Detergent product container with lock
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202180078808.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-12-11
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-11-30
Smart Images

Figure CN116547212B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Technology
[0001] This invention relates generally to containers for detergent products. Such containers containing detergent products are consumer products found in consumers' homes, particularly in rooms such as kitchens, laundry rooms, or bathrooms, which tend to create humid environments. Importantly, the containers are constructed to adequately protect the detergent products from degradation due to excessive exposure to such moisture or humidity. Attached Figure Description
[0002] Figure 1 A first exemplary consumer product is shown.
[0003] Figure 2 A second exemplary consumer product is shown.
[0004] Figure 3 A third exemplary consumer product is shown.
[0005] Figure 4 A fourth exemplary consumer product is shown.
[0006] Figure 5 The fifth exemplary consumer product is shown.
[0007] Figure 6 The sixth exemplary consumer product is shown.
[0008] Figure 7 A first exemplary method is shown.
[0009] Figure 8 A second exemplary method is shown. Detailed Implementation
[0010] Detergent products are sensitive to moisture and therefore should be contained in specific containers, particularly those that can be locked to reduce the risk of accidental opening. At the same time, the locking mechanism of such containers should be constructed to be actuated by a large number of adult consumers or users. Therefore, the locking mechanism should reliably prevent accidental opening and provide reliable unlocking when needed by an adult consumer. While these objectives may seem contradictory, it is important to address both issues simultaneously. This apparent contradiction is particularly pronounced when applied to cardboard containers, which, while offering ideal recyclability, introduce challenges related to their mechanical properties. The consumer products according to this disclosure are intended to consider these different aspects.
[0011] As will be described below, the specific configuration described in this disclosure allows reliance on a specific human hand gesture known as "precise pinching." Precise pinching is a specific human hand gesture in which a person pinches an object with their thumb and at least one or more other fingers of the same hand. It has been found that people are particularly precise when applying this movement. In this respect, the precision can be described by considering the alignment of the directions of the forces applied by the thumb and one or more other fingers of the same hand. When a precise pinch is applied, the thumb generates a first force on a first side of the pinch, and one or more other fingers generate a second force on a second side of the pinch. Generally, the first and second forces are substantially along the same axis and in opposite directions. The key point of precise pinching is that if there is a mutual feedback response between the thumb and one or more other fingers of the same hand, the first and second forces will naturally align with each other. As will be described below, the proposed configuration will achieve this mutual feedback, resulting in a precision in the reliable opening of a locking element that relies on a locking mechanism that allows for robustness in other ways. As will be described below, specific dimensions realize this configuration, particularly a configuration corresponding to an adult hand. It should be understood that, in this description, the hand corresponds to an adult hand.
[0012] Detergent products can be relatively heavy, especially when the container used for such products is bearing the full weight of the detergent, particularly when the consumer product is recently purchased and therefore contains a large quantity of detergent. While some consumers may lift and transport such consumer products by supporting the base of the container holding the detergent, this lifting and transport may also be done by supporting the consumer product with the lid instead of the base. In such cases, the lid, subjected to the weight of the detergent, may be released and open the container, causing it to fall and potentially unpack its contents. Such situations should be avoided. In addition to preventing such unintentional lid unlocking, the structure of the consumer product container should maintain or improve ergonomics for opening and prevent or reduce permanent sidewall deformation when excessive or repeated forces are applied to the consumer product, such as during transportation, against other objects in grocery bags, under external pressure, or when dropped. Simultaneously, the container can be carefully designed to protect the environment. The consumer products according to this disclosure are intended to take these various aspects into consideration.
[0013] In this disclosure, consumer products should be understood as products specifically provided to end consumers. Such consumer products, for example, can be purchased in supermarkets and stored at home by end consumers. Consumer products can be supplied in large quantities and therefore should be designed with environmental considerations in mind. The design of consumer products should also take into account transportation to retail stores. Consumer products should also be robust enough to withstand transportation as part of e-commerce shipments. The design of consumer products should also consider shelf storage in retail stores. The design of consumer products should also consider transportation from retail stores to consumers' homes. The design of consumer products should also consider storage in private end-consumer homes. The design of consumer products should also consider use in private end-consumer homes. The design of consumer products should also consider disposal.
[0014] Consumer products according to this disclosure include detergent products. Detergent products should be understood in this disclosure as products containing surfactants. Detergent products may also contain bleach or other ingredients. Exemplary detergent product compositions are described in more detail herein. In some examples, detergent products comprise unit-dose detergent sachets, preferably water-soluble unit-dose detergent sachets, more preferably flexible water-soluble unit-dose detergent sachets. Exemplary unit-dose detergent sachets are described in more detail herein.
[0015] Consumer products according to this disclosure also include containers. In this disclosure, a container should be understood as, for example, an object that contains contents within a cavity. The container facilitates the protection, transport, storage, access, and handling of the consumer product.
[0016] In this disclosure, containers include boxes. A box should be understood as a generally parallelepiped, barrel-shaped, cylindrical, circular, elliptical, or cubic three-dimensional object defining a cavity. The use of parallelepiped boxes facilitates storage and transport by allowing boxes to be stacked in a space-efficient manner. In some examples, the box may be a parallelepiped with some circular, tapered trapezium, or beveled edges. Boxes according to this disclosure include detergent products. It should be understood that detergent products are contained or stored in the box. Boxes according to this disclosure include a base, sidewalls, and an opening opposite the base. The base according to this disclosure should be understood as the surface on which the box can rest when placed on a supporting surface such as a shelf or floor. In some examples, the base is flat. In some examples, the base is rectangular. In some examples, the base is elliptical or circular. In some examples, the base has an embossed profile projecting inward or outward in the form of relief. The sidewalls according to this disclosure should be understood to extend from the base and connect the base to an opening, transition, or cover. It should be understood that, in addition to the sidewalls, the connection from the base to the opening may also include one or more transitions. For example, the transitions may be glued or otherwise attached to the sidewalls. In some examples, the sidewalls are perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the base is rectangular and has four sides, and four sidewalls extend perpendicularly from the base, each sidewall being rectangular, each sidewall connecting to a side of the base by a sidewall edge, and connecting to two other sidewalls of the four sidewalls by two additional sidewall edges. In some examples, the base is elliptical or circular, and the sidewalls form generally cylindrical walls extending from the base in a direction orthogonal to or perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the sidewalls have shapes corresponding to segments of a square, rectangle, trapezoid, polygon, sphere, oval, or ellipsoid. The openings according to this disclosure should be understood to provide passageways to a detergent product contained in the box. In some examples, the openings face the base. In some examples, the opening has a surface area smaller than that of the base. In some examples, the opening has a surface area larger than that of the base to provide an elevated passage, for example, by using a sidewall extending from the base at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the base. In some examples, the opening is provided after the removal of a tamper-evident feature, which includes, for example, a perforated piece to be removed upon first use or a tamper-evident label to lock the cover to the box. In some examples, the tamper-evident label is glued to the cover and the box, whereby the tamper-evident label should be damaged, torn, or perforated at the first opening to indicate to the consumer that the container has not been opened before purchase. The tamper-evident label may be, for example, paper or plastic.In some examples, the opening is placed on the top panel of the box, which faces the base of the box, i.e., opposite the base. The top panel is separated from the base by at least side walls, and the top panel and base are generally coplanar. The opening covers a portion of the top panel, which includes a peripheral section surrounding the opening, such as a transition between the side walls and the opening. In some examples, the opening is rectangular. In some examples, the opening is a rectangle with rounded edges. In some examples, the opening is circular or elliptical.
[0017] The container includes a cover for a box. The cover according to this disclosure should be understood as an element that allows the opening of the container to be repeatedly closed or opened. In some examples, the cover may be attached to the box, for example, by a hinge, or may be separate from the box. The cover according to this disclosure includes a top or cover top and side wings or cover side wings. It should be understood that when the cover is in the closed position, the top of the cover is intended to cover the opening of the box. In some examples, the top of the cover is rectangular. In some examples, the top of the cover is circular, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or elliptical, approximating a structure such as a circle or ellipse, for example, by adding multiple side panels and cover folds. In some examples, the cover includes beveled edges. In some examples, the top of the cover is a rectangle with rounded edges. It should be understood that although named "top," the top of the cover can be positioned along different orientations. The cover includes side wings. It should be understood that the wing according to this disclosure is an element attached to the top of the cover and extending from the cover to engage one or more sidewalls of the box, each wing having an extension along the corresponding sidewall between its connection to the top of the cover and its distal end. The wing facilitates positioning the top of the cover over the opening. In some examples, the wing extends vertically from the top of the cover. In some examples, the wing surrounds the entire periphery of the top of the cover. In some examples, the wing partially surrounds the entire periphery of the top of the cover, and a portion of the top of the cover, for example in the case of a hinged cover, is wingless along the hinge between the cover and the box. When the cover is in the closed position, the top of the cover may cover the opening, and at least a portion of the wing may cover at least a specific portion of a particular sidewall of the box, and the cover is movable from the closed position to the open position. The movement of the cover may be constrained by its connection to the box (such as a hinge), or may be completely removable, for example, to provide elevated access to the contents of the box. The box and cover work together to facilitate the storage, transportation, and access to the contents of the container.
[0018] The container according to this disclosure includes a locking element. In this disclosure, a locking element should be understood as a mechanism that prevents or reduces the possibility of accidental opening. The locking element according to this disclosure holds the cover in a closed position. It should be understood that the locking element according to this disclosure is intended to function under normal use of the container. It should be understood that the locking element may not function when, for example, the box is used in an unusual manner, or when the box is under unusual conditions. According to this disclosure, the locking element includes a specific actuator capable of moving from the locked position to an open position by applying an actuating pressure when the cover is in the closed position. In this disclosure, the specific actuator should be understood as a mechanical structure that undergoes movement upon actuation by an external force or actuating pressure, and when such movement occurs, such movement results in the opening of the locking element. In some examples, the specific actuator according to this disclosure is resilient and has a default position corresponding to the cover being held closed, which resilientness is overcome by an external force or actuating pressure to open the cover. In some examples, the particular actuator is resilient because it includes a flexible element having a default position corresponding to the cover being kept closed. This flexible element is pressed to open the cover, and when the pressure is released, it springs back to the default position. It should be understood that pressure is generated by applying force to a surface. The particular actuator according to this disclosure has at least two positions: an open position and a locked position, wherein the open position corresponds to a position that allows the cover to be opened, and the locked position prevents the cover from opening or reduces the likelihood of accidental opening of the cover.
[0019] According to this disclosure, a specific actuator is connected to a specific portion, which is at least a specific portion of a sidewall of a box covered by at least a portion of a side wing when the cover is in the closed position. This specific portion may be a portion covered by at least a portion of the side wing when the cover is in the closed position. When in the locked position, the specific actuator, for example, abuts against a locking tab of the side wing; when in the open position, the specific actuator, for example, remains away from the locking tab. The specific actuator, for example, can be displaced by an unlocking displacement distance in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion of the sidewall by actuating pressure. The connection to the specific portion may be, for example, a fold line at the end of the sidewall away from the base. The connection of the specific actuator to this specific portion of the sidewall is due to the specific actuator's participation in locking or unlocking this specific portion of the sidewall from the portion of the side wing covering that specific portion of the sidewall, thereby allowing the cover to be released from the box. The side wing may include a locking tab. The locking tab should be understood as a mechanical element interlocked with the specific actuator. In some examples, the locking tab extends away from the side wing and may be in the form of a ridge, a raised portion, an embossed portion, or an additional layer of material extending from the side wing of the cover toward a specific portion of the sidewall, such that, in the locked position, the specific actuator can abut against the tab to prevent separation of the specific portion of the sidewall from the side wing in the specific actuator region. In some examples, the locking tab is contained within the side wing itself, and the locking tab is formed, for example, by a hole in the side wing. The abutment according to this disclosure should be understood as contact between the specific actuator or a portion of the specific actuator and the tab, such contact preventing opening of the cover. In some examples, the specific actuator remains away from the locking tab in the open position to release the locking tab. This release of the locking tab allows the cover to be opened. Displacement or movement of the specific actuator from the locked position to the open position is achieved by applying an actuating pressure or force (directly or indirectly) to the specific actuator, such that the specific actuator is displaced in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion of the sidewall by a distance sufficient to inhibit contact between the specific actuator and the locking tab, the distance corresponding to the displacement distance. It should be understood that, due to the specific dimensional configuration according to this disclosure, the force or pressure causing displacement will take a specific direction defined by precise pinching, which facilitates displacement in a direction perpendicular to a specific portion of the sidewall. This force or pressure may also include a small component that may be parallel to the sidewall, because a hand is an adult's hand, and even when applying precise pressure, the force may not be perfectly aligned. However, the actuation is triggered by the component of this force or pressure orthogonal to that portion of the sidewall. This presence of the component orthogonal to that portion of the sidewall helps prevent the action of the locking element from accidentally opening, while the desired opening will occur when the consumer “pushs” the specific actuator and applies an unlocking force or pressure that allows the cover to open.
[0020] To provide the precision of proper finger positioning and to achieve accurate pinching, the wing includes a specific actuating area within a specific wing that faces a specific actuator. The fact that this actuating area faces a specific actuator effectively allows for the precise positioning of the thumb or one or more other fingers on the area where the locking force should be applied. The actuating area should be understood as defining a local discontinuity on a specific wing, which the user or consumer can perceive in order to properly position the thumb or one or more other fingers and apply precise pinching. This discontinuity may include one or more of an actuating orifice, an actuating fold, an actuating slit, or an actuating membrane. In some examples, the actuating area (meaning any or both of a specific or additional actuating area, a specific portion, or an additional portion) includes a visual indication indicating the location of the actuating area. In some examples where the actuating area is an orifice, the specific portion, and consequently the additional portion, includes a visual indication that the orifice is visible when the cover is closed, and consequently, multiple orifices. Visual indications may be printed on the outer surface of the side wing and may include one or more arrows or one or more areas printed in a prominent color or with specific text providing the indication (such as "Push here to open"), or any combination of these indications, to further improve gripping accuracy. Actuation areas are configured to allow a specific actuator to be displaced from a locked position to an open position by applying actuating pressure at a specific actuation area when the cover is in the closed position. For proper placement of the thumb or one or more other fingers, the specific actuation area spans less than 8 cm. 2 And greater than 0.2cm 2 It has been found that larger areas result in insufficient precision in finger placement, while smaller areas make it difficult for users or consumers to locate the actuation area. In some examples, specific actuation areas have a circular shape for ease of positioning. Other shapes can be considered, such as ovals, rounded corners, squares, triangles, rounded squares, rounded triangles, other polygons, or other rounded polygons.
[0021] As described above, to achieve proper precision in a precise grip, the thumb should sense the reaction force from one or more fingers of the same hand, and one or more fingers should sense the reaction force from the thumb. This mutual feedback will result in alignment of the forces generated during the precise grip that leads to the lock opening. This feedback should be transmitted through a structure that directly or indirectly connects a specific actuating area to a flank opposite to that specific flank. It has been found that this transmission of feedback force by the structure can be achieved by the top of the cover when the specific actuating area is positioned in a specific manner, allowing the thumb and one or more other fingers to simultaneously contact both the specific flank and the flank opposite to it, which is connected via the top of the cover. This position of the specific area can be defined by the position of the specific centroid of the specific actuating area. The specific actuating area effectively defines a specific centroid, which corresponds, for example, to the geometric center of the actuating area or the arithmetic mean of all points included in the specific actuating area. To achieve sufficient mutual feedback transmission through the top of the cover, the specific centroid is separated from the top of the cover by less than 5 cm and greater than 0.5 cm, and the specific centroid is separated from the distal end of a specific wing by more than 0.5 cm. The distal end should be understood as the end of the wing that is away from the top of the cover along the direction of the box sidewall. To allow pinching across the top of the cover, the top of the cover spans less than 13 cm and greater than 6 cm in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. It has been found that a larger span will prevent pinching, and a smaller span will not allow sufficient opening size to access the detergent contained in the box. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that a shorter span may not provide a precise pinch for the purpose of opening the locking mechanism according to this disclosure with a proper balance of power and accuracy. In some examples, the top of the cover spans less than 12 cm and greater than 7 cm in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. In some examples, the top of the cover spans less than 11 cm and greater than 8 cm in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. In some examples, the top of the cover spans less than 10 cm and more than 9 cm along a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at a particular centroid.
[0022] Figure 1An exemplary consumer product 100 is shown, comprising a detergent product (not visible) and a container, the container including a box 101 containing the detergent product, a cover 102 for the box 101, and a locking member 103 for holding the cover 101 in a closed position. The box includes a base 110, sidewalls 111-114, and an opening opposite the base. A cover 102 includes a top 120 and side wings 121-124. When the cover 102 is in the closed position, the top 120 covers the opening, and the side wings 121-124 cover at least a specific portion of a particular sidewall of the sidewalls 111-114 of the box 101. A locking element 103 includes a specific actuator 130 that, when the cover 102 is in the closed position, can be moved from a locked position to an open position by applying actuating pressure to the specific actuator 130. The specific actuator 130 is connected to a specific portion. The side wings 121-124 include a specific actuation region 104 in the specific side wing 121, the actuation region 104 facing the specific actuator 130 and allowing the specific actuator 130 to be moved from the locked position to the open position by applying actuating pressure at the specific actuation region 104 when the cover 102 is in the closed position.
[0023] In the exemplary consumer product 100, the box has a rectangular base and the cover has a rectangular top. The sidewalls and side wings are also rectangular. In this example, the cover is shown in the open position to visualize the various components. In this example, the actuation area 104 is a circular hole with a diameter of 2.4 cm, which defines approximately 4.5 cm. 2A specific actuation region. The actuation region 104 defines a specific centroid corresponding to the center of the circular hole. In this example, the center of the hole is separated from the top of the cover by approximately 20 mm, as shown by distance 150. This distance is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and the point included in the top of the cover, which in this case is the distance along a direction perpendicular to the top of the cover and along the side wing 121 of the cut-out hole 104. In this example, the specific centroid or the center of the circular actuation region 104 is separated from the distal end of the specific side wing by 50 mm, as shown by distance 151. This distance is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and the point included in the distal end of the side wing 121 of the cover, which in this case is the distance along a direction perpendicular to the top of the cover and along the side wing 121 of the cut-out hole 104. In this example, the top of the cover spans 94 mm along a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at a specific centroid, as shown by distance 152. This distance, in this case, is parallel to the top of the cover and orthogonal to the specific wing 121 where the specific actuation area is located. In this example, the locking member 103 includes a flap 130 that can be pushed through the hole 104 when the cover is in the closed position. The cover 102 can be removed by placing the thumb or any other finger of a first adult's hand on the actuation area 104 and placing one or more opposing fingers of the same adult's hand on the wing 123 opposite the specific wing, thereby pinching and pushing the cover 102 across its top 120 onto the flap 130, while holding the box 101 with another adult's hand to lift and open the cover while the flap 130 remains pressed against a specific portion of the side wall 111.
[0024] Figure 2 An exemplary consumer product 200 is shown, comprising a detergent product (not visible) and a container, the container including a box 201 containing the detergent product, a cover 202 for the box 201, and a locking member 203 for holding the cover 201 in a closed position. The box includes a base 210, sidewalls 211-214, and an opening opposite the base. A cover 202 includes a top 220 and side wings 221-223. When the cover 202 is in the closed position, the top 220 covers the opening, and the side wings 221-223 cover at least a specific portion of a particular sidewall of the sidewalls 211-214 of the box 201. A locking element 203 includes a specific actuator 230. When the cover 202 is in the closed position, the specific actuator can be moved from a locked position to an open position by applying actuating pressure to the specific actuator 230. The specific actuator 230 is connected to a specific portion. The side wings 221-223 include a specific actuation region 204 in the specific side wing 221. The actuation region 204 faces the specific actuator 230 and allows the specific actuator 230 to be moved from the locked position to the open position by applying actuating pressure at the specific actuation region 204 when the cover 202 is in the closed position.
[0025] In the exemplary consumer product 200, the box has a rectangular base and the cover has a rectangular top. In this example, the cover is a hinged cover connected by a fold line to a sidewall 213 opposite to a sidewall 211 that includes a specific portion. The sidewalls and wings are also rectangular. In this example, the cover is shown in the open position to visualize the various components. In this example, the actuation region 204 is a rectangular membrane with rounded edges that covers the hole below. This rectangular membrane has a height of 1 cm along a direction orthogonal to the top of the cover and a length of 3 cm in a direction perpendicular to the height direction, thus defining approximately 3 cm. 2 A specific actuation region. The actuation region 204 defines a specific centroid corresponding to the center of the rectangular membrane. In this example, the specific centroid is separated from the top of the cover by 30 mm, as shown by distance 250. This distance is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and the points included in the top of the cover, which in this case is along a direction perpendicular to the top of the cover and along the side wing 221 where the actuation region is located. In this example, the specific centroid is separated from the distal end of the specific side wing 221 by 30 mm, as shown by distance 251. This distance is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and the points included in the distal end of the side wing 221 of the cover, which in this case is along a direction perpendicular to the top of the cover and along the side wing 221 that cuts out the actuation region 204. In this example, the top of the cover extends 100 mm in a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at the specific centroid, as shown by distance 252. This distance in this case is parallel to the top of the cover and orthogonal to the specific side wing 221 where the specific actuation region is located. In this example, the locking element 203 includes a spring-loaded button 230 that can be actuated by a membrane in the actuation region 204 when the cover is closed. The cover 202 can be opened by placing the thumb or any other finger of a first adult's hand on the actuation region 204 and placing one or more opposing fingers of the same adult's hand on the side wall 223 opposite the side wall 211 that includes the actuation region. The first adult's hand thereby pinches and pushes the cover 202 across its top 220 onto the button 230, while the other adult's hand holds the box 201 to hinge open the cover while the button 230 remains pressed against a specific portion of the side wall 211.
[0026] Figure 3 An exemplary consumer product 300 is shown, which includes Figure 1 The elements described in the context use the same reference numerals, and also include an additional actuating region 304 in the opposing wing 123, wherein, in this example, the actuating region 304 has the same properties as the actuating region 104, the opposing wing 123 is opposite to the particular wing 121, and the additional actuating region 304 is adjacent to an additional portion of the sidewall 113 opposite to the particular sidewall 111, wherein:
[0027] Additional actuation area spanning less than 8cm 2 And greater than 0.2cm 2 In this particular example, it is approximately 0.8 cm. 2 Additional actuation region 304 limited additional centroid;
[0028] The additional centroid is separated from the top of the cover by less than 5 cm and more than 0.5 cm, preferably between 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm, and in this particular example, by about 2 cm.
[0029] The additional centroid and the distal end of the opposite flank are separated by more than 0.5 cm;
[0030] The additional centroid is aligned with the specific centroid along a direction orthogonal to the additional portion at the additional centroid; and the additional centroid and the specific centroid are separated by a distance greater than 6 cm and less than 13 cm, which is understood as the mean shortest direct distance.
[0031] In a preferred example, the additional centroid is separated from the far end of the opposite wing by a distance of approximately 5 cm.
[0032] In the preferred example, the additional centroid and the specific centroid are separated by approximately 94 mm.
[0033] In some examples, a specific centroid is separated from the distal end of a specific wing by a distance D1, and an additional distance is separated from the distal end of the centroid from the opposite wing by a distance D2, wherein the difference between D1 and D2 is greater than 5% of the value of D1. In one example, D1 is approximately 1.5 cm and D2 is approximately 3 cm. This difference in distance from the respective distal ends allows for adjustment of the desired precise clamping measurement. In some examples, the difference between D1 and D2 is less than 1 cm, preferably less than 0.5 cm. This offset between D1 and D2 helps to reduce the possibility of accidental opening when the box is lifted simultaneously through two actuated areas, while limiting this offset enables precise clamping.
[0034] In some examples, the additional actuation region has a circular shape for ease of positioning. Other shapes can be considered, such as elliptical, oval, or polygonal shapes.
[0035] according to Figure 3 The example configuration allows for precise placement of the top of the cover on opposite sides, thus making it even easier to apply precise pinching.
[0036] It should be noted that, although Figure 3The example illustrates a configuration including additional actuation regions, but other configurations can be considered, which may, for example, combine additional actuation regions of different types or sizes than the specific actuation regions, and may not necessarily be placed exactly opposite to the specific actuation regions. Besides improving precise pinching by increasing finger placement accuracy, using additional actuation regions can, for example, enable the same box to be used by either right-handed or left-handed individuals, regardless of the box's position.
[0037] In such Figure 3 In some of the examples shown, the shortest distance between the additional centroid and the specific centroid along a particular flank, the top of the cap, and the opposite flank is less than 18 cm, thus allowing a precise pinch to be applied between the two actuation areas with an adult's hand across the top of the cap. In some examples, the shortest distance between the additional centroid and the specific centroid along a particular flank, the top of the cap, and the opposite flank is less than 15 cm. In one example, the shortest distance between the additional centroid and the specific centroid along a particular flank, the top of the cap, and the opposite flank is 13.4 cm, broken down into 9.5 cm across the top of the cap, 2 cm along the particular flank, and 2 cm along the opposite flank.
[0038] Figure 4 An exemplary consumer product 400 is shown. This exemplary consumer product 400 includes elements of consumer product 300, which are numbered using the same reference numerals. In addition to these, the exemplary consumer product 400 includes an additional actuator 403 connected to an additional portion of sidewall 113 opposite a specific sidewall 111, facing an additional actuation region 304 when the cover 102 is closed. The additional actuator 403 is shown as having a fold similar to fold 130, which interacts with a tab 430 disposed on the inside of fold 123 to reinforce the locking of the cover. In this case, pinching will unlock the additional actuator and the specific actuator to allow the cover to be opened. Although the tab is shown as spanning a portion of the corresponding fold 123, the tab may span the entire length of the corresponding fold. A fold (not shown) is disposed on the inside of fold 121 to interact with fold 130 and contribute to locking. It should be noted that although the additional actuator 403 is shown to be symmetrically opposite to the particular actuator 130 and has the same properties and dimensions, such actuators may take different properties and dimensions in other examples and may not have to be symmetrical.
[0039] Figure 5An exemplary consumer product 500 is shown. This exemplary consumer product 500 includes elements of consumer product 100, which are numbered using the same reference numerals. In addition, the exemplary consumer product 500 includes a lateral support element 505 for a cover 102, the lateral support element extending from a first end 551 to a second end 552 of the support element along a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at a specific centroid. The support element 505 is attached or integrated into the top of the cover, wherein when the cover is closed, the specific portion is located between the first end 551 and a specific actuation region 104, the first end 551 being separated from the specific actuation region 104 by a gap of less than 1 cm and greater than 0.5 mm along a direction orthogonal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. This support element allows for improved transmission of feedback force when the cover is clamped. The support element also allows for reinforcement of the cover structure and locking structure, wherein when the cover is closed, portions of the sidewalls 111 and 113 slide between the side wings and the support element. The specific gap dimensions allow the support element to be clamped when the cover is pinched, thus enabling direct force feedback in addition to feedback occurring through the top of the cover itself. It should be noted that although the support element is represented as having a triangular profile or cross-section, other profiles or cross-sections can be provided while simultaneously achieving the function of a support element.
[0040] Figure 6 An exemplary consumer product 600 is illustrated. This exemplary consumer product 600 includes a combination of elements from consumer products 500 and 400, wherein the consumer product 600 is configured such that, when the cover is closed, an additional portion is located between a second end 552 and an additional actuation region 304, the second end 552 being separated from the additional actuation region 304 by a gap of less than 1 cm and greater than 0.5 mm along a direction orthogonal to the additional portion at the centroid of the additional portion. Using this configuration, precise gripping is further enhanced by precise positioning of fingers on both sides of the cover and by direct force feedback between the two sides of the cover via support elements, while providing dual locking. It should be understood that alternative combinations may include different box shapes, support element shapes, actuation region shapes, or locking member shapes.
[0041] It should be noted that, such as Figure 5 or Figure 6As shown, in addition to improving clamping accuracy, the combination of locking elements and support elements also helps prevent or reduce the risk of accidental opening of the cover while allowing for desired opening by the consumer. Avoiding or reducing the risk of accidental opening applies, for example, to forces applied in a direction parallel to the sidewalls, such as through friction with another box positioned side-by-side according to this disclosure, or through the box tipping over during transport, or through the internal movement of the contents of the box during transport that pushes the cover. Strong pulling in a direction parallel to the sidewalls can indeed affect the structure of the sidewalls (e.g., causing the sidewalls to bend), where such bend can produce an undesirable disengagement of the locking tabs from the actuators due to the specific actuators being attached to specific portions of the sidewalls. This will result in undesirable opening of the cover. Such undesirable opening of the cover may be more likely if the sidewalls are made of a material such as cardboard used to form the sidewalls, especially when the box is a cardboard box.
[0042] In some examples, the locking element is placed in the central region of the side wall of the box. The central region should be understood as being substantially equidistant from the opposing edges of the relevant side wall, such edges being perpendicular to the base of the box. In such examples, it should be understood that the locking element is positioned closest to the edge of the side wall near the opening, rather than the edge of the side wall near the base, while being located in the central region relative to the edge perpendicular to the base. This central positioning of the locking element can help prevent the cover from slipping off the box if the box is lifted by applying pressure to a particular actuator to hold the cover in place, where such pressure presses the particular actuator against the center of the support element structure, thereby balancing the forces holding the cover and the box together and helping to prevent accidental opening. In some examples, the locking element may be located on the side wall and between two edges of the side wall, such edges being perpendicular to the base, with the locking element closer to one edge than the other, for example, positioned at 1 / 3 of the distance between the two edges closer to one edge. In some examples, a side wall may include two locking elements. In some examples, two locking elements may be provided, each offset from the centerline to increase the distance between the two locking elements. In some examples, more than two locking elements may be provided. In some examples, three locking elements are provided, such as a first locking element corresponding to the thumb of the user's hand and two additional locking elements located on the opposite side of the cover for the index and middle fingers of the same user's hand, so that the user can actuate all three locking elements with one hand while holding the box with the other hand.
[0043] In some examples, a specific centroid and a corresponding additional centroid (if present) are located in the central region of the flanks of the cap along a horizontal direction parallel to the top of the cap. The central region should be understood as being substantially equidistant from the opposing edges of the relevant flanks, such edges being along a direction orthogonal to the top of the cap. This configuration allows for the use of reversible caps, particularly when both the specific and additional centroids are present.
[0044] The purpose of this disclosure is also to resolve, on the one hand, the apparent contradiction between the use of materials for sidewalls that resist accidental opening and the use of particularly environmentally friendly materials for sidewalls.
[0045] The container can actually be made of paper or cardboard materials, particularly rigid cardboard, flexible cardboard, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the material forming the box or lid has a wall thickness greater than 220 micrometers and less than 3 mm. In some examples, the material forming the box or lid has a wall thickness greater than 1 mm and less than 2 mm. In some examples, the material forming the box or lid is folded over itself, for example, to reinforce part or all of the box or lid. The container can be made of paper materials, bio-based materials, bamboo fiber, cellulose fiber, cellulose-based or fiber-based materials, or mixtures thereof. The container can be made of materials including recycled materials, such as recycled cellulose fiber-based materials. In some examples, for ease of opening, the lid can be completely separated from the box when opened, and the weight of the lid is less than 200 g, preferably less than 100 g, even more preferably less than 80 g, and greater than 10 g, more preferably greater than 30 g, even more preferably greater than 40 g, to obtain a sufficiently robust lid structure.
[0046] According to some examples, the cover includes a support element structure that allows for more precise clamping. This support element structure enters the opening of the box when the cover is in the closed position. At least a portion of a specific section of the sidewall is located between the side wing and the support element structure when the cover is in the closed position. When the cover is in the closed position and no actuating pressure is applied, a gap distance separates the sidewall from the support element structure in a direction orthogonal to this specific section of the sidewall. When the cover is in the closed position, if the applied actuating pressure exceeds a pressure threshold, this gap distance decreases to zero through the deflection of this specific section of the sidewall. Both the support element structure and the side wing are structurally part of the cover, and the support element structure and the side wing allow for the clamping of the specific section of the sidewall in the middle, thereby preventing the specific section of the sidewall from sagging and preventing the specific actuator from undesirably disengaging from the locking tab. It is important to note that when actuating pressure is applied when lifting the box through the cover, the applied pressure causes a specific portion of the sidewall to rest against the support structure, thus compensating for gravity, which would otherwise cause the cover to disengage from the box. This compensation for gravity is achieved through the resistance to static friction between this specific portion of the sidewall and the support structure. In some examples, the use of the support structure allows for the manufacture of the box using a relatively flexible material, such that without the support structure, this flexible material would flex to such an extent that the box would fall if lifted through its cover. Allowing for the use of a relatively flexible material also allows for the use of a smaller amount of such material, because the support structure compensates for this flexibility. Therefore, even when actuating pressure is applied to a specific actuator of the locking mechanism (e.g., lifting the box when pressure is applied to a specific actuator of the locking mechanism), the presence of such a support structure prevents or reduces the risk of accidental opening.
[0047] When the cover is in the closed position, the support element structure enters the opening, thus assembling the support element structure within the housing when the cover is in the closed position. This entry opening should be understood as the support element structure comprising a portion that enters the opening when the cover moves from the open position to the closed position, and wherein such a portion of the support element structure exits the opening when the cover moves from the closed position to the open position. When the cover is in the closed position, at least a portion of this particular section of the sidewall is located between the side wing and the support element structure. This structure allows this particular section of the sidewall to be captured between the side wing and the support element structure, inserted between the side wing and the support element structure when the cover moves from the open position to the closed position, and released from between the side wing and the support element structure when the cover moves from the closed position to the open position. When the cover is in the closed position, a gap distance separates the sidewall from the support element structure in a direction orthogonal to the particular section of the sidewall, and such direction corresponds, for example, to the direction of the linear ridge of the support element when no actuating pressure is applied. Such a gap distance will exist on a first side of the support element structure and will be repeated on a second side of the support element structure. When the cover is closed, such a gap distance allows the support element structure to be inserted through the opening such that the support element structure does not collide with a specific portion of the sidewall when the cover is closed. When the cover is in the closed position, when the applied actuation pressure is above a pressure threshold, the gap is reduced to zero by the deflection of that specific portion of the sidewall. When such a pressure threshold is reached, the sidewall abuts against the support element structure by the gap distance being reduced to zero, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the sidewall and preventing the sidewall from sinking into the position of the specific actuator release locking tab, and allowing feedback force to be transmitted from one side of the clamping to the other side of the clamping. The gap distance according to such an example relates in some examples to a tolerance distance between the cover and the box, which allows the cover to be placed on the box without excessive difficulty, while preventing the cover from loosening when in the closed position. Although the gap distance according to this disclosure is considered to be in a certain area of the locking element, the tolerance distance between the cover and the box can be considered to be along the entire perimeter of the opening of the box. In some examples, the tolerance is at least 0.1 mm and less than 5 mm. In some examples, the tolerance is at least 0.5 mm and less than 3 mm. For example, when the cover is in the closed position, this tolerance is measured between the inner surface of the side wing and the outer surface of the sidewall. It should be understood that this tolerance can take different values in the area of the locking element.
[0048] In some examples, the gap distance is at least 1 mm and less than 1 cm when the cover is in the closed position and no actuating pressure is applied. This range allows for easy closure of the cover and prevents specific sections of the sidewall from sagging, which could lead to undesirable unlocking. In some examples, the gap distance is at least 1.5 mm and less than 0.5 cm when the cover is in the closed position and no actuating pressure is applied. In some examples, the gap distance is at least 2 mm and less than 0.4 cm when the cover is in the closed position and no actuating pressure is applied.
[0049] In some examples, the cover comprises a corrugated cardboard layer including grooves, which preferably extend parallel to a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at a particular centroid and parallel to the top of the cover, wherein a specific actuating region, and correspondingly additional actuating regions, preferably intersects with at least some of the grooves. This structure allows for reinforcement of the top of the cover in the pinching direction, thereby further increasing the pinching force feedback and thus increasing pinching accuracy. The intersection of the grooves with the perforated actuating regions also allows for ventilation of one or more side wings provided with perforations, thereby enhancing side wing integrity in humid environments.
[0050] In some examples, the detergent product comprises a detergent composition. The detergent composition may be a laundry detergent composition, an automatic dishwashing composition, a hard surface cleaning composition, or a combination thereof. The detergent composition may comprise a solid, a liquid, or a mixture thereof. The term "liquid" includes gels, solutions, dispersions, pastes, or mixtures thereof. The solid may be a powder. The term "powder" herein means that the detergent composition may comprise solid particles or may be a single homogeneous solid. In some examples, the powder detergent composition comprises particles. This means that the powder detergent composition comprises individual solid particles, unlike a solid that is a single homogeneous solid. The particles may be free-flowing or compacted. The laundry detergent composition may be used in hand-washing operations or in automatic machine-washing operations, such as in automatic machine-washing operations. Exemplary laundry detergent compositions comprise non-soap surfactants, wherein the non-soap surfactants include anionic non-soap surfactants and nonionic surfactants. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 60%, or between 20% and 55% of the non-soap surfactant by weight of the laundry detergent composition. Exemplary weight ratios of non-soap anionic surfactants to nonionic surfactants are 1:1 to 20:1, 1.5:1 to 17.5:1, 2:1 to 15:1, or 2.5:1 to 13:1. Exemplary non-soap anionic surfactants include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, or mixtures thereof. Exemplary weight ratios of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates to alkyl sulfates are 1:2 to 9:1, 1:1 to 7:1, 1:1 to 5:1, or 1:1 to 4:1. Exemplary linear alkylbenzene sulfonates are C 10-C 16 Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, or C 11 -C 14Alkylbenzene sulfonic acid. The term "straight-chain" as used herein means that the alkyl group is straight-chain. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants may comprise alkoxylated alkyl sulfates or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfates or mixtures thereof. Exemplary alkoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants comprise ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants may comprise ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants having a molar average degree of ethoxylation of 1 to 5, 1 to 3, or 2 to 3. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants may comprise non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, wherein the molar average degree of ethoxylation of the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate is 1 to 5, 1 to 3, or 2 to 3. The alkyl fraction of the exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant is derived from fatty alcohols, carbonyl synthetic alcohols, Guerbert alcohols, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 50%, 15% and 45%, 20% and 40%, or 30% and 40% of a non-soap anionic surfactant by weight of the laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the nonionic surfactant is selected from alcohol alkoxylates, carbonyl synthetic alcohol alkoxylates, Gelbert alcohol alkoxylates, alkylphenol alcohol alkoxylates, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 0.01% and 10%, 0.01% and 8%, 0.1% and 6%, or 0.15% and 5% of a nonionic surfactant by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises between 1.5% and 20%, 2% and 15%, 3% and 10%, or 4% and 8% of soap, fatty acid salt, or amine-neutralized fatty acid salt, by weight of the laundry detergent composition, wherein in some examples the amine is an alkanolamine, such as selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof, and in some examples monoethanolamine. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition may contain less than 15% or less than 12% water by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent selected from 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises between 10% and 40%, or between 15% and 30% of a non-aqueous solvent by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the fabric softener composition contains fragrance.In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises auxiliary ingredients selected from the group consisting of: builder agents including enzymes, citrates, bleaching agents, bleaching catalysts, dyes, tinting dyes, brighteners, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimine, detergency polymers, surfactants, solvents, dye transfer inhibitors, chelating agents, encapsulated fragrances, polycarboxylate esters, structural agents, pH adjusters, and mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition has a pH between 6 and 10, between 6.5 and 8.9, or between 7 and 8, wherein the pH of the laundry detergent composition is determined at a product concentration of 10% in deionized water at 20°C. When the laundry detergent composition is a liquid, it may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition is non-Newtonian. Unbound by theory, non-Newtonian liquids have different properties than Newtonian liquids; more specifically, the viscosity of a non-Newtonian liquid depends on the shear rate, while a Newtonian liquid has a constant viscosity independent of the applied shear rate. The decrease in viscosity when shear is applied to a non-Newtonian liquid is considered to further facilitate the dissolution of the liquid detergent. The liquid laundry detergent compositions described herein may have any suitable viscosity, depending on factors such as the formulation ingredients and the purpose of the composition.
[0051] In some examples, the consumer product includes at least one water-soluble unit dosage form and a container. The consumer product can be sold "as is," meaning it is an item a consumer takes from a shelf. Alternatively, the consumer product can be contained as a unit of a multi-component product. For example, more than one consumer product can be contained within an outer package, and multiple packages of consumer products can be sold together in a single purchase. The consumer product may include aesthetic elements, such as shrink sleeves or labels attached to the container. Alternatively, the container may be colored or printed with aesthetic elements or informational printouts (such as instructions for use).
[0052] In some examples, the water-soluble unit-dose article includes at least one water-soluble film oriented to form at least one unit-dose internal compartment, wherein the at least one unit-dose internal compartment contains a detergent composition. The water-soluble film and detergent composition are described in more detail below. In some examples, the consumer product includes at least one water-soluble unit-dose article, in some cases at least two water-soluble unit-dose articles, in some cases at least 10 water-soluble unit-dose articles, in some cases at least 20 water-soluble unit-dose articles, in some cases at least 30 water-soluble unit-dose articles, in some cases at least 40 water-soluble unit-dose articles, and in some cases at least 45 water-soluble unit-dose articles. In some examples, the water-soluble unit-dose article is in the form of a sachet. In some examples, the water-soluble unit-dose article contains a single dose of composition, the volume of which is sufficient to provide benefit in the final application. In some examples, the water-soluble unit-dose article includes a water-soluble film shaped such that the unit-dose article includes at least one internal compartment surrounded by the water-soluble film. The at least one compartment contains a cleaning composition. The water-soluble membrane is sealed to prevent leakage of the cleaning composition from the compartments during storage. However, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the water-soluble membrane dissolves, releasing the contents of the internal compartments into the washing liquid. The unit dose article may include more than one compartment, at least two compartments, or at least three compartments, or at least four compartments, or even at least five compartments. The compartments may be arranged in a superimposed orientation, i.e., one positioned on top of another. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e., one immediately adjacent to the other. The compartments may be arranged in a "tire and rim" orientation, i.e., the first compartment is positioned close to the second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment, but does not completely enclose the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. In some examples, the unit dose article includes at least two compartments, one of which is smaller than the other. In some examples, the unit dose product comprises at least three compartments, two of which may be smaller than the third compartment, and in some examples, the two smaller compartments are stacked on top of the larger compartment. In some examples, the unit dose product comprises at least four compartments, three of which may be smaller than the fourth compartment, and in some examples, the three smaller compartments are stacked on top of the larger compartment. In some examples, the stacked compartments are arranged side-by-side. In some examples, each individual unit dose product may have a weight between 10g and 40g, or even between 15g and 35g. The water-soluble membrane is capable of dissolving or dispersing in water.Before being formed into a unit dose article, the water-soluble film has a thickness of 20 micrometers to 150 micrometers in some examples, 35 micrometers to 125 micrometers in others, 50 micrometers to 110 micrometers in still others, and about 76 micrometers in yet others. Exemplary water-soluble film materials include polymeric materials. The film material can be obtained, for example, by casting, blow molding, extrusion, or blow extrusion of the polymeric material. In some examples, the water-soluble film comprises a polyvinyl alcohol polymer or copolymer, such as a blend of polyvinyl alcohol polymers and / or polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, for example selected from sulfonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, especially carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, such as blends of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers and carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers. In some examples, the water-soluble film is one supplied by Monosol under trade references M8630, M8900, M8779, and M8310. In some examples, the film may be opaque, transparent, or translucent. The film may include printed areas. The printing area can be achieved using techniques such as flexographic printing or inkjet printing. The film may contain an aversive agent, such as a bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin, sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denaphalonamine, or mixtures thereof. Example levels of the aversive agent include, but are not limited to, 1 ppm to 5000 ppm, 100 ppm to 2500 ppm, or 250 ppm to 2000 ppm. Water-soluble films or water-soluble unit-dose products, or both, may be coated with a lubricant. In some examples, the lubricant is selected from talc, zinc oxide, silica, siloxanes, zeolite, silicic acid, alumina, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate, potassium tripolyphosphate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch, modified starch, clay, kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrin, or mixtures thereof.
[0053] In some examples, the container includes a first portion, wherein the first portion includes a first compartment containing at least one water-soluble unit dose product. In some examples, the first compartment includes at least two water-soluble unit dose products. The first compartment may include between 1 and 80 water-soluble unit dose products, or between 1 and 60 water-soluble unit dose products, or between 1 and 40 water-soluble unit dose products, or between 1 and 20 water-soluble unit dose products. The volume of the first compartment may be between 500 ml and 5000 ml, and in some examples between 800 ml and 4000 ml.
[0054] In some examples, the detergent product is in the form of a unit-dose detergent sachet, preferably a flexible water-soluble unit-dose detergent sachet, wherein the opening is configured to prevent the unit-dose detergent sachet from passing through the opening. It should be understood that for products such as... Figure 1 or Figures 3 to 6The containers shown in either of these examples may, in practice, be stored upside down for some reason, in which case accidental opening would result in the detergent pouch filling the cover. In this case, configuring the hole to prevent the unit dose of detergent pouch from passing through the hole allows for the prevention of accidental spillage of the detergent pouch through the hole. In some examples, the pouch has a minimum cross-section, which in some cases is surrounded by an outer flange area, intersecting with the internal volume of the detergent article containing the detergent, and this minimum cross-section is smaller than the actuation area hole. For example, if the actuation area hole is 1 cm... 2 Then it has 1.5cm 2 The bag with the smallest cross-section will not overflow through the hole.
[0055] In some examples, when the cover is in the closed position, one or more winglets, including the corresponding actuation area, cover at least 30% of one or more corresponding sidewalls. In such examples, if the corresponding actuation area is an orifice, such an orifice will allow air contained within the cover to escape to some extent while closing the cover when it slides onto the box. In some examples, the cover defines an internal volume defined by the top and side winglets of the cover. In some examples, the internal volume of the cover includes 200 cm². 3 and 2000cm 3 Between, preferably at 750cm 3 and 1500cm 3 Between. In some examples, when the cap is in the closed position, one or more winglets including the corresponding actuation area cover at least 40% of one or more corresponding sidewalls of the sidewalls. In some examples, when the cap is in the closed position, one or more winglets including the corresponding actuation area cover at least 50% of one or more corresponding sidewalls of the sidewalls. Providing greater wing coverage increases robustness and allows the contents of the container to be retained within the cap shell in the event of accidental inverted opening. In some examples, such a configuration may be advantageously combined with a perforation configured to prevent unit-dose detergent pouches from passing through the perforation.
[0056] In some examples, the specific centroid and the corresponding additional centroid are separated from the top of the cover by more than 1 cm and less than 3 cm. This dimension was found to be particularly effective when applying high-precision pinching.
[0057] In some examples, the specific actuation area and the corresponding additional actuation area cover less than 6 cm. 2 And greater than 1cm 2 It was also found that this size is particularly effective when applying high-precision pinching.
[0058] In some examples, the flanks comprise two short flanks and two long flanks, with a specific actuation area, and, if present, a corresponding additional actuation area, located on the long flanks. This configuration allows for increased rigidity of the cap top in the pinching direction while maintaining the desired internal container volume. The cap may actually comprise two opposing long flanks parallel to each other and two opposing short flanks parallel to each other, the long flanks being perpendicular to the short flanks. The long flanks are preferably reinforced to account for the fact that a user or consumer is more likely to apply pressure to the long flanks, and considering that the midpoint of a long flank along the first direction is farther from the corner of the same long flank than the midpoint of a short flank is from the corner of the corresponding short flank, the long flanks are more likely to undergo deformation.
[0059] Figure 7 This describes an exemplary method 700 for operating a locked consumer product. The consumer product can be any exemplary consumer product according to this disclosure. Method 700 includes, in block 701, unlocking the container by pinching a lid between the thumb and one or more other fingers of a first adult's hand, preferably including one or more of the index or middle fingers, wherein the pinching occurs across the top of the lid, wherein the thumb or one or more other fingers apply actuating pressure on a specific actuating area and, when present, on an additional actuating area, wherein the thumb and one or more other fingers simultaneously contact a specific flank and a flank opposite to the specific flank in a region between a specific centroid and, when an additional actuating area is present. Method 700 further includes, in block 702, opening the container by sliding the pinched lid away from the box in a direction orthogonal to the top of the lid while holding the box with the hand of a second adult. It should be understood that in some examples, there is a single specific actuation region without any additional actuation regions. In this case, pressure can be applied directly to the opposite flanks, rather than to the additional actuation regions. In some other examples, both specific and additional actuation regions are provided.
[0060] Figure 8 It shows including, as in Figure 7 The exemplary method 800 is described in the context of boxes 701 and 702. Method 800 also includes closing the container in box 803 by placing the lid on the box until the lid is in a locked position. In some examples, an audible click is produced when the lid is locked to confirm that locking has occurred.
[0061] The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values cited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a range around which it is functionally equivalent. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.
Claims
1. A consumer product comprising a detergent product and a container, the container comprising a case, a cover for the case, and a locking member for holding the cover in a closed position, the case comprising the detergent product, the case comprising a base, sidewalls, and an opening opposite the base, the cover comprising a top and side wings, wherein when the cover is in the closed position, the top covers the opening and the side wings cover at least a specific portion of a particular sidewall of the case, the locking member comprising a specific actuator capable of moving from a locked position to an open position by applying an actuating pressure to the specific actuator when the cover is in the closed position, the specific actuator being connected to the particular portion, the side wings comprising a specific actuating region in the specific side wings, the specific actuating region facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be moved from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuating pressure at the specific actuating region when the cover is in the closed position, wherein: -The specific actuation area spans less than 8cm 2 And greater than 0.2cm 2 The specific actuation region defines a specific centroid; - The specific centroid is separated from the top of the cover by less than 5 cm and greater than 0.5 cm; - The specific centroid is separated from the distal end of the specific flank by more than 0.5 cm; - The top of the cover spans less than 13cm and more than 6cm along a direction orthogonal to the specific portion at the specific centroid; - The cover includes a lateral support element extending from a first end to a second end of the support element along a direction orthogonal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. The support element is attached or integrated to the top of the cover, wherein when the cover is in the closed position, the specific portion is located between the first end and the specific actuation region, and the first end is separated from the specific actuation region by a gap of less than 1 cm and greater than 0.5 mm along a direction orthogonal to the specific portion at the specific centroid. - The side wing includes an additional actuation region in an opposing side wing, the opposing side wing being opposite to the specific side wing, the additional actuation region being adjacent to an additional portion of the side wall opposite to the specific side wall, the locking member including an additional actuator connected to the additional portion of the side wall opposite to the specific side wall, the additional actuator facing the additional actuation region, and when the cover is in the closed position, the additional portion being located between a second end and the additional actuation region, the second end being separated from the additional actuation region by a gap of less than 1 cm and greater than 0.5 mm along a direction orthogonal to the additional portion at the additional centroid.
2. The consumer product according to claim 1, wherein: -The additional actuation area spans less than 8cm 2 And greater than 0.2cm 2 The additional actuation region defines an additional centroid; - The additional centroid is separated from the top of the cover by less than 5 cm and more than 0.5 cm; - The specific centroid is separated from the distal end of the opposite wing by more than 0.5 cm; - The additional centroid is aligned with the specific centroid along a direction orthogonal to the additional portion at the additional centroid; and - The additional centroid and the specific centroid are separated by a distance greater than 6 cm and less than 13 cm.
3. The consumer product of claim 2, wherein the shortest distance between the additional centroid and the specific centroid along the particular wing, the top of the cover, and the opposite wing is less than 18 cm.
4. The consumer product of claim 1, wherein one or more of the specific actuation region and the additional actuation regions are holes.
5. The consumer product of claim 4, wherein the detergent product is in the form of a unit-dose detergent sachet, wherein the hole is configured to prevent the unit-dose detergent sachet from passing through the hole.
6. The consumer product according to claim 5, wherein the detergent product is in the form of a flexible water-soluble unit-dose detergent sachet.
7. The consumer product of claim 4, wherein the particular portion, and corresponding additional portion, includes a visual indication visible through the opening, and corresponding plurality of openings, when the cover is closed.
8. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein when the cover is in the closed position, one or more of the side wings including the respective actuation areas cover at least 30% of one or more of the respective side walls, wherein the respective actuation areas are either or both of the specific actuation areas or the additional actuation areas.
9. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the cover is completely separable from the box when opened, and wherein the weight of the cover is less than 200g and greater than 10g.
10. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the specific centroid and the corresponding additional centroid are separated from the top of the cover by more than 1 cm and less than 3 cm.
11. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the particular centroid and the corresponding additional centroid are located in the central region of the side wings of the cover along a horizontal direction parallel to the top of the cover.
12. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the specific actuation region and the corresponding additional actuation region have a circular shape.
13. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the specific actuation area and the corresponding additional actuation area cover less than 6 cm. 2 And greater than 1cm 2 .
14. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the container is made of paper or cardboard material.
15. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the cover comprises a corrugated cardboard layer, the corrugated cardboard layer comprising grooves.
16. The consumer product of claim 15, wherein the groove extends parallel to a direction orthogonal to the particular portion at the particular centroid and parallel to the top of the cover.
17. The consumer product of claim 16, wherein the specific actuation region and the corresponding additional actuation region intersect at least some of the grooves in the trench.
18. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the wing comprises two short wings and two long wings, wherein the specific actuation region, and, if present, a corresponding additional actuation region, is located on the long wing.
19. A method for operating a locked consumer product, said consumer product being the consumer product according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: - The container is unlocked by pinching the cap between the thumb of the first adult's hand and one or more other fingers of the first adult's hand, wherein the pinching occurs across the top of the cap, wherein the thumb or the one or more other fingers apply the actuating pressure on the specific actuating area and correspondingly on the additional actuating area, wherein the thumb and one or more other fingers simultaneously contact the specific wing and the wing opposite the specific wing in the area between the specific centroid, the corresponding additional centroid and the top of the cap; as well as - The container is opened by sliding the pinched cap away from the box in a direction orthogonal to the top of the cap while holding the box with the hand of a second adult.
20. The method of operating a locked consumer product according to claim 19, wherein the one or more other fingers include one or more of the index or middle fingers.
21. The method of operating a locked consumer product according to claim 19, the method further comprising closing the container by placing the cover on the box until the cover is in the locked position.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
box with an opening safety device.
CH710519A2
Detergent product container with lock
CN114901558A
Folding box
EP3587293A1
container
JP1995028015U
Packing box
JP2017128381A