Patent Description:
In recent years, consumers have become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of product packaging and have begun to call for more sustainable and cost-effective packaging. Many conventional product packaging options for handheld personal care products such as shaving razors are not durable or reusable and include a significant amount of single-use material that is discarded after the product is purchased by a consumer and removed from the packaging. While at least some of this material is typically recyclable, some types of materials are not easily recyclable in consumer recycling streams, and other material types are not recyclable at all. Packaging options with one or more reusable portions frequently are insufficiently robust and may degrade with use or become damaged, particularly following contact with liquids such as water, soap, etc. These structures typically also provide limited ability for cleaning and may lose the ability to secure and/or protect the product over time.

Various different types of packages are known from <CIT>, <CIT> Al, <CIT> and <CIT>. <CIT> discloses in particular a case comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the top and bottom portions being coupled together by a hinge so as to be movable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position, the top portion comprising a first gripping feature and the bottom portion comprising a second gripping feature, the first and second gripping features being configured to assist with moving the case from the closed position to the open position. The documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose securement covers to maintain top and bottom portions of containers in the closed position, the securement cover being removable to allow the top and bottom portions to be moved to the open position.

It would be desirable to provide durable, multi-use packaging for a shaving razor system that could be used both to display the product in a retail environment and store the product during consumer use.

In one aspect, the invention features a storage and display assembly according to claim <NUM>. In another aspect, the invention features a method for merchandizing a shaving razor system according to claim <NUM>.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:.

With reference to <FIG>, a storage and display assembly <NUM> is illustrated. The storage and display assembly <NUM> comprises a case <NUM> and a securement cover <NUM> (an outline of the securement cover <NUM> is depicted with dashed lines). The case <NUM> comprises a top portion <NUM> and a bottom portion <NUM> that may be coupled together so as to be movable relative to one another between a closed position, as shown in <FIG>, and an open position, as shown in <FIG>. When the case <NUM> is in the closed position, the case <NUM> defines a top surface <NUM>-<NUM>; a bottom surface <NUM>-<NUM>; a pair of side surfaces comprising a first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> and a second side surface <NUM>-<NUM>; and a pair of end surfaces comprising a first end surface <NUM>-<NUM> and a second end surface <NUM>-<NUM>. As described herein in detail, the securement cover <NUM> may be associated with the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> to maintain the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> in the closed position. As used herein, "display" may refer to a case <NUM> and a securement cover <NUM>, in which the securement cover <NUM> maintains the case <NUM> in a closed condition and the case <NUM> and the securement cover <NUM> together provide a final product suitable for display on a shelf without a hang tag or on a rack with a hang tag.

As shown in <FIG>, the storage and display assembly <NUM> is for a shaving razor system <NUM> (in <FIG>, the securement cover <NUM> has been removed from the assembly <NUM>, as explained in detail herein). The top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM>, when in the closed position, define an inner cavity <NUM> that may be sized to receive one or more components of the shaving razor system <NUM>. An insert <NUM> may be received in the bottom portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> and may comprise one or more cavities (not labeled) configured to receive the component(s) of the shaving razor system <NUM>, see also <FIG>. The top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> may each comprise a durable material such as an engineering plastic, such as a polycarbonate, a metal, or a metal alloy, such as steel, aluminum, tin, or combinations thereof. The case <NUM> may provide a sturdy, multi-use container that protects the components of the shaving razor system <NUM>. The case <NUM> may also serve as a durable and convenient storage and travel kit in a home environment and may be used to hold, organize, and store the razor handle, additional cartridge(s), and/or accessories for day-today use.

In some examples, as shown in <FIG>, the case <NUM> may comprise a clamshell configuration in which the top portion <NUM> is coupled to the bottom portion <NUM> by a hinge <NUM> that extends along a portion of a longitudinal length (not labeled) of the case <NUM>. In other examples (not shown), the case <NUM> may comprise an alternative clamshell configuration in which the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled together by a hinge that extends along a portion of a lateral width (not labeled) of the case <NUM>. In further examples that are not part of the invention (not shown), one of the top and the bottom portion <NUM> and <NUM> may be slidably received in the other of the top and the bottom portion <NUM> and <NUM>.

With reference to the example shown <FIG> and <FIG>, the bottom portion <NUM> may comprise an indent <NUM> that may extend around at least a section of an outer peripheral part (not labeled) of the bottom portion <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> may comprise an outer peripheral part <NUM> that extends around the entirety of the top portion <NUM>. When the case <NUM> is moved from the open position shown in <FIG>, to the closed position shown in <FIG>, at least a section 13A of the outer peripheral part <NUM> of the top portion <NUM> may extend over and be received in the indent <NUM> formed in the bottom portion <NUM>. The top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> may be secured together and the case <NUM> may be maintained in the closed position, at least in part, by an interference fit between the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM>, as discussed in further detail below.

The case <NUM> may comprise a locking feature that helps to maintain the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> in the closed position. With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, one portion, e.g., the bottom portion <NUM>, of the case <NUM> may comprise a first locking element <NUM> that may be adapted to releasably engage with a second locking element <NUM> on the other portion, e.g., the top portion <NUM>, of the case <NUM> to releasably lock the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> in the closed position. The first locking element <NUM> may comprise, for example, first and second protrusions 26A, 26B located within and extending outwardly from a recessed wall 24A defining the indent <NUM>, and the second locking element <NUM> may comprise, for example, a curled peripheral edge <NUM> defining one or more sections 13A of the outer peripheral part <NUM> of the top portion <NUM>. It is understood that the bottom portion <NUM> may comprise, instead of two protrusions, one protrusion or three or more protrusions and that the protrusion(s) may be positioned at any suitable location in the indent <NUM>. The curled peripheral edge <NUM> may define an entirety of the outer peripheral part <NUM> of the top portion <NUM> or may define only one or more discrete section(s) 13A of the outer peripheral part <NUM> of the top portion <NUM>, e.g., near the protrusion(s) 26A, 26B.

The material comprising the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM>, the protrusion(s) 26A, 26B, and/or the peripheral edge <NUM> may be sufficiently flexible such that when the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> are pressed together to move the case <NUM> to the closed position, the peripheral edge <NUM> passes over the protrusion(s) 26A, 26B and engages a portion <NUM> of the indent <NUM> below the protrusion(s) 26A, 26B to releasably lock the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> in the closed position via an interference or snap fit between the first and second locking elements, as shown in <FIG>.

The case <NUM> according to the invention comprises one or more gripping features 32A and 32B, each comprising a longitudinally extending and outwardly projecting protrusion in the illustrated example, configured to assist with moving the case <NUM> from the closed position to the open position. With reference to <FIG>, the top portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> comprises one or more first gripping features 32A, and the bottom portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> comprises one or more second gripping features 32B. A user may engage the gripping features 32A and 32B with his or her fingers and move the first gripping feature 32A in an opposite direction from the second gripping feature 32B to separate the top portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> from the bottom portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate additional details of the securement cover <NUM> in <FIG>. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the securement cover <NUM> may extend over at least a part of the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> and may extend over at least a portion of the top surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM>, and the bottom surface <NUM>-<NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may comprise one or more polymeric and/or paper materials such as paperboard. At least a section of the securement cover <NUM> may be secured to the case <NUM> with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. For example, the securement cover <NUM> may be adhered to portions of the top, bottom, and/or second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. In some examples, the securement cover <NUM> may comprise a pressure sensitive label.

The storage and display assembly <NUM> of <FIG> may optionally comprise a hang tag <NUM> associated with one of the case <NUM> or the securement cover <NUM>. The hang tag <NUM> may be coupled to the case <NUM> or the securement cover <NUM>, e.g., via adhesive or other suitable attachment means, or may be formed as part of the case <NUM> or the securement cover <NUM>. The hang tag <NUM> may be removable. The hang tag <NUM> may be configured to allow the storage and display assembly <NUM>, i.e., the case <NUM> and the securement cover <NUM>, to be displayed and/or stored. The hang tag <NUM> may comprise an aperture that allows the storage and display assembly <NUM> to be associated with a display and/or storage system (not shown) by, for example, hanging the storage and display assembly <NUM> from a hook or peg. The securement cover <NUM> may comprise at least one of product indicia or product imagery <NUM>. The product indicia and/or product imagery <NUM> may comprise one or more of text describing a product (e.g., the shaving razor system <NUM>), pictures or other graphics depicting the product, instructions, trademarks and/or service marks related to product, and other branding information. The product indicia and/or product imagery <NUM> may be printed, stamped, engraved, embossed, etc. on the securement cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, at least a portion of the first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM> may spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. As used herein, the phrase "spaced apart" means that the underlying portion(s) of the case <NUM> are not covered by the securement cover <NUM>. For example, the securement cover <NUM> may be configured such that the securement cover <NUM> does not extend onto the first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the hinge <NUM> is spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. For example, the securement cover <NUM> may stop short of the first side surface <NUM>-<NUM> so that the hinge <NUM> is not covered.

As shown in <FIG>, the securement cover <NUM> may extend over at least a portion of the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM> and across at least a section of a junction <NUM> between the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> so that the case <NUM> may be maintained in the closed position. The securement cover <NUM> comprises according to the invention an opening <NUM> that is positioned over the first and second gripping features 32A and 32B, such that the gripping features 32A and 32B are spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. According to the invention the hinge <NUM> and the gripping features 32A and 32B are spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM> to prevent adhesive from entering the hinge <NUM> and/or leaving a sticky residue on the hinge <NUM> and gripping features 32A and 32B. The case <NUM> may be opened by grasping a portion, e.g., an edge, of the securement cover <NUM> and removing, e.g., peeling, at least a portion of the securement cover <NUM> from the case <NUM> to allow the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> to be moved to the open position (see <FIG>).

With reference to <FIG>, another configuration of a securement cover <NUM> is depicted, which may comprise a first part 150A and an optional second part 150B that may be separate from the first part 150A. The first part 150A may extend over at least a portion of the top surface <NUM>-<NUM> and the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM> and across at least a section of a junction <NUM> between the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The second part 150B may extend over at least a portion of the bottom surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. The first and second parts 150A and 150B may stop short of the first and second end surfaces (not labeled) and the first side surface (not visible) of the case <NUM> so that the hinge and at least a portion of the end surfaces (not visible) are spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. The second part 150B may also stop short of the second side surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may comprise one or more of the polymeric and/or paper materials discussed above and used to form the securement cover <NUM>, and at least a section of the securement cover <NUM> may be secured to the case <NUM> with a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the securement cover <NUM> may comprise a cutout <NUM> that extends inward from an edge and may be positioned over the gripping features 32A and 32B of the case <NUM>, such that the gripping features 32A and 32B are spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may optionally comprise a tab <NUM> extending outward from the edge. The tab <NUM> may assist with removing the securement cover <NUM>. For example, all or part of the tab <NUM> may lack adhesive such that the tab <NUM> is not adhered to the case <NUM>, and the case <NUM> may be opened by grasping the tab <NUM> and removing at least a portion of the securement cover <NUM> from the case <NUM>. In some examples, only the first part 150A of the securement cover <NUM> may be removed, and the second part 150B may remain adhered to the bottom surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, another configuration of a securement cover <NUM> is depicted. The securement cover <NUM> may extend over at least a part of the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> and may extend over at least a portion of the top surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the first and second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, and the bottom surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may extend completely around the case <NUM> and may overlap onto itself on the bottom surface <NUM>-<NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, where an end edge 250A of the cover <NUM> is shown by a dotted line. The securement cover <NUM> may comprise one or more of the polymeric and/or paper materials discussed above and used to form the securement cover <NUM>, and at least a section of the securement cover <NUM> may be secured to the case <NUM> with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. As seen in <FIG>, the first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM> may spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. Similar to the securement cover <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the securement cover <NUM> in <FIG> comprises an opening (not labeled) positioned over the gripping features (not labeled) so that the gripping features are spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the hinge <NUM> is spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. According to the invention the securement cover <NUM> comprises an opening <NUM> that is positioned over the hinge <NUM> so that the hinge <NUM> is not covered by the securement cover <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, another configuration of a securement cover <NUM> is depicted that may comprise a polymeric shrink film that extends about the case <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may extend over at least a portion of the top surface <NUM>-<NUM> and the bottom surface (not visible) and at least a portion of one or both of the first and second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may completely encircle the case <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, a small portion (not visible) of the first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM> may be spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>. In other examples (not shown), a small portion of the first and second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM> so as not to be covered by the securement cover <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may be formed by placing the case <NUM> in the closed position on a shrink film sheet or in a shrink film sleeve or tube and causing the shrink film to shrink about the case <NUM>, e.g., by application of heat. The tight fit of the securement cover <NUM> about the case <NUM> maintains the case <NUM> in the closed position and ensures that the securement cover <NUM> remains associated with the case <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, another configuration of a securement cover <NUM> is depicted that may comprise a paperboard or polymeric sleeve that extends about the case <NUM> such that the sleeve maintains the case <NUM> in the closed position. The securement cover <NUM> may extend over at least a part of the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> and may extend over at least a part of the top surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the bottom surface (not visible), and the first and second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. The first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM> may be spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>, such that the securement cover <NUM> may be wrapped about only the pair of side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are not covered by the cover <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may overlap itself on the bottom surface of the case <NUM> and may be secured to the case <NUM> by securing one or more portions of the securement cover <NUM> together or by adhesive stickers or labels (not shown). For example, a first longitudinal edge portion (not shown) of the securement cover <NUM> may overlap a second longitudinal edge portion (not shown) of the securement cover <NUM>, and a conventional adhesive may be provided between the first and second longitudinal edge portions or a label with adhesive may extend across the first and second longitudinal edge portions to secure the longitudinal edge portions together. The securement cover <NUM> may comprise a hang tag <NUM>, which may be formed as a separate piece that is coupled to the securement cover <NUM> (e.g., via adhesive or other suitable attachment means) or may be formed as an integral part of the securement cover <NUM> (see also <FIG>).

With reference to <FIG>, another configuration of a securement cover <NUM> is depicted that may comprise a paperboard sleeve that extends about the case <NUM> such that the sleeve maintains the case <NUM> in the closed position. The securement cover <NUM> may extend over at least a part of the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> and may extend over at least a part of the top surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the bottom surface (not visible), and the first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. The first and second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM> may be spaced apart from the securement cover <NUM>, such that the securement cover <NUM> may be wrapped about only the pair of end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first and second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are not covered. The securement cover <NUM> may overlap itself on the bottom surface of the case <NUM> and may be secured to the case <NUM> by securing one or more portions of the securement cover <NUM> together, i.e., overlapped bottom portions (not shown) of the securement cover <NUM> may be adhesively secured together, or by adhesive stickers or labels (not shown).

With reference to <FIG>, another configuration of a securement cover <NUM> is depicted that may extends about the case <NUM> to maintain the case <NUM> in the closed position. The securement cover <NUM> may comprise paperboard. The securement cover <NUM> may extend over at least a part of the top and bottom portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the case <NUM> and may extend over at least a part of the top surface <NUM>-<NUM>, the bottom surface (not visible), the first and second side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, and the first and second end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>, such that the securement cover <NUM> may be wrapped about both of the pairs of side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. In some examples, the securement cover <NUM> may extend over substantially an entirety of one or both of the pair of side surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the pair of end surfaces <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of the case <NUM>. The securement cover <NUM> may overlap itself and may be secured to the case <NUM> by securing one or more portions of the securement cover <NUM> together, i.e., first and second bottom sections (not shown) may overlap and be secured to one another and/or first and second side sections (not shown) may overlap and be secured to one another, or by adhesive stickers or labels (not shown).

<FIG> is a detailed view of a hang tag <NUM> that may be formed as an integral part of a securement cover <NUM>. First and second extensions <NUM> and <NUM> may extend outward from an upper edge of the securement cover <NUM>. The second extension <NUM> may be configured to fold as shown to form the hang tag <NUM>, and the first extension <NUM> may be folded over the second extension <NUM>, with the hang tag <NUM> being received in a first slot <NUM> formed in the first extension <NUM>. A tab <NUM> formed on the first extension <NUM> may be received in a second slot <NUM>, and an adhesive sticker <NUM> may be used to secure the tab <NUM> in the second slot <NUM>. The hang tag <NUM> may be removable, e.g., by separating the hang tag <NUM> from the securement cover <NUM> along a perforated line <NUM>.

The storage and display assembly as described herein protects the components of the shaving razor system during shipping and serves as packaging in a retail environment. When the securement cover is associated with the case, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% of a surface area of the case may be exposed, in which the surface area of the case comprises a combined surface area of the top, bottom, side and end surfaces. All of part of the securement cover and/or the hang tag are preferably recyclable. In some examples, between about <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the display and storage assembly, by weight, may be reusable (e.g., the case and insert), with only between less than <NUM>% and <NUM>% being disposable or recyclable (e.g., the securement cover and/or hang tag.

<FIG> and <FIG> are flow diagrams of methods <NUM> and <NUM> of merchandizing a shaving razor system, in accordance with the present disclosure. With reference to <FIG>, the method <NUM> begins at Step <NUM> with providing a case comprising a top portion and a bottom portion that are coupled together so as to be movable relative to one another between open and closed positions. The method continues at Step <NUM> with placing the shaving razor system into an inner cavity of the case, and securing the case in the closed position at Step <NUM> by associating a securement cover with the top and bottom portions of the case. The securement cover may comprise at least one of product indicia or product imagery and may be associated with the case such that the at least one of product indicia or product imagery may be visible. At Step <NUM>, the case with the securement cover may be displayed, after which the method <NUM> may conclude.

Claim 1:
A storage and display assembly (<NUM>) for a shaving razor system (<NUM>), the assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a case (<NUM>) comprising a top portion (<NUM>) and a bottom portion (<NUM>), the top and bottom portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) being coupled together so as to be movable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position, wherein the top and bottom portions (<NUM>, <NUM>), when in the closed position, define an inner cavity (<NUM>), wherein the shaving razor system (<NUM>) is placed in the inner cavity; and
a securement cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) associated with the top and bottom portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) to maintain the top and bottom portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the closed position, the securement cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being removable from the case (<NUM>) to allow the top and bottom portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) to be moved to the open position, wherein the securement cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises at least one of product indicia or product imagery (<NUM>);
wherein the top portion (<NUM>) of the case (<NUM>) is coupled to the bottom portion (<NUM>) by a hinge (<NUM>), the top portion (<NUM>) of the case (<NUM>) comprising one or more first gripping features (32A) and the bottom portion (<NUM>) of the case (<NUM>) comprising one or more second gripping features (32B), the first and second gripping features (32A, 32B) being configured to assist with moving the case (<NUM>) from the closed position to the open position;
wherein the securement cover comprises an opening (<NUM>) or cutout (<NUM>) that is positioned over the first and second gripping features (32A, 32B) such that the first and second gripping features are spaced apart from the securement cover, and the securement cover comprises a further opening (<NUM>) that is positioned over the hinge (<NUM>) so that the hinge is spaced apart from the securement cover.