Dosing and dispensing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for dosing and dispensing a laundry detergent, preferably a liquid laundry detergent, into a washing machine comprising the steps of: i) measuring a dose of laundry detergent into a dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) comprising a hollow cavity defined by a base ( 11 ) and side-walls ( 12 ), wherein the base ( 11 ) and/or side walls ( 12 ) are at least partly covered by a sleeve ( 20 ), and wherein the sleeve ( 20 ) comprises a film of material comprising printed indicia ( 21 ) thereupon, wherein the printed indicia ( 21 ) are resistant to removal from the film when the dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) is exposed to wash conditions inside a washing machine; ii) placing both the laundry and the dosing and dispensing device containing laundry detergent into a washing machine, and running the washing machine on a selected cleaning cycle; and iii) subsequently reusing the dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) for steps i) and ii).

1 . A method for dosing and dispensing a laundry detergent, preferably a liquid laundry detergent, into a washing machine comprising the steps of:
 i) measuring a dose of laundry detergent into a dosing and dispensing device comprising a hollow cavity defined by a base ( 11 ) and side-walls ( 12 ), wherein the base ( 11 ) and/or side walls ( 12 ) are at least partly covered by a sleeve ( 20 ), and wherein the sleeve ( 20 ) comprises a film of material comprising printed indicia ( 21 ) thereupon, wherein the printed indicia ( 21 ) are resistant to removal from the film when the dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) is exposed to wash conditions inside a washing machine;   ii) placing both the laundry and the dosing and dispensing device containing laundry detergent into a washing machine, and running the washing machine on a selected cleaning cycle; and   iii) subsequently reusing the dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) for steps i) and ii).   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the indicia ( 21 ) are printed onto the film by reverse printing so that the printed indicia ( 21 ) lie on the side of the film which is in contact with the base ( 11 ) or side-wall ( 12 ). 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the indicia ( 21 ) are printed by sandwich printing so that the printed indicia ( 21 ) lie between two films. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the indicia ( 21 ) are printed onto the side of the film which is not in contact with the base ( 11 ) or side-wall ( 12 ), and wherein the printed indicia ( 11 ) are protected by varnish which is acrylic-based varnish or ultraviolet-cured varnish. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the indicia ( 21 ) comprise at least one indication of dosing volume or dosing weight. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising the additional step, between steps (i) and (ii), of pre-treating stained or soiled laundry with a portion of the measured laundry detergent. 
   
   
       7 . A dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) comprising a hollow cavity defined by a base ( 11 ) and side-walls ( 12 ), wherein the base ( 11 ) and/or side walls ( 12 ) are at least partly covered by a sleeve ( 20 ), and wherein the sleeve ( 20 ) comprises a film of material comprising printed indicia ( 21 ) thereupon, wherein the printed indicia ( 21 ) are resistant to removal from the film when the dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) is exposed to wash conditions inside a washing machine. 
   
   
       8 . The dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) according to  claim 7  wherein the indicia ( 21 ) are printed onto the film by reverse printing so that the printed indicia ( 21 ) lie on the side of the film which is in contact with the base ( 11 ) or side-wall ( 12 ). 
   
   
       9 . The dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) according to  claim 7  wherein the indicia ( 21 ) are printed by sandwich printing so that the printed indicia ( 21 ) lie between two films. 
   
   
       10 . The dosing and dispensing device ( 10 ) according to  claim 7  wherein the indicia ( 21 ) are printed onto the side of the film which is not in contact with the base ( 11 ) or side-wall ( 12 ), and wherein the printed indicia ( 11 ) are protected by varnish which is acrylic-based varnish or ultraviolet-cured varnish.