DE102018133499A1 - Wax wool as a pretreatment agent for stain removal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a fibrous felted or spun wax wool as a textile pretreatment agent. The invention further relates to a method for textile pretreatment, in which a textile to be treated is brought into contact with a fibrous felted or fibrous spun wool.

Description

The present invention relates to the use of a fibrous felted or spun wax wool as a textile pretreatment agent. The invention further relates to a method for textile pretreatment, in which a textile to be treated is brought into contact with a fibrous felted or fibrous spun wool.

Oily and / or pigmented stains, especially olive oil, make-up, lipstick stains, are often difficult to remove on textiles. Such stains sometimes do not completely disappear even after washing (e.g. at low temperatures). These stains can be pretreated with various agents for better removal. These are normally surfactant-containing and / or (organic) solvent-containing pretreatment agents. As a rule, this treatment cannot be carried out immediately after the stain has formed because the solvent is rubbed onto the textile. A "dry" treatment such as dabbing or rinsing with water is usually not sufficient for such stains. In addition, many textiles are too sensitive for pretreatment containing surfactants and / or solvents. In particular, organic solvents can lead to undesired discoloration of the treated textile.

There is therefore a need for pretreatment agents that contain neither surfactants nor solvents. In addition, the pretreatment agents should be easy to transport / pack, since liquid pretreatment agents pose the risk of "leakage" during transport, for example in handbags.

The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found that the above problems can be solved by using a fibrous felted or spun wax wool as a textile pretreatment agent.

Therefore, in a first aspect the invention relates to the use of a fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool as a textile pretreatment agent, in particular for removing grease and / or pigment and / or cosmetic stains.

Furthermore, the invention relates in a second aspect to a method for textile pretreatment, wherein a textile to be treated, preferably a stain, in particular a grease and / or pigment and / or cosmetic stain, on the textile, in contact with a fibrous matted or spun fiber Wax wool is brought.

“At least one,” as used herein, refers to 1 or more, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more. In connection with components of the compounds described herein, this information does not refer to the absolute amount of components, but to the type of component. “At least one wax” therefore means, for example, that only one type of wax or several different types of waxes can be included without specifying the amount of the individual wax type.

Numerical values that are given here without decimal places each refer to the full specified value with one decimal place. For example, “99%” stands for “99.0%”.

The terms “approximately” “approx.” Or “approximately” in connection with a numerical value refer to a variance of ± 10% based on the numerical value given, preferably ± 5%, particularly preferably ± 1%.

The expression “essentially free of” means that the respective compound can be contained in principle, but is then present in an amount which does not impair the function of the other components. In the context of the present invention, therefore, under the property “essentially free of” a particular compound is preferably a total weight of less than 3.0 wt.%, More preferably less than 1.0 wt the total weight of the fibrous matted or fibrous spun wax wool viewed.

Numerical ranges that are specified in the format "in / from x to y" include the values mentioned. If several preferred numerical ranges are specified in this format, it goes without saying that all ranges that result from the combination of the different endpoints are also covered.

Information about the molecular weight relates to the number average molecular weight in g / mol. Molecular weights are preferably determined by means of GPC using polystyrene standards.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying the following detailed description and claims. Any feature or embodiment from one aspect of the invention may be used in any other aspect of the invention. For example, described features or embodiments of the wax wool from use can also be applied to the claimed method, and vice versa. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate the invention, but not to limit it, and in particular the invention is not restricted to these examples.

In the use and the method of the present invention, a fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool is used, which is also referred to below simply as wax wool.

In one embodiment, the fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool has an inner surface of 1 to 10 m ² / g, preferably 2 to 6 m ² / g.

The wax wool consists of a variety of wax fibers. The wax wool can contain fibers from only one wax or fibers from several different waxes. In one embodiment, the fibers are made from natural, partially synthetic or synthetic waxes, in particular synthetic waxes.

Synthetic waxes are preferably produced by known polymerization processes or by cracking. These methods are known to the person skilled in the art.

According to the invention, waxes are the definition of the waxes of the German Society for Fat Sciences, which was first published in 1957 and revised in 1974. In particular, polymeric compounds are to be understood which have a number average molecular weight of 200 to 20,000 g / mol, preferably 500 to 10,000 g / mol, in particular 2,500 to 6,000 g / mol. The waxes are preferably polyolefin-based.

Ziegler-Natta catalysis or metallocene catalysis or similar polymerization methods with specific catalysts known to the person skilled in the art are suitable, for example, for the preparation of the polymeric compound. The molar masses are adjusted by regulating substances or by depolymerization. The base polymers can consequently be amorphous (Ziegler-Natta) or semi-crystalline (metallocene catalysis) polymers. These can be homo-, co- or block copolymers. Particularly preferred are olefinic polymers which are obtained by the polymerization of at least one olefinic monomer, preferably by ethylene, propylene, isobutenes, hexenes, octenes. Non-olefinic monomers are also suitable as comonomers, for example terephthalates, acrylic acid or vinyl acetate. Non-olefinic monomers are preferably contained in less than 35% by weight based on the total weight of the polymer. The homo- or copolymers obtained can also be further derivatized, for example by graft copolymerization; Micronization or oxidation.

In a further embodiment, the fibers are each made from at least one wax, based on polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and derivatives thereof, in particular waxes derivatized with vinyl acetate; particularly preferably polyethylene or ethylene-vinyl acetate wax. Fibers made from at least one wax based on polylactic acid or derivatives thereof are also suitable.

The waxes mentioned above are then formed into fibers by known processes, for example by a melt spinning process or film splitting. The felting or spinning takes place during the production of the fibers, for example in the melt spinning process, or in a further step after the production of the separate fibers by felting or spinning.

A suitable wax wool is commercially available, for example, under the trade name Deurex® pure from Deurex AG.

The wax wool is preferably produced by a known method, which for example in the EP 2 392 630 A is described.

The waxes are produced using a melt spinning process. The above-mentioned waxes can be used as raw materials for the atomization for the production of the spray products which result in a fibrous felted wax wool.

The waxes used as raw materials can have a number average molecular weight of 200 to 20,000 g / mol. Furthermore, the oxidized waxes suitable as raw materials have an acid number of 0 to 100 mgKOH / g, preferably determined according to ASTM D 974: 2014.

The waxes used for the production of the spray products can also be physical mixtures in all mixing ratios of the waxes suitable according to the invention.

Liquid raw materials are used to manufacture the fibrous felted wax wool. To do this, the starting material must be melted and converted into the liquid state. The different waxes are heated at least 5 ° C, better 20 ° C, preferably 50 ° C above their melting point or dropping point.

The viscosity of the wax used for the production of the fibrous felted wool must therefore be below 5,000 mPas, better below 1,000 mPas, most preferably below 500 mPas, at the respective processing temperature at which the forming is carried out.

The melted, thin liquid wax is then sprayed with commercially available nozzles, single-substance, two-substance or multi-substance pressure nozzles, under pressure to form the fibrous felted polymer wool. The nozzle material is preferably designed in such a way that the wax does not cool down during spraying, and heatable nozzles which must be designed to be temperature and corrosion-resistant are therefore particularly preferred.

The atomization takes place by means of a spray tower or a cooling tower, into which nitrogen, carbon dioxide or air as blowing gas and for cooling are simultaneously injected during the atomization of the wax. If air is used as the propellant and cooling gas, there is no need for a spray tower or cooling tower and, for example, spraying into a hall.

The pressure for atomizing the starting material can be varied from 1 bar to 100 bar. The pressure of the propellant (nitrogen, carbon dioxide or air) can also be varied from 1 to 100 bar. It has proven to be advantageous if the pressure of the propellant gas during the atomization is higher than the pressure of the liquid wax.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the pressure of the propellant gas is twice as high as the pressure of the liquid wax. In principle, however, the reverse case can also be carried out, in that the pressure of the wax is higher than the pressure of the propellant gas. Both the liquid wax and the propellant gas are injected into the spray tower at the same time in separate pressure nozzles and in the same direction. The spraying can take place in all directions, in the vertical, in the horizontal direction, but also from bottom to top. The higher the pressure, the better the results or the yield of the fibrous felted wax wool produced.

Nitrogen is used in the spray or cooling tower to cool the fibrous felted wool wool thus produced. But carbon dioxide or air can also be used. Temperatures from minus 180 ° C to plus 100 ° C are used for the cooling gas. Preferred temperatures are minus 50 ° C to plus 50 ° C. For better temperature control, it can be advantageous to supply the temperature-controlled gas (nitrogen, carbon dioxide or air) to the spray tower at different points. The end product produced in this way is discharged in the spray tower / cooling tower due to the slight overpressure of 0 to 1 bar and filled into gas-permeable containers.

In a further preferred embodiment, the fibers have a fiber length of 3 mm to 1 m, preferably 1 cm to 50 cm. In a further embodiment, the fibers have an average diameter of 50 nm to 8 mm, preferably 1 mm to 5 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool is a fibrous matted wax wool, which is preferably produced by the melt spinning process.

In a preferred embodiment, the wax wool is in the form of a cloth or as a fleece. The original wax wool is pressed into the cloth or fleece. In preferred embodiments, the cloth or fleece has a thickness of 1 mm to 1 cm, in particular 2 mm to 5 mm.

The present invention further relates to a method for textile pretreatment, in which a textile to be treated, preferably a stain, in particular a grease and / or pigment and / or cosmetic stain on the textile, is brought into contact with a fibrous felted or fibrous spun wool.

The textile is preferably a piece of clothing.

In one embodiment, the contacting takes place under pressure, preferably finger pressure. In another embodiment, the contacting is carried out for 0.1 to 10 seconds.

The contact can be made using a dry wax wool, no solvent, i.e. neither water nor organic solvent, is added to the wax wool.

The surface of the wax wool is thus particularly preferably essentially free of solvents, in particular water.

In an alternative embodiment, the wax wool is moistened before being brought into contact with a solvent, preferably water. In particular, the wax wool then contains up to 30% by weight of solvent, preferably water, on its surface, based on the total weight of the wax wool.

In a preferred embodiment, after being brought into contact, the textile is subjected to a conventional washing process, preferably in a washing machine, in particular at temperatures below 50 ° C.

Examples

Material:

Deurex wax wool (trade name "Deurex Pure")

Stain set E on cotton knitwear with the stains taco grease, rapeseed oil, bacon fat and olive oil

Stain set SAM on polyester weave with the stains gravy, motor oil, salad dressing, green pesto, make-up (1), make-up (2), lipstick, spaghetti sauce

Execution:

Three stain sets of the types “E” and “SAM” were used.

Group A was not treated with wax wool as a reference group.

Group B was treated with dry wax wool: each stain was rubbed off for a few seconds with a piece of wax wool the size of a walnut and light pressure. Depending on the type of stain, there was a clear discoloration of the wax wool.

Group C was treated with wax wool slightly moistened (with water): each stain was rubbed off for a few seconds with a piece of wax wool the size of a walnut and light pressure. Depending on the type of stain, there was a clear discoloration of the wax wool.

All stain sets were then washed in the washing machine (short cotton program, 1.5 h) without detergent / detergent at 30 ° C and then dried hanging.

This was followed by a colorimetric measurement (Minolta CR400, tristimulus value) of the spots and a comparison against the reference.

Result:

dY values compared to reference group A: stains Group B Group C Spaghetti sauce 1.4 1.6 Saladdressing 1.8 2.3 motor oil 2.6 2.5 Gravy 1.6 1.9 lipstick 0.7 0.6 Make up (1) 3.2 4.2 Make up (2) 5.0 6.3 Green pesto 1.7 2.0 Taco fat 5.5 5.9 olive oil 2.4 2.5 Rapeseed oil 1.2 1.1

It can be seen from the tests that the use of a wax wool according to the invention as a textile pretreatment agent leads to improved cleaning performance.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 2392630 A [0023]

Claims (7)

Use of a fibrous matted or fibrous spun wax wool as a textile pretreatment agent, in particular for removing grease and / or pigment and / or cosmetic stains. Use after Claim 1 , wherein the fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool has an inner surface of 1 to 10 m ² / g, preferably 2 to 6 m ² / g. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous felted or spun wax wool consists of wax fibers which (i) are produced from natural, partially synthetic or synthetic waxes, in particular synthetic waxes; and or (ii) are each produced from a wax based on polyolefins, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and derivatives thereof, in particular waxes derivatized with vinyl acetate; particularly preferably polyethylene or ethylene-vinyl acetate wax or based on polylactic acid and derivatives thereof. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibers (i) are produced from waxes which have a number average molecular weight of 200 to 20,000 g / mol, preferably 500 to 10,000 g / mol; and or (ii) have a fiber length of 3 mm to 1 m, preferably 1 cm to 50 cm; and or (iii) have an average diameter of 50 nm to 8 mm, preferably 1 mm to 5 mm. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibrous felted or spun wax wool is a fibrous felted wax wool, preferably produced by melt spinning. Process for textile pretreatment, wherein a textile to be treated, preferably a stain, in particular a grease and / or pigment and / or cosmetic stain, on the textile is brought into contact with a fibrous felted or fibrous spun wool. Procedure according to Claim 6 , wherein (i) the contacting takes place under pressure, preferably finger pressure; and / or (ii) the contacting is carried out for 0.1 to 10 seconds; and / or (iii) wherein the fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool is essentially free of solvent on its surface, in particular water; and / or (iv) the fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool is moistened, preferably contains up to 30% by weight of water on its surface, based on the total weight of the wax wool; and / or (v) the fibrous felted or fibrous spun wax wool is in the form of a cloth or as a fleece.