Textiles: fluid treating apparatus – Machines – With gas – steam or mist treating
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-01
2004-12-14
Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)
Textiles: fluid treating apparatus
Machines
With gas, steam or mist treating
C068S213000, C068S214000, C510S277000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06829913
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method, a liquid cleaning composition and a device for spot cleaning of a fabric.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, there has been interest in providing products for spot removal of stains on fabrics, particularly garments. This may for example be for removal of stains due to food spillage or other stains which are stained during wear, as well as the localised cleaning of collars and cuffs prior to a main wash. As used herein, in the broadest sense, “spot cleaning” refers to cleaning of any part of a fabric other than the whole item.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,158 discloses a method and device for accelerating cleaning of soiled parts of clothes by rub coating with an enzyme-containing liquid detergent. An applicator device comprises a container closed by a porous body made of a heated and sintered synthetic plastics material. This is used to rub the garment to apply the liquid composition.
WO-A-97/20099 discloses a method of treating a spot or stain on a textile by applying a detergent composition, then placing an absorbent layer adjacent to one side of the textile fabric in the region of the spot or stain and applying heat, pressure or both to the opposing side. The detergent composition is applied in the form of a liquid composition, preferably comprising an organic solvent, optionally also containing a surfactant. The composition is dispensed from a container closed by an applicator device such as a porous plug with fabric or brush texturing, or a roller-ball device.
WO-A-99/02769 discloses a method for spot cleaning a stain spot on a fabric by wiping with an applicator impregnated with a cleaning solution comprising water, an alcohol, glycol, glycol-ether or glycerine and from 0.0001-1% by weight of surfactant. The applied solution is allowed to migrate outwardly from the spot and the volatile components evaporate. The wiping applicator is preferably stored in an airtight container and is preferably a polymer towelette. The cleaning solution may also contain enzyme. This product has a disadvantage of felting of the wipe if too much pressure is applied. Further, outward migration of the solvent tends to produce a “halo” effect on drying. Moreover, when a towelette is contacted with a stain and the stain is absorbed, it typically spreads in the same plane as the working surface of the towelette roughly in an increasing circle and often redeposits on the fabric to be cleaned.
WO-A-01/04260 discloses a fabric treatment applicator which is constructed in a form generally analogous to a felt-tipped pen. A synthetic fibre nib is used to apply a liquid composition contained in the body of the pen-like device. The liquid composition must contain at least one bleach and at least one surfactant. The absence of means to absorb the applied solution means that soil is largely redistributed on the fabric rather than removed.
WO-A-01/04407 discloses and claims an applicator for applying a spot-treatment stain removal aqueous solution to a textile fabric. The liquid composition preferably contains a bleach and the application device is preferably a nib. The application device must have a frictional stress of from 0.05 N mm-2 to 10 N mm-2. Again, the absence of means to absorb the applied solution means that soil is largely redistributed on the fabric rather than removed.
Other applicators are simply too hard and may damage delicate fabrics during the cleaning process. Alternatively, applicators may be too soft and felt during the cleaning process leaving unsightly residues. Thus there is a continuing need for a method of spot cleaning fabric which delivers effective spot cleaning, good garment care and/or without the need to rinse.
Furthermore, none of the prior proposals teaches an apparatus whereby a cleaning composition can be applied to a spot or stain on a textile fabric in optimal manner and then absorbed, together with stain material, using the same device and without the need for a separate absorbent pad or cloth which is not convenient for cleaning garments whilst being worn. Unexpectedly, we have found a method and device for spot cleaning fabric which overcomes one or more of drawbacks mentioned above.
DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION
Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, a device and method for spot cleaning a fabric with a liquid cleaning composition is provided, said device comprising at least one absorbent means for absorbing at least some of said composition from the fabric wherein the ratio of the working surface and the thickness or height of the absorbent means is preferably lower than 3000 mm.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for spot cleaning a fabric with a liquid cleaning composition is provided comprising the steps of
a) applying the composition to the fabric
b) absorbing at least some of the applied liquid cleaning composition from the fabric with an absorbent means whereby the absorbent means is capillary active in a plane different to the working surface of the absorbent means.
According to another aspect of the present invention a device for spot cleaning a fabric with a liquid cleaning composition is provided, the device comprising a reservoir for holding the composition, an applicator for applying the composition from the reservoir to the fabric and absorbent means for absorbing at least some of the applied liquid cleaning composition from the fabric wherein the absorbent means is preferably according to the previous aspect of the invention.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention a method of spot cleaning a fabric is provided said method comprising applying a liquid cleaning composition to the fabric with an applicator or a device according to the previous aspect of the present invention, and absorbing at least some of the applied liquid cleaning composition with the absorbent means of said device.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method and device for spot cleaning a fabric with a liquid cleaning composition suitable for multiple uses is provided, said device comprising more than one absorbent means for absorbing at least some of the applied composition from the fabric and holding means for storing the more than one absorbent means.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a method and liquid cleaning composition for spot cleaning a fabric with liquid cleaning composition is provided comprising the steps of
a) applying the composition to the fabric
wherein the liquid cleaning composition comprises
from 0.001 to 2 wt. %, preferably from 0.01 to 1.5 wt. %, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.9 wt. % of a amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant;
from 0.001 to 2 wt. %, preferably from 0.01 to 1.5 wt. %, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.9 wt. % of a nonionic surfactant;
from 0 to 2 wt. % preferably from 0.01 to 1.5 wt. %, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.9 wt. % of an anionic surfactant; and
b) absorbing the excess liquid cleaning composition with an absorbent means.
The method, device and liquid cleaning composition according to the invention deliver effective spot cleaning by for example effectively absorbing the stain material, reducing the redeposition of the stain on the fabric to be cleaned, while being safe to delicate fabrics and/or leaving no unwanted residues.
We may also claim the device of this aspect of the invention in the form where the reservoir actually contains the liquid cleaning composition. These and other aspects of the invention are described in more detail below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
We have unexpectedly found an improved method for spot cleaning a fabric with a liquid cleaning composition comprising the steps of
a) applying the composition to the fabric
b) absorbing at least some of the applied liquid cleaning composition from the fabric with an absorbent means whereby the absorbent means is capillary active in a plane different to the working surface of the absorbent means. Preferably said plane is perpendicular to the working surface of the absorbent means as defined below.
The absorbent means
Goldoni Francesca
Hutchinson Wendi
Kevelam Jan
Leerink Arinus Frederikus
Van der Vlist Pieter
Koatz Ronald A.
Stinson Frankie L.
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA a division of Conopco, Inc.
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