Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Container suitable for dispensing wet wipes.
10
Technical field
The present invention relates to containers suitable for dispensing wet wipes.
Background
Containers suitable for dispensing wet wipes are known in the art. Flexible
containers comprising wet wipes are described in, for example, WO91/04920.
The prior art also describes rigid containers suitable for dispensing wet
wipes in,
for example, US5791465.
In order to allow the consumers convenient access to the wipes, containers
generally comprise a dispensing opening. In the containers of the prior art
these
openings are generally situated on the upper face of the container. In order
to
prevent egress of moisture from the wipes, known containers gerierally
comprise
a lid or sealing device. Said sealing devices or lids can usually be
repeatedly
opened and resealed.
A problem with the rigid containers of the prior art is that consumers find it
difFicult
to access the wipes within the container. Some consumers, having larger than
average fingers, find it inconvenient to reach into the dispensing opening in
order
to select, grip and remove a wipe. Other consumers, especially the elderly and
disabled, lack dexterity and find it difficult to grip the wipes by making
relatively
small movements with the fingers. The difficulties of removing the wipes are
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compounded by the limited visibility afforded by the dispensing openings of
the
prior art containers. It is especially difficult to reach deep into the wipes
container
in order to remove the last wipe.
A further problem with the containers of the prior art is that it is difficult
to remove
multiple wipes simultaneously. In the event that the consumer suddenly needs
multiple wipes as quickly as possible, for example, to clean a spillage, it is
very
difficult to reach into, grip the multiple wipes and pull them from the
container
without damaging the wipes, damaging the container, squeezing the moisture
from the wipes and/or abrading the skin against the edges of the container.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a rigid
container
from which wipes can be more easily removed. Rigid containers having a top,
and side walls, and having a dispensing opening extending over the top and at
least one side wall, according to the present invention, meet the
aforementioned
objective.
Containers according to the present invention have a number of advantages
compared to alternative containers.
Rigid containers having a top and side walls ("rigid containers") are
preferable
due to their more robust construction that allows them to withstand scratches
and
small cuts without damaging the contents of the package. Rigid containers also
have a more predictable size therefore allowing them to be more easily stacked
and displayed in the retail outlet and in the home. The rigidity of the
container
protects the contents from external pressure therefore preventing the wipes
being
squashed out of shape or having the moisture squeezed from the wipes so that
they have uneven loading of moisture.
Rigid containers according to the present invention comprise an opening that
extends over the top and at least one side wall and which is preferably
covered
by a resealable sealing device. Such a preferred container is advantageous
over
containers that comprise a section that is cut, torn or pulled from the
packaging to
reveal an opening. One advantage of a resealable seal is that the wipes
package
can be opened and resealed as many times as is required without the moisture
evaporating from the wipes. If the opening section were cut or torn away from
the
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container, the remaining wipes would dry out soon after opening. A further
advantage is that the consumer does not need to dispose of the section that is
torn from the container. Instead, the sealing device remains conveniently
attached to the container through out the lifetime of the container.
Background art
In order to provide a rigid container that comprises wet wipes and a
resealable
seal, at least one manufacturer provides a rigid box comprising three separate
sections, namely, the lid, the body and a flexible container comprising wipes
and
a resealable seal. The lid comprises a dispensing opening and is attached to
the
main body once the flexible container of wet wipes is loaded into the main
body.
In order to access then wipes, the consumer must open the dispensing opening
on the lid, open the resealable seal on the flexible container, remove the
wipe,
reseal the flexible container then reseal the dispensing opening on the lid.
Containers according to the present invention require only one seal to be
opened
and closed during use as well as requiring less separate components to
assemble during the manufacturing process.
Summar)s of the invention
The present invention relates to a rigid container having a top, and side
walls,
and having a dispensing opening extending over the top and at least one side
wall.
The present invention further encompasses a process of loading a container
according to the present invention with wipes comprising the steps of loading
the
wipes into the container via the bottom loading opening then sealing the
bottom
opening closed.
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Detailed description of the invention
The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to
the
accompanying figures.
Fig 1 shows a rigid container according to the present invention having a top
1,
and side wails 2, and having a dispensing opening extending over the top and
at
least one side wall. Said dispensing opening is covered by a sealing device
comprising an adhesive film 4 and a rigid section of material 3.
Fig 2 shows a rigid container according to the present invention in an
inverted
position having a loading opening sealed by a film 5.
It has been surprisingly found that by providing a rigid container comprising
a
dispensing opening that allows the user to access the wipes simultaneously
through two faces of the container, wet wipes can be removed more easily.
The most preferred method of removing a wipe is to reach into the container,
grip
a wipe between thumb and forefinger then pull the wipe from the container. The
provision of a dispensing opening which extends over two sides of the
container
has a number of benefits, including improved access to the wipe, improved
reach
into the container, improved visibility of the wipes before and during the
removal
process and improved ability to remove multiple wipes simultaneously. In
particular, the improved access to the container makes the removal of the last
wipe easier.
As discussed above, the provision of a dispensing opening extending over the
top and one side wall of the container affords improved access to and removal
of
the wipes. However, in the process of developing containers according to the
present invention, we have noticed that the containers according to the
present
invention can be further improved by providing a good seal between a sealing
device and the container.
Indeed, we have observed that it is difficulfi to obtain a good seal with
containers
that comprise a flexible adhesive sealing film. This is particularly evident
once the
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container has been opened and closed on several occasions. While this method
of sealing provides a convenient and cost effective seal, it suffers from the
existence of small channels that allow the transfer of air and moisture
through the
seal leading to drying of the wipes and, in the case of scented wipes, egress
of
perfume. In addition, inappropriate release of perfume may lead to consumer
dissatisfaction. These channels are formed by wrinkles in the flexible
adhesive
film as it is pressed into position on the surface of the container. The
existence of
the channels is made more likely by having a dispensing opening that is
situated
in a non-flat surface. The dispensing openings according to the present
invention
extend over more than one side of the container therefore any seal must pass
over at least one corner thus leading to increased difficulty in achieving a
greater
seal.
In the process of developing containers according to the present invention, we
have found that an improved seal can be achieved by providing a sealing device
whose shape is pre-organized to as to closely match the shape of the surface
to
be sealed. We have achieved this by increasing the rigidity of the sealing
device.
Preferably, the rigid sealing device comprises a rigid section of material 3
having
similar size and shape to the section of the package that was removed in order
to
form the dispensing opening. More preferably, the rigid section is the same
section of material that was cut from the container to form the dispensing
opening. When the rigid sealing device forms a complementary fit, there is
less
likelihood of channels forming between the adhesive surface of the sealing
device and the container surface. The rigid section 3 of the rigid sealing
device
preferably comprises high impact polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene
teraphtalate, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene,
medium
density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The thickness of the rigid section of the
sealing
device is preferably from 0.01 mm to 1 O.OOmm, more preferably from 0.02mm to
5.OOmm, most preferably from 0.05mm to 2.OOmm.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise flexible
adhesive
films and rigid adhesive sealing devices, the type of sealing device is not
restricted to these two types alone. Indeed, it is envisaged that the
dispensing
opening can be sealed by any manner of device including a cover that is held
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closed by mechanical means and can be opened by use of a switch, button or
other known process.
In a highly preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the
container comprises a rigid adhesive sealing device. Said device preferably
comprises a section of flexible adhesive film 4 which covers the dispensing
opening and extends beyond the perimeter of said dispensing opening so as to
form a seal with the container surface surrounding the dispensing opening. The
sealing device additionally comprises a rigid section of material 3 that
substantially covers the dispensing outlet. Preferably, said rigid section of
material is the material that is cut from the container in order to form the
dispensing opening. Said cut out piece of material may or may not be modified
after being cut out. In a further preferred embodiment, the rigid section of
the
sealing device forms a hinge with the container.
Suitable flexible adhesive films for use in the present invention are
preferably
made from paper/plastic laminate or any laminated coextruded or monolayer
polymer. Preferably the thickness of the laminated film is from 0.001 mm to
3.OOOmm, more preferably from 0.005mm to 1.500mm, most preferably from
0.010mm to 1.OOOmm. A preferred laminated film for use in the present
invention
comprises 0.1 mm of polyethylene laminated with 0.025mm of polypropylene.
Preferably, these films additionally comprise a layer of adhesive. It is
preferred
that pressure sensitive glue is used. By pressure sensitive it is meant herein
that,
within reasonable limits, the adhesive force of the glue is proportional to
the
pressure with which the adhesive laminate is applied to the bonding surface.
The
glue is preferably a non-permanent glue such that the label can be peeled off
in
order to open and close the container numerous times. Mactac~ supply a range
of suitable adhesives in eluding the particularly preferred MR 975~. Another
preffered adhesive is SR6046~ upplied by Fasson Avery. Adhesion strength of
the glue, measured according to the FINAT test method, is preferably in the
range 0.1 N to 1 OON, more preferable from 0.5N to 50N, most preferably from
3N
to 9N. The FINAT test method is well known to those skilled in the packaging
and
labeling industry and test details are published by FINAT in the FINAT
technical
handbook, 4t" Edition, 1995.
6
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CM2566MIH
Containers according to the present invention preferably comprise a loading
opening on the bottom side of the container. Preferably, the wipes are
inserted
into this opening during the packaging process upon manufacture. ~nce the
wipes are inside the container the loading opening is sealed. Preferably, the
opening is sealed with a flexible film or sheet 5. Any suitable film or sheet
known
to the skilled person can be used. The bottom film preferably comprises any
polymer material, laminated or monolayer or coextruded film or sheet. Highly
preferred films include laminates comprising polyethylene teraphtalate and a
polyethylene teraphtalate metallized layer. Further preferred laminates
comprise
polyethylene teraphtalate and linear low-density polyethylene. Said films
further
comprise a layer of adhesive. Said films are preferably sealed in place by
heat
sealing, ultrasonic sealing, high frequency sealing or induction sealing.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the
container is reusable. In this preferred embodiment, the loading opening is
sealed
by a resealable cover. The use of a resealable cover to cover the
loading.opening
allows the consumer to open the container, refill the container with wipes
then
reseal the container. The use of a resealable container leads to less
environmental waste and is appealing to consumers. The loading opening may
be sealed with any film, sheet or device known to the skilled person. The
loading
opening is preferably sealed with a rigid lid or a flexible lid.
Containers comprising a loading opening and a dispensing opening have a
number of advantages over containers comprising a dispensing opening alone. In
containers comprising a loading opening, wipes can be conveniently loaded via
the loading opening. Containers that comprise only one opening are limited to
loading via the dispensing outlet. Since the dispensing opening is usually
smaller
than the loading opening, the manufacturer must either bend or misshape the
wipes in order to force them through. A rigid container having a loading
opening
that is sealed by a flexible film 5 requires less material than a container
with rigid
top, side and bottom walls. The use of less material leads to cost saving,
less
environmental waste and lighter packages which are cheaper to transport.
The top and side walls of containers according to the present invention are
preferably manufactured by thermoforming or injection molding techniques known
to those skilled in the art. Cutting of the dispensing opening can be
performed by
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knives, laser or ultrasonic. If the container is made by injection molding,
the
dispensing opening can be built into the mold and created during the molding
process. Preferred materials for making the top and sidewalls of the package
are
high impact polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene teraphtalate, low-density
polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene,
high-
density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
The
thickness of the top and side walls of the box is preferably from 0.01 mm to
10.OOmm, more preferably from 0.02mm to 5.OOmm, most preferably from
0.05mm to 2.OOmm
Confiainers according to the present invention are rigid. By "rigid" it is
meant that
when a container is loaded on the top side, according to the "Topload Strength
Method" disclosed in DIN55440 or IS02872, with a mass preferably from 0.1 kg
to
25.Okg, the horizontal displacement of the container will decrease by less
than
10°l°, preferably less than 5%. Containers whose horizontal
displacement
reduces by more than 10% when loaded with from 0.1 kg to 25.Okg are, for the
purposes of this invention, flexible.
Containers according to the present invention may be of any reasonable length,
width and depth. Said containers preferably have a length of 5mm to 1000mm,
more preferably from 20mm to 500mm most preferably from 110mm to 220mm.
Said containers preferably have a width of 5mm to 1000mm, more preferably
from 20mm to 500mm, most preferably from 80mm to 150mrn. Said containers
preferably have a depth of 5mm to 1000mm, more preferably from 8mm to
500mm, most preferably from 20mm to 80mm.
Containers according to the present invention preferably contain wet wipes.
Said
wet wipes may be disposable, man-made, synthetic and/or natural fiber based,
pre-moistened or substantially dry. The wipes may be constructed from a web
comprising a variety of different materials. Such materials may include
synthetic,
man-made and natural fibers, cotton fibers, which are generally moistened with
an aqueous or non-aqueous cleaning composition which may contain amongst
others surfactants, disinfecting agents, preservatives, oils and scents
depending
on the use envisaged.
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The wipes may be produced by any method known in the art. For example,
nonwoven material substrates can be formed by dry forming techniques such as
air laying, or wet laying such as on a paper making machine. Other nonwoven
manufacturing techniques such as melt blown, spun bonded, needle punched,
and spun laced methods may also be used. Preferred methods include air laying,
carding and wet laying
Pre-moistened or wet wipes, as they are also known, typically comprise a
liquid
composition and thus may be utilised in a variety of applications, both
domestic
and industrial and perform a variety of functions. Wipes are commonly used for
human cleansing and wiping such as face and hand cleansing and anal, perineal
and genital cleansing, for example as intimate hygiene wipes, such as feminine
wet wipes. Wet wipes may also be used for application of substances to.the
body
including removing and applying of make-up, skin conditioners and medications.
Another application of wipes is during diaper changes and also for the
treatment
of adult and baby dermatitis partly caused by the use of diapers and
incontinence
devices. Wet wipes may also include articles used for the cleaning or grooming
of
pets. One particularly preferred application for wet wipes is wiping and/or
cleaning of hard surfaces and the application of compositions to surfaces, for
example kitchen and especially bathroom surfaces, spectacles, shoes and
surfaces which require cleaning in industry, for example surfaces of machinery
or
vehicles. More preferably wipes are toilet cleaning wipes, most preferably
said
wipes are flushable toilet cleaning wipes.
A variety of webs and liquid compositions suitable for application to such
webs
are known and disclosed in the art listed below. Typically the webs require a
binder in order to provide strength to the web, in particular when wet.
WO 39/05114 discloses disposable wipes for hard surface cleaning which are
impregnated with a liquid composition and EP-A-0 211 773 discloses a cloth for
polishing a car. EP-A-0 113 254 discloses an antimicrobial non-woven fabric.
The fabric may be provided from natural or synthetic fibres or blends thereof.
According to the disclosed invention an antimicrobial agent is selected which
forms a colloidal suspension with a given conventional binder.
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EP-A-0 233 943 discloses a non-woven wet wipe which is said to be
antimicrobially active. In a preferred embodiment the web for the wet wipes is
provided from wood pulp and comprises a non-acrylate binder (ethylene vinyl
acetate). The wet wipes further comprise an antimicrobial agent, which is
mixed
into the binder and applied to the non-woven web therewith.
