BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to neutralizing unpleasant odors and, more particularly, to apparatus and a method for neutralizing unpleasant odors on the surface of a person&#39;s clothing and refreshing the scent of the clothing.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0004]     Dining out, attending concerts or dance performances, going to the theatre or to movies, going to parties, dances and celebrations, going to night clubs and other entertainment venues, or just hanging out with friends are some of the activities people engage in during their free time. Generally, in preparing to participate in these activities, people take great pains to look their best and to present themselves in the best possible light. Personal grooming aids and products are often employed, most of which are scented, in an effort to appear attractive. Perfumes and scented grooming products are used to enhance the effects, particularly among persons interested in attracting other persons of the opposite sex, for example.  
         [0005]     Unfortunately, the scented effects tend to diminish rapidly, reducing the intended effect of the personal grooming efforts. Further, many of the venues for the above activities include exposure to a wide variety of odors. These odors typically originate from food and beverages in restaurants, from smoke in restaurants, bars, night clubs, etc., from the perspiration of the persons themselves and other patrons, and from other substances that may be encountered during an evening&#39;s entertainment. Many of these odors are unpleasant or become more so with the passage of time. Such odors are readily absorbed by a person&#39;s clothing or hair, and are carried with the person for the rest of the evening. Thus, not only are the original scents diminished through the natural evaporation and deterioration that occurs, but they are often overwhelmed or masked by the many odors in the surroundings. These circumstances may be especially worrisome to people in a dating situation, especially as the evening wears on and the persons anticipate extending the evening or just wish to freshen themselves before proceeding with the remainder of the evening&#39;s activities.  
         [0006]     Conventional remedies include perfume or perfumed products such as cologne applied to a person&#39;s skin or clothing, typically provided in a spray container or a bottle. Other similar products may be applied by hand. Further, it is known that certain products, such as dryer sheets for use in clothes dryers, have sometimes been used in an effort to absorb the unpleasant odors from a person&#39;s clothing or hair, generally with limited success. However, such dispensing devices as traditionally used for perfume or cologne are not readily available with odor neutralizing capabilities adapted to neutralizing the odors accumulated on a person&#39;s clothing. Moreover, the use of paper or fabric odor absorbing devices has heretofore failed to provide more than limited usefulness.  
         [0007]     It is known or has been observed that certain paper or fabric products, such as the Bounce® dryer sheets and Swiffer® floor mop products manufactured and distributed by the Proctor &amp; Gamble Corporation for the laundry and floor cleaning markets respectively, and which may respectively contain anti-static or scented compounds or cleaning agents, have certain properties that might suggest possible applications in this field of odor neutralization of clothing. However, the available configuration of these articles is not appropriate or well suited to the application of neutralizing the odors absorbed by a person&#39;s clothing in a night club or restaurant venue. The Bounce® dryer sheets and the Swiffer® mop refills are loose sheets of fabric. They are not conveniently packaged for a person&#39;s pocket or purse, are not adapted to the particular use of odor neutralization, and do not contain suitable substances for neutralizing odors absorbed into a person&#39;s clothing or for refreshing originally applied perfumes or scents.  
         [0008]     What is needed is an apparatus and a method of using the apparatus, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods, that can serve both to eliminate or neutralize unpleasant odors that accumulate on a person&#39;s clothing during an evening&#39;s entertainment in a wide variety of venues, and to refresh or restore the original scent or replace it with an alternative scent.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Accordingly, there is disclosed an apparatus for neutralizing odors in clothing, comprising an applicator for applying a neutralizing substance to a person&#39;s clothing, the applicator including: a carrier layer having a generally rectangular shape defined by a perimeter thereof and impregnated with the neutralizing substance, and a substrate layer having generally the same shape as the carrier layer and bonded to the carrier layer around all but a select portion of the perimeter of the carrier layer to form a finger pocket for manipulating the applicator. In an alternate embodiment, an activating mechanism or protective sleeve associated with the applicator may be provided for releasing the neutralizing substance from the carrier layer.  
         [0010]     In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed comprising the steps of providing an odor-neutralizing applicator having a carrier layer impregnated with an odor neutralizing substance and adapted to be slipped over the person&#39;s fingertips of one hand; slipping the applicator over the fingertips of the person&#39;s hand; and manipulating the applicator against the person&#39;s clothing to neutralize the odors in the person&#39;s clothing. In an alternate embodiment the method includes the step of activating the carrier layer of the applicator to release the odor neutralizing substance onto the person&#39;s clothing.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of an apparatus for neutralizing odors on a person&#39;s clothing;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an edgewise view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a pictorial view of the use of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a plan view of one embodiment of an apparatus for neutralizing odors on a person&#39;s clothing. An applicator  10  includes a top layer  12 , which may bear a brand indicia  14  including a brand  16 , and, as one alternate embodiment, a textual indicia  18  including instructions  20  for using the applicator  10 . In an alternative, wherein the top layer  12  includes only a brand indicia, textual indicia may be affixed to or printed upon the packaging for the applicator  10 . A bonding region  22  is shown, indicating the location of a bond that is formed between the top layer  12  and other layers (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) below the top layer  12 . It will be observed, however, that the bonding region  22 , between the edge of the applicator  10  and the dashed line, surrounds the perimeter of the applicator  10  around all of the perimeter except for one edge of the applicator  10 . The edge of the applicator  10  that does not include a bond is selected so that a person&#39;s fingertips may be inserted between two of the layers, as will be explained.  
