JP5642705B2 - System and method for refilling consumer packaging - Google Patents

Description

  In the current situation of global commerce, interest in environmental sustainability is increasing as waste, a by-product of trade, is generated. To address the environmental concerns associated with packaging waste, many countries assign and distribute waste management costs, shift responsibility to product manufacturers, and environmental impacts on packaging We have implemented a need for packaging that reduces the environment and does not harm the environment. Companies that sell products in domestic and overseas markets are facing an increasing area of packaging rules, including environmentally sound design requirements and large packaging fee systems. These requirements vary significantly from country to country, but the impact they have on merchandise suppliers cannot be ignored.

  Packaging rules are already in place in many growing markets including the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Taiwan, Tunisia and South Korea, and regulations are pending in many countries. It is inside. Thus, consideration of international packaging fees and design requirements improves the competitiveness of commodity exporters. Failure to adhere to packaging requirements set by trading partners, especially as environmental awareness continues to increase, inadequate cost competitiveness of goods imported from the United States, insufficient means of implementation, And may lead to an inadequate public image.

  The driving force behind the packaging and product legislation is environmental concerns regarding resource use, contamination, and waste management, and the business that manufactures and uses the packaging bears some of the burden of managing packaging waste Combined with the notion of should. As the trend toward international commerce, Internet sales, and short lifespan products continues to develop, the amount of goods placed on the market and the amount of subsequent waste from the products and their packaging has dramatically increased. It is sometimes faster than the increase in waste disposal capacity. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), municipal waste increased by 40% over the 17-year period in OECD countries, and personal household consumption grew by 37.5% over the same period. Packaging waste is an increasing waste trend in many countries, especially in countries experiencing rapid socioeconomic changes. One cause of the increasing problem is an increase in the proportion of single-person households who prefer smaller retail units, single-person packaging, and other useful items over economically sized packaging and bulk goods. These changes have generated efforts toward reducing and reusing packaging. However, waste disposal solutions call for consideration and require someone to pay.

  In many countries, the principle “contaminated person pays” and extended manufacturer responsibility (EPR) are at the heart of packaging and product regulations. Traditionally, packaging waste has been managed by governments and funded recycling and disposal programs. However, waste management costs (eg, collection, disposal) are not reflected in product prices. Incorporating waste management costs into the product chain by imposing charges on the packaging they place on the company is more generally considered these costs, and government and social Ensure that it is not borne only by (eg taxpayers). The purpose of these systems is not to penalize the industry, but rather, some of the costs can directly influence the choice of design, material processes and other manufacturing and market activity aspects. To assign to supply chain members. In this regard, packaging developers are encouraged to reduce packaging and other environmental costs. Packaging rules allow manufacturers to incorporate waste management costs into packaging costs, product design, and innovation.

  With this background, companies have been trying to open up new options for controlling the amount of waste and costs associated with packaging their products. Food, beverages and personal care products are major candidates for further activities to protect the environment. In this trend, biodegradable packaging is very important. Biodegradable packaging is driven in part by the packaging company's desire to have recurring packaging needs. As a result, there is a great deal of interest in biodegradable packaging, while there is little interest in reusable and refillable containers for consumer products.

  One difficulty with refilling consumer products is that existing systems require exposure to the atmosphere, which causes certain constituents to lose quality. That is, when exposed to the atmosphere, a given product loses its shelf life due to contaminants carried in the atmosphere. Other products easily lose quality when exposed to the atmosphere. This requires undesirable preservatives or other ingredients to combat the atmospheric effects on the product. When dealing with a given personal care product, the addition of added preservatives or other chemicals may be between consumers who make up the sale and consumers who choose alternatives without other preservatives. Can be the difference.

  It is known in the industry that personal care products such as lotions, creams, hair care products, cosmetics, etc. are slow to move towards more environmentally friendly packaging. Because products are sold as a direct result of public preference for known and well-known packaging, rather than the quality of the product itself, the trade is to a great extent and the commercial success of many products. This is due to the affected packaging. Companies that sell eau de cologne, perfumes, eye makeups, cosmetic creams, etc. spend more capital for potential customer responses to their packaging than to their products. As a result, cosmetic and personal care product companies have resisted the trend towards more environmentally friendly packaging, both for uncontrolled waste and for both manufacturers and customers who repeatedly purchase the same packaging. Leading to higher costs.

  The present invention attempts to address the above-mentioned problems by implementing a system and method for refilling and reusing personal care products such as creams, cosmetics, hair care products, beauty products and the like. However, the present invention can also be applied to many other consumer packaging fields. The personal care products described above typically have a very high viscosity and are cumbersome to supply with conventional fluid delivery systems. The present invention overcomes this obstacle by a system designed to be refilled into a small, palm-sized product container. Products here include products with particulate matter, products with extremely high viscosities, Hershel Bulkley fluids and other non-Newtonian fluids.

Means for Solving the Invention

  The system according to the present invention is preferably capable of storing and moving personal care products to a refillable personal container in a closed system that pressurizes the consumer's container without exposing the contents to the environment. Use a portable dispensing unit. Customers who purchase an adapted refillable personal container can use the product until it is exhausted, after which the refillable personal container can be used in stores, refill kiosks, or customer representatives, etc. Take the refill unit to the container where the original product can be refilled. This eliminates the need for customers to purchase (or discard) other containers and the need for manufacturers to make other containers. This leads to both a cost reduction by the manufacturer and a reduction in packaging waste where nothing is discarded. Cost savings can be passed on to customers. Personal refillable containers can be reused indefinitely, and each refill saves disposal of the product packaging. The system and method according to the present invention leads to reduced costs based on sustainable packaging and increased total revenue as a result of increased customer service and brand loyalty.

  In other forms, the container can be refilled by a customer using a docking station that utilizes a cartridge of product to refill the refillable container. The docking station is adapted to a specific product on demand and includes other features that make it easier to distribute the product to customers, for example a heating unit that warms the product on demand, Sensors for temperature monitoring, data storage to maintain data on product use by consumers, communicate product use by consumers, order products, and provide special suggestions or other consumer information to suppliers / manufacturers Communication mechanisms for relaying from consumer to consumer, and other features of the docking station described in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a distribution flow according to the method of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a transportable refill unit according to the system of the invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing first and second forms of a refillable personal container according to the system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first form of a refill station. FIG. 5 is a view showing a docking station of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a first preferred distribution and flow diagram according to the method of the present invention. The manufacturing facility 70 where the personal product is manufactured is the starting point of the process. In general, personal products such as creams, lotions, soaps, hair care products are dispensed into containers and shipped to retail stores for purchase by a customer or dealer who directly deals with personal care products. In this method, the portable refill unit 40 is brought to the manufacturing facility by automobile or other means and filled with one or more products. In a preferred form, the portable unit 40 includes a plurality of products that are sometimes sold or used together as a gift product. The product is described in US patent application no. It may be distributed using a refillable system such as that disclosed in 11 / 096,356. That US patent application is assigned to the assignee of the present application, the contents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference. Also, the name “Integrated Material Transfer and Distribution System” by Williams et al., US Pat. See also 11 / 584,932. This US patent application is also assigned to the assignee of the present application, the contents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference. Once the dispensing unit is filled, it is transported from the manufacturing facility 70 to the distribution center 20 for local distribution. A sales representative representing the store, a transport truck representing the distribution center 20, or a personal care product dealer collects or delivers the filled portable dispensing unit 50. Also, the dispensing unit 50 can be placed at a store location or kiosk 30 or in a car for mobility delivery to an individual customer 10. To fill the personal container 60 with a fresh product, the customer takes an empty personal refillable container 60 to the kiosk or a sales representative takes the dispensing unit to the customer. If the kiosk 30 is drastically reduced, or if the sales representative is filling a large number of personal refillable containers and thus the portable dispensing unit 40 is empty, A possible dispensing unit 40 is returned to the distribution center 20 and replaced with a tightly packed dispensing unit 50. The empty dispensing unit 40 is then returned to the manufacturing facility 70 for refilling, and then the cycle is repeated.

  A portable filling station 190 is shown in FIG. The filling station 190 has a housing 100 that closes the storage compartment 110 and the distribution compartment 120. The storage compartment 110 includes a dispensing unit 50 consisting of one or more personal care product cartridges or containers 150 that can be dispensed using a filling station 190. A product spare unit 140 may be included in the system. The portable dispensing unit 50 may be fixed on a carousel that rotates individual cartridges 150 to a moving location. In addition to the carousel to place the appropriate cartridge 150 at the moving location, other means are envisaged, and multiple lines are coupled to various containers via each moving system. It is understood that. Alternatively, each canister or cartridge may be used to connect to a mobile station. Preferably, a single fluid conduit 160 communicates between the storage compartment 110 and the distribution compartment 120 regardless of how the cartridge 150 is positioned. Preferably, a processor 195 is included in the filling station 190 to control the various cartridges and movement systems.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the filling station 190 and the interaction of the processor 195 with various inputs. For example, the processor 195 is in communication with a barcode reader 185 or RFID chip reader to recognize the product in the personal container 60 and relay the information to the processor. The processor can operate a carousel motor 165 to rotate the appropriate canister or cartridge 150 to a position inside the station 190. The liquid level sensor 175 can establish the liquid level of the product in the personal container 60 and ensure proper filling of the personal container 60 so that it does not overflow. The processor then causes the printer 155 to print out receipts, payment records, coupons for future purchases, or other data for the customer to handle refilled containers. The processor also relays information such as inventory, consumer data, operating conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.), financial or financial information to the manufacturer or distribution center, such as modems, Internet connections, telephones, etc. It is also possible to control the communication device. This allows the refill station to operate independently from the distribution center even when no guidance staff is located at the kiosk or the like.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, a dedicated conduit 160 leads to the dispensing compartment 120, where a personal refillable container 60 can be placed in the vicinity of the filling station 170 to fill the product to be purchased. . In a preferred form, the filling station has a bar code reader or RFID reader that reads the identifier on the personal refillable container 60. The identifier alerts the processor to the desired product being requested, where the processor rotates a carousel or other positioning means until the required product is placed in a moving configuration ( (Not shown). This can also be used to rotate empty containers and containers filled with the same product. In this case, the liquid level of the product is read by the processor using various liquid level detection means such as a weight scale, an optical reader, and a magnetic sensor.

  2 and 4, when the barcode reader 185 and / or RFID reader recognizes the product, other information about the product, such as viscosity, separation characteristics, temperature limits, etc., is invoked by the processor 195, and Can be used to control the movement movement. This ensures that the appropriate container 150 is coupled to the movement system and that the proper conditions (pressure, volume, etc.) for movement are established. When the barcode reader 185 and / or RFID reader (or other recognition means) detects a mismatch between the refillable personal container and each container 150 in the portable dispensing unit 50, the processor 195 is different. It generates a signal to alert the sales representative, consumer or guide that the carousel, portable dispensing unit 50 or product container 150 needs to be loaded into the refill station. Once the appropriate unit has been placed in the refill system, the dispensing compartment 120 then refills the personal product to be purchased into the personal container 60. Here, the personal product may be sold based on the weight (amount) of the material to be dispensed, for example. For example, a scale 180 may be included in the filling station 170, and signals from the scale may be sent to a processor 195 that provides information regarding weight before and after the filling operation. The processor 195 can then determine the amount of product to be dispensed and determine the price based on the default cost of the product and also print a report or receipt regarding the price and weight of the product to be dispensed. 155 can be printed out. Other modes of pricing and sales may be envisioned, and example procedures are proposed for exemplary purposes only.

  FIG. 3 shows two exemplary configurations for a personal refillable container 60 that is filled with a viscous fluid in a closed, sealed, and energized system. In FIG. 3a, a device 60a for filling and discharging at the bottom is shown, where the product from the dispensing unit 50 is carried to the bottom of the container, and the container also has the same bottom opening. Through the product. In FIG. 3b, the discharge device 60b is filled and dispensed via the top surface. Other configurations may include opposing loading and dispensing surfaces. In each configuration, the force element 200 receives a widely distributed force, such as a fluid or gas 230, and applies a force to the product 210, thereby causing the upper opening through the bottom opening 250 or the pipe 240. 260 causes the product to be discharged. The force element 200 preferably includes a viscous seal 220 on the inner wall of the container 60. Preferred forms and details of the container and force element have been disclosed in detail in the Thibodeau application previously referenced and incorporated by reference, and therefore details are not repeated here for the sake of brevity.

