WO2021233845A2

WO2021233845A2 - Packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2021233845A2
Application number: PCT/EP2021/063024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver James BOULTON; Hannah BRZEZINKA
Original assignee: Unilever Ip Holdings B.V.; Unilever Global Ip Limited; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2020-05-20
Filing date: 2021-05-17
Publication date: 2021-11-25
Also published as: ES1299427U; BR212022023561U2; CN219651801U; WO2021233845A3; ES1299427Y; DE212021000347U1

Abstract

A container for dispensing a fluid, comprises a dispensing means having a dip tube extending towards a first region of a base of the container. The container comprises a leg, which in use, when the container is placed on a surface, extends from a second region of the base, elevating a second region of the base, tilting the base relative to the surface.

Description

PACKAGING

The invention relates to a container for dispensing a fluid. Many fluids used in a household are made available and sold to the consumer in conveniently sized containers. For fluids these containers are typically a bottle. Often the bottle comprises a polymeric material; used for cost reasons, as well as the lightness that such materials provide, and the flexibility / ease of molding such materials into various bottle shapes.

The bottles usually have a closure, either as a simple top or a valve, which must be activated / removed to access the contents of the bottle. A pump means (and associated dip tube) may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the closure. This suits some materials and the manner in which they are used, such as hand soaps.

Increasingly, sales of many household fluids, especially personal care formulations, are now being offered to the consumer through non-traditional sales channels, such as mail order and through e-commerce. These sales channels, unlike conventional shopping routes, have a heightened need for compact / robust packaging. Further, due to the remoteness of the consumer from a conventional retail outlet ,the packaging requires an intuitive ease of use and a high degree of sustainability (ability to recycle / re-use the packaging).

For fluids having a high viscosity, including certain personal care formulations, for example some hair shampoos and conditioners, it can be an issue to discharge the entire contents of the bottle. The viscosity of the contained composition is such that when the bottle is nearly depleted the remaining contents can adhere to the base or sides of the bottle, making their release difficult / impossible, even by shaking and / or squeezing the bottle, where possible. This problem is further exacerbated for bottles that cannot easily be shaken or squeezed, such as those which comprise a dip tube / pump discharge arrangement. The inability to use all of the bottle contents is detrimental. Firstly, it is problematic for the consumer in that they cannot utilize the entire contents of the bottle that they have purchased. This can be frustrating, given the cost of some personal care compositions, especially when the remaining residue can be seen. Secondly the non- used contents most likely end up simply being disposed of by the consumer. This is wasteful environmentally in terms of the energy and resources employed to make the bottle contents, and which now must be used to dispose of the bottle contents. These residual contents may go to landfill. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the disadvantages described above.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container for dispensing a viscous fluid, comprising a dispensing means having a dip tube extending towards a first region of a base of the container, wherein the container comprises a leg, which in use, in an activated position, when the container is placed on a surface, extends from a second region of the base, elevating the second region of the base, tilting the base relative to the surface, wherein the first region of the base defines an angle of more than 20° with the surface.

The container of the invention has been found to be advantageous in use. The primary advantage is that discharge of the contents of the container have been found to be maximized in use, when compared to similar containers of the prior art. This has been found to be beneficial for the consumer and for the environment. For the consumer as the amount of content, which is wasted by not being used is minimized, the cost of waste and associated frustration is minimized. For the environment, as the amount of un-used content, which has to be disposed is minimized, any treatment required for the waste is minimized. Plus the efficacy of the resources used in making the contents is maximized.

In use, when the leg is in an activated position, the first region of the base is the lowest point of the base. The first region of the base is preferably closest to the surface, most preferably in contact with the surface. The term fluid shall be taken to comprise materials in liquid (including gel) and / or powder (granular) form, and admixtures of same.

Generally, the second region of the base is distanced from the first region of the base. Preferably the base is substantially planar.

Preferably the first region of the base is adjacent a corner of the of the base of the container, e.g. where it meets a side of the container. Preferably the second region of the base is adjacent a second corner of the base.

When the second region of the base is elevated, the first region of the base preferably defines an angle with the surface on which the container is placed. Preferably the angle is more than 10°, more than 15°, more than 20°, e.g. such as about 25°, and more than 30°. Preferably the angle is less than 80°, less than 70°, less than 60° and less than 50°, e.g. such as about 45°. less than 40°, less than 35°, e.g. such as about 33°.

Equally the base of the container is preferably angled with respect to its adjacent sides. As the adjacent sides are intended to be substantially vertical when placed on a surface, preferably the angle between the base and its adjacent side is complementary to the angle between the base and the surface. For the side adjacent the first region of the base together these angles add to approximately 90°. For the side adjacent the second region of the base together these angles add to approximately 180°. The dispensing means generally comprises a pump. Most preferably the pump comprises a “pump action” pump, wherein depression of a portion of the pump causes or allows discharge of fluid therefrom, preferably through a nozzle. Preferably the dispensing means is contained within the container prior to use for protection in transport and / or storage. Most preferably the dispensing means is moved to a position in which it can be activated / accessed by a user, prior to use. Preferably the pump has a collar for mounting on a lid of the container. The fluid reaches the pump via the dip tube. Discharge of the fluid from the pump and drawing of fluid up the dip tube is preferably simultaneous. Preferably the pump comprises a high output pump; namely with each operation / activation of pump a high amount of fluid is discharged. Preferably the pump discharges up to about 30ml of fluid with each discharge operation. Preferably the dip tube extends towards a first region of a base of the container, adjacent to / proximate to the base, most preferably adjacent to / proximate to the corner the base defined by the first region of the base and its adjacent side. Preferably there is a slight gap between the terminus of the dip tube and the first region of a base of the container to allow the product to access the dip tube.

The container may comprise a single skin of material.

In a more preferred embodiment, the container comprises a plurality of skins of material. Preferably the container comprises two skins of material: an internal skin and an external skin. In use the plurality of skins is disposed adjacent to one another, preferably with no or little gap therebetween (especially near the base of the external skin), preferably in a lamellar fashion.

Generally, the internal skin comprises a waterproof material. Such a material will not allow water and aqueous solutions / formulations to pass through. Generally, the internal skin is additionally non-porous for other liquids such as solvents, including but not limited to alcohols, fragrances, surfactants, pH adjusting agents. The internal skin may comprise a laminate material for at least part of its surface. Most preferably the internal skin comprises a plastics material, such as a polyalkene (such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS), polyester (such as PET, PETE), polycarbonate; each of which may be optionally halogenated (such as PVC) or otherwise substituted, or an admixture thereof. Optionally the plastics material used to form the skin may comprise a portion of recycled material. Most preferably the internal skin comprises a plastics material, including optionally at least partially recycled materials, such as a polyalkene (such as HDPE, LDPE, rLDPE) and / or a polyester (such as PET, rPET).

Generally, the external skin comprises a cardboard material. The cardboard may be coated or laminated. The cardboard may be provided with a cushioning inner layer. The cardboard may comprise multiple sheets of material. In this case there may be disposed a sheet of corrugated cardboard between the sheets. The external skin may be manufactured in the form of a sheet or blank, which is folded to make a container.

In this case preferably the sheet or blank is shaped to make all the sides (and any other components) of the second skin. Most preferably the sheet or blank is weakened (such as by scoring) to aid the folding process. The sheet of blank may include flaps or tabs for aiding the joining of sides of the external skin, and which may not be visible when the external skin has been assembled into its final shape. The flaps or tabs may be fixed in place using an adhesive material.

Preferably the external skin comprises a moveable and / or removable portion, requiring activation to access the dispensing means. This aids (before activation) to preclude premature activation of the dispensing means; e.g. after the container has been manufactured and before it has been sold and intended to be used, such as in transport and in storage. Preferably this portion is disposed near the top or lid of the container and preferably comprises a portion of the lid and / or its adjacent side. Preferably this portion comprises a movable flap, intended to be folded aside or torn off to access the dispensing means. In one embodiment the movable flap may be returned to or near its original position once the dispensing means has been accessed, and so placed in an operational state. In this preferred embodiment the movable flap may be hinged at a portion of a side of the external skin to allow movement. Further it may comprise a removable position (such as a tear-off strip), designed to accommodate a portion of the dispensing means, when the flap has been returned to or near its original position.

The base of the container may be strengthened to provide enhanced support for its contents. Such strengthening may take the form of a thicker base, for either or both of the internal and / or external skin. Most preferably the external skin is thicker at its base. Such thickening may be achieved by using a higher / multiple thickness of the external skin material; e.g. such as double thickness of the material, used for the external skin, at its base. The lid of the external skin may be moveable and / or removable such that the internal skin portion of the container may be removed and replaced, e.g. after use. A preferred way of allowing access to the internal skin is by hinging the external skin at a position thereof. One such hinging position is at the top of external skin, opposite to the base.

Most preferably the internal and external skin are intended to be recycled after use.

In forming the container, the internal skin is joined with the external skin (either before or after filling).

The internal skin is preferably formed and filled before being added to the external skin to form the container. The dispensing means is preferably in fluid communication with the interior of the internal skin. In forming the internal skin the dispensing means may be added to / placed in fluid communication with the internal skin before or after the internal skin has been filled. Preferably the dispensing means is arranged near the top or lid of the container, when the internal and external skins are adjoined.

The external skin may comprise a retaining means for the internal skin which has to be activated after the internal skin has been brought together with the external skin. Such a retaining means preferably comprises a flap or a plurality of flaps of the external skin. This flap or flaps is preferably folded after insertion of the internal skin; folded around the internal skin. After folding the external skin is preferred affixed in place. The flap or flaps may be fixed in place by means of an adhesive and / or by means of cooperative apertures and tabs/extensions.

Most preferably the leg comprises the same material as the external skin.

The leg may be formed as part of the external skin (connected or integral thereto) or alternatively the leg may be separate and be intended to be affixed to the external skin in use. When separate, the leg may be affixed to the external skin by adhesion (e.g. with an adhesive) and / or by means of one or more cooperative extensions (such as flaps) and apertures (such as slits), in the leg and the external skin, sized and shaped to accept the extensions. Generally, in an activated position the leg extends from the second region of the base (of the external skin) to the surface on which the container is placed. In an activated position preferably the leg is substantially vertical. The leg preferably comprises two portions; a supporting portion and an attachment portion. The supporting portion is intended (in use in the activated position) to elevate the second region of the base. The attachment portion is intended (in use in the activated position) to secure the supporting portion to the external skin, such that the leg is not easily displaced, e.g. by operation or unintended movement of the container relative to the surface on which it sits, such that the activated position is lost.

Preferably the attachment portion is attached or joined to the supporting portion. Most preferably the supporting potion and the attachment portion meet at a hinge or fold. Usually (in use in the activated position) the attachment portion is angled with respect to the supporting position, such that it is directed towards the base of the container in use. The leg may be pre-formed so angled or may be designed to be arranged into this angled orientation by a user, when putting the container into its activated position. The hinge or fold may be weakened (e.g. such as by scoring) to allow the user to angle the leg portion The supporting portion of the leg may comprise an extension of a side of the container, adjacent the second region of the base. This has the effect that the sides of the container adjacent the first and second regions of the base are the same or similar length, even though the base does not extend between the termini of both of these sides, in a conventional sense. Preferably the attachment portion of the leg comprises a tab, preferably at or near its terminus; which in use in the activated position is intended to be received by a cooperating aperture on the base of the container. When the tab is inserted and retained in the cooperating aperture the supporting portion of the leg is able to fulfil its function in elevating the second region of the base. Similar arrangements may be made for the supporting portion of the leg (when it is separate and does not comprise an extension of a side of the external skin).

Most preferably the leg comprises a sheet of material. The container may include one or more secondary features. Such secondary features may find utility in an aspect of the use and / or manufacture of the container.

A most preferred example of a secondary feature is a structural aid for the dispensing means.

Preferably the structural aid comprises a support for a portion of the dispensing means, against which a portion of the dispensing means can be disposed / abutted to aid its operation, especially for a pump action dispensing means. As generally the dispensing means extends through a portion of the top side (lid) of the external skin, the support may comprise a strengthened portion of the second skin, preferably a portion of the top side. The support preferably additionally comprises a strip of material extending between (and adjoined thereto) the strengthened portion of the top side of the external skin and its adjacent side, acting as a cantilever support. Either or both the strengthened portion and / or the strip of material may be apertured or otherwise modified to allow the dispensing means and / or its dip tube to extend therethrough and / or thereby.

The strengthened lid preferably cooperates with a portion of the dispensing means. As an example the strengthened lid may provide a lip to support a portion of the dispensing means, such as a collar part of a dispensing means. This is particularly useful for a pump action pump, to act against forces applied by a user in operation. In use the dispensing means, such as a collar thereof may need to be moved into engagement with the strengthened portion, e.g. by pushing.

Another preferred example of a secondary feature is a tab on a side of the container adjacent to the dispensing means. Such a tab permits or allows abutment of a vessel (to be filled) there against and facilitates single handed operation of the dispensing means.

Preferably the container is for use with a domestic cleaning fluid. Preferred examples of such fluids include personal cleaning fluids such as soaps, shampoos and hair / skin conditioners. Other examples of such fluids include laundry (washing and / or conditioning), automatic dishwashing (washing and / or rinse aids) and hard surface cleaning fluids.

It will be appreciated that many of these fluids are viscous. For example some personal cleaning fluids can have a typical viscosity of from 3000 mPa.s to 5200 mPa.s at a shear rate of 16 /s. The container of the invention has been found to be particularly useful in aiding effective discharge of such viscous fluids, whilst minimising waste left in the container. Without wishing to be bound by theory it is postulated that with the leg arrangement provided by the container of the invention the viscous fluid, especially at or near the end of the volume of is able to flow easily to a terminus of the dip tube, meaning that its pick up by the dip tube and consequent dispense is greatly aided. Said flow also occurs when the container is stored between uses.

Preferably the container is for use in filling or replenishing a secondary container. Generally, it will be appreciated that the secondary container has a smaller volume than the container, such as from 300ml to 1 litre. Generally, the container has a volume of up to 10 liters, such as from 2 to 10 liters, preferably from 3 to 10 litres, preferably from 5 to 10 litres. The external skin (optionally aided by the internal skin) has to be sufficiently resilient to provide support for a container of such size / weight. One way to achieve this support is by adjustment of the thickness of the material used for the external skin, either in its entirety or at a portion thereof, and / or with the use of lamination of same, optionally including corrugation. It has been found that to support a container of the size 3 to 10 litres, preferably the external skin has a thickness of up to 5mm in at least one portion thereof and preferably over its entirety.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a container according to the first aspect of the invention in the discharge of a fluid. It will be appreciated that any preferred features of the first aspect of the invention shall be taken to apply mutatis mutandis to this use aspect. Preferably a plurality of containers of the invention may be joined to create a display unit. Thus, according to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a display unit comprising a plurality of containers of the first aspect of the invention, conjoined by a joining means.

The display unit of the invention has been found to be extremely advantageous in use. The primary advantage is that the display unit facilitates the accommodation of a large amount of fluid into an easily handleable unit. This provides enhanced ease in terms of the shipping of the fluid and also storage of same at point of sale and in the home. Further as at least a portion of each container, making up the display unit is conjoined, the conjoined portions provide protection for each other in transport and shipping. Additionally, all of the previously described advantages of the container of the invention are realized. The containers of the display unit are intended to be separated before use. Before use the display unit may be regarded as being in a ‘compact form’, with the containers still mutually connected such that the display unit occupies a small volume of space. Generally, the display unit comprises a rupturable / removable joining means to hold the containers together.

Preferably the joining means is intended to be removed / broken before the containers are used. The joining means may comprise a tab of adhesive material, joined to each container. Alternatively, and most preferably the joining means comprises a sheet of material attached to each container. Preferably the sheet comprises the same material or a similar material as the external skin. The sheet may be attached to each container via a rupturable joint, such as a weakened and / or perforated / apertured joint.

Most preferably the display unit comprises a cuboid (such as a rectangle or cube shape). Such a shape has been found to be advantageous in terms of maximising space utility, such as in shipping (e.g. when a plurality of display units are packed together in a larger transport container / secondary packaging) and / or when on display (e.g. such as on a supermarket shelf). Alternatively, the display unit may comprise a cylinder (such as circular, triangular or hexagonal cylinder). In a most preferred embodiment, where the display unit comprises two containers, each makes up half of the display unit. Here preferably the angles defined by the bases of the individual containers, with respect to their adjacent sides, are preferably complementary, such that when arranged together the individual containers make up a larger recognisable geometrical (preferably cuboid / cylindrical) shape. To achieve this preferably the angle between the side adjacent the first region of the base is approximately 65°. When arranged in the display unit preferably the two containers are joined such that the first region of the base of the first container is adjacent the second region of the base of the second container (equally the second region of the base of the first container is adjacent the first region of the base of the second container).

In the display unit the leg of one or more of the containers may be separate or be part of the external skin of one or more of the containers (as described above). Most preferably the leg is disposed in the display unit in an area between the portions (preferably the bases) of the containers that are joined together. Indeed, there is a preferably a gap between the bases of the containers when they are joined together in the display unit. It has been found that when the leg is so positioned in the display unit the possibility of damage of the leg prior to use, such as in shipping or handling at the point of sale is greatly reduced.

In a preferred execution the leg is formed as part of the external skin (connected or integral thereto). Preferably in an activated position the leg extends from the second region of the base (of the external skin) to the surface on which the container is placed. In an activated position preferably the leg is substantially vertical. In an inactivated position, when the containers are adjoined to make up the display unit, preferably the leg is folded or otherwise arranged between the portions (preferably the bases) of the containers that are joined together.

Preferably the display unit is for use with a domestic cleaning fluid. Preferred examples of such fluids include personal cleaning fluids such as soaps, shampoos and hair / skin conditioners, skin creams, lotions and hand sanitizers. Other examples of such fluids include laundry (washing and / or conditioning), automatic dishwashing (washing and / or rinse aids) and hard surface cleaning fluids. Most preferably each container making up the display unit comprises a different domestic cleaning fluid. In this preferred execution the different domestic cleaning fluids may be complementary to one another. Examples of such complementary formulations include shampoo and conditioner; laundry detergent and fabric softener; and hand wash and hand cream.

Each of the containers in the display unit is preferably of the same or similar size. Alternatively, the container in the display unit may have differing sizes. In the most preferred execution, wherein the display unit comprises two containers, the first container may be larger (in terms of the volume and / or weight of fluid therein), such as by a factor or 1.25 or 1.5 or 1.75 or 2 or 2.5 or 3 than the second container.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a display unit according to the second aspect of the invention in the discharge of a fluid. It will be appreciated that any preferred features of the second aspect of the invention shall be taken to apply mutatis mutandis to this use aspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising a display unit according to the second aspect of the invention and instructions for use, wherein the instructions optionally include details of separation of the containers and arranging each container into an activated position.

Preferably the instructions inform a user how to arrange the leg of each container into an activated position and how to arrange the dispensing means into an operational position (optionally including movement / activation of any protection for the dispensing means where present).

The containers of the first aspect of the invention, the display unit of the second aspect of the invention and the kit of the third aspect of the invention have been found to facilitate shipping to the consumer and to be easily recyclable and / or reusable by the consumer.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting Figures in which:- • Figure 1 comprises a side view of a container 1 according to the invention, in an operable state;

• Figure 2 comprises a side view of a display unit according to the invention, before it is placed in an operable state; and · Figures 3a to 3i comprises a series of Figures showing the use of a display unit according to the invention.

With reference to Figure 1 it can be seen that the container 1 comprises an internal skin 2 and an external skin 3.

The internal skin 2 is housed within the external skin 3. The internal skin 2 has a pump-action pump 4 associated therewith and in fluid communication with the interior thereof for discharge of the fluid contents of the internal skin 2. The pump-action pump 4 comprises a collar 5, which is disposed on the lid 6 of the external skin 3, wherein the external skin 3 provides support therefor. Enhanced support for the collar 5 is provided by a support means 7, extending across a portion of the lid 6 of the external skin 3 to a side thereof. This counteracts the pump action of the dispensing pump 4 to ensure that, in use operation of the pump-action pump 4 is effective and does not damage the internal / external skin 3.

A portion of the pump 4 and its dip tube 8 extend through an aperture 9 in the support means 7 to the base of the external skin 3. To enable access to the pump-action pump 4 and to arrange the container 1 to an operational state (as shown), the external skin 3 comprises a movable flap 10. This movable flap 10 is returned to its original position once the dispensing means 4 has been accessed, and placed in an operational state. The movable flap 10 comprises a removable portion 11 (a tear-off strip), designed to accommodate a portion of the pump-action pump 4.

The base 12 of the external skin 3 is angled with respect to the surface on which it is disposed. The base 12 has a first region 13 towards which the dip tube 8 extends and a second region 14. The first region of the base 12 is intended to be the lowest point of the base 12. The second region 14 is elevated relative to the surface on which the container 1 is disposed by the presence of a leg 15. The leg 15 comprises a sheet of material. The leg 15 is folded to create two portions: a supporting portion 16 and an attachment portion 17. The supporting portion 16 of the leg 15 extends from the second region 14 of the base 12 and the attachment position 17 of the leg 15 extends from between the first and second region 14 of the base 12. The supporting portion 16 is substantially vertical (when viewed with respect to the surface upon which the container 1 has been placed). In Figure 1 the supporting portion 16 of the leg 15 comprises an extension of a side of the external skin 3 of the container 1. This has the effect that the sides of the container 1 adjacent the first 13 and second region 14 of the base 12 are the same length, even though the base 12 does not extend between the termini of both of these end in a conventional sense.

The attachment portion 17 of the leg 15 comprises a tab 17a, at its terminus; which in use is received by a cooperating aperture (not shown) on the base 12 of the container 1. The external skin 3 comprises a pair of tabs 18 on a side of the container 1 adjacent to the dispensing means. Such tabs 18 permits or allows abutment of a vessel there against and facilitate single handed operation of the dispensing means 4. With reference to Figure 2 it can be seen that the display unit 19 comprises two containers 1 (as described above).

The two containers 1 are joined to create a display unit 19. The display unit 19 comprises a severable joining means 20 to hold the containers 1 together. The joining means 20 is intended to be removed / broken before the containers 1 are used.

The joining means 20 comprises a sheet of material attached to each container 1. The sheet 20 comprises the same material or a similar material as the external skin 3. The sheet 20 forms a portion of a side of the external skin 3, it is attached to each container 1 via a rupturable, perforated joint 21 , for ease of removal. The external skin 3 comprises a plurality of layers of material. The joining means sheet 20 is the most external of these layers.

The display unit 19 comprises a cuboid.

Each container 1, each makes up half of the display unit 19. The angles defined by the bases 12 of the individual containers 1, with respect to their adjacent sides, are preferably largely equivalent and complementary (e.g. are around 45°), such that when arranged together the individual containers 1 make up a larger recognisable geometrical cuboid shape.

In the display unit 19 the leg 15 comprises an extension of the side of the container 1 adjacent the second region 14 of the base 12. When in the display unit 19 the leg 15 is folded away. After the display unit 19 has been separated into two containers 1 , the leg 15 can be extended such that the second region 14 of the base 12 is raised by the supporting portion. The attachment portion 17 of the leg 15 comprises a tab, at its terminus; which in use received by a cooperating aperture on the base 12 of the container 1.

The operation of the display unit 19 is shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(h).

Firstly, the user removes the joining means from the display unit 19, separating the two containers 1. The user then folds the leg 15 such that the supporting portion 16 extends outwardly from the second region of the base 12 and the tab of the attachment portion 17 is received by its receiving aperture. The container 1 is then orientated in its operational state.

The moveable flap 10 is moved so that the pump action pump 4 can be accessed. The pump 4 is disposed against the lid 6 of the second skin and the flap 10 is returned to its original position having removed its removable position.

The pump action pump 4 is then ready for operation, such as in refilling a secondary container 1.

The lid 6 of the external skin 3 may be raised via a hinged portion to allow replacement of the internal skin 2 after use.

Claims

1 A container for dispensing a viscous fluid, comprising a dispensing means having a dip tube extending towards a first region of a base of the container, wherein the container comprises a leg, which in use, in an activated position, when the container is placed on a surface, extends from a second region of the base, elevating the second region of the base, tilting the base relative to the surface; wherein the first region of the base defines an angle of more than 20° with the surface.

2 A container according to claim 1, wherein in use, when the leg is in an activated position, the first region of the base is the lowest point of the base.

3 A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the container comprises two skins of material: an internal skin and an external skin.

4 A container according to claim 3, wherein the external skin comprises a moveable or removable portion, requiring activation to access the dispensing means.

5 A container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the leg is formed as part of the external skin, connected or integral thereto.

6 A container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the activated position the leg extends from the second region of the base to the surface on which the container is placed.

7 A container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the leg comprises two portions: a supporting portion and an attachment portion.

8 A container according to claim 7, wherein the attachment portion is attached or joined to the supporting portion. A container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the supporting potion and the attachment portion meet at a hinge or fold. A container according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the supporting portion of the leg comprises an extension of a side of the container, adjacent the second region of the base. A display unit comprising a plurality of containers according to any one of claims 1 to 10, conjoined by a rupturable / removable joining means. A display unit according to claim 11, wherein the contents of the containers are complementary, e.g. such as shampoo and conditioner. A method of minimising wasteful retention of contents comprising the use of a container according to anyone claims 1 to 10 or a display unit according to claims 11 or 12. A display unit comprising a plurality of containers, which when in use, the display unit is separated into its component containers, each of which is activated with the arrangement of its leg (moving to an activated position) and activation of its dispensing means. A kit comprising a display unit and instructions for use, wherein the instructions optionally include details on separation of the containers and arranging each container into an activated position.