WO1995004682A1

WO1995004682A1 - Dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO1995004682A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/008727
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Alan J. Moss; Andrew Brown; Christiaan A. J. K. Thoen; Renzo Rizzo
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 1993-08-10
Filing date: 1994-08-02
Publication date: 1995-02-16
Also published as: HUT76112A; HU9600615D0; EP0641881A1; AU7450394A

Abstract

There is provided a dispensing device suitable for enabling the progressive release of detergent in a machine washing process, including a hollow body (1) having a dispensing aperture (4) defined by a peripheral rim (3), characterized in that said dispensing device includes a rigid spacing means (8) attached to and extending from a first point (9) on said hollow body (1) to a second point (10) of attachment on said hollow body (1), wherein said spacing means (8) projects from the plane defined by said rim (3) in a direction away from the hollow body (1).

Description

DISPENSING DEVICE

A dispensing device suitable for effectively dispensing detergent product to the wash solution when used in a fabric machine washing process is provided.

Traditionally, the washing of fabrics in an automatic washing machine involved adding detergent product to the drawer of the washing machine. At the start of the wash process, water would be flushed through the dispensing drawer, dissolving the detergent product and carrying the dissolved product into the drum of the washing machine, and into contact with the fabrics to be washed.

An alternative method of introducing the detergent product into the wash solution is through the use of a dispensing device, which is charged with detergent product, and introduced into the drum of the washing machine, together with the items to be washed, before commencement of the wash cycle. Once the washing machine has been loaded with laundry, the dispensing device containing the detergent product is placed inside the drum of the washing machine. At the commencement of the wash cycle of the washing machine, water is introduced into the drum and the drum periodically rotates.

The dispensing device, in general, comprises a hollow body of sufficient volume to contain the detergent product, and one or more dispensing apertures through which the detergent may egress during the wash cycle. The use of such a dispensing device in a washing process can provide improved wash performance.

Dispensing devices of various shapes and sizes have been proposed for the optimization of dispensing capability. Examples of such devices can be found described in European Patent Applications EP-A-201,376, EP-A-343,069 and EP-A-343,070 in the name of the Procter and Gamble Company, and EP-A-490,577 and EP-A-368,680 in the name of Unilever.

One problem associated with the use of such dispensing devices is that detergent product may fail, in certain circumstances, to be dispensed effectively from the device. The dispensing obtained for a particular granular detergent product will to an extent depend on its composition, granular form, density and susceptibility to caking, or gelling amongst other factors. Residues of detergent product may hence remain at the end of the wash cycle in the dispensing device, or as unseemly residues on the clothing. Detergent performance in the wash process may also be impaired as a consequence of poor detergent dispensing from the dispensing device.

The problem of poor dispensing may particularly be observed when the detergent product is used in low temperature, low wash solution volume washing processes as are now, for environmental reasons, becoming more popular. Poor dispensing from a dispensing device may also be observed when the laundry wash load is heavy, most especially when the machine is overloaded with laundry.

The Applicant has now identified a significant and previously unrecognized origin for the impaired dispensing capability of certain dispensing devices. Clothing in the laundry wash load may act such as to plug the dispensing aperture(s) of the dispensing device, thereby blocking the egress of detergent product into the wash solution.

The Applicant has found that by incorporating a piece of rigid material positioned above the dispensing aperture of a dispensing device, the problem of clothing plugging the aperture may be ameliorated and dispensing of detergent product hence improved. Thus, the problem of detergent product residues at the end of the wash cycle is also reduced. Detergent performance is enhanced as a result of the more efficient dispensing of the detergent product into the wash cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a dispensing device suitable for enabling the progressive release of detergent in a machine washing process, comprising a hollow body having a dispensing aperture defined by a peripheral rim characterized in that said dispensing device comprises a rigid spacing means attached to and extending from a first point on said hollow body to a second point of attachment on said hollow body, wherein said spacing means projects from the plane defined by said rim in a direction away from the hollow body. Said spacing means acts such as to at least partially obscure access to said dispensing aperture, wherein such access is sought from a point outside the hollow body.

Preferably the dispensing device comprises a hollow body having a dispensing aperture defined by a peripheral rim characterized in that said dispensing device comprises a rigid spacing means attached to and extending from a point close to, or on said peripheral rim to a second point of attachment close to, or on said peripheral rim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 to 14 show specific examples of different embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A dispensing device suitable for enabling the progressive release of detergent product in a machine washing process is provided.

The dispensing device comprises a hollow body which acts as a container for the detergent product and which is used to deliver the product directly into the drum of the washing machine. The volumetric capacity of the hollow body should be such as to be able to contain sufficient detergent product as would normally be used in a washing process as hereinafter described.

The design of the dispensing device should be such that it permits containment of the detergent product but then allows release of this product during the wash cycle in response to its agitation as the drum rotates and also as a result of its immersion in the wash water.

To allow for release of the detergent product during the wash the dispensing device has a dispensing aperture defined by a peripheral rim through which the product, particularly dissolved product, may pass. Preferably, the detergent product will be rapidly released at the start of the wash cycle thereby providing transient localized high concentrations of product in the drum of the automatic washing machine at this stage of the wash cycle.

The dispensing device comprises a hollow body having a dispensing aperture. The hollow body may be of any suitable physical form and may be rigid, resiliently deformable, or deformable in nature.

The hollow body may be for example a rigid or resiliently deformable thin-walled container made from a plastic material such as PVC or polyurethane. Where the hollow body is a thin-walled container made from a plastic material, it is preferably essentially spherical in shape, particularly having smooth walls and most preferably having a flattened surface, directly opposite the dispensing aperture, forming a base to enable the device to adopt a stable upright position on a horizontal surface as when being charged with detergent product.

Alternatively, the hollow body may be a deformable sheath or pouch formed from materials such as non-woven materials, which are preferably permeable to liquid, but impermeable to any undissolved solid detergent product.

Where the hollow body is a deformable bag, sheath or pouch, the hollow body is preferably provided with an insert, such as a cage insert that acts to prevent inward collapse of the sheath or pouch, which might result in entrapment of detergent product in the collapsed bag, sheath or pouch. Preferably, such inserts are substantially non deformable under the loads imposed during the wash process.

Alternatively, where the hollow body is a deformable bag, sheath or pouch, there may be provided an external cagelike structure attached to the peripheral rim and defining an enclosed space which contains the deformable bag, sheath or pouch. The cagelike structure is preferably substantially non deformable.

An insert, or external cagelike structure, may preferably include markings to provide means of measurement to the person charging the device with powder as to the volume of powder contained within the device.

The volume of the hollow body should be sufficient to contain enough detergent product for a single laundry wash load. Typically, the volume of the hollow body is 50-400 cm^** , more typically from 100 to 300 cm*- .

The hollow body has a dispensing aperture to enable dispensing of the detergent product during the wash process. During the course of the washing process a portion of the wash medium may flow through this dispensing aperture and dissolve the detergent product which then passes, in solution, outwardly through the aperture into the washing medium.

The dispensing aperture may be any suitable shape, but is preferably essentially annular.

The cross-sectional area of the dispensing aperture should be such as to allow for effective dispensing of the detergent product. Typically, the aperture has a cross-sectional area of at least 10 cm^, more preferably at least 15 cm? and most preferably at least 20 cm 2 The cross-sectional area of the dispensing aperture is preferably optimized with respect to the volume of the hollow body. Preferably, the ratio of cross-sectional area of the dispensing aperture to the volume of the hollow body is in the range from 1:20 to 1:2, preferably from 1 : 15 to 1 :3, more preferably from 1 : 10 to 1 :4.

The hollow body may, in addition to the dispensing aperture, comprise additional openings, such as holes and slits though which the washing medium may pass into the hollow body.

The dispensing aperture is defined by a peripheral rim. This peripheral rim comprises a structure comprising rigid or resiliently deformable material. Where the hollow body is rigid or resiliently deformable in nature as for example where the body is a thin-walled container made from plastic material, the peripheral rim may form an integral part of the hollow body. Alternatively, and essentially where the hollow body is deformable in nature, being for example a flexible bag, sheath or pouch, the peripheral rim will be defined by a support ring which is attached to the hollow body. The support ring may be of any shape, but is preferably annular.

An especially preferred dispensing device in accord with the invention comprises as the hollow body a flexible/deformable pouch extending from a support ring which defines the dispensing aperture, wherein the support ring is attached to an insert which acts to prevent inward collapse of the deformable pouch during the wash process. The support ring is preferably provided with a masking arrangement to prevent egress of wetted, undissolved product, this arrangement typically comprising radially extending spoke elements extending from a central boss to spaced points in the ring in a spoked wheel configuration or a similar structure in which the spoke elements have a helical form. Preferred configurations of masking arrangements of this type are described in European Patent Application, EP-A-0 343 070 in the name of The Procter & Gamble Company.

The Applicants have found that where the masking arrangement comprises radially extending spoke elements extending from a central boss to the rim in a regular spoked wheel configuration, optimization of dispensing capability may be achieved by careful selection of the number of spoke elements in the configuration. In particular, optimal dispensing performance is achieved where the number of spoke elements is from 3 to 6, particularly 3. A highly preferred masking arrangement has 3 helical spokes radially extending from a central boss to the rim in a spoked wheel configuration. The dispensing device comprises a rigid spacing means attached to and extending from a first point on the hollow body to a second point of attachment on the hollow body wherein said spacing means projects from the plane defined by the peripheral rim in a direction away from the hollow body. The dispensing device may comprise more than one such spacing means.

The ends of the spacing means may be attached to the hollow body, or alternatively the points of attachment of the spacing means to the hollow body may be chosen such that the ends of the spacing means protrude into the enclosed volume defined by the hollow body, wherein the presence of such protrusions can aid in break-up during the wash process of any powder product contained within the hollow body.

It is essential that the spacing means comprises rigid material since the spacing means will function as a physical block to any fabrics which may act during the wash process such as to plug or partially plug the dispensing aperture. By rigid it is meant herein substantially resistant to deformation under the pressures which will be experienced during the wash process. The functional requirement of the spacing means is also to be considered when determining the exact configuration to be adopted by the spacing means.

The spacing means projects from the plane defined by the peripheral rim in a direction away from the volume enclosed by the hollow body.

The spacing means may have any suitable physical configuration. In a preferred embodiment the spacing means comprises a rigid arched element. Preferred forms of spacing means include the case where the spacing means has an annular, including tubular, cross-section, including a preferred case where the longitudinal dimension of the cross-section is much greater than the latitudinal dimension, hereinafter refer to as the "band-shaped" or "band-like" form.

Preferably, any spacing means is attached close to, or on to the peripheral rim and extends from a first point thereon to a second point of attachment close to, or on the peripheral rim.

The spacing means functions as a physical barrier to any fabrics which might in the absence of this barrier act such as to plug the dispensing aperture. In determining the position of the second point of attachment this functional requirement should be considered.

Where the dispensing aperture is essentially annular, it is preferred that the second point of attachment is a point on the rim diametrically opposing the first point of attachment on the peripheral rim.

The dispensing device may comprise a plurality of spacing means, particularly where such spacing means are arched elements, which may be parallel, orthogonally or otherwise disposed relative to each other.

The dispensing device in one preferred embodiment comprises two rigid arched elements, each attached to, and extending from, a point of attachment on said hollow body, preferably close to or on said peripheral rim to a second, preferably opposing, point on said hollow body, preferably close to or on said peripheral rim, such that the orientation of the span projected by the first arched element is substantially perpendicular in direction to the orientation of the span projected by the second arched element.

In another preferred embodiment, the dispensing device comprises two rigid arched elements, each attached to and extending from a point of attachment on said hollow body, preferably close to or on said peripheral rim to a second, preferably opposing, point of attachment on said hollow body, preferably close to or on said peripheral rim such that the orientation of the span projected by the first arched element is substantially parallel in direction to the orientation of the span projected by the second arched element. The points of attachment of the second arched element may be identical to, or distinct from those of the first arched element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the spacing means comprises a plurality of arched elements extending from the rim to a boss element which projects from the plane defined by the peripheral rim in a direction away from the hollow body. A particularly preferred embodiment of this type employs the hereinbefore described masking arrangement in which radially extending spokes extend from a central boss in a spoked wheel configuration to the peripheral rim. In this particularly preferred embodiment the spacing means comprises a boss element which projects from the plane defined by the rim in a direction away from the hollow body, and is attached to spoke elements extending from the boss element to the peripheral rim in a spoked wheel configuration. The position of the central boss defines the maximum vertical displacement of the spoke elements above the dispensing aperture. This preferred embodiment preferably employs the rim and masking arrangement as a one piece blow-moulded execution.

The spacing means is shaped such as to act as an effective barrier to any clothing which might tend to block or partially block the dispensing aperture. The spacing means may, in one preferred execution, be a band-shaped, preferably arched, element where the width of the band-shaped element is optimized such that it provides an effective barrier. Alternatively, the spacing means may comprise bars, with an essentially annular cross- section, where the diameter of the bars is chosen with regard to the functional requirement of effectiveness as a barrier element, with typical bar diameters being from 2mm to 5mm.

Where there is a single spacing means, preferably being an arched element, which is band- shaped, the width of the band is preferably at least O.ld, more preferably at least 0.2d where d is the maximum dimension of said dispensing aperture. Where there is a second spacing means, preferably being an arched element, the width of any band-shaped arched element is preferably at least 0.05d, more preferably at least 0. Id.

By diametric extent defined by an arched element it is meant herein the transverse extent across the dispensing aperture defined by said arched element, more particularly, and by example, wherein said arched piece has points of attachment solely on the peripheral rim of the hollow body, diametric extent herein means the transverse extent defined by a chord extending from the first point of attachment of said arched element on the peripheral rim to the second point of attachment on said rim.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the spacing means projects a maximum distance of at least 1.0 cm, preferably at least 1.5 cm, most preferably at least 2 cm from the plane defined by the peripheral rim in a direction away from the hollow body.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one arched element preferably has an arch height, defined by the maximum vertical projection of said arched element from the plane defined by said rim in the direction away from the hollow body preferably of at least 0.2d, more preferably at least 0.3d, wherein d is defined as the maximum dimension of said dispensing aperture.

The dispensing device may in addition comprise one or more negatively arched elements attached to and extending from a point on the peripheral rim to a point of attachment on the peripheral rim. Said negatively arched elements will arch towards and extend within the enclosed area defined by the extent of the hollow body and their presence may aid break up of powder lumps of detergent product in the device.

The dispensing devices of the invention and components thereof, may be made by any suitable means including injection and blow moulding processes.

The dispensing device may be used with any suitable detergent product, especially particulate solid, including granular, powdered or flaked products or viscous liquid detergent products. Said detergent products may contain any of the active detergent components typically found in detergent products including surfactants, builders, bleaches, bleach activators, dispersants, suds suppressors, chelants brighteners, enzymes and soil release agents.

Surfactant components may include anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfate, alkyl ethoxysulfate and alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactants or nonionic surfactants such as ethoxylated alcohols or polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants. Builder components may include citrate, zeolite and crystalline layered silicate builders. Bleach components may include perborate and percarbonate bleaches, organic peroxyacids and bleach activators. Suitable suds suppressors may include silicone suds suppressors. Suitable enzymes may include amylolytic, proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes. Suitable examples of detergent compositions for use in accord with the dispensing device of the invention are described in European Patent Applications Nos 92914366.7 and 93913595.2 in the name of the Procter & Gamble Company.

The dispensing device of the invention is especially suitable for enabling the effective dispensing of detergent products which are of low solubility by virtue of their compositional or physical form.

The dispensing device of the invention may be used in any suitable fabric washing process in which said dispensing device is charged with an effective amount of granular detergent product and introduced into the drum of the washing machine before the commencement of the wash cycle. What constitutes an effective amount of granular detergent product for use in such a process will depend on the volume and weight of the laundry load to be washed. Use of between 40-200 g of product would be typical for a wash load of between 2-6 kg of averagely soiled laundry. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 to 4, which are perspective views, show dispensing devices wherein the hollow body comprises a flexible/deformable pouch (1) extending from a support ring (2). The rim (3) of the support ring defines the dispensing aperture (4). A cage-like insert (5) is provided to prevent inward collapse of the pouch during the wash process. The support ring is provided with a masking arrangement (6) comprising radially extending spoke elements extending from a central boss (7) to spaced points on the rim in a spoked wheel configuration.

The dispensing device of Figure 1 comprises a single rigid arched element (8) extending between two points (9,10) on the peripheral rim of the support ring and projecting from the plane defined by the rim in a direction away from the hollow body, hereinafter "above the plane of the dispensing aperture".

The embodiment of Figure 2 comprises two rigid arched elements (11,12) extending between points of attachment on the rim of the support ring, and above the plane of the dispensing aperture, in a cross-like configuration (i.e. extending across the dispensing aperture in a perpendicular direction to each other).

The embodiment of Figure 3 comprises two rigid arched elements (13, 14) extending between points of attachment on the rim of the support ring, and above the plane of the dispensing aperture, wherein the two arched elements extend across the dispensing aperture in a parallel sense to each other.

The embodiment of Figure 4 comprises two arched elements (15,16) extending between points of attachment on the support ring and above the plane of the dispensing aperture, wherein the two arched elements tend to arch away from each other, but wherein the orientations of the spans projected by each elements are in parallel.

Figures 5 to 8 show further embodiments of the invention wherein the hollow body comprises a thin- walled (17), essentially spherical container (18) with a flattened base (19) opposing the dispensing aperture (20). The hollow body comprises an integral peripheral rim (21).

Figures 5 and 7 show a side view of the dispensing devices. Figures 6 and 8 show plan views, from above the plane of the dispensing aperture. The embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 is provided with a single rigid arched element (22) extending from a point of attachment (23) on the hollow body to a second point of attachment (24) on the hollow body, wherein said arched element arches above the plane of the dispensing aperture.

Figures 7 and 8 show a dispensing device identical to that shown in Figures 5 and 6, but provided with a second rigid arched element (25) arching above the plane of the dispensing aperture, such that the orientation of the span defined by the second arched element is essentially perpendicular to that defined by the first arched element.

Figures 9 and 10, where Figure 9 is a side view and Figure 10 a plan view, show a dispensing device wherein the hollow body comprises a deformable pouch (26) extending from a support ring (27) wherein the rim (28) of the support ring defines the dispensing aperture (29). The dispensing device comprises three "positively" arched elements (30) arching above the plane of the dispensing aperture and three "negatively" arched elements (31) arching towards and extending within the interior of the hollow body. The positively arched elements and negatively arched elements project spans which are in orientation mutually perpendicular

Figures 11 to 14, where Figure 11 is a side view, Figures 12 and 14 are top plan views, and Figure 13 is a bottom plan view show dispensing devices wherein the hollow body comprises a flexible, deformable pouch (32) extending from a support ring (33) which defines the dispensing aperture. A cagelike insert (36) is provided to prevent inward collapse of the pouch during the washing process. The horizontal bars of the cage are graduated to provide a means of measurement of volume of powder added to the person charging the device with detergent product. A central boss (35) is provided, being positioned centrally, and vertically above the plane defined by the dispensing aperture. Spoke elements (34) having an essentially annular cross-section, extend from the support ring to the central boss. The embodiment shown in Figure 12 has three such spoke elements, and that of Figure 14 six such spoke elements.

Claims

1. A dispensing device suitable for enabling the progressive release of detergent in a machine washing process, comprising a hollow body having a dispensing aperture defined by a peripheral rim characterized in that said dispensing device comprises a rigid spacing means attached to and extending from a first point on said hollow body to a second point of attachment on said hollow body, wherein said spacing means projects from the plane defined by said rim in a direction away from the hollow body.

2. A dispensing device according to Claim 1 wherein said spacing means projects a maximum distance of at least 1.0 cm from the plane defined by said rim in a direction away from the hollow body.

3. A dispensing device according to either of Claims 1 or 2 wherein said spacing means comprises an arched element.

4. A dispensing device according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein said spacing means is attached to and extends from a first point on said peripheral rim to a second opposing point of attachment on said peripheral rim.

5. A dispensing device according to claim 4 wherein said dispensing aperture is essentially annular and wherein said spacing means extends from a point on said peripheral rim to a diametrically opposing point on said peripheral rim.

6. A dispensing device according to any of claims 3 - 5 comprising a single arched element wherein said single arched element is band-shaped having a width of at least O. ld wherein d is the maximum dimension of said dispensing aperture and an arch height, defined by the maximum vertical position of said arched element from the plane of said dispensing aperture in the direction away from the hollow body of at least 0.2d.

7. A dispensing device according to any of claims 3 - 5 wherein said dispensing device comprises two arched elements, each attached to and extending from point on said rim to a second point of attachment on said rim, such that the orientation of the span projected by the first arched element is substantially perpendicular in direction to the orientation of the span projected by the second arched element.

8. A dispensing device according to any of claims 3 - 5 wherein said dispensing aperture comprises two arched elements, each attached to and extending from a point of attachment on said rim to a second point on said rim such that the orientation of the span projected by the first arched element is substantially parallel in direction to the orientation of the span projected by the second arched element.

9. A dispensing device according to either of claims 7 or 8 wherein each arched element is band-shaped having a width of at least 0.05d wherein d is the maximum dimension of said dispensing aperture and an arch height, defined by the maximum vertical projection of said arched element from the plane of said dispensing aperture in the direction away from the hollow body of at least 0.2d.

10. A dispensing device according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein said spacing means comprises a plurality of arched elements extending from said rim to a boss element which projects from the plane defined by the rim in a direction away from the hollow body.

11. A dispensing device according to any of claims 1-10 wherein said hollow body is a rigid or resiliently deformable thin-walled container made from plastic material.

12. A dispensing device according to any of claims 1-1 1 wherein said hollow body is a deformable pouch attached to a support ring, wherein said dispensing aperture is defined by said support ring which forms said peripheral rim.

13. A dispensing device according to claim 12 wherein said support ring is attached to an insert which acts such as to prevent inward collapse of the deformable pouch during the wash process.

14. A dispensing device according to any of claims 1-13 wherein said peripheral rim is provided with a masking arrangement comprising radially extending spoke elements extending from a central boss to spaced points on the ring in a spoked wheel configuration.