JP2001518430A - Container with reclosable tear-off lid used as measuring cup - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a weighing device that has a detachable or separable portion (11) that can be used for reclosing and that has a volume for metering so that the separable container (11) can be used. The present invention relates to a container (1) that can be used as a container. The invention also relates to a method of using such a separable part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

【Technical field】

The present invention relates to a container comprising a separable or detachable part, which is opened by separating this part, in particular a container which can be reclosed using a separable part.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers having separable parts are widely used in the field of consumer products. Generally, the sealed container can be opened by separating the separable portion from the rest of the container. Indeed, prior to separation, the interior volume provided in the container is isolated from the exterior of the container, and removal of the separable portion forms an access to this interior volume. In such a mechanism, the sealed container is manufactured in a single piece and is removed upon opening, thus separately manufacturing a lid having the same role as the separable lid formed from the separable part. Since there is no need, the manufacturing process of the container is simplified. Further, since the lid formed from the separable part does not need to be fitted to the container as a separately manufactured lid, additional manufacturing operations are omitted when using the lid formed from the separable part. . Various manufacturing methods have been disclosed for manufacturing containers having separable portions, for example, US Pat. No. 3,325,8.
In No. 60, the bottle is blown and filled while it is still in the mold before it is completely sealed, after which the bottle is completely sealed with a thermoplastic material. Another possible manufacturing method for manufacturing containers having separable portions is U.S. Pat.
38,157, in which the container has an integral cap, i.e., a separable portion, and is formed of a laminated flat plate blank. This US Patent No. 5,
No. 238,157 also introduces a further improvement that combines the advantages of a separately manufactured lid with the advantages of a separable part. This improvement comprises configuring the separable portion such that the separable portion can cooperate with an opening formed by separating it from the rest of the container, and applying the cooperable separable portion to the opening. To allow the container to be reclosed repeatedly. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,267 extends this improvement. Therefore,
Such a cooperable separable part fulfills another function, which is generally also performed by a separately manufactured lid, namely a reclosing function.

[0003] The present invention is a container having a sealed, open, and reclosable condition, the container having a main interior volume that is hermetically isolated from the outside, including a separable portion, and separating the separable portion. An opening is formed, and becomes open after separation of the separable portion,
A container wherein the separable portion cooperates with the opening and which can be repeatedly reclosed by applying the separable portion to the opening. Such a container is known from US Pat. No. 5,238,157 or US Pat. No. 4,917,267.

[0004] In another aspect of the invention, the invention also provides a method of using a separable portion of a container, comprising a separating step and a reclosing step, wherein the separating step comprises separating the separable portion, The closing step relates to a method consisting in reclosing the container by applying a detachable part to the opening.

[0005] An advantage of existing containers having a detachable part that opens and closes is that they can be manufactured using a single step, thus greatly simplifying manufacturing and significantly reducing manufacturing costs. . Furthermore, the contents of such a container can be completely isolated from the outside of the container before being first opened by separation of the separable part. This is particularly useful for effectively protecting products sensitive to moisture, bacteria or oxidation.

[0006] While having the above and other advantages, such containers having separable portions have drawbacks. For example, in the field of consumer products, it is often necessary to provide such containers with weighing devices such as scoops manufactured separately from the containers. This significantly increases manufacturing costs. Generally, such separately manufactured metering devices are inserted into the container at the filling stage. This method requires special measures, which further complicates the manufacturing process. In addition, users often have to dig the product contained in the container and remove the weighing device, especially if the contents are chemically aggressive products. Many. It should also be noted that such separately manufactured metering devices are usually made of a different material than the material from which the container was made, so that the metering device and the container usually need to be recycled separately.

The object of the present invention is to provide a container and a method of the above type with a weighing device that is easy to manufacture, easy to use by the user and can be recycled together with the container.

[0008]

Summary of the Invention

 The present invention provides a container that satisfies the above objects.

The container according to the invention is characterized in that the separable part has an auxiliary volume and, when the container is in a sealed state, the auxiliary volume is a part of the main internal volume.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a method that satisfies the above objects.

[0011] The method of the invention further comprises a weighing step, which comprises using the volume provided in the separable part for weighing the contents of the container after the separating step. And

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container 1 having a sealed state, an open state and a reclosing state. Sealed means that in a sealed container the contents of the container are isolated from the outside of the container and have been isolated from the outside of the container since the time of manufacture of the container. Thus, the container is sealed until it is first opened. The container is opened by the first opening.
The first opening of the container is performed by separating the separable part 11 of the container. Once in the open state, the user can access the contents of the container through the opening 2 in the container wall created by the separation of the separable portion 11. Due to the separation of the separable portion, an opening 2 is formed in the container to serve as an access port for the internal volume of the container, and the separable portion includes an auxiliary volume that is a part of the main volume of the container. The remaining volume, i.e. the main volume minus the auxiliary volume, is communicated with the outside of the container for this purpose. Once in the open state, the container can be reclosed and reclosed. The container is usually opened and closed repeatedly. Reclosing can be performed by fitting the detachable portion 11 of the container back into the opening 2 of the container formed by removal of the detachable portion. The separable part cooperates with the opening of the container for that purpose.

[0013] While in the sealed state, the contents of the container are isolated from the outside of the container. Isolated means that contact between the contents of the container and the outside of the container is minimized. In practice, the container may be transparent so that its contents are not isolated from light generated outside the container. It is also possible to allow gas to enter and exit by manufacturing the container from a material having a limited gas permeability. However, as far as solid or liquid substances are concerned, the contents are substantially isolated from the outside of the container.

By separable part is meant that the part 11 of the container is initially part of the container 1 and the container 1 is straight away with this part 11 being part of the structure. ) Means manufactured. This needs to be distinguished, for example, from a separate lid that is manufactured separately from the container and is usually applied to the container after filling the container with the contents. Separable means that the separable part has separating means. The separating means comprises a groove 3 which weakens the container structure in the area separating the separable part from the rest of the container. Also included are separation means such as semi-perforation. If the container structure is weakened in the area separating the separable part from the rest of the container, the shape of the container itself can provide the separating means. Other separation means known to those skilled in the art also are included.

[0015] It can be used for the purpose of metering the auxiliary volume of the separable part. In fact, since the auxiliary volume is opened to the general environment after separation, the auxiliary volume can be utilized. The auxiliary volume thus forms a cavity in which metering can take place. If the separable part was flat, there would be no such cavity. Metering can be performed from the opening corresponding to the communication path between the main internal volume and the auxiliary volume of the container before separation of the separable portion. Preferably, the metering opening 4 has a shape that facilitates metering and also facilitates pretreatment. Preferably, the metering opening 4 is substantially circular and may be provided with a beak. Preferably, the separable portion is rigid for ease of handling. Similarly, the container-side opening 2 must have a shape that facilitates pouring in a controlled state. This means that the opening 2 also includes a beak and is substantially circular or either.

The separable part of the container cooperates with the opening on the container side so that the container can be reclosed when the separable part is pressed against the container. The cooperation can be implemented by various means. A first possible measure is to make the opening of the container and the metering opening cooperate. In fact, these two openings usually have similar dimensions, since they usually match each other when the container is in a sealed state before separation. That is, the metering opening can surround the neck portion on which the opening of the container is located. Such a fit may be possible by using a relatively soft material for at least a portion of the cooperating portion, thereby allowing the soft material to expand or contract relatively easily. Even in the case of containers made of a single material, the flexibility can be selected, for example, by adjusting the thickness of the material. Such cooperation can be enhanced by systems that include grooves or ridges that can be intermeshed, sloped or linearly formed. In short, various other means of cooperation known to those skilled in the art can be used. For example, the cooperation could be enhanced by providing a rib around the outer surface of the part of the separable part opposite the metering opening and cooperating this rib with the opening of the container.

