Multiuse, solid cleaning device and composition
First Claim
1. A method of providing cleaning agent to a cleaning machine comprising:
- obtaining a multiuse cleaning device in a solid state comprising a homogeneous quantity of cleaning agent in solid form comprising a gas-releasing component selected from the group consisting of perborates, percarbonates, and mixtures thereof, a potassium silicate solubility control component to limit the solubility of the cleaning agent, wherein the solubility control component is present in an amount sufficient to cause the cleaning agent in solid form to dissolve in water and release a substantially consistent quantity of cleaning agent over a plurality of cleaning wash and rinse cycles; and
depositing the cleaning device within a wash chamber of the cleaning machine under conditions such that the cleaning agent in solid form in the cleaning device is exposed to water from the plurality of cleaning wash and rinse cycles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiuse cleaning device in a solid state containing a homogeneous quantity of cleaning agent configured to dissolve and release a substantially consistent quantity of cleaning agent over a plurality of wash and rinse cycles. The cleaning agent includes a gas-releasing component and potassium silicate as a solubility control component to limit the solubility of the cleaning agent. The cleaning agent may include other ingredients such as an alkalinity agent as a pH regulator, a water softener to solvate metal ions in a solution of water, an optical brightener, an anti-redeposition agent, fragrances, surfactants, and other ingredients. Controlled dissolution of the cleaning agent composition releases a desired quantity of cleaning agent in each cleaning cycle over a plurality of cycles. A porous enclosure may be disposed around the solid cleaning agent.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of providing cleaning agent to a cleaning machine comprising:
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obtaining a multiuse cleaning device in a solid state comprising a homogeneous quantity of cleaning agent in solid form comprising a gas-releasing component selected from the group consisting of perborates, percarbonates, and mixtures thereof, a potassium silicate solubility control component to limit the solubility of the cleaning agent, wherein the solubility control component is present in an amount sufficient to cause the cleaning agent in solid form to dissolve in water and release a substantially consistent quantity of cleaning agent over a plurality of cleaning wash and rinse cycles; and depositing the cleaning device within a wash chamber of the cleaning machine under conditions such that the cleaning agent in solid form in the cleaning device is exposed to water from the plurality of cleaning wash and rinse cycles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of providing cleaning agent to a cleaning machine comprising:
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obtaining a multiuse cleaning device in a solid state comprising a homogeneous quantity of cleaning agent in solid form comprising a gas-releasing component selected from the group consisting of perborates, percarbonates, and mixtures thereof, wherein the gas-releasing component is present in an amount from 35% to 60% by weight prior to molding and curing the cleaning agent, a potassium silicate solubility control component to limit the solubility of the cleaning agent, wherein the solubility control component is present in an amount from 30% to 60% by weight prior to molding and curing the cleaning agent, wherein the solubility control component is present in an amount sufficient to cause the cleaning agent in solid form to dissolve in water and release a substantially consistent quantity of cleaning agent over a plurality of cleaning wash and rinse cycles defined as an amount equal to X 10±
50% ofX 10, whereinX 10 is the average amount of cleaning agent that dissolves during the first 10 wash cycles, wherein the solid cleaning agent is disposed within a porous enclosure;depositing the cleaning device within a wash chamber of the cleaning machine under conditions such that the cleaning agent in solid form in the cleaning device is exposed to water from the plurality of cleaning wash and rinse cycles; and retaining the cleaning device deposited within the cleaning machine from one laundry wash and rinse cycle to another laundry wash and rinse cycle. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification