EP2198942A1

EP2198942A1 - Antibacterial toy pillow

Info

Publication number: EP2198942A1
Application number: EP09015470A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Inma Garcia Gutierrez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-22
Filing date: 2009-12-15
Publication date: 2010-06-23
Also published as: GB2466468A; GB0823356D0

Abstract

A soft Toy Pillow with Antibacterial and Antifungal properties in the pillow: The soft pillow for comforting the baby and young child when going to sleep or when having a nap away from home, with the option of introducing through a sealable opening aromatherapy sachets or ayurvedic herbal sachets for calming and relaxing when used at naptime or resting time, the antibacterial and antifungal properties for protection of sensitive skin and prevention of allergies and the toy for play or activity time and when in need of a cuddle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Babies and young children use such items as dummy, rags, blankets and cuddly toys to provide them with comfort and protection when they are away from home, travelling or sleeping. The background for this invention is that from a young age some babies need to be comforted by their mother generally through breastfeed or their presence. As they grow older and sleep in their own cot and start going to nursery they need an external element that identifies with the comfort that they receive from their parents/carers.
The aim of this Toy Pillow Antibacterial is to provide them with a cuddly toy that they carry everywhere they go and at naptime or when they need to put their head to rest then they use it as a pillow which has been made of Velour Bamboo fabric and has the extraordinary qualities of being antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static acting as a gentle and natural form of health protection when babies and young children use it to sleep or for a cuddle away from home in an environment such as the nursery or childminder where they interact with other children.
One Side has got the abstract and contemporary look and shape of an Animal Soft Toy within the rectangular shape of a pillow, e.g.: animal character like a cat, dog, monkey, etc. to play with.
This animal soft toy will take any baby or young child into the world of imagination in which they will travel with their pet/friend.
This character has the qualities of stimulating the baby's attention and learning development by the colourful mixture of fabric appliqué shapes, textures, patterns and threads used on its jumper, which will make it an ideal toy for babies, as it is soft and harmless. The material used on the animal's body is 5mm or less soft boa fabric. This animal soft toy doesn't contain dangerous hazards, which could be dangerous or threaten the safety of a baby or toddler as it is purely made of fabrics. The stuffing is 2^nd grade polyester, which is recycled and more environmentally friendly. This is the most used in the manufacturing of any soft or plush toy, cushions or pillows.
The baby will develop and learn to identify the character as an animal and a toy with who to play with, as well as feeling safe.
Toddlers will grow their confidence on this animal soft toy identifying it as their close friend or pet whom they will take with themselves when they need to go to sleep or go away on their own to the nursery, childminder, carer or relative's house, etc to be looked after.
To make the sleeping time very special the soft pillow has an opening at the bottom side that will be sealed with a zip for security and safety of the baby and young child, from which aromatherapy sachets, ayurvedic herbal sachets can be introduced or removed easily and to be used for calming and relaxing when used at naptime or resting time. In addition the inside of the invention can contain an small device or mechanism that will play soft music or lullabies when the baby or young child needs to take the Toy Pillow Antibacterial for naptime or resting and will help them to fall sleep peacefully.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

The Other Side is the shape of a flat rectangular Pillow, where the baby or young child can rest his/her head and use it for sleeping. The side of the pillow where the baby or young child will rest his/her head is made of organic bamboo velour fabric.
Bamboo fabric has many and positive characteristics which make this product extraordinarily different and special:

1. Bamboo is a sustainable, renewable resource and the fabric from bamboo is amazingly soft and silky.
2. Bamboo is antibacterial, forever. By killing almost all bacteria, bamboo stays fresher and odour-free for longer, is more hygienic and healthier.
3. Bamboo fabric stays around 2 degrees cooler in hot weather and also keeps you significantly warmer in the cold. Which is ideal when using this pillow in hot or cold weather when is used by the baby or young child during travelling.
4. Bamboo absorbs and evaporates sweat in a split second. It doesn't stick to the skin and it's extraordinary natural breath ability keeps you comfortable and dry for longer.
5. For sensitive or allergy prone skin, bamboo is perfect. In production, there is a lack of harsh chemical treatments, which can irritate skin. Bamboo fibre is smooth and round, so is a non-irritant. It contains a naturally occurring antibacterial ('bamboo kun') that resists the spread of bacteria on the skin without any adverse effects, such as abrasion or irritation
6. Bamboo fabric is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton. It 'wicks' away moisture from the body, which then evaporates, keeping you naturally drier and more comfortable.
7. Bamboo is antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static. In the wild, bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilizers. It is seldom eaten by pests or infected by pathogens. Why? Scientists found that bamboo owns a unique anti-bacteria and bacteriostasis bio-agent named "Bamboo Kun". This substance bonds tightly with bamboo cellulose molecules during the normal process of bamboo fibre growth. This natural feature is retained in fabric form.
8. Bamboo clothing has particular natural anti-bacterial functions, bacteriostasis and deodorization value. Its test results show over 70% death rate after bacteria was incubated on bamboo fibre fabric. In addition, tests by the Japanese Textile Inspection Association found that, even after fifty washings, bamboo fabric still possessed these functions.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The purpose of the Toy Pillow Antibacterial is to provide a soothing external element which babies and young children can identify as a close friend when they need to go to sleep on their own in the cot, at home, in the nursery, travelling, etc., and which acts as a protecting element on babies and young children's sensitive skin and acting as a form of prevention with its natural antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static characteristics.