However, in this first possible measure, for example, an auxiliary volume is used to contain the contents of the container during weighing, and then the container is closed at the metering opening using this same auxiliary volume. The rest of the contents of the container will leak onto the container. In practice, it is preferable to use the part 5 opposite the metering opening of the separable part for closing the container. In such a case, since the metering opening is held at a position away from the container, no leakage occurs. In fact, if the container opening 2 is on top when the container is upright, and if the container opening 2 is closed using the part 5 opposite the metering opening 4 of the separable part, the metering opening 4 Because of the upwards, leakage will be avoided. The container closure part 5 of the detachable part can close the container in various ways. For example,
The part 5 can be made substantially conical and only a part of the cone can be pushed into the container opening to close it. In another embodiment, a skirt is provided on the portion of the container having the opening and closes the skirt on the portion opposite the metering opening. Closure can be accomplished completely by various closure means known to those skilled in the art, including grooves, ridges or screws.

The separable portion of the container can have various means for facilitating metering. For example, the separable part of the container can have a transparent part 6,
It may be completely transparent. Transparent means that the user can see the height of the contents of the auxiliary volume through part of the separable part to control the metering.
Weighing may also be facilitated by combining the weighing line 7 or a set of weighing lines. Another feature that facilitates metering would be to incorporate stabilizing means. Such a stabilizing means is, for example, to flatten the part 5 opposite to the metering opening of the separable part, so that the separable part can be stably placed on a flat surface during metering. For example, the skirt can be provided with a flat notch at the end of the cone or a flat shape on the skirt that can stabilize the separable part during weighing, which has the function of reclosing the separable part. There is no contradiction at all.

The containers of the present invention are preferably manufactured using a blow molding process, but provided that a main volume and an auxiliary volume are provided, other methods known in the art, such as injection molding, may be used. Alternatively, a laminated blank may be used. Usually, the container of the present invention is a one-piece container. Most preferably, it can be formed in a molding-filling-sealing process, whereby the main part of the container is first formed and after filling the main part with the contents of the container from the unsealed part of the container, By sealing the sealed portion, the sealed container of the present invention can be obtained. It is also possible to carry out the molding step in a pre-molding step and to fill and seal the container at the production site. An advantage of the container according to the invention is that opening can be prevented since the separable part is normally irreversibly separable from the rest of the container. There are various types of materials used for containers. Preferably, a thermoplastic resin is used. The container can be formed of a single material, but can also be formed of a mixture, co-extruded or laminated material. It can be somewhat rigid or have more rigid parts than others, for example by changing the thickness of the material used. In a preferred embodiment, a polyolefin resin, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, is used. Such resins can be made using various methods including Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalysts. Various material combinations can be used to obtain the required chemical and mechanical characteristics of the container.

The container usually contains a flowable substance. "Fluid substances" do not include gaseous substances, but include substances that can flow or are pumped under the action of gravity. Such substances include liquids, pastes, gels, emulsions or powders. The container can also include a gas or a gas head. In a preferred embodiment, the contents of the container is a detergent formulation, which will include various other detergent ingredients along with surfactants and fragrances. The detergent can be in powder, gel or liquid form.

[0021] The method of the present invention is particularly useful when the container has such contents. In fact, consumer products in general, and especially detergents, often need to weigh a portion of the entire contents of the container. This metering step is carried out according to the method of the invention by means of a separable part having a cavity consisting of an auxiliary volume. More generally, such a method would be applicable to any suitable separable part having a volume provided in the separable part for metering. This step is performed after separation, since the severable part must be removed for weighing. Typically, metering is performed at the volume of the separable part by pouring a portion of the contents of the container directly into the separable part. The separable part can also be used for pretreatment, as described in EP 0559829 or EP 05599771. To that end, the separable part can have pre-treatment means known in the art. A further use of the separable part is as a dispensing device. Such an application is described in EP 0 288 346. In fact, the separable part can be used to dispense the contents of the auxiliary volume from the metering opening. Preferably, the dispensing step is performed by inserting the separable part into the washing machine while the machine is washing the garment.

An example of a series of these steps is shown below, where a user opens a sealed container by separating the separable portion from the rest of the container. Next, the user weighs the product by pouring a portion of the contents of the container into the separable portion. After weighing, the user contains the detergent by using part of the contents of the separable part of the container and directly pouring part of the contents of the separable part into what is to be treated. Pre-treat clothing or other if the method is applied to a container. Next, the user puts the remaining product in the separable portion for dispensing into a washing machine, for example, to dispose it. After using the product, the user can reclose the container using the detachable portion. Since the separable part is preferably reusable, such an order can be repeated, except for the first step, and in fact the separation is usually irreversible.

Generally, after first opening, the dispensing step immediately follows the pretreatment step, the pretreatment step immediately follows the metering step, and the metering step immediately follows the separation step. The final stage of the series is generally a reclosing stage.

According to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture an environmentally friendly container because the separable part performs many functions conventionally performed by various different components and can perform consistent material saving. Note that you can. Furthermore, the separable part is usually made of the same material as the rest of the container, so that contamination during recycling is minimized.

The separable portion can further be used as a display for brand names, logos, safety precautions, and more generally, can have various raised information.

The separable portion may also have various means to make it easier for the user to grasp, to facilitate opening, sealing or transporting and the like. Such means include special shaping of the outer surface of the separable part for that purpose.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a part of a sealed container according to the invention showing a separable part.

FIG. 2 shows a part of a container in an open state according to the invention, showing the separable part.

FIG. 3 shows a weighing step according to the method of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a container in a reclosing state according to the present invention showing the cooperation of the separable part and the opening.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (71) Applicant ONE PROCTER & GANBLE PLAZA, CINCINNATI, OHIO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA F-term (reference) 3E033 AA01 BA14 BA15 DA02 DE20 FA03 GA02 3E014 AA04 AAB01 AA04 AA01 AAB04 AA04 AA04 AA04 AA04 AA04 AA01 ABA04 [Continuation of summary]

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A container (1) having a closed state, an open state and a reclosed state, wherein said sealed container has a main internal volume isolated from the outside, said container comprising a separable part. (11), and the opening (2)
) Is formed and the container is opened after separation of the separable part (11) and the separable part (11) cooperates with the opening (2) to form the separable part (11).
Can be repeatedly reclosed by applying to the opening, the separable part (11) has an auxiliary volume, and when the container is sealed, the auxiliary volume is the main content. A container characterized by being part of a product. 2. The auxiliary volume is used for metering from a metering opening (4), the metering opening being connected between the main internal volume and the auxiliary volume before separation of the separable part (11). 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container corresponds to a passage. 3. The cooperating of the container with the opening comprises the detachable part (11).
3. A container according to claim 2, wherein said opening is made by closing said opening at a portion (5) opposite said measuring opening (4). 4. The part of said separable part (11) opposite said metering opening,
3. Container according to claim 2, comprising a stabilizing means (5). 5. The container of claim 1, wherein said container is a blow molded container manufactured using a molding-filling-sealing process. 6. The container according to claim 1, wherein said container contains a flowable substance, preferably a liquid, most preferably a liquid detergent. 7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is a thermoplastic resin, preferably a polyolefin resin.
A container according to claim 1, most preferably made of polyethylene. 8. A separating step for separating the separable part (11) for using the separable part (11) of the container (1), and opening the separable part (11).
2) a reclosing step of reclosing the container by applying to the container according to (2), further comprising providing the container with the separable part (11) for weighing the contents of the container after the separating step. A method comprising the step of metering consisting of using a volume. 9. The method further comprises the step of removing the contents of the container from the separable portion (
9. The method according to claim 8, comprising a pretreatment step of pouring into 11) and pouring from the separable part (11) the material to be treated by the contents of the container. 10. The method further comprises pouring the contents of the container into the separable part (11), preferably while the clothes are being washed in a washing machine, the separable contents containing the contents of the container. 9. A method according to claim 8, comprising a dispensing step of dispensing the contents of the container using part (11).