Patent Application
20220009673
The present invention relates to a method for employing containers for consumable products. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for employing containers which have a main compartment and a removable sample compartment which can be filled with the same product so as to allow for sampling of the product without damaging a tamper-proof seal on the main compartment and compromising the product. The removable sample compartment can be refilled as applicable, and can also be used through refilling as a travel container.
Many types of consumable products are packaged in containers and sold to consumers. Often, the products undergo a long journey between packaging and eventual use by the consumer. In order to ensure preservation of quality, the containers are often sealed so as to prevent tampering with the product, and to provide an indication of potential tampering if the seal has been damaged or removed. Early seals were often formed using wax, however, more recently, plastics and other types of materials have been commonly used as seals.
While tamper-proof seals are helpful in protecting the product and promoting and ensuring consumer satisfaction and assurance of product quality, there are some associated problems. First, in order to test and/or try the product at all, the seal must be broken. Once the seal is broken, the value of the product may be greatly reduced or completely lost. Resale of “opened” goods or those with a broken seal is more difficult than resale of “unopened” goods as the buyer has less of a guarantee of product quality. In fact, for many types of products, the resale of opened goods is banned or impossible because of the possibility of adulteration or alteration of the products. Because of this, sellers often either refuse return of opened goods or are forced to discard the returned opened goods. Either option is costly to producers, results in major environmental waste, or both.
Dib (US 2007/0221602) shows a combination food and beverage bottle with removable base, but it does not really solve the above stated problem, nor does it have an associated process for doing so. Dib has a beverage in one compartment while a smaller, lower compartment contains food. Unlike the present invention, there is no method for providing the same substance in two compartments for a prioritized use of a smaller compartment first.
Hoffstadt (U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,259) shows a dual thermal carrier, but it does not provide a solution to the above stated problem either. Hoffstadt does not have a method for ensuring that the substance in the main compartment remains undisturbed while the same substance in the smaller compartment only is accessed.
Bocola (US 2006/0191932) shows a closure element for cosmetic product containers and the like, but again, there is no method provided for restoring a partially used product to its original state for resale.
Thus, there is still a need for a method to prevent resale of opened goods that is typically banned or impossible because of the possibility of adulteration or alteration of the products. And, there is still a need for a method to as a solution to sellers often either refusing return of opened goods or being forced to discard the returned opened goods.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method which combined with suitable containers devices and systems—allows for sampling of a consumable product without breaking a main compartment seal and opening or altering the product. Embodiments of various containers are described and shown in the present disclosure, and the present invention employs such containers in a method that allows for distribution of a product while providing that the product can be resold upon return. Embodiments of the containers used in the present invention can be freely combined with each other if they are not mutually exclusive.
The present invention features containers which include a main compartment and one or more removably attached sample compartments to facilitate a method of trial sale/sampling of product as well as the integration of a travel compartment for ease of transport of the product by the end user (consumer). For example, the sample compartment may contain about 3 or more uses worth of the same product as the main compartment. The sample product may even be from the same production batch as the product in the main compartment so as to increase customer satisfaction by giving the consumer a chance to try the product with identical composition to the main compartment product, and to minimize production costs due to testing. The sample compartment may be affixed to the base of the main compartment, integrated within a double cap which fits over a main compartment opening, or inserted into a cavity in the bottom, side, or top or the main compartment.
The sample compartments may be added to a wide variety of containers without significant redesign or change in packaging appearance. For example, the majority of a product packaging could remain unchanged while only the cap is modified to include the sample compartment. Alternatively, the majority of a product packaging could remain unchanged while the base of the container is modified to allow for attachment of a sample compartment with the same or similar appearance as the original container's base. In some cases, the original container may be modified to add an external flange, hinge, indentation or other feature to allow for attachment of the sample container.
One of the unique and inventive technical features of the present invention is a removable sample product compartment which may be accessed and replaced without damaging a main compartment tamper-proof seal and compromising the actual product. Without wishing to limit the invention to any theory or mechanism, it is believed that the technical feature of the present invention advantageously provides for testing of the consumable product without breaking the tamper-proof seal thus maintaining product integrity while giving the consumer opportunity to try and evaluate the product, thus allowing the main product to be returned and resold. None of the presently known prior references or work has the unique inventive technical feature of the present invention. Furthermore, the prior references teach away from the present invention. For example, the industry teaching is that extra packaging material is wasteful and that large containers should be used less to minimize waste. Although the containers of the present invention use additional packaging material in order to produce both the main compartment and the removable sample compartment, and although the sample compartment is a small compartment with a low product to packaging ratio, the present invention may serve to reduce waste by allowing for resale of the product in the main compartment if the product is returned after the consumer samples the product in the sample compartment.
The sample compartment may contain three or more usages worth of the same product as the main compartment. The manufacturer may produce extra samples at the time of manufacturing of the product so as to allow for later replacement of opened or used sample and allow for retail after return or testing. Alternatively, the sample may simply be used as a stand-alone sample (i.e. travel sample). The container with the attached sample could also be sold in a physical retail space where the consumer may purchase the main compartment with or without the sample compartment attached. In the event that a consumer purchases the main compartment without the sample compartment, the sample compartment may be used as an in-store sample for other consumers to try in-store.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.
The following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings are provided to explain possible embodiments of the present invention but are not provided to limit the scope of the present invention as expressed herein this summary section.
The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate features of the method of the present invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify containers appropriate for implementation of the method of the present invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s).
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein:
In one embodiment, the present invention features a container (100) for a consumable product (140). As a non-limiting example, the container (100) may include a main compartment (110) and a removable sample compartment (120). In some embodiments, the main compartment (110) may have a main opening (112) and be designed to hold the product. In some embodiments, the removable sample compartment (120) may have a sample opening (122) and be designed to hold a sample (142) of the product (140). In some embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be removably attached to the main compartment (110). In some embodiments, an interior of the sample compartment (120) may be accessed via the sample opening (122) without exposing an interior of the main compartment (110). In this way, the product (140) may be protected from moisture, air, light, tampering, and the environment while the sample (142) is used, tested, or evaluated.
In a preferred embodiment, both the main compartment (110) and the sample compartment (120) may contain the same product (140). In some embodiments, the main compartment (110) and the sample compartment (120) may contain product (140) from the same production batch. In some embodiments, the main compartment (110) may have a main tamper-proof seal (114). As a non-limiting example, the tamper-proof seal may be a plastic film or a different tamper-proof sealing material, either around the exterior of the main compartment cap (116) or affixed underneath the cap over the main compartment opening (112), which must be broken in order to access the interior of the main compartment (110). In preferred embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be configured to be accessed and replaced without damaging the main tamper-proof seal (114). In a further embodiment, the sample compartment (120) may also comprise a sample tamper-proof seal (124). In some embodiments, the main compartment (110) and the sample compartment (120) may be made from the same material or materials as the sample container or different materials.
In some embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may comprise a sample compartment cap (126) to seal the interior of the sample compartment (120). As a non-limiting example, the sample compartment cap (126) may comprises a flip-top cap or a screw cap. In another embodiment, the sample compartment (120) may be opened by removing the sample compartment (120) from the main compartment (110).
In one embodiment, the product (140) may comprise a food, a cosmetic, a shampoo, a conditioner, a makeup, a lipstick, a skincare product, a foundation, a cream, an ointment, an oil, a spray, a dietary product, a pet product, an herb, a tea, a cannabis or hemp related product, a CBD oil, a natural oil, pharmaceutical product, a color cosmetic, a hair product, a food related product, a health and nutrition supplement, a perfume, or any another consumable product as applicable. In some embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be sized so as to hold about 3 or more uses worth of the product (140). In other embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be sized so as to hold about 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or more uses worth of the product (140). In still other embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may have a capacity which is less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 percent of a capacity of the main compartment (110). In some embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be reusable. As a non-limiting example, the sample compartment (120) may be cleaned according to regulatory specifications and reused if possible and needed for sampling or travel container. Thus, the sample compartment (120) may comprise a reusable container and may be refilled with the same or a different product (140) after the original product (140) is removed.
In an embodiment, the present invention features a container (100) for a consumable product (140), the container (100) comprising a main compartment (110) and a removable sample cap (130). In some embodiments, the main compartment (110) may have a main opening (112) and be configured to hold the product (140). In some embodiments, the removable sample cap (130) may be configured to seal the main opening (112) and may comprise a main compartment cap (116), and a sample compartment (120). In preferred embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be integrated within the sample cap (130) and may have a sample opening (122). In some embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be configured to hold a sample (142) of the product (140). In some embodiments, the sample cap (130) may be removably attached to the main compartment (110), and an interior of the sample compartment (120) may be configured to be accessed without exposing an interior of the main compartment (110).
According to some embodiments, the main compartment cap (116) may seal the main opening (112). In some embodiments, the sample cap (130) may be a double-cap and comprise a sample compartment cap (126) which seals the sample opening (124). As a non-limiting example, the sample compartment cap (126) may comprise a screw cap or a flip cap. In some embodiments, the main opening (112) may comprise a main pen tip, and the sample cap (130) may comprise a sample pen tip which is configured to fit over the main pen tip, as shown in
In one embodiment, the present invention features a container (100) for a consumable product (140), the container (100) comprising a main compartment (110) and a removable sample compartment (120). In some embodiments, the main compartment (110) may be configured to hold the product (140) and may comprise a main opening (112) and a base (118). In some embodiments, the removable sample compartment (120) may be configured to hold a sample (142) of the product (140) and may have a sample opening (122). In some embodiments, the sample compartment (120) may be removably attached to the base (118) of the main compartment (110) such that the container (100) is configured to rest on the sample compartment (120). In some embodiments, an interior of the sample compartment (120) may be configured to be accessed without exposing an interior of the main compartment (110).
According to one embodiment, the sample compartment (120) may be attached to the base (118) of the main compartment (110) via a magnet, a screw fitting, a pressure fitting, by latches, by a coupling lip or flange, a hinge, or by any other coupling mechanism. As a non-limiting example, the sample compartment (120) may be attached to the base (118) of the main compartment (110) via a latch which releases the sample compartment (120) when a latch-release is depressed. In some embodiments, the container (100) may be configured to rest upright on the main compartment base (118) when the sample compartment (120) is detached and on a sample compartment base (128) when the sample compartment (120) is attached.
The method of use of the container system of the present invention, as shown in
The following is a non-limiting example of the present invention. It is to be understood that said example is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Equivalents or substitutes are within the scope of the present invention.
A shampoo manufacturer produces shampoo bottles with double caps which contain a sample compartment filled with enough shampoo for about 3-5 uses. The manufacturer provides a distributer with 100 capped shampoo bottles and 15 extra caps. A consumer purchases a bottle, and tries the shampoo from the sample compartment, but does not damage the main compartment tamper-proof seal. The consumer returns the shampoo bottle to the distributer for a refund. The distributer replaces the used sample cap with a new sample cap and sells the unused bottle to a new consumer.
A perfume company produces spray perfume vials with removable sample compartments screwed to the bottom, and a tamper-proof seal over the main cap. A consumer purchases one of the vials from the internet and receives it in the mail, having never smelled the fragrance of the perfume. The consumer opens the sample compartment, smells and applies the perfume, but does not damage the tamper-proof seal. The consumer mails the vial back to the company and receives a refund. The company cleans and refills the sample compartment, before shipping the same vial, or a different sample vial to a new consumer.
A manufacturer produces 10,000 units of lipstick with a transparent cap filled with a sample of the same lipstick product as is in a main compartment. Each sample contains enough product for 3 to 5 uses. The manufacturer produces an additional 150 sample caps which may be used to replace used sample caps on returned products. The main compartment is protected by a tamper-proof seal. Because the cap is transparent, consumers may visualize the product even before opening the sample compartment or open the transparent cap and try the product. Additionally, the extra caps may be used as stand-alone samples in a retail store setting to allow consumers to try the product without opening the main compartment.
A customer is known to use shampoo (or similar personal product) when away on vacation during travel. Shampoo is sold in travel containers for this reason, but they are limited in their brand variety and scope. If the user is allergic to the prominent brands which are sold in travel containers, the customer may be encouraged to purchase a refillable travel-sized bottle to fill his/her own allergy-free shampoo into the bottle. However, most refillable travel-sized bottles available for purchase are made of silicone. Many customers are also allergic to silicone, and silicone reacts poorly with many products such as sulfur emulsifier. Instead of this lengthy process, the customer can simply use the removable sample compartment of the product, refilled if necessary, during travel as the removable sample compartment is small enough for legal travel and is easily separated from the main compartment.
As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase “comprising” includes embodiments that could be described as “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of”, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” is met.
Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
