EP2626460A1 - Machine for the treatment of objects with a multi-compartment package - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a blister packaging (1) that covers multiple different chambers (2-6) with different substances, where the chambers are separated from each other. Each substance is individually packed in a liquid-tight manner. Wash substances are provided for washing laundry, and detergent substances are provided for washing dishes. The chambers of the blister packaging are provided in various sizes. A disinfectant or colorant is provided in the chambers. An independent claim is also included for a method for treating an object.

Description

The invention relates to a system for the treatment, in particular for the washing and / or rinsing of articles in the private household and in particular for the washing of laundry in the batch process (not continuously). The invention further relates to a machine such as a drum and / or spin washing machine for carrying out the treatment, washing or rinsing process together with an associated method.

A detergent according to the invention is an agent which is to be used for the cleaning of an article. A particularly typical detergent according to the invention is used for the cleaning of laundry, so especially for the cleaning of clothing, bed linen, napkins, towels, tablecloths. To be cleaned items can also be plates, knives, forks, bowls, etc., so in general dishes that are cleaned in a dishwasher. Known washing or rinsing agents are in liquid, gelatinous or powdered form.

A modern household washing machine is typically operated with a detergent consisting of many different substances. Some of the substances used are incompatible with each other. This requires the use of additives that can compensate for the lack of compatibility. However, due to the complexity of today's modern household detergent, it is not possible to clean it with optimal cleaning substances under optimal conditions, since care must always be taken to provide a total of washing or rinsing agent which can be used relatively universally. Although there are detergents for different purposes such as fine or heavy duty detergents. It is only a very rough subdivision. In both mentioned Detergents, for example, always rely on washing at a given pH. As a compromise, an alkaline environment is generally set. For example, to remove tannin stains, it would be desirable to wash in an acidic environment. Even with regard to the temperatures, only a rough subdivision is possible. Cleaning under each optimized temperature is not possible. As a result, too high a temperature must be disadvantageously used in many cases.

In the commercial sector, however, the required washing substances are dosed individually, so as to be able to wash in an optimal way on the one hand and to be able to dispense with superfluous substances on the other side. For dosing complex dosing systems are used, which are not considered for private purposes in household washing machines or dishwashers for cost reasons.

In order to reduce the problem described in household washing machines, it has already been proposed to use a made of plastic, injection-molded detergent container in the form of a round capsule in which are separated from each other in different cake-shaped chambers different substances used for washing. This container should be used in a washing machine for private household, which is tailored to this container. The substances are supplied chamber by chamber of the corresponding washing machine according to a predetermined program successively the washing process.

A disadvantage of this prior art, however, that the container can be made only in certain dimensions in order to be able to be manufactured sufficiently inexpensively. This is related to international standards of injection molding equipment. Overall, therefore, specifications must be observed that have nothing to do with optimizing the actual cleaning process. Also, it is hardly possible in this known solution for washing machines with larger capacity (Commercial and industrial washing machines) to economically produce larger capsules. The relatively small capsule (eg diameter about 7 cm) space for only a limited number of chambers is possible to easily optimize wash programs depending on the washing substances used.

This prior art, it is an object of the invention to be able to clean improved. In particular, should be dispensed with the use of complex detergents and / or individually dosed and / or an individual cleaning program may be possible.

To achieve the object, in one embodiment of the invention, a blister pack is used, which comprises several different, separate chambers. In the individual chambers are different substances for the treatment, in particular for the cleaning of objects.

A blister pack according to the invention is a product packaging, which consists of a rear wall and a fixed on the rear wall plastic film molding. The rear wall can be made of cardboard, plastic or a metal foil, such as an aluminum foil. The packaging may or may not be such that the content is visible. Blister packs are regularly used for the packaging of tablets.

A blister pack can be produced very inexpensively by a deep drawing process. The individual chambers of a blister pack can be individually dimensioned without significantly changing the costs of a production process. A blister pack can therefore have different sized chambers without having to consider standards for cost reasons. The chambers may for example be arranged one behind the other, parallel in two or more rows, in a circle or in the form of a honeycomb.

In order to be able to empty a single chamber of the blister pack in a machine, in one embodiment of the invention, it is suitably pierced in a machine in order to provide an outlet for the substance or mixture of substances in the chamber. (Substantively, it may also be a mixture of substances.) This outlet is used to deliver the substance in the chamber from the chamber to the article (s) being treated with the substance should. Following the treatment, the next chamber of the blister pack is emptied in the same way and the substance contained therein is brought to the objects to be treated. One after the other substance by substance of the blister pack used for the treatment is brought to the objects and there used as intended.

Preferably, a substance is transported from a chamber to the object (s) by means of a liquid. For this purpose, the corresponding chamber of the blister pack used is flooded or rinsed with a liquid and passed on to the objects to be treated, for example via pipes or hoses. At the same time, the liquid thus transports the corresponding substance from the chamber to the object (s). As a rule, water will be used as transport liquid. Advantageously, the flooding or rinsing of a chamber takes place until it is ensured that the substance has been completely rinsed out of the respective chamber. The rinsing process can be carried out at intervals (eg rinse for 3 seconds, pause for 2 seconds, then rinse again for 3 seconds to ensure complete emptying), ensuring that the chamber is cleaned and can be disposed of without problems after use In addition, this ensures that the appropriate substance is applied in a dosed manner in the intended manner.

In one embodiment of the invention, a hollow needle is used for the flooding or rinsing, which comprises two separate channels. Both channels open into the needle tip. A channel of the needle is used to direct a liquid into the chamber after piercing. Via the second channel, the liquid then flows together with the substance which is located in the chamber, and is thus passed on to the object (s).

In another embodiment, a chamber of a hollow needle is pierced with two different hollow needles. About the one hollow needle, a liquid is passed after piercing into the chamber. About the other hollow needle, which pierces the blister pack suitable, the liquid is transported together with the substance to the one or more objects until the substance was completely removed from the chamber so and transported to the one or more objects.

In another embodiment, a needle has a widening, for example in the form of an external thread. After piercing, the male thread may be used to introduce liquid into the chamber or to transport liquid to the article or articles together with the substance in the chamber.

In a further embodiment, a hollow needle can be used, which has two holes laterally. The holes are separated in the interior of the hollow needle so that a liquid introduced at one end emerges via one of the holes, then is able to re-enter the other hole, to finally be led out of the other end of the hollow needle. If two opposite walls of a chamber of the blister pack are pierced so that the two holes are in the chamber, then such a chamber can be flushed with a liquid such as water in the manner described, so as to complete the contents of the chamber to the one or more objects transport.

Combinations of the mentioned techniques are possible. It also does not necessarily have to be a blister pack that includes chambers. It can also be another container comprising various chambers with pierceable walls in order to be able to carry out the mentioned techniques for transporting substances to objects.

For example, the invention for washing clothes is carried out as follows. A needle of a washing machine is provided with an external thread. This creates the opportunity, on the one hand, to provide a large hole by piercing a chamber wall, through which the contents of the corresponding chamber of the blister pack can flow out into the liquor of the washing machine. The blister pack is pierced by the needle both up and down. The needle is a hollow needle, which is closed at the bottom. At the top there is a stop, which consists for example of plastic or rubber. In between, the needle is perforated. After piercing to the top stop, the perforated area of the needle is completely in the chamber. Through this perforation, water or other suitable liquid can then be flushed into the appropriate chamber of the blister pack to ensure complete emptying of the chamber. The stop seals the top of the blister pack. This ensures that undesirable substances do not escape upwards. The blister pack may also be pressed down against a rubber-like stop of the washing machine, for example, to seal the blister pack down around the needle. In this way it is ensured that the contents of the blister pack pass completely and without residue into the liquor via the thread. This ensures that even relatively aggressive chemicals can be safely stored in a blister pack, which is not possible with a conventional detergent.

The aforementioned needle is for example 3 to 7 cm, for example 5 cm long. The chambers of the blister pack can be of different depths or different widths. The dimensioning of a blister pack is suitably coordinated with the machine in which the blister pack is to be used.

The machine used is in particular a household machine, ie a machine for use in a private household. It is above all a drum washing machine in which a laundry drum rotates about a horizontal axis. The drum washing machine may be a top loader with the hatch at the top, or a front loader with a porthole serving as a hatch on the front.

The machine used can also be a tub washing machine. Although the household is the preferred area of application. In principle, however, a machine according to the invention can also be used industrially as well as commercially (for example in a laundromat). The invention may also relate to the washing of other objects such as machine parts, tools or metal parts.

In one embodiment, the object is achieved by a packaging, in particular a blister pack, which has a plurality of different, mutually separate chambers. In the chambers are different substances for the treatment of an object. On or in the package is stored information related to the program according to which the treatment is to take place. In the simplest case, the information is stored in the form of a number. In this case, there is an associated machine in which a treatment program, such as a washing or rinsing program according to this number is set. Depending on this setting, the treatment is carried out by the machine.

A washing machine then requires no expensive electronics to carry out a specific treatment program. It can be made very inexpensive, although it can be treated individually depending on a selected system consisting of said package together with the substances contained therein.

In the aforementioned particularly simple case, however, only a few different settings are possible. Alternatively, therefore, the information may be coded printed, such as in the form of a bar code or other barcode. The associated machine then has means such as a bar code scanner to read the printed information as soon as the packaging is properly inserted into the machine. It is thus possible to convey more complex information from the packaging to the machine without making the operation of the machine more difficult.

However, the information about the treatment by an RFID system is preferably transmitted from the packaging to the machine. The packaging is then provided with a transponder in which the treatment information is stored. The associated machine has a reader for reading out the information stored in the transponder. The machine is also designed to handle the treatment in accordance with stored information. In particular, the machine is such that infinitely or at least virtually continuously treatment temperatures, for example, between room temperature and 95 ° C can be adjusted infinitely or at least virtually continuously a respective treatment time, for example, between one second and one hour can be adjusted continuously or at least virtually continuously Liquid pressure for the supply of a liquid can be adjusted in a treatment room and / or continuously or at least virtually continuously a rotational speed of a drum or cleaning arms can be adjusted In this case, each manufacturer of a treatment agent such as a detergent individually specify a program, so for example a washing program. and, for example, to wash at a specific time at 43 ° C instead of, for example, usual 50 ° C. It can be a treatment such as a washing process extremely optimized. A machine then only needs a single start button or switch, as a user, for example, no longer has to set a washing program depending on a detergent, which significantly facilitates operation.

Modern detergents for the household differ in terms of composition depending on the respective commodity prices within a certain range or due to further developments. According to the invention, it is now possible, depending on raw material prices, to vary the contents of a package with different chambers and, at the same time, modify the associated treatment program, ie for example the associated washing program, and to optimize each one. Furthermore, due to further developments, the contents of a package can be changed and the washing program can be adapted to the changed content at the same time. For the consumer there is no change in the handling. Also in this respect, the invention therefore offers significant advantages over the prior art.

In conventional detergents, it is generally necessary to offer them in a fixed state of aggregation, for example in solid or liquid form. It is not possible to combine the different aggregate states. In the invention, solids may be present in a first chamber and a liquid in a second chamber of the package. It is also not necessary as in the prior art often to pay attention to certain colors of the product or substances, because the packaging can visually cover the substances. For example, it is difficult to convey, with the help of a black fabric to wash laundry white. Therefore, manufacturers are regularly reliant on substances in the prior art with dyes that are accepted by consumers. Such requirements are not to be considered in the invention. The same applies to fragrances. According to the invention, therefore, it is no longer necessary to ensure that fragrances accepted by the consumer are provided, which may indeed respond positively to the consumer's perception but run counter to the desired result or at least represent an unnecessary expense.

• Nichtionische Tenside:
  • C₁₂C₁₄ Fettalkoholethoxylate mit einer Konzentration von vorzugsweise nahe 100% mit einer Viskosität bei 20°C von vorzugsweise 50-150 mPaS;
  • C₁₃C₁₅ Oxoalkoholethoxylate mit einer Konzentration von vorzugsweise ca. 100% mit einer Viskosität bei 20°C von vorzugsweise 40-100 mPaS;
  • Fettalkoholalkoxylate mit einer Konzentration von vorzugsweise ca. 100% mit einer Viskosität bei 20°C von vorzugsweise 40-400 mPaS.

For example, in one embodiment of the invention, a surfactant is contained in a chamber, specifically in a highly concentrated and / or highly viscous state. Since it is possible to flush a chamber, such highly viscous and / or highly concentrated states become possible. The following are some typical examples of a high-viscosity content of a chamber when the contents of the blister pack serve as a detergent:

• Nonionic surfactants:
  • C ₁₂ C ₁₄ fatty alcohol ethoxylates having a concentration of preferably close to 100% with a viscosity at 20 ° C of preferably 50-150 mPaS;
  • C ₁₃ C ₁₅ oxo alcohol ethoxylates having a concentration of preferably about 100% with a viscosity at 20 ° C of preferably 40-100 mPaS;
  • Fatty alcohol alkoxylates having a concentration of preferably about 100% with a viscosity at 20 ° C of preferably 40-400 mPaS.

• C₁₀C₁₃ Alkylbenzolsulfonsäuren mit einer Konzentration von vorzugsweise >40% mit einer Viskosität bei 20°C von vorzugsweise >300 mPaS.

Anionic surfactants:

• C ₁₀ C ₁₃ alkylbenzenesulfonic acids having a concentration of preferably> 40% with a viscosity at 20 ° C of preferably> 300 mPaS.

Caustic soda, for example, having a concentration of 50% with a viscosity at 20 ° C of 79 mPaS or a concentration of 40% with a viscosity at 20 ° C of 39 mPaS or intermediate values (between 40% and 50%).

The viscosity is measured against water at a water temperature of 20 ° C with a viscosity of 1 mPaS.

For example, it is possible to use concentrated sodium hydroxide solution or caustic soda in solid form or hydrochloric acid, which is not possible with conventional detergents for reasons of handling.

Since substances can be used in highly concentrated form, volumes can be reduced. Therefore, the volume of each chamber can be only a few ml, especially in the case of substances for treating dishes or textiles. This reduces transport costs. The material usage for the packaging is lowered. Overall, so costs are saved.

Auxiliaries such as emulsifiers and stabilizers, inhibitors, etc. no longer have to be used, which simply have to be used in conventional detergents in order to arrive at a total of a manageable and usable product.

Detergents can be sold more marketable. Thus, matched to a single household, a total packaging can be sold containing, for example, some packages for heavy duty detergents, some packages for mild detergents, and so on. For large families can be packaged accordingly differently. It is not necessary to provide relatively large quantities of detergents in a household for each type of wash, such as a large 3kg package of heavy duty detergent, a large 3kg package for mild detergent, etc. All in all, space can be saved in a conventional household ,

A package such as a blister pack is advantageously configured liquid-tight. Then there is no moisture problem. The system can even be stored together with food.

In conventional washing machines, it is not possible to disinfect laundry, which may be necessary in case of illness. In one embodiment of the invention is located in a chamber of the package, a disinfectant such as to be able to disinfect textiles.

The packaging, such as a blister pack, is designed asymmetrically in one embodiment of the invention. According asymmetrically, a chamber for receiving the packaging of the associated machine is configured. This ensures that a package can only be properly inserted into the associated machine.

In one embodiment of the invention, the packaging, that is to say in particular the blister packaging, is used for coloring articles such as textiles. The package then contains a chamber with a coloring agent. For example, one pair of jeans can then be washed and dyed in a single operation.

A package containing a detergent for washing textiles generally has a surfactant in a chamber because a surfactant is the main washing component of a detergent. It is in particular an anionic or a nonionic surfactant.

A package containing a detergent or a rinse will regularly have a water softener in a chamber to produce soft water. In particular, zeolite A and also phyllosilicates are used. So-called builders (among other functions) support these mineral softeners in one embodiment of the invention and are therefore located in a chamber of the package.

In one embodiment of the invention, wash alkalis are in a chamber of the package. These increase the pH of the wash liquor. Thus, the fibers swell up and the dirt is easier to peel off.

Bleaching agents and enzymes wash better in the alkaline range. Therefore, wash alkalis are preferably used so that they enter the wash water before or together with a bleach or enzyme so that the water has a pH above 7 when the wash is treated with a bleach or enzyme. If there are no undesirable reactions between a wash liquor and a bleach or enzyme, a bleach and a wash, or enzyme and wash, may be together in a chamber. Otherwise, washing alkali and bleaching agent or washing alkali and enzyme are housed in separate chambers. First, the chamber with the washing alkali is then preferably emptied by a washing machine and then a chamber with the bleaching agent or with the enzyme, so that the treatment with bleaching agent or enzyme takes place in an alkaline medium.

In one embodiment of the invention, there are enzymes in one compartment of the package for the removal of proteinaceous and starchy stains. They work differently well at low and / or medium washing temperatures of, for example, 40 ° C. and are destroyed (denatured) at high temperatures of, for example, 95 ° C. Amylases split starch, lipases split fats, proteases split proteins, and cellulases split cellulose to reduce the roughness of cotton textiles.

In one embodiment of the invention, there are dirt carriers in a chamber. Dirt carriers hold the dirt detached from the laundry in the air or prevent it from laying on the laundry again.

In one embodiment of the invention is located in a chamber carboxymethylcellulose. Carboxymethyl cellulose coated cotton fibers against dirt.

In one embodiment of the invention, a core soap and / or a silicone for the regulation of the foam development is located in a chamber of the packaging.

In one embodiment of the invention are in a chamber fragrances that should give the laundry a pleasant fragrance. Such a chamber is preferably emptied by a washing machine towards the end of a laundry when the actual cleaning of the laundry has already been carried out.

In particular, a package contains no neutral salts or adjusters such as sodium sulfate. Such additives are used in a conventional household detergent to keep powdery detergents in powder form during storage. These also serve as a cost effective extender to increase profits.

Bleach does not remove washable, colored soiling, eg. Of fruits or blood. It can be used on hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents such. For example, sodium perborate. They work especially well at high washing temperatures.

In one embodiment of the invention, in one compartment of the package is a bleach activator that increases the effectiveness of a bleach at low temperatures so as to successfully use a bleach even at low temperatures. If tolerated, a bleach activator is preferably present together with a bleach in a common chamber. Otherwise, these are housed in separate chambers. The two chambers concerned are then emptied by a washing machine so that the bleach activator is effective with respect to the bleaching agent so that the bleaching agent becomes effective at a reduced temperature.

In one embodiment of the invention, optical brighteners, that is, fluorescent substances that make whites whiter appear in a chamber of the packaging.

In one embodiment of the invention, a bleach stabilizer is present in a chamber which prevents the uncontrolled breakdown of a bleach during storage and use of the detergent. The bleach stabilizer is located in particular in a chamber in which there is already a bleach.

In one embodiment of the invention is located in a chamber of the package, an alcohol, are reinforced with the cleaning-effective substances and / or surfactants can be solved. Such a chamber is emptied so that the alcohol enters the washing water together with washing-active substances such as surfactants.

In one embodiment of the invention is located in a chamber of the package, a water softener, and in particular a complexing agent such. NTA, phosphonates, EDTA, but no mineral softeners.

If colored laundry is to be washed, then in one embodiment of the invention, a color transfer inhibitor for protecting the color of the textiles is located in a chamber of the packaging. Color transfer inhibitors avoid rubbing off on other textiles during the washing process.

Most enzymes have their pH optimum in a neutral to acid environment. Many of these very active enzymes can not be used in today's household detergents, because only enzymes with a pH optimum in an alkaline environment are applicable. In one embodiment of the invention, therefore, in one embodiment of the invention in a chamber are enzymes having a pH optimum in the neutral to acidic medium. A chamber containing such an enzyme is during the washing of the washing machine emptied before wash alkalis get into the wash water. If necessary, there is an acid in a chamber to previously or simultaneously show an acidic environment in the wash water. It is therefore possible to use the entire range of enzymes in a washing process. Thus, in a chamber to be emptied first, one or more enzymes are used which have their pH optimum in the neutral range. In a chamber to be subsequently emptied, one or more enzymes are combined with acid (citric acid or hydrochloric acid). In a subsequent chamber to be emptied, one or more enzymes may be combined with alkali. pH changes stop the activity of the respective enzymes. By suitable selection of the enzymes and the pH value of the wash liquor, individual enzymes can specifically develop their full effect without influencing other enzymes.

The stability of other feeds (e.g., certain biocides) are also pH dependent. Accordingly, such substances are supplied to the wash water or the liquor, if a suitable pH environment prevails.

For bleaching, oxidizing agents and bleach activators are used in separate chambers in one embodiment.

It makes sense to drain the wash liquor after cleaning the textiles and to bring in the last wash with fresh water, the starting materials on the fibers that should remain as optical brighteners, fragrances, fabric softener, impregnation, etc. One or more such substances are therefore individually or in combination in one or more chambers, which are emptied only after the actual washing. In particular, the emptying of such chambers takes place only when previously the wash water has been replaced.

1. 1. Kammer: neutrale Phase: Enzyme (Lipase) und/ oder Mikrobiozid MIT (Methylisothiazolinon);
2. 2. Kammer: saure Phase: Zitronensäure und/oder Salzsäure sowie Enzyme (Cellulase, Amylase);
3. 3. Kammer: basische Phase: nichtionische und/oder amphothere Tenside sowie Alkali wie KOH und/ oder NaOH und/ oder Phosphonate, Seifen, Silikon, Enzyme (Protease) und/ oder ISN (Isatinsäureanhydrid);
4. 4. Kammer: Oxidationsmittel wie Natriumpercarbonat, Natriumperborat und/ oder EDTA;
5. 5. Kammer: neutrale Phase: optische Aufheller, Weichspüler und/ oder Duftstoffe.

A heavy duty detergent may be composed as follows.

1. 1st chamber: neutral phase: enzymes (lipase) and / or microbiocide MIT (methylisothiazolinone);
2. 2nd chamber: acid phase: citric acid and / or hydrochloric acid and enzymes (cellulase, amylase);
3. 3rd compartment: basic phase: nonionic and / or amphoteric surfactants and also alkali such as KOH and / or NaOH and / or phosphonates, soaps, silicone, enzymes (protease) and / or ISN (isatinic anhydride);
4. 4th chamber: oxidizing agents such as sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate and / or EDTA;
5. 5th chamber: neutral phase: optical brightener, fabric softener and / or fragrances.

The numbering of the chambers designates the order of emptying by a washing machine. Thus, the second chamber is emptied only after the first chamber has been emptied. The third chamber is emptied only after the second chamber has been emptied, etc. The first chamber does not mean that this is a chamber that is necessarily emptied first. The same applies to the other chambers. A heavy-duty detergent can therefore contain more than five chambers. A heavy-duty detergent may also comprise less than the said five chambers. If, for example, the third chamber is omitted, the fourth chamber is emptied after the second chamber has been emptied beforehand, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, a compartment of a package contains a disinfectant such as Dismozon®, magnesium, monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, Kohrsolin®, glutaral, (ethylenedioxy) dimethanol, 1,3-bis (hydroxymethyl) urea, tetrahydro1,3,4,6- tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) imidazo [4,5-d] imidazole-2,5 (1H, 3H) -dione, trichlorol®, tosylchloramide sodium and / or sodium lauryl sulfate.

A packaging according to the invention can also be used commercially. Since then, for example, larger amounts of textiles are washed with a washing machine, then the total volume of a blister pack is correspondingly larger. So household washing machines are usually designed so that in a wash up to 5 kg of laundry, such as 4.5 kg of laundry can be washed. If a conventional detergent powder is used for washing 4.5 kg of laundry, then about 30 g of detergent powder are needed. On the other hand, less than 10 g of washing substances must be used without consideration of a softener for 4.5 kg of laundry, for example only 6 g or approx. 6 ml. A packaging used for this purpose thus provides a correspondingly small total volume. Without consideration of a softener, the volume is typically 4 to 15 ml, more preferably 6 to 10 ml. If the detergent comprises a softener, the total volume increases by the volume which is provided for the softener.

If commercial washing, the corresponding washing machines are designed to wash several 10 kg of laundry in a single operation. For example, a typical commercial washing machine washes 32 kg of laundry in one operation. For this purpose, 30 g to 90 g of washing substances are needed. The total volume of a package in commercial use is therefore typically between 30 ml and 200 ml, more preferably between 30 and 100 ml. If water is softened by ion exchangers, then about 30 g of substances can suffice. If the commercially used detergent contains a softener, then up to 90 g of material is needed to wash 32 kg of laundry.

In one embodiment of the invention, a washing machine, in particular a washing machine for commercial use, comprises a magazine into which a plurality of detergent packages according to the invention can and should be inserted. The washing machine has means to get a detergent package for each new wash automated from the magazine to use. Such a washing machine preferably also has means to automatically collect emptied packages in a container in order to be able to empty this container from time to time. In the prior art, commercial washing machines are associated with one or more bottles and liquid detergents therein for washing so as not to have to constantly replenish detergent. However, the timing of when almost empty bottles need to be replaced is not exactly predictable. So it must always be replaced bottles with residues therein, resulting in disposal problems. These problems are avoided in washing machines with a magazine for detergent packages according to the invention, which comprise a plurality of chambers, since no residues accumulate and can be accurately predicted when a magazine must be replenished. In addition, handling problems are avoided, which occur in the prior art, for example, in connection with the use of peristaltic pumps.

A magazine for a washing machine for receiving detergent packages according to the invention comprises, in one embodiment of the invention, a tray for holding a plurality of packages, a receiving frame or other receiving means for a packaging to be used for washing and a container for collecting a deflated previously used for washing packaging. The footprint of the well preferably corresponds to the footprint of the wrapper so that each wrapper is passed through the well as a wrapper is moved from the well to the take-up frame, preferably by gravity. Even with non-symmetrical base area is achieved so that the packaging can be used in the required manner.

Below and / or at the bottom of the shaft are in one embodiment slats that can be rotated or tilted by a suitable mechanism controlled by 90 °. The edge of a package rests on corresponding slats during operation. Become the corresponding slats rotated by 90 °, so passes through the force of gravity with its edge resting packaging to the next station, so for example from the shaft to the receiving frame or from the receiving frame into the container for emptied packaging into it.

In one embodiment of the invention, a washing mix comprises a display indicating what type of laundry is to be laundered or washed. Alternatively or additionally, the washing machine has control means for checking whether or not there is a packaging suitable for the intended laundry before starting a washing process. If the correct packaging is missing, it is immediately possible to read on an existing display which detergent is missing. In one embodiment, the display is designed such that it can also be used to enter the type of laundry which is to be washed.

In a washing machine, the washing water is usually not replaced when a next chamber is emptied and the content is brought into the fleet. Instead, the wash water is always conducted in circulation through the actual wash tank. Preferably, the emptying of the contents of a chamber does not take place directly into the actual washing container in which the laundry to be washed is located. Instead, the contents are introduced into a tube (or tube), which is part of the circuit and therefore opens with its two ends in the wash tank. A substance is therefore advantageously further diluted in this embodiment before the substance enters the actual washing container.

In one embodiment, the aforesaid hose (pipe) is provided with a branch through which water thus diverted from the circuit can be introduced into a chamber of the packaging used so as to empty a chamber. Preferably, this branch has a valve with which the inflow of water through a chamber of the packaging can be controlled in a simple manner.

• System für die Behandlung von Gegenständen mit einer Blisterverpackung, die mehrere verschiedene, voneinander getrennte Kammern mit darin befindlichen unterschiedlichen Substanzen umfasst.

For reasons mentioned, the invention comprises the following objects or methods:

• System for the treatment of articles with a blister pack comprising a plurality of different, separate chambers with different substances therein.

System according to the preceding paragraph with washing substances therein for washing laundry or dishwashing detergent substances for dishwashing.

System according to one of the two preceding paragraphs, in which the different substances differ not only in terms of nature, but also in terms of quantity.

System according to one of the three preceding paragraphs, in which the chambers of a blister pack are of different sizes.

System in particular according to one of the four preceding paragraphs with a packaging comprising a plurality of different, separate chambers with different substances therein, as well as with a storage means, in particular a transponder and a program stored by the storage means for carrying out the treatment.

System according to one of the previous five paragraphs, each substance being individually packaged in a liquid-tight manner.

A system according to one of the six preceding paragraphs, comprising a disinfectant in a chamber or a coloring agent in a chamber. A system according to any of the preceding seven paragraphs, wherein the volume of each chamber is not more than 20 ml, preferably not more than 10 ml.

System according to one of the eight preceding paragraphs, wherein the packaging has an asymmetric base.

A method for treating articles with a system according to any of the previous nine paragraphs, according to which the chambers are successively opened by a machine for treating articles, following the opening of each chamber, the contents to the article to be treated or to be treated Items is brought and treated or the objects to be treated by the machine with the respective substance.

Method according to the preceding paragraph, wherein the method is carried out according to an information printed or stored on the package.

Method according to one of the two preceding paragraphs, wherein the machine is a washing machine or a dishwasher.

Method according to one of the three preceding paragraphs, wherein the method is used in particular in a private household for the washing or dyeing of laundry or for washing dishes.

Method according to one of the four preceding paragraphs, in which each chamber for emptying and transporting the respective substance is flushed with a liquid and the substance is brought to the object or objects with the aid of the liquid.

Method according to one of the five preceding paragraphs, wherein the machine opens a chamber by means of a needle, in particular a hollow needle.

A method according to any one of the preceding six paragraphs, wherein an opening created by the machine is sealed to a chamber by a stopper which is pressed against the package around the opening.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows first a view of a blister pack 1 with a plurality of chambers 2, 3, 4. 5 and 6. The base of the blister pack is asymmetrical, as the supervision clarifies. The receptacle of the associated machine has the same footprint so that the package can not be misplaced in the machine. The chamber 2 is filled for example with a liquid and the chamber 3 with a granulate. To the left of the top view is a section through the blister pack. The sections illustrate that the chamber 5 is deeper than the chambers 2, 3 and 6. The chamber 4 in turn is deeper than the chamber 5. In addition, the base of the chamber 3 is smaller than the base of the other chambers. With a blister packaging so easily and inexpensively different sized chambers can be provided by varying the base area and / or the depth.

In FIG. 2 a lateral section through another blister pack 1 is shown. In one chamber 3 is a liquid substance 7. In the other chamber 2 is a solid, granular substance 8. Although the chambers 2 and 3 have the same base area, but are different deep and therefore different sizes. In FIG. 2 Also shown is a needle 9 of an associated machine having two separate channels 10 and 11 extending from one end of the needle to the other. The needle has an upper inlet 12 connected to the first channel 10. In addition, the needle has an outlet 13 which is connected to the second channel 11.

If the packaging is inserted into the machine, the machine first reads out the program, which is stored on or in the packaging in a transponder, not shown, with the aid of a reading device. According to the program, the machine then performs the treatment. The treatment includes piercing the upper wall 14 of the chamber 3 with the needle 9 until the stop 15 of the needle 9 abuts against the wall 14. The stop 15 is made of a rubber which is pressed tightly against the wall 14. It then enters the lower channel openings 16 and 17 in the interior of the chamber 3. Subsequently, a liquid such as water is introduced into the inlet 12 and passes through the channel 10 and the lower opening 16 into the chamber 3 inside. The introduced liquid is transported together with the liquid of the chamber 3 through the other lower needle opening 17 via the second channel 11 through the outlet 13 and indeed into a treatment chamber, not shown, of the machine into which objects to be treated, for example washing textiles are located. After so the substance 7 has been transported out of the chamber 3 completely out, the needle 9 is pulled out. Subsequently, by appropriately moving the package 1 and / or the needle 9, the upper wall 18 of the chamber 2 is pierced to the stop 15. Subsequently, the chamber 2 is flushed with a liquid such as water and so the granular solid transported, for example in dissolved form to the treatment chamber. If all chambers of the packaging have been completely emptied according to the program, the packaging can be disposed of without problem.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of another blister pack 1 with chambers 19 to 23. By a lateral notch 24 ensures that the blister pack for reasons mentioned above has no symmetrical base. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a blister pack with particularly space-saving arranged chambers 25a to 25j. The chambers always have the same footprint, but are different deep, if different volumes desired or needed become. Such an embodiment with equal base areas of the chambers and regular arrangement makes it possible to move a needle relative to an inserted blister pack in always the same way from chamber to chamber. A corresponding movement mechanism of a machine can then be designed particularly easily. In the FIG. 5 another regular arrangement of blister pack chambers is shown which allows a simply constructed moving mechanism of a needle relative to the blister pack. First, a top view and below a section are shown.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a needle. This has in an upper region an outer tube 27, via which, for example, water 27 is introduced into a chamber 28 of a blister pack in the form of a water jet 29. The outer tube is followed by a hollow needle 30, which is provided with a passage 31 which is located in the chamber and can reach down out of the chamber. On the one hand, the passage 31 preferably reaches close to, but not completely, the stop 15 so as to ensure that regardless of the depth of the chamber, the passage is at least partially located in the chamber 28. The region of the hollow needle 30 is chosen so long that it is able to rupture a chamber bottoms 32 provided, regardless of a planned depth of a chamber. In that regard, provided depth and length of a needle from one of the seal serving stop 15 are matched. The contents of the chamber 28, together with the introduced water 29 through the passage 31 through the hollow needle in a line to the fleet 33rd Wie FIG. 7 clarifies, instead of an outer tube, a two-part hollow needle 101 may be provided, which opens from above first into a water nozzle 103, enters via the above-introduced water 104 into the chamber 105. FIG. 8 shows another alternative embodiment. The upper part of a needle 101 is as a hollow needle 101st configured, which extends to water nozzles 103. The lower part of the needle 101 is provided with a kind of thread 108 through which the contents of a chamber 105 can flow after tearing open the bottom 106 of the blister pack.

The line 107 to the fleet is like in the FIGS. 6 to 8 shown, preferably sealingly pressed against the bottom of a chamber 105 when the contents of the chamber 105 is emptied.

FIG. 9 Figure 11 shows another embodiment for emptying a chamber 105 of a blister 1. Water is introduced into an upper feed 109 as shown when this part of the feed 109 opens into the blister pack chamber 105 as shown, after piercing. From this feeder 109 water emerges as shown and thus enters the chamber 105. At the lower end of this feeder 109, as shown, a thinner hollow needle 101 is attached. The hollow needle 101 is provided with lateral elongated openings, passes through the water from the chamber 105 into the needle 101 and down z. B. passes through the needle tip into the line leading to the liquor 107. The entry into this line 107, however, can also take place alternatively or additionally through the elongate lateral opening, when it extends as shown into the line 107 to the liquor. As a rule, this embodiment does not require a seal 102 on the upper side for the pierced surface of the chamber 105. However, such a seal 102 may be present, which then also serves as a stop 102 for reaching the end position. The underside of the chamber rests on cushions that serve to seal.

FIG. 10 shows a container 40 of a washing machine, is added to the laundry for washing. Washing water is circulated through the container 40 via a line (tube or tube) 41. A branch 42 is provided with a valve 43. During operation, this branch leads into a chamber of an inserted detergent package. If the valve 43 is opened, water flows from the line 41 via the branch 42 through the chamber and from here back via the feed 44 in the line 41 into it, in order then to get into the container 40.

In FIG. 11 the shaft 109 of a magazine is shown, which is filled with a plurality of blisters 1. The blister stack 110 rests on the first upper retaining louvers 111, which can be rotated 90 degrees between a horizontal and a vertical position back and forth. The lowermost blister 1 rests with edge regions on fins 111, which adjoin the bottom of the shaft 109 and which extend horizontally inwards. These fins 111 are distributed so that the blister stack 110 is held in its position shown.

If a blister 1 are to be transported to a receiving frame 12, the aforementioned fins 111 are folded down by 90 ° and the blister stack 110 moves due to gravity by the height of a blister 1 down, since the bottom blister 1 arranged by next accordingly , horizontally inwardly unfolded fins 111 is collected. This situation will be in FIG. 12 shown.

Subsequently, the overlying slats 111 are folded back from their vertical position to its horizontal position and the stack 110 is held again by these uppermost slats 111. This situation will be in the FIG. 13 shown.

The lowermost blister 1 can now already be located in a frame 112 which can be moved relative to a needle 101 in order to supply the substances contained therein to the washing process as described. But it may also include such a frame 112 underneath as the FIG. 13 clarified, which is also equipped with folding slats 111. By corresponding already described flaps of the corresponding slats 111 so the bottom blister 1 reaches the frame 112, as through the FIG. 13 is clarified.

After washing, the fins 111 of the frame 112 are folded from the horizontal position to the vertical position and the emptied blister falls down into a receptacle, as this FIG. 14 clarified.

FIG. 15 shows a possible position of the frame 112 relative to the means of the washing machine, with which the chambers 105 of the blister 1 are opened and emptied. The frame 112 is then moved horizontally so that the respective chambers 105 can be deflated by the perforation system 114 in due course. The resulting situation is in FIG. 16 shown. As shown, the chamber 105 to be emptied is held positively by retaining means of the perforation system.

FIG. 17 outlines the situation during the evacuation of a chamber 105.

Chambers 105, as in the Figures 16 and 17 are shown within a package advantageously arranged circularly about an engagement 116, as FIG. 18 shows. It then suffices a rotational movement of the packaging to move the individual chambers 105 successively in the required position for emptying. To ensure that these circular packages are always properly used, the edge of the package may diverge suitably from the ideal circular shape and / or there may be an internal engagement 116 which is not symmetrical and which is gripped by a gripping means to grip the package and to turn.

A perforation system 114 can also comprise a plurality of needles 101, which can then advantageously puncture and empty several chambers 105 of an inserted package in succession or else simultaneously. This embodiment has the advantage that an inserted package does not have to be moved relative to the perforation system 114 in order to empty chambers 105.

A perforation system 114 can be moved and the position of the chambers 105 rested when chambers 105 are to be emptied in the desired manner.

In the FIGS. 7 to 9 and 11 to 1 the registered reference numbers mean the following: 101 cannula 102 Sealing the perforation, stop 103 water nozzle 104 waterjet 105 Blisterkammer 106 torn open blister 107 Lead to the fleet 108 Thread for expanding the perforation 109 magazine well 110 blister stack 111 Foldable bracket, slat 112 Mounting frame for blister 113 Valve 114 perforation 115 Drain pump 116 intervention

Claims (18)

Machine for carrying out a method for treating articles with a system comprising a package (1) comprising several different, separate chambers (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j) with different substances (7, 8 comprising, with a receiving part for the packaging, with opening means for the stepwise opening of each chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25 a to 25 j), with transport means for transporting the contents of each chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j) to a treatment room for treating objects. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of transport are such that transporting comprises flooding or purging a chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j). Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport means a needle (9, 30, 101), in particular a hollow needle (9, 30, 101), for a flood or flushing a chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j). Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the hollow needle (9) comprises two separate channels (10, 11), which open into the needle point. Machine according to one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that two hollow needles (9, 30, 101) are provided for flushing or rinsing a chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j). Machine according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that for flooding or rinsing a chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j) a needle (101) in particular with a widening (108), for example in the form of an external thread is provided, wherein the needle is preferably a hollow needle (101) which is closed at the bottom and / or at the top of a stop (102) for sealing the top of the package and / or perforated therebetween. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that for flushing or rinsing a chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j) a hollow needle (30) is provided which has two holes (31) laterally. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the hollow needle (9, 30, 101) has a stop (102) made of plastic or rubber. Machine according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the needle (9, 30, 101) is 3 cm to 7 cm long. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, which is a washing machine or a dishwasher. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including means for reading out information stored on or in the package (1) and means for performing the treatment of the item or objects in accordance with the information read. Machine according to claim 11, characterized in that a reading device for a transponder or a barcode scanner are present as a means for reading. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is such that infinitely or at least virtually continuously treatment temperatures can be set for example between room temperature and 95 ° C, continuously or at least virtually continuously set a respective treatment time, for example between one second and one hour can be infinitely or at least virtually continuously a liquid pressure for the supply of a liquid can be adjusted in a treatment room and / or infinitely or at least virtually continuously a rotational speed of a drum or cleaning arms can be adjusted. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a magazine (109) into which a plurality of packages (1) can be inserted. A machine according to claim 14 including means for automated use of a detergent package (1) from the magazine (109) for each new washing operation. Machine according to one of claims 14 and 15, comprising means for automatically collecting emptied packages (1) in a container. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, in which the machine has only one start switch or start button. A machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a circuit (40, 41) for wash water passing through the wash tank (40), the transport means being such that the contents of a chamber (2 to 6, 19 to 23, 25a to 25j ) is emptied into a tube or tube (41) of the circuit.

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