GB2349649A

GB2349649A - Washing device and method

Info

Publication number: GB2349649A
Application number: GB9910504A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Shickle
Original assignee: Unilever PLC
Current assignee: Unilever PLC
Priority date: 1999-05-06
Filing date: 1999-05-06
Publication date: 2000-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-06
Also published as: ITTO20000403A0; AR024256A1; MXPA00004345A; CO5271761A1; IT1320059B1; GB9910504D0; FR2793266A1; ITTO20000403A1; GB2349649B; FR2793266B1; PE20010148A1; BR0002294A

Abstract

A dispersing device 15 for use in washing textile articles in a washing machine. The device comprises a hollow body having a filling and dispensing opening 14, the body being suitable for containing a quantity of liquid detergent composition. Additionally, the body has a secondary dispensing opening 20 through which a user can cause liquid detergent composition to flow from within the body into an external surface liquid guiding region of the body being. The liquid guiding region may be formed as a channel 16. The liquid guiding region includes at least one reservoir formation 24 arranged to receive and retain detergent composition. A user can subsequently cause detergent composition to be dispensed from which reservoir formation to be conveyed to a suitably textured treatment region 32. The treatment region can then be used to rub the detergent composition into the fabric material of the article.

Description

WASHING DEVICE AND METHOD The present invention relates to a device for use in washing and a method for using that device. More particularly, it relates to a device and a method for washing textile articles in a washing machine which method includes localised pre-treatment of the articles prior to their being washed in a washing machine.

The device to which this invention relates is of a type that includes a body into which, for use, is filled a quantity of liquid detergent composition. The body, with the detergent composition therein, is then introduced into the drum of a washing machine, together with the articles to be washed.

During the wash cycle, the detergent composition within the body is dispersed into the wash water. Such devices will be referred to herein as dispersing devices.

When an article to be washed is found to have a localised area that is particularly soiled, it is known that the effectiveness of washing can be improved by pre-treating that area with a quantity of undiluted liquid detergent composition before the article is introduced into the washing machine. Typically, this is achieved by rubbing, by means of a suitable implement, a small amount of detergent composition into the textile for the article. In order that the user should not be put to the trouble of finding such an implement, it has been proposed, for example in W092/09736, to provide a dispersing device that includes pouring means, from which detergent composition previously filled into the . device can be dispensed onto a part of an article to be treated. The dispersing device further includes a treatment region on an external surface of the device which can be used to rub dispensed detergent composition into the article.

An aim of this invention is to provide a dispersing device that can be used to treat articles as described in the lastpreceding paragraph, which provides greater control for a user when applying detergent composition than is obtained with known devices.

According to the invention there is provided a dispersing device for use in washing textile articles in a washing machine, the device comprising a hollow body having a filling and dispensing opening, the body being suitable for containing a quantity of liquid detergent composition; a secondary dispensing opening through which a user can cause liquid detergent composition to flow from within the body; an external surface liquid guiding region of the body being formed as a channel to receive detergent composition emerging from the dispensing opening and to guide that composition towards a treatment region of the device; the liquid guiding region including at least one reservoir formation arranged to receive and retain detergent composition, from which reservoir formation, a user can subsequently cause detergent composition be conveyed to the treatment region.

A user can therefore choose to dispense detergent composition direct from the body of the device, or to allow just a small amount of detergent composition to be dispensed from the reservoir formation.

To facilitate use, the device preferably includes a base disposed such that the device is stable when placed on a flat supporting surface with its base downwards. The base may be a flat surface region. When placed in this manner, the filling and dispensing opening is most preferably upwardly-directed to enable a user readily to fill liquid detergent composition into the body. This orientation of the device will be referred to as"the filling position".

The treatment region may include an outer surface region of the body. Most preferably, the treatment region has formations which project from its surface. Such formations may include ridges or dimples spaced apart on the surface.

These formations enhance the effectiveness by which the detergent composition can be made to penetrate the textile article. In a preferred embodiment, the treatment region is adjacent to the base. When in the filling position, the treatment region is inclined with respect to the supporting surface, and is generally downward facing.

The liquid guiding region may include a channel formed in an outer surface of the device. Within the channel there may be formed at least one flow-inhibiting formation. For example, a flow-inhibiting formation may include a region of folded material in the base of the channel. The flow inhibiting region serves to reduce the speed of flow of liquid detergent composition in the channel, thereby allowing a user greater control of the rate of flow of the detergent composition into the reservoir formation.

The reservoir formation may include a concavity in the material of the body. Most typically, the reservoir formation is located at a lower part of the liquid guiding region when the device is oriented for normal use.

The dispensing opening is preferably dimensioned to restrict the flow of detergent composition through it to enable the user to control the rate of flow. In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing opening is a slot extending from the periphery of the filling and dispensing opening into the material of the body.

The invention further provides a method of washing textile articles in which: (1) a device embodying the first aspect of the invention is filled with a quantity of liquid detergent composition; (2) a quantity of detergent composition is dispensed onto a part of a textile article; (3) the treatment region of the device is applied to the dispensed detergent composition; and (4) the device and the article are then placed together in the drum of a washing machine and a wash cycle is carried out.

In a preferred method, step (2) above includes the further steps of: (2.1) dispensing a quantity of detergent composition from the body through the dispensing opening to the reservoir formation; and (2.2) subsequently dispensing at least part of that quantity of detergent composition onto the textile article.

Moreover, steps (2) and (3) may be repeated as often as necessary for one or more textile articles.

Most typically, at the start of step (4), some detergent composition is present within the body, that remaining detergent composition being dispersed from the body during the course of the wash cycle.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are, respectively, a plan and a side view of a dispersing device embodying the invention; Figures 3 to 7 are transverse, partly-sectional views of the device of Figures 1 and 2 to illustrate sequential steps of using it in a pre-treatment operation; Figure 8 is a perspective view from the front and from above of a minor modification of the embodiment of Figures] and 2; and Figure 9 is a perspective view from the front and from above of a minor modification of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. With reference first to Figures 1 and 2, a dispersing device embodying the invention is formed as a hollow body 10, moulded in one piece from a suitable plastic material.

The body 10 includes a flat base 12, such that it can be supported on a flat, upwardly-directed surface in the filling position, as previously defined. (In the following description, the device will be described in this orientation.) A filling and dispensing opening 14 is provided in an upper surface of the body, the opening 14 being directed upwardly. The opening 14 has a periphery that is, for most of its extent, approximately circular, and surrounded by an upwardly projecting lip 15.

A channel 16 is formed in a front wall section 17 of the body 10, the channel 16 and the front wall 17 extending along a plane inclined approximately 30 from the vertical.

The channel 16 has a generally U-shaped cross-section. A slot 20 extends from the periphery of the opening 14 downwardly into an upper part of the channel 16 to act as a secondary dispensing opening for detergent composition.

Several horizontally-extending folds 18 are formed in the channel 16. Each of the folds 18 forms in the material of the channel 10 a shallow, arcuate trough or a step within the channel 16. The shape of the folds 18 in the channel 16 can be more clearly understood by its cross-sectional illustration in Figure 3 to 7.

Below the channel 16, the body 10 has a forwardly-projecting lip 22. The upper surface of the lip defines a shallow, upwardly-directed concavity 24. At its lower end, the channel 16 enters the concavity 24. The lip 22 has an approximately flat lower surface 26 which projects forwardly, and angled upwardly, from the base 12 at a position generally below the concavity 24. A front outer surface 28 extends from the concavity 24 in a convex curvature to join with the lower surface 26.

The lower surface 26 is preferably not smooth. In this embodiment, several transverse ribs 32 extend part way across the lower surface to constitute a treatment region of the device. Alternatively, roughening or dimple-like projections could be provided on the lower surface 26 to constitute a treatment region.

A rear part of the body 10 has a region of the body wall portion which is rounded when viewed in plan. Within this region, there is a recessed region 34 which serves to assist a user maintain a firm grip of the device.

To use the device, typically a user first places it on a flat supporting surface in the filling position. A quantity of liquid detergent 30 composition is then introduced into the body 10 through the opening 14 (see Figure 3).

If the user does not consider any part of any article to be washed as being worthy of pre-treatment, the articles and the dispersing device can be introduced into the drum of a washing machine. A wash cycle can then be carried out as with a conventional dispersing device.

In the event that the user then identifies a part of an article which is considered to require pre-treatment, the typical procedure will progress as will now be described.

The user picks up the device, and carefully tilts it forward from the filling position until the detergent composition 30 within it reaches the slot 20. Some of the detergent composition 30 can then flow through the slot 20 into the channel 16 (see Figure 4). From the slot 20, the detergent composition flows down the channel 16 under gravity. As it flows, the detergent composition encounters the folds 18, the trough or step, as the case may be, defined by each of the folds 18 checks the acceleration of the detergent composition. Having reached the bottom of the channel, some detergent composition can accumulate in the concavity 24.

The concavity 24 therefore acts as a reservoir for detergent composition within the lip 22.

If the device is then tilted back towards the filling position so that the detergent composition 30 within it drops below the slot 20, the flow down the channel 16 ceases. However, a small amount of detergent composition is retained in the concavity 24 (see Figure 5).

The user can then apply detergent composition to the article in two ways. First, by tilting the device forward from the filling position by a small amount, detergent composition from the concavity 24 can flow onto the front surface 28 of the lip 22. From the front surface 28, the detergent composition can fall onto the article. Any that does not fall from the front surface 28 will tend to flow around the front surface 28 to the lower surface 26.

If the user wishes to apply more detergent composition, then he or she can tilt the device further forward so that detergent composition 30 within the body can pass through the slot 20, and from there run down the channel 16 in due course to reach the article, as shown in Figure 6. The restriction to flow of liquid through the slot 20, and the presence of the folds 18 and the concavity 24 help moderate the flow rate, in order that the user can better control the amount of detergent composition applied to the article.

Once detergent composition has been applied, its effectiveness can be enhanced by rubbing it into the textile material of the article. This can be achieved by a user grasping the body of the device, preferably at the recessed region 34, and using the lower surface 26 of the lip 22 over the treated area. Any detergent composition which previously flowed onto the lower surface will then be transferred to the article. The presence of ribs 32 or other such formations on the lower surface 26 help to enhance the effectiveness of this action.

On completion of pre-treatment as required, the device, together with its remaining content of detergent composition is returned to the filling position (Figure 7), and is then placed in the drum of a washing machine, together with textile articles to be washed, and a wash cycle can then be carried out.

The relative disposition of parts of the device should be noted. The following is based on the assumption that the device has been filled with a suitable quantity of detergent composition. First, the device should be capable of being tilted such that its the lower surface 26 of the lip 22 is horizontal to treat a textile article without the detergent composition flowing through the slot 20. A user can therefore continue to rub in detergent composition previously dispensed without adding more to the surface of the article. Next, it is preferable that the device can be further tilted to dislodge detergent composition from the concavity 24 still without the detergent composition flowing through the slot 20. This allows the user to dispense just a very small amount of detergent composition from the concavity 28 onto the article. Yet further tilting of the device should be required to bring about flow of detergent composition through the slot 20.

This arrangement offers. a user a high degree of control over the amount of detergent applied to an article.

Claims

Claims 1. A dispersing device for use in washing textile articles in a washing machine, the device comprising a hollow body having a filling and dispensing opening, the body being suitable for containing a quantity of liquid detergent composition; a secondary dispensing opening through which a user can cause liquid detergent composition to flow from within the body; an external surface liquid guiding region of the body being formed as a channel to receive detergent composition emerging from the dispensing opening and to guide that composition towards a treatment region of the device; the liquid guiding region including at least one reservoir formation arranged to receive and retain detergent composition, from which reservoir formation, a user can subsequently cause detergent composition be conveyed to the treatment region.
2. A device according to claim 1 which includes a base disposed such that the device is stable when placed on a flat supporting surface with its base downwards.
3. A device according to claim 2 in which the base is a flat surface region.
4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which, when placed on a flat supporting surface with its base downwards, the filling and dispensing opening is substantially upwardly-directed.
5. A device according to any preceding claim in which the treatment region includes an outer surface region of the body.
6. A device according to any preceding claim in which the treatment region has formations which project from its surface.
7. A device according to claim 6 in which the formations include ridges or dimples spaced apart on the treatment region.
8. A device according to any preceding claim in which the treatment region is adjacent to the base.
9. A device according to claim 8 in which the treatment region is inclined with respect to the base.
10. A device according to any preceding claim in which the liquid guiding region includes a channel formed in an outer surface of the device.
11. A device according to claim 10 having formed, within the channel, at least one flow-inhibiting formation.
12. A device according to claim 11 in which the flowinhibiting formation includes a region of folded material in the base of the channel.
13. A device according to any preceding claim in which the reservoir formation includes a concavity in the material of the body.
14. A device according to any preceding claim in which the reservoir formation is located at a lower part of the liquid guiding region when the device is oriented for normal use.
15. A device according to any preceding claim in which the dispensing opening is dimensioned to restrict the flow of detergent composition through it to enable the user to control the rate of flow.
16. A device according to any preceding claim in which the dispensing opening is a slot extending from the periphery of the filling and dispensing opening into the material of the body.
17. A device for use in washing textile articles in a washing machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A method of washing textile articles in which: (1) a device according to any preceding claim is filled with a quantity of liquid detergent composition; (2) a quantity of detergent composition is dispensed onto a part of a textile article; (3) the treatment region of the device is applied to the dispensed detergent composition ; and (4) the device and the article are then placed together in the drum of a washing machine and a wash cycle is carried out.
19. A method according to claim 18 in which step (2) includes the further steps of: (2.1) dispensing a quantity of detergent composition from the body through the dispensing opening to the reservoir formation; and (2.2) subsequently dispensing at least part of that quantity of detergent composition onto the textile article.
20. A method according to claim 18 or claim 19 in which steps (2) and (3) are repeated as often as necessary for one or more textile articles.
21. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 20 in which, at the start of step (4), some detergent composition is present within the body, that remaining detergent composition being dispersed from the body during the course of the wash cycle.