Patent Publication Number: US-2003235522-A1

Title: Fragrance dispensing device

Description:
[0001] The present invention relates to a fragrance dispensing device. In particular, the invention relates to a device for allowing a user to sample the fragrance of consumable products such as cleaning, cosmetic, toiletry, food or beverage products.  
       [0002] Previous examples of dispensing devices include a device for dispensing perfumes that includes a fan to propel the perfume towards a user. Although successful in some applications, this and other conventional devices have several disadvantages. For example, these devices are complex owing to the need for a fan and associated driving means. The fan requires maintenance and eventually replacement due to wear. In addition, the fan creates an undesirable noise and restricts the design (such as the size) of other components of the device. The driving means requires energy input, such as a battery, that needs periodic replacement and is environmentally unattractive.  
       [0003] The aim of the present invention is at least to alleviate some of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. The aim includes the provision of a simpler and more efficient device useful for a wider range of applications.  
       [0004] According to the present invention there is provided a fragrance dispensing device comprising an enclosure; a fragrance absorbent within the enclosure; an outlet from the enclosure; and means for expelling air from the enclosure through the outlet, together with fragrance liberated from the absorbent, the means for expelling air comprising a manually operable bellows.  
       [0005] This device offers several advantages including its surprising simplicity of construction and minimisation of parts which do not compromise its efficiency. This simplicity reduces the cost of manufacture, the labour and skill required for maintenance and repairs, and increases its durability. No electrical means are required, so the apparatus offers the advantage of being environmentally attractive. The operation is manual, and the fragrance may be liberated by operation of the bellows and subsequent air flow and/or diffusion. In addition, there is no noise created by any driving means as in the prior art. The apparatus is suitable for a range of applications including user sampling for purchase consideration or testing, owing in part to its simplistic construction. This simplicity also facilitates the ease of replacing any of the component parts. In one embodiment, the outlet is a hole on the first inclined part of the bellows. In another embodiment, the aperture faces upwards.  
       [0006] Preferably, the bellows is releasably connectable to the enclosure. This offers the advantage that the bellows can be simply and quickly removed and replaced when required. The bellows may form part of the enclosure, may be connected to the enclosure or may actually constitute the enclosure. These features further add to the simplicity of the device. In one embodiment, the bellows includes a bayonet end for connection to the enclosure. In other embodiments, connection is by way of sticky tape, a clamp, glue or friction holding.  
       [0007] Preferably, the fragrance absorbent is within the bellows. One advantage of this is that the bellows can be easily removed as a single unit and replaced when the absorbent needs replenishing.  
       [0008] The bellows may be blow moulded. In other embodiments, other methods of manufacture that are suitable can be employed. In a typical embodiment the bellows are of a plastics material, although other materials such as metal can be used.  
       [0009] Preferably, the absorbent is exfoliated vermiculite granules, a felt pad, or a gel; although any other material can be used that can hold and retain a volume of fragrance typically in a liquid form. In one embodiment, the absorbent is fibrous, while in another it is granular. In one embodiment in which the absorbent is vermiculite granules, the granules can be held in a sachet made of a suitable material such as a non-woven synthetic material such as Aerotex RTM . The absorbent is suitable for absorbing a wide range of fragrances.  
       [0010] The fragrance may be a liquid fragrance of a cosmetic, cleaning, toiletry, food or beverage product. The toiletry may be a lotion or a deodorant; the cosmetic may be a perfume; the food or beverage may be pizza or a soft drink, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the product may be children&#39;s modelling material. An advantage of the present invention is that it is suitable for use with a diversity of consumable products.  
       [0011] Preferably, the outlet is sufficiently small so that air and fragrance are expelled from the enclosure as a jet. This offers the advantage that air and fragrance can be directed towards a user&#39;s nose.  
       [0012] Preferably, the enclosure includes a valve means. When the bellows is depressed, the valve means is arranged to open in a first direction for air to be expelled from the enclosure; when the bellows is released, the valve means is arranged to open in a second direction for air to enter the enclosure. This has the advantage that the air in the enclosure is prevented from leaking out except upon demand (ie when the bellows are depressed). The useful lifetime of the apparatus is therefore maximised. A valve so specified is a simple and economical way of offering these advantages.  
       [0013] The valve means may comprise a first valve arranged to open in the first direction, and a second valve arranged to open in the second direction, and preferably constitutes an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The provision of two such one-way valves, or in other embodiments, similar such features, provides the advantages described while at the same time being consistent with the aim of a simple apparatus construction.  
       [0014] There may be further included a fascia detachably positionable in proximity to the bellows means. In one embodiment, the fascia is attached by glue onto the enclosure. In other embodiments, a clamp, sticky tape, a weld, clip or friction holds the fascia in its relative position. The fascia offers the advantage of being a convenient means by which a display can be positioned close to the bellows means. In an embodiment of this invention, the fascia is a customised vacuum formed and printed trim fascia, although other suitable methods of manufacture can be used. Information, such as branding or product details may be printed on the fascia, or displayed on the fascia in some way.  
       [0015] Preferably, the fascia includes a recess; and there is further included a recess cover pivotable about an upper or a lower edge of the recess. The cover can therefore be pivotable about an uppermost recess edge for either vertical orientation of the fascia. In one embodiment, the recess cover is a clear plastic window to hold the price/product information in place. This advantageously enables the retailer to retain the electronic point of sale (EPOS) ticket which would otherwise be obscured by the device when attached to a ticket strip on a shelf edge.  
       [0016] Preferably, the enclosure is injection moulded, although in other embodiments other methods of manufacture such as blow moulding are used. Typically, the enclosure comprises a plastics material or a metal.  
       [0017] The enclosure may be formed integrally with a shelf or other shelving means, or may include some form of attachment for attaching the enclosure to a shelf. In one embodiment, the rear of the enclosure includes lugs arranged to glip a shelf edge. This gives a positive location, and prevents the unit moving backwards as it is depressed. Other bodies than shelves may be preferred, for example, a shipper tray, a retail shelf, vacuum formed tray, promotional bin, cardboard formed gondola end, or other point of sale found in a supermarket, retailer, or public area. Alternatively, the shelving means may comprise a display for testing or consumer trials, a vending machine, or an advertising holding. The attaching means may include a clip, clamp, double-sided tape or other fastening device.  
       [0018] The enclosure is preferably located substantially above or below the component to which it is attached.  
       [0019] Preferably, the bellows comprise the enclosure. This has the advantage of reducing yet further the complexity of the device.  
       [0020] Preferably, there is further included a collar mountable on the bellows as a bayonet fit. The bayonet collar enables the bellows to be easily attached to a point of sale, or used for interactive smell sampling in museums or visitor centres, for example.  
       [0021] In such a case, the bellows may be used in combination with a compressing device, such as a gate-folded card. In a first configuration of the card, the bellows is compressed substantially flat by the compressing means device, while in a second configuration, the bellows is uncompressed. This offers the advantage that the bellows can be easily posted, or inserted into another device when substantially flat and then later used when uncompressed. The compressing means thereby provides a simple way of enabling the bellows to be conveniently stored or transported before use.  
       [0022] In other embodiments, other arrangements can be used, or other such materials such as plastics. The compressing means may be placed in some other packaging device, such as a wallet or envelope. 
     
    
    
     [0023] The present invention also therefore extends to an envelope including the device. The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, and embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0024]FIG. 1 is an exploded side view in part section of the components of a first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0025]FIG. 2 is a part sectional side view of the components of FIG. 1 as assembled;  
     [0026]FIG. 3 is a front view of the components of FIG. 1 as assembled;  
     [0027]FIG. 4 a  is a part sectional exploded side view of a bellows with a cap;  
     [0028]FIG. 4 b  is a part sectional exploded side view of a bellows with a bayonet collar, and a cap;  
     [0029]FIG. 5 a  is a part sectional side view of the cap;  
     [0030]FIG. 5 b  is a front view of the cap;  
     [0031]FIG. 5 c  is a side view of an alternative cap;  
     [0032]FIG. 6 is a front view of a facia;  
     [0033]FIG. 7 a  is a sectional front view of an aperture in the facia;  
     [0034]FIG. 7 b  is a part sectional front view of the aperture in the main body;  
     [0035]FIG. 8 a  is a sectional side view of a main body;  
     [0036]FIG. 8 b  is a sectional side view of an alternative main body;  
     [0037]FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  are part sectional side views of the device of the first embodiment of the present invention in relation to its shelf; and  
     [0038]FIGS. 10 a - 10   c  are side views of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention in three different configurations. 
    
    
     [0039] The present invention relates to a fragrance dispensing device for use, for example, by a user for sampling a fragrance of a consumable product by pressing an identified area on the device. This pressing action causes a pair of bellows to depress, and expel air from the device through an outlet. The device can therefore be used to aid a user in deciding whether to purchase the product, or consider the fragrance for testing purposes, for example.  
     [0040]FIG. 1 is an exploded side view in part-section of the components of a fragrance dispensing device  100 , which comprises an enclosure, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The main components comprise a pair of manually operable bellows  2 , a trim fascia  4 , and a main body  6 .  
     [0041]FIG. 2 is a part-sectional side view of the components of FIG. 1 as assembled. The bellows  2  attach to the main body  6  by a bayonet fitting. The main body  6  is attached to the fascia by glue, for example.  
     [0042]FIG. 3 is a front view of the components of FIG. 2.  
     [0043]FIGS. 4 a  and  5  illustrate the bellows  2  in further detail. The bellows are blow moulded from a flexible plastics material. They are approximately 3 cm in length. The bellows comprise a main body  8  and an end cap  7 . The body  8  takes the form of a convoluted portion  9  with a collar  10  at one end which is open and a bayonet fitting  11  at the other end, which is closed. FIG. 4 b  shows an alternative bellows  2 , in which the closed end includes a bayonet collar  14 . The collar  14  slides over the bayonet end  11  of the bellows  2 , being attached thereto as a bayonet fit by a quarter turn. The collar  10  carries a stud  12 . The cap  7  is generally shaped as a hollow button with an opening  13 ; when the cap  7  and body  8  are assembled, the cap  7  fits over the collar  10  and the stud  12  engages the opening  13  thereby ensuring the correct relative orientation. The bayonet fitting  11  engages the main body  6 .  
     [0044] In the present embodiment, the bellows  2  are filled through the open end with an absorbent (not shown). The absorbent is a fragrance absorbable porous support medium comprising granules of exfoliated vermiculite. The granules are placed loose inside the bellows, although in another embodiment they may be placed in a sachet with a sealed edge. The granules are soaked in a liquid fragrance. The fragrance is that of the fragrance formulation that is found incorporated into the original consumable product.  
     [0045]FIG. 5 a  is a part-sectional side of the cap  7 . A hole  15  is included in the cap  7  through which air can pass into and out of the bellows  2 . In another embodiment, one or more holes would be included on the first inclined surface of the bellows  2 . The hole  15  faces upwards irrespective of the orientation of the device. Alternatively, in another embodiment a hole may be positioned behind the front of the first end of the bellows  2 , and a channel would run from behind the bellows  2  to another point where air is expelled towards to the user. FIG. 5 b  shows a front view of the cap  7  and air hole  15 . FIG. 5 c  shows an alternative to the cap  7  in side view. The cap  7  includes a hollow projection  16  for receipt in the collar  10 . The projection  16  includes a pair of lugs  17  giving a positive fix when inserted into the collar  10 , preventing the cap being pulled off.  
     [0046] The trim fascia  4  is shown in a front view in FIG. 6. The fascia  4  is a vacuum formed and printed trim fascia. A recess  20  is included for product branding and/or pricing information. The recess  20  has a recess cover (not shown) comprising a clear plastic window to hold product and/or price information in place. The clear plastic window can be hinged to the uppermost horizontal edge defining the recess for either vertical orientation of the trim fascia  4 , i.e. the window is ‘reversible’. Finger cut outs  21  are provided for both options. The fascia is approximately 10 cm square in size.  
     [0047] The fascia  4  includes an aperture  22  through which the bellows can be inserted. The aperture  22  includes a quarter-turn bayonet hole for insertion of the bellows  2  as shown in FIG. 7 a.  FIG. 7 b  is a front part-sectional view of the aperture. An oval hole  26  is included to ensure that the cap is correctly orientated.  
     [0048] The main body is illustrated in sectional side view in FIG. 8 a.  The main body is injection moulded from a plastics material and is substantially of the same height as the fascia  4 .  
     [0049]FIG. 8 b  shows an alternative main body. Four legs  27 , or small teeth (two on each side) are provided at the rear of the main body to grip a shelf edge.  
     [0050]FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  illustrate the assembled components of the device  100  in relation to a shelf  28 . The main body  6  includes attaching means such as double-sided adhesive tape (not shown) for attachment to the shelf  28  as shown in FIG. 9 a,  which is a part-sectional side view of the device  100 . In this Figure, the main body  6  is attached to the shelf  28  so that it (and the fragrance product branding information) sit substantially above the bulk of the shelf  28 .  
     [0051]FIG. 9 b  shows the device  100  in which an alternative to the main body  6  is adapted to sit substantially below the bulk of the shelf by reversing the body of the device  100 . The reversibility of the clear plastic window enables it to be opened at the bottom (being hinged at the top) when the main body is fixed substantially above or below the shelf.  
     [0052] In use, the absorbent (not shown) is soaked in the fragrance of the consumable product to be dispensed, and then placed inside the bellows  2  at the time of assembly. The components of the device  100  are assembled, with the bellows  2  being positioned through the aperture  22  in the fascia  4 . The main body  6  is then attached to the shelf  28 .  
     [0053] To use the device, the user presses the end of the bellows  2  showing through the fascia, which in appearance resembles a button. Pressing this button causes the bellows  2  to depress, and thence air from inside the bellows together with fragrance liberated from the absorbent is expelled through the hole  15 . The user will then smell not the actual product, but air fragranced by the same fragrance formulation incorporated into the original product.  
     [0054] Typically, the fragrance will be replenished or replaced periodically with, for example, the apparatus being disposed of, recycled or part-replaced. Usually, the main body will be saved and newly charged bellows  2  and/or new facsia  4  with different information used.  
     [0055]FIGS. 10 a  to  10   c  show a side view of the device  200  of a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar reference numerals have been used to describe similar features.  
     [0056] The bellows  202  are attached to a compressing means  232  in the form of a gate-folded piece of card. The card  232  is adapted to compress the bellows substantially flat when in a closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 10 a.  FIG. 10 b  shows the card  232  part-open, with the bellows part-compressed. The decompression of the bellows  202  may be instigated by taking the card out of an envelope, for example, in which the card has been inserted.  
     [0057]FIG. 10 c  shows the card  232  fully open and the bellows  202  fully released.  
     [0058] In use, once the card has been opened, the bellows  202  are ready for depression as described in relation to the first embodiment. Fragranced air will be liberated from inside the bellows  202  through an outlet (not shown). The outlet would probably be most conveniently located in the first inclined surface  203  of the bellows  202 .