GB2270898A - Packaging system for toiletries - Google Patents

Abstract

A toiletries packaging system for travellers comprises a case (10) and a plurality of interchangeable containers (34) of modular dimensions which nest in the case and occupy substantially all the space provided for them in the case. A plurality of smaller containers may occupy the space of a larger container (34). <IMAGE>

Description

PACKAGING SYSTEM This invention relates to a packaging system for toiletries for use by travellers.

A traveller, whether on business or for pleasure, will wish to carry with him/her a selection of toiletries and personal care items (e.g. toothbrush, razor etc.). Hitherto it has been customary for the traveller merely to collect together the various items required from the bathroom and put them loosely in a bag. This is time consuming and involves running through a mental "check-list" each time. This can be irritating if the traveller is late and there is a plane to catch, and items can easily be forgotten.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dedicated toiletries packaging system which enables the traveller to keep his/her toiletries ready-packed for travel in a convenient manner.

According to the invention, a packaging system for toiletries for use by travellers comprises a case, a plurality of containers adapted to be received therein and containing toiletries, the containers being of the same height or of an integral sub-multiple of said height as herein defined, and having matching profiles, the height and profiles being chosen such that the containers can nest side-by-side or end to end in a space provided for the containers in the case, occupying substantially the whole of said space.

Preferably the containers are all of the same width or an integral multiple of said width.

By containers of an integral sub-multiple of said height we mean that two or more such of containers may be nested end to end in place of one larger one of said height.

The case and the containers may be provided with respective means for engaging each other to locate the containers in the case. Thus the container may have a received bottom and a projecting domed top.

The engaging means may comprise a projection and a recess. The recess may be in an end of the container.

At least one container may be twice as wide as another.

At least one container may be half the height of another.

Preferably at least one of the containers is proof against being refilled.

The system may further comprise a personal care appliance the dimensions of which conform to those of the containers as specified above, whereby it can be substituted for one or more thereof.

The invention will now be described merely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of prototype system according to the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the system of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a partially sectioned view on arrow 3 of Figure 2, and Figure 4 shows a container forming part of the system of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure i, 2 and 3, a system according to the invention comprises a flexible case 10 of fabric or plastic material comprising a lower portion 12 and a lid 14 hinged together along one edge 16 and closable by means of a peripheral zip-fastener 18.

Within the lower portion 12 is a rectangular frame 20, here shown as a moulding of polyethylene, polyurethane or other resilient plastic material. The frame is secured within the lower portion 12 by any convenient conventional means.

One long edge 22 of the frame 20 has a series of circular recesses 24 arranged side-by-side. The other long edge 26 has an insert 28 of sculpted or moulded resilient foam material for example skinned polyurethane foam. The insert 28 has rounded projecting portions 30 aligned with the recesses 24, and in the frame 20 shallow elongated troughs or depressions 32, of arcuate section extend between corresponding pairs of recesses and projections 24, 30 extend Within the frame 20 are received a number of matching containers 34 (Figure 3) each of the same height and width. The containers have recesses 36 in their bases and domed ends 38 which register with the projecting portions 30 and recesses 24 to locate the containers closely side-by-side in the frame 20 of the case 10. The containers are of cylindrical section and are dimensioned to fit the troughs 32.

The frame 20 is dimensioned so as to accept a number of containers side-by-side with little if any wasted space. Figure 2 shows two containers 34 nested side-by-side; a total of four can be accommodated in the frame 20 in this example.

A container 34 is inserted into the frame domed-end 38 first into a recess 22. The recessed bottom 36 is then pushed firmly into place against the projecting portion 30. The resilient'foam insert is deformed sufficiently to admit the container 34 whilst holding it firmly, as shown at 40.

The frame 20 is somewhat (eg. 8mm) shallower than the diameter of the container 34, which leaves a bottom edge 41 (Figure 4) of the container accessible to be engaged by the finger-nail enabling the bottom of the container to be prised from the foam insert 28 and the container to be released from the frame 20.

The lid 14 likewise is provided with a frame 42 which receives containers 34 in the same manner as the base. The detail of the frame 42 is not shown since it is the same as the frame 20.

The containers 34 are all of the same size and typically are of 50ml capacity. Each contains a toiletry of the users choice selected from a range thereof, to be marketed to meet the expected requirements of travellers. The containers are proof against refilling, to encourage repeat purchases.

Although all the illustrated containers are shown to be of the same size, one or more of the containers can be replaced by two smaller containers each of half the height, which would be suitable for toiletries used only in small quantities e.g. perfumes.

Similarly, a larger container can be provided by making its width twice the width of a standard container. Such a container could be used for a large volume toiletry such as talc.

A personal care appliance may be substituted for one or more containers, i.e. packaged in a container instead of a toiletry. A toothbrush could be so packaged for example, or an electric razor could be manufactured to the modular dimensions of say standard height and double width and substituted for two of the containers, with its connecting lead packaged and substituted for a third one.

In an alternative configuration, toiletry containers are not stored in the lid 14. Instead this is fitted to receive other related items for example comb, manicure set and mirror. Alternatively the lid may simply form a cover, with no carrying frame 42. A slimmer package, albeit of smaller capacity results.

In another alternative configuration the foam insert 28, projections 30 and recesses 24 may be omitted from the frames 20, 42 which instead may be provided with relatively small pips or detents at regular intervals. The ends 36, 38 of the containers 34 would likewise be suitably modified to engage the pips or detents. It may be found that such a configuration, in which the means engaging the container to the case are relatively small relative to the size of the container, is more readily capable of accommodating double-width containers or container-substitutes such as personal care appliances. Preferably the pips are in the frames 20, 42 and the detents or recesses in the ends of the containers, since the base of the container can then be suitably shaped for it to stand upright when not in the case.

It will be appreciated that travellers may wish to carry other items which whilst perhaps not strictly toiletries within the conventional meaning of the term, are of a similar nature in that they will be considered by the traveller in the same context when collecting together his/her requirements. Examples are perfumes and contingency items against minor illness or injury, e.g. everyday pharmaceuticals such as paracetamol, indigestion tablets, antiseptic etc. Some of the containers thus may include such items, and the terms "toiletries" is intended to be so interpreted.

The following is a non-exhaustive list- of items which may usefully be packaged as part of the system: WOMEN MEN FAMILY BABY Shampoo Shampoo Toothpaste Shampoo Conditioner Conditioner Suncream Lotion Deodorant Deodorant After Sun Wipes Talc Talc Antiseptic Cream Body Lotion Body Lotion Plasters Talc Hair Spray After Shave Insect Repellent Baby Bath Cleanser Shaving Foam Bite Cream Soap Razor Blades Paracetamol Moisturiser Shower Gel Comb/Scissors The case may be provided with an additional zip-fastened compartment e.g. on the outer surface of the lid, and preferably with a waterproof liner for containing e.g. a bar of soap and/or face flannel.

The containers are shown as of plain cylindrical form except for the ends and are circular in cross-section. As such their profiles and widths match to permit the user to make a modular collection of packaged toiletries to fill his/her case. The containers may however be of more decorative design, provided the side profiles match to permit the containers to be nested next to each other in the case. If desired the containers could be asymmetric longitudinally such that the lower portion of one container is shaped to nest between the tops of the two containers on each side of it, the containers then being arranged alternately head-to-tail. The concept of a single basic container shape should however preferably be maintained to enable the customer to select the required toiletries whilst being assured that the containers will fit each other and the case.

The name TRIPGRIP shown in the drawings together with the further names TRAVALISE and TRAVELPAX are the applicant's trade marks for toiletries packaging systems, cases and containers, and for toiletries, medications, perfumes, personal care items for use therewith, including without limitation the non-exhaustive list given earlier in this specification.

Claims (11)

1. A packaging system for toiletries for use by travellers comprising a case, a plurality of containers adapted to be received therein and containing toiletries, the containers being of the same height or of an integral sub-multiple of said height (as herein defined), and all having matching profiles, the height and profiles being chosen such that the containers can nest side-by-side or end to end in a space provided for the containers in the case, occupying substantially the whole of said space.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein containers are all of the same width or of an integral multiple of said width.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the case and the containers are provided with respective means for engaging each other to locate the containers in the case.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the engaging means comprise a projection and a recess.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the recess is in an end of the container.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the container has a recessed bottom and a projecting domed top.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one container is twice as wide as another.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one container is half the height of another.

9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least one container is proof against being refilled.

10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a personal care appliance the dimensions of which conform to those of the containers as specified in claim 1, whereby it can be substituted for one or more thereof.

11. A packaging system for toiletries substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.