US20170298558A1

US20170298558A1 - Washing machines comprising load size indicators

Info

Publication number: US20170298558A1
Application number: US15/099,673
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack Wesley English, III; Gary James Dechert; Eric Douglas BANKS
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 2016-04-15
Filing date: 2016-04-15
Publication date: 2017-10-19
Also published as: WO2017180805A1

Abstract

Automatic washing machines having at a plurality of load size indicators. Processes of treating fabric articles using such machines. Instructional systems that include a plurality of load size indicators.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to automatic washing machines having at a plurality of load size indicators. The present disclosure further relates to processes of treating fabric articles using such machines. The present disclosure further relates to instructional systems that include a plurality of load size indicators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To achieve optimal performance benefits when washing or otherwise treating laundry, the recommended dosage of fabric care treatment composition, such as a conventional detergent, is typically dependent on the size of load to be treated. Small loads require smaller amounts of a treatment composition, while larger loads require larger amounts. However, modern developments in laundry practices and technologies have removed some of the traditional cues that users have used to estimate load sizes and dosage levels, thereby leading to mis-dosing and suboptimal performance.
Changes in modern automatic washing machines have contributed to this problem. For example, traditional machines often require a user to actively select a load size before starting the machine; however, modern machines may automatically sense the size of a load, thereby removing the necessity to proactively assess load size. Consumers who grew up with top-loading washing machines may be accustomed to using the agitator and/or the inner wall of the drum of the machine as a visual yardstick when assessing laundry loads from a top-view perspective; however, front-loading machines are becoming more popular and do not offer the same visual cues. Additionally, the inner volume of laundry machines have, on average, become larger, so that a half-full machine today may actually contain a greater amount of laundry than a half-full machine of yesteryear.
Packages of fabric care treatment compositions often include graphical indicia that guide a user to use the recommended dose for a particular load size. Compared to textual instructions, graphical indicia may be easier to understand for a variety of users, such as those who do not speak or read a local language. These graphical indicia often illustrate laundry load size in terms of a traditional wide-mouthed laundry basket. However, it may be challenging for a user to properly correlate his or her actual load size to the load size (and consequent dose) shown on the graphical indicia. For example, commercially available baskets do not have a standardized volume. Additionally, modern consumers may not even use a traditional basket. Instead, they may use collapsible containers, flexible bags, or taller baskets with a smaller footprint, as such containers may be preferred for space, cost, and/or aesthetic reasons.
Finally, modern forms of fabric care compositions may contribute to dosing problems as well. For example, water-soluble pouches that encapsulate fabric care compositions offer the no-mess convenience of a pre-measured unitized dose. However, the dosing options offered by such pouches are digital—a consumer can add one, two, three, etc., pouches—and do not allow for intermediate volumes, whereas a consumer who used a traditional liquid detergent with a dosing cap could add a little more or a little less than the recommended dose of detergent, depending on his/her assessment of the load size. Furthermore, a user may be uncertain as to whether he or she is “allowed” to use more than one pouch for a load, particular in modern high-efficiency washing machines, which employ lower water volumes than traditional machines.
Given the challenges above, there is a need for systems and methods that improve a user's ability to assess laundry load size and provide the appropriate dosage of a fabric care composition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to automatic washing machines having at a plurality of load size indicators. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an automatic fabric washing machine that includes: a drum having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume; a first load size indicator disposed on or adjacent the drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into the interior volume of the drum, the first load size indicator further including at least a first dosing indicia, the first dosing indicia indicating a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size; and a second load size indicator disposed on or adjacent the drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a second load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into the interior volume of the drum, the second load size indicator further including at least a second dosing indicia indicating a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size; where the first and second dosing indicia are different from each other and are located separately from each other.
The present disclosure further relates to processes of treating fabric articles, where the process includes the steps of: providing an automatic fabric washing machine that has at least a first load size indicator and a second load size indicator as described herein; providing fabric articles having a provided load size to the interior volume of the drum; determining a matched load size the indicator selected from at least the first and second load size indicator by comparing the provided load size to the first and/or second load size indicator and determining which load size indicated by the visual or tactile indication more closely approximates the provided load size; providing to the fabric articles the appropriate dose of the fabric care composition indicated by the dosing indicia of the matched load size indicator; and starting a treatment cycle of the machine.
The present disclosure further relates to instructional systems that are designed to be affixed to an automatic fabric washing machine that has a drum with an interior volume. The instructional system may include a substrate with a printed side and an application side opposite the printed side, where the printed side includes a first load size indicator and a second load size indicator as described herein, and where the application side is capable of being affixed to a surface of an automatic fabric washing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are intended to be illustrative in nature only and are not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 1 shows an automatic top-loading washing machine.

FIG. 2 shows an automatic front-loading washing machine.

FIG. 3 shows first and second load size indicators according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an automatic top-loading washing machine according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an automatic top-loading washing machine according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an automatic top-loading washing machine that includes a load size of fabric articles according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an automatic front-loading washing machine according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of an automatic front-loading washing machine according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of an automatic front-loading washing machine according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of an automatic front-loading washing machine according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of an automatic front-loading washing machine that includes a load size of fabric articles according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows an instructional system according to the present disclosure according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure improves a user's ability to assess laundry load size by providing load size indicators on an automatic fabric washing machine in close proximity to fabric articles once the articles are loaded into the machine. Because the load size indicators are directly on the machine, a user can quickly, accurately, and consistently assess the load size, removing some guess-work. Such assessment of load size is thereby decoupled from a user's laundry basket (if any), a common reference point on instructional labels.
Additionally, the indicators may further include dosing indicia that indicate a fabric care composition dosage amount that is appropriate for a given load size. After a user has placed fabric articles into the drum of the machine, the user can compare the amount of the articles to the nearest load size indicator and readily determine the proper dosage amount for that particular load size. Using the proper amount of fabric care composition may ensure that a sufficient amount of the composition is used to effectively treat the fabric load without over-dosing the composition.

Definitions

As used herein, articles such as “a” and “an” when used in a claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described.
As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “comprises,” “include,” “includes,” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting.
The term “substantially free of” as used herein refers to either the complete absence of an ingredient or a minimal amount thereof merely as impurity or unintended byproduct of another ingredient. In some aspects, “substantially free” means that the composition comprises less than about 0.1%, or less than 0.01%, or even 0% of an ingredient.
As used herein, the term “solid” includes granular, powder, bar, and tablet product forms.
As used herein, the term “fluid” includes liquid, gel, paste, and gas product forms.
As used herein, the term “liquid” refers to a fluid having a viscosity of from about 1 mPa*s to about 2000 mPa*s, preferably from about 40 mPa*s to about 1000 mPa*s, more preferably from about 70 mPa*s to about 600 mPa*s at 25° C. at a shear rate of 1000 s⁻¹. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the liquid may be in the range of from about 50 mPa*s to about 200 mPa*s at 25° C. at a shear rate of 1000 s⁻¹. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the liquid may be in the range of from about 250 mPa*s to about 500 mPa*s at 25° C. at a shear rate of 1000 s⁻¹. The liquids may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian (shear thinning) liquids.
As used herein, “fabric care compositions” include fabric detergents, fabric softeners, 2-in-1 detergent and softening, pre-treatment compositions and the like. Fabric care compositions may comprise typical fabric care adjuncts, including surfactants, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach activators, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, additional perfume and perfume delivery systems, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, pigments, and mixtures thereof. The composition may be a laundry detergent composition comprising an adjunct selected from the group comprising a shading dye, surfactant, polymers, perfumes, encapsulated perfume materials, structurant, and mixtures thereof. The fabric care composition may be used during any suitable part of the treatment process, including the main wash process, or as a pre-treatment or a soaking composition.
All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements herein are conducted at 20° C. and under the atmospheric pressure.
In all embodiments of the present invention, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are weight ratios, unless specifically stated otherwise.

Automatic Fabric Washing Machines

The present disclosure relates to automatic fabric washing machines 100. Suitable automatic fabric washing machines 100 include top-loading washing machines 101 and front-loading washing machines 102. Machine may be traditional or high-efficiency machines.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, automatic washing machines 101, 102 typically include a drum 110 having a closed end 112, an open end 114, a drum wall 116 typically disposed between the closed end 112 and open end 114, and an interior volume 118. The machine 101, 102 may include a rim 120 proximal to the open end 114, typically adjacent to and encircling it. The drum 110 may be sized and configured to receive fabric articles 600 to be treated. The drum 110 may be rotatable, for example, rotatable about an axis of rotation (R-R).
The automatic fabric washing machine 101, 102 may include a recloseable door 130 that provides access to the drum 110. The door 130 may have an open position and a closed position. The door 130 may include an interior surface 132 that faces the interior volume 118 of the drum 110 when the door 130 is in a closed position. The door 130 may include an exterior surface 134 opposing the interior surface 132. The door 130 may include a window 136, which may allow a user to see the interior volume 118 of the drum and contents therein when the door 130 and/or window 136 is in a closed position. The window may have a periphery 138.
The automatic fabric washing machine 100, particularly top-loading washing machines 101, may include an agitator 140 inside the drum 110. The agitator 140 may rotate around an axis of rotation (R-R). The agitator 140 may extend axially from the closed end 112 of the drum 110 along the axis of rotation (R-R).
Examples of commercially available automatic washing machines that are suitable for the presently disclosed subject matter are available from Kenmore, Maytag, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung, and Electrolux.

Load Size Indicators

The present disclosure further relates to load size indicators, including a plurality of load size indicators. The load size indicators may include, for example, a first load size indicator 200 and a second load size indicator 300, and may even include a third load size indicator 400.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary first load size indicator 200 and second load size indicator 300. The first load size indicator 200 includes a visual or tactile indication 210, illustrated in FIG. 3 as an arrow 213 having a first color 214. The first load size indicator 200 also includes a dosing indicia 220, illustrated in FIG. 3 as a unitized dose article 224. The second load size indicator 300 also includes a visual or tactile indication 310, illustrated in FIG. 3 as an arrow 313 having a second color 314. The second load size indicator 300 also includes a dosing indicia 320, illustrated in FIG. 3 as two unitized dose articles 324. The elements of the load size indicators 200, 300, 400 are discussed in more detail below, and exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 4-11 on various washing machines 101, 102.
The load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may include a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed in the interior volume of the drum.
At least one load size indicator 200, 300, 400 may provide a visual indication. At least one of the first and second load size indicators may include a line 212, an arrow 213, a color 214, a textual indicia, or combinations thereof.
At least one of the load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may include a line 212. The line 212 may be a segment having a first end and a second end. The line 212 may form a closed shape. For example, the line 212 may be located on a drum wall 116 and may encircle the drum 110, going all the way around.
At least one of the load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may include a color 214. The first load size indicator 200 may include a first color 214, and the second load size indicator 300 may include a second color 314. The second color 314 may be different than the first color 214, so that the first and second load size indicators 200, 300 may be more easily distinguishable.
At least one of the load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may include textual indicia. For example, the indicia may display text that signals a relative load size, such as “M” or “MEDIUM” and/or “L” or “LARGE” and/or even “XL” or “EXTRA LARGE.”
At least one of the load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may provide a tactile indication. At least one of the indicators 200, 300, 400 may include a raised surface and/or a lowered surface compared to an adjacent surface. The adjacent surface may be integral part of the automatic washing machine 100.
The load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may further include dosing indicia 220, 320, 420. The dosing indicia 220, 320, 420 may indicate an appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a predetermined estimate of a load size. The predetermined estimate of a load size may be based on any suitable amount of fabric articles 600. The estimate of load size may be based on an estimate of the absolute amount of fabric articles 600 in a given load. For example, the load size may be from about 1 kg to about 12 kg, or from about 2 kg to about 5 kg of fabric articles. The estimate of load size may relate to a feature of the machine. For example, the load size may be a fraction of the interior volume 118 of the drum 110, such as from about 1% to about 100% of the interior volume 118. The first load size of fabric articles 600 may be a first fraction of the interior volume 118, where the first fraction is from about 5% to about 50% of the interior volume. The second load size of fabric articles may be a second fraction of the interior volume 118, where the second fraction is from about 30%, or from about 50%, to about 100%, or up to about 75% of the interior volume 118. The second fraction may be greater than the first fraction.
A first load size indicator 200 may include a first dosing indicia 220, which may indicate a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size. A second load size indicator 300 may include a second dosing indicia 320, which may indicate a second appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size.
The first and second dosing indicia 220, 320 may be different from each other. The first and second dosing indicia 220, 320 may be located apart from each other. The dosing indicia 220, 320 may be located proximate to the visual or tactile indication 210, 310.
The dosing indicia 220, 320 indicate an appropriate dose of a fabric care composition. An appropriate dose may be any dose of a fabric care composition that is suitable for the estimated load size. The dosing indicia 220, 320 may indicate doses as amounts of unitized dose articles 224, 324, such as water-soluble pouches. A first dosing indicia 220 may indicate a first amount of unitized dose articles 224, such as one. A second dosing indicia 320 may indicate a second amount of unitized dose articles 324, such as two. The appropriate doses may also be represented as volumes 226, 326, 426, such as volumes of a dosing cup 228, 328, 428. A first volume 226 may be different than a second volume 326. The appropriate doses may include one dosing form, such as unitized dose articles 224, 324, 424 or volumes 226, 326, 426 of a dosing cup 228, 328, 428, or multiple dosing forms, such as both. The dosing indicia 220, 320 may be associated with or labeled as a particular brand of a fabric care composition, such as TIDE, GAIN, and/or ARIEL, available from The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
The automatic fabric washing machine 100 may further include a third load size indicator 400 disposed on or adjacent the drum 110 and providing a visual or tactile indication 410 to a user of a third load size of fabric articles 600 when such articles 600 are placed in the interior volume 118 of the drum 110. The third load size indicator 400 may further include at least a third dosing indicia 420 that indicates a third appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a predetermined estimate of load size. The third dosing indicia 420 may be different from the first and second dosing indicia 220, 320. The third dosing indicia 420 may be located separately from the first and second dosing indicia 220, 320.
The load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may be located on or in an automatic fabric washing machine 100. The load size indicator may be affixed to the machine 100, for example in the form of a sticker, or the indicators may be formed integrally with the material of the machine 100.
The load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may be disposed on or adjacent a drum 110 of an automatic washing machine 100. At least one or more of the load size indicators may be disposed at any suitable location on the automatic washing machine 100. The location may be selected from the group consisting of a door 130, a rim 120 proximal to the open end 114 of the drum 110, a window 136, a drum wall 116, an agitator 140, or a combination thereof.
The automatic fabric washing machine 100 may be an automatic top-loading washing machine 101, and at least one of a first load size indicator 200 and a second load size indicator 300 may be disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a drum wall 116, an agitator 140, or a combination thereof. The automatic fabric washing machine 100 may be an automatic front-loading washing machine 102, and at least one of a first load size indicator 200 and a second load size indicator 300 may be disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door 130, a rim 120 proximate to an open end 114 of a drum 110, a window 136, or a combination thereof. The location may be a rim 120 proximate to an open end of a drum 110.
Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 4 and 5 show exemplary cross-section views of automatic top-loading washing machines 101 as viewed along the line 1-1 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the visual or tactile indications 210, 310 of the load size indicators 200, 300 are located on the drum wall 116 of the drum 110 of the machine 101. The load size indicators 200, 300 include lines 212, 312 that encircle the drum 110. In FIG. 5, the visual or tactile indications 210, 310 of load size indicators 200, 300 are located on the agitator 140 of the machine 101. FIG. 6 shows fabric care articles 600 loaded into the drum 110 of an automatic top-loading machine 101. A second load size indicator 300, including a visual or tactile indication 310 and dosing indicia 320, are visible.
FIGS. 7-10 show exemplary front views of a front-loading washing machine 102. Each machine includes first, second, and third load size indicators 200, 300, 400. In FIG. 7, the indicators 200, 300, 400 are located on a rim 120 proximate to the drum 110 of the machine 102. The visual indications 210, 310, 410 include arrows 213, 313, 413. The visual indication 210, 310, 410 and/or the dosing indicia 220, 320, 420 may be found on either and/or opposing sides of the open end 114 of the drum. The indicators 200, 300, 400 are present as mirror images on opposing sides of the open end 114 of the drum.
In FIG. 8, the indicators 200, 300, 400 are located on or adjacent a rim 120 of the drum 110. The visual indicators 210, 310, 410 include first, second, and third colors 214, 314, 414, respectively that at least partially encircle the rim 120. The visual indication 210, 310, 410 and/or the dosing indicia 220, 320, 420 may be found on either and/or opposing sides of the open end 114 of the drum.
In FIG. 9, the indicators 200, 300, 400 are located on an interior surface 132 of the door 130 of the machine 102. More specifically, the indicators 200, 300, 400 are adjacent to the periphery 138 of the window 136. The visual indicators 210, 310, 410 may include a combination of lines 212, 312, 412, arrows 213, 313, 413, and/or colors.
In FIG. 10, the indicators 200, 300, 400 are located at the closed end 112 of the drum 110 of the machine 102. The indicators include first, second, and third colors 214, 314, 414, which may be used to distinguish the indicators from each other and make them easier for a user to determine load size. The machine may include a light in the drum 110, which may make the indicators 200, 300, 400 easier to see.

Process of Treating Fabric Articles

The present disclosure also relates to a process of treating fabric articles. More specifically, the process relates to using the load size indicators described herein to determine a load size of fabric articles and an appropriate dose of a fabric care composition for that load size, and then providing that appropriate dose to the articles.
The process may include providing an automatic fabric washing machine 100 as described herein. The machine 100 may have a drum 110 with a closed end 112, an open end 114, a drum wall 116, and an interior volume 118. The automatic fabric washing machine 100 may be an automatic top-loading washing machine 101 or an automatic front-loading washing machine 102.
The automatic fabric washing machine 100 may include load size indicators 200, 300, 400 as described herein. The machine 100 may include at least a first load size indicator 200 and a second load size indicator 300. The machine may further include a third load size indicator 400 as described herein.
The load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may be disposed on or adjacent a drum 110 of an automatic washing machine 100. At least one or more of the load size indicators 200, 300, 400 may be disposed at any suitable location on the automatic washing machine 100. The location may be selected from the group consisting of a door 130, a rim 120 proximal to the open end 114 of the drum 110, a window 136, a drum wall 116, an agitator 140, or a combination thereof.
The first load size indicator 200 may be disposed on or adjacent a drum 110 and provide a visual or tactile indication 210 to a user of a first load size of fabric articles 600 when such articles 600 are placed into the interior volume 118 of a drum. The first load size indicator 200 may further include at least a first dosing indicia 220, where the first dosing indicia 220 indicates a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size.
The second load size indicator 300 may be disposed on or adjacent a drum 110 and provide a visual or tactile indication 310 to a user of a second load size of fabric articles 600 when such articles 600 are placed into the interior volume 118 of a drum 110. The second load size indicator 300 may further include at least a second dosing indicia 320, where the second dosing indicia 320 indicates a second appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size.
The first and second indicia 220, 320 may be different from each other. The first and second indicia 220, 320 may be located apart from each other.
The machine may include a third load size indicator 400, as described herein.
The process may further include providing fabric articles 600 to the interior volume 118 of the drum. The fabric articles 600 may be characterized by a provided load size, measured in any suitable manner, such as by weight, by volume, or by fraction of a feature of the automatic fabric washing machine 100.
The process may further include determining a matched load size indicator. The matched load size indicator may be selected from at least the first and second load size indicators 200, 300. The matched load size indicator is determined by comparing the provided load size of fabric articles to the load size indicators (e.g., the first and/or the second load size indicators 200, 300) and determining which load size indicated by the visual or tactile indication 210, 310 more closely approximates the provided load size.
Once the matched load sized indicator is determined, a user may observe the dosing indicia to determine what dose is appropriate for the provided load size. For example, when the provided load size is up to 3 kg, or up to about 4.5 kg, or a first fraction (such as approximately up to about one-third, or up to about half) of the interior volume 118 of the drum, the appropriate dose may be one unitized dose article. When the provided load size is from about 3 kg, or from about 4.5 kg, up to about 7 kg, or a second fraction (such as approximately from about one-third, or from about half to about two-thirds, or to about three-quarters) of the interior volume 118 of the drum, the appropriate dose may be at least two or more unitized dose articles.
The process may further include providing to the fabric articles 600 the appropriate dose of a fabric care composition as indicated by the dosing indicia of the matched load size indicator.
The process may further include starting a treatment cycle of the automatic fabric washing machine. The treatment cycle may include washing, soaking, rinsing, draining, or a combination thereof. At the end of the treatment cycle, the fabric articles may be dried.
In FIG. 11, a front-loading washing machine 102 is shown, where fabric articles 600 have been placed into the drum 110. The load size indicators 200, 300, 400 are disposed adjacent the drum 100, specifically located at the rim 120 of the drum 100. The visual indications 210, 310, 410, include first, second, and third colors 214, 314, 314. The dosing indicia 220, 320, 420 use representations of unitized dose articles 224, 324, 424 to show appropriate dosage amounts for different load sizes. In FIG. 11, the provided load size of fabric articles 600 most closely aligns with the second load size indicator 300, which is coupled with a dosing indicia 310 showing that two unitized dose articles 324 is an appropriate dosage amount for the given load size. A user, then, may add two such articles to the drum 110 of the machine 102 and start the wash cycle.

Instructional System

The present disclosure also relates to instructional systems 500 that include load size indicators as described herein. The instructional systems 500 may be designed to be affixed to an automatic fabric washing machine 100 as described herein.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the instructional system 500 may include a substrate 510. The substrate 510 may have a printed side 520. The substrate 510 may have an application side 530 opposite the printed side 520. The instructional system 520 may be in the form of a sticker or a magnet.
Suitable substrates 510 may comprise cellulosic substrates and/or plastic substrates.
The printed side 520 may include the load size indicators 200, 300, 400 as described herein. For example, the printed side 520 may include a first load size indicator 200 providing a visual or tactile indication 210 to a user of a first load size of fabric articles 600 when such articles 600 are placed into said interior volume 118 of said drum 110, where the first load size indicator 200 further includes at least a first dosing indicia 220, where the first dosing indicia 220 indicates a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size. The printed side 520 may further include a second load size indicator 300 providing a visual or tactile indication 310 to a user of a second load size of fabric articles, where the second load size indicator 310 further includes at least a second dosing indicia 320, where the second dosing indicia 320 indicates a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size.
The first and second dosing indicia 200, 300 of the instructional system 500 may be different from each other. The first and second dosing indicia 200, 300 may be located away from each other. The first dosing indicia 200 may be located on a first portion 522. The second dosing indicia 300 may be located on a second portion 524. The first and second portions 522, 524 may be separable. For example, the first portion 522 may be a first sticker or magnet, and the second portion 524 may be a second sticker or magnet.
The instructional system 500 may include a third dosing indicia 400 as described herein.
The application side 530 may be capable of being affixed to a surface of an automatic fabric washing machine 100. The application side may include an adhesive 532 or a magnetic surface.

Examples

The following numbered paragraphs provide examples of the subject matter described herein. The examples are intended to be illustrative and non-limiting.
1. An automatic fabric washing machine comprising: a drum having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume; a first load size indicator disposed on or adjacent said drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the first load size indicator further including at least a first dosing indicia, said first dosing indicia indicating a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size; and a second load size indicator disposed on or adjacent said drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a second load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the second load size indicator further including at least a second dosing indicia indicating a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size, wherein the first and second dosing indicia are different from each other and are located separately from each other.
2. An automatic fabric washing machine according to paragraph 1, wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximal to said open end, a window, a drum wall, an agitator, or a combination thereof.
3. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-2, wherein said automatic washing machine is an automatic top-loading washing machine, and wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a drum wall, an agitator, or a combination thereof.
4. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-3, wherein said automatic fabric washing machine is an automatic front-loading washing machine.
5. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-4, wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximate to said open end, a window, or a combination thereof.
6. An automatic fabric washing machine according to paragraph 5, wherein said at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at said rim proximate to said open end.
7. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-6, wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators provides a visual indication.
8. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-7, wherein said at least one of said first and second load size indicators comprises a line, an arrow, a color, a textual indicia, or combinations thereof.
9. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-8, wherein said first load size indicator comprises a first color, and wherein said second load size indicator comprises a second color, wherein said second color is different than said first color.
10. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-9, wherein said load size indicator is affixed to said machine.
11. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-10, wherein said first and second appropriate doses are first and second amounts of unitized dose articles.
12. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-11, wherein said first load size of fabric articles is up to about 3 kg of fabric articles, and wherein said second load size of fabric articles is from about 3 kg to about 7 kg.
13. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-12, wherein said first load size of fabric articles is a first fraction of said interior volume, wherein said first fraction is from about 5% to about 50% of said interior volume.
14. An automatic fabric washing machine according any of paragraphs 1-14, wherein said machine further comprises a third load size indicator disposed on or adjacent said drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a third load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, said third load size indicator further including at least a third dosing indicia indicating a third appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a third predetermined estimate of load size, wherein said third dosing indicia is different from said first and second dosing indicia and is located separately from said first and second dosing indicia.
15. A process of treating fabric articles, comprising the steps of: providing an automatic fabric washing machine, said machine comprising: a drum having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume, and at least a first load size indicator and a second load size indicator, wherein said first load size indicator is disposed on or adjacent said drum and provides a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the first load size indicator further including at least a first dosing indicia, said first dosing indicia indicating a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size, and wherein said second load size indicator is disposed on or adjacent said drum and provides a visual or tactile indication to a user of a second load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the second load size indicator further including at least a second dosing indicia indicating a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size, wherein the first and second dosing indicia are different from each other and are located separately from each other; providing fabric articles having a provided load size to said interior volume of said drum; determining a matched load size indicator selected from at least said first and second load size indicator by comparing said provided load size to said first and/or second load size indicator and determining which load size indicated by said visual or tactile indication more closely approximates said provided load size; providing to said fabric articles the appropriate dose of said fabric care composition indicated by the dosing indicia of said matched load size indicator; and starting a treatment cycle of said machine.
16. A process according to paragraph 15, wherein one or more of said at least first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximal to said open end, a window, a drum wall, an agitator, or a combination thereof.
17. A process according to any of paragraphs 15-16, wherein said automatic fabric washing machine is an automatic front-loading washing machine.
18. A process according to any of paragraphs 15-17, wherein one or more of said at least first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximate to said open end, a window, or a combination thereof.
19. A process according to any of paragraphs 15-18, wherein said first and second appropriate doses are first and second amounts of unitized dose articles.
20. A process according to any of paragraphs 15-19, wherein said provided load size is from about 3 kg up to about 7 kg and wherein said appropriate dose of said matched load size indicator is at least two unitized dose articles.
21. An instructional system designed to be affixed to an automatic fabric washing machine having a drum with an interior volume, wherein said instructional system comprises a substrate with a printed side and an application side opposite said printed side, wherein said printed side comprises a first load size indicator providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles, the first load size indicator further including at least a first dosing indicia, said first dosing indicia indicating a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size; and a second load size indicator providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a second load size of fabric articles, the second load size indicator further including at least a second dosing indicia indicating a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size, wherein the first and second dosing indicia are different from each other and are located separately from each other; and wherein said application side is capable of being affixed to a surface of an automatic fabric washing machine.
22. An instructional system according to paragraph 21, wherein said application side comprises an adhesive.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic fabric washing machine comprising:

a drum having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume;

a first load size indicator disposed on or adjacent said drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the first load size indicator further including at least a first dosing indicia, said first dosing indicia indicating a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size; and

a second load size indicator disposed on or adjacent said drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a second load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the second load size indicator further including at least a second dosing indicia indicating a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size,

wherein the first and second dosing indicia are different from each other and are located separately from each other.

2. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximal to said open end, a window, a drum wall, an agitator, or a combination thereof.

3. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said automatic washing machine is an automatic top-loading washing machine, and wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a drum wall, an agitator, or a combination thereof.

4. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said automatic fabric washing machine is an automatic front-loading washing machine.

5. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximate to said open end, a window, or a combination thereof.

6. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 5, wherein said at least one of said first and second load size indicators is disposed at said rim proximate to said open end.

7. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second load size indicators provides a visual indication.

8. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 7, wherein said at least one of said first and second load size indicators comprises a line, an arrow, a color, a textual indicia, or combinations thereof.

9. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 8, wherein said first load size indicator comprises a first color, and wherein said second load size indicator comprises a second color, wherein said second color is different than said first color.

10. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said load size indicator is affixed to said machine.

11. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said first and second appropriate doses are first and second amounts of unitized dose articles.

12. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said first load size of fabric articles is up to about 3 kg of fabric articles, and wherein said second load size of fabric articles is from about 3 kg to about 7 kg.

13. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said first load size of fabric articles is a first fraction of said interior volume, wherein said first fraction is from about 5% to about 50% of said interior volume.

14. An automatic fabric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said machine further comprises a third load size indicator disposed on or adjacent said drum and providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a third load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, said third load size indicator further including at least a third dosing indicia indicating a third appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a third predetermined estimate of load size,

wherein said third dosing indicia is different from said first and second dosing indicia and is located separately from said first and second dosing indicia.

15. A process of treating fabric articles, comprising the steps of:

providing an automatic fabric washing machine, said machine comprising:

a drum having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume, and

at least a first load size indicator and a second load size indicator,

wherein said first load size indicator is disposed on or adjacent said drum and provides a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the first load size indicator further including at least a first dosing indicia, said first dosing indicia indicating a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size, and

wherein said second load size indicator is disposed on or adjacent said drum and provides a visual or tactile indication to a user of a second load size of fabric articles when such articles are placed into said interior volume of said drum, the second load size indicator further including at least a second dosing indicia indicating a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size,

wherein the first and second dosing indicia are different from each other and are located separately from each other;

providing fabric articles having a provided load size to said interior volume of said drum;

determining a matched load size indicator selected from at least said first and second load size indicator by comparing said provided load size to said first and/or second load size indicator and determining which load size indicated by said visual or tactile indication more closely approximates said provided load size;

providing to said fabric articles the appropriate dose of said fabric care composition indicated by the dosing indicia of said matched load size indicator; and

starting a treatment cycle of said machine.

16. A process according to claim 15, wherein one or more of said at least first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximal to said open end, a window, a drum wall, an agitator, or a combination thereof.

17. A process according to claim 15, wherein said automatic fabric washing machine is an automatic front-loading washing machine.

18. A process according to claim 17, wherein one or more of said at least first and second load size indicators is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of a door, a rim proximate to said open end, a window, or a combination thereof.

19. A process according to claim 15, wherein said first and second appropriate doses are first and second amounts of unitized dose articles.

20. A process according to claim 15, wherein said provided load size is from about 3 kg up to about 7 kg and wherein said appropriate dose of said matched load size indicator is at least two unitized dose articles.

21. An instructional system designed to be affixed to an automatic fabric washing machine having a drum with an interior volume,

wherein said instructional system comprises a substrate with a printed side and an application side opposite said printed side,

wherein said printed side comprises

a first load size indicator providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a first load size of fabric articles, the first load size indicator further including at least a first dosing indicia, said first dosing indicia indicating a first appropriate dose of a fabric care composition based on a first predetermined estimate of load size; and

a second load size indicator providing a visual or tactile indication to a user of a second load size of fabric articles, the second load size indicator further including at least a second dosing indicia indicating a second appropriate dose of fabric care composition based on a second predetermined estimate of load size,

and wherein said application side is capable of being affixed to a surface of an automatic fabric washing machine.

22. An instructional system according to claim 21, wherein said application side comprises an adhesive.