Detergent dispensing device
First Claim
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 located at a top end of the cartridge in an upright configuration in which a major axis of the cartridge is substantially vertical, and at least one outlet for detergent and wash liquor located towards a bottom end of the cartridge in the upright configuration, wherein the cartridge has at least one path that extends along the major axis through each chamber containing detergent, wherein the path is free from detergent and adapted to facilitate flow of load wash liquor from the cartridge;
wherein the path is provided by a gap between a radially outermost edge of the detergent and wall of the cartridge and/or wherein one or more holes extend axially through the detergent to provide the path.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine has a cartridge, a selecting mechanism, an operating mechanism, and a thermal element. The cartridge includes a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition. The selecting mechanism selectively exposes each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber. The operating mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating mechanism. The thermal element retains the operating means in the second position and is arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the washing machine during a wash cycle, thereby the thermal element moves or releases the operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is arranged to advance the selecting mechanism to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.
-
Citations
29 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 located at a top end of the cartridge in an upright configuration in which a major axis of the cartridge is substantially vertical, and at least one outlet for detergent and wash liquor located towards a bottom end of the cartridge in the upright configuration, wherein the cartridge has at least one path that extends along the major axis through each chamber containing detergent, wherein the path is free from detergent and adapted to facilitate flow of load wash liquor from the cartridge; wherein the path is provided by a gap between a radially outermost edge of the detergent and wall of the cartridge and/or wherein one or more holes extend axially through the detergent to provide the path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification