Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
ARRAY OF PACKAGES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of packages containing cleaning
products. In particular, it
relates to packages comprising re-usable packages and refill packages and/or
made of different
materials. The packages can be of different geometry and sizes. The packages
comprise a cleaning
product of the same type and a high level of recycled material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Packaging is necessary to protect, store, transport and display goods for
sale. Packaging can be
one of the main uses of virgin materials and it can be a constant source of
waste if not managed
properly. Consumers would like to have a choice of packaging to address their
environmental
concerns. Consumers would like to have reusable packaging options, get rid of
unnecessary
packaging and have packaging with a high percentage of recycled material and
recyclable to reduce
the use of virgin materials.
Plastic is a very useful material for getting cleaning products to consumers
safely and efficiently.
It has often the lowest carbon footprint option compared to other materials.
Additionally, plastic
packaging in many instances can be reusable thereby reducing any contribution
to landfill.
However, consumer desire additional alternative materials which are seen as
more environmentally
friendly.
Consumers also like to have choices when it comes to size and geometry of
packages. For some
consumers flexible packages work better than rigid packages, for other
consumers rigid packages
work better because they can be easily stacked. Consumers sometimes like to
buy small packages
from local supermarkets, some other times they prefer to buy bigger packages
from hypermarkets.
Consumers also like to have higher quality durable/re-usable containers that
they can refill. Refill
packages can sometimes be easier to recycle and can be made with material of
lower quality than
more permanent packages.
An object of the present invention is to provide cleaning products in
different packages that allows
the consumer to have a choice that best fit with his/her way of living.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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SUMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an array of packages. The packages contain the
same type of
cleaning products. Cleaning products include laundry detergents, fabric
enhancers, hard surface
cleaning products, dishwashing products, etc. The products can be in the form
of loose powder or
liquid or they can be in unit-dose form. Preferably, the products are in unit-
dose form, especially
water-soluble unit dose form. Two products are considered to be of "the same
type" when they are
in the same form and differ in their composition by less than 5%, preferably
less than 1% by weight
of the products. Two cleaning products of "the same type" or essentially "the
same type" can differ
in minor ingredients such as aesthetic elements such as perfume or colour.
The array may comprise a re-useable package and a refill package. The refill
package comprises
at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 80%, more
preferably at least 90% and
especially about 100%by weight of the package of recycled material.
Preferably, the re-usable
package comprises at least 40%, preferably at least 75%, preferably at least
80%, more preferably
at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of the package of recycled
material.
Arrays of the present disclosure may comprise a fibre-based package and a
plastic-based package.
The packages can be rigid packages, such as bottles, tubs, boxes, etc and
flexible packages, such
as bags. The fibre-based package comprises at least 60% by weight of the
package of recycled
material; and the plastic-based package comprises at least 40% by weight of
the package of
recycled material.
Arrays of the present disclosure may comprise two types of fibre-based
packages:
a) a first fibre-based package; and
b) a second fibre-based package; and
wherein the first and the second fibre-based packages differ by more than 5%
in size and/or
composition and wherein the packages comprise at least 60% by weight of the
packages of
recycled material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
All percentages, ratios and proportions used herein are by weight percent of
the composition, unless
otherwise specified. All average values are calculated "by weight" of the
composition, unless
otherwise expressly indicated. All ratios are calculated as a weight/weight
level, unless otherwise
specified.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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All measurements are performed at 25 C unless otherwise specified.
As used herein, the articles including "the," "a" and "an" when used in a
claim or in the
specification, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or
described.
As used herein, the terms "include," "includes" and "including" are meant to
be non-limiting.
As used herein, the term "array" means a display of containers comprising
cleaning compositions
which are the same or are similar. The containers within an "array" can have
the same brand and/or
sub-brand. An array is marketed as a line-up of products normally having like
packaging elements
(e.g., packaging material type, film, paper, dominant color, design theme,
etc.) that convey to
consumers that the different individual packages are part of a larger line-up.
Arrays often have the
same brand, for example, "Palmolive Ultra," and can also have the same sub-
brand. For example,
under the brand "Palmolive Ultra" for dishwashing liquid there are several
sub-brands, i.e. "Ultra
Strength." "Oxy." "Antibacterial," "Pure + Clear," and "Experientials." Within
each of these sub-
brands, there may be a variety of sizes.
Within an "array" are "intra-product arrays" which are a lineup of products
which are designed for
similar or the same functionality. Each of the products within the array(s)
disclosed herein are
manufactured by and/or on behalf of the same manufacturer. For example, an
"intra-product array"
may comprise containers of a first dishwashing liquid and containers of a
second dishwashing
liquid.
Additionally, the term "array" comprises "inter-product arrays" which are a
lineup of products
which are designed for disparate functionality. As an example, an "inter-
product array" may
comprise containers of a dishwashing liquid composition and containers of a
liquid laundry
detergent. Each of the packages of the containers of dishwashing liquid and
containers of liquid
laundry detergent are manufactured by and/or on behalf of the same
manufacturer. As another
example, "inter-product array" may comprise containers of a dishwashing
liquid, containers of
liquid laundry detergent, and/or containers of liquid fabric enhancer.
Both "inter-product arrays" and "intra-product arrays" may comprise the same
brand name and/or
the same sub-brand name. Or, both the "inter-product arrays" and the "intra-
product arrays" may
comprise different brand names.
The term "on-line array" means an "array" distributed by a common on-line
source. And, the
"array", much like the foregoing is manufactured by and/or on behalf of the
same manufacturer.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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The primary and secondary containers described herein may comprise an array of
containers
comprising liquid compositions. The array may be an intra-product array or an
inter-product array.
Additionally, the primary and secondary containers may be sold on-line and
comprise an on-line
array.
The array of packages of the invention can be displayed for sale in-store or
on-line. The array
comprises at least two types of different packages. For example, the array of
the present disclosure
may comprise at least two types of different packages, a fibre-based package
and a plastic-based
package, a first fibre-based package and a second fibre-based package, a re-
useable package and a
refill package. By a "re-usable" package is understood a package that can be
refilled and as such
is used more than once. Usually, the re-usable package is sold comprising a
cleaning product and
when the cleaning product is finished, the re-usable package is refilled with
more cleaning product.
By a "refill" package is herein understood a package that holds a cleaning
product and after the
package is sold to the consumer, the consumer decants its content in another
container, generally a
re-usable container. Re-usable packages are more durable than re-fill
packages. Re-useable
package comprises a durable material preferably selected from the group
consisting of glass, metal,
plastic, elastomer, cardboard, paper, paperboard, and a mixture thereof.
The packages can be rigid or flexible. The packages preferably have a high
level of recycled
material. The array of packages of the invention provides good choice of the
same product to the
consumers, such that they can choose the package most convenient for their
requirement. They
can also choose a combination of packages that fulfil a different role (for
example re-usable
package versus refill package).
By "rigid package" is herein understood a package whose shape changes by less
than 10%,
preferably less than 5% and more preferably less than 1% when squeezed by a
hand using a force
of 300N, a typical gripping force applied by an adult human hand.
Rigid packages include carton boxes, paperboard boxes and paper boxes, rigid
plastic bottles,
usually made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) and plastic
tubs, usually made of polypropylene (PP). The packages can be transparent,
surrounded by a
removable sleeve, that would facilitate recycling of the package. White
bottles, in particular HDPE
bottles can also be easily recycled. Flexible packages include bags and
pouches. By "flexible
package" is herein understood a package whose shape easily changes when
handling it. By "flexible
package" is herein understood a package whose shape changes by more than 10%,
preferably more
than 15% and more preferably more than 20% when squeezed by a hand using a
force of 300N, a
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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typical gripping force applied by an adult human hand. The flexible packages
herein are preferably
self-standing packages.
For the purpose of the present invention, the term "bag" when referring to
flexible packages,
encompasses the term "pouch". The flexible bags can be made of bamboo, paper,
etc.
Rigid packages can render themselves to be more easily reusable, sometimes,
the cleaning products
originally sold in flexible packages can be decanted and stored by consumers
in rigid packages.
For example, liquid or powder products are sold as refill on flexible
packages, such as bags and
then used to fill rigid packages, such as bottles, tubs or boxes. Another
example is cleaning
products in water-soluble unit-dose form sold as refill in flexible packages,
such as bags and then
used to fill rigid packages, such as plastic tubs, paperboard boxes or
cardboard boxes.
Sometimes, flexible packages are contained inside rigid packages, for example,
paper bags may be
contained inside cardboard boxes or paperboard boxes. A cardboard box
containing at least two
paper bags, seems to be well liked by consumers and helps with arrangements on
shelf. Cardboard
boxes are easily stackable. A very suitable disposition seems to be a
cardboard or paperboard box
containing two paper bags containing cleaning products in water-soluble unit-
dose form.
The array of packages of the present disclosure can allow for the use of less
paper by using lighter
designs. The array of packages can also allow the packages to be reused and
refilled and to host
concentrate products which using less packaging. The materials used to make
the packages of the
array of the invention may be designed to be recycled/reused and the packages
may use recycled
materials. This reduces the amount of virgin materials used.
The array of packages of the present invention can allow for the use of less
plastic and paper by
using lighter designs, especially for the refill packages. The array of
packages can also allow the
packages to be reused and refilled and to host concentrate products which use
less packaging. The
materials used to make the packages of the array of the invention are designed
to be recycled and
the packages use recycled materials. This reduces the amount of virgin
materials used.
Preferably, the packages of the array of the invention may be free of black
pigments because
materials containing black pigments are difficult for sorting systems to
detect and therefore difficult
to recycle.
A preferred array according to the present disclosure comprises:
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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c) a fibre-based package comprising at least 70% preferably at least 75%, more
preferably at
least 80%, more preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of
the
package of recycled material; and
d) a plastic-based package comprising at least 45%, preferably at least 50%,
more preferably
at least 60% and especially about 100% by weight of the package of recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
a) a fibre-based package comprising at least 90% by weight of the package of
recycled
material; and
b) a plastic-based package comprising at least 60% by weight of the package of
recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the present disclosure comprises:
a) a fibre-based package comprising about 100% by weight of the package of
recycled
material; and
b) a plastic-based package comprising at least 60% by weight of the package of
recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the present disclosure comprises:
a) a fibre-based package comprising about 100% by weight of the package of
recycled
material; and
b) a plastic-based package comprising about 100% by weight of the package of
recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises packages comprising 70%
or more by
weight of the packages of recycled material, preferably at least 75%, more
preferably at least 80%,
more preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of the
packages of recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises
e) a first fibre-based package comprising at least 70% preferably at least
75%, more preferably
at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight
of the
package of recycled material; and
0 a second fibre-based package comprising at least 75%, preferably at least
80%, more
preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of the package of
recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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c) a first fibre-based package comprising at least 90% by weight of the
package of recycled
material; and
d) a second fibre-based package comprising at least 80% by weight of the
package of recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
c) a first fibre-based package comprising about 100% by weight of the package
of recycled
material; and
d) a second fibre-based package comprising at least 90% by weight of the
package of recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
c) a fibre-based package comprising about 100% by weight of the package of
recycled
material; and
d) a second fibre-based package comprising about 100% by weight of the package
of recycled
material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
g) a re-useable package; and
h) a refill package comprising at least 70% preferably at least 75%, more
preferably at least
80%, more preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of the
package of
recycled material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
a) a re-useable package comprising at least 70% preferably at least 75%, more
preferably at
least 80%, more preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of
the
package of recycled material; and
b) a refill package comprising at least 70% preferably at least 75%, more
preferably at least
80%, more preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of the
package of
recycled material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
a) a re-useable package comprising at least at least 80%, more preferably at
least 90% and
especially about 100% by weight of the package of recycled material; and
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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b) a refill package comprising at least 85%, more preferably at least 90% and
especially about
100% by weight of the package of recycled material.
A preferred array according to the invention comprises:
a) a re-useable package comprising about 100% by weight of the package
of recycled material;
and
b) a refill package comprising about 100% by weight of the package of recycled
material.
In an array according to the invention the re-usable, fibre-based, e.g. first
fibre-based, package
comprises a rigid package and the refill, second fibre or plastic-based
package comprises a flexible
package. Preferably, the flexible package is used as a refill for the rigid
package. Preferably, the
rigid package comprises a cardboard or plastic box, a paperboard box or a
plastic tub, and the
flexible package comprises a paper bag or a plastic bag. Alternatively, the
first fibre-based package
can be a cardboard box and the second fibre-based package can be a paperboard
box.
In an array according to the invention the re-usable and the refill packages
comprise a fibre-based
material. Fibre-based materials can be easier to recycle than other materials.
Preferably the re-
usable package comprises a cardboard box and/or paperboard box, and the refill
package comprises
a paper bag. Preferably, the re-usable package comprises a cardboard box and
the refill package
comprises a paper bag. Cardboard boxes seem to be robust, durable and easy to
store. Paper bags
seem to be light weight, easy to transport and easy to recycle. An array
comprising re-usable
cardboard boxes and refill paperboard boxes seems to be advantageous from a
stackability
viewpoint.
In some arrays, the re-useable package is at least 10% greater than the volume
of the refill package.
In other arrays, the volume of the refill package is at least 10% greater than
the volume of the re-
usable package. In some arrays, the first fibre-based package comprises
packages of different sizes.
In some arrays, the refill, the second fibre-based and/or the plastic-based
package comprises
packages of different sizes. In some arrays, the re-usable and refill, the
fibre-based and the plastic-
based packages comprise packages of different sizes so the consumer can choose
what better fits
their needs.
In a preferred array, the fibre-based package comprises a cardboard box and/or
a paperboard box
and the plastic-based package comprises at least two plastic bags. The at
least two plastic bags are
housed in the cardboard and/or the paperboard box.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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In a preferred array the fibre-based package comprises a fibre-based bag, for
example a paper or a
bamboo bag, comprising at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably
at least 90% and
especially about 100% by weight of the fibre-based bag of recycled material.
In a preferred array, the first fibre-based package comprises a cardboard box
and/or a paperboard
box and the second fibre-based package comprises at least two paper bags. The
at least two paper
bags are housed in the cardboard box and/or the paperboard box.
In a preferred array the refill package comprises a fibre-based bag, for
example a paper or a bamboo
bag, comprising at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at
least 90% and especially
about 100% by weight of the fibre-based bag of recycled material.
In some arrays comprising boxes, the length of the box is greater (for example
at least 10%) than
the height, preferably the length of the box is at least 50% greater than the
height of the box.
In some arrays comprising boxes, the height of the box is greater (for example
at least 10%) than
the length of the box, preferably the height of the box is at least 50%
greater than the length of the
box.
The difference in geometry allows for more flexibility when stacking the boxes
either in-store or
at home.
Rigid packages
Rigid packages include bottles that can be used for laundry liquids, fabric
enhancers, shampoos,
body washes, etc. Bottles can be refilled and reused. Refill packs can be used
by diluting the
composition in water, thereby reducing the packaging even further. Preferably,
the bottles are light
weight and use at least 40% by weight of the bottle of recycled plastic. Some
of the bottles can be
made of about 100% recycled plastic. Preferably the bottles are made of mono-
material. Some
bottles can be made from a combination of plastic and paper.
Rigid packages include boxes. The boxes can be refilled and reused. Some of
the boxes and tubs
can be made of about 100% recycled paper. Preferably the boxes are made of
mono-material.
Some boxes can be made from a combination of different materials.
The boxes can be refilled and reused. Some of the boxes and tubs can be made
of about 100%
recycled paper. Preferably the boxes are made of mono-material. Some boxes can
be made from
a combination of different materials.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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Rigid packages also include boxes and tubs that can be made of plastic. The
boxes and tubs can
be refilled and reused. Preferably, the boxes and tubs use at least 40% by
weight of the box or tub
of recycled plastic. Some of the boxes and tubs can be made of about 100%
recycled plastic.
Preferably the boxes and tubs are made of mono-material. Some boxes and tubs
can be made from
a combination of plastic and paper.
Fibre-based packages
The fibre-based package preferably comprises at least 60% by weight of the
package of recycled
material, preferably at least 70%, preferably at least 75%, more preferably at
least 80%, more
preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of the package of
recycled material.
Fibre-based boxes in particular cardboard boxes and paperboard boxes are
especially suitable for
use as reusable packages in the array of the invention in combination with
paper bags.
A fibre-based box can comprise a container body, wherein the container body
comprises a first
compartment in which the at least one water-soluble unit dose article is
contained. Preferably the
first compaament comprises at least two water-soluble unit dose articles. The
first compaament
may comprise between 1 and 80 water-soluble unit dose articles, or even
between 1 and 60 water-
soluble unit dose articles, or even between 1 and 40 water-soluble unit dose
articles, or even
between 1 and 20 water-soluble unit dose articles. The volume of the first
compartment may be
between 500m1 and 5000m1, preferably between 800m1 and 4000m1.
The first compartment is accessible through a first opening. Those skilled in
the art will be aware
of a suitable size for the first opening. Without wishing to be bound by
theory, the first opening
should be of sufficient size to retrieve at least a single water-soluble unit
dose article at a time.
Alternatively, the first opening may be shaped to allow the unit dose articles
to be poured out from
the container. Therefore, it should be dimensioned to be big enough for at
least a single unit dose
article to fit through the first opening. Preferably, the first opening should
be big enough for a user
to fit their hand through to retrieve at least one water-soluble unit dose
article.
The fibre-based box can comprise a container cover to cover the first compai
intent of the container
body. Preferably the container cover is a lid or a hood. The container cover
is positioned so that it
prevents access through the first opening when the container is not in use,
but is moveable to allow
access to the first opening when the container is in use. The container body
and the container cover
are able to move relative to one another to allow the container cover to block
entry to the first
opening when not in use, but then allow access to the first opening when in
use. Without wishing
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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to be bound by theory, the user controls the movement of the container body
and container cover
relative to one another to achieve this.
The movement of the container body and the container cover relative to one
another can be
achieved via any suitable means. Those skilled in the art will be aware of
suitable means. The
container cover may act as a lid or a hood to the container body. The lid may
be hinged to the
container body. Preferably, the container cover acts as a hood to the
container body and can be
completely separated from the container body. Preferably, the container cover
comprises a top wall
and at least one side wall, and the container body comprises a base wall and
the first opening,
wherein the first opening is opposite to the base wall and the base wall and
the first opening are
connected by at least one side wall. In the closed position the at least one
side wall of the container
cover overlaps at least partially over the one side wall of the container
body. In other words, the
container cover acts as a hood positioning over the container body and so
blocking access to the
first opening.
The fibre-based box preferably further comprises a locking means. The locking
means comprises
a first locking component on the container body and a second locking component
on the container
cover. The first locking component engages the second locking component to
prevent sufficient
movement of the container cover relative to the container body to allow access
to the first opening,
until the first locking component and second locking component are disengaged
from one another
by a user. Those skilled in the art will be aware of suitable locking means to
achieve this. A
preferred locking means is where the first locking component comprises a tab
and the second
locking component comprises an abutment against which the tab abuts when in
the closed position.
The abutment may simply comprise a surface against which the tab abuts.
Alternatively, the
abutment comprises a slot or pocket capable of receiving the tab when in the
locked position.
Preferably, the first locking component is a tab that protrudes from the
exterior surface of the
container body and the container cover comprises an abutment against which the
first locking tab
is able to releasably engage.
The fibre-based box may comprise more than one locking means. The box may
comprise two
locking means. The locking means may be orientated to be opposite one another
on the box, such
that the consumer can hold the box and using a thumb and a finger to open both
locking means
simultaneously. Preferably, wherein the locking means are opposite to one
another the box is of
an appropriate dimension to allow the user, especially an adult user, to grip
the box with one hand
and simultaneously open both locking means using the thumb and a finger of the
other hand. When
the box comprises at least two locking means, preferably the two locking means
are spaced apart
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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by a distance of between 70mm and 150mm, more preferably between 80mm and
120mm. Without
wishing to be bound by theory such distance allows for the adult human
handspan to ergonomically
fit around the box to allow simultaneous disengagement of the two-locking
means.
Preferably both locking means comprise a first locking component on the
container body and a
second locking component on the container cover. Preferably the first locking
means and second
locking means both comprise tabs on the container body and abutments on the
container cover.
The container body comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface,
wherein the interior
surface faces the internal compai ______________________________________
anent. At least part of the interior surface of the container body
can be constructed from paper-based material and the paper-based material can
comprise a barrier
layer on the interior surface so that the water-soluble film of the at least
one unit-dose article
directly contacts the barrier layer of the internal surface.
By fibre-based package, we herein mean a package comprising at least 80%,
preferably at least
90% and especially at least 95% by weight of the package of fibres. Preferably
the fibres are plant-
based fibres, more preferably cellulosic based fibres. By 'paper' we herein
mean a material made
from a cellulose-based pulp. Preferably, the fibre-based material comprises
paper, paperboard,
(corrugated) cardboard, or a mixture thereof. The interior surface of the
container body can be
constructed from a fibre-based material having a barrier layer on the interior
surface. More
preferably, the whole of the container body is constructed from a paper-based
material optionally
having a barrier layer on the interior surface.
The container cover comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface. At
least part of the
interior surface and at least part of the exterior surface of the container
cover can be constructed
from a paper-based material having a barrier layer on the interior surface,
preferably the entire
interior surface of the container cover is constructed from a paper-based
material having a barrier
layer on the interior surface, even more preferably, the entire container
cover is constructed from a
paper-based material having a barrier layer on the interior surface.
The fibre-based material may be a laminate comprising paper, cardboard,
paperboard, or a mixture
thereof and optionally a second material. Wherein the fibre-based material is
a laminate, then the
internal surface of the container body and preferably the internal surface of
the container cover
comprises paper, (corrugated) cardboard, paperboard, or a mixture thereof, and
preferably the
external surface of the container body, external surface of the container
cover, or a mixture thereof,
comprises the second material. Alternatively, the second material might also
be laminated in-
between two paper-based material layers.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
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Without wishing to be bound by theory, fibre-board including (corrugated)
cardboard and
paperboard comprises fibres running in the fibre direction, wherein the fibre
direction should be
understood to be the direction along the longest dimension of the fibres.
Preferably, the tab
comprises a fold which runs perpendicular to the fibre direction. Such folding
of the tab results in
the tab being capable of returning to its original position, in other words
having a memory property
to allow it to spring back. This is preferred so that it can re-engage
efficiently with the second
locking component on subsequent use.
Those skilled in the art will be aware of suitable materials for use as a
coating or barrier. The fibre-
based packaging may comprise a barrier material for improved performance such
as providing
humidity control and are usually applied on the paper-based surface on one or
both sides, depending
on the end use.
The coating or barrier material may comprise a plastic material. Preferably,
the plastic material, if
present, comprises polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene,
polyvinylalcohol or a
mixture thereof. The coating or barrier material may be a biaxially orientated
polypropylene, a
metallised polyethylene terephthalate, or a mixture thereof. Alternatively,
the coating or barrier
material may be a wax, a cellulose material, polyvinylalcohol, or a mixture
thereof. Preferably, the
paper-based laminate comprises greater than 50%, preferably greater than 85%,
and more
preferably greater than 95% by weight of the laminate of fibre-based
materials. Preferably, the
plastic material if present has a thickness of between 10 micrometers and 40
micrometers, more
preferably between 10 micrometers and 35 micrometers. Preferably the paper-
based laminate
comprises less than 5% by weight of the laminate of plastic material. Most
preferably the paper-
based material is free of such a plastic material.
A widespread of alternative barrier application types exist, including
dispersion barrier in which
the surface is finished with a water-based dispersion technology turning the
board liquid and grease
resistant during its use while it breaks down in a paper recycling process
hence still enabling a high
yield of recovered paper fibers when products are recycled, green PE
(polyethylene) made of
renewable, plant-based raw material, PE Coating hence polyolefin barriers
including LDPE and
HDPE polymers, biodegradable coating including tailor-made polymers including
biopolymers
which can be produced from natural crops or from fossil raw materials, PET
coating, PP coating,
or a mixture thereof. However, it is preferred that the barrier material
comprises less than 5% wt.
more preferably less than 1% and preferably substantially zero PE, PP or PET.
In a preferred embodiment the barrier comprises a water-based dispersion.
Water-based dispersion
barrier coatings protect the packaging from external and internal influences,
including humidity
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
14
impacts. Preferably, the interior surface of the first part of the container
comprising the water-
soluble unit dose articles comprises such a water-based dispersion barrier.
Preferably also the
exterior surface of the lid or hood part comprises such a water-based
dispersion barrier. Preferably,
the lid or hood component comprises less than 1% wt. of the barrier material,
more preferably
wherein the barrier material is a water-based dispersion barrier. More
preferably, the dispersion
barrier component comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Said TPE is
preferably dispersed in
the barrier component. Contrary to some alternative barrier components, TPE
dispersion barriers
have the advantage they can be applied as one layer, rather than requiring a
multi-layer application
process. Examples of such multi-layer alternative barrier components include
those commercially
available from Weilburger under the Senolith0 brand. Examples are also
described in WO
2018/069413. Such water-based dispersion barrier materials may be applied as a
wet layer
primarily. The dispersion is preferably an aqueous dispersion, in particular a
PTFE dispersion,
perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) polymer dispersion, and/or fluorinated ethylene-
propylene (FEP),
copolymer of hexafluoropropylene, these polymers typically being present in a
range of from 40%
to 60% of the water-based dispersion. The water-based dispersion can further
comprise a resin,
typically in a range of from 3% to 8% of the water-based dispersion, in order
to improve adhesion
to a substrate. Exemplary suitable resins include polyamideimide,
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS),
polyether sulfone (PES), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), silicone resin and/or
polysulfone.
The fibre-based package can comprise at least one bleached outerlayer of the
paper-based material.
The outerlayer may be on the interior or the exterior side of the paper-based
package or on both
sides of the paper-based package. Preferably the paper-based package comprises
a bleached and
un-bleached layer on opposing sides. Preferably, the lid or hood comprises a
bleached layer on the
exterior side and an unbleached layer on the interior side. Preferably, this
outermost layer further
comprises printed parts. Preferably, the bleached layer also comprises a
barrier material as
described above. Bleaching has been found to facilitate printing, coating or
barrier layer
application. More preferably, the interior surface comprises an unbleached
layer and most
preferably is not treated with a barrier material. Preferably, the first part
of the container comprising
the water-soluble unit-dose articles comprises a bleached layer on the
interior side, hence
physically in contact with the water-soluble unit dose articles, and an
unbleached layer on the
exterior side. Preferably, this bleached layer also comprises a barrier
material as described above.
The lid or hood having a non-bleached interior surface and the first part of
the container comprising
the water-soluble unit dose articles having a non-bleached outer surface means
that the two
unbleached surfaces are in contact with one another when the consumer product
is in closed
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
15
position. This configuration has been found to facilitate sliding upon opening
between the two,
particularly under humid conditions.
Preferably, the packaging is folded into shape and maintained in shape with
the help of adhesives,
such as hot melt adhesives, reactive hot melt adhesives, thermosetting
adhesives, pressure sensitive
adhesives, contact glue adhesives, preferably, a hot melt pressure sensitive
adhesive.
Preferably, the barrier material and adhesive comprise from 0.1 to 5% wt. of
the total package
including adhesive and barrier material. More preferably, the barrier material
and adhesive
comprise from 1 to 3% wt. and most preferably from 1.5 to 2.5% wt. of the
total package including
adhesive and barrier material.
Preferably, the container cover is a removable hood or lid, wherein the
container cover in a closed
position blocks access to the first opening and when in a closed position the
first locking component
is engaged with the second locking component, and when in an open position the
first locking
component and second locking component are disengaged and the container cover
is removable to
allow access to the first opening. The container cover may be attached to the
container body via a
hinge or the container cover may be completely removed from the container
body. Preferably, the
container cover is completely removable from the container body.
Optionally, the container further comprises an absorbent pad, preferably
placed at the bottom of
the package, in order to absorb any leaked liquid from the water-soluble unit
dose pouches. The
absorbent pad may also help to absorb humidity which has entered the
container.
Paper bags are also suitable for use in the array of the invention, especially
as refill packages. Paper
bags, made of paper-based material, preferably comprise at least 95% by weight
of the paper bag
of paper-based material and less than 5% by weight of the bag of other
materials, such as for
example plastic. Alternatively, paper bags comprise at least 97% by weight of
the bag of paper-
based material and less than 3% by weight of the bag of other materials, such
as for example plastic.
Paper-based material is understood to mean a material which essentially
consists of fibres of
vegetable origin. Most preferred fibres are cellulosic fibres. Paper,
cardboard or paperboard are
possible examples of the paper-based material. An important raw material for
the paper-based
material is wood. Recycled paper can be used as the secondary raw material.
Because of the high proportion by weight of the paper-based material and the
low proportion by
weight of other materials, such as plastic, the paper bags can be fed to
conventional paper recycling.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
16
The paper bags are preferably made exclusively of paper-based material. In one
exemplary
embodiment, the paper bag has a proportion by weight of plastic which, based
on the weight of the
container, is less than one percent. The paper bag can have a child-resistant
closure. The child
resistant closure can be made entirely of plastic. The child-resistant closure
can consist of a
plurality of parts which are made of different plastics. Alternatively and
preferably the child-
resistant closure can consist of paper-based material.
The paper bags are environmentally friendly because of their suitability for
ordinary paper
recycling and therefore achieves a high consumer acceptance. They are also
very light to carry.
Plastic-based package
Plastic-based packages can be rigid or flexible. They include bags, such as
packages containing
laundry liquids, fabric enhancers, shampoos, body washes, etc. Flexible
packages are well suited
to accommodate unit-dose cleaning products, such as laundry and/or automatic
dishwashing water-
soluble unit-dose pouches and tablets. Some of the flexible packages are made
of a multi-layer of
different materials. Preferably the number of different layers is kept to a
minimum. Preferably,
the flexible packages, such as bags are made of a mono-layer made of a single
material to make
recyclability easier.
Plastic raw materials include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene
(PP) and
polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Some plastics can comprise biobased plastic, for example at least 10% by
weight of biobased
plastic content.
Polyethylene materials are widely used, due to their versatility and
appropriate material properties
that allow them to be used in a wide variety of applications. In particular,
polyethylene materials,
preferably low-density polyethylene materials are well suited to be used in
plastic bags. The use
of polyethylene materials greatly contributes to the stability of the cleaning
products contained in
bags made essentially of polyethylene.
In the field of packaging materials, presently an important driver is emerging
relating to reduction
of environmental footprint of the materials. Industry is engaged in great
efforts to mitigate this.
Particular methods by means of which this is sought to be achieved is by
reduction of the energy
consumption that is associated with packaging, by reduction of the quantity of
material that is used
in packaging, and by increasing the recyclability of the materials into
products of preferably equal
value as had those used in the packaging application that is gathered for
recycling.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
17
To facilitate recyclability, a particular method that is gaining traction is
to strive for use of plastic
materials in a package that belong to a single family of thermoplastics. In
conventional packages,
different types of plastics are commonly employed in conjunction, as a result
of product
optimisation driven by the packaging quality requirements. For example,
thermoplastic films that
are commonly used in packaging solutions may well comprise multiple co-
extruded layers, or
laminated layers, wherein such layers can comprise polymeric materials of very
different chemical
structure. For example, a multi-layer laminate may comprise polyethylene
material in one layer,
and a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate in another layer. Now, by
this practise, it is
possible to produce certain films having the particularly desirable material
properties. However,
such films comprising multiple different materials tend to pose difficulty
when it comes to
recycling of the films. When subjected to mechanical recycling, such
processing is commonly done
via melt processing, forming a melt compounded mixture of the constituent
plastic materials as
present in the blend of materials offered for recycling. When such melt
compounded mixture
contains plastics of very different chemical nature, this can lead to poor
mechanical properties of
the product produced using the recycled material. The more uniform the
composition of the blend
of recycled thermoplastic materials, the more suitable that material is for
further use in high-value
high-quality products, thereby reducing the so-called down-cycling of
materials, which leads to
ever lower value use of recycled materials.
It is desirable to provide packages comprising thermoplastic materials of such
nature that the
thermoplastic materials used in such packages belong to the same family of
thermoplastics, i.e. the
materials allow for mechanical recycling via melt processing of the
thermoplastics with minimised
down-cycling, allowing for manufacture of products of similar value and
quality as the original
object. Such objects are commonly referred to as mono-material objects or
articles.
A suitable material for making the plastic bags of the array of the invention
include laminated
polyethylene mono-material film, as described in W02022/128408 Al. The
laminated
polyethylene film comprises:
(a) a first film; and
(b) a second film; wherein the first and the second film are adhering to one
another to form a
laminate; wherein
= the first film can be a bi-directionally oriented film; and
= the second film can be a blown film; wherein the first film comprises or
consists of polyethylene,
and the second film comprises or consists of polyethylene; wherein the second
film comprises one
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
18
or more film layers, and comprises a sealing layer so that the sealing layer
forms a surface layer of
the laminated film; wherein the sealing layer comprises a polyethylene
copolymer (I), the
polyethylene copolymer can comprise moieties derived from 1-hexene or 1-
octene, preferably from
1-octene, having:
= a density of> 855 kg/m3 and < 910 kg/m3, as determined in accordance with
ASTM D792 (2008);
= a melt mass-flow rate of > 0.2 and < 5.0 g/10 min, as determined in
accordance with ASTM
D1238 (2013) at a temperature of 190 C under a load of 2.16 kg.
Such laminated film, constituting a mono-material, mechanically recyclable
packaging film
solution, demonstrates a desirably low sealing temperature whilst ensuring
good seal strength. This
enables reduced sealing energy consumption and reduced exposing of package
contents to high
temperatures, leading to increase of shelf life of the packed cleaning
product. Moreover, the
mechanical properties of the laminate are of desirably high level.
The plastic bags can have a child-resistant closure. The child resistant
closure can be made entirely
of plastic. The child-resistant closure can consist of a plurality of parts
which are made of different
plastics.
Cleaning product
The array of packages of the invention is well suited for water-soluble unit
dose articles such as
tablets and pouches. Water-soluble unit dose articles are liked by consumers
due to their
convenience and ease of use. Water-soluble unit dose pouches comprise a water-
soluble film
shaped to form at least one internal compartment which houses a single use
dose of a detergent.
Upon addition of the water-soluble unit dose pouch to water, the water-soluble
film dissolves
and/or disintegrates releasing the detergent into the surrounding water to
produce a wash liquor.
Such water-soluble unit dose articles have historically been stored and
transported in rigid or
flexible plastic or fibre-based containers. Consumers purchase containers
comprising a plurality
of water-soluble unit dose articles. The containers are shipped from the place
of manufacture to
supermarkets and once purchased are stored in consumers' homes.
Water-soluble unit dose article
The at least one water-soluble unit dose article include tablets and pouches.
A pouch 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 compai _____________________
intent comprises a detergent composition. The
water-soluble film and the detergent composition are described in more detail
below.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
19
The packages of the array of the invention comprise at least one water-soluble
unit dose article,
preferably at least two water-soluble unit dose articles, more preferably
between 10 and 40 water-
soluble pouches.
A water-soluble unit dose article is generally in the form of a pouch. It
comprises 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 at least 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 compaitment 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, even at least
two compartments,
or even at least three compaihnents, or even at least four compaihnents, or
even at least five
compartments. The compaihnents may be arranged in superposed orientation, i.e.
one positioned
on top of the other. Alternatively, the compaihnents may be positioned in a
side-by-side
orientation, i.e. one orientated next to the other. The compai _________
hnents may even be orientated in a
'tyre and rim' arrangement, i.e. a first compartment is positioned next to a
second compaitment,
but the first compai ___________________________________________________
intent at least partially surrounds the second compartment, but does not
completely enclose the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may
be completely
enclosed within another compai anent.
Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least two compai ____________
intents, one of the compai intents may
be smaller than the other compartment. Wherein the unit dose article comprises
at least three
compartments, two of the compai ________________________________________
intents may be smaller than the third compai anent, and preferably
the smaller compaihnents are superposed on the larger compai ___________
anent. The superposed
compartments preferably are orientated side-by-side.
Each individual unit dose article may have a weight of between lOg and 40g, or
even between 15g
and 35g.
Water-soluble film
The film of the present invention is soluble or dispersible in water. Prior to
being formed into a
unit dose article, the water-soluble film preferably has a thickness of from
20 to 150 micrometers,
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
20
preferably 35 to 125 micrometers, even more preferably 50 to 110 micrometers,
most preferably
about 76 micrometers.
Preferred film materials are preferably polymeric materials. The film material
can, for example, be
obtained by casting, blow-moulding, extrusion or blown extrusion of the
polymeric material, as
known in the art.
Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises a polyvinylalcohol polymer
comprising a
polyvinylalcohol homopolymer or a polyvinylalcohol copolymer, preferably a
blend of
polyvinylalcohol homopolymers and/or polyvinylalcohol copolymers, preferably
wherein the
polyvinylalcohol copolymers are selected from sulphonated and carboxylated
anionic
polyvinylalcohol copolymers especially carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol
copolymers, most
preferably the water-soluble film comprises a polyvinylacohol comprising a
blend of a
polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol
copolymer or a blend
of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers. In another preferred embodiment the water-
soluble film
comprises a polyvinylalcohol polymer consisting of a carboxylated anionic
polyvinylalcohol
copolymer.
Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises a polymer wherein the polymer
comprises a
homopolymer, copolymer, or mixture thereof selected from polyvinyl alcohols,
polyvinyl
pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose,
cellulose ethers, cellulose
esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts,
polyaminoacids or
peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids,
polysaccharides
including starch and gelatine, xanthum, carragum or a mixture thereof,
preferably,
polyvinylalcohol homopolymers and/or anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers
preferably selected
from sulphonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers
especially carboxylated
anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers.
Preferred films are those supplied by Monosol under the trade references
M8630, M8900, M8779,
M8310.
The film may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The film may comprise a
printed area. The
printed area may be on the inside or on the outside or on both the inside and
on the outside of the
water-soluble film. In some embodiments the film may comprise a phthalocyanine
based pigment.
Such a pigment is used to print on to the film. A preferred pigment includes
SpectraRAY0 F
UVDB354 commercially available from Sun Chemical and is a phthalocyanine based
pigment. It
is referred to as CAS 147-14-8.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
21
The area of print may be achieved using standard 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. Any suitable level of aversive agent may be
used in the film.
Suitable levels include, but are not limited to, 1 to 5000ppm, or even 100 to
2500ppm, or even 250
to 2000ppm.
The water-soluble film or water-soluble unit dose article or both may be
coated with a lubricating
agent. Preferably, 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, clay, kaolin,
gypsum, cyclodextrins or mixtures thereof.
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 the detergent composition
may comprise
solid particulates or may be a single homogenous solid. Preferably, the powder
detergent
composition comprises particles. This means 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, preferably free-flowing.
Preferably, the detergent composition is a laundry detergent composition, most
preferably a liquid
laundry detergent composition.
The laundry detergent composition can be used in a fabric hand wash operation
or may be used in
an automatic machine fabric wash operation, preferably an automatic machine
fabric wash
operation.
The laundry detergent composition comprises a non-soap surfactant, wherein the
non-soap
surfactant comprises an anionic non-soap surfactant and a non-ionic
surfactant. Preferably, the
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
22
laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 60%, more preferably
between 20%
and 55% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of the non-soap
surfactant.
The weight ratio of non-soap anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant can be
from 1:5 to 20:1,
preferably from 1:3 to 15:1, more preferably from 1:2 to 10:1, most preferably
from 1:1.5 to 5:1.
The non-soap anionic surfactant comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate,
alkyl sulphate anionic
surfactant, or a mixture thereof. The weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene
sulphonate to alkyl
sulphate is from 1:2 to 9:1, preferably from 1:1 to 7:1, more preferably from
1.25:1 to 5:1, most
preferably from 1.4:1 to 3:1. Alternatively the non-soap anionic surfactant is
free of alkyl sulphate
anionic surfactant, preferably consists of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate
anionic surfactant.
Exemplary linear alkylbenzene sulphonates are C10-C16 alkyl benzene sulfonic
acids, or C11-C14
alkyl benzene sulfonic acids. By 'linear', we herein mean the alkyl group is
linear. Alkyl benzene
sulfonates are well known in the art.
The alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise alkoxylated alkyl sulphate
or non-alkoxylated
alkyl sulphate or a mixture thereof. The alkoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic
surfactant preferably is
an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant.
The alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may comprise an ethoxylated alkyl
sulphate anionic
surfactant, preferably with a mol average degree of ethoxylation from 1 to 5,
more preferably from
1 to 3, most preferably from 2 to 3.
The 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, more preferably from 1 to 3, most
preferably from 2 to 3.
The alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may be free of alkoxylated alkyl
sulphate anionic surfactant.
The alkyl fraction of the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant can preferably be
derived from fatty
alcohols, oxo-synthesized alcohols, guerbet alcohols, ziegler alcohols, or
mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 50%,
more preferably
between 15% and 45%, most preferably between 20% and 40%, by weight of the
laundry detergent
composition of the non-soap anionic surfactant.
Preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is selected from a fatty alcohol
alkoxylate, an oxo-synthesised
alcohol alkoxylate, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, Ziegler alcohol alkoxylates,
alkyl phenol alcohol
alkoxylates, or a mixture thereof. Preferably the alkoxylate consists of
ethoxylate, wherein the mol
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
23
average degree of ethoxylation of the alkoxylated nonionic surfactant is from
1 to 15, more
preferably from 5 to 12, most preferably from 7 to 9.
The laundry detergent composition comprises between 1% and 40%, preferably
between 3% and
30%, most preferably between 5% and 25% by weight of the liquid laundry
detergent composition
of a non-ionic surfactant.
Preferably, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 1.5% and 20%,
more preferably
between 2% and 15%, most preferably between 4% and 10% by weight of the
laundry detergent
composition of soap, preferably a fatty acid salt, more preferably an amine
neutralized fatty acid
salt, wherein preferably the amine is an alkanolamine more preferably selected
from
monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or a mixture thereof, more
preferably
monoethanolamine.
Preferably, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent
composition, more
preferably the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises less than 15%,
more preferably less
than 12% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of water.
Preferably, 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. Preferably, the
liquid laundry
detergent composition comprises between 10% and 40%, preferably between 15%
and 30% by
weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of the non-aqueous solvent.
Preferably the laundry detergent composition comprises a perfume.
Preferably the laundry detergent composition comprises a perfume capsule.
Preferably the laundry detergent composition comprises an antioxidant, wherein
the anti-oxidant
preferably is a sulphur based antioxidant. The sulfur-based anti-oxidant is
preferably selected from
sulfites and derivatives of sulfite. More particularly it is selected from the
group consisting of alkali
or alkali earth metal pyrosulfites, sulfites, bisulfite, metasulfite,
monoalkyl sulfite, dialkyl sulfite,
dialkylene sulfite, or mixtures thereof. Preferably said sulfur-based
antioxidant is selected from
alkali or alkali earth metal sulfite, bisulfite or mixtures thereof. Most
preferably the sulfur-based
scavenger is potassium sulfite. The sulfur-based antioxidant is preferably
present at a total level,
based on total liquid composition weight, of from about 0.001% to about 2.0%,
more preferably
from about 0.01% to about 0.5%.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
24
Preferably the laundry detergent composition comprises a polymer system,
wherein the polymer
system preferably comprises nonionic or anionic polyester terephthalate soil
release polymer,
ethoxylated polyethyleneimine polymers, or mixtures thereof. Most preferably
the polymer system
comprises a mixture of an ethoxylated polyethyleneimine and a polyester
terephthalate soil release
polymer. The polymer system may comprise further soil release polymers such as
those selected
from amphiphilic graft copolymers, carboxymethyl cellulose, modified
carboxymethylcellulose,
hydroxyethylcellulose, modified hydroxyethylcellulose, or a mixture thereof.
The detergent
composition may also comprise a zwitterionic polyamine.
Preferably, the laundry detergent composition comprises an adjunct ingredient
selected from the
group comprising builders including citrate, enzymes including proteases,
amylases, cellulases,
mannanases and lipases, bleach, bleach catalyst, dye, hueing dye, brightener,
dye transfer
inhibitors, chelant, polycarboxylates, structurant, pH trimming agents, and
mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the laundry detergent composition has a pH between 6 and 10, more
preferably between
6.5 and 8.9, most preferably 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. Preferably,
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 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.
Those skilled in the art will know how to formulate and make a suitable
detergent composition
using known knowledge and techniques.
Additional Contemplated Examples:
Example Al. An array of packages, for displaying and selling in-store or on-
line, each package
containing the same type of cleaning product, the array comprising:
a) a first fibre-based package; and
b) a second fibre-based package; and
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
25
wherein the first and the second fibre-based packages differ by more than 5%
in size and/or
composition and wherein the packages comprise at least 60% by weight of the
packages of
recycled material, and wherein the first fibre-based package and the second
fibre-based
package are manufactured by and/or on behalf of the same manufacturer.
Example A2. An array according to Example Al, wherein the packages comprise
70% or more,
preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at
least 90% and especially
about 100% by weight of the packages of recycled material.
Example A3. An array according to any of Examples Al to A2, wherein the fibre
comprises plant
fibre, preferably cellulosic fibre.
Example A4. An array according to any of Examples Al to A3, wherein the first
fibre-based
package comprises a rigid package and the second fibre-based package comprises
a flexible
package.
Example AS. An array according to any of Examples Al to A4, wherein the first
fibre-based
package comprises a cardboard-based package and/or paperboard-based package
and the second
fibre-based package comprises a paper-based package.
Example A6. An array according to any of claims Example A4 or AS, wherein the
flexible package
is used as refill for the rigid package.
Example A7. An array according to any of Examples A4 to A6, wherein the rigid
package
comprises a box and the flexible package comprises a bag.
Example A8. An array according to the any of Examples Al to A3, wherein the
first package
comprises a cardboard box and the second package comprises a paperboard box.
Example A9. An array according to the any of Examples Al to A7, wherein the
first package
comprises a paperboard box and the second package comprises a paper bag.
Example A10. An array according to any of Examples Al to A9, wherein the
cleaning product is
a detergent in solid form or a water-soluble unit-dose article, preferably a
water-soluble unit-dose
article, more preferably wherein the cleaning product is selected from a
laundry detergent or an
automatic dishwashing detergent, most preferably wherein the cleaning product
is a water-soluble
unit-dose laundry detergent product.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
26
Example All. An array according to any of Examples Al to A7 or Example A9,
wherein the first
fibre-based package comprises a cardboard box and/or a paperboard box and
wherein the box
houses at least two paper-based packages, preferably at least two paper bags.
Example Al2. An array according to any of Examples Al to All, wherein the
first fibre-based
package comprises child safe closure means, preferably multi-time use child
safe closure means
and/or wherein the second fibre-based package comprises single or multi-time
use child safe
closure means.
Example A13. An array according to any of Examples Al to Al2, wherein the
first fibre-based
package comprises a cardboard box and/or paperboard box having a length and a
height and
wherein the length of the box is greater than the height, preferably the
length of the box is at least
50% the height of the box.
Example A14. An array according to any of Examples Al to Al2, wherein the
first fibre-based
package comprises a cardboard box and/or paperboard box having a length and a
height and
wherein the height of the box is greater than the length of the box,
preferably the height of the box
is at least 50% the length of the box.
Example A15. An array according to any of Examples Al to A14, wherein the
cleaning product
occupies at least 90% of the internal volume of the first package and
preferably at least 90% of the
internal volume of the second package.
Example A16. An array according to any of Examples Al to A15, wherein the
packages are
recyclable.
Example A17. An array according to any of Examples Al to A16, wherein the
packages can be
recycled from the same waste stream.
Example B 1 . An array of packages, for displaying and selling in-store or on-
line, each package
containing the same type of cleaning product, the array comprising:
a) a re-useable package; and
b) a refill package comprising at least 40% by weight of the package of
recycled material,
wherein the re-useable package and the refill package are manufactured by
and/or on behalf
of the same manufacturer.
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27
Example B2. An array according to Example B 1, wherein the re-useable package
comprises a
durable material preferably selected from the group consisting of glass,
metal, plastic, elastomer,
cardboard, paper, paperboard, and a mixture thereof.
Example B3. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B2, wherein the re-
useable package
comprises at least 40% by weight of the package of recycled material.
Example B4. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B3, wherein the refill
package
comprises a material selected from fibre-based material, plastic-based
material, and a mixture
thereof.
Example B5. An array according to Examples B1 to B4, wherein the refill
package comprises a
fibre-based material and wherein the refill package comprises at least 75%,
preferably at least 80%,
more preferably at least 90% and especially about 100% by weight of the refill
package of recycled
material.
Example B6. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B4, wherein the refill
package
comprises a plastic-based material and wherein the refill package comprises at
least 45%,
preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60% and especially about
100% by weight of the
refill package of recycled material.
Example B7. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B6, wherein the volume
of the re-
useable package is at least 10% greater than the volume of the refill package.
Example B8. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B6, wherein the volume
of the refill
package is at least 10% greater than the volume of the re-usable package.
Example B9. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B8, wherein the re-
usable package
comprises a rigid package and the refill package comprises a flexible package.
Example B10. An array according to Examples B1 to B9, wherein the re-usable
and the refill
packages comprise a fibre-based material, preferably the re-usable package
comprises a cardboard
box and/or paperboard box and the refill package comprises a paper bag.
Example B11. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B9, wherein the re-
usable package
comprises a tub and the refill package comprises a fibre-based material,
preferably a paper bag.
Example B12. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B11, wherein the
cleaning product is
selected from a detergent in solid form and a water-soluble unit-dose article,
preferably a water-
soluble unit-dose article, more preferably wherein the cleaning product is
selected from a laundry
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
28
detergent or an automatic dishwashing detergent product, most preferably
wherein the cleaning
product is a water-soluble unit dose laundry detergent product.
Example B13. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B12, wherein the re-
usable package
comprises child safe closure means, preferably multi-time use child safe
closure means and/or
wherein the refill package comprises single or multi-time use child safe
closure means.
Example B14. An array according to Example B10, wherein the re-usable package
comprises a
cardboard box and/or paperboard box having a length and a height and wherein
the length of the
box is greater than the height, preferably the length of the box is at least
50% the height of the box.
Example B15. An array according to Example B10, wherein the re-usable package
comprises a
cardboard box and/or paperboard box having a length and a height and wherein
the height of the
box is greater than the length of the box, preferably the height of the box is
at least 50% the length
of the box.
Example B16. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B15, wherein the
cleaning product
occupies at least 90% of the internal volume of the refill package.
Example B17. An array according to any of Examples B1 to B16, wherein the
refill package is
recyclable and/or wherein the re-useable package is recyclable.
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".
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-11-01
