FRAGRANCE DEVICE WITH FRAGRANCE AMOUNT INDICATOR

• US 20100001417A1
• Filed: 10/03/2007
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scent2Market, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Scent2Market, Inc.
• Inventors: D'Amico, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/443,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20100001417A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 261/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/111 Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/012 characterised by being in a special form, e.g. gels, emulsions A61L9/048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/03 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/12 Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/22 by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water involving the use of floats G01F23/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2921 for discrete levels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 19/10 Measuring moisture content, e.g. by measuring change in length of hygroscopic filament; Hygrometers
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Methods and compositions of providing a signal when a fragrance dispenser has reached a predetermined amount of fragrance. In one embodiment of the invention, a dispenser is provided that includes a fragranced polymer pad. The pad shrinks as the fragrance is exhausted. After the pad has shrunk to a predetermined level, an actuator causes a signal to be emitted, indicating that the fragrance should be supplemented.

Claims

1. A fragrance dispenser comprising:

a) a fragrance;

b) a sensor for determining the amount of said fragrance;

c) a signal for displaying information related to the amount of said fragrance, wherein said signal is operatively connected to and actuated by said sensor.

2. The fragrance dispenser of claim 1, wherein said fragrance is impregnated within a polymer carrier.

3. The fragrance dispenser of claim 2, wherein said polymer carrier is polyethylene-vinyl acetate.

4. The fragrance dispenser of claim 3, wherein said carrier decreases in size as said fragrance is released from said dispenser, wherein said sensor is actuated when at least one physical dimension of said carrier falls below a predetermined value.

5. The fragrance dispenser of claim 1, wherein said fragrance is within a liquid carrier and said liquid carrier is contained within a transparent or translucent container, wherein said sensor is configured to be actuated after the amount of liquid carrier decreases to a predetermined level.

6. The fragrance dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor, wherein said second sensor is operatively connected to a second signal, and wherein said second sensor indicates a second predetermined amount of fragrance.

7. The fragrance dispenser of claim 1, wherein said signal continuously broadcasts information related to the amount of said fragrance.

8. The fragrance dipenser of claim 1, wherein said signal is a signal selected from the group consisting of a radio signal, a Bluetooth signal, an electrical signal, a wi-fi signal, a light, a sound, a switch, and combinations thereof.

9. A system for managing the fragrance amounts in a plurality of fragrance dispensers, comprising:

a) providing a plurality of fragrance dispensers according to claim 1;

b) assigning each fragrance dispenser of step (a) a separate identifying value that is transmitted with said signal;

c) maintaining a database of said identifying values;

d) providing a detector, wherein said detector receives signals from said fragrance dispensers;

e) using a computer, correlating the identifying values transmitted with said signals with the identifying values in said database;

f) displaying the results of said correlation, thereby displaying at least one of the identity of the fragrance devices transmitting said signals and the amount of fragrance in said fragrance devices, thereby providing information on which fragrance dispensers are in need of additional fragrance; and

g) managing said fragrance amounts by providing additional fragrance to said fragrance dispensers in need of additional fragrance.

10. A method for notifying a user that the amount of fragrance in a fragrance dispenser has reached a predetermined level, comprising:

a) providing a fragrance dispenser according to claim 1;

b) dispensing fragrance from said fragrance dispenser until said sensor actuates said signal, wherein said signal notifies a user of the amount of fragrance in said dispenser.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said fragrance is impregnated within a polymer carrier.

12. The fragrance dispenser of claim 11, wherein said polymer carrier is polyethylene-vinyl acetate.

13. The fragrance dispenser of claim 12, wherein said carrier decreases in size as said fragrance is released from said dispenser, wherein said sensor is actuated when at least one physical dimension of said carrier falls below a predetermined value.

14. The fragrance dispenser of claim 10, wherein said fragrance is within a liquid carrier and said liquid carrier is contained within a transparent or translucent container, wherein said sensor is configured to be actuated after the amount of liquid carrier decreases to a predetermined level.

15. The fragrance dispenser of claim 10, further comprising a second sensor, wherein said second sensor is operatively connected to a second signal, and wherein said second sensor indicates a second predetermined amount of fragrance.

16. The fragrance dispenser of claim 10, wherein said signal continuously broadcasts information related to the amount of said fragrance.

17. The fragrance dipenser of claim 10, wherein said signal is a signal selected from the group consisting of a radio signal, a Bluetooth signal, an electrical signal, a wi-fi signal, a light, a sound, a switch, and combinations thereof.