Attachment means

• US 7,716,956 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Aouad, Yousef Georges, Neergaard, Arthur Hampton
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heckert; Jason
• Application Number:
  US10/737,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20040172768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,345 Days
• Field of Search: 248/223.41, 248/224.51, 248/224.61, 68/120.1, 68/121.8, 68/17.R
• US Class Current: 68/12.18
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/024 mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers

Abstract

The invention provides a three-dimensional structure having at least one structure surface, the structure being adapted to be attached to an apertured surface with the structure surface facing the apertured surface; and a curved hook element having a base and a distal end, the distal end of the hook element being adapted for insertion into an aperture in the apertured surface, and the base of the curved hook element being slidably affixed to the structure surface of the three-dimensional structure such that movement of the base is constrained along a line within the structure surface. The device can be used in a method of attachment onto an apertured surface, in particular the inner surface of an automatic laundry washing machine drum, and is particularly suitable for dispensing rinse additives into the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine.

Claims

1. A device adapted for releasable attachment onto an apertured surface of a drum located within a laundry washing machine, said device comprising:

A) a three-dimensional structure having at least one structure surface, the structure being adapted to be attached to the apertured surface of the drum with the structure surface facing the apertured surface; and

B) a curved hook element having a base and a distal end, the distal end of the hook element being adapted for insertion into an aperture in the apertured surface, and the base of the curved hook element being slidably affixed to the structure surface of the three-dimensional structure such that movement of the base is constrained along a line within the structure surface;

wherein the hook is of substantially right-angled configuration having first and second perpendicular elements wherein the first element is attached to the distal end of the hook element and is substantially perpendicular to the structure surface at the point of contact of the base of the hook with the structure surface;

wherein the base of the hook element is constrained in a substantially straight channel provided in the structure surface, wherein the channel has a base which is inclined relative to the structure surface in the direction in which movement of the base of the hook element is allowed thereby defining an angle of incline, and wherein the hook element moves in a substantially vertical direction, and wherein the hook element slides along an inclined path at said angle of incline;

wherein the line along which the movement of the base of the hook element is constrained extends from only one edge of the structure surface to a position remote from that edge;

wherein the structure surface is provided with at least one, protrusion adapted to contact the apertured surface after attachment of the device to the surface;

wherein said structure surface protrusion(s) is/are formed from a material which is relatively more elastically deformable than is the rest of the material of said structure surface

D) a rigid housing structure comprising a base and an openable and closable lid for the base capable of receiving a fabric care product.

2. The device of claim 1, when the rigid housing structure further comprises a multi-compartmented insert.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the angle of include is from 0.5°

to 10°

.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the angle of incline is 1°

to 8°

.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the angle of include is 1.4°

to 4°

.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the angle of include is 1.4°

to 4°

.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the rigid housing structure further comprises a hinged plate that is affixed to said lid by an attachment means.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the hinged plate is capable of resting on a compressable pivot point means.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the positioning plate is hinged at a hinge point.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the position plate comprises a lug.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said lug is at the end opposite side of said attachment means.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the rigid housing structure further comprises a plurality of holes where fabric care product is capable of flowing from the device into a laundry washing machine.