Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Fluid treatment – Manipulation of liquid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-10
2001-08-21
Coe, Philip R. (Department: 1746)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Fluid treatment
Manipulation of liquid
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276015
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention is a method of cleaning a soiled surface such as fabric or a carpet. There have been, of course, many prior art techniques, processes and products for cleaning fabrics and carpets, all of which have one or more disadvantages.
One prior art method of cleaning carpets, which is in widespread use, involves the use of a detergent-saturated solution being sprayed onto the carpet, following which it is vacuumed and allowed to dry. The result is something that may look clean but in actuality is sticky, stiff and waiting (like flypaper) to attract the next available particle of soil. Furthermore, the volatile solvents in the cleaning chemicals, as they dry, fill the air of the building in which they were used causing eye, nasal and lung irritation. After the cleaning solution dries, then the residual chemical and mineral precipitate (solids) flake off and become airborne, like cat dander, and further irritate eyes, nose, lungs and skin. The aforesaid volatile solvents and residual chemical and mineral precipitate may trigger allergies, asthma attacks and other sinus and respiratory problem.
The prior art prespray of chemical has been applied by the use of hand-squeeze bottle, hand pump-up sprayers, or handheld low-pressure injection systems. All of these methods apply a mist of chemical to the very top surface of the carpet. If the soil is deep into the carpet, then the carpet needs to be soaked with the prespray chemical; the aforesaid soaking actually causes the soil to migrate deeper into the carpet. Thus, the experience with the prior art carpet cleaning process is that a carpet, once cleaned, needs to be cleaned more often. Also, fumes or a strong smell lingering for a period of time after the carpets are cleaned is typical. The “cleaned” carpet will feel stiff and is easily matted in traffic areas. Stains, believed to have been removed, reappear a short time later. A universal recommendation to friends and family, by those who have had their carpets cleaned, is to wait as long as possible before you have the carpets cleaned for the first time, because you then will need to have them cleaned frequently thereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned problems with the prior art system, and does so using 50 to 90% less chemical. In broad terms, the present invention provides a fabric and rug cleaning process comprising four steps. First, there is a unique method of preapplication of cleaning chemicals. Second, there is allowance of a dwell-time for enzyme or other natural cleaning agents to digest and emulsify soil in the carpet. Next, there is a rinse of the carpet with pure H
2
O molecules to remove or strip the chemical residue and minerals. Finally, the cleaning chemical, emulsified dirt and water are extracted. The result is a cleaner, softer surface that stays clean longer, in addition to providing a much safer and healthier indoor environment.
More specifically, the present invention provides a method of cleaning a soiled surface, such as a soiled carpet, comprising four steps. The first step is to pre-spray the soiled carpet with a preselected liquid prespray chemical, sprayed through a nozzle at specific pressure/flow rate so as obtain an optimum spray droplet size which penetrates deep into the carpet with only a minimized volume of spray utilized or consumed, and avoiding saturation or overwetting of the carpet. The prespray chemical is allowed to chemically react with the soil in the carpet for a dwell time, following which the carpet is rinsed with pure water, such as water provided by a reverse osmosis apparatus. Finally, the pre-spray chemical and pure water are extracted from the carpet.
The most important and unique step in the above-described cleaning process is to use H
2
O molecules, sometimes referred to as a universal solvent, to rinse the carpet or other soiled surface. This invention is more profound than the “dry-cleaning” process introduced decades ago, since it is also a solvent process, but with a total, natural purity. In contrast to tap water, and even so-called “soft water”, “pure water” obtained as a reverse-osmosis product, contains almost no minerals or other non-pure elements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3883301 (1975-05-01), Emrick et al.
patent: 3909197 (1975-09-01), Cremers
patent: 4154578 (1979-05-01), Bane
Coe Philip R.
Jensen Roger W.
Pure Rinse Systems, Inc.
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