EP2723931A1 - A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent - Google Patents

A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent

Info

Publication number
EP2723931A1
EP2723931A1 EP12730248.7A EP12730248A EP2723931A1 EP 2723931 A1 EP2723931 A1 EP 2723931A1 EP 12730248 A EP12730248 A EP 12730248A EP 2723931 A1 EP2723931 A1 EP 2723931A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
opening
dosing
liquid detergent
fabrics
detergent
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP12730248.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Giuseppe Di Bono
Ralf Wiedemann
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
Publication of EP2723931A1 publication Critical patent/EP2723931A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • 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
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/42—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices with pads or like contents-applying means
    • B65D47/44—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices with pads or like contents-applying means combined with slits opening when container is deformed or when pad is pressed against surface to which contents are to be applied
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/04—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties combined with or containing other objects
    • C11D17/041—Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
    • C11D17/046—Insoluble free body dispenser
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/08—Liquid soap, e.g. for dispensers; capsuled
    • 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
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/024—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers
    • 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
    • D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
    • D06F35/005—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
    • D06F35/006—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying for washing or rinsing only

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dosing and dispensing device for liquid laundry detergents.
  • the device according to the present invention is particularly adapted to pretreat fabrics with a portion of liquid detergent.
  • Dispensing devices for liquid detergent which are to be introduced with the fabrics in the washing machine, are well known in the prior art. It is also known that it is possible to achieve a greater effectiveness in respect of stain removal by pretreating the fabrics without consuming a greater amount of liquid detergent.
  • Pre- treatment means that a certain amount of detergent is applied directly onto the dirty parts of said fabrics before they are washed in the machine. In the following these devices are called “pretreat- ment devices”.
  • detergent means a detergent composition for the treatment of fabrics. This detergent composition may comprise washing additives, like beaches, enzymes and/or others known in the art.
  • pretreatment devices for liquid detergent are described in the prior art, for example in WO 92/09736 and WO 92/09737. These devices allow an application of said liquid detergent onto the fabrics before the washing cycle either with predetermined outlets or a removable pretreatment applicator respectively.
  • Another approach is represented by EP-A-575 714.
  • This document describes another pretreatment device for liquid detergent with a fixed appli- cator in form of a roller ball. This roller ball is able to spread the contained liquid detergent only in a predetermined direction.
  • pretreating devices mentioned before allow an even spreading of the contained liquid detergent onto the fabric, i.e. the spread quantity is always the same. This way of even spreading does not consider that different stains need a different amount of liquid de ⁇ tergent during pretreatment. For example, stains can be made of certain constituents which need a more thorough pretreatment to increase its effectiveness. This can be achieved by applying a greater amount of the liquid detergent. A greater quantity is also needed depending on the dimensions of the stain itself. Therefore, we found that the effectiveness of stain removal is increased when a greater amount of pretreating detergent is applied upon the soiled surface of the fabric, since said surface can be pretreated more thoroughly.
  • the outlets having a fixed aperture or the applicators being for example a sponge, do not give the possibility to vary the quan- tity of liquid detergent to be spread on the fabric for a thorough pre-treatment / to control the amount of detergent such that even ⁇ tual damages to fabrics (i .e. fading, etc.) can be avoided. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device with an adjustable flow of the contained liquid detergent for the pretreatment.
  • a dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent comprising a hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, an opening in said flexible portion, and means to spread at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric, wherein in that said opening is (progressively) opened when pres ⁇ sure is applied to said device on a surface to which the liquid de- tergent is applied, and said opening being substantially closed when said pressure stops, characterised in that said opening com ⁇ prises a hinge valve.
  • the container of the invention is particularly advantageous in that the amount of detergent dosed from the de- vice and the spreading of the detergent onto the surface being treated is surprisingly beneficial .
  • These benefits include quick / advanced control of discharge of the detergent from the device by the application / removal of pressure applied thereto. Additionally the device of the invention is able to provide a rubbing / scrubbing action as well as the application of pressure.
  • the opening is located in the bottom part of said device. This allows dosing of the detergent (aided by gravity) onto the surface being treated.
  • the portion of flexible material is located in the bottom part of said device.
  • the device comprises several openings. This allows effective dosage and spreading of the detergent onto the surface being treated.
  • Hinged valves are understood to be capable of being opened when pressure is applied thereto.
  • the pressure applied may be in the form of contact pressure against a surface or translational pressure (or a combination thereof) caused by movement relative to a surface.
  • the hinged valve comprises a protrusion from the surface of the flexible portion.
  • the flexible portion may be planar.
  • the flexible portion is in the form of a portion of a sphere / spheroid. It is preferred that the outermost points of the valve define a secondary sphere / spheroid, with a larger radius. It has been found that the radius of the / each sphere determines the amplitude of the pretreating movement required by the user's hand.
  • the device preferably on the flexible portion
  • the spreading means is in the form of a ridge.
  • the ridge may be liner or may be curved. Generally a plurality of ridges is present on the device.
  • the ridge height is about the same as that of a deformed valve. In this way it has been found that the valves may be activate efficiently (i.e. without being closed due to valve "implosion" following an excess of rubbing force.
  • the ridges are positioned in a different area to that of the valves. This allows a user, after the dosing of the product, to rub the fabric without further dispensing (and / or with a smaller amplitude of the pretreatment movement).
  • the valves are positioned away from the centre of the device.
  • the device comprises a gripping means.
  • the gripping means prefera- bly comprises the main body of the device, into which the detergent is poured.
  • the main body of the device is preferably shaped so that it is capable of fitting into a hand of a user yet may contain sufficient detergent for a pre-treatment and laundry step.
  • the main body thus has a volume of from 50-200cm 3 .
  • the main body may comprise any geometrical shape but is generally based on an ovoid, tapering towards its upper opening (into which the detergent is poured) and also at its lower end (which adjoins onto the flexible portion).
  • the device is made of elastic plastic material .
  • the main body may comprise PP, PE or PET (both injected or blow moulded) .
  • the ridges and the valves may comprise any rubber or elastomer suitable for being welded, melted or glued onto the main body.
  • the device is for a laundry cleaning formulation and for use in dispensing same onto a clothing surface.
  • the laundry cleaning formulation comprises a bleach, e.g . i n an amount of from 0.001 % to 99.99%, preferably 0.001 % to 20%, preferably 4% to 18%, e.g . most preferably about 4.5% or 13%, by weight, of bleach .
  • the bleach is preferably peroxide bleach, most preferably hydrogen peroxide.
  • Peroxide sources oth ⁇ er than H 2 O 2 can be used .
  • the laundry cleaning formulation comprises a surfactant.
  • the composition comprises from 0.001 % to 99.99%, preferably 0.05% to 15%, e.g . about 7%, by weight of surfactant.
  • the surfactant is, for example, an anionic or nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof (most preferably a nonionic surfactant).
  • the nonionic surfactant is preferably a surfactant having a formula RO(CH 2CH 2 O) n H wherein R is a mixture of linear, even carbon- number hydrocarbon chains ranging from Ci 2 H 25 to C16H33 and n represents the number of repeating units and is a number of from about 1 to about 12.
  • examples of other non-ionic surfactants include higher aliphatic primary alcohol containing about twelve to about 16 carbon atoms which are condensed with about three to thirteen moles of ethylene oxide.
  • nonionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates (available under the Neodol trade name from Shell Co.), such as C11 alkanol condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 1-9), C12- 13 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles ethylene ox ⁇ ide (Neodol 23-6.5), C12- 13 alkanol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-9), C12-15 alkanol condensed with 7 or 3 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 25-7 or Neodol 25-3), C14-15 alkanol condensed with 13 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-13), Cg-n linear ethox- ylated alcohol, averaging 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol (Neodol 91-2.5), and the like.
  • Neodol trade name available under the Neodol trade name from Shell Co.
  • nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include ethylene oxide condensate products of sec- ondary aliphatic alcohols containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide.
  • examples of commercially available nonionic detergents of the foregoing type are Cn-15 secondary alkanol condensed with either 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Union Carbide, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical.
  • Octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol type nonionic surfactants for example, Triton X-100, as well as amine oxides can also be used as a nonionic surfactant in the present invention.
  • Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Tomadol trade name such as, for example, Tomadol 1-7, a Cii linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 25-7, a C12-C15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 45-7, a C14-C15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a Cg-Cn linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO.
  • linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Lutensol trade name such as, for example, Lutensol A3N, a C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles EO; Lutensol LA60, a C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO.
  • Genapol such as, for example, Genapol LA3, a C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles EO; Genapol LA070, a C13- 15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO
  • Tomadol 45-7 a C14-C15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a Cg-Cn linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO.
  • Other nonionic surfactants are amine oxides, alkyl amide oxide surfactants.
  • Preferred anionic surfactants are frequently provided as alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, aminoalcohol salts or mag- nesium salts.
  • Contemplated as useful are one or more sulfate or sulfonate compounds including : alkyl benzene sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl poly- ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, al kylsulfonates, al kylamide sulfonates, al kylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sul ⁇ fonates, al kyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyla ⁇ mide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate
  • the al kyl or acyl radi ⁇ cal in these various compounds comprise a carbon chain containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms.
  • Other surfactants which may be used are al kyl naphthalene sul ⁇ fonates and acyl / oleoyl sarcosinates and mixtures thereof.
  • the laundry cleaning formulation may comprise various optional ingredients, including enzymes, builders, solvents, dye transfer i n- hibition agents, dye catchers, preservatives, anti-oxidants, anti ⁇ static agents, fragrances, odour absorbing components, optical brighteners, acidifying agents, al kalizing agents, thickeners (e.g . hydroxyethylcellulose and / or xanthan gum) .
  • Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device in accordance with the invention .
  • the device 1 comprises a main body section 2 in the form of a modified cyli nder and a flexible body portion 3. These are joints ned together to form a dosing device for retaining / dosing a liquid (detergent) composition .
  • the main body 2 is able to act as a handle for use by a consumer.
  • the main body has an opening 4 for introduction of detergent into the device and release of detergent in a (laundry) washing cycle.
  • the body portion 3 comprises a hinged valve 5 disposed on its low ⁇ er surface.
  • the hinged valve 5 has an opening 6 that may be opened by the application of pressure (contact and / or transla- tional) on a surface.
  • the flexible body portion 3 also comprises a plurality of spreading ridges 7 on its lower surface.
  • a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pretreatment and washing cycle is introduced into the device 1.
  • Pretreatment of fabrics is executed with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dosage contained i n said device 1 being dispensed from said device 1 through said valve 5. This is achieved by pressing and rubbing the device 1 on the fabric sur ⁇ face to be treated, thus causing release of detergent and spreading of same (aided by the ridges 7) on the surface being treated .
  • the thus pretreated fabrics are placed in the drum of the washing ma- chine together with said dosing and dispensing device 1 and with other non-pretreated fabrics.
  • a washing cycle may then be oper ⁇ ated .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

A dosing and dispensing device (1) for liquid detergent comprises a hollow body (2) having a portion (3) comprising a flexible material, an opening (4) in said flexible portion, and means (5) to spread at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric. The opening is (progressively) opened when pressure is applied to said device on a surface to which the liquid detergent is applied. The opening is substantially closed when said pressure stops. The opening comprises a hinge valve..

Description

A DOSING AND DISPENSING DEVICE FOR LIQUID DETERGENT
The present invention relates to a dosing and dispensing device for liquid laundry detergents. The device according to the present invention is particularly adapted to pretreat fabrics with a portion of liquid detergent.
Dispensing devices for liquid detergent, which are to be introduced with the fabrics in the washing machine, are well known in the prior art. It is also known that it is possible to achieve a greater effectiveness in respect of stain removal by pretreating the fabrics without consuming a greater amount of liquid detergent. Pre- treatment means that a certain amount of detergent is applied directly onto the dirty parts of said fabrics before they are washed in the machine. In the following these devices are called "pretreat- ment devices". In the following detergent means a detergent composition for the treatment of fabrics. This detergent composition may comprise washing additives, like beaches, enzymes and/or others known in the art.
Various pretreatment devices for liquid detergent are described in the prior art, for example in WO 92/09736 and WO 92/09737. These devices allow an application of said liquid detergent onto the fabrics before the washing cycle either with predetermined outlets or a removable pretreatment applicator respectively. Another approach is represented by EP-A-575 714. This document describes another pretreatment device for liquid detergent with a fixed appli- cator in form of a roller ball. This roller ball is able to spread the contained liquid detergent only in a predetermined direction.
The pretreating devices mentioned before allow an even spreading of the contained liquid detergent onto the fabric, i.e. the spread quantity is always the same. This way of even spreading does not consider that different stains need a different amount of liquid de¬ tergent during pretreatment. For example, stains can be made of certain constituents which need a more thorough pretreatment to increase its effectiveness. This can be achieved by applying a greater amount of the liquid detergent. A greater quantity is also needed depending on the dimensions of the stain itself. Therefore, we found that the effectiveness of stain removal is increased when a greater amount of pretreating detergent is applied upon the soiled surface of the fabric, since said surface can be pretreated more thoroughly.
It is not possible with the pretreatment devices of the prior art to adjust the amount of liquid detergent on the specific needs. In¬ deed, the outlets having a fixed aperture or the applicators, being for example a sponge, do not give the possibility to vary the quan- tity of liquid detergent to be spread on the fabric for a thorough pre-treatment / to control the amount of detergent such that even¬ tual damages to fabrics (i .e. fading, etc.) can be avoided. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device with an adjustable flow of the contained liquid detergent for the pretreatment.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate / mitigate the problems outlined above.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provid¬ ed a dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent comprising a hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, an opening in said flexible portion, and means to spread at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric, wherein in that said opening is (progressively) opened when pres¬ sure is applied to said device on a surface to which the liquid de- tergent is applied, and said opening being substantially closed when said pressure stops, characterised in that said opening com¬ prises a hinge valve.
It has been found that the container of the invention is particularly advantageous in that the amount of detergent dosed from the de- vice and the spreading of the detergent onto the surface being treated is surprisingly beneficial . These benefits include quick / advanced control of discharge of the detergent from the device by the application / removal of pressure applied thereto. Additionally the device of the invention is able to provide a rubbing / scrubbing action as well as the application of pressure.
Generally the opening is located in the bottom part of said device. This allows dosing of the detergent (aided by gravity) onto the surface being treated. To achieve this aim preferably the portion of flexible material is located in the bottom part of said device. Preferably the device comprises several openings. This allows effective dosage and spreading of the detergent onto the surface being treated.
Hinged valves are understood to be capable of being opened when pressure is applied thereto. The pressure applied may be in the form of contact pressure against a surface or translational pressure (or a combination thereof) caused by movement relative to a surface.
Preferably the hinged valve comprises a protrusion from the surface of the flexible portion. The flexible portion may be planar. Generally the flexible portion is in the form of a portion of a sphere / spheroid. It is preferred that the outermost points of the valve define a secondary sphere / spheroid, with a larger radius. It has been found that the radius of the / each sphere determines the amplitude of the pretreating movement required by the user's hand.
To improve the penetration / spreading of the detergent into the (usually fabric surface) being treated it is preferred that the device (preferably on the flexible portion) comprises a spreading means. Preferably the spreading means is in the form of a ridge. The ridge may be liner or may be curved. Generally a plurality of ridges is present on the device.
Generally the ridge height is about the same as that of a deformed valve. In this way it has been found that the valves may be activate efficiently (i.e. without being closed due to valve "implosion" following an excess of rubbing force.
Generally the ridges are positioned in a different area to that of the valves. This allows a user, after the dosing of the product, to rub the fabric without further dispensing (and / or with a smaller amplitude of the pretreatment movement). Preferably to achieve this aim the valves are positioned away from the centre of the device.
In order to be capable of being used by a consumer generally the device comprises a gripping means. The gripping means prefera- bly comprises the main body of the device, into which the detergent is poured. The main body of the device is preferably shaped so that it is capable of fitting into a hand of a user yet may contain sufficient detergent for a pre-treatment and laundry step. The main body thus has a volume of from 50-200cm3. The main body may comprise any geometrical shape but is generally based on an ovoid, tapering towards its upper opening (into which the detergent is poured) and also at its lower end (which adjoins onto the flexible portion). Generally the device is made of elastic plastic material . The main body may comprise PP, PE or PET (both injected or blow moulded) . The ridges and the valves may comprise any rubber or elastomer suitable for being welded, melted or glued onto the main body. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is pro¬ vided a process for pretreating and washing fabrics in a washing machine with the dosi ng and dispensing device according to any of the precedi ng claims, characterized i n that it comprises of the fol ¬ lowing steps : a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pretreatment and washing cycle is introduced into the dosing and dispensing device; pretreatment of the fabrics is executed with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dos¬ age contained i n said device and dispensed from said device through said cut; the thus pretreated fabrics are placed in the drum of the washing machine together with said dosing and dispensing device and with other non-pretreated fabrics.
Most preferably the device is for a laundry cleaning formulation and for use in dispensing same onto a clothing surface.
Preferably the laundry cleaning formulation comprises a bleach, e.g . i n an amount of from 0.001 % to 99.99%, preferably 0.001 % to 20%, preferably 4% to 18%, e.g . most preferably about 4.5% or 13%, by weight, of bleach . The bleach is preferably peroxide bleach, most preferably hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide sources oth¬ er than H2O2 can be used .
Preferably the laundry cleaning formulation comprises a surfactant. Where present the composition comprises from 0.001 % to 99.99%, preferably 0.05% to 15%, e.g . about 7%, by weight of surfactant. The surfactant is, for example, an anionic or nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof (most preferably a nonionic surfactant). The nonionic surfactant is preferably a surfactant having a formula RO(CH 2CH2O)nH wherein R is a mixture of linear, even carbon- number hydrocarbon chains ranging from Ci2H25 to C16H33 and n represents the number of repeating units and is a number of from about 1 to about 12. Examples of other non-ionic surfactants include higher aliphatic primary alcohol containing about twelve to about 16 carbon atoms which are condensed with about three to thirteen moles of ethylene oxide.
Other examples of nonionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates (available under the Neodol trade name from Shell Co.), such as C11 alkanol condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 1-9), C12- 13 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles ethylene ox¬ ide (Neodol 23-6.5), C12- 13 alkanol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-9), C12-15 alkanol condensed with 7 or 3 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 25-7 or Neodol 25-3), C14-15 alkanol condensed with 13 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-13), Cg-n linear ethox- ylated alcohol, averaging 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol (Neodol 91-2.5), and the like.
Other examples of nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include ethylene oxide condensate products of sec- ondary aliphatic alcohols containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of commercially available nonionic detergents of the foregoing type are Cn-15 secondary alkanol condensed with either 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Union Carbide, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical. Octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol type nonionic surfactants, for example, Triton X-100, as well as amine oxides can also be used as a nonionic surfactant in the present invention. Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Tomadol trade name such as, for example, Tomadol 1-7, a Cii linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 25-7, a C12-C15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 45-7, a C14-C15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a Cg-Cn linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO.
Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Lutensol trade name such as, for example, Lutensol A3N, a C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles EO; Lutensol LA60, a C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO. Also Genapol such as, for example, Genapol LA3, a C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles EO; Genapol LA070, a C13- 15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO
Tomadol 45-7, a C14-C15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a Cg-Cn linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO. Other nonionic surfactants are amine oxides, alkyl amide oxide surfactants.
Preferred anionic surfactants are frequently provided as alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, aminoalcohol salts or mag- nesium salts. Contemplated as useful are one or more sulfate or sulfonate compounds including : alkyl benzene sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl poly- ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, al kylsulfonates, al kylamide sulfonates, al kylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sul¬ fonates, al kyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyla¬ mide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate, alkyl sulfoacetates, al kyl phosphates, al kyl ether phosphates, acyl sarconsinates, acyl isethionates, and N-acyl taurates. Generally, the al kyl or acyl radi¬ cal in these various compounds comprise a carbon chain containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms. Other surfactants which may be used are al kyl naphthalene sul ¬ fonates and acyl / oleoyl sarcosinates and mixtures thereof.
The laundry cleaning formulation may comprise various optional ingredients, including enzymes, builders, solvents, dye transfer i n- hibition agents, dye catchers, preservatives, anti-oxidants, anti ¬ static agents, fragrances, odour absorbing components, optical brighteners, acidifying agents, al kalizing agents, thickeners (e.g . hydroxyethylcellulose and / or xanthan gum) .
The container of the invention is further described by reference to the following Figures in which :
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a device in accordance with the invention .
From Figure 1 it can be seen that the device 1 comprises a main body section 2 in the form of a modified cyli nder and a flexible body portion 3. These are joi ned together to form a dosing device for retaining / dosing a liquid (detergent) composition .
The main body 2 is able to act as a handle for use by a consumer. The main body has an opening 4 for introduction of detergent into the device and release of detergent in a (laundry) washing cycle. The body portion 3 comprises a hinged valve 5 disposed on its low¬ er surface. The hinged valve 5 has an opening 6 that may be opened by the application of pressure (contact and / or transla- tional) on a surface. The flexible body portion 3 also comprises a plurality of spreading ridges 7 on its lower surface.
In use a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pretreatment and washing cycle is introduced into the device 1. Pretreatment of fabrics is executed with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dosage contained i n said device 1 being dispensed from said device 1 through said valve 5. This is achieved by pressing and rubbing the device 1 on the fabric sur¬ face to be treated, thus causing release of detergent and spreading of same (aided by the ridges 7) on the surface being treated . The thus pretreated fabrics are placed in the drum of the washing ma- chine together with said dosing and dispensing device 1 and with other non-pretreated fabrics. A washing cycle may then be oper¬ ated .

Claims

1. A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent comprising a hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, an opening in said flexible portion, and means to spread at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric, wherein in that said opening is (progressively) opened when pres¬ sure is applied to said device on a surface to which the liquid de¬ tergent is applied, and said opening being substantially closed when said pressure stops, characterised in that said opening corn- prises a hinge valve.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge valve comprises a sealing portion which pivots about a point, preferably about a single point.
3. A device according to claim 2, in which in a closed position the sealing portion seals the opening.
4. A device according to claim 3 in which the sealing portion is de- forrnable bias such that in a resting state it is bias against and seals the opening. .
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the sealing portion has an associated protuberance which when the dosing device is brought into contact with a fabric surface abuts against said fabric surface and acts against the bias means moving the sealing means away from a sealing position and creating a flow pathway.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the surface of the flexible position is scalloped about the protuberance.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said opening is located in the bottom part of said device.
8. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said portion of flexible material is located in the bottom part of said device.
9. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said device comprises several openings.
10. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises rubbing ridges.
11. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said device comprises gripping means.
12. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said device is made of elastic plastic material .
13. A process for pretreating and washing fabrics in a washing machine with the dosing and dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises of the fol¬ lowing steps: a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pretreatment and washing cycle is introduced into the dosing and dispensing device; pretreatment of the fabrics is executed with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dos¬ age contained in said device and dispensed from said device through said cut; the thus pretreated fabrics are placed in the drum of the washing machine together with said dosing and dispensing device and with other non-pretreated fabrics.
EP12730248.7A 2011-06-24 2012-06-22 A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent Withdrawn EP2723931A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1110702.6A GB201110702D0 (en) 2011-06-24 2011-06-24 Product
PCT/GB2012/051461 WO2012175986A1 (en) 2011-06-24 2012-06-22 A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2723931A1 true EP2723931A1 (en) 2014-04-30

Family

ID=44485079

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12730248.7A Withdrawn EP2723931A1 (en) 2011-06-24 2012-06-22 A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US20140182067A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2723931A1 (en)
KR (1) KR20140036191A (en)
CN (1) CN103620104A (en)
AU (1) AU2012273743A1 (en)
BR (1) BR112013028040A2 (en)
GB (1) GB201110702D0 (en)
PH (1) PH12013502692A1 (en)
RU (1) RU2014101516A (en)
SG (1) SG194682A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2012175986A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201308056B (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2789722B1 (en) * 2013-04-11 2021-01-13 The Procter & Gamble Company Pretreatment cup for treating durable and delicate fabrics
ES2964889T3 (en) * 2013-06-27 2024-04-10 Unilever Ip Holdings B V Device for spot treatment and procedure
US9541440B2 (en) * 2014-10-21 2017-01-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Dosing cup for a detergent composition
EP3088504B1 (en) 2015-04-29 2021-07-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Method of treating a fabric
USD823688S1 (en) * 2016-08-26 2018-07-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Dispensing cup
DE102018205581A1 (en) * 2018-04-12 2019-10-17 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Cap for detergent bottle

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3044665A (en) * 1957-12-26 1962-07-17 Donald A Ludwig Free body dispenser
FR2669943B1 (en) 1990-11-30 1994-02-11 Procter And Gamble Cy EQUIPMENT FOR THE WASHING OF LAUNDRY IN A MACHINE AND ITS METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION.
FR2669944B1 (en) 1990-11-30 1994-02-04 Procter & Gamble DEVICE FOR WASHING LAUNDRY IN A MACHINE AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING SAME.
IT228562Y1 (en) 1992-06-26 1998-04-27 Mira Lanza S P A Ora S R L DISPENSER-DISPENSER FOR LIQUID DETERGENT FOR WASHING MACHINES.
EP0679752A1 (en) * 1994-04-27 1995-11-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Pretreating dispensing device
GB0020847D0 (en) * 2000-08-23 2000-10-11 Unilever Plc Method and device for treating textile articles
DE20116322U1 (en) * 2001-10-05 2003-02-20 Weener Plastik GmbH & Co KG, 26826 Weener Washing detergent supply for clothes washing machine has holder for detergent fluid with filling opening at top and outlet opening with valve flap or lid
GB0511943D0 (en) * 2005-06-13 2005-07-20 Reckitt Benckiser Uk Ltd Device
US20090307924A1 (en) * 2008-06-16 2009-12-17 Yousef Georges Aouad Fabric conditioning composition dispensing device
EP2465995A1 (en) * 2010-12-14 2012-06-20 Roberto Braiddotti Shell for a ball to be used in automatic washing machines, such as washing machines and dish washers

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2012175986A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20140036191A (en) 2014-03-25
WO2012175986A1 (en) 2012-12-27
BR112013028040A2 (en) 2017-01-10
RU2014101516A (en) 2015-07-27
CN103620104A (en) 2014-03-05
PH12013502692A1 (en) 2018-03-16
US20140182067A1 (en) 2014-07-03
SG194682A1 (en) 2013-12-30
ZA201308056B (en) 2015-01-28
AU2012273743A1 (en) 2013-11-07
GB201110702D0 (en) 2011-08-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2723931A1 (en) A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent
EP2663684A1 (en) Product
GB2499017A (en) Detergent Dispensing Device.
WO2013114122A1 (en) Dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent and process of washing
US9033606B2 (en) Dosing and dispensing device for liquid laundry detergent
WO2012175989A1 (en) A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent
WO2012175987A1 (en) Product
WO2013114088A1 (en) Dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent and process of washing
EP0679751B1 (en) Pretreating dispensing device
CA2346712C (en) Methods for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine
CN102046768A (en) Pre-measured laundry powder packs for washing machines
EP0679752A1 (en) Pretreating dispensing device
US20100254749A1 (en) Fabric Treatment Applicator
US20100092229A1 (en) Product
KR101256134B1 (en) Detergent putting apparatus for washing machine
BR0002294A (en) Device for use in washing textile articles in a washing machine, and process for washing textile articles
WO2018117988A1 (en) Multipurpose detergent bottle cover

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20131120

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20140826