WO1998028996A1 - Dispositif distributeur de pastilles - Google Patents

Dispositif distributeur de pastilles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998028996A1
WO1998028996A1 PCT/US1997/022938 US9722938W WO9828996A1 WO 1998028996 A1 WO1998028996 A1 WO 1998028996A1 US 9722938 W US9722938 W US 9722938W WO 9828996 A1 WO9828996 A1 WO 9828996A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tablet
dispensing device
restraining means
detergent
tablets
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/022938
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Carol Smith
Tanya Cecile Van Rompuy
Steven Frederick Kelsey
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Publication of WO1998028996A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998028996A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/44—Devices for adding cleaning agents; Devices for dispensing cleaning agents, rinsing aids or deodorants
    • A47L15/4445—Detachable devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dispensing device for detergent in tablet form.
  • Detergent compositions formed in non particulate solids such as bars or tablets or briquettes are known in the art.
  • tablette will refer to any form of non particulate solids.
  • the tablet provides a number of advantages to both the consumer and the manufacturer. Indeed, the tablet prevents spillage of the detergent composition. Furthermore, the tablet eliminates the need for the user to estimate the dosage of detergent composition required and ensures that the correct dosage of detergent composition per wash cycle is used by the user.
  • dispensing device for tablets which may be introduced in an automatic dish washing machine is described in co-pending European Patent Application No. 95304115.9.
  • This dispensing device may comprise a fastening means which fastens the dispensing device to the interior of an automatic washing machine such that it can be released therefrom when required.
  • the dispensing device is usually attached to the exterior of the cutlery basket or the crockery basket.
  • these dispensing devices are made such that the size of the dispensing device is equal or bigger than the maximum amount of tablets recommended for a wash cycle.
  • different dosage recommendation are given for differently soiled loads.
  • the recommended dosage for a wash cycle may be only one tablet for less soiled loads, two tablets for very soiled loads. Consequently, the dispensing device has to be such to allow the insertion of at least two tablets in this case. For this reason the dispensing device has to be at least big enough to allow the maximum recommended dosage of the tablets. It has been found that this is in conflict with the tendency to reduce the volume of the packages containing the tablet together with the dispensing device.
  • the present invention is a tablet dispensing device.
  • the tablet dispensing device comprises tablet restraining means and a filling opening.
  • the tablet restraining means is liquid permeable so that a liquid passing through the tablet restraining means and/or the filling opening dispenses the detergent tablet when the dispensing device retains a detergent tablet.
  • the tablet restraining means is a flexible and resilient spring which automatically expands when a tablets is inserted into the dispensing device.
  • Figure 1 shows a front view of a dispensing device according to the present invention without retaining any tablet.
  • Figure 2 shows a front view of the dispensing device of Figure 1 filled with one tablet.
  • Figure 3 shows a front view of the dispensing device of Figure 1 filled with two tablets.
  • the tablet may be made by a detergent composition for dish or laundry washing.
  • the tablet may have any shape or dimension.
  • the solid, non particulate tablet is symmetrical to ensure the uniform dissolution of the tablet in the wash liquor.
  • the detergent tablet may comprise any ingredients known in the art.
  • ingredients may include surfactants, suds suppressers, bleaches, chelants, builders, enzymes, fillers and perfumes.
  • the detergent composition of the tablet is prepared in its granular or particulate form and then formed into tablets of the desired shape and size by any one of the methods known in the art. Suitable methods include compression, extrusion and casting.
  • the detergent composition may be homogeneously distributed throughout the tablet or may comprise distinct layers of certain detergent ingredients.
  • the present invention provides a tablet dispensing device (10).
  • the tablet dispensing device comprises tablet restraining means (11) and a filling opening (12).
  • the filling opening allows the insertion of at least a detergent tablet into the dispensing device. Consequently, the size of the filling opening corresponds to the size of the detergent tablet. Also the form of the filling opening corresponds to the shape of the tablet.
  • the tablet restraining means (11) holds the tablet in the dispensing device. Consequently, a tablet inserted into the dispensing device is not able to escape from dispensing device.
  • the tablet restraining means is liquid permeable so that a liquid passing through the restraining means and/or the filling opening dispenses the detergent tablet when the dispensing device retains a detergent tablet. In this manner the liquid can pass not only through the filling opening to dispense the detergent tablet, but also through the restraining means. This improves the dispensing of the detergent tablet from within the dispensing device. Therefore a detergent tablet contained in the device can be dissolved during a wash cycle, for example, by water. The dissolved detergent tablet forms a wash liquor. This wash liquor is able then to exit the dispensing device to be available in the wash cycle of an automatic dish or laundry washing machine.
  • the tablet restraining means comprise orifices or slits (15) to make the tablet restraining means liquid permeable.
  • the orifices or slits are such to allow a liquid to pass through the restraining means. This enables the tablet to be dissolved more efficiently. This means that water is able to enter into the dispensing device and reach the tablet inside.
  • the orifices are preferably evenly distributed throughout the tablet restraining means. The orifices are such that the tablet cannot be removed from the dispensing device through the orifices. Nevertheless, the orifices are such to allow water to enter the dispensing device for dissolving the detergent tablet during the wash cycle of the automatic dish or laundry washing machine.
  • the tablet restraining means (11) is a flexible and resilient spring (14).
  • the flexible and resilient spring (14) automatically expands when a tablets is inserted into the dispensing device.
  • the volume available in the dispensing device is increased. Consequently, one or more tablets can be inserted into the dispensing device according to the present invention whereby the size of the tablet restraining means adapt automatically to the number of tablets inserted.
  • the weight of the tablets is already sufficient to achieve that the tablet restraining means expands automatically giving space to the inserted tablet.
  • the spring comprises an interrupted wall opposite the filling opening (12). The wall being interrupted ensures liquid permeability of the interrupted wall. The interrupted wall is such that the tablet cannot be removed from the dispensing device through the apertures of the interrupted wall.
  • the dispensing device having a flexible spring allows the dispensing device to be stored to a minimum volume.
  • minimum volume is the volume of the dispensing device when no detergent tablet is inserted into the dispensing device. This means that the dispensing device can be stored in a package without substantially increasing the available space in a package. Consequently, the size of the package can also be kept to a minimum.
  • dispensing device in its minimum volume is such that the available volume of the dispensing device is not sufficient to retain a detergent tablet.
  • the tablet restraining means (11) being also resilient allows the dispensing device (10) to return to the configuration of minimal volume after the tablet(s) have been dispensed.
  • the flexible and resilient spring (14) is shown in Figure 1.
  • the spring unfolds making enough space for retaining the inserted tablet(s), as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
  • the spring may preferably automatically return to the configuration of minimum volume of Figure 1.
  • This spring is preferably made of elastomeric materials, such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyester, or of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminium.
  • the spring made of metal material may also be protected by a layer of plastic on the outside of the spring.
  • the dispensing device comprises fastening means (30).
  • fastening means refer to any means which can be adapted to fasten the dispensing device to the interior of e.g. an automatic dish washing machine such that it can be released therefrom when required by the user.
  • the fastening means is preferably made of similar or identical material to that of the dispensing device itself.
  • the fastening means may preferably be located on the tablet restraining means (11).
  • the fastening means preferably comprises at least a hook (32), which extends from the tablet restraining means.
  • the fastening means is adapted to be fastened on the exterior or interior of the cutlery basket of an automatic dish washing machine.
  • the dispensing device is further provided with securing means.
  • securing means refers to any means which can be adapted to secure the dispensing device to the interior of an automatic dish or laundry washing machine such that it cannot be disengaged therefrom during the wash cycle of the automatic washing machine.
  • the securing means is adapted to prevent disengagement of the dispensing device due to forces occurring inside an automatic dish washing machine, as for example forces exerted by the circulation of water and/or air. Nevertheless, the securing means does not impede the release of the dispensing device from the interior of an automatic dish or laundry washing machine when required by the user.
  • the securing means is adapted to secure the dispensing device on the cutlery basket of an automatic dish washing machine.
  • the securing means is preferably made of similar or identical material as the dispensing device, but being more flexible with respect to the dispensing device itself. Other flexible material, like metals, may be also considered for the purpose of the present invention.
  • the co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/US95/12787 provides a dispensing device with securing means as defined before.
  • the securing means prevents the dispensing device (10) from disengaging from the cutlery basket. Specifically, the securing means prevents disengagement of the dispensing device in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the dispensing device is fastened with the fastening means. All the embodiments described as securing means in the International Patent Application No. PCT/US95/12787 are herewith incorporated by reference.
  • the dispensing device (10) further comprises a child resistant restraining means (Fig. 1 , 40).
  • the restraining means is adapted to prevent the removal of the tablet through the filling opening (12) prior to the dissolution of the tablet in the wash liquor.
  • the wording child resistant restraining means refers to any mechanism whereby access to the tablet, once inserted in the dispenser, is reduced so that the tablet cannot be readily removed, especially by infants and children.
  • a possible child resistant restraining means (40) may be at least a resiliently hingeable or deformable element located in the region of the filling opening (12).
  • the resiliently hingeable or deformable element is displaced from its rest position within the interior of the dispensing device (10) by the insertion of the tablet.
  • the element has minimal, preferably no opposite hingeable motion or deformability beyond its rest position, so that the tablet cannot be removed from the hollow body once inserted therein.
  • the resiliently hingeable or deformable element may entirely close or partially close the opening of the dispensing device. Any number and any positioning with any configuration of the resiliently hingeable or deformable elements around the opening may be variably chosen.
  • the dispensing device of the present invention may be formed from any flexible, water resistant material that can withstand moderately elevated temperatures, such as those reached in automatic washing machines, e.g. about 95° C, for a relatively long period of time (about 3 hours) and which can be formed into the desired shape.
  • the dispensing device is made of low cost thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene and formed by injection moulding.

Landscapes

  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif distributeur (10) de pastilles de détergent comprenant un moyen de retenue (11) des pastilles et une ouverture de remplissage (12). Le moyen de retenue (11) des pastilles est perméable aux liquides de manière que lorsque le dispositif distributeur (10) retient une pastille de détergent, un liquide passant au travers dudit moyen de retenue (11) et/ou de l'ouverture de remplissage (12) délivre la pastille de détergent. Le moyen de retenue (11) des pastilles est constitué par un ressort (14) flexible et élastique qui se dilate lorsqu'une pastille est insérée dans le dispositif distributeur (10).
PCT/US1997/022938 1996-12-27 1997-12-05 Dispositif distributeur de pastilles WO1998028996A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96309515.3 1996-12-27
EP96309515A EP0850590A1 (fr) 1996-12-27 1996-12-27 Dispositif distributeur pour tablettes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998028996A1 true WO1998028996A1 (fr) 1998-07-09

Family

ID=8225212

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/022938 WO1998028996A1 (fr) 1996-12-27 1997-12-05 Dispositif distributeur de pastilles

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0850590A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1998028996A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11384473B2 (en) 2020-02-13 2022-07-12 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Additive dispenser for varying the types of additives within a washing machine appliance
US11332874B2 (en) 2020-02-13 2022-05-17 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Additive dispenser for varying the types of additives within a washing machine appliance
US11352730B2 (en) 2020-02-13 2022-06-07 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Additive dispenser for varying the types of additives within a washing machine appliance
US11447908B2 (en) 2020-02-13 2022-09-20 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Additive dispenser for varying the types of additives within a washing machine appliance
US11359326B2 (en) 2020-02-13 2022-06-14 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Additive dispenser for varying the types of additives within a washing machine appliance

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4589575A (en) * 1983-11-15 1986-05-20 Allan Rigberg Hygienic dispenser for wafers
US5080258A (en) * 1989-11-16 1992-01-14 Ignaz Hinterreiter Tablet dispenser

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9213167D0 (en) * 1992-06-22 1992-08-05 Unilever Plc Dispensing device
GB9413874D0 (en) * 1994-07-09 1994-08-31 Procter & Gamble A child-resistant dispensing device for automatic washing machines
DE102013113432B4 (de) 2013-12-04 2022-02-24 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Umschaltventileinheit und Verbrennungsmotor mit einer solchen Umschaltventileinheit

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4589575A (en) * 1983-11-15 1986-05-20 Allan Rigberg Hygienic dispenser for wafers
US5080258A (en) * 1989-11-16 1992-01-14 Ignaz Hinterreiter Tablet dispenser

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0850590A1 (fr) 1998-07-01

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