Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DETERGENT PRODUCT CONTAINER WITH LOCK AND TOP PANEL
BACKGROUND
[1] This invention generally relates to containers for detergent products.
Such containers
containing detergent products are consumer products present in consumer homes,
in particular in
rooms such as a kitchen, a laundry room or a bathroom, which tend to generate
a humid
environment. It is important that the container be configured to adequately
protect the detergent
product from degradation due to an excessive exposure to such moisture or
humidity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[2] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a first example consumer product and a variation
of this first
example product.
[3] FIG. 2 illustrates a second example consumer product.
[4] FIG. 3 illustrates a third example consumer product.
[5] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a fourth example consumer product and two
variations of this
fourth example product.
[6] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an example blank of the box of the first example
consumer
product.
[7] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example blank of the box of the fourth
example consumer
product.
[8] FIG. 7 illustrates a first example method.
[9] FIG. 8 illustrates a second example method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[10] Detergent products are sensitive to humidity and should as such be
contained in specific
containers, in particular containers which may be locked to reduce risks of an
accidental opening.
At the same time, a lock of such a container should be configured to be
actuated by an ample
variety of adult consumers or users. The lock should thereby both reliably
prevent accidental
opening and provide for reliable unlocking when desired by an adult consumer.
While such
objectives may appear contradictory, it is important to get them both
resolved. This apparent
contradiction is particularly acute when applied to cardboard containers
which, while offering
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desirable recyclability, introduce challenges related to their mechanical
characteristics. The
consumer product according to this disclosure aims at taking these different
aspects into account.
[11] As will be described below, the specific configuration described in this
disclosure permits
relying on a specific human gesture called "precision pinch". Precision pinch
is a specific human
hand gesture whereby a human pinches an object between thumb and at least one
or more other
finger of the same hand. It was found that human beings are particularly
precise when exerting
such a movement. Precision may be described in this respect by considering the
alignment of the
direction of forces applied by the thumb and by the one or more other fingers
of the same hand.
When applying a precision pinch, the thumb generates a first force on a first
side of the pinch, the
one or more other finger generating a second force on a second side of the
pinch. Generally
speaking, the first and the second forces are substantially along the same
axis, in opposite senses.
The key point of the precision pinch is that the first and the second force
will naturally align each
other if there is a reciprocal feedback response between the thumb and the one
or more other
fingers from the same hand. As will be described below, the configurations
proposed will enable
such reciprocal feedback, leading to relying on a precision permitting
reliable lock opening of an
otherwise robust locking mechanism. As will be described below, specific
dimensioning enables
such configurations, in particular corresponding to an adult hand. It should
indeed be understood
that, in the present description, a hand corresponds to a human adult hand.
[12] Detergent products are products which may be relatively heavy, for
example when a
container for such product is carrying the full weight of such detergent
products, in particular
when the consumer product is recently acquired and thereby holds a significant
quantity of
detergent product. While some consumers may lift and transport such a consumer
product
holding a base of a box containing such detergent product, such lifting and
transport may also
occur by holding such consumer product by a lid, without holding the base. In
such cases, it is
possible that the lid, submitted to the force of gravity of the detergent
product, gets released and
opens the box, the box falling and possibly spreading its content. Such
situations should be
avoided. Beyond avoiding such unintentional lid unlocking, the structure of
the container of a
consumer product should preserve or improve opening ergonomics and prevent or
reduce a
permanent side wall deformation upon excessive or repetitive application of
forces applied to the
consumer product, for example during transport, in a grocery shopping bag
against other objects,
when submitted to external pressure, or when dropped. At the same time,
containers may be
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elaborated in order to preserve the environment. The consumer product
according to this
disclosure aims at taking these different aspects into account.
[13] A consumer product should in this disclosure be understood as a product
which is
provided, among others, to end consumers. Such consumer products may for
example be
available for purchase in supermarkets and end consumers may store such
consumer products in
their homes. Consumer products may be provided in large quantities and should
thereby be
designed taking environmental concerns into account. Consumer products should
also be
designed taking transportation to a retail store into account. Consumer
products should also be
robust to withstand transportation as part of an e-commerce shipment. Consumer
products should
also be designed taking on the shelf storage in a retail store into account.
Consumer products
should also be designed taking transportation from a retail store to a
consumer home into
account. Consumer products should also be designed taking storage at a private
end-consumer
home into account. Consumer products should also be designed taking use of the
consumer
product at a private end consumer home into account. Consumer products should
also be
designed taking disposal into account.
[14] The consumer product according to this disclosure comprises a detergent
product.
Detergent products should be understood in this disclosure as products
comprising a surfactant.
Detergent products may also comprise a bleach or other ingredients. Example
detergent product
compositions are described in more detail herein. In some examples, the
detergent product
comprises unit dose detergent pouches, preferably water soluble unit dose
detergent pouches,
more preferably flexible water soluble unit dose detergent pouches. Example
unit dose detergent
pouches are described in more detail herein. One should note that in some
cases, the containers
according to this disclosure may also be suitable for content other than a
detergent product, in
particular for content of a perishable nature, such as food or unstable
chemical substances for
example.
[15] The consumer product according to this disclosure further comprises a
container. A
container should be understood in this disclosure as an object housing a
content, for example in a
cavity of the container. The container facilitates protection, transport,
storage, access and
disposal of the consumer product.
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1161 In this disclosure, the container comprises a box. A box should be
understood as a
generally parallelepiped, barrel shaped, cylindrical, round, oval or cubical
three dimensional
object defining a cavity. The use of parallelepiped boxes may facilitate
storage and transportation
by permitting piling up boxes in a space efficient manner. In some examples, a
box may be a
parallelepiped provided with some rounded, tapered trapezium or chamfered
edges. The box
according to this disclosure comprises the detergent product. It should be
understood that the
detergent product is contained or stored in the box. The box according to this
disclosure
comprises a base, sidewalls, a top panel opposite the base and an opening in
the top panel. A top
panel should be understood as a generally planar structure connected to at
least some of the side
wall. When the box is in a position of being used, the top panel of the box
would be substantially
normal to the direction of gravity and would be facing up. In some examples,
the opening is
entirely comprised in the top panel of the box, the top panel of the box
facing, i.e. opposite, the
base of the box, the top panel of the box being separated from the base of the
box by at least the
sidewalls, the top panel of the box being generally coplanar with the base of
the box, whereby the
opening covers a portion of the top panel, the top panel comprising a
peripheral section
surrounding or partially surrounding the opening, the peripheral section being
a transition piece
between a sidewall and the opening for example. In some examples, the opening
is rectangular.
In some examples, the opening is rectangular with rounded edges. In some
examples, the opening
is round or oval. In some examples, the opening includes, in addition to a
first opening section on
the top panel, a second opening section on one or more of the sidewalls. In
some examples, the
opening is a spout-like reclosable opening. In some examples, the spout-like
reclosable opening
is entirely positioned on the top panel. In some examples, the spout-like
reclosable opening is
partially positioned on the top panel and partially positioned on a sidewall.
Writing provided on
sidewalls of the box are in some examples horizontally readable when the box
is in a position of
being used. While sidewalls may comprise a sidewall extremity coinciding with
a plane
comprising the top panel or being connected to the top panel, such top panel
should be
understood as being an element different from such sidewall extremity. A base
according to this
disclosure should be understood as a surface on which the box may lie when
placed on a
supporting surface such as a shelf or a floor. In some examples, the base is
flat. In some
examples, the base is rectangular. In some examples, the base is oval or
round. In some
examples, the base has an embossed profile standing in or out in relief. The
sidewalls according
to this disclosure should be understood as extending from the base, and
connecting the base to
the opening, to the top panel of the box, to a transition piece or to the lid.
It should be understood
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that the connection of the base to the opening may include one or more
transition pieces in
addition to a sidewall or to the top panel. A transition piece may be glued or
otherwise attached
to the sidewall for example. In some examples, the sidewalls are perpendicular
to the base. In
some examples, the base is rectangular and has four sides, four sidewalls
extending perpendicular
5 from the base, each sidewall being rectangular, each side wall being
connected by a sidewall side
to a side of the base, and by two other sidewall sides to two other of the
four sidewalls. In some
examples the base is oval or circular and the sidewalls form a generally
cylindrical wall
extending from the base in a direction normal or perpendicular to the base. In
some examples,
sidewalls have a shape corresponding to one of a square, a rectangle, a
trapeze, a polygon, a
section of a sphere, a section of an ovoid, or a section of an ellipsoid. The
opening provided in
the top panel according to this disclosure should be understood as an aperture
providing access to
the detergent product comprised in the box. In some examples, the opening
faces the base. In
some examples, the opening has a surface of less than the surface of the base.
