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Title:
PACKAGES FOR STORING AND DISPENSING PRODUCTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2022/058739
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A package (100) for storing and dispensing a product, comprising a tray (102) formed to provide a reservoir (104) for receiving the product, a dispensing channel (106) in fluid communication with the reservoir (104), a substantially planar flange (108) extending peripherally around the reservoir (104) and the dispensing channel (106), and a nozzle region (110). The package includes a sealing lid (140) adhered to the tray (102) by an adhesive extending over a sealing region (130) of the flange (108). The dispensing channel (106) is elongate and extends towards a tip (118) of the nozzle region (110), and the lid (140) is peelable to unseal an end part of the dispensing channel (106). The sealing region (130) is shaped to define a peel stop line (126) extending laterally with respect to a peeling direction of the lid (140) to increase the resistance to peeling after the end part of the dispensing channel (106) has been unsealed.

Inventors:
GRAY MARK (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2021/052416
Publication Date:
March 24, 2022
Filing Date:
September 17, 2021
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
LOCKWOOD PACKAGING LTD (GB)
International Classes:
B65D75/32; B65D77/20; B65D81/32
Domestic Patent References:
WO2012154051A12012-11-15
Foreign References:
EP0299571A11989-01-18
DE202015000579U12015-03-06
NL9002159A1992-05-06
DE19627243A11998-01-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HOLMES, Derek et al. (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1 . A package for storing and dispensing a product, comprising: a tray formed to provide a reservoir for receiving the product, a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the reservoir, a substantially planar flange extending peripherally around the reservoir and the dispensing channel, and a nozzle region; and a sealing lid for sealing the reservoir and the dispensing channel, the lid being adhered to the tray by an adhesive extending over a sealing region of the flange; wherein the dispensing channel is elongate and extends towards a tip of the nozzle region, the lid being peelable in a peeling direction from the tip towards the reservoir to unseal an end part of the dispensing channel; and wherein the sealing region is shaped to define a peel stop line extending laterally with respect to the peeling direction, the lateral extent of the sealing region being smaller on a side of the peel stop line closest to the tip than on a side of the peel stop line furthest from the tip.

2. A package according to Claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is deformable so that, in use, squeezing of the reservoir after peeling of the lid causes flow of product from the reservoir through the dispensing channel.

3. A package according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the ratio between the length of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange and the width of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange is greater than or equal to 1.

4. A package according to Claim 3, wherein the ratio between the length of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange and the width of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange is greater than or equal to 2.

5. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio between the depth of the dispensing channel and the depth of the reservoir relative to the plane of the flange is less than or equal to 0.3.

6. A package according to Claim 5, wherein the ratio between the depth of the dispensing channel and the depth of the reservoir relative to the plane of the flange is less than or equal to 0.1 .

7. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the tip is defined by a tapered portion of the flange.

8. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir has a generally rectangular cross section in the plane of the flange, and the nozzle region is disposed along one edge of the reservoir.

9. A package according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the reservoir has a generally rectangular cross section in the plane of the flange, and the nozzle region is disposed at one corner of the reservoir.

10. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the peel stop line intersects the dispensing channel.

11. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealing region is spaced from the edge of the flange to provide an adhesive-free area adjacent the tip of the nozzle region.

12. A package according to Claim 11 , wherein the flange is formed to provide at least one raised projection in the adhesive-free area that projects towards the lid.

13. A package according to Claim 12, wherein the flange is formed to provide at least two raised projections in the adhesive-free area, and wherein the projections are arranged to direct the flow of product from the dispensing channel towards the tip of the nozzle.

14. A package according to any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the peel stop line is provided by an edge of the adhesive-free area.

15. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the flange comprises a pair of shoulders disposed on opposite sides of the dispensing channel in the nozzle region.

16. A package according to Claim 15 when dependent upon any of Claims 1 to 13, wherein the shoulders provide the peel stop line.

17. A package according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein the shoulders provide a stop for cooperation with a neck of a container.

18. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray is formed to provide at least one further reservoir.

19. A package according to Claim 18, wherein the tray is formed to provide a further dispensing channel in fluid communication with the further reservoir, and a further nozzle region, the further dispensing channel extending towards a tip of the further nozzle region, and wherein the flange extends peripherally also around the further reservoir and the further dispensing channel.

20. A package according to Claim 18, wherein the tray is formed to provide a further dispensing channel in fluid communication with the further reservoir, and a mixing chamber disposed between the ends of the dispensing channels and the tip of the nozzle region.

21 . A refillable container system for a product, comprising: a package according to Claim 17, and a dispensing container having a generally tubular neck, and a - 22 - removable closure for closing the neck; wherein at least a part of the nozzle region of the package is insertable into the neck of the container when the closure is removed, such that the shoulders abut a free end of the neck and the tip of the nozzle region is disposed within the neck. A refillable container system according to Claim 21 , wherein the removable closure comprises a dispensing device for dispensing the product. A refillable container system according to Claim 21 or Claim 22, wherein the volume of the reservoir is less than or equal to the volume of the container. A method of dispensing a product from a package, the package comprising a tray including a deformable reservoir containing the product and a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the reservoir that extends into a nozzle region of the package, with a sealing lid adhered to the tray to seal the reservoir and the dispensing channel; the method comprising: peeling the sealing lid from the tray in the nozzle region to unseal at least a part of the dispensing channel, leaving the lid adhered to the tray around the reservoir; and squeezing the reservoir to dispense the product through the dispensing channel. A method according to Claim 24, comprising, after peeling the sealing lid from the tray in the nozzle region, engaging the nozzle region with the neck of a container such that, upon squeezing the reservoir, the product is transferred to the container.

Description:
PACKAGES FOR STORING AND DISPENSING PRODUCTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packages for storing products. Embodiments of the invention relate to packages for liquid, gel, powder or granular products that can be used to refill bottle-type containers, and to packages that can be used to dispense quantities of liquid products with positional accuracy.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to produce single-use packages for liquid and gel-like products using “thermoform, fill and seal” processes. In such processes, a thermoplastic material is shaped by thermoforming to produce a relatively rigid tray that provides a reservoir for the product. The reservoir is filled with the product, and then a lid, usually of a thin plastics or metallic foil material, is adhered to the tray to seal the product in the reservoir. The product can be subsequently released by peeling, tearing or puncturing the lid or breaking or tearing the tray. Conveniently, the form, fill and seal operations can be performed sequentially on a single production line, using webprocessing techniques, allowing high volume production and low unit cost.

Such packages are used in many applications, for example for single-serve portions of condiments, creamers and so on. However, existing designs do not generally perform well where it is necessary to dispense the contents into a particular location accurately, since they are prone to spillage and unpredictable flow behaviour when opened.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide packages that can be manufactured by the “thermoform, fill and seal” processes but that offer improved performance when dispensing the product from the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against that background, and from a first aspect, the present invention provides a package for storing and dispensing a product, comprising a tray formed to provide a reservoir for receiving the product, a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the reservoir, a substantially planar flange extending peripherally around the reservoir and the dispensing channel, and a nozzle region. The package includes a sealing lid for sealing the reservoir and the dispensing channel, the lid being adhered to the tray by an adhesive extending over a sealing region of the flange. The dispensing channel is elongate and extends towards a tip of the nozzle region, and the lid is peelable in a peeling direction from the tip towards the reservoir to unseal an end part of the dispensing channel. The sealing region is shaped to define a peel stop line extending laterally with respect to the peeling direction, the lateral extent of the sealing region being smaller on a side of the peel stop line closest to the tip than on a side of the peel stop line furthest from the tip.

With this arrangement, the product can be dispensed in an accurate and controlled way through the dispensing channel and from the nozzle region of the package. The peel stop line provides resistance to peeling of the lid beyond the extent necessary to expose the end part of the dispensing channel, so that the product cannot flow directly out of the reservoir and is instead delivered only from the nozzle region.

The reservoir may be deformable so that, in use, squeezing of the reservoir after peeling of the lid causes flow of product from the reservoir through the dispensing channel. Preferably, substantial flow of the product through the dispensing channel does not occur without squeezing of the reservoir.

