A PACKAGING ASSEMBLY

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging assembly. The present invention also relates to a liquid detergent product comprising a packaging assembly and a liquid detergent composition contained within the packaging assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Liquid detergents have been increasingly preferred by usersover solid detergents, mainly due to their improved water solubility during a washing cycle. Moreover, viscous liquid detergents (e.g., a liquid detergent composition with a viscosity of 500 centipoise ("cps") when poured out of a container) are desired as they tend to connote a premium product. However, such viscous liquid detergents pose challenges to packaging due to the increased difficulty in dispensing them out of the packaging along with the increased viscosity. For example, the flow rate of the liquid detergent may become too slow to be acceptable by users, or the liquid detergent may form bulks which then block the opening of the packaging.

[0003] Traditionally, the dispensing issue associated with viscous liquid detergents is solved by providing a container having a spout with a longitudinal slot or trough that runs along the length of the spout, i.e., the spout per se is not circumferentially integral. Admittedly such a slotted opening avoids an unacceptable slow flow rate or the formation of bulks. However, a liquid detergent may flow out of such a slotted spout too fast, thereby causing undesirable turbulence. Moreover, a fast flow rate of the liquid detergent causes insufficient ventilation, i.e., not sufficient air could ventilate into the container at the same time when the liquid detergent is dispensed out of the container. Therefore, the flow may undesirably stop or at least have discontinuous flowduring dispensing due to the significantly decreased air pressure in the container. Also, the prior art discloses the combination of a vent with such a spout. But in the art the size and position of the vent are not aligned well with the spout such that the ventilation function of the vent is not consistently reliable, i.e., during dispensing a liquid detergent may flow out of the vent too.

[0004] Document US 5 251 788 A discloses a dispenser closure for attachment to the threaded neck of a container including a spout portion and a cap portion. The spout portion includes an annular wall, a shoulder and a depending skirt. A spout is integrally formed within the spout portion and is non-concentrically disposed with an area defined by the annular wall. The spout is substantially closed and has an inner channel which is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The spout terminates at an upper end having an oval aperture and at a lower end at an inclined floor. A drainage opening is also formed in the spout portion and is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The drainage opening is adjacent the annular wall and extends through the inclined floor and vertically onto the spout. The cap portion has a radially projecting annular shoulder with a depending collar. The collar is threaded on an interior surface to engage a threaded exterior surface of the upper end of the spout portion.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a packaging assembly that provides a controlled dispensing of a liquid detergent composition, particularly viscous liquid detergent compositions, from the packaging assembly, i.e., a desired flow of the liquid detergent composition such as a proper flow rate, continuous flow, sufficient ventilation, or no turbulence.

[0006] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a transition piece that accommodates to a wide variety of containers, as well as a packaging assembly comprising the transition piece that allows the combination of a variety of containers and caps whilst maintaining a low variation of cap opening torques.

[0007] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a packaging assembly that allows a residual liquid composition to flow back from its opening to container utterly and efficiently after dispensing, thereby preventing it from accumulating and drying.

[0008] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a packaging assembly having several components that serve, independently or in combination with each other, as a visual reminder to users of the most efficient way in dispensing a liquid detergent composition contained in the packaging assembly.

[0009] It is even yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a packaging assembly comprising a transition piece and a dispensing cap, which allows for a precise dosing of a liquid composition, particularly concentrated liquid compositions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a packaging assembly as defined by the appended claims.

[0011] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a liquid detergent product comprising the packaging assembly and a liquid detergent composition contained within the packaging assembly, wherein the liquid detergent composition has a viscosity value of about 200 to about 3,000 cps,preferably of about 300 to about 2,000 cps, more preferably of about 500 to about 1,000 cps, at a shear rate of 20/sec and a temperature of 21°C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] 

Fig. 1 is a front view of a packaging assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a transition piece according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2B is a top view of the transition piece in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 2C is a bottom view of the transition piece in Fig. 2A.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectionalview of a transition piece comprising adouble sealing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a transition piece and a cap according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the transition piece and cap in Fig. 4 when the cap is sealingly engaged to the transition piece.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a packaging assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7is a top view of the transition pieces of Comparative Examples 2A and 2B and Examples 1B and 1A according to the present invention from left to right (in sequence).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The packaging assembly of the present invention provides a controlled dispensing of a liquid detergent composition from the packaging assembly. It has been surprisingly found that, by providing a spout having an opening that is circumferentially integral (i.e., without a longitudinal slot that runs along a partial or the entire length of the spout, in contrast to the spouts having a slot in the art), in combination with a particularly sized vent located at a particular position relative to the opening, the packaging assembly herein addresses the issue associated with ventilation, thereby allowing for a desired, steady flow of the liquid detergent composition. Moreover, by locating the vent adjacent to the base end of the spout, i.e., separate from the spout opening, the liquid composition route (i.e., the spout opening) does not compete with the air route (i.e., the vent), thereby reducing the turbulence while dispensing.

Definitions

[0014] As used herein, the term "liquid detergent composition" means a liquid composition relating to cleaning or treating: fabrics, hard or soft surfaces, hair, or any other surfaces in the area of fabric care, home care, and hair care. Examples of the detergent compositions include, but are not limited to: laundry detergent, laundry detergent additive, fabric softener, carpet cleaner, floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, toilet cleaner, sink cleaner, dishwashing detergent, air care, car care, shaving cream, hair shampoo, hair conditioner, and the like. Preferably, the liquid detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition, a liquid fabric softener composition, a liquid dishwashing detergent composition, or a liquid hard surface cleaning composition, more preferably is a liquid laundry detergent composition or a liquid fabric softener composition, even more preferably is a liquid laundry detergent composition. The liquiddetergent composition may be either aqueous or non-aqueous, and may be anisotropic, isotropic, or combinations thereof.

[0015] As used herein, the term "container" refers to packaging suitable for containing compositions, particularly liquid compositions. Non-limiting examples of containers include a bottle, a tottle, a jar, a cup, and the like.

[0016] As used herein, when a composition is "substantially free" of a specific ingredient, it is meant that the composition comprises less than a trace amount, alternatively less than 0.1%, alternatively less than 0.01%, alternatively less than 0.001%, by weight of the composition, of the specific ingredient.

[0017] As used herein, the articles including "a" and "an" when used in a claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described.

[0018] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising", "include", "includes", "including", "contain", "contains", and "containing" are meant to be non-limiting, i.e., other steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end of result can be added. The above terms encompass the terms "consisting of' and "consisting essentially of'.

Packaging Assembly

[0019] Fig. 1 illustrates a preferredembodiment of the packaging assembly 10 of the present invention. The packaging assembly 10 comprises a container 100 having an orifice 101 in fluid communication with the interior volume of the container 100 from which contained liquid composition may flow out, and a bottom surface 102 opposing the orifice 101. The container 100 comprises a peripheral wall 104 extending from the bottom surface 102 to the orifice 101. The bottom surface 102 defines a longitudinal axis ("L-Axis" as shown in Fig. 1) perpendicular thereto, and the longitudinal axis passes through the orifice 101, preferably intersecting the center point of the orifice 101. In certain executions (e.g., extrusion blow molding (EBM)), the container 100has a center line (not shown in the drawings) in its bottom surface 102. Preferably the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the center line of the bottom surface 102, and the longitudinal axis and center line together define a longitudinal section (not shown in the drawings). Preferably, the container 100 is bilaterally symmetrical along the longitudinal section.

[0020] The container 100herein can be of any suitable size known in the art. In one embodiment, the container is configured to have an internal volume of from 250 mL to8,000 mL, alternatively from500 mL to3,000 mL, alternatively from 800 mL to2,000mL.

[0021] The packaging assembly 10 comprises a transition piece 200 that can be engaged to the orifice 101 of the container 100, as shown in Fig. 1. The transition piece 200 can be transparent or translucent or opaque, but preferably is opaque and has the same color as the container 100, thereby indicating users that it should not be removed from the container 100 under intended usage. The transition piece 200 comprises: a spout 201 having a base end 202 proximate to the orifice 101 and an opposing pouring end 203 having a circumferentially integral opening 204; and a vent 209 adjacent to the base end 202. The spout 201 and the vent 209 are in fluid communication with the orifice 101. The spout 201 is configured to dispense a liquid composition that has flowed from the container 100 via the orifice 101, and the spout 201 comprises an interior surface 205 in contact with the liquid composition and an opposing exterior surface 206. Preferably the spout interior surface 205 has one or more ribs 223 (shown in Figs. 2B and 2C) extending along the entire length of the spout 201, thereby enhancing the strength of the spout 201. The vent 209 is configured to ventilate air into the container 100 during the dispensing and may also function as a drain hole so as to allow a residual liquid detergent composition remaining in the transition piece 200 to flow back into the container 100 after dispensing.

[0022] Preferably the spout opening 204 herein is relatively small. In one embodiment, the spout opening 204has a cross-sectional area of 20 mm² to 400 mm², more preferably of 50 mm² to 300 mm2, even more preferably of 100 mm² to 200 mm². Such a relatively small spout opening 204 enables a steady flow of a liquid composition from the container 100. By contrast, the container spouts having a relatively big opening in the art typically cause severe turbulence during dispensing.

[0023] The spout opening 204 has a particular ratio relative to the vent 209 in terms of cross-sectional area. Specifically, the vent 209 has a cross-sectional area that is 1/20 to 1/3, preferably 1/15 to 1/4, more preferably 1/10 to 1/5, of the cross-sectional area of the spout opening 204. The minimum dimension of a vent 209 is generally interlinked with the liquid composition contained within the container 100, particularly with the viscosity of the composition. The vent 209is preferably not so tiny that it could be easily blocked by the liquid composition while dispensing. In one embodiment, the vent 209 has a cross-sectional area of 2 mm² to 50 mm², preferably of 10 mm² to 40 mm², more preferably of 20 mm² to 30 mm². The spout 201 may comprise multiple vents 209. In the multiple-vent execution, the multiple vents 209should have a total cross-sectional area that satisfies the ratio requirement relative to the spout opening 204. These multiple vents 209 could be arranged either separately or side-by-side, but preferably side-by-side adjacent to the base end 202 of the spout 201.

[0024] Referring now to Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2C, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the transition piece 200 of the present invention. The spout 201 and the vent 209 are bilaterally symmetrical along the longitudinal section. Preferably the spout opening 204 is positioned offset from the longitudinal axis within the longitudinal section, and in the same manner the vent 209 is oppositely (relative to the spout opening 204) offset from the longitudinal axis within the longitudinal section. Thus, by separating as much as possible the positions of the spout opening 204 and the vent 209, the packaging assembly 10 avoids the competition between the liquid composition route and the air route, thereby reducing the turbulence while dispensing.

[0025] The spout opening 204 can be either slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, but preferably slanted. As illustrated in Fig. 2A, the spout opening 204 is slanted, comprising a first apex 207 and a first nadir 208 circumferentially opposing along the spout opening 204. In the slanted execution, the spout opening 204 could be of any acute angle, preferably from 15°to 85°, more preferably from 45°to 80°, relative to the longitudinal axis. The spout 201 can be either parallel to the longitudinal axis or tilted, but preferably tilted towards the first apex 207. Such a slanted spout opening 204 enables the packaging assembly 10 to provide a clear visual reminder to users of the most efficient way in dispensing a liquid composition contained in the packaging assembly 10, namely, tilting the packaging assembly 10 towards the first apex 207 of the slanted spout opening 204. Moreover, by slanting the spout opening 204 and tilting the spout 201 accordingly (i.e., towards the fist apex 207 of the slanted spout opening204), the packaging assembly 10 of the present invention reduces the angle at which a container has to be tilted to dispense a liquid composition, thereby facilitating the dosing experience. Additionally, such a slanted spout opening 204 allows for larger cross-sectional dimensions.

[0026] In one embodiment, the spout opening 204, especially at or proximate to the first apex 207, is sharp so that the flow of a liquid composition being poured from the container 100 can be abruptly stopped in a manner avoiding or reducing residue of the composition that stays on the exterior surface 206orthat flows back into the container 100 through the vent 209, thereby maintaining cleanliness of the packaging assembly 10 during usage. The sharpness of the spout opening 204 is preferably characterized by a chamfered edge (not shown in the drawings) of the spout opening 204. Such a chamfered edge is preferably straight at angle of 30°to 90°relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0027] The vent 209 and the spout opening204 are preferably generally aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis. As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the vent 209 and the spout opening 204 are aligned such that: the vent 209 and the first nadir 208 are within an angle of 0.25π radians, preferably within an angle of 0.1π radians of each other around the longitudinal axis. The vent 209 and the spout opening 204 are preferably also aligned such that: the vent 209 and the first apex 207 are of an angle from 0.75π to 1π radians, preferably of an angle from 0.9π to 1π radians, of each other around the longitudinal axis. Since the vent 209 has a cross-sectional area (i.e., is not a single point but includes multiple points), by definition if any point on the vent 209 satisfies the angle requirement relative to the first nadir 208 or the first apex 207, then the vent is of the defined angle with the first nadir 208 or the first apex 207. By aligning the vent 209 with a slanted spout opening 204, the packaging assembly 10 ensures an immediate, steady flow of a liquid composition from the container 100 once a user intentionally dispenses the composition in accordance with the visual reminder served by the slanted spout opening 204.

[0028] The spout 201 can be of any suitable length measured from the base end 202 to the spout opening 204 along the longitudinal axis, depending on factors such as the viscosity of the liquid detergent composition contained within the container 100, the sizes of the spout opening204 and the vent 209. In one embodiment, the spout has a length of 20 mm to 80 mm, alternatively from 20 mm to 60 mm, alternatively from 20 mm to 40 mm, alternatively from 40 mm to 60 mm, measured from the base end 202to the spout opening 204 along the longitudinal axis. Moreover, along the longitudinal axis the spout 201 can be of the same or different cross-sectional areas that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, but preferably is tapered (i.e., the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis becomes progressively narrower) towards the spout opening 204, as illustrated in Fig. 2A. Such a tapered spout further reduces the dispensing turbulence.

[0029] Both the spout opening 204 and the vent 209 can be of any suitable geometric shape, either symmetrical or asymmetrical. In one embodiment, the spout opening 204 has a shape selected from elliptical, round, semi-circled, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, or hexagonal. Preferably the spout opening 204 has an elliptical shape, as shown in Fig. 2B. Likewise, the vent 209 has a shape selected from annular, annular sector, elliptical, round, semi-circled, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, or hexagonal. In the execution when the vent 209 is located in a channel 210as will be illustrated hereinafter, the vent 209 has a shape aligned with the channel, preferably has an annular sector shape, as shown in Figs. 2B and 2C.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the transition piece 200 further comprises a channel 210, preferably an annular channel 210, surrounding the base end 202 of the spout 201; and a radially protruding shroud 213 surrounding the channel 210. The vent 209 is located in the channel 210. The shroud 213 comprises an exterior surface 215, an opposing interior surface 214, and a shoulder 217 therebetween. The shroud interior surface 214 is facing the spout exterior surface 206, thereby forming a void 219 between the shroud 213 and the spout 201. The channel 210 defines the bottom boundary of the void 219. Preferably, both the channel 210 and the shroud 213 are annular around the longitudinal axis.

[0031] Similar to the spout opening 204, the channel 210 can be either slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, but preferably is slanted. As illustrated in Fig. 2A, the channel 210 is slanted, comprising a second apex 211 and a second nadir 212 circumferentially opposing along the channel 210. In the slanted execution, the channel 210 can be of any acute angle, preferably from 5°to 85°, more preferably from 20°to 70°, relative to the longitudinal axis. The vent 209 is located at the second nadir 212 of the channel 210 as to allow a liquid composition to gravitationally flow back into the container 100 when in an upright position. The vent 209 and the channel 210 are further aligned such that: the vent 209 and the second apex 211 are of an angle from 0.75π to 1π radians, preferably of an angle from 0.9π to 1π radians, of each other around the longitudinal axis. Since the vent 209 has a cross-sectional area (i.e., is not a single point but includes multiple points), by definition if any point on the vent 209 satisfies the angle requirement relative to the second apex 211, then the vent and the second apex 211are of the defined angle. In the multiple-vent execution, preferably at least one of the multiple vents 209 is located in the channel 210, more preferably one of the multiple vents 209 is located at the second nadir 212 of the channel 210. Even more preferably, the multiple vents 210 are arranged side-by-side, located in the channel 210, wherein one of the multiple vents 209 is located at the second nadir 212 of the channel 210. By slanting the channel 210 (preferably at an appropriate angle) and locating the vent 209 at a particular position, the packaging assembly 10 of the present invention allows the residue of a liquid detergent composition to flow back from its opening to container utterly and efficiently after dispensing, thereby preventing the residue from accumulating and drying.

[0032] The transition piece 200 comprises a double sealing system: a first sealing means 220 configured to seal the transition piece 200 with the container 100; and a second sealing means 221 configured to seal the transition piece 200 with a cap 300. The first sealing means 220 and the second sealing means 221 can be located at any suitable positions of the transition piece 200. Accordingly, the container100 comprises a corresponding container sealing means 103 disposed on the container peripheral wall 104 proximate to the orifice 101 as shown in Fig. 1, and the cap 300 comprises a corresponding cap sealing means 304 disposed on the cap peripheral wall 305 proximate to the cap opening 301 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0033] Fig. 3 illustrates a preferredembodiment of the transition piece 200 having such a double sealing system, sealed with a container sealing means 103 and a cap sealing means 304. The shroud 213 further comprises a fastener surface 218 on the underside of the shroud exterior surface 215, and the first sealing means 220is disposed on the shroud fastener surface 218. When the transition piece 200 is sealed with the container 100, a portion of the container peripheral wall 104 proximate to the orifice 101 is inserted between the shroud interior surface 214 and shroud exterior surface 215, and the container sealing means 103 matches with the first sealing means 220. The second sealing means 221is disposed on the shroud interior surface 214. Preferably the cap sealing means 304 is aligned with the void 219 of the transition piece 200 so as to be inserted into the void 219 and to seal with the second sealing means 221. In one embodiment, the cap further comprises a shoulder 303 abutting the cap sealing means 304, and the cap shoulder 303 is preferably aligned with the shroud shoulder 217 such that they connect or parallel to each other, thereby enhancing the connection between the transition piece 200 and the cap 300.

[0034] Each pair of sealing means (namely, the first sealing means 220 and its corresponding container sealing means 103, and the second sealing means 221 and its corresponding cap sealing means 304) can be of any suitable sealing technologies in the art, such as interlocking corresponding threads, or a lug and groove combination. Preferably, each pair of sealing means comprises interlocking corresponding threads helically disposed on the shroud fastener surface 218 and the container 100, or on the shroud interior surface 214 and the cap 300, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0035] In one preferredembodiment, the shroud 213 further comprises an auxiliary sealing means in addition to the first and second sealing means 220, 221. The auxiliary sealing means is preferably configured to enhance the connection of the transition piece 200 with the container 100 or the cap 300. The auxiliary sealing means can be disposed at any suitable position of the shroud 213, but preferably above the first sealing means 220. The auxiliary sealing means can be of any suitable sealing technologies in the art, such as a bending surface of any sort. The bending surface can be a bending ring, which connects with the opposing surface in a continuous manner imposing a minimum pressure in all its length, or alternatively be a seal aligning the surfaces of the two opposing parts to be sealed in a parallel manner. An example of the bending ring is known as a plug seal 222 (i.e., an obstruction protruded from the shroud 213, which bends when sealed with a corresponding sealing means), as shown in Fig. 3. An example of the seal formed between two aligned surfaces is known as a flat wall seal (i.e., a flat wall constituting an integral part of a surface of the shroud 213, which deforms when sealed with a corresponding sealing means. Not shown in the drawings). Preferably, the auxiliary sealing means is a plug seal 222 disposed on the underside of the shroud shoulder 217, above the first sealing means 220, as illustrated in Fig. 3. When sealed with the container 100, the plug seal 222 bends but its deformation does not expand to any other portions of the transition piece 200, i.e., without deforming the transition piece 200 except for the plug seal 222. This is due to the nature of the plug seal 222 where the connecting area between the obstruction and its corresponding part (in this case the transition piece 200) is thin versus the flat wall seal where the contacting surfaces form the seal and therefore enables bending through the entire transition piece 200. Thus, the plug seal 222 allows the transition piece 200 to accommodate to multiple dimensions of container necks. This improved applicability of the transition piece 200 to a wide variety of containers 100 significantly reduces the variability of industry process present in large scale production, e.g., dimensional variations when a bottle is produced with multiple plastic resins, which, due to the nature of the plastic resins, has wide dimensional variations. Moreover, the non-deformation of the transition piece 200 ensures a relatively low variation of opening torques in term of the connection with the cap 300 since the second sealing means 221 that is configured to seal with the cap 300 is not negatively impacted by any deformation. Therefore, by adopting a plug seal 222 as an auxiliary sealing means, the packaging assembly 10 of the present invention allows the combination of a variety of containers and caps whilst maintaining a low variation of cap opening torques. By contrast, in the art such an independent transition piece is not utilized, and accordingly the direct interaction of a container and cap requires the perfect match between the container and the cap and causes an undesired high variation of opening torques when combining different containers and caps.

[0036] The shroud exterior surface 215 has a set of linear indentations 216, as can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Such a set of linear indentations 216 could be present either circumferentially around the shroud exterior surface 215 or at a portion of the shroud exterior surface 215, but preferably circumferentially around the shroud exterior surface 215. The provision of the set of linear indentations enables increased friction, which is desired when a user holds the packaging assembly 10 by grasping the transition piece 200 or when he removes the cap 300 (e.g., screw off the cap 300) by twisting the cap 300 and the transition piece 200 in opposite directions.

[0037] Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown a preferredembodiment of the packaging assembly 10 of the present invention, which further comprises a cap 300 removably sealingly engaged to the transition piece 200. Fig. 4 shows a cap 300 that is disengaged from the transition piece 200, and Fig. 5 shows a cap that is sealingly engaged to the transition piece 200. By sealingly engaged, it is meant that the cap 300 does not leak a quantity of a liquid detergent composition from the container 100 or the transition piece 200, under typical stresses to the cap300 or the container 100 or the transition piece 200 that occur during manufacturing, packaging, shipping, handling, storage,and use of the packaging assembly 10 and liquid detergent composition contained therein. Typical stress is quantified for example as a drop test of a full capped container, on its side or bottom, from a height of 1.5m or less, preferably 0.8m or less, or alternatively a pressure build inside a capped container below necessary to overcome a seal pressure of 5000 kPa. The cap 300 is configured to enclose the spout 201, and the cap 300 is in fluid communication with the spout 201 when sealingly engaged to the transition piece 200.

[0038] In one embodiment, the cap 300 is a dispensing cap, i.e., a user first dispenses a liquid detergent composition from the container 100 to the dispensing cap and then dispenses the composition from the dispensing cap to a washing machine or a washing basin. The cap 300 preferably has an internal volume of 10 mL to 250 mL, preferably 30 mL to 150 mL, more preferably 50 mL to 100 mL. The internal volume of the cap 300 can be depending on factors such as the internal volume of the container 100 and/or the concentration of the liquid detergent composition contained within the container 100. For example, when the liquid detergent composition within the container100 is highly concentrated and requires only a small amount to be dosed during a washing cycle, the internal volume of the cap 300 may be small, e.g., 40 mL. In the present invention, it has been surprisingly found that the dispensing cap 300, in combination with the spout 201 that has a circumferentially integral opening 204, enables a precise, quick dosing of a liquid detergent composition, particularly of concentrated liquid detergent compositions. At least a portion of the cap 300,preferably the entire cap 300, can be transparent or translucent or opaque, but preferably is transparent, thereby allowing for a precise dosing of users. Preferably, the cap 300 is marked with one or more volumetric indicia, such as indicium at 15 mL, 50 mL, and 65 mL.

[0039] As seen from Fig. 4, the cap 300 comprises an opening 301, a base 302, and a peripheral wall 305 extending from the base 302 to the opening 301. The cap peripheral wall 305 can comprise an exterior surface and an opposing inner surface. Preferably the cap exterior surface is generally rough, more preferably has a number of dots (not shown in the drawings) to roughen the surface, thereby enabling a desired friction when a user tries to sealingly engage the cap 300 to or remove the cap 300 from the transition piece 200.

[0040] The cap 300 can be of any suitable height. Preferably the cap 300 has a height with relevant to the length of the spout 201, particularly a height longer than the length of the spout 201. In one embodiment, the cap 300 has a height of 20 mm to 100 mm, preferably from 30 mm to 80 mm, more preferably from 40 mm to 70 mm, measured along the longitudinal axis when free standing, i.e., when the cap 300 stands on its base 302. Preferably the spout 201 has a length of 20 mm to 80 mm measured from the base end 202 to the spout opening 204 along the longitudinal axis, and the height of the cap 300 is longer, preferably slightly longer than the length of the spout 201.

[0041] The cap opening 301 can be of any geometric shape, but preferably is aligned with the void 219 of the transition piece 200 in terms of shape, and more preferably is of a round shape. The cap opening 301 preferably has a cross-sectional area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of the spout opening 204, thereby ensuring the spout 201 to be inserted into the cap 300 and enclosed when the cap 300 is sealingly engaged to the transition piece 200. In one embodiment, the spout opening 204 has a cross-sectional area that is less than 50%, preferably less than 40%, more preferably less than 30%, of the cross-sectional area of the cap opening 301, thus enabling a desired flow of a liquid composition from the transition piece 200 to the cap 100.

[0042] The cap opening 301 can have a weir (not shown in the drawings) configured to provide a more precise delivery of a liquid detergent composition by constricting the flow of the composition from the cap 300. The weir can be of any common shapes suitable for weirs, including a V shape, a semicircular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a multilevel weir having discontinuous function describing the hydraulic radius, or any other such shape that constricts flow of liquid detergent compositions.

[0043] The cap base 302 serves as a stand when the cap 300 is filled with a liquid composition, i.e., the cap 300 is upside down from the embodiment as shown in Fig. 4. The cap base 302 is preferably generally flat. More preferably, as shown in Fig. 5, the cap base 302 is slightly concave towards its center, thereby enabling a steady standing of the cap 300.

[0044] The cap 300 has an obconic shape, preferably has an obconic shape as shown in Fig. 5, when sealingly engaged to the transition piece 200 ( i.e., when the cap sealing means 304 is hidden from view). Such an obconic shape facilitates disengaging the cap 300 from the transition piece 200 and also enhances a steady standing particularly when the cap 300 is filled with a liquid composition.

[0045] The packaging assembly 10 of the present invention can further comprise a handle 400. The handle 400 can be either a through handle (i.e., a completely open space through which fingers and/or thumb can be inserted) or a non-through handle (i.e., certain portion of a container depresses to form a grip without a completely open space). Such a non-through handle is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2013/0270280A1. Preferably, the handle 400 is a through handle, as shown in Fig. 6. In one embodiment, the through handle 400 has a cross-sectional area of 5 cm² to50 cm², preferably 10 cm² to35cm², more preferably 15 cm² to30 cm².

[0046] The handle 400 can be located at any suitable position of the container 100, e.g., at the top of the container 100, at the bottom of the container 100, at a side of the container 100. Preferably the handle 400 is located at a side of the container 100, but bilaterally symmetrical along the longitudinal section. In one embodiment, the handle 400 and the vent 209 are generally aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis, preferably are aligned such that: the handle 400 and the vent 209 are within an angle of 0.25π radians, preferably within an angle of 0.1π radians of each other around the longitudinal axis. Likewise, in the execution of a slanted spout opening 204, the handle 400 and the spout opening 204 are aligned such that: the handle 400 and the first apex 207 are of an angle from 0.75π to 1π radians, preferably of an angle from 0.9π to 1π radians of each other around the longitudinal axis. Since both the handle 400 and the vent 209 have a cross-sectional area (i.e., are not a single point but includes multiple points), by definition if any point on the handle 400 or the vent 209 satisfies the above angle requirements, then the relevant objects (the handle 400, the vent 209, and the first apex 207) are of the defined angle. Such a side located handle 400 enables the packaging assembly 10 to provide a clear visual reminder to users of the most efficient way in dispensing a liquid composition contained in the packaging assembly 10, namely, tilting the packaging assembly 10 by lifting the side of the container 100 having the handle 400. Moreover, by aligning the handle 400 with the vent 209 and the slanted spout opening 204, the packaging assembly 10 ensures an immediate, steady flow of a liquid composition from the container 100 once a user intentionally dispenses the composition in accordance with the visual reminder served by the slanted spout opening 204.

[0047] Each component of the packaging assembly10 of the present invention can be made of any suitable material, such as glass, metal, polymer, and the like, but preferably is made of polymer. In particular, the container 100, the transition piece 200, and the cap 300 can be made of the same or different materials. Preferably, each of them is independently made of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polyamides (PA) polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and a combination thereof.

[0048] Each component of the packaging assembly10 of the present invention can be made by any suitable process known in the art, depending on factors like the material of the component or the property criteria required for the component. Non-limiting examples of processes include: extrusion blow molding (EBM), injection molding (IM), injection blow molding (IBM), and injection stretch blow molding (ISBM), thermoforming,compression molding, compression blow molding, injection and blow (I&B). In one embodiment, the container 100 is made by EBM, the transition piece 200 is made by IM, and the cap 300 is made by ISBM.

[0049] Preferably the portion of the transition piece 200 that is expected to be in contact with a liquid composition (e.g., the spout interior surface 205, the vent 209, the channel 210), is relatively smooth, and more preferably is produced industrially in a smooth manner. In one embodiment, the mold for producing the transition piece 200 has a suitable mold finish, preferably has a VDI 3400 finish standard of 12 to 35, preferably 20 to 28, more preferably 22 to 26. The term "mold finish" herein refers to the surface texture and/or smoothness of the surface of a mold. VDI 3400 finish standard is a widely accepted standard in the industry for defining the polishing standard on mold finish. VDI 3400 finish standard includes a scale of 0 to 45 for mold finish, and as the number increases, the surface of the indicated mold is rougher. The preferred mold finish enables a transition piece 200 that has reduced friction with a liquid composition and thus less turbulence during dispensing, as well as less residules after the dispensing. Likewise, the portions of the cap 300 and the container 100 that are expected to be in contact with a liquid composition (e.g., their interior surfaces) are preferably smooth and produced in a relatively smooth mold finish.

Liquid Detergent Composition

[0050] The packaging assembly of the present invention can contain any common liquid detergent compositions and accommodate to a variety of composition viscosities. In one preferred embodiment, the liquid detergent composition has a certain viscosity so as to be dispensed form the packaging assembly properly. Preferably, the liquid detergent composition has a viscosity value of 200 to 3,000 cps, more preferably 300 to 2,000 cps, even more preferably of 500 to 1,000 cps, at a shear rate of 20/sec and a temperature of 21°C. The viscosity at a shear rate of 20/sec is also referred to as a "pouring viscosity" since the shear rate of dispensing a liquid composition from a container is around 20/sec. In addition, it is worth noting that typically a liquid composition having a pouring viscosity of above 200 cps is referred to as a "viscous liquid composition".

[0051] Different from the pouring viscosity, a "resting viscosity" characterizes the viscosity of a liquid composition when resting, i.e., at a shear rate of around 1/sec. The value of the resting viscosity of a liquid composition may be the same or different from that of the pouring viscosity of the composition, depending on ingredients constituting the composition. In one embodiment, the liquid detergent composition herein has a viscosity value of 500 to 6,000 cps, preferably of 800 to 3,000 cps, more preferably of 1,500 to 2,500 cps, at a shear rate of 1/sec and a temperature of 21°C.

[0052] The liquid detergent composition herein may comprise one or more ingredients. Suitable materials include but are not limited to: anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, fatty acids, builders, rheology modifiers, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach activators, hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, preformed peracids, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, photobleaches, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, solvents, hueing agents, anti-microbial agents, perfume oils, perfume microcapsules, and/or pigments. In addition to the disclosure below, suitable examples of such other adjuncts and levels of use are found in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,576,282, 6,306,812, and 6,326,348. The precise nature of these ingredients and the levels thereof in the liquid detergent composition will depend on factors like the specific type of the composition and the nature of the cleaning operation for which it is to be used.

[0053] In one embodiment, the liquid detergent composition comprises an anionic surfactant. Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include: linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), preferably C₁₀-C₁₆ LAS; C₁₀-C₂₀ primary, branched-chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); C₁₀-C₁₈ secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates; sulphated fatty alcohol ethoxylate (AES), preferably C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AE_xS) wherein preferably x is from 1-30, more preferably x is 1-3; C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy carboxylates preferably comprising 1-5 ethoxy units; mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in US 6,020,303 and US 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed in US 6,008,181 and US 6,020,303; modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, and WO 99/05244; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS). Preferably, the composition comprises an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of LAS, AES, AS, and a combination thereof, more preferably selected from the group consisting of LAS, AES, and a combination thereof. The total level of the anionic surfactant(s) may be from 5% to 95%, alternatively from 8% to 70%, alternatively from 10% to 50%, alternatively from 12% to 40%, alternatively from 15% to 30%, by weight of the liquid detergent composition.

[0054] In one preferred embodiment, the liquid detergent composition of the present invention comprises a rheology modifier (also referred to as a "structurant" in certain situations), which functions to adjust the viscosity of the composition so as to be more applicable to the packaging assembly. The rheology modifier herein can be any known ingredient that is capable of adjusting rheology to a liquid composition, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0205631A1, 2005/0203213A1, and U.S. Patent Nos. 7294611, 6855680. Preferably the rheology modifier is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-containing crystalline material, polyacrylate, polysaccharide, polycarboxylate, amine oxide, alkali metal salt, alkaline earth metal salt, ammonium salt, alkanolammonium salt, C₁₂-C₂₀ fatty alcohol, di-benzylidene polyol acetal derivative (DBPA), di-amido gallant, a cationic polymer comprising a first structural unit derived from methacrylamide and a second structural unit derived from diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and a combination thereof.

[0055] Preferably, the rheology modifier is a hydroxy-containing crystalline material generally characterized as crystalline, hydroxyl-containing fatty acids, fatty esters and fatty waxes, such as castor oil and castor oil derivatives. More preferably the rheology modifier is a hydrogenated castor oil (HCO).

[0056] Therheologymodifier can be present at any suitable level in the liquid detergent composition. Preferably, the rheology modifier is present from 0.05% to 5%, preferably from 0.08% to 3%, more preferably from 0.1% to 1%, by weight of the composition, in the composition.

Liquid Detergent Product

[0057] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a liquid detergent product comprising the packaging assembly and the liquid detergent composition as discussed above. Preferably, the liquid detergent composition is able to be flowed out of the packaging assembly at a desired flow rate, preferably at a flow rate of 10 mL/s to 40 mL/s, alternatively of 15 mL/s to 38 mL/s, alternatively of 20 mL/s to about 35 mL/s.

[0058] Preferably, the packaging assembly herein is designed as to dispense a liquid detergent composition with a certain viscosity value (pouring viscosity) from the packaging assembly at the most desirable flow rate. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that generally the lower the viscosity of the liquid detergent composition, the faster the flow rate, the longer the spout, and the bigger the vent. On the contrary, the higher the viscosity of the liquid detergent composition, the slower the flow rate, the shorter the spout, and the smaller the vent. In other words, the liquid detergent product of the present invention is configured to match a liquid detergent composition having a certain viscosity value with a packaging assembly having a suitable design.

[0059] In one embodiment, the liquid detergent composition has a viscosity value of 300 to 800 cps at a shear rate of 20/sec and a temperature of 21°C (i.e., a relatively low pouring viscosity), the spout has a length of 40 mm to 60 mm measured from the base end to the spout opening along the longitudinal axis, and the vent has a cross-sectional area of 25 mm² to 50 mm², wherein the liquid detergent composition is able to be flowed out of the packaging assembly at a flow rate of 30 mL/s to 40 mL/s.

[0060] Alternatively, the liquid detergent composition has a viscosity value of 800 to 3,000 cps at a shear rate of 20/sec and a temperature of 21°C (i.e., a relatively high pouring viscosity), the spout has a length of 30 mm to 40 mm measured from the base end to the spout opening along the longitudinal axis, and the vent has a cross-sectional area of 15 mm² to 25 mm², wherein the liquid detergent composition is able to be flowed out of the packaging assembly at a flow rate of 15 mL/s to 30 mL/s.

Method for Determining of Viscosity for Liquid Compositions

[0061] Unless otherwise specified, the viscosity is measured using an AR G2 rheometer (TA Instrument Ltd.), with a truncated cone spindle having an angle of 1°59'24" and a gap of 49 microns. The shear rate increases from 1 s^-1 to 500 s^-1, and the rheology is read when the measurement achieves <5% variation at each shear rate. All the measurements are done at 21°C.

Examples

[0062] The Examples herein are meant to exemplify the present invention but are not used to limit or otherwise define the scope of the present invention. Examples1A - 1B are packaging assemblies according to the present invention, Examples 3A - 3D are liquid laundry detergent composition examples according to the present invention, and Examples 2A - 2B are comparative examples of certain packaging assemblies in the art. Fig. 7 illustrates the transition pieces of Comparative Examples 2A and 2B and Examples 1B and 1A in sequence (from left to right).

Examples 1A - 1B: Packaging assemblies of the present invention

[0063] Example 1A is the packaging assembly as shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, the container of Example 1A has an internalvolume of 2000mL, and the cap of Example 1A has an internal volume of 80 mL. The transition piece as used in Example 1A is exactly the same as the one shown in Figs. 2A, 2B, and 2C. The spout opening of the transition piece has a cross-sectional area of about 177mm², and the vent has a cross-sectional area of about 30 mm². The spout has a length of about 55 mm measuredfrom its base end to the spout opening along the longitudinal axis.

[0064] The packaging assembly of Example 1B comprises the same container and cap as Example 1A, but has a slightly different transition piece. The 3^rd transition piece (from left) as illustrated in Fig. 7 is the one used for Example 1B. This transition piece has a circumferentially integral spout opening and 5 tiny vents arranged side-by-side. The spout opening therein has a cross-sectional area of about 154mm², and the 5 vents have a total cross-sectional area of about 12 mm². The spout has a length of about 45 mm measuredfrom its base end to the spout opening along the longitudinal axis.

[0065] In Example 1, the container is made by EBM, the transition piecesare made by IM, and the cap is made by ISBM.

Comparative Examples 2A - 2B: Packaging assemblies in the art

[0066] The packaging assemblies of Comparative Examples 2A - 2B comprise the same container and cap as Example 1, but have different transition pieces, as shown in Fig. 7. Specifically, the transition piece of Example 2A has a relatively large spout opening (having a cross-sectional area of about 320 mm²), and the opening spout therein has a longitudinal slot along the entire length of the spout, i.e., the spout per se is not circumferentially integral. Similar to Example 2A, the transition piece of Example 2B has a longitudinal slot along the entire length of its spout albeit having a relatively small spout opening (having a cross-sectional area of about 110 mm²). Each of the transition pieces of Examples 2A and 2B has a vent abutting the slot of the spout therein, as shown in Fig. 7, in contrast to a vent separated from a spout as in Examples 1A and 1B. The lengths of the spouts of the transition pieces of Examples 2A - 2B measured from their base end to the spout opening along the longitudinal axis are about 45 mm and 50 mm, respectively. Both the transition pieces of Examples 2A - 2B are made by IM.

Example 3: Formulations of liquid laundry detergent compositions

[0067] The following liquid laundry detergent compositionsshown in Table 1are made comprising the listed ingredients in the listed proportions (weight %).

Table 1

	3A	3B	3C	3D
C12-14AE1-3S	13	8.3	10	6
C11-13LAS	3	5.5	6.5	6
Neodol®25-7 a	1.4	1.2	1.4	4.2
C6-C15 dimethyl amine oxide	0	0	0	0.5
Citric acid	0	2	1.7	1.2
Boric acid	0	2	1.9	1.9
C12-C18 fatty acid	1.5	1.2	1.3	1
Na-DTPA b	0.06	0.2	0.4	0.2
1, 2 propanediol	0	1.2	2.5	2
Calcium chloride	0	0	0.06	0.03
Sodium cumene sulphonate	0	0	0	0.2
Silicone emulsion	0	0.0025	0.0025	0.0025
Monoethanolamine	0.07	0	0	0.096
Sodium polyacrylate	1.4	0	0	0
NaOH	Up to pH 8	Up to pH 8	Up to pH 8	Up to pH 8
Brightener	0	0.06	0.06	0.06
Protease	0	0	0.45	0
Amylase	0	0	0.08	0
Dye	0	0.002	0.002	0.002
Perfume oil	0	0.6	0.6	0.6
Hydrogenated castor oil	0	0	0	0.12
Water	Add to 100	Add to 100	Add to 100	Add to 100

aNeodol®25-7 is C12-C15 alcohol ethoxylated with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide as a nonionic surfactant, available from Shell bpenta sodium salt diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid as a chelant

Preparation of the liquid laundry detergent compositions of Examples 3A - 3D

[0068] The liquid detergent compositions of Examples 3A - 3D are prepared by the following steps:

a) mixing a combination of NaOH and water in a batch container by applying a shear of 200 rpm;

b) adding citric acid (if any), boric acid (if any), C₁₁-C₁₃LAS,and NaOH into the batch container, keeping on mixing by applying a shear of 200 rpm;

c) cooling down the temperature of the combination obtained in step b) to 25°C;

d) addingC_12-14AE_1-3S,Na-DTPA,Neodol^®25-7, C₁₂-C₁₈ fatty acid, 1,2 propanediol (if any), monoethanolamine,C₆-C₁₅ dimethyl amine oxide (if any), and calcium chloride (if any), sodium cumene sulphonate (if any), silicone emulsion (if any), sodium polyacrylate (if any)into the batch container, mixing by applying a shear of 250 rpm until the combination is homogeneously mixed, and adjusting pH to 8;

e) adding brightener (if any), protease (if any), amylase (if any), dye (if any), and perfume oil (if any) into the batch container,mixing by applying a shear of 250 rpm; and

f) adding hydrogenated castor oil (if any) into the batch container, thus forming a liquid laundry detergent composition,

wherein each ingredient in the composition is present in the level as specified for Examples 3A - 3C in Table 1.

Comparative data of Examples 1 - 2 on flow rate of dispensing

[0069] Comparative experiments of assessing the flow rates of the liquid laundry detergent compositions of Examples 3A - 3C by dispensing them from the packaging assemblies of Examples 1A - 1B and Examples 2A - 2B, respectively, are conducted. Specifically, the containers are full of a liquid laundry detergent composition. The liquid laundry detergent composition is dispensed from the container (particularly from each transition piece) to the cap. During dispensing the container is tilted at an angle of about 30° relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0070] The flow rates of the dispensing, as well as the viscosity of the compositions, are shown in Table 2. The viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 20/sec and a temperature of 21°C, according to the method for determining of viscosity for liquid compositions as described hereinabove.

Table 2

		3A	3B	3C
	Viscosity/cps	450	570	1200
Example 1A	Flow rate/mL/s	36.1	32.5	16.3
Example 1B		24.1	21.7	13.3
Comparative Example 2A		46.4	40.6	32.5
Comparative Example 2B		14.1	12.0	5.4

[0071] As shown in Table 2, the packaging assemblies according to the present invention (Examples 1A and 1B) demonstrate desired flow rates (e.g., a flow rate of 10 mL/s to 40 mL/s) across all tested liquid laundry detergent compositions. By contrast, the packaging assembly of Comparative Example 2A provides a dispensing flow rate that is too fast, thereby causing undesired turbulence during the dispensing. And the packaging assembly of Comparative Example 2B shows an unacceptable slow flow rate.

[0072] Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages, ratios, and proportions are calculated based on weight of the total composition. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (°C) unless otherwise indicated. All component or composition levels are in reference to the active level of that component or composition, and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or byproducts, which may be present in commercially available sources.

[0073] It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

[0074] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

[0075] The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[0076] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A packaging assembly (10), comprising:

a) a container (100) comprising an orifice (101) and an opposing bottom surface (102), said bottom surface (102) defining a longitudinal axis perpendicular thereto, wherein said longitudinal axis passes through said orifice (101); and

b) a transition piece (200) engaged to said orifice (101), comprising:

i) a spout (201) having a base end (202) proximate to said orifice (101) and an opposing pouring end (203) having a circumferentially integral opening (204); and

ii) a vent (209) located adjacent to said base end (202),

wherein said spout (201) and said vent (209) are in fluid communication with said orifice (101), and said vent (209) has a cross-sectional area that is 1/20 to 1/3 of the cross-sectional area of said spout opening (204)

wherein said transition piece (200) further comprises an annular channel (210) surrounding said base end (202) and a radially protruding shroud (213) surrounding said channel (210), wherein said vent (209) is located in said channel (210), wherein said shroud (213) comprises an exterior surface (215), an interior surface (214) opposing to said exterior surface (215), a shoulder (217) therebetween, and a fastener surface (218) on the underside of said exterior surface (215), wherein said shroud exterior surface (215) has a set of linear indentations (216), and said shroud fastener surface (218) has first sealing means (220) configured to seal said transition piece (200) with said container (100);
the packaging assembly further comprising:

c) a cap (300) removably sealingly engaged to said transition piece (200), configured to enclose said spout (201), wherein said cap (300) is in fluid communication with said spout (201) when sealingly engaged to said transition piece (200), wherein said cap (300) has an obconic shape when sealingly engaged to said transition piece (200), whereby said shroud interior surface (214) has a second sealing means (221) configured to seal said transition piece (200) with the cap.

2. The packaging assembly according to Claim 1, wherein said spout opening (204) has a cross-sectional area of 20 mm² to 400 mm².

3. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said channel (210) is slanted, comprising a second apex (211) and a second nadir (212) circumferentially opposing along said channel (210), wherein said vent (209) is located at said second nadir (212), wherein said channel (210) is of an angle from 5° to 85° relative to the longitudinal axis.

4. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said shroud (213) further comprises a plug seal (222) disposed on the underside of said shroud shoulder (217).

5. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (100) is bilaterally symmetrical along a longitudinal section comprising the longitudinal axis, wherein both said spout (201) and said vent (209) are bilaterally symmetrical along the longitudinal section and oppositely offset from the longitudinal axis within the longitudinal section.

6. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spout opening (204) has a shape selected from elliptical, round, semi-circled, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, or hexagonal.

7. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, said spout opening (204) is slanted, comprising a first apex (207) and a first nadir (208) circumferentially opposing along said spout opening (204), wherein said spout opening (204) is of an angle from 15° to 85° relative to the longitudinal axis, and said spout (201) is tapered towards said spout opening (204) and tilted towards said first apex (207).

8. The packaging assembly according to claim 7, wherein said vent (209) and said spout opening (204) are aligned such that: said vent (209) and said first nadir (208) are within an angle of about 0.25π radians of each other around the longitudinal axis, and said vent (209) and said first apex (208) are of an angle from 0.75π to 1π radians of each other around the longitudinal axis.

9. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cap (300) is characterized by one or more of the following, preferably wherein said cap (300) is characterized by two or more of the following, more preferably wherein said cap (300) is characterized by all three of the following:

a) wherein said cap (300) is a dispensing cap and has an interval volume of 10 mL to 250 mL, and said cap (300) is at least partially transparent and marked with one or more volumetric indicia;

b) wherein said cap (300) has a height of 20 mm to 100 mm measured along the longitudinal axis when free standing, said spout (201) has a length of 20 mm to 80 mm measured from said base end (202) to said spout opening (204) along the longitudinal axis, and the height of said cap (300) is longer than the length of said spout (201); and

c) wherein said cap (300) comprises a cap opening (301), wherein said spout opening (204) has a cross-sectional area that is less than 50% of the cross-sectional area of said cap opening (301).

10. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a handle (400), wherein said handle (400) is aligned with said vent (209) such that said handle (400) and said vent (209) are within an angle of about 0.25π radians of each other around the longitudinal axis.

11. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging assembly (10) comprises multiple vents (209) located side-by-side adjacent to said base end (202), and said multiple vents (209) have a total cross-sectional area that is 1/20 to 1/3 of the cross-sectional area of said spout opening (204).

12. A liquid detergent product comprising the packaging assembly according to any one of the proceeding claims and a liquid detergent composition contained within the packaging assembly, wherein the liquid detergent composition has a viscosity value of 200 to 3,000 centipoise ("cps") at a shear rate of 20/sec and a temperature of 21°C, and the liquid detergent composition is able to be flowed out of the packaging assembly at a flow rate of 10 mL/s to 40 mL/s;
preferably wherein the liquid detergent composition comprises a rheology modifier selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-containing crystalline material, polyacrylate, polysaccharide, polycarboxylate, amine oxide, alkali metal salt, alkaline earth metal salt, ammonium salt, alkanolammonium salt, C₁₂-C₂₀ fatty alcohol, di-benzylidene polyol acetal derivative, di-amido gallant, a cationic polymer comprising a first structural unit derived from methacrylamide and a second structural unit derived from diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and a combination thereof.

13. Use of either the packing assembly of any one of claims 1-11 or the liquid detergent product of claim 12, in cleaning fabric.

Ansprüche

1. Verpackungsanordnung (10), umfassend:

a) einen Behälter (100), der eine Öffnung (101) und eine gegenüberliegende Bodenfläche (102) umfasst, wobei die Bodenfläche (102) eine senkrecht dazu verlaufende Längsachse definiert, wobei die Längsachse durch die Öffnung (101) verläuft; und

b) ein Übergangsstück (200), das mit der Öffnung (101) in Eingriff steht, umfassend:

i) einen Ausguss (201) mit einem Basisende (202) in der Nähe der Öffnung (101) und einem gegenüberliegenden Gießende (203) mit einer in Umfangsrichtung integralen Öffnung (204); und

ii) eine Entlüftung (209), die sich angrenzend an das Basisende (202) befindet,

wobei der Ausguss (201) und die Entlüftung (209) in Fluidverbindung mit der Öffnung (101) stehen und die Entlüftung (209) eine Querschnittsfläche aufweist, die 1/20 bis 1/3 der Querschnittsfläche der Ausgussöffnung (204) beträgt

wobei das Übergangsstück (200) ferner einen ringförmigen Kanal (210), der das Basisende (202) umgibt, und eine radial vorstehende Ummantelung (213), die den Kanal (210) umgibt, umfasst, wobei sich die Entlüftung (209) in dem Kanal (210) befindet, wobei die Ummantelung (213) eine Außenfläche (215), eine der Außenfläche (215) gegenüber liegende Innenfläche (214), eine dazwischenliegende Schulter (217) und eine Befestigungsfläche (218) an der Unterseite der Außenfläche (215) aufweist, wobei die Außenfläche (215) der Ummantelung einen Satz linearer Vertiefungen (216) aufweist und die Befestigungsfläche (218) der Ummantelung ein erstes Dichtungsmittel (220) aufweist, das konfiguriert ist, um das Übergangsstück (200) mit dem Behälter (100) abzudichten;

wobei die Verpackungsanordnung ferner Folgendes umfasst:

c) eine Kappe (300), die abnehmbar abdichtend mit dem Übergangsstück (200) in Eingriff steht und konfiguriert ist, um den Ausguss (201) zu umschließen, wobei die Kappe (300) in Fluidverbindung mit dem Ausguss (201) steht, wenn sie abdichtend mit dem Übergangsstück (200) in Eingriff steht, wobei die Kappe (300) eine obkonische Form aufweist, wenn sie abdichtend mit dem Übergangsstück (200) in Eingriff steht, wobei die Innenfläche (214) der Ummantelung ein zweites Dichtungsmittel (221) aufweist, das konfiguriert ist, um das Übergangsstück (200) mit der Kappe abzudichten.

2. Verpackungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Ausgussöffnung (204) eine Querschnittsfläche von 20 mm² bis 400 mm² aufweist.

3. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Kanal (210) geneigt ist, umfassend einen zweiten Scheitelpunkt (211) und einen zweiten Fußpunkt (212), die sich in Umfangsrichtung entlang des Kanals (210) gegenüber liegen, wobei sich die Entlüftung (209) an dem zweiten Fußpunkt (212) befindet, wobei der Kanal (210) einen Winkel von 5° bis 85° relativ zu der Längsachse aufweist.

4. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ummantelung (213) ferner eine Stopfendichtung (222) umfasst, die an der Unterseite der Ummantelungsschulter (217) angeordnet ist.

5. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Behälter (100) entlang eines Längsabschnitts, der die Längsachse umfasst, bilateral symmetrisch ist, wobei sowohl der Ausguss (201) als auch die Entlüftung (209) entlang des Längsabschnitts bilateral symmetrisch und innerhalb des Längsabschnitts entgegengesetzt von der Längsachse versetzt sind.

6. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ausgussöffnung (204) eine Form aufweist, die aus elliptisch, rund, halbkreisförmig, dreieckig, rechteckig, trapezförmig, fünfeckig oder sechseckig ausgewählt ist.

7. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ausgussöffnung (204) geneigt ist, umfassend einen ersten Scheitelpunkt (207) und einen ersten Fußpunkt (208), die sich entlang der Ausgussöffnung (204) in Umfangsrichtung gegenüberliegen, wobei die Ausgussöffnung (204) einen Winkel von 15° bis 85° relativ zu der Längsachse aufweist und der Ausguss (201) sich zu der Ausgussöffnung (204) hin verjüngt und zu dem ersten Scheitelpunkt (207) hin geneigt ist.

8. Verpackungsanordnung nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Entlüftung (209) und die Ausgussöffnung (204) so ausgerichtet sind, dass: die Entlüftung (209) und der erste Fußpunkt (208) innerhalb eines Winkels von etwa 0,25π Radianten voneinander um die Längsachse liegen und die Entlüftung (209) und der erste Scheitelpunkt (208) einen Winkel von 0,75π bis 1π Radianten voneinander um die Längsachse aufweisen.

9. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kappe (300) gekennzeichnet ist durch eines oder mehrere der Folgenden, vorzugsweise wobei die Kappe (300) gekennzeichnet ist durch zwei oder mehrere der Folgenden, besonders bevorzugt wobei die Kappe (300) gekennzeichnet ist durch alle drei der Folgenden:

a) wobei die Kappe (300) eine Abgabekappe ist und ein Intervallvolumen von 10 mL bis 250 mL aufweist und die Kappe (300) zumindest teilweise transparent und mit einem oder mehreren volumetrischen Zeichen markiert ist;

b) wobei die Kappe (300) eine Höhe von 20 mm bis 100 mm aufweist, gemessen entlang der Längsachse, wenn sie frei steht, der Ausguss (201) eine Länge von 20 mm bis 80 mm aufweist, gemessen von dem Basisende (202) zu der Ausgussöffnung (204) entlang der Längsachse, und die Höhe der Kappe (300) länger als die Länge des Ausgusses (201) ist; und

c) wobei die Kappe (300) eine Kappenöffnung (301) umfasst, wobei die Ausgussöffnung (204) eine Querschnittsfläche aufweist, die kleiner als 50 % der Querschnittsfläche der Kappenöffnung (301) ist.

10. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend einen Griff (400), wobei der Griff (400) mit der Entlüftung (209) derart ausgerichtet ist, dass der Griff (400) und die Entlüftung (209) innerhalb eines Winkels von etwa 0,25π Radianten voneinander um die Längsachse liegen.

11. Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Verpackungsanordnung (10) mehrere Entlüftungen (209) umfasst, die sich nebeneinander angrenzend an das Basisende (202) befinden, und die mehreren Entlüftungen (209) eine Gesamtquerschnittsfläche aufweisen, die 1/20 bis 1/3 der Querschnittsfläche der Ausgussöffnung (204) beträgt.

12. Flüssigwaschmittelprodukt, umfassend die Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche und eine Flüssigwaschmittelzusammensetzung, die in der Verpackungsanordnung enthalten ist, wobei die Flüssigwaschmittelzusammensetzung einen Viskositätswert von 200 bis 3000 Centipoise ("cP") bei einer Scherrate von 20/s und einer Temperatur von 21 °C aufweist und die flüssige Waschmittelzusammensetzung mit einer Fließgeschwindigkeit von 10 mL/s bis 40 mL/s aus der Verpackungsanordnung fließen kann;
Zusammensetzung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend einen Rheologiemodifikator, der ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus hydroxyhaltigem kristallinen Material, Polyacrylat, Polysaccharid, Polycarboxylat, Alkalimetallsalz, Erdalkalimetallsalz, Ammoniumsalz, Alkanolammoniumsalz, C₁₂-C₂₀-Fettalkohol, Dibenzylidenpolyolacetalderivat, Diamidogallant, einem kationischen Polymer umfassend eine erste Struktureinheit, die aus Methacrylamid abgeleitet ist, und eine zweite Struktureinheit, die aus Diallyldimethylammoniumchlorid abgeleitet ist, und einer Kombination davon.

13. Verwendung entweder der Verpackungsanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1-11 oder des Flüssigwaschmittelprodukts nach Anspruch 12 zur Reinigung eines Gewebes.

Revendications

1. Ensemble de conditionnement (10), comprenant :

a) un récipient (100) comprenant un orifice (101) et une surface de fond (102) opposée, ladite surface de fond (102) définissant un axe longitudinal perpendiculaire à celle-ci, dans lequel ledit axe longitudinal passe à travers ledit orifice (101) ; et

b) une pièce de transition (200) en prise avec ledit orifice (101), comprenant :

i) un bec (201) ayant une extrémité de base (202) à proximité dudit orifice (101) et une extrémité de versage (203) opposée ayant une ouverture circonférentiellement solidaire (204) ; et

ii) une mise à l'air (209) située adjacente à ladite extrémité de base (202),

dans lequel ledit bec (201) et ladite mise à l'air (209) sont en communication du point de vue des fluides avec ledit orifice (101), et ladite mise à l'air (209) a une aire en coupe transversale qui est de 1/20 à 1/3 de l'aire en coupe transversale de ladite ouverture de bec (204)

dans lequel ladite pièce de transition (200) comprend en outre un canal annulaire (210) entourant ladite extrémité de base (202) et une enveloppe faisant saillie de façon radiale (213) entourant ledit canal (210), dans lequel ladite mise à l'air (209) est située dans ledit canal (210), dans lequel ladite enveloppe (213) comprend une surface extérieure (215), une surface intérieure (214) opposée à ladite surface extérieure (215), un épaulement (217) entre elles, et une surface de fixation (218) sur la surface inférieure de ladite surface extérieure (215), dans lequel ladite surface extérieure (215) d' enveloppe a un ensemble de renfoncements linéaires (216), et ladite surface de fixation (218) d'enveloppe a un premier moyen d'étanchéité (220) configuré pour rendre étanche ladite pièce de transition (200) avec ledit récipient (100) ;

l'ensemble de conditionnement comprenant en outre :

c) une coiffe (300) en prise de façon amovible étanche avec ladite pièce de transition (200), configurée pour enfermer ledit bec (201), dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) est en communication du point de vue des fluides avec ledit bec (201) lorsqu'elle est en prise de façon étanche avec ladite pièce de transition (200), dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) a une forme obconique lorsqu'elle est en prise de façon étanche avec ladite pièce de transition (200), moyennant quoi ladite surface intérieure (214) d'enveloppe a un second moyen d'étanchéité (221) configuré pour rendre étanche ladite pièce de transition (200) avec la coiffe.

2. Ensemble de conditionnement selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite ouverture de bec (204) a une aire en coupe transversale de 20 mm² à 400 mm².

3. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit canal (210) est incliné, comprenant un second sommet (211) et un second nadir (212) circonférentiellement opposés le long dudit canal (210), dans lequel ladite mise à l'air (209) est située au niveau dudit second nadir (212), dans lequel ledit canal (210) est à un angle allant de 5° à 85° par rapport à l'axe longitudinal.

4. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite enveloppe (213) comprend en outre un joint de rebouchage (222) disposé sur la surface inférieure dudit épaulement (217) d'enveloppe.

5. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit récipient (100) est bilatéralement symétrique le long d'une section longitudinale comprenant l'axe longitudinal, dans lequel à la fois ledit bec (201) et ladite mise à l'air (209) sont bilatéralement symétriques le long de la section longitudinale et décalés de façon opposée par rapport à l'axe longitudinal au sein de la section longitudinale.

6. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite ouverture de bec (204) a une forme choisie parmi elliptique, ronde, semi-circulaire, triangulaire, rectangulaire, trapézoïdale, pentagonale, ou hexagonale.

7. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ladite ouverture de bec (204) est inclinée, comprenant un premier sommet (207) et un premier nadir (208) circonférentiellement opposés le long de ladite ouverture de bec (204), dans lequel ladite ouverture de bec (204) est à un angle allant de 15° à 85° par rapport à l'axe longitudinal, et ledit bec (201) est oblique vers ladite ouverture de bec (204) et penché vers ledit premier sommet (207).

8. Ensemble de conditionnement selon la revendication 7, dans lequel ladite mise à l'air (209) et ladite ouverture de bec (204) sont alignées de telle sorte que : ladite mise à l'air (209) et ledit premier nadir (208) sont dans un angle d'environ 0,25π radians l'un par rapport à l'autre autour de l'axe longitudinal, et ladite mise à l'air (209) et ledit premier sommet (208) sont à un angle allant de 0,75π à 1π radians l'un par rapport à l'autre autour de l'axe longitudinal.

9. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) est caractérisée par un ou plusieurs des attributs suivants, de préférence dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) est caractérisée par deux ou plusieurs des attributs suivants, plus préférablement dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) est caractérisée par l'ensemble des trois des attributs suivants :

a) dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) est une coiffe de distribution et a un volume d'intervalle de 10 ml à 250 ml, et ladite coiffe (300) est au moins partiellement transparente et marquée par une ou plusieurs indications volumétriques ;

b) dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) a une hauteur de 20 mm à 100 mm mesurée le long de l'axe longitudinal lorsqu'elle est autoportante, ledit bec (201) a une longueur de 20 mm à 80 mm mesurée de ladite extrémité de base (202) à ladite ouverture de bec (204) le long de l'axe longitudinal, et la hauteur de ladite coiffe (300) est plus longue que la longueur dudit bec (201) ; et

c) dans lequel ladite coiffe (300) comprend une ouverture de coiffe (301), dans lequel ladite ouverture de bec (204) a une aire en coupe transversale qui est de moins de 50 % de l'aire en coupe transversale de ladite ouverture de coiffe (301).

10. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre une poignée (400), dans lequel ladite poignée (400) est alignée avec ladite mise à l'air (209) de telle sorte que ladite poignée (400) et ladite mise à l'air (209) sont dans un angle d'environ 0,25π radians l'une par rapport à l'autre autour de l'axe longitudinal.

11. Ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'ensemble de conditionnement (10) comprend plusieurs mises à l'air (209) situées côte à côte adjacentes à ladite extrémité de base (202), et lesdites plusieurs mises à l'air (209) ont une aire en coupe transversale totale de 1/20 à 1/3 de l'aire en coupe transversale de ladite ouverture de bec (204).

12. Produit détergent liquide comprenant l'ensemble de conditionnement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes et une composition détergente liquide contenue dans l'ensemble de conditionnement, dans lequel la composition détergente liquide a une valeur de viscosité de 200 à 3 000 centipoises (« cP ») à un taux de cisaillement de 20/s et une température de 21 °C, et la composition détergente liquide est capable d'être amenée à s'écouler hors de l'ensemble de conditionnement à un débit de 10 ml/s à 40 ml/s ;
de préférence dans lequel la composition détergente liquide comprend un agent modifiant la rhéologie choisi dans le groupe constitué par un matériau cristallin contenant un hydroxy, polyacrylate, polysaccharide, polycarboxylate, oxyde d'amine, sel métallique alcalin, sel métallique alcalino-terreux, sel d'ammonium, sel d'alcanolammonium, alcool gras en C₁₂ à C₂₀, dérivé de dibenzylidène polyol acétal, agent gélifiant di-amido, un polymère cationique comprenant un premier motif structural dérivé de méthacrylamide et un second motif structural dérivé de chlorure de diallyl-diméthylammonium, et une combinaison de ceux-ci.

13. Utilisation ou de l'ensemble d'empilement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 ou du produit détergent liquide selon la revendication 12, sur une étoffe de nettoyage.

Drawing