Patent Document

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/427,329 filed Nov. 19, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a kit for removing stains from fabrics. More particularly, it relates to a portable, pocket-sized “first aid” kit for removing stains from fabrics such as clothing or furniture. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a portable, pocket-sized kit with tools to apply emergency cleaning to a limited area of fabric to treat and remove stains which may otherwise cure and permanently stain the fabric. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stain removal kit made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view of the stain removal kit of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the stiff-bristled brush of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of another embodiment of a stain removal kit made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stain removal kit made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stain removal kit made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of the stain removal kit of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stain removal kit made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded, perspective view of the stain removal kit of  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 10  is a detailed, perspective view of the aerosol pump and stiff-bristled brush of  FIG. 9 ; 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  depict a stain removal kit  10  made in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows the kit  10  assembled, as it would be carried in a pocket or purse, and  FIG. 2  shows the kit disassembled for use. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the kit  10  includes an elongated, cylindrical container  12 , an applicator tool  24 , and a cap  22 . The container  12  defines an internal cavity  14 , which has a single opening at its top end  16 . Attached to its bottom end  20  is a soft, absorbent material  18 . The absorbent material  18  may be a sponge or a blotter, and this material  18  may be pre-moistened as part of the kit  10 , or moisture, such as clean water, may be added as needed during the cleaning process. The cap  22  fits over the absorbent material  18  and snaps, screws, or is otherwise releasably retained onto the bottom end  20  of the container  12  to protect the absorbent material  18  until such time as it is needed. In this embodiment, the container  12  and caps  22 ,  32  serve as a housing, holding together all the components of the kit. The applicator tool  24  is an elongated member defining a stem  26  with a brush  28  at its bottom end  30 , and a cap  32  and a spatula  40  at its top end. The brush  28  includes a plurality of stiff bristles  36  (See also  FIG. 3 ), which are used to apply a detergent or stain remover onto the stain and to work it into the fabric to dislodge the stain. The cap  32  has internal threads  32 A, and the container  12  has mating external threads  32 B, which allows the applicator tool  24  to be inserted into the container  12  with the bristles  36  down, and the cap  32  to be threaded into the container  12 . Since the container  12  contains a detergent or stain remover, the cap  32  seals the container  12 , so it will not leak when it is being carried or stored. Alternatively, the cap  32  may snap onto the container  12  or otherwise be secured in a known method that will not allow leakage of the cleaning material from inside the container  12 . Since the absorbent material  18  is attached to the bottom of the container  20 , it is mounted by a mounting means that keeps it out of contact with the cleaning material that is inside the container as the cleaning material is being dispensed by the applicator brush  28 . 
   When the cap  32  is installed at the top end  16  of the container  12 , the stem  26  and the brush  28  extend into the cavity  14 . Inside the cavity  14 , a detergent or other stain removing material (not shown) is stored. The detergent or stain remover material is preferably in a liquid form, but it may be a solid, including various solid forms, such as a gel or powder, or it may be in other known forms as well. Various types of stain dissolving materials are known, including detergents, soaps, various solvents, and so forth. 
   In the event of a spill onto the person&#39;s clothing or other fabric, such as an upholstered chair, the user may use the “first aid” stain removal kit to remove the stain from the fabric. First the spatula  40  may be used to scrape off any excess of the spilled material off of the fabric, being careful not to spread the stain any more than it already has spread. Next, the cap  32  is removed, and the brush  28  is pulled out of the cavity  14  which also contains the stain remover material. The stain remover material then may be applied directly onto the stain, or the brush  28  may be used to apply it onto the stain. The stain remover material is then worked into the fabric with the aid of the stiff bristles  36  of the brush  28 , preferably with a rotary motion so as not to diffuse the stain. It may be advantageous to place a napkin, handkerchief, or other absorbent material on the other side of the fabric being cleaned to help draw the detergent/stain remover through the fabric, taking the stain with it. Finally, the lower cap  22  is removed to expose the absorbent material  18 , which is then dabbed onto the fabric to finish removing the stain. The absorbent material  18  may be dry to aid in drawing out the detergent/stain remover, together with the stain, off of the fabric, or it may be pre-moistened (or moisture such as clean water may be added to the absorbent material  18 ) to aid in cleaning off the stain from the fabric. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the stain removal kit  10  may be made out of any suitable material, such a plastic, preferably measuring approximately between 2 and 3 inches in length by approximately one inch in diameter. The bristles  36  of the brush  28  are also preferably made of stiff plastic fibers with a length of less than 0.5 inches. The material of the container  12  may be any material suitable for the task, such as metal, glass, or plastic. The shape of the container may be other than cylindrical in nature, for instance, it may have a curved shape like that of a perfume bottle. 
     FIG. 4  depicts another embodiment of a stain removal kit  42  made in accordance with the present invention. This kit  42  is housed in a blister package  44 , to make it convenient to display and sell, for example, out of automated vending machines found in restrooms, rest stops, etc., or hanging on a hook in a shop. (Of course, any of the kits shown here may be packaged for sale in an automated machine or for hanging on a hook, if desired.) This particular blister package is about three inches long, about 1.5 inches wide, and about ¼-inch thick. 
   The kit  42  includes two elongated members  46 ,  48 . The first member  46  includes a stem  50 , with a stiff-bristled brush  52  at its first end and a cotton swab  54  at its second end. The second member  48  includes a stem  56  with a spatula or scraper tool  58  at its first end and a cotton swab  60  at its second end. Preferably, one of the cotton swabs  54  or  60  is impregnated with stain remover, while the other swab is dry. The swab that is impregnated with stain removing material preferably has a distinct color, such as green or blue, to indicate that it contains the stain remover, while the other swab preferably is white or off-white, indicating that it does not contain the stain remover. The blister-pack packaging may provide a sufficient seal that the detergent-impregnated swab may be stored in a wet condition, or the stain remover-impregnated swab may be stored in a dry form which may be moistened by the user prior to use. 
   To use this kit  42 , the user opens the packaging  44  and removes the tools  46 ,  48 . The spatula  58  is used to remove excess spilled material off of the fabric. The cotton swab  54  or  60 , which is impregnated with the stain remover, is used to apply the stain remover to the stain, and the brush  52  is used to work the stain remover material into the fabric to dislodge the stain. Again, a napkin, handkerchief, towelette, or other piece of absorbent material may be placed under the stained area to help draw the stain remover and the stain off of the fabric. Such a towelette may be provided as part of the kit and be housed inside the blister pack  44 , if desired. Finally, the other swab is used to remove the detergent and any remaining stain from the treated area. 
     FIG. 5  depicts another embodiment of a stain removal kit  62  made in accordance with the present invention. This kit  62  includes a carrying case  72 , similar to a lady&#39;s compact for make-up, which serves as a housing to house the components of the kit. This carrying case  72  is approximately four inches long, two inches wide, and one-half inch thick. The carrying case  72  houses a double-tipped cotton swab  64  and a tool  67  having a spatula  66  at one end and a stiff-bristled brush  68  at the other end. The case  72  also defines an internal recess  71 , which holds a supply of dry stain remover  70 . The carrying case  72  includes a base  75  and a hinged lid  74 . The lid  74  has a first locking clasp portion  76 , and the base  75  has a second locking clasp portion  76 A, allowing the lid  74  and base  75  to be closed with a snap fit. 
   The stain remover  70  is preferably in a soft, solid form, similar to solid under-arm deodorant or in a compacted powder form similar to compact make-up. One of the tips of the cotton swab  64  is used to apply the detergent/stain remover onto the stain, while the other tip is used for final clean-up and absorption of the materials in the treated area as discussed in reference to previous embodiments. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  depict another embodiment of a stain removal kit  80  made in accordance with the present invention. Referring briefly to  FIG. 7 , this kit  80  includes a cylindrical container  82 , which houses the stain remover. The container  82  also houses the stiff-bristled brush  84  when the brush  84  is not in use. The brush  84  is attached to the lower end of a stem  88 , and a cap  86  is attached to the upper end. The cap  86  seals off the container  82  when the stem  88  and brush  84  are inside the container  82  and the cap  86  is threaded onto the neck  92  of the container  82 . A collar  90  fits over the container  82 . Extensions  94  on the collar  90  define aligned through-openings  96 . A spatula  98  includes extensions  100  which are designed to straddle the extensions  94  of the collar  90 . Holes  102  in the spatula extensions  100  align with the through-openings  96  in the collar extensions  94  to receive a hinge pin  104 , which pivotably secures the spatula  98  to the collar  90 . A sleeve  106 , made from an absorbent material, defines an interior cavity  108 , which is sized to substantially enclose the cylindrical container  82 . In this case, the container  82  and cap  86  serve as a housing, which contains or supports the elements of the kit. 
   As may be appreciated from  FIG. 6 , the spatula  98  is normally in the stowed or retracted position (shown in solid), but may be swung to the extended position (shown in phantom) for use. Similarly, the brush  84  is normally stowed inside the cylinder  82 , with the cap  86  sealing off the stain remover inside the cylinder  82 . During use, the cap  86  is unthreaded from the neck  92  of the container  82  so that the stain remover may be applied to the stain, either by pouring the stain remover directly onto the stain or by applying it with the brush  84 . The brush  84  then is used to scrub the affected area, and, finally, the absorbent-material sleeve  106  is used for final clean-up of the treated area. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  depict another embodiment of a stain removal kit  120  made in accordance with the present invention. As may be appreciated by comparing the  FIGS. 8 and 9  against the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , these embodiments  120 ,  10  are very similar. The most significant difference is that the stain removal kit  120  includes an aerosol pump  122  to atomize the detergent stain remover directly onto the soiled area to be cleaned. 
   The aerosol pump  122  includes a stem  124  which houses the plunger mechanism used to suction out the detergent stain remover out of the cylindrical container  126 , as is well known in the industry. The stiff-bristled brush  128  is attached to the end of the stem  124 . The through opening  130  (See  FIG. 10 ) allows fluid communication of the detergent stain remover from the inside of the container  126 , through the stem  124  and to the aerosol pump  122 . 
   A spatula  132  snaps over (or is otherwise secured to) the aerosol pump  122  to protect the pump  122  and prevent accidental pumping of the detergent/stain remover. As in the case of the first embodiment  10 , the lower cap  22  snaps over (or is otherwise secured to) the absorbent material  18 . 
   To use this stain removal kit  120 , any excess stain is first removed using the spatula  132 . The spatula  132  is then removed from the kit  120  and the aerosol pump is used to atomize a fine spray of the detergent/stain remover directly onto the soiled area to be cleaned. The aerosol pump  122  is then removed from the container  126  to expose the stiff-bristled brush  128 , which is used to work the detergent/stain remover into the stain. The rest of the procedure is the same as has already been described with respect to the first embodiment  10 . 
   It should be noted that an aerosol pump  122  is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . However, the detergent/stain remover could be packaged under pressure with a gaseous propellant for release as a spray of fine particles. In this instance, the brush  128  would be placed elsewhere so as to make it available for use without having to open the container  126  releasing its pressurized gaseous propellant. For example, the brush  128  could then be placed on the outside of the lower cap  22 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the means for dispensing the stain remover material includes opening the cap  32  and passing the stain remover material through the opening at the top end  16  of the housing  12 . As explained earlier, the stain remover material may be applied directly to the fabric or it may be carried through the opening and applied to the fabric by the brush. The mounting means for keeping the absorbent material  18  out of contact with the stain remover material as the stain remover material is being dispensed includes securing the absorbent material  18  to the outside of the housing  12  and enclosing it with the cover  22 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the means for dispensing the stain remover material from the housing includes opening the blister package housing  44 , removing the absorbent swab  54  or  60  that is impregnated with stain remover, and rubbing it onto the fabric. The mounting means which keeps the first absorbent material out of contact with the stain remover as it is being dispensed is mounting the other absorbent swab  54  or  60  that is not impregnated with stain remover on a separate elongated member  46 ,  48  from the one that is impregnated with stain remover, so it is out of contact with the stain remover as the stain remover is being dispensed. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the means for dispensing the stain remover from the housing includes opening the lid  74 , putting one of the tips of the cotton swab  64  into the stain remover  70 , then contacting the fabric with that tip. The mounting means for keeping the first absorbent material out of contact with the stain remover material as it is being dispensed is mounting the first absorbent material at the other end of the cotton swab  64 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the means for dispensing the stain remover material is the same as in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . The mounting means for mounting the first absorbent material to keep it out of contact with the stain remover material as it is being applied is mounting the sleeve made of absorbent material  106  on the outside of the container  82 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the means for dispensing the stain remover material is the same as in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , plus it includes a spray mechanism  122 . The mounting means for mounting the first absorbent material to keep it out of contact with the stain remover material as it is being dispensed is the same as in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
   While the embodiments described above show some examples of stain removal kits in accordance with the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to these kits without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Technology Category: 1