GB2431908A

GB2431908A - Collapsible dispenser for detergent

Info

Publication number: GB2431908A
Application number: GB0522585A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Farish; Christopher Bryson Garcin
Original assignee: SMARTBOXES Ltd
Current assignee: SMARTBOXES Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-04
Filing date: 2005-11-04
Publication date: 2007-05-09
Also published as: GB0522585D0

Abstract

A stand-alone dispenser in the form of a dosing ball (1) with an open top (2) for detergent for placing in a domestic washing machine includes means such as concertina portions (5) to allow the dosing ball to be changed between a collapsed condition, so as to be suitable for post and packaging reasons, e.g. for posting through a domestic letter box, and an erected condition, so as to be ready for use. Means can be provided to bias the dosing ball in its erected and/collapsed condition(s).

Description

STAND-ALONE DISPENSER FOR DETERGENT

This invention relates to a stand-alone dispenser for detergent for placing in a domestic washing machine.

Stand-alone dispensers for detergent are commonly known and take the form of so-called dosing laundry balls, which are usually filled with the desired measure of liquid detergent and placed in the washing machine, together with the laundry to be washed. The ball is transparent or translucent and is provided with marked measures, so that the user can fill the ball with the desired quantity, which can be seen at a glance.

For packaging and promotional purposes, for example, it has been found desirable to produce a version of the dispenser that can be collapsed prior to use.

According to the present invention, there is provided a stand-alone dispenser for detergent for placing in a domestic washing machine, the dispenser being provided with means to allow it to be changed between a collapsed condition, so as to be suitable for postal and packaging reasons, and an erected condition, so as to be ready for use.

The dispenser may be a container, which may be in the form of a so-called "dosing ball" having an open top into which detergent may be introduced by the user and subsequently dispensed in the washing machine.

The dispenser may be transparent or translucent to enable a user to ascertain the volume of liquid in the dispenser.

The means to allow the dispenser to be changed between a collapsed condition and an erected condition can be provided by forming the dispenser with a series of concertina portions which enable the dispenser to be collapsed. With the dispenser in the form of a dosing ball, each concertina portion has a cylindrical circumference.

Adjacent concertina portions are of concentric widths or diameters to allow adjacent concertina portions to nestle one within the other. In the case of a dosing ball, a central portion of the dosing ball has the greatest diameter, with concertina portions extending from either side, each successive portion being of a reduced diameter to extend as far as a base and the top of the ball.

Means may be provided to enable the dispenser to be pulled from its collapsed condition into its erected condition.

Means may be provided to bias the dispenser into its erected condition, so as substantially to maintain its form for placing in a washing machine.

Means may be provided to provide a form of "over-centre" collapse, to enable the dispenser to be retained in its collapsed condition.

The device may be of a plastics material and is preferably a blow-moulded product.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a plan view of a stand-alone dispenser for detergent for placing in a domestic washing machine, Fig. 2 is a side view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1 in an erected condition, Fig. 3 is an underneath view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view from above of the dispenser, Fig. 5 is a perspective view from below of the dispenser, Fig. 6 is a side view of the dispenser in a collapsed condition, Fig. 7 is a perspective view from above of the dispenser in its collapsed condition, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view from below of the collapsed dispenser.

Referring to the drawings, a stand-alone dispenser 1 is shown for detergent for placing in a domestic washing machine.

The dispenser 1 has an open top 2 to receive and dispense the detergent and a base 3.

In the form shown, the dispenser is in the form of a generally-cylindrical dosing ball having a mid-portion 4 of maximum diameter and a series of concentric concertina portions 5 of ever-decreasing diameter when viewed in a direction extending away from the centre portion 4.

It will be seen that the concertina portions 5 are so fashioned that they are able to collapse one within the other to allow the dispenser to be totally collapsed and means may be provided to enable to dispenser to have a click down feature to maintain it in a holding position in its collapsed or erected conditions.

A gripping area (not shown) may be provided on the base 3 to assist in collapsing and erecting the dispenser.

The dispenser may be able to be collapsed but without having integral means to hold it in its collapsed condition, in which case secondary packaging such as a band or the like could be utilised to restrain it from springing into its erected condition.

Another possibility is for a plug or air-tight cap (not shown) to be fitted, by screwing, for example, to close the open top 2 when the dispenser is squashed or collapsed, the vacuum-effect so formed then preventing the dispenser from self-erecting. Of course the plug or cap could also be used to maintain the dispenser in its erect condition, if required for any reason.

It will be appreciated that the present dispenser, by virtue of its being able to be urged into a collapsed condition, is suitable for use, for example, for commercial purposes such as sampling and direct mail campaigns and so therefore can readily be posted and delivered through a domestic letter box.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. A stand-alone dispenser for detergent for placing in a domestic washing machine, the dispenser being provided with means to allow it to be changed between a collapsed condition, so as to be suitable for postal and packaging reasons, and an erected condition, so as to be ready for use.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 and being in the form of a container.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2 and being in the form of a dosing ball having an open top into which detergent may be introduced by the user and subsequently dispensed in the washing machine.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3 and being transparent or translucent to enable to user to ascertain the volume of liquid in the dispenser.

5. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means to allow the dispenser to be changed between a collapsed condition and an erect condition is provided by forming the dispenser with a series of concertina portions which enable the dispenser to be collapsed.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein each concertina portion has a cylindrical circumference.

7. A dispenser according to claim 5 or 6, wherein adjacent concertina portions are of concentric widths or diameters to allow adjacent concertina portions to nestle one within the other.

8. A dispenser according to claims 6 and 7, wherein a central portion of the dispenser has the greatest diameter, with said concertina portions extending from either side, each successive portion being of a reduced diameter to extend as far as a base and the top of the dispenser.

9. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims and including means provided to enable the dispenser to be pulled from its collapsed condition into its erected condition.

10. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims and including means provided to bias the dispenser to its erected condition, so as to substantially maintain its form for placing in a washing machine.

11. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims and including means to provide a form of over-centre collapse, to enable the dispenser to be urged and retained in its collapsed condition once compressed.

12. A dispenser according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 11 as appendant to claim 3 and including a plug or air-tight cap for fitting to close the open top when the dispenser is collapsed, a vacuum-effect so formed then serving to prevent the dispenser from self-erecting.

13. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims and being made of plastics material.

14. A dispenser according to claim 13 and being a blow-moulded product.

15. A stand-alone dispenser for detergent for placing in a domestic washing machine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.