FI91237B - Container for various substances, for use in boil wash, a process for producing the container and application of the container - Google Patents

Description

91237 Container for packaging various substances used in laundry, method of making the container and use of the container The present invention relates to the packaging sector and more particularly to a container for packaging substances which, when combined, are not satisfactorily compatible. Such containers have many applications in many fields of technology, for example in the washing, cleaning or rinsing of a wide variety of products. A very popular embodiment of the invention relates to machine washing of linen. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a container and to the use of the container.

There is a growing technological need for packagers that can match substances whose compatibility causes difficulties when they are contacted. This is especially true for liquid products such as detergents. Although it is possible to package powder detergent ingredients-20 in the same container, it is practically not possible to form liquid detergents in advance when their mixtures contain, at the same time as other active ingredients, ingredients which can release active oxygen or chlorine, for example peroxide ingredients such as perborates and or other inorganic or organic peroxide salts. However, it is known that the presence of active oxygen or chlorine is quite desirable if the best possible washing efficiency is to be achieved. In the case of liquid detergents, attempts are therefore made to obtain mixtures containing the same basic combinations as granular or powder detergents, but this is hampered by practical impossibility, since it is known that when conventional active components and perchlorinated or peroxide components are combined in liquid detergent 35, these components quickly lose their effectiveness. Therefore, it has been found that after a storage period of about two weeks, the active oxygen in these peroxide mixtures is virtually completely released and is not available for washing.

5 Such formulations and packaging problems are well known to those skilled in the art. As a reference to the state of the art, mention may be made of EP patent application published under number 0 132 726, which explains the use of a bag-containing package containing one substance and a smaller bag containing a smaller substance incompatible with the second substance. The material of which the outer bag is made is water-permeable, as is the material of the inner bag, but the materials are chosen so as to allow the substances they contain to spread at different temperatures, allowing the package to be adapted to practical needs, such as washing. The teaching of this prior document therefore includes placing separate bags in the same package, which may contain liquid substances, and selecting the bags so as to release the substances they contain at different temperatures. Such packaging containers are disposable and comprise several compartments, the basic idea being the result of an application in which the substances are kept in each separate bag, which are necessarily separated from each other in time. In addition, it is essential that the bags be soluble in water or have special properties to allow water to pass through them at a particular temperature. Therefore, the outer bag is made of an open-cell polyurethane foam film, while the inner bag is made of polyvinyl alcohol.

The present invention relates to a multi-compartment container which allows the contents of each compartment to be discharged simultaneously during use, regardless of the ambient temperature. Similarly, the materials in which the walls of the compartments are made are not critical and, contrary to the teaching of the aforementioned EP patent application 0 132 726, these walls are impermeable to water, whereby the contents of each compartment are emptied through pre-made openings.

5 It should also be borne in mind that, in the linen washing machine sector, the applicant company already owns or holds a number of patent applications which may be cited as reference material to illustrate the state of the art.

Application FR 84 / 06,151, filed on 18 April 1984, entitled "Process for washing laundry in a machine with a liquid detergent and a device for its application" relates in particular to a device which usually has to be refilled and which is first filled with a liquid detergent and then placed in the drum of the machine together with the linen to be washed. The detergent contained in the appliance gradually spreads to the detergent and to the linen placed in the machine. In one embodiment, the device comprises a filling opening and holes for gradually allowing the liquid 20 to enter the linen during the washing operation.

Patent application FR 84 / 13,210, filed August 24, 1984, "A device for washing a machine with a detergent liquid and a process employing the said device" relates to a device of the above type, which is more specifically in particular, characterized in that it is substantially spherical in shape. A certain number of openings allow the liquid to spread.

30 In the course of its work, the applicant company has now developed a container which, on the one hand, is disposable and, on the other, offers a solution to the technical problem briefly mentioned above for packaging substances which, when put together, are not sufficiently compatible. A particularly preferred application of the container 35 according to the invention is the packaging of liquid detergent compositions containing peroxide components, i.e. active oxygen-releasing components during washing.

