Scented novelty product

Abstract

A scented bracelet or other novelty product. A bracelet may include a bracelet body, a sheet material covering the bracelet body, and a fragrance-containing microcapsule material adhered to the sheet material. The microcapsule material may be adhered to an inside or an outside surface of such bracelet adjacent to the arm of the wearer. The bracelet body may include an elastic material which permits the bracelet to be slapped onto one arm by a one-handed movement of the other arm. A scented tattoo may include a backing sheet, tattoo material on the backing sheet, and a fragrance-containing microcapsule material adhered to at least one of the tattoo material and the backing sheet. The bracelet or other product may have a body which includes a pair of bodies connected together, the microcapsule material being adhered to at least one of said bodies. One or both of the two bodies may include an elastic material which urges it automatically into a spiral shape, or may include an elastic material which stretches and contracts longitudinally. The disclosure also describes a process for manufacturing a scented product comprising the steps of: providing a product comprising a body, with a sheet material covering said body, and applying a fluid to said sheet material, said fluid containing microcapsules which contain a fragrance. The product may be a bracelet or another novelty product as described above. The fluid may be applied by spraying.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/265,813 and 60/266,249 filed respectively on February 1 and Feb. 2, 2001, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention is related to scented wearable novelty articles, such as scented tattoos and scented bracelets. It is related more particularly to a scented product comprising a microencapsulated scent applied to a sheet material.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Claff, U.S. Pat. No. 3,441,353, and Fellows et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,667, disclose perfume dispensing arrangements wherein an encapsulated fragrance may be applied to a tape material such as paper, cloth, or plastic for being dispensed.

[0006] Ornitz, U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,547, discloses plastic jewelry comprising a combination of silicone and scented oils.

[0007] Guillet, U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,371, discloses wearable objects such as eyeglasses containing a plate which is impregnated with a perfume.

[0008] Lo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,039, discloses a method of making microcapsules. Example 8 discloses microcapsules containing a fragrance.

[0009] Yamamoto, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,622, and Yamamoto, U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,161, disclose encapsulated perfumes, which may be encapsulated for example in a polymer matrix, and which are said to retain their fragrance for a long time.

[0010] Tokunaga, U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,780, discloses a metal material which may be impregnated with a liquid perfume.

[0011] Haiduk, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,570, discloses a perfume dispenser.

[0012] Tajiri et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,360, discloses a microcapsule-containing ink composition for NCR paper.

[0013] Ogawa, U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,541, Ogawa, U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,438 and Ogawa, U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,640 disclose microencapsulated finishing agents.

[0014] None of the foregoing references discloses or suggests a scented wearable novelty article, such as a scented tattoo or a scented bracelet, comprising a microencapsulated scent applied to a sheet material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a scented bracelet according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bracelet.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing equipment used in a spraying process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of a scented tattoo according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of a scented hair ornament according to another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] By a combination of a structure and a manufacturing process, the invention provides both an economical manufacturing process and improved adhesion of the scented material to the bracelet, tattoo or other wearable object.

[0021] According to a broad aspect of the invention, a liquid containing a microencapsulated fragrance may be applied, for example by silk-screening or spraying, onto tattoo material, a sheet material or fabric material, an article of jewelry, or onto another article.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the article to be manufactured may be a so called “slap bracelet,” namely a bracelet 10 which can be placed on the wrist by a rapid slapping movement, as shown in FIG. 1. The bracelet 10 comprises a body 20 made of metal or another elastic material. The elastic material body 20 is covered by, for example, a fabric body 30, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 2. Both woven and non-woven fabrics and any other suitable sheet material are usable. The fabric body 30 may be glued or adhered to the elastic body 20 in any suitable way; and further may be simply wrapped or otherwise disposed on the elastic body without adhesion. The fabric is impregnated before or after attachment to the elastic material by spraying it with a liquid slurry or another fluid containing microcapsules (shown schematically at 60 and 70 in FIG. 1) which in turn contain a fragrance.

[0023] The invention has been successfully practiced with bracelets covered with real or simulated suede-type and feather-type fabrics.

[0024] Depending on the particular type of fragrance used, approximately 0.5 to 3.0 grams of slurry may be applied to each bracelet. More or less fragrance may be used if needed, for particularly strong or weak fragrances. The microcapsules are approximately 20-30 microns in diameter and may be produced by any suitable method. The fragrance content of the slurry may be approximately 15-60 percent, preferably about 20 percent; for example, 5 gal. of slurry may contain 1 gal. of fragrance.

[0025] The slurry may further contain an appropriate water soluble binder to promote adhesion to the substrate. Typical binders include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidone, cellulose acetate phthalate, carboxy methyl cellulose, acacia gum and other suitable materials. The content of binder in the slurry can be from about 2 to 30 % of the amount of encapsulated fragrance, but is preferred at about 7 to 10 percent of the encapsulated fragrance.

[0026] Other ingredients that may be contained in the fragrance slurry include thickening agents, such as fumed silica, polyethylene glycol, and / or rheology agents such as polymethacrylic acid esters. These ingredients can be used at levels of about 0.1 to 10 percent of the water present in the formulation. A typical formulation is presented below: 1 Encapsulated Fragrance 20.0 grams Acacia Gum 5.0 grams Polymethyl Methacrylate 1.0 gram Water 74.0 grams 100.0 grams

[0027] In use, when the microcapsules are touched, they break, thereby releasing the fragrance. Thus, intact microcapsules remain sealed, retaining the fragrance.

[0028] Although not necessary, it is advantageous in some instances to apply the fragrance primarily or exclusively to the inside of the bracelet, in the position shown at 70 in FIG. 1, and not substantially to the outside of the bracelet shown at 60. This arrangement avoids any possible discoloration of the outside of the bracelet due to the applied fragrance. Further, in this arrangement the fragrance is activated primarily by the inside of the bracelet being slapped onto the wrist, and not primarily by routine handling or contact with the outside of the bracelet.

[0029] On the other hand, to avoid allergic sensitivities and the like, it may also be advantageous in some instances to apply the fragrance primarily or exclusively to the outside of the bracelet, in the position shown at 60 in FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows equipment usable for producing the bracelet 10. In this example, suitable for small quantities, the equipment may be a spray can 40 with a downward-directed hood-shaped outlet 50. Other conventional types of spraying equipment may be used as well.

[0031] After the fabric body 30 is placed on the elastic body 20, the assembled bracelet is placed under the outlet 50 and sprayed with the fragrance-containing liquid. Enough material is applied to the bracelet to provide a commercially acceptable fragrance in the final product, but not so much that the material builds up and develops a crusty appearance. After scenting, the bracelet is either air dried or passed through a heater to accelerate the drying process. The parameters of the process can easily be adapted by those skilled in the art according to the commercial product that is desired to be manufactured.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, the same or a similar liquid or fluid can be silk-screened or sprayed onto a tattoo material or onto a backing paper to make a scented tattoo.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a scented tattoo according to an embodiment of the invention. In this example, a tattoo sheet 101 has a conventional dye 103 applied to it in an appropriate pattern to be applied to the skin of the wearer. A layer of scented material 105 as described above overlies the dye 103. The foregoing layers are protected prior to use by a backing sheet 107. The layers in FIG. 4 are shown schematically and are not drawn to scale. The layers can be placed in a different order if desired.

[0034] The invention is also applicable to an arrangement as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,251 and Des. 430,350, incorporated by reference. These patents disclose an arrangement of two elastic bodies which are covered by respective fabric bodies and connected together by an attachment member. See especially FIGS. 1-9 and 12A-14B and the corresponding text. One or both of the fabric bodies may have scented material applied to one or both sides in accordance with the present invention.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 5, a second fabric body 32 may be attached so as to provide additional decoration to the bracelet 10. The second fabric body 32 may optionally have an elastic body therein, which may be of the same type as the elastic body 20, which automatically curls into a spiral shape, or may be selected to stretch and contract longitudinally.

[0036] The embodiment of FIG. 5, as well as the other embodiments described above, are not limited to being used as a bracelet or the like, but may be usable as hair ornaments, for example, as disclosed in FIGS. 19A and 19B of U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,251 and the corresponding text.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited by the specific disclosure herein.

Claims

1. A scented bracelet comprising a bracelet body, a sheet material covering the bracelet body, and a fragrance-containing microcapsule material adhered to the sheet material.

2. A scented bracelet according to claim 1, wherein said microcapsule material is adhered substantially only to an inside surface of said bracelet adjacent to the arm of the wearer.

3. A scented bracelet according to claim 1, wherein said bracelet body comprises an elastic material which permits the bracelet to be slapped onto one arm by a one-handed movement of the other arm.

4. A scented bracelet according to claim 3, wherein said microcapsule material is adhered substantially only to an inside surface of said bracelet adjacent to the arm of the wearer.

5. A scented bracelet according to claim 1, wherein said microcapsule material is adhered substantially only to an outside surface of said bracelet away from the arm of the wearer.

6. A scented tattoo comprising a backing sheet, tattoo material on the backing sheet, and a fragrance-containing microcapsule material adhered to at least one of the tattoo material and the backing sheet.

7. A scented product comprising at least one body, a sheet material on the at least one body, and a fragrance-containing microcapsule material adhered to the sheet material.

8. A scented product according to claim 7, wherein said at least one body includes a pair of bodies connected together, said microcapsule material being adhered to at least one of said bodies.

9. A scented product according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said bodies includes an elastic material which urges said body automatically into a spiral shape.

10. A scented product according to claim 9, wherein each of said two bodies includes an elastic material which urges said body automatically into a spiral shape.

11. A scented product according to claim 9, wherein the other one of said two bodies includes an elastic material which stretches and contracts longitudinally.

12. A process for manufacturing a scented product comprising the steps of:

providing a product comprising a body, with a sheet material covering said body, and

applying a fluid to said sheet material, said fluid containing microcapsules which contain a fragrance.

13. A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein said product is a bracelet.

14. A process as claimed in claim 13, wherein said microcapsule material is adhered substantially only to an inside surface of said bracelet adjacent to the arm of the wearer.

15. A process as claimed in claim 13, wherein said bracelet comprises an elastic material such that the bracelet can be slapped onto one arm by a one-handed movement of the other arm.

16. A process as claimed in claim 15, wherein said microcapsule material is adhered substantially only to an inside surface of said bracelet adjacent to the arm of the wearer.

17. A process as claimed in claim 12, wherein said fluid is applied by spraying.

18. A process as claimed in claim 14, wherein said microcapsule material is adhered substantially only to an outside surface of said bracelet away from the arm of the wearer.