U.S. patent application number 11/520995 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for consumer product package.
Invention is credited to Gene Michael Altonen, Ayub Ibrahim Khan, Danny David Lumpkin, James Robert Taylor.
Application Number | 20070151900 11/520995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37591908 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070151900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Altonen; Gene Michael ; et
al. |
July 5, 2007 |
Consumer product package
Abstract
A consumer product package and method for merchandising consumer
products in a retail store, particularly Food, Drug and Mass (FDM)
markets.
Inventors: |
Altonen; Gene Michael; (West
Chester, OH) ; Khan; Ayub Ibrahim; (Cincinnati,
OH) ; Lumpkin; Danny David; (Cincinnati, OH) ;
Taylor; James Robert; (Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION - WEST BLDG.
WINTON HILL BUSINESS CENTER - BOX 412
6250 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Family ID: |
37591908 |
Appl. No.: |
11/520995 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60719852 |
Sep 22, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/776 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/10 20130101;
B65D 11/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/776 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54 |
Claims
1. A package for enclosing a consumer product comprising: a. an
upper enclosure, said upper enclosure comprising a top panel and at
least one side panel extending away from said top panel and
defining an interior portion sufficiently large to enclose a
consumer product; said upper enclosure further comprising, i. an
upper stabilizing extension extending from said top panel in said
interior portion, said stabilizing extension being sufficiently
long so as to contact said consumer product; wherein ii. a first
portion of said side panel is visibly clear and a second portion of
said side panel is substantially opaque; and b. a lower base
comprising a bottom surface and a lower stabilizing extension
extending away from said bottom surface in said interior portion,
said lower stabilizing extension being sufficiently long so as to
contact said consumer product; wherein c. said upper enclosure is
in mating relationship to said lower base portion such that said
consumer product is held by said contact of said upper and lower
stabilizing extensions.
2. The package of claim 1, comprising four side panels comprising a
front surface, a back surface, and two side surfaces.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein said front surface and said two
side surfaces comprise said first portion and said back surface
comprises said second portion.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein said mating relationship is
maintained by at least one locking tab and locking protrusion.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein said lower stabilizing extension
further comprises at least one orientation tab.
6. The package of claim 5, wherein said consumer product is
securely held in said front-facing orientation after a handling
impact occurring from at least about 3 feet to said package.
7. The package of claim 5, wherein said consumer product is
securely held and able to resist a drop-impact occurring from at
least about 3 feet from a hard surface.
8. The package of claim 1, wherein said upper enclosure and said
lower base comprise materials selected from the group consisting of
polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS),
polyethylene-terepthalate (PET), Styrene-Acrylonitrile Copolymer
(SAN); Polyethylene-terepthalate copolymers, polycarbonate (PC),
polyamides and mixtures thereof.
9. A method of merchandising a consumer product in a retail store,
comprising: a. displaying said consumer product within the package
of claim 1; and b. displaying said package in a retail store.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the retail store is selected from
the group consisting of FDM markets, department stores, specialty
stores, and club markets.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the retail store is an FDM.
12. A package for enclosing a consumer product comprising: a. an
upper enclosure, said upper enclosure comprising a visibly clear
top panel, at least three visibly clear side panels and a
substantially opaque side panel wherein said side panels extend
away from said top panel and define an interior portion
sufficiently large to enclose a consumer product; said upper
enclosure further comprising an upper stabilizing extension
extending from said top panel in said interior portion, said
stabilizing extension being sufficiently long so as to contact said
consumer product; and b. a lower base comprising a visibly clear
bottom surface and a lower stabilizing extension extending away
from said bottom surface in said interior portion, said lower
stabilizing extension being sufficiently long so as to contact said
consumer product; wherein said upper enclosure is in mating
relationship by at least one locking tab on said upper enclosure to
a locking protrusion within said interior portion of said lower
base portion and said consumer product is held secure by said
contact of said upper and lower stabilizing extensions.
13. The package of claim 12, wherein said lower stabilizing
extension further comprises at least one orientation tab.
14. The package of claim 13, wherein said consumer product is
securely held in said front-facing orientation after a handling
impact occurring from at least about 3 feet to said package.
15. The package of claim 13, wherein said consumer product is
securely held and able to resist a drop-impact occurring from at
least about 3 feet from a hard surface.
16. The package of claim 12, wherein said upper enclosure and said
lower base comprise materials selected from the group consisting of
polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS),
polyethylene-terepthalate (PET), Styrene-Acrylonitrile Copolymer
(SAN); Polyethylene-terepthalate copolymers, polycarbonate (PC),
polyamides and mixtures thereof.
17. A method of merchandising a consumer product in a retail store,
comprising: a. displaying said consumer product within the package
of claim 12; and b. displaying said package in a retail store.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the retail store is selected
from the group consisting of FDM markets, department stores,
specialty stores, and club markets.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the retail store is an FDM.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application No. 60/719,852, filed Sep. 22, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a consumer product package
and method for merchandising consumer products in a retail store,
particularly Food, Drug and Mass (FDM) markets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Traditionally, consumer products, particularly fine
fragrance products are packaged within an outer or secondary opaque
package such as cardboard boxes. In department or specialty retail
environments, opaque packages are sufficient secondary packages
since the inner or primary package, e.g., a fragrance bottle, is
typically on display and available to the consumer as a sample or
tester. In FDM markets, however, displaying a primary package
outside of its secondary package is not particularly feasible. If a
primary package is displayed in such an environment, it is usually
sealed within a thermoform or a similar theft-deterrent secondary
package or similar means. Such packaging is generally effective in
deterring a thieving consumer from opening the secondary package
and tampering or pilfering the contained primary package. These
types of packages, however, can be somewhat costly and inherently
difficult to open. Additionally, the bulkiness of such packaging
can be a disadvantage to shelving.
[0004] To those skilled in the art, it is recognized that a
secondary package must also withstand handling through the
warehousing and distribution system. Thus, the secondary package
must be able to resist damage from drop impacts, withstand contact
with adjacent packages during shipping, and avoid damage caused by
vibrations during shipping. Additionally, the secondary package
must be able to securely hold the primary package and protect it
from potential damage during shipping and warehousing
conditions.
[0005] Thus, what is lacking and needed in the art is a consumer
product package and a method for merchandising consumer products in
a retail store, particularly Food, Drug and Mass (FDM) markets
wherein, the package is visibly clear, effective in deterring
theft, easy to open, easy to ship and convenient to retail.
[0006] In light of the foregoing, the present invention provides a
new consumer product package and method for merchandising consumer
products in a retail store, particularly FDM markets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a consumer product package
comprising: (a) an upper enclosure, said upper enclosure comprising
a top panel and at least one side panel extending away from said
top panel and defining an interior portion sufficiently large to
enclose a consumer product; said upper enclosure further
comprising, i) an upper stabilizing extension extending from said
top panel in said interior portion, said stabilizing extension
being sufficiently long so as to contact said consumer product;
wherein ii) a first portion of said side panel is visibly clear and
a second portion of said side panel is substantially opaque; and
(b) a lower base comprising a bottom surface and a lower
stabilizing extension extending away from said bottom surface in
said interior portion, said lower stabilizing extension being
sufficiently long so as to contact said consumer product; wherein
said upper enclosure is in mating relationship to said lower base
portion such that said consumer product is held by said contact of
said upper and lower stabilizing extensions.
[0008] The present invention also relates to a method of
merchandising a consumer product in a retail store, comprising:
displaying the consumer product package of the present invention
and displaying the consumer product package of the present
invention in a retail store.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] While the specification concludes with claims that
particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is
believed that the present invention will be better understood from
the following description of non-limiting embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional front perspective view of the
consumer product package of the present containing a consumer
product;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional front perspective view
of the consumer product package of the present invention containing
a consumer product;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the upper enclosure of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the package
of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the package of the
present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the package
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] As used herein, "comprising" means that other steps and/or
elements can be added. This term encompasses the terms "consisting
of" and "consisting essentially of". The phrase "consisting
essentially of" means that the invention may include additional
elements, but only if the additional elements do not materially
alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention
or methods.
[0017] As used herein, "visibly clear" is defined as having the
property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so
that bodies lying behind are perceivable. One acceptable test
method for determining whether a product is clear is to attempt to
read a series of words placed immediately behind and contacting one
surface of the package, the words being printed in black color, 14
point Times New Roman font, printed on a white sheet of paper. The
word and/or letters must be visible and/or readable from the front
of the package by an individual using unaided 20/20 eyesight and
positioned 12 inches in front of the package in indoor lighting
conditions, such as retail outlight lighting conditions.
[0018] The term "frosted" is defined herein as the practice of
inducing a low level of light scattering into an otherwise "clear"
material causing the material to become matted in appearance.
[0019] The term "tinted" is defined herein as the practice of
adding a low level of pigment of dye into a material for the
purpose of imparting a color into the material.
[0020] As used herein, "substantially opaque" refers to the ability
to sufficiently block the transmission of light so that bodies
lying behind are not easily perceivable.
[0021] "Contact", as used herein, means direct or indirect
contact.
[0022] "Consumer product", as used herein, refers to any consumer
product that can be bought or sold by a consumer including but not
limited to beauty care products, household care products, health
care products, automobiles, supplies, industrial products, pet care
products and the like.
[0023] "Beauty care product", as used herein, refers to any product
bought or sold by a consumer as it relates to skin, hair, nails,
aromatherapy, fragrances and the like.
[0024] By "fragrances", it is meant fine fragrances typically sold
in department and specialty stores as well as fragrances that may
be sold in FDMs.
Consumer Product Package
[0025] The present invention provides for a new consumer product
package for containing a consumer product. The consumer product is
able to be viewed through at least one visibly clear surface of the
consumer product package. Preferably, the consumer product is
positioned in the package in a front-facing orientation. Through
various means described herein, the package also provides proper
orientation and security means for the consumer product such that
the package aids in merchandising the consumer product in a retail
environment. While the FIGURES provide details of one embodiment of
the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes
that the present invention is not limited to consumer product
packages wherein all but one surface is visibly clear or wherein
the consumer product package is shaped or sized as shown. Below
provides the details of each component of the consumer product
package of the present invention.
[0026] Referring generally to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional front
perspective view of the consumer product package 100 of the present
invention is shown containing an example of a consumer product 110
within the package 100. The package 100 includes an upper enclosure
120 and a lower base 200 that mates to form the consumer product
package 100 of the present invention. The package 100, as shown,
can be visibly clear on the top panel 130 and side panels 140. One
side panel 140, particularly the back surface 150, is shown as
substantially opaque which functions to enhance the display
appearance for the consumer product 110.
Upper Enclosure
[0027] Referring generally to FIG. 2, an exploded cross-sectional
front perspective view of the consumer product package 100 of the
present invention containing a consumer product is shown. The upper
enclosure 120 comprises a top panel 130 and at least one side panel
140 that extends away from the top panel 130 of the package 100. As
shown, the package 100 may comprise four side panels 140 which,
together with the top surface 130 define an interior portion 160 of
the upper enclosure 120. If four side panels 140 are used (as
shown), the side panels 140 may be referred to as the front surface
142, the side surfaces 144 and the back surface 150. It is realized
that the upper enclosure 120 and the lower base 200 could be
circular, oval, symmetric or non-symmetric in shape. It is
therefore understood that the front surface 142 could be
interpreted as the visible portion of the consumer package 100
intended to face forward on the retail shelf, the back surface 150
being directly opposite the front surface 142, and the side
surfaces 144 being perpendicular to the front surface 142. The
interior portion 160 of the package 100 should be sufficient in
size to accommodate the consumer product 110 within the package
100. As shown, the interior portion 160 may be sized sufficiently
to create an upper void 146 such that the side panels 140 do not
contact the consumer product 110. Extending from the interior
portion 160 of the top panel 130 of the package 100 is an upper
stabilizing extension 170 which should be sufficient in length to
contact the consumer product 110 held within the package 100. The
upper stabilizing extension 170 can be of any shape and can be
molded into the top panel 130 (as shown) or may be included within
the package 100 as a separate part (not shown). The upper
stabilizing extension 170 functions to aid in stabilizing and
securing the consumer product 110 such that vertical and/or lateral
movement of the consumer product 110 is minimized or negated.
[0028] The top panel 130 and side panels 140 of the present
invention may be visibly clear. As shown, the top panel 130, the
front surface 142 and the side surfaces 144 may be visibly clear
such that the consumer product 110 can be displayed and seen from
within the package 100. As shown in FIG. 3, a back perspective view
of the upper enclosure 120 of the present invention is shown. The
back surface 150 may be substantially opaque which functions to
enhance the display appearance for the consumer product 110 (FIG.
2). The back surface 150 may also be initially visibly clear after
manufacturing yet the package 100 may include a label 110 (not
shown) to give the appearance that the back surface 150 is
substantially opaque. It has been discovered that if all the side
panels 140 are visibly clear, the back surface 150 of the package
100 becomes highly variable which may not provide the contrast
needed for optimal display of the consumer product 100. By
providing a substantially opaque back surface 150 along with a
visibly clear front surface 142 (FIG. 2) and side surfaces 144, the
package 100 provides a consistent and optimal contrast with the
consumer product 110 (FIG. 2). Particularly if the consumer product
110 (FIG. 2) is colorless and contained in a clear primary package,
the package 100 of the present invention is beneficial in
displaying and merchandising such a product 110 (FIG. 2) making it
more visible and easily distinguishable from adjacent products. The
back surface 150 may also include aesthetic traits such as being
tinted, frosted, metallic, smooth solid, glittered and the like.
Exhibiting a substantially opaque back surface 150 within the
package 100 may be particularly useful for displaying beauty care
products which are typically packaged in opaque cartons or in
packages where the product inside is obstructed from view. This may
be particularly true as it relates to fragrances which are often
sold in cardboard boxes that obstruct the view of the fragrance
bottle.
Lower Base
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, an exploded front perspective view of
the package 100 of the present invention is shown. The lower base
200 comprises a bottom surface 210 and a lower stabilizing
extension 220 that extends away from the bottom surface 210. The
lower stabilizing extension 220 may be of any shape and may be
molded within the package 100 (as shown). The lower stabilizing
extension 220 may also be included within the package 100 as a
separate part 110 (not shown). The lower stabilizing extension 220
works with the upper stabilizing extension 170 to sandwich the
consumer product 110 (FIG. 2) thereby minimizing or negating any
vertical and/or lateral movement. When the lower stabilizing
extension 220 is molded within the package 100, a lower void 230
may be created which aids in ensuring uniform resistance and
expansion in the package 100. Assisting with the function of the
lower void 230 is at least one extension channel 240 which aids in
allowing the lower stabilizing extension 220 to adjust vertically
to accommodate for height variations while still keeping the
consumer product 110 (FIG. 2) secure. Even when in the same line of
manufacturing, consumer products 110 (FIG. 2), particularly those
made from a glass material, are known to vary slightly in size.
Because of the foregoing elements, the lower base 200 of the
present invention is advantageous over prior consumer product
packages that may fail to account for such manufacturing
discrepancies.
[0030] On the lower stabilizing extension 220, within the interior
165 of the package 100, at least one orientation tab 250 may be
used to aid in securing the consumer product 110 and in keeping the
consumer product 110 (FIG. 2) in a front-facing orientation. The
orientation tab 250 may also aid in preventing the consumer product
110 (FIG. 2) from sliding forward or sideways during distribution
and handling. Referring back to FIG. 2, the orientation tabs 250
may also comprise a locking means, for example a notch 260, that
provides added security by interaction with a receiving means, for
example ribs 270, manufactured into the lower perimeter 115 of the
consumer product 110. The locking means 260 and the receiving means
270 can mate by any mating means known in the art such as a
frictional press fit engagement, snap fit, latches, hooks, notches
and the like. When at least one orientation tab 250 is present on
the lower stabilizing extension 220 of the package 100, there
should be discontinuous, non-surrounding contact between the
orientation tab 250 and the lower perimeter 115 of the consumer
product 110. By "discontinuous, non-surrounding", it is meant that
the orientation tabs 250 should not provide a security or stability
means such that the tabs form an indent or footprint that
completely surrounds the entire lower perimeter 115 of the product
110. If more than one orientation tab 250 is used, the orientation
tabs 250 should be spatially aligned at points perpendicular to the
lateral axis of the lower stabilizing extension 220 and/or bottom
surface 210. Thus, the orientation tabs 250 may be positioned so as
to exceed no more than about 90%, no more than about 75%, no more
than about 60%, no more than about 45%, no more than about 30%, no
more than about 20%, no more than about 10% or no more than about
5% of the lower perimeter 115 of the product 110. Two or more
orientation tabs 250 may also vary in height, however, the height
of any orientation tab 250 should be such that it does not impede
or obstruct the display of the consumer product 110. Thus, the
height of an orientation tab 250 may be no more than about 50%, no
more than about 20%, no more than about 15%, no more than about
10%, no more than about 5% or no more than about 1% of the height
(from top to bottom along a longitudinal axis) of the consumer
product 110 when viewed from the front surface 142 of the package
100. Contact of the orientation tabs 250 with the consumer product
110 may occur at various points along the lower perimeter 115 of
the consumer product 110 as long as there is a relative spatial
distance from one tab 250 to another tab 250. It is understood that
the perimeter of a product can be defined and measured by a variety
of means. Therefore, the "lower perimeter 115 of a consumer
product" 110, as used herein, refers to the lower surrounding area
of the consumer product 110 at a height above the base of the
consumer product 110 wherein the height is equal to the highest
contact point of the orientation tab 250 and the consumer product
110.
[0031] Referring generally to FIG. 5, an exploded perspective view
of the package 100 of the present invention is shown. The upper
enclosure 120 and the lower base 200 can be mated by any means
known in the art, including by frictional press fit engagement,
snap fit, latches, hooks, and the like. As shown, the lower base
200 and the upper enclosure 120 can mate by way of at least one
locking tab 260 and locking protrusion 270 wherein the mating may
occur on the exterior 167 (mating elements not shown) or interior
165 of the package 100. Not only does the locking tab 260 and
locking protrusion 270 function to secure the consumer product 110
(FIG. 2), its pilfer-proof design also serves to deter theft and/or
destruction of the consumer product 110.
[0032] Referring generally to FIG. 6, an exploded bottom
perspective view of the package 100 is shown. At least one integral
tab 300 (two shown) is included within the lower base 200 and is
semi-destructive in order to deter a would-be thief in a store. The
integral tab 300, however, is also intuitive in design so as to not
cause difficulties in opening the package 100 after purchase. The
package 100 may be opened by disengagement of the lower base 200
from the upper enclosure 120. By applying downward force to the tab
flexor 270 of the present invention, the tab flexor 270 folds into
the package 100 creating more surface area to grab the integral tab
300. The integral tab 300 is then pulled away so as to tear away
from the package 100. Such action causes a disconnect between the
locking tab 260 and locking protrusion 270 because the integral tab
tears away the area of the package 100 wherein the locking
protrusions 270 are located. After the disconnect, the upper
enclosure 120 can be removed from the lower base 200 and the
consumer product 110 (FIG. 2) can be removed from the interior 165
(FIG. 5) of the package 100. In addition to deterring theft, an
advantage of the integral tab 300 is that no additional packaging
materials such as a flexible plastic film, thermoformed plastic
cover, or tamper-resistant stickers are required to deter theft
and/or destruction of the consumer product 100 (FIG. 2). Thus, the
pilfer-proof feature is less costly and less wasteful than the
pilfer-proof features that have come before.
[0033] The material used for the upper enclosure 120 and the lower
base 200 of the package 100 includes rigid and semi-rigid
materials. For example, rigid and semi-rigid materials of the
present invention may include, but are not limited to,
thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene
(PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene-terepthalate (PET),
Styrene-Acrylonitrile Copolymer (SAN); Polyethylene-terepthalate
copolymers, polycarbonate (PC), polyamides and mixtures thereof.
Whether making rigid or semi-rigid parts, the parts of the upper
enclosure 120 and/or lower base 200 may be manufactured by any
number of plastic and paper manufacturing methods known in the art
including, but not limited to, injection molding.
[0034] The materials used in conjunction with the securing features
detailed above also function to make the package 100 (FIG. 2)
drop-impact resistant. By "drop-impact resistant", it is meant that
the package 100 is able to resist drops onto a hard surface, such
as a tiled or thinly-carpeted floor typically found in a retail
store, from distances of from at least about 3 feet, from at least
about 6 feet or from at least about 9 feet. Not only is the package
100 able to resist such drop-impact, the product is also securely
held due to the design features included in the package 100. The
orientation tabs (FIG. 2) can aid in the drop-impact resistance,
however, the package 100 without such orientation tabs (FIG. 2) can
also resist such drop-impact while still securing the consumer
product (FIG. 2) inside the package 100. Additionally, the consumer
product 110 is able to maintain a stable position and remain in a
front-facing orientation after side, top, rear or bottom handling
impacts. By "handling impacts", it is meant to include impacts
often occurring during distribution and handling. The package 100
of the present invention can resist such handling impacts (with or
without orientation tabs (FIG. 2)) that occur from at least about 3
feet, from at least about 6 feet or from at least about 9 feet to
any position on the package 100.
Methods Of Merchandising
[0035] The present invention also provides a method for
merchandising consumer products by using the consumer product
package of the present invention. As detailed above, such a package
provides an advantageous means for displaying a consumer product
while deterring would be thieves from pilfering the consumer
product within the package. A consumer product may be merchandised
in a retail store by displaying a consumer product within the
package of the present invention. That package may then be
displayed in a retail store such as on a shelf and/or behind a
glass door. As used herein, a retail store includes, but is not
limited to, FDM (Food, Drug and Mass) markets, department stores,
specialty stores, club markets and the like. Of particular interest
to the present invention may be FDM markets.
[0036] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document
incorporated herein by reference, the meaning or definition
assigned to the term in this document shall govern.
[0037] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *