PROTECTIVE RAZOR PACKAGE

A package includes a first member and a second member. The second member and the first member define a first cavity. A periphery of the first member is joined to a periphery of the second member to define a sealed portion, such that respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperate to define an outer edge of the sealed portion. The second member includes a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge. The ridge includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a rim. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member and are connected by the rim. At least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.

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Description
FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to packaging for personal care products with enhanced structural support for providing an improved product display.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Personal care articles such as shaving razors and tooth brushes are typically sold in clear plastic product packages containing one or a plurality of product units. These plastic packages are commonly referred to as blister packages and conventionally include a transparent plastic blister with a sheet or card material inside the package or as an outer seal which may add rigidity to the package and facilitate suspension of the package from a hanger of a point-of-sale display. The sheet or card material will usually be printed with appropriate data concerning the product within the pack. The pack is typically configured so that on the point-of-sale display the blister is at the front so that the contents within the blister are clearly visible to the customer, and the card is usually provided with tear perforations to provide access to the contents within the package.

Typically, individual product packages are received from a manufacturer in shipping containers where several individual product packages are contained loosely therein and/or where individual product packages are stacked upon one another. These product packages must then be removed from the shipping container by a retail employee and mounted to the hanger of a point-of-sale display. Subsequently, consumers may remove the product packages from the hanger and remount thereto upon considering the product for purchase. Thus, the product package is typically jostled during its shipment, mounting to the point-of-sale display, and consumer handling which may affect the orientation of the product within the package.

What is desired is a product package that can provide protection against drops, load compression, vibration, and other types of jostling that can lead to package failure. What is further desired is a product package that can provide such protection while providing design elements that can improve consumer recognition of products and/or product features contained therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, a package includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a front surface and a rear surface, and the first member is substantially planar. The second member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the rear surface of the first member define a first cavity. A periphery of the inner surface of the second member is joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion. Respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperate to define an outer edge of the sealed portion. The second member includes a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge. The ridge includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a rim. The rim connects at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member. At least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.

In accordance with another embodiment, a razor package includes a first member, a second member, and a razor. The first member includes a front surface and a rear surface, and the first member being substantially planar. The second member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the rear surface of the first member define a first cavity. A periphery of the inner surface of the second member is joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion. Respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperate to define an outer edge of the sealed portion. At least a portion of the razor is contained within the first cavity. The second member includes a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge. The ridge includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a rim. The rim connects the inner wall to the outer wall. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member. At least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a razor package includes a card, a thermoplastic member, and a razor. The card includes a front surface and a rear surface. The card is substantially planar and substantially rectangular. The thermoplastic member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface and the rear surface of the card define a first cavity and a second cavity. A periphery of the inner surface is joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the card to define a sealed portion. Respective perimeters of the card and the thermoplastic member cooperate to define an outer edge of the sealed portion. The sealed portion includes an inner edge. The inner edge defines an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion. At least a portion of the razor is contained within the first cavity. The thermoplastic member includes a continuous, multi-level ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity and the second cavity while remaining inward of the sealed portion. The ridge includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a rim. The rim connects at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall. Both the inner wall and the outer wall extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the card. At least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a package, displaying a front surface of a first member, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded, isometric view of the package of FIG. 1, including a first member and a second member;

FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional of the package of FIG. 1, along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional of the package of FIG. 1, along line 5-5;

FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of a package, including a razor, according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 7 depicts an isometric view of a package, including stacking and denesting lugs, according to yet another embodiment.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following text sets forth a broad description of numerous different embodiments. The description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible, and it will be understood that any feature, characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein can be deleted, combined with or substituted for, in whole or part, any other feature, characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this specification using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). No term is intended to be essential unless so stated. To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such a claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph.

Protective razor packages described herein, which may include types of blister packages, may provide desirable benefits for vendors and consumers alike. For example, while conventional blister packages may include rigid elements that facilitate suspension of the package from a hanger, the protective razor packages described herein may include a ridge to provide improved stability. Protective razor packages may further include one or more cavities that contribute to improved stability. Such additional stability and protection may benefit vendors by decreasing the likelihood that package contents will become damaged or that damaged packing will discourage potential consumers from purchasing the product contained therein. Likewise, consumers may benefit from having improved stability and protection of the packages from the point-of-sale display until actual use of the product contained therein.

Further, the protective razor packages, as described herein, may employ a transparent blister on a rear of the package to provide for additional space on the front of the package to communicate product information. That is, with the display of package contents being limited to a rearward-facing blister, for example, the front of the package may offer greater flexibility for brand management and engaging consumers. As such, a vendor may experience an improved ability to communicate a desired message to a consumer, while a consumer may experience an improved recognition of products and/or product features contained within the package.

Referring to FIG. 1, a package 10 is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, a package 10 includes a first member 12 having a front surface 14. In certain embodiments, the front surface 14 of the first member 12 may display product graphics and/or information 15 thereon, including but not limited to branding, product title, advertising, product instructions, advertising claims, product claims, product comparisons, and/or any other graphics, information, text, etc., as desired. The product graphics and/or information 15, shown schematically in FIG. 1, may be positioned anywhere on the front surface 14 and cover any portion of this surface. In such embodiments, the front surface 14 of the first member 12 may be a portion of the package 10 that is immediately visible to a consumer, for example, from a hanging display. In certain embodiments, the first member 12 can be substantially planar. While the first member 12 is shown in FIG. 1 to be substantially rectangular, it will be appreciated that a first member may take the form of any of a variety of suitable shapes, including, for example, the shape of the product contained within the package. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a first member may be a card formed of cardboard, paper, or any of a variety of suitable materials. In certain embodiments, a thickness of the first member 12 may be from about 0.012 inches to about 0.030 inches; from about 0.014 inches to about 0.022 inches; or in some examples, about 0.016 inches.

The package 10 may further include a second member 18. The second member 18 may be a thermoformed plastic blister, and in certain embodiments, the second member may be transparent to display package contents. However, like the first member 12, a second member may be formed of any of a variety of suitable materials. For example, the second member may be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-GAG), recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET), layered PETG and RPET, and other combinations thereof. In such embodiments where the second member is formed from layered PETG and RPET, the second member may include from about 10% to about 20% of PETG, by weight of the second member, and from about 80% to about 90%, by weight of the second member, of RPET. The second member 18 may include an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22, and in certain embodiments, a thickness of the second member 18 may be from about 0.012 inches to about 0.030 inches; from about 0.015 inches to about 0.022 inches; or in some examples, about 0.0175 inches.

In certain embodiments, and as suggested by the exploded view of FIG. 2, for example, a periphery of the inner surface 20 of the second member 18 may be joined to a periphery of a rear surface 16 of the first member 12. The joined peripheries of each of the inner surface 20 of the second member 18 and the rear surface 16 of the first member 12 define a sealed portion 24, which is best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. In certain embodiments, the sealed portion 24 may provide the only contact between the first member 12 and the second member 18. Respective perimeters of the first member 12 and the second member 18 may cooperate to define an outer edge 26 of the sealed portion 24. As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer edge 26 may be substantially rectangular. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, a process for manufacturing such packages can include joining multiple first members to second members to form an array of connected packages prior to an edge cut. In such embodiments, an edge cut may ensure a “clean” outer edge, such that respective perimeters of a first member and a second member substantially align with each other.

In certain embodiments, the sealed portion 24 may further include an inner edge 42. The inner edge 42 may define an aperture 44, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, where the aperture 44 may be fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion 24. In some embodiments, the aperture 44 may be disposed in the seal portion along an upper portion of the package. In such embodiments, the aperture 44 may be common to both the first member 12 and the second member 18. As described above for an outer edge, it will be appreciated that a “clean” inner edge may be provided by cutting or stamping a sealed portion such that respective edges of a first member and a second member substantially align with each other. In some embodiments, the aperture 44 can facilitate mounting of the package to a hanging display.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear surface 16 of the first member 12 and the inner surface 20 of the second member 18 may cooperate to define a first cavity 28. In certain embodiments, the first cavity 28 can be configured to receive a personal care article (e.g., razor, toothbrush). In certain embodiments, and as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear surface 16 of the first member 12 and the inner surface 20 of the second member 18 may cooperate to define a second cavity 30 and a third cavity 32. In certain embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first cavity 28 may be contiguous with the second cavity 30. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first cavity 28 may be contiguous with the third cavity 32. However, while the embodiment of FIG. 3 is shown to include the first cavity 28, the second cavity 30, and the third cavity 32 in the above-described configuration, it will be appreciated that a package can include any suitable number of cavities in any of a variety of suitable configurations.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the second member 18 may include a ridge 34. In certain embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 3, the ridge 34 may at least partially circumscribe the first cavity 28, the second cavity 30, and the third cavity 32 while remaining inward of the outer edge 26, with “inward” referring to a direction inbound from the outer edge 26 and, generally, toward a center of the package 10. In certain embodiments, the ridge 34 may be continuous and extend substantially along and/or adjacent to the outer edge 26 of the package 10, just inward of the sealed portion 24. In certain embodiments, the ridge 34 may be substantially parallel to the outer edge 26. And as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, extension of the ridge 34 along the outer edge 26 may be interrupted only by the aperture 44. In such embodiments, the ridge 34 may extend from a first side 60 of the inner edge 42 to a second side 62 of the inner edge 42. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the ridge may extend fully along an outer edge of a package, fully circumscribing one or more of the cavities (e.g., the first, second, and/or third cavities). In some embodiments, the ridge may comprise a plurality of ridges extending partially or fully along an outer edge of a package to partially or fully circumscribe one or more of the cavities (e.g., the first, second, and/or third cavities).

In some embodiments, the ridge 34 extends generally away from and substantially perpendicularly to a surface of the first member 18. Also, in this example, the ridge 34 extends rearward from and substantially perpendicularly to a surface, opposite the inner surface 20, of the first member 18. In some embodiments, the ridge may provide several benefits to the package. For example, the ridge may provide increased stability of the package by increasing a force required to bend or flex the package. Such additional stability may, for example, provide resistance to, for example, rotational or lateral forces applied to the package. Secondly, the ridge may, for example, act as a dampening spring. That is, the ridge may absorb compression forces, such as those resulting from package drops, load compressions, and vibrations, any of which could otherwise lead to package failure.

In certain embodiments, and as best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the ridge 34 may include a multi-level depth over the length thereof. In such embodiments, the ridge 34 may include an inner wall 36, an outer wall 38, and a rim 40, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In certain embodiments, both of the inner wall 36 and the outer wall 38 extend rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member 12. In such embodiments, the inner wall 36 and the outer wall 38 are connected by the rim 40, and over a length of the ridge 34, at least a portion of the rim 40 is substantially parallel to the first member 12. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, at least a portion of the outer wall 38 may substantially abut the sealed portion 24. In certain embodiments, and as best shown in FIG. 4, at least a portion of the rim 40, over the length of the ridge 34, may connect a rear portion 46 of the outer wall 38 to a rear portion 48 of the inner wall 36. In certain embodiments, and as best shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the rim 40, over the length of the ridge 34, may connect a rear portion 46 of the outer wall 38 to a front portion 50 of the inner wall 36. And as shown in FIG. 5, for example, at least a portion of the inner wall 36 may define at least a portion of the second cavity 30. While the rim 40 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to be substantially flat, it will be appreciated that at least a portion of the rim can be rounded or any of a variety of suitable configurations.

As shown in FIG. 6, a razor package 110 may include a razor 152, which may be contained within a first cavity 128. In certain embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 6, the razor 152 may include a head unit 154 and a handle 156, which is attachable to the head unit 154. The first cavity 128 may be shaped to receive the head unit 154 and at least a portion of the handle 156. In such embodiments, a second cavity 130 may also contain at least a portion of the handle 156. In alternative embodiments, however, the first cavity 128 may be shaped to receive the razor 152 in its entirety. In certain embodiments, additional devices (e.g., blades or blade cartridges, or other cartridges) may be contained in a third cavity 132, as shown in FIG. 6. The second cavity 130 may further contain a display card (not shown), which may include additional product information thereon. In certain embodiments, a height of the second cavity 130 may be about one-third of a height of the package 110, and the second cavity may be included in a lower portion of the second member 118. While the second cavity (30, 130) shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 is shown to have a substantially rectangular-prismatic shape, it will be appreciated that a second cavity, or any other cavity, may take the form of any of a variety of suitable shapes.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, the outer surface 222 of the second member 218 of the package 210 may include stacking and denesting lugs 264, 266. In FIG. 7, for example, the ridge 234 is shown to include male stacking and denesting lugs 264, which may be integrated into and extend from the inner wall 236, and female stacking and denesting lugs 266, which may be integrated into and defined by the outer wall 238. In certain embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 7, at least a portion of a male stacking and denesting lug 264 may extend from the rim 240. In certain embodiments, the ridge 234 may include two or more stacking and denesting lugs 264, 266 on each of three sides. However, while FIG. 7 depicts one exemplary embodiment, it will be appreciated that male stacking and denesting lugs may be included on an outer wall, female stacking and denesting lugs may be included on an inner wall, and either type of stacking and denesting lugs may be integrated into a ridge in any of a variety of suitable configurations, such as any configuration to permit stacked parts from nesting (i.e., denesting).

Stacking and denesting lugs may facilitate creation of a platform to allow functional stacking such that purchased parts (e.g., second members) may be used with high reliability in manufacturing. For example, positioning of the stacking and denesting lugs may be changed from part to part to substantially prevent stacked parts from nesting. In certain embodiments, nesting may be substantially prevented where a wall depth is greater than an interference point of two or more stacked parts. In such embodiments, the interference point may be determined by geometry, draft angle, and/or material thickness. In certain embodiments, for example, the interference point may be from about 6 mm to about 7 mm.

Inventive Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-4 were prepared and subsequently tested using an INSTRON® force and measurement test stand according to the procedure described below. Each of Inventive Examples 1-4 were prepared with a ridge and at least a first cavity and a second cavity, with the second cavity included in a lower portion of a second member, as described above. Each of the Comparative Examples 1-4 was a blister package currently in use with existing products, with none of the Comparative Examples including a ridge as described above. Results for the testing are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Testing of Force Required for Blister Failure Force Required to Flex to Example Failure (N) Inventive Example 1 12.75 Inventive Example 2 11.06 Inventive Example 3 11.63 Inventive Example 4 13.24 Average 12.17 Comparative Example 1 4.76 Comparative Example 2 3.48 Comparative Example 3 3.72 Comparative Example 4 2.94 Average 3.73

Referring to the results in Table 1, each of Inventive Examples 1-4 outperformed each of Comparative Examples 1-4, at least with respect to structural stability. Based on the averages calculated above, the Inventive Examples required more than three times the force to flex the blister to failure than that required for the Comparative Examples.

Procedure for Test of Force Required to Flex Razor Package Blister to Failure

Secure a first blister sample in a clamping stand that has been affixed to the same surface (e.g., table) as the INSTRON® force and measurement test stand. The clamping stand must be secured to the surface such that the stand may withstand forces to be applied to the blister samples. Tooling of the clamping stand may be fitted to receive the blister sample at an end of the sample opposite to an end having a hanghole disposed therein. For example, the tooling of the clamping stand may be configured to provide a negative image of the blister sample to receive the same. The tooling of the clamping stand should secure about one-third of the length of the blister sample, leaving about two-thirds of the length, including the end with the hanghole, exposed to testing.

Once the clamping stand and blister sample have been adjusted to correspond to the height of the INSTRON® force and measurement test stand, the hanghole may be clamped to the INSTRON® test stand. While a downward force is applied to the hanghole in the present testing, the test may also be performed by applying an upward force. The same method should be used for each blister sample.

The INSTRON® PC software may be set up by arranging for a new experiment and using the appropriate fields. Next, the INSTRON® device may be activated. Ideally, the rate of pull should be adjusted to a relatively slow setting so that the blister sample may be observed to effectively identify a failure point. The failure point is the point at which any portion of the non-clamped portion of the blister sample moves from a “flex” to a “break.” That is, the non-clamped portion of the blister sample may be considered “failed” when the non-clamped portion defines an angle instead of a curve. Subsequently, a force value can be recorded as the “force to flex to failure.” The procedure may then be repeated for the remaining blister samples.

Examples

A. A package, comprising:

    • a. a first member having a front surface and a rear surface, the first member being substantially planar; and
    • b. a second member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the rear surface of the first member defining a first cavity, a periphery of the inner surface of the second member being joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion, and respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperating to define an outer edge of the sealed portion;
    • c. wherein the second member comprises a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge, the ridge comprising:
      • i. an inner wall;
      • ii. an outer wall; and
      • iii. a rim connecting at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall, both the inner wall and the outer wall extending rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.
        B. A package according to paragraph A, wherein the rear surface of the first member and the inner surface of the second member further define a second cavity, and wherein the second cavity is at least partially circumscribed by the ridge.
        C. A package according to paragraph B, wherein the rear surface of the first member and the inner surface of the second member further define a third cavity, and wherein the third cavity is at least partially circumscribed by the ridge.
        D. A package according to any one of paragraphs B-C, wherein the first cavity is contiguous with the second cavity.
        E. A package according to any one of paragraphs B-D, wherein at least a portion of the inner wall of the ridge defines at least a portion of the second cavity.
        F. A package according to any one of paragraphs B-E, wherein a height of the second cavity is about one-third of a height of the package.
        G. A package according to any one of paragraphs A-F, wherein the sealed portion comprises an inner edge, the inner edge defining an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion disposed along an upper portion of the package.
        H. A package according to paragraphs G, wherein the outer wall of the ridge substantially abuts the sealed portion, over the length of the ridge.
        I. A package according to paragraphs H, wherein the ridge extends about the package from a first side of the inner edge to a second side of the inner edge.
        J. A package according to any one of paragraphs A-I, wherein the outer edge is substantially rectangular.
        K. A package according to any one of paragraphs A-J, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over the length of the ridge, connects a rear portion of the outer wall to a rear portion of the inner wall.
        L. A package according to any one of paragraphs A-K, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over the length of the ridge, connects a rear portion of the outer wall to a front portion of the inner wall.
        M. A razor package, comprising:
    • a. a first member having a front surface and a rear surface, the first member being substantially planar;
    • b. a second member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the rear surface of the first member defining a first cavity, a periphery of the inner surface of the second member being joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion, and respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperating to define an outer edge of the sealed portion; and
    • c. a razor, at least a portion of the razor being contained within the first cavity;
    • d. wherein the second member comprises a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge, the ridge comprising:
      • i. an inner wall;
      • ii. an outer wall; and
      • iii. a rim connecting the inner wall to the outer wall, both the inner wall and the outer wall extending rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.
        N. A package according to paragraphs M, wherein the razor comprises a head unit and a handle, and wherein the first cavity is shaped to receive the head unit and at least a portion of the handle.
        O. A package according to paragraph N, wherein the rear surface of the first member and the inner surface of the second member further define a second cavity, the second cavity having a substantially rectangular-prismatic shape.
        P. A package according to paragraph O, wherein the first cavity is contiguous with the second cavity, the second cavity containing at least a portion of the handle of the razor.
        Q. A package according to any one of paragraphs M-P, wherein the sealed portion comprises an inner edge, the inner edge defining an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion.
        R. A package according to paragraph Q, wherein the outer wall of the ridge substantially abuts the sealed portion, over the length of the ridge.
        S. A package according to paragraph R, wherein the ridge extends from a first side of the inner edge to a second side of the inner edge.
        T. A razor package, comprising:
    • a. a card having a front surface and a rear surface, the card being substantially planar and substantially rectangular;
    • b. a thermoplastic member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the rear surface of the card defining a first cavity and a second cavity, a periphery of the inner surface being joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the card to define a sealed portion, respective perimeters of the card and the thermoplastic member cooperating to define an outer edge of the sealed portion, and the sealed portion comprising an inner edge, the inner edge defining an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion; and
    • c. a razor, at least a portion of the razor being contained within the first cavity;
    • d. wherein the thermoplastic member comprises a continuous, multi-level ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity and the second cavity while remaining inward of the sealed portion, the ridge comprising:
      • i. an inner wall;
      • ii. an outer wall; and
      • iii. a rim connecting at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall, both the inner wall and the outer wall extending rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the card, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the card.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

Every document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in the document shall govern.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art.

