This application is the national stage of PCT/EP2013/057168 filed on Apr. 5, 2013 and claims Paris Convention Priority from EP 12 174 942.8 filed Jul. 4, 2012.
The invention concerns an arrangement of a plurality of moist pads in a packaging container for dispensing to the end user, wherein the pads are arranged in two stacks such that the pads of the stacks overlap in a partial region in such a manner that a pad of a second stack protrudes into the partial region between two pads of a first stack.
Such an arrangement is known from EP 1 440 019 B1 and from DE 10 2006 020 926 A1. The alternate mutually overlapping arrangement of the pads of different stacks permits easy removal of an individual pad from the packaging container as compared with an arrangement of pads in only one stack.
The object of this invention is to create an arrangement that permits particularly easy removal of an individual pad from the packaging container.
This object is inventively achieved in a packaging container of the type stated above in that the pads of the first stack and the pads of the second stack each have a material cut-out at the edge in order to form a gripping aid, and that the pads of the first stack and the pads of the second stack are each oriented in such a manner that, at least in portions, the material cut-outs of the pads of the first stack and the material cut-outs of the pads of the second stack jointly define the partial region.
Depending on the implementation of the material cut-out and the disposition of the pads in the two stacks with respect to one another, this so-called partial region, in which the pads of the stack inventively overlap, can be divided into two parts and, in particular, comprise a first overlap section and a second overlap section, and, in particular, be spaced by an interposed free area (that is, by a material-free interstice that has a surface extending parallel to the extension plane of one pad).
The pads of different stacks are disposed such that they overlap in an alternating manner. Only one single pad of a second stack preferably protrudes into the partial region of the overlap between two pads of a first stack. Alternatively for this purpose, a plurality of pads, preferably two pads, in particular no more than three pads, of one stack protrude into the partial region of overlap between two pads of another stack, so that, in each case, two or three pads of different stacks are disposed overlapping in an alternating manner.
According to the invention, the pads have a material cut-out at the edge that is used as a gripping aid. Such a gripping aid can, for example, be formed by a recess in the contour of a pad. By the disposition of such material cut-outs at the edge in the partial region, in which pads of different stacks overlap, a compact gripping region is formed, in which gripping of one pad at a time is especially conveniently provided for.
In particular, the pads of different stacks are oriented with respect to each other at least substantially with mirror symmetry. In this way, a symmetrical arrangement with the smallest possible gripping region is formed.
A further simplification of the removal of pads from the packaging container results if the material cut-outs of the pads of different stacks are oriented in opposite directions with respect one another, for example, both pointing toward the partial region (the material cut-outs face the packaging center of the packaging container) or both facing away from the partial region. (The material cut-outs face a periphery of the packaging container.) This results in a minimum distance of the edges of the material cut-outs of the pads of different stacks and therefore reduces the size of the gripping region required to grip the pads of different stacks.
The edge of the pads preferably have, with the exception of the material cut-out, a geometric basic shape, wherein the basic shape is preferably circular, oval, or polygonal. The material cut-out is, in particular, partially circular or partially elliptical, so that the edge of the material cut-out can be especially simply gripped with one finger from the front or behind.
The edge of the pad with the exception of the material cut-out preferably has a circular basic shape, preferably with a radius assigned to the basic shape between 23 and 40 mm, further preferably between 28 and 38 mm, further preferably between 32 and 38 mm, further, in particular, with a radius of 35 mm.
Due to the material cut-out at the edge, the pads have a minimum diameter that differs from the radius of the basic shape. The minimum diameter is measured using an imaginary line departing from the apex of the material cut-out via the center of the basic shape leading to the intersection point with the edge of the pad opposite the material cut-out. The minimum diameter, in particular, in the case of a circular basic shape of the pad, is preferably between 25 and 73 mm, further preferably between 40 and 63 mm, further preferably between 50 and 58 mm.
The pad having the material cut-out, in particular, the pad with a circular basic shape, further preferably has a pad area between 13 and 45 cm2, in particular, between 18 and 37 cm2, further in particular, between 20 and 25 cm2.
It is further preferred if the pads of both stacks are identical in terms of their material and/or their shape (in particular, the basic shape and/or the shape of the material cut-out) and/or their dimensions.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the edges of each pad extend free of folds along a section outside the material cut-out and/or along the material cut-out. In this way, pads can be provided in an especially conveniently usable way.
It is further preferred if a transition, preferably both transitions, of the edges of each pad between a section outside the material cut-out and the material cut-out is or are free of folds. In this way, an edge is provided that is especially suitable for convenient gripping contact in the region of the transitions as well.
“Free of folds” is understood to mean that there is no abrupt change within the edge of the pads and/or along the material cut-out but, in particular, changes of direction caused by differing radii transition into one another so that, for example, rounded corners result.
According to the invention, the edge of the material cut-out differs from the basic shape of the pad, preferably, having the shape of a partially circular or partially elliptical recess. The shape of the border limiting the recess is preferably defined by a radius. The radius of the recess can preferably correspond to the radius of the circular basic shape of the pad, wherein the radius of the basic shape is preferably between 23 and 40 mm, further preferably between 28 and 38 mm, further preferably between 32 and 38 mm, further preferably 35 mm. Alternatively, the radius of the recess can be smaller than the radius of the basic shape of the pad. The radius of the recess is preferably between 10 and 35 mm.
The border of the recess transitions, with reference to the direction of the minimum diameter defined above, into the basic shape in transitions disposed opposite each other, in particular, free of folds.
The border of the transitions preferably has a radius that is smaller than the radius defining the basic shape of the pad. The radius in the transitions is preferably between 5 and 15 mm, further preferably 10 mm.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the pads each have an edge differing from a straight-lined shape (in particular, a zig-zag or wavy edge), wherein each material cut-out at the edge extends inwardly beyond the edge differing from the straight-lined shape.
It is especially preferred if each pad has precisely one material cut-out at the edge serving as a gripping aid. This ensures both convenient removal of a pad and provision of the greatest possible quantity of pad material.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the total area jointly limited by two overlapping pads of different stacks has no discontinuities. This has the advantage that the packaging volume provided by a certain packaging container can be especially well used.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, a total area jointly limited by one of two overlapping pads of different stacks has a free area that is limited by at least part of the borders of the material cut-outs at the edge of the two pads. Such a free area reduces the useful volume with reference to a certain packaging container but at the same time further improves the convenience of pad removal because a space extending perpendicular to the free area can be used to introduce a finger and therefore to remove a pad in a particularly convenient manner.
The inventive arrangement enables especially good use of the volume of a packaging container. This is ensured, in particular, if the packaging container has a basic area for setting up the stack, if the pads have a pad area enclosed by the edge of a pad, and if the ratio of basic area to pad area is between 1.30 and 2.00, preferably between 1.50 and 1.80.
In particular, the packaging container has a basic area between 28 and 76 cm2, further, in particular, between 35 and 55 cm2.
An especially large useful volume arises even if two overlapping pads of different stacks jointly occupy one stack area, if the two pads each have a pad area enclosed by the edge of the pad, and if the ratio of stack area to pad area is between 1.10 and 1.80, preferably between 1.20 and 1.70.
Convenient removal with a high useful volume also results if the partial region in which pads of the stack overlap have an overlap area, if the pads each have a pad area enclosed by the edge of the pad, and if the ratio of overlap area to pad area is between 0.25 and 0.90, preferably between 0.28 and 0.83, in particular, between 0.40 and 0.67.
Both convenient removal and a high useful volume can be ensured if the partial region in which the pads of the stack overlap, has an overlap area, if the packaging container has a basic area for setting up the stack, and the ratio of overlap area to basic area is between 0.12 and 0.83, preferably between 0.16 and 0.50.
Special advantages arise if the packaging container has a wall, in particular, a wall on the cover side, in which a preferably detachably lockable removal opening having a removal opening area for removal of one pad at a time is provided. Such a removal opening makes it possible to influence how conveniently a pad can be removed from the packaging container and to what extent mechanical protection and/or protection against drying of moist pads is to be implemented.
It is possible that the whole wall of the packaging container comprising the removal opening can be removed. This is the case, for example, with a cover that, in the case of mutually parallel sidewalls of a packaging container, at least substantially has the same area as a basic area of the packaging container that is used to set up the two stacks. It is especially preferred, however, if the removal opening area is smaller than the basic area for setting up the stack. It is especially preferred if the ratio of removal opening area to basic area is between 0.06 and 0.20, preferably between 0.10 and 0.18, in particular between 0.10 and 0.16. These stated ratios entail the removal opening area being relatively small with respect to the basic area, so that especially good protection against drying out of the pads can be provided. Because of the inventive arrangement of the material cut-outs in the overlapping partial region, convenient removal of the pads overlapping in an alternating manner is ensured despite the relatively small removal opening.
The removal opening can have any shape. In particular, the removal opening can have a first longitudinal extent and a relatively shorter second longitudinal extent perpendicular to the former. The removal opening can have a substantially elongated shape, for example, a rectangular shape or an elongated hole shape or a shape that combines these shapes. The removal opening can have a necked, in particular, symmetrically constituted profile to reduce the size of the removal opening area of the removal opening.
The removal opening is preferably disposed centrally in the wall of the packaging container containing the removal opening.
It is further preferred if the removal opening is disposed in the wall of the packaging container such that the first longer longitudinal extent of the removal opening is disposed in the direction of the longer extent of the removal opening (for example, the wall of the packaging container in which the removal opening is provided).
The removal opening has, in particular, a removal opening area between 3 and 10 cm2, further, in particular, between 3 and 8 cm2, further, in particular, between 3 and 7 cm2. In particular, the removal opening has an elongated shape, with the first longer longitudinal extent between 20 and 50 mm, in particular, between 25 and 45 mm, further, in particular, between 30 and 40 mm.
Especially good protection from drying out of moist pads results if the removal opening is positioned and dimensioned such that only the following are accessible through the removal opening: a partial section of the partial region, in which the pads of the stacks overlap; a material cut-out of a pad of the first stack or a part thereof; after removal of such a pad of the first stack, a material cut-out of a pad of the second stack or part thereof.
A further improvement results if the partial section of the partial region in which the pads of the stacks overlap has a partial section area, and if the ratio of partial section area to removal opening area is between 0.12 and 0.90, preferably between 0.20 and 0.90, in particular, between 0.33 and 0.90.
If a total area limited by two overlapping pads of different stacks has a free area, which is limited by at least part of the limits of the material cut-outs at the edge of the two pads, it is preferred if the removal opening is positioned and dimensioned such that only the following are accessible through the removal opening: the free area or part of the free area; a material cut-out of a pad of the first stack or part thereof; after removal of such a pad of the first stack, a material cut-out of a pad of the second stack or part thereof. This enables convenient access of a finger into a space that is adjacent and perpendicular to the free area and removal of a pad of the first stack, followed by removal of a pad of the second stack, followed again by removal of a pad of the first stack, etc.
Both especially convenient removal of the pads and a smaller removal opening results if the free area accessible through the removal opening or the part of the free area accessible through the removal opening has an access free area, and if the ratio of access free area to removal opening area is between 0.16 and 0.64.
Finally, both convenient removal of a pad and a smaller removal opening results if the distance measured perpendicularly to the removal direction from a border of the removal opening to the closest border of the material cut-out at the edge of a pad is between 5 mm and 16 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm, in particular, between 5 mm and 8 mm.
It also proves advantageous if the packaging container is made of polymer materials or includes these, such as, in particular, thermoplastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and/or polystyrene.
The packaging container has a packaging basic body with a basic area for setting up the stacks and a side wall.
The packaging basic body is advantageously manufactured from the polymer materials in a deep drawing process. Such a packaging basic body as a deep-drawn part can be manufactured easily and inexpensively in this way, and also permits many design options. Further, a wall on the cover side is preferably mounted on the packaging basic body, in particular, by means of nondetachable adhesive, sealed, or welded connections.
The pads included in the packaging container can be made of any material. The pads can preferably be made of or include nonwoven structures. The pads preferably comprise or consist of cotton fibers and/or viscose fibers, wherein synthetic fibers, such as bicomponent fibers and/or polyester fibers, can preferably be added.
The pads are manufactured by usual web formation methods, such as carding, airlaying, and, in particular, by bonding methods, such as water jet needling and/or thermal and/or chemical binders.
Liquid is applied to the pads. This liquid can, for example, comprise an aqueous solution, an oil-in-water emulsion, or a water-in-oil emulsion. The liquid can, in particular, contain further components, such as care extracts, such as aloe vera, and/or scents/perfumes.
Further characteristics, details, and advantages of the invention result from the attached claims and from the drawings and description below of preferred embodiments of the inventive arrangement. For the characteristics stated above, below, and/or in the claims, protection is claimed irrespective of any dependency and in any combination. The drawing shows:
An embodiment of a packaging container is collectively designated with the reference number 10 in
The packaging container 10 has a wall 16 on the cover side, which extends, in particular, parallel to the packaging base 12.
The wall 16 on the cover side has a slightly larger area than the packaging base 12, so that it can be attached to the upper side of a mounting edge 18 protruding outward from the side wall 14, in particular, using a permanent adhesive or welded connection.
The wall 16 on the cover side has a removal opening 20 preferably extending parallel to the packaging base 12, which is used to form an access to the interior of the packaging container 10. The removal opening 20 limits a removal opening area 22. The removal opening 20 can be detachably closed using a locking tab 24.
In a closed condition, the locking tab 24 completely overlaps the removal opening 20. The locking tab 24 has a gripping section 26 free of adhesive in a known way, by means of which the locking tab 24 can be lifted at least in sections from the upper part of the wall 16 on the cover side. The locking tab 24 has an adhesive coating 28 along the underside of an edge overlapping the removal opening 20 to ensure that the removal opening 20 can be reclosed.
An interior 30 of the packaging container 10 is filled with pads 32, 34 disposed in an alternating overlapping manner. In the description below, the pads 32 are allocated to a first stack 36 with a first stack axis 38 (cf.
The stack axes 38 and 42 extend, in particular, perpendicularly with respect to a basic area 44 of the packaging container 10. The basic area 44 is that area of the packaging base 12 that is limited by the inner side of the side wall 14. This basic area is therefore available for setting up the stacks 36 and 40.
The pads 32, 34 have an edge 46 on the circumference side that is, in particular, free of folds.
The basic shape of the pads 32, 34 is, in particular, a circular shape (cf.
Due to the material cut-out 50 at the edge, the pads 32, 34 have a minimum diameter 56, which, for example, is between 25 mm and 73 mm, preferably, between 40 mm and 58 mm, further, in particular, between 40 and 55 mm.
The border 52 transitions, with respect to the direction of the minimum diameter 56, into the basic shape of the edge 46 at transitions 58, 60 disposed opposite each other, in particular, free of folds. A radius 62 in a transition region 58, 60 is preferably smaller than the radius 48 defining the basic shape of the pad 32, 34. In particular, the radius 62 is equal to 10 mm.
The pads 32, 34 are, in respect of each of their stack axes 38, 42, oriented in opposite directions to each other. Thus, the material cut-outs 50 at the edge of the pads 32 of the first stack 36 face in the direction of the second stack 42, and the material cut-outs 50 at the edge of the pads 34 of the second stack 34 face in the direction of the first stack 36. In particular, the pads 32 and 34 are disposed mirror symmetrically or at least substantially mirror symmetrically with respect to the first plane of symmetry 64 (cf.
The pads 32, 34 have a pad area 68 enclosed by the edge 46 including border 52. The pads 32, 34 of different stacks 36, 40 jointly limit a total area 70, which has no discontinuities for the embodiments shown in
At least parts of the borders 52 are disposed in such a way relative to the removal opening 20 that, in respect of a removal direction 78 (cf.
A length measured parallel to this (without reference number) of the removal opening 20 is, for example, 20 to 50 mm, in particular, 35 mm.
A distance 82 of a border 52 of a material cut-out 50 to a closest limit 84 of the removal opening 20 is preferably no more than 16 mm and, in particular, at least 5 mm.
The profile of the removal opening 20 is coordinated with the partial region 74 in which the pads 32, 34 overlap, in such a way that only a partial section area 86 (that is, only a proportion of the overlap area 76, this proportion is cross-hatched in
To further reduce the size of the removal opening area 22 of the removal opening 20, the removal opening 20 can have a necked profile in a region 87. The neck 87 is preferably constituted symmetrically with respect to at least one of the axes of symmetry 64, 66.
To remove a pad 32, 34 from the packaging container 10, the locking tab 24 is lifted from the removal opening 20 so that the removal opening area 22 is exposed. After this, a border 52 of the material cut-out 50 at the edge of a first pad 32 can be gripped with a finger, which can be introduced in the region of the removal opening 20 between the border 52 of the material cut-out 50 at the edge and a border 84 of the removal opening 20. This is done while resting a fingertip on a top side of a second pad 34. Removal of the first pad 32 through the removal opening 20 entails deformation of the pad 32. After removal of the first pad 32 has been completed, a finger can be introduced into the removal opening 22 and grip at the border 52 of the material cut-out 50 at the edge of the pad 34, resting on the top side of the next “first” pad 32, and, deforming the second pad 34, remove the second pad 34 from the interior 30 through the removal opening 20.
In the embodiment shown in
Displacement of the material cut-out 50 at the edge radially inward, while retaining the packaging size of the packaging container 10 according to
The dimensions and positioning of the removal opening 20 and the free area 88 are coordinated with each other in such a way that an access free area 90 accessible through the removal opening 20 is equal to the total free area 88. (In
If the removal opening 20 is further reduced in size, for example, having a neck 87 (cf.
In the arrangement shown in
In an embodiment shown in
If the material cut-outs 50 at the edge are sufficiently pronounced, it is also possible for the pads 32, 34 of different stacks to overlap in multiple sections 74a, 74b if the basic area 44 is substantially square. The sections 74a, 74b jointly form the partial region 74. A free area 88 is constituted between the partial regions 74a, 74b (cf.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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12174942 | Jul 2012 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2013/057168 | 4/5/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2014/005731 | 1/9/2014 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5007558 | Allen et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5738212 | Pollard et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
6102247 | Crawford | Aug 2000 | A |
6612437 | Klemets | Sep 2003 | B1 |
20040245139 | Mangold et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20130089643 | Chapman | Apr 2013 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
10 2006 020 926 | Nov 2007 | DE |
1 440 019 | Apr 2005 | EP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150144648 A1 | May 2015 | US |