AU2002300136B2 - Flexible pouch and dispensing nozzle assembly - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref:7726250 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): Unilever PLC Unilever House Blackfriars London EC4P 4BQ United Kingdom Address for Service: Invention Title: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Flexible pouch and dispensing nozzle assembly The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 1 FLEXIBLE POUCH AND DISPENSING NOZZLE ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to an improved sachet/pouch system, and in particular to a reclosable sachet/pouch system which would retain the contents therein under hygienic, microbial contamination free and storage stable condition after every use of the contents therefrom. The sachet/pouch system is of particular use as a toothpaste holder, and has small dimensions and a closure.

It is presently known to provide small packages 1-50gms of liquid/semi viscous products such as toothpaste, shampoos, sauces, ketchup's etc. in the form of pouch/sachets.

Such conventional sachets/pouches are basically obtained of plastic/poylined materials and are sealed from all ends.

For use of the contents from such pouches/sachets, the user is required to cut open a portion of the pouch/sachet and thereafter dispense the contents from the opening formed in the pouch/sachets. However, such conventional sachets/pouches do not have any reclosable means, and thus once the pouch/sachet is cut open for application/use the contents have to be either consumed at the first instance, or the remainder of the contents haS to be left in unhygienic conditions, exposed to potential microbial contamination.

Moreover, in the absence of any effective reclosing means in such conventional sachets/pouches, lots of the contents are lost unused through the opening, thereby resulting in loss of expensive product formulation contained in the sachet/pouch. Importantly, due to such problems of reclosing of the cut sachet/pouch, it is not convenient to use the conventional pouches/sachets as a carry pack once the sachet/pouch is cut open for its first use.

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Added to the above, cutting and opening of the conventional sachet/pouch often resulted in an improper opening in the IN sachet/pouch, the opening being either too wide resulting in 5 loss of expensive product formulation, or too narrow causing problems in dispensing the contents therethrough for use.

SExisting toothpaste holders currently on the market tend to CI take the form of a laminate sheet which is shaped into a tubular structure. This process is carried out on large scale and involves reasonably complicated technical procedures. The technicalities and cost involved make it impossible to produce laminate toothpaste holders of small dimensions efficiently, effectively and at low unit cost.

Conversely, local manufacture is prohibitive due to the cost of the machinery necessary to manufacture such holders.

An alternative toothpaste holder takes the form of an aluminum tube. Production processes allow aluminum tubes to be made with small dimensions suitable for export to developing and emerging countries. However, such tubes are only possibly suitable for certain types of toothpaste, and are not suitable for toothpastes which tend to harden quickly due to their reactivity with aluminum. In any event, gas release from gel type pastes has been known to occur.

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide for an improved sachet/pouch system which would provide for convenient opening and closing of the sachet/pouch for repeated use/application of the contents therein as and when desired, and also to maintain effective, hygienic, contamination free conditions for the product stored therein.

-3- 0 The present invention also seeks to provide an improved sachet/pouch system for small size packaging of liquid/semi liquid/viscous products such as dental, hair, skin preparations including toothpastes, shampoos, skin lotions etc. and also for the packaging of sauces, ketchups, purees etc., but in particular for toothpastes, which would retain the properties/characteristics of the products stored therein, even after repeated application/use of the contents Ctherefrom.

Furthermore, the invention seeks to provide a more effective and efficient toothpaste holder which is more suitable for manufacture in, and optionally export to, developing and emerging countries.

In addition, the present invention seeks to provide for an improved sachet/pouch system which would serve as an effective packaging for making small size packages of say of liquid/semi liquid/viscous products such as herein described at affordable prices, and which would serve as an effective hygienic contamination free and storage stable carry pack for such products.

According to a further aspect the present invention seeks to provide an improved sachet/pouch system which would provide for convenient, controlled and user friendly dispensing of the product therefrom for use/application purposes.

Thus according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved sachet/pouch system comprising; a sachet/pouch body portion containing liquid/semi liquid viscous products and obtained of deformable material; 4 a nozzle assembly secured to the sachet/pouch body portion and comprising a nozzle having an opening for communicating with the inside of said sachet/pouch body portion and means for opening and closing said opening as and when desired.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a reclosable toothpaste holder comprising two laminated metalised sheets, a neck and closure means, wherein edges of the laminated metalised sheets are sealed to form a sachet, the sachet having a neck inserted into, and protruding out of, one end of the sachet, wherein the neck has-an aperture defining an opening through which toothpaste can pass from the sachet and wherein the closure mean is detachably fixed at the distal end of the neck so as to close the aperture.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaged toothpaste composition comprising a toothpaste composition, which may be a silica or chalk based toothpaste composition, packaged in a toothpaste holder or sachet/pouch as described above. Also contemplated is a packaged dental or dentifrice composition which is a liquid, and is packaged in a toothpaste holder or sachet/pouch as described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a sachet/pouch assembly for holding liquid or viscous compositions such as shampoos, skin creams and lotions, sauces, ketchups and purees.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure means can comprise a plug having a cylindrical elongate member, and the aperture is sized to receive the cylindrical elongate member as a friction fit so as to reclose the sachet after use. In such embodiments, the closure means can conveniently be molded integrally with the neck portion, providing a sealed unit. However when first use of the holder is made, the closure means is snapped off of the neck portion, the contents dispensed, the closure means inverted, and thereafter the elongate member of the closure portion can close the neck by means of a friction fit.

In a further-embodiment of the above disclosed improved sachet/pouch system and or toothpaste holder, the nozzle assembly can be obtained as a single piece, with the means for opening and closing the nozzle o pening being provided in the formwa flip top cap connected to the nozzle.

Alternatively, the nozzle assembly nozzle can comprise of two pieces comprising of the nozzle and a cap adapted to be releasably secured onto the nozzle to facilitate opening and closing of the nozzle opening. The cap can be releasably secured with respect to the nozzle either by providing cooperating threads on the external of the nozzle and the internal of the cap, or the cap may be adapted to releasable press fit with respect to the nozzle.

This sachet system, for which a convenient use is as a toothpaste holder, is economical and easy to manufacture with readily available equipment. The laminate typically has a thickness in the region of 40-90, preferably microns, this being substantially thinner than the thickness of a standard toothpaste tube, which is typically around 300 microns. Preferably, the laminate material is a polyester such as PET, or is a polyolef in such as polypropylene or polyethylene, but it can be any material that is heat sealable and provides a suitable barrier to oxygen, water and flavour loss. A particu larly preferred laminate material comprises 12 micron layer of PET, a 9 micron layer of aluminum, and a 60 micron layer of low density 6 polyethylene, though the materials utilized can preferably comprise a 5-15 micron layer of PET, a 5-15 micron layer of aluminium, and a 40-80 micron layer of low density polyethylene.

However, and depending on the end use of the sachet/pouch system, the sachet/pouch body portion can be obtained of any suitable deformable material such as monolayer and/or multilayer plastic/paper substrate depending upon the contents to be packed and the end use/application required.

Advantageously, the edges of the laminated metalised sheets are heat sealed together around their periphery. It is preferred that the sachet/pouch system is one which does not have a gusset. In a preferred embodiment, the two laminated metalised sheets are constituted by a single laminated metalised sheet folded back on itself; it is therefore not sealed along one edge. Hence for example where the sachet/pouch system is a rectangular shape, it is sealed, preferably heat sealed along three edges.

The nozzle assembly can be obtained of high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene or similar polymeric material. Preferably, the nozzle opening can be provided with a tamper proof seal to evidence its fresh unused condition. At the time of first use of the contents from the sachet/pouch, the seal is punctured to create said nozzle opening which can thereafter be reclosed after every use by the means for opening and closing of the nozzle opening.

A further advantage the sachet system according to the invention has over standard toothpaste tubes is that, due to 7 its production process, it can readily be produced either as single units or in sheets or strings using known techniques, each sachet being detachable from its neighbour. The production equipment is also more readily available, and can be readily adpated as necessary, and there are various ways in-which the sachets can be efficiently manufactured, for example by filling each sachet with paste from the neck end prior to inserting the neck of the closure, or by filing the sachet from the end opposite to the closure before heat sealing the edges at that end.

Dentifrices which may be used in packaged compositions of the present invention may comprise optional, conventional ingredients such as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers like starch, sucrose, water or water/alcohol systems etc..

Small amounts of surfactants may also be included, such as anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants, typically at levels of They may also preferably comprise particulate abrasive materials such as silicas, aluminas, calcium carbonates, dicalciumphosphates, calcium pyrophosphates, hydroxyapatites, trimetaphosphates, insoluble hexametaphosphates and so on, including agglomerated particulate abrasive materials, usually in amounts between 3 and 60% by weight. A preferred embodiment of packaged composition according to the invention is one in which the dentifrice is not in the form of a gel.

Furthermore, packaged compositions may comprise humectants such as glycerol, sorbitol, propyleneglycol, xylitol, lactitol and so on, usually in amounts ranging from 10-80% by weight.

Binders and thickeners such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum, gum arabic etc. may also be included, as well as synthetic polymers such as 8 polyacrylates and carboxyvinyl polymers such as Carbopol7, typically at levels of 0.1-2%.

Flavours such as peppermint and spearmint oils may also be included, as well as preservatives, opacifying agents, colouring agents, pH-adjusting agents, sweetening agents aid so on, usually at levels of 0.5-3%.

Anti-bacterial agents may also be included such as Triclosan, chlorhexidine, copper-, zinc- and stannous salts such as zinc citrate, sodium zinc citrate and stannous pyrophosphate, sanguinarine extract, metronidazole. Further examples of anti-bacterial agents are quaternary ammonium compounds such as cetylpyridinium chloride; bis-guanides such as chlorhexidine digluconate, hexetidine, octenidine, alexidine; halogenated bisphenolic compounds such as 2, 2' methylenebis-(4-chloro-6-bromophenol).

Polymeric compounds which can enhance the delivery of active ingredients such as anti-bacterial agents can also be included. Examples of such polymers are copolymers of polyvinylmethylether with maleic anhydride and other similar delivery enhancing polymers, such as those described in DE- A-3,942,643 (Colgate).

Furthermore anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, aspirin, indomethacin etc. may also be included.

Anti-caries agents such as sodium- and stannous fluoride, aminefluorides, monosodiumfluorophosphate, casein, plaque buffers such as urea, calcium lactate, calcium glycerophosphate, strontium polyacrylates may also be included. Other optional ingredients include vitamins such as vitamin C, and plant extracts. Additional desensitising 9 O agents such as potassium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium tartrate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium oxalate, potassium nitrate as well as strontium salts may IND also be included.

Buffers and salts to buffer the pH and ionic strength of the Scompositions may also be included. Liposomes and other Sencapsulates may also be used to improve delivery or (1 stability of active ingredients.

Furthermore, the packaged oral compositions may comprise anti-calculus agents such as alkalimetal pyrophosphates, hypophosphite-containing polymers, organic phosphonates, phosphocitrates etc.

In addition, the packaged compositions may comprise functional biomolecules such as bacteriocins, antibodies, enzymes and so on.

Other optional ingredients that may be included are e.g.

bleaching agents such as peroxy compounds e.g. potassium peroxydiphosphate, effervescing systems such as sodium bicarbonate/citric acid systems, colour change systems, and so on.

As now claimed, according to one aspect, the present invention provides a reclosable toothpaste holder comprising two laminated sheets, a neck and closure means, wherein edges of the laminated sheets are sealed to form a sachet, the sachet having the neck inserted into and protruding out of one end of the sachet in a direction along the general plane of the sachet, wherein the neck has an aperture defining an opening through which toothpaste can pass from the sachet, wherein the closure means is detachably fixed at 9a

C)

o O the distal end of the neck so as to close the aperture, and wherein the closure means comprises a plug having a cylindrical elongated member wherein the aperture is sized IND to receive the cylindrical elongated member as a friction fit.

MThe nature of the invention, and its objects and advantages O will be further apparent from the ensuing description made (1 with relation to non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the improved sachet/pouch system of the invention as per the accompanying figures.

Three forms of toothpaste sachet, each of which is constructed in accordance with the invention, will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, wherein; 10 Figure 1 is a side view of the first form of toothpaste sachet; Figure 2 is a side view of the first form of sachet illustrating how a plug is used to reclose the sachet after use; Figure 3 is a side view of a second form of toothpaste sachet; Figure.. is a schematic illustration of an improved sachet/pouch in accordance with the invention; and Figure 5 is an exploded view of the nozzle assembly used in the improved sachet/pouch of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a toothpaste holder comprising two rectangular, laminated metallised sheets which are heat-sealed at three of their edges la to form a sachet i. The sachet 1 is filled with toothpaste before a plastic neck 2 is inserted into its open end ib, which is then sealed around the neck. The neck 2 is formed with a central aperture 2a so as to define an opening in the sachet 1 through which the toothpaste can pass. A plug 3 is detachably fixed to the neck 2, the plug protruding outwards from the sachet 1. The plug 3 comprises a base 4 and a cylindrical elongate member 5 protruding outwards therefrom.

The diameter of the cylindrical elongate member 5 is slightly less than the diameter of the aperture 2a in the neck 2 of the sachet i, such that the aperture is able to receive the cylindrical elongate member as a friction fit II when the plug 3 is turned upside down, as can be seen in Figure 2.

The base 4 of the plug 3 is detachable from the neck 2 of the sachet 1 by a simple breaking motion, thus exposing the aperture 2a to allow toothpaste to pass. Once the required amount of toothpaste is passed through the aperture 2a, the sachet 1 can.be resealed by inserting the cylindrical elongate member 5 of the plug 3 into the aperture. The cylindrical elongate member 5 has an outwardly-protruding ridge 6 situation at a predetermined distance from its distal end, so as to prevent the cylindrical elongate member from being inserted through the aperture 2a beyond a predetermined length.

The toothpaste sachet shown in Figure 3 is a modified version of the sachet Figure i, so like reference numerals will be used for likeparts, and only the modifications will be described in detail. Thus, the main modification is to modify the neck 2 of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 to provide a threaded aperture 2'a, and to replace the plug 3 by a screw cap 7.

In each of the embodiments, the laminated sheets preferably are made from a metallised polyesters such as PET, or polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, with the preferred metal being aluminum. However, other known compounds are also suitable, provided they are capable of being heat sealed to provide a suitable barrier to water and oxygen, and also so as to provide a barrier against flavour loss.

A single laminated metallised sheet, folded back on itself, can constitute the two laminated metallised sheets. In this 12 case only two edges la will need to be heat sealed before insertion of the neck 2.

The dimensions of the rectangular laminated sheets are small so as to keep the cost of production of the toothpaste sachets to a minimum, thereby making the sachets economic for export to developing and emerging countries.

In another embodiment, figure 4 shows the rectangular shaped pouch/sachet body portion BP with the nozzle assembly (NA) secured in a leakproof manner to the sachet/pouch body portion.: The sachet/pouch body portion (BP) is sealed from all ends as evident from the seal margin (SM) at the sides.

The nozzle opening (NO) (Fig.5) communicates with the inside of the pouch/sachet body portion containing the liquid/semi liquid viscous product. Preferably, a seal is provided at the nozzle opening to evidence the tamperproof unused condition of the sachet/pouch system. A cap is provided screwed onto the nozzle to releasably close the nozzle opening.

For the purpose of first use of the contents from the improved sachet/pouch, the cap is first unscrewed from said nozzle and thereafter seal is punctured, and the required quantity of the contents are dispensed by pressing on the deformable body portion of the pouch/sachet.

Thereafter, the remainder of the contents of the pouch/sachet are maintained in a hygienic, microbial contamination free storage stable condition by replacing of the cap onto the nozzle. For every subsequent use thereafter, the cap is unscrewed to allow dispensing of the product through the nozzle opening, and thereafter again recapped to close said nozzle opening and retain the contents under hygienic conditions.

13 In the instance however that a seal membrane is not provided, cap can be simply released from the nozzle and the contents dispensed through the nozzle opening.

Thereafter, the cap is again screwed onto the nozzle to store the remaining contents under hygienic, storage stable conditions for subsequent uses. Thereafter, for every subsequent use the cap is released from the nozzle, and the nozzle subsequently recapped as detailed above.

The sachet/pouch body portion can be rectangular as per the illustrated embodiment discussed in figures 4 and 5, or of any other suitable geometrical shape and configuration.

Likewise, the nozzle assembly can also have various shapes and configurations depending upon sachet/pouch get up desired, the contents thereinand the end use/application desired.

In each of the embodiments, the laminated sheets preferably are made from metallised polyesters such as PET, or polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, with the preferred metal being aluminium. However, other known compounds are also suitable, provided they are capable of being heat sealed to provide a suitable barrier to water and oxygen, and also so as to provide a barrier against flavour loss.

It is thus possible by way of the improved sachet/pouch system of the invention to provide for hygienic microbial contamination free storage stablepouch/sachet packaging of liquid semi liquid/viscous products. Importantly, the pouch/sachet system of the invention would provide for controlled dispensing of the product therethrough the nozzle opening, and also provide for convenient closing of the nozzle opening after every use to thereby ensure hygienic 14, contamination free storage of the remaining contents of the pouch/sachet until its subsequent use is desired.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will beunderstood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (14)

1. A reclosable toothpaste holder comprising two laminated INO sheets, a neck and closure means, wherein edges of the laminated sheets are sealed to form a sachet, the sachet having the neck inserted into and protruding out of one Send of the sachet in a direction along the general plane Sof the sachet, wherein the neck has an aperture defining (N an opening through which toothpaste can pass from the sachet, wherein the closure means is detachably fixed at the distal end of the neck so as to close the aperture, and wherein the closure means comprises a plug having a cylindrical elongated member wherein the aperture is sized to receive the cylindrical elongated member as a friction fit.

2. A holder as claimed in claim i, wherein the closure means comprises a screw cap which is engagable with a complementary threaded portion of the neck of the sachet.

3. A holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said edges of the laminated sheets are metallised and the edges of the laminated sheets heat-sealed together.

4. A holder as claimed in any one of claim 3, wherein the two laminated metallised sheets are constituted by a single laminated metallised sheet folded back on itself.

5. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle has a tamper evident seal.

6. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the sachet/pouch is sealed around the periphery. 16 C.) 0

7. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the sachet/pouch is gussetless. IN

8. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the sachet/pouch has a capacity of 1-50 gm of material.

9. A holder as claimed in any of the preceding claims, CI wherein the closure means comprises a flip top cap attached to the nozzle.

A packaged dentifrice composition comprising a holder according to any of the preceding claims containing a dentifrice composition.

11. A packaged composition according to claim 12, wherein the composition is silica or chalk based.

12. A packaged composition according to claim 12, wherein the composition is a liquid.

13. A packaged composition comprising a holder according to any of the preceding claims containing shampoo, skin cream or lotion, sauce, ketchup or puree, the holder comprising two laminated metal sheets, and neck and closure means, wherein the edges of the laminated metallised sheets are sealed to form a sachet, the sachet having a neck inserted into, and protruding out of, one end of the sachet, wherein the neck has an aperture defining an opening through which the composition can pass from the sachet, and wherein the closure means is detachably fixed at the distal end of the neck so as to close the aperture. S- 17 0 O

14. A reclosable toothpaste holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. NO 5 DATED THIS 30th day of September, 2005. UNILEVER PLC By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE