CN116547210A

CN116547210A - Cap with tactile discontinuities

Info

Publication number: CN116547210A
Application number: CN202280007499.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 保罗斯·安东尼厄斯·奥古斯蒂努斯·赫夫特; 克莱拉·索菲·利·额帕克莱昂
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2021-02-09
Filing date: 2022-02-07
Publication date: 2023-08-04
Also published as: CA3197830A1; US20230264852A1; JP2023548527A; WO2022173682A1; EP4039604A1

Abstract

Examples include consumer products including detergent products and containers including a box, a lid, and a lock to hold the lid in a closed position. The lock includes at least a first actuator movable from a locked position to an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the first actuator when the lid is in the closed position. The cover includes a first tactile discontinuity facing the first actuator, the first tactile discontinuity allowing the first actuator to be displaced from a locked position to an open position by application of an actuation pressure at the first tactile discontinuity when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the cover further includes a second tactile discontinuity facing directly towards a second particular portion of the sidewall when the cover is in the closed position.

Description

Cap with tactile discontinuities

Background

The present invention relates generally to containers for detergent products. Such containers containing detergent products are consumer products present in the consumer's home, especially in rooms such as kitchens, laundry or bathrooms, which tend to create a humid environment. It is important that the container be configured to adequately protect the detergent product from degradation by excessive exposure to such moisture or humidity.

Drawings

Fig. 1A-1B illustrate a first exemplary consumer product.

Fig. 2A-2C illustrate a second exemplary consumer product.

Fig. 3A-3B illustrate a third exemplary consumer product.

Fig. 4A-4B illustrate a fourth exemplary consumer product.

Fig. 5 illustrates a fifth exemplary consumer product.

Fig. 6 shows sixth and seventh exemplary consumer products.

Fig. 7A-7B illustrate an eighth exemplary consumer product.

Fig. 8 illustrates a first exemplary method.

Fig. 9 illustrates a second exemplary method.

Fig. 10 illustrates a third exemplary method.

Detailed Description

Detergent products are sensitive to humidity and should therefore be contained in specific containers, in particular containers which can be locked and properly closed or locked after use or opening, to reduce the risk of excessive exposure of the detergent composition to ambient humidity. At the same time, the locking element of such containers should be configured to be actuated by a large number of adult consumers or users. Thus, the locking member should reliably prevent accidental opening of the container after use and provide reliable reclosing or relocking, as well as reliable unlocking when needed by the end consumer. While these objectives may appear to be contradictory, it is important to address both of these issues. This apparent contradiction is particularly acute when applied to paperboard containers, which, while providing desirable recyclability, introduce challenges related to their mechanical properties.

It has been found that such an object can be achieved by providing a cover for a cartridge, which cover comprises not only in a first aspect a first tactile discontinuity facing a first actuator for a locking member, but also in a second aspect a second tactile discontinuity on the cover, which first tactile discontinuity allows to displace the first actuator from a locking position to an open position by applying an actuation pressure at the first tactile discontinuity when the cover is in a closed position, which second tactile discontinuity directly faces a corresponding specific portion of a side wall of the cartridge when the cover is in a closed position. While the first tactile discontinuity allows manipulation of the locking member, when the lid is in the closed position, the second tactile discontinuity directly faces the side wall of the cartridge, contacting the second tactile discontinuity, thereby having no effect on the locking member, allowing a point to be provided from which the container can be grasped without opening the lock. Indeed, it is sometimes desirable to manipulate the container without opening the lock. Especially in the case of a substantially smooth side wall and a substantially smooth lid, where only the gripping point will be relevant for operating the locking member, gripping the container by such gripping point may indeed be problematic, which may lead to undesired opening of the container. This is avoided by providing a second tactile discontinuity according to the present claims and preferably located on a side wing of the cover. Such a second tactile discontinuity may be used, for example, by a machine to manipulate the container on a factory line without opening the box. Such a tactile discontinuity may also be used by the user as a reference gripping point for actually opening the lock by simultaneously pressing the first tactile discontinuity. The fact that the second tactile discontinuity directly faces the corresponding side wall portion of the cartridge does allow to have a stable gripping point, unlike the structure corresponding to the first tactile discontinuity corresponding to the first actuator movable between different positions. In practice, it has been found that placing at least one finger in a stable position (i.e., at the second tactile discontinuity) facilitates operation of the first actuator with the second finger, the second tactile discontinuity acting as a stable basis for the lever effect. It should be understood that in the region of the tactile discontinuities, the cover is separated by the corresponding sidewall portion of the case (or the second specific portion of the sidewall in the language of the claims) by only a thin air gap layer, the corresponding sidewall portion being actuator-free or flap-free, so as to provide the desired stability. In some examples, one or more additional tactile discontinuities are provided in the cover, preferably on the side wings of the cover, such one or more additional tactile discontinuities directly facing corresponding specific portions of the side wall when the cover is in the closed position, so as to provide one or more stable additional gripping points. In some examples, at least one of such one or more tactile discontinuities is located on a side flap of the cover opposite the other side flap on which the second tactile discontinuity is located, such that even more improved gripping may be provided, for example, when such gripping is desired without risk of unlocking the container. In some examples, the cover includes 4 tactile discontinuities, 2 on a first side wing of the cover and 2 on a side wing of the cover opposite the first side wing, each side wing including 1 tactile discontinuity such as a second tactile discontinuity, i.e., a corresponding portion directly facing the sidewall, and each side wing including 1 tactile discontinuity such as a first tactile discontinuity, i.e., corresponding to an actuator such as a first actuator.

Consumer products according to the present disclosure are intended to take these different aspects into account.

A lock according to the present disclosure should be configured to reversibly retain the lid in the closed position. By reversibly, it should be understood that the locking member allows for repeated locking and unlocking of the lid, thereby allowing for repeated access to the contents of the container and allowing for locking of the container between successive accesses. This is different from, for example, disposable mechanisms such as tamper-resistant mechanisms, which are not reversible due to their function. In some examples, a lock according to the present disclosure reversibly retains a lid in a closed position by being configured to allow at least 10 consecutive opening and closing operations. In some examples, a lock according to the present disclosure reversibly retains a lid in a closed position by being configured to allow at least 50 consecutive opening and closing operations. In some examples, a lock according to the present disclosure reversibly retains a lid in a closed position by being configured to allow at least 100 consecutive opening and closing operations.

In this embodiment, the tactile discontinuities of the actuator that allow actuation of the locking element are referred to as actuation areas. The second tactile discontinuity is not an actuation area according to the present description, as it is directly facing the sidewall.

In some examples, one or more of the haptic discontinuities are one of holes and haptic elements. Although the aperture will be the preferred actuation area not only due to simplicity of implementation, but also due to direct contact with the actuator, or alternatively the side wall provided by the tactile discontinuity in the form of an aperture, other types of actuation areas are contemplated which can be detected, for example, by a change in texture, the presence of varnish, the presence of film, the presence of relief elements, the presence of embossing elements or the presence of slits. In some examples, each haptic discontinuity is one of a hole, slit, film, or embossed region, preferably a hole, wherein each haptic discontinuity preferably has a circular shape.

In some preferred examples, the particular configurations described in this disclosure allow for reliance on a structure including a first actuation region, a second actuation region, and a third actuation region, which will provide reliable locking and unlocking operations. The use of such separate three actuation areas in fact allows the use of 3 fingers of the same adult's hand to operate the lid of a cartridge held by the other adult's hand.

Detergent products are products that may be relatively heavy, for example when a container for such a product is carrying the full weight of such a detergent product, particularly when the consumer product is recently purchased and thus contains a large quantity of detergent product. While some consumers may lift and transport such consumer products by holding the base of the cartridge containing such detergent products, such lifting and transport may also be performed by holding such consumer products with the lid without holding the base. In such cases, the lid subjected to the action of gravity of the detergent product may be released and open the box, which falls and may spread its contents. Such a situation should be avoided. In addition to avoiding such unintentional unlocking of the lid, the structure of the consumer product container should maintain or improve the ergonomics of opening and prevent or reduce permanent sidewall deformation upon excessive or repeated application of force to the consumer product, such as during transportation, in a grocery shopping bag, upon external pressure, or upon dropping. At the same time, the container can be carefully manufactured to protect the environment. Consumer products according to the present disclosure are intended to take these different aspects into account.

In the present disclosure, consumer products are understood to be products which are provided to the end consumer in particular. Such consumer products may be purchased, for example, at a supermarket, and the end consumer may store such consumer products in the home. Consumer products can be provided in large numbers and therefore environmental concerns should be taken into account in the design. The design of consumer products should also take into account the problem of transportation to retail stores. Consumer products should also be robust to withstand transportation as part of an e-commerce shipment. Consumer product design should also take into account shelf storage at the retail store. Consumer product design should also take into account shipping from retail stores to consumer homes. Consumer product designs should also take into account storage in the home of the private end consumer. Consumer product design should also consider the use of consumer products in private end consumer homes. The design of the consumer product should also take into account the process.

Consumer products according to the present disclosure include detergent products. Detergent products are understood in this disclosure to be products comprising surfactants. The detergent product may also contain bleach or other ingredients. Exemplary detergent product compositions are described in more detail herein. In some examples, the detergent product comprises a unit dose detergent pouch, preferably a water-soluble unit dose detergent pouch, more preferably a flexible water-soluble unit dose detergent pouch. Exemplary unit dose detergent pouches are described in more detail herein. It should be noted that in some cases, containers according to the present disclosure may also be suitable for content other than detergent products, in particular content of perishable nature, such as food or unstable chemicals.

Consumer products according to the present disclosure also include a container. In the present disclosure, a container is understood to be an object that holds the content, for example, in a cavity of the container. The container facilitates protection, transportation, storage, access and handling of the consumer product.

In the present disclosure, the container includes a cartridge. A box is understood to be a substantially parallelepiped, barrel, cylinder, circular, oval or cube-shaped three-dimensional object defining a cavity. The use of parallelepiped boxes can facilitate storage and transport by allowing the boxes to be stacked in a space efficient manner. In some examples, the box may be parallelepiped provided with some rounded, tapered trapezium (tapered trapezium) or beveled edges. The cartridge according to the present disclosure comprises a detergent product. It will be appreciated that the detergent product is contained or stored in a cartridge. A cartridge according to the present disclosure includes a base, a sidewall, and an opening. In some examples, the opening is opposite the base. In other examples, the opening is located on the sidewall. A base according to the present disclosure should be understood as a surface on which a cassette may rest when placed on a supporting surface such as a shelf or floor. In some examples, the base is flat. In some examples, the base is rectangular. In some examples, the base is oval or circular. In some examples, the base has an embossing profile that protrudes inwardly or outwardly in the form of a ridge (relief). A sidewall according to the present disclosure should be understood to extend from the base and connect the base to the opening, transition piece or lid. It should be appreciated that the connection of the base to the opening may include one or more transition pieces in addition to the side walls. It will be appreciated that the connection of the base to the opening may be through a portion of the side wall, for example when the opening is in such a side wall. In some examples, the transition piece may be glued or otherwise attached to the sidewall. In some examples, the sidewall is perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the base is rectangular and has four sides, the four side walls extending perpendicularly from the base, each side wall being rectangular, each side wall being connected to a side of the base by a side wall side and to two other side walls of the four side walls by two other side wall sides. In some examples, the base is oval or circular, and the side walls form a generally cylindrical wall extending from the base in a direction orthogonal or perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the sidewall has a shape corresponding to one of a square, rectangle, trapezoid, polygon, sphere, oval, or ellipsoid. An opening according to the present disclosure should be understood as a complete or partial hole providing access to the detergent product contained in the cartridge. In some examples, the opening faces the base. In some examples, the opening has a surface that is smaller than a surface of the base. In some examples, the opening has a surface that is larger than a surface of the base to provide improved access, for example, using sidewalls that extend from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the base. In some examples, the opening is provided after removing a tamper proof feature, e.g., comprising a perforation to be removed at first use or a tamper proof (tamper proof) tag that locks the lid to the case. In some examples, the tamper evident label is glued to the lid and the box, whereby the tamper evident label should be broken, torn or perforated at the first opening to indicate to the consumer that the container has not been tampered with prior to purchase. The tamper evident tag may be for example paper or plastic. In some examples, the opening is placed on a top plate of the box, the top plate of the box facing the base of the box, i.e., opposite the base of the box, the top plate of the box being separated from the base of the box by at least a sidewall, the top plate of the box being substantially coplanar with the base of the box. In some examples, the opening is located in a sidewall, the opening having an opening profile or opening contour, which may be included in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base. In some examples, the opening is rectangular. In some examples, the opening is rectangular with rounded edges. In some examples, the opening is circular or oval. In some examples, the opening is a permanent opening. In some examples, the opening is a reclosable opening. Exemplary reclosable openings include those reclosable by a single flap, or those reclosable by a spout-like structure, such as a spout-like structure comprising a main flap that will cover the opening in the reclosed position and side elements that connect the main flap with the sides of the opening when the opening is opened.

The container includes a lid for the cartridge. A lid according to the present disclosure should be understood as an element that allows repeatedly closing or opening an opening of a cartridge. In some examples, the lid may be connected to the case, for example, by a hinge, or may be separate from the case. A lid according to the present disclosure includes a top or lid top and a side flap or lid side flap. In some examples, the cover includes additional panels in addition to the top and the wings, the top, wings, and additional panels forming a sleeve that encloses the box. It will be appreciated that the lid is intended to cover the opening of the cartridge when the lid is in the closed position. In some examples, the top of the cover is rectangular. In some examples, the top of the lid is circular, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or oval, e.g., approaching a structure such as a circle or oval, by adding a plurality of side flaps and lid flaps. In some examples, the cover includes a beveled edge. In some examples, the top of the cover is rectangular with rounded edges. It should be understood that the top of the cover, although named "top", may be positioned in different orientations. The cover includes a side flap. It will be appreciated that the wings according to the present disclosure are elements that are connected to the top of the lid and extend from the lid so as to engage one or more side walls of the box, each wing having an extension along the corresponding side wall between the connection to the top of the lid and the distal ends of the wings. The wings help to place the top of the cap over the opening. In some examples, the wings extend vertically from the top of the cover. In some examples, the wings surround the entire perimeter of the top of the cover. In some examples, the wings partially surround the entire perimeter of the top of the lid, a portion of the top of the lid being non-wing along the hinge between the lid and the box, for example in the case of a hinged lid. In some examples, the cover forms a sleeve. When the lid is in the closed position, the top of the lid or another portion of the lid may cover the opening and at least a portion of the side flap or another portion of the lid may cover at least a particular portion of a particular one of the side walls of the case, the lid being movable from the closed position to the open position. The movement of the lid may be constrained by a connection to the cartridge (such as a hinge) or may be entirely removable, for example to provide improved access to the contents of the cartridge. The cartridge and the lid cooperate to facilitate storage, transport, and access to the contents of the container.

The container according to the present disclosure includes a lock for reversibly holding the lid in the closed position. Reversibility is understood to mean that the locking element can be opened or closed repeatedly. In the present disclosure, a lock should be understood to provide a mechanism that properly closes and protects the detergent composition from moisture and prevents or reduces the likelihood of accidental opening. A lock according to the present disclosure holds the lid in the closed position. It should be appreciated that a lock according to the present disclosure is intended to function under normal use of the container. It will be appreciated that the locking member may not be able to perform its function when, for example, the cartridge is being used unusually, or when the cartridge is in unusual conditions. In some examples, the lock includes an actuator that is movable from a locked position to an open position when the cover is in the closed position by applying an actuation pressure to the actuator. An exemplary actuator is a mechanical structure that undergoes movement when actuated by an external force or actuation pressure, which movement, when occurring, results in the opening of a lock. In some examples, the actuator is resilient and has a default position corresponding to the lid remaining closed, the resilience being overcome by an external force or actuation pressure to open the lid. In some examples, the actuator is resilient in that the actuator includes a flexible element having a default position corresponding to the lid remaining closed, the flexible element being pressed to open the lid, the flexible element bouncing back to the default position when the pressure is released. It will be appreciated that the pressure is generated by applying a force on the surface. The exemplary actuator has at least two positions, an open position and a locked position, whereby the open position corresponds to a position allowing the lid to be opened, the locked position preventing the lid from being opened to protect the contents from moisture or to reduce the likelihood of the lid being accidentally opened.

The exemplary actuator is connected to a particular portion, which is at least a particular portion of a particular side wall of the cartridge covered by at least a portion of the lid when the lid is in the closed position, which may be a particular portion covered by at least a portion of the lid when the lid is in the closed position, when in the locked position, the actuator e.g. abuts against a locking tab of the lid, when in the open position, the actuator e.g. remains away from the locking tab, the actuator being displaceable e.g. by an actuation pressure in a direction orthogonal to the particular portion of the side wall by an unlocking displacement distance. The connection to the particular portion may be, for example, a fold line at the end of the side wall remote from the base. The connection of the actuator to the particular portion of the side wall is due to the actuator participating in locking or unlocking the particular portion of the side wall from the portion of the lid covering the particular portion of the side wall, thereby allowing the lid to be released from the cassette. The cover may include a locking tab. A locking tab is understood to be a mechanical element that interlocks with an actuator. In some examples, the locking tab extends away from a portion of the cover and may be in the form of a ridge, embossment, or additional layer of material extending from the cover and toward a particular portion of the sidewall such that when in the locked position, the actuator may abut against the tab to prevent separation of that particular portion of the sidewall from the cover in the actuator region. In some examples, the locking tab is contained in the cover itself, for example, formed by a hole in the cover. An abutment according to the present disclosure should be understood as a contact between the actuator or a part of the actuator and the tab, which contact prevents opening of the lid. In some examples, the actuator remains away from the locking tab when in the open position to release the locking tab. This release of the locking tab allows the lid to be opened. Displacement or movement of the actuator from the locked position to the open position is by applying an actuation pressure or force (directly or indirectly) to the actuator such that the actuator is displaced in a direction normal to a particular portion of the sidewall a distance sufficient to inhibit contact of the actuator with the locking tab, the distance corresponding to the displacement distance. Such forces or pressures may also include a small component that may be parallel to the side walls, as the hand is an adult hand, which does not necessarily perfectly align the forces. However, the actuation is triggered by a component of such force or pressure orthogonal to the portion of the sidewall. This presence of a component orthogonal to the portion of the side wall, in order to unlock the lock, is involved in the action of the lock to avoid accidental opening, for example in the absence of such normal force component, whereas the desired opening would occur by the consumer "pushing" the actuator and exerting an unlocking force or pressure that allows the opening of the cover.

To provide the accuracy of properly positioning the finger, the side wings include tactile discontinuities in the form of actuation areas in the particular side wings, which actuation areas face the actuator. The fact that such an actuation area faces the actuator in fact allows to accurately position the thumb or one or more other fingers on the area where the lock opening force should be applied. The actuation area should be understood as defining a localized discontinuity on a particular side flap, wherein the user or consumer may perceive such a discontinuity in order to properly position the thumb or one or more other fingers. Such discontinuities may include one or more of an actuation aperture, an actuation flap, an actuation slit, an actuation film, or tactile elements such as protrusions, depressions, surface textures, buttons, etc. in or applied to the surface of the side flap. In some examples, the haptic discontinuities or particular portions include a visual indication that indicates the location of the haptic discontinuities. In some examples where the tactile discontinuities are apertures, the particular portion includes a visual indication that is visible through the apertures, corresponding plurality of apertures, when the cover is closed. The visual indication may be printed on the outer surface of the side flap and may include one or more arrows or one or more areas printed in a conspicuous color or in specific text providing the indication (such as "push open here"), or a combination of any of these indications. If the tactile discontinuity does not directly face the sidewall, the tactile discontinuity may be configured to displace the actuator from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure at the actuation region when the lid is in the closed position. To properly place the thumb or one or more other fingers, the actuation area may span less than 8cm ² And greater than 0.2cm ² . It has been found that larger areas may result in insufficient precision in finger placement, while smaller areas may result in difficulty in locating the actuation area by the user or consumer. In some examples, the actuation region has a circular shape for ease of positioning. Other shapes are contemplated such as, for example, oval, square, triangle, rounded square, rounded triangle, other polygons, or other rounded polygons.

Fig. 1A-1B illustrate an exemplary consumer product 100 comprising a detergent product (not shown) and a container. In fig. 1A, the container is open. In fig. 1B, the container is closed and locked. The container comprises a box 101, a lid 102 for the box and a lock 103 for holding the lid in a closed position, the box comprising a detergent product, the box comprising a base 104, a side wall 105 and an opening 106, the lid comprising a top 107 and a side wing 108, the lid covering the opening and the lid covering at least a first specific portion and a second specific portion of the side wall of the box when the lid is in the closed position, the lock comprising at least a first actuator 103 movable from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure to the first actuator when the lid is in the closed position, the first actuator being connected to the first specific portion, the lid comprising a first tactile discontinuity 109 facing the first actuator, the first tactile discontinuity allowing the first actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure at the first tactile discontinuity, wherein the lid further comprises a second tactile discontinuity 110 facing the second specific portion of the side wall directly when the lid is in the closed position. In this example, the cover is a hinged cover. In this example, the opening is located at the top of the cassette, opposite the base of the cassette. In this example, the first tactile discontinuity and the second tactile discontinuity are located on the same particular side wing of the cover, and the centroid of the first tactile discontinuity and the centroid of the second tactile discontinuity are separated by a separation distance in a direction parallel to the top of the cover that is greater than 1.5cm and less than 10cm.

Fig. 2A-2C illustrate an exemplary consumer product 200 comprising a detergent product (not shown) and a container. In fig. 2A, the container is open. In fig. 2C, the container is closed and locked. In fig. 2B, the container is in an intermediate position. The container comprises a box 201, a lid 202 for the box and a lock 203 for holding the lid in a closed position, the box comprising a detergent product, the box comprising a base 204, a side wall 205 and an opening 206, the lid comprising a top 207 and a side wing 208, the lid covering the opening and covering at least a first specific portion and a second specific portion of the side wall of the box when the lid is in the closed position, the lock comprising at least a first actuator 203 which is movable from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure to the first actuator when the lid is in the closed position, the first actuator being connected to the first specific portion, the lid comprising a first tactile discontinuity 209 facing the first actuator, the first tactile discontinuity allowing the first actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure at the first tactile discontinuity, wherein the lid further comprises a second tactile discontinuity 210 which directly faces the second specific portion of the side wall when the lid is in the closed position. In this example, the lid is a sliding sleeve that includes a transition panel opposite the top of the lid that covers the base of the box when the lid is closed, the transition panel being connected to the side wings. In this example, the opening is located in one of the side walls, providing improved splash protection. Other examples may have an opening on the top. In this particular example, the opening 206 may be opened by pulling the slit plate 216 away from the sidewall to create the opening 206, such slit plate serving as an element to ensure that the contents of the cartridge have not been tampered with. In some examples, the opening may be a permanent opening, or a perforated plate that is permanently removable prior to first use. In some examples, the sleeve cap may include a stop element that prevents the sleeve from being completely removed from the cartridge, as shown in fig. 2B. Such a stop may comprise complementary opposing flaps which are placed over the sleeve and the box.

It has been found that providing openings in the side walls is particularly helpful in protecting the contents. In practice it has been found that containers as described herein tend to be stored in a wet environment, such as a bathroom or laundry, where such containers are exposed to a wet floor, exposing their base or bottom wall to moisture or splatter, which primarily affects the top area of the container opposite the base. Openings are provided in the side walls to avoid providing openings in such top areas to provide additional protection against moisture, whereby the top areas may result in a stronger. In some examples, the top region of the container is covered by a double layer structure when closed, thereby protecting the top region when the container is not in use. In addition, placing the opening on the sidewall may result in the opening being in a substantially vertical plane, i.e., a plane substantially parallel to the direction of gravity. This may result in potential water splatter flowing down the side walls rather than directly into the first opening, or rather than structurally weakening the panel of the cover covering the opening, particularly paper-based or paperboard-based panels of such covers.

Fig. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary consumer product 300 comprising a detergent product (not shown) and a container. In fig. 3A, the container is open. In fig. 3B, the container is closed and locked. The container comprises a box 301, a lid 302 for the box and a lock 303 for holding the lid in a closed position, the box comprising a detergent product, the box comprising a base 304, a side wall 305 and an opening 306, the lid comprising a top 307 and a side wing 308, the lid covering the opening and covering at least a first specific portion and a second specific portion of the side wall of the box when the lid is in the closed position, the lock comprising at least a first actuator 313 which is movable from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure to the first actuator when the lid is in the closed position, the first actuator being connected to the first specific portion, the lid comprising a first tactile discontinuity 309 which faces the first actuator, the first tactile discontinuity allowing the first actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure at the first tactile discontinuity, wherein the lid further comprises a second tactile discontinuity 310 which directly faces the second specific portion of the side wall when the lid is in the closed position. In this example, the cover is a cap. In this example, the opening is located at the top of the cassette, opposite the base of the cassette. In this example, the consumer product comprises a third tactile discontinuity 311 facing the second actuator 323 belonging to a second locking member when the lid is in the closed position, the second actuator being movable from the locked position to the open position by applying a further actuation pressure to the second actuator, the second actuator being connected to a third specific portion of the side wall of the cartridge, the third specific portion being covered by the lid when the lid is in the closed position, wherein:

-the first and second specific portions of the side wall and the first actuator belong to the same specific side wall;

a third specific portion of the side wall and the second actuator belong to opposite side walls, opposite to the specific side wall;

the third tactile discontinuity is associated with an opposite flank, opposite to the specific flank.

Fig. 4A-4C illustrate an exemplary consumer product 400 comprising a detergent product (not shown) and a container. In fig. 4A, the container is open. In fig. 4B, the container is closed and locked. The container comprises a box 401, a lid 402 for the box and a lock 403 for holding the lid in a closed position, the box comprising a detergent product, the box comprising a base 404, a side wall 405 and an opening 406, the lid comprising a top 407 and a side wing 408, the lid covering the opening and covering at least a first specific portion and a second specific portion of the side wall of the box when the lid is in the closed position, the lock comprising at least a first actuator 413 movable from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure to the first actuator when the lid is in the closed position, the first actuator being connected to the first specific portion, the lid comprising a first tactile discontinuity 409 facing the first actuator, the first tactile discontinuity allowing the first actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure at the first tactile discontinuity, wherein the lid further comprises a second tactile discontinuity 410 directly facing the second specific portion of the side wall when the lid is in the closed position.

In this exemplary consumer product 400, the consumer product comprises a third tactile discontinuity 411 facing the second actuator 423 when the lid is in the closed position, the second actuator 423 belonging to a second lock, the second actuator being movable from the locked position to the open position by applying a further actuation pressure to the second actuator when the lid is in the closed position, the second actuator being connected to a third specific portion of the side wall of the cartridge, the third specific portion being covered by the lid when the lid is in the closed position, wherein:

In this exemplary consumer product 400, the consumer product includes a fourth tactile discontinuity 412 that faces the third actuator 433 when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the fourth tactile discontinuity belongs to the opposing side flap.

In example 400, three actuators are provided. This configuration, as well as the other three actuator configurations, allows relying on a structure comprising a first actuation area, a second actuation area and a third actuation area, which will provide a reliable locking and unlocking operation. The use of such separate three actuation areas in fact allows the use of 3 fingers of the same adult's hand to operate the lid of a cartridge held by the other adult's hand.

While in example 400, the fourth tactile discontinuity corresponds to the third actuator, in alternative examples, such a fourth tactile discontinuity may directly face a corresponding particular portion of the sidewall when the cover is in the closed position, thereby acting as a grip area for a human hand or for a machine, similar to the second tactile discontinuity.

While in example 400, the fourth haptic discontinuity corresponds to the third actuator, in alternative examples, such a fourth haptic discontinuity may correspond to a single second actuator that effects both actuators 423 and 433, as shown in fig. 5. Indeed, in such an example of fig. 5, the container comprises a first flap facing the first tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position, and the second actuator comprises a single flap facing both the third tactile discontinuity and the fourth tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position.

In example 400, the third haptic discontinuity and the fourth haptic discontinuity are both located on opposite flanks, and the centroid of the third haptic discontinuity and the centroid of the fourth haptic discontinuity are separated by a separation distance in a direction parallel to the top of the cover that is greater than 1.5cm and less than 10cm. In some examples, the separation distance is greater than 5cm and less than 7cm. This allows such tactile discontinuities to be achieved simultaneously with different fingers of the same adult's hand. The centroid corresponds to an area included in the perimeter of the respective haptic discontinuity. Such haptic discontinuity spans allow a user to locate an area corresponding to a respective actuator.

In some examples, each haptic discontinuity spans less than 8cm ² And greater than 0.2cm ² Each haptic discontinuity defines a centroid. The centroid corresponds to an area included in the perimeter of the haptic discontinuity. When such tactile discontinuities are actuation areas, such tactile discontinuity spans allow a user to position the areas corresponding to the respective actuators and to provide a grip when directly facing the side wall of the cartridge.

In some examples, each centroid of each haptic discontinuity is separated from the top of the cap by less than 5cm and greater than 0.5cm. This allows all tactile discontinuities to be reached simultaneously with one adult's hand.

In some examples, each centroid of the haptic discontinuity is separated from the distal end of a particular side flap by greater than 0.5cm. In the configuration of the exemplary consumer products 100, 300, and 400, such distal ends are the ends of the side flaps opposite the top of the cover. Such threshold distances allow maintaining the structural integrity of the flanks of the cover.

In some examples, the top of the cover spans less than 13cm and greater than 6cm along a direction orthogonal to the particular portion at the centroid, particularly at the centroid of the first tactile discontinuity. This also allows all tactile discontinuities to be reached simultaneously with one adult's hand.

In some examples, each haptic discontinuity spans less than 8cm ² And greater than 0.2cm ² Each haptic discontinuity defines a centroid. -each centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less than 5cm and greater than 0.5cm; -each centroid is separated from the distal end of a particular side flap by more than 0.5cm; and the top of the cover spans less than 13cm and greater than 6cm in a direction orthogonal to the particular portion at the centroid, particularly at the centroid of the second tactile discontinuity. Compliance with such combination conditions was found to be particularly suitable for reaching all tactile discontinuities simultaneously with one adult's hand. In a preferred configuration, the centroid of the first tactile discontinuity and the centroid of the third tactile discontinuity (when present) are separated by a separation distance in a direction parallel to the top of the cover that is greater than 1.5cm and less than 10cm, more preferably greater than 5cm and less than 7cm, so as to reach such first tactile discontinuity and third tactile discontinuity simultaneously with different fingers of the same adult human hand. In some even more preferred configurations, the shortest distance between a side flap and a centroid residing on an opposing side flap along the top of the cover is less than 18cm. In some further preferred configurations, each centroid is more than 1cm and less than 3cm from the top portion of the lid, allowing feedback force to be transmitted through the lid such that the clamping movement results in more precise opening of the lock. In some even more preferred configurations, the centroid of the first tactile discontinuity is located in the central region of the side flap of the lid along a horizontal direction parallel to the top of the lid, thereby facilitating sliding of the lid (e.g., the cover) by avoiding the application of more force on one side of the lid than on the other side, which may cause such a lid to become stuck.

In example 400, the first and second specific portions of the sidewall and the first actuator 413 belong to the same specific sidewall, wherein the third specific portion of the sidewall and the second actuator 423 belong to an opposing sidewall that opposes the specific sidewall, wherein the fourth haptic discontinuity 412 belongs to an opposing flank, wherein the centroid of the third haptic discontinuity 411 and the centroid of the fourth haptic discontinuity 412 are aligned with the centroid of the first haptic discontinuity 409 and the centroid of the second haptic discontinuity 410, respectively, in a direction orthogonal to the third specific portion when the lid is in the closed position portion. This allows easy placement of fingers for proper gripping and unlocking of the container.

In other examples, the first and second specific portions of the sidewall and the first actuator belong to the same specific sidewall, wherein the third specific portion of the sidewall and the second actuator belong to an opposing sidewall that opposes the specific sidewall, wherein the fourth haptic discontinuity (if present) belongs to an opposing flank, wherein at least one of a centroid of the third haptic discontinuity and a centroid of the fourth haptic discontinuity faces an area between the centroid of the first haptic discontinuity and a centroid of the second haptic discontinuity. Again, this allows easy placement of fingers for proper gripping and unlocking of the container.

In example 400, the first and second specific portions of the sidewall and the first actuator 413 belong to the same specific sidewall, wherein the third specific portion of the sidewall and the second actuator 423 belong to an opposing sidewall opposite the specific sidewall, wherein the fourth haptic discontinuity 412 belongs to an opposing flank, wherein on the one hand at least one of the centroid 411 of the third haptic discontinuity and the mass of the fourth haptic discontinuity 412 is less than 18cm from the centroid of the first haptic discontinuity 409 or the centroid of the second haptic discontinuity 410, on the other hand, preferably the shortest distance between the centroids of the first haptic discontinuities 409 along the flank and the top of the cover.

In example 400, the cover is symmetrical such that the effect of haptic discontinuities 409 may be achieved by haptic discontinuities 412 and such that the effect of haptic discontinuities 410 may be achieved by haptic discontinuities 411 by placing the cover in the opposite manner. This simplifies the use of such a cap.

Fig. 6 shows a cover 601 that can be fitted over a cassette 602 or a cassette 603. In both configurations, the container includes a first flap facing the first tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position, a second flap facing the third tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position, and a third flap facing the fourth tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position. The second tactile discontinuity is a tactile discontinuity 610 when the cover 601 is assembled to the case 602. The second tactile discontinuity is a tactile discontinuity 611 when the cover 601 is assembled to the cartridge 603. In such examples, three tactile discontinuities are located on the same side flap, and a single tactile discontinuity is located on the opposite side flap. Such examples are particularly suited for use with a single adult hand, with a thumb on a single tactile discontinuity and the other 3 fingers of the same hand on three tactile discontinuities on the same side wing.

In the illustrative alternative example shown in fig. 6, the tactile discontinuities labeled 610 and 611 may correspond to respective actuators, particularly respective flaps, while the tactile discontinuity 612 (tactile discontinuity 610 is between 611 and 612 and on the same side flap) may not correspond to a respective actuator, but instead directly face a respective portion of the side wall and act as a second tactile discontinuity according to the present disclosure. In variations of such exemplary alternatives, the haptic discontinuities labeled 610 and 611 may correspond to a single respective actuator associated with such two haptic discontinuities 610 and 612 (similar to the example shown in fig. 5).

In another alternative example of the example shown in fig. 6, there may be no haptic discontinuities 613 located on the side flank opposite the haptic discontinuities 610-612, where the same side flank includes all of the haptic discontinuities, where such side flanks carrying all of the discontinuities are associated with all of the actuators (other configurations may be considered where the same side flank includes all of the haptic discontinuities, where such side flanks carrying all of the discontinuities are associated with all of the actuators).

In yet another alternative example of the example shown in fig. 6, two discontinuities 610 and 613 directly face respective portions of the side wall and allow gripping without unlocking, while each of discontinuities 612 and 611 is associated with a respective actuator, such a configuration with at least two tactile discontinuities on opposite flanks and directly facing respective portions of the side wall allows the case to be transported without unlocking by gripping the cover with such at least two tactile discontinuities on opposite flanks of the cover. Other configurations may be provided that include at least two tactile discontinuities on opposing side wings that directly face respective portions of the side walls that allow the case to be transported without unlocking by grasping the cover by such at least two tactile discontinuities on opposing side wings of the cover, with one or more actuators, one or more actuation regions, such actuators and actuation regions being located in different positions.

The configuration shown in fig. 6 has the advantage of improving the lock by introducing an additional actuator that can be disengaged by using the thumb of the first adult's hand and three or more other fingers of the first adult's hand, preferably including the index finger, middle finger and ring finger.

It is also an object of the present disclosure to solve on the one hand the obvious contradiction between the use of a material for the side wall that will resist accidental opening and the use of a particularly environmentally friendly material for the side wall.

The container may in fact be made of paper or cardboard material, in particular rigid cardboard material, flexible cardboard material or a mixture thereof. In some examples, the material forming the cartridge or cap has a wall thickness greater than 220 microns and less than 3 mm. In some examples, the material forming the cartridge or lid has a wall thickness greater than 1mm and less than 2 mm. In some examples, the material forming the box or lid is folded over itself, for example to strengthen portions or the whole of the box or lid. The container may be made of paper material, bio-based material, bamboo fiber, cellulose-based or fiber-based material or a mixture thereof. The container may be made of a material comprising recycled material, such as recycled cellulose fiber based material. In some examples, to facilitate opening, the lid may be completely separated from the case when opened, and the lid weight is less than 200g, preferably less than 100g, even more preferably less than 80g, and greater than 10g, more preferably greater than 30g, even more preferably greater than 40g, in order to obtain a sufficiently strong lid structure.

For example, as shown in fig. 7A (open container) and fig. 7B (closed and locked container), a container similar to container 400 may include a support element structure 701. Indeed, in some examples where the lid is in the form of a cover, the lid according to some examples includes a support element structure, such as structure 701, that enters the opening of the case when the lid is in the closed position, at least a portion of a particular portion of the side wall being located between the side wing and the support element structure when the lid is in the closed position and no actuation pressure is applied, a gap distance separating the side wall from the support element structure in a direction orthogonal to the particular portion of the side wall when the lid is in the closed position, the gap distance being reduced to zero by flexing of the particular portion of the side wall when the actuation pressure is applied above a pressure threshold. Both the support element structure and the side wings are structurally part of the cover, allowing sandwiching a specific portion of the side wall therebetween, preventing sagging of that specific portion of the side wall and undesired disengagement of the actuator from the locking tab. It is important to note that in the event that an actuation pressure is applied when lifting the cartridge through the lid, the applied pressure will cause the clamped specific portion of the side wall to rest against the support element structure, compensating for gravity which would otherwise disconnect the lid from the cartridge, such compensation of gravity being achieved by the resistance of static friction between that specific portion of the side wall and the support element structure. In some examples, the use of the support element structure allows the cassette to be manufactured using a relatively flexible material, whereby without the support element structure such flexible material would flex to such an extent that if the cassette were to be lifted by its lid, the cassette would fall off. Allowing the use of relatively flexible materials also allows the use of smaller amounts of such materials, as there are support element structures that compensate for such flexibility. Thus, the presence of such a support element structure prevents or reduces the risk of accidental opening even if an actuation pressure is applied to the actuator of the locking member (e.g. lifting the cartridge when pressure is applied to the actuator of the locking member).

The support element structure enters the opening when the lid is in the closed position, such that the support element structure fits within the box when the lid is in the closed position. Such an access opening is to be understood as a support element structure comprising a support element structure portion which enters the opening when the lid is moved from the open position to the closed position, and wherein such a support element structure portion opens the opening when the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position. At least a portion of the particular portion of the sidewall is located between the side flap and the support element structure when the cover is in the closed position. This structure allows capturing the particular portion of the side wall between the side flap and the support element structure, which is interposed between the side flap and the support element structure when the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position, and which is released from between the side flap and the support element structure when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position. When the cover is in the closed position, the gap distance separates the side wall from the support element structure in a direction orthogonal to a specific portion of the side wall, and when no actuation pressure is applied, such a direction corresponds for example to the direction of the linear ridge of the support element. Such gap distances will be present on a first side of the support element structure and additionally repeated on a second side of the support element structure. Such gap distances allow the support element structure to be inserted through the opening when the lid is closed, such that the support element structure does not collide with a specific portion of the sidewall when the lid is closed. When the lid is in the closed position, the gap is reduced to zero by flexing of that particular portion of the sidewall when the applied actuation pressure is above the pressure threshold. When such a pressure threshold is reached, the side wall is brought to rest against the support element structure by the gap distance decreasing to zero, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the side wall and sagging of the side wall to a position where the actuator releases the locking tab. The gap distance according to such examples relates in some examples to a tolerance distance between the lid and the case that allows the lid to be placed onto the case without undue difficulty while avoiding the lid coming loose when in the closed position. While the clearance distance according to the present disclosure is considered to be in a certain region of the locking member, the tolerance distance between the cover and the cassette may be considered to be along the entire perimeter of the opening of the cassette. In some examples, the tolerance is at least 0.1mm and less than 5mm. In some examples, the tolerance is at least 0.5mm and less than 3mm. For example, when the cover is in the closed position, such a tolerance is measured between the inner surface of the side wing and the outer surface of the side wall, it being understood that such a tolerance may take different values in the region of the locking element.

In some examples, the gap distance is at least 1mm and less than 1cm when the cover is in the closed position and no actuation pressure is applied. This range allows easy closure of the lid and prevents particular parts of the side walls from sagging, resulting in undesired unlocking. In some examples, the gap distance is at least 1.5mm and less than 0.5cm when the cover is in the closed position and no actuation pressure is applied. In some examples, the gap distance is at least 2mm and less than 0.4cm when the cover is in the closed position and no actuation pressure is applied.

In some examples, such as those shown in fig. 7A-7B, the consumer product may include an alignment mark 702. The introduction of such alignment marks will allow guiding the user such that the correct alignment mark placement corresponds to the correct locking operation. Indeed, a lock or lock mechanism for a container according to the present description may not be visible to a user, such that the user may be unsure whether or not a lock has actually occurred. Providing an alignment mark according to the present description will indicate that the lock is valid even if the lock itself is not visible or hidden.

In some examples, at least one of the side wings and side walls includes an alignment mark that coincides with the lid in the closed position. In the example of fig. 7A-7B, both the side wings and the sidewalls include alignment marks. In this case, the alignment mark corresponds to the mark on the lid and the mark on the cartridge, the two marks overlapping to form a single mark when the lid is closed, such overlapping confirming closure of the container, thereby adequately protecting the contents.

An alignment mark is understood to be a graphical or tactile feature, or both, that coincides with the cover in the closed position. Such registration may occur between different elements or marks, or may occur between alignment marks and features of the container (e.g., distal ends of the wings). In some examples, the alignment mark comprises a feature such as a segment, pattern, line, or curve that coincides with a corresponding feature when the lid is closed, wherein such corresponding feature may be another alignment mark, or a structural feature such as a boundary, end, hole, or slit of the container. In some examples, the alignment mark includes one or more of an icon or symbol representing, for example, a padlock, a lock, or a fingerprint. As shown in fig. 7A-7B, the detergent product may take the form of a unit dose detergent pouch, preferably a flexible water-soluble unit dose detergent pouch, and preferably wherein the alignment mark comprises a representation of the unit dose detergent pouch.

In some examples, the cover comprises a corrugated cardboard layer comprising grooves that preferably extend parallel to a direction orthogonal to the particular portion and parallel to the top of the cover, and wherein the tactile discontinuities are holes that preferably intersect at least some of the grooves. This construction allows strengthening the top of the lid. The intersection of the grooves with the holes also allows ventilation of one or more wings in which the holes are disposed, thereby enhancing wing integrity in a wet environment.

In some examples, the detergent product comprises a detergent composition. The detergent composition may be a laundry detergent composition, an automatic dishwashing composition, a hard surface cleaning composition, or a combination thereof. The detergent composition may comprise a solid, a liquid or a mixture thereof. The term "liquid" includes gels, solutions, dispersions, pastes or mixtures thereof. The solid may be a powder. By powder is meant herein that the detergent composition may comprise solid particles or may be a single homogeneous solid. In some examples, the powder detergent composition comprises particles. This means that the powder detergent composition comprises individual solid particles as opposed to being a single homogeneous solid. The particles may be free flowing or may be pressedAnd (3) reality. The laundry detergent composition may be used in a fabric hand washing operation or may be used in an automatic machine fabric washing operation, for example in an automatic machine fabric washing operation. Exemplary laundry detergent compositions comprise a non-soap surfactant, wherein the non-soap surfactant comprises an anionic non-soap surfactant and a nonionic surfactant. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 60%, or between 20% and 55%, by weight of the laundry detergent composition, of the non-soap surfactant. Exemplary weight ratios of non-soap anionic surfactant to non-ionic surfactant are 1:1 to 20:1, 1.5:1 to 17.5:1, 2:1 to 15:1, or 2.5:1 to 13:1. Exemplary non-soap anionic surfactants include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, or mixtures thereof. Exemplary weight ratios of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate to alkyl sulfate are 1:2 to 9:1, 1:1 to 7:1, 1:1 to 5:1, or 1:1 to 4:1. Exemplary linear alkylbenzene sulfonates are C ₁₀ -C ₁₆ Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, or C ₁₁ -C ₁₄ Alkylbenzenesulfonic acids. By "linear" herein is meant that the alkyl group is linear. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants may comprise alkoxylated alkyl sulfates or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfates or mixtures thereof. Exemplary alkoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants include ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants may comprise ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants having a molar average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 5, from 1 to 3, or from 2 to 3. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants may comprise non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates wherein the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate has a molar average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 5, from 1 to 3, or from 2 to 3. The alkyl fraction of the exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant is derived from fatty alcohols, oxo alcohols, guerbet alcohols, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 50%, between 15% and 45%, between 20% and 40%, or between 30% and 40% by weight of the laundry detergent composition % of non-soap anionic surfactant. In some examples, the nonionic surfactant is selected from an alcohol alkoxylate, oxo alcohol alkoxylate, guerbet alcohol alkoxylate, alkylphenol alcohol alkoxylate, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 0.01% and 10%, between 0.01% and 8%, between 0.1% and 6%, or between 0.15% and 5% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of the nonionic surfactant. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 1.5% and 20%, between 2% and 15%, between 3% and 10%, or between 4% and 8% soap, in some examples fatty acid salt, in some examples amine neutralized fatty acid salt, by weight of the laundry detergent composition, wherein in some examples the amine is an alkanolamine, such as selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof, in some examples monoethanolamine. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition may comprise less than 15%, or less than 12% water by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent selected from 1, 2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 40%, or between 15% and 30%, by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition, of the nonaqueous solvent. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises a perfume. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises an adjunct ingredient selected from the group comprising: including enzyme builders, citrates, bleaches, bleach catalysts, dyes, hueing dyes, brighteners, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethylenimines, soil release polymers, surfactants, solvents, dye transfer inhibitors, chelants, encapsulated perfumes, polycarboxylates, structurants, pH modifying agents and mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition has 6 and 1 A pH between 0, between 6.5 and 8.9, or between 7 and 8, wherein the pH of the laundry detergent composition is measured at a product concentration of 10% in deionized water at 20 ℃. When the laundry detergent composition is a liquid, the laundry detergent composition may be newtonian or non-newtonian. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition is non-newtonian. Without being bound by theory, the non-newtonian liquid has different characteristics than the newtonian liquid, more specifically, the viscosity of the non-newtonian liquid depends on the shear rate, while the newtonian liquid has a constant viscosity independent of the shear rate applied. The reduction in viscosity upon application of shear to the non-newtonian liquid is believed to further facilitate liquid detergent dissolution. The liquid laundry detergent compositions described herein may have any suitable viscosity, depending on factors such as the formulation ingredients and the purpose of the composition.

In some examples, the consumer product includes at least one water-soluble unit dose article and a container. The consumer product may be sold "as is", in other words, the consumer product is an item that the consumer takes from a shelf. Alternatively, the consumer product may be contained as a unit of a multi-component product. For example, more than one consumer product may be contained within an outer package, and multiple packaged consumer products are sold together in a single purchase. The consumer product may include an aesthetic element, such as a shrink sleeve or label attached to the container. Alternatively, the container may be colored or printed with aesthetic elements or informational literature (e.g., instructions for use).

In some examples, the water-soluble unit dose article comprises at least one water-soluble film oriented to form at least one unit dose interior compartment, wherein the at least one unit dose interior compartment comprises the detergent composition. The water-soluble film and the detergent composition are described in more detail below. In some examples, the consumer product comprises at least one water-soluble unit dose article, in some cases at least two water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 10 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 20 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 30 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 40 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 45 water-soluble unit dose articles. In some examples, the water-soluble unit dose article is in the form of a pouch. In some examples, the water-soluble unit dose article comprises a single dose of the composition in a volume sufficient to provide a benefit in the end use. In some examples, the water-soluble unit dose article comprises one water-soluble film shaped such that the unit dose article comprises at least one interior compartment surrounded by the water-soluble film. The at least one compartment includes a cleaning composition. The water-soluble film is sealed such that the cleaning composition does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and releases the contents of the interior compartment into the wash liquid. The unit dose article may comprise more than one compartment, at least two compartments, or at least three compartments, or at least four compartments, or even at least five compartments. The compartments may be arranged in a stacked orientation, i.e. one positioned on top of the other. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e., one oriented immediately next to the other. The compartments may be oriented in a "tire and rim" arrangement, i.e., a first compartment is positioned adjacent to a second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment, but does not completely encapsulate the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. In some examples, the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the compartments being smaller than the other compartment. In some examples, the unit dose article includes at least three compartments, two of which may be smaller than the third compartment, and in some examples, two smaller compartments are stacked on top of a larger compartment. In some examples, the unit dose article includes at least four compartments, three of which may be smaller than the fourth compartment, and in some examples, three smaller compartments are stacked on top of a larger compartment. In some examples, the stacked compartments are oriented side-by-side. In some examples, each individual unit dose article may have a weight of between 10g and 40g, or even between 15g and 35 g. The water-soluble film can be dissolved or dispersed in water. The water-soluble film has a thickness of 20 microns to 150 microns in some examples, 35 microns to 125 microns in other examples, 50 microns to 110 microns in other examples, and about 76 microns in still other examples, prior to formation into a unit dose article. Exemplary water-soluble film materials include polymeric materials. The film material may be obtained by, for example, casting, blow molding, extrusion or blow-molded extrusion of a polymeric material. In some examples, the water-soluble film comprises a polyvinyl alcohol polymer or copolymer, such as a blend of polyvinyl alcohol polymers and/or polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, such as a blend selected from sulfonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, particularly carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers and carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers. In some examples, the water-soluble films are those supplied by Monosol under trade references M8630, M8900, M8779, M8310. In some examples, the film may be opaque, transparent, or translucent. The film may include a printed area. The printed area may be implemented using techniques such as flexographic printing or inkjet printing. The film may comprise an aversive agent, such as a bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin, sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, benidiammonium or mixtures thereof. Exemplary levels of aversive agents include, but are not limited to, 1ppm to 5000ppm,100ppm to 2500ppm, or 250ppm to 2000ppm. The water-soluble film or the water-soluble unit dose article, or both, may be coated with a lubricant. In some examples, the lubricant is selected from talc, zinc oxide, silica, siloxane, zeolite, silicic acid, alumina, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate, potassium tripolyphosphate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch, modified starch, clay, kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrin, or mixtures thereof.

In some examples, the container comprises a first portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first compartment containing at least one water-soluble unit dose article therein. In some examples, the first compartment comprises at least two water-soluble unit dose articles. The first compartment may comprise between 1 and 80 water-soluble unit dose articles, or between 1 and 60 water-soluble unit dose articles, or between 1 and 40 water-soluble unit dose articles, or between 1 and 20 water-soluble unit dose articles. The volume of the first compartment may be between 500ml and 5000ml, in some examples between 800ml and 4000 ml.

In some examples, the detergent product is in the form of a unit dose detergent pouch, preferably in the form of a flexible water-soluble unit dose detergent pouch, wherein one or more, preferably all, of the tactile discontinuities are configured to prevent the unit dose detergent pouch from passing through the one or more, preferably all, of the tactile discontinuities, particularly when such one or more tactile discontinuities are empty or slits. In some examples, the pouch has a minimum cross-section, which in some cases is surrounded by an outer flange region, which intersects the interior volume of the detergent-containing detergent article, which is smaller than the region covered by the tactile discontinuity or hole of interest. For example, if the hole is 1cm ² Then have 1.5cm ² Will not spill through the aperture.

In some examples, one or more of the side wings comprising the tactile discontinuities cover at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30% of one or more corresponding side walls when the lid is in the closed position. In such examples, if the corresponding tactile discontinuity is a hole, such a hole would allow for venting of air contained in the lid to some extent while closing the lid as it slides onto the box. In some examples, the lid defines a lid interior volume bounded by a top and a side flap of the lid. In some examples, the lid interior volume is comprised at 200cm ³ And 2000cm ³ Between, preferably at 750cm ³ And 1500cm ³ Between them. In some examples, one or more of the side wings including the respective tactile discontinuities cover at least 40% of one or more respective ones of the side walls when the cover is in the closed position. In some examples, when the cover is in the closed position, the cover includes a respective tactile discontinuityOne or more of the side flaps covering at least 50% of one or more corresponding ones of the side walls. Providing a higher wing coverage increases robustness and allows the contents of the container to be retained in the lid shell in the event of an accidental inversion opening. In some examples, such configurations may be advantageously combined with an aperture configured to prevent a unit dose detergent pouch from passing through the aperture.

In some examples, the haptic discontinuity coverage is less than 6cm ² And greater than 1cm ² . Such dimensions have also been found to be particularly effective when high precision forces or pressures are applied.

In some examples, the side flaps include two short side flaps and two long side flaps, with the tactile discontinuities located on the long side flaps. This configuration allows for increased rigidity of the cap top while maintaining a desired container internal volume. The cover may in fact comprise two opposite long flanks parallel to each other and two opposite short flanks parallel to each other, the long flanks being perpendicular to the short flanks, the long flanks preferably being reinforced in order to take into account the fact that: the user or consumer may be more likely to exert pressure on the long side flap and, given that the midpoint of the long side flap in the first direction is farther from the corner of the same long side flap than the midpoint of the short side flap is from the corner of the corresponding short side flap, the long side flap is more likely to undergo deformation.

Fig. 8 illustrates an exemplary method for operating a locked consumer product according to any one of the examples described herein, the method comprising:

unlocking the frame 81 of the container by grasping the lid with the first adult's hand between the thumb of the first adult's hand and one or more other fingers of the first adult's hand, the one or more other fingers preferably comprising at least one of an index finger, a ring finger, and a middle finger, wherein grasping occurs across the top of the lid, wherein the tip of the thumb and the tip of the one or more other fingers rest on the first tactile discontinuity and the second tactile discontinuity simultaneously; and

The frame 82 of the container is opened by lifting, sliding or rotating the pinched lid away from the box to expose the opening.

The method as described in fig. 8 allows for a stable grip of the container when a second tactile discontinuity is also used, such stable grip using one or more other tactile discontinuities to alleviate actuation of the actuator, the tactile discontinuities facilitating proper finger placement. This stable grip is further enhanced in the case that the first tactile discontinuity and the second tactile discontinuity are located on opposite flanks of the cover.

In some other examples including at least one additional lock and actuator, block 81 may include unlocking the container by grasping the lid with a first adult human hand between a thumb of the first adult human hand and two or more other fingers of the first adult human hand, the two or more other fingers preferably including at least one of an index finger, a ring finger, and a middle finger, wherein grasping occurs across a top of the lid, wherein a fingertip of the thumb and a fingertip of the two or more other fingers are simultaneously placed on the first haptic discontinuity, the second haptic discontinuity, and the third haptic discontinuity.

As shown in another exemplary method in fig. 9, the method may include blocks 81 and 82 and a block 93 of locking the container, the locking member clicking when locked to provide audible feedback confirming closure.

Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary method of manipulating a locked consumer product using a machine, the consumer product being a consumer product according to any of the examples described herein, the machine comprising a gripping device, the method comprising gripping the consumer product by inserting the gripping device into a second tactile discontinuity, wherein the gripping device has a profile that matches the profile of the second tactile discontinuity, in block 1000. This allows for example handling of the consumer product on a production line without risk of opening the consumer product. Such grasping using the second tactile discontinuity may be involved in accurately aligning the consumer product on the production line. In some examples, the method includes manipulating the locked consumer product without the machine contacting the actuator-facing tactile discontinuity, or preferably without the machine contacting any actuator-facing tactile discontinuity, while the gripping device is inserted into the second tactile discontinuity, so as to avoid undesired opening of the cartridge during such manipulation.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise indicated, 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 "40mm" is intended to mean "about 40mm".

Claims

1. A consumer product comprising a detergent product and a container, the container comprising a box, a lid for the box and a lock for holding the lid in a closed position, the box comprising the detergent product, the box comprising a base, a side wall and an opening, the lid comprising a top and a side flap, the lid covering the opening and the lid covering at least a first and a second specific portion of the side wall of the box when the lid is in the closed position, the lock comprising at least a first actuator capable of moving from a locked position to an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the first actuator, the first actuator being connected to the first specific portion, the lid comprising a first tactile discontinuity that faces the first actuator, the first tactile discontinuity allowing a direct displacement of the lid from the first tactile discontinuity to the open position when the lid is in the closed position, by applying the actuation pressure to the first tactile discontinuity, wherein the second tactile discontinuity faces the first tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position.

2. The consumer product of claim 1, wherein the opening is opposite the base or is located in one of the side walls, preferably opposite the base.

3. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tactile discontinuity and the second tactile discontinuity are located on the same particular side flap of the cover.

4. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

each haptic discontinuity spans less than 8cm ² And greater than 0.2cm ² Each haptic discontinuity defines a centroid;

-each centroid is separated from the top of the lid by less than 5cm and greater than 0.5cm;

-each centroid is separated from the distal end of the particular side flap by more than 0.5cm; and is also provided with

-the top of the cover spans less than 13cm and greater than 6cm at the centroid defined by the first tactile discontinuity along a direction orthogonal to the first particular portion.

5. The consumer product of the preceding claim, wherein the first tactile discontinuity and the second tactile discontinuity are located on the same particular side flap of the lid, and wherein a centroid of the first tactile discontinuity and a centroid of the second tactile discontinuity are separated by a separation distance in a direction parallel to the top of the lid, the separation distance being greater than 1.5cm and less than 10cm.

6. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumer product comprises a third tactile discontinuity facing the first actuator or a second actuator when the lid is in the closed position, the second actuator belonging to a second lock if present, the second actuator being movable from a locked position to an open position by applying another actuation pressure to the second actuator when the lid is in the closed position, the second actuator being connected to a third specific portion of the side wall of the cartridge if present, the third specific portion being covered by the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

7. The consumer product of the preceding claim, wherein the third tactile discontinuity faces the second actuator, and wherein the second detent is present, wherein:

-said first and second specific portions of the side wall and said first actuator belong to the same specific side wall;

-said third specific portion of the side wall and said second actuator belong to opposite side walls opposite to said specific side wall;

-said third tactile discontinuity belongs to an opposite flank, opposite to said specific flank.

8. The consumer product of the preceding claim, wherein the consumer product comprises a fourth tactile discontinuity, preferably facing the first actuator, the second actuator, a third actuator, or directly facing a respective portion of a side wall when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the fourth tactile discontinuity preferably belongs to an opposing flank facing the second actuator, a third actuator, or directly facing the respective portion of a side wall, preferably facing a third actuator, if present, connected to a fourth specific portion of the side wall of the case.

9. The consumer product of the preceding claim, wherein the third haptic discontinuity and the fourth haptic discontinuity are both located on the opposing side wings, and wherein a centroid of the third haptic discontinuity and a centroid of the fourth haptic discontinuity are separated by a separation distance in a direction parallel to the top portion of the lid, the separation distance being greater than 1.5cm and less than 10cm.

10. The consumer product of any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the first and second particular portions of a sidewall and the first actuator belong to the same particular sidewall, wherein the third particular portion of a sidewall and the second actuator belong to an opposing sidewall that is opposite the particular sidewall, wherein the fourth haptic discontinuity, if present, belongs to the opposing side flap, wherein when the lid is in the closed position portion, at least one of a centroid of the third haptic discontinuity and a centroid of the fourth haptic discontinuity, if present, is aligned with a centroid of the first haptic discontinuity, or with a centroid of the second haptic discontinuity, preferably with a centroid of the first haptic discontinuity, in a direction orthogonal to the third particular portion.

11. The consumer product of any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the first and second particular portions of a sidewall and the first actuator belong to the same particular sidewall, wherein the third particular portion of a sidewall and the second actuator belong to an opposing sidewall that is opposite the particular sidewall, wherein the fourth haptic discontinuity, if present, belongs to the opposing flank, wherein at least one of a centroid of the third haptic discontinuity and a centroid of the fourth haptic discontinuity faces an area between a centroid of the first haptic discontinuity and a centroid of the second haptic discontinuity.

12. The consumer product of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first and second specific portions of a side wall and the first actuator belong to the same specific side wall, wherein the third specific portion of a side wall and the second actuator belong to an opposing side wall opposite to the specific side wall, wherein the fourth haptic discontinuity, if present, belongs to the opposing side wing, wherein the shortest distance between at least one of the centroid of the third haptic discontinuity and the centroid of the fourth haptic discontinuity, if present, on the one hand, and the centroid of the first haptic discontinuity or the centroid of the second haptic discontinuity, on the other hand, preferably the centroid of the first haptic discontinuity, along the side wing and the top of the lid is less than 18cm.

13. The consumer product of any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein each centroid is separated from the top of the lid by more than 1cm and less than 3cm.

14. The consumer product of any one of claims 8-13, wherein the container comprises a first flap that faces the first tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the second actuator comprises a single flap that faces both the third tactile discontinuity and the fourth tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position.

15. The consumer product of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the container comprises a first flap facing the first tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position, a second flap facing the third tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position, and a third flap facing the fourth tactile discontinuity when the lid is in the closed position.

16. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a centroid of the first tactile discontinuity is located in a central region of a side flap of the lid along a horizontal direction parallel to the top of the lid.

17. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said detergent product is in the form of a unit dose detergent pouch, preferably a flexible water-soluble unit dose detergent pouch, wherein one or more, preferably all, tactile discontinuities are configured to prevent the unit dose detergent pouch from passing through said one or more, preferably all, tactile discontinuities.

18. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the particular portions comprises a visual indication that is visible through one or more corresponding tactile discontinuities when the lid is closed.

19. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each haptic discontinuity is one of a hole, slit, film, or embossed region, preferably a hole, and wherein each haptic discontinuity preferably has a circular shape.

20. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid is a cap or sleeve.

21. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more additional tactile discontinuities are provided in the lid, preferably on a side flap of the lid, which one or more additional tactile discontinuities directly face a corresponding specific portion of a side wall when the lid is closed, at least one of the one or more tactile discontinuities being located on a side flap of the lid opposite to the other side flap on which the second tactile discontinuity is located.

22. A method of operating a locked consumer product, the consumer product being in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

-unlocking the container by gripping the lid with a first adult's hand between a thumb of the first adult's hand and one or more other fingers of the first adult's hand, preferably comprising at least one of an index finger, a ring finger and a middle finger, wherein the gripping occurs across the top of the lid, wherein the fingertips of the thumb and the fingertips of the one or more other fingers are placed on the first and second tactile discontinuities simultaneously; and

-opening the container by lifting, sliding or rotating the pinched lid away from the box to expose the opening.

23. A method of operating a locked consumer product as claimed in claim 22, comprising locking the container, the lock clicking on locking.

24. A method of handling a locked consumer product using a machine, the consumer product being in accordance with any one of the preceding consumer product claims, the machine comprising a gripping device, the method comprising gripping the consumer product by inserting the gripping device into the second tactile discontinuity, wherein the gripping device has a profile that matches a profile of the second tactile discontinuity.