JP6158085B2 - Package with window and unit dose article therein - Google Patents

Description

  The field of the invention relates to the packaging of unit dose articles, in particular unit dose articles comprising a laundry composition. Laundry compositions can include, but are not limited to, additives, detergents, softeners, and perfumes for use in cleaning and / or rinsing cycles, among others. These unit dose articles can include the composition in any suitable form including, but not limited to, solids, pastes, gels, liquids, and combinations thereof. Non-solid laundry compositions are usually encapsulated in a film material that is at least partially water soluble.

  Life is getting busier than ever. We now have access to global information at the touch of a button, have mobile phones close at hand for all things, and have become accustomed to lifestyles that are readily available as consumers. Household compositions such as detergents have been affected by this trend. For example, over the past fifteen years, manufacturers have moved production from traditional bin laundry and dishwashing detergents to compressed detergents, and most recently to unit dose detergents. Unit doses are generally tablets or water-soluble pouches that can be added directly into the washing machine without the hassle or confusion of metering. This unit dose is designed to dissolve in water during the wash cycle.

  Water soluble unit dose articles are susceptible to accidental or unintentional contact with moisture. As a result, it is important to protect the articles from moisture during the various stages of the life cycle, including during transport and storage. Packaging is one means of providing such protection. Packaging also forms an integral part of the product and may be the consumer's first contact with the brand. Thus, apart from protecting the unit dose article from damage, the package needs to be aesthetically pleasing and provide the consumer with space for branding and usage information. In short, the ideal package is functional, informative and attractive.

  One attempt to address these requirements has been to package unit dose articles in flexible bags. In order to prevent waste and provide a bag that appears to be full, the bag is generally sized by the volume of the unit dose article contained therein. The height of the bag is often processed to provide a good shelf display. In many cases, these considerations tend to roll on merchandise shelves, resulting in a lengthy bag with a small footprint and a high center of gravity.

  Some bags have windows that allow consumers to view the product before purchasing. The size and placement of the windows is such that the bag appears to be full of product. Bags that appear to be full are considered a critical element in telling consumers that they are trying to get what they spend.

  Given these, as well as the fact that unit dose articles are sold in varying numbers, manufacturers may need to manufacture a series of very many bags for a single final product. This can be disadvantageous because it increases manufacturing costs.

  Therefore, in order to protect the unit dose article from moisture, provide brand and usage information to the consumer, and package various numbers of articles while still telling the consumer that they are trying to get value for money There remains a need for attractive bags that can be utilized.

  The present invention addresses the aforementioned needs. Rather than providing a series of different sized bags, a single sized flexible bag is used to package various numbers of unit dose articles. The bag can have a large footprint for stability. Transparent windows are provided that allow the consumer to see various numbers of filling lines or “heights” contained within a single size bag. “Transparent” as used herein means that the height of the unit dose article is visible through the window. Consequently, “transparent” is used interchangeably with “translucent”. The bag may also provide a “billboard space” on the front of the package so that branding and use of the internal unit dose article can be clearly communicated to the consumer.

  In some embodiments, the flexible bag contains a plurality of at least partially water soluble unit dose articles. The bag includes a front panel and a rear panel joined at a peripheral edge to the front panel along at least two opposing ends in facing relationship to form a closed bag. The front and back panels are joined at the top by a frangible seal and can optionally be further joined at the top with a resealable closure. As used herein, “easy to break seal” means a seal that can be broken. The bag includes a bottom panel intermediate the front panel and the rear panel and is coupled to each of the front panel and the rear panel. The front panel includes at least one transparent window and at least one opaque portion. The unit dose article is dispensed from the bottom of the bag to a height therein. The bag provides space above the height of the article so that the transparent window on the front panel traverses the unit dose article and space.

  In some embodiments, the bag contains a unit dose article having a needle shape in the main dimensions. The bag provides space above the height of the unit dose article. The transparent window of the front panel has a height that takes the vertical direction of the front panel across the unit dose article and space. The width of the transparent window may exceed the major dimensions of the unit dose article at its height.

  In some embodiments, the unit dose article comprises a liquid laundry composition encapsulated in a film material that is at least partially water soluble.

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method for providing a flexible sealed bag containing a plurality of unit dose articles. Providing an open flexible bag, the flexible bag comprising:
A front panel and a rear panel joined at a peripheral edge to the front panel along at least two opposing ends in a facing relationship to form a closed bag, joined at the top by a frangible seal A front panel and a rear panel,
A bottom panel that is intermediate between the front panel and the rear panel and is coupled to each of the front panel and the rear panel;
The front panel comprises at least one transparent window and at least one opaque portion;
Filling the bag with a plurality of at least partially water soluble unit dose articles such that the article is dispensed from the bottom of the bag to a height therein, providing a space above the article height; A method whereby the transparent window of the front panel includes the steps of traversing the article and space and sealing the bag.

While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be further understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The perspective view of the bag which accommodates the articles | goods by this invention. 1 is a perspective view of a unit dose article according to the present invention. FIG. The bottom view of the bag of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bag containing an article according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bag containing an article according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bag containing an article according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bag containing an article according to the present invention.

  The article of manufacture of the present invention is a flexible bag that contains a plurality of unit dose articles. The flexible bag may reduce and / or prevent exposure of the article to moisture prior to and / or during transport and storage. The flexible bag may comprise a transparent window that allows the consumer to see the filling line or “height” of the unit dose article when the bag is displayed to the consumer for over-the-counter purchases. In addition, the flexible bag may provide “billboard space” on the front of the bag so that branding and usage instructions and other indicators can be clearly communicated to the consumer.

  The transparent window may have a constant or variable width. As used herein, “constant width” refers to a window having an equivalent width over the entire vertical dimension. As used herein, “variable width” refers to windows having different widths in terms of vertical dimensions.

  1 and 2-3d generally show a flexible bag 10 containing a plurality of unit dose articles 100 according to the present invention. Although the bag is illustrated and illustrated in the figures, it is not necessary to have these particular panel configurations provided that include the compartment for the unit dose article. For example, the bag can include gussets along the sides. The bag may further include one or more side panels coupled to the front panel and the rear panel. In a further example, the bag can further include an internal compartment. Furthermore, the front panel of the bag is substantially rectangular as shown and illustrated in the figures, but other suitable shapes may be formed. For example, the front panel can be substantially circular.

  The flexible bag 10 sealed as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a front panel 30, a rear panel 50, and a bottom panel (not shown). The front panel 30 of this embodiment is rectangular in shape and includes spaced apart side ends 35a, 35b that define a width therebetween. The front panel is joined at the periphery to the rear panel 50 along at least two opposing ends in a facing relationship. FIG. 1 shows two opposing ends that are joined together at the periphery, with the opposing ends of the front and rear panels being 35a and 55a, respectively. A bottom panel (not shown) is intermediate between the front panel 30 and the rear panel 50 and is coupled to each. The front panel 30 and the rear panel 50 are joined at the top by a frangible seal 20.

  A variety of materials can be used to form the panels, seals, and other elements of the bag of the present invention. Technical requirements such as waterproofing and product compatibility, as well as cost and ease of manufacture, are several factors to consider when selecting these materials.

  One or more materials can be used to form one or more panels 30, 50 of the bag 10. In some embodiments, the one or more panels 30, 50 include a layer of material. In some embodiments, this layer is laminated together. Materials used include, but are not limited to, film-forming plastics. The film forming plastic may be selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, nylon ™, Barex ™, Evoh ™, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the panels 30, 50 may include layers laminated together.

  The panels 30, 50 of the bag 10 may be joined along the ends 35a, 35b using any suitable method that provides a seal that acts as a waterproof barrier. Non-limiting examples include ultrasonic welding, self-adhesion, pressure sealing, adhesive sealing, and combinations thereof.

  Any suitable means of creating a frangible seal that joins the front and back panels together is useful. Non-limiting examples include drilling, applying a line of weakness, a peelable seal, a resealable closure, and combinations thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 30 includes at least one opaque portion 31 and at least one transparent window 32. In some embodiments, the at least one opaque portion 31 may include information including but not limited to usage instructions, advertisements, performance information, and the like. The transparent window 32 of this embodiment varies in width, i.e., expands to become wider as it approaches the bottom surface of the bag 10.

  The article 100 is dispensed from the bottom surface of the bag 10 to a height 110 therein, providing a space 33 above the height 110 of the unit dose article 100 such that the transparent window 32 traverses the article 100 and the space 33. . The flexible bag 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an optional additional closure 25 for securing the bag 10 in a closed state after the frangible seal 20 is broken.

  FIG. 1a shows an exemplary unit dose article 100 of the present invention. The unit dose article 100 is preferably an integrated dose of a home care composition including but not limited to a laundry, dishware, or hard surface cleaning composition. Such an article 100 can have a variety of forms, shapes, and compositions, but the general characteristics of such additives are prone to degradation when exposed to prolonged and / or high levels of moisture, It is easily inactivated, easily destabilized, or easily dissolved. As an example, laundry additives encapsulated in polymer films that are designed to be fast-dissolving under both hot and cold water conditions may cause stickiness if they are not protected from prolonged exposure to atmospheric moisture. It becomes unstable and can be dissolved prematurely. Such articles are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0192986A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,995,126, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  As shown in FIG. 1a, the unit dose article may have a needle shape with a major dimension 101 along one side. As used herein, “major dimension” defines the maximum linear dimension of unit dose article 100. When the unit dose article 100 is substantially circular, the “major dimension” defines its diameter. In embodiments where the bag 10 contains a plurality of unit dose articles 100 having different shapes and sizes, the major dimension 101 corresponds to the largest major dimension of the unit dose articles 100.

  FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the bag 10 that houses the article 100 of FIG. In this embodiment, the bottom panel 40 of the bag is transparent so that at least a portion of the article 100 contained therein is visible therethrough. The bottom panel 40 is intermediate between the front panel 30 and the rear panel 50 and couples to them. The front panel 30 is joined at the periphery to the rear panel 50 along two sets of opposing ends in a facing relationship. FIG. 2 shows the opposite ends of the first set as 35a and 55a, and the opposite ends of the second set as 35b and 55b.

  3a-3d are front views of an alternative embodiment of a flexible bag 10 containing an article 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of a flexible bag 10 containing a plurality of articles 100 having different sizes and shapes. The transparent window 32 on the front panel 30 of the bag 10 has the maximum width of the window at the height 110 of the article 100 in the bag 10 when the bag is displayed to a consumer for over-the-counter purchase. spread.

  FIG. 3b shows an embodiment of a flexible bag 10 containing a plurality of articles 100 having substantially equivalent shapes and sizes. The transparent window 32 of the front panel 30 of the bag 10 has a main shaft 320. The main shaft 320 is oriented obliquely with respect to the rectangular front panel 30.

  FIG. 3 c shows an embodiment of a flexible bag 10 that houses a plurality of articles 100 that optionally have substantially equivalent shapes and sizes. Two transparent windows, an upper window 32 a and a lower window 32 b are in the front panel 30 of the bag 10. The upper transparent window 32 a crosses the article 100 and the space 33.

  FIG. 3d shows an embodiment of a flexible bag 10 containing a plurality of articles 100 optionally having substantially equivalent shapes and sizes. Three transparent windows, 32a, 32b, and 32c are in the front panel 30 of the bag 10. One transparent window 32 a crosses the article 100 and the space 33. Transparent windows 32b and 32c are below the height 110 of the article.

  The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, 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” shall mean “about 40 mm”.

  All documents cited in this application, including all patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless expressly stated to be excluded or limited. Citation of any document does not admit that such document is prior art to all inventions disclosed or claimed in this application, or such document alone or in all other references. And no reference to, teaching, suggestion, or disclosure of any such invention in any combination thereof. Further, in this document, if the scope of any meaning or definition of a term conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in the incorporated literature, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document Priority shall be given.

  While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications within the scope of this invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (7)

A flexible sealed bag containing a plurality of at least partially water soluble unit dose articles,
A rear panel joined at a peripheral edge to the front panel along at least two opposite ends in facing relationship to form a closed bag having a front panel and a seal that acts as a waterproof barrier. The fragile seal is joined at the top by a fragile seal that seals the bag in a first closed state that is not broken and the fragile seal is broken in the second closed state. A front panel and a rear panel joined at the top by a resealable closure that seals the bag; and
A bottom panel that is intermediate the front panel and the rear panel and is coupled to each of the front panel and the rear panel;
The front panel comprises at least one transparent window and at least one opaque portion for displaying at least a portion of the plurality of articles;
Providing a space above the height of the article in a first closed state in which the article is dispensed from the bottom surface of the bag to a height therein and the frangible seal is not broken; The transparent window of the front panel crosses the article and the space,
The at least one transparent window has a varying width, the transparent window widens as it approaches the bottom surface of the bag, the bottom surface of the bag is transparent, and the article is equivalent A flexible sealed bag containing a plurality of unit dose articles that is of the size and shape of and contains a unit dose of a liquid laundry detergent or detergent composition.   The bag includes a polymeric film throughout, the front panel of the bag having a generally rectangular shape, with spaced side edges defining a width therebetween, the side edges of the front panel The flexible bag according to claim 1, wherein a portion is heat sealed to a corresponding side end portion of the rear panel. A flexible closed housing containing a plurality of unit dose articles according to claim 1 or 2 , comprising a plurality of vertically arranged windows, at least one window being below the height of the article. bag. 4. A flexible sealed bag containing a plurality of unit dose articles according to claim 3 , wherein the window is obliquely oriented and monotonically increases in width as it approaches the bottom surface of the bag. The multiple unit dose article of claim 3 or 4 , wherein the window extends to the bottom of the front panel and the window has a width at the bottom of the front panel that exceeds a major dimension of the article. A flexible sealed bag containing the bag. (A) providing an open flexible bag comprising:
The flexible bag is
A front panel and a rear panel joined at a peripheral edge to the front panel along at least two opposing ends in a facing relationship to form a closed bag, joined at the top by a frangible seal A front panel and a rear panel,
A bottom panel that is intermediate the front panel and the rear panel and is coupled to each of the front panel and the rear panel;
The front panel comprising at least one transparent window and at least one opaque portion;
(B) filling the bag with a plurality of at least partially water soluble unit dose articles such that the article is dispensed from the bottom surface of the bag to a height therein;
(C) providing a space above the height of the article, whereby the transparent window of the front panel traverses the article and the space;
(D) The method of providing the flexible sealed bag as described in any one of Claims 1-5 including the process of sealing the said bag. The method of claim 6 , further comprising displaying the flexible sealed bag for purchase by a consumer at a store.

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