GB2563934A - Greeting cards and containers for cosmetic products - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 10 enabling the simultaneous provision of a gift of a cosmetic product and a greetings card 26 is provided. The container 10 is arranged to accommodate a cosmetic product and is also arranged to be incorporated into a greetings card 26, perhaps through an aperture 32 and joined by a connection element such as a flange (24, figure 1). The container 10 could be circular, oval, rectangular, star-shaped or heart-shaped and could have a volume between 5 and 100 ml. The container 10 may be plastic, rubber, cloth, fabric, felt, baize, polymer, composite material, lace or netting, formed perhaps from a single mould and may have a lid. The cosmetic could comprise an effervescent substance, a lathering substance, an oil-based substance, a cream, a lotion, a paste, a gel, an exfoliant or a powder. The greetings card 26 may have an envelope or other re-sealable housing. Example ingredients of an effervescent bath product and a soap are given.

Description

Greetings cards and containers for cosmetic products

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers for cosmetic products, particularly to containers for cosmetic products arranged to be incorporated into greetings cards.

Background to the Invention

Crafting personalised messages for loved ones has been a customary expression of good will for people the world over for thousands of years. This tradition has evolved drastically in more modern times, and a staple that has remained at the core of sharing personalised gestures on special occasions has been the use of greetings cards.

In spite of advancements made in electronic communication in recent years, the act of giving greetings cards remains an unwavering and increasingly prevalent custom. In fact, it is becoming more and more conventional to gift and receive greetings cards on a growing number of occasions. In the United Kingdom alone the greetings card market is, at the time of writing, worth approximately £1.7 billion. The improved popularity of the custom of gifting greetings cards has encouraged a number of modifications and improvements to the design of the conventional greetings card. Such changes range from the inclusion of personalised messages and photographs, to additional functionality and gadgetry such as for pop-up and electronic greetings cards. The extent of the modifications has not remained relative to the surge in popularity however, with the majority of the greetings cards of today remaining relatively unchanged from the original style of greetings cards gifted at the advent of this custom.

The convention of gift giving, while related, has largely remained a separate endeavour, through necessity brought about by the impracticalities of including a gift within a greetings card. Alternatives have been explored, including the provision of a “gift tag” in order to allow an individual to send a personalised message alongside a gift. There are very few true greetings cards that can offer any added value or gifting other than novelty or messaging.

Additional alternatives have seen the provision of a gift in greetings card form, with these more recently including the concept of providing a gift voucher having a predetermined monetary value or providing access to a gift to be redeemed by the receiver at a later time. While overcoming practicality and logistical issues, this form of gift giving is limited in its capacity for adding a personal touch.

The options for providing a personalised greetings card together with a gift are currently limited.

It is therefore desired to provide a means of combining a gift product, preferably of the cosmetic variety, with a greetings card.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with the invention, a container is provided as outlined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container arranged to accommodate a cosmetic product, wherein the container is also arranged to be incorporated into a greetings card. The container preferably comprises a compartment arranged to accommodate a said cosmetic product. In preferable embodiments, the container further comprises a mouth providing access to the compartment. Embodiments of the container preferably further comprise a connecting element enabling the connection of the container to a greetings card. In embodiments comprising a connecting element, the connecting element preferably comprises a flange.

The provision of a gift alongside a greetings card is an endeavour ideally suited to the cosmetic products industry, wherein many associated commodities have a well-established link to festive periods, and are ideally sized so as not to present an encumbrance when combined with a greetings card. The adaptable size, shape, colour, feel and scent of many cosmetic products means that varying messages and designs on greetings cards can be portrayed, wherein the incorporation of said cosmetic products acts to enhance or complement the theme of the message or design.

The inclusion of a handmade product, for instance comprising pure essential oils, gives an opportunity to tailor the scent and a potentially perceived benefit of essential oils to the message of the card. For example, a “get well soon” card may comprise a perceived uplifting, revitalising scent achieved using lemon oils, or alternatively a honey fragrance comprising lemon oils. A greetings card intended for new mothers may optionally feature a humorous placing of a bath product, substantially in the shape of a tummy, to complement a corresponding image on a greetings card, the bath product optionally comprising lavender essential oils to invoke relaxation and calm. The enclosing of cosmetic products within greetings cards preferably provides an additional dimension to said greetings cards, which to date have remained entirely visually and perhaps aurally stimulating only. According to the present invention, greetings cards may not only receive an added scent, but may also help to enhance moods or invoke emotions through the tailoring of scents or oils therein comprised. While there may be no claim to the actual perceived effects of cosmetic products comprised within a container according to the first aspect of the present invention, the tailoring of specific cosmetic products to particular design on a greetings card may be informed by a general consensus of perceived effects that have been widely discussed or published.

According to existing technology, current blister pack techniques involve a clam shell arrangement, such as an injection moulded clam shell around the card. The primary problem with this arrangement is that the greetings card no longer looks like a card, and has a plastic appearance, being shrouded in heavy weight plastic. This not only detracts from the visible appearance, and from the similarity to a greetings card, but also cheapens and reduces the perceived value of the finished item. Presently available technology does not permit the desired combination while retaining the optimal perceived value and structural integrity of the greetings card, and thus the present invention preferably enables the combining of many forms of cosmetic products with a greetings card in a format that is easy to manufacture in large quantities and which does not hinder or restrict the structural integrity or the handleability of a greetings card. The present invention therefore provides a container arranged to accommodate a cosmetic product, and arranged to be incorporated into a greetings card. The ability to accommodate a cosmetic product is preferably provided by the feature of having a compartment having a cavity suitably sized to accommodate a desired product. The size of the compartment is preferably tailored to specific cosmetic products, wherein the size of the compartment is so designed as to avoid uneconomical levels of empty space. The compartment preferably comprises a mouth providing access to the compartment, and the therein disposed cosmetic product, when a greetings card is in an open configuration. To aid in connecting of the container to a greetings card, there is preferably provided a connecting element, which preferably takes the form of a flange or a series of tabs enabling the adherence of the container to the greetings card.

The width and length of the container, including the connecting element, preferably do not exceed the width and length of a greetings card to be attached thereto.

The purpose of the inclusion of a container with the greetings card is to present a gift, the container also preferably acting to complement a visual design upon the greetings card. The means of complementing the visual design may include the shape, size and/or colour of the container. Optionally the container may be transparent, and in such embodiments, the appearance of the contents of the container, being the cosmetic product therein disposed, may be the means of complementing the visual design of a greetings card. It is considered that the width and length of the container should not exceed the width and length of the greetings card, since it may render the greetings card defunct or potentially confer a negative aesthetic. In instances wherein the container is to be positioned proximate the edge of the greetings card, the connecting element, such as the flange or the tabs, should be sized and positioned so as to not extend beyond an outermost boundary of the greetings card.

At least a portion of the container is preferably arranged to extend through an aperture in a greetings card. The depth of the container preferably exceeds the depth of the greetings card.

The connecting element, which may include a flange or tabs, may be adhered to an outside surface of the greetings card, or may optionally be adhered to an inside surface of the greetings card. Where the connecting element is adhered to an inside surface of the greetings card, the container is preferably arranged to extend through an aperture comprised within a face of the greetings card. The depth of the greetings card is preferably an order of magnitude smaller than the depth of the container.

During production, the shape and dimensions of the container are preferably considered in order to ensure that the container according to the first aspect of the invention comprises sufficient internal capacity to accommodate the desired cosmetic product. As such, the compartment preferably comprises a volume selected from the range: 5 cc to 100 cc. The width and/or the length of the container is preferably selected from the range: 20 mm to 100 mm and the container depth is preferably selected from the range: 10 mm to 50 mm. At least one cross-sectional shape of the compartment is preferably one selected from the range: substantially circular; substantially oval; substantially the shape of a star polygon; substantially rectangular; substantially heart-shaped. In embodiments wherein the at least one cross-sectional shape is that of a star polygon, the star polygon may comprise any number of vertices.

Based upon calculations according to the most desired conformations of the container: in embodiments comprising a circular cross-sectional shape, the volume of the compartment is preferably selected from the range: 10 cc to 60 cc; in embodiments where at least one cross-sectional shape is substantially heart-shaped, the volume of the compartment is preferably selected from the range: 40 cc to 70 cc; in embodiments where at least one cross-sectional shape is substantially 5-pointed star-shaped, the volume of the compartment is preferably selected from the range: 25 cc to 50 cc.

The container preferably comprises at least one material selected from the range: plastic; rubber; cloth; fabric; felt; foam; baize; polymer; composite material; lace; netting.

In most desirable embodiments, the container preferably comprises a material that substantially avoids exposure of the product contained therein to excessive levels of atmospheric moisture or excessive levels of accidental water damage which may render the product undesirable. As such, in embodiments comprising a product susceptible to the effects of water or moisture, the container is preferably comprised of a splash-resistant material; a water-resistant material; and/or a water-proof material. A suitable example of such materials includes polymeric materials. In contrast, in some embodiments comprising a product susceptible to water effects, the product may also provide a pleasant aroma or texture. As such, it may be preferable for the container to be comprised of an aroma permeant material; and/or a material that permits the release of an aroma from the product into the air; and/or a material that conveys or permits the testing of the texture of a product comprised within the container. Examples of such materials may include netting; lace; felt; foam; cloth; and baize among others. In some cases, it may be desirable to both permit the release of an aroma from the product and to maintain a water-resistant and/or splash-resistant layer provided by the container.

The cosmetic product preferably comprises at least one selected from the range: an effervescent substance; a lathering substance; an oil-based substance within a suitable capsule; a cream; a lotion; a paste; a gel; an exfoliant; a powder.

In preferable embodiments the container is used to contain a product comprising an effervescent material such as, for example, an effervescent bath product which may include bath tablets or bath salts. In additional embodiments the container is preferably used to contain a product comprising a lathering substance such as, for example, soap and/or bath/shower gel. In additional embodiments, the container may be used to contain a product comprising an oil-based substance such as, for example, bath oils. In embodiments wherein the container is used to contain a product comprising an oil-based substance, the oil-based substance is preferably comprised within a suitable capsule such as a capsule comprising a water soluble layer.

The container is preferably formed using a single mould. A single mould per container provides for a quicker and easier manufacturing process which is suitable for manufacturing a large number of containers arranged to be incorporated into greetings cards. Preferably, manufacture of a container according to the first aspect of the present invention utilises a single fabricated container preform, which may be a polymeric sheet. Vacuum forming may be used to produce the container of the present invention, which preferably uses a single mould be container produced.

Preferably, the container according to the first aspect of the present invention further comprises a lid. The lid may take the form of a material that is the same as the rest of the container. In additional embodiments the material of the lid may be distinct from the material used for the rest of the container. Preferably the lid acts to contain the product comprised within the container when the greetings card is in an open configuration. A lid for the container may comprises any structure that occludes at least a portion of the compartment 12 and may comprises a continuous sheet, or a sheet comprising apertures or perforations. Perforations in a lid may optionally be used in order to permit the visualisation of a product comprised within the container, and/or may optionally be used to permit the permeation of an aroma from the product.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a greetings card comprising a container substantially as hereinbefore described. Preferably the greetings card according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a cosmetic product.

The greetings card in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention preferably comprises a design wherein the container in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention and the cosmetic product comprised therein may serve to complement the design. Preferably the greetings card is comprised of card stock of suitable weight to enable to the attachment of a container thereto. In preferable embodiments the attachment of the container to the greetings card is by way of adherence of the connecting element to a surface of the greetings card. In some embodiments the connecting element is adhered to an outside surface of the greetings card. In additional embodiments, the connecting element is adhered to an inside surface of the greetings card. In embodiments wherein the connecting element is adhered to an inside surface of the greetings card, the greetings card comprises an aperture through which the compartment of the container extends through. In embodiments wherein the connecting element is adhered to an inside surface of the greetings card, the greetings card preferably comprises at least one additional layer of sheet material, which may for instance be card stock, wherein the additional layers of sheet material act to conceal the connecting element, and optionally the rest of the container, when the greetings card is in an open configuration. In embodiments wherein the container comprises a lid, it may be deemed unnecessary to include additional layers of sheet material as a means of concealing the connecting element and/or the rest of the container when the greetings card is in an open configuration.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container arranged to contain a greetings card according to the second aspect of the present invention. The container of the third aspect is preferably sealable, wherein the sealing is optionally reversible. The container according to the first aspect is preferably in the form of an envelope.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 a is a plan view of an embodiment of a container in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention and FIG. 1b shows an perspective underside view of the container from FIG. 1a; FIG. 2 is a profile view of the container of FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a greetings card in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5a and 5b provide a perspective view of additional embodiments of containers according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising a substantially heart-shaped cross-section; and FIG. 6a and 6b provide a perspective view of additional embodiments of containers according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising a substantially 5-pointed star-shaped cross-section.

With reference to FIG. 1a, there is provided a plan view of a container 10 for incorporation into a greetings card (not shown), as according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention. A perspective underside view of the container 10 is shown in FIG. 1b. In the embodiment shown, the container 10 comprises a compartment 12, taking the form of a dome having a substantially circular lateral cross section throughout. Compartment 12 has a depth of 20.00 mm, the depth of the compartment is represented in the profile view of the container shown in FIG. 2. The inside of the dome-shaped compartment 12 forms a hollow cavity 14, with a circular mouth 16 defined by the circumference of the lowermost edge of the compartment 12. The diameter of the mouth 16 is 39.99 mm. The hollow, dome-shaped compartment 12 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b has an inner surface 20 facing the hollow cavity, and is opposed to an outer surface 22 of the hollow dome-shaped compartment 12. The hollow cavity 14 of compartment 12 has a capacity of 16 cc. About the periphery of the mouth 16 of the compartment 12, there is positioned a flange 24 of 9.51 mm, extending in a plane parallel to the substantially circular lateral cross section of the compartment 12. In the embodiment shown, the flange 24 has a constant width. The length of the container 10 including the flange 24 is 60.00 mm. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the container from FIG. 1a, FIG. 1b and FIG. 2.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a perspective view of a greetings card 26 comprising a container 10 is shown in FIG. 4. The depth of the container 10 is an order of magnitude greater than the depth of the greetings card 26. The greetings card 24 comprises a body made from card stock, having a centre-fold defining a first face 28 and a second face 30. The first face 28 comprises an aperture 32 arranged to enable the compartment 12 of the container 10 to extend through, such that the flange 24 communicates with card stock about the periphery of the aperture 32 on the first face 28. Optionally the flange 24 may be adhered to the card stock about the periphery of the aperture 32 on the first face 28 in order to secure the container in place. The width of the flange 24 is sufficient to enable support of the container 10 against the first face 28 of the greetings card 26, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, wherein the edge of the first face 28 of the greetings card 26 is not proximate the mouth 16 of the hollow cavity 14, the width of the flange 24 is constant throughout. In embodiments wherein the mouth 16 of the hollow cavity 14 is proximate an edge of the first face 28 of the greetings card 26, the width of the flange 24 may be variable throughout. This would be in order to avoid an overlap of the flange 24 with an edge of the first face 28 of the greetings card 26, which may confer an undesirable aesthetic.

The container 10 is comprised of a polymeric material and is transparent in order to permit a view of a cosmetic product contained therein. In use the container 10 is designed to accommodate a cosmetic product, such as a spherical or dome-shaped effervescent bath product, the shape and colour of which is used to complement a printed design appearing upon the first face 28 of the greetings card 26.

Example ingredients used in the formulation of an effervescent bath product shown in FIG. 4 are as follows, with suggestions as to optional compositional arrangements provided:

Examples of other emollients may include shea butter; cocoa butter; mineral oil; lanolin; petrolatum; paraffin; beeswax; squalene; coconut, jojoba, sesame, almond, and other plant oils; cetyl alcohol; olive oil; oleic acid; and vegetable-based triglycerides or fatty acids. Additional embodiments will be conceivable wherein other emollients, not listed above, will be available for use in the formulation of cosmetic products.

Embodiments are available wherein the cosmetic product is not an effervescent bath product, but wherein the cosmetic product may be any of a range of cosmetic products well known in the cosmetics industry. For example, the cosmetic product may be a soap. An example of ingredients used in the formulation of a soap for use in the present invention is provided in the table below, with suggestions as to optional compositional arrangements provided:

Additional embodiments of a container 40 are shown in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b wherein the lateral cross-section of the compartment 42 takes the form of a substantially heart-shape. FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b provide a perspective view of additional embodiments of a container 50 comprising a compartment 52 having a substantially 5-pointed star shaped cross-sectional configuration.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are given by way of example only and that various modifications thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the embodiments described define a limited number of forms and shapes for the compartment. Alternate embodiments will be conceivable wherein the compartments can take on any shape wherein the shape does not cause a reduction in the ability of the greetings card to function as such, and permissibility may be relative to the size of the container. For instance, any shape may be permissible wherein the structural integrity of the card is not diminished and adequate feasibility of manufacture is maintained.

In the embodiments described, the flange comprises a constant width throughout. Alternate embodiments are available wherein the width of the flange is variable in order to better suit the purpose of the container as adding to the structural integrity of the greetings card. Further alternate embodiments are available wherein the container is connected to the greetings card by means other than a flange, such as one or more tabs.

In the embodiments shown, the material of the container comprises a transparent polymer manufactured from a single mould. Alternative embodiments may comprise a translucent or opaque polymer, or optionally an entirely different material as has been described above.

The embodiments described comprise a greetings card that does not include any additional gadgetry or functionality. Embodiments of the present invention are available wherein the greetings card comprises further functionality, such as for example an electronic circuit enabling the playback and/or recording of a sound or musical sequence.

Claims (26)

1. A container arranged to accommodate a cosmetic product, wherein the container is also arranged to be incorporated into a greetings card.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a compartment arranged to accommodate a said cosmetic product.

3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the container further comprises a mouth providing access to the compartment.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container further comprises a connecting element enabling the connection of the container to a greetings card.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the connecting element comprises a flange.

6. A container according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the width and length of the container including the connecting element do not exceed the width and length of a greetings card to be attached thereto.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the container is arranged to extend through an aperture in a greetings card.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the container exceeds the depth of the greetings card.

9. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the compartment comprises a volume selected from the range: 5 cc to 100 cc.

10. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the container is selected from the range: 20 mm to 100 mm.

11. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the container is selected from the range: 20 mm to 100 mm.

12. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the container is selected from the range: 10 mm to 50 mm.

13. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one cross-sectional shape of the compartment is one selected from the range: substantially circular; substantially oval; substantially the shape of a star polygon; substantially rectangular; substantially heart-shaped.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one cross-sectional shape is substantially circular, and wherein the volume of the compartment is selected from the range: 10 cc to 60 cc.

15. A container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one cross-sectional shape is substantially heart-shaped, and wherein the volume of the compartment is selected from the range: 40 cc to 70 cc.

16. A container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one cross-sectional shape is substantially 5-pointed star-shaped, and wherein the volume of the compartment is selected from the range: 25 cc to 50 cc.

17. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises at least one material selected from the range: plastic; rubber; cloth; fabric; felt; foam; baize; polymer; composite material; lace; netting.

18. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the cosmetic product comprises at least one selected from the range: an effervescent substance; a lathering substance; an oil-based substance within a suitable capsule; a cream; a lotion; a paste; a gel; an exfoliant; a powder.

19. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is formed using a single mould.

20. A container according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the container comprises a lid.

21. A greetings card comprising a container according any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A greetings card according to claim 21, wherein the container comprises a cosmetic product.

23. A container arranged to house a greetings card according to claim 21 or claim 22.

24. A container according to claim 23, wherein the container is arranged to be sealed and unsealed.

25. A container according to claim 24, wherein the container is re-sealable.

26. A container according to any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the container is an envelope.