Abstract:
A scented tie insert and method therefor capable of retaining a fragrance and being inserted into a tie, either a necktie or a bowtie. This device allows a person to have a fragrance without having the fragrance coming into contact with the person&#39;s skin or other clothing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to ties and bowties and, more specifically, to a scented tie insert dimensioned to be inserted into a tie. In this way, those who wish to wear cologne or perfume could do so without applying any fragrance to their skin, but rather by applying a fragrance to a tie insert, which could then be inserted into a tie.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Ties, both neckties and bowties, are an essential component of formal attire. Even those who dress casually often choose to wear either a necktie or a bowtie. A common supplement to a person&#39;s attire comes in the form of cologne, aftershave, and other fragrances. Usually, a fragrance is sprayed or otherwise applied to the skin of the person, often to the neck and face.  
           [0003]    Many people have allergic reactions to fragrances that come into contact with their skin. The handling of cologne, or other fragrances, by such individuals therefore presents health concerns.  
           [0004]    In addition, fragrances such as cologne are often quite expensive. People often limit their choice to one type of fragrance because the cost of purchasing more than one variety is prohibitive.  
           [0005]    A need therefore existed for a device and method that would permit a user to utilize a fragrance, without the need for bringing that fragrance directly into contact with the skin. Specifically, a need existed for a tie insert capable of retaining a fragrance and dimensioned to be inserted into a tie in order to allow a person to give off a fragrance without the fragrance coming into contact with the person&#39;s skin or shirt. A variety of scented tie inserts would also allow a person to emit a variety of fragrances without the need to purchase multiple bottles of expensive colognes and other fragrances.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a scented tie insert capable of being inserted into a tie in order to provide a tie with a fragrance.  
           [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for wearing a scented tie capable of allowing a person to have a fragrance without applying that fragrance directly to their skin or shirt.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0008]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a scented tie insert device is disclosed, comprising a tie insert having a first end and a second end and dimensioned to be inserted into a tie, the tie insert being adapted to retain a fragrance.  
           [0009]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a scented necktie insert device is disclosed, comprising, in combination a necktie having a first end and a second end and tapered in width from wide to narrow from the first end to the second end, the necktie defines a substantially flat cavity between the first end and the second end, and a necktie insert having a first end and a second end and dimensioned to be inserted into the cavity of the necktie, the necktie insert being adapted to retain a fragrance.  
           [0010]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a scented bowtie insert device is disclosed, comprising, in combination a bowtie having a first end portion and a second end portion, at least one of the first end portion of the bowtie and the second end portion of the bowtie defines a substantially flat cavity, and at least one bowtie insert having a first end and a second end and dimensioned to be inserted into at least one of the cavity of the first end portion of the bowtie and the second end portion of the bowtie, the bowtie insert being adapted to retain a fragrance.  
           [0011]    In accordance with still embodiment of the present invention, a method for wearing a scented tie is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a tie insert having a first end and a second end and dimensioned to be inserted into a tie, applying a fragrance to the tie insert, and inserting the tie insert into a tie.  
           [0012]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a back view of the necktie of the scented necktie insert device of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the scented tie insert device of the present invention, showing the rigid insertion member driving the tie insert into the necktie.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side, cross-sectional view of the scented tie insert device of FIG. 2, taken along line  3 - 3 .  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a top, cross-sectional view of the scented tie insert device of FIG. 3, taken along line  4 - 4 .  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the scented tie insert device of FIG. 4, showing a first end of the tie insert having a pocket which is receiving the first end of the rigid insertion member.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a back view of the tie insert of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a back view of the rigid insertion member of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first end of a tie insert, showing a pocket dimensioned to receive the first end of the rigid insertion member.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a side view of the first end of the tie insert of FIG. 6, taken along line  9 - 9 ., and showing a button used to couple the tie insert to the tie.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a front view of the first end portion and second end portion of a bowtie.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a front view of the bowtie insert of the scented bowtie insert device of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a front view of the rigid insertion member used to insert the bowtie insert into a bowtie.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the preferred embodiment of the scented tie insert device, hereinafter scented tie insert device  10 , is shown. The scented tie insert device  10  comprises a tie insert  12  having a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The tie insert  12  is dimensioned to be inserted into a tie  18 . The tie insert  12  is adapted to retain a fragrance. It is understood that fragrance includes cologne, perfume, medicinal-type sprays, bug-repellant, or other odor which a person might otherwise have to apply to the skin or clothing.  
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the scented tie insert device  10 , the tie  18  is a necktie  18   a  (shown in FIG. 1) and the tie insert  12  is a necktie insert  12   a  (shown in FIG. 6) dimensioned to be inserted into the necktie  18   a . Preferably, the necktie  18   a  has a first end  17   a  (shown in FIG. 1) and a second end  19   a  (shown in FIG. 2) and is tapered in width from wide to narrow from the first end  17  to the second end  19 . The necktie  18   a  preferably defines a substantially flat cavity  21   a  (shown in FIG. 1) between the first end  17  and the second end  19 . It is in this cavity  21  that the necktie insert  12   a  is inserted. In this embodiment, the scented necktie insert device  10  preferably further comprises a button  28  (shown in FIGS. 2, 3,  6  and  9 ) coupled to the necktie insert  12   a . The button  28  is dimensioned to couple the necktie insert  12   a  to the necktie  18   a  through an aperture  30  (shown in FIGS. 1-2) defined by the necktie  18   a.    
         [0027]    While, in this embodiment, a button  28  is coupled to the necktie insert  12   a  and is dimensioned to be coupled the necktie insert  12 a through an aperture  30  defined by the necktie  18   a , it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the scented tie insert device  10  in which there is an alternative means for coupling the necktie insert  12   a  to the necktie  18   a . For example, another coupling method could involve positioning a button on a necktie  18  and a mating aperture on a necktie insert  12 . Still further, it would be possible to position hook material on one of the insert  12  and cavity  21 , and mating loop material on the other of the insert  12  and cavity  21 , to permit coupling of the insert  12  to the cavity  21 .  
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the scented tie insert device  10 , the tie insert  12  is dimensioned to be retained by the tie  18  by means of frictional engagement. In such an embodiment, the tie insert  12  is made of a material capable of being inserted into the tie  18  while at the same time the tie insert  12  is capable of being retained by the tie  18  so that gravity alone is not sufficient to remove the tie insert  12  form the tie  18 .  
         [0029]    Referring now to FIGS. 10-11, in another embodiment of the scented tie insert device  10 , the tie  18  is a bowtie  18   b  (shown in FIG. 10) and the tie insert  12  is a bowtie insert  12   b  (shown in FIG. 11) dimensioned to be inserted into the bowtie  18   b . Preferably, the bowtie  18   b  has a first end portion  17   b  and a second end portion  17   b . At least one of the first end portion  17   b  and the second end portion  19   b  preferably define a substantially flat cavity  21   b  dimensioned to receive at least one bowtie insert  12   b.    
         [0030]    Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the scented tie insert device  10  preferably further comprises a substantially rigid insertion member  20  having a first end  22  dimensioned to be detachably coupled to the first end  14  of the tie insert  12 . The insertion member  20  preferably also comprises a second end  24  (shown in FIGS. 2-3) dimensioned to be gripped by a person (not shown). The insertion member  20  is preferably dimensioned to insert the tie insert  12  into the tie  18  when the first end  22  of the insertion member  20  drives the first end  14  of the tie insert  12  into the tie  18 . Preferably, the first end  14  of the tie insert  12  comprises a pocket  26  (shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and  5 ) dimensioned to receive the first end  22  of the insertion member  20 , although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the scented tie insert device  10  in which the tie insert  12  does not comprises a pocket  26  so long as the insertion member  20  is able to drive the tie insert  12  into the tie  18 .  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6 and  7 , in one embodiment, the substantially rigid insertion member  20  is a substantially rigid insertion member  20   a  dimensioned to couple to the necktie insert  12   a  and drive it into the necktie  18   a . Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, in another embodiment, at least one substantially rigid insertion member  20   b  is dimensioned to couple to at least one bowtie insert  12   b  and drive it into the bowtie  18   b.    
         [0032]    While, in the preferred embodiment, the scented tie insert device  10  comprises a substantially rigid insertion member  20 , it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative configuration of the scented tie insert device  10  which does not comprise an insertion member  20  so long as the tie insert  12  can be inserted into the tie  18 , such as by pushing it in by hand.  
         [0033]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.