Heated soft gift item

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a non-therapeutic shaped soft warm gift item comprising an exothermic heating device that is activated to produce an elevated temperature of the item. The item is optionally provided on a base such as a greeting card, stuffed toy animal as well as any suitable substrate. The item is heated either by providing a chemically reactive layer in a sealed pouch or by an electrically activated element such as a battery powered heating element with associated electrical circuit. The shape of the item conforms to the sentiment associated with the gift and the warmth produced by the exothermic heating device can be felt by the touch of the item.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/704,160 filed Nov. 1, 2000 entitled HEATED SOFT GIFT ITEM.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a gift item and, in particular, to a gift item that may arrive in a state of elevated temperature or which can be easily activated whereby the temperature of the item increases to an elevated temperature to become heated.

[0003] In the art of gift giving the expression of warm regards is often given. In the English language the term “warm” or warmth” has at least a dual connotation relating to sentiment or an expression of human regard or feelings as well as the physical meaning of temperature, or rather to a somewhat elevated temperature. As employed herein with regard to the invention being claimed the term “warm” or a word derived therefrom refers to either one or both meanings of the word as noted above.

[0004] Devices that can be used to elevate or lower the temperature of a body part have been employed for many years in therapeutic procedures. These therapeutic devices have taken the form, in one way or the other, of material that can be packaged and then heated or cooled, as the need may require, in the treatment or therapy being performed. The package is then inserted into a device provided with pockets into which the heated package fits snuggly. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,962 to Brink. This device comprises a therapeutic wrap that is placed around a body part such as a leg or knee by means of elastic straps. The wrap is provided with openings forming a pocket into which there can be placed a hot or cold substance, usually in a package, adjacent to the body. As the temperature of the hot or cold package moderates, the package can be exchanged for a fresh one so that the wrap need not be removed from its strapped position on the body.

[0005] Another device to heat body parts is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,275 to Yates et al.

[0006] This device is a belt that surrounds the body and contains pockets at the position opposite each kidney. Heated packs can be inserted into the pockets to heat the body in the vicinity of the kidneys. The theory of the device is that if body blood is heated the blood will in turn heat the entire body. Because the kidneys hold for a time some portion of the blood supply, the heating means adjacent thereto will supply additional warmth to the blood, which will, when circulated to the entire body, aid in keeping it heated. Again the packages placed into the pocket of the belt are replaceable or they can be heated continuously by means of a battery powered heat source.

[0007] Another therapeutic device containing pockets into which either hot or cold packages can be placed is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,590. This device is in the form of a pillowcase containing pockets advantageously placed so as to provide the ability to administer therapeutic treatment to the user when the pillowcase is placed around a pillow. The pockets can be employed to change the shape of the pillow to conform to a needed contour. Also, the pockets may hold hot or cold packages as may be needed.

[0008] Yet another therapeutic device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,829. This device is in the form of a stuffed toy such as a “teddy” bear or cartoon character equipped with an internal pocket surrounded by an insulating layer made up of the stuffing of the toy. A slit in the cover of the stuffed toy provides access to an internal pocket into which a package of heated or cooled material is placed. Because the therapeutic device is in the shape of a stuffed toy, a child would more likely not be startled or ill at ease with the device while receiving treatment. One advantage cited by the patent is the psychological effect of calming an injured child by means of applying a stuffed toy. The stuffing also provides an absorbent material in the event of any leakage of the heated or cooled package.

[0009] Yet another therapeutic device for children is a stuffed “teddy” bear containing an internally installed package containing a mixture of clay and oil. Such clay/oil mixtures are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,598 to Hughes. The clay/oil mixture is designed to absorb, hold and dispense heat. In operation, the therapeutic device is placed in an oven or microwave oven to heat the clay/oil mixture within the interior of the stuffed bear. The bear is then held by the child whereby the heat is released to aid the child. The bear is sold under the trademark ThermiPaq™ owned by Thermionics Corp.

[0010] The heart is a symbol of emotion in art and gift giving. The heart is especially expressed in valentine greeting cards. Variations of the heart theme have been disclosed such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,506 to Mehta. In this device, the heart is made to oscillate much as the working human heart does as the muscles of the heart move the blood throughout the body. Movement such as a pulsating motion is achieved by providing a small electrical source which powers a drive means which causes an oscillating motion within the heart shaped device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The non-therapeutic shaped gift item of this invention comprises an exothermic heating device that is activated by applying pressure or by an electrical circuit whereby the shaped item is heated to provide the sensory perception of warmth. Typically the non-therapeutic heated gift is provided with a base item. Further, in accordance with this invention, there is provided a nontherapeutic heated gift item which can take any number of shapes, and wherein the particular shape may represent a theme message. The theme is presented with or without printed matter and is a symbolic expression of emotion, a message of endearment, a message of a desire, an organizational reference, or any expression of a thought in which the warmth of the heated gift item is a means to uniquely emphasis the theme of the gift by means of the sensory perception of warmth. The shaped heated gift item is provided on any number of base items such as greeting cards, stuffed animals, cartoon characters or stuffed images representative of trades or professions, magnetic strips attachable to a refrigerator or the like, accessory novelty items such as small pillows or plaques, and so forth. The base item may also contain a message consonant with or in conjunction with the theme of the heated gift item. The shaped exothermic heating device or base item may bear a message in the form of printed matter following or indicating the theme of the message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a non-therapeutic gift item wherein the exothermic device is in the shape of a heart situated on an optional base comprising a greeting card.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a non-therapeutic gift item wherein the exothermic device is in the shape of a star situated on an optional base comprising a stuffed toy in the shape of a bear.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a non-therapeutic gift item wherein the exothermic device is in the shape of a heart without a base and combined with text.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the gift item of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The term “heated gift item” as employed herein means an item that comprises an exothermic layer which can be employed by activation of chemical or electrical means to provide the item with an elevated temperature. The heated gift item of this invention is therefore one that contains an exothermic layer containing active energy as well as latent energy that can be activated by either the provider or the recipient of the gift. The elevated temperature provided by the exothermic layer is such that an elevated temperature can be perceived on the exterior of the item from at least one side. In many instances the heated gift is equipped with a long lasting exothermic layer such that said layer can be activated prior to presentation of the gift to a recipient so as to be received in a warmed condition. One such article is an air activated exothermic layer having sufficient reactive material to last for as long as forty hours thereby enabling the provider to activate the exothermic layer and deliver the gift item or have the gift item delivered within the period of time in which the exothermic layer is providing heat to the gift item. Such an air activated exothermic layer is described below.

[0018] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown in plan view a non-therapeutic soft gift item in the form of a greeting card 1. Shown in FIG. 1 is the interior of greeting card 1 having a first page 3 joined at the edge with a second page 5. Affixed to second page 5 is a shaped exothermic device 7 in the shape of a heart that is activated either before being given to a recipient or which can be easily activated by the recipient. The soft gift item may be attached to the card by any conventional means such as a laminate, hook and pile, adhesive, or other fastening or attaching mechanisms.

[0019] One preferred example of an exothermic device 7 is an air activated layered pouch as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,378 to Usui, which patent is incorporated herein by reference. The Usui device is a layered pouch in which at least one side of the pouch is air permeable and encasing a substance that can be reactive when in contact with air. Another layer of auxiliary material is provided within the pouch which, when mixed with the reactive substance in the presence of air, allows an exothermic reaction to take place. The air reactive layer may contain other materials that do not allow it to react with air. The exothermic reaction layer includes an exothermic substance as an essential ingredient thereof That is, the exothermic reaction layer is composed of an exothermic substance solely, or of a mixture comprising an exothermic substance and at least some of the other ingredients of the exothermic composition, being arranged to not start an exothermic reaction in air until mixed with the auxiliary layer that is separated from the exothermic substance by a membrane. Typically, the exothermic substance can be laminated onto the gas permeable film prior to being sealed together with the auxiliary layer maintained in a physically separate layer by a separation membrane. However, where the gas-tight film or sheet is applied after the exothermic composition is laminated on the gas-permeable film or sheet at one surface, movement of the exothermic composition inside the pouch is effectively prevented by bonding with the gas-permeable film or sheet at one surface. Therefore, only a single gas-tight film or sheet of a polymeric material need be used. Of course, the reactive layer may contain other ingredients made of at least one of the powdered ingredients, such as an exothermic substance, carbon powder, a water retainer and a metallic chloride.

[0020] The auxiliary layer is a liquid layer containing water alone or an aqueous solution of metallic chloride, or a mucous layer made of liquid, such as water or an aqueous solution of metallic chloride, and may also contain at least one of powdered ingredients such as carbon powder, and a water retainer.

[0021] The water retainer used in the present invention is not limited as long as it is soluble or dispersible in water or an aqueous solution of a metallic chloride to hold water or to increase viscosity of water or the aqueous solution of a metallic chloride. Specifically, what are usable are, for example, starch water retainers, polysaccharide water retainers, cellulose derivative water retainers, acrylic resin water retainers, polyvinyl alcohol water retainers, urea resin water retainers and dispersed emulsion water retainers.

[0022] By applying pressure to the device the membrane separating the air reactive material from the layer containing the auxiliary material is ruptured thereby mixing the necessary ingredients to form a reactive mixture which, in the presence of air, provides an exothermic reaction and heats the device 7. The device can be covered on other sides with a gas tight film.

[0023] However, where the gas-tight film or sheet is applied after the exothermic composition is laminated on the gas-permeable film or sheet at one surface, movement of the exothermic composition inside the pouch is effectively prevented by bonding with the gas-permeable film or sheet at one surface. Therefore, only a single gas-tight film or sheet of a polymeric material may be used.

[0024] The film or sheet for forming the pouch is not limited to any particular material. Usable materials include, for example, polymeric materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyurethane, polystyrene, saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; paper; cloths and the like.

[0025] Typical examples of the gas-permeable films or sheets of a polymeric material include a porous film or sheet formed by a drawing process, extraction of particular ingredients, foaming or the like. Also, a perforated film or sheet with bores formed by a mechanical process such as punching or boring may be employed to allow air to contact the reactive layer.

[0026] Where a gas-tight film or sheet of a polymeric material is used for the application surface of the pouch, the material of this film or sheet is not limited. Polymeric materials usable include, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyurethane, polystyrene, saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The layered device may be heat-sealed or contained by heat activated adhesives and the like.

[0027] The exothermic substance is not limited as long as it brings about an exothermic reaction in the presence of air, whether it is an organic substance, an inorganic substance or a mixture thereof. Specifically, a known exothermic composition (so-called chemical heater) may be used, which includes, for example, a metal powder acting as an exothermic substance, carbon powder having an action to cause oxidation of the metal powder and Ph adjusting and catalytic actions, a metallic chloride for breaking oxide film on surfaces of the metal powder to promote smooth oxidation of the metal powder, water, a water retainer for avoiding sogginess due to the water, an inhibitor against film formation due to dryness, a surface active agent for improving dispersion, and an antifoaming agent.

[0028] The metal powder may be iron powder, zinc powder, aluminum powder, magnesium powder, or powder of an alloy of two or more of these substances. However, iron powder is the most desirable from the point of view of safety, handling convenience, cost, storage characteristics and stability.

[0029] Carbon powder may comprise activated carbon, carbon black or graphite. For use in the form of mucus, it is desirable to provide a fine powder of 200 mesh or less.

[0030] In a preferred known exothermic composition, particularly from the point of view of stability, economy, continuance of heating effect and storage characteristics, metal powder is used as the exothermic substance, and ingredients of the exothermic composition in the exothermic device are in the following proportions: 40 to 80% by weight of a metal powder, 1 to 20% by weight of carbon powder, 0.5 to 5% by weight of a metallic chloride, 5 to 40% by weight of water, and 1 to 10% by weight of a water retainer. Of course, the amount of material to be included in the heated gift item of this invention is optional and may be measured in terms of the extent of the amount of reactive material employed or potential of the electrically heated element in the device.

[0031] The metallic chloride may be a chloride of an alkali metal such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride, or a chloride of an alkali earth metal such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.

[0032] Where the exothermic reactive substance layer or reaction auxiliary layer is formed in the manner such as printing, screen printing, gravure and so on, the exothermic reactive layer or reaction auxiliary layer is formed to be in the order of 0.02 to 1.5 mm, preferably 0.05 to 1 mm, and especially 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0033] In FIG. 2 there is shown a plan view of a stuffed toy animal 9, such as a teddy bear, having applied to its surface a non-therapeutic shaped heated gift item 11 in the form of a star. Of course, the shape of the warm gift item is entirely optional and may take on any number of shapes depending upon the purpose of the gift. As indicated in FIG. 2, text may be included on the soft warm gift item to express the sentiment proper for the occasion of the gift. For example, instead of a star, a heart shaped soft warm gift item may be affixed with the words “get well soon” or the like. The shaped heated soft gift item 11 may be attached to the stuffed toy animal 9 by any number of means. Typically it may be attached by thread sewn into the sealed lining of the soft warm gift item, a hook and pile arrangement providing a quick release hook material on one surface that engages the pile material of the other surface for quick release, double sided tape on the shaped heated soft gift item 11 with a peel off layer that enables ready attachment to the stuffed toy animal 9, a strap or belt, or other suitable means.

[0034] The exothermic reactive layer in this instance is particularly adapted to an electrically activated device in the portion of the shaped heated gift item 11 preferably within the gift item positioned closest to the stuffed animal. Preferably the electrically activated heating element is a flat, flexible member containing a material that increases in temperature when an electrical circuit is applied thereto. The electrically activated heat element would take the place of the exothermic layer described above with respect to FIG. 1. The battery pack employed to electrically activate the gift item may be secured inside the stuffed toy animal with wires or other suitable electrical connection means protruding at the point of attachment of the gift item for connection with contact points or other means provided on the shaped heated gift item 11. Connection of the wires or other electrical means to the gift item would then be made out of sight to the casual observer and the batteries changed when needed for a long lasting gift. An electrically operated heated item is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,275 which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] As will be more fully described below, the shaped heated gift item may be provided with a padded layer to assure control of the amount of heat to which the recipient may be exposed. Of course, an activated layered pouch as described above may also be employed in conjunction with a stuffed toy animal as shown in FIG. 2 and having a padded layer opposite the side adjacent to the stuffed animal. The padded layer may be of any suitable material and covered with a decorative outer layer on which printed matter may be applied. Typical material for the padded layer is a flexible plastic foam material such as polyethylene, cotton, multiple layers of cotton fabric, wool, or any suitable foamed polymer such as polyurethane and the like.

[0036] There is shown in FIG. 3 a shaped heated gift item 13 in the shape of a heart. In this instance a base item does not support the item 13. The item is prepared to be self supporting and is usually flexible and wrapped in an outer layer that is durable such as a nylon cloth cover or some other textile that will wear well and support printed matter as indicated in FIG. 3. The exothermic layer of FIG. 1 would be suitable in this instance to provide the heat at the appropriate time either just prior to delivery of the gift item, or the recipient would receive instructions along with the gift to activate the exothermic layer and provide the heat resulting in a warm shaped gift item.

[0037] In FIG. 4 there is shown a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. In this instance the outer layer 15 contains foam padding or the like to moderate the heat generated within the item 13. Layer 17 contains a liquid for activating an exothermic reactive substance and is termed above with respect to FIG. 1 as an auxiliary material. Layer 19 contains the reactive substance which, when activated by rupture of the membrane 17a between layers 17 and 19, reacts to produce heat in the fashion described above with respect to FIG. 1. The ingredients of layers 17 and 19 may vary as the only non-optional item, water, resides in layer 17 until activation. The other ingredients such as carbon particles, metal chloride and so forth may reside in either layer. As noted above with respect to FIG. 1, outer layer 21 must be an air-permeable layer to permit air entry into layer 19. Until the membrane 17a is ruptured allowing a mixing of the ingredients of both layers, no reaction occurs.

[0038] The shaped heated gift item 13 may be provided with straps (not shown), a belt, or other attachment means whereby it may be affixed to different items at the option of either the provider or the recipient of the gift. Thus, item 13 may be affixed to a stuffed toy animal as shown in FIG. 2 such as through the use of a strap or belt which holds the gift item 13 and wraps around and attaches to at least a portion of the stuffed toy animal 9. In this embodiment, item 13 may be affixed by means noted above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 to a stuffed toy animal that is familiar to a child rather than to a new toy that is not familiar to a child. The advantages of a device such as item 13 are obvious to any parent.

[0039] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the purposes and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for the purpose of this disclosure, changes in the construction and arrangement of parts and the performance of steps can be made by those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0040] The various aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0041] Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A non-therapeutic shaped gift item comprising an exothermic heating device whereby the gift item provides a feeling of warmth to the touch of the recipient of the gift.

2. The gift item of claim 1 wherein the exothermic device is an air activated reactive layer in conjunction with an auxiliary layer whereby when said layers are combined an exothermic reaction occurs.

3. The gift item of claim 1 wherein the exothermic layer is an electrically activated heating element.

4. The gift item of claim 2 wherein the exothermic layer comprises a metal powder.

5. The gift item of claim 4 wherein the exothermic layer is placed adjacent an auxiliary layer comprising water.

6. The gift item of claim 5 wherein the auxiliary layer further comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of a metal chloride, carbon powder and a water retainer.

7. The gift item of claim 4 wherein the metal powder is iron.

8. The gift item of claim 3 wherein the exothermic device is a flat flexible heating electrical heating element.

9. The gift item of claim 4 wherein the metal powder is selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, zinc, magnesium and any mixture thereof.

10. The gift item of claim 6 wherein the water retainer is selected from the group consisting of starch water retainers, polysaccharide water retainers, cellulose derivative water retainers, acrylic resin water retainers, polyvinyl alcohol water retainers, urea resin water retainers.

11. A non-therapeutic shaped heated gift item comprising a base item, and an exothermic heating device whereby the gift item provides a feeling of warmth to the touch of the recipient of the gift.

12. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the exothermic device is an air activated reactive layer in conjunction with an auxiliary layer whereby when said layers are combined an exothermic reaction occurs.

13. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the exothermic layer is an electrically activated heating element.

14. The gift item of claim 12 wherein the exothermic layer comprises a metal powder.

15. The gift item of claim 14 wherein the exothermic layer is placed adjacent an auxiliary layer comprising water.

16. The gift item of claim 15 wherein the auxiliary layer further comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of a metal chloride, carbon powder and a water retainer.

17. The gift item of claim 14 wherein the metal powder is iron.

18. The gift item of claim 13 wherein the exothermic device is a flat flexible heating electrical heating element.

19. The gift item of claim 14 wherein the metal powder is selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, zinc, magnesium and any mixture thereof.

20. The gift item of claim 15 wherein the water retainer is selected from the group consisting of starch water retainers, polysaccharide water retainers, cellulose derivative water retainers, acrylic resin water retainers, polyvinyl alcohol water retainers, urea resin water retainers.

21. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the base item is a greeting card.

22. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the base item is a stuffed toy animal.

23. The gift item of claim 22 wherein the stuffed toy animal is in the form of a teddy bear.

24. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the gift item is a plaque.

25. The gift item of claim 11 wherein the base item is selected from the group consisting of a cartoon character or stuffed images representative of trades or professions, magnetic strips and a pillow.