U.S. patent application number 11/521286 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for jewelry with thin, closely adhering fragrance emitting cover layer.
Invention is credited to Christine Martz.
Application Number | 20070006614 11/521286 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34138446 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070006614 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martz; Christine |
January 11, 2007 |
Jewelry with thin, closely adhering fragrance emitting cover
layer
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.
Inventors: |
Martz; Christine; (North
Bellmore, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALFRED M. WALKER
225 OLD COUNTRY ROAD
MELVILLE
NY
11747-2712
US
|
Family ID: |
34138446 |
Appl. No.: |
11/521286 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10813981 |
Mar 31, 2004 |
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11521286 |
Sep 14, 2006 |
|
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60459461 |
Apr 1, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
63/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 15/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
063/015 |
International
Class: |
A44C 9/00 20060101
A44C009/00 |
Claims
1. A method of providing an interchangeable fragrant decorative
necklace and headband upon the neck or hair of a user configured to
be worn either as a necklace and as a hair accessory; comprising
the steps of: providing a decorative continuous necklace and
headband piece having an elastic, stretchable continuous cord of
elastic material configured to lay snugly around a neck area of a
user; providing sufficient elasticity in said elastic, stretchable
continuous cord to enable said elastic, stretchable continuous cord
to expand over the head of a user and to cling to the head of a
user; providing a pendant having at least one skin contact surface;
attaching said pendant to said continuous cord; providing a thin
cover layer member having a fragrance emitting material bonded
thereto; adhering, by pressure sensitive adhesive, said thin cover
layer member to said at least one skin contact surface of said
pendant, whereby upon contact with skin of the user, said fragrance
emitting material reacts with skin oils of the user to mute
fragrance emitting from said thin cover layer member; wrapping said
elastic, stretchable continuous cord to the hair of the user;
providing said pendant with a hair clasp having a hinge and latch
when said continuous necklace and headband piece is configured to
be worn as a hair accessory contacting and wrapped around and/or
through the hair of the user to form a desired hair style of the
hair of the user; and, locating said hinge and latch upon said
pendant so that said hinge and latch lies flat enough such that it
does not protrude beyond said skin contact surface of said pendant
having said thin cover layer member having said fragrance emitting
material bonded thereto; so as to permit the user's skin to said
skin contact surface of said pendant when said continuous necklace
and headband piece is configured to be worn as a necklace.
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). This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
10/813,981 filed Mar. 31, 2004 and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
120 therefrom.
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 United States 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.
* * * * *