Method of molding decorative elements for consumer packaging

Abstract

A method of molding a decorative product packaging, comprising the steps of: molding a product container or cap; applying a UV curable liquid to surfaces and/or cavities in the container or cap; then exposing the UV curable liquid to UV radiation to form a solid coating adhered to surfaces and/or filling cavities on the container or cap. Gate marks, gate wells, frosting, cutter marks, and cuts and abrasions in the packaging surface are no longer visible after the UV curable coating has cured.

1 . A method of diminishing visibility of visible imperfections in the surface of a transparent or semi-transparent non-film product packaging, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a transparent or semi-transparent non-film product packaging having a plurality of surfaces, said surfaces having one or more of gate marks, gate wells, frosting, cutter marks, cuts and abrasions therein;    applying a UV curable liquid to one or more of said gate marks, gate wells, frosting, cutter marks, cuts and abrasions;    exposing said UV curable liquid to a UV light source of a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient time to cure said UV curable liquid to a transparent or semi-transparent solid coating adhered to said one or more of said plurality of surfaces to diminish visibility of one or more of gate marks, gate wells, frosting, cutter marks, cuts and abrasions, in said product packaging.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said UV curable liquid is untinted such that after exposing said UV curable liquid to a UV light source, said cured solid mass is transparent.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said UV curable liquid is tinted such that after exposing said UV curable liquid to a UV light source, said cured solid mass is tinted.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said UV curable liquid contains one or more of additives, fillers, glitter fillers, flake fillers, and decorative elements.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said product packaging comprises a cosmetic case.  
   
   
       6 . A method of diminishing visibility of visible imperfections in the surface of a transparent or semi-transparent non-film product packaging, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a transparent or semi-transparent non-film product packaging having a plurality of surfaces and a cavity therein, said surfaces and cavity having one or more of gate marks, gate wells, frosting, cutter marks, cuts and abrasions therein;    applying a UV curable liquid to one or more of said gate marks, gate wells, frosting, cutter marks, cuts and abrasions;    exposing said UV curable liquid to a UV light source of a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient time to cure said UV curable liquid to a transparent or semi-transparent solid coating adhered to said one or more of said plurality of surfaces to diminish visibility of one or more of gate marks, gate wells, frosting, cutter marks, cuts and abrasions, in said product packaging.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  where said UV curable liquid is placed in said cavity.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said cavity is shaped as one or more of an ornamental design, lettering, and a logo.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said UV curable liquid contains one or more of additives, fillers, glitter fillers, flake fillers, and decorative elements.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising filling said cavity with multiple layers of UV curable liquid.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising placing decorative elements between said layers of UV curable liquid.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said UV curable liquid is untinted such that after exposing said UV curable liquid to a UV light source, said cured solid mass is transparent.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said UV curable liquid is tinted such that after exposing said UV curable liquid to a UV light source, said cured solid mass is tinted.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said product packaging comprises a cosmetic case.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said UV curable liquid is applied to said substrate in a free form, pattern or design to provide said substrate with an embossed surface texture.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said UV curable liquid is applied to said substrate in a free form, pattern or design to provide said substrate with an embossed surface texture.