Dispensing device for detergent capsules

Abstract

Dispensing device for detergent capsules comprising a body (10) having an essentially spherical shape, consisting of two hemispheres (1, 2) defining an internal cavity for housing a water-soluble capsule (200); the surface of the body (10) being divided into a solid surface (10a), representing between 82 % and 87 % of the total surface area, and a grooved surface (10b), representing between 13 % and 18 %, consisting of a plurality of through slits (4), preferably rectangular (4a) or triangular (4b) in shape, and with an edge finish to facilitate the entry of water, ensuring the correct dissolution of the capsule and preventing it from sticking to the laundry or to the drum of the washing machine, thus improving the efficiency of the washing.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a detergent capsule dispenser for use in washing machines. More specifically, the invention relates to a device of spherical configuration provided with a plurality of indentations or incisions on its surface, designed to facilitate the entry of water into its interior and thus allow the optimal dissolution of a water-soluble detergent capsule contained in its cavity, preventing said capsule from adhering to the drum of the washing machine or to the garments during the washing cycle.Background of the invention

[0002] The use of water-soluble capsules containing laundry detergent has become widespread in recent years due to the advantages they offer over liquid or powder detergents. These capsules allow precise dosing of the detergent, as they are supplied pre-formed with the exact amount needed for each wash. This feature reduces waste and avoids overloading of detergent that could lead to residues or interference with the operation of the washing machine.

[0003] The capsules also offer convenience of use, ease of handling, less risk of direct contact with chemicals and require less storage space by eliminating bulky packaging such as bottles or boxes. In addition, the combination of different chemical agents in a single capsule allows for more efficient and complete cleaning in a single product.

[0004] Despite these advantages, there is a recurring technical problem related to incomplete dissolution of the capsule during the washing cycle. Under certain conditions, especially when the capsule does not receive a sufficient amount of water from the beginning of the cycle, it may adhere to elements of the washing machine drum or even to some of the textile garments, leaving traces of the soluble film undecomposed, compromising both the cleanliness and the integrity of the laundry.

[0005] Various devices for facilitating detergent dosing during washing are known in the state of the art. Patent ES 2 158 220 describes a dosing container with a lid attached to the body by an interlock and with liquid inlet and outlet openings in the lid or body. Patent ES 2 184 416 proposes a hollow body with holes on one side to accommodate detergent packaged in a water-soluble film. Utility model ES 1 181 834 U discloses a sphere for washing machines consisting of a spherical piece of resistant plastic with multiple holes and a means of opening by means of a hinge.

[0006] The applicant is also aware of the existence of other relevant prior art documents, e.g. WO 99 / 41442 A1 which describes a preferably spherical hollow body divided into two mating parts, with holes provided only in one of the outer walls. Although it is also intended to contain water-soluble capsules, its orifices are not designed or distributed in such a way as to allow uniform and effective water ingress, and it does not provide for the symmetrical arrangement of functional recesses or an edge finish.

[0007] Another example is WO 2008 / 110300 which discloses a spherical device containing a biocidal substance, with openings distributed in both halves of the body. However, its application is completely different and it is neither structurally nor dimensionally adapted to accommodate detergent capsules. It does not define open surface proportions and does not provide for homogeneous contact with water for dissolution purposes.

[0008] Similarly, the document US 6,032,495 A proposes a washing ball composed of two threaded halves with distributed holes, intended for use with solid detergent. Unlike the present invention, it is not designed for capsules, it does not incorporate internal reinforcement means or a pressure locking system, and its threaded connection system presents a greater risk of looseness or accidental opening during use.

[0009] In addition, utility model ITRM20130213 A1 discloses a colour-trapping device which, although featuring a spherical body with perforations and an internal filter, has a completely different purpose and does not address the technical problem associated with the incomplete dissolution of detergent capsules.

[0010] Finally, KR 200350220 Y1 describes a washing ball with antibacterial functions using silver nanoparticles, with no means of opening, closing or compatibility with water-soluble detergent capsules. Its orifices have a different function and its outer geometry is designed with protrusions, which differs substantially from the smooth, perforated design with streamlined indentations of the present invention.

[0011] In particular, and in relation to utility model ES 1 181 834 U, although that document describes a general spherical configuration with multiple holes and an opening means, the now proposed invention introduces a number of substantial technical differences that improve its functioning and solve the aforementioned technical problems. Firstly, while in the known model the orifices are described in a generic way without geometric detail or functional distribution, the present device incorporates slits with specifically defined shapes, such as rectangles with curved minor sides or triangles with curved hypotenuse, and with dimensions between 4 and 10 millimetres and 1 and 3 millimetres, respectively, separated from each other by distances between 2 and 4 millimetres.

[0012] These indentations are designed with an edge finish to facilitate the flow of water and prevent clogging. Furthermore, the spherical body of the invention is composed of two hemispheres joined by means of an improved closing system including flanges, protrusions and recesses configured to ensure watertight closure during the washing cycle, which is not provided for in ES 1 181 834 U, where only a hinge is described without defining specific closing elements. Likewise, the device of the present invention incorporates internal structural reinforcements and a buttress in the lower hemisphere that increase the mechanical resistance and guarantee the correct fastening of the capsule, favouring its stable position and exposure to the flow of water. Finally, the device has been designed with a diameter between 55 and 65 millimetres, which allows its compatibility with commercial capsules of different shapes and structures, such as rectangular, circular, bilayer, trilayer or equivalent, an aspect that is not contemplated in the previous model.

[0013] Consequently, the proposed invention constitutes a functional and structural improvement over the state of the art, and in particular over the identified documents, providing a concrete and effective technical solution to the problem of incomplete dissolution of detergent capsules during washing.Description of the invention

[0014] The invention relates to a dosing device for detergent capsules, designed to be inserted into the drum of a domestic washing machine together with the laundry, and intended to contain inside it a water-soluble detergent capsule. Its main purpose is to ensure that the capsule dissolves optimally from the start of the washing cycle, preventing it from sticking to the laundry or to internal parts of the drum as a result of insufficient exposure to water.

[0015] The device consists of a substantially spherical body, which defines a cavity inside it to house the detergent capsule. This body is made up of two substantially hemispherical halves, which can be coupled together by means of a pressure locking system which allows them to be opened for inserting the capsule and securely closed for use during the washing cycle. The locking system preferably includes a plurality of tabs, protrusions and recesses facing each other, distributed equidistantly around the coupling perimeter, which ensures a firm and stable fixing of both halves, even under conditions of rotation and agitation.

[0016] An essential feature of the device is the presence, on the outer surface of both halves, of a plurality of slits that cross the thickness of the body wall, thus allowing water to enter the interior. These slits are configured in a defined geometrical shape: in a preferred embodiment, they are essentially rectangular in shape with curved minor sides, or triangular in shape with an equally curved hypotenuse. The dimensions of these indentations are between 4 and 10 mm for the longer sides and between 1 and 3 mm for the shorter sides, separated by a distance of between 2 and 4 mm. In addition, they have a perimeter recess with a sharp or bevelled edge, which facilitates the passage of water and reduces the risk of clogging.

[0017] The spherical surface of the device is designed without external protrusions, except for a slight projection aligned with the locking system that facilitates the manipulation of the assembly for opening or closing. Internally, the device may incorporate a number of structural reinforcements such as ribs or buttresses on the lower half, which contribute both to improving the mechanical strength of the assembly and to keeping the capsule in a centred and stable position during use. This configuration prevents the capsule from being compressed against the inner wall of the device and favours its uniform exposure to the flow of water penetrating through the crevices.

[0018] The diameter of the spherical body is preferably between 55 and 65 millimetres, which guarantees its compatibility with most detergent capsules available on the market, regardless of their morphology (circular, rectangular, multilayer, etc.). The symmetry in the distribution of the slots, their carefully selected shape and dimensions, and the presence of structural reinforcements and a reliable closing system, allow water to continuously and homogeneously access the inside of the device from the beginning of the washing cycle, ensuring the complete dissolution of the capsule contained.

[0019] Thanks to these features, the invention provides an effective technical solution to the problem of incomplete dissolution of detergent capsules in automatic laundry washing, avoiding undesired adherences, visible residues on the garments and loss of detergent efficiency. At the same time, it provides a functional, ergonomic and compatibility improvement over conventional devices, without requiring user intervention during washing or altering the usual parameters of the process.

[0020] Furthermore, the device has been conceived for reuse over multiple wash cycles, which increases the cost-effectiveness of its purchase and reduces the generation of single-use plastic waste. The robust structural design, together with the presence of internal reinforcements and the secure locking system, allows the integrity of the assembly to be maintained without deformation or loss of functionality. The strategic distribution of the grooves on the body surface has been selected not only to maintain an optimised ratio of solid to grooved surface, but also to ensure that the capsule is evenly exposed to the water flow from the start of the cycle. This configuration allows to compensate for small dimensional deviations of the capsules and guarantees their solubility, avoiding unwanted sticking to the garments or the drum walls. Unlike known solutions, such as those described in the prior art where the orifices are not specifically designed to guarantee a homogeneous dissolution of water-soluble capsules, the device proposed here substantially improves both the washing efficiency and the user experience, without requiring additional interventions during the process.Brief description of the figures

[0021] To complement the description below and in order to assist in a better understanding of the characteristics of the detergent capsule dispenser device, a set of figures is attached hereto, which, by way of illustration and not limitation, show an example of a preferred embodiment thereof. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the detergent capsule dispenser (10), in closed position, showing the upper (1) and lower (2) hemispheres, the plurality of indentations (4) distributed on its surface, as well as the safety lock (5) arranged in correspondence with the connecting means (3). Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the dispensing device (10) with the safety catch (5) in open position, showing the recess (1a) of the upper hemisphere (1), the flange (1b) with its projection (1c), as well as the second recess (2a) and the recess (2b) of the lower hemisphere (2), elements that make up the locking system. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the dosing device (10) in its open position, where a water-soluble detergent capsule (200) has been inserted inside, and the internal reinforcements (6) on the inner side of both hemispheres (1, 2) can be seen, as well as the buttress (2c) of the lower hemisphere (2). Figure 4 shows a second perspective view of the device (10) in the open position, highlighting the general geometry of the body, the number and distribution of the slits (4), and the access to the internal cavity for the placement of the capsule (200). Figure 5 shows a plan view of the dosing device (10) in closed position, where the symmetrical arrangement of the slits (4) with respect to the central axis can be appreciated, as well as the relative proportion between the solid surface (10a) and the grooved surface (10b) of the spherical body. Exposition of a detailed embodiment of the invention

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the dosing device for detergent capsules comprises a body (10) with an essentially spherical shape, defined by two hemispheres (1, 2) which, joined together by means of a connecting means (3), form an internal cavity intended to house a water-soluble detergent capsule (200). This cavity is designed to accommodate capsules of different shapes (rectangular, square, round) and configurations (monolayer, bilayer, trilayer or equivalent), allowing their correct positioning and solubility during the washing cycle.

[0023] The body (10) has a surface composed of a solid part (10a) and a grooved part (10b), the solid surface (10a) corresponding to between 82 % and 87 % of the total surface of the body (10), while the grooved surface (10b) constitutes between 13 % and 18 %. This proportion has been specially selected to allow the passage of a sufficient quantity of water to ensure the complete dissolution of the capsule, preventing the capsule from sticking to the laundry or to any part of the drum of the washing machine.

[0024] Along the surface of both hemispheres (1, 2) there is a plurality of symmetrically distributed through slits (4), which allow the passage of water into the interior of the body (10) during the washing process. These slits (4) are preferably presented in two different geometric shapes. A first group of slits (4a) is essentially rectangular in shape with straight major sides and curved minor sides, while a second group of slits (4b) takes the shape of a right triangle with a curved hypotenuse. All the recesses (4) are provided with a perimeter recess with a sharp or bevelled edge finish, which facilitates the entry and circulation of water and avoids the risk of clogging.

[0025] The dimensions of the recesses (4) are between 4 mm and 10 mm on the larger sides, and between 1 mm and 3 mm on the smaller sides, with a gap between adjacent recesses of between 2 mm and 4 mm. This geometrical arrangement has been optimised to allow homogeneous dissolution of the capsule without compromising the structural integrity of the device.

[0026] The overall diameter of the device is between 55 mm and 65 mm, which allows it to be compatible with almost all detergent capsules available on the market, while maintaining a size suitable for insertion into any type of domestic washing machine.

[0027] In order to guarantee a correct fixing between both hemispheres (1, 2), the device includes a safety locking system (5) consisting of a flat recess (1a) in the upper hemisphere (1), from which emerges a flange (1b) that integrates, on its inner side, a protrusion (1c). This projection (1c) is designed to fit firmly into a recess (2b) provided in a second recess (2a) on the lower hemisphere (2), providing a reliable mechanical seal that prevents accidental opening of the device during the washing cycle.

[0028] The lower hemisphere (2) also incorporates a buttress (2c) which emerges slightly towards the inside of the body (10). This buttress (2c) contributes to reinforce the structural coupling between both hemispheres, improving the dimensional stability of the assembly and facilitating the correct centring of the capsule inside the device.

[0029] Likewise, both hemispheres (1, 2) have on their inner side a series of structural reinforcements (6) that increase the rigidity of the body (10), while at the same time delimiting the movement of the capsule inside the cavity. These reinforcements (6) may take the form of radial ribs, partitions or cross-shaped structures, and are arranged in such a way as to allow stable support of the capsule without impeding the free access of water through the slits (4).

[0030] Optionally, the device may incorporate an external projection aligned with the line of union between the two hemispheres (1, 2), which allows easy manual opening of the device by the user, without the need to exert excessive pressure or use additional tools.

[0031] The described assembly is preferably made of a plastic material resistant to heat, to the chemical agents present in detergents, and to the abrasion generated by friction in the drum of the washing machine. This material must maintain its structural integrity over multiple washing cycles.

[0032] This preferred embodiment effectively solves the technical problem posed by providing a device that facilitates the complete and homogeneous dissolution of the detergent capsule (200), avoids the adherence of residues, increases the structural durability of the assembly, and improves compatibility with capsules of different shapes and compositions.

Claims

1. Dispensing device for detergent capsule, intended to be inserted into the drum of a washing machine together with the laundry, comprising a body (10) of essentially spherical configuration divided into two hemispheres (1, 2) which can be coupled together to define an inner cavity intended to house a water-soluble detergent capsule (200), said body (10) having an outer surface consisting of a solid part (10a) and a grooved part (10b) crossed by a plurality of slits (4) communicating the exterior with the internal cavity, the device being characterised in that: the solid surface (10a) represents between 82 % and 87 % of the total surface area of the body (10), and the grooved surface (10b) represents between 13 % and 18 % of said total surface area, the slits (4) are symmetrically distributed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body (10) and have a geometry selected from rectangles with curved minor sides (4a) or right triangles with curved hypotenuse (4b), the slits (4) having a perimeter recess with a sharp or chamfered edge, the dimensions of the slits (4) are between 4 mm and 10 mm on the larger sides and between 1 mm and 3 mm on the smaller sides, with a gap between adjacent slits of between 2 mm and 4 mm, the body (10) has a diameter of between 55 mm and 65 mm, the coupling system between the hemispheres (1, 2) comprises a safety catch (5) consisting of a flange (1b) with a projection (1c) that can be fitted into a recess (2b) in a recess (2a) of the lower hemisphere (2), the lower hemisphere (2) comprises a buttress (2c) protruding into the cavity to keep the capsule (200) centred, and because both hemispheres (1, 2) include on their inner side a plurality of structural reinforcements (6) configured to improve the rigidity of the body (10) and stabilise the position of the capsule (200) without hindering the entry of water.

2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterised in that the slits (4) comprise a first plurality of slits (4a) having an essentially rectangular shape with curved minor sides and straight major sides.

3. Dispensing device according to claim 2, characterised in that the slits (4a) have a length between 4 mm and 10 mm on their longer sides and between 1 mm and 3 mm on their shorter sides.

4. Dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the slits (4) comprise a second plurality of slits (4b) in the shape of a right triangle whose hypotenuse has a curved contour.

5. Dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slits (4) are separated from each other by a distance of between 2 mm and 4 mm.

6. Dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the slits (4) have a recessed cross-section with a sharp or bevelled edge perimeter, configured to allow water to enter the interior of the body (10).

7. Dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the safety locking system (5) comprises a flat recess (1a) in the upper hemisphere (1), from which emerges a flange (1b) provided on its inner side with a projection (1c), said projection (1c) being configured to fit into a recess (2b) provided in a second recess (2a) of the lower hemisphere (2).

8. Dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting means (3) between the two hemispheres (1, 2) comprises at least three pairs of mutually facing and equidistantly radially distributed protrusions and recesses.

9. Dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the body (10) has an external projection arranged at in correspondence with the line of union between the hemispheres (1, 2), configured to facilitate manual opening of the device.

10. Dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the body (10) is made of a plastic material resistant to heat, to the chemical agents present in detergents, and to the abrasion generated by friction in the washing machine drum.

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