Automatic detergent dispensing device

Abstract

The present invention comprises an independent automated detergent dosing device suitable for use in a ware-washing device. The device comprises at least one chamber that is sealed with a non-water soluble film; and wherein the at least one chamber contains a detergent composition and wherein the detergent composition is dosed by the controlled removal of the non-water soluble film from the at least one chamber such that the chamber is exposed to the wash liquor.

1 . An automated detergent dosing device suitable for use in a ware-washing device having one or more wash cycles with a wash liquor, the automated detergent dosing device comprising:
 at least one chamber that is sealed with a non-water soluble film; and   a treatment composition contained in at least one chamber;   wherein the treatment composition is dosed by the controlled removal of the non-water soluble film from at least one chamber such that at least a portion of the treatment composition is exposed to the wash liquor.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  comprising two or more chambers. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  comprising three or more chambers. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a multi-dosing device working across multiple wash cycles without needing to be replenished with treatment composition. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device removes the non-water soluble film from two or more different chambers in a single wash cycle. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device has multiple chambers arranged in at least one rack with a single continuous non-water soluble film across all of the chambers within the at least one rack. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the device has at least three racks and each rack is independently removable from the device. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein there are at least two different racks, and each rack contains chambers with the same treatment composition and each rack comprises a different treatment composition from the other racks. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7  further comprising an electric motor, wherein the controlled removal of the non-water soluble film is carried out by the electric motor. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the electric motor is configured such that when driven in one direction it removes a non-water soluble film from one of the at least three racks, and when driven in the opposite direction it removes a non-water soluble film from another of the at least three racks. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the removal of the non-water soluble film from the chamber is total. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the removal of the non-water soluble film is partial, achieved by the removal of a thin ribbon within the non-water soluble film. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the removal of the non-water soluble film is partial, achieved by the puncturing of the film over the chamber. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An automated detergent dosing device comprising:
 a first chamber sealed with a first non-water soluble film; and   a first treatment composition contained in the first chamber;   wherein the first treatment composition is dosed by a controlled removal of at least a portion of the first non-water soluble film from the first chamber such that at least a portion of the first treatment composition exits the chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15  further comprising a second chamber sealed with a second non-water soluble film and containing a second treatment composition, wherein the second treatment composition is dosed by a controlled removal of at least a portion of the second non-water soluble film from the second chamber such that at least a portion of the second treatment composition exists the chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16  further comprising a third chamber sealed with a third non-water soluble film and containing a third treatment composition, wherein the third treatment composition is dosed by a controlled removal of at least a portion of the third non-water soluble film from the third chamber such that at least a portion of the third treatment composition exits the chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the first, second and third chambers are arranged on a rack, and wherein the first, second and third non-water soluble films comprise a single continuous non-water soluble film across the first, second and third chambers. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the first non-water soluble film, the second non-water soluble film, and the non-water soluble film each comprise the same non-water soluble film. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 18  comprising at least three racks. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein the first treatment composition, the second treatment composition, and the third treatment composition each comprise the same treatment composition.