Patents

Electrolux Designs Washing Machine to Break Up Unit Dose Packs & Pods

Appliance maker addresses issues with top loading machines and this popular laundry detergent format.

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By: Christine Esposito

Editor-in-Chief

US Patent No. 12,123,127 B2; Electrolux Appliances has patented method and apparatus for breaking a unit dose pack of detergent in a top-loading laundry washing machine.

US Patent No. 12,123,127 B2

Limitations with Top-Loading Machines

In top-loading washing machines, a unit dose pod is typically dropped into the drum with the laundry at the beginning of the washing process. According to the appliance maker, this method can be ineffective at quickly dissolving the pouch and dispersing the additive throughout the wash liquor. For example, the UDP might become tightly trapped in the laundry, leading to slow dissolution of the pouch and a high local concentration of additive that can stain or damage the laundry, according to Electrolux.

Electrolux says its design (shown at left) offers an alternative method for adding pods to washing machines, in particular, top-loading washing machines.

To learn how to formulate laundry detergent, click here.

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