ANTI-ALLERGENIC SOFT TOYS

Abstract: An anti-allergenic soft toy (10) is formed from two cut-outs (11, 12) superposed and permanently sealed together by ultrasonic welding around their periphery to form a shaped bag which is impermeable to allergens, the bag being filled with a suitable filling prior to welding. The filled bag is removably contained within an outer cover (14) which contains the features of the soft toy and the cover can be removed from the filled bag by extracting the filled bag through an opening (16) in the cover which is releasably fastened with a suitable fastener.

Description: ANTI-ALLERGENIC SOFT TOYS This invention relates to anti-allergenic soft toys. The allergic reaction in some persons, e.g. asthmatics, caused by allergens from the common dust mite is well known. In order to address this problem it has become recognised that by manufacturing certain types of articles, e.g. pillows from anti-allergy fabrics (i.e. fabrics which are impermeable to dust mite allergens), reduces the likelihood of these articles becoming infested with such allergens. This problem is particularly apparent in childrens' soft toys which are not regularly washed after purchase and as a result accumulate many dust mite allergens which can cause difficulties if a child is prone to asthma. Even washing of toys at high temperature will not affect significantly the mite allergen levels when these have penetrated the body of the toy. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of forming an anti-allergenic soft toy. Thus and in accordance with the present invention therefore there is provided a method of forming an anti-allergenic soft toy comprising forming a shaped bag-like structure of anti-allergy material (as hereinafter described), at least a part of edges of the bag being secured together save for an opening, inserting a filling material into said bag through said opening, closing said opening, forming a removable cover which corresponds substantially in shape with the filled bag, inserting said filled bag into said removable cover and removably securing said cover around said filled bag to form said toy. With this method it is possible to form a soft toy which retains an attractive appearance to a child but yet will have the additional benefits afforded by an anti-allergenic material. The term anti-allergy material as used herein is intended to cover all materials which are non-permeable to allergens having a size of greater than 0.5μm and which are permeable to air. Preferably the step of securing edges of the bag is performed by ultrasonic welding. Preferably the removable cover is formed of a material which can withstand washing at high temperature. The cover has an opening therein which can be closed by a suitable fastener, for example hook and pile fasteners or zip fasteners or any other suitable type of fasteners. The invention also provides a soft toy made in accordance with the aforementioned method comprising an inner filling material enclosed by an inner shaped cover of anti-allergenic material (as hereinbefore described), edges of the inner cover being secured together and a removable outer cover which corresponds substantially in shape with the inner shaped cover and which has an opening therein which is closed off by fastening means. With this arrangement it is possible to provide a soft toy which avoids or at least minimises the problems mentioned above. Preferably the anti-allergenic material comprises a microfibre material, e.g. a multi-plown and is preferably made from synthetic fibres. The material may be of a woven or non-woven type. Preferably the outer cover is formed from a cotton or polyester material or any other suitable material as desired or as appropriate. The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows an exploded diagrammatic representation of an article formed according to the method of the invention. Referring now to the figure there is shown part of an anti-allergy soft toy 10 which is formed by forming two substantially identical cut-outs 1 1 , 12 of the required shape from an anti-allergy material. By anti-allergy material is meant any material which is non-permeable to allergens having a size of greater than 0.5μm, e.g. dust mite allergens, and which is air permeable. The two cut-outs 1 1 , 12 are superposed and adjacent edges are secured together using a method of securing which ensures that no mite allergens can pass through the edges, e.g. ultrasonic welding. A small aperture 13 is left through which any suitable padding material is inserted and the small aperture 13 is then secured in like manner to the remainder of the adjacent edges to form a totally enclosed structure. It will be appreciated that the structure formed is impermeable to mite allergens. The structure thus formed is then inserted into a removable cover 14 which encloses the structure through a suitable opening 16 therein. The opening 16 is capable of being opened and closed as necessary and therefore may comprise a zip fastener or a hook and pile fastener or any other suitable fastener as desired or as appropriate. It will be appreciated that with the method of the invention, a soft toy can be formed from an internal body which is impermeable to mite allergens along with a cover which is capable of removal for high temperature washing to remove unwanted allergens or contaminants. The fact that a removable cover is used allows the toy, once the cover is in place, to have any desired appearance dependant on the cover used and the appearance of the toy is not dictated by the presence of the anti-allergy fabric used to form the internal body of the bag. It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A method of forming an anti-allergenic soft toy comprising forming a shaped bag-like structure of anti-allergy material (as hereinafter described), at least a part of edges of the bag being secured together save for an opening, inserting a filling material into said bag through said opening, closing said opening, forming a removable cover which corresponds substantially in shape with the filled bag, inserting said filled bag into said removable cover and removably securing said cover around said filled bag to form said toy. 2. A method according to claim 1 in which the step of securing edges of the bag is performed by ultrasonic welding. 3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the removable cover is formed of a material which is capable of withstanding washing at high temperature. 4. A soft toy manufactured in accordance with the method of claim 1 , said toy comprising an inner filling material filling material enclosed by an inner shaped cover of anti-allergenic material (as hereinbefore described), edges of the inner cover being secured together and a removable outer cover which corresponds substantially in shape with the inner shaped cover and which has an opening therein which is closed off by fastening means. 5. A soft toy according to claim 4 wherein the anti-allergy material comprises a microfibre material. 6. A soft toy according to claim 5 wherein the anti-allergenic material comprises a multi-plown material. 7. A soft toy according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the anti-allergenic material is made from synthetic fibres. 8. A soft toy according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the anti- allergenic material is of woven or non-woven type. 9. A soft toy according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the outer cover is formed from cotton or polyester material. 10. A soft toy according to any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein the opening of the outer cover is closed by a removable fastener. 1 1 . A soft toy according to claim 10 wherein the removable fastener comprises a hook and pile fastener. 12. A soft toy according to claim 10 wherein the removable fastener comprises a zip fastener. 13. A method according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 14. A soft toy according to claim 4 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: LAW JOHN RICHARD DUDLEY, LAW, JOHN, RICHARD, DUDLEY
Applicants: LAW JOHN RICHARD DUDLEY, RICHARD HUDSON HOLDINGS LIMITE, LAW, JOHN, RICHARD, DUDLEY, RICHARD HUDSON HOLDINGS LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A63H3
IPC codes: A63H3