AU2012273746A1 - A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent - Google Patents

Abstract

A dosing and dispensing device (1) for liquid detergent comprises a hollow body (2) having a portion (3) comprising a flexible material, where- in at least one slit (5) is provided in the flexible portion for dispensing the product, and means to spread at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric. The slit is (progressively) opened when pressure is applied to said device on a surface to which the liquid detergent is applied. The opening is substantially closed when said pressure stops.

Description

WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 A DOSING AND DISPENSING DEVICE FOR LIQUID DETERGENT The present invention relates to a dosing and dispensing device for liquid laundry detergents. The device according to the present in vention is particularly adapted to pretreat fabrics with a portion of 5 liquid detergent. Dispensing devices for liquid detergent, which are to be introduced with the fabrics in the washing machine, are well known in the pri or art. It is also known that it is possible to achieve a greater ef fectiveness in respect of stain removal by pretreating the fabrics 10 without consuming a greater amount of liquid detergent. Pre treatment means that a certain amount of detergent is applied di rectly onto the dirty parts of said fabrics before they are washed in the machine. In the following these devices are called "pretreat ment devices". In the following detergent means a detergent 15 composition for the treatment of fabrics. This detergent composi tion may comprise washing additives, like beaches, enzymes and/or others known in the art. Various pretreatment devices for liquid detergent are described in the prior art, for example in WO 92/09736 and WO 92/09737. 20 These devices allow an application of said liquid detergent onto the fabrics before the washing cycle either with predetermined outlets or a removable pretreatment applicator respectively. Another ap proach is represented by EP-A-575 714. This document describes another pretreatment device for liquid detergent with a fixed appli 25 cator in form of a roller ball. This roller ball is able to spread the contained liquid detergent only in a predetermined direction. The pretreating devices mentioned before allow an even spreading of the contained liquid detergent onto the fabric, i.e. the spread quantity is always the same. This way of even spreading does not 1 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO consider that different stains need a different amount of liquid de tergent during pretreatment. For example, stains can be made of certain constituents which need a more thorough pretreatment to increase its effectiveness. This can be achieved by applying a 5 greater amount of the liquid detergent. A greater quantity is also needed depending on the dimensions of the stain itself. Therefore, we found that the effectiveness of stain removal is increased when a greater amount of pretreating detergent is applied upon the soiled surface of the fabric, since said surface can be pretreated 10 more thoroughly. It is not possible with the pretreatment devices of the prior art to adjust the amount of liquid detergent on the specific needs. In deed, the outlets having a fixed aperture or the applicators, being for example a sponge, do not give the possibility to vary the quan 15 tity of liquid detergent to be spread on the fabric for a thorough pre-treatment / to control the amount of detergent such that even tual damages to fabrics (i.e. fading, etc.) can be avoided. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device with an adjustable flow of the contained liquid detergent for the 20 pretreatment. It is an object of the present invention to obviate / mitigate the problems outlined above. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provid ed a dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent comprising a 25 hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, w in at least on'e siilt is Provided in thefexbl portion for dispensin',g the c product, and means to spread at least a portion of the con tained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric, reisaid sit S (progressively) opened when lateral pressure is applied to said de 2 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO vice on a surface to which the liquid detergent is applied, and said opening being substantially closed when said pressure stops. It has been found that the container of the invention is particularly advantageous in that the amount of detergent dosed from the de 5 vice and the spreading of the detergent onto the surface being treated is surprisingly beneficial. These benefits include quick / advanced control of discharge of the detergent from the device by the application / removal of pressure applied thereto. Additionally the device of the invention is able to provide a rubbing / scrubbing 10 action as well as the application of pressure. Generally the opening is located in the bottom part of said device. This allows dosing of the detergent (aided by gravity) onto the sur face being treated. To achieve this aim preferably the portion of flexible material is located in the bottom part of said device. 15 Preferably the device comprises several openings. This allows ef fective dosage and spreading of the detergent onto the surface be ing treated. It is preferred that the openings are in the form of a slit valve. Such slit valves are understood to be capable of being opened 20 when pressure is applied thereto. The pressure applied may be in the form of contact pressure against a surface or translational pressure (or a combination thereof) caused by movement relative to a surface. Each slit valve may have one or more preferably a plurality of sep 25 arate slit openings (these may be arranged perpendicularly to one other - in this way it is possible to achieve dosing of the detergent even when the direction of rubbing is perpendicular to some of the slit valves (i.e. for any rubbing direction some valves will be in the 3 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO best condition to work)), (ideally about two openings for enhanced discharge of detergent). Where more than one slit opening is pre sent it can be that the openings are not of an equivalent size. Preferably the slit valve is co-planar with the surface of the flexible 5 portion. The flexible portion may be planar. Optionally the flexible portion is in the form of a portion of a sphere / spheroid. . To improve the penetration / spreading of the detergent into the (usually fabric surface) being treated it is preferred that the device (preferably on the flexible portion) comprises a spreading means. 10 Preferably the spreading means is in the form of a ridge. The ridge may be liner or may be curved. Generally a plurality of ridges is present on the device. In order to be capable of being used by a consumer generally the device comprises a gripping means. The gripping means prefera 15 bly comprises the main body of the device, into which the deter gent is poured. The main body of the device is preferably shaped so that it is capable of fitting into a hand of a user yet may contain sufficient detergent for a pre-treatment and laundry step. The main body thus has a volume of from 50-200cm 3 . The main body 20 may comprise any geometrical shape but is generally based on an ovoid, tapering towards its upper opening (into which the deter gent is poured) and also at its lower end (which adjoins onto the flexible portion). Generally the device is made of elastic plastic material. The main 25 body may comprise PP, PE or PET (both injected or blow moulded). The ridges and the valves may comprise any rubber or elastomer suitable for being welded, melted or glued onto the main body.

WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO According to a second aspect of the present invention there is pro vided a process for pretreating and washing fabrics in a washing machine with the dosing and dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises of the fol 5 lowing steps: a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pretreatment and washing cycle is introduced into the dosing and dispensing device; pretreatment of the fabrics is executed with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dos age contained in said device and dispensed from said device 10 through said cut; the thus pretreated fabrics are placed in the drum of the washing machine together with said dosing and dis pensing device and with other non-pretreated fabrics. Most preferably the device is for a laundry cleaning formulation and for use in dispensing same onto a clothing surface. 15 Preferably the laundry cleaning formulation comprises a bleach, e.g. in an amount of from 0.001% to 99.99%, preferably 0.001% to 20%, preferably 4% to 18%, e.g. most preferably about 4.5% or 13%, by weight, of bleach. The bleach is preferably peroxide bleach, most preferably hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide sources oth 20 er than H 2 0 2 can be used. Preferably the laundry cleaning formulation comprises a surfactant. Where present the composition comprises from 0.001% to 99.99%, preferably 0.05% to 15%, e.g. about 7%, by weight of 25 surfactant. The surfactant is, for example, an anionic or nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof (most preferably a nonionic surfactant). The nonionic surfactant is preferably a surfactant having a formula 30 RO(CH 2

CH

2 0)oH wherein R is a mixture of linear, even carbon 5 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO number hydrocarbon chains ranging from C 1 2

H

25 to C 16

H

3 3 and n represents the number of repeating units and is a number of from about 1 to about 12. Examples of other non-ionic surfactants in clude higher aliphatic primary alcohol containing about twelve to 5 about 16 carbon atoms which are condensed with about three to thirteen moles of ethylene oxide. Other examples of nonionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates (available under the Neodol trade name from Shell 10 Co.), such as C 1 1 alkanol condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 1-9), C 1 2

-

1 3 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles ethylene ox ide (Neodol 23-6.5), C 12

-

1 3 alkanol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-9), C12-15 alkanol condensed with 7 or 3 moles eth ylene oxide (Neodol 25-7 or Neodol 25-3), C 14 -1 5 alkanol condensed 15 with 13 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-13), C 9

-

11 linear ethox ylated alcohol, averaging 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol (Neodol 91-2.5), and the like. Other examples of nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the pre 20 sent invention include ethylene oxide condensate products of sec ondary aliphatic alcohols containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of commercially available non ionic detergents of the foregoing type are C 11 -1 5 secondary alkanol 25 condensed with either 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Un ion Carbide, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical. Octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol type nonionic surfactants, for ex 30 ample, Triton X-100, as well as amine oxides can also be used as a nonionic surfactant in the present invention. 6 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Tomadol trade name such as, for example, Tomadol 1-7, a C 11 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 25-7, a C 12 -Ci 5 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; 5 Tomadol 45-7, a C 14

-C

15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a C 9 -CnI linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO. Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available 10 under the Lutensol trade name such as, for example, Lutensol A3N, a C 1 3-1 5 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles EO; Lutensol LA60, a C 1 3-1 5 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO. Also Genapol such as, for example, Genapol LA3, a C 1 3-1 5 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles EO; Genapol LA070, a C 1 3 15 is linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO Tomadol 45-7, a C 14

-C

15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a C 9 -CnI linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO. 20 Other nonionic surfactants are amine oxides, alkyl amide oxide surfactants. Preferred anionic surfactants are frequently provided as alkali met 25 al salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, aminoalcohol salts or mag nesium salts. Contemplated as useful are one or more sulfate or sulfonate compounds including: alkyl benzene sulfates, alkyl sul fates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl poly ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylamide 30 sulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sul fonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyla mide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate, alkyl sulfoacetates, 7 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acyl sarconsinates, acyl isethionates, and N-acyl taurates. Generally, the alkyl or acyl radi cal in these various compounds comprise a carbon chain containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms. 5 Other surfactants which may be used are alkyl naphthalene sul fonates and acyl / oleoyl sarcosinates and mixtures thereof. The laundry cleaning formulation may comprise various optional 10 ingredients, including enzymes, builders, solvents, dye transfer in hibition agents, dye catchers, preservatives, anti-oxidants, anti static agents, fragrances, odour absorbing components, optical brighteners, acidifying agents, alkalizing agents, thickeners (e.g. hydroxyethylcellulose and / or xanthan gum). 15 The container of the invention is further described by reference to the following Figures in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a device in ac cordance with the invention. From Figure 1 it can be seen that the device 1 comprises a main 20 body section 2 in the form of a modified cylinder and a flexible body portion 3. These are joined together to form a dosing device for retaining / dosing a liquid (detergent) composition. The main body 2 is able to act as a handle for use by a consumer. The main body has an opening 4 for introduction of detergent into 25 the device and release of detergent in a (laundry) washing cycle. The flexible body portion 3 comprises a plurality of slit valves 5 disposed on its lower surface. The slit valves 5 have openings 6 that may be opened by the application of pressure (contact and / 8 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO or translational) on a surface. The flexible body portion 3 also comprises a plurality of curved spreading ridges 7 on its lower sur face. In use a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be utilized 5 during the pretreatment and washing cycle is introduced into the device 1. Pretreatment of fabrics is executed with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dosage contained in said device 1 being dispensed from said device 1 through said valves 5. This is achieved by pressing and rubbing the device 1 on the fabric sur 10 face to be treated, thus causing release of detergent and spreading of same (aided by the ridges 7) on the surface being treated. The thus pretreated fabrics are placed in the drum of the washing ma chine together with said dosing and dispensing device 1 and with other non-pretreated fabrics. A washing cycle may then be oper 15 ated. 9

Claims (4)

1. A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent comprising a hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, where in atleat one sit is provided in the flexible portion for dispensing 5 the product, and means to spread at least a portion of the con tained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric, wsaid slt is (progressively) opened when lateral pressure is applied to said de vice on a surface to which the liquid detergent is applied, and said opening being substantially closed when said pressure stops. 10 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said sit is located in the bottom part of said device. 3, A device according to claim-s 1 or 2 weina plurality of sits is provided, 4, A de 'vice according to claimn 3, w herein .the'_ slits are arranged in. 15 a regular pattern, 5I, A dJevice according ito any o ofthe proceeding claim-s wherein the slits have a size of 0,1 to 10mm,

6. A device according to ary o of the e cr the slits, wherein said portion of flexible material is located in the 20 bottom part of said device.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises rubbing ridges.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises gripping means. 25 9. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said device is made of elastic plastic material. 10 WO 2012/175989 PCT/GB2012/051464 12643P6 WO I0. A process for pretreating and washing fabrics in a washing ma chine with the dosing and dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises of the fol lowing steps: a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be 5 utilized during the pretreatment and washing cycle is introduced into the dosing and dispensing device; pretreatment of the fabrics is executed with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dos age contained in said device and dispensed from said device through said cut; the thus pretreated fabrics are placed in the 10 drum of the washing machine together with said dosing and dis pensing device and with other non-pretreated fabrics. 11