LAUNDRY PRODUCTS

Abstract

A combination of reservoirs providing segregated stocks of components for laundry products to enable a user to formulate doses of laundry products on demand for supplying to a washing machine drum, the combination comprising: a first reservoir containing a stock of a first composition containing a detergent; and a second reservoir containing a second composition comprising a stock of an antimalodour component.

Claims

1. A combination of reservoirs providing segregated stocks of components for laundry products to enable a user to formulate doses of laundry products on demand for supplying to a washing machine drum, the combination comprising: a first reservoir containing a stock of a first composition containing a detergent; and a second reservoir containing a second composition comprising a stock of an anti-malodour component, said anti-malodour component excluding detergent, bleach and perfume.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the anti-malodour component comprises a cyclodextrin.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the anti-malodour component comprises a component selected from the group: odour-blockers, reactive aldehydes, flavonoids, metallic salts, zeolites, activated carbon; and/or mixtures thereof.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the anti-malodour component comprises zinc ricinoleate.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the anti-malodour component comprises zinc ricinoleate and a substituted monocyclic organic compound whereby the substituted monocyclic organic compound is in the alternative or in combination with one or more of: 1-cyclohexylethan-1-yl butyrate; 1-cyclohexylethan-1-yl acetate; 1-cyclohexylethan-1-ol; 1-(4-methylethyl) cyclohexylethan-1-yl propionate; and 2-hydroxy-1-ethyl(2-phenoxy)acetate.

6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the anti-malodour component comprises a deposition aid.

7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the deposition aid comprises a polymeric deposition aid.

8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the deposition aid comprises a polysaccharide.

9. The combination according to claim 1 including at least one further reservoir containing at least one further composition comprising at least one stock of an enzyme component.

10. The combination according to claim 1 including at least one further reservoir containing a perfume.

11. A device (1) for supplying a dose of laundry product, the device having multiple reservoirs including: (i) a reservoir (6a) containing a first composition comprising a detergent; (ii) a reservoir (6a) containing a composition comprising an anti-malodour component, and one or more reservoirs selected from: (iii) a reservoir (6b) containing a composition comprising a first enzyme; (iv) a reservoir (6c) containing a composition comprising a second enzyme, wherein the second enzyme is different to the first enzyme; (v) a reservoir (6d) containing a composition comprising a bleach component; and (vi) a reservoir (6e) containing a composition comprising an alkaline component wherein the device has a computer module programmed to cause the device to dispense from one or more reservoirs to provide a laundry product in the dosing device as a result of input.

12. The combination of reservoirs according to claim 1 wherein the first composition and-/-or second composition are in liquid form.

Description

[0239] Embodiments of the apparatus aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to the following diagrammatical drawings in which:

[0240] FIG. 1 shows a representative drawing of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0241] FIG. 2 shows a partially cut away representative drawing of the above apparatus showing part of the cartridge arrangement.

[0242] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section drawing of a device for formulating doses of the present compositions which is integral to a washing machine.

[0243] The apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1 has a dispensing device 1 and a dosing unit 2. The apparatus is a standalone device, designed to be placed on a countertop or similar. For example, it may be placed on a countertop in a kitchen or utility room, or may be placed on top of a washing machine.

[0244] As illustrated, the dosing unit 2 is a conventional dosing ball, which is typically made of plastics material. In use, the dosing unit is placed in a dispensing area 3 located underneath a nozzle 4. As illustrated, the dispensing area 3 is a recess provided in the device housing, and the dosing unit 2 is placed on a surface provided in the housing. However, it will be appreciated that the housing may be shaped in different ways such that, for example, the dosing unit is placed directly on the countertop (or other surface on which the device is placed) in use.

[0245] Laundry product ingredients are dispensed into the dosing unit 2 via the nozzle 4. As shown, only one nozzle is used. However, it will be appreciated that more than one nozzle may be provided. For example, different reservoirs may be in fluid communication with different nozzles such that a first reservoir is in fluid communication with a first nozzle and a second reservoir is in fluid communication with a second nozzle.

[0246] The device has a control/information interface 5. As illustrated, the interface 5 is a touch screen provided in the housing that both displays information and allows selections and information to be inputted to a computer module (not shown).

[0247] However, in other embodiments the device may be provided with a panel having buttons, dials or similar for inputting information. In other embodiments, input may be conveyed via command or gesture. It will be appreciated that a display screen in the housing of the device is not essential. The device may be configured for use without a display screen, or an external display screen on for example a phone or tablet may be coupled to the device (for example, via Bluetooth or similar).

[0248] FIG. 2 shows a partially cutaway image of the apparatus of FIG. 1. In this embodiment the interior houses three reservoir cartridges 6a, 6b, and 6c. Each cartridge houses a stock of an ingredient composition.

[0249] For example, in this non-limiting illustrated embodiment, 6a houses a detergent base composition, 6b houses an anti-malodour composition, and 6c houses an enzyme composition. Each cartridge 6a, 6b, 6c has a valve 7 and each cartridge is in fluid communication with a nozzle via a flow path 8. Flow from a cartridge to the nozzle 4 (where it is dispensed) is controlled by the valve. In this embodiment therefore each valve is a metering valve, with the volume metered controlled by the computer module. The valves may be located at any point along the flow path, and other types of valve may be used. Also metering of the ingredient compositions may be achieved in other ways, for example through generation of pressure in the reservoir to force the liquid out.

[0250] The diagram shows individual flows running from each reservoir to the nozzle 4. It will be appreciated that flow paths may meet before the nozzle is reached. For example, the device may have a pre-mixing chamber in which different ingredient compositions meet before they are dispensed into the dosing unit.

[0251] In use, the dosing unit is located under the nozzle 4 (such that product dispensed through the nozzle enters a chamber of the doing device). The user inputs information about the laundry load to the computer module. Typically, data may be entered in in two or more sets, each set requiring certain information from the user. For example, Set I may be used to input the load type: whites or colours. Set II may be used to input the presence or absence of staining and, optionally, the stain type. The user may therefore select whites, grass stains, mud stains. Other data requirements may include the fabric type (cotton/polycotton/polyester) as optimal fabric care benefit agents and amounts may be different in each case; fragrance selection (different members of the household may prefer different fragrances for their clothing, or it may be desirable to fragrance bedding and towels but not clothes); extent of staining (for example, lots of grass stains, only light mud stains); size of load (small loads require less product).

[0252] An optimised wash composition is then determined and the appropriate amount from relevant cartridges dispensed. The computer module (not shown) controls the amount dispensed.

[0253] The recipe used to determine the amounts may be obtained from an internal memory within the device, or may be obtained from an external memory accessed, for example, via the internet. Often, particularly where there is more than one stain type, an algorithm may be employed to determine the optimised formulation, balancing the cleaning needs of certain stains against others.

[0254] For example, in the case where reservoir cartridge 6a houses a detergent base composition which has a high pH, it may be appropriate to dispense 6a and 6b alone to provide the laundry product. In the case where reservoir cartridge 6a houses a detergent base composition having a low pH, it may be appropriate to dispense from 6a, 6b and 6c, in order to provide a sufficient pH switch to activate the bleach component. If it is desired to provide a bleach component for cleaning or disinfecting the machine without the need for detergent surfactant, it may be appropriate to dispense from 6b and 6c alone.

[0255] It will be appreciated that various further reservoir cartridges may be provided, each containing one or more ingredients for a laundry product to enhance versatility of the system.

[0256] The user may select various options, such as type of stain and type of fabric, and the computer module may then dose appropriate amounts of components from the relevant reservoir cartridge in to the dosing ball ready to be introduced in to the washing machine drum by the user.

[0257] The illustrated embodiment concerns a standalone apparatus in which the dispensing device and the dosing unit are located externally of the washing machine.

[0258] In other embodiments a dispensing device and/or a dosing unit may be accommodated within a washing machine. The dosing unit may be arranged in fluid communication with the washing machine drum so that the dose of laundry product is supplied without the need for the user to handle it.

[0259] FIG. 3 illustrates a device which is integral to a washing machine 10. The washing machine has a drum area 11 in which articles are laundered. During a wash program, water and wash liquor enter the drum via a sprayer 12. Water enters the machine via inlet 13 (schematically and only partially shown). Water and wash liquor drain from the drum area 11 into a sump 14 and may then recirculate via recirculating pump 15 (arrows indicate direction) to be resprayed into the drum area, or may be drained via waste outlet 16. Reservoirs 6a, 6b, and 6c contain stocks of components, as before. As shown, these are cartridges that engage with dispensing means 18, although it will be appreciated that the reservoirs may be provided simply as containers into which compositions are poured. The cartridges may be loaded and changed through access flap 19.

[0260] The device has a computer module 20. As described herein the computer module controls which and optionally how much of each cartridge is dispensed. As shown here, the washing machine has a control panel 21 via which input may be provided to the computer module. As illustrated, the control panel is a touch screen. In the present case, the control panel and computer module are also the used to determine the machine program, although it will be appreciated that they may be separate.

[0261] As previously described, in use the user inputs information about the laundry load to the computer module 20. The optimal wash composition is then determined and the appropriate amount from relevant cartridges dispensed by dispensing means 18 and may be combined before entering the water flow of the machine for example in a single pipe or chamber. This may be termed a pre-mixing area 27. As illustrated, three individual pipes combine to a single pipe, via which the product is dosed. In other words, the ingredient compositions dispensed may be at least partially premixed before being diluted to provide a wash liquor. The computer module controls the amount dispensed.