DE1942324A1 - Method of treating articles of clothing - Google Patents

Description

Method of treating articles of clothing

The invention relates to a method for kneeling and treating of garments that contain a significant amount of polyester resin included, and for treating the cleaning solution «

Significant developments have been made in the past few years in the use of fabrics in garments, wherein the garments retain their original shape with the least amount of treatment after the garments have been worn. In general, this has resulted in a better looking garment that does not wrinkle as is characteristic of cotton garments. Such garments are typically made from a combination of materials including, for example, 65 % polyester resin and 35 # cotton. Polyester is a generic term for any long-chain synthetic polymer,

0-00 8487 16 6-1

'■■■■ - ■' - 2 - .. ■■■■. . ■■.: ..-. ■ - ■. ■■■■ ..; . ■ - ■■■; - ■■. ..:.

That consists of at least $ 85 of an ester of a dihydric alcohol and terephthalic acid. The substantially permanent finished state that is characteristic of these items of clothing is given to these items of clothing by ^{treating them with about 11-15 0} J ₀ (based on the weight of the fabric) of a resin which is produced at a high temperature after the item of clothing has been manufactured is cured.

When wearing are items of clothing that have the characteristics mentioned. have exposed many different types of pollution which of course must be eliminated in order to enable the garments to be worn again. Known washing methods using of water make use of substances that are highly alkaline are, and the cleaning of the garment is carried out at a carried out at a relatively high temperature. This type of treatment can to damage the fatigue strength or the condition of the The garment in order to show its characteristic, to eliminate shafts. Known solvents in dry cleaning processes have been found to be unsuitable because they do not react again Deposition of dirt on the garment during prevent the cleaning process. As a result of this property is it is generally necessary to produce garments which have this property only in darker colors, since only these Colors the noticeability of a renewed deposit of pollution reduce to a minimum. Also, known dry cleaning procedures require large stills and condensers to keep the dry cleaning solvent medium in usable condition. It must be remembered that distillation is an expensive one The type of cleaning of the solvent and significant process costs.

The procedure according to the development avoids the need to to provide distillation in the treatment of the solvent. According to the invention, the solvent is filtered into the brought to intended condition, and it is treated so that white

009848/156

Garments with little or no redeposition can be treated by dirt or discoloration of the garments.

The invention accordingly aims to provide an improved one Solvent cleaning process for cleaning dirty Garments and other textiles by the redeposition of soiling on the garments during the cleaning process is prevented. ·

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved solvent cleaning process which obviates the need to provide for solvent distillation to remove the solvent to keep in usable condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved solvent cleaning process for garments that are suitable for any cleaning agent that is chemically compatible with the fabric of the garment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved solvent cleaning process for fabrics and garments that remove dirt by depositing a glyceroid residue on the cleaned and treated garment 'causes with saponification occurring during treatment of the garments and in the solvent, which is the solvent itself in such a state that it has improved cleaning properties he brings.

The invention is described below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

In the drawing, a device is shown to carry out of the method according to the invention can be used. Based

- 4 009 848/1561

of this device, the method according to the invention is described. .

One of the solvents commonly used in dry cleaning used is, for example, perehloroethylene «, this solvent is generally unstable and stabilizers must be added to make it usable keep * One must, however, note that with known dry cleaning processes », in which a distillation takes place, the distillation of the solvent can take out the stabilizing agents and the per chlorine ethylene is returned to its pure, unstable state can be. In this state it is possible to form hydrochloric acid when adding water to the solvent « The possibility of the formation of this acid and the degree of its formation this acid can be increased if elevated temperatures are present, as is usually the case with dry cleaning the FaIl is.

It has also been found that it is possible to treat garments more effectively if various additives are added to the solvent to aid the solvent in tapering, while the solvent itself is used as an embossing agent to carry these additives with it "Accordingly, the invention provides a method in which first is brought solvent to be used in a usable state by passing it through! filter using adsorbing and absorbing agents the effect na of the treatment beam relative to the pollution and the spots on the garments and to selectively remove any soft non- driving solvents that may be present in the detergent.

An adsorbent attracts dissolved substances to their surface and holds them to carry them away with the remedy. Accidental

- 5 00 9 β * fr / .16 61

These adsorbents attract different substances. For example, attapulgus clay attracts some oil and grease stains, but mainly it attracts water-soluble dirt and odor-generating substances. Bentonite clay mainly pulls oils and Fats on. Magnesium silicate attracts oils and fats, but is primarily effective at attracting fatty acids. Carbon can be used to make certain dyes and odor-producing substances to attract. Alumina can be modified "to attract any or all of the following" water, dyes, oils, and hydrochloric acid.

An absorbent removes substances in an effect similar to that the mechanical action of a sponge is. For example, can a diatomaceous earth can be used "because of its ability" to span the holes in sieves or filters and a Protective layer to form so as to prevent pollution in particulate form or to include insoluble raw materials.

Some of the! Phone means »for carrying out the invention Process used »have a pH of about 9-10. If the process is carried out in the presence of water »fatty acids and When body oils are used (which are excreted from the treated garments), these substances form a compound in the filter a »and there is a saponification» which leads to the production of a soap.

It has been found "that the use of water as a carrier in a cleaning process can be a disadvantage" rather than an aid. The reason for this is that "when a cellulosic fiber is exposed to water, the fiber is SOHWiIIt ₁ , and the extended fabric acts as a filter to collect very small particle sizes" to cause the objects to be cleaned to turn gray. This discoloration can only be removed by bleaching the clothing and contaminants to a point »

- 6: - ■

009848/1561

in which the pollution becomes essentially invisible. Sin another reason why the use of water is avoided consists in the fact that if the paser is swollen, the fiber becomes one Point is deformed, from which it will not return to its original state without ironing. This deformation can also lead to a loss in the tensile fluid of the fiber. It should be noted that water itself is a relatively weak detergent in the absence of any mechanical effect. Accordingly, the use of water as a carrier is avoided, in order to obtain the necessary means of removal and flooding from contamination during the cleaning process. "While it is true that water is used for removing some of the water soluble contaminants may be required it can be added to the cleaning agent as an additive, and not as a vehicle for carrying additives alone. .

Known dry cleaning methods generally require the Using large stills and condensers, do that To keep cleaning agents in usable condition. It is - it has been found that the use of the procedure according to the Invention of filtering the treatment of all items of clothing including white clothing, without any significant redeposition of soiling, if any, } or paint is removed. This cleaning process Can be used in conjunction with garments in light Fastell colors or in white, even if these garments come into contact with petroleum or other heavy contaminants that are difficult to remove.

The method according to the invention is readily understandable through Reference to the schematic representation. The cleaning process can be started by making a so-called pre-cleaning of the β filter.

Sa «method according to the invention has interdependent functions

''. '■' ■■ - ■■ .. .. ■ \ ^; - ^-: -: - ■■ '■■■' - --T - "■■ - ■■■■ VJ - ■ ■ · - _V": [

009840/1561

in the cleaning of clothes and in the preparation of the detergent. Bas principle is best by, a separate description of these interdependent functions understand, taking the interdependence from the following Description is evident.

One of the characteristics of the method according to the invention consists in the preparation of the cleaning agent by filtering it in order to avoid the need, distillation apparatus or to use a distillation in a recovery phase. One Ladder assembly 10 is shown in Fig. 1 and forms a device to “Prepare the solvent before the clothes exposed to the solvent. Sas Filter IO points Filter elements 12 coated with a suitable filter medium are to reprocess the solvent. One of the Filter media used to carry out the process is a diatomaceous earth commonly used as a fiI termedium is used. BIe use of a basic filter medium, for example ISagnesiism silicate or attapulg clay (the each have a pH value of 9-10), leads to a saponification reaction, when a dosed M & age water in the filter together with the fatty acids and sorper oils that is present through the detergent has been removed from the clothes pfsä. One of the detergents commonly used in this process, as in other processes, is perchlorethylene. It is it has been established that this saponification reaction occurs of soaps, the composition of which makes them ideally suited for this make the Schautxstoffe like this. Remove those in the treated garments available. In effect, the soaps that are im Filter 10 are generated, a characteristic Heinigangswirkung to remove these contaminants specially created by the detergent even the garments have been removed. The reaction in filter 10 thus leads to the generation of a "self-cleaning * Improvisation product that is suitable for preventive

009848/1861

se to return the cleaning agent to its ready-to-use form.

The coating of the filter elements 12 can be carried out by a suitable Control panel on filter 10 can be regulated and timed and works automatically. Such devices are known and do not form part of the invention.

The exhausted filter medium from the previous cleaning and Processing activity becomes mechanical by any suitable means removed from the filter elements 12. For example, can the exhausted filter medium is scraped off the filter drums with a knife rotating relative to the drums to remove the medium from the Mechanically loosening drums. The exhausted filter medium then falls to the bottom of the filter 10. and arrives at a collecting sieve 14 »from the can be removed from it.

The pump 16 assigned to the filter 10 is started, and the Cleaning solution is drawn into filter 10 through lines 18 and 20 pumped. The solvent travels through line 22, through automatic valve 24 », through line 26 back to pump 16 the line 28.

During the time during which the solution through the filter elements 12 is pumped, an agitator (not shown) in the funnel 50 turned on, wherein such an arrangement is provided that a Introduced certain amount of the filter medium into the sludge tank 32 will. The solution is also passed through line 34 and through the valve 36 into the sludge tank 32. A float valve is in Mud tank provided to regulate the amount of solution that is introduced into the tank. The sludge formed together by the filter medium and the solution is then fed into the filter 10 by the pump 38 pumped the mud through line 40, through the shut-off valve 42 into line 28, where the pump 16 passes the mud through

0 0 9 8 4 8/1561

conducts the lines 18 and 20 into the filter 10. The mud will then deposited on the sieves of the filter elementβ 12 to make a new one Layer of filter medium to form on the elements 12.

During the time that the pump 16 is running to direct the solution through the filter 10, it becomes a downward one Flow caused when the cleaning solution through the pipe through the exhausted filter medium on the collecting sieve I4 is pushed back to line 28, where it is again from pump l6 is pushed through the filter 10. This downward flow prevents exhausted filter media from getting back onto the Filter elements 12 is passed. This function is characterized as the precoating circle, which is completed when a A sufficient amount of filter medium has been deposited on the filter elements 12 of the filter 10.

I- .

Upon completion of the precoating circuit, the pump 38 is switched off and the pump 46 is switched on to circulate cleaning solution from the treatment tank 48 through the line 50, the valve 52 and the line 54 through the shut-off valve 56 to the line 23. The cleaning solution then flows through the pump 16 and di · lines 18 and 20 into the filter 10 and hinduroh through it. The cleaning solution passes through the filter elements 12 of the filter 10 and is collected in the line 22, from where it flows through the automatic valve 24 and the valve 58 into the line 60. The Working circle of the solvent closes so that the solution is passed through dit line 60, through valve 62 and through conduit 64 back into the treatment tank 48th During this part dee process, the valve 66 is closed so that the liquid is led back to the treatment tank 48 * This filing of the process sequence is referred to as the "polishing" circuit _P which is only switched on when Lösungemittel ia Bekandlungstank is present.

Another interdependent circle within the process is

- 10 -

00 9 848/16 @ 1

. .- ^{'■■■■■:} - ίο - ^·;

the decolorization circuit that is turned on during the time at which the polishing circle is effective. These process steps are to restore the detergent to a mold required that is suitable for safe and effective cleaning of the garments. The discoloration circle has the The task of preventing discoloring media or dyes from getting into the washing drum in which the items of clothing are cleaned.

Part of the cleaning solution from the line 22 flows into the line 6 * 8 under the action of the line pressure and flows through the control valve JO into the tower 72 of the system. The decolorizing tower 72 contains a decolorizing agent such as silica gel, aluminum oxide or activated carbon. The solution flows through the decolorizing agent and exits tower 72 through line 74. From there it flows through control valve 76 in line into line 50. Thereafter, the solvent is returned to filter 10 by pump 46, as which has already been mentioned. After passing through the filter 10, the solution returns to the line 22. The decoloration ^{tower? 2 is equipped with a ventilation valve 1} JQ in order to ensure a pressure reduction within the tower.

ϊη this phase of the procedure after the preparation has been completed the filter ·, the polishing circle and the decolorization circle, the cleaning solution is prepared for cleaning items of clothing and done. As has already been mentioned, the garments can be placed in a washing drum 80. Bs can Washing drums can be used in a wide variety of designs, but one of the commonly used drums has one Capacity of about 50 kg. From the treatment tank 48 is then the cleaning solution is passed through the valve 82 into the line 84, clay which is also passed into the washing drum 80.

-11-

009848/1561

- li -

The pump 86 is turned on while the solution is from the treatment tank 48 flows freely into the washing drum 80, tjm the pump 46 in front To protect against running dry, the pump 46 and the pump 86 be coupled to one another, so that when the pump 86 is switched on, the pump 46 is switched off. The washall run to the leg The garments can be worn for any specific set length of time that is required to remove all of the contaminants and completely removing stains from the garments as desired. That depends on the individual case and the requirements Clean the clothes off.

The cleaning solution is taken from the drum 80 by conduit derived from where it flows into the lint separator 90 to separate small tissue particles that come with the cleaning solution be carried. The solution then flows through the valve 92 into the line 94 »from where it flows to the pump 86 and then to the collecting line 96 is directed. The solution then flows through the valve 98 into a line 100 which is connected to line 102 to conduct the cleaning solution back to the washing drum 80. At the Circulation of the solution through the circle described, called the batch circle is referred to, additional cleaning agents, for example Ammonia, water and the like - in metered amounts from storage tank IO4 through valve IO6 and line 108 in the pump 86 where the additives are combined with the continuously circulating detergent. After the continuous Operation of the batch cycle for a period of approx. 15 minutes the solution for reprocessing is ripe, whereby the reprocessing is of course carried out in the Piltrierkreis, as it was before has been described.

When the pump 46 is switched off and the batch cycle is running the filter 10 supplied no solvent. Therefore the shift To keep the filter medium on the filter elements 12, the pump 16 is switched on to circulate the solution through the filter

- 12 -

009 8 48/1561

; - - 12 - ■■■■; ■ \

to hold, and thus of course also through the filter elements 12. The solution flows through line 22 and is returned to pump 16, to "form a continuous circle that runs through the Filter 10 leads.

Filtration and recovery of the cleaning solution is accomplished by pumping the cleaning solution from the wash drum through line 88 and lint separator 90. The cleaning solution then flows through valve 2 into line 94, where it is pumped by pump 86 into collecting line 96 through valve 110 into line 112. The line is connected to the pump 16, which is assigned to the filter 10, via a control valve 114 and a shut-off valve II6. The pump 16 ensures that the cleaning solution is circulated through the filter 10 in order to separate out undesired parts. The cleaning solution then flows into line 22 through automatic valve 24 into line 60. The control valve 62 is closed during this phase, while the control valve 66 is open to allow the cleaning solution to flow through the filter into line 60 and continuously into the Line 102 and back to washing drum 80 to allow. This filter cycle is carried out for about 15 minutes, after which time the solvent has returned to its processed state.

After the mentioned time lapse for the filter circuit, the solvent is drawn off from the washing drum 80 through the line 88, the lint separator 90, the valve 92 and flows to the pump 86 and into the collecting line 96 of the system. The liquid is then pumped through the valve 120 into the line 122, after which it returns to the treatment tank 48 to remain there in the waiting position for the next cleaning cycle. '

When most of the solution is withdrawn from the washing drum 80 has been, the extraction process is initiated while

- 13 -

009848/1561

the remaining solution of which is mechanically removed from the clothes in the washing drum. Sas remaining solvent flows along the same path as previously indicated is, and it ends up together with the other solvent in the treatment tank 48, where it is stored. The extraction passage is carried out for approx. 3 minutes, after which the Garments are ready to dry.

After switching on the extraction gear, the regulation of the control element θ can be provided on the filter so that the precoating circuit is restarted so that the filter 10 is made ready for the next treatment cycle.

The cleaned garments can be dried in the washing drum 80 will. Drying can be accomplished by passing steam heated air through the garments, to absorb the solvent vapor and with it the clothes to dry. The air-containing solvent vapor then passes into a condenser, in which the solvent is liquefied and drawn off will. The solution is then directed to solvent tank 124. This continues until the garments are perfect are dry. During the drying process, the pilter can go through the precoating cycle, and then the foiling and Turned on decolorization circuits so that the solution is brought into a ready state for the next cleaning cycle.

The clean dry garments are then made odor free, by exposing them to room temperatures for a short period of time Garments included because of the "closed" air cycle used during the drying cycle. The remaining solvent vapors are released through the room air through a 'bed carried by carbon spheres that remove the vapor from the air

-14 -

009848/1561

part and the clean air go out to the atmosphere. After this Odor-free from the garments they are removed from the washing drum 80 taken out.

Two tanks 126 and 128 / which are located next to the washing drum 80 » Can be used as storage tanks for additional or new solvents be intended for use in the system.

When treatment solution is required, valve $ 2 is closed and pump 86 is switched on. The solution is then passed from tank 126 through line 130 and valve 132 into collection line % and through valve 154 and line I36 into treatment tank 124. When solvent is required from the make-up tank, it is directed through valve I40 into line 142 and introduced into wash drum 80 until the desired solvent level is reached in drum 80.

It should be noted that the solubilized contaminants that are • purified by filtration (using absorption and adsorption) " ¹¹ can be labeled as non-volatile and as such they can remain in the garment as a film. The volatile (the The film, if left on the garment, acts as a dirt dissolver and most dirt and stains will not adhere to the garment because of this film.

In the decolorization tower, alumina in granular form can be used to provide the means by which final clearing of the solvent occurs after As has passed through filter 10. An aluminum oxide has been used that is not quickly saturated by water that may be present in solution. _R For this G and remains effective as Klärungemittel. The oxide

- 15 -

009848/1561

- ■ 15 -

forms means for final "polishing" the solvent to a desired clear white for subsequent use, for cleaning garments with permanent ironed creases, as has already been mentioned.

One of the important features of the method according to the invention is that the solution is recovered without distillation. As mentioned earlier, distillation temperatures lead to the formation of hydrochloric acid, which of course is very harmful to clothing. The filtration in the process according to the invention does not require elevated temperatures.

The temperature in the filter 10 can be in the range of 27-35 degrees Celsius at a pressure of 1.05 to 3 | 15 kp per cm ^, depending on the resistance of the filter screen and media (plus accumulated contaminants) opposed to the flow of the solution will. The saponification reaction that occurs in the filter concerns the conversion of oils into ammonium and metallic soaps.

In the method according to the invention, wetting agents and water are used used to solubilize garment contaminants and emulsify the oils and encapsulate and float particles, until they are carried to the filter 10 for excretion.

Patent claims :

009848/1561

Claims (9)

P a te η ta η s ρ χ ü.'oh e Method of cleaning clothing that has a significant Contains a proportion of polyester resin, therefore marked ζ ei c h η e t that a cleaning fluid through a filter medium passed through for the selective absorption and adsorption of foreign substances from the solution in the cleaning liquid items of clothing are placed in a container and these Garments in contact with the treated cleaning fluid be placed in the container for removing dirt and stains from the garments, using the cleaning liquid continuously in a fixed circle during the cleaning process to add conditioning agents for the items of clothing to the cleaning liquid is kept circulating, and the liquid is removed from the container. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that geke η η drawn jx et that perchlorethylene is used as the cleaning liquid. . 3 * method according to claim!, Characterized β t, that among other things, Attapulgus clay is used for the filter medium will. 4 * Method according to claim 1, characterized t that attapulgus and bentonite clay and magnesium silicate are used for the filter medium * 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that gekenase i ο hn · T> that a diatomaceous earth is used in the filter medium will. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a η% i β h- n 9 t that an oharakterietieohtr pH value τοη about 9-10 is provided in the filter medium. 7., The method according to claim!, Characterized in that g · k · η η s · i o h- n * t that for the preparation means for di · clothing under 0 0 98A87156 1 -2 - other ammonia and water can be used. 8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning liquid by a decolorizing agent to remove solubles from the liquid that would otherwise discolour the clothing. 9. The method according to claim 8, d a d u r c h marked e t, · that aluminum oxide is used as the decolorizing agent. 009848/1861 ■ .- ■ '■■ **. Empty bar