Dispensing Package With Applicator

ES 2 351 237 T3

Description

The present application relates to the field of containers for dispensing a fluid, gel, paste or other substances that can move through an opening. More specifically, the present application relates to dispensing packages that can be easily opened, often with just one hand.

US Patent Application 2006/0283727 describes a dispensing package according to the preamble of claim 1 that includes a plastic support to maintain a flat orientation of the package. Figures 4G and 5C of US Published Patent Application 2006/0283727 show an embodiment of a package incorporating a foam applicator. A mark made inside the plastic support is located in the middle of the container. When a user folds the container, the plastic backing breaks along the mark. As a result, the contents of the container are released through a metering port. In this design, the applicator is adhered, along its entire side, to the plastic backing layer, so that, when the container is opened, the sides of the foam applicator are folded back from the middle portion of the applicator. Only a portion of the applicator can therefore be used at one time to apply the contents of the container. Although the applicator has a relatively large surface area, before the container is opened, the effective surface area of ​​the applicator is drastically reduced when the container is folded into the open position.

US-4,430,013 describes a disposable swab comprising an applicator container incorporating a foam applicator pad and a support member. The support member has at least one reservoir and is made of a relatively rigid flat sheet material and of a material made to include the contents of the reservoir between them. The flat sheet material has a slit or weakened portion in the surface of the material transverse to the flat sheet material, so that the slit or weakened portion breaks after applying a simultaneous force on the supporting ends around the slit of the weakened portion. The contents of the reservoir are thereby released into the foam applicator pad upon application of a pressure that will deform the constituted material containing the reservoir.

Provisions are needed to improve distribution packaging.

ES 2 351 237 T3

A first aspect of the invention provides a container for dispensing a substance, the container comprising: (I) a rigid sheet having a first main surface and a second opposite main surface, the rigid sheet comprising a mark formed on top of and traversing the first surface, the mark defining a first zone on one side of the mark and a second zone on the opposite side of the mark; (ii) a flexible layer attached to the second surface of the rigid sheet, the flexible layer being configured to provide support for the rigid sheet after it has been folded around the mark, wherein the flexible layer defines a hole of dosage aligned with the brand; (iii) a flexible sheet attached to the flexible layer and to the second surface of the rigid sheet around a perimeter and defining a cavity for receiving a substance between the flexible layer and the flexible layer; and (iv) an applicator incorporating a pad of porous material, wherein the applicator is incorporated into the surface of the rigid sheet above the mark by means of two hinges, each hinge comprising a flexible material partially bonded to the first surface. of the rigid sheet and partly attached to the applicator.

In another embodiment, the container also includes a barrier layer that is part of the applicator. The barrier plate is attached to the pad of porous material, and the joints are attached to the barrier layer. In some embodiments, the barrier layer includes a score-aligned cut on the rigid sheet, and in some embodiments, the barrier layer includes a series of score-aligned cuts.

In some embodiments, the package also includes a label adhered to the first surface of the rigid sheet. In some embodiments, the joints are parallel and adjacent to the mark. In some embodiments, the hinges are arranged in a folded configuration when the rigid sheet is in a flat configuration and the hinges are in an extended configuration, when the rigid sheet is folded around the mark. In some embodiments, the flexible material of the joints is a different material from the pad of porous material.

In a further embodiment, the rigid sheet of the container further includes a rigid sheet metering hole defined on the second surface of the rigid sheet in alignment with the marking, and aligned with the metering hole of the flexible plate.

In some of the embodiments, the rigid sheet is configured to be folded around the marking to cause the substance to be released from the cavity through

ES 2 351 237 T3 of the dosing orifice of the flexible plate penetrating the pad of porous material and allowing the two joints that the pad of porous material to remain generally flat when the rigid sheet is folded.

The disclosed object of the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the attached figures, in which the same structures or systematic elements are designated with the same reference numerals throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a dispensing container incorporating an applicator and constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the dispensing package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing container of FIG. 1 in distribution position.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the material layers of the dispensing container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the rigid sheet in which a marking and a dispensing opening are located.

FIG. 6 is an alternate perspective view of the dispensing package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view of the first side of the rigid sheet of the dispensing package of FIG. 1, which is the side on which the applicator will be attached.

FIG. 8 is a view of the second side of the rigid sheet of the dispensing package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an absorbent material and the barrier layer.

Although the figures identified in the preceding lines define one or more embodiments of the disclosed inventive object, other embodiments are also envisaged, in accordance with what is stated in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure incorporates the disclosed inventive object by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments are conceivable by one of ordinary skill in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventors have devised a dispensing container arrangement with which it is easy to open and dispense a substance with one hand by applying it onto a pad of

ES 2 351 237 T3 applicator, and enabling a much larger surface area of ​​the applicator to be applied onto an actuation surface than has been possible in the past. The applicator of the present invention is positioned almost perpendicular to the open container. Keeping the applicator perpendicular does not produce any loss in terms of the effective surface area in contact with the surface to be actuated and the applicator will be more efficient in distributing the fluid. Joints secure the applicator to the container to achieve this benefit, in one embodiment. In a specific embodiment, the applicator includes both an absorbent or porous material and a barrier layer, in which the joints are attached to the barrier layer.

An embodiment of a fluid substance dispensing container is shown in the Figures. Figure 1 is a bottom view of a container 20. The container 20 includes a rigid sheet 26. An applicator 24 is located in an intermediate area of ​​the container 20. The applicator 24 is typically constructed of an absorbent or porous material and a layer barrier, which will be described in greater detail herein with respect to other Figures. The absorbent or porous material is capable of adapting to a surface on which the substance will be applied. The applicator 24 can be a foam (or any foam variant), cotton, a non-woven material, or any other material that absorbs a fluid, gel or paste or enables the fluid to spread over the actuation surface. Below the applicator 24, the rigid sheet includes a marking 27, such that the marking 27 generally traverses and pierces the intermediate portion of the rigid sheet 26 and defines a first zone 28 on one side of the mark 27 and a second zone 30 on an opposite side of the mark 27. The mark may be a continuous groove or an intermittent groove, within the rigid sheet 26. The applicator 24 is generally located on the mark 26. Applicator 24 is positioned such that mark 27 is in the approximate center of applicator 24. Figure 1 shows the location of mark 27 with respect to rigid sheet 26 and applicator 24, even though mark 27 is not in visible reality from this perspective because it is covered by the applicator 24.

Figure 2 illustrates the second, rear side 34 of container 20. A flexible sheet 36 is attached to the second side 34 around a perimeter 35. The flexible sheet 36 can be attached by various mechanisms, including heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, or any other means. Between the flexible sheet 36 and the rigid sheet 26, a cavity is defined to receive and contain a substance to be dispensed. The substance to be distributed is any substance that is capable of flowing through an opening, and for

ES 2 351 237 T3 which is convenient an applicator that spreads the substance, including any type of substance from very low viscosity liquids, such as water or alcohol, to very high viscosity substances, such as gels, pastes and creams .

Figure 3 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of container 20, in which the cross-section is taken along the middle of the container. The first side 32 includes the applicator 24 and a second side 34 includes the flexible sheet 36. The cavity 38 for containing the substance 39 to be dispensed is defined between the flexible sheet 36 and the rigid sheet 26. Container 20 is illustrated in the dispensing position, in which rigid sheet 26 has been folded around mark 27 so that rigid sheet 26 is fractured along mark 27 to achieve an opening 40 from the first side 32 up to the second side 34.

Figure 4 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, except that container 20 is shown in a non-dispensing, non-flexed position. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, in order to achieve the opening 40 upon rupture, the container includes the marking 27 on a first side 32 and a dosing orifice 41 on a first side 34. Area A of the Figure 4 is shown in an enlarged view in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a side view of the rigid sheet. The metering hole 41 is a hole made in the rigid sheet 26 that extends only partially into the rigid sheet. The metering orifice 41 is in the center of the rigid sheet and is thus shown in dotted line in the side view of Figure 5. Dosing port 41 is aligned with marking 27 so that opening 40 (shown in Figure 3) for dispensing the substance is created at the location of dosing port 41 when the container is folded. The portion 43 of the rigid sheet between the mark 27 and the dispensing port serves to seal the contents of the container. Mark 27 and metering hole 41 each extend into rigid sheet 26 to about 8-10% of the thickness of rigid sheet 26. When the rigid sheet is approximately 0.5mm, the Mark 27 of the metering orifice 41 each extend approximately 0.05mm into the rigid sheet.

In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3-5, a label may be applied to a first surface 44 of rigid sheet 26 to affix messages regarding instructions, identification, marketing, or regulatory, for example. A

ES 2 351 237 T3 adhesive layer, not shown, can be used to adhere label 42 to rigid sheet 26.

In some embodiments, a second flexible layer 52 is attached to a second side 45 of rigid sheet 26. Flexible layer 52 serves as an additional layer to protect the contents of the package from the outside environment. The dosing orifice 41 is made through the flexible layer 52, also penetrating into the second side 45 of the rigid sheet and, in this way, constitutes a distribution opening 40 (shown in Figure 3) when the container is folded. for the distribution of your content. Aperture 40 extends through flexible layer 52 and partially through rigid sheet 26 when the rigid sheet is not bent.

As discussed previously, container 20 includes an applicator 24 made of absorbent or porous material. Applicator 24 is configured to remain in a relatively flat position even if rigid sheet 26 is bent or folded, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6. To accomplish this, applicator 24 is attached to rigid sheet 26 by two joints 46, 47. Each hinge 46, 47 is made of a flexible material that allows a variable distance to be defined between a fixation zone 48 on the applicator 24 and a fixation zone 50 on the rigid sheet 46. In Figure 3, the hinges 46, 47 are shown separated from clamping area 48 and clamping area 50 to facilitate illustration of those areas. However, the hinges will be in contact with the fixing zones 48, 50 when the container is actually assembled. When rigid sheet 26 is in a generally flat position, a relatively minimal distance is defined between rigid sheet 26 and applicator 24, as can be seen in the exploded view of Figure 4.

When rigid sheet 26 is in the folded or folded position, a relatively greater distance is defined between rigid sheet 26 and applicator 24, as shown in Figures 3 and 6. Hinges 46, 47 are configured to establish a fixation. from applicator 24 to rigid sheet 26 notwithstanding said change in distance. Each hinge is generally made from a piece of flexible material that folds into a nearly flat configuration when rigid sheet 26 is in a flat position, as shown in Figure 4, and to obtain a generic "U" shaped configuration. or "V" in cross section when the rigid sheet 26 is in the folded position, as seen in Figure 3. A fixation is provided by an outer surface of a length of the material.

ES 2 351 237 T3 "U" or "V" shaped flexible material on applicator 24, and a fixation is provided by an outer surface of a length of the flexible material in a "U" or "V" shape on applicator 24 In one embodiment, the fixation is constituted by the application of adhesive. When the joints are attached with adhesive, the joint adhesive coating faces the rigid sheet on one side and the applicator on the other side, where the joints are shown folded in Figure 4. However, other joints can also be used. procedures for setting up a fixation. For example, ultrasonic welding could be employed, depending on the compatibility of the selected materials.

In one embodiment, a hinge 46 disposed on one side of the mark 27 and another hinge 46 disposed on the opposite side of the mark 27 are incorporated. Each hinge 46 runs generally in parallel with the mark 27 and extends through the width of the rigid sheet 26. With two hinges 46, 47 of the type indicated on both sides of the mark 27, when the container 20 is opened, this will allow the applicator 24 to remain nearly flat without bending, due to the effect of the hinge. As rigid sheet 26 continues to bend, hinge 46 "unfolds" and extends, allowing a greater distance to exist between applicator 24 and first side 32 of rigid sheet 26 and thereby allowing applicator 24 to remain generally flat. . When rigid sheet 26 is fully folded around mark 27, such that both second sides 34 of rigid sheet 26 meet, rigid sheet 26 will form a handle that the user can grasp and use to manipulate applicator 24 and apply the fluid content to an actuation surface.

Hinge 46 can be made of polypropylene, or foil, or paper, or any such material that allows the hinge principle to function. For example, hinge 46 can be made from one piece of polypropylene for 0.05 to 0.08mm labels. Said piece for labels is suitable for use in the constitution of the hinge because it incorporates an adhesive applied beforehand. Likewise, a polyethylene of 0.05 to 0.08 mm and a polyester of 0.03 mm are also suitable hinge materials.

Figure 7 shows a view of a first side 44 of the rigid sheet 26 in which the joint attachment zones 50 indicate the locations and approximate areas where the joints 46, 47 are attached to the rigid sheet, or in which the joints are

ES 2 351 237 T3 attach to the label 52 if there is one applied to the rigid sheet. Also, Figure 7 illustrates the mark 27 which is applied to the first side of the rigid sheet in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 7 also illustrates, in a broken line, the location of the metering orifice 41 which is on the second, opposite side of the rigid sheet. The dosage hole 41 itself would not be visible if viewed from the first side of the rigid sheet of Figure 7, thus the location of the dosage hole is shown in dotted line. The joint fixation zones 50 constitute a smaller part than the entire surface area of ​​the applicator 24, and each joint fixation zone 50 runs generally parallel to and spaced from the mark 27.

Figure 8 shows a view of the second side 45 of the rigid sheet 26. The flexible layer 52 may also be incorporated on the second side 45 of the rigid sheet. Metering port 41 is illustrated, extending partially through rigid sheet 26. If flexible sheet 52 is incorporated, then metering port 41 extends through the entire thickness of flexible sheet 36.

Figure 9 is a side view of the applicator 24 that includes an absorbent or porous material 23 and a barrier layer 25. The absorbent or porous material 23 can be foam (or any alveolar variant), cotton, a non-woven material, or any other material that absorbs a fluid, gel or paste and allows the fluid to spread over an actuation surface. The barrier layer 25 is attached to a first side 54 of the material 23 and the barrier layer 25 defines a marking 56 of the barrier layer, which is composed of one or more slits or cuts made along the center of the first side 54 of so that the mark 56 on the barrier layer is aligned with the mark 27 on the rigid sheet when the package is assembled. In one embodiment, the slits in the barrier layer are evenly spaced.

The barrier layer 25 causes all the substance to be dispensed to be directed through the indentations of the marking 56 of the barrier layer into the material 23. As a result, the effectiveness and efficiency of the applicator pad are improved. Likewise, the presence of the barrier layer improves the adherence of the pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) of the joints 46, 47 and prevents the PSA from migrating into the substance to be distributed. The barrier layer also prevents the substance from being distributed by being in contact with the PSA, negatively affecting the effectiveness of the PSA. The porous or absorbent material adhered to the barrier layer can be purchased as a set.

ES 2 351 237 T3

For lighter liquids, a foam material may be more convenient than a non-woven material. An example of a nonwoven material and barrier material that can be used is needle punctured polypropylene and Delnet liner material available from Deltar Technologies, Inc. of Middletown, Delaware. An example of a foam material that can be used as the absorbent material 23 is hydrophilic polyethane foam available from Rynel of Wiscasset, Maryland. An example of another barrier layer is a breathable, cast, mat polyurethane film approximately 30 microns thick available from InteliCoat in the UK.

Typical thickness for rigid sheet 26 is 0.1-0.5mm. Rigid sheet 26 is, in one embodiment, made of polystyrene and has a thickness of about 0.4 to 0.5 mm. Rigid means that a component is firm, generally lacking in flexibility, does not bend or yield easily, and can be flexed easily. Rigid implies that there may be some elasticity associated with the component and does not preclude that, when a force is applied, it can bend to some extent without being damaged or deformed. Rigid can also mean that a component exhibits a first elastic limit and a shear coefficient that are sufficient to maintain the component in a substantially flat configuration.

The flexible sheets 36 and 52 can each be a single layer or can be made from multiple layers. Flexible means capable of being easily bent and compliant. In one embodiment, flexible sheet 36 and flexible sheet 52 are each made of metallized paper. Likewise, various different combinations of materials may be used for one or both of the flexible sheets 36, 52. One possible combination of materials that can be used as a flexible sheet is a 48 gauge (12 micron) sheet material layer, an adhesive layer, and a 0.06mm LLDPE (low linear density polyethylene) layer. The material of the sheets can be either white or transparent. Another possible combination is a 48 gauge (12 micron) metallized PET (METPET) sheet material, an adhesive layer, and a layer of LLDPE sheet material. Yet another possible combination of materials is a 48 gauge (12 micron) PET foil material, a 4kg coextrusion foil material, a 0.007mm thick foil material, a 5kg coextrusion foil material. kg and a 0.04mm LLDPE sheet material. Another possible combination of materials is a layer of 48 gauge (12 micron) PET sheet material.

ES 2 351 237 T3 silver foil, adhesive, 0.09mm thick foil, adhesive, and a 0.05mm LLDPE sheet material.

Figures 3 and 6 show the container in a partially folded configuration. In use, container 20 is configured so that a user can use fingers to bend rigid sheet 26 around mark 27. In some cases, a user may use both hands to bend rigid sheet 26 around mark 27, and in other cases you can bend the rigid sheet around mark 27 by pushing the rigid sheet 26 against an object. When the rigid sheet 26 is bent, it breaks at the base of the mark 27, causing the depth of the mark 27 from the first surface 32 to increase. As the rigid sheet 26 continues to be bent, the mark 27 expands to the point that an opening is formed in line with the metering hole 41 made in the rigid sheet 26 and in the flexible sheet 52, thereby creating the opening 40, through which the content within the cavity 38 flows. The flexible layer 52 is configured, broadly speaking, to keep the rigid sheet 26 completely separate from the marking 27, but while providing a metering orifice 41 and thus the opening 40 for material to flow through. Figure 6 shows an alternative view of container 20, in a partially folded configuration, and Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of container 20 in a partially folded configuration. As the content flows from the mark 27, it passes through the mark 54 of the barrier layer into the absorbent or porous material 23 and is absorbed into the applicator 24. As the rigid sheet 26 continues to be folded, the latter Surfaces 34 of the rigid sheet tend to exert pressure against the flexible sheet 36, thereby compressing the contents of the cavity 38 and expelling the contents through the opening 40. This content continues to fill applicator 24 and the user can apply applicator 24 on the chosen surface in order to apply the contents on the chosen surface. By virtue of the fact that applicator 24 remains generally flat, regardless of the degree to which rigid sheet 26 is bent, a relatively large surface area can be available on applicator 24 to apply content to the chosen surface. This arrangement improves the effectiveness of the transfer to the actuation surface, enabling a greater amount of material to be applied in a faster manner, and also allowing the material to be applied in a more balanced and uniform manner.

In Figures 3 and 4, the joint 46 is parallel to the mark 27, and there are two joints 46 on either side of the mark. The design of joint 46 can be subject to

ES 2 351 237 T3 of minor modifications, all of which satisfy the fundamental need of the flat applicator 24. The hinge 46 may be designed so as to present the hinge characteristic specified above, but with oval or circular shape or any such variant configured in such a way. that surrounds the opening 40 (or nearly surrounds the opening if the custom configuration has clearances). This will allow the use of an applicator foam configured in a circular or other custom shape.

A plurality of sizes may be used for container 20 and applicator 24. In an exemplary embodiment, container 20 (or more specifically, rigid sheet 26) has a width of approximately 35.890mm and a length of 44.45 mm, for a total of 1595.3 mm², and the corresponding applicator 24 has a width of 10.490 mm by a length of 19.05 mm, for a total of 199.838 mm². In another exemplary embodiment, rigid sheet 26 has a width of 79.76mm by a length of 101.6mm, for a total of 810.3mm², and the applicator 24 has a width of 79.76 m by a length of 38.1 mm, for a total of 3038.7 mm². For example, for rectangular configurations, typical lengths and / or width dimensions range from 12.7mm to 304.8mm, more typically 25.4mm to 127mm. The surface area of ​​the container ranges from 645 mm² and 16129 mm², more typically between 1290 mm² and 9677 mm². Other sizes can be used.

Various modifications and alterations within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, according to claims 1