ES2577957T3 - Packaging material, empty container and container - Google Patents

Abstract

A product package (30) and a product (301), the package being provided with imaging features (31) arranged to produce a three-dimensional image thereon, where when viewed, the imaging features provide the appearance of a three-dimensional product in the package to offer the appearance of a transparent container, characterized in that the imaging features are arranged so that the appearance of the product in the package is aligned with the product when packaged in the package .

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Packaging material, empty container and container Field of the invention

The present invention relates to packaging materials, containers and empty containers.

Background of the invention

Lenticular printing and holographic techniques are well known ways of producing an image with properties dependent on the viewing angle. However, to date, the use of properties dependent on the angle of vision in the field of consumer goods packaging has been limited. Effective ways of maximizing the impact of the image-dependent image properties on packaging for consumer goods are needed in order to take advantage of the visually striking appearance that packages with image-dependent image properties can produce.

Examples of the technique are shown in: US-2004/182917, referring to a box with a lenticular lens insert: and US-2009/020595, which refers to a container that includes a decorative film and a space Empty to do the same.

An objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to solve at least one drawback of the prior art, whether it has been identified herein or otherwise.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with the present invention a package and a product are provided as set forth in the appended claims. Other examples of features will become apparent from the dependent claims, and the subsequent description.

Brief introduction to the figures

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the embodiments thereof and those related to it can be put into practice, reference is made, by way of example, to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a packaging material shaped as an empty container, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment relating to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a container formed from the empty container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention and also shows a side view of a part of the product contained in the package;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a container according to another embodiment concerning the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of a container in accordance with another exemplary embodiment relating to the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a plan view of a container in accordance with another exemplary embodiment relating to the present invention as seen and also shows how the appearance of part of the package changes according to the viewing angle; Y

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a package according to another embodiment concerning the present invention and also shows how an optical modifier can be used to change the appearance of the package.

Description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows packaging material shaped as an empty container 10. The empty container 10 is shown in Figure 2, formed around a product (not shown) to produce a container 20.

The empty container 10 comprises a flexible sheet provided with imaging features thereon. The imaging features are provided in independent first and second regions 21, 22 on the empty container 10, the imaging characteristics on the empty container 10 being called in these two regions, first imaging features 11 and second features. 12 imaging respectively. The first region 21 is shaded and the second region is between the lines

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discontinuous The first and second imaging features 11, 12 are each arranged to produce images dependent on the viewing angle when viewed by a human eye.

The first imaging features 11 are arranged so that when viewed from a first viewing angle the first imaging features 11 are generally transparent, and when the first training features 11 are viewed from a second viewing angle. of images produce an image that is not transparent. Here, the "transparency" describes the ability to allow light from the visible spectrum to pass through without significant diffusion or distortion, which allows the light that passes through the container from one side to another to form a clear and recognizable image. It should be understood that the term also includes clear transparencies but filters colors. Also, the non-transparent images described herein may comprise real or virtual images that at least partially obstruct, overlap, increase or otherwise alter the image that would be visible when viewed from the first viewing angle or that It would be visible if the imaging features were not present.

The first imaging features 11 are arranged to produce a three-dimensional image when viewed from the second viewing angle, since they can be properly obtained using a two-dimensional range of micro-optical features in the empty container 10. In the region of the first imaging features 11 the flexible sheet itself that is provided with the first imaging features is generally transparent, which means that when viewed from the first viewing angle the product contained in the container 20 is visible through of the empty container 10 when it is formed in the container 20, thus allowing a potential buyer to inspect the product and appreciate its characteristics and qualities by looking through the empty container 10. However, by changing the angle from which the container 20 is viewed , the non-transparent image produced by the first features 11 d and imaging becomes visible. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first imaging features 11 are arranged when viewed from the second viewing angle to produce an image that includes information about the product contained in the container 20, for example a brand identifier, or A description of the functions or features of the product.

The second imaging features 12 are arranged in the empty container 10 so that when the empty package 10 is shaped around a product wrapping it to form the container 20, the second imaging features 12 are located on the front face 21 of the container 20 and run from the front face 23 around the edges of the front face 23 and on the side and terminal faces 24, 25 of the container 20. Thus the second imaging features 12 provide in parts of the 20 container that are not flat.

As mentioned above, the second imaging features 12 are arranged to produce images dependent on the viewing angle when viewed by a human eye. If it is considered that the packaging 20 is fixed and seen by an observer that moves with respect to the packaging 20, such as when walking past the packaging 20 when it is exposed on the shelf of a supermarket. It will be appreciated that the non-planar arrangement of the second imaging features 12 implies that the change in the viewing angle produced as the observer moves with respect to the packaging will be different for the entire extent of the second features 12 Image formation This increases the probability that the observer will appreciate a transition between the images dependent on the angle of view provided by the second imaging features 12. In addition, the different relative orientations of the second imaging characteristics 12 provided through the second region 22 imply that with respect to the movement of the observer, the second imaging features 12 may provide different types of transition between first and second viewing angles and therefore different images depending on the viewing angle.

The second imaging features 12 are arranged so that, viewed from a first viewing angle, the first imaging features 12 produce a first virtual image, and when viewed from a second viewing angle they produce a second image. virtual. The images produced by the second imaging characteristics are produced by a set of two-dimensional micro optical characteristics provided on the empty container 10 that is formed around a product to produce the container 20. The micro-optical characteristics may comprise, for example, micro -lenses or specular reflection characteristics.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging material may comprise a laminated material of a plurality of layers, with imaging features 11, 12 provided on a surface layer or superimposed only by transparent layers. Suitable laminations comprise one or more plastic sheets and one or more sheets of metallic paper, for example joined together using an adhesive, the paper sheet providing a base for the plastics. An advantage of this type of lamination is that transparent plastic layers can be conveniently used, or a transparent window on which the imaging features can be provided, for example with an overlay. In some embodiments, the laminated material may conveniently be provided with a cold-sealable adhesive base layer, which allows the formation of a container that can be re-sealed using a continuous wrapping process. The cold seal adhesive base layer may for example provide a seal when pressed against itself, or against another surface of the packaging material during packaging. The packaging material may be superimposed by a layer of shellac, which is provided to facilitate the opening of the packages, for example packages with continuous wrapping.

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manufactured using the material. The use of a shellac can be particularly advantageous when a cold seal or other adhesive layer is provided in the packaging material.

In other embodiments, imaging features 11, 12 may be provided on a separate label, for example, which will be attached to the empty container during the packaging process using an adhesive. In additional embodiments, imaging features 11, 12 may be formed on a label that is stamped during molding to a substrate material. Labeling during molding is a procedure in which a label is placed in a mold together with the substrate to be shaped with the desired shape using the mold. What results in a molded shape that includes the label on it, which brings benefits in the manufacture of molded plastic containers such as bottles and tubs. Figure 5 shows an example of a package 50 with a stamped label 52 during molding on the lid 54, the label 52 provided with imaging features 51 to provide a three-dimensional representation of the cheese contained in the package 50.

As shown in Figure 2, imaging features are provided on a part of the container 20 that is not flat, since the flexible sheet material of the empty container is curved around the edge of the front face 23 of the container 20 However, it will be appreciated that many other variations are possible, depending on the shape of the product to be packaged and the desired characteristics of the images that are to be produced by the imaging characteristics. For example, imaging features may be provided on the convex part of the package that conforms to a curved face or other characteristic of the shape of the packaged product. The imaging features can also be provided in a concave portion of the container, for example by vacuum forming around a concave part of the product. Although the curvature and the different angles of the surface or surfaces provided may be designed to generally distort the image that would be produced with a perfectly flat arrangement of the imaging features, some embodiments could take advantage of this distortion to produce visual effects. Call attention. In such embodiments the imaging features are designed to produce a predetermined imaging effect on a flat surface, but in the packages of the embodiment examples, the imaging features are provided across the surface that is not it's flat. In exemplary embodiments, the packaging comprising the flexible sheet material may be exposed for sale on a shelf, display rack, shelf, hanger or the like, so that parts of a first face and a second face are visible for the consumer as it moves ahead of the container. The packages in which imaging characteristics are provided on a first and a second face allow two different effective viewing angles for the imaging characteristics provided on the two faces, which can increase the attractive effect of the images produced by The imaging features. In addition, interesting and attractive effects can be produced by the imaging features that extend around the packaging in the transition zone from one side to the other. Even if there is a variation in an image effect produced by the imaging characteristics when passing around the corner or edge of the packaging, it is likely that a transition zone between images produced by the characteristics on a first face and on A second face is likely to attract attention, since the transition zone will produce a range of effective viewing angles when a consumer moves ahead of the container.

Figure 3 shows a container 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The package 30 contains a product 301 therein, which is shown as a chocolate tablet with blocks 300 having slits 310 in the form of valleys between them, when viewed from the side. The container 30 is provided with imaging features 31 arranged to produce a three-dimensional image thereon, where when viewed, the imaging features 31 provide the appearance of the three-dimensional product 301 in the package to offer the appearance of a transparent container

The imaging features 31 and the product 301 of the package 30 are arranged so that the appearance of the product 301 in the package is aligned, and so that the three-dimensional representation of the parts of a product 301 that is within the container correspond to a real-size representation of the product in the package, including the corresponding valley depth 310.

As shown in Figure 3, imaging features 31 are provided only on top of a portion of the package, but it will be appreciated that other arrangements are possible. In the embodiment of Figure 3 and in other related embodiments, the imaging features 31 are arranged to offer the appearance of a window that passes through the container 30 directly to the product therein. To generate a striking visual effect, the window or the entire front of the container can be arranged with imaging features to provide a realistic representation of the product, for example with matching colors, with sufficient definition to pass through the product or offer a representation true to reality, of it.

Figure 4 shows a container 40 in accordance with another embodiment relating to the present invention. The package 40 contains a product 400 that is visible through a transparent part 42. On the transparent part 42, imaging features 41 are arranged to produce a superimposed three-dimensional image on the product 400 contained in the package. In this example, the product 400 is a chocolate tablet and the image produced by the imaging features 41 is a brand identifier.

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"Milka." In this embodiment, the overlay is arranged so that the three-dimensional image appears to be placed directly on the product contained in the package, for example as if it were integrated into the product. In another embodiment, the overlay is arranged so that the three-dimensional image appears to extend directly from the volume, or sink into the volume of the product contained in the package.

Figure 6 shows a container 60 in accordance with another embodiment concerning the present invention. The container 60 has a first zone 61 provided with first imaging characteristics arranged to produce images dependent on the viewing angle thereon through a predetermined range of viewing angles and a second zone 62 different from the first and which is provided with second imaging features and arranged to produce a three-dimensional image through the predetermined range of viewing angles.

The first imaging features are arranged to provide a non-visible image over a part of the viewing angle range, for example at approximately 30 degrees and 50 degrees. The first imaging features are arranged to provide a first image over a first part of the viewing angle range, a second image over a second part of the viewing angle range and a third image over a third part of the viewing angle range. Of vision. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the first part of the viewing angle range is approximately 20 degrees, the second part of the viewing angle range is approximately 40 degrees and the third part of the viewing angle range is approximately 60 degrees

The three-dimensional image in the second zone 62 is an identifier of the "Milka" brand. The images produced by the imaging characteristics in the first zone 61 are graphic representations associated with the product, for example, mountains, a cow and an image of the chocolate product itself. In this embodiment, the attention of potential buyers moving in front of the container 60 with the image in the first and second zone 61, 62, will be called by the contrast between the changing image produced by the substitution of three-dimensional images in the area of the first viewing angle and the three-dimensional image that remains in the second zone, and that is visually particularly interesting. The package 60 also includes a printed area 63 provided with a regular two-dimensional printing.

Figure 7 shows a plan view of a container 70 according to another exemplary embodiment relating to the present invention. The container 70 comprises flexible sheet-shaped packaging material provided with a first set of imaging features 71. The first set of imaging features 71 is shown in the first part of Figure 7. The first set of imaging features 71 is arranged to produce a three-dimensional image, when viewed through a corresponding optical modifier 73 , which includes a second set of imaging features 72 10. The optical modifier 73 and its effects on the appearance of the package 70 are illustrated in the second part of Figure 7.

The container 70 is provided with the optical modifier 73 packaged therein with the product, so that it is available once the packaging 70 has been opened. The three-dimensional image corresponds to the appearance of the product contained in the package without being generally visible outside the package 70 unless the observer has the optical modifier 73. In the embodiment examples, the first set of imaging features 71 is configured so that no significant image information is appreciated without using the second set of imaging features 72 of the optical modifier 73. In such an example, the first set of imaging features 71 is imperceptible to the naked eye, merging with the bottom of any substrate or impression that is present in the packaging material. In this example, a consumer can pass the optical modifier 73 over the packaging to search and / or reveal the secret image produced by the first set of imaging features 71 when viewed in combination with the second set of training features 72 of images of the optical modifier 73. In another exemplary embodiment, the first set of imaging features 71 is provided in a zone that is different from the rest of the packaging, for example a zone comprising a substrate or print having a random appearance. , pseudo random or otherwise meaningless when viewed without the second set of imaging features 72 of the optical modifier 73. In this example, the optical modifier 73 can be used directly to reveal a three-dimensional image.

It can be seen that the packages, in accordance with embodiments relating to the invention, provide simple and economical ways to take advantage of the visually striking appearance that images with image properties dependent on the viewing angle can produce. The imaging features such as those described allow the embodiment examples to provide information regarding the product contained in the package over the same packaged area. This allows such product packages to be more interesting and more informative for the consumer, using images dependent on the viewing angle. The images depending on the viewing angle can be stratified with each other to provide information on a part of the surface area of the container. As an alternative, or in addition, the visually striking aspect of the packages according to embodiments can make such packages stand out on the bottom formed by other products on the shelves of a supermarket, attracting consumers when passing through the visual effects produced as they move when they pass by the containers, changing the effective viewing angle, and making images dependent on different angles make the container come alive.

It will be appreciated that different types of imaging features act to produce angle dependent images in different ways, and over different ranges of inclination and azimuthal angles. The example of holographic reflective elements and micro lens assemblies is considered suitable for imaging characteristics, but other examples are possible.

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The packaging materials, the empty container and the packages described above can be applied to any suitable product but are particularly suitable for use with consumer products, including confectionery products such as chocolate.

10 Although examples of or embodiment of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes can be made without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (7)

10 2. fifteen 3. twenty Four. 25 5. 30 6. 7. 35 8. A product package (30) and a product (301), the package being provided with imaging features (31) arranged to produce a three-dimensional image thereon, where when viewed, the imaging features provide the appearance of a three-dimensional product in the package to offer the appearance of a transparent container, characterized by that The imaging features are arranged so that the appearance of the product in the package is aligned with the product when it is packaged in the package. The product and product package of claim 1, wherein the imaging features are arranged to produce a three-dimensional representation of parts of a product that is inside the package and separated from the surface of the container. The product and product package of claim 1 or 2, wherein the imaging features are arranged to produce a three-dimensional representation of concave product features. The product and product package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging features are arranged to produce a life-size representation of the product in the package. The product and product package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the imaging features are arranged to produce a true representation of the product in the package. The product and product package of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein most of the front of the package is arranged with imaging features to provide a realistic impression of the product on the package. The product and product package of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the imaging features are arranged to offer the appearance of a window that passes through the container directly to the product inside. The product and product package of claim 7, wherein the imaging features are arranged to offer the appearance, through the window, of only part of the product.