JP2005523847A - Container comprising at least one label made from an elastomeric material attached to a wall - Google Patents

Abstract

Containers for delivering flowable compositions comprising a squeezable, resilient wall on which at least one label made of an elastomeric material is adhered to and their use. The containers can comprise a composition having a viscosity of at least 1 Pa.s or can be of the bag-in-bottle type. Containers for dispensing a detergent composition in a washing machine drum comprising a hollow body having at least one wall on which at least one label made of an elastomeric material having a shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) adheres are also described.

Description

  The present invention relates to containers for delivering compositions and methods for their use comprising a wall to which at least one label made from an elastomeric material is attached. The wall may be squeezable and may be resilient.

  Fluid compositions such as shampoos and hair dyes are typically packaged in simple containers such as containers having a bottle shape. The bottle wall defines an inner reservoir in which the composition is accommodated. These bottles can be used upside down to deliver the flowable composition through the bottle neck.

  Resilient plastic material that can be squeezed in the case of a relatively viscous composition (often in the case of hair care compositions, especially hair dye compositions) and can recover its original shape after squeezing It is normal to choose the material of the bottle wall from. When the user squeezes the wall of the bottle, the internal pressure inside the container increases, which causes the product to be delivered from the container faster than if it only receives gravity.

  More complex squeezable containers of the bag-in-bottle type have been proposed (see, for example, US Pat. No. 5,305,920 (Reiboldt et al.)). These containers include a squeezable outer wall, a foldable inner layer defining a reservoir containing the composition, a buffer region separating the squeezable wall from the foldable inner layer, and preferably to the buffer region. Valve means capable of controlling the ingress of air and the outflow of the composition from the reservoir. Wall squeezing forces the composition out of the reservoir through the distribution passage. The main advantage of these containers is that they can be used in any orientation, and not necessarily upside down, which is particularly useful for delivering hair care compositions such as hair dyes directly to the user's hair. .

  It is often necessary to squeeze the above-mentioned container several times in order to deliver a sufficient amount of product. However, repeated squeezing can fatigue the user, especially if the bottle is not elastic (the ability to recover its original shape).

  Reusable dosing devices with a hollow body that can be filled with a detergent composition for delivering the laundry composition into the drum of a washing machine have been proposed in the past and are often referred to as dosing balls. Dosage balls with squeezable and resilient walls have been proposed. For example, EP 0,368,680 discloses a container having the general shape of a hollow sphere formed by a resilient wall and having an opening for filling and delivering a detergent composition such as a liquid detergent, for example. . The spheres may be filled with a detergent composition and then the spheres may be placed in a washing machine drum. As the drum rotates, the wall of the ball is repeatedly compressed by wet clothing, and then the wall flexes back to its original shape when pressure is released by further drum rotation. This combination of compression and return to deflection creates a pumping action that continuously sucks the cleaning solution into and releases it from the ball body where it mixes the components of the ball during the cleaning program or Dissolve. Dosing balls have also been proposed that have incompressible walls and do not produce a significant squeezing effect. The cleaning solution enters the ball through the opening, mixes with the detergent composition, and is released through another or the same opening.

  In the case of squeezable containers (eg shampoo bottles or dosing balls), the elasticity may increase as the thickness of the squeezable wall increases and the wall can recover its shape more quickly. However, users typically do not like them because thick plastic walls are difficult to squeeze. These containers may also be more expensive to manufacture because more material is required to form the walls.

Information printed paper or thin plastic film labels are commonly used on container walls to provide information to the user such as the formulation, expiration date or usage of the composition.
It has also been proposed to use labels to improve the inherent properties of the container. JP3027032 (Noda (Noda) et al.), The container body is made from a thermoplastic resin having a modulus of 500~4000kg / cm ^2, discloses a viscous liquid for squeeze containers affixed label. The label is made of a synthetic resin (for example, polyethylene) and has a thickness of 50 to 100 μm. These labels are said to improve deformation characteristics and ability to recover after squeezing.

JP 10086922 (Yoshii et al.) Discloses a squeezed bottle with a label in which the bottle body is made of a thermoplastic resin whose stiffness is lower than that of the label (the difference in stiffness is at least 5000 kg / cm ² ). . A preferred material for use in the label is a three-layer polypropylene synthetic paper, with a preferred label thickness of 60-120 μm. The bottle with the label attached is said to improve the elastic contraction force and recovery force of the bottle.
JP3027033 (Noda et al.) Discloses a squeezed container with a label similar to that of JP3027032, further provided that the label has an elastic modulus greater than the elastic modulus of the container. JP3027032, JP3027033 and JP10086922 all disclose relatively thin labels (less than 0.1 mm) made from a relatively rigid material (eg polypropylene).

  Sports water bottles with two rubber pads have been commercialized.

  It has now been found that an elastomeric label attached to the container wall can greatly increase the elasticity of the “labeled” container. This can make it easier for the user to deliver the composition and reduce the “fatigue” of the container wall (the cumulative effect of repeated squeezing that results in breakage). Containers labeled with an elastomeric material also have the additional advantage of providing better grip (anti-slip) properties for the user, and are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable to touch and aesthetically pleasing. Another advantage is that thinner walls can be used because the label increases the overall strength of the container. The labels used in the present invention are made from a “soft” elastomeric material with a Shore A hardness of at least 35.

A first embodiment of the present invention is a container for delivering a flowable composition,
A reservoir containing the flowable composition;
-Delivery means for delivering the flowable composition from the reservoir;
The flowable composition is in a container having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s (1,000 cps) (Brookfield RVT, spindle: 5,50 rpm, 25 ° C.)
The reservoir relates to a container comprising a squeezable elastic wall to which at least one label made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 is attached.

A second embodiment of the present invention is a “bag in bottle” type container for delivering a flowable composition comprising:
-Squeezable outer wall;
-A foldable inner layer defining a reservoir containing said composition;
A buffer region separating the squeezable outer wall from the foldable inner layer;
-A container comprising delivery means for delivering the flowable composition from the reservoir;
A label made from an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 relates to a container attached to the squeezable outer wall.

A third embodiment of the present invention is an elastomer having a hollow body having at least one wall and having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 in a container for dispensing a detergent composition to a drum of a washing machine A container, characterized in that at least one label made from a material is attached to the wall.
The invention further relates to a method of delivering a composition, preferably a cosmetic composition, to a substrate, preferably hair, comprising the step of squeezing the elastomeric label of the container described above.

  Other advantages and novel features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which clearly illustrates the various aspects contemplated for practicing the invention. Of course, the present invention is capable of other obvious and different embodiments, all without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, the following description of preferred embodiments should be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements. Thus, the present invention will be better understood.
All references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The citation of any reference is not an admission regarding the determination of the utility of the claimed invention as the prior art.

(label)
The present invention includes at least one label made from an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35. The Shore A hardness parameter is commonly used in the industry to measure the flexibility of rubber and other similar materials and is commonly used by raw material suppliers to characterize products. We have labels made from an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35, preferably from about 40 to about 80, more preferably from about 50 to about 70, on the container to which they are attached. It has been found that it provides excellent elasticity. These elastomeric materials can also give the label a "soft touch" feel that is comfortable for the user.

  As used herein, the term “label” does not imply that information such as information about the product is shown on the label. Information may or may not be shown on the label according to the invention.

  When referring to labels, the terms “created” and “at least partially created” can be used interchangeably.

The surface area of the container wall coated with the label is not important, but the label is 1) in the user's hand in the case of viscous product bottles 2) of the container for dispensing the detergent composition on the drum of the washing machine In some cases, it is preferably large enough to be easily squeezed with wet laundry, and it is preferable to impart a sufficient level of elasticity to the container. Although the label can potentially cover the entire surface of the squeezable wall, this may not be economical as the elastomeric material is relatively expensive. Thus, it is preferred that the label cover about 5% to about 60%, preferably about 10% to about 40%, more preferably about 15% to about 35% of the surface area of the squeezable wall. Minimum surface area of each label, at least about 1 cm ^2, and more is preferably more preferably preferably about 5 cm ² to about 10 cm ^2.

  The shape of the label is not important. Labels of simple shapes such as strips, rectangles, rectangles, rectangles with rounded corners, circles or ellipses are easy to manufacture and adhere to the walls of the container. More complex shapes with aesthetic appeal can also be used, in particular a letter-like shape can be applied to the label and further aesthetic properties can be imparted to the container. In the case of a container having a general bottle shape, it has been found that a label having an elongated shape and attached along the same direction as the axis of the bottle body gives the bottle excellent elasticity.

An extensive list of suitable elastomeric materials is disclosed in PCT International Publication No. WO 00/08622, page 4, lines 24-7, line 36. Preferred elastomeric materials for use in the present invention include ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, C _4-7 isomonoolefin and para- Curing selected from copolymers of C _1-8 alkyl styrene or halogenated derivatives thereof, polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, or styrene / conjugated diene / styrene block copolymers, styrene block copolymers and variants thereof, and mixtures thereof A thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPE) including, but not limited to, a blend of a flexible rubber and a thermoplastic polyolefin. Particularly useful examples of these thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers include monoolefin rubbers such as EPDM rubber marketed under the trademark SANTOPRENE from Advanced Elastomers Systems (USA).

There is no theoretical limit to the number of labels attached to the container wall. Although only one label can be used for each container, two labels attached on both sides of the container are beneficial. This is because the user typically squeezes on both labels of the container (one side with a thumb and the other side with another finger).
Non-limiting methods of attaching the label to the squeezable and resilient wall include heat fusion, adhesion, and other means for permanently or semi-permanently attaching the label to the squeezable and resilient wall. Can be mentioned.

Better resilience is that the thickness of the label (ie, the average thickness if the label is not of uniform thickness) is about 250 μm to about 2000 μm, more preferably about 300 μm to about 1500 μm, even more preferably Obtained when the thickness is from about 500 μm to about 1000 μm.
Finally, a label according to the invention may be an element of a multilayer label comprising for example one or more paper layers.

(Squeezable and elastic wall)
The flowable composition is often packaged in a container having at least one squeezable wall made from a resilient material. It is also known to dispense a detergent composition directly from a dosing ball having a hollow body with a resilient wall into a washing machine drum. The wall pressure increases the internal pressure inside the container, whereby the flowable composition is delivered from the container by suitable delivery means. “Resilient” means that the material can regenerate its shape when the squeezing pressure is released. The terms “flexible” and “squeezable” can be used interchangeably herein. Resilient materials are usually deformable plastics such as polyethylene (including low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene and high density polyethylene), polypropylene, ethylene propylene copolymer resins, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resins, other polyolefin resins, It may be selected from polyamide resins, ionomer resins, ABS resins, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate resins and other synthetic resins, and mixtures thereof. The plastic may be transparent or colored, for example. Preferred materials for the squeezable wall are selected from low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene and mixtures thereof. Containers made from the thermoplastic materials described above are typically manufactured using an extrusion or injection blow molding process.

  The ratio of the label thickness to the wall thickness of the bottle to which the label is applied (ie, the average thickness if the wall is not of uniform thickness) is about 1: 5 to about 5: 1, preferably It is within the range of about 1: 3 to about 3: 1, more preferably about 1: 2 to 2: 1. These preferred ratios have been found to give the container even better properties in terms of elasticity and ease of use.

(Sending means)
The present invention comprises delivery means for delivering the composition from the reservoir when the container is squeezed. The delivery means may be a simple orifice in the reservoir, as is the case with dosing ball devices typically used in the laundry field. For other applications, such as the delivery of cosmetic products, the delivery means may protrude from the container to direct the flow of the composition in one or more general directions to reduce clutter. A simple example of a delivery means protruding from such a reservoir is shown in FIG. 1, where the container has the general shape of a bottle and the delivery means is a bottle neck.

  Examples of delivery means particularly adapted to deliver the composition to the hair are line applicators in which the flowable composition is delivered through a single outlet, the flowable composition is delivered over the surface through multiple outlets A surface applicator and a brush / comb-like applicator in which the flowable composition is delivered through a plurality of outlets and dispersed by a plurality of elongated dividing members. Examples of such applicators are shown in FIGS. 5-8 below. A detailed description of these applicators can be found in US Pat. No. 6,302,607 (Burrowes et al.).

  The delivery means may be of a single configuration with the container, or may comprise separate elements, at least some of which are removably secured to the container. For example, FIGS. 1-8 below show a container in the form of a typical bottle having a threaded neck, to which different applicators may be removably secured (eg, Spout, brush / comb-like applicator or surface applicator).

(Container containing a composition having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s)
A first embodiment of the present invention is a container for delivering a flowable composition,
A reservoir containing the flowable composition;
-Delivery means for delivering the flowable composition from the reservoir;
The flowable composition contained in the reservoir has a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s (1,000 cps) (Brookfield RVT, spindle: 5,50 rpm, 25 ° C.),
The reservoir relates to a container comprising a squeezable resilient wall to which at least one label made from an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 is attached.

  Compositions having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s (1,000 cps) are relatively viscous, and gravity alone is insufficient to remove these compositions sufficiently quickly from the container (eg, , Bottles) cannot be effectively delivered. Thus, these compositions are typically packaged in a squeezable container, and the user applies pressure to the container wall to force the composition through the delivery means. However, in order to deliver a sufficient amount of the composition, it is often necessary to repeatedly squeeze it, so that the container wall quickly recovers its shape for the convenience of the user in order to deliver the product quickly. is important.

  Here, attaching the label as described above to the squeezable and resilient wall of the container substantially increases the elasticity of the wall, so that the squeezable wall of the container recovers its shape more quickly It turns out that it helps. Thus, an object of the present invention is to increase the elasticity of a squeezable container comprising a composition having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s.

  An example of a container for delivering a flowable composition having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s according to this first embodiment will now be given by way of example only, see FIG. 1 for the first container. The second container will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 1, a container 10 having a general bottle shape includes a reservoir 12 (for example, made from polypropylene) obtained by blow molding and an elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35. And two labels 14a, 14b made from a material (eg, made from a material such as a SANTOPRENE (RTM) elastomer). The composition to be delivered is contained within the reservoir 12.

  The reservoir 12 comprises a closed lower end 16, a squeezable wall 18 to which labels 14a, 14b are attached, such as by an in-mold labeling method, and an open neck 20 on the upper end. The open neck 20 may be formed with an external thread 21 adapted to cooperate with a cap 22, which may be an integral plastic molding.

  Two labels 14a, 14b have been placed on both sides of the reservoir 12 to give the user better grip. The user can squeeze the bottle by pressing one label with the thumb or palm and the other label with the other finger. The reservoir 12, in particular its squeezable wall 18, has a substantially cylindrical shape with a narrowed upper end 24. The label closely overlaps the cylindrical squeezable wall 18 and follows the curvature of the wall 18.

  2 to 4 show a bottle similar to the bottle of FIG. 1, with the cap 22 screwed to the neck of the bottle. In order to give the container even better grip and aesthetics, the cylindrical symmetry of the reservoir 12 is however substantially flat (over 70% of the entire label surface) to which the labels 14a, 14b are attached. It has been changed by providing a surface. Such a substantially flat surface is easily obtained by a blow molding process using a matched mold and can be used in all containers according to the invention.

(Bag-in-bottle type container)
A second embodiment of the present invention is a bag-in-bottle type container for delivering a flowable composition, wherein a label made from a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 is expressed by pressing the container. It relates to a container attached to a possible outer wall.

The bag-in-bottle type container defined in the present invention is:
-A squeezable and resilient outer wall;
A foldable inner layer separate from the squeezable outer wall, defining a reservoir containing the composition;
A buffer region separating the squeezable outer wall from the foldable inner layer;
-Delivery means for delivering the composition from the reservoir;

In a preferred embodiment of the bag-in-bottle type container, the delivery means further comprises:
-A first passage communicating with the buffer area, separate from a second passage communicating with the reservoir;
-Valve means capable of controlling the entry of air into the buffer area through the first passage and the outflow of the flowable composition from the reservoir through the second passage.

PCT International Publication No. WO 99/26511 (Oder) describes an improved bag-in-bottle type container in which the valve means is of a single configuration.
US Pat. No. 6,332,726 (Yamamoto et al.) Has a flexible outer layer and a laminate over this outer layer so that the composition is delivered and freed from the buffer area when it expands. A bag-in-bottle type container having an inner layer is described.

  Bag-in-bottle type containers, unlike conventional bottle-type containers, which must be used with the delivery means facing down, have the advantage of being able to deliver contained fluid composition regardless of the orientation of the container. Have. However, even in the case of a relatively non-viscous composition, a bag-in-bottle type container requires the user to repeatedly squeeze the squeezable outer wall of the container to force the composition through the delivery means.

  It has now been found that attaching at least one label according to the present invention to the squeezable outer wall of a bag-in-bottle type container advantageously increases the elasticity of the wall and makes it easier for the user to squeeze repeatedly. .

  Here, the bag-in-bottle type container according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. This bag-in-bottle type container is the same as the bag-in-bottle type container described in detail in PCT International Publication No. WO99 / 26511. In order to improve the elasticity of the container and its gripping ability, Has been added on the squeezable wall. A brief overview of the elements of the container will now be described, further details of these elements (other than the labels according to the invention) and the element interaction methods available in PCT International Patent Publication No. WO 99/26511.

A container 26 having a general bottle shape is
A hollow body 28 (eg made from polypropylene) obtained by blow molding and comprising a squeezable and resilient wall 30 and an open neck 32;
A foldable inner layer in the form of a flexible bag 34 for containing the composition to be delivered;
A buffer region 36 separating the squeezable and resilient outer wall from the foldable inner layer, as shown in FIG.
A delivery means for delivering a flowable composition from a reservoir comprising a support tube 38, an insert 40, a valve 42, a spout 44, and optionally a surface applicator 46 or brush / comb-like applicator 48;
Comprising the labels 50a, 50b of the present invention attached to the opposite side of the squeezable and resilient wall 30 (eg made from SANTOPRENE (RTM) material).
These labels overlap the wall 30 of the container 26 and follow its cylindrical curvature, but may also be substantially flat.

  The flexible bag 34 may be formed from two overlapping sheets 52 of the same shape, which are sealed together along most of the common perimeter, with the upper opening 54 and the lower V-shaped. A side-sealed sachet having an end 56 is formed. The bag can be inserted into the main body 28 through the neck 32, and a container in which a squeezable and elastic outer wall 30 and a foldable inner layer (sheet 52) are separated from each other by a buffer region 36 as shown in FIG. Form.

  The support tube 38 may have a plurality of holes 58 along its length and can be inserted into the bag through the open neck 32 to form an at least partially rigid channel.

  The insert 40 can be partially inserted into the bag through the open neck 32 and partially into the bottle through the neck. The insert 40 and the bag 34 can be replaced with a single configuration.

  This container may be used to deliver the oxidized hair dye composition. In this case, the bag 34 is typically already partially filled with a first material such as hydrogen peroxide when supplied to the user. Then, prior to use, at least a second material (eg, a composition comprising an oxidized hair dye precursor) is added to the first material in the reservoir. The method of adding the second material to the bag 34 is fully disclosed in PCT International Publication No. WO 99/26511.

  A spout 44 may be attached to the insert 40 in preparation for discharging the composition to be delivered. The valve member 42 may be of a single configuration and can be attached to the spout 44. The valve member 42 includes an inlet portion that is in the form of an annular flapper valve 60 that acts as a check valve that controls the entry of air through the air inlet 62. The valve member also includes an outlet portion, which is in the form of a central quadvalve valve 64 that acts as a check valve that controls the outflow of the composition through the passage 66 shown in FIG.

  When the squeezable and resilient wall of the hollow body is squeezed by the user, the composition is delivered from the bag 34 to the spout outlet 68. This compresses the air in the buffer area 36 and the air cannot escape, causing the bag 34 to partially collapse, thereby causing a portion of the composition to become part of the tube 38, the tubular member 70 of the insert 40, and the composition. It is forced out through a four-piece valve 64 that opens to let things through. When the user stops squeezing, the elastic wall 30 quickly regenerates its shape, thereby expanding the buffer area. The four piece valve 64 is closed to prevent the composition from being sucked back over the four piece valve 64 and the bag 34 remains in its partially depressed state. At the same time, air is drawn into the buffer area through the flapper valve 60 which opens to allow air to enter through the air inlet 62. The user may repeat the squeeze at a pressure and frequency that is recognized as appropriate for the situation.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the assembled element described above.
FIG. 7 shows the assembled container of FIG. 6 with a brush / comb-like applicator removably secured over the spout outlet. This applicator is particularly useful for delivering the composition to the hair.
FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled container of FIG. 6 with the surface applicator removably secured over the spout outlet, which container is also adapted to deliver the composition to the hair. .
Further details on the elements shown in FIGS. 5-8 other than brush / comb-like applicators and labels are available in PCT International Publication No. WO 99/26511.

(Equipment for delivering detergent composition)
A third embodiment of the present invention is an elastomer having a hollow body having at least one wall and having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 in a container for dispensing a detergent composition to a drum of a washing machine The present invention relates to a container characterized in that a label made from a material adheres to the wall.

  The wall can be squeezed by a textile article filled with a cleaning solution in the drum of the washing machine and may be elastic to recover to its original shape when the deformation force is removed. For the other embodiments described above, the label improves the elasticity of the wall of the container to which the label is attached. This gives the container a better pumping action. For example, the container disclosed in EP-A-0,368,680 may have an improved pumping action due to the label according to the invention.

  A dosing ball having at least one non-squeezable wall may benefit from having a label made of an elastomeric material with a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 and attached to the non-squeezable wall I also understood that. The “soft feel” provided by the rubber label is more gentle on the laundry than other plastic materials conventionally used in dosing balls (which are squeezable or not). Thus, the present invention also relates to a container for delivering a detergent composition into the drum of a washing machine, wherein the wall is non-squeezable and / or inelastic.

  The same material and configuration may be used for one or more walls and one or more labels. Non-squeezable walls can be obtained by increasing the wall thickness or by using less flexible plastic materials. The container may have a general hollow sphere shape. Examples of suitable containers to which labels can be attached are disclosed in EP 0,368,680. In particular, the features claimed in EP 0,368,680 (see claims 1-4) may be advantageously used in containers according to embodiments of the present invention. The label may cover the wall surface, preferably part or all of the outer surface. The one or more labels may have a variety of shapes, for example in the case of a spherical container, the labels can be attached along the equator or longitudinal line of the sphere.

  The hollow body preferably has a smooth outer surface and may comprise a single permanent open filling and a dispensing device through which the body is filled with detergent and through which the detergent is dispensed.

  The detergent product used with the ball may be in powder or liquid form. For liquids, a viscosity of at least about 0.250 Pa · s (250 cps), preferably about 0.250 to about 500 Pa · s (250 to 500 cps) is preferred. Viscosity may be measured as described above.

  The user may fill the container (eg, a dosing ball) with the detergent composition through the opening and then introduce the filled container into the drum of the washing machine before initiating cleaning. The container may preferably be reusable, i.e. should be able to withstand conditions encountered in the drum of the washing machine during the washing program.

(Manufacturing)
Various methods are known for attaching labels to containers. A commonly used method for plastic containers obtained by extrusion or injection blow molding is the in-mold labeling method (ILM). In this method, the label is fixed inside the cavity of the open split mold, and the thermoplastic material hot parison (extrusion blow molding process) or preform (injection blow molding process) that forms the outer wall of the container is then the mold. The mold is closed and pressurized fluid is blown into the parison or preform to expand it. When the expanding parison or preform reaches the surface of the mold, the label integrates with the container wall. After cooling, the mold is opened and the container is removed. For further details regarding the in-mold labeling method, see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,108,850 (Brandt) or 4,802,295 (Darr).

However, other methods, such as gluing, can be used to attach the label to the wall, but the in-mold labeling method is preferred because it provides several advantages:
-The production of the walls, which may be squeezable of the container, and the application of the label are combined in a single step,
-The need for adhesion is eliminated,
-The label becomes a structural part of the container, and the elastic properties of the wall are improved.
-The label overlaps the surface of the wall, reducing the risk of peeling.

(how to use)
The containers according to the invention are particularly useful for delivering viscous liquid compositions such as foods, pharmaceutical products, detergents, industrial chemicals and cosmetics. These compositions are usually packaged in a squeezable container. As described above, the user advantageously squeezes the container by manually pressing one or more labels attached to the outer wall of the container. The container may also be used to deliver a detergent composition, which may be in solid or liquid form, directly to the drum of the washing machine. In addition to imparting better elasticity to the container, the labeled bottle also has the added benefit of giving the user a better grip (non-slip) and is aesthetically pleasing to the touch. It looks good and looks beautiful.

  The consumer can use the container to which the label of the present invention is attached in the same manner as a normal compressed container. A normal container, such as the container of claim 1, can be used with the delivery means facing down, and the product (eg shampoo) is delivered, for example, into the unsqueezed hand of the user. Or, for example, in the case of a bag-in-bottle type container for delivering the hair dye composition directly to the user's hand, this container can be used with the delivery means facing up.

  While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, further adaptations of the invention as described herein may be made with appropriate modifications by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It can be performed. Some of these possible changes and alternatives have already been described, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while exemplary embodiments of the inventive system have been discussed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that the elements described may be constantly updated and improved with technical progress. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of construction, operation or process steps shown and described in the specification and drawings.

The perspective view of the expression bottle by which two labels are attached to the surface which the wall of a bottle opposes. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a squeeze bottle with two substantially flat labels attached to opposing surfaces of the bottle wall. FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a “bag-in-bottle” type container with two labels attached to the opposite surfaces of the bottle wall. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled element of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows the assembled container of FIG. 6 with a brush / comb-like applicator removably secured over the spout outlet. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled container of FIG. 6 with a surface applicator removably secured over the spout outlet.

Claims (19)

A container for delivering a flowable composition comprising:
A reservoir containing the flowable composition;
-Delivery means for delivering the flowable composition from the reservoir;
The flowable composition is in a container having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s (1,000 cps) (Brookfield RVT, spindle: 5,50 rpm, 25 ° C.)
The reservoir comprises a squeezable and elastic wall to which is attached at least one label made from an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35. A “bag-in-bottle” type container for delivering a flowable composition,
-A squeezable and resilient outer wall;
-A foldable inner layer defining a reservoir containing the composition and separate from the squeezable and resilient outer wall;
A buffer region separating the squeezable outer wall from the foldable inner layer;
-A container comprising delivery means for delivering the flowable composition from the reservoir;
A container wherein at least one label made from an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 is attached to the squeezable and elastic outer wall. The delivery means is separate from a second passage communicating with the reservoir, a first passage communicating with the buffer region, and the second passage comprising:
-Valve means capable of controlling the entry of air into the buffer region through the first passage and the outflow of the flowable composition from the reservoir through the second passage; The container according to claim 2.   4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the valve means is of a single configuration.   The container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the foldable inner layer is laminated on the outer layer such that the foldable inner layer is freely peeled therefrom when the buffer region is expanded.   The flowable composition contained in the reservoir has a viscosity (Brookfield RVT, spindle: 5,50 rpm, 25 ° C.) of at least 1 Pa · s (1,000 cps). Item 6. The container according to any one of Items 2 to 5.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the composition is a hair care composition, more preferably a hair dye composition, and still more preferably an oxidized hair dye composition.   At least one label comprising a hollow body having at least one wall and made from an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 in a container for dispensing detergent composition to a drum of a washing machine Is attached to the wall.   9. A container according to claim 8, wherein the wall is not squeezable.   The wall is squeezable within the drum of the washing machine by a textile article filled with a laundry solution, and is elastic so that it recovers to its original shape when the deformation force is removed. The container according to claim 8.   11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall is obtained by a method selected from injection blow molding or extrusion blow molding.   The wall is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene propylene copolymer resin, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin, other polyolefin resin, polyamide resin, ionomer resin, ABS resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate resin and other synthetic resins, and mixtures thereof. 12. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, made at least partially from a material selected from the group.   13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the label is made at least partly from a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPE). Said thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, C ₄ ~ ₇ isomonoolefin and a para -C ₁ ~ ₈ Curing rubbers and thermoplastics selected from copolymers with alkylstyrenes or their halogenated derivatives, polybutadiene rubbers, styrene-butadiene rubbers, styrene / conjugated diene / styrene block copolymers, styrene block copolymers and variants thereof and mixtures thereof The container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is a blend with polyolefin.   The container according to claim 1, wherein the label is attached to an outer surface of the squeezable wall of the container by in-mold labeling.   16. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the label has an average thickness of at least 150 [mu] m, preferably 250-1500 [mu] m.   The ratio of the thickness of the label to the thickness of the wall of the bottle to which the label is attached is 1: 5 to 5: 1, preferably 3: 1 to 3: 1, more preferably 1: 2 to 2: The container according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the container is within the range of 1.   18. Two labels made from a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35 are attached to the opposite sides of the wall. Container. A method for improving the elasticity of a container comprising the squeezable wall comprising the step of adhering to a squeezable wall a label made of an elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) of at least 35.

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