DE60017542T2 - Process for cleaning and refreshing textiles - Google Patents

Description

THE iNVENTION field

The The present invention relates to methods for cleaning and freshening of textiles in a dry cleaning process. The temperature and the relative humidity are in the multi-step process controlled by this invention.

background the invention

Certain Sensitive fabrics are not for the usual home dipping cleaning procedures suitable. Home washing machines, the excellent cleaning results for the Majority of textiles used in today's society can bring under certain conditions silk, linen, wool and other delicate Make textiles run in or damage them in any other way. typically, let consumers dry their delicate textile pieces clean. Unfortunately, dry cleaning involves immersing the Textiles in various hydrocarbon and halohydrocarbon solvents, the require special handling, and the solvent must be reprocessed so that the procedure for the domestic use is unsuitable. That's why it's dry cleaning Traditionally limited to commercial operations, dry cleaning less convenient and more expensive than home washing.

tries have been made to develop home dry cleaning systems, to do the textiles cleaning and refreshing in home dip washes combine the benefits of textile treatment in dry cleaning operations. Such a home system for cleaning and refreshing garments has a substrate film containing various liquid or gelled detergents contains and a plastic bag. The clothes will be together with the Put the foil in the bag, which is then turned in a standard tumble dryer. In an acute, commercial implementation, one must use individually, flat multiple sheets containing a cleaning or refreshing agent contained, and a single, widely used plastic bag provided in a pack.

Unfortunately These known methods often involve only one step in relation on the temperature and relative humidity. It means that the tumble dryer was set to a particular temperature and time. The moisture content was a function of that entered into the bag Humidity and the temperature setting. But when the time and once the temperature has been selected were one step in the process. If a usual Drum dryer is used, the consumer is also often on the manufacturer's presetting of the temperature conditions limited, the for the clothes drying, but not for Cleaning and refreshing are intended. Often these manufacturer conditions are below the optimum value with respect to one or more of the operations of the Decongesting, deodorizing and perfuming.

Further are such home procedures for the use in a usual clothes dryer or a similar one Device provided. Such devices however, are not always readily available, they are often uneconomic, and in some countries are clothes dryers simply unnecessary. For example, the inhabitants in some have warm, tropical Regions typically do not tumble dry, because of their lingerie year round hanging can be dried in the sun. In such regions of the world, where residents typically do not have clothes dryers Products that a heater, for example a tumble dryer, require little or no value.

The Use of damping devices is also known to treat textiles with large amounts of steam. Unfortunately these high temperature and high relative humidity methods have negative effects on the textiles. In addition to the harsh effect on The textiles often require a drying step that is regularly followed by a drying step further burden for brings the textiles. The drying step also requires additional time and energy and often results in an unwanted arrival. And finally are steamers typically wasteful of steam because of this only water is.

The DE 2433909 discloses a garment care apparatus having a fresh air filter which is in the form of a drawer installed in the apparatus and therefore requires little space there. This document does not disclose the possibility of pretreatment of the garment before it is placed in the device, nor does it suggest this possibility.

The US 5649372 discloses for the drying cycle a control device having a processor connected to humidity and temperature sensors. This document says nothing about the possibility of pretreating the garment before placing it in the tumble dryer for a drying cycle.

The US 4761305 discloses a process for finishing laundry in a sealed chamber in which fine particles of a water-soluble, hydrophilic finishing agent are sprayed onto the laundry after the clothing has been washed and / or dried. In the description of this document, it is not mentioned that pretreatment of the clothing takes place before the final treatment process, before it is placed in the tight chamber; such an approach is also not suggested.

The US 5305484 discloses a laundry damping apparatus having a main body with a compartment and vapor dispensing means. In the description of this document is not mentioned and also not suggested that prior to the damping process takes place a clothing pretreatment, which takes place before inserting the clothing into the damping apparatus.

The US 5815961 discloses a laundry treating apparatus in which the laundry is exposed to moisture, heat, pressure and tension to refresh and wrinkle it. However, throughout the description in this document, nothing is said about the possibility of pretreating the laundry prior to its insertion into this device for a refreshing cycle.

The DE 2357646 discloses a laundry drying and refreshment device which consists of a flexible and thus foldable container which can be arranged in two fixed end positions. This document does not mention the possibility of pretreating the laundry prior to placing the laundry in the apparatus for a drying or deodorizing cycle.

Therefore it is necessary, a cleaning and refreshment method for household use and without a lingerie dip and cleansing and refreshment compositions for use to develop in this process, the process and the compositions lead to acceptable cleaning, without a drum dryer needed is.

It has now been unexpectedly discovered that cleaning, wrinkling and refreshing textiles that are only dry-cleanable, by controlling the temperature and relative humidity in a container while a cleaning and refreshing process in the house without immersion can be done. The present invention provides such methods for cleaning and freshening textiles.

Summary the invention

• a) das Textilstück wird in einen Behälter mit einer Öffnung und mindestens einer Wand gelegt, der einen Innenhohlraum definiert,
• b) die Temperatur und die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit im Innenraum des Behälters werden auf eine vorbestimmte erste Temperatur und auf eine vorbestimmte erste relative Feuchtigkeit für die Dauer einer vorbestimmten ersten Zeitspanne erhöht und
• c) mindestens die Temperatur oder die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit im Innenhohlraum des Behälters wird am Ende der ersten Zeitspanne auf eine vorbestimmte zweite Temperatur und eine vorbestimmte zweite relative Feuchtigkeit für die Dauer einer vorbestimmten zweiten Zeitspanne abgeändert.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for treating at least one textile article comprising the steps of pretreating the textile article with a pretreatment composition:

• a) the textile piece is placed in a container having an opening and at least one wall defining an internal cavity,
• b) the temperature and the relative humidity in the interior of the container are increased to a predetermined first temperature and to a predetermined first relative humidity for the duration of a predetermined first period of time and
• c) at least the temperature or the relative humidity in the inner cavity of the container is changed at the end of the first period of time to a predetermined second temperature and a predetermined second relative humidity for the duration of a predetermined second period of time.

at of this invention, the textiles are aqueous Composition brought into contact before, according to the defined Step a) into a container be placed.

According to one In another embodiment of this invention, steam is used to treat the Temperature and relative humidity in the internal cavity of the container to increase, preferably the ventilation opening always remains open. According to one further embodiment of the invention contains in the inner cavity of the container introduced Steam water and a perfume.

• a) das Textilstück wird in einen Behälter mit einer Öffnung und mindestens einer Wand gelegt, der einen Innenhohlraum definiert,
• b) Ozon wird dem Innenhohlraum für die Dauer einer vorbestimmten ersten Zeitspanne zugeleitet,
• c) mindestens die Temperatur oder die relative Luftfeuchtigkeit im Innenhohlraum des Behälters wird am Ende der ersten Zeitspanne auf eine vorbestimmte zweite Temperatur und eine vorbestimmte zweite relative Feuchtigkeit für die Dauer einer vorbestimmten zweiten Zeitspanne abgeändert.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for treating a textile article is specified with the following steps:

• a) the textile piece is placed in a container having an opening and at least one wall defining an internal cavity,
• b) ozone is supplied to the internal cavity for a predetermined first period of time,
• c) at least the temperature or the relative humidity in the inner cavity of the container is changed at the end of the first period of time to a predetermined second temperature and a predetermined second relative humidity for the duration of a predetermined second period of time.

The Ozone can be with an ozone source, such as an ultraviolet lamp or a high voltage source, generated in the inner cavity of the container become. Preferably, the content of ozone, which is provided in the container is, in the range of 0.5-200ppm, better in the range of 0.5-50ppm and even better in the range of 0.5-20ppm. Contents, which are under 0.5ppm are not preferred because they do not have enough bleaching performance and therefore not enough Work result of the performance associated with the bleaching property would result.

The The present invention achieves a better one over the known one Work result in that optimal process steps for cleaning and refreshing delicate textile pieces in a home without Immersion performed Be set operation. The methods of this invention may be used in any suitable container, for example, a plastic bag, wardrobe, a display case or a drum dryer.

in the Unlike the known methods, the methods according to this include Invention at least two specific steps, preferably three Steps. In surprising Way, it turned out that the optimal conditions for the Deodorization of a textile piece differ from those conditions that are best for crumpling are. Also, the perfume order on a piece of textile requires one third set of conditions for an optimal performance. In the multi-step method according to this Invention may be temperature, relative humidity or temperature and relative humidity are influenced and controlled. Further a process step may involve the introduction of ozone into the container, for the bad odors causing chemicals on the purified and refreshed textile pieces to neutralize.

Further The present invention provides a method for delivering an active Additive, for example perfumes, to the treated textiles in front. At the same time, the methods according to the invention reduce the output Steam quantity, so that these additives are not wasted. And finally are these processes are designed so that they release only so much vapor, as for the textile treatment process without the need for an additional, mechanical drying necessary is.

Full Description of the invention

The present invention proposes Procedure for the cleaning and freshening of textile pieces in one in the house without Immersion feasible Process before. The methods require at least two steps, preferably three steps. The procedures can in any suitable device accomplished which affects the temperature and relative humidity and can be controlled. According to one Another embodiment of this invention comprises one of the method steps the feeder from ozone to the container, around the odor-causing chemicals on the cleaned and refreshed textile pieces to neutralize.

A warm, humid environment in the tank volatilizes evil-smelling Components in the manner of a "steam distillation process" and moisten the Textiles and their soiling. The moistening of textiles can remove existing creases, and since the fabric pieces are hung in the container, can do not form new wrinkles. The right choice of steam quantity and in particular the amount of water used in the process and, what is important is the appropriate ventilation of the container in the present way can reduce the shrinkage of the textiles. When the container not ventilated will, can and the foul-smelling and, if necessary, volatiles evaporated from the textiles not collected by a filter materials in unwanted Way on the container deposit.

The Relative humidity is a well-known term for the textile expert. The term "relative humidity" refers to here The relationship the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor at the same temperature.

Temperature and relative humidity control devices and passive and active control devices are well known to those skilled in the art. An "active" control device here refers to a one which reads input data and returns data to the controlling device, the latter device making an adjustment based on the received data. A "passive" control device here refers to one that switches on or off a device or opens or closes a device due to a predetermined set value, such as time, for example, a passive temperature control device will turn on a heating element or close a vent to control the temperature in In contrast, an active temperature control device reads the temperature, and if, for example, the temperature is too low, the power of the heating element is increased or the ventilation opening is increased closed to raise the temperature.

method

Around the textile pieces To properly cleanse and refresh, many aspects of the look must be the textile pieces get noticed. In particular, the textile piece should be at least essentially free of odor and wrinkles after a cleaning and refreshment process. Often it is preferred to perfume the textile piece, to give it a pleasant smell, and the piece of cloth should be free from local stains. The methods according to this invention require at least two steps on the deodorization, wrinkling and / or the perfume order on a textile piece are directed. Further, a manual stain removal operation However, the stain removing operation is provided for the removal of local stains outside executed the device. The conditions for Each of these method steps will become more detailed below described.

While the Process steps according to this Invention can be carried out in any suitable order here the deodorization step is discussed as a first step. The Deodorization must be distinguished from odor masking the application of a pleasant fragrance to the masking Textile or covering the odors on the textile covers. Deodorization here includes the actual removal or neutralization the one bad Odor causing chemicals. If they cause the bad smell Components are removed or neutralized, the textile piece should be little or no have no residual odor. This process step can with ozone, the smells neutralized, or with high temperatures and ventilation and / or executed with a filtering are removed, removing the odor causing components become. The benefits of using ozone as a bleaching agent lie in that it provides overall satisfactory color security, in particular on cellulosic textiles, a reduction of malodors, a removal of stains and also ensures disinfection of the treated with ozone textile pieces.

Of the Deodorization step is here for convenience as first step described. It should be noted that the Deodorizing step and the Entcritterungsschritt in any Order executed can be. If a perfume order should take place, this necessarily the deodorization step follow, so the perfume not from the textile piece is stripped immediately after its deposition.

If Therefore, deodorization is the first step, should be the first Temperature at least about 45 ° C, preferably at least about 60 ° C, better still at least about 70 ° C, and the first relative humidity is at least about 20%. At these relatively high Temperatures will be the bad ones Odor causing chemicals stripped from the textiles and then preferably removed from the container by means of the ventilation. Even more is preferred, with the ventilation opening to provide a filter so that the odors do not flow outward into the Get around. If the first temperature and the first relative Moisture can be reached, the process time, namely the first period, for example in the range of 2-20 minutes, preferably about in the range 5-15 Minutes and better still in the range of 8-12 minutes.

The deodorization step described above may be supplemented or replaced with a treatment of the textiles with ozone, this step preferably being carried out at room temperature. The use of ozone to neutralize malodor chemicals and to disinfect clothing, such as medical clothing, is well known. In particular, the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 24 33 909 and the FR 2059 841 pointed. For the purposes of the methods of the present invention, the ozone from any suitable source, such as an ultraviolet lamp, may be supplied to the container. One or more sources of ozone may be used and located at any convenient location or near the exterior of the container. The ozone source can accordingly the container volume with respect to the surface area of the dimensioned to be cleaned and replenished textiles. The person skilled in the art knows which type and size of ozone source are necessary for use in a given container.

The second step of the present invention is directed to descaling, which requires a relatively high temperature and high relative humidity. Good air circulation is beneficial to the descaling step, but not necessary. For the second step, namely the descaling step, the second temperature should be less than "T" defined by the equation: T = 60 - (0.17 x RH ₂ ) where RH _{2 is} the second relative humidity in percent RH ₂ is preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 75%, even more preferably at least about 85%, and most preferably at least about 90% When the second temperature and the second relative humidity are reached, the process time, that is the second time period, approximately in the range of 2-20 minutes, preferably in the range of 5-15 minutes, and more preferably in the range of 8-12 minutes.

Finally there preferably a third step, a gradual one cooling down of the internal cavity. When the temperature decreases, the airborne amount of vapor in the air, and if the Air saturated is, the steam begins to condense. Of course, the condenses Steam on the textile pieces inside the bag, and when these fabrics dry, the active ingredients remain like perfume, back. As mentioned above was, the process steps of this invention are designed such that the active ingredients without excessive waste and without saturation textiles to the point where: she an extra Need drying. Preferably, during of the third process step, the temperature in the inner cavity a third temperature less than about 45 ° C, preferably less than about 40 ° C and even better less than about 35 ° C. This third step may take a third period of time, which is approximately in the range of 2-20 minutes, preferably in the range of 3-10 minutes and better approximately in the range of 3-5 Minutes.

As in more detail below discussed is, the steam is in the tank interior preferably a cleaning and refreshment composition. This can the container via a A film or a substrate, a cartridge or other suitable Directly fed to agents that is known in the art. Preferably the cleaning and refreshment composition is in a cartridge inserted into the internal cavity of the container, and the cleaning and refreshment composition is known from Cartridge released into the internal cavity of the container.

contraption

The methods according to this invention can be carried out in a suitable device. Such a device requires a container which essentially receives the textile pieces to be cleaned and refreshed. By the term "substantially accommodating" is meant that the fabric pieces are enclosed in the container but that the container can and preferably has one or more vents The container must have an opening for access of the fabric pieces and preferably a bar The garment hung in the treatment device may be weighted or stretched to improve anti-wrinkle reduction Weighting and stretching devices are well known to those skilled In the art, the garment to be treated is preferably mechanically stretched After being placed in the container and before the process begins, this stretching, or so-called tensioning of the garment, helps to eliminate wrinkles during the process Preferred stretching systems have weighted braces or even lightweight, cramped ones ne or retractable stretching systems, which have a tensioning means, such as a spring. The latter systems have the advantages that they add no additional weight to the cleaning and refreshing device and that adjustment of the clamping force and direction is possible as required. Preferably, these systems are attached to the bottom in the container interior. An example of such a system is a roller blind, which is commonly used as a sunscreen in cars and commercially available from Halfords. This system is a roller blind that can be pulled out or rolled up using a roll-up spring mechanism. Only a small modification of this system is required to adapt it to the tightening of clothing. A preferred adaptation comprises attaching the housing of this system to the bottom of the device and providing one or more clips on the other side so that the clinging and thus the stretching or tensioning of the clothing in the device can take place. The tensioning of the spring can also be adjusted to the desired tension for a given clothing. The size of the bracket can be changed so that more than one bracket is used in this system. According to a further modification, only one clamp is provided which is along or partially along the roller blind spannsystems, which is arranged on the other side of the system housing.

Of the container preferably has only one wall, which is formed like an egg shell is. It has been shown that the steam and therefore the active additives preferably in the corners and along the sharp edges of a more common, conical showcase condense. This does not mean that the procedures according to this Invention are not performed in rectangular shaped showcases can; you can it. But the less sharp edges and corners the showcase has, the more it is more effective. Therefore, showcases, wardrobes and clothing bags all suitable containers, but these devices do not normally have moisture control devices, and they also do not have the ability a multi-step process in terms of temperature and humidity to program. Therefore could an ordinary one Drum dryer with some additional Programming and control devices for the methods according to this Invention can be used.

In addition to the at least one wall, which determines an internal cavity, have the containers of this Invention preferably comprises: a ventilation opening and / or a filter, a heating element that liquids heat to produce steam and run dry to air heating can, a humidification device and an air circulation device, preferably a fan. The container is even better additionally an active temperature control device, the temperature of the air change in the inner cavity of the container and maintain a passive moisture control device, which change the relative humidity in the inner cavity of the container and can sustain, and / or a moisture reducing device, for example, a capacitor on. Even better is the air circulation device a fan, and the fan input is located in the inner cavity of the container, leaving at least one Part of the air in the inner cavity of the container re-circulated becomes. For optimal deodorization is the air speeds around the clothing in the range of 0.05-10m / s, better in the range of 0,1-5m / s and even better in the range of 0.5-2m / s. Further, it is preferable a filter in the outdoor area of the container or near it intended.

The Water and the active additives, these are the "cleaning and refreshment composition ", can the container be supplied in any suitable manner. The composition can be poured into the bag or into a storage container containing the Composition of the heating element or the humidifying device supplies; Canisters used for injection of the composition, or a saturated with the composition, absorbent substrate can be placed in the bag. substrates and compositions suitable for the methods of this invention are suitable will be described below in more detail described. It should be noted that the skilled person more Known method of adding active additives to the container, and these methods are included in the invention.

Cleaning or refreshment compositions

The Cleaning or refreshment composition preferably has Water and optionally a member selected from the group made of surfactants, perfumes, Preservatives, bleaches, additional cleaning agents, Intake-reducing compositions, organic solvents and mixtures thereof. The preferred organic solvents are glycol ethers, in particular methoxypropoxypropanol, ethoxypropoxypropanol, Propoxypropoxypropanol, butoxypropoxypropanol, butoxypropanol, ethanol, Isopropanol and mixtures thereof. The shrinking of textiles diminishing compositions intended for use in the present invention Invention are selected from the group which from ethylene glycol, all isomers of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, Hexanediols and mixtures thereof. Even better are those Shrinkage of textiles reducing compositions from Group selected, from neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1-octanol and mixtures thereof. The surfactant is preferably a nonionic surfactant, for example an ethoxylated alcohol or ethoxylated alkylphenol, and has the cleaning or refreshment composition a proportion of up to about 2% by weight. Typical cleaning or Refreshing compositions can here at least about 80 wt .-% water, preferably at least about 90% and more preferably at least about 95% water.

The examples below indicate specific ranges for the individual components of preferred cleaning or refreshment compositions for use in the invention. A more detailed description of the individual components of the cleaning or refreshment compositions, that is, the organic solvents, surfactants, perfumes, preservatives, bleaches, and additional cleaners, can be found in U.S. Patent 5,789,368, issued August 4, 1998 by the inventors You et al. In addition, cleaning or refreshment compositions are described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 789,171 filed January 24, 1997 in the name of Trinh et al. And shrinkage-reducing compositions for use in this invention are found in co-pending provisional U.S. Patent Application 60/097 596 entitled "Cleaning Compositions that Reduce Fabric Shrinkage" filed August 24, 1998 by Strang and Siklosi has been.

pretreatment composition

at This invention may include the cleaning or refreshment composition used for pretreatment of the textiles prior to their entry into the container as defined in step a) of the present invention is. This pretreatment of the textiles can actually be done after this statement very beneficial in the removal of dirt, such as horse dung, and also creamy or pasty Deodorantflecken are used, which in local places of the textile pieces, for example on clothing underarms, are glued. Furthermore, this has Pretreatment step in the improvement of deodorization and also in the Entknitterungsleistung the device on the treated Textiles proved to be advantageous. Therefore, a method for Treatment of textiles provided with a cleaning or Refreshing composition to be contacted before the Enter the textiles in the container after step a) takes place. Preferably, the contacting takes place in that the textiles by means of a hand spray bottle, the under the reference number 7292458 for 1000m1 and 7292457 for 500m1 commercially available from VEL, or by means of a Aerosol sprays, such as in the aluminum aerosol canisters with polyethylene coating and a pressure resistance of 18 bar by the Boxal Department the Algroup Wheaton can be purchased, sprayed. Suitable valves for the Canisters are aluminum cap spray valves from Seaquist. Preferably, the filling of the canister by means of a blowing agent is made by nitrogen at a pressure of 10 bar for the initial pressure filling, while the canisters with the pretreatment composition up to 60% of the Total canister volume filled become. A typical publication such a spray dispenser can be found in WO 96/04940 on page 19, line 21, to page 22, line 27, can be found. Alternatively, it can also be used for improved deodorizing performance Cyclodextrin, in particular β-cyclodextrin, like the β-hydroxypropylcyclodextrin or the β-methylated Cyclodextrin, to be used. For improved wrinkling may be a plasticizer, such as the D5 cyclomethicone Dow Corning or a diester quaternary ammonium composition, such as di (tallowyloxyethyl) dimethyl ammonium, in the cleaning or Refreshing composition can be used. Typical shares of such a cyclodextrin are in the range of 0.01-5 wt .-%, preferably 0.1-5 Wt .-%.

substratum

at an execution according to this Invention may be the cleaning or refreshment composition be absorbably absorbed in an absorption substrate, the hereinafter simply called "substrate" Contains substrate the composition can be triggered. The term "contains triggerable" means that the Composition from the substrate to the soiled textiles as Part of the cleaning and refreshing process of the textiles according to the invention delivered effectively. This triggering is done mainly by volatilize the composition due to the heat of Zusatzheizquelle.

The Substrate can be in any desired Form, for example as a powder, flakes, chips and like. However, it is highly preferred that the substrate be in the form of a integrated insert or foil to use that its structural Integrity during essentially maintains the process. The substrates and foils of this invention are sometimes referred to in the literature as "carrier" or "absorbent carrier sheets"; it was It should be noted that all of these terms refer to liquid absorbents refer to that for the convenient liquid transport can be used. Such substrates are described in US Pat. No. 5,789,368 to the inventors You et al in detail described. The production of these films forms no part of these Invention and is already disclosed in the literature, see for example US Pat. Nos. 5,009,747 to Viazmensky et al., Apr. 23, 1991, and US Pat 5,292,581 to Viazmensky et al, March 8, 1994.

The substrate should contain a sufficient amount of the cleaning or refreshment composition to be effective for its intended purpose. The capacity of the substrate for such a composition may change after the intended use. The size of the substrate should not be so large that it becomes unwieldy for the user. Typically, the dimensions of the substrate are sufficient to provide a macroscopic area (both sides of the substrate) of at least about 360 cm ² , preferably in the range of about 360-3000 cm ² . For example, a generally rectangular substrate may have dimensions (X direction) in the range of about 10-35 cm and (Y direction) in the range of about 18-45cm.

at a preferred embodiment according to this Invention, the substrate is either a dark material, or the substrate is with a dark material, for example with a black cloth, coated. It's commonly known, that dark materials are the heat better than white Absorb materials. Therefore, a dark material will absorb more heat and evaporate more of the cleaning or refreshment composition, if, for example, solar radiation is used as an additional heat source.

As discussed was, the substrate with a fibrous, preferably heat-resistant and better still hydrophobic cover sheet are covered, as described in US Patent 5 789,368 to You et al is. Further, in co-pending US Provisional Patent Application 60/077 556, the 11th of March In 1998, on behalf of Wise et al., Certain improvements were made the cover sheets of this invention. Suitable combinations the coversheets described by You et al with those of Wise et al described improvements according to the wishes used by the manufacturer, without the scope of the Is left invention.

Spot cleaning composition

Of the User of the method according to the invention can be supplied with various stain removal compositions used in the spot pretreatment process of this invention be used. These compositions are used to localize To remove stains from the treated fabrics, either before or after the cleaning and refreshment process according to the invention. Necessarily, the stain removal composition must comply with the treated textiles. That means that no significant amount of paint from the textile piece while the stain treatment are removed and the stain cleaning composition should leave no visible stains on the textile piece. Therefore are according to one preferred embodiment of this invention stain removal compositions provided that are essentially free of materials that are visible Residues on leave the treated textiles. That means of course that the preferred compositions are composed in such a way that they have the highest possible That they contain a maximum amount of volatilising material, preferably water, typically about 95%, preferably about 97.7%, and containing a content of surfactants in the range of about 0.1-0.7%. A preferred stain removal composition also contains a cleaning solvent, for example, butoxypropoxypropanol (BPP), with a low, however, effective level, typically in the range of about 1-4%, preferably at about 2%, lies.

preferred Stain removal methods and compositions are disclosed in US Pat 5,789,368. Furthermore, stain removal methods and compositions described in U.S. Patent 5,630,847, issued on May 1997 by Roetker has been.

treatment member

According to one execution A treatment limb is provided that helps in the removal of localized spots from the textiles helps. According to one preferred embodiment of this invention is the stain removal composition provided in a distributor, for example a bottle, and the distributor has a distal end which serves as a treatment member can serve. Further, the treatment member may be an absorbent base material have, for example, a natural or synthetic Sponge, an absorbent cellulose foil, an absorbent cellulose flap or the like. Many protrusions can be in contact with this Base material or assume this base material. Special Examples of the Treatment members can in U.S. Patent 5,789,368 to You et al.

receiving means for the absorbed dirt

Absorbent soil receiving means, sometimes referred to herein as a soil receiver, may optionally be used in the pretreatment spot removal operations. These dirt collectors may be any absorbent material which receives the liquid composition used in the pretreatment spot removal operation. Disposable towels, cloths such as BOUNTY ^™ towels, cloths, etc. may be used. However, the dirt collector is preferably designed such that it "extinguishes" or "pulls away" the liquid composition from the contaminated surface. A preferred type of Schmutzaufnehmers consists of a nonwoven cloth, in Another highly preferred type of stain receiver used herein comprises a polymeric foam which is a polymerized water-oil emulsion, sometimes called "poly-HIPE". The preparation of the polymer foam is very well described in the patent literature, see, for example, U.S. Patent 5,260,345 to DesMarais, Stone, Thompson, Young, LaVon and Dyer, published November 9, 1993, U.S. Patent 5,550,167 to DesMarais U.S. Patent 5,650,222 to DesMarais et al., issued July 22, 1997. Typical conditions for forming the polymeric foams of the present invention are described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application 09 / 042,418 An additional disclosure of the conditions for forming the polymeric foams for use in the present invention is provided in co-pending provisional US Pat Patent Application 60 / 077,955 issued March 13, 1998 to TA DesMarais et al under the title "Abrasion Resistant Polymeric Foam And Stain Rec eivers Made Therefrom "was registered.

The various dirt pickups described herein preferably have a liquid-impermeable backsheet on. The backsheet can be made of a thin example Layer made of polypropylene, polyethylene or the like be. The backsheet sees a protection for that area the stain removal composition to which the stain receiver rests. For example, the stain removal operations become typical on a hard surface, like a table surface, carried out. The dirt pick-up is placed on the table, and the one to be treated textile item is placed on the dirt pickup. The stain removal composition gets on the dirty surface of the textile piece applied and then eingeo conditions in the dirt receiver. But when Lack of a backsheet can leach the stain removal composition onto the table surface, which may be damaged.

The explain the following examples The invention further, but they should not limit the invention.

Example I

Two extra large Men's jackets, the cigarette smoke was exposed and the wrinkles following a standard procedure were on hangers suspended. The surfaces with most wrinkles were then pretreated with a hand spray, commercially available under the reference number 7292457 from Vel and contains the demineralized water, so that the wrinkles areas easily moistened but not soaked. These jackets were then hung on the inside of a plastic bag, the two coplanar, flat ends (top and bottom), the side walls being cylindrical and near the Middle slightly outward bent. For illustrative purposes only, the bag may be considered eggshell-shaped with the top and bottom cut away are. The container has a door to access the interior, and the door is by means of a zipper closed. A ventilation hole is near the bottom of the bag, but the vent remains closed, if there is ozone in the bag.

in the Inside the bag is a fan, an ultraviolet lamp, a heating element, a thermocouple and a receiving device for Picking up a cartridge containing a cleaning and refreshment composition contains. The receiving device is in fluid communication with the heating element. The cleaning and Refreshing composition has about 11-125 ml of a composition containing about 99% by weight of water and 1% by weight of perfume. After the cartridge in the receiving device is inserted, the door is closed.

An external on-off switch is turned on to start the textile refreshing process. Of the Switch is connected to a programmable microprocessor, which controls the multistep method. First, the ultraviolet lamp for the Generation of ozone switched on. The lamp stays for about 10 Minutes on. The fan can at choice during run this first step or not. In the execution of the second step, the temperature is raised to about 50 ° C, and the relative humidity is increased to a value the bigger than is about 95%. This is done by allowing the evaporated cleaning and refreshment composition. The fan is running during this second step, which takes about 7-12 minutes.

Finally, with the fan running, the heater is turned off and the bag interior cools naturally to about 45 ° C in less than 10 minutes. The fan will turn off automatically, and An indicator light signals the end of the procedure. The jackets are removed and are essentially wrinkle free, deodorized and ready to wear.

Example II

cleaning and refreshment compositions

While the Cleansing and refreshment compositions of this invention only water and perfume can contain can also additional Textile refreshment components are included. For example The cleaning and refreshment compositions will be according to this Invention for the use of the methods described here is composed as follows:

• * Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, available from ICI Surfactants.

additional, preferred compositions for the use in the methods according to this invention are as follows:

• * pH range about 6-8.

Example III

Stain removal compositions

A stain removal composition for use in the present invention, preferably in conjunction with a distributor discussed above and a TBAL or poly-HIPE foam stain receiver, is composed as follows: additive Anionic composition (%) hydrogen peroxide 1,000 Amino-tris (methylene phosphoric acid) 0.0400 Butoxypropoxypropanol (BPP) 2,000 NH ₄ -cocus-E ₁ S 0.285 Dodezyldimethylaminoxid 0.031 magnesium chloride 0,018 magnesium sulfate 0.019 Hydrotrope fabrics, perfume, other minerals 0,101 Kathon protectants 0.0003 Water (deionized or distilled) 96.5 Target pH 6.0

In order to reduce the strength of the aforementioned color loss, the H ₂ O ₂ -containing pretreatment spot compositions comprise the anionic or nonionic surfactant in a proportion (by weight of the composition) that is less than the proportion of H ₂ O ₂ . Preferably, the weight ratio of the H ₂ O ₂ surfactant is in the range of about 1:10 to about 1: 1.5, more preferably in the range of about 1: 4 to about 1: 3.

Claims (12)

A method of treating a fabric comprising the steps of: a) placing the fabric in a container having an opening and at least one wall defining an interior cavity; b) the temperature and relative humidity in the interior of the container are adjusted to a predetermined first temperature and temperature increased to a predetermined first relative humidity for the duration of a predetermined first period of time, wherein the first temperature is at least 45 ° C, preferably at least 60 ° C and more preferably at least 70 ° C and the first relative humidity at least 20%, preferably at least 50% and the first period of time is in the range of 2-20 minutes, preferably in the range of 5-15 minutes, and more preferably in the range of 8-12 minutes, and ozone is introduced into the internal cavity during a first time period, c) at least the temperature or the relative humidity in the inner cavity of the container is at the end of the first Zeitspa changed to a predetermined second temperature and / or a predetermined second relative humidity for a predetermined second period of time, the second temperature T being less than defined by the following equation: T = 60 - (0.17 x RH ₂ RH _{2 is} the second relative humidity in percent, RH _{2 is} at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 85%, and more preferably at least 90%, and the second time period is in the range of 2-20 minutes, preferably in the range of 5-15 minutes, and more preferably in the range of 8-12 minutes, wherein the fabric is contacted with a pretreatment composition before being placed in the container after step a), and the pretreatment composition is an aqueous solution of cyclodextrins , a cyclomethicone or diester quaternary ammonium compounds. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that contacting by spraying he follows. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the steam is increasing the temperature and relative humidity in the internal cavity of the container is used. Method according to claim 1, characterized by following, further step: it is allowed that the temperature in the inner cavity sinks to a third temperature, the lower as about 45 ° C, preferably less than 40 ° C and even better less than about 35 ° C. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the steam introduced into the internal cavity of the container Water and a perfume is. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the ozone generated by means of an ozone source in the inner cavity of the container becomes. Method according to Claim 6, characterized that the ozone source is an ultraviolet lamp. Method according to Claim 6, characterized ozone has advantages in terms of treated textiles, These benefits are aimed at reducing or avoiding unpleasant odors stain removal, disinfection and mixtures thereof. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that has a cleaning and refreshment composition Cartridge is inserted into the inner cavity of the container and the Cleaning and refreshment composition from the cartridge in the internal cavity of the container is released. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the container has a filter. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that that the filter is located in the immediate vicinity of the fan. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized that the clothing stretched or stretched before the beginning of the cycle is, preferably by means of one or more stretching devices.