Multi-Dosing Detergent Delivery Device

Abstract

The invention concerns a multi-dosing detergent delivery device that is removably insertable into an automatic dishwashing machine. The device comprises a cartridge capable of receiving therein a rack of dosage elements of a cleaning composition, a collection area formed in a lid area of said device suitable to collect water/wash liquor in a main wash cycle of a dishwasher and a directing means to direct water or wash liquor from said collection area selectively to an interior part of said device. In particular, the device of the present invention includes a sieve arrangement located in the lid area to prevent or impede particles from blocking water/wash liquor flow into said interior part of the device.

1 . A multi-dosing detergent delivery device removably adapted to be insertable into an automatic dishwashing machine, the device comprising a cartridge adapted for receiving therein a rack of dosage elements of a cleaning composition, a collection area formed in a lid area of said device adapted to collect water/wash liquor in a main wash cycle of a dishwasher, a directing means to direct water or wash liquor from said collection area selectively to an interior part of said device, wherein the device further includes a sieve adapted to prevent or impede particles from blocking water/wash liquor flow into said interior part of the device. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sieve is located in a lid area of said device. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said sieve extends substantially fully across the full available water collection area of said lid. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sieve comprises a non-hydrophobic material. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sieve comprises a non-plastics material. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  5 , wherein said sieve comprises a metallic mesh. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  6 , wherein said sieve comprises a stainless steel mesh. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said mesh has a mesh size of between 3.5 mm and 0.2 mm. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said mesh has a mesh size of between 1 mm and 0.4 mm. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said sieve comprises market grade, plain square weave, 304 stainless steel. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said mesh has an aperture size in the range of 0.4 mm to 0.42 mm. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said mesh comprises wire having a diameter in the range of 0.2 to 0.24. 
   
   
       13 . A method of using a machine dishwasher for washing wares, comprising the steps of: placing the device according to  claim 1  within a wire basket/rack of a dishwasher, and, operating the machine dishwasher through at least one machine dishwasher cycle. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled)