Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
  • C11D3/0094—High foaming compositions
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
  • C11D1/65—Mixtures of anionic with cationic compounds
  • C11D1/652—Mixtures of anionic compounds with carboxylic amides or alkylol amides
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/86—Mixtures of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
  • C11D17/0043—For use with aerosol devices
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
  • C11D17/04—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties combined with or containing other objects
  • C11D17/048—Soap or detergent bars or cakes with an inner core consisting of insoluble material
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
  • C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
  • C11D3/2003—Alcohols; Phenols
  • C11D3/2041—Dihydric alcohols
  • C11D3/2044—Dihydric alcohols linear
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
  • C11D3/36—Organic compounds containing phosphorus
  • C11D3/361—Phosphonates, phosphinates or phosphonites
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
  • C11D3/16—Organic compounds
  • C11D3/38—Products with no well-defined composition, e.g. natural products
  • C11D3/386—Preparations containing enzymes, e.g. protease or amylase
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
  • C11D1/04—Carboxylic acids or salts thereof
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
  • C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
  • C11D1/14—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons or mono-alcohols
  • C11D1/146—Sulfuric acid esters
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
  • C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
  • C11D1/29—Sulfates of polyoxyalkylene ethers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
  • C11D1/52—Carboxylic amides, alkylolamides or imides or their condensation products with alkylene oxides
  • C11D1/525—Carboxylic amides (R1-CO-NR2R3), where R1, R2 or R3 contain two or more hydroxy groups per alkyl group, e.g. R3 being a reducing sugar rest
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
  • C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
  • C11D1/72—Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
  • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
  • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
  • C11D2111/40—Specific cleaning or washing processes
  • C11D2111/42—Application of foam or a temporary coating on the surface to be cleaned

Definitions

• a solution usually an aqueous solution of active materials.
• the solution soaks the fabrics thereby delivering the active materials to the fibre surface.
• Suitable solutions, or washing liquors are often prepared by dissolving granular detergent products in water, or alternatively by dissolving liquid detergent in water.
• washing machines in common use in Western Europe provide a dispensing drawer which is specifically intended to mix detergent active products, either granular or liquid, with water.
• the mixture or solution is then delivered into a drum which contains the washing load (i.e. the textile fabrics).
• This method of delivery has been still further improved by the use of dispensing devices which can be filled with detergent active products and then loaded directly into the drum with the washing load.
• the high local concentrations of active materials gives the so-called "heart-of-the-wash" effect.
• impregnated sheets may be used to clean or condition fabrics if the impregnating materials include cleaning or conditioning agents.
• the present invention offers a significant discontinuity in the method of delivering detergent active materials at the fibre surface. Furthermore, the present invention offers a means of delivering high concentrations of detergent active materials to all parts of the textile fabric, and not simply to local areas of the fabric, as in the case of pretreatment. This, in turn, leads to a highly efficient process of cleaning and conditioning textile fabrics resulting in a reduced requirement for detergent active ingredients giving lower costs, lower energy requirements and environmental benefits.
• US-A 4 118 189 describes a method of washing textiles with a foamed detergent solution.
• the aqueous solution contains from 10 to 50 grams per litre of cleaning composition (from about 1% to about 5% by weight of "active" cleaning components in aqueous solution).
• the foam is formed by providing a source of compressed air which is blown into the aqueous solution, the foam is then contacted with the textiles. After collapse of the foam it is recycled by further applications of compressed air at least five times.
• compositions similar to '377 patent The surfactant level (anionic + nonionic + soap) is preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the composition.
• the present invention aims to provide a foamed detergent composition for effectively cleaning textiles.
• a method of cleaning textiles is also provided for delivering detergent active materials on to the textile fabrics in the form of a high active foam.
• the foam comprises at least 18% by weight of anionic and/or nonionic surfactant and has a very high volume for a given weight of detergent active material due to the large amount of gas which is trapped within it.
• the foam also has a very high surface area for a given weight of detergent active material which enables the surfaces of the textile fabric to be covered by the foam thereby delivering a concentrated detergent material uniformly over the fabric and directly to the fabric surface.
• the invention relates to a foam composition for cleaning textiles comprising detergent active components, including a surfactant system.
• the surfactant system consists of anionic surfactant and, optionally, nonionic surfactant, at a level of at least 18% by weight of the foam composition.
• anionic and nonionic surfactants are present in the surfactant system of the foam.
• Most useful foams have a density of less than 100 grams per litre, preferably less than 50 grams per litre.
• Preferred surfactants for use in the foam compositions are alkyl sulphate, alkyl ether sulphate, or mixtures thereof, at a level of at least 18% by weight of the composition.
• Surfactants may advantageously be present at levels of at least 25%, preferably at least 50% by weight. Where nonionic surfactants are used they may advantageously be present at levels of at least 20% by weight.
• the foam composition comprises less that 50%, preferably less that 30%, more preferably less than 10% by weight of water.
• Another aspect of the invention is a method of cleaning textiles by foam having a composition as described above.
• the foam is distributed over the textiles and preferably the ratio of water present to dry fabric is less than 1:1, preferably less than 2:3, and more preferably less than 1:2.
• the foam may be distributed over the surface of the textiles manually (i.e. "handwash") or alternatively by mechanical means, any foam or foam residue on the textiles subsequently being substantially removed by application of vacuum, by blowing a gas, or by rinsing.
• the mechanical means is provided by the rotating action of a washing machine (i.e. "machine wash”).
• a third aspect of the invention is a packaged product comprising
• the packaged product delivers foam compositions as described above.
• a preferred method of cleaning textile fabrics according to the present invention is by handwashing using a foam comprising detergent active materials.
• the method comprises the first step of delivering the foam over the whole surface of the textile fabric and, preferably allowing time to soak so that the concentrated detergent may act at the fibre surface.
• water may be added to give a more dilute detergent solution in which the washing process may be continued.
• the textile fabrics may finally be rinsed in clean water.
• This aspect of the invention offers particular benefits for delicate textile fabrics such as those made from wool or silk.
• the foam delivers detergent active materials to the fibre surface without the need for soaking in water.
• An alternative method of cleaning textile fabrics according to the present invention is by adding a foam comprising detergent active materials to the textile fabrics in a conventional washing machine.
• the method comprises the first step of delivering the foam over the whole surface of the textile fabric and, preferably allowing time to soak so that the concentrated detergent may act at the fibre surface.
• the foam may be effectively distributed over the surface of the textile fabric by agitation, for example by the tumbling action of the machine drum.
• water may be added to give a more dilute detergent solution in which the washing process may be continued.
• the cleaning process is highly efficient due to the mechanical work input of the washing machine effectively and rapidly distributing the foam over the whole surface of the textile fabrics. As a result lower washing temperatures and shorter cycles are possible with corresponding benefits of low energy use.
• the present invention is also concerned with a packaged product for delivering a foam comprising detergent active materials to textile fabrics.
• the means comprises a sealed container having a nozzle which can be activated by the consumer.
• the container comprises a detergent active material and a compressed propellant gas.
• the propellant forces the detergent active material out of the sealed container.
• the propellant expands to form a myriad of gas bubbles in a foam.
• the packaged product comprises an aerosol container.
• Textile fabrics are any materials made from cloth, including garments such as shirts, blouses, socks, skirts, trousers, jackets, underwear etc, and also including tablecloths, towels, curtains etc.
• the definition of textile fabrics as used herein does not include carpets and similar floor coverings.
• Textile fabrics which are to be used in the present invention are commonly made by weaving or knitting. Many different fibres may be used to produce woven, knitted or other types of textile fabric including synthetic fibres (such as polyester, polyamide, etc.) and natural fibres from plants (such as cotton, hemp) and from animals (such as wool, angora, silk). Blends of different fibres are also commonly used.
• synthetic fibres such as polyester, polyamide, etc.
• natural fibres such as cotton, hemp
• animals such as wool, angora, silk
• Foam is a coarse dispersion of gas in a relatively small amount of liquid.
• the foams of the present invention are a continuous liquid phase comprising a detergent composition, and a dispersed phase comprising a gas.
• the gas "bubbles" of the dispersed phase can vary in size from 50 micrometers to several millimetres.
• the quality of the foam is determined by assessing various foam quality attributes, such as: 1) the appearance of the foam as it is determined by the uniformity of the bubble size distribution, as well as by the actual bubble sizes, wherein small and uniformly sized bubbles are generally preferred; 2) the thickness of the foam as it is determined by the apparent foam viscosity, wherein a greater apparent foam viscosity is generally preferred; 3) the density of the foam which is preferably less than 100 g/l, more preferably less than 50g/l, even more preferably less than 20 g/l, and most preferably less than 10 g/l; and 4) the drainage of the liquid from the foam upon standing, wherein lack of drainage of the liquid is generally preferred.
• various foam quality attributes such as: 1) the appearance of the foam as it is determined by the uniformity of the bubble size distribution, as well as by the actual bubble sizes, wherein small and uniformly sized bubbles are generally preferred; 2) the thickness of the foam as it is determined by the apparent foam viscosity, wherein a greater apparent foam visco
• the surfactant system of the present invention consists of anionic surfactant and, optionally, nonionic surfactant.
• anionic surfactant and, optionally, nonionic surfactant.
• nonionic surfactant included cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, which when used, are preferably incorporated at levels of less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 1% by weight, and most preferably excluded.
• Anionic surfactants useful in the present invention include the conventional C11-18 alkyl benzene sulphonates ("LAS") and primary, branched chain and random C10-20 alkyl sulphates (“AS”), the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulphates of the formula CH3 (CH2) x (CHOSO3 ⁇ M+) CH3 and CH3 (CH2) y (CHOSO3 ⁇ M+) CH2CH3 where x and (y+1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-solubilising cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulphates such as oleyl sulphate, the C10-18 alkyl alkoxy sulphates ("AExS”; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulphates), C10-18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates), the C10-18 glycerol ethers, the C10-18 alkyl polyglycoside
• C10-C20 conventional soaps may also be used, preferred are the branched chain C10-C16 soaps.
• Suitable nonionic surfactants include the C12-18 alkyl ethoxylates ("AE") including the so-called narrow peaked alkyl ethoxylates and C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy), as well as C10-C18 N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides such as C12-18 N-methylglucamides (as described in WO9206154).
• AE alkyl ethoxylates
• C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy
• C10-C18 N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides such as C12-18 N-methylglucamides (as described in WO9206154).
• sugar-derived surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C10-C18 N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. Further details of suitable detergent components may be found in standard texts, such as A. Davidsohn and B.M. Mildwidsky, Synthetic Detergents , John Wiley & Sons, 6th edition, 1978 which discloses general detergency teachings.
• the foam of the present invention is much more concentrated and comprises less water than conventional suds.
• Foam comprises less than 90%, preferably less than 75%, more preferably less than 50%, even more preferably less than 30%, and most preferably less than 15% by weight of water.
• the foam of the present invention comprises at least 18% by weight, preferably at least 25% by weight, and more preferably at least 50% by weight of a surfactant system. Most preferred foams for use as cleaning compositions comprise at least 18% by weight of anionic surfactant.
• suds which are formed in conventional washing process when detergents are diluted prior to washing, are formed from quite dilute solutions typically 100g of product in 10 litres of water.
• the result is a wash liquor which comprises about 99% by weight of water.
• a layer of suds may form on the surface of the wash liquor, the composition of the suds being similar to that of the wash liquor itself.
• the surfactant content of the suds will normally be much less than 1%, typically less than 0.3%. Consequently the difference between the foam of the present invention and the suds of a conventional washing process will be understood.
• suds are often considered undesirable in the washing process and antisuds agents are often employed to reduce or control them.
• the solution of detergent active agents is the medium of transport of the actives to the fibre surface
• the presence of suds can diminish washing performance. This is because the detergent actives which are in the suds are no longer dissolved in the washing liquor itself, and are not therefore efficiently transported to the fibre surface.
• the foam of the present invention is the essential medium of the washing process.
• it is intended that it is the foam itself that delivers the detergent active agents uniformly over the fibres, and not, as in conventional washing processes, an aqueous solution of the actives.
• this does not exclude the step of presoaking the textile fabrics prior to the treatment with the foam from the present invention. It is preferred that no additional water is added to the textile fibres and foam, at least during the step of the method in which the foam is uniformly distributed over the textile fabrics.
• the method of the present invention may be used to wash textile fabrics by hand (referred to herein as "handwash”).
• handwash The foam is dispensed onto or around the textile fabrics to be washed, and then the foam is thoroughly distributed over the textile fabrics, if necessary, by agitating the textile fabrics and foam by hand. It is believed that the high surface area of the foam enables the active ingredients to be well-distributed over the surface of the textile fabrics. Furthermore it is believed that the intimate proximity of the active, non-diluted foam to the textile fabrics promotes excellent cleaning.
• the textile fabrics may be left to soak in the foam for anything up to several days, or even weeks. However it is preferred that the soaking time is between 1 minute and 24 hours, preferably between 5 minutes and 4 hours.
• any foam residue may subsequently be removed from the textile fabrics.
• the residue may be rinsed out using clean water or it may be removed from the textile fabrics by applying a vacuum.
• the method of the present invention is particularly well-suited to hand washing of delicate textile fabrics.
• textile fabrics comprising high levels of wool or silk may be advantageously treated in this way.
• One particular benefit is a marked reduction in local fabric damage which may occur when conventional laundry processes are used.
• the detergent composition In conventional laundry processes the detergent composition, the soiled textile fabrics and water are all brought together in a suitable container.
• At the beginning of the process there are very high local concentrations of active ingredients as they begin to dissolve in the water, but before they have been homogeneously distributed in the water.
• Such high local concentrations in solution if they happen to be present on or close to the fabric can cause local fabric damage. This is especially true in the case of high local concentrations of bleaching agents and optical brighteners in solution.
• This type of local fabric damage is avoided according to the method of the present invention. Because all of the active ingredients are uniformly distributed throughout the large volume of the foam there are no local concentrations of active materials which might cause fabric damage.
• a typical handwash composition will comprise some or all of the following components : surfactants (anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic), detergent builders and chelating agents, soil release polymers, optical brightener, dye transfer inhibition polymer, perfume, enzymes, colorants.
• surfactants are preferably present at a level of from 18% to 90% by weight of the composition, preferably 25% to 80% of the composition, more preferably from 30% to 50% by weight of the composition.
• Detergent builders such as fatty acids, citric acid, succinic acid, phosphate, zeolite are preferably present at a level of from 10% to 82% by weight of the composition, preferably 10% to 50% of the composition, more preferably from 12% to 20% by weight of the composition.
• Chelating agent such as phosphonate are preferably present at a level of from 0% to 5%, more preferably from 0.1% to 3% by weight of the composition.
• the method of the present invention may be used to wash textile fabrics in a conventional washing machine (referred to herein as "machine wash”).
• machine wash a washing machine
• the foam of the present invention is simply dispensed into the drum of the washing machine either before or after the soiled textile fabrics have been loaded.
• washing machines have automatic washing cycles, and many of these cycles start by the addition of water into the machine drum.
• the concentrated foam it is necessary for the concentrated foam to be thoroughly dispersed over the textile fabrics without being dissolved in solution.
• a washing machine with a washing cycle in which the drum is rotated several times (thereby distributing the foam) before any water is added.
• this does not exclude the step of presoaking the textile fabrics prior to the treatment with the foam from the present invention.
• the wash cycle may be completed by any combination of washing, rinsing, conditioning and/or drying steps, during any one of which additional wash or rinse additives may be introduced into the machine drum.
• compositions suitable for machine wash foams are similar to those described above for handwash foams.
• the packaged product comprises a sealed container, such as an essentially cylindrical bottle, having a dispensing means such as a nozzle.
• the container contains the detergent composition and a compressed gas and may be made from any material, especially aluminium, tin-plate, plastics including PET, OPP, PE or polyamide and including mixtures, laminates or other combinations of these.
• Foam is dispensed when the nozzle is activated and the detergent is released together with the gas.
• the gas acts as a propellant and expands to form many "bubbles" within the detergent composition thereby creating the foam.
• Preferred gases include fluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, H-chlorofluorocarbons, alkanes such as methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane as well as nitrogen and nitrous oxides, ammonia and derivatives, air, dimethyl ether and mixtures of these.
• the gas may be pressurised at the time of packing.
• the product may be physically separated from a compressed gas by a membrane such as rubber under tension.
• a means for pressurising the gas subsequently by mechanical action may be provided (so-called "pump and spray” systems).
• Any nozzle or nozzle / valve assembly which provides a means for releasing the mixture of detergent ingredients from the container and provides a foam is suitable for use in the present invention.
• the Precision Valve Company (Valve Précision in France) supplies a range of nozzle assemblies for various applications including shaving foams, beauty care applications and carpet cleaners under various trade names including City®, Montego®, Power Jet®, Vulcan® and Visco®. Nozzles which disperse the foam both horizontally and vertically (when the container is held upright) are available. Metering nozzles which dispense a predetermined amount of foam are also available and useful in the present invention. Metering nozzles are disclosed in WO9108965 (Precision Valve Co) and EP-A 616 953 (3M Co).
• a vertical dispensing nozzle In order for the apparatus to be effective in the method of the present invention it should deliver the foam at a rate of at least 3g per second of foam from the sealed container, more preferably at a rate of at least 10 g per second, and most preferably at a rate of at least 20 g per second.
• a liquid handwash product was prepared according to Example 1. 510 grams of the product was packed into metal containers, each container having a nominal capacity of 600 cubic centimeters. 90 grams of gas was then added, and each container was sealed resulting in an internal pressure of about 2.2 bar. The gas used was a mixture of propane and butane (in equal parts). When 40 grams of the product was released by activating a nozzle at the end of the container, a foam was formed having a volume of about 4 litres.
• the method of cleaning described in example 1 was repeated with 0.76% of enzymes added to the composition.
• the enzymes were a mixed "cocktail" of protease (0.22%), alcalase (0.22%), lipase (0.22%) and cellulase (0.1%).
• Example 3 The product of Example 3 was packed into metal containers with a propellant.
• the propellant was a fluorocarbon (134a) in the ratio of 9 parts product to 1 part propellant.
• the method of cleaning described in Examples 1 and 2 was repeated using the composition of Example 3 delivered from the package as a foam.
• a typical domestic laundry load was washed in a MIELE® washing machine using a commercially available detergent composition.
• the composition used was ARIEL® liquid detergent manufactured by Procter and Gamble. 510 grams of the composition was packed into metal containers, each container having a nominal capacity of 600 cubic centimeters. 90 grams of gas was then added, and each container was sealed resulting in an internal pressure of about 2.2 bar. The gas used was a mixture of propane and butane (in equal parts). 40 grams of the product was released from the container in the form of a foam directly into the machine drum containing the laundry load. A prewash cycle without additional water was run to distribute the foam over the fabrics of the laundry load. Water was then added in the main wash cycle, and the foam was dissolved. At the end of the main wash, rinse and drying cycles, excellent cleaning results were obtained.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Emergency Medicine (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)
• Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
• Chemical Or Physical Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)

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• 1994
  • 1994-12-05 AT AT94870189T patent/ATE242309T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
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  • 1994-12-05 ES ES94870189T patent/ES2199952T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
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• 1995
  • 1995-03-10 JP JP7525695A patent/JPH09511272A/ja active Pending
  • 1995-03-10 HU HU9602659A patent/HUT75204A/hu unknown
  • 1995-03-10 CN CN95193214A patent/CN1105169C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1995-03-10 WO PCT/US1995/002781 patent/WO1995027026A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1995-03-10 BR BR9507336A patent/BR9507336A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1995-03-10 AU AU21162/95A patent/AU2116295A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-03-10 CZ CZ962866A patent/CZ286696A3/cs unknown
  • 1995-03-28 MA MA23817A patent/MA23488A1/fr unknown
  • 1995-03-29 PE PE1995265235A patent/PE44695A1/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1995-03-30 TR TR00351/95A patent/TR28672A/xx unknown
• 1996
  • 1996-09-27 FI FI963875A patent/FI963875A0/fi not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1996-09-27 NO NO964069A patent/NO964069D0/no unknown

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