Consumer product and method of operation thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a consumer product (100) comprising a container (102) and a detergent product contained therein, the container comprising: a cartridge (104); and a cover (106). A lock (108) holds the cover (106) in the closed position. The lock (108) includes an actuator (130) that releasably engages the cover. The actuator (130) is actuatable by applying an actuation pressure at an actuation region (126). A top flap (190) is hinged at a top portion of the side wall (111) and is arranged with a distal edge (192) that is remote from the second side wall (112) by a gap (194). Upon application of the actuation pressure, the distal edge (192) contacts the second side wall (112) and provides mutual feedback force or haptic feedback to the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to containers for detergent products. Such containers for holding detergent products are consumer products found in a consumer's home, particularly in rooms such as the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom, which tend to create a humid environment. Importantly, the container is configured to adequately protect the detergent product from degrading due to excessive exposure to such moisture or humidity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Figure 1 An example consumer product is shown.

[0003] Figure 2 An example consumer product is shown.

[0004] Figure 3 An example consumer product is shown.

[0005] Figure 4 An example consumer product is shown.

[0006] Figure 5 An example consumer product is shown.

[0007] Figure 6 An example of a through - hole is shown.

[0008] Figure 7 An example of a top flap is shown.

[0009] Figure 8 An example of a top flap is shown.

[0010] Figure 9 An example of a box is shown.

[0011] Figure 10 An example of a box is shown.

[0012] Figure 11 An example of a box blank is shown.

[0013] Figure 12 An example of a cover blank is shown.

[0014] Figure 13 An example of a box is shown.

[0015] Figure 14 An example of a box is shown.

[0016] Figure 15 An example of a box is shown.

[0017] Figure 16 An example of a consumer product is shown.

[0018] Figure 17Two examples of the box are shown.

[0019] Figure 18 An example method is shown.

[0020] Figure 19 An example method is shown. Detailed Description

[0021] Detergent products are sensitive to moisture. They should be housed in a specially designed container, particularly one that can be properly locked or closed, especially before and after use, to prevent the detergent composition from being overly exposed to ambient moisture. At the same time, for adult consumers, the container must be easy to operate. Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism should reliably prevent accidental opening while providing a reliable unlocking / locking operation for adult consumers. Additionally, for environmental reasons, the amount of material used to manufacture the container should be as low as possible while protecting the detergent product from moisture and ensuring its mechanical robustness. The container should also be reliable throughout its entire life, including in the case of multi-use packaging (e.g., reusable, refillable containers). To make the locking system work reliably, the container should be prevented from deforming beyond the point where the locking element stops functioning properly.

[0022] As will be described below, the specific configurations described in the present disclosure allow for reliance on a particular human gesture called "precision pinch". Precision pinch is a particular human gesture in which a human pinches an object with a thumb and at least one or more other fingers of the same hand. It has been found that humans are particularly precise when making this movement. In this regard, precision can be described by considering the alignment of the directions of the forces exerted by the thumb and one or more other fingers of the same hand. When a precision pinch is applied, the thumb generates a first force on one side of the pinch and one or more other fingers generate a second (resultant) force on the other side of the pinch. Generally, the first force and the second force are oriented substantially along the same axis and in opposite directions. The key point of precision pinch is that if there is a mutual feedback response between the thumb and one or more other fingers of the same hand, the first force and the second force will naturally align with each other. As will be described below, the proposed configuration will achieve this mutual feedback, thereby relying on precision to reliably open an otherwise robust locking mechanism. As will be described below, specific dimensions achieve this configuration, particularly a configuration corresponding to an adult hand. It should actually be understood that in this description, the hand corresponds to an adult hand.

[0023] Detergent products can be relatively heavy products, such as when the container used for such a product is carrying the full weight of the detergent product, especially when the consumer product is newly purchased and thus contains a large amount of the detergent product. While some consumers may lift and transport such a consumer product by holding the base of the cartridge containing the detergent product, such lifting and transporting may also be done by holding the consumer product with the lid without holding the base. In such cases, the lid may loosen and open the cartridge under the gravitational force of the detergent product, and the cartridge may fall and its contents may spill. Such situations should be avoided. In addition to avoiding such inadvertent lid unlocking, the structure of the consumer product container should also maintain or improve the opening ergonomics and prevent or reduce permanent sidewall deformation caused by excessive or repeated force application to the consumer product, such as during transportation, against other objects in a grocery shopping bag, when subjected to external pressure, or when dropped. At the same time, the container can be crafted to protect the environment. The consumer product according to the present disclosure is designed to consider these different aspects.

[0024] In the present disclosure, a consumer product should be understood as a product especially provided to the end consumer. Such consumer products can be purchased, for example, in a supermarket, and the end consumer can store such consumer products at home. Consumer products can be provided in large quantities, and thus environmental issues should be considered when designing the product. The design of the consumer product should also take into account transportation to the retail store. The consumer product should also be sturdy to withstand transportation as part of an e-commerce shipment. The design of the consumer product should also consider shelf storage in the retail store. The design of the consumer product should also consider transportation from the retail store to the consumer's home. The design of the consumer product should also consider storage in the private end consumer's home. The design of the consumer product should also consider the use of the consumer product in the private end consumer's home. The design of the consumer product should also consider disposal.

[0025] The consumer product according to the present disclosure includes a detergent product. A detergent product should be understood in the present disclosure as a product containing a surfactant. The detergent product may also contain a bleach or other ingredients. Example detergent product compositions are described in more detail below. In some examples, the detergent product contains a unit-dose detergent sachet, preferably a water-soluble unit-dose detergent sachet, more preferably a flexible water-soluble unit-dose detergent sachet. Example unit-dose detergent sachets are described in more detail below. It should be noted that in some cases, the container according to the present disclosure may also be applicable to contents other than detergent products, especially perishable contents such as food or unstable chemicals.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the detergent product can be in direct contact with the container. In some examples, the detergent product is a powder or granular detergent. In some examples, the detergent product consists of unit doses, each unit dose being made of a water-soluble sachet enclosing the powder. If the detergent product is a powder, at least some of the powder particles contact the sidewall, base, or lid of the container. If the detergent product is a detergent unit dose, the water-soluble sachet enclosing the active product forms part of the detergent product, and at least some of the water-soluble sachets contact the sidewall, base, or lid of the container. In other words, there is no intermediate (membrane, insert, layer, material, etc.) separating the contents of the container from the container.

[0027] In fact, a further advantage of the present disclosure is that no additional elements (membrane, insert, clamp, tear strip) are required to properly conceal the detergent product. In particular, tear strips are not required, which are sometimes provided to allow the end user to separate two parts of the container so that the container can be opened. Tear strips and other clamps make container recycling more cumbersome, and the absence of them is beneficial to the environment.

[0028] The consumer product according to the present disclosure further includes a container. In the present disclosure, the container should be understood as an object that houses the contents, for example, in the cavity of the container. The container facilitates the protection, transportation, storage, access, and handling of the consumer product.

[0029] In the present disclosure, the container includes a box. The box should be understood as a three-dimensional object in the shape of a generally parallelepiped, barrel-shaped, cylindrical, circular, oval, or cubic shape that defines a cavity. The capacity of the box can be between 500 ml and 7000 ml, or in some examples between 800 ml and 4000 ml. The maximum width of the box can be between 10 cm and 35 cm, the depth can be between 5 cm and 13 cm, and the height can be between 8 cm and 40 cm. Using parallelepiped boxes can facilitate storage and transportation by stacking the boxes in a space-efficient manner. In some examples, the box can be a parallelepiped provided with some rounded, tapered trapezium, or beveled edges. The box according to the present disclosure includes the detergent product. 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 separating the detergent product from the inner cavity of the box. When the detergent product is a detergent unit dose, the water-soluble sachet enclosing the active product forms part of the detergent product, that is, there is no intermediate layer or intermediate packaging separating the box from the water-soluble sachet.

[0030] The container according to the present disclosure includes a base and side walls. The base according to the present disclosure should be understood as the wall on which the container can rest when the container is placed on a support surface such as a shelf or the floor. The base can be made of a plurality of flaps that are folded relative to the side walls such that the flaps forming the base lie flat or are substantially coplanar 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 projects inwards or outwards in the form of a relief. During the filling process of the container, and / or during shipping, and / or during storage, the container can be positioned upside down, i.e., the base is on top of the container. The container can also be positioned laterally, i.e., one side wall is on top and / or one side wall is at the bottom.

[0031] The side walls according to the present disclosure should be understood as extending from the base. In some examples, the side walls are perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the base is rectangular and has four sides, and four side walls extend perpendicularly from the base, each side wall being rectangular, each side wall being connected to a side of the base by a side wall edge and to two other side walls of the four side walls by two other side wall edges. In some examples, the base is oval or circular, and the side walls form a generally cylindrical wall extending from the base in a direction orthogonal or perpendicular to the base. In some examples, the side walls have a shape corresponding to one of a square, a rectangle, a trapezoid, a polygon, a spherical section, an oval section, or an ellipsoidal section. In some examples, when the container is in the use position, the text provided on the side walls of the container is horizontally readable. The side walls and the base can form an inner cavity in which a detergent product is received.

[0032] The side walls of the present disclosure have respective top edges. The top edge should be understood as the edge that defines the end of each side wall, which end is at the top of the side wall, as the container is arranged in a regular position with its base at the bottom.

[0033] The container includes an opening opposite the base that allows access to the cavity defined by the side walls and the base. In some examples, the opening spans an area of at least 10 cm2, preferably at least 20 cm2. Such an opening span can allow the insertion of a finger or even a hand to reach the interior of the container. In some examples where the detergent includes water-soluble unit dose articles, the opening spans an area between 1.1 times and 10 times the maximum cross-sectional area of the water-soluble unit dose article. In some preferred examples, the opening spans an area between 1.5 times and 5 times the maximum cross-sectional area of the water-soluble unit dose article accommodated in the container.

[0034] The container may also include at least one top flap hinged to the top portion of the first sidewall. The top flap may assume at least two orientations, namely, a closed orientation and an open orientation. In the closed orientation, the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening. In the open orientation, the top flap pivots upward and away from the opening, thus not restricting access to the cavity and the detergent product received therein. The top flap includes a distal edge opposite the hinge, and this distal edge is away from the second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. The distance or gap between the distal edge of the top flap and the second sidewall is sufficient to enable the top flap to move freely between the closed orientation and the open orientation. This gap is also sufficient to actuate the locking member. As will be explained in more detail below, this gap is less than a given threshold to prevent excessive deformation of the sidewall when actuating the cover lock actuator. In fact, to ensure the normal operation of the locking member throughout the life of the container, sidewall deformation exceeding its elastic deformation should be avoided. The upper limit of the gap also depends on the need to provide tactile feedback to the user. The gap may be between 0.1 mm and 5 mm.

[0035] In some examples, the top flap is made integrally with the sidewall and extends from the top edge of the sidewall. In some examples, the top flap includes a main portion that is hinged to a proximal flap portion connected (e.g., glued, stitched, or integrally) to the first sidewall. In some examples, when in the closed orientation, the top flap (or its main portion) is offset relative to the top edge. In some examples, the offset is in the direction of the base: the top flap in the closed orientation is closer to the base than the top edge of the sidewall.

[0036] In some examples, the distal flap is hinged and projects from the distal edge. In some examples, when the top flap is in the closed orientation, the distal flap is substantially parallel to the second sidewall. The distal flap may fold towards the top edge of the second sidewall or may fold towards the base.

[0037] In some examples, the movement of the top flap is restricted by at least one abutment and / or at least one stop. In some examples, the stop prevents the top flap from moving further downward after achieving its closed orientation. In some examples, when the top flap is in the closed orientation, the abutment restricts the upward movement of the top flap. In some examples, the abutment is arranged in the second sidewall, for example, at the top edge or the inner surface of the second sidewall. In some examples, the abutment is a cutout portion of the second sidewall. In some examples, the stop is a recess arranged in the inner surface of the second sidewall.

[0038] In some examples, the distal edge of the top flap includes a recess or notch. In some examples, the recess or notch is aligned or centered relative to a particular actuator. In some examples, when actuation pressure is applied, the second sidewall contacts the distal edge of the top flap at at least two contact locations that are not adjacent and may be separated from each other by the recess or notch. The distance separating the two contact locations can be between 5% and 30% of the width of the container. In some examples, more than one recess can be foreseen. In some examples, the distal edge has a wavy or corrugated profile, consisting of a series of recesses that are regularly or irregularly spaced from each other. In some examples, the recess or notch extends from the distal end to the first sidewall, such that the top flap is made of two independently hinged parts. In other words, two or more top flaps are provided.

[0039] In some examples, two or more top flaps are provided and are hinged to the same top portion of the first sidewall, or at least one of the two or more top flaps can be hinged to the top portion of the second sidewall that is opposite the first sidewall. Each of the two or more top flaps can include the features listed in the foregoing paragraphs. In some examples, the two or more top flaps are spaced apart such that a human hand can pass through the opening between the top flaps to grasp the detergent product housed in the cartridge.

[0040] In some examples, when the top flap is in the closed orientation, the top flap is hinged to the first sidewall such that a resistance moment between 0.5 N.m / m of crease and 5 N.m / m of crease resists movement of the top flap away from the closed orientation. The resistance moment can be a combination of at least one of the following: hinge resistance (e.g., generated by bending resistance, which may be reduced due to creasing and remaining springback after folding of the top flap); and the aforementioned abutment or stop. The springback moment of the top flap can be considered. In some examples, the top flap is made of a paper-based material with grooves. The grooves can be type B (1 / 8”), type E (1 / 16”), or type F (1 / 32”). In some examples, the folding moment can be between 0.5 Nm / m of crease and 5 Nm / m of crease; preferably between 1 Nm / m of crease and 3.5 Nm / m of crease, and the springback moment (after 15 seconds) can be between 0.4 Nm / m of crease and 2 Nm / m of crease, preferably between 0.7 Nm / m of crease and 1.25 Nm / m of crease. These values can be measured according to the Tappi T577 standard, using a 100×100 mm (crease perpendicular to the grooves) sample, a folding rate of 12° / s, and a folding angle of 90°. Based on the above box width, this means that the folding moment of the top flap can be between 0.1 Nm and 1.75 Nm, and the springback moment of the top flap can be between 0.07 Nm and 0.6125 Nm. The stop and / or abutment can provide a resistance moment of 0.57 Nm to 5.6125 Nm.

[0041] In some examples, the first sidewall has a width, and the minimum width of the top flap is between 20% and 99% of the width of the first sidewall. The width of the first sidewall can correspond to the length of the top edge of the first sidewall.

[0042] In some examples, the top flap includes at least one through-hole that enables an adult's finger to unfold the top flap. In some examples, the surface area of the hole is between 0.5 cm 2 and 15 cm 2 between.

[0043] In some examples, in the closed orientation, the top flap forms an angle between 70 degrees and 110 degrees with respect to the second sidewall.

[0044] In some examples, the top flap includes a main flap portion and an inclined flap portion that is angled downward with respect to the main portion. In some examples, the inclined flap portion has a beveled edge adjacent to the distal edge to facilitate insertion of the top flap into the cavity / through the opening when the top flap is folded downward. In some examples, the inclined flap portion includes a straight edge that abuts against the first sidewall when the top flap is in the closed orientation. This prevents the top flap from being pressed too deeply inside the box.

[0045] The top flap may have a top surface that is visible to the user when the lid is open. The top surface may be provided with printed or labeled product information or instructions for use. Then, in addition to the sidewalls, lid, and / or base, the top flap may constitute additional support for advertising, instructions for use, or other regulatory or informational indicia. In some examples, it may be beneficial to directly provide some information to the user when the user sees the open box and its contents. The top flap may include perforations at the hinge point such that the consumer can tear off the top flap (e.g., at the end of its life). In some examples, the top flap may be printed with a promotional statement or barcode such that the torn-off top flap becomes a coupon or promotional card for further purchases by the user.

[0046] In some examples, the actuator is formed by cutting off at least a portion of the top flap, folding the at least a portion in a position parallel to the first sidewall, and gluing the at least a portion to the outer surface of the first sidewall.

[0047] The container includes a lid for the box. The lid according to the present disclosure should be understood as an element that allows the opening of the box to be repeatedly closed or opened. In some examples, the lid can be connected to the box by a hinge, for example, or can be separate from the box. The lid according to the present disclosure includes a top or lid top and side wings or lid side wings. It should be understood that when the lid is in the closed position, the top of the lid is intended to cover the opening of the box. In some examples, the top of the lid is rectangular. In some examples, the top of the lid is circular, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or oval, and structures such as circular or oval are approximated, for example, by increasing the number of side panels and lid flaps. In some examples, the lid includes beveled edges. In some examples, the top of the lid is a rectangle with rounded edges. It should be understood that although named "top", the top of the lid can be positioned along different orientations. Regarding the lid side wings, it should be understood that the side wings according to the present disclosure are elements that are connected to the top of the lid and extend from the lid to engage (e.g., partially cover) one or more side walls of the box, and each side wing has an extension along the corresponding side wall between the connection to the top of the lid and the distal end of the side wing. The side wings participate in placing the top of the lid on the opening. In some examples, the side wings extend perpendicularly from the top of the lid. In some examples, the side wings surround the entire perimeter of the top of the lid. In some examples, the side wings partially surround the entire perimeter of the top of the lid, and a portion of the top of the lid (e.g., along the hinge between the lid and the box in the case of a hinged lid) is without side wings. When the top of the lid covers the opening, at least a portion of the side wings can cover at least a particular portion of a particular side wall of the box side walls. The movement of the lid can be restricted by a connection to the box (such as a hinge) or a flexible connector (strip, cord, etc.), or the lid can be completely removed, for example, to improve access to the contents of the box, or to allow the lid or the container to be reused independently. The box and the lid cooperate to function as a container, namely, to store, transport, and facilitate access to the contents of the container.

[0048] A container according to the present disclosure includes a locking member. The locking member should be understood in the present disclosure as a mechanism that prevents accidental opening of the container or reduces the likelihood of accidental opening of the container. The locking member according to the present disclosure is intended to hold the cover in a closed position. It should be understood that the locking member according to the present disclosure is expected to function during normal use of the container. It should be understood that the locking member may not be able to perform its function when, for example, the box is used unusually or when the box is under unusual conditions. According to the present disclosure, the locking member includes a specific actuator that can be moved from a locked position to an open position by applying an actuating pressure to the specific actuator when the cover is in the closed position. In the present disclosure, the specific actuator should be understood as a mechanical structure that undergoes movement when actuated by an external force or an actuating pressure, and when such movement occurs, this movement causes the opening of the locking member. In some examples, the specific actuator according to the present disclosure is elastic and has a default position that corresponds to the cover remaining closed, and this elasticity is overcome by an external force or an actuating pressure to open the cover. In some examples, the specific actuator is elastic in the sense that the specific actuator includes a flexible element that has a default position corresponding to the cover remaining closed, and the flexible element is pressed to open the cover and the flexible element springs back to the default position when the pressure is released. It should be understood that pressure is generated by applying a force on a surface. The specific actuator according to the present disclosure has at least two positions, namely an open position and a locked position, where the open position corresponds to a position that allows the cover to be displaced (opened), and the locked position prevents the cover from opening or reduces the likelihood of accidental opening of the cover.

[0049] According to the present disclosure, a specific actuator is connected to a specific portion which is at least a specific portion of a specific sidewall in a cartridge sidewall covered by at least a portion of a flank when the cover is in a closed position. The specific portion may be the specific portion covered by at least a portion of the flank when the cover is in the closed position. When in a locked position, the specific actuator, for example, abuts against a locking tab of the flank. When in an open position, the specific actuator, for example, remains away from the locking tab. The specific actuator may be displaced, for example, by an actuation pressure by an unlocking displacement distance in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion of the sidewall. The connection to the specific portion may be, for example, a fold line at an end of the sidewall remote from the base. The connection of the specific actuator to the specific portion of the sidewall is due to the specific actuator participating in locking or unlocking the specific portion of the sidewall from the portion of the flank covering the specific portion of the sidewall, thereby allowing the release of the cover from the cartridge. The flank may include a locking tab. The locking tab should be understood as a mechanical element that interlocks with the specific actuator. In some examples, the locking tab extends away from the flank and may be in the form of a bulge, ridge, embossing, or an additional layer of material extending from the flank of the cover and towards the specific portion of the sidewall such that the specific actuator can abut against the tab when in the locked position to prevent the separation of the specific portion of the sidewall from the flank in the specific actuator area. In some examples, the locking tab is included within the flank itself and the locking tab is formed, for example, by a hole in the flank. The abutment according to the present disclosure should be understood as the contact between the specific actuator or a part of the specific actuator and the tab, and this contact prevents the opening of the cover. In some examples, the specific actuator remains away from the locking tab when in the open position to release the locking tab. The release of the locking tab allows the opening of the cover. The displacement or movement of the specific actuator from the locked position to the open position is achieved by applying an actuation pressure or force (directly or indirectly) on the specific actuator such that the specific actuator is displaced by a distance sufficient to bring the specific actuator into contact with the locking tab in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion of the sidewall, and this distance corresponds to the displacement distance. It should be understood that due to the specific dimensional configuration according to the present disclosure, the force or pressure causing the displacement will take a specific direction defined by an exact pinch, and this specific direction contributes to the displacement in a direction orthogonal to the specific portion of the sidewall. This force or pressure may also include a small component parallel to the sidewall because the hand is a human hand and may not be able to perfectly align the force completely even during an exact pinch. However, the actuation is triggered by the component of this force or pressure orthogonal to this portion of the sidewall. The presence of this component orthogonal to this portion of the sidewall plays the role of preventing the accidental opening of the locking member, while the desired opening will be achieved by the consumer "pushing" the specific actuator and applying an unlocking force or pressure that allows the opening of the cover.

[0050] To provide the precision for properly positioning the fingers and to obtain an accurate pinch, the side wings include a specific actuation area in a specific side wing, and this specific actuation area faces a specific actuator. The fact that this actuation area faces a specific actuator actually allows the thumb or one or more other fingers to be accurately positioned on the area where the unlocking force of the locking member should be applied. The actuation area should be understood as defining a discontinuity on the specific side wing, where the user or consumer can perceive this discontinuity in order to correctly position the thumb or one or more other fingers and apply an accurate pinch. This discontinuity can include one or more of an actuation hole, an actuation flap, an actuation slit, or an actuation membrane. In some examples, the actuation area (meaning any one or both of a specific or additional actuation area, a specific part or an additional part) includes a visual indication indicating the position of the actuation area. In some examples where the actuation area is a hole, the specific part, and correspondingly the additional part, includes a visual indication visible through the hole, correspondingly multiple holes, when the lid is closed. The visual indication can be printed on the outer surface of the side wing and can include one or more arrows or one or more areas printed in a prominent color or with specific text providing an instruction (such as "Push here to open"), or any combination of these indications, in order to further improve the pinch precision. The actuation area is configured to allow the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position. To properly place the thumb or one or more other fingers, the specific actuation area preferably spans an area less than 8 cm2 and greater than 0.2 cm2. It has been found that a larger area may result in insufficient precision in finger placement, while a smaller area may make it difficult for the user or consumer to locate the actuation area. In some examples, the specific actuation area has a circular shape for ease of positioning. Other shapes can be considered, such as oval, ovoid, square, triangle, rounded square, rounded triangle, other polygons, or other rounded polygons. Alternatively, a shape that is important for the contents contained in the container can be used.

[0051] In some examples, the locking member includes a second actuator disposed opposite the first actuator. Thus, the user can operate the specific actuator and the second actuator simultaneously with his / her two fingers. In some examples, the locking member includes at least one additional actuator that can be actuated simultaneously with three or more fingers of the user's hand. For example, the first actuator can be arranged on one side of the box to be actuated by the thumb, and two to four actuators can be arranged on the opposite side of the box to be actuated with two to four fingers other than the thumb. The actuators may not be aligned opposite to each other.

[0052] As described above, in order to achieve appropriate precision in precise pinching, the thumb should sense the reaction force from one or more fingers of the same hand, and the one or more fingers should sense the reaction force from the thumb. This mutual feedback will align the forces generated during precise pinching, thereby causing the locking member to open. This feedback should be transmitted through a structure that directly or indirectly connects a specific actuation region to the flank opposite the specific flank. It has been found that the function of this structure for transmitting the feedback force can be achieved by the above-mentioned top flap. When the actuator is displaced by the unlocking displacement distance, the second sidewall deforms, and the gap between the distal edge of the top flap and the second sidewall decreases. This gap is sufficient to allow the actuator to be displaced by the unlocking displacement distance. When the user applies an actuation pressure, the sidewall deforms further until the second sidewall contacts the distal edge of the top flap. Thus, the force applied by the user is transmitted from the first finger to the actuator, to the distal edge of the top flap, to the first sidewall, and to the user's other finger. The relative positioning of the specific region and the top flap enables this force transmission. In some examples, the thumb and one or more other fingers simultaneously contact a specific actuator and the opposite sidewall connected by the top flap.

[0053] The specific actuation region may define a specific centroid, which corresponds, for example, to the geometric center of the actuation region or the arithmetic mean position of all the points included in the specific actuation region. In order to achieve sufficient mutual feedback transmission through the top flap, the specific centroid is separated from the top of the cover by less than 5 cm and greater than 0.5 cm, and the specific centroid is separated from the distal end of the specific flank by greater than 0.5 cm. The distal end should be understood as the end of the flank that is away from the top of the cover along the direction of the box sidewall. In some preferred examples, in order to facilitate pinching across the top of the cover, the top of the cover spans less than 13 cm and greater than 6 cm in a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at the specific centroid. It has been found that a larger span may make pinching difficult, while a smaller span may make it difficult to access the detergent contained in the box. According to the present disclosure, precise pinching is considered to provide an appropriate balance of power and precision for the purpose of opening the locking member. In some examples, the top of the cover spans less than 12 cm and greater than 7 cm in a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at the specific centroid. In some examples, the top of the cover spans less than 11 cm and greater than 8 cm in a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at the specific centroid. In some examples, the top of the cover spans less than 10 cm and greater than 9 cm in a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at the specific centroid.

[0054] In some examples, to appropriately transfer the mutual feedback pinching force, the minimum width of the top flap is at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20% of the length of the top edge of the first or second sidewall. The width of the top flap can be less than or equal to or less than 99%, less than 70%, preferably less than 60%, more preferably less than 50% of the length of the top edge of the first or second sidewall, so as to limit the amount of material used (environmentally friendly), and it is possible to access (or visually display) the product even when the top flap is in the closed orientation.

[0055] The tamper-evident label can lock the lid to the box. In some examples, the tamper-evident label is glued to the lid and the box, whereby the tamper-evident label should be damaged, torn, or perforated upon first opening to indicate to the consumer that the container has not been opened prior to purchase. The tamper-evident label can be, for example, paper or plastic.

[0056] In some examples, the container is made of corrugated material, and the corrugated material includes grooves extending in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the vertical direction of the sidewalls in the normal position of the container. This can provide a springback memory effect for the top flap and can help open the top flap.

[0057] In some examples, the box of the present disclosure is made from a box blank. The box blank can be made from one of the materials or laminated materials discussed herein. The blank (or die-cut piece) is a substantially flat object specifically designed to be supplied to a machine that 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 material or can include several pieces attached together. The blank has a thickness that is substantially less than its overall width or length. The thickness throughout the 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. The crease lines should be understood as straight segments of the blank that have been creased to provide well-defined folding lines, which facilitate the folding operation and provide the conditions for the container to obtain its intended shape and function.

[0058] In some examples, the lid is made from a lid blank. The lid blank can include panels configured to construct the top of the lid and the side wings of the lid. The lid blank can be different from and separate from the box blank. In this case, the lid blank can be made of the same paper-based material or can be made of a different paper-based material. Specifically, the lid blank can have a different color or can be made of a multi-layer blank with a different number of layers from the single-layer or multi-layer box blank.

[0059] In some examples where the lid is hinged to the box, the lid blank can be made integrally with the blank configured to form the box.

[0060] The present disclosure also relates to a method for operating the above container. The first method is intended to open the consumer product. In some examples, the method includes applying an actuation pressure at a specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position to displace a specific actuator from a locked position to an open position, wherein the gap allows the second sidewall to contact the distal end by applying the actuation pressure; pulling the lid in a direction opposite to the base; and folding the top flap upward to access the detergent product. The second method is intended to close the consumer product by performing the same steps in the reverse order.

[0061] In some examples, when an adult's hand applies the actuation pressure, the second sidewall bends until it contacts the distal edge, and the stiffness or flexural resistance of the top flap is sufficient to prevent the second sidewall from bending further under the actuation pressure applied by an adult's hand.

[0062] The present disclosure also relates to a method of packaging a detergent product to obtain the consumer product as described above. In some examples, the method includes setting the top flap in an open orientation; when the top flap is in the open orientation, placing the opening of the cartridge under the dispensing system; when the cartridge is under the dispensing system, dispensing the detergent product into the cartridge; when the detergent product is in the cartridge, folding the top flap downward into a closed orientation; and in response to folding the top flap, closing the cartridge with a lid. The top flap can assist the packaging container by providing an additional wall (similar to a part of a funnel) that prevents the detergent product from falling or being damaged.

[0063] Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0064] The drawings present various aspects of the consumer product. Each different aspect presented in one drawing can be combined with aspects presented in other drawings, unless this document explicitly excludes such combinations.

[0065] Figure 1FIG. 0 shows an example consumer product 100 that includes a detergent product (not visible) and a container 102. The container includes a cartridge 104 that houses the detergent product, a lid 106 for the cartridge 104, and a locking member 108 that holds the lid 104 in a closed position. In this illustration, the lid 106 is shown in an open position, away from the cartridge 104. Also in this illustration, the lid 106 is removable from the cartridge 104. In an alternative example, the lid 106 is hinged to the cartridge 104. The cartridge includes a base 110, side walls 111 to 114, an opening 180 opposite the base 110, and a top flap 190 that partially covers the opening 180 in this position (since it is in a closed orientation). The opening 180 is defined by the top edges 111.1, 112.1, 113.1, and 114.1 of the four side walls 111 to 114. The top flap 190 is hinged to the top portion of the first side wall 111. The distal edge 192 opposite the first side wall is adjacent to the second side wall 112. When the top flap 190 is in the closed orientation, a void 194 or gap separates the distal edge 192 from the second side wall 112. The gap 194 can be between 0.1 mm and 5 mm. The distal edge 192 has a length 196 that can correspond to the maximum width of the top flap 190. The length 196 can be between 5% (preferably 20%) and 99% (preferably 60% or 70%) of the width 116 of the cartridge 104.

[0066] The lid 106 includes a top 120 and side flaps 121 to 124. When the lid 106 is in the closed position, the top 120 covers the opening and the side flaps 121 to 124 cover at least a particular portion of a particular one of the side walls 111 to 114 of the cartridge 104. The locking member 108 includes a particular actuator 130 that can be moved from a locked position to an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the particular actuator 130 when the lid 106 is in the closed position. The particular actuator 130 is connected to a particular portion. The side flaps 121 to 124 include an actuation region 126 in a particular side flap 122. The actuation region 126 faces the particular actuator 130 and allows the particular actuator 130 to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying an actuation pressure at the actuation region 126 when the lid 104 is in the closed position.

[0067] In the illustrated example of the consumer product 100, the cartridge 104 has a rectangular base 110, and the lid 106 has a rectangular top 120. The sidewalls and flanges are also rectangular. In this example, the lid is shown in the open position to visualize the various components. In this example, the actuation area 126 is a round hole with a diameter of 2.4 cm, defining a specific actuation area of approximately 4.5 cm2. The actuation area 126 defines a specific centroid corresponding to the center of the round hole. In this example, the center of the hole is separated from the top of the lid by approximately 20 mm, as shown by distance 150, which is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and a point included in the top of the lid, and which in this case is along a direction perpendicular to the top of the lid and along the flange 122 where the hole 126 is cut out. In this example, the specific centroid or the center of the circular actuation area 126 is separated from the distal end of a specific flange by 50 mm, as shown by distance 151, which is the shortest distance between the specific centroid and a point included in the distal end of the flange 122 of the lid, and which in this case is along a direction perpendicular to the top of the lid and along the flange 122 where the hole 126 is cut out. In this example, the top of the lid spans 94 mm along a direction orthogonal to a specific portion at the specific centroid, as shown by distance 152, which in this case is a distance parallel to the top of the lid and orthogonal to the specific flange 122 where the specific actuation area is located. In this example, the locking member 108 includes a tab 130 that can be pushed through the hole 126 when the lid is in the closed position. The lid 106 can be removed by placing the thumb or any other finger of a first adult hand on the actuation area 126 and placing one or more different fingers of the same first adult hand on the flange 121 opposite the specific flange, the first adult hand thereby pinching the lid across the top 120 of the lid 106 and pushing it onto the tab 130, while holding the cartridge 104 with a second adult hand to lift the lid open while the tab 130 remains pressed against a specific portion of the second sidewall 112.

[0068] When the first adult hand pinches the cover 106, the mutual feedback response is transmitted through the top flap 190 of the cartridge during the pinching, specifically through the distal edge 192 of the top flap 190 that contacts the second sidewall 112. This mutual feedback response helps to facilitate unlocking, particularly by increasing the stiffness of the cartridge structure at the level of the top flap. This mutual feedback response provides haptic feedback to the user, who naturally and intuitively understands that the locking member is unlocked and that he / she can pull the cover upward. In this particular example, when the second sidewall 112 (and possibly also the first sidewall 111) deforms under the applied actuation pressure, the top flap engages at least a portion of the specific (first) sidewall 111 to at least a portion of the second sidewall 112. This configuration provides additional stiffness and robustness, thus facilitating the transmission of the mutual feedback response. The top flap 190 is conveniently aligned with the specific actuator 130. The top flap 190 may or may not be centered with respect to the width direction of the container.

[0069] The gap 194 between the distal edge 192 of the top flap 190 and the second sidewall 112 is large enough to allow the actuator 130 to release from the locking tab of the cover. The gap 194 is small enough to achieve good haptic force feedback. Additionally, the gap 194 is small enough to prevent the sidewalls 111, 112 from deforming beyond their elastic deformation (otherwise these sidewalls would be permanently deformed, which could change the normal operation of the locking member or the smooth closing / opening process of the container).

[0070] Figure 2Shows an example of a consumer product 200 having a container 202 made of a cartridge 204 and a lid 106. Various aspects of the cartridge and lid discussed with respect to the previous figure may apply. In this example, the top flap is labeled 290. The top flap 290 is made of a proximal flap portion 291 connected to the first sidewall 111. The proximal flap portion 291 may be integral with the first sidewall. Alternatively, the proximal flap portion may be glued to the inner surface of the first sidewall 111. The proximal flap portion 291 may be aligned with the top edge of the first sidewall 111 or may be offset downward in the direction of the base 110. The main flap portion 293 is hinged to the proximal flap portion 291. The main flap portion 293 may pivot from a closed orientation (as shown) to an open orientation, where the main flap portion 293 may be substantially vertical and / or substantially parallel to the proximal portion 291. In this illustration, the distal end of the top flap 290 is hidden behind the second sidewall 112. The main flap portion 293 is offset from the top edge of the sidewall by a distance 295. This offset ensures that even if the top flap is not completely horizontal when in the closed orientation, the distal end will contact the second sidewall under actuation pressure to perform the mutual feedback force described above. The offset distance 295 may be between 5 mm and 30 mm. In some examples, the offset distance 295 is such that when the main portion is in the open orientation, the height by which the main portion extends beyond the top edge of the sidewall is at least half of the lid height, such that a user who intends to close the container by placing the lid back on the cartridge without first folding down the top flap 290 can be made aware of this.

[0071] Figure 3 Shows an example of a consumer product 300 having a container 302 made of a cartridge 304 and a lid 106. Various aspects of the cartridge and lid discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply.

[0072] In this example, the cartridge 304 includes an abutment 312 intended to limit upward movement of the top flap 390 away from the closed orientation. As shown in a cross-sectional view in the vertical plane P, the abutment 312 may be a cutout portion of the sidewall 112: the sidewall may be made of a double-folded sheet, and a portion of the double sheet may be cut out at the top edge of the sidewall 112.

[0073] Figure 1 The top flap 190 and in particular the distal edge 192 may cooperate with the abutment 312. However, in Figure 3 the example shown, the top flap 390 includes a distal flap 397 that cooperates with the abutment 312. In some examples, the distal flap 397 is hinged to the distal edge 192 and extends from the main flap portion 293. The distal flap 397 extends upward, perpendicular to the main flap portion 293, or at an angle such that it is closer to the second sidewall 112 than the distal edge 192 of the flap 390.

[0074] In some examples, two or more adjacent portions 312 are provided at the top edge of the side wall 112. The adjacent portions 312 may be centered and / or symmetrically arranged relative to the top flap 390. These adjacent portions 312 may click when the top flap is snapped behind them, which provides a sound to the consumer in addition to the tactile feedback, ensuring correct re-closure.

[0075] Figure 4 An example of a consumer product 400 is shown, which has a container 402 made of a box 404 and a lid 106. The various aspects of the box and lid discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply. The box 404 is seen here in a top view.

[0076] The top flap 490 is positioned in a closed orientation. The top flap 490 includes a recess 492, which is arranged at the distal edge 192, preferably aligned with the actuator 130 ( Figure 4 the vertical axis on which will pass through both the recess and the actuator). The top flap 490 has two lateral edges 493, 495, which may be at an angle between 60° and 150° relative to the distal edge 192. The corners joining the lateral edges to the distal edge 192 may be rounded. These aspects apply to any top flap shown in the present disclosure.

[0077] The top flap 490 also includes a recess 492. The recess 492 may assist the user in folding the top flap upwards into an open orientation. The recess 492 may be a notch. The depth of the recess 492 (in Figure 4 the vertical direction) may be between 5% and 100% of the length 494 of the top flap 490. In other words, the dimension 498 between the top edge 111.1 of the first side wall and the recess is between 0% and 95% of the length 494 of the top flap 490. When the distance is 0%, the top flap 490 may be regarded as formed by two top flaps independently hinged to the top portion of the first side wall.

[0078] The width 496 of the recess may be between 10% and 50% of the maximum width 196 of the top flap 490.

[0079] In some examples, the top flap 490 includes more than one such recess, for example two or three recesses, which may have one or more of the above characteristics.

[0080] The recess divides the distal edge 192 into a plurality of segments 497, each of which constitutes a different contact position with the second sidewall 112 when actuation pressure is applied to the actuator 130. When more than one recess is provided, more than two contact positions 497 may be arranged, with each contact position non-adjacent to the other contact positions. The distance of each contact position 497 from the actuator 130 is between 5% and 30% of the width of the cartridge (=the length of the top edge 111.1 or 112.1).

[0081] Figure 5 An example consumer product 500 is shown, which has a container 502 made up of a cartridge 504 and a lid 506. The various aspects of the cartridge and lid discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply.

[0082] In this example, the consumer product 500 includes a second actuator 503 disposed on the first sidewall 111. The second actuator 503 is shown as having a flap similar to the flap 130, which interacts with a tab 530 placed inside the flank 121 to reinforce the locking of the lid. A second actuation area 526 is disposed on the flank 121.

[0083] In this case, pinching will unlock the first actuator and the second actuator. Although the tab is shown as spanning a portion of the corresponding flank 121, the tab may span the entire length of the corresponding flap. A tab (not visible) is provided inside the flank 122 to interact with the flap 130 and assist in locking. It should be noted that although the second actuator 503 is shown as symmetrically opposite to the first actuator 130 and having the same nature and dimensions, such actuators may have different natures and dimensions in other examples and are not necessarily symmetric. As described above, there may be more than two actuators, aligned or not opposite to each other.

[0084] Figure 5 It is also shown that the top flap 590 may have a through-hole 592. The through-hole 592 may be sized to fit an adult finger to assist the user in pivoting the top flap 590 from a closed orientation (as Figure 5 shown) to an open orientation (e.g., substantially parallel to the sidewall 111).

[0085] In some examples, the through-hole has a size (diameter, diagonal, etc.) of less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm. In some examples, the shape of the through-hole is smaller than the contents of the container (e.g., a unit dose) to prevent any material from being discharged through the through-hole or getting stuck in the through-hole. Alternatively, the through-hole may be much larger than the contents of the container (e.g., a unit dose) to enable the user to grasp the unit dose through the through-hole without first folding up the top flap.

[0086] The through-hole 592 may have a geometric shape such as circular, oval, rectangular, etc. Alternatively, the through-hole may be shaped into a more complex shape, such as a comb-shaped handle, with a wavy profile that matches the contour of four fingers of a human hand. The through-hole 592 may be positioned closer to the distal edge of the top flap than the first sidewall 111 to provide a lever effect.

[0087] Figure 6 These different options for the shape of the through-hole 592 are shown. Figure 6 It is also shown that more than one through-hole may be provided to the top flap 690.

[0088] Figure 7 The top flap 290 in the closed orientation is shown. Various aspects of the box and lid discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply. The closed orientation may be the default equilibrium position of the top flap 290, i.e., the equilibrium position between gravity and hinge elasticity. In some examples (see Figure 3 ), the abutment determines the equilibrium position. The angle α between the top flap 290 (or the main flap portion 293 in the illustrated case) and the second sidewall 112 may be between 70° and 110°. This means that even if the closed orientation of the top flap 290 is not horizontal or perpendicular to the sidewall, mutual feedback forces can be generated.

[0089] Figure 8 A cross-section of an example of the box is shown. Various aspects of the box and lid discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply. The top flap 390 may be consistent with any of the examples presented previously. In this example, the second sidewall 812 is at least partially made of a folded sheet. As described below, the sheet may be made of a paper-based material. The first outer layer 814 is folded at the top edge to form the inner layer 816. Part or all of the inner layer 816 may be folded to form one or more stop tabs 818. The stop tabs 818 project from the inner surface of the second sidewall 812 into the box. As Figure 8 shown, the top flap 390 may be on the stop tabs 818, particularly near the distal edge 192 of the top flap 390. Thus, the stop tabs 818 prevent the user from pushing the top flap down beyond the closed orientation. In fact, if the top flap 390 is pressed down, mutual feedback forces may not be properly generated when the user attempts to apply actuation pressure. The stop tabs 818 may extend along the entire width of the box, or at least 30% of that width. In some examples, two or more stop tabs 818 are arranged, which are formed by incisions in the inner layer 816.

[0090] Figure 9Shows another example of a stopper. The various aspects of the box and lid discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply. In this example, the box 904 has a top flap 990 that includes a distal flap 992 that curves upward from the main flap portion. The distal flap 992 includes at least one, preferably two or more, cutouts 994 that form protruding tabs 996 that engage a stopper recess 912.1 in the second sidewall 912 when the top flap 990 is in the closed orientation. Figure 9 Shows an example where two protruding tabs 996 engage corresponding recesses 912.1. Other arrangements can be foreseen, for example, more than one protruding tab 996 engaging a single recess 912.1. The stopper recess 912.1 can be a notch, through-hole, or cavity formed through the entire thickness of the second sidewall 912 or formed in an inner layer of the material (see Figure 8 816 thereon). For the user, the recess 912.1 is not visible from the outside of the box. The mating of the protruding tab 996 with the recess 912.1 creates a resistance that prevents the top flap 990 from accidentally moving out of the closed orientation. When the protruding tab 996 engages in the stopper recess 912.1, the stopper recess provides a tactile feedback and / or an audible click to the user. Thus, the user physically perceives in his / her hand the information that the top flap is correctly positioned in the closed orientation. The recess 912.1 also prevents the user from further pushing down the top flap 990, similar to Figure 8 the stopper 818, and the recess can be combined with this stopper.

