Automatic washing machine detergent dispensing device

Abstract

A portable automatic dishwasher detergent dispensing device comprises a body enclosing a detergent. The amount of detergent is sufficient for a plurality of wash cycles. The body has an inlet aperture to allow wash liquor to contact the detergent and an outlet aperture to allow the detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the body. The device has means to close the one or both of the apertures at or before the start of the dishwasher rinse cycle.

1 . A portable automatic dishwasher detergent dispensing device comprising a body enclosing a detergent or detergent additive, sufficient for a plurality of wash cycles, the body having an inlet aperture to allow wash liquor to contact the detergent and an outlet aperture to allow the detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the body and means to close the one or both of the apertures at or before the start of the dishwasher rinse cycle.  
   
   
       2 . A portable automatic dishwasher detergent dispensing device comprising a body enclosing a detergent or detergent additive, sufficient for a plurality of wash cycles, the body having an outlet aperture to allow the detergent to exit the body and means to close the outlet aperture at or before the start of the dishwasher rinse cycle.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the closing means reacts to a change in the conditions of the dishwasher during the dishwasher washing cycle.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the closing means reacts to a change in temperature during the dishwasher washing cycle.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein the closing means comprises a thermal activator such as a thermal bimetal, a wax activator or a shape memory alloy.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the thermal bimetal snap element moves a plug between a position in which at least one of the inlet or outlet apertures is closed to a position in which at least one of the inlet or outlet apertures is open.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the thermal bimetal snap element has a higher snap temperature of between 30 to 50° C.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the thermal bimetal snap element has a lower snap temperature of about 20 to 35° C.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 5  wherein the thermal bimetal snap element is in the form of a strip.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the thermal bimetal snap element is attached to or liases with the device and a second potion of the thermal bimetal snap element is attached to or liases with the plug.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the thermal bimetal snap element is in the form of a two dimensional shape.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the thermal bimetal snap element is retained in the device such that one or more of the peripheries of the thermal bimetal snap element interacts with the plug and the device, moving the plug relative to the device.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the thermal bimetal snap element is mounted on a plate in the device.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the mounting means includes a rod extending from the plug which intersects the thermal bimetal snap element.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 14 , wherein the rod has a terminal flange to retain the thermal bimetal snap element or interact therewith.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the closing means comprises a plurality of thermal bimetals.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 16 , wherein the device comprises a primary thermal bimetal which affects the interaction of a plug with the inlet or outlet aperture and a secondary thermal bimetal which affects the operation of the primary thermal bimetal.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the primary thermal bimetal is a conventional thermal bimetal having an activation temperature of about 40° C.  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 17 , wherein the secondary thermal bimetal comprises a thermal bimetallic snap element having a higher snap temperature of about 40° C. and a lower snap temperature of about 25° C.  
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the closing means reacts to the presence of water/humidity in the dishwasher.  
   
   
       21 . A device according to  claim 20 , wherein the closing means swells upon contact with water causing the closing of one or both of the inlet or outlet apertures.  
   
   
       22 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a auxiliary chamber disposed adjacent the main body of the device external to the inlet or outlet apertures.  
   
   
       23 . A device according to  claim 22 , wherein the auxiliary chamber comprises a closure means which associates with an access opening.  
   
   
       24 . A device according to  claim 23 , wherein the closure means comprises a thermal bimetal.  
   
   
       25 . A device according to  claim 22 , wherein the device is for use in the dispense of a liquid and/or powder detergent formulation.  
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the auxiliary chamber access opening closure means operates in synchronisation with the closure means of the outlet of the main body.  
   
   
       27 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein a linkage is disposed between the auxiliary closure means and the main body closure means.  
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the device comprises a second linkage accessible by a user from the exterior of the device.  
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a second means to control the amount of wash liquor which enters the inlet aperture.  
   
   
       30 . A device according to  claim 29 , wherein the means comprises a collecting funnel.  
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 30 , wherein the collecting funnel has a drainage opening in its collecting portion.  
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a water-resistant or water insoluble material.  
   
   
       33 . A device according to  claim 32 , wherein the body comprises a channel which is in communication with the inlet aperture.  
   
   
       34 . A device according to  claim 33 , wherein the channel has a bar of detergent disposed therein with the detergent bar completely filling at least a portion of the channel across the entire bore thereof.  
   
   
       35 . A device according to  claim 34 , wherein the channel has a uniform bore, in terms of the cross sectional area of the bore, along its length/at least along the portion filled by the detergent bar.  
   
   
       36 . A device according to  claim 35 , wherein the channel is a tube.  
   
   
       37 . A portable automatic dishwasher detergent additive dispensing device comprising a body enclosing a detergent additive, sufficient for a plurality of wash cycles, the body having an inlet aperture to allow wash liquor to contact the detergent and an outlet aperture to allow the detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the body and means to open one or both of the apertures at or after the start of the dishwasher rinse cycle.  
   
   
       38 . A device according to  claim 37 , wherein the detergent additive is a anti-spotting composition or a glass corrosion prevention composition.  
   
   
       39 . The use of an automatic washing machine detergent dispensing device according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       40 . (canceled)