U.S. patent application number 13/820428 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for refill cartridge for a cylindrical type multi-dosing detergent delivery device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Reckitt Benckiser N.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is Axel Halbherr, Rainer Link. Invention is credited to Axel Halbherr, Rainer Link.
Application Number | 20130206772 13/820428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43037348 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130206772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Halbherr; Axel ; et
al. |
August 15, 2013 |
Refill Cartridge for a Cylindrical Type Multi-Dosing Detergent
Delivery Device
Abstract
The invention is a refill device for a cylindrical type of
multi-dosing detergent delivery device wherein, said refill device
comprises a plurality of detergent carrying chambers (210) sharing
a common backing substrate (230). In prior refill devices, the
device is provided to consumers in a fully rolled condition ready
to be deployed into the detergent delivery device. However, in the
present invention the refill is supplied in flat format with
locking features which enable the end consumer to easily perform a
rolling operation prior to use. The advantage to this arrangement
comes in the lowering of manufacturing costs, packaging, storage
and transportation costs that come with a less complicated
product.
Inventors: |
Halbherr; Axel;
(Ludwigshafen, DE) ; Link; Rainer; (Ludwigshafen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Halbherr; Axel
Link; Rainer |
Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen |
|
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Reckitt Benckiser N.V.
WT Hoofddorp
NL
|
Family ID: |
43037348 |
Appl. No.: |
13/820428 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 26, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2011/051420 |
371 Date: |
April 23, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/507 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/00 20130101;
A47L 15/4472 20130101; A47L 15/4463 20130101; A47L 15/4445
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/507 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/00 20060101
B65D071/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2010 |
GB |
1014749.4 |
Claims
1. A refill device adapted for insertion into a cylindrical type of
multi-dosing detergent delivery device, wherein said refill device
comprises a plurality of detergent carrying chambers sharing a web
or common backing substrate, the refill device being supplied to an
end consumer in a first configuration in which said backing
substrate lies flat, and wherein upon deployment into the detergent
delivery device the refill device is manipulated by the consumer to
adopt a second, substantially cylindrical, configuration in which
individual chambers are arranged substantially symmetrically around
a central axis.
2. A refill device according to claim 1, wherein the refill device
comprises a locking feature to secure opposed ends of the substrate
to one another and maintain the refill device in a the second
configuration.
3. A refill device according to claim 2, wherein said locking
feature comprises at least a first locking portion at one end of
the substrate for co-operation with a complementary element at the
other end.
4. A refill device according to claim 3, wherein said complementary
element comprises a second locking portion.
5. A refill device according to claim 4, wherein the first locking
portion comprises a male portion and the second locking portion
comprises a female portion.
6. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said male portion
comprises a protrusion and said female portion comprises a cavity,
aperture or depression.
7. A refill device according to claim 3, wherein the locking
feature comprises an element at one end of the substrate for
overlapping with and securing to a chamber of the refill device at
the other end of the substrate.
8. A refill device according to claim 7, wherein said element
comprises a dummy chamber, a hook or an aperture.
9. A refill device according to claim 2, wherein the locking
feature comprises an extension of the substrate at one end of the
refill device for overlapping with, and fixation to, the substrate
at the other end of the refill device.
10. A refill device according to claim 9, wherein the substrate
includes an adhesive portion for aiding maintenance of the refill
device in the second configuration.
11. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a refill device for a detergent
delivery device. In particular, it concerns improvements to refill
cartridges for use in multi-dosing detergent delivery devices of
the type used, for instance, within dishwashing machines where a
detergent is dispensed automatically over a plurality of washing
cycles without the requirement for a user to refill the device.
[0002] A number of devices are known for holding unit doses of a
detergent composition or additive, such as detergent tablets, and
for dispensing of such unit doses into a machine.
[0003] One particular device of great utility, which is the subject
of PCT application WO/2008/053178 comprises a multi-dosing
detergent delivery device, the device comprising a housing for
receiving therein a cartridge having a plurality X of chambers each
accommodating a detergent composition, a directing means to direct,
in use, wash liquor selectively into a chamber of the cartridge to
contact the detergent composition therein and an outlet to allow
the detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the device, wherein the
device further comprises indexing means for automatic movement of
said cartridge, in use, relative to said directing means during and
subsequent to a wash cycle so as to cause a neighbouring chamber to
be in an exposed, ready to be used, position prior to a next
washing cycle.
[0004] The above-mentioned device has a refill cartridge which
consists of a cylinder of refill chambers.
[0005] To understand the operation of this prior art device in a
little more detail, that device will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) are perspective assembled,
perspective exploded and internal perspective views of a housing
part and lid of the device of WO/2008/053178;
[0007] FIGS. 2(a) and (b) are schematic perspective views from
above and from below showing a refill holder for use with the
device of WO/2008/053178; and
[0008] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show a refill cartridge for use with the
refill holder of FIGS. 2(a) and (b), whilst FIG. 3(c) shows a
single chamber of a refill cartridge.
[0009] FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) show respectively perspective
assembled, perspective exploded and internal perspective views of
detergent dispensing device 1 comprising a housing 2 and a lid 3.
The housing 2 has an indexing mechanism 100 housed within it and
described later. The lid 3 has a window 32 to allow a user to see
by means of a visual indicator a number of washes used or remaining
for use with the device and also has directing means comprising an
aperture 34 for directing wash liquor/water to the interior of the
housing. The lid 3 has a general funnel like appearance to
facilitate the collection of wash liquor/water available to the
directing means.
[0010] The housing 2 is arranged to receive a refill holder 4 as
shown in FIG. 2(a) which shows a refill holder in front perspective
view and FIG. 2 (b) which shows the holder in bottom perspective
view. The refill holder 4 comprises a plurality of dividing fingers
5 emanating from a central hub 6 and has a base 7 featuring a
number of apertures 8 and lower location slots 9. Internally of the
hub 6, there are formed one or more upper locating tabs 10 (four
shown in the figure), whilst externally and at a central portion
thereof there is provided numbering from 1 to 12 representing the
number of washing cycles that an associated refill may have
undergone or have remaining. The window 32 of the lid has a
transparent portion that is, in use, aligned with the relevant
sector of the numbered area.
[0011] The refill holder 4 is, in use, positionable within the
housing 2 and the hub 6 has a hollow formation to cooperate with,
and fit over, a central shaft 120 of the indexing mechanism 100 as
will be described later.
[0012] The fingers 5 are arranged to co-operate with and register
with internal spaces formed between parts of a disposable refill
package 200 such as the one shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) and having
individual chambers 210 as shown in FIG. 3(c). The refill package
200 is a cartridge that comprises a plurality of like chambers 210,
and has a roll formation. The chambers 210 are separate from each
other and comprise plastic sleeve or blister packages. The chambers
210 are spaced apart upon a common backing substrate 230, having
gaps between them that are apt to be engaged by the fingers 5 of
the refill holder 4. Each chamber has an upper opening 220 and a
lower opening 240 that is, in use, in register with one of the
apertures 8 of the refill holder. Each chamber 210 is filled with
sufficient cleaning composition for the completion of one
dishwasher cycle. The contents of the chambers 210 are preferably
in solid form and, therefore there is no problem with inadvertent
spillage. There is also a central gap 250 in a central hub area
that facilitates the placement of the refill 200 onto the refill
holder 4.
[0013] The above mentioned refill cartridge is supplied to
consumers in a fully formed "rolled" configuration. However, such
configuration is not ideal for storage or transportation and
requires a good deal of packaging.
[0014] Accordingly, it is an aim of embodiments of the present
invention to provide a refill device for a cylindrical type of
multi-dosing detergent delivery device which avoids one or more of
the aforementioned storage, transportation or packaging
problems.
[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a refill device for a cylindrical type of multi-dosing
detergent delivery device wherein, said refill device comprises a
plurality of detergent carrying chambers sharing a common web or
backing substrate, the refill device being supplied to an end
consumer in a first configuration in which said backing substrate
lies flat and wherein upon deployment into the detergent delivery
device the refill device is manipulated by the consumer to adopt a
second, substantially cylindrical, configuration in which
individual chambers are arranged substantially symmetrically around
a central axis.
[0016] Preferably, the refill device is folded by the consumer into
said second configuration to insert it the detergent delivery
device.
[0017] Preferably, the detergent delivery device comprises a refill
holder and a body portion, the refill holder and the body portion
acting as a guide shape for the consumer to locate the refill
device into.
[0018] Preferably, an internal wall of the body portion and
upstanding fins of the refill holder act to keep the refill device
in position inside the detergent delivery device.
[0019] The refill device preferably has a locking feature to secure
opposed ends of the substrate to one another and maintain the
refill device in a the second configuration.
[0020] Said locking feature may comprise a first locking portion at
one end of the substrate and a complementary second locking portion
at the other end.
[0021] The first locking portion may comprise a male portion and
the second locking portion may comprise a female portion. For
instance, the first portion may comprise one or more raised studs
and the second portion may comprise one or more matching
depressions, such that the or each stud is a press fit into the or
each depression to hold the refill device in the cylindrical
configuration.
[0022] The locking feature may comprise a hook fixing connection at
one end of the substrate and an eye fixing connection at the
other.
[0023] The locking feature may comprise a dummy chamber at one end
of the substrate for overlapping with and securing to a chamber of
the refill chamber of the device at the other end of the
substrate.
[0024] The locking feature may comprise an extension of the
substrate at one end of the refill device for overlapping with the
substrate at the other end of the refill device.
[0025] The substrate may include an adhesive portion for aiding
maintenance of the refill device in the second configuration.
[0026] Examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a refill device in accordance with a first
embodiment of the invention, in which a locking feature of the
device comprises co-operating male and female portions;
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a refill device in accordance with a second
embodiment of the invention, in which a locking feature of the
device comprises a dummy chamber;
[0029] FIG. 6 shows in schematic end on view an arrangement in
which an extension of backing substrate has a hook formation;
and
[0030] FIG. 7 shows how an aperture formed on an extension of the
backing substrate may be used as a locking feature.
[0031] In each of the embodiments which follow, the refill devices
to be described share the common feature of being supplied to end
consumers in an essentially flat pack configuration in which
chambers of the refill device lie in line, backed by a common
substrate. To be more precise, in the flat pack state the refill
device may be loose packaged such that when it is placed on a flat
surface, the substrate will lie substantially flat against it. Each
embodiment to be described further comprises the common feature of
an end consumer folding the refill device into a substantially
cylindrical format at the time of deploying it into a detergent
delivery device.
[0032] In a first, most simple arrangement (not illustrated) the
refill device may not have any locking features for securing ends
of the substrate together, but may rely simply on a user folding
the refill and inserting it unsecured in the detergent delivery
device. In such an embodiment, the delivery device itself (which as
in the prior art comprises a refill holder and a body portion) acts
as a guide for the consumer to locate the refill device into. Here,
an internal wall of the body portion and upstanding fins of the
refill holder act to keep the refill device in position inside the
detergent delivery device.
[0033] Whist the arrangement described above has appeal in terms of
simplicity, it does rely on a user performing the operation of
insertion of the refill device into the detergent delivery device
while the refill is in a relatively unstable state--i.e. it is not
locked in a folded configuration. This could prove to be
challenging for some consumers.
[0034] Accordingly in the embodiments which follow, locking
features with corresponding lock portions are described, in
non-limiting fashion. Such locking features and portions are
employed in preferred arrangements to bring and hold the refill in
a stable cylindrical state. In each of these next embodiments, the
refill device is supplied to the consumer in the first, lie flat,
configuration and is then assembled by the user into the second,
folded (or cylindrical), configuration immediately prior to
deployment into a detergent delivery device.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a first embodiment of
the invention having locking features. The refill device 200'
comprises a substrate 230', carrying a plurality of refill chambers
210' in similar or identical fashion to the prior art. The refill
device 200' further includes a locking portion at one end
comprising a male "bumped" area 200A' and a locking portion at the
other end comprising a female "cavity" area 200B'. The male area
200A' is formed on an extension 230E' of the substrate 230' for
overlapping with the female area 200B' to secure the opposed ends
of the substrate 230' together in a user friendly fashion.
[0036] Typically, the extension 230E' forming the overlap for the
refill device comprises an edge strip approximately 15 mm wide. The
bump and cavity features are thermo-formed as part of the substrate
material.
[0037] As indicated by the arrows in the figure, the final assembly
operation carried out by an end consumer consists of simply rolling
the cartridge and then pressing the bumps into the cavities prior
to inserting the refill into the detergent delivery device.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which
the flat refill is produced with a dummy chamber, e.g. a thirteenth
chamber 210B'' for a twelve chamber refill device. Chambers one to
twelve of the refill device being filled with doses of detergent,
but the dummy chamber 210B'' being simply an outer shell with an
open rear which is sized to be able to fit over the outer profile
of chamber one 210(1)'' of the refill device. The fit is such that
the extra dummy chamber 210B'' is overlapped on the chamber
210(1)'' in order to provide a "non permanent" connection when the
refill is arranged in the cylindrical, folded shape. The dummy
chamber is constructed so as not to block or obscure inlet and
outlet holes or to interfere with any of the operational features
of the chamber 210(1)''.
[0039] In a third embodiment of the invention, not shown, the
locking feature may comprise corresponding hook and loop locking
portions formed on either end of the substrate. These may be
applied to the flat refill after the thermoforming process.
[0040] In a further alternative, the locking feature may simply
comprise an area covered with a pressure sensitive adhesive, that
is protected during transport by a removable paper strip. The
pressure sensitive adhesive and the removable paper strip being
applied to the flat refill after the thermoforming process.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows schematically an edge view of a refill device
in the flat configuration having a "hook" formation 200B''' which
is an extension of the substrate 230'''. This hook formation can be
used to engage with and overlap an opposite end located chamber
210'''--in similar fashion to the manner in which the embodiment of
FIG. 5 functions.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows an end portion of a further embodiment in which
there is a punched hole 200B'''' which acts as the locking feature
by being shaped to fit over the outer profile of an opposite end
located chamber.
[0043] In each of the embodiments discussed above, there is
provided a locking feature for enabling a rolled refill cartridge
to be easily secured in that configuration by an end user to
facilitate the insertion of a cartridge into a detergent dispensing
device.
[0044] The refill cartridge variants as described above all provide
significant advantages in terms of easing manufacture, packaging,
transportation, minimising shelf space on supermarket shelves and
easily being stored too in customer cupboards. By supplying in a
flat form for assembly into a cylindrical shape only at a moment
before deployment all these advantages are gained. Furthermore, the
solutions proposed for easing final assembly make the actual
rolling up of the cartridge a trivial exercise for the
consumer.
[0045] The skilled person will realise that by appropriate
variation other convenient methods of fixing may be provided
without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *