HUE034225T2

HUE034225T2 - Blanket with channels filled with substantially spherical objects for therapeutic treatment

Info

Publication number: HUE034225T2
Application number: HUE13779160A
Authority: HU
Inventors: Pia Riishoj Christiansen; Birthe Sondergaard Pedersen
Original assignee: Protac As
Priority date: 2013-04-09
Filing date: 2013-10-04
Publication date: 2018-01-29
Also published as: EP2950768B1; WO2014166557A1; DK2950768T3; PL2950768T3; EP2950768A1; HUE029442T2

Abstract

The present invention relates to therapeutic blankets. More specifically, the invention relates to a therapeutic blanket with channels filled with replaceable weight bags for individualized therapeutic treatment.

Description

Technical field of the invention [0001] The present invention relates to therapeutic blankets. More specifically, the invention relates to a therapeutic blanket with channels filled with substantially spherical objects.

Background of the invention [0002] It is known that persons who suffer from angst, unrest, or sensory disorders have difficulty in finding rest, sleeping, or relaxing. A reason for this may be that they have difficulty in feeling the boundaries of their own bodies, and they can need a physical object to focus on, preferably something that presses against the body and that they can bend and wrap around themselves. Especially for hyperactive, restless children or children with an ADHD problem or Asperger’s syndrome, a physical object makes a great difference when calm, sleep, or insufficient relaxation is involved, but also children and adults with a general complaint ofsleep problems, unrest, and angst can benefit from a simple and practical solution to relieve the complaint.

[0003] By pressure applied to the body, the user receives a feeling of safety, and it is believed that a number of bodily substances are released that have a calming effect, including oxytocin. If it is possible to follow the form of the body and to vary the pressure between certain points, this contributes to tactile stimulation and can increase the positive result for the user.

[0004] It is already known to use filled blankets for this purpose. Some variants show a blanket that contains plastic pellets or balls. These materials all have the common feature that they are based on essentially point-like objects. In order to keep the fillings from moving to the lowest point of the blanket during use, patches, preferably with a square shape, are often used. However, such a patch filling result in a relatively thick blanket having good insulating properties. E.g. in summertime, this is not always convenient. Furthermore, the thickness of the blanket makes itdifficult tofold up or handle, and cleaning and washing can be made difficult or completely impossible.

[0005] EP 0,729,340 discloses a blanket for therapeutic use having essentially square patches filled with therapy balls. The balls used have a diameter of about 50 mm, and they exert a more point-shaped pressure against the body, which is believed to increase the release of favourable bodily substances and thereby have a positive effect on the user.

[0006] W02009123557 discloses a blanket for therapeutic treatment, the blanket having a first face and a second face forming a supportive surface, wherein a plurality of channels are formed between the first and second face by one or more joints. The channels are filled with a linked object in the form of a chain. The individual chan nel has a width such that one chain or link may pass another chain or link.

[0007] There is a need for a weight blanket that can be adjusted in a better way according to the user’s body and thereby gives a better and more stimulating pressure on the user.

Summary of the invention [0008] Hence, one object of the present invention is to provides blanketfortherapeutictreatmentthat has better temperature regulation and handling ability.

[0009] A specific object of the present invention is to provide a blanket for therapeutic treatment that is easy to fold and wash.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention relates to a blanket for therapeutic treatment, the blanket (1) having a first face (21) and a second (22) face forming a supportive surface (2), wherein a plurality of channels (3) are formed between the first face (21) and the second (22) face by one or more joints (4), wherein at least one of the channels (3) being filled with objects (5) which adapt to the body of the user, and wherein the substantially spherical objects (5) exert a sporadic pressure on the body of the user through the supportive surface (1 ), characterized in that the objects (5) are substantially spherical objects (5) and in that the width of the individual channels (3) is of a size that does not allow one substantially spherical object (5A) to pass another substantially spherical object (5B) within said channels.

Brief description of the figures [0011] Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a therapy blanket.

Detailed description of the invention [0012] One object of the present invention is to provide a blanket for therapeutic treatment that has better temperature regulation and handling ability.

The above object is solved by creating a blanket for therapeutic treatment with channels filled with substantially spherical objects. The reason for using substantially spherical objects is that the pressure upon the user’s body should be sporadic to avoid obstruction of the blood circulation. Hence, the objects must be able to move easily in order not to apply pressure on the same point of the body. At the same time, the channels are constructed in such a way thatthe substantially spherical objects cannot lay on top of each other, nor can they clump together in only one region of the channel. In this way, it is easier to regulate the applied pressure on a specific region of the body. Furthermore, the blanket will not be as thick as it would be without this regulation. The reduced thickness results in a blanket that has a better temperature regulation.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a blanket for therapeutic treatment, the blanket (1) having a first face (21) and a second (22) face forming a supportive surface (2), wherein a plurality of channels (3) are formed between the first face (21) and the second (22) face by one or more joints (4), wherein at least one of the channels (3) being filled with objects (5) which adapt to the body of the user, and wherein the objects (5) exert a sporadic pressure on the body of the user through the supportive surface (1), characterized in that the objects (5) are substantially spherical objects (5) and in that the width of the individual channels (3) is of a size that does not allow one substantially spherical object (5A) to pass another substantially spherical object (5B) within said channels.

Another advantage of using substantially spherical objects is that they, due to the weight of the user, displace and form according to the shape of the body of the user, whereby a comfortable position can be obtained. The substantially spherical objects can be hollow and have a shell of polymer, glass, metal or the like, and have different kinds of filling such as fluids or solid materials.

In one embodiment, the substantially spherical objects are perfectly spherical, e.g. ball shaped.

The substantially spherical objects may be thermally isolating if the filling is warmed up by heat from the body of the user. The substantially spherical objects can also be solid and made from polymer, glass, metal or the like.

In another embodiment, the substantially spherical objects have a diameter in the range of 10 mm to 100 mm. The diameter of the substantially spherical objects can advantageously be varied in order to accommodate the different size of users, e.g. a child or an adult. The diameter of the substantially spherical objects can also be varied in order to exert a more or less sporadic pressure on the body of the user. To obtain the calming effect it is essential that the pressure exerted on the body of the user is sporadic.

[0013] To improve the production of the blanket, the substantially spherical objects can be connected linearly by e.g. a polymer string, which makes it easier to fill the channels.

[0014] Thus, in one embodiment, the substantially spherical objects (5) are connected linearly to form a string of substantially spherical objects (6).

[0015] To be able to wash the blanket, all components ofthe blanket should besuitableforwashing in awashing machine. Hence, in one embodiment, the substantially sphericalobjects(5)aresuitableforwashing in awashing machine.

[0016] In anotherembodiment, the individual channels (3) run in the lengthwise and/orwidthwise direction ofthe blanket.

[0017] In order to secure an evenly distribution ofthe substantially spherical objects along the individual channel, the blanket further comprises one or more structural barriers within the channels (3).

[0018] In anotherembodiment, the one or more structural barriers is/are a joint (7) between the first face (21) and the second (22) face ofthe supportive surface.

[0019] A specific object of the present invention is to provide a blanket for therapeutic treatment that is easy to fold and wash. This can be solved when the joint is a stitching, since such a barrier is of limited size. Hence, the combination ofthe channels with the stitching barrier prevent the substantially spherical objects from clumping together and obstructing the operation when a user want to roll-up or pack up the blanket, e.g. for transportation.

[0020] In one embodiment, one or more of the joints (7) is a stitching.

[0021] In another embodiment, one or more of the joints (7) is a zipper (9), thereby being able to divide the blanket into subunits (8) for easier handling. Washing is also made easier, since the subunits will more easily fit into the washing machine.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, the zipper (9) is positioned in the width wise direction ofthe blanket, thereby limiting its contact with the body ofthe user.

[0023] In still another embodiment, the channels (3) are evenly distributed over the whole surface ofthe blanket.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first and/or second face comprises one or more layers of fabric.

[0025] In still another embodiment, the first face (21) and/or the second (22) face comprise at least one layer of insulating material.

[0026] It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

[0027] The invention will now be described in further details in the following non-limiting examples.

Examples [0028] In Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a therapy blanket (1 ) according to the invention is shown. The blanket (1) has the same dimensions as an ordinary blanket, thus a length of about 200 cm and a width of about 140 cm. The blanket (1) includes the two faces (21) and (22) as two layers of fabric, between which channels (3) with a width of about 75 mm are made by sewing a number of joints (4) (stitching’s/- seams). If necessary, these stitching’s are doubled or tripled, in order to give firmness and smoothness to said channels (3).

[0029] The channels (3) are each filled with a number of hollow balls (5) made of a polymeric material, and have a diameter of 50 mm. This diameter makes sure that the hollow balls (5A and 5B) cannot lie on top of each other, nor can clump together in only one region of the channel. In this way, it is easier to regulate the applied pressure on a specific region ofthe body. Furthermore, the blanket will not be as thick as it would be without this regulation. The reduced thickness results in a blanket that has a better temperature regulation.

[0030] To improve the production ofthe blanket, the hollow balls can be connected linearly (6) by e.g. a pol- ymer string, which makes it easier to fill the channels.

[0031] In order to secure an evenly distribution of the substantially spherical objects along the individual channel, the blanketfurther comprises three structural barriers within each channel (3). Here, two of the structural barriers are made by sewing a stitching (7). If necessary, these stitching’s are doubled or tripled, in order to give firmness and smoothness to said channels (3). Such a barrier is of limited size, and the combination of the channels with the stitching barrier prevent the substantially spherical objects from clumping together and obstructing the operation when a user want to roll-up or pack up the blanket, e.g. for transportation.

[0032] The third structural barrier is made by inserting a joint in a form of a zipper (9), which allows the blanket to be divided into two subunits (8) for easier handling. Washing is thereby made easier, since the subunits will more easily fit into the washing machine.

[0033] The zipper (9) is positioned in the width wise direction of the blanket, thereby limiting its contact with the body of the user.

Claims 1. A blanket for therapeutic treatment, the blanket (1) having a first face (21 ) and a second (22) face forming a supportive surface (2), wherein a plurality of channels (3) are formed between the first face (21) and the second (22) face by one or more joints (4), at least one of the channels (3) being filled with objects (5) which adapt to the body of the user, and wherein the objects (5) exert a sporadic pressure on the body of the user through the supportive surface (2), characterized in that the objects (5) are substantially spherical objects (5) and in that the width of the individual channels (3) is of a size that does not allow one substantially spherical object (5A) to pass another substantially spherical object (5B) within said channels. 2. Ablanketaccording toclaim 1, characterized in that the substantially spherical objects (5) are connected linearly to form a string of substantially spherical objects (6). 3. A blanket according to any one of the claims 1-2, characterized in that the substantially spherical objects (5) are suitable for washing in a washing machine. 4. A blanket according to any one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the individual channels (3) run in the lengthwise and/or widthwise direction of the blanket. 5. A blanket according to any one of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the blanketfurther comprises one or more structural barriers within the channels (3) for securing an evenly distribution of the substantially spherical objects along the individual channel. 6. A blanket according toclaim 5, characterized in that the one or more structural barriers is a joint (7) between the first face (21 ) and the second (22) face of the supportive surface. 7. A blanket according to claim 6, characterized in that the joint (7) is a stitching. 8. A blanket according to claim 6, characterized in that in that one or more of the joints (7) is a zipper (9), thereby being able to divide the blanket into subunits (8) for easier handling. 9. A blanket according to claim 8, characterized in that the zipper (9) is positioned in the widthwise direction of the blanket, thereby limiting its contact with the body of the user. 10. A blanket according to any one of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the channels (3) are evenly distributed over the whole surface of the blanket. 11. A blanket according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the first face (21) and/or the second (22) face comprise at least one layer of insulating material.

Patentansprüche 1. Decke zur therapeutischen Behandlung, wobei die Decke (1) eine erste Fläche (21) und eine zweite (22) Fläche, bildend eine unterstützende Oberfläche (2), aufweist, wobei eine Mehrheit von Kanälen (3) zwischen der ersten Fläche (21 ) und der zweiten (22) Fläche durch eine oder mehrere Verbindungen (4) gebildet sind, wobei mindestens einer der Kanäle (3) mit Gegenständen (5) gefüllt ist, die sich an den Körper des Benutzers anpassen, und wobei die Gegenstände (5) einen sporadischen Druck auf den Körper des Benutzers durch die unterstützende Oberfläche (2) ausüben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Gegenstände (5) im Wesentlichen kugelförmige Gegenstände (5) sind, und dass die Breite der einzelnen Kanäle (3) eine Größe aufweist, die es nicht erlaubt, dass ein im Wesentlichen kugelförmiger Gegenstand (5A) an einem anderen im Wesentlichen kugelförmigen Gegenstand (5B) innerhalb der Kanäle vorbeikommen kann. 2. Decke nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die im Wesentlichen kugelförmigen Gegenstände (5) linear verbunden sind, um eine Reihe von im Wesentlichen kugelförmigen Gegenständen (6) zu bilden. 3. Decke nach einem der Ansprüche 1-2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die im Wesentlichen kugelförmigen Gegenstände (5) dafür geeignet sind, in einer Waschmaschine gewaschen zu werden. 4. Decke nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die einzelnen Kanäle (3) in der Längsrichtung und/oder Breitenrichtung der Decke erstrecken. 5. Decke nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Decke weiter eine oder mehrere strukturelle Barrieren in den Kanälen (3) zum Sichern einer gleichmäßigen Verteilung von den im Wesentlichen kugelförmigen Gegenständen entlang dem einzelnen Kanal umfasst. 6. Decke nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die eine oder mehrere strukturelle Barrieren eine Verbindung (7) zwischen der ersten Fläche (21) und der zweiten (22) Fläche der unterstützenden Oberfläche ist. 7. Decke nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verbindung (7) eine Naht ist. 8. Decke nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine oder mehrere der Verbindungen (7) ein Reißverschluss (9) ist, wodurch die Decke in Untereinheiten (8) zur einfacheren Handhabung unterteilt werden kann. 9. Decke nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Reißverschluss (9) in der Breitenrichtung der Decke positioniert ist, wodurch sein Kontakt mit dem Körper des Benutzers begrenzt wird. 10. Decke nach einem der Ansprüche 1-9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kanäle (3) über die ganze Oberfläche der Decke gleichmäßig verteilt sind. 11. Decke nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Fläche (21) und/oder die zweite (22) Fläche mindestens eine Schicht von Isoliermaterial umfassen.

Revendications 1. Couverture pour un traitement thérapeutique, la couverture (1) ayant une première face (21) et une deuxième face (22) formant une surface de support (2), dans laquelle une pluralité de canaux (3) est formée entre la première face (21 ) et la deuxième face (22) par une ou plusieurs articulations (4), au moins l’un des canaux (3) étant remplis d’objets (5) s’adap tant au corps de l’utilisateur, et dans laquelle les objets (5) exercent une pression sporadique sur le corps de l’utilisateur à travers la surface de support (2), caractérisée en ce que les objets (5) sont des objets essentiellement sphériques (5), et en ce que la largeur des canaux individuels (3) est d’une taille qui ne permet pas à un objet essentiellement sphérique (5A) de passer un autre objet essentiellement sphérique (5B) dans lesdits canaux. 2. Couverture selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que les objets essentiellement sphériques (5) sont reliés de manière linéaire pour former une chaîne d’objets essentiellement sphériques (6). 3. Couverture selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisée en ce que les objets essentiellement sphériques (5) sont appropriés pour le lavage dans une machine à laver. 4. Couverture selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que les canaux individuels (3) s’étendent dans le sens de la longueur et/ou de la largeur de la couverture. 5. Couverture selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée en ce que la couverture comprend en outre un ou plusieurs obstacles structurels à l’intérieur des canaux (3) pour assurer une répartition régulière des objets essentiellement sphériques le long du canal individuel. 6. Couverture selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que l’un ou plusieurs obstacles structurels est/sont une articulation (7) entre la première face (21) et la deuxième face (22) de la surface de support. 7. Couverture selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que l’articulation (7) est une couture. 8. Couverture selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que l’une ou plusieurs des articulations (7) est/sont une fermeture à glissière (9), étant ainsi en mesure de diviser la couverture en sous-unités (8) pour faciliter la manipulation. 9. Couverture selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que la fermeture à glissière (9) est positionnée dans le sens de la largeur de la couverture, ce qui limite son contact avec le corps de l’utilisateur. 10. Couverture selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisée en ce que les canaux (3) sont répartis de manière régulière sur toute la surface de la couverture. 11. Couverture selon l’une quelconque des revendica- tions 1 à 10, caractérisée en ce que la première face (21) et/ou la deuxième face (22) comprend au moins une couche de matériau isolant.

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description • EP 0729340 A [0005] · WO 2009123557 A [0006]

Claims

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A blank as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the substantially spherical objects (!) Are linearly smmah iWekancsoKa, which are spherical spherical objects vp> som (6a).

3. Blanket cover 1 or 2, characterized in that the substantially spherical objects (5) are in a washing machine and are suitable for washing 4i: Az1-3. A taxi according to any one of the preceding claims, an axesl etiquette, a single channel &amp; blanket slipcover & and   and   & trilly. f. 1-4. Any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the blanket is rarially woven and one or more. the creature of a structural horseradish in channels ed) is a strange spherical object! channels: to ensure the equation of eleisstíisánsk, oh. The blank according to claim 3, characterized in that the one or more of the structural elements is a bond (2) between the first surface (21) and the second groove (22) of the surface. . The blanket of claim 6. stating that the bond (7) is a seam, Z. A. The secretary of claim 1, wherein the one or more bonds are one; zipper (9), by means of which the blanket covers are provided for easier handling, a blanket of 9 liters, which is located in the direction of the beam (9) by the contact of the user with the body of the user. O, 1 -9. A blank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channels (3) are uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the blanket. t i, MO. A blanket according to any one of the claims, characterized in that the first joint (211 flavor / or second street: (22; at least brain layer slag) is provided.