         [0015]     The applicator  10  in its preferred embodiment is intended to be a compact device easily carried in a pocket or purse. Thus, its dimensions are determined accordingly to be slim and only slightly larger than a business card, for example. The applicator  10  in the illustrative embodiment shown may be approximately  3 . 75  inches long and approximately  3 . 00  inches wide. The top layer  12  may be a paper material bearing the indicia  14 ,  18 , which may, for example, be printed or embossed thereon by conventional processes. In alternative embodiments, however, the dimensions and shape of the applicator  10  may of course be modified for other applications without departing from the concept illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 . In general, the shape may be any plane figure that is bounded by a closed perimeter, such as triangular, rectangular, circular, eliptical, oval or polygonal. The portion of the perimeter that is open, called the open space  28 , to permit the users fingers to be inserted between a carrier layer  24  and a substrate layer  26  (See  FIG. 2 ) in the manner of a finger mit, may be located at any location along the perimeter of the applicator  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the applicator  10  is generally rectangular with rounded corners, wherein the open space  28 —an entry side for inserting the user&#39;s fingers—is located along one of the shorter sides of the applicator  10 . Other embodiments may position the open space  28  along a longer side or a curved side.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an edgewise view of the applicator  10 . The structure of the embodiment shown includes three layers of material, each with a distinct purpose. The top layer  12  has been described previously. It may be bonded fully to an intermediate substrate layer  24 , which may be fabricated from a thin, generally flexible and substantially non-absorbent material that has some stiffness or resiliency to provide shape and “body” to the applicator  10 . The purpose of the substrate layer  24  is to form a pocket in cooperation with the carrier layer  26  when the applicator  10  is prepared for use. Materials suited to this purpose include leather, synthetic, leather-like fabrics, heavy grade papers, and the like. The lower layer, the carrier layer  26 , is preferably an absorbent layer of a non-woven fabric, such as may be formed of spun-bonded polyester fibers. This example, of which the fabric such as that used in the aforementioned dryer sheets is just one alternative, is illustrative only and a number of alternative fabric materials are feasible. The carrier layer  26  is preferably impregnated with an odor neutralizing substance to be described. In alternate embodiments, the carrier layer  26  may include pleasantly scented material such as perfume or cologne, either alone or in combination with the odor neutralizing substance.  
         [0017]     The carrier layer  26  may be bonded to the substrate layer  24  around the perimeter of the substrate layer  24  except at the selected open space shown in  FIG. 2 . This open space is provided for the person using the applicator  10  to insert his or her fingertips into the pocket  28  between the carrier layer  26  and the substrate layer  24  for the purpose of manipulating the applicator  10  during use. The edge of the bonding region  22 , represented by a dashed line (also indicated by reference number  22 ), is shown within the pocket  28  between the substrate  24  and carrier  26  layers. The dashed line  22 , also shown in  FIG. 1 , may in one embodiment indicate one location of stitches for sewing the edges of the bonding region  22  together. The edges of the bonding region  22  may also be bonded using an adhesive, rivets, staples, clamps or crimped fasteners, or even be an integral part of both the substrate  24  and carrier  26  layers of the applicator  10 . An example of the latter embodiment is provided when the substrate  24  and carrier  26  layers are formed of a single sheet of material that satisfies the requirements of both layers.  
         [0018]     In some embodiments it is advantageous for the applicator  10  to be disposable; that is, it may be discarded when the odor neutralizing substance impregnated in the carrier layer  26  is exhausted. Thus, the materials used in the construction of the applicator  10  need not be particularly durable. On the other hand, it is further contemplated that other embodiments of the applicator  10  may be reusable. For example, an applicator  10  constructed of relatively durable materials and configured to be fitted with a replaceable carrier layer  26 , may be provided. The latter embodiment might provide a marketing advantage in that the applicator may be provided at nominal cost with or without a package of refill carrier layers  26  (or, carrier sheets  26 ). A reusable applicator would include a bonding mechanism to enable removal of the carrier layer  26  for replacement by a fresh carrier layer  26 .  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a pictorial view of the applicator  10  being used to apply the odor neutralizing substance to a person&#39;s clothing. The applicator  10  is shown being manipulated by a wiping action against the clothing  30  of a user, as indicated by the arrows  36 . The user&#39;s fingertips  32  of his or her hand  34  are inserted into the pocket  28  between the substrate  24  and carrier  26  layers of the applicator  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the pocket  28  in the applicator  10 , when opposite sides (e.g., to the left and right of the applicator  10  as indicated by the triangular marks  38 ,  40  in  FIG. 3 ) of the applicator  10  are squeezed slightly, opens wide enough to receive two fingertips  32  therein for manipulating the applicator  10 . Once installed on the user&#39;s fingertips, his or her hand  34  is moved in a side-to-side motion  36 , rubbing or wiping the lower surface portion (not visible in the figure, but will be readily understood) of the carrier layer  26 . This action causes the release and transfer of the odor neutralizing substance from a portion of the carrier layer  26  to the surface of the user&#39;s clothing  30 , as will be described further herein.  
         [0020]     Continuing with  FIG. 3 , the odor neutralizing substance may, for example, be an activated charcoal material, impregnated into or formed into a fabric used to construct the carrier layer  26 , that absorbs odor particles on contact with the carrier layer  26 . In an alternative embodiment, a compound that combines with the chemicals in food odors and smoke, thereby causing them to be non-odorous, may be activated on contact with the person&#39;s clothing. In another alternative embodiment, a compound that volatilizes odorous substances on contact, causing them to disperse by evaporation may be used. Alternate embodiments may utilize a combination of these features in a single device to accomplish odor neutralization. For example, a device may combine the features of absorption and ionization to neutralize odors accumulating on the surface of clothing. Further, the odor neutralizing substance maybe bound in microcapsules impregnated within the carrier layer, thus prevented from escaping until subjected to the pressure associated with the rubbing or wiping contact  36  against the user&#39;s clothing surface when the applicator  10  is being used. The odor neutralizing substance may additionally include a perfume or other scented agent. Alternatively, the perfume or scented agent may be separately impregnated into the carrier layer  26 .  
         [0021]     In one example, an activated charcoal material that is formed into a textile fabric having a microporous structure may be used in the carrier layer  26 . The microporous structure provides a very large surface area presented to the odor-causing substances, effectively absorbing them from the person&#39;s clothing during use of the applicator  10 . The activated charcoal textile material, developed in Britain for its filtering properties, is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,371 issued to Conant et al.  
         [0022]     The applicator  10  described herein above maybe used multiple times and stored in a person&#39;s pocket or purse when not in use. However, in an alternate embodiment, the applicator  10  may be enclosed in a protective wrapper (not shown) that is removed by the user prior to use. This wrapper may be configured to retard deterioration or prevent inadvertent dispersion of the odor neutralization or odor masking substances that may occur between uses. In another alternate embodiment, a protective layer of thin paper or plastic material having a low tack adhesive may be attached as a fourth layer (not shown) to the underside of the carrier layer  26 . To activate the carrier layer  26 , the user need only remove the fourth layer for use and replace the fourth protective layer over the carrier layer  26  after use. In a variation of this alternate embodiment, microcapsules of the odor neutralizing substance may be embedded in the adhesive that secures the protective layer to the carrier layer. Such microcapsules are well-known in the art for incorporating sample fragrances in periodical advertisements for the fragrance products. The microcapsules are ruptured when the protective layer is peeled away from the carrier layer, thus releasing or activating the odor neutralizing substance just prior to the use of the applicator  10 .  
         [0023]     While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the embodiment illustrated in the drawings is shown with the opening disposed in one of the longer sides of the applicator  10 . In one modification (not shown because its appearance is readily visualized to one skilled in the art, based on the structural features shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 ), the opening for receiving the user&#39;s fingertips maybe provided in one of the shorter sides of the applicator, thus permitting insertion of the user&#39;s fingers to a greater extent to provide a firmer grip on the applicator  10 .  
         [0024]     In another modification, the applicator  10  may be enlarged such that a user&#39;s entire hand fits within the pocket  28  between the substrate  24  and carrier  26  layers. This configuration enables the use of the applicator as a hand mitt, for applying odor neutralizing substances to a larger fabric surface area, for example, such as to upholstery in vehicles or on furniture or draperies and curtains in offices or residences, etc.  
         [0025]     Yet another modification is to provide a pouch or sleeve (not shown, but readily visualized by persons skilled in the art) for enclosing and storing the applicator  10  within when not in use. Such a pouch or sleeve may also protect the carrier layer  26  from contact with other surfaces or substances that could degrade its functional characteristics. A sleeve could also be employed as part of a mechanism for activating the applicator just prior to use, if that is a particular objective of the product. In this embodiment, removing the applicator  10  from enclosure or contact with the sleeve may serve to activate the odor neutralizing substance for use.
An apparatus for neutralizing odors in clothing, comprising an applicator for applying a neutralizing substance to a person's clothing, the applicator including: a carrier layer impregnated with the neutralizing substance and a substrate layer having generally the same shape as the carrier layer and bonded to the carrier layer around all but a select portion of the perimeter of the carrier layer. An activating mechanism associated with the applicator may be provided for releasing the neutralizing substance from the carrier layer. In another aspect of the invention, a method comprising the steps of providing an odor-neutralizing applicator having a carrier layer impregnated with an odor neutralizing substance and adapted to be slipped over the person's fingertips of one hand; and manipulating the applicator against the person's clothing to neutralize the odors in the person's clothing. An activating step may be included to release the odor neutralizing substance onto the person's clothing.