US20150233035A1

US20150233035A1 - Apparatuses and methods for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products

Info

Publication number: US20150233035A1
Application number: US14/627,083
Authority: US
Inventors: Katherine Annett-Hitchcock; Andre J. West
Original assignee: North Carolina State University
Current assignee: North Carolina State University
Priority date: 2014-02-20
Filing date: 2015-02-20
Publication date: 2015-08-20

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products are disclosed. According to an aspect, an apparatus includes an outer bag defining an interior and comprising a mouth that opens to the interior. Further, the apparatus includes an inner bag positioned within the interior of the outer bag and comprising a mouth that is attached to the mouth of the outer bag, the inner bag being infusible with an extract. Prior to use, the inner bag may be infused with one or more herbal extracts and a textile product may be placed in the interior of the inner bag. Subsequently, the mouth of the outer bag may be sealed or otherwise closed. Further, the apparatus with the textile product inside may be heated by tumbling in a hot dryer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/942,169, filed Feb. 20, 2014 and titled APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR REGENERATION OF AROMATHERAPY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present subject matter relates to textile product care and maintenance. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to apparatuses and methods for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products.
2. Description of Related Art
Aromatherapy textile products have been developed that emit pleasant scents. Such textile products may be infused with various extracts and emit the scents of the extracts over time. However, as aromatherapy textile products are worn and washed, they can lose their ability to emit scents. Accordingly, there is a desire to provide techniques for the regeneration of aromatherapy textile products.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products. According to an aspect, an apparatus includes an outer bag defining an interior and comprising a mouth that opens to the interior. Further, the apparatus includes an inner bag positioned within the interior of the outer bag and comprising a mouth that is attached to the mouth of the outer bag, the inner bag being infusible with an extract. Prior to use, the inner bag may be infused with an herbal extract and a textile product may be placed in the interior of the inner bag. Subsequently, the mouth of the outer bag may be sealed or otherwise closed. Further, the apparatus with the textile product inside may be heated and tumbled in a dryer for further infusion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an apparatus for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter;
FIGS. 2A-2C are front views of another example apparatus for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter;
FIG. 2D is a front view showing an inner bag being pulled out of an outer bag for infusion in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter;
FIG. 2E is a perspective view showing nonwoven material that may be used to make an inner bag in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter;
FIGS. 3A-3C are different perspective views of an example inner bag in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and
FIGS. 4A-4D are different views of example textile products along with apparatuses for regeneration of them in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an apparatus for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter. Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes an outer bag 100 defining an interior 102 and comprising a mouth 104 that opens to the interior 102. Further, the apparatus includes an inner bag 106 positioned within the interior 102 of the outer bag 100 and having a mouth 108 that is attached to the mouth 104 of the outer bag 100. The mouths 104 and 108 may form a seal. The inner bag 106 may be of a material that is suitable to be infused with an extract, such as an herbal extract, as will be understood by those of skill in the art.
One side of the outer bag 100 may be made of any suitable type of opaque material such that print material (e.g., a label) may be attached to it. For example, one side of the outer bag may be made of biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) material (also, referred to as MYLAR®). The other or opposing side of the outer bag may be made of a clear plastic or other suitable transparent or semi-transparent material such that the contents may be viewed from the outside. The two sides may be suitably attached together for forming the interior 102 there between. A surface of the outer bag 100 that faces outward may be reflective.
The inner bag 106 may be made of a polyester material or any other suitable type of material. For example, the inner bag may be made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Further, for example, the inner bag 106 may be a perforated nonwoven material. The inner bag 106 may be infused with an herbal extract or any other suitable type of extract.
In accordance with embodiments, one or more herbs of the same or different type may be positioned within the interior 102 of the outer bag 100 and outside of the inner bag 106. The herbs 110 may serve for decorative purposes. Further, the herbs 110 may serve to identify the type of extract in the textile product, serving a visual recognition purpose for a consumer.
In accordance with embodiments, the mouths 104 and 108 of the outer bag 100 and the inner bag 106, respectively, may be sealed together. Further, for example, the mouth 104 of the outer bag 100 may be sealably-attached for sealing the interior 102 of the outer bag 100 from an outside of the outer bag 100. For example, the mouth 104 of the outer bag 100 may include components 112A and 112B of a reusable, re-sealable zipper for sealing and closing the mouth 104. For example, the components 112A and 112B may be the components of a ZIPLOC® brand type of reusable, re-sealable zipper or another type of sealing mechanism for sealing and closing the mouth 104 of the outer bag 100.
In accordance with embodiments, the apparatus may be used for regeneration of an aromatherapy textile product. For example, the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 may be used and provided. A textile product 114 may be placed in the interior of the inner bag 106. Subsequently, the mouth or opening 104 of the outer bag 100 may be sealed. Subsequently, the apparatus and the textile product may be heated by tumbling in a dryer to facilitate regeneration of the textile product.
According to embodiments, the inner bag 106 may be pulled out of the outer bag 100 and infused with the herbal extract prior to a dryer/heating cycle.
Example textile products include, but are not limited to, sleepwear, undershirts, lingerie, headbands, scarves, socks, handkerchiefs, and the like. The textile product 114 may be pre-treated with the herbal infusion and placed inside the inner bag 106. The textile product may be placed inside the inner bag 106 after each wash for herbal treatment in a suitable dryer. Typical home drying can transfer oil from the inner bag 106 for infusion of the textile product 114. The dryer may provide heat and agitation. Herbal infusion replenishment spritzers may be used for replenishing the inner bag 106.
A textile product may be recharged or regenerated many times. The textile product can stay fully infused while stored in the inner bag 106.
In an alternative embodiment, the outer bag 100 and inner bag 106 are not attached. In this embodiment the inner bag 106 may be completely removed from the interior of the outer bag 100. Further, any herbs between the two bags may be removed and replaced with other herbs. Further, an organza bag having a drawstring closure may be provided so that users can utilize it as a drawn freshener and the like.
FIGS. 2A-2C are front views of another example apparatus for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter. Particularly, FIG. 2A shows a backside portion 200 of the outer bag 100 of the apparatus. The backside portion 200 is made of BoPET material in this example. Further, the backside portion 200 has a label with instructions on it. FIG. 2B shows a front side portion 202 of the outer bag of the apparatus. The front side portion 202 is made of a clear plastic. The inner bag 106 is visible through the front side portion 202. Further, an herb 110 is visible and positioned between the inner bag 106 and the outer bag 100. FIG. 2C shows another view of the front side portion 202 of the outer bag 100 of the apparatus along with the herb 110. FIG. 2D is a front view showing the inner bag 106 pulled out of the outer bag 100 for infusion. FIG. 2E is a perspective view showing an example of nonwoven material 204 that may be used to make the inner bag.
FIGS. 3A-3C are different perspective views of an example inner bag 106 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The inner bag 106 in this example is pyramidal in shape.
Table 1 below shows a listing of herbs that may be utilized in the examples described herein.

