MXPA02003138A - A handheld liquid container. - Google Patents

Abstract

A handheld container (10) for predissolving a detergent composition (14) includes a housing (12) and an aperture cover (26). The housing (12) contains a predetermined amount of a detergent composition and a solvent, and includes a dispensing passage (18). The dispensing passage (18) includes a distal end (20) and a flow restriction portion at the distal end (20). The flow restriction portion includes at least one aperture (24). The aperture cover (26) includes an aperture plug (28) corresponding to each aperture (24). When the aperture cover (26) covers the distal end (20), each aperture plug (28) passes substantially through one aperture (24).

Description

CONTAINER FOR LIQUID THAT HOLDS WITH THE HAND FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to containers for pre-dissolving a composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is a well-known and widespread habit on the part of the consumer to pre-dissolve cleaning compositions, especially in countries where hand washing is common. Consumers typically pre-dissolve granular cleaning compositions such as granular laundry detergents. But, there are few tools and containers made specifically for the purpose of pre-dissolving cleaning compositions. In addition to being problematic, containers that are normally used by some consumers tend to be large and bulky containers, such as buckets for mopping or wash basins. Some consumers currently use large amounts of water to completely pre-dissolve detergents, believing that the detergents must be completely dissolved to achieve a higher performance. These large containers are uncomfortable to use, and store.

• *? **. * -? *** , *, To properly clean certain areas of garments, such as heavily soiled areas, dots, and collars, it is a common habit to pre-treat specific areas with cleaning products. The pre-treatment usually involves washing or carving a soiled area with a detergent and / or bleach product which is specifically designed for pre-treatment. These "pre-treaters" include spray pre-treaters contained in a spray applicator, gel pre-treaters, and bar-type pre-treaters. Such pre-treaters typically include the detergent and / or bleach product within a specific pre-treatment container. When the pre-treatment composition is completely consumed, the pre-treatment container itself is typically disposed of as waste. Since such disposable pre-treatment containers may be formed of certain products or other non-biodegradable materials, some consumers find them undesirable in terms of the environment. Alternatively, certain reusable pre-treaters are known which pre-dissolve a detergent to provide a pretreatment solution. However, these pre-treaters can be complicated to assemble, and / or can be expensive to manufacture. For example, a pre-treater containing a filter can be excellent to avoid clogging; however, the filter itself can be expensive, or it may require additional steps in order to assemble inside the pre-treater. In addition, known pre-treaters may require that the manufacturing tolerances of the container be followed very closely, to prevent leakage. Such inflexible manufacturing tolerances require an increased level of technological complexity, and rigid control over manufacturing processes. These additional features and / or manufacturing steps can significantly increase the manufacturing cost of the pre-treater. Such pre-treatment can therefore be too expensive to produce and sell in countries where hand washing, pre-treatment, and / or pre-dissolution is more common. Accordingly, there is a need for a pre-treater to pre-dissolve a detergent and / or bleach composition, which is easy to use, and inexpensive to produce and assemble. There is also a need for a reusable pre-treater that has one or more of these characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hand held container for pre-dissolving a detergent composition that includes a housing and an opening cover. The housing is for containing a predetermined amount of a detergent composition and a solvent, and includes a conduit for dispensing. The conduit for dispensing includes a distal end and a flow restriction portion at the distal end. The flow restriction portion includes at least one opening. The opening cover includes an opening plunger corresponding to each opening.

When the aperture cover covers the distal end, each aperture plunger passes substantially through an aperture. It has now been discovered that a hand held container having a flow restricting portion that includes an opening and an opening cover with an opening plunger passing substantially through the opening avoids the need for a filter to avoid the obstruction. The container is easy to assemble, inexpensive to produce, and / or easy to use. The container that is held by hand is preferably reusable, in order to reduce waste. These and other features, aspects, advantages and variations of the present invention, and the embodiments described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present disclosure together with the appended claims, and are covered within the scope of these claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the specification concludes with claims that stand out in particular and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments which are taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which : Figure 1 is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C) unless otherwise specified. All the cited documents are incorporated herein by reference in their totals. The citation of any reference is not an admission in relation to any determination regarding its availability as a prior art to the claimed invention. The drawings in the present are not necessarily drawn to scale. As used herein, the term "blocking" typically indicates a mixture of detergent and / or solvent which either partially or completely blocks, obstructs, or impedes the opening to reduce or eliminate the flow of the detergent and solvent composition to through the opening. Blocking is typically a partially dissolved gel or paste-like mass. Alternatively, the block may contain dirt, or other impurities that have been introduced accidentally, or purposely into the package. As used herein, the term "inward" indicates toward the bottom of the housing and therefore away from the opening, with respect to the reference point. With reference to the figures, Figure 1 shows a cropped view of one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, the package 10, is formed by a housing 12, to contain a predetermined amount of a detergent composition and a solvent 14. In the preferred embodiment of Figure 1, the housing further includes a lid member 16, the which includes an assortment conduit 18, through which the detergent composition and the solvent 14, must pass in order to exit the package 10. The housing 12, and the optional cover member 16, form a substantially tamper-evident seal. water as to prevent leaks and clutter during use. The conduit for dispensing 18 contains a distal end 20, located remote from the detergent composition and the solvent 14. The distal end 20 contains a flow restriction portion 22, which prevents the detergent composition and the solvent 14, flow out of container 10, too quickly and disorderly. The flow restriction portion 22 includes at least one opening 24, through which the detergent composition and the solvent 14 can exit the package 10, when it is aligned with suitably as to dispense the detergent and solvent composition 14, outside the opening 24. The term "opening" as used herein does not include open cell structures and porous structures, such as sponges. Such round, open porous cell structures are not designed to be within the scope of the present invention, because the opening plunger can not open a blockage of said structure when the opening cover is replaced over the distal end. The number and size (s) of the opening (s) must be tailored to the specific physical characteristics of the detergent solution to be dispensed, the solvent used, and the consumer's preferences. For example, a viscous fluid requires a large opening or a larger number of openings, to dispense easily and effectively; on the other hand, a low viscosity fluid would require a small opening or relatively fewer openings, to avoid too much detergent and solvent being discharged too quickly. A preferred aperture size is from about 0.2 mm2 to about 500 mm2, more preferably from about 0.7 mm2 to about 150 mm2, and even more preferably from about 1.7 mm2 to about 60 mm2 in area. If more than one opening is present, then the total area of all openings is preferably within these ranges. In figure 1, the single opening 24 is covered with and enclosed by an opening cover 26, which prevents leakage of the composition II? AA .. fr * L. * ^ T¿l detergent and solvent 14. The opening cover 26 is placed over the distal end 20, to cover the opening 24 when the container 10 is not being used to apply the detergent and solvent composition 14. However, when the detergent and solvent composition 14 is to be applied to a garment, the aperture cover 24 must be removed, and the container 10, inclined and optionally tightened to dispense the detergent and solvent composition. outside the opening 24. Thus, the opening cover 26, removably covering the distal end 20, the flow restriction portion 22 and the opening 24. When in place, the opening cover reduces clutter if the container is shaken, falls or tilts; however, when removed, the opening cover should not block, obstruct, or interfere with the action of dispensing the detergent and solvent composition from the container. Since the package can often be shaken in order to predispose the detergent composition and / or the detergent / solvent composition mixture, it is more preferred that the aperture cover forms a waterproof seal with a portion of the package. When the opening cover covers the distal end, this seal waterproof can be formed between the aperture cover and the aperture itself, between the opening cover and the applicator, between the opening cover and the cap member, and / or between the opening cover and any other suitable portion of the container. In a highly preferred embodiment, when the opening cover covers the distal end, the opening and the opening plunger (see below at 28) form a substantially waterproof seal. For similar reasons, it is preferred that the housing and the optional cover member also form a waterproof seal. The opening cover 26 further has a plunger opening 28. When the opening cover 26 covers the distal end 20, the piston opening 28 passes substantially through the opening 24 into the container 10, at the distal end 20. This allows the opening piston 28 to discharge any detergent and solvent composition 14, which may otherwise obstruct the opening 24. Accordingly, if the opening 24 becomes clogged due to blockage during use, only to close the opening cover 26, and removing it, will typically clear the blockage by pushing back towards the dispensing conduit 18. The blockage then falls back into the dispensing passage 18, and / or the housing bottom 12. In this way, an opening piston 28, which passes substantially through the opening 24, significantly reduces or even eliminates blockages when the opening cover is removably positioned on the end of the opening. isnt Preferably the opening has an edge inside opening (Figure 2 in 34), and the plunger aperture extends beyond the edge of inner opening and toward the distal end, more preferably the plunger opening extends at least 0.1 mm beyond from the inner opening edge towards the distal end, and even more preferably the opening piston extends from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm beyond the inner opening edge and towards ^ n- fci'ír! - ^ .- ^^. A ^ M- ^. iAnk the far end. The opening plunger described herein eliminates the need for a filter (not shown). Since the filter is typically expensive, and the installation of a filter requires additional accessories and / or assembly steps (eg, gumming, or sealing) which can significantly increase the complexity and cost of manufacturing the container, it is more preferred that the container of the present does not contain a filter. Multiple openings (not shown) and opening plungers (not shown) are also useful in the present invention. If multiple openings are present at the far end, then the opening cover includes an opening plunger corresponding to each opening, and each opening plunger passes substantially through an opening (ie, the corresponding opening). Preferably, an opening plunger passes substantially through each opening, and each opening plunger forms a substantially waterproof seal with the corresponding opening. Preferably the number of corresponding opening apertures and pistons is from about 1 to about 10, more preferably from about 1 to about 6, and even more preferably from about 1 to about 3. Multiple openings and their corresponding opening pistons can be arranged together , in a pattern, or separately, and are preferably arranged together. . ** *. - * --- < .'- - -'--. * *. ^ * - *. . . *** - * ..? ^ * ^ ^^ kM ^ ktá? * l ^ i¿ * Jutíít? &k * t ^ Í In figure 1, the opening 24 is surrounded by a brush 30, the which is used as an applicator to apply the detergent and solvent composition to the article to be cleaned. The applicator is preferably associated with at least one opening so that when the detergent and solvent composition leaves the opening, they are immediately mixed with the applicator to allow convenient, accurate and easy application of the detergent and solvent composition to the garment that is will clean Non-limiting examples of the applicator useful herein include a brush, a rotating sphere, a sponge, a mouthpiece, bristles, and combinations thereof, of which a brush and bristles are preferred. It is preferred that at least one applicator be used herein, preferably one or two applicators. The applicator can be made of any suitable material, such as plastics, skin, fabrics, polymers, rubbers, wood materials, and combinations thereof. Preferred materials for the applicator include polyesters, polyethylene, polypropylene, plastics, and combinations thereof. If the applicator includes a brush or bristles, the resistance of the brush / bristles and the length can be tailored to the type of cleaning to be performed. For example, to clean fabrics, bristles that are too stiff can damage the fabrics to be cleaned, especially delicate fabrics such as silk. Accordingly, longer bristles or softer bristles are preferred. For fabrics, the preferred brushes have a bristle strength of less than about 200 N / cm2, *** .... u. *** < . * '^ Í * ?? t f! S- í8-t-í *, i * i * .i *** - ^ t * úas .s *. preferably less than about 150 N / cm2. The bristle strength is measured using the method of JIS S 3016, except that a press head speed of 12.5 mm / min, and a bristle area of about 5.5 cm2 are used; JIS S 3016 is a Japanese industrial standard for measuring the resistance of toothbrush bristles. The compression test machine that is used herein is a compression tester, model YLM-5 manufactured by Toyo Tester of Osaka, Japan. For cleaning applications not of fabrics, or less sensitive surfaces, stiffer bristles may be desirable. In Figure 1 the dispensing conduit 22 contains an optional neck portion 32, which forms part of the dispensing conduit 18. The neck portion 32 is disposed inwardly of the distal end 20, ie, between the distal end 20 and the bottom of the housing 12. The neck portion can be curved, as shown in Figure 1, or it can be straight (not shown). Figure 2 shows a cutaway approach view of a preferred embodiment with the present invention. In Figure 2, the neck portion 32 is curved and aligns the opening 24 along an opening angle a. If present, the opening angle is measured between the vertical line drawn through the container (a-a) and a line that runs through and parallel to the orientation of the opening (b-b). The useful opening angle in the present is from about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees, and an aperture angle which is useful in the present is an obtuse angle of íHküt. *. ... -.-- ,. * £ *** '* & ** - * & * * .-. approximately 120 degrees to approximately 150 degrees. It has been found that an opening angle of less than 120 degrees becomes difficult to manufacture, while a larger opening angle of 150 degrees is inconvenient because it increases the probability of block formation. An aperture angle that is most preferred is from about 120 degrees to about 140 degrees. In Figure 2, the opening 24 contains an interior opening edge 34. In this embodiment, the opening plunger 28 extends beyond the interior opening edge 34., and towards the far end 20. As noted above, when the aperture cover 26 is removably positioned on the distal end 20, the aperture plunger 28 helps clear blockages that obstruct the flow of the detergent and solvent composition ( see figure 1 in 14) through the opening 24. In the embodiment of figure 2, the opening 24 is surrounded by a brush 30, with which the detergent and solvent composition (figure 1 in 14) is mixed on exit 10. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that even if such a detergent composition is not completely dissolved, and / or remains in a gel-like state after leaving the container, mixing with an applicator, such as a brush, It can be applied more easily and carved on the garment to be cleaned. This allows the user to selectively apply a portion of the detergent and solvent composition to a specific location on this garment, which in turn concentrates the cleaning power of the detergent and solvent composition to the specific area. Figure 2 also shows a notch 36, in the portion of "neck 32 of the layer member 16, and adjacent the removable opening cover 26. The notch 36 allows the user to press the edge of his finger, fingernail, etc., against the aperture cover 26, in order to remove it easily from the lid member 16. The opening cover 26 also contains an optional frictional surface 38. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, the opening cover contains a plurality of friction surfaces 38. The housing, the cover member the neck portion, the opening cover, or any other component of the container may contain at least one friction surface to improve the user's hold, for aesthetic reasons, or for any other reason, for example, if the detergent or fluid it spills on the outside of the container, a friction surface helps the user maintain its grip, alternatively, the friction surface can help the user to remove and reposition Easily cover the opening. Non-limiting examples of the preferred frictional surface useful herein include an edge, a depression, a rubber grip, and combinations thereof. The friction surface can be formed integrally with the components of the package or added separately. A friction surface is especially preferred in the housing and lid member, if present, because these portions of the package may become slippery during use. In a preferred embodiment, enhanced or sunken use instructions serve the dual purpose of also acting as a friction surface. The opening cover can be adhered to the neck portion, the lid member, and / or the housing, by means of a variety of closures, such as the jump type closure of Figure 2. Other types of closure are also useful herein, and preferably form waterproof seals.

Non-limiting examples of a preferred closure are a screw type closure, a jump type closure, an articulated type closure, a slide closure, and combinations thereof. From a manufacturing point of view, a close-hop type, and a screw-type closure are preferred, as they are cheap to form, even if they are waterproof seals. An optional feature that can be included whenever a waterproof seal is desired is an inner plunger seal, a trigger seal and / or any of many well-known ring contact seals. These types of unpacked seals are surprisingly waterproof. Alternatively, a packing type seal formed separately or formed integrally may also be used herein. In Figure 2, at 40, it is shown in inner plunger seal on lid member 16. The inner plunger seal, if present, runs around substantially the entire inner circumference of a female member to be sealed, and is received by a reciprocal fitting on the male seal member. Inner plunger seals and packing type seals are preferred since they are cheap to form, and surprisingly are waterproof. An inner plunger seal is especially waterproof, if the female member to be sealed is formed of a softer or more elastic material than the reciprocal male member. Alternatively, the female member may be formed of an elastic material more or less hard than the reciprocal male member. This combination of a harder and softer material can also provide substantial additional benefits, such as a reduction in the amount of twisting that is required to form a waterproof seal with a screw type closure. A contact ring seal (not shown), which runs along the interior surface of a female member and forms a seal with the tip of the male member, is also preferred herein. Additional seals and closures useful herein are described in "Closures, Bottle and Jar," in "The Wiley Encyclopedia of Packaqinq Technology." A. L. Brody and D. S. Marsh, editors, pp. 206-20, (John Wiley &; Sons, New York, 2nd Ed. 1997). Figure 3 is a perspective view of the present invention, showing a container 10, having a housing 12, a lid member 16, adhered to the housing 12, and an opening cover 26, adhered to the lid member 16. On the housing, the lid member 16, and the opening cover 26, are a plurality of friction surfaces 38. An optional lip 42, which runs along the circumference of the housing, is also shown in FIG. improve the structural rigidity of the closing area. If the lip is placed on the outside of the housing, then it can also serve to capture runoff as well as to act as a friction surface. The package can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes, preferably the shape and size of the housing allow the package to be held easily, comfortably and conveniently in the hand. More preferably, the housing is formed in an easy to form form which reduces the manufacturing costs of the container. Such easy shapes to form include those having a circular cross section (such as cylindrical shape), a square or rectangular cross section, an oval cross section, and combinations thereof, and more preferably those having a circular cross section. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a cylindrical shaped container having a circular cross section with thin walls is especially preferred since it is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, provides good elasticity and squeezability, does not require molding time orientation during molding, it does not require a specific orientation during use, and simultaneously balances structural benefits such as acceptable stiffness and desirable elasticity by the consumer. Such containers of circular cross section are also easily adopted to contain a screw-type, waterproof closure. The shape of the container may also be tapered, or remain the same width therethrough.

Preferred packaging materials include plastics and polymers, flexible materials such as films and laminated papers, rubber, glass, metal, and combinations thereof. More preferred packaging materials include gum, plastic, polyesters, and combinations thereof, and even more preferred packaging materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and combinations thereof. Preferred production methods are blow molding, injection molding, injection blow molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming, and combinations thereof. The various individual portions of the package can be formed with different materials, and / or by different methods, as desired. Optional, but preferred features of the package material include transparency, translucent capacity, or opacity, easy formation to the desired shape, resistance to detergent solutions and applicable pH scales, durability, coloration, and smoothness to allow the package to be added to the package. washing cycle without causing undue noise. It is highly preferred that the packaging material be transparent or translucent, to allow the user to visually gauge the level of detergent and / or solvent composition. If the package is to be placed within the wash cycle, then the selected material must be water resistant and temperature resistant at those temperatures at which the detergent solutions are used, i.e., typically from about 5 ° C to about 60 ° C. Ideally, the selected packaging material should be resistant to sllta &aiMA. ^ Maaai ^ --- ^ temperatures on the scale from below freezing to above the temperatures at which clothes dryers operate. These optimal scales may be relevant, for example, where consumers store the cleaning articles externally during the winter, and where the container can be transferred, either intentionally or unintentionally, in a clothes dryer. For convenient use, the housing adhering to the cover member must be of sufficient width to easily add the detergent and solvent composition to the housing without spills. The preferred size and shape of the housing depends on many factors such as the type of detergent composition designed to be used therein. The preferred detergent composition useful herein is typically selected from the group consisting of a granular detergent composition, a solid detergent composition, a tablet detergent composition, a liquid detergent composition, a gel type detergent composition, a detergent type composition, and combinations thereof, preferably a granular detergent composition, a tablet detergent composition, a gel-type detergent composition, a paste-type detergent composition, and combinations thereof. For example, in containers designed for use with granular detergent compositions, which usually come with some type of measuring device, for example a spoon or a lid, it is preferred that the housing be wide enough to accept a spoon and even a spoon " heaped. " Agree with this, preferred mouth sizes for such containers are from about 30 mm to about 120 mm, preferably from about 50 mm to about 105 mm, and more preferably from about 60 mm to about 95 mm in width, as measured at the point wider of the housing. Preferred housing sizes for containers for use with liquid detergent, gel, tablet, or paste compositions are from about 20 mm to about 95 mm, preferably from about 35 mm to about 85 mm, and more preferably about 45 mm at approximately 80 mm in width, as measured at the widest point of the housing. Preferred housing thicknesses are less than about 3mm, more preferably less than about 1.5 mm, and even more preferably less than about 0.8 mm for improved elasticity and squeezing capacity. It is preferred that the housing and the container be of a reusable type, and the design should therefore facilitate rejection, filling, and easy cleaning. It is also preferable that the package is formed and balanced so that it can remain erect, without leakage, when placed on a flat surface. The package of the present invention is not limited for use with a detergent composition and a solvent, but can also be used to apply, for example, a bleaching composition, a gel composition, and a coloring composition. Accordingly, in the present description, any of these other compositions can replace the words "detergent composition". Preferably a composition selected from the group consisting of a bleaching composition, a detergent composition, and a mixture thereof is used in the package described herein, and more preferably a detergent composition is used in the package described in FIG. I presented. The detergent composition useful herein typically contains one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of a detersive surfactant, a bleach, a bleach activator, a builder, an optical brightener, an enzyme, a fabric softener, and blends. thereof; preferably an anionic surfactant, an oxygen bleach, a bleach activator, a builder, an enzyme, a fabric softener, and mixtures thereof. The detergent composition herein typically comprises, by weight of the detergent composition, at least about 0.01% of a detersive surfactant; more preferably at least about 0.1%, even more preferably from about 1% to about 55%; and even more preferably from about 1% to about 35%. The detersive surfactant can be selected from an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a surfactant • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Particularly useful anionic surfactants include branched and linear C 1 or C 20 alkylbenzene sulphonate surfactants and C 0 or C 20 alkyl sulfate surfactants The detergent composition herein typically contains, by weight of the detergent composition, a bleach at a level of from about 0.5% to about 30%, preferably from about 1.5% to about 20%, if present, the amount of bleach activator will typically be from about 0.1% to about 60%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 40% by weight A preferred bleach includes an oxygen bleach, a chlorine bleach, a photobleach, an enzymatic bleach, and a mixture thereof, and more preferably an oxygen bleach, and a mixture thereof. A highly preferred oxygen bleach includes hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate, perborate, peracids, peroxides, and mixtures thereof. A bleach activator that is preferred includes a transition metal bleach catalyst, a hydrophilic bleach activator, a hydrophobic bleach activator, and a mixture thereof, more preferably a manganese bleach catalyst, NNN'N ' - tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), 6- nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid (NAPAA), and mixtures thereof. The Additional bleaches and bleach activators are described in the U.S. patent. 4,483,781 to Hartman, issued November 20, 1984; patent application of E.U.A. 740,446 to Burns et al., Filed June 3, 1985; European Patent Application 0,133,354 to Banks et al., published February 20, 1985; patent of E.U.A. 4,412,934 to Chung and Spadini, issued November 1, 1983; patent of E.U.A. 4,634,551 to Hardy and Ingram, issued on January 6, 1987; U.S. Patent 5,061,807 to Gethoffer, et al., issued October 29, 1991; patent of E.U.A. 5,246,621 to Favter, et al. Issued on September 21, 1993; and Japanese Patent Application Laid Open to the Public (Kokai) No. 4-28799 to Yamada, et al., published January 31, 1992. A detergency builder may be included in the detergent composition herein to help control the hardness of mineral, and to help in the removal of dirt particles. The level of builder can vary widely depending on the final use of the composition and its desired physical form. When present, the composition will typically comprise at least about 1% builder. Liquid detergents will typically comprise from about 5% to about 50%, more typically from about 5% to about 30%, by weight, of a detergency builder. The granular detergent compositions typically comprise from about 10% to about 80%, more typically from about 15% to about 50% by weight of ,. ~ U? . *.: - U., JJi ^.,. ^. ^ R ^ j ¿rti &xJ íj? -? a detergency improver. However, it does not mean that higher or lower levels of builder are excluded. A phosphate builder, a silicate builder, a zeolite builder, a carboxylate builder, a carbonate builder, a citrate builder, a polycarboxylate builder, and mixtures thereof are useful herein; preferably the builder is selected from Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP, Zeolite X, layered silicate builders, carbonate, and mixtures thereof. Useful builders are also described in the U.S. Patent. 4,664,839, issued May 12, 1987 to Rieck; German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 to Jacobsen, et al., published November 15, 1973; the Patent of E.U.A. 4,566,984 to Bush, issued on January 28, 1986; the Patent of E.U.A. 4,144,226 to Crutchfiel, et al, issued March 13, 1979; and in the U.S. Patent. 3,308,067 to Diehl, issued March 7, 1967. Any optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents known in the art can typically be incorporated at levels from about 0.05% to about 1.2%, by weight, in the detergent composition. Specific examples of optical brighteners that are useful in the present compositions are those identified in the U.S. patent. 4, 790, 856, issued to Wixton on * 1 1 1. ^ Mü, *** *. r. * 0Ú. r i? .V * i.S ~ **? *. *. ^ * ^ ^ TtÉ M? K * &13 December 1988. These brighteners include the PHORWHITE series of brighteners from Verona. Other brighteners described in this reference include: Tinopal UNPA, Tinopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Geigy; Artic White CC and Artic White CWD, available from Hilton-Davis, located in Italy; the 2- (4-stril-phenyl) -2H-naphthol [1,2-d] triazoles; 4,4'-bis- (1, 2,3-triazol-2-yl) -stilbenes; 4,4'-bis (stril) bisphenols; and the aminocoumarins. Specific examples of those brighteners include 4-methyl-7-diethyl-aminocoumarin; 1,2-bis (-venzimidazol-2-yl) ethylene; 1,3-diphenyl-frazolines; 2,5-bis (benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophene; 2-stril-naft- [1,2-d] oxazole; and 2- (stilbene-4-yl) -2H-naphtho- [1,2-d] triazole. See also the Patent of E.U.A. 3,646,015, issued on February 29, 1972 to Hamilton. Anionic brighteners are preferred herein. An enzyme may also be useful herein for a variety of purposes, including the removal of protein based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains from substrates, for the prevention of refugee dye transfer in the wash of fabrics, and for fabric restoration. A suitable enzyme in the present invention includes an amylase, a cellulase, a cutinase, a lipase, a peroxidase, a protease, and mixtures thereof of any suitable origin, such as plant, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. Preferred selections are influenced by factors such as pH activity and / or optimum stability, thermostability, and stability to detergent actives, builders and the like. In this regard bacterial or fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases, and fungal cellulases. In practical terms for current commercial preparations, typical amounts are up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically from 0.01 mg to 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the detergent composition. Established otherwise, the detergent composition will typically comprise, by weight, from about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 1% of a commercial enzyme preparation. Protease enzymes are normally present in such commercial preparations at levels sufficient to provide 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram of the detergent composition. An amylase useful herein includes, for example, amylases described in GB 1, 296,839 to Outtrup H. Et al., Published November 22, 1972 to Novo Industries A / S of Denmark (hereinafter "Novo"). "); RAPIDASE® from Internacional, Bio-Synthetics, Inc .; TERMAMYL® by Novo; NATALASE® by Novo; and FUNGAMYL® by Novo. Cellulases that can be used herein include bacterial and fungal types, which preferably have an optimum pH between 5 and 9.5. The Patent of E.U.A. 4,435,307 to Barbesgoard, et al., March 6, 1984 describes suitable fungal cellulases from Humicola insolens or Humicola strain DSM 1800 or a fungus that produces cellulase 212 belonging to the genus Aeromonas and cellulase extracted from the Hepatopancreas of a marine mollusk Dolabella Auricle Solander. Suitable cellulases are also described in GB-B-2,075,028 to Barbesgaar, et al., Issued March 28, 1984; GB-B-2,095,275 to Murata, etal., Issued August 7, 1985 and DE-OS-2,247,832 to Horikoshi and Ikeda, issued on June 27, 1974. CAREZYME® and CELLUZYME® of Novo are especially useful. See also WO 91/17243 to Hagen, et al, published November 14, 1991. Suitable cutinase enzymes for use herein are described in WO 88/09367A to Kolattukudy, et al., Published December 1, 1988. The lipase enzymes suitable for detergent use include those produced by Pseudomonas group organisms such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19, 154, as described in GB 1, 372,034 to Dijk and Berg, published on October 30, 1974. See also lipases in Japanese patent application 53-20487 to Inugai, published on February 24, 1978. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., of Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano" or "Amano-P". Other suitable commercial lipases include Amano-CES, ex Chromobacter viscosum lipases, for example Chromobacter viscosum var, lipolyticum NRRLB 3673 from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., E.U.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli. LIPOLASE® by Novo is a preferred lipase for use herein. LIPOLASE® is derived from í & .d. . . i? ** -i • * -? &-Z. **. ^ **.

Humicola lanuginosa, also see EP 341, 947 to Cornelissen, et al., Issued August 31, 1994. Lipase and amylase variants stabilized against peroxidase enzymes are described in WO 94/14951 to Halkier, et al., Published on July 7, 1994 to Novo. See also WO 92/052249 to Clausen et al., Published on April 2, 1992. The peroxidase enzymes can be used in combination with oxygen sources, for example percarbonate, perborate, hydrogen peroxide etc., for "bleaching in solution". or prevention of transfer of dyes or pigments that are removed from substrates during washing to other substrates present in the wash solution. Known peroxidases include horseradish peroxidase, ligninase, and haloperoxidases such as chloro- or bromo-peroxidase. Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are described in WO 89/09813 A to Damhus, et al., Published October 19, 1989. A suitable example of a protease is a subtilisin, which is obtained from particular strains of ß . Subtilis and B. Licheniformis. A suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, which has a maximum activity through the pH scale of 8-12, developed and sold as ESPERASE® by Novo. Other examples of a suitable protease include ALCALASE® and SAVINASE® from Novo and MAXATASE® from International Bio-Synthetics, Inc., The Netherlands; as well as Protease A and Protease B as described in EP 130,756 A to Bott, published January 9, 1985. A protein that is especially preferred referred to as "Protease D", as .daaafciÉfT * "describes in U.S. Patent 5,679,630 to A Baek, et al, issued October 21, 1997, entitled" Protease. Containing Cleaning Compositions "and in US Patent 5,677,272 to C. Ghosh, et al issued October 14, 1997, entitled" Bleaching Compositions Comprising Protease Enzymes. "Commercially available enzymes are typically available as an enzyme globule, a maruma. of enzyme, a high shear granule, or even as an already coated granule, any of these forms of enzyme may be coated by the improved encapsulation coating, which is described herein For example a preferred embodiment comprises enzyme globules containing an enzyme Preferred examples of commercially available enzymes useful herein include SAVINASE®, sold by Novo Corporation, Maxacal sold by Gist-brocades, Opticlean sold by Solvay-lnterox, Co. and Enzoguard sold by Genencor. optionally contain a fabric softener in it, preferably a softening clay e of fabrics, a secondary fabric softening component, and a mixture thereof. The fabric softening clay is preferably a smectite-like clay. Smectite-type clays can be described as expandable, three-layered clays; that is, aluminosilicates and magnesium silicates, having an ion exchange capacity of at least about 50 meg / 100 g of clay. Preferably the clay particles are of a size that can not be perceived tactilely, so as not to have a gritty feel on the treated fabric of the clothes. The fabric softening clay can be added at levels of from about 1% to about 50%, preferably from about 2% to about 20% and more preferably from about 3% to 14%. A secondary fabric softening component in addition to the fabric softening clay may be present at levels of about 0.1% to 5%, more preferably 0.3% to 3%, and includes: amines of the formula R R5R6N, in which R is hydrocarbyl from C5 to C22, R5 and RQ are independently C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl. A preferred amine is disebomethyl amine; complexes of such amines with fatty acid of the formula R7COOH, in which R7 is hydrocarbyl of C9 to C22, as described in EP Pub. No. 0 133 804; complexes of said amines with phosphate esters of the formula R8O-P (O) (OH) -OR9 and HO-P (O) (OH) -OR9, wherein R8 and Rg are independently a C1 to C20 alkyl of ethoxylate of alkyl of the formula -alkyl- (OCH 2 CH 2); cyclic amines such as imidazollines of the general formula 1 - (higher alkyl) amido (lower alkyl) -2- (higher alkyl) imidazoline, wherein higher alkyl is from 12 to 22 carbons and lower alkyl is from 1 to 4 carbons, such as described in the British patent application GB 2,173,827; and quaternary ammonium compounds of the formula R-? or R? Ri2R-i3 + X "wherein R10 is alkyl having 8 to 20 carbons, Rn is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, R 2 and R 13 are alkyl having 1 to 4 carbons, preferably methyl, and X is an anion, preferably CI "or Br, such as alkyltrimethylammonium chloride of C12.13 Clay softeners in combination with amine and cationic softeners are described, for example, in US Patent 4,375,416, to Crisp et al., March 1 of 1983 and US Patent 4,291,071 to Harris et al., issued September 22, 1981. Other adjunct materials useful in the detergent composition herein include other active ingredients such as vehicles, processing aids, foam suppressors. , foaming enhancers, dyes, pigments, perfumes, perfume derivatives, dye transfer inhibitors, optical brighteners, clay soil removal agents, dispersants, alkalinity sources and pH regulators, soil suspension polymers, anti polymers -repositioning of dirt, etc. Additional detergent formulations useful herein are described in WO 91/08281 to Foster and Vandepas, public on June 13, 1991; patent of E.U.A. 5,487,818 to Cavalllotti, et al., Issued January 30, 1996; patent of E.U.A. 5,470,988 to Jaekel, issued November 28, 1995; patent of E.U.A. 5,466,825 to Carr, et al., Issued November 14, 1995; WO 94/03003 to Labounty, et al., Published February 3, 1994; patent of E.U.A. 5,246,621 to Favte, et al., Issued September 21, 1993; patent of E.U.A. 4,704,233, issued November 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins; patent of E.U.A. 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor, et al .; patent of E.U.A. 4,597,898 to VanderMeer, issued July 1, 1986; patent request European Patent 112,592 to Gosselink, published July 4, 1984; EP-B-256,696 to Hull, issued December 13, 1989; patent of E.U.A. 4,537,706 to Severson, issued August 27, 1985; patent of E.U.A. 4,956,447 to Gosselink, et al., Issued September 11, 19990; and patent of E.U.A. No. 4,652,392 to Baginski, et al., Issued March 24, 1987. The typical solvent useful herein for pre-dissolving the detergent composition will be water, such as tap water, wash water, or water from other sources. However, other solvents may also be useful herein, as desired, such as alcohol, water, and mixtures thereof. Another optional feature is a pressure release mechanism that allows any buildup of pressure within the housing, for example, from an oxygen bleach, to slowly equalize at ambient pressure. This can be achieved through a small release valve, a waterproof seal, but not an air-proof seal, a threaded opening cover that requires many rotations to release, or any means known in the art. Preferably, when a predetermined amount of a detergent composition and a predetermined amount of a solvent are placed in the package, they form a fluid having a viscosity of less than about 500 centipoise (cP), preferably less than about 250 cP, as measured at approximately 21 ° C, by means of a Brookfield viscometer at a shear rate of ¡¡¡Faith, ^^ iarfea- ^. ^. ^ Ate ^ ^ ^ J ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ J ^^^ ^^ ^, &^^^^^^^ 1.0 rpm. Centipoise is the viscosity unit of cgs-metric system and has the dimensions of dina-seconds per square centimeter or grams per centimeter-second. Preferably, the size of the conduit for dispensing and / or the size of the opening is coordinated to this viscosity so that when manual pressure is not exerted on the container, and the container is in an orientation for dispensing, the fluid flow rate through the passage is at a rate of about 0 mL / min to about 300 mL / min, preferably from about 0 mL / min to less than about 100 mL / min, and more preferably from about 0 mL / min to less than about 25 mL / min. Nevertheless, if the container and / or housing is formed of an elastic material, the manual pressure exerted on the container and / or housing can cause the flow rate to increase beyond 300 mL / min. Another optional feature that is preferred is at least one level indicator that informs the user as to how much detergent, and / or solvent, should be added to the package. In a preferred embodiment, the level indicator is molded into the housing during the production process. In a preferred embodiment, the package has more than one level indicator, preferably more than two level indicators. In a more preferred embodiment, the package has a group of level indicators for treating soiled garments in a normal manner, and a separate group of level indicators for treating heavily soiled garments. The level indicators also serve the dual purpose of acting as a friction surface.

The level indicators can serve as a group of instructions for use to use the container, and / or the detergent and solvent composition in combination. Accordingly, a highly preferred embodiment of the package herein contains instructions for use, either in fact on the package, or otherwise provided with the package, for example, as part of a kit. Preferably, the level indicator (s), the instructions for use, etc., are printed, in silkscreen, engraved, molded in or otherwise adhered to the package, by means, for example, of an adhesive or label. Examples of the invention are hereinafter set forth by way of illustration and are not intended to be in any way limiting the invention, since many variations thereto are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Figure 1, and has the following additional features: the housing is a cylindrical housing having a circular cross section, which is formed of a transparent injection molded polypropylene and has a plurality of friction surfaces on the outer side thereof. The housing is transparent so that the user can easily and quickly judge the level of detergent and solvent therein. The accommodation is about 0.8 mm thick, and is slightly elastic enough to allow a user to increase the flow rate of detergent and solvent through the opening, by squeezing the package housing during use. This method of flow control is easy and intuitive for the user. The housing has a cover member adhered thereto. The housing is approximately 65 mm in diameter where it joins the cap member, and tapers to approximately 55 mm at the base of the housing. This tapered cylindrical housing has a circular cross section therethrough, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The housing easily maintains a round shape and easily attaches to the cap member to form a waterproof seal. The housing has a plurality of level indicators to indicate the amount of detergent and solvent composition to be added thereto. The cap member is formed of high density opaque polyethylene which is slightly softer than the polypropylene of the remainder of the housing. The housing and the cover member can be joined together with a screw type closure and contain an inner piston seal. The combination of this softer lid member and a harder housing allows the formation of a waterproof seal without additional rubber or formed plastic gaskets, or costly closures, such as those that require very close manufacturing tolerances in order to to avoid leaks. A round brush and a flow restriction portion are formed as a single piece of high density polyethylene combined with low polyethylene. density, which is permanently secured to the distal end of the cap member. The flow restriction portion contains a single round opening of approximately 2.8 mm in diameter at the center of the brush (and therefore an opening area of approximately 6.1 mm2). The neck portion is curved, and aligns the opening to an opening angle of approximately 135 degrees. Adjacent to the brush on the outside of the cover member is a notch that allows a user to easily remove the opening cover, which is explained below. The cap member has a plurality of friction surfaces on the exterior thereof, to allow a user to easily seal and remove the seal from the cap member and the housing. A round opening cover formed of transparent polypropylene covers the opening and the brush. The opening cover contains an opening plunger that extends through the opening, and about 1 mm beyond the inner opening edge toward the distal end of the cap member. The opening plunger and opening form a waterproof seal, as does the opening cover and the cover member. The aperture cover has a plurality of friction surfaces that allow a user to easily grip the aperture cover and remove it from the cap member. The container does not contain a filter.

****** A - ** tfr? F '"* - * ¡¡, ¡" ,,, l,? ^ »Maa« ^ ft *' * "fr - * ^^ tfÉflfr ...

EXAMPLE 2 Approximately 25 g of the following granular detergent compositions are added to a container as described in Example 1, together with 60 mL of tap water. The detergent and water are shaken vigorously for 1 minute, and are used to pre-treat specific areas of a fabric before washing in a regular wash cycle. *. ..,.go. t * to J¿e j ¿, a¡ & ¡-. { . * - .. ¡. ? k: '* Í- Áa * ik .. ^ * ¿* - - t ... ¡J ** lÍk * Í. i Definitions of components: MA / AA (1): Copolymer of 1: 4 maleic / acrylic acid, average molecular weight of approximately 70,000. DTPMP (2): Diethylenetriaminpenta (methylenephosphonate) marketed by Monsanto under the trade name Dequest 2060. C? 4.? 5E7 (3): condensed linear primary alcohol of C-? 4-C-? 5 with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide. QEA (4): bis ((C2H5O) (C2H4O) n) (CH3) -N + -C6H12-N + - (CH3) bis ((C2H5O) - (C2H4O)) n, wherein n = from 20 to 30. QAS (5): R2-N + (CH3) 2 (C2H4OH) with R2 = C8-Cu SKS-6 (6): layered crystalline sodium silicate marketed by Hoechst. ttk .- *. & rc *. jp ¿£ * u MM? tiaF? fte3 * 8 &¡-i * .i * aái? é * uí. * EXAMPLE 3 Approximately 25 g of the following granular detergent compositions are added to a container as described in Example 1, together with 160 mL of tap water. The detergent and water are vigorously stirred for one minute, and used to pre-treat specific areas of a cloth before washing in a regular wash cycle.

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A method for pre-dissolving a detergent composition comprising the steps of: A) providing a hand-held package comprising: i) a housing comprising a conduit for dispensing; a) the passage for dispensing comprises a distant end; and b) a flow restriction portion at the distal end, the flow restriction portion comprises at least one opening; and ii) an aperture cover comprising an aperture plunger corresponding to each aperture, in which when the aperture cover covers the distal end, each aperture plunger passes substantially through an aperture; B) provide a detergent composition; C) adding a predetermined amount of the detergent composition to the housing; D) adding a solvent to the housing; E) seal the housing; and F) shaking the housing to form a pre-dissolved detergent composition.

2. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the opening has an area of about 0.2 mm2 to about 500 mm2.

3. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the package does not have a filter.

4. - The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that when the opening cover covers the distal end, the opening and the opening plunger form a substantially waterproof seal.

5. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the housing has a circular cross section.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an applicator in relation associated with the opening.

7. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the passage for dispensing further comprises a neck portion disposed inwardly of the distal end, the neck portion has at least an opening angle of from about 120 degrees to about 150. degrees as measured between a vertical line drawn through the housing and a line that runs through and parallel to the orientation of the opening.

8. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the housing further comprises at least one friction surface.

9. The package according to claim 1, further characterized in that the housing also comprises instructions for use.

10. - A method for pre-treating a garment with a pre-dissolved detergent composition comprising the steps of: A) providing a hand-held container comprising: i) a housing comprising a passage for dispensing; a) the passage for dispensing comprises a distant end; and b) a flow restriction portion at the distal end, the flow restriction portion comprises at least one opening; and ii) an aperture cover comprising an aperture plunger corresponding to each aperture, in which when the aperture cover covers the distal end, each aperture plunger passes substantially through an aperture; B) provide a detergent composition; C) adding a predetermined amount of the detergent composition to the housing; D) adding a solvent to the housing; E) seal the housing; F) shaking the housing to form a pre-dissolved detergent composition; and G) pretreating the garment with the pre-dissolved detergent composition. . a.n «« afck. -. , üfüM ***. kAs.¿iA * i * & ^ rfá ?? a ?? fríl £? i »^ ¿^ ÍÍ« MÍlMHBBl