US4026131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laundry additive dispenser
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
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Filing: 1975-08-27
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Granted: 1977-05-31
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Expires: 1995-08-27
Abstract
Abstract This application relates generally to the provision of an apparatus for the dispensing of a laundry additive into an automatic washing machine at the proper interval. More specifically, the present application relates to the provision of an apparatus that will introduce a laundry additive into the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine, which apparatus is disposable upon completion of use.
Inventors
- 👤 Elizabeth L. Dugger
- 👤 Alan B. Kessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:45
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D17/00; C11D17/04; C11D17/041; C11D17/046; D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/02; D06F39/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A laundry additive dispensing article for the dispensing of a laundry additive after the spin or during the rinse period of an automatic clothes washing machine having an upright central agitating post comprising: (a) two rectangular plastic sheets joined together and sealed at their perimeter, and at the midsection thereof to form a top and bottom section; (b) said top section having an aperture therethrough to allow said article to be placed about the central agitating post; (c) said bottom section being completely sealed and having the laundry disposed therein; (d) opening means for allowing egress of the laundry additive from said container occasioned by the centrifugal force exerted on the article from the continuous rotational movement of said central agitating post about its axis, said opening means comprising the joinder of said plastic sheets when folded over an area at a point other than the perimeter thereof and at a point above the level of the laundry additive when said article is held in an upright position, such that at least one of the sheets will rupture when subjected to said centrifugal force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A laundry additive dispensing article for the dispensing of a laundry additive after the spin or during the rinse period of an automatic clothes washing machine having an upright central agitating post comprising: (a) two rectangular plastic sheets joined together and sealed at their perimeter, and at the midsection thereof to form a top and bottom section; (b) said top section having an aperture therethrough to allow said article to be placed about the central agitating post; (c) said bottom section being completely sealed and having the laundry disposed therein; (d) opening means for allowing egress of the laundry additive from said container occasioned by the centrifugal force exerted on the article from the continuous rotational movement of said central agitating post about its axis, said opening means comprising the joinder of said plastic sheets when folded over an area at a point other than the perimeter thereof and at a point above the level of the laundry additive when said article is held in an upright position, such that at least one of the sheets will rupture when subjected to said centrifugal force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
A disposable dispensing article for the dispensing of a laundry additive after the spin or during the rinse period of an automatic clothes washing machine having an upright central agitating post, comprising: (a) sealed flexible container having disposed therein said laundry additive; (b) a fastening means joined to said container to position the container about the central agitating post; (c) a container opening means for allowing egress of the laundry additive from said container occasioned by the centrifugal force exerted on the article from the continuous rotational movement of said central agitating post about its axis, said container opening means comprising the joinder of a section of two opposing sides of said container when said sides are folded over an area at a point above the level of the laundry additive when said article is held in an upright position, such that at least one of the joined sides will rupture when subjected to said centrifugal force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A disposable dispensing article for the dispensing of a laundry additive after the spin or during the rinse period of an automatic clothes washing machine having an upright central agitating post, comprising: (a) sealed flexible container having disposed therein said laundry additive; (b) a fastening means joined to said container to position the container about the central agitating post; (c) a container opening means for allowing egress of the laundry additive from said container occasioned by the centrifugal force exerted on the article from the continuous rotational movement of said central agitating post about its axis, said container opening means comprising the joinder of a section of two opposing sides of said container when said sides are folded over an area at a point above the level of the laundry additive when said article is held in an upright position, such that at least one of the joined sides will rupture when subjected to said centrifugal force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The laundry additive dispensing article defined in claim 2 wherein said container is made of at least two sheets of flexible material having the perimeters thereof joined and sealed to each other for the containment of said laundry additive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The laundry additive dispensing article defined in claim 2 wherein said fastening means is a flexible material permanently affixed to said container and capable of being positioned about said agitating post.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The laundry additive dispensing article defined in claim 2 wherein said container and fastening means are of the same flexible material, said flexible material being a laminar, polymeric substance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The laundry additive dispensing article defined in claim 4 wherein the container is a flexible metal foil that is chemically compatible with the laundry additive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |