Deformable Container

Abstract

A deformable container that is suitable for dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher. The container defines an interior volume for a fluid, and includes an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume. A portion of the container is deformable upon reaching a predetermined temperature to reduce the size of the interior volume for forcing the fluid out from the container via the outlet. A seal at the outlet is openable by the fluid forced from the interior volume when the size of the interior volume is reduced to control the escape of fluid from the container.

1 . A deformable container defining an interior volume for a fluid comprising:
 an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume;   a first seal at the outlet; and   a deformable portion of the container;   wherein upon subject to heat at a first predetermined temperature, the deformable portion of the container reduces the size of the interior volume; and   wherein the reduction in size of the interior volume is such that if a volume of fluid were contained in the interior volume of the container prior to deformation, upon deformation of the deformable portion of the container, at least a portion of fluid from the interior volume would cause the first seal to open, and thereafter at least a portion of fluid would pass out from the container via the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The deformable container according to  claim 1  further comprising a volume of fluid contained in the interior volume of the container;
 wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-75° C. 
 
     
     
         3 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first seal is operable to open; and
 wherein upon subject to heat at a second predetermined temperature which is higher than the first predetermined temperature, the deformable portion of the container further reduces the size of the interior volume.   
     
     
         4 . The deformable container according to  claim 3  further comprising a volume of fluid contained in the interior volume of the container;
 wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-55° C.; and 
 wherein the second predetermined temperature is between 65° C.-75° C. 
 
     
     
         5 . The deformable container according to  claim 1  further comprising a frangible seal at the outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first seal is linear. 
     
     
         7 . The deformable container according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of corrugated channels which do not substantially reduce in size when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The deformable container according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of corrugated channels are located downstream of the first seal. 
     
     
         9 . The deformable container according to  claim 1  further comprising a rib which is not substantially deformable when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The deformable container according to  claim 9 , wherein the rib extends around a circumference of the interior volume. 
     
     
         11 . The deformable container according to  claim 10 , wherein the interior volume comprises no sharp edges in a region that is distal to the outlet and that is adjacent the rib. 
     
     
         12 . The deformable container according to  claim 1  further comprising a region proximal to the outlet which defines a concave indentation for assisting with the removal of fluid from the container when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature; and
 wherein the concave indentation defines a flow path for the fluid to the outlet which decreases in cross-section towards the outlet. 
 
     
     
         13 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior volume comprises two or more smaller volumes which are fluidly isolated from each other prior to the container reaching the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         14 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior volume is less than or equal to 300 ml prior to the container reaching the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the size of the interior volume is operable to reduce by between 70%-90% when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         16 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the deformable portion of the container is made of a shape-memory material. 
     
     
         17 . The deformable container according to  claim 16 , wherein the shape-memory material is a shape-memory polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The deformable container according to  claim 17 , wherein the shape-memory polymer comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         19 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first seal is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene. 
     
     
         20 . The deformable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first seal comprises a filleted/chamfered edge which is exposed to the interior volume for assisting with the opening of the first seal when the container is heated to the first predetermined temperature. 
     
     
         21 . The deformable container according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid comprises an automatic dishwasher liquid detergent. 
     
     
         22 . The deformable container according to  claim 21 , wherein the automatic dishwasher liquid detergent is a dishwasher machine cleaner. 
     
     
         23 . The deformable container according to  claim 21  further comprising an attachment configured for attaching the container to the interior of an automatic dishwasher. 
     
     
         24 . The deformable container according to  claim 23  further comprising a rib which is not substantially deformable when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature;
 wherein the attachment is located on the rib. 
 
     
     
         25 . The deformable container according to  claim 1  further comprising a volume of fluid contained in the interior volume of the container;
 wherein the fluid comprises a dishwasher machine cleaner formulation. 
 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method for dispensing a fluid from a deformable container defining an interior volume containing a volume of the fluid, the container including an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume and a first seal at the outlet, the method comprising:
 heating the container to a first predetermined temperature;   wherein upon a deformable portion of the container being heated to the first predetermined temperature, the size of the interior volume is reduced such that a portion of the fluid from the interior volume opens the first seal and passes out from the container via the outlet.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27  further comprising heating the container to a second predetermined temperature;
 wherein the size of the interior volume partially reduces at the first predetermined temperature; and 
 wherein the size of the interior volume further reduces at the second predetermined temperature which is higher than the first predetermined temperature. 
 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-55° C.; and
 wherein the second predetermined temperature is between 65° C.-75° C. 
 
     
     
         30 . A method of manufacturing a deformable container defining an interior volume for a fluid, the container including an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume and a first seal at the outlet, the method comprising passing two adjacent sheets of material together through sequential heated dies such that the heated dies shape the sheets of material into the shape of the deformable container. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30  further comprising injecting fluid into the interior volume of a partly formed container;
 wherein the sequential heated dies comprises a first set of heated dies and a second set of heated dies; 
 wherein passing two adjacent sheets of material together comprises:
 passing the two adjacent sheets of material together through the first set of dies to shape the adjacent sheets of material into the partly formed container comprising the interior volume; 
 passing the partly formed container containing the injected fluid through the second set of dies to shape the partly formed container into the deformable container. 
 
 
     
     
         32 . (canceled)