Consumer product and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A consumer product (100) comprises a container (102) and a detergent (104) product contained therein, the container comprising: a base (106); a first side wall (108) and a second side wall (110), the first and second side walls (108, 110) having respective top edges (109, 111), the detergent product (104) being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls (108, 110); and a cover (116) comprising: a lower flap (118) connected to the top edge (109) of the first side wall (108), the lower flap being provided with a tab receiver (122); and an upper flap (120) connected to the top edge (111) of the second side wall (110), the upper flap comprising a tab (124) engageable into the tab receptacle (122) in a repeatable manner and releasable from the tab receptacle in a repeatable manner.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention generally relates to containers for detergent products. Such containers containing detergent products are consumer products found in consumer households, particularly in rooms such as kitchens, laundry rooms or bathrooms, which tend to create humid environments. It is important that the container is configured to adequately protect the detergent product from degradation due to excessive exposure to such moisture or humidity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Figure 1A to Figure 1B An example consumer product is illustrated.

[0003] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B Another example consumer product is illustrated.

[0004] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B Another example consumer product is illustrated.

[0005] Figure 4 Another example consumer product is illustrated.

[0006] Figure 5 Another example consumer product is illustrated.

[0007] Figure 6 Another example consumer product is illustrated.

[0008] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B Another example consumer product is illustrated.

[0009] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C Other example consumer products are illustrated.

[0010] Fig. 9 Another example consumer product is illustrated.

[0011] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B Another consumer product is illustrated.

[0012] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C A first example method is illustrated.

[0013] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C A second example method is illustrated.

[0014] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B A third example method is illustrated.

[0015] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B A fourth example method is illustrated.

[0016] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15B A fifth example method is illustrated.

[0017] Fig.16 A sixth example method is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Detergent products are sensitive to moisture. They should be contained in specially designed containers, especially containers that can be properly locked or closed before and after use, to prevent excessive exposure of the detergent composition to ambient moisture. At the same time, the container must be easy to operate for adult consumers. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism should reliably prevent accidental opening while providing reliable unlocking / locking operation for adult consumers. In addition, for environmental reasons, the amount of material used to make the container should be as low as possible while protecting the detergent product from moisture.

[0019] In other words, the container of the present invention uses a reduced amount of material without compromising the protection against moisture entry or the usability of the end user. Existing containers for detergent products are usually made of two parts: a box and an insert. The insert overlaps the opening of the box and prevents the detergent product from falling on the box when the lid is opened (the lid is initially attached to the box, and the end user can enable the lid to be opened by pulling the tear strip on the side wall). By arranging the opening completely on the top side of the container, or in other words, by not providing any features related to the openable lid of the container for the side wall of the container, the risk of the detergent product falling on the container does not exist. Therefore, the container of the present invention can be designed to not have any insert. Compared with these existing containers with similar capacity, the design of the container of the present invention causes the paper box material to be reduced by up to 10%, while providing reduced moisture entry and improved usability of the end user.

[0020] In the present disclosure, the detergent product is in direct contact with the container. In some examples, the detergent product is a powder or granular detergent. In some examples, the detergent product is composed of unit doses, and each unit dose is made of a water-soluble pouch of encapsulated powder. If the detergent product is a powder, at least some of the powder particles contact the side wall, base or lid of the container. If the detergent product is a detergent unit dose, the water-soluble pouch of the active product is wrapped to form a part of the detergent product, and at least some of the water-soluble pouches are in contact with the side wall, base or lid of the container. In other words, there is no intermediate (film, insert, layer or material, etc.) to separate the contents of the container from the container.

[0021] Indeed, an additional benefit of the present disclosure is that no additional elements (films, inserts, clamps, tear strips) are required to properly conceal the detergent product. In particular, no tear strips are required, which are sometimes provided to allow the end user to separate the two parts of the container so that the container can be opened. Tear strips and other clamps make recycling of containers more cumbersome, and their absence is beneficial to the environment.

[0022] According to the opening / closing mechanism of the present disclosure, a tab is included that cooperates with a tab receiver. The tab can be engaged in a tab receiver in a repeatable manner (or in a reversible manner) and can be released from the tab receiver. In a repeatable manner (or in a reversible manner), it should be understood that the container provides multiple accesses to the detergent product without damaging the properties of the container. This constitutes a difference from disposable mechanisms such as tamper-proof mechanisms, which are not reversible due to their functions. In some examples, the tab can be engaged in (or released from) the tab receiver at least 10 times, or at least 50 times or at least 100 times. In some examples, the container is made of a corrugated material including a groove extending in the longitudinal direction, and the tab is deformed perpendicular to the main direction of the groove. This can provide a memory effect for the deformation of the tab.

[0023] In the present disclosure, consumer products should be understood as products that are especially provided to end consumers. Such consumer products can be purchased, for example, in supermarkets, and end consumers can store such consumer products at home. Consumer products can be provided in large quantities, and therefore environmental issues should be considered when designing products. The design of consumer products should also take into account the problem of transportation to retail stores. Consumer products should also be sturdy so as to withstand transportation as part of e-commerce shipments. The design of consumer products should also take into account shelf storage in retail stores. The design of consumer products should also take into account transportation from retail stores to consumer homes. The design of consumer products should also take into account storage in private end consumer homes. The design of consumer products should also take into account the use of consumer products in private end consumer homes. The design of consumer products should also take into account disposal.

[0024] Consumer products according to the present disclosure include detergent products. Detergent products should be understood in the present disclosure as products containing surfactants. Detergent products may also contain bleach or other ingredients. Example detergent product compositions are described in more detail below. In some examples, the detergent product comprises a unit dose detergent pouch, preferably a water-soluble unit dose detergent pouch, more preferably a flexible water-soluble unit dose detergent pouch. Example unit dose detergent pouches are described in more detail below. It should be noted that in some cases, containers according to the present disclosure may also be applicable to contents other than detergent products, particularly perishable contents, such as food or unstable chemicals.

[0025] The consumer product according to the present disclosure also includes a container. In the present disclosure, a container should be understood as an object that holds contents in a cavity of the container, for example. The container facilitates the protection, transportation, storage, access and handling of the consumer product.

[0026] In the present disclosure, container should be understood as including a roughly parallelepiped, barrel-shaped, cylindrical, circular, elliptical or cubic three-dimensional box that defines a cavity. The use of a parallelepiped box can facilitate storage and transportation by making it possible to stack containers on each other in a space-efficient manner. In some examples, the box can be a parallelepiped provided with some circular, tapered trapezium or beveled edges. According to the box encapsulated detergent product of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the detergent product is directly accommodated or stored in the box, that is, there is no intermediate layer or intermediate packaging that separates the detergent product from the inner cavity of the box. When the detergent product is a detergent unit dose, the water-soluble pouch that wraps the active product constitutes a part of the detergent product, that is, there is no intermediate layer or intermediate packaging that separates the box from the water-soluble pouch.

[0027] Container according to the present disclosure comprises a base, a sidewall and a lid, and the base and the sidewall correspond to the box. The base according to the present disclosure should be understood as a wall on which the container can be located when placed on a support surface such as a shelf or a floor. The base can be made of a plurality of flaps folded relative to the sidewalls so that those flaps forming the base are placed in a substantially coplanar manner or are located in substantially parallel planes. In some examples, the base is flat. In some examples, the base is rectangular. In some examples, the base is oval or circular. In some examples, the base has an embossed profile that protrudes inwardly or outwardly in the form of a relief.

[0028] The sidewall according to the present disclosure should be understood to extend from the base, and the base is connected to the cover. It should be understood that, in addition to the sidewall, the connection of the base to the cover can also include one or more transition pieces. In some examples, the transition piece can be glued or otherwise attached to the sidewall. In some examples, the sidewall is perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the base is rectangular and has four edges, four sidewalls extend vertically from the base, each sidewall is rectangular, each sidewall is connected to the edge of the base by the sidewall edge, and is connected to the other two sidewalls in the four sidewalls by the other two sidewall edges. In some examples, the base is elliptical or circular, and the sidewall forms a roughly cylindrical wall extending from the base along a direction orthogonal or perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the sidewall has a shape corresponding to one of a square, rectangular, trapezoidal, polygonal, spherical section, an oval section or an ellipsoidal section. The sidewall and the base can form an inner cavity, and the detergent product is received in the inner cavity.

[0029] The side walls of the present disclosure have corresponding top edges. The top edge should be understood as the edge defining the end of each side wall, the end being at the top of the side wall, as the container is arranged in a regular position with its base at the bottom.

[0030] The cavity occupied by the detergent product is covered by a lid which can be opened to allow the consumer to access the product and which can be closed to prevent access to the cavity. The lid according to the present disclosure should be understood as an element that allows repeated closing or opening of the container. The lid according to the present disclosure is arranged at a top position of the container, i.e. opposite to the base.

[0031] The lid is intended to be located at the top of the container, and the base is intended to be located at the bottom of the container. However, during the filling process of the container, and / or during shipping, and / or during storage, the container may be positioned upside down, i.e., with the base on the top of the container and the lid at the bottom. The container may also be positioned sideways, i.e., with one of the side walls on the top and / or one of the side walls at the bottom.

[0032] Containers, and in particular lids of containers, may include flaps. In the present disclosure, when referring to a container, a flap is a portion of the container that is hinged to another portion of the container at a fold line. In some examples, the container is made of a corrugated material that includes grooves extending in the longitudinal direction, and the fold lines of the flaps are perpendicular to the main direction of the grooves. This can provide a memory effect for the folding operation of the flaps. Relative movement of the flaps relative to other parts can be partially or completely prevented by other flaps or by attachment of the flaps to other parts of the container. When referring to a container blank that can be used to form a container of the present disclosure, a flap is intended to describe a portion of the blank that is just connected to another portion of the blank by a crease line.

[0033] In particular, the cover comprises at least a lower flap and an upper flap connected to respective top edges of respective side walls. In the closed configuration, the upper flap is folded onto the lower flap. In an example, both the upper flap and the lower flap substantially cover the entire cavity formed by the base and the side walls. The upper flap of the present disclosure comprises a tab, and the lower flap comprises a tab receiver for reversibly receiving the tab. The tab may be integrally formed with the upper flap. The tab receiver may be integrally formed with the lower flap.

[0034] As will be further explained below, the ability of the tab to engage the tab receiver, or the ability of the tab receiver to receive the tab, may require an initial process that may consist in releasing the container from an initial configuration.

[0035] A tab should be understood as a portion of a container that protrudes from a larger portion of the container. A tab receiver should be understood as any device of any configuration that can receive and hold a tab, such as by mechanical fitting or entrapment. The tab receiver can be a recess, a slit, a multi-layer arrangement, etc.

[0036] The tab of the upper flap may protrude in a through opening of the upper flap. A through opening is understood to be a recess extending through the entire thickness of the upper flap and surrounded by a closed contour of the material of the upper flap (as opposed to a notch that is only partially surrounded by material).

[0037] It should be understood that the tab / tab receiver closing mechanism according to the present disclosure is intended to function under normal use conditions of the container. It should be understood that when, for example, the container is used unusually, or when the container is used under unusual conditions, the closing mechanism may not be able to achieve its function.

[0038] In some examples, the container includes various pre-cut lines arranged in one or more flaps. These pre-cut lines can be weak lines (compared to the strength of the material near them) that are intended to break when sufficient shear force is applied to the container. The pre-cut line can be a straight or curved segment of the flap (or panel) and can be formed by partially cutting the material. The partial cut can be in the thickness direction, that is, a portion of the thickness of the flap / panel has been cut. Therefore, the local thickness of the material at the pre-cut line is less than the local thickness around the pre-cut line. Alternatively, the pre-cut line can be formed by a dotted line that runs through the cut, intermittently cutting through the entire thickness of the flap / panel. The pre-cut line can also include a combination of one or more partial cuts in the thickness direction and one or more interrupted lines that run through the cut. Other techniques can be used to weaken the flap / panel in the pre-cut line.

[0039] In some examples, when an end user first opens the container, the pre-cut line of the container is torn, separating the areas of those flaps that were originally subdivided by the pre-cut line.

[0040] The container may then also include a tear edge resulting from tearing the pre-cut line. Thus, if the flap or panel originally contained a pre-cut line, by manipulating the container, the end user may create two mirror-image tear edges, potentially separating the flap into two distinct bodies, each with a corresponding tear edge.

[0041] In some examples, the pre-cut line separates the proximal region of the flap from the distal region of the flap. The proximal region should be understood as a portion of the flap that is close to or includes the proximal edge (i.e., the edge of the flap that connects the flap to another part of the container). In use, the proximal edge is the axis of rotation of the pivotal movement of the flap. The distal region of the flap should be understood as a portion of the flap that is away from the proximal edge. The distal region may include the distal edge of the flap, i.e., the edge farthest from the proximal edge. In some examples, the distal edge may be a free edge of the flap that is not attached to any part of the container.

[0042] In some examples, the container of the present disclosure is made of a container blank. The container blank can be made of one of the materials discussed herein or the layered materials. The container blank (or blanking piece) is a substantially flat object, which is specially designed to be supplied to a machine, which can perform various operations, such as folding, gluing, etc., such as to obtain a container. The blank can be made of one piece of the above-mentioned material, or can include several pieces attached together. When made of a single piece, the protection against moisture can be better. The blank has a thickness that is substantially less than its total width or length. The thickness of the entire blank can be uniform, or the thickness can vary. The blank can be composed of one or more panels and one or more flaps separated from each other by crease lines. Crease lines should be understood as straight segments of the blank that have been subjected to a crease process so as to provide well-defined folding lines, which are conducive to the folding operation and provide conditions for the container to obtain its expected shape and function.

[0043] Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0044] Figure 1A to Figure 1B An example consumer product 100 according to the present description is illustrated. The consumer product 100 is Figure 1A is open. Figure 1B 1 is a top view of a closed consumer product 100. The consumer product 100 includes a container 102 and a detergent product 104 enclosed therein. An example of the composition of the detergent product is given below. An example of the material used to make the container 102 is given below.

[0045] The container 102 includes a base 106 (in Figure 1A 10, 110, 112, 114, and a lid 116. In some examples of the present disclosure, the container may have the following general dimensions (when facing the sidewall 108): a depth comprised between 5 cm and 25 cm, preferably between 6.2 cm and 14.5 cm; a width comprised between 15 cm and 60 cm, preferably between 18.5 cm and 28.4 cm; and a height comprised between 15 cm and 70 cm, preferably between 20.5 cm and 50 cm. In some examples, the dimensions adhere to a form factor that may facilitate handling the container, storing the container, opening or closing the container, such as a width that is one-third of the depth of the container.

[0046] In this example, container 102 is represented as a parallelepiped box with four sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular to the base. Those skilled in the art will note that other designs are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the first sidewall 108 is arranged to be opposite to the second (invisible) sidewall 110, and the third sidewall 112 is arranged to be opposite to the fourth (invisible) sidewall 114. The sidewalls have corresponding top edges 109, 111, 113, 115. As mentioned above, "top edge" is intended to represent the edge of the sidewall positioned at the top of the sidewall when the container is positioned in the normal use position, that is, wherein the base 106 supports the container and is positioned at the bottom of the container, and the lid 116 is at the top. The lid 116 is intended to be manipulated, for example, by the hand of an adult end user, to allow or prevent access to the detergent product 104.

[0047] The cover 116 includes a lower flap 118 connected to the first side wall 108 at a top edge 109 thereof and an upper flap 120 connected to the second side wall 110 at a top edge 111 thereof.

[0048] In some examples discussed in this disclosure, the lower flap and / or upper flap may each cover at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90% of the footprint of the cavity occupied by the detergent product.

[0049] The lower flap 118 includes a tab receiver 122, and the upper flap 120 includes a tab 124 that reversibly engages in the tab receiver 122. In this example, the tab 124 protrudes from the distal edge 125 of the upper flap 120. Other examples are shown in the following figures. The tab receiver 122 can take any suitable form that enables the tab 124 to be received: the tab receiver 122 can be a slit formed in the lower flap 118. It can alternatively be a housing formed between the multi-layer portions of the lower flap 118 and configured to receive the tab 124. In yet another example, the tab receiver 122 can be a notch in the distal edge of the lower flap 118.

[0050] Figure 1B A top view of the consumer product 100 is shown with the lid 116 closed. Here it can be seen that the tab 124 is at least partially concealed within the tab receiver 124.

[0051] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example of a consumer product 200 is shown. Like numbers to those used in previous figures denote like features of the consumer product. The consumer product 200 comprises a container 202 enclosing a detergent product (not visible). Figure 2A is a top view of the (closed) container 202, and Figure 2B is an isometric view of the same container 202 .

[0052] In this example, the cover 216 includes an upper flap 220, which includes a through opening 225, i.e., a recessed portion formed through the entire thickness of the upper flap 220. When looking down at the through opening 225, the lower flap 118 can be seen. The through opening 225 can have an outline, which can be substantially polygonal, such as a square, a rectangle, an elongated hexagon, etc. The vertices of the polygonal shape can be rounded. The size of the through opening 225 is sufficient to allow the end user to slide a finger within a width of, for example, 2 cm wide or more. The through opening 225 can be positioned in any area of ​​the upper flap 220. In a preferred embodiment, the through opening 225 is closer to the top edge 109 of the first side wall 108 than to the top edge 111 of the second side wall 110. The through opening 225 can have a geometric surface area (when as Figure 2A This geometric surface area may comprise between 5% and 10% of the entire surface area of ​​the upper folding plate 220 (when viewed from the top).

[0053] The tab 224 of the upper flap 220 protrudes at the through opening 225. The upper flap 220 has two lateral edges 226, 228. These lateral edges 226, 228 can be adjacent to the top edges 113, 115 of the side walls 112, 114 (see Figure 1A or Figure 2B ). Pre-cut lines 230, 232 connect the tab 224 to the lateral edges 226, 228, respectively. The pre-cut lines 230, 232 and the tab 224 divide the upper flap 220 into two parts, a proximal region 234 and a distal region 236. The proximal region 234 is the portion of the upper flap 220 on the side of the top edge 111 where the upper flap 220 is connected to the second side wall ( Figure 1A 110 on the upper flap 220). The tab 224 belongs to the proximal region 234. The distal region 236 is the portion of the upper flap 220 that is away from its connection with the second side wall 110. The distal region 236 is attached to the lower flap 118 by an attachment element 238, which may be at least one of the following: glue, staples, tape, clamps, etc. The attachment element 238 may be arranged at a specific position of the lower flap 118, or may be spread over a considerable portion of the interface between the distal region 236 and the lower flap 118. As will be apparent in conjunction with the following figures, when the user pulls the tab 224, the pre-cut lines 230, 232 are torn and the proximal region 234 is separated from the distal region 236. The proximal region 234 is therefore hinged relative to the second side wall 110, while the distal region 236 remains attached to the lower flap 118, i.e., hinged relative to the first side wall 108. The proximal region 234 is not attached or becomes unattached to the lower flap, other than an optional handle discussed below, and the proximal region 234 is substantially free of connecting elements.

[0054] The pre-cut lines 230, 232 of the upper flap 220 may have any shape. They may be straight (as shown) or may be curved. They may have any shape that facilitates separation of the proximal region 234 from the distal region 236 when the tab 224 is pulled. When the pre-cut lines 230, 232 are straight, they may form an angle α with the corresponding transverse edges 226, 228, which may be comprised between 45° and 80°, preferably between 70° and 80°.

[0055] The pre-cut lines 230, 232 may be relative to the midline ( Figure 2A The two components are arranged symmetrically along the horizontal midline of the view.

[0056] Tab Receiver( Figure 1A 122) on Figure 2A The tab 224 is not visible on the top because it is hidden by the upper flap 220. Only when the tab 224 is pulled and the pre-cut lines 230, 232 are torn apart, the tab 224 becomes reversibly engaged with the tab receiver.

[0057] For the sake of clarity, Figure 2B Illustrated with Figure 2A The same container as in, but illustrated in an isometric view, in which the side walls 108, 112 and top edges 109, 113 can be seen.

[0058] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B Another example of a consumer product 300 is shown. Like numbers to those used in previous figures represent like features of the consumer product. The consumer product 300 includes a container 302 enclosing a detergent product 104. Figure 3A is an isometric view of the container 302, and Figure 3B is a top view of the (closed) container 302 .

[0059] The cover 316 includes a proximal region 234 of the upper flap connected at the top edge 111 of the second side wall 110 (not visible) and a distal region 236 adhered to the lower flap 118. The proximal region 234 carries the tab 224 and has two tear edges 330, 332 extending from the tab 224 to the two lateral edges 326, 328 of the proximal region 234. The distal region 236 has two tear edges 340, 342 connecting the two lateral edges 336, 338 of the distal region 236 to the recess 325. The tear edges 330, 332 of the proximal region 234 are mirror images of the tear edges 340, 342 of the distal region 236. In one example, the tear edges 330, 332, 340, 342 are from the tear Figure 2A The pre-cut lines 230, 232 shown are produced.

[0060] Although Figure 3AThe container 302 is shown in an open configuration, but Figure 3B A top view of a closed container 302 is shown. The tab 224 is here engaged in the tab receiver 122. It can be seen that the tear edges 330, 332, 340, 342 form a mirror image edge pair.

[0061] It should be noted that in the drawings, the shape of the torn edge is schematically shown as having a random outline to allow the reader to distinguish between the factory clean cut edge and the torn edge of the container.

[0062] Figure 4 An example of a consumer product 400 is shown. Like numbers to those used in previous figures denote like features of the consumer product. The consumer product 400 comprises a container 402 enclosing a detergent product (not visible). Figure 4 It is a top view of the (closed) container 402.

