Disposable diffusing collar stay

Abstract

A disposable diffusing collar stay that allows a slow release of volatile molecules such as perfume, insect repellent, etc. without requiring application of such molecules directly on the skin or spraying of these volatile molecules onto the wearer's skin or clothing. 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. The disposable diffusing collar stay can have a release barrier layer or packaging that prevents the release of volatile molecules before use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disposable diffusing collar stay comprising:
 a water-soluble substrate formed into an elongated shape having two opposing ends and two opposing upper and lower substantially planar surfaces; and   a fragrance composition containing volatile molecules disposed on the water-soluble substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble substrate comprises cellulosic paper, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, carrageenan, or alginate. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 1 , wherein the fragrance composition is absorbed into the water-soluble substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble substrate comprises two substrate layers adhered together, and the fragrance composition is disposed between the two substrate layers. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 1 , wherein the fragrance composition comprises perfume, cologne, or insect repellent. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 1 , wherein the fragrance composition further comprises an additive for controlling the release of the volatile molecules. 
     
     
         7 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 6 , wherein the additive comprises wax, polymer, resin, powder, or liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water-soluble protective film for controlling the release of the volatile molecules.   
     
     
         9 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 8 , wherein the water-soluble protective film is comprised of a water-soluble polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 9 , wherein the water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         11 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 1 , further comprising a printed design made in water-soluble ink on at least one surface of the water-soluble substrate. 
     
     
         12 . An article comprising:
 at least one water-soluble diffusing collar stay having a fragrance composition containing volatile molecules disposed thereon; and   a package comprised of nonpermeable material for holding the at least one collar stay and substantially preventing the release of the volatile molecules outside the package.   
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12 , wherein the package is a peelable label. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 12 , further comprising a second fragrance composition disposed on an outer surface of the package, the second fragrance composition containing volatile molecules substantially similar in fragrance to those disposed on the collar stay. 
     
     
         15 . A disposable diffusing collar stay comprising:
 a rigid formed elongated body having two opposing ends, two opposing upper and lower substantially planar surfaces, and a recessed cavity formed on the upper surface;   a fragrance composition containing volatile molecules disposed in the cavity; and   a release barrier layer, disposed on and peelably adhered to the upper surface of the elongated body, that substantially prevents the release of the volatile molecules.   
     
     
         16 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 15 , further comprising a permeable membrane for controlling the release of the volatile molecules, disposed over the cavity between the upper surface of the elongated body and the release barrier layer. 
     
     
         17 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 15 , wherein the fragrance composition is substantially solid to prevent leakage from the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 15 , further comprising a fragrance diffuser comprised of a porous material, wherein the fragrance composition is absorbed into the fragrance diffuser and the diffuser is disposed inside the cavity. 
     
     
         19 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 15 , wherein the fragrance composition further comprises a color-change indicator for indicating when the fragrance composition is substantially exhausted. 
     
     
         20 . The disposable diffusing collar stay of  claim 15 , wherein the fragrance composition comprises perfume, cologne, or insect repellent.