Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CM4984F 1
CONSUMER GOODS PRODUCT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a consumer goods product, a method of using
it and a use
thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water-soluble unit dose articles are liked by consumers as they are convenient
and
efficient to use in wash operations. Such articles comprise a water-soluble
film which defines at
least one internal compartment wherein the internal compartment houses a
detergent
composition.
Water-soluble unit dose articles are often sold to consumers in containers and
bags.
Closure of the container after use aims to minimise moisture ingress into the
containers which
can affect the physical stability of the internal water-soluble unit dose
articles. Such ingress is
particularly problematic in high humidity environments such as those found in
the vicinity of the
wash operation (such as laundry or dish washing). Closure of the container
also aims to reduce
spillage or removal of the articles from the container when it is not intended
or otherwise
desirable, for example, if the container were to fall or become upside down or
fall on its side.
Therefore, such containers are often manufactured with locking means to ensure
the lid remains
closed when not in use.
In addition, when the container is closed, this hinders the ability of
children (of less than
5 years), to gain access to the contents of the container and subsequently
become exposed to the
water-soluble unit dose articles.
However, in some rare instances, consumers forget to re-close the container
after use.
This negates all the benefits described above.
Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a consumer goods product
comprising a
container and at least one water-soluble unit dose article in which instances
of the container
accidentally being left open after use are minimized.
It was surprisingly found that the container according to the present
invention overcame
this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the present invention is a consumer goods product comprising
a
container and at least one water-soluble unit dose article, wherein
the container comprises an inner chamber accessible through an opening; and
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wherein the at least one water-soluble unit dose article comprises a detergent
composition and a
water-soluble film, and wherein the at least one water-soluble unit dose
article is contained in the
inner chamber of the container; and
wherein the container comprises means to allow the opening to be open or
closed; and
wherein the container comprises a means to provide a first sensory signal that
informs a user of
the consumer goods product when the opening is open or an autoclosing means
capable of
automatically closing the opening after it has been opened.
A second aspect of the present invention is a process of using the consumer
goods
product according to the present invention, comprising the steps of;
a. Opening the lid of the container;
b. Retrieving a water-soluble unit dose article;
c. Placing the water-soluble unit dose article into the drum of an
automatic washing
machine;
d. Closing the lid of the container.
A third aspect of the present invention is the use of a sensory signal on a
container
comprising water-soluble unit dose articles wherein the container comprises an
opening and an
internal chamber housing the water-soluble unit dose articles, to remind the
consumer to reclose
the opening after use and minimise moisture ingress to the inside of the
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. I. Depicts a consumer goods product according to the present invention.
FIG.2. discloses a cross-sectional depiction of FIG. 1. wherein the lid is in
the closed
position.
FIG. 3 discloses a cross-sectional depiction of FIG. 1. wherein application of
force to the
hook member in the direction towards the inner wall, releases the lid
component from the wall
component allowing the lid to be radially moved away from the opening.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Consumer goods product
The present invention is to a consumer product comprising a container and at
least one
water-soluble unit dose article.
The at least one water-soluble unit dose article is contained within the
container. The
container and the water-soluble unit dose article are described in more detail
below.
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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.
Container
The consumer product comprises a container. The container needs to be capable
of
containing the at least one water-soluble unit dose article. The container may
have any suitable
size dependent upon the number of water-soluble unit dose articles contained
within the
container.
The container may comprise between 1 and 150, preferably between 10 and 100
unit dose
articles.
The container may be made from rigid material, flexible material or a mixture
thereof. In
other words, the container may be a rigid tub, a flexible bag or a mixture
thereof. The container
may be a rigid tub comprising a lid, preferably a hinged lid. The container
may be a bag having
a zipper closure or similar. The container may be a bag comprising a rigid
frame around an
opening and having a lid, in other words, part rigid container and part
flexible bag.
The container may have any suitable shape. Those skilled in the art will be
aware of
suitable shapes. The container may have a cubic shape, a cylindrical shape, a
rectangular shape
or a mixture thereof. Whilst the container may have an overall linear shape,
for example
rectangular, it may comprise curved walls. For example, when viewed from above
the container
may have rectangular shape, however, when viewed from the front it may
comprise convex
curved walls curving from the top of the container to the bottom of the
container.
