Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a scented USB drive includes providing a fragrance; providing a molding composition; mixing the fragrance with the molding composition, the mixing forming a molding compound; injecting the molding compound into a mold and around a recess configured to receive a circuit board; and cooling the molding compound until the solid USB drive is formed, the solid scented USB drive emitting a selective scent.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to portable data storage devices, such as universal serial bus drives, and more particularly, to scented portable storage devices. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Universal serial bus (“USB”) drives are conventionally constructed of a rectangular plastic casing surrounding a computer circuit board coupled to a connector. USB drives may also include a rectangular plastic cap that is removable at one end to expose the connector of the USB drive, for the purpose of inserting into a computer. Few modifications or features to make the USB drives more appealing and marketable have been introduced over the years, and consequently the lack of distinguishing features amongst the different USB drives currently available make consumers&#39; choice difficult. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The methods and devices described herein provide for USB drives that are particularly appealing and marketable, with robust and efficient form factors. According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a scented USB drive may be summarized as including providing a fragrance; providing a molding composition; and mixing the fragrance with the molding composition. The fragrance may be liquid based or powder based. The molding composition may include liquid silicone or liquid PVC. The mixing may form a molding compound. The method may further include injecting the molding compound into a mold and around a recess configured to receive a circuit board; and cooling the molding compound until a solid USB drive is formed. The solid scented USB drive may emit a selective scent. 
         [0006]    According to another embodiment, a USB drive may be summarized as including a housing enclosing a circuit board of the USB drive and a cover configured to be removably coupled to the housing. The cover and the housing may comprise a molding compound including a fragrance and a molding composition. The molding compound can be configured to emit a selective scent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a scented USB drive in a closed configuration, according to one embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 1  in the closed configuration. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a scented USB drive in a closed configuration, according to another embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 4  in the closed configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 4  in an open configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a scented USB drive in a closed configuration, according to another embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 7  in the closed configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 7  in an open configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a scented USB drive in a closed configuration, according to another embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 10  in the closed configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 10  in an open configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of a scented USB drive in a closed configuration, according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 13  in the closed configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the scented USB drive of  FIG. 13  in an open configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices associated with USB drives and methods to manufacture the same may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
         [0023]    Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0024]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0025]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate a scented USB drive  10  according to one embodiment.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the scented USB drive  10  in a closed configuration.  FIG. 3  illustrates the scented USB drive  10  in an open configuration. The USB drive  10  includes a housing  12  and a cover  14 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the cover  14  is configured to be removably coupled to the housing  12  when in the open configuration. When the cover  14  is coupled to the housing  12 , the illustrated USB drive  10  advantageously creates a general shape of an ice cream bar, or other frozen confection. In particular, the housing  12  includes a representation to depict an ice cream bar. For example, the USB drive  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  includes labels  15   a,    15   b  which display eyes, mouth, various color schemes, etc., to depict the ice cream bar. These labels  15   a ,  15   b  can be coupled to the housing  12  and/or the cover  14 , respectively. For example, the labels  15   a,    15   b  can be adhesively coupled to the housing  12  and/or the cover  14 . 
         [0027]    The housing  12  forms a lower portion of the USB drive  10  when in the closed configuration. The housing  12  includes a main body  16 . The main body  16  encloses therein a circuit board of the USB drive  10 . The circuit board is coupled to a connector  18  in a known manner. The connector  18  may be a USB 3.0 A-type, B-Type, Micro or Mini, or other type of connector. The main body  16  provides a protective shield to the circuit board and also to the connector  18  when the housing  12  is coupled to the cover  14 , in the closed configuration. The connector  18  extends outwardly a certain distance from an upper surface  20  of the main body  16 . In particular, the upper surface  20  includes an aperture  22  to allow the connector  18  to protrude outwardly from the main body  16 . The distance of protrusion of the connector  18  may be adjustable, such that the USB drive  10  can be coupleably received by a device, such as a personal computer, printer, mobile phone, or the like. For example, such devices may have a USB port with a certain depth to coupleably receive the USB drive  10 . The protrusion of the connector  18  may therefore be sized and shaped to be coupleably received by such devices. 
         [0028]    The illustrated housing  12  includes a stick portion  24  located at a lower surface  26  of the housing  12 . The stick portion  24  is generally semi-cylindrically shaped and, further, sized and shaped to create an appearance of a stick of the ice cream bar. 
         [0029]    The housing  12  also includes a projection  28 . The projection  28  can be located proximal to an intersection of a lower side of the main body  16  and a side extending perpendicularly from the lower side of the main body  16 . The projection  28  is cylindrically shaped and includes a utility aperture  30  extending therethrough. The utility aperture  30  of the projection  28  can be configured such that the USB drive  10  can be coupled to holding devices. For example, the utility aperture  30  can be removably coupled to a key chain ring, identification badge lanyard, or the like. 
         [0030]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the cover  14  forms an upper portion of the USB drive  10  when in the closed configuration. The illustrated cover  14  is generally semi-cylindrically shaped. The cover  14  includes a lower surface  29  which extends laterally and longitudinally. The lower surface  29  is configured such that, when the cover  14  is coupleably received by the housing  12 , the cover  14  substantially abuts or makes contact with the upper surface  20  of the housing  12 . More particularly, the area of the lower surface  29  (i.e., length, width) can be substantially similar to the area (i.e., length, width) of the upper surface  20  of the housing  12 . In this manner, when the cover  14  is coupled to the housing  12 , the USB drive  10  appears as a unitary structure. 
         [0031]    The cover  14  includes a cavity  32  extending through the lower surface  29 . The cavity  32  can be configured to have a peripheral area (i.e., length, width) which is the same or slightly less than the peripheral area (i.e., length, width) of the connector  18 , such that the cover  14  can be removably coupleably received by the housing  12 . Further, the cavity  32  extends through the cover  14  a certain depth, which may be at least the same depth or more than the protrusion of the connector  18  from the upper surface  20  of the housing  12 . Again, in this manner, when the cover  14  is coupleably received by the housing  12 , the USB drive  10  appears as a unitary structure. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 4 through 6  illustrate a USB drive  110  according to another embodiment. The USB drive  110  provides a variation in which the USB drive  110  includes a housing  112  and a cover  114 , where the housing  112  forms an upper portion and the cover  114  forms a lower portion of the USB drive  110 , when in a closed configuration. More particularly, the housing  112  and the cover  114  are configured to be removably coupleable to each other to advantageously create a general shape of a bottle, such as a soda bottle, for example. Again, the housing  112  and the cover  114  can include a representation to depict the bottle. For example, the USB drive  110  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 6  includes labels  115   a ,  115   b  which display eyes, mouth, level of liquid, various color schemes, etc., to depict the bottle. These labels  115   a,    115   b  can be coupled to the housing  112  and/or the cover  114 , respectively. For example, the labels  115   a,    115   b  can be adhesively coupled to the housing  112  and/or the cover  114 . 
         [0033]    Again, the housing  112  includes a main body  116 . The main body  116  encloses therein a circuit board of the USB drive  110 . The circuit board is coupled to a connector  118  in a known manner. The connector  118  may be a USB 3.0 A-type, B-Type, Micro or Mini, or other type of connector. The main body  116  provides a protective shield to the circuit board and also to the connector  118  when the cover  114  is coupled to the housing  112  in the closed configuration. As noted above, the connector  118  extends outwardly a certain distance from a lower surface  120  of the main body  116 . In particular, the lower surface  120  can include an aperture  122  to allow the connector  118  to protrude outwardly from the main body  116 . The distance of protrusion of the connector  118  may be adjustable to be coupleably received by a device, such as a personal computer, printer, mobile phone, or the like. For example, such devices may have a USB port with a certain depth to coupleably receive the USB drive  110 . The protrusion of the connector  118  may therefore be sized and shaped to be coupleably received by such devices. 
         [0034]    Again, the housing  112  also includes a projection  128 . The illustrated projection  128  can be located proximal to an intersection of an upper side of the main body  116  and a side extending at an angle from the upper side of the main body  116 . The projection  128  is cylindrically shaped and includes a utility aperture  130  extending therethrough. The utility aperture  130  of the projection  128  can be configured such that the USB drive  110  can be coupled to holding devices. For example, the utility aperture  130  can be removably coupled to a key chain ring, identification badge lanyard, or the like. 
         [0035]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the cover  114  forms a lower portion of the USB drive  110  when in the closed configuration. The illustrated cover  114  is generally rectangularly shaped. As noted above, the cover  114  can be configured such that, when the cover  114  is coupleably received by the housing  112 , the cover  114  substantially abuts or makes contact with a corresponding surface of the housing  112  in a manner to allow the USB drive  110  to appear as a unitary structure 
         [0036]    Again, the cover  114  can include a cavity  132  extending through an upper surface. As noted above, the cavity  132  is configured such that, when the cover  114  is coupleably received by the housing  112 , the connector  118  is coupleably received in the cavity  132  and, further, provides an appearance of a unitary structure of the USB drive  110 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7 through 9  illustrate a USB drive  210  according to another embodiment. The USB drive  210  provides a variation in which the USB drive  210  includes a housing  212  and a cover  214 , where the housing  212  forms a lower portion and the cover  214  forms an upper portion of the USB drive  210  when in a closed configuration. More particularly, the housing  212  and the cover  214  are configured to be removably coupleable to each other to advantageously create a general shape of a cake, such as a cup cake, for example. Again, the housing  212  and the cover  214  can include a representation to depict the cake. For example, the USB drive  210  illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 9  includes labels  215   a,    215   b  which display eyes, mouth, level of sprinkles, various color schemes, etc., to depict the cake, although  FIGS. 8 and 9  depict the USB drive  210  with at least some labels removed for clarity of illustration. These labels  215   a,    215   b  can be coupled to the housing  212  and/or the cover  214 , respectively. For example, the labels  215   a,    215   b  can be adhesively coupled to the housing  212  and/or the cover  214 . 
         [0038]    Again, the housing  212  includes a main body  216 . The main body  216  encloses therein a circuit board of the USB drive  210 . The circuit board is coupled to a connector  218  in a known manner. The connector  218  may be a USB 3.0 A-type, B-Type, Micro or Mini, or other type of connector. The main body  216  provides a protective shield to the circuit board and also to the connector  218  when the cover  214  is coupled to the housing  212  in the closed configuration. As noted above, the connector  218  extends outwardly a certain distance from an upper surface  220  of the main body  216 . In particular, the upper surface  220  can include an aperture  222  to allow the connector  218  to protrude outwardly from the main body  216 . The distance of protrusion of the connector  218  may be adjustable to be coupleably received by a device, such as a personal computer, printer, mobile phone, or the like. For example, such devices may have a USB port with a certain depth to coupleably receive the USB drive  210 . The protrusion of the connector  218  may therefore be sized and shaped be coupleably received in such devices. 
         [0039]    Again, the illustrated housing  212  also includes a projection  228 . The projection  228  can be located proximal to an intersection of a lower side of the main body  216  and a side extending at an angle from the lower side of the main body  216 . The illustrated projection  228  is cylindrically shaped and includes a utility aperture  230  extending therethrough. The utility aperture  230  of the projection  228  is configured such that the USB drive  210  can be coupled to holding devices. For example, the utility aperture  230  can be removably coupled to a key chain ring, identification badge lanyard, or the like. 
         [0040]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 7 through 9 , the cover  214  forms an upper portion of the USB drive  210  when in the closed configuration. The illustrated cover  214  is generally curvilinearly shaped to represent icing or frosting of a cup cake. As noted above, the cover  214  can be configured such that, when the cover  214  is coupleably received by the housing  212 , the cover  214  substantially abuts or makes contact with a corresponding surface of the housing  212  in a manner to allow the USB drive  210  to appear as a unitary structure. 
         [0041]    Again, the cover  214  can include a cavity  232  extending through a lower surface. As noted above, the cavity  232  is configured such that, when the cover  214  is coupleably received by the housing  212 , the connector  218  is coupleably received in the cavity  232  and, further, provides an appearance of a unitary structure of the USB drive  210 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 10 through 12  illustrate a USB drive  310  according to another embodiment. The USB drive  310  provides a variation in which the USB drive  310  includes a housing  312  and a cover  314 , where the housing  312  forms a lower portion and the cover  314  forms an upper portion of the USB drive  310  when in a closed configuration. More particularly, the housing  312  and the cover  314  are configured to be removably coupleable to each other to advantageously create a general shape of a donut, such as a jelly donut, for example. Again, the housing  312  and the cover  314  can include a representation to depict the donut. For example, the USB drive  310  illustrated in  FIGS. 10 through 12  includes labels  315   a,    315   b  which display eyes, mouth, jelly, various color schemes, etc., to depict the donut. These labels  315   a,    315   b  can be coupled to the housing  312  and/or the cover  314 , respectively. For example, the labels  315   a,    315   b  can be adhesively coupled to the housing  312  and/or the cover  314 . 
         [0043]    Again, the housing  312  includes a main body  316 . The main body  316  encloses therein a circuit board of the USB drive  310 . The circuit board is coupled to a connector  318  in a known manner. The connector  318  may be a USB 3.0 A-type, B-Type, Micro or Mini, or other type of connector. The main body  316  provides a protective shield to the circuit board and also to the connector  318  when the cover  314  is coupled to the housing  312  in the closed configuration. As noted above, the connector  318  extends outwardly a certain distance from an upper surface  320  of the main body  316 . In particular, the upper surface  320  can include an aperture  322  to allow the connector  318  to protrude outwardly from the main body  316 . The distance of protrusion of the connector  318  may be adjustable to be coupleably received by a device, such as a personal computer, printer, mobile phone, or the like. For example, such devices may have a USB port with a certain depth to coupleably receive the USB drive. The protrusion of the connector  318  may therefore be sized and shaped to be coupleably received in such devices. 
         [0044]    Again, the illustrated housing  312  also includes a projection  328 . The projection  328  is located along a circumferential surface of the main body  316 . The illustrated projection  328  is cylindrically shaped and includes a utility aperture  330  extending therethrough. The utility aperture  330  of the projection  328  is configured such that the USB drive  310  can be coupled to holding devices. For example, the utility aperture  330  can be removably coupled to a key chain ring, identification badge lanyard, or the like. 
         [0045]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 10 through 12 , the cover  314  forms an upper portion of the USB drive  310  when in the closed configuration. The illustrated cover  314  is generally semi-circularly shaped to represent an upper portion of a donut. As noted above, the cover  314  can be configured such that, when the cover  314  is coupleably received by the housing  312 , the cover  314  substantially abuts or makes contact with a corresponding surface of the housing  312  in a manner to allow the USB drive  310  to appear as a unitary structure. 
         [0046]    Again, the cover  314  can include a cavity  332  extending through a lower surface. As noted above, the cavity  332  can be configured such that, when the cover  314  is coupleably received by the housing  312 , the connector  318  is coupleably received in the cavity  332  and, further, provides an appearance of a unitary structure of the USB drive  310 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 13 through 15  illustrate a USB drive  410  according to yet another embodiment. The USB drive  410  provides a variation in which the USB drive  410  includes a housing  412  and a cover  414 , where the housing  412  forms a lower portion and the cover  414  forms an upper portion of the USB drive  410  when in a closed configuration. More particularly, the housing  412  and the cover  414  are configured to be removably coupleable to each other to advantageously create a general shape of an ice cream cone, such as a rainbow sherbet ice cream cone, for example. Again, the housing  412  and the cover  414  can include a representation to depict the rainbow sherbet ice cream cone. For example, the USB drive  410  illustrated in  FIGS. 13 through 15  includes labels  415   a,    415   b  which display eyes, mouth, cone, various color schemes, etc., to represent the ice cream cone. These labels  415   a,    415   b  can be coupled to the housing  412  and/or the cover  414 , respectively. For example, the labels  415   a,    415   b  can be adhesively coupled to the housing  412  and/or the cover  414 . 
         [0048]    Again, the housing  412  includes a main body  416 . The main body  416  encloses therein a circuit board of the USB drive  410 . The circuit board is coupled to a connector  418  in a known manner. The connector  418  may be a USB 3.0 A-type, B-Type, Micro or Mini, or other type of connector. The main body  416  provides a protective shield to the circuit board and also to the connector  418  when the cover  414  is coupled to the housing  412  in the closed configuration. As noted above, the connector  418  extends outwardly a certain distance from an upper surface  420  of the main body  416 . In particular, the upper surface  420  can include an aperture  422  to allow the connector  418  to protrude outwardly from the main body  416 . The distance of protrusion of the connector  418  may be adjustable to be coupleably received by a device, such as a personal computer, printer, mobile phone, or the like. For example, such devices may have a USB port with a certain depth to coupleably receive the USB drive. The protrusion of the connector  418  may therefore be sized and shaped to be coupleably received in such devices. 
         [0049]    Again, the illustrated housing  412  also includes a projection  428 . The projection  428  is located proximal to an apex of sides of the main body  416 . These sides of the main body  416  are triangularly shaped and located at a lower portion of the main body  416 , depicting the ice cream cone. The illustrated projection  428  is cylindrically shaped and includes a utility aperture  430  extending therethrough. The utility aperture  430  of the projection  428  is configured such that the USB drive  410  can be coupled to holding devices. For example, the utility aperture  430  can be removably coupled to a key chain ring, identification badge lanyard, or the like. 
         [0050]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 13 through 15 , the cover  414  forms an upper portion of the USB drive  410  when in the closed configuration. The illustrated cover  414  is generally semi-circularly shaped to represent an upper portion of the ice cream. As noted above, the cover  414  can be configured such that, when the cover  414  is coupleably received by the housing  412 , the cover  414  substantially abuts or makes contact with a corresponding surface of the housing  412  in a manner to allow the USB drive  410  to appear as a unitary structure. 
         [0051]    Again, the cover  414  can include a cavity  432  extending through a lower surface. As noted above, the cavity  432  is configured such that, when the cover  414  is coupleably received by the housing  412 , the connector  418  is coupleably received in the cavity  432  and, further, provides an appearance of a unitary structure of the USB drive  410 . 
         [0052]    A method to manufacture the embodiments of the USB drives (e.g.,  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ) is also provided. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing compositions of fragrances. In some embodiments, the fragrances may be liquid-based fragrance. In other embodiments, the fragrances may be powder-based. The fragrance may take a wide variety of forms, such as aqueous, alcoholic, oil based solutions, or any petroleum based compound. In particular, the fragrances are configured to have a selective aroma, such as strawberry, coffee, orange cream, etc. The fragrance is thereafter poured into a holder device containing a composition comprising a molding composition, such as silicone. The silicone may be in liquid phase or form, such as curable liquid silicone rubber, for example. The liquid silicone may be provided in two parts, such as Part A and Part B, for example, and may include catalysts to improve cure times. The Parts A and B may be mixed together into final liquid silicone form. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, prior to pouring the fragrance, the liquid silicone may be heated to temperatures between 200° F. to 400° F., or any other suitable temperatures, in a heat chamber, for example. In other embodiments, the fragrance and the liquid silicone may be heated together to suitable temperatures, after pouring the fragrance into the liquid silicone composition. The fragrance, once poured into the holding device containing liquid silicone, may be mixed and stirred for a certain duration. For example, in some embodiments, the fragrance and the liquid silicone may be mixed for a duration of 30 minutes, one hour, two hours, or any other suitable duration. 
         [0054]    The fragrance may be provided in optimal percentages by weight or volume. For example, in some embodiments, the fragrance may comprise between about 5 to 20% by weight or volume of the total solution or the molding compound. In other embodiments, the fragrance may comprise about 15% by weight or volume of the total solution or the molding compound, with the remaining composition comprising mostly liquid silicone and other suitable additives. In particular, applicant has discovered, via experimentation and substantial field testing, that providing fragrances in such percentages optimizes the released aroma or scent of the fragrance. For example, by providing fragrance in about 15% by weight or volume, the aroma or scent released may have optimal strength and may be released for a duration of up to about six months. In some embodiments, the percentage of fragrance may be selectively adjusted to selectively increase or decrease the duration the aroma or scent may be released from the various embodiments of the scented USB drives. 
         [0055]    The total solution or molding compound formed after mixing the fragrance and the liquid silicone may thereafter be injected or cast into a mold. In some embodiments, the total solution or molding compound may be cooled prior to injection. In other embodiments, the total solution or molding compound may remain at higher temperatures due to the heating of the total solution or molding compound, as described above, during injection. The mold may be configured such that a final exterior form of an article formed by the molding process may represent the various embodiments of the USB drives (e.g., 10, 110, 210, 310, 410) described herein. In some embodiments, the mold may include a recess. The recess can be configured to receive a circuit board of the USB drives. The total solution or molding compound may be injected into cavities of the mold via injectors or injection devices having suitable pressure and injection rates. Further, in some embodiments, the mold may also be subjected to heating to various temperatures, for example, temperatures ranging between 200° F. to 400° F., or any other suitable temperature. 
         [0056]    Thereafter, solidification or curing process may be initiated to solidify the total solution or molding compound into solid form. For example, in some embodiments, the mold may be cooled at ambient temperature for duration of between 30 minutes to about twenty four hours. In other embodiments, the mold may be cooled for between about 24 hours to about 48 hours at ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the solidification or curing process may include injecting a cooling liquid over the mold. The cooling liquid may be set to suitable temperatures to expedite the solidification step. Still further, in some embodiments, certain catalysts may be added to expedite the curing process. 
         [0057]    After the composition has solidified, the article in its final exterior form may be removed from the mold. The circuit board of the USB drive may then be inserted into the recess. The circuit board can be coupled to the final exterior form of the USB drive via adhesives. Thereafter, as noted above, selective labels may be affixed to the article. The labels may be adhesively affixed to the article. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, the fragrance may be poured into a holder device containing a composition comprising a molding composition, such as polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) (e.g., plastisol), for example, in lieu of silicone. The PVC may be in liquid phase or form. The PVC may be heated prior to pouring the fragrance or together with the fragrance. The fragrance, once poured into the holding device containing liquid PVC, may be mixed and stirred for a suitable duration, as discussed above. 
         [0059]    Again, the fragrance may be provided in optimal percentages by weight or volume. For example, in some embodiments, the fragrance may comprise between about 5 to 20% by weight or volume of the total solution or the molding compound. In other embodiments, the fragrance may comprise about 15% by weight or volume of the total solution or the molding compound, with the remaining composition comprising mostly liquid PVC and other suitable additives. In particular, applicant has discovered, via experimentation and substantial field testing, that providing fragrances in such percentages optimizes the released aroma or scent of the fragrance. Further, as discussed above, in some embodiments, the percentage of fragrance may be selectively adjusted. 
         [0060]    Again, the total solution or molding compound formed after mixing the fragrance and the liquid PVC may thereafter be injected or cast into a mold. In some embodiments, the total solution or molding compound may be cooled prior to injection. In other embodiments, the total solution or molding compound may remain at higher temperatures due to the heating of the total solution or molding compound, as described above, during injection. The mold may be configured such that a final exterior form of an article formed by the molding process may represent the various embodiments of the USB drives (e.g., 10, 110, 210, 310, 410) described herein. In some embodiments, the mold may include a recess. The recess can be configured to receive a circuit board of the USB drives. The total solution or molding compound may be injected into cavities of the mold via injectors or injection devices having suitable pressure and injection rates. Further, in some embodiments, the mold may also be subjected to heating to various temperatures, for example, temperatures ranging between  200 ° F. to  400 ° F., or any other suitable temperature. 
         [0061]    Thereafter, as discussed above, solidification or curing process may be initiated to solidify the total solution or molding compound into solid form, such as by cooling, for example. After the composition has solidified, the article in its final exterior form may be removed from the mold. As discussed above, the circuit board of the USB drives may then be inserted into the recess and coupled via adhesives. Selective labels may then be adhesively affixed to the articles. 
         [0062]    Moreover, the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0063]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.