Abstract:
A scent dispensing device includes a hollow cavity defined by a resilient material configured to form a substantially flat packet, a porous and absorbent scent emitting material disposed within and free to move within the cavity, the scent emitting material retaining a scent which is imparted to air within the cavity, and an opening formed in the resilient material, the opening allowing air within the cavity to escape the packet during a compression of the packet and allowing air outside the packet to enter the packet when the compression terminates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part, and claims the benefit under 35 USC §120, of co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/185,548 entitled “Scent Dispensing Packet” filed on Jun. 28, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to scent dispensers and specifically to an inexpensive and compact scent dispensing device.  
         DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
         [0003]    It has become common practice to distribute fragrance samples to potential customers by inserting scent strips in magazines or mailings. The scent strip process involves microencapsulating a fragrance and adhering it with glue to a printed magazine or mailing insert. The fragrance is released when the microcapsules are burst. This is usually accomplished by separating two sheets containing the microcapsules that have been temporarily adhered to one another. These burst microcapsules emit a scent because they are exposed to the air. This limits the reuse of this system as a sampling vehicle because the fragrance material cannot be easily protected from evaporation. Fragrance material is very volatile and evaporates quickly.  
           [0004]    For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,236 (Sayers. et al.), 5,391,420 (Bootman, et al.), and 4,817,860 (Shapiro) all disclose releasing fragrance samples through bursting microcapsules adhered to a substrate paper or cardboard backing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,958 (Charbonneau) discloses a process for preventing unwanted escape of fragrance material prior to fracturing of the microcapsules. However, in all of this prior art, the problem of quick evaporation of the fragrance material once the microcapsules are burst still exists.  
           [0005]    This problem also exists with U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,221 (Simpson) which discloses a process to deliver folded scented coupons in a dispenser. These coupons contain microcapsules that fracture as the coupons are removed from the dispenser. Once the coupons have been activated, the scent quickly evaporates.  
           [0006]    It has become standard practice in the cosmetics industry to mail or otherwise distribute samples of fragrances to potential customers. Frequently such samples are distributed in the form of “vial-on-cards”, which usually comprise a glass or plastic vial fastened to a cardboard backing. Another known means for packaging a unit dosage cosmetic sample or fragrance is the soft gelatin capsule. Similar in function to plastic or glass vials, these “soft gel” capsules contain a fluid sample of the fragrance.  
           [0007]    These types of fragrance samples are awkward to use because they are so small. The fragrance must be applied to the skin to experience its intended scent because it is otherwise too concentrated. Once a fragrance is applied to the skin it begins to evaporate and can wear off in a matter of hours. U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,885 (Daniel; et al.) discloses a means to produce a unit-dose container that can survive the rigors of shipment through the mails or inclusion in printed material but it still does not solve the inherent problem of ease of use and reduction of evaporation once the fragrance has been released from the container.  
           [0008]    Devices that do not expose volatile fragrance oils or burst microcapsules directly to the surrounding air can diminish the rate of scent evaporation. This is accomplished by enclosing scented elements in a sack or “sachet”. The purpose of these sacks is to slowly deliver a pleasant scent to an area, usually to mask an unpleasant odor. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,332 (Glenn), 4,306,892 (Atalie, et al.), and 4,854,501 (Ricci) all disclose fragrance holders for scenting the surrounding area by permeation of scents into the air. These sacks are not effective promotion vehicles for delivering scent samples because they are not convenient to distribute through the mail due to their size and shape. In addition, they have the disadvantage of delivering scent to a wide area thereby causing the scent to linger for an extended period of time.  
           [0009]    Therefore, there is a need for better device and method for delivering a desired scent to a consumer. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and are by no means intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the particular embodiments shown, and in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a scent dispensing packet at an equalized air pressure state;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the scent dispensing packet of FIG. 1 showing a scent emitting material housed therein;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the scent dispensing packet of FIG. 1 at an equalized air pressure state;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a side view of the scent dispensing packet of FIG. 1 being squeezed by a user;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a side view of the scent dispensing packet of FIG. 1 returning to its equalized air pressure state;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of the scent dispensing packet prior to assembly;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of the scent dispensing packet with a purchase incentive affixed;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective front view of the scent dispensing packet affixed to an interior of a greeting card;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of the scent dispensing packet affixed to an advertising or promotion card;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is perspective front view of an embodiment of the scent dispensing packet having a sealant;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is perspective front view of the scent dispensing packet containing within a protective sleeve;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective front view of the scent dispensing packet in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a perspective front view of the scent dispensing packet in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 is a perspective front view of another embodiment of the scent dispensing packet. 
     
    
       [0025]    Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawing figures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    The present invention is discussed below with respect to several exemplary embodiments for simplicity only. It is to be understood that those skilled in the art will, after reading this disclosure, be able to implement the present invention in other ways that are not specifically shown herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be construed as limited to specific examples described herein but rather includes within its scope all embodiments defined by the appended claims.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 shows a scent dispensing packet  1  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The packet  1  includes an outer wall  10  made of plastic, foil or foil laminate or any other impermeable, flexible, thin material that can be sealed or molded into the shape of the packet. For some embodiments, outer wall  10  is a single piece of material that is folded and sealed to form the packet  10  as described below, for example, with respect to FIG. 6. When folded and sealed to form the packet  1 , outer wall  10  defines a cavity  26  within the packet  1 . An airflow valve  16  having an opening  14  formed therein is provided on a front surface of packet  1 . The opening  14  and valve  16  may be made of plastic or any other durable, moldable material. For some embodiments, the opening  14  and valve  16  may be integrated within the outer wall  10 . Together, the opening  14  and valve  16  allow air to pass into and out of the cavity  26  within the packet  1 . For some embodiments, a design element  18  may be provided on a exterior surface of outer wall  10  to indicate to a user where to put his/her thumb on the packet  1  for activation or squeezing.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 shows the scent dispensing packet  1  containing a scent emitting material holder  20  and a scent emitting material  22 . The holder  20  may be molded into an interior surface of the outer wall  10  of the packet  1 . The holder  20  holds the scent emitting material  22  in place within the packet  1 . The scent emitting material  22  is made of a porous material capable of absorbing and retaining a desired scent or fragrance. Further, the scent emitting material  22  is capable imparting the retained scent to the air within the cavity  26 . The desired scent or fragrance can be imparted to the scent emitting material  22  by immersing, spraying or otherwise exposing the porous material  22  to a solution containing the desired scent or fragrance. The scent emitting material  22  may be any suitable material that retains a desired scent. These materials include, for example, cellulose, polyester, polyolefin, cotton, porous plastics, fiberglass, and natural sponges.  
         [0029]    FIGS.  3 - 5  illustrate operation of the scent dispensing packet of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the packet  1  is its initial state, where the cavity  26  is at its maximum (steady state) volume. When the packet  1  is compressed (e.g., by a user&#39;s thumbs), as shown in FIG. 4, the air within cavity  26  which surrounds the scent emitting material  22  is forced to the outside environment (as indicated by exiting air  28 ) through the opening  14  in the packet wall  10 , thereby imparting the desired scent to the outside environment, for example, to be smelled or otherwise sampled by the user. Then, when the user&#39;s thumb are released from the packet  1 , as shown in FIG. 5, a vacuum created within the packet  1  draws air  30  from the outside environment into packet cavity  26  via the opening  14  in the valve  16 , thereby filling the cavity  26  with fresh air  30  and returning the packet  1  to its original steady state. Thereafter, the scent emitting material  22  imparts its scent to the fresh air within cavity  26 , thereby readying the packet  1  for subsequent use.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 shows the packet  1  before it has been fully assembled, in which the scent emitting material  22  is affixed to an interior surface of a first portion  32  of outer wall  10 . For some embodiments, the scent dispensing packet  1  is manufactured from a singular piece of material by molding the material in a flat, open position using any well-known injection or stamp molding process. After the molding process, the scent emitting material  22  is placed into the scent emitting material holder  20 , which may either be attached to or integrated within outer wall material  10 . Then, packet wall portion  32  is folded at a flexible hinge  40  and closed in the direction of arrow  38  to mate with opposing packet wall portion  34 . The hinge  40  may be molded into the design of the packet wall  10 . Interlocking grooves  36  molded into three edges of the packet wall  10  maintain the packet  1  in its closed position. For other embodiments, opposing wall portions  32  and  34  may be sealed together along peripheral edges thereof using a suitable sealant such as, for example, glue or other adhesive.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 shows the scent dispensing packet  1  with a purchase incentive  44  attached to a top edge  42  of the packet. The incentive  44  may be affixed to the packet using glue or other adhesive.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 shows a greeting card  46  into which the packet  1  may be affixed, for example, using glue or other adhesive.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 shows an advertising or promotion card  48  onto which the packet  1  may be affixed. Marketing information  50  may also be provided on the card  48 .  
         [0034]    As described above and shown in the figures, scent dispensing packet  1  is small, lightweight, inexpensive, and reusable. The packet  10  may be any suitable size. For some embodiments, the packet is substantially flat and adapted to be provided within a greeting card, as illustrated in FIG. 8. For one embodiment, the packet  1  has height of approximately 6 centimeters (cm), a width of approximately 3 cm, and a thickness (e.g., as defined by the cross-section of cavity  26 ) of approximately 0.5 cm.  
         [0035]    The size and configuration of packet  1  provides other advantages. First, because the packet  1  is substantially flat, graphics  52  and other information may be easily printed onto exterior portions of the outer wall  10 , as shown in FIG. 9. In this manner, the packet  1  may be readily used as a sampling device for consumer products having a scent. For example, a manufacturer or retailer of perfume may impart the perfume into the scent emitting material  22  of the packet  1 , provide graphics  52  identifying the particular perfume and/or other information, and then provide the packet  1  at retail outlets so that consumers may easily sample the perfume without opening any of the actual perfume containers. In this manner, retailers may allow consumers to easily sample the perfume&#39;s scent without designating one or more of the actual perfume products as samples, thereby reducing marketing costs.  
         [0036]    Of course, although discussed above in the example of sampling perfumes, packets  1  may be used to allow consumers to sample the scent of virtually any product including, for example, shampoos, deodorants, skin care products, foods, beverages, and so on.  
         [0037]    Second, because the packet  1  is small, inexpensive, and portable, retailers may allow consumers to take with them several packets  1  containing various scents corresponding to different products for further sampling and/or to share with friends or family. In this manner, the packet  1  may provide a competitive advantage to such retailers by allowing consumers to distribute perfume samples to other perspective buyers. For example, packets  1  are well-suited for door-to-door sales persons who sell perfumes or other scented products.  
         [0038]    Third, the packet  1  may be inserted into a greeting card (as illustrated in FIG. 8) and easily mailed to one or more recipients without any special packaging or without increased mailing costs. In contrast, for example, prior art vials containing a scent or fragrance which are delivered through the mail must be carefully packaged to prevent damage to the vials, thereby increasing shipping and packaging costs.  
         [0039]    Further, in contrast to some prior art scent dispensers, embodiments of the packet  1  deliver air imparted with a scent from the scent emitting material  22  to the user for sampling without applying the source fragrance to the user&#39;s skin. This may be preferable for consumers who do not wish to spray a scented chemical mist onto their skin. In addition, because the packet  1  dispenses air imparted with a scent, rather than spraying a scented chemical mist toward the user, the packet  1  uses less scent during use, thereby maximizing the useful life of the packet.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 10, the air opening  14  for the scent dispensing packet  1  may be sealed with a suitable sealant  60  after the packet  1  is fabricated to prevent the scent retained by the scent emitting material  22  from escaping the packet  1  prior to use, thereby prolonging the shelf life of the packet. The sealant  60  may be any suitable material including, for example, tape or other adhesive material.  
         [0041]    For some embodiments, the packet  1  may be slidably disposed in a protective sleeve  65 , as illustrated in FIG. 11. The protective sleeve  65 , which may be any suitable material including, for instance, cardboard, laminate, plastics, or the like, protects the packet  1  from environmental forces (e.g., air, water, bending, and so on). In addition, graphics or other identifying information (not shown for simplicity) may be included on the front and/or back surfaces of protective sleeve  65  to provide information to consumers about the scent retained therein and/or information about the scent&#39;s manufacturer or retailer. For some embodiments, the graphics on the protective sleeve  65  may include decorative arts.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 12 shows a packet  70  that is another embodiment of the present invention. Packet  70  is similar to packet  1  described above, except that the holder  20  is omitted, thereby allowing the scent emitting material  22  to be slidably disposed within cavity  26 . Thus, by allowing the scent emitting material  22  to move freely within cavity  26 , the air within cavity  26  may be more effectively exposed to, and thus imparted with, the scent retained by the scent emitting material  22 .  
         [0043]    A desired scent can be imparted to the scent emitting material  22  either before or after the packet is manufactured. For one embodiment, the scent emitting material  22  is immersed in, sprayed with, or otherwise exposed to the desired scent before the packet is constructed, as described above. For other embodiments, the scent emitting material  22  may first be inserted into the packet, without being scented, and then the packet closed and sealed as described above. Thereafter, a desired scent may be injected into the cavity  26  within the packet, for example, by injecting a needle containing the desired scent into the scent emitting material  22  via opening  14 . In this manner, consumers, retailers, or manufacturers provided with unscented packets may be able to impart their own scents into the packets, thereby allowing the packets to be customized by such consumers, retailers, or manufacturers.  
         [0044]    For other embodiments, the valve  16  may be omitted, and the opening  14  may be located on a suitable edge of the packet. For example, FIG. 13 shows a packet  80  that is another embodiment in accordance with the present invention. Packet  80  is similar to packets  1  and  70 , except that the opening  14  is located on an upper edge  82  of the packet  80 . For some embodiments of FIG. 13, the scent emitting material  22  may be held in place by the holder  20  (not shown for simplicity). For other embodiments of FIG. 13, the holder may be eliminated, thereby allowing the scent emitting material  22  to be slidably disposed within the packet.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 14 shows a scent emitting bottle  90  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Bottle  90  is constructed a resilient, flexible plastic or similar material using well known injection molding techniques, and contains the scent emitting material  22 . Bottle  90  has an opening  92  formed in a top surface thereof. The opening  92  contains grooves (not shown for simplicity) onto which a top  94  having a small opening  96  may be screwed. The scent emitting material  22  described above may be inserted into the bottle  90  through the opening  92  (with the top removed). Thereafter, during use (with the top  94  screwed onto opening  92 , the bottle  90  may be squeezed to cause scent laden air within the bottle to exit through top opening  96 , thereby imparting the scent to the external environment for sampling. After use, the bottle&#39;s resilient walls return to their original form, which creates a vacuum that causes fresh air to be drawn into the bottle, after which the scent emitting material  22  imparts the scent to the fresh air for subsequent use.  
         [0046]    For such embodiments, the scent emitting material  22  may be provided separately from the bottle and packaged in a foil casing (not shown) to prevent evaporation prior to use. For other embodiments, the scent emitting material  22  may be covered with a suitable membrane that protects a user&#39;s hands from the scent while allowing air to pass therethrough. For other embodiments, the scent emitting material  22  may contain micro-encapsuled scent oil.  
         [0047]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.