Hot water bottle

A hot water bottle (also thermophore, Switzerland: hot water bottle ) is a tube container with screw cap, which is filled with hot water to warm the body parts with it. It exists today mostly made ​​of PVC or other flexible, heat-resistant plastic. Hot water bottles are usually rectangular in shape, have rounded corners and measure about 30 cm × 20 cm. In addition to the standard form they come in different colors, shapes and sizes. In the 19th century the term bed warmer was still common; another expression was heat pan.

The hot water bottle is filled with hot, but not boiling water and often used to warm the bed in the cold season. In addition, hot water bottles are also used for heat therapy, such as tension in the neck and shoulder area or abdominal pain to stimulate peristalsis.

Notwithstanding, a hot water bottle made ​​of metal. In this case, the water can be heated in the same hot water bottle by placing it on the stove. Before putting it in the bed, a metal water bottle is then wrapped with a blanket, a large towel or something similar in order to avoid burns.

History

A precursor of the hot water bottle was the "hot brick " or Hot Stone, who was beaten for preheating in a cloth and laid in the bed.

The first use of containers for heating of limbs is dated to the 8th century. From this period are known, initially for use in the liturgy, heat balls of metal. In this container hot coals, hot pieces of iron or other heat sources were placed in order to it to keep the hands warm can. Around 1520 there was the first hot water bottles made ​​of tin. They were first produced in bottle shape, hence the name. Later, the container consisting of zinc, copper, brass, aluminum, glass or earthenware were formed and anatomically adapted in the mold. The stoneware bottles were used by the lower classes who could not afford a model of metal. These bottles were filled either with water or with hot sand. Since copper conducts heat very well and can be shaped well, it was in the 18th century the preferred material for hot water bottles. But it was only affordable for the upper circles.

Also popular were bed - or heat pans of brass were filled ( with lid ) that were placed before sleeping under the blankets, and with smoldering coals. Today they hang sometimes as decoration on the wall.

To prevent burns, metal hot water bottles were usually provided with a crocheted or knitted coat. Since the 1920s, rubber was increasingly used. The advantage of this material is that it is flexible and adapts to the body. Although rubber hot water bottles are unbreakable, they can leak, which can lead to leakage of the hot water and scald the skin.

In the GDR, hot-water bottles are preferably made from rubber alongside porcelain and earthenware. In addition to the classic oval shape (from Fröhlich, Thuringia ), there was a triangular form, very rounded corners (earthenware factory Torgau ), which could so bad rolling. China hot water bottles have the advantage of odorless and a larger heat storage capacity. A disadvantage is the risk of breakage. Over time, all productions were set made ​​of porcelain but.

A variant of the hot water bottle was the foot warmer, which also consisted of clay or metal in the simplest form. The metal container was placed on a small stand and had handles. For the heat caused mostly glowing charcoal. These foot warmers were taken by the wealthy in the winter in the unheated churches at that time. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were also footstools with Glutfach. However, the simplest variant were open Glutschalen with a wide brim, the feet were placed. In Nepal, such shells are still in use today. In North Africa, there are large Glutschalen with which all the rooms are even warmed.

Variants

Alternatively, the hot water bottle, there are, for example, the electric blanket. Even with cherry stones or grains filled sacs (called Körnerkissen ) or gel-filled pillow (so-called Gelwärmekissen ) are on the market that are heated in the microwave or in the oven. Furthermore, there is, mainly for children, hot water bottles with covers, for example in the form of stuffed animals.