Product

Abstract

A detergent dispensing cartridge for use in a washing machine. The washing machine is for cleaning a soiled substrate. The treatment of the moistened substrate is with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles. The cartridge has multiple compartments. A first compartment holds a first detergent formulation. A second compartment holds a second detergent formulation. A portion of the contents of the first compartment are released before a portion of the contents of the second compartment.

1 . A detergent dispensing cartridge adapted for use with a washing machine, wherein the washing machine is used in a method for cleaning a soiled substrate, said method comprising the step of treating the soiled substrate moistened with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, the said cartridge having multiple compartments; a first compartment holds a first detergent formulation; and a second compartment holds a second detergent formulation, wherein a portion of the contents of the first compartment are released before a portion of the contents of the second compartment. 
     
     
         2 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the first compartment comprises an enzymatic based formulation. 
     
     
         3 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the second compartment comprises a bleach based formulation. 
     
     
         4 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the method includes a time delay between the release of the portion of the contents of the first and second compartments which delay is from 1 to 30 minutes. minutes). 
     
     
         5 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the release is within a wash cycle of a washing machine. 
     
     
         6 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric particles comprise nylon chips. 
     
     
         7 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge compartments are modular. 
     
     
         8 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein each compartment has a volume of from 5 to 5000 cc. 
     
     
         9 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment contents are contained in a secondary packaging. 
     
     
         10 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the compartment contents are refillable. 
     
     
         11 . A cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a plastics material. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a soiled substrate in an automatic washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a cartridge according to  claim 1  to the automatic washing machine, and   during the washing operation of the automatic washing machine treating the moistened soiled substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles which is provided from the cartridge to the moistened soiled substrate .   
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a soiled substrate in an automatic washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a cartridge according to  claim 2  to the automatic washing machine, and during the washing operation of the automatic washing machine treating the moistened soiled substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric pellets which is provided from the cartridge to the moistened soiled substrate.   
     
     
         14 . A method of treating a soiled substrate in an automatic washing machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a cartridge according to  claim 3  to the automatic washing machine, and during the washing operation of the automatic washing machine treating the moistened soiled substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric pellets which is provided from the cartridge to the moistened soiled substrate.   
     
     
         15 . A cartridge according to  claim 4 , wherein the method includes a time delay between the release of the portion of the contents of the first ands second compartments which delay is from 2 to 20 minutes. 
     
     
         16 . A cartridge according to  claim 4 , wherein the method includes a time delay between the release of the portion of the contents of the first ands second compartments which delay is from 3 to 15 minutes. 
     
     
         17 . A cartridge according to  claim 4 , wherein the method includes a time delay between the release of the portion of the contents of the first ands second compartments which delay is about 5 minutes.