Method and apparatus for dispensing a fragrance composition during a cleaning cycle of a household appliance

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing a fragrance composition into a household appliance during a cleaning cycle of the household appliance. A movable dispensing device disposed movably within the household appliance includes a first compartment having a detergent and a second compartment having the fragrance composition and separated from the first compartment. A change in position of the movable dispensing device within the appliance is determined. Then at least a portion of the fragrance is dispensed at least twice during the cleaning cycle such that the position of the movable dispensing device at a first dispensing time is different from the position of the movable device at a second dispensing time.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of methods for dispensing a fragrance composition in a household appliance to eliminate odors on an item to be cleaned. The method and device of the present invention can be used in particular in dishwashers, washing machines, dryers or irons. However, it is mainly used in dishwashers, washing machines or dryers. Background Art

[0002] When performing a cleaning cycle on an item in a household appliance or after that, a fragrance composition is usually dispensed to improve the overall odor of the item. The pleasant odor provided by the fragrance composition enhances the impression of a successful cleaning operation.

[0003] Generally, the fragrance composition is part of the ingredients of a cleaning agent that is introduced into the housing of the household appliance. The cleaning agent is usually in the form of powder, granules, tabs, pouches or liquid, which contains a mixture of cleaning chemicals and one or more fragrances.

[0004] Therefore, such a cleaning agent dispenses the fragrance composition while dispensing other active chemicals, usually surfactants. However, the surfactant does not distinguish between the dirt on the item to be cleaned and the molecules of the fragrance composition. Therefore, during the cleaning process, the fragrance contained in the powder, granules, tabs, pouches or liquid is usually at least partially dissolved by the surfactant and is less efficient in improving the overall odor of the item.

[0005] To better time the release of the fragrance composition into the housing of the household appliance, it is also known to encapsulate the fragrance composition in microcapsules. These microcapsules adhere to the surface of the item to be cleaned and release the fragrance composition only during the rinse cycle or at the end of the cleaning cycle. This improves the odor of the item at the end of the cleaning cycle, but the disadvantage is the addition of unwanted additives that make up the microcapsules, which usually contain polymers such as melamine-formaldehyde condensates. These materials are harmful to the environment.

[0006] Some metering devices, such as the device described in the document WO 2011131256 A1, enable the storage of the fragrance composition in a cartridge separate from other cleaning agents, so that the fragrance composition can be dispensed during the rinse cycle, which contains less surfactant than the main wash cycle. However, the dispensing of the fragrance composition occurs once, and the fragrance composition tends to concentrate near the item closer to the dispensing device. As a result, some items have a stronger odor than others, or the odor may be unevenly distributed on the surface of the item. This can confuse the user and leave the impression of an unsuccessful cleaning.

[0007] For these reasons, there is a need to overcome the above disadvantages by providing a method for dispensing a fragrance composition in a household appliance, and an apparatus for dispensing said fragrance composition. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To meet the above needs, the present invention provides a method for dispensing a fragrance composition into the main chamber of a household appliance during a cleaning cycle of the household appliance, the cleaning cycle including a washing cycle and at least one rinsing cycle, during which a detergent is dispensed into the main chamber, the detergent being contained in a first compartment of a mobile dispensing device configured to be movably disposed inside the main chamber of the household appliance, the method comprising:

[0009] - storing the fragrance composition in a second compartment of the mobile dispensing device, the second compartment being separate from the first compartment of the dispensing device;

[0010] - determining a change in position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber; and

[0011] - during the at least one rinsing cycle, dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition from the second compartment into the main chamber at least twice such that the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber at a first dispensing time is different from the position of the mobile device in the main chamber at a second dispensing time.

[0012] By storing the detergent and the fragrance composition in two separate compartments, such as in separate cartridges, the method enables control of the release time of each of these cleaning agents during the cleaning cycle in a household appliance.

[0013] Furthermore, by determining a change in the position of the mobile dispensing device containing the fragrance composition, the fragrance composition can be dispensed in a more uniform manner by dispensing only a very small amount of the fragrance composition at a time, such that the aroma is evenly distributed over the items in the housing of the household appliance.

[0014] In particular, the dispensing of the fragrance composition is related to the determination of a change in the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber of the household appliance. For the first dose of the fragrance composition to be dispensed, it can be determined that the cleaning cycle has entered the rinsing cycle. Then, when a change in the position of the mobile dispensing device is determined, further dispensing of the fragrance composition occurs.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise:

[0016] - determining a change in the distribution of items around the mobile dispensing device inside the main chamber;

[0017] - After determining a change in the distribution of the articles, a predetermined amount of at least a portion of the perfume composition is dispensed into the main chamber.

[0018] For example, a change in the distribution of articles around the mobile dispensing device can be determined by monitoring the magnetic field in the main chamber of the appliance, the temperature in the main chamber of the appliance, a change in the light distribution in the infrared, visible or ultraviolet spectrum around the mobile dispensing device, or by measuring the difference in the tensile forces exerted by the articles on the mobile dispensing device.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the detergent comprises at least one surfactant, and the method may further comprise:

[0020] - Determining the concentration of the surfactant inside the main chamber of the household appliance;

[0021] - When the determined surfactant concentration is below a predetermined threshold, dispensing at least a portion of the perfume composition.

[0022] By ensuring that the concentration of the surfactant in the main chamber of the household appliance is below a predetermined threshold, the perfume composition can be released at regular intervals without any risk of being dissolved by the residual surfactant. The predetermined threshold can be, for example, less than 0.1 g per liter of water or less than 100 ppm.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the detergent comprises at least one surfactant, and the method may further comprise:

[0024] - Determining a change in the water inside the main chamber of the household appliance;

[0025] - When the determined change in water indicates a switch from a washing cycle to at least one rinsing cycle, dispensing at least a portion of the perfume composition.

[0026] The change in water can be determined from a timer that determines when the duration of the main washing cycle ends or from sensor information. Other parameters besides time can be monitored to determine the change in water occurring in the housing of the household appliance and the start of the rinsing cycle. Such parameters can include, for example: a change in the temperature in the main chamber, determination of the vibration mode characteristics of the change in water and / or the start of the rinsing cycle, and the noise generated by the change in water.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the household appliance is a washing machine comprising a drum configured to rotate about an axis of the drum, and the method may further comprise:

[0028] - Detecting a change in the angular position of the drum of the washing machine;

[0029] - When a change in the angular position of the drum is detected, triggering the dispensing of at least a portion of the perfume composition from a second compartment.

[0030] Rotation of the drum of the washing machine causes a change in the position of the movable dispensing device and also changes the distribution of the laundry around the movable dispensing device. As a result, for example, the change in the angular position of the drum is detected using a camera, readings on the motor driving the rotation of the drum, or an accelerometer, and this detection result can be used to trigger the release of a small amount of the fragrance composition into the main chamber of the household appliance.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the main chamber of the household appliance is a drum, and the method further comprises:

[0032] - determining a change in one of the following: the position of the dispensing device inside the drum, the acceleration of the dispensing device inside the drum, the magnetic field value at the dispensing device inside the drum;

[0033] - dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition when the determined change is higher than a predetermined value.

[0034] The predetermined value can be any value greater than 0. For example, a change in the rotation angle of the moving device greater than 45°, a change in position greater than 1 cm, or a change in the magnetic field from greater than 1 mGauss to 1000 mGauss can be used as an indicator. In essence, the predetermined value is set by the sampling ability of the sensor or other technical means for estimating or measuring the change in the position of the movable dispensing device in the household appliance.

[0035] It should also be noted that the change can be measured not only based on the value provided by the sensor, but also deduced based on the knowledge of the current cycle operation of the household appliance. In particular, the rotation of the drum can be predicted based on the timing of the cycle.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the method may further comprise:

[0037] - mixing at least a portion of the fragrance composition with a solvent before dispensing the at least a portion of the fragrance composition into the main chamber.

[0038] The solvent mixed with the fragrance composition may include, for example, water or dipropylene glycol.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a movable dispensing device configured to be placed inside the main chamber of a household appliance and configured to dispense a fragrance composition into the main chamber during a cleaning cycle of the household appliance, the cleaning cycle including at least a washing cycle and at least one rinsing cycle, and a detergent being dispensed into the main chamber during the washing cycle, the movable dispensing device comprising:

[0040] - a first compartment containing a detergent;

[0041] - A second compartment separated from the first compartment, the second compartment containing a fragrance composition;

[0042] - At least one pump for dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition from the second compartment into the main chamber at least twice during the at least one rinse cycle such that the position of the movable dispensing device in the main chamber at a first dispensing time is different from the position of the movable device in the main chamber at a second dispensing time; and

[0043] - A data processing unit configured to send an activation signal to the at least one pump upon obtaining information on a change in the position of the movable dispensing device in the main chamber.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the data processing unit may further be configured to determine the amount of the fragrance composition to be dispensed.

[0045] This amount may be determined, for example, based on measurements of the wash water in the household appliance during a cleaning cycle or based on molecules identified in the main chamber of the household appliance during a cleaning operation. For example, conductivity measurements may indicate the amount of dirt in the wash water and thus the degree of soiling of the item to be cleaned. The greater the amount of dirt detected, the greater the amount of the fragrance composition released.

[0046] Optical tools such as infrared sensors or cameras may also be used to determine the amount of dirt on the item to be cleaned. The type of cleaning program selected further indicates the degree of soiling of the item being cleaned and whether more or less of the fragrance composition needs to be dispensed to enhance the impression of cleanliness at the end of the cleaning cycle. Finally, preferences selected by the user may be used to set the amount of the fragrance composition dispensed.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the at least one pump may be a pump configured to dispense an amount of the fragrance composition corresponding to one to one hundred microliters of the fragrance composition per activation, and the pump is selected from a peristaltic pump and a micro-membrane pump.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the movable dispensing device may further include:

[0049] - At least one sensor configured to determine a change in the position of the movable dispensing device inside the main chamber of the household appliance, and the sensor is one of: a magnetometer, an accelerometer, a camera operating in the visible range, a camera operating in the infrared range, a camera operating in the ultraviolet range.

[0050] The invention also relates to a kit comprising the dispensing device as described above and a fragrance composition comprising at least one fragrance compound and a cationic surfactant.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the kit further comprises:

[0052] - the concentration of the at least one fragrance compound in the fragrance composition is greater than 10%, more preferably greater than 30%;

[0053] - the concentration of the cationic surfactant in the fragrance composition is greater than 20%, preferably greater than 40%; and / or

[0054] - the amount of the fragrance composition used per cleaning cycle is less than 10 g, preferably less than 2 g.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the cationic surfactant can be one of the following: a quaternary triethanol-methyl-ammonium compound, a quaternary diethanol-dimethyl-ammonium compound, or a mixture thereof.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the fragrance composition may further comprise:

[0057] - 30% to 50% of the at least one fragrance compound;

[0058] - 30% to 65% of a solvent;

[0059] - 5% to 20% of a cationic surfactant.

[0060] The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for performing a method for commanding the dispensing of a fragrance composition into the main chamber of a household appliance during a cleaning cycle of the household appliance, the cleaning cycle including a washing cycle and at least one rinsing cycle, during which a detergent is dispensed into the main chamber, the detergent being contained in a first compartment of a mobile dispensing device configured to be movably disposed inside the main chamber of the household appliance, the method comprising:

[0061] - determining a change in the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber; and

[0062] - triggering a signal at least twice during the at least one rinsing cycle, the signal being for activating the dispensing of at least a portion of the fragrance composition from a second compartment separate from the first compartment into the main chamber such that the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber at a first dispensing time is different from the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber at a second dispensing time.

[0063] In other words, the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, the computer program including instructions for performing the above method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the following drawings, in which the same numbers represent the same elements, and:

[0065] Figure 1 shows a simplified workflow of a method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0066] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system including a mobile dispensing device according to an embodiment.

[0067] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a kit according to an embodiment, the kit including a mobile dispensing device and a refilling device for a fragrance composition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] The present invention provides a method for dispensing a fragrance composition into the main chamber of an appliance during a cleaning cycle run by the appliance. In particular, the present invention enables the fragrance composition to be evenly and effectively distributed over the items found in the appliance, such that all items benefit from a pleasant odor and accumulation of the fragrance composition in local areas of the items is avoided. The present invention also provides a mobile dispensing device capable of implementing the method of the present invention. It has been found that the mobile dispensing device can be a kit which further includes a fragrance composition suitable for generating the desired odor and which uses only a very small amount of the fragrance composition per cleaning cycle. The kit can be in the form of a dispensing device and a refill cartridge.

[0069] In order to evenly dispense the fragrance composition over the items found in the main chamber of the household appliance, the present invention times the release of the fragrance composition such that a small amount of the fragrance is dispensed only when the position of the dispensing device disposed inside the chamber of the household appliance changes.

[0070] Figure 1 shows an exemplary flowchart of method 10 of the present invention according to an embodiment.

[0071] First, the mobile dispensing device stores the detergent 11 in a first compartment and stores the fragrance composition in a second compartment separate from the first compartment. This storage can occur, for example, in cartridges disposed inside the mobile dispensing device.

[0072] During the cleaning cycle, a change in the position of the dispensing device 12 inside the household appliance is determined. This determination step can be implemented, for example, by a data processing unit on the dispensing device or by a remote data processing unit implanted in the household appliance, on a remote server, or in a mobile data processing device such as a phone or a computer.

[0073] If the position of the dispensing device does not change, no fragrance composition is dispensed. This is indicated by arrow 14 on the flowchart of Figure 1 . However, the first dispensing can occur at any time, but the change in position can only be determined based on the first position of the dispensing device, at which a certain amount of fragrance composition has been dispensed.

[0074] If the first position of the dispensing device, at which a certain amount of fragrance composition has been dispensed, is different from the second position of the dispensing device, another quantity of fragrance composition can be dispensed into the main chamber of the household appliance. This is indicated by arrow 15 on the flowchart of Figure 1 . It should be noted that the change in position is only a necessary condition for dispensing an additional quantity of fragrance composition. Other conditions can also be set, such as determining that the temperature inside the main chamber is lower than a threshold indicating a change in water and the start of a rinsing cycle, or identifying the rinsing cycle in the cleaning cycle by the vibration pattern of the household appliance, or determining that the amount of surfactant inside the main chamber of the household appliance is lower than a predetermined threshold.

[0075] In the case of a washing machine or a dishwasher, the rinsing cycle, whether it is an intermediate rinsing cycle or a final rinsing cycle, is a preferred time for dispensing the fragrance composition. Measuring the concentration of surfactant inside the main chamber of the appliance can further enhance the efficiency of the fragrance composition. Since typically about 1 to 3 grams of surfactant are dispensed during the washing cycle of the household appliance, it is advantageous to dispense the fragrance composition when the amount of surfactant in the wash water of the household appliance is less than 0.5 grams or 500 ppm. Any other numerical threshold can be set to determine when to dispense the fragrance composition without it being dissolved by the remaining surfactant in the main chamber of the appliance.

[0076] Sensors can also be used to determine when a change in water occurs in the main chamber of the household appliance. A change in temperature (whether it is the water temperature or the temperature of the air inside the main chamber) can be an indicator of such an event. The change in water and the start of the rinsing cycle can also be further indicated by the vibration pattern of the household appliance, or simply by measuring the time elapsed since the start of the main washing cycle.

[0077] After determining a change in the distribution of items around the mobile dispensing device, dispensing of the fragrance composition may further occur. For example, the change may be determined based on an estimated or measured movement of the mobile dispensing device, or based on information provided by, for example, an optical sensor.

[0078] Typically, the amount of the fragrance composition dispensed per activation is from 1 μl to 100 μl. The activation process can typically be performed by a pump.

[0079] The dispensing of the fragrance composition can be repeated more than once, particularly more than twice, to ensure a more uniform distribution of the odor on the items in the main chamber of the household appliance. Figure 1 The arrows 16 thereon show the steps of determining the change in the position of the mobile dispensing device 14 and the step of dispensing the fragrance composition 13, which can be repeated. The process can be stopped after a pre-programmed number of activations of the dispensing unit of the mobile dispensing device, or when a fixed predetermined amount of the fragrance composition has been dispensed. A counter for measuring the amount of the fragrance composition dispensed in the cartridge or a counter for counting the number of times the dispensing mechanism has been activated can be used to determine when to stop dispensing the fragrance composition.

[0080] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the system 4, which includes a household appliance 1, a mobile dispensing device 3, and a computing unit 2 such as a telephone, a tablet computer, a computer, or a server. All or only some of these elements may be capable of exchanging information with each other.

[0081] The mobile dispensing device 3 is shown in a translucent manner to show that there are compartments such as a cartridge, a data processing unit 36, and a pump 35 in the mobile dispensing device 3.

[0082] The first compartment 34 typically includes a detergent 340. The second compartment 320 includes the fragrance composition. The second compartment 320 can actually be formed by more than one cartridge, and the contents thereof are mixed before or during the dispensing operation. Alternatively, the second compartment 320 can be formed by only one cartridge, which includes a mixture of at least one fragrance compound and at least one solvent and adjuvants such as at least one cationic surfactant.

[0083] In Figure 2 the example of, the second compartment 320 includes a first cartridge 32 and a second cartridge 34. The first cartridge typically includes at least one fragrance compound of the fragrance composition, and the second cartridge typically includes at least one solvent such as dipropylene glycol and at least one cationic surfactant.

[0084] Suitable examples of the cationic surfactant are quaternary ammonium compounds of formula (I) and (II),

[0085]

[0086] In formula (I), R and R 1 represent acyclic alkyl residues having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, and R 2 represents a saturated C 1 -C 4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl residue, and R 3 is the same as R, R 1 or R 2 or represents an aromatic residue. X - represents a halide ion, methyl sulfate, methyl phosphate or phosphate ion or a mixture thereof. Examples of the cationic compounds of formula (I) are didecyldimethylammonium chloride, ditallowdimethylammonium chloride and distearylammonium chloride.

[0087] The compounds of formula (II) are so-called ester quaternary ammonium salts. Ester quaternary ammonium salts are characterized by their good biodegradability and are preferred in the context of the present invention. Here, R 4 represents an aliphatic alkyl residue having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and having 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; R 5 represents H, OH or O(CO)R 7 and R 6 independently of R 5 represents H, OH or O(CO)R 8 wherein R 7 and R 8 each independently represent an aliphatic alkyl residue having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and having 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds. m, n and p can each independently have a value of 1, 2 or 3. X - can be a halide ion, methyl sulfate, methyl phosphate or phosphate ion or a mixture thereof. Compounds containing the group O(CO)R 7 as R 5 and an alkyl residue having 16 to 18 carbon atoms as R 4 and R 7 are preferred. Compounds in which R 6 further represents OH are particularly preferred. Examples of the compounds of formula (II) are methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N,N-bis(tallowoyl-oxyethyl)methyl sulfate, bis-(palmitoyl)-ethyl hydroxyethyl methylammonium methosulfate or methyl-N,N-bis(acyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)methyl sulfate.

[0088] Particularly preferred cationic surfactants are ester quaternary ammonium salts. The term "ester quaternary ammonium salt" as used herein refers to esters of quaternary ammonium polyols, particularly quaternary ammonium diols and / or triols such as triethanol methyl ammonium or diethanol dimethyl ammonium with fatty acids. Particularly preferred ester quaternary ammonium salts are, for example, triethanol-methyl-quaternary ammonium compounds and diethanol-dimethyl-quaternary ammonium compounds. Preferred ester quaternary ammonium salts according to the invention are available under the trade names For example WE18, WE15, WE 28, W 75, WE 20, W 575.

[0089] The mobile dispensing device 3 may further comprise at least one sensor 31. The sensor may for example be an accelerometer capable of determining the rotation of the drum of the washing machine or the rotation of the dispensing device in any main chamber of the household appliance 1. The sensor 31 may also be a magnetometer capable of determining changes in the magnetic field around the mobile dispensing device 3. The sensor 31 may also be a camera or any other optical sensor capable of detecting changes in light in the visible or infrared or ultraviolet range around the mobile dispensing device 3. The visible range is typically defined as including wavelengths from 400 nm to 750 nm. The infrared range is typically defined as including wavelengths from 750 nm to 1500 nm. The ultraviolet range is typically defined as including wavelengths from 100 nm to 400 nm. The sensor 31 may also be one or more electrodes capable of measuring the conductivity of the wash water in the chamber of the appliance. The mobile dispensing device 3 may comprise more than one of the sensors 31 listed above.

[0090] The sensor 31 may also not be located on the mobile dispensing device 3 itself. The sensor 101 may be placed on the household appliance and transmit its readings to the mobile dispensing device 3 and / or the computing unit 2, or generate any other signal indicating a certain measured or determined value.

[0091] For example, instead of measuring the acceleration at the mobile dispensing device 3, the sensor 101 of the household appliance 1 may detect the rotation of the drum or other rotating elements in the appliance. This information can be used to determine whether the position of the mobile dispensing device has changed.

[0092] Determining a change in the position of the mobile dispensing device 3 may occur in the form of a change in the angular position of the appliance drum. When the drum is found to be in a new angular position, a signal may be generated by the household appliance 1, the computing unit 2 or the data processing unit 36 of the mobile dispensing device 3 to trigger the dispensing of a certain amount of the perfume composition.

[0093] In particular, the data processing unit 36 is configured to send an activation signal to at least one pump 35 when obtaining position change information of the mobile dispensing device, and optionally when verifying other conditions for triggering the activation as described above.

[0094] The data processing unit 36 can further be configured to determine the amount of the fragrance composition to be dispensed based on information provided by the sensors 31, 101, or information provided by the user, or information determined based on parameters of the cleaning cycle run by the household appliance 1. The same task can also be performed by the computing unit 2 or the household appliance 1.

[0095] The at least one pump 35 can generally be a peristaltic pump or a micro-membrane pump, which is suitable for withstanding strong accelerations when the main chamber of the household appliance 1 is a rotating drum. There can also be more than one pump 35 in the mobile dispensing device. In particular, each component of each cartridge can be connected to a different pump to avoid contamination of these components during the dispensing operation.

[0096] The mobile dispensing device 1 can also include more than 2 or 3 compartments. Other cartridges can include other cleaning agents such as bleach, softener.

[0097] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a set including Figure 2 the mobile dispensing device 3 and the fragrance composition 330. The fragrance composition 330 can be accommodated, for example, in one or more cartridges 32, 33. The fragrance composition 330 can generally contain at least one fragrance compound 332 and at least one cationic surfactant 333. The cartridges 32, 33 can be separated by a membrane 350, which can be ruptured as needed to mix the contents of the two cartridges 32, 33. It is also possible that there is no such membrane 350 and the cartridges are isolated from each other. Or, there can be no membrane 350 and all components of the fragrance composition have been pre-mixed. In this alternative, there can still be one or more additional cartridges, which include, for example, a solvent, and the fragrance composition is further mixed with the solvent during the dispensing operation.

[0098] Generally, the concentration of the at least one fragrance compound in the fragrance composition is greater than 10% by weight, more preferably greater than 30% by weight; the concentration of the cationic surfactant in the fragrance composition is greater than 20% by weight, preferably greater than 40% by weight, and / or an amount of the fragrance composition less than 10 g, preferably less than 2 g, is used per cleaning cycle.

[0099] Advantageously, the fragrance composition contains 30% to 50% by weight of at least one fragrance compound; 30% to 65% by weight of at least one solvent such as dipropylene glycol; and 5% to 20% by weight of at least one cationic surfactant such as an ester quaternary ammonium compound.

[0100] In particular, it has been shown that the use of at least one fragrance compound together with an ester quaternary compound as an adjuvant provides an enhancement of the strength of the fragrance composition on dry laundry. This occurs at very low doses of the ester quaternary salt and the total dispensed amount is less than 1 ml.

[0101] Examples

[0102] The tests were carried out in a Bosch Logixx washing machine (model WAS284DE / 55) with a water hardness of 16 dH (German water hardness measuring device “Grad Deutsche ”). The program run by the machine was set at 40 °C, cotton fabric mode, 3 rinse cycles. 2.5 kg of laundry (including 4 T-shirts, 20 cm x 20 cm towels) were placed in the machine. 15 mL of detergent A, with or without the fragrance composition, was used.

[0103] In the first test series (A1 - A3), the fragrance composition A contained 47% of the fragrance compound and 53% of dipropylene glycol.

[0104] In the second test (E1), the fragrance composition B contained 42.3% of the fragrance compound (the same as in A1 - A3), 47.7% of dipropylene glycol, 10% of WE18 ( 90%).

[0105] The results are provided in Table 1 below.

[0106] Table 1

[0107]

[0108] The above table shows that the use of the adjuvant can enhance the effect of the odor perceived on dry laundry, since the odor intensity value in test E (5.5) is significantly higher than the value of 4 obtained in the absence of this adjuvant under similar conditions (test A3).

[0109] The steps of the above examples and embodiments can be performed by a processor such as a computer. A computer program product including the steps of the above method can be used to perform the method on a computer.

[0110] A computer program including instructions for performing the method of the present invention can be stored on different non - transitory computer - readable storage media. For example, these can include a processor or chip, an FPGA (Field - Programmable Gate Array), an electronic circuit containing multiple processors or chips, a hard drive, a flash memory or an SD card, a USB stick, a CD - ROM or a DVD - ROM or a Blu - ray disc or a floppy disk.

[0111] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be understood that the one or more exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit in any way the scope, applicability, or construction of the various embodiments. Instead, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments described herein. It should be understood that various changes can be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the various embodiments set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing a fragrance composition (330) into a main chamber of a household appliance (1) during a cleaning cycle of the household appliance, the cleaning cycle including a washing cycle and at least one rinsing cycle, during which a detergent (340) is dispensed into the main chamber, the detergent being contained in a first compartment (34) of a movable dispensing device (3), the movable dispensing device being configured to be movably arranged inside the main chamber of the household appliance, the method comprises: storing the fragrance composition in a second compartment (320) of the movable dispensing device, the second compartment being separated from the first compartment of the movable dispensing device; determining a change in the position of the movable dispensing device in the main chamber; and during at least one of the rinsing cycles, dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition from the second compartment into the main chamber at least twice such that the position of the movable dispensing device in the main chamber at a first dispensing time is different from the position of the movable dispensing device in the main chamber at a second dispensing time.

2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises: determining a change in the distribution of items around the movable dispensing device inside the main chamber; after determining the change in the distribution of items, dispensing a predetermined amount of at least a portion of the fragrance composition into the main chamber.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detergent contains at least one surfactant, and the method further comprises: determining a change in the water inside the main chamber of the household appliance; when the determined change in the water indicates a switch from the washing cycle to at least one of the rinsing cycles, dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the household appliance is a washing machine including a drum configured to rotate about an axis of the drum, and the method further comprises: detecting a change in the angular position of the drum of the washing machine; triggering the dispensing of at least a portion of the fragrance composition from the second compartment when the change in the angular position of the drum is detected.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main chamber of the household appliance is a drum, and the method further comprises: determining a change in one of the following: the position of the movable dispensing device inside the drum, the acceleration of the movable dispensing device inside the drum, the magnetic field value at the movable dispensing device inside the drum; when the determined change is higher than a predetermined value, dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, which further comprises: mixing at least a portion of the fragrance composition with a solvent before dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition into the main chamber.

7. A mobile dispensing device (3) configured to be placed inside the main chamber of a household appliance (1) and configured to dispense a fragrance composition (330) into the main chamber during a cleaning cycle of the household appliance, the cleaning cycle comprising at least a washing cycle and at least one rinsing cycle, a detergent (340) being dispensed into the main chamber during the washing cycle, the mobile dispensing device comprising: a first compartment (34) containing the detergent; a second compartment (320) separate from the first compartment, the second compartment containing the fragrance composition; at least one pump (35) for dispensing at least a portion of the fragrance composition from the second compartment into the main chamber at least twice during at least one of the rinsing cycles such that the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber at a first dispensing time is different from the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber at a second dispensing time; and a data processing unit configured to send an activation signal to at least one of the pumps when obtaining information on a change in the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber.

8. The mobile dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the data processing unit is further configured to determine the amount of the fragrance composition to be dispensed.

9. The mobile dispensing device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one of the pumps is a pump configured to dispense an amount of the fragrance composition corresponding to one microliter to one hundred microliters of the fragrance composition per activation, the pump being selected from a peristaltic pump and a microfilm pump.

10. The mobile dispensing device according to claim 7 or 8, which further comprises: at least one sensor configured to determine a change in the position of the mobile dispensing device inside the main chamber of the household appliance, the sensor being one of: a magnetometer, an accelerometer, a camera operating in the visible range, a camera operating in the infrared range, a camera operating in the ultraviolet range.

11. A kit (300) comprising the mobile dispensing device according to any one of claims 7 to 10 and a fragrance composition comprising at least one fragrance compound (332) and at least one cationic surfactant (333).

12. The kit according to claim 11, wherein: the concentration of at least one of the fragrance compounds in the fragrance composition is greater than 10% by weight; the concentration of at least one of the cationic surfactants in the fragrance composition is greater than 20% by weight; and / or the amount of the fragrance composition used per cleaning cycle is less than 10 g.

13. The kit according to claim 12, wherein: the concentration of at least one of the fragrance compounds in the fragrance composition is greater than 30% by weight.

14. The kit according to claim 12, wherein: the concentration of at least one of the cationic surfactants in the fragrance composition is greater than 40% by weight.

15. The kit according to claim 12, wherein: the amount of the fragrance composition used per cleaning cycle is less than 2 g.

16. The kit according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one of the cationic surfactants is selected from triethanol-methyl-quaternary ammonium compounds, diethanol-dimethyl-quaternary ammonium compounds, or mixtures thereof.

17. The kit according to claim 16, wherein the perfume composition comprises: 30% to 50% by weight of at least one of the perfume compounds; 30% to 65% by weight of at least one solvent; 5% to 20% by weight of at least one cationic surfactant.

18. A computer program product comprising instructions for performing a method for commanding the dispensing of a perfume composition (330) into the main chamber of a household appliance (1) during a cleaning cycle of the household appliance, the cleaning cycle comprising a washing cycle and at least one rinsing cycle, during which a detergent (340) is dispensed into the main chamber, the detergent being contained in a first compartment (34) of a mobile dispensing device (3) configured to be movably arranged inside the main chamber of the household appliance, the method comprises: determining a change in position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber; and triggering a signal at least twice during at least one of the rinsing cycles for activating the dispensing of at least a portion of the perfume composition from a second compartment separate from the first compartment into the main chamber such that the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber at a first dispensing time is different from the position of the mobile dispensing device in the main chamber at a second dispensing time.

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