WO2013071963A1

WO2013071963A1 - Temperature triggered dosing method and dosing device for dosing a detergent paste

Info

Publication number: WO2013071963A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/070224
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mario Manfred POSSMANN; Johannes Georg Winter
Original assignee: Ecolab Usa Inc.
Priority date: 2011-11-16
Filing date: 2011-11-16
Publication date: 2013-05-23

Abstract

The present invention refers to a method for dispensing a paste, a paste container (2), and a dispensing system (1) comprising said paste container (2), wherein the paste container (2) comprises an outlet (3) facing downward; a cone collector (4) arranged below the outlet (3) of the paste container (2) for collecting the paste released through the outlet (3)of the paste container and guiding the collected paste to the point of use and, whereby means (5) are provided for applying heat to that part of the paste which is located in the outlet (3) or in proximity to the outlet (3) of the paste container (2), such that the viscosity of the paste is reduced and the paste becomes flowable and flows through said outlet (3) of said paste container (2) into the cone collector by gravity.

Description

TEMPERATURE TRIGGERED DOSING METHOD AND DOSING DEVICE FOR DOSING

A DETERGENT PASTE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers to a paste container and dispenser system with improved dispensing. This invention relates to a paste container and dispenser system which is particularly suitable for dispensing pseudoplastic pastes, more particularly highly viscous detergent pastes and is particularly suitable for use in small laundries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paste-form detergents are used in particular in institutional laundries where they have the advantages of powder-form detergents, more particularly a high active- substance content, and none of the disadvantages of liquid detergents, more particularly the water or solvent content, Disadvantages of paste-form detergents can lie in packaging and dispensing problems.

A disadvantage of the conventional pastes is a physical phase separation which may occur during storage at higher temperatures which is often experienced in summer, or the pastes are not dosable at low temperatures during winter. More compacted pastes show even higher viscosities and therefore do now flow and consequently appear visibly solid at room temperatures. Compactation of paste products aims to reduce or to eliminate non-performing ingredients such as water, solvents and viscosity modifiers. Compactation serves the purpose to reduce costs and to reduce the intervals of replacing empty containers by new containers holding a new batch of paste. However, after compactation the resulting compacts usually show a higher viscosity. Compactation of some products e.g. by 38% results in an almost exponential increase of the viscosity. High viscous or ultra high viscous pastes can not be dispensed because they are not flowab!e because the viscosity of such paste is too high.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the problem addressed by the present invention was to provide an improved dosing control of highly viscous pastes and to provide a paste container and dispenser system for dispensing pastes with higher viscosities in particular for use in small laundries.

The object is solved by a paste container and dispenser system 1 , comprising a paste container 2 for holding the paste, wherein the paste container comprises an outlet 3 facing downward; a cone collector 4 arranged below the outlet 3 of the paste container for collecting the paste released through the outlet of the paste container and guiding the collected paste to the point of use; wherein means 5 are provided for adjusting the temperature of that part of the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container.

Said means 5 for adjusting the temperature of that part of the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container are heating and/or cooling means. In a preferred embodiment the same means 5 is suitable for heating as well as for cooling. For example, an air blower can be used to provide a relative cool air stream when the heating of the air bfower is switched off in order to adjust the paste to a temperature at which the paste has a viscosity which makes the paste non-flowab!e. Whereas, when switching on the heating of the air blower a hot air stream can be produced in order to increase the temperature of the paste to a value at which the paste has a viscosity which makes the paste flowable. This heating decreases the viscosity of the paste due to the increased temperature and therefore the paste becomes less viscous and becomes flowable and as the outlet of the paste container faces downwards the paste flows out of the paste container simply by gravity.

By heating selectively the paste which is located in the outlet of in proximity to the outlet of the paste container, instead of the whole paste container, the dosing reliability of paste dosing strongly improves. The present inventors found that for heating of the paste the use of any source of heat provides the desired effect.

Dosing is effected by switching on the heating devices, while stopping dosing is effected by switching off the heating device and/or to switch on a cooling device. By tuning the temperature of the paste the viscosity of the paste can be tuned as paste viscosity depends on the temperature of the paste. By this method, too cold and therefore too viscous paste can be dosed without heating the whole paste container. In fact, the temperature of all paste which is more distant to the outlet of the paste container may possibly not increase as the pastes are good thermal insulators.

In a further preferred embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature are arranged in the cone collector or at the cone collector. The means 5 for adjusting the temperature is suitable to heat or to cool the paste located in the outlet of the paste container.

In a preferred embodiment the paste container and dispenser systems is provided with temperature control means. The operation of such temperature control means allows to exactly control the temperature of the paste, in particular the paste located in or in proximity to the outlet 3 of the paste container, and by that the viscosity of the paste which depends on its chemical composition and the temperature to which it is subjected.

In a further preferred embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature are selected from the group consisting of air blower, steam dispenser, water circuit, electrically driven heating circuit, infrared radiation device such as infrared light means, lasers or light bulbs; and micro wave devices, induction heating means. If heating is switched on the air blower is a hot air blower, the steam dispenser is a hot steam dispenser, and the water circuit is a hot water circuit.

In one embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature is represented by an air blower for applying air to the inner space of the cone collector and/or to the outlet of the paste container.

In a further embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature is represented by a steam dispenser for applying hot steam to the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container. In another embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature is represented by a water circuit located in the proximity to the outlet or in the rim of the outlet of the paste container. The medium circulating in such a circuit may be any medium - including water but which is not restricted to water - which is suitable to circulate in such a device and transport and deliver heat in order to dispense the paste by decreasing the viscosity of the paste or to cool the paste in order to stop dispensing the paste by increasing the viscosity of the paste. In still a further embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature is represented by an infrared radiation device such as infrared light means, lasers or light bulbs for applying infrared radiation to the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container. In yet another embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature is represented by micro wave device for applying heat to the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container.

In an alternative embodiment the means 5 for adjusting the temperature is represented by induction heating means for heating that part of the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container. Induction heating is the process of heating an electrically conducting object, usually a metal object, by electromagnetic induction, where eddy (Foucault) currents are generated within the metal and resistance leads to Joule heating of the metal. An induction heater consists of an electromagnet, through which a high-frequency alternating current is passed.

The present invention further provides a method for dispensing a paste from a paste container and dispenser system as described above, wherein heat is applied to the paste to be dispensed; wherein the viscosity of the paste is reduced by said application of heat; wherein the paste becomes flowable and flows through the outlet of the paste container into the cone collector by gravity and wherein the paste is dispensed from the cone collector to the point of use. In particular, heat is applied to that part of the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container.

In a preferred method the temperature of the paste which is dispensed is from 5 26°C to 50°C, preferably from 26°C to 50^DC, more preferred from 30°C to 50°C, still further preferred from 35°C to 50°C, even further preferred from 37°C to 50° and most preferred from 40°C to 45°C.

In a further preferred method the temperature of the paste which is dispensed is 10 26°C or higher, preferably 27°C or higher, further preferred 28°C or higher, more preferred 30°C or higher, still further preferred 35°C or higher, even further preferred 40°C.

In yet another preferred method the temperature of the paste to be dispensed is 15 elevated by at least 5°C or higher compared to the temperature of the remaining part of the paste, preferably 10°C or higher, further preferred 15°C or higher, more preferred 20°C or higher, stiil further preferred 25°C or higher, even further preferred 30°C or higher and most preferred 40°C or higher. In yet another preferred method the temperature of the paste which is dispensed is at least 5°C 0 or higher compared to the temperature of the remaining part of the paste, preferably 10^DC or higher, further preferred 15°C or higher, more preferred 20°C or higher, still further preferred 25°C or higher, even further preferred 30°C or higher and most preferred 40°C or higher. The person skilled in the art understands that the term "remaining part of the paste" means the part of the 5 paste which is not in immediate proximity to the outlet of the paste container. In particular, the paste which temperature shall serve for comparison shall be defined as the paste which is located in the center of the paste container.

In a further preferred embodiment the paste has a viscosity, measured with a0 Bohlin CVO rheometer with plate-plate geometry (2mm gap, 20mm plate diameter) at a shear rate of 0.2s^"1 and 25°C, above 700 Pas, preferably above 800 Pas, further preferred above 1000 Pas, still further preferred above 1500 Pas. Heating the paste to temperatures higher than 25°C decreases the viscosity and improves dispensing the paste, !n a particularly preferred embodiment the paste {to be dispensed or which is dispensed) has a viscosity, measured with a Bohlin CVO rheometer with plate-plate geometry (2mm gap, 20mm plate diameter) at a shear rate of 0.2s^"1, in the range from 100 Pas to 700 Pas and more particularly, in the range from 200 Pas to 700 pas. in a still further preferred embodiment the paste comprises a detergent, further preferred a pseudoplastic detergent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation in cross-section of a paste container and dispenser system of the invention.

Figure 2 is a graph showing the quantity of dispensed paste depending on its temperature.

Figure 3 is a graph showing the dependency of the viscosity of a paste product vs. temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The paste container and dispenser system 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for pseudoplastic pastes of high or ultra high viscosity. The paste container and dispenser system according to the invention comprises a paste container 2 for holding the paste. The paste container comprises an outlet 3 facing downward, and a cone collector 4 which is arranged below the outlet 3 of the paste container for collecting the paste released through the outlet of the paste container and guiding the collected paste to the point of use. Further, means 5 for adjusting the temperature (e.g. in particular an air blower) is provided for adjusting {heating or cooling) that part of the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container. Particularly suitable pastes are those of which the viscosity, as measured for example with a Bohlin CVO rheometer with piate-plate geometry {2mm gap, 20mm plate diameter), is above 100 Pas and, more particularly, in the range from 200 Pas to 700 Pas. Corresponding pastes are, for example, the paste-form detergents obtainable in accordance with the German patent application P 43 32 843.0 or the European patent application EP 1 749 081. Accordingly, a paste container according to the invention is preferably used for dispensing corresponding pseudoplastic detergent pastes. According to a particular preferred aspect of the invention the paste container and dispenser system comprises heating means as described above in order to heat the paste which is located in the outlet 3 of the paste container or in immediate proximity this outlet in order to decrease the viscosity. An embodiment of the paste container and dispenser according to the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

The highly viscous paste is accommodated in paste container 2 having an outlet facing downward. A cone collector 4 is arranged below the outlet 3 of the paste container. If pastes of high viscosity are used such pastes do not flow out of the paste container through the outlet facing downwards, because the high viscous pastes are not liquid and not flowable, respectively, under normal temperature conditions (e.g. at a temperature of 21 °C) but are apparently solid. By heating the paste the viscosity of the paste is reduced to such an extent that it becomes dispensable: when heating the paste the viscosity is reduced and the paste becomes sufficiently flowable so that it flows out of the paste container 2 through the outlet 3 and drops into the cone collector 4, from where the paste is further directed to its point of use. It should be noted that the term "solid" in respect to high viscous formulations or pastes does not mean that these high viscous formulations or pastes are technically solid. It only means that the viscosity under normal conditions (e.g. at 21 °C) is that high that said formulations or pastes are not flowable. Examples

Example 1 : Testing the influence of the temperature of the paste on the flow.

In order to find an improvement of paste dosing the flow of pastes was tested through a pipe. It was observed that the pastes flow in plough flow through the pipe, if heat was applied to the pipe walls although the inner temperature of the paste within the pipe remained lower.

Example 2: Measuring the quantity of dispensed paste depending on its temperature

In order to measure the quantity of dispensed paste the flow of pastes was tested. The following plate of a paste container and dispenser (Compactomix® dosing unit) was heated with an air heater. Upon dosing the start temperature of the pumped (dispensed) paste was measured at the outlet and the amount of paste per time was measured (a period of 30s dosing). In Figure 2 the results were summarized. It was shown that the quantity of paste which was dispensed increased with temperature, implying that the viscosity of the temperature was increased by the raise of the temperature. Example 3: Measuring viscosity of paste depending on the temperature

In order to show the dependency of the viscosity in respect to the temperature the paste (Compactat® Future Plus, Ecolab Inc.) was given in a container a the viscosity was measured with a Bohlin CVO rheometer with plate-plate geometry (2mm gap, 20mm plate diameter) at a shear rate of 0.2s^"1 at different temperatures from 17°C to 75°C. In Figure 3 the results were summarized. It was shown that the viscosity of paste decreased with increasing temperature. List of Reference Numerals

1 paste container and dispenser system

2 paste container

3 outlet of paste container

4 cone collector

5 heating means

6 warm air/cold air depending on heater switch of means to adjust temperature

7 outlet of cone collector/pipe

8 direction to point of use

9 paste flowing out of the outlet (3) by gravity

Claims

1. A paste container and dispenser system (1 ), comprising a paste container (2) for holding the paste, wherein the paste container comprises an outlet (3) facing downward; a cone collector (4) arranged below the outlet (3) of the paste container for collecting the paste released through the outlet of the paste container and guiding the collected paste to the point of use; wherein means (5) are provided for adjusting the temperature of that part of the paste which is located in the outlet or in proximity to the outlet of the paste container.

2. The paste container and dispenser system according to claim 1 , wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature of the paste is represented by heating means and/or cooling means.

3. The paste container and dispenser system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature of the paste is represented by heating means.

4. The paste container and dispenser system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature is selected from the group consisting of air blower, steam dispenser, water circuit, electrically driven heating circuit, infrared radiation device such as infrared light means, lasers or light bulbs; and micro wave devices, induction heating means.

5. The paste container and dispenser system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature is represented by an air blower for applying air to the inner space of the cone collector and/or to the outlet of the paste container.

6. The paste container and dispenser system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature is represented by a steam dispenser.

7. The paste container and dispenser system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature is represented by a water circuit located in the proximity to the outlet or in the rim of the outlet of the paste container.

8. The paste container and dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature is represented by an infrared radiation device such as infrared light means, lasers or light bulbs for applying infrared radiation.

9. The paste container and dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature is represented by a micro wave device.

10. The paste container and dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means (5) for adjusting the temperature is represented by induction heating means.

11. A method for dispensing a paste from a paste container and dispenser system according any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein heat is applied to the paste to be dispensed; wherein the viscosity of the paste is reduced by said application of heat; wherein the paste becomes flowable and flows through the outlet of the paste container into the cone collector by gravity and wherein the paste is dispensed from the cone collector to the point of use.

12. The method according to claim , wherein the temperature of the paste to be dispensed is elevated to 26°C or higher, preferably 28°C or higher.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the temperature of the paste to be dispensed is elevated by at least 5°C or higher compared to the remaining part of the paste.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the paste when heated has a viscosity, measured with a Bohlin CVO rheometer with plate- plate geometry (2mm gap, 20mm plate diameter), at a shear rate of 0.2s^"1 in the range from 100 Pas to 700 Pas and more particularly, in the range from 200 Pas to 700 pas.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, wherein the paste before heating and before being dispensed has a viscosity, measured with a Bohlin CVO rheometer with plate-plate geometry (2mm gap, 20mm plate diameter), at a shear rate of 0.2s^'1 and 25°C, above 700 Pas.