Method for washing a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for applying a detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a water stream to provide a detergent use solution that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.03 wt. % and 1 wt. %; and (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for washing a washing surface of a vehicle, wherein the method includes: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate having an active ingredients level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a diluent stream to provide a detergent use solution; and (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a vehicle wherein the detergent use solution has a relatively constant active ingredients level over the entire washing surface during a wash cycle

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for applying a detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate comprising an active ingredient level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %;    (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a water stream to provide a detergent use solution comprising an active ingredient level from about 0.03 wt. % to about 1 wt. %; and    (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises generating the liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent concentrate.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises pumping the liquid detergent concentrate into the water stream.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises aspirating the liquid detergent concentrate into the water stream.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises introducing the liquid detergent concentrate to the water stream by connection through a valve manifold.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises applying the detergent use solution to the vehicle at a pressure from about 50 psi to about 300 psi.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises applying a detergent use solution having a substanially consistent active ingredient level within one wash cycle.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises applying the detergent use solution in a touch or touchless method.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) comprises applying the detergent use solution in a conveyor type or bay wash setup vehicle wash system.  
     
     
         10 . A method for washing a washing surface of a vehicle, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate comprising an active ingredients level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %;    (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a diluent stream to provide a detergent use solution; and    (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a vehicle wherein the detergent use solution comprises a relatively constant active ingredients level over the entire washing surface during a wash cycle.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (a) comprises generating the liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent concentrate.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (b) comprises pumping the liquid detergent concentrate into the diluent stream.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (b) comprises aspirating the liquid detergent concentrate into the diluent stream.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (b) comprises volumetrically diluting the liquid detergent concentrate from about 1:1 to about 50:1.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the diluent is an aqueous solution.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (b) comprises introducing the liquid detergent concentrate to the water stream by connection through a valve manifold.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the the use solution is applied to the washing surface in step (c) so that the active ingredients concentration is within about 20% or less when comparing the relative active ingredients concentration during the beginning, middle and end of the wash cycle.  
     
     
         18 . A method for washing a washing surface of a vehicle, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate comprising an active ingredients level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %;    (b) aspirating the liquid detergent concentrate into a diluent stream to provide a detergent use solution; and    (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a vehicle wherein the detergent use solution comprises a relatively constant active ingredients level over the entire washing surface during a wash cycle.    
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein step (a) comprises generating the liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent concentrate.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein step (b) comprises providing a diluent under pressure.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein step (b) comprises volumetrically diluting the liquid detergent concentrate from about 1:1 to about 50:1.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the the use solution is applied to the washing surface in step (c) so that the active ingredients concentration is within about 20% or less when comparing the relative active ingredients concentration during the beginning, middle and end of the wash cycle.