[0091] Regarding Figure 8 and Figure 9 it must be noted that the stopper does not necessarily prevent the top flap from moving further down beyond the possible closed orientation, but creates a resistance that prevents the user from further pushing down the top flap, even if the top flap may bend further down under the application of sufficient force by the user.

[0092] Figure 10 Shows an example of a box 1004. The various aspects of the box and lid discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply.

[0093] This figure shows that more than one top flap can be provided.

[0094] The top flaps 1090a, 1090b are directly hinged at the top edge 111.1 of the first sidewall 111. The top flaps 1090a, 1090b can be integral with the sidewall, i.e., formed from the same sheet of material. The top flaps 1090a, 1090b include a main flap portion 1092 and an inclined flap portion 1094. The inclined flap portion is at an angle with respect to the main flap portion 1092. The inclination angle can be between 20 degrees and 90 degrees. The inclined flap portion 1094 increases the stiffness of the top flap 1090 and allows a higher degree of mutual feedback force.

[0095] The inclined flap portion 1094 includes an edge 1095 on the distal side of the flap. This edge can be aligned with the distal edge 192 to provide some support for the sidewall 112. The angle between the edges of the inclined flap portion can be rounded to facilitate insertion of the inclined flap portion into the box when the top flap is folded down. In the example shown, the edge 1095 is at an angle with respect to the distal edge 192. When the top flap 1094 is folded down, the edge 1095 can contact the top edge 112.1 of the second sidewall (since the second sidewall may be deformed), and the angle of the edge 1095 will help the top flap 1094 to penetrate the cavity of the box.

[0096] The inclined flap portion 1094 also includes an edge 1097 adjacent to the first sidewall 111. This contact prevents the top flap 1090 from being pushed further down beyond the closed orientation.

[0097] There can be enough space between the two top flaps 1090a, 1090b for the user to grasp the detergent product with his / her hand. This will enable the user who wants to take out the detergent product from the box to choose to open the top flap. The space between the top flaps can have a V shape.

[0098] Although Figure 10 two top flaps 1090a, 1090b are shown, the reader will understand that more than two top flaps can be arranged.

[0099] Additionally, the position of the inclined portion with respect to the main portion can be modified. For example, the top flap 1090b can be modified to have an inclined portion closer to the fourth sidewall 114.

[0100] It should also be understood that each top flap 1090a, 1090b can be provided with a second inclined portion having a similar or different shape.

[0101] In the example, one or both of the top flaps 1090 can extend from the second sidewall 112 instead of from the first sidewall 111. In this case, a gap 194 that allows the top flap to fold and is small enough to achieve mutual feedback force is arranged between the top flap and the first sidewall 111.

[0102] The gap between the distal edge of the top flap and the respective side wall can be equal to or different from the gap between the distal edge of another top flap and the respective side wall.

[0103] Figure 11 is shown that can correspond to Figure 10 a blank of a box. The blank shows that, in some examples, the entire box can be made of a single sheet of material (e.g., a paper-based material). In this example, the second actuator 1103 is formed directly by a tab protruding from the first side wall 111, and the specific (first) actuator 130 is formed directly by a tab protruding from the second side wall 112. In this illustration, the top flaps 1090a, 1090b extend directly from the first side wall 111 and are separated from the first side wall 111 by a crease line 111.1. Thus, in this example, the top flaps are not intended to be manufactured separately from the box and then glued to the box. The inclined flap portions 1094 are separated from the main portion 1092 by crease lines. The inclined flap portions 1094 are not connected to the first side wall 111 so as to allow these inclined flap portions to tilt relative to the main portion 1092 when the main portion 1092 is folded along the crease line 111.1.

[0104] In this example, since the actuators 130, 1103 and the top flaps are integral with the side walls and the base, the box blank is substantially flat and has a uniform thickness. This is beneficial for the process because the blanks can be stacked on top of each other to form a stack of blanks that is easier to form, stable and can be safely transported.

[0105] As described above, the position and number of the actuators (130, 1103) may vary. Additionally, as described above, the number and position of the top flaps 1090 may vary.

[0106] Figure 12 A cover blank 1206 is shown, which is designed to form a cover suitable for mating with a box made from the box blank of Figure 11 For ease of understanding the drawings, the panels or flaps of the blank shown in this figure are numbered the same as the cover shown in Figure 5 The cover blank 1206 includes a top panel 120 that is configured to make the top 120 of the cover and side panels 121, 122, 123, 124 that are configured to form the side wings of the cover. Actuation areas 126, 526 are arranged in the panels 121, 122. Tabs 530 extend from the panels 121, 122 and are configured to fold into the cover and cooperate with the actuators 130, 1103. Figure 12It is shown that the tab 530 can have various shapes and is at least as wide as the corresponding actuators 130, 1103. The cover blank 1206 further includes side flaps 1208 which are intended to be covered with glue so that the cover can form a substantially parallelepiped shape. Other positions of the side flaps 1208 are also possible (for example, these side flaps can extend from the panels 121, 122).

[0107] Figure 13 An example of the box 1304 is shown. Various aspects of the box and the cover discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply.

[0108] In this example, the top flap 1390 extends directly from the side wall 111. In this example, the actuator (a particular actuator or the second actuator) 1303 can be formed by a tab that is folded and optionally glued to the side wall 111. The actuator 1303 is formed by tearing off a pre-scored line (or weak line) disposed in the top flap 1390. In other words, a recess 1392 is formed in the top flap 1390, and the material torn off from the top flap constitutes the actuator 1303. The recess and the actuator thus have complementary shapes.

[0109] Figure 14 An example of the box 1404 is shown. Various aspects of the box and the cover discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply.

[0110] In this example, a single top flap 1490 has two recesses 1492a, 1492b which are created by tearing off material from the top flap 1490 to form two actuators 1403a, 1403b. Thus, the two actuators 1403a, 1403b are constituted by tabs that are folded and possibly glued to the side wall 111. The two actuators 1403a, 1403b can be close to each other so that they can be unlocked by actuation in a single actuation area, or can be away from each other so that they can be unlocked by pressure actuation in two different actuation areas.

[0111] The reader will understand that the number of actuators can be greater than two.

[0112] In addition, the reader will understand that although Figure 14 two actuators formed by tearing off material from a single top flap are shown, two or more actuators can be formed by two or more top flaps (i.e., one or more actuators per top flap).

[0113] As described above, the top flaps can extend from opposite side walls, so each top flap can be used to form an actuator placed at the opposite side of the box.

[0114] Figure 14It is also shown that the inclined tab portion 1494 can optionally be arranged in combination with the fact that a single top flap extends directly from the side wall 111.

[0115] Figure 15 A front view of the box 1504 is shown. Various aspects of the box and the cover discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply.

[0116] In this example, the (specific or second) actuator 1503 is formed by two tabs 1504, 1506 surrounded by a cutout area 1507. The sheet of material forming the box 1504 is folded along the line 112.1 of the second side wall 112 and has a distal edge shown by the dashed line 1508. Thus, the back side of the folded portion (ending at the edge 1508) can be seen through the cutout 1507.

[0117] Figure 16 An example of a consumer product 1600 is shown, which has a container 1602 made of a box 1604 and a cover 1606. Various aspects of the box and the cover discussed with respect to the foregoing figures may apply.

[0118] In this example, the cover includes one actuation area 526 arranged on the first side flap 1621 of the cover 1606 and two actuation areas 1626 arranged on the second side flap 1622 of the cover 1606 opposite to the first side flap 1621. As described with respect to Figure 5 The tab 530 of the cover cooperates with the actuator 503 protruding from the first side wall 111, and the actuation area 526 enables the release of the engagement between the tab 530 and the actuator 503. Similarly, two actuators 1630 arranged at the second side wall 112 are intended to cooperate with the tabs 530 of the cover arranged inside the side flap 1622. The two actuation areas 1626 are intended to face the two actuators 1630 so that two fingers of an adult user's hand can release the engagement of the tab 530 from the actuator 1630.

[0119] Figure 16 It is also shown that the top flap can (but does not have to) be provided with the recesses discussed with respect to Figure 4 discussed.

[0120] Figure 17 Two examples of top flaps are shown that can be used in combination with the double - actuator example of Figure 16 On the left, the top flap 490 has a recess 492, which (in Figure 17is positioned between two actuators 1630 in the horizontal direction). Two contact positions 497 (which come into contact when actuation pressure is applied) between the distal edge 192 of the top flap 490 and the second sidewall 112 face the actuators 1630. On the right is an alternative design where the top flap 1790 has two recesses 1792 facing the actuators 1630, and three contact positions 1797 are offset relative to the actuators 1630. In some examples, the three contact positions 1797 have different widths. For example, the central contact position 1797 can be wider or thinner than the other two contact positions 1797. In some examples, there may be corresponding gaps 194 between the different contact positions 1797 and the sidewall 112. For example, the gap 194 between the central contact position 1797 and the second sidewall 112 can be greater than the gaps 194 between the other two contact positions 1797 and the sidewall 112. In other words, some contact positions 1797 can be offset relative to some other contact positions (in the Figure 17 vertical direction on).

[0121] As described above, the number of recesses of the top flap, the number of contact positions, and the number of actuators / actuation areas on each side of the cartridge can be appropriately changed. For example, considerations such as the robustness of the container, the sidewall thickness, or the size may affect the number of these items.

[0122] Figure 18 A method 1800 of operating a consumer product having any of the above-described number of aspects is shown. In a first step 1810, when the lid is in the closed position, actuation pressure is applied at a specific actuation area to displace a specific actuator from a locked position to an open position. This causes at least one sidewall to deform, thereby reducing the gap 194 until the second sidewall 112 contacts the distal end 192.

[0123] When the second sidewall 112 contacts the distal end 192, a haptic feedback (mutual feedback force) is generated. Thus, the user intuitively understands that he / she can proceed to the next step 1820, that is, pull the lid in a direction opposite to the base.

[0124] The stiffness of the top flap may be sufficient to prevent the second sidewall from bending further under the actuation pressure applied by an adult's hand. Thus, regardless of the strength of an adult, he / she will not mistakenly think that the locking member has been unlocked.

[0125] After moving the lid away from the opening by pivoting the lid or separating the lid from the cartridge, the user may want to access the detergent product placed in the cartridge. In some examples, accessing the detergent product requires a step 1830 of folding up the top flap.

[0126] As regarding Figure 10As shown, among other things, in some examples, the user can access the detergent product without having to fold up the top flap.

[0127] The present disclosure also relates to a closing method, which consists in folding down the top flap and sliding (or pivoting) the lid downwards until the locking member is engaged. The locking member is automatically engaged by the actuator springing back into the locked position. The user can perceive a sound (a click), which constitutes an audio feedback indicating correct engagement of the locking member.

[0128] In some examples, the consumer product can include instructions indicating how to operate the actuator to open and close the container, which are optionally drawn on the outer surface of the container. Other information, regulatory or advertising information can also be provided. In some examples, part or all of the information can be drawn, printed or labeled on one or more top flaps. One or more top flaps can be configured to be torn off (e.g., with a pre-score or perforation, such as near the hinge of the side wall). In some examples, the torn-off top flap can be used as a promotional coupon.

[0129] Figure 19 A method for packaging a detergent product in a box as described above to obtain a consumer product is shown. Method 1900 includes setting 1910 the top flap into an open orientation; placing 1920 the opening of the box under the dispensing system when the top flap is in the open orientation; dispensing 1930 the detergent product into the box when the box is located under the dispensing system; folding 1940 the top flap downwards into a closed orientation when the detergent product is in the box; and closing 1950 the box with the lid in response to folding the top flap. Optionally, a tamper-evident label can be placed to attach the lid to the box.

[0130] The machines and methods discussed in patent application EP 4 242 116 A1 can be used.

[0131] Materials Constituting the Container

[0132] As detailed below, the containers of the present disclosure can be made, in whole or in part, from paper materials such as materials selected from cardboard, paperboard, and laminated materials including at least one layer of cardboard or paperboard. The cardboard or paperboard contains cellulose fiber material or a mixture thereof. The materials used to manufacture the containers can contain other components such as colorants, protective varnishes, surface strengthening coatings, barrier coatings, preservatives, recycled fiber materials, plasticizers, UV stabilizers, oxygen barrier agents, fragrance barrier agents, and moisture barrier agents or mixtures thereof. In some examples, to provide the desired tear resistance and strength, the cellulose fiber length is in the range of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm. In some examples, the cellulose fibers are from various sources such as virgin softwood or hardwood, hemp, grass, corn, bagasse, sugarcane, bamboo, and others, and / or from post-production or post-use recycled paper and paperboard. The containers can include areas of external or internal printing. The containers can be made, for example, by paperboard manufacturing. Suitable container manufacturing processes can include, but are not limited to, tube forming from flat paperboard or cardboard sheets by gluing steps, folding, or a combination thereof. The containers can be opaque or can filter certain specific wavelengths, for example, to protect the contents from external light. In some examples, the containers are at least partially constructed from paper-based materials, and in some specific examples, the containers are entirely constructed from paper-based materials. Paper-based materials herein refer to materials containing paper. Without being bound by theory, "paper" should be understood as a material made from cellulose-based pulp. Cardboard can be made from a paper-based material having a thickness and stiffness such that it does not collapse under its own weight. Cardboard should be understood to include single-layer materials, while paperboard should be understood to include multiple layers of paper-based materials. In some examples, the paper-based materials include cardboard, paperboard, or mixtures thereof, where preferably, the paperboard includes cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, or mixtures thereof. 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 materials forming the containers will be given below.

[0133] The paper-based material can be a laminate including paper, cardboard, or a mixture thereof, where in some examples, the cardboard includes paperboard, corrugated fiberboard, or a mixture thereof, and in some examples, at least one other material. In some examples, the at least one other material includes a plastic material. In some examples, the plastic material includes polyethylene (more specifically low-density polyethylene (LDPE)), polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol, or a mixture thereof. In some examples, the plastic material includes a copolymer of monomers from ethylene and vinyl alcohol, or EVOH. A barrier material can be used as the at least one other material. The barrier material can be biaxially oriented polypropylene, metallized polyethylene terephthalate, or a mixture thereof. The at least one other material can include wax, a cellulose material, polyvinyl alcohol, silica, a casein-based material, or a mixture thereof. In some examples, the paper-based laminate contains greater than 50 wt%, preferably greater than 85 wt%, and more preferably greater than 95 wt% of a fiber-based material. 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 can include a plastic material having a thickness between 10 microns and 35 microns. The paper-based material can be a laminate.

[0134] In some examples, the inner surface of the container includes paperboard, cardboard, or a mixture thereof, where in specific examples, the cardboard includes a laminate of paperboard, corrugated fiberboard, and polyethylene (specifically LDPE), or a mixture thereof, and in some examples, the outer surface of the container includes at least one other material. Alternatively, the at least one other material can also be laminated between two paper-based material layers (such as a paperboard or cardboard layer according to the present disclosure). Without wishing to be bound by theory, the at least one other material can act as a barrier for leaked liquid absorbed by the paper-based material facing the inside of the container to prevent or reduce the flow of contamination through the wall of the container. It can be found that other structures can effectively avoid leakage of the contents or protect the contents from external fluids, such as from showers, sinks, or from handling the container with wet hands. Contamination of the container wall can be unsightly to the consumer or can contaminate the storage area.

[0135] In some examples, the container is made of a paper-based material that includes at least one other material laminated between two corrugated fiberboard layers.

[0136] In some examples, the material for the container includes a core cardboard grooved material sandwiched between two layers of ordinary cardboard (or paperboard) and a polyethylene laminate.

[0137] The cardboard or paperboard layer according to the present disclosure can be made of recycled materials or recycled cellulose fibers or can include recycled materials or recycled cellulose fibers. The outer surface of the container can include a coating or varnish. Such a coating or varnish can help make the board waterproof or help protect the contents (such as the encapsulated detergent composition) from the effects of UV light. The coating or varnish can also help protect the outer surface of the lid, box, or container from contamination by the contents (such as the encapsulated detergent composition), for example, if the water-soluble unit dose detergent encapsulating the liquid detergent composition leaks.

[0138] The coating or varnish on the inner surface can help prevent the contents from adhering to the inner surface, or prevent the migration of inks, colorants, fragrances, nonionic substances, oils, greases, and other components from the contents into the board, or prevent the migration of inks or additives from the board into the contents. In some examples, a detergent-resistant varnish or coating can be applied to the area exposed to the contents.

[0139] As described above, the container can actually be made of paper or paperboard material, particularly rigid paperboard material, flexible paperboard material, or a mixture thereof. In some examples, the material forming the container or lid has a wall thickness greater than 220 microns and less than 3 mm. In some examples, the material forming the container has a thickness greater than 1 mm and less than 2 mm. In some examples, the material forming the container is folded onto itself, for example, to reinforce parts or the whole of the box or lid. The container can be made of paper-based material, bio-based material, bamboo fiber, cellulose fiber, cellulose-based or fiber-based material, or a mixture thereof. The container can be made of a material including recycled materials, such as recycled cellulose fiber-based material. In some examples, for ease of opening, the lid can be completely separated from the box when opened, and the weight of the lid is less than 200 g, preferably less than 100 g, even more preferably less than 80 g, and greater than 10 g, more preferably greater than 30 g, even more preferably greater than 40 g, in order to obtain a sufficiently strong lid structure.

[0140] In some examples, the container is made of a corrugated paperboard layer that includes grooves that preferably extend parallel to the vertical direction (the vertical direction of the sidewalls, and the corresponding directions of the top flap and the base). The grooves enhance the strength of the container.

[0141] Detergent Composition

[0142] In some examples, the consumer product includes at least one water-soluble unit dose article and a container. The consumer product can be sold "as is", in other words, the consumer product is an item that a consumer picks up from a shelf. Alternatively, the consumer product can be incorporated as a unit of a multi-component product. For example, more than one consumer product can be housed within a packaging piece, and the multiple packaged consumer products are sold together in a single purchase. The consumer product can include aesthetic elements, such as a shrink sleeve or label attached to the container. Alternatively, the container can be colored or printed with aesthetic elements or informational prints, such as instructions for use.

[0143] In some examples, a water-soluble unit dose article includes at least one water-soluble film oriented to form at least one unit dose internal compartment, wherein the at least one unit dose internal compartment contains a detergent composition. The water-soluble film and the detergent composition are described in more detail below. In some examples, a consumer product includes at least one water-soluble unit dose article, in some cases at least two water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 10 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 20 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 30 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 40 water-soluble unit dose articles, in some cases at least 45 water-soluble unit dose articles. In some examples, the water-soluble unit dose article is in the form of a sachet. In some examples, the water-soluble unit dose article contains a single dose of a composition in a volume sufficient to provide a benefit in a final application. In some examples, the water-soluble unit dose article includes a single water-soluble film shaped such that the unit dose article includes at least one internal compartment surrounded by the water-soluble film. The at least one compartment includes a cleaning composition. The water-soluble film is sealed such that the cleaning composition does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and releases the contents in the internal compartment into the wash liquid. The unit dose article may include more than one compartment, at least two compartments, or at least three compartments, or at least four compartments, or even at least five compartments. The compartments may be arranged in a stacked orientation, i.e., one positioned on top of the other. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned side-by-side in an aligned orientation, i.e., one adjacent to the other. The compartments may be oriented in a "tire and rim" arrangement, i.e., a first compartment is positioned adjacent to a second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment without completely enclosing the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment. In some examples, the unit dose article includes at least two compartments, one of the compartments being smaller than the other. In some examples, the unit dose article includes at least three compartments, two of the compartments being smaller than the third compartment, and in some examples, the smaller compartments are stacked on top of the larger compartment. In some examples, the stacked compartments are side-by-side in an aligned orientation. In some examples, each individual unit dose article can have a weight between 10 g and 40 g, or even between 15 g and 35 g. The water-soluble film is capable of dissolving or dispersing in water. Before being formed into a unit dose article, the water-soluble film has a thickness of 20 microns to 150 microns in some examples, 35 microns to 125 microns in other examples, 50 microns to 110 microns in further examples, and about 76 microns in still other examples. Example water-soluble film materials include polymeric materials. The film material can be obtained, for example, by casting, blowing, extruding, or blow extrusion of a polymeric material.In some examples, the water-soluble film comprises a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, such as a blend of a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and / or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, such as where the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer is selected from sulfonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, particularly carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, such as a water-soluble blend comprising a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer or alternatively a blend of polyvinyl alcohol homopolymers. Alternatively, the polyvinyl alcohol in the water-soluble film consists of an anionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymer, particularly a carboxylated polyvinyl alcohol copolymer. In some examples, the water-soluble film is those supplied by Monosol under trade references M8630, M8900, M8779, M8310. In some examples, the film can be opaque, transparent or translucent. The film can include a printed area. The printed area can be achieved using techniques such as flexographic printing or inkjet printing. The film can contain an aversive agent, such as a bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include but are not limited to naringin, sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate or mixtures thereof. Example levels of the aversive agent include but are not limited to 1 ppm to 5000 ppm, 100 ppm to 2500 ppm, or 250 ppm to 2000 ppm. The water-soluble film or the water-soluble unit dose article or both can be coated with a lubricant. In some examples, the lubricant is selected from talc, zinc oxide, silica, siloxanes, zeolites, silicic acid, alumina, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate, potassium tripolyphosphate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch, modified starch, clay, kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrin or mixtures thereof.

[0144] In some examples, the container includes a first portion, where the first portion includes a first compartment containing at least one water-soluble unit dose article. In some examples, the first compartment includes at least two water-soluble unit dose articles. The first compartment can include between 1 and 80 water-soluble unit dose articles, or between 1 and 60 water-soluble unit dose articles, or between 1 and 40 water-soluble unit dose articles, or between 1 and 20 water-soluble unit dose articles. The volume of the first compartment can be between 500 ml and 5000 ml, and in some examples between 800 ml and 4000 ml.

[0145] 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 solids, liquids, or a mixture thereof. The term "liquid" includes gels, solutions, dispersions, pastes, or a mixture thereof. The solids can be powders. By powder is meant herein that the detergent composition can comprise solid particles or can be a single homogeneous solid. In some examples, the powdered detergent composition comprises granules. This means that the powdered detergent composition comprises separate solid particles, as distinct from a solid that is a single homogeneous solid. The granules can be free-flowing or can be compacted. The laundry detergent composition can be used in fabric handwashing operations or can be used in automatic machine fabric washing operations, such as in automatic machine fabric washing operations. Example laundry detergent compositions comprise non-soap surfactants, wherein the non-soap surfactants include anionic non-soap surfactants and non-ionic surfactants. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises from 10% to 60%, or from 20% to 55% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of non-soap surfactants. Example weight ratios of non-soap anionic surfactants to non-ionic surfactants are from 1:1 to 20:1, 1.5:1 to 17.5:1, 2:1 to 15:1, or 2.5:1 to 13:1. Example non-soap anionic surfactants include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, or a mixture thereof. Example weight ratios of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates to alkyl sulfates are from 1:2 to 9:1, 1:1 to 7:1, 1:1 to 5:1, or 1:1 to 4:1. Example linear alkylbenzene sulfonates are C 10 -C 16 alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, or C 11 -C 14Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid. As used herein, the term "linear" means that the alkyl group is straight-chain. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants can include alkoxylated alkyl sulfates or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfates or mixtures thereof. Exemplary alkoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants include ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants can include ethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants having a molar average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 5, from 1 to 3, or from 2 to 3. Exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants can include non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, wherein the ethoxylated alkyl sulfates have a molar average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 5, from 1 to 3, or from 2 to 3. The alkyl fraction of the exemplary alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants is derived from fatty alcohols, oxo alcohols, Guerbet alcohols, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises from 10% to 50%, from 15% to 45%, from 20% to 40%, or from 30% to 40% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a non-soap anionic surfactant. In some examples, the nonionic surfactant is selected from alcohol alkoxylates, oxo alcohol alkoxylates, Guerbet alcohol alkoxylates, alkylphenol alcohol alkoxylates, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises from 0.01% to 10%, from 0.01% to 8%, from 0.1% to 6%, or from 0.15% to 5% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of a nonionic surfactant. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises from 1.5% to 20%, from 2% to 15%, from 3% to 10%, or from 4% to 8% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a soap, in some examples a fatty acid salt, in some examples an amine-neutralized fatty acid salt, wherein in some examples, the amine is an alkanolamine, such as selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof, in some examples monoethanolamine. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition can comprise less than 15%, or less than 12% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of water. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent selected from 1,2-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises from 10% to 40%, or from 15% to 30% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of a non-aqueous solvent. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises a fragrance.In some examples, the laundry detergent composition comprises a builder component selected from the group consisting of: builders including enzymes, citrates, bleaches, bleach catalysts, dyes, color modifying dyes, optical brighteners, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimines, soil release polymers, surfactants, solvents, dye transfer inhibitors, chelating agents, encapsulated fragrances, polycarboxylates, structurants, pH modifiers, and mixtures thereof. In some examples, the laundry detergent composition has a pH between 6 and 10, between 6.5 and 8.9, or between 7 and 8, wherein the pH of the laundry detergent composition is measured at a product concentration of 10% in deionized water at 20 °C. When the laundry detergent composition is a liquid, the laundry detergent composition can be Newtonian or non-Newtonian. In some examples, the liquid laundry detergent composition is non-Newtonian. Without being bound by theory, non-Newtonian liquids have different properties than Newtonian liquids. More specifically, the viscosity of a non-Newtonian liquid depends on the shear rate, while a Newtonian liquid has a constant viscosity independent of the applied shear rate. A decrease in viscosity upon application of shear to a non-Newtonian liquid is believed to further facilitate dissolution of the liquid detergent. The liquid laundry detergent compositions described herein can have any suitable viscosity, depending on factors such as formulation ingredients and composition purpose.

[0146] Examples of Consumer Products of the Present Disclosure

[0147] In a first aspect, a consumer product comprises a detergent product and a container, the container comprising: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge comprising: a base; sidewalls extending from the base, each sidewall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the sidewalls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the sidewalls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second sidewall of the sidewalls opposite the first sidewall by a gap, the gap optionally between 0.1 mm and 5 mm; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally comprising a top and side wings, wherein when the lid is in a closed position, the top covers the opening and the side wings cover a specific portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, wherein if the hand of an adult user deforms the cartridge and / or the first sidewall and / or the second sidewall, preferably under application of actuation pressure, the second sidewall contacts the distal edge.

[0148] In a second aspect, considered independently of or in combination with the previous aspect, a consumer product includes a locking member, the locking member including: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area arranged in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the gap is such that when the actuation pressure is applied, the second sidewall contacts the distal edge.

[0149] In a third aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container, the container including: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall of the side walls by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the top flap includes a proximal flap portion and a main flap portion, the proximal flap portion connected to the top portion of the first side wall, the main flap portion including the distal edge and hinged to the proximal flap portion such that when the top flap is in the closed orientation, the main flap portion is offset from the top edge of the side wall towards the base in the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0150] In a fourth aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container, the container including: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a particular portion of the first side wall or the second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a particular actuator connected to the particular portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the particular actuator; and a particular actuation region disposed in a particular one of the side wings, the particular actuation region facing the particular actuator and allowing the particular actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the particular actuation region when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the top flap includes a distal flap hinged to the distal edge and adapted to fold toward the top edge of the second side wall when the top flap is in the closed orientation.

[0151] In a fifth aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container. The container includes: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap that is connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge that is separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, wherein when the lid is in a closed position, the top covers the opening and the side wings cover a specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the top edge of the second side wall includes at least one abutment that restricts movement of the top flap away from or into the closed orientation, the at least one abutment preferably constituting a cutout portion of the second side wall.

[0152] In a sixth aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container. The container includes: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to the top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a particular portion of the first side wall or the second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a particular actuator connected to the particular portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the particular actuator; and a particular actuation region disposed in a particular one of the side wings, the particular actuation region facing the particular actuator and allowing the particular actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the particular actuation region when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the distal edge of the top flap includes a recess preferably aligned with the particular actuator along the direction of the top edge of the second side wall.

[0153] In a seventh aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product comprises a detergent product and a container, the container comprising: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge comprising: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally comprising a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a particular portion of the first or second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member comprising: a particular actuator connected to the particular portion of the first or second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the particular actuator; and a particular actuation area disposed in a particular one of the side wings, the particular actuation area facing the particular actuator and allowing the particular actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the particular actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein when the actuation pressure is applied, the second side wall contacts the distal edge of the top flap at at least two non-adjacent contact positions.

[0154] In an eighth aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product comprises a detergent product and a container, the container comprising: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge comprising: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge that is separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally comprising a top and side wings, wherein when the lid is in a closed position, the top covers the opening and the side wings cover a specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member comprising: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the at least two contact positions are offset from the specific actuator by a distance in the direction of the top edge of the second side wall, the distance preferably being between 5% and 30% of the width of the container.

[0155] In a ninth aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container. The container includes: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; sidewalls that extend from the base, each sidewall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the sidewalls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first sidewall of the sidewalls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second sidewall of the sidewalls opposite the first sidewall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, wherein when the lid is in a closed position, the top covers the opening and the side wings cover a specific portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area disposed in a specific side wing of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein when the top flap is in the closed orientation, the top flap is hinged to the first sidewall such that a resistance moment between 0.5 N.m / m of crease and 5 N.m / m of crease opposes movement of the top flap away from the closed orientation.

[0156] In a tenth aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container. The container includes: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a particular portion of the first or second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a particular actuator connected to the particular portion of the first or second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the particular actuator; a particular actuation area disposed in a particular one of the side wings, the particular actuation area facing the particular actuator and allowing the particular actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the particular actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the first side wall has a width and the top flap has a maximum width that is between 20% and 99% of the width of the first side wall.

[0157] In an eleventh aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container, the container including: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; sidewalls that extend from the base, each sidewall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the sidewalls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the sidewalls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a specific portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation region disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation region facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation region when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the top flap includes at least one through-hole that enables an adult finger to unfold the top flap.

[0158] In aspect 12, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product comprises a detergent product and a container, the container comprising: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge comprising: a base; side walls extending from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to the top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally comprising a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member comprising: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the side walls and / or the top flap are made of a corrugated paper-based material having grooves oriented perpendicular to the top edge of the first side wall.

[0159] In aspect 13, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product comprises a detergent product and a container, the container comprising: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge comprising: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to the top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally comprising a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a specific portion of the first or second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member comprising: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first or second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; a specific actuation area disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to shift from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein in the closed orientation, the top flap is at an angle between 70 degrees and 110 degrees relative to the second side wall.

[0160] In a fourteenth aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container, the container including: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; sidewalls extending from the base, each sidewall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the sidewalls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the sidewalls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a particular portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a particular actuator connected to the particular portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the particular actuator; a particular actuation region disposed in a particular one of the side wings, the particular actuation region facing the particular actuator and allowing the particular actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position when the lid is in the closed position by applying the actuation pressure at the particular actuation region, wherein the particular portion of the first sidewall or the second sidewall is a first portion of the first sidewall, the side wings cover a second portion of the second sidewall, wherein the particular actuator is a first actuator, and the particular actuation region disposed in the particular side wing is a first actuation region disposed in a first side wing, the locking member further including: at least one second actuator connected to the second portion of the second sidewall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the second actuator; and at least one second actuation region disposed in a second side wing of the side wings, the second side wing covering the second portion of the second sidewall, each second actuation region of the at least one second actuation regions facing a corresponding second actuator of the at least one second actuators and allowing the corresponding second actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position when the lid is in the closed position by applying the actuation pressure at the corresponding second actuation region.

[0161] In a 15th aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product comprises a detergent product and a container, the container comprising: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge comprising: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally comprising a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member comprising: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, the consumer product further comprising a stop that prevents the top flap from pivoting downward beyond the closed orientation, the stop being: at least one protruding tab of the top flap that engages a stop recess disposed in an inner surface of the second side wall; or a stop tab of the second side wall that protrudes from the inner surface of the second side wall and on which the top flap rests when in the closed orientation.

[0162] In a 16th aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container. The container includes: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; side walls that extend from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a particular portion of the first side wall or the second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a particular actuator connected to the particular portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the particular actuator; and a particular actuation region disposed in a particular one of the side wings, the particular actuation region facing the particular actuator and allowing the particular actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the particular actuation region when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the top flap includes a main flap portion and an inclined flap portion angled downward relative to the main portion.

[0163] In aspect 17, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a consumer product includes a detergent product and a container, the container including: a cartridge that houses the detergent product, the cartridge including: a base; side walls extending from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening opposite the base; and a top flap connected to the side walls, the top flap optionally hinged to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap optionally foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge separated from a second side wall opposite the first side wall by a gap; a lid configured to removably cover the opening of the cartridge, the lid optionally including a top and side wings, the top covering the opening and the side wings covering a specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall when the lid is in a closed position; and a locking member configured to releasably hold the lid in the closed position, the locking member including: a specific actuator connected to the specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuation pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area disposed in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be displaced from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the top flap includes at least one recess having a shape, and the specific actuator has a shape corresponding to the shape of the at least one recess.

[0164] In aspect 18, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a method for opening a consumer product optionally according to any of the foregoing aspects includes: applying an actuation pressure at the specific actuation area to displace the specific actuator from the locked position to the open position when the lid is in the closed position, wherein a gap between the distal edge of the top flap and the side wall causes the side wall to contact the distal end by applying the actuation pressure.

[0165] In aspect 19, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a method for opening a consumer product optionally according to any of the foregoing aspects includes: pulling the lid in a direction opposite the base, and / or folding up the top flap to access the detergent product.

[0166] In a 20th aspect, considered independently or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a method for opening a consumer product optionally according to any of the foregoing aspects includes: when an adult's hand applies the actuation pressure, the second sidewall bends until it contacts the distal edge, and the top flap has a stiffness sufficient to prevent further bending of the second sidewall under the actuation pressure applied by the adult's hand.

[0167] In a 21st aspect, considered independently or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a closing method includes folding the top flap downward into a closed orientation and sliding (pivoting) the lid downward until the locking member is engaged. The locking member can be automatically engaged when the actuator springs back into the locked position. The user can perceive a sound (click), which constitutes an audio feedback indicating correct engagement of the locking member.

[0168] In a 22nd aspect, considered independently or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, a method for packaging a detergent product to optionally obtain a consumer product according to any one of aspects 1 to 17, the method includes: optionally setting the top flap into an open orientation; when the top flap is in the open orientation, placing the opening of the box under the dispensing system; when the box is located under the dispensing system, dispensing the detergent product into the box; optionally allowing the detergent product to bounce on the top flap; optionally folding the top flap downward into a closed orientation when the detergent product is in the box; and in response to folding the top flap, closing the box with the lid.

[0169] In a 23rd aspect, considered independently or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, there is provided a lid blank and / or a container blank for forming a lid and / or a box according to any one of aspects 1 to 17. The lid blank may include a main panel intended to form the top and a secondary panel intended to form the side wings. Actuation areas, i.e., depressions, notches, through-holes (etc.) may be provided on the secondary panel of the lid blank. The lid blank may include crease lines intended to assist in folding the lid blank into a lid. The box blank may include a main panel intended to form the sidewalls of the container. The box blank may include a secondary panel intended to form the base and a dust flap intended to connect the two sidewalls. The box blank may include crease lines intended to assist in folding the box blank into a box. The box blank may include a top flap panel. Alternatively, the top flap panel may be formed independently and separately from the box blank. Then, the top flap panel may be glued to the sidewalls of the blank before or after folding the blank into a box. The box blank may include a pre-cut line intended to form the actuator, which is optionally arranged in the top flap.

[0170] In a 24th aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, there is provided a blank for forming a case, in particular a container blank for forming a consumer product according to aspect 16. The container blank includes main sidewall panels intended to form a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and secondary sidewall panels intended to form lateral sidewalls. The container blank further includes at least one top flap hinged to a respective main sidewall panel. The length of each top flap may be less than the width of the lateral sidewall so as to form a gap between the distal edge of the top flap and the opposing sidewall (after the blank is folded into a case). At least one top flap may each be provided with at least one wing flap extending from the side of the top flap. The wing flap is intended to construct the angled flap described in some of the above examples. The wing flap may have a substantially trapezoidal shape.

[0171] In a 25th aspect, considered independently of or in combination with any of the foregoing aspects, there is provided a method for forming a lid and / or a case according to any one of aspects 1 to 17. The method may include folding the panels and / or flaps of a lid blank into a lid and folding a case blank into a case. The method may include folding the top flaps. The method may include tearing an actuator from a panel of the case blank, optionally from a top flap.

[0172] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, each such dimension is intended to mean the recited value and a range functionally equivalent around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Claims

1. A consumer product (100, 200, 300, 400, 500), the consumer product comprising a detergent product and a container (102, 202, 302, 402, 502), the container comprising: A box (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 904, 1004, 1304, 1404, 1504, 1604) containing the detergent product, the box comprising: base (110); side walls (111, 112, 113, 114, 812, 912) extending from the base, each side wall having a top edge opposite the base; an opening (180) opposite the base; and a top flap (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 990, 1090, 1390, 1490, 1790) hingedly connected to a top portion of a first one of the side walls, the top flap being foldable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the top flap covers at least a portion of the opening when in the closed orientation, the top flap having a distal edge (192) separated from a second one of the side walls opposite the first side wall by a gap (194) between 0.1 mm and 5 mm; a cover (106, 506) configured to removably cover the opening of the box, the cover comprising a top (120) and side wings (121 to 124, 1621, 1622), the top covering the opening and the side wings covering specific portions of the first side wall or the second side wall when the cover adopts a closed position; and a locking member (108) configured to releasably retain the cover in the closed position, the locking member comprising: a specific actuator (130, 1203, 1303, 1403) connected to a specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall and capable of moving between a locked position and an open position by applying an actuating pressure to the specific actuator; and a specific actuation area (126, 526) arranged in a specific one of the side wings, the specific actuation area facing the specific actuator and allowing the specific actuator to be shifted from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the specific actuation area when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the gap is such that when the actuation pressure is applied, the second sidewall contacts the distal edge.

2. A consumer product according to claim 1, wherein the top flap (290, 390, 590, 990) includes a proximal flap portion (291) and a main flap portion (293), wherein the proximal flap portion is connected to the top portion of the first side wall (111), and the main flap portion includes the distal edge (192) and is hinged to the proximal flap portion (291), so that when the top flap (290) is in the closed orientation, the main flap portion is offset from the top edge of the side wall toward the base in the longitudinal direction of the container.

3. A consumer product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top flap (390; 990) includes a distal flap (397, 992) hinged to the distal edge and adapted to fold toward the top edge (112.1) of the second side wall when the top flap is in the closed orientation.

4. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the top edge of the second side wall includes at least one adjacent portion (312), which constrains the movement of the top wing away from or into the closed orientation, and the at least one adjacent portion preferably constitutes a cut-out portion of the second side wall.

5. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal edge of the top flap (490, 1790) includes a recess (492, 1792), which is preferably aligned with the specific actuator along the direction of the top edge of the second side wall.

6. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when the actuation pressure is applied, the second side wall contacts the distal edge of the top wing at at least two contact locations (497, 1797), and the at least two contact locations are non-adjacent.

7. A consumer product according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least two contact locations (497, 1797) are offset from the specific actuator by a distance in the direction of the top edge of the second side wall, the distance preferably being between 5% and 30% of the width of the container.

8. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when the top flap (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 990, 1090, 1390, 1490, 1790) is in the closed orientation, the top flap is hinged to the first side wall so that a resistance torque between the 0.5Nm / m crease and the 5N.m / m crease resists movement of the top flap away from the closed orientation.

9. The consumer product of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first side wall has a width (116) and the top flap has a maximum width (196) that is between 20% and 99% of the width of the first side wall.

10. The consumer product of any of the preceding claims, wherein the top flap (590, 690) includes at least one through hole (592) that enables an adult finger to unfold the top flap.

11. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (111 to 114, 812, 912) and / or the top flap (190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690, 990, 1090, 1390, 1490, 1790) are made of a corrugated paper-based material having grooves, which are oriented perpendicular to the top edge of the first side wall.

12. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the closed orientation the top flap is at an angle (a) between 70 and 110 degrees relative to the second side wall (112, 812, 912).

13. The consumer product of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the specific portion of the first side wall or the second side wall is a first portion of the first side wall, the side wing covers a second portion of the second side wall, wherein the specific actuator is a first actuator, and the specific actuation area arranged in the specific side wing is a first actuation area arranged in the first side wing, and the locking member further comprises: at least one second actuator connected to the second portion of the second side wall and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position by applying an actuation pressure to the second actuator; and and at least one second actuation area arranged in a second of the side wings, the second side wing covering a second portion of the second side wall, each of the at least one second actuation area facing a corresponding second actuator of the at least one second actuator and allowing the corresponding second actuator to be shifted from the locked position to the open position by applying the actuation pressure at the corresponding second actuation area when the cover is in the closed position.

14. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a stop member that prevents the top flap from pivoting downward beyond the closed orientation, the stop member being: at least one protruding tab (996) of the top flap, the at least one protruding tab engaging a stop recess (912.1) arranged in the inner surface of the second side wall (912); or a stop tab (818) of the second side wall, the stop tab protruding from the inner surface (816) of the second side wall, and the top flap rests on the stop tab when in the closed orientation.

15. The consumer product of any of the preceding claims, wherein the top flap comprises a main flap portion (1092) and an inclined flap portion (1094, 1494) angled downwardly relative to the main portion (1092).

16. A consumer product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the top flap includes at least one recessed portion (1392, 192a, 1492b) having a certain shape, and the specific actuator (1303, 1403a, 1403b) has a shape corresponding to the shape of the at least one recessed portion (1392, 192a, 1492b).

17. A method (1800) for opening a consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the method comprising: applying (1810) an actuation pressure at the specific actuation region to shift the specific actuator from the locked position to the open position when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the gap is such that the second side wall contacts the distal end by applying the actuation pressure; pulling (1820) the cover in a direction opposite to the base; as well as The top flap is folded upward (1830) to provide access to the detergent product.

18. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein when the actuation pressure is applied by an adult's hand, the second side wall bends until it contacts the distal edge, and wherein the top wing has a stiffness sufficient to prevent the second side wall from further bending under the actuation pressure applied by the adult's hand.

19. A method (1900) for packaging a detergent product to obtain a consumer product according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the method comprising: setting (1910) the top flap in an open orientation; placing (1920) the opening of the box below a dispensing system when the top flap is in the open orientation; dispensing (1930) the detergent product into the box when the box is positioned below the dispensing system; folding (1940) the top flap downwardly into the closed orientation when the detergent product is located in the box; as well as In response to folding the top flap, the box is closed (1950) with the cover.

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