EP1445201B1 - Package with means for visual inspection of the contents - Google Patents

Abstract

The package (10) e.g. box, has a cavity (11) with an article perfume bottle. The cavity has a visualization section (20) visualizing the bottle along an observation direction. The section visualizes a decorative motif along another observation direction. The section has a transparent sheet (21) and a face (22a) enabling the visualization of the bottle and the motif, respectively, and extending in different planes. The visualization section enables the visualization of another decorative motif along a third direction of visualization that is different from the former and later direction of visualization.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging for an article, such as an article containing a cosmetic product, and in particular a case or a box.

There are already packages that include viewing windows for viewing the product disposed within the package. However, such a window reduces the surface of the package on which can be printed a decorative pattern or inscription. On the other hand, if a package which does not have a window is used so as to exploit the entire surface for the decoration, it is impossible to visualize the article without opening the packaging.

The document EP 0 403 134 also discloses a package that includes a window for viewing an article within the package. However, the window is constituted by a hologram which makes it possible, depending on the viewing angle, to see an image carried by the hologram or the article present in the packaging. However, the holograms require certain lighting conditions so that we can correctly visualize the image they carry. In addition, the holograms are generally colored, the article present inside the packaging can be viewed through the colored window so that we can visualize the actual aesthetics of the article.

The US Patent 6,023,866 further described a card-shaped game formed by a medium on which strips carrying image portions are affixed so as to form a plurality of images, the card not being configured to condition an article.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a packaging for an article that allows the buyer to view the article while providing a surface receiving a relatively large decorative pattern.

It is particularly an object of the invention to provide a packaging with a new decorative effect.

According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by providing a packaging defining a housing in which is housed an article containing a cosmetic product, which comprises at least one portion configured for, in a first direction of observation, to display at least a part of the article and, in a second direction of observation distinct from the first, to display a first decorative pattern, the portion comprising at least a first transparent element for viewing the article and at least a second element covered with the first pattern, the two elements extending in different planes. The portion may further be configured to, in a third direction of observation distinct from the first and the second, to display a second decorative pattern identical or different from the first.

Thus, such a packaging makes it possible to observe the article it contains from the outside without it being necessary to open the packaging, while offering a relatively large external surface to decorate.

In addition, the same packaging offers several different visuals depending on the position with which it is observed. Thus, as one moves with respect to the packaging, one can see different decorations and / or the article, and that separately, or simultaneously see partly the decor and partly the article. We can animate points of sale and store windows cheaper.

The second element of the packaging may be in the form of a strip, and in particular may comprise several strips arranged parallel to one another.

The first transparent element can be made of transparent material, or by an opening. We can visualize the actual aesthetics of the article.

The viewing portion may include an inset made from a folded sheet into a plurality of strips. Alternatively, the viewing portion may comprise an insert made by extrusion of a thermoplastic material, or by molding from a single piece of a thermoplastic material, in particular by injection or thermoforming.

The packaging can be in the form of a case or case. It can be used to package an article containing a cosmetic product.

According to another of its aspects, the invention also relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to a packaging defining a housing adapted to contain an article, which comprises at least one portion configured for, in a first direction of observation, to visualize at least a part of the article and, in a second direction of observation distinct from the first, to display a first decorative pattern, the portion comprising at least a first element, made of transparent material, allowing visualizing the article and at least a second element covered with the first pattern, the two elements extending in different planes.

• la figure 1 représente une vue éclatée d'un emballage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 1A à 1C illustrent des vues en perspective selon trois directions différentes de l'emballage selon le premier mode de réalisation ;
• les figures 2A à 2C représentent les différentes étapes d'un procédé de réalisation d'un encart disposé dans l'emballage illustré sur les figures 1, 1A à 1C;
• les figures 3A à 3C illustrent des vues en perspective selon trois directions différentes d'un emballage selon un second mode de réalisation ;
• les figures 4A à 4C représentent les différentes étapes d'un procédé de réalisation d'un encart disposé dans l'emballage illustré sur les figures 3A à 3C ; et
• la figure 5 représente une variante du second mode de réalisation.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a package according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 1A-1C illustrate perspective views in three different directions of the package according to the first embodiment;
• FIGS. 2A to 2C show the various steps of a method of producing an insert disposed in the package illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A to 1C;
• Figures 3A to 3C illustrate perspective views in three different directions of a package according to a second embodiment;
• FIGS. 4A to 4C show the different steps of a method of producing an insert arranged in the package illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C; and
• Figure 5 shows a variant of the second embodiment.

The package 10 shown in Figures 1, 1A-1C, is in the form of a case. It defines a housing 11 for receiving a perfume bottle 30, for example. The case 10 is of parallelepipedal shape and is made of thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the case may be made of any other material, for example cardboard, wood, metal, etc ... It has six faces, one face 12 is traversed by a window 13, for example of rectangular shape. The window 13 may alternatively be square, circular, oval or any other shape. An insert 20 is fixed in the window 13.

The inset 20 comprises a transparent sheet 21 extending in a plane P. Several identical strips 22, each having two opposite faces 22a and 22b, extend in a plane perpendicular to the plane P of the sheet 21, the strips being arranged in parallel with each other. A portion 23 of the sheet 21 surrounds the strips 22 so as to form a peripheral frame which is intended to be fixed on the inner surface of the face 12 of the case, all around the window 13, preferably set back from that so that the strips do not extend beyond the face 12. It is for example glued on the inner surface of a recess 14 surrounding the window. The sheet 21 and the strips 22 are formed from a single piece for example by extrusion of a thermoplastic material.

It may be provided to have a protective film, not shown, to protect the strips from the outside. The film may for example be fixed opposite the sheet 21 with respect to the strips, on the outer surface of the face 12.

A first decorative pattern A, for example trees, is drawn on a first face 22a of the strips, the entire pattern being distributed over all the faces 22a. Of course, the reason may also consist of an inscription relating to the article. A second decorative pattern B, for example a substantially oval geometric shape, is drawn on the second face 22b of the strips, opposite the first, and distributed over all the faces 22b.

When looking at the case in a direction perpendicular to the plane P of the sheet 21, we see the perfume bottle 30 through the sheet 21 which is transparent, and the slice 22c of the strips 22 (see Figure 1B). When looking at the case in a direction forming an angle of 45 ° with respect to the sheet 21, from the left, we see the first pattern A, namely the shafts, which is shown on the faces 22a of the strips, without seeing the bottle (see Figure 1A). When looking in a direction forming an angle of 45 ° with respect to the sheet 21, from the right, one can see the second pattern B, namely the oval geometric shape, which is shown on the faces 22b of the strips. Between these viewing positions it is possible, in intermediate directions, to partially see the perfume bottle and partly one of the patterns A or B.

In order to produce the inset 20, a thermoplastic material such as, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate is extruded so as to produce the sheet 21 and the strips 22 arranged perpendicularly to the sheet as seen in FIG. Figure 2A. A printing roll is then passed over the insert 20 by moving it perpendicularly to the strips 22, as shown in FIG. 2B. This prints the first decorative pattern A on the faces 22a. A printing roll is then passed in the other direction so as to print the second decorative pattern B on the second faces 22b opposite the first ones (see FIG. 2C). During the passage of the roll, the strips 22 flatten so that they protect from any printing the sheet 21 of the insert which remains transparent.

The insert thus obtained is inserted into the case which has been obtained in a conventional manner. The inset 20 is for example glued over its entire periphery 23 on the inner surface of the face 12 surrounding the window, in particular on the inner surface of the recess 14.

According to a variant not shown, the wall in which the window is formed can be curved. This is for example a cylindrical form of packaging. The strips are then no longer arranged parallel to each other, and are each arranged perpendicular to the curved wall. According to this embodiment, each pattern appears progressively as one moves along this curve.

The packaging 110 shown in Figures 3A to 3C is in the form of a holster identical to that which has just been described but has an insert 120 different from that just described. A perfume bottle 130 is also housed inside the packaging.

The inset 120 is formed by a sheet 121 folded so as to form first strips 122, arranged in the same plane, separated by ridges 123 formed by second and third strips 123a and 123b. To make the insert, we start from an initially transparent sheet 121 on which we print a decorative pattern A, for example a rectangle (Figure 4A). The pattern A is distributed over the second strips 123a while the remainder of the sheet 121, namely the strips 122 and 123b, remains transparent. The second strips 123a are folded to form an angle of 45 ° to the plane of the strips 122 and the third strips 123b are bent to form an angle of 90 ° to the plane of the strips 122 (see Figure 4B). . A transparent support film 124 is adhered to the faces of the first strips 122, opposite the ridges 123, so as to hold the entire sheet 121 thus folded (see FIG. 4C).

The inset 120 thus obtained is fixed in the case 130 by gluing for example the periphery of the film 124 on the inner surface of the face 112, around the window 130, the crests 123 being oriented towards the inside of the case .

Alternatively, the inset 120 can be fixed in the other direction, namely by arranging the crests 123 to the outside of the case and the film 124 inwardly. The insert can then be glued on its periphery in the case, on a recess provided around the window 113 so that the peaks do not overflow the window. It is then possible to provide a protective film protecting the inset from the outside which can be fixed opposite the film 124 and glued to the outer surface of the face 112.

According to this embodiment, when looking at the case in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the strips 122, part of the first pattern A is displayed on the strips 123a and partly the perfume bottle through the first transparent strips 122. and film 124 (Figure 3B). When viewed in a direction at an angle of 45 ° to the plane of the strips 122, from the left, the perfume bottle 130 is seen through the strips 122 and 123b and the film 124 (FIG. 3A). Finally, when looking in a direction forming an angle of 45 ° to the plane of the bands 122, from the right, we see only the pattern, namely the rectangle which is represented on the second strips 123a, without seeing the perfume bottle.

According to a variant of this second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the three strips have an identical width. The first strips 222 are transparent while a first pattern A is printed on the second strips 223a and a second pattern B is printed on the third strips 223b. The second and third strips are this time glued together and are arranged substantially perpendicular to the first strips 222 which extend in the same plane. A transparent support film 224 may also be adhered to the faces of the first strips 222 so as to hold the entire sheet thus folded. This gives the same visual as with the insert described in the first embodiment.

According to another embodiment not shown, the insert may be formed by a peripheral frame which extends in a plane and defines a rectangular opening, and by strips reported. The strips are arranged parallel to each other and extend for example in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the frame. The two ends of the strips are for example inserted in slots provided in the frame so as to be held in the frame. According to this embodiment, the strips can be printed on one or both faces before being inserted into the frame. They can for example be printed before being cut into a strip, or after being cut. Here again, we obtain the same visual as with the insert described in the first embodiment, the perfume bottle can be visualized when looking at the case in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame while looking through the opening.

One can of course make a box or a case with several windows each provided with an insert as just described.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (10)

1. Package (10; 110) defining a housing (11; 111) in which an object (30; 130) containing a cosmetic product is housed, said package being characterized in that it comprises at least one portion (20; 120; 220) configured in such a way as, when viewed in a first direction of observation, to allow viewing of at least part of the object (30; 130) and, when viewed in a second direction of observation which is not the same as the first direction, to allow viewing of a first decorative design (A), the portion comprising at least one first transparent element (21; 122, 123b; 222) allowing viewing of the object and at least one second element (22a; 123a; 223a) covered with the first design, the two elements lying in different planes.
2. Package according to Claim 1, characterized in that the portion (20; 120; 220) is configured in such a way as, when viewed in a third direction of observation which is not the same as the first or second directions, to allow viewing of a second decorative design (B) identical to or different from the first.
3. Package according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element is in strip form.
4. Package according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second element comprises several strips arranged parallel to each other.
5. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first transparent element is made of a transparent material, or is an opening.
6. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viewing portion (120; 220) comprises an insert made from a sheet folded into a plurality of strips.
7. Package according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the viewing portion (20) comprises an insert produced by extrusion of a thermoplastic, or by moulding from a single piece of thermoplastic, as by injection moulding or thermoforming.
8. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the form of a box or case.
9. Use of a package according to any one of the preceding claims for packaging an object containing a cosmetic product.
10. Package (10; 110) defining a housing (11; 111) suitable for containing an object (30; 130), which comprises at least one portion (20; 120; 220) configured in such a way as, when viewed in a first direction of observation, to allow viewing of at least part of the object and, when viewed in a second direction of observation which is not the same as the first direction, to allow viewing of a first decorative design (A), said package being characterized in that the portion comprises at least one first element (21; 122, 123b; 222), made of a transparent material, allowing viewing of the object and at least one second element (22a; 123a; 223a) covered with the first design, the two elements lying in different planes.

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