WO2014128334A1

WO2014128334A1 - Portable multifunction device

Info

Publication number: WO2014128334A1
Application number: PCT/ES2014/070131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ricard Mis Vizcaino; Francesc Xavier Morales Barrera
Original assignee: Isdin, S.A.
Priority date: 2013-02-22
Filing date: 2014-02-21
Publication date: 2014-08-28
Also published as: ES1079109U; AR094767A4; ES1079109Y

Abstract

The invention comprises a base body suitable for the incorporation of at least one first functional element comprising an aromatic medium, and a second functional element comprising means for indicating exposition to solar radiation. The indicator of exposition to solar radiation can comprise a laminar element that includes at least one layer of a material that can detect the level of solar radiation. The base body can be a strip that defines a band and can have an enlarged area in a substantially central part of the length thereof.

Description

PORTABLE MULTIFUNCTION DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a multifunction device intended to provide various functionalities and which the user himself can carry, one of the functionalities being the release of a flavoring product.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Devices intended for the release of a product, such as a flavoring agent, etc. They have experienced great development in recent years. Currently, various types of devices designed to release a flavoring product to the environment where the user is located are known.

Given the need for portable devices, simple and small in size, which can be carried by the user with them anywhere, devices consisting of a laminar structure have been proposed, for example. Document ES2268662 proposes an insect control device formed by several sheets with a volatile liquid insect control agent disposed therebetween. Devices configured as a bracelet have also been proposed to carry a product that is released to the user's environment. For example, international patent application WO2007026082 describes a bracelet with a polymer matrix impregnated with a liquid composition that releases an active substance by evaporation in a controlled manner. Document ES1078452 describes a bracelet adapted to accommodate a tablet that releases a mosquito repellent product.

These solutions, although they can be effective under certain conditions, do not take into account, however, all the situations in which a user carrying such devices can be found. For example, under conditions of heat and exposure to intense and prolonged exposure to solar radiation, the effectiveness of the product to be released may be degraded. This may cause the user, in certain

circumstances, have the misperception that the device has not worked as expected. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to at least mitigate the problem posed in the devices that have been used to release a product to date, a multifunction device according to claim 1 is proposed, whereby it has been found that said problem is solved and additional advantages are also obtained, as will be seen hereafter. Advantageous embodiments of the present multifunction device are defined in the dependent claims.

In general, the present portable multifunction device is constituted by a base body, such as a laminar element, a band, a strip or the like, which is conveniently adapted to incorporate at least a first functional element and a second functional element. This band is preferably made of a resistant and pleasant to the touch material, such as silicone, fabric, etc. In one example, the band can present a configuration as a bracelet, bracelet, wristband, etc. that the user can comfortably wear while the device performs its function.

The first functional element of the present device comprises a flavoring medium, such as, for example, a product, which can be in the form of a pill, made from essences, for example to be used as a repellent for mosquitoes or other insects. However, the first functional element of the present device is not limited to this particular function described and could be any other means related to the release of a product with an aroma.

The band of the device may have, in a substantially central part of its length, a widened area. This widened area is an area that has a width substantially greater than the width of the band itself. The widened area of the band may have any appropriate shape, with a substantially oval configuration being preferred.

The band can be closed, although it is preferred that it be an open band with closure means for releasable coupling of its ends. These band closure means may be any conventional means. appropriate, such as Velero®, buckle, button, magnet, self-closing, etc.

It is also preferred that the ends of the band be rounded in order to provide a pleasant design for the wearer, wrist, ankle, etc.

The band has a housing adapted to introduce or extract at least one of said means or flavoring tablets. This allows the multifunction device to be loaded with the tablet and easily removed when its action is over, to replace it with another. The housing may be formed in correspondence with said area of greater width of the band, formed in a substantially central area of its length. This web housing can be defined, at least partially, by a substantially elastic or deformable material. It is preferred that this substantially elastic or deformable material defining the housing be in the form of a mesh. The tablet that releases the aroma may, in this case, have a complementary form of the shape of the housing, for example a substantially oval shape. The substantially oval shaped tablet may have a slightly curved surface in order to adapt properly to the wearer's wrist. It is, therefore, an ergonomic tablet that can be easily inserted into the housing and removed from it by the user in a very comfortable and simple way, without bothering the user at any time during the use of the bracelet.

According to an important feature of the present multifunction device, the base body or band is preferably formed by at least two layers superimposed on each other. Between these two layers

superimposed, which as indicated above, can be made of fabric, silicone or any suitable material, said housing, for example of mesh, is defined in a substantially central part of the length of the band, as previously indicated also . One of the two layers of the band, preferably the lower or reverse layer, that is, the layer that would be in contact with the user during use, has an access opening to the housing. Through this opening, the flavoring medium can be easily introduced, for example said tablet. Thanks to this feature, the mesh that defines the housing can be a continuous body, without seams or openings that may bother the user. Preferably, one of said layers is free of transverse seams and the mesh is completely sewn to the outside of the base body.

The base body or band has a surface, for example, the bottom surface, that is, the one that would be in contact with the user during use, essentially smooth. This lower surface is adapted to incorporate text and / or graphics related to instructions for use and / or warnings.

According to an important aspect of the present multifunction device, the second functional element comprises a means indicating the exposure to solar radiation. Through this indicator means the user can know in an easy and fast way if he is receiving an exposure to solar radiation that can be harmful for him and / or for the effectiveness of the first functional element of the device. The indicating means may be associated with a symbol, such as, for example, different faces whose expression varies depending on exposure to solar radiation, or a plurality of bars whose color is activated and displayed when exposed to a greater or lesser degree of exposure. to solar radiation. The indicator means may additionally or alternatively be associated with a text that warns the user of said different levels of radiation to prevent risks.

In one example, this indicator of exposure to solar radiation is a laminar element comprising at least one layer of a material capable of detecting the level of solar radiation, suitable to be reversibly activated depending on the intensity of the radiation solar. The indicator is therefore intended to warn the user about the intensity of the solar radiation experienced by both this and the flavoring medium of the device. This is important to prevent degradation of the flavoring medium due to intense sunlight exposure. When the user is warned by the indicator that it is in a situation where the sun could degrade the flavoring medium, the user can then arrange the multifunction device in a more favorable situation. This is particularly advantageous in cases, for example, in which the flavoring medium is a tablet based on natural essences whose degree of evaporation can be affected by solar radiation. The fact that the material capable of detecting the level of solar radiation from which the indicator is formed can be reversibly activated depending on the intensity of solar radiation means that when conditions return to a different previous state, the indicator also returns to that previous state.

The indicator may also include a silicone substrate and at least one layer of dye. It may be advantageous to arrange one or more additional dye layers, as necessary, to prevent the color of the base body, that is, the band, from interfering with the information.

provided by the indicator to the user of the device.

Other objectives, advantages and features of embodiments of the multifunction device of the invention will be clear to the person skilled in the art from the following description, or will be derived by practicing the following description of examples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present multifunction device will be described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an example of a portable multifunction device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view from below of the example of the portable multifunction device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of another example of a portable multifunction device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the example of the portable multifunction device of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the multifunction device according to the cutting plane A-A 'of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the functional elements of the portable multifunction device of Figures 3 to 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an example of a medium

flavoring applicable to the portable multifunction device of the present invention; Y

Figure 8 is a side view of the flavoring medium of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Examples of a portable multifunction device, collectively designated by reference 100 in Figures 1 to 6, in accordance with the present invention are described below. The portable multifunction device 100 illustrated in said examples is constituted by a bracelet or bracelet. However, many other embodiments in which the portable multifunction device 100 can take any other suitable form, such as a wristband, a foil, an element that is part of a garment of footwear, footwear, are not ruled out. a cap, hat, etc. In the particular example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bracelet 100 is preferably intended for adults, while in the example shown in Figures 3 to 6, the bracelet 100 is preferably intended for children. Both examples are not limiting in any case and could be used interchangeably by adults and / or children.

The bracelet 100 illustrated in the examples comprises a base body defined by a band 10. The band 10 is made of silicone, fabric or any other material resistant and pleasant to the touch for the user. The band 10 of the bracelet 100 can be of any color and can incorporate any type of decoration attractive to the user, advertising, etc. The band 10 could be made of a phosphorescent material. Especially in the case of the bracelet 100, preferably intended for adults according to the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the band 10 is formed by two substantially equal layers superimposed on one another, defining a type configuration " sandwich ", as will be described later in detail according to said figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The band 10 of the bracelet 100 has configuration ends 12 substantially rounded in order to provide a pleasant design for use on the wrist, ankle, etc. of the user. The band 10 also has quick closing means 15 for coupling the ends 12 to each other.

In the non-limiting example of Figures 1 and 2, relating to a bracelet 100 preferably intended for adults, the quick-closing means 15 are constituted by two strips of Velero® 16a, 16b aligned and substantially separated from each other, arranged on the face top of the bracelet, as shown in figure 1. However, any other arrangement and number of Velero® strips 16a, 16b are not ruled out. The Velero® 16a, 16b strips are arranged to fit one or more Velero® 16c strips

corresponding arranged on the opposite side (bottom face) of the band 10, as shown in Figure 2.

In the non-limiting example shown in Figures 3 to 6, relating to a bracelet 100 preferably intended for children, the quick-closing means 15 consist of strips 16d made of an elastic or deformable material that tend to keep the band 10 in a state rolled up This allows the bracelet 100 to automatically adjust to the part of the user's body where the bracelet 100 will be worn, such as the wrist, ankle, etc.

In any case, the quick closing means 15 of the band 10 are adjustable closing means.

The band 10 of the bracelet 100 is adapted to incorporate a first functional element 20 and a second functional element 30.

The first functional element 20 of the bracelet 100 is constituted by a flavoring medium 25. In the specific example illustrated, the medium

flavoring 25 is a flavoring tablet that can be housed inside a housing 26 formed in a substantially central part of the band 10 of the bracelet or bracelet 100. This housing 26 of the band 10 is conveniently adapted to allow easy introduction and removal of the flavoring tablet 25 through an opening 28.

A non-limiting example of a pill is shown in Figures 7 and 8 as flavoring medium 25. This flavoring tablet 25 may be made, for example, by a base element impregnated with a substance based on natural essential oils, such as citronella and the like, effective for example to repel insects. The impregnation of the base element can be carried out during the manufacture of the flavoring tablet 25 so that it is not required to add additional products before use to the flavoring tablet 25 by the user. The flavoring tablet 25 is easily replaced once its effect has been exhausted. However, other alternative means to release a product with an aroma are not ruled out. Other types of tablets, compositions and even objects are also susceptible to being housed in the housing 26 of the band 10 of the bracelet 100 for many other applications.

Especially in the case of the adult bracelet 100 shown by way of example in Figures 1 and 2, the band 10 has, in a substantially central length, an area of greater width 1 1 (it is understood that greater width in relation to the width of the band 10 itself) which has an essentially oval shape. In this area of greater width 1 1 of the band 10 of the adult bracelet 100 there is formed said housing 26 for the tablet 25. The housing 26 of the band 10 is defined by a mesh material or the like. This allows the user to introduce and extract the flavoring tablet 25 with great ease from the opening 28. In this particular case, the opening 28 is formed on the opposite side of the mesh, that is, on the back or surface of the band 10 which would remain in contact with the user during the use of the bracelet 100. The specific arrangement of the opening 28 on the back of the band 10, which is shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, allows the mesh to be an element of a single piece, so it is more resistant and thus the flavoring tablet 25 is housed more securely in the housing 26. The mesh is completely sewn to the outside of the band 10.

In the non-limiting example of Figures 3 to 6, and with special reference to the detail of Figure 5, the housing 26 is defined by a substantially cylindrical configuration body 27. The upper surface of the cylindrical body 27 has the opening 28. This particular case, said upper surface of the cylindrical body 27 is configured by a face whose eyes and mouth define the opening 28 for access to the housing 26 to introduce or extract the flavoring tablet 25.

In both cases, the flavoring tablet 25 may have a shape complementary to the shape of the housing 26. Thus, the flavoring tablet 25 may, for example, have a substantially oval shape in the case of the adult bracelet 100 of Figures 1 and 2, while the flavoring tablet 25 may, for example, have a shape

substantially circular in the case of the bracelet 100 for children of Figures 3 to 6. However, other forms for the flavoring tablet 25 of the first functional element 20 of the bracelet 100, such as polygonal, are not ruled out.

As shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 of the drawings, in the particular case of the flavoring tablet 25 of substantially oval shape for the adult bracelet 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, it may have a conveniently adapted ergonomic configuration to the wrist or to the user's mind. For this, the tablet 25 has a slightly curved lower surface 25a, as seen in the side view of Figure 8. It is this slightly curved surface 25a of the tablet 25 that would remain, when inside the housing 26, in contact with the surface of the lower part of the back of the band 10. In this way, the pad 25 ergonomically adapts to the user, preventing it from disturbing during use and providing greater comfort during use.

As indicated above, the band 10 of the bracelet 100 intended for adults according to the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, is formed by two superimposed layers: an upper layer and a lower layer. In this particular configuration of the bracelet 100, the

housing 26 is defined between these two overlapping layers. In the lower layer of the band 10, which remains in contact with the user (the wrist, the ankle, etc.) during use, the opening 28 is formed to introduce or extract the flavoring tablet 25 from the housing 26 defined by the mesh , as shown in Figure 2. With this particular configuration of the bracelet 100, visible seams and / or openings in the mesh that could inconvenience the user during the use of the bracelet 100 are advantageously avoided. The second functional element 30 of the bracelet 100 is a means indicating the exposure to solar radiation. In the particular embodiment of Figures 1-6, the second functional element 30 is a laminar element 35, which can be seen in detail in the sectional view of Figure 5. This laminar element 35 forming the indicator 30 comprises a substrate silicone, a layer of material capable of detecting the level of solar radiation, suitable to be reversibly activated depending on the intensity of solar radiation, and layers of dye. In the particular example illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and with special reference to the detail of Figure 6, the laminar element 35 incorporates a series of faces 35a-35d. These faces 35a-35d are colored as a reference. The indicator 30 is activated depending on the intensity of the solar radiation until a color similar to one of the reference faces 35a-35d is taken, thus being able to know the intensity of the radiation. In this way, the user can prevent premature degradation of the flavoring medium 25 by removing the device where there is a lower incidence of solar radiation.

The band 10 of the bracelet 100 may have a smooth surface, for example the lower surface, as shown in Figure 4, suitable for incorporating text and / or graphics relating to instructions for use and / or warnings and / or advertising, as desired.

Some particular examples of the present multifunction device 100 have been included in the above description. However, the person skilled in the art will understand that many other alternative embodiments and / or uses of the invention are possible, as well as obvious modifications and elements

equivalents of the multifunction device 100. Thus, for example, the band 10 of the multifunction device 100 could incorporate more than one functional element 20, 30. The quick closing means 15 could alternatively be constituted by a single strip of Velero® 16a, 16b, 16c, or by several strips of Velero® 16a, 16b, 16c arranged parallel to each other, etc. The symbol 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d incorporated in the indicator 30 could be different from that shown in Figure 6, and could incorporate another number of faces or signs of equal or different size from each other. For example, indicator 30 could be constituted by a plurality of bars 35e, 35f, 35g, 35h, as shown in Figure 1, or by any other sign indicative of exposure to solar radiation or a combination of all of them. . Indicator 30 could incorporate, additionally or alternatively, text or numbers to inform the user about exposure to solar radiation. The indicator 30 could have a different configuration of the laminar element 35 shown in the figures. Finally, although the present multifunction device 100 has been described herein as configured as a bracelet or bracelet, the person skilled in the art will understand, however, that many other embodiments are possible as long as they incorporate the aforementioned functional elements 20, 30 described above. . Thus, the present multifunction device 100 could be a wristband, an ankle brace, a foil, it could be part of clothing, footwear, caps, etc.

This description therefore covers all possible

combinations of the specific embodiments described herein by way of non-limiting example. The scope should not be limited to such specific embodiments, but should be determined only by an appropriate reading of the appended claims.

Claims

one . Portable multifunction device comprising a base body adapted to incorporate at least a first functional element and a second functional element, the first functional element comprising a flavoring medium, characterized in that said second functional element comprises an indicator means of the exposure to solar radiation.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body is a band defining a bracelet.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base element has a widened area in one part

substantially central of its length.

4. Device according to any of the preceding claims,

characterized by the fact that the base element has two opposite ends and includes closing means for releasable coupling of said ends.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the ends of the base element are rounded.

6. Device according to any of the preceding claims,

characterized by the fact that it comprises a housing for releasably receiving at least one flavoring medium.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said housing has a substantially oval shape.

8. Device according to any of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said housing is defined at least

partially by a substantially elastic or deformable material.

9. Device according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said housing is defined at least partially by a mesh.

10. Device according to any of claims 9, characterized in that the mesh is completely sewn to the outside of the base body.

eleven . Device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the base body is formed by at least two layers between which the housing is defined, at least one of said layers having an access opening to the housing.

12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said layers is free of transverse seams.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indicator of exposure to solar radiation of the second functional element comprises a laminar element that includes at least one layer of a material capable of detecting the level of radiation solar.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that said laminar element includes a silicone substrate and at least one dye layer.

15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body has a surface adapted to incorporate text and / or graphics related to instructions for use and / or warnings.