Scented Packaging

Abstract

A product package and method that allows a consumer to sample a fragrance of a product at the point of sale. The product package ( 100 ) includes a vessel ( 102 ) defining an orifice ( 114 ), a product ( 104 ) disposed within the vessel that may be dispensed from the vessel through the orifice, a cap ( 108 ) attached to the vessel, and a scented material ( 144 ) having a fragrance ( 146 ). When the cap, and thus the product package, is in an open position, the fragrance of the scented material is released to an exterior of the product package and may be sampled or smelled by a consumer. When the cap, and thus the product package, is in a closed position, the fragrance of the scented material is substantially prevented from being released to the exterior of the product package.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product package, comprising:
 a vessel defining an orifice;   a product disposed within the vessel and configured to be dispensed from the vessel through the orifice;   a cap that is configured to be attached to the vessel, wherein the cap is repositionable from a closed position to an open position, and from the open position to the closed position;   a seal positioned over the orifice and configured to seal the product within the vessel; and   a scented material having a fragrance, wherein the scented material is attached to a surface of the seal,   wherein the product package is configured to release the fragrance of the scented material to an exterior of the product package when the cap is in the open position and to substantially prevent the release of the fragrance to the exterior of the product package when the cap is in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the seal is configured to be removed to allow the product to be dispensed from the vessel; and   the scented material is configured to be removed simultaneously with a removal of the seal.   
     
     
         3 . The product package of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the vessel further comprises a threaded end;   the cap is configured to be screwed onto the threaded end to place the cap in the closed position; and   the cap is further configured to be unscrewed from the threaded end to place the cap in the open position.   
     
     
         4 . The product package of  claim 1 , further comprising text and/or graphics on the exterior of the product package, wherein the text and/or graphics are configured to inform a consumer that the product package includes the fragrance that may be sampled by moving the cap from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         5 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein the product is one of a toothpaste, a mouthwash, a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a perfume, a powder, and a lotion. 
     
     
         6 . A product package, comprising:
 a vessel defining an orifice;   a product disposed within the vessel and configured to be dispensed from the vessel through the orifice;   a cap that is configured to be attached to the vessel, wherein the cap is repositionable from a closed position to an open position, and from the open position to the closed position; and   a scented material having a fragrance, wherein the scented material is attached to the cap,   wherein the product package is configured to release the fragrance of the scented material to an exterior of the product package when the cap is in the open position and to substantially prevent the release of the fragrance to the exterior of the product package when the cap is in the closed position.   
     
     
         7 . The product package of  claim 6 , wherein the cap comprises:
 a base;   a top;   a hinge that movably attaches the base to the top;   a dispensing tip defining an opening, wherein the product package is configured to dispense the product from the opening defined by the dispensing tip; and   a ring protruding from an inner surface of the top, wherein the ring encircles an end of the dispensing tip and the opening when the cap is in the closed position,   wherein the scented material is disposed in a pattern around the ring.   
     
     
         8 . The product package of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the cap is configured to be removed from the vessel to provide access to a seal that blocks the orifice; and   the seal is configured to be removed to allow the product to be dispensed from the vessel.   
     
     
         9 . The product package of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the vessel further comprises a threaded end; and   the cap is configured to be unscrewed from the threaded end to provide the access to the seal.   
     
     
         10 . The product package of  claim 6 , wherein the product is one of a toothpaste, a mouthwash, a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a perfume, a powder, and a lotion. 
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing a product package, comprising:
 disposing a product into a vessel, the vessel defining an orifice, wherein the product is configured to be dispensed from the vessel through the orifice;   providing a seal and a cap;   attaching a scented material to at least one of the seal and the cap;   attaching the seal to the vessel, wherein the seal is configured to seal the product within the vessel; and   attaching the cap to the vessel, wherein the cap is repositionable from a closed position to an open position to release a fragrance from the scented material to an exterior of the product package, and from the open position to the closed position thereby substantially preventing the release of the fragrance to the exterior of the product package.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the attaching of the scented material to the at least one of the seal and the cap comprises attaching the scented material to the seal;   the vessel comprises a lip that defines the orifice, and the attaching of the seal to the vessel further comprises attaching the seal to the lip; and   the seal is configured to be removed from the lip prior to dispensing the product from the vessel.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the attaching of the scented material to the at least one of the seal and the cap comprises attaching the scented material to the cap. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the attaching of the cap to the vessel comprises screwing the cap onto a threaded end of the vessel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the disposing of the product into the vessel comprises disposing one of a toothpaste, a mouthwash, a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a perfume, a powder, and a lotion into the vessel.