WO1994011562A1 - Improvements in the dispensing of detergent - Google Patents
Improvements in the dispensing of detergent Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994011562A1 WO1994011562A1 PCT/EP1993/003105 EP9303105W WO9411562A1 WO 1994011562 A1 WO1994011562 A1 WO 1994011562A1 EP 9303105 W EP9303105 W EP 9303105W WO 9411562 A1 WO9411562 A1 WO 9411562A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- dispensing device
- hollow body
- tines
- detergent
- fact
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
- D06F39/024—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers
Definitions
- This invention relates to the dispensing of detergent or
- 10 form comprises a hollow body having an opening through which the required dose of the composition can be filled into the dispensing device and through which the composition is dispensed as the device is agitated by the rotation of the washing machine drum during the wash
- the opening must be large enough to allow the user to continuously fill the device with the detergent composition but this can lead to the composition being dispensed in concentrated form before it becomes diluted with wash liquor entering the device.
- composition when the composition is contacted by the wash liquor there is a tendency for the composition to form a gel which is then dispensed in one or more pieces. Again depending upon the nature of the composition it can be found that the
- 25 concentration of the dispensed gel can lead to staining or bleaching of the textile articles being treated.
- An object of the invention is to provide an improved detergent dispensing device and a process for producing same.
- a further object is to provide an improved process for treating textile articles in a washing machine.
- a dispensing device for dispensing detergent or like composition in a washing machine comprising a hollow body having an opening for filling the device and through which the composition is dispensed characterised in that a plurality of tines are provided within the hollow body having one end attached to the hollow body and extending towards the interior of the hollow body. Because the tines extend into the hollow body any gel that is formed by the composition and the wash liquor becomes entrapped by the tines and agitated or broken up into smaller discrete portions before being released from the tines and then being free to be dispensed through the opening. The tines do not however impede the user filling the device with the composition prior to use.
- the tines have free ends which are disposed above the filling level to which the device is filled with the composition to be dispensed. This minimises the risk of a gel being formed within the hollow body such that a volume of gel is above the free ends of the tines and which can become dispensed in a single portion.
- the tines are preferably attached to the body at a level below the filling level to which the device is filled with the composition to be dispensed. This ensures that any gel is formed around the tines and the gel must therefore be broken up into smaller portions before being released through the opening in the device.
- the surface of the tines can be smooth but if desired the tines can have an irregular surface to enhance the adhesion of any gel to the tines and thereby further ensure that the gel is only released in small portions.
- a number of the tines can terminate in free ends within the hollow body and adjacent the opening, a free area between the free ends of the tines being smaller than that of the opening.
- the free ends of the tines thus restrict the effective size of the opening in the device in which textile articles can become entangled but without significantly obscuring the opening to impede the user filling the device with the desired composition.
- the lengths of the tine can even be such that the free end of one tine interdigitates between two other tines extending from substantially the opposite side of the hollow body to ' completely obscure the opening but again without impairing the ease with which the user can fill the device.
- the tines can extend from the inner wall of the hollow body in a direction oblique to the plane of the opening.
- the tines are preferably resilient so that in the event of any textile articles entering the opening of the device to an extent sufficient for the articles to become engaged with the tines the tines will flex and not damage the textile articles.
- the tines are particularly effective in breaking up any gel that forms within the hollow body if the hollow body is resilient to be deformed by textile articles in the drum and return to its original shape when the deforming force is removed. As the hollow body is deformed the position of one or more of the tines within the hollow body is varied. The tines thus moving within the hollow body effect a stirring action within any gel that has formed. This stirring action tends to break up the gel. Furthermore it causes the gel to mix with further wash liquor which enters the device through the opening, the additional wash liquor helping to break down the gel and allow the composition to be dispensed in less concentrated form.
- the invention also provides a process for treating textile articles in a washing machine with a detergent or like composition contained in a dispensing device, comprising placing the device in the drum of the machine with the textile articles to be treated, the device being freely movable in the drum, and starting the machine characterised in that the detergent or like composition is agitated by a number of elongated elements within the device and is released from elongated elements and discharged through an opening in the device.
- the invention also provides a process for producing a dispensing device comprising moulding a hollow body having an opening characterised in that the moulding comprises the steps of introducing a male moulding element having a plurality of cavities into a female moulding element, injecting plastics material between the male and female moulding elements to form the hollow body having a plurality of internal tines corresponding to the plurality of cavities on the male element, separating the male and female moulding elements and projecting the hollow body from the male element.
