Aromatherapy delivery system

• US 7,427,417 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sequim Lavender Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sequim Lavender Company, LLC
• Inventors: Jendrucko, Mary L., Jendrucko, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TATE, CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
• Application Number:
  US11/083,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20050207982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 424/725
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/13 Coniferophyta (gymnosperms)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/18 Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/02 characterised by special physical form
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 13/00 Formulations or additives for perfume preparations essential oils or perfumes per se C11B9/00

Abstract

An aromatherapy delivery system for people and animals allows targeted placement of scents in close proximity to the olfactory system to provide the continuous, stimulating, relaxing, therapeutic and/or medicinal effects desired by the aromatherapist. The inventive system comprises a sewn, double-layered pouch of vapor-permeable material with sealable opening for inserting aromatic sachet materials, either loose or contained in a small bag. The device thus filled with aromatics is worn around the neck, wrist or leg, and is retained in place by suitable attachment device such as hook and loop strips. The preferred bandana-shaped embodiment is generally triangular with elongated tabs extending from opposed apexes in which the third (depending) apex of the pouch contains the replaceable sachet mixture. Aromatic vapors are diffused through the air at normal temperatures or activated through other means, such as through body heat generated by exercise or by manual kneading or squeezing of the pouch.

Claims

1. An aromatherapy delivery product for delivery of inhalation treatment vapors to a person or an animal'"'"'s olfactory and respiratory systems consisting of:

a) two spaced layers of pliable fabric material having a main body portion that is generally triangular in shape, and at least a portion of said material is sufficiently permeable to permit the external diffusion of the inhalation treatment vapors;

b) said two layers of pliable material are aligned with one layer disposed congruently over the other layer and secured together along at least adjacent marginal edges to create a generally triangular pouch therebetween containing dry aromatherapy material therein that emits inhalation treatment vapors, said pouch having an upper top margin, converging sides and a depending apex;

c) said two layers of pliable material are secured together to form opposed securing straps formed as an integral lateral extension of said top margin to permit forming a bandana to be worn about the neck of a human or animal, and said permeable portion of said material is disposed in the area of said apex of said pouch;

d) said pouch includes at least one horizontally-oriented full closure for internal access to the pouch formed in said triangular main body portion between said two fabric layers, said closure is positioned in proximity to the top margin of the pouch and spaced above said apex;

e) said securing straps have a length selected to retain the pouch in proximity to said olfactory and respiratory systems when secured as a bandana around the neck of a human or animal user; and

said dry aromatherapy material consisting essentially of dry lavender plant material from the genus Lavandula retained at said depending apex of the pouch so that inhalation treatment vapors are presented in close proximity to the olfactory and respiratory systems as they are emitted through said permeable material.

2. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein the horizontally-oriented closure is permanently closed after the aromatherapy material has been inserted into the pouch.

3. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein the horizontally-oriented closure comprises opposed, resealable hook and loop closure strips.

4. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein the horizontally-oriented closure comprises one or more zipper closures.

5. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein the two spaced layers of material are different so that the bandana is reversible.

6. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein one or more of the spaced layers includes pet identifying indicia.

7. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein the length of said securing straps permits said securing straps to encircle a neck of a person or animal.

8. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein said securing straps include hook and loop closure strips for overlapping securement, said securement being sufficient to retain the product in place during use but permitting tear-away release without injuring a wearer.

9. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 8 wherein said securing straps include pet identifying indicia.

10. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein said aromatherapy material is retained within an internal sack at the apex of the pouch, and at least a portion of said internal sack is sufficiently permeable to permit the external diffusion of the inhalation treatment vapors.

11. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein said inhalation treatment vapors provide a healing and/or relaxing benefit to a wearer of the product.

12. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein said inhalation treatment vapors provide a medicinal or therapeutic benefit to a wearer of the product.

13. The aromatherapy delivery product of claim 1 wherein said dried lavender plant material is obtained from at least one Lavandula plant, selected from the species Lavandula intermedia, Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula spica, Lavandula vera, Lavandula dentata, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula latifolia, and hybrids thereof.