It should be understood that any feature and/or element of any one of the embodiments and/or examples shown and described above herein may be removed from the embodiment and/or example, replaced with a feature or element from another embodiment or example herein or replaced with an equivalent feature or element. The embodiments were chosen and described for illustration of various embodiments. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but may be employed in any number of applications and equivalent articles by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope be define by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A package, comprising:

a first member having a front surface and a rear surface, the first member being substantially planar; and
a second member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the rear surface of the first member defining a first cavity, a periphery of the inner surface of the second member being joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion, and respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperating to define an outer edge of the sealed portion;
wherein the second member comprises a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge, the ridge comprising:
an inner wall; an outer wall; and a rim connecting at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall, both the inner wall and the outer wall extending rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of the first member and the inner surface of the second member further define a second cavity, and wherein the second cavity is at least partially circumscribed by the ridge.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the rear surface of the first member and the inner surface of the second member further define a third cavity, and wherein the third cavity is at least partially circumscribed by the ridge.

4. The package of claim 2, wherein the first cavity is contiguous with the second cavity.

5. The package of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the inner wall of the ridge defines at least a portion of the second cavity.

6. The package of claim 2, wherein a height of the second cavity is about one-third of a height of the package.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealed portion comprises an inner edge, the inner edge defining an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion disposed along an upper portion of the package.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein the outer wall of the ridge substantially abuts the sealed portion, over the length of the ridge.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the ridge extends about the package from a first side of the inner edge to a second side of the inner edge.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein the outer edge is substantially rectangular.

11. The package of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over the length of the ridge, connects a rear portion of the outer wall to a rear portion of the inner wall.

12. The package of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over the length of the ridge, connects a rear portion of the outer wall to a front portion of the inner wall.

13. A razor package, comprising:

a first member having a front surface and a rear surface, the first member being substantially planar;
a second member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the rear surface of the first member defining a first cavity, a periphery of the inner surface of the second member being joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the first member to define a sealed portion, and respective perimeters of the first member and the second member cooperating to define an outer edge of the sealed portion; and
a razor, at least a portion of the razor being contained within the first cavity;
wherein the second member comprises a ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity while remaining inward of the outer edge, the ridge comprising: an inner wall; an outer wall; and a rim connecting the inner wall to the outer wall, both the inner wall and the outer wall extending rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the first member, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the first member.

14. The razor package of claim 13, wherein the razor comprises a head unit and a handle, and wherein the first cavity is shaped to receive the head unit and at least a portion of the handle.

15. The razor package of claim 14, wherein the rear surface of the first member and the inner surface of the second member further define a second cavity, the second cavity having a substantially rectangular-prismatic shape.

16. The razor package of claim 15, wherein the first cavity is contiguous with the second cavity, the second cavity containing at least a portion of the handle of the razor.

17. The razor package of claim 13, wherein the sealed portion comprises an inner edge, the inner edge defining an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion.

18. The razor package of claim 17, wherein the outer wall of the ridge substantially abuts the sealed portion, over the length of the ridge.

19. The razor package of claim 18, wherein the ridge extends from a first side of the inner edge to a second side of the inner edge.

20. A razor package, comprising:

a card having a front surface and a rear surface, the card being substantially planar and substantially rectangular;
a thermoplastic member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the rear surface of the card defining a first cavity and a second cavity, a periphery of the inner surface being joined to a periphery of the rear surface of the card to define a sealed portion, respective perimeters of the card and the thermoplastic member cooperating to define an outer edge of the sealed portion, and the sealed portion comprising an inner edge, the inner edge defining an aperture fully circumscribed within a portion of the sealed portion; and
a razor, at least a portion of the razor being contained within the first cavity;
wherein the thermoplastic member comprises a continuous, multi-level ridge at least partially circumscribing the first cavity and the second cavity while remaining inward of the sealed portion, the ridge comprising: an inner wall; an outer wall; and a rim connecting at least a portion of the inner wall and outer wall, both the inner wall and the outer wall extending rearward from and substantially perpendicularly relative to the card, wherein at least a portion of the rim, over a length of the ridge, is substantially parallel to the card.
Patent History
Publication number: 20170367457
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 27, 2016
Publication Date: Dec 28, 2017
Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Greene (Milton, MA), Angel Nafarrete Barrozo (Medford, MA), Brian Michael Guerette (Belmont, MA)
Application Number: 15/193,745
Classifications
International Classification: A45D 27/22 (20060101); B65D 75/36 (20060101); B65D 75/56 (20060101);