US 5 888 524 discloses an antimicrobial composition for use with conventional
wet wipes and lotions. The wet wipes can be provided from synthetic or natural
fibres or a combination thereof. According to the disclosed invention the wet
wipes are saturated with a rather high amount of the antimicrobial
composition,
indeed, it is taught that the weight of the lotion should be up to 6 times the
weight
of the dry wipe.
The composition loaded onto the wipes that are preferably used in the present
invention is preferably suitable for use as a cleaning and/or disinfecting
composition. The compositions may be formulated in any suitable form for
example as a solid, paste or liquid. In the case where the compositions
according
to the present invention are formulated as solids, they can be applied to the
substrate as a solid or alternatively can be mixed with an.appropriate
solvent,
typically water, before application to the substrate. Where the composition is
in
liquid form, the compositions are preferably but not necessarily formulated as
aqueous compositions. Liquid compositions are preferred herein for convenience
of use.
In a preferred embodiment the liquid compositions according to the present
invention are aqueous compositions typically comprising from 50% to 99.9% by
weight of the total composition of water, preferably from 70% to 99% and more
preferably from 80% to 99%. Compositions suitable for use as a cleaning
composition preferably have pH in the range of from 5 to 13, more preferably
from 7 to 13 and most preferably from 8 to 10. Compositions for use as
disinfecting compositions preferably have a pH in the range of from 0 to 7,
more
preferably from 1 to 5 and most preferably from 2 to 4. The pH of the
compositions can be adjusted by using organic or inorganic acids, or
alkalinising
agents, such as sodium hydroxide.
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The compositions herein may comprise a variety of ingredients including, but
not
limited to peroxygen bleach, disinfecting components, organic acids,
surfactants,
chelants, solvents, builders, stabilisers, bleach activators, soil suspenders,
dye
transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, anti dusting agents, enzymes,
dispersant,
dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes, radical scavengers, pH buffers,
dyes
or mixtures thereof.
The wipes may be packaged in the container in any convenient configuration
which allows easy removal of a single or multiple wet wipe from the container.
Preferably the wipes are packaged in rolls, stacks, piles or are interleafed.
More
preferably the wipes are provided in a stacked configuration which may
comprise
any number of wipes. Typically, the stack comprises from 2 to 150, more
preferably from 5 to 100, most preferably from 10 to 60 wipes. Moreover the
wipes may be provided folded or unfolded. Most preferably, the wipes are
stacked in a folded configuration.
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the dispensing
opening extends over the top side and one other side. The area of the
dispensing
opening on the top side may be the same as, greater than, or less than the
area
of the dispensing opening on the side wall. Preferably, in rigid containers
according to the present invention, the stacking of the wipes is such that the
plane of the wipes is coplanar with the side of the container that comprises
the
greatest area of the dispensing opening.
Further details of wipes suitable for inclusion in containers according to the
present invention can be found in European Patent Application EP 00 87 0142
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Examples
Provided below are, non-limiting, examples A to D of cleaning compositions
which may be incorporated into the wipes of the present invention.
Ingredient A B C D
w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w
Ethanol 9.4 9.4 9.5 9.5
C12-14 Amine Oxide 0.4 0.4
Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether 0.55 0.55
Diethylene Glycol Butyl Ether 0.55 0.55 - -
Polypropylene glycol mono butyl 0.25 0.25
ether
Silicone 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003
Citric acid 0.75 0.75
Sodium hydroxide 0.1
Hydrogen Peroxide 1.00 - -
Salicylic acid 0.03 - -
BHT _. 0.01 - _
Geraniol 0.0375 0.1 0.1
Thymol - 0.025
C12-14 Betaine 0.2
Dobanol 91-8 - 0.8 0.8
C8 alkyl sulphate branched - - 0.6 0.6
C10 Amine Oxide - - 0.2
Lactic acid - 1.5 1.5
Perfume 0.18 0.0375 0.15 0.15
'
Water 87.82 86.95 87.15 87.15
Dobanol~ 91-8 is a C9_~~ E08 ethoxyiated alcohol available from shell
12
