Dispensing cartridge and method of dispensing a product from a dispensing cartridge

• US 20040098810A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Lancette, Christopher J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,996,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 8/158
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/024 mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers

Abstract

A dispensing cartridge for holding a product adapted to be inserted into a machine configured to utilize the product. A container has a bottom and at least one side wall. The bottom of the container has an opening configured to cooperate with the machine. A removable cover closes the opening in the container and prevents contact with the product before the dispensing cartridge is inserted into the machine.

Claims

1. A dispensing cartridge for holding a product and adapted to be inserted into a machine configured to utilize said product;

a container having a bottom and at least one side wall, said bottom of said container having an opening configured to cooperate with said machine;

a removable cover closing said opening in said container and preventing contact with said product before said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine.

2. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said removable cover is formed within said bottom of said container by perforations in said bottom of said container.

3. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said removable cover is placed over said opening.

4. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said container is thermoformed.

5. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 4 wherein said container is a clamshell.

6. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 1 wherein in said product is a detergent.

7. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said product is a caustic product.

8. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said product is a corrosive product.

9. A dispensing cartridge for holding a product and adapted to be inserted into a machine configured to utilize said product;

a container having a bottom and at least one side wall, said bottom of said container having an opening configured to cooperate with said machine;

a removable label covering said opening in said container and preventing contact with said product before said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine.

10. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 9 wherein said removable label is adhesive backed.

11. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 10 wherein said product is a detergent product.

12. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 10 wherein said product is a sanitizer product.

13. A dispensing cartridge for holding a dissolvable solid product and adapted to be inserted into a machine configured to utilize said dissolvable solid product by dissolving said dissolvable solid product from said dispensing cartridge;

a container having a bottom, a top and at least one side wall, said bottom of said container having an opening configured to cooperate with said receptacle of said machine when said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine;

said bottom of said container being formed from at least two angled side walls forming an acute angle at said bottom of said container;

said container having a handle for aiding carrying of said dispensing cartridge before said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine;

a removable, adhesive backed label covering said opening in said bottom of container, hermetically sealing said container and preventing contact with said dissolvable solid product before said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine.

14. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 13 wherein said handle is formed into said top of said container.

15. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 13 wherein said container is thermoformed.

16. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 15 wherein said container is a clamshell.

17. A dispensing cartridge for holding a solid detergent product and adapted to be inserted into a machine configured to utilize said solid detergent product by dissolving said solid detergent product from said dispensing cartridge;

a container having a bottom, a top and at least one side wall, said bottom of said container having an opening configured to cooperate with said receptacle of said machine when said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine;

said bottom of said container being formed from at least two angled side walls forming an acute angle at said bottom of said container;

said container having a handle for aiding carrying of said dispensing cartridge before said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine;

a removable, adhesive backed label covering said opening in said bottom of container, hermetically sealing said container and preventing contact with said solid detergent product before said dispensing cartridge is inserted into said machine.

18. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 17 wherein said handle is formed into said top of said container.

19. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 17 wherein said container is thermoformed.

20. A dispensing cartridge as in claim 19 wherein said container is a clamshell.

21. A method of dispensing a dissolvable solid product into a machine, comprising the steps of:

holding said dissolvable solid product in a dispensing cartridge, said dispensing cartridge comprising;

a container having a bottom and at least one side wall, said bottom of said container having an opening configured to cooperate with said machine, and

a removable label covering said opening in said bottom of container preventing contact with said dissolvable solid product;

removing said removable label from said opening in said bottom of said container;

inserting said dispensing cartridge into said machine; and

dissolving said dissolvable solid product from said dispensing cartridge.