Jewelry fragrance dispenser

A piece of jewelry to be worn by a wearer, having a spray mechanism mounted on the piece of jewelry, and a reservoir for containing a fluid mounted on the piece of jewelry, to dispense a fluid, such as a fragrance or scent, to the body of the wearer. The manipulation of the reservoir by the wearer actuates the spray mechanism and dispenses fluid from the reservoir.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fragrance dispenser, and more particularly for dispensing a fluid, such as a scent or fragrance, from a fluid dispenser integrally located on a piece of jewelry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a common practice for individuals to apply fragrance or perfume to themselves, their clothing or their environment, as part of a personal hygiene regime. The rapid dissipation and evaporation of a fragrance after first application on a wearer's body requires re-application of the fragrance by the wearer. A person can carry a fragrance bottle for re-application throughout the day; however, this method can be inconvenient and cumbersome. A separate container is required to hold the fragrance, which must be carried by the wearer. There is a need for a convenient and attractive means of re-application of a fragrance.

In response to this problem, a number of arrangements have been disclosed which provide for personal jewelry that dispenses a fragrance. The principal benefit of jewelry that dispenses a fragrance is that the user is not required to carry a separate fragrance bottle or other dispenser in order to reapply a fragrance.

Some arrangements permit constant emissions of the fragrance from the personal jewelry, generally through diffusion of a scent through openings in the jewelry over time. Other arrangements include outlets which permit the slow dissemination of a fragrance from a reservoir to the body part in contact with the jewelry. These arrangements can be problematic, however. They typically do not permit the wearer to apply or re-apply the fragrance on the wearer's body. In addition, there is little control over the rate at which the fragrance is diffused, which may result in the scent being either too weak or too strong. The wearer cannot control the intensity of the fragrance or apply the fragrance upon demand.

There are a number of designs which require the removal of a control element to permit application of a fragrance on the body by the wearer, or to control the rate of diffusion of the constantly fragrance-emitting jewelry. However, the use of the removable element to apply a fragrance can be awkward for a number of reasons. The control elements tend to be quite small, and generally comprise small pins or rods. These can be difficult to manipulate, and may be easily lost by the wearer.

The use of a spray pump in a fluid dispenser to permit application of a fragrance on the body is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,712 discloses a spray container device for spraying sprayable compositions which is suspended around a wearer's neck. Such arrangements utilize a fluid dispenser with spray pump, however, the fluid dispenser does not form an integral part of the jewelry, and comprises a cap or lid which may be lost. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,143 discloses an actuator mechanism for a fluid dispenser using a spray pump incorporated into a bangle, however, this arrangement is not easily or readily transferrable to other forms of jewelry.

It is desirable to provide a spray fluid dispenser in the form of a jewel, which can be incorporated into jewelry. This permits the use of a jewel shaped fluid dispenser in the production of diverse jewelry pieces, such as rings, earrings, brooches, pendants and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a spray fluid dispenser integrally located on a piece of jewelry containing a detachable jewel-shaped reservoir containing fluid, where manipulation of the reservoir actuates the spray mechanism and dispenses fluid, such as a fragrance or scent, from the reservoir.

A preferred embodiment of this invention consists of a piece of jewelry to be worn by a wearer, including, a ring, pendant for a necklace, or as an earring. A reservoir for containing a fluid is in fluid communication with a spray mechanism and both are mounted on the piece of jewelry. The reservoir containing a fluid is detachable and shaped as a jewel.

Manipulation of the reservoir by the wearer actuates the spray mechanism and dispenses fluid from the reservoir. Manipulation of the reservoir to actuate the spray mechanism may occur by depressing the reservoir towards the piece of jewelry, torsion or rotation of the reservoir relative to the piece of jewelry, or extension of the reservoir from the piece of jewelry.

The spray mechanism comprises a pump and fluid travels through a conduit or channel within the piece of jewelry before being dispensed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, a ring1of conventional shape may have a reservoir2and a band3containing a spray mechanism4. The spray mechanism4may contain a conduit6which may pass internally through the ring1, beginning at the reservoir2, through the band3and ending at a nozzle8. When the reservoir2is manipulated by the user, a fluid5, such as a perfumed gas or liquid, contained in the reservoir2passes through a conduit6and exits the band3through the nozzle8. The manipulation of the reservoir2may activate the spray mechanism4by dispensing the fluid5in the reservoir2. The fluid5may be released or pumped by the spray mechanism4. In the case of a pump, a pump of positive displacement design may be used to draw fluid5from the reservoir2and dispense it from the nozzle8under pressure.

The band3may be comprised of any material, including a resin, plastic, or metal, such as gold, silver and stainless steel, or any composite material comprising a plastic or metal with other material. The band3may be made of more than one component designed to be bound or fixed together to form ring1having a conduit6or other channel.

FIG. 2shows the reservoir2having a threaded surface9to connect the reservoir2to the band3. This permits the wearer to refill the reservoir2with fluid5. The fluid5may have a scent or fragrance.

In a second embodiment shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, a pendant13has a reservoir2and an assembly10. The pendant13may be suspended from a necklace11, or may form part of a necklace11, to be worn around the neck of a user. The assembly10may be in any shape, and may comprise a loop or other element designed to couple the assembly10to the necklace11. The spray mechanism4contains a siphon7which draws fluid5from the reservoir2. The fluid5is dispensed from a nozzle8. When the reservoir is manipulated, the fluid5contained in the reservoir2passes through the siphon7and exits through the nozzle8.

The assembly10may be comprised of any material, including a resin, plastic, or metal, such as gold, silver and stainless steel, or any composite material comprising a plastic or metal with other material. The assembly10may be made of more than one component designed to be bound or fixed together to form assembly10having a siphon7or other channel.

The necklace11may be comprised of any material, including a resin, plastic, or metal, such as gold, silver and stainless steel, or any composite material comprising a plastic or metal with other material.

In the third embodiment shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the assembly10is adapted to hang from a wearer's ear such that the entire device operates as an earring14. The assembly10has ear fastener12coupled to it. The ear fastener12may be any common type of ear fastener, but preferably fishhooks, hoops, kidney wire, lever back and ball on post with ring. The assembly10and ear fastener12may be comprised of any material, including gold, silver and stainless steel, or composites of plastic and metal. The earring14may be made of lightweight materials to reduce strain on a wearer's earlobe.

The earring14has a reservoir2and an assembly10. The assembly10may be in any shape to accommodate the spray mechanism4and reservoir2. The spray mechanism4contains a siphon7which draws fluid5from the reservoir2. The fluid5is dispensed from a nozzle8. When the reservoir2is manipulated, the fluid5contained in the reservoir2passes through the siphon7and exits through the nozzle8.

In any embodiment, the manipulation of the reservoir2may be by rotating the reservoir2relative to the assembly10or the ring1. The manipulation may be by extension of the reservoir2away from the assembly10or the ring1, or depression of reservoir towards the assembly10or the ring1. The manipulation of the reservoir actuates the spray mechanism4to dispense fluid5. This may be by a pumping of the fluid5from the reservoir2by reciprocating or rotary displacement pumps, such as a plunger or diaphragm pump, or a screw or lobe pump.

In any embodiment, the reservoir2may be formed into any shape colour and size, including round, angular, rectangular and multi-faceted. The reservoir2may be comprised of any material including glass, plastic, or crystal.

It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred embodiments by way of example only. Many variations on the method and system for delivering the invention will be clear to those knowledgeable in the field, and such variations are within the scope of the invention as claimed, whether or not expressly described.