Sprayable perfume packaging

Abstract

The present invention provides a combination of a primary package and a secondary package, wherein the primary package contains a sprayable alcohol-based fragrance product, and the secondary package contains the primary package and includes at least one surface printed with hydrochromic ink and capable of rapidly absorbing but slowly releasing the alcohol-based fragrance product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging of perfume products, and more particularly to primary and secondary packaging of sprayable alcohol perfume products. Background Art

[0002] The packaging layer that is in direct contact with the product is called the primary packaging. For example, for a sprayable perfume product, the primary packaging will typically include a glass bottle and a mechanical spray pump (which includes plastic and metal components). For this type of product, paper components are not typically used in the primary packaging.

[0003] On the contrary, secondary packaging is a packaging layer that surrounds and protects primary packaging. In the consumer goods market, most secondary packaging is a paper structure of some form, such as cardboard boxes, corrugated fiberboard inserts, tissues and wrapping paper for decoration and filling. One of the many functions of paper secondary packaging is physical protection (i.e., from shock, vibration and temperature); barrier protection (i.e., from dust and light); information display (i.e., how to use and dispose); marketing and branding (i.e., using graphics to convey brand messages); and safety (i.e., tamper-proof and anti-counterfeiting features). Usually, once the secondary packaging is opened, or soon afterwards, all these functions will be exhausted. In fact, when consumers have purchased the product and are ready to use it, consumers usually discard all or most of the secondary packaging. For example, if the product is a perfume in a glass bottle with a spray pump, consumers usually discard cardboard boxes, any corrugated fiberboard inserts, any tissues or wrapping paper, etc. This is because most of the paper secondary packaging is useless after the packaging is opened.

[0004] Paperboard is a relatively thick (usually more than 0.30 mm) paper material that is rigid but can be folded without breaking or tearing. Grammage (mass of paperboard per unit area) is measured in grams per square meter (g / m 2 The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines paperboard as paperboard with a grammage of more than 250g / m 2 When the thickness (or caliper) of a piece of paperboard is known (usually by direct measurement), the density of the material can be calculated as the grammage divided by the thickness. Furthermore, the density of a given paperboard is a direct indication of the porosity and absorptive capacity of the material, with lower densities generally indicating greater porosity and absorptive capacity. Porosity and absorptive capacity are not usually an issue when designing secondary packaging for sprayable cosmetic products such as perfumes. However, they are important in the present invention.

[0005] Purpose of the Invention

[0006] The main object of the present invention is to provide primary packaging and secondary packaging for a sprayable alcohol-based perfume product.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a secondary package designed to be sprayed with a ready-to-use alcohol-based perfume product to provide a clear, focused use to the consumer. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved by the combination of an alcoholic perfume product in a primary package and a secondary package, the secondary package comprising at least one surface having an absorption capacity, grammage, porosity and thickness as defined herein and printed with visible ink. Such surfaces are capable of rapidly absorbing some alcoholic liquid products and then slowly releasing the volatile components of the product in a controlled manner. When such surfaces are sprayed with an alcoholic liquid product, visible ink becomes visible, and the alcoholic liquid product slowly diffuses from the surface. In this way, the at least one surface provides a lasting visual and olfactory experience simultaneously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1A A first embodiment of a combination of a primary package and a secondary package is depicted, wherein the secondary package has a surface that has been printed with a base graphic and overprinted with a hydrochromic ink.

[0010] Figure 1B Depicts a surface that has been sprayed with an alcohol-based liquid product. Figure 1A The alcohol-based liquid product renders the hydrochromic ink transparent to reveal the hidden graphics.

[0011] Figure 2A A second embodiment of a combination of primary packaging and secondary packaging according to the invention is depicted.

[0012] Figure 2B Depicted Figure 2A A portion of the secondary packaging that has been printed with a base graphic and overprinted with hydrochromic ink.

