U.S. patent application number 11/793905 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for fabric treatment device.
Invention is credited to Paul Anthony Anderson.
Application Number | 20080201976 11/793905 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34113057 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080201976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Paul Anthony |
August 28, 2008 |
Fabric Treatment Device
Abstract
A device for treating fabrics in a tumble dryer comprising a
reservoir for storing a fabric treatment composition and a transfer
surface to expose fabric treatment composition from the reservoir
to directly contact fabrics in the dryer, thereby transferring a
portion of the fabric treatment composition into contact with
fabrics in the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle;
characterised in that the transfer surface when attached to a
fixing surface of the tumble dryer is inclined outwardly toward the
interior of the dryer and 0.degree.-45.degree. relative to a
vertical plane.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Paul Anthony;
(Wirral, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
UNILEVER PATENT GROUP
800 SYLVAN AVENUE, AG West S. Wing
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS
NJ
07632-3100
US
|
Family ID: |
34113057 |
Appl. No.: |
11/793905 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 21, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2005/012508 |
371 Date: |
October 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/203
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
34/60 |
International
Class: |
D06F 58/20 20060101
D06F058/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2004 |
GB |
0428090.5 |
Claims
1. A device for treating fabrics in a tumble dryer comprising a
reservoir for storing a fabric treatment composition and a transfer
surface to expose fabric treatment composition from the reservoir
to directly contact fabrics in the dryer, thereby transferring a
portion of the fabric treatment composition into contact with
fabrics in the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle;
characterised in that the transfer surface when attached to a
fixing surface of the tumble dryer is inclined outwardly toward the
interior of the dryer and 0.degree.-45.degree. relative to a
vertical plane.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the inclination is
5.degree.-45.degree..
3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the inclination is
15.degree.-35.degree..
4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the inclination is
20.degree.-25.degree..
5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the transfer surface is
flattened.
6. A method of treating fabrics in a tumble dryer during multiple
tumble drying cycles using a device according to claim 1, the
comprising the steps of attaching the device to a fixing surface on
the inside of a tumble dryer, preferably a non-rotating surface and
more preferably the door such that the transfer surface when
attached to the fixing surface is inclined outwardly and
0.degree.-45.degree. relative to a vertical plane, and carrying out
a tumble drying process with fabrics inside the tumble dryer.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the device is fixed in a
central region of the fixing surface.
8. A kit for the treatment of fabrics in a tumble drying cycle,
comprising the combination of the device of claim 1 together with a
fabric treatment composition which is contained in a reservoir
suitable for use with said device.
9. A kit according to claim 8 further including instructions for
use of the device.
10. A tumble dryer with a device according to the invention
attached to a fixing surface on the inside of the tumble dryer,
preferably a non-rotating surface and more preferably the door such
that the transfer surface when attached to the fixing surface is
inclined outwardly and 0.degree.-45.degree. relative to a vertical
plane.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for treating
fabrics inside a tumble dryer.
[0002] In the treatment of fabrics in a tumble dryer it is known to
use conditioner dispensing articles.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved device suitable for treatment fabrics in a tumble
dryer.
[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a
device for treating fabrics in a tumble dryer comprising a
reservoir for storing a fabric treatment composition and a transfer
surface to expose fabric treatment composition from the reservoir
to directly contact fabrics in the dryer, thereby transferring a
portion of the fabric treatment composition into contact with
fabrics in the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle;
characterised in that the transfer surface when attached to a
fixing surface of the tumble dryer is inclined outwardly toward the
interior of the dryer and 0.degree.-45.degree. relative to a
vertical plane.
[0005] In a further aspect, according to the invention there is
provided a method of treating fabrics in a tumble dryer during
multiple tumble drying cycles using a device according to the first
aspect of the invention comprising attaching the device to a fixing
surface on the inside of a tumble dryer, preferably a non-rotating
surface and more preferably the door such that the transfer surface
when attached to the fixing surface is inclined outwardly and
0.degree.-45.degree. relative to a vertical plane, and carrying out
a tumble drying process with fabrics inside the tumble dryer.
[0006] Preferably the device is fixed in a central region of the
fixing surface.
[0007] In addition, according to a further aspect of the invention
there is provided a kit for the treatment of fabrics in a tumble
drying cycle, comprising the combination of the device of the first
aspect of the invention having any/all of the above preferred
features, together with a fabric treatment composition which may be
contained in a reservoir suitable for use with said device.
[0008] Instructions for use of the device according to the above
described method, preferably including installation/refilling of
said reservoir according to the above method, may be included with
the device or kit.
[0009] Further provided in accordance with the invention is a
tumble dryer with a device according to the invention attached to a
fixing surface on the inside of the tumble dryer, preferably a
non-rotating surface and more preferably the door such that the
transfer surface when attached to the fixing surface is inclined
outwardly and 0.degree.-45.degree. relative to a vertical
plane.
[0010] With this arrangement, the frequency of physical contact
between fabrics in the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle
and the transfer surface increases so that the fabrics are more
evenly treated with the composition. Therefore softening,
anti-static and fragrance benefits can be delivered more
efficiently.
[0011] A further advantage is that the increased frequency of
physical contact can at least reduce the potential for excess
amounts of the composition to build up at the transfer surface.
This can occur where the fabric conditioning composition is a
liquid (at tumble drying i.e. high temperature) which flows to
transfer surface e.g. under gravity. This build up has the negative
impact in that it can result in excess delivery of the composition
when a fabric finally contacts the window, resulting in deposition
of large amounts of the formulation on to the fabrics. This can
result in consumer perceivable localised concentration of the
composition on fabrics and lower than expected performance in so
far as e.g. softening, anti-static and fragrance benefits.
[0012] Preferably the whole of the transfer surface is inclined as
described above. This means that the frequency of physical contact
between fabrics in the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle
and the transfer surface increases for the whole of the transfer
surface. Thus there is less likelihood that localised areas of the
transfer surface suffer from excess composition build up as
described above.
[0013] The transfer surface is preferably inclined
5.degree.-40.degree. and more preferably 15.degree.-35.degree.
relative to a vertical plane and further preferably it is inclined
20.degree.-25.degree. relative to a vertical plane.
[0014] The inclination of the transfer surface relative to a
longitudinal axis or plane of the device may be the same as the
above described inclination.
[0015] The transfer surface may be convex or concaved however, it
is preferably flattened, and more preferably flat to further
increase the frequency of physical contact between fabrics in the
tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle and the whole of the
transfer surface.
[0016] The inclination of the transfer surface may be such that the
surface may project to a maximum at its base, wherein the base
comprises the lower part of the device when it is fixed in position
in the dryer.
[0017] The transfer surface may form part of the reservoir which
may be a removable from (for replacement or refilling) or integral
with a body portion of the device. In this case, the reservoir may
comprise one or more portions e.g. a perimeter portion surrounding
the transfer surface, whose inclination corresponds with e.g. is
the same as, the inclination of the transfer surface.
[0018] The transfer surface may comprise a solid surface or it may
comprise a configuration of separate elements arranged together
e.g. in a pattern, array or the like to provide the surface.
[0019] The transfer surface may be provided as an outer surface of
a transfer member e.g. a compressed foam which is charged with
composition. Compressed foam takes less time to charge (fill up)
with composition, and so is effective more quickly after initial
installation. The transfer surface may be an outer layer of a
multi-layer transfer member.
[0020] The device may include reservoir charging means comprising
one or more charging conduits for directing fabric treatment
composition to one or more regions of the transfer surface. The
reservoir charging conduits may be defined by one or more recesses
or projections e.g. projecting ribs or an arrangement of
corresponding peaks and troughs, wherein the area between ribs/
recesses/troughs define conduits or channels which direct the
fabric treatment composition to selected parts of the transfer
means.
[0021] The reservoir may hold sufficient fabric composition for any
number of drying cycles and for instance the reservoir may hold
sufficient composition for a single cycle. With this arrangement,
different compositions could be used for different drying cycles
allowing great flexibility for the user.
[0022] The reservoir of the device of the invention may
alternatively or additionally be capable of holding sufficient
fabric treatment composition for a plurality of drying cycles of
the tumble drier.
[0023] The device according to the invention may comprise a
reservoir which is designed to be replaced when the fabric
treatment composition is used up. For example, the reservoir may be
provided in the form of a disposable plastic container e.g. bottle,
carton or collapsible pouch which may have a peelable lid.
[0024] Alternatively, the reservoir may be designed to be recharged
with a new fabric treatment composition when required.
[0025] The fabric treatment composition may be in the form of a
liquid, solid or gel. Where a solid or gel is used, this may be
liquid at operating temperatures of the dryer. The composition
preferably comprises at least a perfume component and optionally
water and may also comprise one or more perfume solubilisers. In
this way the composition can act as a freshening composition.
[0026] Various non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now
be more particularly described with reference to the following
figures in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to one
aspect of the invention (reservoir and transfer means not
shown);
[0028] FIGS. 2a-2c are side views of embodiments of the invention
showing the inclination of the delivery window;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a enlarged view of the reservoir charging means of
the device of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIGS. 4a-4g are views of the reservoir for the device of
FIG. 1.
[0031] Similar reference numbers are used throughout the figures to
identify common features.
[0032] Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a device 1
(shown orientated upright and viewed in perspective) for treating
fabrics in a tumble dryer (not shown) during multiple tumble drying
cycles, the device comprising a support member 2 and a reservoir 6
(shown in FIGS. 4a-4g) for storing fabric treatment composition;
transfer surface (not shown in FIG. 1) to expose fabric treatment
composition from the reservoir 6 to directly contact fabrics in the
dryer, thereby transferring a portion of the fabric treatment
composition into contact with fabrics in the tumble dryer during a
tumble drying cycle.
[0033] The device includes reservoir charging means 301 comprising
one or more charging conduits for directing fabric treatment
composition to one or more regions of the transfer means (generally
indicated at 300).
[0034] The hemispherical dome shape of the device is modified by
inclining the portion housing the transfer means 300 outwardly, so
that in use (i.e. attached to an upright tumble dryer door or wall)
the transfer means 300 is orientated upright.
[0035] The device has a transfer means 300 comprises two flow
control members: an outer compressed foam layer providing the
transfer surface and an inner delicate but precise flow control
member (outer member shown at 300, inner member not shown but
located directly behind outer member). The inner flow control
member is a polypropylene membrane with a thickness of 160 microns
and a pore size of 0.2 microns. However other thickness/pore size
values may be used, the appropriate pore size and thickness of the
membrane varying depending on the fabric treatment composition
viscosity, and the delivery rate required.
[0036] The compressed foam of the transfer surface has a
compression ratio (or `firmness`) of 8, having been pre-compressed
(before fitting to the device )from an initial thickness of 42 mm
to a compressed thickness of 6 mm. The foam has an (initial, i.e.
pre-compression) pore size (PPI, pores per liner inch) of 80 ppi.
The foam is a polyester foam the density of the foam material is
0.383 g/cm.sup.3=kg/m.sup.3 (=23.9 pounds per cubic foot.).
[0037] The foam and membrane 300 are fixed around their perimeters
preferably by ultrasonic welds and preferably, to enable a better
seal (for the purpose of preventing leaking of the fabric treatment
composition), by a substantially continuous weld, to a window frame
in a lower part of the device(not shown in FIG. 1 but window area
indicated at 300).
[0038] The lower part of the device including the foam transfer
surface 300 are inclined outwardly such that when the device is
attached centrally to the inside of the tumble dryer door, which is
generally upright and in this case vertical, the foam transfer
surface and preferably the surrounding parts of the device are
inclined 25 degrees (angle a in FIG. 2a) to the longitudinal axis
of the device which is aligned with the upright axis of the door.
The foam is a heavily flattened convex shape, having only minimum
curvature. The maximum projection occurs at the base of the device.
This inclination increases the physical contact between fabrics in
the tumble dryer during a tumble drying cycle and the transfer
surface.
[0039] The transfer surface may alternatively be convex as in FIG.
2b or flat as in FIG. 2c.
[0040] Optionally, the inlet port 52, is integral with the window
frame, again, to enable a leak proof system. The manufacture of the
framed membrane involves melting upstanding ribs on the frame by
ultrasonic welding so as to weld these to the perimeter of the
membrane. The framed membrane is attached to the support member
2(by the ultrasonic welding which is done with the
port/frame/membrane in situ in the device body).
[0041] The area inside of the welded perimeter provides the
effective flow control area that is to say the active part of the
flow control members.
[0042] In the embodiments shown, the area is 40.times.27 mm=1080
mm.sup.2. Another embodiments (not shown) may have has larger area
of 50.times.27 mm=1350 mm.sup.2, or larger still, Such as
80.times.30=2400 mm.sup.2. Preferably the effective part of the
transfer means has an area in the range 500-5000 mm.sup.2.
[0043] Behind the members is a recess of corresponding shape which
has a slightly projecting perimeter region for attachment of the
frame thereto, so that a gap is defined between the inner member
and the recess wall. In this narrow gap approximately 2-3 mm, a
small amount of freshener fluid can collect to `charge` or `feed`
the members continuously without causing leakage's.
[0044] The reservoir charging means 301 comprises a recess behind
the transfer means 300, and includes a combination of parallel and
radially arranged projecting ribs which define reservoir charging
conduits (between adjacent ribs)function to deliver fabric
treatment composition to all parts, including the periphery of
transfer means 300, preventing blocking of any parts of the
transfer means. The ribs 60 also function to assist priming or
charging of the device quickly (ie. When using the device
initially). Alternatively, or additionally the reservoir charging
means could include a similar arrangement of recesses to define the
charging conduits.
[0045] Reservoir 6 is attachable to said support member or device
housing 2, the support member 2 including attachment means 2
comprising a strip of repositionable fastener material e.g. hook
and loop or mushroom head type e.g. Velcro.TM. (not shown). A strip
of corresponding repositionable fastener material is also attached
to the interior of the dryer for attachment of the support member 2
to the tumble dryer door.
[0046] The support member 2 is a generally hemispherical rigid
element with a circular periphery 14 approximately 100 mm in
diameter.
[0047] Some modern tumble dryers have a one or more small holes in
the inside of the door to allow moisture out of the tumble dryer
drum to condense in a tray below or vented to the outside of the
machine. In this case, a hook or claw attachment on the device is
included for supplemental attachment (not shown).
[0048] The reservoir 6 comprises a rigid dome shaped body 20
housing a reservoir bottle 22 configured for snap-fit engagement in
recess 50 of support member 2. The reservoir recess 50 constitutes
a major part of the upper half of the member 2 (`upper` when
orientated upright).
[0049] The reservoir 6 is attachable to the support member 2 so as
to lock into position.
[0050] As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, the reservoir body 20
includes a chamber or inlet port 52, having a capacity to hold a
predetermined volume of fluid freshener, which is, in this
embodiment 1.5 ml and is sufficient for one drying cycle of 1 hour
at 60 degrees C. However, the inlet port may have a volume
sufficient for any number of cycles. The port 52 is located beneath
(when the device is held oriented as shown in FIG. 1--as it would
be in use) and in fluid communication with the reservoir recess 50
to allow liquid to enter the port 52 from the reservoir bottle 22
when it is in place in the recess 50.
[0051] The rear of the device (not shown) is recessed and also
contains a hook 300 for supplemental attachment to the tumble dryer
door of e.g. condenser dryers (which have slots or holes in the
door or pitted surface). One possible hook shape is shown
comprising an elongate arm which is pivotable about a pivot through
about 90 degrees, between a storage position in which the hook is
enclosed within the rear recess and an attachment position in which
it projects from the device. The hook is curved only where it
connects with the device--it is straight at the opposite end, as
the gentle curve blocks the removal of the machine filter in some
machines, so needs to be removed from the design for such
machines.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 4a-4g, the reservoir bottle 22 comprises a
polypropylene bottle with body portion and neck portion 214. The
body portion is defined by three main generally crescent shaped
faces: a front face 222 and a rear face 224 and a shoulder face
226. The front and rear faces 222,224, extend from opposed edges of
the shoulder face 226 and depend therefrom to meet at a common
curved edge 228. The radius of curvature of the rear face 224 is
less than that of the front face 222.
[0053] The reservoir recess 50, has a curved back wall 51, base
wall 53 and top wall or lip 55 which correspond in shape with the
rear face 222 shoulder face 226 and edge 228 respectively so that
the reservoir is retained in the recess by the walls 53,55, and by
the engagement of the neck portion 214 with the port 52. The neck
is configured for engagement with the inlet port 52, taking into
account of any seals: The inlet port 52 may include an annular
resilient seal of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) to ensure leak
proof engagement of the reservoir bottle 22 with the port 52.
[0054] The reservoir bottle 22 preferably has a pin-hole (not
shown) in an upper region e.g. the edge region or front face or
back surface so that as fluid freshener leaves the bottle it can be
replaced with air, gradually, so as not to interfere with the
gradual flow of the fluid to the membrane. This has the advantage
of ensuring consistency in delivery of composition.
[0055] Insertion and removal is aided by limited flexibility of the
refill bottle 22 and support member 2 such that snap-fit
installation and removal can be effected easily.
[0056] In use the reservoir is disposed with the neck pointing
downwards, engaging the inlet port so that fluid from the reservoir
flows, under gravity to the port and then to the members from where
it evaporates/transfers in the dryer.
[0057] The fabric treatment composition may take any suitable form,
for example it may be as described in any of the following
embodiments (e.g. solid, liquid, gel at room temperature).
* * * * *