PACKAGING ARRANGEMENT LEAVING A PORTION OF A PRODUCT EXPOSED FOR EXAMINATION BY POTENTIAL PURCHASERS

Abstract

A packaging arrangement configured to entrap a product while leaving a portion of the product exposed for examination by potential purchasers comprises a card defining an aperture and a retainer fixed to the card with a ring of the retainer extending through the aperture. The ring of the retainer defines a ring opening and a bore extending in a downward direction along a bore axis from the ring opening. A ring opening edge defines a ring opening plane extending in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. The ring may encircle the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in directions parallel to the ring opening plane. The upper edge of the card may be located proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the upward direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/464,790, filed Feb. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

One type of packaging used to display of items for retail sale is generally known as blister packaging. Blister packaging typically includes a blister formed of transparent thermoplastic film. The transparent blister defines a cavity configured to receive the item. The transparent blister may be fixed to a card that extends across an open end of the cavity. The card may be made of foil, film, paper, cardboard, or the like. Together, the transparent blister and the card completely enclose the product. While blister packaging provides protection to the packaged item, this type of packaging also prevents tactile examination of the packaged item. Tactile examination, i.e, the “feel” or “touch” of goods is important to many consumers. Many goods are designed and purchased to provide comfort to the user, so that the feel of the product on the user's fingertips is of paramount importance in the purchasing decision. When such products are packaged and displayed in blister packaging, many consumers are tempted to open the packaging in order to touch the product before purchasing it. When one consumer opens blister packaging in order to tactilely examine an item, it is typically obvious to subsequent consumers that the packaging has been opened. In the case of personal care items, it may be particularly difficult or impossible to sell opened items to subsequent consumers. Economic waste is created when opened items cannot be sold and must be discarded (e.g., thrown in the trash). It would be desirable to avoid such economic waste by providing a product packaging and/or display arrangement that would allow consumers to touch the product. These packaging arrangements would also be desirable to consumers because it would allow them to touch the product before purchasing it.

SUMMARY

A packaging arrangement configured to entrap a product while leaving a portion of the product exposed for examination by potential purchasers comprises a card defining an aperture and a retainer fixed to the card with a ring of the retainer extending through the aperture. The ring of the retainer defines a ring opening and a bore extending in a downward direction along a bore axis from the ring opening. A ring opening edge defines a ring opening plane extending in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. The ring may encircle the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in directions parallel to the ring opening plane. The aperture defined by the card is defined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edge extending between the port edge and the starboard edge. The upper edge may be located proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the upward direction. The ring may include comprises a shelf portion including an upward facing surface that contacts a downward facing surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the downward direction.

A forward portion of the ring extends through a front panel cutout and a rearward portion of the ring extends through a rear panel cutout. The front panel cutout and the rear panel cutout cooperate to define the aperture of the card. In embodiments, the aperture defined by the card is defined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edge extending between the port edge and the starboard edge.

In embodiments, the packaging arrangement comprises a card including a front panel and a rear panel connected at a fold, the fold extending along a fold line. The fold line may comprise a localized area of weakness such as, by way of example and not limitation, a score cut, a line of perforation cuts, a crease, and the like. In embodiments, the aperture extends in a downward direction through the fold.

In embodiments, a retainer of the packaging arrangement comprises an upper ring, a lower ring, a starboard bridge, and a port bridge both connecting the upper and lower rings. The upper ring of the retainer is separated from the lower ring by a separation distance so that a portion of the product extending between the upper ring and the lower ring is exposed for examination by potential purchasers. The starboard bridge has a lower end fixed to the lower ring, an upper end fixed to the upper ring and an intermediate portion extending between the lower end and the upper end. The retainer is positioned relative to the card so that the intermediate portion of the starboard bridge extends between the front panel and the rear panel as the starboard bridge extends between the upper ring and the lower ring. The port bridge has a first end fixed to the lower ring, a second end fixed to the upper ring and an intermediate part extending between the first end and the second end. The retainer is positioned relative to the card so that the intermediate part of the port bridge extends between the front panel and the rear panel as the port bridge extends between the upper ring and the lower ring.

The rings of the retainer extend through the aperture defined by the card while the bridges of the retainer extend between the front panel and the rear panel. A forward portion of the upper ring extends through the front panel cutout and a rearward portion of the upper ring extends through the rear panel cutout. The upper ring defines an upper ring opening and a lumen extending in a downward direction along a lumen axis from the upper ring opening. An upper ring opening edge defines an upper ring opening plane. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring opening plane extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring encircles the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in directions parallel to the upper ring opening plane.

The lower ring of the retainer defines a lower ring opening and a bore extending in a downward direction along a bore axis from the lower ring opening. A lower ring opening edge defines a lower ring opening plane. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring opening plane extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring encircles the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in directions parallel to the lower ring opening plane.

In embodiments, the front panel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The rear panel comprises an inner face and an outer face in one or more embodiments. The front panel and a rear panel meet at a fold. A starboard bridge and a port bridge of the retainer may be trapped between the front panel and the rear panel when the card is in a folded configuration. The inner surface of the front panel may be fixed to the inner face of the rear panel by a suitable adhesive in one or more embodiments.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that displays an item, such as a lip balm applicator, in an attractive way, and at the same time permits tactile examination of the item by the consumer prior to sale.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that minimizes the shelf space occupied by items, for example by hanging the items from rods, hooks, and the like.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that reduces the need or desire of the consumer to remove the packaging and/or display arrangement in order to examine the retail item—in other words, the consumer will preferably be able to make a decision whether to purchase the item without disturbing the packaging and/or display arrangement.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that can be easily removed from the packaged item by the consumer after he or she has purchased the item.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that entraps the product and eliminates any need or desire to apply adhesive to the product.

A feature and benefit of embodiments is a packaging arrangement that can be easily removed from the packaged item without causing damage to the packaged item. In particular, the packaging arrangement does not require adhesive material to be peeled off of the product.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a product and a packaging arrangement configured to entrap the product while, at the same time, leaving a portion of the product exposed for examination by potential purchasers;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view further illustrating the product and the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 1. The packaging arrangement includes a retainer and a card.

FIG. 2B is an additional perspective view further illustrating the product and the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 2A. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, upper and lower rings of the retainer are shown disposed about the product and the retainer is shown contacting a back panel of the card.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 1. The packaging arrangement includes a retainer and a card. The card comprises a front panel and a back panel that meet at a fold. A starboard bridge and a port bridge of the retainer may be trapped between the front panel and the rear panel when the card is in a folded configuration.

FIG. 3B is an additional perspective view further illustrating the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 3A with the front panel and rear panel area joined with the starboard bridge and the port bridge of the retainer captured between.

FIGS. 4A through 4F form a sequence of simplified perspective views illustrating an example assembly process for a packaging arrangement and a product.

FIGS. 5A through 5F form a sequence of simplified side views further illustrating the example assembly process shown in FIGS. 4A through 4F. The side views of FIGS. 5A through 5F correspond to the perspective views of FIGS. 4A through 4F, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a retainer in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 7A is a front view of a retainer in accordance with an embodiment described in the detailed description.

FIG. 7B is a right side view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a top view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a rear view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is a left side view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7F is a bottom view of the retainer shown in FIG. 7A. FIGS. 7A through 7F may be collectively referred to as FIG. 7.

FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view further illustrating the product and the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The packaging arrangement includes a retainer and a card.

FIG. 8B is an additional perspective view further illustrating the product and the packaging arrangement shown in FIG. 8A. In the embodiment of FIG. 8B, upper and lower rings of the retainer are shown disposed about the product and the retainer is shown contacting a back panel of the card.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a retainer in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a retainer in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view showing an example product comprising a lip balm applicator.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view further illustrating the lip balm applicator shown in FIG. 11A.

While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a packaging arrangement 100 is configured to capture a product 102 while, at the same time, leaving an exposed portion 104 of the product 102 exposed for examination and touching by potential purchasers. The product may be, for example, a container of lip balm, lip stick, deodorant, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-3B the packaging arrangement 100 comprises a card 106 including a front panel 120 and a rear panel 122 connected at a fold 124. In embodiments, the fold 124 extends along a fold line 126. In embodiments, the front panel 120 defines a front panel cutout 128 and the rear panel 122 defines a rear panel cutout 130. In embodiments, the front panel cutout 128 and the rear panel cutout 130 cooperate to define an aperture 132 of the card 106, the aperture 132 extending in a downward direction through the fold 124.

Referring to FIG. 6 a retainer 108 of the packaging arrangement 100 comprises an upper ring 134, a lower ring 136, a starboard bridge 138, and a port bridge 140. The upper ring 134 is separated from the lower ring 136 by a separation distance so that a portion of the product 102 extending between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136 is exposed for examination by potential purchasers. The starboard bridge 138 has a lower end 142 fixed to the lower ring 136, an upper end 144 fixed to the upper ring 134 and an intermediate portion 146 extending between the lower end 142 and the upper end 144.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-6, the retainer 108 is positioned relative to the card 106 so that the intermediate portion 146 of the starboard bridge 138 extends between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 as the starboard bridge 138 extends between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136. The port bridge 140 has a first end 148 fixed to the lower ring 136, a second end 150 fixed to the upper ring 134 and an intermediate part 152 extending between the first end 148 and the second end 150. The retainer 108 is positioned relative to the card 106 so that the intermediate part 152 of the port bridge 140 extends between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 as the port bridge 140 extends between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136.

The rings of the retainer 108 extend through the aperture 132 defined by the card 106 while the bridges of the retainer 108 extend between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122. A forward portion of the upper ring 134 extends through the front panel cutout 128 and a rearward portion of the upper ring 134 extends through the rear panel cutout 130. The upper ring 134 defines an upper ring opening 162 and a lumen 164 extending in a downward direction along a lumen axis 166 from the upper ring opening 162. The portion of the upper ring 134 that defines the upper ring opening 162 also defines an upper ring opening plane 168. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring opening plane 168 extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring 134 encircles the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product 102 in directions parallel to the upper ring opening plane.

The lower ring 136 of the retainer 108 defines a lower ring opening 170 and a bore 172 extending in a downward direction along a bore axis 174 from the lower ring opening 170. The portion of the lower ring that defines the lower ring opening 170 also defines a lower ring opening plane. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring opening plane 176 extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring encircles the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product 102 in directions parallel to the lower ring opening plane 176. A forward portion of the lower ring 136 extends through the front panel cutout 128 and a rearward portion of the lower ring 136 extends through the rear panel cutout 130.

In one or more embodiments, the front panel 120 comprises an inner surface 186 and an outer surface 188. The rear panel 122 comprises an inner face 196 and an outer face 198 in one or more embodiments. The front panel 120 and a rear panel 122 meet at a fold 124. A starboard bridge 138 and a port bridge 140 of the retainer may be trapped between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 when the card 106 is in a folded configuration. The inner surface 186 of the front panel 120 may be fixed to the inner face 196 of the rear panel 122 by a suitable adhesive in one or more embodiments.

In one or more embodiments, the starboard bridge 138 of the retainer 108 has a lower end 142 fixed to the lower ring 136, an upper end 144 fixed to the upper ring 134 and an intermediate portion 146 extending between the lower end 142 and the upper end 144. In one or more embodiments, the retainer is positioned so that the upper ring and the lower ring both extend through the aperture 132, and the intermediate portion 146 of the starboard bridge 138 extends between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 as the starboard bridge 138 extends between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136.

In one or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 of the retainer 108 has a first end 148 fixed to the lower ring 136, a second end 150 fixed to the upper ring 134 and an intermediate part 152 extending between the first end 148 and the second end 150. In one or more embodiments, the retainer 108 is positioned so that the intermediate part 152 of the port bridge 140 extends between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 as the port bridge 140 extends between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7F, in one or more embodiments, the upper ring 134 defines an upper ring opening 162 and a lumen 164 extending in a downward direction along a lumen axis 166 from the upper ring opening 162. An upper opening edge defines an upper ring opening plane 168. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring opening plane 168 extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or more embodiments, the upper ring encircles the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product 102 in directions parallel to the upper ring opening plane.

In one or more embodiments, the lower ring 136 defines a lower ring opening 170 and a bore 172 extending in a downward direction along a bore axis 174 from the lower ring opening 170. A lower ring opening edge defines a lower ring opening plane 176. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring opening plane 176 extends in forward, backward, portward, and starboardly directions. In one or more embodiments, the lower ring 136 encircles the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product 102 in directions parallel to the lower ring opening plane.

In one or more embodiments, the aperture 132 defined by the card 106 is defined by a port edge 192, a starboard edge 190, and an upper edge 154 extending between the port edge 192 and the starboard edge 190. In one or more embodiments, the upper edge 154 is located proximate an upper surface 156 of the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product 102 in the upward direction. In one or more embodiments, the ring comprises a shelf portion 158 including an upward facing surface 160. In one or more embodiments, the upward facing surface 160 of the shelf portion 158 contacts a downward facing surface of the product 102 so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product 102 in the downward direction.

Referring to 8A-10, in one or more embodiments, the starboard bridge 138 comprises an upper portion 202, a lower portion 204 and an intermediate portion 146 extending between the upper portion 202 and the lower portion 204. In one or more embodiments, the upper portion 202 extends in the starboard direction away from the upper ring 134 and the lower portion 204 extending in the starboard direction away from the lower ring 136. In one or more embodiments, the intermediate portion 146 extends from the upper portion 202 to the lower portion 204. In one or more embodiments, the starboard bridge 138 comprises an upper elbow portion 206 disposed between the upper portion 202 and the intermediate portion 146 and a lower elbow portion 208 disposed between the lower portion 204 and the intermediate portion 146.

In one or more embodiments, the starboard bridge 138 of the retainer 108 comprises a first protrusion 178, the first protrusion 178 extends rearwardly beyond a rearward facing surface of the starboard bridge 138 and the rear panel 122 of the card 106 defines a first hole 182. In one or more embodiments, the first protrusion 178 extends into the first hole 182 when the packaging arrangement 100 is in an assembled state. In one or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 of the retainer 108 comprises a second protrusion 180, the second protrusion 180 extending rearwardly beyond a rearward facing surface of the port bridge 140. In one or more embodiments, the second protrusion 180 extends into the second hole 184 when the packaging arrangement 100 is in an assembled state.

In one or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 comprises an upper part 222, a lower part 224 and an intermediate part 152 extending between the upper part 222 and the lower part 224. In one or more embodiments, the upper part extends in the port direction away from the upper ring 134 and the lower part 224 extends in the port direction away from the lower ring 136. In one or more embodiments, the intermediate part 152 extends in the downward direction from the upper part 222 to the lower part 224 and extends in the upward direction from the lower part 224 to the upper part 222. In one or more embodiments, the port bridge 140 comprises an upper elbow part 226 disposed between the upper part 222 and the intermediate part 152 and a lower elbow part 228 disposed between the lower part 224 and the intermediate part 152.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-5F, a method of packaging and/or displaying a product 102 comprises providing a retainer 108 including an upper ring 134, a lower ring 136, a starboard bridge 138, and a port bridge 140. The upper ring 134 being separated from the lower ring 136 by a separation distance so that an exposed portion 104 of the product 102 located between the upper ring 134 and the lower ring 136 is exposed for examination by potential purchasers. The method may include inserting a lower end of the product 102 through a lumen 164 defined by the upper ring 134 and into a bore 172 defined by the lower ring 136. The method may include providing a card 106 comprising a front panel 120 and a rear panel 122 connected at a fold line 126. The method may include folding the card 106 at the fold line 126 and positioning the bridges of the retainer 108 between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122 so that the bridges are trapped between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 122.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view showing an example product 102 comprising a lip balm applicator 230. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view further illustrating the lip balm applicator 230 shown in FIG. 11A. The lip balm applicator 230 comprises a product body 232 and a cap 234. The product body 232 comprises a base portion 236 and an overmold portion 238. In one or more embodiments, the base portion 236 of the product body and the overmold portion 238 of the product body 232 are formed using a two shot injection molding process. In one or more embodiments, the base portion 236 comprises a first thermoplastic material and the overmold portion 238 comprising a second thermoplastic material different from the first thermoplastic material. In one or more embodiments, the first thermoplastic material is more rigid than the second thermoplastic material. In one or more embodiments, the base portion 236 has a base surface, the overmold portion 238 has an overmold surface, and the base surface is smoother than the overmold surface. In the embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B, the lip balm applicator 230 comprises lip balm 240 and an internal member 242.

The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,268, U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,731, U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,333, U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,415, U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,471, U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,115, U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,267, U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,405, U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,480, U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,146, U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,786, U.S. Pat. No. 9,327,891, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,346,597. The above references to U.S. patents in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B).

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, an upward direction U and a downward direction D are illustrated using arrows labeled “U” and “D.” A forward direction F and a rearward direction R are illustrated using arrows labeled “F” and “R,” respectively. A starboard direction S and a port direction P are illustrated using arrows labeled “S” and “P,” respectively. The directions illustrated using these arrows may be conceptualized, by way of example and not limitation, from the point of view of a potential purchaser who is viewing a product packaging/display arrangement. The directions illustrated using these arrows are applicable to the apparatus shown and discussed throughout this application. The port direction may also be referred to as the portward direction.

It will be appreciated that direction indicating terms may be related to the instant orientation of the object being described. It will also be appreciated that the objects described herein may assume various orientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of this detailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicating terms such as “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forwardly,” “backwardly,” “portwardly,” and “starboardly,” should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention recited in the attached claims. Various direction-indicating terms may be used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shown in the figures.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-10, a Y-axis generally extends in the upward direction U and the downward or lower direction D and an X-axis generally extends in the starboard direction S and the port direction P. A Z-axis generally extends in the forward direction F and the rearward direction R. In one or more embodiments, the X, Y and Z axes are mutually orthogonal axes. The X-axis is generally orthogonal to an YZ plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis. The Y-axis is generally orthogonal to an XZ plane defined by the X-axis and the Z-axis. The Z-axis is generally orthogonal to an XY plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis.

In one or more embodiments, the upward direction is generally opposite the downward direction. In one or more embodiments, the upward direction and the downward direction are both generally orthogonal to an XZ plane defined by the forward direction and the starboard direction. In one or more embodiments, the forward direction is generally opposite the rearward direction. In one or more embodiments, the forward direction and the rearward direction are both generally orthogonal to a XY plane defined by the upward direction and the starboard direction. In one or more embodiments, the starboard direction is generally opposite the port direction. In one or more embodiments, starboard direction and the port direction are both generally orthogonal to a YZ plane defined by the upward direction and the forward direction. Various direction-indicating terms are used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shown in the figures.

The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In combination:

a product for dispensing lip balm, the product comprising a product body, the product body comprising a base portion and an overmolded portion, the base portion comprising a first thermoplastic material and the overmolded portion comprising a second thermoplastic material different from the first thermoplastic material, the first thermoplastic material being more rigid than the second thermoplastic material, the base portion having a base surface and the overmolded portion having a overmolded surface, the base surface being smoother than the overmolded surface; and

an insert and a card that cooperate to entrap the product and having a portion of the product exposed for touch examination by potential purchasers, the card defining an aperture and the retainer being fixed to the card with a ring of the retainer extending through the aperture;

wherein the ring of the retainer defining an upper ring opening and a lumen extending downward from the upper ring opening along a lumen axis, the ring encircling the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product transverse to the lumen axis;

the aperture of the card being at least partially defined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edge extending between the port edge and the starboard edge, the upper edge being located proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the upward direction.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the ring comprises a shelf portion, the shelf portion comprising an upward facing surface, the upward facing surface of the shelf portion contacting a downward facing surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the downward direction.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

a horizontal axis extends in the portward and starboardly directions, the portward direction being opposite the starboardly direction;

a longitudinal axis extends in the forward and rearward directions, the forward direction being opposite the rearward direction;

the lumen axis is orthogonal to a plane defined by the horizontal axis and the longitudinal axis;

the longitudinal axis is orthogonal to a plane defined by the horizontal axis and the lumen axis; and

the horizontal axis is orthogonal to a plane defined by the lumen axis and the longitudinal axis.

