EP1592833A1 - Distribution selective d'additifs de lessive pendant le lavage automatique de tissus - Google Patents

Distribution selective d'additifs de lessive pendant le lavage automatique de tissus

Info

Publication number
EP1592833A1
EP1592833A1 EP04710689A EP04710689A EP1592833A1 EP 1592833 A1 EP1592833 A1 EP 1592833A1 EP 04710689 A EP04710689 A EP 04710689A EP 04710689 A EP04710689 A EP 04710689A EP 1592833 A1 EP1592833 A1 EP 1592833A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
additive
unit dose
chamber
cycle
housing
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Withdrawn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
EP04710689A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Yousef Georges Aouad
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
Priority claimed from US10/366,204 external-priority patent/US7036177B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/366,100 external-priority patent/US7036176B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/737,429 external-priority patent/US7716956B2/en
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP1592833A1 publication Critical patent/EP1592833A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to systems, methods, devices and kits for adding separate rinse additive materials to the drum (tub) of an automatic fabric laundering (washing) machine during one cycle of a multiple cycle operation.
  • the separate laundry additive materials themselves are packaged in a unit dose form which is inserted into a holder device (housing structure) within the washing machine drum in order to effect dispensing of the laundry additive materials into the washing machine drum at the appropriate time.
  • Fabric conditioners, softeners, anti-wrinkle agents, soil release materials and similar agents serve to alter and enhance the condition, appearance or feel of laundered fabrics
  • Other auxiliary materials such as pH adjustment and control agents, buffers, solvents, dispersants, anti-redeposition agents, dye transfer inhibitors, stabilizers, preservatives, perfumes, dyes and the like are used to alter the aqueous environment in the automatic washing machine drum to provide for optimum performance of the active laundry additive materials or to improve the quality or aesthetics of commercialized laundry products containing these active additive materials.
  • centrifugal force activated devices, dispensers or packages for delivery of laundry additives to the laundry cycles in an automatic laundering machine operation is not without its difficulties.
  • it is not simple or straightforward to fashion such devices, dispensers or packages in a way such that they are useful with or as unit dose packages of additives.
  • systems utilizing unit dose packages of laundry additives must be designed so that the unit dose can survive the stresses and rigors of one or more stages of the laundering operation while remaining unopened and intact.
  • the centrifugal force-activated dispensing means for the unit dose must be configured so that the unit dose of laundry additives is not added to the washing machine drum too soon after the spin cycle begins.
  • the present invention is directed to a multiple chamber device which provides for the timed dispensing of laundry additive materials into a cycle of a multiple cycle operation which occur during the operation of a drum-containing automatic fabric laundering machine.
  • a multiple chamber device which provides for the timed dispensing of laundry additive materials into a cycle of a multiple cycle operation which occur during the operation of a drum-containing automatic fabric laundering machine.
  • Such an arrangement comprises a housing stmcture having at least two chambers positioned within the washing machine dram, a unit dose package which can be placed as an insert within the housing and which contains the additive materials to be dispensed into the washing machine dram, a piercing member for opening the insert to permit the release of its contents into the housing structure, a flow controller for moving additives from one chamber to a subsequent chamber, and selectively openable aperture for optionally releasing additives into the washing machine dram during the desired cycle.
  • the rigid housing structure is positioned within the washing machine drum during the laundering operation. Typically the housing structure will be attached to the inner circumferential wall of the washing machine dram.
  • the unit dose insert package can be placed within the housing structure at the beginning of the laundering operation.
  • This insert may be flexible or rigid and can comprise one or more separate compartments. At least one compartment of the insert contains the laundry additive material which is to be eventually added to the contents of the washing machine drum during the appropriate stage of the laundering cycle.
  • the system herein also comprises a puncturing element associated with either the housing structure or with the insert or with both to open the additive-containing compartment(s) of the unit dose insert.
  • a puncturing element associated with either the housing structure or with the insert or with both to open the additive-containing compartment(s) of the unit dose insert.
  • the opening of this compartment occurs when the insert is put into the dispenser and the lid is closed, wherein a piercing element such as a knife in the first chamber of the dispenser pierces a compartment of the insert and permits the emptying of the compartment contents into the housing stmcture during the first spin cycle.
  • a piercing element such as a knife in the first chamber of the dispenser pierces a compartment of the insert and permits the emptying of the compartment contents into the housing stmcture during the first spin cycle.
  • the insert can be opened with a selectively actuated puncturing element of the type described in co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. filed and entitled Universal Dispenser for Dispensing Laundry
  • the centrifugal force moves the additives from the insert into a first chamber of the dispenser via a tube provided in the piercing element after initiation of the spin cycle.
  • the emptied contents are then held within the first chamber of the dispenser by the spin cycle centrifugal force and drain by gravitational force into the second chamber upon cessation of the spin cycle.
  • the second chamber comprises a selectively openable aperture (e.g., a valve or removable plug) which if open, releases the additives into the drum by gravitational force during the first rinse cycle.
  • the contents remain in the second chamber until initiation of the next spin cycle, where the centrifugal force moves the contents from the second chamber to the third chamber and the contents are held within the third chamber of the dispenser by the centrifugal force until cessation of that spin cycle.
  • the contents then drain through apertures in the third chamber by gravitational force into the wash drum.
  • the present invention relates to the method of using the system described hereinbefore to bring about the appropriately timed dispensing of laundry additive materials into a selected wash or rinse cycle of the multiple stages of the laundering cycle during the operation of a dram-containing automatic washing machine for fabric laundering.
  • Such a method comprises first positioning the housing stmcture hereinbefore described within the dram of the automatic washing machine in a location which will bring the housing into significant contact with water during the appropriate laundry cycle stage. Then, a unit dose package as hereinbefore described and containing laundry additive material to be dispensed is placed as an insert into the housing structure at the beginning of the laundering operation.
  • the automatic washing machine is then run through its operational cycle, including its spin cycle, to thereby move the contents from the insert into the first chamber of the housing stmcture by centrifugal force. Such contents are then held within the first chamber of the housing structure by the same ongoing spin cycle centrifugal force which moved the contents from the insert into the first chamber.
  • the contents from the first chamber drain into the second chamber by gravitational flow where a selectively openable aperture may be opened to release the contents by gravitational flow from the second chamber of the housing structure into the water entering the washing machine dram. If the selectively openable aperture is closed, the contents move from the second chamber to the third chamber during the next spin cycle.
  • the present invention relates to a dispensing device which is an embodiment of the housing structure of the type hereinbefore described. It is this dispensing device which is to hold the unit dose package insert as hereinbefore described and bring about the timed addition of rinse additive materials from the insert into the washing machine dram during one of the rinse cycles.
  • the device is in the form of a housing structure which is usually rigid and suitable for holding an openable unit dose package containing the laundry additive material.
  • the stmcture must also have an opening which is suitable for permitting insertion of the openable rinse additive unit dose package into the housing stracture.
  • the housing structure contains a selectively openable aperture located in the housing stracture in such a manner as to permit emptied or emptiable laundry additive contents of the opened insert to optionally pass by gravitational flow through such selective aperture means and into the rinse water present in the washing machine drum during the desired wash or rinse cycle. This gravitational flow occurs after cessation of the centrifugal force at the end of a spin cycle.
  • the housing stracture will further contain a puncturing element, non-limiting examples of which include puncturing or rapturing knives, which will open the unit dose insert package placed therein, upon closing of the lid of the dispenser.
  • kits can include the combination of the unit dose insert package as hereinbefore described and the housing stracture also as hereinbefore described.
  • kits can also comprise the unit dose package inserts in combination with instructions on how to use such inserts with a pre-existing rigid housing stracture in order to assemble the laundry additive dispensing systems herein or in order to carry out the methods-of-use herein.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a housing structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the housing stmcture of Fig. 1 with the lid open.
  • Figures 3 A and 3B show a detailed view of a chamber having a centrifugally actuated valve.
  • Figure 4 of the drawings shows an exploded view of a housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of an insert useful in one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a partial view showing a sealing cup around a cutting tube in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a housing structure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a housing stracture (dispenser) comprises a base 10 having an opening 11 through which a unit dose rinse additive package (Fig. 5) can be inserted into the housing stracture when the lid 12 is opened.
  • the lid 12 is hinged at 13 to the base 10.
  • the lid 12 can be opened as shown in Figure 1 to permit insertion of the insert.
  • Figure 2 shows a side view of a dispenser in one embodiment of the invention.
  • the dispenser includes four chambers.
  • Inner wall 14 stands between an outer chamber formed in the lid 12 and a first inner chamber 16.
  • the wall 14 has a pair of piercing tubes 18 that pierce the insert upon closing of the lid 12.
  • the tubes 18 also serve as conduits for the additives in the insert to enter the inner chamber 16 behind the wall 14 during the first spin cycle.
  • the piercing tube 18 can be cut at an angle to provide a knife edge to cut the insert open.
  • the tubes 18 may include a small resilient cup 50 as shown in Fig. 6 that engages the insert and prevents water from entering the insert in substantial amounts.
  • the tubes 18 are located so that when the insert compartment is initially pierced by the tubes 18, the laundiy additives remain in the insert. During the first spin cycle, the centrifugal force generated by the spin causes the laundry additives to flow through the tubes 18 into the chamber 16 of the dispenser.
  • the centrifugal force holds the additives in the chamber which has a back wall 17 until the spin cycle stops.
  • the additives flow down through a rectangular opening 21 in the chamber 16 and into the lower portion 20 of the chamber 16.
  • the lower portion of 20 of chamber 16 includes an inner back wall 29.
  • the lower portion 20 of chamber 16 may include in the bottom of the portion 20 a selectively openable aperture 23 that may be opened or closed by a removable plug (not shown).
  • the plug When the plug is removed, the additives will drain directly into the wash dram via the aperture after the first spin cycle. However, if the aperture is plugged, the additives remain in the lower chamber 20 until the initiation of the next spin cycle. In this way the dispenser can be used with additives that are released after a single spin cycle or the dispenser can be used with additives that are not to be released until after additional spin cycles.
  • the lower portion 20 of chamber 16 has a centrifugally actuatable valve 22 which seals an opening 28 in the inside back wall 21 of the second chamber 20.
  • centrifugal force opens the valve 22 and moves the additives into the third chamber 26.
  • the centrifugally actuatable valve may be a knob 22 that is mounted on a spring 24 which is attached to the back wall 25 of the dispenser. As shown in figure 3A, when the knob 22 is in its original position and the washing machine is not spinning, the spring force on the knob 22 seals the opening 28 between the lower portion 20 and back chamber 26.
  • the centrifugal force draws the knob towards the back chamber 26 compressing the spring 24, which opens the aperture 28 where upon the additives will flow from the lower portion 20 into the back chamber 26.
  • the centrifugal force causes the additives to move from the lower portion 20 into the back chamber 26.
  • the additive moves into the back chamber 26, it is held in the back chamber 26 due to the centrifugal force.
  • the device may be used to selectively release the additives after either the first or the second spin cycle.
  • multiple chamber dispenser depicted is used for a laundering operation having two rinse cycles, one skilled in the art will appreciate that more chambers may be added to the dispenser to allow the dispenser to be used in laundering operations having three or four or five etc. rinse cycles by incorporating various arrangements of additional chambers, selective aperture means, and centrifugally actuated valves.
  • a dispenser having four internal chambers for use in a two-spin cycle operation
  • a dispenser may have more chambers to accommodate laundering operations having more spin cycles.
  • a multiple chamber device may be used in laundering operations having three or four or five etc. spin cycles to deliver the additive to the desired laundry cycle.
  • Dispensing of laundry rinse additive materials in accordance with this invention takes place in a conventional automatic washing machine useful for the laundering of fabrics.
  • automatic washing machines are those typically found in the home or in businesses such as self-service laundromats wherein individual consumers can launder their own loads of fabrics.
  • Automatic washing machines of the "North American" configuration typically utilize an upright or vertical drum or tub into which fabrics to be laundered are placed. Fabrics and laundry additives are added into the washing machine tub or dram, which is usually cylindrical, from the lidded top of the machine and are thus generally referred to as "top-loading" machines.
  • Such North American style machines will frequently utilize a vertical agitator element placed along the axis of the dram. Rotation and vertical motion of the agitator serves to intensify the contact of fabrics in the dram with wash and rinse water in the dram.
  • Japanese washing machines are typically similar in configuration to the North American machines.
  • Automatic washing machines of the "European" configuration commonly utilize a drum or tub, also generally cylindrical, which is positioned with the drum axis sideways or in a horizontal position. Fabrics and laundry additive materials are placed into the tub or dram of a washing machine of this configuration though a door on the front wall of the machine and are thus generally referred to as "front-loading" machines. Automatic washing machines of the European configuration typically do not utilize an agitator device or element.
  • Both North American and European automatic washing machines utilize a cycle of operation wherein the machine goes through a series of steps in which water is added, contacted with fabrics being laundered and then removed from the washing machine drum.
  • the first step in the laundering cycle is usually a washing step wherein significant amounts of water are added to the drum.
  • the washing step involves a period wherein the fabrics being laundered are contacted with substantial amounts of water, generally with agitation or rotation of the drum.
  • Water in the washing step will usually contain the primary laundry wash additives such as surfactants, builders, bleaches and/or enzymes which assist in and promote the removal of soil and stains from the fabrics being laundered.
  • wash water is removed from the washing machine dram. Frequently, this is brought about by gravity flow of wash water from the drum through appropriate valve configurations. Generally wash water is also removed by means of centrifugal force brought about by the drum rotating rapidly in a spin cycle. This centrifugal force moves water in the drum through holes or apertures in the circumferential walls of the dram. These holes lead to drainage means which can be opened and shut.
  • the present invention relates to the time specific dispensing of laundry rinse additive materials into the dram of an automatic washing machine as that machine is used for fabric laundering operations.
  • laundry rinse additive materials or simply “rinse additives” can comprise any solid or liquid materials which are conventionally added to the automatic washing machine dram during the rinse cycle of the fabric laundering procedure.
  • suitable "laundry rinse additive materials” includes, but is not limited to, fabric softeners and conditioners, bleaches, enzymes, bleach and enzyme stabilizers, bleach and enzyme activators, aqueous and non- aqueous solvents, pH adjustment and control agents, dye transfer inhibitors, preservatives, anti-microbial agents, soil release agents, anti-wrinkle agents, chelating agents, optical brighten ers, perfumes, pro-perfumes, dyes, and carriers.
  • rinse additive materials will generally be different and distinct from “laundry wash additive materials” or “wash additives” which may also be added to the laundering procedure, in addition to “rinse additive materials” in connection with some embodiments of the present invention.
  • Wash additive materials will generally refer to any solid or liquid materials which are conventionally added to the automatic washing machine drum, along with fabrics being laundered, during the wash cycle of the laundering procedure. The wash cycle typically occurs at the beginning of the laundering operation.
  • wash additive materials can include, but are not limited to, primary cleaning agents such as detersive surfactants and detergent builders, chelating agents, anti- redeposition agents, dispersants, suds suppressors, suds boosters, and some of the same kinds of cleaning agents like bleaches and enzymes and adjuvants therefore which may also be used as rinse additives.
  • primary cleaning agents such as detersive surfactants and detergent builders, chelating agents, anti- redeposition agents, dispersants, suds suppressors, suds boosters, and some of the same kinds of cleaning agents like bleaches and enzymes and adjuvants therefore which may also be used as rinse additives.
  • the system, methods, devices and kits of the present invention are intended to provide timed dispensing of laundry rinse additive materials into the laundering process from a single unit dose package which contains such additives.
  • Such rinse additive materials are dispensed into the washing machine as the machine proceeds through its operational spin and rinse cycles as hereinbefore described. This is accomplished using a rigid housing stracture which is positioned within the machine and which holds and preferably opens a unit dose package containing the rinse additive materials to be dispensed.
  • the unit dose used herein can be used to deliver from 10 to 50 grams, preferably from 15 to 35 grams, of laundry rinse additives to one or more "rinse" cycles of an automatic washing machine laundering operation.
  • the housing structure used in the instant invention must be positioned within the washing machine dram throughout the wash, spin and rinse cycles.
  • the rigid housing stracture will be positioned within the washing machine drum in a location such that it will be in contact with the rinse water in or being added to the drum during the rinse cycles of the laundering operation.
  • attachment means 61 is further described in U.S. Application Serial No. 10/737,429 filed December 16, 2003.
  • Positioning of the rigid housing structure may be accomplished by attaching the housing to some specific point within the washing machine drum.
  • the housing may be positioned by utilizing an unattached structure which is of such a shape or configuration that it suitably positions itself within the washing machine drum as a consequence of the forces it encounters during the laundering operation, or at least during the spin and rinse cycles.
  • the housing structure will be attached to some specific spot within the washing machine drum wherein it will stay during the entire laundering cycle.
  • the housing stracture may be positioned on or near the washing machine agitator (if there is one) or may be positioned on the floor (top loaders) or rear wall (front loaders) of the drum.
  • the rigid housing structure will be affixed to the inner circumferential wall of the washing machine dram in a position so that at least at some point during the rinsing cycles it is in contact with water used in the cycle.
  • this position will preferably be below the fill line for rinse water in the dmm.
  • the housing stmcture may be of any suitable shape or configuration so long as it has an open inner volume within which the unit dose insert package can be placed and carried.
  • the function and purpose of the rigid housing stracture is to protect the integrity of the rinse additive unit dose package during the wash cycle(s) and to act as a receptacle for the contents of the unit dose package once that package has been opened during the spin cycle. Accordingly, the rigid housing structure will substantially surround the unit dose package once that package has been inserted into the housing. This may entail provision of an opening in the housing structure fitted with a lid which can be opened in order to permit insertion of the unit dose package and closed after the unit dose package has been inserted into the housing structure.
  • the structure may comprise a base with a hinged cover that opens and closes to permit introduction of and subsequent protection for the unit dose insert. Since the function and purpose of the housing structure is to protect the unit dose package it carries during the wash cycle(s), the structure may be "rigid.”
  • a housing stmcture is considered “rigid” if it does not deform sufficiently to prematurely rapture or otherwise open the unit dose insert it carries as a consequence of forces or stresses which it encounters during the wash cycle(s).
  • the rigid housing stracture can be fashioned from any suitable solid material including plastic, metal, ceramic, wood, etc. so long as the stracture maintains its configuration and mode of operation through the laundering cycle and in contact with the wash and rinse water used and with the laundry additive materials released from the opened unit dose insert.
  • the rigid housing structure will be fashioned from thermoformed or injection molded plastic so that it can be readily and cost effectively mass-produced.
  • the housing stracture serves to carry a unit dose package, placed therein at the beginning of the laundering operation, through to the spin and rinse cycles.
  • This unit dose insert package will include at least one compartment containing rinse additive materials which are to be dispensed into the washing machine dram during a rinse cycle.
  • the rigid housing stracture must also be configured to deal with the contents of the unit dose insert package once that package has been opened within the housing.
