Personalized cleaning composition dispensing device

• US 9,706,897 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Van Tol, Mik, Niestroj, Benjamin, Keuleers, Robby Renilde Francois, Hoefte, Paulus Antonius Augistinus
• Primary Examiner(s): Cormier, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bucci, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US14/548,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20160143505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 68 17 R, 68 1218, 68207, 68 1202, 68 1201, 68213, 68235 R, 68 1223, 222 1, 222 52, 222 23, 222651, 222129, 222504, 2221445, 222 63, 222 71, 134 93, 134 56 D, 134 18, 134 252, 134 57 D, 134113, 134 56 R, 134 58 D, 134 992, 134115 R, 134 941, 134 26, 134 57 R
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4409 by tipping containers or opening their lids, e.g. with the help of a programmer
• 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: A47L 15/449 Metering controlling devices A47L15/4229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/03 Operation mode, e.g. delicate washing, economy washing, reduced time, sterilizing, water softener regenerating, odor eliminating or service
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/06 Water supply, circulation or discharge information water level A47L2401/09; water pressure or flow rate A47L2401/14
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/10 Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/11 Water hardness, acidity or basicity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/12 Water temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/14 Water pressure or flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/30 Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt

Abstract

A personalized cleaning composition dispensing device for use in an automatic dishwasher dispensing the right chemistry at the right time during a wash cycle to provide an improved cleaning performance compared to standard automatic dishwasher dispensers. The device includes wash cycle sensing system that controls the release of chemistry via temperature and water flow data measured during the current wash cycle and uses either a preprogrammed product release algorithm for new wash cycles or a modified product release algorithm based on wash cycle data previously stored in the data storage unit for repeated wash cycles.

Claims

1. A personalized cleaning composition dispensing device comprising an upper housing and a lower housing;

the upper housing comprising a refill compartment and an upper electronics compartment, the lower housing comprising a dispensing compartment beneath the refill compartment and a lower electronics compartment, the personalized cleaning composition dispensing device comprising;

a. a printed circuit board disposed in the upper or the lower electronics compartment, the printed circuit board comprising a microprocessor and data storage unit linked to the microprocessor;

b. a plurality of sensors disposed in the upper or the lower electronics compartment and linked to the microprocessor;

c. a motor disposed in the upper or the lower electronics compartment and linked to the microprocessor; and

d. a release mechanism disposed between the upper and lower housing separating the refill compartment from the dispensing compartment, the release mechanism is mechanically linked to the motor,

wherein the microprocessor controls actuation of the release mechanism via the motor relative to readings from the plurality of sensors and selects either a pre-programmed product release algorithm or a modified product release algorithm based on wash cycle data stored in the data storage unit.

2. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising a power source comprising a battery.

3. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise a temperature sensor, and water flow sensor.

4. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 3, wherein the water flow sensor comprises a capacitor.

5. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the data storage unit stores wash cycle data measured by the plurality of sensors as a function of time during wash programs selected by a consumer.

6. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 5 wherein the wash cycle data measured by the plurality of sensors as a function of time is compared to wash cycle data stored in the data storage unit to identify the wash program selected as either a new wash program or a repeated wash program.

7. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 6 wherein the microprocessor selects either the modified product release algorithm based on data stored in the data storage unit for the repeated wash programmed or the pre-programmed product release algorithm for the new wash program.

8. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 7 wherein the wash cycle data for the new wash cycle is stored in the data storage unit.

9. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the release mechanism comprises a rotating disc.

10. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 1 wherein the motor comprises a stepper motor.

11. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the motor comprises a DC motor which controls the position of the release mechanism via a hall sensor disposed in the lower electronics compartment and a magnet disposed on the release mechanism.

12. The personalized cleaning composition dispensing device of claim 1 further comprising a bottom part attached to the lower housing closing the bottom electronics compartment.