HK1073054A - Underarm product and package combination - Google Patents

Description

Underarm product and package combination

Technical Field

The present invention relates to underarm products in combination with packaging that redefines consumer habits and behaviors in a manner that makes carrying and using the product in front of others socially more acceptable, thereby increasing the chances of reusing the product during the day.

Background

The consumer product industry provides consumers in the world with a wide variety of personal care products designed to meet consumer needs. These personal care products are not only designed to meet the functional needs of the consumer, but also to create a pleasant use experience for the consumer. The number and variety of personal care products available to current female consumers is very large, spanning functional design, aesthetic design, and usage use. These personal care products can be classified in a number of ways. For example, these products can be categorized by function (cleansing, prophylaxis, care, cosmetic enhancement, sensory experience, etc.), form (sprays, creams, lotions, wipes, bars, lathering soaps, etc.), and/or intended use (for hair, teeth, facial skin, legs, underarms, whole body).

Through qualitative and quantitative consumer surveys, it has been found that there are specific, notable habits and practices associated with each of these personal care products. These habits and practices include frequency of use, occasion of use, product storage, multiple uses, combined use, and selection of brands, forms, odors, prices, and retail environments. One example herein is the habit or practice of consumers to carry one of these personal care products with them and/or the habit or practice of using the product in front of others. For example, users carry and often use certain cosmetics in front of others on a comfortable basis. Examples herein include lipstick and compact. These types of personal care products are typically reused multiple times during the day and often in front of others. Another example of this is a perfume for women or men, which is also often carried by the user, reused during the day, and used in front of others.

Some other types of personal care products, such as underarm products, while intended for repeated use, may not be easily and conveniently completed or may not be adequately completed as desired. Many consumers want to remain "fresh" throughout the day and use/reuse their underarm products. This repeated use refreshes them, gives off a fresh scent and restores their confidence. Some consumers have had this re-use habit, but their supplies must be stored in inconvenient locations (desk drawers, lockers, sports bags) and used/re-used in private locations (public toilets, locker rooms, homes) by interrupting daily routines. For example, can-type packaging is messy and unsightly, whereas current spray underarm products are primarily packaged in bulky and unsightly aerosol cans. These types of packaging do not allow the user to conveniently carry the product with them in a purse, nor are they designed in such a way that they can be used in front of others. Even if smaller sizes can be made, the metal can package is easily linked to the intended use of the underarm product, thus preventing the user from carrying the product or using it based on the frequency of his needs.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention provides a combination of an underarm product and a package comprising an underarm product, said underarm product being a liquid, and a package, said underarm product being transparent, said package capable of containing and dispensing said underarm product, said package having an overflow volume of no greater than 118 milliliters, said package being transparent. The package may be made of plastic. The underarm product may be a single phase or a multiple phase solution. The underarm product may be free of suspended or dispersed solids. The package may be a contact or non-contact dispenser. The package may have a single or multiple layer side wall.

Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description, wherein various modes for carrying out the invention are briefly described. It is to be understood that the invention includes other different aspects that are obvious and may be practiced without departing from the invention in various ways. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Brief description of the drawings

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a package according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the package of FIG. 1 with the lid;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the package of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the package of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the package shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another package according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the package of FIG. 7 with the lid thereon;

FIG. 9 is a right side elevational view of the package of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a left side elevational view of the package of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the package of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another package according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the package of FIG. 13 with the lid thereon;

FIG. 15 is a right side elevational view of the package of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a left side elevational view of the package of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the package of FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of another package according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the package of FIG. 19 with the lid on;

FIG. 21 is a right side elevational view of the package of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a left side elevational view of the package illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the package of FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of another package according to the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a right side elevational view of the package of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a left side elevational view of the package of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a top view of the package of FIG. 25;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of another package according to the present invention;

FIG. 31 is another outline view of the package shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of another package according to the present invention; and

fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of another package having multiple layers similar to that shown in fig. 32.

Detailed Description

It has recently been found that it is possible to design an underarm product (defined herein as a product that provides or is intended to provide antiperspirant and/or deodorant efficacy) in a manner that re-expresses or reconstructs the feel to the product. Specifically, it is possible to change the feeling of convenience, the feeling of easy reuse, the feeling of being willing to carry and the feeling of being willing to use in front of others. These sensations can vary with package size, shape, color, and/or materials of construction. In the case of underarm products, the consumer's perception can change dramatically by selecting the package size, shape, color, and/or materials typically associated with products that are carried with the consumer and used in front of others, such as perfume for women or men. When we have reconfigured the feel of the underarm product in this manner, the consumer will not only be more willing to carry the product with him or her and use it in front of others, but will likely increase the frequency of use of the product and increase the antiperspirant/deodorant benefit.

To validate our hypothesis and design, we performed a consumer survey. First, we have found that the consumer's willingness to carry a personal care product with them depends on the type of product the consumer perceives as such. For example, consumers prefer to carry skin care products compared to perfume women/men, perfume women/men compared to body sprays/sprays, and body sprays/sprays compared to underarm products. Secondly, we have found that the consumer's willingness to use a personal care product in front of others also depends on the type of product the consumer perceives as such. For example, consumers prefer to use a perfume for women/men compared to skin care products, a skin care product compared to body sprays/sprays, and a body spray/spray compared to underarm products.

Referring to table a below, we present the consumer with a set of two empty packages. The first package is a standard aluminum can. The second package is a clear plastic bottle. We then ask the consumer which product type is more desirable in both packages. Most consumers (78%) felt that the aluminum cans would contain underarm products, while 72% felt that clear plastic bottles would contain perfume/mascot type products. Interestingly, 0% of consumers believe that transparent plastic bottles will contain underarm products.

TABLE A

	Aluminium pot	Transparent plastic bottle	Both of them have
				Perfume for women	14％	72％	14％
Body spray	59％	38％	3％
				Underarm product	78％	0％	22％
Skin care product	5％	64％	31％

The term "plastic" is defined herein as any substance or material that can be shaped or formed with or without heat. Generally, plastics are thermoplastic or thermosetting high homopolymers or copolymers, most of which have a high molecular weight. Plastics conforming to this definition include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, polyesters, nylons, vinyls, acrylics, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, and polyurethanes (polyurethanes).

The term "transparent" is defined herein as having the property of transmitting light without significant scattering so that a body placed behind it can be perceived. One acceptable method for determining whether an article is transparent is to attempt to read a set of text placed directly on the back of the package. The text was printed in black 14 Times New Roman font on a piece of white paper, the printed side of the paper being affixed to the back of the package. The text and/or letters located in front of the package must be visible and/or readable to an individual standing on the front of the package and having normal vision.

Referring to Table B below, we demonstrate to the consumer a set of clear plastic bottles containing articles. The first bottle contained a colorless liquid. The second bottle contained a colorless liquid containing undissolved powder (e.g., conventional underarm product powder). We then ask the consumer which package is believed to be indicative of one of the following article types. When asking which package contains perfume for women, most consumers (94%) think that the clear liquid in the clear package looks like a perfume for women/men type of product. Interestingly, 0% of consumers believe that perfume for women will contain a powdery substance. When asked which package contained the underarm product, only 8% of consumers thought that a clear plastic package containing a clear, colorless liquid would contain the underarm product. Even further, when asking which package contains skin care products, 62% of consumers have chosen a package containing a powdered substance. This trend appears to indicate that consumers believe the presence of a powdered substance (i.e., not just a colorless liquid) is more effective at treating the skin, and that powdered substances are generally considered to be more useful as underarm products or skin care product functions than as a feminine perfume or body spray function.

TABLE B

	Transparent plastic bottle transparent colorless liquid	Liquid/powder composition of AP in clear plastic bottle	Both of them have
				Perfume for women	94％	0％	6％
Body spray	84％	11％	5％
				Underarm product	8％	39％	53％
Skin care product	8％	62％	30％

Referring to Table C below, we show a set of clear plastic bottles containing clear articles to the consumer. The first bottle is substantially similar to the second bottle except for being substantially smaller in size. We then ask the consumer which package is believed to be indicative of one of the following article types. When asking which package contains the perfume, most consumers (89%) believe that the perfume/mascot-type items will be stored in a smaller bottle. Surprisingly, when asking which package contains the underarm product, 0% of consumers choose the smaller package.

Watch C

	Transparent plastic bottle transparent colorless liquid	Large size transparent plastic bottle, transparent colorless liquid	Both of them have
				Perfume for women	89％	6％	6％
Body spray	43％	54％	3％
				Underarm product	0％	47％	53％
Skin care product	25％	28％	47％

Packaging examples

The following examples and embodiments of clear plastic packages illustrate dispensing packages within the scope of the present invention. These examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

The embodiments shown in fig. 1-31 depict clear plastic packages suitable for delivering clear underarm products. Fig. 1 illustrates a package 10, a container body 20 (adapted to hold pressure) designed with a valve (or suitable closure) secured to its opening, an actuating means 30, an orifice 40, a valve 50, a dip tube 60, and an upper cap 70 as shown in fig. 2. Figures 3 to 6 show additional views of the package of figure 1.

Fig. 7 illustrates a package 110, a container body 120 (adapted to hold pressure) designed with a valve (or suitable closure) secured to its opening, an actuator 130, an orifice 140, a dip tube 160, a collar 180, and a cap 170 as shown in fig. 8, while fig. 9 shows a valve 150. Fig. 10 to 12 show additional views of the package of fig. 7.

Fig. 13 illustrates a package 210, a container body 220 (adapted to hold pressure) designed with a valve (or suitable closure) secured to its opening, an actuator 230, a diptube 260 and a cap 270 as shown in fig. 14, while fig. 15 shows a valve 250 and an orifice 240. Figures 16 to 18 show additional views of the package of figure 13.

Fig. 19 illustrates a package 310, a container body 320 (adapted to hold pressure) designed with a valve (or suitable closure) secured to its opening, an actuator 330, a diptube 360, an orifice 340, a collar 380, and a cap 370 as shown in fig. 20, while fig. 21 shows a valve 250. Fig. 22 to 24 show additional views of the package of fig. 19.

Figure 25 illustrates a package 410, a container body 420 (adapted to hold pressure) designed with a valve (or suitable closure) secured to its opening, an actuator 430, a diptube 460, a collar 480 and shown in figure 26 as a valve 450 and port 440. Fig. 27 to 29 show additional views of the package of fig. 19.

Fig. 30 illustrates a package 510, a container body 520 (adapted to hold pressure) designed to have a valve (or suitable closure) affixed to its opening, an actuator 530, a diptube 560, a shield 580, a valve (not shown), an application surface 540 having at least one orifice (not shown), and a cover 570. Fig. 31 is a top view of the package of fig. 30.

The packages of the present invention may be designed as contact (e.g., fig. 1-29) or non-contact (e.g., fig. 30-31) dispensers. The contact package may have an application surface that may be in direct contact with an application target, such as the skin of a consumer. The non-contact package may be designed to apply the underarm product to an application surface (e.g., the consumer's skin) using a spraying method, or other similar spraying method.

Fig. 32 and 33 illustrate dimensions of a package suitable for containing underarm products. The package has an overflow volume of no more than 118 milliliters.

The packages of the present invention may be produced in any package forming manner including, but not limited to, injection blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, injection molding, or extrusion molding. A transparent resin with appropriate plastic chemistry and mechanical properties can be molded to the dimensions shown in fig. 30 and 31. The package 600 shown in fig. 30 has a single sidewall 610 with a wall thickness greater than 0.06cm (0.025 "). The package may be produced from any clear plastic having suitable mechanical and chemical properties, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) supplied by GE Plastics 9921, Hypertuf 86017 supplied by M & G Polymers USA, Barex supplied by BP USA, and/or Nylon G21 supplied by Grivory Ems. The package 700 shown in fig. 31 has a plurality of side walls 710, 720, 730. Fig. 31 may utilize multiple layers of plastic with various thicknesses and/or incorporating multiple layers of material that retain their transparency properties. The materials used in fig. 31 may provide additional mechanical and chemical properties.

Underarm product embodiment

The following examples and embodiments of clear plastic packages illustrate dispensing packages within the scope of the present invention. These examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

The packages described herein are designed to deliver an article that is a clear liquid that reduces odor and/or wetness in the axilla. These articles typically do not include any powders, such as particulate antiperspirant actives, talc, clays, and the like, that reduce the natural transparency of the article. These liquid products can exist in a variety of forms, including single-phase solutions and multi-phase solutions. Products based on multiphase solutions can either be transparent stable emulsions or two transparent immiscible layers that must be shaken by the consumer before application (the article can be transparent or opaque after shaking).

The underarm products useful in the present invention can include any clear liquid product known in the antiperspirant and/or deodorant art. Typically, these products include propellants such as butane, isobutane, propane, dimethyl ether, 1-difluoroethane or mixtures thereof. The product also includes a liquid phase that can be formed in any solvent known in the cosmetic art, including water, ethanol, cyclopentasiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, propylene glycol, or other similar solvents. These articles also typically include a deodorant active that is soluble in the liquid article. Typical actives include triclosan (triclosan), triclocarban (triclocarban), zinc phenolsulfonate or any other known deodorant active. These articles also typically contain fragrances to effectively mask malodors associated with perspiration, or which provide other ingredients with a desirable fragrance of the perfume. Examples of useful deodorant actives and fragrances are included in U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,572.

The underarm products of the present invention may also include a solubilized antiperspirant active. Typically, these actives are astringent salts or aluminum, zirconium or zinc, but any known antiperspirant active may be used including, but not limited to, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium chloride trihydrate and aluminum zirconium chloride tetrahydrate. The active may be dissolved in any solvent that can dissolve the active including, but not limited to, ethanol, water, propylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, 1, 2 hexanediol, 1, 2 pentanediol, 1, 2 butanediol. These products also typically contain cosmetic solvents such as cyclomethicone, dimethicone, mineral oil, dimethicone copolyol, dimethiconol or other solvents that provide a satisfactory skin feel. These products can also include fragrances, deodorant actives or skin moisturizers. Examples of such articles are disclosed in patent WO 96/18378, U.S. patent 4073880, U.S. patent 5814309, U.S. patent 3555145, and co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application 09/864012.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, further modifications of the invention herein described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Where several potential or alternative modifications have been mentioned, other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been discussed for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the components described will be continually upgraded and modified in light of technological advancements. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of construction, operation, or process steps set forth in the specification and illustrated in the drawings.

Claims (10)

1. The combination of underarm product and package characterized in that:

(a) an underarm product, said underarm product being a liquid, said underarm product being transparent; and

(b) a package capable of containing and dispensing the underarm product, the package having an overflow volume of no greater than 118 milliliters, the package being transparent.

2. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said package is made of plastic.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, nylons, vinyls, acrylics, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, and/or polyurethanes.

4. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said product is a single phase solution.

5. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said product is a multi-phase solution.

6. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said product is free of suspended or dispersed solids.

7. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said package is a pressurized contact dispenser.

8. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said package is a pressurized non-contact dispenser.

9. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said package has a single layer sidewall.

10. The underarm product and package combination according to claim 1, wherein said package has a multi-layer sidewall.