Abstract:
A holder for holding a clothing or apparel article, the holder comprises a main body for supporting a clothing article and a plug-in module carrying a scent treatment substance. The scent treatment substance is adapted for scent emission and/or odor absorption. The plug-in module is adapted to disseminate scent to the ambient and/or to absorb odor from the ambient so that scent can be disseminated by the holder to the clothing item supported on the holder or odor can be absorbed from the ambient.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to holders, and more particularly to clothing or apparel holders such as clothing racks and cloth hangers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Holders are widely used for hanging or supporting articles such as clothing or apparels. Clothing articles are typically stored in a closed environment such as wardrobes or closets when not in use. As the storage may be for an extended period of time, the articles may absorb unpleasant scents or the unpleasant scents already absorbed prior to storage may not disperse. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is provided a holder for holding a clothing or apparel article. The holder comprises a main body for supporting a clothing article and a plug-in module carrying a scent treatment substance. The scent treatment substance is adapted for scent emission and/or odor absorption, and the plug-in module is adapted to disseminate scent to the ambient and/or to absorb odor from the surrounding ambient. This holder is advantageous because smelly residual odor on a clothing article or in a closed storing environment could be mitigated and/or pleasant scent could be imparted onto the clothing article. 
     The main body may comprise a receptacle which defines a window compartment for detachably receiving the plug-in module. Such an arrangement permits removal or exchange of the plug-in module as and when necessary to extend the usable life of the holder. 
     The window compartment may extend through the main body and the receptacle is arranged such that opposite major surfaces of the plug-in module are outwardly facing when the plug-in module is received by the receptacle, and wherein the opposite major surfaces are surfaces through which scent is emitted from the plug-in module or through which odor is absorbed by the plug-in module. 
     This enhances scent dissemination and/or odor absorption effectiveness. 
     The plug-in module may comprise a container inside which a scent treatment substance is stored, and wherein at least one outwardly facing major surfaces of the container is perforated to permit emission of scent or absorption of odor. This permits refill or replacement of the scent treatment substances. The oppositely facing major surfaces of the plug-in module may be perforated. 
     It is appreciated that the perforations enhance scent treatment effects. To mitigate leaking or spillage, the scented substance may be in solid or semi-solid gel, wax or pad form. 
     In an example, the main body and the plug-in module may comprise corresponding stop portions, the corresponding stop portions being arranged to interact to limit the plug-in depth relative to the main body. The corresponding stop portions, preferably complementarily shaped, operate to bring the plug-in module into an aligned position with respect to the main body upon insertion by a user. The aligned position is preferably arranged such that the plug-in module does not protrude or project from the main body. 
     The plug-in module may comprise a lidded container and a first stop portion part, the first stop portion part comprising a tab which projects laterally away from the lid of the container. The tab as a stop portion also serves a second function as a finger tip engaging means to facilitate removal of the plug-in module when required. 
     The lidded container comprises a hinge such that the lid is moveable between open and closed positions about the hinge, the hinge projecting laterally away from the container and forming a second stop portion part of the plug-in module. The hinge, preferably elongate and more preferably integrally moulded on the container, while operating as a hinged connection between the lid and the main body of the container, also serve a secondary function as a stop portion. A stop means having dual functions facilitate a more compact plug-in module as well as cost reduction. 
     The stop portion on the main body may be indented and defining recesses, the recesses being shaped to complementarily receive the stop portion on the plug-in module. The complementarily shaped stop portions on the main body and the plug-in module facilitate self-alignment between corresponding parts, thereby facilitating a convenient snap-fit insertion of the plug-in module for user convenience. 
     The depth of the recesses may be such that the stop portion on the plug-in module is flush with or below the surface of the main body when the plug-in module is received by the receptacle. 
     The window compartment of the receptacle may be adapted for frictionally holding the plug-in module. For example, the peripheral wall of the window compartment may be coated with or covered by a soft frictional material for frictionally holding the plug-in module. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a plug-in module carrying a scent treatment substance for use with a cloth hanger or clothing holder, wherein the plug-in module is adapted for snap-fit attachment onto a receptacle on the cloth hanger or clothing holder. 
     Stop portions may be formed on the plug-in module, the stop portions being adapted to interact with corresponding stop portions on the receptacle on the cloth hanger or clothing holder to restrict the depth of movement into the receptacle. 
     One of the stop portions may be a tab adapted for engaging a finger-tip of a user to facilitate removal of the plug-in module from the receptacle when mounted therein. 
     One of the stop portions may be an elongate hinge on the plug-in module. 
     The plug-in module may comprise a container filled with a scent treatment substance, the container being perforated to disseminate scent to the ambient and/or to absorb odor from the ambient. 
     The container may be lidded, and the finger engaging tab may be formed on a side edge of the lid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings or figures, in which:— 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a cloth hanger illustrating an example of a clothing holder; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the cloth hanger of  FIG. 1  with a plug-in module detached; 
         FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view of a central portion and the plug-in module of the cloth hanger of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a first perspective view of the plug-in module; 
         FIG. 3A  is a second perspective view of the plug-in module; 
         FIGS. 4 and 4A  are respectively first and second perspective views of the plug-in module with lid opened; and 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the plug-in module of  FIG. 4  filled with scent emitting or scent absorbing substances. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An example cloth hanger  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrates a non-limiting example of a holder, such as a clothing holder or a clothing rack. The cloth hanger  100  of  FIG. 1  comprises a main body  120  and a hanging head  140  for attaching the cloth hanger to a support rail (not shown). The main body  120  is made of plastics and comprises a central portion  122  which is intermediate two laterally extending wing portions  124 ,  126 . The central portion and the lateral wing portions are integrally moulded or formed as a single piece. Exemplary materials suitable for forming the main body include hard plastics, aluminum alloy or wood. The laterally extending wing portions form a shoulder portion of the cloth hanger and each wing portion slopes slight downwards as it extends laterally away from the central portion. 
     The hanging head is centrally mounted on the central portion and extends vertically upwards from the central portion. The hanging head comprises a curved hook portion  142  which is connected to the central portion via a straight neck portion  144 . The head portion is vertically above the center of gravity (CG) of the main body such that the wing portions are substantially symmetrical about a vertical line passing through the head portion when freely suspended with the curved hook portion hanged on a rail. The head portion is rotatable about the neck portion as a swivel axis so that the angular orientation of the main body with respect to the curved hook portion is variable by relative rotation between the main body and the head portion. 
     As shown more clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a receptacle is formed on the central portion and vertically below the head portion. The receptacle comprises a compartment  128  which is adapted for receiving a plug-in module  160 . The plug-in module is adapted for receiving scent generating substances such as a gel or pad of fragrance or essential oil, or odor absorption substances, such as activated charcoal powder or bamboo powder. For the sake of brevity, scent generating substances, and odor absorption substances or the like, are collectively referred to as scent treatment substances herein unless the context requires otherwise. The compartment is shaped and dimensioned for a closely-fitted reception of the plug-in module so that the plug-in module can stay in an operation position after insertion, and can be inserted or removed by hand without using a tool. 
     The compartment is defined by a peripheral wall  130  which forms an outer boundary of a window within which the plug-in module  160  is detachably received. The window penetrates through the central portion to define a through window bore so that both major surfaces of the through window can be utilized for scent operation. Shallow recesses  132 ,  134  are formed on opposite edges of the peripheral wall to accommodate stop portions formed on corresponding edges on the plug-in module. Each recess is formed on the central portion and comprises a shallow shelf which extends laterally away from the peripheral wall. The shallow recess does not pass through the main body and is provided such that a plug-in module comprising a pair of laterally extending wing portions is prevented from exiting from a side opposite to the side of insertion due to blockage by the portion of the main body underlying the shallow shelf. The shallow shelves collectively define stop portions on the main body to interact with corresponding stop portions of the plug-in module to limit movement of the plug-in module into the receptacle. The depth of the shelf below the main body surface is arranged such that the respective outer surfaces of the stop portions of the plug-in module are flush or below with the main body surface. In this example, the depth of the indentations is about one-third of the thickness of the central portion. 
     The peripheral wall is covered with a fabric-like or frictional material such as velvet, or coated with distributed rubber or silicone dots to enhance smooth frictional engagement with the plug-in module. The coating or covering may extend to other portions of the cloth hanger, especially the portions which are in contact with clothing articles when in use. 
     The plug-in module  160  is detachable from the main body  120  and comprises an integrally moulded container. The container comprises a housing body which defines a compartment  162  for carrying scent emitting substances or scent absorbing substances. Distributed perforations are formed on major surfaces  164 ,  166  of the container to allow scent or odor passage. The container is shaped and arranged such that its perforated surfaces are exposed when the plug-in module is duly received within the receptacle on the main body. More particularly, the perforated surfaces are outwardly facing to enhance scent absorption or emission area. The example container of  FIGS. 3 and 3A  is mouled of clear plastics so that the level of scent absorption or emission substances stored in the plug-in module can be visually inspected and monitored while mounted on the receptacle. The container is lidded to permit refill, replenishing or replacement of the scent treatment substances. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  4 A and  4 B, a laterally extending tab  172  is formed on the top cover of the container. This tab is provided to receive a fingertip of a user to enable a user to open the container lid as well as to push and press the container in position into the receptacle. Incidentally, this tab also forms a stop portion which interacts with the shelf on the main body to limit advancement of the container through the receptacle after insertion. In addition, this lid is connected to the housing body via an elongate hinge  174 . The elongate hinge is moulded on the housing body and projects laterally outwards from the housing body. Incidentally, this elongate lid forms another stop portion on the plug-in module. As the elongate hinge and the tab are on opposite major sides of the plug-in module, stop portions are therefore also distributed on opposite major sides of the plug-in module to provide a balanced stop arrangement. 
     The overall thickness of the plug-in module is arranged such that when the plug in module is duly placed in the receptacle, the major or perforated surfaces of the plug-in module are flush with or below the surfaces of the main body of the cloth hanger to mitigate contact induce damage to the clothing articles. 
     In use, a user inserts a plug-in module filled with scent treatment substance into the receptacle and press the plug-in module firmly against the main body to ensure due retention by the receptacle. The scent treatment substances inside the compartment of the plug-in module emit scent or absorbs odor via the perforations on the major surfaces of the plug-in module to condition the clothing articles supported by the cloth hanger. 
     When a plug-in module is to be removed, a user applies a finger tip against the tab portion, tilt it and lift the plug-in module to remove it. The user can then refill, replenish, or change the scent treatment substances after removal and then return the plug-in module into the receptacle. Alternatively, a user may simply remove and change another plug in module or to dispose of the plug-in module without replacement as and when desired. 
     While the tab and elongate hinge also operate as stop portions, it should be appreciated that additional or alternative stop portion can be formed on the plug-in module without loss of generality. In addition, a plug-in module may contain no scent treatment substances when it is desirable to fill up the window on the main body. 
     The scented substances may be homogenized in wax, gel or compressed block form to mitigate leakage or spillage. Alternatively, the scented substances may be stored on an absorption pad. In a further alternative, the major or outward facing surfaces of the plug-in module may be formed of porous materials to permit odor of scent passage. In a yet further alternative, the plug-in module may be formed of scent treatment substances in which case the plug-in module is a plug-in capsule of scent treatment substances. When in the capsule form, the stop portions may be integrally formed as part of the capsule. 
     While embodiment of the present invention has been explained with reference to the examples above, the embodiments are non-limiting examples for illustrating the present invention and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. For example, while an embodiment has been explained with reference to a rectangular container, it should be appreciated that the rectangular container could be of any appropriate shape such as cylindrical, polygonal or triangular without loss of generality. Furthermore, while the example plug-in module is moulded of clear plastics, it may be formed of other materials without affecting its performance.