Multi-Dosing Detergent Delivery Device

Abstract

A multi-dosing detergent delivery device removably insertable into an automatic dishwashing machine. The device comprises a cartridge capable of receiving therein a plurality 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. The collection area of the device is optimised for collecting enough water/wash liquor in a main wash cycle of a dishwasher to achieve standard dissolution of a single dosage element during a dishwashing programme.

1 . A multi-dosing detergent delivery device removably insertable into a ware washing machine, the device comprising a cartridge capable of receiving therein a plurality 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, wherein the collection area is suitable to collect enough water/wash liquor in a main wash cycle of a ware washing machine to achieve standard dissolution of a single dosage element of said plurality of dosage elements during a washing programme. 
   
   
       2 . A multi-dosing detergent delivery device removably insertable into a ware washing machine, the device comprising a cartridge containing a plurality of dosage elements of a cleaning composition, a directing means to direct water or wash liquor selectively to one of said plurality of dosage elements to contact with the cleaning composition therein, wherein, in use, each dosage element is accessible by said water/wash liquor via at least one opening to allow ingress of said water/wash liquor and egress of said water/wash liquor with said cleaning composition, wherein the device in a lid area thereof, includes a collection area suitable to collect enough water/wash liquor in a main wash cycle of a ware washing machine to achieve standard dissolution of a dosage element during a washing programme. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said collection area is arranged to collect a minimum of 50 g of water per minute. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is positionable upon a dishwasher wire rack within a dishwasher. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is arranged such that it may be positioned within the dishwasher at a place in which it will receive at least 1 g per minute of water/wash liquor per square centimetre of collection area. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein, said dosage element is formed of a cleaning composition having a standard dissolution time of approximately 3 to 15 minutes. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said dosage element is formed of a cleaning composition having a standard dissolution time of approximately 5 minutes. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said collection area is arranged to collect a minimum of 50 g of water/wash liquor per minute. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said water collection area has a surface area in the range of 30 cm 2  to 80 cm 2 . 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said water collection area has a surface area of approximately 50 cm 2 . 
   
   
       11 . The device according to of  claim 10 , wherein said device is substantially cylindrical and has a diameter of approximately 8 cm. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each dosage element contains between 15 g and 25 g of cleaning composition. 
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning composition has an average density within the range of 1.0 to 1.5 g/cm 3 . 
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the hardness of the cleaning composition is between 100N-400N. 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of said water/wash liquor collection area to cleaning composition standard dissolution time is within the range of 5 to 50. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of said water collection area to cleaning composition standard dissolution time is within the range of 10 to 30. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each dosage element is of elongate formation and is housed within a chamber having said at least one opening for receiving water/wash liquor from water collection area via said directing means. 
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein each chamber has a larger volume than the dosage element it contains. 
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein where the dosage element has a nominal volume of 100%, the internal size of the chamber is up to a maximum volume 140%. 
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein the internal volume of the chamber is in the range of 115% to 120%. 
   
   
       21 . A method of using the device according to  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 placing the device within a wire basket/rack of a dishwasher,   closing the door of the dishwasher and   carrying out a machine dishwasher cycle.   
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A method of using the device according to  claim 2  comprising the steps of:
 placing the device within a wire basket/rack of a dishwasher,   closing the door of the dishwasher and   carrying out a machine dishwasher cycle.   
   
   
       24 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein each dosage element is of elongate formation and is housed within a chamber having said at least one opening for receiving water/wash liquor from water collection area via said directing means.