Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a container comprising a separable or break-off
part, whereby the separation of this part opens the container, and more particularly
to a container for which the separable part can be used for re-closing the container.
Background of the invention
[0002] Containers with a separable part are widely used in the field of consumer products.
Usually the separable part is allowing opening of a sealed container once separated
from the rest of the container. Indeed, prior to separation, the internal volume comprised
in the container is isolated from the outside of the container, the removal of the
separable part giving access to this internal volume. Such a mechanism is simplifying
the manufacturing process of a container, as the sealed container is produced in only
one part, without need for producing a closure manufactured separately which would
be removed at opening, thus having the same role than a separable closure made from
a separable part. Furthermore, a closure made from a separable part does not require
to be placed onto the container like a closure manufactured separately would, so that
an additional manufacturing operation is saved when using a closure made from a separable
part. Various manufacturing processes for producing a container with a separable part
have been disclosed, such as the process described in US-A-3 325 860 whereby the bottle
is blow molded and filled prior to be integrally sealed and while it is retained in
the mold, after which the bottle is integrally sealed with thermoplastic material.
Another possible manufacturing process for producing a container with a separable
part is described in US-A-5 238 157, whereby the container is comprising an integral
cap, i.e. the separable part, and is formed from a laminated flat blank. US-A-5 238
157 is also introducing a further improvement to combine the advantages of a closure
manufactured separately with the advantages of a separable part. The improvement consists
in designing the separable part so that it can co-operate with the opening provided
by its separation of the rest of the container, in such a manner that the container
can be re-closed repeatedly by applying the co-operating separable part onto the opening.
This improvement is developed further in US-A-4 917 267. Such a co-operating separable
part consequently fulfills the other function which is usually also fulfilled by a
closure manufactured separately, i.e. the re-closing function.
[0003] The present invention relates to a container, the container having a sealed state,
an opened state and a re-closed state, the sealed container having a main internal
volume isolated from the outside of the container, the container comprising a separable
part, the separation of the separable part providing an opening in the container,
the container being opened after separation of the separable part, the separable part
cooperating with the opening of the container so that the container can be repeatedly
re-closed by applying the separable part onto the opening. Such a container is known
from US-A-5 238 157 or from US-A-4 917 267.
[0004] In another aspect of the invention, the invention also relates to a process for using
a separable part of a container, the process comprising a separation step and a re-closing
step, the separation step consisting in breaking off the separable part, the re-closing
step consisting in re-closing the container by applying the separable part onto an
opening.
[0005] Among the advantages of existing containers with a separable part providing opening
and re-closing is the fact that they are manufactured using a single process, thus
simplifying greatly production and reducing significantly the manufacturing costs.
Furthermore, the content of such containers can be maintained completely isolated
from the outside of the container prior to the first opening by separation of the
separable part. This is particularly useful for efficiently protecting products sensitive
to moisture, to germs or to oxidation, for example.
[0006] While having these and other advantages, such containers with a separable part have
disadvantages. For example, in the field of consumer products, such containers often
need to be provided together with a dosing device, such as a scoop, which is manufactured
separately from the container. This causes a significant increase of the manufacturing
costs. Usually, such dosing devices manufactured separately are inserted within the
container during the filling step. This method requires a special procedure which
renders the manufacturing process even more complicated. Furthermore, the user will
often have to dig into the product contained in the container to gain access to the
dosing device, operation which the user is often reluctant to, particularly if the
content comprises chemically aggressive products. It should also be noted that such
dosing devices manufactured separately are normally made from a material different
from the material from which the container is made, so that the dosing device and
the container normally have to be recycled separately.
[0007] The invention seeks to provide a container and a process of the above mentioned kind,
whereby the container is provided with a dosing device which is easy to manufacture,
readily accessible to the user and which can be recycled together with the container.
Summary of the invention
[0008] The present invention provides a container in a manner to satisfy the aforementioned
object.
[0009] The container of the invention is characterised in that the separable part comprises
an auxiliary volume, whereby the auxiliary volume is part of the main internal volume
when the container is sealed.
[0010] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a process in a manner to satisfy
the aforementioned object.
[0011] The process of the invention is characterised in that the process further comprises
a dosing step, the dosing step consisting in using a volume provided in the separable
part for dosing the content of the container after the separation step.
Detailed description of the invention
[0012]
Figure 1 is a view of a portion of a container in a sealed state according to the
invention showing the separable part.
Figure 2 is a view of a portion of a container in an opened state according to the
invention showing the separable part.
Figure 3 is presenting the dosing step according to the process of the invention.
Figure 4 is a view of a portion of a container in a re-closed state according to the
invention showing the separable part co-operating with the opening.
[0013] The invention relates to a container 1 having a sealed state, an opened state and
a re-closed state. By a sealed state, it is meant that the sealed container is such
that the content of the container is isolated from the outside of the container and
has been isolated from the outside of the container since manufacture of the container.
Consequently, the container will be in a sealed state up to first opening of the container.
First opening leads to the opened state of the container. The first opening of the
container is obtained by separation of the separable part 11 of the container. Once
in the opened state, the user has access to the content of the container through an
opening 2 in the container wall caused by the separation of the separable part 11.
The separation of the separable part provides an opening 2 in the container giving
access to the internal volume of the container because the separable part contains
an auxiliary volume which is part of the main volume of the container, so that the
removal of the separable part will remove the auxiliary volume, thus putting the remaining
volume, i.e. the main volume less the auxiliary volume, in communication with the
outside of the container. Once it is in an opened state, the container can be re-closed,
so that it is in the re-closed state. The container can normally be repeatedly opened
and re-closed. The re-closing can be provided by applying the separable part 11 of
the container back onto the opening 2 of the container created by the removal of the
separable part. The separable part co-operates with the opening of the container for
that purpose.
[0014] During the sealed state, the content of the container is isolated from the outside
of the container. What is meant by isolated is that the content of the container has
minimised contact with the outside of the container. Indeed, it may be possible to
have a see-through container, so that the content is not isolated from the light produced
outside of the container. It is also possible that the container is made from a material
having a limited gas transfer rate, so that egress or ingress of gas may be possible.
However, the content is substantially isolated from the outside of the container as
far as solid or liquid materials are concerned.
[0015] What is meant by a separable part is that the part 11 of the container is originally
part of the container 1, meaning that the container 1 was manufactured straight away
with this part 11 being included to its structure. This is to be differentiated from
a separated closure, for example, which is manufactured separately from the container
and is usually added to the container after the container has been filled with its
content. By separable it is meant that the separable part comprises separation means.
Separation means include a groove 3 weakening 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. The shape of the container itself may provide a separation
means in so far as the structure of the container is weakened in the region separating
the separable part from the rest of the container. Other separation means known from
the man skilled in the art are also included.
[0016] The auxiliary volume in the separable part can be used for dosing purposes. Indeed,
the auxiliary volume opens to the general environment after separation, so that the
auxiliary volume can be accessed. The auxiliary volume therefore forms a cavity in
which dosing can take place. Such a cavity would not exist if the separable part were
flat. Dosing can take place through the opening corresponding to the communication
between the main internal volume of the container and the auxiliary volume prior to
separation of the separable part. Preferably this dosing opening 4 has a shape which
is facilitating dosing, and which may facilitate pre-treatment also. The dosing opening
4 preferably has a substantially circular contour, which may also be provided with
a beak. The separable part is preferably rigid to facilitate handling. Similarly,
the opening 2 on the container should have a shape such that controlled pouring is
facilitated. This means that it may also comprise a beak and/ or have a substantially
circular shape.
[0017] The separable part of the container co-operates with the opening on the container
so as to re-close it when pushed onto it. The co-operation may be obtained by various
means. A first possibility is to have a co-operation between the opening of the container
and the dosing opening. Indeed, these two openings normally have similar dimensions
as they normally correspond to each other when the container is in the sealed state
prior to separation. This means that the dosing opening may be such that it can enclose
a neck at the top of which the opening of the container could be found. Such a fitting
could be made possible by using a relatively soft material for at least one part of
the co-operating parts, whereby the soft material could be expended or compressed
relatively easily. Even in the case of a container made from only one material, softness
can be chosen by acting on the thickness of the material, for example. Such a cooperation
could be reinforced by a system comprising a groove or a ridge, which may be interlocking,
or may be made at an angle or straight. Altogether, various other co-operating means
know to the man skilled in the art may be used. For example, co-operation could be
reinforced by a rib provided around the external surface of the portion of the separable
part which is opposite to the dosing opening, the rib further co-operating with the
opening of the container.
[0018] However, this first possibility is not the preferred possibility because the auxiliary
volume can be used for containing the content of the container, for example while
dosing, after what the same auxiliary volume would be used for closing the container
thanks to the dosing opening, so that remains of the content of the container may
leak down onto the container. Indeed, it is preferred to use the portion 5 of the
separable part which is opposed to the dosing opening for closing the container. In
such a case, leaking would not occur as the dosing opening would be kept away from
the container. Indeed, if the opening 2 of the container is on the top when the container
is upright, and if the opening 2 of the container is closed using the portion 5 of
the separable part which is opposite to the dosing opening 4, the dosing opening 4
will be turned towards the upper side, so that leakage would be avoided. The portion
5 of the separable part closing the container may close it in various manners. For
example, it may have a substantially conical shape 5, so that part only of the cone
will be pushed in the opening of the container to obstruct it. In an other embodiment,
the portion opposite to the dosing opening is provided with a skirt fitting onto the
part of the container comprising the opening, so as to close it. Closure may be completed
by various closing means known from the man skilled in the art, including a groove,
a ridge or a thread for example.
[0019] The separable part of the container may comprise various means in order to facilitate
dosing. For example, the separable part of the container may comprise a see-through
portion 6 or may even be completely transparent. By see-through it is meant that a
user could distinguish the level of the content of the auxiliary volume through a
portion of the separable part in order to control the dosing. Dosing may also be facilitated
by integrating a dosing line 7 or a set of dosing lines. Another feature which would
facilitate dosing would be to incorporate stabilising means. Such stabilising means
could for example consist in flattening the portion 5 of the separable part which
is opposed to the dosing opening, so that the separable part may be laid stable onto
a flat surface during dosing. This is not at all contradictory with the re-closing
function of the separable part because, for example, a conical shape may have a flat
cut out at its extremity, or a skirt may have an even contour which would allow to
stabilise the separable part while dosing.
[0020] The container of the invention is preferably made using a blow moulding process,
but other processes known in the art may be used, such as injection moulding or using
a laminated blank, as long as the main and auxiliary volumes are provided. Normally,
the container of the invention is a unitary container. Most preferably, it could be
made from a form-fill-seal process, whereby the main part of the container is formed
first, the main part being filled with the content of the container through an un-sealed
part of the container, after what the un-sealed part is sealed to obtain the sealed
container of the invention. It is possible to have the forming step taking place at
a pre-production stage, while the container is filled and sealed on the production
site. An advantage of a container according to the invention is that it is tamper-proof,
as the separable part is normally irreversibly separable from the rest of the container.
The material used for the container may also be of various sorts. Preferably, thermoplastic
resins are used. The container may be made from a single material but also from a
blend, a co-extruded or from a laminated material. It may be more or less rigid or
may have parts which are more rigid than others, by modifying the thickness of the
material used for example. In a preferred embodiment, polyolefin resins are used,
preferably polyethylene or polypropylene. Such resins may be made using various methods,
including Ziegler Natta or Metallocene catalysis. Various combinations of material
may be used in order to reach the required chemical or mechanical characteristics
for the container.
[0021] The container normally contains flowable materials. The term "flowable materials"
does not include gaseous materials, but encompasses materials which are flowable under
gravity or may be pumped. Such materials include liquids, pastes, gels, emulsions
or powders. The container may also comprise gas or a gas head. In a preferred embodiment,
the content of the container is a detergent formulation, which may comprise surfactants
and perfume as well as various other components of such formulations. The detergent
formulation may be in the form of a powder, of a gel or of a liquid.
[0022] The process of the invention is particularly useful if the container comprises such
a content. Indeed, consumer products in general and detergent products in particular
often require dosing of part of the whole content of the container. This dosing step
is provided according to the process of the invention thanks to the separable part
having a cavity formed from its auxiliary volume. More generally, such a process may
be applied to any suitable separable part having a volume provided in the separable
part for dosing. This step takes place after separation as the separable part has
to be removed for dosing. Normally, dosing is made in the volume of the separable
part by pouring directly part of the content of the container within the separable
part. The separable part may also be used for pre-treatment as described in EP-B-0559829
or in EP-B-0559771. For that purpose, it may comprise pre-treatment means know in
the art. A further use of the separable part is as a dispensing device. Such a use
is described in EP-B-0288346. Indeed, the separable part can be used for dispensing
the content of the auxiliary volume through the dosing opening. Preferably, use is
made of the dispensing step while machine washing of close by inserting the separable
part within the machine.
[0023] An example of a sequence of these steps would be as follows: a user is opening the
sealed container by separating the separable part from the rest of the container.
Subsequently, the user may pour part of the content of the container into the separable
part in order to dose the product. After dosing, the user may use part of the content
of the separable part of the container for pre-treating clothes -if the process is
applied to a container comprising a detergent formulation- or other materials by pouring
part of the content comprised in the separable part directly onto the materials to
be treated. The user may then dispose of the rest of the product contained in the
separable part for dispensing, for example by placing it into a washing machine. After
using the product, the consumer may re-close the container using the separable part.
As the separable part is preferably re-usable, such a sequence can be repeated, apart
from the first step, indeed separation is normally irreversible.
[0024] Generally, at first opening, the dispensing step follows directly the pre-treatment
step, the pre-treatment step follows directly the dosing step, and the dosing step
follows directly the separation step. The last step of the sequence is usually the
re-closing step.
[0025] It should be noted that such an invention allows manufacture of more environmentally
friendly packages because the separable part fulfils numerous functions which were
fulfilled in the past by a variety of different component parts, so that a consistent
saving of materials can be made. Furthermore, as the separable part is normally made
of the same material as the rest of the container, contamination is minimised during
recycling.
[0026] The separable part may additionally be used as a display for a brand name, a logo,
or a safety warning and, in more general term, may comprise various embossed information.
[0027] The separated part may also comprise various means facilitating grabbing by the user,
in order to facilitate opening, tight closing or transportation for example. Such
means include specific moulding of the external surface of the separable part for
that purpose.
1. A container (1), the container having a sealed state, an opened state and a re-closed
state, the sealed container having a main internal volume isolated from the outside
of the container, the container comprising a separable part (11), the separation of
the separable part providing an opening (2) in the container, the container being
opened after separation of the separable part (11), the separable part (11) cooperating
with the opening (2) of the container so that the container can be repeatedly re-closed
by applying the separable part (11) onto the opening, characterised in that the separable
part (11) comprises an auxiliary volume, whereby the auxiliary volume is part of the
main internal volume when the container is sealed.
2. The container according to claim 1, whereby the auxiliary volume is used for dosing
purposes through a dosing opening (4), the dosing opening corresponding to the communication
between the main internal volume and the auxiliary volume prior to separation of the
separable part (11).
3. The container according to claim 2, whereby the co-operation with the opening of the
container is provided by obstructing the opening of the container with the portion
(5) of the separable part (11) which is opposite to the dosing opening (4).
4. The container according to claim 2, whereby the portion of the separable part (11)
which is opposite to the dosing opening comprises stabilising means (5).
5. The container according to claim 1, whereby the container is a blow moulded container
produced using a form-fill-seal process.
6. The container according to claim 1, whereby the container contains a flowable material,
preferably a liquid, most preferably a liquid detergent.
7. The container according to claim 1, whereby the container is made from thermoplastic
resins, preferably polyolefin resins, most preferably polyethylene.
8. A process for using a separable part (11) of a container (1), the process comprising
a separation step and a re-closing step, the separation step consisting in breaking
off the separable part (11), the re-closing step consisting in re-closing the container
by applying the separable part (11) onto an opening (2), characterised in that the
process further comprises a dosing step, the dosing step consisting in using a volume
provided in the separable part (11) for dosing the content of the container after
the separation step.
9. The process according to claim 8, whereby the process further comprises a pretreatment
step, whereby the content of the container is poured into the separable part (11),
and poured from the separable part (11) onto a material to be treated by the content
of the container.
10. The process according to claim 8, whereby the process further comprises a dispensing
step, whereby the content of the container is poured into the separable part (11)
and the separable part (11) containing the content of the container is used to dispense
the content of the container through an opening, preferably during washing cycle of
a machine washing of clothes.