4. A lipstick, lip gloss, or lip balm dispenser in combination with a card and a retainer, the combination having a portion of the product exposed for touch examination by potential purchasers;

the card comprising a front panel and a rear panel connected at a fold, the fold extending along a fold line, the front panel defining a front panel cutout, the rear panel defining a rear panel cutout, the front panel cutout and the rear panel cutout cooperating to define an aperture of the card;

the retainer comprising an upper ring, a lower ring and a bridge extending therebetween, the upper ring being separated from the lower ring by a separation distance so that a portion of the product extending between the upper ring and the lower ring is exposed for examination by potential purchasers;

the bridge of the retainer having a first end fixed to the lower ring, a second end fixed to the upper ring and an intermediate part extending between the first end and the second end, the retainer being positioned so that the intermediate part of the bridge extends between the front panel and the rear panel and between the upper ring and the lower ring;

the upper ring defining an upper ring opening, the upper ring encircling the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product;

the lower ring defining a lower ring opening, the lower ring encircling the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein a forward portion of each ring extends through the front panel cutout and a rearward portion of each ring extends through the back panel cutout.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein:

the front panel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface:

the rear panel comprises an inner face and an outer face; and

the inner surface of the front panel is fixed to the inner face of the rear panel by an adhesive with the bridges of the retainer trapped between the front panel and the rear panel.

7-10. (canceled)

11. The combination of claim 4 wherein the aperture of the card is defined by a port edge, a starboard edge, and an upper edge extending between the port edge and the starboard edge, the upper edge being located proximate an upper surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the upward direction.

12. The combination of claim 4 wherein the lower ring comprises a shelf portion, the shelf portion comprising an upward facing surface, the upward facing surface of the shelf portion contacting a downward facing surface of the product so as to limit or prevent translational movement of the product in the downward direction.

13-20. (canceled)

21. A packaged lip product dispenser, the packaged lip product dispenser comprising a dispenser and packaging for securing the dispenser and providing touch access to the exterior of the dispenser,

the dispenser comprising a housing that is of an elongate shape, having an exterior surface, and that contains a lip product, the housing being openable for allowing dispensing of the lip product,

the packaging comprising a card and a transparent retainer secured in the card, the card comprising a pair panels in a parallel confronting engagement, the pair of panels defining an aperture, the retainer secured in the aperture, the retainer having exposed portions that are form fit to the lip product and unitary securement portions that are generally flat and are sandwiched between the pair of panels, the retainer securing the housing positioned in the aperture, the retainer having open areas allowing access to the exterior surface of the housing,

22. The packaged lip product dispenser of claim 21 wherein the dispenser is captured within a containment defined by the retainer and at least one edge of the cardboard panels.

23. The packaged lip product dispenser of claim 21 wherein the dispenser is captured within a containment defined exclusively by the retainer and edges of the cardboard panels.

24. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the pair of panels connect at a hinge portion.

25. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the retainer is formed of a polymer and is injection molded.

26. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the retainer is vacuum formed from softened polymer sheets.

27. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein each of the panels is formed of cardboard.

28. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the housing has an exterior layer that is softer than an inner portion of the housing.

29. The packaged product of claim 28 wherein the retainer comprises a pair of ring portions, a lower ring portion for engaging a bottom portion of the dispenser and an upper ring portion for engaging a non-bottom portion of the dispenser.

30. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the card has two pairs of opposing edges and the aperture is spaced from the two pairs of opposing edges.

31. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the card has two pairs of opposing edges and the aperture extends from one of the edges.

32. The packaged product of claim 21 wherein the lip product is one of lipstick, lip balm, or lip gloss.