WO2012175284A1

WO2012175284A1 - Dosing device for particulate laundry composition

Info

Publication number: WO2012175284A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/059834
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rebecca Anne HAYES; James Robert NIEMAN
Original assignee: Unilever Plc; Unilever N.V.; Hindustan Unilever Limited
Priority date: 2011-06-23
Filing date: 2012-05-25
Publication date: 2012-12-27
Also published as: AR087000A1

Abstract

A dosing device for both scooping and in-wash dosing of a particulate laundry composition, the dosing device comprising: (a) a dosing chamber for containing the particulate laundry composition from where it is dosed during a washing operation, (b) a closure device operable to move between (i) a scooping position in which it extends as a handle from the dosing chamber to facilitate scooping of the particulate laundry composition into the dosing chamber, and (ii) a dosing position in which the closure device overlies the dosing chamber.

Description

DOSING DEVICE FOR PARTICULATE LAUNDRY COMPOSITION

The present invention relates to a dosing device for a concentrated particulate laundry composition.

Moulded plastic laundry dosing devices are known.

An objective of the invention is to provide an improved dosing device for concentrated laundry particulate compositions.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention provides a dosing device for both scooping and in-wash dosing of a particulate laundry composition, the dosing device comprising:

(a) a dosing chamber for containing the particulate laundry composition from where it is dosed during a washing operation,

(b) a closure device operable to move between

(i) a scooping position in which it extends as a handle from the dosing chamber to facilitate scooping of the particulate laundry composition into the dosing chamber, and

(ii) a dosing position in which the closure device overlies the dosing

chamber.

With the invention, the particulate laundry composition can be scooped using the closure in the scooping position, whereby the handle negates the need for direct contact with the composition. This is often desirable in the case of highly concentrated particulates, or certain adjuncts. The closure/handle is then brought to overlie close the reservoir and the dosing device is immediately converted to a safe container for transporting the loaded dosing device to the washing

receptacle. The overlying feature of the closure device reduces the possibility of spillage during hurried laundry operations; spillage is very expensive and undesirable when dealing with highly concentrated formulations. The receptacle may be any type of receptacle, from the drum of an automatic washing machine or a simple bucket. In the dosing position, device can be tossed into the receptacle ready to dose the particulate composition into the wash liquor during the washing process.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a dosing device in combination with a particulate laundry composition, the device comprising:

(a) a dosing chamber containing a dose of the particulate laundry composition, (b) a closure device in a dosing position in which the closure device overlies the dosing chamber to provide a in-wash dispenser

(c) the closure device being operable to move between the dosing position and a scooping position in which it extends rigidly from the dosing chamber forming a handle for scooping the particulate composition into the dosing chamber.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method of treating a fabric with a particulate laundry composition comprising the steps of:

i. scooping the particulate laundry composition into the dosing chamber of the device of the first aspect of the invention, with the closure device in the scooping position;

ii. moving the closure device into the dispensing position;

iii. placing the device into a washing receptacle

iv. carrying out a fabric treatment process which may be washing the fabrics in the washing receptacle.

Preferably the closure device is pivotable e.g. by a hinge relative to the dosing chamber. Preferably the closure device is lockable in the dosing and/or the scooping position. Preferably the closure device is lockable in the dosing position by means of pivot lock. The pivot lock comprises a lock preferably incorporated into the pivot or, adjacent the pivot. Further preferably the pivot lock comprises a ball and socket style joint which locks into place when opened to the necessary angle. The hinge is preferably a live or living hinge.

The closure device is preferably lockable in the dosing position, by locking members located on one or more locations on the closure and/or dosing chamber. Preferably they are located on perimeter areas. The locking members preferably comprise L or J shaped projections on the closure device or dosing chamber which hook under the perimeter of, respectively, the dosing chamber or closure device.

The locking mechanism may comprise a biasing mechanism so that once in position, the mechanism is biased to remain in that position.

The locking mechanism may comprise tapered sections e.g. projections which may be arranged to slide across each other as the closure device rotates toward the position, but creates a resistance to opposing movement i.e. as the closure device is moved out the position.

Preferably the dosing chamber comprises apertures to allow water ingress and egress from the dosing chamber. Alternatively or additionally the closure device may comprise to allow water ingress and egress from the dosing chamber.

Preferably, the apertures are less than the size of the particles of the particulate in at least one dimension. Preferably the width of the apertures is less than the size of the particles. The apertures may comprise elongate slits, having a width less than the size of the particles, but the length being greater than the size of the particles.

As used herein, the "size of the particles" is intended to mean at least one of the perpendicular dimensions (x,y,z of the Cartesian co-ordinate system), and preferably the smallest. The "size of the particles" may be taken as an average size, where particle size varies to a significant degree.

This allows water to ingress and egress during the wash, however, the substantial proportion of the particulate (that proportion which is larger in size) may only egress out once dissolved in the wash liquor. This prevents the larger solids contacting the fabrics directly. Large particles are highly aesthetically pleasing however if certain chemicals are included (for example laundry bleaching agents), direct contact with the fabrics might be undesirable.

Preferably the closure device comprise ribs. The ribs preferably extend into the volume of space encompassed by the dosing chamber.

Preferably the device comprises an ellipsoid, which may comprise a spherical or semi-spherical or oblate spheroid or prolate spheroid or scalene spheroid or egg- shaped (being approximately half a prolate and half a sphere/oblate sphere joined at the equator).

Preferably when the closure device is in the dosing position, the dosing device presents a generally complete ellipsoid. With the closure device in the scooping position, the area defined by the closure device is removed and ellipsoid surface is, of course, incomplete.

As used herein, "particulate" includes powders, granules, agglomerates, beads, noodles and film particles and may include encapsulated laundry components. Preferably, each particle has perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, wherein x is from 0.2 to 2 mm, y is from 2.5 to 8mm (preferably 3 to 8 mm), and z is from 2.5 to 8 mm (preferably 3 to 8 mm). The particles are desirably oblate spheroids with diameter of 3 to 6 mm and thickness of 1 to 2 mm.

Preferably at least 70 % by number of particles of the composition comprise a high-surfactant core and a hard coating.

Preferably the composition comprises greater than 50 wt% detergent surfactant. Preferably the core comprises mainly surfactant. Preferably the packaged particles are substantially the same shape and size as one another. The amount of coating on each coated particle is advantageously from 10 to 45, more preferably 20 to 35 % by weight of the particles.

The number percentage of the packaged composition of particles comprising the core and coating is preferably at least 85%.

Preferably the coating comprises water soluble inorganic salt. The coated particles preferably comprise from 0.001 to 3 wt % perfume.

The core of the coated particles preferably comprises less than 5 wt%, even more preferably less than 2.5 wt% inorganic materials.

The coating is preferably sodium carbonate, optionally in admixture with a minor amount of SCMC and further optionally in admixture with one or more of sodium silicate, water soluble fluorescer, water soluble or dispersible shading dye and pigment or coloured dye. The fabric treatment process preferably comprises a process carried out in an aqueous wash liquor, and may comprise washing treatments e.g. stain removal, bleaching, anti-redeposition, care treatments, softening, conditioning/rinse conditioning treatments.

Various non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the following figures in which:

Figure 1 shows perspective view of a device according to the invention with the closure in a scooping position;

Figure 2 shows the scoop of Figure 1 in side view; and

Figure 3 shows the scoop of Figure 1 in a dosing position.

Referring to the drawings, a dosing device 1 is shown, the dosing device being suitable for scooping and dosing a particulate laundry composition (not shown, details in Example hereinbelow). The device comprises an egg shaped ellipsoid body 5 comprising a dosing chamber 7 and a closure device 9. With the closure device 9 is in the dosing position (Fig 2), the dosing device 9 presents a generally complete ellipsoid. With the closure device 9 in the scooping position, the area defined by the closure device perimeter 9a is left open to provide a filling aperture 1 1 and in that sense, the ellipsoid surface is now, of course, incomplete (Figs 1 ,2).

The closure device 9 is pivotable about a pivot 17 comprising live hinge 17 which pivots closure device 9 relative to the dosing chamber 1 1 and is lockable in the dosing and the scooping positions. The closure device 9 comprises ribs 15. The ribs 15 extend into the volume of space encompassed by the dosing chamber 1 1 . The ribs 15 strengthen the closure device 9 to perform the handle position. The closure device 9 is lockable in the scooping position by means of pivot lock comprising a lock incorporated into the pivot 17: here it comprises a ball and socket style joint 3 which locks into place when opened to the necessary angle.

The closure device 9 is lockable in the dosing position, by locking members 25 located on two opposing locations on the perimeter 9a of closure device 9. The locking members comprise L or J shaped projections 25 (shape not shown) on the closure device 9 which hook under the perimeter of the dosing chamber 7. This keeps the dosing chamber edge free for scooping purposes. The dosing chamber comprises apertures 21 to allow water ingress and egress from the dosing chamber 3.

The apertures 21 are less than the size of the particles of the particulate in at least one dimension. The apertures comprise elongate slits 21 , having a width less than the size of the particles, but the length being greater than the size of the particles. Circular particles 21 are also possible (shown in Figure 1 ) wherein the radius is less than the size of the particles of the particulate in at least one dimension. As used herein, the "size of the particles" means at least one of the perpendicular dimensions (x,y,z of the Cartesian co-ordinate system), and preferably the smallest. The "size of the particles" may be taken as an average size, where particle size varies to a significant degree. This arrangement allows water to ingress and egress during the wash, however, the substantial proportion of the particulate (that proportion which is larger in size) may only egress out once dissolved in the wash liquor. This prevents the larger solids contacting the fabrics directly. Large particles are highly aesthetically pleasing however if certain chemicals are included (for example laundry bleaching agents), direct contact with the fabrics might be undesirable.

In use, a fabric is treated with the particulate laundry composition 3 as follows: i. the closure device 9is moved into the scooping position (Fig 1 ) by rotating the closure 9 about the hinge 17 and locking the closure device 9 into position, ii. the particulate laundry composition is scooped into the dosing chamber of the device by holding the closure device as a handle;

iii. the closure device is moved into the dispensing position and locked;

iv. placing the device into a washing receptacle e.g. drum of automatic washing machine or hand washing bucket.

v. the fabric treatment process is then carried out: which may be washing the fabrics in an automatic washing machine.

The 'lid' function of the closure device 9 when in the dosing position means the user can be less careful about placement of the device 1 in the receptacle: it can be tossed into the drum and less concern needs to be adopted about how device 1 lands as the particulate matter 3 is safely contained within the lidded

arrangement and the aperture size means only dissolved composition leaves the device and so direct contact of the composition 3 with the fabrics is minimised. EXAMPLE PARTICULATE COMPOSITION

Exemplary laundry particulate compositions and preparation are described below.

In this example, coated large detergent particles are manufactured, following the process in PCT/EP2010/055256. Surfactant raw materials were mixed together to give a 67 wt% active paste comprising 85 parts LAS (linear alkyl benzene sulphonate), 15 parts Nonionic Surfactant. The raw materials used were:

LAS: Unger Ufasan 65

Nonionic: BASF Lutensol AO30

The paste was pre-heated to the feed temperature and fed to the top of a wiped film evaporator to reduce the moisture content and produce a solid intimate surfactant blend, which passed the calcium tolerance test. The conditions used to produce this LAS/NI blend are given in Table 1 .

Table 1

On exit from the base of the wiped film evaporator, the dried surfactant blend dropped onto a chill roll, where it was cooled to less than 30°C.

After leaving the chill roll, the cooled dried surfactant blend particles were milled using a hammer mill, 2% Alusil® was also added to the hammer mill as a mill aid. The resulting milled material is hygroscopic and so it was stored in sealed containers. The cooled dried milled composition was fed to a twin-screw co-rotating extruder fitted with a shaped orifice plate and cutter blade. A number of other components were also dosed into the extruder as shown in Table 2.

Table 2

The average particle diameter and thickness of samples of the extruded particles were found to be 4.46 mm and 1 .13 mm respectively. The standard deviation was acceptably low.

The particles were then coated using a Strea 1 fluid bed. The coating was added as an aqueous solution and coating completed under conditions given in Table 3. Coating wt% is based on weight of the coated particle.

Table 3

Example 1

Mass Solid [kg] 1 .25

Coating Solution Sodium Carbonate (30%)

Mass Coating Solution [kg] 0.263

Air Inlet Temperature [°C] 80

Air Outlet Temperature [°C] 38

Coating Feed Rate [g/min] 16

Coating Feed temperature [°C] 55 Coated particles composition is given in Table 4.

Table 4

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims

A dosing device for both scooping and in-wash dosing of a particulate laundry composition, the dosing device comprising:

(b) a closure device operable to move between

(ii) a dosing position in which the closure device overlies the dosing chamber.

A dosing device according to claim 1 , wherein the closure device is hinged relative to the dosing chamber.

A dosing device according to any preceding claim wherein closure device is lockable the dosing and/or the scooping position.

A dosing device according to any preceding claim wherein the closure device comprises apertures to allow water ingress and egress from the dosing chamber.

A dosing device according to any preceding claim wherein the dosing chamber comprises apertures to allow water ingress and egress from the dosing chamber.

6. A dosing device according to any preceding claim wherein the size of the apertures are less than the size of the particulate.

7. A dosing device according to any preceding claim wherein the closure device comprise ribs.

8. A dosing device according to any preceding claim wherein the device

comprises an ellipsoid.

9. A dosing device according to any preceding claim wherein the device is egg shaped. 10. A dosing device according to any preceding claim in combination with a dose of particulate laundry composition wherein each particle has perpendicular dimensions x, y and z, wherein x is from 0.2 to 2 mm, y is from 2.5 to 8mm (preferably 3 to 8 mm), and z is from 2.5 to 8 mm (preferably 3 to 8 mm). 1 1 . A dosing device according to claim 10 herein the particles are oblate

spheroids with diameter of 3 to 6 mm and thickness of 1 to 2 mm.

12. A packaged laundry particulate composition comprising the dosing device according any preceding claim.

13. A method of treating a fabric with a particulate laundry composition with the device of claims 1- 1 or the package of claim 12, the method comprising the steps of:

i. scooping the particulate laundry composition into the dosing chamber of the dosing device, wherein the closure device is in the scooping position;

ii. moving the closure device into the dispensing position;

iii. placing the device into a washing receptacle

iv. carrying out a fabric treatment process which may be washing the

fabrics in the washing receptacle.