EP1462560B1 - Test material for determining in a standardised manner the quality of a washing, cleaning or drying process - Google Patents

Abstract

The testing medium (31) comprises a two- or three-dimensional object with a carrier element (32). Detachable particles (24) are applied to the object in a defined density by physical and chemical actions. The particles may be applied to the carrier element by a connecting mechanism, and may be formed in one-piece with the object. The particles may have a defined quantity of protein, blood, ketchup or other foodstuff.

Description

The invention relates to a test device for the standardized determination of the quality of a washing, cleaning and / or drying process of an aggregate, consisting of textile fabric (woven, knitted, tufts or the like) or two- and three-dimensional objects from the daily life needs.

definition

Aggregates that perform washing, cleaning and drying processes are known in training of washing machines or dishwashers and other washing, cleaning and drying equipment (including floor cleaning equipment).

State of the art

In particular, for washing machines, which are usually from a rotating drum, in which the tissue to be washed, clothing or the like is entered, these are driven by rotation of the drum, so that they are mechanically stressed together with water and detergent. By this stress, the textile fabric is charged in the way that individual fibers and / or fiber composites are heavily mechanically stressed and so cracking, cracks or other fiber breaks occur.

Dishwashers usually consist of a washroom in which rotate one or more jets of water and so clean the goods to be cleaned, such as plates, glasses or cutlery or the like. In addition, detergents are more effective in this regard, that in addition to water, a chemical substance is created which removes the corresponding contaminants from the objects to be cleaned. In particular, in dishwashers, it is thus the aim to remove the objects to be cleaned as clean as possible from a dishwasher.

In order to check the quality of such washing, cleaning and / or drying machines in terms of physical and / or chemical stress, especially in washing machines, based on the material to be cleaned or in terms of the effect of the aggregates on the textile material, for example, according to a test method The Danish Technological Institute for Laundry Technology (Teknologisk Institute, Gregersensvej, DK-2630 Taastrup, www.d danishtechnology.dk/industry/9497) has proposed to produce so-called test equipment which can be used to determine how much the physical and / or chemical Stress of textile fabric during washing processes in different washing machines is. For this purpose, it is proposed to use a test material in the form of a fiber fabric, which previously has certain holes in the tissue, which are then increased by particular mechanical stress during the washing process accordingly by the individual fiber strands of the textile fiber leach out. The number of detached fiber strands or fibers is then an indication of the said load on the textile fabric during the washing, cleaning and / or drying process. The more textile fibers or threads are removed, the stronger the mechanical stress.

WO 98/30898 A discloses a semi-automatic method and apparatus for applying color stains to test fabrics for use in testing detergent compositions and laundry processes. Tissue samples using a template defining a 4x4 matrix move on pallets by means of a closed loop of a conveyor track to a departmental area where there are four dispensing stations. Each station has four pots, each containing a coloring agent held under pressure by means of a compressed air supply line. The coloring material is directed from the pot through a motorized valve to a respective nozzle, controlled by a valve. At the same time, compressed air is supplied to the nozzle, controlled by the valve, so that the coloring material is atomized and ejected against the stencil on the fabric sample.

Also in dishwashers test methods are known. As a rule, they consist in food residues being applied in defined amounts and versions to the material to be cleaned. For example, areas of egg white, ketchup, salad dressings and butter or even other foods are applied to porcelain plates with a brush. This preparation of test equipment is repeated several times, so that the same test equipment is available for different cleaning processes.

In the actual washing, cleaning and / or drying process, however, other parameters must be taken into account, such as the corresponding detergent, but also the water hardness, which may also affect the mechanical processing of the goods.

Furthermore, the location of the material to be cleaned plays a role within the device.

1. 1. die Bearbeitungsdauer;
2. 2. die innere Konstruktion der Wascheinrichtung, wie beispielsweise Grösse, Gestaltung, Anzahl und Form der entsprechenden Trenneinrichtungen;
3. 3. Umdrehungsgeschwindigkeiten der Trommel bzw. des zu waschenden Gutes bzw. der Strahleinrichtung innerhalb einer Geschirrspülmaschine;
4. 4. Wasserstand;
5. 5. die Menge des zu waschenden und reinigen oder trocknenden Guts, insbesondere im Verhältnis zum Raumvolumen;
6. 6. die Eigenschaften des zu reinigenden Gutes, wie Art, Menge, Qualität und Ausmasse bzw. Gewicht sowie Zusammensetzung;
7. 7. Schaumhöhe.

Other parameters include:

1. 1. the processing time;
2. 2. the internal construction of the washing device, such as size, design, number and shape of the respective separating devices;
3. 3. rotational speeds of the drum or of the material to be washed or the jet device within a dishwasher;
4. 4. water level;
5. 5. the amount of material to be washed and cleaned or dried, in particular in relation to the volume of the room;
6. 6. the properties of the goods to be cleaned, such as type, quantity, quality and size or weight and composition;
7. 7. foam height.

For the physical and / or chemical processing of the textile fabric is essentially the mechanical force that acts on the tissue during the washing process. Repeated bending, stretching and walking or grinding movements, all of which have the goal to wash the dirt out of the textiles, act detrimental to the nature and the corresponding properties of the textile fabric.

The mechanical processing of the material to be cleaned within a dishwasher is crucially dependent on the mechanical force of the corresponding water jet. The greater the force on the water jet to be cleaned, the greater the likelihood that food remains will be removed accordingly. However, there are also areas to which the corresponding water jets do not reach, so that in particular the chemical process caused by the detergent has to act to clearly remove food residues here.

Furthermore, currently no methods or test equipment for floor cleaning machines are known.

The methods for determining the qualities of a washing, cleaning and / or drying process of washing machines and dishwashers are very complicated and expensive and can be severely distorted by chemical influences, such as, for example, bleaching agents. Furthermore, the comparison with other types of examination is very difficult because no standardized procedure is implemented.

problem

It is an object of the invention to provide a test means by means of standardized, in particular the mechanical activity of an aggregate, such as a dishwasher and a washing machine and the associated mechanical and chemical processing of a to be washed, cleaned or dried Guts be determined can.

This means that by means of such a test means as accurately as possible, the physical and / or chemical stress on the unit to be cleaned by the unit and the comparison of different units can be traced. The test equipment should ensure a practical assessment.

solution thoughts

A central idea of the invention is to provide a defined test device, are applied to the corresponding particles in a specific density. In washing machines, in particular by the mechanical loading of the test equipment within the drum, for example by walking, bending or stretching, it is achieved that the particles detach from the test equipment. The number of particles left on the test equipment after the cleaning, washing and / or drying process is a quantity that is related to the load on the test equipment and thus the physical and / or chemical activity of the unit during the washing process.

By the physical and / or chemical processing of the test equipment within a dishwasher, for example by different water jets with different pressures and the chemical additives is achieved that the particles are released from the test equipment. The number of particles that remain on the test equipment after the cleaning, washing and / or drying process is a quantity which is proportional to the quality of cleaning and thus to the physical and / or chemical activity of the unit during the cleaning, washing and washing process. and / or drying process stands.

The test means are preferably designed such that they are suitable for all types of aggregates which perform washing, cleaning and / or drying processes. Thus, for example, a floor tile may have the formation of a test agent to test floor cleaning equipment accordingly. An alternative may be to apply the test equipment to an already laid floor tile.

Advantages of the invention

The advantages of the invention are generally dependent on which aggregate, for example washing machine or dishwasher, the corresponding test equipment is used. For reasons of clarity, the advantages with respect to an aggregate in the design of a washing machine will initially be presented below. In the following, the advantages of the test device as well as the method according to the invention in relation to the unit in the design of a dishwasher will be discussed in more detail. It should be noted that the use of the test equipment is not limited to these two aggregates. The test equipment is used in every qualitative test of an aggregate that performs a washing, cleaning and / or drying process.

Washing machine

A preferred embodiment of the test device in relation to checking the quality of a cleaning, washing and / or drying process in a washing machine is a two- or three-dimensional object in the form of a carrier element on which particles are arranged in a defined density. These particles have the property that they detach from it by chemical and / or physical action on the carrier element. The particles have a defined holding power, since they are either glued, melted or otherwise applied. The particles themselves are made of plastic. Due to the mechanics created in the washing machine (walking, bending, stretching or similar) Depending on the size of the forces occurring more or less particles are replaced. The number of detached or remaining particles is determined accordingly, measured and is usually considered as a measure of the resulting mechanical stress during the cleaning, washing and / or drying process. The assessment can subsequently be carried out by various methods, among others by simple counting of a comparison standard or measurement, for example in colorimetric form.

In order to create a user-friendly design of the test device, the invention proposes to form the carrier element from a fabric, for example in plain weave, on which the particles, for example consisting of polyethylene, are applied. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the carrier element consists of wool or another textile base material on which likewise corresponding particles, for example consisting of polyethylene, are arranged.

The support member may thus consist of any materials, provided that a certain surface is guaranteed. It is also possible to use three-dimensional structures which are formed either from the carrier material or the test device itself has the corresponding particles which are applied in a defined density. Depending on the material to be tested, appropriate specimens can be washed. It is also conceivable that the test materials are sewn to existing laundry or fabric textiles or attached in any other way. Here, for example, be provided to attach the test material to towels, especially at the edge (hem) to find corresponding real conditions.

dishwasher

A preferred embodiment of the test equipment for dishwashers is a two- or three-dimensional object, which has the form of a customarily to be annined Guts, for example, a plate, a cup, a glass or a cutlery. On this object, the particles are applied with a defined holding force (either glued, melted or even with protein or otherwise applied).

These particles are made of plastic. Due to the physical load, in particular by the mechanical stress due to the applied water pressure, arise depending on the type and location and arrangement of the material to be cleaned according to occurring forces that more or less replace the corresponding particles. The number of detached or remaining points is determined and measured accordingly and is usually considered as a measure of the quality of the washing, cleaning and / or drying process. The assessment can subsequently be carried out by various methods, including simple counting, comparison standards or measurements, for example colorimetric.

A particularly preferred embodiment consists in that the test means, and this has a two- or three-dimensional design, from a carrier element consists of plastic, ceramic or glass. This support element, on which the corresponding particles are arranged in a predetermined density, can be shaped as desired or introduced into different shapes. This has the advantage that the support materials can be applied to freely selectable locations of the material to be cleaned and thus also allow standardized measurements, which can extend to particular angled and undercut areas of the material to be cleaned.

In addition, this design of the test equipment has the advantage that it is consumer-oriented, so that the consumer finds in the test equipment the daily set in the dishwasher article again.

The core of the invention is that the particles of the same size or different respectively defined size are glued or melted on the article or on the carrier element in any way, the holding force which holds the particles on the carrier element is defined. In particular, when performing standardized test series can be provided that the particles are coated with food-like or identical adhesives.

Alternatively, polyester or polyamide particles may also be provided. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use any metals, stones, glass or similar materials, these being applied by means of an adhesive. It is important that only the adhesive below the corresponding particle is arranged.

Therefore, the following application procedures are proposed:

On the one hand, it can be provided to apply the dots on the carrier element pointwise or particle by means of a predetermined grid. In addition, provision may be made for applying particulate material via a matrix that is laid over the carrier element. Furthermore, it can be provided to apply the particles to the carrier element in certain sizes and areas by means of a structure already applied to the foil. Thus, many variants are conceivable to apply such particles to a fabric or to a specific carrier element.

Depending on the desired holding force, the bonding method can be selected. On the one hand, it can be provided according to the invention to apply the individual particles by means of a corresponding adhesive. On the other hand, it can be provided by spraying or melting on the carrier element, that a certain connection between the carrier element and the particle is received, which has the size of a corresponding holding force.

Alternatively, it may be provided to provide each particle with an adhesive and then applied to the carrier element according to a previously defined pattern.

It is also possible to provide protein as adhesive material, so that consumer-oriented quality assessment can be carried out in particular in the field of test equipment use in dishwashers.

A further embodiment may consist in that carrier element and particles form an integral part. In order to determine the holding force between the particle and the carrier element, it is preferably provided that the particles with a corresponding to provide a thin cross-section. Alternatively, it may be provided to insert a defined and previously predetermined breaking point on the particles.

If the test device is designed as a carrier element, then it can be attached to objects in different ways and in a variety of forms. For example, it is provided that the carrier element is formed in strips and in particular in the dishwasher area can be stuck onto the material to be cleaned. It can be attached anywhere on a good and can be arranged due to its flexible design to any curves and corners and edges.

Food residues can also already be arranged on the carrier element. These can be made both synthetically and real, which then have properties that correspond to the daily use of goods to be cleaned inside dishwashers.

A further embodiment of a test device, in particular for dishwashers, may consist in that the carrier element or the object is of circular design, so that it can be attached in particular to plates or even to cup or glass bottoms.

The above-mentioned test equipment is also suitable for assessing the quality of cleaning agents in hand washes.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the following description, claims and drawings.

drawings

Fig. 1

einen Querschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemässes Prüfmaterial, das aus einem dreidimensionalen Gegenstand besteht der als Trägerelement ausgebildet ist sowie auf dem Trägerelement aufgebrachte Partikel;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf ein Prüfmittel, eingesetzt in Waschmaschinen, das einer sehr geringen Belastung ausgesetzt worden ist;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf ein Prüfmittel, eingesetzt in Waschmaschinen, das einer geringen Belastung ausgesetzt worden ist;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf ein Prüfmittel, eingesetzt in Waschmaschinen, das einer mittleren Belastung ausgesetzt worden ist;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf ein Prüfmittel, eingesetzt in Waschmaschinen, das einer starken Belastung ausgesetzt worden ist;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung der Aufbringung eines Trägermaterials auf ein zu reinigendes Gut, das mit Partikeln versehen ist;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Ansicht auf das aufgebrachte Trägermaterial zusammen mit dem zu reinigenden Gut, gemäss Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung der Aufbringung von Partikeln auf ein zu reinigendes Gut.

Show it

Fig. 1

a cross section through a test material according to the invention, which consists of a three-dimensional object which is designed as a carrier element and applied to the carrier element particles;

Fig. 2

a plan view of a tester used in washing machines, which has been subjected to a very low load;

Fig. 3

a plan view of a tester used in washing machines, which has been subjected to a low load;

Fig. 4

a plan view of a tester used in washing machines, which has been subjected to an average load;

Fig. 5

a plan view of a tester used in washing machines, which has been subjected to a heavy load;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of the application of a carrier material to be cleaned, which is provided with particles;

Fig. 7

a schematic view of the applied carrier material together with the material to be cleaned, according to FIG. 6;

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of the application of particles on a good to be cleaned.

Description of the embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a test device according to the invention. This test means 1 consists of a two- or three-dimensional object in the form of a carrier element 2 and of the particles 4 arranged on the surface 3. The particles 4 are arranged in a region 5 on the surface 3 of the carrier element 2 and have a distance 6 from each other on. The thickness 7 of the support member 2 is arbitrary and is preferably provided to use such a support member 2, which also corresponds in actual use, for example in the quality inspection of a washing machine of textiles such as shirts, pants or the like.

The particles 4 are applied on their underside 8 on the surface 3 of the carrier element 2. There is a free space in the spaces 9 between the individual particles.

In FIGS. 2-5, such a carrier element 2 with particles 4 is shown in plan view. In particular, in Figure 2 it can be seen that small voids 10 are present, which arise from the fact that a particle 4 has detached from the surface 3 of the support member 2. Also clearly visible is the distance 6 between the individual particles 4.

In FIG. 3, several voids 10 have already occurred, whereas in FIG. 5 there are a great many voids 10 which have been caused by the fact that a strong mechanical and / or chemical stress has taken place and thus the particles 4 lose contact with the carrier element 2 to have.

The support element 2 thus produced is introduced into an assembly and there according to the aggregate, for example a washing machine or a dishwasher, processed. For this purpose, it may be provided that a so-called standard loading of the unit is predetermined and the test means 1 is added as an additional quality inspection. The evaluation of how many voids 10 such a support element 2 now, can be done in different ways.

Preferably, particles are colored, either dyed upon application, or dyed after application to the carrier element 2, designed such that they differ greatly from the basic color of the surface of the support element and thus stand out. Due to this, the surface density of the particles 4 can be analytically determined by an optical surface measurement. For this purpose, different methods are known from the prior art and do not require further explanation here.

As an alternative to the stated method, in which it is determined how many particles 4 have dissolved by the mechanical and / or chemical stress, it can be provided to enter different test materials into the test procedure, wherein the different test materials differ in that they each Particles with different holding forces are provided on the carrier element 2 and / or another carrier element 2 is used.

After a test procedure, the mechanical load in test equipment 1 can then be ascertained, which at first bears almost all particles 4.

The essential advantage of the invention is that it can be determined in a very simple manner at a first glance how high the physical and / or chemical stress has been during a washing, cleaning and / or drying process. Already very few spaces 10 are easily recognized in a very simple way and it is possible also to make a corresponding comparison with different aggregates of the same type.

Another significant advantage is that the test material 1 is applicable to any type of drying, washing or cleaning. Another important aspect is that such a test can be carried out quickly and inexpensively, in particular that sound statements about the mechanical load can be taken after only one to five washings. A complex secondary test, such as the known from the prior art tensile strength test, completely eliminated.

A comparison can also be between two different aggregates, regardless of whether they are used for cleaning, drying or washing of textile material or for cleaning, washing and drying of dishes or the like, readily represent analytically and visually very well. The results are easily reproducible by means of the test equipment and, above all, can be standardized. They also correspond to the consumer expectations, since they are realistically executable.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the application of a test device 21 to a product 20 to be cleaned, for example a plate. This test means 21 consists of a two- or three-dimensional object in the form of a carrier element 22 and of the particles 24 arranged on the surface 23. The particles 24 are arranged in a region 25 on the surface 23 of the carrier element 22 and have a distance 26 from each other on. The thickness 27 of the carrier element 22 is arbitrary. The particles 24 are applied on their underside 28 on the surface 23 of the carrier element 22. In the spaces 29 between the particles 24 there is a free space. Preferably, the carrier element 22 flexible, so that it can be adapted to the good to be cleaned. On the side facing away from the particles 24 32, the support member 22 has an adhesive surface for solid application to the material to be cleaned.

Alternatively, it is provided that the carrier element 22 in any shape (for example, as shown in Fig. 6) is inserted and cured by means of suitable devices. This creates a test means 21 which has a three-dimensional shape and then retains it. Thus, cups, cups, plates or similar products can be created as a test device in a very simple manner.

FIG. 7 shows the result of the method step according to FIG. 6. By applying the test agent 21 in this way, the material to be cleaned can be partially or completely coated with particles 24.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Fig. 8. The test means 31 presented here consists in this embodiment of particles 34 and a support member 32. The particles 34 are held by a support member 32 in a defined density to each other. The particles 34 have an adhesive layer on the side facing away from the carrier element 32, which is covered with a carrier film 35. To apply the particles 34, the carrier film 35 is removed and removed, so that the particles 34 can be applied to an object 40. Once the particles 34 are applied to the surface of the article 40, the support member 32 can be removed. With the help of this device, the particles 34 can be attached to any objects.

The test equipment for the standardized determination of the quality of a washing, cleaning and / or drying process can be applied to any aggregate which, at least performs one of said processes. Washing machine and dishwasher are thus only a selection.

Claims (7)

1. Testing means for standardized ascertainment of the quality of a washing, cleaning and/or drying operation, comprising a two- or three-dimensional article in the form of a carrier element (2; 22; 32), characterized in that arranged on the carrier element (2; 22; 32), in a defined density, are particles (4; 24; 34) detachable therefrom as a consequence of its physical and/or chemical exposure, the particles (4; 24; 34) having a defined size and defined holding power, and the particles (4; 24; 34) consisting of plastic.
2. Testing means according to Claim 1, characterized in that the particles (4; 24; 34) are applied by means of a connection agent to the carrier element (2; 22; 32).
3. Testing means according to Claim 1, characterized in that the particles (4) and the article are designed in a single piece.
4. Testing means according to Claim 3, characterized in that an intended-breakage point is provided between the particle (4) and the article.
5. Testing means according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the particles (34) are covered on one side with a carrier element (32) which is detachable from the particles (34) and on their other side with a carrier film (35) which is detachable from the particles (34).
6. Testing means according to Claim 5, characterized in that, on the side pointing towards the carrier film (35), the particles (34) are provided with an adhesive for attachment to the article to be cleaned.
7. Testing means according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (2; 22; 32) is freely formable and can be cured in virtually any desired embodiment in order to form two- or three-dimensional articles.

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