Abstract: A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine has a cartridge, a selecting mechanism, an operating mechanism, and a thermal element. The cartridge includes a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition. The selecting mechanism selectively exposes each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber. The operating mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating mechanism. The thermal element retains the operating means in the second position and is arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the washing machine during a wash cycle, thereby the thermal element moves or releases the operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is arranged to advance the selecting mechanism to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.

Abstract: A free standing detergent dispensing device removably insertable into an automatic washing machine, the device comprising a cartridge having a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a directing means to direct wash liquor selectively into a chamber of a cartridge to contact the detergent composition therein, wherein the directing means is movable relatively to the cartridge to bring an opening in the directing means selectively into alignment with an inlet opening in each chamber.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine, the device having a cartridge with a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a selecting means to selectively expose each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber; a manual operating means being movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating means, and a thermal element to retain the operating means in the second position, the thermal element being arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the machine during a wash cycle, thereby moving the operating means or releasing the operating means, the operating means being arranged to advance the selecting means to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.

Abstract: A detergent composition comprises an MGDA containing particulate material. The MGDA particulate is at least partially coated with a coating of a water soluble/dispersible material having a melting point of less than 100° C. The coating material exhibits a pH of greater than or equal to 7 in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine, the device having a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a selecting means to selectively expose each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber; a manual operating means being movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating means, and a return motion prevention means to retain the operating means in the second position, the return motion prevention means being arranged to move when subjected to a condition prevailing in an interior of the machine during a wash cycle, thereby moving the operating means to the first position or releasing the operating means to return to the first position during a single wash cycle; the operating means being arranged to move the selecting means and cartridge relatively to one another to advance the selecting means to an adjacent chamber as it moves

Abstract: A free standing detergent dispensing device removably insertable into an automatic washing machine, the device comprising a cartridge having a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a directing means to direct wash liquor selectively into a chamber of a cartridge to contact the detergent composition therein, wherein the directing means is movable relatively to the cartridge to bring an opening in the directing means selectively into alignment with an inlet opening in each chamber.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine, the device having a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a selecting means to selectively expose each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber; a manual operating means being movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating means, and a return motion prevention means to retain the operating means in the second position, the return motion prevention means being arranged to move when subjected to a condition prevailing in an interior of the machine during a wash cycle, thereby moving the operating means to the first position or releasing the operating means to return to the first position during a single wash cycle; the operating means being arranged to move the selecting means and cartridge relatively to one another to advance the selecting means to an adjacent chamber as it moves

Abstract: A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine, the device having a cartridge with a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a selecting means to selectively expose each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber; a manual operating means being movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating means, and a thermal element to retain the operating means in the second position, the thermal element being arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the machine during a wash cycle, thereby moving the operating means or releasing the operating means, the operating means being arranged to advance the selecting means to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing device for an automatic washing machine, the device having a cartridge with a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a selecting means to selectively expose each chamber to wash liquor allowing the detergent, in use, to be washed out of the chamber; a manual operating means being movable from a first position to a second position for loading mechanical energy into the device which provides a restoring force for the operating means, and a thermal element to retain the operating means in the second position, the thermal element being arranged to move when subjected to an elevated temperature prevailing in an interior of the machine during a wash cycle, thereby moving the operating means or releasing the operating means, the operating means being arranged to advance the selecting means to an adjacent chamber as the cartridge remains stationary.

Abstract: A free standing detergent dispensing device removably insertable into an automatic washing machine, the device comprising a cartridge having a plurality of chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a directing means to direct wash liquor selectively into a chamber of the cartridge to contact the detergent composition therein and a common outlet from all of the chambers to allow the detergent loaded wash liquor to exit the device, wherein the outlet only permits substantially uni-directional flow.

Abstract: A detergent composition comprises an MGDA containing particulate material. The MGDA particulate is at least partially coated with a coating of a water soluble/dispersible material having a melting point of less than 100° C. The coating material exhibits a pH of greater than or equal to 7 in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A free standing detergent dispensing device removably insertable into an automatic washing machine, the device comprising a cartridge having a plurality of unsealed chambers to accommodate a detergent composition, a directing means to direct wash liquor selectively into a chamber of the cartridge to contact the detergent composition therein, each chamber having an inlet in the form of a tortuous path to obstruct unwanted flow of wash liquor into an unselected chamber.