[0063] Figure 4 A cover 416 is shown in which an upper flap 420 covers the entire lower flap 418. The upper flap 420 and / or the lower flap 418 can be according to any of the aforementioned figures. For clarity, the tabs and tab receivers are not shown. In an alternative example, the upper flap 420 does not cover the entire lower flap 418. The upper flap 420 has lateral edges 426, 428 and a distal edge 425 that is substantially above the top edge 109 of the first side wall 108. The dotted lines show the features of the lower flap 418 hidden under the upper flap 420: the lower flap 418 has two lateral edges 430, 432 and a distal edge 434 that can be adjacent to the top edge 111 of the second side wall 110. In an alternative embodiment, the lateral edges 426, 428 of the upper flap 420 and / or the distal edge 425 of the upper flap 420 are in such a position that the lower flap 418 is not visible from the top edge 111 of the second side wall 110. Figure 4 A portion of the lower flap 418 is visible in the top view shown.

[0064] The handle region 436 of the lower flap 418 may be defined by a handle pre-cut line 438 and may be attached to the upper flap 420 by an attachment element 440. The attachment element may be at least one of: glue, staples, tape, clamps, etc. The attachment element 440 may be arranged at a specific location of the lower flap 118, or may be spread over a substantial portion of the interface between the upper flap 420 and the lower flap 418 within the boundaries of the pre-cut line 438. As will be apparent below, when the upper flap 420 is first opened, the handle region 436 is separated from the rest of the lower flap 418 and remains attached below the upper flap 420, thereby forming a recess (cut handle) in the lower flap 418. When the container is closed, the handle region 436 is placed back into the recess, thereby sealing the container. When opening the container, the end user may first open the upper flap 420 and then open the lower flap 418 by inserting a finger into the recess (cut-out handle) formed by separating the handle region 436 from the lower flap 418 .

[0065] Figure 5 Show Figure 4 An alternative or supplemental embodiment to the illustrated embodiment, namely a top view of a closed consumer product. The upper flap 520 and / or the lower flap 518 can be according to any of the aforementioned figures. For clarity, the tabs and tab receivers are not shown. Here, the consumer product 500 includes a container 502 with a lid 516, an upper flap 520, and a handle area 536 defined by a handle pre-cut line 538 and a distal edge 534 of the lower flap 518. The handle area 536 is attached to the upper flap 520 by an attachment element 540, which can be similar to the attachment elements previously indicated. Thus, by the same method as described above with respect to Figure 4 The same process discussed, opening the upper flap 520 leads to forming a cut handle in the lower flap. Here, the cut handle is positioned at the distal edge 534 of the lower flap 518. Figure 4 or Figure 5 The cutout handle of the device may have any size or shape sufficient to accommodate at least one finger of an adult end user.

[0066] Figure 6 An isometric view of a consumer product 600 is shown. Like numbers to those used in previous figures represent like features of the consumer product. The consumer product 600 includes a container 602 enclosing a detergent product 104. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional isometric view of an (opened) consumer product 600 .

[0067] exist Figure 66, the lid 616 of the consumer product 600 has an upper flap 520 carrying a handle portion 536 attached thereto, and a cut-out handle 642 is formed in the lower flap 618. The upper flap 520 and / or the lower flap 618 can be according to any of the previous figures. The cut-out handle 642 has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the handle portion 536. The handle portion 536 is defined by a tear edge 544 that is a mirror image of the tear edge 644 of the cut-out handle 642.

[0068] Figure 7 shows an example of a consumer product 700. Like numbers to those used in previous figures denote like features of the consumer product.The consumer product 700 comprises a container 702 enclosing a detergent product (not visible). Fig. 7A A top view of a (partially opened) container 702. Figure 7B is an isometric view of an example product 700 .

[0069] exist Fig. 7A In the embodiment, the cover 716 shows an opened upper flap 720, and the lower flap 718 can be seen. The upper flap 720 and / or the lower flap 718 can be any one of the previous figures.

[0070] Two auxiliary flaps 750, 752 are arranged below the lower flap 718. Each auxiliary flap 750, 752 extends from the respective top edge 113, 115 of the third side wall 112 and the fourth side wall 114. In one example, there is a single auxiliary flap. In one example, more than two auxiliary flaps are arranged, at least two of which extend from one of the top edges 113, 115.

[0071] The auxiliary flaps 750, 752 have respective proximal edges 754, 760 that coincide with the top edges 113, 115. The auxiliary flaps 750, 752 have respective auxiliary pre-cut lines 756, 762 and have respective distal edges 758, 764 that are distal to the proximal edges 754, 760.

[0072] The auxiliary pre-cut lines 756, 762 extend along the entire width of the auxiliary flap 750 so that they divide the auxiliary flap 750, 752 into two regions, a proximal region 766, 770 and a distal region 768, 772. The auxiliary pre-cut lines 756, 762 may have a suitable profile, such as being substantially parallel to the proximal edges 754, 760.

[0073] The distal regions 768, 772 are attached to the lower flap 718 by attachment elements 774, 776, which may be at least one of glue, staples, tape, clamps, etc. The attachment elements 774, 776 may be arranged at specific locations of the auxiliary flap, or may be spread over a substantial portion of the distal regions 768, 772. The proximal regions 766, 770 are not attached, or become unattached to the lower flap, and the proximal regions 766, 770 are substantially free of attachment elements.

[0074] For the sake of clarity, Figure 7B Illustrated with Fig. 7A The same container as in, but illustrated in an isometric view, in which the side walls 108, 112 and top edges 109, 113 can be seen.

[0075] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C A further example of a consumer product 800 is shown. Like numbers to those used in previous figures denote like features of the consumer product. The consumer product 800 comprises a container 802 enclosing a detergent product (not visible). FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C is a top view of the container 802 with the lid 816 partially opened.

[0076] Fig. 8A The container 802 is shown with the upper flap 520 in an open position. Figure 6 As shown, the handle portion 536 is attached below the upper flap 520 and the cutout handle 642 is formed in the lower flap 618. The auxiliary flaps 750, 752 are hidden below the lower flap 618. The auxiliary flaps 750, 752 extend over corresponding areas (labeled 850, 852) of the lower flap. From above, the areas 850, 852 do not overlap with the cutout handle 642 and do not overlap with the handle area 536 (when the upper flap 520 is folded down in the closed configuration). This lack of overlap allows the end user to freely insert a hand, one or more fingers, into the cutout handle 642 without interfering with the auxiliary flaps 750, 752.

[0077] Figure 8B An alternative or supplemental example is shown in which the cutout handle 842 is disposed in the middle of the lower flap 418. The area 860, 862 occupied by the auxiliary flap can be defined by a distal edge having a notch or depression surrounding the cutout handle 842.

[0078] Figure 8C Yet another example is shown in which the auxiliary flaps have corresponding notches 880 , 882 such that the areas 870 , 872 occupied by the auxiliary flaps do not interfere with the cutout handle 642 .

[0079] The distal edges 758, 764 of the auxiliary flaps may be as close as possible to the cut handle 642, 842 (or to the handle pre-cut line 438, 538 in the initial configuration of the container) so that proper sealing of the container can be achieved during use.

[0080] Fig. 9 A further example of a consumer product 900 is shown. Like numbers to those used in previous figures represent like features of the consumer product. The consumer product 900 comprises a container 902 enclosing a detergent product 104. Fig. 9 is an isometric view of the container 902 with the lid 916 opened.

[0081] After the end user pulls the lower flap 718 open, the container 902 may correspond to the container 702 of FIG. 7 or to the container 802 of FIG. 8 .

[0082] The container 902 includes an upper flap 720, which may correspond to any of the upper flaps described above. The lower flap 718 has distal regions 768, 772 attached thereto, while the proximal regions 766, 770 of the auxiliary flaps remain connected to the side walls 112, 114. The proximal regions 766, 770 have respective tear edges 956, 962, and the distal regions 768, 772 have respective tear edges 958, 964 that are mirror images of the tear edges 956, 962 of the proximal regions 766, 770.

[0083] In the closed configuration, the distal regions 768, 772 are adjacent to the proximal regions 766, 770 so that the top of the container is sealed. In the open configuration, the fact that the distal regions 768, 772 are adhered to the lower flap 718 makes it easier for the end user to access the detergent product 104.

[0084] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B An example of a consumer product 1000 is shown. Like numbers to those used in previous figures denote like features of the consumer product. The consumer product 1000 comprises a container 1002 enclosing a detergent product (not visible). Fig. 10A is an isometric view of a container 1002 with a lid 1016 partially opened. Fig. 10B is a cross section of the container 1002 when closed.

[0085] In this example, the tab 124 has a convex edge 1024, and the tab receiver 122 includes a slit 1022 formed in the lower flap 118. The slit 1022 is a recessed portion that extends through the entire thickness of the lower flap 118. The slit 1022 can be curved and can define a concave edge 1028 and a convex edge 1030. The convex edge 1030 can be closer to the top edge 109 of the first side wall than the concave edge 1028. The slit 1022 can be substantially tangential to the tab 124, that is, the convex edge 1030 can be slightly offset to the tangent of the convex edge 1024. The offset can include between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 8 mm, and more preferably between 3 mm and 6 mm. The offset is Fig. 10B Marked as D. Fig. 10B is like Fig. 10A In one example, D is comprised between 30% and 350% of the thickness e of the flaps 118 , 120 .

[0086] Fig. 10B Also shown is that when the tab 124 is engaged in the slot 1022 , the concave edge 1028 is below the tab 124 and the convex edge 1030 is above the tab 124 .

[0087] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C A first example method according to the present disclosure is illustrated. The method may be performed with a container according to any of the preceding examples / figures. The method comprises the step of closing the container. Depending on the initial configuration of the container, for example, if the container is Fig.11A To fully open as shown, the lower flap 118 should first be folded downward, and then Fig. 11B The upper flap 120 is folded down onto the lower flap 118 as shown. The core of the method is that the tab 124 engages in the tab receiver 122. This can be done by pressing the upper flap 120 downward. Preferably, the engagement of the tab 124 into the receiver 122 can be facilitated by pressing the flap 120 downward by applying a downward force in an area 1124 near the tab 124. The area 1124 for applying force can be rectangular or oval, and / or can be limited to an area within 50 mm of the distal edge of the tab 124. The area 1124 can be marked with appropriate instructions drawn on the container to inform the end user of the most appropriate position to press the flap downward.

[0088] Once sufficient pressure has been applied to the upper flap 120, preferably in the vicinity of the tab 124, the tab 124 engages into the tab receiver 122, as shown in FIG. Fig. 11C Tactile feedback may be produced by the engagement of the tabs, such as a click and / or a perceptible reduction in force opposing the hand pressing down on the upper flap.

[0089] FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C A second example method is shown for use with a container according to any of the preceding examples / figures.

[0090] Fig. 12A Container in closed configuration is shown. The method can be performed with a container according to any of the foregoing examples / figures. The method includes the step of opening the container. Opening the container can be accomplished by releasing the tab 124 from the tab receiver 122. This can be accomplished by pressing down on the lower flap 118. Preferably, pressing down on the flap 118 by applying a downward force in an area 1222 near the tab receiver 122 can facilitate the tab 124 to disengage from the receiver 122. The area 1222 for applying force can be rectangular or oval, and / or can be limited to an area within 50 mm of the tab receiver 122. The area 1222 can be marked with appropriate indications drawn on the container to inform the end user of the most appropriate position to press down on the lower flap.

[0091] Tactile feedback may be produced by the disengagement of the tab from the tab receiver, such as an audible click and / or a perceptible reduction in force opposing the hand pressing down on the lower flap.

[0092] Fig. 12B The lid of the container is shown after the tab 124 has been released from the tab receiver. The tab receiver is hidden under the upper flap 120.

[0093] Fig. 12C The lid is shown fully open once both the upper flap 118 and the lower flap 120 are folded open.

[0094] FIG. 13A to FIG. 13B A third example method is shown that may be performed with container 202 or 302 and possibly combined with any of the previously described examples / figures. Fig.13A The closed container 202 is shown before the first opening. The core of the third method is to pull the tab 224 and simultaneously separate the proximal region 234 from the distal region 236. This can be achieved by tearing the pre-cut lines 230, 232 to obtain tear edges 330, 332, 340, 342, as shown in FIG. Fig. 13B shown.

[0095] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B A fourth example method is shown that may be performed with container 502 and that may be combined with any of the previously described examples / figures. Fig.14A The closed container 502 is shown before the first opening. The core of the fourth method is to pull the tab 224 and simultaneously separate the handle area 536 from the lower flap 518, thereby forming a cut handle 642. This can be achieved by tearing the pre-cut line 538 to obtain the tear edge 544, 644, as shown in FIG. Fig. 14B shown.

[0096] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15B A fifth example method is shown that may be performed with container 702 and that may be combined with any of the previously described examples / figures. Fig.15A The partially closed container 702 is shown before the first full opening. The core of the fifth method is to pull the lower flap 718 by optionally pulling the cut handle 642 of the lower flap 718, and at the same time separate the distal area 762, 768 of the auxiliary flap from its / their proximal area 766, 770, thereby facilitating access to the detergent product. This can preferably be achieved by tearing the auxiliary pre-cut lines 756, 762. The result of this method is Fig. 15B , which shows the distal regions 768 , 772 of the auxiliary flaps attached below the lower flap 718 and the proximal regions 766 , 770 of the auxiliary flaps remaining connected to the side walls 112 , 114 .

[0097] Fig.16 is a diagram showing various steps that may be performed in the sixth exemplary method. It should be noted that Figures 1A to 15B Various aspects of a consumer product are shown, each of which is considered optional. Similarly, it should be noted that Fig.16 Each step shown in is optional.

[0098] The method 1600 may include a first step 1610 of pulling the tab 124 / 224. While the tab is being pulled, a step 1615 of tearing the pre-cut lines 230, 232 may occur, thereby separating the proximal region of the upper flap from the distal region of the upper flap.

[0099] While the tab 124 / 224 is further pulled 1620, a cut-out handle 642 is formed by separating 1625 the handle portion 536 from the lower flap.

[0100] Once the upper flap is fully folded open, the lower flap can be opened 1630. Opening the lower flap can be performed by pulling the lower flap upward after inserting one or more fingers into the optional pre-cut handle 642. At the same time, the auxiliary flaps 750, 752 can be torn apart 1635: their distal regions remain attached to the lower flap, while their proximal regions remain connected to the side walls 112, 114.

[0101] Once these steps are performed, the end user can access the detergent product. The end user can then close 1640 the container by pressing the upper flap downward on the lower flap and pushing the upper flap downward so that the tab engages the tab receiver. Once closed, the container can be opened again 1650, for example, by pushing the lower flap downward. The closed loop arrows illustrate that closing and opening by engaging or releasing the tab from the tab receiver can be repeated.

[0102] In some examples, the consumer product may include instructions, optionally drawn on the outer surface of the container, indicating how to operate the tabs / tab receivers to open and close the container and / or various pre-cut lines indicating how to tear the container in its initial configuration.

[0103] Material of container

[0104] As described in detail below, the container of the present disclosure may be made of paper material in part or in whole, such as a material selected from paperboard, cardboard, a laminate material including at least one cardboard or cardboard layer. Cardboard or cardboard comprises cellulose fiber material or a mixture thereof. The material used to make or container may comprise other ingredients, such as colorant, protective varnish, surface enhancement coating, barrier coating, preservative, regenerated fiber material, plasticizer, UV stabilizer, oxygen barrier, fragrance barrier and moisture barrier or a mixture thereof. In some examples, in order to provide the desired tear resistance and strength, the cellulose fiber length is in the range of 0.1mm to 5mm, preferably 1mm to 3mm. In some examples, cellulose fiber is derived from various sources, such as original softwood or hardwood, hemp, grass, corn, bagasse, sugarcane, bamboo and others, and / or derived from recycled paper and cardboard after production or consumption. The container may include an external or internal printed area. The container may be made, for example, by cardboard manufacturing. Suitable container manufacturing processes may include, but are not limited to, forming a tube by gluing steps, folding or a combination thereof by flat cardboard or cardboard sheets. The container can be opaque or can filter certain specific wavelengths, for example to protect the contents from external light. In some examples, the container is at least partially constructed of a paper-based material, and in some specific examples, the container is entirely constructed of a paper-based material. Paper-based materials refer to materials containing paper in this article. Without being bound by theory, "paper" will be understood as a material made of cellulose-based pulp. Paperboard can be made of a paper-based material that has a thickness and rigidity that makes it not collapse under its own weight. Paperboard should be understood to include a single-layer material, and cardboard should be understood to include multiple paper-based material layers. In some examples, the paper-based material includes cardboard, cardboard, or a mixture thereof, wherein preferably, cardboard includes cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, or a mixture thereof. The corrugated fiberboard includes a series of grooves. Each groove can be understood as a channel. The grooves extend parallel to each other, and the groove direction is the direction of travel along each channel. Further details of the material forming the container will be given below.

[0105] The paper-based material can be a laminate comprising paper, cardboard or a mixture thereof, wherein in some examples, the cardboard comprises cardboard, corrugated fiberboard or a mixture thereof, and in some examples, at least another material. In some examples, the at least another material comprises a plastic material. In some examples, the plastic material comprises polyethylene (more specifically low-density polyethylene (LDPE)), polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol or a mixture thereof. In some examples, the plastic material comprises a copolymer of a monomer from ethylene and vinyl alcohol, or EVOH. A barrier material can be used as at least another material. The barrier material can be biaxially oriented polypropylene, metallized polyethylene terephthalate or a mixture thereof. At least another material can include wax, cellulosic material, polyvinyl alcohol, silicon dioxide, casein-based material or a mixture thereof. In some examples, the paper-based composite comprises a paper-based composite of a fiber-based material greater than 50% by weight, preferably greater than 85% by weight, and more preferably greater than 95% by weight. In some examples, the barrier material can include a plastic material having a thickness between 10 microns and 60 microns. In some examples, the barrier material may include a plastic material having a thickness between 10 microns and 35 microns.The paper-based material may be a laminate.

[0106] In some examples, the inner surface of the container includes paperboard, cardboard or a mixture thereof, wherein in a specific example, the cardboard includes a laminate (particularly LDPE) of cardboard, corrugated fiberboard and polyethylene or a mixture thereof, and in some examples, the outer surface of the container includes at least another material. Alternatively, the at least another material may also be laminated between two paper-based material layers (such as paperboard or cardboard layers according to the present disclosure). Without wishing to be bound by theory, the at least another material may serve as a barrier for leaking liquids absorbed by the paper-based material facing the inside of the container to prevent or reduce the contamination flow through the wall of the container. It has been found that other structures may effectively avoid leakage of contents or protect the contents from the influence of external fluids, such as from showers, sinks or the influence of operating the container with wet hands. The contamination of the wall of the container may be unsightly for consumers, or may contaminate the storage area.

[0107] In some examples, the container is made from a paper-based material that includes at least another material laminated between two layers of corrugated fiberboard.

[0108] In some examples, the material used for the container includes a core cardboard flute material sandwiched between two layers of regular cardboard (or paperboard) and a polyethylene laminate.

[0109] Paperboard or cardboard layers according to the present disclosure may be made of or may include recycled materials or recycled cellulose fibers. The outer surface of the container may include a coating or varnish. Such a coating or varnish may help to waterproof the board or help protect the contents (such as the encapsulated detergent composition) from UV light. The coating or varnish may also help to protect the outer surface of the cover, box or container from contamination by the contents (e.g., the encapsulated detergent composition), for example if the water-soluble unit dose detergent of the encapsulated liquid detergent composition leaks.

[0110] The coating or varnish on the inner surface can help prevent the contents from adhering to the inner surface, or prevent inks, colorants, fragrances, non-ionic substances, oils, greases and other ingredients from migrating from the contents into the board, or prevent inks or additives from migrating from the board to the contents. In some examples, a detergent-resistant varnish or coating can be applied to areas exposed to the contents.

[0111] As mentioned above, container can actually be made of paper or cardboard material, particularly rigid cardboard material, flexible cardboard material or their mixture.In some examples, the material forming container or lid has a wall thickness greater than 220 microns and less than 3mm.In some examples, the material forming container has a thickness greater than 1mm and less than 2mm.In some examples, the material forming container is folded on itself, for example, to strengthen the part or whole of box or lid.Container can be made of paper material, bio-based material, bamboo fiber, cellulose fiber, cellulose-based or fiber-based material or their mixture.Container can be made of the material comprising recycled material, for example, reclaim cellulose fiber-based material.In some examples, for the convenience of opening, lid can be separated from box fully when opening, and the weight of lid is less than 200g, preferably less than 100g, even more preferably less than 80g, and greater than 10g, more preferably greater than 30g, even more preferably greater than 40g, so as to obtain sufficiently sturdy lid structure.

[0112] In some examples, the container is made of a corrugated cardboard layer that includes grooves that preferably extend parallel to the vertical direction (for the side walls, and corresponding corresponding directions for the flaps of the lid and base). The grooves increase the strength of the container.

[0113] Laundry detergent composition

[0114] In some examples, the detergent product comprises a detergent composition. The detergent composition can be a laundry detergent composition, an automatic dishwashing composition, a hard surface cleaning composition or a combination thereof. The detergent composition can comprise a solid, a liquid or a mixture thereof. The term "liquid" includes a gel, a solution, a dispersion, a paste or a mixture thereof. The solid can be a powder. The so-called powder in this article means that the detergent composition can comprise solid particles or can be a single homogeneous solid. In some examples, the powder detergent composition comprises particles. This means that the powder detergent composition comprises separate solid particles, which is different from a solid as a single homogeneous solid. The particles can be free-flowing or can be compacted. The laundry detergent composition can be used in a fabric hand washing operation or can be used in an automatic machine fabric washing operation, such as in an automatic machine fabric washing operation.

[0115] Laundry detergent compositions may comprise solid linear alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic detersive surfactant particles.

[0116] Typically, the laundry detergent composition is a fully formulated laundry detergent composition rather than a portion thereof, such as a spray-dried, extruded or agglomerated granulate which forms only part of the laundry detergent composition. Typically, the solid composition comprises a plurality of chemically distinct particles, such as spray-dried base detergent particles and / or agglomerated base detergent particles and / or extruded base detergent particles; one or more, typically two or more, or five or more, or even ten or more particles are combined, the particles being selected from: surfactant particles, including surfactant agglomerates, surfactant extrudates, surfactant needles, surfactant faces, surfactant flakes; phosphate particles; zeolite particles; silicate particles, especially sodium silicate particles; carbonate particles, especially sodium carbonate particles; polymer particles, such as carboxylate polymer particles, cellulose polymer particles, starch particles, polyester particles, polyamine particles, terephthalic acid polymer particles, polyethylene glycol particles; aesthetic particles, such as colored strips, needles, lamellar particles and ring particles; enzyme particles, such as protease particles, amylase particles, lipase particles, cellulase particles, mannanase particles, pectate lyase particles, xyloglucanase particles, bleaching enzyme particles and any of these enzymes; a co-granule, preferably the enzyme granules comprise sodium sulfate; bleaching agent granules, such as percarbonate granules, especially coated percarbonate granules, such as percarbonate coated with carbonate, sulfate, silicate, borosilicate, or any combination thereof, perborate granules, bleach activator granules such as tetraacetylethylenediamine granules and / or alkyloxybenzenesulfonate granules, bleach catalyst granules such as transition metal catalyst granules, and / or isoquinolinium bleach catalyst granules, preformed peracid granules, especially coated preformed peracid granules particles; filler particles, such as sulfate particles and chloride particles; clay particles, such as montmorillonite particles and clay and silicone particles; flocculant particles, such as polyethylene oxide particles; wax particles, such as wax agglomerates; silicone particles, brightener particles; dye transfer inhibitor particles; dye fixative particles; perfume particles, such as perfume microcapsules and starch-encapsulated perfume accord particles, and pro-perfume particles, such as Schiff base reaction product particles; hueing dye particles; chelant particles, such as chelant agglomerates; and any combination thereof.

[0117] Suitable laundry detergent compositions comprise detergent ingredients selected from the group consisting of detersive surfactants, such as anionic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, cationic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants and amphoteric detersive surfactants; polymers, such as carboxylate polymers, soil release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers and care polymers; bleaches, such as hydrogen peroxide sources, bleach activators, bleach catalysts and preformed peracids; photobleaches, such as sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine and / or sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine; enzymes, such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases; zeolite builders; phosphate builders; auxiliary builders, such as citric acid and citrates; carbonates, such as sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; sulfates, such as sodium sulfate; silicates, such as sodium silicate; chloride salts, such as sodium chloride; brighteners; chelating agents; hueing agents; dye transfer inhibitors; dye fixatives; perfumes; silicones; fabric softeners, such as clays; flocculants, such as polyethylene oxides; suds suppressors; and any combination thereof.

[0118] Suitable laundry detergent compositions may have a low buffering capacity. Such laundry detergent compositions typically have a reserve alkalinity to pH 9.5 of less than 5.0 g NaOH / 100 g. These low buffered laundry detergent compositions typically contain low levels of carbonates.

[0119] Detersive surfactants: Suitable detersive surfactants include anionic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, cationic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants and amphoteric detersive surfactants. Suitable detersive surfactants may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and may be derived from petrochemical materials or biomaterials.

[0120] Anionic detersive surfactants: Suitable anionic detersive surfactants include sulfonate detersive surfactants and sulfate detersive surfactants.

[0121] Suitable sulfonate detersive surfactants include methyl sulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, especially alkyl benzene sulfonates, preferably C 10-13 Alkylbenzene sulfonates. Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are available, preferably by sulfonating commercially available linear alkylbenzenes (LABs); suitable LABs include lower 2-phenyl LABs, other suitable LABs include higher 2-phenyl LABs, such as those sold under the trade name Those supplied by Sasol.

[0122] Suitable sulfate detersive surfactants include alkyl sulfates, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl sulfates, or mainly C 12 Alkyl sulfate.

[0123] Preferred sulfate detersive surfactants are alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, have an average degree of alkoxylation of 0.5 to 20, preferably 0.5 to 10, preferably alkyl alkoxylated sulfates are C 8-18 Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 5, more preferably from 0.5 to 3, and most preferably from 0.5 to 1.5.

[0124] The alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, and alkyl benzene sulfonates may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and may be derived from petrochemical or biomaterials.

[0125] Other suitable anionic detersive surfactants include the alkyl ether carboxylates.

[0126] Suitable anionic detersive surfactants may be in the form of salts, and suitable counterions include sodium, calcium, magnesium, amino alcohols, and any combination thereof. The preferred counterion is sodium.

[0127] Nonionic detersive surfactant: Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants are selected from: C8-C 18 Alkyl ethoxylates, such as those from Shell Nonionic surfactant; C6-C 12 Alkylphenol alkoxylates, wherein the alkoxylate units are preferably ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or mixtures thereof; C 12 -C 18 Alcohol and C6-C 12 Condensates of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymers, such as those available from BASF Alkyl polysaccharides, preferably alkyl polyglycosides; methyl ester ethoxylates; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether-terminated poly(alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof.

[0128] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides and / or alkyl alkoxylated alcohols.

[0129] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl alkoxylated alcohol, preferably C 8-18 The alkyl ethoxylated alcohol, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol, has an average degree of alkoxylation of 1 to 50, preferably 1 to 30, or 1 to 20, or 1 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol is C 8-18Alkyl ethoxylated alcohols having an average degree of ethoxylation of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 7, more preferably 1 to 5, and most preferably 3 to 7. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohols may be linear or branched, and substituted or unsubstituted.

[0130] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include those based on secondary alcohols.

[0131] Cationic detersive surfactants: Suitable cationic detersive surfactants include alkyl pyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkyl ternary sulfonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.

[0132] Preferred cationic detersive surfactants are quaternary ammonium compounds having the general formula: (R)(R1)(R2)(R3)N + X -

[0133] Wherein R is a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C 6-18 Alkyl or alkenyl moiety, R1 and R2 are independently selected from methyl or ethyl moieties, R3 is a hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl or hydroxyethyl moiety, and X is an anion providing electrical neutrality, and preferred anions include: halide ions, preferably chloride ions; sulfate; and sulfonate.

[0134] Zwitterionic detersive surfactants: Suitable zwitterionic detersive surfactants include amine oxides and / or betaines.

[0135] Polymers: Suitable polymers include carboxylate polymers, soil release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers, conditioning polymers, and any combination thereof.

[0136] Carboxylate polymer: The composition may comprise a carboxylate polymer such as a maleate / acrylate random copolymer or a polyacrylate homopolymer. Suitable carboxylate polymers include: polyacrylate homopolymers having a molecular weight of 4,000 to 9,000 Da; maleate / acrylate random copolymers having a molecular weight of 50,000 to 100,000 Da, or 60,000 to 80,000 Da.

[0137] Another suitable carboxylate polymer is a copolymer comprising: (i) 50 wt% to less than 98 wt% of structural units derived from one or more monomers containing carboxyl groups; (ii) 1 wt% to less than 49 wt% of structural units derived from one or more monomers containing sulfonate moieties; and (iii) 1 wt% to 49 wt% of structural units derived from one or more types of monomers selected from monomers containing ether bonds represented by formula (I) and (II):

[0138] Formula (I):

[0139]

[0140] Wherein in formula (I), R0 represents a hydrogen atom or a CH3 group, R represents a CH2 group, a CH2CH2 group or a single bond, and X represents a number from 0 to 5, provided that when R is a single bond, X represents a number from 1 to 5, and R1 is a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C 20 Organic groups;

[0141] Formula (II)

[0142]

[0143] In formula (II), R0 represents a hydrogen atom or a CH3 group, R represents a CH2 group, a CH2CH2 group or a single bond, X represents a number from 0 to 5, and R1 is a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C 20 Organic group.

[0144] It may be preferred that the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 50 kDa or even at least 70 kDa.

[0145] Soil release polymer: The composition may comprise a soil release polymer. Suitable soil release polymers have a structure as defined by one of the following structures (I), (II) or (III):

[0146] (I)-[(OCHR 1 -CHR 2 ) a -O-OC-Ar-CO-] d

[0147] (II)-[(OCHR 3 -CHR 4 ) b -O-OC-sAr-CO-] e

[0148] (III)-[(OCHR 5 -CHR 6 ) c -OR 7 ] f

[0149] wherein: a, b and c are 1 to 200; d, e and f are 1 to 50; Ar is a 1,4-substituted phenylene; sAr is a 1,3-substituted phenylene substituted at position 5 by SO3Me; Me is Li, K, Mg / 2, Ca / 2, Al / 3, ammonium, monoalkylammonium, dialkylammonium, trialkylammonium or tetraalkylammonium, wherein the alkyl group is C1-C 18 Alkyl or C2-C 10Hydroxyalkyl or a mixture thereof; R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 Independently selected from H or C1-C 18 n-alkyl or C1-C 18 isoalkyl; and R 7 A straight or branched C1-C 18 Alkyl, or linear or branched C2-C 30 alkenyl, or a cycloalkyl group having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, or a C8-C 30 Aryl group, or C6-C 30 Arylalkyl group.

[0150] Suitable soil release polymers are available from Clariant as A series of polymers are sold, e.g. SRN240 and SRA300. Other suitable soil release polymers are available from Solvay as A series of polymers are sold, e.g. SF2 and Crystal.

[0151] Anti-redeposition polymers: Suitable anti-redeposition polymers include polyethylene glycol polymers and / or polyethylene imine polymers.

[0152] Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers include random graft copolymers comprising: (i) a hydrophilic backbone comprising polyethylene glycol; and (ii) one or more hydrophobic side chains selected from the group consisting of: C4-C 25 Alkyl groups, polypropylene, polybutylene, vinyl esters of saturated C1-C6 monocarboxylic acids, C1-C6 alkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof. Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers have a polyethylene glycol backbone having randomly grafted polyvinyl acetate side chains. The average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol backbone may be in the range of 2,000Da to 20,000Da, or 4,000Da to 8,000Da. The molecular weight ratio of the polyethylene glycol backbone to the polyvinyl acetate side chains may be in the range of 1:1 to 1:5, or 1:1.2 to 1:2. The average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be less than 0.02, or less than 0.016, the average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be in the range of 0.010 to 0.018, or the average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be less than 0.010, or in the range of 0.004 to 0.008.

[0153] Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers are described in WO 08 / 007320 A1.

[0154] A suitable polyethylene glycol polymer is Sokalan HP22.

[0155] Cellulosic polymer: Suitable cellulosic polymers are selected from alkyl cellulose, alkyl alkoxyalkyl cellulose, carboxyalkyl cellulose, alkyl carboxyalkyl cellulose, sulfonate alkyl cellulose, more preferably selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl carboxymethyl cellulose and mixtures thereof.

[0156] Suitable carboxymethyl celluloses have a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.5 to 0.9 and a molecular weight of 100,000 Da to 300,000 Da.

[0157] Suitable carboxymethylcelluloses have a degree of substitution of greater than 0.65 and a degree of blockiness of greater than 0.45, as described, for example, in WO 09 / 154933 A1.

[0158] Care polymers: Suitable care polymers include cationically modified or hydrophobically modified cellulosic polymers. Such modified cellulosic polymers can provide anti-abrasion benefits and dye lock benefits to fabrics during the wash cycle. Suitable cellulosic polymers include cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0159] Other suitable care polymers include dye lock polymers, for example condensation oligomers produced by condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin, preferably in a 1:4:1 ratio. Suitable commercially available dye lock polymers are FDI (Cognis).

[0160] Other suitable care polymers include amino-silicones, which can provide fabric feel benefits and fabric formation retention benefits.

[0161] Bleaching agents: Suitable bleaching agents include a hydrogen peroxide source, a bleach activator, a bleach catalyst, a preformed peracid, and any combination thereof. Particularly suitable bleaching agents include a hydrogen peroxide source in combination with a bleach activator and / or a bleach catalyst.

[0162] Hydrogen Peroxide Source: Suitable hydrogen peroxide sources include sodium perborate and / or sodium percarbonate.

[0163] Bleach Activators: Suitable bleach activators include tetraacetylethylenediamine and / or alkylphenol sulfonates.

[0164] Bleach catalyst: The composition may contain a bleach catalyst. Suitable bleach catalysts include oxaziridinium bleach catalysts, transition metal bleach catalysts, especially manganese and iron bleach catalysts. Suitable bleach catalysts have a structure that conforms to the following general formula:

[0165]

[0166] Where R 13 Selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl, 2-propylheptyl, 2-butyloctyl, 2-pentylnonyl, 2-hexyldecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, isononyl, isodecyl, isotridecyl and isopentadecyl.

[0167] Preformed Peracids: Suitable preformed peracids include phthalimido-peroxycaproic acid.

[0168] Enzymes: Suitable enzymes include lipases, proteases, cellulases, amylases, and any combination thereof.

[0169] Proteases: Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases. Examples of suitable neutral or alkaline proteases include: subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62); trypsin-type or chymotrypsin-type proteases; and metalloproteases. Suitable proteases include chemically or genetically modified mutants of the aforementioned suitable proteases.

[0170] Suitable commercially available proteases include those sold under the trade names Liquanase Savinase and Those sold by Novozymes A / S (Denmark); under the trade name Prefer A series of proteases, including P280, P281, P2018-C, P2081-WE, P2082-EE and P2083-A / J, Purafect Purafect and Purafect Those sold by DuPont; under the trade name and Those sold by Solvay Enzymes; those purchased from Henkel / Kemira, namely BLAP (sequence shown in Figure 29 of US 5,352,604, with the following mutations: S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G159S, hereinafter referred to as BLAP); BLAP R (BLAP with S3T+V4I+V199M+V205I+L217D), BLAP X (BLAP with S3T+V4I+V205I) and BLAP F49 (BLAP with S3T+V4I+A194P+V199M+V205I+L217D), all from Henkel / Kemira; and KAP (alkalophilic Bacillus subtilisin with mutations A230V+S256G+S259N) from Kao.

[0171] Suitable proteases are described in WO 11 / 140316 A1 and WO 11 / 072117 A1.

[0172] Amylase: Suitable amylases are derived from AA560 alpha amylase endogenous to Bacillus sp. DSM 12649, preferably with the following mutations: R118K, D183*, G184*, N195F, R320K and / or R458K. Suitable commercially available amylases include Plus, Natalase, Ultra, SZ, (both from Novozymes) and AA, Preferenz Series of amylase, and Ox Am, HT Plus (both from Du Pont).

[0173] Suitable amylases are described in WO 06 / 002643 A1.

[0174] Cellulase: Suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are also suitable. Suitable cellulases include cellulases from Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium, such as fungal cellulases produced by Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophila, and Fusarium oxysporum.

[0175] Commercially available cellulases include and Premium, and (Novozymes A / S), Series enzymes (Du Pont), and Series enzymes (AB Enzymes). Suitable commercially available cellulases include Premium, Suitable cellulases are described in WO 07 / 144857 A1 and WO 10 / 056652 A1.

[0176] Lipase: Suitable lipases include those of bacterial, fungal or synthetic origin, and variants thereof. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are also suitable. Examples of suitable lipases include lipases from Humicola (synonym Thermomyces), such as from H. lanuginosa (T. lanuginosus).

[0177] The lipase may be a "first cycle lipase", e.g., such as those described in WO 06 / 090335 A1 and WO 13 / 116261 A1. In one aspect, the lipase is a first wash lipase, preferably a variant of the wild-type lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus comprising a T231R and / or N233R mutation. Preferred lipases include those sold under the trade name and Those sold by Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

[0178] Other suitable lipases include: Liprl 139, e.g., as described in WO 2013 / 171241 A1; and TfuLip2, e.g., as described in WO 2011 / 084412 A1 and WO 2013 / 033318 A1.

[0179] Other enzymes: Other suitable enzymes are bleaching enzymes such as peroxidases / oxidases, including those of plant, bacterial or fungal origin, and variants thereof. Commercially available peroxidases include (Novozymes A / S). Other suitable enzymes include choline oxidase and perhydrolase, such as those used in Gentle Power Bleach TM Those in .

[0180] Other suitable enzymes include those sold under the trade name (from Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and Pectate lyase sold under the trade name (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and Mannanase sold by Du Pont.

[0181] Zeolite builder: The composition may contain a zeolite builder. The composition may contain from 0% to 5% by weight of a zeolite builder, or 3% by weight of a zeolite builder. The composition may even be substantially free of zeolite builder; substantially free means "no intentionally added". Typical zeolite builders include zeolite A, zeolite P and zeolite MAP.

[0182] Phosphate builder: The composition may contain a phosphate builder. The composition may contain from 0% to 5% by weight of a phosphate builder, or to 3% by weight of a phosphate builder. The composition may even be substantially free of phosphate builders; substantially free means "no intentionally added". A typical phosphate builder is sodium tripolyphosphate.

[0183] Carbonate: The composition may comprise carbonate. The composition may comprise 0 wt% to 10 wt% carbonate, or 0 wt% to 5 wt% carbonate. The composition may even be substantially free of carbonate; substantially free means "no intentionally added". Suitable carbonates include sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

[0184] Silicate: The composition may comprise a silicate. The composition may comprise 0 to 10 wt% silicate, or 0 to 5 wt% silicate. A preferred silicate is sodium silicate, particularly preferred is sodium silicate having a Na2O:SiO2 ratio of 1.0 to 2.8, preferably 1.6 to 2.0.

[0185] Sulphate: A suitable sulphate is sodium sulphate.

[0186] Brighteners: Suitable fluorescent brighteners include: distyrylbiphenyl compounds, such as CBS-X, diaminostilbene disulfonic acid compounds, e.g. DMS pure Xtra and HRH, and pyrazoline compounds, e.g. SN and coumarin compounds, e.g. SWN.

[0187] Preferred brighteners are: sodium 2(4-phenylvinyl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-phenylamino-6-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)amino1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)];amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-phenylamino-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfonostyryl)biphenyl. A suitable fluorescent brightener is CI fluorescent brightener 260, which can be used in its β or α crystalline form or a mixture of these crystalline forms.

[0188] Chelating agent: The composition may also include a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriamine pentaacetate, diethylenetriamine penta(methylphosphonic acid), ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, ethylenediamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid), and hydroxyethane di(methylenephosphonic acid). Preferred chelating agents are ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and / or hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP). The composition preferably includes ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid or a salt thereof. Preferably, ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid is in the form of the S,S enantiomer. Preferably, the composition includes 4,5-dihydroxy-isobenzene disulfonic acid disodium salt. Preferred chelating agents may also act as calcium carbonate crystal growth inhibitors, such as: 1-hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and its salts; N,N-dicarboxymethyl-2-aminopentane-1,5-dioic acid and its salts; 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and its salts; and combinations thereof.

[0189] Hueing agents: Suitable hueing agents include small molecule dyes, typically belonging to the following Color Index (CI) classifications: acid dyes, direct dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes (including their hydrolyzed forms), or solvent dyes or disperse dyes, such as dyes classified as blue, violet, red, green or black, and providing the desired hue, alone or in combination. Preferred such hues include acid violet 50, direct violet 9, 66 and 99, solvent violet 13, and any combination thereof.

[0190] Many hueing agents that may be suitable for use in the present invention are known and described in the art, such as the hueing agents described in WO 2014 / 089386 A1.

[0191] Suitable hueing agents include phthalocyanine and azo dye conjugates such as described in WO 2009 / 069077 A1.

[0192] Suitable toners can be alkoxylated. Such alkoxylated compounds can be prepared by organic synthesis, which can produce a mixture of molecules with different degrees of alkoxylation. Such mixtures can be directly used to provide toners, or can undergo purification steps to increase the ratio of the target molecule. Suitable toners include alkoxylated disazo dyes, such as those described in WO 2012 / 054835A1, and / or alkoxylated thiophene azo dyes, such as those described in WO 2008 / 087497A1 and WO2012 / 166768A1.

[0193] Toner can be incorporated in the detergent composition as a part for a reaction mixture, and this reaction mixture is the result of organic synthesis dye molecules by one or more optional purification steps. Such reaction mixture generally comprises dye molecules themselves, and can also comprise the by-product of unreacted starting materials and / or organic synthesis pathways in addition. Suitable toner can be incorporated in the hueing dye particles, such as described in WO 2009 / 069077A1.

[0194] Dye transfer inhibitors: Suitable dye transfer inhibitors include polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl oxazolidones, polyvinyl imidazoles, and mixtures thereof. Preferred are poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl pyridine betaine), poly(vinyl pyridine N-oxide), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-vinylimidazole) and mixtures thereof. Suitable commercially available dye transfer inhibitors include PVP-K15 and K30 (Ashland), HP165, HP50, HP53, HP59, HP56K, HP56, HP66 (BASF), S-400, S403E and S-100 (Ashland).

[0195] Fragrances: Suitable fragrances include fragrance materials selected from the following groups: (a) fragrance materials having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of less than 250°C (Quadrant 1 fragrance materials); (b) fragrance materials having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of 250°C or greater (Quadrant 2 fragrance materials); (c) fragrance materials having a ClogP of 3.0 or greater and a boiling point of less than 250°C (Quadrant 3 fragrance materials); (d) fragrance materials having a ClogP of 3.0 or greater and a boiling point of 250°C or greater (Quadrant 4 fragrance materials); and (e) mixtures thereof.

[0196] For spices, it is preferably in the form of spices delivery technology. Such delivery technology also stabilizes and enhances the release of deposition and spices materials from washed fabrics. Such spices delivery technology can also be used to further increase the persistence of releasing spices from washed fabrics. Suitable spices delivery technology includes: spices microcapsules, former spices, polymer-assisted delivery, molecule-assisted delivery, fiber-assisted delivery, amine-assisted delivery, cyclodextrin, starch-encapsulated accords, zeolites and other inorganic carriers, and any mixture thereof. Suitable spices microcapsules are described in WO 2009 / 101593A1.

[0197] Silicones: Suitable silicones include polydimethylsiloxanes and amino-silicones. Suitable silicones are described in WO 05075616A1.

[0198] Methods for preparing solid compositions: Generally, the particles of the composition can be prepared by any suitable method, such as spray drying, agglomeration, extrusion, and any combination thereof.

[0199] Typically, a suitable spray drying process comprises the steps of forming an aqueous slurry mixture, transferring it to a pressure nozzle by at least one pump, preferably two pumps. Atomizing the aqueous slurry mixture into a spray drying tower and drying the aqueous slurry mixture to form spray-dried particles. Preferably, the spray drying tower is a countercurrent spray drying tower, although a cocurrent spray drying tower may also be suitable.

[0200] Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to cooling, such as air stripping. Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to particle size classification, such as sieving, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the spray-dried powder has a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 500 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the spray-dried particles have a particle size greater than 2360 microns.

[0201] It may be preferred to heat the aqueous slurry mixture to raise the temperature prior to atomization into a spray drying tower, such as described in WO 2009 / 158162 A1.

[0202] For anionic surfactants, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonates it may be preferred to introduce into the spray drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry mixture: for example, after pumping, the acid precursor is introduced into the aqueous slurry mixture, such as described in WO 09 / 158449 A1.

[0203] It may be preferred for a gas such as air to be introduced into the spray drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry, such as described in WO 2013 / 181205 A1.

[0204] It may be preferred for any inorganic ingredients, such as sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate, if present in the aqueous slurry mixture, to be micronized to a small particle size, such as described in WO 2012 / 134969 A1.

[0205] Typically, suitable agglomeration processes include the step of contacting a detersive ingredient, such as a detersive surfactant, e.g. linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and / or an alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, with an inorganic material, such as sodium carbonate and / or silica in a mixer. The agglomeration process may also be an in-situ neutralization agglomeration process, wherein an acid precursor of a detersive surfactant, such as LAS, is contacted with an alkaline material, such as carbonate and / or sodium hydroxide in a mixer, and wherein the acid precursor of the detersive surfactant is neutralized by the alkaline material during the agglomeration process to form a detersive surfactant.

[0206] Other suitable detergent ingredients that may be agglomerated include polymers, chelating agents, bleach activators, silicones, and any combination thereof.

[0207] Agglomeration process can be high, medium or low shear agglomeration process, wherein high shear, medium shear or low shear mixer is used accordingly. Agglomeration process can be multi-step agglomeration process, wherein two or more mixers are used, such as high shear mixer combined with medium or low shear mixer. Agglomeration process can be continuous process or batch process.

[0208] It may be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a drying step, for example to a fluidized bed drying step. It may also be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a cooling step, for example to a fluidized bed cooling step.

[0209] Typically, the agglomerates are subjected to particle size classification, such as fluidized bed elution and / or sieving, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the agglomerates have a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 800 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size of less than 150 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size greater than 1200 microns.

[0210] It may be preferred for fine and oversized agglomerates to be recycled back into the agglomeration process. Typically, oversized particles are subjected to a comminution step, such as grinding, and recycled back to a suitable location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer. Typically, fines are recycled back to a suitable location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer.

[0211] For ingredients, such as polymers and / or nonionic detersive surfactants and / or perfumes, it may be preferred to spray onto base detergent particles, such as spray-dried base detergent particles and / or agglomerated base detergent particles. Typically, the spraying step is carried out in a tumble drum mixer.

[0212] Method for washing fabrics: The method for washing fabrics comprises contacting a solid composition with water to form a wash liquor, and the step of washing fabrics in the wash liquor. Typically, the wash liquor has a temperature of from 0°C to 90°C, or to 60°C, or to 40°C, or to 30°C, or to 20°C. Before, after, or while contacting the solid composition with water, the fabric may be contacted with water. Typically, the wash liquor is formed by contacting a laundry detergent with water in such an amount that the concentration of the laundry detergent composition in the wash liquor is 0.2g / L to 20g / L, or 0.5g / L to 10g / L, or to 5.0g / L. The method for washing fabrics can be carried out in a front-loading automatic washing machine, a top-loading automatic washing machine, including a high-efficiency automatic washing machine, or a suitable hand-washing container. Typically, the wash liquor contains 90 liters or less, or 60 liters or less, or 15 liters or less, or 10 liters or less of water. Typically, 200 g or less, alternatively 150 g or less, alternatively 100 g or less, alternatively 50 g or less of the laundry detergent composition is contacted with water to form the wash liquor.

[0213] Water-soluble unit dose products

[0214] The detergent may be in the form of a water-soluble unit dose product comprising a water-soluble cellulosic nonwoven sheet and a granular laundry detergent composition. The fibrous nonwoven sheet is described in more detail below and the granular laundry detergent composition according to the present invention is described in more detail above.

[0215] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet is formed to form a sealed interior compartment wherein a granular laundry detergent composition is contained within the interior compartment.

[0216] The unit dose product may include a first fibrous nonwoven sheet and a second water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet that are sealed to define an internal compartment. The water-soluble unit dose product is configured so that the granular detergent composition does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, when the water-soluble unit dose product is added to water, the water-soluble nonwoven fibrous sheet dissolves and releases the contents in the internal compartment into the washing liquid.

[0217] Compartment is understood to refer to the enclosed inner space in the unit dose article, and this enclosed inner space holds the granular detergent composition.During manufacture, the first water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet can be shaped as an open compartment comprising adding the detergent composition thereto.Then the second water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet can be covered above the first sheet in the orientation near the opening of the compartment.Then the first sheet and the second sheet are sealed together along the sealing area.

[0218] Alternatively, a single water-soluble fibrous nonwoven material may be formed into an open container. The granular laundry detergent composition may then be filled into the open container, which is then sealed to close it.

[0219] The unit dose article may include more than one compartment, at least two compartments, or even at least three compartments. The compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e., one next to another orientation. Alternatively, a compartment may be completely enclosed in another compartment.

[0220] When the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the compartments may be smaller than the other compartment.

[0221] Each compartment may contain the same or a different composition.

[0222] Water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet

[0223] The water-soluble unit dose product may include a water-soluble cellulosic nonwoven sheet. The water-soluble cellulosic nonwoven sheet comprises a plurality of fibers. Preferably, the fibers are entangled fibers in the form of a fibrous structure.

[0224] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may be uniform or may be layered. If layered, the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may include at least two and / or at least three and / or at least four and / or at least five layers.

[0225] Preferably, the water-soluble cellulosic nonwoven sheet has a basis weight between 20 gsm and 60 gsm, preferably between 20 gsm and 55 gsm, more preferably between 25 gsm and 50 gsm, most preferably between 25 gsm and 45 gsm. Those skilled in the art will know methods of measuring basis weight.

[0226] The water-soluble cellulosic nonwoven sheet can have a thickness between 0.01 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 0.05 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 0.1 mm and 20 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 10 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, most preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. Those skilled in the art will know standard methods for measuring thickness.

[0227] The fibres comprise polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Preferably, the fibres comprise between 50% and 98%, preferably between 65% and 97%, more preferably between 80% and 96%, even more preferably between 88% and 96% polyvinyl alcohol by weight of the fibre.

[0228] The polyvinyl alcohol polymer may have a weight average molecular weight between 50 kDa and 150 kDa, preferably between 75 kDa and 140 kDa, more preferably between 100 kDa and 130 kDa. As used herein, "weight average molecular weight" means using gel permeation chromatography, according to the method described in Colloids and Surfaces A. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Vol. 162, 2000, pp. 107-121. Those skilled in the art will be aware of other known techniques for determining weight average molecular weight (MW).

[0229] Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average hydrolysis degree percentage of 75% to 100%, preferably 80% to 95%, most preferably 85% to 90%. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average viscosity of 1 mPas to 30 mPas, preferably 5 mPas to 25 mPas, most preferably 10 mPas to 20 mPa, wherein the viscosity is measured at 20°C as a 4% aqueous solution in demineralized water.

[0230] In some examples, the container can include between 1 and 80 water-soluble unit dose products, between 1 and 60 water-soluble unit dose products, between 1 and 40 water-soluble unit dose products, or between 1 and 20 water-soluble unit dose products. The capacity of the container can be included between 500ml and 5000ml, and in some examples between 800ml and 4000ml.

[0231] Embodiments of the consumer products of the present disclosure

[0232] In a first aspect, a consumer product comprises a container and a detergent product contained therein, preferably a detergent product as described herein, the container comprising: a base; a plurality of side walls, including a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having corresponding top edges, the detergent product being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls; and a cover comprising: a lower flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; and an upper flap connected to the top edge of the second side wall, wherein the upper flap comprises: two lateral edges; a through opening; and two main pre-cut lines connecting the through opening to a corresponding one of the two lateral edges; an optional tab protruding at the through opening and connecting the two main pre-cut lines together, wherein the through opening and the two main pre-cut lines divide the upper flap into a proximal region and a distal region, wherein the distal region of the upper flap is attached to the lower flap. In some examples of such aspects and the following aspects, the upper flap is free of tabs and / or the lower flap is free of tab receivers. In some examples of such aspects and the following aspects, direct contact between the detergent product and the sidewall is optional.

[0233] In a second aspect, considered independently of the first aspect or in combination with the first aspect, a consumer product comprises a container and a detergent product contained therein, preferably a detergent product as described herein, the container comprising: a base; a plurality of side walls, including a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having corresponding top edges, the detergent product being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls; and a cover comprising: a lower flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; and an upper flap connected to the top edge of the second side wall; wherein a proximal region of the upper flap has two lateral edges and two tear edges connecting an optional tab to a corresponding one of the lateral edges, and wherein a distal region of the upper flap is arranged above the lower flap and attached thereto, wherein the distal region of the upper flap has two tear edges that are respectively mirror images of the tear edges of the proximal region of the upper flap.

[0234] In a third aspect, considered independently of the previous aspects or in combination with any of the previous aspects, a consumer product includes a container and a detergent product contained therein, preferably a detergent product as described herein, the container comprising: a base; a plurality of side walls, including a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having corresponding top edges, the detergent product being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls; and a cover, the cover comprising: a lower flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; and an upper flap connected to the top edge of the second side wall; wherein the lower flap and the upper flap are attached together in a handle area of ​​the lower flap defined by a handle pre-cut line, the handle area being optionally adjacent to the distal edge of the lower flap.

[0235] In a fourth aspect, considered independently of the previous aspects or in combination with any of the previous aspects, a consumer product comprises a container and a detergent product contained therein, preferably a detergent product as described herein, the container comprising: a base; a plurality of side walls, wherein a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having corresponding top edges, the detergent product being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls; and a cover, the cover comprising: a lower flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; and an upper flap connected to the top edge of the second side wall; wherein the lower flap comprises a cut-out handle having a certain shape, and wherein the handle area of ​​the lower flap is attached below the upper flap, wherein the handle area has a shape complementary to the shape of the cut-out handle.

[0236] In a fifth aspect considered independently of the previous aspects or in combination with any of the previous aspects, a consumer product comprises a container and a detergent product contained therein, preferably a detergent product as described herein, the container comprising: a base; a plurality of side walls, wherein a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having corresponding top edges, the detergent product being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls; and a cover comprising: a lower flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; an upper flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; the top edge of the second side wall; a first auxiliary flap, the first auxiliary flap is covered by the lower flap, the first auxiliary flap comprising: a first proximal edge, wherein the first auxiliary flap is connected to a third side wall of the plurality of side walls, the third side wall being different from the first side wall and the second side wall; a first distal edge; a first auxiliary pre-cut line, the first auxiliary pre-cut line being between the first proximal edge and the first distal edge; a first proximal region, the first proximal region being defined by the first proximal edge and by the first auxiliary pre-cut line; and a first distal region, the A first distal region is defined by the first distal edge and by the first auxiliary pre-cut line; a first attachment element, the first attachment element is between the lower flap and the first auxiliary flap, the first attachment element extends within the first distal region, and the first proximal region is substantially free of attachment elements; a second auxiliary flap, the second auxiliary flap is covered by the lower flap, the second auxiliary flap comprising: a second proximal edge, wherein the second auxiliary flap is connected to a fourth side wall of the plurality of side walls, the fourth side wall being different from the first side wall, the second side wall and the third side wall; a second a distal edge; a second auxiliary pre-cut line, which is between the second proximal edge and the second distal edge; a second proximal region, which is defined by the second proximal edge and by the second auxiliary pre-cut line; and a second distal region, which is defined by the second distal edge and by the second auxiliary pre-cut line; and a second attachment element, which is between the lower fold plate and the second auxiliary fold plate, and extends within the second distal region, and the second proximal region is basically free of attachment elements.

[0237] In a sixth aspect according to the third and fifth aspects and possibly combined with any other aspect, the first auxiliary flap and the second auxiliary flap extend below the lower flap over respective areas of the lower flap that do not overlap the handle area.

[0238] In a seventh aspect, considered independently of the previous aspects or in combination with any of the previous aspects, a consumer product comprises a container and a detergent product contained therein, preferably a detergent product as described herein, the container comprising: a base; a plurality of side walls, wherein there is a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having corresponding top edges, the detergent product being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls; and a cover, the cover comprising: a lower flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; and an upper flap connected to the top edge of the second side wall, wherein a proximal region of an auxiliary flap is connected to a third side wall of the plurality of side walls, the third side wall being different from the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the proximal region comprises a tear edge; and wherein a distal region of the auxiliary flap is attached below the lower flap and has a tear edge that is a mirror image of the tear edge of the proximal region of the auxiliary flap.

[0239] In an eighth aspect considered independently of the previous aspects or in combination with any of the previous aspects, a consumer product comprises a container and a detergent product contained therein, preferably a detergent product as described herein, the container comprising: a base; a plurality of side walls, including a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall having corresponding top edges, the detergent product being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls; and a cover comprising: a lower flap connected to the top edge of the first side wall; and an upper flap connected to the top edge of the second side wall, wherein a tab has a curved convex distal edge, and wherein a tab receiver comprises a curved slit formed in the lower flap, the curved slit separating the convex edge of the lower flap from the concave edge of the lower flap, wherein when the tab is engaged in the slit, the concave edge is located below the tab, and the convex edge of the lower flap is located above the tab.

[0240] In a ninth aspect combinable with any of the preceding aspects, the container is made of a corrugated material comprising flutes oriented along a longitudinal direction, and the top edge is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0241] In a tenth aspect, a method of operating the consumer product of the first aspect which may be combined with any other aspect, the method comprising opening the upper flap and simultaneously tearing the distal region of the upper flap from the proximal region of the upper flap.

[0242] In an eleventh aspect, a method of operating the consumer product of the third aspect which may be combined with any of the other aspects, the method comprising opening the upper flap and simultaneously tearing the handle region from the lower flap to form the handle.

[0243] In a twelfth aspect, a method of operating a consumer product of the fifth aspect which may be combined with any other aspect comprises opening the lower flap and simultaneously tearing the first distal region and the second distal region from the first proximal region and the second proximal region of the first auxiliary flap and the second auxiliary flap, the first distal region and the second distal region remaining attached to the lower flap and the first proximal region and the second proximal region remaining connected to the third side wall and the fourth side wall.

[0244] In the thirteenth aspect, the method according to aspects ten to twelfth is performed using a container made of corrugated material, which corrugated material includes grooves oriented along the longitudinal direction, and the step of opening the upper folding plate and / or opening the lower folding plate is to pivot the upper folding plate / the lower folding plate around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0245] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​cited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

[0246] Unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited, each document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or patent application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or the benefit of, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art to any of the present invention disclosed or claimed herein, or an admission that it, by itself or in combination with any one or more of the references, proposes, suggests, or discloses any such invention. In addition, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this invention shall govern.

[0247] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A consumer product (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000), the consumer product comprising a container (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002) and a detergent (104) product contained therein, the container comprising: base (106); a plurality of side walls (108, 110, 112, 114), wherein there is a first side wall (108) and a second side wall (110) opposite the first side wall (108), the first side wall and the second side wall (108, 110) having respective top edges (109, 111), the detergent product (104) being in direct contact with the plurality of side walls (108, 110, 112, 114); and A cover (116, 216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716, 816, 916, 1016), the cover comprising: a lower flap (118, 418, 518, 718) connected to the top edge (109) of the first side wall (108), the lower flap being provided with a tab receiver (122); and An upper flap (120, 220, 420, 520, 720) connected to the top edge (111) of the second side wall (110), the upper flap including a tab (124, 224) that can be engaged into the tab receiver (122) in a repeatable manner and can be released from the tab receiver (122) in a repeatable manner.

2. The consumer product of claim 1, wherein the upper flap further comprises: two lateral edges (226, 228); a through opening (225); and two main pre-cut lines (230, 232) connecting the through-opening (225) to a corresponding one of the two lateral edges (226, 228); the tab (224) protruding at the through-opening (225) and connecting the two main pre-cut lines (230, 232) together, wherein the through opening (225) and the two main pre-cut lines (230, 232) divide the upper folding plate (220) into a proximal region (234) and a distal region (236), wherein the distal region (236) of the upper folding plate (220) is attached to the lower folding plate (118), and wherein the tab (224) belongs to the proximal region (234).

3. A consumer product according to claim 1, wherein the proximal region (234) of the upper flap has two lateral edges (326, 328) and two tear edges (330, 332) connecting the tab (224) to a corresponding one of the lateral edges, and wherein the distal region (236) of the upper flap is arranged above the lower flap (118) and attached thereto, wherein the distal region of the upper flap has two tear edges (340, 342) that are respectively mirror images of the tear edges (330, 332) of the proximal region (234) of the upper flap.

4. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower flap (418, 518) and the upper flap (420, 520) are attached together in a handle area (436, 536) of the lower flap (418, 518) defined by a handle pre-cut line (438, 538).

5. The consumer product of claim 4, wherein the handle region (536) is adjacent a distal edge (534) of the lower flap (518).

6. A consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower folding plate (618) includes a cut-out handle (642) having a certain shape, and wherein the handle area (536) of the lower folding plate (618) is attached below the upper folding plate (520), wherein the handle area (536) has a shape complementary to the shape of the cut-out handle (642).

7. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover further comprises: A first auxiliary flap (750), the first auxiliary flap being covered by the lower flap (718), the first auxiliary flap comprising: a first proximal edge (754), wherein the first auxiliary flap is connected to a third side wall (112) of the plurality of side walls, the third side wall being different from the first side wall and the second side wall; a first distal edge (758); a first auxiliary pre-cut line (756) between the first proximal edge and the first distal edge; a first proximal region (766) defined by the first proximal edge and by the first auxiliary pre-cut line; and a first distal region (768) defined by the first distal edge and by the first auxiliary pre-cut line; a first attachment element (774) between the lower flap and the first auxiliary flap, the first attachment element extending within the first distal region, the first proximal region being substantially free of attachment elements; A second auxiliary flap (752), the second auxiliary flap being covered by the lower flap (718), the second auxiliary flap (752) comprising: a second proximal edge (760), wherein the second auxiliary flap is connected to a fourth side wall (114) of the plurality of side walls, the fourth side wall being different from the first side wall, the second side wall, and the third side wall; a second distal edge (764); a second auxiliary pre-cut line (762), the second auxiliary pre-cut line being between the second proximal edge and the second distal edge; a second proximal region (770) defined by the second proximal edge and by the second auxiliary pre-cut line; and a second distal region (772) defined by the second distal edge and by the second auxiliary pre-cut line; and A second attachment element (776) is between the lower flap and the second auxiliary flap, the second attachment element extending within the second distal region, and the second proximal region is substantially free of attachment elements.

8. A consumer product according to claim 7 in combination with claim 4 or 5, wherein the first auxiliary folding plate and the second auxiliary folding plate (750, 752) extend below the lower folding plate (718) and above corresponding areas (850, 852, 860, 862, 870, 872) of the lower folding plate (618) that do not overlap with the handle area (536).

9. The consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a proximal region (766) of the auxiliary flap (750) is connected to a third side wall (112) of the plurality of side walls, the third side wall being different from the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the proximal region (766) includes a tear edge (956); and Wherein the distal region (768) of the auxiliary flap is attached below the lower flap and has a tear edge (958) that is a mirror image of the tear edge (956) of the proximal region (766) of the auxiliary flap.

10. A consumer product according to any of the above claims, wherein the tab (124) has a curved convex distal edge (1024), and wherein the tab receiver (122) includes a curved slit (1022) formed in the lower fold plate (118), the curved slit (1022) separating the convex edge (1030) of the lower fold plate (118) from the concave edge (1028) of the lower fold plate (118), wherein when the tab (124) is engaged in the slit (1022), the concave edge (1028) is located below the tab (124) and the convex edge (1030) of the lower fold plate (118) is located above the tab (124).

11. A method of operating a consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising closing (1640) the container by pushing the upper flap downwardly until the tab engages the tab receiver so as to prevent access to the detergent product.

12. A method of operating a consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising opening (1650) the container by pushing the lower flap downwardly to release the tab from the tab receiver to provide access to the detergent product.

13. A method of operating a consumer product according to claim 2, comprising pulling (1610) the tab (224) and simultaneously tearing (1615) the distal region (236) of the upper flap from the proximal region (234) of the upper flap.

14. A method of operating a consumer product according to claim 4 or 5, comprising pulling (1620) the tab and simultaneously tearing (1625) the handle region from the lower flap to form the handle.

15. A method for operating a consumer product according to the combination of claims 6 to 8, comprising pulling (1630) the cut handle of the lower folding plate and simultaneously tearing (1635) the first distal region and the second distal region from the first proximal region and the second proximal region of the first auxiliary folding plate and the second auxiliary folding plate, the first distal region and the second distal region remaining attached to the lower folding plate and the first proximal region and the second proximal region remaining connected to the third side wall and the fourth side wall.

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