  • the rigid housing stmcture may be configured to permit water to readily enter the stracture during the wash and rinse cycle of the laundering operation and to permit the contents of the opened insert to be dispensed from the stracture into the washing machine dram.
  • this configuration will involve appropriately placed and positioned holes or apertures in the housing stmcture through which water from the laundering operation can enter and leave and through which additives from the opened insert can flow into the washing machine dram.
  • the rigid housing structure is preferably configured to hold substantially all (at least 90% by weight) of the rinse additive contents of the spin-cycle opened insert within the rigid housing until the spin cycle is completed.
  • the centrifugal force which moves the rinse additive contents of the unit dose insert into the inner chamber of the dispenser can also be used to hold the contents released from the opened compartment(s) within the structure, and even in some cases still within the opened compartment(s) of the insert, until the spin cycle is over.
  • the contents of the opened inserts can then be allowed to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber by gravitational flow by selective aperture means into the wash drum.
  • the rinse additives may remain in the second chamber until the next spin cycle prior to the second rinse cycle by closing the selective aperture means where the additives move into the third chamber via centrifugal force to be released during the second rinse cycle.
  • the unit dose insert package itself must be sized and configured so as to work cooperatively with the housing stmcture into which it fits and within which it is used.
  • the unit dose insert will thus comprise at least one compartment for laundry additive materials which are to be dispensed into the rinse cycle during the course of the laundering operation.
  • the unit dose insert may utilize more than one compartment for additive materials. This may be useful when two additive materials are incompatible with each other and may be desirably separately packaged until they are added to the washing machine dram.
  • the unit dose insert may also optionally contain separate compartments for laundry wash additive materials if the unit dose and housing stracture are configured to dispense wash additives as well as rinse additives.
  • a unit dose insert is shown in Fig. 5 where the insert 40 includes a compartment 42 that is covered with a rapturable film 44.
  • a multi-compartmented insert may also be used in conjunction with the rigid housing stracture to release additives at different times during the laundiy cycle.
  • the dispenser may be designed with piercing tubes 18 at different locations in the lidded chamber of the housing structure 10,
  • one of the tubes 18 may be positioned as shown in Fig. 1 and the other tube may be positioned near the bottom of the chamber such that when an insert having two compartments, one containing a wash cycle additive and another containing a rinse cycle additive, is placed in the rigid housing structure 10, the upper piercing tube pierces the rinse additive compartment and the proposed lower piercing tube pierces the wash additive compartment.
  • the wash additive By piercing the wash additive compartment with a lower piercing tube, the wash additive immediately drains from the compartment into the wash tub for use during the wash cycle.
  • the rinse cycle additive does not immediately drain from the rinse additive compartment in the insert and remains in the insert until the centrifugal force generated during the first spin cycle forces the rinse additive out of the insert through the piercing tube 18 and into the inner compartment 16.
  • the rinse additive can be released immediately, in which case the aperture 23 is not plugged, or the release of the rinse additive can be postponed to a later point in the laundry cycle by plugging aperture 23 such that the additive is retained in the second chamber 20 until the subsequent spin cycle whereupon the rinse additive flows from the chamber 20 into the chamber 26 through the aperture 28 on the wall 21.
  • the rinse additive drains from compartment 26 into the wash tub through the openings 30.
  • the rinse additive compartment is not necessarily punctured when the lid is closed.
  • the rigid housing stracture can be modified to include a selectively actuatable puncturing element as described in the U.S. application mentioned above.
  • the rigid housing stracture can include a puncturing element which pivots from a position in which it does not rupture the insert to a position in which the insert is raptured during a spin cycle.
  • the rapturing element pivots to rapture the insert during the first spin cycle.
  • the rapturing element includes a cam track which can be designed such that the insert is not ruptured until one or more subsequent spin cycles depending upon the design of the cam track.
  • Each compartment of the unit dose insert may be fashioned from water-insoluble materials, water-soluble materials or combinations of both types. Furthermore, some compartments of the insert may be made from water-insoluble materials while other compartments can be made from water-soluble materials. The compartments of the insert may also be flexible or rigid or have some compartments flexible and other compartments rigid.
  • the unit dose insert or compartment thereof, is to be rigid, it may be made from any conventional polymeric material which can be thermoformed or injection molded into a relatively rigid structure.
  • polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or polyester e.g., polyethylene terephthalate
  • a polymer material should be chosen which has good heat stability, especially if the insert is to be utilized in European washing machines where water temperatures approach boiling.
  • the material of the insert should also be inert to any chemicals which are present in the laundiy additives which the insert is to deliver.
  • a preferred configuration for the unit dose insert comprises a thermoformed tub formed from water-insoluble plastic, such as for example, polypropylene or polyethylene.
  • the tub can be sealed with a thin layer of puncturable or rapturable plastic or metal, e.g., aluminum, foil.
  • a pouch with the rinse additives may be flexible and fashioned from water-insoluble materials, e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene film. Either tub or pouch will, of course, contain sealed within the rinse additive materials to be dispensed from the opened insert package during the rinse stage of the laundering operation.
  • Either the rigid housing stracture or the unit dose package insert to be placed within the housing or both must comprise some means to open the unit dose insert package at the appropriate point during the laundering cycle. Furthemiore, these opening means must be activated by the centrifugal force which is applied to the unit dose insert during the spin cycle.
  • the rigid housing structure itself will comprise the means for opening an insert, preferably water-insoluble, held within it.
  • the means for opening the rinse additive-containing unit dose package may comprise sharp protrusions, blades or knives which will impinge on the unit dose insert upon closing of the lid.
  • Opening of the single or each of the several compartment(s) of the insert within the housing structure should permit most (at least 85% by weight), and preferably all, of the contents of the compartment so opened to be eventually combined with the wash or rinse water present in the washing machine drum during the rinse cycle.
  • the water in the drum for any cycle during which an additive compartment is opened in the insert will typically eventually have added thereto from 5 to 50 grams, preferably from 15 to 35 grams, of additive material as a consequence of the opening of the additive compartment(s).
  • the rigid housing stracture and the rinse additive insert packages therefor may be conveniently commercialized by marketing them in the form of kits.
  • the housing and insert which are to be used together in the systems and methods of this invention may be sold together, packaged as a unitary commercial kit product.
  • the unit dose insert packages may be sold by themselves as refills for use in a rigid housing stracture which the consumer may have previously purchased and has already installed on the washing machine to be used for practice of this invention.
  • the inserts can be marketed in combination with a set of instructions which describes the previously-purchased housing stracture into which the unit dose fits and further describes the method of setting up and operating the housing/insert system in the consumer's automatic washing machine.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des systèmes, des procédés, des dispositifs et des kits destinés à la distribution chronométrée d'additifs de lessive dans le tambour d'une machine à laver automatique pendant un cycle d'une opération à cycles multiples. Pour effectuer cette distribution d'additifs, on place une structure de boîtier à couvercle à l'intérieur du tambour d'une machine à laver automatique, on place un insert contenant un ou plusieurs additifs de lessive dans chaque compartiment à l'intérieur de la structure de boîtier à couvercle et la machine est mise en route pour plusieurs étapes de son cycle de lavage. Un élément perforant permet d'ouvrir le compartiment de l'insert (40) dans le cycle de lavage dans le tambour de la machine à laver sous forme de matériaux additif de lessive. Les contenus se déplacent de l'insert à la première chambre du dispositif de la structure de boîtier par la force centrifuge imprimée pendant le premier cycle rotatif de lavage. Cette force centrifuge maintient aussi les contenus à l'intérieur de la première chambre jusqu'à l'arrêt du cycle rotatif. Les contenus se déplacent de la deuxième chambre à la troisième chambre pour être distribués à partir de la structure de boîtier dans le tambour de la machine à laver lors de l'arrêt du cycle rotatif et pendant le deuxième cycle rotatif.
EP04710689A 2003-02-13 2004-02-12 Distribution selective d'additifs de lessive pendant le lavage automatique de tissus Withdrawn EP1592833A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US366204 1989-06-09
US366100 1989-06-14
US10/366,204 US7036177B2 (en) 2002-02-13 2003-02-13 Dispensing of rinse additives into the rinse cycle during automatic machine laundering of fabrics
US10/366,100 US7036176B2 (en) 2002-02-13 2003-02-13 Sequential dispensing of laundry additives during automatic machine laundering of fabrics
US52664203P 2003-12-03 2003-12-03
US526642P 2003-12-03
US737429 2003-12-16
US10/737,429 US7716956B2 (en) 2002-12-20 2003-12-16 Attachment means
PCT/US2004/004346 WO2004072352A1 (fr) 2003-02-13 2004-02-12 Distribution selective d'additifs de lessive pendant le lavage automatique de tissus

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EP1592833A1 true EP1592833A1 (fr) 2005-11-09

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Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04710688A Withdrawn EP1592832A1 (fr) 2003-02-13 2004-02-12 Insert a cle de distribution d'additifs de lessive dans une machine automatique
EP04710689A Withdrawn EP1592833A1 (fr) 2003-02-13 2004-02-12 Distribution selective d'additifs de lessive pendant le lavage automatique de tissus
EP04710695A Withdrawn EP1592834A1 (fr) 2003-02-13 2004-02-12 Distributeur universel de distribution d'additif de lessive pendant le lavage automatique de tissus

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EP04710688A Withdrawn EP1592832A1 (fr) 2003-02-13 2004-02-12 Insert a cle de distribution d'additifs de lessive dans une machine automatique

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EP04710695A Withdrawn EP1592834A1 (fr) 2003-02-13 2004-02-12 Distributeur universel de distribution d'additif de lessive pendant le lavage automatique de tissus

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EP (3) EP1592832A1 (fr)
JP (3) JP2006513822A (fr)
CA (3) CA2512969A1 (fr)
WO (3) WO2004072351A1 (fr)

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DE102005061801A1 (de) 2005-12-23 2007-06-28 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Einschubdosiersystem für Haushaltsgeräte
ATE459285T1 (de) * 2006-02-07 2010-03-15 Miele & Cie System zum dosieren eines behandlungsmittels in einen reinigungs- oder desinfektionsautomaten
US8985561B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2015-03-24 Bonne O Inc. Beverage carbonating system and method for carbonating a beverage
US9198455B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2015-12-01 Bonne O Inc. Carbon dioxide source tablet and beverage carbonating system including the same
USD731223S1 (en) 2013-10-11 2015-06-09 Bonne O Inc. Beverage carbonation system base
EP3279385A1 (fr) * 2016-08-04 2018-02-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Procédé de lavage de tissus
US11529594B2 (en) 2018-11-15 2022-12-20 Bonne O Inc. Beverage carbonation system and beverage carbonator
CN113242903B (zh) * 2018-12-13 2023-04-07 宝洁公司 用于在洗涤循环和漂洗循环期间以变化的pH特征处理织物的方法

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1592832A1 (fr) 2005-11-09
WO2004072353A1 (fr) 2004-08-26
JP2006513821A (ja) 2006-04-27
JP2006517811A (ja) 2006-08-03
CA2514927A1 (fr) 2004-08-26
EP1592834A1 (fr) 2005-11-09
WO2004072351A1 (fr) 2004-08-26
JP2006513822A (ja) 2006-04-27
CA2512997A1 (fr) 2004-08-26
CA2512969A1 (fr) 2004-08-26
WO2004072352A1 (fr) 2004-08-26

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