U.S. patent application number 11/212848 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for recognition of scents in fragrances.
This patent application is currently assigned to Quest International B.V.. Invention is credited to Philippe Durand, Jean-Pierre Graziano Houri, Shibani Mohindra, Isabelle Pupier Stefanesco.
Application Number | 20060046241 11/212848 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9916808 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060046241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Houri; Jean-Pierre Graziano ;
et al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Recognition of scents in fragrances
Abstract
Educational/diversionary apparatus is arranged to present a user
with various different scents and data thereon in order to aid
scent recognition and enable a user to decide upon a combination of
scent types which would be desirable to him/her. The apparatus
takes the forms of a kit having a number of different scents and
data carrying means, such as a CD Rom, which holds data on the
nature, geographical origin and/or source of each of the said
scents, wherein the data held on the data carrying means includes a
map showing a number of geographical regions and cross-referencing
means for cross-referencing each region with an associated scent.
The selection of a region by the user can thus result in an
associated scent being identified and data on that scent being
presented to the user. The data on the carrier preferably comprises
a computer program having instructions for causing a computer to
display an image of the map and to provide means for selecting an
area on the map. The apparatus may also be arranged to cause the
computer to accept inputs from the user representative of the
relative desirabilities of scents in the kit, and means for
generating a display representative of said desirabilities.
Inventors: |
Houri; Jean-Pierre Graziano;
(Folkestone, GB) ; Mohindra; Shibani; (Orpington,
GB) ; Durand; Philippe; (Hythe, GB) ;
Stefanesco; Isabelle Pupier; (New York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP
1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Assignee: |
Quest International B.V.
|
Family ID: |
9916808 |
Appl. No.: |
11/212848 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10480592 |
Dec 12, 2003 |
6962496 |
|
|
PCT/GB02/02700 |
Jun 14, 2002 |
|
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11212848 |
Aug 29, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/365 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 9/042 20130101;
A61L 9/01 20130101; A61L 9/125 20130101; A61L 9/014 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/365 |
International
Class: |
G09B 25/00 20060101
G09B025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 16, 2001 |
GB |
0114807.1 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. Apparatus for providing an indication of the types of
fragrances that a user is likely to prefer, the apparatus
comprising a plurality of scents in different predetermined
families, a data carrier comprising a computer readable medium
comprising a computer programme for causing a computer to instruct
a user to sample each scent in turn, and enter data representative
of the desirability of each scent and to display a graphical
representation of the relative desirabilities of the families
(based on said inputs).
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the scents are in a
liquid form, each scent being held in a respective container, and
the apparatus includes substrate means for receiving a portion of
scent to be smelt.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the substrate means
is absorbent, and conveniently comprises a number of pieces of
sheet material, for example strips of paper, other non organic
matrices such as zeolites or silica or polymer matrices.
14. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the apparatus also
includes a receptacle for mixing individual scents and dispensing
means, for example droppers, for transferring controlled amounts of
scents from their containers to the receptacle.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the apparatus also
includes one or more materials, such as leather or a fabric,
associated with a given scent.
16. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/480,592, filed Dec. 12, 2003, and a national phase filing
based on PCT/GB02/02700, filed Jun. 14, 2002 and claims priority
benefit of GB Appln. No. 0114807.1, filed Jun. 16, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to educational apparatus for
presenting a user with scents and information thereon. Such
apparatus may additionally or alternatively provide a user with a
profile indicative of the fragrance families which that person is
likely to prefer. The invention is particularly applicable to the
recognition of scents in perfumes for personal use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A wide range of different perfumes are used as ingredients
for many commercially available products, especially toiletries.
Where a perfume is dominated by a scent originating from any
single, readily identifiable source (for example a citrus fruit
such as lemon), many users can normally easily recognise the
scent.
[0004] However, many perfumes comprise a complex blend of various
different ingredients, some of which produce very subtle scents.
Few people are able, without special training, to identify
individual scents in such perfumes, and therefore find it difficult
to associate perfumes with the varied and (sometimes) rather
obscure descriptions often provided on the packaging of the
perfumes. Consequently, many people tend to select a new perfume on
a "trial and error" basis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention, there is provided educational
and/or diversionary apparatus for presenting a user with scents and
data thereon, the apparatus comprising a kit containing a number of
different scents and data carrying means which holds data on the
nature, geographical origin and/or source of each of the scents,
wherein data held on the data carrying means includes a map showing
a number of geographical regions and cross referencing means for
cross referencing each region with an associated scent, such that
the selection of a region by the user results in the associated
scent being identified.
[0006] It is believed that the referencing of each scent to a
respective geographical region, and the provision of information on
a scent in response to the selection of such a region enable a user
more readily to remember, recognise and describe the scent and its
characteristics.
[0007] Each scent may be associated with its region by virtue of
any characteristic which is relevant to that region. Thus a scent
may be associated with a particular country famous as a source for
that scent, or in which that scent was first made, or with a
region, such as an ocean, because the scent has similar
characteristics of freshness to that of the ocean.
[0008] A scent may also be associated with a given country by
virtue of having been popular in that country.
[0009] The data on the carrier may take the form of printed matter,
but preferably comprises a computer program having instructions for
causing a computer to display an image of the map and to provide
means for selecting, using an input device on the computer, an area
on the map, wherein the selection of any given region causes the
computer to retrieve and display information on the associated
scent.
[0010] The program is preferably also operable to cause a computer
running the program to invite the user to sample a scent (by
smelling it). In this case, the program is also preferably operable
to cause such a computer to record data, which is entered by the
user- and which is indicative of his or her perception of the
desirability of the sampled scent. The invitation may be given
using an animation depicting a person or character asking the user
to sample the scent.
[0011] The data may, for example, be a numerical score, the higher
the score the more desirable the scent.
[0012] Preferably, the program, in use, cause a computer to prompt
the user to enter said data and puts the computer in a condition to
receive said data after having displayed instructions for the user
to try the scent and having displayed information on the scent, and
before allowing another region to be selected.
[0013] Preferably, the program includes instructions for causing a
computer to create, from said inputs, an output representative of
the relative desirabilities of the previously sampled scents.
[0014] The output may to advantage take the form of a graphical
representation of relative desirabilities of sample scents.
[0015] It is known to categorise scents into different olfactive
groups, each containing scents of similar characteristics (e.g.
floral, spicy, herbal etc.). Preferably, the graphical
representation comprises a series of coloured elements, each
corresponding to a respective group containing a scent that has
been sampled.
[0016] The elements may to advantage comprise concentric rings, the
thickness of each of which is proportionate to the desirability of
the respective scent in the group represented by that ring.
[0017] Such a representation corresponds to the Lignes de force
developed by Quest International to provide a graphical
representation of various known types of perfume. According to the
Lignes de force scheme, the thickness of any given ring corresponds
to the prominence of a given category of scent in a perfume. Thus,
by comparing his or her own profile, as prepared by the computer,
with the recorded Lignes de force representations of various known
scents, a user can more readily find a perfume which is likely to
appeal to him or her.
[0018] The invention therefore also lies in apparatus for providing
an indication of the types of fragrances that a user is likely to
prefer, the apparatus comprising a plurality of scents in different
predetermined families, a data carrier on which there is provided a
computer programme for causing a computer to instruct a user to
sample each scent in turn, and enter data representative of the
desirability of each scent and to display a graphical
representation of the relative desirabilities of the families
(based on said inputs).
[0019] Preferably, the scents are in a liquid form, each scent
being held in a respective container, and the apparatus includes
substrate means for receiving a portion of scent to be smelt.
[0020] Preferably, the substrate means is absorbent, and
conveniently comprises a number of pieces of sheet material, for
example strips of paper. Alternatively, the substrate means may
comprise non-paper absorbents, for example as supplied by flacon
Ltd (Tunbridge, UK) under the name "scrib-rod inners type 7446",
polymer matrices or inorganic matrices (for example silica or
zeolites).
[0021] Preferably, the apparatus also includes a receptacle for
mixing individual scents and dispensing means, for example
droppers, or other delivery devices for transferring controlled
amounts of scents from their containers to the receptacle.
[0022] Preferably, the apparatus also includes one or more
materials, such as leather or a fabric, associated with a given
scent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a container for apparatus according to the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a container (when opened) revealing various
components of the apparatus, including a CD Rom;
[0026] FIGS. 3A-3I show examples of the text and graphics displayed
on a computer running a program on the CD Rom, said text and
graphics providing an introduction to the use of the apparatus;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a representation of a map of the world which is
displayed by the computer (and stored in encoded form on the CD
Rom) from which a user can select various regions, each associated
with a respective scent or family of scents;
[0028] FIGS. 5A-5F, 6A-6C, 7A-7C, and 8-17 show examples of
displays of information on said regions, scents and/or families of
scents;
[0029] FIGS. 18-20 show further information which is displayed
after the user has stopped selecting regions;
[0030] FIGS. 21A and 21B are examples of text and graphics which
can be displayed to introduce the user to concepts relating to a
combination of scents.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a diagram indicating the way in which scents can
be represented in accordance with the applicant's Lignes de force
system;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a neutral Ligne de force diagram (showing all
scent components with equal prominence);
[0033] FIG. 24 is a corresponding diagram showing a profile of
Chanel No. 5;
[0034] FIGS. 25 and 26 is a corresponding diagram showing the
profiles of various fragrances for men and women respectively;
[0035] FIGS. 27-29 show further text and graphics which may be
displayed by the computer and which relate to further
categorisation of fragrances to help a user establish the types of
fragrance which he/she is likely to prefer.
DESCRIPTION
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, apparatus in accordance
with the invention comprises a container 1 which is of a generally
circular shape when viewed in plan, and has a lid 2 which surmounts
a base tray 4. The lid 2 and base tray 4 are pivoted together by a
hinged connection at the rear of the container 1 so that the lid 2
can pivot, about a horizontal axis, from the closed position shown
in FIG. 1 into the open position shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen
from FIG. 2, the underside of the lid 2 carries a pocket 6 which
contains a CD Rom 8.
[0037] The container also has a circular platform which sits above
the tray 4 and which is composed of two semi-circular halves 10 and
12. The halves 10 and 12 are hinged together at a hinge 14 which
enables them to pivot together and apart about a vertical axis at
the rear of the container. The hinge 14 is mounted on guide means
(not shown) which enables the hinge to slide forward as the two
halves 10 and 12 are moved apart so that the separation of the two
halves is not prevented by the lid 2. Each platform half provides a
semi-circular tray which is divided into a number of compartments,
for example 16 and 18, each which holds a respective container, for
example 20, of a respective scent in liquid form. Each scent
container is sealed by means of a removable lid and has markings
which identify the scent within the container.
[0038] The appendix hereto is a table which lists all of the
individual scents which may be contained in the platform. As can be
seen from the table, the scents are divided into families, and
there are a large number of individual scents which may be present.
The dimensions of the described platform relative to that of the
scent containers are intended to be such that the platform can hold
all of the said scents. However, a simplified version of the
apparatus might have a platform which holds a smaller number of
scents, the minimum being one from each of the listed families.
[0039] When the platform halves are moved into the open position
shown in FIG. 2, the interior of the tray 4 is revealed. This is
divided into two compartments 22 and 24. The compartment 22
contains a number of paper "smelling strips" 26 (or non-paper
substrates such as polymer matrices, silica or zeolites) to which
the scents may be applied before being smelt. In addition, the
compartment 22 contains a number of droppers (e.g. 23). The number
of droppers corresponds to the number of scents so that each
dropper can be used for the respective scent. In addition, there is
provided a receptacle 25 into which small doses of selected scents
can be supplied (using the droppers) and mixed together.
[0040] The CD Rom 8 carries a computer program for use on a
personal computer. The listing of the program, is not included in
the present document as it can be readily prepared using standard
programming techniques and the knowledge of the operations which
result from running the program. In this case, the program will
initially cause the computer to display a number of introductory
frames, in sequence, on its display screen. Examples of these are
shown in FIG. 3.
[0041] In the present example, the first frame, shown in FIG. 3A,
shows a key hole against a background of containers of ingredients,
and some introductory text. If the user clicks on the key hole
item, this leads to the frame shown in FIG. 3B being displayed.
FIG. 3B shows an image of somebody apparently appreciating a
fragrance, and text which indicates that smelling, like breathing
is instinctive, but that the understanding of the smells of
fragrances need to be learned. This is followed by the frame of
FIG. 3C, which gives further information intended to stimulate the
user's interest. The frame shown in FIG. 3D prompts the user to
select a scent at random and to smell it using the techniques
explained in the following frame, shown in FIG. 3E.
[0042] FIGS. 3F and 3G show subsequent frames which discuss the
nature of smell and its potential effect on people's moods. The
purpose of these frames is to stimulate the user's interest in
pursuing the subsequent activity suggested by the program, and it
will be appreciated that additional or alternative information may
be provided at the introductory stage of the operation of the
program. In addition, the program may cause the computer to display
an animated figure (such as a perfumer) and play audio files so
that the information in the introduction is presented in the form
of a spoken narrative provided by the animated figure.
[0043] The frames shown in FIGS. 3H and I, explaining the next part
of the game, are then displayed in sequence, and the program then
causes the computer to display a map, one example of which is as
shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the computer may display a globe
which the user can rotate about one or more axes with the aid of a
cursor.
[0044] The cursor can also be used to select a given country or
region from the map. The program includes cross references between
each selectable region and a respective scent or family of scents,
and is so arranged that the selection of a given region will then
cause the computer to display information about the cross
referenced set/family.
[0045] Thus, for example, the selection of Italy from the map shown
in FIG. 4 will lead to the frame shown in FIGS. 5A and B being
displayed. The latter frame provides a list of related scents in
two olfactive families from which list, for example, lemon can be
selected. The next frame, shown in FIG. 5C, gives more general
information (historical, cultural, geographical etc) on lemon. This
is one of the scents included in the kit, and the program therefore
thus prompts the user to smell that scent (FIG. 5D). The computer
program gives the user the option of inputting notes on the
impressions of the scents sampled, so that the computer compiles an
electronic "camet de voyage" that the player can display on the
screen whenever he/she wants. The "camet de voyage may also include
a hypertext link to a dedicated web site for providing further
information on the selected scents.
[0046] Frames 5E and 5F show further information which can be
displayed about lemon. These frames help to put the user in
experimental situations which lead to conclusions, which are
intended to lead the user to understand the advantages of using the
"Lignes de Force" representation of scents discussed below. The
user also learns about the olfactive family which includes
lemon.
[0047] In general, a given family will be linked with several
countries in the database provided on the CD Rom. Thus, for
example, by clicking on another relevant country, the user can
obtain data on another member of the citrus olfactive family. Thus,
background data on each scent can provide information about a
family which is not provided by other members of the family.
[0048] Once the player has "visited" all the ingredients, there is
a recap of the fourteen families with the introduction of the
"Lignes de Force" concept discussed below.
[0049] FIGS. 6A-C show the frames that would be displayed if the
user were to select Paris. FIGS. 7A-C show the frames that would
follow the selection of Malaysia. In each case, the first frame
indicates the region (the city Paris or the country Malaysia as the
case may be) and a famous scent associated therewith. The
subsequent frames then provide more general information on the
family of that scent. As shown on the frames, the computer can also
indicate other scents (in the kit) from the same family that can be
tried by the user.
[0050] FIGS. 8-17 show frames which would be displayed in response
to the selection of other regions as indicated on the frames. Each
of these frames prompts the user to try a sample scent from the
kit. It should be noted that the kit also includes a sample of
leather, and the frame shown in FIG. 13 prompts the user to smell
that sample.
[0051] Once all the frames associated with any given region
selection have been displayed, the map shown in FIG. 4 is once
again displayed so that the user can select another region. The
user can then select another region, until all of the regions have
been selected and the associated frames on them displayed. At this
stage of the process, the computer may display summary frames as
shown, for example, in FIGS. 19 and 20.
[0052] At this stage, a further frame (not shown) is displayed
prompting the user to try a representative scent from each of the
families, and then to input into the computer an indication of the
desirability of that scent. This indication could take the form of
a score from 0 (unpleasant) to 10 (very desirable).
[0053] The program then provides the user with a description of the
present applicants' "Lignes de Force" and "Perfume Planets" method
of generating symbols representative of different fragrances
(starting with FIGS. 21A or B). The "Lignes de Force" method This
approach is already known, and will not therefore be described in
detail. Briefly, a fragrance is represented as a number of families
of scents as shown in the appendix.
[0054] This is graphically displayed in a triangle such as triangle
28 shown in FIG. 22 The triangle 28 is divided into an upper,
middle and lower portion respectively referenced 30, 32 and 34. The
upper portion represents the "head notes" which are the scents that
are initially prominent after application of a fragrance, but which
fade within the first fifteen minutes of evaporation. The portion
32 represents the "heart notes", families of scents which are more
prominent over the next three to four hours following application
of the fragrance. Finally, the portion 34 is representative of the
"base notes", components which are prominent during the last four
to five hours of evaporation of the fragrance. The triangle 28 also
contains a series of vertical lines which are colour coded to
represent various families, and which are symmetrically arranged
about a vertical axis of symmetry 36 so that the group to the axis
36 is a mirror image of the group of lines to the right of the
axis.
[0055] The following table indicates the reference numerals used to
indicate which of the vertical lines is representative of which
family: TABLE-US-00001 Family Ref. No. Citrus 50 Herbal 52 Aldehyde
54 Green 56 Marine/Ozone 58 Fruit 60 Floral 62 Spice 64 Wood 66
Leather 68 Animal 70 Musk 72 Amber 74 Vanillic 76
[0056] As can be seen from FIG. 22, certain families of scents, for
example the vanillic family (76) are more enduring than others, for
example the citrus family (50).
[0057] The triangle and scent lines shown in FIG. 22 can be
considered to be a side elevational cross section of a cone which,
if viewed from above, would appear as a series of concentric rings,
each representative of a respective scent. This connection between
the two forms is illustrated at 78 in FIG. 22 (which shows half of
such a cone viewed from above).
[0058] The rings are shown more clearly in FIG. 23, again FIG. 23
corresponds to FIG. 22 in that all families are given equal
prominence. In reality, however, a given fragrance will exhibit
characteristics of only some of the families, and will have scents
from some families which are stronger than those from others. In
the current representation, this is indicated by the thickness of
the rings denoting the families.
[0059] FIG. 24 is a representation of the fragrances produced by
the perfume Chanel No. 5. As can be seen, the fragrance does not
have any characteristics from the herbal, green, marine/ozone,
fruit, leather or amber families, but does have markedly strong
aldehydic, woody and floral notes.
[0060] FIGS. 25 and 26 show the profiles of a number of other known
fragrances. In each case, a respective fragrance is represented by
a series of sectors (each one corresponding to a respective ring)
which are arranged in the same sequences of rings shown in FIGS. 22
and 23, gaps indicate the absence of the scent of those families
which would be represented at that radius.
[0061] Having provided these representations by way of explanation,
the program will cause the computer to generate a further
representation, corresponding to FIGS. 23 and 24, in which the
thickness of the rings representative of families is related to the
score given to each family by the user. The computer thus generates
a "personalised" profile of the type of scent that the user is most
likely to like, and this in conjunction with the sort of
information provided on FIGS. 25 and 26 can assist the user in
choosing the fragrance which he/she is most likely to enjoy.
[0062] The type of scent that a person is likely to desire can be
provided by asking the user a number of questions which establish a
certain personality profile, and this can be used to provide
further data on the types of perfume/perfume constituents that the
user is likely to like. For example, the profile might suggest that
the person prefers oriental scents, whereas the calculated profile
suggests that floral scents are the preferred family. In that case,
the computer could suggest that the user creates a perfume from an
oriental base to which is added a number of floral scents. These
issues are discussed briefly in the frames shown in FIGS. 27, 28
and 29. The user can use this information to create his or her own
personal accords (i.e. TABLE-US-00002 RAW MATRIALS CITRUS Bergamot
Grapefruit Lime Mandarine Neroli Orange Petitgrain Lemon Verbena
HERBAL Lavender Armoise Basil Dihydromyrcenol Oregano Peppermint
Pine Needle (Acetate Iso Bornyle) Rosemary (Espagne) ALDEHYDE
Aldehyde C11 GREEN Cis 3 Hexenol Galbanum Ligustral Octine
Carbonate De Methyle Styralyle Acetate MARINE/ Aquantraal OZONE
Calone Floral Ozone Helional Ozonal FRUIT Apple Apricot Banana
Blackcurrant Coconut (Aldehyde C18) Dewberry Peach Pineapple
(Heptanoate Allyle) Plum (Prunella) Raspberry Strawberry Damascone
Alpha Rasberry Ketone FLORAL Carnation Clover (Salicylate d'Amyl)
Geranium Hedione (Methyl Dibydrojas. Su.) Jacynthe FLORAL Lilly of
the Valley (Coraline) Mimosa Rose Tuberose Violet (Methyl Ionone
Alpha) Ylang Ylang SPICE Bay Cardamom Coriander Cinnamon Clove
Cumin Ginger Nutmeg Pepper Black Pimento Berry WOOD Cedarwood
Cyclisone Cypress Iso E Super Oakmoss Orris Patchouli Sandalwood
Vetyver Acetyl De Vetyveryl Jasmine LEATHER Birch Tar Dynamone
Isobutyl Quinoleine ANIMAL Animalis Castoreum Civet Costus MUSK
Musk Ri AMBER Ambertone Cashmeran Fir Balsam Labdanum Myrrh
Oppoponax Tobacco VANILLIC Benzoin Cocoa Coffee Ethyl Maltol
Chocovan Coumarine Heliotropine Honey Peru Balsam Vanilla
* * * * *