AN ARTICLE FOR TRANSMITTING WARMTH TO A HUMAN BEING AND/OR A BED

Abstract: A teddy bear (20) for transmitting warmth to a child comprises a ''huggable'' body portion incorporating therewithin body heat source means (18) and heat transfer means (24), the heat transfer means transmitting warmth from the heat source means to the child.

Description: TITLE: AN ARTICLE FOR TRANSMITTING WARMTH TO A HUMAN BEING-AND/OR A BED This invention relates to articles for transmitting warmth to a human being and/or a bed. At present, such articles include "electric blankets" which are connected in use direct to the high voltage mains supply power source. Electric blankets however, are subject to a number of problems including the fact that they have to be used close to a mains socket in the home, and the possibility of electric shocks should a blanket come into contact with liquid while the weight of a user is thereon. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an article for transmitting warmth to a human being and/or a bed, comprises a body portion incorporating therewithin both heat source means and heat transfer means, the heat transfer means transmitting warmth from the heat source means to the human being and/or bed. Such an article in use is firstly independent of the nearest mains socket, and secondly safer in, the presence of liquids since no connection to a high voltage mains power source is present. Preferably, the heat source means comprises an electrical circuit wholly within the body portion, the circuit including at least a power source and heating element means. SUBSTITUTE SHEET Preferably, the electrical circuit includes control means, suitably in the form of a thermostat, to maintain the temperature of the article relatively constant. The power source may be a rechargable low voltage (up to 50V) battery, suitably a flat and flexible nickel cadmium battery. Preferably, the power source is rechargable by means of the mains power supply while the article is not in use. Alternatively, the heat source means comprises either a thermagel battery wholly within the body portion, a water container wholly within the body portion in which hot water can be inserted, or a bundle of heat retaining material wholly within the body portion which can be heated up for instance in an oven. The heat transfer means suitably comprises material which releases heat at constant rate and at a temperature between room and blood temperature, for example Thnysulate or Space blanket material. The heat source means of the body portion is preferably totally surrounded by the heat transfer means. Suitably, the article * is in the form of either a soft toy such as a Teddy bear or cloth doll, a cushion, a blanket, a duvet, or an article of clothing. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an article (for example a soft toy) for transmitting warmth to a human being, comprises a three-dimensional body portion which is capable of being 'hugged' by for example a child, and which includes both heating means and heat transfer means 5 within the body portion, the heat transfer means transmitting warmth from the heating means to the human being. Suitably, the heating means may either include heat source means within the body portion or may be 10 powered by the mains supply via a connecting lead. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one ■ ] _5 embodiment of article in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view of another embodiment of article in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of the 2o electrical circuit used in the articles of Figures 1 and 2. In"Figure 1, the article for transmitting heat is a blanket 10 having a body 12 comprising a top cover 14 and a bottom cover 16 joined together at their 25 edges. Within the body 12 and between the covers 14 and 16, heat source means 18 in the form of an electrical circuit is wholly disposed. Around the circuit, heat transfer means 24 in the form of stuffing material transmits heat from the circuit 18 to the human being and/or bed. In Figure 2, the article for transmitting heat is a Teddy bear 20 having a body 22 stuffed with heat transfer means 24 in the form of packing material. Within the body 22, heat transfer means 18 in the form of an electrical circuit is wholly disposed in the "torso" area of the body. In Figure 3, the electrical circuit used for the blanket 10 and Teddy bear 20 is shown in detail. The circuit 18 includes a power source in the form of flat and flexible low voltage (eg 12V) Nickel cadmium battery 26, heating means 28 in the form of resistive elements which may cover up to 80% of the outer surface area of the article, a thermostat 30 to control and maintain the temperature (eg a temperature between room and body temperature) of the article relatively constant and a switch 31 to turn on and off the circuit 18. The battery 26 is rechargable by the mains supply through means of an adaptor 32 positioned adjacent the outer surface of the article, and which is provided with a protective flap 34 (shown in Figure 3) at the outer surface of the article to prevent any user of the article from obtaining an electric shock. The battery 26 may be connected to the mains supply and charged up during the day, and the circuit 18 disconnected from the mains supply and turned on during the night to warm up a bed and/or a human being. Since the article uses a low voltage power source within the article, the article can be used independently of a mains socket, and further no danger results from the article becoming wet in any way. Furthermore, the article is such that it may even be washed by hand or machine without damage to the electrical circuit or article. In one embodiment, the heat source means 18 of the Teddy bear 20 shown in Figure 2 comprises a thermagel battery wholly within the body portion 22, this battery being capable of producing a temperature of 58°C for 3 hours. In another embodiment, the heat source means 18 of the Teddy bear 20 shown in Figure 2 comprises a water container wholly within the body portion 22, in which container hot water up to 100°C can be inserted. In a further embodiment, the heat source means 18 of the Teddy bear 20 shown in Figure 2 comprises a bundle of heat retaining material wholly within the body portion 22, the heat retaining material being heated up by simply placing the Teddy bear into a kitchen oven set at low heat (eg 100°C) . In each of the above three embodiments, the heat source means 18 is surrounded by heat transfer means 24 (eg Thnysulate or Space blanket material) in order to transmit heat to the human being and/or bed at a constant rate and at a temperature between room and blood temperature (ie between 18 and 37°C) . The exterior surface of the Teddy bear 20 is also suitably made from the same material as the heat transfer means 24. In each of the above three embodiments, the article can be freely 'hugged' and indeed carried around with a human being without obstruction (such as an electrical lead) , since the heat source is contained wholly within the article. Furthermore, the article is such that it may even be washed by hand or machine without damage.

Claims: CLAIMS; 1. An article for transmitting warmth to a human being and/or a bed, comprising a body portion incorporating therewithin both heat source means and heat transfer means, the heat transfer means transmitting warmth from the heat source means to the human being and/or bed. 2. An article as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body portion is three-dimensional and capable of being 'hugged' by a human being. 3. An article for transmitting warmth to a human being, comprising a three-dimensional body portion which is capable of being 'hugged' by t.he* human being, and which includes both heating means and heat transfer means within the body portion, the heat transfer means transmitting warmth from the heating means to the human being. 4. An article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the heating means includes heat source means within the body portion. 5. An article as claimed in claim 3 wherein the heating means comprises a heating element powered by the mains supply via a connecting lead. 6. An article as claimed in either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the heat source means comprises an electrical circuit wholly within the body portion, the circuit including at least a power source and heating element means. 7. An article as claimed in claim 6 wherein the electrical circuit includes control means to maintain the temperature of the article relatively constant. 8. An article as claimed in either claim 6 or 7 wherein the power source is a rechargable nickel cadmium batter . 9. An article as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 4 wherein the heat source means comprises a thermagel battery wholly within the body portion. 10. An article as claimed in either claim 1 2 or 4 wherein the heat source means comprises a water container wholly within the body portion, the water container being capable of holding boiling water. 11. An article as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 4 wherein the heat source means comprises a bundle of heat retaining material wholly within the body portion, which material is capable of being heated up. 12. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the heat transfer means is made from either Thnysulate or Space blanket material. 13. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the heat transfer means transmits warmth in the temperature range between room' and blood temperature. 14. An article as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the exterior surface of the article is made from the same material as the heat transfer means. 15. An article for transmitting warmth substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: DE LACY OF WOOLDRIDGE HUGH, DE LACY OF WOOLDRIDGE, HUGH
Applicants: JOLLY GOOD PROD LTD
Application year: 1986
Main classification: H05B3
IPC codes: A47D15, A61F7, H05B3