JP-7856559-B2 - consumer products

JP7856559B2JP 7856559 B2JP7856559 B2JP 7856559B2JP-7856559-B2

Inventors

ング・パク・ラング、クララ・ソフィー
ヘフテ、パウルス・アントニウス・アウグスティヌス
レフレール、ヨースト
マルチネス－ベカレス、アルベルト

Assignees

ザプロクターアンドギャンブルカンパニー

Dates

Publication Date: 20260511
Application Date: 20200811
Priority Date: 20190814

Claims (15)

A consumer product comprising at least one water-soluble unit-dose article and a container, The at least one water-soluble unit-dose article comprises at least one water-soluble film oriented to form at least one unit-dose internal compartment, the at least one unit-dose internal compartment comprises a detergent composition. The container comprises a first portion, the first portion comprising a first compartment containing the at least one water-soluble unit-dose article, the first compartment being accessible through a first opening, The container comprises a second portion, which is positioned to prevent access through the first opening when the container is not in use, but is movable to allow access to the first opening when the container is in use. The container is equipped with a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a first locking component on the first portion and a second locking component on the second portion, wherein the first locking component engages with the second locking component to prevent movement of the second portion that would allow access to the first opening until the first locking component and the second locking component are disengaged from each other by the user. The first part comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface facing the first compartment, At least a portion of the inner surface of the first part is constructed from a paper-based material, and as a result, the water-soluble film of the at least one water-soluble unit dose article is in direct contact with the paper-based material of the inner surface. A consumer product wherein the first locking component is a first locking tab protruding from the outer surface of the first portion, and the second portion comprises a contact portion into which the first locking tab can be releasably engaged.
The consumer product according to claim 1, wherein the entire inner surface of the first portion is constructed from a paper-based material.
The consumer product according to claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, and at least a portion of the inner surface of the second portion is constructed from a paper-based material.
a. The first locking component is constructed from a paper-based material, or b. The second locking component is constructed from a paper-based material, or c. A combination thereof, the consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the paper-based material includes cardboard.
The consumer product according to claim 1, wherein the paper-based material is a laminate.
The consumer product according to claim 6, wherein the laminate comprises cardboard and at least a second material, the cardboard including paperboard or corrugated cardboard, and the second material including a plastic material.
The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the volume of the first compartment is 500 ml to 5000 ml.
The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the detergent composition is a liquid, a solid, or a mixture thereof.
The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the water-soluble film comprises a polymer, the polymer comprising a homopolymer, copolymer, or mixture thereof, selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxide, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ether, cellulose ester, celluloseamide, polyvinyl acetate, polycarboxylic acid and salts, polyamino acids or peptides, polyamide, polyacrylamide, maleic acid/acrylic acid copolymer, starch and gelatin, polysaccharides including xanthum and carragum, or mixtures thereof.
The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second portion is a sleeve therein which the first portion is received, and the first portion is slidable within the second portion between an open position in which the first opening is accessible and the first and second locking components are disengaged from each other, and a closed position in which the second portion blocks access to the first opening and the first and second locking components are engaged.
The first portion comprises a base wall and a first opening, the first opening being on the opposite side of the base wall, and the base wall and the first opening being connected by at least one side wall. The second portion comprises a second opening and at least one connecting wall, the first portion slides within the second portion through the second opening, and the connecting wall blocks the first opening when in the closed position . The consumer product according to claim 11, wherein the at least one side wall of the first portion comprises the first locking component, and the at least one connecting wall of the second portion comprises the second locking component.
The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second portion is an openable/closable lid, and when the second portion is in the closed position, it blocks access to the first opening; when in the closed position, the first locking component engages with the second locking component; and when in the open position, the first and second locking components are disengaged, and the second portion is openable/closable to allow access to the first opening.
The consumer product according to claim 13, wherein the second part can be completely removed from the first part.
The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first portion is constructed from a first blank, and the second portion is constructed from a second blank.

Description

A consumer product comprising a container and at least one water-soluble unit-dose article. Water-soluble unit-dose articles are preferred by consumers due to their convenience and ease of use. While not wishing to be bound by theory, a water-soluble unit-dose article includes a water-soluble film molded to form at least one internal compartment containing a single-use dose of detergent. Upon addition of the water-soluble unit-dose article to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and/or decomposes, releasing the detergent into the surrounding water to produce a cleaning solution. Such water-soluble unit-dose articles are stored and transported in rigid or flexible plastic containers. While not wishing to be bound by theory, consumers purchase containers containing multiple water-soluble unit-dose articles. These containers are shipped from the manufacturing location to supermarkets and, once purchased, are stored in the consumer's home. The problem is that during transport and storage, containers containing water-soluble unit-dose articles may be subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations. Therefore, such environmental changes can lead to structural damage to the water-soluble unit-dose articles. Structural damage can cause the articles to rupture prematurely, leaking their contents. Consequently, such leaked contents can further contaminate other water-soluble unit-dose articles stored together in the container. A further problem is that such environmental changes can also cause multiple water-soluble unit-dose articles to stick together, resulting in the inconvenience for consumers of having to re-separate them before administration, and, in the worst case, further structural damage to the water-soluble unit-dose articles during attempts to separate them. A further problem is the possibility of containers being accidentally opened prematurely during transport. This premature opening not only leads to the water-soluble unit-dose articles being released from the storage container, but also potentially exposes them to further fluctuations in environmental conditions, including strong temperature changes, in addition to contamination of other enclosed water-soluble unit-dose articles. Therefore, such containers should include latches to ensure they remain closed until intentionally opened. The present invention illustrates a consumer product (1) comprising at least one water-soluble unit-dose article (not shown) and a container (2).A cross-sectional view of container (2) in Figure 1 is shown.A cross-sectional view of container (2) in Figure 1 is shown.A cross-sectional view of container (2) in Figure 1 is shown.Figure 1 shows a consumer product (1) in which the second part (4) is connected to the first part (3) via a hinge (21).This disclosure provides alternative examples.Figure 4 shows the container in the open position.Figures 4 and 5 show the first part (3) completely removed from the second part (4).Figure 5 shows the first portion (3) having a larger first opening (6).Figure 4 shows a top cross-sectional view of the second part (4).Figure 4 shows a 3D representation of the second part (4).Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of consumer product (1).Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of consumer product (1).The consumer product (1) shown in Figures 4 to 9, 10A, and 10B has a second locking component (8) in a different location.The present invention discloses a water-soluble unit-dose article. Consumer Product The present invention relates to a consumer product comprising at least one water-soluble unit-dose article and a container. The water-soluble unit-dose article and the container are described in more detail below. Consumer products can be sold "as is," or in other words, they are items that consumers pick up from the shelf. Alternatively, a consumer product can be contained as a single unit of a multi-component product. For example, two or more consumer products can be contained within an outer package, and multiple packaged consumer products can be sold together in a single purchase. Consumer goods may include aesthetic elements, such as shrink wrap or labels affixed to the container. Alternatively, the container may be colored or printed with aesthetic elements or information (e.g., instructions for use). Water-soluble unit-dose articles: Each water-soluble unit-dose article comprises at least one water-soluble film oriented to create at least one unit-dose internal compartment, the at least one unit-dose internal compartment comprising a detergent composition. The water-soluble film and the detergent composition are described in more detail below. The consumer product comprises at least one water-soluble unit-dose article, preferably at least two water-soluble unit-dose articles. Water-soluble unit-dose articles are generally in pouch form. Water-soluble unit-dose articles contain a unit dose of the composition in a volume sufficient to provide a benefit in the end use. The water-solubl