SQUEEZABLE CLOSURES

Abstract

Squeezable closures. Container systems, closure systems, and methods that include such closures.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to squeezable closures. The present disclosure further relates to container systems, closure systems, and methods that include such closures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Squeezable closures, such a squeeze-and-turn closures, are generally known as a method of increasing the security of container systems. These closures often have an inner skirt used to connect the closure to a container and an outer skirt that can be squeezed to enable the closure to be removable from the container. As seen in FIG. 1, which shows a closure 800 of the prior art, the inner skirt 810 and outer skirt 820 are typically concentric circles. However, due to the double skirt configuration, they tend to have a relatively large footprint. This may be particularly undesirable for use with certain containers that have one horizontal dimension that is greater than another; for example, a container may be wider (side-to-side) than it is deep (front-to-back). While such containers can allow for a greater shelf impression in a retail environment, the closures may be larger than necessary and may detrimentally impact how tightly the containers may be packed together and/or detract from the aesthetics of the container system.

To reduce the footprint of such squeezable closures in at least one dimension (such as in the front-to-back dimension), some manufacturers have replaced the continuous inner skirt with separate hanging walls 830, 831 that are radially interior to the outer wall 820, as shown in FIG. 2, which shows another closure 801 of the prior art. The hanging walls 830, 831 can provide a connection to the container, for example by screwing onto a neck of the container, but challenges remain due to the lack of a continuous inner skirt. Because the closure is connected to the container only at several smaller discrete points rather than a larger continuous connection, the closure may not stay tight to the bottle; for instance, the closure may be relatively susceptible to being pried off, resulting in accidental or unintentional opening. Additionally, robust and/or repeated squeezing of the closure may deform the closure so that the hanging walls do not connect as tightly to the container over time.

There is a need for improved squeezable closures that are secure while providing a reduced footprint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to squeezable closures 400.

The present disclosure also relates to closures 400 that include: a top wall 410; an inner skirt 470 depending from said top wall 410, said inner skirt 470 comprising connecting features configured to allow for selective connectable engagement with a container 200; an outer skirt 420 depending from said top wall 410 and located radially outward from said inner skirt 470, said outer skirt 420 comprising at least a first push pad 430 and at least a first locking tab 480, wherein pressing said first push pad 430 radially inward causes said first locking tab 480 to move from a first position to a second position; wherein said inner skirt 470 and said outer skirt 420 are connected at at least a first intersection point 472 that is circumferentially spaced from said first push pad 430.

The present disclosure also relates to container systems 100, closure systems 150, and methods that include such closures 400.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures herein are illustrative in nature and are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a closure of the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of a closure of the prior art.

FIG. 3 shows a closure according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a closure according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a closure according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a closure according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom perspective view of a closure according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of a closure according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section view of the closure of FIG. 8 viewed at line A-A.

FIG. 10 shows a detail of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a two-piece container system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of a container according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a three-piece container system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a unitized dose article according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows a two-piece closure system according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a squeezable closure 400 that provides desirable relative dimensions while remaining robust and secure. In short, the closures 400 of the present disclosure include a continuous inner skirt 470 for connection to a container 200 and an outer skirt 420 that includes at least one push pad that must be engaged to remove the closure 400 from a container 200. The inner skirt 470 and the outer skirt 420 intersect at at least one intersection point, preferably two intersection points 472, 473, this is circumferentially spaced from the push pad. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the continuous inner skirt 470 provides a secure closure mechanism, while the intersection point provides increased structural support to the closure 400 and allows for a lesser dimension than fully concentric (and non-intersecting) skirts would provide.

The closures 400 and related container systems 100, closure systems 150, and methods are discussed in more detail below.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used in a claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described. As used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting. The compositions of the present disclosure can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, the components of the present disclosure.

The terms “substantially free of” or “substantially free from” may be used herein. This means that the indicated material is at the very minimum not deliberately added to the composition to form part of it, or, preferably, is not present at analytically detectable levels. It is meant to include compositions whereby the indicated material is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials deliberately included. The indicated material may be present, if at all, at a level of less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01%, or even 0%, by weight of the composition.

As used herein the phrase “fabric care composition” includes compositions and formulations designed for treating fabric. Such compositions include but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry prewash, laundry pretreat, laundry additives, spray products, dry cleaning agent or composition, laundry rinse additive, wash additive, post-rinse fabric treatment, ironing aid, unit dose formulation, delayed delivery formulation, detergent contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as a pre-laundering treatment, a post-laundering treatment, or may be added during the rinse or wash cycle of the laundering operation.

As used herein, “connectably engageable” means one component can be connected or attached to another. As used herein, it may also mean that the components may be capable of being selectively disconnected, unattached, or removed from each other. For example, the closures 400 described herein may be attachable to and detachable from the container 200.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are in reference to the active portion of that component or composition, and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially available sources of such components or compositions.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements herein are conducted at 20° C. and under the atmospheric pressure.

In all embodiments of the present disclosure, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are weight ratios, unless specifically stated otherwise.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

Closure

The present disclosure relates to closures 400, particularly squeezable closures. The closures 400 of the present disclosure may include: a top wall 410; an inner skirt 470 depending from said top wall 410, said inner skirt 470 comprising connecting features 460 configured to allow for selective connectable engagement with a container 200; an outer skirt 420 depending from said top wall 410 and located radially outward from said inner skirt 470, said outer skirt 420 comprising at least a first push pad 430 and at least a first locking tab 480, wherein pressing said first push pad 430 radially inward causes said first locking tab 480 to move from a first position to a second position; wherein said inner skirt 470 and said outer skirt 420 are connected at at least a first intersection point 472 that is circumferentially spaced from said first push pad 430. These elements are discussed in more detail below.

The squeezable closure 400 may be a squeeze-and-turn closure. As shown in FIG. 3, the closure 400 may be configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis RA. The closure 400 can be rotated in a closing direction to a closed position. The closure 400 can be rotated in an opening direction that is counter to the closing direction to an open position. The closure 400 may be configured to be rotatably connectably engageable with a shroud 300 according to the present disclosure, where the closure 400 closes or seals the shroud opening 340 when the closure 400 is engaged with the shroud 300 in a closed position. The closure 400 may be configured to be rotatably connectably engageable with a container 200 according to the present disclosure, where the closure 400 closes or seals the container opening 222 when the closure 400 is engaged with the container 200 in a closed position.

As shown, for example, in FIGS. 3-7, the closure 400 includes a top wall 410. The top wall 410 may have an outer surface 411 and an inner surface 412. The outer surface 411 faces away from the shroud 300 and/or the container body 250 when the closure 400 is in a closed position. The inner surface 412 faces the shroud 300 and/or container body 250 when the closure 400 is in a closed position.

The closure 400 includes an outer skirt 420 depending downwardly from the top wall 410 in a direction that is toward the shroud 300 and/or container body 200 when the closure 400 is in a closed position. The outer skirt 420 may depend downwardly from the top wall 410 at an outer edge 413 of the top wall 410. The closure 400 may transition from the top wall 410 to the outer skirt 420 at a shoulder 419.

The outer skirt 420 may terminate at a lower edge 422 that is distal from the top wall 410. At least a portion of the outer skirt 420 is flexible to allow for the push pad(s) 430, 440 and locking tab(s) 480, 490 to be flexed as described herein.

The outer skirt 420 includes at least a first push pad 430. The push pad 430 is capable of being pressed radially inward, towards the rotation axis RA. The container system 100 is configured so that when the closure 400 is in a closed position, the closure 400 is prevented from being rotated in an opening direction until at least the first push pad 430 is pressed radially inward.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, the push pad 430, 440 may comprise a panel 432, 442. The panel 432, 442 may be formed by at least one slot 434, 444 in the outer skirt 420, preferably two slots 434, 435, 444, 445. The slots 434, 435, 444, 445 may be longitudinal slots extending from a lower edge of the outer skirt 420 toward the top wall 410. The slots 434, 435, 444, 445 may extend a fraction of the outer skirt 420, or they may extend to or near to the outer edge 413 of the top wall 410. Slots 434, 435, 444, 445 may make the push pad 430, 440 easier to depress, as only a portion of the outer skirt 420 needs to be deformed in order to open the closure 400. Such a configuration may be particularly suitable for those with weak grip strength, such as the elderly.

The force required to flex the push pad 430, 440 may be adjusted by selecting panel and/or slot length, hinge placement, stiffening ribs, materials used, intentional areas of weakness (e.g., due to thinned areas, scoring, apertures, etc.), or other variables evident to one of ordinary skill. The pressing force required to disengage the locking tabs 480, 490 from the locking lugs 350, 360 is typically from about 1 pound to about 5 pounds, or from about 1.5 pounds to about 3 pounds.

The push pad 430, 440 may include irregularities 436, such as ribs, bumps, and/or dimples. Such irregularities 436 may provide friction and make the pad 430, 440 easier to grip when pressing the push pads 430, 440 and/or turning the closure 400.

As shown in FIG. 5, the closure 400 may include a first push pad 430 and a second push pad 440. Each push pad 430, 440 may comprise a panel 432, 442 formed from slots 434, 435, 444, 445. The container system 100 may be configured so that the closure 400 is prevented from being rotated in an opening direction until the second push pad 440 is pressed radially inward, preferably at the same time as when the first push pad 430 is pressed radially inward. Two or more push pads 430, 440 may be preferred to increase the security of the container system 100, as a more complex action is required to open the closure 400.

The first and second push pads 430, 440 may be circumferentially spaced apart by from about 45° to about 180°, preferably from about 90° to about 180°, more preferably about 180°. The first and second push pads 430, 440 may be diametrically opposed.

When viewed from the top and/or bottom, the closure 400 may be asymmetrical. Having an asymmetrical lid (i.e., where one axis is greater than another) may be useful for a number of reasons. For example, when the closure 400 is not in a properly closed position, the misalignment of an asymmetric closure with the shroud 300 and/or container body 250 can provide a visual signal to alert the user or manufacturer. Additionally, an asymmetric closure may conform better to an asymmetric container body 250, for example one that is wider than it is deep, which may provide maximum shelf impression.

As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the top, the top wall 410 of the closure 400 may include a major axis 415, measured from one side of the outer edge 413 of the top wall 410 to the opposite side along a major dimension. See also line X-Y of FIG. 3. The top wall 410 of the closure 400 may include a minor axis 416, measured from one side of the outer edge 413 to an opposite side. At least one or both of the axes 415, 416 may be selected and configured to be smaller than the span of the average adult human hand, so that the closure 400 can be operated with one hand. The length of the major axis 415 may be greater than the length of the minor axis 416. The major axis 415 may have a length of from about 70 mm to 130 mm, or from about 80 mm to about 120 mm, or from about 90 mm to about 110 mm, or from about 95 mm to about 105 mm, or about 100 mm. The minor axis 416 may have a length of from about 50 mm to about 120 mm, or from about 70 mm to about 110 mm, or from about 80 mm to about 100 mm, or about 90 mm. The ratio of the major axis 415 to the minor axis 416 may be from about 2:1, or from about 1.5:1, or from about 1.3:1, or from about 1.2:1, or from about 1.15:1, to about 1:1.

The closure 400 may have an upper periphery 414 about the outer edge 413 of the top wall 410. The closure 400 may have a lower periphery 423 about the lower edge 422 of the outer skirt 420, ignoring any gaps in the lower edge. The lower periphery 423 may have a major axis 424 and a minor axis 425. The lower periphery 423 may be larger than the upper periphery 414, such as when the outer skirt 420 extends downwardly from the top wall 410 and radially outward. This configuration may be preferred to provide a more unitary look to the container system 100; for example, the slope of the outer skirt 420 could substantially match the slope on a part of the shroud 300 and/or container body 250. The outer skirt 420 may extend axially downwardly and not radially outward (i.e., substantially straight downwardly), so that the lower periphery 423 may be approximately the same size as the upper periphery 414. The outer skirt 420 may even extend downwardly and radially inward, so that the lower periphery 423 may be smaller than the upper periphery 414. This configuration may be preferred to increase the security of the closure 400, as the pressing pads 430, 440 may be more challenging to depress, or to increase the grippability of the closure 400, as the top wall 410 may fit more securely in the palm of the user's hand as the user's fingers curl down the side.

The closure 400 may include indicia 450. The indicia 450 may be located on the top wall 410, including the outer surface 411 of the top wall 410. The indicia 450 may be molded integrally with, printed on, and/or affixed (such as by label or sticker) to the closure 400. The indicia 450 may comprise text, a graphic, or a combination thereof. The indicia 450 may indicate: the origin of the container system 100 or closure system 150; the manufacturer of the container system 100 or closure system 150; an advertising, sponsorship, or affiliation image; a trademark or brand name; a safety indication; an instructional indication; a product use or function indication; a sporting image; a geographical indication; an industry standard; preferred orientation indication; an image linked to a perfume or fragrance; a charity or charitable indication; an indication of seasonal, national, regional or religious celebration, in particular spring, summer, autumn, winter, Christmas, New Years; or any combination thereof. Further examples include random patterns of any type including lines, circles, squares, stars, moons, yin yang symbols, flowers, animals, snowflakes, leaves, feathers, sea shells, and Easter eggs, among other possible designs. The indicia 450 may indicate a safety indication, an instructional indication, a trademark or brand name, or combinations thereof. The instructional indication may indicate how to open the container system 100, for example with arrows indicating the direction to depress the moveable panels 432, 442 and/or arrows showing the direction of rotation required to open the container system 100. The shroud 300 and/or container body 250 may comprise, for example on the shoulder, any of the indicia 450 described above.

Because the closures 400 of the present disclosure may be used for container systems 100 that require openings large enough to fit a human hand, the closures 400 may be wider than they are tall. This configuration can allow a user's fingers to span across the relatively wide opening while still being able to reach and operate the push pads 430, 440 of the outer skirt 420.