[0013] Figure 2C Depicts a surface that has been sprayed with an alcohol-based liquid product. Figure 2B The alcohol-based liquid product renders the hydrochromic ink transparent to reveal the hidden graphics.

[0014] Figure 3A A third embodiment of a combination of a primary package and a secondary package is depicted, wherein the secondary package comprises a note card.

[0015] Figure 3B Depicted Figure 3A A note card having a surface that has been printed with a base graphic and overprinted with a hydrochromic ink.

[0016] Detailed description

[0017] As mentioned above, in the consumer goods market, most secondary packaging is a certain form of paper structure, such as cardboard box, corrugated fiberboard insert, for decoration and filling of thin paper and wrapping paper. The present invention requires that at least a portion of the secondary packaging is selected based on its ability to quickly absorb alcohol products and then slowly release its volatile compounds. In use, this part of the secondary packaging will be wetted by the alcohol products, such as by spraying perfume on the surface. As a practical limitation, at least a portion of the secondary packaging should be able to absorb the alcohol products completely almost immediately, so that the product does not gather or drip on the surface. In this regard, we screen potential useful materials by measuring the time spent in the 1ml water droplet being fully absorbed in the material surface. When there is no gathering water to rest on the material surface, the water droplet is fully absorbed in the material, otherwise the gathering water can flow through the surface. In use, the single dose of a typical perfume spray pump is much less than 1mL (that is, about 0.07mL to about 0.2mL), and is spread on the area much larger than a single droplet. However, we determined that potentially useful materials include those that are able to completely absorb a 1 mL water droplet in less than thirty seconds.

[0018] Of course, the speed at which these materials release fragrance into the surrounding environment is also important. Therefore, we seek a balance between rapid absorption of liquid (so that the fragrance sprayed on does not accumulate and flow on the treated surface) and the slow, steady release expected of a perfume diffuser. Many paper materials absorb liquid quickly, but then release too quickly to be used as a good diffuser. This is shown in the table below. The first entry in the table below is ordinary 20# bonded printer paper, and the next three are cardboard. Although printer paper absorbs a 1 mL drop of water very quickly, the fragrance also deteriorates quickly. Two cardboards with higher grammage (490g / m 2 and 630g / m 2 ) performs best, and the weight is 390g / m 2 The paperboard performed only minimally well.

[0019]

[0020] Another important factor is the porosity of the material. Porosity is the portion of space in the volume of a material that is accessible to absorbed liquid. If the volume cannot be filled with liquid, we do not count it in the porosity. In general, if the porosity is too low, the paperboard cannot absorb liquid quickly enough to be used in the applications described herein. We have noted that paperboard with a porosity of at least 8% can be used in the present invention. On the other hand, relatively thin paper absorbs relatively little liquid regardless of the porosity. Therefore, in the present invention, the minimum thickness of at least a portion of the secondary packaging is about 0.900 mm.

[0021] In general, the absorptive capacity of paper materials will also be affected by any surface treatments. For example, the surface of paper packaging is sometimes treated to intentionally render it less absorptive. Obviously, such surface treatments should be avoided in the present invention, as well as any other type of surface treatment that would render the packaging less absorptive or prevent evaporation from its surface. For example, glossy film coatings should be avoided on the portion of paperboard to be used in the present invention.

[0022] Aquachromic inks contain dye molecules with polar functional groups. When polar solvents such as water come into contact with the aquachromic inks, the dye molecules dissolve and disperse, thereby reducing the opacity of the ink. When the ink has been applied to a surface in the form of a thin film, the ink will become transparent when it comes into contact with the polar solvent. One use of aquachromic inks is to print a thin film on a graphic image. When dry, the aquachromic film is opaque and will obscure the underlying or underlying graphics. This can be achieved by overprinting a continuous film of aquachromic ink that is large enough to completely cover the underlying graphics, or by printing one or more aquachromic inks in a pattern that obscures but does not completely cover the underlying graphics. Printing one or more aquachromic inks on paper packaging can be performed by a screen printing method. Alternatively, a sheet of aquachromic film can be superimposed on the graphic image. These sheets are commercially available and have a transparent adhesive backing for application to a surface (such as a surface applied to a secondary packaging). When dry, these sheets are opaque and will hide the underlying graphics. When wetted with water or alcoholic liquids, these sheets become transparent and the underlying graphic is revealed. There is no limit to what the underlying graphic can depict. Although water is typically used to make hydrochromic films transparent, alcohol or alcoholic liquids, such as perfume, can also be used.

[0023] The present invention comprises a combination of a primary package and a secondary package, wherein the primary package contains a sprayable alcohol-based perfume and the secondary package contains the primary package and has one or more surfaces having an absorbency, grammage, porosity and thickness as defined above and having a base graphic image that has been overprinted with one or more hydrochromic inks or superimposed with a hydrochromic film. Such an example is shown in Figures 1-3.

[0024] Figure 1A and Figure 1B A first embodiment of a combination of a primary package and a secondary package according to the invention is depicted. In this case, the primary package comprises a container (2) such as a glass or plastic bottle and a spray pump (2a), while the secondary package is a paper carton (1). Figure 1A, a carton (1) comprises a bottom (1a). The bottom of the carton is adapted to receive a container (2) which contains an alcoholic liquid product (3), such as perfume. The carton comprises at least one surface which has been printed with a base graphic and then overprinted or otherwise covered with a film of hydrochromic ink. In this embodiment, the printed surface is the underside (1b) of a lid (1c) which is folded along a movable hinge (1d) and remains in an upright position unless moved. Figure 1A In the example, the hydrochromic ink (1e) is dry and therefore opaque, in this case white. The film of the hydrochromic ink is made of Figure 1A The dotted line in .

[0025] exist Figure 1B In the embodiment of the present invention, a container (2) of an alcoholic liquid product (3) has been removed from the bottom (1a) of a carton (1). A spray pump (2a) is capable of dispensing the alcoholic liquid product in the form of an atomized mist. After the printed surface (1b) has been sprayed with the alcoholic liquid product. The product renders the hydrochromic film transparent to reveal the hidden underlying graphic (1f). Thus, the printed surface (1b) provides a unique visual experience. In addition, as long as the printed surface remains exposed to the surrounding environment, it acts as a fragrance diffuser, slowly but steadily releasing the perfume into the air. As the volatile perfume components evaporate from the printed surface (1b), the visual and olfactory effects are simultaneously weakened. When the hydrochromic film returns to an opaque state, the fragrance also effectively disappears. This process can be repeated over the life of the perfume container.

[0026] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C A second embodiment of a combination of a primary package and a secondary package according to the invention is depicted. Again, the primary package comprises a container (12) such as a glass or plastic bottle and a spray pump (12a), while the secondary package is a paper carton (11). The carton (11) comprises a bottom (11a) which has been adapted to accommodate a container (12) of an alcoholic liquid product (13). The carton also comprises a removable lid (11c). Figure 2B , the interior of the lid may include one or more surfaces (11b) that can be folded along a movable hinge from a flat position to an upright position, as shown. Each surface (11b) has been printed with a base graphic and then overprinted or otherwise covered with a film of hydrochromic ink. Figure 2B In the example, the hydrochromic ink (11e) is dry and therefore opaque, in this case white. The film of the hydrochromic ink is made of Figure 2B The container (12) is equipped with a spray pump (12a) for dispensing the alcoholic liquid product (13) in the form of an atomized mist onto each printed surface (11c). This is depicted in Figure 2CAfter the printed surface (11b) has been sprayed with an alcoholic liquid product (13), the hydrochromic film is made transparent to reveal the hidden underlying graphic (11f). Thus, the printed surface (11b) provides a unique visual experience. In addition, as long as the printed surface remains exposed to the surrounding environment, it acts as a fragrance diffuser, slowly but steadily releasing the fragrance into the air. As the volatile fragrance components evaporate from the printed surface (11b), the visual and olfactory effects are simultaneously weakened. When the hydrochromic film returns to an opaque state, the fragrance also effectively disappears. This process can be repeated over the life of the perfume container.

[0027] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A third embodiment of a combination of primary and secondary packaging according to the invention is depicted. Here, a paper carton (21) comprises a bottom (21a) which has been adapted to accommodate a container (22) of an alcoholic liquid product (23). The carton further comprises a removable lid (21c). Inside the carton, one or more separate note cards (21b) are accessible only when the lid is removed. Figure 3B Each note card comprises one or more surfaces (21d) which have been printed with a base graphic and then overprinted or otherwise covered with a film of hydrochromic ink. Figure 3B The hydrochromic ink (21e) is dry and therefore opaque, in this case white. The film of hydrochromic ink is made of Figure 3B The container (22) is equipped with a spray pump (22a) for dispensing the alcoholic liquid product (23) in the form of atomized mist onto each printed surface (21d). Figure 3B The bottom half of depicts a note card after the printed surface has been sprayed with an alcohol-based liquid product. The product renders the hydrochromic film transparent to reveal a hidden underlying graphic (21f), which in this case is text. The printed surface thus provides a unique visual experience. In addition, as long as the printed surface remains exposed to the surrounding environment, it acts as a scent diffuser, slowly but steadily releasing the perfume into the air. As volatile perfume components evaporate from the printed surface, the visual and olfactory effects simultaneously diminish. When the hydrochromic film returns to an opaque state, the scent also effectively disappears. This process can be repeated over the life of the container (22) of the perfume (23).

[0028] Of course, multiple surfaces of the secondary packaging may be provided with various graphic images and overprinted with hydrochromic inks.

[0029] In use, the consumer opens the secondary packaging and removes the primary packaging (the container of the alcohol-based perfume product). The consumer moves any surface that has been printed with the base graphic and the hydrochromic ink from the first position to the second position for wetting with the product. The consumer then sprays the product onto the printed surface. Depending on the size of the printed surface, this may consume 1 to 10 doses or more of the product.

[0030] The embodiments described herein demonstrate two new uses for paper secondary packaging that would otherwise be immediately discarded. When sprayed with a fragrance product, the secondary packaging of the present invention becomes a fragrance diffuser, releasing the fragrance in a controlled manner over time, and it reveals a hidden graphic. The graphics and fragrance are reduced simultaneously and the disappearance of the graphic image warns the user that the fragrance is no longer detectable in the surrounding environment and that the printed surface is ready to be sprayed with fragrance. This creates interest and increases the enjoyment of the fragrance product.

Claims

1. A combination of primary packaging and secondary packaging, where: The primary package contains a sprayable alcohol-based perfume, and The secondary package comprises a carton containing the primary package, and the carton has one or more paper surfaces, the one or more paper surfaces having a film having been overprinted with one or more hydrochromic inks or a base graphic superimposed with a hydrochromic film, when the film or the hydrochromic film is wetted with the alcohol-based perfume, the film or the hydrochromic film becomes transparent, thereby showing the base graphic, Wherein, the one or more paper surfaces have a thickness of at least 390 g / m 2 Weight.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the one or more paper surfaces are capable of completely absorbing a 1 mL water droplet in less than thirty seconds.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the one or more paper surfaces have a porosity of at least 8% and a minimum thickness of 0.900 mm.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the primary package comprises a container and a spray pump.

5. A method for providing visual and olfactory effects simultaneously, comprising the following steps: Providing a combination of a primary package and a secondary package according to claim 1; opening the secondary packaging; removing the primary package; moving any surface of the carton that has been printed with a base graphic and hydrochromic ink from a first position to a second position; The alcohol-based perfume is sprayed onto the printed surface.

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