US-12618026-B2 - Methods and apparatuses for automatic dishwashing chemical distribution

Abstract

A partitioned solution cartridge for automatic distribution of dishwashing chemicals includes a protective top film and a compartmentalized body including a plurality of contained solution sectors each including a fluid reservoir and a distribution chamber. The fluid reservoir is partially enclosed by a reservoir sidewall and the protective top film. The distribution chamber is partially enclosed by a chamber sidewall and the protective top film. The fluid reservoir and the distribution chamber are fluidly connected.

Inventors

• Paulus Antonius Augustinus Hoefte
• Vincent Hubert Monique De Wilde

Assignees

• THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230915

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A partitioned solution cartridge for automatic distribution of dishwashing chemicals comprising: a protective top film, and a compartmentalized body comprising a plurality of contained solution sectors each comprising a fluid reservoir and a distribution chamber, wherein: the fluid reservoir is partially enclosed by a reservoir sidewall and the protective top film; the distribution chamber is partially enclosed by a chamber sidewall and the protective top film; the fluid reservoir and the distribution chamber are fluidly connected; and when the partitioned solution cartridge is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, for each of the plurality of contained solution sectors the fluid reservoir is positioned vertically above the distribution chamber such that fluid from the fluid reservoir flows via gravity draining to the distribution chamber.
2. 2 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the partitioned solution cartridge is in the substantially vertical orientation when positioned within a door of an automatic dishwashing machine when the door is closed.
3. 3 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 2 , wherein a seal is formed between the distribution chamber and the automatic dishwashing machine when the partitioned solution cartridge is in the substantially vertical orientation when positioned within the door of the automatic dishwashing machine.
4. 4 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the seal is an o-ring seal.
5. 5 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the distribution chamber is pierced by a piercing means that is an integral member of the automatic dishwashing when wherein the partitioned solution cartridge is in the substantially vertical orientation when positioned within a door of an automatic dishwashing machine when the door is closed.
6. 6 . The partitioned solution cartridge of any previous claim , wherein the distribution chamber comprises a concave notch positioned opposite the protective top film on the chamber sidewall.
7. 7 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein: the fluid reservoir and the distribution chamber are fluidly connected by a gravity drainage passage; the gravity drainage passage has an entrance defined by the reservoir sidewall and an endpoint defined by the chamber sidewall; and the gravity drainage passage is partially enclosed by a passage sidewall and the protective top film.
8. 8 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of contained solution sectors has an air vent.
9. 9 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 8 , wherein: the fluid reservoir has a top end and a bottom end formed by the reservoir sidewall; the bottom end is positioned proximate to the distribution chamber; the top end is positioned opposite the bottom end; the air vent is positioned on the protective top film at least partially enclosing the fluid reservoir; and the air vent is positioned proximate the top end of the fluid reservoir.
10. 10 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 9 , wherein: the fluid reservoir has an overall length defined by the top end and the bottom end; and the air vent is positioned on the protective top film proximate the top end of the fluid reservoir in an area spanning 10% of the overall length.
11. 11 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 10 , wherein 10% of the overall length is from about 0.2 to about 2 cm.
12. 12 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the air vent is positioned vertically above a fluid level of the fluid within the fluid reservoir when the partitioned solution cartridge is positioned in the substantially vertical orientation.
13. 13 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the chamber sidewall has a rigidity greater than the reservoir sidewall.
14. 14 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the distribution chamber comprises a cylindrical shape.
15. 15 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contained solution sectors comprises 3 or more contained solution sectors.
16. 16 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contained solution sectors have a total combined volume from about 0.1 to about 1.5 liter.
17. 17 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir has a depth from about 0.1 to about 6 cm.
18. 18 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the protective top film comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, aluminum, ethylene vinyl alcohol, or combinations thereof.
19. 19 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the compartmentalized body comprises polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, or combinations thereof.
20. 20 . The partitioned solution cartridge of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of contained solution sectors comprise chemically-distinct fluids.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatuses for automatic dishwashing chemical distribution. BACKGROUND Dishwashing detergent compositions are used in automatic dishwashing machines to provide numerous benefits including a good cleaning profile and a good shine profile. The dishwashing detergent compositions have conventionally been provided to the automatic dishwashing machine either through the consumer pouring dishwashing detergent liquid directly into the dishwashing machine, directly placing a dishwashing detergent tablet into the dishwashing machine, or through the consumer placing an encapsulated detergent “water-soluble pouch” into the dishwashing machine. SUMMARY However, conventional detergent liquids, tablets, and pods do not have a way to provide discrete chemicals to the dishwashing machine independently of each other. Providing chemicals to the dishwashing machine separately from each other allow the dishwashing machine to administer the chemicals separately at different times of the cleaning cycle and allow for chemicals that may not otherwise be stable in the presence of each other to be provided in one container. The present disclosure addresses this need by providing a partitioned solution cartridge for automatic distribution of dishwashing chemicals that has a compartmentalized body including a plurality of contained solution sectors, where different chemicals may be stored and individually metered out to the dishwashing machine. The partitioned solution cartridge is a multi-use cartridge that can last 20 or more or 30 or more washing cycles. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a partitioned solution cartridge for automatic distribution of dishwashing chemicals includes a protective top film and a compartmentalized body including a plurality of contained solution sectors each including a fluid reservoir and a distribution chamber. The fluid reservoir is partially enclosed by a reservoir sidewall and the protective top film. The distribution chamber is partially enclosed by a chamber sidewall and the protective top film. The fluid reservoir and the distribution chamber are fluidly connected, and when the partitioned solution cartridge is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, for each of the plurality of contained solution sectors the fluid reservoir is positioned vertically above the distribution chamber such that fluid from the fluid reservoir flows via gravity draining to the distribution chamber. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a partitioned solution cartridge for automatic distribution of dishwashing chemicals includes a protective top film and a compartmentalized body including a plurality of contained solution sectors each including a fluid reservoir and a distribution chamber. The fluid reservoir is partially enclosed by a reservoir sidewall and the protective top film. The distribution chamber is partially enclosed by a chamber sidewall and the protective top film. The fluid reservoir and the distribution chamber are fluidly connected, the fluid reservoir has a reservoir depth, the distribution chamber has a chamber depth, and the reservoir depth is greater than the chamber depth. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a partitioned solution cartridge for automatic distribution of dishwashing chemicals includes a protective top film and a compartmentalized body including a plurality of contained solution sectors each including a fluid reservoir and a distribution chamber. The fluid reservoir is partially enclosed by a reservoir sidewall and the protective top film. The distribution chamber is partially enclosed by a chamber sidewall and the protective top film. The fluid reservoir and the distribution chamber are fluidly connected, and the plurality of contained solution sectors are fluidly separated from each other within the compartmentalized body via heat seals. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a partitioned solution cartridge for automatic distribution of dishwashing chemicals includes a protective top film and a compartmentalized body including a display aperture and a plurality of contained solution sectors each including a fluid reservoir positioned proximate an upper end of the compartmentalized body and a distribution chamber proximate a lower end of the compartmentalized body. The fluid reservoir is partially enclosed by a reservoir sidewall and the protective top film. The distribution chamber is partially enclosed by a chamber sidewall and the protective top film. The fluid reservoir and the distribution chamber are fluidly connected, and the display aperture is positioned between the plurality of contained solution sectors and the lower end of the compartmentalized body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure can be best understood when