AU2014202543A1 - Fabric care composition and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fabric care composition that reduces the need for ironing and/or steaming and starching of fabrics, a composition comprising; a modified, hydrolysed starch , phosphates, preservatives, oils, silicones, plant based herbs and extracts, and natural and/or synthetic colorants. In particular, the composition is useful for treating a fabric to remove, or at least control, wrinkles and/or creases without the need for ironing and leaves a starched type finish to the fabric to best retain the smoothed shape of the fabric. These fabric softening agent with no known toxicity when used in human interaction and which is environmentally benign.

Description

JULIE WILLIS AUSTRALIA Patents act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: FABRIC CARE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF This invention is described in the following statement: 1 FABRIC CARE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF CROSS REFERENCE This application claims the benefit of Australian Provisional Application number 2013901754, filed 17 May 2013, hereby incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [1] The present invention relates to a fabric care composition that reduces the need for ironing and/or steaming and starching of fabrics. In particular, the composition is useful for treating a fabric to remove, or at least control, wrinkles and/or creases without the need for ironing and leaves a starched type finish to the fabric to best retain the smoothed shape of the fabric, using a composition comprising a modified, hydrolysed starch and fabric softening agent with no known toxicity when used in human interaction and which is environmentally benign. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [2] Creases and wrinkles in textile fabrics are caused by the bending and folding of the constituent textile materials of the fabric. Such actions place an external portion of a filament in a yarn under tension while the internal portion of that filament in the yarn is placed under compression. This is a particular problem with natural products such as cotton fabrics; the hydrogen bonding that occurs between the constituent cellulose molecules contributes to keeping wrinkles in place. The wrinkling of fabrics, especially clothing, is therefore subject to the inherent tensional elastic deformation and recovery properties of the fibres which constitute the yarn and fabrics. [3] Typically, creases and wrinkles in fabrics are removed by ironing and/or steaming. However, due to an increase in the pace and expectations of life, there is a decrease in time available for ironing. Typically, fabrics for personal wear and home use require ironing and/or steaming after laundering to remove creases and wrinkles. Clothing and fabrics that have been laundered, packed or stored will also require ironing and/or steaming to remove creases and wrinkles. Ideally, a fabric should not wrinkle, 2 which would do away with the need for ironing, however, a truly wrinkle-free fabric has not yet been brought to the marketplace. Accordingly, there is a need for an environmentally benign product that will help to diminish the labour involved in home laundering and/or the cost and time involved in dry cleaning and/or commercial laundering. [4] The present invention seeks to provide a product that will assist the user to substantially remove and/or control and/or prevent creases and/or wrinkles in a fabric and leave a light starched appearance, such as in a garment or clothing item. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [5] The present invention provides a fabric care composition that allows a user to substantially remove, or at least control, creases and/or wrinkles from a fabric or garment and reduces the need for ironing or steaming. The composition may be sprayed directly onto the fabric or garment wherein creases and wrinkles therein may be substantially removed, or at least controlled, by the user smoothing the fabric by tugging, lightly pulling and/or shaking the fabric or garment. Preferably, the smoothing is done by hand. [6] The fabric care composition of the present invention includes a fabric softening agent and a hydrolysed starch-based component. Preferably, the composition further includes one or more additives selected from: phosphates, preservatives, oils, silicones, plant based herbs and extracts, and natural and/or synthetic colourants. These additives may assist either the fabric softener or the hydrolysed starch to perform their functions. The various components are mixed to form a liquid, which may be applied directly onto dry fabrics using small droplets, preferably in the form of a spray or mist, such as from a spray bottle and nozzle. [7] In preferred embodiments, the composition of the present invention includes a fabric softening agent, a hydrolysed starch-based component and water, together with any one or more of perfume, alcohol, acid, preservative, polymer and colourant. The invention has been formulated using a modified, pre-gelantised starch which forms a 3 clear gel like substance which when sprayed onto coloured or dark fabrics is visually imperceptible once dry on the fabric. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [8] The composition of the present invention includes a fabric softening agent (as described herein) and a hydrolysed starch-based component. Without being limited by theory, the fabric softening agent may serve to relax the fibres in the fabric and the starch-based component tightens the fibres to give a crisp, fresh finish as the composition dries. [9] Modem fabric softening agents typically coat the surface of the fibres within a fabric with a thin layer of lubricant that is also electrically conductive, thereby making the fibres feel smoother and preventing the build-up of static electricity. Fabric softening agents may also improve iron glide during ironing, increase resistance to stain formation, and reduce wrinkling and pilling. [10] The earliest fabric softening agents were developed during the early 20t century to counteract the harsh feel which various drying methods imparted to cotton fibres. Cotton softeners used during this time were typically based on water emulsion of soap and olive oil, corn oil, or tallow oil. [11] More modern fabric softening agents are based on cationic quaternary ammonium salts having one or two long alkyl chains, a typical compound being dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylammonium methosulfate. Other cationic compounds are derived from imidazolium, substituted amine salts, or quaternary alkoxy ammonium salts. One of the most common components of such formulations is dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. The fabric softening specification for this invention is formulated using Polysiloxane Fluid or Amino Functional Polysiloxane and glycerine which when in diluted with water are not known to be toxic to humans and are environmentally benign which aligns with market driven demands for non-toxic, environmentally friendly formulation for everyday consumer use. 4 [12] While all fabric softeners work on all types of fabric, the softening compounds differ in their affinity for different materials. Some are better for cellulose-based fibres, whilst others have higher affinity to hydrophobic materials like nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, etc. Greater amounts of some fabric softeners may need to be used on some fabrics in order to achieve the same level of effect as on other fabrics, for example, heavy cotton fabrics typically require greater amounts of fabric softener. [13] Silicone-based compounds such as polydimethylsiloxane and dimethylsiloxane represent the newest class of fabric softening agents and these function by lubricating the fibres. These functional groups help the softeners bind better to fabrics and were selected for use in the formulation due to little known toxicity in human interaction in dilution. [14] Accordingly, the fabric care composition of the present invention includes one polysyloxane fluid, amino functional plysiloxane, glycerine, esterquat and mixtures thereof. [15] In the compositions of the present invention, the starch-based component is used to hold the fabric fibres in place once they have been smoothed flat and dried and is visually imperceptible once dry. An additional advantage afforded by the use of a starch-based component is that it aids a fabric to resist soiling. In particular, dirt adheres to the starch-based component rather than to the fibres of the fabric and is thus easily washed away along with the starch-based component during laundering. Without being limited by theory, the adherence of dirt to the starch-based component may be due to there being a layer of starch-based component covering the fibres of the fabric. [16] There are many different hydrolysed starches that may be used in the compositions of the present invention, including, but not limited to: linear and helical amylase, amylopectin, glycogen, gelatinised starch and powdered starch. The source of the starch before chemical modification can be chosen from a range of sources 5 including, but not limited to: tubers, legumes, cereals and grains. Non-limiting examples of this source of starch may include: corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassava starch, waxy barley, waxy rice starch, glutenous rice starch, sweet rice starch, potato starch, maize, arrowroot, tapioca starch, oat starch, sago starch, maida flour, sweet rice or pre-gelantised mixtures thereof. [17] Different starches may be preferred for different applications. General laundry or clothing starch is based on a vegetable starch suspended in water. These are typically suitable only for white fabrics as they may leave white spotting, where such spotting makes these starches unsuitable for black or coloured fabrics. Tapioca starch, however, when heated, becomes translucent and is thus preferred for use on black and coloured fabrics. The present invention is to use a modified, pre-gelantised clear starch which is not visible when sprayed onto dark and coloured fabrics. [18] The composition of the present invention optionally includes further components, some of which may enhance the functional properties of the composition, improve the user's experience and/or reduce the likelihood of the composition deteriorating. These further components may include any one or more of: water, surfactant, sequestrant stabiliser, chelating agent, isopropyl alcohol, glyceryloeate preservative, natural and/or synthetic colourants, emulsifier, fragrance and perfume. [19] In embodiments of the invention that include a fragrance or perfume, the fragrance or perfume may be selected from the group including, but not limited to: lavandin, lavender, eucalyptus, globus, pine, blue eucalyptus, lemon myrtle, sandlewood, cedar, citral, geraniol, jasmine, fig. [20] The use of natural and/or "organic", environmentally benign, minimal known toxicity components is highly desirable to certain members of the public. Accordingly, the composition described herein has been selected for this purpose. 6 [21] The process of preparing a composition of the present invention involves gelatinising the starch, then combining with water, fabric softening additive and, optionally, other polymers, stabilisers and perfume. Further additives may be incorporated during or after this process including phosphates, preservatives, oils, silicones, plant based herbs and extracts, and natural and/or synthetic colourants. [22] In some embodiments of the present invention, the composition may be prepared as a concentrate whereby a reduced amount of water is used in its preparation. The concentrate may then be diluted by the addition of water to adjust the components to their desired or suitable concentrations. Such compositions would be typical for a concentrated form to be diluted by the user for spraying onto fabrics. [23] In alternative embodiments, the composition of the present invention is in the form of a powder that may be hydrated, by the user, prior to use. In this embodiment, the composition may be prepared as a liquid then dried, such as by spray or pulse drying to form a powder. In other embodiments, the composition may be prepared as a dried powder which may be hydrated by the user for spraying onto fabrics. [24] The composition (in various forms as a liquid or concentrate diluted to a working concentration) may then be placed into a spray type applicator bottle to be applied to the fabric or garment. The composition is preferably applied as small particle size droplets, especially from spray containers. [25] Accordingly, the present invention provides a fabric care composition for use in a method of treating a fabric to remove, or at least control, wrinkles without the need to iron or steam the fabric and dries to a light starched feel and appearance. The components of the composition are as described above. [26] The present invention further provides a method of removing, or at least controlling, wrinkles. The method preferably includes the steps of spraying a composition of the present invention onto a fabric followed by smoothing the fabric. 7 Smoothing may include light tugging, pulling and/or shaking of the fabric to assist in removing and/or controlling wrinkles. Preferably, the step of smoothing is performed by hand. As noted above, the method of the present invention does not involve ironing or steaming of the fabric. However, optionally the composition may be used as an aid to the ironing and steaming process. Wrinkles are substantially removed by simply following the above steps and allowing the composition of the present invention to dry. It is envisaged that the composition of the present invention will be substantially washed off, or out of, the fabric during its subsequent laundering, thus there is no, or little, build-up of the composition in the fabric. [27] The composition is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric. [28] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments and Examples described herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and functionally equivalent methods and components are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying Example. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. EXAMPLE [29] Preparation of a composition according to the present invention may be performed according to the following instructions. A mixture of pure tapioca or hydrolysed potato starch (CAS #9049-76-7) in water was heated at 65'C for 3-5 mins to form gelatinised tapioca starch. Up to about 50mL of gelatinised starch was mixed with about 70 to l50mL of a polysiloxane fluid (CAS #63148-53-8) or aminofunctional polysiloxane fluid mixed with glycerine (CAS #51-81-5) and water to prepare a total of 1L of composition of the present invention. [30] The prepared composition was then transferred to a sprayer bottle and sprayed onto a wrinkled shirt in the form of a mist. The user then smoothed the fabric of the 8 shirt by hand to stretch the fabric slightly in order to remove the wrinkles. After a brief time, the shirt was essentially wrinkle-free and able to be worn, without the need for using an iron. [31] Where the terms "include", "includes", "included" or "including", "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof. [32] Any prior art reference or statement provided in the specification is not to be taken as an admission that such art constitutes, or is to be understood as constituting, part of the common general knowledge. [33] Further patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. The following Example Claims are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of what may or may not be claimed in any future application. It should also be noted that features may be added to, and/or removed from, the claims in order to further define the claimed invention. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [34] The present invention is applicable to fast moving consumer goods. 9 10

Claims (11)

1. A fabric care composition comprising: a fabric softening agent; and a starch-based component.

2. The fabric composition of Claim 1, wherein the fabric softening agent is any one or more of: polydimethylsiloxane, dimethylsiloxane silicone, dimethylsiloxane, polysiloxane fluid, aminofunctional polysiloxane fluid, glycerine.

3. The fabric care composition of Claim 1, wherein the starch-based component is any one or more of: corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, waxy corn starch, oat starch, cassava starch, waxy barley, waxy rice starch, glutenous rice starch, sweet rice starch, potato starch, maize, arrowroot, tapioca starch, oat starch, sago starch, maida flour, sweet rice, dextrin, acid-treated starch, alkaline-treated starch, bleached starch, pre gelatinised starch formulations thereof.

4. The fabric care composition of Claim 1, wherein the starch-based component is tapioca starch or as described above.

5. The fabric care composition of any preceding claim comprising any or a combination of the following additives: phosphates, preservatives, oils, silicones, plant based herbs and extracts, and natural and/or synthetic colourants

6. The fabric care composition of any preceding claim comprising any fragrance or perfume, including but not limited to the following: lavandin, lavender, eucalyptus, globus, pine, blue eucalyptus, lemon myrtle, sandlewood, cedar, citral, geraniol, jasmine, fig

7. The fabric care composition of any one of Claims 1 to 6,

8. A fabric care composition for use in a method of treating a fabric to remove and/or control wrinkles without ironing or steaming, wherein the composition is the composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

9. A method of treating a fabric to remove and/or control wrinkles, the method including the steps of: spraying the fabric care composition of any one of Claims 1 to 7 onto the fabric; and smoothing the fabric to reduce the wrinkles in the fabric; whereby the fabric becomes essentially wrinkle-free without ironing or steaming.

10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the smoothing is performed by hand.

11. A fabric treated by the method of Claim 9 or 10.