Detergent Dispensing Device

• US 20080308570A1
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Finish B.V. (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V. (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Brandt, Guido, Hahl, Michael, Rogers, Brendyn, Housmekerides, Chris Efstathios, Enkel, Thomas, Gibis, Karl-Ludwig
• Granted Patent: US 8,221,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/22
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4445 Detachable devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4463 Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4472 Blister packaging or refill cartridges

Abstract

A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine, the device having a cartridge with a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a selecting means to selectively expose each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber; a manual operating means being movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating means, and a thermal element to retain the operating means in the second position, the thermal element being arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the machine during a wash cycle, thereby moving the operating means or releasing the operating means, the operating means being arranged to advance the selecting means to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.

Claims

1. A cartridge for a detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine adapted to dispense a plurality of doses each in a successive washing cycle, the device having selecting means to selectively direct wash liquor to each dose:

the cartridge having a substantially cylindrical configuration with a plurality of chambers, each chamber containing detergent and having a wash liquor inlet at the top of the cartridge in an upright configuration in which the axis of the cylinder is substantially vertical, and at least one outlet for detergent and wash liquor towards the bottom of the cartridge.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each wash liquor inlet is provided with a weir.

3. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one outlet is positioned in the bottom wall of the cartridge.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one outlet is positioned in the side wall of the cartridge towards the bottom end.

5. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one outlet is positioned axially along the side wall.

6. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the cartridge is greater than its diameter.

7. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each chamber is substantially wedge shaped.

8. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein there is at least one axially extending path down through each chamber which is free from detergent.

9. A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the path is provided by a gap between a radially outermost edge of the detergent and a radially outer wall of the compartment.

10. A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein one or more holes extend down through the detergent to provide the path.

11. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each chamber is separated into a plurality of compartments, each having access to the inlet and outlet.

12. A detergent dispensing device comprising a cartridge according to claim 1, and a selecting means to selectively direct wash liquor to the chambers.

13. A device according to claim 12, further comprising a common outlet from the device in communication with all of the outlets from the cartridge which only permits substantially uni-direction flow.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the common outlet is provided with a tortuous path to allow the uni-directional flow.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein the common outlet has a plurality of baffles which serve to deflect liquid entering the outlet back out of the outlet.

16. A device according to claim 12, wherein the cartridge is spaced from the common outlet.

17. A device according to claim 12, wherein the selecting means has an opening which is selectively alignable with each chamber.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the selecting means comprises a spout which is rotatable into alignment with an opening to a respective chamber.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the spout is arranged to block access of the wash liquor to unselected chambers.

20. A device according to claim 12, wherein the device is provided with a funnel leading to the selecting means.

21. A device according to claim 12, wherein the selecting means or cartridge are movable manually to select a subsequent chamber.

22. A device according to claim 12, wherein the selecting means or cartridge are automatically movable to select a subsequent chamber.

23. A device according to claim 12, wherein user intervention is necessary either to move the selecting means or cartridge which are then reset during operation of the machine.

24. A device according to claim 12, wherein user intervention is necessary to reset the selecting means or cartridge which are then moved during operation of the machine.

25. A device according to claim 22, wherein the device is arranged to react to a parameter which occurs during the operation of the washing machine.

26. A device according to claim 25, wherein the device contains a thermally reactive element and the parameter is temperature.

27. A device according to claim 21, wherein the device is be configured to be operated by the hand of a user.

28. A device according to claim 21, wherein the device is configured to be operated by the door of the machine.

29. A device according to claim 12, wherein the directing means is arranged to be movable and the cartridge is stationary.