U.S. patent application number 09/444873 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-07 for packaging for sports equipment.
Invention is credited to OHNO, TAKAHISA, SATO, NOBUHIKO.
Application Number | 20010002653 09/444873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18528985 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002653 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OHNO, TAKAHISA ; et
al. |
June 7, 2001 |
PACKAGING FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Abstract
Packaging for sports equipment has an enclosure and a hologram
formed on at least a portion thereof for diffusely reflecting
incident light. A marking layer is formed on the hologram and of an
organic ink, an inorganic ink, or an ink containing a dye or
pigment having the color attributes of lightness, saturation and
hue, at least one of which varies due to interference with
diffusely reflected light from the hologram. Alternatively, the
marking layer is formed on the first hologram by laminating one or
more second hologram layers thereon. This construction gives the
packaging a highly decorative and elegant appearance.
Inventors: |
OHNO, TAKAHISA;
(CHICHIBU-SHI, JP) ; SATO, NOBUHIKO;
(CHICHIBU-SHI, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION ZINN MACPEAK & SEAS
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE N W
WASHINGTON
DC
200373202
|
Family ID: |
18528985 |
Appl. No.: |
09/444873 |
Filed: |
November 22, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5 ;
206/315.1; 206/315.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03H 2001/261 20130101;
G03H 2001/0055 20130101; B65D 2203/02 20130101; B65D 5/4216
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.5 ;
206/315.9; 206/315.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/20; B65D
085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 1998 |
JP |
10-9207 |
Claims
1. A packaging for sports equipment, comprising an enclosure which
encloses and holds sports equipment, a hologram formed on at least
a portion of the enclosure for diffusely reflecting incident light,
and a marking layer formed on the hologram and comprising an ink
containing a dye or pigment for which at least one of the color
attributes lightness, saturation and hue varies due to interference
with the diffusely reflected light from the hologram.
2. The packaging for sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the
hologram is a rainbow hologram.
3. The packaging for sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the
sports equipment is golf or tennis equipment.
4. A packaging for sports equipment, comprising an enclosure which
encloses and holds sports equipment, a hologram formed on at least
a portion of the enclosure for diffusely reflecting incident light,
and a marking layer formed on the hologram and comprising an
organic or inorganic ink.
5. The packaging for sports equipment of claim 4, wherein the
hologram is a rainbow hologram.
6. The packaging for sports equipment of claim 4, wherein the
sports equipment is golf or tennis equipment.
7. A packaging for sports equipment, comprising an enclosure which
encloses and holds sports equipment, a first hologram formed on at
least a portion of the enclosure for diffusely reflecting incident
light, and a marking layer comprising at least one second hologram
layer laminated on the first hologram.
8. The packaging for sports equipment of claim 7, wherein the first
and second holograms are rainbow holograms.
9. The packaging for sports equipment of claim 7, wherein the
sports equipment is golf or tennis equipment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to sports equipment packaging,
particularly for golf and tennis equipment, which has a remarkably
decorative and elegant appearance.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Packaging for sports equipment, such as golf and tennis
equipment, is lacking in decorativeness and elegance. In the case
of boxes used to package golf balls, for example, the logo,
slogans, coloring, images and other material describing features of
the golf balls inside are printed over part or all of the box with
ordinary pigment inks, leaving the displayed material flat and
one-dimensional.
[0005] The application of holographic displays to the surface of
various types of packaging for decorative effects has already been
described (see, for example, Japanese U.M. Application Kokai Nos.
62-143663 and 4-2439). In most such packaging, a specular area that
regularly reflects incident light is formed within a diffuse area
that diffusely reflects incident light, causing three-dimensional
patterns to appear in the specular area as the viewing angle is
changed. This falls short of creating an attractive and elegant
appearance that draws the attention and interest of the
consumer.
[0006] Recently, there was devised a packaging for golf balls which
is colored with a pigment that exhibits colors due to an
interference effect by reflected light, giving the packaging an
appearance wherein the color tone varies with the viewing angle
(JP-A 6-183454). Yet, this too leaves something to be desired in
terms of decorativeness and elegance. A need has thus been felt for
further improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a packaging for sports equipment which is able to create a
novel appearance of outstanding attractiveness and elegance.
[0008] According to the invention, a novel appearance of
outstanding attractiveness and elegance is created by combining the
diffuse reflection effect of a hologram with a marking layer which
is formed of an ink that undergoes changes in the three attributes
of color (these being lightness, saturation and hue) due to
interference with the diffusely reflected light from the hologram.
Alternatively, the marking layer is formed by laminating another
hologram onto the first hologram.
[0009] In one aspect, the invention provides a packaging for sports
equipment, comprising an enclosure or container which encloses and
holds an article of sports equipment, a hologram formed on at least
a portion of the enclosure for diffusely reflecting incident light,
and a marking layer on the hologram comprising an ink. The ink
contains a dye or pigment having the color attributes of lightness,
saturation and hue, at least one of which varies due to
interference with diffusely reflected light from the hologram.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention provides a packaging for
sports equipment, comprising an enclosure which encloses and holds
sports equipment, a hologram formed on at least a portion of the
enclosure for diffusely reflecting incident light, and a marking
layer on the hologram comprising an organic or inorganic ink.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a packaging
for sports equipment, comprising an enclosure which encloses and
holds sports equipment, a first hologram formed on at least a
portion of the enclosure for diffusely reflecting incident light,
and a marking layer comprising one or more second hologram layer
laminated on the first hologram.
[0012] Preferably, the hologram in the sports equipment packaging
is a rainbow hologram. The packaging of the invention is typically
for sports equipment such as golf or tennis equipment.
[0013] According to certain aspects of the invention, packaging for
sports equipment, such as golf or tennis equipment, has formed on
at least a portion of an enclosure a hologram which diffusely
reflects incident light. The hologram has formed thereon a marking
layer of an organic or inorganic ink or of an ink containing a dye
or pigment the three color attributes of which vary due to an
interference effect with diffusely reflected light from the
hologram. This causes incident light to be diffusely reflected by
the hologram, giving a brilliant, iridescent appearance when the
packaging is viewed from different directions. At the same time,
the marking layer formed of ordinary organic or inorganic ink seems
to stand out in relief, providing a novel and distinctive
appearance. If the marking layer is formed of an ink having an
interference effect with the diffusely reflected light from the
hologram, the three attributes of color (lightness, saturation and
hue) undergo subtle changes, producing novel color tones and
contrasts of light that give the packaging a highly decorative and
elegant appearance.
[0014] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the invention,
packaging for sports equipment has a first hologram formed on at
least a portion of an enclosure that diffusely reflects incident
light, and a marking layer laminated on the first hologram that
includes one or more second hologram layer. This results in subtle
interference between the diffusely reflected light from the first
hologram and the diffusely reflected light from the second
hologram, giving the packaging a special and elegant appearance
that would be unachievable with a conventional single-layer
hologram.
[0015] The distinctive appearance of the sports equipment packaging
of the present invention is able to strongly attract the attention
and interest of consumers, making it highly effective for product
differentiation with other brands and makes.
[0016] It should be noted that JP-A 6-183454 discloses golf ball
packaging coated with a pigment which exhibits colors due to an
interference effect by reflected light, and in particular composite
particles comprising a mica nucleus coated with a light-reflecting
substance composed primarily of titanium oxide. The coated portion
of packaging varies the color tone according to the viewing angle.
However, this reference neither discloses nor suggests any of the
following features of the present invention.
[0017] (1) The formation, on a hologram, of a marking layer
composed of an organic or inorganic ink.
[0018] (2) The formation, on a hologram, of a marking layer made of
an ink the three color attributes (lightness, saturation, and hue)
of which change due to interference with diffusely reflected light
from the hologram.
[0019] (3) The formation, on a first hologram, of a marking layer
by laminating a second hologram onto the first hologram.
[0020] (4) The use of above features (1) to (3) to provide a novel
appearance of outstanding decorativeness and elegance. It is
therefore apparent that the present invention differs clearly and
fundamentally from the above-described prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a large golf ball box
according to a first embodiment of the present invention with the
lid removed.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the large box in the
embodiment of FIG. 1 with the lid on.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a small golf ball box
according to the same embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a hologram and a marking layer
in the same embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a case for tennis balls
according to a different embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] First Embodiment
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a large box
1 for golf balls according to a first embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 1 illustrates the large box 1 with the lid off, and
FIG. 2 illustrates the same box 1 with the lid on. The large box 1
comprises a generally rectangular large box body 2 which is open on
the top side thereof and holds four small inner boxes 11 of the
type shown also in FIG. 3, and a lid 3 which fits over and covers
the opening at the top of the body 2. The small inner box 11 is
sized to hold three golf balls. The large box 1 is constructed to
hold one dozen golf balls. As shown in FIG. 3, the small or sleeve
box 11 is provided with a window 12 through which the contents of
the box may be viewed.
[0029] The lid 3 of the large box 1 has a top face 3a and sidewalls
3b over the entire surface of which is formed a hologram 20. A
marking layer M is laminated on the hologram 20. In addition, each
small box 11 has a hologram 20 formed over the entire surface
thereof which likewise has a marking layer M laminated thereon.
Alternatively, the hologram 20 and the marking layer M may be
formed on only a portion of the large box 1 and a portion of each
small box 11.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, the hologram 20 comprises a base sheet
21, a holographic etching 23 formed on top of the base sheet 21,
and a reflective metallic coating 22 formed on the reverse side of
the base sheet 21 by evaporation. The base sheet 21 and the
metallic coating 22 are bonded together at an adhesive interface
24. The hologram 20 is constructed so as to be affixable to the lid
3 of the large box 1 or to the small box 11 by means of an adhesive
layer (not shown) formed on the bottom side of the metallic coating
22. Alternatively, the hologram 20 may be formed directly on the
material making up the box itself without an intervening adhesive
layer.
[0031] The holographic etching 23 is preferably formed on the base
sheet 21 by a suitable known process such as embossing in a shape
having microscopic irregularities ranging in size from about 0.05
to about 0.5 .mu.m, and especially from about 0.1 to about 0.3
.mu.m. Parameters such as the angle and amount of irregular
reflection can be adjusted as appropriate by altering the pitch of
the microscopic irregularities.
[0032] The marking layer M is laminated on the holographic etching
23. The marking layer M is formed either of an organic or inorganic
ink, or of an ink that elicits an interference effect with
diffusely reflected light from the hologram 20. On the marking
layer M is formed a transparent protective film 25.
[0033] The base sheet 21 may be formed of a transparent plastic
film made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin,
polyamide, polyvinyl chloride or acrylic resin. The metallic
coating 22 may be formed by a suitable metallic coating process
such as the vacuum evaporation of, for example, aluminum, copper,
nickel, chromium, titanium, zinc, iron, silver, gold, or an alloy
thereof, to a thickness of from about 10 to about 10,000 .ANG.. A
holographic effect layer may be used as an alternative to the
metallic coating. Exemplary holographic effect layers include
transparent resin sheets having a refractive index difference with
the base sheet. In some cases, use may also be made of other
materials such as ordinary paper or cloth.
[0034] The transparent protective film 25 may be a transparent
plastic film which is composed of, for example, polyethylene
terephthalate, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride or acrylic resin. It
is generally formed to a thickness of about 1.0 to about 10
.mu.m.
[0035] Examples of holograms formed in this way include rainbow
holograms, Lippmann-type holograms, and multiplex holograms. In the
practice of the invention, a rainbow hologram is preferred because
it can provide special images such as brilliant iridescent images,
lustrous mosaic-like images, pearlescent images and lustrous
fine-grained images when the viewing angle is changed.
[0036] The marking layer M formed on the hologram 20 is composed of
a transparent or semi-transparent plastic film on which markings
have been printed with an organic or inorganic ink, or with an ink
containing a dye or pigment having three color attributes
(lightness, saturation, and hue) which vary due to an interference
effect with diffusely reflected light from the hologram 20.
[0037] The transparent or semitransparent film used as the marking
layer M may be a plastic film composed of, for example,
polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin, polyamide, polyvinyl
chloride or acrylic resin. The marking layer generally has a
thickness of about 1.0 to about 10 .mu.m.
[0038] The organic or inorganic ink is not subject to any
particular limitations. For example, use may be made of colored
mica or fluorescent pigments commonly employed for marking golf
balls.
[0039] Suitable examples of inks the three color attributes of
which vary due to interference with irregular reflected light from
the hologram include inks comprising a colorant such as a metallic
pigment or a pearlescent pigment in water or an organic
solvent.
[0040] Inks which undergo color variations due to an interference
effect with diffusely reflected light experience subtle variations
in at least one of the three color attributes (lightness,
saturation, and hue), and preferably all three. "Interference" or
"interference effect," as used herein, refers to increases and
decreases in the intensity of reflected light from the ink due to
the influence of diffusely reflected light from the hologram. The
interference effect produces subtle variations in the three color
attributes of lightness, saturation and hue intrinsic to the ink,
causing the ink to exhibit novel color tones.
[0041] "Hue" refers here to the tint of a color, such as whether it
is reddish, orangish or greenish, in terms of which chromatic color
is classified. "Lightness" denotes the condition of brightness or
luminosity due to reflection, which may be expressed as "light" or
"dark." "Saturation" relates to the degree of purity in the hue,
and can be characterized by such terms as "vivid," "rich" or
"deep." Chromatic color has all three of these color attributes,
whereas achromatic color has only lightness.
[0042] No particular limitation is imposed on the method for
marking with the ink, although it is especially preferable to
employ a method which involves, for example, screen printing,
offset printing or gravure printing the ink onto a plastic film,
then covering the hologram with the marked film. Alternatively,
marking may be carried out by applying the ink directly to the
hologram.
[0043] Markings that may be placed on the plastic film or hologram
in this embodiment include logos, slogans, performance
characteristics, coloring, and images that describe the features of
the golf balls inside. More specifically, the markings might be,
for example, a picture of a golf ball speeding skyward, a
cross-sectional view showing the internal construction of a golf
ball, an illustration of the moment of impact when a golf ball is
hit by a golf club, or an image that combines such visual
portrayals of golf ball features with other markings such as
slogans, logos, performance characteristics and coloring.
[0044] In the practice of the invention, it is also possible to
form the marking layer by suitably combining the organic ink, the
inorganic ink, and the ink which undergoes variations in the three
color attributes under the influence of diffusely reflected light
from the hologram. The marking layer may comprise one layer or a
plurality of layers. A superb appearance can be created using a
marking layer comprising a plurality of layers of differing color
tones.
[0045] Second Embodiment
[0046] In a second embodiment which is not shown in the diagrams,
packaging for sports equipment has formed on at least a portion of
an enclosure a first hologram that diffusely reflects incident
light. A second hologram having at least one layer, and preferably
one or two layers, is laminated onto the first hologram as a
marking layer. The second hologram may be laminated over the entire
surface of the first hologram or over just a portion thereof.
[0047] The first hologram used in this embodiment may be the same
as the hologram used in the first embodiment. The second hologram
is not subject to any particular limitation provided it diffusely
reflects incident light. It is preferable for the second hologram
to be formed in the same way as the hologram in the first
embodiment. It is more preferable for both the first and second
holograms to be rainbow holograms. The second hologram may be
formed by transfer, under heat or pressure, onto the first
hologram. In all other respects, the second embodiment is
essentially the same as the first embodiment.
[0048] The formation of a marking layer comprising at least one
second hologram layer that is laminated onto the first hologram
produces subtle interference effects between diffusely reflected
light from the first hologram and diffusely reflected light from
the second hologram. The resulting sports equipment packaging has
an elegant and distinctive appearance that could not conceivably be
achieved with a conventional single-layer hologram.
[0049] It is also possible to use the same ink or inks as described
above in connection with the first embodiment to impart markings
onto the marking layer formed by laminating the second hologram
over the first hologram. In this case, of course, the additional
markings are formed on the second hologram.
[0050] Third Embodiment
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates an enclosure or case 30 for tennis balls
according to a third embodiment of the invention. The case 30 is
made of paperboard or plastic, shaped as a cylinder that is closed
on the bottom end, and sized so as to hold three tennis balls.
[0052] The hologram and marking layer of the invention may be
provided over the entire tennis ball case 30, as described above
for the golf ball box. In this embodiment, it is preferable for the
hologram and marking layer to be formed into a seal 31, as shown in
FIG. 5, and the seal 31 affixed to a portion of the case 30. The
hologram, marking layer and other features in this embodiment may
be the same as in the first and second embodiments.
[0053] As noted above, in the packaging according to the invention,
the diffuse reflection effect by a hologram in combination with an
organic ink, inorganic ink and/or an ink which undergoes variations
in the three color attributes under the influence of the diffusely
reflected light, or the lamination of another hologram onto the
first hologram, is able to create a beautiful and elegant
appearance full of light and dark contrast that is novel and
unprecedented.
[0054] The inventive packaging is highly suitable as packaging for
various types of sports equipment, including equipment for golf,
tennis, football, baseball and volleyball. The packaging is
especially ideal for use with golf and tennis equipment. Examples
of suitable golf equipment-related uses for the inventive packaging
include boxes, cases and bags for golf clubs, golf bags, golf
shoes, and golf gloves. Such packaging is typically composed of
paperboard such as coated paper or coated cardboard as the base
material. Use can also be made of other materials, including
plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyvinyl chloride,
and metals such as aluminum. Examples of suitable tennis
equipment-related uses include boxes, cases and bags for tennis
balls, tennis rackets, tennis shoes and tennis gloves.
[0055] The inventive packaging for golf, tennis and other types of
sports equipment provides a novel appearance which is highly
attractive and elegant, and can be effectively used for product
differentiation with other brands or makes.
[0056] Although some preferred embodiments have been described,
many modifications and variations may be made thereto in light of
the above teachings. For example, specular areas free of
microscopic irregularities may additionally be provided within the
diffuse areas of the hologram to cause certain displayed features
of the golf or tennis equipment contained within the package to
stand out in relief. It is therefore to be understood that the
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
[0057] Japanese Utility Model Application No. 10-009207 is
incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *