US2987906A - Device for removing stains from fabric - Google Patents

Description

June 13, 1961 w. N. BOURLAND 2,987,906

DEVICE FOR REMOVING STAINS FROM FABRIC Filed Aug. 26, 1958 I'll lIiEi :il' .IYI I I I! T 47 33 25 45 43 IN V EN TOR.

W/L /AM N BOURLAND United States Patent Office 2,987,906 DEVICE FOR REMOVING STAINS FROM FABRIC William N. Bourland, 3516 Fortner Way, Fort Worth, Tex. Filed Aug. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 757,233 1 Claim. (Cl. 68-213) My invention relates to stain remover devices, and more particularly to devices for removal of stains from fabrics, and especially wearing apparel.

My invention is particularly applicable to the removal of albuminous type stains from fabric material by a digestion process. A number of suitable digester compounds and solutions are commercially available. For effective use, however, such digesters in contact with the fabric during the stain removing procedure must be kept within certain limits of temperature and moisture. In accordance with the prior art of which I am aware, there has been no apparatus or device available that has proven to be entirely satisfactory for carrying out the digestive stain remover process.

It is accordingly the general object of my invention to provide an improved device for use in removal of stains from fabrics by digestive processes.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus which will keep the fabric and digester sufliciently moist for effective digesting actionduring the stain removal operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus which will keep the temperature of the digister within limits required for effective action during the stain removal operation.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description taken in accordance with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention; and

FIG. 2 is a section view taken at lines II-II of FIG. 1, but with the cover slightly raised and fabric to be spotted in position within the device.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown a container 1 1 and a container cover 13. The container 11 is in the form of a cup having an open bottom and a relatively thick side wall 15, the outer surface contour of which is frustro-conical. The inner surface of the side wall is shaped to define an upper cavity 17 and a lower cavity 19. The inner surface of the side wall 21 defining the upper cavity is tapered slightly inwardly in the direction from top to bottom. The upper edge or lip portion 23 of the cup 11 is rounded. The lower cavity 19, which is designed to receive an electric heater unit 25, is in the shape of a short cylinder having a diameter greater than the diameter of the upper cavity, so that a transverse planar ring-shaped surface 27 lies between the lower edge of the upper cavity 17 and the upper edge of the lower cavity 19. An annular groove 29 is formed in the ring-shaped surface, for receiving a sealing gasket 31. The heater unit 25, which is a suitable conventional type, for example of the same general type as those commonly used in small Vaporizers, or bottle warmers, is provided. The heater unit 25 is fixed to a circular plate 33 which is held firmly in place abutting the sealing gasket 31, by means of screws 35 threaded into the ring surface 27 of the cup 11. The heater unit 25 is pro- 2,987,906 Patented June 13, 1961 vided with a conductor cord 37 which is passed out through an opening 39 in the cup lower cavity side wall, and terminates in a conventional electric plug 41. The cup bottom is provided with a circular recessed portion 43 adapted for receiving a circular bottom cover plate 45, which is removably fixed to the cup by means of screws 47.

The container cover 13 has a generally frustro-conical outer surface shape terminating at the top in a wafershaped knob 49. The cover is provided with an outer frustro-conical cavity 51 and an inner cylindrical cavity 53. The side wall 55 of the outer cavity 51 has the same degree of taper as the cup outer side wall 15. The inner cavity 53 has the same diameter as the upper portion of the cup upper cavity 17. The surface joining the cover cavities forms a shoulder 57 having a rounded portion which matches the cup lip curvature.

The cup upper cavity 17 is filled with cellulose sponge material 59 up to the level of the cup lip, with the material presenting a substantially planar top surface 61. The inner cavity 53 of the cover is also filled with cellulose sponge material 63 which extends a short distance below the cavity 53 and presents a planar lower surface 65 for mating with the upper surface of the material in the cup. The device is designed so that there will be a small amount of interference between the sponges 59, 63 for the case of the thinnest type fabric material to be spotted.

To operate the device, the sponges 59, 63 are moistened with water, digester material is sprinkled onto the lower sponge, the fabric 67 is draped over the cup so that the stained portion to be spotted is within the cup, and then the cover 13 is put in place and the heater unit 25 is plugged into a conventional electrical outlet. The fabric 67 will be lightly clamped between the overlapping cover and cup side walls 55, 15 to form a seal to minimize escape of heat and moisture from the cup. The device is designed so that the heat loss is relatively constant, and the temperature at the fabric is held at close to F. The digesters are most active at temperatures from 110 F. to F. It is preferable that the device he pre-moisturized and at operating temperature before the fabric is placed in it. If desired, the digester may be applied directly to the fabric.

It is apparent that with the device of my invention, digester spotting of fabrics may be effectively accomplished under optimum conditions of temperature and moisture. The container and top are preferably made of molded plastic, but could be made of other suitable material. While I have found cellulose sponge to be an entirely satisfactory filler material, other filler materials could be used, as for example, sponge rubber, natural rubber, or other sponge-like materials. A lesser thickness of filler material than that shown could be used, substantially reducing the height of the device, if desired.

While I have shown my invention in only one form it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

A device for removing stains from fabric by a digestion process comprising a cup, an electric heater element in said cup, sponge material substantially filling said cup, a cover for said cup, said cover having sponge material extending outwardly from its inner surface, with 3 4"; the outer face of first mentioned sponge material being References Cited in the file of this patent capable of making substantially planar contact with the UNITED STATES PATENTS outer face of said last mentioned sponge matenal when said cover is in place, with the lower edge of said cover 963,723 Plerce July 5, 1910 extending below the upper edge of said cup, and with 5 1,578,178 Scoles 1926 lateral clearance between said cup outer wall surface and 1 315 -13 said cover inner wall surface.

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