GB2504103A

GB2504103A - Cleaning product blister packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2504103A
Application number: GB201212696A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Harris; Brian Wilson; Matthew Stevenson
Original assignee: Jeyes Group Ltd
Current assignee: Jeyes Group Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-17
Filing date: 2012-07-17
Publication date: 2014-01-22
Also published as: GB201212696D0

Abstract

Packaging for a cleaning product 18 comprising a housing 20 with a cavity and a backing layer 12, which acts to seal the product 18 in the cavity. At least one inner surface of the cavity 16 is patterned, which may comprise ridges 34, 36 which may be generally continuous and distributed uniformly across the surface of the at least one inner surface. The patterning ensures that the product 18 is only partially (may be 20%) in contact with the at least one inner surface, thereby defining a gap.The product may be composed of two elements of different hardness, in which case the at least one inner surface is patterned so that only the harder element is in contact with the surface. The housing 20 may be moulded from a sheet of plastic, and may have an intricate design relative to the product 18. At least one outer surface of the cavity may be patterned to assist a users grip, the patterning may be formed by the patterning of the at least one inner surface of the cavity.

Description

Packaging

Field of invention

The invention relates to packaging, in particular which is suitable for a cleaning product, particularly a cleaning product for a toilet bowl or cistern.

Background to the invention

Packaging made from pre-formed plastic is well known. One form of such packaging is known as a blister pack and is often used for small items, such as food and tablets.

Typically, a blister pack comprises at least one cavity or pocket which is formed from a thermoformed plastic and which holds the item to be dispensed. The item is sealed into the cavity by a backing sheet which is relatively easy to rupture and which may be made from a variety of suitable materials such as paper, foil or plastic. In use, an item is dispensed by pressing down on the cavity housing whereby the item is forced through the backing sheet. Each blister pack may comprise a plurality of cavities with the items in each cavity being separately dispensed through the backing sheet.

There are various patent applications for blister packaging, for example, US 2001/266189, US 2011/259781, US 2011/100845 and US 2011/240511. Typically, the blister cavity is formed to the general shape of the anticipated product to hold it in place so that movement and damage is minimized prior to product use. However, the applicant has recognised that such packaging can damage certain types of cleaning products, namely those which are relatively soft and thus easily deformed, e.g. gels or semi-solids. Accordingly, the applicant has recognised the need for an improved form of packaging.

Statements of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided packaging for a cleaning product, the packaging comprising: a housing having a cavity for housing the cleaning product and a backing layer which is mountable to the housing to seal the cleaning product within the cavity, wherein at least one inner surface of the cavity is patterned so that when a cleaning product is housed within the cavity, the at least one inner surface of the cavity is only partially in contact with the cleaning product whereby at least one gap is defined between an outer surface of the cleaning product and the inner surface of the cavity.

The cleaning product is preferably suitable for cleaning toilets. As used herein, the term "cleaning produci' encompasses products that provide a cleaning, deodorising, colouring and/or fragrancing effect when used in a toilet. Preferably the cleaning product is in the form of a block, particularly a self-supporting block.

A number of different types of blocks are useful in devices for cleaning toilets. Some blocks are designed to be retained by a cage that is suspended from a toilet bowl or cistern rim. Other blocks are designed to be "cageless". These are either retained by a hanger that is suspended from a toilet bowl or cistern rim or are designed to adhere or stick directly to the toilet bowl or cistern interior. The packaging of the present invention may comprise a block for a caged or cageless device. Preferably, however, the packaging comprises a block for a cageless device.

Whether a block is designed for use within a cage or cageless device, its composition is such that the block, upon a flush with water, will release a part of its constituents into the water, i.e. a portion of its components will dissolve in the water. This provides the chemicals that impart the cleaning effect. It is therefore a key feature of the blocks that they dissolve in water. This, however, creates a problem when designing packaging for the blocks. During storage the blocks may absorb moisture, particularly in humid climates, and this can start premature dissolution of the block. Sometimes a water soluble wrap is employed to reduce the exposure of the block to moisture but in this case the wrap can prematurely dissolve. The amounts of moisture absorbed are very low therefore the integrity of the block is rarely compromised but the moisture tends to make the blocks and/or their wrappers sticky. Accordingly, it can be difficult to release the blocks from the packaging without damaging the blocks.

