CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dosing devices which can be securely but releasably attached to containers, preferably bottles.

Background of the Invention

Due to the inadequate dispensing mechanisms of washing machines for liquid detergent compositions, detergent manufacturers have developed alternative dosing and dispensing devices which are independent of the washing machine. These dosing and dispensing devices are placed directly in the drum of the washing machine and been proven very effective in delivering the detergent composition during the washing process.

The dosing and dispensing devices may also be used for dispensing granules, particularly compact granular formulations which tend not to readily dissolve in the wash.

When not in use, the dosing and dispensing devices need to be conveniently stored. Preferably the dosing and dispensing devices are attached to a container containing the fabric treatment which the dosing and dispensing device will dispense. Thereby the dosing and dispensing device occupies the smallest space ^' and prevents loss. Particularly with bottles, the most effective means is to place the dosing and dispensing device over the neck of the bottle and fasten thereto by clipping means.

GB 2 157 718 describes two piece dosing and dispensing devices which are attached to containers. These two piece devices comprise a piece referred to as a dosing device funnel which is placed in the dosing and dispensing device's opening. The dosing and dispensing device is placed over the container neck and the funnel comprises means which clip onto the lid of the container as described for example in EP-O-201 376.

However there are a number of disadvantages with this system. Firstly the two piece dosing and dispensing device are more expensive for the manufacturer to produce and thus represent an additional cost. Furthermore one piece dosing and dispensing devices require less material for their production and thus have a reduced environmental impact. In addition such two piece dosing and dispensing devices are not firmly attached to the container and can be very easily dislodged. In addition two piece dosing and dispensing devices result in difficulties for the consumer to accurately measure the amount of fabric treatment composition required in the device.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to securely but releasably attach a one piece dosing and dispensing device to a container.

It is an additional object of the present invention to attach a one piece dosing and dispensing device to a container comprising a neck cooperating with a non drip self draining transition piece. The self draining transition piece aids the return of excess liquid into the container after dispensing. Thereby the amount of residual liquid spread or dripped onto the external surface of the container is reduced, see for instance US-A 6 545 579.

These objectives have been achieved by a packaging assembly comprising a container comprising a self draining transition piece and a one piece dosing and dispensing device. Said dosing and dispensing device is made of flexible material. The perimeter of the bottom edge of said transition piece is greater than the perimeter of the dosing device's opening in its non expanded state and the perimeter of the bottom edge of the transition piece is greater than the perimeter of the neck of the container at the point of contact with said bottom edge thereby forming a ridge. Thus, the dosing and dispensing device can be pushed over the transition piece and clipped onto the container over the ridge and wedged securely between the transition piece and the neck of said container.

A further advantage is that the dosing device may be attached to various containers provided that they use the same transition piece. This is because the attachment of the dosing device to the container is dependent of the perimeter of the bottom edge of the transition piece and independent of the container size. This is particularly helpful for manufacturing flexibility.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is a packaging assembly (Fig. 1) suitable for packaging fabric treatment composition. Said assembly comprises a container (Fig. 1, 1) for said fabric treatment and a separable dosing and dispensing device (Fig.l, 2) wherein:

said container comprises a neck (Fig.l, 3) with a dispensing orifice (Fig.l, 10), and a self-draining transition piece (Fig.l, 5) cooperating with said neck (Fig.l, 3) so as to provide a ridge (Fig.l, 6), the upper edge of which is formed by the bottom edge of said transition piece (Fig.l, 7), and

said device (Fig.l, 2) is a single piece device comprising at least one expandable opening (Fig.l, 8), said opening having a perimeter in its non-expanded state, which is larger than the perimeter of the upper edge of the transition piece (Fig.l, 9) and slightly smaller than the perimeter of the bottom edge of said transition piece (Fig.l, 7),

whereby said dosing and dispensing device can be releasably clipped onto said container into said ridge (Fig.l, 6).

Brief description of the diagrams

It is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the diagrams in which:

Fig. 1: Front view of packaging assembly of the present invention

Fig. 2: Front view of neck portion of the container showing groove detail of the present invention

Detailed description of the Invention

The present invention is a packaging assembly (Fig. 1) suitable for packaging fabric treatment compositions. Said assembly comprises a container (Fig.l, 1) for said fabric treatment composition and a separable dosing and dispensing device (Fig.l, 2) wherein:

said container comprises a neck (Fig.l, 3) with a dispensing orifice (Fig.l, 10), and a self-draining transition piece (Fig.l, 5) cooperating with said neck (Fig.l, 3) so. as to provide a ridge (Fig.l, 6), the upper edge of which is formed by the bottom edge of said transition piece (Fig.l, 7), and

said device (Fig.l, 2) is a single piece device comprising at least one expandable opening (Fig.l, 8), said opening having a perimeter in its non-expanded state, which is larger than the perimeter of the upper edge of the transition piece (Fig.l, 9) and slightly smaller than the perimeter of the bottom edge of said transition piece (Fig.l, 7),

whereby said dosing and dispensing device can be releasably clipped onto said container into said ridge (Fig.l, 6).

According to the present invention the packaging assembly is suitable for packaging fabric treatments. As used herein fabric treatments include detergent compositions, softening- through-the-wash compositions and mixtures thereof and bleaches.

Container

According to the present invention said container (Fig. 1,1) may be any container suitable for containing liquid or granular fabric treatment compositions. Preferably the container is suited for liquids and is most preferably a bottle. The container is constructed of any moldable material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The container may be of

any configuration and comprises a body portion (Fig. 1,11) and a neck portion (Fig. 1,12). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said body portion of said container has an integrally molded handle to facilitate dispensing and pouring of the composition contained therein.

Neck and transition piece

According to the present invention said neck portion (Fig. 1,12) comprises a neck with a dispensing orifice (Fig. 1,10). Said neck is in cooperation with a non-drip self draining transition piece (Fig. 1,5). Such pieces are well known and described in the art. Suitable self draining transition pieces for use herein may be selected from the self draining transition pieces described in US 2 601 039, US 2 061 685, FR. 1 448 275, and US-A 6 545 579.

According to the present invention the perimeter of the upper edge of said transition piece is smaller than the perimeter of the dispensing and dosing device's opening in its non-expanded state.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said container comprises a self draining pouring spout and a closing cap, (Fig. 1, 13) .

According to the present invention said transition piece cooperates with the neck of said container so as to provide a ridge.

The transition piece has an upper edge (Fig. 1,9) and a bottom edge (Fig. 1,7). The term ridge as used herein refers to the perimeter of said bottom edge of the transition piece in relation to the perimeter neck of the container at the point where said neck is in contact with said bottom edge. The perimeter of the bottom edge is slightly larger than the perimeter of the neck, measured at the point at which the neck is in contact with the bottom edge of the transition piece.

Preferably the ratio of the perimeter of said bottom edge to said neck perimeter is 47:46 or more.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the perimeter of the neck of the container below the bottom edge of the transition piece and not in direct contact therewith is greater than the perimeter of the neck in contact with the bottom edge of the transition piece. All of the neck portion of the container below the bottom edge of the transition piece and not in direct contact therewith may have a perimeter greater than the perimeter of said bottom edge. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the perimeter of the neck (Fig. 2,3) below the bottom edge of the transition piece and not its contact perimeter is at least the same as the perimeter of the bottom edge of the transition piece, (Fig. 2,2) so as to form a groove (Fig. 2,1). The size of said groove, is preferably at least large enough to accommodate the rim of the dosing and dispensing device's opening.

The outer perimeter of said transition piece measured at said bottom edge is greater than the inner perimeter of the dosing and dispensing device's opening in its non expanded state. Preferably the outer surface of the transition piece which comprises said upper and bottom edges is such that it curves smoothly and gradually outwards from said upper edge to said bottom edge.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the outer surface of the transition piece is substantially vertical and flares or curves outwards in the lower half of the piece towards the bottom edge. In particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the change in perimeter size from upper to lower edge of said transition piece is continuous and smooth and not sharp and may be linear or curved. This is to enable the dosing and dispensing device's opening to be easily pushed over the transition piece, without exerting undue force. Thereby the perimeter of said opening expands so that it becomes slightly

larger than the perimeter of the bottom edge of the transition piece and can pass over said bottom edge. When the dosing and dispensing device has passed over the bottom edge it contracts to its non expanded perimeter dimensions onto said ridge.

Furthermore, according to the present invention the dosing and dispensing device is releasably attached to the container so that it can be easily removed without undue force.

According to the present invention the transition piece may be made of any moldable plastic material, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene.

Dosing and dispensing device

According to the present invention the packaging assembly comprises a one piece dosing and dispensing device. As used herein a one piece dosing and dispensing device refers to devices which comprise no additional piece for fastening the dosing and dispensing device onto the container. The dosing and dispensing devices comprise only one single piece and do not comprise a funnel as described in EPO 201 376. Preferably the one piece dosing and dispensing devices for use herein do not have any additional pieces. Said device may be any shape, preferably oval. Said device comprises at least one opening through which the device may be filled and by which the fabric treatment can be dispensed in the washing machine drum. The orifice may be any shape, such that it cooperates with the transition piece. Thus, the shape of the opening is such that the transition piece may be inserted into the orifice. Preferably the orifice is substantially similar, preferably identical to the shape and size of the outer surface of the transition piece. The perimeter of said opening in its non expanded state is larger than the perimeter of the upper edge of said transition piece. The perimeter of the dispensing device's opening in its non expanded state is slightly smaller than the perimeter of the bottom edge of said transition piece. The dispensing device's opening is capable of expanding to a

size slightly larger than that of the perimeter of the bottom edge of said transition piece.

The dispensing device may be made of any moldable polymeric material, that is expandable when slight pressure is exerted on it.