Patent US1558983A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0199440A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4014432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Product for treating fabric
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
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Filing: 1976-04-02
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Granted: 1977-03-29
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Expires: 1996-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A product for treating, e.g. softening, fabric in a tumble drier has a perforated membrane and means for generating pressure in the product to cause a conditioning agent to exude through the perforations onto the surface of the product where it is removed for application to the fabric. The pressure may be caused by using a heat-shrinkable or a stretched elastomeric membrane and the product is preferably attached inside the drier.
Inventors
- 👤 George Ernest Clothier
- 👤 Robert Lewis Davies
- 👤 John Albert Hockey
- 👤 John Leonard Metcalfe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:21
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/20; D06F58/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A product for the treatment of fabric in a tumble drier, comprising a perforated membrane pressure-generating means for exuding a conditioning agent through the perforations onto the surface of the product from which the conditioning agent can be removed by the fabric during use, said conditioning agent being normally solid but softenable upon application of heat during usage, and said membrane being heat shrinkable whereby to effect said pressure generation and exuding of the conditioning agent during use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A product for the treatment of fabric in a tumble drier, comprising a perforated membrane pressure-generating means for exuding a conditioning agent through the perforations onto the surface of the product from which the conditioning agent can be removed by the fabric during use, said conditioning agent being normally solid but softenable upon application of heat during usage, and said membrane being heat shrinkable whereby to effect said pressure generation and exuding of the conditioning agent during use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A product according to claim 1, wherein the perforated membrane is supported by a relatively rigid base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A product according to claim 2, wherein the base is of generally circular shape and the membrane is attached to the base at the edge thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A product according to claim 1, comprising means for attaching the base to the interior of a tumble drier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A product according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface is formed substantially solely of the perforated membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A product according to claim 5, wherein the product is of sachet form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A product according to claim 1, wherein the membrane has from about 10 to about 200 perforations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A product according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is covered with an outer woven or non-woven fabric facing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A product according to claim 1, wherein the fabric conditioning agent comprises a fabric softening agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A product according to claim 9, wherein the fabric softening agent is a quaternary ammonium compound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A product according to claim 10, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is admixed with a nonionic surfactant in the ratio of about 70:30 to about 95:5 parts by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product according to claim 1, wherein the fabric conditioning agent comprises an anti-static agent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-28 | 1980-09-27 | 1981-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-28 | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-28 | 1988-09-27 | 1989-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |