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Patent Abstract
A fragrant decorative jewelry accessory includes an infusion of
fragrantly volatile molecules into the accessory, and an adhesive
on the underside of the accessory intended to removably attach the
accessory. Fragrance may be infused on the accessory by soaking
an absorbent material with the fragrantly volatile molecules, through
a printing technique, through attaching encapsulated fragrance molecules
onto the accessory or through the attachment of an fragrance layer
onto the accessory. The fragrant decorative accessory can be removably
attached to clothing, a bra strap, a choker or a hair accessory.
Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fragrant decorative accessory comprising: infusion of fragrantly
volatile molecules into the accessory; and an adhesive on the underside
of the accessory intended to removably attach the accessory.
2. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
is cloth.
3. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
is plastic.
4. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
is a metal.
5. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas fragrance
is infused on the accessory by soaking an absorbent material with
the fragrantly volatile molecules.
6. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas fragrance
is infused on the accessory through the use of a printing technique.
7. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas fragrance
is infused on the accessory through attaching encapsulated fragrance
molecules onto the accessory.
8. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas fragrance
is infused on the accessory through the attachment of an fragrance
layer onto the accessory.
9. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
can be removably attached to clothing.
10. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
can be removably attached to a bra strap.
11. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
can be removably attached to a choker.
12. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
can be removably attached to a hair accessory.
13. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the contact
with human skin produces a commingling of a user's natural scent
and the fragrance.
14. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 1 whereas the accessory
is disposable.
15. A fragrance emitting jewelry earring comprising: Placement
of a fragrant soaked material on the underside of the earring having
the pierced the center hole of the material with earring spike;
and The fragrance soaked material sandwiched between the ear lobe
of the user and the earring.
16. A fragrance emitting jewelry earring as in claim 1 whereas
the material is of smaller dimensions than the earring.
17. A fragrant jewelry comprising: infusion of fragrantly volatile
molecules onto the jewelry.
18. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 16 whereas fragrance
is infused on the jewelry through the use of a printing technique.
19. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 16 whereas fragrance
is infused on the jewelry through attaching encapsulated fragrance
molecules onto the accessory.
20. A fragrant decorative accessory as in claim 16 whereas fragrance
is infused on the jewelry through the attachment of an fragrance
layer onto the jewelry.
21. A fragrant jewelry comprising: attachment of an fragrance layer
onto the jewelry.
22. A fragrant jewelry as in claim 20 whereas the fragrance layer
is transparent.
23. A fragrant jewelry as in claim 20 whereas the fragrance layer
is attached to the underside of the jewelry.
24. A fragrant jewelry comprising: Placement of a fragrant ring
around the perimeter of the jewelry.
25. A fragrant decorative necklace and headband comprising: an
elastic decorative material infused with fragrance designed to be
worn either as a necklace and as a hair accessory.
Patent Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon provisional application Ser.
No. 60/459,461 dated Apr. 1, 2003, and claims benefit under 35 USC
119 (e).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to thin, versatile fragrant
emitting cover layers for jewelry, including earrings, necklaces,
and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,457 describes a fragrance
emitting pad, which has an adhesive side adhered to the inside of
clothing and a fragrance emitting side in contact with the wearer's
skin. The fragrance emitting side mingles with surface skin oils
to create a unique subtle fragrance in the vicinity of the skin.
[0004] Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,118 of Lahens describes a
layer of porous material such as polymer foam, foam rubber, or felt
that has been impregnated with fragrance oils.
[0005] Fragrant scents are known to be applied to surfaces by applying
powder with appropriate binders. An alternate method is to use a
printing technique to apply fragrance oils to the top surface of
an object.
[0006] In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,754 of Velazquez describes
encapsulating fragrant oils into tiny beads in a time release mechanism,
to be applied to a surface.
[0007] Fragrant earrings are typically in the form of hollow containers
having a fragrance-emitting liquid or a shaped mass of solid fragrant-emitting
material therein, which results in a bulky configuration of the
earring.
[0008] Among related patents for container-type fragrant earrings
include U.S. Pat. No. 1,267,067 of Flagg, which discloses an earring
with a piece of perfume saturated cotton mass within a container.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 1,625,375 of Reyes describes an earring
with a liquid containing vial therein.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,274 of Vivaudou describes an earring
with a piece of perfume saturated extract cake mass therein. U.S.
Pat. No. 2,109,092 of Roll describes a jewelry trinket comprising
a small circular container piece with a perfume saturated absorbent
pad therein. It could be used as an earring.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,471,949 of Gilowitz describes an earring
with a hollow spherical container with perfume, having solid wicks
ending in floral designs. U.S. Pat. No. 2,550,828 of Lawson describes
an earring with a pad having perfume saturated therein.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 2,564,860 of Ryberg describes a hollow container
piece of jewelry with a fragrance soaked pad therein. U.S. Pat.
No. 2,740,662 of Scott discloses a hinged, operable earring with
an inner chamber to hold a perfume saturated pad therein.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,270,525 of Sellers discloses an earring
that has a vial container portion dispensing perfume. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,056,951 of Black discloses an earring for pierced ears with
a post, wherein the earring has a perfume filled chamber. Moreover,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,631 of Lee describes a hollow container earring
with a chamber for perfume soaked gauze wicks therein.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,052 of Hodge discloses an earring container
that has a variable operable lid to allow different strengths of
fragrances to be emitted therefrom.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,642 of Chin discloses a light glittering
earring container with a canister that also emits a fragrance. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,031,419 of Gelman discloses an earring container formed
by a sandwich of two disks holding a fragrance emitting member therebetween.
[0015] Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,751 of Joshi discloses
a thin walled earring with a container, having a fragrance saturated
membrane covered by a peel-off release tape.
[0016] The aforementioned fragrant earrings generally require hollow
containers, such as a vial or cage, for holding a fragrant emitting
liquid or pad therein.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,787 of Colon describes an earring cut
out from a relatively rigid, but flexible, scented card of between
one thirty second and three sixteenths of an inch in thickness,
which can be used as an earring.
[0018] Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,284 of Parry describes
an agricultural ear-worn tag for farm animals, such as cows or pigs,
which includes a scent such as a pesticide or fragrance. It states
that it is applicable also to humans. However, the ear-worn tag
is meant to be permanently attached to the ear, with a detachable
portion for replacing fragrant emitting elements therefrom.
[0019] In addition, Applicant owns U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 411,899
for a necklace which can be worn as a hairpiece. However, such a
hairpiece is made of an inelastic string of beads, which means that
if the hairpiece is short in length, the hairpiece may be tight
around the head, and if it is long and loose, it results in a very
long necklace draped around the chest, not a shorter necklace worn
around the neck. In addition, the hairpiece/necklace described therein
includes a decorative medallion, which interrupts the continuous
hairpiece/necklace string of beads.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0020] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
jewelry with one or more thin, closely adhering fragrance emitting
cover layers thereon.
[0021] It is further an object of the present invention to provide
versatile jewelry, such as earrings or necklaces, which emit fragrances,
and which can be worn in a variety of styles.
[0022] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
dangling pendants or earrings, which can intermittently contact
the skin with fragrances, to allow the skin oils of the wearer to
intermittently be in contact with fragrances.
[0023] It is also an object of the present invention to provide
an elastic, fragrant necklace, which can be also worn as a hairpiece.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] In keeping with these objects and others, which may become
apparent, the present invention uses decorative fabric, or lace
decorative items, as earrings or as attachments to a smooth flexible
band as a necklace. They are illustrated as fabric embroidered flower
appliques or lace florets although other structural configurations
and designs can be used without deviating from the theme of the
invention.
[0025] In one embodiment, the fabric decorative elements are impregnated
with fragrance emitting liquid and adhered either to the wearer's
ear lobes or to necklace band using pressure sensitive adhesive
pads with release liners.
[0026] In an alternate embodiment for earring utilization, a thin,
closely adhering fragrance emitting pad cover layer is adhesively
attached to the front or underside of the decorative element, which
optionally has a center hole. The pad cover layer is preferably
thin, such as preferably having a thickness of less than one thirty
second of an inch.
[0027] The thin pad cover layer forms a skin-like integument layer
surrounding one or more surfaces of the decorative element. A gold
or other metal stud is then driven through the center hole and onward
through the wearer's pierced earlobe to be engaged with a spring
retaining clip.
[0028] When the thin pad cover layer is applied to the skin facing
side of the decorative element, the thin fragrance emitting pad
cover layer is thereby in contact with the wearer's skin and mingles
with surface skin oils to create a unique subtle fragrance in the
vicinity of the ear as described in Applicant's earlier patent (U.S.
Pat. No. 6,162,457). Otherwise, when applied to the front of the
decorative element, the thin pad cover layer emits fragrance to
the ambient air. In either embodiment, the decorative fragrance
emitting elements can be removed, and the fragrance emitting liquid
or pad can then be replenished.
[0029] The fragrance emitting material is fabricated in one of
several ways. One method is simply to use a layer of porous material
such as polymer foam, foam rubber, or felt that has been impregnated
with fragrance oils. This process is described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,234,118 of Lahens.
[0030] Other methods start with non-woven substrates such as rayon
or polyurethanes or a cover layer of woven material such as nylon
tricot. Scent is then applied to the top surface by applying powder
with appropriate binders.
[0031] An alternate method is to use a printing technique to apply
fragrance oils to the top surface of the thin pad cover layer by
spraying or dipping.
[0032] In another method the pad cover layer substrates mentioned
can be coated with fragrance oils that have been encapsulated into
tiny beads forming a time release mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,754
of Velazquez describes such a process for use in adding scent to
detergent powders. A starch was used to encapsulate the oils. Using
a starch, contact with moisture from skin or even atmospheric moisture
would accelerate the release of the encapsulated fragrance oils
since the starch is soluble in water.
[0033] In another embodiment of fragrance emitting jewelry, a beaded
chain with a decorative pendant is described. The beads are strung
on an elastic cord and the pendant has a clasp, which also permits
it to be used as a decorative hairpin. The underside of the pendant
has a thin ring cover layer of fragrance emitting material bonded
to it with pressure sensitive adhesive. Its design permits the pendant
to lie flat against the user's skin when the beaded chain is used
as a necklace. In this configuration, the fragrance-emitting pad
mingles with skin oils as described above. The elastic cord permits
ease of use as a necklace by simply stretching it over the head.
[0034] By using the pendant as a hair clip, and draping the beaded
chain down and creating a tight lower loop, a method of forming
a ponytail with the hair is defined.
[0035] In an alternate configuration, by using a wide loop of the
entire length of the beaded chain, the hair can be formed in a looser
style. The elastic cord helps to facilitate these hair styling methods.
[0036] In a similar fashion, but draping the beaded chain under
the pendant (instead of above), and combing some hair over the beads,
similar hairstyles with only the hair clip (such as the pendant)
exposed, are possible. Peeling off the depleted ring and replacing
with a new one can replace the ring of fragrance emitting material.
[0037] Another embodiment of fragrance emitting necklace is formed
by using a three dimensional pendant dangling from a chain. The
sides of the pendant that have an opportunity to touch the user's
skin are covered with a thin integument cover layer of fragrance
emitting material (such as decorative polyester fabric).
[0038] In this manner, the pendant can be rotated on a swivel coupling
during use so that the thin integument surface mingles with the
skin oils of the user. The pendant itself can be disposable, or
pre-cut and creased patterns of fragrance emitting covering can
be supplied. These would have a pressure sensitive adhesive with
a release liner on the opposite side to attach to the pendant. The
depleted covering would be peeled off and replaced with a new covering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] The present invention can best be understood in connection
with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is
not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a decorative element of this
invention in the form of a lace floret, having a thin, fragrance
emitting cover layer covering the decorative element;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lace floret showing adhesive
pad with release liner;
[0042] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in close-up detail, showing
the lace floret adhesively attached to an ear lobe with pressure
sensitive adhesive pad;
[0043] FIG. 3A is a side elevational view in close-up detail, showing
the lace floret dangling from an ear lobe;
[0044] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a necklace band with four attached
floret decorative elements;
[0045] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of
decorative element as an embroidered flower applique with a central
hole;
[0046] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in crossection of the
alternate embodiment of FIG. 5;
[0047] FIG. 7 is a side exploded view of an alternate embodiment
showing attachment of a pierced earring to an ear lobe;
[0048] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of another embodiment
of fragrance emitting jewelry in use as a necklace;
[0049] FIG. 8A is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment
of fragrance emitting jewelry in use as a headband;
[0050] FIG. 8B is a rear view of a model's head showing a pony
tail formed by using the headband of FIG. 8A;
[0051] FIG. 9 is a rear view of a model's head showing a pony tail
formed by using the necklace of FIG. 8;
[0052] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a model's head showing an alternate
use of the necklace of FIG. 8 for creating a different hairstyle;
[0053] FIG. 11 is a rear view of a jewelry pendant showing a fragrance
emitting ring and hair clasp;
[0054] FIG. 12 is a side edge view of the clasp as in FIG. 11;
[0055] FIG. 13 is a rear view of a model's head showing an alternate
pony tail hairstyle with hidden beads;
[0056] FIG. 14 is a rear view of a model's head showing a variation
of hairstyle as in FIG. 10, but with hidden beads;
[0057] FIG. 15 is a front elavational view of another embodiment
of fragrance emitting jewelry showing a necklace in use with three-dimensional
pendant;
[0058] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a triangular pyramid pendant
shown in FIG. 15;
[0059] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a pattern of a fragrance emitting
covering for the triangular pyramid pendant as in FIG. 15;
[0060] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
for a cube pendant;
[0061] FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment
for a spherical pendant; and,
[0062] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a further alternate
embodiment for a pear shaped pendant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0063] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a typical earring, with a geometric
or fanciful configuration, such as lace floret body member 1, shown
with petals 2 and central decorative area 3, both covered by thin
outer cover layer 2a. Petal layers 2 and central area 3 are covered
with thin perfume fragrance integument cover layer 2a prior to use,
in accordance with the embodiments discussed heretofore in the Summary
of the Invention. Thin integument cover layer 2a is coated or sprayed
with a fragrance, or wherein integument cover layer 2a is impregnated
with fragrance oils. Other methods include the application of powder
with appropriate binders. An alternate method is to use a printing
technique to apply fragrance oils to the top surface of the thin
cover layer covering the body member 1. In another method the substrates
mentioned can be coated with fragrance oils that have been encapsulated
into tiny beads forming a time release mechanism.
[0064] FIG. 2 shows the underside of earring floret 1 of FIG. 1,
shown with adhesive pad 6 covered with release liner 7. It is further
noted that the underside of earring floret 1 can be also covered
by a thin integument fragrance emitting cover layer 2a, so that
the fragrance emitted therefrom can contact the earlobe skin of
the wearer.
[0065] FIG. 3 shows a side view detail with floret 1 adhesively
attached to ear lobe 10 via adhesive patch 6. After a single use,
floret 1 is peeled off earlobe 10 and can be discarded; the price
point of these earrings permit such use.
[0066] Alternatively, used adhesive patch 6 can be peeled off the
backside of floret 1, and another new adhesive patch 6 can be attached
in its place (with integral release liner 7) for the next use. More
perfume of the same type can be sprayed onto floret 1 prior to reuse.
[0067] FIG. 3A shows dangling earring 1a, which is suspended freely
from a post through the earlobe 10, or by a clasp (not shown), loosely
dangling and intermittently contacting the skin of neck 10a of the
user. It is further noted that the fragrant scent cover layer can
be applied on both inner side 2b and outer side 2c of petal portions
2a, so that an outer portion 2c of floret earring 1 directly emits
a fragrant scent to the ambient air, while an inner portion 2c of
earring floret 1 will have a scent emitting cover layer adjacent
to the skin of the neck 10a, whereby the fragrant scent can intermittently
contact the skin of the neck 10a of the user and mix with body oils
therefrom, during natural movements of the head, neck and ear.
[0068] Instead of attaching florets 1 to the user's ear lobes,
the floret body members 1 having thin fragrance emitting outer cover
layer 2a can be adhesively attached to a smooth plastic band 12
as in FIG. 4. This may be a smooth transparent or colored vinyl
band constructed like an adjustable bra strap with adjustable loop
14 via buckle 15, and attachment clip 13. This can be adjusted to
function as a "choker". Florets 1 (four are shown in the
illustration) are adhesively attached to band 12. In this manner,
matching necklace and earrings are easily matched by attaching several
of the same decorative elements, such as florets 1, as are used
as earrings.
[0069] An alternate embodiment of fragrance emitting earring for
pierced ear lobes is shown in FIG. 5. This is illustrated as an
embroidered fabric flower applique body member 20 with central disk
22 with hole 23 surrounded by petals 21.
[0070] In this embodiment, the fragrance emitting element is a
thin pre-impregnated integument pad 22 which is adhesively attached
via pressure sensitive adhesive layer 24 to the underside of disk
22 (as shown in the crossectional view of FIG. 6).
[0071] As shown in the attachment method of FIG. 7, applique 20
is attached by inserting gold spike 26 with decorative end 25 through
hole 23 and then through the hole in ear lobe 10 and finally retained
via spring clip 27. Integument pad 22 is a fragrance-impregnated
fabric, such as polyester, or an open cell foam that gently touches
the skin at the ear lobe. The fragrance liquid from the thin integument
pad thus mingles with skin oils to form a subtle fragrance vapor
in the vicinity of the ear in such a manner as to be unique to the
combination of fragrance liquid and body chemistry. Peeling off
used fragrance pads and replacing with a new one, which can be a
different fragrance if desired, can reuse appliques such as body
members 20.
[0072] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of fragrance
emitting jewelry in the form of a jewelry piece in the form of a
string of beads 40 with beads 41 strung on an elastic cord, and
pendant 42 attached to the cord.
[0073] The construction of pendant 42 is shown in the back view
of FIG. 11 and the edge view of FIG. 12. The fragrance-emitting
element is a thin ring layer 55 of fabric or open cell foam adhesively
attached to flat pendant face 57 at the edge.
[0074] The design of pendant 42 includes cutouts 61 to facilitate
air movement in the vicinity of ring 55. Hair clasp 59 with hinge
58 and latch 60 lies flat enough such that it does not protrude
beyond ring 55 so as to permit user's skin to touch ring 55 when
string of beads 40 is used as a necklace. Loop 56 attaches pendant
42 to the elastic cord.
[0075] While FIG. 8 shows use of the jewelry 40 as a necklace,
FIG. 8A shows use of the jewelry 40 as a headband. Furthermore,
while string of beads 40 is shown as a headband surrounding the
hair, it is further noted that the locks of hair of the wearer can
be combed over the string of beads, thereby only exposing pendant
42 to view.
[0076] By clasping pendant/hair clip 42, as shown in FIG. 9 and
then draping beads 42 over it downward and then wrapping it around
hair into small loop 43, pony tail 43 is formed. The elastic cord
helps in forming this operation since otherwise a string of beads
that can also be used as a necklace would be too short.
[0077] By just forming a large loop 50 as shown in FIG. 10, hair
is guided through forming a looser type of hairstyle.
[0078] FIG. 13 shows another method of using string of beads 40
to form ponytail 46. In this case, beads 41 are draped under hair
clip 42 and then wrapped around hair forming small loop 43. Then
some hair 65 is combed or brushed over beads 41 to hide them.
[0079] Similarly, by draping beads 41 under hair clip 42 as shown
in FIG. 14, forming large loop, guiding hair 51 through large loop,
and then using some hair 67 to cover beads 41, another hair style
is formed.
[0080] FIG. 15 shows yet another embodiment of fragrance emitting
jewelry. This is a necklace 70 using any type of chain with a dangling
three dimensional pendant 71. Pendant 71, as illustrated, is a triangular
pyramid.
[0081] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the base showing three edges
of dimension B.
[0082] FIG. 17 shows a flat pattern of thin fragrance emitting
decorative fabric integument cover layer 75 that is used to cover
pendant 71. Long edges 76 will meet at a common seam, and short
edges 77 will be at the bottom of pendant 71 when draped around
on creases 78. The underside of pattern 75 has a pressure sensitive
adhesive layer covered with a release liner; this is peeled off
prior to attachment. If pendant 71 is not disposable, fragrant emitting
patterns 75 would be available for replacement in a sealed airtight
pouch.
[0083] FIGS. 18 through 20 show a few other alternatives of three-dimensional
pendants. All have a swivel attachment loop 82 which facilitates
changing the point of contact with the user's skin to facilitate
mixing the fragrance emitting material from the thin fragrance emitting
outer integument cover layer with the skin oils to create a unique
personal fragrance experience.
[0084] Many other geometric or decorative shapes can be used. The
cube 80 of FIG. 18 has a fragrance covering integument cover layer
on the vertical sides 81.
[0085] Sphere 85 of FIG. 19 has thin fragrance emitting spherical
sector integument cover layers 86, which are part of a flat pattern.
Pear shaped pendant 88 of FIG. 20 also has sectors 89 of fragrance
emitting material that will be form-fitting when draped around from
a flat pattern.
[0086] In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions
are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary
limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations
depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms
and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit
the scope of the present invention.
[0087] It is further known that other modifications may be made
to the present invention, without departing from the scope of the
invention.
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