Patent Publication Number: US-7584846-B2

Title: Shaped packaging for a refill

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENTIAL LISTING 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Background 
   The present disclosure relates generally to packaging for a refill, and more particularly, to a package shaped to resemble a device for use with a refill. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment, a package includes a configuration of the package that resembles at least a portion of a device with which a refill functionally interacts. The configuration of the package is indicative of the device. Further, the configuration does not carry the device. 
   In a different embodiment, a method of identifying a renewable item for a rechargeable device includes the step of providing a package having a structural configuration that resembles at least a portion of the rechargeable device with which the renewable item interacts. The method further includes the step of packaging the renewable item within the package. The rechargeable device is not carried by the structural configuration. 
   In another embodiment, a packaging includes a first item and a structure that carries the first item and that resembles at least one portion of a second item with which the first item functionally interacts. A characteristic of the structure identifies the second item. The second item is not carried by the structure. 
   Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of a package for a refill having a configuration resembling a portion of a device that the refill is to be used with; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the package of  FIG. 1  further including a refill; 
       FIG. 3  is a right side elevational view of the package of  FIG. 1  further including a refill, the opposite side being a mirror image of the right side view; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the package of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom elevational view of the package of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the package of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a different embodiment of a package similar to the one shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a right side elevational view of another embodiment of a package similar to the one shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a package having a refill within a configuration that resembles a portion of a device with which the refill is to be used and an additional storage portion containing two additional refills; 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of a different embodiment of a package similar to the one shown in  FIG. 9  except that the refill is removed from the configuration; 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view of still another embodiment of a package for a refill having a configuration resembling a portion of a device that the refill is to be used with; 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of a package for a refill having a configuration resembling a portion of a device that the refill is to be used with; 
       FIG. 13  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a package for a refill having a configuration resembling a portion of a device that the refill is to be used with; and 
       FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a different embodiment of a package for a refill having a configuration resembling a portion of a device that the refill is to be used with. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Consumers are often overwhelmed with the number of choices available for refill containers for consumer products such as aerosol dispensers. As a result consumers may be confused about which refill to buy to replace an empty refill and therefore may purchase an incompatible refill for their aerosol dispenser. Realization of the mistake typically only occurs once the consumer has returned home, which takes a considerable amount of time, and attempting to recharge the aerosol dispenser with the incorrect refill. As a result, the consumer must return to the store to exchange the incorrect refill with a compatible refill. However, the consumer at this point is again faced with choosing the correct refill. The present disclosure overcomes the burden placed upon consumers of identifying refills and other items, such as renewable items, by providing packaging that guides a consumer to identify refills and the like that are compatible with aerosol dispensers and other devices. 
   The present disclosure is directed toward packages and packaging. The present disclosure is further directed toward using packaging to provide guidance to a consumer to identify a product to be used with a device. In one embodiment, a package containing the product may resemble or may be reminiscent or indicative of the device with which it is used. The package may have a configuration or characteristic such as at least one of a three dimensional shape, a size, a pattern, an outline, an exterior, a facade, a surface, a footprint, a contour, and the like that resembles and/or somehow suggests a reusable appliance for which the refill is designed. For example, the package may have one or more configurations, such as a three dimensional configuration, which resembles a portion of the outer surface of the device of sufficient completeness to enable a consumer to recognize the device. It is contemplated that the configuration may appear to be a replica of the exterior of the device and made from, for example, thermoformed materials, such as plastic and the like. Further, the configuration may resemble another portion of the device such as a compartment and/or an interface where the product would functionally interact when assembled with the device. As contemplated herein, at least one portion of the package, such as the configuration, is shaped and/or formed such that a consumer will recognize a structural signature characteristic of the device. Thus, by association of the shape and/or form of the device presented by the configuration of the package, a consumer may identify the product needed to replenish the device. Further, due to the consumer being able to identify the device by a shape of a portion of the package, the device itself need not be included with the package. However, it is contemplated that the package may include the device, as well. 
   In another embodiment, in lieu of or in addition to the configuration having an exterior surface or structural shape suggestive of the device, the configuration may resemble a structure for which the shape of some portion of the product is its complement. For example, the configuration may resemble any type of lock and key arrangement of a device. In one embodiment, the device and lock and key arrangement are similar to those shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/725,402, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this way, devices for which it would be impractical and/or undesirable for any reason to mimic the outer surfaces thereof may be represented sufficiently by shaping the configuration to resemble a smaller but singularly identifiable component of the device that a consumer may associate therewith. 
   Refills and renewable devices contemplated herein may include, for example, products that may be carried by the package including, for example, a component, an insert, a packet, a pouch, a storage container, a textile, a bead, a candle, a recharge, an add-on, a replacement part, a single or multiple compartment cartridge, a can, a bottle, an aerosol container, a fuel charge, a filter, a bag, a reservoir, a reusable part, a liquid fragrance reservoir, a fluid container, and/or a pump-type sprayer container, any of which may have any size and/or volume known to those skilled in the art. 
   Certain products may carry a dispensable substance including, for example, a fluid, a gas, a fragrance, a gel, an oil, an emulsion, a wax, a resin, a polymer, a salt, a powder, a shaving gel, an insect repellent, an insecticide, an air controlling agent an odor eliminating agent, a cleaning agent, a clog removal agent, a scrubbing agent, a surface cleaning agent, a floor cleaning agent, a dust removal agent, a bathroom cleaning agent, a stain removal agent, a clothes cleaning agent, a food, a drink mix, an ingredient any combination thereof, and any other suitable substance. In one embodiment, the fluid may be a fragrance, an odor eliminator, or an insecticide disposed within a carrier liquid, a deodorizing liquid, or the like. For example, the fluid may comprise OUST®, an air and carpet sanitizer for household, commercial, and institutional use, or GLADE®, a household deodorant, both sold by S. C. Johnson and Son, Inc., of Racine, Wis. The fluid and/or other substance may also comprise other actives, such as sanitizers, air fresheners, odor eliminators, mold or mildew inhibitors, insect repellents, and the like, or that have aromatherapeutic properties. The fluid alternatively may comprise any fluid known to those skilled in the art that can be dispensed from a container. 
   Devices and/or items contemplated herein may include a dispenser, such as a fluid dispenser, an aerosol dispenser, a gas dispenser, a powder dispenser, a dispenser of solids, a liquid dispenser, a coffee and/or espresso machine, a motorized machine, an electronic device, a cosmetic device, a cooking appliance, a filtering system, a chamber, a razor, a carrier, a candle, and/or any other apparatus known in the art that requires replacement of a temporary, short-lived, and/or single use product, such as a rechargeable device, and thereby dispenses, stores, displays, prepares, applies, or otherwise utilizes the product and/or any substance held within the product. 
   Examples of aerosol dispensers include manual dispensers controlled by manual actuation of a switch or button and automated aerosol dispensers controlled by sensors, timers, and the like. An example of a gas dispenser includes a gas regulator valve. Examples of powder dispensers and/or dispensers of solids include hand-held shakers, cosmetic brushes that dispense powders, sifters, and the like. Examples of coffee and/or espresso machines include those that dispense and/or prepare prepackaged coffee, espresso, and/or flavor packs and the like, and combinations thereof. Examples of motorized machines, electronic devices, filtering systems, chambers, carriers, razors, devices that use temporary, short-lived product, and/or single use products, and devices that dispense, store, prepare, and/or apply, or otherwise utilize the product and/or any substance held within the product are known to those skilled in the art. 
   The package may be made of any suitable material known to one skilled in the art including paper, plastic, cloth, cardboard, wood, metal, resin, and any combination thereof. Further, it is contemplated that the packaging may be formed by any method appropriate to achieve the desired shape in light of the starting materials disclosed above. For example, the package may be made by thermoforming, injection molding, extruding, laminating, and combinations thereof including other suitable methods known in the art. In addition, it is contemplated herein that the product may be fully contained and carried within the package or may be only partially contained thereby to securely carry the product so the product is not inadvertently separated from the package before purchase. The package or materials from which the package is made may be transparent, translucent, and/or opaque to enable, allow, and/or restrict viewing of at least a portion of an interior of the package. 
   Turning to the figures,  FIGS. 1-14  depict certain embodiments of those contemplated in the present disclosure. These embodiments only illustrate a few of the refill types and package configurations of the many contemplated herein and are not to be considered limiting in any way to the extent of the present disclosure. For example,  FIGS. 1-6  depict a first embodiment of a package  10  that includes a thermoformed blister-type portion  12  having a configuration  14  that resembles outer surfaces of an aerosol dispenser and a back flange  16  that may be secured to a backing material  18 , such as paper, cardboard, and/or plastic and the like. The thermoformed portion  12  further includes a foot  20  with a bottom surface  22  that enables the package to be displayed in a manner similar to how an actual aerosol dispenser would appear in use, e.g., resting upon a supporting surface (not shown). In a different embodiment, alternative or similar structure is provided to display the package in a manner similar to how a different type of device would appear in use. In some embodiments, the foot  20  includes protrusions (not shown) on the bottom surface  22  that help to stabilize the package  10  when resting on a supporting surface (not shown). Further, the foot  20  includes a face surface  24  that may enable a vendor to display a number of similar packages  10  on a supporting surface (not shown) such that the packages align with their face surfaces aligned in parallel when the packages are aligned in a row front to back. 
   The package  10  further includes denesting features  26  and  28  located toward the bottom and the top, respectively, of the thermoformed portion  12 . The denesting features  26  and  28  aid in the assembly of the packages  10  by allowing the thermoformed portions  12  to be easily stacked and unstacked, when storing and loading the packages, respectively, prior to affixation of a backing material  18 . Another function of the denesting features  26  and  28  may be to help secure a refill  30  within the configuration  14  of the thermoformed portion  12  in a manner similar to how the refill  30  would be positioned relative to the device for which the refill is designed (not shown). The backing material  18  also includes an aperture  32  to aid in displaying the package  10 , e.g., by enabling the package  10  to be hung in a display rack (not shown). 
     FIG. 6  depicts a rear view of the package  10 . A back surface  40  of the backing material  18  is shown through which the aperture  30  extends. The back surface  40  may be provided with additional information regarding the refill and/or device for which the refill is designed. However, while not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that no additional information may be necessary for a consumer to choose the correct refill carried by the package  10 , as the configuration  14  provides an adequate cue to the consumer to recognize which refill to choose. In this way, it may be the case that the only additional information that is provided on the back surface  40  may be, for example, the fragrance of the refill in question and other information relating to characteristics of the refill rather than which device it is designed for. 
     FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment of a package  50  similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , wherein identical structures in other embodiments are shown with like reference numerals. The present embodiment includes an aerosol refill  52  with a fluid outlet  54 , such as a nozzle, a wick, a capillary member, a tube, a valve, and the like. The refill  52  is carried within the configuration  14  of the thermoformed portion  12  of the package  10 . Further, the configuration  14  of the package  10  approximates the actual aerosol dispenser size for which the aerosol refill  52  is designed. However, it is contemplated that the configuration  14  may be scaled in size with respect to the actual device, such that the configuration may be relatively larger (not shown) or smaller (see  FIG. 8 ) than the actual device represented. 
     FIG. 8  shows a different embodiment of a package  100  that includes an insert  102 , which may be made of paper, cardboard, plastic, cloth, metal, resin, and/or any other materials known in the art and any combination thereof. The insert  102  serves to secure the refill  52  within the package  100 , and may provide information regarding the refill and/or device, and/or instructions for combining the refill with the device. For example,  FIG. 8  illustrates the insert  102  helping to secure the refill  52  in place within the package  100 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of a package  150  having similarities to those described previously. The package  150  further includes an additional storage portion  152  that may carry one or more additional refills (in this case two additional refills,  52   a  and  52   b  with fluid outlets  54   a  and  54   b , respectively). The additional storage portion  152  may be an additional portion of the thermoformed portion  12 , such that it is an extension thereof. Alternatively, it is contemplated herein that the additional storage portion may be a separate feature of the package  150  associated with the backing material  18 . Further, the additional storage portion  152  may completely surround the additional refills,  52   a  and  52   b , or may only carry a portion of each sufficient to secure the additional refills to the package  150 . The advantage of this embodiment is that a consumer may be guided to purchase the correct refill  52 ,  52   a , and  52   b  for a dispenser (not shown) by the configuration  14  and at the same time may purchase several identical refills thus reducing the number of packages. In addition, the package  150  of this embodiment may include refills  52 ,  52   a , and  52   b  with differing characteristics, such as differing fragrances and/or differing uses, such as fragrancing, insect repelling, and/or deodorizing, and the like.  FIG. 10  depicts a different embodiment of a package  200  similar to the own shown in  FIG. 9 , except that the refill  52  is not provided within the package  200 . Rather, only the refills  52   a  and  52   b  are provided on the storage portion  152  and the thermoformed portion  12  and the configuration  14  act as an indicator of the type of device to be used with the refills. It is contemplated that the thermoformed portions  12  and/or the configuration  14  may be scaled larger or smaller in this or other embodiments. 
   In yet another embodiment (not shown), a package includes a thermoformed portion with a configuration resembling a portion of a device, wherein a refill is carried partially within the thermoformed portion of the package and partially outside of the thermoformed portion. Such an approach may help guide the consumer to choose the correct refill for a device, and further, may instruct how the refill interacts with and/or attaches to the device. Still further, by carrying the refill only partially contained within the package, less packaging material is required thus minimizing use of packaging materials in general. 
     FIGS. 11-14  depict other embodiments of packages having thermoformed portions  12  with configurations that resemble different types of devices.  FIG. 11  illustrates a package  250  having a configuration  252  that is indicative of a stain removal device, which may include a refill such as a pad and/or a liquid.  FIG. 12  depicts a package  300  having a structural configuration  302  that resembles a portion of a volatile emitting insect control lantern, which may include a renewable item such as a candle and/or a pad.  FIG. 13  shows a package  350  having a structure  352  with a characteristic that identifies a baby wipe container, wherein another item such as a refill of wipes that functionally interacts with the container is carried within the package  350 .  FIG. 14  depicts yet another package  400  having a configuration  402  that resembles a portion of an air freshening and lighting device, which may include a refill such as a fragrance cartridge.  FIGS. 11-14  are illustrative of the varying types of packages that may be fashioned to provide an indication to a user of an appropriate refill for a corresponding device. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use that disclosed herein and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.