Processes

Abstract

The present invention provides for a method of dosing treating agents into a washing machine in particular sequences so that only one treating agent is dosed at one time. This avoids interaction of incompatible treating agents as well as provide for better cleaning as now one treating agent can perform without interference from other treating agents typically found in washing machines.

1 . A method of dispensing a plurality of treating compositions into a multistage automatic washing machine comprising operating a cartridge in the machine, the cartridge comprising at least two chambers, each chamber containing a treating composition, wherein the chambers are activated in a manner such that only one chamber is activated and one treating composition, is dosed during each stage of the washing cycle.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of cartridges are provided within the automatic washing machine.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chambers of the cartridge contain a plurality of treating compositions.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the chambers of the cartridge contain a plurality of treating compositions.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein each treating composition differs from the other treating compositions.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each treating composition differs from the other treating compositions.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge comprises 4 chambers.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge comprises a chamber suitable for activation in a pre-rinse segment, which contains an enzymatic detergent treating composition.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge comprises a chamber suitable for activation in a wash segment, which contains a hypohalite/peroxygen detergent treating composition.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge comprises a chamber suitable for activation in a rinse segment, which contains a rinse agent treating composition.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge comprises a chamber suitable for activation in a treatment segment, which contains an anti-lime agent or a water treatment agent treating composition.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in operation the cartridge interacts with a sensor within the automatic washing machine, the sensor sensing a parameter of the automatic washing machine wash liquor and conveying the parameter back to the cartridge, influencing the operation of a cartridge chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor senses the hardness of the water in the automatic washing machine wash liquor.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor senses the soil loading of the water in the automatic dishwasher machine wash liquor.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensor senses the amount to which the automatic washing machine has been loaded with house ware to be washed.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein in operation the cartridge interacts with a sensor within the automatic washing machine, the sensor sensing a parameter of the automatic washing machine wash liquor and conveying the parameter back to the cartridge, influencing the operation of a cartridge chamber.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor senses the hardness of the water in the automatic washing machine wash liquor.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor senses the soil loading of the water in the automatic dishwasher machine wash liquor.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the sensor senses the amount to which the automatic washing machine has been loaded with house ware to be washed.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the automatic washing machine is an automatic dishwashing machine.