GB2420852A

GB2420852A - Temperature indicator attachable to various items including clothing and textiles

Info

Publication number: GB2420852A
Application number: GB0424565A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mary-Ann Rose Donarte
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-08
Filing date: 2004-11-08
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Also published as: GB0424565D0

Abstract

A temperature indicating display, eg a tag, 15a for the attachment to clothing or textile articles, the display being one design that shows a different depiction under different conditions (15b) according to the temperature sensed. The tag may be attached to other articles which may include an electric blanket, covers for hot water bottles, beverage containers etc.

Description

-1- 2420852

TITLE

ACTIVITY AID

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to an activity/process aid which may be a sports aid in the form of a body temperature indicator.

Background art

The awareness of temperature levels can in some circumstances be of the utmost importance, for example, prolonged exposure to adverse temperatures, or for instance participating in physical sporting activities may result in the body's temperature being lowered or raised to extreme levels. Another area of concern is when there's a lack of communication, especially where some elderly people and infants are concerned, who for some reason may not able to look after them selves, or do not realise when their body temperature level has changed, so to avoid the dangers of, for instance, hyperthermia or over heating, need to rely on help from another source.

Thermometers are known, and are usually manufactured as an ascending display that can far exceed the levels that would be considered a safe body/contact temperature for humans, and do not usually indicate an individual activity/process temperature requirement, so without this knowledge a person may not always be aware when a temperature has gone beyond a recommended or safe level.

The invention The invention provides an activity/process aid comprising a tag, tab, sticker, stamp, print, mark, logo or a docket for the attachment to clothing and textile articles, comprising a temperature display for displaying one design that shows two different depictions under different conditions. Wherein the temperature display provides a visual display indicating when the ambient temperature has exceeded a specific level.

For example, if the activity is sports related the temperature display could be attached or printed on to a wrist-band or bandanna, that could be worn, so in the event of the wearer becoming overheated, the temperature display would change colour or could simply say the word hot' so giving a clear visual indication should a persons temperature rise above a safe level.

Alternatively, it is also possible to reverse the display and monitor when a person's body temperature has fallen, for example, the temperature display could be attached to the underside of a blanket for covering maybe an infant or elderly person in order to measure, so in the event of their body temperature falling the depiction would then change accordingly, so to prevent a condition going unnoticed would give a clear indication should a persons body temperature fall.

An activity/process aid according to the invention could take the form of a tag for example, stitched to a textile article which requires washing. If the aid is a washing aid then the depiction displayed may change when the water exceeds the recommended washing temperature at which the article is to be washed, the user can then check the water temperature before commencing with the washing process.

The temperature display could be applied to electric blankets, wheat bags, pyjama cases, covers for hot water bottles, beverages such as wine bottles, food products or could be printed on to a wash mitten/cloth for acquiring a safe bathing temperature.

Possible technologies that may be employed for example are singlechanging thermocromic dyes, printing inks, liquid crystal displays or heat expanding liquids Preferred Embodiment of the invention A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, the sole figure of which is, a temperature indicator in the form of a changing depiction, for the purpose of displaying a visual indication for when a required temperature level for a specific process/activity has risen or in some circumstances where the reverse may apply, display a changing depiction to indicate when a temperature level has fallen.

The drawings 1 5a and 1 5b illustrates one design on the same tag, under different conditions. The figure ISa is showing a stripe design that is printed in therniocromic ink and will remain visual below a designated washing temperature, and when that designated washing temperature is exceeded the thermocromic ink is activated and turns transparent, when this happens the printed message ok' 1 5b (that has been printed first) becomes visible.

Alternatively, for example, a tag could just display the message OK' (printed in thermocromic ink) that would then disappear if the washing temperature was also too hot.

The drawing 16a shows a view of a cold hot water bottle cover, carrying a teddy design, 1 6b shows the same hot water bottle cover as 1 6a after the bottle within the cover has been filled with hot water, the design now displays the word HOT' in addition to the design shown in I 6a.

The drawing 17a shows a view of a wash mitten displaying a design of a teddy in a bath 1 Th shows the same wash mitten as 1 7a when the water temperature is too hot. The illustrations 1 8a and I 8b show a wash mitten carrying an alternative design to the drawings 1 7a and I lb.

Claims

1. An activity/process aid comprising a tag, tab, sticker, stamp, print, mark, logo or a docket for the attachment to clothing and textile articles, comprising a temperature display for displaying one design that shows two different depictions under different conditions. Wherein the display provides a visual display indicating that the activity/process temperature has risen, or in some circumstances where the reverse may apply, would then display a changing depiction to indicate when a designated temperature level had fallen.

2. An electric blanket, wheat bag, pyjama case, dogs coats, pillow cases, covers for hot water bottles, covers for food products, beverage containers, for example, wine bottles or baby bottles, oven gloves wash mittens/cloths having a temperature display applied as claimed in claim 1.

3. A portable air freshener having a temperature display applied as claimed in claim 1 for indicating a room temperature, or positioned in a vehicle for indicating a safe driving temperature.

4. Clothing or a textile article having a temperature display applied as claimed in claim I for indicating a washing temperature level for the clothing or article.

5. Clothing or a textile article having a temperature display applied as claimed in claim 1 for indicating an ironing temperature level for the clothing or article.

6. Any of the aforementioned items of clothing or articles having one, or more than one temperature display applied to them as claimed in claim I.

7. A laundry aid as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A process/activity aid as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A-

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An activity/process aid comprising a tag, tab, sticker, stamp, print, mark, logo or a docket for the attachment to clothing and textile articles, comprising a temperature display for displaying one design that shows two different depictions under different conditions. Wherein the display provides a visual display indicating that the activity/process temperature has risen, or in some circumstances where the reverse may apply, would then display a changing depiction to indicate when a designated temperature level had fallen.

2. A heat display as claimed in claim 1 and applied to electric blankets, lampshades, wheat bag, pyjama case, dogs coals, pillow cases, bed linen, cushions, curtains, covers for hot water bottles, baby baths, electric plugs, covers for food products, beverage containers, for example, wine bottles, or oven gloves wash mittens/cloths and sponges.

3. An air freshener dispenser having a temperature display applied as claimed in claim 1 for indicating a room temperature, or positioned in a vehicle for indicating a safe driving temperature.

4. Clothing or a textile article having a temperature display applied as claimed in claim 1 for indicating a washing temperature level for the clothing or article.

6. Any of the aforementioned items of clothing or articles having one, or more than one temperature display applied to them as claimed in claim 1.