EP1728912B1 - Distributeur automatique pour une composition détergente avec une chambre intermédiaire - Google Patents

Distributeur automatique pour une composition détergente avec une chambre intermédiaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1728912B1
EP1728912B1 EP06076116.0A EP06076116A EP1728912B1 EP 1728912 B1 EP1728912 B1 EP 1728912B1 EP 06076116 A EP06076116 A EP 06076116A EP 1728912 B1 EP1728912 B1 EP 1728912B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
algorithm
water supply
laundry
supply feed
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP06076116.0A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1728912A1 (fr
Inventor
Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu
Sudhaker Puvvada
Vincent Charles Mole
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
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Publication of EP1728912A1 publication Critical patent/EP1728912A1/fr
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Classifications

    • 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
    • A47L15/4472—Blister packaging or refill cartridges
    • 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
    • A47L15/4418—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants in the form of liquids
    • A47L15/4427—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants in the form of liquids entrained in the water supply line by a pressure drop, e.g. resulting from a Venturi throat
    • 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
    • A47L15/4454—Detachable devices with automatic identification means, e.g. barcodes, RFID tags or magnetic strips
    • 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
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/32—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
    • D06F33/37—Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of metering of detergents or additives
    • 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
    • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state
    • 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
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/20—Washing liquid condition, e.g. turbidity
    • D06F2103/22—Content of detergent or additives
    • 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
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
    • 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
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/08—Control circuits or arrangements thereof

Definitions

  • Automatic dispensing device with a choice of automatic, electronically-controlled dosing or manual dosing, for dispensing laundry care composition into an automatic laundry washing machine, and methods for use thereof.
  • Detergent compositions are provided in many forms, of which granular and liquid compositions are the most prevalent. More recently, unit dose forms of detergent have been proposed in the form of compressed tablets of detergent powder or watersoluble packages, which are consumed during a single cleaning application. The unit dose forms are preferred by some consumers, in that the dose is pre-measured and, consequently, the unit dose form is faster, easier and less messy to use.
  • unit dose forms involve complexities in manufacture. Furthermore, unit dose detergents do not allow for variations in dosing, depending on water fill level in the machine.
  • US 4,981,024 A provides a system for injecting a laundry chemical into a washing machine, including a first signal indicative of the washing machine cycle having started, and a second signal indicative of a flow of water into the washing machine.
  • DE3236486 provides a device for supplying metered quantities of an additional fluid to a washing machine, the fluid being metered into a metering chamber.
  • the invention provides a device as set out in claim 1, and a device as set out in claim 25.
  • the invention includes a Venturi tube.
  • the invention includes the variation wherein the mechanical pump is employed to dispense the detergent, in place of a Venturi tube mechanism.
  • the inventive device is suitable for residential washing machines, as well as industrial, or commercial washing machines.
  • the inventive device is suitable for use with front-loading or top-loading washing machines.
  • any particular upper limit can be associated with any particular lower limit.
  • Liquid as used herein means that a continuous phase or predominant part of the composition is liquid and that a composition is flowable at 20°C. Solids (e.g., suspended or other) may be included. Gels and pastes are included within the liquids as used herein.
  • Venturi tube as used herein means a pipe with a constricted inner surface (throat); fluid passing through the tube speeds up as it enters the tube's throat, and generating a vacuum, which causes the dosing of a laundry care composition from a laundry care container to the washing machine.
  • Non-intrusive as used herein means external to the washing machine; can be fitted to the washing machine by the user of the machine, without having to invade the machine housing in any way.
  • Wash care as used herein means any and all compositions that may be used for the cleaning and care of laundry, including but not limited to detergents, bleach, softening, anti-wrinkling, etc. and any mixtures thereof.
  • “Along water supply feed” means that the device is connected to the washing machine via incoming and outgoing water supply hoses, into and out of the device, the outgoing water supply hoses then leading to the washing machine.
  • Machine-generic algorithm as used herein means an algorithm that is capable of determining the actual cycle at any duration of wash for various cycle designs from various washing machines, without the input of precise cycle design; and dose the correct products correctly.
  • “Major water addition” is the water fill with the amount that is sufficient to pre-wash, wash or rinse the articles that to be clean in one time.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive device 1 prior to the installation.
  • Device 1 connects to the incoming (2, 4) and outgoing (12, 14) water supply hoses.
  • the outgoing hoses 12 and 14 connect the device to the washing machine 6.
  • a pair of hoses is employed, with one connecting to hot water feed, and the other to the cold water feed.
  • the number of the Venturi tubes within the device is generally the same as the number of water supply hoses.
  • the inventive device with a single Venturi tube is employed, as shown in Figures 6-8 .
  • the device when installed, the device rests on top of the control panel 7 of the washing machine, or on a shelf, or on a wall in proximity to the washing machine, to allow easy access to the display panel of the device, and for replacing/refilling the laundry care containers.
  • Figure 1A illustrates a schematic of the operation of the intermediate dosing chamber according to the invention.
  • the intermediate chamber is added along the passage connecting the laundry care dosing container and the Venturi tube or the pump to provide a better control for a user.
  • a check valve is located between the chamber and the Venturi tube or the pump.
  • the other end of the chamber is connected to a product container with a built-in on/off valve, which is used to control the flow of product from the laundry care product container to the intermediate chamber.
  • An o-ring, as a seal, is located the in-take stem above the on-off valve.
  • the see-through chamber has various dosage lines for different dosage.
  • the intermediate chamber is pre-filled by opening the on-off valve between the product container and the intermediate chamber.
  • the on/off valve is manually controlled, followed by the operation described in further detail hereinbelow.
  • the manual on-off valve can be also replaced with a solenoid valve, which is controlled by the algorithm to open the solenoid valve various time for various dosage according to the combination of the selection of various of load size and the degree of dirt in the wash load.
  • a water line connection (on the side of the chamber in Figure 1A ) may optionally be added, upstream of the connection to the Venturi tube or pump, for flushing (i.e. rinsing) the chamber. This option may be particularly useful when the same chamber is connected to multiple product containers.
  • the intermediate chamber there is a sensing element to detect the actual amount of product has dosed in the intermediate chamber.
  • the conductance or resistance between various nodes 602 and node 601, correlated to the actual amount of product has dosed into the intermediate chamber.
  • the measurement of conductance or resistance may be measured by a conductance/resistance measurement circuit, which is well known by the people skilled in the arts.
  • the measurement can also be a simple detection of close- or open-circuit between various nodes 602 and node 601.
  • Multiple nodes 602 may also be replaced with an electric stripe.
  • a connection from the conductance/resistance device is connected to the top of the electric stripe.
  • the conductance/ resistance between the stripe and node 601 is correlated to the actual amount of the product in the intermediate chamber.
  • the actual dosage in an intermediate chamber may also be detected by a flowmeter located between a laundry product reservoir and the intermediate chamber.
  • the flowmeter are selected from ultrasonic/Doppler, turbine, paddle wheel, vortex shedding and magnetic flowmeters.
  • the most preferable flowmeters are turbine and paddle wheel type of flowmeters due to their low cost.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the typical design of the electronic circuit board 5 contained within the housing of the inventive device.
  • the circuit board has a connector to one or more sensors (95 or 96); the sensor sends a signal to a control unit which indicates the flow of the water (on or off).
  • the control unit contains a processing unit and a clock. In the illustrated embodiment, the clock is contained within the control unit.
  • the control unit is further connected to the panel display and to one or more solenoid valves within the conduits connecting Venturi tubes, laundry care product containers, water line and intermediate chamber.
  • the processing unit can accept the input of dosages for overwriting the default value for each product by consumers and automatically doses the selected products to the corresponding intermediate chamber at the correct time accordingly.
  • the processing unit is programmed with a machine-generic algorithm, which processes the signal from the sensor, to control the opening or closing of the solenoid valves, at appropriate time points during the operation of the washing machine.
  • the algorithm may be coded into a single electronic chip or a print circuit board, which is the major part of the processing unit.
  • the machine-generic algorithm is programmed to differentiate between a major water addition and a water pulse and to differentiate among various wash cycles.
  • the algorithm determines the state of the wash process and passes the signal to open one or more of the solenoid valves corresponding to the correct products.
  • the solenoid valves between intermediate chambers and the Venturi tubes are open, the vacuum provided by the flow of water through Venturi tubes allows the flow of one or more of the laundry care compositions to the water stream that is filling the wash machine.
  • the algorithm can also be programmed to open only the solenoid valve which is connected to the Venturi tube with the water flowing through it at that moment in order to prevent the cross-contamination between hot and cold water lines (which happens when both solenoid valves connected to both water lines are open).
  • only one water supply (hot or cold) might be on, and that is the one that will prompt the appropriate solenoid valve to open.
  • the machine-generic algorithm may also be programmed to fill the intermediate chamber with the amount of laundry care products according to the pre-set or the consumer-input value.
  • Figures 3 , 4 and 5 illustrate the mechanism of the dosing of a laundry care composition via a preferred embodiment of the inventive device 1.
  • the algorithm processes the instruction to mean that a major water addition is occurring via incoming hoses 2 and/or 4
  • the signal is sent from the control unit to the solenoid valves 32, and/or 52 and/or 62 to open (the solenoid valves being connected by wires 31 to the electronic circuit 5), which then results, due to the vacuum in the throats 30 of the Venturi tubes 10 and 20, in the flow of a laundry care composition out of the intermediate dosing chamber.
  • the container 40 is shown elevated; in use it snaps down within the slot 42, so that the spout 38 fits to a conduit 38A, sealed by O-ring 39.
  • the laundry care composition flows down the spout 38, then into the intermediate chamber, then down the conduits 35, 34, 33 and 32 ( Fig. 4 ), mixing with the incoming water flow in the Venturi tubes, and exiting the dosing device via the outgoing water hoses 12 and 14.
  • the resulting water/laundry care mix is carried into the washing machine via hoses 12 and/or 14.
  • the device in Figure 3 contains three laundry care containers 40, according to the most preferred embodiment of the invention, fitting within container slots 42.
  • different sets of solenoid valves - 32, 52, or 62 - are open to allow various laundry care compositions to flow.
  • the inventive device contains a laundry detergent container, a fabric softener/fabric care container, and/or a bleach or a laundry booster container.
  • the device may contain an intermediate chamber for each of the laundry care products, or the product may share the same chamber.
  • the length of the throat portion of the Venturi tube is preferably from 1 to 20 cm, more preferably less than 10 cm, most preferably less than 5 cm.
  • the multiple connections from the throat to the containers of laundry products may be distributed along the axial direction or/and the perimeter of the throat.
  • the preferred inventive devices contain a safety check assembly within the conduit 35.
  • the safety assembly may be assembled in a variety of ways. One of the embodiments is shown in detail in Figure 4 .
  • the safety assembly prevents the flow of the laundry care composition down the conduit 35, if the solenoid valve is open (e.g. malfunctioning, stuck), but there is no water flow through the Venturi tubes.
  • the safety assembly contains spring 36, upon which rests a ball 37. If there is no water flow through throats 30 of the Venturi tubes, there is no vacuum to force the flow of the laundry care composition down the conduit 35, the spring 36 remains at rest, with the ball 37 blocking the flow of the composition.
  • the safety assembly also prevents the water flow into the chamber through the conduit 35.
  • An O-ring 39 is seated on the outside of the conduit 38A, below the top rim, to ensure a better seal between the spout 38 and the conduit 38A.
  • Figure 4A illustrates another preferred embodiment (device 1A).
  • the solenoid valve connecting water line 20 and the intermediate chamber provides the flushing and cleaning of the chamber after each dosing of products.
  • one intermediate chamber may be shared by multiple laundry care product containers. It is preferred because only one solenoid valve or pump is employed. The other reason is that the safety valve is not open for the line which is without water flow.
  • the algorithm processes the instruction to mean that a major water addition is occurring via incoming hoses 2 and/or 4, the signal is sent from the control unit to the solenoid valve 32, which is located in the conduit 35, to open (the solenoid valve being connected by wires 31 to the electronic circuit 5), which then results in the flow of a laundry care composition out of the intermediate chamber, then down the conduits 35, 34, and 33.
  • the check valve assemblies (spring 36 and ball 37) are located at the conduits 33, which are directly connected to each of hot and cold water lines.
  • the safety valves are open due to the vacuum in the throat 30 generated by the water flow in the Venturi tubes 10 and/or 20, correspondingly.
  • the flow of product then is mixing with the incoming water flow in the Venturi tubes, and exiting the dosing device via the outgoing water hoses 12 and 14.
  • the resulting water/laundry care mix is carried into the washing machine via hoses 12 and/or 14.
  • An O-ring 39 is seated on the outside of the conduit 38A to ensure a better seal between the spout 38 and the conduit 38A .
  • the ratio of the diameter of the end of the Venturi tube (d 1 ) to the diameter of the throat of the Venturi tube (d 2 ) is greater than 1.65, most preferably greater than 2.5, in order to attain the required vacuum for dosing the products. If the internal diameter of water hoses is less than the diameter of the end of the Venturi tube (d 1 ), then the preferred ratio should be based on the ratio of the internal diameter of water hose to the diameter of the throat of the Venturi tube (d 2 ).
  • Figure 5 schematically demonstrates a single intermediate chamber shared by three laundry care product containers.
  • Solenoid valves 501, 502, and 503 are open according to the selection of laundry products to fill the intermediate chamber either when the device is initiated by a consumer or self-senses the initial fill of water.
  • the solenoid valves shut off once the required amount is filled.
  • the solenoid valve 505 is then open and the products are sucked into the Venturi tube and added into the washing machine.
  • solenoid valve 504 opens 5-90 seconds, preferably 20-60 seconds, after the opening of the solenoid valve 505, to flush the intermediate chamber.
  • the opening of the solenoid valve 504 may last for 5 to 10 seconds.
  • the cleaning water (water used for flushing) for the intermediate chamber is sucked into the Venturi tube through the solenoid valve 505.
  • the flushing may be repeated 2 - 5 times.
  • the solenoid valve closes.
  • an additional solenoid valve, 506 is added between the top portion of an intermediate chamber and the Venturi tube as Shown in Figure 5 .
  • solenoid valve 505 is closed and solenoid valve 506 is opened to assist the fill rate.
  • solenoid 506 is closed and remains closed until another fill.
  • FIGs 6 , 7 , and 8 illustrate yet other embodiments of the inventive devices 100 and 110 wherein a single water supply and a single Venturi tube are employed.
  • the Venturi tube 11 in Figure 6 or 15 in Figure 7 is connected to the incoming water supply hose 3 and the outgoing water supply hose 13 via couplings 16 and 22.
  • the mechanism of dosing action is the same as described above for Figures 3 , 4 , and 5 , except that when a single Venturi tube 11 or 15 is employed, it connects directly through the conduit 47 to the intermediate chamber (contrasted to a series of conduits 33, 34, and 35 in Figure 4 for a double Venturi tube device).
  • Figure 6 illustrates a single Venturi tube/single laundry care container embodiment of the inventive device 100
  • Figure 7 illustrates a single Venturi tube/three laundry care containers embodiment of the device 110.
  • the Venturi tube 11 in Figure 6 connects to a single intermediate chamber via a single conduit 47.
  • the Venturi tube 15 in Figure 7 connects to three intermediate chambers directly via conduits 47, 48, and 49.
  • Figure 8 illustrates the example of the safety assembly for the single Venturi tube embodiment of the device, operating as described above with reference to Figure 4 .
  • FIG 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • the inventive device 120 operates substantially the same as described above in connection with Figures 3-5 , except that a pump 210 is employed in place of a Venturi mechanism.
  • the device with pump is highly preferred for washing machines which are placed at a low water pressure locations. Otherwise, according to the present invention, the Venturi mechanism is preferred, since it has no moving parts, as in the pump.
  • the Venturi-based device does not require an external power supply, only a battery to run the electronic circuit to control the solenoid valves.
  • the pump-based device in Figure 9 employs simple tubes 230 in place of the Venturi tubes. Similarly to the Venturi-based inventive devices, it may include single or dual water supply, either one in combination with a variety of dosing containers.
  • laundry care containers visibly protrude above the top surface of the device, and most preferably, the containers are transparent, so that the user may monitor the level of the remaining detergent, and refill or replace the containers at an appropriate time.
  • FIGS 10A , 10B , 11A and 11B are examples of the logic flow diagrams for the machine-generic algorithm for programming the processing unit. The following nomenclature is used in the figures:
  • Figures 10a and 10b are typical algorithms for two intermediate chambers with the option of "Pre-Wash” selection.
  • the algorithm pre-set the all variables to zero, i.e. off status, and retrieves the stored values of default or previous-set dosages of laundry products, e.g. detergent and softener. A consumer may input the desired dosage and overwrite the default value for both products.
  • the algorithm allows a consumer to select the "Pre-Wash” cycle or "Soak” cycle. The algorithm automatically compensates the "Soak” process. Once starts the process, the valves, V DC and V SC , between product reservoirs and their corresponding intermediate chambers open. These valves close after each intermediate chamber filled with the corresponding product to the desired dosage.
  • the clock starts when the algorithm senses the sign of water addition as a major water fill.
  • the valve, V d between first laundry product, said detergent, intermediate chamber and the dosing apparatus, such as a Venturi tube or a pump, is set to open, once the dosing of the product into the intermediate chamber is complete. Consequently, the first laundry product added into and dispersed in the water flow and onto the wash machine.
  • the valve, V d closed. If the "Pre-Wash" was selected, then the valve, V DC , opened and filled the corresponding intermediate chamber to the desired dosage then closed.
  • the algorithm then sent a signal to open the valve, V d , for dosing the second laundry products.
  • the valve, V d closed once the water flow stopped.
  • the valve, V s opened to inject the second laundry product, when the water flow and last for more than 10 seconds.
  • the valve, V s closed and the device system shut down.
  • FIG. 11A and 11B A typical algorithm for one Intermediate Chambers with Pre-Wash selection is shown in Figures 11A and 11B . Due to a single intermediate chamber design, the algorithm has modified to fill the intermediate chamber one at the time and has to be flush washed after the dosing of each product. The algorithm for filling the intermediate chamber and dosing is the same as described in the algorithm for two intermediate chambers with pre-wash selection design. After the each fill of the product, the algorithm waits for 5 - 90 seconds, preferably from 20 to 60 seconds, to ensure the dosing of the product into the water stream then open the valve, V CW , for 1 minute to clean the chamber.
  • the sensor senses the flow of water converting a flow signal therefrom into an electronic impulse, and sending the signal that the water flow is on to the processing unit inside the control unit.
  • the preferred sensor is selected from a pressure transducer or a flow or motion sensing devices, or combinations thereof.
  • the sensor can be placed at a water supply feed, whether the incoming or outgoing feed from the device.
  • the sensor combined with the algorithm may additionally detect other parameters, e.g. water inflow pattern, total water consumed for each cycle.
  • signals can be obtained (and combined with one another) which monitor the wash cycle and the cycle time and provide a trigger for the inventive dispensing device.
  • Other suitable sensors include but are not limited to devices sensing electrical current, sound, temperature, vibration, etc.
  • any laundry care container may be used as long as its spout fits snugly into the conduit leading to the Venturi tube.
  • special cartridges most preferably removable and replaceable, are employed.
  • the slots and/or containers are clearly labeled and may have an encoded set of information about the container's contents and its use instructions affixed to it, the device further comprising means for retrieving and, optionally, storing said information, and means for executing instructions either received directly from the retrieved information or from the stored information.
  • the instructions may be in the form of a bar code, a magnetic strip, a microchip or any other suitable machine-readable attachment.
  • the shape of the containers and the corresponding interlocking slots are shaped differently to prevent misplaced installation of products. Another way of preventing misplaced installation is via color or shape or size differention with common interlocks.
  • the bottom of the container (containing the spout) is beveled to enhance the draining of the composition.
  • any laundry care compositions are suitable for use with the inventive device.
  • the particular advantage of the inventive device is that it pre-mixes the laundry care composition with water, thus diluting the laundry care composition prior to its introduction into the washing machine.
  • the laundry care composition is a concentrate.
  • a laundry detergent composition it generally means that the composition comprises at least 20%, by weight of the composition, preferably from 40 to 100%, most preferably from 60 to 100% of a surfactant.
  • concentrate compositions contain little if any water, generally from 0 to 50%, preferably less than 20%, most preferably less than 10%.
  • compositions for use with the inventive device are a bleach composition; by virtue of pre-dilution associated with the use of the inventive device such composition may be introduced into the washing machine, without causing the pinpoint damage to the fabrics.
  • the most preferred bleach is a peracid, such as imidoperacid, diperoxydodecanoic acid (DPDA), perlauric acid, perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids.
  • DPDA diperoxydodecanoic acid
  • PAP phthalimido-percaproic acid
  • the inventive device may dose sodium hypochlorite solution, which is generally referred to as chlorine beach.
  • the concentration of hypochlorite solution is in the range between 1.5 % to 10%, preferably between 3 to 7%.
  • the inventive device may sequentially dose bleach precursors and peroxygen bleach sources.
  • the nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS) and tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) are typical bleach precursors.
  • Other classes of bleach precursors comprise acylated citrate ester, benzoxazin-type and amido derived precusors.
  • Suitable peroxygen bleach bleach sources to be used herein are hydrogen peroxide, percarbonates, persilicates, perborates, peroxyacids, hydroperoxides, and diacyl peroxide.
  • a peroxygen bleach source refers to any compound, which produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is in contact with water.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Claims (25)

  1. Dispositif (1 ; 100, 110) approprié pour être assemblé extérieurement à une machine à laver le linge automatique et pour distribuer automatiquement au moins une composition liquide d'entretien de linge à la machine à laver le linge automatique, le dispositif étant approprié pour être placé le long du système d'alimentation en eau vers la machine à laver avec un système d'alimentation en eau entrant (2, 4) vers le dispositif et un système d'alimentation en eau sortant (12, 14) sortant du dispositif, le dispositif comprenant :
    - un tube Venturi (10, 20), les deux extrémités du tube faisant saillie à l'extérieur du logement du dispositif pour des liaisons aux systèmes d'alimentation en eau entrant et sortant,
    - un contenant de dosage (40) pour contenir la composition d'entretien de linge,
    - une chambre de dosage intermédiaire reliée au contenant de dosage par une vanne tout ou rien, l'orifice du tube Venturi (30) étant relié par un conduit (33 à 35) à la chambre de dosage intermédiaire ;
    - un capteur (95, 96) pour déterminer l'écoulement d'eau à travers le système d'alimentation en eau entrant, le capteur étant situé au niveau du système d'alimentation en eau entrant et relié à
    - un circuit électronique (5) contenant une horloge et une unité de traitement programmée avec un algorithme de machine générique, dans lequel l'algorithme de machine générique est programmé pour commander l'ouverture et la fermeture
    - d'une électrovanne (32, 52, 62) accouplée au même circuit et située dans le conduit reliant le tube Venturi et la chambre de dosage intermédiaire, la vanne ouvrant ou fermant l'écoulement de la composition d'entretien de linge à partir de la chambre de dosage intermédiaire
    dans lequel l'algorithme de machine générique est programmé pour, en réponse à un signal reçu du capteur, différencier un ajout d'eau majeur d'une impulsion d'eau, et dans lequel l'algorithme de machine générique est programmé de sorte qu'il ouvre l'électrovanne (32, 52, 62) dans le cas d'un ajout d'eau majeur, dans lequel un ajout d'eau majeur est défini comme étant le remplissage en eau avec la quantité qui est suffisante pour le prélavage, le lavage, ou le rinçage des articles dans la machine à laver le linge automatique.
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 comprenant au moins deux contenants de dosage (40), un pour contenir un détergent de lavage et l'autre pour contenir un adoucissant de lavage.
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif est approprié pour être relié à deux systèmes d'alimentation en eau : d'eau chaude et d'eau froide.
  4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3 comprenant deux tubes Venturi (10, 20), l'un relié au système d'alimentation en eau chaude ; l'autre relié au système d'alimentation en eau froide.
  5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les orifices (30) des deux tubes Venturi sont reliés l'un à l'autre par un conduit de liaison (33, 34), le conduit de liaison étant à son tour relié au conduit (35) vers la chambre de dosage intermédiaire, et le dispositif contenant deux électrovannes (32) situées dans le conduit de liaison.
  6. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur est sélectionné parmi un transducteur de pression et un capteur d'écoulement.
  7. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'unité de traitement comprend une horloge.
  8. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'algorithme réinitialise l'horloge à la fin du cycle de lavage total.
  9. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'algorithme différentie les divers cycles de lavage sur la base du nombre d'ajouts d'eau majeurs.
  10. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'algorithme comprend les instructions pour ouvrir l'électrovanne (32, 52, 62) qui est reliée au tube Venturi qui est traversé par l'écoulement d'eau pendant plus de 5 secondes.
  11. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'algorithme comprend des instructions pour fermer l'électrovanne si l'écoulement d'eau est désactivé.
  12. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif comprend deux contenants de dosage (40) : un contenant de dosage pour un détergent de lavage et un pour un adoucissant de lavage, et dans lequel l'algorithme comprend les instructions pour ouvrir l'électrovanne vers le contenant de dosage d'adoucissant de lavage à l'instant du deuxième ajout d'eau majeur.
  13. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif comprend en outre un ensemble de contrôle de sécurité (36, 37) situé dans le conduit reliant le tube Venturi et la chambre de dosage, pour éviter un écoulement d'eau dans la chambre de dosage.
  14. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la chambre de dosage intermédiaire est transparente.
  15. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la chambre de dosage intermédiaire est appropriée pour être reliée de manière indépendante à la conduite d'eau principale.
  16. Dispositif selon la revendication 15, dans lequel l'algorithme comprend des instructions pour rincer la chambre de dosage intermédiaire avec de l'eau.
  17. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un panneau de commande comprenant une sélection pour une réinitialisation ou pour un prélavage.
  18. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le rapport entre le diamètre interne de l'extrémité du tube Venturi et le diamètre interne de l'orifice (30) du tube Venturi (10, 20) est supérieur à 1,65.
  19. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le rapport entre le diamètre interne d'un tuyau de système d'alimentation en eau (2, 4) et le diamètre interne de l'orifice (30) du tube Venturi est supérieur à 1,65.
  20. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le contenant de dosage (40) est amovible.
  21. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la composition d'entretien de linge est une composition concentrée.
  22. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la composition d'entretien de linge comprend du peracide ou de l'eau de Javel.
  23. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'algorithme dans le circuit électronique peut être mis à jour par l'intermédiaire : de la commutation d'une nouvelle puce de mémoire morte contenant un nouvel algorithme, ou de la programmation d'une puce de mémoire morte avec un nouvel algorithme.
  24. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'algorithme dose les produits de lavage, mesure et confirme la quantité dosée réelle avant le dosage du produit de la chambre intermédiaire dans la conduite d'eau.
  25. Dispositif (120) approprié pour être assemblé extérieurement à une machine à laver le linge automatique et pour distribuer automatiquement au moins une composition liquide d'entretien de linge à la machine à laver le linge automatique, le dispositif étant approprié pour être placé le long d'un système d'alimentation en eau vers la machine à laver avec un système d'alimentation en eau entrant (2, 4) vers le dispositif et un système d'alimentation en eau sortant (12, 14) sortant du dispositif, le dispositif comprenant :
    - un tube de conduit d'eau (230), les deux extrémités du tube faisant saillie à l'extérieur du dispositif pour des liaisons aux systèmes d'alimentation en eau entrant et sortant ;
    - un contenant de dosage pour contenir la composition d'entretien de linge, le contenant étant relié par un conduit avec une vanne tout ou rien à une chambre de dosage intermédiaire,
    - un capteur (95, 96) pour déterminer un écoulement d'eau à travers le système d'alimentation en eau entrant, le capteur étant situé au niveau du système d'alimentation en eau entrant et relié à
    - un circuit électronique contenant une horloge et une unité de traitement programmée avec un algorithme de machine générique, dans lequel l'algorithme de machine générique est programmé pour commander
    - une pompe (210), accouplée au susdit circuit, l'extrémité d'aspiration de la pompe étant reliée par un conduit à la chambre de dosage intermédiaire et l'extrémité de refoulement de la pompe étant reliée au système d'alimentation en eau,
    dans lequel l'algorithme de machine générique est programmé pour différencier un ajout d'eau majeur et une impulsion d'eau, et dans lequel l'algorithme de machine générique est programmé de sorte qu'il mette en oeuvre la pompe (210) lorsqu'il détecte un ajout d'eau majeur,
    dans lequel un ajout d'eau majeur est défini comme étant le remplissage en eau avec la quantité qui est suffisante pour un prélavage, un lavage, ou un rinçage des articles dans la machine à laver le linge automatique.
EP06076116.0A 2005-06-02 2006-05-26 Distributeur automatique pour une composition détergente avec une chambre intermédiaire Active EP1728912B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/143,686 US20060272360A1 (en) 2005-06-02 2005-06-02 Automatic dispensing device for laundry detergent composition with intermediate chamber

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EP1728912A1 EP1728912A1 (fr) 2006-12-06
EP1728912B1 true EP1728912B1 (fr) 2016-11-02

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US (1) US20060272360A1 (fr)
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US20060272360A1 (en) 2006-12-07

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