DRIP TRAY FOR LAUNDRY TREATMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A drip tray having a main body and a plurality of surface irregularities projecting from the main body. The drip tray can be used to pre-treat a stain in a fabric.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Laundry detergent dispensing and pre-treating a stained fabric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Treating stained garments continues to be an aspect of laundering that could be improved. There are a variety of commercially available approaches for treating stains. In one approach the consumer merely washes with a detergent touted as having the ability to treat stains. Such an approach tends to work satisfactorily if the stains are light and not greasy and an appropriate dose of detergent is applied. If the stains are heavy, the stains might not be removed because the ingredients of the detergent are diluted in the wash and are not concentrated at the stain. This can leave the consumer dissatisfied when at the end of the wash cycle she sees that the stains are still visible. The prospects for successful stain treatment after washing are limited, particularly if the failure is not detected until after drying the stained garment.

Some liquid detergents can be effective when used to pre-treat stains by locally applying a small quantity of detergent to the stained portion of the garment. Many consumers do not use liquid detergents to pre-treat stains because they are unaware that such a practice can be successfully used to treat stains and the practice can be messy and cumbersome. Thus, many consumers use specialized stain treatment aids.

Stain treatment aids may be applied to the stain in liquid form by spraying or squirting the stain treatment aid directly on the stain or using a wipe impregnated with a stain treatment aid to scrub a stain. Some stain treatment aids include a motorized brush or scrubbing implement to assist with treating the stain in the fabric.

The typical consumer experience with presently available approaches for treating stains in the home is cumbersome. The consumer first has to remember to purchase the detergent, the stain treatment aid, and any accompanying devices, or replacement devices. The consumer then stores all of these items near the washing machine. Then, the consumer must remember to identify and treat stains prior to the stained garment being placed in the washing machine. The consumer must then locate the stain treatment aid and manipulate the packaging or device to apply the stain treatment aid to the stain. The consumer then stores the stain treatment aid, frequently in an unsightly gathering of laundry products nearby the washing machine.

Consumers often rinse their hands after this step to avoid the slippery feeling of common stain treatment aids and to avoid transferring the stain treatment aid to other surfaces, washing machine controls, and detergent packaging. The consumer then opens the laundry detergent, measures out the appropriate dose, and delivers the dose of detergent to the washing machine. Finally the consumer stores the laundry detergent. This multistep process is a less than desirable consumer experience, particularly given all the other demands on the consumer's time and mental focus.

With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed need for a device and approach for treating stains that intuitively or directly suggests to the consumer to treat stains properly, is intuitive for the consumer to remember to use, is simple to use, and performs satisfactorily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A drip tray comprising: a main body having a first side and an opposing second side, said first side comprising a land area surrounding a recessed portion, said recessed portion capable of retaining a liquid; and a plurality of surface irregularities projecting from said main body.

The drip tray can be used in a method of pre-treating a stain in a fabric, the method comprising the steps of: applying a liquid laundry detergent to a stain in an article of clothing and rubbing the stain with a portion of the drip tray, wherein the drip tray has a main body having a first side and an opposing second side and a plurality of surface irregularities projecting from the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a laundry treatment system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drip tray.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drip tray.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of bristles.

FIG. 5 is a drip tray having a main body having a substantially circular shape.

FIG. 6 is a drip tray having surface irregularities on the second side.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the drip tray shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Press tap dispensing systems for liquid laundry detergents can be popular with some consumers. For instance, liquid detergent TIDE, marketed by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, is marketed in a container that has a press tap. Press tap dispensing systems may be popular because the consumer does not need to lift the container to dispense liquid there from. Rather, the consumer only needs to open a tap, for instance by pressing a resilient button or moving a lever to open a valve in the closure for the container.

A drip tray 200 is shown in FIG. 1. The laundry treatment system 1 can comprise a dosing cup 10 and a drip tray 200, as shown in FIG. 1.

The laundry treatment system 1 can comprise a pedestal 20 in or on which a container 30 of detergent resides. The laundry treatment system 1 can comprise a press tap dispenser 40. All components of the laundry treatment system can be formed of a durable plastic material. The durable plastic material can be selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polystyrene, acrylic, and combinations thereof or any other such durable plastic material. The dosing cup 10 can be a simple cup having a base 50 and a sidewall 60 extending from the base 50 to a peripheral lip 60.

The drip tray 200 can be used to pre-treat a stain in a fabric. To do so, the consumer applies a liquid laundry detergent to a stain in an article of clothing and rubs the stain with a portion of the drip tray 200. The drip tray can have a main body having a first side and an opposing second side and a plurality of surface irregularities 250 and there can be a plurality of surface irregularities 250 projecting from the main body. Optionally, the consumer can dispense liquid laundry detergent into a dosing cup while the dosing cup is resting on the drip tray 200 underneath the press tap dispenser 40 and apply the liquid laundry detergent to the stain using the dosing cup 10.

In use, the consumer can dispense liquid laundry detergent from the press tap dispenser 40 into the dosing cup 10. The consumer can then pour a portion of the liquid laundry detergent in the dosing cup 10 onto a stain in an article of clothing to pre-treat the stain. Then the consumer can remove the drip tray 200 from the pedestal 20 and use the drip tray 200, which can be provided with a plurality of surface irregularities 250, to scrub the stain before depositing the article of clothing into the washing machine.

If there is any liquid laundry detergent remaining in the dosing cup 10, the consumer can simply pour that liquid into her washing machine. Some consumers find it practical to place the dosing cup 10 into the wash so that at the end of the wash cycle they are left with a clean dosing cup 10 that can be placed back onto the drip tray 200. Since the drip tray 200 may have some residual liquid laundry detergent on the surface thereof, the consumer can deposit the drip tray 200 in the wash as well or rinse the drip tray 200 off by hand and reengage the drip tray with the pedestal 20.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a drip tray 200. The drip tray 200 can have a main body 210. The main body 210 can have a plurality of surface irregularities 250 projecting from the main body.

The first side can optionally have a land area 215 substantially surrounding a recessed portion 240. By substantially surrounding it is meant that the land area 215 surrounds more than about 60% of the periphery of the recessed portion. The land area 215 can surround more than about 75% of the periphery of the recessed portion. The land area 215 can surround more than about 85% of the periphery of the recessed portion. The land area 215 can surround more than about 90% of the periphery of the recessed portion.

The main body 210 can have a first side 220 and an opposing second side 230. That is, the first side 220 is on the opposite side of the main body 210 as the second side 230. The first side can have a land area 215 surrounding a recessed portion 240. When the drip tray 200 is resting on a flat surface with the first side 220 upwardly oriented, the recessed portion 240 can be at a lower elevation than the land area 215. Having the recessed portion 240 lower than the land area can provide for a convenient location to place the dosing cup 10. The recessed portion 240 can be capable of retaining a liquid. The recessed portion 240 can be a solid material into which fluid cannot penetrate or pass. For instance, the recessed portion can be constructed of non-porous, continuous plastic. In use, the drip tray 200 can be placed beneath the tap dispenser to catch any drips that might emanate from the tap when the dosing cup 10 is not present. The recessed portion 240 can be centrally located in the main body 210. By centrally located it is meant that at least a portion of the recessed portion 240 overlaps with the center of gravity of the main body 210.

The base 50 of the dosing cup 10 can be sized and dimensioned to fit within the recessed portion 240. Having the base 50 of the dosing cup 10 have a shape that is complementary to or fits in the recessed portion 240 can be advantageous in that it can help the consumer securely place the dosing cup 10 on the drip tray 200. If the dosing cup 10 has a circular base 50, the recessed portion 240 can also have a circular shape within which the circular base 50 fits. It can be practical to have the drip tray 200 conformably fit to a press tap dispenser pedestal 20. For instance, the drip tray 200 can have a recess in the second side 230 that conformably fits with a protrusion on the pedestal 20 to lock the drip tray 200 in place beneath the press tap dispenser 40. Alternatively, the drip tray 200 can have a protrusion that conformably fits with a recess on the pedestal 20 to lock the drip tray 200 in place beneath the press tap dispenser 40.

The drip tray 200 can have a plurality of surface irregularities 250 projecting from the main body 210. The surface irregularities 250 can be arranged in one or more discrete regions. Surface irregularities 250 on the first side 220 can project above the land area 215. Such an arrangement can make it easier for the consumer to contact the surface irregularities 250 with a stain.

As shown in FIG. 2, there can be one or more regions containing a plurality of surface irregularities 250. In use, the consumer can use the drip tray 200 as an implement to pre-treat a stain on a fabric by dispensing a small volume of liquid laundry detergent onto the stain using the dosing cup 10. The consumer can then remove the drip tray 200 from the pedestal 20 and hold the drip tray 200 in her hand such that she can scrub the stain with the surface irregularities 250. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the surface irregularities 250 can improve spreading of the liquid laundry detergent around the stain, help the liquid laundry detergent permeate the fabric where the stain is located, and help dislodge aggregations of the stain.

The surface irregularities 250 can provide a topographically diverse surface that can be rubbed against a stained fabric before or after liquid detergent composition is applied to a stain in a fabric as part of a stain pretreatment process. A topographically diverse surface is a surface that is not smooth. The surface irregularities 250 when rubbed against a stain on a fabric are thought to help dislodge agglomerations of the stain, deform the fibrous structure of the fabric allowing the liquid detergent composition to more completely penetrate the fibrous structure, and manipulate the fibers of the fabric thereby allowing a greater surface area of the fibers to be wetted with the liquid detergent composition. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that dislodging agglomerations of the stain, more completely penetrating the stained fabric with liquid detergent composition, and applying liquid detergent composition to a greater surface area of fibers can improve the efficacy of pre-treatment of stains in fabrics with a liquid laundry detergent.

The surface irregularities 250 can have a surface topography that is distinct from the surface topography of portions of the drip tray 200 adjacent the plurality of surface irregularities 250. The surface irregularities 250 can provide for a surface having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude between adjacent peaks and low portions greater than about 0.1 mm. The surface irregularities 250 can provide for a surface having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude between adjacent peaks and low portions greater than about 0.2 mm. The surface irregularities 250 can provide for a surface having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude between adjacent peaks and low portions greater than about 0.5 mm. The surface irregularities 250 can provide for a surface having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude between adjacent peaks and low portions greater than about 1 mm. The low portions can be valleys. The plurality of surface irregularities 250 can define a region that has a surface topography that differs from the surface topography of portions of the drip tray 200 adjacent the region. The surface irregularities 250 can be a series of elevated portions having intermittently disposed recessed portions. Recessed portions can be continuous. Elevated portions can be continuous.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of surface irregularities 250 can project from the first side 220 of the main body 210. Arranged as such, when the drip tray 200 is operably engaged with the pedestal 20, the plurality of surface irregularities 250 are observable by the user. This can visually prompt the user to remember to pre-treat stains and to use the drip tray 200 as a scrubbing implement to pre-treat any stains.

The main body 210 can extend between a first end 260 and a second end 270 opposing the first end 260. The main body 210 can extend between a first lateral edge 280 and a second lateral edge 290 opposing the first lateral edge 280. The plurality of surface irregularities 250 can project from the main body 210 at a location selected from the group consisting of proximal the first end 260, proximal the second end 270, and combinations thereof. By having the plurality of surface irregularities 250 located near the ends of the main body, it is thought that they can be conveniently and ergonomically employed by the consumer to pre-treat a stain by rubbing the surface irregularities 250 against the stains.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 210 can comprise a first region 285 comprising the surface irregularities 250 and a second region 290 comprising the surface irregularities 250. The recessed portion 240 can be between the first region 285 and the second region 290. Since it might be difficult to abrade the central part of the main body 210 against a stain due to the geometry of the drip tray 200 and the rigidity of the drip tray 200, it can be practical to locate the recessed portion 240 there.

Along the first lateral edge 280 and the second lateral edge 290 can be a plurality of finger indents 300. The finger indents 300 can be sized and dimensioned to conform with an adult finger. When the consumer holds the drip tray 200 in her hand to pre-treat a stain, she can grip the drip tray between her thumb, which can hold the drip tray 200 on the first lateral edge 280, and one or more of her other fingers, her other fingers holding the drip tray 200 on the second lateral edge 290. More ergonomically, the consumer can position each of her fingers and thumb that she uses to grip the drip tray 200 in the finger indents 300.

One or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290 can be concavely shaped with an overall concavity that is sized and dimensioned to conform with the portion of the palm proximal the base of the thumb of an adult human hand. In use, the consumer can grip one of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290 with the palm of her hand and place one or more of her fingers along the second lateral edge 290 to grip the drip tray and rub the surface irregularities 250 against a stain. The second lateral edge 290 can optionally be provided with individual finger indents 300 to further improve the ergonomics of a concave second lateral edge 290. The concave shape of one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290 can be that the concave shape has a length of between about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or between about 50 mm to about 70 mm, or between about 55 mm or about 65 mm, or about 60 mm, or any other range or particular value that is a whole number within any of these ranges. The length is taken as the straight line dimension between the initiation and termination of the concave shape along the particular lateral edge. The concave shape can have a maximum depth of between about 0.5 and 6 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 3 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 2 mm, or about 1.5 mm, or any other range or particular value that is within any of these ranges. The maximum depth is measured orthogonal to a line connecting the initiation and termination of the concave shape along the particular lateral edge having such concave shape. The concave shape can be generally rounded and without sharp edges. Along the concave shape, there can be one or more finger indents 300.

The concave shape can comprise between about 60% and about 100% of the one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290. The concave shape can comprise between about 70% and about 90% of the one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290. The concave shape can comprise about 80% and about 100% of the one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290, or any other range or particular value that is a whole number within any of these ranges. The concave shape can comprise more than about 50% of one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290. The concave shape can comprise more than about 65% of one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290. The concave shape can comprise more than about 80% of one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290. The concave shape can comprise more than about 90% of one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290.

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the drip tray 200 can be flipped over to orient the surface irregularities 250 towards the stain to be pre-treated. The finger indents 300 can have a lateral size between about 5 mm and about 30 mm, the lateral size being taken as the maximum dimension across a particular finger indent 300 in a direction generally aligned with the lateral edge in which the finger indent 300 resides. The finger indents 300 can have a lateral size between about 15 mm and about 25 mm. The finger indents 300 can have a lateral size between about 20 mm and about 25 mm. The finger indents 300 can have a lateral size of about 21 mm. The finger indents 300 can have a depth of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, or between about 1 mm and 2 mm, or any other range or particular value that is a whole number within any of these ranges, the depth being taken as the maximum dimension of a particular finger indent 300 in a direction generally orthogonal with the lateral edge in which the finger indent 300 resides. The finger indents 300 can have a depth of about 2.5 mm.

It can be practical to have the finger indents 300 on opposing lateral edges to minor one another, to provide for convenient use of either the first region 285 or second region 290 of the surface irregularities 250.

To provide for simplicity of manufacture, the main body 210 and the surface irregularities 250 can be integrally formed with one another. That is, these two portions of the drip tray 200 are formed at the same time. The drip tray 200 shown in FIG. 2 can be manufactured in a single injection molding step to form the main body 210 and the surface irregularities 250 such that they are integrally formed with one another.

As shown in FIG. 2, it can be practical to provide the drip tray 200 with surface irregularities 250 in the first region 285 that differ in structure from the surface irregularities 250 in the second region 290. By differ in structure, it is meant that the three dimensional shape of the surface irregularities 250 differs by contour and or scale. For instance, the surface irregularities in the second region 290 can be larger than the surface irregularities in the first region 285. Different sizes of surface irregularities 250 can be practical for pre-treating different types and sizes of stains. For large stains have significant agglomeration, large surface irregularities 250 might be practical for use. For liquid stains, small surface irregularities 250 might be practical for use.

The surface irregularities 250 in the first region 285 may differ from the surface irregularities 250 in the second region 290 in that the surface irregularities 250 in first region 285 may have rounded apexes and the surface irregularities in the second region 290 may have sharp apexes. Surface irregularities 250 having rounded apexes might be practical for pre-treating stains in delicate fabrics such as undergarments. Surface irregularities 250 having sharp apexes might be practical for pre-treating stains in durable fabrics, such as sport uniforms and hunting camouflage. As shown in FIG. 2, the surface irregularities 250 can be protrusions 251 having rounded apexes 252.

The main body 210 can comprise a first material 310 and the surface irregularities 250 can comprise a second material 320, the first material 310 and the second material 320 differing from one another (FIG. 3). For example, the first material 310 can be polypropylene and the second material 320 can be an elastomeric material such as a thermoplastic elastomer. In such an embodiment, it can be practical to have the main body formed by a first material 310 that has a modulus of elasticity that is more than about an order of magnitude greater than the modulus of elasticity of the second material 320. The second material 320 can be a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, rubber, neoprene, and KRATON. The first material 310 can be a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, and styro lacrylintrol.

The first material 310 and the second material 320 can differ from one another by a property selected from the group consisting of modulus of elasticity, chemical composition,

Shore A hardness, color, and combinations thereof. Shore A Hardness is measured following ASTM D2240 on a material of the same composition as the material being evaluated. A drip tray 200 comprising surface irregularities 250 comprised of a second material 320 and the main body 210 comprised of first material 310 can be formed by a two shot injection molding process, with the second material 320 and the first material 310 delivered to the mold in separate shots. In one embodiment, the second material 320 can comprise polypropylene, rubber, neoprene, and/or KRATON. In one embodiment, the first material 310 can be high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, or styro lacrylintrol.

In one embodiment, the second material 320 can have a softer feel to the user than the first material 310, as might be indicated by a lower Shore A hardness or lower modulus of elasticity. The first material 310 can be selected to provide for acceptable overall structural stability of the drip tray 200 during packaging, storing, shipping, and display of the drip tray 200 and during use of the drip tray 200 by the consumer to pre-treat stains. A more readily deformable second material 320 might provide for scrubbing surface that is gentler on the fabric being treated than a scrubbing surface formed of the first material 310 and may not damage the fabric being treated. The second material 320 can have a Shore A hardness between about 20 and about 80. The second material 320 can have a Shore A hardness of between about 40 and about 60. The second material 320 can have a Shore A hardness that is less than about 80% of the Shore A hardness of first material 310 forming the main body 210 of the drip tray 200.

Providing the first material 310 and the second material 320 in two different colors can help the consumer quickly identify what part of the drip tray 200 is engineered to be used for scrubbing the stain. Providing the first material 310 and the second material 320 to have different chemical composition can yield a drip tray 200 for which different parts of the drip tray 200 are designed to provide for different functions, such as one part of the drip tray 200 being practical and durable for scrubbing a stain and another part of the drip tray 200 providing for structural stability and a convenient location to place a dosing cup 10.

The color of the first material 310 and second material 320 are measured by the reflectance spectrophotometer according to the colors L*, a*, and b* values.

The color difference is calculated using the L*, a*, and b* values by the formula ΔE=[(L*_X.−L*_Y)²+(a*_x.−a*_Y)²+(b*_X−b*_Y)²]^1/2. Herein, the ‘X’ in the equation represents the first material and ‘Y’ represents the second material, X and Y cannot be the same two points of measurement at the same time. For any particular comparison of the difference in color, the location of X the location of Y.

Reflectance color is measured using the Hunter Lab LabScan XE reflectance spectrophotometer obtained from Hunter Associates Laboratory of Reston, Va. A drip tray 200 is tested at an ambient temperature between 18° C. and 24° C. and a relative humidity between 50% and 80%.

The spectrophotometer is set to the CIELab color scale and with a D65 illumination. The Observer is set at 10° and the Mode is set at 45/0°. Area View is set to 0.125″ and Port Size is set to 0.20″. The spectrophotometer is calibrated prior to sample analysis utilizing the black glass and white reference tiles supplied from the vendor with the instrument. Calibration is done according to the manufacturer's instructions as set forth in LabScan XE User's Manual, Manual Version 1.1, August 2001, A60-1010-862. If cleaning is required of the reference tiles or samples, only tissues that do not contain embossing, lotion, or brighteners should be used (e.g., PUFFS tissue). Any sample point on the drip tray 200 containing the color to be analyzed can be selected.

The drip tray 200 is placed over the sample port of the spectrophotometer with a white clamp disk placed behind the drip tray 200.

The drip tray 200 is removed and repositioned so that a minimum of six readings of color of the drip tray 200 are conducted. If possible (e.g., the size of the imparted color on the element in question does not limit the ability to have six discretely different, non-overlapping sample points), each of the readings is to be performed at a substantially different region on the externally visible surface so that no two sample points overlap. If the size of the portion of the drip tray 200 comprising the first material 310 or second material 320 requires overlapping of sample points, only six samples should be taken with the sample points selected to minimize overlap between any two sample points. The readings are averaged to yield the reported L*, a*, and b* values for a specified color on an externally visible surface of an element.

The first material 310 and second material 320 are considered to have different colors if ΔE is greater than about 1.

The entire drip tray 200 or any portion thereof can be formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The entire drip tray 200 or any portion thereof can be formed of FLINTHILLS AP5520HA, available from Flint Hills Resources, LP, Wichita, Kans., U.S.A. The surface irregularities 250 can be comprised of VERSAFLEX 9500, available from GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, McHenry, Ill., U.S.A. The first material 210 can be comprised of FLINTHILLS AP5520HA, available from Flint Hills Resources, LP, Wichita, Kans., U.S.A. The second material 320 can be comprised of VERSAFLEX 9500, available from GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, McHenry, Ill., U.S.A.

The surface irregularities 250 can be structures selected from the group consisting of ribs, nubs, bristles, fibers, and combinations thereof. Ribs 352 are a plurality of elongated elevated portions with intermittently disposed elongated recessed portions that are depressed relative to the elevated portions. Ribs 352 can be, for example, a plurality of adjacent grooves etched or molded in a substrate and can be a plurality of adjacent ridges. Ribs 352 can be formed in a substrate, for example, by etching a plurality of adjacent grooves in the substrate, by molding the substrate to leave behind a plurality of adjacent grooves, and by molding the substrate to leave behind a plurality of adjacent ridges. Ribs 352 can have any desired cross sectional shape including straight edged and rounded. Ribs 352 can be curved along their length. Ribs 352 are thought to provide for a bumpy topography that can effectively scrub and massage the fabric being pre-treated.

Nubs 354 are generally two-dimensionally symmetric features that are elevated relative to adjacent portions. Nubs 354 can be, by way of non-limiting examples, elevated portions having a shape of a portion of a hemisphere and elevated portions having a shape of a cylinder having a height H less than half the diameter D. Nubs 354 are thought to provide for a bumpy topography that can effectively scrub and massage the fabric.

Bristles 356, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are filaments having an aspect ratio of height H to diameter D greater than about 0.5. The diameter D is determined at the base of the bristle which is the location from which the bristle 356 extends from main body 210. The height H of the bristle 356 is measured orthogonal to the surface from which the base of the bristle 356 extends with the bristle 356 extended orthogonally from the surface from which the base of the bristle 356 extends. Bristles 356 can have a self sustaining shape when extended from the surface from which the base of the bristle 356 extends. For bristles 356 having a non-cylindrical cross section, the diameter D is taken to be the diameter of a cylinder having the same cross-sectional area as the cross-section area of the bristle 356 at the location from which the bristle 356 extends from the main body 210. The filaments can be discrete filaments. Bristles 356 can be filaments having an aspect ratio of height H to diameter D greater than about 1. Bristles 356 can be filaments having an aspect ratio of height H to diameter D greater than about 0.5. Bristles 356 can be generally columnar bristles 356. Bristles 356 are thought to provide for a rough texture/topography that can effectively scrub and massage the fabric. Bristles 356 can be hollow. Bristles 356 can have a fixed end 256 and a free end 257. Bristles 356 can have a height from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. Bristles 356 can have a height from about 3 mm to about 7 mm. Bristles 356 can have a height less than about 7 mm.

Fibers can be woven, nonwoven, hooked, or looped fibers, for example, and be provided for instance by a woven or nonwoven fibrous web being attached to the main body 210 in the desired location. An inexpensive and easily manufactured embodiment of drip tray 200 can be made by using fibers as the surface irregularities 150. The fibers can be polypropylene nonwoven fibers.

The main body 210 of drip tray 200 can have one of a variety of generally planar shapes. For example, the main body 210 of drip tray 200 can have a generally rectangular shape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The main body 210 of the drip tray 200 can have a generally planar shape selected from the group consisting of substantially circular, substantially rectangular, substantially oval, and substantially square. An embodiment in which the main body 210 of the drip tray 200 has a substantially circular shape is shown in FIG. 5.

The plurality of surface irregularities 250 can project from the second side 230, as shown in FIG. 6. Arranged as such, the surface irregularities 250 can be on the opposite side of the drip tray 200 as the recessed portion 240. Such an arrangement might be practical for keeping the surface irregularities 250 covered to provide for a cleaner side of the drip tray 200 on which the dosing cup 10 might sit and obscure the surface irregularities from view of the consumer when she is not using them. Further, if the consumer picks up the drip tray 200 from the pedestal 20 without flipping the drip tray 200, the surface irregularities 250 will be naturally disposed towards the fabric the consumer might use the drip tray to pre-treat. To accommodate the surface irregularities 250 on the second side 230, the pedestal 20 might be provided with a cut out, pocket, or depression in which the surface irregularities 250 can reside when the recessed portion 240 of the drip tray 200 is oriented towards the pedestal 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drip tray 200 can have a recess 202 in the second side 230 that conformably fits with a protrusion on the pedestal 20 to lock the drip tray 200 in place beneath the press tap dispenser 40. The drip trays 200 shown in FIGS. 1-5 can be provided with such a recess 202 for such purpose. Another alternative for providing for a drip tray 200 that conformably fits with the pedestal 20 is to provide a protrusion on the second side 230 that conformably fits with a recess on the pedestal 20 to lock the drip tray 200 in place beneath the press tap dispenser 40.

The second side 230 of drip tray 200 shown in FIG. 7 is opposite the side of the drip tray 230 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the drip tray 200 can have a recess 202 in the second side 230 that conformably fits with a protrusion on the pedestal 20 to lock the drip tray 200 in place beneath the press tap dispenser 40. The drip trays 200 shown in FIGS. 1-6 can be provided with such a recess 202 for such purpose. Another alternative for providing for a drip tray 200 that conformably fits with the pedestal 20 is to provide a protrusion on the second side 230 that conformably fits with a recess on the pedestal 20 to lock the drip tray 200 in place beneath the press tap dispenser 40.

The second side 230 of drip tray 200 can also have a plurality of finger of indents 300 oriented towards said first side 220. The finger indents 300 located on the second side 230 of drip tray 200 can be generally aligned with surface irregularities 250 on the first side 220. The finger indents 300 can be proximal a location selected from the group consisting of first end 260, second end 270, and combinations thereof. The finger indents 300 on the second side 230, if present, proximal the first end 260 can be generally aligned with the first end 260. The finger indents 300 on the second side 230, if present, proximal the second end 270 can be generally aligned with the second end 270.

Such finger indents 300 can be sized and dimensioned to conform with an adult finger. Finger indents provided on the second side 230 of the drip tray 200 can help the consumer comfortably rub surface irregularities 250 located on the first side 220 against a stain that is being pretreated. For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the consumer can set her index finger, middle finger, and ring finger into the finger indents 300 provided proximal the second end 270 and use her thumb and pinky to grip the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290, respectively. The she can rub surface irregularities 250 that are proximal the second end 270 against a stain to be treated.

In use, finger indents 300 located at one or more of the first end 260 and second end 270 can be employed by the consumer by gripping one of the first lateral edge 280 or second lateral edge 290 with her thumb. Then she can place one or more of her index finger, middle finger, and ring finger in the finger indents 300 located at one or more of the first end 260 and second end 270. At least one of her remaining fingers further from her thumb than any of the fingers she places in the finger indents 300 located at one or more of the first end 260 and second end 270 can then be placed on the second lateral edge 280. In one embodiment, finger indents 300 can be provided along one or both of the first lateral edge 280 and second lateral edge 290 to improve the ergonomics of a grip employed by the consumer to rub the surface irregularities 250 against a stain.

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.

Claims

1. A drip tray comprising:

a main body having a first side and an opposing second side, said first side comprising a land area substantially surrounding a recessed portion, said recessed portion capable of retaining a liquid; and

a plurality of surface irregularities projecting from said main body.

2. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said recessed portion is centrally located in said main body.

3. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of surface irregularities project from said second side.

4. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of surface irregularities project from said first side.

5. A drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said main body extends between a first end and a second end opposing said first end and extends between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge opposing said first lateral edge, wherein said plurality of surface irregularities project from said main body at a location selected from the group consisting of proximal said first end, proximal said second end, and combinations thereof.

6. The drip tray according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of surface irregularities project from said first side.

7. The drip tray according to claim 5, wherein said first lateral edge and said second later edge have a plurality of finger indents, wherein said finger indents are sized and dimensioned to conform with an adult finger.

8. The drip tray according to claim 5, wherein said main body portion comprises a first region comprising said surface irregularities and a second region comprising said surface irregularities and said recessed portion is between said first region and said second region.

9. The drip tray according to claim 8, wherein said surface irregularities in said first region differ in structure from said surface irregularities in said second region.

10. The drip tray according to claim 5, wherein said main body has a generally planar shape selected from the group consisting of substantially circular, substantially rectangular, and substantially square.

11. The drip tray according to claim 5, wherein said surface irregularities are structures selected from the group consisting of ribs, nubs, bristles, fibers, and combinations thereof.

12. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said drip tray conformably fits to a press tap dispenser pedestal.

13. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said surface irregularities are structures selected from the group consisting of ribs, nubs, bristles, fibers, and combinations thereof.

14. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said main body and said surface irregularities are integrally formed with one another.

15. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said main body comprises a first material and said surface irregularities comprise a second material, wherein said first material and said second material differ from one another.

16. The drip tray according to claim 1 further comprising a dosing cup having a base, wherein said base is sized and dimensioned to fit within said recessed portion.

17. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said main body extends between a first end and a second end opposing said first end and extends between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge opposing said first lateral edge, wherein said plurality of surface irregularities project from said main body at a location selected from the group consisting of proximal said first end, proximal said second end, and combinations thereof, wherein one or both of said first lateral edge and said second lateral edge are concavely shaped with an overall concavity that is sized and dimensioned to conform with a portion of a palm of an adult human hand.

18. The drip tray according to claim 1, wherein said main body extends between a first end and a second end opposing said first end and extends between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge opposing said first lateral edge, wherein said plurality of surface irregularities project from said first side of said main body at a location selected from the group consisting of proximal said first end, proximal said second end, and combinations thereof, wherein said second side of said drip tray has a plurality of finger indents at a location selected from the group consisting of said first end, said second end, and combinations thereof, wherein said finger indents are sized and dimensioned to conform with an adult finger.

19. A method for pre-treating a stain in a fabric using a drip tray comprising the steps of applying a liquid laundry detergent to a stain in an article of clothing and rubbing said stain with a portion of said drip tray, wherein said drip tray has a main body having a first side and an opposing second side and a plurality of surface irregularities projecting from said main body.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of dispensing said liquid laundry detergent into a dosing cup and applying said liquid laundry detergent to said stain with said dosing cup.