EP1199254A1

EP1199254A1 - Package for detergent tablets

Info

Publication number: EP1199254A1
Application number: EP00203497A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Jérome Pierre Hervé Gearnisson; Johan Hans Eshuis
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2000-10-09
Filing date: 2000-10-09
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Also published as: AU2002214562A1; WO2002030786A1

Abstract

The present invention provides packaging system for detergent tablets comprising a primary package comprising:

(i) a lid (1), the lid (1) being in a substantially horizontal plane when in its closed position,

(ii) side walls (8) and a base (2), the base (2) being in a substantially horiontal plane and the side walls being in a substantially vertical plane,

wherein the primary package holds a plurality of secondary packages (3), the secondary packages (3) comprising a gripping means (4) characterised in that the secondary packages (3) contain detergent tablets and the gripping means (4) is situated on the face of the secondary package (3) closest to the lid (1) when the lid (1) is in its closed position thus facilitating the removal of the secondary packages (3), from the primary package.

The packaging system of the present invention enables easy removal of the secondary packages (3) during use while at the same time protecting the tablets from damage during storage and transportation.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to packaging for shaped objects and, in particular, to packaging for hygroscopic, detergent tablets.

Background to the Invention

Shaped detergent compositions are known in the art. Usually such compositions take the form of a tablet. It is understood that detergent compositions in tablet form hold several advantages over detergent compositions in particulate form, such as ease of dosing, handling, transportation and storage. To ensure that the tablets perform their detergency function efficiently they must be relatively fragile and be hygroscopic. Therefore, special care must be taken when packaging such tablets. Usually, the tablets are (individually or severally) packaged in a sealed film bag to prevent exposure to moisture and then placed in box to protect them during transportation and storage.
Various attempts have been made to improve the performance of the packaging for detergent tablets. For example, WO-A-98/40464 discloses a detergent-package combination comprising at least one tablet of compacted particulate detergent composition within a packaging system having a moisture vapour transmission rate of less than 20g/m² every 24 hours. WO-A-99/37557 discloses a packaging for tablet shaped objects comprising a sealed secondary packaging and film bags which are arranged in said secondary packaging and their being at least one tablet in each of which film bag. Each film bag is sealed with a cross-seam and with a longitudinal seam. The film bags are arranged in the secondary packaging so that their longitudinal seams are aligned parallel to one another and parallel to the side walls of the surrounding packaging. In addition, the side walls of the surrounding packaging are equipped with wall reinforcements. WO-A-00/29303 discloses packaging for tablet-shaped objects comprising a sealed secondary packaging and film packs, containing at least one tablet, which are located in said secondary package. The film packs of this document are sealed by a cross-seam on both sides and by a longitudinal seam. The film packs are sorted and arranged in the secondary pack with their longitudinal seams aligned so that they are parallel with each other, the length of the film packs being greater that the distance between the side walls so that at least one end area of the film pack is elastically bent round. The side walls of the secondary pack that are parallel to the longitudinal seams of the film packs are also equipped with wall reinforcements.
However, in prior art packages it is difficult to remove the tablet-containing packages from the box. To minimise costs and the possibility of damage during transportation the packages are often packed very close together. This means there is little for the consumer to hold onto when they want to remove the package. Typically, these packages contain three or more layers of tablet-containing packs. The problem of easy removal is exacerbated as each of the layers are removed and the consumer has to reach further into the primary package.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for detergent tablets that not only protects the tablets from breakage during transportation and storage but also provides for the easy removal of the tablet-containing packs from the primary packaging. Further objects and advantages shall become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides packaging system for detergent tablets comprising a primary package comprising:
(i) a lid, the lid being in a substantially horizontal plane when in its closed position,
(ii) side walls and a base, the base being in a substantially horizontal plane and the side walls being in a substantially vertical plane,
The packaging system of the present invention enables easy removal of the secondary packages during use while at the same time protecting the tablets from damage during storage and transportation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 show an embodiment of the packaging system of the present invention where the opening means is a hinged lid.
Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the packaging system of the present invention where there is an internal wall forming a space for information leaflets or the like.
Figure 3 shows an example of a secondary package.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention provides a packaging system for shaped detergent compositions. The system comprises a primary package and a plurality of secondary packages. Each element will be described in more detail below. The system may be used for detergent tablets of any shape but is particularly useful when the tablets are hexagonal, square, rectangular, or cylindrical, and especially when the shaped compositions are rectangular or square.
The primary package must comprise a plurality of secondary packages. Preferably the primary package comprises at least four, preferably at least six, more preferably at least eight, secondary packages. Preferably the primary package comprises from 8 to 200, more preferably from 12 to 100, even more preferably from 16 to 84, detergent tablets.

Primary Package

The primary package herein can be of any suitable size and shape. However, it must be able to accommodate a plurality of secondary packages. Generally, the primary package will be rectangular or square in cross-section. Preferably, the primary package will have a volume of at least 200cm³, more preferably at least 400cm³, even more preferably at least 800cm³. Preferably the primary package will have a volume of less than 30000cm³. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the primary package is rectangular and has the dimensions. Preferably the primary package has a length of from 5cm to 50cm, more preferably from 10cm to 30cm. Preferably the primary package has a height of from 5cm to 50cm, more preferably from 10cm to 30cm. Preferably the primary package has a width of from 5cm to 50cm, more preferably from 10cm to 30cm.
Referring to figure 1, the primary package of the present system comprises a lid (1), the lid being in a substantially horizontal plane when in its closed position, side walls (8) and a base (2), the base being in a substantially horizontal plane and the side walls being in a substantially vertical plane. As used herein the term "lid" means the area of the primary package that is designed to provide the consumer with access to the secondary packages. Preferably, the lid herein is attached to one of the side walls (8) by a hinge (5).
Referring to figure two, the primary package preferably comprises at least one internal wall (6). The internal wall(s) can be to provide additional protection to the secondary packages (3) and/or can provide space in which to insert the empty secondary packaging after use and/or hold materials (7) other than the secondary packages (3). These other material (7) can be anything suitable such as information/instruction leaflets, promotional material, 'money-off' coupons and the like.
The lid of the primary package should be releasably held in its closed position. This can be achieved using any suitable means but, preferably, the lid is releasably held by a tear strip, perforations or a snap-lock. Preferably the lid is held closed by a tear strip.
The primary package can be made from any suitable packaging material including plastic, plain board, solid board, corrugated board, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the primary packages herein are constructed of board.
The lid, side walls and base of the primary package can be formed from a single thickness of packaging material or, to provide extra protection to the secondary package, they can be equipped with reinforcements. These reinforcements can simply be a plurality of thicknesses of packaging material over part or all of the area to be reinforced or can be inserts of other types of packaging material. Preferably, at least one, more preferably at least two, of the side walls are equipped with reinforcements.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention the opening of the lid of the primary package is angled to be lower at the front than back. Thus a greater proportion of the secondary packages are presented to the consumer at the front allowing easier access to the secondary packages and displaying the secondary packages in an attractive manner.
The primary package can be manufactured in any suitable manner. For example, if board is used as the construction material the blank board is cut into the required shape. The package is then folded and glued on all but on side. The secondary packages are then inserted and the final side is glued.

Secondary Package

The packaging system of the present invention comprises a plurality of secondary packages that are contained in the primary package. The secondary packages comprise a gripping means which is situated on the face of the secondary package closest to the lid of the primary package when the lid is in its closed position thus facilitating the removal of the secondary packages from the primary package. To facilitate the removal of the secondary package, the gripping means will generally be able to be orientated in a substantially vertical plane towards the opening.
The secondary packages must contain at least one detergent tablet. Preferably, the secondary packs contain a single, standard dose of laundry detergent tablets. As used herein the term "single, standard dose" means a dose of detergent tablet designed for use with one wash load in a automatic washing machine. Preferably, the secondary packages contain from one to four, more preferably, two detergent tablets. Preferably, the detergent tablet is a laundry detergent tablet.
Preferably the secondary packages have one long axis and one short axis, the long axis being the vertical axis and the short axis being the horizontal axis when the secondary package is in the primary package.
The secondary packages herein must comprise a gripping means to enable their easy removal from the primary package. As used herein the term "gripping means" refers to a configuration on the secondary package that facilitates the removal of the secondary package from the primary package. Preferably, the gripping means is able to stand at least 0.5cm, more preferably at least 1cm above the main body of the secondary package. Preferably, the gripping means is constructed from a flexible material that can lie flat against the main body of the secondary package during storage and then be lifted to enable the consumer to hold it during the removal of the secondary package from the primary package. The gripping means can be textured or otherwise modified to improve the grip.
The gripping means is preferably permanently affixed to the main body of the secondary package. Preferably, the gripping means is formed from the transverse seal of the secondary package.
Figure 3 show a preferred embodiment of the secondary packages, the package comprises two detergent tablets (1) enclosed by a film bag (3), the bag sealed along a longitudinal seal (2) and by two transverse seals (4) either of which could serve as the gripping means.
The secondary packages herein can be manufactured in any suitable manner. For example, the horizontal form fill seal method may be used. For a discussion of this method see "The Packaging User's Handbook", Edited by F.A. Paine, Second Edition, Ch. 9 - 'Packaging with Flexible Barriers', pp141-161.
The present invention also includes methods of packaging detergent tablets comprising the packaging system as described herein above.

Claims

A packaging system for detergent tablets comprising a primary package comprising:

(i) a lid (1), the lid being in a substantially horizontal plane when in its closed position,

(ii) side walls (8) and a base (2), the base being in a substantially horizontal plane and the side walls being in a substantially vertical plane,

wherein the primary package holds a plurality of secondary packages (3), the secondary packages comprising a gripping means (4) characterised in that the secondary packages contain detergent tablets and the gripping means (4) is situated on the face of the secondary package (3) closest to the lid (1) when the lid (1) is in its closed position thus facilitating the removal of the secondary packages from the primary package.
A packaging system according to Claim 1 wherein the lid (1) is hingably (5) attached to one of the side walls (3).
A packaging system according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the gripping means (4) is constructed from a flexible material and is permanently attached to the secondary package (3).
A packaging system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the gripping means (4) is formed from the transverse seal of the secondary package (3).
A packaging system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the secondary package (3) has one long axis and one short axis, the long axis being the vertical axis and the short axis being the horizontal axis when the secondary package is in the primary package.
A packaging system according to any of the preceding claims comprising at least six, preferably at least eight, more preferably at least ten, secondary packages (3).
A packaging system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the secondary package (3) comprises a single, standard dose of laundry detergent tablets.
A packaging system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the secondary package contains two laundry detergent tablets.
A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the primary package comprises at least one internal wall (6).
A packaging system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the primary package comprises at least one internal wall (6), the internal wall (6) forming a space in which to hold materials (7) other than the secondary packages (3).