U.S. patent application number 10/095782 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-19 for multiple compartment pouch with multiple dispensing channels.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Crozet, Yvon, Degoix, Christophe Nicolas, Etesse, Patrick Jean-Francois.
Application Number | 20020130138 10/095782 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8184938 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020130138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crozet, Yvon ; et
al. |
September 19, 2002 |
Multiple compartment pouch with multiple dispensing channels
Abstract
A multiple compartment flexible pouch which, when comprising
compositions, is designed to be used to refill a multiple
compartment container. The multiple compartment pouch comprises at
least a first and at least a second compartment, at least a first
dispensing channel sealed into an opening in the first compartment
and at least a second dispensing channel sealed into an opening in
the second compartment. In a preferred embodiment the first and
second dispensing channels form part of a dispensing channel
unit.
Inventors: |
Crozet, Yvon; (Brussels,
BE) ; Degoix, Christophe Nicolas; (Brussels, BE)
; Etesse, Patrick Jean-Francois; (Brussels, BE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
|
Family ID: |
8184938 |
Appl. No.: |
10/095782 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/94 ;
222/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3261
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/94 ;
222/107 |
International
Class: |
B65D 035/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 15, 2001 |
EP |
01870050.0 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multiple compartment flexible pouch (1) comprising at least a
first (3) and at least a second (4) compartment, at least a first
dispensing channel (11) sealed into an opening in the first
compartment (3) and at least a second dispensing channel (12)
sealed into an opening in the second compartment (4) and wherein
compositions in each of the compartments are dispensed from the
corresponding dispensing channel without causing to mix.
2. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 1
additionally comprising a third compartment and a third dispensing
channel sealed into the third compartment.
3. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 1
wherein said first (11) and second (12) dispensing channels are
connected to one another to form a single dispensing channel unit
(13).
4. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 3
wherein said single dispensing channel unit (13) is pre-molded
before being sealed into the openings of the first and second
compartments.
5. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 3
wherein the dispensing channel unit (13) comprises a first section
(14) providing a dispensing channel (11,12) and an adjacent second
section (15) set at an angle to the first section (14).
6. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 5
wherein the first (14) and second (15) sections of the dispensing
channel unit (13) have tapered ends (16, 17, 18).
7. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 3
wherein the pouch (1), the dispensing channel (11, 12) and the
dispensing channel unit (13) are made from heat sealable
material.
8. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 3
wherein at least one exterior surface of the dispensing channel or
dispensing channel unit is ribbed (19).
9. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 1
wherein one or both of the dispensing channels extend beyond the
compartments of the pouch.
10. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 1
wherein the dispensing channels are designed to spatially cooperate
with refill orifices of a multiple compartment container.
11. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 10
wherein the dispensing channels (11, 12) are designed to spatially
cooperate with refill orifices of a multiple compartment container
only when in a predetermined orientation.
12. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 1
wherein the dispensing channels (11, 12) are closed.
13. A multiple compartment flexible pouch according to claim 12
wherein the dispensing channels (11, 12) are closed by a rupturable
film that is sealed across the end of the channel that is exposed
to the atmosphere.
14. A process of refilling a multiple compartment container
comprising multiple refilling orifices and comprising a composition
in each compartment, said process comprising connecting the
channels (11, 12) of a multiple compartment pouch (1) according to
claim 1 with the refilling orifices of the container and orienting
the pouch such that the compositions flow into the container.
15. A method of using the multiple compartment pouch (1) according
to claim 1 to refill a multiple compartment container wherein the
pouch further comprises a first and second composition in the
compartments of the pouch.
16. A dispensing channel unit (13) suitable for use with a multiple
compartment flexible pouch (1) comprising a first section (14)
providing a dispensing channel (11, 12) and a adjacent second
section (15) set at an angle to the first section, and wherein the
first (14) and second sections (15) have tapered ends (16, 17,
18).
17. A dispensing channel unit according to claim 16 made from a
heat sealable material.
18. A dispensing channel unit according to claim 17 wherein the
heat-sealable material is selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.
19. A dispensing channel unit according to claim 16 wherein the
exterior surface of the first (14) and second (15) sections are
ribbed (19).
20. A multiple compartment flexible pouch (1) comprising at least a
first (3) and at least a second (4) compartment, at least a first
dispensing channel (11) sealed into an opening in the first
compartment (3) and at least a second dispensing channel (12)
sealed into an opening in the second compartment (4) and wherein
compositions in each of the compartments are dispensed from the
corresponding dispensing channel without causing to mix, and
wherein the dispensing channels are designed to spatially cooperate
with refill orifices of a multiple compartment container.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to European Patent Application Serial No. 01870050.0,
filed Mar. 15, 2001 (Attorney Docket No. CM2508F).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a multiple compartment
flexible pouch comprising multiple dispensing channels. The
dispensing channels are preferably combined in a single piece and
provides a dispensing orifice from each compartment of the pouch
without allowing the contents of each of the compartments to
mix.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention relates to a multiple compartment
pouch which is suitable for use as a refill for a more rigid and
durable container. For example the present pouch may be designed to
refill a multiple compartment bottle.
[0004] Many liquid consumable products are sold in relatively rigid
plastic bottles which are durable but generally designed to be
discarded when empty. However, as consumers have become more
environmentally aware, a need arose for minimising wastage of
resources. For this reason, refill pouches or bags were designed
such that the consumer could refill their original bottle. The
refill was basically a sealed plastic pouch and the consumer was
instructed to cut the corner of the pouch and pour the contents
into the original bottle to refill it.
[0005] Consumable liquid products have however become more
sophisticated over time. Products comprising two or more
compositions allow the formulator more flexibility in terms of
which ingredients can be provided to the consumer. For example
incompatible ingredients can be separated, compositions providing
different benefits can be dispensed simultaneously (e.g. detergent
and fabric softener, detergent and bleach, detergent and fabric
colour stabiliser). It is therefore preferred in such instances
that the product be sold in a multiple compartment container or
bottle, wherein one composition is stored in one compartment and
the second composition is stored in a second compartment. An
example of a multiple compartment bottle is described in our
co-pending European patent application number 00870095.7. Such
containers are complicated and expensive. It would therefore be
preferable to refill the container when empty, rather than dispose
of it. However, to date, no multiple compartment refill pouches are
available to refill a multiple compartment bottle. The Applicants
have designed such a multiple compartment refill pouch which is the
subject of a co-pending European patent application (attorney
docket number CM 2511F). Having achieved a multiple compartment
refill pouch however, the Applicants have found that dispensing the
product contained within the compartments of the pouch into the
original bottle proves problematic. The previously available single
compartment refill pouches instructed the user to cut the corner
and then pour the contents into the original bottle. However this
system of dispensing invariably causes a mess as the refill pouch
and flow of product are difficult to control and product tends to
spill down the sides of the bottle. This is particularly an issue
when there are two or more compartments to deal with, since
aligning two streams of product would be almost impossible without
accepting an even greater degree of spillage. Spillage of the
product not only creates a mess, but may also be dangerous if
either or both of the compositions are aggressive. Moreover, the
compositions in each compartment are likely to be different, in
which case any mixing of the compositions may have an adverse
effect on the performance and/or stability of the compositions and
thus the product as a whole.
[0006] It has therefore been the object of the present invention to
provide a multiple compartment refill pouch which can be filled
with the same or different compositions and said compositions can
be dispensing into a receptacle, preferably a multiple compartment
bottle, without mixing and with minimum spillage.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment the multiple compartment refill
pouch of the present invention is designed to be used to refill the
container as described in our co-pending European patent
application number 00870095.7.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention there is provided a
multiple compartment flexible pouch 1 comprising at least a first 3
and at least a second 4 compartment, at least a first dispensing
channel 11 sealed into an opening in the first compartment 3 and at
least a second dispensing channel 1 2 sealed into an opening in the
second compartment 4 and wherein compositions in each of the
compartments are dispensed from the corresponding dispensing
channel without causing to mix.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a process of refilling a multiple compartment container
having multiple refilling orifices, by connecting the channels 11,
12, of a multiple compartment pouch 1 according to the present
invention and comprising a composition in each compartment, with
the refilling orifices of the container and orienting the pouch
such that the compositions flow into the container.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided the use of a multiple compartment pouch 1 comprising a
first and second composition in the compartments 3, 4 of the pouch
to refill a multiple compartment container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention will now be described by way of example and
with reference to the accompanying diagrams in which:
[0012] FIG. 1: cross section of multiple compartment pouch
[0013] FIG. 2: cross section of multiple compartment pouch
[0014] FIG. 3: perspective view of dispensing channel unit
[0015] FIG. 4: front view of dispensing channel unit
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 show diagrams of the multiple compartment
pouch according to the present invention. The present invention
relates to a multiple compartment pouch 1, which, when comprising a
composition, is designed to be used to refill a multiple
compartment container. The multiple compartment flexible pouch of
the present invention can be made from any suitable material. More
preferably the compartments of the pouch are made from sealable
films. Preferred sealable films include those made from plastics,
polymers, laminated materials and mixtures thereof. A sealable
material as described herein is a material which is capable of
adhering to the same or another material through a sealing process.
Sealing processes include any suitable technique known in the art,
more preferably heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, glue sealing,
pressure sealing, induction sealing and mixtures thereof. Heat
sealing encompasses heating the films to the point where they both
melt and form a connection and then allow to cool. Induction
sealing is a similar technique to heat sealing but requires the
films to contain a metal layer e.g. aluminium. The metal layer is
heated by applying a strong magnetic field, which then causes the
sealing film to melt and form a connection as before. Ultrasonic
sealing requires localised high frequency vibration of the two
films to create heat which then melts the films as before. Glue
sealing is simply where glue is added to the film to stick the two
sheets of film together. Pressure sealing is a gluing process where
the glue is pressure sensitive and the seal is created by pressing
the two sheets of film together. Importantly, the material from
which the pouch is made and the seals described above should be
impermeable and stable with regards to the compositions stored in
the compartment. With regards to the latter point, it may be
preferable to use a laminated film including a barrier layer. A
barrier layer is defined as a sheet of material which protects the
physical or chemical stability of the composition stored in the
compartment. Examples of suitable barrier layer materials may be
selected from anything that prevents or reduces the ingress of
external elements e.g. water, gases, the egress of internal
components (e.g. the composition), light. Preferred examples of
such barrier layers include aluminium, ethyl vinyl alcohol, nylon
and mixtures thereof.
[0017] In a preferred aspect the sealable film is 20 to 500 microns
thick, more preferably 70 to 300 microns and most preferably 90 to
150 microns thick. More preferably the pouch is made from plastic,
more preferably plastics selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, ethyl
vinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment the pouch may comprise an
aesthetic layer, which for example may trap inks and thus would be
suitable for displaying usage instructions and other trade dress
features, for example brand names. Alternatively the sealable or
barrier layer may provide this function and the aesthetic layer,
where present, may be a transparent layer suitable for protecting
the sealable layer. Preferably the aesthetic layer is made from
polyethylene terephthalate. Most preferably the sealable film of
the compartments of the pouch is made from polyethylene and the
aesthetic layer is made from polyethylene terephthalate. More
preferably the polyethylene film is 50-130 microns thick and the
polyethylene terephthalate film is 6-20 microns thick.
[0019] The pouch comprises at least two compartments, 3 and 4.
However it is also envisaged that the pouch may comprise more than
two compartments, more preferably three, four or even five
compartments. The pouch may be made by any suitable method. In a
preferred embodiment the pouch is made by sealing two sheets of
sealable material, preferably plastic to one another around the
perimeter of the sheet, 5,6,7 and 8. The sheets may be attached to
one another using any known method, for example those listed above.
More preferably the sheets of plastic are heat sealed around the
perimeter, meaning that heat is applied to the area of plastics to
be sealed causing the plastic to melt. The sheets of plastic remain
irreversibly attached to one another after cooling.
[0020] The pouch of the present invention comprises at least a
first, 3 and at least a second, 4 compartment. The compartments of
the pouch may be made singly and attached to one another using any
suitable method for example those discussed above. More preferably
however, the compartments are made by making a single compartment
pouch and by sealing,9, through a section of the pouch to form at
least two distinct, liquid-tight, sealed compartments (FIG. 1).
Sealing can be again performed by any suitable method known in the
art, but is preferably made by heat sealing as discussed above.
Compartments made in this way will be oriented side-by side. It is
however also envisaged that the pouch of the present invention may
comprise at least two compartments that are located one inside the
other. In this embodiment one compartment is clearly smaller that
the second. In any of the above embodiments the seal between the
first and second compartment is permanent, meaning that it is no
more easily rupturable that the seal surrounding the perimeter of
the pouch.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the pouch additionally comprises
a gripping means. By gripping means it is meant a device which
helps the consumer to gain control of the pouch. Examples of a
`gripping means` include handles, areas of high friction material,
rigid sections and any feature that increases the consumers grip on
the pouch. Said gripping means may be positioned anywhere on the
surface of the pouch, preferably on an edge, most preferably on the
edge of the pouch furthest from the outlets. A gripping means
provides not only ease of carrying and transporting the pouch, but
also provides an easier method of manipulating the pouch so as to
dispense the compositions contained therein. In a further preferred
embodiment the pouch comprises a gusset. A gusset is an additional
folded segment of film that is folded into and sealed in one edge
of the pouch and serves to provide a larger surface area on which
the pouch can be stood. This particularly useful when storing the
product or when displaying in a shop.
[0022] The first and second compartments of the pouch comprise at
least a first dispensing channel 11 sealed into an opening in the
first compartment 3 and at least a second dispensing channel 12
sealed into an opening in the second compartment 4. The first and
second dispensing channels form dispensing orifices through which
the composition stored in the compartments can be dispensed. The
channel is preferably positioned between the sheets of plastic
during the pouch manufacturing process. However it is also
envisaged that the channel may instead be positioned in the sheet.
In either case the channel must be sealed into position so as to
prevent any leakage of the composition from the compartment. More
preferably the at least first 11 and at least second 12 dispensing
channels are connected to one another to form part of a dispensing
channel unit 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Any suitable technique of sealing,
for example those described in more detail above, may be used to
seal the dispensing channel or dispensing channel unit into the
compartments of the pouch. More preferably the dispensing channel
or dispensing channel unit is heat sealed into the compartments and
thus is preferably made from a heat sealable material. A dispensing
channel unit as opposed to two single, unconnected dispensing
channels which are positioned in close proximity to each other,
provides better sealing of the channels with the compartments. This
is because it can be difficult to achieve guaranteed sealing when
there is little space between the single channels.
[0023] In an especially preferred embodiment the dispensing channel
unit 13 comprises a first section 14 providing a dispensing channel
11, 12 and an adjacent second section 15 set at an angle to the
first section 14. The first section 14 is preferably positioned
horizontally, parallel with the exterior edges of the pouch. The
second section 15 follows the line of seal separating the
compartments and thus may be at any angle versus the first section
between greater than 1.degree. and less than 180.degree.. More
preferably the second section 15 is at an angle of substantially
90.degree. versus the first section 14. More preferably the ends of
the dispensing channel unit are tapered 16, 17, 18. Tapering the
ends of the unit improves the sealing between the unit and the
perimeter seal of the pouch and between the unit and seal
separating the two compartments. The channels and/or dispensing
channel unit are preferably pre-molded, more preferably injection
molded. The channels or channel dispensing unit are preferably made
from materials selected from any sealable material more preferably
polyethylene, polypropylene and mixture thereof. In a preferred
embodiment the exterior surfaces of the dispensing channel and/or
dispensing channel unit are ribbed 19. Ribbing provides improved
heat sealing versus a surface that does not comprise ribbing.
[0024] Preferably in order to prevent spillage during transport and
storage the dispensing channels of the multiple compartment
flexible pouch are closed. The closure may be selected from the
group consisting of: a removable screw or snap-on cap; a lid; a
removable plug; a non-removable plug which may for example be
spring loaded or comprise a valve; a rupturable, peelable or
pierceable membrane; and mixture thereof.
[0025] As discussed above the present multiple compartment pouch is
designed to be used to dispense the compositions stored in the
compartments of the pouch into a receptacle. A receptacle may in
this respect mean any suitable container or a dosing ball. But as
discussed above the pouch of the present invention is designed to
be used to refill a multiple compartment bottle. The process of
refilling requires aligning or connecting the channels of the
multiple compartment pouch with the refill orifices of the multiple
compartment container and orienting the pouch such that the
compositions flow into the container. By aligning it is meant that
the dispensing channels and the refill orifices do not connect with
one another. Alternatively the channels and refill orifices of the
container may be designed to connect and remain connected to each
other during the refilling process and can then preferably be
disconnected. In a particularly preferred embodiment as described
above the channels and refill orifices of the container are so
designed that they can only connect in one predetermined spatial
orientation. For example the shape of the each channel may be such
that it connects with one of the refill orifices only. This `lock
and key` system permits the manufacturer of the compositions to
ensure that the consumer refills each compartment of the multiple
compartment container with the correct composition from the
refill.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention excess
amount of material are used to make the pouch such that it has
greater volume than necessary in view of the volume of composition.
It is then possible to connect the channels of the pouch with the
refill orifices of the multiple compartment container, without
having to lift the pouch. This improves the ease of handling since
the connection between the channels and the refill orifices can be
made before the pouch is lifted and turned up side down to drain
the composition into the container.
[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the compartments of the pouch are filled with a flowable
composition. The composition may be in liquid, gel or particulate
form, but is preferable a liquid. The composition may be the same,
but are preferably different. By different it is meant that the
compositions differ in the presence of at least one component which
is present in a first composition, but absent in a second
composition or vice versa. More preferably, the first composition
stored in the first compartment is a conventional cleaning
composition, for example a conventional laundry detergent
composition comprising at least a surfactant. The second
composition in one preferred embodiment is a bleaching composition
comprising at least a peracid, more preferably a peroxyacid, most
preferably phthaloyl amido peroxycaproic acid (PAP). In an
alternative preferred embodiment, the second composition is a
fabric care composition comprising a component selected from (I)
fabric softeners, (II) textile color care agents, (note that
optical brighteners are not included in this component as they are
treated as fabric cleaning agents for the purposes of the present
invention), (III) textile property modifiers, from which textile
oder modifiers are specifically excluded, (IV) textile odor
modifiers, (V) fabric care actives other than (I)-(IV), and (VI)
mixtures thereof. The active of the fabric care composition (I-VI)
is preferably present at a level of from about 0.001% to about 80%,
more preferably from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of the
fabric care composition.
[0028] Preferably the fabric care composition comprises at least
one of said fabric softeners (I), and wherein said fabric softeners
are selected from the group consisting of: (A) organic fabric
softeners, (B) inorganic fabric softeners, e.g., clays, preferably
hectorite clays, and (C) mixtures thereof and/or hybrid
organic-inorganic fabric softeners. When present, fabric softeners
are used in an amount between 1% and 30% by weight of the
compositions.
[0029] One preferred group of fabric softeners for use as the
fabric care active are organic fabric softeners (A), and wherein
said organic fabric softener is selected from the group consisting
of: (i) quaternary nitrogen-containing organic fabric softeners
free from ester and/or amide moieties such as are disclosed in WO
00/24851 beginning on page 61; (ii) quaternary nitrogen-containing
organic fabric softeners comprising ester and/or amide and/or
olefinically unsaturated moieties, preferably quaternary
nitrogen-containing organic fabric softeners comprising ester
moieties, such as described in WO 00/24851 beginning on page 62;
(iii) quaternary-nitrogen-free organic fabric softeners, such as
are described in WO 00/24851, beginning on page 74; and (iv)
mixtures thereof. Notably, the type (ii) organic fabric softeners
described above are generally preferred over the type (i) organic
fabric softeners. Preferred inorganic fabric softeners for use in
the articles of the present invention are clays, preferably
hectorite clays, and the inorganic fabric softeners disclosed in WO
97/04065 beginning on page 5. Hybrid organic-inorganic fabric
softeners, such as organo-modified clays, that may be used to
advantage in the articles of the present invention include
organosilicones softeners amongst other materials.
[0030] A preferred group of fabric care actives are textile color
care agents (II) selected from the group consisting of dye
fixatives, dye transfer inhibitors, color maintenance agents,
whiteness enhancers, anti-fading agents including bleach scavengers
and/or antioxidants, color appearance restoration agents of
non-chelant types (e.g., Carezyme.RTM.), brightness restoration
agents e.g., antiencrustation agents, UV protection agents for
fabrics, sun fade inhibitors, anti-fading agents, and mixtures
thereof. Such materials are well known to those skilled in the art
and descriptions thereof are common in the patent literature such
as found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,107,270 and 6,020,302, which are
commonly assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. "Textile
color care agents" as used herein refers to materials that provide
a color care benefit to laundered fabrics primarily by preserving
the existing fabric colors and preventing their degradation.
"Textile color care agents" should not be understood to refer to
optical brighteners or other cleaning agents as described above.
Textile color care agents are not intended to provide a general
detersive effect such as is typical of bleaches and surfactants.
When present in one or more compositions of the articles of the
present invention, textile color care agents are used in an amount
between about 0.1% and about 10% by weight of the compositions.
[0031] Another preferred group of fabric care actives are textile
property modifiers (III) selected from the group consisting of
fabric bodying agents, fabric drape and form control agents, fabric
smoothness agents, static control agents other than fabric
softeners inherently possessing static control ability, fabric
wrinkle control and/or ironing aid agents, fabric integrity agents,
fabric anti-abrasion agents, fabric anti-wear agents, humectants
and/or lubricants, pill removal agents, insect repellents, mite
control agents, non-bleaching fabric sanitizers, e.g., fabric
substantive antibacterials and/or antiviral agents and/or
antifungals, flame retardants and mixtures thereof. "Textile
property modifiers" specifically excludes odor modifiers which are
treated separately herein. When present in one or more compositions
of the articles of the present invention, textile property
modifiers are used in an amount between about 0.1% and about 10% by
weight of the compositions.
[0032] Other preferred fabric care actives are textile odor
modifiers (IV) selected from the group consisting of perfumes,
(preferably pro-perfumes and/or substantive perfumes and/or
perfumes combined with perfume carriers), odor enhancers, malodor
control agents and mixtures thereof. When present in one ore more
compositions of the articles of the present invention, textile odor
modifiers are used in an amount between about 0. 1% and about 10%
by weight of the compositions.
[0033] A well known group of fabric care actives, including both
quaternary ammonium functionalized and nonquaternary types, is the
organosilicones.
* * * * *