U.S. patent application number 10/437292 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for double package.
Invention is credited to Ishikawa, Kentaro, Koguchi, Toshiyuki, Morita, Yukiko.
Application Number | 20030234199 10/437292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29267783 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030234199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morita, Yukiko ; et
al. |
December 25, 2003 |
Double package
Abstract
The invention provides a package system which is hard for others
to notice when a user uses the product, but is superior in
advertisement. The package system comprise a first package in which
the commodity product is contained, and a second package in which a
plurality of first packages are contained. A trade name may be
provided on the first package in such a size that it is not
recognizable from a distant location. A design, which may be
recognizable from the distant location, is provided on back and/or
front surfaces of the second package.
Inventors: |
Morita, Yukiko; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ishikawa, Kentaro; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Koguchi, Toshiyuki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
29267783 |
Appl. No.: |
10/437292 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5 ;
206/457; 40/312 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/063 20130101;
B65D 75/38 20130101; A61F 15/001 20130101; B65D 77/003 20130101;
B65D 2203/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.5 ;
40/312; 206/457 |
International
Class: |
B65D 073/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 14, 2002 |
JP |
2002-139329 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A double package containing a commodity product which is used
preferably without being known to others, the double package
comprising: a first package in which the commodity product is
contained and a second package in which a plurality of first
packages are contained; wherein a trade name is provided on front
and/or back surfaces of the first packages in such a size that the
trade name is not recognizable from a distant location, and wherein
a design is provided on front and/or back surfaces of the second
package in such a manner that the design is recognizable from the
distant location.
2. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the second
package comprises a wrapping package which wraps outer peripheral
surfaces of the plurality of first packages with a transparent or
translucent film.
3. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the second
package contains the plurality of first packages which contain a
same kid of commodity product.
4. The double package according to claim 2, wherein the second
package contains the plurality of first packages which contain a
same kid of commodity product.
5. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the design is
drawn within a front or back area of one of the first packages, and
wherein the second package comprises a transparent surface part
within the front or back area of the one of the first packages.
6. The double package according to claim 2, wherein the design is
drawn within a front or back area of one of the first packages, and
wherein the second package comprises a transparent surface part
within the front or back area of the one of the first package.
7. The double package according to claim 3, wherein the design is
drawn within a front or back area of one of the first packages, and
wherein the second package comprises a transparent surface part
within the front or back area of the one of the first package.
8. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the design is
drawn within a front or back area of one of the first packages, and
wherein the second package comprises a transparent surface part
within a second front or back area of another of the first
package.
9. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the design is
drawn over a front or back area of one of the first packages,
wherein the second package comprises a transparent surface part
within the front or back area of the one of the first packages, and
wherein the design comprises a continuous design part over the
front or back area of the one of the first packages.
10. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the design is
drawn over a front or back area of one of the first packages,
wherein the second package comprises a transparent surface part
within the front or back area of the one of the first packages, and
wherein the design comprises a continuous design part over the
front or back area of another of the first packages.
11. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the design is
drawn over a front or back area of one of the first packages,
wherein the second package comprises a transparent surface part
over the front or back area of the one of the first packages, and
wherein the design comprises a continuous design part over the
front or back area of the one of the first packages.
12. The double package according to claim 1, wherein another trade
name being recognizable from the distant location is provided on
the front and/or back surfaces of the second package and at a
position corresponding to a substantially center position of the
front and/or back surfaces of the first packages.
13. The double package according to claim 2, wherein the second
package enables visible perception of the plurality of wrapped
first packages.
14. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the design
comprises an associating design in association with a product image
of the commodity product.
15. The double package according to claim 1, wherein the trade name
is provided at substantially a center position on the front and/or
back surfaces of the first package.
16. The double package according to claim 15, wherein each design
corresponding to each kind of the commodity product is provided on
the front and/or back surfaces of the first package.
17. The double package according to claim 16, wherein a description
of the commodity product is provided on a lateral surface of the
first package.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a package for exhibiting and
selling a product, which is used preferably without being known to
others. That is, a user would like to use the product, but the user
would rather not show the user's usage of the product to others.
The invention more specifically relates to a package to be used for
containing a sanitary napkin, an interlabial pad, a tampon, a liner
for menstrual exudate, an incontinence product, and a pair of
sanitary shorts, or the like.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] A plurality of sanitary products of these types have
hitherto been commonly exhibited for sale in the form of a single
package. In order to make a tradename discernible from a distant
location, the trade name is printed in large letters on front and
back surfaces of the package. Further, with a view toward improving
the convenience of a user who would otherwise have to purchase a
plurality of packages, a second package into which the plurality of
packages are packed is also offered for sale. A design is usually
printed across the entire surface of the second package.
[0005] A user purchases a sanitary product or the like in the form
of the package. When the user uses a sanitary product, the user
takes a single product out of the package. Even if the user desires
to keep usage of the product secret or at least not have the usage
known to others, fulfilling the user's desire is impracticable so
long as the product is taken out of the package, which has the
trade name on the surface. The objective of keeping usage of the
product secret may be attained if the trade name printed on the
package is made small so as not to become recognizable from a
distant location. However, the products cannot be recognized from
such a distant location when exhibited for sale and hence become
inferior in advertisement effect. In the case of the second package
into which a plurality of packages are packed, a design is printed
across the entire surface of the package. Hence, when the second
package is exhibited, difficulty is encountered in ascertaining
whether the single type of products are packed or a mixture of a
plurality of types of products are packed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to the present invention, it is an object to
provide a package system characterized in that the product is hard
to be recognized by others when the user open a single package
containing the product and that the product is easy to be
recognized by a customer or the user at the store when the user
shops for the product.
[0007] According to the present invention, the package system
comprises a first package for containing a commodity product and a
second package containing a plurality of first packages. Here,
containing may include packing and wrapping.
[0008] More specifically, a trade name, which may include a brand
name, is provided on the first package packing a commodity product
in such a size that the name is not recognizable from a distant
location. A plurality of first packages are packed, thereby forming
a second package. The tradename is provided on the front and back
surfaces of the second package in such a size that the name becomes
recognizable from the distant location. When the second package is
placed on a display shelf for sale, the trade name of the second
package can be perceived from a distant location. However, when the
commodity product is picked from the package for use, the trade
name provided on the first package could be more difficult to
perceive. In other words, it is not easy for others to recognize
the trade name provided on front and/or back surfaces of the first
package containing the product.
[0009] More specifically, the following is provided according to
the present invention.
[0010] (1) A double package containing a commodity product which is
used preferably without being known to others comprises a first
package in which the commodity product is contained and a second
package in which a plurality of first packages are contained;
wherein a trade name is provided on front and/or back surfaces of
the first packages in such a size that the trade name is not
recognizable from a distant location; and wherein a design is
provided on front and/or back surfaces of the second package in
such a manner that the design is recognizable from the distant
location.
[0011] There is provided a double package which packs a commodity
product whose use is desired to be maintained secret and which is
formed from a first package into which the commodity product is
packed, and a second package into which a plurality of first
packages are wrapped, wherein a trade name is provided on back
and/or front surfaces of the first package in such a size that the
trade name is not recognizable from a distant location, and a
design which is recognizable from a distant location is provided on
back and/or front surfaces of the second package.
[0012] According to the present invention, the second package may
contain a plurality of first packages. Each first package may have
a trade name provided on front and/or back outer surfaces of the
first package in such a size that the name is not noticeable from a
distant location. The second package may have a design provided on
front and/or back outer surfaces of the second package in such a
size that the design is noticeable from a distant location.
Therefore, the commodity product may be noticeable from the distant
location since it is packed in the second package and is placed on
a display shelf for sale. Here, a noticeable design or trade name
is recognizable. However, when a user takes the commodity product
out of the first package, the trade name, which is not noticeable,
provided on the front and/or back surfaces of the first package may
be hard to perceive from the distant location, thereby letting
other people not know what the commodity product really is.
Specifically, when the commodity products are placed on the display
shelf for sale, the package system renders identification and
advertisement as well as having intimacy and secrecy of the
commodity product secret when it is used. Here, the design and the
trade name may be provided on either the front or back surface of
the package or on both surfaces of the same.
[0013] Here, the term "first package" may mean a package packing a
commodity product. The first package is not limited to any
particular packaging form; that is, the first package may include a
package being made from or of any materials and formed into any
shapes. The front and back surfaces of the package may comprise a
face or surface which faces customers when the commodity products
are placed on the display shelf. Hence, the front or back surface
may be provided with a trade name, a design, and the like, to
appeal to the customers.
[0014] (2) In the double package according to (1), the second
package comprises a wrapping package which wraps outer peripheral
surfaces of the plurality of first packages with a transparent or
translucent film. Preferably, the second package is formed by
wrapping outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of first
packages with a transparent or partially transparent film.
[0015] According to the present invention, the first packages may
be wrapped with a transparent or partially transparent film,
thereby constituting the second package. Therefore, even when the
commodity products are packed double, the user can purchase
commodity products with the confidence that the product is what the
user wants. Since indications provided on the exterior surface of
the first package can be seen through the transparent or partially
transparent film, only an indication desired to be perceived or
notices from the distant location may be provided on the exterior
surface of the second package. Therefore, the exterior surface of
the second package may not have to have detailed descriptions such
as precautions since the user can read such indications on the
first packages through the film when the user picks up the
commodity product being packed in the second package. Therefore,
printing the same indications on the film may be omitted.
Therefore, printing and other costs can be curtailed. Here, it is
preferable to use a plastic film such as a polyethylene film, a
polypropylene film, and so on, which is generally used as a
wrapping film and comprises a transparent or translucent film so
that the user can visually ascertain the indication provided on the
first package. Particularly, a transparent film is more preferable
since it is easy to ascertain the contents.
[0016] (3) In the double package according to (1), the second
package contains the plurality of first packages which contain a
same kid of commodity product. Preferably, the second package packs
the plurality of first packages respectively formed from the same
commodity products.
[0017] According to the present invention, the second package is
made by packing a plurality of first packages. It is convenient for
the user to collectively purchase a plurality of commodity products
and for the seller to place the products on the display shelf.
Packaging a plurality of same commodity products may include
packing a plurality of single products and packing a plurality of
combined products (e.g., a combination of scented liners for
menstrual exudate and unscented liners for menstrual exudate).
[0018] (4) In the double package according to (1), the design may
be drawn within a front or back area of one of the first packages,
and the second package may comprise a transparent surface part
within the front or back area of the one of the first packages.
Further, in the double package according to (1), the design may be
drawn within a front or back area of one of the first packages, and
the second package may comprise a transparent surface part within a
second front or back area of another of the first package. Yet
further, in the double package according to (1), the design may be
drawn over a front or back area of one of the first packages, and
the second package may comprise a transparent surface part within
the front or back area of the one of the first packages, and the
design may comprise a continuous design part over the front or back
area of the one of the first packages. Preferably, a design
covering one piece of the first package is provided on front and/or
back surfaces of the second package and in substantially the same
size as that of the first package with a transparent portion being
provided, and a portion of the design is provided so as to
continuously extend to a remaining portion of the first
package.
[0019] According to the present invention, the design may be
provided on the front and/or back surfaces of the second package
substantially in the same size as one piece of the first package.
However, a combination of a transparent portion and a designed
portion, which may not be transparent or translucent either, may
cover the same size of the front or back surface of one of the
first package. The design may have a continuously extending portion
beyond the designed portion corresponding to the same size of the
front or back surface of the one first package. The design may be
substantially in the same size as the one first package or smaller
than the size of the one first package. The design may be made in a
size and shape independently from that of the first package.
[0020] The second package may comprise a plurality of first
packages as mentioned above and the first packages may be arranged
in a flat form in the second package. For example, the first
packages may be put and aligned on a plane side-by-side with back
surfaces of the first packages placed on the plane. Therefore, the
front or back surfaces of the second package may have a plurality
of sections or parts corresponding to the front or back surfaces of
the first packages. Since the second package may comprise a film
covering such parts continuously, the design may be consistently
drawn on the film beyond each part with ease. Therefore, the design
may be much bigger than the front or back surface of the one first
package while the part corresponding the surface of the one first
package may have a transparent or translucent portion within the
area of the part such that the user may see some of the first
packages through the transparent or translucent portion. Hence, the
package exhibits an image of the first package being a single set.
The design is usually provided on the film member by means of
printing. However, it is not limited to printing. For instance, a
label having a design printed thereon is affixed to the surface of
a film member. Alternatively, a design is printed on paper or the
like, which is placed between the first and second packages such
that the design may be seen through the transparent film member.
The design printed on the second package may be so translucent that
indications, such as a design and a trade name, provided on the
first packages may be seen over the design.
[0021] According to the present invention, the term "front and back
surfaces of the package" may mean surfaces which face customers
when the commodity products are placed on the display shelf. Such
surfaces may bear the trade name and the design provided for
appealing customers. Here, the design may include a picture, a
figure, an illustration, a sketch, an ornamental pattern, a mark, a
sign, a logo, an indicia and so on. The design may include a
figure, a character including a foreign character, an alphabet, and
a combination thereof. The design may further include a trade name,
the type of a commodity product, a corporate name, a catch phrase,
and so on. Here, the design may comprise such element mentioned
above or a combination thereof.
[0022] (5) In the double package according to (1), the design may
comprise an associating design in association with a product image
of the commodity product. Preferably, a trade name which is
recognizable from the distant location may be provided on the
second package and at substantially a center position on a part
corresponding to a front and/or back surface of the first
package.
[0023] According to the present invention, a trade name may be
provided at each position on the front and/or back surfaces of the
second package corresponding to each center position on respective
packed first packages in such a size that the trade name can be
recognized from the distant location. Therefore, the trade name can
be readily identified from the distant location. Further, the trade
name is provided at positions on the upper surface of the second
package corresponding to the respective pieces of the first
package. Specifically, the trade name is printed as many times as
the number of the first packages contained in the second package.
Hence, in cooperation with the indications provided on the area
extending continuously to the design provided on the front and back
surfaces, the second package yields the effect of enabling the user
to readily ascertain the number of the packed first packages.
[0024] (6) The second package according to any of (1) through (5)
is characterized in that a plurality of wrapped first packages
inside can be visibly perceived through a transparent portion.
[0025] According to the present invention, the second package is
made by wrapping the first package with a transparent or partially
transparent film member. The design, including a trade name which
can be perceived from the distant location, may be provided on the
front and/or back surfaces of the second package. Since the
indication of the design does not extend across the entire exterior
surface of the second package, if the user wishes, the user can
readily view details provided on the first package.
[0026] (7) In the package according to any one from (1) to (5), the
design may inherits a display form on which an image of commodity
product has been built up over the years.
[0027] According to the present invention, the design to be
provided on the front and/or back surfaces of the second package
inherits the design for commodity products, the design being a
successor of a conventional display form into which the image of
commodity products has been accumulated over the years. Hence, even
when the design is viewed from the distant location, the user can
readily recognize the nature of the commodity products while
glancing at only the design. Accordingly, when the user purchases
commodity products, the user can readily find desired commodity
products and pick up the correct commodity products without
ascertaining details and without involvement of misidentification.
Further, when commodity products are offered for sale, they can be
perceived without large-scale advertisement, because they have
already been known. When the design is drastically changed in the
future, the design will act as a bridge between the old design and
a new design. Specifically, the design which is about to be
subjected to drastic changes is provided on pieces of the first
package packed in the second package. As a result, a
significantly-changed design can be fixed as an image design for
the commodity products by displaying it on the first package packed
in the second package while the commodity products are sold
together with the traditional image design of the commodity
products.
[0028] (8) The double package according to (1), wherein the trade
name is provided at substantially a center position on the front
and/or back surfaces of the first package. The package according to
any one from (1) to (6) is characterized in that the trade name of
the commodity product contained in the first package is provided at
substantially a center position on front and/or back surfaces of
the first package and in a such a size that the trade name cannot
be perceived from the distant location.
[0029] According to the present invention, the design, for example,
a trade name, provided on the front and/or back surfaces of the
first package, is provided at substantially the center positions in
such a size that the trade name cannot be recognized from the
distant location. Hence, when the user uses a commodity product by
picking it up from the first package, the nature of the product can
be maintained secret from other persons.
[0030] (9) The double package according to (8) may be characterized
in that each design corresponding to each kind of the commodity
product is provided on the front and/or back surfaces of the first
package. Preferably, a design which changes from one commodity
product to be packed to another is provided on the front and/or
back surfaces of the first package.
[0031] According to the present invention, the design provided on
the front and/or back surfaces of the first package changes
according to the type of a commodity product packed in the first
package. The second package wraps the first package with a film
member such that a transparent portion is provided. Hence, the user
can view contents of the first package. Therefore, visual
ascertainment of the design on the first package eliminates the
risk of the user's erroneously purchasing unwanted commodity
products, because the user can ascertain the type of the commodity
product.
[0032] (10) The double package according to (9) may be
characterized in that a description of the commodity product is
provided on a lateral surface of the first package. Preferably, a
description of the packed commodity product and a sales tool are
provided on lateral surfaces of the first package.
[0033] According to the present invention, descriptions and
characteristics of packed commodity products and a sales tool are
provided on lateral surfaces of the first package. The second
package wraps the first package with a film member such that a
transparent portion is provided, thereby enabling the user to view
contents of the first package. Consequently, the indications
printed on the first package can be seen through the second package
and visually checked by way of the second package. Further, there
is no necessity for causing the indications to be perceived from
the distant location. Hence, enlarged provision of the indications
is not necessary. For these reasons, repeated printing of the same
indications on the second package is not required, and hence
printing costs and other costs can be curtailed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment in a
Japanese version according to the invention.
[0035] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a first embodiment in an
English version according to the invention.
[0036] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a first package in a
Japanese version.
[0037] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a first package in an
English version.
[0038] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment in a
Japanese version.
[0039] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a second embodiment in
an English version.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinbelow
by reference to the drawings.
[0041] FIG. 1A or 1B shows a perspective view of a first embodiment
of a package in a Japanese or English version according to the
present invention. FIG. 2A or 2B shows a perspective view of a
first package in a Japanese or English version according to the
present invention. FIG. 3A or 3B is a perspective view of a second
embodiment in a Japanese or English version according to the
present invention.
[0042] [First Embodiment]
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1A or 1B, the second package 1 is formed by
collectively shrink-wrapping three first packages 21, 22, and 23,
each of which has the same shape as shown in FIG. 2A or 2B with the
numerical reference of 2, with a film member 3. Specifically, the
first package 2 is formed into the shape of a long rectangular
parallelepiped by collectively packing a plurality of commodity
products. The film member 3 is a transparent or partially
transparent or translucent film. The film member 3 may be embodied
by a commonly-available single film made of polyethylene or
polypropylene or by a commonly-available laminated film made by
laminating single films. A ribbon-shaped tape of small width (not
shown) is provided at an upper location on the surface or an upper
side surface of the second package 1 for unwrapping the
package.
[0044] A trade name 5 with a simple illustration, a product type,
and a design 4 including the number of contents and the number of
combinations are printed for display on the front and back surfaces
of the second package 1 in a size substantially identical to that
of the first package piece 21 located at the leftmost position. The
figure shows the front surface of the second package. A part 6 of
the design 4 is extending continuously in rightward across the
portions corresponding to the first packages 22, 23 of the second
package. The design 4 is printed to cover most area of a part,
which corresponds to the front surface of the first package 21, of
the front surface of the second package 1. In an upper right
portion of the part corresponding to the front surface of the first
package 21, the design 4 is not printed, but the portion is left
transparent so as to enable the user to view the contents inside
the second package. The portion 6, which is considered to be a part
of the design 4, is printed on areas corresponding to the first
packages 22, 23 so as to continuously extend to the lower end
portions of the second package. The design 4 is drawn in such a
size that information such as a trade name, a figure, the type of a
commodity product (the name of a type), and a volume of contents,
can be perceived from the distant location. The design 4 may
inherit a display form, onto which an image of the commodity
product has been accumulated over the years, and may be modified
during such history. The design 4 enables buyers (including the
user) to readily perceive the product at a glance, thereby
advertising the commodity product. The design 4 may inherit the
image of the commodity product, which has been accumulated over the
years by using the design. When a new design is made by changing
the original old design drastically, the design 4 may serve as a
bridge between the old design and the new design. For example, a
drastically-changed new design may be printed on the first package
and the bridging design 4 may be printed on the second package so
that the buyer may purchase the right product because of the design
4 and the buyer or the user will be familiar with the
drastically-changed design by using the product taken out of the
first package which has the drastically-changed new design.
[0045] The trade name 5 may be printed substantially at the center
of each part corresponding to each first package 21, 22, 23
substantially in the same size as is recognized from the distant
location. The number of the printed trade names 5 is equal to the
number of the first packages 21, 22, 23 contained in the second
package 1. As a result, the user can perceive the number of the
first packages contained in the second package 1 from the distant
location.
[0046] The design 4 and the trade name 5 are printed on the surface
of the film member, but it is not limited to the film member. The
design 4 and the trade name 5 may be provided on the package by
means of affixing a label on the surface of the package. Printing
does not necessarily involve use of any special ink or printing
method but may use a generally-employed material and method. The
portion 6 of the design 4 is printed on the areas corresponding to
the remaining first package pieces 22, 23 and so as to continuously
extend to the lower end portions of the parts corresponding to the
first package pieces 22, 23, but it is not limited to the lower end
portions. The portion 6 may be printed at upper end portions of the
parts corresponding to the first package pieces 22, 23.
[0047] In this way, the design 4 may not have to be printed across
the front and back surfaces of the second package. Hence, the user
can visually ascertain an indication of the first package 2 (in
FIG. 2) of the commodity product by way of a transparent or
partially transparent portion of the second package where no design
is printed to leave it blank. Accordingly, there can be obviated a
risk of the user erroneously purchasing unwanted commodity
products. The portion 6 of the figure of the design 4 extends over
the remaining first package pieces 22, 23 so that the first
packages 21, 22, 23 wrapped with the second package 1 may be
considered as a single product because of the single design 4.
[0048] FIGS. 1A and 1B show Japanese and English versions of the
second packages 1. The tradename 5 and other information written in
Japanese or English language appeal directly to the people who
speak Japanese or English, or both. Therefore, it is another way to
use characters of more than one languages since a familiar language
is easy to be recognized while an unfamiliar language does not make
sense to people who cannot understand the language. Thus, the user
may take the product out of the first package 2 (in FIGS. 2A and
2B) without being notified by others who do not understand the
language even though the trade name is written in such a size that
people who understand the language can recognize it from the
distant location. The analogy may apply to the following
explanation and the drawings in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and
3B.
[0049] Lateral surfaces and the top and bottom surfaces of the
second package 1 remain unprinted. These areas are transparent or
partially transparent, thereby enabling the user to view the
indication of the first package 2 packed in the second package 1.
As a result, the user can view descriptions provided on the lateral
surfaces of the first package 2 (in FIGS. 2A and 2B). Indication 7
of information required by the law or other reasons is provided on
the lateral surface of the first package 2 and descriptions and
characteristics of the commodity product, a sales tool, and the
like can be seen through the second package so as to achieve the
objective even when the information indication 7 is not provided on
the second package 1. Thus, the user can ascertain the information
indication when the user purchases the commodity product. For this
reason, since repeated printing of the same indications on the
second package 1 is not required, printing expenses or the like can
be curtailed. When a bar code, or the like, which indicates a
price, is printed on the first package 2, but is not shown in the
drawing, a symbol is preferably printed at locations corresponding
to the bar code for concealing the bar code, thereby disabling
reading of the bar code provided on the first package 2.
[0050] So far the embodiment, in which the design 4 is printed on
the front surface of the first package 21 located at the leftmost
end in the second package 1, has been described. The design 4 may
be printed on the front surface of the first package piece located
at the rightmost end in the second package. Further, the design 4
may be printed on either the front or back surface of the first
package or on respective surfaces of the same. When the design is
printed on the front and back surfaces, the designs provided on the
front and back surfaces may preferably be the same. By means of
this arrangement, the same designs face customers even when
commodity products are arranged on the display shelf, such that the
customers do not have to check the front surfaces thereof. Thus,
printing a single design on both surfaces of the package is more
desirable, in view of achievement of good appearance and
elimination of labor which would otherwise be required when
commodity products are arranged on the display shelf.
[0051] The second package 1 of the embodiment is made by wrapping
the plurality of first package pieces 21 to 23 with the transparent
film member 3 and by printing the design 4 on the film member 3.
However, the invention is not limited to the film member 3. For
instance, the design may be printed on, e.g., paper. The first
package 2 may be wrapped in conjunction with the paper
corresponding to the printed design with a transparent film member.
Thus, another medium for showing a design may be sandwiched between
the first and second packages.
[0052] The first package 2 is described. The first package 2 is a
substantially-rectangular parallelepiped, in which a plurality of
commodity products are packed. As shown in FIG. 2, the first
package 2 is made by wrapping a plurality of commodity products
with a film member such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The
design 4 including a flower design 9 is printed at a lower left
position and an upper right position on each of the front and back
surfaces of the first package 2. Further, a trade name 8, which is
not recognizable from the distant location, is printed
substantially at the center of each front surface and each back
surface. Thus, as a result of adoption of the flower design 9,
which is totally different from the design of the traditional image
of the commodity product that has been built up over the years, it
is suggested that this is a special product with limited package
and the product may be purchased by a user who renders a prejudice
against the traditional image of commodity product for years. Here,
the design is not limited to a flower design. The required
information indication 7, such as descriptions of the commodity
product and the sales tool, is printed on both lateral surfaces of
the first package 2. The trade name is printed on upper and lower
surfaces of the first package 2 in such a size that others cannot
ascertain the trade name from the distant location. By means of the
indication, the user purchases a commodity product while visually
checking the performance of the commodity product. The packing form
of the first package 2; that is, the material and shape of the
first package 2, is not limited to those mentioned above. The first
package 2 may be formed from a paper box, and the indications may
be provided on the first package 2 not by printing but by means of
a label or the like. Further, the ink and printing method employed
for printing operation are not necessarily special but may be
embodied by a commonly-available material and printing method.
[0053] [Second Embodiment]
[0054] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a perspective view of a package of a
second embodiment in a Japanese version and an English version,
respectively, according to the present invention. In the following
embodiment, similar elements may be referred to by similar
references numerals.
[0055] As in the case of the first embodiment, according to the
second embodiment, the second package 1 is made by collectively
shrink-wrapping the three first packages 21, 22, and 23 with the
film member 3. Specifically, each first package 21, 22, 23 is
formed into a rectangular parallelepiped by collectively packing a
plurality of commodity products. The film member 3 is a transparent
or partially transparent or translucent film. The film member 3 may
be embodied by a commonly-available single film made of
polyethylene or polypropylene or by a commonly-available laminated
film made by laminating single films. A ribbon-shaped tape of small
width (not shown) is provided at an upper location on the surface
or an upper side surface of the second package 1 for unwrapping the
package.
[0056] The design 4 is provided for display on the front and back
surfaces of the second package 1 at the position corresponding to
the center position of the first package 22 being located in the
middle of the second package 1. The design 4 is printed to cover
most area of a part, which corresponds to the front surface of the
first package 22 of the front surface of the second package 1.
Upper right and left portions of the part corresponding to the
first package 22, where the design 4 is printed, are transparent so
as to enable the user to view the content inside the second package
1. Portions 6, 6 of the design 4 are printed on lower end portions
of the second package 1 corresponding to lower end portions of the
first packages 21, 23, respectively, so that the design 4
continuously extends to both sides. Both lateral surfaces (or right
and left surfaces) and top and bottom surfaces of the second
package 1 remain transparent without any designs or trade
names.
[0057] As in the case of the first embodiment, the design 4 may
comprise information such as a trade name, a figure, a type of a
commodity product (type name), and a volume of contents, which are
printed in such a size that they can be perceived from the distant
location. The design 4 inherits a display form, onto which the
image of the commodity product has been accumulated for years. The
design 4 is modified from the display form. The design 4 enables
buyers to readily perceive the product at a glance, whereby the
commodity product is advertised. Since the design 4 inherits the
display form onto which the image of the commodity product has been
accumulated for years, the user can readily perceive the commodity
product.
[0058] As in the case of the first embodiment, the trade name 5 is
printed substantially at the center of each part corresponding to
each first package 21, 22, 23 substantially in the same size. The
number of printed trade names 5 is equal to the number of first
packages 21, 22, 23 wrapped in the second package 1. As a result,
the user can perceive from the distant location the number of the
first packages having commodity products packed in the package
1.
[0059] Although the design 4 and the trade name 5 are printed on
the surface of the film member, they may be provided on the package
by means of affixing a label on the surface of the package, thereby
not being limited to the film member. Printing does not necessarily
involve use of any special ink or printing method, but a
generally-employed material and method may be employed.
[0060] In this way, since the design 4 is not printed across the
front and back surfaces of the second package, the user can
visually ascertain an indication of the first package 2 of the
commodity product by way of a transparent or partially transparent
portion of the second package where no design is printed and the
portion is left blank. Accordingly, there can be obviated a risk of
the user erroneously purchasing unwanted commodity products. The
portion 6 of the figure of the design 4 extends over the remaining
first package pieces 21, 23. The first package 21, 22, 23 wrapped
with the second package 1 yields an effect of imparting an image of
one product as far as the design 4 covers.
[0061] As in the case of the first embodiment, the design 4 may be
printed on either the front or back surface of the first package 2
or on both surfaces. When the design is printed on the front and
back surfaces, the designs provided on the front and back surfaces
may preferably be the same. Consequently, the same designs face
customers even when commodity products packed in the second package
are put on the display shelf, without checking if the second
package is put backward. Thus, printing one kind of design on both
front and back surfaces of the package is more desirable, in view
of achievement of good appearance and elimination of labor which
would otherwise be required when commodity products are arranged on
the display shelf. Further, the design may be printed on, e.g., a
piece of paper. The first package may be wrapped with the piece of
paper having the printed design and wrapped with a transparent film
member instead that the first packages are wrapped with the film
member 3 on which the design 4 is printed. Thus, another medium for
showing the design may be placed between the first and second
packages.
[0062] As in the case of the first embodiment, lateral surfaces and
top and bottom surfaces of the second package 1 are left unprinted.
Theses areas are transparent or partially transparent, thereby
enabling the user to view the indication of the first package 2
packed in the second package 1. As a result, the user can view
descriptions provided on the lateral surfaces of the first package
2. Therefore, even when the description of the commodity product
and the sales tool, which are displayed on the lateral surfaces of
the first package 2, may not be displayed on the second package 1
so that the user can ascertain these indications from the distant
location, the buyer can view the indication when the buyer
purchases the commodity product at a store. For this reason, since
repeated printing of the same indications on the second package 1
is not required, printing expenses or the like can be
curtailed.
[0063] In the embodiments described before, the design printed on
the second package appears on the front and/or back surface of the
second package substantially in the same size as a front surface of
one first package so as to cover most front surface of the first
package while transparent portions are left. The design provided on
the front or back surface may extend continuously across front
surface parts corresponding front surfaces of the first packages. A
design may be printed over the entire front and back surfaces of
the second package, and a portion on which the design is printed
may be translucent so that the user can visually check the
indication provided on the surface of the first package.
[0064] It should be understood that the package according to the
present invention is not limited to the embodiments and may be made
for various modifications without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0065] For instance, although the second package is made by
collectively packing three first packages, two, four, or more first
packages may be packed. It is preferable to have the design on
which the image of the commodity product is accumulated thus far,
since the design enables the user to perceive the commodity product
at a glance. However, it is not limited to such design.
[0066] As described before, the package system, according to the
present invention, is composed of a first package in which the
commodity product, which the user would rather not let others know
the user use, and a second package in which a plurality of first
packages are contained. The trade name is provided on front and
back surfaces of the first package in such a size that the trade
name is not recognizable from the distant location. The design
which is recognizable from the distant location is provided on the
back and front surfaces of the second package. Therefore, when the
package is arranged on the display shelf for sale, the user can
perceive the commodity product from the distant location. When the
user uses the product, the tradenames provided on the front and
back surfaces of the first package are not recognizable from the
distant location, thereby keeping it private that the user uses the
product. Further, the invention may yield the effect of advertising
the commodity product in a recognizable manner when the product is
arranged on the display shelf for sale, as well as the effect of
keeping it private that the user uses the product.
[0067] The designs provided on both front and back surfaces of the
second package may inherit the display form that has been built up
thus far by marketing the commodity product. Therefore, the design
can be readily perceived from the distant location if it is
arranged on the display shelf. Hence, the user can readily identify
the design at the time of purchasing the product, obviating a
chance of erroneously purchasing a wrong commodity product.
[0068] The second package is formed of a transparent film member
serving as a package member. Only the trade name and the design are
provided on the front and back surfaces of the second package in
combination with transparent portions. Hence, the content of the
second package can be seen through the second package, whereby the
customer can read information such as descriptions of a commodity
product provided on the first package. Therefore, the user can
ascertain the commodity product the user wishes to purchase.
Further, printing costs or the like can be curtailed.
* * * * *