PACKAGING
This invention relates to improvements in packaging. More particularly, it relates to a combination pack for solid dosage form confectionery, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals which, at the point of sale, provides an indication of source of the ingredients contained in the solid dosage forms.
BACKGROUND
One of the primary functions of packaging is to attract attention of the consumer at the point of sale. A package which presents the article in an attractive fashion and which provides the consumer with a clear message is therefore desirable in that it maximises the potential for sale of the article.
It is broadly towards packaging to achieve this, particularly in respect of confectionery, dietary supplements and/ or nutraceuticals in solid dosage forms, that the present invention is directed.
There are many forms of packaging for confectionery, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. For example, conventional packaging for dietary supplements encloses the solid dosage form container (usually a resealable bottle formed either from glass or plastic) in a non- distinctive fashion in terms of structure, with the colour/ markings on the packaging being relied upon to provide the distinctive element.
It is the applicant's object to provide additional features of distinction for their products, with such distinction being provided by the construction of the packaging for their container. In particular, it is the applicants object to provide packaging which is inherently indicative of the primary source of ingredients which make up their confectionery, dietary supplements and/ or nutraceuticals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a combination pack which includes or consists of a closed outer container having a shape and configuration associated with bovine milk, said outer container enclosing an inner
container which contains a confectionery, dietary supplement or nutraceutical in solid dosage form, said confectionery, dietary supplement or nutraceutical including at least one component derived from bovine milk.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a combination pack which includes or consists of a closed outer container having a shape and configuration associated with bovine milk, said outer container enclosing a rigid-walled container which contains a confectionery, dietary supplement or nutraceutical in solid dosage form, said confectionery, dietary supplement or nutraceutical including at least one component derived from bovine milk.
Preferably, the inner container is resealable.
Conveniently, the solid dosage form is a tablet or a capsule.
It is particularly preferred that the solid dosage form includes at least one mineral derived from bovine milk. It is even more preferred that the mineral be calcium.
It is presently most preferred that the solid dosage form is a dietary supplement which is a tablet and which contains the following:
Calcium 170 mg
Phosphorous 156 mg
Magnesium 12 mg Potassium 348 meg
Sodium 3.0 meg
Iron 36 meg
Copper 0.54 meg
Chromium 0.72 meg Zinc 492 meg.
Preferably, the outer container, when closed, has the shape and configuration substantially as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
In a final aspect, the present invention provides a method of indicating the source of at least one component of a solid dosage form confectionery, dietary supplement or
nutraceutical as bovine milk without requiring reference to indicia which comprises the step of presenting said confectionery, dietary supplement or nutraceutical as part of a combination pack as defined above.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the present invention is broadly as described above, it will be appreciated that it is not limited thereto but that it also includes embodiments of which the following description provides examples. Further, specific features of the invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 shows the preferred shape and configuration of the outer container when closed.
Figure 2 shows, in outline, the relative sizes and shapes of the preferred outer container /inner container combinations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As broadly defined above, the focus of the invention is on a combination pack which provides a clear distinction between the applicant's products and those of its competitors by reference to a constructional feature. This constructional feature is indicative of the source of the ingredients being sold.
In its primary embodiment, the products to be sold are confectionery, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals in solid dosage forms and including at least one component derived from bovine milk. It is presently preferred that the confectionery, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals contain milk minerals and specifically calcium.
The solid dosage form will usually be a capsule or a tablet, with a tablet being currently preferred. It is particularly preferred that the solid dosage form be a dietary supplement which is a tablet and which contains the following:
Calcium 170 mg &
Phosphorous 156 mg
Magnesium 12 mg
Potassium 348 meg
Sodium 3.0 meg
Iron 36 meg
Copper 0.54 meg
Chromium 0.72 meg
Zinc 492 meg.
Vitamins (including Vitamin D) can optionally also be included in the tablet.
The preferred shape and configuration of the outer container is one which is generally associated in the mind of consumers with orally consumed liquids such as milk. Such containers have a characteristic and immediately visually recognisable construction such as is shown in Figure 1.
The outer container in that configuration will be of a size such that it is large enough to enclose the inner container which in turn contains the confectionery, dietary supplement or nutraceutical. The inner container will normally be at least party rigid walled. It will also be conventional for the inner container to be resealable.
The outer container can be constructed from any conventional packaging material and will normally allow for indicia to be applied. It will however be most usual for the outer container to be made from a cardboard or paper material such as is used in conventional milk cartons.
The inner container which contains the confectionery/ dietary supplement /nutraceutical can be of any size and configuration standard in the confectionery/ dietary supplement /nutraceutical market. However, the size and configuration relative to the outer container will usually be as shown in Figure 2'.
The inner container (which will usually be in the form of a bottle) can be of any conventional construction, including from a plastics or glass material. Plastics is preferred. The bottle will also carry its own indicia either through direct imprinting or, as is more usual, by attachment of a label.
In practice, when displayed for sale, the combination will be clearly distinguishable from other products and also make clear the association between the source of the ingredients of the confectionery / dietary supplements /nutraceutical and milk.
Once purchased, the package can be opened by opening the outer container from the top to allow for removal of the enclosed bottle or the like. The outer container can then be discarded, preferably for recycling.
The enclosed bottle or the like is retained by the consumer, opened to remove the confectionery, dietary supplement or nutraceutical and resealed until the last of these is consumed.
It will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the above description is provided by way of example only and that modifications can be made in terms of the specific proportions of both the outer and inner containers and in terms of the solid dosage forms to be contained within the inner container without departing from the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the lawful scope of the appended claims.