US4555354A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detergents products
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
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Filing: 1984-08-31
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Granted: 1985-11-26
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Expires: 2004-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A detergent-containing water-insoluble closed bag is so constructed as to open and discharge its contents under mechanical action in a washing machine in use. The seams of the bag may be heat-sealed or cold pressure sealed such that at least one seam will burst open in use. The bag material may be porous with a pore size selected to minimize dusting of the detergent. The bag material may include a thermoplastic component to enable heat-sealing. The bag may contain conventional detergent compositions and/or other fabric treatment materials. These products give consumer benefits both by way of improved efficiency in the use of the detergent compositions and in greater convenience in use.
Inventors
- 👤 David E. Clarke
- 👤 James F. Davies
- 👤 Colin Smart
- 👤 John B. Tune
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:56
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D17/00; C11D17/04; C11D17/041; C11D17/046; B; B65; B65D; B65D75/00; B65D75/52; B65D75/58; B65D75/5855
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In a detergent product in the form of a particular detergent composition suitable for treating fabrics in a washing machine, contained within a closed water-insoluble bag adapted to open in a washing machine environment, the improvement which comprises forming said bag at least partially of thermoplastic material and closing said bag with a mechanically weak heat seal including a layer of water-insoluble non-heat-sealable material positioned between the heat sealed surfaces to provide weakening of said heat seal, whereby under the influence of mechanical action during a wash cycle in a washing machine said mechanically weak heat seal opens and the contents of said bag are discharged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a detergent product in the form of a particular detergent composition suitable for treating fabrics in a washing machine, contained within a closed water-insoluble bag adapted to open in a washing machine environment, the improvement which comprises forming said bag at least partially of thermoplastic material and closing said bag with a mechanically weak heat seal including a layer of water-insoluble non-heat-sealable material positioned between the heat sealed surfaces to provide weakening of said heat seal, whereby under the influence of mechanical action during a wash cycle in a washing machine said mechanically weak heat seal opens and the contents of said bag are discharged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a detergent product in the form of a particulate detergent composition suitable for treating fabrics in a washing machine, contained within a closed water-insoluble bag adapted to open in a washing machine environment, the improvement which comprises forming said bag from a first sheet of material which heat-seals at a relatively low temperature and a second sheet of non-heat-sealable material or material which heat-seals at a higher temperature than said first sheet, said first and second sheets being heat-sealed together to form a mechanically weak heat seal, whereby under the influence of mechanical action during a wash cycle in a washing machine said mechanically weak heat seal opens and the contents of said bag are discharged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a detergent product in the form of a particulate detergent composition suitable for treating fabrics in a washing machine, contained within a closed water-insoluble bag adapted to open in a washing machine environment, the improvement which comprises forming said bag from a first sheet of material which heat-seals at a relatively low temperature and a second sheet of non-heat-sealable material or material which heat-seals at a higher temperature than said first sheet, said first and second sheets being heat-sealed together to form a mechanically weak heat seal, whereby under the influence of mechanical action during a wash cycle in a washing machine said mechanically weak heat seal opens and the contents of said bag are discharged.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-25 | 1989-05-27 | 1989-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-05-27 | 1993-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-25 | 1997-05-27 | 1997-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |