Aromatherapy massage spheres

Abstract

A massage device including at least one spherical ball permeated with aromatherapy is provided. A method of making and using the massage device, as well as a kit for making the massage device are also provided.

Claims

1. A massage device consisting essentially of at least one porous solid spherical ball saturated with an essential oil which emits qualitative elements for medicinal and relaxation purposes, wherein said at least one porous solid spherical ball has a smooth outer surface and a solid interior portion which consists essentially of at least one compound selected from the group including silicon, rubber and organic rubber; such that said ball is elastic and porous wherein said essential oil permeates and is absorbed within pores of said smooth outer surface and said solid interior portion and is configured to release aromatherapy vapors during manipulation by diffusion and/or evaporation of the essential oil.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one porous solid spherical ball is configured for rotational manipulation over a body of an user.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one porous solid spherical ball is further configured for placement in direct contact with the user's skin between the user's body and a flat surface, and wherein the rotational manipulation of the at least one porous solid spherical ball is self-directed by the user.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one porous solid spherical ball having a diameter of between one quarter of an inch and six inches.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one porous solid spherical ball comprising two or more balls of equal diameter.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one porous solid spherical ball comprising two or more balls of varying size.

7. A method of making a massage device comprising the step of introducing an essential oil to a surface of one or more porous solid spherical massage balls having a smooth outer surface and a solid interior portion such that said essential oil permeates and is absorbed within pores of said smooth outer surface and said solid interior portion; wherein said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls consists essentially of at least one compound selected from the group including silicon, rubber and organic rubber having elastic and absorption qualities; such that said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls is configured to release aromatherapy vapors during manipulation by diffusion and/or evaporation of the essential oil.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the essential oil is introduced to the surface of the one or more spherical massage balls by spraying the essential oil onto the balls.

9. A method of making a massage device comprising the steps of: placing a volume of an essential oil into a reservoir portion of a container; and soaking one or more porous solid spherical massage balls in the reservoir portion of the container for a period of time sufficient for the essential oil to saturate the one or more porous solid spherical massage balls; wherein said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls consists essentially of at least one compound selected from the group including silicon, rubber and organic rubber; such that said essential oil permeates into an interior of said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the essential oil emits qualitative elements for medicinal purposes.

11. A method of aromatherapy massage for a user comprising the steps of: placing one or more porous solid spherical massage balls between the user and a surface, the one or more porous solid spherical massage balls are saturated with an essential oil absorbed within the pores of said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls; and moving by the user relative to the surface, whereby the one or more porous solid spherical massage balls rotates, thereby maintaining contact with the user and the surface; wherein said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls consists essentially of at least one compound selected from the group including silicon, rubber and organic rubber; such that said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls is elastic and porous and releases aromatherapy vapors during the manipulation by diffusion and/or evaporation of the essential oil.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls are in direct contact with the user's skin and the movements of the user and the one or more porous solid spherical massage balls deliver a massage to the user.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the essential oil emits qualitative elements for medicinal purposes.

14. An aromatherapy massage kit, comprising one or more porous solid spherical massage balls which consist essentially of at least one compound selected from the group including silicon, rubber and organic rubber; such that said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls is elastic and porous; an aromatherapy essential oil; and a container for immersing the one or more porous solid spherical massage balls into the aromatherapy essential oil such that said aromatherapy essential oil permeates into an interior of said one or more porous solid spherical massage balls.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the device, methods, and kit of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1(a) depicts a spherical massage ball prior to introduction of aromatherapy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1(b) depicts a spherical massage ball after introduction of aromatherapy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary use of aromatherapy massage spheres in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary use of aromatherapy massage spheres in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary process of soaking the spheres in aromatherapy in an airtight container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

(7) FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary process of introducing the aromatherapy by high-pressure spray gun in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) The present invention advantageously provides a massage device that delivers aromatherapy during its use in a massage.

(9) It also advantageously relieves a user from the need to carry both a massage device and an aromatherapy delivery system, as well as relieving the user of the necessary expenditure for such a separate aromatherapy delivery system or its use.

(10) Additionally, the present invention includes a method for making a massage device that delivers aromatherapy during its use.

(11) The present invention also advantageously provides a method of aromatherapy massage that allows a user to receive aromatherapy massage using only the massage device.

(12) The present invention also advantageously provides a kit for a user to prepare an aromatherapy massage device.

(13) Use of the singular and plural forms in references to the spherical massage balls or devices herein are not intended to be limiting. Thus, where a single massage ball is referred to, it is understood that use of more than one massage ball is also contemplated.

(14) Aromatherapy as used herein means any aromatherapy substance, including, without limitation, any liquid having aromatherapy essential oil, such as Neroli, Citrus aurantium, or any other substance capable of emitting qualitative elements for medicinal purposes. Such aromatherapy is usually in a liquid form, although a variation in the present invention using a vapor phase aromatherapy is also envisioned. Aromatherapy is also a therapeutic technique that utilizes pure aromatic essential oils drawn from flowers, plants and herbs to induce relaxation of the central nervous system via the olfactory senses and reduce stress. It will be apparent from the context whether the technique or the substance is being referred to. For example, when aromatherapy is being applied to the spherical massage balls, the substance is being referred to.

(15) Use of the terms permeation or infusion herein generally refer, without limitation, to the soaking or impregnation of aromatherapy onto and into spherical massage balls so that the balls retain a sufficient quantity of aromatherapy so as to emit useful quantities of qualitative elements for medicinal purposes.

(16) Massage therapy is a therapeutic practice of kneading, stroking or pressing upon the muscles and connective tissues of the body to bring about optimum health.

(17) The present invention relates to a device and method for stress reduction through combined aromatherapy/essential oil and massage therapy utilizing a massage device that is a spherical ball infused with aromatherapy/essential oil.

(18) FIG. 1(a) depicts a spherical massage ball 100 prior to introduction of aromatherapy in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The massage ball 100 includes a surface 101 and an interior portion 110. The surface 101 of the massage ball is preferably smooth so as to facilitate rotational use in massage. In a preferred embodiment the surface 101 is also porous to allow the introduction of aromatherapy liquid (also referred to herein as aromatherapy).

(19) In another embodiment, the surface 101 of the massage ball 100 is textured. For example, raised protrusions (not depicted) on the massage ball 100 would allow for delivery of variations of effective massage techniques, such as massage of trigger points, as well as other techniques.

(20) The massage balls of an embodiment of the present invention are preferably constructed of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of silicon, rubber and an organic rubber compound. Alternatively, any compound having the elastic and absorption qualities of these materials may be used, as one of skill in the art readily knows. The massage balls may be constructed by mold injection or any other known casting technique.

(21) FIG. 1(b) depicts a spherical massage ball after introduction of aromatherapy 105. In a preferred embodiment the aromatherapy 105 has permeated at least some depth into the interior portion 110 of the massage ball.

(22) FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting an exemplary use of aromatherapy massage spheres in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, a user 201 can lie on his back with the aromatherapy massage balls 203 placed between himself and a flat surface. Line 202 is used in this diagram to represent both a cross section of the flat surface and a diagrammatic representation of the user's spine, to indicate some preferred placement of the aromatherapy massage balls in an embodiment. For example, aromatherapy massage balls 203 may be placed in tandem on either side of the user's spine, thereby delivering a particularly useful form of massage. Other aromatherapy massage ball placements may include the upper 204, mid (not depicted), and lower 205 back. Aromatherapy is preferably delivered during the massage by diffusion and evaporation of the aromatherapy liquid 105 from the interior portion 110 and the surface 101 of the aromatherapy massage balls. This delivery of aromatherapy is preferably assisted by the user's body heat and by the rotational motion of the aromatherapy massage balls, and their deformation during the massage.

(23) Another exemplary use of the aromatherapy massage balls is depicted in FIG. 3. A user's foot 301 may apply pressure to an aromatherapy massage ball at the bottom of the user's foot 301.

(24) FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of making a massage device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A massage ball 403 is immersed in a volume of liquid aromatherapy 402 placed in a container 404 preferably having a lid 401. The massage ball 403 is allowed to absorb the liquid aromatherapy 402 until it achieves a desired degree of permeation or infusion. Use of the lid 401 to seal the container 404 is preferred to prevent the evaporative loss of the liquid aromatherapy during the soaking process.

(25) FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of making a massage device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A massage ball 501 is sprayed with aromatherapy using a spray gun 502. The spray gun 502 preferably causes a high-pressure stream of liquid aromatherapy to be deposited on the surface of the massage ball 501. In an embodiment this deposition further leads to the aromatherapy permeating into the interior 510 of the massage ball 501.

(26) Although the spray gun 502 in a preferred embodiment directs a high pressure stream of aromatherapy, a stream of lesser pressure would also suffice, although the length of time required to spray for adequate permeation of the massage ball 501 by the aromatherapy would increase.

(27) The present invention provides stress relief and massage therapy with a spherically shaped ball, provides a device that can be self-administered or second party administered on any part of the body normally massaged in a therapeutic massage format, and provides a device that initiates psychotherapeutic effects via olfactory system through aromatherapy inhalation.

(28) In an embodiment any size massage ball may be employed, although the size generally and preferably ranges from the size of a marble to the size of a softball. The massage ball can be molded from any resilient rubberized material, silicone or any other organic rubber substance. The delicate properties of essential oils make them particularly hard to force into substances like organic rubbers and/or silicone. The preferred temperature, amount of essential oil, and the time spent in airtight containers is different for every aromatherapy essential oil, and may vary due to other environmental conditions.

(29) In a preferred embodiment, the aromatherapy massage balls, or Tranquility Massage Spheres are multifunctional devices that induce relaxation through aromatherapy and massage. They are smooth surfaced, spherical ball-shaped devices with aromatherapy essential oils infused into them. The individual can manipulate them easily and effectively for self-massage. Effective use is achieved with the device placed between the user and a semi-hard or hard surface. The user initiates relaxation first by inhalation of the scent infused into the sphere and then by using body weight pressure onto the sphere anywhere muscle tension is present. Tranquility Massage Spheres are totally portable devices that can be self-administered or second person administered to reduce stress and relieve muscle tension. Tranquility Massage Spheres are able to provide an individual with a practical and user-friendly self-care aromatherapy massage device that can be used anywhere.

(30) A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a massage device having a spherical ball shape that is infused with aromatherapy to stimulate the olfactory senses and relax the body through massage. The device is designed preferably for self-massage, but may also be used by a second individual delivering a massage to a first individual.

(31) Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the apparatus and methods of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims.