CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/009,178, filed April 13, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/009,182, filed April 13, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The disclosed subject matter relates to a disposable collar stay that diffuses volatile molecules, thereby avoiding application of such molecules on the wearer’s skin or clothing. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The collar of a shirt is often the visual focal point of the garment because of its proximity to the wearer’s face and especially when a jacket, waistcoat, or other garment is worn over the rest of the shirt. Thus, it has long been desirable to straighten and stiffen shirt collars prior to wearing to enhance the visual appeal of the collar and, by extension, the shirt and its wearer. Collar stays are one known method for straightening and stiffening shirt collars, especially the collar points. Modern shirt collars typically come with pre-sown pockets on the underside of the collar points to allow for insertion of collar stays. Such collar stays are typically made from durable, reusable materials such as metal and plastic, and can help with enhancing the visual aspects of the shirt. The collar/facial area is the focal point of other senses as well, including the sense of smell. For this reason, fragrance (e.g., perfume, cologne, insect repellant) wearers often apply fragrance to the neck and collar area, on the fabric of the collar and shirt, on the skin, or both. While these direct application methods allow wearers and their companions enjoy the benefits of the fragrance, they have obvious disadvantages in that they require application of the fragrance directly on the fabric and skin, both of which may react poorly to certain ingredients in the fragrance (e.g., irritation, allergies, fabric degradation).

While there are known reusable fragrant collar stays — e.g., W02009/015006 to Shweky — there remains a need for disposable diffusing collar stays that allow wearers to easily and conveniently change collar stays and fragrances.

SUMMARY

The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter are set forth in the following description, and additional advantages may be obtained by the practice and knowledge of those skilled in the art based on this description.

The disclosed subject matter provides, according to some embodiments, a new disposable diffusing collar stay that allows a slow release of volatile molecules in a fragrance without requiring users to directly on the skin or spraying of these volatile molecules onto the wearer’s skin or clothing. (The term “fragrance” is used throughout this application to refer to any composition containing volatile molecules applied on or near a user’s body such as perfume, cologne, insect repellent (including “odorless”), etc. The term “wearer” is used throughout this application to refer to an individual using such a fragrance, whether or not it is “worn” directly on the individual’s body.)

In some embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay can be composed of a water- soluble substrate wherein volatile molecules are absorbed into the substrate or trapped between substrate layers, or of a rigid body with volatile molecules applied in a cavity thereof. In some embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay has a release barrier layer or packaging that prevents the release of volatile molecules before use. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a disposable diffusing collar stay comprising a formed cavity containing volatile molecules, which can be applied in the cavity or absorbed on a porous material (e.g., paper, powder, non-woven material) placed in the cavity. In embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay can have a permeable membrane that controls the diffusion of volatile molecules. In embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay can have a release barrier layer that prevents the release of volatile molecules before use of the collar stay.

The foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide an explanation of the disclosed subject matter, which is further illustrated and explained by the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. l is a view of an exemplary diffusing collar stay with one substrate in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a top view of exemplary diffusing collar stays enclosed in a sachet in accordance with the disclosed subj ect matter.

FIG. 3 is a top view of exemplary diffusing collar stays enclosed in a label in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a view of an exemplary diffusing collar stay with two substrates in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. FIG. 5 is a view of exemplary structures of a diffusing collar stay with two substrates in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 is a view of exemplary diffusing collar stays in use in a shirt in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. FIG. 7 is a view of an exemplary diffusing collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG 8. is an exploded view of layers of an exemplary diffusing exemplary collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. FIG. 9 is a top view of an exemplary diffusing collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an exemplary diffusing collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of layers of an exemplary diffusing exemplary collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an exemplary diffusing collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 13 is a view of exemplary diffusing collar stays in use in a shirt in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an exemplary diffusing collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disposable diffusing collar stay presented herein may be employed by a wearer to use fragrance without applying it directly to clothing or skin, while at the same time enjoying the benefits of stiffening and straightening of the wearer’s shirt collar. The disclosed subject matter is particularly suited for use with perfumes, colognes, insect repellants, especially for wearers with sensitive skin or for garments with delicate fabrics. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disposable diffusing collar stay can be composed of a water-soluble substrate wherein volatile molecules are absorbed into the substrate or trapped between substrate layers, or of a rigid body with volatile molecules applied in a cavity thereof. In some embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay has a release barrier layer or packaging that prevents the release of volatile molecules before use.

Reference will now be made in detail to the various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The structure and corresponding methods of operation of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with this detailed description.

The accompanying figures serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. For purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, exemplary embodiments of the disposable diffusing collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter are shown in FIGS. 1-14. The disposable diffusing collar stay is suitable for use with a wide variety of garments, for example, and without limitation, shirt collars, shirt cuffs, jacket lapels, etc.

For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, reference is now made to FIG. 1, which shows an embodiment of the disposable diffusing collar stay. In this embodiment, the volatile molecules of the fragrance are absorbed on the water-soluble substrate of the disposable diffusing collar stay 1. In certain embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay may be printed to indicate the name of the fragrance absorbed on the collar stay, preferably with water- soluble inks because they dissolve in water. FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pair of disposable diffusing collar stays and packaging according to one embodiment. In embodiments, one or more pairs of collar stays 1 can be sealed in a package 2. In embodiment, the package 2 can be composed of a barrier material that prevents the diffusion of volatile molecules from the disposable diffusing collar stay 1. For example, the package 2 can be formed of a laminate with an aluminum foil or metal oxide coating as a barrier. In embodiments, the ends of the package 2 can be jagged or perforated, as shown as 3, in order to help the wearer to open the package 2 and remove the disposable diffusing collar stays 1.

In some embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stays are preferably packaged in a peelable label 4 as shown in FIG 3. In embodiments, the label can be composed of two layers, one top layer and one bottom layer sealed together. The seal 5 is separable by a user pulling on a tab located on one side 6.

Another embodiment of the disposable diffusing collar stay is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In embodiments, the volatile molecules of the fragrance are disposed between two substrates 1 of the disposable diffusing collar stay (FIG. 5). In embodiments, one or both substrates comprise a cavity 7 that contains the fragrance. In certain embodiments, the two substrates can be sealed together contain the volatile molecules of the fragrance. In such embodiments, the volatile molecules can be released by diffusion through the substrates.

In embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay 1 may be wrapped up or coated with another water-soluble polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol film to control the release of volatile molecules and to avoid staining clothes.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the disposable diffusing collar stay 1 in use in a shirt collar 8. In particular, FIG. 6(a) shows two disposable diffusing collar stays 1 prior to insertion into the shirt collar, and FIG. 6(b) shows the disposable diffusing collar stays 1 after insertion into the shirt collar. In water-soluble embodiments of the disposable diffusing collar stay, after use, the garment containing the disposable diffusing collar stays 1, e.g., a collared shirt as shown in FIG. 6, can be washed without removing the disposable diffusing collar stays 1 because the water-soluble disposable diffusing collar stays will dissolve in the water during washing.

This allows the wearer to select another set of disposable diffusing collar stays, perhaps with a different fragrance the next time the garment is worn, without the need to remove, reseal, and replace the previously used disposable diffusing collar stays. This also avoids the possibility that the wearer will forget to reseal the collar stay (as in the case of reusable collar stays), either in the garment or otherwise outside the sealing package such as on a dresser, thereby allowing fragrance to escape wastefully or unwantedly from the diffusing collar stay.

In some embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay can be stocked in a package such as a sachet, label, or jar to prevent the release of volatile molecules before use. In some embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay can be kept when the clothes are washed because they will dissolve in washing water.

In some embodiments, the collar stays can be printed to mention for example the name or brand of the fragrance used. In some embodiments, such printing preferably uses water-based inks that dissolve along with the material during laundering.

In some embodiments, a coating or film can be applied to the surface of the substrate of the disposable diffusing collar stay to reduce the diffusion of volatile molecules. In some embodiments, a water-soluble coating or film can be used.

In some embodiments of the disposable diffusing collar stay, some additives such as wax, polymer, and liquid can be added to volatile molecules to control their release. In some embodiments, the substrate of the disposable diffusing collar stay includes cellulosic water-soluble materials such as SmartSolve paper or Aquasol paper, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, carrageenan, and alginate.

In other embodiments, the materials used to make the formed body of the disposable diffusing collar stay can be composed of one or more layers. The materials can include Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COC), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), Paper, Polylactic acid. These materials can have one or more coatings to control the diffusion of volatile molecules through the formed body and, in embodiment, to seal the permeable membrane and the release layer, described below. In embodiments, the formed body of the disposable diffusing collar stay is preferably made with recyclable or compostable materials. An example of recyclable material is a monolayer of polyethylene with aluminum oxide coating. An example of compostable material is polylactic acid.

In embodiments of the disposable diffusing collar stay, the formed body includes a cavity that can contain volatile molecules of fragrance. These molecules can be directly deposited in the cavity or absorbed on a material (e.g., paper, sponge, non-woven material, powder) disposed in the cavity. One or more solvents can be added to the material/fragrance to adjust (increase or decrease) the diffusion of volatile molecules through the permeable membrane.

The disposable diffusing collar stay can include a permeable (or semipermeable) membrane in some embodiments. The permeable membrane is permeable to volatile molecules and controls the diffusion of volatile molecules from the collar stay. In some embodiments, the membrane is glued or sealed onto the formed body. Examples of permeable membranes used in accordance with the disclosed subject matter include polymers, such as polyethylene, poly(ethylene vinyl acetate), and others permeable resins.

In other embodiments, the volatiles molecules can be mixed with one or more additives such as waxes, polymers, resins, and powder to transform the liquid into a gel, powder, wax, or solid. Such transformation prevents leakage of volatile molecules in case of a poor seal, for example, and can avoid the use of a membrane permeable to the volatile molecules.

In embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay includes a release barrier layer adhered to the formed body or to the permeable membrane. The release layer comprises one or more impermeable (or mostly impermeable) layers to the volatile molecules disposed in the formed cavity, so that no significant amount of volatile molecules will escape while the collar stay is sealed.

In some embodiments, the permeability of the release barrier layer can be adjusted to allow a certain degree of diffusion of fragrance through the barrier layer to allow wearers to smell (“test”) the contained fragrance by closely smelling the collar stay through the barrier layer, but without releasing a significant amount of fragrance prior to unsealing. Alternatively, a wearer can test the fragrance of a sealed collar stay by smelling fragrance-containing material (e.g., a scratch-and-sniff tester) disposed on the outer surface of the barrier layer, packaging, or other material. This allows the wearer to test the fragrance without unsealing the barrier layer and releasing significant fragrance from the collar stay itself. Suitable materials for release barrier layer include nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, silicon oxide (SiOx) and the like.

In embodiments of the disposable diffusing collar stay, the release barrier layer can be printed to indicate, for example, the name or brand of the fragrance loaded into the cavity. In some embodiments, the disposable diffusing collar stay includes a color indicator added to the volatile molecules to indicate to the wearer when the collar stay may be or should be replaced. Examples of such color indicator include dyes or pigments added to the volatile molecules loaded in the cavity; as the fragrance diffuses, the liquid containing the volatile materials decreases, leaving behind the dye or pigment, which becomes darker as it becomes more concentrated.

Another example of a color indicator includes the use of a halochromic substance, with acids or alkalis that change color when the pH of the fragrance media changes during its evaporation. In embodiments, a halochromic substance is dissolved in a fragrance that contains water. An acid or an alkali present or added to the fragrance causes a variation of the pH during the evaporation of the fragrance media. That variation in pH due to the evaporation of acid or base or water at the same time of the fragrance evaporation leads to a color change of the halochromic substance.

For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which show an embodiment of the disposable diffusing collar stay. In this embodiment, the disposable diffusing collar stay comprises a formed body 11, a cavity 12 for holding fragrance or fragrance-containing material, an optional permeable layer 13 attached (e.g., by sealing or gluing) to the formed body 11, and a release barrier layer 14 removably attached (e.g., by removable glue) to the permeable layer 13. The release layer 14 can also be removably attached to the formed body 11.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the release layer 14 can be removed (e.g., by peeling) from the release layer 14, thereby exposing the fragrance in the cavity 12 and allowing the fragrance to diffuse into the air. FIG. 9 shows the shape of an exemplary embodiment of the disposable diffusing collar stay, and in particular shows that the cavity 12 can be of a smaller size and shape than the body 11, permeable layer 12, and release layer 13. In FIG. 9, the body 11, permeable layer 12, and release layer 13 all have substantially the same size and shape, but other arrangements will be apparent to those of skill in the art in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. Likewise, the cavity 12 shown in FIG. 9 is stadium-shaped, but other shapes such as quadrilateral, elliptical, or irregular, as well as multiple cavities 12, can be used in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

A cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9 is shown in FIG. 10. FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment of the disposable diffusing collar stay in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. A formed body 11 with a cavity 12 is filled with a solid fragrance (e.g., wax or resin) and a release layer 14 is adhered to the formed body 11. In this embodiment, the optional permeable membrane 13 (FIGS. 7-10), is not used.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the disposable diffusing collar stay in use in a shirt collar 18. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13(a), the collar stay has a release barrier layer 14. After removing the release barrier layer 14, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the collars stays now comprise a formed body 11 with cavity 12, as shown in FIG. 13(c). The collar stays are then placed in the shirt collar 18 as shown in FIG. 13(d). The volatile molecules diffuse through the optional permeable layer 13 (or directly from the cavity 12 if no permeable layer 13 is used), thereby allowing the release of the fragrance.

A color change indicator of the disposable diffusing collar stay in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is shown in FIG. 14. When a color indicator is added to the volatile molecules loaded in the cavity 12, as the fragrance diffuses, the liquid containing the volatile materials decreases, leaving behind the dye or pigment, which becomes darker as it becomes more concentrated. This progression is illustrated in FIGS. 14(a)-(c).

Two exemplary embodiments of the disposable diffusing collar stay in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described. EXAMPLE 1

A water-soluble paper (IT117198) 30 pt Facestock from Smartsolve Company is cut in the shape of a collar stay. A mixture of 50% ethanol, 30% dipropylene glycol and 20% fragrance oil is then absorbed on the collar stay. Then, the collar stay is placed in a sealed plastic package to avoid the evaporation of fragrance before its use. After opening the sealed package, a wearer inserts the collar stay into a garment (e.g., a shirt collar). During use, the fragrance diffuses from the collar stay, and the wearer and companions are able to enjoy the fragrance, as well as the collar-stiffening benefits of the collar stay. Since the collar stay is made of water-soluble material (in this Example, IT117198 30 pt Facestock from Smartsolve Company), the wearer need not remove the collar stay after use, and instead can wash the garment with the collar stay still inside. The water-soluble material will completely dissolve in water during washing.

EXAMPLE 2

A film of 300 micrometers Cyclic Olefin Copolymers is thermoformed on a BlisterMate machine, producing a collar stay form with a depression cavity. Then the cavity is then filled with a fragrance oil. A low-density Polyethylene film (30 micrometers) with a release barrier layer is sealed on the thermoformed body. The fragrance diffusion of the disposable diffusing collar stay starts when the barrier layer is peeled off by a wearer.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments, including examples, is presented only to describe, explain, and illustrate the broad concepts of the disclosed subject matter, and is not intended and should not be construed to limit the scope of the of the present disclosure. Various modifications and improvements may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope. Thus, the disclosed subject matter includes all modifications and improvements that are within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.