Abstract:
The present invention discloses a device consisting of an implement configured with a piercing mechanism that allows the user to make a uniform opening in the package through which the fluid inside can dispense. In one embodiment, the implement is configured with an affixing mechanism for affixing the implement to a surface. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the implement is configured to pierce and house the packet during pretreatment.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to pretreatment devices, and more particularly, to pretreatment devices for a unitized detergent dose.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Since the inception of liquid laundry detergents, one of the primary functions has been for the consumer to presaturate or “pre-treat” a stained or soiled garment with a portion of the detergent. With the introduction of new product delivery methods, such as packaged doses (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) packets containing discreet doses of liquid detergent), consumers have lost the ability to easily pretreat their stained or soiled garments. For example, generally, the user of these products must use a knife, razor, scissors or other slicing or piercing object to sever the pretreatment package to pretreat their items. Further, users of these packets must have a severing apparatus on hand, which may leave a mess as the product runs out of the package due to uneven holes, gouge portions of the package, etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Briefly, the present invention is directed towards an implement that assists a user with removing, preferably, a pre-determined amount of a liquid (e.g., detergent) from a packaged dose. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the implement makes a uniform opening in the package through which the fluid inside can flow out. In one embodiment, the implement is configured with an affixing mechanism for affixing the implement to a surface. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the implement is configured to puncture and house the packet during pretreatment. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for pretreatment using a pretreatment implement is provided. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]     Additional aspects of the present invention should become evident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and:  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an exemplary pretreatment implement in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0006]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams of exemplary pretreatment implements in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary affixing mechanism in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an exemplary pretreatment kit in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  depicts another exemplary pretreatment implement in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary method for pretreatment in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in anyway. Rather, the following description is intended to provide convenient illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, though not specifically described, many shapes and orientations of the pretreatment device should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, though generally described herein with respect to laundry detergent, as noted below, numerous other liquids may be used, and the present invention should not necessarily be limited to laundry detergent alone. Further still, the present invention is particularly suited to PVA packets; though it should be appreciated that it may likewise find use with other water-soluble, dissolvable and/or non-dissolvable packaged doses such that the packaged doses may be puncturable.  
         [0012]     As used herein, the term packet refers to any enclosed and/or partially enclosed packet, straw, pouch, satchel, bag, bottle, and/or the like. Packets may be comprised of any water-soluble and/or dissolvable material in the form of a film configured to substantially dissolve in response to contact with water. For example, in one embodiment, packets may be comprised of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Various liquids and/or cleaning agents may be enclosed in the packets, such as, for example water, floor cleaners, laundry detergents, dish detergents, dishwasher detergents, spot free rinses, presoaks, delimers, glass cleaners, surface cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, deodorizers, toilet bowl cleaners, bathroom cleaners, carpet cleaners, bubble baths, aromatherapy washes, soaps, bleaches, shampoos, conditioners, and/or the like.  
         [0013]     In general, the present invention comprises an implement  100  for pretreatment that assists in removing a liquid from a packaged dose, for example, in the context of a PVA packet. For example, in one embodiment, implement  100  may be configured with a piercing mechanism  102  such as one or more puncture points protruding from the body of implement  100 . Implement  110  may also be configured with a base  110 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the body of implement  100  is configured to be base  110 , however, the body of implement  100  and base  110  may be configured to be separate components. In the present exemplary embodiment, implement  100  is preferably comprised of a substantially rigid plastic such as high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), but any other suitable material rigid, semi-rigid or even flexible material may be used.  
         [0014]     In various embodiments, piercing mechanism  102  is configured to facilitate making a consistently sized opening of a packet to facilitate orderly pretreatment. Piercing mechanism  102  may comprise a blade, a point, a screw, sandpaper, pins, sharp nubs, scissors and/or any other type of cutting, piercing, and/or puncturing apparatus. As used herein, a generally consistently sized opening refers to a uniform, orderly, homogeneous, controlled and/or even opening of a packet. “Orderly pretreatment” refers to a generally clean, neat, non-dripping, and/or non-messy removal of a liquid from a packet when the packet is squeezed, pressed, and/or compressed.  
         [0015]     In various embodiments, piercing mechanism  102  may be configured to be static and/or moveable. For example, piercing mechanism  102  may be spring loaded, slideable, compressible, fixed, stationary and/or configured in any other static and/or moveable configuration. Piercing mechanism  102  may also be configured with one or more safety guards for preventing injury to a user and/or a surface. For example, piercing mechanism  102  may be configured with a piece of soft plastic or cardboard configured as a blade guard to prevent accidental puncturing of persons and/or other materials.  
         [0016]     In an exemplary embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 2A , piercing mechanism  102  may comprise a blade  202 A configured in a predetermined length and width. For example, blade  202 A may comprise an entire razor blade length (i.e. approximately two inches) or any part thereof. Blade  202 A may be configured with a remote switch to facilitate sliding blade  202 A over a packet. Blade  202 A may also be configured to be spring loaded to facilitate safety and/or to facilitate vertical, horizontal and/or other multi-directional movement of blade  202 A.  
         [0017]     In another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 2B , piercing mechanism  102  may comprise one or more puncturing pins  202 B. Pins  202 B maybe configured in any shape and/or size to facilitate puncturing of a packet in a substantially uniform manner. For example, in one embodiment, pins  202 B comprise three pins configured in a triangular pattern. Pins  202 B may be configured in any size and/or shape. For example, pins  202 B may be configured as three ½ mm diameter pins. That said, it should be appreciated that while three pins are illustrated in  FIG. 2B , various other numbers and configurations of pins  202 B may be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0018]     As mentioned above, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, implement  100  preferably has an aesthetically pleasing, sleek design. For example, in the various embodiments described herein, implement  100  may be substantially circular in form. That is, the corners of the device housing, as well as the edges, tend to be of a rounded nature. Alternatively, implement  100  may be substantially angular in form. Similarly, piercing mechanism  102  may have symmetrical features with respect to implement  100 . That is, symmetry of the various features and views of implement  100  may be present. Still further, for aesthetic reasons, implement  100  (and likewise various other components of implement  100 ) may optionally be of varying colors.  
         [0019]     In accordance with another aspect of implement  100 , an affixing mechanism may be provided to secure base  110  to a surface. For example, various means for affixing base  110  to a surface include snaps, adhesives, Velcro, tapes, glues, strong magnets, glue strips, ceramics, plastics, threadable connections and/or the like, now known or as yet unknown. Base  110  may be configured to be affixed to any surface, such surfaces being, for example, washing machines, detergent boxes, countertops, vacuum cleaners, walls, cabinets, tiles and/or the like.  
         [0020]     In the presently described embodiment, exemplified in  FIG. 3 , the back face  312  of base  110  may be configured with one or more affixing mechanisms for facilitating affixation of implement  100  to one or more surfaces. For example, in one embodiment, back face  312  comprises a reception  315  and corresponding teeth  316  that affixes to surface  320 . Surface  320  may be any surface described herein, such as, for example, the top of a detergent box. In the present embodiment, teeth  316  are located on back face  312  and reception  315  is located on surface  320 , though it should be apparent that the locations may be reversed. Teeth  316  preferably engage reception  315  in a snap fit manner to secure implement  100  and base  110 . Preferably, base  110  may be configured with a disengagement mechanism for facilitating disengagement of implement  100  from surface  320 . In the present embodiment, to disengage implement  100 , implement  100  may be lifted, pulled, twisted, slid, and/or moved in any similar manner to facilitate disengagement from reception  315 . That said, it should be appreciated that while an affixing mechanism comprising a reception and corresponding teeth is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , various other affixing mechanisms and configurations may be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention  
         [0021]     In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and with reference to  FIG. 4 , a pretreatment kit  400  is provided. In this embodiment, pretreatment kit  400  comprises implement  100  coupled with a packet  410  or otherwise connected to each other, packaged and/or adjacent to one another. For example, packets  410  may be contained in a box  420  and/or other packaging, and box  420  may be equipped with implement  100 . That is, box  420  may contain an attached implement  100  and/or a free-standing implement  100  configured to be capable of standing apart from, unattached to and/or supported by anything.  
         [0022]     Kit  400  may be configured such that implement  100  is used to pierce packet  410  to create a hole or holes  425  in a convenient, uniform, and/or orderly way. That is, in accordance with the present embodiment, piercing mechanism  102  suitably pierces packet  410  so that the liquid enclosed within packet  410  may be dispensed from packet  410  for pretreatment. Holes  425  suitably allows the liquid to be dispensed and/or likewise allow the liquid to flow outside of packet  410 .  
         [0023]     In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, implement  100  is configured with additional features for facilitating pretreatment. For example, with reference to an exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , implement  500  is configured with a receiving area or bowl  502  for holding a packet. Piercing mechanism  102  is configured inside bowl  502  to facilitate cleanliness and ease in puncturing. That is, a packet is placed in the opening  512  of bowl  502  and punctured by piercing mechanism  102 .  
         [0024]     Implement  500  may also be configured with a lid  506 . For example, lid  506  may comprise rigid plastic such as high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), and/or any other suitable material rigid, semi-rigid and/or flexible material.  
         [0025]     In various embodiments, lid  506  may be used to prevent leakage and/or messes during pretreatment. Lid  506  may also be configured to be rotatably connected to a receiving area or bowl  502 . For example, lid  506  may be rotatably connected to bowl  502  by a hinge  510  configured to open and/or close with substantial ease. While a hinge is described herein, lid  506  may be rotatably connected to bowl  502  using any rotatable connecting device, such as, for example, a plastic seam, rubber, a ball-and-socket, a spring, an axle or the like. Hinge  510  may be configured to open and/or close upon activation. That is, in such embodiments, hinge  510  is configured to close and/or shut and/or to open and/or release before, during and/or after pretreatment.  
         [0026]     For example, in one embodiment, hinge  510  may be configured to open during a wash cycle of a laundry machine to release the detergent. For example, hinge  510  may be configured to open after a discreet period of time, such as when implement  100  is turned upon lid  506 , when implement  100  when subjected to a predetermined amount of movement and/or various other times.  
         [0027]     In another embodiment, piercing mechanism  102  may be configured to extend only when hinge  510  is closed in order to facilitate safety while implement  100  is not being used to pierce a packet. For example, piercing mechanism  102  may be configured as a blade connected to hinge  510 . When hinge  510  is in the “closed” position, blade  102  may be configured to extend for puncturing and when hinge  510  is in the “open” position, blade  102  is configured to retract for safety.  
         [0028]     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, implement  500  is configured with one or more holes  504  to facilitate the dispensing of a liquid inside implement  500 . That is, after a packet is pierced, the liquid inside the packet may seep and/or discharge in a uniform manner through holes  504 . Additionally, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, holes  504  are configured to allow water to enter implement  500  to facilitate dissolving of the detergent inside a packet before and/or during washing and/or pretreatment.  
         [0029]     In yet another embodiment, holes  504  are configured adjacent to puncture point  102  and/or at any other location within implement  500  to facilitate dispensing liquid and/or water entry at a certain location. For example, in one embodiment, holes  504  are configured adjacent to a pretreatment device  520  to facilitate pretreatment of a material and/or surface. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, pretreatment device  520  may comprise a brush, a scrubber, bristles, a washboard, a sponge, a mop, a swab, sandpaper and/or any other scouring type of material. Holes  504  configured adjacent to pretreatment device  520  may facilitate delivery of a liquid, soap and/or other cleaner to a surface for pretreatment with pretreatment device  520 .  
         [0030]     In addition to and/or in an alternative embodiment, implement  500  may comprise a grip  515  configured to facilitate holding implement  500  during pretreatment. Grip  515  may comprise a roller ball, a rubber and/or other frictional surface to facilitate gripping, one or more knobs, one or more grooves, and/or any other gripping configuration and/or device.  
         [0031]     For example, with reference to an exemplary method for pretreating a stain on a shirt illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a laundry detergent packet is inserted into implement  100 ,  500  (step  601 ) and punctured by puncturing points  502  (step  603 ). By inserting a packet, a packet is placed into a receiving area of implement  100 ,  500 . That is, a packet may be coupled to the puncture points of implement  100 , placed within bowl  502  of implement  500  and/or a packet may be coupled with implement  100 ,  500  consistent with any method described herein. Puncture points  502  may be configured as any puncture points described herein.  
         [0032]     Upon puncture of the packet, the detergent inside the packet seeps and/or dispenses from the packet (step  605 ). After dispensing from the packet, the detergent dispenses through holes  504  and emits from implement  500 . If implement  500  is not configured with holes  504 , then detergent may dispense from opening  512  and/or from the detergent packet itself. The detergent may dispense through holes  504  and/or any other opening instantaneously and/or it may emit at a discreet time. After the detergent dispenses from the packet, it may be applied to the shirt (step  607 ). The detergent may be applied to the shirt automatically, by for example, dripping onto the shirt and/or the detergent may be applied by a user placing the detergent onto the shirt by way of rubbing implement  500  onto the shirt and/or the like.  
         [0033]     Pretreatment device  520  may be used to scrub the stain (step  609 ) for pretreatment of the stain before the shirt is washed. If implement  500  is not equipped with pretreatment device  520 , then the user may use any other pretreatment device and/or process for pretreatment. Such alternate pretreatment devices and/or processes may include, for example, scrubbing by hand, use of a sponge, use of the fabric itself, use of a washboard, soaking the fabric, and/or letting the detergent work on the fabric without any further treatment. After the shirt has been pretreated, the shirt may be placed in the washing machine (step  611 ) along with implement  500  and the packet for further washing. Alternatively, after pretreatment the packet may be removed from implement  500  (step  613 ) so that just the packet and shirt are placed in the washing machine for washing (step  615 ). Washing can occur at any time following pretreatment. For example, implement  500  may be used to pretreat a stain on one day for washing on a subsequent day. While  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary method for pretreatment in accordance with the present invention, pretreatment may occur through any of the preceding steps and/or any portion of the preceding steps in any order. Further, additional steps may be used for pretreatment.  
         [0034]     Lastly, various aspects of the invention have been described in illustrative embodiments. Of course, many combinations and modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials and components, used in the practice of the invention, in addition to those not specifically described, may be varied and particularly adapted to specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.