Pouch for applying a liquid
A package for holding a product has a structure with a hollow interior that defines a volume. The interior can store the product. The structure has an exterior side with an aperture. The package has a first member connected to the exterior side for selectively closing the aperture, opening the aperture and covering the aperture. The package has a second member connected to the structure for manipulating the structure. The product is applied to a user's skin through the aperture when the first member opens the aperture. The package is disposed so that the product is applied without the product contacting the user's hands.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pouch or package for holding, and applying liquid such as a lotion. More particularly, the present invention relates to a package that holds/and is used to apply a lotion, preferably a sunscreen, without any of the lotion contacting the user's hands.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wipes for applying sunscreen are known in the art. In use, the wipe has a predetermined amount of lotion on the wipe. The wipe is made of a fabric or lotion saturated material. Wipes are stored one on top of another in a conventional jar and sealed therein with a lid. In use, the user will break the seal, remove the lid and open the jar, and remove a wipe for use.
The wipes, and the containers for the same, of the prior art are deficient in their operation. The present invention has found that through consumer testing that the users often have a detrimental experience with such wipes because of the deficiencies in application of the sunscreen. For example, the consumers often will, after applying the sunscreen lotion with the wipe, have their hands full of the sunscreen residue that leaves the consumer's hands uncomfortable. Another example is that each wipe will not have enough sunscreen lotion to complete the application. This results in the user having to use multiple wipes. This resulting wipe after application of the sunscreen leaves the consumer with a partially used wipe that still has an amount of sunscreen lotion thereon. This partially used wipe will be discarded without using all of the sunscreen once the application process has ended. Another deficiency is that the user will have to discard the used wipe(s), which takes time and energy especially in the instance on a beach or at a pool. The user unwilling to place the moist wipe in a bag or purse with the unused sunscreen thereon, will have to walk a predetermined distance to appropriately place the discarded wipe in the trash.
Bottles having sunscreen lotion therein are also known. Again like the wipe, consumers often will have a sunscreen residue, after applying the sunscreen lotion with their hands, that leaves the consumer's hands oily and uncomfortable.
Accordingly, there is a need for a package that eliminates one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a package for a lotion that does not render the user's hands oily and uncomfortable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package for a lotion that allows the user to only extract a precise amount of lotion.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a package for a sunscreen lotion that does not waste any sunscreen lotion.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pouch that is visually appealing.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package for a sunscreen lotion that has an interior for storing the sunscreen lotion and an exterior with an aperture that can be selectively covered or exposed by a member that can be easily and quickly manufactured in a cost effective manner.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a package with a wicking layer in the package with the wicking layer being adjacent to a sunscreen lotion.
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a pouch with a wicking layer that is exposed and applies a sunscreen lotion to a user's skin, preferably with a handle.
It is a yet still further object of the present invention to provide a pouch with a wicking layer that is exposed and applies a sunscreen lotion to a user's skin with a member that can selectively cover the exposed wicking layer.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a pouch with a wicking layer that is exposed and applies a sunscreen lotion to a user's skin with the pouch having a looped handle that is on an opposite side of the pouch to prevent any sunscreen lotion from contacting the user's hands.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a pouch with an adequate amount of sunscreen lotion for a single use.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a package according to the present invention. The package has a structure with an interior and a volume in the interior for storing a liquid product therein. The structure has an exterior side with an aperture thereon. The package has a first member connected to an exterior side of the package for selectively closing and selectively opening the aperture, and has a second member connected to the structure with the second member manipulating the structure when the aperture is in an opened position. The product is applied to a user's skin through the aperture when the first member opens the aperture, and is applied without any product contacting the user's hands.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to
Most preferably, the liquid product is a liquid sunscreen as is known in the art. However, the product may be a lotion, a cream, Vaseline, a gel, a hair care product, a medicine, aloe, vitamin based compositions including vitamin E based compositions, cortisone, or any other liquid or semi-liquid composition, that is dispensed to a consumer. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the package 10 is altered depending on one or more properties of the contents such as a viscosity of the contents.
The consumer may at the same time (1) hold the package 10 and (2) apply the product in the package on to the user's skin. This is advantageous, as the user's hands remain clean instead of depositing the product on the user's hand then applying the product to the user's skin. Also, the package 10 is capable of being resealed, to allow the user to use a predetermined amount of the product, and then save the remainder of the product for future use. Further, the package 10 is compact. After use, the package 10 can be stored in a manner that will not stain items that are stored adjacent to the package thus providing an increased convenience of the user and ease of operation. The package 10 allows the product to be applied without any of the product contacting the user's hands.
Referring to the various embodiments, such as shown in
The package 10 is preferably made from a first film layer 14. The first film layer 14 is preferably a thin member and forms a portion of a structure to hold the product in an interior space 16 of the package. The first film layer 14 is preferably a polymer material, and/or a thermoplastic material. Most preferably, the first film layer 14 is a bond label film layer material. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the package could be made from any number of ultrasonically bondable films. In a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention, the package 10 has a first through fifth layers. In one embodiment, from outside to inside of the package 10, the package has a 48 ga PET layer, an adhesive layer, a 70 ga OPP layer, another adhesive layer, and about 1.5 mil Surlyn sealant layer with any of a number of ultrasonically bondable films that are known in the art.
Referring now to
The package 10 has a member 20 that is removably connected to the exterior surface 12. Preferably, the member 20 is connected to the exterior surface 12 by an adhesive or by a mechanical faster. The member 10 is preferably connected using a removable solvent acrylic adhesive. In use, the member 20 is disposed over the aperture 18 to cover the aperture. In this manner, the member 20 protects the product from contamination and exposure until the user desires the product in the interior 16. Once the user desires to use the product, the user will engage a tab 22 that is on a lateral side 24 of the member 20 and pull the member separating the first film layer 14 from the member thus exposing the aperture 18. Preferably, the member 20 is another film layer that has a complementary size to cover the aperture 18. The aperture 18 preferably has a large size while still affording an adequate sealing surface to maintain integrity of the package 10. Most preferably, the aperture 18 is made by a die cutting operation through the first film layer 14.
The member 20 may be connected in any location of the package. In this alternative, the member 20 may be connected, instead of at the edge 26 of the first film layer 14 as shown in
Referring to
In this embodiment, the package 10 has a looped handle 34 connected to the bottom side 30. Alternatively, the looped handle 34 may be on the same side as the aperture 18 or a different side. The looped handle 34 has a width that allows the user to comfortably hold the package 10 without tearing the looped handle. Also, the looped handle 34 allows the user to manipulate the package 10 without contacting the product during application thereof.
Preferably, the looped handle 34 is connected at two or more points to the bottom side 30 of the second film layer 32. The looped handle 34 is preferably a suitable film member to allow the user to manipulate the package 10. At a first edge 36 of the looped handle 34, the looped handle is connected to a first side 38 of the second film layer 32. At a second edge 40 of the looped handle 34, the looped handle is connected to a second side 42 of the second film layer 32. In this manner, a space 44 is formed between the looped handle 34 and the second film layer 32 at the bottom side 30 of the package 10. The space 44 is suitably sized to allow the user to insert his/her hand and/or finger in the space. The looped handle 34 allows for manipulation of the package 10 to transfer the product in the interior space 16 to the User's skin. The looped handle 34 is preferably notched to allow the Surlyn® adhesive on an inner surface of the film to aggregate thereon. Alternatively, the adhesive may be strong enough to allow the looped handle to bond to the package 10 without any notching operation. Preferably, the looped handle 34 is any standard film known in the art, or alternatively any stretchable film.
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It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.
Claims
1. A package for holding a product, the package comprising:
- a structure having a hollow interior that forms a volume, said interior for storing the product therein, said structure having an exterior side with an aperture thereon;
- a first member being connected to said exterior side for selectively closing and opening said aperture; and
- a second member being connected to said structure, said second member for manipulating said structure when said aperture is in an opened position,
- wherein the product is applied to a user's skin through said aperture when said first member selectively opens said aperture to the opened position, and
- wherein the product is applied without any product contacting the user's hands.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of a lotion, a sunscreen, and any combinations thereof.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein said structure is a pouch having a first side and a second side opposite said first side.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein said first side is a first film layer, and wherein said aperture is a die cut opening in said first film layer.
5. The package of claim 4, wherein said second side has a second film layer connected to said first film layer.
6. The package of claim 1, wherein said second member is a third film layer having a width less than a width of said structure, said third film layer being connected at two points on a second side of said structure for forming a strap for holding said package.
7. The package of claim 1, further comprising a layer in said interior adjacent said aperture to facilitate application of the product to the user's skin.
8. The package of claim 1, wherein said layer is a wicking layer, and the product is at least between said wicking layer and said second side of said structure.
9. The package of claim 8, wherein said layer is selected from the group consisting of a non-woven material, a non-woven substrate, and any combinations thereof.
10. The package of claim 1, wherein said layer is a non-woven substrate that has a predetermined porosity for allowing said product to traverse through said non-woven substrate in a manner, said manner depending on pressure applied to said structure.
11. A pouch for holding a lotion comprising:
- a structure being made from a plurality of layers, said structure having a hollow interior that forms a volume, said interior for storing the lotion therein, said structure having at least one of said plurality of layers being an exterior layer with an aperture thereon;
- a first member being connected to said exterior layer for selectively closing and opening said aperture, wherein at least one of said plurality of layers is in said interior and is an intermediate layer, said intermediate layer being a non-woven substrate positioned bearing a predetermined relationship to the lotion; and
- a handle being connected to said structure, said handle for manipulating said structure when said aperture is in an opened position,
- wherein the lotion is applied to a user's skin through said aperture when said first member selectively opens said aperture, and
- wherein the lotion is applied without the product contacting the user's hands holding said handle.
12. The pouch of claim 11, wherein the lotion is a sunscreen composition.
13. The pouch of claim 11, wherein said first member may seal said aperture and reseal said aperture.
14. The pouch of claim 11, wherein said plurality of layers have at least one layer that is a film layer.
15. The pouch of claim 11, further comprising a decal having an insignia positioned bearing a predetermined relationship to said exterior surface.
16. A pouch for holding a sunscreen lotion comprising:
- a package being made from a first layer connected to a second layer to form an interior with a volume, said interior for storing the sunscreen lotion therein, said package having at least one wicking layer in said interior, wherein said first layer has an aperture thereon;
- a first member being connected to said first layer over said aperture for selectively closing and opening said aperture, wherein said at least one wicking layer is adjacent to the sunscreen lotion with the sunscreen lotion being at least between said at least one wicking layer and said second layer; and
- a looped handle being connected to said second layer, said looped handle for manipulating said package when said aperture is in an opened position, wherein the sunscreen lotion is applied to a user's skin through said aperture and said sunscreen lotion does not contact said second layer when said aperture is opened or in use, wherein the sunscreen lotion is applied without any contact by the user's hands, and
- wherein said first layer is connected to said second layer in a manner selected from the group consisting of a thermal connection, an ultrasonic connection, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, and any combinations thereof.
17. The pouch of claim 16, wherein said first member has a decal thereon.
18. The pouch of claim 16, wherein said first layer and said second layer forms an envelope structure.
19. The pouch of claim 16, wherein said volume holds at least about twenty-one grams of the sunscreen lotion.
20. The pouch of claim 16, wherein said at least one wicking layer has polyester.
21. The pouch of claim 16, wherein said looped handle is bonded to the pouch, and wherein said looped handle is bonded by an adhesive.
22. A package comprising:
- a first film layer having a first lateral edge; and
- a second film layer having a second lateral edge, wherein at least one of said first lateral edge and said second lateral edge has a notch thereon, wherein said first film layer and said second film layer are connected to one another to form an interior for holding a lotion therein, said interior having a wicking layer therein, wherein the other one of said first film layer and said second film layer without said notch is pulled adjacent said notch, and wherein said wicking layer is revealed for application of said product through said wicking layer.
23. A package comprising:
- a structure having an interior therein and an aperture through at least one wall thereof;
- a layer in said interior for holding a liquid thereon;
- a member being connected to the package, said member F traversing from a first position over said aperture to a second position exposing said layer through said aperture; and
- a handle being connected to said structure in a location remote from said aperture, wherein said structure, said member, and said handle are each made from a bonding label material, wherein the package is suitable to hold a liquid therein when said member is in said first position, and wherein said layer is a non-woven substrate.
24. The package of claim 23, wherein at least one of said structure, said member, and said handle is translucent.
25. A package comprising:
- a structure having a width, a length, and a depth, wherein said depth is less than both said length and said width, said structure having an interior space therein, and an aperture through at least one wall thereof, said aperture having a treated edge;
- an absorbent layer in said interior of said structure, said absorbent layer being larger than said aperture and having a substance thereon;
- a member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end and being firmly connected at said first end to said structure and removably connected at said second opposite end, said member traversing from a first position over said aperture to a second position exposing said absorbent layer through said aperture, said member pivoting at said first end; and
- a gripping portion being connected to said structure in a location so that said substance will not contact said gripping portion, wherein said structure, said member, and said handle are each made from a bonding label material, wherein the package is suitable to hold the substance therein when said member is in said first position.
26. A package for applying a product, the package comprising:
- a first film layer having an aperture thereon;
- a second film layer being connected to said first film layer, said second film layer being connected on an opposite side of said aperture, wherein said first film layer and said second film layer fold along an axis, wherein said first film layer and said second film layer fold along said axis to prevent exposure of said aperture.
27. The package of claim 26, further comprising a product chamber between said first film layer and said second film layer.
28. The package of claim 27, further comprising a product, and a wicking layer between said product chamber and said aperture, wherein said product traverses through said wicking layer and through said aperture.
29. The package of claim 28, wherein said product is a liquid sunscreen.
30. The package of claim 26, further comprising a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion, wherein said first gripping portion and said second gripping portion move said second film layer connected to said first film layer from a folded position to a non-folded position.
31. The package of claim 30, wherein said first film layer and said second film layer are each one or more stretchable films.
32. The package of claim 31, wherein said aperture has an edge, said edge substantially encircling said aperture, and further comprising an adhesive being disposed on or adjacent to said edge for sealing the package when folded.
33. The package of claim 32, wherein said adhesive is a resealable adhesive for selectively opening and resealing said aperture.
34. A package for applying a liquid product, the package comprising:
- a first stretchable film layer having an aperture thereon, and a perimeter substantially encircling said aperture;
- a wicking layer being adjacent to said aperture;
- a product chamber being between said wicking layer and a second stretchable film layer, said product chamber having said liquid product therein, said second stretchable film layer being connected to said first stretchable film layer, said second stretchable film layer being connected on an opposite side of said aperture, wherein said first stretchable film layer and said second stretchable film layer fold along an axis from an opened position to a closed position, wherein said first stretchable film layer and said second stretchable film layer fold along said axis to prevent exposure of said aperture.
35. The package of claim 34, further comprising a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion for opening the package and revealing said wicking layer, wherein the liquid product is applied without any of the liquid product contacting a user's hands.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 10, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 13, 2006
Applicant:
Inventor: Robert Hufnagle (Troy, OH)
Application Number: 11/032,389
International Classification: B65D 85/14 (20060101);