WO2019063798A1

WO2019063798A1 - Laundry liquid mixing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2019063798A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/076486
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deborah Jane Cooke
Original assignee: Unilever Plc; Unilever N.V.; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2017-09-29
Filing date: 2018-09-28
Publication date: 2019-04-04

Abstract

Apparatus for providing laundry product bespoke to user input, the apparatus comprising a dispensing device, and including a plurality of reservoirs containing various respective ingredients that are combined based on said user input, wherein the reservoir are arranged radially and wherein one or more of said reservoirs are removable via an access aperture.

Description

Laundry Liquid Mixing Apparatus

The present invention relates to devices for providing laundry compositions on demand in a user's home.

For many consumers, no one laundry product fulfils all of their needs. As a result, many consumers buy and store more than one laundry product. Selections include biological and non-biological products, products specifically formulated for white or colours or wools/silk. In addition to storing these laundry products, consumers often store one or more additional stain removal products and / or benefit agents. In total, this can amount to a relatively large number of bottles / boxes stored in consumers' kitchens, utility rooms, garages or basements.

Other consumers simply use one laundry product for all loads, regardless of suitability. This can mean that unnecessary enzymes, bleaches etc are used in so-called refresh washes (where the load is not stained) which may have detrimental effects on fabric care and / or the environment.

The present invention seeks to address one or more of these problem identified in the prior art.

Summary

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for providing laundry product bespoke to user input, the apparatus comprising a dispensing device, and including a plurality of reservoirs containing various respective ingredients that are combined based on said user input, wherein the reservoirs are arranged radially and optionally one or more of said cartridges are removable via an access aperture. Preferably the device has a longitudinal axis and the reservoirs are arranged radially around said longitudinal axis.

Preferably each reservoir contains an ingredient composition which is different to that contained in other reservoirs. With the arrangement of the invention, the feeds from multiple reservoirs may be arranged such that they are combined at a position equidistant from each reservoir outlet. The invention is particularly advantageous where larger numbers of reservoirs are used, such as may be desirable in the case of bespoke recipe creation where the individual components of a cleaning or other laundry operation are available for selection by the consumer. The invention affords the advantage that the timing of any associated dispensing devices is greatly simplified. So for example, if pumps are used to dispense the ingredients from the reservoirs via conduit to the combination location, each connection may very easily have a common conduit length so that engineering design for timed fluid transfer of ingredients e.g. priming, can be greatly simplified.

Preferably, the longitudinal axis is central to the device. Preferably the reservoirs are arranged radially around a central, longitudinal axis. Preferably the longitudinal axis passes through the centre of gravity of the device (measured without reservoir contents).

Preferably each reservoir comprises a reservoir outlet and said reservoir outlets are located in a ring centred around the longitudinal axis of the reservoir. Preferably the ring forms a circle such that each reservoir outlet is equidistant from the longitudinal axis. Preferably the longitudinal axis of the device is, in use, upright.

Preferably the dispensing device comprises a generally tubular structure with a base and an upper part, and with substantial radial symmetry about the longitudinal axis at least in so far as said reservoirs. Preferably the dispensing device tapers in the direction of the base of the device. Preferably the dispensing device flares radially outward in the direction of the upper part of the device. Preferably the reservoirs located in the upper part of the device. This arrangement provides a greater surface area for the reservoirs, so easing removal and replacement of reservoirs. Preferably the dispensing device has an upper face containing recesses configured for receipt of said reservoirs. Preferably the reservoirs present a visible radial pattern. Preferably the recesses present a radial pattern in said upper face.

Preferably each reservoir has an elongate or flattened cross section. This allows for a greater number of reservoirs to be arranged around a single centre/ . In this respect, advantageously, the reservoir width is at least twice the reservoir depth and said depth is less than 5 cm. For example, each reservoir may comprise a flattened bottle or a shallow box construction. With such planar designs, the radial array may present a 'hub and spoke' or radial fin effect when the apparatus is viewed in plan view. The reservoir outlet may comprise an simple aperture but preferably it comprises a connection member which may include a valve for flow control. Preferably laundry product within the reservoir cartridge is contained or released according to whether the valve of the device is in a closed or open state. Preferably the or each reservoir outlet is fluidly and controllably connectable to the dispensing device by means of said connection member. Preferably the or each reservoir outlet is located on a location common to all reservoirs. Preferably the reservoirs are fluidly and controllably connectable to a complementary connection device of the dispensing device, and further preferably this complementary connection device is located substantially centrally of the radial arrangement, presenting a hub and spoke arrangement.

The apparatus may comprise a dosing unit. The dosing unit may be suitable for placing in a washing machine drum or drawer. Suitably, the dosing unit may then be placed in the washing machine drum as normal for the wash program.

Preferably the or each reservoir is in controllable fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle which dispenses into the dosing unit. Preferably the dispensing nozzle is located centrally with regard to the dispensing device. Preferably the dispensing nozzle is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis.

The compositions from the various reservoirs may be dispensed directly into the dosing unit (as it is not necessary that the various compositions are mixed before use) or may be dispensed via a pre-mixing chamber, which mixes two or more compositions prior to dispensing.

In some cases, the compositions are dispensed directly into the dosing unit. They may be dosed sequentially or concurrently.

In some cases, the device has a pre-mixing chamber in which two or more compositions are mixed prior to dispensing. Individual ingredient compositions may be dispensed into said chamber, where they may be mechanically mixed (by stirring or agitation, for example), or may naturally disperse and mix as each component is added. The dispensing device may be integral to washing machine. In this case the apparatus may comprise a washing machine. The or each reservoir may be in controllable fluid connection with a dosing system of the washing machine. To this end, the apparatus may comprise a computer module programmed to cause the device to dispense the ingredients from one or more reservoirs to provide a laundry product.

Preferably the dispensing device comprises a first reservoir containing a detergent composition and at least one further reservoir, the or each reservoir ingredient composition; wherein the device has a computer module programmed to cause the device to dispense the detergent composition and optionally the ingredient composition to provide a laundry product in the dosing device as a result of input by a user.

The dispensing device prepares laundry product according to a recipe. The recipe may be selected based on the user's needs / preferences The laundry product is prepared from one or more reservoirs. The reservoirs contain laundry ingredient compositions, which may be liquid, gel, paste, free flowing particulate solid (e.g. powder). For example, a first reservoir may comprise a "base" detergent composition, while a further reservoir may comprise an optional ingredient composition. Optional ingredients may include, without limitation, enzymes, bleaches, disinfectant, and fragrance. It will be appreciated that preferably there is more than one further reservoir, permitting more variety in laundry product dosing. The device provides, on command, composition from the first reservoir and optionally one or more of the further reservoirs, thereby providing a laundry product that may be considered bespoke to the user's particular wants and needs. For example, the product may be prepared to target particular stains, obviating the need for specific spot treatment.

The dosing unit may be conventional dosing ball, or may have one or more features designed to complement or otherwise interact with the device. In some cases, the dosing unit seals the product within a chamber inside the unit, opening during the wash cycle to form a wash liquor.

The composition is dispensed by the computer module according to input provided by the user. Input may be provided in various ways, for example by the user making choices or providing suggestions, or through sensing a tag or label in the article to be laundered (such as a QR "quick response" code). This input may captured via a user interface on the device. The device may include a graphical user interface (GUI). For example, the GUI may be presented to the user on a digital screen of the user interface. Input from the user may be captured by the user interface of the device via various user interaction mechanisms including: manipulation of buttons, touch screen, voice commands, gestures or other suitable methods. The computer module may communicate with an external user device which may be a portable computing device such as mobile phone, tablet, laptop or other computer. The external user device may include a voice-activated device such as smart speaker Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple Homepod, to receive user inputs from a user interface on the external device. Using the interface, the user may select a suitable laundry liquid recipe, or the computer module may select, generate or obtain a recipe based on the input (load type, staining, preferences and previous wash history etc). The recipe used to determine the amounts may be obtained from an internal memory within the device, or may be obtained from an external memory accessed, for example, via the internet.

The user interface may include a facility to input data in sets, for example through asking to user to selection certain options or alternatives. Accordingly, the device may have or communicate with a user interface via which the user is able to input data using at least two sets of options.

At least one set of options may prompt the user to input stain identity (grass, chocolate, blood etc).

At least one set of options prompts the user to input fabric colour and / or type. (e.g. cotton, polycotton, polyester).

Based on the data provided for each of these sets, an algorithm may be employed to determine an optimised formulation, balancing the cleaning needs of certain stains against others. The algorithm may be stored and accessed on the computer module of the device, or it may be obtained from an external source such as the internet.

Accordingly, in some cases the computer module is programmed with an algorithm to determine how much product is dosed from each reservoir based on the user input. Accordingly, in some cases the computer module is programmed to communicate with an external source to access an algorithm and determine how much product is dosed from each reservoir based on the user input. For example, and not by way of limitation, the ingredient composition may be an enzyme composition. The user may then select a "biological" or "non-biological" wash, depending on whether or not enzyme is dispensed.

Accordingly, in some cases the device has a further reservoir containing a composition comprising an enzyme.

For example, and not by way of limitation, the ingredient composition may be a whitening composition (for example, containing one or more whiteners, fluorescent compounds, shading dye). The user may select a "whites" or "colours" wash, depending on whether or not whitening composition is dispensed.

Accordingly, in some cases the device has a further reservoir containing a composition comprising a fluorescer and / or a shading dye. It will be appreciated that preferably the device comprises more than one further reservoir. This permits greater variation in the laundry liquid compositions obtainable from the device.

For example, with one further reservoir, two types of composition are obtainable: Base composition and Base composition + ingredient 1.

With two further reservoirs, four types of compositions are obtainable: Base composition; Base composition + ingredient 1 ; Base composition + ingredient 2 and Base composition + ingredient 1 + ingredient 2.

With three further reservoirs, eight types of compositions are obtainable: Base composition; Base composition + ingredient 1 ; Base composition + ingredient 2; Base composition + ingredient 3; Base composition + ingredient 1 + ingredient 2; Base composition + ingredient 1 + ingredient 3, Base composition + ingredient 2 + ingredient 3 and Base composition + ingredient 1 + ingredient 2 + ingredient 3. In some embodiments, the device has only one further reservoir. In some embodiments, the device has two or more further reservoirs. In some embodiments, the device has three or more further reservoirs. In some embodiments, the device has four or more further reservoirs. In some embodiments, the device has five or more further reservoirs. It will be understood that, while there is no upper limit, for simplicity it is likely that no more than eight, optionally no more than seven, optionally no more than six further reservoirs are present.

The reservoirs may be integral to the housing of the device or, additionally or alternatively one or more reservoirs are provided as removable reservoirs, and preferably individually removable (so that one may be removed whilst others remained). Preferably the reservoirs are provided to the consumer as pre-filled cartridges, pre-filled with ingredients as described herein. The removable/pre-filled cartridges may cooperate with the housing of the device, and preferably the arrangement is such that the composition in the reservoir is in fluid communication with a nozzle for dispensing the composition into a dosing unit or a pre-mixing chamber or in cases where the apparatus is integral to a washing machine, the nozzle may feed directly into the drum or into inlet water feeds which feed water into the drum. When high numbers of cartridges are installed for affording greater choice and fine tuning of the recipe, the radial arrangement allows for ease of access to individual reservoirs via a smaller and/or only a single aperture which simplifies manufacture and use.

The access aperture may be covered by a viewing window or access doors, for viewing/access of the reservoirs.

The reservoir cartridges may be fixed in position and yet still all accessible via the access point. Alternatively, the reservoir cartridges may be mountable on a rotatable mounting device, such as a housing or plate, for ease of loading the reservoir cartridges. The reservoirs may be rotatable manually or rotation may be powered and controllable e.g. electronically by the user. The reservoirs may rotate past the access aperture / viewing window / door by which the reservoirs can be accessed individually for e.g. removal and/or replacement etc. A reservoir cartridge may have stiff walls. In other words, the cartridge may retain its shape regardless of the amount of laundry product in the reservoir. A reservoir cartridge may have flexible walls. It will be appreciated that the cartridge may be configured to suit the overall design and shape of the device. Said reservoir cartridge may be, without limitation, a pouch or stiff plastic container.

As described above, preferably the reservoirs are fluidly and controllably connectable to a complementary connection device of the dispensing device. In the case of removable/pre-filled reservoir cartridges, these may be fixable to and/or within the device such that the contents of the reservoir are sealable by a valve. Suitably, therefore, the cartridge comprises mating means e.g. a mating device or mechanism configured to engage with complementary mating means on the device such that, when in place, the reservoir cartridge is held securely and laundry product within the reservoir cartridge is contained or released according to whether the valve of the device is in a closed or open state. In other words, the cartridge may comprise a connecting portion which mates with a complementary connection portion of the device. The connection is preferably controlled by a controller, such as a computing module as herein described. Preferably the mating means is located in a position common to all installed reservoirs.

Preferably the complementary mating means of the device comprises at least a portion which is located substantially centrally of the radial arrangement of reservoirs. The reservoirs and at least a portion of the complementary mating means may form a hub a spoke arrangement, with the portion of the complementary mating means forming a hub and the reservoirs arranged radially around said hub.

This arrangement has the advantage that the complementary mating means may be a single component, and together with the radially arranged reservoirs, occupy a compact volume.

This further has the advantage that more reservoirs can be provided, thus providing greater treatment options and a more tunable formulation.

Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the reservoirs comprise a flattened cross- section and are arranged equidistant from a substantially central hub comprising the complementary mating means, presenting a hub and spoke arrangement, with the reservoirs presenting radial fins around the substantially central hub.

Such an arrangement is ideally suited for pre-filled cartridges but as indicated above, the hub and spoke is advantageous for any reservoir, such as fixed, refillable cartridges, or even mixed arrangements of both refillable and pre-filled cartridges.

Additionally or alternatively, the contents of the reservoir may be supplied by pressure and / or vacuum generated within the device. It will be appreciated that the device may have a pump to move the liquids from the reservoirs to the dosing nozzle, optionally via a pre-mixing chamber, to be dispensed.

Accordingly, each reservoir cartridge may be fixable to the device by mating means configured to engage with complementary mating means on the device such that, when in place, the reservoir cartridge is held securely and laundry product within the reservoir cartridge is contained or released according to whether the pump is on or off.The reservoir compositions may be any combination from those described herein.

Also referred to as a detergent formulation / composition, this composition comprises one or more surfactants. Preferably, the composition does not contain an enzyme.

Preferably, the composition does not contain a bleach. Optionally, the composition does not contain a sequestrant.

Example components for the detergent composition include the following:

Anionic surfactants, for example having an anion selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), primary alkyl sulfate (PAS), alkyl ether sulfate (AES) and mixtures thereof. Nonionic surfactants, for example which may include primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially C8-C20 aliphatic alcohol ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially the C10-C15 primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include alkyl polyglycosides, glycerol monoethers and polyhydroxy amides (glucamide). Mixtures of nonionic surfactant may be used.

Amine Oxide Surfactants of formula R¹ N(0)(CH2 R²)2 in which R¹ is a long chain moiety and each CH2R² is a short chain moiety. R² is preferably selected from hydrogen, methyl and -CH2OH. In general R¹ is a primary or branched hydrocarbyl moiety which can be saturated or unsaturated, preferably, R¹ is a primary alkyl moiety having chain length of from about 8 to about 18 and R² is H. These amine oxides are illustrated by C12-14 alkyldimethyl amine oxide, hexadecyl dimethylamine oxide, octadecylamine oxide.

Some zwitterionic surfactant, such as sulphobetaine, may be present. A preferred zwitterionic material is a betaine available from Huntsman under the name Empigen® BB.

Preferably the compositions contain less than 10wt%, more preferably less than 5wt% zwitterionic surfactant.

Cationic Surfactants may be included, but are preferably substantially absent from the detergent formulation. A particularly preferred surfactant system is provided by linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) and C10-C15 alcohol ethoxylated nonionic surfactant with 2 to 7 EO.

While enzymes are powerful stain removers, for many wash loads some or all enzymes may be omitted. For example, different families of enzymes are effective against different classes of stain, and a large number of laundry loads are not stained at all. Including enzymes in each and every wash may therefore be wasteful.

The inventors have observed that certain enzymes cannot be stored in combination. For example, protease and lipase cannot usually be combined in a single liquid composition because as the protease may digest the lipase on storage. Similarly, protease may digest cellulase on storage in a liquid. However, lipase gives excellent benefits on removal of fats, while cellulase gives improved fabric treatment with colour preservation and pill removal and / or background whiteness benefit (depending on the cellulase used). This means that conventional laundry projects often contain an enzyme mix. The present invention permits, through use of more than one reservoir comprising an enzyme composition, the assorted benefits of these enzymes to be accessed in a single load. For example, the device may comprise a reservoir (ii) containing a first composition comprising a protease and a further reservoir (iii) containing a second composition comprising a cellulase and / or a lipase. Neither, one or both of these compositions may then be supplied depending on, for example, the type of staining. In some embodiments, the composition of reservoir (ii) comprises a protease. Suitably, the composition of reservoir (ii) does not contain a cellulase and / or a lipase. The composition of reservoir (ii) may optionally further comprise a pectate lyase.

The composition of reservoir (ii) may optionally further comprise a surfactant, for example, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). This additional surfactant may be used to boost detergency over and about that of the detergent composition, which may be useful in the case of stained loads. Certain surfactants are also known to be more suited to enzymatic cleaning processes. The device may dispense the composition of reservoir (ii) for stains such as grass and blood.

In some embodiments, the composition of reservoir (iii) comprises a cellulase and / or a lipase and / or an amylase. Preferably, the composition of reservoir (iii) comprises a lipase. Suitably, the composition of reservoir (iii) does not contain a protease.

In some cases, the composition of reservoir (iii) comprises a cellulase.

In some cases, the composition of reservoir (iii) comprises a lipase.

In some cases, the composition of reservoir (iii) comprises an amylase.

Naturally, the composition of reservoir (iii) may comprise any combination of these enzymes. The composition of reservoir (iii) may optionally further comprise a mannanase. The composition of reservoir (iii) may optionally further comprise a surfactant for example SLES. As described for (ii), this additional surfactant may be used to boost detergency over and about that of the detergent composition, which may be useful in the case of stained loads.

The device may dispense the composition of reservoir (iii) for stains such as gravy, starch-based stains, chocolate and chocolate products, fatty cooking stains. Compositions comprising a bleach component and an alkaline component may be used in combination. In other words, the compositions may be dosed together, using the alkali to activate the bleach ready for, or during, a wash or a rinse process in order to provide an effective bleaching action. These may be dispensed for tea, coffee, wine, and berry stains, as well as improving overall whiteness and providing hygiene benefits.

Composition comprising a bleach component has an in-reservoir pH equivalent to pH of 7 or less, while the composition comprising an alkali (v) is suitable for raising the pH wash liquor in order to initiate and/or promote action of the bleach component said wash liquor.

Preferably the composition containing the bleach component has an in-reservoir pH of 6 or less, and more preferably has a pH in a range of 3 to 5. If the composition is not aqueous based it may have a pH as described when measured on dilution of the liquid composition to 1 % using demineralised water.

The composition comprising a bleach component may additionally contain detergent active components (e.g. surfactants) which are compatible with the bleach component, such as discussed below. The composition containing an alkali component (v) may also contain detergent active components.

The bleach component is a component suitable for use in a laundry process. Preferably the bleach component comprises an oxygen bleach system. Such bleach systems may be, for example, a peroxygen bleach or a peroxy - based or peroxy - generating system. Mixtures of bleaches can also be used.

Preferably the bleach component is selected so as to be easy to handle and storable according to the requirements for the least hazardous class of organic peroxides. This allows the first composition to be safely transported to and stored in a domestic setting.

A preferred category of bleaches encompasses percarboxylic acid bleaching agents, salts thereof and precursors thereof, especially organic percarboxylic acids, salts thereof and precursors thereof, particularly aromatic percarboxylic acids and especially

heteroaromatic peroxycarboxylic acids, salts and precursors thereof.

Particularly preferred embodiments employ 6-(phthalimido) peroxyhexanoic acid (PAP) and salts thereof. The peracid formula is shown below.

Peroxygen bleaches, perborates and percarbonate bleach components may optionally be combined with bleach activators which lead to the in situ production during the washing process of a peroxy acid corresponding to the bleach activator. If such a bleach component is in liquid composition, then a bleach activator will generally be provided in a different reservoir to the bleach component.

Examples of preferred peroxy acid bleach precursors or activators are TAED (N, N, N' N' - tetraacetyl ethylene diamine) and SNOBS (sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate). Preferably Typically the composition may comprise up to 20wt% of bleach component, especially up to 19wt% and more preferably up to 18wt%. Suitably the composition may comprise at least 2wt% of bleach component, preferably at least 3wt%, more preferably at least 4wt% and especially at least 5 wt%. In preferred embodiments, the composition contains additional fluorescent and/or whitener components such as shading dyes. Such additional components may be present preferably in amounts of from 0.005wt% up to 5wt%, especially up to 2 wt% and more preferably up to 1wt%.

Fluorescent agents may be supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts. The total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition is generally from 0.005 to 5 wt%, preferably from 0.005 to 2 wt %, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 wt %.

Preferred classes of fluorescent agent are: Di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X and Tinopal CBS-CL, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid

compounds, e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX, and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. Blankophor SN.

Preferred fluorescent agents are: salts of: 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H- napthol[1 ,2-d]triazole,; 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1 ,3,5- triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disulfonate; 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1 ,3,5-triazin- 2-yl)]amino} stilbene-2-2'-disulfonate; and 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl.

Shading dyes may optionally be included. These may enhance the perception of whiteness. They may, for example, be violet or blue.

The composition of reservoir (iv) may optionally further comprise a surfactant, for example SLES. Once again, this may boost detergency over and above composition (i) alone in the presence of stains. Composition comprising an alkaline component may affect pH adjustment. The alkaline component may comprise sources such as, but not limited to : alkanolamines, such as monoethanolamine MEA, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine TEA, and preferably MEA; alkali metal hydroxides, such as NaOH and KOH; alkali metal carbonates and

bicarbonates such as sodium carbonate / bicarbonate and alkali metal silicates such as sodium silicate. Accordingly, the alkaline component may be one or more of these compounds.

The composition (v) may be up to 60wt% in total of alkalinity components, more preferably up to 50wt%, especially up to 40wt%, even more preferably up to 30wt%. For example, it may contain at least 15wt% and preferably at least 20wt%. Optionally the composition has in-reservoir pH of at least 8, preferably at least 9, more preferably at least 10, especially at least 1 1 , and most preferably at least 12. If the composition is not aqueous based it may have a pH in those ranges when measured on dilution of the liquid composition to 1 % using demineralised water.

Preferably a dose of laundry product obtained from the combination of the compositions of reservoirs (iv) and (v), when diluted with 15 litres of water in a washing machine, is effective to provide a wash liquor having a pH of at least 6, preferably in a range of 7 to 1 1 , more preferably in a range of 8 to 10, most preferably in a range of 8 to 9.5, and especially 8 to 9. Of course, different washing machine use different amount of water and dilution with greater amounts, for example 60 litres, is envisaged.

Preferably the composition contains components which function to buffer a wash liquor within a pH range of 7 to 1 1 , more preferably 8 to 10 or to 9.5, especially 8 to 9.

The composition of reservoir (v) may include a builder. Suitable builders include inorganic materials (such as sodium citrate, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) and organic materials (such as polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid and polyacrylic / polymaleic acid copolymers and salts thereof). The builder component(s) may be present in a total amount of from 5wt% up to 50wt% of the composition (v), more preferably up to 40wt%, more preferably up to 30wt%, especially up to 25wt% and most preferably up to 20wt%. The inventors believe that synergistic effects from a raised pH and lowered in- wash pCa or building enhance the detergency of both particulate and oily stains. The composition of reservoir (v) may optionally further comprise a surfactant, for example SLES. Once again, this may boost detergency over and above composition (i) alone in the presence of stains.

Composition comprising a sequestrant The inventors have determined that the inclusion of a reservoir comprising a sequestrant increases the flexibility of the device to deal with a variety of stains and garment types economically. Separating sequestrant from the composition of reservoir (i) may also permit greater flexibility of formulation of the composition of reservoir (i). Sequestrant from reservoir (vi) may, for example, be dispensed to aid removal of bleachable stains on coloured garments, where use of a bleach may risk damage to the dye or fabric.

Suitably therefore, the composition of reservoir (vi) does not include a bleach.

Example sequestrants are HEDP (1 -Hydroxyethylidene-1 ,1 ,-diphosphonic acid), for example sold as Dequest 2010, and (Diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid or Heptasodium DTPMP), Dequest® 2066. Preferably the composition contains up to 40%w/w of a suitable sequestrant system, including mixtures of different commercial sequestrants.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a further reservoir containing an ingredient composition comprising a disinfectant. This may be optionally dosed for a hygiene wash, for example when a member of the household has been ill or for fabric stained with bodily fluids or biological waste. Additionally or alternatively, the device may comprise a further reservoir containing an ingredient composition comprising a bleach, which may be optionally dosed for a hygiene wash, suitably when the fabric is white.

The further ingredients may also be used to top up ingredients that may be present in the detergent formulation to provide a boost effect.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a dispensing device as described in the first aspect. It will be appreciated that all options and preferences previously described apply were permitted.

DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described without limitation with reference to the following diagrammatical drawings in which: Figure 1 a shows a representative drawing of the apparatus of a standalone example of the invention

Figure 1 b shows an enlarged plan view of the apparatus of figure 1 , showing radial arrangement of cartridges in the dispensing device

Figure 2 shows a partially cut away representative drawing of the apparatus of figure 1 , showing part of the cartridge arrangement. Figure 3 shows a cross-section drawing of a device according to the present invention wherein the device is integral to a washing machine.

The apparatus as illustrated in Figure 1a has a dispensing device 1 and a dosing unit 2. In one embodiment the dispensing device flares out toward the top 11 and the base 10 The apparatus is a standalone device, designed to rest on its base 10 on a countertop or similar. For example, it may be placed on a countertop in a kitchen or utility room, or may be placed on top of a washing machine. It may also be built into a kitchen unit. However, it will be appreciated that the device may also be integral to a washing machine as described elsewhere.

As illustrated, the dosing unit is a conventional dosing ball, which is typically made of plastics material. In use, the dosing unit is placed in a dispensing area 3 located underneath a nozzle 4. As illustrated, the dispensing area 3 is a recess provided in the device housing, and the dosing unit 2 is placed on a surface provided in the housing. However, it will be appreciated that the housing may be shaped in different ways such that, for example, the dosing unit is placed directly on the countertop (or other surface on which the device is placed) in use. Laundry product ingredients are dispensed into the dosing unit 2 via the nozzle 4. As shown, only one nozzle 4 is used. However, it will be appreciated that more than one nozzle may be provided. For example, different reservoirs may be in fluid communication with different nozzles such that a first reservoir is in fluid communication with a first nozzle and a second reservoir is in fluid communication with a second nozzle.

The device has a control / information interface 5. As illustrated, the interface 5 is a touch screen provided in the housing that both displays information and allows selections and information to be inputted to a computer module (not shown). However, in other embodiments the device may be provided with a panel having buttons, dials or similar for inputting information. In other embodiments, input may be conveyed via command or gesture. It will be appreciated that a display screen in the housing of the device is not essential. The device may be configured for use without a display screen, or an external display screen on for example a phone or tablet may be coupled to the device (for example, via Bluetooth or similar). The external user device may include a voice-activated device such as smart speaker Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple Homepod, to receive user inputs from a user interface on the external device.

Figure 2 shows a partially cutaway image of the apparatus of Figure 1. The interior houses five reservoir cartridges 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e. As Figure 1 a/1 b shows schematically, these are arranged radially around the central longitudinal axis of the dispensing device 1 . Each cartridge comprises a flattened bottle and houses an ingredient composition. For example, in this non-limiting illustrated embodiment, the reservoirs are as follows 6a a reservoir containing a composition comprising a surfactant;

6b a reservoir containing a composition comprising a first enzyme;

6c a reservoir containing a composition comprising a second enzyme, wherein the second enzyme is different to the first enzyme;

6d a reservoir containing a composition comprising a bleach component; and

6e a reservoir containing a composition comprising an alkaline component;

6a Detergent formulation

In this example, surfactant system is provided by linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) and C10-C15 alcohol ethoxylated nonionic surfactant with 2 to 7 EO. In further

embodiments, example components for a concentrated detergent base may include any of the previously described detergent components

6b 6c. Enzyme formulations.

The device comprises two separate reservoirs 6b, 6c. Reservoir 6b contains a first ingredient composition comprising a protease (and suitably not containing a cellulase and / or a lipase) and a second further enzyme reservoir 6c contains a second ingredient composition comprising a cellulase and / or a lipase (and suitably not containing a protease). Neither, one or both of these compositions may then be supplied depending on, for example, the type of staining. 6d. bleach reservoir

This reservoirs containing an ingredient composition comprising a bleach. This may be optionally dosed for white loads. The bleach in this example is employ 6-(phthalimido) peroxyhexanoic acid (PAP) and salts thereof. The peracid formula is shown below.

6d alkaline reservoir

The alkaline component for pH adjustment may be effected with alkalinity sources such as, but not limited to : alkanolamines, such as monoethanolamine MEA, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine TEA, and preferably MEA; alkali metal hydroxides, such as NaOH and KOH; alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates such as sodium carbonate / bicarbonate and alkali metal silicates such as sodium silicate. Suitably, the composition comprising a bleach component (iv) has an in-reservoir pH equivalent to pH of 7 or less, while the composition comprising an alkali (v) is suitable for raising the pH wash liquor in order to initiate and/or promote action of the bleach component said wash liquor. Preferably the composition containing the bleach component has an in-reservoir pH of 6 or less, and more preferably has a pH in a range of 3 to 5. If the composition is not aqueous based it may have a pH as described when measured on dilution of the liquid composition to 1 % using demineralised water In further embodiments, alternative or further reservoirs are provide alternative or top up ingredients that may be present in the base formulation to provide a boost effect. For example, the applicant has observed large benefits for adding extra sequestrant into the wash cycle, over and above the amounts typically able to be formulated in laundry liquid formulations. The present invention enables the use of larger quantities of sequestrant than would normally be accessible by providing all or additional sequestrant in a separate reservoir to be dosed separately into the formulation provided in the dosing unit.

Furthermore, the applicant has observed that the apparent benefits of greater sequestrant content are improved at lower pH. It will be appreciated that the present invention permits the provision of multiple liquid compositions, each having a different pH for storage, combined shortly before a wash begins. In some embodiments, the device may comprise at least one further reservoir containing a perfume composition. This offers two advantages: firstly, the user may select the perfume to suit (for example, fresh, floral or musky) rather than being constrained by the sometimes limited options for certain laundry liquid products, and secondly, may optionally chose an unperfumed wash according to inclination.

Each cartridge has a valve 7. Each cartridge is in fluid communication via a respective valve 7 with the nozzle via a flow path 8. Each flow path 8 is equal in that the distance from each valve 7 to the nozzle is the same. Flow from the cartridge to the nozzle (where it is dispensed) is controlled by the valve 7. In this embodiment therefore each valve 7 is a metering valve, with the volume metered controlled by the computer module. It will be appreciated that the valves may be located at any point along the flow path, and other types of valve may be used. It will also be appreciated that metering of the ingredient compositions may be achieved in other ways, for example through generation of pressure in the reservoir to force the liquid out.

The diagram shows individual flows running from each reservoir to the nozzle 4. It will be appreciated that flow paths may meet before the nozzle is reached. For example, the device may have a pre-mixing chamber in which different ingredient compositions meet before they are dispensed into the dosing unit. In such embodiments, each flow path is equal in that the distance from each valve to the nozzle is the same.

In use, the dosing unit is located under the nozzle (such that product dispensed through the nozzle enters a chamber of the doing device). The user inputs information about the laundry load to the computer module. Typically, data may be entered in in two or more sets, each set requiring certain information from the user. For example, Set I may be used to input the load type: whites or colours. Set II may be used to input the presence or absence of staining and, optionally, the stain type. The user may therefore select whites, grass stains, mud stains. Other data requirements may include the fabric type (cotton / polycotton / polyester) as optimal fabric care benefit agents and amounts may be different in each case; fragrance selection (different members of the household may prefer different fragrances for their clothing, or it may be desirable to fragrance bedding and towels but not clothes); extent of staining (for example, lots of grass stains, only light mud stains); size of load (small loads may require less product). An optimised wash composition is then determined and the appropriate amount from relevant cartridges dispensed. The computer module (not shown) controls the amount dispensed. The recipe used to determine the amounts may be obtained from an internal memory within the device, or may be obtained from an external memory accessed, for example, via the internet. Often, particularly where there is more than one stain type, an algorithm may be employed to determine the optimised formulation, balancing the cleaning needs of certain stains against others.

In the apparatus as illustrated, 6a houses a detergent formulation, 6b houses an enzyme formulation, and 6c houses a whitening composition. Accordingly, if the user selects:

1 . Colours -> Not stained : the computer module may not dose the contents of 6b and 6c as the memory bank or algorithm may determine they are unnecessary. 2. Whites -> Stained : the computer module may dose the contents of all three

cartridges as the memory bank or algorithm may determine they are desirable.

3. Whites -> Not stained : the computer module may not dose the contents of 6b as the memory bank or algorithm may determine it is unnecessary but may dose the contents of 6c (and 6a) as the memory bank or algorithm may determine it is desirable.

4. Colours stained : the computer module may not dose the contents of 6c as the memory bank or algorithm may determine it better for fabric care, but may dose the contents of 6b (and 6a) as the memory bank or algorithm may determine it is desirable.

As described herein, the device may be separate to a washing machine, for example on a countertop or built into kitchen units (so called, standalone), or may be integral to a washing machine. Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the device 101 is integral to a washing machine 10. The washing machine has a drum area 11 in which articles are laundered. As is conventional, this houses a rotatable basket into which articles to be laundered are placed (not shown). During a wash program, water and wash liquor enter the drum via a sprayer 12. Water enters the machine via inlet 13 (schematically and only partially shown). Water and wash liquor drain from the drum area 11 into a sump 14 and may then recirculate via recirculating pump 15 (arrows indicate direction) to be resprayed into the drum area, or may be drained via waste outlet 16. The device generally indicated at 101 which may comprise a housing within the machine, has five reservoirs radially arranged around a longitudinal axis of the device 101 here only three shown: 17a, 17b, and 17c. As shown, these are cartridges that engage with dispensing means 18, although it will be appreciated that the reservoirs may be provided simply as containers into which compositions are poured. The cartridges may be loaded and changed through access flap 19. The radial array of cartridges allows for a single relatively small access flap to access all cartridges.

The device has a computer module 20. As described herein the computer module controls which and optionally how much of each cartridge is dispensed. As shown here, the washing machine has a control panel 21 via which input may be provided to the computer module. As illustrated, the control panel is a touch screen. In the present case, the control panel and computer module are also the used to determine the machine program, although it will be appreciated that they may be separate.

As previously described, in use the user inputs information about the laundry load to the computer module 20. The optimised wash composition is then determined and the appropriate amount from relevant cartridges dispensed by dispensing means 18 and may be combined before entering the water flow of the machine, for example in a single pipe or chamber. This may be termed a pre-mixing area 27. As illustrated, three individual pipes combine to a single pipe, via which the product is dosed. In other words, the ingredient compositions dispensed may be at least partially premixed before being diluted to provide a wash liquor. The radial arrangement of the invention ensures each flow path is equal in that the distance from each valve to the pre-mixing area 27 is the same.

The computer module controls the amounts dispensed.

Advantages of the present invention

1 . Radial arrangement of the reservoir output allows simplified engineering of

multiple reservoirs required for bespoke recipe creation with improved access to removable reservoirs.

2. Active ingredients and benefit agents are dosed only as needed wanted, reducing waste and environmental impact. This may also improve the appearance and longevity of garments.

3. Each wash can be tailored to specific needs for different types and load and for different family members, including: selective non-biological washes

hygiene washes for babies, pets and elderly relatives

garment care refresh washes for adult work wear

tough stain removal for kids' clothes and sportswear

- fragrance free washes according to preference

optionally, the invention may include the facility to store preferred

formulations for user-defined groupings such as "bedding", "school uniform", "nursery". 4. In addition to "general" wash categories listed at point 2, each wash can be

tailored to the specific type of stain(s), e.g. grass, beef fat, red wine.

5. Incompatible ingredients can be stored separately, and combined only in the wash liquor. Exemplary incompatible ingredient combinations are described herein.

6. Combinations of, and relative ratios of, ingredients can be used that are outside the normal limits of liquid laundry composition stability.

_***

It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to a person skilled in the art and are included in the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims.

Claims

1 . Apparatus for providing laundry product bespoke to user input, the apparatus comprising a dispensing device, and including a plurality of reservoirs containing various respective ingredients that are combined based on said user input, wherein the reservoir are arranged radially and wherein one or more of said reservoirs are removable via an access aperture.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each reservoir is arranged radially around the longitudinal axis of the reservoir.

3. Apparatus according to any one of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each reservoir comprises a reservoir outlet and each outlet is equidistant from the longitudinal axis.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the reservoir outlet is fluidly and controllably (via said computer module) connectable to the dispensing device.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the dispensing device is integral to washing machine.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises at least three reservoirs, wherein each reservoir contains a different composition; optionally wherein the device comprises at least four reservoirs.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the device has or communicates with a user interface via which the user is able to input data using at least two sets of options to provide user input.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein at least one set of options prompts the user to input stain identity.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein at least one set of options prompts the user to input fabric colour and / or type.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the computer module is programmed with an algorithm to select much product is dosed from each reservoir based on the user input.

1 1 . Apparatus according to claim 1 1 wherein the computer module is programmed to communicate with an external source to access said algorithm and determine how much product is dosed from each reservoir based on the user input.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprises a further reservoir containing a composition comprising an enzyme.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprises a further reservoir containing a composition containing a protease and a second further reservoir containing a lipase and / or a cellulase.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the reservoirs are fluidly and controllably connectable to a complementary connection device of the dispensing device, said complementary connection device being substantially central of the radial arrangement of the reservoirs, forming a hub and spoke arrangement.

15. A dispensing device as described in any one of the preceding claims.