Textiles: fluid treating apparatus – Machines – Combined
Patent
1996-11-21
1998-11-24
Stinson, Frankie L.
Textiles: fluid treating apparatus
Machines
Combined
68235R, 206 05, 222105, D06F 3902
Patent
active
058392980
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dispensing and dosing device for granular detergent, said device being introduced with the laundry in the washing machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dispensing devices for granular detergents, which are to be introduced with the laundry in the washing machine, are well known in the prior art. One of the reasons these dispensing devices have been introduced is to increase the solubilization of high density granular detergents, so-called "compact" detergents. In fact, compact detergents dissolve poorely compared to regular detergents. One of the main benefits of using compact detergents is that a lesser amount of detergents are needed for a washing.
On top of the obvious environmental benefit, using smaller amounts of detergents for a wash cycle means that compact detergents can be packed in smaller packages. Smaller packages means less space needed for storage and transportation, therefore also logistic and cost improvements are achieved. However, including a dosing and dispensing device in said packages means that the volume occupied by said device has to be made available, instead of being occupied by a corresponding amount of detergent. Thus, part of the advantage resulting of compact granular detergents is lost when a dosing and dispensing device is included in the packages.
EP-A-0 343 069 describes a process of washing laundry in a machine with a bag-shaped dispensing device. Said device is made of a tissue-like material. The lack of elasticity of the tissue-like material requires the ttachement of a rigid frame inside the bag to prevent the collapsing and twisting of this tissue, as described in EP-A-0 343 070. Otherwise detergent can be trapped without dissolving in this twisted part. On the other hand said rigid frame needs an amount of volume which can not be reduced further. This illustrates the packaging space problem discussed hereinbefore. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a dosing and dispensing device which solves this packaging space problem.
Furthermore, the tissue-like material is too pliant to allow a dosing of the detergent amount necessary for a wash cycle in the dispensing device itself. Therefore, an extra measuring scoop is also necessary. Said extra measuring scoop does not only increase furthermore the total cost and volume of this dispensing device kit comprising the dispensing device and the spoon, but makes also the exact measuring of the detergent difficult. It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a dosing and dispensing device which allows an easy dosing without the need for an extra scoop.
A collapsible dispensing device for liquid detergents with a bellows-shaped wall is described in EP-B-0 288 347. The walls are made of a plastic material. Therefore, although this device collapses in the direction of the bellows, the wall does not deform perpendicular to this collapsing direction. We found that pliable walls can prevent that lumps of granular detergent can be formed onto the surface inside said device. These lumps are formed when said detergent contacts with water. Said lumps can eventually last through the whole wash cycle without being solubilized, therefore resulting in unnecessary residues and waste of detergent. It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible and resilient dosing and dispensing device with pliable walls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a dispensing and dosing device for granular detergent. Said device comprises a pliable bag-shaped sleeve and maintaining means. Said sleeve extends around an opening which remains at least partially open during the washing. The maintaining means plunges into the bag, of which one end is fastened in the region of the opening. Said maintaining means are collapsible and resilient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 shows cross sectional view of an embodiment of the dosing and dispensing device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cross s
REFERENCES:
patent: 1983691 (1934-12-01), Bonardi
patent: 2956709 (1960-10-01), Nison et al.
patent: 3240567 (1966-03-01), Caparreli
patent: 4138036 (1979-02-01), Bond
patent: 4211156 (1980-07-01), Zimmermann
patent: 4532722 (1985-08-01), Sax
patent: 4795063 (1989-01-01), Sekiguchi et al.
patent: 4826045 (1989-05-01), Price et al.
patent: 4921131 (1990-05-01), Binderbauer et al.
patent: 4944165 (1990-07-01), Leebeek et al.
patent: 4969927 (1990-11-01), Schumann et al.
patent: 5033643 (1991-07-01), Schumacher
patent: 5139168 (1992-08-01), Gueret
patent: 5156300 (1992-10-01), Spahni et al.
patent: 5176275 (1993-01-01), Bowie
patent: 5341660 (1994-08-01), Berveglieri
patent: 5355541 (1994-10-01), Rutter et al.
patent: 5388298 (1995-02-01), Rutter et al.
European Patent Application 346, 113, Dec. 1989.
Koch Elizabeth M.
Linman E. Kelly
Stinson Frankie L.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
LandOfFree
Dispensing and dosing device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dispensing and dosing device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispensing and dosing device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1692926