EP0152359B2 - Apparatus and method for washing laundry in a machine with a liquid detergent - Google Patents

Abstract

The substantially spherical device incorporates a body (41) and a cover-assembly (42). The latter has vents (47) and can be screwed onto the body (41). In use, with the cover (42) removed, the body (41) is filled through the opening (44) with liquid detergent up to the chosen level A or B. The cover (42) is then fixed and then the device is introduced into the drum of the machine where the linen is already present. During washing, the detergent is gradually distributed outwards by passing through the vents (47). A flat portion (43) opposite opening (44) facilitates filling the device. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to the field of machine washing machine and relates to a device designed for implementing a method of washing and cleaning machine laundry, with a liquid detergent of the type described in FR- A-2 563 250 filed on April 18, 1984 for "Washing machine in a machine with liquid detergent and device for its application" in the name of the applicant. The invention thus relates to a device, generally rechargeable, which is first of all filled with liquid detergent, then placed in the drum of the machine with the laundry to be washed. The detergent contained in the device gradually diffuses into the washing medium and into the laundry in the machine.

The aforementioned patent already gives illustrative examples of such devices for implementing the washing process. In one embodiment, the device comprises a filling orifice and vents for the gradual release of the liquid within the laundry during washing.

US-A-3,399,806 describes a diffuser device designed to be placed in a washing machine and to contain a washing liquid additive, to be diffused after the start of the washing cycle. In one embodiment, it describes a spherical device comprising an orifice, which, after filling with the liquid, is closed by a water-soluble seal and by removable mechanical means preventing the liquid from coming into contact with the seal during storage. During use, these means are eliminated and the seal dissolves by releasing the liquid additive in a delayed manner.

The present invention relates to an improved device belonging to the general type which has just been described.

The invention therefore relates to a device according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to the features of claims 2 to 5, considered in isolation or in all their technically possible combinations.

An essential characteristic of the present invention resides in the general spherical shape of the device. It therefore looks like a ball. Such a ball is extremely easy to handle and introduce into the drum of the washing machine. After introducing the laundry into it, simply place the ball on the laundry. During operation, the liquid detergent contained in the ball spreads gradually and regularly in the washing medium. At the end of the washing cycle, the ball is perfectly clean and free of both water and liquid detergent. There is indeed no retention of liquid. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that this advantageous effect is due to the fact that during the rotation of the drum, the centrifugal force which is exerted on the moving ball, has the effect of evacuating any liquid. possibly contained in it.

The invention will be further illustrated in the description which follows, with the aid of concrete examples of embodiment. It goes without saying, however, that the invention is in no way limited to such examples of devices. Thus, the diameter and the number of vents depend solely on the viscosity of the liquid detergent.

It has been found, surprisingly, that the implementation of a device according to the invention provides a significant improvement in performance when washing laundry in the machine. This improvement is very clear with respect to machines having physical loss systems leading to detergent losses, as was mentioned in the aforementioned French patent. The improvement is still noticeable in many cases, vis-à-vis machines not comprising such systems of physical loss, for example a driving system or other, this thanks to the fact that the ball placed within the linen ensures a metered and progressive distribution of the liquid in the linen, which is generally favorable for the effectiveness of washing.

Fig. 1

montre en perspective une forme de réalisation.

Fig. 2

est une coupe diamétrale prise selon la ligne VI - VI du dispositif de la Fig. 1.

Fig. 3

est une coupe analogue à la Fig. 2, montrant un autre mode d'exécution.

Fig. 4

est une perspective d'une autre variante encore.

Fig. 5

montre en perspective l'ensemblecouvercle correspondant à la variante de la Fig. 4.

Dans la réalisation représentée aux Figs. 1 et 2, le dispositif selon l'invention, qui est désigné par la référence générale 20, présente une forme générale de sphère ou de boule. Il se compose d'un corps 21 et d'un ensemble rapporté 22. L'ensemble 22 est fixé à demeure sur le corps 21, par tout moyen approprié, par exemple par collage ou soudage. Dans ce cas, l'ensemble 22 fait fonction à la fois de moyen de remplissage et de diffusion du détergent liquide. A cet effet, il présente d'une part, une ouverture centrale 24 en forme de cheminée plongeant à l'intérieur du corps 21 et, d'autre part, des évents 27 périphériques. Dans l'exemple choisi, le nombre d'évents est égal à quatre. L'ouverture 24 sert essentiellement au remplissage et les évents 27 permettent la libération progressive du détergent liquide en cours de lavage.In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1

shows in perspective an embodiment.

Fig. 2

is a diametral section taken along line VI - VI of the device of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3

is a section similar to FIG. 2, showing another embodiment.

Fig. 4

is a perspective of yet another variant.

Fig. 5

shows in perspective the cover assembly corresponding to the variant of FIG. 4.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the device according to the invention, which is designated by the general reference 20, has a general shape of a sphere or a ball. It consists of a body 21 and an attached assembly 22. The assembly 22 is permanently fixed to the body 21, by any suitable means, for example by gluing or welding. In this case, the assembly 22 functions both as a means of filling and of diffusion of the liquid detergent. To this end, it has on the one hand, a central opening 24 in the form of a chimney plunging inside the body 21 and, on the other hand, peripheral vents 27. In the example chosen, the number of vents is equal to four. The opening 24 is essentially used for filling and the vents 27 allow the gradual release of the liquid detergent during washing.

In the drawings of Figs. 1 and 2, recesses 28 and 29 have also been shown respectively on the body 21 and on the assembly 22. In fact, such an arrangement is in no way necessary, if the user does not have to handle the assembly 22.

But in another variant, it is quite possible to provide an assembly 22, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in a removable assembly, either by rotation or by pressure.

The variant embodiment shown in FIG. 3, which is a section similar to FIG. 2 comprises a body 31 and an attached assembly 32. The latter is permanently fixed to the body 31. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is very similar to that of FIG. 2, except as regards the structure of the assembly 32. The latter has a central opening 34 in the form of a chimney plunging inside the body 31 and ending in an end wall 35. The assembly 32 has orifices 36 which, in the example shown, or three in number. and which are provided in the walls of the chimney 34 which end at the end wall 35. The orifices 36 serve to fill the liquid detergent. Furthermore, the assembly 32 comprises, like the assembly 22 of FIG. 2, a number of vents 37 allowing the gradual release of the liquid detergent during washing. Also shown in FIG. 3 the flat 33 of the body 31, as well as the recesses 38 and 39. although the presence of such recesses is absolutely not necessary.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, the corresponding cover assembly of which is shown in FIG. 5. The device of FIG. 4, which is designated by the general reference 50, comprises a body 51 and a cover assembly 52 to constitute a device of generally spherical shape. The body 51 has a flat surface 58 concentrically surrounding the opening 54. In the variant illustrated in the drawings, the cover assembly 52 is permanently fixed to the body 51. This cover assembly is shown in more detail in FIG. . 5. where we see that it comprises as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a central opening 54 in the form of a chimney plunging inside the body 51. This chimney ends in an end wall 55. The lateral surface of the chimney 54 has orifices 56 intended to allow filling with the detergent liquid. Furthermore, the cover assembly 52 comprises a number of vents 57 regularly arranged on the part opposite to the wall 55. Finally, the cover assembly 52 comprises recesses 59 making it possible to facilitate gripping of the whole device, which can thus be easily manipulated.

The use of the device is as follows. The body is first filled with liquid detergent to the desired level. In addition, the laundry was placed in the drum of the washing machine. The ball, filled with liquid detergent, is then introduced into or onto the laundry in the drum. Once the machine is started, the liquid contained in the ball diffuses regularly and gradually through the vents. This ensures highly satisfactory washing and cleaning of the laundry.

As mentioned previously, a person skilled in the art can make all kinds of modifications to the embodiments described by way of examples which are not beyond the scope of the present invention.

By way of example, and whatever the embodiment of the figures previously illustrated, the ball may be available for use after having been pre-filled with liquid detergent. This form of presentation can in particular constitute a test dose. In this case, it is advisable to provide a system for plugging the vents which are provided, in use for dispensing the liquid detergent during washing. This closure system can consist of a sealing with a peelable film, or by means of rapid tearing which uncover the vents. One possible embodiment then consists in providing kinds of nipples engaged respectively in the vents and which can be removed at the same time or separately, with one or more tear-off tabs. These are different modes of presentation which, however, lead to the same type of device, which, in accordance with the invention, can be used in a machine washing and cleaning process, in which a once the device has been placed in the machine drum with the laundry to be washed, the detergent contained in the device gradually diffuses into the washing medium and into the laundry it contains.

Claims (5)

1. Device of essentially spherical form for washing laundry in a machine, the said device being designed to be placed in the drum of the machine with the laundry and to contain a liquid and to diffuse it in the machine and having to this end an orifice, the said device being characterized in that the said liquid is a detergent and in that it has one or more filling orifices (24, 36, 56) provided in a funnel (24, 34, 54) plunging inside the body of the device, as well as outlets (27, 37, 57) for the gradual release of the detergent within the laundry during washing, the said outlets (27, 37, 57) being separate from the filling orifices (24, 36, 56) and being distributed on the periphery of the top of the funnel (24, 34, 54).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outlets are provided in the top of the funnel.
3. Device according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the end face of the funnel, located inside the body, is closed by a wall, and in that the funnel has holes for the purposes of filling.
4. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a flat or a domed part projecting inside the body.
5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it has, at the top, gripping means in the form of recesses.

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