In some examples,
the opening is provided after removal of a tamper proof feature, for example
comprising a
perforated piece to be removed at first use. A tamper evident sticker may be
locking a lid to the
box. In some examples a tamper evident sticker is glued on the lid and on the
box, whereby the
tamper evident sticker should be broken, teared or perforated at first opening
to indicate to a
consumer that the container has not been tempered with before purchase. This
temper evident
sticker may for example be in paper or in plastic.
[17] In some examples, the opening spans an area of at least 10 cm2,
preferably of at least 20
cm2. Such opening span may permit inserting fingers or even a hand in order to
reach the inside
of the box. In some examples, in order to provide easy access to the box
content while
maintaining appropriate pinching reciprocal feedback response, the opening
spans an area of at
least 20% of a top panel area, and at most 95% of the top panel area. In some
examples, the
opening spans an area of at least 40% of a top panel area, and at most 80% of
the top panel area
to obtain appropriate access to the box content while maintaining preferred
pinching reciprocal
feedback response levels. In some examples whereby the detergent comprises
water-soluble unit
dose articles, the opening spans an area of between 1.1 and 10 times a largest
cross sectional area
of a water-soluble unit dose article. In some preferred examples, the opening
spans an area of
between 1.5 and 5 times a largest cross sectional area of a water-soluble unit
dose article
contained in the container.
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1181 In some examples, one or more additional openings are provided in the top
panel. Some
or each of such one or more additional openings may span an area of at least
10 cm2, preferably
of at least 20 cm2. Such one or more additional openings span may permit
inserting fingers or
even a hand in order to reach the inside of the box. In some examples, in
order to provide easy
access to the box content while maintaining appropriate pinching reciprocal
feedback response,
each or some of the one or more additional openings spans an area of at least
5% of a top panel
area, and at most 40% of the top panel area. In some examples, each or some of
the one or more
additional openings spans an area of at least 10% of a top panel area, and at
most 30% of the top
panel area to obtain appropriate access to the box content while maintaining
preferred pinching
reciprocal feedback response levels. In some examples whereby the detergent
comprises water-
soluble unit dose articles, each or some of the one or more additional
openings spans an area of
between 1.1 and 10 times a largest cross sectional area of a water-soluble
unit dose article. In
some preferred examples, each or some of the one or more additional openings
spans an area of
between 1.5 and 5 times a largest cross sectional area of a water-soluble unit
dose article
contained in the container.
119] The container comprises a lid for the box. The lid according to this
disclosure should be
understood as an element permitting to repeatedly close or open the opening of
the box. In some
examples the lid may be connected to the box, for example by a hinge, or may
be separated from
the box. The lid according to this disclosure comprises a top or lid top and
flanks or lid flanks. It
should be understood that the top of the lid is aimed at covering the top
panel and the opening of
the box when the lid is in a closed position. In some examples, the top of the
lid is rectangular. In
some examples the top of the lid is round, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal or
oval, structures
such as round or oval being for example approximated by multiplying a number
of side panels
and lid flaps. In some examples, the lid comprises beveled edges. In some
examples, the top of
the lid is rectangular with rounded edges. It should be understood that while
being named "top",
the top of the lid may be positioned in different orientations. The lid
comprises flanks. It should
be understood that the flanks according to this disclosure are elements
connected to the top of the
lid and extending from the lid in order to engage one or more sidewalls of the
box, each flank
having an extension along a corresponding sidewall between the connection to
the top of the lid
and a distal end of the flank. The flanks participate in placing the top of
the lid onto the top panel
of the box and onto the opening. In some examples, the flanks extend
perpendicularly from the
top of the lid. In some examples, the flanks surround an entire perimeter of
the top of the lid. In
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some examples, the flanks partially surround an entire perimeter of the top of
the lid, a portion of
the top of the lid being flankless, for example along a hinge between the lid
and the box in a case
of a hinged lid. The top of the lid may cover the top panel of the box and the
opening, and at least
a portion of the flanks may cover at least a specific portion of a specific
sidewall of the sidewalls
of the box when the lid is in the closed position, the lid being moveable from
the closed position
to an open position. Movement of the lid may be restrained by a connection to
the box such as a
hinge, or may be entirely removable, for example to provide an improved access
to the content of
the box. The box and lid cooperate to participate in fulfilling the role of
the container to store,
transport and facilitate access to the content of the container.
[20] The container according to this disclosure comprises a lock. A lock
should be in this
disclosure understood as a mechanism preventing or reducing the likelihood of
an accidental
opening. The lock according to this disclosure is to maintain the lid in a
closed position. It should
be understood that the lock according to this disclosure is expected to
function under normal use
of the container. It should be understood that the lock may not fulfill its
function when for
example unusual use is made of the box, or when the box is under unusual
conditions. According
to this disclosure, the lock comprises a specific actuator moveable from a
locking position to an
opening position by applying an actuation pressure onto the specific actuator
when the lid is in
the closed position. The specific actuator should be understood in this
disclosure as a mechanical
structure submitted to a movement upon actuation by an outside force or
actuation pressure, such
movement leading to the opening of the lock when such movement takes place. In
some
examples, the specific actuator according to this disclosure is resilient and
has a default position,
such default position corresponding to the lid remaining closed, a resilience
being vanquished by
an outside force or actuation pressure in order to open the lid. In some
examples, the specific
actuator is resilient in that the specific actuator comprises a flexible
element, the flexible element
having a default position corresponding to the lid remaining closed, the
flexible element being
pressed to open the lid, the flexible element springing back to the default
position when releasing
pressure. It should be understood that a pressure is generated by the
application of a force onto a
surface. The specific actuator according to this disclosure has at least two
positions being the
opening position and the locking position, whereby the opening position
corresponds to a
position permitting opening of the lid, the locking position preventing
opening of the lid or
reducing the possibility of an accidental opening of the lid.
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1211 The specific actuator according to this disclosure is
connected to the specific portion
being the at least specific portion of a specific sidewall of the sidewalls of
the box covered by at
least a portion of the flanks when the lid is in the closed position, which
may be a specific portion
covered by at least a portion of the flanks when the lid is in the closed
position, the specific
actuator abutting for example against a locking tab of the flanks when in the
locking position, the
specific actuator being for example maintained away from the locking tab when
in the opening
position, the specific actuator being for example displaceable by the
actuation pressure by an
unlocking displacement distance in a direction normal to the specific portion
of the sidewalls.
The connection to the specific portion may for example be a fold line at an
end of a sidewall
away from the base. The connection of the specific actuator to the specific
portion of the sidewall
is due to the specific actuator participating in locking or unlocking the
specific portion of the
sidewall from the portion of the flanks covering the specific portion of the
sidewall, thereby
permitting releasing the lid from the box. The flanks may comprise a locking
tab. A locking tab
should be understood as a mechanical element which interlocks with the
specific actuator. In
some examples the locking tab extends away from the flanks and may be in the
form of a bulge, a
ridge, an embossment or an additional material layer sticking out of the
flanks of the lid and
towards the specific portion of the side wall such that the specific actuator
may abut against the
tab when in the locking position to prevent separating the specific portion of
the sidewalls from
the flank in the area of the specific actuator. In some examples, the locking
tab is comprised in
the flank itself, the locking tab being for example formed by an aperture in
the flanks. Abutment
according to this disclosure should be understood as a contact between the
specific actuator or
part of the specific actuator and the tab, such contact preventing opening of
the lid. In some
examples the specific actuator is maintained away from the locking tab when in
the opening
position, in order to release the locking tab. Such release of the locking tab
permits opening the
lid. Displacement or movement of the specific actuator from the locking to the
opening position
is by application on the specific actuator (directly or indirectly) of an
actuation pressure or force
such that the specific actuator is displaced by a distance sufficient to
supress contact of the
specific actuator with the locking tab, such distance corresponding to the
displacement distance,
in a direction normal to the specific portion of the side wall. It should be
understood that due to
the specific dimension configuration according to this disclosure, the force
or pressure leading to
the displacement will take a specific direction defined by the precision
pinching, such specific
direction contributing to the displacement in a direction normal to the
specific portion of the side
wall. Such force or pressure may also comprise a minor component which may be
parallel to the
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side wall, due to the fact that the hand is a human hand which does not
necessarily align force
completely perfectly, even when applying a precision pinch. The actuation is
however triggered
by a component of such force or pressure being normal to the portion of the
side wall. Such
presence of a component normal to the portion of the sidewall participates in
the role of the lock
of avoiding an accidental opening, whereas desired opening would take place by
the consumer
"pushing" the specific actuator and apply the unlocking force or pressure
permitting opening of
the lid.
[221 In order to provide precision in locating a finger appropriately and
obtain a precision
pinch, the flanks comprise a specific actuation area in a specific flank, the
actuation area facing
the specific actuator. The fact that such actuation area faces the specific
actuator indeed permits
locating either the thumb or one or more of the other fingers on exactly the
area on which a lock
opening force should be applied. The actuation area should be understood as
defming a localised
discontinuity on the specific flank, whereby a user or consumer may perceive
such discontinuity
in order to correctly locate the thumb or one or more other fingers and apply
the precision pinch.
Such discontinuity may comprise one or more of an actuation aperture, an
actuation flap, an
actuation slit or an actuation membrane. In some examples, the actuation area,
meaning either
one or both of the specific or additional actuation area, the specific
portion, or the additional
portion, comprises a visual indication indicating the location of the
actuation area. In some
examples whereby the actuation area is an aperture, the specific portion,
respectively additional
portion, comprises a visual indication visible through the aperture,
respectively apertures, when
the lid is closed. The visual indication may be printed on an external surface
of the flanks and
may comprise one or more arrows or one or more areas printed in a striking
colour or a specific
text providing instructions such as "push here to open" for example, or a
combination of any of
these indications, in order to further increase precision of pinching. The
actuation area is
configured to permit displacing the specific actuator from the locking
position to the opening
position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area
when the lid is in the
closed position. In order to appropriately place the thumb or one or more
other fingers, the
specific actuation area preferably spans less than 8 cm2 and more than 0.2
cm2. It was found that
a larger area may lead to lack of precision in finger placement, and that a
smaller area may lead
to the actuation area being difficult to locate for a user or consumer. In
some examples, the
specific actuation area has a circular shape in order to ease positioning.
Other shapes may be
considered such as, for example, elliptical, oval, square, triangular, square
with rounded corners,
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triangular with rounded corners, other polygonal shapes or other polygonal
shapes with rounded
corners.
[23] As mentioned above, in order to reach an appropriate precision in
precision pinch, the
5 thumb should perceive a reaction force from the one or more fingers of
the same hand, and the
one or more fingers should perceive a reaction force from the thumb. This
reciprocal feedback
will lead to aligning the forces produced during the precision pinch leading
to the opening of the
lock. Such feedback should be transmitted by some structure which would
directly or indirectly
connect the specific actuation area with the flank opposite the specific
flank. It was found that the
10 role of such a structure transmitting the feedback forces could be
fulfilled by a top panel section
comprised in the top panel of the box, the top panel section joining at least
a part of the specific
sidewall to at least a part of an opposite sidewall, the opposite sidewall
being opposite to the
specific sidewall, and this when the specific actuation area was located in a
specific manner, such
specific manner permitting that the thumb and one or more other fingers enter
in contact
simultaneously with the specific actuator and with the opposite sidewall which
are linked through
the top panel section. Such location of the specific area may be defined by
the location of a
specific centroid of the specific actuation area. The specific actuation area
indeed defines a
specific centroid, a centroid corresponding for example to a geometric centre
of the actuation
area or arithmetic mean position of all the points comprised in the specific
actuation area. In
order to achieve adequate reciprocal feedback transmission through the top
panel section, the
specific centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less than 5 cm and
by more than 0.5 cm
and the specific centroid is separated from a distal end of the specific flank
by more than 0.5 cm.
The distal end should be understood as the end of the flank away from the top
of the lid along the
direction of the box sidewalls. In some preferred examples, order to
facilitate pinching across the
top of the lid, the top of the lid spans less than 13 cm and more than 6 cm
along a direction
normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. It was found that a
larger span could render
pinching difficult, and that a smaller span my render difficult accessing the
detergent contained
in the box. Precision pinch is believed to provide an appropriate balance of
power and precision
for the purpose of opening the lock according to this disclosure. In some
examples, the top of the
lid spans less than 12 cm and more than 7 cm along a direction normal to the
specific portion at
the specific centroid. In some examples, the top of the lid spans less than 11
cm and more than 8
cm along a direction normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid.
In some examples, the
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top of the lid spans less than 10 cm and more than 9 cm along a direction
normal to the specific
portion at the specific centroid.
[24] In some examples, in order to appropriately transmit the reciprocal
feedback pinching
force, the top panel section has a minimum width in a plane coinciding with
the top panel of the
box and along a direction parallel to the specific portion of a specific
sidewall, the minimum
width being of at least 5% of a length of an edge between the top panel and
the specific sidewall,
preferably at least 10% of a length of an edge between the top panel and the
specific sidewall,
more preferably at least 20% of a length of an edge between the top panel and
the specific
sidewall. In some examples, in order to provide easy access to the content,
the top panel section
has a maximum width in a plane coinciding with the top panel of the box and
along a direction
parallel to the specific portion of a specific sidewall, the maximum width
being of at most 70%
of a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall,
preferably at most 60% of
a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall, more
preferably at most 50%
of a length of an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall.
[25] Figure 1 A illustrates an example consumer product 100 comprising a
detergent product
(not visible) and a container, the container comprising a box 101 comprising
the detergent
product, a lid 102 for the box 101, and a lock 103 to maintain the lid 101 in
a closed position.
The box comprises a base 110, sidewalls 111-114, a top panel 190 and an
opening 180 opposite
the base, the lid 102 comprising a top 120 and flanks 121-124, the top 120
covering the opening
and the flanks 121-124 covering at least a specific portion of a specific
sidewall of the sidewalls
111-114 of the box 101 when the lid 102 is in the closed position, the lock
103 comprises a
specific actuator 130 moveable from a locking position to an opening position
by applying an
actuation pressure onto the specific actuator 130 when the lid is 102 in the
closed position, the
specific actuator 130 being connected to the specific portion, the flanks 121-
124 comprising a
specific actuation area 104 in a specific flank 121, the actuation area 104
facing the specific
actuator 130 and permitting displacing the specific actuator 130 from the
locking position to the
opening position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation
area 104 when the
lid 102 is in the closed position.
[26] In example consumer product 100 the box has a rectangular base and the
lid has a
rectangular top. The sidewalls and flanks are also rectangular. In this
example, the lid is
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illustrated in the open position in order to visualize the various elements.
In this example, the
actuation area 104 is a round aperture having a 2.4 cm diameter which defines
a specific
actuation area of about 4.5 cm2. Actuation area 104 defines a specific
centroid which corresponds
to the center of the round aperture. In this example, the center of the
aperture is separated from
the top of the lid by about 20 mm as illustrated by distance 150 which is the
shortest distance
between the specific centroid and a point comprised in the top of the lid, the
distance in this case
being along a direction perpendicular to the top of the lid and along flank
121 into which the
aperture 104 is cut out. The specific centroid, or center of round actuation
area 104, is in this
example separated from a distal end of the specific flank by 50 mm as
illustrated by distance 151
which is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and a point
comprised in the distal
end of flank 121 of the lid, the distance in this case being along a direction
perpendicular to the
top of the lid and along flank 121 into which the aperture 104 is cut out. In
this example, the top
of the lid spans 94 mm along a direction normal to the specific portion at the
specific centroid, as
illustrated by distance 152 which in this case is parallel to the top of the
lid and normal to the
specific flank 121 where the specific actuation area is located. In this
example, the lock 103
comprises a flap 130 which may be pushed through the aperture 104 when the lid
is in the closed
position. Lid 102 may be removed by, with a first adult hand, placing either
the thumb or any
other finger on the actuation area 104, and the opposite finger or fingers of
the same adult hand
on the flank 123 opposite the specific flank, the first adult hand thereby
pinching the lid 102
across its top 120 and pushing onto flap 130 while holding the box 101 with
the other adult hand
to lifting the lid open as the flap 130 remains pressed against the specific
portion of sidewall 111.
1271 As the first adult hand pinches the lid 102, a reciprocal feedback
response is transmitted
during pinching through the top panel 190 of the box, specifically through the
top panel section
joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a part of opposite sidewall
113. Such reciprocal
feedback response contributes to facilitating the unlocking, in particular by
increasing the rigidity
of the box structure at the level of the top panel. In this specific example,
the top panel section
joining at least a part of the specific sidewall 111 to at least a part of the
opposite sidewall 113 is
connected to a first connecting sidewall wall 112, the first connecting
sidewall 112 joining the
specific sidewall 111 and the opposite sidewall 113, the first connecting
sidewall 112 being in
this example perpendicular to the specific sidewall 111, to the opposite
sidewall 113, and to the
top panel section 190. Such configuration provides additional rigidity and
robustness, facilitating
transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response. In other examples, not
illustrated here, the top
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panel section may be separated from a connecting sidewall, while being
connected to both the
specific and opposite sidewall, acting as a bridge between these. In some
examples as illustrated
in Figure 1B discussed below, such bridge formed by the top panel section may
conveniently be
aligned with the specific actuator.
[28] Figure 1B illustrates an example consumer product 100B which is a
variation on example
consumer product 100. In example 100B, the top panel section 191 is
disconnected from either
connecting sidewall, and is placed directly in alignment with the specific
portion of sidewall 111,
i.e. aligned with the flap 130, thereby permitting directly transmitting the
reciprocal feedback
pinching force. In other examples, the top panel section may be positioned in
an intermediate
position between the position exemplified in example 100B and the position
exemplified in
example 100.
[29] Figure 2 illustrates an example consumer product 200 comprising a
detergent product (not
visible) and a container, the container comprising a box 201 comprising the
detergent product, a
lid 202 for the box 201, and a lock 203 to maintain the lid 201 in a closed
position. The box
comprising a top panel 290, base 210, sidewalls 211-214 and an opening 280 in
the top panel and
opposite the base, the lid 202 comprising a top 220 and flanks 221-223, the
top 220 covering the
opening and the flanks 221-223 covering at least a specific portion of a
specific sidewall of the
sidewalls 211-214 of the box 201 when the lid 202 is in the closed position,
the lock 203
comprises a specific actuator 230 moveable from a locking position to an
opening position by
applying an actuation pressure onto the specific actuator 230 when the lid is
202 in the closed
position, the specific actuator 230 being connected to the specific portion,
the flanks 221-223
comprising a specific actuation area 204 in a specific flank 221, the
actuation area 204 facing the
specific actuator 230 and permitting displacing the specific actuator 230 from
the locking
position to the opening position by applying the actuation pressure at the
specific actuation area
204 when the lid 202 is in the closed position.
[30] In example consumer product 200 the box has a rectangular base and the
lid has a
rectangular top. In this example, the lid is a hinged lid connected by a fold
line to sidewall 213
opposite side wall 211 comprising the specific portion. The sidewalls and
flanks are also
rectangular. In this example, the lid is illustrated in the open position in
order to visualize the
various elements. In this example, the actuation area 204 is a rectangular
membrane having
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rounded edged and covering an underlying aperture, the rectangular membrane
having a lcm
height along a direction normal to the top of the lid and a length of 3cm in a
direction
perpendicular to the height direction, thereby defining a specific actuation
area of about 3 cm2.
Actuation area 204 defines a specific centroid which corresponds to the center
of the rectangle
membrane. In this example, the specific centroid is separated from the top of
the lid by 30 mm as
illustrated by distance 250 which is the shortest distance between the
specific centroid and a
point comprised in the top of the lid, the distance in this case being along a
direction
perpendicular to the top of the lid and along flank 221 where the actuation
area is located. The
specific centroid is in this example separated from a distal end of the
specific flank 221 by 30
mm as illustrated by distance 251 which is the shortest distance between the
specific centroid and
a point comprised in the distal end of flank 221 of the lid, the distance in
this case being along a
direction perpendicular to the top of the lid and along flank 221 into which
the actuation area 204
is cut out. In this example, the top of the lid spans 100 mm along a direction
normal to the
specific portion at the specific centroid, as illustrated by distance 252
which in this case is
parallel to the top of the lid and normal to the specific flank 221 where the
specific actuation area
is located. In this example, the lock 203 comprises a spring loaded push
button 230 which may
be actuated through the membrane of actuation area 204 when the lid is closed.
Lid 202 may be
opened by, with a first adult hand, placing either the thumb or any other
finger on the actuation
area 204, and the opposite finger or fingers of the same adult hand on the
sidewall 223 opposite
the sidewall 211 comprising the actuation area, the first adult hand thereby
pinching the lid 202
across its top 220 and pushing onto button 230 while holding the box 201 with
the other adult
hand, to hinge the lid open as the button 230 remains pressed against the
specific portion of
sidewall 211.
[31] As the first adult hand pinches the lid 202, a reciprocal feedback
response is transmitted
during pinching through the top panel 290 of the box, specifically through
both a top panel
section joining a part of the specific sidewall 211 to a part of opposite
sidewall 213 and
connected to first connecting sidewall 212, and an additional top panel
section, the additional top
panel section joining a part of the specific sidewall 211 to a part of the
opposite sidewall 213, the
additional top panel section being connected to a second connecting sidewall
wall 214, the
second connecting sidewall 214 joining the specific sidewall 211 and the
opposite sidewall 213,
the second connecting sidewall 214 being perpendicular to the specific
sidewall 211, to the
opposite sidewall 213, and to the top panel section 290, the second connecting
sidewall 214
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being opposite the first connecting sidewall. Such reciprocal feedback
response contributes to
facilitating the unlocking. Such configuration provides additional rigidity
and robustness,
facilitating transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response along both the
first and the second
connecting sidewalls, thereby balancing such transmission of the reciprocal
feedback response
5 which is applied in a region between such connecting sidewalls. In some
other examples (not
illustrated here), one or both of the top panel section and the additional top
panel section may be
disconnected from connecting sidewalls, similarly to top panel section 191 of
Figure 1B, for
example in order to improve transmittal of the reciprocal feedback pinching
force by proximity to
the specific (or additional) actuator, and to reduce or avoid sidewall
deformation.
[32] In some examples, in order to permit a preferred level of transmission of
the reciprocal
feedback response along the top panel from the specific sidewall to the
opposite sidewall, the top
panel section and the additional top panel section have a combined minimum
width in a plane
coinciding with the top panel of the box and along a same direction parallel
to the specific
portion of a specific sidewall, the combined minimum width being of at least
5% of a length of
an edge between the top panel and the specific sidewall. In some examples, the
top panel section
and the additional top panel section have a combined minimum width in a plane
coinciding with
the top panel of the box and along a same direction parallel to the specific
portion of a specific
sidewall, the combined minimum width being of at least 10% of a length of an
edge between the
top panel and the specific sidewall. In some examples, the top panel section
and the additional
top panel section have a combined maximum width in a plane coinciding with the
top panel of
the box and along a same direction parallel to the specific portion of a
specific sidewall, the
combined maximum width being of at most 80% of a length of an edge between the
top panel
and the specific sidewall.
[33] Figure 3 illustrates an example consumer product 300 comprising elements
already
described in the context of Figure 1A, the same reference numerals being used.
Example
consumer product 300 comprises a top panel 390, such top panel 390 comprising
three different
top panel sections which well be described in more details below. Opening 380
is provided in the
top panel 390.
[34] Example consumer product 300 further comprises an additional actuation
area 304 in
opposite flank 123, whereby, in this example, the actuation area 304 is of the
same nature as
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actuation area 104, the opposite flank 123 being opposite the specific flank
121, the additional
actuation 304 area being adjacent to an additional portion of a sidewall 113
opposite the specific
sidewall 111, whereby:
the additional actuation area spans less than 8 cm2 and more than 0.2 cm2, in
this specific
example about 0.8 cm2, the additional actuation 304 area defining an
additional centroid;
the additional centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less than 5 cm
and by more than 0.5
cm, preferably between 1.5cm and 2.5cm, and in this specific example by about
2cm;
the additional centroid is separated from a distal end of the opposite flank
by more than 0.5 cm;
the additional centroid is aligned with the specific centroid along a
direction normal to the
additional portion at the additional centroid; and the additional centroid and
the specific centroid
are separated by more than 6 cm and by less than 13 cm, this separation
distance being
understood as a mean shortest direct distance.
[35] In a preferred example, the additional centroid is separated from a
distal end of the
opposite flank by a distance of about 5 cm.
[36] In a preferred example, the additional centroid and the specific centroid
are separated by
about 94mm.
[37] In some example, the specific centroid is separated from a distal end of
the specific flank
by a distance D1 and the additional centroid is separated from a distal end of
the opposite flank
by a distance D2, whereby D1 differs from D2 by more than 5% of the value of
Dl. In an
example, DI is of about 1.5 cm and D2 is of about 3 cm. Such difference in
distances from
respective distal end can permit adjusting the measurements of the precision
pinch desired. In
some examples, D1 and D2 differ by less than lcm, preferably by less than
0.5cm. Such offset
between D1 and D2 can contribute to reducing instances of accidental opening
upon lifting the
box by the 2 actuation areas simultaneously, while limiting such offset
enables a precision pinch.
[38] In some examples, the additional actuation area has a circular shape in
order to ease
positioning. Other shapes may be considered such as, for example, elliptical,
oval or polygonal
shapes.
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[39] A configuration as per example of Figure 3 permits precise finger
placement on opposite
sides across the top of the lid, thereby further easing the application of a
precision pinch. As a
first adult hand pinches the lid 102 of Figure 3, a reciprocal feedback
response is transmitted
during pinching through the top panel 390 of the box, specifically through
both a top panel
section joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a part of opposite
sidewall 113 and
connected to first connecting sidewall 112, and an additional top panel
section, the additional top
panel section joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a part of the
opposite sidewall 113, the
additional top panel section being connected to a second connecting sidewall
wall 114, the
second connecting sidewall 114 joining the specific sidewall 111 and the
opposite sidewall 113,
the second connecting sidewall 114 being perpendicular to the specific
sidewall 111, to the
opposite sidewall 113, and to the top panel 390, the second connecting
sidewall 114 being
opposite the first connecting sidewall. Such reciprocal feedback response
contributes to
facilitating the unlocking. Such configuration provides further additional
rigidity and robustness,
facilitating transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response along both the
first and the second
connecting sidewalls, in particular through the providing of a third top panel
section, whereby the
top panel section and the additional top panel section are connected by this
third top panel section
being a specific connecting top panel section, the specific connecting top
panel section being
connected to the specific sidewall 111, the specific connecting top panel
section being preferably
perpendicular to the specific sidewall. Such a specific connecting top panel
section further
increases transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response, such feedback
response travelling
through all three top panel sections.
[40] One should note that while a configuration comprising an additional
actuation area is
illustrated by the example of Figure 3, other configuration may be considered,
which may for
example combine an additional actuation area which may be of a different type
or have different
dimensions from the specific actuation area, and may not necessarily be placed
exactly opposite
the specific actuation area. In addition to improving precision pinch by
increasing finger
placement precision, using an additional actuation area may for example enable
use of a same
box by right handed or left handed people regardless of the box location.
[41] In some examples such as illustrated in Figure 3, a shortest distance
between the
additional centroid and the specific centroid along the specific flank, top of
the lid and opposite
flank is of less than 18cm, thereby permitting exerting a precision pinch
between both actuation
areas across the top of the lid with an adult hand. In some examples, the
shortest distance
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between the additional centroid and the specific centroid along the specific
flank, top of the lid
and opposite flank is of less than 15 cm. In an example, In some examples, the
shortest distance
between the additional centroid and the specific centroid along the specific
flank, top of the lid
and opposite flank is of 13.4cm decomposed in 9.5cm across the top of the lid,
2cm along the
specific flank, and 2cm along the opposite flank.
[42] Figure 4A illustrates an example consumer product 400. This example
consumer product
400 comprises the elements of consumer product 300 which are numbered using
the same
reference numerals. Example consumer product 400 comprises top panel 490 which
comprises
four top panel sections as will be described below. In this example, the four
top panel sections
surround the opening provided in the top panel. In addition, example consumer
product 400
comprises an additional actuator 403, the additional actuator 403 being
connected to the
additional portion of the sidewall 113 opposite the specific sidewall 111, the
additional actuator
403 facing the additional actuation area 304 when the lid 102 is closed. The
additional actuator
403 is represented with a flap similar to flap 130 which interacts with a tab
430 placed on the
inside of flap 123 to reinforce the locking of the lid. Pinching will in this
case unlock both the
additional actuator and the specific actuator to permit opening the lid. While
the tab is illustrated
as spanning a portion of the corresponding flap 123, tabs may span an entire
length of the
corresponding flap. A tab (not visible) is provided on the inside of flap 121
to interact with flap
130 and contribute to the locking. One should note that while the additional
actuator 403 is
represented as symmetrically opposed to the specific actuator 130 and as
having the same nature
and dimensions, such actuators may take in other examples different natures
and dimensions, and
may not necessarily be symmetrical.
[43] A configuration as per example of Figure 4A permits precise placement on
opposite sides
across the top of the lid, thereby further easing the application of a
precision pinch. As a first
adult hand pinches the lid 102 of Figure 4A, a reciprocal feedback response is
transmitted during
pinching through the top panel 490 of the box, specifically through both a top
panel section
joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a part of opposite sidewall 113
and connected to first
connecting sidewall 112, and an additional top panel section, the additional
top panel section
joining a part of the specific sidewall 111 to a part of the opposite sidewall
113, the additional
top panel section being connected to a second connecting sidewall wall 114,
the second
connecting sidewall 114 joining the specific sidewall 111 and the opposite
sidewall 113, the
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second connecting sidewall 114 being perpendicular to the specific sidewall
111, to the opposite
sidewall 113, and to the top panel 490, the second connecting sidewall 114
being opposite the
first connecting sidewall. Such reciprocal feedback response contributes to
facilitating the
unlocking. Such configuration provides further additional rigidity and
robustness, facilitating
transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response along both the first and the
second connecting
sidewalls, in particular through the providing of a third top panel section,
whereby the top panel
section and the additional top panel section are connected by this third top
panel section being a
specific connecting top panel section, the specific connecting top panel
section being connected
to the specific sidewall 111, the specific connecting top panel section being
preferably
perpendicular to the specific sidewall. In this configuration, top panel 490
comprises a fourth top
panel section, the top panel section and the additional top panel section
being connected by this
fourth top panel section, which is an opposite connecting top panel section,
the opposite
connecting top panel section being connected to the opposite sidewall, the
opposite connecting
top panel section being perpendicular to the opposite sidewall. Such
combination of a specific
connecting top panel section and of a further opposite connecting top panel
section increases
transmittal of the reciprocal feedback response, such feedback response
travelling through all
four top panel sections.
[44] In the example illustrated in Figure 4A, the opening has a perimeter
delimited by the four
top panel sections. Indeed, in some examples, the opening has a perimeter
delimited by at least
one or more of the top panel section, additional top panel section when
present, specific
connecting top panel section when present, and opposite connecting top panel
section when
present.
[45] Figures 4B and 4C illustrates variations of the example of Figure 4A
whereby the box has
a form factor configured for letterbox delivery. Letterbox delivery may for
example be rendered
possible in some geographical areas if the container is at most 5cm tick along
one of its
dimensions. In the examples illustrated, the container is at most 5cm thick in
the direction
perpendicular to its base. In other geographies, the container is at most 7cm
tick along one of its
dimensions. In other geographies, the container is at most 4cm tick along one
of its dimensions.
In the example of Figure 4B, the top panel entirely surrounds a single
opening. In the example of
Figure 4C, the top panel comprises top panel sections forming a grid. In some
examples, such
grid defmes cells, each cell providing access to a single unit dose detergent
pouch. Other top
panel configurations according to this disclosure may be considered. It should
be noted that in the
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case of a container which has a form factor configured for letterbox delivery,
the top panel
according to this disclosure provides additional structural robustness, which
is particularly suited
to e-commerce, in this case to sending the product to a letterbox. Either one
of the hood lid 102
or hinged lid 202 may be adapted to be combined with a box having a form
factor configured for
5 letterbox delivery. In some examples (not illustrated here), a box having
a form factor configured
for letterbox delivery may comprise a single actuator in the form of the
specific actuator.
[46] In some examples whereby the container is configured for letterbox
delivery, the
consumer product may be posted by mail after being erected and filled with the
detergent
10 product, the consumer product being thereafter inserted in a letterbox.
[47] In some examples, the lock is placed in a central area of a sidewall of
the box. A central
area should be understood as substantially equidistant from opposite edges of
the sidewall
concerned, such edges being along a direction normal to the base of the box.
In such examples, it
15 should be understood that the lock is located closest to an edge of the
sidewall close to the
opening than to an edge of the sidewall close to the base, while being in a
central area in respect
to the edges normal to the base. Such central location of the lock may
participate in avoiding
sliding of the lid from the box if the box is lifted by holding the lid by
applying pressure onto the
specific actuator, whereby such pressure presses the specific actuator against
the support element
20 structure centrally, thereby balancing the forces maintaining the
connection between the lid and
the box and participating in avoiding accidental opening. In some examples,
the lock may be
located on a sidewall and between two edges of the sidewall, such edges being
normal to the
base, the lock being closer to one edge than to the other edge of the two
edges, for example
located closer to the one edge at a 1/3 of the distance between the two edges.
In some examples
one sidewall may comprise two locks. In some examples two locks may be
provided offset
versus each versus a centreline to increase a distance separating the two
locks. In some examples
more than two locks may be provided. In some examples, three locks are
provided, for example
corresponding to a first lock for a thumb of a user hand and two other locks
on the other side of
the lid for an index and middle finger of the same user hand so such user may
actuate the three
locks one handed and simultaneously while holding the box with the other hand.
[48] In some examples, the specific centroid, and respectively additional
centroid when
present, is located in a central region of a flank of the lid along a
horizontal direction parallel to
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the top of the lid. A central area should be understood as substantially
equidistant from opposite
edges of the flank concerned, such edges being along a direction normal to the
top of the lid.
Such a configuration permits using a reversible lid, in particular when both a
specific centroid
and additional centroid are present.
1491 The present disclosure also aims at resolving an apparent contradiction
between, on one
hand, the use of materials for the sidewalls which would resist accidental
opening, and the use of
materials for the sidewalls which are particularly environmentally friendly.
1501 The container may indeed be made from paper or cardboard material, in
particular rigid
cardboard material, flexible cardboard material or a mixture thereof In some
example, the
material forming the box or the lid has a wall thickness of more than 220
microns and of less
than 3mm. In some example, the material forming the box or the lid has a wall
thickness of more
than lmm and of less than 2mm. The container may be made from paper materials,
bio based
material, bamboo fibres, cellulose fibres, cellulose based or fibre based
materials, or a mixture
thereof. The container may be made from materials comprising recycled
materials, for example
recycled cellulose fiber based materials. In some examples, in order to
facilitate opening, the lid
may be entirely separated from the box when open, and the lid weighs less than
200g, preferably
less than 100g, even more preferably less than 80g, and more than 10g, more
preferably more
than 30g, even more preferably more than 40g, in order to obtain a
sufficiently robust lid
structure. In some examples, in order to appropriately transmit reciprocal
feedback response
during pinching, the top panel has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, preferably
of at least 0.7 mm,
more preferably of at least 0.8 mm. In some examples, the top panel has a
thickness of at least 1
mm. Top panel thickness may differ from the thickness of other parts of the
box.
1511 In some examples, the top panel of the box comprises a corrugated
cardboard layer, the
corrugated cardboard layer comprising flutes, the flutes preferably running
parallel to the
direction normal to the specific portion at the specific centroid and parallel
to the base, and
whereby the opening preferably intersect at least some of the flutes. Such a
structure permits
reinforcing the top panel in the direction of pinching, thereby further
increasing the pinching
force feedback and thereby pinch precision. The intersecting of flutes by the
opening also permits
ventilating the top panel in which the opening is provided, thereby
reinforcing top panel integrity
in humid environments. In some examples, both the top panel and the remaining
parts of the box
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comprise flutes, the top panel comprising flutes thicker than flutes used for
the remaining parts of
the box.
[52] The container may be prepared as a whole from cardboard, paperboard
and/or paper.
Preferably the container is prepared from corrugated cardboard, e.g. single
wall double faced
corrugated cardboard; or a double wall corrugated cardboard or triple wall
corrugated cardboard
having paper sheets at least on both outer surfaces ("faced cardboard"),
wherein the use of a
single wall double faced corrugated cardboard is preferred.
[53] According to the present application the term "cardboard" is used for a
material
commonly also described as "paperboard". It should be agreed that these terms
can be used
synonymously, not providing a noticeable difference in the material suitable
for the present
invention.
[54] In the present application it should be understood, that when the term
"cardboard" is used,
this means as well and in particular a corrugated cardboard, wherein said
corrugated cardboard
further may optionally comprise a vapor or moisture barrier layer.
[55] Said cardboard preferably comprises a vapor or moisture barrier layer,
preferably "inside"
the cardboard, which means that said barrier layer is provided between the
both outer surface
layers. Said vapor or moisture barrier layer may be a layer provided attached
to or applied to one
of the surfaces of the paper sheets used for preparation of the corrugated
cardboard, wherein said
layered surface is then faced to the inner side of the cardboard, or said
barrier layer is provided as
a separate film, sheet or layer, which is included into the corrugated
cardboard during its
preparation. Furthermore, also a "solid" cardboard may be used, e.g. a
cardboard laminate
including a vapor or moisture barrier layer sandwiched between two cardboard
sheets, between a
cardboard and a paper sheet or between two paper sheets, or a cardboard
laminate comprising
only a cardboard sheet and a barrier layer, however due to the weight,
rigidity and comfort the
use of corrugated cardboard panels is preferred.
[56] The vapor or moisture barrier layer can be provided in form of a film,
e.g. a film of a
material known in the art for such barrier layers. Examples of suitable
materials are polyethylene
(PE), like high density polyethylene or low density polyethylene; polyethylene
terephthalate
(PET); polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH); polyvinyl acetate (PVA); polypropylene (PP),
polylactic acid
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(PLA) and/or polyamide (PA), which can be used as single polymers, mixture of
polymers or
copolymers of the mentioned, wherein PE films are particularly preferred.
Furthermore, an oiled
paper may be used as a vapor or moisture barrier sheet.
[57] Further, the moisture barrier layer can be provided as a coating on at
least one surface of a
sheet used for preparation of the cardboard or the package container of the
present invention.
Such coatings may comprise at least one of: (i) a wax compound, (ii) a
surfactant, in particular a
surfactant solid at 20 C (iii) a polymer, (iv) a triazine-containing compound;
(v) a nano-cellulose
material; (vi) a nanoclay material; and/or (vii) an inorganic oxide material.
Presence of at least
one of compounds (i), (ii) or (iii) is preferred. The thickness of the barrier
film or layer typically
ranges from about 5 nanometers to about 100 gm, preferably from 10 nm to 50
gm, 20 nm to 25
gm, 30 nm to 10 gm, 40 nm to 5 gm or 50 nm tol gm. Examples of wax compounds
(i) are
natural waxes, in particular wax esters or wax alcohols. Examples for such
waxes are lanolin,
paraffine, carnauba wax, candelilla wax or bees wax, wax alcohols may be
represented by cetyl
alcohol, carnaubyl alcohol, ceryl alcohol and myricyl alcohol, examples of
waxy acids are
myristinic acid, palmic acid, stearic acid, laurinic acid, lignoceric acid,
cerotinic acid, montanic
acid and melissic acid, without being restricted to the mentioned. Examples of
suitable
surfactants (ii) are nonionic or anionic surfactants which are solid at room
temperature (defined
being 20 C), preferably which are solid up to a temperature of 35 C. Due to
their characteristics
nonionic surfactants are preferred, in particular fatty alcohols or esters,
optionally comprising EO
or PO groups. Such surfactants are disclosed in detail below as part of the
detergent composition.
Suitable polymers (iii) are those as mentioned above for the barrier film and
further copolymers
including styrene butadiene copolymers, modified styrene butadiene copolymers,
styrene/acrylate
copolymers, carboxylated polystyrene, acrylic/polyacrylic polymers,
polyvinylacetate-ethylene,
polyvinyl acrylic polymer, soy protein polymer; corn zein (protein), starch, a
polyolefin
dispersion (e.g., modified propylene-based dispersion), polyvinylidene
chloride, polylactic acid,
polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers, polybutylene succinate, plasticized cellulose
acetate, and
mixtures thereof. Triazine compounds (iv) that can be included are 1,3,5-
triazines such as
melamine, ammeline, ammelide, cyanuric acid, 2-ureidomelamine, melam, melem,
melon,
melamine salts such as, for example, melamine cyanurate, melamine phosphate,
dimelamine
pyrophosphate or melamine polyphosphate and functionalized melamines, such as
for instance
hexamethoxymethyl melamine or acrylate-functionalized melamine. An example for
a suitable
cellulose material (v) is nano-fibrillated or nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC).
The barrier layer
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may comprise nanocrystalline cellulose which is a uniform, redispersible
natural nanoparticle
obtained from the crystalline regions of cellulose fibers. The cellulose can
be derived from
natural cellulose such as wood or wheat straw. Alternatively, the cellulose
can be derived from a
regenerated source such as rayon or viscose. Exemplary nanocrystalline
cellulose is available
from CELLUFORCETM of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Nanocrystalline cellulose is
typically
about 100 nm to 200 nm long and is typically about 5 nm to 10 nm in diameter.
During
manufacture, cellulose is milled and hydrolyzed to remove amorphous regions.
The resulting
nanocrystalline cellulose is then separated and concentrated before being
modified for coating
applications. Nanocrystalline cellulose is light weight, biodegradable, non-
toxic, cost-efficient,
and recyclable. Suitable nanoclay materials (vi) include platey kaolins,
nanoclays, clay
nanocomposite, and polymer-clay nanocomposite structures including hyper-
platey, nano-
dimensional thickness crystals. Nanoclay materials as described herein can be
e.g. dispersed
within a polymer-based or water-based matrix. Suitable inorganic oxide
materials (vii) that
perform as a barrier layer or coating include aluminum oxide (A10x), silicon
oxide (Si0x), and
magnesium oxide (Mg0x). In the aforementioned oxide materials, "x" is a
suitable number or
fraction for the stoichiometric amount of oxygen (e.g., A1203, SiO2, MgO).
Such oxide coatings
may be prepared using plasma-assisted deposition on a substrate.
[58] The thickness of the cardboard (laminate) including the (preferably
corrugated) cardboard
and the optional vapor/moisture barrier layer preferably should be in the
range from 0,5 mm to 3
mm to provide suitable stability to said container, more preferred 0,8 mm to
2,5 mm, even more
preferred 1 mm to 2 mm.
