TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to packaging

components. More particularly this disclosure relates to packaging components for assessment of a visual parameter of interest.

BACKGROUND

Many consumer products, to be commercially successful, benefit from a capability of being visualized by a consumer at point of sale. Successful sales and marketing of consumer products often vitally depend upon attractive and functional packaging for the products. Consumers are drawn to products being sold that are presented in an attractive, understandable, and useful manner.

In the realm of cosmetic products, for example, assessment of a visual parameter of interest such as, for example, a color, shade, or hue, is often a significant factor contributing to commercial success. It has been recognized that consumers of cosmetics such as, for example, foundations, powders, concealers, and the like often scrutinize very closely what they intend to purchase. Such scrutiny may often be focused on packaging for the products rather than on the products themselves since consumer products are typically sealed for health, safety, and quality control concerns. The packaging may include, for example, a color "chip" or "swatch" that attempts to depict a visual parameter of interest associated with a particular product. In some instances, a written description or numerical code of a visual parameter of interest may be employed. For example, a cosmetic powder may be contained within a plastic "compact" that in turn is packaged for sale in so-called "carded display packaging". As used herein, the term "carded display packaging" includes various constructions such as, for example, blister, clam, skin, and stretch packaging. The aforementioned plastic compact could be, for example, contained for sale within carded display packaging - specifically under a clear plastic dome or "blister" and mounted on a so-called "blister card". The compact could also be constructed of a clear material to allow for visual assessment of the powder' s color by a potential purchaser, consumer, or end user ("consumer") through the compact and the blister; and the carded display packaging may also be decorated with graphics presenting a written description and/or numerical code which describe the contents (e.g., "Autumn Sunset" and/or "No. 318"). Many consumers however, unless they are familiar with and have past experience with desired products, are not satisfied with simply relying upon product packaging to determine what to purchase. Thus, to aid in selection of, for example, cosmetics and to supplement known means for assessment of a visual parameter of interest (e.g., the aforementioned chips, swatches, written descriptions, and numerical codes) several schemes have been proposed through the years. One such aid is a cosmetics consultant who personally aids a consumer in selection of suitable cosmetics based on the consultant's personal evaluation of the consumer's skin type and other visual parameters. Another selection aid is a "do-it-yourself" color chart, which may be made available to consumers where cosmetic products are sold. These color charts have taken several forms through the years, such as palette boards and cards.

Several disadvantages inherently exist, however, in employing these known cosmetic selection aids. Cosmetic consultants may be expensive to train and employ,

particularly when it is difficult for retailers to predict when there will be - or will not be - consumer desire for personal cosmetic consultations. Color charts embodied in palette boards may be relatively expensive and often require physical installation and hardware or the use of valuable counter space which could otherwise be used for displaying additional products. Color charts embodied in palette cards may also be relatively expensive and often are subject to degradation from repeated handling and use. Moreover, color chart devices such as palette boards and cards are usually installed in retail premises and are not intended to be removed. As such, they are not suited for convenient personal use and frequent referral by consumers off retail premises. Furthermore, a consumer might unscrupulously open a container to actually test the visual appearance of a product, by, e.g., placing some of the product on the consumer's skin. In some instances, sample containers are provided for consumers to try the product; but sometimes, consumers simply open a product intended for sale and try it, thereby possibly compromising the package, degrading the product, and rendering it unsuitable for sale.

Generally, then, there has not been an efficient or cost-effective way to provide cosmetic selection aids, make them available for convenient personal use and frequent referral, or mitigate unauthorized product sampling.

Therefore, there exists a need for packaging components that, for example, aid in consumers' cosmetic selections and may be available for personal use and referral, among other important advantages. SUMMARY

This disclosure describes novel packaging components. In one aspect, packaging components could comprise a ply material having a front surface, a back surface, and an aperture through at least a portion of the ply material. A film material could be provided over a selected one of the front surface and the back surface of the ply material, covering the aperture. At least one substantially

transparent portion and at least one substantially

translucent portion could be provided with the film material covering the aperture. In one embodiment, the translucent portion could comprise a plurality of varying translucent portions. In another embodiment, the film material could be fully translucent.

In another aspect, packaging components could comprise a ply material having a front surface, a back surface, and an aperture through at least a portion of the ply material. A substantially clear film material could be provided over a selected one of the front surface and the back surface of the ply material, covering the aperture. A label could be provided on the ply material over an area bounded by the aperture. The label could have at least one transparent portion and at least one translucent portion. In one embodiment, the translucent portion could comprise a plurality of varying translucent portions. In another embodiment, the label could be fully translucent.

In yet another aspect, packaging components could comprise a ply material having a front surface, a back surface, and an aperture through at least a portion of the ply material. A label could be provided on the ply material over an area bounded by the aperture. The label could have at least one transparent portion and at least one

translucent portion. In one embodiment, a substantially clear liner material could be provided with the label. In another embodiment, the translucent portion could comprise a plurality of varying translucent portions. In yet another embodiment, the label could be fully translucent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front view illustration of an example of packaging components.

Figure 1A is a back ^view illustration of the example of packaging components of Figure 1.

Figure IB is a cross-sectional illustration of the example of packaging components, taken along line 1A-1A in Figure 1A.

Figure 2 is a front view illustration of another example of packaging components.

Figure 2A is a back view illustration of the example of packaging components of Figure 2.

Figure 2B is a cross-sectional illustration of the example of packaging components, taken along line 2A-2A in

Figure 2A.

Figure 3 is a front view illustration of yet another example of packaging components.

Figure 3A is a back view illustration of the example of packaging components of Figure 3.

Figure 3B is a cross-sectional illustration of the example of packaging components, taken along line 3A-3A in Figure 3A.

Figure 4 is an illustration of the example of the packaging components of Figures 1-lB, depicting use by a consumer .

Figure 5 is an illustration of the example of the packaging components of Figures 2-2B, depicting use by a consumer .

Figure 6 is an illustration of the example of the packaging components of Figures 3-3B, depicting use by a consumer .

Figure 7 is an illustration of a further example of packaging components.

Figure 8 is an illustration of a yet further example of packaging components.

Figure 9 is an illustration of an alternative

embodiment of the example of the packaging components of Figures 1-lB.

Figure 10 is an illustration of an alternative

embodiment of the- example of packaging components of Figures

2-2B.

Figure 11 is an illustration of an alternative

embodiment of the example of packaging components of Figures

3-3B.

Figure 12 is an illustration of another example of packaging components.

Figure 13 is an illustration of yet another example of packaging components .

Figure 14 is an illustration of still another example of packaging components. Figure 15 is an illustration of a further example of packaging components.

Figure 16 is an illustration of a yet further example of packaging components.

Figure 16A is an illustration of an embodiment of the example of packaging components of Figure 16, at a point of packaging before being sealed.

Figure 16B is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the example of packaging components of Figure 16, at a point of packaging before being sealed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One example of packaging components 10 is illustrated in front view in Figure 1. Components 10 could include a card stock or ply material 100 and an aperture or window 110 cut through material 100. Optionally, material 100 could include a display rod aperture or hole 120 cut through material 100, and any desired graphics G. Referring to Figure 1A, a reverse side or back view of the example of components 10 of Figure 1 is depicted with material 100, window 110, optional aperture 120, and optional graphics G. Further in this example, and with reference to Figures 1A and IB, a film material 140 could be provided over a back surface of material 100 to intentionally cover window 110. Film material 140, over an area bounded by window 110, could include at least one substantially transparent portion 142 and at least one substantially translucent portion 144.

Film material 140 could be adhered to material 100 by way of, for example, a suitable hot melt glue material.

Although film material 140 is depicted in Figure 1A as uniformly covering an entire topmost portion of the back side of material 100, it is to be understood that film material 140 could cover any desired region or regions of material 100 provided that film material 140 covers window 110.

Although not illustrated, in one embodiment film material 140 within an area bounded by window 110 could be fully translucent.

Another example of packaging components 20 is

illustrated in front view in Figure 2. Components 20 could include a card stock or ply material 200 and an aperture or window 210 cut through material 200. Optionally, material 200 could include a display rod aperture or hole 220 cut through material 200, and any desired graphics G. Referring to Figure 2A, a reverse side or back view of the example of components 20 of Figure 2 is depicted with material 200, window 210, optional aperture 220, and optional graphics G. Further in this example, and with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, a substantially clear film material 240 could be provided over a back surface of material 200 to

intentionally cover window 210. Although film material 240 is depicted in Figure 2A as uniformly covering an entire topmost portion of the back side of material 200, it is to be understood that film material 240 could cover any desired region or regions of material 200 provided that film material 240 substantially covers window 210. A label 250 having at least one transparent portion 252 and at least one translucent portion 254 could then be provided on material 240 over an area bounded by window 210. Translucent portion 254 of label 250 could have a color or shade that could provide a faithful representation of a color or shade of a product displayed in the carded display packaging as aforementioned. Label 250 could comprise, for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive construction of a material such as film material 240 with a pressure-sensitive adhesive material 255 deposited on label 250 around a periphery thereof .

Although not illustrated, in one embodiment label 250 within an area bounded by window 210 could be fully translucent .

Yet another example of packaging components 30 is illustrated in front view in Figure 3. Components 30 could include a card stock or ply material 300 and an aperture or window 310 cut through material 300. Optionally, material 300 could include a display rod aperture or hole 320 cut through material 300, and any desired graphics G. Referring to Figure 3A, a reverse side or back view of the example of components 30 of Figure 3 is depicted with material 300, window 310, optional aperture 320, and optional graphics G. Further in this example, and with reference to Figures 3A and 3B, a label 350 having at least one transparent portion 352 and at least one translucent portion 354 could simply be provided directly on material 300 over an area bounded by window 310. Translucent portion 354 of label 350 could have a color or shade that could provide a faithful

representation of a color or shade of a product displayed in the carded display packaging as aforementioned. Label 350 could comprise, for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive construction of a material such as a film material with a pressure-sensitive adhesive material 355 deposited on label 350 around a periphery thereof. A substantially clear liner material 360, such as is commonly employed with some pressure-sensitive adhesive labels, could advantageously be employed as shown in Figure 3B to inhibit unwanted

particulate matter from adhering to adhesive material 355 through window 310.

Although not illustrated, in one embodiment label 350 within an area bounded by window 310 could be fully

translucent .

It is to be appreciated and understood that materials employed to provide various embodiments of packaging components contemplated herein may take virtually any desired form, pattern, or configuration, provided that transparent portions and translucent portions function properly in use as described below.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 depict examples of packaging components 10, 20, and 30, respectively, in use by a consumer. For example, in Figure 4 a consumer could place an object of interest (e.g., a portion of the consumer's skin S) against window 110, with regions of transparent portion 142 and translucent portion 144 in contact with skin S. By placing the consumer's object of interest - in this example skin S - in contact with regions of transparent portion 142 and translucent portion 144, "contact clarity" results through window 110 which gives a visual effect of a particular color, shade, hue, or other visual parameter of translucent portion 144 actually being on skin S. Thus, the consumer may obtain a faithful representation of both a visual parameter of interest of a product represented by packaging components 10, as well as a direct comparison to a

"natural" condition of the object of interest (e.g., skin S) that would be unaffected by the product. It is to be understood that descriptions of examples of use of packaging components 20 and 30 in Figures 5 and 6, respectively, would be analogous to the foregoing example of use of packaging components 10.

A further example of packaging components 70 is illustrated in Figure 7. Components 70 could include a carton material 700 and an aperture or window 710 cut through an upright panel 705 thereof. Optionally, material

700 could include a display rod aperture or hole 720 cut through panel 705, and any desired graphics. Similarly to the example of components 10, and although not specifically illustrated in Figure 7, components 70 could include a film material over a surface of panel 705 to intentionally cover window 710. The film material over an area bounded by window 710 could include at least one substantially

transparent portion 742 and at least one substantially translucent portion 744; but in another embodiment the film material could be fully translucent within an area bounded by window 710. It is to be appreciated and understood that an embodiment of components 70 with carton material could include attributes of any aforementioned embodiment of packaging components such as, for example: film material 140 over window 110 of components 10; the combination of substantially clear film material 240 and label 250 over window 210 of components 20; and label 350 over window 310 of components 30.

