Garment stain treatment bag

• US 8,181,494 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crider, Cynthia
• Original Assignee: Crider, Cynthia
• Inventors: Crider, Cynthia
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US12/114,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20080274926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 682/13, 682/00
• US Class Current: 68/213
• 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 sized to receive a garment and comprising a closure;

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

a thermochromatic label responsive to a temperature within the receptacle to indicate an optimum temperature range for use of the stain treatment compound; and

an electronic timer that is initiated in response to contact with a fluid.

2. 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.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, 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.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a resilient ampoule having a weakened area.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a resilient pouch with a weakened opening.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, 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.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, 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.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, 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.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic timer comprises a thin-film imprinted circuit having dissimilar metal electrodes, wherein the electrodes are configured to produce electrical current when exposed to a fluid.

10. 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.

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

12. 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;

a first stain-specific treatment assembly configured to treat a first stain and comprising;

a first label visible to the user and configured to identify the first stain;

a first stain treatment compound capable of treating the first stain;

a first container affixed to an interior surface of the inner cavity, the first stain treatment compound being retained within the first container and being selectively releasable in response to a stimulus; and

a second stain-specific treatment assembly configured to treat a second stain and comprising;

a second label visible to the user and configured to identify the second stain;

a second stain treatment compound capable of treating the second stain; and

a second container affixed to the interior surface of the inner cavity, the second stain treatment compound being retained within the second container and being selectively releasable in response to a stimulus; and

an electronic timer that is initiated in response to the stimulus.

13. The stain treatment apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a thermochromatic label responsive to a temperature within the inner cavity to indicate an optimum temperature range for treating at least one of the first and second stains.

14. The stain treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second containers comprise respective first and second resilient ampoules having a weakened area.

15. The stain treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second containers comprise respective first and second resilient pouches having a weakened opening.

16. The stain treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second containers comprise respective first and second frangible ampoules contained within respective liquid permeable barriers, wherein the liquid permeable barrier of each of the first and second frangible ampoules is affixed to the inner cavity.

17. The stain treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first and second containers comprise respective first and second impermeable barriers that are configured to dissolve upon contact with water to release respective first and second stain treatment compounds.

18. The stain treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electronic timer comprises a thin-film imprinted circuit having dissimilar metal electrodes, wherein the electrodes are configured to produce electrical current when exposed to a fluid.