As shown in FIG. 6, the closure 400 may have a height 452, measured from a horizontal plane extending from the lower edge 422 of the outer skirt 420 to a parallel horizontal plane extending from the top wall's outer surface 411. The closure height 452 may be from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, or from 7 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 8 mm to about 25 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 20 mm. The ratio of closure height 452 to the major axis 415 of the closure's top wall 410 may be from about 10:1 to about 1:15, or from about 5:1 to about 1:12, or from about 1:1 to about 1:10, or from about 1:5 to about 1:10, or from about 1:8 to about 1:10. The height 452 of the closure 400 may be at least 50% less, preferably at least 75% less, than the length of the major axis of the closure's top wall 410. The ratio of closure height 452 to the major axis 415 of the closure's top wall 410 may be selected to fit the maximum functional hand span of an adult hand while still allowing fingers to depress the panels 432, 442.

As shown in FIG. 6, the outer skirt 420 may have an outer skirt length 426, measured as the distance from the lower edge of the skirt 422 to the outer edge 413 of the top wall 410. The skirt length 426 may be at least 50% less, preferably at least 75% less, than the length of the major axis 415 of the closure's top wall 410. If the outer skirt 420 is not substantially orthogonal to the top wall 410, the skirt length may be greater than the height of the closure 400.

The closure 400 may have a span length 427. As used herein, “span length” 427 of the closure 400 is measured from the middle of one push pad (W), to the outer edge of the top wall (X), across the top wall to the opposite outer edge (Y), to the middle of the opposite push pad (Z). In FIG. 6, the span length 427 is equivalent to total length of the line that is drawn from point W to point X to point Y to point Z (or “line W-X-Y-Z”). The span length 427 may be selected to fit the maximum functional hand span (or pinch grip) of an average adult human hand. The span length 427 may be adjusted depending on the target population of container system users; for example, females tend to have shorter hand spans than males. The span length 427 may be from about 50 mm, or from about 70 mm, or from about 90 mm, or from about 105 mm, to about 150 mm, or to about 130 mm, or to about 120 mm, or to about 115 mm or to about 110 mm.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the closure 400 includes an inner skirt 470 that depends downwardly from the inner surface 412 of the top wall 410. The inner skirt 470 is positioned radially inward to the outer skirt 420. The inner skirt 470 comprises an inner surface 474 facing radially inward and an outer surface 478 facing radially outward. The inner surface 474 is typically continuous circumferentially, for at least the part of the inner skirt 470 that that connects to the container 200. The inner skirt 470 may terminate in a lower edge that is distal from the top wall 410.

The inner skirt 470 intersects with the outer skirt 420 at one or more intersection points 472, 473. The lower edge of the inner skirt 470 may intersect with the lower edge of the outer skirt 420 at the one or more intersection points 472, 473.

The outer skirt 420 and inner skirt 470 may intersect at a first intersection point 472. The first intersection point 472 may be circumferentially spaced from the first push pad 430. The first intersection point 472 may be circumferentially spaced by from about 45° to about 135°, or from about 60° to about 120°, or about 90°, from the first push pad 430 and/or the second push pad 440.

The inner skirt 470 and the outer skirt 420 may be additionally connected at at least a second intersection point 473. The second intersection point 473 may be circumferentially spaced from the first push pad 430. The second intersection point 473 may be circumferentially spaced by from about 45° to about 135°, or from about 60° to about 120°, or about 90°, from the first push pad 430 and/or the second push pad 440.

The second intersection point 473 may be circumferentially spaced from the first intersection point 472. The first intersection point 472 may be diametrically opposed to the second intersection point 473.

The first intersection point 472 may be circumferentially spaced between first and second push pads 430, 440. The second intersection point 473 may be circumferentially spaced between first and second push pads 430, 440.

The first intersection point 472 may be located along the minor axis 416 of the top wall 410 of the closure 400. The first and second intersection points 472, 473 may be located along the minor axis 416 of the top wall 410 of the closure 400. This may be particularly preferred when the first push pad 430 is, or the first and second push pads 430, 440 are, located along the major axis 415 of the top wall 410 of the closure 400.

At the intersection point(s), the inner skirt 470 and the outer skirt 420 may merge and appear as a single wall. The intersection points 472, 473 may be symmetrical.

The intersection points 472, 473 may be located adjacent an inner periphery 475 of the inner skirt 470, wherein the inner surface 474 of the inner skirt 470 meets the inner surface 412 of the top wall. The inner periphery 475 may be a circle. The intersection point may not be a single Euclidean point, but may instead trace a portion of the periphery 475 of the inner skirt 470. One or more of the intersection points 472, 473, or each intersection point, may independently trace a portion of the inner periphery 475 of the inner skirt 470 that is at least about 1%, or at least about 3%, or at least about 5%, or at least about 10%, of the periphery 475 of the inner skirt 470. One or more of the intersection points 472, 473, preferably each intersection point, may be an arc of the periphery 475. The arc may subtend an angle (θ) of at least about 1°, or at least about 3°, or at least about 5°, or at least about 10°, or at least about 15°, or at least about 20°, or at least about 30°, or at least about 40°, as measured from a center point of the inner skirt 470, typically on a rotational axis RA. It is believed that the larger the intersection point, the more stability will be provided.

One or more of the intersection points 472, 473, or each intersection point, may trace a portion of the periphery 475 of the inner skirt 470 that is no greater than about 40%, or not great than about 35%, or no greater than about 30%, or no greater than about 25%, or no greater than about 20%, or no greater than about 15% of the periphery of the inner skirt 470. One or more of the intersection points 472, 473, preferably each intersection point, may be an arc of the periphery 475 of the inner skirt 470. The arc may subtend an angle (θ) of no more than about 90°, or no more than about 75°, or no more than about 60°, or no more than about 50°, as measured from a center point of the inner skirt 470, typically on a rotational axis RA. It is believed that if the intersection point is too large, then the push pads 430, 440 will be relatively challenging to press. The angle may be from about 40° to about 45°, or about 42°.

The closure 400 includes a connecting feature 460 capable of engaging with a complimentary connecting feature 330 on the shroud 300 and/or container body 250. The connecting feature 460 may include at least one thread 462, or at least two threads. The connecting feature 460 may include lugs that are received by receiving notches when the closure 400 is rotated in a closing direction.

The inner skirt 470 may comprise the connecting feature 460, such as one or more threads 462, typically on the inner surface 474 of the inner skirt 470. The connecting feature 460 of the closure 400 (e.g., threads) and the complimentary connecting feature 330 on the shroud 300 and/or container body 250 may be configured to allow the closure 400 to be removable from the shroud 300 and/or container body 250 upon relatively rotating the closure 400 from the closed position in an opening direction by not more than about 180°, preferably by not more than about 135°, more preferably by not more than about 90°. This provides the effect of the closure 400 being removeable after a half-turn, or even a quarter-turn, in the opening direction. Such a configuration can allow a user to open the container system 100 with one hand without having to release the closure 400 and reset the hand position for a second turn, allowing for quick and convenient access.

The connecting feature 460 on the closure 400 and the complimentary connecting feature 330 on the shroud 300 and/or container body 250 may be configured so that when the closure 400 is in the closed position, a radius 454 drawn through one or more intersection points 472, 473 of the closure 400 is substantially parallel to a minor dimension 206 of the container 200. The connecting feature 460 and the complimentary connecting feature 330 on the shroud 300 and/or container body 250 may be configured so that when the closure 400 is in the closed position, the intersection point is oriented towards the front or rear of the container 200. When there are at least two intersection points 472, 473, the first intersection point 472 may be oriented towards the front of the container 200 and the second intersection point 473 may be oriented towards the rear of the container 200.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the closure 400 comprises at least a first locking tab 480. The outer skirt 420 may comprise the first locking tab 480. The first locking tab 480 is configured to engage a first locking lug 350 located on the shroud 300 or container body 200 when the closure 400 is in the closed position to prevent rotation of the closure 400 in the opening direction. Pushing the first push pad 430 radially inward causes the first locking tab 480 to disengage with the first locking lug 350, and the closure 400 may then be able to be rotated in an opening direction while the first push pad 430 is being pressed.

The closure 400 may comprise more than one locking tab 480, 490. The number of locking tabs 480, 490 may be equal to the number of push pads 430, 440.

The closure 400 may comprise a second locking tab 490. The outer skirt 420 may comprise the second locking tab 490. The second locking tab 490 may be configured to engage a second locking lug 360 on the shroud 300 or container body 200 when the closure is in the closed position to prevent rotation of the closure 400 in the opening direction. Pushing the second push pad 440 radially inward may cause the second locking tab 490 to disengage with the second locking lug 360, and the closure 400 may then be able to be rotated in an opening direction while the second push pad 440 is being pressed, typically simultaneously as when the first push pad 430 is being pressed.

As shown in the closures 400 of FIGS. 7 and 8, the locking tabs 480, 490 may be in substantially radial alignment with the push pads 430, 440. The locking tabs 480, 490 may be located radially inward from the push pads 430, 440. When the push pad 430, 440 is pressed radially inward, the locking tabs 480, 490 may flex radially inward. The locking tabs 480, 490 may extend axially downwardly, away from the top wall 410. The locking tabs 480, 490 may be molded integrally with the push pads 430, 440 and/or panels 432, 442, and/or may be joined to the pad or panel by a web of material 481. The locking tab 480, 490 may be substantially parallel to the push pad 430, 440 or panel 432, 442. The locking tab 480, 490 may be approximately equal in width to the entire width of the panel 432, 442, for example as measured between the slots 434, 435, 444, 445. The width of the locking tab 480, 490 may be less than the width of the panel 432, 442, for example approximately three-quarters or less, or approximately half or less, or approximately half.

The locking tab 432, 442 may have a tab leading face 482, 492 that leads when the closure 400 is rotated in a closing direction. The tab leading face 482, 492 may be rounded or angled, which can help to facilitate the deflection of the locking tab 480, 490 upon rotation in a closing direction as it encounters the locking lug 350, 360. The tab leading face 482, 492 may be the narrowest part of the locking tab 480, 490, which can also help to facilitate the deflection of the locking tab 480, 490 upon rotation in a closing direction as it encounters the locking lug 350, 360. The tab leading face 482, 492 may be configured to deflect the locking tab 480, 490 radially outward or radially inward when the locking tab 480, 490 encounters the locking lug 350, 360, which is typically stationary, upon closing.

The locking tab 480, 490 may have an inner surface 484, 494 that faces radially inward. The locking tab 480, 490 may have an outer surface 485, 495 that faces radially outward. The inner and/or outer surfaces 484, 494, 485, 495 may be flat, or one or both surfaces may have a slight curve, for example, to match the arc of a circumference of a circle at the particular radius at which the surface can be found.

The locking tab 480, 490 may have a tab locking face 486, 496 opposite the tab leading face 482, 492. The tab locking face 486, 496 may engage the locking lug 350, 360 when the closure 400 is in a closed position to prevent rotation in the opening direction. The tab locking face 486, 496 may be relatively flat to maximize contact with the locking lug 350, 360. In the radial direction, the tab locking face 486, 496 may be the widest part of the locking tab 480, 490.

As shown in FIGS. 8, the closure 400 may have an outer gap 464, 465 between the outer surface 485, 495 of the locking tab 480, 490 and the outer skirt 420. The closure 400 may have an inner gap 466, 467 between the inner surface 484, 494 of the locking tab 480, 490 and the inner skirt 470. One or more gaps 464, 465, 466, 467 may be sized to allow passage of the locking lugs 350, 360 when the closure 400 is rotated in an opening and/or closing direction. The closure 400 may be configured so that the locking lugs 350, 360 pass through one of the gaps (e.g., the inner gap 466, 467) when the closure 400 is rotated in the closing direction, and through the other gap (e.g., the outer gap 464, 465) when the closure 400 is rotated in the opening direction. This configuration can provide the advantage of balancing outward deflection of the panels 432, 442 upon closing with inward deflection of the panels 432, 442 upon opening, thereby reducing deformation or loss of plasticity of the pressing pads 430, 440 that may result from a single direction of flexion.

While it may be desirable for at least the push pads 430, 440 to be depressible, such flexibility may not be desired at other points of the closure 400, or even at other points of the outer skirt 420. Thus, the closure 400 may include support walls 428, which may help to increase rigidity at least at certain points of the closure 400. For example, the support walls 428 may extend between the outer skirt 420 and the inner skirt. The support walls 428 may extend in a substantially radial direction. The support walls 428 may be spaced apart from the pressing pads 430, 440.

As seen in FIG. 8, the top wall 410 may have areas of differing thicknesses, including an area of increased thickness 417 and an area of decreased thickness 418. Relatively thicker portions 417 may provide increased structural support for the closure 400, particularly in areas of stress, such as along an axis between the push pads. Relatively thinner portions 418 may provide greater flexibility where flexing is desirable or even cost savings, as less material is required. The thicker portions 417 may be located along the major axis 415 of the top wall 410, substantially parallel to an axis connecting the press pads 430, 440, adjacent a perimeter 475 of the inner skirt 470, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of the closure 400 of FIG. 8, as viewed along line A-A. The closure 400 includes thick portions 417 and thin portions 418. FIG. 10 shows a detail of FIG. 9. The thickness of the thick portion 417 is represented by M. M may be from about 0.5 mm, or from about 0.75 mm, or from about 1.0 mm, or from about 1.25 mm, or from about 1.45 mm, and to about 5 mm, or to about 4 mm, or to about 3 mm, or to about 2 mm, or to about 1.75 mm, or to about 1.55 mm; M may be about 1.5 mm. The thickness of the thin portion 418 is represented by N. N may be from about 0.5 mm, or from about 0.75 mm, or from about 1.0 mm, or from about 1.1 mm, or from about 1.2 mm, and to about 4 mm, or to about 3 mm, or to about 2 mm, or to about 1.75 mm, or to about 1.5 mm, or to about 1.3 mm. N may be about 1.25 mm. M is typically greater than N. The thickness of the thick portion 417 of the top wall (M) may be at least about 105%, or at least about 110%, or at least about 120%, or at least about 125% greater than the thickness of the thin portion 418 of the top wall (N). The thickness of the top wall 410 at various points can be determined with calipers of suitable precision.

The closure 400 may comprise a water-sealing structure. This is particularly preferred when it is anticipated that the contents of the container system 100 are water-sensitive, e.g., articles that degrade or dissolve in the presence of water in liquid and/or vapor form. The water-sealing structure may be a plug seal, a gasket seal, or a combination thereof. The container system 100 may comprise a hygroscopic material, e.g., a dessicant.

