Patent Application
20150164199
There are many types of packages in the market. Blister packages are commonly used to describe several types of pre-formed plastic packaging used for small articles. The primary component of a blister pack (the “blister”) is a cavity or pocket made from a formable material, usually a thermoformed plastic which can be clear to expose the interior contents. The blister package usually has a backing of paperboard or a lidding seal of aluminum foil or plastic.
Blister packages have been used to contain shaving razors. Often times the blister portion is clear to allow would be purchasers to observe the contents prior to purchase. Sometimes, the manufacturer will place visual indicia on the blister, such as a picture or photo of the razor to further assist the consumer in understanding the details of the product. The addition of embossments onto the blisters have also been generally described. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,704,583; 7,121,822; and 6,890,472.
Despite the use of known packaging techniques, there remains a need to further modify blister and other types of packages to improve consumer recognition of products and/or product features contained therein.
One aspect of this invention relates to a package comprising: a primary face having an outer surface and an inner surface; a secondary face opposing said inner surface wherein said secondary face and said inner surface define a cavity; a hand held device contained within said cavity, said hand held device comprising a head unit; a handle attachable to said head unit; and at least one device feature; wherein said outer surface forms at least one package tactile feature, and wherein said at least one package tactile feature and said at least one device feature have substantially the same shape.
Another aspect of the invention provides for a package comprising: a thermoformed plastic layer having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a cavity, said thermoformed plastic layer forming a peripheral lip; a backing substrate opposing said inner surface of said thermoformed plastic layer, wherein at least a portion of said peripheral lip is adjacent to said backing substrate, a razor contained within said cavity, said razor comprising a cartridge head unit; a handle attachable to said cartridge head unit; wherein said outer surface forms at least one embossment having substantially the same shape as at least one of said cartridge head unit and said handle.
Yet another aspect of the invention provides for a package for containing a device, said package comprising: a primary or consumer facing face forming at least one package tactile feature, wherein said at least one package tactile feature which has the same shape as at least a portion of a device which can be contained therein. The tactile feature can have the general 2D shape of said portion of the device, the same general 3D shape, and even include similar coloring or surface treatment. The invention is not limited to the package containing the device, but can simply include the package itself, prior to having the device placed therein. Blister packs and other commonly used package structures can be modified with the package tactile features described herein to arrive at the present invention.
The present invention relates to packages for containing hand held devices such as shaving razors. Although, the present discussion may discuss certain aspects of shaving razors which can be stored with such packages, similar packaging can also be used to store other devices, including but not limited to: toothbrushes, cosmetic devices and brushes, telephones, writing utensils, screw drivers, flashlights, combs, portable electronics, and so forth. As well, larger versions of the same packaging invention can be used to contain larger products such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen equipment, and toys.
When the device is contained in the cavity, it can be free floating within the cavity, or one or more retaining features can be used to keep the device in place. In one embodiment, multiple devices can be included in the cavity within the package. In another embodiment, multiple components of a device are contained in the cavity, such as where one device handle and a one or a plurality of device head units are also contained therein.
“Same shape” as used herein, means that the device feature and the package tactile feature have similar or the exact same two dimensional shapes. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the exact dimensions can differ given the device and the primary face have different curvatures and can be made of different structures. The same shape can also mean that the features both have the same general 3 dimensional shape, such as if both form raised structures extending away from the device and primary face, respectively. In one embodiment, the device feature and the package tactile feature also share similar coloring or general surface feel. In some embodiments, the device feature and the package tactile feature can be made of the same material, including but not limited to elastomeric materials, or textured grips, hologram stickers, and so forth. In embodiments, where the device feature has a 3 dimensional aspect (something beyond just artwork or a 2D design), the package tactile feature can have the same shape 3 dimensionally. As used herein, features can be 2 or 3 dimensional structures and tactile features can also be 2 or 3 dimensional structures but would be something that looks and/or feels different from its surrounding elements when contacted by the user. Non-limiting examples of 2D package tactile features can include a laminate, a foil laminate, glossy or matted print, various surface treatments or texturing known in the art, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of 3D package tactile features can include embossments, a crevice, materials with different stiffness or hardness compared to the environment surrounding the feature, mottling, elastomeric features, or any difference in material compared to the environment surrounding the feature (which can be compositional differences such as plastic vs. elastomer or cellulosic or leather, or it can be surface finish differences which have more than a difference in appearance—such as a difference in feel which can be measured by consumers or by CoF measurements).
The package of
In this embodiment, the hand held device is a shaving razor comprising a razor cartridge head unit (210) and a handle (220). The head unit can be permanently or removably attachable to the handle. When contained within the device, the head unit can be in an attached or un-attached position, and can optionally be contained in individual wrappers or tubs. Non-limiting examples of suitable shaving razors that can be used in accordance with the present invention include razors currently available on the market from Gillette®, Gillette Venus®, such as those marketed under Mach 3®, Fusion®, Embrace®, Breeze®, Venus&Olay® families of razors. Disposable and refillable razors can be used.
In the embodiment shown in
The device can be a toothbrush, a writing or cosmetic utensil such as a pen or pencil, or a wide scraping surface such as for hair removal. Non-limiting examples of hair removal device include those used with a depilatory or for skin exfoliation, or razors with a blade unit, such as a safety razor. Where the hair removal head is a razor cartridge, razor may be power or manual, disposable or a refillable system. The razor cartridge may also include multiple blades. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,173 generally describes a Fusion® razor that is commercially available from The Gillette Company, which includes a razor cartridge with multiple blades. Additionally, the razor cartridge may include a guard as well as a shaving aid. A variety of razor cartridges can be used in accordance with the present invention. Nonlimiting examples of suitable razor cartridges, with and without fins, guards, and/or shave aids, include those marketed by The Gillette Company under the Fusion®, Venus® product lines as well, as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,197,825, 6,449,849, 6,442,839, 6,301,785, 6,298,558; 6,161,288, and U.S. Patent Publ. 2008/060201.
The terms “forward” and “aft”, as used herein, define relative position between features of the blade unit (i.e., razor cartridge). A feature “forward” of the at least one blade, for example, is positioned so that the surface to be treated with by the device encounters the feature before it encounters the at least one blade. For example, if the device is being stroked in its intended cutting direction, the guard is forward of the blade(s). A feature “aft” of the blade(s) is positioned so that the surface to be treated by the device encounters the feature after it encounters the blade(s), for example if the device is stroked in its intended cutting direction, the cap is disposed aft of the blade(s).
In one embodiment, the head unit is a razor cartridge comprising one or more blades, and a guard positioned forward of said one or more blades, wherein the guard has at least one elongated flexible protrusions to engage a user's skin. In one embodiment, at least one flexible protrusion comprises flexible fins generally parallel to said one or more elongated edges. In another embodiment, said at least one flexible protrusion comprises flexible fins comprises at least one portion which is not generally parallel to said one or more elongated edges. Non-limiting examples of suitable guards include those used in current razor blades, and include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,607,230 and 7,024,776; (disclosing elastomeric/flexible fin bars); 2008/0034590 (disclosing curved guard fins); 2009/0049695A1 (disclosing an elastomeric guard having guard forming at least one passage extending between an upper surface and a lower surface).
In one embodiment, the head unit comprises at least one skin engaging member such as a conventional shave aid or lubrication strip. The skin engaging member can be positioned forward and/or aft of any blade(s). Non-limiting examples of known skin conditioning compositions suitable for use herein include shave aids and lubrication strips as described in:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,581,318, 7,069,658, 6,944,952, 6,594,904, 6,302,785, 6,182,365, D424,745, 6,185,822, 6,298,558 and 5,113,585, and 2009/0223057.
The head unit is fixedly or removably attached to a handle. The attachment can be a direct attachment from head unit to a docking member of the handle, or the head unit can attach to an interconnect member which is then connected to the docking member of the handle.
The device feature can be any feature on the device which can be seen or contacted by the user's hand or body during handling or use. These device features can include aesthetics, and tactile features. Tactile device features are those that can be felt by a user, and can be simply ergonomic or aesthetic in nature and/or can provide functional benefits. Non-limiting examples of tactile features which can be present on the head unit (shown in
In one embodiment, the device handle can be an elongated rod, such as shown in
In another embodiment, such as shown in
In one embodiment, the package contains a device having a handle comprising a disc shaped substrate comprising a first surface (225) facing said, and wherein said device feature is positioned on first surface (225). As shown in
Ribbon of Moisture, which is a lubricating element on the cartridge. The blades, and/or the lubricating element can be used as the device features. The device features shown here also include a grip pattern on the handle. In one embodiment, the feature is tactile in nature such as an elastomeric grip as shown here having a ring shape. Other arcoidal or linear type shapes can also be used.
In some embodiments, the grip patterns which can be used with devices described herein can have irregular patterns or can form a larger artwork type design such as vines, waves, floral patterns, or simply geometric shapes or repeating or non repeating nature. In other embodiments, the grip pattern can be simple ribs or arcs, also within the scope of the invention would be handles with grip patterns which could represent the amount of added grip functionality, such as a “1” or “low” for low amount of grip or CoF, and a “5” or “high” for higher grip functionality (i.e. softer or tackier). As explained above, logos and brand names can also be used as well as other communication messages. In one embodiment, the device feature comprises an elastomeric grip feature on said handle, and wherein said package tactile feature comprises a grip feature having the same shape and color as the elastomeric grip feature.
In one embodiment, the invention further comprises a container (500) contained within said package, as shown in
In one embodiment, where the device is contained within the container which is then contained within the package, where the container is not transparent, it can be difficult for the consumer to view and understand the details of the product contained therein. More difficult than viewing, it is believed that understanding the features of the device can be even harder. As such, it can be useful to provide tactile features on the packaging that allow the user to understand the key features which are contained therein. In one embodiment, the tactile features actually represent discrete portions of the device, such as representing the head unit itself. Or a portion of the handle, or any interconnecting parts between the head unit and the handle, such as a joint or interconnecting member.
It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification includes every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
All parts, ratios, and percentages herein, in the Specification, Examples, and Claims, are by weight, and all numerical limits are used with the normal degree of accuracy afforded by the art, unless otherwise specified. Further, as used herein, where a group is described to be “comprising” of a list of group members, that group may also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” that same list of group members.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
