EP0249440A2 - Vorrichtung zur Verteilung eines nichtflüssigen chemischen Produktes - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zur Verteilung eines nichtflüssigen chemischen Produktes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0249440A2
EP0249440A2 EP87305073A EP87305073A EP0249440A2 EP 0249440 A2 EP0249440 A2 EP 0249440A2 EP 87305073 A EP87305073 A EP 87305073A EP 87305073 A EP87305073 A EP 87305073A EP 0249440 A2 EP0249440 A2 EP 0249440A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
solvent
product
screen
lower chamber
further characterised
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP87305073A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0249440A3 (de
Inventor
George Kerr Rennie
Johannes Jacobus Maria De Ridder
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP0249440A2 publication Critical patent/EP0249440A2/de
Publication of EP0249440A3 publication Critical patent/EP0249440A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for dispensing a non-fluid chemical product as a dosing liquid comprising a solution and/or suspension thereof in a solvent, of the kind wherein the device is separated by a liquid-pervious screen, into an upper chamber in which the product is to be held, and a lower chamber provided with an inlet for the solvent and an outlet for the dosing liquid.
  • One particular type of detergent product for use in commercial washing machines comprises various liquid compositions, i.e. dissolved or dispersed products. These have been popular from the point of view of transport, easy formulation and good storage properties. However, recently, there has been an increase in interest in non-fluid products for improvement in reliability, especially for the purpose of providing uniform concentrations of product in the wash liquor.
  • US patent 2,686,080 describes impregnating water running from a tap by directing it through a chamber containing a soap bar.
  • US patent 2,135,969 describes passing water through a chamber in which soap flakes are held in a mesh cage, and supplying the resultant solution to a bathroom shower.
  • the inlet of the device is connected to a mouth for receiving the solvent in free space, whereby the solvent can flow into and fill the lower chamber to a level where it permeates the screen to take-up the product thereabove, whereafter it flows back into the lower chamber to exit via the outlet as the dosing liquid.
  • the present invention may be realised as a unitary construction, manufactured from relatively inexpensive materials not involving any electrical components, which can be produced either as a refillable dispenser or as a disposable (throw-away-after-use) package.
  • the outlet merely may be an opening in the device so that during use, the supply of water is caught by the mouth and the dimensions of the inside of the device are such that during operation, the throughput is approximately constant, resulting in a substantially uniform concentratio n of the product in the exuded dosing liquid.
  • the outlet is provided with a gate which when closed, allows saturation of the product by the solvent as the device is filled. Subsequently, when the gate is opened, a batch of dosing liquid is released, which is more concentrated than that produced during the continuous operation described in the previous paragraph.
  • opening and closing of the gate may be controlled by a remote means, e.g. through a mechanical, hydraulic or electrical linkage. These may be operated as desired, for example according to a predetermined programme, or in response to a temperature-sensitive element. The latter is appropriate when the device is intended for operation inside washing (warewashing or fabrics-washing) machines. In the latter instance, it is also possible for the gate to be provided with a thermochemically operated element so that operation of the gate is automatic upon sensing of a predetermined temperature in its vicinity.
  • the upper chamber is closed.
  • the upper chamber (disposed above the screen) provides an air trap in which, during use, the product is located.
  • the upper chamber is then provided with a lid which must be substantially sealable (air-tight) to preserve the air trap function of said upper chamber.
  • the filling of the chamber to the level sufficient for the solvent to permeate the screen to contact the chemical product will in general be determined by the dimensions of the mouth, the inlet, outlet and the inside of the lower chamber, as well as the flow rate of liquid entering the mouth.
  • the mouth is situated above the level of the screen. This tends to ensure that the lower chamber is always filled to the required level to ensure proper and uniform up-take of the product.
  • the device is manufactured with the mouth connected to the inlet by a channel integral with the upper and lower chambers, and separated from the former by a dividing wall.
  • the device is in the form of a rectangular box having two opposing square or rectangular side walls and two narrower, opposing rectangular side walls, with the channel running vertically along one side parallel to or contiguous with, one of said narrower side walls, up to the mouth which is flush with the top of the device.
  • the second compartment defines a flow-path adjacent the screen.
  • means for causing turbulence in the flow-path may take the form of cross-ribs in one or more of the walls of the lower chamber, partially blocking the flow-path.
  • the device may be used for dispensing any non-fluid chemical product which can be dissolved and/or dispersed in the solvent in question.
  • non-fluid is intended to exclude products which would simply run through the liquid-pervious screen, especially liquids.
  • the term does however include various solid, near-solid, paste and gel products which can be retained above the screen (which of course may be varied also to suit the particular product).
  • the term includes physical forms such as pow ders, (notwithstanding that powders are sometimes in other contexts termed "fluids” in that they are pourable), granulates, solid blocks, sticks, "noodles", other extruded forms and the like. They may be of either homogeneous or heterogeneous consistency. In general, a main requirement is that the size of any particles, must be greater (at least for most particles) than the size of the holes in the screen.
  • the mesh may be of any material compatible with the chemical product and solvent in question, and may be porous such as is blotting paper, a non-woven fabric or sinter glass, or may have a mesh which can be either fine, such as found in various woven fabrics, or wide, such as a netting or mesh, e.g. of wire or plastics material.
  • the holes in the mesh may be in the order of 0.5 x 0.5 mm, or with noodles, 0.5 x 0.5 cm, or with sticks, 2 cm x 2 cm.
  • the device according to the invention will be applicable to a wide range of applications which may readily be appreciated in the light of the present disclosure.
  • the solvent will normally comprise substantially only water and the chemical product will be a detergent and/or caustic composition, optionally containing the usual products such as bleaches, enzymes and the like.
  • the upper chamber has a closed top and side walls and the screen is disposed in a bottom wall thereof, the lower chamber being disposed beneath and substantially peripherally co-terminous with the screen.
  • the device may be provided with a support means such as a hook, cord or any other feature which may readily be envisaged.
  • a support means such as a hook, cord or any other feature which may readily be envisaged.
  • the solvent is not water but is a volatile organic liquid, is in the dosing of adjuncts in dry cleaning.
  • a major advantage of the present invention is that it can be located inside a washing machine, rather than in-line, it can also be located outside the machine, e.g. in a by-pass unit in the water supply system.
  • the device 1 comprises a top wall 2, side walls 4, 5, 6 and a bottom wall 7.
  • a first upper chamber 8 is defined by the top wall 2, the side walls 3, 4, 6, a dividing wall 9 and a bottom screen 10.
  • the top wall 2 comprises a lid 11 pivoting along a hinge 12 and having a knob 13 for opening and closing.
  • a second lower chamber 14 is defined by the side walls 3, 4, 6, the bottom wall 7, the dividing wall 9 and the screen 10.
  • a channel 15, between the side wall 5 and the dividing wall 9 of the compartment 14 connects a mouth 16 for receiving water, and an inlet 14a to the lower chamber.
  • the latter is also provided with an outlet 17, egress from which is controlled by a gate 18 (details not shown).
  • the upper chamber 8 comprises a non-fluid product (also not shown) which is introduced through the lid 11 and supported by the screen 10, the mesh size of which is sufficiently small not to have undissolved non-fluid product falling through.
  • Figure 2 shows the same device as Figure 1, the outline 22 delineating the locus of the lid as it is opened. Also, in this case, the outlet of the lower chamber is situated at the bottom of the narrow side wall 3.
  • the device may be suspended under the supply water spraying line 19 of a washing machine 20, the mouth 16 being immediately below a spraying nozzle 21.
  • Suitable means such as a cord or hook are provided for this purpose.
  • the lower chamber 14 When non-discharging, the lower chamber 14 will be completely filled with water. Owing to the fact that the top wall 2, the side walls 3, 4, 6 and the dividing wall 9 are closed, the upper chamber 8 forms an air trap cavity and water is not introduced therein to any significant extent. Only the down-most layer of the non-fluid product therein is wetted owing to contact through the screen 10 with the water in the lower chamber 14. In this way, slow dissolving of non-fluid product is facilitated.
  • the operation of the device according to the present embodiment is fully dependent on the control of the outlet 17 by the gate 18 and the timing of the water supply to the device.
  • egress from the lower chamber 14 is controlled such that, after the previous discharge of solution, this chamber is filled with water and the egress of solution is blocked during a period in which a gradual build-up of the product concentration can take place. At this point there is saturation of the product, at least the lower layers thereof, with the water. Depending on the length of this period, a more or less concentrated solution can be established for release as a batch when the gate is opened.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
EP87305073A 1986-06-10 1987-06-09 Vorrichtung zur Verteilung eines nichtflüssigen chemischen Produktes Withdrawn EP0249440A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB868614083A GB8614083D0 (en) 1986-06-10 1986-06-10 Dissolving & dispensing non-liquid chemicals
GB8614083 1986-06-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0249440A2 true EP0249440A2 (de) 1987-12-16
EP0249440A3 EP0249440A3 (de) 1988-04-27

Family

ID=10599224

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87305073A Withdrawn EP0249440A3 (de) 1986-06-10 1987-06-09 Vorrichtung zur Verteilung eines nichtflüssigen chemischen Produktes

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0249440A3 (de)
JP (1) JPS6323698A (de)
AU (1) AU597378B2 (de)
CA (1) CA1272889A (de)
GB (1) GB8614083D0 (de)
NZ (1) NZ220558A (de)
ZA (1) ZA874171B (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009055257A1 (en) * 2007-10-23 2009-04-30 Electrolux Home Products, Inc Additive dispenser
US7988929B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2011-08-02 Ecolab Usa Inc. Solid product dispenser
US8142731B2 (en) 2005-06-13 2012-03-27 Reckitt Benckiser (Uk) Limited Device for providing a relatively constant rate of dissolution of a solid article within it
EP2703544A1 (de) * 2012-08-28 2014-03-05 Miele & Cie. KG Dosierbehältnis für Reinigungsmittel und Verfahren zur Dosierung von Reinigungsmittel
CN114197142A (zh) * 2021-12-23 2022-03-18 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 用于洗衣机的喷淋头及洗衣机

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7864151B1 (en) 1986-07-07 2011-01-04 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Portable electronic device
GB9209170D0 (en) * 1992-04-28 1992-06-10 Unilever Plc Rinse conditioner

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2178735A (en) * 1936-08-26 1939-11-07 Behrman Robert Detergent generator for washing machines
US2317548A (en) * 1940-05-15 1943-04-27 Bois Soap Company Du Detergent dispenser

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5850992A (ja) * 1981-09-24 1983-03-25 株式会社日立製作所 液体投入装置

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2178735A (en) * 1936-08-26 1939-11-07 Behrman Robert Detergent generator for washing machines
US2317548A (en) * 1940-05-15 1943-04-27 Bois Soap Company Du Detergent dispenser

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8142731B2 (en) 2005-06-13 2012-03-27 Reckitt Benckiser (Uk) Limited Device for providing a relatively constant rate of dissolution of a solid article within it
US7988929B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2011-08-02 Ecolab Usa Inc. Solid product dispenser
US8313707B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2012-11-20 Ecolab Usa Inc. Solid product dispenser
WO2009055257A1 (en) * 2007-10-23 2009-04-30 Electrolux Home Products, Inc Additive dispenser
US7895864B2 (en) 2007-10-23 2011-03-01 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Laundry additive dispenser
EP2703544A1 (de) * 2012-08-28 2014-03-05 Miele & Cie. KG Dosierbehältnis für Reinigungsmittel und Verfahren zur Dosierung von Reinigungsmittel
CN114197142A (zh) * 2021-12-23 2022-03-18 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 用于洗衣机的喷淋头及洗衣机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0249440A3 (de) 1988-04-27
NZ220558A (en) 1989-09-27
CA1272889A (en) 1990-08-21
ZA874171B (en) 1989-02-22
AU597378B2 (en) 1990-05-31
GB8614083D0 (en) 1986-07-16
JPS6323698A (ja) 1988-01-30
AU7400387A (en) 1987-12-17

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Inventor name: RENNIE, GEORGE KERR

Inventor name: DE RIDDER, JOHANNES JACOBUS MARIA