Garment Stain Treatment Bag

• US 20080274926A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cynthia Crider
• Original Assignee: Cynthia Crider
• Inventors: Crider, Cynthia
• Granted Patent: US 8,181,494 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/100
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Abstract

A stain treatment apparatus uses a transparent plastic bag with a recloseable opening into which a stained garment is placed. A stain treatment compound is contained within the bag, such as within an ampoule or pouch that releases upon compression or that releases upon exposure to water added to the bag. A thermochromatic indicator assists in filling with water of an appropriate temperature. A completion indicator further assists in indicating completion of the stain treatment regimen. A plurality of stain-specific treatment assemblies may be included that are optimized for a category of stains (e.g., protein, tannin, oil, dye/ink).

Claims

1. A stain treatment apparatus comprising:

a liquid impermeable receptacle, the liquid impermeable receptacle sized to receive a garment and comprising a closure;

a stain treatment compound, wherein the liquid impermeable receptacle retains the stain treatment compound; and

an indicator, wherein the indicator is configured to be responsive to contents of the receptacle and is configured to visually indicate at least one stain treatment parameter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a thermochromatic label responsive to a temperature within the receptacle to indicate an optimum temperature range for use of the stain treatment compound.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container affixed to an interior surface of the receptacle, wherein the stain treatment compound is retained within the container.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container comprises a first container containing a first stain-specific treatment compound, the apparatus further comprising a second container, wherein the second container contains a second stain-specific treatment compound, and a compound label, wherein the compound label is configured to visually distinguish the first and second containers to facilitate user selection of an appropriate stain treatment regimen for the garment.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container comprises a resilient ampoule having a weakened area.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container comprises a resilient pouch with a weakened opening.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container comprises a frangible ampoule contained within a liquid permeable barrier, wherein the liquid permeable barrier is affixed to an interior of the receptacle.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the container comprises an impermeable barrier, wherein the impermeable barrier is configured to dissolve upon contact with water thereby releasing the stain treatment compound into the receptacle.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the stain treatment compound is initially in a solid form, wherein the container comprises a porous barrier configured to allow water to contact the stain treatment compound thereby transitioning the stain treatment compound from a solid form to a liquid form, wherein the stain treatment compound is released through the porous barrier into the receptacle upon transitioning to a liquid form.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a completion indicator, wherein the completion indicator is configured to indicate progress of the stain treatment to the garment in response to the presence of the stain treatment compound within the receptacle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the completion indicator comprises a visually apparent material subject to exposure to the stain treatment compound, wherein the visually apparent material dissolves at a rate comparable to stain material in response to being exposed to the stain treatment compound.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the completion indicator comprises a thin-film imprinted circuit having dissimilar metal electrodes, wherein the electrodes are configured to produce sufficient electrical current when exposed to a liquid to initiate an electronic timer.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a thermochromatic label responsive to a temperature within the receptacle to indicate an optimum temperature range for effecting the stain treatment.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contents of the receptacle comprise water having a temperature.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the indicator comprises a thermochromatic label responsive to the temperature of the water within the receptacle to indicate an optimum temperature range for use of the stain treatment compound.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of stain treatment compounds and a plurality of containers affixed to an inner surface of the receptacle, wherein the number of stain treatment compounds corresponds to the number of containers, wherein one stain treatment compound is contained within one container, wherein each stain treatment compound is effective with regard to a specific type of stain.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stain treatment compound is capable of effecting a stain treatment to a garment without water.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an instruction label, wherein the instruction label provides directions to a user regarding use of the apparatus.

19. A method of preventing soiled clothes from being permanently stained comprising the steps of:

providing a garment, the garment having a stain;

providing a liquid impermeable receptacle, the liquid impermeable receptacle sized to receive the garment and comprising a closure;

providing a stain treatment compound, the stain treatment compound being capable of effecting a stain treatment and being retained within the liquid impermeable receptacle;

providing a completion indicator, wherein the completion indicator is configured to indicate progress of the stain treatment to the garment in response to the presence of the stain treatment compound within the receptacle;

placing the garment within the liquid impermeable receptacle;

releasing the stain treatment compound into the liquid impermeable receptacle, such that the stain treatment compound comes into contact with the stain;

sealing the liquid impermeable receptacle using the closure; and

allowing the stain treatment compound to remain in contact with the stain until the completion indicator denotes that the stain treatment has been effected to the garment.

20. A stain treatment apparatus comprising:

a resealable liquid impermeable receptacle, the receptacle comprising a closure, and an inner cavity, the inner cavity configured to receive a garment; and

a plurality of stain-specific treatment assemblies, wherein each stain-specific treatment assembly comprises

a label, wherein the label is visible to the user and is configured to identify which type of stain the stain-specific treatment assembly is designed to treat,

a stain treatment compound, the stain treatment compound being capable of treating a specific type of stain,

a container, a container affixed to an interior surface of the inner cavity, wherein the stain treatment compound is retained within the container, wherein the container is configured to release the stain treatment compound into the inner cavity in response to a stimulus, and

a stain-specific indicator, wherein the stain-specific indicator is configured to be responsive to contents of the receptacle and configured to visually indicate at least one parameter related to the application of the stain treatment compound to a garment;

wherein each one of the plurality of stain-specific treatment assemblies is capable of treating a different type of stain.