GB2392840A

GB2392840A - Aromatherapy device

Info

Publication number: GB2392840A
Application number: GB0213465A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Tungate; Jamil Akhtar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-12
Filing date: 2002-06-12
Publication date: 2004-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-12
Also published as: GB0213465D0; GB2392840B

Abstract

A soft toy or plaything comprising at least a part which is made of a material suitable for repeated heating, in for instance, a microwave oven. The material is or can be impregnated with an essential oil whereby the temperature of the soft toy or plaything, or part thereof, may be elevated to vaporise the essential oil or a constituent thereof. The part to be impregnated with essential oil and heated may be in the form of a cartridge or capsule (11, Fig. 3b) which may be located in an accessory (9, Fig. 3b) of the toy, inserted through a cavity (17, Fig. 4b) into the body of the soft toy and secured by a fastening, or may be secured to the toy by means of an elasticated pouch (33, Fig. 6a).

Description

AROMATHERAPY DEVICES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to aromatherapy devices, in particular devices which are 5 impregnated with an aromatherapy oil whereby the oil may be released into the atmosphere to achieve its effect.

Background of the Invention

There is a long established practice of using essential oils for purposes which, 10 although not medicinal, are intended to improve the quality of life and, in particular, to provide effects such as calming, soothing, relaxing, ease of sleep, easy breathing and stimulation, as well as relief of symptoms of colds and asthma and other respiratory conditions.

15 Such essential oils may be natural, for instance, plant based, or synthetic and common methods of application are via evaporators and aerators and even by direct application to handkerchiefs, pillows and other household linen.

Generally speaking, heating of the essential oil produces increased effectiveness, that 20 is to say, a greater rate of release of the oil, or a constituent thereof, into the atmosphere. i Although these methods of application of essential oils are effective for adults, it has proved difficult to encourage their use by children in order to produce their full 25 benefits.

Statements of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a soft toy or plaything, at least part of which is made of a material suitable for repeated heating in, for instance, a 30 microwave oven, the material being impregnated with an essential oil, whereby the /

temperature of the toy or a part thereof may be elevated to vapourise the essential oil or a constituent thereof.

Preferably the soft toy is a form of a toy animal, examples being teddy bears, rabbits, 5 lions, monkeys and soft dolls.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the whole or part of the body of an animal soft toy is formed from the material suitable for impregnation and heating and the whole toy is subjected to heating in, for instance, a microwave oven.

In another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a part of the body of an animal soft toy is made of the material suitable for impregnation and heating and is detachable from the remainder of the body of the toy.

15 In a further embodiment in accordance with the present invention the part of the toy made of a material suitable for impregnation and heating is in the form of a cartridge or capsule which may be located in, for instance, an accessory of the soft toy such as a garment, a back pack or a life jacket. Such an accessory can be fixed to the toy by suitable fastenings and may incorporate the capsule or cartridge so that, when the 20 accessory is attached to the toy, the capsule or cartridge is located on, for instance, the front or the back of the toy. It can be easily removed for heating.

In a further embodiment in accordance with the present invention there is again provided a removable capsule or cartridge but in this case it does not form part of an 25 accessory but rather is simply inserted into the soft toy and secured thereto by suitable fastening means such as tape, Velcro or the like.

In a still further embodiment according to the present invention there is again provided a capsule or cartridge made of material suitable for impregnation and 30 heating. In this case the capsule or cartridge is secured to the toy by means of an elasticated pouch on front or the back of the toy.

Generally a variety of fastenings such as Velcro, zip fasteners, pressstuds and ties may be used to secure a cartridge or capsule to the toy. However the nature of these may depend upon the regulations applied to soft toys for children of various ages.

Essential oils for use in connection with the present invention may be in the form of a single chemical substance or a mixture, including a blend of two or more oils.

The term "essential oil" is a well known one and is typically used to refer to volatile 10 oils derived from the leaves, stems, flowers or twigs of plants and which normally carry the essence, odour and flavour of the plant. As used herein, the term also covers synthetic oils.

Examples of essential oils used in aromatherapy and of use in the present invention 15 are lavender, lemon, tangerine, camomile, eucalyptus, elemi and myrtle.

It should be appreciated that, although in many versions, the soft toy or plaything of the present invention is intended for use by children, this is not an essential requirement. Soft toys or playthings of the invention are also useable by adults and, 20 in some embodiments of the invention, the soft toy or plaything may be specifically intended for use by adults.

The material which is suitable for impregnating with the essential oil and also for heating in, for instance, a microwave oven, may be either a single material or a 25 mixture of materials. By way of example, the material may comprise natural wheat, rice or cherry pips. A combination of materials may include a material particularly suitable for heating in a microwave oven because, for instance, such materials have a high heat capacity and at least one other material suitable for impregnation and release of the essential oils. Such a combination, in admixture, will give the 30 necessary properties of both retaining and slowly releasing heat and also absorbing and slowly releasing the essential oil.

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Brief Description of the Drawings

The accompanying drawings are as follows: Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention; 5 Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Figures 3A to 3E illustrate a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention; Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a fourth embodiment in accordance with the 10 present invention; Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a fifth embodiment in accordance with the present invention; Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a sixth embodiment in accordance with the present invention; and 15 Figures 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate a seventh embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples 20 only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a first embodiment of the present invention in the form of a teddy bear in which the whole or part of the body of the toy is filled with a material suitable for impregnation with 25 an essential oil and for heating. Accordingly the whole toy may be placed in a microwave oven. Although such an embodiment may be less preferred as it may tend to encourage children to put whole animals into a microwave oven, nonetheless this embodiment is suitable for adults and at least the more discerning children.

30 Referring to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated in exploded view a second embodiment of the present invention in the form of a teddy bear

having a main body part 1 as well as head 3 and limbs 5. Both the head 3 and limbs 5 are detachable from the main body part 1. The main body part 1 is made of material suitable for heating and impregnation and can be detached from the head and limbs for location in a microwave oven. Once the appropriate heating has been 5 applied to the body- 1 it may be reattached to the head 3 and limbs 5.

Referring to Figures 3A to 3E of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of a teddy bear 7 which is shown in Figure 3A as an unclothed animal toy. In Figure 3B there is illustrated a 10 tunic 9 having a capsule 11 sewn into the front of the tunic. The capsule may be made of a material suitable for repeated heating and impregnation with essential oils.

Figure 3C illustrates the tunic from the rear showing a Velcro fastening extending from the top to the bottom of the tunic.

15 Referring to Figure 3D, the teddy bear 7 is dressed with the tunic 9, the bear then having a "plump" profile due to the presence of the capsule 11. This is best illustrated in Figure 3D which is an essentially side view of the bear whereas Figure 3E is a front view.

20 Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, a fourth embodiment in accordance with the present invention is in the form of a teddy bear 15 having a cavity 17 located in the rear of .. the bear into which cavity a treatable, impregnatable capsule may be inserted. The cavity is edged with one part of a Velcro fastening and the bear is provided with a flap 19, provided with the other part of the Velcro fastening, which may be closed to 25 maintain a capsule in position. Figure 4A shows the bear with the flap closed and Figure 4B illustrates the bear with the flap opened.

In an alternative embodiment to that shown in Figures 4A and 4B the cavity could be provided in the front of the bear. Furthermore, fastenings other than Velcro 30 fastenings can be provided.

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Referring to Figures SA and SB of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a fifth embodiment of the present invention in the form of a teddy bear 21 having a tunic 23 which has an elasticated neck 25. This elasticated neck 25 serves to maintain in position a capsule 27 (shown in Figure 5B with the tunic removed) which 5 is suspended from the bear's neck by means of an elastic necklace 29. Both the tunic and the capsule can be removed from the bear and the capsule can be subjected to impregnation and heating.

Referring to Figures 6A and 6B of the accompanying drawings, a sixth embodiment 10 in accordance with the present invention is in the form of a teddy bear 31 which is provided with an elasticated pouch 33, secured to the front of the bear, and having an opening at its top edge. A capsule 35 may be inserted into, and removed from, this pouch 33. The capsule may be made of material suitable for impregnation and heating. It may be made from the same material as the bear's body and may have the 15 same colour.

Referring to Figures 7A to 7C of the accompanying drawings, a seventh embodiment according to the present invention is in the form of a teddy bear 37 which is provided with a detachable romper suit 39, the bear and the romper suit being illustrated 20 separately in Figures 7A and 7B respectively. Figure 7C illustrates the bear wearing the romper suit and indicated in dotted lines is a capsule 41 which may be located in t position simply by dropping inside the romper suit from the neck end thereof. The capsule is- made of material suitable for impregnation with an essential oil and for repeated heating in, for instance, a microwave oven. The romper suit 39 is provided 25 with an elasticated collar 43 as well as elasticated cuffs 45 all of which serve to prevent the capsule inadvertently escaping from the teddy bear.

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te.: ' te.: --no - ce :e 'e. Be:.: Index of pages and Figures Pg 1/8 Figure 1 Teddy bear Pg 2/8 Figure 2 Teddy Bear with head and limbs detachable from trunk.

Pg 3/8 Figure 3a Side view of bear without tunic showing flat stomach.

Figure 3b Front view of tunic with capsule sewn in.

Figure 3c Rear view of tunic with Velcro or other fastening.

Pg 4/8 Figure ad Side view of bear wearing tunic with plump stomach due to capsule sewn in to tunic.

Figure 3e Front view of bear wearing tunic with plump stomach due to capsule sewn in to tunic.

Pg 5/8 Figure 4a Rear view of bear with flap (Velcro or other) closed covering cavity for capsule to be placed in.

Figure 4b Rear view of bear with flap (Velcro or other) open revealing cavity for capsule to be placed in.

Pg 6/8 Figure 5a Front view of bear wearing tunic with elasticated neck, over capsule suspended from elasticated necklace.

Figure 5b Front view of bear without tunic wearing capsule suspended form elasticated necklace.

Pg 7/8 Figure 6a Front view of bear with elasticated pouch (closed) on stomach containing capsule. Pouch made from same material as bear.

Figure 6b Front view of bear with elasticated pouch (open) on stomach containing capsule. Pg 8/8 Figure 7a Front view of bear.

Figure 7b Detachable romper suit with elasticated collar and cuffs.

Figure 7c Front view of bear wearing romper suit concealing removable capsule.

Claims

- - CLAIMS

1. A soft toy or plaything, at least part of which is made of a material suitable for repeated heating in a microwave oven, the material being impregnated with an 5 essential oil whereby the temperature of the toy or a part thereof may be elevated to vaporise the essential oil or a constituent thereof.

2. A soft toy or plaything according to claim I and in the form of a toy animal.

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3. A soft toy or plaything according to claim 1 or claim 2 and in the form of a teddy bear, rabbit, lion, monkey or soft doll.

4. A soft toy or plaything according to any of the preceding claims wherein the whole of the body of the soft toy or plaything is formed from a material suitable for 15 impregnation with an essential oil.

5. A soft toy or plaything according to any of the preceding claims wherein the whole soft toy or plaything is suitable for subjection to heating in a microwave oven.

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6. A soft toy or plaything according to any of claims I to 3 or 5 wherein a part of the body of the soft toy or plaything is made of a material suitable for impregnation with an essential oil.

7. A soft toy or plaything according to any of claims I to 4 or 6 wherein a part of 25 the body of the soft toy or plaything is suitable for heating in a microwave oven.

8. A soft toy or plaything according to any of the preceding claims wherein a part of the body of the soft toy or plaything is detachable from the remainder of the body and said part is suitable for impregnation with an essential oil and for heating in 30 a microwave oven.

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9. A soft toy or plaything according to any of the preceding claims wherein the part of the soft toy or plaything suitable for impregnation and heating is in the form of a cartridge or capsule which may be located in an accessory of the soft toy such as a garment, a back pack or a life jacket.

10. A soft toy or plaything according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the part of the soft toy or plaything made of a material suitable for impregnation and heating is in the form of a removable capsule or cartridge which, in use, is inserted into the soft toy and secured thereto by fastening means.

11. A soft toy or plaything according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein part of the soft toy or plaything made of a material suitable for impregnation and heating is in the form of a capsule or cartridge which is secured to the toy by means of an Masticated pouch on the front or the back of the soft toy or plaything.

12. A soft toy or plaything according to claim I and substantially as herein described.

13. A soft toy or plaything substantially as described with reference to any one of 20 the accompanying drawings.