Lingerie abstract
A scented material container with two connected compartments and
connected straps. The compartments are preferably made of a fabric
material that allows the scented material to emit the scent, preferably
having a wide enough stitch pattern to allow the scented material
to be viewed therein. Any known scented material can be located
within the compartments, however, potpourri is preferred. Most preferably,
scented beads or broken-leaf material are used. The scented material
container can have a unique lingerie configuration. The container
has particular advantages in methods and applications of scenting
lingerie because the container readily blends in with the lingerie
in the drawer and appears appropriate therein and the scented container
enhances one's connotation or image of lingerie products and the
beauty therein. The container also has a shape that can easily be
manipulated and handled, can easily be hung or mounted, and can
easily transmit scent.
Lingerie claims
What is claimed is:
1. A scented material container, comprising:
a first breast-shape compartment having a rear fabric wall and
a front fabric wall;
a second breast-shape compartment having a rear fabric wall and
a front fabric wall;
a perimeter side of said first compartment being connected to a
perimeter side of said second compartment;
a strap connected to said first compartment at a side opposite
said second compartment and extending around and connected to said
second compartment at a side opposite said first compartment;
a scented material within said first and second compartments;
whereby said container is generally configured as a filled brassiere
lingerie item.
2. The scented material container of claim 1 wherein said scented
material includes a potpourri material.
3. The scented material container of claim 1 wherein said scented
material includes a material selected from the group consisting
of crushed-leaves and scented beads.
4. The scented material container of claim 1 wherein said first
and second compartments each have a length of less than about three
inches.
5. The scented material container of claim 1 further including
a first over-strap connected from a top of said first compartment
to a rear portion of said strap and a second over-strap connected
from a top of said second compartment to a rear portion of said
strap.
6. The scented material container of claim 1 wherein said fabric
of at least the front walls of said first and second compartments
has a wide stitch pattern with spaces that allow the interior of
the compartment to be viewed, such that the scented material therein
is visible therethrough.
7. The scented material container of claim 1 wherein said scented
material is compliant to enhance sensuality.
8. The scented material container of claim 1 wherein said strap
includes two strap segments that are connected to respective ones
of said compartments and are connectable together to form said strap.
9. A method of using a scented material container to enhance an
individual's appreciation of an article of lingerie, comprising
the steps of:
providing a scented material container, comprising: a first breast-shape
compartment having a rear fabric wall and a front fabric wall; a
second breast-shape compartment having a rear fabric wall and a
front fabric wall; a perimeter side of said first compartment being
connected to a perimeter side of said second compartment; a strap
connected to said first compartment at a side opposite said second
compartment and extending around and connected to said second compartment
at a side opposite said first compartment;
filling a scented material within said first and second compartments
such that said container is generally configured as a filled brassiere
lingerie item; and
placing the breast shaped compartments within an individual's view
and smell.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of placing
the scented material container in an enclosed drawer or compartment
along with at least one item of lingerie.
11. A scented material container, comprising:
a first breast-shape compartment having a rear wall and a front
wall, at least one of said rear and front walls having air permeating
openings therethrough;
a second breast-shape compartment having a rear wall and a front
wall, at least one of said rear and front walls having air permeating
openings therethrough;
a perimeter side of said first compartment being connected to a
perimeter side of said second compartment;
a strap connected to said first compartment at a side opposite
said second compartment and extending around and connected to said
second compartment at a side opposite said first compartment;
a scented material within said first and second compartments;
whereby said container is generally configured as a filled brassiere
lingerie item.
Lingerie description
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to containers for scented materials.
More specifically, this invention relates to containers for scented
materials, such as sachets, used, as one example, with clothing
such as lingerie or the like. This invention also pertains generally
to lingerie and means for enhancing the image and positive connotation
of lingerie.
The present invention involves a novel container for scented materials
having a unique lingerie configuration.
2. Background of the Invention
It is commonly known to provide scented materials for certain items
or areas to enhance one's olfactory perception of that item or area.
For example, it is common practice to place potpourri in areas that
do not typically have an appealing odor, such as inside a vehicle,
a bathroom, or the like. It is also common practice for women to
place potpourri within a dresser drawer containing lingerie to enhance
one's image of the lingerie within the drawer and to possibly enhance
the scent of any lingerie contained within the drawer--i.e., the
lingerie material "picking up" the scent of the potpourri.
As a result, a women's positive feelings towards such lingerie can
be enhanced, making the use thereof a more positive experience.
The beauty involved in her sexuality--e.g., with her spouse--is
enhanced and the misconception that such sexuality is "dirty"
or is reduced.
