The majority of fragrances are alcoholic formulations for wearing on the skin in order to provide a pleasant scent throughout the day.

Other ways of wearing fragrance in the form of fragranced pieces of jewelry which give off a scent are also known. Thus, there exist pieces of jewelry which have on the inside a fragranced wax which is intended to be rubbed with the finger after the piece of jewelry has been opened, these being known as solid fragrances.

Also known are fragranced pieces of jewelry, in the case of which it is necessary to evaporate a few drops of one's usual fragrance in a predetermined region of the piece of jewelry which will collect the fragrance in order to give it off during the day.

The document US4465232 describes an adornment to be worn on oneself, for example around the neck, on one's shoes or on one's arm. This adornment comprises a fabric pouch enclosing a fragranced element. This element may be a capsule filled with fragrance or a fragranced pellet. The scent is given off both through the slit in the pouch and through holes in the fabric, such as canvas. However, with this adornment, it is not possible to adjust the amount of scent given off or to stop it, apart from removing the fragranced element from the pouch. Moreover, the device according to said document is not entirely suitable for "nomadic" use and for being transported in a handbag, for example. If the pouch is turned inside out, the capsule or pellet may come out and be lost.

The patent US4374571 describes a device for hunting which is intended to hold a porous pad, for example a sponge impregnated with fragrance. The device comprises a cover having a seal on one side and a single large diffusion opening on the other side, which is sealed by a disk that is removed prior to first use. However, with said device, it is not possible to adjust as desired the quantity of fragrance given off and the intensity of the scent.

The patent US6557375 describes a piece of jewelry composed of a compartment for receiving a removable absorbent disk, for example made of cotton or fabric, impregnated with liquid fragrance which is given off via an opening such as a slot or a plurality of orifices in the lid. However, with said piece of jewelry, it is not possible to adjust as desired the quantity of fragrance given off and the intensity of the scent.

The patent EP2229835 describes a piece of jewelry in the form of a rigid casing, for example made of metal, into which there is inserted a porous wooden cylinder impregnated with liquid fragrance, for example made of balsa wood, and which is closed by a screwed lid. The fragrance evaporates through open slots in the wall of the casing, under the action of the temperature of the body. Refilling is carried out by spraying one's fragrance onto the porous element or by immersing it in a reservoir of liquid fragrance. However, with said piece of jewelry, it is not possible to adjust as desired the quantity of fragrance given off and the intensity of the scent.

Also known are makeup cases that give off a fragrance. They comprise a base and a lid which are joined together by a hinged connection. A solid block of makeup, for example a fragranced solid foundation, is disposed in the base of the case. A person can vary the intensity of the scent released by closing the lid to a greater or lesser extent.

The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a device that is completely suited to "nomadic" use and which, in addition, gives off fragrance more precisely than those of the prior art, depending on the wishes of the user.

The consumer should be able to adjust as desired the quantity of fragrance given off and the intensity of the scent, depending on his or her state, the circumstances and his or her desires. For example, strong diffusion will be desired for trips to restaurants or in the evening and/or weak diffusion or no diffusion will be desired in the presence of infants, in hospitals or at a professional meeting.

Diffusion of the product should also occur without the reserve of fragranced composition being in direct contact with the skin, thereby limiting the risk of incompatibility or sensitivity or allergy between the material or materials of the composition and the person's skin.

Finally, it is desirable to benefit from a device that can be held in one hand before and after use.

There is a need to improve assemblies intended for the diffusion of a fragrance, in particular in order to remedy the abovementioned drawbacks, and the invention aims to meet this need. According to one of its aspects, a subject of the invention is a nomadic device comprising:

- a reservoir comprising at least one orifice,

- a solid material that is able to give off a fragrance and is disposed in the reservoir,

- a means for attachment to the body or the clothes of a person,

- adjusting means for varying the size of the orifices between a completely closed position and a completely open position,

characterized in that,

while the device is being used, with the orifices in the completely open position,

the flow cross section at the outlet of each orifice is between 0.1 mm ² and 1 cm ² .

On account of the size of the orifices, it is now possible to adjust with precision the desired intensity of the scent. In contrast, by selecting orifices with a larger flow cross section at the outlet, a person cannot select the scent with as much accuracy and dexterity. Thus, when the device comprises a single orifice having an adjustable cross- sectional area that can range up to a few centimeters, it is difficult to precisely select a scent intensity. This is all the more the case if a person is clumsy or shaking.

The device of the invention provides the possibility of altering the intensity of the scent.

The device of the invention also provides the possibility of easy refilling with the same fragrance or even of interchanging fragrances.

The device is thus produced from simple parts, thereby reducing its cost and simplifying its manufacture. It is easy to hold in the hand.

In addition, the invention makes it possible to avoid any contamination of the fragrance on the skin and the user can benefit fully and very rapidly from the fragrance if he or she so desires.

A device produced according to the invention proves to operate reliably, and can if necessary be closed relatively easily at any time, such as before first use or between uses. In the following text, "longitudinal section" is understood to mean a section passing through the longitudinal axis of the device. "Cross section" is understood to mean a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

In particular, if the device comprises a base and a lid, the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the base and passes through the lid.

"In a view from above" means when the device is viewed from above.

The "flow cross section at the outlet of the orifices" is the flow cross section at the outlet of the orifices when the fragrance exits the device in order to be diffused toward the outside of the latter, such as a room or some other place. The cross-sectional area at the outlet is measured on the outside wall of the reservoir.

In particular, if the device comprises a base and a lid, the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the base and passes through the lid.

Orifice

According to the invention, the dispensing orifice may have any desired shape in cross section. For example, it may be in the shape of a disk, an ellipse, a parallelepiped, a star, a clover.

Advantageously, the flow cross section at the outlet of the orifices is between 1.5 mm ² and 0.8 cm ² , preferably between 1.7 mm ² and 0.6 cm ² .

The reservoir may be formed in one piece.

Advantageously, the reservoir comprises at least a base and a lid. The reservoir may comprise at least three elements: a base, a lid and side walls.

The orifice may extend axially, in the outlet direction of the fragrance, along a length less than or equal to 7 mm.

For example, the orifice extends axially along less than 6 mm, or even less than 5 mm or less than 3 mm, with a cross-sectional area at the outlet of the orifices of less than 5 mm ² , or even than 2 mm ² . The axial extent of the orifice may correspond to the thickness of the wall in which it is produced, in particular when this wall is formed in one piece. The advantage of such a configuration of the orifices is that the fragrance outlet can be oriented. The cross-sectional area of the orifice may be variable or constant in the direction of travel of the fragrance toward the outside of the device.

The orifices may all have the same shape and the same dimensions. They may also have various shapes and/or dimensions.

The base provided with orifices may be likened to a grille.

The orifices may be off-center with respect to the base or the lid of the device. They can advantageously be disposed on the side wall or side walls. This disposition can make it easier to carry out hand movements.

The device may comprise large orifices and small orifices. The difference between the cross-sectional area of the large orifices and the cross-sectional area of the small orifices may be greater than 4 mm ² .

The expression "elongation axis of the orifice" denotes an axis which passes through the centers of mass of the longitudinal sections of the orifice.

The elongation axis may form an angle other than 90° with the wall of the reservoir. All the directions of elongation of the orifices can diverge when the device is viewed along the axis X.

The base may comprise a wall made of thermoplastic material overmolded on a grille which defines the orifice or orifices. This grille is for example metallic, having a thickness of for example between 10 and 100 μιη. In one implementation example of the invention, the grille may comprise a single orifice, for example an orifice having a cross- sectional area of between 1 mm ² and 2 mm ² , for example a circular orifice which may be central if need be. In one implementation example of the invention, the grille may comprise a multiplicity of orifices which have a cross-sectional area of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm ² and are distributed regularly or randomly.

Means for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the orifices

In one particular embodiment, the device comprises at least two reliefs that engage in order to position the base and the lid with respect to one another.

The base may comprise at least one housing for receiving the fragranced solid material. The lid may in particular be able to move in translation and/or rotation with respect to the base between a closed position and an open position. The axis of rotation and of translation may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. Still in one particular embodiment, the base and the lid are designed to engage by sliding with respect to one another in order to vary the size of the orifices between a completely closed position and a completely open position of the orifices. Thus, it is possible to reach an adjusting position determined by the user. The base and the lid may slide along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device or along a transverse axis.

For example, one of the base or the lid may comprise an internal portion and an external portion that define between one another a groove in which the other element is inserted and can slide.

The lid can also be designed to move the base and the side walls with respect to one another while it is being screwed.

With the aim of making sliding easier, one of the base and the lid advantageously comprises the longitudinal guide slots and the other comprises longitudinal slides that are inserted into the slots. The two elements may also move transversely with respect to one another.

Attachment means

The attachment means is in particular a means for attaching the device to the body or clothes of a person. It is selected in particular from a clasp, a hook, an adhesive strip, a tie, a ribbon, a chain or a clip.

Nomadic device

The device may be any desired piece of jewelry, such as a watch, a ring, an earring, a bracelet, a brooch or a cufflink. It may also be a hairgrip, a headband, a hair slide or a belt buckle or shoe buckle, for example.

The material forming the device may in particular be selected from a plastics material, a leather, a metal, a precious stone, a skin, wood, a ceramic or a combination thereof.

The base and the lid may also be produced at least partially by molding at least plastics material, for example a polyolefin or a polyester, a polyacetal, a polycarbonate or a styrene polymer. Advantageously, the fragranced solid material forms at least one block. The dimensions of the block are such that in the completely open position of the orifices, the block cannot pass through the orifices. In particular, the solid material and the reservoir are designed such that the solid material remains enclosed in the reservoir regardless of the position of the device.

According to one embodiment, the device is refillable. Generally, the solid material is in this case simply placed in the compartment. For example, the reservoir is formed by a base and by a cover, a portion of which forms a grille and the other portion forms a solid surface. The solid portion may serve to keep the solid material in its compartment.

In particular, the maximum cross-sectional area of the blocks of solid material is larger than the outlet cross-sectional area of the orifices.

Preferably, the solid material is selected from a foam, a frit, a porous material, a ceramic material, wood, plastics material, paper, a wax or fabric, which are impregnated with a fragrance essence. The material may have a thickness of between 0.1 and 5 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 2 mm. The volume of the reservoir is for example between 0.3 cm ³ and 3 cm ³ and more preferably between 0.5 cm ³ and 2 cm ³ .

The reservoir may have a cylindrical, cubic or parallelepipedal shape over at least a portion of its height, or even over its entire height.

The base may also be joined to the lid by ultrasonic welding, after the solid material has been introduced. The base may have any shape suitable for fitting the material into the device.

The device may be designed to simultaneously hold a plurality of solid materials containing different compositions and to bring about the simultaneous or successive diffusion of these compositions.

Another subject of the invention is a method for variable diffusion of a fragrance, consisting in actuating the adjusting means of a device as described above between a completely closed position and a completely open position of the orifices of the device.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which: -figure 1 schematically shows, in perspective, an example of a nomadic device produced in accordance with the prior art, in the closed position,

-figure 2 is a view of the device from figure 1 in the intermediate open position,

-figure 3 is a view of the device from figure 1 in the completely open position,

-figure 4 shows an exploded view of a variant embodiment of the device of the invention, and

-figure 5 is a perspective view of the device from figure 4, in the completely open position,

-figure 6 is a perspective view of the device from figure 4, in the intermediate open position,

-figure 7 is a perspective view of the device from figure 4, in the completely closed position,

-figure 8 is a view from above of the device from figure 4, in the completely open position,

-figure 9 is a view from above of the device from figure 4, in the intermediate open position,

-figure 10 is a view from above of the device from figure 4, in the completely closed position,

-figure 11 is a perspective view of another example of the device according to the invention, in the completely closed position,

-figure 12 shows the device from figure 11 in the completely open position, -figure 13 is a cross-sectional view on AA of the device from figure 11, -figure 14 is a cross-sectional view on BB of the device from figure 12, -figure 15 is a view from above of the device from figure 11, during the insertion of the pellet,

-figure 16 is a view from above of the device from figure 11,

-figure 17 is a view from above of the device from figure 12,

-figure 18 shows, in perspective, a watch according to the invention, before the cover has been fitted on the reservoir, wherein the orifice is a grille,

-figure 19 shows, in perspective, a pendant according to the invention, before the lid has been fitted on the reservoir, wherein the orifice is in the side wall, -figure 20 shows, in perspective, the pendant from figure 19, after the lid has been fitted on the reservoir,

-figure 21 is a side view of the device from figure 20, with the orifices half open,

-figure 22 is a side view of the device from figure 20, with the orifices closed,

-figure 23 is a side view of the device from figure 20, with the orifices open, -figure 24 shows, in perspective, another pendant according to the invention, before the cover has been fitted on the reservoir,

-figure 25 shows, in perspective, the pendant from figure 24, after the lid has been fitted on the reservoir,

-figure 26 is a side view of the device from figure 25, with the orifices closed, -figures 27 and 28 illustrate the definition "flow cross section at the outlet of the orifices" and show two longitudinal sections through a reservoir according to the invention.

The device shown in figures 1 to 3 is in accordance with the prior art. It shows a pendant formed by a housing having a circular cross section. This housing may be hung on the neck of a person by way of a chain that passes through the ring 50.

It comprises a first part 3 which defines the top face and a second part 10 which forms the body of a reservoir containing the fragranced solid material 4. The first and second parts are for example joined together by a hinge of axis Y. The part 3 is able to move in rotation about the axis Y between a completely closed position (figure 1) and a completely open position (figure 3).

The fragranced solid material is a cylindrical pellet having a cross-sectional area equal to 2 cm ² . In the intermediate position (figure 2), the scent 1000 released by the device is medium strength.

By moving the part 3 about the axis Y, the user closes the housing to a greater or lesser extent. It is possible for him or her to modulate the intensity of the scent.

In the completely open position, the solid material 4 is completely uncovered. The scent 10000 is intense and difficult to channel. This device does not have an orifice such that, in the completely open position of the orifices, the flow cross section at the outlet of the orifices is between 1 mm ² and 1 cm ² .

The device shown in figures 4 to 10 is in accordance with the invention.

It shows a pendant formed by a housing having a circular cross section. This housing may be hung on the neck of a person by way of a chain that passes through the ring 50.

It comprises a first part 11 which defines the top face and a second part 10 which forms the body of a reservoir containing the fragranced solid material 4. The part 10 has the form of a cylindrical dish. It comprises a base 102 and side walls 101. It is closed by an intermediate part 3 that forms an open/close element. This open/close element is provided with a first orifice 2.

The pellet 4 is disposed between the reservoir 10 and the open/close element 3. The reservoir 10 and the open/close element 3 are clip-fastened in order that the pellet 4 cannot escape from the housing defined by these two parts 10 and 3.

The lid 11 has a cylindrical shape. It is provided with a second orifice 6. The size of the orifices 6 and 2 is identical. These orifices each extend axially along the axis Y over a length of 1 mm. They each maintain a constant cross-sectional area over this extent. This cross-sectional area is equal to 2 mm ² . The cross-sectional area at the outlet of the orifices is also 2 mm ² .

The orifices 6 and 2 are each radially spaced apart by the same distance R with respect to the axis X. This distance R is equal to 7 mm.

The lid 11 is able to move in rotation about the axis X around the part 10. To this end, the lid 11 has cylindrical side walls 31 formed by an internal face 312 and an external face 311. The distance between the internal face 312 of the side walls 31 and the axis X is adapted to slide on the external face of the side walls 101 of the base 10.

By rotating the lid 11 about the axis X while keeping the part 10 immobile, the user can more or less coincide the orifices 2 and 6. In doing so, he or she alters the intensity of the scent released by the device.

In figures 5 and 8, the orifices 6 and 2 are superposed. The scent 10000 is released at maximum strength. In figures 6 and 9, the orifice 6 is positioned so as to cover half of the orifice 2. The scent 1000 is released at medium strength.

In figures 7 and 10, the orifices 6 and 2 are diametrically opposed with respect to the axis X. The scent is released at minimum strength.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a nomadic device according to the invention.

A base 10 is attached underneath a second part 2 that forms a lid 3.

In the example illustrated, the body of the reservoir 10 has a cylindrical shape, for example having a circular or elliptical cross section, but other shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. On the opposite side of the reservoir, an attachment lug makes it possible to clip the device to an article of clothing, for example to a jacket pocket or pants pocket, or else to a belt (figures 13 and 14).

The reservoir 10 has a cavity with a square cross section for housing a fragranced pellet 4. The pellet is held in the cavity by being clamped between two lips, but other fixing methods are possible. In the example described, the pellet 4 extends more or less as far as the base of the reservoir 10.

The pellet 4 forms a porous plug, for example a plug made of polyolefm frit, for example under the trade name Porex®, fragranced with an essence of vanilla and myrtle.

In one implementation example of the invention, the plug has a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section, having a height of between 0.5 and 5 mm, a diameter of between 1 and 10 mm and a porosity of between 5 and 500 μιη.

The second part 3 (lid) comprises a wall in the shape of a dome 32 produced by molding plastics material, comprising a set of perforations 2 of axis Y. The second part 3 delimits the top of the cavity 44. It has a lower face that can come into contact with the pellet. Each perforation 2 has an outlet cross-sectional area of 2 mm ² . The total number of perforations is equal to 100. They are distributed over an angular sector quarter of the wall 32. This angular section quarter forms the portion 14. The three remaining angular portion quarters have no orifices.

The axis X passes through the center of the wall 32. The axes X and Y are for example parallel, but they do not have to be. Depending on its position with respect to the reservoir 10, the second part 3 can partially or completely close the cavity. This part 3 may be inserted by sliding on rails 98 which slide along slots 99 in the reservoir (figure 15).

In the closed position of the lid 3 (figure 16), the perforated portion 14 faces the pellet.

In the open position of the lid 3 (figure 17), the perforated portion 14 no longer covers the base 10. The lower part of the wall 32, which has no orifices, faces the pellet 4, this corresponding to the closed position.

Figure 18 shows a watch in accordance with the invention. A pellet 4 having a square cross section is placed in the base of the reservoir. A lid 3, shown prior to assembly, is provided to cover the pellet 4. This lid 3 has orifices 2, the outlet cross- sectional area of which is equal to 0.5 mm ² . These orifices 2 are distributed in lines of four orifices over four lines.

The watch casing forms a cover 3 that is able to cover the orifices 2 in the lid 3 by being moved in rotation about a hinge.

Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a housing provided with a reservoir that comprises a base 10 and a lid 3, between which a pellet 4 is housed. The lid is produced from a dish and a ring mounted so as to rotate about the dish. Each of the dish and the disk are provided with orifices on their side walls. They are disposed at equal distances from one another on these walls.

The dish and the disk are able to move in rotation with respect to one another. The user can act on the ring 3 by rotating it about the axis X. In so doing, he or she changes the coincidence between the orifices in the dish and the ring. He or she can thus vary the outlet cross-sectional area of the orifices. Figures 21, 22 and 23 illustrate the following three positions: half-offset (medium diffusion), in alternation (minimum diffusion) and opposing orifices (maximum diffusion).

Figures 24 and 25 illustrate a housing provided with a reservoir that comprises a base 10 and a lid 3, between which a pellet 4 is housed. The lid is produced from a dish and a disk. Each of the dish and the disk are provided with orifices. They are distributed over four lines. The latter intersect at the center of the lid, forming a star with eight arms.

The dish and the disk are able to move in rotation with respect to one another. The user can act on the ring 3 by rotating it about the axis X. In so doing, he or she changes the coincidence between the orifices in the dish and the disk. He or she can thus vary the outlet cross-sectional area of the orifices, as is shown in figure 26 which is a view from above of the offset orifices.

Figures 27 and 28 show a longitudinal section through a reservoir 103 according to the invention. It is pierced by an orifice 2. It contains the solid material 4. The "flow cross section at the outlet of the orifices" is indicated by dashed lines and has the reference Si . This surface Si envelops the orifice 2 when the external wall 1031 of the reservoir 103 is pressed.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.