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WO2007031779A1 - Ameliorations apportees et associees au nettoyage d'articles, en particulier de textiles - Google Patents

Ameliorations apportees et associees au nettoyage d'articles, en particulier de textiles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007031779A1
WO2007031779A1 PCT/GB2006/003447 GB2006003447W WO2007031779A1 WO 2007031779 A1 WO2007031779 A1 WO 2007031779A1 GB 2006003447 W GB2006003447 W GB 2006003447W WO 2007031779 A1 WO2007031779 A1 WO 2007031779A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
article
electrode
soil
active
electrodes
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/003447
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Neil Atkin
Malcolm Tom Mckechnie
Loic Marouse
Rodrigue Dias
Original Assignee
Reckitt Benckiser (Uk) Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Reckitt Benckiser (Uk) Limited filed Critical Reckitt Benckiser (Uk) Limited
Publication of WO2007031779A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007031779A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
    • A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
    • A46B11/002—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
    • A46B11/0041—Flexible or deformable reservoirs, e.g. resilient bulbs, compressible tubes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A46B15/0016—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means
    • A46B15/0022—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means with an electrical means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L25/00—Domestic cleaning devices not provided for in other groups of this subclass 
    • A47L25/08—Pads or the like for cleaning clothes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/39—Organic or inorganic per-compounds
    • C11D3/3947—Liquid compositions
    • 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
    • D06F3/00—Hand rubbing apparatus
    • D06F3/04—Hand rubbers, e.g. gloves with corrugated surfaces
    • 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
    • D06L—DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS
    • D06L1/00—Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06L—DRY-CLEANING, WASHING OR BLEACHING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR MADE-UP FIBROUS GOODS; BLEACHING LEATHER OR FURS
    • D06L4/00—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs
    • D06L4/10—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs using agents which develop oxygen
    • D06L4/13—Bleaching fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods; Bleaching leather or furs using agents which develop oxygen using inorganic agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
    • C11D2111/10—Objects to be cleaned
    • C11D2111/12—Soft surfaces, e.g. textile
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
    • C11D2111/40—Specific cleaning or washing processes
    • C11D2111/46—Specific cleaning or washing processes applying energy, e.g. irradiation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cleaning methods employing electrodes and to apparatus for use in such methods.
  • cleaning compositions to remove soil from articles and in particular from textile and fabric articles such as clothing.
  • articles of clothing having a "normal" degree of soiling it may be sufficient simply to wash them in a ware washing machine using water and a cleaning composition.
  • some soils such as coffee, tea and blackcurrant can be difficult to remove.
  • a stained area of an article may thus require pre-treatment before it is washed in a ware washing machine.
  • Such pre- treatment may comprise directly contacting a soiled area with a cleaning composition which would ordinarily be used in the ware washing machine.
  • the pre- treatment may involve the use of a specific stain removal composition.
  • pre-treatments may not always be fully effective.
  • a method of removing soil from an article and/or treating an article with an active comprises: wetting an article, optionally with an active containing composition; locating first and second electrodes such that a part of a wetted article and/or a wash liquor contacting the wetted article, lies between the electrodes; and applying a potential difference across the electrodes, for example by charging the electrodes such that the first electrode has one of a positive or negative polarity and the second electrode has an opposite polarity to the first, such that soil material is drawn from said article or wash liquor and/or an active is driven to said article and/or is activated.
  • the article may be sandwiched between the electrodes, or the surface of the article may extend between the electrodes.
  • the use of charged electrodes will suitably, at least in part, enhance the drawing of soil material from the article or the wash liquor and/or enhance the driving of an active to an article and/or its activation.
  • the use of charged electrodes may cause drawing of soil and/or driving of an active and/or activation of an active which would not otherwise have occurred.
  • the article comprises a ware article by which we include soft furnishings such as carpets, curtains and rugs and sanitary ware as well as dish ware and clothes ware.
  • the article comprises a fabric or textile article .
  • the article comprises a soiled article.
  • soil includes undesirable components present in wash liquor whether they come from the soiled article or the water of the wash liquor itself.
  • the method may be more effective at removing certain soil components that others depending on the conditions employed. Accordingly, the method will be altered depending on the soil to be removed/treated.
  • soil to be treated by the method of the present invention are tea, coffee, blackcurrant, greases and oils, soap scum, red wine, curry and grass residues. This also includes stains that are aged, washed in, and those that have failed to be removed through conventional treatments. Also included as soil herein is limescale.
  • the article may be wetted with a conductive liquid, which may suitably comprise water.
  • the article may be wetted with a treatment composition comprising electrically activated active.
  • the article may be wetted with a cleaning composition which may comprise electrically activated active and may thus comprise a treatment composition.
  • the cleaning and/or treatment composition is an aqueous composition.
  • the method comprises a method of removing soil from an article, wherein the method comprises: wetting a soiled article; locating a first and second electrode such that a part of the wetted article, or a wash liquor contacting the wetted article and comprising soil therefrom, lies between said electrodes; and applying a potential difference between the electrodes, for example charging the electrodes such that the first electrode has a one of a positive or negative polarity and the second electrode has an opposite polarity to the first, such that soil material is drawn from said article or wash liquor.
  • the potential difference between the electrodes is from 0.1 to 50 Volts, preferably from 1 to 20 Volts.
  • the method comprises passing an electrical current of between 0.01 mA and 100mA between the electrodes, preferably between 0.5 mA and 60 mA, more preferably from 5 mA to 30 mA.
  • the current is passed between the electrodes for from 5 seconds to 5 minutes, for example for from 10 to 30 seconds .
  • the electrodes are charged such that ⁇ soil material is drawn towards the first electrode from said article or wash liquor.
  • the method may comprise causing charged soil material to move towards an electrode, preferably the first electrode.
  • the method may comprise imparting a charge to non-charged soil material and causing that charged soil material to move towards an electrode, preferably first electrode.
  • the article may be wetted with a cleaning composition comprising a charge component arranged to impart a charge to soil material
  • a cleaning composition comprising a charge component arranged to impart a charge to soil material
  • the surface charge on soils can be altered in magnitude and / or sign and charged salts may be formed.
  • the method may comprise a method of treating a soiled article with an active.
  • the method comprises a method of removing soil from a soiled article which includes treating the soiled article with an active.
  • the method may comprise charging the electrodes such that an active is driven towards a soiled article to treat it.
  • the method may comprise charging the electrodes such that an active is activated to treat a soiled article.
  • the active may thus comprise an electrically activated active.
  • the treatment performed by the active is a cleaning function.
  • the use of charged electrodes suitably enhances the treatment performed by the active.
  • the active may comprise any one of a number of components which are known for use in cleaning compositions and which have their cleaning performance enhanced when an electric current is applied thereto.
  • the active in the cleaning composition comprises a bleaching agent and or a bleach precursor with activator.
  • the active may for example comprise hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, perborate, percarbonates, sodium chlorite, PAP and similar bleaching chemicals and activators such as TAED known for use in household cleaning.
  • the concentration of bleaching agent is suitably from 0.01% to 37.5% by weight, preferably from 1 to 15% by weight of the cleaning composition.
  • the cleaning composition may comprise from 0.01 to 40% by weight of surfactant.
  • Suitable surfactants include non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterioninic and anionic surfactants. Compatible mixtures of surfactants may also be employed.
  • the method may comprise using a power source, for example a battery, to charge the electrodes.
  • a power source for example a battery
  • the electrodes may be charged before the article or wash liquor is located therebetween .
  • the method comprises a method of removing soil from a fabric or textile ware article, for example an article of clothing.
  • the method comprises a method of removing a stain.
  • the method comprises locating said first and second electrodes such that a part of a wetted article lies therebetween.
  • the article comprises an absorbent material such that liquid, preferably water, within the wetted article provides a conductive path between the electrodes.
  • the method employs retaining means for holding soil drawn from the article and/or wash liquor.
  • the retaining means comprises sacrificial material.
  • the method comprises locating a sacrificial material between an electrode, preferably the first electrode, and the ware article.
  • the sacrificial material may comprise an electrically conductive material. Alternatively, it may comprise a non- conductive material.
  • the sacrificial material comprises an absorbent material arranged to hold conductive liquid, preferably water, such that the liquid may provide an electrically conductive path through the sacrificial material.
  • the sacrificial material comprises a textile, fabric or sponge material.
  • the sacrificial material comprises a sheet.
  • the method comprises locating sacrificial material, which may be wetted, between a soiled part of a soiled article and an electrode, preferably the first electrode, and passing electrical current between the electrodes such that soil material is drawn from the ware article and into the sacrificial material.
  • the method comprises wetting the ware article with a cleaning composition.
  • the cleaning composition comprises an aqueous cleaning composition.
  • the cleaning composition may comprise one or more surfactants.
  • the cleaning composition may comprise an electrically activated active.
  • the method may employ treatment means for supplying treatment composition and/or cleaning composition.
  • the treatment means comprises source material loaded with treatment composition and/or cleaning composition.
  • a cleaning composition may be applied to an article using a source material. Alternatively, a cleaning composition may be applied separately.
  • a treatment composition may be applied to an article using a source material. Alternatively a treatment composition may be applied separately.
  • the method may comprise locating a source material loaded with an electrically activated active and/or other cleaning agents between an electrode, preferably the first electrode, and the ware article.
  • the source material may be loaded with a cleaning composition comprising a cleaning agent and which may be free from electrically activated active.
  • the source material may be loaded with electrically activated active and may be free from other cleaning agents.
  • the source material may be loaded with both electrically activated active and other cleaning agents.
  • the source material may comprise an electrically conductive material. Alternatively it may comprise an non-conductive material.
  • the source material comprises an absorbent material arranged to hold a treatment and/or cleaning composition comprising a conductive liquid, preferably water such that the liquid may provide an electrically conductive path through the source material.
  • the source material comprises a textile, fabric or sponge material.
  • the source material comprises a sheet.
  • the source material may comprise a wetted sheet with a cleaning and/or treatment composition providing the wetting action.
  • the source material and sacrificial material may be one and the same.
  • the method comprises locating source material, loaded with cleaning and/or treatment composition, between a soiled part of a soiled article and an electrode, preferably the first electrode, and passing electrical current between the electrodes such that an active is electrically activated and/or driven towards the article.
  • the active may migrate towards the article without the influence of electrical current and the current may simply serve to activate the active.
  • the method may comprise a method of removing heavy soiling, for example a stain from an article.
  • the method may comprise a method of cleaning a selected part of an article and may comprise a stain removal process.
  • the article may be washed, for example in a ware washing machine.
  • Said washing operation suitably uses a cleaning, for example detergent composition.
  • the washing operation may be performed as the next stage of treatment following the performance of the method of the present invention.
  • the article may be rinsed, for example with clean water, and may subsequently be washed.
  • the method may be such that the article is substantially cleaned by the method and no subsequent treatment may be necessary. This may for example be the case for treating soiling on carpets.
  • the method may comprise a method of enhancing the cleaning of the whole of an article and may comprise a washing process.
  • the method may comprise a method of treating wash liquor comprising soil.
  • Said soil may suitably comprise soil material which has been washed from a ware article. Thus, a part of the ware article need not be located beneath the electrodes.
  • the method may comprise locating first and second electrodes such that wash liquor lies therebetween and providing an electrically conductive path between the electrodes such that soil material from the wash liquor is drawn towards an electrode, preferably the first electrode.
  • the method may thus provide enhanced cleaning of article by "trapping" soil and reducing the redeposition of soil from the wash liquor onto an article.
  • the term soil may include Ca 2+ ions which form limescale.
  • the method may comprise softening wash liquor. This may enhance the performance of cleaning compositions and may be advantageous for use in ware washing machines.
  • a cleaning apparatus for use in the method according to the first aspect, wherein the apparatus comprises a first, for example negative or positive, electrode and a second, for example positive or negative respectively, electrode arranged such that a wetted article
  • ⁇ and/or wash liquor can be located therebetween such that soil material from said article and/or wash liquor can be drawn towards an electrode and/or such that an active can be driven to said article and/or activated and wherein the apparatus further comprises retaining means for holding and receiving soil material which is drawn towards the first electrode and/or treatment means holding a supply of treatment composition comprising said active and/or a supply of cleaning composition.
  • the apparatus comprises retaining means.
  • the apparatus may comprise treatment means which may be one and the same as the retaining means.
  • the treatment and/or retaining means comprises a wetted material which may wet the article.
  • the apparatus is arranged such that an article can be located between the first and second electrodes to have soil material removed therefrom.
  • the retaining means is located immediately adjacent an electrode, preferably the first electrode.
  • the retaining means comprises a sacrificial material which is suitably absorbent and provides a covering for a part of the electrode.
  • the sacrificial material may comprise a textile, fabric or sponge material.
  • the treatment means is located immediately adjacent an electrode, preferably the first electrode.
  • the retaining means comprises a source material which is suitably absorbent and provides a covering for a part of the electrode.
  • the source material may comprise a textile, fabric or sponge material.
  • the source material is loaded with a cleaning and/or treatment composition and may thus be wetted.
  • the first electrode is arranged to be located to face a soiled, particularly a stained, area of an article and the retaining means and/or treatment means is arranged to lie therebetween such that it abuts the soiled area and the electrode.
  • the second electrode is arranged to directly contact the wetted article.
  • the second electrode is arranged to contact the wetted article at a wetted region which is not soiled.
  • the apparatus further comprises a power supply, suitably a battery, for imparting a charge to the electrodes.
  • a power supply suitably a battery
  • Any suitable power supply may be used such as batteries, disposable or rechargeable, charge capacitor, chemical fuel cells, redox, inductively charged power supplies or a manual generator.
  • the first electrode is provided with a charge opposed to that of the soil which it is desired to remove, or with a charge of the same sign where it is desirable to push the soil out of / or across a material.
  • an article is wetted such that the water within the article provides a conductive pathway between the second electrode and the retaining means which is also wetted such that the pathway continues to the first electrode.
  • Charged material within the wetted article such as charged soil material or neutral soil material associated with charged cleaning agent, may thus move towards the first electrode and enter into the retaining means .
  • the retaining means is arranged to absorb and/or adsorb soil material such that once it contacts the retaining means it is held thereby.
  • the retaining means is replaceable.
  • the apparatus may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first aspect.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to remove soil from a wash-liquor and may be arranged to be employed in a ware washing machine.
  • the apparatus may for example comprise a body having a first electrode surface having a positive or negative charge and a second electrode surface having a charge of opposite polarity.
  • the apparatus may comprise a power source for imparting a charge to the electrode surfaces.
  • the electrode surfaces may be manufactured with an electrostatic charge or may be such that an electrostatic charge can be imparted thereto by a user.
  • the apparatus may comprise a body having an outer wall having a first charge and an inner component having opposed charge and a cavity between the outer wall and inner component arranged to receive wash liquor.
  • the outer wall comprises a sphere provided with apertures.
  • the inner component comprises a generally spherical form.
  • the inner component may be provided with retaining means which may comprise a coating for trapping soil from the wash liquor.
  • retaining means which may comprise a coating for trapping soil from the wash liquor.
  • the cavity between the outer wall and inner component may be filled with absorbent material which allows water flow but which may provide a retaining means to trap soil material.
  • the apparatus may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first aspect.
  • the apparatus may be arranged for removing soil from a wash-liquor and may comprise a brush with the electrodes mounted alongside the bristles of the brush.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for removing soil from an article
  • Figure 2 is a side view of an apparatus for removing soil from an article
  • Figure 3 is a cut-away perspective view of an apparatus for removing soil from a wash liquor.
  • Figure 4 is a cross-section though an apparatus for removing soil from a surface.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an apparatus 10 which was used to remove soil 12 from a soiled textile article 20.
  • This apparatus comprises a body 30 having a first electrode 40 to which is mounted a replaceable sponge 50 loaded with treatment composition (not shown) comprising hydrogen peroxide as an active agent.
  • the sponge 50 comprised both treatment and retaining means of the apparatus.
  • the body 30 further comprised a power source (not shown) for supplying power to the first electrode 40 and to a second electrode 60.
  • the first and second electrodes 40, 60 were given opposed charges with the first electrode 40 having a negative charge and the second electrode 60 having a positive charge in the illustrated example.
  • Textile articles 20 comprising white cotton swatches were stained with tea, coffee and blackcurrant and then treated to remove the tea, coffee or blackcurrant soil. These were purchased, pre-stained materials from Testfabrics Incorporated, USA. . In each case, the cotton swatch was wetted and placed between the first and second electrode 40, 60 such that it contacted the sponge 50 and second electrode 60. The electrodes were clamped in place and held on either side of the soiled article for a period of 2 minutes. This process was repeated using substantially identically soiled swatches under different electrode conditions.
  • the electrode conditions were either: (i) the first electrode 40 had a negative charge and the second electrode 60 had a positive charge; (ii) the first electrode 40 had a positive charge and the second electrode 60 had a negative charge; or (iii) neither electrode was charged (control test) . In the case of (i) and (ii) a current of 15mA was used.
  • the apparatus used in the above experiment comprised an arrangement whereby an electrode was arranged to be placed above and below a soiled region of an article.
  • an electrode was arranged to be placed above and below a soiled region of an article.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus 110 suitable for such use.
  • the apparatus ' comprises a body 130 comprising an arm portion 134 bearing a first electrode 140 at an end thereof and a second electrode 160 spaced from the first electrode along the longitudinal extent of the arm 134.
  • the first electrode 140 bears a replaceable absorbent sponge 150.
  • the sponge 150 is loaded with a cleaning and/or treatment composition and provides retaining and treatment means .
  • the article is arranged for use in a method in which a cleaning and/or treatment composition is applied to a soiled article separately and thus provides only retaining means .
  • the body 130 further comprises a power source in the form of a battery 136 which provides power to the first and second electrodes 140, 160.
  • a power source in the form of a battery 136 which provides power to the first and second electrodes 140, 160.
  • the first electrode 140 is provided with a positive charge and the second electrode 160 with a negative charge.
  • this polarity may be reversed or the apparatus may be provided with means to switch the polarity of the electrodes depending upon the type of soil to be removed from an article.
  • the apparatus In use the apparatus is positioned such that the sponge 150 is located above a soiled area 112 of a textile article 120 such that the second electrode 160 contacts an area of the article removed from the soiled area.
  • the article 120 is wetted with cleaning or treatment composition from the sponge 150 and/or with liquid such as cleaning or treatment composition applied directly to the article 120.
  • the electrodes 140, 160 are charged such that current can flow through the wetted article 120 and the sponge 150 and such that soil is drawn from the article 120 towards and into the sponge 150 where it is retained. After a relatively short period of time the apparatus can be removed from contact with the article 120 with soil having been removed from the soiled region of the article such that it may be significantly cleaner. Soil may be completely removed by the method or it may be removed to sufficient extent that a subsequent washing operation will leave the article substantially clean.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an apparatus 210 for use in cleaning a soiled article.
  • the apparatus is arranged to remove soil from a wash liquor.
  • the apparatus comprises a body 230 comprising a first electrode surface 240 and a second electrode surface 260 having an opposed charge to the first electrode surface 240.
  • the first electrode surface 240 has a positive charge and the second electrode surface 260 has a negative charge provided by a sealed power supply (not shown) .
  • the first electrode surface 240 comprises a spherical outer wall 242 of the apparatus and which is provided with apertures 244. Located internal of the external wall 242 is an inner sphere 262 which comprises the second electrode surface 260.
  • a cavity 270 Formed between the inner sphere 262 and outer wall 242 is a cavity 270 which is filled with absorbent (or super absorbent) material arranged to allow water to flow within it.
  • the inner sphere 262 is further provided with a coating arranged to provide a retaining means to trap soil material from the water.
  • the electrode surfaces 140, 160 of the apparatus are provided with an electrostatic charge during.
  • the apparatus In use, the apparatus is located in the wash of a ware washing machine and with wash liquor located between the first and second electrode surfaces 240, 260. Charge can flow between the electrode surfaces 240, 260 causing positively charged particles to be drawn towards the centre of the apparatus and held within, the apparatus such that they are removed from the wash liquor.
  • the water for the wash liquor may be "hard water” comprising calcium ions which reduce the performance of cleaning compositions in the wash liquor. Accordingly, a preferred use of the apparatus of Figure 3 is as a trap for removing calcium ions from the wash liquor.
  • Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention in the form of a brush with a handle 300 and a cleaning solution reservoir 310.
  • the electrodes 320,330 are mounted alongside the bristles of the brush 340, and act to remove soil from the cleaning solution.
  • the apparatus comprises a handle 300 containing batteries 350 as a power supply, connected to the electrodes 320,330.
  • the handle 300 also contains a reservoir 310 for cleaning fluid.
  • the outer walls 360 of the reservoir are flexible.
  • a brush 340 is mounted at the end of the handle and an orifice in the brush 370 is in fluid connection with the reservoir 310.
  • the batteries 350 are connected to the electrodes
  • Liquid is dispensed, by squeezing the flexible walls 360 of the reservoir 310, through the orifice 370 in the brush 340, to the surface to be cleaned, which is rubbed with the brush 340. Soil which has been displaced from the surface to be cleaned, and is now present in the cleaning liquid, is attracted to one or more of the electrodes 330,340 and so is prevented from re-depositing on the surface.
  • preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide effective means for cleaning soiled articles.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne des procédés visant à éliminer une salissure d'un article (20) et/ou à traiter un article (20) avec un agent actif. Le procédé consiste à mouiller un article et à mettre des électrodes (40, 60) en contact avec une partie d'un article mouillé (20) ou une lessive en contact avec l'article mouillé (20) et à utiliser une charge électrique pour contribuer à détacher la salissure (12) de l'article (20) ou de la lessive et/ou pour diriger un agent actif sur l'article (20) et/ou activer l'agent actif. Cette invention concerne également un appareil (10) utilisé dans de tels procédés.
PCT/GB2006/003447 2005-09-17 2006-09-18 Ameliorations apportees et associees au nettoyage d'articles, en particulier de textiles WO2007031779A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0519046.7A GB0519046D0 (en) 2005-09-17 2005-09-17 Improvements in and relating to cleaning
GB0519046.7 2005-09-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007031779A1 true WO2007031779A1 (fr) 2007-03-22

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PCT/GB2006/003447 WO2007031779A1 (fr) 2005-09-17 2006-09-18 Ameliorations apportees et associees au nettoyage d'articles, en particulier de textiles

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GB (1) GB0519046D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007031779A1 (fr)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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WO2010085742A1 (fr) * 2009-01-23 2010-07-29 Tennant Company Systèmes de lavage incorporant des liquides chargés activés
US8012340B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-06 Tennant Company Method for generating electrochemically activated cleaning liquid
US8016996B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-13 Tennant Company Method of producing a sparged cleaning liquid onboard a mobile surface cleaner
US8025786B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-27 Tennant Company Method of generating sparged, electrochemically activated liquid
US8025787B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-27 Tennant Company Method and apparatus for generating, applying and neutralizing an electrochemically activated liquid
US8319654B2 (en) 2008-06-19 2012-11-27 Tennant Company Apparatus having electrolysis cell and indicator light illuminating through liquid
US8337690B2 (en) 2007-10-04 2012-12-25 Tennant Company Method and apparatus for neutralizing electrochemically activated liquids
US8485140B2 (en) 2008-06-05 2013-07-16 Global Patent Investment Group, LLC Fuel combustion method and system
US8719999B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2014-05-13 Tennant Company Method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces with high pressure electrolyzed fluid
WO2014206485A1 (fr) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Lave-linge
CN104957873A (zh) * 2015-06-28 2015-10-07 龙文凯 一种电动板刷
US10119217B2 (en) 2013-06-28 2018-11-06 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Laundry washing machine including a detergent drawer with a push member
CN108893929A (zh) * 2018-07-10 2018-11-27 马荣昌 污渍清洁装置

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Cited By (17)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8719999B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2014-05-13 Tennant Company Method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces with high pressure electrolyzed fluid
US8012340B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-06 Tennant Company Method for generating electrochemically activated cleaning liquid
US8016996B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-13 Tennant Company Method of producing a sparged cleaning liquid onboard a mobile surface cleaner
US8025786B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-27 Tennant Company Method of generating sparged, electrochemically activated liquid
US8025787B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-09-27 Tennant Company Method and apparatus for generating, applying and neutralizing an electrochemically activated liquid
US8603320B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2013-12-10 Tennant Company Mobile surface cleaner and method for generating and applying an electrochemically activated sanitizing liquid having O3 molecules
WO2008028565A1 (fr) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-13 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Appareil de nettoyage de tissus
US8337690B2 (en) 2007-10-04 2012-12-25 Tennant Company Method and apparatus for neutralizing electrochemically activated liquids
US8485140B2 (en) 2008-06-05 2013-07-16 Global Patent Investment Group, LLC Fuel combustion method and system
US8319654B2 (en) 2008-06-19 2012-11-27 Tennant Company Apparatus having electrolysis cell and indicator light illuminating through liquid
CN102292491B (zh) * 2009-01-23 2013-06-19 坦能公司 结合带电活化液体的清洗系统
WO2010085742A1 (fr) * 2009-01-23 2010-07-29 Tennant Company Systèmes de lavage incorporant des liquides chargés activés
CN102292491A (zh) * 2009-01-23 2011-12-21 坦南特公司 结合带电活化液体的清洗系统
WO2014206485A1 (fr) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Lave-linge
US10119217B2 (en) 2013-06-28 2018-11-06 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Laundry washing machine including a detergent drawer with a push member
CN104957873A (zh) * 2015-06-28 2015-10-07 龙文凯 一种电动板刷
CN108893929A (zh) * 2018-07-10 2018-11-27 马荣昌 污渍清洁装置

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