Detergent Dosing Device

• US 20100200025A1
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V. (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V. (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC)
• Inventors: Housmekerides, Chris Efstathios, Gibis, Karl Ludwig
• Application Number:
  US12/601,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20100200025A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/93
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/024 mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/026 the powder or tablets being added directly, e.g. without the need of a flushing liquid

Abstract

A refill device for a multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprises: a plurality of dosage elements each containing an amount of detergent; and a disposable dosage element support means for containing said dosage elements and holding them in a specific configuration prior to use, wherein said specific configuration matches a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device and facilitates insertion of said dosage elements into said multi-chamber inlet part by a user without the user needing to handle any of said dosage elements directly. In one variant, primary retail packaging is provided mimicking the internal formation of the multi-chamber inlet part (400) such that the removal of a lid and subsequent inverting of a base portion of the packaging over the multi-chamber inlet part brings the dosage elements into correct registration with the chambers of the multi-chamber inlet part. In this variant, a user then needs to simply press on the base so as to eject the dosage elements into the multi-chamber inlet part. Plastics waste is minimal.

Claims

1. A refill device adapted for use in a multi-dosing detergent delivery device, the refill device comprising:

a plurality of dosage elements each containing an amount of detergent; and

a

a disposable dosage element support means for containing said dosage elements and holding them in a specific configuration prior to use, wherein said specific configuration matches, in use, a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device and facilitates insertion of said dosage elements into such a multi-chamber inlet part by a user without the user needing to handle any of said dosage elements directly.

2. A refill device according to claim 1, wherein said dosage element support means comprises:

a dosage element holder including a base element from which a plurality of dosage element supports protrude, each dosage element support being adapted to receive a single dosage element.

3. A refill device according to claim 2, wherein each dosage element support comprises a finger that projects upwardly from said base element and co-operates with its respective dosage element to hold said dosage element thereon.

4. A refill device according to claim 2, wherein each dosage element support comprises retaining means at a distal end thereof so as to retain its respective dosage element thereon.

5. A refill device according to claim 1, wherein said dosage element support means comprises:

a dosage element holder comprising a multi-compartment base and a lid.

6. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said multi-compartment base comprises means for separating a plurality of said dosage elements from one another and keeping them spaced apart in such a manner that they assume a configuration to match a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device.

7. A refill device according to claim 6, wherein said means for separating comprises upstanding divider parts formed as an integral part of the base.

8. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said multi-compartment base comprises a one-piece plastics element.

9. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said base includes means for ensuring a positive engagement between itself and the lid.

10. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein the lid and base are formed so that when the lid is lifted from the base, a top part of each dosage element stands proud of the base so as to protrude therefrom.

11. A refill device according to claim 10, wherein, in use, when the lid is removed and the base inverted the base is arranged so as to retain the dosage elements.

12. A refill device according to claim 10, wherein, in use, to refill a multi-dosing detergent delivery device a user removes the lid from the base and inverts the base and then brings the protruding parts of the dosage elements into registration with empty compartments of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device.

13. A refill device according to claim 12, wherein to displace the dosage elements into the compartments of the multi-chamber detergent delivery device the user presses on the bottom of the base to eject said dosage elements from said base into said compartments.

14. A refill device according to claim 13, wherein said base is formed with a series of concentric rings/ridges which facilitate the pushing action so as to enable the bottom of the base to go from a generally flat form to a concave formation and urge the dosage elements out of the base.

15. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said base and lid form the primary packaging for a refill pack.

16. A multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising the refill device according to claim 1.

17. A ware-washing machine provided impermanently with a refill apparatus or a multi-dosing delivery device according to claim 16.

18. A multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising the refill device according to claim 1, which further comprises a multi-compartment inlet part for the reception therein of said refill device.

19. A ware-washing machine according to claim 17, wherein said ware-washing machine is an automatic dishwashing machine.