PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCT
The present invention provides for a packaging system having an insert, preferably for securing a personal care product, wherein the insert is inserted into an outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has a window on the front side biased toward the top of the front side to maximize a continuous area for messaging in the non-window portion of the front side. The is particularly advantageous in a trapezoidal profiled packaging systems to maximize the continuous area for messaging.
The present invention is directed to a packaging system for a personal care product having an outer sleeve with a window and an insert, capable of securing the personal product, inserted within the outer sleeve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPackaging systems containing an outer sleeve, and an insert securing a personal care product that is inserted into an outer sleeve, are generally well known.
Personal care products are typically contained in a primary package. For example, a toothpaste composition is typically contained in a squeezable tube as the primary package. The secondary package can be an outer sleeve made from paperboard. For example, the tube of tooth paste is typically contained in an outer sleeve that is a rectangle box. This does not allow a shopper to see the primary package contained therein. Furthermore, this type of packaging system generally fails to connote a premium experience to the user.
The use of windows in secondary packaging are generally known and do provide an improved experience since the shopper views the product, in its primary package, through the window. The use of an insert secures the product so it does not move within the outer sleeve. However, many of these secondary packaging executions will have an insert that has a first shelf and second shelf that secures the primary package of the personal care package near the top and bottom of the primary package, respectively, such that the window of the outer sleeve is generally placed in the middle of the package so to conceal viewing the shelves of the insert (thereby highlighting the contained product). However, when the window is placed in the middle it divides the non-window portions such that there is a limited continuous area for messaging (such as graphics, brand names, advertising etc.). As such, the arrangement fails to provide a large continuous area for messaging to shopper, which is otherwise more impactful than the same area divided into two (particularly in a retail store environment with many products competing for a shopper's attention). Accordingly, there is a need for a packaging system wherein the insert can secure the personal care product while allowing for a relatively large window in the outer sleeve that is biased toward the top of the front side of the outer sleeve of the packaging system to allow for better graphic/messaging in the non-window portion (biased toward the bottom of the front side) that would otherwise be disrupted by a centrally located window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention attempts to address one or more of these needs.
One aspect of the invention provides for a packaging system for a personal care product comprising an insert, capable of securing at least a first personal care product, inserted into an outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has a maximum height. The insert comprises: a first horizontal shelf located at from 30% to 60% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve; a second horizontal shelf, in a plane parallel to the first horizontal shelf, located from 5% to less than 30% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve; and a front vertical wall, and back vertical wall opposing the front vertical wall. The first horizontal shelf and the second horizontal shelf each connect between the front vertical wall and the back vertical wall. The first horizontal shelf and the second horizontal shelf each have at least a first through hole and a second through hole, respectively. The first and second through holes are configured to secure a first personal care product therethrough. The outer sleeve comprising a window occupying at least a portion of a front side of the outer sleeve located at from 30% to 100% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve. The front vertical wall of the insert is adjacent the front side of the outer sleeve.
Another aspect provides for a manufacturing method in making the said packaging system, wherein the insert is inserted through a bottom side of the outer sleeve and the top side of the outer sleeve is openable by the user.
One advantage of an example of the present invention is the packaging system, given the window is biased toward the top of the system, enables a shopper to view the middle portion as well as the upper or lower portion of the product (depending how the product is secured). This is particularly advantageous when the product (secured in the upright position) has a dispenser that is viewable by the shopper. Another example is where two or more personal care products (e.g., as part of a product regimen) are contained within the packaging system, wherein one product is secured in the upright position and the second product is secured in the downright position (e.g., shampoo and conditioner). In this example, the shopper will quickly realize that the contained products are part of a regimen versus a multi-pack (i.e., two more of the same product). This is particularly advantageous when the overall packaging system has a trapezoidal profile (i.e., the bottom side surface area is larger than the top side surface area).
Another advantage of an example of the present invention is the packaging system enables, during the manufacturing process, bottom side entry of the outer sleeve of the insert (and secured products), especially when the sides of the outer sleeve are angled in (e.g., when the outer sleeve has a trapezoidal profile). This allows the user to remove the secured product from the packaging system from the top side of the packaging system (thereby leaving the outer sleeve and insert behind).
Another advantage of an example of the present invention is an insert that secures the personal care product with improved integrity to withstand the manufacturing stresses (especially large volume, high speed processing) or transportation stresses (especially e-commerce). This contrasts with some inserts which overly rely on the product itself (i.e., primary package) for structural support.
Another advantage of an example of the present invention is a packaging system that has an overall trapezoidal profile, given the wider base (relative to the top), has greater stability, especially for those examples having two or more secured personal care products.
Another advantage of an example of the present invention is a packaging system that connotes a premium product where user will consider keeping the packaging system in their bathroom during the product's life span (versus discarding the packaging after initial opening it).
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art from the detailed description which follows.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly defining and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of the accompanying figures.
As used herein, the articles including “a”, “an”, and “the” are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described.
As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include”, “includes”, “including”, “contain”, “contains”, and “containing” are meant to be non-limiting, i.e., other steps and other sections which do not affect the end of result can be added. The above terms encompass the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.
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The outer sleeve (5) has a maximum height (which is also the total maximum height of the packaging system (1) overall, and thus used herein interchangeably), wherein the maximum height is from 6 cm to 40 cm, preferably from 8 cm to 30 cm, more preferably from 10 cm to 20 cm, alternatively about 15 cm. For purposes of clarification, 0% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve (5) (or packaging system (1)) is located at the bottom side (7) of the outer sleeve (5) whereas 100% of the maximum height is located at the top side (7) of the outer sleeve (5) (or packaging system (1)). The maximum length of the outer sleeve (5) is (which is also the maximum length of the packaging system (1) overall), measured along the length of the bottom side (7), is from 6 cm to 40 cm, preferably from 8 cm to 30 cm, more preferably from 10 cm to 20 cm, alternatively about 15 cm. The maximum width of the outer sleeve (5) is (which is also the total width of the packaging system (1) overall), is from 2 cm to 12 cm, preferably from 3 cm to 10 cm, more preferably from 4 cm to 7 cm, alternatively about 5 cm. The interior volume of the outer sleeve (5) (without contents) is from 200 cm3 to 5,000 cm3, preferably 500 cm3 to 3,000 cm3, more preferably 800 cm3 to 1,500 cm3, alternatively about 1,150 cm3.
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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 and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, 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.
Claims
1. A packaging system for a personal care product comprising:
- an insert, capable of securing at least a first personal care product, inserted into an outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve has a maximum height;
- wherein the insert comprises: a first horizontal shelf located at from 30% to 60% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve; a second horizontal shelf, in a plane parallel to the first horizontal shelf, located from 5% to less than 30% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve; a front vertical wall, and back vertical wall opposing the front vertical wall, wherein the first horizontal shelf and the second horizontal shelf each connect between the front vertical wall and the back vertical wall, wherein the first horizontal shelf and the second horizontal shelf each have at least a first through hole and a second through hole, respectively, wherein the first and second through holes are configured to secure a first personal care product therethrough;
- wherein the outer sleeve comprises a window occupying at least a portion of a front side of the outer sleeve located at from 30% to 100% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve, and wherein the front vertical wall of the insert is adjacent the front side of the outer sleeve.
2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal shelf is located 40% to 60% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve; and the second horizontal shelf is located from 10% to 25% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve.
3. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein there is no additional horizontal shelf greater than the height of the first horizontal shelf.
4. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein there is no additional horizontal shelf greater than the height of the first horizontal shelf.
5. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises a bottom horizontal shelf from 0% to less than 5% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve.
6. The packaging system of claim 4, wherein the insert further comprises a bottom horizontal shelf from 0% to less than 5% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve.
7. The packaging system of claim 1, the top side planar area is from 30% to 99% of the bottom side planar area.
8. The packaging system of claim 6, the top side planar area is from 30% to 99% of the bottom side planar area.
9. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the window occupies an area of the front side of the outer sleeve located from 33% to 99%, of the maximum height of the outer sleeve.
10. The packaging system of claim 8, wherein the window does not occupy an area of the front side of the outer sleeve located below 33% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve.
11. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising the first personal care product, wherein the first and second through holes secure the first personal care product.
12. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein the first personal care product is secured vertically, and the first personal care product is an oral care product.
13. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the window occupies from 20% to 60%, of the total planar area of the front side.
14. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal shelf further comprises a third through-hole and the second horizontal shelf further comprises a fourth through-hole, wherein the third through-hole and the fourth through-hole are each configured to secure a second personal care product therethrough.
15. The packaging system of claim 14, further comprising a second personal care product, wherein the third and fourth through-holes secure the second personal care product.
16. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising a second personal care product.
17. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the back vertical wall extends at or greater than 95% of maximum height of the outer sleeve; and the front vertical wall does not extend above the first horizontal shelf.
18. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises at least a first side flap is essentially orthogonal to the first horizontal shelf, a second side flap that is also essentially orthogonal to the first horizontal shelf, and wherein the second side flap is essentially opposing the first side flap; wherein a first line of hingeability separates the first side flap from the first horizontal shelf; and a second line of hingeability separates the second side flap from the first horizontal shelf.
19. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the window of the front side of the outer sleeve extends from at a height equivalent to the height of the first horizontal shelf to less than 80% to 95% of the maximum height of the outer sleeve.
20. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the window continuously extends to at least a portion of left and right sides of the outer sleeve.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 6, 2019
Publication Date: Jul 9, 2020
Inventors: Martin Jay MAROTTI (Carmel, IN), Andrew Martin Joseph GAUVIN (Pittsford)
Application Number: 16/676,080