A HEATING DEVICE

The present invention relates generally to a device (10) for heating a body part, the device (10) comprising a container (12) sealably containing a phase change substance, such as a hydrate salt (14). The device (10) also includes heating means shown generally as (30) being operatively coupled to the container (12) so as to provide heating for the phase change substance (14). In one embodiment, the heating means (30) includes a resistance heating element (32) adapted to couple to an electrical power supply. An opening (24) is formed within a neck portion (26) of the container (12). A closure element or heating element housing (34) is connected to the heating element (32), the element housing (34) designed to be removably received within the opening (24) of the container (12). In operation, the heating element (32) fuses the phase change substance (14) and thereafter the device (10) is contacted with a person's skin and as the phase change substance or hydrate salt (14) gradually crystallises, under ambient temperature conditions, latent heat is released from the hydrate salt (14) and the person's skin is heated.