EP3365486A1

EP3365486A1 - An applicator device for fluids

Info

Publication number: EP3365486A1
Application number: EP16790900.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alagirisamy NETHAJI; Suresh SAMBAMURTHY JAYARAMAN; Abhishek Rastogi; Dhanalakshmi THIRUMENI
Original assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Current assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Priority date: 2015-10-20
Filing date: 2016-10-14
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-14
Also published as: CN108138416B; EP3365486B1; AR106398A1; ES2761331T3; CN108138416A; WO2017067851A1; CL2018000970A1; PH12018500621A1; BR112018007833A2; ZA201801960B

Abstract

Applicator device (1) for releasing a fluid detergent compositionon onto a surface, the applicator device (1) comprising a container (2) for housing said fluid detergent composition; a fluid release system (3) housed in the container (2) comprising a plunger (4) having a top (4a), and a base (4b) and a resilience member (5); wherein the plunger base (4b) is provided with at least one seal knob (6) that operably mates with a corresponding fluid release port (7) on one face of the container (2) and the top (4a) of the plunger (4) opens into an air chamber (13) located in the wall of the container (2).

Description

AN APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR FLUIDS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an applicator device for fluids to release an active agent on to a surface. In particular, the invention relates to an applicator device to release on to a surface a composition comprising actives suitable for cleaning the surface.

Background of the invention

Detergent compositions are used for cleaning variety of surfaces, e.g., laundry, hard surfaces and also personal cleaning of skin and hair. Detergent compositions in the form of a bar are quite common in many parts of the world and the bar form of the product is considered convenient and economical for use.

In a typical washing operation using a detergent composition, the fabric is washed with the detergent either by soaking in a detergent solution and/or rubbing a detergent bar across the fabric. Among the various methods used for washing laundry, the hand wash method remains by far the most widely used washing technique in developing countries. In general the 'hand wash' technique involves application of the detergent by rubbing a detergent bar on the fabric to be cleaned and additionally the hand wash process is enhanced by the use of wash tools such as brushes or solid blocks for beating the fabrics. Before and after the washing, several other treatments with other actives are also provided to the surface to be cleaned.

The detergent bars are a handy tool for removing spot stains like those on collars & cuffs. The bars ensure high active concentration on the spot of dirt and therefore satisfactory cleaning. However, there are several problems associated with their use e.g. they are harsh to human skin because of direct contact with the concentrated detergent and the high pH associated with detergent bars, they become mushy or soggy due to contact with water, they leave white patches on dark coloured fabric, handling becomes a problem when the bar is worn out due to use. These bars contain high levels of inorganic material that have specific functions like structuring and building of the bars and this leads to release of insoluble waste into the environment. It is also essential to provide an alternative that will bring in minimal change in consumer habit and the same perception that the consumer would experience out of a conventional bar. US3,880,532 B (American Indian Development Corporation, 1975), discloses portable cleansing dispenser having a closed container having a plurality of interconnected walls surrounding and defining an interior cleaning agent storage space. At least one of the walls is flexible with a strong elastic memory, and at least one wall defines scrub means such as raised spaced ridges. Integral closed fill means and puncturable dispensing means are also included. Preferably, the container is of flexible plastic such as polyethylene or the like and of a size and shape to be conveniently hand held for dispensing liquid soaps, detergents, and other cleansers.

US5230446 B (Vaida, 1993), discloses a squeezable container for dispensing liquid soap, which preferably is in the shape of a bar of soap, and includes a device for refilling the container with liquid soap to allow it to be reused. It is required that the porous wall is kept facing upward to prevent the liquid soap from seeping out when the bar is not in use. The container is provided with a permeable wall which allows liquid to pass through only when a squeezing pressure is applied. W09937849 A1 (P&G, 1999) describes a hand-held cleaning device which includes a hollow body member having an interior portion and an exterior portion, the interior portion comprising a plurality of separate reservoirs, an abrasive surface attached to the exterior portion of the hollow body member, and at least one passage leading from each reservoir to the abrasive surface.

WO03/074775 A1 (Jesper Soberg) discloses a hand-held apparatus for cleaning fabrics. It has manually driven pump for pumping a cleaning substance through a local area of the material. The pump further comprises an elastic member with a force acting oppositely to the direction of the manual pumping action. One example disclosed in this publication has a first reservoir containing air and an outer housing in which the first reservoir is able to telescopically collapse. There is a piston-spring assembly in the in the outer housing. The assembly requires a pushing pumping action in order to change the volume of the first reservoir from the deactivated state. Once a stain or spot is observed, a cleaning fluid is put on the spot, and the apparatus is kept over it. By performing manual pushing pump action, air is pressed out of the first reservoir and into the fabric. This causes the cleaning fluid to be pumped through the fabric. When the pressure for the pushing action is relieved, an elastic member in the outer housing causes a pull-back of air into the first reservoir by which the cleaning fluid is pulled through the fabric. By pressing the cleaning fluid back and forth through the fabric, the spot is removed. The publication does not directly and unambiguously disclose a device in which the plunger base has any feature which is a seal knob that operably mates with a fluid release port in one face of the container, i.e., the device. This publication also discloses another example of a device in which there is an additional or second reservoir which is used in the following way. Water, with a cleaning agent, is filled into the first reservoir having the opening directed upwards. The housing with the filled first reservoir is placed on a platform and fabric is placed on the rim of the opening of the first reservoir with the corresponding stain on the material within the periphery of the rim. Then, the second reservoir chamber is placed on the upper side of the porous material with its rim fittingly arranged in the rim of the first reservoir-chamber. Pushing the second reservoir chamber downwards causes the liquid from the first reservoir to flow through the porous material and into the second reservoir. When the pushing force is released, the elastic member presses the chambers back into the deactivated state, such that the fluid is sucked back into the first reservoir. Due to the elastic member (spring), a tight connection between the two chambers is retained.

US6746166 BA (Art CT College of Design, 2004) discloses a device for efficiently cleaning stains and extracting cleaning fluid from surfaces such as carpets and upholstery without requiring electrical power. It includes a sprayer for applying cleaning fluid to stains. A piston in a chamber provides the suction force for pulling fluid up through tubules, past check valves and into a waste reservoir. A downward force on the piston provides the suction thereby assuring that the tubules are in contact with the surface during suction. The entire mechanism of piston-spring in this device is configured to suck up liquids, rather than dispense it. The liquid/cleaning composition is dispensed by pressing a switch, much like conventional steam irons, which have buttons for spraying a jet of water on the clothes.

The prior art does not address the problems of providing a rigid leak proof device that looks like and simulates a conventional detergent bar without the need for any change in the consumer habit of rub triggered dispensing of the composition. It also does not provide a consumer cue in terms of dispensing either a sheath of fluid or generating lather efficiently with minimal effort. The prior art also does not provide an efficient & simple air venting mechanism without which the flow of the composition will not be uniform.

The present inventors have been able to solve some of the problems associated with conventional direct application detergent bars and have been able to develop a solid shaped device that is filled with a composition with benefit agents that gets dispensed while in use and that can simulate the use of conventional detergent bars. The present inventors have been able to solve at least some problems of the art by designing an actuator that controls the dispensing of the active from the device while also enabling efficient air entry and avoid use of one way valves. It is also ensured that the composition is dispensed only during use with the aid of a simple mechanical actuator and does not leak during storage. An efficient air entry system enables that the displaced volume of the composition is replaced by air while avoiding the use of expensive one way valves.

The object of the present invention is to provide an applicator device that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of a detergent bar while still providing same or similar performance benefits. It is another object of the present invention to provide an applicator device that brings in minimal changes in the consumer habit during use and simulates the use of a conventional detergent bars.

It is yet another object of the invention to ensure that the composition comprising the actives is dispensed only during use and not leak during storage.

It is yet another object of the invention that an efficient air entry system enables that the displaced volume of the composition is replaced by air while avoiding the use of expensive one way valves.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an applicator device for a fluid. The device comprises a container for housing a fluid composition; a fluid release system housed in the container comprising a plunger having a top, and a base and a resilience member. The plunger base comprises at least one seal knob that operably mates with a corresponding fluid release port on one face of the container and the top of the plunger projects into an air chamber located in the wall of the container.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for delivering a fluid composition on a substrate, the process comprising the steps of

(a) placing a device of the present invention, with the fluid composition filled in the container on the substrate; and,

(b) pressing the device against the substrate to dispense at least a part of the fluid composition through the fluid release port. In yet another aspect of the present invention, is disclosed a process for cleaning a substrate. The process comprises the steps of placing the device of the present invention, comprising a cleaning fluid filled in the container; pressing the device against the substrate to dispense at least a part of the fluid composition through the fluid release port; and rubbing the substrate with the device.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising a device of the present invention and an instruction manual to use the device for delivering fluid composition through the device.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to an applicator device for fluids and more particularly to a device that simulates the manner in which a conventional detergent bar is used especially during hand washing of laundry.

In one aspect of the present invention is provided an applicator device for a fluid. The device comprises a container for housing a fluid composition; a fluid release system housed in the container comprising a plunger having a top, and a base and a resilience member; wherein the plunger base comprises at least one seal knob that operably mates with a corresponding fluid release port on one face of the container and the top of the plunger projects into an air chamber located in the wall of the container.

The present invention provides a device, which simulates the use of hand- held bar of detergent, meant especially for cleaning fabrics by direct application. The device can be filled with a fluid composition comprising actives and is designed to dispense the composition while in use. In order to achieve minimal change in consumer habit, it is useful to provide a device, to give the consumer the same experience as that achieved by a conventional hand held cleansing bar. The similarity in perception is achieved by devising the device to resemble as much as possible, a conventional hand-held direct application detergent bar in terms of appearance and cognitive/ tactile feel.

The device preferably could therefore be designed to look like a conventional detergent bar in appearance. Apart from appearance, it becomes imperative to preferably provide a cue for delivery of fluid composition comprising actives to consumers, without which they may end-up over-dosing or under-dosing the composition, housed inside the device. The Device

The device comprises a container for housing a fluid composition, the shape of the container is of any convenient geometric shape, and the container preferably comprises a plurality of walls. It is preferable that the container is parallelepiped, cuboid or spherical in shape.

The container is preferably provided with a fluid inlet port to aid filling of the fluid composition into the fluid container. The inlet port is preferably sealed or is preferably provided with an air tight closure mechanism. The air tight closure mechanism preferably allows refilling of the container with a desired fluid composition. The inner bottom wall of the container is preferably provided with a projected slope that extends downwards between the inner surface of the side wall of the container and the center of the inner surface of the bottom wall of the container. The provision of the slope preferably helps in efficient flow of the fluid composition towards the fluid release port. The outer walls of the container form the shape of the applicator device and is preferably rigid and is preferably made of non-flexible material. The outer walls of the applicator device is preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 5 mm. The materials used for moulding the applicator device is preferably selected from polymeric materials like nylon, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, teflon, polyethylene, polypropylene, elastomeric and rubber material etc., and more preferably high density or low density polyethylene or their blends thereof. Alternatively, the device is made of metal or reinforced plastics, laminates or glass.

A fluid release system is housed in the container preferably extending between the face of the container having the fluid release port and the air chamber located in the wall of the container. It is preferable that the fluid release port and the air chamber are located on the opposite faces of the container. It is more preferable that the fluid release system extends between top and bottom faces of the container. The plunger preferably has a base, a shaft and a top and preferably the base of the plunger is broader than the shaft. The base of the plunger is preferably of any suitable geometric shape. The plunger is made of materials selected from preferably polymeric materials like nylon, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, Teflon®, polyethylene, polypropylene, elastomeric and rubber material and the likes, more preferably high density or low-density polyethylene or their blends thereof. It is preferable that the fluid release system is actuated by application of a predetermined threshold pressure on to the device by the user of the device. This threshold pressure is the pressure below which the fluid release system is not actuated and the liquid is not released. The top of the plunger is housed inside an air chamber that is positioned in the wall of the container. The face of the container having the air chamber is also provided with an air vent which opens into the air chamber. A second gasket is preferably placed on the inner bottom surface of the air chamber through which the plunger projects into the air chamber. The placement of the gasket is such that the gasket is preferably coaxially positioned to the shaft of the plunger. The inner wall of the gasket is preferably offset from the outer surface of the shaft thereby preferably creating an air inlet channel between the air chamber and the container. The second gasket is preferably made of a material selected from rubber or foams possessing elastomeric properties like neoprene, silicone rubbers, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM) and polyurethane and the like.

Plunger

The plunger preferably extends between the top and bottom faces of the container and the base of the plunger is provided with at least one seal knob that operably mates with a corresponding fluid release port. The plunger base preferably comprises radially extending plurality of seal knobs. The seal knob is preferably either fixed to the base of the plunger or is freely rotatable with respect to the base of the plunger. It is preferable that the plunger base is provided with a first gasket exposing the seal knobs. It is preferable that the seal knobs are radially extending and operably mate with the corresponding fluid release port on bottom face of the container. It is preferable that the seal knobs entirely extend out of the fluid release port and the entire face of the seal knob preferably makes contact with the substrate when placed on it. This configuration preferably substantially prevents the fluid composition from accumulating between the outer peripheral surface of the seal knob and the corresponding contact surface of the fluid release port.

The seal knobs preferably extend beyond the bottom face of the container and more preferably extend by 0.1 mm to 10 mm and more preferably 0.1 mm to 5 mm which will preferably ensure appropriate and controlled fluid release.

The seal knobs are preferably formed of a material selected from polymeric materials like nylon, polyacrylates, polycarbonates, Teflon®, polyethylene, polypropylene, elastomeric and rubber material and the likes, more preferably high density or low density polyethylene or their blends thereof.

The base of the plunger is preferably covered with a first gasket exposing only the seal knobs. The first gasket preferably prevents leakage of the fluid composition when the device is not in use. The first gasket is preferably of a thickness in the range from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and more preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm. The first gasket is preferably made of a material selected from rubber or foams possessing elastomeric properties like neoprene, silicone rubbers, styrene- butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM) and polyurethane and the likes.

Resilience member

The resilience member preferably forms the shaft of the plunger or is preferably positioned coaxial to the plunger and more preferably positioned around the shaft coaxially. The resilience member is preferably not in its rest position and is preferably under a slight stress that will provide a force on the plunger base to effectively seal the fluid dispensing port when the device is not in use.

The resilience member is preferably a spring, or in the form of bellows and is preferably made of material that does not react with the fluid composition contained in the container. The material of the resilience member is preferably selected from metal, polymeric material such as nylon, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rubber and foams possessing elastomeric properties like neoprene, silicone rubbers, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), ethylene- propylene rubber (EPDM) and polyurethane and the likes. It is preferable that the resilience member is a spring and more preferably with a spring constant in the range 10 to 1000 N/m and more preferably 100 to 400 N/m. The resilience member is preferably made of metal and more preferably stainless steel. Means for providing friction

The device is preferably provided with a means for creating friction and/or generation of foam and more preferably the means for creating friction and/or generation of lather are provided on one of the walls of the device. Further and more preferably, they are on the wall having the fluid release port of the device and/or on a chamfered surface on the wall of the device and more preferably between top and bottom face of the device. The means for providing friction and/or lather generation preferably is selected from plurality of indentations or protrusions or plurality of extending filaments or combinations thereof.

The means for providing friction and/or generation of lather is preferably in the form of a structured pattern. In a preferred embodiment the structured pattern, is an array of indentations that serve as air pockets. In a preferred embodiment for e.g. when the bar comprising a detergent is rubbed against the fabric and as the fluid detergent is released, the detergent active along with the water present in fabric mixes with the air supplied from the air pockets resulting in the generation of lather. The lather thereby generated preferably acts as a cue for consumers for detergent delivery. Therefore, the means for providing friction also helps in homogenous spreading of fluid and lather generation. The indentations can also be replaced with preferably protrusions (preferably semi-spherical), wherein the gap between the protrusion supply air for lather generation. Fluid Composition:

The device can be, and preferably is, pre-filled with the fluid composition at the time of manufacturing of the device or the user may preferably be instructed to fill the fluid composition into the container of the device. It is also possible as a preferred feature where a solid precursor can be fluidised in the container of the device. It is particularly preferred that the fluid composition is a laundry detergent composition in liquid form. The term fluid does not mean air or any other gas.

The fluid composition is preferably selected from a detergent composition useful in cleaning laundry, hard surfaces or for personal hygiene or for providing benefits in subsequent washes. The fluid composition to be delivered by the device is preferably in the form of a fluid, paste or a gel. It is also preferred that a solid composition is dissolved in a suitable solvent and is filled into container of the device or preferably the solid composition is converted into a fluid composition by mixing a suitable solvent to the solid composition inside the container of the device.

A cleaning composition that is used in the device is preferably any suitable detergent composition available commercially or is formulated specifically. The composition preferably comprises 5 to 50% of a detergent active by weight of the composition that is preferably selected from anionic, non-ionic, cationic or zwitterionic surfactant or a mixture thereof. Preferably other benefit agents such as builders, abrasives, perfumes, colouring agents, polymers, hydrotopes, fluorescers, enzymes, bleaches can also be used in the composition and preferably an amount upto 10 % by wt.

Filling of Fluid composition in the device:

The composition is filled into the container of the device preferably through the inlet port of the device that is preferably provided with an airtight closure mechanism.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for delivering a fluid composition on a substrate, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) placing the device of the present invention, with the fluid composition filled in the container on the substrate; and,

(b) pressing the device against the substrate to dispense at least a part of the fluid composition through the fluid release port.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for cleaning a substrate, the process comprising steps of:

(a) placing the device of the present invention, comprising a fluid composition filled in the container;

(b) pressing the device against the substrate to dispense at least a part of the fluid composition through the fluid release port; and

(c) rubbing the substrate with the device.

The process of cleaning a substrate preferably further comprises a rinsing step. More preferably rinsing is done with a suitable solvent such as water. The device is placed on a substrate with the bottom of the device in contact with the substrate and preferably on pressing the device on the substrate, the plunger preferably plunges inside the device by preferably compressing the resilience member from preferably its initial position. The plunger preferably moves up and the first gasket is preferably disengaged from the fluid release port thereby allowing the fluid composition to be released outside the container and on to the substrate. The top of the plunger is preferably simultaneously disengaged from the second gasket thereby preferably opening the air inlet channel allowing the volume of fluid released from the container to be replaced by the air, inside the container. When the user stops pressing the device preferably the resilience member returns back to preferably its initial position whereby the first gasket preferably closes the fluid release port and the top of the plunger preferably reengages with the second gasket, thereby closing the air inlet channel preferably leading to the effective stoppage of fluid composition dispensing from the container. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising:

(a) a device of the present invention; and,

(b) an instruction manual to use the device for delivering fluid composition through the device.

The device and the instruction manual to use the device for delivering the fluid composition through the device is preferably packaged as one unit. The device preferably is either prefilled with the fluid composition or preferably at least one pack of the fluid active is provided in form of a one-time use cartridge as a part of the kit with preferably instructions to fill the same into the container of the device through the inlet port.

The dispensing of liquid can be achieved through alternative means of activation by making suitable modifications to the design of the devices. In such a device, the plunger comprises additional features, namely an activator base capable of being in primary contact with the substrate while the seal knob is retracted well above the substrate. The act of pressing/rubbing the device against a fabric causes upward movement of activator base which raises the seal knob and the first gasket through a common interlink between the activator base and the sealed knob.

In a further alternative, the activation point of the plunger is made to be the same as the top face of the container. The top face is interlinked with the sealed knob by activator legs and interlink which are pivoted onto the inner surface of bottom face of the container. The act of pressing/rubbing the device against a fabric causes the top surface of the plunger to plunge inside the device. This results in activator links lifting the seal knob further compressing the spring. The first gasket is disengaged from the fluid release port thereby allowing fluid release on the fabric.

The invention will now be further exemplified with the following non-limiting figures and examples.

Brief Description of the figures:

Figure 1 shows the cross sectional view of an applicator device showing air inlet channel. Figure 2 shows the perspective view of the applicator device with the means for providing friction. Figure 3 shows the cross sectional view of the applicator device when plunger is in the closed position when the fluid is not released. Figure 4 shows the cross sectional view of the applicator device when plunger is in the open position for releasing the fluid.

Figure 5 shows bottom of the device having plurality of radially extending seal knobs. Figure 6 shows sectional view of another device according to the invention.

Figure 7a shows the device of Figure 6 with the dispensing valves in closed position. Figure 7b shows the device of Figure 6 with the dispensing valves in open position.

Figure 8 shows sectional view of yet another device according to the invention. Figure 9a shows the device of Figure 8 with the dispensing valves in closed position. Figure 9b shows the device of Figure 8 with the dispensing valves in open position. Detailed description of the figures:

In the detailed description of the figures, the number series beginning with the reference numeral (1 ) is used in respect of the Figures 1 to 5. Likewise, the number series beginning with reference numeral (100) is used in respect of Figures 6 and 7a/7b. Similarly, the number series beginning with reference numeral (200) is used to describe the features of Figures 8 and 9a/9b.

Like numerals are employed to designate like features of various exemplified devices according to the invention.

Reference is drawn first to the Figure 1 which shows cross sectional view of an applicator device showing air inlet channel. The applicator device (1 ) as shown in Figure 1 comprises a container (2) for housing a fluid composition and a fluid release system (3) extending between the top (2a) and bottom (2b) faces of the fluid container (2) and comprising a plunger (4) having a plunger top (4a), plunger base (4b) and a shaft (4c) which has a coaxially-placed resilience member (5). The container is formed of plurality walls 16a -16d as shown in figure 1 and the other two walls are not visible in the cross-sectional view. The plunger base (4b) is provided with at least one seal knob (6) that operably mates with a corresponding fluid release port (7). At the bottom face of the plunger base (4b) is present a first gasket (1 1 ) which operably closes the fluid release port. The top (4a) of plunger is housed inside an air chamber (13) that is positioned in the wall (16a) of the top face (2a) of the fluid container (2). The top face (2a) of container is also provided with an air vent (10) which opens into the air chamber (13). A second gasket (9) is placed on the inner bottom surface of the air chamber such that the second gasket (9) is coaxially positioned to the shaft (4c) of the plunger. The inner wall of the second gasket (9) is offset from the outer surface of the shaft (4c) thereby creating an air inlet channel (12), also shown in enlarged view, between the air chamber (13) and the fluid container (2). The inner bottom wall of fluid container (2) is provided with a projected slope (14) that extends downwards between the inner surface of side wall of fluid container and the center of the inner surface of bottom face (2b) of fluid container (2). The fluid container (2) is also provided with a fluid inlet port (8) to aid filling of the fluid composition into the fluid container (2).

When the user places the device on a substrate and presses/ rubs the device on the substrate, the plunger (4) plunges inside the device by compressing the resilience member (5) from its initial position. As shown in Figure 4, when the plunger moves up, the first gasket (1 1 ) is disengaged from the fluid release port (7) thereby allowing the fluid composition to be released outside the container and on to the substrate as shown by the two downward arrows at the bottom face (2b) of the container (2). Simultaneously, the top (4a) of the plunger is also disengaged from the second gasket (9), thereby opening the air inlet channel (12) allowing the air to enter from the air vent (10) into the container (2) via the air inlet channel (12), allowing the volume of fluid released from the container to be replaced by air inside the container. When the user stops pressing/rubbing the device as shown in Figure 3, the resilience member (5) returns back to its initial state wherein the first gasket (1 1 ) closes the fluid release port (7) and the top (4a) of the plunger reengages with the second gasket (9), thereby closing the air inlet channel (12), leading the effective stoppage of fluid dispensing from the container.

Figure 5 shows the bottom of the device having plurality of radially extending seal knobs and Figure 2 shows the means for providing friction (15) and/or for the generation of lather. Reference is now drawn to Figure 6 which shows sectional view of another device according to the invention. Further, reference is also made to Figures 7a and 7b. The applicator device (101 ) as shown in Figure 6 comprises a container (102) for housing a fluid composition and a fluid release system (103) extending between the top (102a) and bottom (102b) faces of the fluid container (102) and comprising a plunger (104) and a coaxially placed resilience member in the form of a spring (105). The plunger is comprised of a top (104a), base (104b), shaft (104c), activator legs (1 19a, 1 19b) and activator base (1 18a, 1 18b). The activator legs project outside the container (102) across the bottom face (2b) and is capped by virtue of activator base (1 18a, 1 18b). The activator base forms the contact point of the device with the substrate. The opening in the bottom face (102b) across which the activator legs project outside the container (102), is sealed with the aid of bellows (1 17a, 1 17b). The container is formed of plurality of walls (1 16a to 1 16d) When the user places the device on a substrate and presses/ rubs the device thereon, the plunger (104) plunges inside the device by virtue of the activator base (1 18a, 1 18b) that is in contact with the substrate. The bellows (1 17a, 1 17b) and the spring (105) provide the room for movement of the plunger away from the substrate, as it is in compressed state as compared to the original position.

As shown in Figure 7b, when the plunger moves up, the first gasket (1 1 1 ) is disengaged from the fluid release port (107) thereby allowing release of fluid composition to the substrate as shown by the two downward arrows at the bottom face (102b) of the container (102).

Simultaneously, the top (104a) of the plunger is also disengaged from the second gasket (109), thereby opening the air inlet channel (1 12) allowing the air to enter from the air vent (1 10) into the container (102) via the air inlet channel (1 12), allowing a certain volume of fluid to be released from the container to be replaced by air.

When a user stops pressing/rubbing the device as shown in Figure 7a, the resilience members (105, 1 17a and 1 17b) return to initial state, in which the first gasket (1 1 1 ) closes the fluid release port (107) and the top (104a) of the plunger re-engages with the base of the air chamber (1 13), thereby closing the air inlet channel (1 12), causing fluid dispensing to stop. Reference is made to Figure 8, which shows sectional view of another device according to the invention. Reference is also made to Figures 9a and 9b. The applicator device (201 ) as shown in Figure 7 comprises a container (202) for housing a fluid composition and a fluid release system (203) extending between the top (202a) and bottom (202b) faces of the fluid container (202) and comprising a plunger (204) and a resilience member in the form of a spring (205). The plunger is comprised of a top (204a), activator legs (204b and 204c) and activation links (217a and 217b). The plunger top (204a) forms the top surface of the applicator device (201 ) and enters inside the container (202) by virtue of the activator legs (204b and 204c) through the air inlet channels (212) that are present in the top (202a) of the fluid container.

The air inlet channel (12) is sealed by virtue of second gaskets (209a and 209b) that are operably placed on the activator legs (204a and 204b). The bottom portion of the activator legs (204a and 204b) are connected to the sealed knob (206) with the help of activation links (217a and 217b) which are pivoted onto a pivot base (219a and 219b) situated on the inner surface of bottom face (202b) of the container. The spring (205) is placed in a pre-stressed state between the top surface of the sealed knob and the bottom portion of a projection (218) from the inner surface of the top (202a) of the fluid container (202).

When the user places this device on a substrate and presses/ rubs the device thereon the substrate, the plunger top (204a) plunges inside the device. This results in activator links (217a and 217b) lifting the sealed knob (206) further compressing the spring (205) and the first gasket (21 1 ) is disengaged from the fluid release port (207). This causes release of the fluid composition on to the substrate as shown by the two downward arrows at the bottom face (202b) of the container (202) in Figure 9b.

Simultaneously, the second gaskets (209a and 209b) of the plunger is also disengaged from the air inlet channel (212), allowing the air to enter into the container (202). When the user stops pressing/rubbing the device as shown in Figure 9a, the resilience member (5) returns back to its initial state wherein the first gasket (21 1 ) closes the fluid release port (207) and the second gasket (209a and 209b) of the plunger reengages with the air inlet channel (212), thereby closing it. This leads to the effective stoppage of fluid dispensing from the container. EXAMPLES

Example 1

a) Cleaning efficiency of the applicator device:

A fluid (liquid) detergent formulation was prepared. The composition is described in Table 1. 42 g linear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (LAS acid) was mixed with 348 g deionized water under stirring and was neutralized with 10% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution until pH 8 was attained. After neutralization, 10 g of monopropylene glycol and 57g of sodium lauryl ether sulphate 3EO (SLES) were added under mixing. Table 1 : Composition of fluid detergent formulation

The above composition was filled into the applicator device of figure 1 and its performance was compared against a commercially available detergent bar having identical amount of surfactants.

Consumer soiled poly-cotton collar inserts were collected and each insert was divided into two parts to ensure uniform soil level for testing the applicator device and the commercial detergent bar. 0.5g of the composition was applied on to each half of the collar insert either from the applicator device or the commercial bar to ensure identical amount of surfactant delivery from both followed by scrubbing 20 times with a brush. The fabric was washed with water at a water to fabric ratio of 10. The washed fabric was dried and evaluated with the help of trained panellists, on a scale of 0 to 10 where lower number indicates better cleaning. The data is summarised in Table 2. Table 2: Score on collar cleaning provided by the panellists

Data presented in Table 2 show that the collar halves washed with the commercial bar and the applicator device containing fluid detergent were comparably clean. b) Assessment of applicator device on efficiency of generating lather:

Poly-cotton clothes (25 x 12 cm size; 4.6 g) were soaked in a detergent solution containing 5 grams per liter detergent. The liquor to cloth ratio was maintained at 3.5.

Two applicator devices, one having means for providing friction as shown in Figure 2 where they are in the form of indentations at its base and another without such features were rubbed on the fabric separately. A total of 20 rubs were given to the cloth using the applicator devices.

The generated lather on the surface of the cloth was collected and the volume of lather was measured using a measuring cylinder. The results are given in Table 3 below:

Table 3: Volume of lather generated

Volume of lather (mL)

Base with

Flat base

Repeats indentations

1 2 13

2 2 1 1

3 1 1 1 It is evident from the above table that provision of indentations at the base of the applicator device enhances the lather generated on the surface of the cloth.

Claims

1. An applicator device (1 ) for a fluid, the device comprises:

(i) a container (2) for housing a fluid composition;

(ii) a fluid release system (3) housed in the container (2) comprising a plunger (4) having a top (4a), and a base (4b) and a resilience member (5);

wherein the plunger base (4b) comprises at least one seal knob (6) that operably mates with a corresponding fluid release port (7) in one face (2b) of the container and the top of the plunger (4a) projects into an air chamber (13) located in the wall of the container.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a plurality of walls (16a - 16d).

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the fluid release system extends between the top and bottom faces of the container.

4. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plunger base is provided with a first gasket (1 1 ) exposing the seal knob.

5. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air chamber is provided with a second gasket (9) at the bottom inner surface of the air chamber through which the plunger projects into the air chamber.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the resilience member forms a shaft (4c) of the plunger or is positioned coaxially to the shaft of the plunger.

7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the plunger base comprises radially extending plurality of seal knobs.

8. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein radially extending plurality of seal knobs operably mates with the corresponding plurality of radially extending fluid release ports.

9. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein a wall of the device has a means for providing friction (15).

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the means for providing friction is selected from plurality of indentations or protrusions or plurality of extending filaments or combinations thereof.

1 1. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said plunger comprises an activator base capable of being in primary contact with the substrate while the seal knob is retracted well above the substrate.

12. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 wherein top face of said container is interlinked with said seal knob by activator legs and interlink which are pivoted onto the inner surface of the bottom face of the container.

13. A process for delivering a fluid composition on a substrate, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) placing the device of claim 1 , with the fluid composition filled in the container on the substrate; and,

14. A process for cleaning a substrate, the process comprising steps of:

(a) placing the device of claim 1 , comprising a fluid composition filled in the container;

(b) pressing the device against the substrate to dispense at least a part of the fluid composition through the fluid release port; and,

(c) rubbing the substrate with the device.

15. A process as claimed in claim 14, wherein the process comprises a rinsing step.