WO2012032315A1

WO2012032315A1 - Detergent delivery apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012032315A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/051421
Authority: WO
Inventors: Axel Halbherr; Rainer Link; Emanuele Rossetto; Jacobus Simon Petrus Van Diepen
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser N.V.; Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited
Priority date: 2010-09-06
Filing date: 2011-07-26
Publication date: 2012-03-15
Also published as: GB201014757D0

Abstract

The invention is a multi-dosing detergent delivery device, the device comprising -a cylindrical housing (2) for receiving therein,, in use, a refill holder (4, 4' ), a directing means (3,34) formed an a lid of the delivery device to permit, in use, water to enter into the device, an outlet to allow detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the device and indexing means (100} for movement of said refill holder (4, 4'.) in use relative to said directing means (3, 34). The device comprises an adaptor piece (10', 10") for co-operation with the refill holder (4, 4) to divide an interior of the detergent delivery device into a plurality of X chambers, each chamber being arranged, in use, to accommodate a dose of detergent. The adapter piece enables the device to be refilled with powder or liquid detergents instead of required pre-packaged refills.

Description

Detergent delivery apparatus

The invention relates to a multi-dosing detergent delivery device- In particular, it concerns improvements to such devices to allow them to be used with varying types and forms of detergent. The particular devices in question comprise multi-dosing detergent delivery devices of the type used, for instance, within dishwashing machines where a detergent is dispensed automatically over a plurality of washing cycles without the requirement for a user to refill the device.

A number of devices are known for holding unit doses of a detergent composition or additive, such as detergent tablets, and for dispensing of such unit doses into a machine .

One particular device of great utility, which is the subject of PCT application WO/2003/053173 comprises a multi-dosing detergent delivery device, the device comprising a housing for receiving therein a cartridge having a plurality X of chambers each accommodating a detergent composition, a directing means to direct, in use, wash liquor selectively into a chamber of the cartridge to contact the detergent composition therein and an outlet to allow the detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the device, wherein the device further comprises indexing means for automatic movement of said cartridge, in use, relative to said directing means during and subsequent to a wash cycle so as to cause a neighbouring chamber to be in an exposed, ready to be used, position prior to a next washing cycle. The above-mentioned device has a refill cartridge which consists of a cylinder of refill chambers.

To understand the operation of this prior art device in a little more detail, that device will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) are perspective assembled, perspective exploded and internal perspective views of a housing part and lid of the device of WO/2008/053178;

Figures 2(a) and (b) are schematic perspective views from above and from below showing a refill holder for use with the device of WO/2008/053178; and

Figures 3 (a) and 3(b) show a refill cartridge for use with the refill holder of figures 2(a) and (b) , whilst figure 3(c) shows a single chamber of a refill cartridge.

Figures 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) show respectively perspective assembled, perspective exploded and internal perspective views of detergent dispensing device 1 ccmprising a housing 2 and a lid 3. The housing 2 has a heat activated indexing mechanism 100 housed within it which acts to progress movement of a refill holder 4 by one step - equivalent to one detergent chamber - following each washing cycle. The lid 3 has a window 32 to allow a user to see by means of a visual indicator a number of washes used or remaining for use with the device and also has directing means comprising an aperture 34 for directing wash liquor/water to the interior of the housing. The lid 3 has a general funnel like appearance to facilitate the collection of wash liquor/water available to the directing means .

The housing 2 is arranged to receive a refill holder 4 as shown in figures 2 (a) which shows a refill holder in front perspective view and figure 2 (b) which shows the holder in bottom perspective view. The refill holder 4 comprises a plurality of dividing vanes 5 emanating from a central hub 6 and has a base 7 featuring a number of apertures 8 and lower location slots 9. Internally of the hub 6, there are formed one or more upper locating tabs 10 (four shown in the figure) , whilst externally and at a central portion thereof there is provided numbering from 1 to 12 representing the number of washing cycles that an associated refill may have undergone or have remaining. The window 32 of the lid has a transparent portion that is, in use, aligned with the relevant sector of the numbered area.

The refill holder 4 is, in use, positionabie within the housing 2 and the hub 6 has a hollow formation to cooperate with, and fit over, a central shaft 120 of the indexing mechanism 100.

The vanes 5 are arranged to co-operate with and register with internal spaces formed between parts of a disposable refill package 200 such as the one shown in figures 3(a) and 3(b) and having individual chambers 210 as shown in figure 3(c). The refill package 200 is a cartridge that comprises a plurality of like chambers 210, and has a roll formation. The chambers 210 are separate from each other and comprise plastic sleeve or blister packages. The chambers 210 are spaced apart upon a common backing substrate 230, having gaps between them that are apt to be engaged by the vanes 5 of the refill holder 4. Each chamber has an upper opening 220 and a lower opening 240 that is, in use, in register with one of the apertures 8 of the refill holder. Each chamber 210 is filled with sufficient cleaning composition for the completion of one dishwasher cycle. The contents of the chambers 210 are preferably in solid form and, therefore there is no problem with inadvertent spillage. There is also a central gap 250 in a central hub area that facilitates the placement of the refill 200 onto the refill holder 4.

While the above described device is of great utility, there is still a relatively large amount of packaging involved in providing the refill package - the detergent is in plastic chambers on a backing substrate and then also has outer packaging. There is also no way in which a user may refill the device, using powder or liquid.

Accordingly, it is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide a refill device for a cylindrical type of multi-dosing detergent delivery device which requires less packaging and which permits users to refill their own devices using liquid or powdered detergent.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-dosing detergent delivery device, the device comprising a cylindrical housing for receiving therein, in use, a refill holder, a directing means formed on a lid of the delivery device to permit, in use, water to enter into the device, an outlet to allow detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the device and indexing means for movement of said refill holder in use relative to said directing means, the device further comprising an adaptor piece for co-operaticn with said refill holder to divide an interior of the detergent delivery device into a plurality of X chambers, each chamber being arranged, in use, to accommodate a dose of detergent .

Preferably, said adaptor piece comprises an outer cylindrical wall and a plurality of circumferentially inwardly extending vanes.

In a first set of preferred arrangements, the device comprises means for retaining a powdered detergent within chambers of the device. Preferably, the device comprises a membrane or perforated member which is arranged to cover an exit hole of each chamber such that the mesh or the perforations are sufficiently fine to retain dry powder within the chamber but to allow flow of water out of the device. The device may comprise a perforated or mesh wall formed between adjacent vanes of the adaptor piece to form a barrier to divide each chamber into first and second portions, wherein powdered detergent is retained within the first portion of each chamber and a drainage channel is formed by said second portion.

In a second set of preferred arrangements, the adapter piece and the refill holder between them define a plurality of water tight chambers which extend radially inwardly from an outer surrounding cylindrical wall of the adaptor piece. Preferably, the adaptor piece defines said plurality of water tight chambers. Each water tight chamber preferably comprises a drain valve at a lowermost part thereof which may be activated to allow liquid to leave the chamber. The drain valve preferably comprises a valve member and an activation member, said activation member opening the valve when the refill holder is aligned with a detergent delivery position within the housing. The activation member may comprise a protrusion linked to a valve flap, said protrusion being arranged to lift the valve flap when it is raised by a step formed on the housing of the device.

Preferably, each chamber includes a syphon system SY", such that, in use, water entering though the directing means and into a chamber dispenses part of the dose even before the drain valve is activated.

Means may be provided, in use, for equalizing the level of a liquid detergent within the chambers during a detergent filling operation. Said means for equalizing the liquid level may comprise a gate member between each adjacent chamber which may be opened during a filling operation and closed prior to deploying the device.

The invention includes adapter pieces in accordance with any of the appended claims 14 to 25.

Examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 4 shows a refill holder of a detergent delivery device; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the refill holder of Figure 4 together with an adapter piece in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view from above showing an assembled refill holder and adapter piece for use with powdered detergents;

Figure 7 is schematic plan view along line A - A of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a release mechanism for use with liquid detergents;

Figure 9 is a plan view of an adapter piece for use with liquid detergents; and

Figure 10 is a view on section A-A of Figure 9 showing internal detail of the liquid, detergent release system.

In the discussion that follows, it should be noted by the reader that the modifications set out herein relate to multi-dose detergent delivery devices which are variations on the device as disclosed in, for instance, WO/2008/053178. Specific details relating to indexing mechanisms etc. are not of relevance to the present invention, but it is sufficient to note that indexing of the refill holder may take place automatically (as disclosed in the above-referenced application) or by manual intervention. Before going on to describe specific aspects of adapter pieces in accordance with the present invention, there will first be described a refill holder 4' .

Whilst the refill holder 4 as discussed in relation to Figure 2(a) and 2(b) has upstanding vanes 5 which all extend upwardly by a uniform amount, a refill holder 4' currently in use in the marketplace as illustrated in the view of Figure 4 has a slightly different construction.

Referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that, in common with the refill holder 4 of Figures 2(a) and (b) , the refill holder 4' comprises a plurality of dividing vanes 5' emanating from a central hub 6' and has a base 7' featuring a number of apertures 3' . The main difference however between the refill holder of Figures 2(a) and ib) and the holder of Figure 4 however is that the dividing vanes 5' have unequal heights - some being taller than others. The purpose of these unequal height vanes is mainly to aid customers in being able to bring a refill pack easily into the multi-dosing delivery device as these vanes 5' serve mainly as guides/supports for the refill.

Refill holders of the type shown in Figure A, and indeed in Figure 2, are not suitable for use with powder or liquid detergents as there is no means for preventing liquid from spilling out of the refill holder into neighbouring chambers and into a dishwasher through an exit hole of the dispenser.

Figure 5 shows the refill holder 4' of Figure 4 and an adapter piece 10' in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for enabling the use of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device with powdered detergents. The adapter piece 10' "completes" the existing fins on the refill holder up to the maximum internal height of the dispenser, therefore creating 12 separate chambers, each shaped as sectors of a cylindrical ring, like a slice of a cake with a truncated "central part".

The adapter piece 10' comprises a plurality of wall extenders 11' for extending the effective heights of the vanes 5' of the refill holder. The purpose of this is to effectively divide the interior of a detergent delivery device into x separate chambers, where x is a number of doses of detergent to be delivered by the device. The extenders 11' are all joined, at their outer periphery by a surrounding wall 12' which acts to hold them all in position and to form closed detergent chambers for containing the powdered detergent.

Moreover, the device - either the adapter piece itself, or as a separate addition to the refill holder 4' - is arranged to have a perforated base / membrane to cover the apertures 3' at the bottom of the refill holder: these perforations are arranged so as to be sufficiently small to retain solid particles of detergent inside the dispenser, but to allow flow of water out of the dispenser.

Optionally the adapter piece includes a perforated plate / membrane on the inner side that creates a drain channel along the entire height of the chamber for the free flow of water. The holes are sufficiently small to retain solid particles of detergent inside the chamber, but they do allow flow of water out of the detergent chamber into the drain channel and then out of the dispenser.

Figure 6 is a schematic top view showing the adapter piece 10' and a line A-A. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view shown through line A-A relating to optional extra features of the adapter 10' .

It will be appreciated that the extensions 11' forming the chamber separators ideally need to be a close fit against a shaft 6' of the refill holder to avoid cross contamination of adjacent chambers when water is flowing in the device. In the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 7, there is shown an optional arrangement of the adapter where a perforated or mesh wall is provided to each chamber whereby powder is filled in a main part of each chamber, but a separate drain channel is maintained between the mesh/perforated wall 13' and a shaft area 6' of the refill holder. In addition sloping mesh walls 14', 15' may also be provided along with a perforated bottom plate or membrane 16' . These features allow the creation of a drain channel along the entire height of the chamber for the free flow of water ad help avoid the problem of water backing up and flooding extra chambers. The mesh or perforations are sufficiently small to retain solid particles of detergent inside the chamber, but they do allow flow of water out of the detergent chamber into the drain channel and then out of the dispenser.

After the consumer has fitted the adapter piece to the multi-dosing detergent dispenser, the detergent powder can be simply filled in by pouring until all chambers are ful 1.

During the wash, in accordance with the teachings of the prior art, water will be directed by the directing means in the lid into only one of these chambers and the detergent contained in the dose will be dispensed.

After the wash, the mechanism of the dispenser will rotate the refill holder 4* and the adapter 10' in accordance with the indexing mechanism of the device until the directing means in the lid is aligned with the next chamber of detergent.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 will now be described in relation to providing an adaptation for using the detergent delivery device with liquid detergents.

The adapter piece 10" co-operates with the existing vanes on the refill holder, and creates 12 water tight chambers C" shaped like sectors of a cylindrical ring, like a slice of a cake with a truncated "central part".

Moreover each chamber of the adapter piece includes a "normally closed", spring mounted drain valve D" with a protrusion P" that sticks out of the bottom hole of the refill holder.

As shown best in the detail of Figure 10, a step S" is installed in the dispenser tub underneath the installed refill holder 4"/adapter piece 10" so as to be adjacent to a drain hole of the dispenser. As the dispenser indexes in accordance with the teachings of, for instance, ?CT application WO/2008/053178, the shaft 6" of the refill holder 4" turns and the protrusion P" of the drain valve D" engages with the step S". The step S" causes the protrusion P" to rise (the step S" acting as a cam and the protrusion P" acting as a follower) . Drain valve D" is thereby caused to open so that, the content, of the chamber is discharged.

Optionally, in order to speed up the equal and homogeneous filling of all "X" chambers (in preferred embodiments there are 12 chambers) up to the same level, a movable gate G" is provided on part of the dividing walls.

During a filling operation, the gate is raised / opened, so all chambers are connected to each other and they are quickly filled up to the same level . Before deploying the device, the gate is iov/ered / closed, so the chambers are separated and only one dose is dispensed in every wash;

In case the dispenser lid can be opened only in positions 0 and 12, i.e. when completely empty or when completely full, it is advisable to connect mechanically the movable gate mechanism to the lid, so, when the lid is open, the gate is also open and when the lid is closed, the gate is also closed.

Optionally each chamber includes a syphon system SY", such that water entering though the hole in the lid at the beginning of the wash overfills the chamber and dispenses part of the dose even before the drain valve is activated. Optionally the adapter piece is made of transparent material, in order to facilitate filling up to the correct level, e.g. just below the "top edge" of the syphon system.

The skilled person will realise that by appropriate variation other adapter piece design variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A multi-dosing detergent delivery device, the device comprising a cylindrical housing (2) for receiving therein, in use, a refill holder (4, 4'), a directing means (3,34) formed on a lid of the delivery device to permit, in use, water to enter into the device, an outlet to allow detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the device and indexing means (100) for movement of said refill holder (4, 4'} in use relative to said directing means (3,34), the device further comprising an adaptor piece ίΐθ', 10") for co-operation with said refill holder (4, 4') to divide an interior of the detergent delivery device into a plurality of X chambers, each chamber being arranged, in use, to accommodate a dose of detergent.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said adaptor piece comprises an outer cylindrical wall and a plurality of circumferentially inwardly extending vanes.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said device further comprises means for retaining a powdered detergent within chambers of the device.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said device comprises a membrane or perforated member which is arranged to cover an exit hole of each chamber such that the mesh or the perforations are sufficiently fine to retain dry powder within the chamber but to allow flow of water out of the device .

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a perforated or mesh wall formed between adjacent vanes of the adaptor piece to form a barrier to divide each chamber into first and second portions, wherein powdered detergent is retained within the first portion of each chamber and a drainage channel is formed by said second portion.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said adaptor piece and the refill holder between them define a plurality of water tight chambers which extend radially inwardly from an outer surrounding cylindrical wail of the adaptor piece.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said adaptor piece defines said plurality of water tight chambers.

8. The device of claim 6 or 7, wherein each water tight chamber comprises a drain valve at a lowermost part thereof which may be activated to allow liquid to leave the chamber.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said drain valve comprises a valve member and an activation member, said activation member opening the valve when the refill holder is aligned with a detergent delivery position within the housing.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the activation member comprises a protrusion linked to a valve flap, said protrusion being arranged to lift the valve flap when it is raised by a step formed on the housing of the device.

11. The device of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein each chamber includes a syphon system SY", such that, in use, water entering though the directing means and into a chamber dispenses part of the dose even before the drain valve is activated.

12. The device of any of claims 6 to 11, wherein means are provided, in use, for equalizing the level of a liquid detergent within the chambers during a detergent filling operation.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said means for equalizing the liquid level comprises a gate member between each adjacent chamber which may be opened during a filling operation and closed prior to deploying the device .

14. An adaptor piece for a detergent delivery device for dividing an interior of the device into a plurality of detergent carrying chambers, the piece comprising an outer cylindrical wall and a plurality of circumferentially inwardly extending vanes.

15. The adapter piece of claim 14, wherein said adapter piece comprises means for retaining a powdered detergent within chambers of the device.

16. The adapter piece of claim 15, wherein said means for retaining powdered detergent comprises a membrane or perforated member which is arranged to cover an exit hole of each chamber such that the mesh or the perforations are sufficiently fine to retain dry powder within the chamber but to allow flow of water out of the device.

17. The adapter piece of claim 16, further comprising a perforated or mesh wall formed between adjacent vanes of the adaptor piece to form a barrier to divide each chamber into first and second portions, wherein powdered detergent is retained within the first portion of each chamber and a drainage channel is formed by said second portion.

18. The adapter piece of claim 14, wherein said adaptor piece and a refill holder of a detergent delivery device between them define a plurality of water tight chambers which extend radially inwardly from an outer surrounding cylindrical wall of the adaptor piece.

19. The adapter piece of claim 14, wherein said adaptor piece defines a plurality of water tight chambers.

20. The adapter piece of claim 18 or 19, wherein each water tight chamber comprises a drain valve at a lowermost part thereof which may be activated to allow liquid to leave the chamber.

21. The adapter piece of claim 20, wherein said drain valve comprises a valve member and an activation member, said activation member, in use, opening the valve when a refill holder of the detergent delivery device is aligned with a detergent delivery position within the housing.

22. The adapter piece of claim 21, wherein the activation member comprises a protrusion linked to a valve flap, said protrusion being arranged to lift the valve flap when it is raised by a step formed on the housing of the device.

23. The adapter piece of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein each chamber includes a syphon system SY", such that, in use, water entering though the directing means and into a chamber dispenses part of the dose even before the drain valve is activated.

24. The adapter piece of any of claims 20 to 23, wherein means are provided, in use, for equalizing the level of a liquid detergent within the chambers during a detergent filling operation.

25. The adapter piece of claim 24, wherein said means for equalizing the liquid level comprises a gate member between each adjacent chamber which may be opened during a filling operation and closed prior to deploying the device .

26. A detergent delivery device or adapter piece of the invention, substantially as herein described in relation to figures 1 to 10.