Product dispenser and carrier
AssigneeEcolab Inc.
InventorsGregory G. Griese, John E. Thomas, Jamie W. Lerbs, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, JR., Eric R. Balz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.
Claims26
A dispenser for dispensing a fabric conditioner in a dryer, the dispenser being releasably attachable to an inner surface of the dryer, comprising:
- a product carrier having a first side, a second side, and a plurality of voids;
- and
- a solid fabric conditioner product solidified onto the product carrier, a minor portion of the solid fabric conditioner product filling the plurality of voids and a substantial portion of the solid fabric conditioner product extending from the first side of the product carrier and being exposed, wherein the minor portion filling the plurality of voids allows the solid fabric conditioner product to be securely connected to the product carrier, and wherein the solid fabric conditioner product is configured and arranged for multiple use, wherein the plurality of voids is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of apertures extending through the product carrier and a plurality of dove tail grooves, the plurality of apertures and the plurality of dove tail grooves being at least partially tapered proximate the second side of the product carrier.
A dispenser for dispensing a fabric conditioner in a dryer, the dispenser being releasably attachable to an inner surface of the dryer, comprising:
- a) a product carrier having a first side, a second side, and a void forming an opening proximate the first side and a cavity proximate between the first side and the second side, the opening providing access to the cavity, wherein the void is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of apertures extending through the product carrier and a plurality of dove tail grooves, the plurality of apertures and the plurality of dove tail grooves being at least partially tapered proximate the second side of the product carrier;
- and
- b) a solid fabric conditioner product solidified onto the product carrier, a minor portion of the solid fabric conditioner product filling the void and a substantial portion of the solid fabric conditioner product extending from the first side of the product carrier and being exposed, wherein the minor portion filling the void secures the solid fabric conditioner to the product carrier, and wherein the solid fabric conditioner product is configured and arranged for multiple use.
A method of making a dispenser for dispensing a fabric conditioner in a dryer, the dispenser being releasably attachable to an inner surface of the dryer, comprising:
- a) obtaining a product carrier having a first side, a second side, and a void forming an opening proximate the first side and a cavity proximate between the first side and the second side, the opening providing access to the cavity;
- b) using a method selected from the group consisting of casting, extrusion, and injection molding to dispense a fabric conditioner product onto the product carrier, a minor portion of the fabric conditioner product filling the cavity and a substantial portion of the fabric conditioner product extending from the first side of the product carrier and being exposed;
- and
- c) allowing the fabric conditioner product to solidify onto the product carrier, wherein the minor portion solidifies within the cavity thus securing the solid fabric conditioner product onto the product carrier.
A dispensing system for dispensing a solid fabric conditioner, comprising:
- a) a dryer having an inner surface including a receiving member;
- b) a product carrier configured and arranged to releasably engage the receiving member thereby releasably connecting the product carrier to the inner surface of the dryer, the product carrier including a void, wherein the void is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of apertures extending through the product carrier and a plurality of dove tail grooves, the plurality of apertures and the plurality of dove tail grooves being at least partially tapered proximate the second side of the product carrier;
- and
- c) a solid fabric conditioner solidified onto the product carrier, a minor portion of the solid fabric conditioner filling the void to secure the solid fabric conditioner to the product carrier, a substantial portion of the solid fabric conditioner extending from the product carrier and being exposed, and wherein the solid fabric conditioner product is configured and arranged for multiple use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.