  A unique feature of the system is that the system is fully stowed and the consumer or sales representative cannot touch or tamper with the product. Rather, the system automatically detects the right product and does not expose the right amount of product to the environment / atmosphere and without human skill or decision making. Or discharge to a container while reducing the chance of contamination. The system and method are designed to streamline the process and minimize the amount of human interference to provide a more efficient and consistent service. The closed nature of the system also helps to preserve volatile or time released materials that are common in the personal care product industry. Because this system does not expose the product to the atmosphere and has a very small shearing force due to the viscous seal around the force propagation mechanism, which has high sensitivity or phase separation problems This is because the product can be transported safely and reliably even when it is not possible with prior art systems. In addition, the system allows refillable containers that can be refilled under pressure, enabling the distribution of products that were not previously available in refillable consumer packaging.

  The system also serves consumers. This is because the system avoids the situation where the product is discarded with the container. Personal care product containers tend to be transparent and the viscous material sticks to the inner surface of the container. When disposed of, 30% or more of the product remains when the container no longer dispenses product in a conventional container. In the present invention, however, the container is refilled while the existing material occupies a predetermined proportion. Thus, the consumer pays for the amount of material needed to refill the container. In the above example, if the container has 30% left over from previous use, the consumer will purchase only 70% of the total volume of the container. Thus, consumers not only reduce the cost of new containers, but also reduce the cost of purchasing 30% of the products that would have been discarded if they were traditional containers. The delivery system also overcomes the problem in prior art squeeze tubes that the product being dispensed is not uniform, either large or small, depending on the condition of the squeeze tube. Conversely, the system continues to carry a uniform flow of material from the initial distribution to the final distribution.

  Components with a high degree of throughput may be integrated into the system and method of the present invention. Components with this high processing capability may include real-time information exchange including communication, database recovery, overall deployment features, and additional processing capabilities. A system with a high degree of processing power allows mobile phones to communicate information such as product manufacturers or distributors, customers or clients, products and overall location data via wired and / or wireless communication devices 145. , Computer servers, land radios, personal computers, and remote communication devices such as PDAs (personal digital assistants, blackberries). The database may include manufacturer or distributor data and customer information such as location, sales history, personal information, credit or financial data, and personal preferences. Product information may include special requirements for moving or distributing the product, including precautions for use, atmospheric and light sensitivity, pressure requirements, and chemical properties. Global placement data or other location information may be stored to find customers as well as to find customers in other regions where the product is transported. For example, the process may determine the distance between a component with a high throughput and the selected customer, and may determine the direction of driving. In one form of this highly capable component, the GPS device establishes the location of the system, and then a database of where the local customers were located and the products they liked The output may be accessed. The communication system also calls, emails, sends text messages, or otherwise alerts customers to request or confirm promises during distribution operations.

  Other systems for moving fluids, creams, gels, etc. include personal docking stations. The personal docking station utilizes a cartridge of material to refill a refillable personal product container 60. This form of the invention is described in U.S. patent application no. 12 / 192,848 and US patent application no. 12/426, 789, etc., including material transfer concepts and methodologies for moving viscous fluids, the contents of which are fully incorporated by reference in their entirety.

  This form of docking system and method utilizes a personal, home gastric business docking station for moving and dispensing various products including, but not limited to, oils, gels, creams and the like. The system uses a dispenser / container that is sized to fit in the palm of the contents to be dispensed therein by a pressurized gas. The docking station accepts personal containers and transfers energy and / or products to refillable and reusable containers via ports adapted to engage with exchanges that are compatible with the containers. The exchanged energy can take a variety of forms including pneumatic, electrical, thermal and the like. For example, the docking station may have a source of pressurized gas that can be introduced into the container to fill the container so that the material to be refilled can be dispensed. The container may have a battery that can be charged by the docking station using the supplied voltage. The docking station can also deliver heat to the container and / or remove heat from the container to more easily distribute the material or otherwise affect the material in the container.

  FIG. 5 shows a docking station 300 for refilling personal products into packaging. The docking station 300 includes a docking pad 312 and a control box 305 for the station that includes a display 310, various buttons 320 for controlling fluid / energy / data exchange and a dial. The docking station 300 may include a second dock for controlling the second container, and the second dock is used for other purposes such as audio, communications, computers, games, etc. May be. Data exchange includes alarm data, date, time, event, failure, financial data, flow rate, gas or system characteristics, overall layout, interface recognition, materials, material properties, operator identifiers, pressure, temperature, etc. May be included.

  Container 360 can be removed from the dock and includes a link 340 for receiving material, energy, and / or information from the docking station, and a receptor 350 for exchanging or receiving data. . The container 360 may also include a display 370 for displaying the contents, the date filled, the percentage of material remaining, the type of material, or other information related to the container or the user. . The container may be a single product container 360a or may be a two product container 360b.

  The docking station may receive a product-filled cartridge 370 located in the slot or holding cavity 375 in the control box 305. The product is maintained inside the control box inside the cartridge 370 and is moved by the consumer as needed. The control box 305 may include a heat transfer element (not shown) that allows the product to be heated and / or cooled, and the heat transfer element 365 is or is used. The product container 330 may be located in the docking station 300 where it is not present.

  It will be understood that the above examples are merely proposed for an understanding of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. For example, in addition to personal care products such as health and cosmetic materials, other viscous materials can benefit from the present systems and methods. For example, commercial, industrial, institutional, and state-run materials and fields.

Claims (20)

A refill system for refilling a commercial product into a refillable container in a closed system,
For dispensing a product under pressure, a container for individual sized to ride on the palm, the container is of Me other to exchange data between the refilling unit, at least one port And a dispensing means for dispensing the product under pressure, and
A refill unit adapted to cooperate with a personal container sized to be placed in the palm of a hand for transferring material from a portable and refillable storage unit to the container under pressure, wherein A refill system comprising: a refill unit, wherein the refill unit is reusable and the refill unit cooperates with the container to move the material under pressure in a closed system without exposing the material to the external environment.   The refill system for refilling a commercial product according to claim 1, wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of creams, lotions, soaps and gels.   The refill system for refilling a commercial product according to claim 1, wherein the refill unit includes a processor for controlling the operation of the refill unit.   4. A refill system for refilling commercial products according to claim 3, wherein the refill unit further comprises a carousel for moving a plurality of products to a position where they are moved toward the personal container.   4. The refill system for refilling a commercial product according to claim 3, further comprising a communication device for exchanging data with a remote location.   6. A refill system for refilling commercial products according to claim 5, wherein the data is selected from the group comprising financial data, inventory data and consumer data.   4. A refill system for refilling commercial products according to claim 3, further comprising a printer for printing information to a consumer.   4. The refill system for refilling a commercial product according to claim 3, further comprising a sensor for detecting the liquid level of the material in the container. A barcode reader for reading the barcode on the container;
4. A refill system for refilling commercial products according to claim 3, wherein the products are refilled based on information obtained from the barcode. A method for reusing consumer packaging comprising:
Providing a consumer with a reusable and refillable container containing a commercial product therein;
Providing a refill station having a plurality of cartridges of various commercial products stored therein for access, wherein the refill station comprises a reusable and refillable product in the container. Recognized by type and adapted to dispense product from a selected one of the plurality of cartridges to a refillable container in a closed system without exposing the contents of the cartridge or container to the environment A process comprising:
The method, wherein the container has at least one port for exchanging data with a refill station .   The method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 10, wherein the refill station is contained in a kiosk.   The method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 10, wherein the refill station is contained in a personal docking pod.   12. The method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 11, wherein a depleted refillable container is brought into a kiosk by a consumer and a refill station refills the container with the product at the kiosk.   12. A method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge is replaced at a distribution center. A barcode reader reads the barcode on the container,
12. The method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 11, wherein the refilling station then selects a product for refilling into the container based on information obtained from the barcode.   12. The method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 11, wherein the printer prints a payment receipt after the refill station moves the product from the cartridge to the container.   The method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 11, wherein the communication device exchanges financial data with a remote location prior to the start of container refilling.   12. A method for recycling consumer packaging according to claim 11, wherein the refill station first measures the amount of product in the container prior to the start of refilling of the container.   The method of claim 18, wherein the measurement is accomplished using a scale.   13. The method of claim 12, wherein energy is transferred to or from the container by the docking pod prior to dispensing by the container.

Images