Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Fluid treatment – Special forms and forming
Reexamination Certificate
1997-01-17
2001-05-22
Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Fluid treatment
Special forms and forming
C068S00500D, C068S213000, C015S229110, C015S143100, C015S210100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233771
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices which can be used to remove stains from fabrics. The devices are especially useful as part of a dry cleaning operation, but can also be used under any circumstances where spot removal from fabrics is desired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
By classical definition, the term “dry cleaning” has been used to describe processes for cleaning textiles using nonaqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old art, with solvent cleaning first being recorded in the United Kingdom in the 1860's. Typically, dry cleaning processes are used with garments such as woolens which are subject to shrinkage in aqueous laundering baths, or which are judged to be too valuable or too delicate to subject to aqueous laundering processes. Various hydrocarbon and halocarbon solvents have traditionally been used in immersion dry cleaning processes, and the need to handle and reclaim such solvents has mainly restricted the practice of conventional dry cleaning to commercial establishments.
While solvent-based dry cleaning processes are quite effective for removing oily soils and stains, they are not optimal for removing particulates such as clay soils, and may require special treatment conditions to remove proteinaceous stains. Ideally, particulates and proteinaceous stains are removed from fabrics using detersive ingredients and operating conditions which are more akin to aqueous laundering processes than to conventional dry cleaning.
In addition to the cleaning function, dry cleaning also provides important “refreshment” benefits. For example, dry cleaning removes undesirable odors and extraneous matter such as hair and lint from garments, which are then generally folded or pressed to remove wrinkles and restore their original shape. Of course, such refreshment benefits are also afforded by aqueous laundering processes.
As can be seen from the foregoing, and aside from the effects on certain fabrics such as woolens, there are no special, inherent advantages for solvent-based immersion dry cleaning over aqueous cleaning processes with respect to fabric cleaning or refreshment. Moreover, on a per-garment basis, commercial dry cleaning is much more expensive than aqueous cleaning processes. Accordingly, it would be of considerable benefit to consumers to provide non-immersion dry cleaning processes which can be used in the home.
One type of home dry cleaning system comprises a carrier sheet containing various cleaning agents, and a plastic bag. The garments to be cleaned are placed in the bag together with the sheet, and then tumbled in a conventional clothes dryer. In a commercial embodiment, multiple single-use flat sheets and a single multi-use plastic bag are provided in a package. Unfortunately, such processes may not satisfactorily remove stains from heavily soiled or “spotted” areas of the fabrics being dry cleaned.
As is well known, heavily stained garments may be “pre-spotted” using so-called “spot removal” compositions prior to cleaning. However, it has now been noted that such methods typically involve the vigorous back-and-forth rubbing of the garment with a cleaning composition and a towel, sponge or other implement. It has now further been determined that such rubbing can cause fabric damage and excessive wear.
By the present invention, a device is provided which allows the user to pre-spot fabrics without resort to rubbing. The device herein loosens and removes stains via controlled mechanical action, thereby avoiding fabric damage. As will be seen hereinafter, the device is designed to gently implement Z-axis mechanics only, with respect to the fabric being treated.
BACKGROUND ART
A peracid-containing dry cleaning composition is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,575, issued to H. Castrantas, et al., Mar. 22, 1977. Dry cleaning processes are disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,476, issued to Siklosi and Roetker, EP 429,172A1, published 29.05.91, Leigh, et al.; and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,587, issued Aug. 24, 1993, Smith, et al. Other references relating to dry cleaning compositions and processes, as well as wrinkle treatments for fabrics, include: GB 1,598,911; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,126,563, 3,949,137, 3,593,544, 3,647,354; 3,432,253 and 1,747,324; and German applications 2,021,561 and 2,460,239, 0,208,989 and 4,007,362. Cleaning/pre-spotting compositions and methods are also disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,102,573; 5,041,230; 4,909,962; 4,115,061; 4,886,615; 4,139,475; 4,849,257; 5,112,358; 4,659,496; 4,806,254; 5,213,624; 4,130,392; and 4,395,261. Sheet substrates for use in a laundry dryer are disclosed in Canadian 1,005,204. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,956,556 and 4,007,300 relate to perforated sheets for fabric conditioning in a clothes dryer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,277 discloses the use of 1,2-octanediol in liquid cleaners. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,591,510; 3,737,387; 3,764,544; 3,882,038; 3,907,496; 4,097,397; 4,102,824; 4,336,024; 4,594,362; 4,606,842; 4,758,641; 4,797,310; 4,802,997; 4,943,392; 4,966,724; 4,983,317; 5,004,557; 5,062,973; 5,080,822; 5,173,200; EP 0 213 500; EPO 261 718; G.B. 1,397,475; W091/09104; WO 91/13145; WO 93/25654 and Hunt, D. G. and N. H. Morris, “PnB and DPnB Glycol Ethers”,
HAPPI
, April 1989, pp. 78-82.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention encompasses a fabric cleaning device, comprising:
(a) a base member having a convex front treatment face and a rear face oppositely disposed from said treatment face;
(b) one or more treatment members extending outwardly from said treatment face; and
(c) optionally, a hand grip affixed to said rear face.
A preferred device herein is intended for hand-held use, although the devices can be employed in commercial mechanical equipment, if desired.
In one embodiment, the circumference of the base member of the device is substantially circular. In one aspect of this type of device the convex front treatment face is substantially hemispherical, or is a convex section of a hemisphere.
In another embodiment of the device, the base member is arcuate, and the convex front treatment face is arcuate.
The treatment member used on the device can be absorbent, such as a sponge. Preferably, in any of the devices herein, the treatment member comprises a multiplicity of protrusions, such as bristles. Most preferably, the treatment member comprises a sponge layer affixed to said convex treatment face, said sponge layer having a multiplicity of protrusions extending outwardly therefrom.
In a preferred embodiment, the hand grip (c) comprises a shaft extending outwardly from the rear face of said base member. Optimally, the shaft extends substantially from the center of the rear face. Most preferably, the shaft is substantially perpendicular to the rear face. In a convenient mode, the distal end of said shaft terminates in a bulb, thereby providing gripping means for the hand of the user.
There is thus provided a method for removing stains from a stained area of fabrics using a device according to the invention, comprising the steps of:
(a) applying a spot cleaning composition to said stained area;
(b) concurrently or consecutively with Step (a), contacting the stained area of the fabrics with the treatment members of said device; and
(c) applying force to said device, preferably by means of a rocking or rolling motion imparted to the device.
The process herein can be conducted in conjunction with a receptacle situated beneath the stained area of the fabrics, whereby a saturated or partially saturated environment is achieved. In another mode, the process is conducted in conjunction with an absorbent stain receiver (especially a FAM foam, as described more fully hereinafter) which is situated beneath and in contact with the stained area of the fabric.
The invention also provides an overall non-immersion cleaning/refreshment process for treating a stained fabric, which comprises a prespotting operation employing a device according to the invention and comprising the overall steps of:
(a) applying a spot cleaning composition to said stained area;
(b) concurrently or consecutively wit
Hortel Thomas Charles
Irwin Aram Jesse
Siklosi Michael Peter
Yeazell Bruce Albert
Bamber Jeffrey V.
Bolam Brian M.
Stinson Frankie L.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Yetter Jerry T.
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