the entirety of the panelis formed from a resilient or elastic material such as spandex, Lycra or elastane.

As shown by broken lines, in some implementations, portions along the mouthof the pocketmay be provided with an elastic retainerin the form of an elastic band, strip or cord which may extend along an exterior/interior of the mouthor may be contained within a fold (hem) along the mouth. The retainerretains mouthin a closed position when the pocketis not being used and may retain the mouthagainst the interior surfaces of the sleeve-. As result, the mouthis less likely to be inadvertently engaged by a person's hand during the donning of garment.

In some implementations, the panelof the pocketmay be provided with a series of elastic retainersin the form of multiple elastic bands, strips or cords for elastically retaining a majority of the pocketin close conformity with and adjacent to interior surfaces of the sleeve-. As result, pocketis less likely to interfere with the donning of garmentwhen pocketis not being utilized. In implementations where the elastic retainerand/or elastic retainersare provided, portions of panelmay be formed from flexible, but inelastic materials. For example, panelmay be formed from a non-stretchable material which may be softer, may be more compressible or may offer enhanced insulative properties or enhanced feel for a hand received within pocket. In some implementations, elastic retainerand/or retainersmay be omitted such as where panelis formed from an elastic material. In some implementations, panelmay be formed from an inelastic material and retainers,may be omitted.

illustrate portions of an example garment.is a sectional view taken along line-ofillustrating portions of an example garment. Garmentis similar to garmentdescribed above except that garmentcomprises paneland cuff pocket. Panelis similar to paneldescribed above except that panelcomprises a rear portionand a front portionjoined by a fold. Rear portionis secured to wallby connector. Those remaining components of garmentwhich correspond to components of garmentare numbered similarly.

Foldforms the floorof pocket. In some implementations, the connectorsotherwise extending along floormay be omitted. Connectormay comprise stitching, adhesives or welds. In some implementations, connector, along with connectorsmay releasably connect pocketto the interior of sleeve-. In such implementations, connectormay comprise a hook and loop fastener, a zipper, buttons, hooks or the like.

are sectional views illustrating portions of an example garmenthaving an example sleeve-as described above.is a sectional view through sleeve-of garmenttaken along line-.is a sectional view of sleeve-of garmenttaken along line-of. Garmentis similar to garmentdescribed above except that garmentcomprises panelwhich forms pocket. Those remaining components of garmentwhich correspond to components of garmentare numbered similarly.

As shown by, panelis similar to panelin that panelcomprise rear portionwhich is joined to front portionby fold. In contrast to panel, panelhas a rear portionwith a length or height equal to the length or height of the innermost or frontmost portionof panel. In some implementations, rear portionmay have a length or height greater than the length or height of the innermost or frontmost portionof panel. Rear portionforms a back wall or lining for the interiorof the formed pocket.

Rear portionmay be secured to the surface of wallalong the interiorby connector. Connectormay comprise stitching, adhesives, welds or the like. In some implementations, an entire face of rear portionmay be fused to wallor adhere to wall. In some implementations, connectormay releasably connect paneland pocketto the interior surfaces of wallalong interiorof sleeve-. For example, connectormay comprise a hook and loop fastener. In some implementations, the outer sideof rear portionand the inner surface of wallmay additionally include one or more hook and loop patches or stripswhich releasably connect to one another to releasably secure pocketto wall. In other implementations, the hook and loop fastenersand connectormay alternatively comprise buttons, snaps or the like. In such implementations, the connectoralong the floor of pocketmay be omitted.

is a sectional view illustrating portions of an example garmenthaving an example sleeve-as described above.is a sectional view through sleeve-of garmenttaken along line-of. Garmentis similar to garmentdescribed above except that garmentcomprises two distinct panels, panels-and-which form pocket. Those remaining components of garmentwhich correspond to components of garmentare numbered similarly.

Panel-has a back facewhich is joined to an inner surface of wallby connector. Panel-has a length or height equal to the length or height of panel-. Panel-forms a back wall or lining for the interiorof the formed pocket.

