Patent Application
20170245733
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to removing stains from fabrics, and relates more particularly to a kit and method for treating stains according to specified criteria.
Related Art
Stains and soaked-in spots on fabrics including apparel are often difficult to remove in a timely fashion or with given user requirements. For example, a person wearing a particular item of clothing that becomes stained will often not wish to or be able to submit the clothing item to professional cleaning services, which can be both time consuming and costly. Getting apparel to a cleaning service such as a dry cleaner can also take a large amount of time, during which time a stain is more likely to set and becomes harder to remove. The stain is more likely to set over a period of non-treatment because the stain material tends to oxidize and form bonds with the fabric over time and become increasingly more difficult to eradicate safely. Stain removal can be difficult because a number of other factors for satisfactory cleaning must be considered. For example, the type of stained material should be considered in selecting an appropriate technique for removing the stain. In addition, the fabric to be treated for stain removal should be considered to determine if an appropriate stain treatment may damage the fabric. It would be desirable to quickly and easily diagnose a stain and the stained fabric for an appropriate treatment to rapidly remove the stain without damaging the fabric.
One drawback in stain removal processes is that an applied stain removal agent can soak into the stained fabric and be dispersed into the fabric outside the area of the stain. The dispersion of the stain removal agent can draw the stain material into unstained areas of the fabric, creating a larger stain area and potentially discoloring a larger area of the fabric than is the case with the original stain. It would be desirable to provide a means for preventing dispersion of the stain removal agent outside an area of the stain and to focus the cleaning power of the stain removal agent in the stain area.
In addition, if the fabric is soaked with a cleaning formula and not rinsed out, the final results can be poor. For example, stain particles and cleaning formula residue can be left in the fabric if not rinsed out, which can have an adverse effect on the fabric, including leaving a ring around the stained areas.
Another drawback in stain removal that should be avoided is improper use of a cleaning agent that can result in further setting the stain into the fabric rather than removing it. Many cleaning agents have strict packaging and handling requirements, and require special application methods. It has often been the case that properly disposing of the cleaning agents or solvents is a sizeable task, often limited because of practical considerations to commercial dry cleaning establishments.
Attempts to provide cleaning agents for personal use in a simplified product have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,980,941 to Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 3,686,125 to Miller and U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,190 to Schmidgall. These stain removing systems provide techniques for delivering a cleaning solution to a stained area for stain removal. These approaches provide a simplistic approach to removing a stain, however a given single cleaning agent may not be useful for all types of fabrics, or to remove all types of stained material, such as in the case of combination stains.
Another approach to remove particular stain combinations in a number of different types of fabric is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,614 to Mahdessian, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. Mahdessian discloses the use of alternate cleaning formulas and rinses to remove a variety of stains in a variety of materials according to a particular application sequence. The approach by Mahdessian works well in removing a number of types of stains because of the application of different cleaning formulas directed at different stain types responsive to the particular cleaning formula. According to this approach, complex stains can be removed with a particular cleaning formula sequence with rinses applied after each cleaning formula application. However, it would be desirable to improve this approach to overcome the drawback of cleaning formula and stain dispersion in the fabric to be cleaned.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stain removal kit and method that provides stain removal using application of a cleaning solution and a rinse agent in conjunction with a super absorbent material to soak up the cleaning solution, rinse agent and stain material.
A stain removal kit in accordance with and embodiment of the present application includes a cleaning formula for cleaning a stained fabric, a rinse solution for rinsing the fabric after application of the cleaning formula and a super absorbent material for absorbing at least one of the cleaning formula with stain material and the rinse solution.
A stain removal kit in accordance with another embodiment of the present application includes a cleaning formula for cleaning a stained fabric, a rinse solution for rinsing the fabric after application of the cleaning formula, a stain guide including information for treatment of stains through the application of a sequence of the cleaning formula and rinse solution and a super absorbent material for absorbing at least one of the cleaning formula with stain material and the rinse solution.
A method of removing a stain in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes applying a super absorbent material to the stain to remove stain material, positioning other super absorbent material under the fabric and the stain, applying a cleaning solution to the stain and applying a rinse solution to the stain after applying the cleaning solution to rinse the cleaning solution and stain material from the fabric.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is described in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring now to
When treating stained fabric, time is an important factor in successfully removing a stain from the soiled fabric. The sooner the stain is properly treated, the easier and safer it is to remove the stain. The longer a stain remains untreated, the sooner the stain material will oxidize and set into the fabric. Accordingly, stain removal kit 10 is made portable and compact to be taken along or stored in any location convenient to where a stain may be incurred.
In
Combination packets 14-16 include cleaning formula packets 17-19, each of which includes an absorbent cloth 22-24, respectively, saturated with a separate cleaning formula. Preferably, three different cleaning formulas F1, F2 and F3 are available in cleaning formula pockets 17-19, respectively. For example, packet 17 includes cloth 22 saturated with a cleaning formula for cleaning earth based stains, such as, for example, fruit juices, teas, colas, liquors and so forth. Packet 18 includes a cloth 23 saturated with a cleaning formula for cleaning protein and dairy based stains, such as, for example, blood, perspiration, milk, eggs and so forth. Packet 19 includes a cloth 24 saturated with a cleaning formula for cleaning oil based stains, such as, for example, vegetable, mineral or petroleum oils, animal fat, salad dressings and so forth.
Each cleaning formula saturated into cloths 22-24, in packets 17-19, is accompanied by a rinse packet 20, generally referred to or labeled as R, that has a cloth 25 saturated with a rinsing agent. Preferably, the rinsing agent saturating cloth 25 is distilled water. However, it should be apparent that a number of rinsing agents are available for use with kit 10, and may be matched individually with the separate cleaning formulas in packets 17-19. For example, rinse packet 20 accompanying cleaning formula packet 17 in combination packet 14 can contain a rinsing agent that is specially formulated to rinse the cleaning formula saturated into cloth 22, and likewise for the other cleaning formulas and rinse packets.
A packet 13, generally labeled S, preferably includes three super absorbent cloths 27 that are used in conjunction with the application of the cleaning formulas and rinsing agents supplied with packets 17-20. It should be apparent that other types of absorbent material may be used in place of the super absorbent cloths. For example, absorbent cotton balls, pads, sponges and the like that are capable of absorbing fluid from a fabric can be used.
Super absorbent cloths 27 can be used as a first treatment for removing stain material from fabric. That is, cloth 27 can be applied initially to the stained fabric to soak up the stain material and remove excess stain material to reduce the amount of stain that must be cleaned. Cloth 27 is also applied to an opposite side of the stained fabric than that to which the cleaning formulas and rinsing agents are applied. By placing super absorbent cloth 27 on an opposite side of the stained fabric, application of the cleaning formulas and rinsing agents helps to transfer the stain material through the fabric and into super absorbent cloth 27. Super absorbent cloth 27 thus draws the cleaning formulas, the rinsing agent and the stain material through the fabric to be cleaned to help provide a mechanical flow for removal of stain material. In addition, the use of super absorbent cloth 27 tends to keep the stain from being dispersed further into the fabric. That is, super absorbent cloth 27 draws the cleaning formulas and rinses through the fabric, without a substantial amount of spread within the fabric. It is typically the case that application of conventional stain treatments causes the stain material to be dispersed into the fabric, resulting in a larger stain area. By using super absorbent cloth 27 in conjunction with careful application of the cleaning formulas and the rinsing agents, a stain can be contained to its original area without further spreading into the fabric.
Stain kit 10 also includes an envelope 12 for housing packets 13 and combination packets 14-16. Envelope 12 provides a pocket (not shown) for storing packets 13 and combination packets 14-16 in an easy to use and simple storage compartment. Envelope 12 preferably folds over several times to provide a compact carrying case for stain kit 10 with stain treating information and guides provided in several sections of envelope 12. In addition, envelope 12 is printed with instructions for using kit 10, in addition to providing a guide for stain removal, discussed in greater detail below.
Packets 13 and combination packets 14-16 are also preferably printed with identifiers and instructions for use. For example, packet 17 may be printed with an identifier for a cleaning formula 1, while packets 18 and 19 may be printed with identifiers for a cleaning formula 2 and 3, respectively. Packets 20 are preferably printed with a rinse identifier are for easily discerning the rinsing agent and its purpose from that of the cleaning formulas. Packets 17-19 are also preferably printed with instructions for application of the respective cleaning formula to the stained fabric.
Referring now to
The instructions on packets 17-19 also describe a preferable technique for applying the cleaning formula with any of cloths 22-24. In addition to containing the stain with the use of super absorbent cloths 27, the technique provided in step 2 of
Rinse packets 20 also include instructions for use, an example of which is illustrated in
Packet 13 also includes printed instructions and identification, indicating that the stain removal process should be started with the application of one of super absorbent cloths 27. Referring to
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rinsing agent saturating cloths 25 is distilled water. Distilled water is helpful in flushing stain particles and cleaning formula from the stained fabric, and is easily absorbed into super absorbent pads 27. In addition, distilled water permits the fabric to dry without leaving a ring, such as would be the case with typical tap water containing iron and various other minerals. It is often the case that tap water used in a localized area of a fabric for rinsing will leave a yellow ring that is directly the result of iron and other minerals in the tap water.
To use stain removal kit 10, the stain guide is consulted to determine the appropriate cleaning formulas and sequence for removing the given stain. Super absorbent cloth 27 is placed on one side of the stained fabric.
Cleaning agents are then applied to another side of the stained fabric, for example, cleaning formula 1, 2 or 3 in packets 17-19, respectively, for example. Using these cleaning formulas in various combinations, any type of stain can be removed with excellent results. Cleaning formula 1 is preferably designed to remove earth based stains, while cleaning formulas 2 and 3 are designed to remove protein and oil based stains, respectively. These cleaning formulas are commercially available in proper dilutions and with appropriate additives suitable for direct contact with fabrics.
In an exemplary embodiment, cleaning agents 1, 2 and 3 are saturated into cloths 22-24, respectively. Since these cleaning formulas are typically applied in liquid form, the cloth or web material to be saturated is selected to avoid chemical interaction with the cleaning formulas, and to serve as a cleaning tool. For example, the cloth material is a non-woven, embossed applicator having a 3 to 1 rayon/polypropylene blend and is available under the trade name NOVONETTE sold by Veratec. The embossing on the applicator provides a textured surface that enhances mechanical cleaning action while providing recesses to contain soil material taken from the fabric surface being cleaned. Preferably, the same cloth material is used in packets 14-19. It should be apparent that other synthetic blends or treated natural fibers can be used for the cloth or web material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the packets themselves are created from laminates 30, which are cut into paired blanks and heat sealed along their peripheries. Any suitable vapor impervious laminate may be used that avoids chemical interaction with the cleaning formulas. Laminates 30 contain an outer paper layer, an intermediate foil layer and an inner modified polyethylene ionomer layer which is heat-sealable.
In an exemplary embodiment, rinse packets 20 preferably contain cloths saturated with distilled water. Packets 17-19 are labeled to indicate that rinse agents in packets 20 should be applied after the cleaning formulas. Packets 20 are labeled to indicate that super absorbent cloth 27 is used before and potentially after a complete sequence of cleaning formula applications and rinses, or the fabric may be air dried until completely dry. The labeling on packets 20 also indicates how super absorbent cloths 27 should be used, i.e., from outer edges of the wet area towards a center with circular motions (
Referring now to
The stain guide lists a number of combination stains that are effectively treated with a specific sequence of cleaning formulas and rinses. For example, in block 46 a particular wet stain type calls for the application of packets 18, 20, 19, 20, 13 after placement of super absorbent cloth 27. A third stain type is treated with permutation 3 in box 48 by applying packets 17, 18, 20, 13 in the presence of super absorbent cloth 27. Many other stain types and permutations are provided as indicated in
Referring now to
Super absorbent cloth 27 provides a means for absorbing not only stain material that is dissolved or loosened by application of one or more cleaning formulas and rinses, but also absorbs the cleaning formulas and rinses themselves. Accordingly, super absorbent cloth 27 soaks up the cleaning formulas, rinses and stain material to provide a fluid flow through and out of the stained fabric to obtain a mechanical means for removing stain material. As further solvent and/or rinse is applied to the fabric, the flow through the fabric to super absorbent cloth 27 is enhanced, thereby contributing to removing the stain material from the fabric.
Moreover, super absorbent cloth 27 tends to prevent cleaning formulas, rinses and stain material from spreading further in the fabric. By drawing the cleaning formulas and rinses through the fabric, there is less of an opportunity for the dispersion of the cleaning formulas or rinses into the fabric. When the area of fabric absorbing the cleaning formulas, rinses, and potentially the stain material, is reduced, the stain removal process achieves increased effectiveness and produces better results.
Referring now to
As described in guide 82, cleaning a particular stain is addressed by applying super absorbent cloth 27 to one side of the stained fabric, selecting the appropriate packets indicated by guide 84 and sequentially opening and applying the packet contents to the side of the stained fabric opposite super absorbent cloth 27. The cloth or web from the selected packet is preferably lightly tapped in contact with the stained fabric, and super absorbent cloth 27 draws the cleaning formula, rinse and stain material through and out of the stained fabric. Once the fabric has been sufficiently saturated with the cleaning agent that is drawn through the fabric with the stain material, the used cloth or web is simply discarded and the next steps in the sequence are applied. If a combination stain is to be treated, i.e., one involving two or more materials listed in different columns of guide 84, a sequence of formula applications is called for.
Referring now to
For example, guide 84 (
Guide 86 further notes that when treating a complex stain, the sequence of applications can be truncated if the stain is completely removed before the end of the sequence. Rinse packets are preferably applied after the cleaning formula applications to remove both the cleaning formula and any stain material remaining. The cleaning formulas, rinse material (preferably distilled water) and stain material are all absorbed by the super absorbent cloth to assist in fluid flow and stain removal throughout the treatment process. Used packets and the super absorbent cloth may be simply discarded after the treatment process.
By classifying the stain material and fabric to be treated, a self contained kit with three different cleaning formulas is provided, capable of cleaning all types of stains. The packets and guide are packaged together as a kit that is completely portable and suitable for transportation in a car, jacket, pocket, purse, or stored at home or office, or in a restaurant, hotel or other establishment in which ready treatment for stains is desired. The comprehensive stain cleaning kit achieves excellent cleaning results for all types of material and all stains.
In an alternate embodiment, illustrated in
The packet combination 114-116 is preferably composed of individual packets 114, 115, 116 separated by perforations 111, so that the super absorbent cloth packet 114, cleaning formula packet 115 and the rinse packet 116 may be separated and the contents applied to a stained fabric separately. If preferred, super absorbent cloth packet 114, cleaning formula packet 115 and the rinse solution packet 116 may be provided as separate packets that are not joined together. As indicated in
The cleaning formula packet 115 preferably includes a cloth, or web, similar to the cloth 22 discussed above, infused with a cleaning formula or solution. The cleaning formula is preferably usable on a wide variety of stains regardless of the stain material. The rinse solution packet 116 preferably has a cloth saturated with a rinsing agent, similar to the cloth 25 discussed above. The rinsing agent in the cloth is preferably distilled water, however, a number of rinsing agents may be used.
The packet 114 preferably includes at least one super absorbent cloth or other super absorbent material, similar to the cloths 27 discussed above, that are used in conjunction with the application of the cleaning formula and rinsing agent supplied with packets 115 and 116. Additional super absorbent cloths may be included in the packet 114. A variety of absorbent materials may be used in place of the super absorbent cloths, for example, absorbent cotton balls, pads, sponges and the like that may be used to absorb fluid from a fabric. The super absorbent cloth may also be used as a first treatment for removing stain material from fabric. That is, the super absorbent cloth may be applied to the stain initially to soak up stain material to reduce the amount of stain that must be cleaned. Alternatively, stain material may be removed initially using a spoon or other rounded implement that will not damage or otherwise affect the fabric of the garment.
The stain kit 10 preferably includes the envelope 12 mentioned above for storing packets 114, 115 and 116. Envelope 12 provides a pocket (not shown) or other space for storing the packets 114, 115, 116 in an easy to use and simple storage compartment. Envelope 12 preferably folds over to provide a compact carrying case for stain kit 10. Stain treating information and guides may be provided in several sections of envelope 12.
As can be seen
The instructions on the packets 114, 115, 116 and on the envelope 12 describe placing the super absorbent cloth, or other super absorbent material, from packet 114 under the stained portion of the fabric. The instructions further describe a preferable technique for applying the cleaning formula with cloths such as cloth 22. The technique used maybe similar to that described above with respect to the cloth 22. Step 2 of
The packet 114 includes printed instructions indicating that the stain removal process should be started with the application of one of super absorbent cloths such as the cloth 27 discussed above. The super absorbent cloth(s) in the packet 114 are preferably similar to the cloths 27 discussed above and are preferably used in a similar manner. As noted above, prior to positioning a super absorbent cloth under the fabric and stain, a super absorbent cloth may be used on the stain side of the fabric to remove stain material.
One advantage of the embodiment of the kit 10 described with reference to
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein.
