Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the cleaning of soiled substrates, the apparatus comprising a casing which contains a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage concentrically located within a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum having a greater diameter than the basket, wherein the cage and the drum are concentrically located within a stationary cylindrical drum having a greater diameter than the rotatably mounted drum, wherein the casing includes access means, allowing access to the interior of the cylindrical basket, and wherein the rotatably mounted cylindrical cage and the rotatably mounted cylindrical drum are adapted to rotate independently. The method involves cleaning the soiled substrate by treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising solid particulate cleaning material, the formulation being free of organic solvents, and the method being carried out using the apparatus of the invention, and the apparatus and method find particular application in the cleaning of textile fabrics.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the cleaning of substrates using a solvent-free cleaning system which requires the use of only limited quantities of water. Most particularly, the invention is concerned with the cleaning of textile fibres by means of such a system, and provides an apparatus adapted for use in this context.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Dry cleaning is a process of major importance within the textile industry, specifically for the removal of hydrophobic stains which are difficult to remove by traditional aqueous washing methods. However, most commercial dry cleaning systems currently employ toxic and potentially environmentally harmful halocarbon solvents, such as perchloroethylene. The use of these solvents, and the need for their storage, treatment, and / or disposal creates major effluent problems for the industry, and this inevitably increases costs.[0003]More recently, the use of carbon dioxide as an alternative to such systems has be...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Said apparatus is designed to operate in conjunction with soiled substrates and cleaning media comprising a solid particulate material, which is most preferably in the form of a multiplicity of polymeric particles. Ideally, these polymeric particles should be efficiently circulated to promote effective cleaning and the apparatus, therefore, preferably includes circulation means. Thus, the inner surface of the cylindrical side walls of said rotatably mounted cylindrical drum preferably comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart circulation paddles, typically in the form of oblong-shaped protrusions affixed essentially perpendicularly to said inner surface. Said paddles are adapted so as to promote efficient circulation of said solid particulate material. Typically said apparatus comprises from 3 to 12 of said paddles.

Problems solved by technology

However, most commercial dry cleaning systems currently employ toxic and potentially environmentally harmful halocarbon solvents, such as perchloroethylene.

The use of these solvents, and the need for their storage, treatment, and / or disposal creates major effluent problems for the industry, and this inevitably increases costs.

However, a major problem with carbon dioxide is its lower solvent power relative to other solvents.

Furthermore, some of the procedures rely on the use of high pressure systems, and this is a clear disadvantage, since it presents an inherent safety risk, thereby lessening the attractiveness of the procedures.

Even more widely used are aqueous cleaning processes, which do not suffer from the disadvantages associated with the use of potentially toxic solvents or high pressure carbon dioxide systems, but still create very significant environmental difficulties in terms of the vast quantities of aqueous effluent which are generated.

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