Patent Application
20120298543
The present invention relates to a pretreatment cup for encouraging pretreating of fabric stains with a liquid detergent composition.
Many of today's liquid laundry detergent compositions are formulated to deliver superior removal of grease, soils, and other stains. However, many customers still prefer to use specialist pretreat compositions, even though liquid laundry detergent compositions are often formulated for pretreating stains.
A big cause for this customer behaviour is that dosing devices, typically sold with liquid laundry detergent compositions, are less than satisfactory for use in pretreating, except for on light and non-greasy stains. They are often also not intuitive to use, with many customers not even being aware that they can be used for effectively pretreating stains.
As a result, customers often either do not pretreat, or prefer to buy specialist pretreaters for removing stains, particularly for tough stains such as grease, ink, lipstick, and the like. This is regardless of the fact that many current liquid laundry detergent compositions contain surfactants, enzymes, soil release polymers and other stain removing actives. In addition, such liquid laundry detergent compositions are more effective in removing stains when applied neat, since the concentration of actives on the stain is much greater. Therefore, encouraging customers to pretreat results in better stain removal, and hence in customers being more satisfied with their liquid laundry detergent composition.
Therefore, a need remains for a pretreating device, wherein the customer is intuitively guided to use the pretreatment device for pretreating stains with a liquid laundry detergent composition. U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,209 discloses a closure for a liquid laundry detergent container having an integrated brush, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,298 discloses a dispenser with an integrated scrubbing surface and pretreat nozzle, U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,034 discloses a cap to a spray bottle having an integrated scrubber. U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,190 discloses a hand-held container for washing laundry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,630 discloses a cap having a pouring spout. GB 2 168 931 discloses a cap having an applicator.
The present invention relates to a pretreatment cup (10) comprising: a base comprising an exterior base surface (50); a wall comprising an exterior wall surface (60); and an opening (40) circumscribed by a rim (170), wherein the opening is at least partially opposite the base; wherein: the exterior base surface (50) is connected to the exterior wall surface (60) at an exterior periphery (70); a surface selected from the group consisting of: the exterior base surface (50), the exterior wall surface (60), and mixtures thereof, comprises a pretreating region selected from the group consisting of: a spreading region (80), a scrubbing region (110), and mixtures thereof; characterized in that: the pretreating region is differentiated from at least part of the remaining combined area of the exterior base surface (50) and the exterior wall surface (60) by: a difference in material, colour, translucency, surface texture, a line, and mixtures thereof.
a illustrates a top view exemplifying a spreading region (80) comprising spreading protrusions (90) in the form of straight lines, radiating from a central point (100), which is located at the centre of the spreading region (80).
b illustrates a side view exemplifying the spreading region (80), of
It has been discovered that a differentiation of a pretreatment region selected from the group consisting of: a spreading region (80), a scrubbing region (110), and mixtures thereof, from at least part of the remaining outer surface of a pretreatment cup (10), leads to the customer being intuitively guided to correctly use the pretreatment cup (10) for pretreating fabric stains.
When referring to a pretreatment cup, all percentages, ratios and proportions used herein are by weight percent of the pretreatment cup, unless otherwise specified. When referring to a liquid detergent composition, all percentages, ratios and proportions used herein are by weight percent of the liquid detergent composition, unless otherwise specified. The term “dose”, unless indicated otherwise, is defined as a measured amount of liquid to be delivered from a container, cup, or other suitable device. Preferably, the dose is measured using the pretreatment cup.
The pretreatment cup (10) comprises a base, an exterior wall, and an opening (40) that is circumscribed by a rim (170). The opening (40) is at least partially opposite the base. The outer surface of the pretreatment cup is made up of an exterior base surface (50) connected to an exterior wall surface (60) at an exterior periphery (70). The pretreatment cup (10) may also comprise an interior base surface (140) and an interior wall surface (150), preferably at least partially connected together at an interior periphery. The pretreatment cup (10) also comprises a pretreatment region selected from the group consisting of: a spreading region (80), a scrubbing region (110), and mixtures thereof. Such a pretreatment cup is exemplified in
The pretreatment cup (10) can be any suitable size. For stability, the base will typically have an area of from 300 mm2 to 8,000 mm2, preferably from 900 mm2 to 5,600 mm2, most preferably from 1,900 mm2 to 3,800 mm2. As such, the width of the base will typically range from 20 mm to 100 mm, preferably 35 mm to 85 mm, most preferably from 50 mm to 70 mm. For easy filling, the opening (40) will typically have an area of from 700 mm2 to 9,500 mm2, preferably from 1,500 mm2 to 7,000 mm2, most preferably from 2,500 mm2 to 5,000 mm2. As such, the width of the opening (40) will typically range from 30 mm to 110 mm, preferably 45 mm to 95 mm, most preferably from 60 mm to 80 mm. The wall will typically have a height from 20 mm to 85 mm, preferably from 35 mm to 70 mm.
The exterior base surface (50) can be connected to the exterior wall surface (60) at the exterior periphery (70) at any angle, including 90°. Additionally, the exterior periphery (70) preferably comprises a curvature from the exterior base surface (50) to the exterior wall surface (60). Preferably, the radius of curvature at the exterior periphery (70) is from 2 mm to 35 mm, more preferably from 3.5 mm to 25 mm, most preferably from 5 mm to 15 mm. A curvature is particularly preferred if the pretreatment cup (10) comprises a scrubbing region (110) that is at least partially located at the exterior periphery (70).
The base, the wall, or both the base and the wall of the pretreatment cup (10) can be a single layer of material, such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene, a multilayered material, or any other material having sufficient structural integrity to be used as a pretreatment cup (10), and preferably also as a dosing device for dosing the liquid detergent composition into a washing machine. Preferably, the base, the wall, or both the base and the wall of the pretreatment cup (10) comprise polypropylene, for improved resistance to wear during pretreating and during wash cycles.
The exterior base surface (50) can provide a surface arrangement that can be stably set upon another surface that is substantially flat as measured on a scale of centimetres, such as a table or a flat portion of a washing machine or dryer. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior base surface (50) can be essentially flat, or have a slight curvature, such that the cup (10) can be stably placed on a flat surface. With such a configuration, when liquid detergent composition is poured into the pretreatment cup (10), the cup (10) will not easily tip over as detergent composition is poured into the pretreatment cup (10).
The pretreatment cup (10) can be provided with one or more indicia. The indicia are preferably located on a surface selected from the group consisting of: the interior wall surface (150), the exterior wall surface (60), and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the interior wall surface (150) is provided with one or more interior indicia (152). It is particularly preferred that the exterior wall surface (60) is provided with one or more exterior indicia (62), when at least part of the wall is translucent or transparent. To facilitate easier measuring, both the interior wall surface (150) and exterior wall surface (60) can be provided with indicia. The indicia can be an etch, a depression, a raised portion, printing, or any other structure that is observable by the user.
The indicia can indicate the recommended dosage of liquid detergent composition to be poured into the pretreatment cup. Preferably, the indicia indicate the recommended dosages for a usage selected from the group consisting of: stain pretreating, average duty wash conditions, light duty wash conditions, heavy duty wash conditions, and mixtures thereof. Light duty wash conditions, typically consist of lightly soiled loads and low water hardness (from 50 mg/l to 125 mg/l of CaCO3). Average duty wash conditions typically consist of moderately soiled loads and average water hardness (from 126 mg/l to 250 mg/l of CaCO3). Heavy duty wash conditions typically consist of heavily soiled loads and high water hardness (greater than 250 mg/l of CaCO3).
The pretreatment cup can also comprise a means for attachment to a liquid detergent composition container, preferably to the container cup. Suitable means include a clip, a screw thread, or a push-fit mechanism. In one embodiment, the interior base surface (140) of the pretreatment cup (10) comprises the first part of an attachment system, and the cup exterior top surface (310) of a cup (300), comprises a second part of an attachment system, wherein said attachment system comprises a cooperating attachment protrusion (200) and attachment channel (320). Alternatively, the pretreatment cup may also engage with a bottle to form a seal to close the container, hence forming a cup for the container.
The pretreatment cup may also comprise a spout (130), located on the rim (170). Preferably, the spout (130) is located vertically in line with the scrubbing region (110), if present, to make it easier to pour a small amount of liquid detergent composition onto a stain, spread the composition with the spreading region (80) and scrub with the scrubbing region (110) without the customer having to change his grip. Suitable spouts (130) include an outcrop from the rim (170) and wall, or may optionally comprise a hole in the wall, preferably close to the opening. In a preferred embodiment, the pretreatment cup (10) includes a baffle (180), adjacent to the spout (130). Such baffles (180) split the opening (40) into two or more sections comprising a fill opening (42) and a spout opening (44). The baffle (180) helps the customer to metre the required dose of liquid detergent composition onto the stain, without spilling excess liquid detergent composition.
The exterior wall surface (60) of the pretreatment cup (10) may also comprise a gripping region (190). The gripping region (190) may be selected from: an indented region, a raised region, a textured region, or a combination thereof. The gripping region (190) guides the customer to hold the pretreatment cup (10) is such a manner, that pouring the liquid detergent composition, spreading the liquid detergent composition, scrubbing with the liquid detergent composition, and mixtures thereof, become intuitive for the customer.
It has been surprisingly discovered that emphasizing the pretreatment benefits of the pretreatment cup (10) encourages the customer to use the pretreatment cup (10) for pretreating fabric stains. Therefore, a pretreating region selected from: a spreading region (80), a scrubbing region (120), and mixtures thereof, is differentiated from at least part of the remaining combined area of the exterior base surface (50) and the exterior wall surface (60) by a difference in: material, colour, translucency, surface texture, a line, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the pretreating region is differentiated from at least part of the remaining combined area of the exterior base surface (50) and the exterior wall surface (60) by a difference in: material, colour, translucency, a line, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the pretreating region is differentiated from at least part of the remaining combined area of the exterior base surface (50) and the exterior wall surface (60) by a difference in: colour, translucency, and mixtures thereof.
For greater emphasis, the pretreating region can be differentiated from at least part of the remaining combined area of the exterior base surface (50) and the exterior wall surface (60) by at least two differences selected from differences in: material, colour, translucency, surface texture, a line, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the pretreating region is differentiated from at least 25%, preferably 50%, more preferably 75% of the remaining combined area of the exterior base surface (50) and the exterior wall surface (70).
It is believed that such differentiation helps to guide the customer to intuitively select the correct surface for use in pretreating. Surprisingly, the effect is greater when at least part of the pretreatment cup is opaque. In particular, when at least part of a pretreating region selected from the group consisting of: a spreading region (80), a scrubbing region (110), and mixtures thereof, is opaque, more preferably when all of the pretreating region is opaque. A material is defined as “opaque” when the material has a measured translucency of less than 30%, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10% (using the method enclosed herein for measuring transparency/translucency). A material is defined as “transparent” when the material has a measured translucency of greater than 50%, preferably greater than 60%, more preferably greater than 70%, most preferably greater than 80%.
For similar reasons, if both a spreading region (80) and a scrubbing region (110) are present, the spreading region (80) can be differentiated from the scrubbing region (110) by: a difference in material, a difference in colour, a difference in translucency, a difference in surface texture, a line, and mixtures thereof. The scrubbing protrusions (120) of the scrubbing region (110) typically also have a different pattern from that of the spreading protrusions (90) of the spreading region (80). The scrubbing protrusions (120) are preferably oriented differently from the spreading protrusions (90), or are a different shape, or have both a different orientation and a different shape. It is also believed that such a pretreatment cup leads to an increased perception by the customer that the liquid detergent composition and the pretreatment cup are effective together for pretreating stains, even hydrophobic stains such as grease. While the scrubbing protrusions (120) and the spreading protrusions (90) are preferably made from the same material, they can be also be made from different materials, for example, having different hardness. In such embodiments, the scrubbing protrusions (120) can be made from a more deformable material that can deform over the fabric during pretreating. Such deformable materials are gentler on the fabric during scrubbing. Suitable materials include: thermoplastic elastomers, rubbers, and mixtures thereof. Thermoplastic elastomers are preferred.
The pretreatment cup may comprise a spreading region (80) located on a surface selected from the group consisting of: the exterior base surface (50), the exterior wall surface (60), and mixtures thereof. For ease of handling, the spreading region (80) is preferably at least partially located on the exterior base surface (50). Preferably, the spreading region (80) is located on the exterior base surface (50). The spreading region may be any suitable shape, though circular and oval shapes are preferred. While the spreading region may be flat, with the exception of the spreading protrusions (90), a small curvature is preferred for spreading the liquid detergent composition over the stained part of the fabric. In addition, a small curvature helps to smooth out the fabric and remove folds during pretreating. However, it is preferable that the curvature is not so great that the spreading region behaves partially like a wiper, such that the curvature wipes the liquid laundry detergent composition thinly or unevenly over the stain. Preferably, the spreading region (80) has a curvature such that when the pretreatment cup is positioned with the centre of mass of the spreading region (80) on a flat non-deformable surface (such as a table), the pretreatment cup can be tilted a maximum of 45°, preferably a maximum of 30°, more preferably a maximum of 15° before the spreading region is no longer in contact with the non-deformable surface. Preferably, the spreading region (80) has no sharp changes in curvature (such as a step). The centre of mass of the spreading region is calculated using the formula:
The spreading region (80), if present, comprises 1 or more spreading protrusions (90). Preferably, the spreading region (80) comprises at least 2, more preferably at least 5 spreading protrusions (90). The spreading region (80) can comprise any number of spreading protrusions (90), though less than 50, preferably less than 40, more preferably less than 30 are preferred. The spreading protrusions (90) are preferably selected from the group consisting: of lines, dots, and mixtures thereof. If lines are present, they can be straight or curved. They can be from 2 mm to 40 mm, preferably from 3 mm to 25 mm, more preferably from 4 mm to 5 mm in length. The width of the lines can be from 0.2 mm to 4 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 3 mm, more preferably from 0.8 mm to 2 mm in width. The lengths are measured along the backbone of the line. Preferably, the lines do not connect to form a closed region. If dots are present, they can be any shape, but are preferably circular or oval in shape. The dots can have a width of from 0.2 mm to 5 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 4 mm, more preferably from 1 mm to 3 mm. Such spreading protrusions (90) do not result in the liquid laundry detergent composition being restricted under the spreading region, when the pretreatment cup is used for spreading the liquid detergent composition over a stain. Suitable lines are exemplified in
The spreading protrusions (90) are preferably arranged in a pattern selected from the group consisting of: radial, concentric, spiral, or mixtures thereof. A radial pattern is most preferred. While the central point (100) of the pattern is preferably located at the centre of mass of the spreading region (80), the central point (100) of the pattern can be located at any suitable point on the spreading region (80). The resultant distribution of spreading protrusions (90) helps to gently distribute the liquid detergent composition uniformly over the stain.
For ease of manufacture, the spreading region, preferably including the spreading protrusions (90), can be made from one material. Preferably, the material comprises polypropylene. More preferably, the spreading region is made from polypropylene. However, in other embodiments, the spreading protrusions (90) can be made from a different material from the rest of the spreading region (80).
If the spreading protrusions (90) are too flexible, flicking of the liquid detergent composition may occur during use. Therefore, the spreading protrusions (90) preferably are made from a material having a hardness, as measured on the Rockwell scale (ISO 2039-2), of from 50 to 150. The spreading protrusions (90) are made from a material having a hardness that is more preferably from 60 to 100, and most preferably from 65 to 85. For a similar reason, it is preferred that the spreading protrusions (90) have a height from the exterior base surface (50) of from 0.2 mm to 4 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm In addition, such patterns gently smooth out and deform the fibrous structure of the fabric being treated, and help spread the liquid detergent composition uniformly over the stain.
The pretreatment cup (10) may also comprise a scrubbing region (110), wherein the scrubbing region (110) comprises scrubbing protrusions (120). The scrubbing protrusions (120) preferably have a height of from 0.2 mm to 4 mm, more preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Having both a spreading region and a scrubbing region encourages more customers to pretreat using a liquid detergent composition.
To avoid the scrubbing region (110) affecting spreading of the liquid detergent composition by the spreading region (80), the scrubbing region (110) is preferably located on a different plane to the spreading region (80). In a preferred embodiment, the scrubbing region (110) may be located on the exterior wall surface (60), while the spreading region (80) is located on the exterior base surface (50). In another embodiment, both the spreading region (80) and the scrubbing region (110) are located on the exterior base surface (50), with the exterior base surface (50) curved such that the scrubbing region (110) is located on a different plane to the spreading region (80). In yet another embodiment, the exterior base surface (50) is divided into two connected surfaces which are angled relative to each other, with the scrubbing region (110) located onto one surface, and the spreading region (80) located onto the other surface, such that the two regions are located on different planes.
The scrubbing region (80) is preferably at least partially located on the exterior periphery (70), since many customers prefer to use the exterior periphery (70) to apply greater pressure while scrubbing.
To simplify use, and for easy of manufacture, the spreading region (80) and scrubbing region (110) may be connected together. In a preferred embodiment, the spreading region (80) and scrubbing region (110) may contact each other at the exterior periphery (70).
For ease of manufacture the scrubbing protrusions (120) are preferably made from the same material as the spreading protrusions (90). Even more preferred, the entirety of the scrubbing region (110) and the spreading region (80), preferably including the scrubbing protrusions (120) and the spreading protrusions (90), are made from the same material.
Preferred scrubbing protrusions (120) include: lines, dots, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the scrubbing protrusions (120) have a pattern with a parallel orientation. Preferably, the pattern is selected from the group consisting of: one or more lines, one or more curves, and mixtures thereof.
In other embodiments, a spreading region (80) is present and no scrubbing region (110) is present. Such embodiments are particularly suited for delicate fabrics such as silk, satin, and rayon, where vigorous scrubbing may damage the fibres or the fabric weave.
The translucency of a material is measured using the following procedure, using an X-Rite SP-64 Spectrophotometer:
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 167 096.4 | May 2011 | EP | regional |
