While such devices are numerous and consist of basic components with differences in design and the mechanism for dispensing'a fragrance, none can be manufactured integral with conventional toilet paper or the like or assist to preserve the fragrance until the device is used.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fragrance dispensing device comprising a fragrance dispensing roll core formed of material impregnated with a fragrance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a fragrance dispensing device comprising a fragrance dispensing roll core

which is formed of layers of cardboard arranged to form a roll core, adjacent layers being secured. one to the other by adhesive means on the surface of the layers to hold the formed roll core together, the adhesive means being impregnated with a fragrance.

Preferably, the roll core has sealing members attached to respective ends of the roll core by attachment means to seal and preserve the fragrance within the roll core.

Preferably, the roll core is made from cardboard and is manufactured in a similar way to known toilet roll cores and the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided toilet roll or the like comprising a length of toilet paper or the like wound on a fragrance dispensing roll core as described in any one of the last four preceding paragraphs; the toilet roll or the like being individually wrapped by wrapping means to seal and preserve the fragrance within the wrapping means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fragrance dispensing device according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in use; Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate the fabrication of a roll core made in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate the fabrication of a roll core made in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 3c of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a first aspect of the present invention being a fragrance dispensing device 10 in the form of a fragrance dispensing roll core 12 which is provided with a fragrance as hereinafter described.

The roll core 12 is of the form of a hollow tube and is preferably made of cardboard, but not limited thereto. In this form the roll core 12 resembles a conventional toilet roll core.

In manufacture, the cardboard begins as a pulp substance before being processed to form cardboard.

The fragrance can be applied to the pulp substance or to surfaces of the processed cardboard.

With reference to Fig. 3a, adhesive means 26 is applied to a surface of a strip of cardboard 28 which is impregnated with fragrance in the manufacturing process.

The fragrant cardboard 28 is then helically wound on a mandrel and rolled to form a tube or roll core 12, as shown in Fig. 3b, removed from the mandrel.

The removed fragrant roll core 30 is then cut along its length to form fragrant roll cores 12, as shown in Fig. 3c.

As shown in Fig. 1, first and second sealing members 14,16 are removably attached to respective ends of the roll core 12. The first and second sealing members 14,16 seal and preserve the fragrance impregnated within the roll core 12.

The sealing members 14,16 are removably attached by attachment means to the roll core ends 22,24 of the roll core 12, forming an air tight seal to preserve the fragrance. The sealing members 14,16 are provided with peeling tabs 18,20 which assist with removing the sealing members 14,16 from the roll core ends 22,24.

The attachment means, for example a pressure sensitive adhesive, is located on the roll core ends 22,24 to which the sealing members 14,16 are then applied to form an air tight seal to preserve the fragrance within the roll core 12.

Toilet paper or the like can. then be conventionally wound on the fragrance dispensing roll core 12, as shown in Fig. 2.

In use, peeling tabs 18,20 are provided to remove the sealing members 14, 16 from the roll core ends 22,24. With the roll core ends 22,24 open to the surroundings, the fragrance within the roll core 12 will be free to diffuse into the surroundings.

With reference to Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c, there is shown a second aspect of the present invention being a fragrance dispensing device 110 in the form of a fragrance dispensing roll core 112 which is provided with a fragrance as hereinafter described.

This second aspect of the present invention can be as an alternative to or as an addition to the first aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 4a shows an adhesive means 126 impregnated with a fragrance 150 being applied to a surface of a strip of cardboard 128.

The strip of cardboard 128, impregnated with the adhesive means 126 and fragrance 150, are helically wound on a mandrel rolled to form a tube or roll core 112, as shown in Fig. 4b, removed from the mandrel.

The removed roll core 150 is then cut along its length to form fragrant roll cores 112, as shown in Fig. 4c.

As shown in Fig. 1, first and second sealing members 14,16, are removably attached at respective ends of

the roll core 112. The first and second sealing members 14,16 seal and preserve the fragrance impregnated within the adhesive means 126.

The sealing members 14,16 are removably attached as described in the first aspect of the present invention.

Toilet paper or the like can then be conventionally wound on the roll core 112, as shown in Fig. 2.

In use, peeling tabs 18,20 are used to remove the sealing members 14,16 from the ends of the roll core 112. With the ends of the roll core 112 open to the surroundings, the fragrance 150 within adhesive means 126 will be free to diffuse into the surroundings.

In this second aspect of the present invention, it is to be realised that the fragrance 150 in the adhesive means 126 will be slowly released over a period of time.

The attachment means provided to attach the sealing members 14,16 to the ends of the roll core 112 may also be impregnated with. the fragrance 150.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet roll or the like (not shown) comprising a fragrance dispensing roll core 12,112 having a length of toilet roll or the like conventionally wound thereon.

Wrapping means (not shown) located around the individual roll core 12,112 seals and preserves the fragrance which is impregnated within the roll core 12,112 as hereinbefore been described.

It will be further realised that the sealing members and individual wrapping means preserve the impregnated fragrance, extending the shelf life of such products made in accordance with the present invention.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the above without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the present invention may be adapted for use with kitchen paper or tissue paper or the like.