Powered Oral Care Device Package
A packaging system for a powered oral care device is disclosed. The packaging system includes a first module having at least one powered oral care accessory contained within an interior space of the first module; a second module having a powered oral care device contained within an interior space of the second module, the powered oral care device including a handle section and a cleaning section coupled to the handle section; and a container encompassing the first module and the second module, wherein the container includes two or more windows through which the powered oral care device is visible to a consumer. The packaging system has a height of not more than about 255 mm and a tip angle of about 9 degrees or higher.
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The present disclosure relates to packaging of powered oral care devices and more particularly modular packaging of powered oral care devices having two or more windows for viewing the devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere exist a number of toothbrushes currently available for consumer purchase. For manual toothbrushes, typically, these types of brushes are packaged in a blister package which consists of a clear blister attached to a cardboard back card. The clear blister allows the consumer to see at least one side of the manual toothbrush prior to purchase. Generally, these blister packages are either provided in a tray or on a hanger.
The packaging for powered oral care devices vary. For example, some powered oral care devices are provided in a “clam-shell” package which includes a front clear blister and a back clear blister attached to one another. The clam shell blister allows the user to see the majority of the device. The powered oral care devices provided in this type of package are generally compact and with the exception of powered operation, offer little other functionality to the consumer. Clam-shell packages suffer from at least two negatives: (1) clam-shell packages lack a flat base, meaning the package cannot stably rest on a store shelf without tipping over, and therefore must be hung from a shelf wall; and (2) clam-shell packages are formed from two opposing panels of rigid plastic that are sealed together, making the package difficult for a consumer to open.
In contrast to the clam-shell package, some powered oral care devices are provided in a box. Typically, powered oral care devices which offer to the consumer varied functionality are packaged in boxes. These devices are often not very compact and because of height restrictions on store shelves, may not be able to be shown to the consumer in a state where the power handle is attached to a refill. Because the handle and the refill are not able to be coupled together, typically, the box does not include a window by which the consumer can visualize the handle connected to the refill. Instead, artwork on the outside of the box is utilized to provide the visual perception of the handle connected to the refill.
As such, there is a need for a package which allows the complete powered oral care device, i.e. handle coupled to refill, to be seen from multiple sides while protecting the product within the package. What is also needed is a packaging system that can use interchangeable modules for different product and accessory combinations, and wherein the product can be displayed to a consumer using a modular package that is easy to access and can stably set on a store shelf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, a packaging system for a powered oral care device is provided. The packaging system includes a first module having at least one powered oral care accessory contained within an interior space of the first module; a second module having a powered oral care device contained within an interior space of the second module, the powered oral care device including a handle section and a cleaning section coupled to the handle section; and a container encompassing the first module and the second module, wherein the container includes two or more windows through which the powered oral care device is visible to a consumer. The packaging system has a height of not more than about 255 mm and a tip angle of about 9 degrees or higher.
A packaging system in accordance with the present disclosure includes two or more individual modules enclosed within a container, such as a box or a sleeve, with at least one of the modules being formed from a transparent or translucent material, at least in part, thereby allowing a consumer to visually perceive a packaged oral care product. The modular packages are displayed at the point of sale, such as store shelves or pictured on the internet. The individual modules that make up a packaging system can be in the form of a box and can be in any configuration, for example, modules can be stacked, with one on top of the other within one modular package, but when assembled within the container will have a substantially uniform height. A modular package may even contain two or more modules stacked together, adjacent to a single module having substantially the same height as the height of the stacked modules.
Additionally, the packages described herein may be utilized for powered oral care products, manual oral care products, oral care product consumable, for example, dentifrice, gels, powders, rinse, floss, personal hygiene devices, personal hygiene consumables, rinses, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, the like, and/or combinations thereof. However, for convenience, the discussion below will focus on a personal hygiene device, for example, powered oral care products.
As shown in
The electric drive in the handle section 12 imparts a motion to the mechanical linkages in the handle section 12. It may, for example, impart a rotary, oscillating, or rotary and oscillating motion to the mechanical linkages. The mechanical linkages in the handle section 12 are in turn coupled to additional mechanical linkages in the cleaning section 220, via a coupling member or the like. A suitable motor and mechanical linkage transmission system is disclosed for example in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0307591 to Farrell et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Movement of the combined mechanical linkages imparts a desired motion to a cleaning head portion 222 of the cleaning section 220 such that the cleaning head portion 222, or any component thereof, is caused to have a desired cleaning motion. Many different kinds of cleaning motions, including rotary, oscillating, vertical and/or horizontal sweeping and the like, may be used. Generally, as used herein, cleaning motion describes any desired or effective movement of the cleaning elements or bristles relative to other components in the toothbrush 10 to affect cleaning. Handle sections 12 and mechanical linkages are well known to the skilled artisan. The cleaning section 220 may be configured for use with such existing handle sections or may be configured with new handle section types, as the case may be. The cleaning section 220, may be replaceable and capable of being push-fitted onto the handle section 12. The cleaning section 220 includes an elongated housing or neck portion 225 extending along a longitudinal axis 200 and a cleaning head portion for insertion into the oral cavity. The longitudinal axis 200 may coincide with a longitudinal section of a drive shaft member of the mechanical linkages. At a handle end 228, the elongated housing 225 may include a profile ring having an inside contour complementary with an outside contour of the handle section 12. In this manner, the cleaning section 220 can be push-fitted onto the handle section 12 in a manner preventing relative rotation of the cleaning section 220 with respect to the handle section 12. A tab/slot, key/spline or other similar structure may be included in the corresponding contour surfaces to facilitate alignment of the cleaning section 220 with the handle section 12 and to further prevent relative rotation between the two. The cleaning head portion 222 is mounted such that it can in operation be driven into a rotation or oscillating rotation around a rotation axis when the cleaning section 220 is attached to the handle 12. Alternatively, the elongated housing 225 may be integrally formed with the handle section 12.
The illustrated cleaning head portion 222 has a substantially circular shape, although it may alternatively have a generally elliptical, rectangular, oblong, oval or other suitable shape. In some embodiments, the cleaning head portion 222 includes a carrier 226 which supports a plurality of contact elements 224 that are mounted to the carrier 226. Any suitable method of mounting the contact elements 224 to the carrier 226 may be used. For example, where the contact elements 224 comprise a plurality of bristles, methods such as hot tufting, gluing, stapling, and the like, may be utilized. As another example, where the contact elements 224 comprise a plurality of elastomeric elements, methods such as gluing, snap-fitting, welding, molding, etc. may be utilized.
The term “contact elements” is used to refer to any suitable element which can be inserted into the oral cavity. Some suitable elements include bristle tufts, elastomeric massage elements, elastomeric cleaning elements, massage elements, tongue cleaners, soft tissue cleaners, hard surface cleaners, combinations thereof, and the like. The contact elements 224 may comprise a wide variety of materials and may have a number of different configurations. Any suitable material and/or any suitable configuration may be utilized. For example, in some embodiments, the contact elements 224 may comprise tufts. The tufts may comprise a plurality of individual filaments which are securely attached to a cleaning element carrier. Such filaments may be polymeric and may include polyamide or polyester. The longitudinal and cross sectional dimensions of the filaments and the profile of the filament ends can vary. Additionally, the stiffness, resiliency and shape of the filament end can vary. Some examples of suitable dimensions include a length between about 3 centimeters to about 6 centimeters, or any individual number within the range. Additionally, the filaments may include a substantially uniform cross-sectional dimension of between about 100 to about 350 microns, or any individual number within the range. The tips of the filaments may be any suitable shape, examples of which include a smooth tip, a rounded tip, tapered and a pointed tip. In some embodiments, the filaments may include a dye which indicates wear of the filaments as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,255. Other suitable examples of filaments are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,840. In some embodiments, the contact element fields may comprise fins as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,604, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0177462; 2005/0235439; and 2005/0060822. In some embodiments, the contact element fields may comprise a combination of fins and tufts.
In one embodiment, the head may comprise a variety of contact elements. For example, the cleaning head portion 222 may comprise bristles, abrasive elastomeric elements, elastomeric elements in a particular orientation or arrangement, e.g. pivoting fins, prophy cups, or the like. Some suitable examples of elastomeric cleaning elements and/or massaging elements are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0251040; 2004/0154112; 2006/0272112; and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,553,604; 6,151,745. The cleaning elements may be tapered, notched, crimped, dimpled, or the like. Some suitable examples of these cleaning elements and/or massaging elements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,151,745; 6,058,541; 5,268,005; 5,313,909; 4,802,255; 6,018,840; 5,836,769; 5,722,106; 6,475,553; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0080794.
The cleaning head portion 222 may comprise a soft tissue cleanser constructed of any suitable material. The soft tissue cleanser may comprise any suitable soft tissue cleansing elements. Some examples of such elements as well as configurations of soft tissues cleansers on a toothbrush are described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0010628; 2005/0166344; 2005/0210612; 2006/0195995; 2008/0189888; 2006/0052806; 2004/0255416; 2005/0000049; 2005/0038461; 2004/0134007; 2006/0026784; 20070049956; 2008/0244849; 2005/0000043; 2007/140959; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,980,542; 6,402,768; and 6,102,923.
For those embodiments which include an elastomeric element on a first side of the head and an elastomeric element on a second side of the head (opposite the first), the elastomeric elements may be integrally formed via channels or gaps which extend through the material of the head. These channels or gaps can allow elastomeric material to flow through the head during an injection molding process such that both the elastomeric elements of the first side and the second side may be formed in one injection molding step.
With reference back to
The containers encompassing modules may be produced from blanks, for example a sleeve blank as shown in
In addition, in certain embodiments, as shown in
In certain embodiments a container, such as a sleeve or box may have dimensions of from about 250-260 mm in height, about 100-230 mm in width, and from about 50-230 mm in depth; in other embodiments a sleeve may have dimensions of from about 250-260 mm in height, about 100-180 mm in width, and from about 50-170 mm in depth. Typically because of height restrictions on store shelves, a container may have dimensions of from about 250 mm to about 258 mm in height; and in another embodiment from about 250 mm to about 255 mm in height. Due to a combination of shelf height limits imposed by retailers and the use of bulky materials such as EPS, powered oral care devices are typically packaged with the cleaning section separate and decoupled from the handle section.
As shown in
In addition to a container, as shown in
A modular packaging system may include a container, a first module containing at least one powered oral care accessory, and a second module containing a powered oral care device, wherein both modules when combined substantially fill the inner volume of the container. This type of arrangement allows great flexibility, in that providing the modules have dimensions allowing them to fill the container in combination with other modules; modules can be freely exchanged to produce a modular package. Further, containers having the same or similar inner volume can be exchanged in a modular package providing great packaging diversity. For example, a module containing a powered toothbrush may be coupled with modules containing different loads of powered toothbrush accessories, provided that the modules have volumes that can fit into a container with the powered toothbrush module to produce a modular package. In another example modular packages can use multiple containers having the same or similar inner volume.
The individual modules can be arranged in any manner-stacked, side-by-side, or any combination thereof providing the modules fit within the inner dimension of the container. The modules when finally assembled within the container should fill up most if not all of the inner space of a container, such that there is substantial contact between the outer surfaces of the modules and the inner space surface of the container—further the module height (either alone or stacked) should be substantially the same height of the container. However, in certain embodiments a sleeve height may be less than the module height. In addition as the individual module openings are covered by the container, the sleeve prevents the modules from being opened. In certain embodiments the average module height may be within about 2 cm of the container height in which the modules will be contained, in other embodiments 1 cm, in still other embodiments 0.5 cm. The individual modules contained within a container forming a modular package may have varying dimensions or the modules could have substantially similar dimensions.
A module of the present invention may be formed from a one-piece blank fabricated from paperboard, corrugated cardboard, or any other foldable sheet material. As shown in
It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom” and “side” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: in certain embodiments hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.
In certain embodiments the top panel 12 and second side panel 16 may form a closeable lid, which may include a first and second closure panel 26, 28, but which in certain embodiment one or both of the closure panels may be absent. Further, as shown in
Turning to the construction of a module 80 from a blank 10, a series of sequential folding steps, and in certain embodiments gluing operations, can be used, which can be performed in a straight line machine.
A module 80, in certain embodiments, as shown in
In certain embodiments, a module can be made of relatively stiff materials, such as, for example, cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard, chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper, card stock, fabric, ceramic, rigid foams—such expanded polystyrene, polymer, natural or synthetic fibers, webs, mesh, screen, wood, composite, mixtures or combinations thereof, or any other suitable material. Alternatively, or in addition, the module can be made of a flexible material, such as, blown or cast film in a blend of low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene, metallocenes, ethylene vinyl acetate, surlyn, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxally oriented polypropylene, nylon, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material.
In certain embodiments a first module will contain at least one powered oral care accessory and a second module will contain the powered oral care device. For example, the first module may contain powered toothbrush accessories such as instruction manual, charger, stand, travel case, brush heads, refills, refill tray, cup, instruction dvd, toothpaste, or mouth wash and the second module may contain a powered toothbrush. In addition the powered oral care accessories contained within the first module may be packaged in a manner of use according to a user's brushing regimen or routine, such that the accessories used first would be positioned above the accessories that would normally be used afterward. For example, with powered toothbrush accessories the accessories could be packaged from top to bottom of the module, representing order of use, starting with instruction manual or dvd, stand, charger, brush heads, and refills.
A module can include at least one window, such as, a region of transparency. As used herein, “transparency” means having the property of transmitting light without substantial scattering so that items lying beyond can be visible to a person. The window can include a transparent covering, such as, for example, a transparent film. In addition, or alternatively, the window can comprise an opening in the module that does not include a covering. In certain embodiments, the window can include a transparent covering that can be clear, translucent, tinted or opaque. The transparent covering can be tinted in any suitable color or combination of colors. The transparent covering can also, or alternatively, be printed or embossed. In certain embodiments, the window can be images that depict or give the perception of a window, such as, images that depict a region of transparency or an opening.
The window can be disposed on at least one side of the module, such as, the front, the back, or sides. In certain embodiments, the window can be disposed on more than one side. The window can be at any location on the side and can comprise any appropriate amount of the module side, such as, for example, from about 5% to about 95% of the side, such as, for example, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 25%, or any other amount of the side.
One of the modules may be a transparent module comprised of a transparent plastic. For example, a transparent second module may be used to contain a powered oral care device, such that the device will be visible to a consumer through the transparent module. As used herein, “transparent” means having the property of transmitting light without substantial scattering so that items lying beyond can be visible to a person. The transparent plastic material can be clear, translucent, tinted or opaque. The transparent module can be tinted in any suitable color or combination of colors. The transparent module can also, or alternatively, be printed, embossed, or both. The transparent module can be formed of a plastic sheet material of sufficient thickness to be relatively rigid and self-supporting, as contrasted with the films employed in skin packaging. Although by no means intended as limiting, ordinarily such materials would have a minimum thickness of from 5 to 6 mils, although it may be possible in some applications to use even thinner sheets. Suitable plastics may be selected, for example, from among polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butene, and butadiene, polystyrenes, acetates, butyrates, propionates and vinyls, as well as others. If desired for added rigidity, the plastic sheet material may be ribbed or otherwise configured.
Embodiments are contemplated where a transparent second module may be utilized as a traveling case for a powered oral care device. In such embodiments, the transparent module may include a relesable snap feature, magnets, or a strap.
ExamplesThe following Examples provide a comparison between oral care device packages that are commercially available in the United States to oral care device packages having optimized parameters according to the present disclosure.
Example 1 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by Cosmic Smile under the trademark COSMICSMILE SONIC TOOTHBRUSH (UPC #3621172929).
Example 2 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by DentistRx under the trademark DENTIST RX INTELISONIC (S/N: C01757236).
Example 3 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by Water Pik, Inc. under the trademark WATERPIK SENSONIC PROFESSIONAL (Model SR-1000W; UPC #7395027823).
Example 4 is a commercially available O/R toothbrush sold by The Procter and Gamble Company under the trademark ORAL B PROFESSIONAL CARE 9400 TRIUMPH (UPC #6905583799).
Example 5 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by The Procter and Gamble Company under the trademark ORAL B PULSONIC (UPC #69055853464).
Examples 6 and 7 are embodiments of powered oral care devices in accordance with the present disclosure.
Test MethodsThe test method and apparatus described below may be useful in testing embodiments of the present disclosure:
Tip AngleThe Tip Angle of a packaging system is determined as follows:
Equipment
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- Tilting Platform made out of 3/16″ aluminum, measuring 9″×15″.
- Sand paper covering the surface of the tilting platform to prevent slipping prior to the system tipping.
- Sensor (available from Micro Switch, model #PC11-AG1) positioned so that the platform stops when the packaging system begins to tip over. The sensor is used to stop the tilting platform once the packaging system has tipped over.
- Measuring stick mounted to the side of the tilting platform calibrated to measure the angle of the platform at the point where the packaging system tips over.
- Motor (model #2Z797 available from Dayton Gearmotor) used to move the tilting platform up and down.
- Differential (model # PCB.260.90V.T available from Electroid) used to convert the rotational power from the motor into a lifting power that will push the tilting table up and down.
- A package having at least two modules according to the present disclosure.
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- Place a modular packaging system on the tilting platform.
- Check the measuring stick to confirm that the tilting platform is at the 0 degrees position.
- Set the motor speed control to 1 degree per second rise of the platform.
- Turn the sensor on and position the packaging system so that the trailing edge of the system just interrupts the sensor. A slight “click” sound is produced when the system is positioned to interrupt the sensor.
- Turn the platform on so that the platform will rise at the preset 1 degree per second rate and will stop at the angle which the packaging system topples out of the crossbeam of the sensor.
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- Calculate and report the “Tip Angle” directly from the measuring stick.
- Return the platform to a 0 degree position.
- Report the Testing Date and Analytical Method used.
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, 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 powered oral care device comprising:
- a first module having at least one powered oral care accessory contained within an interior space of the first module;
- a second module having a powered oral care device contained within an interior space of the second module, the powered oral care device including a handle section and a cleaning section coupled to the handle section; and
- a container encompassing the first module and the second module, wherein the container includes two or more windows through which the powered oral care device is visible to a consumer;
- wherein the packaging system has a height of not more than about 255 mm and a tip angle of about 9 degrees or higher.
2. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the container is at least one of a box or a sleeve.
3. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second module dimensions are the same.
4. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein there are 3 or more modules.
5. The packaging system according to claim 2, wherein the container includes at least one of cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard, rigid foam, chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper, card stock, fabric, ceramic, polymer, natural or synthetic fibers, webs, mesh, screen, wood, or composite.
6. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the first module and second module are surrounded by a plastic film cover.
7. The packaging system according to claim 6, wherein the plastic film cover includes an opening mechanism.
8. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of the powered oral care device is visible to a consumer.
9. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one powered oral care accessory is selected from the group consisting of an instruction manual, a charger, a stand, a travel case, brush heads, refills, refill tray, cup, instruction dvd, toothpaste, and mouth wash.
10. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the powered oral care accessories contained within the first module are packaged according to order of use such that the accessories used first are positioned above the accessories that are used afterward.
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 14, 2013
Applicant: Braun GmbH (Kronberg)
Inventors: Thinh Nguyen Ha (Cincinnati, OH), Martin Jay Marotti (Carmel, IN), Hauke Schormair (Griesheim), Manfred Bruno Kobbe (Frankfurt am Main)
Application Number: 13/875,345
International Classification: A46B 15/00 (20060101);