Garment Stain Treatment Bag

Abstract

A stain treatment apparatus uses a transparent plastic bag with a recloseable opening into which a stained garment is placed. A stain treatment compound is contained within the bag, such as within an ampoule or pouch that releases upon compression or that releases upon exposure to water added to the bag. A thermochromatic indicator assists in filling with water of an appropriate temperature. A completion indicator further assists in indicating completion of the stain treatment regimen. A plurality of stain-specific treatment assemblies may be included that are optimized for a category of stains (e.g., protein, tannin, oil, dye/ink).

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A pre-treatment apparatus for laundered garments, the pre-treatment apparatus comprising:
 a liquid impermeable receptacle sized to receive a garment and comprising a closure;   a pre-treatment cleanser retained within the liquid permeable receptacle; and   an indicator associated with the receptacle, the indicator being configured to be responsive to contents of the receptacle and configured to visually indicate at least one stain treatment parameter;   wherein the at least one stain treatment parameter changes as a function of the pre-treatment cleanser's effectiveness in treating an identified stain upon a garment.   
     
     
         22 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the indicator comprises a thermochromatic label that is responsive to a temperature within the receptacle and is configured to indicate an optimum temperature range for use of the pre-treatment cleanser. 
     
     
         23 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a container affixed to an interior surface of the receptacle, wherein the pre-treatment cleanser is retained within the container. 
     
     
         24 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the container comprises a first container containing a first stain-specific treatment compound, the pre-treatment apparatus further comprising a second container and a compound label, wherein the second container contains a second stain-specific treatment compound and the compound label is configured to visually distinguish the first container from the second container to facilitate user selection of an appropriate stain treatment regimen for the garment. 
     
     
         25 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the container comprises a resilient ampoule having a weakened area. 
     
     
         26 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the container comprises a resilient pouch with a weakened opening. 
     
     
         27 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the container comprises a frangible ampoule contained within a liquid permeable barrier that is affixed to an interior of the receptacle. 
     
     
         28 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the container comprises an impermeable barrier that is configured to dissolve upon contact with a liquid thereby releasing the pre-treatment cleanser into the receptacle. 
     
     
         29 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the pre-treatment cleanser is a water soluble solid and the container comprises a porous barrier configured to allow liquid to contact the pre-treatment cleanser thereby transitioning the pre-treatment cleanser from a solid form to a liquid form, and wherein the pre-treatment cleanser is released through the porous barrier into the receptacle upon transitioning to a liquid form. 
     
     
         30 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the indicator comprises a completion indicator that is configured to indicate progress of the pre-treatment cleanser in treating a stain in response to the presence of the pre-treatment cleanser within the receptacle. 
     
     
         31 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the completion indicator comprises a visually apparent material subject to exposure to the pre-treatment cleanser, wherein the visually apparent material dissolves at a rate comparable to stain material in response to being exposed to the pre-treatment cleanser. 
     
     
         32 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the completion indicator comprises a thin-film imprinted circuit having dissimilar metal electrodes, wherein the electrodes are configured to produce sufficient electrical current when exposed to a liquid to initiate an electronic timer. 
     
     
         33 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising a thermochromatic label responsive to a temperature within the receptacle to indicate an optimum temperature range for effecting the stain treatment. 
     
     
         34 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the thermochromatic label is responsive to a temperature of a fluid. 
     
     
         35 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thermochromatic label is configured to indicate an optimum temperature range for facilitating an interaction between the pre-treatment cleanser and a fluid. 
     
     
         36 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of pre-treatment cleansers and a plurality of containers affixed to an inner surface of the receptacle, wherein the number of pre-treatment cleansers corresponds to the number of containers, wherein one pre-treatment cleanser is contained within one container, wherein each pre-treatment cleanser is effective with regard to a specific type of stain. 
     
     
         37 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the pre-treatment cleanser is capable of effecting a stain treatment to a garment without liquid. 
     
     
         38 . The pre-treatment apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising an instruction label that provides directions to a user regarding use of the pre-treatment apparatus. 
     
     
         39 . A method of preventing soiled clothes from being permanently stained comprising the steps of:
 providing a garment having a stain;   providing a liquid impermeable receptacle comprising a closure and sized to receive the garment;   placing the garment within the liquid impermeable receptacle;   facilitating a release of a pre-treatment cleanser into the liquid impermeable receptacle and into contact with the stain, the pre-treatment cleanser being capable of effecting a stain treatment and being retained within the liquid impermeable receptacle;   facilitating activation of an indicator that is configured to indicate effectiveness of the pre-treatment cleanser upon the garment;   sealing the liquid impermeable receptacle using the closure; and   removing the garment from the liquid impermeable receptacle once the stain treatment is complete.   
     
     
         40 . A stain treatment apparatus comprising:
 a resealable liquid impermeable receptacle comprising a closure and an inner cavity, the inner cavity configured to receive a garment; and   a plurality of stain-specific treatment assemblies, wherein each stain-specific treatment assembly comprises a label, wherein the label is visible to the user and is configured to identify which type of stain the stain-specific treatment assembly is designed to treat;   a pre-treatment cleanser capable of treating a specific type of stain;   a container affixed to an interior surface of the inner cavity, wherein the pre-treatment cleanser is retained within the container, wherein the container is configured to release the pre-treatment cleanser into the inner cavity in response to a stimulus; and   a stain-specific indicator configured to be responsive to contents of the receptacle and configured to visually indicate at least one parameter related to the application of the pre-treatment cleanser to a garment;   wherein each one of the plurality of stain-specific treatment assemblies is capable of treating a different type of stain and said at least one parameter changes as a function of the pre-treatment cleanser's effectiveness in treating an identified stain upon a garment.