Formulations

Abstract

A receptacle includes a cardboard box in which is arranged a plastics container. A first securement element associated with the plastics container is positioned in a gap defined by the cardboard of the box thereby to restrict movement of the container within the box.

Claims

1. A mixing device comprising a receptacle support and a receptacle associated with said receptacle support, wherein said receptacle support comprises: (i) a first member having a first surface which makes face to face contact with a first surface of the receptacle; (ii) a second member which has a second surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a second surface of the receptacle, wherein the second surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (iii) a third member which has a third surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a third surface of the receptacle, wherein the third surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle and faces in an opposite direction to that of said second surface; (iv) a fourth member which has a fourth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a fourth surface of the receptacle, wherein the fourth surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (v) a fifth member which has a fifth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a fifth surface of the receptacle, wherein the fifth surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (vi) a sixth member which has a sixth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the second, third, fourth and fifth surfaces and makes face to face contact with a sixth surface of the receptacle, wherein said sixth surface faces in an opposite direction to the first surface; wherein said receptacle comprises a cardboard box in which is arranged a plastics container; wherein said cardboard box includes a first flap which is pivotable between open and closed positions during opening and/or closing and/or assembly of the box; wherein said box includes a second flap which is pivotable between open and closed positions during opening and/or closing and/or assembly of the box; and wherein said box includes a third flap which is pivotable between open and closed positions during opening and/or closing and/or assembly of the box.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle support includes a clamp for clamping the receptacle in position between said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth surfaces, wherein said clamp comprises said sixth surface being movable between a first position in which it is arranged to apply a clamping force to clamp the receptacle in position and a second position in which the clamping force is released.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said sixth surface of said sixth member is arranged to overlie at least 50% of the area of said sixth surface of the receptacle, when in said first position; and wherein said first surface of said first member overlies at least 50% of the area of the first surface of the receptacle.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said second surface of said second member is arranged to overlie at least 50% of the area of said second surface of the receptacle; and said third surface of said third member is arranged to overlie at least 50% of the area of said third surface of the receptacle.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said fourth surface of said fourth member is arranged to overlie at least 50% of the area of said fourth surface of the receptacle; and said fifth surface of said fifth member is arranged to overlie at least 10% of the area of the fifth surface of the receptacle.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said second surface of said second member is arranged to overlie at least 95% of the area of said second surface of the receptacle; said third surface of said third member is arranged to overlie at least 95% of the area of said third surface of the receptacle; said fourth surface of said fourth member is arranged to overlie at least 95% of the area of said fourth surface of the receptacle.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth members of said receptacle support define an enclosure in which the receptacle is received, wherein the enclosure is arranged such that six faces of the receptacle make face to face contact with a respective one of said first to sixth members so the receptacle is contacted on all six of its sides.

8. A device according to claim 3, wherein said first surface of said first member overlies at least 95% of the area of the first surface of the receptacle.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle support comprises a tray which engages the receptacle, wherein the tray is releasably securable within a housing, wherein the housing includes said second, third and fourth members and a base on which said tray is slideably supported.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said tray includes a base which supports the receptacle and four upstanding side walls which define a square cross-section socket for receiving the receptacle.

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the tray includes a handle for facilitating its input and removal from the housing and a stop associated with the housing for restricting removal of the tray from the housing.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said plastics container is not self-supporting.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein a first securement element is positioned outside a part of said container which contains fluid in use and is a component of a unitary moulding which includes at least a part of said part of said container which contains fluid in use.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein a first securement element associated with the plastics container is positioned in a gap defined by the cardboard of the box thereby to restrict movement of the container within the box, wherein said gap is defined, at least in part, by the first flap of the box, wherein said first flap has a face having an area which is greater than the area of a face of said first securement member with which it is in contact, wherein said first flap and said first securement element make face to face contact, wherein said first flap has a maximum width which is greater than the maximum width of said first securement element; wherein said gap is defined, at least in part, between said first flap and the second flap of the box, wherein said second flap is positioned underneath the first securement element and a lower face of the first securement element makes face to face contact with an upper face of the second flap; wherein said gap is defined, at least in part, between said first flap, said second flap and the third flap of the box, wherein said third flap extends substantially parallel to said second flap; wherein said box including a fourth flap which extends parallel to the first flap and is pivotable about an axis defined on an opposite side of the box to that of the first flap, wherein said fourth flap does not contact the first securement element; wherein tape is applied to the cardboard box to facilitate retention of the first securement element in said gap, said tape being applied across a contiguous region defined between the first and fourth flaps.

15. A mixing device according to claim 1, wherein said mixing device includes a gyroscopic mixer arranged to rotate the receptacle at 50 to 250 rpm about a first axis whilst concurrently rotating the receptacle at 50 to 250 rpm about a second axis, wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said first axis.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said cardboard box is cuboid.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein said plastics container comprises a liquid formulation which is shear thinning and comprises a vehicle and active component which is provided as a dispersion in said vehicle.

18. A mixing device comprising a receptacle support and a receptacle associated with the receptacle support, wherein said receptacle support comprises: (i) a first member having a first surface which makes face to face contact with a first surface of the receptacle; (ii) a second member which has a second surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a second surface of the receptacle, wherein the second surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (iii) a third member which has a third surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a third surface of the receptacle, wherein the third surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle and faces in an opposite direction to that of said second surface; (iv) a fourth member which has a fourth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a fourth surface of the receptacle, wherein the fourth surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (v) a fifth member which has a fifth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and makes face to face contact with a fifth surface of the receptacle, wherein the fifth surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (vi) a sixth member which has a sixth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the second, third, fourth and fifth surfaces and makes face to face contact with a sixth surface of the receptacle, wherein said sixth surface faces in an opposite direction to the first surface; wherein said receptacle support includes a clamp for clamping the receptacle in position between said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth surfaces, wherein said clamp comprises said sixth surface being movable between a first position in which it is arranged to apply a clamping force to clamp the receptacle in position and a second position in which the clamping force is released; wherein said sixth surface of said sixth member is arranged to overlie at least 50% of the area of said sixth surface of the receptacle, when in said first position; wherein said first surface of said first member overlies at least 50% of the area of the first surface of the receptacle; wherein said receptacle comprises a cardboard box in which is arranged a plastics container, wherein a first securement element associated with the plastics container is positioned in a gap defined by the cardboard of the box thereby to restrict movement of the container within the box.

19. A mixing device according to claim 18, wherein said mixing device includes a gyroscopic mixer arranged to rotate the receptacle at 50 to 250 rpm about a first axis whilst concurrently rotating the receptacle at 50 to 250 rpm about a second axis, wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said first axis.

20. A mixing device for a receptacle, said mixing device comprising a receptacle support which comprises: (i) a first member having a first surface arranged to make face to face contact with a first surface of the receptacle; (ii) a second member which has a second surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and is arranged to make face to face contact with a second surface of the receptacle, wherein the second surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (iii) a third member which has a third surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and is arranged to make face to face contact with a third surface of the receptacle, wherein the third surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle and faces in an opposite direction to that of said second surface; (iv) a fourth member which has a fourth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and is arranged to make face to face contact with a fourth surface of the receptacle, wherein the fourth surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (v) a fifth member which has a fifth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first surface and is arranged to make face to face contact with a fifth surface of the receptacle, wherein the fifth surface of the receptacle extends in a direction which is perpendicular to the first surface of the receptacle; (vi) a sixth member which has a sixth surface which extends in a direction perpendicular to the second, third, fourth and fifth surfaces and is arranged to make face to face contact with a sixth surface of the receptacle, wherein said sixth surface faces in an opposite direction to the first surface; wherein said receptacle support includes a clamp for clamping the receptacle in position between said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth surfaces and said clamp comprises said sixth surface being movable between a first position in which it is arranged to apply a clamping force to clamp the receptacle in position and a second position in which the clamping force is released; wherein said receptacle support comprises a tray arranged to engage the receptacle, wherein the tray is releasably securable in a housing, wherein said housing includes said second, third and fourth members and a base on which the tray is slideably supported, wherein the tray includes a base arranged to support the receptacle and four upstanding side walls which define a square cross-section socket for receiving the receptacle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1a and 1b are a front elevation and plan view respectively of a colour formulation dispensing device arranged for delivery of base colour formulations into a receptacle.

(2) FIG. 2a is a bottom view of a liner (i.e. bag part) of the receptacle;

(3) FIG. 2b is a top view of the liner;

(4) FIG. 2c is a side view of the liner;

(5) FIG. 2d is a detailed view of part X of FIG. 2c;

(6) FIG. 2e is a detailed view of part Z of FIG. 2c;

(7) FIG. 2f is a perspective view, partly in cross-section, of the liner (with a filling orifice omitted in the interests of clarity);

(8) FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly in cross-section, of a liner being secured within a cuboid cardboard box;

(9) FIG. 4 is a perspective view slightly from above in the direction of arrow IV of FIG. 3 wherein the flaps of the box have been closed and taped in a closed position;

(10) FIG. 5a is a front view of a mixing apparatus with a receptacle to be mixed in position;

(11) FIG. 5b is a schematic side view of the mixing apparatus;

(12) FIG. 5c is a front view of a receptacle support;

(13) FIG. 5d is a front view of a tray for the receptacle, with the receptacle in position;

(14) FIG. 5e is a side view, partly in cross-section of the tray with the receptacle in position;

(15) FIG. 5f is a perspective view of the tray with the receptacle omitted;

(16) FIG. 5g is a perspective view of part of the mixing apparatus prior to clamping of the receptacle in position;

(17) FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of gyroscopic mixing of the receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(18) Referring to FIG. 1, a dispensing head 2 of the dispensing device includes individual dispensing members 4 arranged around a central axis 6. A receptacle 10 is moveable so that its inlet 8 may be positioned directly underneath selected members 4 from which respective liquid base colour formulations (which are suitably liquid dispersions comprising pigments and/or dyes) can be dispensed directly into the receptacle. In FIG. 1, dispensing member 4a is shown above inlet 8; it may deliver one base colour formulation into the receptacle 10; the receptacle may then be positioned below selected other dispensing members and quantities of other base colour formulations can be delivered into the receptacle. The amount of each base colour formulation to be dispensed, the indexing of the receptacle 10 and the actual dispense of the base colour formulations are suitably computer controlled. After dispense of the base colour formulations, the receptacle 10 will include an unmixed colour formulation. This must be completely mixed before it is shipped to a customer. The base formulations may be relatively viscous (typical viscosities in the range 100 and 30,000 cP when measured as described herein) which means that relatively vigorous mixing is required to define a homogenous mixture.

(19) As described further below, the receptacle 10 is constructed to facilitate dispense from the dispensing head, mixing of the formulation dispensed and maintenance of the integrity of the receptacle (e.g. a box part 40 described further below). In addition, apparatus is described for supporting the receptacle 10 during mixing.

(20) Referring to FIG. 2c, liner 14 comprises two flexible and collapsible halves 16a, 16b. These are formed from two simultaneously extruded sheets of LDPE which are blown, formed and sealed along a diagonally extending region 18 of the liner, in a single process. They could alternatively be made from pre-cast films. As shown in FIG. 2c, half 16a includes a central inlet orifice 20 which includes a screw-threaded region 22 which is arranged to releasably engage a screw-threaded cap 24. Orifice 20 has a diameter of about 100 mm which is sufficiently wide that dispensing members 4 (FIG. 1) can easily dispense colour formulations into the liner via the orifice.

(21) As shown in FIG. 2a, half 16b includes an outlet orifice 26 which includes a screw-threaded region 28 which is arranged to releasably engage a screw-threaded cap 30. Orifice 26 has a diameter of about 31 mm which is too narrow for it to cooperate with dispensing members 4 (FIG. 1) but is suitable to be used as an outlet for delivery of liquid colour formulations to wherever they may be required. A tube may be connected to the outlet to facilitate delivery of the liquid formulations.

(22) The liner 14 includes a first elongate substantially rectangular tab 32 and a second elongate substantially rectangular tab 34. The first tab 32 is hinged about a weakened portion 36 (FIG. 2b) so the tab can be moved to a position in which it makes face to face contact with face 40 of the liner. The second tab 34 is hinged about a weakened portion 38 (FIG. 2b) so the tab can be moved to a position in which it makes face to fact contact with face 42 of the liner. The tab 34 includes an arcuate cut out region 44 which is positioned so the tab is accommodated partly around orifice 26 when the tab 34 makes contact with face 42 as aforesaid.

(23) The first and second tabs are arranged to secure the liner within the box part 11 of receptacle 10 as described below.

(24) The liner 14 has a length (L) and height (H) of about 306 mm (for receptacles of 25 liters capacity).

(25) The box part of receptacle 10 is made from a standard cardboard blank for construction of a cardboard box which the liner 14 is arranged to engage. In FIG. 3, the liner 14 is shown positioned within the box 40 with the bottom 42 of the box closed and the tab 34 secured in position between two flaps of the box, so upwardly and downwardly facing faces of the tab 34 make face to face contact with respective flaps of the box. Detail on this has been omitted from FIG. 3 in the interests of clarity but it is analogous to securement of tab 32 of the box between flaps 44, 46 and 48 as described below.

(26) As apparent from FIG. 3, the liner 42 is positioned in box 40 with its orifice 26 aligned with an orifice in the box. Although orifice 26 of FIG. 2 has been omitted from FIG. 3 in the interests of clarity, it will be appreciated that it is provided in face 42 of the liner.

(27) The box 40 includes hinged flaps 44, 46, 48 and 50 which in FIG. 3 are shown in the open positions. To close the box and secure the tab 32 (and therefore liner 14 in position), firstly flaps 44, 46 are pivoted through about 180 from the FIG. 3 position so they lie substantially flat upon face 42 of the liner. Then flaps 48 and 50 are pivoted through about 180 so they lie flat upon the flaps 44, 46. When flap 48 is pivoted, tab 32 (which makes face to face contact with flap 48) is also pivoted so it lies flat on flaps 44, 46 and is sandwiched between flaps 44, 46 on one side and flap 48 on its upper side. The flaps 44, 46, 48, 50 may then be secured in their closed positions using tape 52 (FIG. 4).

(28) FIG. 4 shows one corner of the closed receptacle 10, wherein tab 32 of the liner 14 is wedged between flaps 44 and 48 and tape 52 secures the flaps of the box 40 in position. The same view will be apparent at each corner of the receptacle. Thus, it should be appreciated that tabs 32, 34 are securely positioned between flaps of the box along diagonally spaced apart top and bottom edges of the box. As a result, the liner is secured in position within the box 40 and is substantially restricted from moving relative thereto.

(29) Agitation of the receptacle 10 to mix its content is achieved using mixing apparatus as shown in FIG. 5. The apparatus includes a housing 60 which houses a gyroscopic mixer 62 with which is associated a support assembly for supporting the receptacle 10 during mixing. A roller conveyor 64 is positioned adjacent the housing for facilitating introduction and removal of the receptacle from the housing. Components of the apparatus are described in more detail below.

(30) The support assembly includes a first support structure 65 (FIG. 5c) which includes a circular base 66 which supports spaced apart upstanding square side walls 68 and rear wall 70 which are arranged define an opening which snugly receives the receptacle 10 such that a top region 72 (FIG. 5e) of the receptacle protrudes slightly above the upper edges of walls 68. In front of the walls 68 is a roller 74 which is rotatably supported at opposite ends by structures 76.

(31) The support assembly include a tray 80 (FIG. 5d) which defines a square cross-section socket which is arranged to snugly engage the receptacle 10. More particularly, the tray includes a square base 82, upstanding front wall 84, opposing side walls 86 and rear wall 88 which together are arranged to snugly engage a bottom region of receptacle 10. The tray (and receptacle container therein) are arranged to be slid into (and removed from) the first support structure 65 using a handle 90. When so arranged the tray 80 is restricted from sliding out of the structure 65 by the close proximity of structures 76 which thereby act as stop members.

(32) The support assembly for the receptacle is completed by a clamp plate 92 which is arranged to move downwardly from its FIG. 5g position to a position wherein it clamps down on top region 72 of receptacle 10. When so disposed, the receptacle 10 is substantially immovably secured in position, whilst avoiding application of any force which may significantly damage the cardboard box 40 of the receptacle. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the receptacle is covered, at least to some extent, on all sides by a supporting wall (e.g. 66, 68, 70, 84) and is completely covered on all sides by a supporting wall, except for an exposed front region 100 of the box. The highly supportive structure is found to minimise damage to the cardboard of receptacle 10 during mixing and yet provides a quick means of introducing and removing the receptacle from the mixing apparatus.

(33) The mixing apparatus is arranged to subject the receptacle 10 to gyroscopic mixing. More particularly, the receptacle is supported and arranged to be rotated about two orthogonal axes, as represented in FIG. 6vertical axis 102 and horizontal axis 104. The rpm about the two axes may be in the range 90 to 190 rpm. Mixing may be undertaken for 1 to 4 minutes.

(34) The apparatus described may be used and/or operated as follows:

(35) The FIG. 1 apparatus is used to produce an unmixed formulation in receptacle 10 which comprises liner 14 secured within box 40. The box is taped closed. The receptacle 10 is engaged with tray 80 as described. The tray is placed on conveyor 64 and rolled manually towards the first support structure 65. It is then rolled over roller 74 and slid into structure 65. Clamp plate 92 is then moved downwardly to securely clamp the receptacle 10 in position. Next, the gyroscopic mixer is operated for a time sufficient to completely mix the contents of the receptacle. Thereafter, the receptacle 10 is removed by an operator using handle 90 to pull the tray (and associated receptacle) onto and across roller 74 and onto the conveyor 64. The receptacle can then be removed to a storage location and/or transported to a customer.

(36) It is found that the mixing process and handling of the receptacle advantageously does not significantly damage the liner 14 or box part 11. After mixing, the formulation in the receptacle is suitably homogenous and remains so for at least six months under normal storage conditions. The receptacle may be used by customers as required, for example to deliver a formulation into plastics processing apparatus. After use, the liner and box part can be separated and both readily recycled.

(37) In an additional embodiment, the mixing process described herein may be used to re-mix older batches of formulations before use to ensure they are homogenous.

(38) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.