WASH APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract: Fabrics articles (29) are washed by layering them on a sheet of water-absorbent material (27) which is folded or rolled-up in wrap (1) to form a bundle, preferably inside a water-resistant wrap. A cleaning agent is first applied to the article and/or the water-absorbent material, before or after the article is laid on the latter. Compression of the bundle causes cleaning of the article.

Description: WASH APPARATUS AND METHOD The present invention relates to a novel method of washing fabrics and an apparatus for facilitating that method. In parts of the world where there is a shortage of water, clearly it is preferable to minimise the amount of water for washing clothes. Even modern washing machines which are designed to operate with water-saving economy, use relatively large amounts of water. Moreover, often the domestic economy of many countries afflicted by drought or other water shortage means that most of the population could not purchase such machines. 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 . In 1934, it was proposed (GB-A-444 237) to reduce wear when handwashing delicate fabrics by placing them in a container or bag formed of porous sponge rubber. According to this proposal, the articles to be washed could be soaked before placing in the bag or a small quantity -of soap flakes could be put in the bag together with the articles. The bag could be squeezed and released a number of times whilst immersed in water. Two years later, there was proposed (GB-A-460 424) a method of washing clothes by boiling them and then placing them together with a washing agent, inside a flexible hermetically sealed bag. The clothes could then be washed by repeatedly treading on the bag. 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. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for washing fabrics, the apparatus 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 present invention also extends to a method of washing a fabrics wash article, the method comprising placing the article on the sheet of (preferably spongy) water- absorbent material, if necessary, optionally applying a cleaning agent to the article and/or the spongy or water- absorbent material, folding the sheet over the article to form a bundle or rolling-up the sheet together with the article into a roll, and subjecting the bundle or roll to a compression action. As well as being suited to use in developing countries, 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. In this context, 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. Preferably, 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. Amongst suitable liquid detergent compositions are those marketed for "pre- treat ent" of fabrics prior to washing in a washing machine. However, in many areas of the world, the most suitable cleaning agent will be an aqueous solution or suspension of a detergent powder. Preferably, 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 . Alternatively, 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. After washing, 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. When a spongy sheet material is used as the water- absorbent sheet, preferably it comprises a synthetic sponge rubber material, preferably having an average pore size of 500 microns or less, more preferably 100 microns or less. The pores could be as small on average as 10 or 5 microns or less, say 4.5 microns or less. Moreover, 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. Preferably, the thickness is from 2.5 mm to 1 cm, e.g. around 0.5 mm. Preferably, 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. Such a material may for example be a polymer such as a polymeric amine material as disclosed in US-A-3 694 364. In the context of another aspect of the present invention, 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. Preferably, a tie is provided as securing means for sealing the mouth of the 'bag. The wrap may instead be in sheet form. In that case, in use, 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. Alternatively, they may just be folded. Preferably, this use further comprises the step of securing the roll in the rolled-up configuration. If the wrap is of sheet form, 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. In any event, it is preferred that 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. For securing a rolled-up bundle which includes the wrap in sheet form, the securing means may be any kind of releasable fastening such as Velcro™ or a simple belt or band. However, preferably it is a tie or drawstring arrangement, comprising a string or cord of any suitable material respectively extending from each corner of the water-resistant material. Conveniently, 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. When 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. The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of the following description of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1A shows in side view, a first embodiment of an apparatus for use in a method according to the present invention, prior to rolling-up with a fabrics piece and Figure IB shows a plan view of same; Figure 2 shows the rolling up of the fabrics piece with the apparatus of Figure 1; 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. As shown in Figure 1, 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. 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. Then as shown in Figure 2, 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. As shown in Figure 3, 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. Afterwards, the drawstrings are loosened and the bundle is unrolled to remove the damp garment. If necessary, the garment can then be subjected to an equivalent process with another like assembly but with the synthetic sponge rubber layer either being dry or being soaked only with water or other rinse agent for rinsing and/or drying. 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 Figure 4, wherein, the sponge rubber sheet 27 is simply folded over or together with the garment 29 and placed inside the plastics bag 35. A wire tie 37 is then used to seal the neck 39 loosely of the bag 35. After repeated use, 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. In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described embodiment, as well as other embodiments, all within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, will now become apparent to persons skilled in this art.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. An apparatus for washing fabrics, the apparatus 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. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water- absorbent material is a spongy material. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the spongy material comprises a synthetic sponge rubber material. 4. An apparatus according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the spongy material has an average pore size of 500 microns or less, preferably 4.5 microns or less. 5. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning agent is a detergent composition in substantially dry form. 6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the cleaning agent is in the form of an aqueous or non- aqueous detergent liquid composition. 7. An apparatus according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the cleaning agent is a detergent composition that is adapted • for use at low temperatures, preferably from 10°C to 50°C. 8. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the cleaning agent is a dry cleaning agent. 9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet of water-absorbent material is impregnated and/or surface coated with a material for releasing and/or trapping soil. 10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrap comprises a water-proof plastics material . 11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrap is in the form of a bag wherein the securing means is a tie for sealing the mouth of the bag. 12. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the wrap is in the form of a sheet. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein both the wrap and sheet of spongy or water-absorbent material are substantially rectilinear. 14. An apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the securing means comprises a draw-string arrangement. 15. A method of washing a fabrics wash article, the method comprising placing the article on the sheet of water-absorbent material of the apparatus according to claim 1, folding the sheet over the article to form a bundle or rolling-up the sheet together with the article into a roll, and subjecting the roll or bundle to a compression action. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is an apparatus according to claim 11, the method comprising placing the roll or bundle inside the bag prior to effecting the compression action. 17. A method according to claim 16 further comprising the step of sealing the mouth of the bag. 18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is an apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, the article being placed on the sheet of the water absorbent material, the sheet of water-absorbent material lying on top of the sheet of the wrap and rolling-up or folding both sheets together with the article to form a roll, prior to effecting the compression action. 19. A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of securing the roll in the rolled-up configuration.

Inventors: BOOM REMKO, SHANKS IAN ALEXANDER, BOOM, REMKO, SHANKS, IAN, ALEXANDER
Applicants: UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC, UNILEVER N.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: D06F5
IPC codes: D06F5, D06F43