EP1681978A1 - Dispositif de nettoyage de tissu - Google Patents

Dispositif de nettoyage de tissu

Info

Publication number
EP1681978A1
EP1681978A1 EP04791008A EP04791008A EP1681978A1 EP 1681978 A1 EP1681978 A1 EP 1681978A1 EP 04791008 A EP04791008 A EP 04791008A EP 04791008 A EP04791008 A EP 04791008A EP 1681978 A1 EP1681978 A1 EP 1681978A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reservoir
scrubbing
cleaning
platform
fabric
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04791008A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
J. E.; Unilever S. Africa H. P.C.(PTY)Ltd. ORMOND
Brian Arthur Steinhobel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
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 Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP1681978A1 publication Critical patent/EP1681978A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates general to a fabric cleaning device with a scrubbing member.
  • a dispensing and fabric cleaning device comprising: (a) a reservoir for storing a fabric cleaning fluid, (b) a scrubbing member for scrubbing the fabric, the scrubbing member in fluid communication with the reservoir, (c) the scrubbing member comprising one or more dispensing orifices, (d) a movable platform for forcing said cleaning fluid to exit from the reservoir to the scubber member, where it is exposed on an exterior portion of the scrubber member via said dispensing orifices, for cleaning purposes.
  • An advantage of a screw mechanism is that the quantity of fluid delivered is controlled by the screw feed ie. it is directly proportional to the amount by which the screw is rotated and not dependent on the viscosity of the fluid. This is in contrast with eg. pump dispensing devices. Hence even very high viscosity fluids e.g. pastes can be dispensed accurately using the invention.
  • the pitch of the screw is preferably constant so that the platform rises by a constant amount as the screw is turned.
  • an effective washing tool which can be filled/refilled with a cleaning fluids such as a powder and solvent mixture by the user and which can dispense this in an efficient and effective manner whilst also providing for a scrubbing action.
  • a cleaning fluids such as a powder and solvent mixture
  • fluid herein is intended to include a liquid, gel, and paste e.g. pastes formed from a solid cleaning product e.g. cleaning/detergent powder, granules, flakes, tablets (which may be crushed) , pellets, mixed together with a solvent, e.g. water.
  • a solid cleaning product e.g. cleaning/detergent powder, granules, flakes, tablets (which may be crushed) , pellets, mixed together with a solvent, e.g. water.
  • the movable platform may comprise a side wall or base wall portion of the reservoir, whereby moving e.g. sliding the platform within the reservoir, progressively decreases reservoir volume which compresses the cleaning composition which is thereby forced to exit the reservoir and flow to the scrubbing means.
  • the reservoir is preferably in fluid communication with the scrubbing means by way of an exit orifice or orifices, through which the composition can pass.
  • the reservoir is preferably refillable with cleaning fluid or components thereof (e.g. detergent powder and water) by the user.
  • the reservoir preferably has a removable (e.g. by a screw fitting or snap-fit arrangement) portion such as an end cap and/or scrubbing member, which can be removed to refill the reservoir with cleaning fluid and then secured for repeated re-use.
  • a removable portion e.g. by a screw fitting or snap-fit arrangement
  • the former is preferably provided with one or more exit orifices so that the fluid can reach the latter.
  • the scrubbing means and end cap may be formed as a one piece unit and may be formed integrally.
  • the dispensing orifice (s) of the scrubber may be provided by a cover e.g. a material having a mesh structure.
  • the apertures of the mesh may provide multiple dispensing orifices.
  • the mesh may be abrasive to provide a scrubbing surface.
  • the external surface of the scubber member is abrasive.
  • the scrubbing member may comprise a coarse mesh structure.
  • the scubbing member may comprise one or projections, such as finer-like Villi' or ribs.
  • the scrubbing member may be formed from a rigid material, so that if a mesh or projections are stiff to provide effective scrubbing. However, for delicate fabrics, more flexible scrubbing materials can be used.
  • the scrubbing member may comprise a plurality of scrubbing surfaces to offer the user a choice. In this way a varied washing load (with both delicate and more harder wearing fabrics) can be treated without the need for multiple tools.
  • the device may comprise an elongate and generally tubular reservoir having a removable end cap with a exit orifice.
  • the scrubbing member may be attached to or part of the end cap and may cover the exit orifice, whereby fluid can pass from the reservoir via the exit orifice and then via the dispensing orifices.
  • the platform may be configured for reciprocal axial movement within the reservoir, and may be slidably advanceable toward the end cap by exertion of force by a user:, said force compressing the fluid against the end cap to force fluid to exit via the exit orifice to the scrubber member where it is dispensed on the exterior of the scrubbing member via the dispensing orifices for cleaning purposes.
  • the platform may be configured to slidably move in a reverse direction to relieve residual stress in the fabric cleaning fluid (for interim storage purposes) .
  • the platform has a peripheral edge which is configured to slide in a sealing relationship with an inner surface of the reservoir, whereby sliding is guided by said inner surface.
  • the device can be used both to store and dispense cleaning fluid with minimal ox no leakage via the moving platform.
  • the user may exert force by means of a feed screw mechanism, so that turning the screw advances the platform a set distance upward.
  • the cleaning composition can be dispensed in a controlled manner.
  • the screw mechanism does not protrude into the reservoir, for sealing purposes .
  • the screw mechanism may comprise at least two threaded shafts one fixed to the platform and one fixed to part of the device, the latter being constrained to prevent any movement with the platform.
  • the shafts may engage each other upon rotation to move the platform relative to the reservoir.
  • the screw mechanism may be telescopic so that an externally threaded shaft engages with an internally threaded shaft.
  • the device preferably includes an actuator, which allows the user to actuate the screw mechanism and therefore move the platform up and down within the reservoir.
  • the actuator may be attached to one of the threaded shafts, and may form a base portion of the device.
  • the actuator is preferably exposed externally of the device.
  • the device may be shaped e.g. have one or more recesses or indentations for ergonomic purposes, to ease the handling and gripping of the device during use .
  • a method of cleaning a fabric using the device according to the first aspect of the invention comprising the steps of: (a) filling the reservoir with cleaning fluid, optionally optained by mixing a solid cleaning composition e.g. - ⁇ powder, granules, and a solvent e.g. water to form a cleaning fluid within the reservoir, (b) securing a removable portion e.g.
  • a solid cleaning composition e.g. - ⁇ powder, granules, and a solvent e.g. water
  • the device of the invention may be supplied as a commercial package including (a) a cleaning fluid and/or (b) a cleaning solid for mixing with a solvent to prepare a cleaning fluid. (c) instructions to direct the user to use "the package according to the method of the second aspect of the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to one aspect of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the embodiment shown in figure 1, with the platform in a fully lowered position;
  • FIG 3 is a side sectional view of the embodiment shown in figure 1, with the platform in a fully raised position; and Figure 4 is a enlarged and exploded perspective view of the screw feed mechanism of figure 1.
  • a fabric cleaning device 1 comprising:
  • a generally tubular reservoir 3 for storing the fabric cleaning fluid 9 (b) a scrubbing member 5 for scrubbing a fabric, the scrubbing member 5 in fluid communication with the reservoir 3 , (c) the scrubbing member 5 comprising one or more dispensing orifices 7 , (d) a movable platform 11 for forcing said cleaning fluid 9 to exit from the reservoir 3 and flow to the scubber member 5 , where it is exposed on an exterior portion 5a of the scrubber member 5 via said dispensing orifices 7, for cleaning purposes.
  • fluid herein is intended to include a liquid, gel, and paste e.g. pastes formed from a solid cleaning product e.g. powder or granules and a solvent, e.g. water.
  • the movable platform 11 forms the base portion of the reservoir 3, whereby sliding the platform 11 within the reservoir 3, progressively compresses the cleaning fluid 9 which is thereby forced to exit the reservoir 3 and flow to the scrubbing means 5.
  • the reservoir 3 is in fluid communication with the scrubbing means 5 by way of a centrally located exit orifice 13.
  • the reservoir 3 is refillable with cleaning fluid 9 or components thereof (e.g. detergent powder and water) by the user.
  • the reservoir has a removable (by a tight, water-tight screw-fitting not shown) end cap 15 which is formed as a single unit with the scrubbing means 5.
  • the scubbing means is secured to the latter by ultrasonical welding to the end cap 15 which is possible if both are made from compatible material, here HDPE (high density polyethylene) .
  • the end cap 15/ scrubbing means 5 can be removed to refill the reservoir with cleaning fluid 3 and then re-secured.
  • the exit orifice 13 from the reservoir is located in the end cap 15.
  • the scrubber 5 comprises a HDPE (high density polyethylene) material having a coarse, hard mesh structure (such as greenhouse shadecloth fabric ) .
  • the apertures 7 of the mesh providing multiple dispensing orifices 7.
  • This mesh is sufficiently abrasive to provide a scrubbing surface, however the surface can be altered depending on the material chosen. Eg. a rigid corrugated surface with dispensing apertures could be used.
  • the platform 11 is configured for reciprocal axial movement within the reservoir 3 , being slidably advanced toward the end cap 15 /scrubber 5 by exertion of force by a user, said force compressing the fluid 9 against the end cap 15 to force fluid to exit via the exit orifice 13 to the scrubber member 5 where it is dispensed on the exterior 5a of the scrubbing member 5 via the dispensing orifices 7 for cleaning purposes.
  • the user exerts force by means of a telescopic worm drive feed screw mechanism 19 (shown more clearly in figure 4) which is afixed to the underside lib of the platform 11, and a screw actuator 21 so that turning the screw actuator 21 (which is accessible externally of the device) in one direction advances the platform 11 a set distance upward. In this way the cleaning fluid 9 can be dispensed in a controlled manner.
  • the screw mechanism does not protrude into the reservoir, for sealing purposes.
  • the platform 11 Under release of the force, ie. By unscrewing the mechanism 19 the platform 11 can slidably move in a reverse direction to relieve residual stress in the fabric cleaning fluid 9.
  • the platform has a peripheral edge 11a which is configured to slide in a sealing relationship with the inner surface 17 of the reservoir 3 , whereby sliding is guided by said inner surface 17.
  • the device is shaped with an annular band of recesses and protrusions 23 for ergonomic purposes, to ease the handling and gripping of the device during use.
  • the reservoir is filled with cleaning fluid, optionally optained by mixing a solid cleaning composition e.g. powder, granules, and a solvent e.g. water to form a cleaning fluid or paste within the reservoir.
  • the end cap 15 and scrubbing means 5 are then screwed on tightly to the device to close the reservoir.
  • the platform 11 is advanced from a lowered state (fig2) towards a raised state (fig 3) by turning a screw-feed mechanism 19 to force the cleaning fluid 9 from the reservoir 3 to be exposed on the exterior 5a of the scrubbing means 5.
  • the user can then cleaning the fabric by scrubbing with said scubbing means 5.
  • the use of hardwearing HDPE material reduces tearing of the scrubber 5during use.
  • a further embodiment of the device of the invention includes a cleaning fluid and/or a cleaning solid for mixing with a solvent e.g. water, to prepare a cleaning fluid.
  • a solvent e.g. water

Landscapes

  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de nettoyage d'un substrat tel qu'un tissu, comportant un réservoir (3) destiné à contenir un fluide de nettoyage de tissu (9), et un élément brosse (5) destiné au brossage du tissu, se trouvant en communication fluidique avec le réservoir (3). L'élément brosse (5) comporte un ou plusieurs orifices de distribution (7) et une plateforme mobile (11) destinée à forcer le fluide de nettoyage (9) hors du réservoir (3), vers l'élément brosse (5), où le fluide est distribué sur une partie extérieure de l'élément brosse par l'intermédiaire des orifices de distribution (7) à des fins de nettoyage.
EP04791008A 2003-11-13 2004-10-28 Dispositif de nettoyage de tissu Withdrawn EP1681978A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0326496.7A GB0326496D0 (en) 2003-11-13 2003-11-13 Fabric cleaning device
PCT/EP2004/012244 WO2005046422A1 (fr) 2003-11-13 2004-10-28 Dispositif de nettoyage de tissu

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1681978A1 true EP1681978A1 (fr) 2006-07-26

Family

ID=29726492

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04791008A Withdrawn EP1681978A1 (fr) 2003-11-13 2004-10-28 Dispositif de nettoyage de tissu

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20070277850A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1681978A1 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0416530A (fr)
GB (1) GB0326496D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005046422A1 (fr)
ZA (2) ZA200603724B (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1681979A1 (fr) 2003-11-13 2006-07-26 Unilever Plc Fluide de nettoyage pour tissu et dispositif de distribution associe

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6336763B1 (en) * 1998-10-07 2002-01-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Applicator for flowable substances

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1073997B (de) * 1960-01-28 Matthesms Berlin Schoneberg Bruno Fleckenentferner in Taschenformat mit Fleckenwischer
FR669856A (fr) * 1929-02-19 1929-11-21 Perfectionnements aux emballages pour matières semi-liquides
CH275977A (de) * 1949-05-23 1951-06-15 Rudolf Dr Bebie Gerät zum Färben der Lippen.
US2748991A (en) * 1953-06-03 1956-06-05 Robert L Mccarthy Paste dispenser
FR1227461A (fr) * 1959-03-10 1960-08-22 Procédé de nettoyage de tissus, vêtements ou autres
US4155871A (en) * 1973-01-19 1979-05-22 Lever Brothers Company Detergent compositions
US4074944A (en) * 1976-11-08 1978-02-21 Octavio Marques Xavier Dispensing device
US5039451A (en) * 1978-05-26 1991-08-13 Albright & Wilson Limited Manufacturing concentrated surfactant compositions
US5071594A (en) * 1989-10-02 1991-12-10 Ethyl Corporation Free flowing granular laundry detergent comprising tert-amine oxide dihydrate
US5075501A (en) * 1989-10-02 1991-12-24 Ethyl Corporation Mixed tert-amine oxide dihydrates
US5100252A (en) * 1990-07-02 1992-03-31 Grigory Podolsky Toothbrush
US5505041A (en) * 1993-07-01 1996-04-09 Harlan; Robert L. Method for producing deodorant/antiperspirant still refill
FR2770109B1 (fr) * 1997-10-28 2000-01-14 Risdon Sa Applicateur d'une substance, notamment d'une matiere deodorante
US7185380B2 (en) * 1998-10-24 2007-03-06 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine comprising a woven acrylic coated polyester garment container
EP1681979A1 (fr) * 2003-11-13 2006-07-26 Unilever Plc Fluide de nettoyage pour tissu et dispositif de distribution associe

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6336763B1 (en) * 1998-10-07 2002-01-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Applicator for flowable substances

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BRPI0416530A (pt) 2007-01-09
US20070277850A1 (en) 2007-12-06
GB0326496D0 (en) 2003-12-17
ZA200603724B (en) 2008-05-28
WO2005046422A1 (fr) 2005-05-26
ZA200603723B (en) 2007-09-26

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Owner name: UNILEVER N.V.

Owner name: UNILEVER PLC

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