EP2220283B1 - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Dispensing device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2220283B1
EP2220283B1 EP08847840.9A EP08847840A EP2220283B1 EP 2220283 B1 EP2220283 B1 EP 2220283B1 EP 08847840 A EP08847840 A EP 08847840A EP 2220283 B1 EP2220283 B1 EP 2220283B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
detergent
dispensing device
control means
fluid
release control
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP08847840.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2220283A1 (en
Inventor
Zefferino Righetto
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.)
Reckitt Benckiser NV
Original Assignee
Reckitt Benckiser NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Reckitt Benckiser NV filed Critical Reckitt Benckiser NV
Priority to PL08847840T priority Critical patent/PL2220283T3/en
Publication of EP2220283A1 publication Critical patent/EP2220283A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2220283B1 publication Critical patent/EP2220283B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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
    • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/771—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing fluent contents by means of a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to a detergent dispensing device, particularly for dispensing said detergent into an automatic washing or drying machine over a plurality of operating cycles.
  • a number of devices are known for holding unit doses of a detergent composition or additive, such as detergent tablets, and for dispensing of such unit doses into a machine.
  • DE 4332885 discloses a fluid dispensing system comprising a compressible bottle having an outlet and containing a collapsible pouch, the bottle having release control means disposed adjacent to the outlet.
  • WO 01/07703 discloses a device for the metered release of a detergent composition or additive into a washing machine having a number of separate sealed chambers for holding the detergent composition or additive and means for piercing the chambers, activated by conditions within the machine.
  • the reliable operation of this type of device is limited by the complication of the dispensing and indexing mechanism and by the variability of the actuation means described in the patent, like weight of the load or rotation of the drum.
  • WO 03/073906 discloses a free standing device for dispensing multiple doses of detergent into a dishwasher.
  • the device has a plate-like construction.
  • a round blister pack having a plurality of doses arranged around its periphery is loaded into the pack.
  • a winder is then rotated to load mechanical energy into the device sufficient to dispense more than one dose of detergent.
  • a thermally operated latch then moves when the device is subjected to the elevated temperatures within the dishwasher and, in cooperation with a ratchet mechanism, moves the blister pack so that the next dose of detergent is ready for dispensing.
  • the blister pack In order to dispense the detergent, either the blister pack is pierced, or the dose is ejected from its compartment within the blister pack.
  • the pouch contains a liquid detergent formulation.
  • the detergent formulation is commonly a laundry formulation.
  • the device may comprise a secondary release control means.
  • a secondary release control means can take the form of a manual activation switch / knob, e.g. such as a twistable knob.
  • a twistable knob By the use of such a twistable knob higher control over the discharge of the contents of the device can be achieved. Namely dispensing a detergent dose is only possible when the knob is manually set to the "open" position.
  • the knob preferably controls the opening of the outlet.
  • the knob may function such that by rotation it is brought into and / or out of contact with the outlet thus proving a closure function.
  • closure function can be provided by the knob functioning in conjunction with a helical thread.
  • the knob preferably has a return means [such as a spring] so that, once activated, dosing is permitted for a certain period of time, i.e. with the device in the "open" position before the knob is returned to the closed position.
  • the compressible bottle has a plurality of faces with differing stiffness. This aids the provision of the correct accuracy in dosing.
  • the faces with a low stiffness preferably have a stiffness such that they can be at least partially collapsed under a load of from 0.3 to 5kg, preferably under a load of about 0.5kg.
  • the device comprises a plastics material, e.g. such as polypropylene.
  • a plastics material e.g. such as polypropylene.
  • the overall weight of the device can be kept as small as possible. This is important to avoid / mitigate any detrimental effects such as causing an imbalance to the washing drum when in motion.
  • a fluid dispensing system comprising a compressible bottle having an outlet and containing a collapsible pouch, the bottle having a release control means disposed adjacent to the outlet, characterised in that the compressible bottle has a plurality of faces with differing stiffness, in a laundry washing operation.

Landscapes

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

Description

  • The present invention is related to a detergent dispensing device, particularly for dispensing said detergent into an automatic washing or drying machine over a plurality of operating cycles.
  • In automatic washing machines, the detergent, whether in powder, tablet or gel form, is usually filled manually by the user into the machine, in particular into a detergent holder, before each washing operation.
  • This filling process is inconvenient, with the problem of exact metering of the detergent and possible spillage thereof, for powder and gel detergents. Even with detergents in tablet form, wherein the problem of accurate dosing is overcome, there is still the necessity of handling the washing detergent every time a washing cycle is started. This is inconvenient because of the usually aggressive and irritant nature of detergent compositions, because of the time wasted in the operation and because of the need to store the detergent separately from the automatic machine.
  • A number of devices are known for holding unit doses of a detergent composition or additive, such as detergent tablets, and for dispensing of such unit doses into a machine.
  • DE 4332885 discloses a fluid dispensing system comprising a compressible bottle having an outlet and containing a collapsible pouch, the bottle having release control means disposed adjacent to the outlet.
  • WO 01/07703 discloses a device for the metered release of a detergent composition or additive into a washing machine having a number of separate sealed chambers for holding the detergent composition or additive and means for piercing the chambers, activated by conditions within the machine. The reliable operation of this type of device is limited by the complication of the dispensing and indexing mechanism and by the variability of the actuation means described in the patent, like weight of the load or rotation of the drum.
  • WO 03/073906 discloses a free standing device for dispensing multiple doses of detergent into a dishwasher. The device has a plate-like construction. A round blister pack having a plurality of doses arranged around its periphery is loaded into the pack. A winder is then rotated to load mechanical energy into the device sufficient to dispense more than one dose of detergent. A thermally operated latch then moves when the device is subjected to the elevated temperatures within the dishwasher and, in cooperation with a ratchet mechanism, moves the blister pack so that the next dose of detergent is ready for dispensing. In order to dispense the detergent, either the blister pack is pierced, or the dose is ejected from its compartment within the blister pack.
  • WO 03/073907 discloses a similarly shaped free standing dispensing device. In order to dispense detergent, a lever is manually operated to move a blister pack either to eject the detergent from a compartment within the blister pack, or to pierce the blister pack. A door or flap initially prevents wash liquor within the machine from accessing the exposed detergent. A bi-metallic strip is provided to move the door or flap when the device is exposed to the elevated temperatures during a washing cycle to allow access of the wash liquor to the exposed detergent thereby dispensing the detergent to the machine.
  • Both these devices have some serious limitations:
    1. a) complicated dispensing and indexing mechanism,
    2. b) they require the direct intervention of the user to operate, therefore reducing the time saved by using them
    3. c) They depend on temperature for the dispensing of the dose and temperature gradients are not reliable triggers in laundry washing cycles, since the temperature of the wash can be selected by consumers between cold water and 90C.
  • The present invention is related to a development of these dispensing devices and overcomes the limitations described above.
  • According to the invention there is provided a fluid detergent dispensing device for dispensing fluid detergent into an automatic washing machine, comprising a compressible bottle having an outlet and containing a collapsible pouch, the bottle having a detergent release control means disposed adjacent to its outlet, characterised in that the detergent is only dosed when an amount of wash liquor is brought into contact with said release control means, and in that the compressible bottle has a plurality of faces with differing stiffness.
  • The present invention is advantageous because it presents a simple easy to use device which is able to dose detergent in a washing cycle.
  • Generally the release control means is a polymeric foam, such as a polyurethane foam.
  • It has been found that such a foam provides an excellent dosing release profile. Without wishing to be bound by theory it is proposed that the outstanding dosing is connected with a delay factor of the foam. This delay factor means that detergent is only dosed when an amount of wash liquor is brought into contact with the foam thus liberating detergent from the foam matrix. This effect is beneficial in that excessive contact of detergents / detergent components with items being washed by the detergent is to be avoided because of the excessive damage that can be caused be exposure of items to the detergent. In this way the device of the present invention is particularly advantageous when compared to a simple device such as a conventional detergent dosing ball which has no release control. Preferably the release control means is mounted in an apetured cage.
  • Optionally there is air gap between the inside of the bottle and the pouch.
  • According to the invention the pouch contains a liquid detergent formulation. The detergent formulation is commonly a laundry formulation.
  • Optionally the pouch is replaceable.
  • Optionally the device may comprise a secondary release control means. Suitably this can take the form of a manual activation switch / knob, e.g. such as a twistable knob. By the use of such a twistable knob higher control over the discharge of the contents of the device can be achieved. Namely dispensing a detergent dose is only possible when the knob is manually set to the "open" position.
  • This is expedient to avoid that during the wash cycles an unwanted detergent discharge because of, e.g. squeezing of the device due to the weight of wet fabric or contact with / against the washing machine drum. When the knob is in the "off" position it guarantees that no dispensing occurs without the activation by consumers.
  • The knob preferably controls the opening of the outlet. For example the knob may function such that by rotation it is brought into and / or out of contact with the outlet thus proving a closure function. Such as closure function can be provided by the knob functioning in conjunction with a helical thread. The knob preferably has a return means [such as a spring] so that, once activated, dosing is permitted for a certain period of time, i.e. with the device in the "open" position before the knob is returned to the closed position.
  • It has been found that such a manual activation switch provides enhanced control over the dosing from the device, without [when compared to more convoluted systems] a requirement for connection to the operating systems of the machine or other complex operating system.
  • According to the invention, the compressible bottle has a plurality of faces with differing stiffness. This aids the provision of the correct accuracy in dosing.
  • Preferably the bottle has at least one face having low stiffness and thus being at least partially collapsible. In one preferred embodiment the bottle is rectangular and as such has four side faces. In this embodiment preferably two faces have low stiffness and are collapsible, preferably the other two faces are stiff and cannot be deformed under a reasonable load. The bottom face is very stiff as well.
  • Such a design guarantees that when a load is applied on the stiff faces, no modification of shape and change in internal volume is accomplished. However, when the load is applied on the collapsible faces, the shape changes and the internal volume is reduced by the fixed amount given by (area of the faces) x (displacement of the faces).
  • The faces with a low stiffness preferably have a stiffness such that they can be at least partially collapsed under a load of from 0.3 to 5kg, preferably under a load of about 0.5kg.
  • Preferably the device comprises a plastics material, e.g. such as polypropylene. With the use of such a material the overall weight of the device can be kept as small as possible. This is important to avoid / mitigate any detrimental effects such as causing an imbalance to the washing drum when in motion.
  • According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a fluid dispensing system comprising a compressible bottle having an outlet and containing a collapsible pouch, the bottle having a release control means disposed adjacent to the outlet, characterised in that the compressible bottle has a plurality of faces with differing stiffness, in a laundry washing operation.

Claims (10)

  1. A fluid detergent dispensing device for dispensing fluid detergent into an automatic washing machine comprising a compressible bottle having an outlet and containing a collapsible pouch for containing said fluid detergent,
    the bottle having a detergent release control means disposed adjacent to its outlet, characterised in that the detergent is only dosed when an amount of wash liquor is brought into contact with said release control means, and in that the compressible bottle has a plurality of faces with differing stiffness.
  2. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the release control means is a polymeric foam.
  3. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, the foam is a polyurethane foam.
  4. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
    wherein the release control means is mounted in an apertured cage.
  5. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein there is air gap between the inside of the bottle and the pouch.
  6. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the detergent formulation is liquid.
  7. A fluid dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the detergent formulation is a laundry formulation.
  8. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pouch is replaceable.
  9. A fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device comprises a secondary release control means, e.g. such as a twistable knob.
  10. Use of a device as described any one of claims 1 to 9 during a laundry washing operation.
EP08847840.9A 2007-11-09 2008-11-10 Dispensing device Not-in-force EP2220283B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL08847840T PL2220283T3 (en) 2007-11-09 2008-11-10 Dispensing device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0721983.5A GB0721983D0 (en) 2007-11-09 2007-11-09 Device
PCT/GB2008/003774 WO2009060220A1 (en) 2007-11-09 2008-11-10 Dispensing device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2220283A1 EP2220283A1 (en) 2010-08-25
EP2220283B1 true EP2220283B1 (en) 2015-10-14

Family

ID=38858403

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08847840.9A Not-in-force EP2220283B1 (en) 2007-11-09 2008-11-10 Dispensing device

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20110000266A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2220283B1 (en)
GB (1) GB0721983D0 (en)
PL (1) PL2220283T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2009060220A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2501258A (en) * 2012-04-17 2013-10-23 Reckitt & Colman Overseas A detergent dispensing cartridge unit for use with a washing machine
US8800815B1 (en) 2013-02-25 2014-08-12 Pibed Limited Container for use with a counter mounted dispensing system
GB202007128D0 (en) * 2020-05-14 2020-07-01 Reckitt Benckiser Finish Bv Solid composition

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1040925A (en) * 1961-10-24 1966-09-01 Bulpitt & Sons Ltd Improvements in or relating to washing machines
DE3033392A1 (en) * 1980-09-05 1982-04-29 Pfeiffer Kunststofftechnik GmbH & Co KG, 7760 Radolfzell DEVICE FOR DISPENSING PASTEUSES OR POWDERED MEDIA
US4875508A (en) * 1985-06-22 1989-10-24 The Coca-Cola Company Beverage container suitable for use in outer space
US5301838A (en) * 1991-01-23 1994-04-12 Continental Pet Technologies, Inc. Multilayer bottle with separable inner layer and method for forming same
US5305920A (en) * 1991-11-20 1994-04-26 The Procter & Gamble Company Bag-in-bottle package with reusable resilient squeeze bottle and disposable inner receptacle which inverts upon emptying without attachment near its midpoint to squeeze bottle
DE4332885A1 (en) * 1992-09-28 1994-03-31 Colgate Palmolive Co Squeezable dispenser for toothpaste etc. - has inner flexible disposable container fitting into outer container and closed by cap and one-way locking valves
US6505986B1 (en) * 1997-11-21 2003-01-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Applicator systems
JPH11334758A (en) * 1998-05-26 1999-12-07 Oodei:Kk Refilling bottle system
GB0209510D0 (en) * 2002-04-26 2002-06-05 Procter & Gamble Containers comprising at least one label made of an elastomeric material adhered to a squeezable resilient wall
US6688795B1 (en) * 2002-11-06 2004-02-10 E-L Management Corp. Applicator package with disposable applicator pad assembly
FR2859188B1 (en) * 2003-08-29 2007-06-15 Oreal POCKET AND PACKAGING DEVICE COMPRISING A POCKET
US7614811B2 (en) * 2005-05-26 2009-11-10 Biomed Packaging Systems Inc. Dispensing applicator for fluids
US20080028802A1 (en) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-07 Glenn Thomas Jordan Receiving apparatus
DE102007050920B3 (en) * 2007-10-23 2008-12-04 Miele & Cie. Kg Dosing device for fluid or semi-fluid curing agent e.g. washing agent, of washing machine, has pump provoking predetermined stable amount of curing agent per hub as partial quantity of amount to be dosed from cartridge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0721983D0 (en) 2007-12-19
WO2009060220A1 (en) 2009-05-14
EP2220283A1 (en) 2010-08-25
US20110000266A1 (en) 2011-01-06
PL2220283T3 (en) 2016-03-31

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