Patent Application
20170367457
The present disclosure generally relates to packaging for personal care products with enhanced structural support for providing an improved product display.
Personal care articles such as shaving razors and tooth brushes are typically sold in clear plastic product packages containing one or a plurality of product units. These plastic packages are commonly referred to as blister packages and conventionally include a transparent plastic blister with a sheet or card material inside the package or as an outer seal which may add rigidity to the package and facilitate suspension of the package from a hanger of a point-of-sale display. The sheet or card material will usually be printed with appropriate data concerning the product within the pack. The pack is typically configured so that on the point-of-sale display the blister is at the front so that the contents within the blister are clearly visible to the customer, and the card is usually provided with tear perforations to provide access to the contents within the package.
Typically, individual product packages are received from a manufacturer in shipping containers where several individual product packages are contained loosely therein and/or where individual product packages are stacked upon one another. These product packages must then be removed from the shipping container by a retail employee and mounted to the hanger of a point-of-sale display. Subsequently, consumers may remove the product packages from the hanger and remount thereto upon considering the product for purchase. Thus, the product package is typically jostled during its shipment, mounting to the point-of-sale display, and consumer handling which may affect the orientation of the product within the package.
What is desired is a product package that can provide protection against drops, load compression, vibration, and other types of jostling that can lead to package failure. What is further desired is a product package that can provide such protection while providing design elements that can improve consumer recognition of products and/or product features contained therein.
In accordance with one embodiment, a package includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a front surface and a rear surface, and the first member is substantially planar. The second member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the rear surface of the first member define a first cavity. A periphery of the inner surface of the second member is joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion. Respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperate to define an outer edge of the sealed portion. The second member includes a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge. The ridge includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a rim. The rim connects at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member. At least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.
In accordance with another embodiment, a razor package includes a first member, a second member, and a razor. The first member includes a front surface and a rear surface, and the first member being substantially planar. The second member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the rear surface of the first member define a first cavity. A periphery of the inner surface of the second member is joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion. Respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperate to define an outer edge of the sealed portion. At least a portion of the razor is contained within the first cavity. The second member includes a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge. The ridge includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a rim. The rim connects the inner wall to the outer wall. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member. At least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a razor package includes a card, a thermoplastic member, and a razor. The card includes a front surface and a rear surface. The card is substantially planar and substantially rectangular. The thermoplastic member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the rear surface of the card define a first cavity and a second cavity. A periphery of the inner surface is joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the card to define a sealed portion. Respective perimeters of the card and the thermoplastic member cooperate to define an outer edge of the sealed portion. The sealed portion includes an inner edge. The inner edge defines an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion. At least a portion of the razor is contained within the first cavity. The thermoplastic member includes a continuous, multi-level ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity and the second cavity while remaining inward of the sealed portion. The ridge includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a rim. The rim connects at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the card. At least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the card.
The following text sets forth a broad description of numerous different embodiments. The description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible, and it will be understood that any feature, characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein can be deleted, combined with or substituted for, in whole or part, any other feature, characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this specification using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). No term is intended to be essential unless so stated. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such a claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph.
Protective razor packages described herein, which may include types of blister packages, may provide desirable benefits for vendors and consumers alike. For example, while conventional blister packages may include rigid elements that facilitate suspension of the package from a hanger, the protective razor packages described herein may include a ridge to provide improved stability. Protective razor packages may further include one or more cavities that contribute to improved stability. Such additional stability and protection may benefit vendors by decreasing the likelihood that package contents will become damaged or that damaged packing will discourage potential consumers from purchasing the product contained therein. Likewise, consumers may benefit from having improved stability and protection of the packages from the point-of-sale display until actual use of the product contained therein.
Further, the protective razor packages, as described herein, may employ a transparent blister on a rear of the package to provide for additional space on the front of the package to communicate product information. That is, with the display of package contents being limited to a rearward-facing blister, for example, the front of the package may offer greater flexibility for brand management and engaging consumers. As such, a vendor may experience an improved ability to communicate a desired message to a consumer, while a consumer may experience an improved recognition of products and/or product features contained within the package.
Referring to
The package 10 may further include a second member 18. The second member 18 may be a thermoformed plastic blister, and in certain embodiments, the second member may be transparent to display package contents. However, like the first member 12, a second member may be formed of any of a variety of suitable materials. For example, the second member may be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-GAG), recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET), layered PETG and RPET, and other combinations thereof. In such embodiments where the second member is formed from layered PETG and RPET, the second member may include from about 10% to about 20% of PETG, by weight of the second member, and from about 80% to about 90%, by weight of the second member, of RPET. The second member 18 may include an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22, and in certain embodiments, a thickness of the second member 18 may be from about 0.012 inches to about 0.030 inches; from about 0.015 inches to about 0.022 inches; or in some examples, about 0.0175 inches.
In certain embodiments, and as suggested by the exploded view of
In certain embodiments, the sealed portion 24 may further include an inner edge 42. The inner edge 42 may define an aperture 44, as shown in
Referring to
As shown in
In some embodiments, the ridge 34 extends generally away from and substantially perpendicularly to a surface of the first member 18. Also, in this example, the ridge 34 extends rearward from and substantially perpendicularly to a surface, opposite the inner surface 20, of the first member 18. In some embodiments, the ridge may provide several benefits to the package. For example, the ridge may provide increased stability of the package by increasing a force required to bend or flex the package. Such additional stability may, for example, provide resistance to, for example, rotational or lateral forces applied to the package. Secondly, the ridge may, for example, act as a dampening spring. That is, the ridge may absorb compression forces, such as those resulting from package drops, load compressions, and vibrations, any of which could otherwise lead to package failure.
In certain embodiments, and as best shown in
As shown in
Additionally, in certain embodiments, the outer surface 222 of the second member 218 of the package 210 may include stacking and denesting lugs 264, 266. In
Stacking and denesting lugs may facilitate creation of a platform to allow functional stacking such that purchased parts (e.g., second members) may be used with high reliability in manufacturing. For example, positioning of the stacking and denesting lugs may be changed from part to part to substantially prevent stacked parts from nesting. In certain embodiments, nesting may be substantially prevented where a wall depth is greater than an interference point of two or more stacked parts. In such embodiments, the interference point may be determined by geometry, draft angle, and/or material thickness. In certain embodiments, for example, the interference point may be from about 6 mm to about 7 mm.
Inventive Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-4 were prepared and subsequently tested using an INSTRON® force and measurement test stand according to the procedure described below. Each of Inventive Examples 1-4 were prepared with a ridge and at least a first cavity and a second cavity, with the second cavity included in a lower portion of a second member, as described above. Each of the Comparative Examples 1-4 was a blister package currently in use with existing products, with none of the Comparative Examples including a ridge as described above. Results for the testing are shown in Table 1 below.
Referring to the results in Table 1, each of Inventive Examples 1-4 outperformed each of Comparative Examples 1-4, at least with respect to structural stability. Based on the averages calculated above, the Inventive Examples required more than three times the force to flex the blister to failure than that required for the Comparative Examples.
Secure a first blister sample in a clamping stand that has been affixed to the same surface (e.g., table) as the INSTRON® force and measurement test stand. The clamping stand must be secured to the surface such that the stand may withstand forces to be applied to the blister samples. Tooling of the clamping stand may be fitted to receive the blister sample at an end of the sample opposite to an end having a hanghole disposed therein. For example, the tooling of the clamping stand may be configured to provide a negative image of the blister sample to receive the same. The tooling of the clamping stand should secure about one-third of the length of the blister sample, leaving about two-thirds of the length, including the end with the hanghole, exposed to testing.
Once the clamping stand and blister sample have been adjusted to correspond to the height of the INSTRON® force and measurement test stand, the hanghole may be clamped to the INSTRON® test stand. While a downward force is applied to the hanghole in the present testing, the test may also be performed by applying an upward force. The same method should be used for each blister sample.
The INSTRON® PC software may be set up by arranging for a new experiment and using the appropriate fields. Next, the INSTRON® device may be activated. Ideally, the rate of pull should be adjusted to a relatively slow setting so that the blister sample may be observed to effectively identify a failure point. The failure point is the point at which any portion of the non-clamped portion of the blister sample moves from a “flex” to a “break.” That is, the non-clamped portion of the blister sample may be considered “failed” when the non-clamped portion defines an angle instead of a curve. Subsequently, a force value can be recorded as the “force to flex to failure.” The procedure may then be repeated for the remaining blister samples.
A. A package, comprising:
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.”
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 will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
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 the document shall govern.
The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art.
It should be understood that any feature and/or element of any one of the embodiments and/or examples shown and described above herein may be removed from the embodiment and/or example, replaced with a feature or element from another embodiment or example herein or replaced with an equivalent feature or element. The embodiments were chosen and described for illustration of various embodiments. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but may be employed in any number of applications and equivalent articles by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope be define by the claims appended hereto.