The invention therefore relates to a container for the unsatisfactory packaging of compatible materials, comprising a plurality of compartments respectively provided for these materials, which container is characterized in that it comprises (a) an outer shell which is generally a circulating body, in particular a balloon , shaped and provided with a flat base and a circular opening placed opposite the base, this opening being surrounded by an annular surface extending mainly in a plane parallel to the plane of the base, 15 (b) an inner compartment located completely inside the outer shell, this compartment being expandable and provided with a fixed a neck ring resting on an annular surface for bringing the shell and the compartment into close contact with each other, said neck ring having 20 slits and also a circular central opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening, (c) a single removable cover n which closes or opens all the holes and the opening so that the first substance or mixture of substances can be placed in the compartment and the second substance 25 or mixture of substances not sufficiently compatible with the first substance or mixture of substances in the compartment extending between the outer shell and the inner compartment; with the substances being able to leak correspondingly and simultaneously through the opening and the holes with the removable lid raised 30, the transverse diameter of the full inner compartment being larger than the diameter of the opening.

As used in this specification, the term "generally spherical shape" used to define the outer shell of a container is not to be construed to describe only the ball 35 or the apparent ball, including other rotating surfaces of the ovoid type. , during which the tank is placed in the drum.

The inner container can be partially delimited by any 5-shaped wall, which is generally a spherical or ovoid-type rotating surface, bearing in mind, however, the method used in its manufacture, which will be described below.

It is advantageous if the outer shell has corrugations for rigidly known in the plastic field, especially when the outer shell is made by a blow molding method.

According to another popular feature, there are bellows in the s father compartment that make it look like a kind of melon.

15 The outer shell and the inner compartment can be made of the same or different material. These materials are preferably selected so that the stiffness of the outer shell and the inner compartment is different, for example, so that the inner compartment is made of a stiffer material than the outer shell or vice versa. Although the materials selected for each of the 20 components belong to the same plastic group, it is preferred that the stiffness of the materials of these components be different.

The plastics that can be used are those that can be processed using blow molding or injection molding technology, but given that the container is designed for single use, the walls forming the outer shell and the inner compartment should be made as thin as possible so that the total weight of the container is kept to a minimum. Wall thicknesses of the order of 0.3-1.0 mm are suitable. Preferred materials are selected from polypropylenes, polycarbonates and polyethylenes, or combinations of these materials with or without additives.

In another aspect, another aspect of the invention is a method of making a container 35 as defined above by a general plastic blow molding or injection molding technique, characterized in that it comprises the following series of steps: (a) forming an outer shell with round openings and flat bottom 5 by means of niikka; (b) filling this outer shell with the desired amount of the first substance; (c) passing the adapter with the plastic sheath through the opening so that the annular top 10 of said sheath rests on the edges of the opening in the shell; (d) forming the inner compartment of the container from the sheath by blowing or injection molding techniques; (e) piercing holes in the annular zone at the top of the inner compartment; (F) filling the inner compartment with the desired amount of another substance; (g) providing the top of the container with a lid;

The method described above may comprise a number of alternative forms, some of the steps of which differ from those mentioned.

Therefore, according to a first alternative embodiment, the invention further relates to a method for manufacturing containers as defined above, comprising a series of steps in which steps (c), (d) and (e) are carried out after step (a) such that the outer shell (1) ) filling step (b) is performed after said step sequence and before step (f).

In the first alternative form mentioned above, it is clear that the shell and the inner compartment can be filled in the reverse order.

In another alternative form, step (b) is performed after step (f).

As in the first alternative form, in this second case the shell and the inner compartment can be filled in any order.

7

Regardless of the method of carrying out the method of the invention, the inner compartment can be formed in several ways.

According to the first method, in the insertion-insertion step, the insole is inserted with a flexible plastic sleeve, the inside of which is deaerated to shrink the sleeve so that it easily fits through the round opening in the outer shell during the manufacturing step, after which the vacuum inside the sleeve is broken. when the top of the sheath rests on the edges 10 of said opening and the sheath is used to form an inner compartment using a blow molding (or injection molding) technique.

According to another method, during the insertion-insertion step, the insole is inserted with a plastic sheath, the rigidity and transverse size of which allow it to pass through a circular opening in the outer shell during the manufacturing process. This second method is advantageous because it makes it possible to remove the sheath emptying step 20 and the subsequent vacuum cut-off step before the blowing step.

The method according to the invention and its alternative forms make it possible to produce a disposable container which is pre-filled with substances which are not mutually compatible.

In practice, the method is implemented automatically, starting with plastic sheets, so that in one step many, for example six, outer shells can be made, which are distributed symmetrically around the central axis. In this case, the mechanical strength of the unit is improved and the processing steps are easier due to the fact that all the outer shells are integrally connected to the plate, which remains entirely in the shape of the plate.

If multiple outer shells are used, it will be appreciated that an equivalent number of inserts and sheaths must be used to form the inner compartments by blowing.

As previously mentioned, corrugated molds are preferably used in the blowing steps to make the outer shells stiffer. It is also preferred that the plastic sheath to form the inner compartment comprises corrugations or bellows, whereby the volume of the inner compartment increases.

A container of the type mentioned above, or a container made by the method just described, makes it possible to pack together substances which are not sufficiently compatible with one another to be stored under conditions which meet practical needs. By way of example, a sensitive component of a liquid detergent, in particular a component capable of releasing active chlorine or oxygen, for example a peroxide-derived additive, may be placed in the inner compartment and the rest of the detergent mixture, which is preferably liquid, placed outside this inner compartment.

The above description is essentially related to the construction of a two-compartment container, but needless to say, the same manufacturing technique can be used to make successive inner compartments. All you have to do is use a suitable amount of inserts with plastic films to make each compartment. A feature common to all these compartments is that they have holes arranged in such a way that, when the lid covering the container as a whole is removed, the contents of each of these compartments can flow freely.

To simplify matters, the process described above has not referred to the following steps, which may become necessary if plates are used which allow the simultaneous manufacture of several containers. Needless to say, after the individual containers have been closed by their lid, the container must be separated from its support plate, for example by stamping, in which case it may be necessary to remove the parts of the cut plate integrally attached to the outer wall of the containers. Such an operation can be performed using a flame. Finally, the container can be grouped together to pack them in cardboard boxes.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the containers of the invention find all kinds of applications which require the use of substances which are poorly compatible or not at all and which must be released simultaneously in washing, rinsing, cleaning or similar operations. A particularly preferred embodiment includes the use of containers in the laundry washing process described in the aforementioned FR patent application 84 / 06,161 filed April 18, 1984 and FR patent application 84 / 13,210 filed August 24, 1984. The container according to the invention can advantageously be used as a dispensing device according to the teaching of the patent applications for use. For example, in a container with two compartments, the inner compartment contains a peroxide mixture-derived additive, while the second compartment contains the remainder of the liquid detergent mixture. After the lid covering the tank has been removed, the tank is placed in the drum of the machine with the linen to be washed. The detergent and the active ingredient contained therein gradually spread to the laundry detergent as well as to the linen placed in the machine, and this is done simultaneously due to the detergent and the gradual outflow of this ingredient. This gives the best results when washing the linen.

In view of the possible disposability of the container according to the invention, in which case the container cannot generally be reused, and in particular at the end of the machine wash cycle, after the products (detergent mixture and additive) have completely left each compartment, the entire container deforms, integrally attached to each other, and this makes it possible, on the one hand, not to damage the linen clothes and, on the other hand, to avoid the formation of pieces which could clog the piping. Therefore, when the washing of the linen is completed, the container is usually removed from the drum of the machine in a compressed form.

The invention is further illustrated, without limiting it in any way, by the following description, which is given by way of example of the use of a multi-compartment disposable container with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a front view and a partial section of a container according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an axial section of the container of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a section of the container of Fig. 1 along the plane of line IV-IV with the protective lid removed.

Figure 5 shows an axial section of the protective cover.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the interior of the container of Figure 1;

Figures 7-12 illustrate the manufacture of a disposable container for use in the process of the invention.

20 For ease of explanation, the container is shown in Figures 1-6 first without reference to the substances contained therein. The manufacture of a complete container is shown in Figures 7-12, of which Figure 12 shows in particular a disposable container with two compartments, from which the protective lid has been removed.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the container 1 comprises a generally spherical outer shell 1 with a flat bottom 3, diametrically opposite a circular opening 2. This circular opening 2 is bordered by an annular surface 2a substantially in the plane parallel to the base 3. . This rim can be, for example, 0.5 mm thick and can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate or a mixture of such polymers with or without additives. In order for the wall 1 to become sufficiently rigid, there are corrugations 1a, 91237 11 in its outer circumference which can be seen in the left half of Fig. 1 and in Fig. 3.

The container also comprises an inner part, generally indicated by reference numeral 4, which is located entirely inside the outer shell 1. This compartment is shown in the right half of Figure 1 and in Figures 2-4 and 6. It has wall-forming bellows 12 (Figure 6). A cylindrical wall 5 shown in the figures is placed in the upper part of the inner compartment 4, which extends first vertically and then horizontally 10 to support (flange 5a) against the annular edge 2a of the opening 2 of the outer shell 1. The inner compartment 4 is thus open near the upper end through an opening 11 of circular cross-section. Similarly, the openings 7 (there are six of these openings in the example shown) are evenly spaced around the central opening 11.

The container is closed by a protective lid shown in Figures 1-3 and 5. This lid has a cylindrical protrusion 10 which fits into the opening 11 of the inner compartment 4. This protrusion 10 joins a wall 8 which fits an annular flange 5a to close the holes 7 therein. to a small tab 9 from which it can be processed.

The materials from which the inner compartment 4 is made are selected from the same polymers from which the outer shell 1 is made, but their stiffness properties should preferably be different compared to the outer shell.

25 When the container is empty, it has an average weight of the order of 8-15 g.

Referring to Figures 7-12, the manufacture of a disposable container according to the invention will now be explained.

In order to avoid an increase in the number of reference numerals, not all steps of the process are shown in the drawings. For example, Fig. 7 shows an outer shell body 1 made by blowing or injection molding, the upper opening 2 of which is surrounded by an annular rim 2a and the bottom 3 of which is flat. The same figure 7 shows the liquid product 35 poured into the shell 1 after it has been made. For example, product 15 is a liquid detergent composition that does not contain additives such as peroxide compounds. The volume of the shell 1 and the amount of liquid product 15 are calculated relative to each other, keeping in mind that the container is designed to receive a single dose of linen for washing. Therefore, the amount of liquid 15 must be sufficient to ensure this function when the shell 1 is dimensioned so as to allow other steps to take place in succession, as will be explained. Such conclusions are within the skill of the art and need not be explained in more detail.

Figure 8 shows the beginning of a supportive internal installation of the plastic sheath 13. The cross-section of the sheath 13 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 2 in order to allow installation, and a vacuum may or may not be introduced inside the sheath 13 through the upper opening 11. The sheath 13 preferably comprises a bellows structure 12. The sheath 13 is connected at its upper end to a cylindrical part 5 to which a wall 5a is attached, which forms a flange with an opening 11 in the middle.

Fig. 9 shows the flow of the installation of the sheath 13 in the shell 1. It can be seen that the flange 5a is dimensioned to cover substantially the opening 2 until the arrangement shown in Fig. 10 is reached, where it can be seen that the flange 5a will rest on the annular shell 25. to the rim 2a. When this situation is reached, the vacuum that may be connected inside the sheath 13 is removed. This suction interruption can occur when the flange 5a actually rests on the annular edge 21, but as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the suction can be interrupted as soon as the cylindrical part 5 has passed the opening 2 in the outer shell 1, so that the blowing operation can start inside the sheath 13 as soon as the situation shown in Fig. 10 has been reached.

This leads to the situation shown in Fig. 11, in which the sheath 13 has formed as an inner compartment 4 in its final form. This same. Fig. 11 shows the next step, which consists of filling the inner compartment 4 with a liquid 16 which is fed through the opening 11. In the event that a liquid laundry detergent for laundry is used, this product 16 may be a peroxide type additive.

In the operation shown in Fig. 12, the holes 7 of the flange 5 in the upper part of the inner compartment 4 are pierced. For example, six holes 7 are pierced to provide 10 the inner compartment shown in Fig. 6.

Finally, the top of the container is covered with a lid of the type shown in Figure 5.

Thus, the final product is a disposable container with two compartments, an inner compartment 4 with a peroxide-type additive, and an outer compartment 1 held in the outer shell 1 and containing a liquid detergent.

Before washing the linen in the machine, the lid is removed so that the container is available in the form shown in Fig. 12. The tank is placed as it is in the drum of 20 linen washing machines. The liquid detergent 15 spreads through the holes 7, while the contents of the inner compartment 4 pass through the opening 11. The technical problem presented is thus solved by a washing process using two products packaged separately at the same time in order to avoid a harmful interaction if the products in question are not sufficiently compatible, as is the case with peroxide additives and liquid detergents.

The foregoing explanation is given by way of illustration only.

It will be appreciated that containers with more than two compartments may be used in the process of this invention. It is then sufficient to install the other compartments inside the inner compartment 4 using the same method as shown in Figures 7-12.

Similarly, spherical containers are shown in the drawings in general terms, as this shape is best suited for use in drum washing drums. However, it is entirely possible for the container to have a different shape, for example avoidi, which is a form of rotation, taking into account the blowing process. In any case, the walls delimiting the various compartments, the aqueous substance and the substances normally used for washing, cleaning or rinsing are impermeable. In fact, the idea of the container used in the process according to the invention is based on the direct spread from the openings in each compartment.

It is also significant that the manufacturing process of the container shown in Figures 7-12 may be modified according to the previously mentioned alternative shapes. For example, the tank can be filled immediately after the si-15 compartment has been manufactured. In addition, holes 7 can be made in advance in the upper flange 5a of the plastic film 13.

It is also significant that the inner shell can be formed mechanically instead of blowing. The sheath 13 is then designed as a component with beams, which is rigid enough to be inserted through the opening 2 in the outer shell 1. The inner compartment is then formed by inserting into the sheath 13 a tool, for example in the shape of a tulip, which can be used to form enlarged parts which can push the sheath back, whereby this 25 settles into its final shape thanks to the bellows.

Claims (15)

91237 A container for packaging various substances used in connection with laundry, characterized in that said container comprises: (a) an outer shell (1) which is generally in the shape of a circular body, in particular a sphere, and is provided with a flat base (3) and a round an opening (2) placed opposite the base (3), this opening (2) being surrounded by an annular surface (2a) extending substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the base (3), (b) an inner compartment (4) located completely inside the outer shell (1), this compartment (4) being expandable and provided with a fixed neck ring (5a) resting on an annular surface (2a) for bringing the shell (1) and the compartment (4) into fixed contact with each other, said neck ring (5a) ) provided with slits and also with a circular central opening (11) with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening (2), 20 (c) one removable cover (8) which closes or opens all the holes (7) and an opening (11) in which the first substance or mixture of substances can be placed in the compartment (4) and the second substance or mixture of substances which does not have sufficient compatibility with the first substance or mixture of substances in the compartment 25 extending between the outer shell (1) and the inner compartment (4), when these substances can leak, respectively and simultaneously through the opening (11) and the holes (7) with the removable cover (8) lifted off, the transverse diameter of the full inner compartment (4) being larger than the diameter of the opening (2). Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer shell (1) is provided with corrugations (1a) which stiffen it. Container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner compartment (4) has bellows (12). Container according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the materials of which the outer shell (1) and the inner compartment (4) are made are identical or different and are selected from blow-molding or injection-molding plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene. polyenes, polycarbonates or combinations of these polymers with or without additives. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stiffnesses of the outer shell (1) and the inner compartment (4) are different. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wall thicknesses of the outer shell (1) and the inner compartment (4) are of the order of 0.3 to 1 mm. A method of manufacturing a container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the method comprises the following series of steps: (a) forming the outer shell (1) with round openings (2) and flat bottoms (3) by blowing or spraying; using blow molding technology; (b) filling this outer shell (1) with the desired amount (15) of the first substance; (c) passing the adapter provided with the plastic sheath (13) through the opening (2) so that the annular upper part (5a) of this sheath rests on the edges (2a) of the opening (2) of the shell (1); (d) forming the inner compartment (4) of the container from the sheath (13) by means of a blow molding or injection molding technique; (E) piercing the holes (7) in the annular zone in the upper part of the inner compartment (4); (f) filling the inner compartment (4) with the desired amount (16) of second substance; (g) providing the top of the container with a lid (8); 91237 Method according to claim 7, characterized in that steps (c), (d) and (e) are carried out after step (a) such that the step (b) of filling the outer shell (1) is carried out after said step sequence and before step 5. (f). Method according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that step (b) is carried out after step (f). Method according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that step (b) is carried out after step (f). Method according to one of Claims 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that this method is modified in such a way that the holes (7) in the annular zone 15 (5a) of step (e) are made in advance before the inner compartment (4) is formed. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, in order to form the inner compartment (4), an adapter with a sleeve (13) made of soft plastic material is made to pass through the circular opening (2) of the outer shell (1). , after which the vacuum is removed from inside the sheath when the upper part (5a) of the sheath rests on the edges (2a) of the opening (2), and the inner compartment (4) is formed from the sheath 25 (13) by blowing or injection molding technique. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, in order to form the inner compartment (4), a fitting with a sheath (13) made of soft plastic material is allowed to pass through the circular opening (2) of the outer shell (1). passing it through a circular opening (2), after which the inner compartment (4) is formed directly from the sheath (13) by means of a blow or injection blow-35 casting technique. Use of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or made according to any one of claims 7 to 12 for packaging little or no compatible liquids for laundry, cleaning, rinsing or other uses in which these liquids are available at the same time . Use for machine laundry according to claim 13, characterized in that when the lid (8) is raised, the container is placed in the drum of the washing machine together with the linen to be washed, whereby the liquids contained in the container gradually disperse into the laundry to be washed. Use according to Claim 14, characterized in that the inner compartment (4) is used for packaging the peroxide additive and the second compartment for packing other liquid detergents. 91237