A SPECTACLES

The invention relates to spectacles with side-arms adjusted to the ears of the person wearing the spectacles.

People, especially most women of various ages, all over the world wear perfume on different parts of their head, such as their hair, face, ears, temples or behind their ears practically all the time, but especially during the day when they are among other people or expect to meet other people.

Most frequently perfumes or/and facial creams are used to scent the head. These substances applied in a fairly thin layer on a relatively large area, due to their nature, are permanently in contact with the air and evaporate rapidly, the odorant practically disappears, the effect of scenting terminates, and the given person must either accept it - if he/she has no access to more perfume right then - or apply some more of this substance onto his/her head.

Patent specification USA 5,636,787 describes a scenting device that can be connected to spectacles. It is based on a scented module, which is form ed by a case containing a material impregnated with perfume, having an opening in its wall, which case can be suspended on the bridge between the lenses resting on the bridge of the nose or placed in an opening made in the side-arm. The disadvantage of this solution is that the obviously small case containing the perfume only a small amount of odorant can be emitted through the inevitably small opening or openings into the environment of the person wearing the spectacles,

which cannot ensure the scenting efficiency suiting the given purpose. A further disadvantage is that even if the size of the case is minimal, the module appears on the spectacles - either on the side-arm or on the frame - as a strange body filling a function very much different from the basic purpose of the spectacles, which is inadmissible from an aesthetic aspect. Obviously the larger the module used for increasing the efficiency of scenting is, the less aesthetic the spectacles are, although design plays a continuously increasing role in the marketability of spectacles. A further problem is that these protruding modules may be uncomfortable for the person wearing the spectacles, for example they may catch hairs or the module attached to the bridge may even disturb vision.

The task to be solved with the invention is to provide spectacles with the help of which the scenting of the user's head can be ensured for a long time, efficiently, with a lasting and perfect effect without other persons being able to detect the source of the scent - at least visually -, so in order to fill the scenting function the spectacle frames should not include any additional unit or formal construction that would impair the aesthetic appearance of the spectacles to the slightest extent or cause the slightest discomfort for the user.

The invention is based on the recognition that the ends of the side-arms of the spectacles are in direct contact with the user's temples and ears, which makes them suitable for accommodating or absorbing perfumes in an unnoticeable way. We also realised that in general the given

perfume must be used in the form of α concentrate because of the rather small space available, in the lack of a large evaporation area - which is obviously available when using a perfume - the evaporation of the odorant placed in or on the spectacle frames needs to be intensified, for which purpose the average 36.5 ⁰ C temperature of the human body is suitable, and as there is permanent direct contact between the spectacle frame and the ears/temples, the evaporation and nice scent for the user is continuously ensured with the same intensity. From the position of the source of odorant behind the ear it can also be concluded that no strange body needs to appear on the spectacle frames, consequently ensuring the scenting function does not have the slightest influence on the aesthetic appearance of the spectacles, and it does not restrict designers in any way. Finally we also recognised that if the end-part of the side-arm containing the odorant is constructed in a way that its external surface falls in the continuation of the external surface of the side-arm situated behind it, the user of the spectacles will not feel uncomfortable while wearing the spectacles.

On the basis of the above recognitions the set task was solved with spectacles having a frame containing side- arms, which spectacles are characterised by that at least one of the side-arms has an end-part fitting between the ear and temple of the person using the spectacles, constructed in a way suitable for accommodating an odorant capable of evaporation due to the body temperature or/and a

device containing an odorant and also suitable for emitting the evaporating odorant.

The invention is suitable for all types of spectacles, whether they are used to improve vision, or as sunglasses, fashion articles, sports accessories, protective glasses, etc., and even in the scientific and technical fields it is obviously suitable for all types of different spectacle structures, such as completely framed, wire-framed and the so-called "drilled bore frame" spectacles, etc. In the case of completely framed spectacles the frame made of different types of materials - from which frame the side-arms extend to the ears - completely surrounds and fixes the lenses. In the case of wire-framed spectacles the lenses are partly supported by the frame and partly by wire. In the case of "drilled bore frame" spectacles the lenses hold the frame together with bores; in this case the frame consists of fixed side-arms and a central part. But side-arms adjusted to the ears are essential parts of all types of spectacle structures.

According to a favourable construction, in the end- part of the side-arm there is a cavity opening to the end- surface, delimited by a perforated wall, suitable for accommodating an odorant or/and a device containing an odorant.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, it has a device for closing and opening the opening of the cavity, favourably a cap that can be fixed in its closed position by clicking.

Another possible favourable construction of the spectacles is characterised by that the cavity is constructed

in α way suitable for accommodating a rod- shaped perfume cartridge made of a moisture-absorbing and moisture-retaining material impregnated with an odorant, for example felt.

According to another construction the end-part of the side-arm has a cavity getting narrower inwards, which cavity is constructed in a way suitable for fixing a perfume cartridge in it shaped to suit the geometrical shape of the cavity.

A further construction is characterised by that the external surface of the end-part forms the continuation of the external surface of the part of the side-arm before the end-part in a way that they are situated in the same plane.

Below the invention is described in detail on the basis of the attached drawings containing a number of preferable embodiments of the spectacles. In the drawings figure 1 shows the spectacles according to the invention in perspective lateral view from above; figure 2a shows the perspective front-view of the spectacles as in figure 1 in enlarged scale; figure 2b shows the perspective view of the spectacles as in figure 1 from behind and above; figure 3 shows the perspective view of a side-arm in enlarged scale; figure 4a shows the end-part of the side-arm as in figure 3 with an open cap;

figure 4b shows the end-part as in figure 4a in an enlarged scale; figure 5 shows the perspective view of a part of the side-arm of a construction of the spectacles according to the invention;

The spectacles shown in figure 1 , 2a and 2b have a frame marked with reference number 1 as a whole, formed by a front frame-piece 9 and side-arms 3 connected to it with a hinge 5. The end-parts 6 of the side-arms 3 are hollow, and the wall delimiting the cavity opening to the end surface of the end-part 6 is perforated, in the case of the present construction it has oblong openings 7, the longitudinal direction of which is the same as the longitudinal direction of the end-part 6 and the side-arm 3. On the end surface of the end-part 6, that is at the end point of the side- arm 3, the cavity is closed by a cap 8 that can be closed and opened, and it can be fixed in its closed position practically by clicking.

In figure 3 the length of the end-part 6 containing the cavity is marked with reference letter a; this a length does not include the cap 8. In the case of the present construction the end-part 6 of the side-arm 3 has a circular cross-section, but obviously it can have any type of cross- section. The same stands for the shape, number and arrangement of the perforations. The a length is determined to enable the end-part 6 to fit behind the ear of the person wearing the spectacles, that is between the wearer's ear and temple. As it can be seen in figures 1-3, the end-part 6

containing the cavity is constructed in a way that it falls in the continuation of the side-arm without any protrusion or break, so the external surface of the side-arm 3 gradually extends into the external surface of the end-part 6 in a way that it does not cause any inconvenience for the person wearing the spectacles, and the openings 7 are practically unnoticeable, not only because the end-part 6 is covered by the ear, but also because presumably the spectacles according to the invention is mostly worn by women, and their hair also provides additional cover.

In the cavity of the end-part 6 it is possible to place a perfume cartridge, which is made from a moisture absorbing and moisture retaining material - suitable for the temporary or preferably lasting storage of moisture - e.g.: felt, impregnated with the desired odorant. In the case of the construction as in figures 1-3, the perfume cartridge is a cylindrical unit having a smaller diameter than the cavity with openings 7 in its wall, so the cap 8 in its open position can be easily slid into it, and after the cap 8 has been clicked in, the operating position inside the cavity is ensured. As the perforated end-part 6 of the side-arm 3 is in permanent direct and close contact with the user's ear and temple, the body temperature continuously exerts its effect resulting in the evaporation of the odorant of the perfume cartridge. In this way the permanent scenting of the head of the person wearing the spectacles and the environment of the head is ensured continuously with the same intensity.

Figures 4a and 4b show on a larger scale how the cap 8 shown in figures 1-3 closing the end-part 6 of the side-arm 3

is constructed and connected to the end-part 6.

In these figures, and especially in figure 2b, it can be seen that the cap 8 also has openings 7a through which the evaporating odorant of the perfume cartridge 12 can be emitted. The cap 8 is connected to the edge 6a of the end- part 6 with a hinge 5a; when the cap 8 is in open position (figures 4a, 4b), the cylindrical perfume cartridge 12 can be easily slid inside the end-part 6 having openings 7, and then the cap 8 can be closed by clicking it onto the end-part 6. In the case of this construction the internal space - depth - of the cap 8 is determined to enable the end of perfume cartridge 12 to protrude from the end-part 6 in a way that it is situated inside the cap 8 having openings 7a. When the perfume cartridge runs out 12, the cap 8 can be clicked open, the cartridge can be removed and replaced with a new cartridge.

So if the perfume cartridge "runs out", after opening the cap 8 the empty cartridge can be removed and replaced with a new cartridge. Obviously it is also possible to dip the empty cartridge into the odorant - if available -, put it back in the cavity and continue using the spectacles until the new perfume cartridge runs out, too.

If the solution shown in figures 4a, 4b is not used, after opening the cap 8 the empty perfume cartridge can be removed easily due to the difference in diameters mentioned above on the one part, and on the other part due to the fact that the diameter of the cartridge decreases as a result of shrinkage caused by the evaporation of the

moisture containing the odorant from the perfume cartridge during use.

In the case of the construction shown in figure 5 again the end-part 6 of the side-arm 3 of the spectacles according to the invention contains a cavity 1 1 opening to the end surface 10 of the end-part 6, and in this case too the cavity

1 1 is delimited by walls having openings 7. As compared to the construction shown in figures 1-3 there is a difference in respect of the cross-sectional shape of the end-part 6, which has a square shape in this case and its size is reducing towards the inside; the shape and arrangement of the perforations, that is the openings 7, is also different from the same openings shown in figures 1-3. Another difference is that the position of the perfume cartridge 12 shown separately in figure 5 and slid into the cavity 1 1 as shown by arrow b is not ensured by an opening and closing cap, but instead its geometrical shape is chosen to suit the shape of the cavity with its cross-section decreasing towards the inside, so that it gets tightly caught when pushed inside the cavity 1 1 and stays there until the moisture containing the odorant evaporates from the cartridge to an extent that as a result of the size-reduction due to shrinkage the cartridge

12 can be removed, for example, it can be shaken out of the cavity 1 1.

The invention has the following favourable effects: spectacles worn by the user anyway either out of necessity or for the sake of convenience, maybe as a fashion article (e.g.: sunglasses), due to their practical construction that can be realised with a minimal investment,

provide their user with α source of scent unnoticeαble by others, which source of scent is "operated" by body temperature, as the side-arm is in direct contact with the body surface from the temple all the way to the back of the ear, so it is excellently suitable for causing the evaporation of the odorant from the device placed inside or onto it. As a result of this the spectacles according to the invention ensure a nice scent, consequently a sense of freshness and a feeling of comfort for the user all day long, and it may become a fashion. As the surface of the end- part containing the odorant falls in the continuation of the part of the side-arm situated behind it, wearing the spectacles is not uncomfortable at all, and the risk of hairs getting caught in the structure is excluded by this construction. The source of scent may be solid or plastic material, or it may even be a gaseous substance put or stored under pressure in the cavity enclosed by walls allowing the gas to permeate slowly. Instead of using perforations it is possible to make the end-part from a material the structure of which enables the slow evaporation of the odorant.

The frame and the side-arms can be made of any suitable material generally used in the case of spectacle frames, such as metal, wood, plastic, etc. The cartridges can be distributed in a disposable form ready-manufactured (impregnated with an odorant) inside airtight packaging, or the user can purchase, for example, a fluid odorant and felt cartridges, which - after they "run out" - can be dipped in the odorant and placed back inside the ventilating cavity.

Obviously the invention is not restricted to the constructions described in detail above, but it can be realised in several ways within the scope of protection defined by the claims.