Selective dispensing apparatus

• US 7,168,273 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Aouad, Yousef Georges, Smith, Christopher Lawrence, Neergaard, Arthur Hampton, Kelly, Lawrence Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/289,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20040088796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 68/17.R, 682/07, 68/120.2, 68/121.8, 134/113, 134/94.1, 134/95.1
• US Class Current: 68/17.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4454 with automatic identification means, e.g. barcodes, RFID tags or magnetic strips
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/70 Number of operational cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/38 Conditioning or finishing, e.g. control of perfume injection
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/65 of conditioning or finishing phases, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/024 mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/44 of conditioning or finishing, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package has at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, wherein the cavity contains additive materials to be dispensed. The dispensing apparatus is configured for use, for example, in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine has a plurality of cycles. The dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing director having a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of washing machine operating cycles. The dispensing apparatus further includes an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to selectively electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity. Also disclosed is a disposable unit dose package for use in a washing machine and with a dispensing apparatus having a dispensing director and an electromechanical actuator in communication with said dispensing director. Still further disclosed is a kit, system, and method of dispensing laundry additive materials into a rotating washing machine having a drum.

Claims

1. A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package having at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, the at least one cavity containing additive materials to be dispensed and said dispensing apparatus for use in a machine, the machine having a plurality of cycles, said dispensing apparatus comprising:

a dispensing director comprising a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of machine operating cycles;

at least one sensor associated with the dispensing director and comprising a switch for detecting inertia, wherein the switch comprises a coiled spring having a free end at least partially surrounding a post displaced within the spring along the spring'"'"'s longitudinal axis; and

an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity.

2. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises two switches oriented effectively perpendicularly to one another.

3. A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package having at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, the at least one cavity containing additive materials to be dispensed and said dispensing apparatus for use in a machine, the machine having a plurality of cycles, said dispensing apparatus comprising:

a dispensing director comprising a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of machine operating cycles;

at least one sensor associated wit the dispensing director, wherein the at least one sensor comprises two switches oriented effectively perpendicularly to one another; and

an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity.

4. A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package having at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, the at least one cavity containing additive materials to be dispensed and said dispensing apparatus for use in a machine, the machine having a plurality of cycles, said dispensing apparatus comprising:

a dispensing director comprising a dispensing signal generator and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of machine operating cycles;

at least one sensor associated wit the dispensing director, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a switch for detecting inertia; and

an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal from the dispensing director, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity.

5. A dispensing apparatus for use with a replaceable unit dose package having at least one cavity sealed by a membrane, the at least one cavity containing additive materials to be dispensed and said dispensing apparatus for use in a machine, the machine having a plurality of cycles, said dispensing apparatus comprising:

a dispensing director comprising a processor, a dispensing signal generator, and a monitor for distinguishing among a plurality of machine operating cycles;

at least one sensor associated with the dispensing director, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a switch; and

an actuator in communication with said dispensing director and configured to electromechanically open the membrane in response to a dispensing signal from the dispensing director, thereby releasing additive materials from said at least one cavity;

wherein the processor is configured by programming to identify spin cycles based upon signals received from the at least one sensor.