CN112135783A

CN112135783A - Dentifrice dispenser

Info

Publication number: CN112135783A
Application number: CN201980032228.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·D·特罗罕; K·F·特隆布利; N·帕内尔
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2018-05-14
Filing date: 2019-05-14
Publication date: 2020-12-25
Also published as: MX2020011414A; WO2019222123A1; AU2019270964A1; US20190344953A1; CA3099960A1; US20210269227A1; BR112020022981A2

Abstract

The present invention provides a container for dispensing a water sensitive dentifrice. The container has two chambers and a divider with an opening to allow passage of several unit doses of dentifrice. The present invention also provides a method of dispensing a water sensitive dentifrice using a dual chamber container.

Description

Dentifrice dispenser

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dentifrice dispenser and method of use thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a two-compartment dispenser separated by a divider comprising an opening that allows one or several unit doses of an oral care composition to pass through the opening when the dispenser is inverted.

Background

Dentifrice compositions are typically formulated as pastes that can be extruded from a tube; and typically include fluoride agents, abrasives, calcium sources, surfactants, whitening agents, humectants, thickeners, and other formulation ingredients. Typically, the dentifrice composition must be carefully formulated to avoid reaction in the tube, but remain reactive in the oral cavity. In many cases, some ingredients must be replaced or removed to balance reactivity in the tube with beneficial effects in the oral cavity.

A unit dose of dentifrice in solid form can reduce many of the reactivity problems present in typical dentifrice ingredients in liquid phase. However, unit dose dentifrices in solid form may be sensitive to water. Thus, there is a need for a new dentifrice dispenser to dispense unit doses of dentifrice in solid form without the introduction of water. Thus, the present invention relates to a new dispenser and method of use thereof.

Disclosure of Invention

Disclosed herein is a dentifrice container including a storage compartment, a dispensing compartment, a partition including an opening separating the storage compartment from the dispensing compartment, and a lid.

Also disclosed herein is a method of dispensing a dentifrice comprising providing a container comprising (i) a storage compartment, (ii) a dispensing compartment, (iii) a partition separating the storage compartment and the dispensing compartment comprising an opening, wherein the opening connects the storage compartment and the dispensing compartment, and (iv) a lid; providing at least one unit dose of dentifrice in a storage chamber; manipulating the container to allow at least one unit dose of dentifrice to move from the storage compartment to the dispensing compartment through the opening in the partition; opening the lid of the container; and selecting at least one unit dose of dentifrice that has been moved from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.

Also disclosed herein is a dentifrice container comprising a storage chamber; a dispensing chamber; a partition separating the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber and including an opening; and a cover including a lever.

Disclosed herein is a dentifrice container (10) comprising a storage compartment (15), a dispensing compartment (20), a partition (22) including an opening (25) separating the storage compartment (15) from the dispensing compartment (20), and a lid (30).

Also disclosed herein is a method of dispensing a dentifrice comprising providing a container (10) comprising (i) a storage chamber (15), (ii) a dispensing chamber (20), (iii) a partition (22) separating the storage chamber (15) and the dispensing chamber (20) comprising an opening (25), wherein the opening (25) connects the storage chamber (15) and the dispensing chamber (20), and (iv) a lid (30) in a closed position; providing at least one unit dose of dentifrice (40) in the storage chamber (15); manipulating the container (10) to allow at least one unit dose of dentifrice (40) to move from the storage compartment (15) to the dispensing compartment (20) through the opening (25) in the partition (22); opening a lid (30) of the container (10); and selecting at least one unit dose of dentifrice (40) that has been moved from the storage chamber (15) to the dispensing chamber (20).

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side view of a container having a lever connected to a lid.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the container being shaken and inverted.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a container containing a unit dose of dentifrice, the dentifrice being visible through a window in the lid.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a user selecting a unit dose of dentifrice from the dispensing chamber.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a unit dose of dentifrice selected by a user from a dispensing chamber with the device.

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a container having a spine connected to a lid.

Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of a container with a transparent lid.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a container having a transparent lid that can be opened by a push button.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a container having a window in the lid that can be opened with a switch.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a container having a window in the lid and having an angled upper surface of the divider.

Fig. 11 is a side perspective view of a container having a window in the lid and having a refill unit.

Detailed Description

In recent years, new oral care compositions have been created that include a nonwoven fibrous web layer. While dentifrice reactivity is generally manipulated by formulation design, the use of unit dose oral care compositions allows for a significant reduction in reactivity prior to use by separating components in a solid phase (where reactivity is lower) or physically separating the ingredients by an assembled design of layers or by partitioning of the unit dose.

The nonwoven web dissipates, dissolves and/or foams in the presence of water to deliver the oral care active to the appropriate location in the oral cavity. This unique behavior is advantageous if the transition from the solid phase occurs upon contact with water present in the oral cavity or on the brush head; however, special care must be taken to prevent contact between the unit dose of dentifrice and the water before reaching the brush head or oral cavity.

As a result, nonwoven web-based dentifrices are water sensitive, and new dispensers and methods for dispensing these dentifrices are needed to prevent contact with water prior to use by the consumer. Thus, the present invention is directed to a new dispenser and method of using the same to prevent contact of a nonwoven web-based dentifrice with water prior to brushing.

The following non-limiting figures represent possible embodiments of the containers and methods of using the containers disclosed herein.

The present invention relates to a container (10) capable of dispensing a unit dose of dentifrice (40) and methods of using the container to dispense a unit dose of dentifrice (40), in certain embodiments, as shown in figures 1-4. The dentifrice may be held in the storage chamber (15) until the consumer manipulates the container (10). The consumer may move the container or impart motion to the container, such as by shaking or inverting the container, as shown in fig. 2, which causes a unit dose of dentifrice (40) to pass from the storage compartment (15) through the opening (25) in the partition (22) into the dispensing compartment (20). As shown in fig. 3, the consumer can visually inspect whether at least one unit dose of dentifrice (40) passes through the opening (25) by looking through a transparent portion of the lid, or a window (35) in the lid, or the dispensing chamber (20), or by opening the lid (30). The consumer can select a unit dose of dentifrice (40) residing in the dispensing chamber (20). The consumer may then cause the container (10) to allow the remaining unit dose of dentifrice (40), if any, to pass through the opening (25) again and return to the storage chamber (15).

The present invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that: the container can be used to dispense a solid form of dentifrice by reducing or eliminating the introduction of water into the remaining dose of dentifrice. By using the container, the consumer need only contact a single unit dose of dentifrice (40). In addition, the container can be manipulated with a single hand.

The above summary is not intended to define every aspect of the invention, and additional aspects are described elsewhere. Moreover, the present invention includes (as an additional aspect) all embodiments of the invention that are in any way narrower in scope than the variations defined by the specific paragraphs presented above. For example, certain aspects of the invention are described as genus, and it should be understood that each member of the genus is an aspect of the invention. In addition, aspects in which members of a genus are described or selected with respect to the genus should be understood to encompass combinations of two or more members of the genus. To the extent that aspects of the invention are described or claimed in "a" or "an," it is to be understood that such terms are intended to mean "one or more" unless the context clearly requires a more limited meaning. The term "or" should be understood to encompass alternative or common items unless the context clearly requires otherwise. If aspects of the invention are described as "comprising" features, embodiments also contemplate "consisting of" the features set forth in … or "consisting essentially of" the features set forth in ….

As used herein, "translucent" should be understood to describe a material that allows some electromagnetic radiation to pass through. Translucent materials allow some light to pass through so that some objects cannot be seen clearly. Thus, the translucent material allows a consumer to see the material contained within the translucent material, but in some cases does not see much detail.

As used herein, "transparent" should be understood to describe a material that allows nearly all electromagnetic radiation to pass through. The transparent material allows most of the light to pass through. Thus, the consumer will typically be able to see detailed images of other materials through the transparent material.

As used herein, "opaque" should be understood to describe a material that does not allow nearly any light or electromagnetic radiation to pass through. Thus, consumers will generally not be able to see other materials through the opaque material.

As used herein, "moisture sensitive" is understood to describe materials that react with water and/or water vapor typically present in air. In the present disclosure, water and/or water vapor typically present in air can dissolve the nonwoven web-forming material, thereby releasing the dentifrice contents.

The features of the compositions and methods are described below. The section headings are for convenience of reading and are not intended to be limiting per se. All of this document is intended to be associated as a unified disclosure, and it should be understood that all combinations of features described herein are contemplated, even if the combinations of features are not commonly found in the same sentence, paragraph, or section of this document. It will be understood that any feature of the methods or compounds described herein may be deleted in whole or in part, in combination with or instead of any other feature described herein.

All measurements referred to herein were made at 25 ℃ unless otherwise indicated.

The components and methods of the compositions of the present invention are described in the following paragraphs.

Storage chamber

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the storage chamber (15) may be a void formed by the inner surface (12) of the storage chamber (15) and the partition (22). The storage compartment (15) may hold a unit dose of dentifrice (40) when the container is not in operation or manipulated. The cross-sectional shape of the reservoir (15) may be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval, triangular, polygonal, or any other shape capable of holding a solid or semi-solid composition along the Longitudinal Axis (LA), as shown in fig. 1. The cross-sectional shape of the reservoir may vary or be substantially uniform along the Longitudinal Axis (LA), as shown in fig. 1.

The reservoir (15) may be a unitary piece, but may comprise a separate non-structural element, such as a label, gripping structure, or the like, connected to the outer surface (11) of the reservoir (15). The reservoir (15) may comprise different regions of different materials which are bonded to one another either internally or chemically as part of the manufacturing process.

The storage chamber (15) may be made of any material suitable for use as a container for dentifrice. The reservoir may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. For example, the reservoir (15) may be made of plastic, metal and/or glass. The reservoir (15) may include an outer surface (11) of the reservoir (15) and an inner surface (12) of the reservoir (15). As shown in fig. 1, the outer surface (11) of the reservoir (15) and the inner surface (12) of the reservoir (15) may form a wall (17) of the reservoir (15) that may have a thickness of about 1mm to about 10cm, about 1mm to about 1cm, or about 10mm to 1 cm. By controlling the parison thickness profile during the extrusion blow molding process, the thickness of the wall (17) of the reservoir (15) can be varied along the longitudinal axis of the container (10).

The storage chamber (15), together with the partition (22) and the dispensing chamber (20), may be a unitary piece of molded plastic. For example, the reservoir (15) may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The reservoir (15) may also be a separate piece of material such that the reservoir (15) may be replaced to refill the unit dose of dentifrice (40).

The total volume of the storage chamber (15) may be greater than the total volume of the dispensing chamber (20). The volume of the reservoir chamber (15) may be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200%, 250% or 500% greater than the volume of the dispensing chamber (20). The volume of the storage chamber (15) may be 10% to 1000%, 20% to 500%, or 30% to 250% greater than the volume of the dispensing chamber (20).

As shown in fig. 1, when the container (10) resides on its bottom (13), the storage chamber (15) may be located below the dispensing chamber (20) and separated by a partition (22). The reservoir (15) is defined by a wall (17) having an inner surface (12) and an outer surface (11) for providing side and bottom portions of the reservoir (15). The interior surface (12) of the storage chamber (15) may have one or more coatings to encourage the exit of the unit dose of dentifrice (40) from the storage chamber (15). The outer surface (11) of the reservoir (15) may have an irregular surface to enhance gripping of the container (10). The wall (17) of the reservoir (15) may be formed by one or more layers. The walls (17) of the storage chamber (15) may be produced by any conventional method, such as blow moulding or injection moulding.

The reservoir (15) may be opaque, transparent and/or translucent. The storage chamber (15) may include a window (16) to allow a consumer to visually inspect the contents of the storage chamber (15) and determine when a new container needs to be purchased or when a container needs to be refilled. The window of the reservoir may be translucent or transparent in an otherwise opaque reservoir (15). The thickness of the window (16) may be the same as or different from the wall (17) of the reservoir (15).

The storage chamber (15) may be separated from the rest of the container (10), such as the partition (22), the dispensing chamber (20), and the lid (30), by any conventional means, such as by threads, snaps, or any other method for removably connecting two portions of the container.

Refill unit

The container (10) may be designed to accommodate a refill unit (50), as shown in fig. 11.

As shown in fig. 11, the refill unit (50) may be a void formed by the inner surface (52) of the refill unit (50) and the dispensing chamber (20). The refill unit (50) may hold a unit dose of dentifrice (40) when the container is not in operation or manipulated. The cross-sectional shape of the refill unit (50) may be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval, triangular, polygonal, or any other shape capable of holding a solid or semi-solid composition.

The refill unit (50) may be a unitary piece, but may include a separate non-structural element, such as a label, gripping structure, or the like, connected to the outer surface (52) of the storage chamber (20). The refill unit (50) may include different regions of different materials that are inherently or chemically bonded to one another as part of the manufacturing process.

The refill unit (50) may be made of any material suitable for use as a container for dentifrice. The refill unit (50) may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. For example, the refill unit (50) may be made of plastic, metal, and/or glass. The refill unit (50) may include an outer surface (51) of the refill unit (50) and an inner surface (52) of the refill unit (50). As shown in fig. 11, the outer surface (51) of the refill unit (50) and the inner surface (52) of the refill unit (50) may form a wall (53) of the refill unit (50) that may have a thickness of about 1mm to about 10cm, about 1mm to about 1cm, or about 10mm to 1 cm. By controlling the parison thickness profile in the extrusion blow molding process, the thickness of the wall (53) of the refill unit (50) may be varied along the longitudinal axis of the container (10). The refill unit (50) may also be formed using an injection molding process or a thermoforming process.

For example, the refill unit (50) may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The refill unit (50) may also be a separate piece of material such that the refill unit (50) may be replaced to refill a unit dose of dentifrice (40).

As shown in fig. 11, the refill unit (50) may be located below the dispensing chamber (20) when the container (10) resides on its bottom (13). The refill unit is defined by a wall (53) having an inner surface (52) and an outer surface (51), the wall for providing side and bottom portions of the refill unit (50). The interior surface (52) of the storage chamber (15) may have one or more coatings to encourage the exit of a unit dose of dentifrice (40) from the refill unit (50). The walls (53) of the refill unit (50) may be formed from one or more layers. The walls (53) of the refill unit (50) may be produced by any conventional method such as blow moulding or injection moulding. The refill unit (50) can store a unit dose of dentifrice (50) until the container (10) is operated or manipulated.

The refill unit (50) may be opaque, transparent and/or translucent. The refill unit (50) may include a window to allow a consumer to visually inspect the contents of the refill unit (50) and determine when a new container needs to be purchased or when a container needs to be refilled. The window of the refill unit (50) may be translucent or transparent in an otherwise opaque refill unit (50).

In fig. 11, the refill unit (50) may reside within the storage chamber (15). The storage chamber (15) and the refill unit (50) may be translucent or transparent to allow a consumer to see how many unit doses of dentifrice (40) remain through the walls (17, 53) of the storage chamber (15) and the refill unit (50).

The refill unit (50) may be separated from the rest of the container (10), such as the storage chamber (15), partition (22), dispensing chamber (20) and lid (30), by any conventional means, such as by threads, snaps, or any other method for removably connecting two portions of the container.

The refill unit (50) or second storage compartment (15) with a unit dose of dentifrice (40) may be reconnected to the container using any conventional means, such as by threads, snaps, or any other method for re-engaging the two portions of the container.

Distribution chamber

As shown in fig. 3-10, the dispensing chamber (20) may hold a unit dose of dentifrice (40) after the container (10) has been manipulated. As shown in fig. 4, the dispensing chamber (20) may be a void formed by the inner surface (27) of the dispensing chamber (20), the partition (22), and the inner surface (34) of the lid (30). The dispensing chamber (20) may be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval, triangular, polygonal, or any other cross-sectional shape capable of holding a solid or semi-solid composition along the Longitudinal Axis (LA), as shown in fig. 1. The cross-sectional shape of the dispensing chamber (20) may vary or be substantially uniform along the Longitudinal Axis (LA), as shown in fig. 1.

The total volume of the dispensing chamber (20) may be less than the total volume of the storage chamber (15). The volume of the dispensing chamber (20) may be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200%, 250% or 500% less than the volume of the storage chamber (15). The volume of the dispensing chamber (20) may be 10% to 1000%, 20% to 500%, or 30% to 250% less than the volume of the storage chamber (15).

As shown in fig. 4, when the container (10) resides on its bottom (13), the dispensing chamber (20) may be located above the storage chamber (15) and separated by a partition (22). As shown in fig. 1, the distribution chamber (20) is defined by a wall (28) having an inner surface (27) and an outer surface (21), said wall (28) being adapted to provide a side portion of the distribution chamber (20). A top portion of the dispensing chamber (20) may be defined by an inner surface (34) of the lid (30). A bottom portion of the dispensing chamber (20) may be defined by a partition (22).

The dispensing chamber (20) may be made of any material suitable for use as a container for dentifrice. The dispensing chamber (20) may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. For example, the dispensing chamber (20) may be made of plastic, metal and/or glass. The inner surface (27) of the dispensing chamber (20) or the upper portion (26) of the partition (22) may have one or more coatings to encourage the exit of the unit dose of dentifrice (40) from the dispensing chamber (20). The outer surface (21) of the dispensing chamber (20) may have an irregular surface to enhance gripping of the container (10). The walls (28) of the distribution chamber (20) may be formed from one or more layers. The walls (28) of the reservoir (20) may be produced by any conventional method, such as blow molding or injection molding.

An inner surface (27) of the dispensing chamber (20) may be sloped toward the opening (25) in the partition (22) to facilitate return of the unit dose of dentifrice (40) through the opening (25) after use by a consumer. The slope of the inner surface (27) of the distribution chamber (20) may be defined at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees, about 100 degrees to about 170 degrees, about 110 degrees to about 160 degrees, about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees, or about 130 degrees to about 140 degrees based on an angle formed between the inner surface (27) of the distribution chamber (20) and the upper surface (26) of the partition (22), as shown in fig. 4 and 5.

The dispensing chamber (20), together with the partition (22) and the storage chamber (15), may be a unitary piece of molded plastic, or the dispensing chamber may be a molded plastic piece separate from the partition and/or the storage chamber. For example, the dispensing chamber (20) may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

The dispensing chamber (20) is rotatable relative to the storage chamber (15), for example about a central axis. Such rotation may allow the dispensing chamber (20) to have multiple apertures, only one of which is open at a time to allow selection of dentifrice based on size, shape, or number.

The container may include a window in the dispensing chamber (20). The window may be used by a consumer to see if and how much of the contents have been deposited into the dispensing chamber (20) before opening the lid (30). The dispensing chamber (20) may be opaque, transparent and/or generally translucent.

Separator

As shown in fig. 2, a divider (22) may be positioned between the storage chamber (15) and the dispensing chamber (20). The divider (22) may be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval, triangular, polygonal, or any other shape. The divider (22) may be sized to match the shape and size of the overall container. The partition may be an integral part of the storage chamber (15) and/or the dispensing chamber (20) or may be a separate component.

As shown in fig. 2, the partition (22) may include an opening (25) to allow the contents to move from the storage chamber (15) to the dispensing chamber (20), or vice versa, to allow the contents to move from the dispensing chamber (20) to the storage chamber (15). The edges of the opening (25) may be beveled, rounded, square, or concave. The edges of the opening (25) may be coated with a material to facilitate passage through the opening. The number and location of the openings (25) in the partition (22) can be optimized to allow the correct number or size of unit doses of dentifrice (40) to pass through the partition (22).

The opening (25) may be a single opening or may be a plurality of openings. The opening (25) may be placed in the centre of the partition and/or anywhere on the partition.

The opening (25) may be circular, rectangular, cylindrical, oval, triangular, polygonal, or any other shape. The opening (25) may be sized to be slightly larger than a unit dose of dentifrice (19). The cross-sectional area of the opening (25) may be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200%, 250%, or 500% greater than a single unit dose of dentifrice (40). The surface area of the unit dose of dentifrice (40) may be the surface area of the largest surface present on the unit dose of dentifrice or the surface area of the surface of the unit dose of dentifrice (40).

As shown in fig. 2, the separator (22) may include an upper surface (26) of the separator (22) and a lower surface (23) of the separator (22) to form the separator (22). The partition (22) may be made of any material suitable for use as a container for dentifrice. For example, the separator (22) may be made of plastic, metal and/or glass. The partition (22), together with the dispensing chamber (20) and the storage chamber (15), may be made of a single piece of moulded plastic. For example, the separator (22) may be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

The opening (25) may be angled towards the storage chamber (15) to facilitate return of the contents from the dispensing chamber (20) to the storage chamber (15). In fig. 10, the upper surface (26) of the partition (22) has a slope to prevent water or other impurities from falling into the storage chamber. A platform (29) may be formed around the opening. The opening (25) may be angled towards the dispensing chamber (15) to facilitate transfer of the contents from the storage chamber (15) to the dispensing chamber (20) when the container is manipulated. In fig. 10, the inner surface (27) of the dispensing chamber (22) and the upper surface (26) of the partition (22) are sloped to encourage retention of the unit dose of dentifrice (40) in the dispensing chamber (20) until manipulation of the container (10) and to prevent introduction of any water into the storage chamber (15).

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the lower surface (23) of the divider (22) may also be sloped toward the dispensing chamber (20) to facilitate the escape of unit doses of dentifrice (40) from the storage chamber (15) into the dispensing chamber (20) when the container (10) is manipulated.

The slope of the partition (22) may originate at any point of the edge of the opening (25). The slope may originate from a point 1mm to 5mm, 5mm to 10cm, 10mm to 5cm, 100mm to 1cm, less than 10cm, less than 5cm, or less than 1cm from the edge of the opening (25). The ramp may terminate at an edge of the opening (25). The ramp may also terminate before the edge of the opening (25) leaves the region of the non-sloping platform (29) surrounding the opening (25), as shown in fig. 10.

The partition (22) may not have a raised portion around the periphery of the opening (25). The partition may also have a raised portion around the periphery of the opening (25).

The divider (22) may be opaque, transparent and/or translucent. The coefficient of friction of the upper surface (26) of the partition (22) and/or the lower surface (23) of the partition (22) may be manipulated to facilitate passage or delay passage of a unit dose of dentifrice (40) through the partition (22).

Cover for portable electronic device

As shown in fig. 1, the lid (30) may be any lid (30) used to close a container. The lid (30) may be any cover that can be used to close the container (10) and form a closed or at least partially closed dispensing chamber (20). The lid (30) prevents moisture from entering the container when closed. The lid (30) may include an attachment portion that fits over and/or within the opening (25) when the lid is in the closed position to further protect the unit dose of dentifrice (40) residing in the storage chamber (15).

The lid (30) may be partially or completely detached from the container. For example, the lid (30) may be closed by: placing the lid (30) on top or inside the container (10), screwing into the container (10) using threads, snapping over raised threads, snapping inside the top of the container (10), sliding the lid (30) over the top of the container (10), and/or any other suitable method to close the detached lid (30).

As shown in fig. 4, the lid (30) may be removably connected with the container (10) by any conventional means, such as by a hinge (43), assembly, molded plastic, rail system, and/or any other suitable method to close the attached lid (30). The attached lid (30) may be closed by any conventional means, such as by placing the lid (30) on top of or inside the container (10), screwing into the container (10) using threads, snapping onto raised threads, snapping into the container (10), sliding the lid (30) on top of the container (10), rotating the lid (30) onto the top of the container (10), and/or any other suitable method to close the attached lid (30).

As shown in fig. 1, the lid (30) may also be attached to an opening member (32) to facilitate opening the lid (30) with a single hand while holding the container (10) with the same hand. The opening member (32) may be integral with the lid (30) or may be a separate component that is attached to the lid (30) by any conventional means such as overmolding, adhesives, melts, and the like. The opening member (32) may be a lever (as shown in fig. 1), a bar, a ridge (36, as shown in fig. 6), a depression, or any other raised, recessed, or protruding portion to provide an additional gripping location for a user to rotate, slide, screw, pry, pull, push, snap, and/or open and close the lid (30) on the container (10) by any other suitable method. The lid (30) may automatically resume its previous resting state, wherein the lid closes or partially closes the dispensing chamber (20) once the consumer ceases to apply pressure to open the container. The self-closing lid (30) may be used to automatically close the lid (30) of the container (10) using means known in the art such as springs, hinges, and/or folded plastic.

The lid (30) may be opened by rotating, sliding, screwing, prying, pulling, pushing or snapping the lid (30) away from the container (10) using the opening member (32). The lid (30) can be opened by applying pressure to the opening member (32). The lid (30) may also open automatically upon release of the lid (30). The lid (30) may be opened by depressing a button (37, as shown in fig. 8), a switch (38, as shown in fig. 9), a toggle, a lever, or any other means that releases the lid (30) from remaining in a closed state in which the lid (30) is closed or partially closed the dispensing chamber (20).

As shown in fig. 1, the opening member (32) may be positioned such that it does not extend beyond or only partially (as compared to fully extending) beyond the outer surface (39) of the lid (30); for example, the opening member may be folded back over the upper surface (31) of the lid (30) when not in use. When not used with hinges (33), springs and/or folded plastic, the opening member (13) may be folded back over the upper surface (31) of the lid (30). The opening member (32) may also slide backwards on the upper surface (31) of the lid (30).

The lid (30) may be a tamper-evident, child-resistant and/or tamper-evident lid.

As shown in fig. 3, the container (10) may include a window (35) in the lid (30). The window (35) may be used by a consumer to see if and how much of the contents have been deposited into the dispensing chamber (20) prior to opening the lid (30). The window (35) in the cover (30) may be translucent or transparent. One or more windows (35) may be present on the cover (30). The window (35) may have the same thickness as or a different thickness from that of the cover (30). The window (35) may be circular, square, triangular, or any other shape effective to allow a consumer to view through the lid (30) to see how many unit doses of dentifrice (40) reside in the dispensing chamber (20) after manipulation of the container (10).

The lid (30) may be completely translucent or transparent to allow visual inspection of the contents deposited into the dispensing chamber (20).

Unit dose oral care compositions

As shown in fig. 1-4, a container (10) disclosed herein may dispense a unit dose of an oral care composition, such as, for example, a unit dose of dentifrice (40). However, the container (10) may also dispense any solid or semi-solid compound. Preferably, the compound may be moisture sensitive.

Alternatively, the contents of the container (10) may be a dentifrice, gum, mint, candy, pill, vitamin, lozenge, pod, pocket, solid/soluble foam, film, nonwoven web, detergent, shampoo, conditioner, cleansing product, sachet, tablet, or any other solid capable of moving within the container. The contents of the container may be a dentifrice in the form of a nonwoven web. The contents of the container may be a unit dose of dentifrice.

The amount (by mass and/or volume) of the unit dose oral care composition is determined based on the desired type of unit dose oral care composition. For example, a unit dose dentifrice may be sized to deliver the correct amount of fluoride in a single use according to local laws and regulations, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monograph, which allows for the formulation of 850ppm to 1150ppm and/or 1500ppm fluoride ion. In addition, the unit dose dentifrice may be sized to deliver the correct amount or ratio of other ingredients such as, for example, antimicrobials, abrasives, surfactants, flavors, metal ions, and the like. Similarly, the unit dose mouthrinse may be sized to deliver the correct amount of mouthrinse ingredients, such as, for example, fluoride ions, antimicrobials, abrasives, surfactants, flavors, metal ions, and the like.

The unit dose oral care composition may be a sachet, drops, solid open cell foam, solid closed cell foam, fiber composition, paste composition, gel composition, tablet composition, strip composition, tape composition, and/or a combination of one or more of the forms described in this paragraph.

The unit dose dentifrice may include at least one layer of a nonwoven fibrous web. The nonwoven web layer can dissolve upon contact, which can release oral care actives such as, for example, anti-caries agents, anti-plaque agents, anti-calculus agents, anti-halitosis agents, and desensitizing agents. In addition, dissolution of at least one of the nonwoven fibrous web layers may release aesthetic agents such as, for example, flavors, whitening agents, and sweeteners. Other agents such as humectants, surfactants, binders, abrasives, and other ingredients may be released upon dissolution of the nonwoven web layer.

For a nonwoven web-based unit dose dentifrice to be effective, the nonwoven web layer should not contact water until it reaches the oral cavity. If a consumer reaches into the container, water and oil present on the consumer's hand may contaminate the remaining, unselected unit dose of dentifrice by at least partially dissolving the nonwoven fibrous web layer on any unit dose of dentifrice he or she accidentally touches when reaching a dose of dentifrice.

The disclosed container (10) reduces this problem by dispensing only a single or a few unit doses of dentifrice (40) when the container (10) is manipulated. The consumer may then select a single unit dose of dentifrice (40) without contacting any of the other doses. The remaining, unselected doses can be quickly returned to the storage chamber (15) without processing. In addition, the disclosed container (10) prevents the introduction of water into the unit dose of dentifrice (40) by having a lid (30) and an opening (25) that may be smaller than the transverse cross-sectional area of the storage chamber (15). Finally, the container (10) may have a slope along the upper surface (26) of the partition (22) to prevent any water accidentally introduced into the dispensing chamber (20) from contacting the remaining unit dose of dentifrice (40) residing in the storage chamber (15).

The disclosed container (10) may also include a desiccant to further remove moisture from the container during storage or in use.

Method of producing a composite material

Also disclosed herein is a method of dispensing a unit dose of dentifrice from a container (10) as disclosed herein. Additionally, a method of dispensing moisture sensitive contents from a container (10) is disclosed herein.

As shown in fig. 2, the container (10) may have a storage chamber (15), a dispensing chamber (20), a partition (22), and a lid (30) in a closed position as described herein. The storage chamber (15) may hold a unit dose of dentifrice (40) when the container resides on its bottom (13).

As shown in fig. 2, the container (10) may be manipulated by a user by manipulating or moving the container (10) in a manner that allows a unit dose of dentifrice (40) to move through the partition (22) including the opening (25) and into the dispensing chamber (20). The container may be manipulated by inversion, shaking, inversion, vortexing, stirring, flinging, spinning, or any other motion that allows the contents to move into the dispensing chamber (20). When the user stops the manipulation, the container (10) may return to its original position, in which the bottom (13) of the container (10) is facing the ground or the floor.

The user can then visually inspect the container (10) to see if any unit dose of dentifrice (40) is deposited into the dispensing chamber (20). The dispensing chamber (20) may be visually inspected through a window in the dispensing chamber (20), a window in the lid (35, as shown in fig. 3), a transparent and/or translucent dispensing chamber (20), a transparent/translucent lid (30, as shown in fig. 7), and/or an open lid (30) of the container (as shown in fig. 4 or 5).

If no unit dose of dentifrice (40) is deposited into the dispensing chamber (20), the container (10) may continue to be manipulated until at least one unit dose of dentifrice (40) is deposited into the dispensing chamber (20).

If a unit dose of dentifrice (40) is deposited into the container (10), the user may open the lid (30) and select the dentifrice.

If more than one unit dose of dentifrice (40) is deposited into the dispensing chamber (20), the user may open the lid (30) and select a single piece of dentifrice or may attempt to orient, tilt and/or rotate the container to allow the excess dentifrice to fall back into the storage chamber (15) through the opening (25) in the partition (22) before opening the lid (30).

As shown in fig. 11, the container (10) may include a refill unit (50) that may be used to store a unit dose of dentifrice (40) prior to manipulation and/or manipulation of the container (10) as described herein.

Fig. 1 is a side view of the container (10) of the present invention when resting on the bottom (13) of the container (10). The container (10) comprises a storage chamber (15), a dispensing chamber (20), a lid (30) and an opening member (32) having a hinge (33) to facilitate folding of the opening member back over an upper surface (31) of the lid (30). A unit dose of dentifrice (40) is visible in the storage chamber (15). The reservoir (15) comprises a wall (17) having an inner surface (11) and an outer surface (12).

Fig. 2 is a side view of the container (10) being manipulated. The bottom (13) of the container (10) is inverted and/or shaken so that a unit dose of dentifrice (40) falls from the storage compartment (15) through the opening (25) and into the dispensing compartment (20), but is prevented from falling out of the container by the inner surface (34) of the lid (30) which is in a closed position and attached to an opening member (32) including a hinge (33). The lower surface (23) of the partition (22) is sloped toward the dispensing chamber (20) to facilitate movement of the unit dose of dentifrice (40) into the dispensing chamber (20).

FIG. 3 is a top view of the container (10) after a unit dose of dentifrice (40) has been transferred from the storage compartment (15) to the dispensing compartment (20). The consumer can see through a transparent window (35) in the lid (30). A unit dose of dentifrice (40) is visible resting on the partition (22) next to the opening (25).

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a user selecting a unit dose of dentifrice (40) from the dispensing chamber (20) by hand (41) with the container on its bottom (13). A unit dose of dentifrice (40) is resting on the separator (22). The inner surface (27) of the wall (28) of the distribution chamber (20) is inclined. The upper surface (26) of the partition (22) is not sloped, thus leaving a platform (29), as shown in fig. 10, for the unit dose of dentifrice (40) to rest before returning to the storage compartment (15) through the opening (25) in the partition (22).

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a user selecting a unit dose of dentifrice (40) from the dispensing chamber (20) with a device such as a toothbrush (42) while the container is on its bottom (13). A unit dose of dentifrice (40) is resting on the separator (22). The inner surface (27) of the wall (28) of the distribution chamber (20) is inclined. The upper surface (26) of the partition (22) is not sloped, thus leaving a platform (29) for the unit dose of dentifrice (40) to rest before returning to the storage compartment (15) through the opening (25) in the partition (22), as shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of a container (10) having a ridge (36) connected to the lid (30) that facilitates opening of the lid (30). When resting on the upper surface (26) of the partition (22), the unit dose of dentifrice (40) is visible through the window (35).

Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the container (10) with a fully transparent lid (30). The unit dose of dentifrice (40) is visible through the transparent cover (30) when resting on an upper surface (26) of the partition (22) next to an inner surface (27) of a wall (28) of the dispensing chamber (20).

Fig. 8 is a top perspective view of a container (10) having a fully transparent lid (30) that can be opened by depressing a button (37). The user can apply pressure to the upper surface (31) of the lid (30) to place it back in the closed position. The unit dose of dentifrice (40) is visible through the transparent cover (30) when resting on an upper surface (26) of the partition (22) next to an inner surface (27) of a wall (28) of the dispensing chamber (20).

Fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a container (10) having a window (35) in the lid (30) that can be opened with a switch (38). The user may apply pressure to the lid (12) to place it back in the closed position. The user can apply pressure to the upper surface (31) of the lid (30) to place it back in the closed position.

Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of the container (10) in an open position. A unit dose of dentifrice (40) is resting on the upper surface (26) of the partition (22). The upper surface (26) of the partition (22) slopes away from the storage chamber (15) to prevent water from entering the storage chamber (15). The inner surface (27) of the wall (28) of the distribution chamber (20) is inclined. The unit dose of dentifrice (40) is visible through the window (16) of the storage compartment (15).

Fig. 11 is a side perspective view of a container (10) including a refill unit (50). A unit dose of dentifrice (40) is resting on the inner surface (52) of the refill unit (50). The walls (53) of the refill unit (50) and the walls (17) of the storage compartment (15) are transparent so that a consumer can view the unit dose of dentifrice (40) residing in the refill unit (50). The lid (30) has a transparent window (35) so that a consumer can see if a unit dose of dentifrice (40) has been deposited into the dispensing chamber (20) when manipulating the container (10).

Each document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or patent application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or its benefits, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with any disclosure of the invention or the claims herein or that it alone, or in combination with any one or more of the references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious 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. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A dentifrice container, the dentifrice container comprising:

(a) a storage chamber;

(b) a dispensing chamber;

(c) a divider separating the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber, the divider including an opening; and

(d) and a cover.

2. The dentifrice container of claim 1, wherein the divider comprises an upper surface of the divider.

3. The dentifrice container of claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the divider slopes away from the storage chamber.

4. The dentifrice container of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the divider comprises a lower surface of the divider.

5. The dentifrice container of claim 4, wherein the lower surface of the divider slopes toward the dispensing chamber.

6. The dentifrice container of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lid comprises an opening member.

7. The dentifrice container of claim 6, wherein the opening member is a lever, ridge, depression, raised portion in the lid, button, or switch.

8. The dentifrice container of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the divider is free of any raised portion around the perimeter of the opening.

9. The dentifrice container of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the dentifrice container comprises a window.

10. The dentifrice container of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lid is transparent.

11. A method of dispensing a dentifrice, the method comprising:

(a) providing a container, the container comprising:

(i) a storage chamber for storing the liquid to be stored,

(ii) the distribution chamber is provided with a plurality of distribution chambers,

(iii) a partition separating the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber, the partition including an opening, wherein the opening connects the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber,

(iv) a cover;

(b) providing at least one unit dose of dentifrice in the storage chamber;

(c) manipulating the container to allow at least one unit dose of dentifrice to move from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber through the opening in the partition;

(d) opening a lid of the container;

(e) selecting at least one unit dose of dentifrice that has been moved from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising orienting the container to allow the unit dose of dentifrice to fall back to the storage chamber through the opening in the partition.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the unit dose dentifrice is moisture sensitive.

14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the unit dose of dentifrice is a nonwoven fibrous web.

15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the lid is initially in a closed position.

16. The method of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the container comprises an opening member, wherein the opening member is a lever, ridge, depression, raised portion in the lid, button, or switch.

17. The method of any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein an upper surface of the divider slopes away from the storage chamber.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the opening member is folded back over an upper surface of the lid.

19. The method of any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein opening the lid of the container comprises rotating the lid, sliding the lid, unscrewing the lid, or folding the lid.

20. A dentifrice container, the dentifrice container comprising:

(a) a storage chamber;

(b) a dispensing chamber;

(d) a cover, the cover comprising a lever.