Method of cleaning an object

Abstract

A method for cleaning an object comprising the steps: (a) placing the object to be cleaned in an alternating pressure resistant container; (b) applying to the object a foam composition comprising at least one foaming agent, at least one enzyme and a dissolved gas; (c) cleaning the object with the foam composition by applying alternating pressure to the container; and (d) rinsing the object.

1 . A method for cleaning an object comprising the steps:
 a) placing the object to be cleaned in an alternating pressure resistant container;   b) applying to the object a foam composition comprising at least one foaming agent, at least one enzyme and a dissolved gas;   c) cleaning the object with the foam composition by applying alternating pressure to the container; and   d) rinsing the object.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foam composition is redistributed on the object during step (b) and/or after step (c). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein redistribution of the foam composition is obtained by mixing, agitating, shaking, ultra sound, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the foam composition is recycled at least once during cleaning of the object in step (c) by withdrawing said composition through an outlet of the container and reapplying it through an inlet of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein recycling is performed 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; or 10 times. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein rinsing is obtained by applying to the object a rinse liquid and applying alternating pressure to the container. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one foaming agent is selected from: non-ionic, anionic surfactants; cationic surfactants; ampholytic surfactants; zwitterionic surfactants; semi-polar surfactants; or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from: linear alkylbenzene sulfonate; alpha-olefin sulfonate; alkyl sulfonate (fatty alcohol sulfonate); alcohol ethoxy sulfonate; secondary alkane sulfonate; alpha-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester; alkyl- or alkenyl succinic acid or soap, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the concentration of the at least one foaming agent is 0.1%-60% w/w relative to the soiled object. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one enzyme is selected from: amylases; arabinases; carbohydrases; cellulases; cutinases; galactanases; haloperoxidases; hydrolases; lipases; mannanases; oxidases e.g. laccases or peroxidases; oxidoreductases; pectinases proteases; xylanases; or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of the at least one enzyme is from 0.00001% to 10% of enzyme by volume of the total foam composition. 
     
     
         12 . A method for rinsing an object comprising the steps:
 a) placing the object to be rinsed in an alternating pressure resistant container;   b) applying to the object a rinse liquid; and   c) rinsing the object with the rinse liquid by applying alternating pressure to the container.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alternating pressure is at least −1.0 bar. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the object is: fabrics; textiles; laundry; leather; skin; fur; or hard surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of the at least one enzyme is from 0.0001% to 5% of enzyme by volume of the total foam composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of the at least one enzyme is from 0.001% to 2% of enzyme by volume of the total foam composition. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of the at least one enzyme is from 0.01% to 1% of enzyme by volume of the total foam composition.