CONTAINER AND PACKAGING METHOD

Abstract: A container for an epoxy resin and a hardener comprises a flexible plastics tube (2) provided with an injection moulded screw cap (4). A spatula (8) formed integrally with the cap (4) and received in the tube (2) separates the tube into two compartments (10, 12), one for each of the epoxy resin and the hardener. When the cap (4) is unscrewed the spatula (8) rotates within the tube (2), mixing the epoxy resin and the hardener. The spatula (8) may then be used to apply the adhesive.

Description: Container and packaging method The present invention relates to a container for, and a method of packaging, a two-component product, such as an adhesive formed from an epoxy resin and a hardener. Traditionally, epoxy adhesives have been sold with the resin and the hardener packaged in separate tubes, so that the resin and the hardener do not react before the product is to be used. The user dispenses equal amounts of the resin and hardener from the respective tubes and mixes the two components with an appropriate implement to form the adhesive. The mixing process is often messy and requires the provision of a mixing implement and mixing surface or container by the user. A container for a two-component product, primarily a pharmaceutical product, has been proposed in GB-A- 2002316. This container comprises two compartments for the respective products separated by a wall which can be ruptured by an internal projection when it is desired to mix the components. Mixing of the components is carried out by the user shaking or kneading the container and this may not achieve satisfactory mixing in all cases. Moreover, the mixed product has to be dispensed by breaking off an end of the container and this is not particularly convenient . Viewed from a first aspect, the invention provides a container for a two-component product, such as for example an adhesive formed from an epoxy resin and a hardener, the container comprising a container body and a barrier member located within the container body in a separating position defining two compartments within the container body for the respective components, wherein the barrier member is arranged to be dislodged to form a mixer and/or applicator for the product. Thus, when it is desired for the components to be brought together, the barrier member may be dislodged. The barrier member may then act as a mixer, or as an applicator, or both. The barrier member may advantageously therefore serve the dual function of separating the components and later mixing them, or the dual function of separating the components and later acting as an applicator for the mixed components, or the triple function of separation, mixing and applying. In one form of the invention, once the barrier member has been dislodged the components may be mixed by the user massaging the container body, for example in the case of a flexible container body. Such mixing may or may not be assisted by the barrier member. Either way, following mixing the barrier member may then be used as an applicator, to apply the mixed product, for example, in the case of an adhesive product, to a surface to be glued. The barrier member is preferably in the form of a spatula. In another form of the invention, the barrier member may be used to mix the components but not as an applicator. For example, the mixed product may be dispensed from the container via a dispensing opening, e.g. a nozzle or an opening created by cutting off a corner of the container body. In the currently preferred form of the invention, the barrier member forms both a mixer and an applicator of the product . The components can be contained within the container body until it is desired for the product to be used, obviating a messy, external mixing operation. Furthermore, the user is not required to provide a mixing surface or container. The barrier member may be arranged to be dislodged by withdrawal or partial withdrawal from the container body. Alternatively, the barrier may be arranged to be dislodged by dislocation within the container body such that it no longer separates the two components. Preferably, the barrier member is arranged to be dislodged by rotation thereof. In this way, the components can be mixed conveniently without removing the barrier member from the container body, which may cause some of the container content also to be removed from the container. Naturally, it is desirable for the barrier member in the separating position to completely separate the components, to prevent any mixing thereof. In one possible arrangement, the barrier member may be connected to the walls of the container body by at least one frangible connection, such that the barrier member is retained in the separating position by the frangible connection which is broken when the barrier member is dislodged. Such a connection may be formed integrally with the barrier member, in which case the barrier member may be formed as part of a container body moulding. Such a connection may advantageously form a seal between the barrier member and the wall of the container body in the separating position. Preferably, the container body and the barrier member are made as separate members, for example as two injection mouldings. The barrier member may then be inserted in the container body to form a tight fit. This can advantageously be achieved by forming the barrier member of a material of greater rigidity than the container body. In this way, the container body may deform slightly around the barrier member to ensure an effective seal between the barrier member and the container body. It is therefore desirable for the relevant external dimensions of the barrier member to be slightly greater than the corresponding internal dimensions of the container body, so that the barrier member stretches the container body somewhat when it is in the separating position, thereby ensuring a tight seal . In any event, it has been found that some contact between the components of an epoxy adhesive or similar product is acceptable, as the components react and harden where they meet, forming their own seal. In a preferred arrangement, the barrier member is arranged such that rotation thereof acts to mix the components. The barrier member may be rotated by the user by means of portion thereof projecting externally of the container body. In this way, it is not necessary for the user to manually massage the container body, and the option of a rigid container body is available. The barrier member may be arranged to be dislodged after the container has been opened. For example, the container may be opened in one operation and a subsequent operation may dislodge the barrier member, for example withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the barrier member from the container body or rotation thereof. Alternatively, the barrier member may be arranged to be dislodged before the container has been opened, for example by external manipulation of the container body. Preferably, the barrier member is arranged to be dislodged when the container is opened. For example, the container may be so configured that the opening operation also dislodges the barrier member. In this way, two distinct operations are not required. The container may be opened by partial destruction of the container body, for example by tearing or breaking. Preferably, the container comprises a closure member, which may be removed to open the container. In a preferred arrangement, the closure member retains the barrier member in the separating position until the container is opened. Thus, the closure member advantageously performs a dual role of retaining the barrier member and closing the container. The closure member may be arranged to be removed to open the container, thereby freeing the barrier member so that it can be dislodged. Preferably, the closure member is arranged such that removal of the closure member dislodges the barrier member, so that a distinct dislodging operation is not required. The closure member may be attached to, or preferably integral with, the barrier member. The closure member may be connected to the container body in any suitable manner. For example, the closure member may be formed integrally with the container body and be attached thereto by a frangible connection. Alternatively the closure member may be a simple pull-off cap, optionally with interengaging retaining means on the cap and container body. In a preferred embodiment, the closure member is connected to the container body by a screw thread or similar connection, such that rotation of the closure member disconnects the closure member from the container body. Advantageously, removal of the closure member causes rotation of the barrier member, which may act to mix the components as described above. The container body may be of any suitable form, for example a cylinder, a bottle or a sachet. In the preferred embodiment, the container body is in the form of a tube, like a toothpaste tube. This has been found to be a convenient configuration, which allows the mixed product to be dispensed easily after mixing. Such a tube generally has a linear sealed end transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The plane of the barrier member may be substantially orthogonal to the line of the sealed end in the separating position. The closure member may be applied to the container body before the compartments are filled. In particular the barrier member may be retained in the separating position by the closure member and the closure member may be connected to the container body before the compartments are filled. This is particularly advantageous in the case of a tube as described above in that the tube may be filled from the end remote from the closure member and then sealed by heat sealing, ultrasound or the like. It will be appreciated that the container as described herein, comprising a container body and a barrier member, may be supplied without the two components contained therein. The components may then be added and then the compartments sealed up. Such an unfilled container therefore falls within the extent of the invention. A preferred form of the invention comprises the container with the two components contained and sealed in the respective compartments. The invention also extends to the method of packaging a two-component product in the container described herein. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a partially transparent view of a container according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the container of figure 1 in use; and Figure 3 shows the application of adhesive mixed in the container of figure 1. Figure 1 shows a container according to the invention for an adhesive comprising an epoxy resin and a hardener. The container comprises a container body in the form of a flexible, injection moulded, polypropylene tube 2. The tube 2 is provided with a closure member in the form of an injection moulded polypropylene cap 4. The tube 2 and the cap 4 are connected by means of respective interengaging screw threads 6 formed on each of the tube 2 and cap 4. A barrier member in the form of a spatula 8 is formed integrally with the cap 4. The spatula 8 is received in the tube 2 and separates the sealed tube 2 into two compartments 10, 12, one for each of the epoxy resin and the hardener, by sealingly engaging the walls of the tube 2. The tube 2 is sealed at its end opposite the cap (tail end 14) by a weld 16. The production of the filled container will now be described, again with reference to figure 1. The tube 2 is initially open and unsealed at its tail end 14. The cap- 4 is attached to the tube 2 by means of the screw connection 6 and is then heat sealed to the tube. The epoxy resin and hardener are dispensed into the respective compartments 10, 12 defined by the spatula through the open tail end 14. The tail end 14 is then ultrasonically welded to form a seal 16 which is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the spatula 8. The welding operation also pulls the material of the tube 2 tightly around the spatula 8 in the region of the tail end 14. This ensures an effective seal is formed between the edges of the spatula 8 and the walls of the tube 2 to maintain the resin and hardener in their respective compartments 10, 12. The operation of the container will now be described with reference to figure 2. When it is desired to dispense the adhesive, the user rotates the cap 4 relative to the tube 2 in order to unscrew the cap 4. The rotation of the cap 2 also causes the spatula 8 to rotate within the tube 2. This rotation dislodges the spatula 8 from its sealing engagement with the walls of the tube 2. Because the tube 2 flares outwardly towards the tail end 14, space is provided between the walls of the tube 2 and the edges of the spatula 8 for the epoxy resin and hardener to flow towards each other and mix. The rotating spatula 8 acts to agitate the resin and hardener, promoting mixing. The flexion of the walls of the tube 2 due to the rotation of the spatula 8 within the tube 2 also agitates the resin and hardener. By the time the cap 4 has been completely unscrewed the spatula 8 has undergone several revolutions which is sufficient to completely mix the resin and hardener. The spatula 8 can then be removed from the tube 2 and used to apply the mixed adhesive as desired, the cap 4 serving as a grip for the spatula 8, as shown in figure 3. In an alternative embodiment to that shown in the figures, the tube 2 and the cap 4 may be connected by means of a push fit, rather than a screw connection, with the heat seal between them acting to maintain them in engagement until it is desired to dispense the adhesive. In this embodiment, the spatula 8 can be rotated within the tube 2 without the cap 4 unscrewing. Conveniently, the container according to the invention may be supplied for filling at an adhesive factory with the tube 2 and cap 4 already connected and with the tail end 14 of the tube 2 open. Although the invention has been described herein with particular reference to epoxy adhesives, it will be appreciated that the invention may be applied to other two-component products, such as pharmaceutical preparations, toothpastes and the like. Furthermore, the invention is also of application to products comprising more than two components. Moreover, the invention may be applied to products wherein not all components are in a fluid phase, for example products comprising a liquid component and a solid component, two solid components or even one or more gaseous components.

Claims: Claims 1. A container for a two-component product, the container comprising a container body and a barrier member located within the container body in a separating position defining two compartments within the container body for the respective components, wherein the barrier member is arranged to be dislodged to form a mixer and/ or applicator for the product. 2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier member is arranged to be dislodged by rotation thereof . 3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the barrier member is arranged to be dislodged when the container is opened. 4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a closure member which retains the barrier member in the separating position until the container is opened. 5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the closure member is arranged such that removal of the closure member dislodges the barrier member. 6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closure member is connected to the container body by a screw connection and removal of the closure member causes rotation of the barrier member. 7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the barrier member is composed of a material of greater rigidity than the container body. 8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container body is in the form of a tube with a linear sealed end transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube and the plane of the barrier member is substantially orthogonal to the line of the sealed end in the separating position. 9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, with the two components contained and sealed in the respective compartments. 10. A container for a two-component product, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

Inventors: BARNARDO CHRISTOPHER JOHN ANDR, TYLDESLEY FRANK, BARNARDO, CHRISTOPHER, JOHN, ANDREW, TYLDESLEY, FRANK
Applicants: BARNARDO CHRISTOPHER JOHN ANDR, CIBA SC HOLDING AG, TYLDESLEY FRANK, BARNARDO, CHRISTOPHER, JOHN, ANDREW, CIBA SPECIALTY CHEMICALS HOLDING INC., TYLDESLEY, FRANK
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B65D81
IPC codes: B05B11, B65D25, B65D51, B65D81, B65D83