Selective dispensing apparatus
First Claim
1. A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package having at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, the at least one cavity containing additive materials to be dispensed and said dispensing apparatus for use in a machine, the machine having a plurality of cycles, said dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a dispensing director comprising a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of machine operating cycles; and
an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package has at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, wherein the cavity contains additive materials to be dispensed. The dispensing apparatus is configured for use, for example, in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine has a plurality of cycles. The dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing director having a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of washing machine operating cycles. The dispensing apparatus further includes an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to selectively electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity. Also disclosed is a disposable unit dose package for use in a washing machine and with a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing director and an electromechanical actuator in communication with said dispensing director. Still further disclosed is a kit, system, and method of dispensing laundry additive materials into a rotating washing machine having a drum.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package having at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, the at least one cavity containing additive materials to be dispensed and said dispensing apparatus for use in a machine, the machine having a plurality of cycles, said dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a dispensing director comprising a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of machine operating cycles; and
an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A disposable unit dose package for use in a washing machine and with a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing director and an electromechanical actuator in communication with said dispensing director, said disposable unit dose package comprising:
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a tray configured to readily interface with the dispensing apparatus, wherein the tray comprises at least one cavity containing laundry additive materials; and
a membrane configured to seal at least a portion of said at least one cavity and to remain closed until opened by said actuator. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of dispensing laundry additive materials into a washing machine having a drum and a plurality of operation cycles, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a unit dose package into a dispensing apparatus, the unit dose package comprising a membrane and a tray containing laundry additive materials;
placing the dispensing apparatus into the drum along with articles of laundry to be washed;
operating the washing machine, such that the dispensing apparatus and the articles of laundry are rotated together within the drum;
detecting by a sensor within the dispensing apparatus parameters of the washing machine'"'"'s operation, wherein the parameters are used to determine the occurrence of one or more particular cycles; and
upon occurrence of a predetermined operation cycle of the laundry washing machine, the dispensing director selectively opening the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A kit for dispensing laundry additive materials into a washing machine having a drum and a plurality of operation cycles, the kit comprising:
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a disposable unit dose package comprising a tray having at least one cavity containing laundry additive material and further comprising a membrane configured to seal at least a portion of said cavity; and
a dispensing apparatus configured for selective association with said disposable unit dose package, said dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing director and an actuator, said dispensing director comprising a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of machine operating cycles, and said actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal, thereby releasing additive material from said at least one cavity.
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34. A system for providing laundry additive materials to the wash liquor during a predetermined cycle of a fabric laundering operation in a drum-containing automatic laundering machine having a plurality of operation cycles, the system comprising:
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a disposable unit dose package containing at least one laundry additive material;
a dispensing apparatus configured for selective association with said unit dose package and for placement within said drum at the beginning of the laundering operation; and
an actuator associated with said dispensing apparatus and configured to electromechanically release said laundry additive material from said unit dose package in response to a dispensing signal communicated from a dispensing director associated with said dispensing apparatus, wherein said dispensing director is configured to monitor said operation cycles and to identify said predetermined cycle. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification