Device and Method for Applying a Treatment Agent to a Surface

Abstract

A device for treating a surface to give a cleaning benefit comprises one or more containers ( 402 ) containing cleaning liquid. When the actuator ( 416 ) is depressed cleaning liquid is delivered to an outlet zone ( 406 ) located over a stain, where it forms a gel patch. Continued depression of the actuator means causes a piston 436 to press the gel patch against the surface, caused improved absorption of the stain, into the patch. The gel patch can then be peeled away, to remove the stain.

1 . Apparatus for treating a surface, the apparatus comprising a device for delivery of a treatment agent to the surface and pressing means for pressing the treatment agent against the surface. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises actuator means which, when operated, delivers the treatment agent to the surface and subsequently causes the pressing means to press the treatment agent against the surface. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the treatment agent forms a gel. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a first chamber containing a first agent and a second chamber containing a second agent, the first and second agents together forming, in use, the treatment agent. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the device comprises common actuator means to deliver the first agent and, subsequent to the commencement of delivery of the first agent, to deliver the second agent. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the common actuator means causes the pressing means to press the treatment agent against the surface only when the delivery of the second agent has ended. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the actuator means is adapted to deliver the second agent only when the delivery of the agent liquid has ended. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first and second agents interact to form a patch which is peelable from the surface. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein one agent is a hydrogel-precursor and the other agent is a cross-linking agent therefor. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein one agent is an aqueous solution of an alginate salt and the other agent is an aqueous solution of a calcium salt able to cross-link the alginate salt. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the device includes defining means which is adapted for engagement with the surface and which delimits the area of the surface which is treated. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a surface, the method employing apparatus according to  claim 1 , the method comprising the further steps of delivering from the device a treatment agent onto the surface and pressing the treatment agent against the surface. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the treatment agent forms a gel patch, the method including the step of removing the gel patch from the surface by peeling after the device has been removed. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the surface is a textile surface bearing a stain, and the method is carried out to remove or reduce the stain.