Patent Description:
Consumer product compositions are ubiquitously packed in containers. During transport and/or storage of such containers, whether prior to filling or when they are full of consumer product compositions, the containers may be stacked on top of each other. When the top load forces get too excessive, the containers may buckle.

To add structural support to certain containers that are useful for containing pourable consumer product compositions, some containers, such as bottles, include surface irregularities such as facets. While these facets can provide structural support, while also being aesthetically pleasing to a consumer, the facets can cause labeling challenges. For example, when the facets cover the majority or even entire exterior surface of a container, it can be challenging to affix a traditional label, such as an in-mold label, to the container due to the irregular surface. This can be overcome by using a sleeve label, such as a shrink sleeve label, but even then the facets can cause challenges; for example, different facets may reflect light at different angles, which can make the label difficult to read without a consumer changing positions or moving the bottle around.

Furthermore, a manufacturer may not wish to add labels in the form of sleeves to all of the containers, meaning that the manufacturer will need to maintain an inventory of two different container types, those suitable for sleeves and those suitable for other types of labels. This can result in added logistical challenges, such as added time during changeover in the manufacturing process or additional storage space.

<CIT> and <CIT> discloses containers having a plurality of facets or irregularities on the outer surface of the peripheral wall. Documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose further container systems.

There is a need for improved container systems and related consumer products that address one or more of these challenges.

In general, the present disclosure relates to container systems according to claim <NUM> having labels in the form of sleeves, preferably shrink sleeves.

For example, the present disclosure relates to a container system having a container and a label, where the container includes a closed end having a closed end periphery, a peripheral wall extending from the closed end periphery about a longitudinal axis of the container to an open end, where the peripheral wall has a peripheral wall exterior surface oriented away from the longitudinal axis, where the peripheral wall exterior surface has a peripheral wall exterior surface area, wherein the peripheral wall exterior surface includes a first smooth panel and a textured region, where the first smooth panel does not encircle the longitudinal axis, where the textured region includes a plurality of irregularities, where each irregularity is arranged next to one or more adjacent irregularities; and where the label is in the form a sleeve, preferably a shrink sleeve, disposed about the peripheral wall.

The present disclosure also relates to a consumer product according to claim <NUM>, where the consumer product includes a container system as described above, and a consumer product composition disposed in the interior volume of the container, preferably a consumer product composition selected from a fabric care composition, a home care composition, a beauty care composition, or combinations thereof, more preferably a fabric care composition.

The present disclosure also relates to an array of consumer products according to claim <NUM>, where the array includes a first consumer product and a second consumer product, where the first consumer product includes a first consumer product composition disposed in a first container, where the second consumer product includes a second consumer product composition disposed in a second container, where the first and second containers are each as described above, where the first container includes a first label in the form of a sleeve, preferably a shrink sleeve, disposed about the peripheral wall, and where the second container includes a second label on the smooth panel, where the second label is not in the form of a sleeve, preferably where the second label is in the form of an in-mold label.

The present disclosure also relates to method of manufacturing the first and second consumer products according to claim <NUM> as described above, where the method includes the steps of: providing the first consumer product composition to the first container; providing the label in the form of the sleeve to the peripheral wall of the first container; providing the second consumer product composition to the second container; and providing the label that is not in the form of a sleeve to the smooth panel of the second container.

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

The present disclosure relates to container systems that are suitable for use in packaging consumer products. The container systems may include a container and a sleeve, such as a shrink sleeve, which may act as a label. The containers of the present disclosure include a textured portion on an exterior surface, as well as a smooth panel.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the textured portion can provide one or more benefits, such as providing structural support to the container, minimizing slippage of a sleeve, and/or providing benefits during the transport of multiple containers.

Furthermore, without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the smooth panel improves visibility or readability for a label that is placed thereon. The label may be part of sleeve, such as a shrink sleeve. Additionally, the smooth panel provides a convenient location onto which to affix a non-sleeve label, such as an in-mold label.

Thus, by having both textured portions and smooth panels, the containers of the present disclosure can conveniently and efficiently be used with a variety of labels, which provides flexibility to the consumer product manufacturer. When the same types of containers are differentiated by very different label styles, they can also be easily differentiated by the consumer; for example, the different label styles can signal different end-use benefits or price points.

The containers, container systems, consumer products, arrays, and related methods of the present disclosure 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 <NUM>%, or less than <NUM>%, or less than <NUM>%, or even <NUM>%, 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.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (°C) unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements herein are conducted at <NUM> 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.

The present disclosure relates to a container system <NUM>, where the container system <NUM> comprises a container <NUM> and a label <NUM> in the form of a sleeve <NUM>, preferably a shrink sleeve <NUM>.

The containers <NUM> of the present disclosure are preferably suitable for packaging consumer product compositions <NUM>, preferably pourable consumer product compositions. The container <NUM> is preferably in the form of a bottle. Suitable containers <NUM> according to the present disclosure are shown in <FIG>.

The container <NUM> is preferably a blow-molded container. The container <NUM> can be formed by injection stretch blow molding. The container <NUM> can be formed by injection molding, injection stretch blow molding, extrusion blow molding, or similar process. The container <NUM> can be a thermoformed container.

As shown, for example, in <FIG>, the container <NUM> comprises a closed end <NUM>. The closed end <NUM> comprises a closed end periphery <NUM>. The closed end periphery <NUM> can define the extent of the closed end <NUM> away from the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The closed end <NUM> can be shaped to have a structure that can be stably rested on a flat surface such as a table.

A peripheral wall <NUM> extends from the closed end periphery <NUM> about a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the container <NUM> to an open end <NUM>. The peripheral wall <NUM> can extend from the open end <NUM> to the closed end <NUM>. The peripheral wall <NUM> can be symmetric or asymmetric about the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The open end <NUM> can be about the longitudinal axis <NUM>. If the open end <NUM> is generally circularly shaped, the open end <NUM> can circumscribe the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

Shown, for example, in <FIG>, the container <NUM> comprises an open end <NUM>. The open end <NUM> may be suitable for receiving a consumer product composition <NUM> during a filling process and/or dispensing the consumer product composition <NUM> during usage.

The closed end <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> define an internal volume <NUM>, which is preferably suitable for receiving a consumer product composition <NUM>. The internal volume <NUM> may be characterized by a volume of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, more preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, even more preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The closed end <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> preferably comprise a thermoplastic material <NUM>. The thermoplastic material can be a petroleum-based thermoplastic material or a plant-based thermoplastic material. The container <NUM> can comprise a material, preferably a thermoplastic material <NUM>, selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene polyethylene, polyethylene terphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, processable polylactic acid, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic starch, cellulose bioplastic, aliphatic polyesters, polylactic acid, and mixtures thereof.

The thermoplastic material may comprise recycled material, regrind material, or combinations thereof. Examples of "recycled" materials may include post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, post- industrial recycled (PIR) materials, and mixtures thereof. Examples of "regrind" material may include thermoplastic waste material, such as sprues, runners, excess parison material, and reject parts from injection and blow molding and extrusion operations, which has been reclaimed by shredding or granulating.

The peripheral wall <NUM> has a peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM>. The peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> is oriented away from the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> may be characterized by a peripheral wall exterior surface area. As described in more detail below, the peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> comprises at least a first smooth panel <NUM> and a textured region <NUM>.

As shown in the views of <FIG>, the peripheral wall <NUM> may have different portions. For example, the peripheral wall <NUM> may comprise a front wall <NUM>. The peripheral wall <NUM> may comprise a rear wall <NUM> that is opposite the front wall <NUM>. The peripheral wall <NUM> may comprise a first side wall <NUM> and a second side wall <NUM> that connect the front wall <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM>. Any corners of the container <NUM>, for example where the front wall <NUM> meets a side wall <NUM>, <NUM> may be rounded.

As shown in <FIG>, the container <NUM> may comprise a handle <NUM>, which may provide a convenient gripping portion. Preferably, the handle <NUM> is a through handle that is adjacent a throughhole <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The handle <NUM> may be part of the peripheral wall <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may include surface irregularities (not shown), such as bumps, dimples, ribs, contours, or combinations thereof, that may help to make the handle easier to grip.

The peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> comprises a first smooth panel <NUM>. In the present disclosure, "smooth" means a relatively continuous surface with few significant elevation changes that visually appears smooth from a distance of one meter or more, and/or a surface that provides a relatively flat surface to which a label may be applied. The first smooth panel <NUM> may be planar, but preferably has a curve in one or more directions, which can contribute to an aesthetically pleasing rounded shape to the container <NUM>.

The first smooth panel <NUM> does not encircle the longitudinal axis <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first smooth panel <NUM> may be disposed on a front wall <NUM> of the peripheral wall <NUM>. This orientation allows the smooth panel <NUM> to be front-facing during display or selling of consumer products packaged in such containers <NUM>, allowing for convenient reading of the labels and/or messages that may displayed thereon.

The first smooth panel <NUM> may have any suitable shape. The smooth panel may be substantially in the shape of a convex polygon, such as a square or rectangle. By "substantially" in this context, it is intended to include shapes that have, for example, rounded corners and/or line segments that are not quite straight. The smooth panel <NUM> may be in a shape that is not a convex polygon. For example, the smooth panel <NUM> may be in the shape of a circle, oval, ellipse, or egg-shape. The shape of the smooth panel <NUM> may preferably have at least one concave portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the concave portion <NUM> of the smooth panel <NUM> is shaped and curved to accommodate the shape of the throughhole <NUM>. The first smooth panel <NUM> may have a first smooth panel periphery <NUM> that defines the shape of the first smooth panel <NUM>. The first smooth panel periphery <NUM> may project away from the longitudinal axis <NUM>, or fall towards the longitudinal axis <NUM>, compared to at least one portion of the peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the container <NUM> may comprise a second smooth panel <NUM>. The second smooth panel <NUM> may preferably be disposed on a rear wall <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The second smooth panel <NUM> may have any suitable shape. The second smooth panel <NUM> may be substantially symmetrical to the first smooth panel <NUM>.

It is desirable for the first smooth panel <NUM>, as well as the second smooth panel <NUM> if present, to be relatively large. For example, when the first smooth panel <NUM> has a relatively large surface area, it is particularly well-suited to display whatever messages are located thereon. The first smooth panel <NUM> maybe characterized by a first smooth panel surface area that is from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, more preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, of the peripheral wall exterior surface area. The surface area of the first smooth panel <NUM> and/or the second smooth panel <NUM> is preferably greater than the surface area of any individual irregularity <NUM>, preferably any individual facet <NUM>.

The first smooth panel <NUM> and/or the second smooth panel <NUM>, preferably both, may preferably be curved about a single axis, preferably substantially an axis that extends from the closed end <NUM> to the open end <NUM>, which can be, but is not necessarily, parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. For example, as can be seen in the top view of <FIG>, the first smooth panel <NUM> curves outwardly away from the longitudinal axis <NUM>, although not necessarily with a single radius of curvature, as does the second smooth panel <NUM>. Put another way, the first smooth panel <NUM> and the second smooth panel are configured with an outward curve that stretches substantially from a first side wall <NUM> to a second side wall <NUM>. It is preferred that the first smooth panel <NUM>, and preferably also the second smooth panel <NUM>, is curved only about a single axis in order to facilitate better application of non-sleeve labels; curvatures about multiple axes can result in uneven or wrinkled application of such labels.

The peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> comprises a textured region <NUM>. The textured region <NUM> comprises a plurality of irregularities <NUM>. Each irregularity <NUM> is arranged next to one or more adjacent irregularities <NUM>, thereby forming a textured surface that has a different, rougher texture or topography than that of the smooth panel <NUM>. <FIG> shows a side view of a container <NUM> according to the present disclosure, where a suitable textured region <NUM> is conveniently visible on a first side wall <NUM>.

As described above, the irregularities <NUM> of the textured region <NUM> may provide one or more benefits. For example, the irregularities <NUM> may contribute to additional structural support or strength, giving the container <NUM> an improved ability to bear top load forces. The irregularities <NUM> may improve the registration of any sleeves applied to the container <NUM>, such as a shrink sleeve, and/or result in relatively less slippage of such sleeves. Containers <NUM> having a textured region <NUM> as described herein may provide a better gripping surface compared to smooth surfaces, making them easier to manufacture, fill, seal, or place into secondary packaging, for example by robot arms. The textured regions <NUM> and/or the irregularities <NUM> thereof may provide advantages during storage or shipping of such containers <NUM>. For example, when rounded containers are stored or transported next to each other in a case, the small points of contact between the containers can result in relatively high pressure points, which may dent the containers or rub off the artwork on a shrink sleeve; relatively flat irregularities <NUM>, such as the facets <NUM> described below, may provide relatively larger surface areas at these points of contact, leading to less pressure at any one point and fewer problems. Flat points of contact between containers <NUM> can also reduce shifting or "shingling" of the containers <NUM> when transported a case.

The plurality of irregularities <NUM> may take on a variety of forms, or even mixtures of forms. That being said, the plurality of irregularities <NUM> may comprise a plurality of facets <NUM>. Put another way, a given irregularity <NUM> may be in the form of a facet <NUM>. A facet <NUM> may be a small plane surface. A facet <NUM> may preferably be adjacent to at least one other facet <NUM>.

As described above, facets <NUM> can provide one or more advantages due to their relatively flat surface area. The textured region <NUM> may comprise more than about five facets <NUM>, preferably more than about ten facets <NUM>, more preferably more than about twenty facets <NUM>. A textured region <NUM> may comprise from about five, preferably from about ten, to about fifty facets <NUM>.

To note, while a facet <NUM> may be characterized by a relatively flat or smooth surface, the facets <NUM> are to be distinguished from the smooth panel(s) <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, a given facet <NUM> is relatively smaller (e.g., is characterized by a smaller surface area) than the smooth panel(s) <NUM>, <NUM>. Additionally, the facets <NUM> are arranged adjacent to one or more other facets <NUM>, whereas the first smooth panel <NUM> is typically not adjacent to a second smooth panel <NUM>. Taken together, the facets <NUM> may make up some or all of the textured region <NUM> of the peripheral wall exterior surface.

Each of the facets <NUM> may preferably have a shape that is substantially polygonal. As above, the term "substantially" in this context is intended to include shapes that have, for example, rounded corners and/or line segments that are not quite straight. The substantially polygonal shape may be selected from the group consisting of substantially triangular, substantially quadrilateral, substantially pentagonal, substantially hexagonal, and combinations thereof. The facets <NUM> may have a substantially polygonal shape that is substantially quadrilateral, such as square, rectangular, or rhomboid. The plurality of facets <NUM> may include facets of different shapes and/or sizes.

Each of the facets <NUM> has a facet exterior surface <NUM> oriented away from the longitudinal axis <NUM>. Some, preferably each and all, of the facets may have a facet exterior surface area that is between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% of the peripheral wall exterior surface area, preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%. Different facets <NUM> may be characterized by different facet exterior surface areas. A plurality of facets <NUM> may be arranged so that individual facets <NUM> present facet exterior surfaces <NUM> that reflect incident light in different directions; put another way, the orthogonal directions away from the facet exterior surfaces <NUM> are divergent.

It is preferable that textured region <NUM> is present at a certain minimum surface area of the container <NUM> so that there is enough of the textured region <NUM> present to provide one or more of the advantages listed. On the other hand, it may be desirable to keep the textured region below a certain maximum surface area of the container <NUM> so that the first smooth panel <NUM> (and optionally a second smooth panel <NUM>) also has plenty of surface area from which to display the manufacturer's desired messaging. For example, the textured region <NUM> may have a textured region surface area that is from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, more preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, of the peripheral wall exterior surface area. It may be preferred that the total surface area of the first smooth panel <NUM> and any other smooth panel if present (e.g., a second smooth panel <NUM>) is greater than the textured region surface area.

The textured region <NUM> may be present at any suitable portion of the peripheral wall <NUM>. The textured region <NUM> may be present on a front wall <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, a first side wall <NUM>, a second side wall <NUM>. Preferably, the textured region <NUM> is present at least on the first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM>. Put another way, the first and/or second side walls <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a plurality of irregularities <NUM>. The front and/or rear walls <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a plurality of irregularities. The first and/or second side walls <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a greater number of irregularities compared to the front and/or rear walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The peripheral wall exterior surface area of the first and/or second side walls <NUM>, <NUM> that includes irregularities <NUM> may be relatively greater than the peripheral wall exterior surface area of the front and/or rear walls <NUM>, <NUM> that includes irregularities <NUM>. The container <NUM> may comprise more than one textured region <NUM>.

As also can be seen from <FIG>, the general shape of the container <NUM> may taper inwardly with respect from the closed end <NUM> of the container <NUM> towards the open end <NUM>. For example, the front and back walls <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to taper inwards, e.g., towards the longitudinal axis <NUM>, near the open end <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Such a configuration can contribute to structural strength of the container <NUM>, for example making it more resistant to top load forces.

Near the closed end <NUM>, the container <NUM> may include a lip <NUM> that curves from an outwardly projecting position inwardly towards the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The lip <NUM> may be part of any of the front wall <NUM>, rear wall <NUM>, first side wall <NUM>, second side wall <NUM>, or a combination thereof, preferably at least two of those, more preferably all four. The lip <NUM> may be configured to project more radially outward than the closed end periphery <NUM>. The lip <NUM> can help to improve the positioning and/or prevent slippage of the sleeve <NUM>.

In addition to the smooth panels <NUM>, <NUM>, the peripheral wall exterior surface may comprise other smooth regions <NUM> that are distinct from smooth panels <NUM>, <NUM> and from the textured region <NUM>. The other smooth regions <NUM> may encircle the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The other smooth regions <NUM> may be near to the closed end <NUM> and/or the open end <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may comprise other smooth regions <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a container system <NUM> according to the present disclosure, where a label <NUM> in the form of a sleeve <NUM> is disposed about a peripheral wall <NUM> of a container <NUM>.

The container system <NUM> comprises a label <NUM> in the form of a sleeve <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> is disposed about the peripheral wall <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> is preferably a shrink sleeve <NUM>, which may be heat-shrunk around the container <NUM>. Alternatively, the sleeve <NUM> may be a stretch sleeve into which a pre-form or parison is blown to stretch the stretch sleeve to form the container system <NUM>.

The sleeve <NUM> may include thermoplastic materials <NUM>, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester terephthalate (PET), oriented polypropylene (OPP), and oriented polystyrene (OPS). The shrink sleeve <NUM> may comprise one layer or a plurality of layers, such as laminated layers. The plurality of layers may include a first layer and a second layer, where the first and second layers may be made from different materials. For example, an outer layer may be selected to be suitable to be printed upon.

The sleeve <NUM> may be printed. The sleeve <NUM> may be reverse printed. The sleeve <NUM> can be printed by digital printing, flexographic printing, gravure printing, or other suitable printing technology.

The printing may comprise a metallic ink or pearlescent ink. A metallic foil can be included in a laminate of the sleeve <NUM>. A metallic ink comprises small particles of metal, such as aluminum, bronze, copper, zinc, or other metallic element. A sleeve <NUM> that is printed with a metallic ink can provide for a reflective surface that that generates more intense perceived flashes of reflectance.

The sleeve <NUM>, preferably a shrink sleeve <NUM>, may comprise indicia <NUM>. Suitable indicia <NUM> may include marketing information (such as a brand name), a graphic (such as a logo or decoration), instructional information, safety information, or a combination thereof.

The sleeve <NUM> may comprise one or more apertures <NUM>. The one or more apertures <NUM> may be aligned with the throughhole <NUM> of a handle <NUM>. The one or more apertures <NUM> may be formed by any suitable process. Typically, a cutting process is used to cut or score the sleeve <NUM>, and a predetermined removeable portion is removed, thereby forming the aperture <NUM>. The cutting process may include cutting by a cutter, such as a laser, a blade, a die, or other tooling capable of cutting a predetermined removeable portion from the sleeve <NUM>. The removal process may include removal by a striker, by vacuum, or by other suitable means. The cutting and/or removal process may occur before or after the sleeve <NUM> has been provided to the container <NUM>.

The sleeve <NUM> may include a lower edge <NUM> that is positioned near the closed end <NUM> of the container <NUM> when the sleeve <NUM> is disposed on the container. The lower edge <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> may be positioned below the lip <NUM> of the container (e.g., closer to the closed end <NUM> than the lip <NUM> is), or at least below the most outwardly projecting part of the lip <NUM>. The lip <NUM> helps to keep the sleeve <NUM> in place and/or prevent "smiling", in which the lower edge <NUM> curves upwards during, for example, a shrink-wrapping process.

The container system <NUM> may include a spout <NUM> to facilitate dispensing of the consumer product compositions. The container system <NUM> may comprise a transition piece <NUM>. The spout <NUM> may be part of the transition piece <NUM>.

The container system <NUM> may comprise a closure <NUM>, which may be in the form of a dosing cup. The closure <NUM> may be a plug seal closure that is operatively engageable with the open end. The closure <NUM> may be threadably engageable with the container <NUM> and/or transition piece <NUM>.

The present disclosure relates to a consumer product <NUM>. <FIG> shows a suitable consumer product <NUM>. The consumer product <NUM> comprises a container system <NUM> as described herein, and a consumer product composition <NUM> disposed in an internal volume <NUM> of the container <NUM> (shown as a cut-away view). The container system <NUM> includes a sleeve <NUM> in the form of a shrink sleeve <NUM>.

The consumer product <NUM> may comprise a closure <NUM> that seals the open end of the container <NUM>. The closure <NUM> may be in the form of a cap, which may be threadably engageable with the container <NUM>, such as a transition piece <NUM> if present. The closure <NUM> may also serve as a measuring and/or dosing device when using the consumer product composition <NUM>.

The consumer product may be a fabric care product, a home care product, a beauty care product, or a combination thereof, preferably a fabric care product. Thus, the consumer product composition may be a fabric care composition, a home care composition, a beauty care composition, or a combination thereof, preferably a fabric care composition.

The consumer product composition is preferably a fabric care composition, such as a laundry detergent composition (including a heavy-duty liquid washing detergent), a fabric conditioning composition (including a liquid fabric softening and/or enhancing composition), a laundry additive, a fabric pre-treat composition (including a pourable liquid, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the fabric care composition is a fabric conditioning composition.

The composition may be a home care composition, such as an air care, car care, dishwashing, hard surface cleaning and/or treatment, and other cleaning for consumer or institutional use.

The composition may be a beauty care composition, such as a hair treatment product (including shampoo and/or conditioner), a skin care product (including a cream, lotion, or other topically applied product for consumer use), a shave care product (including a shaving lotion, foam, or pre- or post-shave treatment), personal cleansing product (including a liquid body wash or a liquid hand soap), or mixtures thereof.

The consumer product composition <NUM> may be in the form of a liquid composition, a granular composition, a pastille or bead, or a mixture thereof. It is preferred that the consumer product composition <NUM> can be poured out of the container <NUM>.

The consumer product composition <NUM> is preferably in the form of a liquid. The liquid composition may include from about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>%, to about <NUM>%, or to about <NUM>%, or to about <NUM>%, or to about <NUM>%, or to about <NUM>%, or to about <NUM>%, by weight of the composition, of water. The liquid composition may be a liquid laundry detergent, a liquid fabric conditioner, a liquid dish detergent, a hair shampoo, a hair conditioner, or a mixture thereof. The composition may have a viscosity of from <NUM> to <NUM> centipoises (<NUM>-<NUM> mPa*s), from <NUM> to <NUM> centipoises (<NUM>-<NUM> mPa*s), or from <NUM> to <NUM> centipoises (<NUM>-<NUM> mPa*s) at <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>.

The composition may be in the form of a solid, preferably one that is pourable. The solid composition may be a powdered or granular composition. Such compositions may be agglomerated or spray-dried. Such composition may include a plurality of granules or particles, at least some of which include comprise different compositions. The composition may be a powdered or granular cleaning composition, which may include a bleaching agent. The composition may be in the form of a bead or pastille, which may be pastilled from a liquid melt. The composition may be an extruded product.

The consumer product composition may comprise one or more suitable consumer product adjuncts materials (also "adjuncts" as used herein). The consumer product adjunct material may provide a benefit in the intended end-use of a composition, or it may be a processing and/or stability aid.

Suitable consumer product adjunct materials may include: surfactants, conditioning actives, deposition aids, rheology modifiers or structurants, bleach systems, stabilizers, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic metal complexes, polymeric dispersing agents, clay and soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, silicones, hueing agents, aesthetic dyes, additional perfumes and perfume delivery systems, structure elasticizing agents, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, anti-agglomeration agents, coatings, formaldehyde scavengers, and/or pigments.

Depending on the intended form, formulation, and/or end-use, compositions of the present disclosure might not contain one or more of the following adjuncts materials: bleach activators, surfactants, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic metal complexes, polymeric dispersing agents, clay and soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, additional perfumes and perfume delivery systems, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, structurants, anti-agglomeration agents, coatings, formaldehyde scavengers, and/or pigments.

The precise nature of these additional components, and levels of incorporation thereof, will depend on the physical form of the composition and the nature of the operation for which it is to be used. However, when one or more adjuncts are present, such one or more adjuncts may be present as detailed below. The following is a non-limiting list of suitable additional adjuncts.

The consumer product compositions <NUM> of the present disclosure may comprise surfactant. Surfactants may be useful for providing, for example, cleaning benefits. The compositions may comprise a surfactant system, which may contain one or more surfactants. The compositions of the present disclosure may include from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system. The surfactant system may include anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, or combinations thereof. The surfactant system may include linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl ethoxylated sulfate, alkyl sulfate, nonionic surfactant such as ethoxylated alcohol, amine oxide, or mixtures thereof. The surfactants may be, at least in part, derived from natural sources, such as natural feedstock alcohols.

The consumer product compositions <NUM> of the present disclosure may include a conditioning active. Compositions that contain conditioning actives may provide softness, antiwrinkle, anti-static, conditioning, anti-stretch, color, and/or appearance benefits. The consumer product composition may comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, more preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, more preferably from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, by weight of the consumer product composition, of a conditioning active. Conditioning actives suitable for compositions of the present disclosure may include quaternary ammonium ester compounds, silicones, non-ester quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty esters, sucrose esters, silicones, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening or conditioning oils, polymer latexes, or combinations thereof. The composition may include a quaternary ammonium ester compound, a silicone, or combinations thereof, preferably a combination.

The consumer product compositions <NUM> of the present disclosure may comprise a perfume system. The perfume systems may comprise neat perfume oil, pro-perfumes, encapsulated perfumes, polymer-assisted-delivery perfumes, or combinations thereof. Encapsulated perfumes may include populations of core/shell delivery particles, wherein the core comprises perfume and optionally a partitioning modifier (such as isopropyl myristate), and the shell comprises a polymeric material, such as a polyacrylate, a polymethacrylate, a polyamide, a polyamide ester, a polyurea, a polyurethane, a melamine-formaldehyde, a biopolymer (such as a polysaccharide), and the like. Pro-perfumes may include silicone-based pro-perfumes.

The consumer product compositions <NUM> of the present disclosure may include deposition aids, such as cationic polymers. The consumer product compositions <NUM> of the present disclosure may include structurants or rheology modifiers.

The present disclosure relates to an array <NUM> of consumer products <NUM>, <NUM>. An array <NUM> according to the present disclosure is shown in <FIG>.

In general, the consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> comprise similar containers <NUM>, where the containers <NUM> are substantially the same as those described above, e.g., each having a textured portion <NUM> and one or more smooth panels <NUM>. However, the consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> are differentiated by different label types - at least one consumer product <NUM> comprises a sleeve <NUM>, preferably a shrink sleeve <NUM>, while at least one other consumer product <NUM> comprises a different type of label <NUM> that is not in the form of a sleeve.

The usage of different types of labels can prove useful to the consumer, enabling them to conveniently differentiate between products that are packaged in similar containers, but for the labels. For example, the consumer products may provide different benefits, have different aesthetics, or be at different price points. The containers <NUM> of the present disclosure are particularly well-suited to receive different types of labels, due to the presence of both a textured region <NUM> and a smooth panel <NUM>.

The arrays <NUM> of the present disclosure relate to arrays <NUM> of consumer products, where the array <NUM> comprises a first consumer product <NUM> and a second consumer product <NUM>. The first consumer product <NUM> comprises a first consumer product composition <NUM> disposed in a first container <NUM>. The second consumer product <NUM> comprises a second consumer product composition <NUM> disposed in a second container <NUM>. Suitable containers and consumer products are described in more detail above, and the disclosure in those sections substantially applies to the containers and consumer products the presently described arrays.

For example, in the arrays of the present disclosure, the first container <NUM> and the second container <NUM> each comprise: a closed end <NUM> having a closed end periphery <NUM>, a peripheral wall <NUM> extending from the closed end periphery <NUM> about a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the container <NUM>, <NUM> to an open end <NUM>, wherein the peripheral wall <NUM> has a peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> oriented away from the longitudinal axis <NUM>, wherein the peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> has a peripheral wall exterior surface area, wherein the peripheral wall exterior surface <NUM> comprises a first smooth panel <NUM> and a textured region <NUM>, wherein the first smooth panel <NUM> does not encircle the longitudinal axis <NUM>, wherein the textured region <NUM> comprises a plurality of irregularities <NUM>, wherein each irregularity <NUM> is arranged next to one or more adjacent irregularities <NUM>. It is preferred that the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> are blow-molded containers made from a thermoplastic material <NUM>, as described in more detail above.

As indicated above, the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM>, include different types of labels. For example, the first container <NUM> comprises a first label <NUM> in the form of a sleeve <NUM> disposed about the peripheral wall <NUM>, preferably wherein the sleeve <NUM> is in the form of a shrink sleeve <NUM>. Shrink sleeves <NUM> are described in more detail above.

The second container <NUM> comprises a second label <NUM> on the smooth panel <NUM>, wherein the second label <NUM> is not in the form of a sleeve. The second label <NUM> may be selected from the group consisting of an in-mold label, a heat-transfer label, an adhesive label, a direct-printed label, or a combination thereof, preferably an in-mold label. In particularly, second labels <NUM> in the form of in-mold labels are conveniently applied to the smooth panels <NUM> of blow-molded containers.

The first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise different consumer product compositions <NUM>, <NUM>, but the first and second labels <NUM>, <NUM> may preferably comprise a common indicia <NUM>, such as marketing information (e.g., a brand name), a graphic (e.g., a logo or decoration), instructional information, safety information, or a combination thereof. Such common indicia <NUM> can help tie the consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> together in the consumer's mind. Additionally or alternatively, the first label <NUM> may comprise first indicia <NUM> and the second label <NUM> may comprise second indicia <NUM> that is different from the first indicia <NUM>. This can help further help a consumer to differentiate the consumer products <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first consumer product composition <NUM> and the second consumer product composition <NUM> preferably have different formulations. For example, the formulations may include different ingredients, an ingredient that is present in one but not the other, or a common ingredient that is present at different levels in each. The first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> may be different versions of the same or similar type of product; for example, they may be two versions of fabric enhancer products, e.g., with different levels of actives. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> may be suitable for using in series, for example as part of a treatment regimen; as an example, the first consumer product <NUM> may be useful as a laundry detergent intended to be used in a wash cycle, while the second consumer product <NUM> may be useful as a fabric enhancer to be used in a rinse cycle.

For example, in the arrays <NUM> of the present disclosure, the first consumer product composition <NUM> and the second consumer product composition <NUM> may each comprise a first consumer product adjunct material in common. The first consumer product adjunct material may be any suitable consumer product adjunct material, preferably surfactant, a conditioning agent, a perfume system, or a mixture thereof. Preferably the first consumer product adjunct material is present in both the first and second consumer product compositions at a level of from about 4wt% to about 35wt%, although the wt%'s may be the same or different.

The first consumer product composition <NUM> may comprise the first consumer product adjunct material at a first wt% (i.e. present at a weight percent, by weight of the first consumer product composition), and the second consumer product composition <NUM> may comprise the first consumer product adjunct material at a second wt% (i.e. present at a weight percent, by weight of the second consumer product composition) that is different than the first wt%. Preferably, the first wt% is greater than the second wt%.

The first consumer product adjunct material is preferably a conditioning agent, more preferably a quaternary ammonium ester material.

The first and second consumer product compositions <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise different perfume systems. The perfume systems may comprise neat perfume oil, pro-perfumes, encapsulated perfumes, polymer-assisted-delivery perfumes, or combinations thereof. The perfume systems may comprise different perfume raw materials, delivery systems, or levels thereof. In the present disclosure, "different perfume systems" is also understood to mean that the first and second consumer product compositions could comprise the same perfume materials, but at different wt% levels.

Preferably, the first and second consumer product compositions <NUM>, <NUM> are both liquids. Liquid compositions are conveniently dispensed from the containers of the present disclosure.

Preferably, the first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> are in the same consumer product category. For example, the first and second consumer product compositions <NUM>, <NUM> may both preferably be fabric care compositions, home care compositions, or beauty care compositions, preferably both fabric care compositions, more preferably both fabric conditioning compositions. When the first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> are in the same consumer product category, it is important to signal product differences to the consumer, for example through the use of different labels <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> are preferably displayed on a common shelving system <NUM>, for example, vertically and/or horizontally aligned, preferably in a commercial setting. The first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> may be separated by less than about two meters, preferably by less than about one meter. The different labels on the similar containers will help the consumer differentiate between the consumer products and select the one that is right for him or her.

In addition to having different label types, the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> may include different closures. For example, the first container <NUM> may comprise a first closure <NUM>, and the second container <NUM> may comprise a second closure <NUM>. The second closure <NUM> may be different than the first closure <NUM>. The first closure <NUM> and the second closure <NUM> may be characterized by different sizes, different shapes, different colors, or a combination thereof. Visually different closures may further help the consumer to differentiate between the products. Differently sized closures may be useful for driving dosing compliance (and optimal performance) when the closure also operates as a measuring or dosing device; for example, the first and second product compositions <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise an active ingredient at different levels and therefore may have different dosing recommendations.

The array may further comprise a third consumer product, which may contain a third consumer product composition in a third container. The third container may comprise a sleeve, preferably a shrink sleeve, disposed on a peripheral wall. The third consumer product composition may have formula that is substantially similar, or even the same, as the first consumer product composition. The third container may be of a different size, or have a different internal volume, compared to that of the first container. The third container may have some of, or even substantially all of, the same features as the first container, which may include a first smooth panel. Alternatively, the third container may have at least some different features compared to the first container, for example having no first smooth panel and/or having the textured region extend over a relatively greater surface area, preferably most or even all of the surface area of the container, where the textured region comprises a plurality of irregularities, preferably facets. The third container may comprise facets over most or even substantially all of the peripheral wall. An array according to the present disclosure may comprise a first consumer product (including a first container) and a third consumer product (including a third container) according to present disclosure. In such an array, a second consumer product (including a second container that has a label that is not in the form of a sleeve) may be present, or it may be absent.

The present disclosure relates to methods of making a consumer product <NUM>. For example, the method may include providing a container <NUM> as described above, providing a consumer product composition <NUM> as described above to the internal volume <NUM> of the container <NUM> (e.g., filling the container with a consumer product composition), sealing the container, and providing a sleeve <NUM>, preferably a shrink sleeve <NUM>, to the peripheral wall <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

The filling, sealing, and "sleeving" steps may occur in any suitable order, with the proviso that the filling step occurs prior to the sealing step. For example, the sleeve <NUM> may be provided to the container <NUM> before the consumer product composition <NUM> is provided to the container <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> may be provided to the container <NUM> prior to the container <NUM> being sealed. The container <NUM> may be sealed prior to the sleeve <NUM> being provided to the container <NUM>.

A method may include removing a portion of the sleeve <NUM> to form an aperture <NUM>, preferably wherein the aperture <NUM> is aligned with the throughhole <NUM> of a handle <NUM>. A cutting process may be used, such as cutting by a cutter, such as a laser, a blade, a die, or other tooling capable of cutting a predetermined removeable portion from the sleeve <NUM>. The removal process may include removal by a striker, by vacuum, or by other suitable means. The cutting and/or removal process may occur before or after the sleeve <NUM> has been provided to the container <NUM>.

The present disclosure also relates to methods of making a plurality of consumer products, for example a first consumer product <NUM> and a second consumer product <NUM>. The methods include using similar containers <NUM>, <NUM> but filling them with different consumer product compositions <NUM>, <NUM> and applying different types of labels <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., a sleeve to one, a non-sleeve to another).

The containers <NUM> of the present disclosure are particularly well-suited to such processes. For example, the containers <NUM> are compatible with a sleeve <NUM> (e.g., a shrink sleeve <NUM>) due to the container's textured region <NUM>, but also with a non-sleeve (e.g., a label <NUM> in the form of an in-mold label) due to the container's smooth panel <NUM>. Thus, the manufacturer can conveniently use a single type of container <NUM> type to package multiple consumer product compositions <NUM>, <NUM>, where the resulting products are differentiated, at least in part, by different labels <NUM>, <NUM>.

The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a consumer product <NUM> that is a first consumer product, and a second consumer product <NUM> as described herein. The method may include providing a first consumer product composition <NUM> to a first container <NUM>, and providing a first label <NUM> in the form of a sleeve <NUM> to the peripheral wall <NUM> of the first container <NUM>. These steps may occur in any suitable order, but preferably the provision of the first label <NUM> occurs after the first container <NUM> is filled with the first composition <NUM>, for example to avoid spills onto the label <NUM>. The method may include a step of sealing the first container <NUM>, preferably with a first closure <NUM>. A portion of the sleeve <NUM> may be removed to form an aperture <NUM>, as described in more detail above.

The method may include the steps of providing a second consumer product <NUM> to a second container <NUM>, and providing a second label <NUM> that is not in the form of a sleeve to the smooth panel <NUM> of the second container <NUM>, preferably wherein the smooth panel <NUM> is disposed on a front wall of the peripheral wall. These steps may occur in any suitable order, but preferably the provision of the second label <NUM> occurs after the second container is filled with the second composition <NUM>, for example to avoid spills onto the label <NUM>. The method may include a step of sealing the second container <NUM>, preferably with a second closure <NUM>, which may be different from the first closure <NUM>.

As discussed above, an advantage of the presently disclosed containers is the flexibility they offer to the manufacturer, who can use the same container with a variety of label types in combination with a variety of consumer product compositions. This provides storage convenience to the manufacturer, who only needs, for example, a single location in which to store the containers prior to being filled. Thus, the method may include the step of storing the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> at a first location. The method may include moving the first container <NUM> to a first manufacturing line, and moving the second container <NUM> to a second manufacturing line; this is convenient when the first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> are made on different lines. The method may include moving the first container <NUM> to a first manufacturing line, and moving the second container <NUM> to the second manufacturing line; this is convenient when the first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> are made on the same line.

The first and second consumer products <NUM>, <NUM> may be packaged in secondary packaging, such as a case, a crate, or a pallet. The first and second consumer products may be packaged in the same secondary packaging (e.g., placed into the same box and/or onto the same pallet), or they may be packaged in different secondary packaging (e.g., placed into different boxes and/or placed onto different pallets).

The examples provided below are intended to be illustrative in nature and are not intended to be limiting.

Table <NUM> shows exemplary formulations of consumer product compositions that may be packaged in the container systems of the present disclosure to form consumer products. Specifically, the following compositions are liquid fabric enhancer products.

Claim 1:
A container system (<NUM>) comprising a container (<NUM>) and a label (<NUM>),
wherein the container (<NUM>) comprises:
a closed end (<NUM>) having a closed end periphery (<NUM>),
a peripheral wall (<NUM>) extending from the closed end periphery (<NUM>) about a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) to an open end (<NUM>),
wherein the peripheral wall (<NUM>) has a peripheral wall exterior surface (<NUM>) oriented away from the longitudinal axis (<NUM>),
wherein the peripheral wall exterior surface (<NUM>) has a peripheral wall exterior surface area,
characterized in that the peripheral wall exterior surface (<NUM>) comprises a first smooth panel (<NUM>) and a textured region (<NUM>),
wherein the first smooth panel (<NUM>) does not encircle the longitudinal axis (<NUM>),
wherein the textured region (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of irregularities (<NUM>),
wherein each irregularity (<NUM>) is arranged next to one or more adjacent irregularities (<NUM>); and
wherein the label (<NUM>) is in the form a sleeve (<NUM>) disposed about the peripheral wall (<NUM>).