Package for a detergent bar

Abstract

The invention provides a planar ( 1 ) stiffener for use in packaging of detergent bars, the stiffener having a machine-direction (MD) and perpendicular thereto a cross-direction (CD), characterised in that said stiffener has a plurality of ribs ( 2 ) along its cross-direction. The stiffeners when used in packaging soap or detergent bars are less prone to deformation along the lateral sides ( 6, 7 ) and edges of the package ( 3 ). This makes the stiffener characteristics more suitable for retaining the envelope wrapped shape of the package to a significant extent until the end consumer point.

1 . A planar stiffener for use in packaging of detergent bars, the stiffener having a machine-direction and perpendicular thereto a cross-direction, characterised in that said stiffener has plurality of ribs along its cross-direction. 
   
   
       2 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the angle of said ribs with the cross-direction of said stiffener is from 0° to 45°. 
   
   
       3 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said angle is from 0° to 30°. 
   
   
       4 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said angle is 0°. 
   
   
       5 . A planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the adjacent ribs ranges from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. 
   
   
       6 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said distance is 1 mm. 
   
   
       7 . A planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cross-direction stiffness of said stiffener is from 10 to 40 Taber Units. 
   
   
       8 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said stiffness is from 15 to 30 Taber units. 
   
   
       9 . A planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grammage of said stiffener is from 90 g/m 2  to 200 g/m 2 . 
   
   
       10 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said grammage is from 120 g/m 2  to 170 g/m 2 . 
   
   
       11 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said grammage is from 130 g/m 2  to 150 g/m 2 . 
   
   
       12 . A planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of said stiffener is from 120μ to 400μ. 
   
   
       13 . A planar stiffener as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said thickness is from 150μ to 300μ. 
   
   
       14 . A planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said stiffener is made of paper, paper board, or polycoated paper. 
   
   
       15 . A package for a detergent bar comprising a planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims that surrounds said bar along longitudinal extent thereof. 
   
   
       16 . A package as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said package comprises a wrapper, overlaying said stiffener. 
   
   
       17 . A packaged detergent bar comprising:
 (i) a detergent bar;   (ii) a planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding  claims 1  to  14 , and   (iii) a wrapper overlaying said stiffener.   
   
   
       18 . A process for preparing a planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding  claims 1  to  14 , comprising the steps of:
 (i) softening a tensioned sheet of paper, paper board or polycoated paper by contacting it with a softening agent;   (ii) passing said tensioned sheet between a pair of counter-currently rotating grooved rollers operating under pressure from 500 psi to 2000 psi to form a plurality of ribs along the cross-direction of said sheet, said rollers being disposed one of top of the other;   (iii) passing said sheet through a heating zone; and optionally,   (iv) cutting said sheet to required size.   
   
   
       19 . A process as claimed in  claim 18  wherein softening agent said is low pressure steam. 
   
   
       20 . A process as claimed in  claim 18  or  19  wherein said heating zone comprises one or more heat radiators. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for making a planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding  claims 1  to  14  comprising:
 (i) a means for unwinding a sheet of paper, paper board or polycoated paper;   (ii) means for holding said sheet in a tensioned state as it passes through said apparatus, said means being located on either sides of a pair of grooved counter-currently rotating rollers through which said sheet passes in a tensioned state;   (iii) a means for spraying softening agent located before said rollers;   (iv) a means for heating said sheet located after said rollers; and optionally,   (v) a means for winding said sheet.   
   
   
       22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the means for holding said sheet in a tensioned state includes two pairs of rollers, each said pair comprising a rubber pinch roller and a steel roller. 
   
   
       23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said softening agent is low pressure steam. 
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said means for heating comprises one or more heat radiators. 
   
   
       25 . Use of a planar stiffener as claimed in any one of the preceding  claims 1  to  14  in packaging of a detergent bar. 
   
   
       26 . A package substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples and figures. 
   
   
       27 . A planar stiffener substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples and figures. 
   
   
       28 . A process substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples and figures. 
   
   
       29 . An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures and examples. 
   
   
       30 . A packaged detergent bar substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.