Scented material that is placed within a dresser drawer is typically
contained within a single compartment container or sachet. The sachet
is typically placed within the dresser drawer along with the woman's
lingerie. The use of common scented material containers or sachets
within lingerie drawers has a number of drawbacks. First, such containers
for the scented material can be highly visible within the drawer.
This can make a woman feel self-conscious about her choice to place
scented material within the drawer because of its easily noticed
presence within the drawer. This reduces one's feeling of the appropriateness
of scented material being placed with the lingerie product. Woman
may feel self-conscious or may be reluctant to place such scented
material within a lingerie drawer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above and other problems in
the existing devices for containing scented materials and, notably,
in containers for scented materials for use in scenting lingerie
or the like.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a scented material
container is provided comprising: a first breast-shape compartment
having a rear fabric wall and a front fabric wall; a second breast-shape
compartment having a rear fabric wall and a front fabric wall; a
perimeter side of the first compartment being connected to a perimeter
side of the second compartment; a strap connected to the first compartment
at a side opposite the second compartment and extending around and
connected to the second compartment at a side opposite the first
compartment; a scented material filled within the first and second
compartments; whereby said container is generally configured as
a filled brassiere lingerie item.
According to another aspect of the invention, the scented material
includes a potpourri material.
According to another aspect of the invention, the potpourri is
selected from the group consisting of crushed-leaves and scented
beads.
According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second
compartments each have a length of less than about three inches.
According to another aspect of the invention, a first over-strap
is connected from a top of the first compartment to a rear portion
of the strap and a second over-strap connected from a top of the
second compartment to a rear portion of the strap.
According to another aspect of the invention, the fabric of at
least the front walls of the first and second compartments has a
wide stitch pattern with spaces that allow the interior of the compartment
to be viewed, such that the scented material therein is visible
therethrough.
According to another aspect of the invention, the scented material
is compliant to enhance sensuality.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method of using
a scented material container to enhance an individual's appreciation
of an article of lingerie, involves the steps of: (1) providing
a scented material container, having: a first breast-shape compartment
having a rear fabric wall and a front fabric wall; a second breast-shape
compartment having a rear fabric wall and a front fabric wall; a
perimeter side of the first compartment being connected to a perimeter
side of the second compartment; a strap connected to the first compartment
at a side opposite the second compartment and extending around and
connected to the second compartment at a side opposite the first
compartment; (2) filling a scented material within the first and
second compartments such that said container is generally configured
as a filled brassiere lingerie item; and (3) having an individual
concurrently view and smell the scented material container to obtain
a positive association of the scent with lingerie.
According to another aspect of the invention, the above method
further includes the step of placing the scented material container
in an enclosed drawer or compartment along with at least one item
of lingerie.
The present invention has a number of advantages and uses not available
with existing scented material containers and sachets. These advantages
and uses are available with certain aspects of the invention as
will be appreciated based on the present disclosure.
First, the two compartment--semi-brassiere like--configuration
has a number of structural advantages not found in other scented
material containers. The use of two compartments helps increase
the exposed surface area of the scented material within the container.
In addition, the use of a flexible connection between the compartments
allows the compartments to be moved relative to one another whereby
the structure can be readily adapted to various spaces. Furthermore,
the straps 130 140 and 150 provide versatility in handling and
hanging the container--allowing the container to easily be hung
on a hanger, a door knob, or a bed post, or on a variety of other
structures.
Second, the placement of scented material within a container having
such a unique lingerie configuration (a) enhances the positive image
of lingerie, (b) facilitates a woman's comfort with and ability
to use scented materials with lingerie, and (c) enables a woman
or man to appreciate the scent in the context of a lingerie item
so as to facilitate selection of an appropriate scent for lingerie.
Even further, the unique lingerie configuration enhances the sensuality
of the item such that the item can have both (a) visual and (b)
olfactory sensuality--in contrast to prior containers. Further,
the unique lingerie configuration enhance's the logical connection
between (a) the scent and (b) the lingerie. At point of purchase,
the desirability of scented lingerie can be readily perceived (e.g.,
facilitating a spouse or husband's appreciation thereof). In addition,
women can feel less self-conscious because the appropriateness of
placing a scented container in a lingerie drawer is clarified simply
without words or explanations that could otherwise hamper one's
mood or state of mind. The present container also is relatively
unnoticeable within a lingerie drawer because it blends in with
the items therein, reducing potential feelings of awkwardness related
thereto. The container can also be used as an item of amusement
or humor and can, thus, also be used to reduce tension involved
in sexuality.
Third, the container can be relatively inexpensive and easy to
fabricate and can be constructed into unique designs having suppleness
and sensuality.
The above and other advantages, features and aspects of the present
invention will be more readily perceived from the following description
of the preferred embodiments thereof taken together with the accompanying
drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not
limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like references
indicate like parts, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scented material container according
to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of another scented material container similar
to that shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view along the arrows 3--3 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is a front view of another scented material container similar
to that shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a front view of another scented material container similar
to that shown in FIG. 1 with leaf-potpourri material therein;
FIG. 6(A) is a rear view of another scented material container
according to the invention; and
FIG. 6(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6B--6B
shown in FIG. 6(A).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention, wherein a scented
material container 100 has first and second compartments 110 and
120 a central connection 115 between the compartments, and a strap
130 connecting between outer sides 111 and 121 of the compartments
110 and 120 respectively. The strap 130 can be formed as a single
strap or as two separate straps extending from respective compartments
that are connectable together with hook and loop fasteners (e.g.,
VELCRO) or with other known brassiere strap-connectors. The container
100 preferably also includes over-straps 140 and 150 connecting
the upper regions of the compartments at 112 and 122 to the rear
side of the strap 130.
The scented material container has a unique lingerie configuration.
Among other things, the unique lingerie configuration is unlike
a common lingerie item in the use of "enclosed" filled
breast-shaped compartments 110 and 120 rather than "cup-shaped"
support structures. As shown in FIG. 3 the compartments preferably
have a front wall 123 and a rear wall 124 that form an interior
cavity 125 therebetween. The front and rear walls 123 and 124 are
connected together--preferably sewn together--around their peripheries
to form the enclosed compartments. Preferably, the front and rear
walls are connected at or near their outer edges to form large single
compartments.
As best shown FIG. 3 the compartment 120 contains a scented material.
The scented material preferably fills substantially the entire interior
spaces of each of the compartments 110 and 120. The scented material
preferably includes a potpourri type scented material. The most
preferred potpourri materials are scented beads and crushed-leaf
potpourri. Scented beads are known in the art. Exemplary scented
beads are "simmering beads" which are known in the art.
The scented beads can be made with, for example, a base material
(e.g., a polymer, a wax, or other base material) having a scented
material therein. The scented beads can also include a coloring
agent so that the beads can be colored as desired. Other known scented
materials can also be used. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4
the scented material includes a plurality of scented or potpourri
beads 200. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 the scented
material includes a crushed-leaf variety of potpourri 201. Although
any known scented material can be included within the compartments
110 and 120 the illustrated potpourri material of the beaded and
leaf varieties are most preferred.
Preferably, the scented material allows some compliance and movement
to thus have a softness and sensuality. For example, the use of
loose potpourri material within the compartments can create a softness
to the compartments, enhancing their tactile quality and the sensuality
thereof.
The walls 123 and 124 are preferably made of a fabric material.
Fabric materials commonly used for making lingerie and other clothing
products are preferred. Exemplary preferred fabrics include: synthetic
polymers fibers such as polyesters, nylons, acetates, acrylates,
rayons, lycra, and, although less preferred, natural fibers such
as cotton and silk. The denier number of the fabric can be, for
example, in the range of common lingerie fabrics and, more preferably,
low enough to provide shear wall surfaces. As one example, a fabric
having a denier number of in the range of about or near 15 can be
used. Preferably, the material of the walls 123 and 124 is at least
partly see-through or semi-transparent. For example, a fabric having
spaces between crossing threads (e.g., the warps and wefts) can
be used, as is common in portions of lingerie fabric materials.
The fabric materials preferably allow the scented material, such
as beads 200 to be viewed there-through. This can enhance the visual
appearance of the device. In addition, such lingerie fabrics have
beneficial qualities in containing scented materials, being relatively
strong and porous so as to contain the scented material while allowing
the scent to freely permeate therefrom. Although less preferred,
other materials can be used either to construct the entire container
or portions thereof, including for example, leather (e.g., black
leather), plastic, patent leather, other sheet materials having
some compliance and known for making articles of clothing, etc.
As should be understood, the compartments 110 and 120 should include
scent emitting holes when the material used is non-porous.
The scented material container is preferably substantially smaller
than a common lingerie item such as a woman's brassiere. In one
preferred embodiment, the scented material container has a length
L between the outermost ends of the compartments, FIG. 2 of less
than about 8 inches. More preferably, the length L is an about 6-61/2
inches or less, and a height H, FIG. 2 is about 21/2-3 inches or
less. FIG. 2 also illustrates exemplary relative proportional sizes
according to one possible construction.
The compartments 110 and 120 can be formed in a variety of ways
as would be apparent to those in the art.
FIGS. 6(A)-6(B) illustrate an embodiment wherein a border is formed
around at least a portion of the perimeter of the walls 123 and
124. Such a border is not required in other embodiments. In this
particular embodiment, the perimeters of the walls 123 and 124 are
connected together at or within the border. FIG. 6(A) shows the
rear side of the compartments 110 and 120. The borders 116 and/or
117 preferably wrap around the perimeter edges of the walls 123
and 124 as shown in FIG. 6(B). The borders 116 and/or 117 and the
perimeter edges are fixed together, such as with threads 119. A
decorative member such as a laced or scalloped strip member 118
FIG. 6(A), can be sewn to the front of each compartment to cover
the front side of the borders 117. If desired, the containers can
be initially only partly constructed prior to filling. For example,
the borders 117 can be sewn only along the dashed-lines 119 but
not along the dotted-lines 119'. The partly constructed containers
can be stored in an empty state and can be filled with scented material
as desired. When filling is desired, the portion 117' can be moved
aside to allow access between the walls 123 and 124. The scented
material can be placed therein, and then the portion 117' can be
threaded to the remainder of the compartment. In another example,
when filling scented beads or the like, a small section of the stitching
119 119' can be left open (e.g., even less than about a 1/2 inch
length) while the remainder of the stitching at 119 119' is sewn
to create a mostly closed compartment. Then, a supply conduit (not
shown) having a hollow interior leading to a bead supply (not shown)
can be inserted into the opening and beads 200 can be injected from
the bead supply through the a discharge end (e.g., a nozzle) of
the supply conduit using air pressure from an air pressure source.
In this regard, air can be supplied via an air supply tube (not
shown) into the supply conduit downstream of the bead supply in
a manner to draw beads from the bead supply into and through the
supply conduit. The beads can thus be quickly injected into the
compartments while air quickly passes through holes, such as in
the fabric material, in the walls of the compartments. After filling,
the portion of the stitching left open can be sewn closed to finish
the product. As shown in FIG. 6(B), the strap 130 can also have
its end 131 tucked under the border 116 and sewn therein. In other
embodiments without such a border, the perimeter walls 123 and 124
can also--if desired--be initially only partly connected there-around
in a similar manner to create a partly constructed container that
can be similarly filled with a scented material at an appropriate
time.
As noted, the preferred embodiments of the invention have a scented
material--preferably scented beads or crushed-leaf potpourri--filling
substantially the entire compartments. Some of the scented material
can be without scent and/or can be a filler material. For example,
portions of potpourri leaves or other materials may have pleasant
visual or textural qualities, or may be used to contain the scented
material.
As discussed above, the present invention has a number of advantages
and uses not available with existing scented material containers
and sachets.
First, the two compartment--semi-brassiere like--configuration
has a number of structural advantages not found in other scented
material containers. The use of two compartments helps increase
the exposed surface area of the scented material within the container.
In addition, the use of a flexible connection between the compartments
allows the compartments to be moved relative to one another whereby
the structure can be readily adapted to various spaces. Furthermore,
the straps 130 140 and 150 provide versatility in handling and
hanging the container--allowing the container to easily be hung
on a hanger, a door knob, or a bed post, or on a variety of other
structures.
Second, the placement of scented material within a container having
such a unique lingerie configuration (a) enhances the positive image
of lingerie, (b) facilitates a woman's comfort with and ability
to use scented materials with lingerie, and (c) enables a woman
or man to appreciate the scent in the context of a lingerie item
so as to facilitate selection of an appropriate scent for lingerie.
Even further, the unique lingerie configuration enhances the sensuality
of the item such that the item can have both (a) visual and (b)
olfactory sensuality--in contrast to prior containers. Further,
the unique lingerie configuration enhance's the logical connection
between (a) the scent and (b) the lingerie. At point of purchase,
the desirability of scented lingerie can be readily perceived (e.g.,
facilitating a spouse or husband's appreciation thereof). In addition,
women can feel less self-conscious because the appropriateness of
placing a scented container in a lingerie drawer is clarified simply
without words or explanations that could otherwise hamper one's
mood or state of mind. The present container also is relatively
unnoticeable within a lingerie drawer because it blends in with
the items therein, reducing potential feelings of awkwardness related
thereto. The container can also be used as an item of amusement
or humor and can also be used to reduce tension involved in sexuality.
Third, the container can be relatively inexpensive and easy to
fabricate and can be constructed into unique designs having suppleness
and sensuality.
While the present invention has been shown and described with reference
to preferred embodiments presently contemplated as best modes for
carrying out the invention, it is understood that various changes
may be made in adapting the invention to different embodiments without
departing from the broader inventive concepts disclosed herein and
comprehended by the claims which follow.
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