ADVANTAGES

When babies or young children are left at an unfamiliar place away from their own environment like starting nursery, childminder, friend's or relatives house to be looked after, the Toy Pillow Antibacterial will provide a familiar face or element since they learn to recognize from a very young age and will give them the comfort of a soft pillow during their naps or sleeping time as the advantage of this soothing toy pillow antibacterial is that on one side has the shape of a character e.g.: a dog, cat, elephant, monkey, etc. which has the function of a soft toy with colourful appliqué shapes on it to be used at play time and stimulate the baby or young child's attention and the other side has full function of a soft pillow to be used at resting time having the extraordinary property of the Velour Bamboo fabric been naturally antibacterial and acting as a form of protection on our babies and young children's health.
This Toy Pillow Antibacterial can always be taken with them wherever they go, whether is a hot or a cold environment, this antibacterial pillow will adapt to the external temperature e.g. bamboo fabric stays around 2 degrees cooler in hot weather, absorbing and evaporating sweat in a split second, it doesn't stick to the skin.
Its extraordinary natural breathability keeps the baby or young child comfortable and dry for longer.
Also it keeps you significantly warmer in the cold as well as being perfect for babies or young children's sensitive or allergy prone skin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described with reference to the enclosed Figures.

In Fig.1 a soft toy 1 on the front side of the invention with an abstract animal's character's face and body 2 wearing a knitted jumper 3 with very colourful appliqué fun shapes 4 attached to the jumper for the baby and young child to play, to cuddle and to stimulate their attention and learning development through colours, shapes and textures.
In Fig.2 a soft pillow 5 on the rear side of the invention, which has been made of very soft velour bamboo fabric and gently keeps the rectangular shape and size of a pillow designed for babies and young children's comfort.
The soft pillow can have pockets 6 inside the invention, which will be stitched in the inside side of the pillow and will contain aromatherapy sachets e.g. lavender or ayurvedic herbal sachets for calming and relaxing when used at naptime or resting time and which can be removed when desired. These pockets can be sealed with Velcro or zip for safety purposes.
In Fig.3 a side view of the toy 7 and the soft pillow 8, which includes an opening at the bottom of the invention 9 to introduce the aromatherapy sachets or ayurvedic herbal sachets for calming and relaxing when used at naptime or resting time mentioned in Fig.2. These sachets could be removed together with the stuffing when the Toy Pillow Antibacterial is washed.
In Fig.4 a profile bottom view of the invention with an opening 10 to introduce the aromatherapy sachets or ayurvedic herbal sachets for calming and relaxing when used at naptime or resting and that can be sealed with a hidden zip for safety measure.

INTRODUCTION TO DRAWINGS

1/4 FIGURE 1 Front view: a cuddly soft toy with animal character with the functionality of a toy for babies and young children to use at playtime and when in need of a cuddle.
2/4 FIGURE 2 Rear view: very soft pillow with antibacterial and antifungal properties for protection of sensitive skin and prevention of allergies, where the babies and toddlers can rest their head and go to sleep with the functionality of a soft pillow.
3/4 FIGURE 3 Side view: showing both sides of the product and its function, the cuddly soft toy made of several fabrics like fleece, felt, knitted jumper and appliqué shapes on the jumper and the soft pillow made of antibacterial and antifungal bamboo velour fabric.
4/4 FIGURE 4 Bottom view: showing the sealable opening from which can be introduced or removed when desired the aromatherapy sachets e.g. lavender or ayurvedic herbal sachets for calming and relaxing, or the device or mechanism that will play soft music or lullabies when the baby or young child use the pillow at naptime or resting time to fall sleep peacefully.

Claims

It is a cuddly toy on the front side with abstract contemporary animal or other characters within a rectangular shape, wearing a knitted jumper with colourful felt appliqué shapes to stimulate attention, learning development and to use during play or activity time.
It is a very soft pillow on the rear side that can be used during sleeping, resting or naptime as a pillow.
The side of the pillow is made of a very soft and naturally antibacterial and antifungal bamboo velour fabric offering comfort and protecting babies and young children's sensitive skin and acting as a form of prevention with its natural antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static properties.
The soft pillow has an opening at the bottom side, to reach the pockets inside the invention, which will be stitched in the inside side of the pillow and will contain aromatherapy sachets e.g. lavender or ayurvedic herbal sachets for calming and relaxing when used at naptime or resting time and which can be removed when desired. These pockets can be sealed with Velcro or zip for safety purposes.
The inside of the invention can contain a device or mechanism that will play soft music or lullabies when the baby or young child needs to take the Toy Pillow Antibacterial for naptime or resting and will help them to fall sleep peacefully.