Panels-and-are joined by a connectorat their lower end to form floorof pocket. In some implementations, connectormay be provided by the seam linewhich provides a hem for sleeve-. Connectormay comprise stitches, adhesives or welds securing faceto the interior of wall. In some implementations, connectormay releasably secure pocketto the interior of wall, along the interiorof sleeve-. For example, in some implementations, connectormay comprise a large patch or multiple smaller patches of hook and loop fasteners having a first portion of the hook and loop fastener secured to faceand a second portion of the hook and loop fastener secured to the interior of wall. With the example garmentshown in, panel-and panel-may be formed from different materials. For example, panel-may be formed from a more insulative or softer material that may be inelastic while panel-is formed from an elastic material such that withdrawal of the hand from pocketresults in panel-resiliently returning into close conformity with the interior of wall.

illustrate portions of an example garment. Garmentis similar to garmentdescribed above except that garmentcomprises sleeves-and-(collectively referred to as sleeves) in place of sleeves-and-, respectively. Sleevesare similar to sleevesexcept that sleeves-and-have cuffs-and-comprising extensionsthat project below sleeve openings. In the example illustrated, flooris carried by extension, below and beyond the interiorof sleeve-while the mouthof pocketresides within interiorof sleeve-. In the illustrated example, pocketextends on the outer side of sleeves-. In other implementations, cuff pocketmay extend along the rearward facing side or other sides of sleeve-. Because the floor of the pocketis lower, below sleeve opening, the pocketmay be deeper without impacting the ability the person wearing the garment to retract his or her hands into the sleeve-to insert his or her hands into the pocket. Because the floorof the pocketis lower, the extent to which the arms of the person wearing the garment are retracted into the sleeve-while the hand resides within the pocketis reduced. As result, the garmentmay be more comfortable to wear when the pocketis being utilized for receiving a hand. Because the mouthresides within the interiorof sleeve, the interior of the pocketmay be maintained at a warmer temperature.

In the example illustrated, extensionhas a lower edgethat linearly slopes or ramps downwardly from sleeve openingto a location below or at floor.illustrate variations of sleeve-and of extensionof cuffs. As shown in, extensionmay have a lower edge′ that alternatively curves from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorwith a concave profile. As shown by, extensionmay have a lower edge″ that alternatively curves from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorwith a convex profile.

is a sectional view illustrating portions of an example garment. Garmentis similar to garmentshown inexcept that garmentcomprises paneland pocketin place of paneland pocket, respectively. As described above, panelcomprises a rear portionand a front portionjoined by a fold. In the example illustrated, rear portionextends vertically above mouthof pocket.

As with garment, extensionhas a linear edgethat linearly slopes or ramps downward from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorof pocket.illustrate variations of sleeve-and of extensionof cuffs. As shown in, extensionmay have a lower edge′ that alternatively curves from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorwith a concave profile. As shown by, extensionmay have a lower edge″ that alternatively curves from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorwith a convex profile.

is a sectional view illustrating portions of an example garment. Garmentis similar to garmentexcept that garmentcomprises paneland pocketin place of paneland pocket, respectively. As described above, panelcomprises a rear portionand a front portionjoined by a fold. In the example illustrated, rear portionextends vertically above mouthof pocket.

As with garment, extensionhas a linear edgethat linearly slopes or ramps downward from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorof pocket.illustrate variations of sleeve-and of extensionof cuffs. As shown in, extensionmay have a lower edge′ that alternatively curves from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorwith a concave profile. As shown by, extensionmay have a lower edge″ that alternatively curves from sleeve openingto a location at or below floorwith a convex profile.

illustrate portions of an example garment.illustrates an example of how the garment may comprise a second auxiliary pocket at least partially overlapping the above-described “primary” pocket. The second auxiliary pocket may be at least partially coextensive with the first “primary pocket”. The second auxiliary pocket may be sized and configured to receive a removable heating element. In such implementations, the removable heating element may be received within the auxiliary pocket to further warm the fingers or hands of the person wearing the garment. Garmentis similar to garmentdescribed above except that garmentadditionally comprises panel. Those remaining components of garmentwhich correspond to components of garmentare numbered similarly.

Panelcomprises a panel positioned within the interior of pocketto divide pocketinto a primary pocketand auxiliary pocket. In some implementations, panelmay be secured by the same connectorthat secures panelto sleeve-. In some implementations, panelmay terminate prior to reaching floorof pocket. In some implementations, panelmay be formed from an elastic material. In other implementations, at least portions of panelmay be inelastic, wherein the elastic nature of front portionof panel(or retainers,) resiliently retain paneltowards or against rear portionof panel. In other implementations, panelmay alternatively extend in front of or to the interior side ofto form auxiliary pocket.

As shown by, auxiliary pocketremovably receives a heating element. In some implementations, the heating elementmay comprise a flexible pouch or bag containing a fluid material (a liquid or particulate material) configured to absorb energy or heat and slowly release heat. For example, a pouch or bag may contain a liquid or spherical particles which may be heated using microwave oven or other heat sources, wherein the stored heat is slowly released. In some implementations, the removable heating elementmay comprise a flexible bag or pouch containing isolated chemicals, wherein manual or other manipulation of the pouch or bag results in the chemicals being mixed to create an exothermic reaction that releases heat. In yet other implementations, the heating elementmay comprise other forms or mechanisms that slowly release heat.