The dispensing channel is preferably slender, to control the rate of flow of the product. For example, the ratio between the length of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange and the width of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange may be greater than or equal to 1. In some embodiments, the ratio between the length of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange and the width of the dispensing channel in the plane of the flange is greater than or equal to 2. The ratio between the depth of the dispensing channel and the depth of the reservoir relative to the plane of the flange is preferably less than or equal to 0.3, and may be less than or equal to 0.1 . The tip may be defined by a tapered portion of the flange. In this way, the tip may have a pointed shape to help direct the flow of product from the nozzle region. In some cases, when the product flows out of the dispensing channel, droplets of the product dwell at the tip, allowing very accurate placement of the droplets. Such an arrangement may be particularly useful for dispensing reagents in medical test kits and for similar applications.

The reservoir may have a generally rectangular cross section in the plane of the flange. The nozzle region may be disposed along one edge of the reservoir. Alternatively, the nozzle region may be disposed at one corner of the reservoir. In this case, the nozzle region and the reservoir can be accommodated in a generally rectangular envelope, minimising wastage when multiple trays are formed from a single sheet of material.

The sealing region is preferably spaced from the edge of the flange to provide an adhesive-free area adjacent the tip of the nozzle region. In this way, the portion of the lid that overlies the sealing region forms a flap that can be easily gripped by the user.

The flange may be formed to provide at least one raised projection in the adhesive- free area that projects towards the lid. The or each projection may serve to space the flap from the flange to help the user grip the flap. The or each projection may carry adhesive to tack the flap in place.

In some embodiments, the flange is formed to provide at least two raised projections in the adhesive-free area, and the projections may be arranged to direct the flow of product from the dispensing channel towards the tip of the nozzle.

Preferably, the peel stop line intersects the dispensing channel, so that peeling of the lid stops when only an end region of the dispensing channel has been unsealed. ln some embodiments, the flange comprises a pair of shoulders disposed on opposite sides of the dispensing channel in the nozzle region. The shoulders may be formed by cut-outs in the flange. In such cases, the shoulders may provide the peel stop line, and the sealing region may extend to the edge of the flange in the region of the shoulders.

In other cases, the peel stop line may be provided by an edge of the adhesive-free area.

The tray may be formed to provide at least one further reservoir, to allow the storage and dispensing of, for example, two or more different products or two or more portions of the same product. Each of the reservoirs may be disposed in a respective sub-tray, forming a portion of the complete tray. The sub-trays may be separable, for example by providing a line of perforations or other line of weakness therebetween, or by cutting of the tray.

In some cases, each reservoir may be associated with its own nozzle region, allowing the lid to be peeled back in each nozzle region to release the contents of each reservoir separately. Accordingly, the tray may be formed to provide a further dispensing channel in fluid communication with the further reservoir, and a further nozzle region, the further dispensing channel extending towards a tip of the further nozzle region. The flange may extend peripherally also around the further reservoir and the further dispensing channel. The nozzle regions could for example be arranged at opposite ends of the tray, or side-by-side, or at different comers of the tray.

In other cases, a single nozzle region may be shared by two or more reservoirs, so that the lid can be peeled back for delivery of the contents of each reservoir at the same time. To this end, the tray may be provided with a further dispensing channel in fluid communication with the further reservoir, and the further dispensing channel may extend towards a tip of the shared nozzle region. Optionally, the tray may be formed to provide a mixing chamber between the ends of the dispensing channels and the tip of the nozzle region.

The package may be configured to engage with a container. In particular, the nozzle region may be shaped and dimensioned to cooperate with an opening of a container, to aid transfer of the contents of the package to the container. When shoulders are present, the shoulders may provide a stop for cooperation with a neck of a container. This allows the package to be engaged with the container, such as a refillable bottle, with the nozzle region disposed in the neck of the bottle.

To that end, in a second aspect, the invention provides a refillable container system for a product, comprising a package as described above, a dispensing container having a generally tubular neck, and a removable closure for closing the neck. At least a part of the nozzle region of the package is insertable into the neck of the container when the closure is removed, such that the shoulders abut a free end of the neck and the tip of the nozzle region is disposed within the neck. The removable closure may comprise a dispensing device for dispensing the product. Preferably, the volume of the reservoir is less than or equal to the volume of the container, so that the whole contents of the package can be transferred to the container to refill the container.

The refillable container system of this aspect of the invention is particularly suitable for use with products such as hand sanitisers, allowing the relatively high cost and environmental impact of single-use bottles to be avoided.

In a third aspect, the invention extends to a method of dispensing a product from a package, in which the package comprises a tray including a deformable reservoir containing the product and a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the reservoir that extends into a nozzle region of the package, with a sealing lid adhered to the tray to seal the reservoir and the dispensing channel. The method comprises peeling the sealing lid from the tray in the nozzle region to unseal at least a part of the dispensing channel, leaving the lid adhered to the tray around the reservoir, and squeezing the reservoir to dispense the product through the dispensing channel. The method may comprise, after peeling the sealing lid from the tray in the nozzle region, engaging the nozzle region with the neck of a container such that, upon squeezing the reservoir, the product is transferred to the container.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment of the invention may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs are used for like features, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a tray of a package according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the tray of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of the tray of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the tray of Figure 1 along line IV-IV;

Figure 5 is a top view of the tray of Figure 1 , showing a sealing region;

Figure 6 shows the package of the first embodiment including the tray of Figure 1 and a sealing foil;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a nozzle region of the package, with the sealing foil peeled back to uncover a dispensing channel;

Figure 8 shows the package of Figure 6 in use to refill a container; Figure 9 shows top, side and end views of a tray of a package according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 shows top, side and end views of a tray of a variant of the package of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows another view of the tray of Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows the package of the second embodiment including the tray of Figure 9 and a sealing lid;

Figure 13 shows the package of Figure 12 with the sealing lid peeled back to reveal a dispensing channel;

Figure 14 shows the package of Figure 12 in use to dispense product onto a reagent tray; and

Figures 15 to 22 show top views of trays for packages according to further embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a package according to a first embodiment of the invention includes a tray 102 that is thermoformed to provide a reservoir 104 and a dispensing channel 106 connected to a corner of the reservoir 104. A generally planar flange 108 extends around the periphery of the reservoir 104 and the connected dispensing channel 106.

The dispensing channel 106 is disposed in a nozzle region 110 of the tray. As shown most clearly in Figure 2, the reservoir 104 is generally rectangular in plan view, with one bevelled or truncated corner that provides space for the nozzle region 110 so that the tray 102 occupies a generally rectangular envelope. In this way, multiple trays can be formed in a sheet or web of material with minimal material wastage. The reservoir 104 is defined by a base wall 112 (not visible in Figure 1 ) and side walls 114. The side walls 114 extend from the flange 108 in a generally perpendicular direction to a step 116, which provides some stiffening to the tray 102. The side walls 114 generally converge moving from the step 116 towards the base wall 112. As a result of this shape, the reservoir 104 is deformable by squeezing the base wall 112 towards the flange 108, as will be described in more detail below.

The dispensing channel 106 extends lengthways towards a tip 118 of the nozzle region 110. As shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the tip 118 is defined by tapered edges 120 of the nozzle region 110 (conveniently formed by the corner of the generally rectangular tray 102). On each side of the nozzle region 110, a pair of generally triangular cut-outs 122 are provided in the flange 108. In this way, the flange 108 in the nozzle region 110 is shaped with a pair of edges 124 that run alongside the dispensing channel 106. Each of these edges 124 meets one of another pair of edges 126 to form shoulders that extend generally laterally with respect to the dispensing channel 106.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the depth of the dispensing channel 106 (i.e. the distance between the plane of the flange 108 and the part of the dispensing channel 106 furthest from the plane of the flange 108) is substantially less than the depth of the reservoir 104 (i.e. the distance between the plane of the flange 108 and the base wall 112). In this case, the average depth of the dispensing channel 106 is approximately 1/10 of the depth of the reservoir 104. Similarly, the width of the dispensing channel 106 in the plane of the flange 108 (see Figure 2) is substantially less than the width of the reservoir 104 (in the illustrated example, the average width of the dispensing channel 106 is approximately 1/4 of the minimum width of the reservoir, measured where the dispensing channel 106 opens into the reservoir). The dispensing channel 106 is elongate, with a length that is greater than its width (approximately 2.5 times greater, in the illustrated example). In these ways, the dispensing channel 106 provides a slender, pipette-type passage that has a substantially lower volume than the reservoir itself. Adjacent the tip 118 of the nozzle region 110, the flange 108 is shaped to provide a raised projection 128 or “pip” that is elevated above the plane of the flange 108 (i.e. on the opposite side of the flange 108 to the reservoir 104 and the dispensing channel 106).

Referring to Figure 5, adhesive is applied to the flange 108 in a sealing region 130, indicated by hatching in Figure 5. A portion of the flange 108 in the nozzle region 110, adjacent the tip 118, lies outside the sealing region 130 to provide an adhesive- free area 132. The end 134 of the dispensing channel 106 is separated from the tip 118 by a portion of the sealing region 130 adjacent the end 134, and a portion of the adhesive-free area 132 adjacent the tip 118. The raised projection 128 is within the adhesive-free area 132. Optionally, adhesive may also be applied to the top of the raised projection 128.

Referring additionally to Figure 6, after filling the reservoir 104 with a product, a foil sealing lid 140 is adhered to the tray 102 by the adhesive applied to the sealing region 130 (not visible in Figure 6). The shape of the lid 140 corresponds to the shape of the periphery of the tray 102. In the illustrated example, the lid 140 has the same in-plane dimensions as the tray 102, but it will be appreciated that the lid 140 could instead be larger than the tray 102.

Because the sealing region 130 completely encloses the perimeter of the reservoir 104 and the dispensing channel 106, the lid 140 seals the product in the completed package 100. The package 100 can then be transported and stored.

The part of the lid 140 that overlies the adhesive-free area 132 of the nozzle region 110 provides a flap 142 that can be gripped by a user. The raised projection 128 helps to space the flap 142 from the flange 108 to assist the user in gripping the flap 142. When provided, the adhesive applied to the top of the raised projection 128 tacks the flap 142 in place. To open the package 100, the flap 142 of the lid 140 is gripped by the user, and the lid 140 is then peeled away from the tray 102 in a peeling direction from the tip 118 towards the reservoir 104, as shown in Figure 7. Peeling the lid 140 in the peeling direction causes the end 134 of the dispensing channel 106 to be unsealed, opening the package 100.

Peeling the lid 140 in the peeling direction can continue, releasing the lid 140 from the nozzle region 110, until the peeling line (i.e. the boundary between the released and adhered parts of the lid 140) reaches the pair of edges 126 of the flange 108 that extend laterally with respect to the dispensing channel 106 and the peeling direction. The lateral extent of the sealing region 130 is larger on the reservoir side of these edges 126 than on the nozzle region side, so the effort required to continue peeling the lid 140 increases substantially once the peeling line reaches the edges 126. In this way, the laterally-extending edges 126 provide a peel stop line, such that is substantially more difficult to continue peeling the lid 140 from the tray 102 once the lid 140 has been released up to the peel stop line. This prompts the user to stop peeling the lid 140, leaving only the end 134 and an adjacent portion of the dispensing channel 106 exposed.

The lid 140 therefore remains adhered to the flange 108 around the periphery of the reservoir 104, preventing unwanted leakage or uncontrolled release of the product. The product can be released by squeezing the reservoir 104 of the tray 102, forcing the product to flow into the dispensing channel 106. In this way, release of the product can be performed in a controlled manner, and the product can be delivered to a desired location by positioning the nozzle region 110 accordingly.

The dimensions of the dispending channel 106 are preferably such that little or no product is released before the reservoir 104 is squeezed, further improving the control of the delivery of the product.

Figure 8 shows one application of the package 100, with the lid 140 omitted for clarity. In this case, the package 100 contains a quantity of product for refilling a re- useable bottle 150, shown in cross-section in Figure 8. The bottle 150 has a reduced-diameter neck 152. The nozzle region 110 of the tray 102 is dimensioned to fit within the neck 152 of the bottle. In particular, the width of the nozzle region 110, between the two edges 124 that run alongside the dispensing channel 106, is less than the internal diameter of the neck 152. The laterally-extending edges 126 form shoulders that extend outwardly from the nozzle region 110 and do not fit within the neck 152.

With this arrangement, the package 100 can be opened by peeling the lid 140 to the peel stop line as described above. The nozzle region 110 is then inserted into the neck 152, so that the package 100 rests on top of the bottle 150 with the laterally- extending edges 126 abutting the top of the neck 152 and the open end region of the dispensing channel 106 within the neck 152 of the bottle 150, as shown in Figure 8. The reservoir part of the tray 102 can then be squeezed to transfer the contents of the reservoir 104 into the bottle 150, with minimal risk of spillage or contamination of the product. After transfer of the product, the package 100 can be removed and disposed of, and a suitable closure fitted to the neck 152 of the bottle 150. The closure may include a dispensing pump, atomiser, valve or similar device.

Preferably, the capacity of the refill package 100 is matched to the capacity of the bottle 150, so that a single package 100 can be used to fill the whole bottle 150. Useful package capacities in this context may be between about 30 mL and about 500 mL, and particularly between about 50 mL and about 250 mL.

The refill package 100 and bottle 150 system of Figure 8 can advantageously be used for products such as hand sanitisers. In such cases, the packages 100 of the invention can allow re-use of a relatively expensive and difficult-to-recycle bottle and dispensing pump or atomiser. The packages 100 of the invention can be manufactured from materials that are easier to recycle, and the low mass of the packages 100, compared to the bottle 150, provides environmental and commercial advantages by reducing transportation weight. By way of example, the weight of the package 100 shown in Figure 8, excluding contents, is approximately 25 times less than the weight of the bottle 150 when fitted with a dispensing pump.

A second embodiment of the invention, adapted for relatively small volumes of product will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 14, in which features corresponding to those of the first embodiment are indicated by reference numbers incremented by 100.

Figure 9 shows plan, side and end views of a tray 202 for a package according to the second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, in this second embodiment the tray 202 is thermoformed to provide a reservoir 204 and a dispensing channel 206, with a generally planar flange 208 extending around the periphery of the reservoir 204 and the dispensing channel 206. The length of the dispensing channel 206 in this case is around four times its width.

In this case, the reservoir 204 is substantially rectangular in the plane of the flange 208, and the dispensing channel 206 extends from the centre of one of the shorter edges of the reservoir 204. The nozzle region 210 is therefore disposed at one end of the tray 202, with the tip 218 formed by two converging edges 220 that provide a tapered portion of the flange 208.

In this embodiment, the sealing region 230, indicated by hatching in Figure 9, extends across the whole width of the flange 230 in the region of the reservoir 204 and alongside part of the dispensing channel 206. The lateral extent of the sealing region 230 changes at a pair of steps 226, so that, on the side of the steps 226 closest to the tip 218, the sealing region 230 is spaced from the outer edge of the flange 230. The resulting adhesive-free area 232 is therefore generally “V”-shaped and extends alongside part of the dispensing channel 206 and around its end 234. The steps 226 define a peel stop line that intersects the dispensing channel 206, with the lateral extent of the adhesive being greater on the side of the peel stop line furthest from the tip 218 than on the side of the peel stop line closest to the tip 218.

In the adhesive-free area 232, the flange 208 is provided with two raised projections 228, which in this case are elongate. The two projections 228 are angled towards one another, forming a funnel shape that points towards the tip 218 of the nozzle region 210.

The volume of the reservoir 204 of the example illustrated in Figure 9 is approximately 3 mL. Figure 10 illustrates a variant of the tray 202a in which the reservoir 204a has a volume of approximately 1 mL. The trays of Figures 9 and 10 have similar dimensions in the plane of the flange 208, and the difference in capacity is substantially realised by a difference in the depth of the respective reservoir 204.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12, after adhesive is applied to the sealing region 230, and optionally to the tops of the raised projections 228, the lid 240 can be adhered to the tray 202 to seal the reservoir 204 and the dispensing channel 206.

As shown in Figure 13, the sealed package 200 can be opened by gripping the flap 242 of the lid 240 that overlies the adhesive-free region 232. The lid 240 can be peeled back away from the tip 218, in the peeling direction, until the peel stop line defined by the steps 226 (see Figure 11 ) is reached and resistance to further peeling increases. The end 234 of the dispensing channel 206 is therefore unsealed or exposed, allowing the product in the reservoir 204 to be dispensed by squeezing the reservoir part of the tray 202.

The relatively small dispensing channel 206 allows the product to be dispensed dropwise from the package 200, in the manner of a pipette. When dispensing small quantities, droplets of the product tend to cling to the tip 218, allowing the droplets to be placed accurately in a desired location. The funnel arrangement of the projections 228 further helps to guide the emerging product towards the tip 218.

The packages 200 of the second embodiment may be useful in applications such as medical test kits, in which a predetermined, small quantity of liquid reagent must be dispensed onto a reagent tray. Figure 14 shows the package 200 in use in this application, in which a small quantity of reagent can be dispensed from the package 200 in a precise location on a reagent tray 250 by locating the tip 218 in the correct position and squeezing the reservoir part of the tray 202. The ease with which this operation can be performed allows the package 200 to be used in non-clinical environments where specialist equipment, such as pipettes, is not available.

The packages described above include a single reservoir for storing and dispensing a single product. In other embodiments, two or more reservoirs may be provided for the storage and delivery of two products using the same package. Examples of packages including two reservoirs will now be described with reference to Figures 15 to 22.

Figure 15 shows an arrangement in which a tray 202b comprises two sub-trays 202a arranged side-by-side, each sub-tray being equivalent to a tray of the type shown in Figure 10 and including a corresponding reservoir 204a, dispensing channel 206a and nozzle region 210a. The sub-trays 202a are separated by a line of perforations 205, or alternatively by a score line or similar line of weakness that allows the subtrays 202a to be separated. The sub-trays 202a can be sealed with a lid (not shown in Figure 15) that is similarly perforated or cut to allow the sub-trays 202a to be separated without tearing or peeling of the lid.

The sub-trays 202a can be separated before use, with the separated sub-trays 202a then providing two individual packages that can be used as described with reference to Figures 9 to 14 above. Alternatively, the sub-trays 202a could remain joined during use, with the lid being peeled back to unseal one of the dispensing channels 206a at a time for delivery of the product from the corresponding nozzle region 210a.

Figure 16 shows a similar arrangement to Figure 15, in which the tray 202c comprises two sub-trays 202a, 202d separated by a line of perforations 205. In this case, the reservoirs 204a, 204d have different volumes, so that the package can provide pre-defined quantities of two products that are used together or sequentially in an application. It will be appreciated that the depth of the reservoirs may differ, as well as the dimensions in the plane of the tray. Figure 17 shows a similar arrangement to Figure 15, with two reservoirs 204e of equal volume. In this case, both reservoirs 204e are formed in a single tray 202e, without perforations or other means of separating the reservoirs 204e before use. A dispensing channel 206e extends from each reservoir 204e into a corresponding nozzle region 21 Oe (i.e. a separate nozzle region 21 Oe is provided for each reservoir 204e). Figure 18 shows an arrangement with two reservoirs 204f, 204g of different volumes, as in Figure 16, but with both reservoirs 204f, 204g formed in a single tray 202f. Each reservoir 204f, 204g is associated with a respective dispensing channel 206f, 206g and a respective nozzle region 21 Of, 210g.

Figure 19 shows a tray 202h for a “double-ended” package with two reservoirs 204h of equal volume. In this case, a nozzle region 21 Oh is disposed at each end of the tray 202h. A dispensing channel 206h extends from each of the reservoirs 204h towards the respective nozzle region 21 Oh. With this arrangement, the product from a first one of the reservoirs 204h can be dispensed by peeling back the lid (not shown) from the corresponding nozzle region 21 Oh to the peel stop line 226 and squeezing the first reservoir 204h, and then the product from the other reservoir 204h can be dispensed by turning the package, peeling the lid from the other nozzle region 21 Oh to the peel stop line 226, and squeezing the other reservoir 204h.

Figure 20 shows a tray 202i, similar to that of Figure 19, but in which the reservoirs 204i, 204j are of unequal volumes.

The packages described with reference to Figures 15 to 20 are ideally suited to applications in which two different products are to be dispensed at different stages of a procedure, for example in a test kit in which a first reagent is applied to a test area, then a sample is applied, and then a second reagent is applied.

In other applications, it may be desirable to dispense two products simultaneously or substantially simultaneously in the same location, for example where the mixing of two reagents is required at the point of use. Examples include two-part adhesives, two-part fillers, two-part disinfectants and so on.

Figure 21 shows a tray 302 for use in a package suitable for dispensing two products substantially simultaneously to the same location. The tray is formed to provide first and second reservoirs 304a, 304b in a side-by-side arrangement. The tray 302 includes a single nozzle region 310 that is shared by both reservoirs 304a, 304b. A first dispensing channel 306a extends from the first reservoir 304a towards the tip 318 of the nozzle region 310, and a second dispensing channel 306b extends from the second reservoir 306b towards the tip 318, with the two dispensing channels 306a, 306b extending generally parallel to one another. In use, the lid (not shown) can be peeled back from the nozzle region 310 to the peel stop line 326 to unseal the ends of both dispensing channels 306a, 306b in the same peeling action, and then the reservoirs 304a, 304b can be squeezed simultaneously to dispense both products towards the tip 318 of the nozzle region 310.

Figure 22 shows a tray 302c for a variant of the package that is similar to Figure 21 , but with the addition of a mixing chamber 307 disposed the nozzle region 310 between the sealing region 330 and the tip 318. The mixing chamber 307 is formed as a depression in the tray 302c in the same manner as the reservoirs 304a, 304b. In use, the lid is peeled back to the peel stop line 326 to unseal the first and second dispensing channels 306a, 306b. The products then flow from the reservoirs 304a, 304b out of the dispensing channels 306a, 306b and then into the mixing chamber 307, where the products can mix together or combine before reaching the tip 318 of the nozzle region 310.

In the Figure 22 example, the mixing chamber 307 is funnel-shaped, with a wide end closest to the ends of the dispensing channels 306a, 306b and a narrower end closest to the tip 318. Different mixing chamber shapes are possible, such as Y- shaped, U-shaped and T-shaped chambers. The mixing chamber may be disposed in the adhesive-free area of the tray, as illustrated in Figure 22, or may be disposed partly or wholly in the sealing region so that the mixing chamber remains sealed until the lid is peeled back. More than two reservoirs, and any suitable combination of dispensing channels and nozzles, may be provided to adapt the packages for a given application.

It will be appreciated that the packages of the invention are not limited to the applications described above, and can be used in substantially any application in which accurate dispensing of one or more products is required.

The packages are particularly suitable for use with liquids and gels, but could be used with substantially any flowable product including powders and granular materials, and relatively high-viscosity materials such as pastes and creams. The product may be sterile, and the package may be filled and sealed in a suitable sterile environment and/or treated with any appropriate sterilising method. The product may be concentrated for subsequent dilution at the point of use. Examples of such products include, but are not limited to, high concentration drinks formulas, disinfectants and cleaning products, fertilisers, insecticides, and herbicides.

In some cases, when the package is opened, little or no product is released until the reservoir part of the tray is squeezed. In other cases, where the product has a relatively low viscosity and/or surface tension, the tendency for the product to flow without squeezing may be higher, and in such cases it may be desirable to open the package with the dispensing channel upwards, and then to invert the package to dispense the product.

The nozzle region of the package may be adapted to dispense the product in a particular way, for example to deliver the product in a drop or in a narrow line, or to spread the product over a wider region. To this end, more than one dispensing channel may be connected to the reservoir to deliver the product to a wider area of the nozzle region than is possible using a single channel.

The packages of the invention can be manufactured by any suitable means. The tray is preferably formed by thermoforming, although other forming processes, such as cold forming or injection moulding, are also possible.

The adhesive may be applied to the tray, to the lid, or to both the tray and the lid. The adhesive may of any suitable type, including heat-activated and pressuresensitive types. Lids may be pre-cut and adhered separately to each tray, or a sheet including multiple lids may be adhered to a plurality of trays simultaneously and then divided to separate the lids. It is also possible to supply two or more filled packages, connected by their lids and/or by the flanges of their trays, for separation by a user before use.

In the above description, the first embodiment of the invention has been illustrated with examples having relatively large reservoir volumes and the remaining embodiments of the invention has been illustrated with examples having relatively small reservoir volumes. It will however be understood that any embodiment of the invention could be used with substantially any reservoir volume, and also that the various features of each embodiment are suitably interchangeable. Further package designs not illustrated or described above can also be contemplated.

Further variations and modifications not explicitly described above are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.