Injection molded container for detergents

• US 6,007,788 A
• Filed: 10/17/1997
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Diversey Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Diverseylever Incorporated (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Wright, Donald, Anderson, Patricia Anne, Bellon, Tiziano Joseph, Livingston, James Wesley, Mc Namara, Clifford Francis, Messamer, Charles Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): MCKANE, ELIZABETH L
• Application Number:
  US08/953,617
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 422/264, 422/266, 422/278, 422/279, 137/268, 68/17 R
• US Class Current: 422/264
• 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

Abstract

A container for dispensing detergent for an automatic washing apparatus includes a straight, inwardly tapered side wall which has an open top and a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes an integral screen which includes a water inlet. Detergent is placed in the container and snap-on covers are positioned over the top and bottom of the container. To dispense detergent from the container, the bottom cover is removed and the container placed in a dispensing unit which sprays water through the bottom. Dissolved detergent is collected and flows to the washing apparatus. The container is easy to manufacture, easy to fill, easy to ship and use.

Claims

1. A detergent container with integral dispensing opening comprising a linear tapered rigid sidewall extending from a top rim to a bottom rim, wherein said top rim is larger than said bottom rim;

said integral dispensing opening comprising;

a screened bottom portion fixed to said sidewall adjacent said bottom rim;

a removable cover fixed to said top rim;

a removable bottom cover fixed to said bottom rim wherein said screened portion includes a water inlet adapted to permit water to be sprayed upwardly through said screened portion and into the detergent container to dissolve detergent resting on said screened portion and to allow dissolved detergent to thereby flow through said screened portion when said bottom cover is removed wherein the screened bottom portion comprises a sloped portion that extends to a central portion thereof.

2. The container claimed in claim 1 wherein said screened portion is molded to said sidewall.

3. The container claimed in claim 2 wherein said top cover includes an integral handle.

4. The container claimed in claim 1 wherein said bottom cover is snap fitted to said bottom rim.

5. A container holding detergent comprising a rigid, straight, inwardly tapered sidewall;

said container having a first opening at a first end of said sidewall;

a second opening at a second end of said sidewall, said second opening smaller than said first opening;

said second opening having a screened portion extending directly to said sidewall, said screened portion having a central generally horizontal inner water inlet and a central generally horizontal outer water inlet;

said second opening totally covered by a manually-removable closure;

said first opening covered by a lid snap fitted over said opening;

wherein said container holds detergent within said sidewall between said screened portion and said lid.

6. The container claimed in claim 5 wherein said removable closure is snap fitted to said sidewall.

7. The container claimed in claim 5 wherein said screened portion is molded as part of said sidewall.

8. The container claimed in claim 5 wherein said sidewalls extend below said screened portion.

9. A detergent dispensing system comprising a dispenser housing having

a top, a circular sidewall, a sloped bottom wall, a drain at the bottom of said bottom wall, and a central water spray;

a container having a sloped circular sidewall, an integral bottom screened portion, a removable top cover, a round top edge, and a round bottom edge wherein said bottom edge is smaller than said top edge;

said bottom edge of said container resting on the sloped bottom wall of said housing with the top edge of said container mating with a top portion of said housing to provide alignment of said bottom screen over said water spray;

wherein said screened portion has a central generally horizontal inner water inlet and a central generally horizontal outer water inlet aligned with said water spray.

10. The housing claimed in claim 9 wherein said housing includes a lid which, when closed, is immediately adjacent the top of said housing.