CA2265741A1 - Combination of a package having a porous applicator and a fluid product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination, comprising (a) a shear-thinning fluid product, and (b) a package including a container for housing the shear-thinning product, (i) the container having a dispensing orifice, (ii) the package further including a porous applicator (24) attached adjacent the dispensing orifice (18) and having a plurality of small passages, the dispensing orifice (18) and the small passages forming a dispensive passage, the small passages having an average pore diameter, so that when substantially no compressive force is applied to the container, said shear-thinning product will have substantially no leakage, and so that when a compressive force is manually applied to the container, said shear-thinning product will have a flow rate sufficient to deliver the desired product quantity.

Description

101520253035WO 98/12122CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/U S96/ 14874COMBINATION OF A PACKAGE HAVING A POROUS APPLICATOR AND A FLUID PRODUCTField of the inventionThe present invention relates to a package having a porous applicator incombination with a fluid product combination. More specifically, it relates to acombination of a container having a porous applicator, and a fluid product which hasshear-thinning property.Backqround of the inventionA package having applicators for coating an object, for example, such as afabric or a human body, with any variety of fluid products, are known to those skilled inthe art. These packages known to those skilled in the art include (i) roll-on types (e.g.,a package having a rolling ball as an applicator) in which a rolling ball is used with aliquid, (ii) sponge types (e.g., a package having a soft porous material as an applicator)in which a sponge is soaked with a liquid, (iii) hard porous types (e.g., a containerhaving a hard porous material as an applicator) in which a hard porous material issoaked with a liquid, and (iv) brush types (e.g., a package having an opening withbrush as an applicator) which a brush is used with a liquid.One disadvantage commonly attributed to many examples of the abovecontainers is that a leakage or spillage of the contained liquid from the applicator duringthe periods of non-use can occur. Especially, when the container is in the condition oflaying down when its cap is open. Leakage or spillage of the contained liquid from anapplicator is a serious problem for consumers.We found that a combination of a package having a porous applicator and afluid product which is shear-thinning product improved the above problem whilemaintaining free flow and dispersing of the product from the container.Namely, when substantially no compressive force is applied to a shear-thinningproduct, the product shows very low flow rate, so that the container has substantially noleakage or spillage of the contained product from a porous applicator during the periodsof non-use, even though the package is in the condition of laying down. And when acompressive force is applied to the package, the product flows readily from the porousapplicator.CA 02265741 l999-03- 10W0 98,1212; PCT/US96/148742 .Summary of the InventionIn one aspect of the present invention provides a package having a porous5 applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination, comprising (a) a shear-1015202530thinning fluid product, and (b) a package including a container for housing the shear-thinning product, (i) the container having a dispensing orifice, (ii) the package furtherincluding a porous applicator attached adjacent the dispensing orifice and having aplurality of small passages, the dispensing orifice and the small passages forming adispensive passage, the small passages having an average pore diameter, so thatwhen substantially no compressive force is applied to the container, said shear-thinning product will have substantially no leakage, and so that when a compressiveforce is manually applied to the container, said shear-thinning product will have a flowrate sufficient to deliver the desired product quantity.Preferably, the average pore diameter of the dispensing orifice in the presentinvention is from about 0.001 to about 2 mm, and when substantially no compressiveforce is applied to the container, said shear-thinning fluid product will have a flow rateless than 0.1g/min., and when a compressive force about 0.5 to about 5 kg/cm2 ismanually applied to the container, said shear-thinning fluid product will have a flow rateat least about 5 g/min.in another respect of the present invention provides a package having a porousapplicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination, comprising (a) a shear-thinning fluid product, and (b) a package including a container for housing the shearthinning product, (i) the container having a dispensing orifice, (ii) the package furtherincluding a porous applicator attached adjacent the dispensing orifice and having aplurality of small passages, the dispensing orifice and the small passages forming adispensive passage, the small passages having an average pore diameter, so thatwhen substantially no compressive force is applied to the container, said shear-thinningproduct will have substantially no leakage, and so that when a compressive force ismanually applied to the container, said shear-thinning product will have a flow ratesufficient to deliver the desired product quantity, wherein the shear-thinning fluidproduct has the following rheology when measured using the following equation ofHerschel-Buckley.Equation of Herschel-Buckley : [Stress] = A + B X [Shear rate)‘:W0 98/12122101520253035CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96/ 14874Rheology: A (calculated yield) is > 0; B (viscosity coefficient of the fluid productof the present invention) is a coefficient to meet the following equation ofHerchel-Burkley ; and C ( rate index) is in the range 0<C<1.Brief description of the fiquresWhile the specification concludes with claims which particularly point outand distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will bebetter understood from the following description of preferred embodiments takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals identify identical elements and wherein;Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a package having aporous applicator for use in the present invention;Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the embodiment ofFigure 1, taken along line 2 - 2 of Figure 1;Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 of asecond preferred embodiment of a package for use in the present inventionadditionally including venting capability;Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 of athird preferred embodiment of a package for use in the present inventionadditionally including a drain means and splash guard; andFigure 5 is a top plan view of the drain means and splash guard of theembodiment of Figure 4.Detailed description of the inventionAs indicated above, the present invention is directed to the combination of acontainer having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning product. A discussion of theshear-thinning product is provided first herein, followed by a discussion of thecontainer.A fluid product exhibits a shear-thinning flow behavior is used in the presentinvention. As used herein, a "shear-thinning" fluid product is a product which presentsa high viscosity when the shear rate is low, and vice versa its viscosity is low when theshear rate is high, and which shows "non-Newtonian behavior". Among many fluidproducts which are known to those skilled in the art as the property of non-Nevvtonianbehavior, a shear-thinning fluid product having a property of "plastic fluids" is apreferable example for the present invention. As used herein. plastic fluids areWO_98l12l22101520253035CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96l14874pseudiplastic liquids which exhibit a yield value (reference: Edited by D. Laba,"Rheological Properties of Cosmetics and Toiletries", Cosmetic Science andTechnology Series (Vol. 13), Marcel Dekker, lnc., pp. 12-15 (1993)). Accordingly, theybehave like a solid due to their interparticle association. The external force has toovercome these internal forces and disrupt the structure of the material. The criticalshear stress needed to do so is defined as the yield value. Beyond the yield point, thematerial changes its behavior from solid to liquid, and its viscosity may change as afunction of increased shear rate. The viscosity of the shear-thinning fluid products forthe present invention is not limited to as long as it exhibits shear-thinning flow behavioras defined above.According to the present invention, when substantially no compressive force isapplied to the container, said shear-thinning fluid product will have substantially noleakage, and when a compressive force is manually applied to the container, saidshear-thinning fluid product will have a flow rate sufficient to deliver the desired productquantity. Preferably, no compressive force is applied to the container for the presentinvention, shear-thinning fluid product for the invention have a flow rate less than 0.1g/min., more preferably less than 0.07 g/min., most preferably less than 0.05 g/min.Generally, in order to meet consumer needs for consumer products such ascleaning products or health care products, a preferable flow rate can be at least about5 g/min., under compressive force from about 0.5 to 5kg/cm2. This compressive forceis manually applied to the container by squeezing the container by a consumers hand,when the container is used.One way of indexing a shear-thinning property is following the ‘constitutive’equation of Herschel-Buckley (reference: Edited by D. Laba, "Rheological Properties ofCosmetics and Toiletries", Cosmetic Science and Technology Series (Vol. 13), MarcelDekker, lnc.,pp. 19-20 (1993)).Equation of Herschel-Buckley : [Stress] = A + B x [Shear rate]°Rheology: A (calculated yield); B (viscosity coefficient of the fluid product ofthe present invention) ; C ( rate index)The preferable flow rate of the shear-thinning fluid product can be decidedbased on the consumer needs for the amount product. The flow rate can be adjustedbased on the above rheology of the product and specification of the porous applicator.For a non-limited example, the following rheology can meet the requirement for theshear-thinning fluid product for the present invention.Equation of Herschel-Buckley : [Stress] = A + B x [Shear rate]°wo 9_s/12122101520253035CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96/14874Rheology: A (calculated yield) is > O; B (viscosity coefficient of the fluidproduct of the present invention) is a coefficient to meet the followingequation of Herschel-Buckley ; and C ( rate index) is in the range O<C<1.Non-limited examples of shear-thinning fluid products for the present inventioncan be cleaning products in hand washing an/or in washing machine such as laundry /shoes products (such as pre-treatment products), dish I produce washing products.These cleaning products typically includes one or more surfactants such as anioninc,nonionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants, and one or more other ingredients suchas bleaches, bleach activators, solvents/hydrotropes, enzymes, builders, polymers,chelants, perfumes, suds suppressers, dyes, brighteners, soil suspenders, dye transferagents, radical scavengers, preservatives and stabilizers.Other non-limited examples of shear-thinning fluid products for the present inventioncan be deodorant products and health care products.Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary embodiment of a package 10 for use in thepresent invention is provided. The package 10 generally includes a container 12 andan overcap 14. The container 12 is designed to house the shear-thinning fluid product.The container 12 may be of virtually any shape, although the container 12 preferablyincludes an angled neck portion as seen in the present embodiment.Referring to Figure 2, the angled neck portion terminates in a dual threadedfinish 16 surrounding a dispensing opening 18 through with the shear-thinning fluidproduct may be dispensed. The walls 20 (seen in Figure 1) of the container 12 of thisembodiment are resilient to allow for dispensing of the product through the dispensingopening 18 by applying a manually compressive force to the container walls. in otherembodiments, the walls 20 may be merely flexible (as opposed to resilient); e.g., aswhen pouches made of thin plastic material is utilized.In addition to the container 12 and overcap 14, this package 10 includes aretaining ring 22 and a porous applicator 24. As illustrated, the porous applicator 24covers the dispensing opening 18 and is sealed against the top of the finish 16 of thecontainer 12 via the retaining ring 22. Although cooperating threads 25 and 26 on thefinish 16 of the container 12 and on the retaining ring 22, respectively, are utilized inthis embodiment, any method known to one skilled in the art may be utilized. Forexample, a snap—fit arrangement, a friction-fit arrangement and/or an adhesive may beutilized.Similarly, the overcap 14 of this embodiment is attached to the container 12 viaset of cooperating threads 27 and 28 located on the overcap 14 and the neck 16 of thewo S_I8/12122101520253035CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/U S96/ 14874container 12, respectively. This overcap 14 includes an annular wall 30 dependingdownwardly from the top wall 32 of the overcap 14 to seal against the retainer ring 22.As previously indicated, the porous applicator 24 covers the dispensing opening18 and is sealed against the top of the finish 16 of the container 20 so that any liquidpassing through the dispensing opening 18 must also pass through the porousapplicator 24 in order to be dispensed from the package 10. The porous applicator 24has a plurality of small passages (not seen) therein. These small passages, incombination and together with the dispensing opening 18 of the container 12, form adispensing passage through which product may be dispensed from the package 10.Thus, the plurality of small passages within the porous applicator 24 form a portion ofthe dispensing passage.Such a porous applicator 24 can be of various types known to those skilled inthe art. Exemplary soft porous applicators 24 include those made of open celledsynthetic or natural sponge materials. Other exemplary porous applicators 24 can bemade, for example, of fibers fused together to create liquid flow channels. Similarly, ahard porous applicator 24 may be obtained by heating and sintering micromoleculargranules (i.e., synthetic resin powders ) of a specific particle size in a mold to form ahard, open-celled applicator 24. Such a hard, open-celled applicator 24 is utilized inthe present embodiment. Preferably, a hard porous applicator 24 have uniformedthickness such as 2.0-10.0mm in average.in particular, the small passages of the open celled applicator 24 havediameters which are small enough to restrict the flow of the shear-thinning fluid producttherethrough when no compressive force is applied to the walls 20 of the container 12so that substantially no leakage from the package 10 occurs, even when the package10 is laid on its side. In contrast, the diameters of the passage are large enough thatwhen a typical manually compressive force is applied to the walls 20 of the container 12by a user, the shear-thinning product will flow through the passages at a flow ratesufficient to readily deliver the desired product quantity. in other words, the productquantity equivalent to an effective dosage is delivered within the time typicallyconsidered acceptable by a user.The situation where there is substantially no leakage when substantially nocompressive force is applied to the container walls 20 includes a flow rate through theporous applicator 24 which is preferably less than 0.1g/min; more preferably, less than0.07g/min; and most preferably, less than 0.05g/min. In addition, substantially noleakage may also occur when some small amount of fluid passes through the porousW0 98/12122101520253035CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96/ 14874applicator 24 at higher flow rates, but then, due to the thickening that occurs after theproduct moves through the passages, this small amount of product remains on theexterior of the applicator 24 without running off to create a sticky mess inside theovercap 14.A flow rate sufficient to readily deliver the desired product quantity for manyshear-thinning products includes flow rates which are preferably at least about 5 g/min;more preferably from about 5.5 g/min. to about 30 g/min.; and most preferably, fromabout 6.0 g/min. to about 25 g/min.The manually compressive force which is preferably utilized to obtain thedispensing flow rate is preferably from about 0.5 kg/cm2 to about 5 kg/cm23 and morepreferably from about 1 kg/cm‘? to about 2 kg/cm2.Preferable passage diameters that in most cases result in a balancing of thecompeting objectives (i. e., substantially no leakage and ready dispensing) for manyshear-thinning liquid products are satisfied when the average diameters of thepassages are from about 0.001 mm to about 2 mm; more preferably, 0.005 mm toabout 1.5 mm; and most preferably, from about 0.01 mm to about 1.0 mm.Referring to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of a package 110 for use inthe present invention is provided. This embodiment is quite similar to the embodimentof Figures 1 and 2. However, this embodiment is particularly well suited for instanceswhere the shear-thinning liquid product produces gas during shipping and storage.Since the container 112 is flexible, it may deform in response to pressure differencesarising between the inside of the container 112 and the ambient pressure. To avoid thewalls 120 of the container 112 from bulging when a gas producing shear-thinning fluidproduct is utilized in the present invention, the package 110 preferably includes aventing means. One example of a gas producing shear-thinning product is the laundrycomposition of Example 1 below. This composition includes hydrogen peroxide whichgenerates oxygen gas during shipping and storage. Thus the venting means enablesthe pressure within the package 110 to be maintained identical to the externalatmosphere or at a pressure at least below the pressure at which meaningful container112 defonnation occurs.The venting means is preferably associated with the overcap 114 of thepackage. In the present embodiment, the venting means is provided by two ventchannels 134 oppositely disposed through the annular downwardly depending wall 130of the overcap 114. These vent channels 134 allow gas to escape past the top surfaceof the retaining ring 122 and out to the atmosphere through the space (not seen)W0 98/12122101520253035CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96l14874between the overcap 114 and the retaining ring 122 and container neck 116 (e.g.,along the threads 127 and 128). As indicated above, any small quantity of productwhich escapes through the passages of the porous member 124 when substantially nocompressive force is applied to the package preferably becomes thick enough afterpassing therethrough that it does not continue to flow to the edge of the overcap 122and out through these channels 134.When the vent means is located in the overcap 114, it is preferred that the gasescape from within the container 112 through the porous applicator 124 as discussed inthe previous embodiments. in some instances, the thickness of the porous applicator224 may be designed so well that as pressure builds within the container 212, any fluidin the passages of the applicator 224 will thin sufficiently to be expelled from at least aportion of the passages at a pressure below which the container 212 will bulge. Onceexpelled, the fluid will thicken and simply remain on the outer surface of the applicator224 until the next use without causing a sticky mess as indicated above. Similarly,when a resilient container is utilized, as the walls of the container rebound at the end ofa dispensing operation, ambient air will be sucked into the container through the smallpassages of the applicator, thereby voiding at least a portion of the passages. Thus,gas will be able to freely pass between the cap area and the interior of the package.To aid performance of the venting means, the package 110 may additionallyinclude one or more means for aiding the removal of product from at least some of thepassages of the porous applicator 124. These removal means can involve either activeor passive removal of the product. Examples of passive removal means are discussedbelow with respect to Figure 4. One example of an active removal means is seen inthis embodiment. The porous applicator 124 includes two diametrically opposed bores136 partially through the applicator 124; thereby making the applicator 124 isparticularly thin in these two regions. The thin nature of the applicator 124 means thatthe passages are shorter in these two regions than in the remainder of the applicator124. Consequently. when the container 112 rebounds at the end of a dispensingoperation, ambient air is preferentially sucked through these shorter passages; therebypreferentially clearing these shorter passages. This helps ensure that there are at leastsome clear passages through which gases can freely pass between dispensing.Turning to Figure 4, an alternative venting means is provided by locating amembrane 238 over an orifice 234 located in the overcap 214. The size of the orifice234 should be large enough to permit the appropriate passage of gases. Preferably,the orifice 234 is circular and has a diameter of at least 0.5 mm; and more preferably,W0 98/ 121221015202530CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/U S96/ 14874from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The number of orifices 234 can be chosen by oneskilled in the art to allow the flow of gases at a rate sufficient to meet the needs of theparticular case involved.The membrane 238 is preferably a thin film material which is impermeable tofluids, but permeable to gases. Therefore, the membrane 238 is able to provide aliquid impermeable barrier, while allowing gas venting. Preferably, said membrane 238may be fluid (liquid) impermeable up to pressure differences of 1 bar between theinside and the outside of the package 210; preferably up to pressure differences of 500mbar. In addition, the membrane 238 preferably allows gas flow with pressuredifferences as low as 50 mbar; more preferably, as low as 5 mbar.In addition, the membrane 238 is preferably a thin film material. Although thethickness of the membrane 238 is a matter of choice, it is preferably in the region offrom about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm. The membrane 238 may comprise a network ofmicrochannels which is permeable to gas, but not to fluids as described, e. g., in EP-A-593,840. Preferred materials for said membrane 238 include microporous plastic films.The size of the micropores of the membrane 238 are preferably in the range from about0.1 pm to about 5 pm; more preferably, between about 0.2 pm and about 1 pm.Preferred microporous plastic films for this application include non woven plasticfilms. especially the non-woven spun bonded polyethylene film material sold under thetrade name TYVEK by DuPont company, of which TYVEK, Style 10, is particularlyadvantageous since it is flourocarbon treated to achieve high fluid imperrneability.Another preferred microporous plastic film is an acrylic copolymer cast on a non-wovensupport (nylon or PET) with a flouro-monomer post-treatment hydrophobicity, soldunder the trade name, VERSAPOR, by Gelman Sciences Company, 600 SouthWagner Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106, US.As indicated previously, means for aiding the removal of fluid product from atleast a portion of the passages of the porous applicator may also be provided. Anexample of an active removal means was discussed above with respect to the bores136. An example of a passive removal means (i.e., does not depend upon thedispensing operation) may be provided by fluorocarbon treating the hard, porousapplicator 224. This involves the fixation of a fluorocarbon material, on a micro scale,to the surfaces of the applicator 224. This reduces the surface energy of the porousapplicator 224. One possible fluorocarbon material for use in fluorocarbon treatment issold under the trade name SCOTCHBAN, by 3M Company.W0 _98/ 121221015202530CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/U S96/ 1487410Another example of a passive removal means is specifically seen in theembodiment of this package 210. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, this passive removalmeans involves the placement of inclined surfaces 240 against the bottom of theporous applicator 224. The inclined surfaces 224 are biased against the bottom of theporous applicator 224 by two arcuate spring legs 242. These spring legs 242 are inturn connected to an flat annular plate 244 which is held between the top of thecontainer finish 216 and the porous applicator 224.Preferably, the material of the inclined surfaces 240 may have a surface energywhich is greater than that of the product and/or the porous applicator 224 so that theproduct will preferentially move from the adjacent passages of the porous applicator224 toward the inclined surfaces 240 and back down into the container 212; therebyclearing the adjacent passages to allow the free passage of gases into the area of theovercap 214 and subsequently out of the package 210 through membrane 238 andorifice 234.In this embodiment, a splash guard 246 it also included. The splash guard 246is integral with the inclined surfaces 240 of the drain means. The splash guard 246helps to keep product from splashing up onto the bottom surface of the porousapplicator 224 to block the passages; particularly during shipping. Thus, the splashguard 224 helps maintain the passages clear during shipping and handling to permitthe ready passage of gases therethrough.Following compound is an example of the fluid product for the present invention,used for the treatment of laundry in hand washing and/or in washing machine. In thefollowing, "minors" are optional ingredients of the compositions or products such asbleaches, bleach activators, solvents, enzymes, builders, polymers, chelants, perfumes,suds suppressers, dyes, brighteners, soil suspenders, dye transfer agents, radicalscavengers, preservatives and stabilizers.ExamglesEXAMPLE 1Evaluation of the flowability of the shear-thinning cleaning product shown asbelow (1) during use-period and (2) non-use period was conducted by under thefollowing conditions.(a) Shear-thinning cleaning productINGREDIENTS WEIGHTPERCENTCA 02265741 l999-03- 10W0 98/12122 PCT/US96/1487411Hydrogen peroxide 4.00Acetyl Triethyl Citrate 3.50C12—C13 alcohol 8.6ethoxylate, 3 E0C14-C15 alcohol 6.40ethoxylate, 7 E0Sodium Alkyl 2.00Sulphonatewater + minors balance101520Rheology of the shear-thinning product according to the equation of Harschel-Buckley:Rheology: A (calculated yield) is 5.63 Pa ; B (viscosity coefficient of the fluidproduct of the present invention) is 1.13 ; C (rate index) is 0.66.(b) Package having a porous applicator(See Figures 1 and 2)‘Material of the porous body: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)‘Average pore diameter of the porous body 2 30- 50 pm‘Average thickness of the porous body: 9.6 mm (almost uniformed)‘Diameter of the surface of the porous body: 17.0 mmThe above mentioned package is packed with the above shear-thinningcleaning product.(1) Usage period: The container having a porous body appicator on the top ofthe bottle (Figure 2) was held at an inclination of 90 degrees against horizontal planeand compressive force (1.5 kg/cm2 and 1.0 kg/cm2) is applied to the container at roomtemperature (about 20 °C). The amount of the dropped product from the applicatorwas measured for 5 seconds.As the result, when the force is 1.5 kg/cm2, the average flow rate of the product is 18.1g/min., and when the force is 1.0 kg/cm2, the average flow rate of the product is 6.4g/min.These flow rates under 1.5 kg/cm2 and 1.0 kg/cm meet the consumer needs forpre-treating cleaning product.(2) Non-usage period: Same as (1), The container having a porous bodyappicator on the top of the bottle (Figure 2) is held at an inclination of 45 degreesagainst horizontal plane and no compressive force is applied to the container at room. i.......r..,.r...,................_......t................ W... W . ,. .. . W0 98/12122101520CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96/1487412temperature (about 20 °C). The amount of the dropped product from the applicator ismeasured for 1.5 minutes.As the result, the average flow rate of the product is 0.06 g/min.EXAMPLE 2Evaluation of the flowability of the shear-thinning cleaning product shown asbelow (1) during use-period and (2) non-use period is conducted by under the followingconditions.(a) Shear-thinning cleaning productlNGREDlENTS WEIGHTPERCENTHydrogen peroxide 6.0Acetyl Triethyl Citrate 3.5C12-C13 alcohol 8.1ethoxylate, 3 EOC14-C15 alcohol 6.9ethoxylate, 7 EOSodium Alkyl 2.0SulphonateH2804 up to pH 4water + minors balance(b) Package having a porous applicatorisee Figures 1 and 2)‘Material of the porous body: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)‘Average pore diameter of the porous body : 30— 50 pm‘Average thickness of the porous body: 9.2 mm (almost uniformed)‘Diameter of the surface of the porous body: 17.0 mmThe above mentioned package is packed with the above shear-thinningcleaning product.(1) Usage period: The container having a porous body appicator on the top ofthe bottle (Figures 1, 2) is held at an inclination of 90 degrees against horizontal planeand compressive force (1.5 kg/cm2) is applied to the container at room temperatureW0 98/121221015CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96/1487413(about 20 °C). The amount of the dropped product from the applicator is measured for5 seconds.As the result, the average flow rate of the product meets the consumer needsfor pre-treating cleaning product.(2) Non-usage period: Same as (1), The container having a porous bodyappicator on the top of the bottle (Figures 1 and 2) is held at an inclination of 45degrees against horizontal plane and no compressive force is applied to the containerat room temperature (about 20 °C). The amount of the dropped product from theapplicator is measured for 1.5 minutes.As the result, the average flow rate of the product is less than 0.1 g/min.EXAMPLE 3Evaluation of the flowability of the shear-thinning cleaning product shown asbelow (1) during use-period and (2) non-use period is conducted by under the followingconditions.(a) Shear-thinninci cleaning productINGREDIENTS WEIGHTPERCENTStearic Acid 4.5Palmitic Acid 3.7Myristic Acid 5.2Lauric Acid 2.1Triclosan 0.2KOH (87%) 2.3Glycerine 9.0Mayoquest (45%) 0.3(HEDP/DPTA50/50 mixture)Sodium Lauroyl 8.0Sarcosinate (30%)W0 98/1212210152025CA 02265741 l999-03- 10PCT/US96/1487414JR—400 0.3water + minors balance(b) Packaqe having a porous applicator(See Figures 1 and 2)‘Material of the porous body: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)‘Average pore diameter of the porous body : 1-2mm‘Average thickness of the porous body: 0.1 mm (almost uniformed)‘Diameter of the surface of the porous body: 20.0 mmThe above mentioned package is packed with the above shear-thinningcleaning product.(1) Usage period: The container having a porous body appicator on the top ofthe bottle (Figures 1, 2) is held at an inclination of 90 degrees against horizontal planeand compressive force (1.5 kg/cm2) is applied to the container at room temperature(about 20 °C). The amount of the dropped product from the applicator is measured for5 seconds.As the result, the average flow rate of the product meets the consumer needsfor a liquid soap cleaning product.(2) Non-usage period: Same as (1), The container having a porous bodyappicator on the top of the bottle (Figures 1 and 2) is held at an inclination of 45degrees against horizontal plane and no compressive force is applied to the containerat room temperature (about 20 °C).applicator is measured for 1.5 minutes.As the result, the average flow rate of the product is less than 0.1 g/min.The amount of the dropped product from theEXAMPLE 4Evaluation of the flowability of the shear-thinning cleaning product shown asbelow (1) during use-period and (2) non-use period is conducted by under the followingconditions.(a) Shear-thinnina cleaninq productINGREDIENTS WEIGHTPERCENTAnionic surfactant mixture (Ammonium Lauryl 18Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Etoxylated Sulfate)Coconut Monoethanolamido 1.3CA 02265741 l999-03- 10W0 98/12122 PCT/US96/1487415Fatty Alcohol (C16 and C18) 0.70Ethylene Glycol Distearate 2.0Water + minors balance101520Q) Packaqe having a porous applicator(See Figures 1 and 2)‘Material of the porous body: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)‘Average pore diameter of the porous body : 30- 50 pm*Average thickness of the porous body: 2.6 mm (almost uniformed)‘Diameter of the surface of the porous body: 17.0 mmThe above mentioned package is packed with the above shear-thinningcleaning product.(1) Usage period: The container having a porous body appicator on the top ofthe bottle (Figures 1, 2) is held at an inclination of 90 degrees against horizontal planeand compressive force (2.0 kg/cm2) is applied to the container at room temperature(about 20 °C). The amount of the dropped product from the applicator is measured for5 seconds.As the result, the average flow rate of the product (24 g/min.) meets theconsumer needs for a cleaning product.(2) Non-usage period: Same as (1), The container having a porous bodyappicator on the top of the bottle (Figures 1 and 2) is held at an inclination of 45degrees against horizontal plane and no compressive force is applied to the containerat room temperature (about 20 °C). The amount of the dropped product from theapplicator is measured for 1.5 minutes.As the result, the average flow rate of the product is less than 0.05 g/min.

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:

1. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination, comprising:
(a) a shear-thinning fluid product; and (b) a package including a container for housing the shear-thinning product, (i) the container having a dispensing orifice, (ii) the package further including a porous applicator attached adjacent the dispensing orifice and having a plurality of small passages;
the dispensing orifice and the small passages forming a dispensive passage, the small passages having an average pore diameter, so that when substantially no compressive force is applied to the container, said shear-thinning product will have substantially no leakage, and so that when a compressive force is manually applied to the container, said shear-thinning product will have a flow rate sufficient to deliver the desired product quantity.

2. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 1 wherein the shear-thinning fluid product has a property of plastic fluids.

3. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 1 wherein an average pore diameter of the dispensing orifice is from about 0.001 to about 2 mm, so that when substantially no compressive force is applied to the container, said shear-thinning fluid. product will have a flow rate less than 0.1g/min., and so that when a compressive force about0.5 to about 5 kg/cm2 is manually applied to the container, said shear-thinning fluid product will have a flow rate at least about 5 g/min.

4. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 1 wherein the shear-thinning fluid product has the following rheology when measured using the following equation of Herschel-Buckley.
Equation of Herschel-Buckley: [Stress] = A + B X[Shear rate]C
Rheology: A (calculated yield) is > 0; B (viscosity coefficient of the fluid product of the present invention) is a coefficient to meet the following equation of Herchel-Burkley; and C ( rate index) is in the range 0<C<1.

5. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 1 wherein the shear-thinning fluid product is a cleaning product.

6. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 5 wherein the cleaning product is selected from the group consisting of laundry products, shoes products, dish washing products, produce washing products, and household cleaning products.

7. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 1 wherein a material of the porous applicator is composed of a hard porous material obtained by heating and sintering synthetic resin powders.

8. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 6 wherein the porous applicator has uniformed thickness.

9. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 6 wherein an average thickness of the porous applicator is from about 2.0 mm to about 10.0 mm.

10. A package having a porous applicator and a shear-thinning fluid product combination according to claim 3 wherein the cleaning product comprises (i) one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants, (ii) and one or more other ingredients selected from the group consisting of bleaches, bleachactivators, solvents, enzymes, builders, polymers, chelants, perfumes, suds suppressers, dyes, brighteners, soil suspenders, dye transfer agents, radical scavengers and preservatives.