The gap or space between the cleaning product, e.g. block, and the packaging provides some cushioning to the product, e.g. to prevent damage during transport or storage. The space around the product also reduces the amount of surface area of the packaging in contact with the product, e.g. block. By contrast, most blister packaging aims to mould the blister closely around the product so that the product movement is limited. It is therefore unusual to intentionally create packaging that has some space around the packaging.

The at least one inner surface of the cavity may comprise a pattern in the form of a plurality of ridges. The ridges protrude from the at least one inner surface so that an upper edge of the each ridge contacts a cleaning product housed within the cavity and a gap is defined between pairs of adjacent ridges. The ridges may be generally continuous or discontinuous. The plurality of ridges may be uniformly distributed over the at least one inner surface so that the spacing between adjacent pairs of ridges is approximately equal. The pattern of ridges may include parallel ridges and/or non-parallel ridges. Alternative patterns may also be used, e.g. a pattern of protrusions.

The at least one inner surface is patterned so that the inner surface is only in contact with approximately 20%, perhaps only 10% of the cleaning product. In some cases the inner surface is in contact with as little as 2% or 5% of the cleaning product The cavity may comprise a base and a wall extending upwardly from the base to define an open cup-shaped cavity. The at least one inner surface of the cavity which is patterned may be the inner surface of the base and/or the inner surface of the wall.

The patterning on the inner surface of the wall may also be designed to grip the cleaning product to reduce movement of the cleaning product within the housing. The inner surface of the wall may be patterned with a plurality of ridges which are generally parallel to each other and which are equally spaced around the inner surface of the wall. There are preferably at least four, or at least six ridges.

The cleaning product to be housed in the packaging is preferably in the form of a solid, semi-solid, gel or a combination thereof, e.g. as defined in Rompp Lexicon Chemie, 10th edition, Stuttgart/New York, 1997. The hardness of the product is preferably 0-10 mm penetration, more preferably 0-5 mm penetration and still more preferably 0-3 mm penetration. As used herein, hardness is measured using a flat ended probe (texture analyser). The method involves using a probe to mechanically penetrate the cleaning product using a force of 500g 7cm2 load, a temperature of 22 °C and a speed of 1.0mm/s. The probe is positioned manually close to the surface of the product and impact measurement carried out. The result is displayed in mm' penetration depth into the sample and at least three replicate readings are carried out on different parts of the product. Low values correlate to hard products, while higher values correspond to softer compositions. The packaging of the present invention is therefore particularly useful for housing cleaning products having a hardness of 0.1 to 10 mm penetration, more preferably 0.5 to 5 mm penetration and still more preferably 1 to 3 mm penetration.

The cleaning products to be housed in the packaging of the present invention generally comprise one or more surfactants. The surfactants interact with water and facilitate the dissolution of the product on contact with water. In the case of self-adhering cleaning products, e.g. blocks, the surfactants are also generally responsible for impacting stickiness to the products. Preferred cleaning products comprise 10-70 %wt surfactants, more preferably 20-50 %wt surfactants and still more preferably 30-40 %wt surfactants.

The cleaning products to be housed in the packaging may comprise a single composition or may be formed of two or more (e.g. two) different compositions that are provided as separate regions of the product. The packaging of the present invention is particularly useful with products comprising a first composition present in the core or centre of the product and a second composition that surrounds the core or centre.

Such compositions are described, for example, in W02006/070209, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The composition forming the centre may, for example, be faster dissolving and more liable to become sticky on contact with moisture than the surrounding second composition. The cavity of the packaging of the present invention is preferably designed to avoid contact with the softer, faster dissolving composition.

The cleaning product to be housed in the packaging may comprise a first composition and a second composition having different hardnesses, e.g. a first composition that is relatively hard (e.g. a solid) and a second composition that is less hard (e.g. a gel).

Accordingly, the at least one inner surface of the cavity may be patterned so that there is no contact between the housing and the less hard composition (e.g. the gel) and the only contact with the cleaning product is on the relatively hard composition (e.g. the solid).

In some products the core of second composition may extend beyond the upper surface of the first composition. Thus, the patterning on the at least one inner surface of the cavity preferably comprises a ridge which in use encompasses the less hard composition and defines a gap or spacing above the less hard composition.

As mentioned above, the product housed in the packaging may optionally be provided with a coating of water-soluble film, e.g. PVA. Such coatings often ease the handling of the products during manufacture. However the coatings are by necessity also water -soluble and thus suffer the same problems during storage as the products.

The housing may be moulded, e.g. thermoformed, from a sheet of plastic or similar mouldable material. The housing may thus have an intricate design relative to that of the cleaning product. Accordingly, other design factors may be considered when determining the patterning. For example, the patterning on the at least one inner surface of the cavity may also be designed to increase the strength of the packaging.

At least one outer surface of the cavity may be patterned to assist a user when gripping the packaging. The patterning on the at least one inner surface of the cavity may form the patterning on the at least one outer surface of the cavity. For example, where the inner surface of the cavity comprises a plurality of ridges, there may be corresponding indentations or grooves in the outer surface of the cavity which assist with gripping.

The backing layer may be releasably mountable to the housing. For example, the housing may comprise a lip extending around its outer edge and the backing layer may be mounted to this lip in use. The backing layer may be rupturable by forcing the cleaning product through the backing layer. Such backing layers are well known in the art and may be made from paper, foil or plastic films. The backing layers may be formed with frangible seals.

The packaging may be designed to hold more than one cleaning product. Thus, there may be a plurality of cavities each of which holds a cleaning product in use.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated with reference to the following drawings in which: Figures la and lb are perspective views of packaging without and with the dispensing block mounted therein; Figure 2a is a plan view of the packaging of Figure 1 a; Figure 2b is a cross-section along line AA of Figure 2a; Figures 3a and 3b compare a dispensing block before and after being housed in the packaging of the invention, Figures 4a and 5a are plan views of alternative holders; Figures 4b and 5b are cross-sections along line AA of Figure 4a and 5a respectively; and Figures 4c and 5c are perspective views of the packaging of Figures 4a and 5a with the dispensing block mounted therein.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figures la and lb show packaging 10 comprising a backing layer 12 to which a housing 14 for at least one cleaning product is mounted. The housing 14 comprises two cavities 16 each of which houses a cleaning product 18 although it will be appreciated that a different number of cavities can be provided. Each cavity is formed as a three-dimensional shaped flower which as shown has a circular centre surrounded by six petals. It will be appreciated that other shapes of flowers or any other shape may be used.

The housing 14 comprises a lip 20 which extends around the edge of the housing 14 to secure the housing l4to the backing layer 12. The backing layer 12 seals the cleaning product(s) within the housing 14 and is thus contiguous (i.e. at least the same size and shape) with the housing. However, as shown in Figures la and lb, the backing layer 12 may be larger than the housing 14, for example, to provide a display area 22 for displaying product information. As is well known in the industry, the backing layer 12 is rupturable, e.g. by providing perforations or another frangible seal, to allow the product(s) to be forced through the backing layer 12. Alternatively, the backing layer may simply be removed from the housing to open the cavity, for example the backing layer may be peelably mounted to the housing.

As shown in Figure 1 b, there are spaces between the upper surface and sides of the products and the inner surface of the cavity. The space between the cleaning product and the packaging provides some cushioning to the product, e.g. to prevent damage during transport or storage. The space around the product also reduces the amount of surface area of the packaging in contact with the product.

Figures 2a and 2b show how the spacing around the product is achieved. Each cavity comprises a base 26 from which a wall 28 extends upwardly to define an open cup-shaped cavity. The base 26 has an outline shape of a six petalled flower comprising a central circular section 30 around which six truncated triangular sections 32 having curved upper and base lines extend. The base is not planar but is patterned to reduce the surface area of the base in contact with the block within the cavity. The inner surface of the base 26 comprises a plurality of ridges 34 which as shown in Figure 2b are in contact with the upper surface of the product 18. The ridges 34 follow the edge of the central circular section and each join between the triangular sections. There are grooves or indentations on the outer surface of the base 26 which correspond to the ridges 34.

The wall 28 extends around the edge of the base 26 and comprises six curved sections. In a similar manner to the base, the inner surface of the wall 28 is patterned and comprises a plurality of ridges 36 which are generally perpendicular to the base and which extend substantially along the height of the wall. The ridges 36 are in contact with the outer surface of the side walls of the product. The ridges 36 follow the join between each curved section and there are corresponding grooves on the outer surface of the cavity whereby the three dimensional shape of the flower is defined.

The products in Figures 2a and 2b are smaller than but have a similar outline shape to that of the cavity. Thus, the product is in the form of a block comprising an upper face, a lower face and a side wall comprising a plurality of curved sections. The ridges 36 from the inner surface of the wall engage with the grooves in the block between each curved section. The upper and lower faces are both planar and the ridges on the inner surface of the base of the cavity engage with the lower face of the block.

The patterning on the inner surface of the cavity is described as ridges. It will be appreciated that these ridges may be continuous or discontinuous. Alternatively, other forms of patterning which provide a similar effect may be used, e.g. a plurality of protrusions. In general, the patterning on the cavity is designed to reduce the amount of surface area of the cavity in contact with the cleaning formulation product to approximately 20%, 10% or as low as 2%.

The cleaning product to be housed in the packaging may comprise a first composition and a second composition having different hardnesses. Where the product is a combination of a relatively solid composition and a less hard composition, the patterning is also designed to eliminate any contact between the packaging and softer or more easily damaged elements of the product, e.g. gel centres.

It is not necessary for the shape of the product to match the overall shape of the cavity just that the cavity engages the product. Figure 3a shows an alternative cleaning formulation product comprising a generally annular body (or block) which is made from a first composition and which is sealed within a moisture soluble wrap. Other shapes of body may be used. A central element made from a second composition such as a gel is housed with the central aperture within the annular body and extends above the surface of the annular body. The annular body is typically co-extruded with the central element.

The body is generally solid and rigid relative to the central element which is much softer. For the test purposes, the block of Figure 3a has been mounted within packaging designed in line with the principals described above. It will be appreciated that in this example, to minimise damage to a softer gel centre which extends above the surface of the block, the block is removed from the packaging by removing the backing layer rather than forcing the block through the backing layer by pressing on the upper surface of the cavity. In this example, the shape of the cavity is designed so that the cavity contacts the solid body 40 but not the softer element 42 whereby the block is held in place within the packaging without the softer element contacting the packaging.

For example, if the packaging had the shape of the six petalled flower of Figure 2a, the ridge defining the central section of the flower could be aligned with and surround the central gel element. The results in Figure 3b show that the softer centre is relatively undamaged and the more solid body is almost completely undamaged.

One reason for this result is that the packaging used in the test has less surface area in contact with the block. The blocks get sticky, particularly in humid climates, when water moisture partially reacts with the water soluble wrap. By having less area to contact the block there is less tendency for the block to remain in the packaging when trying to release it from the packaging.

In the present invention, the housing may be made from a sheet of plastic which is thermo-formable and thus mouldable to any design, including intricate designs. The block of cleaning formulation is typically formed from stamping or extrusion and thus it is desirable to keep the shape of the block relatively simple compared to that of the packaging. Accordingly, the shape of the cavity can be intricately designed and may be more intricately designed than the block held within the cavity. In addition to the technical benefit described above, the packaging provides a more attractive appearance for the overall product, for example, by housing a circular cleaning block within flower shaped cavities. The housing may be transparent to allow a user to see the product within or may be translucent or coloured to further enhance the attractive appearance.

In addition to reducing the surface area of the packaging in contact with the block, the ridges and/or grooves on the cavities may assist with gripping the packaging. The external surface pattern on the packaging may be further designed to provide an easy to grip surface that helps to deliver the product, e.g. to the cistern. Therefore, the packaging may be used to hold the product until it is dropped into the cistern. This is particularly useful in the example of Figure 3a where the product is not pushed through the backing layer.

Another advantage is that the patterning on the packaging may also increase its strength for transport and for when holding heavier contents.

Figures 4a to 4c show an alternative packaging which is generally similar to that shown in Figures 2a and 2b. Features in common have the same reference numbers. As with the previous embodiment, each cavity is formed as a three-dimensional shaped flower which as shown has a circular centre surrounded by six petals. The base 26 is patterned to reduce the surface area of the base in contact with the block within the cavity. The inner surface of the base 26 comprises a plurality of ridges 34 which as shown in Figure 4b are in contact with the upper surface of the product 18. The ridges 34 follow the edge of the central circular section and each join between the triangular sections. Between each pair of ridges 34, there a plurality of grooves 44 (in this case three, although it will be appreciated that a different number may be used).

Furthermore, in the central section there are a plurality of circular indentations. The grooves and the circular indentations are primarily decorative to give the impression of a flower with multiple petals and a centre with many seeds. The grooves and the circular indentations may also have a technical effect, e.g. to provide additional grip for a user to push the block from within the packing.

Figures 5a to 5c show an alternative packaging which is generally similar to that shown in Figures 2a and 2b. Features in common have the same reference numbers. As with the previous embodiment, each cavity is formed as a three-dimensional shaped flower which as shown has a circular centre surrounded by a plurality of petals, in this case twelve petals. The base 26 is patterned to reduce the surface area of the base in contact with the block within the cavity. The inner surface of the base 26 comprises a plurality of ridges 34 which as shown in Figure 5b are in contact with the upper surface of the product 18. The ridges 34 follow the edge of the central circular section and each join between the triangular sections. Thus, in contrast to previous embodiments, there are twelve ridges.

As a result of the different number of ridges on the base, there are consequential changes to the wall 48 which extends around the edge of the base 26. In this embodiment, it comprises twelve curved sections. In a similar manner to the base, the inner surface of the wall 48 is patterned and comprises a plurality of ridges which are in contact with the outer surface of the side walls of the product. The ridges follow the join between each curved section and there are corresponding grooves on the outer surface of the cavity whereby the three dimensional shape of the flower is defined. The ridges may engage with corresponding grooves in the product.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Packaging for a cleaning product, the packaging comprising: a housing having a cavity for housing the cleaning product and a backing layer which is mountable to the housing to seal the cleaning product within the cavity, wherein at least one inner surface of the cavity is patterned so that when a cleaning product is housed within the cavity, the at least one inner surface of the cavity is only partially in contact with the cleaning product whereby at least one gap is defined between an outer surface of the cleaning product and the inner surface of the cavity.
2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inner surface of the cavity comprises a pattern in the form of a plurality of ridges.
3. Packaging according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of ridges are generally continuous.
4. Packaging according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the plurality of ridges are uniformly distributed over the at least one inner surface.
5. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inner surface is patterned so that the inner surface is only in contact with approximately 20% of the cleaning product.
6. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims for a cleaning product comprising a relatively solid element and a relatively soft element, wherein the at least one inner surface of the cavity is patterned so that there is no contact between the housing and the relatively soft element.
7. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity comprises a base and a wall extending upwardly from the base and wherein the at least one inner surface of the cavity which is patterned is an inner surface of the base.
8. Packaging according to claim 7, when dependent on claim 6, wherein the patterning on the at least one inner surface of the cavity comprises a ridge which, in use, encompasses the relatively soft element and defines a gap above the relatively soft element.
9. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity comprises a base and a wall extending upwardly from the base and wherein the at least one inner surface of the cavity which is patterned is an inner surface of the wall.
10. Packaging according to claim 9, wherein the patterning on the inner surface of the wall is designed to grip the cleaning product to reduce movement of the cleaning product within the housing.
11. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is moulded from a sheet of plastic.
12. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has an intricate design relative to that of the cleaning product.
13. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the patterning on the at least one inner surface of the cavity is designed to increase the strength of the packaging.
14. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one outer surface of the cavity is patterned to assist a user when gripping the packaging.
15. Packaging according to claim 14, wherein the patterning on the at least one inner surface of the cavity forms the patterning on the at least one outer surface of the cavity.
16. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of cavities each of which is for housing a cleaning product.
17. Packaging substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.