U.S. patent application number 11/958888 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for fragrance emitting patch and compact for holding a plurality of such patches.
Invention is credited to Ricky Ray Burrow, Elaine M. Gannon, Joseph M. Luizzi, Pramod Mavinkurve, H. Michael Moscherosch, Vincent Parent.
Application Number | 20090078598 11/958888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40219944 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090078598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burrow; Ricky Ray ; et
al. |
March 26, 2009 |
FRAGRANCE EMITTING PATCH AND COMPACT FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF
SUCH PATCHES
Abstract
A fragrance emitting patch kit including a compact having an
internal compartment, and a plurality of fragrance emitting patches
positioned within the internal compartment of the compact.
Inventors: |
Burrow; Ricky Ray;
(Doylestown, PA) ; Gannon; Elaine M.; (Hoboken,
NJ) ; Luizzi; Joseph M.; (Newtown, PA) ;
Mavinkurve; Pramod; (Princeton, NJ) ; Moscherosch; H.
Michael; (Doylestown, PA) ; Parent; Vincent;
(Belle Mead, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON;JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
40219944 |
Appl. No.: |
11/958888 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60974665 |
Sep 24, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 9/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/231 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/62 20060101
B65D085/62 |
Claims
1. A fragrance emitting patch kit comprising: a compact having an
internal compartment; and a plurality of fragrance emitting patches
positioned within the internal compartment of the compact, the
plurality of patches arranged in a stacked configuration, the
plurality of patches arranged in the stacked configuration
including a top patch, a bottom patch, and a plurality of patches
arranged between the top patch and the bottom patch, and wherein
each of the patches comprises: a primary porous layer having a top
and a bottom surface; a secondary layer having a top and a bottom
surface; a construction adhesive arranged between the primary layer
and the secondary layer for securing the primary and secondary
layers to one another; wherein the primary layer is provided with a
fragrance; and wherein an absolute difference of a Hildebrand
solubility parameter of the construction adhesive and a Hildebrand
solubility parameter of the fragrance is greater than 1.5.
2. The kit according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning
adhesive arranged on the bottom surface of the secondary layer.
3. The kit according to claim 2, wherein the secondary layer is a
porous material and wherein an absolute difference of a Hildebrand
solubility parameter of the positioning adhesive and the Hildebrand
solubility parameter of the fragrance is greater than 1.5.
4. The kit according to claim 1, further comprising a release
member that is removably attached to the positioning adhesive.
5. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the primary layer is
provided with the fragrance in an amount greater than about 3
gsm.
6. The kit according to claim 5, wherein the primary layer is
provided with the fragrance in an amount within a range of about 3
gsm and about 15 gsm.
7. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the primary layer is a
nonwoven material.
8. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the primary layer is a
microporous film.
9. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the secondary layer is a
non-porous material.
10. The kit according to claim 9, wherein the secondary layer is a
non-porous film.
11. The kit according to claim 3, wherein the secondary layer is a
nonwoven material.
12. The kit according to claim 3, wherein the secondary layer is a
microporous film.
13. A fragrance emitting patch kit comprising: a compact having an
internal compartment; and a plurality of fragrance emitting patches
positioned within the internal compartment of the compact, the
plurality of patches arranged in a stacked configuration, the
plurality of patches arranged in the stacked configuration
including a top patch, a bottom patch, and a plurality of patches
arranged between the top patch and the bottom patch, wherein each
of the patches comprises: a primary porous layer having a top and a
bottom surface; a secondary porous layer having a top and a bottom
surface; a positioning adhesive arranged on the bottom surface of
the secondary layer; wherein the primary porous layer and the
secondary porous layer are secured to one another in an adhesive
free manner; wherein at least one of the primary and secondary
layers is provided with a fragrance; and wherein an absolute
difference of a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the positioning
adhesive and a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the fragrance is
greater than 1.5.
14. The kit according to claim 13, further comprising a release
paper that is removably attached to the positioning adhesive.
15. The kit according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the
primary and secondary layers is provided with the fragrance in an
amount greater than about 3 gsm.
16. The kit according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the
primary and secondary layers is provided with the fragrance in an
amount within a range of about 3 gsm to about 15 gsm.
17. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the primary layer is a
nonwoven material.
18. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the primary layer is a
microporous film.
19. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the secondary layer is a
nonwoven material.
20. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the secondary layer is a
microporous film.
21. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the primary layer is
secured to the secondary layer by at least one of heat and
pressure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Application No.
60/974,665 filed on Sep. 24, 2007, the entire contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fragrance emitting patch
that a user can attach to the body or an article of clothing, and
more particularly to such a patch including at least one layer
including a fragrance and an adhesive applied to the patch for
selectively securing the patch to the body or an article of
clothing. The present invention also relates to a compact for
holding a plurality of such fragrance emitting patches in stacked
configuration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fragrance emitting devices are generally used to deliver a
pleasing scent to the user. These devices have been used in the
past to mask undesirable odors and can also be functionalized with
an odor-controlling agent. The prior art discloses fragrance
emitting patches that purport to deliver fragrance when a user
attaches the patch onto their body or an article of clothing. These
patches generally include one more or more layers of material, at
least one of which is provided with a fragrance. Fragrance emitting
patches generally include a positioning adhesive applied to an
external surface of the patch for selectively adhering the patch
onto the user's skin or article of clothing. Patches with multiple
layers may also include a construction adhesive used to affix the
layers of the patch to one another.
[0004] The inventors have discovered that many fragrances used in
known fragrance emitting patches will migrate into the adhesive
components of the patch and undesirably interact with the adhesive
by altering its chemical composition. In particular, the inventors
have discovered the aromatic components of many fragrances tend to
plasticize the end blocks of standard hot melt adhesives. The
inventors have discovered that this interaction causes the
adhesives to perform poorly by reducing the cohesiveness and
internal strength of standard construction and positioning
adhesives. Specifically, the inventors have discovered that the
interaction between the fragrance and positioning adhesive may
cause the patch to detach from the surface to which it is applied
and in a multilayer construction the interaction of the fragrance
with the construction adhesive may cause the undesirable
delamination of the layers of the patch.
[0005] The inventors have further discovered that in order for a
fragrance emitting patch to provide the desired intensity of scent,
and in order for the scent to last for a sufficient period of time
during use, the fragrance must be applied to the relevant layer of
the patch in a relatively high add on amount. However, the
inventors have discovered that the use of a high add on amount of
fragrance exacerbates the degradation of the adhesive described
above.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a
fragrance emitting patch that has the ability to incorporate high
levels of fragrance without sacrificing the functionality of the
construction and positioning adhesives used within the patch.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, the present
invention also relates to a compact for carrying a plurality of
fragrance emitting patches in a stacked configuration. The compact
permits a plurality of the patches to be carried in a convenient
portable manner and also facilitates the easy removal of a patch
from the compact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides
according to a first aspect of the invention, a fragrance emitting
patch kit including a compact having an internal compartment, and a
plurality of fragrance emitting patches positioned within the
internal compartment of the compact, the plurality of patches
arranged in a stacked configuration, the plurality of patches
arranged in the stacked configuration including a top patch, a
bottom patch, and a plurality of patches arranged between the top
patch and the bottom patch, and wherein each of the patches
includes a primary porous layer having a top and a bottom surface,
a secondary layer having a top and a bottom surface, a construction
adhesive arranged between the primary layer and the secondary layer
for securing the primary and secondary layers to one another,
wherein the primary layer is provided with a fragrance, and wherein
an absolute difference of a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the
construction adhesive and a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the
fragrance is greater than 1.5.
[0009] The present invention provides, according to a second aspect
of the invention, a fragrance emitting patch kit including a
compact having an internal compartment, a plurality of fragrance
emitting patches positioned within the internal compartment of the
compact, the plurality of patches arranged in a stacked
configuration, the plurality of patches arranged in the stacked
configuration including a top patch, a bottom patch, and a
plurality of patches arranged between the top patch and the bottom
patch, wherein each of the patches includes a primary porous layer
having a top and a bottom surface, a secondary porous layer having
a top and a bottom surface, a positioning adhesive arranged on the
bottom surface of the secondary layer, wherein the primary porous
layer and the secondary porous layer are secured to one another in
an adhesive free manner, wherein at least one of the primary and
secondary layers is provided with a fragrance, and wherein an
absolute difference of a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the
positioning adhesive and a Hildebrand solubility parameter of the
fragrance is greater than 1.5.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fragrance emitting patch in
accordance with the invention adhered to the surface of an
undergarment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a fragrance emitting patch
in accordance with the invention with the removable backing layer
thereof partially torn away to reveal the positioning adhesive
thereunder;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the patch shown in FIG.
2 taken along line 3-3 thereof;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a fragrance emitting patch in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the patch shown in FIG.
4 taken along line 5-5 thereof;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a fragrance emitting patch in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the patch shown in FIG.
6 taken along line 7-7 thereof.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fragrance emitting patch
kit including a compact and a plurality of fragrance emitting
patches arranged within the compact, the compact is depicted in an
open configuration showing the plurality patches arranged
therein;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the plurality of patches shown
in FIG. 8, showing the stacked arrangement of the patches;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a package for a holding the
fragrance emitting patch kit according to the present invention;
and
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a package for holding a
plurality of replacement patches for the fragrance emitting patch
kit according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] As used herein, the term "construction adhesive" refers to
any adhesive that is used to join two layers of material to one
another.
[0022] As used herein, the term "positioning adhesive" refers to
any adhesive that is used to removably attach a fragrance emitting
patch to a user's skin or clothing.
[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the fragrance emitting
patch according to the present invention is intended to be applied
to a user's undergarment, such as a woman's panty, during use, to
thereby provide a fresh scent to undergarment. The inventors have
found that in order to achieve long lasting fragrance levels that
can be detected from the perennial region of the user to the nose,
a high amount of fragrance must be incorporated into the fragrance
emitting patch. The inventors have found that users can detect a
product including a fragrance applied to one of the layers of the
patch in an add on amount of greater than 3 gsm (g/m.sup.2). In one
embodiment of the invention, a fragrance is applied to at least one
of the layers of the fragrance emitting patch in an amount of
between about 3 gsm and about 15 gsm.
[0024] The inventors have discovered that purposely selecting
fragrances that are substantially insoluble in the adhesive
compounds used in the fragrance emitting patch minimizes the
undesirable reaction between these components. The Hildebrand
solubility parameter is used often in chemistry to predict when two
solutions are soluble in one another. According to the theory
proposed by Dr. Joel Hildebrand, two solutions will be soluble when
the Hildebrand solubility parameter is equal, and insoluble when
the Hildebrand solubility parameter is not equal. The difference
between the two values is roughly related to the extent of
insolubility between the two solutions. The Hildebrand solubility
parameter (.delta.(SI)) is derived from the heat of vaporization
(.DELTA.H), the universal gas constant (R), the temperature (T),
and the molar volume of the solution (V.sub.m), and is calculated
using the following formula:
.delta.(SI)=[(.DELTA.H-RT)/V.sub.m].sup.1/2
The resulting value is a property of a particular solution at a
given temperature. In the international system of units (SI), the
universal gas constant (R) is approximately 8.314
JK.sup.-1mol.sup.-1. The Hildebrand solubility parameter has the
units of MPa.sup.1/2.
[0025] The Hildebrand solubility parameter of common adhesives and
fragrances is provided in TABLE 1 below:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Classification Solution .delta.(SI) Common
Adhesives Sytrenic Block Copolymers 14.4-18.6 and Tackifying Resins
Polyethylene, EVA 17-18.6 Polypropylene Polymers 17.2-19.2 Common
Fragrances Pine Oil 17.6 d-Limonene 16.5 Vanillin 24.7 Eugenol 22.2
Citral 18.7 Carvone 18.7 Jasmone 18.4
[0026] According to the present invention, the adhesive(s) and
fragrance(s) employed in the fragrance emitting patch have a
solubility parameter absolute value difference of greater than 1.5,
preferably greater than 3.0 and most preferably greater than 5.0.
This relationship can be expressed by the follow equation:
|.delta..sub.a-.delta..sub.f.ltoreq.1.5; where [0027]
.delta..sub.a=Hildebrand solubility parameter of the adhesive, and
[0028] .delta..sub.f=Hildebrand solubility parameter of the
fragrance. Selection of a fragrance(s) and an adhesive(s) 20
satisfy the above equation insures that fragrance does not adversly
interact with the ahesive and thereby compromise the same. This
insures that, even at high fragrance add on levels, the fragrance
emitting patch will securely adhere to the surface to which it is
applied and will not delaminate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a fragrance emitting patch
10 according to the present invention, the patch 10 is adhered to
the surface of a woman's undergarment to provide a fresh scent
thereto. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the patch 10 includes,
according to a first embodiment of the invention, a porous primary
layer 12 having a top surface 14 and a bottom surface 16. The
primary layer 12 is provided with a fragrance represented by the
numeral 18. The fragrance 18 may be applied to a top surface 14 or
bottom 16 surface of the primary layer 12 or it may be infused into
the primary layer 12 itself. The patch 10 is further provided with
a positioning adhesive 20 applied to the bottom surface 16 of the
primary layer 12. The positioning adhesive 20 allows a user to
selectively apply the patch to a garment of clothing such as a
undergarment, or directly to the skin.
[0030] The fragrance emitting patch 10 may be optionally provided
with a removable backing layer 22, shown in FIG. 2, that is
intended to protect the the positioning adhesive 20 prior to use of
the patch 10. The backing layer 22 may be constructed of a suitable
paper and/or polymeric film material. The surface of the backing
layer 22 in contact with the positioning adhesive 20 may be
provided with a non-stick coating such as silicone to facilitate
the removal of the backing layer 22 by the user prior to use.
[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the primary layer
12 is constructed from a porous non-woven web material. The primary
layer 12 may be composed of only one type of fiber, such as
polyester or polypropylene or it may include a mixture of more than
one fiber. The primary layer 12 may be composed of bi-component or
conjugate fibers having a low melting point component and a high
melting point component. The fibers may be selected from a variety
of natural and synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, rayon
(in combination with other fibers), cotton, acrylic fiber and the
like and combinations thereof. Preferably, the primary layer 12 has
a basis weight in the range of about 10 gsm to about 75 gsm.
Bi-component fibers may be made up of a polyester layer and a
polyethylene sheath. Using a fusible fabric increases the ease with
which the primary layer 12 may be mounted to any underlying layer
should such an underlying layer be employed. According to another
aspect of the invention, the porous primary layer 12 is constructed
from a microporous polymeric film material.
[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the porous primary
layer 12 is provided with the fragrance 18. The fragrance 18 may be
selected from one of the fragrances set forth in Table 1 above or
may be selected from other common fragrances known to those of
skill in the art. The fragrance 18 may also constitute a complex
fragrance, i.e. a fragrance including a mixture of a number of
different fragrance components. Typically the solubility parameter
.delta..sub.f of such complex fragrance mixtures may be obtained
from the commercial manufacturer of such fragrances. The fragrance
18 is preferably provided on or in the primary layer 12 in an
amount greater than about 3 gsm (g/m.sup.2), preferably between
about 3 gsm and about 15 gsm.
[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom surface
16 of the porous primary layer 12 is provided with a positioning
adhesive 20. Preferably the positioning adhesive 20 is applied to
the bottom surface 16 in an amount between about 8 gsm to about 25
gsm. Suitable positioning adhesive 20 compositions include hot melt
adhesives based on block copolymers such as linear or radial
co-polymer structures having the formula (A-B).sub.x wherein block
A is a polyvinylarene block, block B is a poly(monoalkenyl) block,
and x is an integer greater than or equal to one that denotes the
number of polymeric arms. Suitable block A polyvinylarenes include,
but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyalpha-methylstyrene,
polyvinyltoluene, and combinations thereof. Likewise, suitable
Block B poly(monoalkenyl) blocks include, but are not limited to,
conjugated diene elastomers, such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene,
and hydrogenated elastomers such as ethylene butylenes, ethylene
propylene, polyisobutylene, or combinations thereof. Commercial
examples of these types of block copolymers include Kraton.TM.
elastomers from Kraton Polymers L.P, Vector.TM. elastomers from
Dexco, SIBSTAR polymers from Kaneka USA, and Stereon.TM. from
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. Alternately, suitable acrylic hot
melt adhesive polymers such as the ACResin hot melt adhesives from
BASF Corp. may also be used. In addition to providing some level of
insolubility to the fragrances, these systems can be rendered
further insoluble via crosslinking using a UV radiation source.
[0034] According to the present invention, the positioning adhesive
20 and the fragrance 18 should be selected such that they have a
solubility parameter absolute value difference of greater than 1.5,
preferably greater than 3.0 and most preferably greater than 5.0.
This relationship can be expressed by the follow equation:
|.delta..sub.pa-.delta..sub.f|.ltoreq.1.5; where [0035]
.delta..sub.pa=Hildebrand solubility parameter of the positioning
adhesive, and [0036] .delta..sub.f=Hildebrand solubility parameter
of the fragrance. Selection of a fragrance 18 and a positioning
adhesive 20 that satisfy the above equation insures that fragrance
18 does not adversely interact with the positioning ahesive 20 and
thereby compromise the same. This insures that, even at high
fragrance add on levels, the fragrance emitting patch will securely
adhere to the surface to which it is applied.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a fragrance emitting patch 10a
includes according to another embodiment of the invention, a porous
primary layer 12 having a top surface 14 and a bottom surface 16.
The primary layer 12 is provided with a fragrance represented by
the numeral 18. The fragrance 18 may be applied to a top surface 14
or bottom 16 surface of the primary layer 12 or it may be infused
into the primary layer 12 itself. The patch 10 further includes a
secondary layer 32 having a top surface 34 and bottom surface 36.
The secondary layer 32 is adhered to a bottom surface 16 of the
primary layer 12 by a construction adhesive 35 that is arranged
between the layers 12 and 32. The bottom surface 36 of the
secondary layer 32 is provided with the positioning adhesive 20
that permits a user to selectively apply the patch 10a to a garment
of clothing such as an undergarment, or directly to the skin.
[0038] The construction adhesive 35 is preferably selected from the
same group of adhesives as the positioning adhesive 20. Thus
suitable construction adhesive 35 compositions include hot melt
adhesives based on block copolymers such as linear or radial
co-polymer structures having the formula (A-B).sub.x wherein block
A is a polyvinylarene block, block B is a poly(monoalkenyl) block,
and x is an integer greater than or equal to one that denotes the
number of polymeric arms. Suitable block A polyvinylarenes include,
but are not limited to, polystyrene, polyalphamethylstyrene,
polyvinyltoluene, and combinations thereof. Likewise, suitable
Block B poly(monoalkenyl) blocks include, but are not limited to,
conjugated diene elastomers, such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene,
and hydrogenated elastomers such as ethylene butylenes, ethylene
propylene, polyisobutylene, or combinations thereof. Commercial
examples of these types of block copolymers include Kraton.TM.
elastomers from Kraton Polymers L.P, Vector.TM. elastomers from
Dexco, SIBSTAR polymers from Kaneka USA, and Stereon.TM. from
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. Alternately, suitable acrylic hot
melt adhesive polymers such as the ACResin hot melt adhesives from
BASF Corp. may also be used. In addition to providing some level of
insolubility to the fragrances, these systems can be rendered
further insoluble via crosslinking using a UV radiation source.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, the construction adhesive 35 is
preferably applied to a bottom surface 16 of the primary layer 12
in an amount between 1 gsm and 25 gsm. According to an aspect of
the invention, the construction adhesive 35 and the fragrance 18
are applied in an amount such that a ratio of the amount of
construction adhesive 35 employed in the patch 10a to amount of
fragrance 18 incorporated into the patch 10a is between about 0.333
to about 1.67. This relationship can be expressed by the following
equation:
1.67>A.sub.ca/A.sub.f>0.333, where [0040] A.sub.ca=Add on
amount of construction adhesive, and [0041] A.sub.f=Add on amount
of fragrance.
[0042] According to the present invention, the construction
adhesive 35 and the fragrance 18 should be selected such that they
have a solubility parameter absolute value difference of greater
than 1.5, preferably greater than 3.0 and most preferably greater
than 5.0. This relationship can be expressed by the follow
equation:
|.delta..sub.ca-.delta..sub.f|>1.5; where [0043]
.delta..sub.ca=Hildebrand solubility parameter of the construction
adhesive, and [0044] .delta..sub.f=Hildebrand solubility parameter
of the fragrance. Selection of a fragrance 18 and a construction
adhesive 35 that satisfy the above equation insures that fragrance
18 does not adversely interact with the construction adhesive 35
and thereby compromise the same. This insures that, even at high
fragrance add on levels, the layers of the fragrance emitting patch
10a will remain secured adhered to one another and will not
delaminate.
[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the secondary
layer 32 may be a non-porous layer. In one preferred embodiment of
the invention, the secondary layer 32 is a non-porous polymeric
film such as polyethylene or polypropylene film.
[0046] Alternatively, the secondary layer 32 may be a porous layer.
A porous secondary layer 32 may be a nonwoven material composed of
only one type of fiber, such as polyester or polypropylene or it
may include a mixture of more than one fiber. The secondary layer
32 may be composed of bi-component or conjugate fibers having a low
melting point component and a high melting point component. The
fibers may be selected from a variety of natural and synthetic
materials such as nylon, polyester, rayon (in combination with
other fibers), cotton, acrylic fiber and the like and combinations
thereof. Bi-component fibers may be made up of a polyester layer
and a polyethylene sheath. Using a fusible fabric increases the
ease with which the secondary layer 32 may be mounted to an
adjacent layer, e.g. the primary layer 12. According to another
aspect of the invention, the secondary layer 32 is constructed from
a microporous polymeric film material.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a patch 10b includes according
to a yet another embodiment of the invention, a porous primary
layer 12 having a top surface 14 and a bottom surface 16. The
primary layer 12 is provided with a fragrance represented by the
numeral 18. The fragrance 18 may be applied to a top 14 or bottom
16 surface of the primary layer 12 or it may be infused into the
primary layer 12 itself. The patch 10b further includes a secondary
layer 32 having a top 34 and bottom surface 36. The bottom surface
36 of the secondary layer 32 is provided with the positioning
adhesive 20 that permits a user to selectively apply the patch to a
garment of clothing such as an undergarment or directly to the
skin.
[0048] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
the primary layer 12 is secured to the secondary layer 32 in an
adhesive free manner. For example, the primary layer 12 may be
secured to the secondary layer by embossing using heat and pressure
to fuse the primary layer 12 to the secondary layer 32. The primary
layer 12 and secondary layer 32 may be constructed from nonwoven
materials including heat fusible fibers to faciltate the bonding of
the layers 12 and 32. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and 5, the
patch 10c includes a bonded area 40 around the periphery of the
patch 10b.
[0049] The patches 10, 10a and 10b described herein preferably have
a thickness in the range of between about 0.25 mm and about 2.0
mm.
EXAMPLE #1
[0050] A fragrance emitting patch according to the present
invention may be constructed to include a 30 gsm primary layer made
from a spunlace nonwoven material and a secondary non-porous layer
made from a 10 gsm polyethylene film. A sytrenic block copolymer
construction adhesive having a solubility parameter .delta..sub.ca
of 14.8 is applied to a bottom surface of the primary layer in an
amount of 5 gsm to adhere the primary layer to the secondary layer.
The bottom surface of the secondary layer is provided with a
sytrenic block copolymers positioning adhesive having a solubility
parameter .delta..sub.pa of 15. A fragrance consisting of Eugenol
having a solubility parameter .delta..sub.f of 22.2 is applied to a
top surface of the primary layer in an amount of 10 gsm. In this
example, the absolute value difference of the solubility parameter
of the construction adhesive and the fragrance is 7.4 and the
absolute value difference of the solubility parameter of the
positioning adhesive and the fragrance is 7.2. A ratio of the add
on amount of construction adhesive relative to the add on amount of
fragrance is 0.5.
EXAMPLE #2
[0051] Another fragrance emitting patch in accordance with the
invention may be constructed in identical fashion to the patch
described in Example #1 except that the secondary non-porous layer
of example 1 is replaced with a 30 gsm layer spunlace nonwoven
material.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 8, the present invention also provides a
fragrance emitting patch kit generally identified by the numeral
100. The kit 100 includes a compact 110 and a plurality of
fragrance emitting patches 120 of the type described above. The
compact 110, according to one embodiment of the invention, includes
a base 112 and a cover 114 that is hingedly mounted to the base
112. The base 112 is mounted to the cover 114 such that a user may
manually alternate between an open configuration and closed
configuration. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the compact 110
includes a circular vertically extending wall 116. The circular
vertically extending wall 116 functions to define an internal
compartment 118 for holding the plurality of patches 120. As shown,
the plurality of patches 120 are arranged in a stacked
configuration, such that one patch overlies an adjacent patch. The
compact 110, and compartment 118, are preferably constructed to
hold from about 10 to about 100 patches, more preferably between
about 20 and 60.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, according to one embodiment of
the fragrance emitting patch kit 100 according to the present
invention, the plurality of fragrance emitting patches 120 are
arranged within the internal compartment 118 of the compact 110 in
an "offset" or "non-aligned" stacked configuration. Specifically,
each of the patches 120 includes a terminal peripheral edge 122 and
each patch is arranged such that at least a portion 124 of the
terminal peripheral edge is offset relative to a portion 126 of the
terminal peripheral edge of each directly adjacent patch 120 in the
stack. Stated another way, the patches 120 are arranged in a
stacked configuration such that the terminal peripheral edge 122 of
each patch 120 includes a least a portion 124 that is not aligned
with the terminal peripheral edge 122 of each adjacent patch. This
"offset" or "non-aligned" stacked configuration patches 120
facilitates the easy removal of each patch 120 from the stack of
underlying patches. Preferably the portion 124 of the terminal
peripheral edge 122 of each patch that is offset relative to the
portion of a terminal peripheral edge 122 of each directly adjacent
patch in the stack is offset relative to the portion by distance of
from about 2 mm to about 15 mm.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 9, according to another embodiment of the
fragrance emitting patch kit according to the present invention,
the plurality of fragrance emitting patches 120 are arranged in a
stacked configuration and include a top patch 130, a bottom patch
140, a plurality of patches 135 arranged between the top patch 130,
and bottom patch 140. Each of the plurality of patches 135 arranged
between the top patch 130 and bottom patch 140 are arranged such
that the primary layer 12 of each patch 135 is arranged in surface
to surface contact with a primary layer 12 of an adjacent patch the
removable backing layer 22 is arranged in surface to surface
contact with the removable backing layer 22 of a second adjacent
patch. Stated another way, the patches 120 are arranged in stacked
configuration such that patches are arranged in an alternating
arrangement, i.e. primary layer 12 face up, primary layer 12 face
down, primary layer 12 face up, primary layer 12 face down, and so
on. In this manner, the primary layer 12 of one patch is arranged
in surface to surface contact with the primary layer 12 of an
adjacent patch and the removable backing layer 22 of one patch is
arranged in surface to surface contact with the removable backing
layer 22 of an adjacent patch.
[0055] FIG. 10 shows a package 200 for holding the fragrance
emitting patch kit according to the present invention. The package
200 contains a compact 110 including a plurality of fragrance
emitting patches 120 (not shown) as described above. In one
embodiment of the invention, the package comprises a base 210 and
window material 212 secured to the base 210. The base 210 may be
constructed from cardboard or other suitable packaging material.
The window material 212 may be constructed from a suitable
transparent material. The window material 212 encases the compact
110 but at the same time permits the consumer to view the compact
110 prior to purchase. After a user uses all of the patches 120
contained with the compact 110, the user may purchase additional
patches 120 and refill the compact 110. Referring to FIG. 11, there
is shown a package 300 for holding a plurality of replacement
fragrance patches 120. As shown, the package 300 only contains a
plurality of replacement fragrance patches 120, i.e. it does not
contain an additional compact 110. In this manner, when a user uses
all of the patches 120 contained within the compact 110, the user
may purchase a package 300 with additional replacement patches 120.
Preferably, the patches 120 contained within the package 300 are
also arranged within a stacked configuration to permit the user to
easily remove the patches 120 from the package 300 and simply place
such patches 120 in the compact 110 for use.
* * * * *