APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND RINSE CYCLE BENEFIT AGENT COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

An apparatus for providing two laundry compositions, a detersive composition (which is used to form a wash liquor in a main wash cycle) and a rinse cycle benefit agent (such as a fabric conditioner) on command, for example in a user's home.

Claims

1. A laundry product dispensing apparatus comprising a dosing device (2), the dosing device being for use in the drum of an automatic washing machine, and a dispensing device (1); wherein the dispensing device (1) comprises a first reservoir (7a) housing a composition comprising a surfactant and a second reservoir (8) housing a benefit agent for use in a rinse cycle, and a dispensing area (3) for locating the dosing device (2), and wherein the dispensing device is configured to dispense on command composition from the first reservoir into the dosing device located in the dispensing area and is configured to dispense on command benefit agent from the second reservoir characterised in that the dispensing device includes a computer module in electronic communication with a user interface which can receive user input comprising fabric data based on one or more of the following criteria: (I) stain identity; (ii) fabric identity; (iii) user requirements; and (iv) user preferences; and wherein, in response to said user input, the computer module formulates a laundry product recipe bespoke to said user input comprising a surfactant and/or a benefit agent such that the dispensing device dispenses surfactant and/or benefit agent into the dosing device and wherein the dosing device (2) comprises segregated first and second chambers having respective first and second openings, and wherein the dosing device and dispensing device (1) are configured such that, when the dosing device is located in the dispensing area (3) of the dispensing device, the dispensing device dispenses on command the composition comprising a surfactant from the first reservoir (7a) into the first chamber (2a) of the dosing device, and dispenses on command benefit agent into the second chamber (2b) of the dosing device and; wherein the dispensing device comprises a first nozzle (4) in controllable fluid communication with the first reservoir and a second nozzle (5) in controllable fluid communication with the second reservoir; wherein the dispensing device and dosing device are configured such that the dosing device engages with the dispensing device when located in the dispensing area to align the first opening with the first nozzle output and the second opening with the second nozzle output.

2. A laundry product dispensing apparatus comprising a dosing device, the dosing device being for use in the drum of an automatic washing machine, and a dispensing device; wherein the dispensing device comprises a first reservoir housing a composition comprising a surfactant and a second reservoir housing a benefit agent for use in a rinse cycle, and a dispensing area for locating the dosing device, and wherein the dispensing device is configured to dispense on command composition from the first reservoir into the dosing device located in the dispensing area and is configured to dispense on command the benefit agent from the second reservoir characterised in that said first and second reservoirs comprise pre-filled cartridges that cooperate with the housing of the device, such that the composition in each reservoir is in controllable fluid communication with a nozzle for dispensing the composition into the dosing device, wash liquor of a machine or a pre-mixing chamber wherein the dosing device (2) comprises segregated first and second chambers having respective first and second openings, and wherein the dosing device and dispensing device (1) are configured such that, when the dosing device is located in the dispensing area (3) of the dispensing device, the dispensing device dispenses on command the composition comprising a surfactant from the first reservoir (7a) into the first chamber (2a) of the dosing device, and dispenses on command benefit agent into the second chamber (2b) of the dosing device and wherein the dispensing device comprises a first nozzle (4) in controllable fluid communication with the first reservoir and a second nozzle (5) in controllable fluid communication with the second reservoir; wherein the dispensing device and dosing device are configured such that the dosing device engages with the dispensing device when located in the dispensing area to align the first opening with the first nozzle output and the second opening with the second nozzle output.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface is operative to warn the user that said benefit agent may not be suitable based on said user input.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the benefit agent is fabric conditioner.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the benefit agent is any one of the following: fragrance compositions (without any fabric softening effect), waterproofing agents, sunscreen agents, fire retardants, and insect repellents, lubricants (including silicones), free perfumes and fragrances, encapsulated perfumes and fragrances, preservatives (e.g. bactericides), dye transfer inhibitors, perfume carriers, anti-bacterial agents, fibre adhesives (eg starch, Polyvinyl acetate), elastomers, anti-microbial agents, deposition agents, softening agents, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, dyes, colorants, shade enhancers, fluorescent agents, anti-corrosion agents, anti-static agents, colour preservatives, fungicides and ironing aids, fabric setting agents e.g. setting polymers, starches and any combination thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises a further reservoir housing a fabric conditioner, such that the dispensing device houses two separate fabric conditioners, wherein said fabric conditioners do not have the same fragrance.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device includes a computer module in electronic communication with a user interface (6) which prompts the user to identify the load and/or fabric type, and in response to certain identified load and/or fabric types, does not dispense fabric conditioner regardless of other user input.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises a graphical user interface configured to receive input from a user, wherein the dispensing device is configured to generate commands based on said input to cause the dispensing device to dispense compositions.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device comprises a further reservoir housing a composition comprising an enzyme (7b), the dispensing device being configured to dispense on command the composition comprising an enzyme into the dosing device.

12. A method of laundering articles in an automatic washing machine, the method comprising using an apparatus according to claim 1 and comprising the steps: i. locating the dosing device in the dispensing area of the dispensing device; ii. providing user input to the dispensing device, via the user interface; such that, in response to said user input iii. the computer module formulates a laundry product recipe bespoke to said user input, comprising a surfactant and/or a benefit agent such that the dispensing device supplies a composition comprising a surfactant and/or benefit agent into the dosing device; then iv. placing the device in the washing machine drum with the articles to be laundered; then v. starting a wash program; and wherein the user input comprises fabric data based on one or more of the following criteria: (I) stain identity; (ii) fabric identity; (iii) user requirements; and (iv) user preferences.

13. A method of laundering articles in an automatic washing machine, the method comprising using an apparatus according claim 1, and comprising the steps: i. locating the dosing device in the dispensing area of the dispensing device; ii. providing input to the dispensing device, via a user interface; wherein, in response to said user input the computer module formulates a laundry product recipe bespoke to said user input, comprising a surfactant and/or a benefit agent such that the dispensing device supplies a benefit agent to the second chamber of the dosing device and supplies a compositing comprising a surfactant to the first chamber of the dosing device; then iii. positioning the second opening of the device above a drawer recess of the washing machine and tipping the device so as to dispense the benefit agent housed in the second chamber into the drawer recess; then iv. placing the device in the washing machine drum with the articles to be laundered; then v. starting a wash program.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising the step of warning the user that said benefit agent may not be suitable based on said user input.

15. The method of claim 13 comprising the step of warning the user that said benefit agent may not be suitable based on said user input.

Description

DESCRIPTION

[0116] The invention will now be described without limitation with reference to the following diagrammatical drawings in which:

[0117] FIG. 1 shows a representative drawing of an apparatus of the invention.

[0118] FIG. 2 shows a partially cut away representative drawing of the apparatus of the invention.

[0119] FIG. 3 shows a partial representation of the apparatus, showing only a suitable device in place in the dispensing area 3 of the machine.

[0120] The apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1 has a dispensing device 1 and a dosing device 2. The apparatus is a standalone device, designed to be placed on a countertop or similar.

[0121] 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.

[0122] As illustrated, the dosing device is a two chambered dosing ball, which may be made of plastics material. In use, the dosing device is placed in a dispensing area 3 located underneath nozzles 4 and 5. As illustrated, the dispensing area 3 is a recess provided in the dispensing device housing, and the dosing device 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 device is placed directly on the countertop (or other surface on which the dispensing device is placed) in use.

[0123] A detersive composition is dispensed into the dosing device first chamber 2a via the nozzle 4. This includes the composition comprising the surfactant housed in reservoir 7a (not shown in FIG. 1). It may optionally include compositions from other reservoirs that may be added to the detersive composition such as a composition comprising an enzyme housed in reservoir 7b (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0124] If permitted/preferred, a fabric conditioner housed in reservoir 8 (not shown in FIG. 1) is dispensed into the dosing device second chamber 2b via the nozzle 5.

[0125] The device has a control/information interface 6. As illustrated, the interface 6 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).

[0126] 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 spoken command or gesture. It will be appreciated that a screen in the housing of the dispensing 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).

[0127] FIG. 2 shows a partially cutaway image of the apparatus of FIG. 1. The interior houses three reservoir cartridges (7a, 7b, and 8). It will be appreciated that the arrangement is representative. For example, the cartridges may be provided in on alternative configuration, or may be fixed containers into which a compositions is poured to replenish.

[0128] Cartridge 7a is the first reservoir. It houses a composition comprising a surfactant. Cartridge 7b houses a composition comprising an enzyme. Further cartridges housing laundry ingredient compositions may be provided. Cartridge 8 is the second reservoir. It houses a fabric conditioner.

[0129] Each cartridge has a valve 9. Each cartridge is in fluid communication with the nozzle via a flow path 10. Flow from the cartridge to the nozzle (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. It will be appreciated that the valves may be located at any point along the flow path, and other types of valve may be used. It will also be appreciated that metering of the compositions may be achieved in other ways, for example through generation of pressure in the reservoir to force the composition out.

[0130] The diagram shows individual flows running from reservoirs 7a and 7b 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. The flow from reservoir 8 (which houses fabric conditioner) runs to a separate nozzle 5.

[0131] In use, the dosing device is located under the nozzles, such that the compositions are dispensed into the appropriate chambers. The user inputs information about the laundry load to the computer module. Whether or not to dispense fabric conditioner and, optionally, optimised wash composition may then be determined and the appropriate amount from relevant cartridges dispensed. The computer module (not shown) controls the amounts dispensed.

[0132] The criteria used to determine what is dispensed may be obtained from an internal memory within the device, or may be obtained from an external memory accessed, for example, via the internet.

[0133] The dosing device 2 is shown, for illustrative purposes, as two mirror image open-topped chambers. However, it will be appreciated that, because the detersive composition and fabric conditioner are used at different points in the wash program, advantageously the dosing device is configured to assist this. Suitably, the device is a device as described in EP16193266.0, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. For example, FIG. 3 shows a device as described in EP16193266.0 in place in the dispensing area 3 of the device.

[0134] The device 20 has two openings into two separate chambers. As described in EP16193266.0, the dosing device has a fabric conditioner chamber having an opening 20b and a segregated further chamber for the detersive composition having an opening 20a, wherein the chambers and openings are configured such that a fabric conditioner stored in the fabric conditioner chamber is pourable via the opening by a user without dispensing the detersive composition stored in the further chamber. (The first laundry composition as described in EP16193266.0 is the fabric conditioner as described herein.) Accordingly, the opening to chamber 20b resides under nozzle 5 while the opening to chamber 20a resides under nozzle 4.

[0135] After dispensing, if the fabric conditioner has been dispensed, the user pours the fabric conditioner from its chamber into the fabric conditioner compartment of the drawer of the washing machine, then places the device (which now contains only the detersive composition) into the drum and starts the program. Naturally, if no fabric conditioner has been dispensed, the step of pouring is omitted.

[0136] It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to a person skilled in the art and are included in the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims.