Dosing and Dispensing Device for Liquid Detergent

Abstract

A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent comprises a hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, an opening in said flexible portion, and means to spread at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric. The opening is (progressively) opened when pressure is applied to said device on a surface to which the liquid detergent is applied. The opening is substantially closed when said pressure stops. The opening comprises a hinge valve.

1 . A dosing and dispensing device for liquid detergent comprising a hollow body having a portion comprising a flexible material, an opening in said flexible portion, and means to spread at least a portion of the contained liquid detergent onto a surface of fabric, wherein in that said opening is (progressively) opened when pressure is applied to said device on a surface to which the liquid detergent is applied, and said opening being substantially closed when said pressure stops, characterised in that said opening comprises a hinge valve. 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge valve comprises a sealing portion which pivots about a point, preferably about a single point. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2 , in which in a closed position the sealing portion seals the opening. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3  in which the sealing portion is deformable bias such that in a resting state is biased against and seals the opening. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4 , wherein the sealing portion has an associated protuberance which when the dosing device is brought into contact with a fabric surface abuts against said fabric surface and acts against the bias means moving the sealing means away from a sealing position and creating a flow pathway. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the surface of the flexible position is scalloped about the protuberance. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening is located in the bottom part of said device. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said portion of flexible material is located in the bottom part of said device. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises several openings. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises rubbing ridges. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to any  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises gripping means. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is made of elastic plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . A process for pretreating and washing fabrics in a washing machine with the dosing and dispensing device according to  claim 1 , said process comprising the steps of:
 introducing a dose of the total quantity of liquid detergent to be utilized during the pretreatment and washing cycle into the dosing and dispensing device;   pretreating the fabrics with a controlled quantity of the liquid detergent dosage contained in said device which pretreatment includes dispensing liquid detergent from the said device and;   placing the pretreated fabrics in the drum of the washing machine together with said dosing and dispensing device and optionally with other non-pretreated fabrics.