Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the cleaning of soiled substrates, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means, having: (i) a first upper chamber having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage, and (ii) a second lower chamber located beneath said cylindrical cage; (b) at least one recirculation means; (c) access means; (d) a multiplicity of delivery means; and (e) sealing means, wherein said sealing means is removably attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical side walls of said rotatably mounted cylindrical cage, and is adapted to prevent the ingress or egress of fluids and solid particulate matter from the interior of said cage. The method involves cleaning the soiled substrate by treatment of the substrate with a formulation comprising solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, the method being carried out using the apparatus of the invention, and the apparatus and method find particular application in the cleaning of textile fabrics.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the cleaning of soiled substrates, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means, having: (i) a first upper chamber having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage, and (ii) a second lower chamber located beneath said cylindrical cage; (b) at least one recirculation means; (c) access means; (d) a multiplicity of delivery means; and (e) sealing means, wherein said sealing means is removably attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical side walls of said rotatably mounted cylindrical cage, and is adapted to prevent the ingress or egress of fluids and solid particulate matter from the interior of said cage. The method involves cleaning the soiled substrate by treatment of the substrate with a formulation comprising solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, the method being carried out using the apparatus of the invention, and the apparatus and method find particular application in the cleaning of textile fabrics.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a solid particulate cleaning material wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents, the treatment comprising agitation of the substrate and the formulation in at least one sealed container. Preferably the sealed container comprises a metal container or a container formed from a rigid or flexible plastic material. Preferably, the at least one container is agitated in a rotating device such as a tumble dryer. Preferably, the substrate is wetted and the solid particulate cleaning material comprises a multiplicity of polymeric particles which comprise at least one additional cleaning agent, which preferably comprises a surfactant. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon or polyester.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the cleaning of soiled substrates, the apparatus comprising a casing which contains a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage concentrically located within a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum having a greater diameter than the basket, wherein the cage and the drum are concentrically located within a stationary cylindrical drum having a greater diameter than the rotatably mounted drum, wherein the casing includes access means, allowing access to the interior of the cylindrical basket, and wherein the rotatably mounted cylindrical cage and the rotatably mounted cylindrical drum are adapted to rotate independently.