KR100704516B1 - Package with reduced product settling - Google Patents

Abstract

The package of the present invention includes a container for holding a product, a sealing member and a product containing a plurality of separate units therein. The container includes a concave body delimited by an edge and at least one post protruding from the concave body member. The container also includes a first end and a second end facing each other. The sealing member is attached to the corner to form a seal for holding the product between the sealing member and the concave body member. When the package is placed with the first end on a flat surface and subsequently placed with the second end, the posts significantly reduce the settling of the product towards the second end.

Package, Container, Sedimentation, Post, Sealing Member

Description

Package with reduced product settling

The present invention relates to a package and a packaged product. In particular, the invention relates to a packaged and packaged product in which the product is formed from a plurality of separate units.

Packaged products, such as air freshener products, are well known in the relevant market and can take various forms and shapes. For example, natural air freshener products, such as potpourri, may be obtained from leaves, stems, and the like of flowers and herbs, and may be sold in a see-through package. In other air freshener products, a solid, wax or gel material is provided in the form of beads, blocks, etc. that absorb odors and / or release fragrances. In addition, these gel type air freshener products are often sold in see-through packages. Such see-through packages typically include at least one portion and / or surface that is transparent or translucent.

When such a package is transported, stored, or the like, separate units of the product tend to settle over time, so that the package appears to contain less product. Such sedimentation may be particularly pronounced when the package is transported and stored in the same orientation. Although the performance and actual amount of the product contained in such a "settled" package may be equivalent to a package that is not settled, the amount of product is recognized as being small. This is particularly evident when one or more portions of the package are translucent and / or transparent.

Traditionally, this settling problem has been solved, for example, by using an opaque material for the package and / or by limiting the transparent portion to the material at the bottom of the container. However, this solution defeats the purpose of using the see-through package, which makes the product contained therein visible. Alternatively, the package may include a series of baffles, such as those found in ice-cube trays, to reduce sedimentation. However, such a baffle is filled in a package because separate units of the product (as opposed to liquids that may easily flow around the baffle) may gather around the filling point and do not tend to spread evenly throughout the package. There is a tendency to cause problems. Moreover, such baffles often require the formation of a significant amount of package material, increasing the cost and weight of the package.

Thus, there is a need for a package that overcomes the settling problem described above. There is also a need for a combination of packages and products that makes manufacturing easier and uses less package material.

The present invention relates to a package comprising a container for holding a product, a sealing member and a product containing a plurality of separate units therein. The container includes a concave body delimited by an edge and at least one post protruding from the concave body member. The container also includes a first end and a second end facing each other. The sealing member is attached to the corner to form a seal for holding the product between the sealing member and the concave body member. When the package is placed with the first end on a flat surface and then with the second end, the posts significantly reduce the settling of the product towards the second end.

In another aspect of the invention, the posts protrude from the sealing member instead of the concave body member to achieve a result similar to that described above. This embodiment is useful when settling is not a problem after the sealing member is removed. For example, when the product is quickly exhausted or emptied from the concave body member after the sealing member is removed, such as in the case of a single dose or for individual use cereals.

It has been found that the package of the present invention has less sedimentation compared to such a postless package and is comparable to a package with a baffle. However, the package of the present invention also has an advantage over a package with a baffle in that the package can be more easily filled and the separate units will flow more easily around the post than the baffle. This allows considerable flexibility in the filling orientation as well as the type, shape and physical properties of the separate units used and the filling rate.

Although this specification concludes with the claims which specifically point out and expressly claim this invention, it is believed that this invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements.

1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a package with posts.

2 is a top perspective view of a conventional package with a baffle.

3 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a package showing the article and the multilayer sealing member.

The drawings in this specification do not need to be drawn to scale.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the term "comprising" means that other steps, components, elements, and the like may be added that do not adversely affect the end result. This term includes the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.

The package herein includes a container, a sealing member and a product. Packages may be used for a variety of different products to significantly reduce or even prevent settling caused by, for example, time, vibration, placement direction, and the like. For example, block-type products, granular products, gel-type products and even cereals, for example, can benefit from the package of the present invention. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides for air removal by absorbing undesirable odor (s), neutralizing undesirable odor (s), and / or by releasing aroma, for example, to hide undesirable odor (s). It relates to a fresh air freshener product.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a package 10 formed by a container 100 having a concave body member 102 bounded by an edge 104. The concave body member 102 need not be completely concave, but must form a hollow shape such that at least a portion thereof retains the product (see 124 of FIG. 3). Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that for the purposes of the present invention, the concave body member 102 may comprise both a plurality of concave and convex shapes. A plurality of posts 106 having a cross sectional shape protrude from the concave body member 102. In the present invention, at least one post is present and protrudes from the concave body member. The exact number of posts useful in the present invention depends on the physical properties of the product and the package and may be determined by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment of the invention, the number of posts is from about 2 to about 20. In another embodiment, the number of posts is from about 3 to about 10. The posts are typically distributed evenly throughout the concave body member, but may also be densely around the corner 104 or around the center of the convex body member as needed. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the configuration of these posts provides an aspect that significantly reduces the sedimentation of the product over time and / or when subjected to vibrations or when compared to other post configurations.

The container 100 includes a first end 108 and a second end 110 opposite the first end 108. The distance α between two adjacent posts 106A, 106B is also shown in FIG. 1. The post 106 is cross-shaped, with its two opposite points 112, 112 ′ forming a post line AA that is substantially parallel to the second end line BB formed by the second end 110. Has a cross-sectional shape. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that for a given post size and design, this embodiment further reduces the settling of the product by providing significantly greater resistance to the product.

The package and / or container may be formed of various materials such as plastic or polymer, rubber, glass, metal and combinations thereof. One aspect of the package and / or container includes rubber, plastics, polyesters, and combinations thereof, and other embodiments include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, ethyl vinyl alcohol, thermoplastic elastomers, and Combinations thereof. The flexible package and / or container portion preferably comprises at least a portion of a thermoplastic elastomer. If desired, a textured surface may be employed to improve gripping. Preferred manufacturing processes are blow molding, injection molding, injection blow molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof. The various individual package and / or container portions may be formed of different materials and / or by different processes as needed. Optional but preferred properties of the container material include color, color tone, sunscreen, translucency, transparency or opacity. Examples of UV blockers useful in the present invention include titanium dioxide, benzophenone, hydroxy-benzophenone, benzotriazole and mixtures thereof. Such UV blocking agents include Sumito Chemical, Tokyo, Japan, Kyodo Chemical, Kyodo Chemical, Tokyo, Japan, Asahi Denka, Tokyo, Japan, and Tokyo, Japan. It is commonly available from Ciba Giegy and other sources. One aspect of the package, container, sealing member (see 114 in FIG. 1) and / or concave body member material is transparent or translucent and UV to absorb, reflect or otherwise reduce ultraviolet light passing through the container to the product. Optionally contains a blocking agent. Other features include easy moldability to the desired shape (s), product resistance, and applicable pH range, durability, colorability, coating and / or elasticity. If the container material is transparent or translucent, the user may visually notice the reduced sedimentation without having to open the package. In one embodiment of the present invention, the container material should have temperature resistance to temperatures of about -5 to about 90 ° C. The package may be sized to hold any volume desired. In one embodiment of the invention, the package has a volume of about 0.5 mL to about 10 L or about 1 mL to about 5 L. In one embodiment of the invention, the package has a volume of about 100 to about 500 mL.

The sealing member 114 is attached to the corner 104 to form a seal 116 that holds the product (see 124 of FIG. 3) within the concave body member 102 and the sealing member. Therefore, when the sealing member 114 is attached to the concave body member 102, the package 10 should be substantially impermeable to the product (see 124 of FIG. 3), which is the seal 116 or the package 10. ), Unless otherwise opened, means that undesired release of the product should not be possible. To facilitate opening, the sealing member 114 specifically includes a tab 118 that is pulled to break the seal 116 and open the package 10. The sealing member 114 may be formed from any of the package and / or container materials described above, but is typically formed from a film, such as formed by plastic, polymer, and / or metal. In one embodiment of the invention, the film is a polypropylene and / or polyethylene film. In one embodiment of the invention, the film is a transparent or translucent film. In another aspect of the invention, the film may be an opaque film and / or contain metal therein, such as an aluminum film and / or a mylar film. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member is a transparent or translucent film further comprising a UV blocker. Sealing members useful in the present invention include Dow Chemicals, Midland, Mich., DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, and Mitsui Chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan. ), And are commonly available from many sources such as Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Seals 116 are well known in the art for compatibility with edge and seal members, such as, for example, heat seals, ultrasonic seals, pressure seals, adhesives, hook and loop systems such as VELCRO ^™ , tape seals and / or lids. It may be formed by any known method. The seal 116 should have sufficient strength and tightness to prevent accidental and unintentional release of the product (see 124 of FIG. 3) from the package. Therefore, in one aspect of the invention, the seal is watertight and / or airtight. In one aspect of the invention, the seal is not airtight or watertight, but keeps the product in the package until the package is specifically opened.

In one aspect of the invention, the sealing member comprises at least two layers or about 2 to about 20 layers. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member comprises about 5 to about 17 layers. In another embodiment, the sealing member comprises about 6 to about 13 layers. Such layers may include, for example, plastic films, metal films, adhesives, lubricants, varnishes, pigments and / or printing inks. In embodiments where the sealing member is a film, the thickness of the film may be from about 20 to about 300 μm. In one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the film may be from about 40 to about 200 μm. In another aspect of the invention, the thickness of the film may be about 80 to about 150 μm. Preferred sealing members may also include features cut into one or more layers such that air can enter the package when opened but the product is retained or retained therein (see 114A, 114B in FIG. 3). For example, such a sealing member can be obtained as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, polyethylene-terephthalate, nylon and / or paper.

2 shows a top perspective view of an existing package 10 with a baffle 120 similar to that seen in the ice tray. The baffle 120 is not continuous and has a space 122 between the baffles and between the edges of the baffle 122 and the concave body member 102. The space 122 allows the product to flow between them, but although the baffle 120 reduces or even prevents product settling, this embodiment is a liquid product or a product that is initially liquid and subsequently solidified during the filling process. It has been found to work well only for. Indeed, it has been found that the package as described in FIG. 2 is not very compatible with solid products formed of discrete units, which means that if the filling orifice is significantly smaller than the surface area of the area bounded by the edge 104, Because it is not even. Moreover, the baffle requires a significant amount of convex body member material, resulting in higher packaging costs compared to the post 106.

3 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a package 10 showing the product 124 contained therein. The article 124 is a plurality of separate units, such as solids or gels, which are neither continuous single pieces nor liquid. Examples of discrete units useful in the present invention include fruits, cereals or other foodstuffs. In one embodiment of the invention, the product is potpourri. In one embodiment of the invention, the separate units are natural and / or synthetic gels. Natural gels useful in the present invention may be xanthan gum, guar gum, carboxymethyl cellulose or agar. Synthetic gels useful in the present invention may be crosslinked polymers such as acrylic polymers. The gel can be chemically crosslinked or physically crosslinked. Examples of crosslinked polymers are crosslinked acrylic acid, acrylamide, polyethylene oxide, maleic acid, styrene, malic acid and the like and especially block polymers thereof. An example of a physically crosslinked polymer is polyethylene oxide. Examples of gel items useful in the present invention include products manufactured by Sumitomo Seika, Osaka, Japan [Aquakeep, Aquacube, Aquacalk TW and Aquacalk TWB], and Mitsubishi Chemicals, Tokyo, Japan. Manufactured products [Aquapearl] and manufactured by Nihon Shyokubai, Osaka, Japan, [Aqualin, AQUALIC CA, AAULIC CS, ACRYHOPE and superabsorbent polymers]. Such products may contain an active ingredient that absorbs, neutralizes, and / or traps odor (s). Such products may contain fragrances and thus release fragrances over time. Such products, in particular gels, may disappear and / or shrink over time or as water and / or other components deteriorate, spill and / or evaporate.

Typically, the shape of the product 124 may be cone, sphere, cube, block, or other desired shape as needed. In one aspect of the invention, the article has a predetermined shape rather than an amorphous shape. In one aspect of the invention, the article has a predetermined shape with at least one angled portion, such as a corner or pointed point, which is completely round which tends to roll more easily around the post. In contrast to products that are curved, curved or amorphous, these angled parts tend to be caught on the posts. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of separate units have substantially the same dimension range, and "virtually the same dimension range" means that when the total volume of the discrete units is measured and graphically plotted as a distribution, 90% of the discrete units have an average volume. In the range of +/- 50%, preferably 90% of the separate units are in the range of +/- 33% of the average volume. In one aspect of the invention, the separate units have a predetermined average length and the distance α between the posts is less than about three times the average length. In one aspect of the invention, the distance a between the posts is about 0.25 to about 3 times the average length. In one aspect of the invention, the distance a between the posts is about 0.5 to about 2 times the average length. In one aspect of the invention, the distance a between the posts is about 0.75 to about 1.5 times the average length. Similarly, in one aspect of the invention, the distance between the post and the container edge may be similar to the distance α between adjacent posts. The average length is the longest straight distance through a separate unit, whether diagonal, diameter or otherwise. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the aforementioned product properties are believed to contribute significantly to the reduction of sedimentation.

In FIG. 3, the sealing member 114 is a multilayer sealing member 114A, 114B. When the tab 118 is pulled, the first layer 114A of the sealing member peels off from the second layer 114B of the sealing member, exposing the film hole 126. However, the seal between the second sealing member 114B and the edge 104 is stronger than the attractive force between the first layer 114A of the sealing member and the second layer 114B of the sealing member. Therefore, the second layer 114B of the sealing member remains sealed to the edge 104. This then causes air to pass through the film aperture 126 to reach the article 124. However, the film hole 126 is such that the product 124 does not easily pass through the film hole 126 even if the package 10 is turned upside down so that the product 124 rests on the second layer 114B of the sealing member. Is designed. This can be achieved by making the width and / or height of the film holes smaller than the average length of the separate units or by designing the shape of the film holes to otherwise prevent passage of the separate units. In one aspect of the invention, the film holes are arranged at a distance from the edge to prevent leakage of water or liquid that may flow out of the product and flow towards the second end. The container also includes a base 128 facing the sealing member 114.

When the package is placed (or erected) with the first end on a flat surface and subsequently placed upside down (or erected) with the second end placed on a flat surface, the post is directed toward the second end. Significantly decreases sedimentation. This can be measured visually over a period of about 1 minute to about 1 month when compared to similar packages without posts.

Example  One

In one aspect of the invention, a package as shown in FIG. 1 except for removing the central post to provide only six cross-shaped posts. The package containing the gel material in the form of a separate block unit as shown in FIG. 3 is erected for 1 minute with the first end on the flat surface and then upside down for a day with the second end. After one day, the product has settled slightly in that one fifth of the bottom (near the second end) is in contact with the sealing member. However, at the first end, the product still covers the convex body member, and the base cannot be seen when viewed from the transparent sealing member side. In contrast, when this was attempted with the same package without posts, all the products were settled near the second end with the product in half contacting the sealing member. Moreover, one third of the top of the base (near the first end) can be seen.

Example  2

An air freshener product according to Example 1 was prepared comprising a gel product. The gel contains fragrances, water, alcohols, odor neutralizing polymers and hydrotrope. The gel itself also absorbs certain undesirable odors, and the odor neutralizing polymer neutralizes certain undesirable odors due to the reactive functional moieties attached thereto.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference, and no citation of any document should be construed as an admission as prior art relating to the invention. Insofar as any meaning or definition of a term described herein is in conflict with any meaning or definition of a term in the literature incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to the term described herein takes precedence.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention are intended to be included in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

An article comprising a concave body member (i) bounded by an edge and one to twenty posts (ii) protruding from the concave body member, the article comprising a first end and a second end facing the first end Container for holding a (A), A sealing member B attached to the corner to form a seal, and A product (C) between the concave body and the sealing member, the gel material comprising a plurality of discrete units, A package with reduced product settling when the first end is placed on a flat surface and then the second end is placed on a flat surface, the posts significantly reduce the settling of the product towards the second end. The package of claim 1, comprising 2 to 20 posts. delete The package according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the post is cross-shaped. The package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of separate units are substantially the same dimension. The package of claim 1, wherein the product is an air freshener product. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein the sealing member is translucent or transparent. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein the concave body member is translucent or transparent. 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the package has a predetermined shape in which the discrete units are blocks. The package of claim 2, wherein the separate units have a predetermined average length and the distance between two adjacent posts is less than three times the average length. The package of claim 1, wherein the product further comprises a perfume. 5. The package of claim 4, wherein two opposite points of the cross are parallel to at least a portion of the second end. The package of claim 10, wherein the distance between two adjacent posts is between 0.5 and 2 times the number average length. 10. The package according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined shape is a cube.

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