Pouch and method utilizing pouch for cleaning garments

Abstract

A method and pouch is provided for cleaning a soiled garment. The method includes preparing the garment by inserting only a portion into a protective care pouch. The pouch includes an open mesh fabric formed into an elongate structure with opposite first and second ends, the first end having an openable mouth and a fastening connector such as a drawstring for releasably joining the pouch to the garment. Further steps include attaching the pouch to the garment forming a joined article, immersing the joined article into a fluid cleaning media, removing and then uncoupling the joined article. The invention is particularly suited for cleaning a tzitzis or a tallis, which are religious garments having easily entangled fringes at each of four corners of the tunic-like articles.

1 . A method for cleaning a soiled garment comprising: 
 (i) preparing the soiled garment for cleaning by inserting only a portion into a protective care pouch, the pouch formed of open-mesh material of elongate structure with opposite first and second ends, the first end having an openable mouth and a fastening connector for releasably joining the pouch to the garment;    (ii) attaching the pouch to the garment thereby forming a joined article either before or after step (i);    (iii) immersing the joined article into a fluid media for removing soil from the garment;    (iv) removing the joined article from the media; and    (v) uncoupling the joined article to separate the pouch from the garment.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the media is an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the immersing step occurs in a washing machine.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the media is a non-aqueous fluid.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the non-aqueous fluid is selected from the group consisting of trichloroethylene and supercritical carbon dioxide.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the immersing step occurs in a dry cleaning machine.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the garment is a tzitzis or a tallis having four corners, each corner fitted with an eyelet through which are anchored a set of fringes twisted together at an upper end spacedly fashioned with a series of knots.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the connector is selected from a group consisting of a string, a VELCRO hook and thistle pad, a button and a clip.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein a drawstring is threaded through a guide passage surrounding the mouth of the pouch and upon being tightened, restricts in size the mouth, the drawstring concurrently functioning as the connector.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein a drawstring is threaded through a guide passage surrounding the mouth of the pouch and upon being tightened, restricts in size the mouth, and the drawstring penetrating the eyelet thereby concurrently functioning as the connector.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the pouch further comprises a closure traversing the elongate structure beginning from the first end to at least partially the second end.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the closure is a zipper.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the pouch further comprises a slit traversing along the elongate structure from the first end to at least partially the second end.  
   
   
       14 . A pouch for protective care of a soiled garment employed during a cleaning process, the pouch comprising an open mesh woven or non-woven fabric formed into an elongate structure with opposite first and second ends, the first end having an openable mouth circumscribed by a drawstring for restricting a diameter of the mouth and a slit at least partially traversing the pouch, orthogonally oriented to the mouth, the slit having opposite edges being closeable by a zipper framing the opposite edges.