CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This document claims priority to French Application Number 03 01480, filed Feb. 7, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/449,877, filed Feb. 27, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a packaging unit for an article such as an article containing a cosmetic product, and in particular a case or a small box.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of Background  
           [0005]    There are known types of packaging which include viewing windows allowing the product located inside the packaging to be viewed. Such a window, however, reduces the surface area of the packaging on which a decorative motif or an inscription can be printed. However, if the packaging does not include a window, in order to exploit the entire surface for decoration, it is not possible to view the article without opening the packaging.  
           [0006]    EP 0 403 134 likewise describes a packaging unit which includes a window to enable an article inside the packaging to be seen. The window is formed by a hologram. Depending on the angle at which it is viewed, this arrangement allows for the image carried by the hologram, or the article which is present inside the packaging, to be seen. Holograms, however, require certain lighting conditions in order for the image which they carry to be correctly visualized. In addition, because holograms are generally colored, it will only be possible to see the article located inside the packaging through the colored window, in such a way that the true aesthetic qualities of the article cannot be seen.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,866 on the other hand describes an item in the form of a card having a support element on which are located strips bearing portions of an image in such a way as to form several images. The card is not configured in such as way as to be used to package an article.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is an object of the invention to provide a packaging unit for an article which will allow the purchaser to see the article while still allowing for a surface to be obtained which can accommodate a relatively large decorative motif.  
           [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide a packaging unit with a new decorative effect.  
           [0010]    According to the invention these objects can be achieved by a packaging unit which delimits a space in which an article is located containing a cosmetic product. In accordance with a preferred arrangement, at least one portion is configured to allow at least a part of the article to be seen when viewed in a first direction. When viewed in a second direction different from the first, a first decorative motif can be seen. The arrangement includes at least a first transparent element enabling the article to be viewed and at least a second element covered by the first motif, with the two elements extending in different planes. The arrangement can also be configured such that, in a third direction of observation distinct from the first and the second, a second decorative motif can be seen which is identical to or different than the first.  
           [0011]    A packaging unit of this kind allows for the article which it contains to be observed from the outside without opening the packaging, while still providing an external surface of considerable size for decoration.  
           [0012]    According to another advantageous aspect, the packaging offers several different views according to the position in which it is being observed. Accordingly, depending on how one moves in relation to the packaging, it is possible to perceive different types of decoration and/or the article. In addition, depending upon the vantage point, one can view, separately or simultaneously, part of the decoration and part of the article itself. With this arrangement, it is possible to adorn points of sale, and in particular shop display windows, at a low cost.  
           [0013]    According to an example of the invention, the first transparent element can include a transparent material or even be formed by an opening. This allows the real aesthetic appeal of the article to be visualized. A second packaging element can take the form of a strip, and preferably can include several strips arranged in parallel with one another.  
           [0014]    The viewing arrangement can include an insert formed of a sheet folded into a plurality of strips. Alternatively, the viewing portion can include an insert formed by the extrusion of a thermoplastic material or by molding of a single piece of thermoplastic material, in particular by injection molding or thermoforming.  
           [0015]    The packaging can take the form of a box or case. In a particularly preferred form, the arrangement is used to pack an article containing a cosmetic product.  
           [0016]    According to one of the advantageous aspects of the invention, a packaging unit is provided which delimits a space suitable for containing an article, and which includes at least one portion which, viewed from a first direction, is configured to allow viewing of at least a part of the article and which, viewed from a second direction different from the first, allows a first decorative motif to be seen. This portion includes at least one first element, made of transparent material, allowing for the viewing of the article, and at least one second element covered by the first motif, with the two elements extending in different planes.  
           [0017]    The above and other advantageous aspects of the invention will become apparent from the examples disclosed herein. It is to be understood that implementations of the invention need not include every feature of the illustrated examples, but instead could include only some or portions of the illustrated embodiments, or could include variations of the examples described. In addition, implementations need not achieve all of the above described objectives, but might only partially achieve the above objectives as desired. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 represents an exploded view of a package according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 1A to  1 C show perspective views from three different directions of the package according to the first embodiment;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 2A to  2 C represent the different stages of a method of producing an insert arranged in the package illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A to  1 C;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 3A to  3 C show perspective views from three different directions of a package according to a second embodiment;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 4A to  4 C represent the different stages of a method of producing an insert arranged in the package illustrated in FIGS. 3A to  3 C; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 represents a variant of the second embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    The packaging unit  10  represented in FIGS. 1 and 1A to  1 C, is in the form of a case. It delimits a space  11  intended to accommodate a bottle of perfume  30 , for example. The case  10  is a parallelepiped in shape and made of thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the case can be made of any other material, such as cardboard, wood, metal, etc. The illustrated example includes six faces, of which one face  12  is traversed by a window  13 , rectangular in shape, for example. The window  13  may, as an alternative, be square, circular, oval, or any other shape. In addition, the case or package can have various other shapes. An insert  20  is fixed in the window  13 .  
         [0026]    The insert  20  includes a transparent sheet  21  extending in a plane P. Several identical small strips  22 , each having two opposed faces  22   a  and  22   b , preferably extend in a plane perpendicular to the plane P of the sheet  21 , with the small strips preferably arranged parallel to one another. A portion  23  of the sheet  21  preferably surrounds the small strips  22  in such a way as to form a peripheral frame which is intended to be fixed onto the inside surface of the face  12  of the case, all around the window  13 . Preferably, the sheet is recessed such that the small strips do not impinge on the face  12 . For example, the arrangement can be adhesively bonded to the inside surface of a recess  14  surrounding the window. The sheet  21  and the small strips  22  can be formed from a single piece, for example, by extrusion of a thermoplastic material.  
         [0027]    A protective film, not shown, could also be provided to protect the small strips from the outside. The film may, for example, be fixed to the opposite side of the sheet  21  in relation to the strips, on the outer surface of the face  12 .  
         [0028]    A first decorative motif A, for example of trees, is drawn on a first face  22   a  of the strips. In the illustrated arrangement, the entire motif is distributed over the faces  22   a , with each face having a portion of the motif or design. The motif could also be formed by or take the form of an inscription or printing relating to the article. A second decorative motif B, such as a geometric form substantially oval in shape in the illustrated example, is drawn on the second face  22   b  of the strips, opposite the first. As with the design or motif on the first faces, the motif on the second faces can be distributed over all of the faces  22   b  or over a plurality of the faces.  
         [0029]    When the case is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane P of the sheet  21 , the perfume bottle  30  (or other cosmetic container) is seen across the sheet  21  which is transparent, as well as the segment  22   c  of the strips  22  (see FIG. 1B). When the case is viewed in a direction forming an angle of, for example, 45° in relation to the sheet  21 , from the left, the first motif A, namely the trees, is seen, which motif is represented on the faces  22   a  of the strips, without seeing the bottle (see FIG. 1A). When viewed in a direction forming an angle of, for example, 45° in relation to the sheet  21 , from the right, the second motif B can be seen, namely the oval geometric shape, which is represented on the faces  22   b  of the strips. Between these viewing positions it is possible, from intermediate directions, to see in part the perfume bottle and in part one of the motifs A or B.  
         [0030]    In order to form the insert  20 , a thermoplastic material can be extruded such as, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate, in such a way as to form the sheet  21  and the strips  22  arranged in a perpendicular manner to the sheet, as can be seen in FIG. 2A. A printing roller is then passed over the insert  20 , displacing it in a manner perpendicular to the strips  22 , as represented in FIG. 2B. The first decorative motif A is thus printed on the faces  22   a . A printing roller is then passed in the other direction in such a way as to print the second decorative motif B on the second faces  22   b  opposite the first faces (see FIG. 2C). When the roller is passed, the small strips  22  are flattened out in such a way that they protect against any printing on the sheet  21  of the insert, which remains transparent.  
         [0031]    The insert which is thus obtained is inserted in the case which can be formed in a conventional manner. The insert  20  is, for example, adhesively bonded over its entire periphery  23  to the inside surface of the face  12  surrounding the window, in particular on the inside surface of the recess  14 . Alternately, the insert could be coupled or fixed by other expedients and/or could be coupled at selected locations rather than the entire periphery.  
         [0032]    According to a variant which is not shown, the wall in which the window is formed can be curved. This can be, for example, a packaging unit that is cylindrical in shape. The strips are then no longer arranged in a parallel manner to one another, and are each arranged perpendicular to the curved wall. According to this embodiment, each motif or portions of one or more motifs appear in a progressive manner as the viewer moves along this curve.  
         [0033]    The packaging unit  110  represented in FIGS. 3A to  3 C is in the form of a case or box identical to that which has just been described, but having an insert  120  which differs from that which has just been described. A perfume bottle  130  is likewise located in the interior of the packaging unit.  
         [0034]    The insert  120  is formed by a sheet  121  folded in such a way as to form first strips  122 , arranged on the same plane, separated by ridges  123  formed by second and third strips  123   a  and  123   b . In order to form the insert, a sheet  121  is taken as the starting point, which sheet is initially transparent, and on which is printed a decorative motif A, such as a rectangle (FIG. 4A). The motif A can be spread or distributed over the second strips  123   a , while the rest of the sheet  121 , namely the strips  122  and  123   b , remain transparent. The second strips  123   a  are folded in such a way as to form an angle of preferably 45°, by way of example, in relation to the plane of the strips  122  and the third strips  123   b  are folded in such a way as to form an angle of 90° in relation to the plane of the strips  122  (see FIG. 4B). A transparent support film  124  can also be adhesively bonded to the faces of the first strips  122 , opposite the ridges  123 , in such a way as to support the sheet  121  folded in this manner (see FIG. 4C).  
         [0035]    The insert  120  obtained in this way can be fixed in the case  130  by adhesively bonding, for example, the periphery of the film  124  to the inside surface of the face  112 , around the window  130 , with the ridges  123  oriented towards the interior of the case.  
         [0036]    Alternatively, the insert  120  can be fixed in the other direction, namely by arranging the ridges  123  toward the outside of the case and the film  124  toward the inside. The insert can then be adhesively bonded at its periphery to the case, for example, on a recess provided around the window  113 , preferably in such a way that the ridges do not impinge on or protrude from the window. Provision can then be made for a protective film which protects the insert from the outside, which can be fixed to the opposite side of the film  124  and adhesively bonded to the outer surface of the face  112 .  
         [0037]    According to this embodiment, when the case is viewed in a direction or from a vantage point perpendicular to the plane of the strips  122 , the first motif A on the strips  123   a  is seen in part, and in part the perfume bottle (or other cosmetic container) is seen across the first transparent strips  122  and the film  124  (FIG. 3B). When viewed in a direction forming an angle of 45° in relation to the plane of the strips  122 , from the left, the perfume bottle  130  is seen across the strips  122  and  123   b  and the film  124  (FIG. 3A). Finally, when seen in a direction forming an angle of 45° in relation to the plane of the strips  122 , from the right, only the motif is seen, namely the rectangle which is represented on the second strips  123   a , without the perfume bottle being seen.  
         [0038]    According to a variant of this second embodiment represented in FIG. 5, the three strips can have a substantially identical width. The first strips  222  are transparent, while a first motif A is printed on the second strips  223   a  and a second motif B is printed on the third strips  223   b . The second and third strips with this arrangement can be adhesively bonded to one another, and can be arranged in a substantially perpendicular manner to the first strips  222  which extend in the same plane. A transparent support film  224  can further be adhesively bonded to the faces of the first strips  222  in such a way as to support the whole of the sheet folded in this manner. Accordingly, the same visual effect is achieved as with the insert described in the first embodiment. As with the earlier embodiments having plural motifs, the motif viewable at one angle can be the same or different from the motif viewable at another angle.  
         [0039]    According to another embodiment, not shown, the insert can be formed by a peripheral frame which extends in one plane and delimits a rectangular opening, and by the associated strips. The strips can be arranged parallel to each other, and each extend, for example, in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the frame or in other words the plane along which the opening defined by the frame extends. The two ends of the strips are, for example, inserted into slots provided in the frame in such a way as to be maintained in the frame at an angle with respect to the plane of the frame. According to this embodiment, the strips can be printed on one face only, or on both their faces, before being inserted into the frame. They can, for example, be printed before being cut into strips, or after being cut. In this case, the same visual effect is again obtained as with the insert described in the first embodiment, with the perfume bottle being visible when the case is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame, looking across the opening.  
         [0040]    It is of course possible to provide a box or case comprising several windows, each provided with an insert such as that which has just been described.  
         [0041]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
A packaging unit delimiting a space in which an article can be located such as an article containing a cosmetic product. The packaging includes at least one portion configured so that, when seen in a first direction, at least a part of the article can be seen and, when seen in a second direction different from the first, a first decorative motif can be seen. The portion includes at least one first transparent element allowing the article to be viewed, and at least one second element having the first motif associated, with the two elements extending in different planes.