A yet further example of packaging components 80 is illustrated in Figure 8. Components 80 could include a carton material 800 and an aperture or window 810 cut through a flap or lid 805 thereof. Optionally, material 800 could include any desired graphics. Similarly to the example of components 10 and 70, and although not

specifically illustrated in Figure 8, components 80 could include a film material over a surface of lid 805 to intentionally cover window 810. The film material over an area bounded by window 810 could include at least one substantially transparent portion 842 and at least one substantially translucent portion 844; but in another embodiment the film material could be fully translucent within an area bounded by window 810. It is to be appreciated and understood that, like the example of components 70, an embodiment of components 80 with carton material could include attributes of any aforementioned embodiment of packaging components such as, for example: film material 140 over window 110 of components 10/ the combination of substantially clear film material 240 and label 250 over window 210 of components 20; and label 350 over window 310 of components 30.

In light of the foregoing examples of components 10, 20, 30, 70, and 80, it is to be appreciated therefore that packaging components contemplated or described by example herein could satisfy the aforementioned need for shade visualization that aids in product selection. It is to be further appreciated that such packaging components could provide an efficient or cost-effective way to incorporate product selection aids in product packaging, and that such components could be available for convenient personal use and frequent referral not tied to retail premises.

Materials employed for particular embodiments of packaging components contemplated or described by example herein could preferably be any commercially available weblike materials that are capable of use in relatively high- speed in-line printing and converting processes. For example, web-like material comprising card stock or other ply material could be a single ply of material whether coated or uncoated, a so-called clear protective laminate construction, or any laminated, combined ply, or co-extruded construction; and any could have an overall characteristic of a single material ply. As used herein, the term "weblike material" is intended to include any suitable material for packaging components, including for example paper, film, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, foil, and ethylene vinyl acetate. It is also to be appreciated and understood that materials employed to provide various embodiments of packaging components may take virtually any desired form, pattern, or configuration, provided that windows, translucent, and transparent regions function properly in use as contemplated or described by example herein. It is further to be appreciated and understood that a translucent portion, as contemplated or described by example herein, could comprise, for example, a clear web-like material that is printed, coated, or

otherwise pigmented translucently with a desired color, shade, hue, or other visual parameter for a faithful representation of such visual parameter of interest of a product. A translucent portion could also, for example, simply comprise a translucent web-like material that inherently has the desired color, shade, hue, or other visual parameter for a faithful representation of such visual parameter of interest of a product.

It is also to be appreciated and understood that, although not illustrated, a particular embodiment of packaging components could include any desired graphics such as a written description and/or numerical code which describe the contents as aforementioned. For example, graphics could be present on a transparent and/or

translucent portion of a window. In such an embodiment the graphics preferably would not tend to interfere with the transparent portion or otherwise detrimentally influence the shade, color, hue, or other visual parameter of interest represented by the translucent portion.

It is additionally to be appreciated and understood generally that, in use of packaging components such as those contemplated or described by example herein (e.g.,

components 10, 20, 30, 70, and 80) a consumer could place the window with the transparent and translucent portions (e.g., window 110 in device 10) in direct contact with, for example, the consumer's skin and visually observe the skin through the transparent portion of the window with reference and comparison to the translucent portion. When the translucent portion visually blends into or seems to disappear against the skin, it could be concluded that a suitable product color or shade has been selected. That is, with the translucent portion being indicative of the color, shade, or hue of the product, the consumer could conclude that the product "matches" the consumer's skin. Such

"contact clarity" matching could result from an intended visual effect of light being transmitted the same way through a window containing the translucent and transparent portions, since the same material could comprise both the transparent and translucent portions as aforedescribed.

It is further to be appreciated and understood that packaging components such as those contemplated or described by example herein could also be used simply for direct evaluation of products such as, for example, nail polishes or hair coloring agents. In those uses of such packaging components, the translucent portions could represent a color, shade, or hue of a particular nail polish or hair coloring agent, for example, and a consumer could place the translucent portion against, correspondingly, the consumer's nails or hair to visually observe how the product would appear on the nails or hair.

In light of the foregoing examples of packaging components (e.g., components 10, 20, 30, 70, and 80) it is also to be appreciated that packaging components such as those contemplated or described by example herein could satisfy the aforementioned need for visualization in selection of products generally. Such packaging components could provide an efficient or cost-effective way to

incorporate assessment and selection aids in virtually any product where visual appearances are of interest (e.g., suntan oils and lotions, and paints and liquid stains for weathered wood and green-treated lumber, etc.) and such devices could be available for convenient personal use and frequent referral not tied to retail premises.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are top view illustrations of examples of alternative embodiments of packaging components analogous to the aforedescribed examples of components 10, 20, and 30, respectively. In particular, Figure 9 depicts components 90 with material 900, window 910, film material 940, transparent portion 942, and a plurality of varying translucent portions 944, 944a, and 944b. Figure 10 depict: components 1000 with material 1001, window 1010, film material 1040, and label 1050 mounted on film material 1040 by way of pressure-sensitive adhesive material 1055, with label 1050 including transparent portion 1052 and a

plurality of varying translucent portions 1054, 1054a, and 1054b. Figure 11 depicts components 1100 with material 1101, window 1110, and label 1150 mounted on material 1101 by way of pressure-sensitive adhesive material 1155, with label 1150 including transparent portion 1152 and a

plurality of varying translucent portions 1154, 1154a, and 1154b. In such embodiments, the plurality of translucent portions (e.g., 944, 944a, and 944b) could represent, for example, varying colors, shades, hues, or other visual parameters of interest. Thus, for example, portion 944 could represent a color of a product packaged within components 90, while portions 944a and 944b could represent lighter and darker variations of the color, respectively.

Such an embodiment could be particularly useful for a consumer who, for example, is considering a variation from a color that is typically selected and desires a direct and immediate comparison of such visual parameters. It is to be understood that any number of translucent portions could be included in a particular embodiment of packaging components, and that variations among the translucent portions could be as pronounced or as subtle as desired. It is to be further understood that, although not illustrated, such varying translucent portions could be incorporated into packaging components analogous to the examples of components 70 and 80 as well.

Although depicted in the drawings as being circular and near a corner of the card stock, ply, or web-like material, it is to be appreciated and understood that in a particular embodiment of packaging components any area or region could include the window, and the window could be provided in any desired dimension or geometry such as shown, for example, in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15. In Figure 12, packaging components 1200 could include a card stock or ply material 1201. An aperture or window 1210, including at least one transparent portion 1242 and at least one translucent portion 1244, could be provided in material 1201 at an edge thereof. In Figure 13, packaging components 1300 could include a card stock or ply material 1301. A corner of material 1301 could serve as an aperture or window 1310, including at least one transparent portion 1342 and at least one translucent portion 1344. Such embodiments as

exemplified by components 1200 and 1300 could readily provide contact clarity as aforedescribed when an object of interest (e.g., a consumer's skin) is placed against windows 1210 and 1310. In Figure 14, packaging components 1400 could include a card stock or ply material 1401. An elongated aperture or window 1410 could be provided in material 1401 along a length thereof, comprising, e.g., a plurality of varying translucent portions 1444, 1444a,

1444b, and 1444c, each being separated by transparent portions 1442. An optional product identifier such as a printed mark or arrow (not illustrated) on material 1401, or a cut-out or notch 1460 in material 1401, could be provided to clearly identify particular contents having a particular visual parameter of interest represented by one of the varying translucent portions (e.g., in Figure 14, portion 1444a) . Such an embodiment as exemplified by components 1400 could advantageously provide a means for immediate and efficient comparison of varying visual parameters all in one embodiment. Thus a consumer could easily determine, for example, a desired variation from a color, shade, or hue in the particular package without having to potentially handle a multitude of individual other packages in selecting a desired product. In Figure 15, packaging components 1500 could include a card stock or ply material 1501. An elongated aperture or window 1510 could be provided along an edge thereof, simply comprising a plurality of varying translucent portions 1544, 1544a, 1544b, and 1544c. An optional product identifier such as a printed mark or arrow 1560 on material 1501, or a cut-out or notch (not

illustrated) in material 1501, could be provided to clearly identify particular contents having a particular visual parameter of interest represented by one of the varying translucent portions (e.g., portion 1544a in Figure 15). Analogously to the example of Figure 14, such an embodiment as exemplified by components 1500 could advantageously provide a means for immediate and efficient comparison of varying visual parameters all in one embodiment.

It is to be appreciated and understood that in

embodiments of packaging components described by example or contemplated herein such as illustrated by, e.g., Figures 14 and 15, any desired combinations of transparent and

translucent portions, along with any desired product identifier, could be employed for a particular embodiment of packaging components. Thus, for example, in Figure 14 one or more of portions 1442 could be omitted, and product identifier notch 1460 could be replaced by a printed mark or arrow such as identifier 1560 in Figure 15. Likewise, for example, in Figure 15 one or more transparent portions such as portions 1442 of Figure 14 could be included in any desired sequence with translucent portions 1544, and product identifier mark or arrow 1560 could be replaced by a cut-out or notch such as identifier 1460 in Figure 14.

It is also to be appreciated and understood that in embodiments of packaging components described by example or contemplated herein such as illustrated by, e.g., Figures 14 and 15, any transparent or translucent portions could be set back from an edge of the card stock or ply material (as in, e.g., Figure 14) or at and defining an edge of the card stock or ply material (as in, e.g., Figure 15).

It is also to be appreciated and understood that the aforedescribed examples of apertures or windows 1410 and 1510 could be in any desired locations or orientations in their respective materials 1401 and 1501.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated and understood that in a particular embodiment of packaging components a plurality of separate, individual windows could be provided to represent, accordingly, a plurality of separate,

individual products contained therein. A plurality of windows could also be employed, as shown by way of example in Figure 16, to accommodate a particular construction.

Thus, in the example of Figures 16 and 16A, packaging components 1600 could include complementary halves of a card stock or ply material 1601 (with an aperture 1603 to accommodate a product therein) and 1601', and a pair of complementary apertures or windows 1610 and 1610' cut through material halves 1601 and 1601' , respectively.

Window 1610 could include at least one substantially transparent portion 1642, and at least one substantially translucent portion 1644. Portions 1642 and 1644 could be provided by any desired means, for example as shown in and described with reference to Figure 1A. It is to be

appreciated and understood that in such an embodiment, when corresponding halves of material 1601 and 1601' are brought together and sealed to contain a product therein, windows 1610 and 1610' would be approximately in contiguous

juxtaposition giving an appearance and function of a single window analogous to, for example, window 110 of Figure 1.

An example of an alternative embodiment of Figure 16 is shown in Figure 16B, wherein packaging components 1600 could include complementary halves of a card stock or ply material 1601 (with an aperture 1603 to accommodate a product therein) and 1601', and a pair of complementary apertures or windows 1610 and 1610' cut through material halves 1601 and 1601' , respectively. Window 1610 could include at least one substantially translucent portion 1644, while window 1610' could include at least one substantially transparent portion 1642. Portions 1642 and 1644 could be provided by any desired means, for example as somewhat analogously shown in and described with reference to Figure 1A. It is to be appreciated and understood that in such an embodiment, when corresponding halves of material 1601 and 1601' are brought together and sealed to contain a product therein, windows 1610 and 1610' would be approximately in contiguous

juxtaposition giving an appearance and function of a single window analogous to, for example, window 110 of Figure 1.

While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to accompanying figures, it will be understood, however, that modifications are possible. It should be appreciated that various components contemplated or described by example herein may be substituted for other suitable components for achieving desired results, or that various accessories may be added thereto.

Also, the depictions of various components in the figures are only exemplary and not meant to be limiting. It is to be understood that any suitable alternatives may be employed to provide packaging components such as those contemplated or described by example herein.

Lastly, the choice of compositions, sizes, and strengths of various components contemplated or described by example herein are to be selected depending upon intended use.

Accordingly, these and other various changes or modifications in form and detail may be made to packaging components, without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof .