KR20040099464A - Containers comprising at least one label made of an elastomeric material adhered 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

CONTAINERS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE LABEL MADE OF AN ELASTOMERIC MATERIAL ADHERED TO A WALL}

Flowable compositions such as shampoos and hair dyes are usually packaged in simple containers, such as bottle shaped containers. The wall of this bottle forms an internal reservoir into which the composition is embedded. These bottles can be used with the top down so that the flowable composition is dispensed through the neck of the bottle.

For relatively viscous compositions (common in the case of hair care compositions, and especially hair dye compositions), the wall material of the bottle is generally selected from elastic plastic materials that can be compressed and restored to their original shape after compression. . As the user squeezes the wall of the bottle, the internal pressure inside the container rises, allowing the product to be dispensed out of the container more quickly than when gravity is only gravity.

More complex compressible containers of bag-in-bottle type have been proposed (see, eg, US Pat. No. 5,305,920 to Reiboldt et al.). These containers have a compressible outer wall, composition. A foldable inner layer forming a reservoir, a buffer zone separating the squeezable outer wall from the foldable inner layer, and preferably operable to control the inflow of air into the buffer zone and the discharge of the composition from the reservoir. Valve means. Compressing the wall allows the composition to pass from the reservoir through the distribution passageway. The main advantage of such containers is that they can be used in any direction without having to top down, making them particularly useful for dispensing hair care compositions, such as hair colorants, directly to the user's hair.

It is often required to squeeze the aforementioned containers several times to dispense a sufficient amount of product. However, repeated pressing causes fatigue of the user, especially if the bottle's elasticity (capacity to recover the original shape) is lacking.

Reusable dosing devices comprising a hollow body that can be filled with a detergent composition for dispensing the laundry composition in the drum of a washing machine have been proposed in the past and are often referred to as dosing balls. A metering dispense ball with a compressible elastic wall has been proposed. For example, EP 0 368 680 discloses a container having a general hollow sphere shape formed by an elastic wall and having openings for filling and dispensing detergent compositions such as liquid detergents. The spheres can be filled with the detergent composition and then placed in the drum of the washing machine. As the drum rotates, the wall of the ball is repeatedly compressed by the wet laundry, and then the wall is elastically restored to its original shape when the pressure is released by further rotation of the drum. This combination of compression and elastic recovery results in a pumping effect of continuously sucking and releasing the washing liquid into and out of the body of the ball, in which case the washing liquid mixes or dissolves the contents of the ball during the washing process. Quantitative dispensing balls have also been proposed which have non-compressive walls and do not result in a significant compressive effect inside. The wash liquor enters the bowl through the opening, mixes with the detergent composition, and is discharged through another or the same opening.

In the case of a compressible container (eg, a shampoo bottle or a metered dispense ball), increasing the thickness of the compressible wall can result in an increase in elasticity, which wall can be reshaped more quickly. However, users generally do not like thick plastic walls because it is more difficult to squeeze such containers. These containers can 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 the walls of containers to provide users with information such as the composition's formula, best-to-use-before date or method of use. do.

The use of labels to enhance the inherent properties of the containers has also been proposed. Japanese Patent No. 3027032 to Noda et al. Discloses a label-type pressing container for viscous liquids in which the container body is made of a thermoplastic resin having an elastic modulus between 500 and 4000 kg / cm ² . The label is made of synthetic resin (eg polyethylene) and has a thickness between 50 and 100 μm. The label is believed to improve the deformation properties and the resilience after compression.

Japanese Patent No. 10086922 to Yoshii et al. Discloses a label-type pressing bottle made of a thermoplastic resin in which the body of the bottle has a lower rigidity than the label (the difference in rigidity is at least 5000 kg / cm ² ). Preferred materials for use as labels are polypropylene synthetic paper having a three-layer structure, and the preferred thickness of the label is between 60 and 120 μm. Labeled bottles are believed to enhance the elastic shrinkage and restoration of the bottles.

Japanese Patent No. 3027033 to Noda et al. Is similar to the container of Japanese Patent No. 3027032, which is further provided with a label having an elastic modulus larger than that of the container. Japanese Patent Nos. 3027032, 3027033 and 10086922 all disclose relatively thin (<0.1 mm) labels made of relatively hard materials (eg polypropylene).

Sports beverage bottles containing two rubber pads were commercialized.

At present, it has been found that an elastomeric label attached to the wall of a container can significantly increase the elasticity of a "labeled" container. This makes it easier for the user to dispense the composition and can reduce the "fatigue" of the container wall (the cumulative effect of repeated compaction that can result in breakage). Labeled containers made of elastomeric material also have the added advantage of providing better grip (anti-skid) to the user, and provide aesthetic satisfaction with touch and vision. Another advantage is that thinner walls can be used because the label increases the overall strength of the container. Labels used in the present invention are made of a "soft" elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness of at least 35.

The present invention relates to a container for dispensing a composition and its use comprising at least one labeled wall made of an elastomeric material. The wall is compressible and may be elastic.

Although this specification concludes with the claims particularly pointed out and specifically claimed, this invention may be better understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements. It is thought to be.

1 is a perspective view of a crimp bottle with two labels attached to radially opposing surfaces of the wall of the bottle;

2 is a perspective view of a squeeze bottle with two substantially flat labels attached to opposing surfaces of the wall of the bottle.

3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG.

4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

5 is an exploded perspective view of a “cataract bottle” type container with two labels attached to the radially opposing surfaces of the wall of the bottle.

6 is a perspective view of the elements of FIG. 5 assembled;

7 is an illustration of the assembled container of FIG. 6 with a brush / comb shaped applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled container of FIG. 6 with a cotton applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout.

A first embodiment of the invention relates to a container for dispensing a flowable composition, the container

A reservoir holding the flowable composition,

Dispensing means for dispensing the flowable composition out of the reservoir,

The flowable composition has a viscosity (Brookfield RVT, spindle 5, 50 rpm, 25 ° C.) of at least about 1 Pa.s (1,000 cps),

The reservoir is characterized in that it comprises at least one labeled squeezable elastic wall made of elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least about 35.

A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a container of the "cataract bottle" type for dispensing a flowable composition, the container

-Compressible exterior walls,

A foldable inner layer forming a reservoir holding the composition,

A buffer zone separating the compressible outer wall from the foldable inner layer,

Dispensing means for dispensing the flowable composition out of the reservoir,

A label made of an elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least about 35 is attached to the compressible outer wall.

A third embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container for dispensing a detergent composition in a washing machine drum, the container comprising a hollow body having at least one wall and having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least about 35. Characterized in that at least one label made of an elastomeric material having is attached to the wall.

The invention also relates to a method for dispensing a composition, preferably a cosmetic composition, to a substrate, preferably hair, which method comprises pressing the elastomeric label of the container described above.

Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which briefly describes various embodiments contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be appreciated, the invention is capable of other various and obvious aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

All cited references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The citation of any reference is not admitted to any decision as to the utility of the claimed invention as prior art.

label

The present invention includes at least one label made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35. Shore A hardness parameters are commonly used in the industry to measure the softness of materials such as rubber and are commonly used by raw material suppliers to characterize their products. The inventors have found that labels made of elastomeric materials having Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least about 35, preferably from about 40 to about 80, more preferably from about 50 to 70, may It has been found that it provides excellent elasticity. These elastomeric materials may also provide the user with a "soft touch" of a satisfactory label.

The term "label" as used herein does not mean that information, such as information about a product, is displayed on a label. Labels according to the invention may or may not be presented with any information thereon.

The terms "manufactured" and "at least partially manufactured" may be used interchangeably with respect to a label.

The surface area of the wall of the container covered with the label is not critical, but the label is 1) by the user's hand in the case of a viscous product bottle, or 2) in the case of a container for dispensing the detergent composition in the drum of the washing machine for wet laundry. It is preferred that it is easily compressed by and wide enough to give the container an appropriate level of elasticity. The label can potentially cover the entire surface of the compressible wall, but this may not be economical because the elastomeric material is relatively expensive. Therefore, the label preferably covers about 5 to about 60, preferably about 10 to about 40, more preferably about 15 to about 35 percent of the surface area of the compressible wall. The minimum surface area of each label should preferably be at least about 1, more preferably at least about 5, even more preferably at least about 10 square centimeters.

The shape of the label is not important. Labels with simple shapes, such as bands, squares, rectangles, rectangles with rounded corners, circles or ovals, are easy to manufacture and adhere to the walls of the container. More complex shapes with aesthetic appeal can also be used, in particular shapes such as letters can be engraved on the label to provide the container with additional aesthetic features. In the case of a container having a general bottle shape, a label having a long shape and attached along the same direction as the axial axis of the body of the bottle has been found to provide excellent elasticity to the bottle.

An extensive list of suitable elastomeric materials is disclosed in page 4, line 24 to page 7, line 36 of International Publication No. WO 00/08622. Preferred elastomeric materials for use in the present invention include ethylene-propylene copolymer rubbers, ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers, butyl rubbers, natural rubbers, nitrile rubbers, polyisoprene rubbers, polychloroprene rubbers, C _4-7 isomonoolefins. And copolymers of para-C _1-8 alkyl styrene or halogenated derivatives thereof, polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, or -styrene / compound diene / styrene block copolymers, styrene block copolymers and variants thereof, and their Thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPE), including but not limited to blends of thermoplastic polyolefins with curable rubbers selected from mixtures. Particularly useful examples of these thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers include monoolefin rubbers such as EPDM rubber, commercially available from Advanced Elastomers Systems (USA) under the trade name SANTOPRENE.

There is no theoretical limit to the number of labels attached to the wall of the container. One label may be used for each container, but the user will usually compress the container on both labels (with his thumb on one side and the other finger on the opposite side), so that on the opposite sides of the container Two labels attached are effective.

Non-limiting methods of attaching the label to the compressible elastic wall include heat fusing, adhesive gluing, and other methods for permanently or semi-permanently attaching the label to the compressible elastic wall.

Even better elasticity may have a thickness of the label (ie, average thickness if the label is not uniform) of about 250 to about 2,000 micrometers, more preferably about 300 to about 1,500 micrometers, even more preferably about 500 to about It is obtained when it is between 1,000 micrometers.

Finally, the label according to the invention can be an element of a multi-layer label, for example comprising one or more paper layer (s).

Compressible elastic wall

The flowable composition is often packaged in a container that includes at least one compressible wall made of elastic material. It is also known to directly dispense the detergent composition from a dosing ball with a hollow body with an elastic wall into the drum of the washing machine. Compression of the walls increases the pressure inside the container such that the flowable composition is dispensed from the container through suitable dispensing means. "Elastic" means that the material can reshape its shape when the compression pressure is released. The terms "flexible" and "compressible" may be used interchangeably in the present invention. Elastic materials are typically deformable plastics and include 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, polyamide resins, Ionomer resins, ABS resins, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate resins and other synthetic resins, and mixtures thereof. The plastic may, for example, be transparent or colored. Preferred materials for the compressible wall are selected from low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene and mixtures thereof. Containers made of the aforementioned thermoplastic materials are typically manufactured using extrusion or injection blow molding processes.

The ratio of the thickness of the label to the wall thickness of the bottle to which the label is attached (ie average thickness if the wall thickness is not uniform) is from about 1: 5 to about 5: 1, preferably from about 1: 3 to about 3: 1, more preferably between about 1: 2 and about 2: 1. These good ratios have been found to provide the container with very good properties in terms of elasticity and ease of use.

Distribution means

The present invention includes dispensing means for dispensing the composition from the reservoir when the container is compressed. The dispensing means may be a simple orifice in the reservoir, as is typical for metered dispensing balls used in the field of washing. For other applications, such as the dispensing of cosmetics, the dispensing means may protrude from the container to direct the flow of the composition in one or more general directions to reduce the messiness of the dispensing means. A simple example is shown in Figure 1 in which the container has the general bottle shape and the dispensing means is the neck of the bottle.

Examples of dispensing means particularly suitable for dispensing the composition to the hair include a line applicator in which the flowable composition is dispensed through one outlet, and a surface applicator in which the flowable composition is dispensed onto the surface through the plurality of outlets. applicator, and a brush / comb-like applicator in which the flowable composition is dispensed through a plurality of outlets and dispersed by a plurality of elongate dividing members. Examples of such applicators are shown in Figures 5-8 below. Details of such applicators can be found in US Pat. No. 6,302,607 to Burrowes et al.

The dispensing means may be of an integral structure with the container or may be included as a separate element at least a part of which is detachably fixed to the container. For example, FIGS. 1-8 below describe a general bottle form with a threaded neck to which various applicators (eg, spouts, brush / comb applicators, or surface applicators) can be detachably secured. Shows the container.

A container holding a composition having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s

A first embodiment of the invention relates to a container containing a flowable composition, the container

A reservoir holding the flowable composition,

Means for dispensing the flowable composition out of the reservoir,

The flowable composition retained in the reservoir has a viscosity (Brookfield RVT, Spindle 5, 50 rpm, 25 ° C.) of at least about 1 Pa.s (1,000 cps),

The reservoir includes at least one labeled squeezable elastic wall made of elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35.

Compositions having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa.s (1,000 cps) are relatively viscous and such compositions are effective from conventional containers (e.g., bottles) because gravity alone is insufficient to expel these compositions from the container quickly enough. It cannot be distributed to Therefore, these compositions are usually packaged in a compressible container in which a user can exert pressure against the wall of the container to force the composition through the dispensing means. However, repeated pressing is often necessary to dispense a sufficient amount of the composition, and it is therefore important for the convenience of the user to allow the wall of the container to quickly return to its original shape to allow for rapid dispensing of the product.

At present, the attachment of a label as described above to the compressible elastic wall of the container can substantially increase the elasticity of the wall, which has proven to help the compressed wall of the container recover its shape more quickly. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to increase the elasticity of a compressible container comprising a composition having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa · s.

An example of a container for dispensing a flowable composition having a viscosity of at least about 1 Pa.s according to a first embodiment of the present invention, see FIG. 1 for the first container and FIGS. 2 to 4 for the second container. Will be described in detail by way of example only.

In FIG. 1, a typical bottle-shaped container 10 is an elastomeric material having a reservoir 12 formed by blow molding (eg, made of polypropylene) and a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35. And two labels 14a, 14b made of a material such as, for example, a material such as santoprene (RTM) elastomer. The composition to be dispensed is retained in reservoir 12.

The reservoir 12 has a closed lower end 16, a squeezable wall 18 with labels 14a and 14b attached thereon, for example by an in-mold labeling method, and an opening on the upper end. Throat 20. The open neck 20 may be formed with external threads 21 adapted to interact with the cap 22, which may be a one-piece plastic molded article.

Two labels 14a, 14b are disposed on opposite sides of the reservoir 12 to allow the user to grip better. 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, and in particular the compressible wall 18, has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the upper end 24 is narrowed. The label is coplanar with the cylindrical compressible wall 18 and follows the curvature of the wall 18.

2-4 show a bottle similar to the bottle of FIG. 1 with the cap 22 screwed onto the neck of the bottle. However, in order to provide a better grip and aesthetic appearance for the container, the cylindrical symmetry of the reservoir 12 is substantially substantial (over 70% of the entire surface of the label) with the labels 14a and 14b attached. It was changed by providing a plane. Such a substantial plane can be easily formed by the blow molding method using a suitable mold and can be used for all containers according to the invention.

Cataract bottle type container

A second embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container of the cataract bottle type for dispensing flowable composition wherein a label made of a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 is attached to the compressible outer wall of the container. will be.

The container of the cataract bottle type disclosed in the present invention is

A compressible elastic outer wall,

A foldable inner layer separate from the compressible outer wall and forming a reservoir for holding the composition,

A buffer zone separating the compressible outer wall from the foldable inner layer,

Dispensing means for dispensing the composition out of the reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment of the cataract bottle type container, the dispensing means is

A first passage in communication with the buffer zone, separate from the second passage in communication with the reservoir,

And valve means operable to control the inflow of air into the buffer zone through the first passageway and the discharge of the flowable composition from the reservoir via the second passageway.

International publication WO 99/26511 to Order describes an improved cataract bottle type container with a valve means of an integral structure.

Yamamoto et al. US Pat. No. 6,332,726 discloses a cataract bottle type container comprising a flexible outer layer and an inner layer laminated on the outer layer such that the composition is dispensed and freed therefrom as the buffer zone expands. It is explained.

Cataract bottle type containers have the advantage that, unlike conventional bottle type containers which must be used with the dispensing means directed downward, the retained flowable composition can be dispensed in any orientation of the container. However, even in the case of relatively viscous compositions, the cataract bottle type container requires the user to repeatedly compress the compressible outer wall of the container to force the composition through the dispensing means.

At present, the application of at least one label according to the invention to the compressible outer wall of a cataract bottle type container has been found to effectively increase the elasticity of this wall, facilitating repeated pressing by the user.

Now, a cataract bottle type container according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described by way of example only with reference to FIGS. This cataract bottle type container is a cataract bottle type described in detail in WO 99/26511, except for the addition of two labels according to the invention on compressible walls to enhance the elasticity and gripping of the container. Similar to the container. A brief summary of the elements of this container will now follow, and details of these elements (except the labels according to the invention) and how these elements interact are available in International Publication WO 99/26511. .

The container 26 having a general bottle shape

A hollow body 28 formed by blow molding (eg made of polypropylene) and comprising a compressible elastic wall 30 and an open neck 32,

A foldable inner layer in the form of a flexible bag 34 for holding the composition to be dispensed,

A buffer zone 36 which separates the compressible elastic outer wall from the foldable inner layer as shown in FIG. 8,

Storing a flowable composition comprising a support tube 38, an insert 40, a valve 42, a spout 44, and optionally an applicator 48 in the form of a surface applicator 46 or a brush / comb. Distribution means for dispensing from wealth,

Two labels 50a, 50b according to the invention (for example made of santoprene (RTM) material) attached to the radially opposite sides of the compressible elastic wall 30.

These labels are coplanar with the wall 30 of the container 26 and follow the curvature of the cylinder but may be substantially flat.

The flexible bag 34 consists of two overlapping sheets of the same shape sealed together around most common perimeters to form a side sealed sachet having an upper opening 54 and a lower V-shaped edge 56. 52). The bag is passed through the body 32 through the neck 32 such that the compressible elastic outer wall 30 and the foldable inner layer (sheet 52) form a container separated from each other by the buffer zone 36 as shown in FIG. 8. (28) can be inserted into.

A support tube 38, which may have a plurality of holes 58 along its length, can be inserted into the bag through the open neck 32, providing a channel that is at least partially rigid.

The insert 40 may be partially inserted into the bag through the open neck 32 and partially inserted into the bottle through the neck. Alternatively, insert 40 and bag 34 may be of unitary construction.

This container can be used to dispense oxidative hair dye compositions. In this case, the bag 34 will typically be partially partially filled with a first material such as hydrogen peroxide when supplied to the user. Thereafter, at least a second composition (such as a composition comprising an oxidative hair colorant precursor) will be added to the first material in the reservoir prior to use. A complete description of how this second material can be added in the bag 34 is disclosed in WO 99/26511.

To prepare for release of the composition to be dispensed, the spout 44 can be attached to the insert 40. Valve member 42, which may be a unitary structure, may be attached to spout 44. The valve member 42 has an inlet portion in the form of an annular flapper valve 60 which acts as a one-way check valve to control the inflow of air through the air inlet 62. Include. The valve member also includes an outlet portion in the form of a central quadralobe valve 64 that acts as a one-check valve to control the discharge of the composition through the passage 66 shown in FIG. 8.

The composition is dispensed from the bag 34 to the outlet 68 in the spout when the compressible elastic wall of the hollow body is pressed by the user. This compresses the air in the buffer zone 36 and the air cannot be evacuated so that a portion of the composition is opened through the tube 38, the tubular member 70 of the insert 40, and the composition for passage. The bag 34 is partially folded to force discharge through a quadrilobe valve 64. When the user stops pressing, the elastic wall 30 is quickly reshaped in shape so that the buffer zone is expanded. The quadrilob valve 64 is closed to close to prevent the suckback of the composition passing through the quadrilob valve 64 and the bag 34 remains partially folded. At the same time, air is sucked into the buffer zone past the flapper valve 60 which opens to allow air to pass through the air inlet 62. The user may repeat the compaction at any pressure and frequency deemed suitable for the situation.

6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the above-described elements are assembled.

FIG. 7 shows the assembled container of FIG. 6 with a brush / comb shaped applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout. This applicator is particularly useful for dispensing the composition to hair.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the assembled container of FIG. 6 with a surface applicator removably secured over the outlet of the spout, also suitable for dispensing the composition to hair.

Except for the label, further details on the function of the brush / comb type applicator, surface applicator and other elements shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 are available in WO 99/26511.

Device for dispensing detergent composition

A third embodiment of the invention is directed to a container for dispensing a detergent composition in a washing machine drum, the container comprising a hollow body having at least one wall and having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least about 35. Characterized in that at least one label made of an elastomeric material having is attached to the wall.

The wall may be pressed in the drum of the washing machine by the loaded laundry article and elastically restored to its original shape when the strain force is removed. With regard to the other embodiments described above, the label enhances the elasticity of the wall of the container with the label. This provides a better pumping action of the vessel. For example, the container disclosed in EP-A-0 368 680 may have improved pumping properties by the label according to the invention.

In addition, a metered dose ball having at least one non-compressive wall may benefit from having a label made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 attached to the non-compressible wall. have. The "soft touch" provided by the rubber label is more suitable for laundry than other plastic materials that have conventionally been used for metering dispense balls (compressible or not). The present invention therefore also relates to a container for dispensing the detergent composition inside the drum of a washing machine, the walls being non-compressible and / or inelastic.

The same materials and shapes as described above for the wall (s) and label (s) can be used. Non-compressible walls can be formed by increasing the thickness of the walls or by using a less flexible plastic material. The vessel may have the general shape of a hollow sphere. Examples of suitable containers to which a label can be attached are disclosed in EP 0 368 680. In particular, the features claimed in EP 0 368 680B1 (see claims 1 to 4) can be effectively used for a container according to this embodiment of the invention. The label may cover the surface of the wall, preferably part or all of the outer surface. The label or labels may have a variety of shapes, for example in the case of a sphere container, the label may be attached along the equatorial line of the sphere or along the hardness line.

The hollow body may preferably have a smooth outer surface and may have one permanently opened filling and dispensing device in which the body is filled with detergent and the detergent is dispensed.

The detergent product used for the bowl may be in the form of a powder or a liquid. 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 can be measured as indicated above.

A container (eg, a metering dispense ball) may be filled by the user through the opening with the detergent composition, and then the filled container may be put into the drum of the washing machine before initiating the wash. The container is preferably reusable, ie it must be able to withstand the conditions experienced in the drum of the washing machine during the washing process.

Produce

Various methods are known for attaching labels to containers. A commonly used method for plastic containers formed by extrusion or injection blow molding is the in-mold labeling method (ILM). In this method, the label is fixed in a cavity of an open split mold, and then a hot parison (in the case of an extrusion blow molding process) or a preform (in the case of an injection blow molding process) of a thermoplastic material forming the outer wall of the container. ) Is placed into the mold, the mold is closed and the pressurized fluid is blown into it to expand the parison or preform. The label merges with the wall of the container when the expanding parison or preform reaches the surface of the mold. After cooling, the mold is opened and the container is separated. For further details on the method of labeling in a mold, see, for example, US Pat. No. 3,108,850 to Brandt or US Pat. No. 4,802,295 to Darr.

Other methods, such as adhesive bonding, may be used to attach the label to the wall, but the method of labeling in the mold is preferred because it provides several advantages below. In other words,

The manufacture of the compressible wall of the container and the attachment of the label are combined in one step,

-The need for glue is eliminated,

The label becomes the structural part of the container, improving the elastic properties of the wall,

The label lies on the same plane as the surface of the wall, reducing the risk of delamination.

How to use

The container according to the invention is particularly useful for dispensing viscous liquid compositions such as foods, medical products, detergents, industrial chemicals and cosmetics. These compositions are usually packaged in compressible containers. As mentioned above, the user will effectively press the container by pressing the label (s) attached to the outer wall of the container by hand. The container may also be used to dispense the detergent composition, which may be in the solid or liquid state, directly into the drum of the washing machine. In addition to providing better resilience to the container, the labeled bottle also has the added advantage of providing better grip (anti-skid) of the user and aesthetic satisfaction with touch and vision.

The consumer can use the labeling container according to the present invention similar to any ordinary pressing container. Ordinary containers, such as the container of claim 1, for example, with the dispensing hand of the user (e.g. shampoo) with the dispensing means facing down, or a container of cataract bottle type In the case of, for example, the dispensing means can be used with the dispensing means facing upward to directly dispense the hair colorant composition into the hair of the user.

While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, additional modifications of the invention as described herein can be accomplished by appropriate modifications by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. . Many of these potential variations and alternatives have been mentioned and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although exemplary embodiments of the system of the present invention have been discussed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that the described elements will be constantly updated and improved by technological advances. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in view of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure, operation and process steps as shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims (19)

A container for dispensing a flowable composition, A reservoir holding the flowable composition, Dispensing means for dispensing the flowable composition from the reservoir, The flowable composition has a viscosity (Brookfield RVT, spindle 5, 50 rpm, 25 ° C.) of at least about 1 Pa.s (1,000 cps), Wherein the reservoir comprises at least one labeled compressible elastic wall made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness of at least 35 (ASTM D 2240). A container of the "cataract bottle" type for dispensing a flowable composition, A compressible elastic outer wall, A foldable inner layer separate from the compressible elastic outer wall and forming a reservoir for holding the composition, A buffer zone separating the compressible elastic outer wall from the foldable inner layer, Dispensing means for dispensing the flowable composition from the reservoir, Wherein at least one label made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 is attached to the compressible elastic outer wall. The method of claim 2, The dispensing means comprises a first passage, separate from the second passage communicating with the reservoir and in communication with the buffer zone, A valve means operable to control the inflow of air into the buffer zone through the first passageway and the discharge of the flowable composition from the reservoir via the second passageway. 4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the valve means is an integral structure. 5. The container of claim 2, wherein the foldable inner layer is stacked on the outer layer so that it freely detaches from the outer layer as the buffer zone expands. 6. The flowable composition according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the flowable composition retained in the reservoir has a viscosity (Brookfield RVT, spindle 5, 50 rpm, 25 ° C) of at least 1 Pa.s (1,000 cps). Having a container. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is a hair care composition, more preferably a hair dye composition, even more preferably an oxidative hair dye composition. A container for dispensing a detergent composition in a washing machine drum, the hollow body having at least one wall, the method comprising: Wherein at least one label made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 is attached to the wall. The container of claim 8, wherein the wall is non-compressible. 10. The container of claim 8, wherein the wall can be pressed in the drum of the washing machine by a loaded textile article and can be elastically restored to its original shape when the strain force is removed. The container of claim 1, wherein the wall is formed by a method selected from injection blow molding or extrusion blow molding. The method of claim 1, wherein the wall is polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene propylene, copolymer resin, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin, other polyolefin resin, polyamide resin, ionomer resin, ABS resin, polyvinyl chloride And at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate resins and other synthetic resins, and mixtures thereof. The container of claim 1, wherein the label is at least partially made of a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPE). The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer is an ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polychloroprene rubber, C _{4 -7} copolymers of _{isomonoolefins} and para-C _1-8 alkyl styrenes or halogenated derivatives thereof, polybutadiene rubbers, styrene-butadiene rubbers, styrene / compound diene / styrene block copolymers, styrene block copolymers and variants thereof, And a mixture of thermoplastic polyolefins with curable rubbers selected from mixtures thereof. The container of claim 1, wherein the label is attached to the outer surface of the compressible wall of the container by an in-mold labeling method. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the label has an average thickness of at least 150 micrometers, preferably between 250 and 1,500 micrometers. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 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 A container characterized by a range between 2: 2 and 2: 1. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two labels made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 are attached to the radially opposite sides of the wall. . A method for improving the resilience of a container having a compressible wall, comprising: attaching a label made of an elastomer having a Shore A hardness (ASTM D 2240) of at least 35 to the compressible wall. How to.