Detergent Dispensing and Pre-Treatment Cap

Abstract

A detergent dispensing cap for pre-treating a stained fabric. The cap can have a pour volume sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of the detergent composition. A portion of the cap can be provided with surface irregularities for scrubbing a stain.

1 . A cap for dispensing a detergent composition, said cap comprising:
 a base having a base interior and a base exterior opposing said base interior, said base interior having a periphery; and   a vessel wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposing said interior surface, said vessel wall extending from said periphery to a rim, said interior surface and said base interior defining a pour volume, said base interior forming a closed end of said pour volume;   wherein said cap is releasably attachable by a pressure fitting to a container and detachable there from, said container containing a detergent composition; and   wherein said cap further comprises a plurality of first surface irregularities at a location selected from the group consisting of on said rim, said exterior surface, said base exterior, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said rim has a weir. 
     
     
         3 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said rim has a weir generally aligned with said first surface irregularities. 
     
     
         4 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface irregularities are structures selected from the group consisting of rings, ribs, nubs, bristles, fibers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface irregularities comprise a first material and another portion of said cap next to said first material comprises a second material, wherein said first material and said second material differ from one another in chemical composition. 
     
     
         6 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface irregularities comprise a first material and another portion of said cap next to said first material comprises a second material, wherein said first material and said second material are measured by a Hunter Reflectance Meter test according to the colors L*, a*, and b*, the L*, a*, and b*, wherein said first material has a color difference, the color difference being 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 , wherein said ΔE between said first material and said second material is at least about 1. 
     
     
         7 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein a pouring ledge having an aperture there through extends from said vessel wall or rim, wherein said aperture is generally aligned with said first surface irregularities. 
     
     
         8 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein a pouring ledge extends from said vessel wall or rim and an aperture is in said vessel wall between said pouring ledge and said base, wherein said aperture is generally aligned with said first surface irregularities. 
     
     
         9 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface irregularities comprise bristles 
     
     
         10 . The cap of  claim 9 , wherein said bristles are generally columnar bristles having an aspect ratio greater than about 0.5. 
     
     
         11 . The cap of  claim 9 , wherein said bristles are generally columnar bristles having an aspect ratio greater than about 1. 
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 9 , wherein said bristles are hollow bristles. 
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface irregularities are on said exterior surface and said first surface irregularities comprise bristles. 
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein said bristles are generally columnar bristles having an aspect ratio greater than about 0.5. 
     
     
         15 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein said bristles are generally columnar bristles having an aspect ratio greater than about 1. 
     
     
         16 . The cap of  claim 13 , wherein said bristles are hollow bristles. 
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein said pour volume is sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of said detergent composition. 
     
     
         18 . A method employing the cap of  claim 1  for pre-treating a clothing article having a stained portion comprising the steps of:
 removing said cap from a container containing a detergent composition; 
 pouring a volume of said detergent composition from said container into said cap; 
 applying at least a portion of said volume to a stained portion of said stained clothing article; 
 scrubbing said stained portion with a portion of said cap; and 
 reengaging said cap with said container containing said detergent composition. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method employing the cap of  claim 1  for pre-treating a clothing article having a stained portion comprising the steps of:
 removing said cap from a container containing a detergent composition; 
 dispensing a volume of said detergent composition from said container into said cap; 
 applying at least a portion of said volume to a stained portion of said stained clothing article; 
 scrubbing said stained portion with a portion of said cap; and 
 placing said cap in a drum of a washing machine. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method employing the cap of  claim 1  for pre-treating a clothing article having a stained portion comprising the steps of:
 removing said cap from a container containing a detergent composition; 
 dispensing a volume of said detergent composition from said container into said cap; 
 applying at least a portion of said volume to a stained portion of said stained clothing article; 
 scrubbing said stained portion with a portion of said cap; and 
 placing said cap in a drum of a washing machine; 
 wherein said first surface irregularities comprise a first material and another portion of said cap next to said first material comprises a second material, wherein said first material and said second material differ from one another in chemical composition.