Patent Application
20080050168
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that illustrative embodiments of the present invention may be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
It is to be understood that the scope of the claims is not limited to the specific articles, devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification, including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. When a range of values is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent basis “about,” it will be understood that the particular values forms another embodiment. All ranges are inclusive and combinable.
Referring now to the figures,
One aspect of the present invention is the manner in which product chamber 20 and outer sleeve 30 are interconnected. As shown, the body portion 32 of outer sleeve 30 is connected to product chamber 20 via tongue and groove features. By way of example only, and as shown in
The base portion 34 of outer sleeve 30 is connected to product chamber 20 via a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism comprises through holes 24 formed in product chamber 20 that are configured to receive projections 38 disposed on base portion 34. As shown, projections 38 have a tapered upper surface 39 to facilitate assembly of base portion 34 and product chamber 20. The through holes 24 and projections 38 create a positive or permanent connection between base portion 34 and product chamber 20, so that the two components are unlikely to become separated during use, even where composition attributes and part tolerances create stress (and strain) during use. Base portion 34 and outer sleeve 30 may also include additional connective features, such as, for example, tongue and groove features. Although base portion 34 and outer sleeve 30 are illustrated as being connected via a latching mechanism that employs through holes 24, alternative embodiments of the present invention include non-through hole female features, such as, for example, indentations or recesses that are configured to accept male components, such as projections 38. In these alternative embodiments, the female and male connective components may include elements, such as, for example, barbs, angles, steps, and the like, that provide a positive or permanent connection.
Another aspect of the present invention is the draft angle of the product chamber inner wall 26. The draft angle is preferably from about zero to about one degree, and more preferably from about one-quarter of a degree to about one-half of a degree. But other draft angles may be employed. The preferred draft angle facilitates mold release where injection molding techniques are used to manufacture product chamber 20, and it also facilitates usage of package 10. As discussed above, antiperspirant packages typically employ a platform (see, e.g., component 64 in
In one preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in
Although the figures and description herein focus on a package with an outer sleeve, other embodiments of the present invention may employ a product chamber that is not surrounded by an outer sleeve. Base portion 34 could continue to serve as a base for such a product chamber and employ similar connective features as described above.
Package components of the present invention may be made from a number of different materials and manufactured by a number of different techniques known to the skilled artisan. By way of example only, each of the components described above can be made from a thermoplastic (e.g., a polyolefin) and molded with known injection molding techniques. The materials may result in transparent, translucent, and/or opaque components. In one preferred embodiment, product chamber 20 is made from a pigmented polymer and outer sleeve 30 is made from an unpigmented polymer, such that one can see the product chamber through the sleeve. Marketing aspects, such as, for example, text and graphics may be disposed on or integrated with the inner and/or outer surfaces of the outer sleeve and product chamber, or reside between the two components.
Packages of the present invention are suitable for containing and dispensing a number of different types of consumer products. One such consumer product is an antiperspirant/deodorant composition. The antiperspirant/deodorant composition may be in the form of a gel, solid stick, or soft solid, for example. Exemplary deodorant compositions are included in the table below. It is to be understood that antiperspirant/deodorant compositions recited in the claims are not limited to such exemplary compositions, but rather encompass all such compositions known to the skilled artisan, commercially available, and/or contained in publications.
The numerical values in the table are in percent by weight of the total composition.
Examples A and B can be made as follows: all ingredients except the fragrance, are combined in a suitable container and heated to about 85° C. to form a homogenous liquid. The solution is then cooled to about 62° C. and then the fragrance is added. The mixture is then poured into an appropriate container and allowed to solidify up cooling to ambient temperature.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written 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.
