AU619735B2

AU619735B2 - Packaging for liquid washing aids and process for its use

Info

Publication number: AU619735B2
Application number: AU13548/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jose Luis Arnau-Munoz; Henri Cornette
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1987-03-25
Filing date: 1988-03-24
Publication date: 1992-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-24
Also published as: FR2612894A1; ATE66658T1; DK164497B; DE3864437D1; IE880889L; FR2612894B1; EP0288347B1; DK165588A; DK165588D0; IE60852B1; DK164497C; AU1354888A; EP0288347A1

Abstract

Package for liquid detergents comprising, in combination: a) a jerry can equipped with a removable stopper (4) and preferably designed to contain a metered amount of detergent, an opening being provided through the jerry can, b) a metering and dispensing device which can be housed in the said opening, interacting with the periphery thereof, the said device consisting of a body (9) made from flexible material and having the shape of a bellows, and dispensing means integral with the body (9) and having orifices; c) holding means (16) ensuring that, when the device is in position, the dispensing means pass through the opening of the jerry can whilst the bellows is held in the folded state in the vicinity of the opening, the device then being substantially inserted into the thickness of the jerry can. The device may be separated from the jerry can in order to be filled with detergent and placed in the drum of the laundry-washing machine. <IMAGE>

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALlr 93, PATENTS ACT 1952-69 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

IORIGINAL)

Class I t. Class Application Number: Lodged; *Complete Specificatlon Lodged: 0 Acce ted? P~riority Published: 00 0, Pplated Art: .'.Name of Applicant: Address of Apt011cant: :Acjual Inventor: Address for Service: THE PROCTER GAMBLE COMPANY One Procter Gamble States of Am-erica Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, United HENRI CORNETTE and JOSE LUIS ARNAU-MUNOZ EDWD. WATERS SONS, 50 QUEEN STREET, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 3000.

Complete *Spwification for the Invention entitled: PACKAGING FOR LIQUID WASHING AIDS AND PROCESS FOR ITS

USE

The followving statement is a full description qf this Invention, including the best method of performing it known us 1 I -1- The present invention belongr to the field of packaging of Liquid products, especially of the type intended to contain, a measured quantity of product. The invention alsw relates to the application of a packaging of this kind to the machine washing of linen.

To begin with, it will be recalled that the Applicant Company is already the owner or titleholder of a certain number of patent applications which may be mentioned by way of reference to illustrate the state of 'the art.

Application FR 84/06,151, filed on 18 April 1984, for "Process for machine washing of linen with a liquid detergent contained device for its application" relates particularly to a device, generally reloadable, which is a 15 firstly filled with a liquid detergent and is then placed in the drum of the machine wi'th the linen to be washed.

The detergent contained in the device diffuses gradually into the washing medium and into the linen placed in the

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machine. In one embodiment, the device comprises a filling orifice and vents for the gradual release of the liquid within the linen during the washing operation.

Patent Application FR 84/13,210, fileo on 24 August 1984, for "Device for washing in a machine with a Liquid detergent and process employing the said de- 25 vice" relates to a device of the above type, which is more particularly characterized in that it is of essentially spherical shape. In one embodiment, the device comprises a body and an added assembl/ equipped with a central filling orifice. A certain number of orif' ces 30 which are arranged on this asseAbly allow the liquid to diffuse.

Patent Application FR 85/05,069 of 3 April 1985, for "Packaging cortainer with an incorporated dispenser, in particular for liquid products", relates to a container incorporating a removable dispenser cooperating with the closure device with which the container is equipped i, -2 in a conventional way. Advantageously, this dispensing device also acts as a distributor according to the teachings of the two abovementioned patent applications. A certain number of embodiments are described to illustrate the removable fastening of the dispenser-distributor device onto the container containing the Liquid product.

The shape of the containers containing the washing aids may vary widely and attempts are made to find packages which are easy to handle while allowing easy storage with minimum bulk. From this standpoint, the shape of a container of the jerrican type is especially suitablo. There are also certain requirements to be satisfied, especially for marketing, where it may be desirable to offer the consumers packages which contain a 15 single measured quantity of the washing product.

As used in the present description, the word "jerrican" has no limiting meaning, but denotes any container of generally flattened shape.

In continuing its work in the field of dispensing 20 and distributing devices, as well as of the containers with 0 which they are associated, the Applicant Company has now developed a packaging for liquid washing aids which provides a solution to the technical problems just mentioned.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a packaging for liquid washing aids comprising, in combination: a) a jerrican equipped with a removable stopper and preferably designed to contain a measured quantity of washing aid, an opening being made through the jerrican; b) a dispensing and distributing device capable of being housed in the said opening while cooperating with the periphery of the latter, the said device consisting of a body made of a supple material aving a bellows shape and distributing means integrally joined to the body and having orifices; c) retaining means acting so that, when the device b) is installed, the distributing means pass through the opening of the jerrican while the bellows is retained r I 1__ 3 in the folded state in the vicinity of the opening, the device b) being then substantially inserted within the thickness of the jerrican.

The first member of the combination forming the packaging of the invention is a jerrican of the sort conventionally employed, for example, for petroleum products such as petrol. Nevertheless, bearing in mind the preferred field of application of the invention, the jerrican is made of a plastic compatible with liquid washing aids, for example polyethylene. Another advantageous individual feature of the jerrican, in addition to its general flattened shape, is that it is designed, preferably, to contain a single measured quantity of washing aid, that is to say a quantity of washing aid permitting 15 one washing operation to be performed. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of tne invention, the jerrican is small in size and may be from 1 to 3 cm in thickness.

To permit the fitting, as provided according to the invention, of a dispensing and distributing device, the jerrican has an opening passing right through it.

For convenience in manufacture, it is preferable that this opening should be circular, although this shape is not critical in any way. On each side face of the jerric tn surrounding the opening, a housing is made, which is taken within the thickness of the jerrican.

The second member of the combination which is the subject of the invention is a dispensing and distributing device whose function is that already described in the abovementioned patent applications. In other words, this device is intended to be filled with liquid detergent, in order to be then placed in the drum of the machine with the linen to be washed. By virtue of the orifices with which it is equipped, the device allows a gradual distribution of the washing aid within the linen.

According to the individual feature of the invention, this dispensing and distributing device is adapted to the jerrican containing the liquid washing aid and having the opening capable of acting as a receptacle for _I

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4 the said device. To this end, the device has a body made of a supple material in the shape of a bellows which may be folded onto itself. This body is made into an integral part of an assembly forming the distributing-means, of the sort already described and illustrated in the abovementioned French patent applications. fl is added assembly comprises a central orifice for filting, as well as a certain number of vents facilitating the distribution of the liquid was ,ng aid during the washing operation. Furthermore, the added assembly is designed to allow easy gripping, as already known.

When the bellows is folded, that is to say when the dispensing and distributing device is not filled, it occupies a minimum space, the walls of the bellows being 15 then placed against each other.

In the adaptation which is provided by the invention, the bellows folded in this manner is placed in the vicinity of the -opening of the jerrican. As preferred, the body of the dispensing and distributing device is 20 substantially spherical in shape wher} deployed. Conse- Squently, in the folded state, the body is flattened to form a thin circular member. The opening made in the jerrican is of such diameter that it allows the dispensing and distributing assembly to pass through freely, while the housing surrounding the opening serves as a receptacle for the folded bellows. There is thus a pairing of shapes between the folded bellows and the jerrican in the region of the circular opening.

The overall size of the dispensing and distributing device in the folded shape corresponds to the folded bellows and to the height of the added assembly. This size is substantially equal to the thickness of the jerrican so that, when the device is installed on the jerrican, it is very substantially inscribed within the latter's thickness. It is preferable that, in the folded state, the extra thickness of the device should not be excessive Sin relation to the jerrican, but an extra thickness of approximately 10% is perfectly acceptable.

Plastic bottles capable of being folded back onto themselves are already known in the prior art (see, for example, the European Patent Application published under No. 0,164,173). The present invention makes use'of the known method but adapts it to meet the needs of a dispensing and distributing device capable of then being employed in a machine for washing linen.

The material of which the body of the dispensing and distributing device is made should be chosen so that the latter can be readily folded back into the form of a bellows when it is to be kept flat on the jerrican. It is advantageous that, when the said device is unfastened from the jerrican, it should automatically adopt a substantially spherical shape, the bellows being then deploe g 15 yed, so as to allow the device to be filled with the Liquid washing aid contained in the jerrican or in any other container which may be available. This is why it *I is preferable for the assembly comprising the distributing means to be an added assembly, made of a material 20 which is stiffer than that of the body of the bellows.

SSuitable materials are, for example, polyethylenes, polyesters or combinations of these materials, with, or without, adjuvants.

It will be noted, however, that it is not absolutely essential for the bellows to be capable of being deployed automatically when the dispensing and distributing device is released from its housing in the jerrican.

SIn fact, it is perfectly possible to produce a device intended to receive the liquid detergent and which adoots its deployed state only when the detergent is introduced, by virtue of its bellows structure, without this shape taking form spontaneously beforehand.

In its final appearance, the packaging according to the invention also has retaining means responsible for the integral fastening of the device to the jerrican, and especially for holding the bellows in the folded state. These retaining means may be chosen by the specialist and are of Jno critical importance. They may involve a shrinkable -6plastic film capable of being drawn, as is well known in the field of packaging. In this case, the film is placed around the jerrican-device assembly. It is also possible to employ a sleeve or a cardboard box of suitable shape, enclosing the outer parts of the jerrican and of the device. Similarly, ligatures or adhesive tapes may be used to hold the bellows attached and folded back on the jerrican.

Before use, the jet'ican is filled with liquid washing aid, advantageously a measured quantity of washing aid for use in a single washing operation. The jerrican is equipped with its dis;pensing and distributing de- #0 vice and it then presents minimum bulk, since the assembly .practically does not exceed the thickness of the jerri- 15 can. The person wishing to employ the dispensing and distributing device for a machine washing of linen takes off the means retaining the device on the jerrican, thus forming a container which can be filled with the liquid washing aid, preferably that contained in the jerrican.

20 The user can then place the dispensing and distributing device in the drum of the machine with the linen to be S" washed. By virtue of the distributing means, the washing *tid contained in the device is gradually distributed, and this has a beneficial effect on the washing of the linen.

The invention will be illustrated further, without being limited in any manner, by the description which 0o0 follows, given with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of the jerfican; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dispensing and distributing device iitended to cooperate with the jerrican of Figurq 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective showing the packaging according to the invention, a face of the jerrican being viewed from the side; Fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3 and showing the opposite face of the jerrican.

To make it easier to understand, the jerrican and -7the dispensing and distributing device are first shown in Figtires 1 and 2 respectively, while Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the package according to the invention, the said device being then mounted in the jerrican and cooperating with the latter.

The jerrican shown from the front in Figure 1 is generally indicated by reference It is of thin parallelepipedal shape overall, as illustrated by the perspective views in Figures 3 and 4. The large side faces of the jerrican are indicated by references and respectively; Figure 1, therefore, shows only the face The jerrican has a removable stopper (4) S" for filling with, and for the outflow of, the liquid deter- It gent intended for the machine washing operation. According to the invention, the jerrican is adapted to receive a dispensing and distributing device oi the type shown in Figure 2. To this end, a circular obening is provided in the body of the jerrican its periphery forming, on each of the faces and an annu- I 20 Lar housing whose height (Figure 3) represents substantially one half of the thickness e of the jerrican (Figure 3).

'c Figure 2 shows, in isolation, the dispensing and distributing device intended to cooperate with the jerrican of Figure 1. This device, indicated generally by reference comprises a body made of supple plasit tic, in the shape of a bellows. In Figure 2, the body occupies its normal position, that is to say that the walls (14) of the bellows are sufficiently far apart to form an inner space of generally spherical shape, into which the liquid detergent can be poured.

An assembly (10) made of a more rigid material is added onto the body The assembly (10) forms the distributing means similar to those already taught in the French patent applications mentioned art the beginning of this description. It also comprises j central orifice (11) which can be used for filling, as well as a certain number of orifice-s ensuring a controlled distribution 8during use in the washing machinvo Furthermore, the assembly (10) is shaped so as to form cavities (13) at its periphery, enabling the device to be grasped when it is being filled and when it is handled.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the packaging according to the invention in the position in which the dispensing and distributing device is mounted in and cooperates with the jerrican As shown in Figure 3, the assembly is engaged through the circular opening to project beyond the side face of the jerrican. On the side of the other face as illustrated in Figure 4, the body is applied being folded back against the S' housing situated around the opening The device Vst is thus applied inside the housing and its retention on the jerrican may be provided by any suitable V means, as will be described later.

It will be noted that the packaging of the invention retains substantially the flattened shape which is imparted to it by the jerrican In fact, the size o 20 of the assembly (10) is chosen so that it does not extend excessively beyond the plane of the face On the side of the opposite face, that is to say of the face S"st tthe walls (14) of the bellows-shaped body lie against t each other and are inserted into the housing without projecting substantially beyond the face This finally produces a packaging whose thickness practically does not exceed the thickness e (Figure 3) of the jerrican although a slight extra thickness is quite acceptable.

The retention of the device in position on the jerrican may be ensured by any suitable means.

The drawing of Figures 3 and 4 shows diagrammatically an adhesive tape (16) which may be applied over the whole perimeter of the jerrican and to the outside of the latter, holding the body firmly in a folded position against the face and the assembly (10) against the face For the sake of clarity of the drawing in Figure 3, the adhesive tape (16) has been cut away, as shown on the left-hand side of Figure 3.

9- The nature of the material forming the body of the device should be chosen so that its suppleness allows it to be easily applied in a pr&ctically flat shape in the folded state, as indicated in Figure 4, while, in its normal position which is that of Figure 2, the body preferably has sufficient rigidity to enable the device to stand upright by itself and to be placed on a flat base. As examples of such materials there may be mentioned in particular polyethylenes, polyesters and combinations of such materials, with or without adjuvants.

Before the use of the packaging according to the invention, the device is first uncoupled from the jerrican which, in the example illustrated in the 9** drawings, is easily done by taking off the adhesive taoe S(16). The device can then be placed in the position Sshown in Figure 2, so that it rests with its bottom on a Sbase, or else it can simply be grasped by means of the cavities (13) provided on the assembly Some liquid detergent product can then be introduced through the orifice (11) to fill the device to the required level. Advantageously, this quantity of liquid product should be that contained in the jerrican and, for this purpose, it is sufficient to pour the contents of the latter into the device For washing linen, the device filled with the appropriate measured quantity of product, should be introduced into the drum of the machine, in accordance with the teaching of the French patent applications mentioned at the beginning of the description.

Figures 1 to 4 relate to a preferred embodiment according to which the measured quantity of product contained in the jerrican corresponds to one washing ooeriion, so that the user does not hesitate in any way to fill the device up to the required level. However, it is possible, of course, to use the device subsequently by filling it with quantities of Liquid detergent product which has been taken from other containers. Without

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10 departing from the scope of the invention, it would also be possible to size the jerrican so that it contains quantities of liquid product which are larger than that required for a single wash.

ALL kinds of means can be employed for retaining the device on the jerrican the solution involving an adhesive tape shown in Figures 3 and 4, being merely an illustrative example. The combination of the jerrican and of the device may be retained by a thin plastic film or by any other sheath or enclosure, made of plastic, cardboard and other similar materials which are widely employed in packaging methods. Nevertheless, it is important that the means chose., relates to the advantages of the flat shape of the packaging and does not introduce any excessive additional thickness ever the Latter.

Furthermore, the specialist can choose all kinds of suitable shapes for the jerrican as well as for the opening provided in the'latter and intended to receive the dispensing and distributing device. Given that the preferred embodiment consists in giving this device a substantiaLly spherical shape when it is in its normal deployed position, it is advantageous for the opening made in the jerrican to be circular in section, although this is not absolutely essential.

Other alternative forms may be introduced into the packaging according to the invention, without departing thereby from its scope.

t t it UtI It it i t

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Claims

1. Packaging for liquid washing aids comprising, in combination: a) a jerrican having two side faces, said jerrican being equipped with a removable stopper an opening being made through both side faces of the jerrican(1); b) a dispensing and distributing device capable of being housed in the said opening while co-operating with the periphery of the latter, the said device consisting of a body made of a supple material having a bellows shape (14) and distributing means (10) integrally joined to the body and having orifices (11-12); c) retaining means (16) acting so that, when the device Is Installed, the distributing means (10) pass through the opening of the jerrican while the bellows (14) Is retained In the folded state in the vicinity of the opening, the device being then substantially Inserted within the th!chkfess of the jerrican as a whole.

2. Packaging according to Claim 1 characterized In that the opening of the jerrican Is circular and in that a housing surrounding the opening and taken within the thickness of the jerrican is made on each side face of the jerrican 1 3, Packaging according to either of Claims 1 or 2 characterized In that, In the folded state of the body the walls of the bellows (14) lie against each other, while In the unfolded state the latter adopts a substantially spherical shape with a view to filling of the device, 4, Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized In that the t two opening made In the jerrlcan Is of such cinmeter that it allows the distributing means (10) to pass through freely, while the housing surroun. nlng serves as a receptacle for the bellows (14) In the folded state, 12 Packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the retaining means consist of a shrinkable plastic film capable of being drawn, of a sleeve made of plastic or of cardboard, of ligatures or tapes or other similar means (16).

6. Process for machine washing linens comprising: uncoupling the dispensing and distributing device from the jerrican of the packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, pouring into the device a quantity of liquid washing aid, placing the device into the drum of a washing inachine with the linens, and then performing a washing operation.

7. Process according to Claim 6 wherein the quantity of liquid washing aid poured into the device corresponds to the quantity required for one washing operation. DATED this 21st day of November, 1991. THE PROCTER GAMBLE COMPANY 1 WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS 'THE ATRIUM' 2ND FLOOR, 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VIC. 3122