Laundry Dose Blister Pack for Accurate Detergent Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers tend to overdose on concentrated particulate detergent compositions due to difficulty in accurately dosing, leading to inefficiencies and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A packaged product with individual reservoirs containing pre-measured doses of non-spherical, high-surfactant, hard-coated particles that provide a slow and predictable flow, along with a rigid support frame for easy dispensing, minimizing residue and allowing for precise dosing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If concentrated particulate detergent compositions are provided without pre-measured doses, then consumers can use the composition freely, but consumers tend to overdose leading to waste and environmental impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent wasteVSAvoiddosing convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent composition is divided into individual pre-measured doses contained in separate reservoirs. Each reservoir holds a specific amount of concentrated particulate detergent, allowing consumers to dispense exactly one dose at a time without risking overdose. This segmentation eliminates the need for consumers to measure the detergent themselves while preventing waste from excessive use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If pre-measured doses are provided in individual reservoirs, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidpackaging structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented into multiple individual reservoirs, each containing a pre-measured dose. This segmentation inherently provides dosing accuracy without requiring complex measuring mechanisms, dispensing controls, or electronic dosing systems. The complexity is minimized by using simple sealed reservoirs that can be manually opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing action is performed in advance during manufacturing rather than at the point of use. Each reservoir is pre-filled with the exact amount of detergent needed, eliminating the need for complex dosing mechanisms in the consumer device. The measurement and portioning are completed during production, simplifying the end-use device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If fine particulate detergent is used in reservoirs, then the composition fills the reservoirs completely, but the inner surfaces become coated with fine dusting affecting transparency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereservoir fill capacityVSAvoidpackage transparency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The particle size parameter is changed from fine to large particles. This parameter change allows the reservoirs to remain transparent because large particles do not form a fine dusting coating on the inner surfaces.同时, the large particles still effectively fill the reservoir volume when properly designed and arranged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If liquid detergent formulations are used, then dosing flexibility is provided, but liquid coats the inner surfaces of reservoirs leaving residue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing flexibilityVSAvoidproduct residue
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The physical state parameter is changed from liquid to concentrated particulate form. This parameter change eliminates the residue problem because solid particles do not coat the inner surfaces of reservoirs like liquids do. The concentrated particulate formulation maintains dosing flexibility through the pre-measured individual doses in reservoirs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2627577B1Package comprising a laundry composition and method for washing using said package.
Publication Date: 2016.06.15 UNILEVER PLC
  • EP2627577B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2627577B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2627577B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A dispenser (1) for dispensing a blister pack (3) of predetermined doses (5) of concentrated laundry composition into a washing machine, the dispenser comprising a rigid support frame (7) on which is mounted said blister pack whereby manual force on a selected dose ejects that dose from the blister pack.