Systems, dispensers and methods for laundry additives
First Claim
1. A system for introducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine, the system comprising:
- a unit dose package including a first compartment containing a first laundry additive material and a second compartment containing a second laundry additive material, and optionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundry additive material; and
a dispenser adapted for interchangeable use with a unit dose package containing two, three or more compartments, the dispenser including a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted to receive the unit dose package, wherein the housing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive the unit dose package and a second position to secure the unit dose package in the first chamber;
first compartment piercing elements adapted to open the first compartment and, if included, the third compartment;
a second compartment piercing element adapted to open the second compartment; and
a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber;
wherein the first compartment piercing elements are adapted to open the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, by arranging the housing structure from the first position to the second position;
wherein, after the housing structure is arranged in the second position, at least the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, are adapted to release the first laundry additive material and the third laundry additive material, if included, from the unit dose package for gravitational flow from the dispenser for use in a wash cycle of a washing machine; and
wherein the second compartment of the unit dose package is adapted to release the second laundry additive material to the second chamber during a spin cycle of a washing machine.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for introducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine comprises a unit dose package including a first compartment containing a first laundry additive material, a second compartment containing a second laundry additive material, and optionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundry additive material, and a dispenser. The dispenser is adapted for interchangeable use with unit dose packages containing two, three or more compartments, and includes a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted to receive the unit dose package. The housing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive the unit dose package and a second position to secure the unit dose package in the first chamber. The dispenser further includes first compartment piercing elements adapted to open the first compartment and, if included, the third compartment; a second compartment piercing element adapted to open the second compartment; and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The first compartment piercing elements are adapted to open the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, by arranging the housing structure from the first position to the second position, and at least the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, are adapted to then release the first laundry additive material and the third laundry additive material, if included, for gravitational flow for use in a wash cycle. The second compartment of the unit dose package is adapted to release the second laundry additive material to the second chamber during a spin cycle.
25 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system for introducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine, the system comprising:
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a unit dose package including a first compartment containing a first laundry additive material and a second compartment containing a second laundry additive material, and optionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundry additive material; and
a dispenser adapted for interchangeable use with a unit dose package containing two, three or more compartments, the dispenser including a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted to receive the unit dose package, wherein the housing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive the unit dose package and a second position to secure the unit dose package in the first chamber;
first compartment piercing elements adapted to open the first compartment and, if included, the third compartment;
a second compartment piercing element adapted to open the second compartment; and
a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber;
wherein the first compartment piercing elements are adapted to open the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, by arranging the housing structure from the first position to the second position;
wherein, after the housing structure is arranged in the second position, at least the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, are adapted to release the first laundry additive material and the third laundry additive material, if included, from the unit dose package for gravitational flow from the dispenser for use in a wash cycle of a washing machine; and
wherein the second compartment of the unit dose package is adapted to release the second laundry additive material to the second chamber during a spin cycle of a washing machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 30, 31, 32)
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16. A dispenser adapted to receive a unit dose package including a first compartment, a second compartment and optionally at least a third compartment, for introducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine, the dispenser comprising:
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a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted to receive a unit dose package, wherein the housing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive a unit dose package and a second position to secure a unit dose package in the first chamber;
first compartment piercing elements adapted to open a first compartment and optionally a third compartment; and
a second compartment piercing element adapted to open a second compartment;
wherein the first chamber is substantially free of the first and second compartment piercing elements when the housing structure is arranged in the first position and the first compartment piercing element extends into the first chamber to open a first compartment and optionally a third compartment of a unit dose package by arranging the housing structure from the first position to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 33, 34, 35)
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23. A dispenser adapted to receive a unit dose package including a first compartment, a second compartment and optionally at least a third compartment, for introducing first, second and optionally at least third laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine, the dispenser comprising:
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a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted to receive a unit dose package, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber, wherein the housing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive a unit dose package and a second position to secure a unit dose package in the first chamber;
first compartment piercing elements adapted to open a first compartment and optionally a third compartment, by arranging the housing structure from the first position to the second position; and
a second compartment piercing element adapted to open a second compartment;
wherein the housing structure is adapted to dispense a first laundry additive material and optionally a third laundry additive material by gravitational flow from the dispenser in a wash cycle of a washing machine, and wherein the housing structure is adapted to receive and substantially contain a second laundry additive material in the second chamber during a spin cycle of a washing machine. - View Dependent Claims (24, 36, 37, 38)
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25. A method of introducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine, the method comprising:
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attaching a dispenser to a drum of a washing machine, the dispenser including a housing structure arrangeable in a first position and a second position and comprising a first chamber, first compartment piercing elements, and a second compartment piercing element;
inserting a unit dose package into the first chamber while the dispenser is arranged in the first position, the unit dose package including a first compartment containing a first laundry additive material and a second compartment containing a second laundry additive material, and optionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundry additive material;
arranging the dispenser in the second position to secure the unit dose package in the first chamber, open the first compartment with a first compartment piercing element, and release the first laundry additive material from the unit dose package for gravitational flow from the dispenser, and, if a third compartment is included, open the third compartment with a first compartment piercing element and release the third laundry additive material from the unit dose package for gravitational flow from the dispenser;
opening the second compartment with the second compartment piercing element, the second laundry additive material being substantially contained within the second compartment prior to a spin cycle;
initiating a wash cycle of the washing machine wherein the first laundry additive material is mixed with water within the washing machine;
initiating the spin cycle of the washing machine such that the second laundry additive material is released from the second compartment and substantially contained within the dispenser during the spin cycle; and
initiating a rinse cycle of the washing machine such that the second laundry additive material is released from the dispenser and mixed with water contained within the washing machine drum. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 39)
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Specification