U.S. patent application number 12/643660 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for picture frame assembly.
Invention is credited to Michael G. Huskey, Patrick J. Kosar, Nathan P. Orme-Johnson.
Application Number | 20110146125 12/643660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44149096 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110146125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orme-Johnson; Nathan P. ; et
al. |
June 23, 2011 |
PICTURE FRAME ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A picture frame assembly that includes a frame that surrounds an
opening and a fragrance media that is partially disposed in the
opening of the frame. A display member that provides an image is
disposed within the opening in the frame and the fragrance media
diffuses a predetermined fragrance passively to allow multiple
senses to be stimulated during the viewing of the image.
Inventors: |
Orme-Johnson; Nathan P.;
(Fairfield, IA) ; Huskey; Michael G.; (Fairfield,
IA) ; Kosar; Patrick J.; (Fairfield, IA) |
Family ID: |
44149096 |
Appl. No.: |
12/643660 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/725 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 1/0616 20130101;
A47G 2001/0694 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/725 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/06 20060101
A47G001/06 |
Claims
1. A picture frame assembly comprising: a frame having an inner
wall surrounding an opening; a fragrance media partially disposed
in the opening of the frame; a display member that provides an
image disposed within opening of the frame; wherein the fragrance
media diffuses a predetermined fragrance; and wherein the fragrance
media is detachably received within an inner wall of a frame such
that the fragrance media extends into the opening surrounded by the
inner wall of the frame such that a perimeter of the fragrance
media surrounds the image.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame is a digital picture
frame.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display member is a screen
of a digital picture frame.
4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display member is a
picture.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display member is a canvas
and the image art work.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame has an inner wall with
a slot that receives the fragrance media in spaced relation to the
display member.
7. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising a transparent member
engaging the frame and disposed between the fragrance media and the
display member.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the inner wall of the frame has
a flange that is engaged by the transparent member.
9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the transparent member is a
glass panel.
10. The assembly of claim 7 wherein a support member is disposed
within the frame and engaging the display member.
11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fragrance media is
detachably connected to the frame.
12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fragrance media is an
insert.
13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the insert has a protuberance
that snaps into an opening in the frame to provide a detachable
connection between insert and the frame.
14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined fragrance is
associated with the image.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a picture frame assembly. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a picture frame
assembly that diffuses a fragrance.
[0002] Pictures frames have been around for many years allowing
individuals to place their favorite pictures, artwork, or images on
display for others to see. Typically, a matte is disposed within
the picture frame and surrounds the perimeter of the image in order
to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The matte may
be of a selected color so that the colors of the image and
surroundings may be properly presented.
[0003] As technology has evolved, new ways of presenting images in
picture frames has similarly evolved. For instance, digital picture
frames have been manufactured that may be connected to a memory
card so that images taken with a digital camera may be displayed on
a screen within the picture frame.
[0004] While these advances have helped present an image in
different media associated with a picture frame, there is a need to
appeal to individual's other senses so that the experience of
viewing an image is more realistic. In addition, this extra sensory
component needs to be provided in such a way that the image and
picture frame itself remain aesthetically pleasing and have
interchangeable parts so that the frame assembly may be used in
multiple applications.
[0005] Thus, a principal object of the present invention is to
provide a picture frame assembly that enhances sensory perception
of an image.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
picture frame assembly that presents interchangeable parts that
facilitates assembly and disassembly.
[0007] These and other objects, features, and advantages will
become apparent from the specification and claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A picture frame assembly that has a frame that surrounds an
opening. A fragrance media is partially disposed within the opening
of the frame and a display member that provides an image is
disposed within the opening of the frame such that the fragrance
media surrounds the image. The fragrance media diffuses a
predetermined fragrance. A transparent layer such as glass is
placed between the display member and fragrance media within the
opening of the frame to provide protection of the image. A support
member can then be placed within the frame engaging the display
member to provide additional support to the assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a picture frame
assembly;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of a picture frame
assembly;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a picture frame
assembly;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] The figures show a picture frame assembly 10 having a frame
12. The frame 12 can be made of any material such as wood, plastic,
metal or the like. In addition, the frame 12 can be a digital
picture frame as shown in FIG. 5. The frame 12 can have any type of
aesthetically pleasing design without falling outside the scope of
this disclosure. In a first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-4 frame
12 has an inner wall 14 that has a slot 16 disposed therein. One
side of the slot 16 is defined by a flange 18 that extends from the
inner wall. The inner wall 14 surrounds an opening 20 wherein the
flange 18 can extend any length into the opening 20 as long as slot
16 is formed within the inner wall 14.
[0016] A fragrance media 22 extends into the opening 20 of the
frame. The fragrance media 22 is made of a material that is able to
passively diffuse predetermined fragrances. In one embodiment the
predetermined fragrance is associated with the image and is
embedded in the fragrance media for gradual diffusion. Fragrances
can include, but are not limited to a scent of a flower, a favorite
cologne or perfume of a love one, and the like. While in this
embodiment a fragrance media 22 is used to provide the fragrance,
other fragrance delivery systems could be used such as a fan unit,
heat or heat in combination with a fan unit in order to disperse
the fragrance. In addition, the fragrance media 22 can be any color
and is detachably secured within the frame 12 so that the fragrance
media 22 can be interchanged with other fragrance media 22 that
present different colors, different fragrances or a replacement
fragrance media if a fragrance has become undetectable.
[0017] In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-4 the fragrance media
22 is a matte that is slidably received within the slot 18 of the
inner wall 14 of the frame 12. The fragrance media 22 is of any
size and shape that may form a perimeter around an opening 24 as
long the fragrance media 22 is able to be attached to the frame 12.
While the fragrance media 22 of FIGS. 1-4 has an opening 24 that is
surrounded by a perimeter 26 that is formed of a plurality of
curved shapes, this perimeter 26 may be a straight edge as shown in
the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6 or any other shape that may be
considered aesthetically pleasing to a viewer without falling
outside the scope of this disclosure.
[0018] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6 the fragrance media 22
can be an insert that has protuberances 27a that extend from the
insert and are received by openings 27b in the frame 12 such that
the fragrance media 22 snaps into place. In this embodiment the
slot of the frame 12 can be eliminated. In any embodiment the
insert can be made of plastic, vinyl, wood, compressed
paper/fabric, synthetic and natural, or the like. Also, while a
slidable connection and snap connection have been described other
detachable connections such as Velcro.RTM., adhesion methods and
the like are contemplated to provide the detachable connection.
[0019] The picture frame assembly 10 optionally has a transparent
member 28 that is disposed within the opening 20 of frame 12.
Specifically, the transparent member 28 engages the flange 16 of
the inner wall 14 of frame 12 so that the transparent member 28 is
in parallel spaced relation or non-contacting relation with the
fragrance media 22. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent
member 28 is a glass panel.
[0020] A display member 30 provides an image 32 within the opening
20 of the frame 12. The display member 30 may be a digital display,
a picture, a canvas or the like wherein an image 30, such as a
digital image, picture, artwork or the like can be displayed. In
the embodiment where a transparent member 28 is used, the display
member 30 engages the transparent member 28 such that the
transparent member 28 separates and is disposed between the display
member 30 and the fragrance media 22.
[0021] A support member 34 can also be provided to and engage the
back of the display member 30 and secured within the frame 12. The
support member 30 can present a stand-like support such as shown in
FIG. 4 or may present a back to be hung onto a wall or the
like.
[0022] In operation, when an individual has a display member such
as a piece of artwork or a picture of a loved one that they would
like to display, the display member 30 may be secured within the
frame 12. At this point in time, a user may choose a fragrance
media 22 that best suits the desires of the user. Specifically, the
user can choose a fragrance media 22 of any color, shape or design
and additionally may use any scent or fragrance desired. For
example, if the image 32 presented on the display member 28 is a
flower, the user may choose to use a fragrance media that has the
particular fragrance of that flower. Alternatively, if the image 32
is that of a loved one, the fragrance media could have a fragrance
of a favorite cologne or perfume of the loved one. Thus, when an
observer sees the image, not only is the image aesthetically
pleasing but additionally because the observer senses the
predetermined fragrance associated with the image 32 that is
diffused by the fragrance media 22 an additional sense is
stimulated making the viewing of the image more life like and
real.
[0023] Thus, presented is a picture frame assembly 12 that utilizes
a passive fragrance media diffuser. The frame 12 has a detachable
connection therein so that the fragrance media 22 can be placed in
front of the transparent member 28 or glass panel and into the
picture frame 12 allowing for interchangeable designs and various
fragrances to be utilized with the frame 12. This fragrance media
22 may be applied with not only traditional picture frames, but
additionally to digital picture frames and art frames. The system
allows for an interchangeable fragrance media and art design to be
featured prominently on a picture frame 12. Fragrance is diffused
in a number of manners such as passively through the fragrance
media 22. Thus, presented is an interchangeable frame assembly that
allows greater versatility and use of color and fragrance
associated with an image than presently utilized picture frames.
Consequently, at the very least all the stated objectives have been
met.
[0024] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
other various modifications could be made to the device without the
parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such
modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and
are intended to be covered thereby.
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