Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Containers comprising at least one label made of an
elastomeric material adhered to a wall
FIELD
The present invention relates to containers for delivering a composition
comprising a wall on which at least one label made of an elastomeric material
is
adhered to and their use. The wall may be squeezable and resilient.
BACKGROUND
Flowable compositions such as shampoos and hair dyes are commonly
packaged in simple containers, for example containers having the shape of a
bottle. The walls of the bottle define an inner reservoir in which the
composition
is contained. These bottles may be used upside down in order to have the
flowable compositions delivered though the bottle's neck.
For relatively viscous compositions (as it is often the case for hair care
compositions, and in particular hair dye compositions), it is common to select
the
material of the walls of the bottle from resilient plastic materials capable
of being
squeezed and recovering their initial shape after squeezing. As the user
squeezes the walls of the bottle, the internal pressure inside the container
raises,
which causes the product to be delivered out of the container faster than if
subjected to gravity only.
More complicated squeezable containers of the bag-in-bottle type have
been proposed (see for example US5305920, Reiboldt et al). These containers
comprise an outer squeezable wall, an inner collapsible Layer defining a
reservoir
containing the composition, a buffer zone separating said squeezable wall from
said inner collapsible layer, and preferably valve means operable to control
entry
of air into the buffer zone and exit of the composition from the reservoir.
The
squeezing of the wall forces the composition from the reservoir through a
dispensing passage. The main advantage of these containers is that they can be
used in any orientation and not necessarily upside-down, which is especially
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useful for delivering hair care compositions such as hair dyes directly to the
hair
of the user.
It is often required to squeeze the above-mentioned containers several
times in order to deliver a sufficient amount of the product. Repeated
squeezing
is however tiring for the user, especially if the bottle lacks resilience
(ability to
regain its original shape).
Reusable dosing devices comprising a hollow body that may be filled with
a detergent composition for delivering a laundry composition within the drums
of
the washing machine have been proposed in the past and are often referred to
as dosing balls. Dosing balls having squeezable, resilient walls have been
proposed. For example EP0,368,680 discloses a container having the general
shape of an hollow sphere formed by a resilient wall and provided with an
opening for filling and dispensing a detergent composition, for example a
liquid
detergent. The sphere may be filled with a detergent composition and then
placed in the drum of a washing machine. The rotation of the drum causes
repeated compressions of the wall of the ball by the wet clothes, which are
followed by the flexing back of the wall to its original shape when the
pressure is
released by further rotation of the drum. This combination of compression and
flexing back creates a pumping effect that successively sucks and expels the
wash liquor in and out. of the body of the ball where it mixes or dissolves
the
content of the ball during the wash program. Dosing balls having a non-
squeezable wall and in which no noticeable squeezing effect takes place have
also been proposed. The wash liquor enters the ball through an opening, mixes
with the detergent composition and is released through another or the same
opening.
In the case of squeezable containers (e.g. shampoo bottles or dosing
balls), increasing the thickness of the squeezable wall may result in an
increase
of the resilience, and said wall may reform its shape quicker. However users
typically do not like thick plastic walls as these can be harder to squeeze.
These
containers may also be more expensive to manufacture as more material is
required to form the wall.
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Paper or thin plastic film labels having information printed on them are
commonly used on the walls of containers for providing information to the
user,
such as the composition's formula, the best-to-use-before date or the method
of
use.
It has also been proposed to use labels to improve the intrinsic properties
of containers. JP3027032, Noda et al., discloses labeled squeeze containers
for
viscous liquids wherein the container body is made of a thermoplastic resin
having an elasticity modulus of between 500 to 4000 kg/cm2. The labels are
made of synthetic resins (e.g. polyethylene) and have a thickness of from 50
to
100p,m. The labels are said to improve the deformation characteristics and
restorative capability after squeezing.
JP10086922, Yoshii et al., discloses labeled squeeze bottles wherein the
body of the bottle is made of a thermoplastic resin having a lower rigidity
than the
label (the difference in rigidity is at least 5000kg/cm2). The preferred
material
used for the label is a polypropylene synthetic paper having a three-layer
strucfiure and the preferred thickness of the label is of between 60 and
120~,m.
The labeled bottle is said to improve the bottle elastic contraction and
recovery.
JP3027033, Noda et al., discloses labeled squeeze containers similar to
those of JP3027032, being further provided thafi the label has an elasticity
modulus greater than the modulus of the container. JP3027032, JP3027033 and
JP10086922 all disclose relatively thin labels (<0.1 mm) made of relatively
hard
materials (e.g. polypropylene).
Sport water bottles comprising two rubber pads have been
commercialized.
It has now been found that elastomer labels adhered to fihe walls of a
container could considerably increase the resilience of the "labelized"
container.
This may make it easier for the user to deliver the composition and can reduce
the "fatigue" (cumulative effect of repeated squeezings which can lead to
failure)
of the wall of the container. Containers labeled with an elastomeric material
also
have the additional advantages of providing a better grip (anti-slip) for the
user
and are aesthetically pleasing to the touch and sight. Another advantage is
that
thinner walls can be used as the label increases the overall strength of the
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containers. The labels for use in the present invention are made of "soft"
elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness of at least 35.
SUMMARY
A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container for
delivering a flowable composition comprising:
- a reservoir containing the flowable composition,
- delivery means for delivering the flowable composition out of the
reservoir,
wherein said flowable composition has a viscosity (Brookfield RVT,
Spindle 5, 50 rpm, 25°C) of at least about 1 Pa.s (1,000 cps), and
characterized in that said reservoir comprises a squeezable, resilient wall
to which adheres at least one label made of an elastomeric material having a
Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least about 35.
A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to containers of
the "bag-in-bottle" type for delivering a flowable composition comprising:
- an outer squeezable wall,
- an inner collapsible layer defining a reservoir containing fihe composition,
- a buffer zone separating said squeezable outer wall from said inner
collapsible layer, and
- delivery means for delivering the flowable composition out of the
reservoir,
wherein a label made of an elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D
2240) of at least about 35 adheres to said outer squeezable wall.
A third embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container for
dispensing a detergent composition in a washing machine drum, said container
comprising a hollow body having at least one wall, characterized in that at
least
one label made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D
2240) of at least about 35 adheres to said wall.
The present invention is further directed to a method of delivering a
composition, preferably a cosmetic composition, to a substrate, preferably
hair,
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wherein said method comprises the step of squeezing the elastomer label of the
above mentioned containers.
Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description,
which
simply illustrates various modes contemplated for carrying out the invention.
As
will be realized, the invention is capable of other different obvious aspects,
all
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
descriptions
are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out
and distinctly claim the present invention, it is believed that the present
invention
will be better understood from the following description of preferred
embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which
like reference numerals identify like elements and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a squeeze bottle with two labels adhered to
diametrically opposite surfaces of the wall of the bottle.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a squeeze bottle with two substantially flat
labels adhered to opposite surfaces of the wall of the bottle.
Fig. 3 is a frontal view of the embodiment of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a "bag-in-bottle" type container
with two labels adhered to diametrically opposite surfaces of the wall of the
bottle.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled elements of Fig.S.
Fig.7 shows the assembled container of Fig.6 with a brush/comb like
applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout.
Fig.8 shows a cross section of the assembled container of Fig.6 with a
surface applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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All cited references are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Citation of any reference is not an admission regarding any determination as
to
its availability as prior art to the claimed invention.
Label
The present invention comprises at least one label made of an elastomeric
material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35. The Shore A
hardness parameter is commonly used in the industry to measure the softness of
rubber and other life materials and is commonly used by suppliers of raw
material to characterize their product. The inventors have found that labels
made
of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least
about 35, preferably of from about 40 to about 80, more preferably of from
about
50 to about 70 provide the container to which they are adhered with excellent
resilience. These elastomeric materials may also provide a "soft-touch" feel
to
the label that is pleasant for the user.
The term "label" as used herein does not imply that information, for
example information regarding the product, is displayed in the label. The
label
according to the present invention may or may not have any information
displayed on them.
When relating to the label, the term "made" and "at least partly made" may
be used interchangeably.
Although the surface area of the container's wall covered by the label is
not critical, it is preferred that the label is large enough to be easily
squeezed by
1 ) the user's hand in the case of a bottle for a viscous product or 2) wet
laundry
in the case of a container for dispensing a detergent composition in the drum
of
washing machine and to provide the container with an adequate level of
resilience. Although the label could potentially cover the whole surface of
the
squeezable wall, this may not be economical as elastomeric materials are
relatively expensive. It is therefore preferred that the label covers from
about 5 to
about 60, preferably from about 10 to about 40, more preferably from about 15
to
about 35 percent of the surface area of the squeezable wall. The minimum
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surface area of each label should preferably be at least about 1, more
preferably
at least about 5, even more preferably at least about 10 square centimeters.
The shape of the label is not critical. Labels with simple shapes such as
bands, squares, rectangles, rectangles with round corners, circles or ovals
are
easy to manufacture and to adhere to the wall of the container. More
complicated
shapes having an aesthetical appeal can also be used, in particular shapes
such
as letters can be carved in the label and provide a further aesthetic
character to
the container. For a container having the general form of a bottle, it was
found
that labels having an elongated shape and adhered along the same direction as
the axis of the body of the bottle provide excellent resilience to the bottle.
An extensive list of suitable elastomeric material is disclosed in
WO00/08622 page 4 line 24 to page 7 line 36. Preferred elastomeric materials
for use herein are thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPE), including but
not
limited to blends of a thermoplastic polyolefin with a curable rubber selected
from
ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, butyl
rubber, natural rubber, nitrite rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene
rubber, copolymer of C4_7 isomonoolefin and para-C~_$ alkyl styrene or its
halogenated derivatives, polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, or -
styrene/conjugated diene/styrene block copolymer, styrene block copolymer and
their variants, and mixtures thereof. Especially useful examples of these
thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers include monoolefin rubber such as EPDM
rubbers, commercially available under the Trademark SANTOPRENE from
Advanced Eiastomers Systems (US).
There is no theoretical limitation to the number of labels adhered to the
wall of the container. A single label can be used for each container, but two
labels adhered to opposite sides of the container are advantageous as the user
will normally squeeze the container on both labels (with his thumb on one side
and the other fingers on the opposite side).
Non limiting ways of adhering the label to the squeezable, resilient wall
include heat fusing, gluing and other means for attaching permanently or semi-
permanently the label to the squeezable, resilient wall.
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Better resilience is obtained when the thickness (i.e. the average thickness
if the label is not of uniform thickness) of the label is of from about 250 to
about
2000 micrometers, more preferably from about 300 to about 1500 micrometers,
even more preferably from about 500 to about 1000 micrometers.
Finally the label according to the present invention may be an element of
multi-layered label, for example comprising one or more paper layer(s).
Squeezable, resilient wall
Flowable compositions are often packaged in containers comprising at
least one squeezable wall made of a resilient material. It is also known to
dispense detergent compositions directly in the drum of a washing machine from
a dosing ball having a hollow body with resilient walls. The squeezing of the
wall
increases the pressure inside the container, which delivers the flowable
compositions out of the container through suitable delivery means. "Resilient"
means that the material can reform in shape when the squeezing pressure is
released. The term "flexible" and "squeezable" may be used herein
interchangeably. The resilient material is usually a deformable plastic and
may
be selected from polyethylene (including low-density polyethylene, medium-
density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene), polypropylene, ethylene
propylene, copolymer resin, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin, other
polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, ionomer resins, ABS resins,
polyvinylchloride, polyethylene terephtalafie resins and other synthetic
resins, and
mixtures thereof. The plastic may be, for example, transparent or coloured.
Preferred materials for the squeezable wall are selected from low density
polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene and
mixtures thereof. Containers made of the above mentioned thermoplastic
materials are usually manufactured using extrusion or injection blow molding-
processes.
It is preferred that the ratio of the thickness of the label to the thickness
(i.e. the average thickness if the wall is not of uniform thickness) of the
wall of the
bottle to which the label is adhered is in the range of from about 1:5 to
about 5:1,
preferably from about 1:3 to about 3:1, more preferably from about 1:2 to
about
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2:1. These preferred ratios were found to provide containers with even better
properties in terms of resilience and ease to use.
Delivery means
The present invention comprises delivery means for delivering the
composition out of the reservoir when the container is squeezed. The delivery
means may be a simple orifice in the reservoir, as is generally the case for
dosing ball device used in the laundry field. For other applications such as
the
delivery of cosmetic products, the delivery means may protrude from the
container to direct the flow of the composition to one or more general
directions
in order to reduce messiness. A simple example of such delivery means
protruding from the reservoir is shown in Fig. 1 where the container has the
general form of a bottle and the delivery means is the neck of the bottle.
Examples of delivery means particularly adapted to the delivery of a
composition to hair are line applicators in which the flowable composition is
delivered through a single outlet, surface applicators in which the flowable
composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets onto a surface, and
brush/comb-like applicators in which the flowable composition is delivered
through
a plurality of outlets and dispersed by a plurality of elongate parting
members.
Examples of such applicafiors are shown in Fig. 5 - 8 below. A detailed
description of these applicators can be found in US6,302,607, Burrowes et al.
The delivery means may be of unitary construction with the container, or
may be comprised of different elements, at least some of which being
releasably
secured to the container. For example, Fig.1-8 below show containers having
the
general form of a bottle having a threaded neck on which different applicators
may be releasably secured (e.g. ,a spout, a brush/comb-like applicator, or a
surface applicator).
Containers containing a composition having a viscosity of at least about 1
Pa.s.
A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container
containing a flowable composition, said container comprising:
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- a reservoir containing the flowable composition,
- means for delivering the flowable composition out of the reservoir,
wherein said flowable composition contained in said reservoir has a
viscosity (Brookfield RVT, Spindle 5, 50 rpm, 25°C) of at least about 1
Pa.s
(1,000 cps); and
wherein said reservoir comprises a squeezable, resilient wall to which
adheres at least one label made of an elastomer having a Shore A hardness
(ASTM D 2240) of at least 35.
Compositions having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa.s (1,000 cps) are
relatively viscous and cannot be efficiently delivered from a conventional
container (e.g. a bottle) as gravity alone is not sufficient to make these
compositions leave the container quickly enough. These compositions are
therefore usually packaged in squeezable containers wherein the user can exert
a pressure on the wall of the container to force the composition through the
delivery means. However, repeated squeezing is often necessary to deliver a
sufficient amount of the composition, and it is therefore important for the
convenience of the user that the wall of the container quickly regains its
original
shape to allow quick delivery of the product.
It has now been found that adhering a label as described above to the
squeezable, resilient wall of the container could substantially increase the
resilience of said wall, helping the squeezed wall of the container to regain
its
shape quicker. It is therefore an object of the present invention to increase
the
resilience of squeezable containers comprising a composition having a
viscosity
of at least about 1 Pa.s.
Examples of containers for delivering a flowable composition having a
viscosity of at least about 1 Pa.s according to this first embodiment will now
be
described in greater details, by way of example only, with reference to Fig.1
for a
first container and Fig.2 - 4 for a second container.
In Fig.1, a container 10 having the genera! form of a bottle comprises a
reservoir 12 obtained by blow-molding (for example made of polypropylene) and
two labels 14a, 14b made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness
(ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 (for example made of a mafierial such as a
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SANTOPRENE (RTM) elastomer). The composition to be delivered is contained
inside the reservoir 12.
The reservoir 12 comprises a closed lower end 16, a squeezable wall 18
on which the labels 14a, 14b have been adhered to, for example by an in-mold
labeling method, and an open neck 20 on the upper end. The open neck 20 may
be formed with an external thread 21 adapted to cooperate with a cap 22 which
may be a one-piece plastics molding.
The two labels 14a, 14b have been placed on opposite sides of the
reservoir 12 in order to provide a better grip for the user, The user can
squeeze
this bottle by pressing one label with his thumb or palm base and the opposite
label with the other fingers. The reservoir 12, and in particular its
squeezable wall
18, have a substantially cylindrical shape with a narrowing upper end 24. The
labels are flush with the cylindrical squeezable wall 18 and follow the
curvatures
of the wall 18.
Fig. 2-4 represent a bottle similar to the bottle of Fig. 1 with the cap 22
screwed on the neck of the bottle. In order to provide even better grip and
aesthetics to the container, the cylindrical symmetry of the reservoir 12 has
however been altered by providing a substantially (more than 70% of the total
surface of the labels) flat surface to which the labels 14a, 14b have been
adhered. Such substantially flat surfaces can be easily obtained by a blow-
molding method using an adapted mold and can be used for all the containers
according to the present invention.
Bag-in-bottle type container
A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to containers of
the bag-in-bottle type for delivering a flowable composition, wherein a label
made
of a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at
least 35 is adhered to the outer squeezable wall of the container.
Bag-in-bottle type containers as defined herein comprise:
- an outer squeezable, resilient wall,,
- an inner collapsible layer distinct from said outer squeezable wall, said
inner collapsible layer defining a reservoir containing the composition,
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a buffer zone separating said squeezable outer wall from said inner
collapsible Layer, and
- delivery means for delivering the composition out of the reservoir.
In a preferred embodiment of said bag-in-bottle type containers, said
delivery means further includes:
- a first passageway distinct from a second passageway, the first passage
way being in communication with the buffer zone and the second passageway
being in communication with the reservoir, and
- valve means operable to control entry of air into the buffer zone through
the first passageway and exit of the fiowable composition from the reservoir
through the second passage way.
WO 99/26511, Oder, describes an improved bag-in-bottle type container
wherein the valve means are of unitary construction.
US 6,332,726, Yamamoto et al. describes a bag-in-bottle type container
that comprises a flexible outer layer and an inner layer laminated on the
outer
layer so as to be freely therefrom as the composition is delivered and the
buffer
zone expands.
Bag-in-bottle type containers have the advantage that the flowable
composition contained can be delivered at any orientation of the container,
unlike conventional bottle type containers that must be used with the delivery
means orientated downwards. However, even for relatively non-viscous
compositions, bag-in-bottle type containers require the user to repeatedly
squeeze the outer squeezable wall of the container in order to force the
composition through the delivery means.
ft has now been found that adhering at least one label according to the
present invention to the outer squeezable wall of bag-in-botfile type
containers
advantageously increases the resilience of the said wall, making repeated
squeezing easier for the user.
A bag-in-bottle type container according to this second embodiment of the
present invention will now be briefly described, by way of example only, with
reference to Fig. 5-8. This bag-in-bottle type container is similar to the bag-
in-
bottle type container described in more detail in W099/26511, with the
addition
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of two labels according to the present invention on its squeezable wall in
order to
improve the resilience of the container and its grip. A short summary of the
elements of said container will now follow, further details on these elements
(apart from the labels according to the present invention) and the way they
interact being available in W099/26511.
The container 26 having the general form of a bottle comprises:
- a hollow body 28 (for example made of polypropylene) obtained by blow-
molding and comprising a squeezable, resilient wall 30, and an open neck 32,
- an inner collapsible layer in the form of a flexible bag 34 for containing
the composition to be delivered,
- a buffer zone 36 separating said outer squeezable, resilient wall from
said inner collapsible layer as shown in Fig. 8,
- delivery means for delivering the flowable composition out of the
reservoir, said delivery means comprising a support tube 38, an inserfi 40, a
valve
42, a spout 44 and optionally a surface applicator 46 or brush/comb like
applicator 48, and
- two labels 50a, 50b (for example made of a SANTOPRENE (RTM)
material) according to the present invention that are adhered to diametrically
opposed sides of the squeezable, resilient wall 30.
These labels are flush with the wall 30 of the container 26 and follow its
cylindrical curvature but could also be substantially flat.
~ The flexible bag 34 may be formed of two overlapping sheets 52 of the
same shape which are sealed together around most of their common periphery
to form a side sealed sachet having an upper opening 54 and a lower V-shaped
edge 56. The bag is insertable into the body 28 through the neck 32 to form a
container with an outer squeezable, resilient wall 30 and an inner collapsible
layer (sheets 52) separated from another by a buffer zone 36 as shown in Fig.
8.
The support tube 38, which may have a plurality of holes 58 along its
length, is insertable into the bag through the open neck 32 and provides an at
least partially rigid channel.
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The insert 40 is partially insertable into the bag through the open neck 32
and is partially insertable into the bottle through the neck. The insert 40
and the
bag 34 can alternatively by of unitary construction.
This container may be used to deliver an oxidative hair dye composition.
In this case, the bag 34 will fiypically be already partially filled with a
first material
such as hydrogen peroxide when supplied to the user. At least a second
material
(such as a composition comprising oxidative hair dye precursors) will then be
added to the first material in the reservoir prior to use. A complete
disclosure of
how this second material can be added to the bag 34 is disclosed in
W099/26511.
To prepare for the discharge of the composition to be delivered, the spout
44 may be attached to the insert 40. A valve member 42, which may be of
unitary construction, is attachable to the spout 44. The valve member 42
includes an inlet part in the form of an annular flapper valve 60 which acts
as a
one-way check valve to control entry of air through the air inlets 62. The
valve
member also includes an outlet part in the form of a central quadralobe valve
64
which acts as a one-way check valve to control exit of the composition through
the passageway 66 shown on Fig. 8.
The composition is delivered from the bag 34 to the outlet 68 in the spout
when the squeezable, resilient wall of the hollow body is squeezed by the
user.
This compresses the air in the buffer zone 36 and, as the air cannot escape,
partly collapses the bag 34 so that some of the composition is forced out
through
the tube 38, the tubular member 70 of the insert 40 and the quadrilobe valve
64,
which opens to let the composition therethrough. When the user stops
squeezing, the resilient wall 30 quickly reforms in shape so that the buffer
zone
expands. The quadrilobe valve 64 closes to prevent suckback of the composition
beyond the quadrilobe valve 64 and the bag 34 maintains its partially
collapsed
state. At the same time the air is sucked into the buffer zone past the
flapper
valve 60, which opens to let air in through the air inlets 62. The user may
repeat
squeezing with whatever pressure and frequency is deemed appropriate to the
circumstances.
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Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembled elements described
above.
Fig.7 shows the assembled container of Fig.6 with a brush/comb like
applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout. This applicator is
especially useful for delivering a composition to the hair.
Fig.8 shows a cross section of the assembled container of Fig.6 with a
surface applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout, which is
also
adapted to deliver a composition to the hair.
Further details on the function of the brush/comb like applicator, surface
applicator and any elements shown in Fig. 5-8 apart from the labels are
available
in W099/26511.
Device for dispensing a detergent composition
A third embodiment of the presenfi invention is directed to a container for
dispensing a detergent composition in a washing machine drum, said container
comprising a hollow body having at least one wall, characterized in that at
least
one label made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D
2240) of at least about 35 adheres to said wall.
The wall may be squeezable within the drum of the washing machine by
wash liquor loaded textile articles and resilient to return to the original
shape
when the deforming force is removed. As for the other embodiments described
above, the label then improves the resilience of the wall of the container on
which
it is adhered. This provides a better pumping action for the container. For
example, the containers disclosed in EP-A-0,368,680 may have their pumping
properties improved by the labels according to the present invention.
It was also found that dosing balls having at least one non-squeezable wall
could benefit from having a label made of an eiastomeric material having a
Shore
A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 adhering to said non-squeezable wall.
The "soft-touch" provided by the rubber label is more gentle to the laundry
load
than other plastic material conventionally used in dosing balls (squeezable or
not). The present invention is therefore also directed to a container for
delivering
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a detergent composition inside the drum of a washing machine wherein the wall
is non-squeezable and/or non-resilient.
The same materials and configurations discussed above for the walls)
and the labels) may be used. Non-squeezable walls may be obtained by
increasing the thickness of the walls or by using less flexible plastic
material. The
container may have the general shape of a hollow sphere. Examples of suitable
containers on which the label may be adhered to are disclosed in EP0,368,680.
In particular the features claimed in EP0,368,680B1 (see claims 1 to 4) may be
advantageously used for the containers according to this embodiment of the
invention. The label may cover part or the whole of the surface of the walls,
preferably the external surface. The label or labels may have various shapes,
for
example in the case of spherical container a label could be adhered along the
equatorial line of the sphere or along a longitudinal line.
The hollow body may preferably have a smooth external surface and may
be provided with a single permanently open filling and dispensing device
through
which the body is filled with detergent and through which the detergent is
dispensed.
The detergent products used with the ball may be in the form of powders
or liquids. For liquids, a viscosity of at least about 0.250 Pa.s (250cps),
preferably
from about 0.250 to about 500 Pa.s (250-500cps) is preferred. The viscosity
may
be measured as indicated above.
The container (e.g a dosing ball) may be filled with the detergent
composition by the user through an opening, and the filled container then
introduced in the drum of the washing machine before starting the wash. The
container may preferably be reusable, i.e. should be able to withstand the
conditions encountered in the drum of the washing machine during a wash
program.
Manufacture
Various methods are known for adhering labels to a container. A
commonly used mefihod for plastic containers obtained by extrusion or
injection
blow-molding is the in-mold labeling method (ILM). In this method, the label
is
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secured inside the cavity of an open split-mold, a hot parison (extrusion blow-
molding process) or preform (injection blow-molding process) of the
thermoplastic material forming the outer wall of the container is then
introduced
in the mold, the mold closed and a pressurized fluid is blown into the parison
or
preform to expand it. The label integrates the walls of the container as the
expanding parison or preform reaches the surface of the mold. After cooling,
the
mold is opened and the container released. For further details on the in-mold
labeling method see for example US3,108,850 Brandt or US4,802,295, Darr.
Although other methods such as gluing can be used to adhere the label to
the wall, the in-mold labeling method is preferred as it provides several
advantages:
- the manufacture of the wall, which may be squeezable, of the container
and the adhesion of the label are combined in a single stage,
- the need for glue is eliminated,
- the label becomes a structural part of the container, improving the
resiliency properties of the wall,
- the label is flush with the surface of the wall, reducing the risk of
peeling.
Method of use
The containers according to the present invention are especially useful to
deliver viscous liquid compositions such as foods, medical products,
detergents,
industrial chemical and cosmetics. These compositions are usually packaged in
squeezable containers. As discussed above, the user will advantageously
squeeze the container by manually pressing the labels) adhered to the outer
wall of the container. The containers may also be used to deliver a detergent
composition, which may be in a solid or liquid form, directly in the drum of a
washing machine. In addition to providing the container with better
resilience, the
labeled bottles also have the additional advantages of providing a better grip
(anti-slip) for the user and are aesthetically pleasing to the touch and
sight.
The consumer can use the labeled containers of the present invention
similarly to any regular squeeze containers. Regular containers such as those
of
claim 1 can be used with the delivery means pointing downwards, the products
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(e.g. shampoo) being for example delivered in the non-squeezing hand of the
user, or the delivery means pointing upwards for bag-in-bottle type
containers,
for example for delivering hair-dye compositions directly to the hair of the
user.
Having shown and described various embodiments of the present
invention, further adaptations of the present invention as described herein
can
be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the
art
without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of these
potential modifications and alternatives have been mentioned, and others will
be
apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while exemplary embodiments
of the invenfiive system have been discussed for illustrative purposes, it
should
be understood that the elements described may be constantly updated and
improved by technological advances. Accordingly, the scope of the present
invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is
understood not to be limited to the details of structure, operation or process
steps as shown and described in the specification and drawings.