When the closure 400 is in the closed position, the container system 100 may have a MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) measurement of less than about 2.0 grams per day per square meter of package surface (g/day/m̂2), or less than about 1.0 g/day/m̂2, or less than about 0.75 g/day/m̂2, or less than about 0.50 g/day/m̂2, or less than about 0.25 g/day/m̂2, at 35° C. and 65% relative humidity. MVTR is determined according to ASTM D7709.

The closure 400 may comprise one or more stacking features to facilitate the stacking of closure systems 150, or container systems 100 on top of one another. The stacking feature may be configured to be received by the closure 400, the closure systems 150, or the container systems 100 that are stacked on top of it. For example, the stacking feature may be configured to extend into the opening 340 of the shroud 300, to nest inside the inner skirt 470 of the closure 400, and/or to engage with the bottom wall 210 of the container body 200, e.g., by encircling or nesting within the bottom wall 210 when container body 200 is stacked on top of the closure 400. The one or more stacking features may be one or more ridges that project axially away from the outer surface of the top wall 410. The stacking features may be continuous or intermittent. The stacking features may be located at or near the outer edge of the top wall 410. The stacking features may have a shape that is complimentary to the shape defined by the top wall outer edge 413, or the stacking structures may have a different shape.

Even when the closure 400 is disengaged or detached from opening of the shroud 300 or container body 200 so that the container system 100 is in an open position, the closure 400 may still be attached to the shroud 300 or container body 200. For example, the closure 400 may be attached to the shroud 300 or container body 200 by a hinge, or by a hinged piece that allows rotation of the closure 400. The closure 400 may be attached to the shroud 300 or container body 200 by a retaining structure, such as a strap, having a first end attached to the shroud 300 or container and a second end attached to the closure 400. Such features may be useful to prevent closure 400 becoming separated or lost from the rest of the container system 100.

Container Systems

The present disclosure relates to container systems 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the container systems 100 may be a two-piece container system 100 that comprises a closure 400, as described above, and a container 200. The container system 100 may be adapted for containing any suitable contents, described in more detail below. As used herein, the terms “container” and “container body” are substantially interchangeable when the container system 100 does not include a shroud 300.

The container system 100 or any part thereof, may be formed utilizing any suitable materials. The container 200 may be molded from a suitable plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate. Any suitable polyolefins and/or polyesters may be used. The closure 400 and/or the shroud 300 or portions thereof may be formed partially or wholly of a moldable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitryl butadiene styrene (ABS), polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or elastomer, or a blend of these materials. The closure 400 and shroud 300 may comprise polypropylene.

The container 200 may be formed of a clear, transparent, or semi-transparent material, while the closure 400 is formed of a substantially opaque material. The closure 400 may be translucent. The entire container system 100 (i.e, closure 400, shroud 300 if present, and container body 250) may be formed of substantially opaque materials. The closure 400 and/or shroud 300, when formed of a substantially opaque material, can mask some of the empty volume at the top of the container body 250 when the container body 250 is formed of a clear material.

The materials used to form the container system 100 may have one or more colors. The container body 250, the closure 400, and the shroud 300 (if present) may all of the same color (e.g., all orange or all green). The container body 250 may be a different color than the closure 400 and/or the shroud 300 (if present) (e.g., white container body and blue closure/shroud; or orange tub and silver closure/shroud). The colors may be selected to communicate the origin of the product (e.g., colors associated with the brand or manufacturer), the variant of the product (e.g., floral colors signaling particular perfume scents, or colors associated with a particular benefit or aspect of the contents, such as being free of dyes), or other signals as desired (e.g., seasonal or holiday colors).

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the container 200 may comprise walls that define an interior volume 202. The container 200 may include a bottom wall 210, a front wall 211, a rear wall 212, and two side walls 213, 214. The front wall 211 and rear wall 212 may be relative flat, and the two side walls 213, 214 may be relatively curved, providing a relatively rounded appearance when viewed from the front. The curved side walls 213, 214 may include a flat portion 215, which can be useful to minimize wear-and-tear when two container bodies are touching during transport, storage, and/or display. The container 200 may also include an upper wall 216.

As shown in FIG. 12, the container 200 may have a major horizontal dimension 204, extending from one wall to an opposite wall in the horizontal plane when standing upright. The container 200 may have a minor horizontal dimension 206, extending from one wall to an opposite wall in the horizontal plane when standing upright. The major dimension 204 is typically greater than the minor dimension 206. In the container 200 shown in FIG. 12, the major horizontal dimension 204 is from one side wall 213 to the other side wall 214, specifically as measured at the flat portions 215. In the same container 200, the minor horizontal dimension 206 is from the front wall 211 to the rear wall 212. Typically, when a container 200 is displayed in a retail environment, it is desirable to present the container 200 in such a way so that the consumer is most likely to view a wall that is parallel with the major dimension (here, the front wall 211, or less preferably the rear wall 212), as it tends to provide the most space for communication and/or artwork.

The internal volume 202 may have a volume of at least about 0.5 L, or at least about 1 L, or at least about 2 L, or at least about 3 L, or at least about 4 L, or at least about 5 L, or at least about 6 L. The internal volume may have a volume no more than about 100 L, or no more than about 50 L, or no more than about 10 L, or no more than about 8 L, or no more than about 6 L, or no more than about 5 L, or no more than about 4 L, or no more than about 2 L, or no more than about 1 L.

The interior volume 202 may comprise a composition 500. The composition 500 may be in the form of articles 510. The articles 510 may be sized to fit in an adult human hand. The articles 510 may comprise a water-soluble film 520 that encapsulates the composition in at least one compartment 530, preferably wherein said composition is a household care composition. Compositions 500 are described in more detail below.

The container 200 may include a rim 220 at an upper portion of the container 200. The rim 220 may define a container opening 222. The container opening 222 allows access the interior volume 202.

The container 200 may include a container neck 230 that projects axially upwardly and away from the interior volume 202. The container neck 230 may project upwardly from an upper wall 216 of the container 200. The container neck 230 may terminate with the rim 220.

The container neck 230 may include a complimentary connecting feature 330, such as threads 332 or thread grooves, that can mate with a connecting feature of the closure 400. The inner skirt 470 of the closure 400 may comprise at least one thread 462 that connectably engages with a neck 230 of the container 200.

The container 200 may include handle portions 217, 218. The handle portions 217, 218 may be molded as part of the walls. Such handle portions 217, 218 are useful for picking up the container 200 or holding it with one hand while the other hand is used to rotate the closure 400. The container 200 may include two handle portions 217, 218.

The container 200 may comprise at least a first locking lug 350 configured to engage the first locking tab 480 of the closure 400 when the closure 400 is engaged with the container 200 in a closed position. Typically, the engagement of the first locking lug 350 and the first locking tab 480 prevents the closure 400 from being rotated in an opening direction until the first push pad 430 is pressed radially inward.

The container 200 may comprise a second locking lug 360 configured to engage a second locking tab 490 of the closure 400 when the closure 400 is in the closed position. Typically, the engagement of the second locking lug 360 and the second locking tab 490 prevents the closure 400 from being rotated in an opening direction until the second push pad 440 is pressed radially inward, preferably at the same time as when the first push pad 430 is pressed.

The locking lugs 350, 360 may be located on or adjacent a radius that is substantially parallel to the major dimension of the container 200.

As shown in FIG. 13, the container system 100 may be a three-piece container system 100 that comprises a closure 400 and a container 200, where the container 200 comprises a shroud 300 and a container body 250. The shroud 300 may be connectably engageable with the container body 250. The closure 400 may be connectably engageable with the shroud 300.

The shroud 300 may have a neck 310 extending axially from a shoulder 320 of the shroud 300. The neck 310 may terminate in a rim 314. The rim may define a shroud opening 340. The shroud opening 340 may be larger than an opening 256 on the container body 250.

The shroud 300 may comprise at least the first locking lug 350 configured to engage the first locking tab 480 of the closure 400 when said closure 400 is engaged with the shroud 300 in a closed position, where the engagement of said first locking lug and said first locking tab 480 prevents said closure 400 from being rotated in an opening direction until said first push pad 430 is pressed radially inward. The shroud 300 may comprise the second locking lug 360. The locking lugs 350, 360 may be on a shoulder 320 of the shroud 300, which may be adjacent the opening 340.

The container body 250 may have a rim 254 that defines an opening 256 that provides access to the interior volume 202. The container body 250 may include a neck 252. The neck 252 may include a shroud-connecting feature 232, such as threads, thread grooves, or a rib 233, that can mate with the shroud 300 to attach the shroud 300 to the container body 250.

Compositions

The container systems 100 of the present disclosure may contain any suitable material or composition 500. Typical materials and compositions include, but are not limited to, fabric care treatments, hard surface cleaners, soaps, shampoos, conditioning agents, pesticides, paint, solvents, industrial chemicals, industrial hardware (e.g., nails, screws, etc.), medicines, pills, food, and the like. The material may be water-sensitive material, meaning that the material has a tendency to dissolve or degrade when exposed to liquid water or water vapor.

Non-limiting examples of useful compositions include light duty and heavy duty liquid detergent compositions, hard surface cleaning compositions, detergent gels commonly used for laundry, bleach and laundry additives, shampoos, body washes, and other personal care compositions. Compositions may take the form of a liquid, gel, solid, or mixtures thereof. Liquid compositions may comprise a solid. Solids may include powder or agglomerates, such as micro-capsules, beads, noodles or one or more pearlized balls or mixtures thereof. Such a solid element may provide a technical benefit, through the wash or as a pre-treat, delayed or sequential release component; additionally or alternatively, it may provide an aesthetic effect.

In some aspects, the compositions may comprise one or more of the following non-limiting list of ingredients: opacifier; antioxidant; fabric care benefit agent; detersive enzyme; deposition aid; rheology modifier; builder; bleaching agent; bleach precursor; bleach catalyst; chelant; perfume; whitening agent; pearlescent agent; enzyme stabilizing systems; scavenging agents including fixing agents for anionic dyes, complexing agents for anionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof; optical brighteners or fluorescers; soil release polymers; dispersants; suds suppressors; dyes; colorants; hydrotropes such as toluenesulfonates, cumenesulfonates and naphthalenesulfonates; color speckles; colored beads, spheres or extrudates; clay softening agents. Additionally or alternatively, the compositions may comprise surfactants and/or solvent systems.

The composition may be a flowable composition, such as a free-flowing granular or powder composition. In such cases, the container system 100 may further comprise a scoop adapted to fit into the container system 100 and to scoop the flowable composition.

The container systems 100 described herein are particularly useful for containing compositions in the form of an article 510. The article 510 may be suitable to be grasped by an adult human hand. Such articles 510 may have an article width 512 of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 70 mm, or from about 35 mm to about 55 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 50 mm. If the article 510 is rectangular in shape, the article width 512 is measured as the greatest distance between two parallel sides. When an article has a variable width, the article width is the average of such widths. The article width 512 may be from about 5% to about 90% of the length of the major axis of the container opening 222. Such articles may have a height, of from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, or from about 15 mm to about 70 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 50 mm, or from about 25 mm to about 35 mm. When an article 510 has a variable height, the article height is measured at the maximum height of the article.

Typically, the container systems 100 described herein are useful for containing articles 510 of unitized doses of a composition (e.g., in counts of 50, 66, 77, etc.), typically of a cleaning composition, more typically of a laundry detergent or hard surface treatment composition. FIG. 14 shows an example of a unitized dose article 510. The unitized dose article may be a pouch. The pouch may be formed from a water-soluble film 520, such as a polyvinyl alcohol film, including those available from MonoSol, LLC. The film 520 may encapsulate the composition 500 in a compartment 530. The pouch may comprise a single compartment, or it or may comprise multiple compartments 530, 532, 534. The pouch may contain various compositions, which may be of varying colors that may be seen from outside of the pouch. A multi-compartment pouch may contain the same or different compositions in each separate compartment. The compartments may be side-by-side or superposed, for example one or two smaller compartments 532, 534 superposed on one larger compartment 530. This multi-compartment feature may be utilized to keep compositions containing incompatible ingredients (e.g., bleach and enzymes) physically separated or partitioned from each other. It is believed that such partitioning may expand the useful life and/or decrease physical instability of such ingredients.

The compositions 500 of the unitized dose articles 510 typically have low levels of water. In some aspects, the compositions comprise less than about 50%, or less than about 30%, or less than about 20%, or less than about 15%, or less than about 12%, or less than about 10%, or less than about 8%, or less than 5%, or less than 2% water by weight of the composition. In some aspects, the composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 20%, or from about 1% to about 12%, or from about 5% to about 10% water by weight of the composition.

Closure Systems

The present disclosure relates to closure systems 150. The closure systems 150 may include a shroud 300 and a squeezable closure 400 as described herein. The closure systems 150 are configured to be connectably engageable with a container body 250, or even a variety of container bodies. FIG. 15 shows a closure system 150 according to the present disclosure.

The closure system 150 may include a shroud 300 as described herein. The shroud 300 may be configured to be connectably engageable with a container body 250. The shroud 300 may be configured to be connectably engageable with at least two different container bodies, each container body 250 having a different interior volume 202. The shroud 300 may comprise a shroud opening 340. The shroud opening 340 may be sized to be capable of receiving an adult human hand. The shroud 300 may include at least a first locking lug 350. The shroud 300 may include a second locking lug 360. The locking lugs 350, 360 may be on opposite sides of the shroud opening 340. The locking lugs 350, 360 may be located on a shoulder 320 of the shroud 300, which may be adjacent a neck of the shroud 300. Further details on suitable shrouds 300 are provided above.

The closure system 150 may also include a closure 400. Closures 400 suitable for use in the present closure systems 150 are shown in FIGS. 3-10 and described in detail above. What follows is a brief summary, but is not intended to be limiting.

The closure 400 may be configured to be rotatably connectably engageable with the shroud 300 to close the shroud opening 340 when the closure 400 is engaged with the shroud 300 in a closed position. The closure 400 may include a top wall 410 and an outer skirt 420 depending downwardly from the top wall 410 toward the shroud 300 when the closure 400 is in the closed position.

The outer skirt 420 may include a first push pad 430. When the closure 400 is in the closed position, the closure 400 is prevented from being rotated in an opening direction until the first push pad 430 is pressed radially inward. The outer skirt 420 may further comprise a second push pad 440 (not shown in FIG. 15), which may be circumferentially spaced from the first push pad 430.

The closure 400 may further include an inner skirt 470 (not shown in FIG. 15) depending from the top wall 410. The inner skirt 470 may comprise connecting features configured to allow for selective connectable engagement with a container. Suitable connecting features include threads.

As described above, the inner skirt 470 and the outer skirt 420 may be connected at at least a first intersection point 472. The first intersection point 472 may be circumferentially spaced from the first push pad 430. The inner and outer skirts 470, 420 may further intersect at a second intersection point 473. The second intersection point 473 may be circumferentially spaced from said first push pad 430, and even from a second push pad 440. The first and second intersection points 472, 473 may be diametrically opposed.

The closure 400 may comprise a first locking tab 480 that engages the first locking lug 350 when the closure 400 is in the closed position to prevent rotation of the closure 400 in the opening direction, and where pressing the first push pad 430 radially inward causes the first locking tab 480 to disengage with the first locking lug 350.

Methods Relating to Closures

The present disclosure relates to methods of closing a container with a closure 400. The method may comprise the step of providing a container 200, which may optionally include a contents such as a composition 500 in an interior volume 202, and providing a closure 400 as described herein to the container 200 in a closed position. The closure 400 may be rotated in a closing direction in order to be positioned in the closed position. The closed position may be configured so that at least one of the intersection points 472, 473 is oriented with a minor dimension 206 of the container (e.g., from front to back). The method may further include filling the interior volume 202 of the container 200 with contents such as a composition 500.

The present disclosure also relates to opening a container system 100. The method may include the steps of providing a closed container system 100, where the container system 100 comprises a container 200, optionally with contents in an interior volume 202, and a closure 400, as described herein, in a closed position on the container 200. The method further comprises pressing on one push pad 430, or even two push pads 430, 440, located on an outer skirt 420 of the closure 400 to depress them radially inward, thereby disengaging locking tabs 480, 490 on the closure 400 from locking lugs 350, 360 located on the container. While the locking tabs 480, 490 are disengaged from the locking lugs 350, 360, the closure 400 may be removed from the container, for example by rotating the closure 400 in an opening direction.

More details on container systems 100, containers 200, container bodies 250, shrouds 300, closures 400, and compositions 500, such as unit dose articles 510, suitable for the methods described herein are provided above.

Combinations

Specifically contemplated combinations of the disclosure are herein described in the following lettered paragraphs. These combinations are intended to be illustrative in nature and are not intended to be limiting.

A. A closure 400 comprising: a top wall 410, an inner skirt 470 depending from said top wall 410, said inner skirt 470 comprising connecting features configured to allow for selective connectable engagement with a container; an outer skirt 420 depending from said top wall 410 and located radially outward from said inner skirt 470, said outer skirt 420 comprising at least a first push pad 430 and at least a first locking tab 480, wherein pressing said first push pad 430 radially inward causes said first locking tab 480 to move from a first position to a second position; wherein said inner skirt 470 and said outer skirt 420 are connected at at least a first intersection point that is circumferentially spaced from said first push pad 430.

B. A closure 400 according to paragraph A, wherein said outer skirt 420 further comprises a second push pad 440.

C. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-B, wherein said first push pad 430 is circumferentially spaced about 45° to about 180°, preferably from about 90° to about 180°, more preferably about 180° apart from said second push pad 440.

D. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-C, wherein said outer skirt 420 further comprises a second locking tab 490.

E. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-D, wherein said first locking tab 480 is substantially in radial alignment with said first push pad 430, and wherein said second locking tab 490 is substantially in radial alignment with said second push pad 440.

F. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-E, wherein said outer skirt 420 further comprises a second locking tab 490.

G. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-F, wherein said inner skirt 470 and said outer skirt 420 are additionally connected at at least a second intersection point 473 that is circumferentially spaced from said first push pad 430 and said first intersection point 472.

H. A closure 400 according to paragraph G, wherein said first intersection point 472 is diametrically opposed to said second intersection point 473.

I. A closure 400 according to any of paragraphs G-H, wherein said outer skirt 420 comprises a second push pad 440, wherein said first intersection point 472 is circumferentially spaced between said first and second push pads 430, 440, and wherein said second intersection point 473 is circumferentially spaced between said first and second push pads 430, 440.

J. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-I, wherein said first locking tab 480 is substantially in radial alignment with said first push pad 430.

K. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-J, wherein said first intersection point 472 is circumferentially spaced from about 45° to about 135°, preferably about 90°, from said first push pad 430.

L. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-K, wherein said first push pad 430 comprises a panel formed by at least one slot 434 in said skirt, preferably two slots 434, 435.

M. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph L, wherein said slot 434, 435 is a longitudinal slot extending from a lower edge 422 of said skirt 420 toward said top wall 410.

N. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-M, wherein said top wall 410 has a major axis 415 of a first length and a minor axis 416 of a second length, therein said first length is greater than said second length.

0. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-N, wherein said first push pad 430 is, preferably said first and second push pads are, located along the major axis 415.

P. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-O, wherein said first intersection point 472 is, preferably said first and second intersection points 472, 473 are, located along the minor axis 416.

Q. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-P, wherein the major axis 415 of the top wall 410 has a length of from about 70 mm to 130 mm, or from about 80 mm to about 120 mm, or from about 90 mm to about 110 mm, or from about 95 mm to about 105 mm, or about 100 mm.

R. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-Q, wherein the top wall 410 has an area of increased thickness 417 compared to a region 418 of the top wall 410 away from the area 417.

S. A closure 400 according to any of paragraph A-R, wherein the area of increased thickness 417 is located along a major dimension 415 of said top wall 410, along an axis connecting the press pads, adjacent a perimeter of said inner skirt 470, or combinations thereof.

T. A container system 100 comprising: a container 200, and a closure 400 according to any of paragraphs A-S that is connectably engageable with said container 200.

U. A container system 100 according to paragraph T, wherein said container 200 comprises at least a first locking lug 350 configured to engage said first locking tab 480 of said closure 400 when said closure 400 is engaged with said container 200 in a closed position, wherein said engagement of said first locking lug 350 and said first locking tab 480 prevents said closure 400 from being rotated in an opening direction until said first push pad 430 is pressed radially inward.

V. A container system 100 according to any of paragraphs T-U, wherein said container 200 comprises a second locking lug 360 configured to engage a second locking tab 490 of said closure 400 when said closure 400 is in said closed position, wherein said engagement of said second locking lug 360 and said second locking tab 490 prevents said closure 400 from being rotated in an opening direction until said second push pad 440 is pressed radially inward, preferably at the same time as when the first push pad 430 is pressed.

W. A container system 100 according to any of paragraphs T-V, wherein said container 200 comprises a container body 250 and a shroud 300 connectably engageable with said container body 250, and said closure 400 is connectably engageable with said shroud 300.

X. A container system 100 according to paragraph W, wherein said shroud 300 comprises at least a first locking lug 350 configured to engage said first locking tab 480 of said closure 400 when said closure 400 is engaged with said shroud 300 in a closed position, wherein said engagement of said first locking lug 350 and said first locking tab 480 prevents said closure 400 from being rotated in an opening direction until said first push pad 430 is pressed radially inward.

Y. A container system 100 according to any of paragraphs T-X, wherein said inner skirt 470 of said closure 400 comprises at least one thread 462 that connectably engages with a threaded neck 230 of the container 200.

Z. A container system 100 according to any of paragraphs T-Y, wherein said container 200 comprises an interior volume 202 that comprises a composition 500, preferably a composition in the form of articles 510, more preferably articles sized to fit in an adult human hand.

AA. A container system 100 according to paragraph Z, wherein said composition 500 is in the form of articles 510, wherein said articles comprise a water-soluble film 520 that encapsulates said composition 500 in at least one compartment 530, preferably wherein said composition is a household care composition.

BB. A closure according to any of paragraphs A-AA, wherein the closure is characterized by at least one of the following:

• • a) the major axis 415 of the top wall 410 has a length of from about 70 mm to 130 mm, or from about 80 mm to about 120 mm, or from about 90 mm to about 110 mm, or from about 95 mm to about 105 mm, or about 100 mm;
  • b) the minor axis 416 of the top wall 410 has a length of from about 50 mm to about 120 mm, or from about 70 mm to about 110 mm, or from about 80 mm to about 100 mm, or about 90 mm.
  • c) the ratio of the major axis 415 to the minor axis 416 of the top wall 410 is from about 2:1, or from about 1.5:1, or from about 1.3:1, or from about 1.2:1, or from about 1.15:1, to about 1:1;
  • d) the height 452 of the closure is from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, or from 7 mm to about 30 mm, or from about 8 mm to about 25 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 20 mm;
  • e) the ratio of closure height 452 to the major axis 415 of the closure's top wall 410 is from about 10:1 to about 1:15, or from about 5:1 to about 1:12, or from about 1:1 to about 1:10, or from about 1:5 to about 1:10, or from about 1:8 to about 1:10;
  • f) the span length 427 is from about 50 mm, or from about 70 mm, or from about 90 mm, or from about 105 mm, to about 150 mm, or to about 130 mm, or to about 120 mm, or to about 115 mm or to about 110 mm; or
  • g) any combination of a)-f).

EXAMPLES

Example 1

A three-piece container system is provided with a closure with two push pads, a shroud, and a container body with molded handles. The top wall of the closure has a major axis of length of about 10 cm and a minor axis of a length of about 9 cm. The height of the closure is about 1 cm. The span length of the closure is from about 11 cm. The shroud has a circular shroud opening having a diameter/major axis length of about 9 cm. The opening of the container body has a major axis of length about 12 cm and a minor axis of length of about 9 cm. The container body has a major dimension of about 21 cm and a minor dimension of about 11 cm. The container system includes unitized dose articles containing laundry detergent, such as those sold under the trade name of TIDE PODS (available from The Procter & Gamble Company).

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A closure configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis, the closure comprising:

a top wall,

an inner skirt depending from said top wall, said inner skirt comprising connecting features configured to allow for selective connectable engagement with a container;

an outer skirt depending from said top wall and located radially outward from said inner skirt, said outer skirt comprising at least a first push pad and at least a first locking tab, wherein pressing said first push pad radially inward causes said first locking tab to move from a first position to a second position, said outer skirt further comprising a second push pad;

wherein said inner skirt and said outer skirt are connected at at least a first intersection point that is circumferentially spaced from said first push pad,

wherein the top wall has an area of increased thickness compared to a region of the top wall away from the area, wherein the area of increased thickness is a continuous area of increased thickness along an axis connecting the first and second push pads, and wherein the area of increased thickness is continuous at least to the rotation axis.

2. (canceled)

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said first push pad is circumferentially spaced about 45° to about 180° apart from said second push pad.

4. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said outer skirt further comprises a second locking tab.

5. The closure according to claim 4, wherein said first locking tab is substantially in radial alignment with said first push pad, and wherein said second locking tab is substantially in radial alignment with said second push pad.

6. (canceled)

7. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said inner skirt and said outer skirt are additionally connected at at least a second intersection point that is circumferentially spaced from said first push pad and said first intersection point.

8. The closure according to claim 7, wherein said first intersection point is diametrically opposed to said second intersection point.

9. The closure according to claim 7, wherein said first intersection point is circumferentially spaced between said first and second push pads, and wherein said second intersection point is circumferentially spaced between said first and second push pads.

10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said first locking tab is substantially in radial alignment with said first push pad.

11. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said first intersection point is circumferentially spaced from about 45° to about 135° from said first push pad.

12. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said first push pad comprises a panel formed by at least one slot in said outer skirt.

13. The closure according to claim 12, wherein said slot is a longitudinal slot extending from a lower edge of said outer skirt toward said top wall.

14. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said top wall has a major axis of a first length and a minor axis of a second length, therein said first length is greater than said second length.

15. The closure according to claim 14, wherein said first push pad is located along the major axis of the top wall.

16. The closure according to claim 14, wherein said first intersection point is located along the minor axis of the top wall.

17. The closure according to claim 14, wherein said first length is from about 70 mm to 130 mm.

18. (canceled)

19. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the area of increased thickness is located along a major dimension of said top wall, adjacent a perimeter of said inner skirt, or combinations thereof.

20. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the closure is characterized by at least one of the following:

a) a major axis of the top wall has a length of from about 70 mm to 130 mm;

b) a minor axis of the top wall has a length of from about 50 mm to about 120 mm;

c) a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the top wall is from about 2:1 to about 1:1;

d) a height of the closure is from about 5 mm to about 50 mm;

e) a ratio of closure height to the major axis of the closure's top wall is from about 10:1 to about 1:15;

f) a span length is from about 50 mm to about 130 mm; or

g) any combination of a)-f).

21. A container system comprising:

a container, and

the closure according to claim 1 that is connectably engageable with said container.

22. The container system according to claim 21, wherein said container comprises at least a first locking lug configured to engage said first locking tab of said closure when said closure is engaged with said container in a closed position, wherein said engagement of said first locking lug and said first locking tab prevents said closure from being rotated in an opening direction until said first push pad is pressed radially inward.

23. The container system according to claim 22, wherein said container comprises a second locking lug configured to engage a second locking tab of said closure when said closure is in said closed position, wherein said engagement of said second locking lug and said second locking tab prevents said closure from being rotated in the opening direction until said second push pad is pressed radially inward.

24. The container system according to claim 23, wherein said container comprises a container body and a shroud connectably engageable with said container body, and said closure is connectably engageable with said shroud.

25. The container system according to claim 24, wherein said shroud comprises at least said first locking lug configured to engage said first locking tab of said closure when said closure is engaged with said shroud in a closed position, wherein said engagement of said first locking lug and said first locking tab prevents said closure from being rotated in an opening direction until said first push pad is pressed radially inward.

26. The container system according to claim 21, wherein said inner skirt of said closure comprises at least one thread that connectably engages with a neck of the container.

27. The container system according to claim 21, wherein said container comprises an interior volume that comprises a composition, wherein said composition is in the form of articles, wherein said articles comprise a water-soluble film that encapsulates said composition in at least one compartment.