Deformable Container
A deformable container that is suitable for dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher. The container defines an interior volume for a fluid, and includes an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume. A portion of the container is deformable upon reaching a predetermined temperature to reduce the size of the interior volume for forcing the fluid out from the container via the outlet. A seal at the outlet is openable by the fluid forced from the interior volume when the size of the interior volume is reduced to control the escape of fluid from the container.
The present invention relates to a deformable container, in particular a deformable container suitable for dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher.
BACKGROUNDIt is known that automatic dishwashers require intermittent cleaning to remove residues, such as limescale, which may have built up in the machine over time. Typically, such residues are removed by operating the automatic dishwasher with a container inside of it which contains dishwasher machine cleaner. During the operation of the dishwasher, the heat generated inside of the dishwasher causes the dishwasher machine cleaner from the container to be dispensed into the dishwasher to remove the residues. After operation of the dishwasher, the container is removed from the cleaned dishwasher, and the container then disposed of.
Dishwasher machine cleaner formulations typically include, but are not limited to: water; acidifiers such as citric acid; builders such as HEDP; non-ionic surfactants; and hydrotropes such as sodium cumenesulphonate. Further information on dishwasher machine cleaner formulations is contained within WO 2007/060439, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
WO 2009/095638 describes an existing container for use in dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher. The container therein disclosed has a wax closure at one end. When the container is placed in the dishwasher with the wax closure facing down and the dishwasher then operated, heat generated inside the dishwasher causes the wax plug to melt allowing dishwasher cleaner inside the container to be dispensed.
The number of components which make up the container from WO 2009/095638 (including the main bottle; the wax seal; and the screw-cap) make this container difficult and time-consuming to produce. There is the need, therefore, for an improved container for dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher which is simpler to manufacture, and easier to produce.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deformable container, the container defining an interior volume for a fluid, and comprising an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume, and a first seal at the outlet;
wherein a portion of the container, upon being heated to a predetermined temperature, is caused by the heat to deform to reduce the size of the interior volume for causing the fluid from the interior volume to open the first seal and pass out from the container via the outlet.
The present invention thus provides a deformable container with few components, and which is easy and cheap to manufacture. Since the size of the container is reduced during use, this also makes the container easier to dispose of once used.
In its most general form, the deformable container is adaptable for use in any heated environment where fluid requires dispensing at a predetermined temperature.
Where the deformable container is intended for use in an automatic dishwasher or a washing machine, preferably the predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-75° C., more preferably 65° C.-75° C.
Preferably, the first seal is operable to open, and the size of the interior volume is operable to partially reduce, at a first predetermined temperature; and the size of the interior volume is operable to further reduce at a second predetermined temperature which is higher than the first predetermined temperature. In such cases, the first predetermined temperature may be between 50° C.-55° C., and the second predetermined temperature between 65° C.-75° C.
To prevent the container from prematurely leaking any fluid through the outlet, preferably the container further comprises a frangible seal at the outlet. Preferably the frangible seal is operable to be snapped off or torn off by the user just prior to the container being placed in a heated environment.
Preferably, the first seal is linear, rather than curved, to improve the flow of fluid through the seal.
To further control the escape of fluid from outlet, preferably the container further comprises a plurality of corrugated channels which do not substantially reduce in size when the container reaches the predetermined temperature. Preferably the plurality of corrugated channels are located downstream of the first seal.
The container may comprise a rib which is not substantially deformable when the container reaches the predetermined temperature. Preferably, the rib extends around a circumference of the interior volume. The rib helps to retain the structure of the deformable container at the predetermined temperature, and works with the deformable portions from the container to help guide fluid out of the container when it is deformed.
When the container comprises a rib, the container may comprise an interior volume comprising substantially no sharp edges in a region that is distal to the outlet and that is adjacent the rib. The amount of permissible sharpness in these edges will depend on the size of the container. Preferably however, such edges should have a radius of curvature of at least 3 mm.
Preferably, the container comprises a region proximal to the outlet which defines a concave indentation for assisting with the removal of fluid from the container when the container reaches the predetermined temperature, wherein the concave indentation defines a flow path for the fluid to the outlet which decreases in cross-section towards the outlet.
In some cases, the interior volume from the container may comprise a plurality of smaller volumes which are fluidly isolated from each other prior to the container reaching the predetermined temperature. This arrangement allows, for example, two incompatible liquids which require separation from each other prior to use, to be kept separated until the point when the container is deformed.
Particularly in situations where the deformable container is intended for use in an automatic dishwasher or a washing machine, preferably the interior volume is less than or equal to 300 ml prior to the container reaching the predetermined temperature.
The size of the interior volume is preferably operable to reduce by between 70%-90% when the container reaches the predetermined temperature.
The reduction in the size of the interior volume may be achieved by a portion of the container which expands into the interior volume when the container is at the predetermined temperature. Preferably however, the reduction in the size of the interior volume is achieved by the portion of the container being made of a material comprising, or consisting of, a shape-memory material, such as a shape-memory alloy or a shape-memory polymer. An example of a suitable shape-memory polymer is PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
The first seal may comprise a filleted/chamfered edge which is exposed to the interior volume for assisting with the opening of the first seal when the container is heated to the predetermined temperature. In this way, when the container is heated to the predetermined temperature, any fluid in the interior volume of the container is able to exert a peeling force on the filleted/chamfered edge to help peel the first seal open.
As mentioned previously, preferably the container is for application of a liquid detergent to the interior of an automatic dishwasher. In such cases, the liquid detergent is preferably a dishwasher machine cleaner.
To assist with the mounting of the container when it is used in an automatic dishwasher, preferably the container comprises an attachment means for attaching the container to the interior of an automatic dishwasher. In such cases, and where the container additionally comprises a rib, the attachment means is preferably located on the rib.
Preferably, the interior volume contains a dishwasher machine cleaner formulation.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a deformable container according to the first aspect in an automatic dishwasher.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dispensing a fluid from a deformable container defining an interior volume containing the fluid, and comprising an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume, and a first seal at the outlet, the method comprising the steps of:
placing the container in a heated environment;
heating the container in the heated environment to a predetermined temperature;
wherein upon the container being heated to the predetermined temperature; a portion of the container is caused by the heat to deform to reduce the size of the interior volume for causing the fluid from the interior volume to open the first seal and pass out from the container via the outlet.
In this method, preferably the seal opens, and the size of the interior volume partially reduces, at a first predetermined temperature; and the size of the interior volume further reduces at a second predetermined temperature which is higher than the first predetermined temperature. In this case, the first predetermined temperature may be between 50° C.-55° C., and the second predetermined temperature may be between 65° C.-75° C.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a deformable container defining an interior volume for a fluid, and comprising an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume, and a first seal at the outlet, the method comprising the steps of:
passing two adjacent sheets of material together through a plurality of sequential heated dies such that the heated dies shape the sheets of material into the shape of the deformable container.
In this method, preferably the plurality of sequential heated dies comprises a first set of heated dies and a second set of heated dies; and preferably the method comprises the steps of:
passing the two adjacent sheets of material together through the first set of dies to shape the adjacent sheets of material into a partly formed container comprising the interior volume;
injecting fluid into the interior volume of the partly formed container; and
passing the partly formed container containing the fluid through the second set of dies to shape the partly formed container into the deformable container.
The invention will now be described, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
With reference in particular to
Prior to use, the top ends of the plurality of channels 30 are covered by a frangible seal 35 which is operable, in use, to be snapped off or torn off by the user along a fault line 40 extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of the corrugated channels 30.
Located between the bottom end of the plurality of channels 30 and the interior volume 15 is a fluid-actuated seal 45. The fluid actuated seal 45 extends across the entire width of the parallel corrugated channels 30 and preferably extends in a linear direction 46 which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the corrugated channels 30.
In an example the fluid-actuated seal has a width, defined by the distance between the corrugated channels 30 and the interior volume 15, between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, for example 1.8 mm to 2.2 mm. The seal width may be 1.5 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.3 mm, 2.5 mm and/or 2.6 mm. The fluid-actuated seal may have a uniform width or the width of the fluid-actuated seal may vary, for example the fluid-actuated seal may have an area with a smaller seal width to provide a non-uniform seal strength.
In the example illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
The fluid-actuated seal may also have a chamfered edge. As illustrated in
Each of the first and second smaller region 20;25 comprises a front side wall 50 and a rear side wall 55 which are deformable when heated to a predetermined temperature. A strengthening rib 60, which does not substantially deform when heated to this predetermined temperature, and which preferably has a greater thickness than the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55, extends around the side and top portions of the interior volume 15 to provide rigidity to the container 10 at the predetermined temperature.
A partitioning rib 65, having similar properties to the strengthening rib 60, extends from the fluid-actuated seal 45 to the bottom of the container 10 to isolate the first smaller region 20 from the second smaller region 25.
A fluid port 80 is provided at the top of each the first and second smaller region 20;25 to allow fluid to be inserted therein during the forming process of the container 10 as will be described.
The container 10 is also provided with attachment means, shown in
Operation of the container 10 shown in
Initially, a user grips the container and snaps off the frangible seal 35 along the fault line 40 (see
Once the outlet 70 is formed, the container 10 is then inverted and placed between the supports of a dishwasher tray, as shown in
The dishwasher is then operated with the container 10 located inside.
As the interior of the dishwasher heats up, the heat generated within the dishwasher causes the deformable container to heat up. In the case of a container made of PET, once the container reaches a temperature of approximately 50° C.-55° C., the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 of the container deform slightly inwardly. The initial deformation of these side walls 50;55 causes the size of the first and second smaller region 20;25 to reduce, which increases the pressure of the fluid contained within these regions 20;25.
The increased pressure of the fluid exerts a pressure on the fluid-actuated seal 45 which forces it to peel open, allowing an initial portion of the fluid from the container 10 to pass through the channels 30 and out the outlet 70 into the dishwasher.
As the interior temperature inside the dishwasher continues to increase towards the intended operating temperature of the dishwasher, typically around 65° C.-75° C., the increase in temperature causes further inward deformation of the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 of the container 10 such that the container is deformed into a flattened state as shown in the images of
It will be seen from
The extent to which fluid is forced out from the first and second smaller region 20;25 depends on the shape of the first and second smaller region 20;25, and the extent to which the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55, which are made of a shaped-memory polymer, inwardly deform when they are heated to the predetermined temperature.
To improve the extent to which fluid inside the first and second smaller region 20;25 is drawn towards the channels 30, the regions of the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 which are away from the outlet 70 and which are proximal to the strengthening rib 60 and the partitioning ribs 65 should comprise no sharp edges, since these sharp edges when deformed can create narrow capillaries which retain fluid inside the first and second smaller region 20;25, even after these regions 20;25 have deformed. To minimize such fluid retention inside the first and second smaller region 20;25, preferably the regions of the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 which are proximal to the strengthening rib 60 and the partitioning ribs 65 comprise a fillet 90.
To further improve the extent to which fluid inside the first and second smaller region 20;25 is drawn towards the channels 30, each of the front side wall 50 and the rear side wall 55 may comprise a concave indentation 75 in a region proximal to the channels 30 and the outlet 70 which decreases in cross-section towards the outlet, and which does not deform when heated.
Having the fluid-actuated seal 45 formed in a straight line, rather than as a curve, also results in improved transfer of fluid from the first and second smaller region 20;25 through to the channels 30.
To illustrate how the shape of the first and second smaller regions 20;25 affects how these regions deform and expel fluid when heated,
Although the deformable container shown in the Figures has been described as being suitable for dispensing dishwasher machine cleaner in an automatic dishwasher, it will be appreciated that the container may be modified for use in any situation where a fluid requires dispensing in an environment only when the temperature of the environment reaches a predetermined level. One such situation includes dispensing detergent inside a washing machine.
The choice of shape-memory polymer for the deformable portions of the container 10 will depend on the intended application for the container 10. When used inside a dishwasher, the deformable portions of the container 10 are preferably predominately made of a shape-memory polymer which has a glass transition temperature (TG) in the region of the operating temperature inside a dishwasher. Accordingly, for use inside a dishwasher, the selected shape-memory polymer should have a glass transition temperature of between 50° C.-75° C. PET is one such suitable shape-memory polymer.
Once the choice of shape-memory polymer has been made for the container 10, manufacture of the container 10 is achieved by heating the container above its glass transition temperature and then shaping the container in these conditions, for instance in a thermoforming process or a stretch blow moulding process, into a stressed shape. Importantly, the portions of the container that are stressed in the forming process are the portions of the container that are intended to be deformed in use of the container. These portions include the front side wall 50 and a rear side wall 55; but not the partitioning rib 65, the strengthening rib 60, or the concave indentations 75. Once the stressed shape is achieved the container 10 is constrained in this stressed shape and simultaneously cooled back below its glass transition temperature. Once cooled, the container 10 is set in the stressed shape, which is the shape shown in
When the container 10 is subsequently heated above its glass transition temperature in use, e.g. inside a dishwasher, the container 10 is allowed to revert to a shape which is less stressed. This less stressed shape corresponds to the shape of the container when it is inwardly deformed.
From the above, it will be appreciated that how the container 10 is manufactured, and placed in a stressed shape, affects the extent to which the container inwardly deforms when it is heated to the predetermined temperature. It will therefore be appreciated by the skilled person that the exact material selected (together with its associated glass transition temperature) for the container, and the particular manufacturing conditions used to shape the container in its stressed shape, will thus vary depending on the intended application for the container.
The forming process used to create the container 10 can be performed in a number of different ways, as required, to allow for fluid to be inserted into of each the first and second smaller region 20;25. In one forming process, the container 10 is formed by passing two adjacent sheets of material through a series of sequential heated dies, wherein each heated die operates to partly shape the sheets of material into the shape of the container 10. In one operation, the adjacent sheets of material are passed through a first set of heated dies such that the sheets form the container 10 but without its fluid ports 80 sealed. From this partly-formed state, the partly-formed container is placed in an upright position and fluid is then inserted into each of the first and second smaller regions 20;25 via the unsealed fluid ports 80. Once the container is filled, the partly-formed container is passed through a further set of heated dies to seal the fluid ports 80 such to seal the fluid inside the first and second smaller regions 20;25, and such to create the container 10.
In relation to the faces of the portions of the heated dies which form the adjacent sheets of material into the strengthening rib 60, and any partitioning rib 65, preferably these faces are textured, such as corrugated. In this way, when these faces from the heated dies contact the portions of material which form the strengthening rib 60 (and any partitioning rib 65), the die faces deform these portions of material such they share a greater area of contact compared with if they were formed using non-textured die faces. This additional contact area improves the sealing properties of the strengthening rib 60 and the partitioning rib 65.
It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the container herein described. For instance, it will be appreciated that rather than the interior volume of the container being made of two isolated regions 20;25, the interior volume may be separated into any number of such regions (including only one) depending on the number of partitioning ribs 65 (if any) used.
The size of the container 10 and its interior volume 15 may also vary depending on the intended application for the container 10. When being used to hold dishwasher machine cleaner, the interior volume may ideally hold no more than 300 ml, preferably no more than 250 ml, and further preferably no more than 200 ml, of dishwasher machine cleaner.
The dimensions of the container may also vary depending on the intended application for the container 10. When being intended for use in an automatic dishwasher, the maximum height of the container may be approximately 135 mm, the maximum width of the container approximately 150 mm, and the maximum depth of the container approximately 35 mm.
The reduction in size of the interior volume need not necessarily be achieved using a shape-memory material. A similar reduction in size may be achieved using a bag-in-box type container as shown in
In operation of the container 100 shown in
Claims
1. A deformable container defining an interior volume for a fluid comprising:
- an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume;
- a first seal at the outlet; and
- a deformable portion of the container;
- wherein upon subject to heat at a first predetermined temperature, the deformable portion of the container reduces the size of the interior volume; and
- wherein the reduction in size of the interior volume is such that if a volume of fluid were contained in the interior volume of the container prior to deformation, upon deformation of the deformable portion of the container, at least a portion of fluid from the interior volume would cause the first seal to open, and thereafter at least a portion of fluid would pass out from the container via the outlet.
2. The deformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a volume of fluid contained in the interior volume of the container;
- wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-75° C.
3. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the first seal is operable to open; and
- wherein upon subject to heat at a second predetermined temperature which is higher than the first predetermined temperature, the deformable portion of the container further reduces the size of the interior volume.
4. The deformable container according to claim 3 further comprising a volume of fluid contained in the interior volume of the container;
- wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-55° C.; and
- wherein the second predetermined temperature is between 65° C.-75° C.
5. The deformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a frangible seal at the outlet.
6. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the first seal is linear.
7. The deformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of corrugated channels which do not substantially reduce in size when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature.
8. The deformable container according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of corrugated channels are located downstream of the first seal.
9. The deformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a rib which is not substantially deformable when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature.
10. The deformable container according to claim 9, wherein the rib extends around a circumference of the interior volume.
11. The deformable container according to claim 10, wherein the interior volume comprises no sharp edges in a region that is distal to the outlet and that is adjacent the rib.
12. The deformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a region proximal to the outlet which defines a concave indentation for assisting with the removal of fluid from the container when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature; and
- wherein the concave indentation defines a flow path for the fluid to the outlet which decreases in cross-section towards the outlet.
13. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the interior volume comprises two or more smaller volumes which are fluidly isolated from each other prior to the container reaching the first predetermined temperature.
14. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the interior volume is less than or equal to 300 ml prior to the container reaching the first predetermined temperature.
15. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the size of the interior volume is operable to reduce by between 70%-90% when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature.
16. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion of the container is made of a shape-memory material.
17. The deformable container according to claim 16, wherein the shape-memory material is a shape-memory polymer.
18. The deformable container according to claim 17, wherein the shape-memory polymer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.
19. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the first seal is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene.
20. The deformable container according to claim 1, wherein the first seal comprises a filleted/chamfered edge which is exposed to the interior volume for assisting with the opening of the first seal when the container is heated to the first predetermined temperature.
21. The deformable container according to claim 2, wherein the fluid comprises an automatic dishwasher liquid detergent.
22. The deformable container according to claim 21, wherein the automatic dishwasher liquid detergent is a dishwasher machine cleaner.
23. The deformable container according to claim 21 further comprising an attachment configured for attaching the container to the interior of an automatic dishwasher.
24. The deformable container according to claim 23 further comprising a rib which is not substantially deformable when the container reaches the first predetermined temperature;
- wherein the attachment is located on the rib.
25. The deformable container according to claim 1 further comprising a volume of fluid contained in the interior volume of the container;
- wherein the fluid comprises a dishwasher machine cleaner formulation.
26. (canceled)
27. A method for dispensing a fluid from a deformable container defining an interior volume containing a volume of the fluid, the container including an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume and a first seal at the outlet, the method comprising:
- heating the container to a first predetermined temperature;
- wherein upon a deformable portion of the container being heated to the first predetermined temperature, the size of the interior volume is reduced such that a portion of the fluid from the interior volume opens the first seal and passes out from the container via the outlet.
28. The method according to claim 27 further comprising heating the container to a second predetermined temperature;
- wherein the size of the interior volume partially reduces at the first predetermined temperature; and
- wherein the size of the interior volume further reduces at the second predetermined temperature which is higher than the first predetermined temperature.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the first predetermined temperature is between 50° C.-55° C.; and
- wherein the second predetermined temperature is between 65° C.-75° C.
30. A method of manufacturing a deformable container defining an interior volume for a fluid, the container including an outlet fluidly connected to the interior volume and a first seal at the outlet, the method comprising passing two adjacent sheets of material together through sequential heated dies such that the heated dies shape the sheets of material into the shape of the deformable container.
31. The method according to claim 30 further comprising injecting fluid into the interior volume of a partly formed container;
- wherein the sequential heated dies comprises a first set of heated dies and a second set of heated dies;
- wherein passing two adjacent sheets of material together comprises: passing the two adjacent sheets of material together through the first set of dies to shape the adjacent sheets of material into the partly formed container comprising the interior volume; passing the partly formed container containing the injected fluid through the second set of dies to shape the partly formed container into the deformable container.
32. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 21, 2017
Publication Date: Mar 28, 2019
Inventors: Krzysztof Krajewski (Schiphol), Rainer Link (Heidelberg), Luca Monti (Mira)
Application Number: 16/095,301