Abstract:
A picture frame assembly that includes a frame that surrounds an opening and a fragrance media that is partially disposed in the opening of the frame. A display member that provides an image is disposed within the opening in the frame and the fragrance media diffuses a predetermined fragrance passively to allow multiple senses to be stimulated during the viewing of the image.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a picture frame assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a picture frame assembly that diffuses a fragrance. 
         [0002]    Pictures frames have been around for many years allowing individuals to place their favorite pictures, artwork, or images on display for others to see. Typically, a matte is disposed within the picture frame and surrounds the perimeter of the image in order to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The matte may be of a selected color so that the colors of the image and surroundings may be properly presented. 
         [0003]    As technology has evolved, new ways of presenting images in picture frames has similarly evolved. For instance, digital picture frames have been manufactured that may be connected to a memory card so that images taken with a digital camera may be displayed on a screen within the picture frame. 
         [0004]    While these advances have helped present an image in different media associated with a picture frame, there is a need to appeal to individual&#39;s other senses so that the experience of viewing an image is more realistic. In addition, this extra sensory component needs to be provided in such a way that the image and picture frame itself remain aesthetically pleasing and have interchangeable parts so that the frame assembly may be used in multiple applications. 
         [0005]    Thus, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame assembly that enhances sensory perception of an image. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame assembly that presents interchangeable parts that facilitates assembly and disassembly. 
         [0007]    These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the specification and claims. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A picture frame assembly that has a frame that surrounds an opening. A fragrance media is partially disposed within the opening of the frame and a display member that provides an image is disposed within the opening of the frame such that the fragrance media surrounds the image. The fragrance media diffuses a predetermined fragrance. A transparent layer such as glass is placed between the display member and fragrance media within the opening of the frame to provide protection of the image. A support member can then be placed within the frame engaging the display member to provide additional support to the assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a picture frame assembly; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a back perspective view of a picture frame assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a picture frame assembly; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    The figures show a picture frame assembly  10  having a frame  12 . The frame  12  can be made of any material such as wood, plastic, metal or the like. In addition, the frame  12  can be a digital picture frame as shown in  FIG. 5 . The frame  12  can have any type of aesthetically pleasing design without falling outside the scope of this disclosure. In a first embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1-4  frame  12  has an inner wall  14  that has a slot  16  disposed therein. One side of the slot  16  is defined by a flange  18  that extends from the inner wall. The inner wall  14  surrounds an opening  20  wherein the flange  18  can extend any length into the opening  20  as long as slot  16  is formed within the inner wall  14 . 
         [0016]    A fragrance media  22  extends into the opening  20  of the frame. The fragrance media  22  is made of a material that is able to passively diffuse predetermined fragrances. In one embodiment the predetermined fragrance is associated with the image and is embedded in the fragrance media for gradual diffusion. Fragrances can include, but are not limited to a scent of a flower, a favorite cologne or perfume of a love one, and the like. While in this embodiment a fragrance media  22  is used to provide the fragrance, other fragrance delivery systems could be used such as a fan unit, heat or heat in combination with a fan unit in order to disperse the fragrance. In addition, the fragrance media  22  can be any color and is detachably secured within the frame  12  so that the fragrance media  22  can be interchanged with other fragrance media  22  that present different colors, different fragrances or a replacement fragrance media if a fragrance has become undetectable. 
         [0017]    In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1-4  the fragrance media  22  is a matte that is slidably received within the slot  18  of the inner wall  14  of the frame  12 . The fragrance media  22  is of any size and shape that may form a perimeter around an opening  24  as long the fragrance media  22  is able to be attached to the frame  12 . While the fragrance media  22  of  FIGS. 1-4  has an opening  24  that is surrounded by a perimeter  26  that is formed of a plurality of curved shapes, this perimeter  26  may be a straight edge as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6  or any other shape that may be considered aesthetically pleasing to a viewer without falling outside the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-6  the fragrance media  22  can be an insert that has protuberances  27   a  that extend from the insert and are received by openings  27   b  in the frame  12  such that the fragrance media  22  snaps into place. In this embodiment the slot of the frame  12  can be eliminated. In any embodiment the insert can be made of plastic, vinyl, wood, compressed paper/fabric, synthetic and natural, or the like. Also, while a slidable connection and snap connection have been described other detachable connections such as Velcro®, adhesion methods and the like are contemplated to provide the detachable connection. 
         [0019]    The picture frame assembly  10  optionally has a transparent member  28  that is disposed within the opening  20  of frame  12 . Specifically, the transparent member  28  engages the flange  16  of the inner wall  14  of frame  12  so that the transparent member  28  is in parallel spaced relation or non-contacting relation with the fragrance media  22 . In a preferred embodiment, the transparent member  28  is a glass panel. 
         [0020]    A display member  30  provides an image  32  within the opening  20  of the frame  12 . The display member  30  may be a digital display, a picture, a canvas or the like wherein an image  30 , such as a digital image, picture, artwork or the like can be displayed. In the embodiment where a transparent member  28  is used, the display member  30  engages the transparent member  28  such that the transparent member  28  separates and is disposed between the display member  30  and the fragrance media  22 . 
         [0021]    A support member  34  can also be provided to and engage the back of the display member  30  and secured within the frame  12 . The support member  30  can present a stand-like support such as shown in  FIG. 4  or may present a back to be hung onto a wall or the like. 
         [0022]    In operation, when an individual has a display member such as a piece of artwork or a picture of a loved one that they would like to display, the display member  30  may be secured within the frame  12 . At this point in time, a user may choose a fragrance media  22  that best suits the desires of the user. Specifically, the user can choose a fragrance media  22  of any color, shape or design and additionally may use any scent or fragrance desired. For example, if the image  32  presented on the display member  28  is a flower, the user may choose to use a fragrance media that has the particular fragrance of that flower. Alternatively, if the image  32  is that of a loved one, the fragrance media could have a fragrance of a favorite cologne or perfume of the loved one. Thus, when an observer sees the image, not only is the image aesthetically pleasing but additionally because the observer senses the predetermined fragrance associated with the image  32  that is diffused by the fragrance media  22  an additional sense is stimulated making the viewing of the image more life like and real. 
         [0023]    Thus, presented is a picture frame assembly  12  that utilizes a passive fragrance media diffuser. The frame  12  has a detachable connection therein so that the fragrance media  22  can be placed in front of the transparent member  28  or glass panel and into the picture frame  12  allowing for interchangeable designs and various fragrances to be utilized with the frame  12 . This fragrance media  22  may be applied with not only traditional picture frames, but additionally to digital picture frames and art frames. The system allows for an interchangeable fragrance media and art design to be featured prominently on a picture frame  12 . Fragrance is diffused in a number of manners such as passively through the fragrance media  22 . Thus, presented is an interchangeable frame assembly that allows greater versatility and use of color and fragrance associated with an image than presently utilized picture frames. Consequently, at the very least all the stated objectives have been met. 
         [0024]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without the parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.