Portable stain removal device and method for locally removing a stain from a textile

Abstract

A portable stain removal device for locally removing a stain from a textile comprising: a holding device which receives and fixes the stained area of the textile, wherein the holding device has a lower part and an upper part movably arranged thereon, wherein the lower part and the upper part abutting one another in a closed position receiving the stained area of the textile between them and releasing the textile in an open position, a storage container arranged on the holding device, which stores a cleaning fluid for a cleaning process, a receiving container arranged on the holding device, which receives the cleaning fluid after the cleaning process, wherein the holding device is connected to the storage container and the receiving container in such a way that a cleaning fluid contained in the storage container is supplied to the holding device, then applied to an area of the textile arranged in the holding device and finally received in the receiving container.

Claims

1. Portable stain removal device for locally removing a stain from a textile comprising: a holding device which receives and fixes the stained area of the textile, wherein the holding device has a lower part and an upper part movably arranged thereon, wherein the lower part and the upper part abutting one another in a closed position receiving the stained area of the textile between them and releasing the textile in an open position, a storage container arranged on the holding device, which stores a cleaning fluid for a cleaning process, a receiving container arranged on the holding device, which receives the cleaning fluid after the cleaning process, wherein the holding device is connected to the storage container and the receiving container in such a way that a cleaning fluid contained in the storage container is supplied to the holding device, then applied to an area of the textile arranged in the holding device and finally received in the receiving container.

2. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part of the holding device is rotatably arranged on the lower part.

3. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that a cleaning fluid supply line is connected to the storage container, wherein the cleaning fluid supply line supplies cleaning fluid contained in the storage container to a textile arranged in the holding device.

4. The portable stain removal device according to claim 3, characterized in that a heating device is arranged on the cleaning fluid supply line, wherein the heating device heats the cleaning fluid.

5. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one spray nozzle via which the cleaning fluid is applied as a spray application to the area of the textile arranged in the holding device.

6. The portable stain removal device according to claim 3 and claim 5, characterized in that the spray nozzles are connected to the cleaning fluid supply line.

7. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a washing container which receives the cleaning fluid supplied from the storage container and at least the stained area of the textile.

8. The portable stain removal device according to claim 7, characterized in that the washing container is accommodated in the lower part of the holding device.

9. The portable stain removal device according to claim 3 and claim 7, characterized in that the storage container is connected to the washing container via the cleaning fluid supply line.

10. The portable stain removal device according to claim 7, characterized in that the washing container is connected to the receiving container via a cleaning fluid discharge line.

11. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pump which delivers the cleaning fluid from the storage container.

12. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning additive container which stores a cleaning additive for the cleaning fluid.

13. The portable stain removal device according to claim 12, characterized in that the cleaning additive container is designed to hold a cleaning additive capsule containing the cleaning additive.

14. The portable stain removal device according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a reading device which detects a machine-readable code arranged on the cleaning additive capsule.

15. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is comprises a brush which is movable relative to the holding device.

16. The portable stain removal device according to claim 15, characterized in that a resiliently mounted pressure plate is arranged on the holding device, which pressure plate interacts with the brush in such a way that the pressure plate is in an initial plate position and is unloaded by the brush, when the brush is in an initial brush position, and that the brush presses against the pressure plate in a brush-cleaning position and thereby presses the pressure plate against the spring force into a plate-cleaning position.

17. The portable stain removal device according to claim 16, characterized in that the pressure plate is arranged in the washing container.

18. The portable stain removal device according to claim 5 and claim 15, characterized in that at least one spray nozzle is arranged on the brush.

19. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a fan which generates an air flow through the area of the textile received in the holding device.

20. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device comprises a support plate for the textile.

21. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a steam generating device.

22. The portable stain removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a controlling device.

23. Method for locally removing a stain from a textile with a portable stain removal device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following method steps: filling a cleaning fluid into the storage container, wherein the cleaning fluid comprises a first partial quantity, a second partial quantity and a third partial quantity, inserting the textile into the stain removal device in such a way that the stained area of the textile is received in the holding device, removing the first partial quantity of the cleaning fluid from the storage container and applying this first partial quantity of the cleaning fluid to the stained area of the textile, collecting the first partial quantity of cleaning fluid in the receiving container, removing the second partial quantity of the cleaning fluid from the storage container, adding a cleaning additive to this second partial quantity, applying the mixture of the second partial quantity of the cleaning fluid and the cleaning additive to the stained area of the textile, collecting the second partial quantity of the cleaning fluid with the cleaning additive in the receiving container, removing the third partial quantity of the cleaning fluid from the storage container and applying this third partial quantity of the cleaning fluid to the stained area of the textile, receiving the third partial quantity of the cleaning fluid in the receiving container.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the cleaning fluid filled into the storage container comprises a fourth partial quantity, in that the fourth partial quantity of the cleaning fluid is removed from the storage container and the stained area is rinsed with the fourth partial quantity of the cleaning fluid after cleaning.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the cleaned area of the textile is dried after cleaning by means of an air flow generated by the fan.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the cleaned area of the textile is smoothed after drying by means of the steam generating device.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0057] The drawing shows an example of an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention. It shows:

[0058] FIG. 1 portable stain removal device in a perspective view with the holding device in the closed position,

[0059] FIG. 2 stain removal device according to FIG. 1 in a front view,

[0060] FIG. 3 stain removal device according to FIG. 1 in open position,

[0061] FIG. 4 stain removal device according to FIG. 1 without upper part of the holding device in exploded view,

[0062] FIG. 5 stain removal device according to FIG. 1 without upper part of the holding device and without supporting plate,

[0063] FIG. 6 stain removal device according to FIG. 1 with holding device in open position and stained textile,

[0064] FIG. 7 stain removal device according to FIG. 1 with holding device in closed position and stained textile,

[0065] FIG. 8 section of the stain removal device according to FIG. 1,

[0066] FIG. 9 section of the stain removal device according to FIG. 8 with brush in brush cleaning position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0067] FIGS. 1 to 9 show various views of a portable stain removal device 1. The stain removal device comprises a holding device 2 with a lower part 3 and an upper part 4 which is rotatably arranged on the lower part 3. The upper part 4 comprises a star-shaped handle 5 and a switch 6 with which the stain removal device 1 can be switched on and off. A storage container 7 for a cleaning fluid, a receiving container 8 for soiled cleaning fluid and a cleaning additive container 9 are arranged in the lower part 3. The storage container 7 can be pulled out of the stain removal device 1 in order to fill it with cleaning fluid, for example water. The receiving container 8 can also be pulled out of the stain removal device 1 and removed from it in order to pour out soiled cleaning fluid. The cleaning additive container 9 can be pulled out of the stain removal device to insert a cartridge 10 with cleaning additive.

[0068] The stain removal device 1 comprises a washing container 11 and a support surface 12 surrounding the washing container 11. The support surface is formed by the surface of a support plate 13, which is provided with first passage openings 14. The washing container 11 and the support plate 13 are made of one piece. The support plate 13 extends laterally outwards from the upper edge of the washing container 11. When the stain removal device 1 is placed on a horizontally aligned base, the support plate 13 is also horizontally aligned. The support plate 13 and the washing container 11 are arranged on the lower part 3 of the holding device 2. They cover the lower part at the top.

[0069] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the lower part 3 of the stain removal device 1. The lower part 3 is equipped with a compartment 29 for the receiving container 8 and a compartment 31 for the storage container 7. The compartment 29 has an opening 30. The opening of the compartment 31 for the storage container is not visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, as it is located on the side of the lower part 3 facing away from the viewer. The compartment 29 and the compartment 31 make it easier to insert the storage container 7 and the receiving container 8 into the lower part 3 and to pull them out of the lower part. They also ensure exact positioning of the storage container 7 and the receiving container 8 in the lower part 3 and prevent the storage container 7 and the receiving container 8 from shifting in an undesirable manner in the lower part 3. This applies in particular when the stain removal device 1 is moved.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows that the storage container 7, the receiving container 8, the cleaning additive container 9, a pump 15, a heating device 16, a cleaning fluid supply line 17, a cleaning fluid discharge line 18, a fan 19, a controlling device 33 and a housing 20 for a barcode reader are arranged below the storage plate 13 and the washing container 11. The cleaning fluid is sucked in from the storage container 7 via the pump 15. The cleaning fluid is supplied either directly via the cleaning fluid supply line 17 to the upper part 4 of the holding device not shown in FIG. 5 or to the cleaning additive container 9. In the cleaning additive container 9 the cleaning fluid is mixed with a cleaning additive and fed to the upper part 4 via the cleaning fluid supply line 17. There is also a cleaning fluid supply line in the upper part 4, which is not shown in FIG. 5. When the holding device 2 is closed and the upper part 4 rests on the lower part 3, the cleaning fluid flows from above into the washing container. The cleaning fluid flowing through the cleaning fluid supply line can be heated via the heating device 16. The cleaning fluid is drained from the washing container via the cleaning fluid discharge line 18 and fed to the receiving container 8.

[0071] The fan 19 comprises an impeller 21 which is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the lower part 3 and a motor, which is not visible in the drawing, which drives the impeller to rotate. The bottom of the lower part 3 has second passage openings 22. Via these second passage openings 22, the fan 19 draws in air from the surroundings of the stain removal device 1 and conveys it past the storage container, the receiving container, the washing container and the other components arranged in the lower part 3 in the direction of the support plate 13. The air is forced outwards through the first passage openings 14. A textile lying on the support plate 13 is dried in this way.

[0072] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the stain removal device 1 with a textile 23. In this case, the textile 23 is a T-shirt. In FIG. 6, the holding device 2 is in the open position. The upper part 4 is tilted upwards. In this open position, the textile 23 can be placed on the support plate 13. The textile 23 is aligned on the support plate 13 in such a way that a stain 24 to be removed is located above the washing container 11. In the open position of the holding device 2, the washing container is covered by a pressure-plate 25. This can be seen in FIG. 3. When the textile 23 is aligned with the stain 24 above the washing container and the pressure-plate 25, the holding device 2 is closed. The closed position of the holding device 2 with the sections of the textile 23 projecting outwards is shown in FIG. 7.

[0073] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the cleaning process. A brush 26 with a brush holder 27 is mounted on the upper part 4 not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. When the holding device 2 is in the closed position, the brush 26 arranged on the upper part 4 presses the pressure-plate 25 downwards. The pressure-plate 25 is slidably arranged on the washing container 11. It is supported by a coil spring 28 on a base of the washing container 10. When the brush 26 presses against the pressure plate 25 from above, the coil spring 28 is compressed. The coil spring 28 presses the pressure plate 25 upwardly against the brush 26. When a textile 23 is in the stain removal device 1, the portion of the textile 23 disposed above the wash container 11 is held between the brush 26 and the pressure plate 25. The brush 26 is lowered into the wash container 11 to such an extent that the area of the textile 23 held between the brush 26 and the pressure plate 25 is reliably immersed in the cleaning fluid filled into the washing container 11. The lower edge of the brush holder 27 can rest on the storage plate 13 or at most be a short distance from the storage plate 13. The cleaning fluid supply line 17 shown in FIG. 5 is continued in the upper part 4 and opens into the brush 26, from where the cleaning fluid flows into the washing container 11. The cleaning fluid flows through the area of the textile 23 that is located between the brush 26 and the washing container plate 25.

[0074] Spray nozzles 32 are arranged next to or between the bristles of the brush 26 in the brush holder 27. The cleaning fluid supplied to the upper part 4 via the cleaning fluid supply line 17 is dispensed and distributed onto the textile as fine droplets via the spray nozzles 32. The spray nozzles 32 represent a cross-sectional constriction at the outlet of the cleaning fluid supply line 17.

[0075] During lowering, the brush 26 is moved in a first direction in order to guide the brush from a brush initial position to a brush cleaning position. The first direction extends vertically. This movement of the brush 26 serves to immerse the section of the textile 23 to be cleaned in the washing container 11. FIG. 8 shows the brush 26 during the transition from the brush initial position to the brush cleaning position. FIG. 9 shows the brush 26 in the brush cleaning position. In addition, the brush moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction extends horizontally. This movement serves to move the brush back and forth in the brush cleaning position in order to loosen the dirt in the textile from the textile. The brush 26 is moved back and forth parallel to the pressure plate 25. Alternatively, it can also be circular movements. By moving the brush 26 parallel to the pressure plate 25, dirt particles can be loosened from the textile 23 more easily. The cleaning process is supported.

[0076] The cleaning of the textile is done in the following way:

[0077] The storage container 10 is filled with 11 of water. A cartridge 10 filled with a cleaning additive suitable for the textile 23 to be cleaned and the stain 24 is placed in the cleaning additive container 9. The cartridge 10 has a barcode. The textile 23 to be cleaned is placed on the deposit plate 13 so that the stain 24 is located above the pressure plate 25. The holding device 2 is closed. The stain removal device 1 is switched on by actuating the switch 6. A barcode reader arranged in the housing 20 reads the barcode on the cartridge 10. Depending on the barcode read, the cleaning procedure is controlled by means of a controlling device 33. The controlling device 33 also controls the pump, the brush, the fan and the heating device. The brush 26 is lowered onto the pressure plate. The stained area of the textile is immersed in the wash container. 250 ml of water is delivered from the reservoir 7 into the washing container. The section of the textile 23 located in the wash tank is rinsed. The washing container is emptied by conveying the water into the receiving container 8. A further 250 ml of water is conveyed via the cleaning additive container 9, the water being mixed with cleaning additive. This mixture is heated by the heating device and fed to the washing container. The brush is moved parallel to the pressure plate 25. Additional cleaning fluid can be applied to the textile via the spray nozzles 32. After this cleaning step, the mixture of water and cleaning additive is discharged from the washing container into the receiving container 8. Subsequently, the area of the textile 23 received in the washing container is rinsed twice with 250 ml of water each time, which is fed from the storage container into the washing container. For rinsing, the brush can be lifted and move to its initial position or starting position. After rinsing, the cleaned section of the textile is dried by the air flow generated by the fan. For smoothing wrinkles, steam can be generated and passed over the section of the textile.

[0078] All features can be essential to the invention either individually or in any combination with each other.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0079] 1 stain removal device [0080] 2 holding device [0081] 3 lower part [0082] 4 upper part [0083] 5 handle [0084] 6 switch [0085] 7 storage container [0086] 8 receiving container [0087] 9 cleaning additive container [0088] 10 cartridge [0089] 11 washing container [0090] 12 supporting surface [0091] 13 supporting plate [0092] 14 first through opening [0093] 15 pump [0094] 16 heating device [0095] 17 cleaning fluid supply line [0096] 18 cleaning fluid discharge line [0097] 19 fan [0098] 20 housing [0099] 21 impeller [0100] 22 second through opening [0101] 23 textile [0102] 24 stain [0103] 25 pressure plate [0104] 26 brush [0105] 27 brush holder [0106] 28 coil spring [0107] 29 compartment for the receiving container [0108] 30 opening of the compartment [0109] 31 compartment for the storage container [0110] 32 spray nozzle [0111] 33 controlling device