WO2010082876A1

WO2010082876A1 - Container with dispensing function

Info

Publication number: WO2010082876A1
Application number: PCT/SE2009/050029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas Karlson
Original assignee: Sca Hygiene Products Ab
Priority date: 2009-01-15
Filing date: 2009-01-15
Publication date: 2010-07-22

Abstract

The invention provides a container, having a top face and a bottom face being connected by at least one sidewall. The top face comprises an opening for extracting articles from said container. The bottom face is comprised of at least one free panel and at least one fixed panel. The free and fixed panels are arranged so said at least one free panel rests on the fixed panel during transport and storage, but can be pushed inwards into the container to aid extraction of the contents.

Description

CONTAINER WITH DISPENSING FUNCTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container comprising a free panel in the bottom face thereof, which can be pushed inwards in the container, thus improving the access to articles in said container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Small articles are often packaged in containers, which protect the articles during transport, storage, use and display of the articles.

There is an interest from the manufacturer's side to pack articles tightly in containers, as this saves space and prevents the articles from moving in the container during transport and storage (and thereby being damaged). However, a disadvantage with packing articles tightly is that the first article is generally difficult to remove from the container.

This is a particular problem with articles which can be compressed. These include absorbent articles, such as diapers, incontinence guards, tampons, sanitary napkins and the like. Other compressible articles include e.g. clothing, bedding, etc. As the articles can be compressed, the possibilities for tight packing are increased, which means that extraction of a first compressed article from the container is often difficult.

Tight packaging is also a problem for fragile products, such as confectionary or biscuits. Often, when trying to remove the first - or the first few - such articles from a container, one or more articles are damaged by the user's fingers.

Previous solutions to removing articles from a container are many-fold, and include: tearing one or more sides of the container so as to release articles via the top and sidewall of the container (see e.g. US 5,967,665), including a bellows-like portion in the container wall which allows the container to expand (US 5,377,837), or including a gripping device between articles (see e.g. WO 2006/025769). The present invention aims to address the problems associated with the prior art. There is a need for a container which allows articles enclosed therein to be easily removed. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a container containing closely-packed articles, from which the first - or first few - articles can be easily removed. The inventive container should be cheap and easy to manufacture, using present manufacturing techniques and materials, and not require extra material or extra process steps. The inventive container should also be at least as strong and stable as existing containers.

These, and further advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following detailed discussion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore provides a container, comprising a top face and a bottom face. The top and bottom faces are connected to each other by at least one sidewall. The top face comprises an opening for extracting articles from said container. The bottom face is comprised of at least one free panel and at least one fixed panel. The at least one free panel partly overlaps said at least one fixed panel within said bottom face, such that the at least one free panel is located on the inside of the container with respect to said at least one fixed panel. The at least one free panel is not connected to the at least one fixed panel within the bottom face, but is connected to one sidewall via a hinge so said at least one free panel can be pushed inwards into the container. The area of the at least one free panel which does not overlap with the at least one fixed panel is at least 1 cm², preferably at least 2cm².

The container according to the invention may comprise one free panel or two free panels, and suitably comprises four sidewalls. The bottom face of the container may comprise three fixed panels and one free panel, each of said panels being joined to one of the four respective sidewalls, and said three fixed panels being joined to one another within said bottom face.

The area of the at least one free panel is suitable between 2cm² and 80cm², preferably between 5cm² and 50cm², more preferably between 10 and 20cm². The container suitably contains absorbent articles, such as e.g. tampons. The top face, bottom face and sidewalls preferably comprise substantially rigid panels. The container according to the invention may additionally comprise a lid for covering said opening.

The present invention also relates to a blank for forming the container according to the invention. A particular blank according to the invention comprises: a first sidewall, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges a second sidewall, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges a third sidewall, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges a fourth sidewall, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges - said first sidewall being joined to said second sidewall via transverse edges thereof said second sidewall also being joined to said third sidewall via transverse edges thereof said third sidewall also being joined to said fourth sidewall via transverse edges thereof at least one flap arranged at the transverse edge of the first sidewall which is not joined to the second sidewall, or at the transverse edge of the fourth sidewall which is not joined to the third sidewall at least one free panel joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall - at least one fixed panel joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall one or more panels joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall, arranged so as to form a lid

The relative dimensions of the at least one free panel and the at least one fixed panel in the blank are such that - when the container is assembled - the area of the at least one free panel which does not overlap with the at least one fixed panel is at least 1cm², preferably at least 2cm². DEFINITIONS

The term "articles" is used to denote the contents of a container. Relevant articles for use in the present invention may vary widely in their size and nature, from absorbent articles

(such as tampons, diapers, sanitary napkins or incontinence guards) to food products (confectionary, biscuits, dry foods, pet foods), office articles (stationery), mechanical or electronic items (e.g. car components) or personal care or grooming products (e.g. shampoo, make-up). The articles may be individual, or packaged in groups. The articles suitably have at least one dimension which is significantly longer than at least one of the other two dimensions, and are packaged in the container such that the longest dimension is substantially perpendicular to the opening of the container.

In that two components "overlap", it should be understood that one component lies over or under the other in the plane of said components.

The terms "inside" is used in its usual sense - components which lie "inside" the container relative to another component are located closer to the center of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a container of the prior art

Figure 2A shows a container according to the invention, seen from below

Figure 2B shows a container according to the invention, seen from below, with the free panel pushed up Figure 3 shows a blank suitable for forming the container of Figures 2A and 2B

Figure 4 shows an alternative form of the container of the invention

Figure 5 shows a blank suitable for forming the container of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows an alternative container according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows the container according to Figure 6, in which the free panel has been pushed up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a container for tampons, as known from the prior art. It comprises eight tampons, arranged in a 4 x 2 configuration. Although a container for tampons is used to illustrate the invention, the invention should not be considered limited to such articles, nor any particular packaging configuration.

Figures 2A, 2B, 4, 6 and 7 show a container 100 according to the invention. The container 100 illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 4 is suitable for transport and storage of tampons. However, as mentioned above, a wide range of articles are suitable for use in the container of the invention, and the invention should not be considered limited thereto. The articles suitably have at least one dimension which is significantly longer than at least one of the other two dimensions, and are packaged vertically in the container such that the longest dimension is substantially perpendicular to the opening of the container.

Preferably, the container 100 is formed from paperboard. However, provided that requirements of durability and stiffness of the container are met, other materials may be used, such as paper, plastic film, metal foils, or laminates thereof. For heavy-duty purposes, corrugated board may be used. The container 100 preferably comprises the same material in all portions thereof.

During transport and storage, the container 100 may itself be packaged within another container, or within a wrap (e.g. of paper or plastic film).

Typical dimensions of the container vary depending on the articles to be stored within the container, and arrangement of such articles. For containing tampons, as shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 4, the container may have an external height of approximately 5-6cm, an external length of approximately 6-8 cm and an external width of approximately 3-4cm.

The illustrated container 100 comprises a top face 1 10 and a bottom face 120. The top 1 10 and bottom 120 faces lie on opposing sides of the container 100. The top 1 10 and bottom 120 faces are connected by at least one sidewall 130. In the particular embodiment of Figures 2A, 2B, 6 and 7, the container is cuboid, with six square or rectangular faces. It therefore comprises four sidewalls 130. The container 100 may take any acceptable three-dimensional shape. A cylindrical container 100 (with one sidewall 130) is illustrated in Figure 4. Containers may also have three sidewalls 130 and triangular top 110 and bottom 120 faces, or a greater number of sidewalls 130 and corresponding top 110 and bottom 120 faces may be possible. The top face 110, said bottom face 120 and said sidewalls suitably comprise substantially rigid panels.

The top face 110 comprises an opening 150 for extracting articles from said container 100. The opening 150 may comprise the entire top face 1 10, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 2A, 2B, 4, 6 and 7. However, the opening 150 may extend over only a portion of the top face 110 of the container 100. If the opening 150 extends over only a portion of the top face 110, it should be aligned with the free panel 200 so that extraction of articles is possible (this will become evident from the following). Suitable dimensions of the opening 150 are generally determined by the dimensions of the articles in said container 100.

To prevent articles from undesirably falling out of the container 100, the container 100 may additionally comprise a lid 160 for covering said opening 150. Typically, the lid 160 is unitary with the remainder of the container 100, and comprises substantially the same material as the container 100. The lid 160 may be hinged to the container 100 and remains attached thereto when the container 100 is opened. Alternatively, the lid 160 may be completely removed form the container 100 when the container 100 is opened, and reclosed or discarded. The container 100 shown in Figures 2A and 2B comprises an optional flap 151 on one sidewall 130 which engages with the lid 160 to hold it in a closed position.

Additionally, or alternatively to the lid 160, the container 100 may comprise a cover 161 (not shown) which covers the opening 150, and which is removed from the opening 150 when articles are extracted from the container 100. The cover 161 may in fact comprise a portion of the top face 110 which is perforated or otherwise weakened about its edges, such that it can be removed to form the opening 150. The cover 161 may comprise a sheet of foil, plastic, paper or card, or laminates of these materials. The cover 161 is usually located under the lid 160. A cover 161 is particularly useful when the articles within the container 100 are air- or moisture-sensitive (e.g. foodstuffs). The bottom face 120 is comprised of at least one free panel 200 and at least one fixed panel 300, as shown in Figures 2A, 2B, 4, 6 and 7.

In that a panel is "free", it is connected to one sidewall 130 via a hinge 201 so that it can 5 be pushed inwards into the container 100. The hinge 201 usually comprises a portion of the container 100 which has been scored, folded or otherwise weakened to allow folding and movement of the free panel 200.

In that a panel is "fixed" is meant that it is substantially immovable in the plane of the

10 bottom face 120 when the container 100 is assembled. In order to be "fixed", the fixed panel 200 may be attached via at least two places on different sidewalls 130 of the container 100. Alternatively, or additionally, two or more fixed panels 200 can be attached to one another, and to different sidewalls 130. In the special case of a cylindrical container 100, a fixed panel 200 may be obtained by attaching it at intervals on its

15 circumference to the sidewall 130.

The at least one free panel 200 is not connected to the at least one fixed panel 300 within the bottom face 120. This allows the free panel 200 to be pushed inwards into the container 100, free of the fixed panel 300.

20

The at least one free panel 200 partly overlaps said at least one fixed panel 300 within the bottom face 120. Increasing the overlap between the fixed 300 and free 200 panels reduces the likelihood of the container 100 failing at the free panel 200, which could lead to products falling out. Suitably, at least 1 cm², preferably at least 2cm² of the free panel

25 200 overlaps with the fixed panel 300. It is important that the free panel 200 and the fixed panel 300 do not completely overlap, so that the free panel 200 functions according to the invention.

In addition, the at least one free panel 200 is located on the inside of the container 100 30 with respect to said at least one fixed panel 300. Accordingly, the at least one free panel 200 supports articles within the container 100, and is itself supported on the fixed panel 300. This is shown most clearly in Figure 2A.

To extract articles from the container 100, the free panel 200 is pushed into the container 35 100, as shown in Figure 2B. This in turn pushes one or more articles so that they protrude from the container 100, making it easier to remove the first few articles. Pushing the free panel 200 into the container is carried out by the user inserting one or more fingers into the part of the free panel 200 which does not overlap with the fixed panel 300.

In order that the free panel 200 can be pushed as required, there must be an area in which the free panel 200 and the fixed panel 300 do not overlap. Therefore, the area of the at least one free panel 200 which does not overlap with the at least one fixed panel 300 is at least 1 cm², preferably at least 2cm², more preferably at least 5cm². This area is sufficient for a user to insert one or more fingers, thus pushing the free panel upwards. It may be sufficient that only one finger is required to push the free panel upwards (e.g. for small, light products, or products which are not packed so tightly). However, for larger, heavier products, all four fingers may be required to push the free panel upwards.

In the particular embodiment of Figures 2A and 2B, the bottom face comprises three fixed panels 300 and one free panel 200. Each of said panels 200, 300 are joined to one of the four respective sidewalls 130. The three fixed panels 300 are joined to one another within said bottom face 120. This particular embodiment is simple to manufacture, as it is similar to known containers e.g. that of Figure 1 , and requires only minor changes in the manufacturing process.

The size of the free panel 200 depends on the dimensions and weight of the articles in the container 100, and how many articles are typically required each time the container 100 is used. The free panel 200 may be relatively large, allowing more than one article to be pushed up from the container 100. This is especially relevant if the articles are relatively light. The free panel 200 may alternatively be selected so that only a few (e.g. one) article(s) are pushed up from the container 100 upon pushing the free panel 200 into the container 100. The area of the at least one free panel 200 depends on the size and number of articles to be pushed up, and may for example be between 2cm² and 80cm², preferably between 5cm² and 50cm², more preferably between 10 and 20cm².

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the container 100 of the invention which is a cylinder. As such, it has substantially circular top 110 and bottom 120 faces, and a single sidewall 130 which extends between the circumferences of said top 1 10 and bottom 120 faces. The lid 160 in Figure 4 is shown as being removable, to reveal the opening 150, although it could also be attached to the container. The bottom face 120 of the container 100 of Figure 4 comprises a fixed 300 and a free 200 panel, as shown. The free panel 200 may be pushed inwards, as per the embodiment of Figures 2-3. Such a cylindrical container is useful for packing articles which themselves are substantially cylindrical.

In its simplest form, the container 100 may comprise one free panel 200, as shown in Figures 2A₁ 2B and 4. However, it is possible that the container 100 comprises more than one free panel 200, arranged at different portions of the bottom face 120. A container 100 may comprise two free panels 200. For example, two free panels 200 may be hinged to opposing side panels 130 of the container 100, and be arranged so that they are pushed inwards towards the middle of the container 100. In this embodiment, one or more fingers of each hand of the user can be used on opposite sides of the container 100, and pushed into the bottom face 120. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 6, and is suitable for packaging articles which have two major dimensions and one minor (e.g. chocolate bars). Figure 7 shows how the embodiment of Figure 6 functions, when the two free panels 200 are pushed inwards, pushing the articles upwards.

The invention also relates to a container 100 as set out above, containing absorbent articles 10, such as e.g. tampons.

The container 100 may comprise visible indications to show the user how it is to be used and/or where to apply pressure to extract an article. Preferably, the visible indications are present on the bottom face 120 of the container 100. Visible indications may be present on the free panel 200, or on the fixed panel 300, or even on one or more side panels 130. In a preferred embodiment, visible indications are present on the free panel 200, in the area thereof which does not overlap with the fixed panel 300. Suitable visible indications may comprise text (e.g. the word "PUSH"), colour, shading, pattern or geometrical shapes (e.g. arrows or dashed lines). For example, the container of Figure 4 comprises an arrow which indicates the location of the free panel 200. Visible indications may also comprise one or more illustrations which show how the container is to be used (e.g. an illustration of a finger pushing the free panel 200 and articles being pushed up from the opening 150). As an alternative to visible indications, tactile indications may be used (e.g. the free panel 200 may have a surface which has a different feel to the fixed panel 300).

The present invention also relates to a blank 400 for forming the container 100 of the invention. Figure 3 shows the blank used for constructing the container of Figures 2A-2B. As can be seen in Figure 3, the blank 400 comprises: a first sidewall 410, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing 5 transverse edges 411 , 412 and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 413, 414 a second sidewall 420, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges 421 , 422 and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 423, 424 a third sidewall 430, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges 431 , 432 and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 433, 434 10 - a fourth sidewall 440, being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges 441 , 442 and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 443, 444 said first sidewall 410 being joined to said second sidewall 420 via transverse edges 412, 421 thereof said second sidewall 420 also being joined to said third sidewall 430 via 15 transverse edges 422, 431 thereof said third sidewall 430 also being joined to said fourth sidewall 440 via transverse edges 432, 441 thereof at least one flap 415 arranged at that transverse edge 41 1 of the first sidewall 410 which is not joined to the second sidewall 420, or at that transverse edge 442 of 20 the fourth sidewall 440 which is not joined to the third sidewall 430 at least one free panel 450 joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall

410,420,430,440 at least one fixed panel 460 joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall

410, 420, 430, 440 25 - one or more panels 470 joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall, arranged so as to form a lid 160.

The relative dimensions of the at least one free panel 450 and the at least one fixed panel 460 are such that - when the container is assembled - the area of the at least one free 30 panel 450 which does not overlap with the at least one fixed panel 460 is at least 1cm², preferably at least 2cm², more preferably at least 5cm².

Figure 5 shows the blank 500 used for constructing the embodiment of Figure 4. The blank comprises a sidewall 510, a fixed panel 560 in the shape of a circle and a free panel

35 550. The free panel 550 illustrated is in the shape of a circle, although other shapes can be considered. The fixed panel 560 has a cut-out which is located so that it coincides with the free panel 550 when the blank is assembled into the container of Figure 4. The cutout is also illustrated as circular in Figure 5, but may take any appropriate form. The container of Figure 4 is assembled by rolling the blank 500 and fastening the fixed panel 5 560 to the sidewall 510 about its edges.

Changes to the blank 400, 500 may be carried out by the skilled person, e.g. simple rearrangement of the panels or flaps, while still remaining within the scope of the invention. 0

The container 100 is formed according to standard forming techniques for such containers. Paperboard may be cut to the required shape of the blank, and then scored to provide fold lines. After assembly into its three-dimensional shape, appropriate portions of the container blank are joined together, suitably by gluing. 5

The invention has been described with reference to a number of embodiments and Figures. However, it should not be considered as limited thereto. Features from one embodiment can be combined at will with those from other embodiments, within the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should only be limited by the appended0 claims.

Claims

1. A container (100), comprising a top face (110) and a bottom face (120), said top (1 10) and bottom (120) faces being connected by at least one sidewall

(130); wherein said top face (110) comprises an opening (150) for extracting articles from said container (100), and wherein said bottom face (120) is comprised of at least one free panel (200) and at least one fixed panel (300), said at least one free panel (200) partly overlapping said at least one fixed panel (300) within said bottom face (120) such that the at least one free panel (200) is located on the inside of the container

(100) with respect to said at least one fixed panel (300) said at least one free panel (200) not being connected to said at least one fixed panel (300) within said bottom face (120), but being connected to one sidewall (130) via a hinge (201) so said at least one free panel (200) can be pushed inwards into the container characterized in that the area of the at least one free panel (200) which does not overlap with the at least one fixed panel (300) is at least 1 cm², preferably at least 2cm².

2. A container (100) according to claim 1 , comprising one free panel (200).

3. A container (100) according to claim 1 , comprising two free panels (200).

4. A container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising four sidewalls (130).

5. A container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom face (120) comprises three fixed panels (300) and one free panel (200), each of said panels (200, 300) being joined to one of the four respective sidewalls (130), and said three fixed panels (300) being joined to one another within said bottom face (120).

6. A container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the area of the at least one free panel (200) is between 2cm² and 80cm², preferably between 5cm² and 50cm², more preferably between 10 and 20cm².

7. A container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, containing absorbent articles (10), such as e.g. tampons.

8. A container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said top face (110), said bottom face (120) and said sidewalls comprise substantially rigid panels.

9. A container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, additionally comprising a lid (160) for covering said opening (150).

10. A blank (400) for forming the container (100) according to any of the preceding claims.

11. A blank (400) according to claim 10, comprising:

- a first sidewall (410), being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges (41 1 , 412) and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges (413, 414) a second sidewall (420), being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges (421 , 422) and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges (423, 424) a third sidewall (430), being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges (431 , 432) and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges (433, 434) a fourth sidewall (440), being rectangular and being defined by a pair of opposing transverse edges (441 , 442) and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges (443, 444) said first sidewall (410) being joined to said second sidewall (420) via transverse edges (412, 421 ) thereof - said second sidewall (420) also being joined to said third sidewall (430) via transverse edges (422, 431 ) thereof said third sidewall (430) also being joined to said fourth sidewall (440) via transverse edges (432, 441) thereof at least one flap (415) arranged at the transverse edge (411 ) of the first sidewall (410) which is not joined to the second sidewall (420), or at the transverse edge (442) of the fourth sidewall (440) which is not joined to the third sidewall (430) at least one free panel (450) joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall (410, 420, 430, 440) at least one fixed panel (460) joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall (410, 420, 430, 440) one or more panels (470) joined to at least one longitudinal edge of a sidewall, arranged so as to form a lid (160) characterised in that the relative dimensions of the at least one free panel (450) and the at least one fixed panel (460) are such that - when the container is assembled - the area of the at least one free panel (450) which does not overlap with the at least one fixed panel (460) is at least 1cm², preferably at least 2cm².