Laundry product dosing device

Abstract

A laundry product dosing device ( 1 ) for placing in a washing machine drum. Reservoir cartridges ( 7 ) configured for use with such a device. Methods of laundering articles in a washing machine using devices.

1 . A laundry product dosing device ( 1 ) for placing in a washing machine drum, the device comprising a sensor and a processor in electronic communication, and a chamber ( 4 ) for housing laundry product, the chamber ( 4 ) being sealable by a valve, the valve being openable on receipt of a signal generated by the processor to dispense laundry product. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate a signal to dispense laundry product when conditions indicating that a second or subsequent rinse cycle is in progress are detected, so that laundry product is dispensed after commencement of the second or subsequent rinse cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the signal is generated in response to the device determining that a final or penultimate rinse cycle is in progress. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to generate a signal to dispense laundry product when an integer number of iterations of conditions indicating that a rinse cycle is in progress have been detected. 
     
     
         5 . The device  claim 1 , wherein the laundry product is a fabric treatment agent, suitably a fabric conditioner. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor and processor are in electronic communication with a pressure generating means configured to increase the pressure of the laundry product on receipt of a signal generated by the processor such that pressure is exerted on the valve and the value opens. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer or gyrometer, and/or the processor is integral with the sensor or integral with the valve. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is one of a plurality of sensors, optionally wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is selected from an accelerometer, a gyrometer, a magnetometer, a thermometer, a microphone, and a conductivity meter. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is configured to receive a reservoir cartridge ( 7 ) containing laundry product, and wherein the chamber comprises mating means to attach the reservoir cartridge such that the reservoir cartridge is sealable by the valve, optionally wherein the reservoir cartridge is sealed with a frangible film which is pierced or otherwise broken on mating with the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate a signal to dispense laundry product when conditions indicating that a wash cycle is in progress are detected. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of valves, each value being openable on receipt of a specific signal generated by the or a further processor. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the chamber is configured to receive a plurality of reservoir cartridges, wherein the chamber comprises a first mating means to attach a first reservoir cartridge such that the reservoir cartridge is sealable by a first valve; the chamber further comprising a second mating means to attach a second reservoir cartridge such that the reservoir cartridge is sealable by a second valve; wherein the contents of the first reservoir are dispensable on receipt of a first signal generated by a processor and the contents of the second reservoir are dispensable on receipt of a second signal generated by a processor, optionally wherein each of the plurality of reservoir cartridges is sealed with a frangible film which is pierced or otherwise broken on mating with the device 
     
     
         13 . A reservoir cartridge comprising laundry product configured for use with a device according to  claim 1 , optionally wherein the reservoir cartridge is sealed with a frangible film which is pierced or otherwise broken on mating with the device. 
     
     
         14 . A method of laundering articles in a washing machine, the method comprising introducing laundry product into the or a chamber of a device according to  claim 1 , placing the device in a washing machine drum with the articles, and running a wash program. 
     
     
         15 . A method of laundering articles in a washing machine, the method comprising the steps of: placing a device in the drum of the washing machine, along with the articles to be laundered; and running the wash program; wherein the device is configured to: detect conditions indicating that a second or subsequent rinse cycle is in progress; and dispense a fabric treatment agent when it is determined that the washing machine is in a second or subsequent rinse cycle.