U.S. patent application number 13/173571 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-01 for oral care package.
Invention is credited to Simone Back, Gerhard Finger, Casey Joseph Gustafson, Petra Gerda Karey, Rex Erwin Reinking, Thorsten Schmidt, Jens Uwe Stoerkel.
Application Number | 20120048760 13/173571 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44630100 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120048760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karey; Petra Gerda ; et
al. |
March 1, 2012 |
ORAL CARE PACKAGE
Abstract
An oral care implement package is described herein. The oral
care implement package can have a backer with a vapor impermeable
layer attached thereto. The backer is attached to a plastic shell.
An oral care implement having a scented tongue cleaner and/or a
scented handle is positioned between the plastic shell and the
vapor impermeable layer. The vapor impermeable layer reducing the
amount of scent released from the tongue cleaner and/or handle
while the oral care implement is in the package.
Inventors: |
Karey; Petra Gerda;
(Lambsheim, DE) ; Schmidt; Thorsten; (Rosbach,
DE) ; Back; Simone; (Frankfurt am, DE) ;
Finger; Gerhard; (Schmitten, DE) ; Stoerkel; Jens
Uwe; (Kronberg, DE) ; Reinking; Rex Erwin;
(Cedar Rapids, IA) ; Gustafson; Casey Joseph;
(Iowa City, IA) |
Family ID: |
44630100 |
Appl. No.: |
13/173571 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61359935 |
Jun 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/361 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 2202/02 20130101;
A46B 15/0091 20130101; A61C 19/02 20130101; B65D 75/36 20130101;
A61C 2202/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/361 |
International
Class: |
A46B 17/04 20060101
A46B017/04 |
Claims
1. An oral care implement package comprising: a plastic shell
providing a first surface of the package; a backer providing a
second surface of the package; an impermeable layer attached to the
backer, and the impermeable layer being attached to the plastic
shell; and an oral care implement positioned between the plastic
shell and the impermeable layer, the oral care implement comprising
a scented tongue cleaner and/or a scented handle, and wherein the
impermeable layer is capable of reducing the amount of scent
released from the tongue cleaner and/or the handle while the oral
care implement is in the package.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/359935, filed on Jun. 30, 2010, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to a personal hygiene
packaging, more particularly to packaging for oral care
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In order to enhance a brushing experience of a user, there
are toothbrushes available which offer a scented tongue cleaner
and/or a scented handle. In general, during use, the scent of the
tongue cleaner and/or handle is released from the toothbrush in
such quantities that the user can detect the scent, thereby
enhancing the brushing experience by the user.
[0004] These toothbrushes are generally packaged in standard
toothbrush packaging. Specifically, the standard toothbrush
packages include a plastic outer shell which is attached to a
plastic or cardboard backer. These packages typically include slits
or openings in the backer to facilitate the removal of the
toothbrush by the user. However, these slits or openings
additionally may allow the scent to be emitted from the toothbrush
while the toothbrush is still on the shelf Depending on how long
the toothbrush sits on the shelf, the toothbrush may release a
substantial amount of the scent. This can result in lower
concentrations of scent available for the user upon purchase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The oral care implement package of the present invention may
reduce the amount of leakage of scent from the oral care implement
while the oral care implement is in the package. In some
embodiments, the oral care package comprises a plastic shell, a
backer, a vapor impermeable layer, and an oral care implement. The
plastic shell provides a first surface of the package while the
backer provides a second surface of the package. The vapor
impermeable layer is attached to the backer and the backer is
attached to the plastic shell. The oral care implement is
positioned between the plastic shell and the vapor impermeable
layer. The oral care implement comprises a scented tongue cleaner
and/or a scented handle. The vapor impermeable layer is capable or
reducing the amount of scent released from the tongue cleaner
and/or the handle while the oral care implement is in the
package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an oral care implement
package constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 1B is side view of the oral care implement package of
FIG. 1A.
[0008] FIG. 1C is a side view of a backer of the oral care
implement package of FIG. 1A.
[0009] FIG. 1D is a back view of the oral care implement package of
FIG. 1A.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an oral care implement
package constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a side view of the oral care implement package of
FIG. 2A.
[0012] FIG. 2C is a side view of a backer of the oral care
implement package of FIG. 2A.
[0013] FIG. 2D is a back view of the oral care implement package of
FIG. 2A.
[0014] FIG. 3A is a back side view of a toothbrush constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3B is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 3A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Definitions:
[0016] The following text sets forth a broad description of
numerous different embodiments of the present invention. The
description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not
describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible
embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible, and it will be
understood that any feature, characteristic, component,
composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described
herein can be deleted, combined with or substituted for, in whole
or part, any other feature, characteristic, component, composition,
ingredient, product, step or methodology described herein. Numerous
alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current
technology or technology developed after the filing date of this
patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. All
publications and patents cited herein are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0017] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). No term is intended
to be essential to the present invention unless so stated. To the
extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this
patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a
single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not
confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be
limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.
Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word
"means" and a function without the recital of any structure, it is
not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted
based on the application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth
paragraph.
Description:
[0018] For ease of explanation, the oral hygiene implement
described hereafter shall be a manual toothbrush; however, an oral
hygiene implement constructed in accordance with the present
invention is not limited to a manual toothbrush construction and
may be implemented in a refill for a power toothbrush or a power
toothbrush package including a handle and an oral care attachment.
Other oral care implements/accessories are contemplated for use
with the present invention, floss picks, toothpicks, floss, and the
like.
[0019] An oral care package constructed in accordance with the
present invention can reduce the amount of scent released to the
atmosphere thereby retaining a higher level of scent concentration
on the oral care implement.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D, in one embodiment, a
package 10 in accordance with the present invention may comprise a
plastic shell 20 and a backer 30. The backer 30 may include an
impermeable layer 40. The impermeable layer 40 can be vapor
impermeable such that any scent applied to the oral care implement
is contained within the package 10 for a longer period of time than
that of the conventional toothbrush package.
[0021] In order to maintain a seal between the plastic shell 20 and
the backer 30, the plastic shell 20 may be attached to the backer
30 continuously along the perimeter of the plastic shell 20 and/or
the backer 30. In some embodiments, the backer 30 and/or the
plastic shell 20 may be provided with a gasket in order to reduce
the amount of scent that is given off by the toothbrush while in
the package.
[0022] The impermeable layer 40 may be provided on one side of the
backer 30 or may be provided on multiple sides. In some
embodiments, the impermeable layer 40 is provided on a front side
50 of the backer 30 which faces the interior of the package 10. In
such embodiments, the backer 30 may include a weakened area 70 on a
backside facing surface 60 which can facilitate the removal of the
toothbrush from the package 10.
[0023] The weakened area 70 may comprise slits, skives, reduced
thickness, the like, and/or combinations thereof. In such
embodiments, the weakened area 70 may extend through the thickness
of the backer 30 and may not extend through the impermeable layer
40. This may be the case for those embodiments which include the
impermeable layer 40 on the front side 50. In such embodiments,
because the weakened area 70 does not extend through the
impermeable layer 40, the amount of scent released while the
toothbrush is in the package should be reduced over that of
standard packaging.
[0024] In some embodiments, the oral care implement may be
separately wrapped inside the toothbrush package. The separate
wrapping of the toothbrush may include impermeable material and may
be positioned such that the amount of scent released from the
package is reduced. For example, a tongue cleaner of the oral care
implement may be individually wrapped and/or the handle of the oral
care implement may be individually wrapped.
[0025] A toothbrush package 200 including multiple oral care
implements may similarly be constructed in accordance with the
present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2A through 2D, the package 200
may comprise a plurality of oral care implements. Similar to the
package 10 (shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D), the package 200 may
comprise a plastic shell 220 and a backer 230. The backer 230 may
include an impermeable layer 240. The impermeable layer 240 can be
vapor impermeable such that any scent applied to the oral care
implement is contained within the package 200 for a longer period
of time than that of the conventional toothbrush package.
[0026] In order to maintain a seal between the plastic shell 220
and the backer 230, the plastic shell 220 may be attached to the
backer 230 continuously along the perimeter of the plastic shell
220 and/or the backer 230. In some embodiments, the backer 230
and/or the plastic shell 220 may be provided with a gasket in order
to reduce the amount of scent that is given off by the toothbrush
while in the package.
[0027] The impermeable layer 240 may be provided on one side of the
backer 230 or may be provided on multiple sides. In some
embodiments, the impermeable layer 240 is provided on a front side
250 of the backer 230 which faces the interior of the package 200.
In such embodiments, the backer 230 may include a plurality of
weakened areas 270 and 271 on a backside facing surface 260 which
can facilitate the removal of an oral care implement from the
package 200.
[0028] The plastic shell 220 and/or the backer 230 may be
configured such that a separation wall exists between the oral care
implements. In such embodiments, a user may remove a toothbrush
from one side of the package and not disrupt the seal for the other
side of the package.
[0029] The weakened areas 270 and 271 may comprise slits, skives,
reduced thickness, the like, and/or combinations thereof. In such
embodiments, the weakened areas 270 and 271 may extend through the
thickness of the backer 230 and may not extend through the
impermeable layer 240. This may be the case for those embodiments
which include the impermeable layer 240 on the front side 250. In
such embodiments, because the weakened areas 270 and 271 do not
extend through the impermeable layer 240, the amount of scent
released while the toothbrush is in the package should be reduced
over that of standard packaging.
[0030] In some embodiments, in order to facilitate the removal of
the oral care implement from the package, the impermeable layer 40,
240, may be formed of a material which can be easily disrupted by
the user. For example, the impermeable layer 40, 240 may include
frangible areas which correspond to the weakened areas 70, 270,
and/or 271. However, in order to reduce the leakage of scent from
the package 10, 200, the frangible areas may still provide some
level of impermeability.
[0031] A suitable example of an oral care implement which can be
provided in the package(s) f the present invention is a toothbrush.
Regarding FIGS. 3A and 3B, a toothbrush 300 may comprise a handle
310, a head 320, and a neck 330 extending between the handle 310
and the head 320. The handle 310 may include a scented portion. For
example, the handle 310 may comprise an elastomeric portion(s)
360A, 360B which includes a scent and or a body portion 362 which
includes a scent. Additionally, the toothbrush 300 may comprise a
tongue cleaner 370 which includes scented material.
[0032] The head 320 as shown comprise a plurality of cleaning
elements 350 and the tongue cleaner 370. The cleaning elements 350
may comprise bristle tufts and/or elastomeric massage/cleaning
elements. In some embodiments, a portion of the cleaning elements
350 may comprise a scent.
[0033] In some embodiments, the toothbrush 300 may be positioned
between the plastic shell 20, 220 and the backer 30, 230.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the toothbrush 300 may be
positioned between the plastic shell 20, 220 and the impermeable
layer 40, 240.
[0034] Embodiments of the package are contemplated where the
plastic shell and or the backer includes the scent which is present
on the toothbrush thereby allowing users to smell the scent on the
toothbrush prior to removal from the package. Additionally,
embodiments are contemplated where a separate scent element is
attached to the plastic shell and or the backer which can provide
the scent to the user.
[0035] The plastic shell 20, 220 may comprise any suitable
material. Some suitable examples of material include amorphous
polyethylene terephthalate (A-PET), combinations, laminate
structures including polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and
foil made of ethyl vinyl alcohol, laminate structures comprising a
layer of A-PET, a layer of polyethylene terephthalate glycol
(PET-G) and another layer of PET-G. The layers may be arranged in
any suitable arrangement. For example, the A-PET layer may be
sandwiched between the two layers of PET-G, e.g. PET-GAG. The A-PET
layer can provide mechanical strength to the laminate while the
layers of PET-G are printable and sealable. Other examples include
of a suitable materials include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and
polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
[0036] Any suitable thickness of these materials may be utilized.
For example, a thickness of 0.4 mm may be utilized.
[0037] The backer 30 and 230 may comprise any suitable material.
Some examples of suitable material include paper products,
cardboard; PVC in combination with a PVC plastic shell; PET-GAG in
combination with a PET-GAG plastic shell, combinations thereof Any
suitable thickness may be utilized. For example, a thickness of 0.3
mm may be utilized for the overall thickness of the backer.
[0038] The impermeable layer 40, 240 may comprise any suitable
material. Some examples of suitable material include an aluminum
coating, a PVC layer, a PET-GAG layer, polyester film, or
combinations thereof. The aluminum coating may comprise a plurality
of flakes of aluminum which may be attached to the backer 30 via an
adhesive during a transfer process. The flakes of aluminum can
provide a level of impermeability while still providing good
adhesion between the plastic shell 20, 220, the backer 30. The
aluminum coating may comprise a continuous foil which can be
adhesively attached to the backer 30.
[0039] As stated previously, in order to reduce the leakage from
the package, the backer may be devoid of weakened areas. However,
in some embodiments, for example where a PET-GAG is utilized, the
backer may include weakened areas. For example, the weakened area
may extend only through a portion of the laminate, e.g. through an
outermost facing PET-G layer and/or through the A-PET layer while
leaving the innermost PET-G layer devoid of weakened areas. This
package construction may facilitate the removal of the toothbrush
from the package while also reducing the amount of scent leaked
from the package. In other embodiments, for example where a
polyester film is utilized as an impermeable layer, the backer may
comprise weakened areas. The weakened areas can extend through the
backer but not through the polyester film.
[0040] Additional embodiments are contemplated where the
impermeable layer comprises a first weakened area which corresponds
to a second weakened area in the backer 30. The first weakened area
may overlay and correspond exactly with the second weakened area in
some embodiments. In other embodiments, the first weakened area may
be shorter in length and/or width than the second weakened area. It
is believed that by limiting the extent of the first weakened area,
a substantially vapor proof package may be realized. Suitable
weakened areas for the first weakened area may be as described
heretofore with regard to the weakened area of the backer 30. Other
suitable forms of weakened areas for the first weakened area may
comprise openings in the impermeable layer.
[0041] The impermeable layers disclosed herein may be applied in
any suitable manner. For example, the backer 30, 230 and the
impermeable layer 40, 240 may be laminated together to form a
unitary structure. In some embodiments, the impermeable layer 40,
240, may be wrapped around the backer 30, 230. In some embodiments,
the impermeable layer 40, 240, may be adhesively attached to the
backer 30, 230. In some embodiments, an aluminum layer, e.g. foil,
may be attached to a paper backer. In other embodiments, an
aluminum layer, e.g. foil may be sandwiched between two paper
layers. In still other embodiments, a PET-GAG layer may be
sandwiched between two paper layers. In still other embodiments, a
PET-GAG layer may be attached to a paper layer.
[0042] In some embodiments, the PET described heretofore, may be
bio based. For example, the PET may comprise from about 25 to about
75 weight percent of a terephthalate component and from about 20 to
about 50 weight percent of a diol component, wherein at least about
one weight percent of at least one of the terephthalate and/or the
diol component is derived from at least one bio-based material.
Similarly, the terephthalate component may be derived from a bio
based material. Some examples of suitable bio based materials
include but are not limited to corn, sugarcane, beet, potato,
starch, citrus fruit, woody plant, cellulosic lignin, plant oil,
natural fiber, oily wood feedstock, and a combination thereof.
[0043] Some of the specific components of the PET may be bio based.
For example, monoethylene glycol and terephthalic acid may be
formed from bio based materials. The formation of bio based PET and
its manufacture are described in United States Patent Application
Publication Nos. 20090246430A1 and 20100028512A1.
[0044] Additionally, the laminate structures described herein may
include at least one layer formed from a bio based material. Such
structures are described in WO2009032748.
[0045] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0046] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0047] 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. Moreover, the various features of the embodiments
described herein may be interchangeable unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *