Dispensing device for unit dose laundry additive pouch
View Patent ↗The present invention is directed to a device for dispensing a unit dose water-soluble pouch containing a laundry additive during the spin cycle of a washing machine process having a spinning wash drum. The device is attached to the vertical center post of a washing machine and holds a water-soluble pouch above the high water level. During the spin cycle, the spinning center post will create sufficient centrifugal force so that the water-soluble pouch is released from the device. The water-soluble pouch will then fall into the laundry where the water-soluble pouch will dissolve when rinse water fills the machine thereby releasing the laundry additive to treat the washed articles.
1. A device for delivering a laundry additive to a wash load during a spin cycle in a washing machine having a spinning central post, the device comprising a sealed water soluble pouch filled with a laundry additive and a delivery article comprising a holder, a receiving area for the pouch within the holder, a means for attachment to the central post and a restraining piece, wherein the restraining piece holds the pouch in the receiving area during a wash cycle and releases the pouch into a wash drum during a spin cycle, the restraining piece being hingedly connected to the holder along an uppermost perimeter of the receiving area and during the wash cycle the restraining piece sealing the receiving area to prevent entry of water and thereby contact with the pouch.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the restraining piece is a clip or a hook, that directly holds the pouch.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pouch is released into the wash drum upon application of a predetermined centrifugal force exerted on the restraining piece and/or pouch during the spin cycle.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the predetermined centrifugal force required to dispense the pouch is between about 0.15 and about 12 Newtons.
5. A device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the predetermined centrifugal force required to dispense the pouch is between about 0.30 and about 5 Newtons.
6. A device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the predetermined centrifugal force required to dispense the pouch is between about 0.5 and about 2.5 Newtons.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the restraining piece is connected to the device by a hinge.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the hinge prevents the restraining piece from opening to an angle greater than 90 degrees.
9. A device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the hinge prevents the restraining piece from opening to an angle greater than 60 degrees.
10. A device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the hinge prevents the restraining piece from opening to an angle greater than 45 degrees.
11. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the laundry additive is a fabric softener.
12. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the laundry additive is a liquid fabric softener.
13. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the laundry additive is a fabric treatment agent.
14. A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the fabric treatment agent is a soil shield.
15. A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the fabric treatment agent is a fabric revitilizer.
16. A device as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the water soluble pouch is comprised of polyvinyl alcohol.