WO2003002414A2 - Distributeur de liquide - Google Patents

Distributeur de liquide Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003002414A2
WO2003002414A2 PCT/EP2002/005825 EP0205825W WO03002414A2 WO 2003002414 A2 WO2003002414 A2 WO 2003002414A2 EP 0205825 W EP0205825 W EP 0205825W WO 03002414 A2 WO03002414 A2 WO 03002414A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
ascending
fluid
undulating
exit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2002/005825
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2003002414A3 (fr
Inventor
Darino Bellemo Correa
Juan Gonzalo Fernandez Allende
Original Assignee
Unilever Plc
Unilever Nv
Hindustan Lever Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever Plc, Unilever Nv, Hindustan Lever Limited filed Critical Unilever Plc
Priority to EP02735388A priority Critical patent/EP1399372B1/fr
Priority to MXPA03009511A priority patent/MXPA03009511A/es
Priority to AU2002310742A priority patent/AU2002310742A1/en
Priority to AT02735388T priority patent/ATE301086T1/de
Priority to DE60205375T priority patent/DE60205375T2/de
Priority to BR0209465-7A priority patent/BR0209465A/pt
Publication of WO2003002414A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003002414A2/fr
Publication of WO2003002414A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003002414A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D75/36—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet or blank being recessed and the other formed of relatively stiff flat sheet material, e.g. blister packages, the recess or recesses being preformed
    • B65D75/366—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet or blank being recessed and the other formed of relatively stiff flat sheet material, e.g. blister packages, the recess or recesses being preformed and forming one compartment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2575/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D2575/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by association or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D2575/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D2575/36—One sheet or blank being recessed and the other formed or relatively stiff flat sheet material, e.g. blister packages
    • B65D2575/361—Details
    • B65D2575/362—Details with special means for gaining access to the contents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flexible container for dispensing fluids.
  • US4988016 discloses a thermo laminated container with convex portions on both faces that forms the body of the liquid container, and that connect to an upper channel in a right angle which in turn includes a sealed mouth that is to be fitted in a previously defined zone in order to evacuate the product .
  • US5529224 substantially discloses a thermo laminated container with a convex portion on at least one face which forms the containing body of the liquid, and which connects to a central channel to evacuate the product, which in turn includes a self closing flat valve and sealed mouth that is to be fitted in a previously defined zone in order to evacuate the product .
  • US5839609 basically discloses a thermo laminated container, with a convex portion on only one face which forms the containing body of the liquid, and which connects to a cross shaped central channel to evacuate the product, which in turn includes a valve, retention chambers and a sealed mouth that is to be fitted in a previously defined zone in order to evacuate the product .
  • the containers of the prior art have only a single evacuation mouth that has to be fitted to that effect in a predetermined zone, and as such provide only a single exit to evacuate the liquid, which restricts the evacuation possibilities .
  • a container for dispensing fluids comprising a first sheet member and a second sheet member, co-joined to define a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with an upper evacuation channel with exit means which can be opened to permit fluid from the container to flow in response to the application of external pressure, characterised in that the container has self-standing means and the exit channel has a serpentine formation with a plurality of exit means.
  • the container is suitable for repeated use, as it can stand upright and so there no (or at least less) risk of spillage after opening.
  • multiple exit means permits the dispensing of the fluid at different flow rates and/or having different viscosities .
  • positional terms such as upper, lower, ascending, descending should be interpreted with reference to the container in an upright position, as seen in figure 1.
  • the first sheet member may provide a body portion of the reservoir and the evacuation channel .
  • the upper part of the body portion may taper to form the evacuation channel which is, by comparison, narrower in cross section.
  • the second sheet member may provide a covering portion for the body portion and the evacuation channel.
  • the exit means are located at spaced apart locations, by which fluid may be dispensed from the body. These locations may be generally tranversely aligned.
  • the serpentine evacuation channel may be formed with a first ascending zone and a second undulating zone.
  • the upper taper of the reservoir is orientated generally upwardly and toward one side, e.g. at roughly 45 degrees to a transverse axis of the container, and the evacuation channel of the dispensing container is formed by a first ascending zone and a second undulating zone defined by a portion having a reduced radius ascending curvature followed by a portion having a broad radius descending curvature with an ascending end portion.
  • the exit channel is of such dimensions and shape that it is capable of being opened at least two different points, preferably two points, along its length to allow dispensing of fluid at different flow rates or for the dispensing of fluids of different viscosities. As many openings as necessary may be made along the channel to allow the fluid evacuation.
  • a first evacuation opening can be made in the first substantially straight zone and a second evacuation opening can be made in the second curved zone. In this way, flow rate of the fluid contained in the reservoir can be controlled for fluids of different viscosities .
  • the first ascending zone may have a first exit means and the second undulating zone e.g. ascending zone may have a second exit means.
  • the evacuation channel is initially sealed, but as many alternative evacuation means as necessary may be included along the channel to allow the liquid evacuation. Cutting the first and second laminated member in any portion of the liquid evacuation channel will be necessary to fit some of the liquid evacuation ways.
  • the container is shaped in such a way that when it is stood on a (horizontal) level surface at least a part, and preferably the or each ascending portion, of the evacuation channel is generally upright.
  • the ascending portion is at right angles to the plane in which the effective base lies.
  • the effective base comprises those parts of the container in contact with the surface when the container is stood on a level surface area.
  • the reservoir can be of any shape suitable for containing fluid and may be substantially conic e.g. a semi-truncated cone shape, whose upper end is orientated away from the central axis of the cone, towards the evacuation channel.
  • the self-standing means may be effected by the shape of the reservoir the base of which may be wider and deeper when compared with the upper section (such as a cone/semi- truncated cone, or inverted V-shape etc) and may taper outwards progressively or in a step-wise manner in the direction of the base, so as to ensure a low centre of gravity when partly/wholly filled with liquid.
  • the self standing means may include feet portions which protrude from the reservoir base and also may act as a means of providing rigidity of the container, aiding recovery of the container's original shape after it has been subject to the application of external pressure, most typically by hand, in order to cause liquid to flow from the reservoir.
  • the sheet members may be laminated e.g. having a layered structure and/or made by adding layers of material together.
  • the sheet members may be co-joined e.g. sealed together around their perimetrical contours to define the reservoir and evacuation channel.
  • the sheet e.g. preferably directly to one another (e.g. by heat) or with adhesive.
  • the sheet members may be essentially rectangular in shape, shape and may have with rounded/smoothly curved corners.
  • the sheet members may form other suitable shapes, for example, oval, square, round, etc.
  • the or each of the sheet members of the dispensing container are preferably formed of resilient flexible material.
  • the first sheet member (which may form the body portion) is preferably formed in a polymeric material preferably flexible enough to recover its original shape after it has been subject to the application of external pressure, most typically by hand, in order to cause liquid to flow from the reservoir.
  • the exit/s may be opened with an incision or by piercing with any suitable object such as a pair of scissors, a knife, a pin etc.
  • the two layers may be peeled apart, for example by peeling the second sheet member away from the first sheet member using the fingers.
  • the packaging may be perforated, for example for the purposes of storage, transportation, display or use.
  • the perforation can preferably be made in the upper central part of the packaging, so that it can be hung in an essentially upright position.
  • the container may be constructed any suitable means, preferably by conventional thermoforming methods, in general by comprising of placing a first sheet of formable film over a forming die having a cavity, heating the film to mould the film into the cavity thereby forming a recess in the film (which forms the body portion of the container) , placing a fluid in the thus formed recess, and sealing a second sheet of film across the recess to close the package.
  • the container may be used for a wide variety of fluids for domestic or industrial use, for example, personal care fluids such as shower gels, creams, soap, shampoo; hard surface cleaners for domestic or industrial use; beverages, medicines and chemicals.
  • personal care fluids such as shower gels, creams, soap, shampoo
  • hard surface cleaners for domestic or industrial use
  • beverages, medicines and chemicals for example, beverages, medicines and chemicals.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of a container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is an end view showing the base of the container of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view of the container of Figure 1 taken along the line A-A;
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the container of Figure 1 from the direction of X; and
  • Figures 5 and 6 show a container according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • a container 1 for dispensing fluids comprising a first sheet member 3 and a second sheet member 5, co-joined to define a fluid reservoir 7 in fluid communication with an upper evacuation channel 9 with exit means 11,13 which can be opened to permit fluid 15 from the container 1 to flow in response to the application of external pressure, characterised in that the container has self-standing means 43,23 and the exit channel 9 has a serpentine formation with a plurality of exit means 11,13.
  • the first sheet member 3 provides a body portion of the reservoir 7 and evacuation channel 9.
  • the second sheet 5 member provides a generally flat cover portion for the body portion and evacuation channel .
  • the reservoir 7 has a convex swollen section that permits to contain the liquid.
  • the reservoir is a semi-truncated cone with an upper end portion 31 which is (in plan view) orientated away from the central axis of the cone and which tapers towards the exit channel 9 at one side of the container 1.
  • the upper taper 31 of the reservoir is orientated generally upwardly and toward one side, at roughly 45 degrees to a transverse axis of the container.
  • the evacuation channel 9 of the dispensing container 1 is formed by a first ascending zone 33 and a second undulating zone 35 defined by a portion 37 having a reduced radius ascending curvature followed by a portion 39 having a broad radius descending curvature and an ascending end portion 41.
  • the evacuation channel has a width of from 0.39 in (10 mm) to 0.03 (1 mm) .
  • the first ascending zone has a width from 0.39 in (10 mm) to 0.19 in (5 mm) .
  • the nearest channel ascending zone to the upper part of the body portion has a width from 0.39 in (10 mm) to 0.31 in (8 mm) .
  • the second undulated zone has a preferably width of 0.19 in (5 mm) .
  • the ascending end progressively diminishes to a pointed end or alternatively it may terminate in a convex form.
  • the evacuation channel has a thickness from 0.19 in (5 mm) to 0.03 (1 mm), preferably a thickness from 0.07 in (2 mm) to 0.15 in (4 mm), more preferably a thickness of 0.11 in (3 mm) .
  • the cross section of the channel has preferably a convex form, or may have a rectangular one with rounded outer apexes .
  • the two spaced apart exit means 11,13 are provided at tranversely aligned positions in ascending portions of the channel 9.
  • the sheet members 3,5 are laminated and sealed together around their perimeters to define the reservoir and evacuation channel.
  • the sheet members have an essentially rectangular outer perimeter 25 (when viewed in plan view) with rounded corners .
  • the or each of the sheet members of the dispensing container are formed of resilient flexible material.
  • the first sheet member forming the body portion is formed from a polymeric material sufficiently flexible to recover its original shape after it has been subject to the application of external pressure, most typically by hand, in order to cause liquid to flow from the reservoir and selected from e.g. polypropylene (PP) , polyethylene (PE) , or polyethyleneterephthalate (PET).
  • PP polypropylene
  • PE polyethylene
  • PET polyethyleneterephthalate
  • the dispensing container may be manufactured of PP between
  • the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned polymeric materials, and other flexible materials available in the market may also be used to manufacture the dispensing container.
  • the container 1 is shaped with so that when stood on a level
  • the ascending portions of the evacuation channel are generally upright. This prevents spillage of fluid from the evacuation channel after opening when the container is stood upright. This is achieved by the level base edge 23 of the container perimeter 25 in combination with the reservoir base 27 and the shape of the reservoir 7 as a whole which allows stable self standing on an effective base generally to the ascending channels.
  • the self-standing means party relies on the shape of the reservoir the base of which is wider and deeper than the upper section (because of the cone shape) and tapers outwards (when viewed from a side) in the direction of the base, so providing a wide base with a low centre of gravity when partly/wholly filled with liquid.
  • the self standing means include a pair of feet 43 which are formed as elongate convex portions protruding from the reservoir base. These also act as a means of providing rigidity of the container, aiding recovery of the container's original shape after it has been subject to the application of external pressure, most typically by hand, in order to cause liquid to flow from the reservoir 7.
  • Visual indicia (not shown) are provided to direct the user to opening/s.
  • the container 1 shown is constructed by conventional thermoforming methods, in general placing the first sheet 3 of formable film over a forming die having a cavity, heating the film to mould the film into the cavity thereby forming a recess in the film (which forms the body portion 7,9 of the container) , placing a fluid 15 in the thus formed recess, and sealing a second sheet 5 of film across the recess to close the container 1.
  • a centered perforation 60 is provided in the upper part of the sheets that permits the dispensing container to be hung in an generally upright position.
  • the evacuation channel 9 is initially sealed.
  • an incision, tear or other opening is made in evacuation channel and pressure applied to reservoir 7 to squeeze the contents out.
  • the user may make an incision at position 11 if a high flow is desired or at position 13 for a lower flow rate.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show another embodiment which has further undulating, curved portions, in a nested arrangement, providing exit means 51, 53.
  • the container of both embodiments may be used for a wide variety of fluids (e.g. liquids, gels) for domestic or industrial use, for example, personal care fluids such as shower gels, creams, soap, shampoo; hard surface cleaners for domestic or industrial use; laundry detergents and fabric treatment e.g. softening compositions; beverages, medicines and chemicals.
  • fluids e.g. liquids, gels
  • personal care fluids such as shower gels, creams, soap, shampoo
  • hard surface cleaners for domestic or industrial use
  • laundry detergents and fabric treatment e.g. softening compositions
  • beverages, medicines and chemicals e.g. liquids, gels

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un récipient distributeur de fluides, comprenant un premier élément en forme de feuille et un second élément en forme de feuille, reliés entre eux de manière à définir un réservoir de fluide en communication avec circulation de fluide avec un canal d'évacuation supérieur présentant des moyens de sortie pouvant être ouverts de manière à permettre au fluide de s'écouler dudit récipient, en réponse à l'application d'une pression extérieure, caractérisé en ce que le récipient présente des moyens autoportants, et en ce que le canal de sortie présente une configuration en serpentin comportant une pluralité de moyens de sortie.
PCT/EP2002/005825 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Distributeur de liquide WO2003002414A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02735388A EP1399372B1 (fr) 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Distributeur de liquide
MXPA03009511A MXPA03009511A (es) 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Dispensador de liquido.
AU2002310742A AU2002310742A1 (en) 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Liquid dispenser
AT02735388T ATE301086T1 (de) 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Flüssigkeitsspender
DE60205375T DE60205375T2 (de) 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Flüssigkeitsspender
BR0209465-7A BR0209465A (pt) 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Recipiente para ministrar fluidos

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CL1484-2001 2001-06-26
CL2001001484 2001-06-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003002414A2 true WO2003002414A2 (fr) 2003-01-09
WO2003002414A3 WO2003002414A3 (fr) 2003-02-20

Family

ID=31892706

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2002/005825 WO2003002414A2 (fr) 2001-06-26 2002-05-28 Distributeur de liquide

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1399372B1 (fr)
AR (1) AR034618A1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE301086T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2002310742A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR0209465A (fr)
DE (1) DE60205375T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2245736T3 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA03009511A (fr)
MY (1) MY131336A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003002414A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003209815B2 (en) * 2002-03-12 2004-12-23 Life Therapeutics Limited Recovery of viruses
WO2014139892A1 (fr) 2013-03-12 2014-09-18 L'oreal Contenant économique pour un produit sous forme liquide

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102256781A (zh) 2008-12-31 2011-11-23 Aki公司 用于容纳和释放试用物的装置
UA110603C2 (uk) 2009-08-24 2016-01-25 Акі, Інк. Уніфікована упаковка і спосіб її виготовлення
US9272830B2 (en) 2009-08-24 2016-03-01 Aki, Inc. Unitized package of card and fluid vessel

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE876856A (fr) * 1979-06-08 1979-10-01 Staar Dev Cy S A Systeme de conditionnement/distributeur pour doses uniques.
US5018646A (en) * 1988-11-23 1991-05-28 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Squeezable fluid container
WO1998001361A1 (fr) * 1996-07-10 1998-01-15 Marlingford Holdings Limited Sachet de distribution de liquides pressable
US6029818A (en) * 1995-05-11 2000-02-29 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Merchandise package with releasable bonded collar part

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE876856A (fr) * 1979-06-08 1979-10-01 Staar Dev Cy S A Systeme de conditionnement/distributeur pour doses uniques.
US5018646A (en) * 1988-11-23 1991-05-28 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Squeezable fluid container
US6029818A (en) * 1995-05-11 2000-02-29 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Merchandise package with releasable bonded collar part
WO1998001361A1 (fr) * 1996-07-10 1998-01-15 Marlingford Holdings Limited Sachet de distribution de liquides pressable

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003209815B2 (en) * 2002-03-12 2004-12-23 Life Therapeutics Limited Recovery of viruses
WO2014139892A1 (fr) 2013-03-12 2014-09-18 L'oreal Contenant économique pour un produit sous forme liquide

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1399372B1 (fr) 2005-08-03
DE60205375D1 (de) 2005-09-08
AU2002310742A1 (en) 2003-03-03
WO2003002414A3 (fr) 2003-02-20
EP1399372A2 (fr) 2004-03-24
ATE301086T1 (de) 2005-08-15
MY131336A (en) 2007-08-30
DE60205375T2 (de) 2006-05-18
AR034618A1 (es) 2004-03-03
BR0209465A (pt) 2004-07-06
ES2245736T3 (es) 2006-01-16
MXPA03009511A (es) 2004-02-12

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