Cleaning method
First Claim
1. A method for the cleaning of a soiled substrate, said method comprising treating the substrate with at least a non-polymeric solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, said treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls and having a capacity of between 5 and 50 liters for each kg of fabric in the washload, wherein said solid particulate cleaning material comprises a multiplicity of non-polymeric particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1:
- 1-10;
1 by mass, each of said particles being substantially cylindrical or spherical in shape and having an average density in the range of 3.5-12.0 g/cm3 and an average volume in the range of 5-275 mm3, and wherein said drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 900 G.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method for the cleaning of a soiled substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a non-polymeric solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, the treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls and having a capacity of between 5 and 50 liters for each kg of fabric in the washload, wherein the solid particulate cleaning material comprises a multiplicity of non-polymeric particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1:1-10:1 by mass, each of the particles being substantially cylindrical or spherical in shape, and wherein the drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 900 G. The non-polymeric particles may comprise particles of glass, silica, stone, wood, or any of a variety of metals or ceramic materials. Preferably the solid particulate cleaning material additionally comprises a multiplicity of polymeric particles each of which is substantially cylindrical or spherical in shape. Preferably, at least one detergent is employed in the cleaning process. The invention provides optimum cleaning performance as a result of improved mechanical interaction between substrate and cleaning media and is preferably used for the cleaning of textile fabrics. The method allows for significant reductions in the consumption of detergents, water and energy when compared with the conventional wet cleaning of textile fabrics, and also facilitates reduced washing-related textile fabric damage. The invention also envisages a cleaning composition comprising a solid particulate cleaning composition and at least one additional cleaning agent.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for the cleaning of a soiled substrate, said method comprising treating the substrate with at least a non-polymeric solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, said treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls and having a capacity of between 5 and 50 liters for each kg of fabric in the washload, wherein said solid particulate cleaning material comprises a multiplicity of non-polymeric particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1:
- 1-10;
1 by mass, each of said particles being substantially cylindrical or spherical in shape and having an average density in the range of 3.5-12.0 g/cm3 and an average volume in the range of 5-275 mm3, and wherein said drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 900 G. - View Dependent Claims (2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- 1-10;
- 3. The method as claimed in 1 further comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, each of said particles being substantially cylindrical or spherical in shape and having an average density in the range of 0.5-2.5 g/cm3 and an average volume in the range of 5-275 mm3.
Specification