Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F5/00—Hand implements for washing purposes, e.g. sticks 
  • D06F5/005—Receptacles for washing articles, e.g. hosiery, by shaking or squeezing
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F5/00—Hand implements for washing purposes, e.g. sticks 
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
  • D06F43/00—Dry-cleaning apparatus or methods using volatile solvents

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a novel method of washing fabrics and an apparatus for facilitating that method.
• Hand washing requires immersion of the fabrics in a large volume of water, normally accompanied by vigorous manual agitation.
• the present invention allows washing of clothes using much smaller amounts of water by folding or rolling-up the fabrics in a piece of sponge-like or other porous material .
• East German patent specification DD-A-29 346 also discloses a method of washing fabrics in a receptacle or container, in the presence of a sponge material for trapping released soil in the pores of said material.
• US-A-3 694 364 discloses a process wherein a cloth, that is impregnated with a polymeric amine material to trap soil suspended in the wash liquor, is washed together with fabrics in a washing machine.
• EP-A-429172 describes method for treating fabrics in a laundry dryer comprising the use of a flexible container with a flexible sheet, preferably impregnated with non- aqueous "dry-cleaning" solvents.
• US-A-4336024 discloses a process for cleaning clothes in a washing machine comprising soaking or spraying the article of clothing with a solvent-based cleaning agent, laying the article on top of an absorbent sheet (optionally covered by a impermeable sheet) and spinning the article on top of an absorbent sheet in a washing machine.
• US-A-3694364 discloses a amine-coated modified cellulosic substrate in combination with a detergent to both introduce the detergent in and remove dirt from aqueous laundry baths.
• an apparatus for washing fabrics comprising a sheet of water-absorbent material, a water-resistant wrap, and securing means for securing the sheet of water-absorbent material inside the wrap when in use characterized in that said water-absorbent material is pre-impregnated with cleaning agent.
• the invention can also be used as a travel wash kit for fabrics, e.g. in hotel rooms or for camping or for other outdoor leisure pursuits.
• the sheet of water-absorbent material can be used alone but in order to facilitate retention of wash liquor, it is used in conjunction with a water resistant wrap. In the latter case, it is convenient to provide securing means for securing the sheet of spongy or other water-absorbent material inside the wrap when in use.
• the water-absorbent sheet material is preferably spongy but any woven or non-woven water-absorbent material could be substituted.
• the spongy or other water-absorbent material is preferably pre-impregnated with the cleaning agent.
• the cleaning agent is either a detergent composition in substantially dry (e.g. powder) form, or in the form of an aqueous or non-aqueous detergent liquid composition, applied neat or diluted in water (including those which contain suspended solids) , or else in the form of a powder or solvent based dry cleaning agent.
• suitable liquid detergent compositions are those marketed for "pre- treat ent" of fabrics prior to washing in a washing machine.
• the most suitable cleaning agent will be an aqueous solution or suspension of a detergent powder.
• the cleaning agent is a detergent composition that is adapted for use at low temperatures, preferably from 10°C to 50°C.
• Suitable detergent compositions may contain non-soap surfactant and/or soap alone but may also comprise other components which are routine in solid and/or liquid detergent compositions, e.g. detergency builders, enzymes, bleaches, soil release agents and anti-redeposition agents .
• the user can directly apply the cleaning agent, optionally with additional water, to the spongy or water absorbent sheet and/or the garment, before the washing process is effected.
• the garment may optionally be rinsed prior to drying by any convenient method, e.g. by rinsing with water in a bowl or using an apparatus according to the present invention but using water or another rinse agent only and not a detergent composition.
• any sheet water-absorbent material used in a apparatus according to the present invention preferably has a thickness of at least 2 mm.
• the maximum thickness is preferably 2.5 cm.
• the thickness is from 2.5 mm to 1 cm, e.g. around 0.5 mm.
• the sheet of water-absorbent material is also impregnated and/or surface coated with a material for releasing and/or trapping soil from the article, during wash process.
• a material may for example be a polymer such as a polymeric amine material as disclosed in US-A-3 694 364.
• the wrap is preferably made of a water-proof plastics material such as polyethylene. It may for example be in the form of a bag, into which the rolled-up or folded bundle of sheet and article are placed prior to effecting the compression action.
• a tie is provided as securing means for sealing the mouth of the 'bag.
• the wrap may instead be in sheet form.
• the article to be washed is placed on top of the sheet of water-absorbent or spongy material which is on top of the wrap sheet (either loosely lying thereon or pre-attached thereto) .
• the sheets are then rolled-up together with the article to form a roll, prior to effecting the compression action.
• they may just be folded.
• this use further comprises the step of securing the roll in the rolled-up configuration.
• both the wrap and the spongy or water-absorbent sheet may be of any convenient shape butpreferably, they will be substantially rectilinear, e.g. square.
• both the sheet of water-resistant material and sheet of spongy or water-absorbent material are both substantially the same shape, but most preferably, the latter being somewhat smaller than the former in one or both length and width dimensions, so that most of any water exuded during compression is not lost.
• the securing means may be any kind of releasable fastening such as VelcroTM or a simple belt or band.
• VelcroTM releasable fastening
• a tie or drawstring arrangement comprising a string or cord of any suitable material respectively extending from each corner of the water-resistant material.
• a pair of strings may be attached along opposite edges so that the free ends thereof extend from each corner.
• the apparatus of the present invention may be sold with the sheet component (s) thereof rolled or folded and tied or otherwise secured or contained in a wrapping or bag.
• the water-resistant wrap is a bag, it may be used as a container for the other components of the apparatus when presented for sale.
• Figure 3 shows cleaning of the fabrics with the rolled up bundle resulting from the process shown in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention; and
• Figure 5 shows a variant of the second embodiment of the present invention.
• a polyethylene plastics mat 1 has a first drawstring 3 extending along one edge 5 thereof so that a first free end 7 of the drawstring 3 extends from a first corner 9 of the sheet 1 and a second free end 11 extends from a second corner 13.
• a second drawstring 17 Along a second edge 15 opposite to the first edge 13, is attached a second drawstring 17 such that a first free end 19 of the second drawstring 17 extends from another corner 21 and a second free end 23 extends from the last corner 25 of the polyethylene mat.
• the plastics mat 1 is substantially square and a slightly smaller rectangular synthetic sponge rubber sheet 27 is laid on top of the polyethylene mat 1.
• One suitable sheet sponge rubber material is a polyester sponge of density 13 to 15 Kg/m3, available as product FT-14T from Foam Techniques Ltd, Wellingborough, Northants, UK.
• the synthetic sponge rubber sheet 27 is impregnated with an aqueous solution of a detergent powder, preferably for use at low temperatures (ca. 10°C to 50°C) .
• the temperature of the sheet 27 and mat 1 may be raised by solar heating. This may be enhanced by making either or both from a material which is strongly absorbent to solar radiation.
• a garment 29 is laid on top of the synthetic sponge rubber sheet 27.
• the composite of the mat 1, synthetic sponge rubber layer 27 and garment 29 and optionally, the mat 1 with them is rolled up in the manner of a swiss roll to form a bundle 31.
• the drawstrings 3, 17 are then tied at either side 5, 15 to secure the rolled-up bundle.
• intermittent pressure by hand pressure or sitting or standing on the bundle is applied repeatedly to pump the wash liquor through the garment and clean it.
• Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Where integers are the same as for the first embodiment, like reference numerals are used.
• the sponge rubber sheet 27 and garment 29 are rolled-up together as in the first embodiment, but without the plastics mat 1.
• the resultant rolled-up bundle 33 is then placed in a plastics bag 37, the mouth of which is loosely sealed with a wire tie (not shown) .
• Figure 5 shows a variant of the arrangement shown in
• the soiled sponge rubber sheet may be discarded or used for any other suitable material, e.g. as a mulch for plants or as a fuel for burning. It can then be replaced by a fresh sponge rubber sheet 27.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
• Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=10814316

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (11)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (6)

• 1997
  • 1997-06-16 GB GBGB9712595.9A patent/GB9712595D0/en not_active Ceased
• 1998
  • 1998-06-10 EP EP98937500A patent/EP0994976A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-06-10 TR TR1999/02954T patent/TR199902954T2/xx unknown
  • 1998-06-10 KR KR1019997011809A patent/KR20010013791A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-06-10 CN CN98806226A patent/CN1260849A/zh active Pending
  • 1998-06-10 BR BR9810136-6A patent/BR9810136A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-06-10 WO PCT/EP1998/003693 patent/WO1998058113A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-06-10 AU AU86274/98A patent/AU8627498A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-06-15 ZA ZA9805187A patent/ZA985187B/xx unknown
  • 1998-06-16 AR ARP980102841A patent/AR016069A1/es unknown
• 1999
  • 1999-06-10 ID IDW991603A patent/ID26159A/id unknown

Patent Citations (6)

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