Systems, dispensers and methods for laundry additives

Abstract

A system for introducing laundry additive materials to an automatic washing machine comprises a unit dose package including a first compartment containing a first laundry additive material, a second compartment containing a second laundry additive material, and optionally at least a third compartment containing a third laundry additive material, and a dispenser. The dispenser is adapted for interchangeable use with unit dose packages containing two, three or more compartments, and includes a housing structure comprising a first chamber adapted to receive the unit dose package. The housing structure is arrangeable in a first position to receive the unit dose package and a second position to secure the unit dose package in the first chamber. The dispenser further includes first compartment piercing elements adapted to open the first compartment and, if included, the third compartment; a second compartment piercing element adapted to open the second compartment; and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The first compartment piercing elements are adapted to open the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, by arranging the housing structure from the first position to the second position, and at least the first compartment and the third compartment, if included, are adapted to then release the first laundry additive material and the third laundry additive material, if included, for gravitational flow for use in a wash cycle. The second compartment of the unit dose package is adapted to release the second laundry additive material to the second chamber during a spin cycle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 526,642 filed Dec. 3, 2003 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 366,204, filed Feb. 13, 2003 which claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 356,544, filed Feb. 13, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 366,100, filed Feb. 13, 2003 which claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 356,543, filed Feb. 13, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 289,936, filed Nov. 7, 2002; and U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 737,429, filed Dec. 16, 2003 which claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 435,646, filed Dec. 20, 2002.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to systems, dispensers and methods, for adding laundry additive materials to the drum (tub) of an automatic fabric laundering (washing) machine during a multiple cycle operation. The laundry additive materials are packaged in separate compartments of a unit dose pac...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0035] The systems, dispensers and methods of the present invention are intended to provide dispensing of laundry additive materials into different stages of the laundering process from a single unit dose package which contains such additives. Such additive materials are dispensed into the washing machine as the machine proceeds through its operational wash and rinse cycles. This is accomplished using a dispenser having a substantially rigid housing structure which is positioned within the machine and which holds and opens a unit dose package containing the additive materials to be dispensed.

[0036] Dispensing of laundry additive materials in accordance with this invention takes place in a conventional automatic washing machine useful for the laundering of fabrics. Such automatic washing machines are those typically found in the home or in businesses such as self-service laundromats wherein individual consumers can launder their own loads of fabrics.

[0037] Automatic washing machine...

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 526,642 filed Dec. 3, 2003 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 366,204, filed Feb. 13, 2003 which claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 356,544, filed Feb. 13, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 366,100, filed Feb. 13, 2003 which claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 356,543, filed Feb. 13, 2002; U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 289,936, filed Nov. 7, 2002; and U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 737,429, filed Dec. 16, 2003 which claims the benefit of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 435,646, filed Dec. 20, 2002.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to systems, dispensers and methods, for adding laundry additive materials to the drum (tub) of an automatic fabric laundering (washing) machine during a multiple cycle operation. The laundry additive materials are packaged in separate compartments of a unit dose pac...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0035] The systems, dispensers and methods of the present invention are intended to provide dispensing of laundry additive materials into different stages of the laundering process from a single unit dose package which contains such additives. Such additive materials are dispensed into the washing machine as the machine proceeds through its operational wash and rinse cycles. This is accomplished using a dispenser having a substantially rigid housing structure which is positioned within the machine and which holds and opens a unit dose package containing the additive materials to be dispensed.

[0036] Dispensing of laundry additive materials in accordance with this invention takes place in a conventional automatic washing machine useful for the laundering of fabrics. Such automatic washing machines are those typically found in the home or in businesses such as self-service laundromats wherein individual consumers can launder their own loads of fabrics.

[0037] Automatic washing machine...

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