CONTAINERS

Abstract

Container systems having an outwardly extending ledge. Container systems and methods related thereto.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to containers, container systems, and methods related thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Robots are commonly used to grab, lift, and move packages such as rigid tubs. For example, a robot may have arms that grip a tub by squeezing the walls and then lifting it, for example from one conveyor belt to another, or to secondary packaging such as a crate, pallet, or cardboard box in anticipation of storage and/or shipping.

Gripping a tub with the use of a squeezing force, however, presents certain challenges. For example, it may be difficult for the robot to get a secure, consistent grip, particularly on tubs with smooth walls. Specially-made grippers can be attached to robot arms to improve gripping capabilities, but such grippers can be expensive. Additionally, the use of such gripping forces may deform the tub, which may further damage fragile materials held therein. For example, liquid-filled pouches held in the container may burst when excessive squeezing forces are applied. Gripping forces may also damage the container quality, for example by creating stress marks, which can negatively affect the aesthetics of the container.

There is a need for improved containers capable of being lifted by robot arms, particularly when those containers contain fragile materials, such as liquid-filled pouches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to containers, container systems, and methods related thereto.

The present disclosure relates to a container that includes a bottom wall and at least one side wall having a proximal end joined to the bottom wall to define a storage space, the at least one side wall having an distal end that defines an opening about a central axis, the opening allowing access to the storage space, the at least one side wall having an interior surface facing the storage space and an exterior surface located opposite the interior surface; the container further comprising a ledge that projects radially outward from the exterior surface of the at least one side wall, the ledge having a bottom side that faces a plane formed by the bottom wall, a proximal end near the at least one side wall, and a distal end away from the at least one side wall, the ledge having at least two portions having a major depth and at least two portions having a minor depth, where the ratio of the major depth to the minor depth is at least about 1.5:1, where depth is measured orthogonally from the wall along the bottom side of the ledge from the proximal end to the distal end of the ledge.

The present disclosure also relates to a container system, wherein the container system includes a container as described herein, and a closure system connectable to the container system. The container system may further include unitized dose articles, where water-soluble film encapsulates a composition in at least one compartment; the composition in the at least one compartment may include a liquid.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of moving a container, the method including the steps of providing a container as described herein and lifting the container by providing an upward force on the bottom side of the ledge at the at least two portions of the ledge that have the major depth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a container according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a container according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a container according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of the container of FIG. 2, taken at line A-A.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of a corner of a container according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section view of a corner of a container according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a container system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a unitized dose article.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of a plurality of container systems on a belt.

FIG. 11 shows a plurality of container systems that are lifted by robot arms.

FIG. 12 shows a portion of a cross-sectional view of the container system and robot arms of FIG. 11, viewed at line X-X.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to containers, container systems, and related methods. Specifically, the containers of the present disclosure include a ledge that projects radially outward from an exterior surface of at least one side wall. The ledge has a variable depth, including a major depth and a minor depth. The ledge, particularly the portions of the ledge of the major depth, provide a suitable surface upon which an upward force may be applied to lift the tub without having to provide any significant squeezing force.

Furthermore, containers such as those described herein are often loaded onto a pallet or into a box for transport and/or storage. A ledge having a constantly large depth all the way around the container means that the footprint would also be relatively large, while limiting the size of the container opening and/or the internal volume of the container. A container having a ledge of variable depth may provide a desirable balance of “liftability” while maintaining a relatively large opening and/or internal volume.

The containers, container systems, and related methods are described 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.

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.

Containers

The present disclosure relates to containers 200. The containers 200 may be suitable for containing any suitable material, described in more detail. The containers 200 may have any size or shape suitable for their intended use.

The container 200 may be made of a rigid material. Such materials are self-supporting but may still be able to flex. 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 container 200 may be formed of a clear, transparent, or semi-transparent material.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the containers 200 of the present disclosure comprise a bottom wall 220. The containers further comprise at least one side wall 222, 223, 224, 225. The containers may comprise a front wall 224, a rear wall 225, and two side walls 222, 223. The container may have a single side wall, e.g., in the shape of a cylinder. The at least one side wall (e.g., the front, rear, and side walls 222, 223, 224, 225) may have a proximal end 227 joined to the bottom wall 220. Any of the walls 222, 223, 224, 225 may be substantially flat, or they may be curved, for example, convexly curved.

In combination, the walls 220, 222, 223, 224, 225 may define a storage space 210. The walls (e.g., the at least one side wall, the bottom wall 220, and or the front, rear, and side walls 222, 223, 224, 225) may each independently have an interior surface 236 facing the storage space 210 and an exterior surface 237 located opposite the interior surface 236 and/or facing away from the storage space 210. The storage space 210 may have any suitable volume, for example, from about 300 mL, or from about 500 mL or from about 750 mL, or from about 1 L, to about 5 L, or to about 4 L, or to about 3 L, or to about 2 L, or to about 1.5 L.

The at least one side wall (e.g., the front, rear, and side walls 222, 223, 224, 225) may include a distal end 226. The distal end 226 may define an opening 240 of the container 200 around a central axis 202. The opening 240 may allow access to the storage space 210. The opening 240 may be of any size or shape suitable for its intended purpose. Larger openings may be desirable for ease of filling the container 200 with contents, such as consumer products.

The container 200 may include a ledge 270. The ledge 270 may project radially outward from the exterior surface 237 of the at least one side wall, preferably from at least the front, rear, and side walls 222, 223, 224, 225, away from the central axis 202.

As described above, the ledge 270 may provide a surface by which the container may be lifted so that it does not need to be significantly squeezed during the lifting process. Additionally, the ledge 270 may act as a bumper to absorb impact, for example, from other containers or equipment during filling, packing, and/or transport processes. However, when the ledge 270 is relatively large throughout its entire length, the ledge 270 may be prone to breakage and/or inefficient storage due to its relatively large footprint. Therefore, the ledges 270 of the containers of the present disclosure typically have a variable depth, which may provide a desirable balance of liftability while maintaining a relatively large opening and/or internal volume. As described below, the ledge 270 may be characterized by a minor depth 274 and a major depth 275.

The ledge 270 may have a bottom surface 284 that faces a plane formed by the bottom wall 220 (e.g., axially downward). The ledge 270 may have a proximal end 271 disposed near and/or connected to the at least one side wall 224. The ledge 270 may have a distal end 272 disposed away from the at least one side wall 224 and/or opposite the proximal end 271. The ledge 270 may be substantially parallel to the bottom wall 220 and/or the plane formed by the distal ends 226 of the walls 222, 223, 224, 225 that define the opening 240.

The ledge 270 may be continuous or discontinuous about the container 200. A substantially continuous ledge 270, which may have small breaks in it, may be preferable to individual projections in order to better buffer against impacts, or for aesthetic reasons. The ledge 270 may substantially encircle the opening 240. The ledge 270 may continuously encircle the opening 240.

The container 200 may include minor walls 286. The minor walls 286 typically have less surface area than, for example, the front and rear walls 224, 225, or even than the side walls 222, 223. The minor walls 286 may or may not extend the entire axial length of the container 200, for example from opening 240 to the bottom wall 220. The minor walls 286 may be disposed between at least a portion of the front wall 224 and one or more side walls 222, 223. The minor walls 286 may be disposed between at least a portion of the rear wall 225 and one or more side walls 223, 224. The minor walls 286 may be substantially flat (i.e., substantially neither concave nor convex). The minor walls 286 may be substantially concave, extending inwardly towards the storage space 240 and/or central axis 202. The minor walls 286 can help to align the containers 200 when they are being stacked or unstacked. The minor walls 286 can also be formed and located to provide greater or smaller depths to the ledge 270. For example, when a minor wall 286 is placed relatively inward to the distal end 272 of the ledge 270, the depth of the ledge 270 is relatively greater, thereby providing a larger surface for lifting.

The ledge 270 may comprise a top surface 285 disposed opposite the bottom surface 286 of the ledge 270. The container 200 may comprise a rim 232 that extends upwardly away from the top surface 285 of the ledge 270.

As shown in FIG. 3, the container may include support walls 260 or buttresses which can help to add support to the container. The support walls 260 may extend inwards from the walls 222, 223, 224, 225 into the storage space 240 and may be joined to the bottom wall 210.

The container 200 may include connecting features 250 that facilitate connection of a closure system 110 to the container body 200. The connecting structures 250 may be selected from a rib, a bead, a thread, a tab, a slot, or combinations thereof. The connecting feature 250 may be a slot 252, which may be configured to receive a tab 332 located on the frame 300 or lid 104. The container 200 may comprise a plurality of connecting features 250. The plurality may include connecting features 250 having different sizes.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of connecting features 250 may include a plurality of slots 252, 253. The plurality of slots 252, 253 may include at least one major slot 252 and at least one minor slot 253, where the major slot 252 is larger than the at least one minor slot 253. The slots 252, 253 may be located near or on the ledge 270. It may be beneficial to locate a connecting feature 250 such as a slot, particularly a major slot 252, at a portion of the ledge 270 having the major depth 275, where there is more space to accommodate such a feature.

The container 200 may comprise a plurality of major slots 252, such as at least two, at least three, or at least four major slots 252. The major slots 252 may substantially be located at corners of the container 200. The container 200 may comprise a plurality of minor slots 253, such as least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, or at least eight, or at least nine minor slots 253. Typically, the closure system will be attached more securely to the container 200 as the number of slots 252, 253 increases.

A closure system 110 may be connected to the container 200 via other means, which may not include a connecting feature. For example, a closure system 110 may be connected to the container by welding, for example ultrasonic welding, or by an adhesive.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the container 200 taken at line A-A of FIG. 2 and viewed from the bottom of the container 200 towards the bottom side of the ledge 270. As described above, the ledge 270 may be characterized by its depth. The depth of the ledge 270 is measured orthogonally from the wall, along the bottom side of the ledge 270, from the proximal end 271 of the ledge 270 to the distal end 272 of the ledge 270. The ledge 270 may have a variable depth at different portions, where a first portion of the ledge 270 has a first depth and a second portion of the ledge 270 has a second depth that is different from the first depth. The ledge 270 may be characterized by a major depth 275. The ledge 270 may be characterized by a minor depth 274. The ledge 270 may have a variable depth that includes a major depth 275 and a minor depth 274. The major depth 275 is greater than the minor depth 274.

The major depth 275 may be from about 5 mm to about 30 mm. The minor depth 274 is from about 1 mm to about 15 mm. The ratio of the major depth 275 to the minor depth 274 may be at least about 1.5:1, or at least about 2:1, or at least about 2.5:1.

The ledge 270 may have at least two portions, or at least three portions, or at least four portions, having the major depth 275. More portions having a major depth 275 may provide more lifting points or more flexibility for the configuration of a lifting apparatus. The portions having the major depths 275 may be at or near the corners 280 of the container 200. The portions of the ledge 270 having the major depths 275 may include slots, such as major slots 252.

As shown in FIG. 5, a cross-section of the container 200 taken near the opening 240 may have a shape that is substantially octagonal. The container 200 may have minor walls 286 disposed near the portions of the ledge 270 characterized by having the major depth 275. At least two portions, or at least four portions, of the ledge 270 having the major depth 275 may be disposed near minor walls 286. The outer periphery 234 of the ledge 270 has a relatively smooth, consistent shape, while the periphery 238 formed by the walls of the container 200 varies between being flat or convex (e.g., the front, rear, and side walls) and flat (e.g., the minor walls).

As shown in FIG. 5, the minor walls 286 may be flat. FIG. 6 shows a detail of a cross-section of a container 200 according to the present disclosure (viewed similarly to FIG. 5), where the minor walls extend inwardly towards the storage space of the container in a substantially L-shaped in-cut at a corner portion. FIG. 7 shows a detail of a cross-section of a container 200 according to the present disclosure (viewed similarly to FIG. 5), where the minor walls extend inwardly towards the storage space of the container in a substantially concave manner at a corner portion.

The present disclosure further relates to arrays of containers. The array may comprise a plurality of containers. The containers may be of different sizes and/or shapes. However, each container of the plurality comprises an identical ledge as described herein. The array may comprise a first container and a second container, wherein the first and second containers have different sizes and/or shapes, and wherein the first and second containers have identical ledges, as described herein. Having identical ledges across a plurality of otherwise different containers allows for the same lifting means, e.g., robot arms, to be used to lift the plurality of containers, simplifying the manufacturing, filling, and/or transport processes. Identical ledges and/or openings may allow for the same lids and/or closure systems to be used across a variety of container types. Finally, as the ledge extends from the container, the ledge often provides the largest footprint of the tub; therefore, having identical ledges and/or upper portions of the container allows for consistency in packing and/or transport operations (e.g., in a box, on a pallet, or in a truck) across different container types, as the footprint of the containers will remain constant regardless of, e.g., container shape below the ledge.

Container Systems

The present disclosure also relates to container systems. As shown in FIG. 8, the container systems 100 of the present disclosure may include a container 200 as described herein, and a closure system 110. The closure system 110 may be connectable to the container 200. The closure system 110 may have a closed position in which the closure system 110 covers the opening 240 of the container 200, preventing access to the storage space 210 therein. The closure system 110 may be moveable from the closed position to an open position, where the opening 240 is substantially uncovered to allow access to the storage space 210.

The closure system 110 may include a frame 200 and a lid 104. The frame 300 may be connectable to the container 200. The frame 300 may have connecting structures that are complimentarily engageable with the connecting features of the container. For example, the frame 300 may include tabs that are engageable with slots 252, 253 on the container 200.

The lid 104 may be hingeably connected to the frame 300 and may swing on a hinge 120 from a closed position to an open position.

The frame 300 and/or lid 1-4 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 frame 300 and/or lid 104 may be formed of a substantially opaque material. The entire container system 100 may be formed of substantially opaque materials. The materials used to form the container system 100 may have one or more colors. The container body 200, frame 300, and/or lid 104 may all of the same color (e.g., all orange or all green). The lid 104 may have a major color and a minor color. The lid 104 may comprise a first portion 400 (e.g., a dial) of a first color and a second portion 500 (e.g., a cover) of a second color. The first and second colors may be different, which may help to make the first portion 400 or portions thereof (e.g., push pads 410, 411) stand out visually.

The closure system 110 may comprise a locking system. When the locking system 140 is engaged, the closure system 110 is retained in the closed position. When the locking system 140 is not engaged (e.g., moved from an engaged position to a disengaged position), the closure system 110 can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

The closure system 110 may require a rotation action in order to disengage the locking system. The first portion 400 (e.g., a dial) may be rotated relative to the second portion 500 (e.g., a cover). The rotation action may disengage a latch from a catch. The latch may be located on the lid 104, for example on the first portion 400; the catch may be located on the frame 300. The catch may instead be located on the container 200.

The closure system 110 may require a pressing action in order to disengage the locking system. The locking system may comprise a push pad 410, preferably at least two push pads 410, 411, that must be pressed in order to disengage the locking system. The push pads 410, 411 may need to be pressed radially inward in order to disengage the locking system. Pressing on the pads 410, 411 may disengage the locking system directly, or it may enable a section action, for example rotation, that will disengage the locking system.

The locking system may require both a pressing action and a rotation action in order to disengage the locking system. For example, pressing on push pads 410, 411, for example radially inward, may enable them to clear a notch or other blocking structure of the closure system that would otherwise block rotation; however, once moved clear of the notch or blocking structure, the locking system may be rotated, which may disengage a latch from a catch, thereby allowing the at least a portion of closure system 100, e.g., the lid 104, to be moved to the open position.

The container system 100 may further comprise any suitable material or composition in the storage space. For example, the container system 100 may comprise a household care composition. The container system 100 may comprise unitized dose articles 600, where water-soluble film encapsulates a composition in at least one compartments. The composition in the at least one compartment may comprise a liquid. Suitable materials and compositions are described in more detail below.

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. The material may be a consumer product, preferably a household care product, preferably a cleaning composition, more preferably a cleaning composition in the form of a unitized dose article.

Non-limiting examples of useful compositions include light duty and heavy duty liquid detergent compositions, hard surface cleaning compositions (such as dish care compositions, including compositions intended for use in an automatic dishwashing machine), 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, a unitized dose article, 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; corrosion inhibitors and/or anti-tarnish agents; rinse aids. Additionally, or alternatively, the compositions may comprise surfactants and/or solvent systems.

The composition may be a flowable composition that can be scooped, such as a free-flowing granular or powdered 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 scoopable composition.

The container systems 100 described herein are particularly useful for containing compositions in the form of an article 600. FIG. 9 shows an example of a unitized dose article 600. The article 600 may be suitable to be grasped by an adult human hand. Such articles 600 may have an article width 602 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 600 is rectangular in shape, the article width 602 is measured as the greatest distance between two parallel sides. When an article 600 has a variable width, the article width 602 is the average of such widths. Such articles 600 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 600 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 600 of unitized doses of a composition (e.g., in counts of 15, 25, 50, 66, 77, etc.), typically of a cleaning composition, more typically of a laundry detergent or hard surface treatment composition. The unitized dose article 600 may be a pouch. The pouch may be formed from a water-soluble film 620, such as a polyvinyl alcohol film, including those available from MonoSol, LLC. The film 620 may encapsulate the composition in a compartment. The pouch may comprise a single compartment, or it or may comprise multiple compartments 630, 640, 650.

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 640, 650 superposed on one larger compartment 630. 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 of the unitized dose articles 600 typically have low levels of water. In some aspects, the compositions 600 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 600. In some aspects, the composition 600 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 600.

Methods

The present disclosure relates to methods of moving containers 200. The method can include the steps of providing a container as described herein and lifting the container by providing an upward force on the bottom side of the ledge 270 at the at least two portions of the ledge 270 that have the major depth.

As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the upward force may be provided by robot arms 800. The robot arms 800 may be shaped to be complimentary to the particular shape of the container 200 and/or container system 100. The robot arms 800 may include projections 805 that are complementary to the portions of the ledge 270 that have the major depth 275. The robot arms 800 may be in communication, wired or wirelessly, with a processing unit that provides instructions to the robot arms. A user may provide instructions to the processing unit. The robot arms 800 may be configured to lift or otherwise move a plurality of containers 200, such as containers in a stack or containers that are side-by-side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the container system(s) 100 and/or container(s) 200 may be lifted from a belt 810, which may be moving in a machine direction MD. At the approximate time that the projections 805 of the robot arms 800 are aligned with the portions of the ledge 270 that are characterized by the major depth 275, the robot arms 800 may move in a direction F towards the container system 100 and/or container 200.

As shown in FIG. 11, the robot arms 800 have moved towards the container systems 100, and the projections 805 are nested under the portions of the ledge 270 that are characterized by the major depth 275.

FIG. 12 shows a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 of the container system and robot arms, taken at line X-X of FIG. 11. The container system 100 includes a container body 200, a closure system 110 that includes a frame 300, and at least one unit dose article 600 residing in the storage volume 210 of the container 200. The projection 805 of the robot arm 800 is below the ledge 270 having the major depth. The robot arm 800 lifts the container by moving in the direction shown by arrow U. Notably, little if any force squeezes the container 200. Instead, the lifting force of the robot arms 800 primarily opposes gravity and the weight of the container system.

A plurality of containers may be provided, for example in a stack. One container may be nested in another. The container may be a first container lifted or unstacked from a second container, or from a stack of containers. The container may be a first container placed onto a second container, or onto a stack of containers. The process may comprise lifting a stack of containers, for example, where the robot arms 800 provide the lifting force to the container 200 at the bottom of the stack.

The container 200 may be part of a container system 100, which may include materials such as unitized dose articles 600 that include a liquid composition, as described herein. The lifting step may occur before, during, or after placing materials in the storage space of the container. A first container system may be placed onto a second container system.

The method may further include the step of placing the container 200 or container system 100 into or onto a secondary packaging unit 820, which may be used for storing and/or transporting a plurality of containers or container systems. The secondary packaging unit 820 may include a pallet, a crate, a cardboard box, or combinations thereof. The containers 200 may be placed into a secondary packaging unit 820 in a side-loading fashion and/or a top-loading fashion. A plurality of containers 200 may be placed into the secondary packaging unit 820 at a time.

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 container comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall having a proximal end joined to the bottom wall to define a storage space, the at least one side wall having an distal end that defines an opening about a central axis, the opening allowing access to the storage space, the at least one side wall having an interior surface facing the storage space and an exterior surface located opposite the interior surface; the container further comprising a ledge that projects radially outward from the exterior surface of the at least one side wall, the ledge having a bottom side that faces a plane formed by the bottom wall, a proximal end near the at least one side wall, and a distal end away from the at least one side wall, the ledge having at least two portions having a major depth and at least two portions having a minor depth, where the ratio of the major depth to the minor depth is at least about 1.5:1, where depth is measured orthogonally from the wall along the bottom side of the ledge from the proximal end to the distal end of the ledge.

B. A container according to paragraph A, wherein the container comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls.

C. A container according to any of paragraphs A-B, wherein the ledge is at the distal end of the at least one side wall.

D. A container system according to any of paragraphs A-C, wherein the ledge substantially encircles the opening.

E. A container system according to any of paragraphs A-D, wherein the ledge continuously encircles the opening.

F. A container system according to any of paragraphs A-E, wherein the ledge comprises a top surface opposite the bottom surface of the ledge, where a rim extends upwardly away from the top surface of the ledge.

G. A container system according to any of paragraphs A-F, wherein the ratio of the major depth to the minor depth is at least about 2:1, or at least about 2.5:1.

H. A container according to any of paragraphs A-G, wherein the major depth is from about 5 mm to about 30 mm.

I. A container according to any of paragraphs A-H, wherein the minor depth is from about 1 mm to about 15 mm.

J. A container according to any of paragraphs A-I, wherein the ledge has at least four portions having the major depth.

K. A container according to any of paragraphs A-J, wherein a cross-section of the container taken near the opening has a shape that is substantially octagonal.

L. A container according to any of paragraphs A-K, wherein minor walls are disposed between the front and side walls, and between the rear and side walls.

M. A container according to paragraph L, wherein the minor walls are substantially flat.

N. A container according to paragraph L, wherein the minor walls are substantially concave.

O. A container according to paragraph L, wherein the at least two portions having the major depth are disposed near the minor walls.

P. A container according to any of paragraphs A-O, wherein the ledge comprises at least one slot.

Q. A container system, wherein the container system comprises a container according to any of paragraphs A-P, and a closure system connectable to the container system.

R. A container system according to any of paragraphs A-Q, wherein the closure system comprises a frame and a lid.

S. A container system according to paragraph R, wherein the container system further comprises a household care composition.

T. A container system according to any of paragraphs R-S, wherein the container system further comprises unitized dose articles, wherein water-soluble film encapsulates a composition in at least one compartment.

U. A container system according to any of paragraphs R-T, wherein the composition in the at least one compartment comprises a liquid.

V. A method of moving a container, the method comprising the steps of: providing a container according to any of paragraphs A-U; lifting the container by providing an upward force on the bottom side of the ledge at the at least two portions of the ledge that have the major depth.

W. A method according to paragraph V, wherein the upward force is provided by robot arms.

X. A method according to any of paragraphs V-W, wherein the method further comprises placing the container into or onto a secondary packaging unit.

Y. A method according to any of paragraphs V-X, wherein the container is a first container, and wherein the method further comprises stacking the first container on a second container.

Z. A method according to any of paragraphs V-Y, wherein the container is a first container in a stack of containers, and wherein the method further comprises lifting the first container from the stack.

AA. An array of containers comprising a first container and a second container, the first container being according any of the containers of A-Z, wherein the first and second containers have different sizes and/or shapes, and wherein the first and second containers have identical ledges.

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 container comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall having a proximal end joined to the bottom wall to define a storage space, the at least one side wall having an distal end that defines an opening about a central axis, the opening allowing access to the storage space,

the at least one side wall having an interior surface facing the storage space and an exterior surface located opposite the interior surface;

the container further comprising a ledge that projects radially outward from the exterior surface of the at least one side wall, the ledge having a bottom side that faces a plane formed by the bottom wall, a proximal end near the at least one side wall, and a distal end away from the at least one side wall, the ledge having at least two portions having a major depth and at least two portions having a minor depth, where the ratio of the major depth to the minor depth is at least about 1.5:1, where depth is measured orthogonally from the wall along the bottom side of the ledge from the proximal end to the distal end of the ledge.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the ledge is at the distal end of the at least one side wall.

4. A container system according to claim 1, wherein the ledge substantially encircles the opening.

5. A container system according to claim 4, wherein the ledge continuously encircles the opening.

6. A container system according to claim 1, wherein the ledge comprises a top surface opposite the bottom surface of the ledge, where a rim extends upwardly away from the top surface of the ledge.

7. A container system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the major depth to the minor depth is at least about 2:1.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the major depth is from about 5 mm to about 30 mm.

9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the minor depth is from about 1 mm to about 15 mm.

10. A container according to claim 1, wherein the ledge has at least four portions having the major depth.

11. A container according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the container taken near the opening has a shape that is substantially octagonal.

12. A container according to claim 1, wherein minor walls are disposed between the front and side walls, and between the rear and side walls.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein the minor walls are substantially concave.

14. A container according to claim 12, wherein the at least two portions having the major depth are disposed near the minor walls.

15. A container according to claim 1, wherein the ledge comprises at least one slot.

16. A container system, wherein the container system comprises

a container according to claim 1, and

a closure system connectable to the container system.

17. A container system according to claim 16, wherein the container system further comprises unitized dose articles, wherein water-soluble film encapsulates a composition in at least one compartment.

18. A container system according to claim 17, wherein the composition in the at least one compartment comprises a liquid.

19. A method of moving a container, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a container according to claim 1;

lifting the container by providing an upward force on the bottom side of the ledge at the at least two portions of the ledge that have the major depth.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the upward force is provided by robot arms.