Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21S1662
MICROWAVABLE HEATING/COOLING PILLOW
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to heating/cooling packs and more
particularly to cereal filled heating/cooling packs and pillows
which are microwavable.
Traditionally people have used hot water bottles to
provide soothing heat therapy to the body. The problem with
using a hot water bottle is that it is difficult to warm the
water bottle without over heating it. When a hot water bottle
is over heated it will burn the skin and the user must then wait
until it cools before using it. Another problem arises when the
user falls asleep. The bottle which was initially pleasant when
warming, cools and becomes chilling. The bottle must be filled
before use and emptied after use; it may develop leaks; and due
to the problem of solidification, it cannot be frozen for use as
a cold pack.
Traditionally people use ice filled bags wrapped in
towels as cold packs. The problem with this approach is that it
is usually time consuming and messy to produce ice chips.
Another problem is that during use the ice melts and water leaks
through the towels wetting the bedding of the user.
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OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a pack which
can be used for both heating and cooling. It is an object of
this invention to provide a pack which cannot easily be over
heated delaying the use thereof. It yet is a further object of
this invention to provide a pack which can be frozen for use and
which will thereafter readily mould to the body and provide
cooling without any mess. It is yet a further object of this
invention to provide an improved cereal filled pack which will
provide sustained heating and cooling periods due to an improved
moisture content. It is yet a further object of this invention
to provide a cereal filled pack which will emit a moist heat
which is beneficial for many types of ailments. It is an object
of this invention to disclose a pack which emits a natural
pleasant smelling aroma. It is a object of this invention to
provide a cereal filled pack having a cover which can be readily
removed for washing. It is a final object of this invention to
provide a removable cover for the pack which has a an effective
means of closure which is non-bulky, inconspicuous and
inexpensive.
One aspect of this invention provides for a heating/
cooling pillow comprising: a closed bag containing wheat; and a
cotton moisture absorbing pad within and surrounded by the wheat.
The cotton moisture absorbing pad, by maintaining a higher
moisture content in the pillow, results in a greater heat
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retention and a longer cool down time in the heating /cooling
pillow.
A preferred aspect of this invention provides for a
pillow wherin the closed bag comprises cedar wood chips and
further comprises a removable washable cotton cover adapted to
closely receive the closed bag. The cedar wood chips emit a
pleasant aroma. The washable cover not only results in a more
hygienic bag but, like the moisture absorbing pad, the cotton
cover absorbs moisture from the wheat when the bag is heated,
this moisture being re-absorbed by the wheat when it cools.
Various other objects, advantages and features of this
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
the following description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
FIGURES OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a the Heating/Cooling
Pillow.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the Heating/Cooling
Pillow taken along lines 2-2 in figure 1.
The following is a discussion and description of the
preferred specific embodiments of this invention, such being made
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with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference
numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or
structure. It should be noted that such discussion and
description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the
invention .
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to
figure 1 we have a perspective view of a Heating/Cooling Pillow
20. Figure 1 best shows the removable flannel cover 22. The
flannel cover 22 is fabricated from a single rectangular piece of
flannel which is 84 centimeters long by 24 cm wide. To
fabricate this cover, first 1 cm is folded up and over at each
opposite end of the length to form a finished edge 24.
Secondly, the right end portion 26 (which when measured
lengthwise in the preferred embodiment is 15 cm) is folded up and
over; and then, the left end portion 28 (which in the preferred
embodiment is 29 cm, measured lengthwise), is also folded up and
inwardly overlapping the right end portion 26 and forming a flap
27 therebetween. Next, the folded flannel cover 22 is sewn with
a .7 zigzag stitch along its unattached peripheral sides 30 about
one half cm from its edges. Finally the now stitched cover 22
is turned inside out so that the rough edges are on the inside.
The finished flannel cover 22 laying flat measures 36 cm long by
20 cm wide.
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A white heavy cotton bag 32 is fabricated to hold the
cereal which is preferably one kg plus or minus 10 grams of wheat
34. Cedar wood chips 35 are mixed into the wheat 34 in a 1:16
ratio of cedar wood chips 35 to wheat 34 by volume. Cedar is
selected because of its sustained odor masking property, coupled
with its pleasant aroma. After extended periods of use, if the
wheat 34 is not periodically steamed, it may begin to emit an
odor smelling like burnt wheat. Addition of the cedar wood
chips 35 not only effectively masks this odor, but additionally
results in a natural and long lasting pleasant aroma which is
most pronounced upon heating. The bag 32 has a length and width
slightly smaller than the length and width of the flannel cover
22. The bag 32 is formed from a singular rectangular piece of
white heavy cotton which is folded in half along its length, and
then sttiched along two sides.
A moisture absorbing pad 36, which in the preferred
embodiment is made from a heavy piece of flannel having the
equivilent moisture absorbancy of four layers of flannel
measuring 11.5 cm by 5 cm, is inserted in the bag 32. The bag
32 is then filled with one kg of wheat 34 mixed with the cedar
wood chips 35. The wheat 34 is distributed more or less evenly
around the moisture absorbing pad 36 and the open end of the bag
32 is then stitched closed.
Finally the wheat filled bag 32 is inserted into the
flannel cover 22 through the flap 27. The flap 27 is an
effective means of closing the flannel cover 22.
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The Microwavable Heating/Cooling Pillow 20 may be used as
a general warmer for sore muscles, arthritis relief, strains, or
sprains etc. after warming it in a microwave oven for generally
about two and one half minutes. Alternatively, it may be
chilled in the freezer for at least sixty minutes and then used
as a cold pack.
The removable flannel cover 22 is preferred for its soft
touch. It is washable and therefore results in a more hygienic
pillow 20. Typically bright colored it is aesthetically
pleasing compared to the heavy cotton bag which tends to become
discolored over time from the wheat 34 therein. Additionally
the cover 22 not only protects the skin from the hot wheat 34 but
also insulates the pillow 20 so that it stays warm longer. The
overlapping flap 27 in the flannel cover 22 is an effective
closure/insertion means through which the bag 32 may be inserted
therein. Compared to the other closure means such as a zipper
(not shown) it is cheaper, more comfortable, and attractive in
use.
The Microwavable Heating/Cooling Pillow 20 is much
improved with the addition of a moisture absorbing pad 36
inserted in the wheat 34. With the inclusion of a moisture
absorbing pad 36 the pillow 20 retains its heat after being
heated for a substantially longer time. Tests have shown that
immediately after heating the moisture absorbing pad 36 becomes
moist. After the pillow 20 has cooled the pad 36 becomes dry.
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It appears that steam released from the wheat 34 during heating
is absorbed in the pad 36. And, when cooling, the wheat 34
absorbs the moisture from the pad 36. Through the use of the
pad 36 the chronic problem of the wheat 34 drying out is
alleviated. It is recommended that periodically, immediately
before heating, that the pillow 20 be steamed to reintroduce
moisture into the dried wheat 34.
Tests have also shown that the Microwavable Heating/Cooling
Pillow 20 stays warm significantly longer after being heated when
it is covered with a cotton flannel cover 22. It appears that to
a lesser degree, that the cotton flannel cover 22 also functions
similarily to the cotton moisture absorbing pad 36.
While the invention has been described with preferred
specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this
description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope
of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.
I CLAIM :