TABLE 1

Herbs	Effectiveness	Product

Chamomile	Anxiety, gastrointestinal	Pillowcase
Echinacea	Colds	Handkerchiefs, neckwear
Lavender	Antiseptic, mental health	Headscarf, neckwear
Jasmine	Stress relief, hormonal issues	T-shirt
Peppermint	Nausea, indigestion, common	T-shirt, neckwear
	cold
Tea tree	Antibacterial, antifungal	Hosiery, socks
Cloves	Gastrointestinal, expectorant	Shawl, t-shirt
Neem	Rheumatism, skin infection	T-shirt
Arnica	Anti-inflammatory	Hosiery, gloves, onesies
Eucalyptus or menthol	Counterirritant
Lemon/Lime (or any other	Variety
citrus products including fruit
and/or leaves)
Suitable flowers (e.g., rose)	Skin therapeutic

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate different views of example textile products 114 along with apparatuses for regeneration of them in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the subject matter. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present subject matter in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present subject matter. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present subject matter and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present subject matter for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present subject matter have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products, the apparatus comprising:

an outer bag defining an interior and comprising a mouth that opens to the interior; and

an inner bag positioned within the interior of the outer bag and being infusible with an extract.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one side of the outer bag comprises opaque material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer bag includes a first portion made of clear material and a second portion made of opaque material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner bag comprises a polyester material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner bag comprises a perforated nonwoven material.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner bag is infused with an herbal extract.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more herbs positioned within the interior of the outer bag and outside of the inner bag.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouths of the inner bag and the outer bag are sealed together.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouth of the outer bag is sealable for sealing the interior of the outer bag from an outside of the outer bag.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouth of the inner bag is attached to the mouth of the outer bag.

11. A method for regeneration of an aromatherapy textile product, the method comprising:

an inner bag positioned within the interior of the outer bag and being infused with an extract; and

placing a textile product in an interior of the inner bag.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the outer bag comprises plastic.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the outer bag comprises plastic.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the outer bag includes a first portion made of clear material and a second portion made of opaque material.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the inner bag is infused with an herbal extract.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising one or more herbs positioned within the interior of the outer bag and outside of the inner bag.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the mouths of the inner bag and the outer bag are sealed together.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising sealing the opening of the outer bag.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising heating the apparatus and the textile product.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the mouth of the inner bag is attached to the mouth of the outer bag.