WO2023094208A1

WO2023094208A1 - Container, assembly and method of identifying a content of a container

Info

Publication number: WO2023094208A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/081897
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hao Chen; Lijuan Abby OU; Jun Shen; Lixiao ZHANG
Original assignee: Unilever Ip Holdings B.V.; Unilever Global Ip Limited; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2021-11-23
Filing date: 2022-11-15
Publication date: 2023-06-01

Abstract

A container (10) comprises a container body (13) and a coding area (102) for interacting with a transmitter-receiver pair (110). An assembly (100) comprises the container (10) and an identification device (120) comprising a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs (110). Each transmitter-receiver pair (110) is formed of one transmitter (112) to send a signal (115) and one receiver (114) configured to detect the signal (115) sent from the transmitter (112). The coding area (102) is configured to reflect at least one signal (115) between one of the transmitter-receiver pairs (110) when the container (10) is coupled to the identification device (120). A method of identifying a content of the container (10).

Description

CONTAINER, ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF IDENTIFYING A CONTENT OF A CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container for a cleaning appliance, an assembly and a method of identifying a content of a container.

Background of the Invention

Cartridges for automatic dosing machine typically had a rigid outer container and a connection portion for connecting to the machine to automatically dose a portion of the contents into the machine for use. Because the outer sides of the cartridge were rigid, it was necessary to have a valve structure somewhere on the cartridge body to allow air in as the contents were emptied. Such a valve sometimes resulted in leakage of the contents of the cartridge through the valve. This is especially a problem during transportation of cartridges. The proposed solutions offered valves with rahter complex structures which are more expensive and difficult to install.

Some such cartridges additionally included intelligent systems for automatic dosing machines where the systems were capable of recognizing the type of the cleaning product added to the machine. CN113152032A discloses an intelligent identification device for a detergent box for automatic dispensing. The system comprises a storage box with an identification code arranged on the storage box in a form of a plurality of positions and a switch assembly provided with a plurality of conductive components. When the liquid storage box is placed in the installation station of a dispensing unit, the corresponding conductive components are controlled to be connected or disconnected through the identification positions of the identification code of the storage box. This often uses metallic materials for the conductive parts of the system, which are prone to corrosion. Furthermore, parts of the system that are in contact with the cleaning product are required to be waterproof.

WO2021151727A discloses a detergent container for a cleaning device, a contacting device comprising conductive contacts, a method and a device for operating a cleaning device, and a cleaning device. The detergent container has a housing and a contact area that is electrically conductive. The contact area represents a content coding that represents the contents of the detergent container. When the housing is in the inserted state, the contact area can be contacted using the contacting device in order to recognize the content coding. Adding metallic parts to the detergent container is costly and the exposed conductive contacts are prone to corrosion. Therefore, an assembly for intelligent identification of a container and/or contents with overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art is proposed and detailed below.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided an assembly comprises a container comprising a container body and a coding area; and an identification device comprising a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs. Each transmitter-receiver pair is formed of one transmitter to send a signal and one receiver configured to detect the signal sent from the transmitter. The coding area is configured to reflect at least one signal between one of the transmitter-receiver pairs when the container is coupled to the identification device.

Such an assembly provides a simple and effective method of automatically identifying a particular container (and/or the contents therein) for use in a cleaning appliance without the need for additional user input. The use of a coding area to reflect one or more signals between transmitter-receiver pairs can allow for identifying a number of different contents/containers depending on how many transmitter-receiver pairs are included.

Preferably, the coding area comprises one or more areas of high reflectivity to reflect signals between specific transmitter-receiver pairs. Further preferably, the coding area comprises one or more areas of low reflectivity such that the intensity of the reflected signal is low between one or more transmitter-receiver pairs, and the receiver does not receive a signal. By using a combination of high and/or low reflectivity areas, the coding area can easily and simply indicate a specific pattern of reflection to indicate a specific container and/or contents is coupled to the identification device. In some cases, the container material itself could be used as a high or low reflectivity area. For example, if a container is formed at least partly using material high in reflectivity, the coding area could be formed by printing or otherwise blocking specific parts of the high reflectivity material such that one or more transmitter-receiver pair signals are not reflected between the transmitter and receiver. Similarly, if the container material has a low reflectivity, high reflectivity sections could be printed, painted or otherwise affixed in the coding area to reflect signals between certain transmitter-receiver pairs. Optionally, the high reflectivity areas could be a light or white color and low reflectivity areas could be a dark color, such as black. This could enable the reflection or low (or non) reflection of infrared, visible light or ultraviolet.

Preferably, the number of and/or configuration of high reflectivity areas or low reflectivity areas may define the one or more signals reflected and received between transmitter-receiver pairs. Optionally, the number of and/or configuration of high reflectivity areas or low reflectivity areas indicates contents of the container. Such a system relies on a set number and configuration to identify if a container is present and then what container (or contents) is present. This allows for a user to insert a container into a cleaning system and not need to input the type of container or contents, thereby making for an easier user experience and eliminating user error.

Preferably, the coding area comprises an area printed on the container. This can be printing one or more high reflectivity areas and/or low reflectivity areas. Such a configuration allows for a simple way of applying the coding areas to a container, without having to change the actual container configuration.

Additionally or alternatively, the coding area comprises a sticker on the container. Such a configuration allows for a simple way of applying the coding areas to a container, without having to change the actual container configuration and/or typical container manufacturing process. Additionally, in such a system, containers could be refilled with different contents, and the sticker would be the only thing which would need to change to properly identify the new contents to the system. In a system where a printed coding area was used, a sticker could also be applied over the previous coding area to indicate new contents in a reused or refilled container.

Preferably, the transmitters and the receivers are configured to provide contactless detection. Further preferably, this is through the transmitters emitting one of infrared, visible light or ultraviolet; and the receivers detecting one of infrared, visible light or ultraviolet. Such contactless detection is especially useful when dealing with containers with aqueous solutions that could cause corrosion and malfunctioning in contact systems.

Preferably, the coding area is located on a side of the container. Locating on a side therefore keeps the identification features away from the cap or opening, where the fluid typically exits the container. This can result in a simpler system and can further ensure that the liquid exiting does not interfere with or otherwise contact the identification device, thereby minimizing the risk of any corrosion or malfunctioning in the systems.

Preferably, each transmitter is located adjacent to its corresponding receiver from the transmitter-receiver pairs. Such a configuration keeps the coding area and identification device compact, while ensuring that any reflected signal is reflected to the correct receiver. Such adjacent locations can be side-by-side, top and bottom, diagonally in a square or another configuration where the transmitter is located near the receiver in a pair.

A container for use in the assembly is provided. Such a container can comprise, for example, a rigid outer body, a flexible inner body that is at least partially inside the outer body and a coupler for coupling the container to a cleaning appliance. The inner body defines a cleaning product space which is configured to accommodate an amount of cleaning product, and is connected to the outer body by connection means to form a liquid conduit configured to cooperate with the coupler and enable liquid flow from the container. Alternatively, other types of containers could be used with the assembly as long as a part of the container and/or cap includes a coding area to interact with one or more transmitter-receiver pairs.

Preferably, the container is in a form of a cartridge configured to couple to an insert of a cleaning product dispensing unit of the cleaning appliance. Such an appliance can have one or more than one insert, for example, 2-10 for various cleaning products. The identification system allows for automatic identification of the specific cartridge, and the cleaning appliance is able to then know what cleaning products are available and dose accordingly without extra user input.

A method of identifying a content of a container includes providing an identification device comprising a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs; providing a container comprising a container body and a coding area; coupling the container to the identification device such that the coding area is positioned to reflect at least one signal between one of the transmitter-receiver pairs; and identifying a content of the container based on the number and/or configuration of transmitter signals reflected and received to receivers.

Such a method provides for identification of a container (and contents therein) in a simple way without requiring user input. The coding area is configured to reflect at least one signal from a transmitter, and the system is able to identify the container based on the configuration of signals reflected and received in the transmitter-receiver pairs. This can use a processor, computer, memory (e.g., look-up table) and other components to correlate the configuration of signals reflected and received with a specific container and contents.

The method may further comprise connecting the container to the identification device such that a liquid conduit between the container and the cleaning appliance is formed. The method may further comprise producing an alert if a cleaning product container is not detected in the cleaning appliance. This can alert the user to a situation when no receiver receives a reflected signal, and therefore the system determines no container is inserted. The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “about”.

It should be noted that in specifying any ranges of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

For the avoidance of doubt, the word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of’. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

The disclosure of the invention as found herein is to be considered to cover all embodiments as found in the claims as being multiply dependent upon each other irrespective of the fact that claims may be found without multiple dependency or redundancy.

Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (for example a composition of the invention), such disclosure is also to be considered to apply to any other aspect of the invention (for example a method of the invention) mutatis mutandis.

We note that in this application terms “container” and “cartridge” are not meant to be mutually exclusive or limiting but instead can be used interchangeably.

The container typically takes a form of a cartridge that is suitable to be the inserted into a cleaning appliance with an automatic dosing function of the cleaning product. Suitable cleaning appliances could be, for example, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a mop or other cleaning device which uses or requires some type of cleaning product.

The cartridge includes a rigid outer body and a flexible inner body inside the outer body. The outer body often has a shape of a prism with four side faces, and an outer body opening, though different embodiments could take different configurations and/or shapes, for example cylindrical. The inner body is to accommodate the cleaning product within it, in a cleaning space.

The inner body openings and outer body openings typically align to allow flow of the cleaning product out of the cartridge (e.g., to a cleaning appliance). The inner body and the outer body can be connected around their respective openings by connection means which can be, for example, adhesive, welding, stitching, mechanical means, or the similar. The cartridge can have a cap placed on a base of the outer body, around the outer body opening. The cap can include means for control of the cleaning product flow. The cap can be mounted onto the outer body opening by fastening means, for example, threads but could be other means such as a tight fit, latch, etc. In some embodiments, an additional cap or cover could be used for storage and/or transport.

The inner body can be additionally fixed to the outer body by one or more linear connections connecting an outside surface of the inner body to an inside surface of the outer body. These can be in the longitudinal direction and/or around the sides (e.g., radially). In some examples, the linear connections can be in a form of one long connection extending along the length of the outer body or series of short/point connections along the body, for example, on each side face. This can be achieved by an adhesive, welding, stitching, mechanical means, or the similar.

The connection between the cartridge and a cleaning appliance can be formed by coupling a connecting insert on the cap to a negative pressure device, which could be part of the cleaning appliance or separate. The connection can be air-tight to allow correct discharge of the cleaning product. This connection can be through threads, a tight fit or any other means which could secure the two parts together.

The cap can further comprise a cap opening which allows liquid to flow through the cap. In this manner a liquid conduit is formed between the cartridge and the cleaning appliance. Under the negative pressure, the cleaning product can be discharged from the cleaning product space within the inner body, through the cap opening and the negative pressure device into the cleaning appliance.

Before use, the cartridge inner body is stretched to maximize volume of the cleaning product space, and the inner body almost completely coincides with the outer body of the cartridge. When the cartridge is in use, the cleaning product is periodically discharged from the cartridge. As the cleaning product is discharged, the volume of the cleaning product space decreases and the inner body separates from the outer body except around the one or more linear connections. At the same time, a volume of an unused space inside the (rigid) outer body and outside the flexible inner body increases. The unused space fills with air as the cleaning product is discharged and the inner body, and as such the inner body decreases in volume. The volume of the cleaning product space and the volume of the unused space together always add to a volume of the outer body. Consequently, as the volume of cleaning product space is decreased when the cleaning product is discharged, the volume of the unused space increases. The outer body can have one or more air openings, for example, away from the linear connections or other means that allow pressure leveling between the unused space and the environment. When the cleaning product has been mostly or completely used, the cleaning product space is minimized, while the volume of the unused space is maximized.

By using a flexible inner body inside the outer body, the cartridge is able to hold and empty the contents almost completely without the need for complicated air valves (and leakage there through). As described in the background, past cartridges typically only had a rigid outside, which required an air valve for emptying. Liquid would sometimes leak out that valve. By instead using a flexible inner body, only a simple air hole is needed in the outer body, and no contents leak as they are completely contained in the inner body. The flexibility of inner body allows for more complete emptying of the contents of cartridge, resulting in less waste. The use of one or more linear connections provides a simple way of ensuring that inner body empties in a way that contents will not remain stuck or trapped inside. Thus, forming cartridge of an outer body and a flexible inner body with aligned outlets provides a simpler cartridge which is easier to manufacture (due to no complicated air valves), does not leak and is able to more completely use all the contents within.

In order to control the liquid flow from the cartridge and prevent the spilling of the cleaning product when the cartridge is not connected to the cleaning appliance, a valve is typically placed on or in the cap, and over the cap opening. The valve can have various forms, for example, a silicon cross piece, a duckbill valve, a deformable ball valve or other valve structure.

The cartridge can be coupled with an identification device configured to detect the contents of the cartridge. Such an assembly can comprise a cartridge with one or more areas of high and/or low reflectivity and an identification device. Engagement means can be used to connect the identification device to the cleaning appliance, and to transfer data or information from the cartridge. The engagement means can take many forms, for example complementary protrusions and cavities, etc. The engagement means can also function as electrical connections that can be used to supply power to the identification device and its components.

The identification device has a number of transmitter-receiver pairs, for example four. Each transmitter-receiver pair includes one transmitter and one receiver. The transmitter sends a signal, and the receiver is able to detect the signal sent from the paired transmitter. The signal can be any type of signal that is suitable for contactless detection, for example, infrared, visible light or ultraviolet. The transmitters and the receivers are configured such that only the receiver of the specific transmitter-receiver pair is able to detect the signal of its paired transmitter while the other receivers cannot. This can be, for example, through direction and/or strength of the signal. The paired transmitter and receiver can be located adjacent or close to each other on the identification device. For example, the identification device can be split up into four quadrants, with one transmitter-receiver pair in each quadrant. The transmitter and receiver from each pair could then be located relatively close to each other within the quadrant.

The coding area of the container body typically comprises at least one area of high reflectivity to reflect signals between specific transmitter-receiver pairs and thereby identify the contents of the cartridge (although in some situations the coding area could contain no areas of high reflectivity).

The coding area can be on a side of the container body, or could be elsewhere, for example an end or even the cap. The coding area is positioned to align with the identification device when the cartridge is connected to the identification device. The coding area is typically very flat, either directly on the container body or on a side of the container body. The coding area is configured to have areas of high and/or low reflectivity to reflect signals from specific transmitter-receiver pairs. In areas of high reflectivity, the transmitter signal reflects off the area of the coding area and the receiver then detects the signal. In areas of low reflectivity, the intensity of the reflected transmitter signal is low and the receiver then detects no signal, which means the receiver does not receive a signal. The coding area can be configured using the container body itself, only adding areas of high reflectivity if the container body has low reflectivity overall (or vice versa). Other embodiments can include printing all or part of the coding area on the container body, and/or securing a sticker to the container body as the coding area. Thus, such a coding area provides a way to easily identify the contents of the container without adding a lot of parts or additional bulk to the container itself, maintaining its substantially rectangular shape for easy stacking and storage. Using a sticker and/or printing also provides a simple and inexpensive way of configuring the coding area and being able to reconfigure as necessary (e.g., the container is refilled with different contents).

The identification device is configured to process signals from the receivers and convert them into digital states that can be read and/or interpreted by a processor. Such a processor can be part of the identification device, the cleaning appliance to which the identification device is connected, or separate from both, for example in a computer or other system. The communication between the transmitter-receiver pairs and the processor could be wired, wherein the data or information is transferred via engagement means or wireless. For example, if the receiver received a signal from its paired transmitter, the identification device generates digital state 1. On the other hand, if the receiver does not receive a signal between the transmitter-receiver pair by the coding area, the identification device generates digital state 0. This digital state information can then be sent to the processor.

The number and/or the configuration of signals reflected by the coding area creates an identification code for the contents of the cartridge. In the example with four transmitter-receiver pairs there are 16 different configurations. These can be used to identify up to 15 different cartridges or, more generally, one can differentiate between 15 different cleaning products in the cartridges using the identification system of four transmitter-receiver pairs. The configuration where no receivers receive signals from paired transmitters would typically correspond to the case when no cartridge is coupled with the identification device, though in some cases where there is another way to identify that a cartridge is connected, such a cartridge could also indicate a particular content.

As an example, a cartridge containing detergent for coloured clothes can have a coding area with two areas of reflection arranged to be identified as a particular Cartridge by the processor, while a cartridge containing fabric softener can have a coding area with three areas of reflection which are arranged to be identified as a separate Cartridge by the processor. A third cartridge containing detergent for white clothes can also have a coding area with three areas of reflection but arranged to be identified as a different by the processor due to the configuration of the reflection areas. Thus, the processor and system can identify and dispense the correct types and amounts of the particular cartridges based on the identification system. In situations where no cartridge is detected, the system could be programmed to give a notification or alert such that a user knows they need to insert a cartridge. Such a system is a simple, yet effective method of identifying a particular cartridge (and/or the contents of the cartridge) in a washing machine or other cleaning appliance such as a dishwasher, carpet cleaner, mop, electric soap dispenser, etc. Such cartridges can be especially useful in auto-dosing machines, where they can simply be inserted, and the identification device (through the transmitter-receiver pairs) can detect the presence of a cartridge with cleaning product, identify the contents by detecting the coding information (number of areas of high and/or low reflectivity and configuration of such areas), and auto-dose according to the contents.

Thus use of a coding area and transmitter-receiver pairs which are contact-less provides for a simple, yet quick and effective way of identifying a particular cartridge and the contents therein. As mentioned in the background, prior art identification systems often used metallic contacts. Such materials can result in corrosion when using aqueous solutions. By using contactless detection (e.g., infrared, visible light, ultraviolet), the coding area and transmitter-receiver pairs never have to come into contact, which can improve the lifespan, make the parts easier to manufacture (e.g., do not need to meet the tight tolerance levels for connecting parts), and can avoid corrosion issues related with past systems that used metallic parts with contacting electrodes. Additionally not using metallic parts can result in cost-savings in materials.

The cleaning appliance can include a dispensing unit which has two or more cartridge inserts, each configured to accept a cartridge. Each of the cartridge inserts has an identification device located to align with the coding area when the cartridge is coupled to the insert. Cartridges containing different cleaning products can be placed into one or more cartridge inserts and coupled to the respective identification device. For example, one cartridge can have cleaning detergent as its contents and the other cartridge can have fabric softener for use with a washing machine. Upon inserting a cartridge into the cartridge insert, connecting it to a negative pressure and/or dosing device of the cleaning appliance, the liquid conduit can be formed through the connected elements such that the cleaning product can be discharged from the cartridge into the cleaning appliance. The identification device, through the transmitter-receiver pairs interacting with the coding area (and communicating with the processor), recognizes that the cartridge contains detergent, and will dose accordingly without requiring any manual input by the consumer telling the system what is in the cartridge.

Similarly, with the cartridge containing fabric softener, the cartridge is inserted and the identification device (communicating with the processor) identifies the cartridge as containing fabric softener. It can then use that information to dose accordingly without the user having to manually input the contents.

Thus, such a system can be especially useful when many types of cleaning products are used in a cleaning appliance or system. The user simply has to insert the cartridge containing the agent, and the identification device will interact with the coding area to identify and correctly dose the contents by recognizing the number and configuration of reflective areas that relate to a specific cartridge and/or cleaning product. While two cartridges and identification devices are discussed, more or fewer could be used in specific systems.

Figure 1A shows a longitudinal view of a container for a cleaning product;

Figure 1B shows a transversal cross-sectional view of a container for a cleaning product;

Figure 1C shows a zoomed area of Figure 1 A around a cap portion of the container for the cleaning product;

Figure 2 illustrates a cartridge containing an amount of cleaning product connected to a cleaning appliance;

Figure 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cartridge filled and prior to use,

Figure 3B shows the cartridge of Fig. 3A in a partially used state, and

Figure 3C shows the cartridge of Fig. 3A in an empty or almost fully used state;

Figure 4A shows a side view of a cartridge and identification device;

Figure 4B shows a front view of the identification device of Fig. 4A;

Figure 4C shows a side view of the container with coding area;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a dispensing unit of a cleaning appliance with two cartridges inserted and with two identification devices.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The drawings are only schematic and are not limiting. In the drawings, the size, shape and placement of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustration purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Figures 1A and 1B show a longitudinal and a transversal cross-sectional view of a container for a cleaning product, respectively. The container has a form of a cartridge that is suitable to be the inserted into a cleaning appliance 200 with an automatic dosing function of the cleaning product.

The cartridge 10 comprises a rigid outer body 12, and a flexible inner body 14 inside the outer body 12. The outer body 12 shown has a shape of a prism with a rectangular base 11 , four side faces 15 and an outer body opening 36. The inner body 14 has an inner body opening 34 and is configured to accommodate an amount of the cleaning product in a cleaning product space 16.

As shown in Figure 1A, the inner body opening 34 and outer body opening 36 are aligned such that the cleaning product can be easily discharged from the cleaning product space 16 through the inner body opening 34 and the outer body opening 36 to the outside (e.g, to a cleaning appliance 200). The inner body 14 and the outer body 12 are connected around their respective openings by connection means 22. The cartridge 10 has a cap 50 placed on the base 11 of the outer body 12, around the outer body opening 36. The cap 50 can include means for control of the cleaning product flow. The cap 50 is mounted onto the outer body opening 36 by fastening means 52, which are as threads in the example shown.

The inner body 14 is additionally fixed to the outer body 12 by linear connections 26. In this example, the inner body 14 is connected to the outer body 12 by a plurality of linear connections along a longitudinal direction X. The linear connections can be in a form of one long connection extending along the length of the outer body 14 or series of short connections. Figure 1B shows an example in which the inner body 14 is connected to each side face 15 of the outer body 12. The linear connections 26 are formed by connecting an outside surface of the inner body 28 to an inside surface of the outer body 32.

Figure 2 illustrates the cartridge 10 containing an amount of cleaning product 42 connected to the cleaning appliance 200. The connection is formed by coupling a connecting insert 18 placed on the cap 50 to a negative pressure device 44 of the cleaning appliance 200.

The cap 50 further comprises a cap opening 54 which allows liquid to flow through the cap 50. In this manner a liquid conduit 24 is formed between the cartridge 10 and the cleaning appliance 200. Under the negative pressure, the cleaning product 42 is discharged from the cleaning product space 16, through the cap opening 54 and the negative pressure device 44 into the cleaning appliance 200, as shown by the flow arrows in Figure 2. Three different working stages of the cartridge 10 are shown in Figures 3A-3C, which show cross-sectional views of cartridge 10 with outer body 12 and inner body 14 at different stages of fill of the inner body 14. Figure 3A illustrates the cartridge filled and prior to use, Figure 3B shows the cartridge 10 a partially used state, and Figure 3C shows an empty or almost fully used state.

Figure 3A illustrates the cartridge prior to use when the cleaning product space 16 is completely filled with the cleaning product 42. The inner body 14 is stretched to maximize volume of the cleaning product space 16, and the inner body 14 almost completely coincides with the outer body 12. When the cartridge 10 is in use, the cleaning product 42 is periodically discharged from the cartridge 10. This situation is shown in Figure 3B. As the cleaning product 42 is discharged, the volume of the cleaning product space 16 decreases and the inner body 14 separates from the outer body 12 except around linear connections 26. At the same time, a volume of the unused space 17 (the space inside the (rigid) outer body 12 and outside the flexible inner body 14) increases and fills with air as the cleaning product is discharged and the inner body 14 decreases in volume. The outer body 12 has air openings 19 away from the linear connections 26. Figure 3C illustrates the cartridge 10 when the cleaning product 42 has been mostly or completely used. The cleaning product space 16 is minimized in this case, while the volume of the unused space 17 is maximal.

By using a flexible inner body 14 inside the outer body 12, cartridge is able to hold and empty the contents almost completely without the need for complicated air valves (and leakage there through). Past cartridges typically only had a rigid outside, which required an air valve for emptying, and result in liquid sometimes leaking out the valve. By instead using a flexible inner body 14, only a simple air hole is needed in the outer body 12, and no contents leak as they are completely contained in the inner body 14. The flexibility of inner body 14 allows for more complete emptying of the contents of cartridge, resulting in less waste and a longer useable life for the cartridge. The use of one or more linear connections 26 provides a simple way of ensuring that inner body 14 empties in a way that contents will not remain stuck or trapped inside. Thus, forming cartridge 10 of an outer body 12 and a flexible inner body 14 with aligned outlets provides a simple cartridge which is easier to manufacture (due to no complicated air valves), does not leak and is able to more completely use all the contents within.

In order to control the liquid flow from the cartridge 10 and prevent the spilling of the cleaning product 42 when the cartridge 10 is not connected to the cleaning appliance 200, a valve 60 is placed on or in the cap 50, and over the cap opening 54. The valve 60 can have various forms, for example, a silicon cross piece, a duckbill valve, a deformable ball valve or other valve structure.

The cartridge 10 shown in Figures 1A-3C (or another embodiment of a cartridge) can be coupled with an identification device 120 configured to detect the contents of the cartridge 10 as shown in Figures 4A-4C. Figure 4A shows a side view of an assembly 100 comprising a cartridge 10’ with a coding area 102 and identification device 120.

The identification device 120 is square or rectangular and is arranged to align with the coding area when the container is connected to a dispensing unit 202 (see Fig. 5). Engagement means are used to connect the identification device 120 to the cleaning appliance 200, and transfer data or information, and possibly supply power to the identification device 120.

Figure 4B shows the front view of the identification device 120 with four transmitter-receiver pairs 110. Each transmitter-receiver pair 110 includes one transmitter 112 and one receiver 114. The transmitter 112 sends a signal 115 outwards, which could be reflected back towards the receiver. The signal 115 can be any type of signal that is suitable for contactless detection, for example, infrared, visible light or ultraviolet. The transmitters 112 and the receivers 114 are configured such that only the receiver 114 of the specific transmitter-receiver pair 110 is able to detect the signal 115 of its paired transmitter 112 while the other receivers cannot.

The side of a cartridge 10’ comprises a coding area 102 to identify the contents of the cartridge 10’. The coding area includes two areas of high reflectivity 116 and two areas of low reflectivity 118, respectively positioned to align with one particular transmitter-receiver pair 110 when the cartridge is coupled to a cleaning appliance.

The identification device 120 is configured to process signals 115 from the receivers 114 and convert them into digital states that can be read and/or interpreted by a processor (not shown). For example, if the receiver 114 received signal 115 from its paired transmitter 112, the identification device 120 generates digital state 1. On the other hand, if the receiver 114 does not receive signal 115 between the transmitter-receiver pair 110 by an area of low reflectivity 118, the identification device 120 generates digital state 0. This digital state information can then be sent to the processor.

The number and/or the configuration of signals reflected by coding area 102 creates an identification code for the contents of the cartridge 10’. In the example with four transmitter- receiver pairs there are 16 different configurations which are shown below in Table 1. These can be used to identify up to 15 different cartridges or, more generally, one can differentiate between 15 different cleaning products in the cartridges 10’ using the identification system of four transmitter-receiver pairs 110. The configuration where no receivers 114 receive signals 115 from its paired transmitters 112 typically corresponds to the case when no cartridge 10’ is coupled with the identification device 120.

Table 1

As an example, the cartridge 10’ containing detergent for coloured clothes can have two areas of high reflectivity 116 arranged to be identified as Cartridge 6 from Table 1 by the processor, while the cartridge 10” containing fabric softener can have one area of high reflectivity which is arranged to be identified as Cartridge 2 from Table 1 by the processor. The cartridge 10”’ containing the detergent for white cloths can also have one area of high reflectivity 116 but arranged to be identified as Cartridge 3 from Table 1 by the processor. Thus, the processor and system can identify and dispense the correct types and amounts of the particular cartridges 10’, 10” or 10’” based on the identification system. In situations where no cartridge is detected, the system could be programmed to give a notification or alert such that a user knows they need to insert a cartridge.

Figure 4C shows the container body 13 with coding area 102. High reflectivity areas 116 are located in the lower left and upper right corners to reflect signals from the transmitter-receiver pairs 110 located directly above the areas 116. Areas of low reflectivity 118 in the upper left and lower right corners are configured to not reflect the signals from those transmitter-receiver pairs 110. Starting from the top left of coding area 102 and continuing clockwise to collect states from the receivers 114, the identification code reads: State 0 (top left) - State 1 (top right) - State 0 (bottom right) - State 1 (bottom left), which corresponds to Cartridge 6 from Table 1. The system then identifies this as the cartridge 10” containing detergent for coloured clothes from the example above.

Such a system is a simple, yet effective method of identifying a particular cartridge (and/or the contents of the cartridge) in a washing machine or other cleaning appliance such as a dishwasher, carpet cleaner, mop, electric soap dispenser, etc. Such cartridges can be especially useful in auto-dosing machines, where they can simply be inserted, and the identification device 120 (through the transmitter-receiver pairs 110) can detect the presence of a cartridge with cleaning product, identify the contents by detecting the coding information (number of and configuration of high and/or low reflectivity areas), and auto-dose according to the contents.

Thus use of coding area 102 and transmitter-receiver pairs 110 which are contact-less provides for a simple, yet quick and effective way of identifying a particular cartridge and the contents therein. As mentioned in the background, prior art identification systems used metallic contacts. Such materials can result in corrosion when using aqueous solutions. By using contactless detection (e.g., infrared, visible light, ultraviolet), the coding area 102 and transmitter-receiver pairs 110 never have to come into contact, which can improve the lifespan, make the parts easier to manufacture (e.g., do not need to meet the tight tolerance levels for connecting parts), and can avoid corrosion issues related with past systems that used metallic parts with contacting electrodes. Additionally not using metallic parts can result in cost-savings in materials.

Figure 5 shows a dispensing unit 202 of the cleaning appliance 200. The dispensing unit 202 has two cartridge inserts 204 configured to accept a cartridge. Each of the cartridge insert 204 has an identification device 120. Cartridges containing different cleaning products are placed into the cartridge inserts 204 and coupled to the respective identification device 120. For example, one cartridge can have cleaning detergent as its contents and the other cartridge can have fabric softener for use with a washing machine. Upon inserting the cartridge 10’ into the cartridge insert 204, connecting it to a negative pressure and/or dosing device 44 of the cleaning appliance 200, the liquid conduit 24 can be formed through the connected elements such that the cleaning detergent can be discharged from the cartridge 10’ into the cleaning appliance 200. The identification device 120, through the transmitter-receiver pairs 110 (communicating with the processor) recognizes that the cartridge contains detergent, and will dose accordingly without requiring any manual input by the consumer telling the system what is in the cartridge.

Thus, such a system can be especially useful when many types of cleaning products are used in a cleaning appliance or system. The user simply has to insert the cartridge containing the agent, and the identification device will identify and correctly dose the contents by recognizing the number and configuration of areas of high and/or low reflectivity that relate to a specific cartridge and/or cleaning product. While two cartridges and identification devices are shown, more or fewer could be used in specific systems.

While the examples show a system with four transmitter-receiver pairs, the system could include any number from 1 transmitter-receiver pair to 10 or more. The more transmitterreceiver pairs present, the more options for identifying different cartridges/contents of cartridges. Additionally, while the coding area 102 is shown on a side of the cartridge in the examples and drawings, they could be located in a different place, for example, on the end or the cap. Additionally, the cartridge shown in Figs. 1A-3C and identification system in Figs. 4A- 5 could be used together, or could be used with separate cartridges/systems.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary examples and embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container (10) comprising a container body (13) and a coding area (102) for interacting with a transmitter-receiver pair (110).

2. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the container (10) is a cartridge configured to be placed into an insert (204) of a cleaning product dispensing unit (202) of a cleaning appliance (200).

3. An assembly (100) comprising: a container (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2; and an identification device (120) comprising a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs (110), wherein each pair (110) is formed of one transmitter (112) to send a signal (115) and one receiver (114) configured to detect the signal (115) sent from the transmitter (112), and wherein the coding area (102) is configured to reflect at least one signal (115) between one of the transmitter-receiver pairs (110) when the container (10) is coupled to the identification device (120).

4. The assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein the coding area (102) comprises one or more areas of high reflectivity (116) to reflect signals (115) between specific transmitterreceiver pairs (110).

5. The assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein the coding area (102) further comprises one or more areas of low reflectivity (118) such that the intensity of the reflected signal (115) is low between one or more transmitter-receiver pairs (110).

6. The assembly (100) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the number of and/or configuration of high reflectivity areas (116) or low reflectivity areas (118) defines the one or more signals (115) reflected and received between transmitter-receiver pairs (110).

7. The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the number of and/or configuration of high reflectivity areas (116) or low reflectivity areas (118) indicates contents of the container (10). The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the coding area (102) comprises an area printed on the container (10). The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the coding area (102) comprises a sticker on the container (10). The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the coding area (102) is located on a side of the container (10). The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the transmitters (112) and the receivers (114) are configured to provide contactless detection. The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 11 , wherein the transmitters (112) emit one of infrared, visible light or ultraviolet; and the receivers (114) detect one of infrared, visible light or ultraviolet. The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 12, wherein each transmitter

(112) is located adjacent to its corresponding receiver (114) from the transmitter-receiver pairs (110). A method of identifying a content of a container (10), the method comprising steps of: providing an identification device (120) comprising a plurality of transmitter receiver pairs (110), wherein each pair (110) is formed of one transmitter (112) to send a signal (115) and one receiver (114) configured to detect the signal (115) sent from the transmitter (112); providing a container (10) comprising a container body (13) and a coding area (102); coupling the container (10) to the identification device (120) such that the coding area (102) is positioned to reflect at least one signal (115) between one of the transmitterreceiver pairs (110); and identifying a content of the container (10) based on the number and/or configuration of transmitter signals (115) reflected and received to receivers (114). The method of identifying a content of a container (10) according to claim 14, the method further comprising steps of: producing an alert signal if no cleaning product container is detected.