Abstract:
A fragrant decorative jewelry accessory includes an infusion of fragrantly volatile molecules into the accessory, and an adhesive on the underside of the accessory intended to removably attach the accessory. Fragrance may be infused on the accessory by soaking an absorbent material with the fragrantly volatile molecules, through a printing technique, through attaching encapsulated fragrance molecules onto the accessory or through the attachment of an fragrance layer onto the accessory. The fragrant decorative accessory can be removably attached to clothing, a bra strap, a choker or a hair accessory.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based upon provisional application Ser. No. 60/459,461 dated Apr. 1, 2003, and claims benefit under 35 USC 119 (e). This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/813,981 filed Mar. 31, 2004 and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 therefrom. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to thin, versatile fragrant emitting cover layers for jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, and the like.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Applicant&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,457 describes a fragrance emitting pad, which has an adhesive side adhered to the inside of clothing and a fragrance emitting side in contact with the wearer&#39;s skin. The fragrance emitting side mingles with surface skin oils to create a unique subtle fragrance in the vicinity of the skin.  
         [0004]     Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,118 of Lahens describes a layer of porous material such as polymer foam, foam rubber, or felt that has been impregnated with fragrance oils.  
         [0005]     Fragrant scents are known to be applied to surfaces by applying powder with appropriate binders. An alternate method is to use a printing technique to apply fragrance oils to the top surface of an object.  
         [0006]     In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,754 of Velazquez describes encapsulating fragrant oils into tiny beads in a time release mechanism, to be applied to a surface.  
         [0007]     Fragrant earrings are typically in the form of hollow containers having a fragrance-emitting liquid or a shaped mass of solid fragrant-emitting material therein, which results in a bulky configuration of the earring.  
         [0008]     Among related patents for container-type fragrant earrings include U.S. Pat. No. 1,267,067 of Flagg, which discloses an earring with a piece of perfume saturated cotton mass within a container. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 1,625,375 of Reyes describes an earring with a liquid containing vial therein.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,274 of Vivaudou describes an earring with a piece of perfume saturated extract cake mass therein. U.S. Pat. No. 2,109,092 of Roll describes a jewelry trinket comprising a small circular container piece with a perfume saturated absorbent pad therein. It could be used as an earring.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,471,949 of Gilowitz describes an earring with a hollow spherical container with perfume, having solid wicks ending in floral designs. U.S. Pat. No. 2,550,828 of Lawson describes an earring with a pad having perfume saturated therein.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,564,860 of Ryberg describes a hollow container piece of jewelry with a fragrance soaked pad therein. U.S. Pat. No. 2,740,662 of Scott discloses a hinged, operable earring with an inner chamber to hold a perfume saturated pad therein.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,525 of Sellers discloses an earring that has a vial container portion dispensing perfume. U.S. Pat. No. 4,056,951 of Black discloses an earring for pierced ears with a post, wherein the earring has a perfume filled chamber. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,631 of Lee describes a hollow container earring with a chamber for perfume soaked gauze wicks therein.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,052 of Hodge discloses an earring container that has a variable operable lid to allow different strengths of fragrances to be emitted therefrom.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,642 of Chin discloses a light glittering earring container with a canister that also emits a fragrance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,419 of Gelman discloses an earring container formed by a sandwich of two disks holding a fragrance emitting member therebetween.  
         [0015]     Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,751 of Joshi discloses a thin walled earring with a container, having a fragrance saturated membrane covered by a peel-off release tape.  
         [0016]     The aforementioned fragrant earrings generally require hollow containers, such as a vial or cage, for holding a fragrant emitting liquid or pad therein.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,787 of Colon describes an earring cut out from a relatively rigid, but flexible, scented card of between one thirty second and three sixteenths of an inch in thickness, which can be used as an earring.  
         [0018]     Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,284 of Parry describes an agricultural ear-worn tag for farm animals, such as cows or pigs, which includes a scent such as a pesticide or fragrance. It states that it is applicable also to humans. However, the ear-worn tag is meant to be permanently attached to the ear, with a detachable portion for replacing fragrant emitting elements therefrom.  
         [0019]     In addition, Applicant owns United States Design Pat. No. Des. 411,899 for a necklace which can be worn as a hairpiece. However, such a hairpiece is made of an inelastic string of beads, which means that if the hairpiece is short in length, the hairpiece may be tight around the head, and if it is long and loose, it results in a very long necklace draped around the chest, not a shorter necklace worn around the neck. In addition, the hairpiece/necklace described therein includes a decorative medallion, which interrupts the continuous hairpiece/necklace string of beads.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide jewelry with one or more thin, closely adhering fragrance emitting cover layers thereon.  
         [0021]     It is further an object of the present invention to provide versatile jewelry, such as earrings or necklaces, which emit fragrances, and which can be worn in a variety of styles.  
