CN103635623A - A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent - Google Patents

Abstract

A quantitative dispensing device (1) for liquid detergent, the device comprising: a hollow body (2) having a portion (3) comprising a flexible material, at least one slit (5) arranged in said flexible Part for dispensing a product; means for spreading at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto the surface of fabrics. The slit opens (gradually) when pressure is applied to the surface of the device to which the liquid detergent is applied. The opening is substantially closed when the pressure ceases.

Description

Quantitative dispensing device for liquid detergent

The present invention relates to a dosing device for liquid detergents. The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for pretreating fabrics with a portion of liquid detergent.

Dispensing devices for liquid detergents to be introduced into washing machines together with fabrics are well known in the prior art. It is also known that greater efficacy in stain removal can be achieved by pre-treating fabrics without consuming larger quantities of liquid detergent. Pre-treatment means that an amount of detergent is applied directly to soiled parts of the fabrics before they are washed in a washing machine. These devices are referred to hereinafter as "pretreatment devices". Detergent hereafter means detergent compositions for treating fabrics. The detergent composition may include detergent additives such as bleach (beach), enzymes and/or other additives known in the art.

Various pretreatment devices for liquid detergents are described in the prior art, eg in WO92/09736 and WO92/09737. These devices allow the liquid detergent to be applied to the fabrics prior to the wash cycle by means of a predetermined outlet or a removable pre-treatment applicator, respectively. Another approach is proposed in EP-A-575714. This document describes another pretreatment device for liquid detergents with a fixed applicator in the form of a rolling ball. The rolling ball is capable of spreading the contained liquid detergent only in a predetermined direction.

The aforementioned pretreatment device allows the liquid detergent contained therein to be spread evenly onto the fabrics, ie the amount spread is always the same. This even distribution does not take into account that different soils require different amounts of liquid detergent during pretreatment. For example, soiling can be formed by certain ingredients that require more thorough pretreatment to increase their effectiveness. This can be achieved by applying a larger amount of liquid detergent. Larger amounts may be required depending on the size of the soil itself. Thus, we have found that the effectiveness of stain removal is improved when a greater amount of pretreatment detergent is applied to the soiled surface of the fabric because the surface can be more thoroughly pretreated.

With prior art pretreatment devices it is not possible to adjust the amount of liquid detergent to specific needs. In fact, the outlet of the applicator with fixed holes or e.g. a sponge cannot vary the amount of liquid detergent to be spread on the fabric for thorough pre-treatment / control the amount of detergent so that possible damage to the fabric can be avoided (eg, fading, etc.). It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device with an adjustable flow of contained liquid detergent for pre-treatment.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate/mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dosing device for liquid detergent comprising a hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, wherein at least one slit is provided in said flexible portion to means for dispensing said product, and spreading at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto the surface of the fabric, said slit being applied to the surface of said device where said liquid detergent is applied is opened (gradually) and the opening is substantially closed when the pressure ceases.

It has been found that the container of the invention is particularly advantageous in that the amount of detergent dispensed from the device and the distribution of the detergent on the surface to be treated is surprisingly beneficial. These benefits include the ability to rapidly/advancedly control the discharge of detergent from the device by applying/removing pressure applied to the device. Additionally, the device of the present invention can provide a rubbing/scrubbing action as well as application of pressure.

Typically, the opening is located at the bottom of the device. This allows dosing of detergent (assisted by gravity) onto the surface being treated. To achieve this, preferably a portion of flexible material is located at the bottom of the device.

Preferably, the device comprises several openings. This allows for efficient dosing and distribution of detergent onto the surface being treated.

Preferably, the opening is in the form of a slit valve. Such a slit valve is understood to be able to open when pressure is applied thereto. The applied pressure may be in the form of contact pressure against the surface or translational pressure caused by motion relative to the surface (or a combination thereof).

Each slit valve may have one or more, preferably a plurality of individual slit openings (these may be arranged perpendicular to each other so that even when the direction of friction is perpendicular to some of the slit valves (i.e. , for any direction of friction, some valves will be optimal to work) for dosing of detergent), (ideally about two openings for enhanced detergent discharge). In case more than one slit opening is present, it is possible that the openings are not of the same size.

Preferably, the slit valve is coplanar with the surface of the flexible portion. The flexible portion may be planar. Optionally, the flexible portion is in the form of a sphere/part of a spheroid.

In order to improve the penetration/spreading of detergent into the treated (typically fabric surface) it is preferred that the device (preferably on the flexible part) comprises spreading means. Preferably, the spreading means are in the form of ridges. The ridge may be linear or may be curved. Typically multiple ridges are present on the device.

In order to be able to be used by the consumer, usually the device includes a holding device. The holding device preferably comprises a body of the device into which detergent is injected. The body of the device is preferably shaped such that it can fit in the user's hand and still contain sufficient detergent for the pre-treatment and laundry steps. The body thus has a volume of from 50 cm ³ to 200 cm ³ . The body may comprise any geometric shape, but is generally based on an oval, tapering towards its upper opening (for injection of detergent) and also at its lower end (adjacent to the flexible part).

Typically, devices are made of elastoplastic materials. The body can consist of PP, PE or PET (both injection molded or blow molded). The spine and valve may comprise any rubber or elastomer suitable to be welded, welded or glued to the body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for pre-treating and washing fabrics in a washing machine using a dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, said method being characterized in that the method comprises The steps of: introducing a dose of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pretreatment and wash cycle into said dosing device; The pre-treatment of fabrics is carried out with a controlled dose of liquid detergent; the fabrics thus pretreated are placed in the drum of the washing machine together with the dosing device and other non-pretreated fabrics.

Most preferably, the device is for a laundry detergent formulation and for dispensing the laundry detergent formulation onto the surface of a garment.

Preferably the laundry detergent formulation comprises a bleaching agent, e.g. from 0.001% to 99.99%, preferably from 0.001% to 20%, preferably from 4% to 18%, e.g. most preferably about 4.5% or 13% by weight. % of bleach. The bleaching agent is preferably a peroxide bleaching agent, most preferably hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide sources other _{than H2O2} may be used.

Preferably, the laundry detergent formulation comprises a surfactant, where the components are present, from 0.001% to 99.99%, preferably from 0.05% to 15%, eg about 7%, by weight of surfactant.

Surfactants are, for example, ionic or nonionic surfactants or mixtures thereof (most preferably nonionic surfactants). The nonionic surfactant is preferably a surfactant having the molecular formula RO(CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _n H, wherein R is a linear hydrocarbon chain of even carbons from C ₁₂ H ₂₅ to C ₁₆ H ₃₃ , and n Represents the number of repeating units and is a number from about 1 to about 12. Examples of other nonionic surfactants include primary higher aliphatic alcohols having about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms condensed with about three to thirteen moles of ethylene oxide.

Other examples of nonionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates (available from Shell under the tradename Neodol), such as _C11 alkanols condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 1-9), condensed C _12-13 alkanol with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol23-6.5), C _12-13 alkanol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide condensed (Neodol23-9), condensed with 7 or 3 moles of ethylene oxide C _12-15 alkanol of alkane (Neodol25-7 or Neodol25-3), C _14-15 alkanol (Neodol45-13) condensed with 13 moles of ethylene oxide, with an average of 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide condensed per mole of alcohol Alkanes C _9-11 straight chain ethoxyethanol (Neodol91-2.5), and so on.

Other examples of nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include the following ethylene oxide condensation products: a secondary fatty alcohol containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a linear or branched structure with 5 to 30 moles of Ethylene oxide condensation. An example of a commercially available nonionic detergent of the type described above is condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide ( Tergitol15-S-12) C _11-15 secondary alkanol.

Octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol type nonionic surfactants such as Triton X-100 and amine oxides can also be used as the nonionic surfactants of the present invention.

Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Tomadol tradename, for example, Tomadol 1-7, i.e., a _C11 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of EO; Tomadol 25-7, i.e., with C ₁₂ -C ₁₅ linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of EO; Tomadol 45-7, i.e., a C ₁₄ -C ₁₅ linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of EO; and Tomadol 91-6, That is, a _C9 - _C11 linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles of EO.

Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Lutensol tradename, e.g., Lutensol A3N, i.e., a _C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles of EO; Lutensol LA60, i.e., with _C13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of EO. Also Genapol, for example, Genapol LA3, i.e., C _13-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 3 moles of EO; Genapol LA070, i.e., C _13-15 linear primary alcohol ethyl alcohol with 7 moles of EO Oxylates; Tornadol 45-7, i.e., C ₁₄ -C ₁₅ linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of EO; and Tornadol 91-6, i.e., C ₉ -C ₁₁ linear chain with 6 moles of EO Alcohol ethoxylates.

Other nonionic surfactants are amine oxide, alkylamide oxide surfactants.

Preferred anionic surfactants are generally alkali metal, ammonium, amine, amino alkoxide or magnesium salts. One or more sulfate or sulfonate compounds are contemplated to be useful, including: alkylbenzene sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates Salt (or ester), alkyl amido ether sulfate (or ester), alkylaryl polyether sulfate (or ester), monoglyceride sulfate (or ester), alkylsulfonate (or ester) , alkyl amide sulfonate (or ester), alkyl aryl sulfonate (or ester) (alkylarylsulfonates), olefin sulfonate (or ester), paraffin sulfonate (or ester), alkyl sulfonate Succinate (or ester), Alkyl ether sulfosuccinate (or ester), Alkylamide sulfosuccinate (or ester), Alkyl sulfosuccinamate (or ester), Alkyl sulfur Acetate (or ester), alkyl phosphate (or ester), alkyl ether phosphate (or ester), acyl sarcosinate (or ester), acyl isethionate (or ester), N - Acyl taurates. Generally, carbon chains containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms are contained in the alkyl or acyl groups of these various compounds.

Other surfactants that may be used are alkyl naphthalene sulfonates and acyl/oleoyl sarcosinates and mixtures thereof.

Laundry detergent formulations can include a variety of optional ingredients including enzymes, builders, solvents, dye transfer inhibitors, dye fixatives (catchers), preservatives, antioxidants, antistatic agents, fragrances, odor absorbing ingredients, Optical brighteners, acidifiers, alkalizers, thickeners (such as hydroxyethylcellulose and/or xanthan gum).

The container of the present invention is further described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a device according to the invention.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 , the device 1 comprises a main body part 2 in the form of a modified cylinder and a flexible body part 3 . These parts are joined together to form a dosing device for holding/dosing a liquid (detergent) composition.

The main body 2 can act as a handle for the consumer. The body has openings 4 for introducing detergent into the device and releasing detergent during the (laundry) wash cycle.

The flexible body portion 3 includes a plurality of slit valves 5 provided on its lower surface. The slit valve 5 has an opening 6 which can be opened by exerting pressure (contact and/or translational) on the surface. The flexible body 3 also comprises a plurality of curved spreading ridges 7 on its lower surface.

In use, a total dose of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pre-treatment and wash cycle is introduced into the device 1 . The pre-treatment of fabrics is carried out with controlled quantities of liquid detergent doses contained in said device 1 dispensed from said device 1 through said valve 5 . This is achieved by pressing and rubbing the device 1 on the fabric surface to be treated, thereby releasing the detergent and spreading the detergent (assisted by the ridges 7 ) over the surface to be treated. The thus pretreated fabrics are put into the drum of the washing machine together with the dosing device 1 and other non-pretreated fabrics. A wash cycle can then be performed.

Claims (10)

1. for a quantitative distributing device for liquid detergent, this device comprises: hollow body, and this hollow body has the part that comprises flexible material, and wherein at least one slit is arranged in described flexible portion for allocated product; And at least a portion of the liquid detergent holding being spread to the lip-deep parts of fabric, wherein, described in while applying lateral pressure to described device on the surface applying described liquid detergent, slit (little by little) is opened, and described opening is substantially closed when described pressure stops.

2. device according to claim 1, wherein, described slit is arranged in the bottom of described device.

3. device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, is provided with a plurality of slits.

4. device according to claim 3, wherein, described slit is arranged with regular pattern.

5. according to the device described in any one in aforementioned claim, wherein, described slit is of a size of 0.1mm to 10mm.

6. according to the device described in any one in aforementioned claim, wherein, described slit, the part of wherein said flexible material is arranged in the bottom of described device.

7. according to the device described in any one in aforementioned claim, wherein, described device comprises friction spine.

8. according to the device described in any one in aforementioned claim, wherein, described device comprises holding assembly.

9. according to the device described in any one in aforementioned claim, wherein, described device is made by elastic-plastic material.

10. for utilizing according to a method for preliminary treatment and the laundering of textile fabrics in washing machine of the quantitative distributing device described in any one of aforementioned claim, the method is characterized in that, comprise the following steps: to introduce in described quantitative distributing device at the liquid detergent of preliminary treatment and the potion total amount that will use during washing cycle; Utilization is accommodated in described device and the liquid scrubbing agent dose of the controlled quatity of distributing by described otch from described device is carried out the preliminary treatment of described fabric; Pretreated fabric like this is put into together with described quantitative distributing device and other not pretreated fabric to the cylinder of described washing machine.

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