Process of cleaning the inner surface of a water-containing vessel

• US 20020112742A1
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Cedeno, Alejandro, Tack, Joris Jozef Gustaaf, Ratti, Michela, Bredo, Katia, Pochart, Nicolas Remy Denis
• Granted Patent: US 6,712,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/10
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/001 Accessories for baths, not provided for in other subgroups of group A47K3/00 bath lifting devices for sick persons and invalids A61G7/10; Insertions, e.g. for babies; Tubs suspended or inserted in baths; Security or alarm devices; Protecting linings or coverings; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting baths; Bath insulation
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/093 by the force of jets or sprays B08B9/0813 , B08B9/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1263 Floating skimmers
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/1654 Self-propelled cleaners

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process of cleaning the inner surfaces of a liquid-containing vessel with an automatic cleaning device, wherein said process is performed by said device and comprises the steps of applying a cleaning composition onto at least portions of the inner surfaces of said liquid-containing vessel and rinsing at least portions of the inner surfaces of said liquid-containing vessel and wherein said automatic cleaning device is a floating device (1) actively moving in said vessel or is a non-floating device (8) placed on the bottom of said vessel.

Claims

1. A process of cleaning the inner surfaces of a liquid-containing vessel with an automatic cleaning device, wherein said process is performed by said device and comprises the steps of applying a cleaning composition onto at least portions of the inner surface of said liquid-containing vessel and rinsing at least portions of the inner surface of said liquid-containing vessel and wherein said automatic cleaning device is a floating device actively moving in said vessel or is a non-floating device placed on the bottom of said vessel.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein said liquid-containing vessel is a bathtub or a swimming pool.

3. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is equipped with a spray nozzle or a set thereof to apply said cleaning composition onto the inner surfaces of said liquid-containing vessel.

4. A process according to claim 1, wherein the inner surfaces of said vessel herein are rinsed with liquid present in said vessel.

5. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is equipped with a pumping means.

6. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is equipped with an energy storage means.

7. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is equipped with a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery pack.

8. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is equipped with a reservoir for said cleaning composition.

9. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is equipped with a filter.

10. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is a floating device moving along the side walls of said vessel and wherein said device is equipped with a means to actively move in said vessel.

11. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is a non-floating device placed on the bottom of said vessel and wherein said device is equipped with a means to attach it to the bottom of the surface of the liquid-containing vessel.

12. A process according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning composition comprises compounds selected from the group consisting of surfactants, solvents, bleaches, stabilizing agents, chelating agents, builder systems, radical scavengers, perfumes, dyes, suds suppressing agents, photobleaching agents, and other minors, and mixtures thereof.

13. A process according to claim 1, wherein said automatic cleaning device is combined in a kit together with a docking station, wherein said docking station is optionally equipped with a device for recharging a rechargeable battery pack of the automatic cleaning device and/or a storage tank for cleaning composition used in the process according to the present invention.