Autonomous cleaning apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method for delivering solvated cleaning agents to a cleaning appliance, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a dispensing apparatus;
providing a cleaning agent configured in a solid block having an outer surface, wherein the cleaning agent comprises a gas-releasing component configured to create mechanically explosive cleaning action at the interface between a soiling agent and a corresponding surface to be cleaned;
placing the cleaning agent into the dispensing apparatus;
providing a water supply;
routing a first portion of the water supply over the outer surface;
dissolving a selected portion of the solid block in the first portion of the water supply as a solvate; and
exposing the soiling agent and the surface to be cleaned to the solvate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, method, and composition provide a long-term, solid cartridge made of cleaning agents mixed at an equilibrium concentration with a solubility limiting agent for controlling an equilibrium concentration of the composition in a solvent, such as water, for example. In use, the cleaning agents are dissolved only to a predetermined concentration needed for a single dose of a cleaning appliance, such as a clothes washing machine, for example. The apparatus may be configured to cyclically expose the solid cartridge to the solvent. A dosing amount of the solvent dissolves a pre-determined concentration of cleaning agents, controlled by the solubility limiting agent. The apparatus discharges the dose of cleaning agent to a cleaning appliance, and readies itself again by dissolving a dose of cleaning agent from a surface of the solid cartridge into the solvent. An equilibrium concentration of sodium bicarbonate with amorphous silica provides the cleaning agent and solubility control, with additional sodium sesquicarbonate for alkalinity control and zeolite for scavenging hard water ions. The putty-like mixture may be cast, cured, and cooled to form a solid, monolithic charge in a desirable shape for controlling surface area.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for delivering solvated cleaning agents to a cleaning appliance, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a dispensing apparatus;
providing a cleaning agent configured in a solid block having an outer surface, wherein the cleaning agent comprises a gas-releasing component configured to create mechanically explosive cleaning action at the interface between a soiling agent and a corresponding surface to be cleaned;
placing the cleaning agent into the dispensing apparatus;
providing a water supply;
routing a first portion of the water supply over the outer surface;
dissolving a selected portion of the solid block in the first portion of the water supply as a solvate; and
exposing the soiling agent and the surface to be cleaned to the solvate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for delivering solvated cleaning agents to a cleaning appliance, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a dispensing apparatus;
providing a cleaning agent configured in a solid block having an outer surface, wherein the cleaning agent comprises;
a gas-releasing component as a cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of carbonates and bicarbonates, wherein the gas-releasing component is present in an amount from 20% to 60% by weight;
a solubility control component to limit the solubility of the cleaning composition, wherein the solubility control component is present in an amount from 5% to 35% by weight; and
an alkalinity agent as a pH regulator, wherein the alkalinity agent is present in an amount from 1% to 10% by weight;
placing the cleaning agent into the dispensing apparatus;
providing a water supply;
routing a first portion of the water supply over the outer surface;
dissolving a selected portion of the solid block in the first portion of the water supply as a solvate; and
exposing a surface to be cleaned to the solvate. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for delivering cleaning solution to a cleaning appliance, the method comprising:
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flooding a dispensing apparatus;
dissolving a selected portion from an outer surface of a substantially monolithic solid charge of cleaning agent;
equilibrating a solution of the cleaning agent;
flushing the dispensing apparatus;
delivering the solution to a cleaning appliance; and
cleaning a surface of a material to be cleaned by a combination of reacting a base therewith and releasing a gas. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification