Patent Application
20180352911
The present invention generally relates to a motivational bracelet, and more particularly, to a motivational bracelet that engages the senses by combining aromatherapy and color therapy into a slap type bracelet.
Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils or fragrances for improving the psychological or physical well-being of an individual. The use of essential oils or fragrances for therapeutic, spiritual, hygienic and ritualistic purposes goes back to a number of ancient civilizations including the Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans who used them in cosmetics, perfumes and drugs. Aromatherapists, who specialize in the practice of aromatherapy, utilize blends of therapeutic essential oils or fragrances that may be applied through topical application, massage, inhalation or water immersion to stimulate a desired response.
Essential oils or fragrances are naturally occurring, volatile small aromatic compounds that are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. Essential oils or fragrances give plants their distinctive smells, and play a role protecting the plants and in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful scents, essential oils or fragrances have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices. Over 3,000 varieties of volatile aromatic compounds have been identified to date. The nature of an essential oil or fragrance varies from plant to plant, within botanical families, and from species to species. The delicate ratio of aromatic constituents found in any given essential oil or fragrance, is what makes it unique and gives it specific benefits.
The modes of application of aromatherapy include topical application and aerial diffusion or direct inhalation. With respect to the latter applications, various personal devices have been developed, including collars, bands and bracelets that may be made of leather, silicone or rubberized plastic. In these devices, solid fragrances can either be impregnated into the material of the device or may be kept in a separate mesh pocket for diffusion. By contrast, liquid fragrances may be kept in a separate chamber, which is filled through a small filling port thereby making the liquid fragrances removable only through a dispersal arrangement, i.e., through the same small filling port, and not through a diffusion arrangement. However, dispersal of the liquid fragrances may be unreliable, messy and/or difficult for more viscous fragrances. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for new personal aromatherapy devices that can hold and continually diffuse essential oils and fragrances for extended periods of time.
The disclosure addresses these problems and more by providing a motivational bracelet, which includes a bistable metal band having an inner surface and an outer surface; a first polymeric material covering the inner surface; a first microfiber material covering the first polymeric material; a second polymeric material covering the outer surface; and a second microfiber material covering the second polymeric material, wherein the bistable metal band can hold a straight shape or a circular shape.
In some embodiments, the second microfiber material may be colored, for example, such as a blue, orange, green, or a violet color, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the second microfiber material can absorb one or more essential oils or fragrances, and which can subsequently be diffused to the surrounding environment or atmosphere for one or more hours, or for several hours, for at least one day, or in some cases, for two or more days. In some embodiments, the bistable metal band is a bistable stainless steel metal band. In some embodiments, the first and second polymeric materials are each independently a natural or synthetic rubber or a waterproof polymer. In some embodiments, the first and second polymeric materials are each independently polychloroprene, polyvinyl, or polyvinylchloride. In some embodiments, the first microfiber material can absorb water or sweat. Still in other embodiments, the motivational bracelet is of a size and shape for surrounding a wrist of a user.
Traditional slap bracelets are made of a simple metal band that can hold either of two stable shapes, straight and circular. When a slap bracelet is “slapped” against a wrist, the straight metal strip snaps into its other stable circular position, in which the bracelet is now wrapped around the wrist. Metal bands that act this way are called “bistable,” since they have two different shapes that they can hold.
In some embodiments, the first microfiber material 103 that covers the first polymeric material 102 may be made of a super soft microfiber material that absorbs water or sweat from the wrist of the user. The first polymeric material 102 made be any waterproof polymer including but not limited to natural or synthetic rubber or a waterproof polymer, for example, polychloroprene, polyvinyl, or polyvinylchloride. In addition, the first polymeric material 102 provides a layer of protection between the first microfiber material 103 and the user's wrist and the bistable metal band 101 and essential oils or fragrances.
In some embodiments, the second microfiber material 105 covering the second polymeric material 104, may be a super absorbent microfiber material that can absorb one or more essential oils or fragrances, which may be continuously diffused to the environment or atmosphere. The second polymeric material 104 can also be made by any waterproof polymer including but not limited to natural or synthetic rubber or a waterproof polymer, for example, polychloroprene, polyvinyl, or polyvinylchloride. In addition, the second polymeric material 104 provides a layer of protection between the second microfiber material 105, including any essential oils or fragrances, and the bistable metal band 101 and the user's wrist.
Microfiber materials are synthetic fibers that are finer than one denier or decitex/thread. This is smaller than the diameter of a strand of silk, which is approximately one denier and approximately ⅕ the diameter of a human hair. The most common types of microfibers are made from polyesters, polyamides, e.g., nylon, Kevlar, Nomex, trogamide, or a conjugation of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene (Prolen). The shape, size, and combinations of synthetic fibers making up the microfiber materials are selected for specific characteristics, including softness, toughness, absorption, water repellency, electrostatics, and filtering capabilities.
Differing essential oils and fragrances may be used in conjunction with the motivational bracelet. For example, the essential oils and fragrances can include bergamot, clove, eucalyptus, frankincense, lavender, lemon, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, chamomile, spearmint, honey extract, vanilla, rose or other similar materials. The strength of the scent provided by these materials may be varied by diluting or increasing the concentration of the essential oils and fragrances used with the motivational bracelet. In the example embodiments illustrated, the essential oil and fragrances may last for between about several minutes or several hours to about a day or several days, or from about 1 day to about 3 months. Other configurations are possible and therefore, the illustrated embodiment is merely exemplary in nature.
In some embodiments, the motivational bracelet engages the senses by combining aromatherapy and color therapy. The outer absorbent second microfiber material captures the essential oil or fragrance and diffuses it around throughout the day. The first and second polymeric materials covering the inner surface and outer surface, respectfully, of the bistable metal band, allows the user to avoid contact of the essential oil or fragrance with the skin, thereby preventing any irritation that some highly concentrated oils might cause. Also, the soft first microfiber material covering the first polymeric material provides a comfortable wear for the user's wrist.
In some embodiments, the motivational bracelet may include one or more essential oils or fragrances including but not limited to natural insect spray, e.g. mosquitoes, bees, wasps, etc., using a combination of citronella, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, vanillin, cinnamon, etc., which are natural plant extracts.
In some embodiments, the motivational bracelet 100 may be washable. Optionally, the bistable metal band 101, first polymeric material 102 and second polymeric material 103 may be removable from the first microfiber material 103 and second microfiber material 105 and the first and second microfiber materials may be washed separately from the bistable metal band and the first and second polymeric materials, or the bistable metal band, first and second polymeric materials, and the first and second microfiber materials may be washed together.
Accordingly, the user may add one or more drops of one or more essential oil or fragrance to the second microfiber material, which will then continuously diffuse it's scent to the user's surrounding environment and/or atmosphere.
The motivational bracelet worn on the user's wrist provides a practical and easy way to diffuse essential oils or fragrances to the user. The motivational bracelet has the ability to keep the essential oil or fragrance's aroma for a relatively long time (up to 1, 2, or 3 days). The motivational bracelet also allows the user to carry essential oils and fragrances while on the go, anytime and anywhere without the need of a separate diffuser. The motivational device also incorporates color therapy principles in its designs to help balance the body's energy centers (Chakras), and enhance the desired effect of aromatherapy.
The motivational bracelet may be of any color or any combination of colors. For emotional well being, the blue colored motivational bracelet calms and soothes, and is perfect when you need to relax. For physical well being, the orange colored motivational bracelet unlocks the inner potential and stores of energy of the user, allowing the user to get things done. For mental well being, the green colored motivational bracelet draws from the energies of life itself to provide inspiration. And for spiritual well being, the violet colored motivational bracelet inspires union with higher self and pure bliss. In addition, in some embodiments the motivational bracelet may include one or more motivational expressions including but not limited to expressions such as “Blessed,” “Energized,” “Inspired,” “Relaxed,” and the like.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.