The container may have an overall straight shape, e.g. with straight sides, or
may have a
curved shape or may comprise both straight and curved elements. The container
may comprise
flat surfaces as well as surfaces comprising embossments or other structural
element, e.g.
designed to improve gripping or structural integrity.
A container according to the present invention may comprise a front wall, a
back wall
opposite the front wall, side walls extending between the front wall and the
back wall, a bottom
extending between the front wall, back wall and side walls, and a mouth
structure connected to
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the front, back, and side walls. The container also comprises a shoulder
extending inwardly
from the side walls to the mouth structure. The container has: a maximum width
(W1) measured
between the side walls of the tub; a maximum width (W2) of the opening through
the mouth
structure; a maximum depth (Di) measured between the front wall and the rear
wall and a
maximum depth (D2) of the opening formed by the mouth structure; such that WI
is greater than
W2 and Di is greater than D2.
The container may be made from any suitable material. The container may be
made of
natural materials, synthetic materials or a mixture thereof, preferably
synthetic materials, more
preferably plastic.
The container may be made from plastic materials, metallic materials, paper
materials, or
a mixture thereof. The container may be made from materials comprising
recycled materials.
The container may be made from a plastic material, preferably a polyolefin
material. The
container may be made from polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, high-
density
polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene,
Polycarbonates, Polyamides or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the container may
be made from
polypropylene, polystyrene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene
terephthalate, or a mixture
thereof
The plastic material may have a tensile modulus ranging from 1250MPa to
3000MPa,
preferably between 1300MPa and 2300MPa. Those skilled in the art will know how
to measure
tensile modulus using techniques commonly known in the art.
The container may be made from metallic materials wherein the metallic
material is
preferably selected from aluminium, steel or a mixture thereof.
The container may be made from paper materials wherein the paper material is
preferably
selected from carboard, laminates, cellulose pulp materials or a mixture
thereof.
The material used to make the container may comprise other ingredients, such
as
colorants, preservatives, plasticisers, UV stabilizers, Oxygen, perfume,
recycled materials and
moisture barriers or a mixture thereof. The container may comprise areas of
external or internal
printing.
The container may be made using any suitable process. Suitable processes
include but
are not limited to thermoforming, injection molding, injection stretch blow
molding, extrusion
blowmolding, or a mixture thereof preferably thermoforming or injection
molding or a mixture
thereof.
Suitable processes include, but or not limited to, tube forming from a flat
laminate with a
welding step, extruded tube forming, folding or a mixture thereof.
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The container may be opaque translucent, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the
container
is opaque.
The container comprises an inner chamber accessible through an opening. The at
least
one water-soluble unit dose article is contained in the inner chamber of the
container.
The inner container may be of any suitable size or shape. The size or shape
will be
dependent on the number of water-soluble unit dose articles to be contained
within the inner
chamber. The inner chamber may comprise between 1 and 150 preferably between
10 and 100
unit dose articles.
The opening may be of any suitable size or shape. The opening may be of
sufficient size
to allow the user to put their hand within the inner chamber to retrieve a
water-soluble unit dose
article. Alternatively, the opening may be of suitable size such that only the
water-soluble unit
dose article can fir through it and said water-soluble unit dose article is
retrieved from the
container by tipping the container and allowing the water-soluble unit dose
article to pass
through the opening under the influence of gravity or manually applied
agitation force by the
consumer, for example by shaking the container.
The container comprises means to allow the opening to be open or closed. By
'closed'
we herein mean that it is not possible to remove a water-soluble unit dose
article from the inner
chamber. Preferably, the container comprises locking means to ensure the
opening remains
closed until intended use. When the container comprises locking means, the
term 'closed' means
.. the locking means are engaged, in other words, the opening is locked shut.
Preferably, the means to close the opening is a recloseable lid that can move
from a
closed to an open position, wherein in the closed position the lid covers at
least 95%, preferably
100% of the area of the opening when in the closed position.
Alternatively, the means to close the opening comprises a zipper lock
mechanism.
Preferably, the container comprises a locking means to secure the means to
close the
opening in a closed position. Preferably, the means to close the opening is a
lid and the locking
means comprises a component on the lid and a component on the container, and
the lid
component and the container component engage to lock the lid in a closed
position. Preferably,
the locking means comprises a child deterrent locking means, a child resistant
locking means, or
a mixture thereof.
The child deterrent locking means, child resistant locking means or mixture
thereof is
preferably a coordinated motion mechanism, the coordinated motion mechanism
being selected
from multi-connections to be opened at the same time, a multi-movement on one
(or more)
connection(s) or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the coordinated motion
mechanism is a multi-
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movement on one (or more) connection(s) selected from push-pull, push turn,
pull-turn, press
and slide, pull and slide or a mixture thereof.
Preferably the locking means is made from recyclable materials.
Preferably, the lid can move from an open to a closed position via a hinge.
The container comprises a means to provide a first sensory signal that informs
a user of
the consumer goods product when the opening is open or an autoclosing means
capable of
automatically closing the opening after it has been opened. The autoclosing
means will only
close the opening if the opening is unobstructed, i.e. only was the users
hand(s) has been moved
away from the opening.
Those skilled in the art will be aware of suitable sensory signals for the
first sensory
signal. The first sensory signal may be visual, audible, olfactory or a
mixture thereof, preferably
the sensory signal is visual or audible or a mixture thereof. The means to
provide the first
sensory signal may be located on the outside of the container, on the inside
of the container or a
mixture thereof. Or wherein the container comprises a recloseable lid, the
means to provide the
first sensory signal may be located on the outside of the container, on the
inside of the container,
on the outside of the lid, on the inside of the lid or a mixture thereof.
The sensory signal may be detectable by the user for the entire time the
opening is in the
open position or may be detectable only after the opening has been open for a
period of time.
The sensory signal may be detectable by the user after the opening has been
open for at least 3
seconds, preferably at least 5 seconds.
Wherein the container comprises a locking means to secure the opening in a
closed
position, the sensory signal may be detectable once the locking means has been
disengaged and
is no longer detectable once the locking means is engaged. Preferably, the
container comprises a
locking means to secure the opening in a closed position and the sensory
signal is detectable
once the locking means has been disengaged for at least 3 seconds, more
preferably at least 5
seconds and is no longer detectable once the locking means is engaged.
The means to provide the first sensory signal optionally may only be
operational only
whilst the container comprises water-soluble unit dose articles.
Alternatively, the first sensory
signal may only provide a sensory cue a finite number of times which
corresponds to the number
of water-soluble unit dose articles present. For example, if the container
comprises five water-
soluble unit dose articles, the first sensory signal will provide a sensory
cue only five times.
The first sensory signal may comprise a power source, such as a battery. The
first
sensory signal may be a flashing light, a beeping noise, a sprayed scent, or a
mixture thereof.
Alternatively, the first sensory signal may comprise no power source. If the
first sensory signal
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comprises no power source the first sensory signal may be a visual signal, for
example a colour
difference between the inside and outside of a lid used to close the
container. The different
colours may signal a difference between open and closed, e.g. red on the
inside connoting
improper storage condition of the container, green on the outside connoting
proper storage
condition of the container. An example of a non-powered first sensory signal
is a perfume release
from a scent card or hot melt scented adhesive present in the internal
container.
Preferably, upon closing the opening of the container a second sensory signal
is provided
informing the user the opening is closed. Preferably, the secondary sensory
signal is visual,
audible, olfactory or a mixture thereof, more preferably the secondary sensory
signal is visual,
audible, or a mixture thereof, even more preferably the secondary sensory
signal is an audible
signal and most preferably is a clicking noise. The secondary sensory signal
may comprise a
power source or may comprise no power source. An example of a powered visual
or audible
source includes a light or a beeping sound or a mixture thereof when the light
or noise cease once
the lid is correctly closed. An example of a non-powered visual or audible
source includes a
colour change or a clicking sound, or a mixture thereof.
The container may comprise an autoclosing means capable of automatically
closing the
opening immediately after the closing pathway becomes unobstructed, e.g. no
consumer hand
present in the pathway anymore, alternatively after it has been open for at
least 3 seconds, more
preferably at least 5 seconds. Those skilled in the art will be aware if
suitable means capable of
automatically closing the opening. One example of an autoclosing means
includes a spring
system.
An aspect of the present invention is a consumer goods product according to
the present
invention wherein the container comprises an inner chamber accessible through
an opening and
at least one water-soluble unit dose article comprising a detergent
composition and a water-
soluble film as according to the present invention. The at least one water-
soluble unit dose
article is contained in the inner chamber of the container. The opening
comprises a lid which can
move from an open to a closed position. The container also comprises a locking
means, wherein
the locking means comprises a component on the lid and a component on the
container. The lid
component and the container component engage to lock the lid in a closed
position. The lid is
open if the lid component and the container component are not engaged. The
container
comprises a means to provide a first sensory signal that informs a user of the
consumer goods
product when the lid is open or an autoclosing means capable of automatically
closing the lid
after it has been opened.
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The container may be opaque, transparent, translucent or a mixture thereof,
preferably,
the container is opaque.
Preferably, the container is recyclable. Preferably, the first sensory signal,
the second
sensory signal or a combination thereof are recyclable. More preferably, the
container, the first
sensory signal, the second sensory signal or a combination thereof are
recyclable.
Water-soluble unit dose article
The consumer product comprises at least one water-soluble unit dose article,
preferably at
least two water-soluble unit dose articles.
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 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 film is described in more detail below.
The unit dose article may comprise more than one compartment, even at least
two
compartments, or even at least three compartments, or even 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. Alternatively, the compartments may be
positioned in a side-
by-side orientation, i.e. one orientated next to the other. The compartments
may even 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.
Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the
compartments may be smaller than the other compartment. Wherein the unit dose
article
comprises at least three compartments, two of the compartments may be smaller
than the third
compartment, and preferably the smaller compartments are superposed on the
larger
compartment. The superposed compartments preferably are orientated side-by-
side.
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The cleaning composition may be a laundry detergent composition, an automatic
dishwashing composition, a hard surface cleaning composition or a combination
thereof. The
cleaning 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 unit dose article has a height, a width and a length. The maximum of any
of these
dimensions is meant to mean the greatest distance between two points on
opposite sides of the
unit dose article. In other words, the unit dose article may not have straight
sides and so may
have variable lengths, widths and heights depending on where the measurement
is taken.
Therefore, the maximum should be measured at any two points that are the
furthest apart from
each other.
The maximum length may be between 2cm and 5 cm, or even between 2cm and 4cm,
or
even between 2cm and 3cm. The maximum length maybe greater than 2cm and less
than 6cm
The maximum width may be between 2cm and 5cm. The maximum width maybe greater
than 3cm and less than 6cm.
The maximum height may be between 2cm and 5cm. The maximum height maybe
greater than 2cm and less than 4cm.
These lengths may be in the presence or absence of the flange.
Preferably, the length: height ratio is from 3:1 to 1:1; or the width: height
ratio is from
3:1 to 1:1, or even 2.5:1 to 1:1; or the ratio of length to height is from 3:1
to 1:1 and the ratio of
width to height is from 3:1 to 1:1, or even 2.5:1 to 1:1, or a combination
thereof. These ratios
may be in the presence of absence of a flange.
Each individual unit dose article may have a weight of between 1 Og and 40g,
or even
between 15g and 35g.
The film of the present invention is soluble or dispersible in water. Prior to
be being
formed into a unit dose article, the water-soluble film preferably has a
thickness of from 20 to
150 micron, preferably 35 to 125 micron, even more preferably 50 to 110
micron, most
preferably about 76 micron.
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 polyvinyl alcohol polymer or
copolymer,
preferably a blend of polyvinylalcohol polymers and/or polyvinylalcohol
copolymers, preferably
selected from sulphonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers
especially
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carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers, most preferably a blend of a
polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol
copolymer.
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 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 2000rpm.
Detergent Composition
The water-soluble unit dose article comprises a detergent composition. The
detergent
composition can be any suitable detergent composition. The detergent
composition may be
selected from laundry detergent composition, dish washing detergent
composition, hard surface
cleaning detergent composition or a mixture thereof, preferably a laundry
detergent composition.
The detergent composition may be a laundry detergent composition, an automatic
dishwashing
composition or a mixture thereof.
The detergent composition may be in any suitable form. The detergent
composition may
be a solid, a liquid or a mixture thereof.
Those skilled in the art will know how to formulate and make a suitable
detergent
composition using known knowledge and techniques. The detergent composition
may comprise
common detergent ingredients including surfactants, polymers, bleach, enzymes,
chelants,
builders, brighteners, textile care agents, perfumes, dyes, hueing dyes,
preservatives, anti-
oxidants, suds suppressors, structing agents, fillers, organic solvents,
water, or a mixture thereof.
Process of using the consumer goods product
A further aspect of the present invention is a process of using the consumer
goods
product according to the present invention, comprising the steps of;
a. Opening the container;
b. Retrieving a water-soluble unit dose article;
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c. Placing the water-soluble unit dose article into the drum of an
automatic washing
machine;
d. Closing the container.
Preferably the container comprises a lid and the container is opened by
opening the lid
and the container is closed by closing the lid. More preferably, the container
comprises a
locking means wherein the locking means comprises a component on the container
and a
component on the lid, and wherein the container is closed when the locking
means is engaged.
When the container is left open the first sensory means will attract the
consumer attention and
remind the consumer to reclose the container.
Use
A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a sensory
signal on a
container comprising water-soluble unit dose articles wherein the container
comprises an
opening and an internal chamber housing the water-soluble unit dose articles,
to remind the
consumer to reclose the opening after use and minimise moisture ingress to the
inside of the
container.
The container is as according to the present invention.
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."
EXAMPLES
An exemplary consumer product according to the present invention is depicted
in FIG. I.
The consumer product (1) according to FIG. 1 comprises a container (2) and at
least one water-
soluble unit dose article (3) contained therein. Said container (2) comprises
a base (4), an
opening positioned opposite to the base (4) and at least one wall (6)
extending vertically from
said base (4) to said opening. Said at least one wall (6) terminates in an
upper edge (7) of said at
least one wall (6), and wherein said wall (6) comprises an inner surface (8)
and an outer surface
(9). Said base (4) and the at least one wall (6) define an internal
compartment (10) wherein the
internal compartment (10) is accessible from the opening (5). The container
also comprises a lid
(11) able to move from an open to closed position via a hinge (12) and wherein
when in the
closed position covers the opening (5). The container (2) comprises at least
one locking means
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(13), wherein the locking means (13) comprises a lid component (14) and a wall
component (15).
The wall component (15) comprises a support member (16) extending from the
upper edge (7) of
the at least one wall (6) or the inner surface (8) of the at least one wall
(6), and a hook member
(17). When the lid (11) is in a closed position, the hook member (17) engages
the lid component
(14) such that only application of force to the hook member (17) will
disengage the wall
component (15) from the lid component (14). The hook member (17) extends from
the support
member (16) towards the interior of the container (10) such that to disengage
the wall component
(15) from the lid component (14) requires application of force to the hook
member (17) wherein
the application of force is in the direction towards the inner wall (8). The
outer surface (9) of
the at least one wall (7) is devoid of any locking means. The container (2) is
opaque, translucent
or a mixture thereof and made from polypropylene, polystyrene, high-density
polyethylene,
polyethylene terephthalate, or a mixture thereof. The container comprises
means to provide the
first sensory signal (not shown) located on the outside of the container, on
the inside of the
container or a mixture thereof, or the means to provide the first sensory
signal is located on the
outside of the container, on the inside of the container, on the outside of
the lid, on the inside of
the lid or a mixture thereof.
FIG. 2 discloses a cross-sectional depiction of FIG. 1. wherein the lid (11)
is in the closed
position. The wall component (15) is engaged with the lid component (14) and
the lid (11) is
locked into position.
FIG. 3 discloses a cross-sectional depiction of FIG. 1. wherein application of
force (19)
to the hook member (17) in the direction towards the inner wall (8), releases
the lid component
(14) from the wall component (15) allowing the lid (11) to be radially moved
(20) away from the
opening (5). Unlocking the hook member (17) from the lid component (14) does
not deform the
lid (11) or the at least one wall (6).
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