Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a scented picture frame that is comprised of a frame perimeter that defines an opening through which a picture can be viewed. The scented picture frame also includes a recess formed into the frame perimeter that is arranged to receive a scent; and a cover that closes off the recess, that holds the scent in the recess, and that permits the scent to migrate out of the recess through the Fame perimeter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a scented picture frame. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0002]    Air fresheners contain aromatic or fragrant liquids or solids that permeate a given space with a pleasant fragrance. Although air fresheners provide a pleasant effect to a room, their dispensers are often unattractive. As a result, there is a need to provide an attractive apparatus for introducing an air freshener into a room. 
         [0003]    One such apparatus includes a picture frame that can hold an air freshener for introduction into a room. The prior art discloses several different types of frames that provide this function. These frames include those that contain an external holder for an air freshener that is mounted on the backside of the frame. Other prior art frames include those that contain an adsorbent material for an air freshener directly within the material that constitutes the frame. 
         [0004]    However, none of these frames in the prior art contain a holder for an air freshener that is integral with the frame, thus preventing it from detracting from the frame&#39;s beauty and the room&#39;s ambience without requiring the frame&#39;s material to include an adsorbent compound. The present invention provides this improvement over the prior art through a scented frame that contains a recess in the frame&#39;s perimeter that can hold an air freshener without limiting the material of the frame itself. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a scented picture frame comprises a frame perimeter defining an opening through which a picture can be viewed, a recess formed into the frame perimeter and arranged to receive a scented element, and a cover that closes off the recess, that holds the scented element in the recess, and that permits fragrance to migrate out of the recess through the frame perimeter. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a picture frame apparatuscomprises a frame perimeter defining an opening through which a picture can be viewed, a recess formed into the frame perimeter, a fragrance receptacle shaped to fit into the recess, a fragrance cartridge shaped to fit into the fragrance receptacle, and a cover that closes off the recess, that holds the fragrance cartridge in the recess, and that permits fragrance to exit the frame perimeter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a back view of a picture frame according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example of various layers that retain a picture within the viewing area of the picture frame; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section of a side of a picture frame containing a recess; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the picture frame of  FIG. 1  and a scented element that is received in the recess of the picture frame; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a fragrance receptacle according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  illustrates a fragrance cartridge useable with the fragrance receptacle of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a back view of a picture frame according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a scented picture frame is provided that includes a frame perimeter that defines an opening through which a picture can be viewed, and a recess formed in the frame perimeter, such as at the top, side and/or bottom of the frame perimeter, into which fits a scented element. The frame also includes a cover that fits over the recess thereby holding the scented element in the recess and that permits fragrance from the scented element to exit the frame perimeter. The cover, for example, may be a permeable cover that permits fragrance to permeate through the cover and into the space in which the frame is being used. Alternatively, the cover may have slots, holes, or other openings that permit fragrance to exit from the frame and into the space in which the frame is being used. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a picture frame  10  contains a perimeter  20  that defines an opening or viewing area  30  through which a picture can be viewed. In an embodiment, the perimeter  20  of the frame  10  is comprised of wood, and the perimeter  20  defines a 5″ by 7″ viewing area  30 . However, in alternative embodiments, the frame  10  is comprised of other types of frame materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, aluminum, polystyrene, or MDF. Moreover, in alternative embodiments, the viewing area  30  may be comprised of many other sizes. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the viewing area  30  is comprised of one or more layers that are used to support and protect a picture that is placed in the frame  10 . In one embodiment, the first layer is comprised of a pane of glass  110 . The next layer is comprised of a matboard  120  behind which a photograph can be placed and displayed through the pane of glass  110 . In an embodiment, the matboard  120  is used to display a 4″ by 6″ photograph. However, in alternative embodiments, many other sizes of matting are used to display different sizes of pictures, depending on the structure and size of the frame  10 . Moreover, the matboard  120  may be comprised of several different types of materials known in the art, including, but not limited to, linen, wood pulp, or cotton, and any color or texture available for framing. In another embodiment, the frame is comprised of one or more layers that do not include the matboard  120 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the next layer is comprised of an easel back  130  that fits into a slot  140  in the upper width of the frame  10 . The frame  10  also includes two pivoting hardware pieces  160  that hold the easel back  130  in place after it is slid into the slot  140 . In another embodiment, the frame  10  is comprised of one or more hardware pieces  160  that serve to fasten the easel back  130  to the back of the frame  10 . The pivoting hardware pieces  160  may be comprised of any shape and any material that serves to fasten the easel back  130  to the back of the frame  10 . Moreover, the hardware pieces  160  may be placed on any side of the frame. The easel back  130  may be comprised of any type of material that is compatible with framing. Accordingly, the matboard  120  is layered between the pane of glass  110  and the picture, and the picture is layered between the matboard  120  and the easel back  130 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the perimeter  20  of Fame  10  is comprised of two corners  40  and  50  at the top, side, or bottom of the frame  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a recess  200  is formed into the perimeter  20  and extends between the corners  40  and  50 . In an embodiment, the recess  200  is a hollow cavity that is 4.25 inches long and 0.75 inches wide. However, in alternative embodiments, the recess may be smaller or larger, depending on the dimensions of the perimeter  20  of the frame and of the scented element to be held within the recess  200 . Moreover, the recess  200  may be any shape that is conducive to forming a hollow cavity inside the perimeter  20  of the frame  10 . 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the recess  200  holds a scented element  300 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The scented element  300  may be comprised of any air freshening element that can be used to eliminate odors or bring a pleasant fragrance to a room or space. Further, in one embodiment, a cover similar to a cover  310  discussed below and hinged to the perimeter  20  may be provided to retain the scented element  300  within the recess  200 . The cover  310  may be permeable and/or provided with slots, holes, or other openings to permit scent to migrate from the scented element  200  and into the room or other space within which the picture frame  10  is used. As desired, the permeability and/or slots, holes, or other openings of the cover  310  may be adjustable to adjustably release the fragrance from the scented element  300 . 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the scented element  300  may be provided with an integral scent releasing member or cover such that the scented element may be press fit into the recess  200  and held therein by friction and such that the fragrance of the scented element  300  is released through the integral scent releasing element or cover. For this purpose, the integral scent releasing member or cover may be permeable and/or provided with slots, holes, or other openings to release the fragrance. Also, as desired, the permeability and/or slots, holes, or other openings may be adjustable to adjustably release the fragrance from the scented element  300 . 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the recess  200  contains a fragrance receptacle  400 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In one embodiment, the fragrance receptacle  400  is a plastic piece that removably fits into the recess  200 . In another embodiment, the fragrance receptacle  400  may be a cup that removably fits into the recess  200  and can be made of any material that is compatible with holding a scented element  300 . In an alternative embodiment, the fragrance receptacle  400  is permanently affixed into the recess  200 . Moreover, in an embodiment, the fragrance receptacle  400  contains a cover similar to cover  310  that is hinged to the perimeter of the fragrance receptacle  400 . The cover  310  may be permeable and/or provided with slots, holes, or other openings to permit scent to migrate from the scented element  200  and into the room or other space within which the picture frame  10  is used. As desired, the permeability and/or slots, holes, or other openings of the cover  310  may be adjustable to adjustably release the fragrance from the fragrance receptacle  400 . 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the fragrance receptacle  400  holds a fragrance cartridge  500  that is shaped to fit inside the fragrance receptacle  400 . In one embodiment, the fragrance cartridge  500  may contain any scent that is available to add a fragrance  510  to a room or space, and is replaceable. In an exemplary embodiment, the fragrance cartridge  500  contains a seal  520  which, when removed, activates the fragrance  510  inside the cartridge  500 . In still another embodiment, the fragrance  510  is comprised of a solid gel material. However, in alternative embodiments, the fragrance may be comprised of other materials suitable for air fresheners, depending on the fragrance used. In one alternative embodiment, the fragrance is comprised of a paper material that is infused with a fragrance oil. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , a cover  310  is hinged to one side  340  of the fragrance receptacle  400  and includes a latching piece  320  that cooperates with a recess  330  located in a perimeter of the fragrance receptacle  400  to form an interference fit therewith so as to latch the cover  310  over the fragrance receptacle  400  and thereby retain the fragrance cartridge  500  with the fragrance receptacle  400 . Other latching mechanisms can be used. As indicated above, the cover  310  may be permeable and/or provided with slots, holes, or other openings to permit scent to migrate from the fragrance cartridge  500  and into the room or other space within which the picture frame  10  is used. As desired, the permeability and/or slots, holes, or other openings of the cover  310  may be adjustable to adjustably release the fragrance from the fragrance cartridge  500 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment of the present invention, the back of a picture frame  10  is comprised of an easel back  130  that fits into a slot  140  in the upper width of the frame  10 . The frame  10  also includes two pivoting hardware pieces  160  that hold the easel back  130  in place after it is slid into the slot  140 . In another embodiment, the frame  10  is comprised of one or more hardware pieces that serve to fasten the easel back  130  to the back of the frame  10 . The pivoting hardware pieces  160  may be comprised of any shape and any material that serves to fasten the easel back  130  to the back of the frame  10 . Moreover, the hardware pieces  160  may be placed on any side of the frame. The easel back  130  may be comprised of any type of material that is compatible with framing. 
         [0025]    Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention, the perimeter  20  may be provided with multiple recesses instead of just one recess. In this case, each recess can hold a scented clement  300  or a fragrance receptacle  400  that contains the fragrance cartridge  500 . The fragrance from the scented element or from the fragrance cartridge  500  can be controlled by a corresponding adjustable cover to emit the fragrance into a room or space. 
         [0026]    The picture frame  10  is shown herein as a rectangular picture frame in which the perimeter  20  is formed as four members suitably attached together to form the viewing area  30 . However, the picture frame  10  may have any other shape, such as an oval or a circle, in which case the perimeter  20  may be formed as a continuous member having no seam, a single member having a seam where its two ends are joined, or multiple members. Other shapes and constructions are possible. 
         [0027]    The present invention has been described in specific detail and with particular reference to its preferred embodiments; however, it will be apparent to those having skill in the art that modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.