U.S. patent application number 13/169371 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for container for a fabric stain treatment device.
Invention is credited to Corey Michael Bischoff, Christopher Lawrence Smith.
Application Number | 20120000814 13/169371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44351618 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120000814 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Christopher Lawrence ;
et al. |
January 5, 2012 |
CONTAINER FOR A FABRIC STAIN TREATMENT DEVICE
Abstract
A container having a layer having an interior surface and an
exterior surface opposing the interior surface; and a window in the
layer, the window revealing at least a portion of a fabric stain
treatment device operatively related with the container, the fabric
stain treatment device having a fluid pervious contact substrate,
wherein at least a portion of the contact substrate is visible
through the window; wherein the fabric stain treatment device
comprises a backing layer having a first side opposing a second
side and a pouch layer joined with the second side of the backing
layer thereby forming a pouch containing a stain treatment fluid
having a surfactant; wherein the fluid pervious contact substrate
is joined to the first side of the backing layer.
Inventors: |
Smith; Christopher Lawrence;
(Liberty Township, OH) ; Bischoff; Corey Michael;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Family ID: |
44351618 |
Appl. No.: |
13/169371 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61359940 |
Jun 30, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 25/08 20130101;
B65D 85/70 20130101; B65D 75/522 20130101; B65D 5/4204
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/576 |
International
Class: |
B65D 69/00 20060101
B65D069/00 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a layer having an interior surface and
an exterior surface opposing said interior surface; and a window in
said layer, said window revealing at least a portion of a fabric
stain treatment device operatively related with said container,
said fabric stain treatment device comprising a fluid pervious
contact substrate, wherein at least a portion of said contact
substrate is visible through said window; wherein said fabric stain
treatment device comprises a backing layer having a first side
opposing a second side and a pouch layer joined with said second
side of said backing layer thereby forming a pouch containing a
stain treatment fluid comprising a surfactant; wherein said fluid
pervious contact substrate is joined to said first side of said
backing layer.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein said window is an opening in
said layer.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein said window is a translucent
film.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein said translucent film is
substantially transparent.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein said fabric stain treatment
device is contained in a package comprising a base layer and a
translucent protective layer joined thereto.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein said translucent protective
layer is substantially transparent.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said fabric
stain treatment devices are visible through said window.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein said layer defines an interior
space and said stain treatment device is contained within said
interior space.
9. The container of claim 5, wherein said base layer comprises
usage instruction for said stain treatment device.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein said usage instruction and
said fabric stain treatment are on opposing sides of said base
layer.
11. The container of claim 1, wherein said layer is wrapped around
said fabric stain treatment device.
12. The container of claim 1, wherein said surfactant is present at
a level of between about 0.0001% and about 4% by weight of said
stain treatment fluid.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein said stain treatment fluid is
delivered to said contact substrate by creating an opening in said
backing layer to conduct said stain treatment fluid from said pouch
to said contact substrate.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/359,940 filed Jun. 30, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A container for a fabric stain treatment device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Substrates for wiping stains from fabric are available to
consumers. Typically, such substrates are contained in a pouch with
a stain treatment fluid such that the substrate is wetted with the
stain treatment fluid from the time the substrate is enclosed in
the pouch during manufacture until use by the consumer. Stain
treatment fluids sometimes contain chemical constituents that are
photo reactive in that they degrade, change form, or react with
other components of the stain treatment fluid and sometimes contain
chemical constituents that react with the pouch itself. Hence,
designers of packaging for such substrates for wiping stains
typically package the wipe in a package comprising one or more foil
layers or metalized films to prevent photo degradation and provide
for a substantially inert material to contain the stain treatment
fluid. The package typically employed is opaque such that the
consumer cannot see the substrate prior to use. The consumer only
gains insight into the form of the product only after she has
opened the package and removes the substrate there from.
[0004] Conceivably one could supply a substrate outside attached to
the external surface of a pouch containing the stain treatment
fluid, the pouch providing for suitable chemical stability of the
stain treatment fluid. A problem with this approach is that the
substrate is then exposed to the external environment and may get
dirty. As such, a dirty substrate might be used to treat a stain in
a fabric and the substrate might actually deposit dirt on the
stain, making things even worse for the consumer.
[0005] With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing
unaddressed need for a container for a fabric stain treatment
device that allows the consumer to see the substrate that will be
used to remediate her clothing prior to use of the stain treatment
device. Further, there is a continuing unaddressed need for a
container for a fabric stain treatment device that allows the
consumer to see the substrate that will be used to remediate her
clothing prior to use of the stain treatment device yet still
provides for cleanliness of the substrate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A container having a layer having an interior surface and an
exterior surface opposing the interior surface; and a window in the
layer, the window revealing at least a portion of a fabric stain
treatment device operatively related with the container, the fabric
stain treatment device having a fluid pervious contact substrate,
wherein at least a portion of the contact substrate is visible
through the window; wherein the fabric stain treatment device
comprises a backing layer having a first side opposing a second
side and a pouch layer joined with the second side of the backing
layer thereby forming a pouch containing a stain treatment fluid
having a surfactant; wherein the fluid pervious contact substrate
is joined to the first side of the backing layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a container for a stain treatment
device.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a stain treatment device.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic of stain treatment device mounted on a
base layer.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a cross section of a stain
treatment device mounted on a base layer.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a layer that can be wrapped around
a stain treatment device, the location of the cross section
indicated in FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a schematic of the back of a container in which
the layer is wrapped around a stain treatment device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] As used herein the term "joined" refers to the condition
where a first member is attached, or connected, to a second member
either directly; or indirectly, where the first member is attached,
or connected, to an intermediate member which in turn is attached,
or connected, to the second member either directly; or
indirectly.
[0014] A container 10 made from a layer 20 is shown in FIG. 1.
Layer 20 has an interior surface 30 and an exterior surface 40.
Layer 20 can be folded and secured together. The container can have
a length 12, a width 14, and a height 16, each of which have a
respective dimension. The container can have a front face 50 and in
some embodiments an opposing rear face. The container can have a
top face 52 and can have an opposing bottom face. The container can
have opposing side faces 54. The container can be any shape known
in the art, including a polyhedron. The polyhedron can define a
polyhedral enclosure. The layer 20 can define an interior space 32
and the stain treatment device 70 can be contained within the
interior space 32.
[0015] The layer 20 can be comprised of a material, composite
material, and/or laminate material comprised of cardboard,
corrugated cardboard, paper stock, polymeric film, or other such
material. The layer 20 can comprise polyethylene, metallocene,
ethylene vinyl acetate, SURLYN, polyethylene terephthalate,
polypropylene, and/or nylon.
[0016] The layer 20 can have a window 60. The window 60 can be
defined by a portion of the layer 20 continuously surrounding the
window 60 such that the window 60 is an opening in the layer 20.
The window 60 can reveal at least a portion of a fabric stain
treatment device 70. The window 60 can provide for a visual pathway
for an observer observing the exterior surface 40 of the container
10 to see the stain treatment device 70 disposed behind the layer
20.
[0017] The fabric stain treatment device 70 can be operatively
related with the container 10 such that the fabric stain treatment
device remains bound to the container from the time the fabric
stain treatment device 70 is placed with the container 10 and the
time the consumer separates the stain treatment device 70 from the
container 10. The stain treatment device 70 may be operatively
related to the container 10 with a releasable adhesive, a staple, a
pin, a flap of layer 20, or any other such structure that having
the capability to maintain the spatial relationship between the
stain treatment device 70 and the container 10. The stain treatment
device 70 can be contained within the container.
[0018] The stain treatment device 70 can comprise a contact
substrate 80. The contact substrate 80 can be a nonwoven fibrous
web including polymeric and cellulose webs. The contact substrate
80 can be a woven web, a woven fibrous web, a porous foam, or any
other such material. The contact substrate 80 can be selected from
the group consisting of a nonwoven comprising microfibers, a woven
comprising microfibers, a looped woven comprising microfibers, and
combinations thereof. The contact substrate 80 provides for
delivery of a stain treatment fluid 90, a surface for scrubbing a
stain on a fabric, and potentially for lifting of stains from a
fabric being treated with the stain treatment device 70. The
contact substrate 80 can be visible through the window 60 so that a
consumer is able to observe the contact substrate 80 even when the
stain treatment device 70 is operatively related with the container
10. In one embodiment, the contact substrate 80 can be a
polypropylene/polyethylene 70/30 hollow 16 segmented pie microfiber
from ES Fibervisions/Chisso, referred to as code 020 having a fiber
diameter of 2.2 denier, fiber length of 51 mm, and a basis weight
of 60 g/m.sup.2. In one embodiment, the contact substrate can be
selected from the group consisting of a foam, a fibrous material, a
film, a brush, and combinations thereof. Without being bound by
theory, it is thought that a contact substrate 80 that presents a
rough surface to the fabric being treated can improve stain
treatment because the rough surface can aid with dislodging the
stain from the fabric.
[0019] The fabric stain treatment device 70 can comprise a backing
layer 100 having a first side 102 opposing the second side 104, as
shown in FIG. 2. The fabric stain treatment device 70 can have a
pouch layer 110 joined with the second side 104 of the backing
layer 100 thereby forming a pouch 112 containing a stain treatment
fluid 90. The pouch layer 110 can be joined to the backing layer
100 using any known approach for attaching two materials including,
but not limited to, adhesive, glue, ultrasonic bonding, chemical
bonding, thermal bonding, and fusion bonding.
[0020] The pouch layer 110 can be a single layer or a laminate of
multiple layers. The pouch layer 110 can comprise foil. The pouch
layer 110 can be a layer of 12 .mu.m thick sheet material, an
adhesive layer, and a layer of 0.06 mm thick linear low density
polyethylene. The pouch layer 110 can be white. The pouch layer 110
can be printed or otherwise labeled with a design, instruction on
use, or decorative feature. The pouch layer 110 can be clear. The
pouch layer 110 can be a layer of 12 .mu.m thick metalized
polyethylene terephthalate sheet material, an adhesive layer, and a
layer of linear low density polyethylene. The pouch layer 110 can
be a layer of 12 .mu.m thick silver or aluminum foil, an adhesive,
a 0.009 mm thick silver or aluminum foil, and a 0.05 mm linear low
density polyethylene sheet material.
[0021] The stain treatment device 70 can be a dispensing package
such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,762 B2. The stain
treatment device 70 can be a dispensing package such as that
disclosed in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0074502 A1.
[0022] The stain treatment fluid 90 is contained in the pouch 112
that is defined by the space between the pouch layer 110 and the
second side 104 of the backing layer 100. The stain treatment fluid
90 can comprise a surfactant. The surfactant can be selected from
the group consisting of nonionic, anionic, cationic, zwitterionic
surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Specific examples include
ethoxylated alcohols or propoxylated, ethoxylated alcohols and
sulfates of these, or alkyl phenols, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl
sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, NaAES, NH4AES, alkyl quats, amine
oxides, and mixtures thereof. The surfactant can be present in the
stain treatment fluid 90 at a level of between about 0.0001% and
about 4% by weight of the stain treatment fluid 90.
[0023] The contact substrate 80 can be joined to the first side 102
of the backing layer 100. The contact substrate 80 can be joined to
the backing layer 100 with tape, glue, adhesive, or other such
bonding material or can bonded to the backing layer 100 by chemical
bonding, fusion bonding, or other such bonding technique. The
contact substrate 80 can be oriented towards the window 60 so that
the consumer can observe the contact substrate 80 when the stain
treatment device 70 is presented in a display in a store. This may
be an improvement over substrates for wiping stains presently
available to consumers because the contact substrate 80 is visible
at the point of sale and prior to use of the stain treatment device
70, as opposed to a wipe packaged in an opaque foil wrapper. If the
substrate 80 is oriented away from the window 60, it may be
challenging for the consumer to understand the purpose and function
of the stain treatment device.
[0024] The contact substrate 80 can be used by the consumer to
scrub a stain. The stain treatment fluid 90 can be delivered to the
contact substrate 80 by creating an opening in the backing layer
100 to conduct the stain treatment fluid 90 from the pouch 110 to
the contact substrate 80. In one embodiment the backing layer 100
can have a breakable score line generally aligned with the contact
substrate 80 such that when the backing layer 100 is bent about the
score line directionally away from the contact substrate 80, the
backing layer 100 breaks. As the backing layer 100 is bent further
about the score line, the stain treatment fluid 90 can be extruded
from the pouch 112 and into the contact substrate 80. The consumer
can then scrub the stain on her clothing with the contact substrate
80 that is wetted with the stain treatment fluid 90 and use the
backing layer 100 folded upon itself as a grip.
[0025] In one embodiment, the contact substrate 80 can comprise
micro fibers having a diameter between about 0.1 micrometers and
about 5 micrometers. In one embodiment, the contact substrate 80
can comprise microfibers having a diameter less than about 5
micrometers. The micro fibers can be notched-pie micro fibers,
which have sharp fiber edges that are generated during formation of
such micro fibers. The micro fibers can be staple fibers or
continuous splitted fibers. The micro fibers can be split
polypropylene-polyethylene micro fibers.
[0026] The stain treatment device 70 can have any generally planar
shape including a rectangle, a square, a circle, an oval, a
triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a trapezoid, or any other
ergonomically preferred shape. A planar shape of the stain
treatment device 70 can provide for a stain treatment device 70
that is convenient to store and is easy to securely grip prior to
and during use. The planar dimensions of the stain treatment device
can be the dimensions of, or smaller than, a common wallet sized
credit card or wallet sized photograph.
[0027] The backing layer 100 can be made of any suitably stiff
material including thin plastic materials such as polystyrene,
polyethylene, polypropylene, or other polymeric material. Backing
layer 100 can be sufficiently stiff to maintain the stain treatment
device 70 in a substantially flat configuration during storage and
transport. In some embodiments, the stain treatment device 70 is
sized and dimensioned to fit conveniently in a person's wallet,
purse, diaper bag, or pocket. The backing layer 100 can be a
material selected from the group consisting of rigid styrene, foil,
BAREX (available from BP Chemicals Inc., Naperville, Ill., USA),
polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, and coextrudants and laminates
of any of the preceding substances, and combinations thereof. The
thickness of the backing layer 100 can be less than about 2 mm, can
possibly be less than about 1 mm, and possibly be about 0.1 mm to
about 0.5 mm. The backing layer 100 can have a length between about
3 cm to about 10 cm and a width between about 2 cm to about 6 cm. A
larger backing layer 100 might be employed for a package 10
designed for use at home.
[0028] The window 60 can be a translucent film 62, as shown in FIG.
3. By translucent, it is meant that the stain treatment device 70
is visible through the film 62 by a human. A translucent film 62
can alter the color perceived by a viewer of the stain treatment
device 70 and any component thereof through the window 60 and/or
distort the image perceived through the window 60. The window 60
can be a substantially transparent film 62. By substantially
transparent, it is meant that the film 62 does not substantially
alter the image of the stain treatment device 70 when viewed
through the window 60. By employing a translucent film 62 or a
substantially transparent film 62 as the window 60, the stain
treatment device 70 can be protected from exposure to the external
environment. If a film 62 is used as a window 60, material can be
removed from the layer 20 (or manufactured such that material is
not present at the desired location of the window) to define the
window 60 and the film can be attached to the interior surface 30
of the layer 20 using an adhesive.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the stain treatment device 70 can be
contained in a package comprising a base layer 140 and a protective
layer 130 joined thereto, forming a blister pack, such that the
stain treatment device 70 is between the base layer 140 and the
protective layer 130. Such an arrangement can be practical if the
window 60 is defined by an opening in the layer 20 that is not
obstructed because the protective layer 130 can reduce or prevent
contamination of the contact substrate 80 between the time of
packaging by the manufacturer and use by the consumer. The
protective layer 130 can be translucent. The protective layer 130
can be transparent. The protective layer 130 can be substantially
transparent. The protective layer 130 can be joined to the base
layer 140 using an adhesive, glue, or any other such bonding
approach suitable for joining two layers of material. The
protective layer 130 can be made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, nylon, or any other such material through which an
object on one side of the protective layer 130 can be viewed from
the other side of the protective layer 130. Each stain treatment
device 70 can be protected by a protective layer 130 that is
separated from or separable from any other protective layer 130
that is protecting a stain treatment device 70.
[0030] The base layer 140 can comprise usage instructions 150 for
the stain treatment device 70. By having usage instructions 150 on
the base layer 140, the consumer can familiarize herself with use
of the stain treatment device prior to having to remove the stain
treatment device from the protective environment provided by the
base layer 140 and protective layer 130 joined thereto. Thus, if
she incurs a stain on her clothing, she can rapidly deploy the
stain treatment device 70 without having to give careful
consideration on how the stain treatment device 70 is to be used.
The usage instructions 150 and the stain treatment device 70 can be
on opposing sides of the base layer 140. The usage instructions 150
can be a pictoral representation and/or text description of use of
the stain treatment device 70.
[0031] A cross section, as marked in FIG. 4, is illustrated in FIG.
5. As shown in FIG. 5, the protective layer 130 and base layer 140
can be joined such that together they can define a pocket 133 that
can enclose the stain treatment device 70. One or more stain
treatment devices 70 can be enclosed in a pocket 133. The pouch
layer 110 can be joined to the base layer 130 by an adhesive, a
releasable adhesive, a glue, or any other know material or
technique for joining two materials. The base layer 140 can have
one or more lines of weakness such that individual pockets, each
containing a stain treatment device 70 between a portion of base
layer 140 and protective layer 130, are releasably separable from
one another. The lines of weakness can be structures, including but
not limited to, score lines, perforation, frangible lines, etc.
[0032] The layer 20 can be sized and dimensioned to wrap around one
or more stain treatment devices 70, as shown in FIG. 6, the arrow
indicating the direction of the fold or folds. The wrap around flap
160 can be wrapped around the stain treatment device 70 and contain
the stain treatment device 70 in such a way that the stain
treatment device remains operatively related to the layer 20 from
the time of manufacture to the time of use by the consumer. The
wrap around flap 160 can be wrapped around the stain treatment
device 70 about one or more fold lines 162. The wrap around flap
160 can be wrapped around the base layer 140 and protective layer
130 or protective layers. Once the wrap around flap 160 is wrapped
around the stain treatment device 70 or base layer 140 and
protective layer 130 protecting the stain treatment device 70, the
interior surface 30 of the layer 20 can be attached upon itself to
maintain the structure of the container 10.
[0033] More than one stain treatment device 70 can be visible
through the window 60. Such an arrangement may provide a visual cue
as to the quantity of stain treatment devices 70 that might be
contained in the container 10.
[0034] All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight of the
total composition and all measurements made are at 25.degree. C.,
unless otherwise designated. An angular degree is a planar unit of
angular measure equal in magnitude to 1/360 of a complete
revolution.
[0035] 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 spirit and 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.
[0036] All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated
herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be
construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the
present invention.
* * * * *