Fabric article treating device and system

• US 20060080860A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: France, Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard, Smith, Christopher Lawrence, Heilman, Laura Lynn, Clark, Melissa Dee, Hoonaard, Paul Van Den, Oberhaus, Geoffrey Luther
• Granted Patent: US 8,091,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 34/597
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/00 Dry-cleaning apparatus or methods using volatile solvents D06F9/00 - D06F41/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements

Abstract

A fabric article treating device having a dispenser adapted for location inside of a fabric article drying appliance and a removable reservoir. The dispenser and reservoir are adapted for fluid communication with one another. The reservoir is configured to contain a benefit composition and to minimize leakage of the benefit composition during installation and removal of the removable reservoir. Corresponding male and female fitments establish fluid communication between the dispenser and the reservoir. The male fitment is adapted to pivot to aid in engaging the female fitment.

Claims

1. A fabric article treating device, comprising:

a dispenser and a removable reservoir, wherein the dispenser and removable reservoir are adapted for fluid communication with one another, and wherein the removable reservoir is configured to contain a benefit composition;

a housing adapted to receive the removable reservoir;

wherein the housing comprises one of corresponding male and female fitments and wherein the removable reservoir comprises the other of the corresponding male and female fitments, wherein the female fitment is configured to receive the male fitment to establish fluid communication between the dispenser and the removable reservoir; and

wherein one of the fitments is adapted to pivot to aid in engaging the corresponding fitment.

2. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a slot adapted to slidingly receive the corresponding fitment when the female fitment is receiving the male fitment.

3. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the pivoting fitment is adapted to pivot between an installation position and a use position.

4. The fabric article treating device of claim 2, wherein the slot is adapted to allow the corresponding fitment to slide from a first position to a second position.

5. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the removable reservoir comprises the female fitment and the housing comprises the male fitment.

6. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a door, wherein the door is adapted to pivot from an open position to a closed position, such that in the closed position the male fitment is engaged with the female fitment.

7. The fabric article treating device of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises a door, wherein the door is adapted to pivot from an open position to a closed position, such that in the closed position the male fitment is engaged with the female fitment.

8. The fabric article treating device of claim 7, wherein the slot is provided on the door.

9. The fabric article treating device of claim 3, wherein the pivoting fitment has an angle of rotation ranging from about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees.

10. The fabric article treating device of claim 3, wherein the pivoting fitment has an angle of rotation ranging from about 15 degrees to about 30 degrees.

11. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the male fitment comprises:

a tip, wherein the tip is adapted to fit within the female fitment when connected;

one or more orifices adapted for fluid flow; and

an o-ring adapted for providing a fluid seal with the corresponding female fitment;

and wherein the female fitment comprises a seal chamber and a removable plug seal, wherein the plug seal is seated in the seal chamber in a closed position.

12. The fabric article treating device of claim 4, wherein the first position is located at a distance of from about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm from the second position.

13. The fabric article treating device of claim 4, wherein the first position is located at a distance of from about 4.0 mm to about 5.0 mm from the second position.

14. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, further comprising:

a power source;

a fluid handling system; and

a controller.

15. The fabric article treating device of claim 14, wherein the fluid handling system is configured to transport benefit composition from the removable reservoir to the dispenser, and wherein the dispenser is configured to deliver benefit composition to one or more fabric articles in a fabric article drying appliance.

16. The fabric article treating device of claim 14, wherein the housing is adapted to receive the power source, the fluid handling system, the controller and the removable reservoir.

17. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a single or multi-layer barrier film.

18. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a sealed pouch.

19. The fabric article treating device of claim 15, wherein the fluid handling system includes a piezo-electric pump.

20. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, further comprising a controller and at least one sensor in electrical communication with the controller.

21. The fabric article treating device of claim 20, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

22. The fabric article treating device of claim 20, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a light sensor.

23. The fabric article treating device of claim 20, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a motion sensor.

24. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, further comprising a communication link adapted for connection with a fabric article drying appliance.

25. The fabric article treating device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir contains a benefit composition including a preservative.

26. The fabric article treating device of claim 15, wherein the fluid handling system is further configured to filter benefit composition.

27. A fabric article treating device, comprising:

a dispenser and a removable reservoir, wherein the dispenser and removable reservoir are adapted for fluid communication with one another, and wherein the removable reservoir is configured to contain a benefit composition;

a housing adapted to receive the removable reservoir;

wherein the housing comprises a male fitment and wherein the removable reservoir comprises a corresponding female fitment, wherein the female fitment is configured to receive the male fitment to establish fluid communication between the dispenser and the removable reservoir;

wherein the male fitment is adapted to pivot between an installation position and a use position to aid in engaging the female fitment;

wherein the housing further comprises a door, wherein the door is adapted to pivot from an open position to a closed position, such that in the closed position the male fitment is engaged with the female fitment; and

wherein the door is provided with a slot adapted to slidingly receive the female fitment when the female fitment is receiving the male fitment, wherein the slot is adapted to allow the female fitment to slide from a first position to a second position.

28. A fabric article treating system, comprising:

a fabric article drying appliance having a chamber and a closure structure, the closure structure having a closed position and at least one open position, the closure structure allowing access to the chamber;

a dispenser and a removable reservoir, wherein the dispenser and removable reservoir are adapted for fluid communication with one another, and wherein the removable reservoir is configured to contain a benefit composition, and wherein the fabric article drying appliance is adapted to receive the removable reservoir;

wherein the fabric article drying appliance comprises one of corresponding male and female fitments and wherein the removable reservoir comprises the other of the corresponding male and female fitments, wherein the female fitment is configured to receive the male fitment to establish fluid communication between the dispenser and the removable reservoir; and

wherein one of the fitments is adapted to pivot to aid in engaging the corresponding fitment.