After-treatment system including cleaning device, impregnation device and replenishment means

Abstract

A post-treatment system for reapplying an impregnation treatment to previously treated articles such as shoes, gloves, handbags, coats, etc., comprises a cleaning device with a body and an impregnating device with a body. The cleaning device integrates or has access to a reservoir containing a cleaning liquid and connected to an application surface, and the body of the impregnating device integrates or has access to a reservoir containing an impregnating balm and connected to an application surface. Both reservoirs include means for refilling the reservoir, and the application surface is interchangeable with another application surface.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a post-treatment system for applying an impregnation treatment to a pre-treated article. [Background technology]

[0002] It is common, especially in humid northern climates, to impregnate shoes, overcoats etc., particularly to make them more resistant to water. At least in the context of the present invention, this type of impregnation should be understood as a waterproofing process in which an agent is applied to a surface in order to make it waterproof or to improve or restore the water repellency of the surface. This can be done by manually spraying the impregnating agent onto the object, which can be, for example, a shoe, a glove, a handbag or a coat, or by means of an automatic spray booth as disclosed in the applicant's earlier application EP 2 964 051.

[0003] An example of a device suitable for dispensing liquid from a hollow handle is known from US 2016 / 0000213. The hollow handle contains the liquid to be dispensed. The hollow interior is in fluid communication with a dispensing head that contains a sponge. In this way, the liquid can be provided to the sponge and applied to an object by applying the sponge to said object.

[0004] A somewhat similar device is known from CN2045264, which discloses a shoe brush. The device has a brush head that is fluidly connected to a reservoir. When the brush head is removed, it can be replaced and the fluid reservoir refilled. A similar device is disclosed in US2013 / 0047358. A further example of an application device is disclosed in WO00 / 28873. This device is distinguished by including two reservoirs in communication with an application sponge. It is contemplated that the two liquids are disposed in separate reservoirs and mixed during application, allowing the two-component treatment to be applied using only one handheld device, and that the liquids are mixed as required during application. A refilling station is provided that allows both reservoirs to be refilled with the components that make up the two-component treatment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One problem with these treatments is that such treatments deteriorate over time, either as a function of wear and tear and / or simply by aging. In some cases, the initial treatment was not sufficient to make the treated article / object sufficiently water repellent or waterproof. In such cases, the treatment must be repeated or completed to achieve the desired effect, i.e., to restore water repellency / water resistance.

[0006] For most users, reapplication occurs very infrequently; the initial treatment becomes useless after a few weeks or months and reapplication requires the purchase of additional impregnating agent or reprocessing with the equipment described above.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a post-processing system that encourages and facilitates users to reapply processes, and further ensures that the reapplied process has the same basic components as the original process to achieve improved results. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This is addressed by the present invention by providing a post-treatment system for re-applying an impregnation treatment to previously treated articles such as shoes, gloves, handbags, coats, etc. The post-treatment system comprises a cleaning device with a body and integrating or having access to a reservoir containing a cleaning liquid and connected to an application surface, and an impregnation device with a body integrating or having access to a reservoir containing an impregnating balm and connected to an application surface, both reservoirs comprising means for refilling said reservoirs, said application surface being replaceable with another application surface, said reservoirs of said cleaning device and said impregnation device each having a one-way valve, said reservoirs being refillable by connecting said one-way valves to sources of impregnating balm and cleaning liquid, respectively.

[0009] The provision of a post-treatment system comprising both a washing device and an impregnation device allows the required treatment to be carried out conveniently and simply. The washing device necessarily includes the devices necessary to wash the surface of the article to be treated, but also to apply a washing liquid suitable for the purpose.

[0010] Often, more conventional household brand cleaning solutions are used before reapplication in the normal manner. These household cleaning solutions typically contain compounds that are harmful to the impregnating agents or to the surface of the item being treated.

[0011] Furthermore, since the same components of the impregnation agent originally used are contained in the impregnation balm used for reapplication of the impregnation agent, a homogeneous and cohesive impregnation procedure is ensured, in the sense that the two materials are compatible.

[0012] In order for the after-treatment system to be suitable for handling reapplication of the impregnation, the impregnation is in the form of an impregnation balm. In this context, a balm is to be understood as an impregnation having the consistency or viscosity of a thick, flowable oil or cream.

[0013] One-way valves are provided to allow the cleaning and impregnation devices to be refilled so that they are reusable. This has the added advantage that the cleaning and impregnation devices can be manufactured to a higher standard and at a higher cost in the sense that they can be designed so that the life expectancy of the devices is substantially longer than if they were disposable. This also provides a quality that provides an additional benefit to the user.

[0014] Furthermore, the environmental impact of the post-treatment system is substantially minimized in that all items are reusable, except of course for the cleaning fluid and the impregnating balm.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the application surface of the cleaning device and / or the impregnation device is / are a resilient and / or soft sponge.

[0016] For certain articles, it is important that the cleaning and impregnating devices do not have hard surfaces or edges, in that they may scratch the article to be impregnated, and moreover, it is desirable for them to have a very elastic surface that can deform according to the contours of the article to be impregnated. If the surface is in the form of a soft sponge, it is also possible to provide the impregnating balm as a relatively thick but smooth layer on the article to be treated.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reservoirs each comprise a permeable and elastic surface, whereby when at least one of the cleaning device and the impregnating device is pressed against the permeable and elastic surface, the cleaning liquid or the impregnating balm, respectively, is transferred to the application surface.

[0018] In this way, the user has full control over the application rate and amount of cleaning fluid or impregnating balm by simply pressing the impregnating or cleaning device against the surface to be treated. As the pressure created by pressing the device against the surface increases, the cleaning fluid or impregnating balm is squeezed out of the permeable surface and transferred to the treatment object.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the cleaning device and the impregnation device comprises an elastic body part or a button device, whereby the volume of the reservoir is affected when the elastic body part is deformed or the button device is actuated.

[0020] This is an alternative way of achieving the objectives mentioned above with respect to the embodiment in which the device comprises a resilient surface, but in this embodiment the device comprises a resilient body or bottom, and by pressing down on the bottom pressure is exerted on the volume containing, for example, the impregnated balm or cleaning liquid, thereby forcing the balm / liquid towards the surface to be treated.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the refilling station with a reservoir containing the cleaning liquid and the reservoir containing the impregnating balm are integrated in an impregnation device, which impregnation device has a closed treatment chamber with one or more nozzles for spraying a mist of the impregnating liquid onto the articles to be treated, and the active components of the impregnating agent used to treat the articles in the device are the same as the active components of the impregnating balm, and the refilling station of the impregnation device comprises a docking station which is directly or indirectly connected to the cleaning device and to the impregnation device.

[0022] The device can be, for example, the device described above with reference to the applicant's earlier application EP 2 964 051, where a docking station is further provided so that the cleaning device and the impregnating device can be attached to the impregnating device and the cleaning device reservoir, for example by a one-way valve or by other means. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that the service organization and supplier providing the impregnating agent for the device is probably the same as the impregnating balm used in the post-treatment system according to the invention, in particular the main or active ingredients of the impregnating agent / balm are the same, ensuring that the post-treatment impregnation routine is compatible with the initially performed impregnation routine. Furthermore, it is also guaranteed that an approved cleaning agent is dispensed from the cleaning device.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the above-mentioned aftertreatment system comprising a refilling station integrated in the impregnation device can be differentiated in a further advantageous embodiment in that the washing device and the impregnation device are provided with a common housing, whereby the washing device and the impregnation device can be removed and reinserted into the housing, the housing optionally having reservoirs for storing the washing liquid and the impregnation balm, means are provided for refilling the washing device and the impregnation device, respectively, with the washing liquid and the impregnation balm, means are provided for refilling the reservoirs with the washing liquid and the impregnation balm, respectively, and the housing is connectable to the refilling station so that the reservoirs in said housing can be refilled.

[0024] This arrangement allows the user to transport the housing to the location where the impregnation device including the refill station is located, which will often be a shoe store or department store, where the reservoirs of the washing device and impregnation device are refilled, or the reservoir in the housing is refilled, and it is also possible to replace the housing with a new refill device, if more applications are to be performed in the future away from the impregnation device.

[0025] This combination of features clearly differentiates the present invention and its concepts from traditional use of spray cans in that it provides an extremely convenient, reusable system that has negligible impact on the environment and ensures that users are using the correct material when cleaning reprocessed items such as shoes and handbags.

[0026] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] The washing and impregnation equipment is shown. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a refill station with two docking stations. [Diagram 3] 1 shows an apparatus having a body with a soft station. [Figure 4] 13 shows another embodiment in which the bottom is used to pressurize the internal reservoir. [Diagram 5] An apparatus is shown, for example as disclosed in EP 2964051 of the same applicant. [Figure 6] The housing is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] In Figure 1 a cleaning device 1 and an impregnating device 2 are shown diagrammatically. In the embodiment shown, both the cleaning device and the impregnating device 2 are shown as rectangular closed boxes, with undersides 3 and 4 respectively suitable for the application of a cleaning liquid and an impregnating balm.

[0029] Shapes may of course vary considerably, but for purposes of disclosing the concepts of the present invention, reference will be made to the cleaning and impregnation apparatus as shown with reference to Figure 1. It will be understood, however, that the apparatus may have any suitable and desired shape, such as oval, square, circular, spherical, etc. The apparatus 1, 2 include internal reservoirs 5, 6, shown in dashed lines.

[0030] To refill the reservoirs 5, 6, the devices 1, 2 are equipped with means for refilling the reservoirs 5, 6, which in this embodiment are represented by extended connection valves 7, 8. The reservoirs 5, 6 can be refilled by connecting the valves 7, 8 to reservoirs containing the cleaning liquid and the impregnating balm, respectively.

[0031] The devices 1, 2 are provided with an application surface 9, 10, which is typically deformed. In the case of the cleaning device 1, the application surface 10 has a surface suitable for removing dust and debris from the object to be treated and is permeable to such an extent that the cleaning liquid contained in the reservoir 5 can penetrate the application member 10. This limits the penetration of the application member into the application surface to an amount sufficient to completely clean the surface, but not to spill or drip off the application surface 10. The application surface 9 of the impregnation device 2 has different properties, since the cleaning liquid and the impregnating balm have different viscosities. Typically, the impregnating balm has a higher viscosity compared to a thick oil or soft cream, making such a balm less likely to drip or spill off the application surface 9.

[0032] For this purpose, it is necessary to ensure that the flow of the berm from the reservoir to the application surface is sufficient and that application of the berm from the application surface 9 to the object to be treated transfers a sufficient layer of impregnating agent to said object.

[0033] In Fig. 2 a refilling station 20 with two docking stations 21, 22 is shown diagrammatically. The docking stations are designed to receive and accommodate the valves 7, 8 of the devices 1, 2, which, when inserted into the docking stations 21, 22, allow liquid communication between the reservoirs 5, 6 of the devices 1, 2 and somewhat larger reservoirs 23, 24 in the refilling station. It is clear that the reservoir 24 should have an impregnation balm so that the reservoir 6 of the impregnation device 2 can be refilled with a suitable liquid, and that the cleaning device 1 should vice versa be connectable to a reservoir 23 containing a cleaning liquid.

[0034] To make this easy for everyone, the connection valves 7, 8 may have different dimensions or shapes to only allow the correct device 1, 2 to be inserted into the correct docking station 21, 22. The liquid contained in the reservoirs 23, 24 of the refilling station 20 may be under pressure, so that when the valves 7, 8 are inserted into the docking stations 21, 22, the liquid flows from the reservoirs 23, 24 of the docking station 20 into the reservoirs 5, 6 of the cleaning device 1 and the impregnation device 2, respectively.

[0035] It is also foreseen that the reservoirs 23, 24 are dimensioned so that when the cleaning and impregnating devices 1, 2 are inserted into the docking stations 21, 22, the cleaning liquid and impregnating balm are provided in batch sizes such that only the correct amounts of cleaning liquid and impregnating agent are transferred from the reservoirs 23, 24 of the refill station 20 to the devices 1, 2, respectively. In the device shown and described with reference to Figure 1, it is foreseen that the cleaning liquid and impregnating balm are generated by pressing the devices 1, 2 against the surface to be impregnated, whereby the application surface 9, 10 releases sufficient cleaning liquid or impregnating balm to adequately carry out the process.

[0036] In other examples, the device may comprise means for releasing a predetermined amount of cleaning or impregnating agent. For example, Fig. 3 shows a device 1', the body of which comprises a flexible section 30 so that the device can be deformed. In this connection, it should be mentioned that the flexible section can have many shapes and configurations, but for the purposes of illustration, it is only shown as a flexible section in the central part of the device 1', 2'. By deforming the flexible section 30, the internal reservoirs 5, 6 are squeezed, which allows the cleaning liquid or impregnating balm to move to the application surface 9, 10, so that correct cleaning and impregnation can take place.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment in which the base 31 can be used to pressurize an internal reservoir, thereby transferring the cleaning fluid or impregnating balm to the application surface 9, 10.

[0038] In the system shown diagrammatically in Figures 5 and 6, the cleaning device 1 and the impregnation device 2 comprise a housing 40. The devices 1, 2 are insertable into the housing 40 and can be connected by docking means 41, 42 to any of a number of reservoirs (not shown) integrated into the housing 40, or docking stations 41, 42 on the exterior of the housing 40 can be connected to external reservoirs.

[0039] In figure 5 an apparatus such as that disclosed, for example, in the earlier patent EP 2964051 of the same applicant is shown. The apparatus 50 incorporates a treatment chamber accessible via an openable door 51, which is closed after the articles to be treated have been placed in the treatment chamber. The internal parts of the apparatus 50 comprise nozzles for emitting a mist of impregnating agent towards the articles to be impregnated, and exhaust means for exhausting excess impregnating mist so that it is not emitted into the surrounding environment when the door is reopened after treatment. The apparatus 50 further comprises a control panel 52 so as to be able to select the appropriate routine for operating the apparatus 50.

[0040] In this embodiment, the device 50 further comprises a docking station 53 in which a housing as described with reference to Figure 6 is disposed and which is connectable to valves 54, 55. In this way, the devices 1, 2 disposed inside the housing 40 as described above are in fluid communication via valves 54, 55 with reservoirs 56, 57 within the device 50, shown in dashed lines.

[0041] Typically, the person who supplies the correct impregnating liquid to the apparatus 50 is the same person who services the apparatus 50, so it is expected that the impregnating agent will be based on the same ingredients as the impregnating balm used in the present invention, ensuring that the post-treatment is compatible with the original treatment. It is a great assurance that the same personnel will replace and refill the reservoirs so that the liquid and balm are supplied from the same source as the impregnating liquid and impregnating balm, ensuring compatibility of the post-treatment system.

[0042] Furthermore, since the same distributor that distributes liquid to the device 50 also distributes the cleaning liquid for use in the post-treatment system, it is ensured that a cleaning liquid compatible with the impregnation liquid and balm is also supplied to the post-treatment system according to the present invention. [Configuration 1] 1. A post-treatment system for re-application of an impregnation treatment to previously treated articles such as shoes, gloves, handbags, coats, etc., comprising a cleaning device (1) with a body and integrating or having access to a reservoir (5) containing a cleaning liquid and connected to an application surface (9), and an impregnation device (2) with a body integrating or having access to a reservoir (6) containing an impregnating balm and connected to an application surface (10), both reservoirs (5, 6) comprising means (7, 8) for refilling said reservoirs (5, 6), said application surfaces (9, 10) being exchangeable for other application surfaces, each of said reservoirs (5, 6) of said cleaning device (1) and said impregnation device (2) comprising a one-way valve (7, 8), said reservoirs (5, 6) being refillable by connecting said one-way valves (7, 8) to a source of impregnating balm and a source of cleaning liquid, respectively. [Configuration 2] 2. The after-treatment system according to configuration 1, wherein the application surfaces (9, 10) of one or both of the cleaning device (1) and the impregnation device (2) are one or both of an elastic and soft sponge. [Configuration 3] 3. A post-treatment system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the reservoirs (5, 6) each have a permeable and elastic surface, and when at least one of the cleaning device (1) and the impregnating device (2) is pressed against the permeable and elastic surface, a cleaning liquid or an impregnating balm, respectively, is transferred to the application surface (9, 10). [Configuration 4] 2. The aftertreatment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the cleaning device (1) and the impregnation device (2) comprises a resilient body portion (30) or a button device (31), and when the resilient body portion (30) is deformed or the button device (31) is actuated, the capacity of the reservoir is affected. [Configuration 5] 5. A post-treatment system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein a refilling station (53) with a reservoir (56) containing a cleaning liquid and a reservoir (57) containing an impregnating balm are integrated in an impregnating device (50), said impregnating device (50) having a closed treatment chamber with one or more nozzles for spraying a mist of the impregnating liquid onto the articles to be treated, said active ingredients of the impregnating agent used to treat the articles in the device are the same as the active ingredients of the impregnating balm, and said refilling station of the impregnating device (50) comprises a docking station (53) connected directly or indirectly to said cleaning device (1) and to said impregnating device (2). [Configuration 6] 6. A post-treatment system according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning device (1) and the impregnating device (2) have a common housing (40), the cleaning device (1) and the impregnating device (2) are removable and reinsertable from the housing (40), the housing (40) optionally has reservoirs for storing a cleaning liquid and an impregnating balm, means (41, 42) are provided for refilling the cleaning device (1) and the impregnating device (2) with the cleaning liquid and the impregnating balm, respectively, means are provided for refilling the reservoirs with the cleaning liquid and the impregnating balm, respectively, and the housing (40) is connectable to the refilling station (53) so that the reservoirs in the housing can be refilled.

Claims

1. 1. A post-treatment system for reapplying an impregnation treatment to a previously treated article, comprising: a cleaning device (1) comprising a body and integrating or having access to a first reservoir (5) containing a cleaning liquid and connected to a first application surface (10); an impregnation device (2) comprising a body containing an impregnated balm and integrating or having access to a second reservoir (6) different from the first reservoir, connected to a second application surface (9) different from the first application surface, a first and second reservoir (5, 6) comprising means (7, 8) for refilling said first and second reservoirs (5, 6), each of said first and second application surfaces (10, 9) being replaceable with another application surface, each of said first reservoir (5) of said cleaning device (1) and said second reservoir (6) of said impregnation device (2) having a one-way valve (7, 8), said first and second reservoirs (5, 6) being refillable by connecting said one-way valves (7, 8) to a source of impregnation balm and a source of cleaning liquid, respectively.

2. 2. The aftertreatment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first application surface (10) of the cleaning device (1) and the second application surface (9) of the impregnation device (2) is a sponge having at least one of elasticity and flexibility.

3. 3. A post-treatment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second reservoirs (5, 6) each comprise a permeable and elastic surface, and when at least one of the cleaning device (1) and the impregnating device (2) is pressed against said permeable and elastic surface, a cleaning liquid or an impregnating balm, respectively, is transferred to the application surface (10, 9).

4. 2. The aftertreatment system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the cleaning device (1) and the impregnation device (2) comprises a resilient body portion (30) or a button device (31), and when the resilient body portion (30) is deformed or the button device (31) is actuated, the capacity of at least one of the first and second reservoirs is affected.

5. 5. A post-treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a refilling station (53) comprising a reservoir (56) containing a cleaning liquid and a reservoir (57) containing an impregnating balm are integrated in an impregnating device (50), said impregnating device (50) having a closed treatment chamber equipped with one or more nozzles for spraying a mist of the impregnating liquid on the articles to be treated, said active ingredient of the impregnating agent used to treat the articles in the device is the same as the active ingredient of the impregnating balm, and said refilling station of the impregnating device (50) comprises a docking station (53) connected directly or indirectly to said cleaning device (1) and to said impregnating device (2).

6. 6. A post-treatment system according to claim 5, wherein the washing device (1) and the impregnating device (2) comprise a common housing (40), the washing device (1) and the impregnating device (2) being removable and reinsertable from the housing (40), the housing (40) optionally having a first reservoir for storing a washing liquid and a second reservoir for storing an impregnating berm, means (41, 42) are provided for refilling the washing device (1) and the impregnating device (2) with the washing liquid and the impregnating berm, respectively, means are provided for refilling the first and second reservoirs with the washing liquid and the impregnating berm, respectively, the housing (40) being connectable to the refilling station (53) so that the first and second reservoirs in the housing can be refilled.

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