US20110146125A1

US20110146125A1 - Picture frame assembly

Info

Publication number: US20110146125A1
Application number: US12/643,660
Authority: US
Inventors: Nathan P. Orme-Johnson; Michael G. Huskey; Patrick J. Kosar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-21
Filing date: 2009-12-21
Publication date: 2011-06-23

Abstract

A picture frame assembly that includes a frame that surrounds an opening and a fragrance media that is partially disposed in the opening of the frame. A display member that provides an image is disposed within the opening in the frame and the fragrance media diffuses a predetermined fragrance passively to allow multiple senses to be stimulated during the viewing of the image.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a picture frame assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a picture frame assembly that diffuses a fragrance.
Pictures frames have been around for many years allowing individuals to place their favorite pictures, artwork, or images on display for others to see. Typically, a matte is disposed within the picture frame and surrounds the perimeter of the image in order to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The matte may be of a selected color so that the colors of the image and surroundings may be properly presented.
As technology has evolved, new ways of presenting images in picture frames has similarly evolved. For instance, digital picture frames have been manufactured that may be connected to a memory card so that images taken with a digital camera may be displayed on a screen within the picture frame.
While these advances have helped present an image in different media associated with a picture frame, there is a need to appeal to individual's other senses so that the experience of viewing an image is more realistic. In addition, this extra sensory component needs to be provided in such a way that the image and picture frame itself remain aesthetically pleasing and have interchangeable parts so that the frame assembly may be used in multiple applications.
Thus, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame assembly that enhances sensory perception of an image.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame assembly that presents interchangeable parts that facilitates assembly and disassembly.
These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A picture frame assembly that has a frame that surrounds an opening. A fragrance media is partially disposed within the opening of the frame and a display member that provides an image is disposed within the opening of the frame such that the fragrance media surrounds the image. The fragrance media diffuses a predetermined fragrance. A transparent layer such as glass is placed between the display member and fragrance media within the opening of the frame to provide protection of the image. A support member can then be placed within the frame engaging the display member to provide additional support to the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a picture frame assembly;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly;

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of a picture frame assembly;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a picture frame assembly;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a picture frame assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The figures show a picture frame assembly 10 having a frame 12. The frame 12 can be made of any material such as wood, plastic, metal or the like. In addition, the frame 12 can be a digital picture frame as shown in FIG. 5. The frame 12 can have any type of aesthetically pleasing design without falling outside the scope of this disclosure. In a first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-4 frame 12 has an inner wall 14 that has a slot 16 disposed therein. One side of the slot 16 is defined by a flange 18 that extends from the inner wall. The inner wall 14 surrounds an opening 20 wherein the flange 18 can extend any length into the opening 20 as long as slot 16 is formed within the inner wall 14.
A fragrance media 22 extends into the opening 20 of the frame. The fragrance media 22 is made of a material that is able to passively diffuse predetermined fragrances. In one embodiment the predetermined fragrance is associated with the image and is embedded in the fragrance media for gradual diffusion. Fragrances can include, but are not limited to a scent of a flower, a favorite cologne or perfume of a love one, and the like. While in this embodiment a fragrance media 22 is used to provide the fragrance, other fragrance delivery systems could be used such as a fan unit, heat or heat in combination with a fan unit in order to disperse the fragrance. In addition, the fragrance media 22 can be any color and is detachably secured within the frame 12 so that the fragrance media 22 can be interchanged with other fragrance media 22 that present different colors, different fragrances or a replacement fragrance media if a fragrance has become undetectable.
In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-4 the fragrance media 22 is a matte that is slidably received within the slot 18 of the inner wall 14 of the frame 12. The fragrance media 22 is of any size and shape that may form a perimeter around an opening 24 as long the fragrance media 22 is able to be attached to the frame 12. While the fragrance media 22 of FIGS. 1-4 has an opening 24 that is surrounded by a perimeter 26 that is formed of a plurality of curved shapes, this perimeter 26 may be a straight edge as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6 or any other shape that may be considered aesthetically pleasing to a viewer without falling outside the scope of this disclosure.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6 the fragrance media 22 can be an insert that has protuberances 27 a that extend from the insert and are received by openings 27 b in the frame 12 such that the fragrance media 22 snaps into place. In this embodiment the slot of the frame 12 can be eliminated. In any embodiment the insert can be made of plastic, vinyl, wood, compressed paper/fabric, synthetic and natural, or the like. Also, while a slidable connection and snap connection have been described other detachable connections such as Velcro®, adhesion methods and the like are contemplated to provide the detachable connection.
The picture frame assembly 10 optionally has a transparent member 28 that is disposed within the opening 20 of frame 12. Specifically, the transparent member 28 engages the flange 16 of the inner wall 14 of frame 12 so that the transparent member 28 is in parallel spaced relation or non-contacting relation with the fragrance media 22. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent member 28 is a glass panel.
A display member 30 provides an image 32 within the opening 20 of the frame 12. The display member 30 may be a digital display, a picture, a canvas or the like wherein an image 30, such as a digital image, picture, artwork or the like can be displayed. In the embodiment where a transparent member 28 is used, the display member 30 engages the transparent member 28 such that the transparent member 28 separates and is disposed between the display member 30 and the fragrance media 22.
A support member 34 can also be provided to and engage the back of the display member 30 and secured within the frame 12. The support member 30 can present a stand-like support such as shown in FIG. 4 or may present a back to be hung onto a wall or the like.
In operation, when an individual has a display member such as a piece of artwork or a picture of a loved one that they would like to display, the display member 30 may be secured within the frame 12. At this point in time, a user may choose a fragrance media 22 that best suits the desires of the user. Specifically, the user can choose a fragrance media 22 of any color, shape or design and additionally may use any scent or fragrance desired. For example, if the image 32 presented on the display member 28 is a flower, the user may choose to use a fragrance media that has the particular fragrance of that flower. Alternatively, if the image 32 is that of a loved one, the fragrance media could have a fragrance of a favorite cologne or perfume of the loved one. Thus, when an observer sees the image, not only is the image aesthetically pleasing but additionally because the observer senses the predetermined fragrance associated with the image 32 that is diffused by the fragrance media 22 an additional sense is stimulated making the viewing of the image more life like and real.
Thus, presented is a picture frame assembly 12 that utilizes a passive fragrance media diffuser. The frame 12 has a detachable connection therein so that the fragrance media 22 can be placed in front of the transparent member 28 or glass panel and into the picture frame 12 allowing for interchangeable designs and various fragrances to be utilized with the frame 12. This fragrance media 22 may be applied with not only traditional picture frames, but additionally to digital picture frames and art frames. The system allows for an interchangeable fragrance media and art design to be featured prominently on a picture frame 12. Fragrance is diffused in a number of manners such as passively through the fragrance media 22. Thus, presented is an interchangeable frame assembly that allows greater versatility and use of color and fragrance associated with an image than presently utilized picture frames. Consequently, at the very least all the stated objectives have been met.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without the parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A picture frame assembly comprising:

a frame having an inner wall surrounding an opening;

a fragrance media partially disposed in the opening of the frame;

a display member that provides an image disposed within opening of the frame;

wherein the fragrance media diffuses a predetermined fragrance; and

wherein the fragrance media is detachably received within an inner wall of a frame such that the fragrance media extends into the opening surrounded by the inner wall of the frame such that a perimeter of the fragrance media surrounds the image.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame is a digital picture frame.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display member is a screen of a digital picture frame.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display member is a picture.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display member is a canvas and the image art work.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame has an inner wall with a slot that receives the fragrance media in spaced relation to the display member.

7. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising a transparent member engaging the frame and disposed between the fragrance media and the display member.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the inner wall of the frame has a flange that is engaged by the transparent member.

9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the transparent member is a glass panel.

10. The assembly of claim 7 wherein a support member is disposed within the frame and engaging the display member.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fragrance media is detachably connected to the frame.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fragrance media is an insert.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the insert has a protuberance that snaps into an opening in the frame to provide a detachable connection between insert and the frame.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined fragrance is associated with the image.