         [0022]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide dangling pendants or earrings, which can intermittently contact the skin with fragrances, to allow the skin oils of the wearer to intermittently be in contact with fragrances.  
         [0023]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an elastic, fragrant necklace, which can be also worn as a hairpiece.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     In keeping with these objects and others, which may become apparent, the present invention uses decorative fabric, or lace decorative items, as earrings or as attachments to a smooth flexible band as a necklace. They are illustrated as fabric embroidered flower appliques or lace florets although other structural configurations and designs can be used without deviating from the theme of the invention.  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, the fabric decorative elements are impregnated with fragrance emitting liquid and adhered either to the wearer&#39;s ear lobes or to necklace band using pressure sensitive adhesive pads with release liners.  
         [0026]     In an alternate embodiment for earring utilization, a thin, closely adhering fragrance emitting pad cover layer is adhesively attached to the front or underside of the decorative element, which optionally has a center hole. The pad cover layer is preferably thin, such as preferably having a thickness of less than one thirty second of an inch.  
         [0027]     The thin pad cover layer forms a skin-like integument layer surrounding one or more surfaces of the decorative element. A gold or other metal stud is then driven through the center hole and onward through the wearer&#39;s pierced earlobe to be engaged with a spring retaining clip.  
         [0028]     When the thin pad cover layer is applied to the skin facing side of the decorative element, the thin fragrance emitting pad cover layer is thereby in contact with the wearer&#39;s skin and mingles with surface skin oils to create a unique subtle fragrance in the vicinity of the ear as described in Applicant&#39;s earlier patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,457). Otherwise, when applied to the front of the decorative element, the thin pad cover layer emits fragrance to the ambient air. In either embodiment, the decorative fragrance emitting elements can be removed, and the fragrance emitting liquid or pad can then be replenished.  
         [0029]     The fragrance emitting material is fabricated in one of several ways. One method is simply to use a layer of porous material such as polymer foam, foam rubber, or felt that has been impregnated with fragrance oils. This process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,118 of Lahens.  
         [0030]     Other methods start with non-woven substrates such as rayon or polyurethanes or a cover layer of woven material such as nylon tricot. Scent is then applied to the top surface by applying powder with appropriate binders.  
         [0031]     An alternate method is to use a printing technique to apply fragrance oils to the top surface of the thin pad cover layer by spraying or dipping.  
         [0032]     In another method the pad cover layer substrates mentioned can be coated with fragrance oils that have been encapsulated into tiny beads forming a time release mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,754 of Velazquez describes such a process for use in adding scent to detergent powders. A starch was used to encapsulate the oils. Using a starch, contact with moisture from skin or even atmospheric moisture would accelerate the release of the encapsulated fragrance oils since the starch is soluble in water.  
         [0033]     In another embodiment of fragrance emitting jewelry, a beaded chain with a decorative pendant is described. The beads are strung on an elastic cord and the pendant has a clasp, which also permits it to be used as a decorative hairpin. The underside of the pendant has a thin ring cover layer of fragrance emitting material bonded to it with pressure sensitive adhesive. Its design permits the pendant to lie flat against the user&#39;s skin when the beaded chain is used as a necklace. In this configuration, the fragrance-emitting pad mingles with skin oils as described above. The elastic cord permits ease of use as a necklace by simply stretching it over the head.  
         [0034]     By using the pendant as a hair clip, and draping the beaded chain down and creating a tight lower loop, a method of forming a ponytail with the hair is defined.  
         [0035]     In an alternate configuration, by using a wide loop of the entire length of the beaded chain, the hair can be formed in a looser style. The elastic cord helps to facilitate these hair styling methods.  
         [0036]     In a similar fashion, but draping the beaded chain under the pendant (instead of above), and combing some hair over the beads, similar hairstyles with only the hair clip (such as the pendant) exposed, are possible. Peeling off the depleted ring and replacing with a new one can replace the ring of fragrance emitting material.  
         [0037]     Another embodiment of fragrance emitting necklace is formed by using a three dimensional pendant dangling from a chain. The sides of the pendant that have an opportunity to touch the user&#39;s skin are covered with a thin integument cover layer of fragrance emitting material (such as decorative polyester fabric).  
         [0038]     In this manner, the pendant can be rotated on a swivel coupling during use so that the thin integument surface mingles with the skin oils of the user. The pendant itself can be disposable, or pre-cut and creased patterns of fragrance emitting covering can be supplied. These would have a pressure sensitive adhesive with a release liner on the opposite side to attach to the pendant. The depleted covering would be peeled off and replaced with a new covering. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]     The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a decorative element of this invention in the form of a lace floret, having a thin, fragrance emitting cover layer covering the decorative element;  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the lace floret showing adhesive pad with release liner;  
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view in close-up detail, showing the lace floret adhesively attached to an ear lobe with pressure sensitive adhesive pad;  
         [0043]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevational view in close-up detail, showing the lace floret dangling from an ear lobe;  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a necklace band with four attached floret decorative elements;  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of decorative element as an embroidered flower applique with a central hole;  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view in crossection of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a side exploded view of an alternate embodiment showing attachment of a pierced earring to an ear lobe;  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of fragrance emitting jewelry in use as a necklace;  
         [0049]      FIG. 8A  is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of fragrance emitting jewelry in use as a headband;  
         [0050]      FIG. 8B  is a rear view of a model&#39;s head showing a pony tail formed by using the headband of  FIG. 8A ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of a model&#39;s head showing a pony tail formed by using the necklace of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0052]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of a model&#39;s head showing an alternate use of the necklace of  FIG. 8  for creating a different hairstyle;  
         [0053]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of a jewelry pendant showing a fragrance emitting ring and hair clasp;  
         [0054]      FIG. 12  is a side edge view of the clasp as in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0055]      FIG. 13  is a rear view of a model&#39;s head showing an alternate pony tail hairstyle with hidden beads;  
         [0056]      FIG. 14  is a rear view of a model&#39;s head showing a variation of hairstyle as in  FIG. 10 , but with hidden beads;  
         [0057]      FIG. 15  is a front elavational view of another embodiment of fragrance emitting jewelry showing a necklace in use with three-dimensional pendant;  
         [0058]      FIG. 16  is a bottom view of a triangular pyramid pendant shown in  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0059]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a pattern of a fragrance emitting covering for the triangular pyramid pendant as in  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0060]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a cube pendant;  
         [0061]      FIG. 19  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a spherical pendant; and,  
         [0062]      FIG. 20  is a side elevational view of a further alternate embodiment for a pear shaped pendant. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0063]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a typical earring, with a geometric or fanciful configuration, such as lace floret body member  1 , shown with petals  2  and central decorative area  3 , both covered by thin outer cover layer  2   a.  Petal layers  2  and central area  3  are covered with thin perfume fragrance integument cover layer  2   a  prior to use, in accordance with the embodiments discussed heretofore in the Summary of the Invention. Thin integument cover layer  2   a  is coated or sprayed with a fragrance, or wherein integument cover layer  2   a  is impregnated with fragrance oils. Other methods include the application of powder with appropriate binders. An alternate method is to use a printing technique to apply fragrance oils to the top surface of the thin cover layer covering the body member  1 . In another method the substrates mentioned can be coated with fragrance oils that have been encapsulated into tiny beads forming a time release mechanism.  
         [0064]      FIG. 2  shows the underside of earring floret  1  of  FIG. 1 , shown with adhesive pad  6  covered with release liner  7 . It is further noted that the underside of earring floret  1  can be also covered by a thin integument fragrance emitting cover layer  2   a,  so that the fragrance emitted therefrom can contact the earlobe skin of the wearer.  
         [0065]      FIG. 3  shows a side view detail with floret  1  adhesively attached to ear lobe  10  via adhesive patch  6 . After a single use, floret  1  is peeled off earlobe  10  and can be discarded; the price point of these earrings permit such use.  
         [0066]     Alternatively, used adhesive patch  6  can be peeled off the backside of floret  1 , and another new adhesive patch  6  can be attached in its place (with integral release liner  7 ) for the next use. More perfume of the same type can be sprayed onto floret  1  prior to reuse.  
         [0067]      FIG. 3A  shows dangling earring  1   a,  which is suspended freely from a post through the earlobe  10 , or by a clasp (not shown), loosely dangling and intermittently contacting the skin of neck  10   a  of the user. It is further noted that the fragrant scent cover layer can be applied on both inner side  2   b  and outer side  2   c  of petal portions  2   a,  so that an outer portion  2   c  of floret earring  1  directly emits a fragrant scent to the ambient air, while an inner portion  2   c  of earring floret  1  will have a scent emitting cover layer adjacent to the skin of the neck  10   a,  whereby the fragrant scent can intermittently contact the skin of the neck  10   a  of the user and mix with body oils therefrom, during natural movements of the head, neck and ear.  
         [0068]     Instead of attaching florets  1  to the user&#39;s ear lobes, the floret body members  1  having thin fragrance emitting outer cover layer  2   a  can be adhesively attached to a smooth plastic band  12  as in  FIG. 4 . This may be a smooth transparent or colored vinyl band constructed like an adjustable bra strap with adjustable loop  14  via buckle  15 , and attachment clip  13 . This can be adjusted to function as a “choker”. Florets  1  (four are shown in the illustration) are adhesively attached to band  12 . In this manner, matching necklace and earrings are easily matched by attaching several of the same decorative elements, such as florets  1 , as are used as earrings.  
         [0069]     An alternate embodiment of fragrance emitting earring for pierced ear lobes is shown in  FIG. 5 . This is illustrated as an embroidered fabric flower applique body member  20  with central disk  22  with hole  23  surrounded by petals  21 .  
         [0070]     In this embodiment, the fragrance emitting element is a thin pre-impregnated integument pad  22  which is adhesively attached via pressure sensitive adhesive layer  24  to the underside of disk  22  (as shown in the crossectional view of  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0071]     As shown in the attachment method of  FIG. 7 , applique  20  is attached by inserting gold spike  26  with decorative end  25  through hole  23  and then through the hole in ear lobe  10  and finally retained via spring clip  27 . Integument pad  22  is a fragrance-impregnated fabric, such as polyester, or an open cell foam that gently touches the skin at the ear lobe. The fragrance liquid from the thin integument pad thus mingles with skin oils to form a subtle fragrance vapor in the vicinity of the ear in such a manner as to be unique to the combination of fragrance liquid and body chemistry. Peeling off used fragrance pads and replacing with a new one, which can be a different fragrance if desired, can reuse appliques such as body members  20 .  
         [0072]      FIGS. 8, 9  and  10  illustrate another embodiment of fragrance emitting jewelry in the form of a jewelry piece in the form of a string of beads  40  with beads  41  strung on an elastic cord, and pendant  42  attached to the cord.  
         [0073]     The construction of pendant  42  is shown in the back view of  FIG. 11  and the edge view of  FIG. 12 . The fragrance-emitting element is a thin ring layer  55  of fabric or open cell foam adhesively attached to flat pendant face  57  at the edge.  
         [0074]     The design of pendant  42  includes cutouts  61  to facilitate air movement in the vicinity of ring  55 . Hair clasp  59  with hinge  58  and latch  60  lies flat enough such that it does not protrude beyond ring  55  so as to permit user&#39;s skin to touch ring  55  when string of beads  40  is used as a necklace. Loop  56  attaches pendant  42  to the elastic cord.  
         [0075]     While  FIG. 8  shows use of the jewelry  40  as a necklace,  FIG. 8A  shows use of the jewelry  40  as a headband. Furthermore, while string of beads  40  is shown as a headband surrounding the hair, it is further noted that the locks of hair of the wearer can be combed over the string of beads, thereby only exposing pendant  42  to view.  
         [0076]     By clasping pendant/hair clip  42 , as shown in  FIG. 9  and then draping beads  42  over it downward and then wrapping it around hair into small loop  43 , pony tail  43  is formed. The elastic cord helps in forming this operation since otherwise a string of beads that can also be used as a necklace would be too short.  
         [0077]     By just forming a large loop  50  as shown in  FIG. 10 , hair is guided through forming a looser type of hairstyle.  
         [0078]      FIG. 13  shows another method of using string of beads  40  to form ponytail  46 . In this case, beads  41  are draped under hair clip  42  and then wrapped around hair forming small loop  43 . Then some hair  65  is combed or brushed over beads  41  to hide them.  
         [0079]     Similarly, by draping beads  41  under hair clip  42  as shown in  FIG. 14 , forming large loop, guiding hair  51  through large loop, and then using some hair  67  to cover beads  41 , another hair style is formed.  
         [0080]      FIG. 15  shows yet another embodiment of fragrance emitting jewelry. This is a necklace  70  using any type of chain with a dangling three dimensional pendant  71 . Pendant  71 , as illustrated, is a triangular pyramid.  
         [0081]      FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the base showing three edges of dimension B.  
         [0082]      FIG. 17  shows a flat pattern of thin fragrance emitting decorative fabric integument cover layer  75  that is used to cover pendant  71 . Long edges  76  will meet at a common seam, and short edges  77  will be at the bottom of pendant  71  when draped around on creases  78 . The underside of pattern  75  has a pressure sensitive adhesive layer covered with a release liner; this is peeled off prior to attachment. If pendant  71  is not disposable, fragrant emitting patterns  75  would be available for replacement in a sealed airtight pouch.  
         [0083]      FIGS. 18 through 20  show a few other alternatives of three-dimensional pendants. All have a swivel attachment loop  82  which facilitates changing the point of contact with the user&#39;s skin to facilitate mixing the fragrance emitting material from the thin fragrance emitting outer integument cover layer with the skin oils to create a unique personal fragrance experience.  
         [0084]     Many other geometric or decorative shapes can be used. The cube  80  of  FIG. 18  has a fragrance covering integument cover layer on the vertical sides  81 .  
         [0085]     Sphere  85  of  FIG. 19  has thin fragrance emitting spherical sector integument cover layers  86 , which are part of a flat pattern. Pear shaped pendant  88  of  FIG. 20  also has sectors  89  of fragrance emitting material that will be form-fitting when draped around from a flat pattern.  
         [0086]     In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0087]     It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention.