Process of dispensing a solid cast block of water soluble detergent

• US 5,310,430 A
• Filed: 05/31/1991
• Issued: 05/10/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: McCall, John E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KALINCHAK, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US07/708,510
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 422/263, 422/264, 422/269, 422/271, 422/281, 134/93, 134/33, 252/90, 252/92, 252/134, 252/DIG. 16, 252/174, 366/137, 366/167, 137/268
• US Class Current: 134/33
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4436 in the form of a detergent solution made by gradually dissolving a powder detergent cake or a solid detergent block
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/22 using additional holders in conduits, containers or pools for keeping the solid material in place, e.g. supports or receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0052 Cast detergent compositions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4891 With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained

Abstract

A solid cast block of water soluble detergent is dispensed by obtaining a solid detergent article of at least twenty liters cast onto a longitudinally extending structural core and placing the article within the spray chamber of a dispenser such that the article is supported on the structural core. The detergent article is then rotated upon the structural core while dissolving solvent is sprayed upon the rotating article. The resulting detergent solution is dispensed to an end use point.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a solid cast block of water-soluble detergent composition, comprising the steps of:

obtaining an article of commerce comprising at least twenty liters of a solid detergent composition cast onto a longitudinally extending structural core wherein the solid cast detergent composition defines an exposed surface area;

obtaining a spray-type dispenser having a spray chamber and a spray nozzle directed into the spray chamber;

placing the article of commerce within the spray chamber of the dispenser such that the solid detergent composition is suspended within the spray chamber upon the structural core which is in contact with the dispenser;

rotating the article of commerce within the spray chamber about the structural core;

spraying a dissolving solvent through the spray nozzle and into contact with the exposed surface area of the rotating detergent composition so as to dissolve a portion of the detergent composition and form a use solution of the detergent composition; and

directing the use solution out of the dispenser and to an end use point substantially immediately after formation of the use solution.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the solid cast detergent composition has a plurality of longitudinally extending passageways projecting completely through the solid cast block of detergent composition.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the article of commerce includes at least 50 liters of solid cast detergent composition.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the article of commerce includes at least 100 liters of solid cast detergent composition.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the article of commerce includes at least 500 liters of solid cast detergent composition.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the article of commerce is rotated by means of a motorized gear linkage in communication with the structural core.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the dissolving solvent is water.