Abstract:
A fabric scent diffuser that can be easily and strongly attached to a pet collar which is then worn by a pet with the portable scent diffuser providing an effective scent or vapor to the pet, yet can be removed when desired. The fabric scent diffuser has a fabric strap, absorbent material such as cotton to which a scent oil or solution is applied, and has a fabric cover over the absorbent material, all stitched together to hold the absorbent material and fabric cover in place on the fabric strap. Hook and loop fastener material are attached near the ends of the strap so that the fabric scent diffuser can be looped around a pet collar and secured with the hook and loop material. A kit with additional components, and methods of fabrication and use, are provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to apparatus and methods for a releasably attachable vapor delivery device, and more particularly for a portable reservoir and delivery device for scents, oils, solutions, and the like, attachable to pet collars. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art approaches include spraying scents or solutions into a room, directly onto an animal or clothing, or in a particular region where activity of such solutions is desired. Other approaches include candle-based, light-bulb attached, plug-in or other types of heated diffuser to evaporate a solution, melt a wax or oil, or otherwise give off desired vapors or scents. For example, various sorts of delivery approaches are used for room fresheners, bug repellents, fragrances, calming vapors, or other beneficial substances that can act on a body to calm, repel, or otherwise modify behavior, provide aromatherapy, or just to be pleasing to one in the vicinity of the vapor or scent. 
     It can be beneficial to modify the behavior of pets such as dogs, for example, using scents, vapors of essential oils or solutions, hormones, pheromones, insect repellents, and so forth, to apply them to a collar, mount them in a location near the pet, or apply them directly to the pet. Some substances, however, are best not applied in direct contact with the animal, but are best delivered as a vapor so that they may be inhaled or absorbed through the nose or mouth. The vapor can provide a calming or soothing effect, affect alertness or stress, or reinforce behavior, for example. 
     In one approach by England, illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. D619,695, a scent diffuser is attached to a strap which is used to hold the scent diffuser on a pet collar; the strap passes around the collar and the two ends of the strap have snap components which snap together to secure the strap on the collar and hold the scent diffuser in place. This approach has multiple problems which have as yet not been overcome. In one aspect, the diffuser reservoir can hold sufficient oil or solution, but the access hole available for diffusion or transmission of vapor is quite small. While some substances may be adequately delivered over a long time through such a small access hole, many substances require a larger area to deliver an effective amount or concentration of vapor. For example, some substances can provide calming or other behavior modification and are quite useful when needed for a particular event which may be short in duration, such as a visit to the veterinarian, a walk, visit of strangers or unfamiliar animals, or other stressful situations. In these cases, a relatively short duration of exposure is needed, but a relatively higher concentration or amount of diffused vapor may be required to be effective. The approach of England, for example, provides a more limited concentration of vapor, being limited by the small access hole size. 
     Another issue for prior approaches such as that of England, is that small snaps such as would be useable on a collar-attachable scent diffuser device are known to be unreliable attachment mechanisms, with particularly certain breeds and certain dispositions of animals very likely to scratch repeatedly in a way which dislodges or unsnaps the snapped fastener. Once dislodged, the scent diffuser can be a hazard for the animal, presenting health risks if the scent diffuser is ingested, for example. Also, a dislodged scent diffuser could simply get lost. 
     Still another issue for prior approaches is that the plastic reservoir with small access hole can be difficult to clean, such as to remove contaminants, or when changing to a different oil or solution. 
     Yet another issue for prior approaches is that a thick diffuser such as that of England, would be more easily caught by the animal during scratching, and therefore more easily dislodged. Further, the rigid reservoir would have sharp edges and may crack under abuse by the animal, especially if it were dislodged, presenting further health risks to the animal. 
     There is continued need for improved devices and methods for scent diffusers which are attachable to pet collars or other equipment. There is particular need for a scent diffuser which provides improved diffusion rates or scent concentrations for improved effectiveness. Also, there is particular need for a scent diffuser with more robust attachment to a pet collar, yet is attached and detached easily when desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable scent diffuser which can be easily and strongly attached to a pet collar which is then worn by a pet with the portable scent diffuser providing an effective scent or vapor when desired. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a fabric scent diffuser which is removably attachable to a pet collar. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit for delivery of scents or vapor to a body, including a fabric scent diffuser which can removably attached to a pet collar, and oil or solution to place into the fabric scent diffuser and provide the substance which is diffused as a scent or vapor. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a kit for delivery of scents or vapor to a body, including a fabric scent diffuser which can removably attached to a pet collar, oil or solution to place into the fabric scent diffuser and provide the substance which is diffused as a scent or vapor, and a sealable storage container to minimize loss of vapor from the fabric scent diffuser when in storage. 
     According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for temporary delivery of scents or vapor to a body, including providing a fabric scent diffuser which can removably attached to a pet collar, providing an oil or solution to place into the fabric scent diffuser, attaching the fabric scent diffuser to a pet collar, using the fabric scent diffuser to deliver scents or vapor to be absorbed or inhaled, and removing the fabric scent diffuser from the pet collar. 
     According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for fabricating a fabric scent diffuser, including providing a fabric strap, absorbent, a fabric cover, stitching, and hook and loop fastener; sewing around most of the fabric cover attach the fabric cover to the central portion of the fabric strap and forming a pocket; filling the pocket with absorbent; sewing around the remainder of the fabric cover to secure the fabric cover and absorbent in place; and sewing the hook and loop fastener to opposite sides of the strap near opposite ends of the strap. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a scent diffuser made of fabric. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a scent diffuser which is easily attached to a pet collar and removed by a user, but will not be easily removed by the animal. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a scent diffuser with a large access area for diffusion of scent. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a scent diffuser which can easily be cleaned. 
     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a scent diffuser which can be easily manufactured. 
     A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a kit including a scent diffuser made of fabric, a sealable container of scent oil or solution, and a sealable storage container to protect the scent diffuser and slow the drying out of the scent oil or solution from the scent diffuser. 
     Having thus briefly described one or more embodiments of the present invention, and having mentioned some significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide convenient means of temporary delivery of a scent to a pet for inhalation or absorption through the nose or mouth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are not to scale, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a face view of an example fabric scent diffuser according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is an edge view of the fabric scent diffuser of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the fabric scent diffuser of  FIG. 1A  with the fabric scent diffuser wrapped around so that the two hook and loop fastener patches are in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the fabric scent diffuser of  FIG. 1A  with the fabric scent diffuser retained on an example pet collar. 
         FIGS. 4A-B  are similar to a  FIG. 1A-B  but illustrates a different example fabric scent diffuser, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the fabric scent diffuser of  FIG. 4A  with the fabric scent diffuser wrapped around so that the two hook and loop fastener patches are in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the fabric scent diffuser of  FIG. 4A  with the fabric scent diffuser retained on an example pet collar. 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrates various components of the fabric scent diffuser of  FIG. 1A  and shows steps of fabricating the fabric scent diffuser. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a kit including a fabric scent diffuser such as that of  FIG. 1A , a container of scent oil or solution, and a storage container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates an example fabric scent diffuser  10  of the present invention, shown in face view.  FIG. 1B  illustrates an example fabric scent diffuser  10  of the present invention, shown in edge view. Key components illustrated include strap  12 , absorbent  16 , cover  14 , stitching  22 , hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20 . Strap  12  provides a structural base for attaching absorbent  16 , cover  14 , hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20 . Strap  12  is fabric, which can be chosen for absorbance, non-irritation, durability, beauty, or other properties. Preferably, strap  12  is felted wool fabric. In one preferable example, knitted wool fabric is processed by a felting process which typically uses water and heat to shrink the wool fabric, increasing its density and affecting flexibility and durability. Cover  14  covers and protects absorbent  16  and retains it on strap  12 . Cover  14  is fabric, which can be chosen for absorbance, non-irritation, durability, beauty, or other properties. Preferably, cover  14  is felted wool fabric. Cover  14  and strap  12  can comprise the same fabric material, although that is not always required. Preferably, cover  14  is felted wool fabric. After much experimentation with various fabrics and processing, the inventor discovered that felted wool provides an advantageous combination of functional, durability, and aesthetics. In particular, the inventor tried many other fabrics which did not have the durability of felted wool when used in a fabric scent diffuser. 
     Absorbent  16  is chosen for absorbance, non-irritation, or other properties. Absorbent  16  serves as a reservoir for scent oil or solution  340  (see  FIG. 8 ) so that it can give off scent vapors. Preferably, cotton is used for absorbent  16 . The inventor discovered that clean or sterile “cotton ball” material is a good absorbent. 
     In use, scent oil or solution  340  is applied to fabric scent diffuser  10 . By scent oil or solution, we mean any of a variety of oil-based or water-based or other fluid containing active scent or chemical which is desired to deliver by fabric scent diffuser  10 . Such scent oil or solution can include room fresheners, bug repellents, fragrances, calming vapors, or other beneficial substances, and can provide pleasing or calming effects, encourage behavior, repel insects or animals, discourage behavior, provide aromatherapy, and so forth. By scent, we mean any vapors or air-transmitted particles or molecules from the scent oil or solution, such as vapors of essential oils, hormones, pheromones, insect repellents, and so forth. 
     Hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20 , are mating components of hook and loop fasteners. Such hook and loop fasteners can comprise those sold under the trade name Velcro®, or other similar fasteners. 
     Stitching  22  provides attachment of cover  14  to strap  12 , thereby holding absorbent  16  in place also. Stitching  22  can comprise one or more filaments, such as a thread, which can be applied by hand or by machine. Stitching  22  can comprise wool or polyester thread, for example. Stitching  22  can pass through cover  14  and strap  12 , forming a pocket for absorbent  16 , for example. Alternatively, stitching  22  can pass through cover  14  and absorbent  16  and strap  12 . Stitching  22  can also be applied to provide attachment of hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20  to strap  12 . Alternatively, hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20  can be attached to strap  12  by adhesive or other means. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the fabric scent diffuser  10  of  FIG. 1A  wrapped around so that hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20  are in contact with each other. Hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20 , are chosen to be sufficiently strong so as to remain fastened under the considerable stress as would typically be applied by an animal rubbing, scratching at, biting at, or playing with fabric scent diffuser  10  when attached to a pet collar by hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for example. The positions of hook and loop A  18  and hook and loop B  20  can be reversed, as long as one of them is on each side of strap  12 , and near each end of strap  12 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the fabric scent diffuser  10  of  FIG. 1A  wrapped around an example pet collar  26  (not part of fabric scent diffuser  10 ). Pet collar  26  can be a typical collar placed around the neck of an animal, or can be a strap of a harness or halter, leash, tie-down, or other similar equipment. Fabric scent diffuser  10  can be attached to other equipment if desired, such as a pet cage, as long as the equipment has a place where fabric scent diffuser  10  can be passed around and secured to a portion of the equipment. 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5, and 6  illustrate another example fabric scent diffuser  110  of the present invention, similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Key components illustrated include strap  112 , absorbent  16 , cover  114 , stitching  22 , hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20 . In this case, absorbent  16  and cover  114  are aligned differently than absorbent  16  and cover  14  of  FIGS. 1-3 . This different alignment can be useful when fabric scent diffuser  110  is to be attached to a narrower pet collar  126 , for example, and provides a corresponding narrower passage for pet collar  124 . 
     Similar fabric scent diffusers can be made by incorporating additional layer(s) of absorbent  16  or additional layer(s) of cover  14 . For example, a “pillow” can be made of two layers of cover  14 , filled with absorbent  16  which is located between the two layers of cover  14 . This completed “pillow” can be attached to strap  12 , forming a structure quite similar to those of  FIGS. 1-6 , but with an additional layer of cover  14 . A similar modification can be incorporated into fabric scent diffuser  110  or other fabric scent diffusers of the present invention. 
     A plurality of fabric scent diffusers can be attached to a pet collar, or other pet equipment in a manner similar to that shown on  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
       FIGS. 7A-D  illustrate steps in fabrication of a fabric scent diffuser according to the present invention. First, strap  12 , absorbent  16 , cover  14 , and stitching  22  are provided. Next, cover  14  is attached to strap  12  by hand or machine stitching around most of cover  14  (such as 3 sides of a 4 sided cover, indicated as stitched portion of cover  220 ) forming a pocket with an open access portion (indicated as non-stitched portion of cover  222 ). Then, absorbent  16  is stuffed into the pocket, and additional stitching  224  is applied to close the pocket and retain absorbent  16 . Attachment of hook and loop A  18 , and hook and loop B  20  are then attached by stitching or by adhesive attachment as described above. A similar approach can be used with an additional layer of cover  14 , as descried above, by first forming a pillow by stitching two layers of cover  14  with absorbent  16  between the layers of cover  14 , and then stitching the pillow to strap  12 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates fabric scent diffuser kit  300  including fabric scent diffuser  310 , sealable scent oil container  330 , scent oil or solution  340 , and sealable scent diffuser storage container  360  to protect fabric scent diffuser  310  and slow the drying out of scent oil or solution  340  which has been applied to fabric scent diffuser  310 . Optionally, the kit can further include an applicator such as an eyedropper, or a tip for the sealable scent oil container  330 , to facilitate controlled application of scent oil or solution  340  to fabric scent diffuser  310 . Optionally, the kit can include a plurality of scent oil containers  330 , instructions for use, or a kit case to store the scent oil container(s)  330  (containing scent oils or solutions  340 ) and the sealable scent diffuser storage container  360  (with fabric scent diffuser  310  inside). 
     Cover ( 14 ,  114 , etc.) is illustrated herein as square or diamond shaped. While these are shapes used by the inventor for covers, other shapes can also be used. For example, triangular, rectangular, rhomboid, or other polygonal shapes can be used, round or oval shapes can be used, or arbitrary curves or combination shapes, as long as they are chosen to fit with the appropriate strap ( 12 ,  112 , etc.) and can be effectively stitched to cover and secure absorbent  16 . Cover  14  can even be shaped similarly to strap  12 ; in this case fabric scent diffuser  10  could be two layers of fabric stitched together with absorbent  16  captured between them, and hook and loop A  18  and hook and loop B  20  attached near the ends. Similarly, strap ( 12 ,  112 , etc.) is illustrated herein as rectangular, but could be tapered, curved, or have combination of shapes, as long as the shapes are chosen to fit with cover ( 14 ,  114 , etc.) and allow effective stitching to cover and secure absorbent  16 . The pillow structure and fabrication approach described above can easily allow alternative shapes such as these. Further, a more three-dimensional shape can be utilized, where additional absorbent material is stuffed into a pocket or pillow, or stitching is used retain a thicker portion or to form quilted or other shape. 
     The fabric of the present fabric scent diffuser is chosen for superior wicking and diffusion, fabrication characteristics, durability, and aesthetics. Various fabrics could be utilized, but the best fabric so far discovered for use in the present fabric scent diffuser is felted knit wool fabric. The felting process typically uses water, heat, and agitation to densify the knitted wool. During the felting process, small scales on the wool deform, changing the flexibility of the fabric and locking the structure together more firmly, while the fabric generally shrinks in overall size. The specific knitted wool structure which was discovered to be most useful for the present fabric scent diffuser, is a “four-color”, or technically four-strand (since color primarily affects the appearance rather than the resulting structure) double-bed jacquard knit material. When felted, this material provides a dense yet flexible, beautiful but durable, material for the present fabric scent diffuser. In addition, this material resists fraying at the edges, so that it eliminates the need to stitch or otherwise reinforce the cut edges of the fabric. Further, the resulting fabric structure provides effective wicking of scent oil or solution, and diffusion of scent when used in the present fabric scent diffuser. 
     The structure of the present fabric scent diffuser, being primarily layers of fabric, lays down and conforms closely to the animal&#39;s body and to the collar. This conformity is useful in reducing the “catching” of the fabric scent diffuser, so that the fabric scent diffuser is less likely to be dislodged by the animal scratching or other activity. The structure also provides flexibility and “give”, which enhances the comfort and aesthetic qualities of the fabric scent diffuser. 
     Fabric scent diffusers of the present invention provide many advantages over prior approaches, including the following. The area for diffusion is greater than in prior approaches with a small access hole. The fabric, and especially the preferred felted four-strand double-bed jacquard knit wool fabric as described above, provides improved wicking and diffusion of scent. The fabric, and especially the preferred felted four-strand double-bed jacquard knit wool fabric as described above, provides enhanced durability and resistance to fraying. The structure of the present fabric scent diffuser, being primarily of fabric, has no sharp edges, and will not fracture during abuse, and is thus safer for an animal. The structure of the present fabric scent diffuser, being primarily layers of fabric, will lay more compactly and closely against the collar and the animal and conforms and integrates better with the animal configuration and curves and shapes of the animal&#39;s body. 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope thereof. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
           10  fabric scent diffuser 
           12  strap 
           14  cover 
           16  absorbent 
           18  hook and loop A 
           20  hook and loop B 
           22  stitching 
           24  passage for pet collar 
           26  pet collar 
           110  fabric scent diffuser 
           112  strap 
           114  cover 
           124  passage for pet collar 
           126  pet collar 
           220  stitched portion of cover 
           222  non-stitched portion of cover 
           224  stitching (final portion) 
           300  fabric scent diffuser kit 
           310  fabric scent diffuser 
           330  scent oil container 
           340  scent oil or solution 
           360  scent diffuser storage container