Exothermic expandable compositions

Abstract

An expandable, exothermic gel-forming composition that is predominately useful in the consumer products and medical industries. More particularly, it relates to the use of expandable particulate exothermic gel-forming compositions with efficient and long-lasting heat production for heating surfaces and objects without the need for electricity or combustible fuel.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . An exothermic expandable gel-forming composition comprising:
 first metallic galvanic alloy particles and second metallic galvanic alloy particles;   a super absorbent polymer; and   potassium permanganate or potassium ferrate;   wherein the first and second metallic galvanic alloy particles, the potassium permanganate or potassium ferrate, and the super absorbent polymer are blended with each other;   wherein the composition is adapted to expand as the composition is hydrated and to generate an exothermic reaction that produces heat for a predetermined duration of time when exposed only to water and an electrolyte in the absence of air;   wherein the potassium permanganate or potassium ferrate is adapted to suppress hydrogen gas byproducts of the exothermic reaction within the gel-forming composition.   
     
     
         62 . The composition according to  claim 61 , being such that water and Hydrogen Peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) are byproducts of the exothermic reaction. 
     
     
         63 . The composition according to  claim 62 , disposed in a sealed container comprising a liquid permeable layer or a steam valve. 
     
     
         64 . The composition according to  claim 63 , wherein the first and second metallic galvanic alloy particles comprise MgFe and MnO 2 . 
     
     
         65 . An exothermic expandable gel-forming composition comprising:
 first metallic galvanic alloy particles and second metallic galvanic alloy particles;   a super absorbent polymer; and   potassium permanganate or potassium ferrate;   wherein the first and second metallic galvanic alloy particles, the potassium permanganate or potassium ferrate, and the super absorbent polymer are blended with each other;   the composition being, as it is hydrated, when exposed only to water and an electrolyte, in the absence of air, expandable to generate an exothermic reaction that produces heat for a predetermined duration of time, in which hydrogen gas formation is inhibited or prevented, within the gel-forming composition, by the potassium permanganate or potassium ferrate.   
     
     
         66 . The composition according to  claim 61 , being such that water and Hydrogen Peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) are byproducts of the exothermic reaction. 
     
     
         67 . The composition according to  claim 62 , disposed in a sealed container comprising a liquid permeable layer or a steam valve. 
     
     
         68 . The composition according to  claim 63 , wherein the first and second metallic galvanic alloy particles comprise MgFe and MnO 2 . 
     
     
         69 . An expandable, exothermic gel-forming composition comprising:
 manganese dioxide blended with a buffering agent comprising a super absorbent polymer or a blended mixture of compressed sponge and/or clay particles; and   wherein the gel-forming composition is adapted to expand as the gel-forming composition is hydrated and to generate an exothermic reaction that produces heat for a predetermined duration of time when exposed only to an aqueous solution comprising hydrogen peroxide in the absence of air;   wherein the manganese dioxide is adapted to suppress hydrogen gas byproducts of the exothermic reaction within the composition.   
     
     
         70 . The composition according to  claim 69 , wherein the buffering agent is a super absorbent polymer, and wherein the manganese oxide and the super absorbent polymer are blended with each other to form a homogenous mixture.