- the detergent or other composition can be in a powder, liquid or solid form where the solid form may encapsulate the powder or liquid form, in addition may be contained within a sachet or bag which in turn could be soluble or insoluble.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section along the line II-II of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a top view of the device of Figure 1;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dispensing device
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the dispensing device
- Figures 6,7 and 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating various stages in an injection moulding process for producing the dispensing device
- a dispensing device of the invention comprises a hollow body 1 having a general spherical shape with a top delivery mouth 2.
- the dispensing device comprises a number of tines elongated or elements 3a and 3b, in the form of small bars extending inwards from the side wall of the body into the body, in an oblique direction.
- the elongated elements 3a and 3b comprise a first upper group of bars 3a, arranged angularly spaced, forming a first conical envelope; and a second lower group 3b forming a second envelope.
- the elements 3a and 3b are also made of flexible material, and are preferably integrated into the wall of the body 1.
- the elongated elements 3a and 3b carry out a restraining function when the detergent consists of powder, preventing escape as a concentrated mass of paste or a bolus.
- these elements have an important agitating function inside the body 1 of the dispensing device and help to prevent unwanted entry of articles into the device.
- the elongated elements 3a, 3b Due to the impacts to which the dispensing device is subjected inside a washing-machine drum, and which cause crushing and deformation of its side wall, the elongated elements 3a, 3b are subjected to movement in various directions, causing the elongated elements to further penetrate the body 1, thus exerting a mixing effect very similar to that of a bar mixer.
- the penetrative movement of the elongated emements 3a, 3b causes agitation of detergent or other composition within the body.
- the elongated elements can destroy any lumps formed by the detergent powder and the washing liquor.
- the delivery mouth of the dispensing device is defined by a rib 4 and an axial neck 5.
- the function of the rib 4 will be described in more detail below.
- the elongated elements 3a and 3b may extend inwards to terminate in proximity to the rib 4 or extend some millimetres beyond the rib 4.
- the points of connection of the elongated elements 3a and 3b to the wall of the body 1 are located in the hemispherical part opposite the mouth 2, and hence (with reference to the figures) below the horizontal plane coinciding with the maximum diameter of the generally spherical body 1.
- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dispensing device in which the body 1 of the dispensing device comprises a number of teeth-like elongated elements 6 in the form of a baffle extending in a radial inwards direction above the rib 4 and in the same plane as the neck wall 5.
- the baffles 6 are formed of flexible plastics material integral with the body and serve to restrain detergent powder paste or gel, preventing its escape in the form of a bolus.
- FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the dispensing device in which the elongated elements consist of a number of baffles 8a and 8b arranged circumferentially about the spherical body 1.
- the baffles 8a, 8b are angularly spaced and extend upwards towards the mouth 2 from the base of the dispensing device body 1.
- a first group of baffles 8a extending in axial direction or oblique direction, defines a first outer chamber 9, while a second group of concentric baffles 8b defines an inner second and concentric chamber with opening 10. Restraint and agitation of a detergent composition can be further enhanced by incorporating the baffles illustrated in Figure 4 into the present embodiment .
- the dispensing device mouth is preferably produced by injection moulding in accordance with the steps or phases diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8.
- the figures show two half-moulds 11 and 12 and a male element 13 presenting cavities 14 of a shape complementary to that of the elongated elements to be made.
- the male mould 13 has a ring groove 15 corresponding to the rib 4 of the dispensing device as previously illustrated.
- the plastics material is injected through a duct 17 in the half-mould 12.
- the two half-moulds are then opened, as illustrated in Figure 7, and air is fed under pressure through the duct 16.
- Figures 9 to 13 show enlarged cross-sectional views of tines having different cross-sectional shapes for use with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.
- Figure 9 shows a tine having a cross-sectional shape in the form of a five pointed star.
- Figure 10 shows a tine having a cross-sectional shape with a toothed edge while Figure 11 shows a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape having an increased baffled effect.
- Figure 12 shows a tine having a half-moon type cross-sectional shape and
- Figure 13 shows a tine having a zig-zagged cross-sectional shape.
- a substantially spherical dispensing device is generally preferred.
- the body may take on other forms, for example a general circular- cylindrical form.
- the body of the container is preferably made of soft and flexible plastics material, for example PVC, polyurethane, polypropylene, propylene-ethylene copolymers (e.g. the HIPAX materials marketed by Himont) and various elastomers, but it may also be made of rigid plastics material.
- the material used has a hardness of less that 100 shore A.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Detergent Compositions (AREA)
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP6511688A JPH08502913A (ja) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-11-05 | 洗剤の供給における改良 |
EP94900105A EP0667925A1 (en) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-11-05 | Improvements in the dispensing of detergent |
AU54641/94A AU5464194A (en) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-11-05 | Improvements in the dispensing of detergent |
BR9307395A BR9307395A (pt) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-11-05 | Dispositivo distribuidor para distribuir detergente ou composi-Æo semelhante em uma m quina de lavar processos para produzir o mesmo e para tratar artigos t-xteis em uma m quina de lavar |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITTO920905A IT1257270B (it) | 1992-11-06 | 1992-11-06 | Perfezionamenti relativi ai dispositivi erogatori/dosatori per detergenti. |
ITTO92A000905 | 1992-11-06 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1994011562A1 true WO1994011562A1 (en) | 1994-05-26 |
Family
ID=11410841
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP1993/003105 WO1994011562A1 (en) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-11-05 | Improvements in the dispensing of detergent |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP0596192A1 (pt) |
JP (1) | JPH08502913A (pt) |
CN (1) | CN1090611A (pt) |
AU (1) | AU5464194A (pt) |
BR (1) | BR9307395A (pt) |
IT (1) | IT1257270B (pt) |
WO (1) | WO1994011562A1 (pt) |
ZA (1) | ZA938273B (pt) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998046716A1 (en) | 1997-04-14 | 1998-10-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Effervescent compositions and dry effervescent granules |
EP2107106A1 (en) | 2008-04-02 | 2009-10-07 | The Procter and Gamble Company | A kit of parts comprising a solid laundry detergent composition and a dosing device |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR0138704B1 (ko) * | 1994-11-11 | 1998-06-15 | 김광호 | 회전분사부를 구비한 세제용해장치 |
GB201110705D0 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2011-08-10 | Reckitt Benckiser Nv | Product |
ES2543926B1 (es) * | 2013-12-19 | 2016-05-31 | Zobele Espana Sa | Dispensador para lavadoras |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5075567U (pt) * | 1973-11-12 | 1975-07-01 | ||
EP0328765A1 (de) * | 1988-02-15 | 1989-08-23 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien | Dosierspeicher zur Aufnahme und Abgabe einer Wäschebehandlungsflüssigkeit |
EP0368680A1 (en) * | 1988-11-11 | 1990-05-16 | Unilever Plc | Method and device for treating textile |
-
1992
- 1992-11-06 IT ITTO920905A patent/IT1257270B/it active IP Right Grant
-
1993
- 1993-03-29 EP EP93105121A patent/EP0596192A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1993-11-05 AU AU54641/94A patent/AU5464194A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-11-05 EP EP94900105A patent/EP0667925A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1993-11-05 BR BR9307395A patent/BR9307395A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-11-05 JP JP6511688A patent/JPH08502913A/ja active Pending
- 1993-11-05 WO PCT/EP1993/003105 patent/WO1994011562A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1993-11-05 ZA ZA938273A patent/ZA938273B/xx unknown
- 1993-11-06 CN CN93112924A patent/CN1090611A/zh active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5075567U (pt) * | 1973-11-12 | 1975-07-01 | ||
EP0328765A1 (de) * | 1988-02-15 | 1989-08-23 | Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien | Dosierspeicher zur Aufnahme und Abgabe einer Wäschebehandlungsflüssigkeit |
EP0368680A1 (en) * | 1988-11-11 | 1990-05-16 | Unilever Plc | Method and device for treating textile |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998046716A1 (en) | 1997-04-14 | 1998-10-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Effervescent compositions and dry effervescent granules |
EP2107106A1 (en) | 2008-04-02 | 2009-10-07 | The Procter and Gamble Company | A kit of parts comprising a solid laundry detergent composition and a dosing device |
WO2010044905A2 (en) | 2008-04-02 | 2010-04-22 | The Procter & Gamble Company | A kit of parts comprising a solid laundry detergent composition and a dosing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BR9307395A (pt) | 1999-08-24 |
IT1257270B (it) | 1996-01-10 |
ITTO920905A0 (it) | 1992-11-06 |
CN1090611A (zh) | 1994-08-10 |
AU5464194A (en) | 1994-06-08 |
EP0596192A1 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
JPH08502913A (ja) | 1996-04-02 |
ZA938273B (en) | 1995-05-05 |
EP0667925A1 (en) | 1995-08-23 |
ITTO920905A1 (it) | 1994-05-06 |
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