EP0823236A1 - Abgabevorrichtung für Tabletten - Google Patents

Abgabevorrichtung für Tabletten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0823236A1
EP0823236A1 EP96305842A EP96305842A EP0823236A1 EP 0823236 A1 EP0823236 A1 EP 0823236A1 EP 96305842 A EP96305842 A EP 96305842A EP 96305842 A EP96305842 A EP 96305842A EP 0823236 A1 EP0823236 A1 EP 0823236A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dispensing device
cage structure
detergent tablet
tablet
wall
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Withdrawn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
EP96305842A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Carol Smith
Tanya Cecile Corneel Van Rompuy
Steven Frederick Kelsey
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.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
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 Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Priority to EP96305842A priority Critical patent/EP0823236A1/de
Priority to CA002212322A priority patent/CA2212322A1/en
Publication of EP0823236A1 publication Critical patent/EP0823236A1/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • D06F39/024—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4445—Detachable devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dispensing device for detergent in tablet form.
  • Detergent compositions formed as non particulate solids such as bars or tablets or briquettes are known in the art.
  • tablette will refer to any form of non particulate solids.
  • the tablet provides a number of advantages to both the consumer and the manufacturer. For example, the tablet avoids spillage of the detergent composition. Furthermore, the tablet eliminates the need for the user to estimate the dosage of detergent composition required and ensures that the correct dosage of detergent composition per wash cycle is used by the user.
  • dispensing device for tablets which may be introduced in an automatic dish washing machine is described in co-pending European Patent Application No. 95304115.9.
  • This dispensing device may comprise a fastening means which fastens the dispensing device to the interior of an automatic washing machine such that it can be released therefrom when required.
  • the dispensing device is usually attached to the exterior of the cutlery basket or the crockery basket.
  • the cage-like dispensing device of the co-pending European Patent Application No. 95304115.9 requires quite sophisticated moulding techniques.
  • Such a sophisticated moulding technique is for example split cavity moulding.
  • the use of such sophisticated moulding techniques results in high mould costs and correspondingly high cost per piece.
  • the present invention is a method for retaining a detergent tablet and dispensing the detergent tablet in a wash liquor of an automatic laundry or dish washing machine.
  • the method comprises the following steps:
  • Figure 1a shows a perspective front view of a dispensing device according to the present invention in a flat configuration.
  • Figure 1b shows in a perspective front view the dispensing device of Figure 1a moved into another flat configuration.
  • Figure 2a shows a front view of another embodiment of the dispensing device according to the present invention in the flat configuration.
  • Figure 2b shows in a perspective front view the dispensing device of Figure 2a moved into an erected configuration to accept and retain a detergent tablet.
  • the tablet is made from a detergent composition for dish or laundry washing.
  • the tablet may have any shape or dimension.
  • the solid, non particulate tablet is symmetrical to ensure the uniform dissolution of the tablet in the wash liquor.
  • the detergent tablet may comprise any ingredients known in the art.
  • ingredients may include surfactants, suds suppressors, bleaches, chelants, builders, enzymes, fillers and perfumes.
  • the detergent composition of the tablet is prepared in its granular or particulate form and then formed into tablets of the desired shape and size by any one of the methods known in the art. Suitable methods include compression, extrusion and casting.
  • the detergent composition may be homogeneously distributed throughout the tablet or may comprise distinct layers of certain detergent ingredients.
  • the present invention provides a method for retaining a detergent tablet and dispensing the detergent tablet in a wash liquor of an automatic laundry or dish washing machine.
  • a dispensing device (10) will be described suitable to perform the method according to the present invention.
  • the dispensing device comprises a cage structure for retaining the tablet, so that a liquid passing through the cage structure dissolves and dispenses the tablet. Consequently, the cage structure is a liquid permeable wall. Therefore a detergent tablet contained in the device can be dissolved during a wash cycle, for example, by water. The dissolved detergent tablet forms a wash liquor. This wash liquor is able then to exit the dispensing device to be available in the wash cycle of an automatic dish or laundry washing machine.
  • the cage structure is manufactured in a flat configuration.
  • the flat configuration of the cage structure enables the cage structure to be manufactured in an easy and cost efficient way.
  • the cage structure in the flat configuration allows the dispensing device to occupy a minimum volume. This means that the dispensing device can be stored in a package without the need for a substantial increase in the available space in a package. Consequently, the size of the package can also be kept to a minimum.
  • the flat configuration is such that the available volume of the cage structure in the flat configuration is not sufficient to retain a detergent tablet.