[59] Figure 5A represents a blank, for example a corrugated cardboard blank,
suitable for
making a box such as the box represented in Figure 1A. An intermediate folding
step of such
blank is represented in Figure 5B. The reference numerals used in Figures 5A
and 5B correspond
to the reference numerals used in Figure 1A. As represented in Figures 5A and
5B, the top panel
section 190 is directly connected by a fold line to one of the connecting
sidewalls, in this case to
connecting sidewall 112. Once folded, top panel section is attached, for
example by gluing, for
support, to flaps 172 and 173, such flaps 172 and 173 being respectively
directly connected by
respective fold lines to the opposite sidewall 113 and to the specific
sidewall 111. In this
example, the four sidewalls are connected, once folded, by a sidewall flap
171. In this example,
the base 110 is formed by 4 different flaps, although a base may be formed by
less flaps. It
advantageous for a base to be formed by more than one layer due to the fact
that a base as per
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this disclosure will be in direct contact with flooring, in particular humid
or wet flooring. In this
example, specific actuator 130 is directly cut out in the specific sidewall
111. In this example, a
reinforcement flap 174 is provided, the reinforcement flap being directly
connected by a fold line
to the specific sidewall, the reinforcement flap covering the specific
actuator cutout when folded
5 back as illustrated by a dashed line in Figure 5B, in order to maintain
the integrity of the
structure.
[60] Figures 6A-B represent a blank, for example a corrugated cardboard blank,
suitable for
making a box such as the box represented in Figure 4A. An intermediate folding
step of the blank
10 represented in Figure 6B is represented in Figure 6C. The reference
numerals used in Figures 6A-
C correspond to the reference numerals used in Figure 4A. In the case of the
blank represented in
Figure 6A, the top panel 490 comprises a double layer. Using multiple layers
for the top panel or
top panel sections permits increasing transmittal of the reciprocal feedback.
In this example, the
top panel comprises an opening which may be opened once by removing part of
the top panel
15 following perforations, such perforation being provided in both layers
in this example. In this
example, the top panel comprises a top panel section directly connected to the
specific sidewall
by a fold line, another top panel section directly connected to the opposite
sidewall by a fold line,
and two further top panel sections, each of these being, when folded,
respectively connected, for
example by gluing, to a respective connecting sidewall by a respective flap,
such respective flap
20 being directly connected to a respective connecting sidewall by a fold
line. In this example, the
actuators 403 and 130 are directly cutout in the respective opposite and
specific sidewalls. In the
case of the blank represented in Figure 6B, actuator 403 is directly cutout in
the top panel,
specifically in the opposite connecting top panel section. This permits
avoiding impacting
sidewall integrity. In the case of the blank represented in Figure 6B,
actuator 130 is provided as a
25 flap directly connected to the top panel, specifically to the specific
connecting top panel section,
by a fold line. This also permits avoiding impacting sidewall integrity. An
intermediate folding
step of the blank of Figure 6B is represented in Figure 6C. In Figure 6B, the
blank comprises a
multilayer top panel and opening integrally surrounded by top panel portions
as represented in
Figure 6A.
[61] In some examples, a box blank comprises the top panel in a box blank
which is comprised
in a flat envelope and may be erected after applying glue to specific flaps
(illustrated with a grey
area in the blanks hereby illustrated).
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[62] In some examples the detergent product comprises a detergent composition.
The
detergent composition may be a laundry detergent composition, an automatic
dishwashing
composition, a hard surface cleaning composition, or a combination thereof.
The detergent
composition may comprise a solid, a liquid or a mixture thereof. The term
liquid includes a gel,
a solution, a dispersion, a paste, or a mixture thereof The solid may be a
powder. By powder we
herein mean that the detergent composition may comprise solid particulates or
may be a single
homogenous solid. In some examples, the powder detergent composition comprises
particles.
This means that the powder detergent composition comprises individual solid
particles as
opposed to the solid being a single homogenous solid. The particles may be
free-flowing or may
be compacted. A laundry detergent composition can be used in a fabric hand
wash operation or
may be used in an automatic machine fabric wash operation, for example in an
automatic
machine fabric wash operation. Example laundry detergent compositions comprise
a non-soap
surfactant, wherein the non-soap surfactant comprises an anionic non-soap
surfactant and a non-
ionic surfactant. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition
comprises between 10%
and 60%, or between 20% and 55% by weight of the laundry detergent composition
of the non-
soap surfactant. Example weight ratio of non-soap anionic surfactant to
nonionic surfactant are
from 1:1 to 20:1, from 1.5:1 to 17.5:1, from 2:1 to 15:1, or from 2.5:1 to
13:1. Example non-soap
anionic surfactants comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, alkyl sulphate
or a mixture thereof.
Example weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate to alkyl sulphate are
from 1:2 to 9:1,
from 1:1 to 7:1, from 1:1 to 5:1, or from 1:1 to 4:1. Example linear
alkylbenzene sulphonates are
Cio-Cis alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, or Cii-Ciaalkyl benzene sulfonic acids.
By 'linear', we
herein mean the alkyl group is linear. Example alkyl sulphate anionic
surfactant may comprise
alkoxylated alkyl sulphate or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulphate or a mixture
thereof. Example
alkoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant comprise an ethoxylated alkyl
sulphate anionic
surfactant. Example alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise an
ethoxylated alkyl sulphate
anionic surfactant with a mol average degree of ethoxylation from 1 to 5, from
1 to 3, or from 2
to 3. Example alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise a non-ethoxylated
alkyl sulphate
and an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate wherein the mol average degree of
ethoxylation of the alkyl
sulphate anionic surfactant is from 1 to 5, from 1 to 3, or from 2 to 3.
Example alkyl fraction of
the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant are derived from fatty alcohols, oxo-
synthesized alcohols,
Guerbet alcohols, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent
composition
comprises between 10% and 50%, between 15% and 45%, between 20% and 40%, or
between
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30% and 40% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of the non-soap
anionic surfactant.
In some examples, the non-ionic surfactant is selected from alcohol
alkoxylate, an oxo-
synthesised alcohol alkoxylate, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl phenol
alcohol alkoxylates, or
a mixture thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition
comprises between
0.01% and 10%, between 0.01% and 8%, between 0.1% and 6%, or between 0.15% and
5% by
weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of a non-ionic surfactant.
In some examples,
the laundry detergent composition comprises between 1.5% and 20%, between 2%
and 15%,
between 3% and 10%, or between 4% and 8% by weight of the laundry detergent
composition of
soap, in some examples a fatty acid salt, in some examples an amine
neutralized fatty acid salt,
wherein in some examples the amine is an alkanolamine for example selected
from
monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or a mixture thereof, in
some examples
monoethanolamine. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a
liquid laundry
detergent composition. In some examples the liquid laundry detergent
composition comprises
less than 15%, or less than 12% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent
composition of water.
In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry
detergent composition
comprising a non-aqueous solvent selected from 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene
glycol,
tripropyleneglycol, glycerol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol or a mixture
thereof. In some
examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and
40%, or
between 15% and 30% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of
the non-aqueous
solvent. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises a
perfume. In some
examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises an adjunct ingredient
selected from the
group comprising builders including enzymes, citrate, bleach, bleach catalyst,
dye, hueing dye,
brightener, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and
polyethyleneimines, soil
release polymer, surfactant, solvent, dye transfer inhibitors, chelant,
encapsulated perfume,
polycarboxylates, structurant, pH trimming agents, and mixtures thereof. In
some examples, the
laundry detergent composition has a pH between 6 and 10, between 6.5 and 8.9,
or between 7
and 8, wherein the pH of the laundry detergent composition is measured as a
10% product
concentration in demineralized water at 20 C. When liquid, the laundry
detergent composition
may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian. In some examples, the liquid laundry
detergent
composition is non-Newtonian. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a non-
Newtonian liquid
has properties that differ from those of a Newtonian liquid, more
specifically, the viscosity of
non-Newtonian liquids is dependent on shear rate, while a Newtonian liquid has
a constant
viscosity independent of the applied shear rate. The decreased viscosity upon
shear application
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for non-Newtonian liquids is thought to further facilitate liquid detergent
dissolution. The liquid
laundry detergent composition described herein can have any suitable viscosity
depending on
factors such as formulated ingredients and purpose of the composition.
[63] In some examples, the consumer product comprises at least one water-
soluble unit dose
article and the container. The consumer product can be sold 'as is', in other
words the consumer
product is the item that the consumer picks up from the shelf. Alternatively,
the consumer
product could be housed as one unit of a multi-component product. For example,
more than one
consumer product could be housed within an outer package and the multiple
packaged consumer
products sold together in a single purchase. The consumer product may comprise
aesthetic
elements, for example shrink sleeves or labels attached to the container.
Alternatively, the
container may be coloured or printed with aesthetic elements or informative
print such as usage
instructions.
[64] In some examples a water-soluble unit dose article comprises at least one
water-soluble
film orientated to create at least one-unit dose internal compartment, wherein
the at least one-unit
dose internal compartment comprises a detergent composition. The water-soluble
film and the
detergent composition are described in more detail below. In some examples the
consumer
product comprises at least one water-soluble unit dose article, in some cases
at least two water-
soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 10 water-soluble unit dose
articles, in some cases
at least 20 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 30 water-
soluble unit dose
articles, in some cases at least 40 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some
cases at least 45 water-
soluble unit dose articles. A water-soluble unit dose article is in some
examples in the form of a
pouch. A water-soluble unit dose article comprises in some examples a unitary
dose of a
composition as a volume sufficient to provide a benefit in an end application.
The water-soluble
unit dose article comprises in some examples one water-soluble film shaped
such that the unit-
dose article comprises at least one internal compartment surrounded by the
water-soluble film.
The at least one compartment comprises a cleaning composition. The water-
soluble film is
sealed such that the cleaning composition does not leak out of the compartment
during storage.
However, upon addition of the water-soluble unit dose article to water, the
water-soluble film
dissolves and releases the contents of the internal compartment into the wash
liquor. The unit
dose article may comprise more than one compartment, at least two
compartments, or at least
three compartments, or at least four compartments, or even at least five
compartments. The
compartments may be arranged in superposed orientation, i.e. one positioned on
top of the other.
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Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side
orientation, i.e. one
orientated next to the other. The compartments may be orientated in a 'tyre
and rim'
arrangement, i.e. a first compartment is positioned next to a second
compartment, but the first
compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment, but does not
completely
enclose the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be
completely enclosed
within another compartment. In some examples the unit dose article comprises
at least two
compartments, one of the compartments being smaller than the other
compartment. In some
examples the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, two of
the compartments
may be smaller than the third compartment, and in some examples the two
smaller compartments
being superposed on the larger compartment. In some examples the unit dose
article comprises
at least four compartments, three of the compartments may be smaller than the
fourth
compartment, and in some examples the three smaller compartments being
superposed on the
larger compartment. The superposed compartments are in some examples
orientated side-by-side.
In some examples each individual unit dose article may have a weight of
between lOg and 40g,
or even between 15g and 35g. The water soluble film may be soluble or
dispersible in water.
Prior to be being formed into a unit dose article, the water-soluble film has
in some examples a
thickness of from 20 to 150 micron, in other examples 35 to 125 micron, in
further examples 50
to 110 micron, in yet further examples about 76 micron. Example water soluble
film materials
comprise polymeric materials. The film material can, for example, be obtained
by casting, blow-
moulding, extrusion or blown extrusion of the polymeric material. In some
examples, the water-
soluble film comprises polyvinyl alcohol polymer or copolymer, for example a
blend of
polyvinylalcohol polymers and/or polyvinylalcohol copolymers, for example
selected from
sulphonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers especially
carboxylated
anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers, for example a blend of a polyvinylalcohol
homopolymer
and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer. In some examples water
soluble films
are those supplied by Monosol under the trade references M8630, M8900, M8779,
M8310. In
some examples the film may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The film may
comprise a
printed area. The area of print may be achieved using techniques such as
flexographic printing or
inkjet printing. The film may comprise an aversive agent, for example a
bittering agent. Suitable
bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin, sucrose
octaacetate, quinine
hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate, or mixtures thereof. Example levels of
aversive agent
include, but are not limited to, 1 to 5000ppm, 100 to 2500ppm, or 250 to
2000ppm. The water-
soluble film or water-soluble unit dose article or both may be coated with a
lubricating agent. In
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some examples, the lubricating agent is selected from talc, zinc oxide,
silicas, siloxanes, zeolites,
silicic acid, alumina, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, calcium carbonate,
magnesium
carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate,
potassium
tripolyphosphate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch,
modified starches,
5 clay, kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrins or mixtures thereof.
[65] In some examples the container comprises a first part, wherein the first
part comprises a
first compartment in which the at least one water-soluble unit dose article is
contained. In some
examples the first compartment comprises at least two water-soluble unit dose
articles. The first
10 compartment may comprise between 1 and 80 water-soluble unit dose
articles, between 1 and 60
water-soluble unit dose articles, between 1 and 40 water-soluble unit dose
articles, or between 1
and 20 water-soluble unit dose articles. The volume of the first compartment
may be between
500m1 and 5000m1, in some examples between 800m1 and 4000m1.
15 [66] In some examples, the detergent product is in the form of unit dose
detergent pouches,
preferably in the form of flexible water soluble unit dose detergent pouches,
whereby the
aperture is configured to prevent a unit dose detergent pouch from passing
through the aperture.
It should be understood that with containers as illustrated in any of Figures
1A, 1B, 3, 4A, 4B or
4C, it is indeed possible that the container be for some reason stored upside
down, in which case
20 an accidental opening would result in filling the lid with detergent
pouches. In such a situation,
having the aperture configured to prevent a unit dose detergent pouch from
passing through the
aperture permits avoiding spilling detergent pouches accidentally through the
aperture. In some
examples, the pouches have a minimum cross section, such minimum cross section
being in some
cases surrounded by an external flange area, such minimum cross section
intersecting an internal
25 volume of the detergent article comprising the detergent, such minimum
cross section being of
less than the actuation area aperture. For example, if the actuation area
aperture is of 1cm2,
pouches having a minimum cross section of 1.5cm2 will not spill through the
aperture.
[67] In some examples, one or more flank of the flanks comprising
a respective actuation area
30 covers at least 30% of one or more respective sidewall of the sidewalls
when the lid is in the
closed position. In such examples, if the respective actuation area is an
aperture, such aperture
will to some degree permit evacuating air comprised in the lid while closing
the lid as the lid
slides onto the box. In some examples, the lid defines a lid internal volume
delimited by the top
of the lid and the flanks. In some examples the lid internal volume is
comprised between 200 and
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2000 cm3, preferably between 750 cm3 and 1500 cm3. In some examples, one or
more flank of
the flanks comprising a respective actuation area covers at least 40% of one
or more respective
sidewall of the sidewalls when the lid is in the closed position. In some
examples, one or more
flank of the flanks comprising a respective actuation area covers at least 50%
of one or more
respective sidewall of the sidewalls when the lid is in the closed position.
Providing a higher
flank coverage increases robustness and permits holding the content of the
container in the lid
case of an accidental upside down opening. Such configurations may be
advantageously
combined in some examples with an aperture configured to prevent a unit dose
detergent pouch
from passing through the aperture.
[68] In some examples, the specific centroid, and respectively additional
centroid, is separated
from the top of the lid by more than 1 cm and by less than 3 cm. Such
dimensioning was found
particularly effective at applying a high precision pinch.
[69] In some examples, the specific actuation area, and respectively
additional actuation area,
covers less than 6 cm2 and more than 1 cm2. Such dimensioning was also found
particularly
effective at applying a high precision pinch.
[70] In some examples, the flanks comprising two short flanks and two long
flanks, whereby
the specific actuation area, and the respectively additional actuation area if
present, is on a long
flank. This configuration permits increasing rigidity of the top of the lid in
the direction of the
pinch, while maintaining a desired container inner volume. The lid may indeed
comprise two
opposite long flanks parallel to each other and two opposite short flanks
parallel to each other,
the long flanks being perpendicular to the short flanks.
[71] Figure 7 represents an example method 700 to operate a locked consumer
product
according to any of the examples hereby described. The consumer product may be
any example
consumer product according to this disclosure. Method 700 comprises, in block
701, unlocking
the container by pinching the lid with a first adult hand between a thumb of
the first adult hand
and one or more other fingers of the first adult hand, the one or more other
fingers preferably
comprising one or more of the index finger or of the middle finger, whereby
the pinching takes
place across the top of the lid, whereby either the thumb or the one or more
other fingers apply
the actuation pressure on the specific actuation area, and respectively on the
additional actuation
area, when present, whereby the thumb and one or more other fingers enter in
contact
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simultaneously with the specific flank and with the flank opposite the
specific flank in an area
between the specific centroid, respectively additional centroid when the
additional actuation is
present, and the top of the lid. Method 700 further comprises, in block 702,
opening the container
by sliding the pinched lid away from the box in a direction normal to the top
of the lid while
holding the box with a second adult hand. It should be understood that in some
example, a single
specific actuation area, without an additional actuation area being present,
in which case pressure
may be applied directly on the opposite flank in lieu of being applied on an
additional actuation
area. In some other examples, both the specific actuation area and the
additional actuation area
are provided.
[72] Figure 8 illustrates an example method 800 comprising blocks 701 and 702
as described
in the context of Figure 7. Method 800 further comprises in block 803 closing
the container by
placing the lid on the box until the lid is in the locked position. In some
examples, an audible
click is produced when the lid gets locked, confirming that locking took
place.
[73] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as
being strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise
specified, each such
dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is
intended to mean "about
40 mm".
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