Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing device for detergent tablet for use
in dish and laundry washing machines.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Detergent compositions formed in non particulate solids such as bars or tablets or
briquettes are known in the art. In the following, the term "tablet" will refer to
any form of non particulate solids. The tablet provides a number of advantages to
both the consumer and the manufacturer. Indeed, said tablet prevents spillage of the
detergent composition. Furthermore, said tablet eliminates the need for the user to
estimate the dosage of detergent composition required and ensures that the correct
dosage of detergent composition per wash cycle is used by the user.
[0003] To further simplify handling and in order to maximize dissolution, thus performance
of the detergent tablet, many detergent compositions manufacturers provide the consumer
with dispensing devices in which to place the detergent tablet prior to being placed
in the washing machine. As a result, dispensing devices in the form of baskets or
cradles are often utilized for example in automatic dish or laundry washing machines
to maximize the performance of the tablet.
[0004] The tablets available on the market are generally sold packed in containers in a
loose way or individually wrapped in bags. Therefore, the user needs if necessary
to unwrap said tablet, to take a tablet between the fingers and eventually to put
said tablet in the separate dispensing device. We found that small granules or particulate
and/or fine dust of detergent are present on the tablets themselves or lying in the
container. We also found that the granules or particulate and/or dust are created
by the friction between said tablet and the other tablets and/or the inner side walls
of the container or bag.
[0005] In this manner, the fingers get in contact with the dust and/or small particulate
of detergent composition of the tablets. Small granules or particulate and/or fine
dust of detergent may remain stuck on the fingers or in between the nails of the fingers
during this handling. This is not very convenient for the user, since it is an unpleasant
feeling. Indeed, after every handling the user needs to wash her/his hands to eliminate
said detergent particulate or dust.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device
for tablets of a detergent composition which can be filled with such a detergent tablet
without the user having to take said detergent tablet in between the fingers.
Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention provides a tablet dispensing device (10) adapted to retain
a detergent tablet. The tablet dispensing device comprises a first leg (11) and a
second leg (12) whereby the first leg is pivotally connected (15) to the second leg.
The first and second legs are movable around the pivotal connection (15) enlarging
or narrowing the angle between the first and second leg. At least one leg comprises
a holding means retaining the tablet in between the first and second leg once the
tablet is introduced in between the first and second leg.
Brief Description of the Figures
[0008] Figure 1 is a front view of a tablet dispensing device of a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0009] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a tablet dispensing device of a second embodiment
of the present invention.
[0010] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a tablet dispensing device of a third embodiment
of the present invention.
[0011] Figures 4a to 4c schematically show the sequence of handling and use of any of the
embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] Figures 5a and 5b are perspective front views of a detergent tablet which may be
used in any of the embodiments of packages according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0013] In the following any form of non particulate solids such as bars or tablets or briquettes
will be encompassed by the term "tablet" (1). Pharmaceuticals in tablet form are,
for example, tablets according to the present invention. Preferably, said tablet is
made of a detergent composition, specifically a detergent composition for washing
of laundry or dish. Said tablet may have any shape or dimension. Preferably, said
solid, non particulate tablet is symmetrical to ensure the uniform dissolution of
said tablet in the wash liquor or in other specific environments.
[0014] According to the present invention the detergent tablet (1) may comprise any ingredients
known in the art. Such ingredients may include surfactants, suds suppressers, beaches,
chelants, builders, enzymes, fillers and perfumes.
[0015] According to the present invention the detergent composition of the tablet (1) is
prepared in its granular or particulate form and then formed into tablets of the desired
shape and size by any one of the methods known in the art. Suitable methods include
compression, extrusion and casting. The detergent composition may be homogeneously
distributed throughout the tablet or may comprise distinct layers of certain detergent
ingredients. Preferably, the shape of said detergent tablet is cylindrical, as shown,
for example, in Figure 5a. In this case the dimensions of said detergent tablet are
defined by the diameter (d) and by the height (h). Usually, detergent tablets have
a cylindrical shape with the diameter being greater than the height of said tablet.
Another possible shape of said tablet is rectangular, as shown, for example in Figure
5b. In this case the dimensions of this detergent tablet are defined by the length
(L), by the width (w) and by the height (h). Usually, in a rectangular tablet the
length is the greatest dimension and the width is equal to the height.
[0016] Figure 1 shows a tablet dispensing device (10) in a first embodiment of the present
invention. The tablet dispensing device comprises a first leg (11) and a second leg
(12). The first leg is pivotally connected (15) to the second leg. The angle between
the two pivotally connected legs forms an acute angle. This angle is measured when
the tablet dispensing device is in its rest position and in the enclosed region between
the two legs starting from one leg towards the other leg at the minimal distance.
The "rest position" of the tablet dispensing device according to the present invention
is the position of the legs when there is no force exerted on the legs themselves.
In practice the tablet dispensing device according to the present invention resembles
tweezers.
[0017] The first and second legs are movable around the pivotal connection (15) enlarging
or narrowing the minimum distance between the first and second leg. Consequently,
the angle between the first and second leg can be enlarged or narrowed compared to
the angle when the tablet dispensing device is in its rest position. The enlarging
of the distance or of the angle is at least such that the free ends (16, 16') of the
legs can be distanced from each other to pick and introduce a detergent tablet between
the two legs.
[0018] The tablet dispensing device according to the present invention further comprises
a holding means (20). The holding means retains the tablet in between the tablet dispensing
device once the tablet is introduced in between the first and second leg at least
until the tablet is dissolved in the wash solution. In particular, as used herein,
the wording holding means refers to any mechanism whereby access to the tablet, once
inserted in the tablet dispensing device, is reduced so that the tablet cannot be
readily removed. This holding means may also provide a substantially reduced access
to the tablet by infants and children, thereby providing a child resistant feature
to the tablet dispensing device according to the present invention.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the holding means comprise a hook
(21) and a counter-hook (21'), as shown in Figure 1. Each of the legs (11) and (12)
comprises an extension in form of a hook. These hooks are located on the surfaces
of legs which approach each other by squeezing together the legs and facing each other.
In the following the surfaces of the legs which approach each other by squeezing together
the legs and facing each other is called the innermost surfaces of the legs. Figure
1 illustrates the tablet dispensing device when the hooks are in engaged position.
In this manner, the legs are retained in this position and the tablet, once inserted
into the tablet dispensing device, is held between the legs. In practice, the tablet
is held by the tablet dispensing device by squeezing the tablet between the legs (11)
and (12). We found that the engagement between the hook and counter-hook also provides
a child resistant feature to the tablet dispensing device according to the present
invention. The smallest or the greatest dimension of the tablet may be squeezed between
the legs of the dispensing device.
[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the holding means comprises
a recess (23) on the leg (11) or (12). The recess is on the innermost surface of the
leg. The recess is characterized by two dimensions which are the length and the width.
The width of the recess corresponds to the height (h) of a cylindrical tablet or to
the width (w) of a rectangular tablet. The length of the recess corresponds only partially
to the diameter (d) of the cylindrical tablet or only partially to the length (L)
of a rectangular tablet or completely corresponds to the height (h) of a rectangular
tablet.
[0021] Preferably, the recess (22) is placed in such a manner on the innermost surface of
the leg that the length of the recess is parallel to the leg pointing towards the
pivot (15). Consequently, a tablet is preferably retained between the legs (11) and
(12) such that the tablet does not protrude perpendicularly to the direction of the
legs, as shown, for example in Figures 1 and 2. Preferably, each leg (11) and (12)
of the tablet dispensing device of the present invention comprises a recess. In another
preferred embodiment, the recess (22) is a cut (23) through the thickness of one or
both legs. In this manner the tablet, when it is inserted between the legs partially
protrudes through the cut over the outermost surface of the leg. This is shown, for
example, in Figure 2. We found that this improves the retaining of the tablet between
the legs of the tablet dispensing device.
[0022] As a preferred option, the tablet dispensing device may further comprise the hook
(21) and counter-hook (21') in addition to the recess (22) or the cut through the
thickness (23). The hook and counter-hook are then located under the recess or under
the cut through the thickness with respect to the pivot (15). The hook and counter-hook
provide the tablet dispensing device with a child resistant feature.
[0023] As another preferred option, the first and second legs are movable around the pivotal
connection (15) in a resilient manner. This option can be applied to any of the embodiments
described above. Consequently, due to the resiliency of the pivotal connection, the
first and second legs automatically return to their rest position once the force applied
to the legs is released. We found that this further provides an advantageous holding
property of the tablet between the legs. Indeed, when the tablet is held between the
legs, enlarging the distance of the legs between each other, the legs further exert
a pressure onto the tablet. This is due to the resiliency of the pivotal connection
which tends to close the legs towards each other. Therefore, the user does not need
to exert any additional forces onto the legs to keep the tablet between the tablet
dispensing device.
[0024] As a preferred option, the tablet dispensing device may further comprise at least
a flexible arm (24) located in the region of the cut through the thickness (23). This
flexible arm is bent outwards around the outer surface of the tablet when the tablet
is retained in the holding means, as shown in Figure 2. Otherwise this flexible arm
is within the plane of the cut through the thickness as shown in Figure 3. In another
preferred optional embodiment of the present invention, the tablet dispensing device
comprises a fastening means (25). As used herein fastening means refers to any means
which can be adapted to secure the tablet dispensing device to the interior of an
automatic dish or laundry washing machine such that it can be released therefrom when
required. The fastening means is preferably made of similar or identical material
to that of the tablet dispensing device itself. The fastening means may preferably
be located on top of the pivot (15). Alternatively, the fastening means may also be
loated at the extension of the free end (16, 16') of at least one leg.
[0025] The fastening means preferably comprises at least a hook, as shown in Figure 3. The
hook is fastened preferably on a side wall of a cutlery basket. We found that the
tablet dispensing device is able to stand along the free ends (16, 16') of the legs
(11, 12) with and without holding a tablet. Preferably, the stability upon standing
of the tablet dispensing device can be improved by having the edge of the free ends
bent to form a convex portion (26), as shown in Figure 1 or 2.
[0026] The tablet dispensing device according to the present invention can be used in the
following manner as illustrated in Figures 4a to 4c. The tablet dispensing device
is held in a hand, in a manner that the space between the free ends (16, 16') remains
always unobstructed and at least two fingers are able to press onto the legs (11)
and (12). In this manner, the tablet dispensing device can be passed over a tablet
between the free ends (16, 16') as shown in Figure 4a. The tablet dispensing device
is pushed onto the tablet, thereby the legs are spread apart in a flexible manner
and the angle between the legs is increased, as shown in Figure 4b. The tablet dispensing
device is pushed onto the tablet until the tablet is retained in the holding means,
as finally illustrated in Figure 4c.
[0027] In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention the tablet dispensing device
has to be squeezed in order to separate the legs (11, 12) from each other. In this
case the tablet dispensing device is made like a clothes-peg. The squeezing force
may be exerted on part of the legs of the tablet dispensing device, preferably on
a part above the pivot (15) with respect to the holding means (20). After having separated
through squeezing the legs from each other, the user is able to pick up a tablet and
retain the tablet between the legs, as already described in Figures 4a to 4c.
[0028] The tablet dispensing device of the present invention may be formed from any water
resistant material that can withstand moderately elevated temperatures, such as those
reached in automatic washing machines, e.g. about 95° C, for a relatively long period
of time (about 3 hours) and which can be formed into the desired shape. Preferably
the dispensing device is made of low cost thermoplastic material such as polypropylene
and formed by injection moulding or thermoforming. The means (20) which allows to
take said detergent tablet and introduce said tablet into said dispensing device without
having a contact between the fingers of a user and said detergent tablet is preferably
formed from the same material as the body of said dispensing device.
[0029] We found that the tablet dispensing device according to the present invention has
following further advantages. The tablet dispensing device according to the present
invention does not need a cradle, as in EP-A-699 410, to hold and retain a tablet.
Consequently, the tablet dispensing device according to the present invention is of
a simplier construction and has a lower cost compared to the tablet dispensing devices
of the prior art. Furthermore, due to its simple construction, the tablet dispensing
device can be of low weight and can take a minimal space in the packaging when assembled
together with the tablets. Consequently, it is also easy to assemble the package and
this tablet dispensing device together. Indeed, no separate packaging from the main
packaging containing the tablets has to be foreseen for the tablet dispensing device
according to the present invention.
[0030] Finally, the tablet dispensing device according to the present invention is relatively
easy to produce. Indeed, this tablet dispensing device is preferably produced as a
flat piece first in a thermoforming or injection moulding process, and then formed
by bending around the pivot (15) to achieve the tweezers-like tablet dispensing device
according to the present invention. The bending around the pivot is achieved by warming
up the flat piece and bending the warmed up flat piece over a mould of appropriate
shape. Another possibility is to injection mould the tablet dispensing device immediately
in the right shape.
1. A tablet dispensing device (10) adapted to retain a detergent tablet comprising a
first leg (11) and a second leg (12) whereby the first leg is pivotally connected
to the second leg, the first and second legs being movable around the pivotal connection
(15) enlarging or narrowing the angle between the first and second leg, characterized in that at least one leg comprises a holding means retaining the tablet in between the first
and second leg once the tablet is introduced in between the first and second leg.
2. A tablet dispensing device according to claim 1 characterized in that the holding
means comprise a hook (16) and a counter-hook (16').
3. A tablet dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims characterized
in that the holding means comprises at least a recess.
4. A tablet dispensing device according to claim 3 characterized in that the recess is
a cut through the thickness of the leg.
5. A tablet dispensing device according to claim 4 characterized in that the tablet dispensing
device further comprises a flexible arm (24).
6. A tablet dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims characterized
in that the first and second legs are movable around the pivotal connection (15) in
a resilient manner
7. A tablet dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims characterized
in that the tablet dispensing device further comprises a fastening means (25) adapted
to secure said dispensing device in a releasable manner to the interior of an automatic
washing machine.
8. A tablet dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims characterized
in that the edges of the free ends (16, 16') of the legs (11, 12) are bent such to
form a convex portion (26).