Abstract:
A fragrance diffuser kit is provided comprising a decanter, a fragrance refill set, a removable snuffer cap and a removable decorative vented lid. The decanter may be selected from a plurality of unique and decorative designs that are suitable for prominent display as a piece of home décor. The fragrance refill set comprises a bottle of high-quality fragrance composition for filling the decanter and a replacement wick, whereby the user may select and change the fragrance emitted by the fragrance diffuser. The decanter incorporates a wick holder having a top opening that communicates with a top opening in the decanter body so that a wick from the fragrance refill set may be inserted and held in a position to absorb and emit the fragrance composition contained in the decanter. The snuffer cap may be used to stop the emission of the fragrance composition and the vented lid may be used to hide the wick and snuffer cap, if present.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to aromatic substance diffusers and in particular to passive or “static” fragrance diffusers. Specifically, this invention relates to a kit for providing a fragrance diffuser and a method for using it. 
     Fragrance diffusers comprising a reservoir for holding a fragrance composition and an absorbent wick for drawing the fragrance composition via capillary action to a surface from which the fragrance can evaporate into the surrounding environment are known. The fragrance composition absorbed in the wick is exposed to normal air currents within an environment to dispense the fragrance in vapors throughout the area without resorting to fans, jet sprays, heating devices, and so on. 
     Typically these fragrance diffuser products are designed to be thrown away when the fragrance composition has been expended. As such, the products are manufactured of inexpensive disposable materials and do not have the esthetically pleasing appearance and high quality that would allow them to be prominently displayed as part of the permanent décor of a home. In addition, such prior art fragrance diffusers are usually capable of dispensing only one fragrance and cannot be refilled. If a different fragrance is desired for a room, the entire diffuser has to be replaced with another one. Typically the choices of fragrance are limited and the fragrance composition does not have the unique and complex characteristics of a fine cosmetic perfume. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a fragrance diffuser kit useful for introducing a variety of sophisticated fragrances into a home environment. In one embodiment, the fragrance diffuser kit comprises a decanter, a fragrance refill set, a removable snuffer cap and a removable decorative vented lid. The decanter may be selected from a plurality of unique and decorative designs that are suitable for prominent display as a piece of home décor. The fragrance refill set allows the user to select and change the fragrance emitted by the fragrance diffuser. 
     In one embodiment, the decanter has a distinctive decorative hollow body with an annular top opening, and a wick holder fixedly secured to the hollow body. The wick holder has an annular top opening that communicates with the top opening of the decanter body. The fragrance refill set may contain a bottle of a volatile liquid fragrance composition for filling the decanter body and a rod-shaped wick adapted to be removably held by the wick holder of the decanter so that a bottom portion of the wick is immersed in fragrance composition contained in the decanter body and a top portion extends above the wick holder a distance sufficient to allow fragrance composition absorbed in the wick to evaporate therefrom. In one embodiment, the removable snuffer cap is adapted to be installed on the wick holder over the top portion of the wick. The removable decorative vented lid is adapted to cover the wick holder, the top portion of the wick and the snuffer cap, when present, and rest on the decanter body to add to the ornamental design of the diffuser. When the top portion of the wick is covered only by the vented lid, vapors of the fragrance composition are released through the vents and into the environment to depart a distinctive fragrance to the surroundings. When the top portion of the wick is covered by the snuffer cap, the release of fragrance is prevented. The decorative vented lid may be replaced over the wick holder to hide the snuffer cap. 
     In one embodiment, the decanter body has a protruding lip around the circumference of the top opening, and the wick holder comprises three vertically disposed concentric cylindrical sections; a top section, a middle section and a bottom section. The inner circumferences of the top and middle sections define a closed hollow passageway connecting the top opening in the decanter body to a top opening in the wick holder. The inner circumference of the bottom section engages the vertically protruding lip of the decanter body to secure the wick holder to the decanter body. The outer circumference of the middle section is larger than the outer circumference of the top section so as to form a ridge around the base of the top section upon which the snuffer cap may rest. The outer circumference of the bottom section is larger than the outer circumference of the middle section so as to form a ridge around the base of the middle section that hides the protruding lip of the decanter body. The fragrance diffuser kit of the invention may also comprise a set of instruction for using the kit. 
     The invention further provides a method of introducing a fragrance into a home environment. As a first step, a fragrance diffuser kit as described above may be selected. The fragrance composition contained in the bottle of the fragrance refill set may then be poured into the decanter body through the top opening of the wick holder, preferably using a funnel supplied with the fragrance refill set. The wick may then be inserted into the wick holder so that a bottom portion of the wick extends into the decanter body to be immersed by the fragrance composition contained therein, and a top portion extends above the top of the wick holder a distance sufficient to allow fragrance composition absorbed in the wick to evaporate therefrom into the surrounding environment. The wick holder may then be covered with the decorative vented lid. In one embodiment, the top portion of the wick may be covered with the snuffer cap to stop the evaporation of the fragrance composition before covering the wick holder with the decorative vented lid. 
     In another embodiment, the wick may be removed from the wick holder and any remaining liquid fragrance composition may be emptied from the decanter body. A second fragrance refill set containing a bottle of a second volatile liquid fragrance composition and a second rod-shaped wick may then be selected. The second liquid fragrance composition may be poured into the decanter body through the top opening of the wick holder, and the second rod-shaped wick may be inserted into the wick holder so that a bottom portion of the wick is immersed in the second fragrance composition contained in the decanter body and a top portion extends above the wick holder as previously described. The wick holder and the top portion of the second wick may then be covered with the decorative vented lid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary decanter, snuffer cap and vented lid contained in the fragrance diffuser kit of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary packaged fragrance refill set contained in the fragrance diffuser kit of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-section view of one embodiment of an exemplary wick holder contemplated by the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the pouring step according to the method of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the insertion of a wick into the wick holder of a decanter according to the method of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the covering of the wick holder and top portion of the wick with a vented lid in accordance with the method of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the covering of the top portion of the wick with a snuffer cap in accordance with the method of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numbers are used in different drawings to refer to the same element. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates exemplary embodiments of the decanter, snuffer cap and decorative vented lid elements of a fragrance diffuser kit according to the present invention. In one embodiment, decanter  10  may comprise a distinctive decorative hollow body  11  and a wick holder  12  having an annular top opening  13  that communicates with the interior of decanter body  11 . As will be described in more detail below, the hollow interior of decanter body  11  is adapted to be filled with a volatile liquid fragrance composition through top opening  13 , and wick holder  12  is adapted to removably hold a wick so that a bottom portion of the wick is immersed in the liquid fragrance composition in decanter body  11  and a top portion extends above the wick holder to be exposed to the atmosphere. Decanter body  11  is preferably manufactured from a durable inert material, such as glass or ceramic, that can be fashioned into a relatively permanent piece of décor similar to a vase, liquor decanter, ornamental bottle, etc. Decanter body  11  may take a wide variety of shapes, sizes and exterior surfaces. 
     Snuffer cap  14  may comprise a hollow cylinder having an open end  15  and a closed end  16 . As described in more detail below, open end  15  of snuffer cap  14  is adapted to removably engage with wick holder  12  so as to cover the exposed top portion of a wick that has been positioned within wick holder  12 . Snuffer cap  14  is preferably manufactured from a high gloss metallic material which matches the color and appearance of wick holder  12  and complements the design of decorative body  11  of decanter  10 . 
     Decorative vented lid  17  may comprise a circular base  18  and an open body  19 . Base  18  is configured to fit over the base of wick holder  12  and rest on the top of decanter body  11 . Open body  19  of lid  17  may comprise a wide variety of ornamental designs that provide vents, openings or spaces through which fragrance composition vapors may pass, yet open body  19  is substantial enough to effectively hide wick holder  12  and any wick held thereby, as well as snuffer cap  14  if present. For example, decorative vented lid  17  may be made of a shiny metallic material and take the shape of a crown having decorative cutout sides, or a cylinder with an open lattice framework, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary fragrance refill set contained in the fragrance diffuser kit of the invention. Fragrance refill set  20  may comprise a bottle  21  with cap  22  which contains liquid volatile fragrance composition  23 . Fragrance refill set  20  may also include a rod-shaped absorbent wick  24  and a funnel  25 . All of the elements of fragrance refill set  20  may be conveniently packaged in packaging  26 , thereby making refill set  20  suitable for retail display and separate sale, preferably in the cosmetics area of a store where fine fragrances are sold. 
     Fragrance composition  23  is preferably a high quality, complex home fragrance composition made from natural essential oils and/or other natural ingredients, such as, for example, one of the luxury home fragrance compositions sold under the Claire Burke® trademark. As an example of a Claire Burke® fragrance composition contemplated as useful in the invention, mention may be made of a green tea ginger and pear composition, which includes Italian bergamot, ginger zest and white pear nectar with citrus musk accord. Another example of a suitable Claire Burke® fragrance is a lily jasmine and musk composition that contains top notes of wild greens, summer melon and a hint of raspberry, with heart notes of sunflower, rose, veliver, white muguet, jasmine and cyclamen, in a base blend of ozone infused musks with white woods. Another example of a suitable Claire Burke® fragrance is a lime verbena and bay composition containing top notes of bergamot, verbena, lime and mandarin wrapped in herbaceous greens, with hints of bay, thyme and basil, and nuances of white lily, rose and jasmine, white musk and soft woods completing the scent. A still further example of a suitable Claire Burke® fragrance includes a lavender vanilla and sandalwood composition comprising a herbaceous blend of French lavender, sheer eucalyptus, Roman chamomile and a herbal bouquet sweetened by Tahitian vanilla, combined with sandalwood, other precious woods and floral musks. 
     Wick  24  is preferably rod-shaped and is adapted to be inserted into wick holder  12  and extend into decanter body  11 , as previously described. Wick  24  may be made from any suitable absorbent wicking material such as cotton, cellulose, or another material that is capable of absorbing the liquid fragrance composition  23  and transferring it by capillary action to a portion of wick  24  where it is exposed to the ambient environment and can evaporate into the atmosphere. The wicking material may be encased in paper or other support material to give wick  24  enough structural strength to be handled, as well as to be inserted into and removed from wick holder  12 , without damage. 
     Funnel  25  may be conveniently included in fragrance refill set  20  to facilitate the pouring of fragrance composition  23  from bottle  21  into top opening  13  of decanter  10 . Funnel  25  is configured to fit into top opening  13  and may be made of any suitable material. Although funnel  25  is designed to be disposable, it is preferably made to be attractive in appearance and relatively substantial so as to match the high quality of the remaining elements of the fragrance diffuser kit. 
     Wick holder  12  is designed to be a decorative addition to decanter  10 , as well as provide a means for functionally connecting together the various elements of the fragrance diffuser kit of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of wick holder  12  that comprises three vertically disposed, concentric cylindrical sections: a top cylindrical section  31 , a middle cylindrical section  32  and a bottom cylindrical section  33 . Inner circumference  35  of top section  31  and inner circumference  36  of middle section  32  define a closed hollow passageway that connects wick holder top opening  37  with decanter top opening  38 . Wick  24  may be inserted into wick holder top opening  37  so as to extend through decanter top opening  38  into the interior of decanter body  11 . The outer circumference of wick  24  is substantially equal to inner circumference  35  of wick holder  12  so as to provide a snug fit. This snug fit is tight enough to hold wick  24  in position, but is not so tight as to prevent the removal of wick  24  from wick holder  12  when desired. Inner circumference  39  of bottom section  33  engages vertically protruding lip  40  around decanter top opening  38  so as to fixedly secure wick holder  12  to decanter body  11 . For example, bottom section  33  may be crimped or glued around protruding lip  40  to secure wick holder  12  to decanter body  11 . 
     Outer circumference  41  of middle section  32  is larger than outer circumference  42  of top section  31  so as to form ridge  43  around the base of top section  31 . The inner circumference of opening  15  ( FIG. 1 ) in snuffer cap  14  is substantially equal to the outer circumference  42  of top section  31 , thereby providing a snug fit when snuffer cap  14  is placed over top section  31  and opening  15  is rested on ridge  43  of wick holder  12 . This snug fit is sufficient to hold snuffer cap  14  in place on wick holder  12 , but is not so tight as to prevent the removal of snuffer cap  14  when desired. The top portion of wick  24  is configured to be completely covered by snuffer cap  14  when in place on wick holder  12 . Outer circumference  44  of bottom section  33  is larger than outer circumference  41  of middle section  32  thereby providing ridge  45  that covers protruding lip  40 , thereby hiding it from view. However, outer circumference  44  of bottom section  33  is smaller than the opening in base  18  ( FIG. 1 ) of vented lid  17  so that vented lid  17  may be placed over wick holder  12  with base  18  of vented lid  17  resting on body  11  of decanter  10 . 
     Preferred wick holder  12  of the invention allows a wide variety of decanter body styles, shapes, sizes and decorative surfaces to be offered for inclusion in diffuser kits of the invention. A decanter body need only be manufactured with a suitable protruding lip  40  for installing wick holder  12  and the decanter body will then be compatible with the remaining elements of the fragrance diffuser kit. 
     The fragrance diffuser kit of the present invention may further contain a set of instructions describing a method for using the kit. One embodiment of a method according to the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , after selecting the desired fragrance diffuser kit, cap  22  may be removed from bottle  21  contained in fragrance refill set  20 , and liquid fragrance composition  23  may be poured from bottle  21  into decanter  10 , preferably using funnel  25  inserted into top opening  13 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , wick  24  may be inserted into wick holder  12  through top opening  13  so that bottom portion  51  is immersed in fragrance composition  23  contained in decanter  10  and top portion  52  extends above wick holder  12 . Top portion  52  has sufficient exposed length that fragrance composition  23  that has absorbed into wick  24  in bottom portion  51 , and has moved by capillary action to top portion  52 , may evaporate therefrom into the surrounding environment. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , decorative vented lid  17  may be placed over wick holder  12  with base  18  resting on body  11  of decanter  10  so as to cover wick holder  12 , as well as top portion  52  of wick  14  held therein. As shown in  FIG. 7 , top portion  52  (not shown) of wick  24  may be covered by installing snuffer cap  14  on wick holder  12  whenever it is desired to stop the evaporation of the fragrance composition into the surrounding environment. Decorative vented lid  17  may be removed to accommodate the installation of snuffer cap  14  and then replaced to cover wick holder  12 , as well as snuffer cap  14  installed thereon. 
     The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity of understanding. However, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made. For example, various elements of the fragrance diffuser kit may be interchanged. For example, the decorative vented lid of one kit may be replaced with a different decorative vented lid from another kit, a decorative decanter from one kit may be replaced with a different decorative decanter from another kit, and so forth. Therefore, the scope and content of the invention are not limited by the foregoing description. Rather, the scope and content are to be defined by the following claims.