Alcan Packaging has utilised fabric overmoulding for the first time for the packaging of Lolita Lempicka's limited edition of its men's fragrance Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin.
The fabric selected by Parfums Lolita Lempicka is thick, dark green imitation leather. The fabric is cut out and placed in the mould so that it fits perfectly with the injected plastic parts. The front and rear half-shells, both in PP, are made from this model. After injection, they emerge from the mould clad in leather that hugs the plastic parts' raised leaf patterns. Three pad printing runs on the front half-shell give the letters and leaf edges a subtle bronze hue. A single run is needed to achieve the effect on the rear half-shell. The velvet gunmetal galvanized PP top and bottom join the two half-shells together.
Inside, a blow-moulded bottle containing the perfume is held in place by foam and capped with a pump, pushbutton and actuator cover that is also velvet gunmetal galvanised. Alcan Packaging Challes managed the entire project, as Parfums Lolita Lempicka wanted the plastic bottle to be filled in Challes' full service unit. Once filled, the bottle is assembled on site and delivered as a finished product. The challenge, according to Alcan, is not only in selecting and cutting out the fabric, but also in fastening it inside the mould so that it adheres fully and perfectly to the plastic parts. The raised pattern on the shell, designed by Lolita Lempicka, is also suited to this technique as it is regular with no sharp angles.