Abstract:
A patch facilitates transportation, application, and emission of fragrances for perfume wearers. A plurality of structural and adhesive layers provide a manufacturable patch with structural and functional integrity. The material selection, and perfume selection and concentration, provides efficacy of fragrance emission for a predetermined period.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the administration and/or emission of fragrances and/or scents, and more particularly to methods and mechanisms for administering and/or emitting the fragrances and/or scents. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Convenience of application and reapplication of perfume, cologne, and the like has been a concern for consumers for some time. Limitations on liquid transportability during air travel have presented additional challenges. 
     Perspiration tends to accelerate dissipation of fragrance or scent from perfume or cologne which a user applies directly to the skin. Particularly, for example, after someone has engaged in intense exercise, mere spraying, dabbing, wiping, or other application of perfume or cologne can be ineffective because the person&#39;s perspiration washes away the perfume or cologne, requiring reapplication. The reapplication can be not only inconvenient but also expensive. 
     Perspiration also can affect a wearer&#39;s garments or undergarments, and make it more difficult to apply perfume effectively. 
     There have been various approaches to nonliquid application of perfume or cologne. Such approaches have fallen short in various ways, whether because of lack of efficacy (e.g. excessively rapid fragrance dissipation), lack of structural integrity (deterioration because of destructive chemical effect of fragrances on adhesives), or the like. 
     In view of the deficiencies of these prior approaches, it would be desirable to provide a more efficacious, deterioration-resistant application of fragrance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other aspects of various embodiments of the present invention will be apparent through examination of the following detailed description thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which similar reference numbers are used to indicate functionally similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a patch according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top views of patches according to embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top views of one of the patch layers according to embodiments. 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C show top views of patches according to an embodiment, depicting gradual fading of a pattern on a top layer. 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C show top views of patches according to an embodiment, depicting gradual fading of a pattern on a top layer. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of a patch inside a package, according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show top view of patches inside packages according to embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout the discussion herein, terms such as “fragrance” and “scent” are used collectively or interchangeably in some places. For ease of discussion, “fragrance” will apply to both fragrance and scent, and to other synonymous olfactory terms. Likewise, terms such as “perfume” and “cologne” are used interchangeably in some places. For ease of discussion, “perfume” will apply to both perfume and cologne, and to other synonymous terms for liquid or semiliquid media for fragrance administration or application, including but not limited to incense, oil, attar, cologne, balm, or sachet. 
     Also, some places in this description refer to garments, undergarments, or both, or may refer to clothing. For purposes of this description, including the claims, “clothing” may be used to apply to any of these items. 
     Additionally, the use of the terms “preferred” or “preferably” to describe types of materials or structural arrangements may refer to efficacy, efficiency, structural integrity, economy of manufacture, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a patch  100  has a plurality of layers. All of the layers are shown here as having the same height or thickness, but in practical application such will not be the case. Layers will vary in thickness according to types of material and types of adhesive, among other things. In addition, for ease of view, the profile of the patch  100  in  FIG. 1  is exaggerated, so that the layers are easier to observe. In practical application, the patch  100  will be much wider than it is tall. Finally, in  FIG. 1  all of the layers are shown as having the same width or diameter, but this is not necessary in practical application. 
     In  FIG. 1 , backing layers  180  and  190 , which may be made of any number of suitable materials, are provided above and below the layers of patch  100 , both to preserve adhesive which adheres the patch to skin or garment/undergarment, and to preserve the fragrance. The backing layers  180  and  190  are shown as larger in profile than the patch  100 . The difference in size can facilitate removal of the layers  180  and  190  for application of the patch  100 . The amount of size difference between layers  180  and  190 , on the one hand, and patch  100 , on the other, is not significant to the invention. 
     In some embodiments, immediately above backing layer  180  is a first adhesive layer  105  which adheres the patch to skin or garment/undergarment. In one embodiment, first adhesive layer  105  may comprise or consist of any suitable adhesive which will adhere the patch comfortably and reasonably securely on skin, with reasonable ease of removal without discomfort. In another embodiment, first adhesive layer  105  may comprise or consist of any suitable adhesive which will adhere the patch reasonably securely to clothing material. Depending on the embodiment, and on the surface to which the patch is to be adhered, the adhesive may be acrylic or other derivative, or it may be a urethane prepolymer. It is desirable to be able to take the backing layer off easily, but also to have the adhesive stick easily, without leaving marks on the skin or garment. 
     In one implementation, the patch may be applied to the side of a garment or undergarment facing the skin. The garment or undergarment may be made of any number or combination of materials, including but not limited to natural materials such as cottons, wools, and silks, artificial materials such as polyesters, rayons, orlons, and nylons, and varying combinations of natural and artificial materials. The first adhesive layer  105  may be matched to the material of the garment or undergarment for better hold. 
     In some embodiments, above the adhesive layer  105  is a first structural layer  110 , which in one embodiment may be polyester or other artificial material, to provide structural integrity to the patch  100 . In some embodiments, the adhesive layer  105  and structural layer  110  may be omitted, and the backing layer  180  can be polyester. 
     Above that layer  110  (or, in embodiments where layers  105  and  110  are omitted, above backing sheet  180 ) is a second or further adhesive layer  115 , which in one embodiment may be an acrylic or other derivative. Above that layer is a second or further structural layer  120 , which in one embodiment may be cellulose, also to provide structural integrity. Acrylic adhesive is preferred for joining the layers  110  and  120 , though other adhesives also may be suitable. Where adhesive layer  105  and structural layer  110  are omitted, the adhesive layer  115  may have the same characteristics as adhesive layer  105 , since its purpose is both to hold the backing layer  180  until removal, and to adhere the patch  100  suitably to skin or clothing. 
     Next is a third or further adhesive layer  125 , which in one embodiment may be a urethane prepolymer adhesive. In some embodiments, instead of adhesive layers  115  and  125 , the structural layer  120  may be in the form of a double-sided tape. 
     Above adhesive layer  125  (or, in the case of the double-sided tape embodiments, above structural layer  120 ) is a third or further structural layer  130 , which in one embodiment may be a woven fabric layer, to provide structural integrity, and also to provide breathability and absorbency according to certain embodiments. The fibers in the woven fabric may be cotton, nylon, or other artificial or natural or artificial fiber. Urethane prepolymer adhesive is preferred for joining the layers  120  and  130 , though other adhesives may be suitable, particularly depending on the type of fabric used in layer  130 . 
     Looking further at  FIG. 1 , above layer  130  is a fourth or further structural layer  140 , which in one embodiment may be a polyethylene resin film, though other plastics may be suitable, to provide impermeability, as a vapor or liquid barrier. In some embodiments there may be a fourth or further adhesive layer  135  between layers  130  and  140 , but depending on the method of manufacture of the patch and patch layers, and on the material in layer  140 , additional adhesive may not be necessary. Where used, layer  135  will be rubber adhesive in some embodiments. 
     Above layer  140  is a fifth or further adhesive layer  145 , which in one embodiment may be a rubber adhesive. Above that is a fifth or further structural layer  150 , functioning as a perfume retaining layer, to which perfume is applied during manufacture, which retains the perfume, and emits fragrance when the patch is in use. In one embodiment, the perfume retaining layer  150  is made of cotton scrim, though other absorbent and/or liquid-retentive materials may be suitable. 
     Above perfume retaining layer  150  is a sixth or further structural layer  160 , which in one embodiment may comprise or consist of metallic foil such as aluminum, silver, or gold. This layer  160  may be in the shape of a ring that surrounds perfume retaining layer  150 . Depending on the area of layer  160  relative to layer  150 , there may be a sixth or further adhesive layer  155  between layers  150  and  160 , or between layers  140  and  160 . In the latter case, the perfume retaining layer  150  will be smaller in surface area than layer  140  or layer  160 , so that layers  140  and  160  could come into contact with each other. In that event, fifth adhesive layer  145  could join layers  140  and  150 , and sixth adhesive layer  155  could join layers  140  and  160 . In some embodiments, adhesive layer  155  also could join layers  150  and  160 . 
     Above layer or ring  160  is a seventh or further covering layer  170 , which in one embodiment may comprise or consist of metallic foil such as aluminum, silver, or gold. Layers  160  and  170  may be made of the same materials, but such is not necessary. Layers  160  and  170  above, and the layers below, serve to facilitate perfume retention prior to use. In use, layer  170  may be removed to expose perfume retaining layer  150 . Suitable adhesives, not shown, may be provided on either or both sides of layer or ring  160 , and on either or both sides of layer  170 , to facilitate adhesion of layer  160  and  170 ; adhesion of layer  170  and backing layer  190 ; and removal of layer  170  immediately prior to use to facilitate exposure of perfume retaining layer  150  to air, thus enabling emission or emanation of fragrance. In one embodiment, layer  170  may be adhered to backing layer  190 , and layer  170  may not be adhered, or may be minimally adhered, to ring  160 , to facilitate removal of layer  170  with backing layer  190  when backing layer  190  is removed, thus facilitating exposure of the perfume retaining layer  150  in patch  100 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , adhesive layer  165  may be provided between layer or ring  160  and covering layer  170 . 
     According to embodiments, as alluded to earlier, the perfume retaining layer  150  may have the same diameter as, or a larger diameter than an inner diameter of layer or ring  160 . Ring  160  provides a space between layer  170  and the lower layers so that an upper layer of the perfume retaining layer  150  remains relatively untouched between patch manufacture and patch use. In addition, perfume retaining layer  150  may have the same diameter as the other layers. More area for perfume retaining layer  150  means more perfume that can be absorbed. As will be discussed herein, different perfume concentrations, and indeed different perfumes, will have different effects on duration of fragrance emission. Cost and efficacy considerations, among others, will affect selection of perfume, as well as size and composition of layer  150 . 
     The intricacy of the foregoing structure addresses issues of integrity, flexibility, storage, and fragrance retention. Different perfumes can have different effects on adhesives and on materials in the patch  100 . In particular, chemical composition of perfumes can break down the integrity of adhesives. Perfumes also can permeate materials in the various structural layers, and potentially can break down their integrity as well. The overall arrangement of layers described herein is believed to yield a patch which can be stored for a suitable length of time prior to sale or use, so that fragrance emission can continue over an appropriate length of time in use. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a top view of patch  100 ,  100 ′ according to embodiments. The shapes shown are squares and circles, for the sake of simplicity. It should be clear to ordinary skilled artisans that other shapes are possible. Aesthetic as well as manufacturing considerations may affect selection of patch shape. According to embodiments, patch  100 ,  100 ′ may have a width or diameter of approximately one inch, or 2.5 cm, but other sizes may be desirable, depending for example, on ease of concealment of the patch, or available surface area of the garment or undergarment to which the patch is to be applied. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict adhesive layers or portions according to some embodiments. As shown, adhesive layers or outlines comprise the adhesives. In come embodiments, the adhesive layers have the same area as other layers in the patch  100 . In some embodiments, the adhesive layers extend around a perimeter of the patch, similarly to ring  160  in  FIG. 1 , leaving an opening in the middle so as to facilitate emanation of scent, for example. In some embodiments, chemical and physical/structural considerations may motivate the use of less adhesive, rather than more, so that the perfume in the patch is less able to break down the adhesive. Where an opening between layers is not necessary, the adhesive can extend across a larger area of the patch, to facilitate adhesion between layers, or adhesion of the patch to skin or garments/undergarments. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  and  5 A- 5 C show a top view of patches according to embodiments, including a pattern  410  in  FIGS. 4A and 5A  with a color different from that of perfume retaining layer  150 . The pattern  410  may be drawn or composed in an ink which fades as the fragrance dissipates, providing a visual indication in addition to an olfactory indication of reduced efficacy. As shown in the progression from  FIGS. 4A to 4C  and  FIGS. 5A to 5C , in use the ink may fade to lighter pattern  420  in  FIGS. 4B and 5B  as the fragrance dissipates, and may disappear completely in  FIGS. 4C and 5C  (though shown in outline form  430 ) when the patch is finished emitting scent, or when the efficacy of the scent drops below a predetermined amount. The fading provides a visual indication to the wearer so that the wearer may determine whether and when to remove the patch and/or substitute a new patch. 
     While  FIGS. 4A-4C  and  5 A- 5 C show a pattern which fades, the perfume retaining layer  150  may itself be colored, and may fade as the scent dissipates. In addition, the pattern in these Figures is exemplary. While the Figures show a multi-pointed star-shaped figure, other patterns, or other elements, such as a logo, or a product name, may be used. 
     Structural layer material selection, fragrance concentration, and overall delivery mechanism, including configuration and arrangement of layers, should be selected and configured to allow effective emanation of fragrance for approximately four hours, according to one embodiment. Longer or shorter periods of efficacy may be desirable. One or more of the just-mentioned parameters may be varied to allow for the varied periods of time. Different parameter combinations may yield the same duration of efficacy. In some embodiments, the amount of permeated material in the perfume retaining layer  150  that is exposed to air may be varied. 
     Ordinarily skilled artisans will be familiar with different classifications of fragrances. These classifications, and categories within those classifications, are too numerous to set forth here. The invention is not limited by a particular fragrance. A non-exhaustive list of some of the better-known classifications and categories may include woody, floral, citrus/fruity, tropical, spicy, musk, fougere, chypre, jasmine, vanilla, oriental, and leathery. 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of a patch  100  inside a package or container  600 , according to one embodiment. The diagonal lines in the Figure depict crimping  620  or other suitable closure to the package  600  in order to keep the patch  100  fresh and hold in the fragrance so that the patch does not lose its efficacy prior to sale or use. As a practical matter, of course, no seal is perfect, but when a number of such packages are held inside a further container, as might for example facilitate carrying a number of such packages, efficacy can be prolonged. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  show a top view of different packaging  600 ,  600 ′ for patch  100 ,  100 ′, corresponding to the side view in  FIG. 6 .  FIGS. 7A and 7B  also show crimping or other suitable closure  620 ,  620 ′ for the packaging. In some embodiments, the packaging may include aluminum foil, aluminum plastic foil, clear plastic foil, or some combination of these. 
     The foregoing description sets forth, in various embodiments, arrangements of adhesive and structural layers. It is within the contemplation of the invention, as may be bounded by prior art, to omit one or more of the adhesive and/or structural layers. 
     In addition, the foregoing description sets forth structure for numerous embodiments of a fragrance-emitting patch in accordance with various aspects of the invention. The invention also pertains to the manufacture of such embodiments. With the knowledge of materials selection as set forth in this description, ordinarily skilled artisans will be able to assemble the various layers. 
     While the invention has been described in detail above with reference to numerous embodiments, variations within the scope and spirit of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the invention should be considered as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.