Method for the treatment of textile surfaces and products for use therein

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a textile and to products for use therein, wherein the products comprise a a polymer retaining a textile treatment agent, optionally having a liquid impervious backing attached to the polymer, and, optionally, a liquid impervious external wrapping encasing substantially all of the patch, preferably encasing the entire patch.

1 . A patch comprising: 
 a polymer retaining a textile treatment agent;    a liquid impervious backing attached to the polymer.    
     
     
         2 . A patch as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the textile treatment agent is a cleansing fluid, an insectidical fluid, a perfumed fluid, an antibiotic fluid, an antistatic fluid or a mixture of any thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A patch as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the polymer is a hydrogel.  
     
     
         4 . A patch as claimed in any claim from 1 to 3 which has a liquid impervious external wrapping encasing substantially all of the patch, preferably encasing the entire patch.  
     
     
         5 . A method for the treatment of a textile which method comprises the step of applying to the textile a patch, as defined in any preceding claim.  
     
     
         6 . A method for the treatment of a textile as claimed in  claim 5  which comprises the additional step of applying force to the patch to deform the polymer and release the fabric treatment agent.  
     
     
         7 . A method for the treatment of a textile as claimed in  claim 5  which comprises the additional step of removing the force from the patch to allow the polymer to absorb the treatment agent and/or the soil into the polymer.  
     
     
         8 . A method for the treatment of a textile as claimed in any claim from  5  to  7  which comprises the additional step of immersing the textile item into a wash liquid into which the treatment agent and/or the patch will dissolve or disperse.  
     
     
         9 . A method for the treatment of a textile as claimed in any claim from  5  to  7  which comprises the additional step of removing the patch from the textile article.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  in which the force is applied to the composition through the fingers of the user.  
     
     
         11 . A method is claimed in any claim from  5  to  10  wherein the patch is applied to the textile as a liquid and then solidifies.