Method for mechanical cleaning of textiles or solid objects comprising encapsulated enzymes
First Claim
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1. A washing apparatus, for cleaning textiles or solid objects using enzymes and at least one of water-soluble detergents and cleaning agents, comprising:
- a washing liquid container with a source of washing liquid;
an enzyme container configured to contain at least one capsule that retains catalytically-acting enzymes, the at least one capsule of said catalytically-acting enzymes being permeable to said washing liquid but insoluble in water;
a detergent container to contain at least one of water-soluble detergents and cleaning agents; and
a pump connected between the washing liquid container and the enzyme container, the pump configured to circulate the washing liquid between the washing liquid container and the enzyme container and back to the washing liquid container for a first time period of a washing process to transport a limited quantity of the enzymes retained in the at least one capsule into the washing liquid container for the first time period, and before additional washing liquid is added through the detergent container to wash at least one of the water-soluble detergents and cleaning agents out of the detergent container and into said washing liquid container in said washing or cleaning process for a second time period.
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Abstract
Water-soluble detergents and enzymes are used for mechanically cleaning textiles or crockery. According to the invention, enzymes with a catalytic effect on typical stains are added to the washing or cleaning process, only for as long as their catalytic effect is desired. This avoids superfluous removal of the enzymes that have been used in a washing or cleaning process.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A washing apparatus, for cleaning textiles or solid objects using enzymes and at least one of water-soluble detergents and cleaning agents, comprising:
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a washing liquid container with a source of washing liquid; an enzyme container configured to contain at least one capsule that retains catalytically-acting enzymes, the at least one capsule of said catalytically-acting enzymes being permeable to said washing liquid but insoluble in water; a detergent container to contain at least one of water-soluble detergents and cleaning agents; and a pump connected between the washing liquid container and the enzyme container, the pump configured to circulate the washing liquid between the washing liquid container and the enzyme container and back to the washing liquid container for a first time period of a washing process to transport a limited quantity of the enzymes retained in the at least one capsule into the washing liquid container for the first time period, and before additional washing liquid is added through the detergent container to wash at least one of the water-soluble detergents and cleaning agents out of the detergent container and into said washing liquid container in said washing or cleaning process for a second time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A washing apparatus for cleaning textiles or solid objects using enzymes and at least one of water-soluble detergents and cleaning agents, the washing apparatus comprising:
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a washing liquid container configured to contain the textiles or solid objects, the washing liquid container being configured to receive a washing liquid; an enzyme container containing at least one capsule that retains catalytically-acting enzymes, the enzyme container being connected to the washing liquid container, and the at least one capsule being permeable to said washing liquid but insoluble in water; a pump connected to the washing liquid container and to the enzyme container, the pump being configured to circulate the washing liquid between the washing liquid container and the enzyme container to transport a limited quantity of the enzymes from the enzyme container to the washing liquid container for a first time period in a first washing or cleaning process for removing typical stains, the pump being configured to begin circulating the washing liquid when a level of the washing liquid being added to the washing liquid container reaches a predetermined level; and a detergent container configured to contain a supply of water-soluble detergent and/or cleaning agents, wherein the pump is configured to stop circulating the washing liquid between the washing liquid container and the enzyme container after the first time period and before the water-soluble detergents and/or cleaning agents are added to the washing liquid container for a second time period. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification