IE60852B1

IE60852B1 - Packaging for liquid detergents and process for its use

Info

Publication number: IE60852B1
Application number: IE88988A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Jose Luis Arnaumunoz; Henri Cornette
Original assignee: Procter & Gamble
Priority date: 1987-03-25
Filing date: 1988-03-24
Publication date: 1994-08-24
Also published as: FR2612894A1; ATE66658T1; DK164497B; DE3864437D1; IE880889L; FR2612894B1; EP0288347B1; AU619735B2; DK165588A; DK165588D0; 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

The present invention relates to the field of the packaging of liquid products, in particular of the kind intended to contain a dose of product. The invention also relates to the application of such packaging to the washing of linen in a machine.

It will first of all be recalled that the Applicant Company is already a proprietor or titleholder of a certain number of patent applications which may be mentioned by way of references to illustrate the state of the art.

Application FR 84 06,151, filed on 18 April 1984 (corresponding to Patent Specification No. 56618) for Process for washing linen in a machine with a liquid detergent and device for its application** has especially as its subject a device, generally rechargeable, which is first of all filled with liquid detergent and then placed in the drum of the machine with the linen to be washed. The detergent contained in the device disperses gradually into the washing medium and into the linen present in the machine. In an embodiment the device comprises a filling orifice and vents for the gradual release of the liquid within the linen during the washing.

Patent Application FR 84 13,210 filed on 24 August 1984 (Publication Number 2,570,720) for Device for washing in a machine with a liquid detergent and process making use of the said device has as its subject a device of the above kind, which is more particularly characterised in that it is essentially spherical in shape. In an embodiment the device comprises a body and an added unit provided with a central filling orifice. A certain number of orifices arranged on this unit allow the liquid to disperse.

Patent Application FR 85 05,069 of 3 April 1985 (Publication Number 2,579,956) for Packaging receptacle with incorporated dispenser, in particular for liquid products has as its subject a receptacle comprising a removable dispenser interacting with the closing device with which the receptacle is provided in a conventional manner. This metering device advantageously also serves as a dispenser according to the teaching of the two abovementioned patent applications. A number of embodiments are described to illustrate the removable attachment of the metering and dispensing device to the receptacle containing the liquid product.

The shape of the receptacles containing the liquid detergents can vary very widely and efforts are made to find packaging which is easy to handle while permitting easy storage with as little bulk as possible. From this viewpoint the shape of a receptacle of the jerrican type is especially appropriate. There are also certain requirements to be met, especially for commercial promotion, where it may be desired to offer the consumers packaging containing a single dose of the washing product.

As meant in the present description, the word jerrican has no limiting meaning but denotes any receptacle which is of an overall flattened shape.

Continuing its work in the field of metering and dispersing devices and of the receptacles used in combination therewith, the Applicant Company has now developed a packaging for liquid detergents which provides a solution to the technical problems just mentioned.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a packaging for liquid detergents comprising in combination: a) a jerrican equipped with a removable stopper and preferably designed to contain one dose of detergent, an opening being arranged through the jerrican; b) it being possible for a metering and dispensing device to be housed in the said opening and interacting with the periphery of the latter, the said device consisting of a body made of flexible material in the shape of a bellows, and of dispensing means integral with the body and having orifices; c) holding means acting so that when the device b) is placed in position, the dispensing means pass through the opening of the jerrican while the bellows is dispensing invention, held in the folded state in the neighbourhood of the opening, the device b) being then substantially inserted within the thickness of the jerrican.

The first member of the combination constituting the packaging of the invention is a jerrican of the kind of those usually 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 material compatible with liquid detergents, for example polyethylene. Another advantageous special feature of the jerrican, in addition to its overall flattened shape, is that it is preferably designed to contain a single dose of detergent, that is to say a quantity of detergent which allows one washing to be performed. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the jerrican is small in size and may have a thickness of 1 to 3 cm.

To permit the fitting of a metering and device as provided for according to the the jerrican comprises an opening passing through it in places. For convenience in manufacture, it is preferred that this opening should be circular, although this shape is not in any way critical in nature. A housing which is taken within the thickness of the jerrican is arranged on each side face of the jerrican around the opening.

The second member of the combination forming the subject of the invention is a metering and dispensing 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 then to be placed in the drum of the machine with the linen to be washed. By virtue of the orifices with which it is provided, the device permits a' gradual dispersion of the detergent within the linen.

According to the special feature of the invention, this metering and dispensing device is fitted to the jerrican containing the liquid detergent and having the opening capable of being used as a receptacle for the said device. For this purpose, the device comprises a body made of flexible material in the shape of a bellows which can be folded back onto itself. This body is made into an integral part of an unit constituting dispensing means, of the type of those already described and illustrated in the abovementioned French Patent Applications. This added unit comprises a central orifice for filling, and a certain number of vents facilitating the dispensing of the liquid detergent during washing. Furthermore, the added unit is designed to allow easy grasping, as is known.

When the bellows is folded back, that is to say when the metering and dispensing device is not filled, it occupies a minimum bulk, the walls of the bellows being then applied against each other.

In the adaptation which is proposed by the invention, the bellows which is thus folded back is applied in the neighbourhood of the opening of the jerrican. As is preferred, the body of the metering and dispensing device is substantially spherical in shape when deployed. As a result, in the folded-back state, the body is flattened to form a thin circular member. The opening arranged in the jerrican has a diameter such that it permits the metering and dispensing unit to pass freely, while the housing surrounding the opening acts as a receptacle for the folded-back bellows. There is thus an intexmatchlng of shapes between the folded-back bellows and the jerrican at the circular opening.

The overall size of the metering and dispensing device in the folded-back state corresponds to the folded-back bellows and to the height of the added unit. This size is substantially equal to the thickness of the jerrican, with the result that, when the device is placed on the jerrican, it is very substantially inserted within the thickness of the latter. It is preferable that the device in the folded-back state should not be excessively extra-thick in relation to the jerrican, but an extra thickness of approximately 10% is perfectly acceptable. β Plastic bottles capable of being folded back onto themselves are already known in the prior art (see, for example, European Patent Application published under No. 0,164,173). The present invention makes use of known technology, but adapts it to meet the requirements of a metering and dispensing device which can then be employed 'c in a machine for washing linen.

The material of which the body of the metering and dispensing device is made must be chosen so that it can be easily folded back in the shape of a bellows when it must be kept flat on the jerrican. It is advantageous that, when the said device is detached from the jerrican, it should automatically readopt a substantially spherical shape, the bellows being then deployed, so as to allow the device to be filled with the aid of the liquid detergent contained in the jerrican or in any other receptacle which may be available. This is why it is preferable that the unit comprising the dispensing means should be an added unit made of a material which is more rigid than that of the body of the bellows. Suitable materials are, by way of examples, polyethylenes, polyesters or combinations of these materials with, or without, adjuvants.

It will be noted, however, that it is not absolutely essential that the bellows should be capable of being deployed automatically when the metering and dispensing device is released from its housing in the jerrican. In fact, it is perfectly possible to produce a device intended to receive liquid detergent and which takes up its deployed state only when the detergent is introduced, by virtue of its forming a bellows, without this shaping occurring by itself beforehand.

In its final presentation, the packaging according to the invention also has holding means ensuring the integral attachment of the device to the < jerrican, and especially the holding of the bellows In the folded-back state. These holding means may be chosen by the person skilled in the art and are of no critical importance. They may involve a shrinkable stretchable plastic film, as is well known in the packaging field. In this case, the film is placed around the jerrican-device unit. It is also possible to resort to a sheath or a cardboard box of suitable shape, surrounding the outer parts of the jerrican and of the device. Bonds or adhesive tapes can also be used to keep the bellows attached and folded-back on the jerrican.

With a view to being employed, the jerrican is filled with liquid detergent, advantageously one dose of detergent used for a single washing operation. The jerrican is fitted with its metering and dispensing device and then occupies a minimum bulk, since the unit in practice does not exceed the thickness of the jerrican. The person desiring to employ the metering and dispensing device for washing linen in a machine removes the means for holding the device on the jerrican, thus forming a receptacle which can be filled with liquid detergent, preferably that contained in the jerrican. The user can then place the metering and dispensing device in the drum of the machine with the linen to be washed. By virtue of dispensing means, the detergent contained in the device is gradually dispersed, and this has a favourable effect on the washing of the linen.

The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any manner whatever, by the description which follows, given with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of the jerrican; Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the metering and dispensing device intended to interact with the jerrican of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective showing the packaging according to the invention, in side view on one face of the jerrican; Fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 and showing the opposite face of the jerrican.

To facilitate understanding, the jerrican and the metering and dispensing device have been first of all shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, while Figures 3 and 4 demonstrate the packaging according to the invention, the said device then being fitted into the jerrican and interacting with the latter.

The jerrican shown from the front in Figure 1 is indicated by the general reference (1). It is of a thin parallelepipedal overall shape, as illustrated in the perspective views of Figures 3 and 4. The large side faces of the jerrican are indicated by references (2) and (3) respectively; in Figure 1, therefore, only the face (2) is seen. The jerrican (1) has a removable stopper (4) for filling and pouring out the liquid detergent intended for washing in a machine. According to the invention the jerrican (1) is adapted to receive a metering and dispensing device of the type shown in Figure 2. A circular opening (5) is provided for this purpose in the body of the jerrican (1) arranging, at its periphery, on each of the faces (2) and (3), an annular housing (6) whose height (7) (Figure 3) represents substantially one half of the thickness e of the jerrican (Figure 3).

Figure 2 shows separately the metering and dispensing device intended to interact with the jerrican of Figure 1. This device, indicated by the general reference (8) comprises a body (9) made of flexible plastic, which is in the shape of a bellows. In Figure 2 the body (9) occupies its normal position, that is to say that the walls (14) of the bellows are sufficiently far apart to form an internal space, of spherical overall shape into which the liquid detergent can be poured.

A unit (10) made of more rigid material is added onto the body (9). The unit (10) forme the dispensing means similar to those already taught in the French Patent Applications referred to at the beginning of this description. It thus comprises a central orifice (11) which can be employed for filling, as well as a certain number of orifices (12) ensuring controlled dispensing in the course of use in the washing machine. Furthermore, the unit (10) is shaped in order to form cavities (13) at its periphery, making the device (8) easier to grasp when it is being filled and handled.

Figures 3 and 4 Illustrate the packaging according to the invention in the position in which the metering and dispensing device (8) is fitted into and interacts with the jerrican (1)· As shown in Figure 3, the unit (10) is inserted through the circular opening (5) to project beyond the side face (2) of the jerrican. As illustrated in Figure 4, on the side of the other face (3) the body (9) is applied while being folded-back against the housing (6) situated around the opening (5). The device (8) is thus found to be applied inside the housing (6) and its maintenance on the jerrican (1) can be ensured by any appropriate means, as will be described hereinafter.

It will be noted that the packaging of the invention retains substantially the flattened shape which is imparted to it by the jerrican (1). In fact, the dimensions of the unit (10) are chosen so that it should not extend excessively beyond the plane of the face (2). On the side of the opposite face, that is to say of face (3), the walls (14) of the body (9) in the shape of a bellows are applied against each other and are inserted into the housing (6) without substantially going beyond the face (3). A packaging is thus finally obtained whose thickness in practice does not exceed the thickness e (Figure 3) of the jerrican (1), although a slight extra thickness is quite acceptable.

The maintenance of the device (8) in position on the jerrican (1) can be ensured by any appropriate means. The drawing of Figures 3 and 4 shows diagrammatically an adhesive tape (16) which can be applied over the whole perimeter of the jerrican (1) and to the outside of the latter, firmly holding the body (9) in folded-back position against the face (3) and the unit (10) against the face (2). For the sake of clarity of the drawing in Figure 3, the adhesive tape (16) has been broken off, as shown on the left of Figure 3.

The nature of the material of which the body (9) of the device (8) is made must be chosen so that its flexibility allows it to be easily applied in a practically flat shape in the folded-back state, as shown in Figure 4, whereas, in its normal position which is that of Figure 2, the body (9) preferably has a sufficient firmness for the device (8) to support itself and to be capable of being placed on a flat support. By way of examples of such materials there may be mentioned / especially polyethylenes, polyesters and combinations of such materials, with or without adjuvants.

With a view to employing the packaging according to the invention, the device (8) is first of all detached from the jerrican (1) and, in the example illustrated in the drawings, this is easily done by removing the adhesive tape (16). The device (8) can then be placed in its position shown in Figure 2, so that it rests with its bottom on a support, or else it can simply be grasped by the cavities (13) with which the unit (10) is equipped.

Liquid detergent product can then be introduced through the orifice (11) to fill the device (8) to the desired level. It is advantageous that this quantity of liquid product should be that contained in the jerrican (1) and it is sufficient for this purpose to pour the contents of the latter into the device (8). For washing linen it is advisable to introduce the device (8) filled with the appropriate dose of product, into the drum of the machine, in accordance with the teaching of the French Patent Applications referred to at the beginning of the description.

Figures 1 to 4 relate to a preferred embodiment according to which the dose of the product contained in the jerrican (1) corresponds to one washing operation, so that the user need not hesitate in any way when filling the device (8) up to the desired level. However, it is possible, of course, to employ the device (8) subsequently by filling it with quantities of detergent liquid product which are taken from other receptacles. r Without departing from the scope of the invention it would also be possible to size the jerrican (1) so that it should contain (quantities of liquid product which are greater than that needed for a single washing operation. 1 All kinds of means for holding the device (8) on the jerrican (1) can be employed, the solution of the adhesive tape (16) shown in Figures 3 and 4 constituting merely an illustrative example. The combination of the jerrican and the device may be held together by a thin plastic film or by any other means or enclosure made of plastic, cardboard and other similar materials which are widely employed in packaging technology. It is important, nevertheless, that the means chosen should relate to the advantages of the flat shape of the packaging and should not introduce any excessive extra thickness over the latter.

Furthermore, a person skilled in the art can choose all kinds of appropriate shapes for the jerrican and for the opening arranged in the latter and intended to receive the metering and dispensing device. Given that the preferred embodiment consists in giving this device a substantially spherical shape when it is in its deployed normal position, it is advantageous that the opening arranged in the jerrican should have a circular section, but this is not absolutely essential.

Claims

1. Packaging for liquid detergents comprising in combination : a) a jerrican equipped with a removable stopper and preferably designed to contain one dose of detergent, an opening being arranged through the jerrican; b) it being possible for a metering and dispensing device to be housed in the said opening and interacting with the periphery of the latter, the said device consisting of a body made of flexible material in the shape of a bellows, and ing means integral with the body and orifices; c) holding means acting so device is placed in position, the dispensing means pass through the opening of the jerrican while the bellows is held in the folded state in the neighbourhood of the opening, the device being then substantially inserted within the thickness of the jerrican.

2. Packaging according to Claim 1, characterised in that the opening of the jerrican is circular and surrounding the opening and thickness of the jerrican is arranged on each side face of the jerrican.

3. Packaging according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that in the folded state of the body the walls of the bellows are applied against each other, while in the unfolded state it adopts a substantially spherical shape with a view to the filling of the device. of dispenshaving that when the in that a housing taken within the

4. Packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the opening arranged in the jerrican has a diameter such that it permits the metering and dispensing unit to pass freely, while the housing surrounding the opening acts as a receptacle for the bellows in the folded state.

5. Packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the total size of the metering and ( t/ 1 3 dispensing device in the folded state is substantially equal to the thickness of the jerrican or exceeds this thickness only slightly.

6. Packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, 5 characterised in that the holding means consist of a retractable shrinkable plastic film, of a plastic or cardboard sheath, of bonds or tapes or other similar means.

7. Process for employing the packaging according to 10 any one of Claims 1 to 6, with a view to washing linen in a machine, characterised in that, with the packaging being presented so that the metering and dispensing device is an integral part of the jerrican, the body ' being folded, the device is, to begin with, 15 separated from the jerrican, the desired quantity of liquid detergent is poured into the device, preferably the quantity contained in the jerrican and corresponding to a wash, after which the device thus filled is placed in the drum of the machine with the 20 linen in order to perform the washing thereof.

8. Packaging according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. F. R. KELLY & CO.,