Device which uses air to produce olfactory auditory convergence and method of use
A device which uses air to produce olfactory auditory convergence includes a compressible body which has an internal cavity which contains the air. A noise making mechanism is connected to the compressible body. An odor producing material is disposed within the internal cavity. When the compressible body is compressed, the air is expelled from the internal cavity and passes through the noise making mechanism causing it to make noise, the expelled air contains an odor from the odor producing material. In an embodiment, the device is connected to a target article such as a toy.
This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/855,913, filed May 28, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention pertains generally to olfactory auditory convergence, and more particularly to a device which produces same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONOlfactory auditory convergence is the perceptual interplay between olfactory (smell) and auditory (sound) stimuli. The neural mechanisms relating to smelling and hearing at the same time is a perception or sense experience created from the convergence of sounds and smells in the brain. Simultaneous smell and sound stimuli can be used to create a desired interplay.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a device which uses air to produce olfactory auditory convergence. The device consists of noise maker, such as used in toys, which has an odor producing material located inside the body of the noise maker. The odor producing material can be placed in the noise maker either during or after manufacture. In an embodiment, the noise maker, or a portion thereof, can be disconnected from the body of the noise maker in order to introduce the odor producing material therein. When activated by compression (such as by pressing, grasping, squeezing, chewing, biting, etc.) the device simultaneously produces noise and releases the odor of the odor producing material. In various embodiments the odor producing material can be an essential oil or a synthetic pheromone, the odor producing longevity of which is increased by virtue of enclosure within the noise maker. The device can be utilized in articles such as plush (stuffed), plastic, or rubber toys and the like of any size, which are typically be used by children or animals. The present invention keeps the attention and stimulation of the user, usually but not limited to pets and children, by means of sound and smell combined. Pets and children respond well to sound and smell as these are the two most prevalent senses for animals. Dogs respond emotionally and physically well to essential oil(s) and synthetic pheromone(s), which in turn promotes a positive physical and mental health benefit.
Some of the features and advantages of the device are:
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- It enhances brain wave stimulation within the brain, due to the sound and smell combination of harmonized liquid(s) and the noise of the noise maker. This enables a heightened senses of the sensory receptors in the brain connected to the nose and ears, resulting in the potential to constantly stimulate senses within the users to promote increase brain activity and stimulation when the toy is being used.
- The use of olfactory auditory convergence has emotional benefits of positive mental stimulation to the user due to the auditory and odor glands working simultaneously to invoke higher mental receptor convergence.
- The use of essential oils which are produced by plants have many different stimulation points, by mixing the essential oils, the multiple benefits can be used at once.
- Essential oils contain antimicrobial elements, which is antibacterial activities, which in turn produced antibacterial environment in and around the toy in which the noise maker is installed.
- Having the essential oils in the noise maker is safe, and only odor is released and not the liquid itself. This reduces the possibility of an adverse reaction of the user. Only a drop or two of the essential oil is needed. The essential oil can be absorbed by the inner lining of the noise maker, while its odor remains strong.
- Due to the pleasant smell of essential oils, a constant freshness of the toy or other article will remain inside and out.
- Natural extract smells and synthetic pheromones last longer than artificial scents.
In accordance with an embodiment, a device which uses air to produce olfactory auditory convergence includes a compressible body having an internal cavity which contains the air. A noise making mechanism is connected to the compressible body. An odor producing material is disposed within the internal cavity. When the compressible body is compressed, the air is expelled from the internal cavity and passes through the noise making mechanism causing it to make noise, the expelled air containing an odor from the odor producing material.
In accordance with another embodiment, the odor producing material is an essential oil.
In accordance with another embodiment, the essential oil is selected from the group consisting of chamomile, lavender, and sweet marjoram.
In accordance with another embodiment, the odor producing material is a synthetic pheromone.
In accordance with another embodiment, the odor producing material includes a plurality of different odor producing materials.
In accordance with another embodiment, the compressible body and the noise making mechanism combine to form a conventional noise maker.
In accordance with another embodiment, the device is connectable to a target article.
In accordance with another embodiment, a carrier cooperates with the odor producing material to increase the longevity of the odor producing material.
Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the device and method of use.
Referring initially to
An odor producing material 28 is disposed within internal cavity 24. When compressible body 22 is compressed as in
In one embodiment, odor producing material 28 is an essential oil. An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are commonly used within aromatherapy which has curative effects both physically and emotionally for humans and animals. An essential oil can also be referred to as “oil of”, such as in oil of cinnamon. The essential oil can be in either liquid or gel form. In one embodiment, the essential oil is selected from the group consisting of chamomile, lavender, and sweet marjoram. It is known that these three essential oils produce a positive olfactory reaction in dogs. In other embodiments the essential oil may be any of the following: allspice berry, amyris, anise, basil, sweet bay, bergamot, white camphor, cardamom seed, carrot seed, cassia bark, atlas cedar, red cedarwood, german chamomile, roman chamomile, wild chamomile, cinnamon bark, cinnamon leaf, citronella, clary sage, clove bud, coriander seed, cypress, eucalyptus, sweet fennel, frankincense, geranium (bourbon), ginger, grapefruit, hyssop, jasmine absolute, juniper berry, lavandin, lavender, lavender spike, lemon, lemon eucalyptus, lemongrass, lime, sweet marjoram, wild marjoram, myrrh, myrtle, neroli, nutmeg, mandarin orange, sweet orange, oregano, palmarosa, patchouli, peppermint, peru balsam, pine, rose absolute, rose otto, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, spearmint, spruce, tangerine, tea tree, red thyme, white thyme, vanilla, vetiver, wintergreen, ylang ylang.
In another embodiment, odor producing material 28 is a synthetic pheromone. Synthetic pheromones are not of a natural origin, but are typically produced in a lab. They contain fatty lipids (carbohydrates), acids such as lactic and acetic acids. Synthetic Pheromones are an excreted chemical factor which triggers social responses for either humans or animals.
Device 20 has both animal and human applications. For example, dogs and cats typically become bored with generic toys that do not stimulate their natural instinct. Toys that claim to be indestructible become boring to the dogs/cats because they only serve a temporary purpose in a very short time. Generic squeaker toys entertain the dogs\cats on an auditory (hearing) level, but soon the dogs/cats get used to the sound, and get bored because they are looking for something else to stimulate them. The combined noise and smell stimuli of the present invention overcome this problem. Not only does the present invention produce sound, it also produces a natural odor(s) that the dogs/cats love. Combing the two main senses of sound and smell together in a toy gives the dogs/cats double mental stimulation to decrease boredom and increase playful interest. Using device 20 will give the dogs\cats or other pets constant enjoyment without the chance of boredom.
In human application, children's toys serve as basic tools which can help the growth of a child. Device 20 is ideal for baby's from 0-5 years of age for learning and stimulation. When mentally stimulation in humans is increased, learning capacity is also increased. Combining natural extracts of essential oils (or other odor producing material) inside a noise maker enables children to be entertained by the sound of the noise maker, and simultaneously experience the odor of the essential oil. This combined stimuli helps with the child's mental learning capabilities, and in addition can also help with a physical or emotional ailment.
In another embodiment, a carrier 29 cooperates with odor producing material 28 to increase the longevity of odor producing material 28 (refer to
In another embodiment, a coating is used to protect the internal surface of compressible body 22 from high acidic essential oils which can cause surface damage to body 22. Such protection can be provided by acrylic lubricant spray, polyurethane lubricant spray, urethane lubricant spray, Teflon lubricant spray, silicon lubricant spray, and other similar items.
In terms of use, a method for using air to produce olfactory auditory convergence includes:
(a) providing a device 20 which uses the air 500 to produce olfactory auditory convergence, device 20 including:
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- a compressible body 22 having an internal cavity 24 which contains the air 500;
- a noise making mechanism 26 connected to compressible body 22;
- an odor producing material 28 disposed within internal cavity 24;
- when compressible body 22 is compressed, the air 500 is expelled from internal cavity 24 and passes through noise making mechanism 26 causing it to make noise 600, the expelled air 500 containing an odor from odor producing material 28; and,
(b) compressing compressible body 22.
The method further including:
providing a target article 700;
before (b), connecting device 20 to target article 700; and,
in (b), compressing target article 700 causing compressible body 22 to compress.
The method further including:
providing a second device 20 with uses the air 500 to produce olfactory auditory convergence;
second device 20 including an odor producing material 28 which produces a different odor from odor producing material 28 of device 20;
before (b), connecting the second device 20 to target article 700; and,
in (b), also compressing target article 700 causing the compressible body of the second device 20 to compress.
The embodiments of the device and method of use described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the device, system, and method should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device which uses air to produce olfactory auditory convergence, the device comprising:
- a compressible body having an internal cavity which contains the air;
- a noise making mechanism connected to said compressible body;
- an odor producing material disposed within said internal cavity; and,
- when said compressible body is compressed, the air is expelled from said internal cavity and passes through said noise making mechanism causing it to make noise, the expelled air containing an odor from said odor producing material.
2. The device according to claim 1, further including:
- said odor producing material being an essential oil.
3. The device according to claim 2, further including:
- said essential oil being selected from the group consisting of chamomile, lavender, and sweet marjoram.
4. The device according to claim 1, further including:
- said odor producing material being a synthetic pheromone.
5. The device according to claim 1, further including:
- said odor producing material including a plurality of different odor producing materials.
6. The device according to claim 1, further including;
- said compressible body and said noise making mechanism combining to form a conventional noise maker.
7. The device according to claim 1, the device cooperating with a target article, the device further including:
- said device connectable to the target article.
8. The device according to claim 1, further including:
- a carrier which cooperates with said odor producing material to increase the longevity of said odor producing material.
9. An olfactory auditory convergence system which uses air to produce olfactory auditory convergence, the system comprising:
- a target article;
- a device which uses the air to produce olfactory auditory convergence, said device having a compressible body having an internal cavity which contains the air;
- a noise making mechanism connected to said compressible body;
- an odor producing material disposed within said internal cavity;
- when said compressible body is compressed, the air is expelled from said internal cavity and passes through said noise making mechanism causing it to make noise, the expelled air containing an odor from said odor producing material; and,
- said device connected to said target article.
10. The system according to claim 9, further including:
- said odor producing material being an essential oil.
11. The system according to claim 10, further including:
- said essential oil being selected from the group consisting of chamomile, lavender, and sweet marjoram.
12. The system according to claim 9, further including:
- said odor producing material being a synthetic pheromone.
13. The system according to claim 9, further including:
- said odor producing including a plurality of different odor producing materials.
14. The system according to claim 9, further including:
- said compressible body and said noise making mechanism combining to form a conventional noise maker.
15. The system according to claim 9, further including:
- a second device with uses the air to produce auditory convergence; and,
- said second device including an odor producing material which produces a different odor from said odor producing material of said device.
16. The system according to claim 9, further including:
- a carrier which cooperates with said odor producing material to increase the longevity of said odor producing material.
17. A method for using air to produce olfactory auditory convergence, comprising:
- (a) providing a device which uses the air to produce olfactory auditory convergence, the device including: a compressible body having an internal cavity which contains the air; a noise making mechanism connected to said compressible body; an odor producing material disposed within said internal cavity; when said compressible body is compressed, the air is expelled from said internal cavity and passes through said noise making mechanism causing it to make noise, the expelled air containing an odor from said odor producing material; and,
- (b) compressing said compressible body.
18. The method of claim 17, further including:
- providing a target article;
- before (b), connecting said device to said target article; and,
- in (b), compressing said target article causing said compressible body to compress.
19. The method of claim 18, further including:
- providing a second device with uses the air to produce olfactory auditory convergence;
- said second device including an odor producing material which produces a different odor from said odor producing material of said device;
- before (b), connecting said second device to said target article; and,
- in (b), also compressing said target article causing said compressible body of said second device to compress.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 31, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2014
Inventor: Ashley Richmond (Markham)
Application Number: 14/068,393
International Classification: A63H 5/00 (20060101); A63H 3/28 (20060101);