System and methods for dispensing scents into the environment, and for providing scent-containing articles of manufacture

• US 20060196100A1
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christophe Laudamiel-Pellet, Eric Richard Bartsch, Frank Andrej Kvietok, Grover David Owens, Kevin George Goodall, Pedro Antonio Rodriguez, Stephen Joseph Paljieg, Toan Trinh
• Original Assignee: Christophe Laudamiel-Pellet, Eric Richard Bartsch, Frank Andrej Kvietok, Grover David Owens, Kevin George Goodall, Pedro Antonio Rodriguez, Stephen Joseph Paljieg, Toan Trinh
• Inventors: Goodall, Kevin George, Kvietok, Frank Andrej, Trinh, Toan, Owens, Grover David, Laudamiel-Pellet, Christophe, Rodriguez, Pedro Antonio, Bartsch, Eric Richard, Paljieg, Stephen Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/070,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20060196100A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2033 using a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2055 Holders or dispensers for solid, gelified or impregnated insecticide, e.g. volatile blocks or impregnated pads
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2072 combined with a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/133 Replaceable cartridges, refills
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/125 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes

Abstract

A system and methods for dispensing multiple scents into the environment, and for providing scent-containing articles of manufacture are disclosed.

Claims

1-60. -60. (canceled)

61. A method of providing multiple scent emitting articles, said method comprising:

providing multiple articles each being capable of emitting multiple scents either on their own, or in conjunction with a scent diffusing device, said multiple articles each containing multiple scents therein or thereon, wherein at least half of said scents therein or thereon share a common theme, and further, wherein said multiple scents are normalized so that there is an equivalent intensity of scent experience for each scent in said article.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein all of the scents in at least one of the articles share a common theme.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein the multiple scent emitting articles can be maintained as a collection.

64. The method of claim 62 wherein the theme of said scents are not designed to be used simultaneously with any other media.

65. The method of claim 61 wherein the common theme is selected from the group of themes consisting of:

(a) floral and bouquet themes;

(b) pleasant location themes selected from the group consisting of sylvan, flowery garden, forest, field, sea, ocean, or mountain theme;

(c) themes for relaxation;

(d) themes for stimulation;

(e) themes relating to various times of the day;

(f) scents from various countries, states, cities, or geographical regions;

(g) seasonal themes;

(h) themes relating to food;

(i) themes relating to nature;

(j) themes relating to historical events;

(k) themes relating to other events;

(I) themes relating to memories;

(m) themes relating to celebrations;

(n) romantic themes;

(o) themes relating to a sound track;

(p) themes relating to artwork;

(q) spiritual theme relating to meditation, inspiration, and serenity;

(r) theme relating to religion;

(s) theme relating to ethnicity;

(t) themes relating to color;

(u) aromatherapy themes; and

(v) themes relating to, or for encouraging the sale of products.

66. The multiple scent-containing article of manufacture of claim 62 which has a theme that relates generally to other media, without emitting scents simultaneously with events taking place in such other media wherein the other media is selected from the group of media consisting of:

(a) films;

(b) music;

(c) movies;

(d) television programs;

(e) theatre;

(f) plays;

(g) ballet;

(h) opera; and

(i) artwork.

67. The method of claim 61 further comprising one or more illustrations, colors, icons, and/or writings on at least one of the articles that indicates the theme of the scents in or on the article, and/or a sequential listing of the scents.

68. The method of claim 61 further comprising packaging for at least one of said articles, wherein said packaging comprises one or more illustrations, colors, icons, and/or writings thereon that indicates the theme of the scents in or on the article, and/or a sequential listing of the scents.

69. The method of claim 61 wherein said multiple scent-containing article has a configuration selected from the group consisting of:

disc-shaped, oval, parallelepiped-shaped, rectangular, cube-shaped, cuboid-shaped, cylindrical-shaped, pyramid-shaped, spherical-shaped, or irregularly-shaped.

70. The method of claim 61 wherein said multiple scent-containing article comprises a disc.

71. The method of claim 61 wherein the scents of said-multiple scent-containing article are provided in a form selected from the group consisting of:

solids, liquids, gels, beads, encapsulates, wicks, a carrier material impregnated with a scent, and combinations thereof.

72. The method of claim 61 wherein said articles comprise cartridges with scent elements inside said cartridges.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein said cartridges are provided with an openable and closeable sealing mechanism so that said cartridges can be reused after an initial use.

75. The method of claim 64 wherein said article is capable of emitting said individual scent components sequentially.

77. The method of claim 61 in association with a set of instructions that direct the consumer how to operate the articles correctly, to obtain the desirable olfactory, psychological and/or physiological effects.

74. A method for replicating the scent experience of a particular place or environment, said method comprising:

breaking down the multiple scents associated with a particular place or environment into individual scent components; and

providing an article containing said individual scent components, wherein said article is capable of emitting said individual scent components separately.

76. A method of enhancing an environment, said method comprising introducing into said environment multiple, complementary scents.

78. A kit comprising:

an apparatus for emitting scents; and

one or more articles, said articles each being capable of emitting multiple scents either on their own, or in conjunction with apparatus for emitting scents, said articles each containing multiple scents therein or thereon, wherein at least half of said scents therein or thereon share a common theme, and further, wherein said multiple scents are normalized so that there is an equivalent intensity of scent experience for each scent in said article.

79. The kit of claim 78 wherein said articles comprise cartridges with scent elements inside said cartridges.

80. The kit of claim 78 wherein said articles are closeable after use and reusable after use.

81. The kit of claim 79 wherein said cartridges are provided with an openable and closeable sealing mechanism so that said cartridges can be reused after an initial use.

82. The kit of claim 78 further comprising a storage article for holding said scent-containing articles when they are not in use.

83. A kit comprising:

an apparatus for emitting scents; and

one or more cartridges, said cartridges each being capable of emitting multiple scents either on their own, or in conjunction with apparatus for emitting scents, said cartridges each containing multiple scents therein or thereon wherein said multiple scents are normalized so that there is an equivalent intensity of scent experience for each scent in said cartridge

84. A method of providing a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture to a consumer and/or an institution, said method comprising:

(a) providing a selection of scents to the consumer and/or an institution;

(b) obtaining input from the consumer and/or institution as to the consumer and/or institution'"'"'s selection of one or more scents; and

(c) providing a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture to the consumer and/or an institution comprising multiple scent elements that are integrated into said article of manufacture so that said multiple scent elements can be emitted from said article of manufacture.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the selection of scents is provided at a retail store.

86. The method of claim 84 wherein the selection of scents is provided over the telephone.

87. The method of claim 84 wherein the selection of scents is provided in a catalog.

88. The method of claim 84 wherein the selection of scents is provided on an order form.

89. The method of claim 84 wherein the selection of scents is provided by a computer.

90. The method of claim 84 wherein the selection of scents occurs over the internet.

91. The method of claim 84 wherein the scents in the selection of scents have a designator associated therewith that advises the person selecting the scent whether the scent is compatible with other scents.

92. The method of claim 84 wherein the step (b) of obtaining input from the consumer and/or institution occurs at a retail store.

93. The method of claim 84 wherein the step (b) of obtaining input from the consumer and/or institution occurs at a computer.

94. The method of claim 84 wherein the step (b) of obtaining input from the consumer and/or institution occurs over the internet.

95. The method of claim 84 wherein the selection of scents is provided in the form of a menu.

96. The method of claim 84 further comprising providing a label with said article of manufacture which identifies one or more scents therein.

97. The method of claim 96 wherein the label comprises customized information selected from the group consisting of sequential listing of the scents selected by the consumer, names given by the consumer to the scents selected by the consumer, title of the article named by the consumer, theme of the article named by the consumer, name of the consumer ordering the article, name of the institution ordering the article, name of the receiver of the article when given as a gift, name of the occasion when the article is given as a gift, and mixtures thereof.

98. A method of providing a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture to a consumer, said method comprising:

(a) providing a selection of scent elements to the consumer;

(b) providing an article of manufacture to the consumer, said article of manufacture being capable of containing more than one scent element at the same time wherein said more than one scent element is to be integrated into said article of manufacture so that scents from said scent elements can be emitted from said article of manufacture; and

(c) allowing the consumer to select the scent elements for insertion into or placement onto the article of manufacture.

99. The method of claim 98 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a disk with receptacles for the scent elements.

100. The method of claim 98 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a cartridge into which the scent elements may be placed.

101. The method of claim 98 wherein the scent elements are individually packaged.

102. The method of claim 101 wherein the scent elements are packaged in packages that are pear-shaped.

103. The method of claim 101 wherein the scent elements are packaged in packages that have a length and a width, and said length is less than about 1.25 inches (about 3 cm) and said width is less than about 0.8 inch (about 2 cm).

104. The method of claim 101 wherein the scents are individually packaged in air pervious receptacles that protect the user from direct contact with the scent elements while allowing the scents to diffuse when desired.

105. The method of claim 98 wherein the intensities of the scents are substantially normalized so that they have a substantially similar olfactory impact.

106. A method of providing scents to a consumer for a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture, said method comprising:

(a) providing a selection of scent elements to the consumer that are in a form configured to fit in a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture; and

(b) allowing the consumer to select the scents for insertion into or placement onto the article of manufacture.

107. The method of claim 106 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a disk with receptacles for the scent elements.

108. The method of claim 106 wherein the article of manufacture comprises a cartridge into which the scent elements may be placed.

109. The method of claim 106 wherein the scent elements are individually packaged.

110. The method of claim 109 wherein the scent elements are packaged in packages that are pear-shaped.

111. The method of claim 109 wherein the scent elements are packaged in packages that have a length and a width, and said length is less than about 1.25 inches (about 3 cm) and said width is less than about 0.8 inch (about 2 cm).

112. The method of claim 109 wherein the scents are individually packaged in air pervious receptacles that protect the user from direct contact with the scent elements while allowing the scents to diffuse when desired.

113. The method of claim 106 wherein the intensities of the scents are substantially normalized so that they have a substantially similar olfactory impact.

114. A method of providing a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture to a consumer, said method comprising:

(a) providing a selection of scent elements to the consumer that are in a form configured to fit in a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture; and

(b) allowing the consumer to select the scents for insertion into or placement onto the article of manufacture.

115. A method of providing a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture to a consumer, said method comprising providing a multiple scent-containing article of manufacture, said multiple scent-containing article of manufacture being capable of emitting multiple scents either on its own, or in conjunction with a scent diffusing device, said multiple scent-containing article containing multiple scents therein or thereon, wherein at least half the scents therein or thereon share a common theme, and further, wherein said multiple scents are normalized so that there is an equivalent intensity of scent experience for each scent in said article of manufacture.

116. The method of claim 115 wherein the multiple scent-containing article of manufacture comprises a sealed tray of scents.

117. The method of claim 115 wherein the multiple scent-containing article of manufacture comprises a closed cartridge.

118. The method of claim 115 further comprising a step wherein the consumer inserts the sealed tray of scents into a cartridge.