Patent Application
20120024974
This invention relates generally to the field of fragrance dispensers, and in particular to customizable fragrance dispensers.
A wide variety of fragrance dispensers and air freshening devices are currently being marketed. For example, air fresheners having a given fragrance can be purchased at a wide variety of retail locations. Currently, there are few options that permit a customer to customize a fragrance dispenser, both in terms of a given fragrance as well as the appearance of the fragrance dispenser.
The invention provides fragrance dispensers that can be customized to accommodate the tastes of consumers. In so doing, the fragrance dispensers themselves include features that make them amenable customization. Additionally, various methods are provided to permit fragrance dispensers to be customized, both in terms of their aesthetics as well as the fragrances that they dispense.
In one exemplary embodiment, a fragrance dispenser comprises a dispenser body having a top end, a bottom end, a front, a back, a left side and a right side. The front side includes a window to permit at least a portion of the interior of the dispenser body to be viewed from without. Also, the top end includes at least one opening for emitting a fragrance. A container is disposed within the dispenser body and is adapted to hold a liquid fragrance that is to be dispensed. This container is viewable through the window. Further, a dispensing mechanism is disposed within the dispenser body and is configured to dispense liquid fragrance from the container into the atmosphere.
In one aspect, the dispenser body has a central vertical axis running from the bottom side to the top side, midway between the left side and the right side. Also, the front side tapers inward toward the central axis. In another aspect, the dispenser body has a top portion and a bottom portion that are separable from each other. The container is deposited in the bottom portion. In a further aspect, the window is rectangular in geometry and is disposed in the front side of the bottom portion to permit visualization of the container. In this way, the color of the fragrance can be viewed through the window.
One way to customize the dispenser is through the use of one or more skins that are positioned over or about the dispenser body and/or the container. For example, in one embodiment, a top skin is configured to be adhered to the top portion of the dispenser body. The top skin includes at least one color and at least one design. For instance, the design could be the logo of a sports team, university, company or the like. As another example, a bottom skin is configured to be adhered to the bottom portion of the dispenser body. The bottom skin is sized so as to not interfere with the widow when positioned over the bottom portion of the dispenser body. For instance, the skin may contain an opening that is aligned with the window when adhered to the bottom portion. As still another example, a container skin may be placed onto the container to change the visual appearance of the container when viewed through the window. For instance, the color of the container skin may be selected based on the type of fragrance, e.g., pink for a rose scent.
In one arrangement, the container includes a wick, and the dispensing mechanism comprises a ceramic heater that is positioned to heat the wick and diffuse the fragrance into the atmosphere. An electrical plug may be electrically coupled to the ceramic heater. In a further aspect, at least one button may be provided to release an interlock between the top portion and the bottom portion.
The dispensing unit may be sold alone, or as part of a system or kit. Such a system may include the dispensing unit, one or more skins, and/or one or more fragrances.
A variety of methods may be employed to customize a fragrance dispenser. This could be done at the retail level or on-line. For example, at the retail level, the dispensing unit, fragrance and/or skins may be sold separately to allow the consumer to mix and match. These same components may be purchased on-line, such as by using a web site. In one on-line method, a first data file is transmitted from a computer system to a user computer. The first data file comprises data for displaying with the user computer a dispensing unit and examples of skins that may be placed about the dispensing unit. A second data file may be transmitted from the computer system to the user computer that comprises data for displaying with the user computer options for customizing the cover. The options may include an image to be included on the skin and/or a color for the skin. The computer system receives an order from the consumer that includes a selection of a skin with at least one of the options for customizing the skin. The computer system then transmits instructions to fulfill the order.
The options for skins may include a top skin for the top portion of the dispenser, a bottom skin for the bottom portion of the dispenser, and/or a container skin for covering the container. In addition, the consumer may also order a dispensing unit and/or one or more fragrances.
The invention provides fragrance dispensers, fragrances, covers for fragrance dispensers and methods for customizing fragrance dispensers. The fragrance dispensers are constructed of a dispenser body that may have one or more parts. For example, the fragrance dispensers may have a top part and a bottom part that are separable from each other in order to provide access into the interior of the dispenser so that the fragrance can be inserted. The fragrance body may be provided in a neutral color, such as white, so that the covers may be used to decorate the dispenser. Similarly, the containers holding the fragrances can have a neutral color, or be clear, so that these too can be customized using a skin. In this way, a consumer may purchase a dispensing unit, then have options for selecting different fragrances, as well as decorative skins for the dispensing unit and/or the container holding the fragrance.
To facilitate customization, a variety of marketing channels may be used. For example, some or all of the components (dispensing unit, covers and fragrances) could be sold at the retail level (brick and mortar stores or mail order catalogs) and/or on on-line using a web site. The components may be all sold separately or sold together as kits. For instance, a kit could include a dispensing unit and one or more fragrances. Or, the kit could also include one or more skins. Skins and/or replacement fragrances could also be purchased separately.
Further, the separate components or kits could be sold through the same or different marketing channels. As one example, a consumer may purchase a dispensing unit in a retail store or on-line. The consumer may also purchase a fragrance for the dispensing unit from the same channel or a different channel. This may be done at the same time, or a later time. For example, the consumer could purchase a dispensing unit at a retail location, then go home and purchase one or more fragrances on-line. In a similar manner, the skin(s) for the dispensing unit could be purchased along with the dispensing unit or be purchased at a separate time. For instance, if a consumer has a dispensing unit and wants to change the look of the dispensing unit, the consumer could go to a store or visit a web site to purchase a different skin(s). As an example, if the consumer's favorite sports team won a championship, a skin with the sports team's logo could be ordered and placed about the dispenser. Later, a different skin could be added to change the look of the dispenser. In a similar manner, the skin for the container that holds the fragrance could be changed, perhaps to suggest the type of fragrance being dispensed. For instance, lavender color could be used for a lavender scent. Or, it could simply be some whimsical pattern, or contain a logo. If another fragrance is used, a different skin for the fragrance container could be used.
The invention may utilize a variety of skins that may be adhered or attached to various components of the dispenser or fragrance container. The skins may comprise a flexible material, such as a vinyl, plastic, paper label, foils, or the like. Merely by way of example, the skin may comprise some type of appliqué with adhesive or other backing, a sticker, a decal, a wrapping, or the like. One exemplary material is a vinyl or PET material. This vinyl material may include a backing that may be peeled off prior to application of the skin to the dispenser body. The vinyl typically will not include an adhesive but will naturally stick to plastic or glass surfaces. However, in some cases an adhesive could be used so that the skin is permanently attached rather than removable. Such an adhesive is preferably a non-permanent glue or adhesive.
Referring now to
For convenience of discussion, dispenser body 12 may be defined in terms of a top end 22, a bottom end 24, a left side 26 and a right side 28. Also, dispenser body 12 may define a front 30 and a back 32. A central vertical axis extends from bottom end 24 to top end 22, generally through the area of central opening 18 as illustrated in
Referring also now to
Fragrance dispenser 10 further includes a dispensing mechanism 38 which comprises a ceramic heater 40. In turn, ceramic heater 40 receives power from an electric plug 42 which is sized and configured to be inserted into a conventional 110V outlet. Alternatively, plug 42 could be configured for other voltages such as those used in many international countries. When plug 42 is inserted into an electric outlet, electrical power is transferred via wires (not shown) to a ceramic heating element in ceramic heater 40. A wick (not shown) extends vertically upward from container 36 and is surrounded by the annular ceramic element. As the annular ceramic element is heated, it accelerates vaporization of the fragrance contained within 36 which passes upwardly through central opening 18 and vents 20 of top portion 14. Central opening 18 and vents 20 are designed to maximize the amount of fragrance that is dispensed from fragrance dispenser 10 while still being able to provide the tapered outer features as previously described. Top portion 14 also includes back vents 44 which provide adequate ventilation to fragrance dispenser 10 and enhance airflow upwardly through dispenser body 12 so that the vaporized fragrance may more easily be dispensed from central opening 18 and vents 20. Dispensing mechanism 38 may also include vents 46 to facilitate this process.
Top portion 14 includes a semi circular region 48, and dispensing mechanism 38 also includes a semi circular region 50 that cooperate together to hold plug 42 in place once fragrance dispenser 10 is assembled. Semi circular regions 48 and 50 may include a groove for receiving a circular protrusion 52 on plug 42.
An insert 54 may be coupled to top portion 14 to facilitate coupling of top portion 14 to bottom portion 16 when fragrance dispenser 10 is fully assembled. More specifically, bottom portion 16 includes a left tab 56 and a right tab 58 that interact with holes 60 in insert 54. Once top portion 14 and bottom portion 16 are slid adjacent each other, left tab 56 and right tab 58 snap into holes 60. When ready to remove top portion 14, tabs 56 and 58 are depressed to remove them from holes 60. In this way, top portion 14 may be slid from bottom portion 16 to access the interior of fragrance dispenser 10.
Referring now to
Kit 70 also includes multiple skins that may be attached to fragrance dispenser 10 and/or container 36. These skins are generally designated with reference numeral 80. As described hereinafter, skins 80 permit fragrance dispenser 10 and/or container 36 to be customized to include various colors, logos, language, designs, or the like. For example, each dispensing kit 70 could include multiple types of skins so that the user may mix and match so as to be able to customize the fragrance dispenser. Also, skins 80 and/or container 36 may be sold separately so that even if a customer purchases a kit, the customer is provided with the option of redesigning the overall appearance by selecting different skins and/or fragrances.
As shown in
The user then selects a skin 82 for top portion 14 and removes the backing from skin 82. As shown in
This same process may generally be repeated for bottom portion 16. More specifically, as shown in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In a similar manner, kits or various components of the kits (including the skins), may be purchased over a network 102. The network 102 may be any type of network familiar to one skilled in the art that can support data communications using any of a variety of commercially available protocols, such as TCP/IP, SNA, IPX, AppleTalk, and the like. As one example, network 102 may be a local area network (“LAN”) such as an Ethernet network, a token ring network, a wide area network, a virtual network, a virtual private network, the Internet, and intranet and extranet, a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”), in infrared network, a wireless network, including networks operating under the IEE802.11 suite of protocols, the Blue Tooth protocol, or other wireless protocol, or other types of networks including GSM, 3G, 4G, and the like. To order any of the components of a kit a personal computer 104 may be employed. Computer 104 may be any type of computer known in the art, including personal computers and/or laptop computers running various operating systems, such as Microsoft Corporation's Windows or Apple Corporation's Macintosh or Leopard Operating Systems. Alternatively, a user mobile device 106 may be used to view and order various components of the fragrance kit. Such a user mobile device may have both voice and data transfer capabilities, including those currently being marketed by BlackBerry, Apple's iPhone, and the like.
Typically, the user will use a computing device to access a merchant server 108 that is able to render an image on the display screen over the World Wide Web. The server 108 may be any type of general purpose computer and/or specialized server computer, such as PC servers, UNIX servers, mid range servers, main frame computers, rack mounted servers, and the like. The website accessed by the user may have various displays that permit the user to customize a particular skin. For example, the website may list various sports teams, countries, decorating genres, and the like. By clicking on any of these links, the user may be directed to images showing skins with certain sports logos, colors, designs, and the like. In some cases, the user could upload a photo or design of their own so that the skin may include a particular feature from the user. In a similar manner, the user may select various fragrances. After making the selection, these items may be placed into a checkout cart as is known in the art. Upon receipt of payment information, the purchased components may be shipped to a location designated by the user. In order to produce the web page and/or to provide or facilitate payment and shipping, the system may also include a database of enabling data 110. By way of example, database 110 may reside on a storage medium local to or resident in one or more of the computers on the network 102 including merchant server computer 108. Alternatively, database 110 may be remote from all of the computers. Any necessary files for performing the functions on any of the computers on network 102 may be stored in database 110.
Also coupled to network 102 may be a mail order system 112 that may receive orders from a mail order catalogue. This catalogue may offer all of the components in a kit or may sell them separately, such as the fragrance dispenser, skins and/or the fragrance. These components may be ordered using computer 104 or user mobile device 106.
In summary, any of the kits described herein or their various components may be purchased in whole or in part in a separate brick and mortar location and/or online over a network. Further, the skins may be selected from an assortment already prepared skins that may be used to customize the look and feel of the fragrance dispenser or fragrance container. Another option is to permit the user to construct their own skins by uploading photos or other images or designs which can be manufactured into a skin and then provided to the consumer.
Computer system 200 may additionally include a computer readable storage media reader 225, a communication system 230 such as a modem, and working memory 240. In some embodiments, computer system 200 may also include a processing acceleration unit 235.
The computer readable storage media reader 225 can be connected to a computer readable storage medium which together may represent remote, local, fixed and/or removable storage devices. The communication system 230 may permit data to be exchanged with a network and/or any other computer or other type of device.
The computer system 200 may also comprise software elements that may be stored within a working memory 240, including an operating system 245 and/or other code 250, such as an application program. The application programs may implement the methods of the invention herein, including the rendering of various web pages when ordering or designing fragrance kits and/or skins.
The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