  • the cage structure according to the present invention is flexible and resilient. The cage structure is erected from the flat configuration before using the dispensing device for the first time to enable a detergent tablet to be accepted and retained within the dispensing device.
  • Figures 1a and 1b show a dispensing device (10) in a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the dispensing device (10) comprises a front wall (11) and a back wall (12).
  • the front wall is attached to the back wall along a side edge (14) common to the front and to the back wall.
  • the front and/or the back wall are movable around the attached side edge (14).
  • Figure 1a shows this embodiment of a dispensing device in a flat configuration.
  • the flat configuration of Figure 1a is obtained directly after manufacturing the cage structure. In this flat configuration the dispensing device occupies a minimum space when stored e.g. in a package. In the flat configuration the cage structure cannot retain a detergent tablet.
  • the front (11) and the back walls (12) are turned towards each other around the attached side (14).
  • the front wall and/or the back wall comprises engaging means (16).
  • the engaging means keep the front and the back walls together facing against each other.
  • the engaging means may be such to allow a reversible disengagement of the front and back walls from each other.
  • the engaging means may also be a permanent attachment.
  • the engaging means may be at least one pin (16a) located on the front or back wall. This pin (16a) snaps into a corresponding orifice (16b) on the other wall.
  • the engaged dispensing device of Figure 1b is the erected position of the dispensing device of Figure 1a, it is another flat configuration of this embodiment.
  • the cage structure of Figure 1b is also substantially flat, since the thickness of the cage structure is given only by the folded front and back walls.
  • this flat configuration is such that the cage structure in this flat configuration is not capable to retain a detergent tablet. Consequently, this is a further possible flat configuration of the cage structure which occupies a minimum space when stored e.g. in a package.
  • the cage structure is delivered in a package in either of the flat configurations shown in Figures 1a and 1b.
  • the cage structures in the flat configurations of Figures 1a and 1b are not able to accept and to retain a detergent tablet.
  • the cage structure of Figure 1a has first to be erected prior to use to the configuration of Figure 1b and then flexibly deformed. Starting from the flat configuration of Figure 1a, the cage structure has first to be erected into the other flat configuration as depicted in Figure 1b. From the flat configuration of Figure 1b, the side edge (14') and the opposite engaged side edge (14'') have to be pressed towards each other so that the front (11) and back (12) walls are outwardly bulged.
  • the front and the back walls are distanced from each other through the flexible deformation of the cage structure due to the pressing force on the side edges (14') and (14'').
  • the front and back walls can be sufficiently outwardly bulged to enable a detergent tablet to be inserted between the front and the back walls.
  • the pressing force can be released and the tablet is retained between the front and back walls. Indeed, the tablet is blocked between the front and back walls, since the cage structure tends to resiliently flex back into the flat configuration of Figure 1b.
  • the dispensing device can now be placed into an automatic laundry or dish washing machine for a washing cycle in which the detergent tablet is progressively dissolved. Once the detergent tablet is dissolved in a wash liquor, the cage structures returns at least partially into the configuration of Figure 1b. When the dispensing device is reused, the cage structure has again to be flexibly deformed to get a detergent tablet retained between the front and back walls as described before.
  • the front wall and/or the back wall comprise orifices or slits (20).
  • the orifices or slits are such to allow a liquid to pass through the front and/or back walls. This enables the detergent tablet to be dissolved more efficiently. This means that water is able to enter into the dispensing device and reach the detergent tablet inside.
  • the orifices are preferably evenly distributed throughout the hollow body of the device. The orifices are such that the detergent tablet cannot be removed from the dispensing device through the orifices. Nevertheless, the orifices are such to allow water to enter the dispensing device for dissolving the detergent tablet during the wash cycle of the automatic dish or laundry washing machine.
  • FIGs 2a and 2b show another dispensing device (10) in a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the dispensing device again comprises a front (11) and a back wall (12).
  • the front and back walls both comprise a folding cut (19) on each side edge (14') and (14'').
  • the folding cut is a cut through the thickness of the front and back walls.
  • the folding cut further comprises cut extensions (19') directed towards the nearest corners (21) of the front and back walls.
  • Figure 2a shows this embodiment of a dispensing device in the flat configuration. Again, this flat configuration ensures that the dispensing device occupies a minimum space when stored and delivered e.g. in a package before the first use of the dispensing device.
  • the dispensing device in Figure 2a is deformed to get the erected dispensing device of Figure 2b in the following manner.
  • the side edges (14') and (14'') are pressed in the same manner as for the embodiment of Figures 1.
  • the front (11) and back (12) walls are distanced from each other from the flat configuration.
  • the pressure on the side edges can be increased until part of the front and back walls are inwardly folded along the folding cut (19) and cut extensions (19') as shown in Figure 2b.
  • Figure 2b is the erected position of the dispensing device of Figure 2a.
  • the parts of the front and back walls located between the side edges (14') and (14'') and the folding cut (19) may remain permanently inwardly folded.
  • the cage structure of Figure 2b may be allowed to be deformed again into the flat configuration of Figure 2a when the side edges (14') and (14'') are outwardly pushed.
  • the cage structure in Figure 2b can still be further flexibly deformed so that the front and back walls are outwardly bulged to facilitate the insertion of a detergent tablet.
  • the outward bulging of the front and back walls creates an greater space to facilitate the insertion of a tablet in between the front and back walls.
  • the outward bulging of the front and back walls is achieved by pressing on the side edges (14') and (14''). Once the pressure on the side edges is released, the tablet is blocked between the front and back walls, whereby the dispensing device remains in the open position as shown in Figure 2b.
  • the dispensing device can now be placed into an automatic laundry or dish washing machine for a washing cycle in which the detergent tablet is progressively dissolved.
  • the cage structures returns at least partially into the unbulged configuration of Figure 2b.
  • the cage structure has again to be flexibly deformed to get a detergent tablet retained between the front and back walls as described before.
  • the front wall (11) and/or the back wall (12) comprise orifices or slits (20).
  • the orifices or slits are such to allow a liquid to pass through the front and/or back walls. This enables the detergent tablet to be dissolved more efficiently. This means that water is able to enter into the dispensing device and reach the detergent tablet inside.
  • the orifices are preferably evenly distributed throughout the walls of the dispensing device. The orifices are such that the detergent tablet cannot be removed from the dispensing device through the orifices. Nevertheless, the orifices are such to allow water to enter the dispensing device for dissolving the detergent tablet during the wash cycle of the automatic dish or laundry washing machine.
  • the dispensing device comprises fastening means as shown in (25) of Figure 1a.
  • fastening means refer to any means which can be adapted to fasten the dispensing device to the interior of e.g. an automatic dish washing machine such that it can be released therefrom when required by the user.
  • the fastening means is preferably made of similar or identical material to that of the dispensing device itself.
  • the fastening means may preferably be located on the front (11) and/or back wall (12) of the dispensing device.
  • the fastening means preferably comprises at least a hook (22), which extends from the front and/or back wall.
  • the fastening means is adapted to be fastened on the exterior or interior of the cutlery basket of an automatic dish washing machine.
  • the dispensing device is further provided with securing means.
  • securing means refers to any means which can be adapted to secure the dispensing device to the interior of an automatic dish or laundry washing machine such that it cannot be disengaged therefrom during the wash cycle of the automatic washing machine.
  • the securing means is adapted to prevent disengagement of the dispensing device due to forces occurring inside an automatic dish washing machine, as for example forces exerted by the circulation of water and/or air. Nevertheless, the securing means does not impede the release of the dispensing device from the interior of an automatic dish or laundry washing machine when required by the user.
  • the securing means is adapted to secure the dispensing device on the cutlery basket of an automatic dish washing machine.
  • the securing means is preferably made of similar or identical material as the dispensing device, but being more flexible with respect to the dispensing device itself. Other flexible material, like metals, may be also considered for the purpose of the present invention.
  • the co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/US95/12787 provides a dispensing device with securing means as defined before.
  • the securing means prevents the dispensing device (10) from disengaging from the cutlery basket. Specifically, the securing means prevents disengagement of the dispensing device in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the dispensing device is fastened with the fastening means. All the embodiments described as securing means in the International Patent Application No. PCT/US95/12787 are herewith incorporated by reference.
  • the dispensing device of the present invention may be formed from any flexible, water resistant material that can withstand moderately elevated temperatures, such as those reached in automatic washing machines, e.g. about 95° C, for a relatively long period of time (about 3 hours) and which can be formed into the desired shape.
  • the dispensing device is made of low cost thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene and formed by injection moulding.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
EP96305842A 1996-08-09 1996-08-09 Abgabevorrichtung für Tabletten Withdrawn EP0823236A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96305842A EP0823236A1 (de) 1996-08-09 1996-08-09 Abgabevorrichtung für Tabletten
CA002212322A CA2212322A1 (en) 1996-08-09 1997-08-01 Dispensing device for tablets

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96305842A EP0823236A1 (de) 1996-08-09 1996-08-09 Abgabevorrichtung für Tabletten

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0823236A1 true EP0823236A1 (de) 1998-02-11

Family

ID=8225043

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96305842A Withdrawn EP0823236A1 (de) 1996-08-09 1996-08-09 Abgabevorrichtung für Tabletten

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0823236A1 (de)
CA (1) CA2212322A1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998040551A1 (en) * 1997-03-07 1998-09-17 Unilever Plc Process and dispensing device for washing laundry in a washing machine
DE19836857A1 (de) * 1998-08-14 2000-02-17 Henkel Kgaa Dosierkörbchen
GB2373715A (en) * 2001-03-27 2002-10-02 Reckitt Benckiser Nv Device containing solid soluble glass or ceramic dishwasher adjuvants
US11723510B2 (en) 2019-12-23 2023-08-15 Ecolab Usa Inc. Solid detergent dispenser for a washing machine

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2324185A1 (de) * 1973-05-12 1974-11-28 Henkel & Cie Gmbh Behaelter fuer duftsteine fuer haushaltsgeschirrspuelmaschinen
EP0343069A1 (de) * 1988-05-18 1989-11-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Waschen von Wäsche in einer Maschine mit einem pulverförmigen Waschmittel
EP0691102A1 (de) * 1994-07-09 1996-01-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Kindersichere Dosiervorrichtung für automatische Waschmaschinen

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2324185A1 (de) * 1973-05-12 1974-11-28 Henkel & Cie Gmbh Behaelter fuer duftsteine fuer haushaltsgeschirrspuelmaschinen
EP0343069A1 (de) * 1988-05-18 1989-11-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Waschen von Wäsche in einer Maschine mit einem pulverförmigen Waschmittel
EP0691102A1 (de) * 1994-07-09 1996-01-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Kindersichere Dosiervorrichtung für automatische Waschmaschinen

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998040551A1 (en) * 1997-03-07 1998-09-17 Unilever Plc Process and dispensing device for washing laundry in a washing machine
US6301733B1 (en) 1997-03-07 2001-10-16 Lever Brothers, Division Of Conopco, Inc. Process and dispensing device for washing laundry in a washing machine
DE19836857A1 (de) * 1998-08-14 2000-02-17 Henkel Kgaa Dosierkörbchen
DE19836857C2 (de) * 1998-08-14 2001-09-20 Henkel Kgaa Dosierkörbchen
GB2373715A (en) * 2001-03-27 2002-10-02 Reckitt Benckiser Nv Device containing solid soluble glass or ceramic dishwasher adjuvants
WO2002076278A2 (en) * 2001-03-27 2002-10-03 Reckitt Benckiser N.V. Dispensing device in a dishwashing machine
WO2002076278A3 (en) * 2001-03-27 2003-01-03 Reckitt Benckiser Nv Dispensing device in a dishwashing machine
US11723510B2 (en) 2019-12-23 2023-08-15 Ecolab Usa Inc. Solid detergent dispenser for a washing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2212322A1 (en) 1998-02-09

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