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Method and apparatus for dispensing a particulate material

  • US 5,007,559 A
  • Filed: 06/01/1989
  • Issued: 04/16/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for dispensing detergent to a washing machine comprising:

  • (a) forming a container from plastic material with a shoulder and a neck portion integral therewith prior to insertion of detergent therein;

    (b) placing the detergent in particulate form within a container, said container having a mouth for receiving the detergent;

    (c) covering the container mouth with a cover material which is impermeable to particulate matter while permitting passage of water, said covering step being made prior to delivery of said container to said washing machine;

    (d) said washing machine having an exterior portion and an interior portion, said washing machine having an inlet connected to said interior portion for receiving the detergent, said inlet being in communication with a fixed receptacle facing upwardly, said receptacle having a complementary portion for engaging said container mouth;

    (e) delivering said container to the vicinity of said washing machine;

    (f) arranging said container with respect to said receptacle to form a closed path between the container and said inlet, said particulate matter being supported above the inlet by said cover material, within the container and exposed to said inlet;

    (g) subjecting said particulate material while supported within said container above said inlet to controlled amounts of fluid to dissolve particulate material in the vicinity of the container mouth sufficiently to permit passage of detergent through said cover material and to said inlet; and

    (h) the step of subjecting said particulate material while supported within said container above and said inlet including spraying fluid from a position exterior to said container through said cover material to said mouth of said container to dissolve material in the vicinity of the mouth in the lower portion of the container while detergent in the upper part of the container remains substantially dry.

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