WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 POUCH FOR APPLYING A LIQUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a pouch or package for holding, and applying liquid such as a lotion. More particularly, the present invention relates to a 10 package that holds/and is used to apply a lotion, preferably a sunscreen, without any of the lotion contacting the user's hands. 2. Description of the Related Art 15 [0002] Wipes for applying sunscreen are known in the art. In use, the wipe has a predetermined amount of lotion on the wipe. The wipe is made of a fabric or lotion saturated material. Wipes are stored one on top of another 20 in a conventional jar and sealed therein with a lid. In use, the user will break the seal, remove the lid and open the jar, and remove a wipe for use. [0003] The wipes, and the containers for the same, of 25 the prior art are deficient in their operation. The present invention has found that through consumer testing that the users often have a detrimental experience with such wipes because of the deficiencies in application of the sunscreen. For example, the consumers often will, 30 after applying the sunscreen lotion with the wipe, have their hands full of the sunscreen residue that leaves the consumer's hands uncomfortable. Another example is that 1 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 each wipe will not have enough sunscreen lotion to complete the application. This results in the user having to use multiple wipes. This resulting wipe after application of the sunscreen leaves the consumer with a partially used 5 wipe that still has an amount of sunscreen lotion thereon. This partially used wipe will be discarded without using all of the sunscreen once the application process has ended. Another deficiency is that the user will have to discard the used wipe(s), which takes time and energy 10 especially in the instance on a beach or at a pool. The user unwilling to place the moist wipe in a bag or purse with the unused sunscreen thereon, will have to walk a predetermined distance to appropriately place the discarded wipe in the trash. 15 [0004] Bottles having sunscreen lotion therein are also known. Again like the wipe, consumers often will have a sunscreen residue, after applying the sunscreen lotion with their hands, that leaves the consumer's hands oily and 20 uncomfortable. [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a package that eliminates one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for a lotion that does not render the 30 user's hands oily and uncomfortable. 2 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 [0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a package for a lotion that allows the user to only extract a precise amount of lotion. 5 [0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a package for a sunscreen lotion that does not waste any sunscreen lotion. [0009] It is yet another object of the present 10 invention to provide a pouch that is visually appealing. [0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package for a sunscreen lotion that has an interior for storing the sunscreen lotion and an exterior 15 with an aperture that can be selectively covered or exposed by a member that can be easily and quickly manufactured in a cost effective manner. [0011] It is a still further object of the present 20 invention to provide a package with a wicking layer in the package with the wicking layer being adjacent to a sunscreen lotion. [0012] It is a yet further object of the present 25 invention to provide a pouch with a wicking layer that is exposed and applies a sunscreen lotion to a user's skin, preferably with a handle. [0013] It is a yet still further object of the present 30 invention to provide a pouch with a wicking layer that is exposed and applies a sunscreen lotion to a user's skin 3 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 with a member that can selectively cover the exposed wicking layer. [0014] It is a still further object of the present 5 invention to provide a pouch with a wicking layer that is exposed and applies a sunscreen lotion to a user's skin with the pouch having a looped handle that is on an opposite side of the pouch to prevent any sunscreen lotion from contacting the user's hands. 10 [0015] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a pouch with an adequate amount of sunscreen lotion for a single use. 15 [0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a package according to the present invention. The package has a structure with an interior and a volume in the interior for storing a liquid product therein. The structure has an exterior side with 20 an aperture thereon. The package has a first member connected to an exterior side of the package for selectively closing and selectively opening the aperture, and has a second member connected to the structure with the second member manipulating the structure when the aperture 25 is in an opened position. The product is applied to a user's skin through the aperture when the first member opens the aperture, and is applied without any product contacting the user's hands. 30 4 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] Fig. 1 is a top view of a package for holding a product of the present invention. 5 [0018] Fig. 2 is a top view of a second embodiment of the package of the present invention with a member covering an aperture on an exterior of the package. 10 [0019] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a preferred third embodiment of the package with a looped handle for holding and manipulating the package. [0020] Fig. 4 is an exploded side view of the package 15 having a wicking layer being shown therein. [0021] Fig. 5 is a top view of the member shown as separated from the package. 20 [0022] Fig. 6 is a top view of a first layer of the package of Fig. 3 having the aperture with the member being removed therefrom for illustration purposes. [0023] Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the package 25 of Fig. 3. [0024] Fig. 8 is another top perspective view of the package of Fig. 1 with the member being separated from the package. 30 [0025] Fig. 9 is a bottom view of package of Fig. 3 having the looped handle. 5 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 [0026] Fig. 10 is another preferred embodiment of the back layer of the package of Fig. 3 having a pair of notches. 5 [0027] Fig. 11 is a top view of the looped handle of Fig. 3 being shown alone and separated from the package. [0028] Fig. 12 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of 10 the package of the present invention. [0029] Fig. 13 is a top view of the package of Fig. 12 in a folded position. 15 [0030] Fig. 14 is a top view of the package of Fig. 13 having a first hand engaging portion and a second hand engaging portion. [0031] Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of the 20 package of Fig. 12. [0032] Fig. 16 is a side view of the package in the folded position being opened by the first hand engaging portion and the second hand engaging portion. 25 [0033] Fig. 17 is a side view of the opened package of Fig. 16. 6 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0034] Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to 5 Figs. 1 through 3, there is shown a package of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral 10. The package 10 is advantageous because the package both dispenses a liquid product and also prevents any liquid product from contacting the wearer's hands, as is the 10 situation with bottles and wipes. [0035] Most preferably, the liquid product is a liquid sunscreen as is known in the art. However, the product may be a lotion, a cream, Vaseline, a gel, a hair care product, a medicine, aloe, vitamin based compositions including 15 vitamin E based compositions, cortisone, or any other liquid or semi-liquid composition, that is dispensed to a consumer. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the package 10 is altered depending on one or more properties of the contents such as a viscosity of the contents. 20 [0036] The consumer may at the same time (1) hold the package 10 and (2) apply the product in the package on to the user's skin. This is advantageous, as the user's hands remain clean instead of depositing the product on the user's hand then applying the product to the user's skin. Also, 25 the package 10 is capable of being resealed, to allow the user to use a predetermined amount of the product, and then save the remainder of the product for future use. Further, the package 10 is compact. After use, the package 10 can be stored in a manner that will not stain items that are stored 30 adjacent to the package thus providing an increased 7 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 convenience of the user and ease of operation. The package 10 allows the product to be applied without any of the product contacting the user's hands. [0037] Referring to the various embodiments, such as 5 shown in Fig. 1, the package 10 is preferably generally orthogonal in shape. The package 10 has a top or an exterior surface 12, and has a thin width. The width is suitable to be stacked in a compact fashion or hung on a hook such as in a retail establishment. However, the 10 package 10 is not limited to this orthogonal configuration. In fact, the package 10 may have any geometric configuration known in the art, and any width known in the art that is comfortable to hold in the user's hand, or be conveniently stored in, for example, a carrying case such as a sport's 15 bag, a golf bag, a beach bag or any other diminutive carry item. [0038] The package 10 is preferably made from a first film layer 14. The first film layer 14 is preferably a thin member and forms a portion of a structure to hold the 20 product in an interior space 16 of the package. The first film layer 14 is preferably a polymer material, and/or a thermoplastic material. Most preferably, the first film layer 14 is a bond label film layer material. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the package 25 could be made from any number of ultrasonically bondable films. In a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention, the package 10 has a first through fifth layers. In one embodiment, from outside to inside of the package 10, the package has a 48ga PET layer, an adhesive layer, a 70ga 30 OPP layer, another adhesive layer, and about 1.5 mil Surlyn 8 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 sealant layer with any of a number of ultrasonically bondable films that are known in the art. [0039] Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the present invention having the 5 first film layer 14 with an aperture 18 that is through the first film layer. The aperture 18 shown as generally orthogonal. It preferably has a size that allows an amount of product to traverse through the aperture from the interior space 16 to the user's skin in a suitable topical 10 manner without any product contacting the user. The aperture 18, although shown as generally orthogonal, is not limited to this geometry and may have other shapes such as circular, rectangular, polygonal, elliptical, irregular shaped, square, triangular, or any other shape known in the 15 art. Alternatively, the aperture 18 may be a pattern of openings each with the same or different sizes or any optimal number dependent upon a fluid flow characteristic of the product in the interior space 16. Preferably, the aperture 18 will be cut from a die cutting operation using a 20 die in such a manner that no sharp edge of the film exist for contacting the user's skin. [0040] The package 10 has a member 20 that is removably connected to the exterior surface 12. Preferably, the member 20 is connected to the exterior surface 12 by an 25 adhesive or by a mechanical faster. The member 10 is preferably connected using a removable solvent acrylic adhesive. In use, the member 20 is disposed over the aperture 18 to cover the aperture. In this manner, the member 20 protects the product from contamination and 30 exposure until the user desires the product in the interior 16. Once the user desires to use the product, the user will 9 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 engage a tab 22 that is on a lateral side 24 of the member 20 and pull the member separating the first film layer 14 from the member thus exposing the aperture 18. Preferably, the member 20 is another film layer that has a complementary 5 size to cover the aperture 18. The aperture 18 preferably has a large size while still affording an adequate sealing surface to maintain integrity of the package 10. Most preferably, the aperture 18 is made by a die cutting operation through the first film layer 14. 10 [00413 The member 20 may be connected in any location of the package. In this alternative, the member 20 may be connected, instead of at the edge 26 of the first film layer 14 as shown in Fig. 1, in another location. The member 20 in Fig. 2 is less preferably connected flush at an end of 1-5 the aperture 18 as shown. Moreover, in this alternative embodiment, the member 20 may be formed without any tab 22 as shown. Preferably, the label overlaps the aperture and provides a seal. [0042] Referring to Fig. 3, the bottom side 30 is made 20 from a suitable second film layer 32 that is connected to the first film layer 14. Preferably, the second film layer 32 is connected to the first film layer 14 by an ultrasonic operation, a heat seal, an adhesive or any other method known in the art to create a liquid tight connection that is 25 suitable to prevent any product from leaking out of the interior space 16 of the package 10. Alternatively, the first film layer 14 and the second film layer 32 may be integrally connected as one layer and folded together to form the interior space 16 as is known in the art. However, 30 one skilled in the art should appreciate that the first film layer 14 and the second film layer 32 are connected to one 10 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 another to prevent any product from escaping out of the package 10. The second film layer 32 is preferably a polymer material, a 0015" through .002" Modified Polypropylene (PP) Laminated Film or 48ga PET, an OPP film, 5 a thermoplastic material, or any other number of ultrasonic bondable films. Most preferably, the second film layer 32 is a bond label film layer material. [0043] In this embodiment, the package 10 has a looped handle 34 connected to the bottom side 30. Alternatively, 10 the looped handle 34 may be on the same side as the aperture 18 or a different side. The looped handle 34 has a width that allows the user to comfortably hold the package 10 without tearing the looped handle. Also, the looped handle 34 allows the user to manipulate the package 10 without 15 contacting the product during application thereof. [0044] Preferably, the looped handle 34 is connected at two or more points to the bottom side 30 of the second film layer 32. The looped handle 34 is preferably a suitable film member to allow the user to manipulate the package 10. 20 At a first edge 36 of the looped handle 34, the looped handle is connected to a first side 38 of the second film layer 32. At a second edge 40 of the looped handle 34, the looped handle is connected to a second side 42 of the second film layer 32. In this manner, a space 44 is formed between 25 the looped handle 34 and the second film layer 32 at the bottom side 30 of the package 10. The space 44 is suitably sized to allow the user to insert his/her hand and/or finger in the space. The looped handle 34 allows for manipulation of the package 10 to transfer the product in the interior 30 space 16 to the user's skin. The looped handle 34 is preferably notched to allow the Surlyn* adhesive on an inner 11 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 surface of the film to aggregate thereon. Alternatively, the adhesive may be strong enough to allow the looped handle to bond to the package 10 without any notching operation. Preferably, the looped handle 34 is any standard film known 5 in the art, or alternatively any stretchable film. [0045] Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a side exploded view of the package 10 having a wicking layer 46 in the interior space 16 of the package. The wicking layer 46 is preferably suitable to allow an amount of the product 10 generally represented in Fig. 4 as reference numeral 45 in the interior 16 to pass through the wicking layer and be applied to the user's skin. The wicking layer 46 preferably is a non-woven material that is porous. Most preferably, the wicking layer 46 is a non-woven substrate and is a co 15 formed poly/rayon blend. However, the wicking layer 46 may be cotton, polyester, or any other porous material known in the art. Most preferably, the wicking layer 46 has dimensions complementary to the interior space 16, and is larger than the aperture 18 so that the wicking layer will 20 not pass through the aperture during the application of sunscreen. In one embodiment, the wicking layer 46 may be altered to have a textured feature thereon with a predetermined texture and a predetermined porosity to suit a desired product being applied to the skin of the user. As 25 can be seen from the side exploded view of the package 10, the package has the member 20 covering the first film layer 14 that is connected to the wicking layer 46. The wicking layer 46 is preferably disposed over the product 45 that is sealed in the interior space 16. Disposed on the opposite 30 side is the second film layer 32 that is connected to the 12 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 looped handle 34 that allows the user to manipulate the package 10. [0046] Referring to Fig. 5, member 20 preferably is a thin member for covering and sealing the aperture 18 (shown 5 in Fig. 1). The member 20 has a generally orthogonal shape as shown. The member 20 has a engaging side 48 that separates therefrom for separating the member 20 from the first film layer 14 of the package 10 and a swing side 50 that is firmly connected to the first film layer for 10 retention on the package. Fig. 6 shows the package 10 with the member 20 removed for illustration purposes only. As can be understood from the drawings, the wicking layer 46 is selectively exposed through the aperture 18. In this manner, the user can hold the package 10, preferably from 15 the looped handle 34 of Fig. 3 opposite the aperture 18 to apply the product to the skin. [0047] Fig. 7 shows the package 10 resting on a surface. The member 20 is connected to the package 10 and may optionally have a consumer appealing graphical depiction 20 printed thereon as shown. When the user desires to use the product, the user will manipulate member 20 and pull the member opposite the package 10 to reveal the aperture 18 as shown in Fig. 8. Referring to Fig. 8, the aperture 18 reveals the wicking layer 46 that is in the interior 16 with 25 the product being adjacent to, on, and partially covering the wicking layer 46. The user then pushes the product in the interior 18 by pressing the bottom side 30. This pressure allows the product to traverse on to and through the wicking layer 46 and through the aperture 18 to apply 30 and rub the product on the skin of the user as desired. Most preferably, the user applies the product by holding the 13 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 package 10 by the looped handle 34 connected to the bottom side 30 of the package as shown in Fig. 9. The looped handle 34 in one embodiment of the present invention may be formed as a stretchable member. The stretchable member 5 preferably could be improved to cover more of the rear surface of the package 10 and afford greater control of the package during application. The looped handle 34 is preferably located on an opposite side of the aperture to allow the user to control the rate of application depending 10 on the pressure applied. Again, the looped handle 34 and the bottom side 30 may both have a consumer pleasing color and graphical depiction thereon or may be translucent with the other film layers being translucent. Alternatively, one of the first film layer 14, the member 20, the second film 15 layer 34, the wicking layer 46, or all, may be translucent or partially translucent, or may be colored or have an appealing design thereon. The second film layer 34 and the wicking layer 46 may be a clear stretchable film to cover an entire back surface thereof and for allowing a graphic to be 20 printed on the clear stretchable film. [0048] Referring to the Fig. 10 embodiment, the first film layer 14 optionally may be formed without any aperture 18, and instead can have a first notch 52 and a second notch 54. The first and second notches 52, 54 permit the user a 25 space to place a finger in the notch and separate the first film layer 14 from the second film layer 34 to open the package 10 to reveal the wicking layer 46 (shown in Fig. 4) for application to the user. The first and second notches 52, 54 may have the same or different sizes and geometries, 30 and each preferably has a size that is about one quarter inch by one and three eighths inches. The first and second 14 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 notches 52, 54 are preferably for strength of construction. Fig. 11 shows the looped handle 34 separated from the package 10 for illustration purposes only. The looped handle 34 may optionally have a textual indicator 56 to 5 indicate to the user where to hold the package 10. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the looped handle 34 is free from any sharp edges and is comfortable to hold. [0049] Referring now to Fig. 12, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the package 10 of the present 10 invention. As shown in Fig. 12, the package 10 is in an opened position and may be oval shaped. The package 10 has a first half 60 and a second half 62 and may be folded upon itself down a middle or axis 58 as shown in Fig. 13. As can be appreciated from Fig. 13, the second half 62 is not shown 15 and in fact is hidden and folded behind the first half 60. The package 10 preferably can apply a product such as a sunscreen in a first position and be sealed in a second position for storage of the product in a sealed manner. Referring again in Fig. 13, there is shown the package 10 in 20 the closed position. [0050] Referring now to Fig. 14, there is shown the package 10 in the opened position with preferably a first radial extent 64 and a second radial extent 66. The first radial extent 64 has disposed thereon a first hand engaging 25 portion 68. The second radial extent 66 has disposed thereon a second hand engaging portion 70. The first hand engaging portion 68 is a flap of extra material that extends in a downward fashion from the first radial extent 64 opposite the package 10 to form a grabbing area for the user 30 to manipulate the package. The second hand engaging portion 70, likewise, is a flap of extra material to form a grabbing 15 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 area for the user to manipulate the package 10. As is shown, the user may insert a hand or finger underneath either one or both of the first hand engaging portion 68 or the second hand engaging portion 70 to manipulate the 5 package 10. [0051] Referring now to Fig. 15, there is shown a cross sectional view of the package 10 in.the opened position cut along line 15-15 of Fig. 14. The package 10 preferably has a first stretchable film layer 72 that folds along axis 58 10 on itself to protect the contents in the package 10. The package 10 preferably has the first stretchable film layer 72 that is connected to a second backing film layer 74. Disposed between the first stretchable film layer 72 and the second backing film layer 74 is a product chamber 76 that 15 has a volume to store the product therein. The first backing film layer 72 has an aperture 78 therethrough. The aperture 78 permits access to a wicking layer 80 that is between the first stretchable film layer 72 and the second backing film layer 74. As described previously, the wicking 20 layer 80 is adjacent the product chamber 76 and permits the product in the product chamber to traverse through the wicking layer and to be applied to the user when the package 10 is in the opened position as shown. [0052] Referring to Fig. 16, there is shown the package 25 10 in an initial or folded position that is a different initial position relative to the other embodiments shown in Figs. 1 through 3. Preferably, the aperture 78 of the package 10 is sealed in the initial folded position. In this position, the package 10 has the first half 60 and the 30 second half 62 opposite one another and the second backing film layer 74 opposite the wicking layer 80. To protect the 16 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 wicking layer 80, the wicking layer is most preferably folded between the first half 60 and the second half 62. This folding prevents exposure of the wicking layer 80 to the outside elements and allows the wicking layer to remain 5 clean, fresh and new. The second backing film layer 74 of the package 10 does not allow any product in the package to traverse therethrough, and is made from a suitable material to prevent any contamination of the product and/or wicking layer 80. As shown, to open the package 10, the user will 10 manipulate the first hand engaging portion 68, the second hand engaging portion 70 or both the first hand engaging portion and the second hand engaging portion to pull the package 10 from the initial folded position to a second exposed position as indicated by reference arrows A and B. 15 Referring now to Fig. 17, in the second or exposed position, the user exposes a second sealed side 82 of the package 10. Disposed on the second side of the package is the suitable wicking layer 80 that is ready for use. In operation, the user will apply the product in the product chamber by 20 manipulating the package 10 on an opposite side of the wicking layer 80. This allows the user to conveniently apply the product without any product contacting the user's hands. [0053] Referring still to Fig. 17, disposed around the 25 lateral sides of the package 10 is a shelf 84 for having an adhesive thereon. Preferably, the adhesive connects a first half 60 of the package 10 to the second half 62 to seal the package and assist the package in remaining in the folded position. The adhesive further prevents the product from 30 escaping and facilitates storage and contamination prevention. In this manner, the wicking layer 80 and the 17 WO 2006/076300 PCT/US2006/000706 product in the product chamber 76 is protected for sale. The adhesive allows the user to open and selectively reveal the wicking layer 80 to allow the product in the product chamber 76 to traverse through the wicking layer and out of 5 the package 10. In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive may be suitable such that the user may open and use the product then thereafter close and selectively reseal the package 10. Preferably, the product chamber 76 holds enough product for a single use. 10 [0054] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended 15 to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. 18