EP0817878A1 - Enveloppe pour nettoyage a sec - Google Patents

Enveloppe pour nettoyage a sec

Info

Publication number
EP0817878A1
EP0817878A1 EP96910357A EP96910357A EP0817878A1 EP 0817878 A1 EP0817878 A1 EP 0817878A1 EP 96910357 A EP96910357 A EP 96910357A EP 96910357 A EP96910357 A EP 96910357A EP 0817878 A1 EP0817878 A1 EP 0817878A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
cleaning
die
cleamng
bag
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96910357A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Peter Siklosi
Bruce Albert Yeazell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP0817878A1 publication Critical patent/EP0817878A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F43/00—Dry-cleaning apparatus or methods using volatile solvents

Definitions

  • dry cleaning has been used to describe processes for cleaning textiles using nonaqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old art, with solvent cleaning first being recorded in the United Kingdom in the 1860's. Typically, dry cleaning processes are used with garments such as woolens which are subject to shrinkage in aqueous laundering baths, or which are judged to be too valuable or too delicate to subject to aqueous laundering processes. Various hydrocarbon and halocarbon solvents have traditionally been used in immersion dry cleaning processes, and the need to handle and reclaim such solvents has mainly restricted the practice of conventional dry cleaning to commercial establishments.
  • dry cleaning removes undesirable odors and extraneous matter such as hair and lint from garments, which are then generally folded or pressed to remove wrinkles and restore their original shape.
  • refreshment benefits are also afforded by aqueous laundering processes.
  • the containers herein provide an additional performance benefit over p ⁇ or art processes As desc ⁇ bed in the art.
  • Dry cleamng processes are disclosed in EP 429.172A1. published 29 05 91. Leigh, et al and in U S 5,238,587, issued 8/24/93, Smith, et al Other references relaung to dry cleamng composiuons and processes, as well as wnnkle treatments for fab ⁇ cs, include GB 1,598,911, and U S Patents 4,126,563, 3,949,137, 3,593,544, 3.647,354.
  • the present invenuon encompasses a container for use in dry cleamng fab ⁇ cs. compnsing walls having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces of said walls having releasabh deposited thereon an effecUve amount of a cleamng composiuon
  • the container herein preferably also compnses a closure means and a sealing means
  • the container is a flexible bag
  • the container herein can have the cleamng composiuon deposited on the inner surface of die walls in a conunuous layer, or intermittently
  • the invenuon provides a container wherein the cleamng composiuon compnses
  • the cleaning composition is releasably affixed to the inner surface of one or more of the wails of the container.
  • the container is preferably in the form of a sealable, flexible plastic bag.
  • the invention also encompasses a process for cleaning fabrics, comprising placing said fabrics within a container as described above and agitating said container, whereby said fabrics come in contact with the cleaning composition.
  • a process for cleaning fabrics comprising placing said fabrics within a container as described above and agitating said container, whereby said fabrics come in contact with the cleaning composition.
  • Such process is conveniently conducted in a tumbling apparatus, such as a hot air clothes dryer or a washing machine having a horizontally mounted rotatable drum.
  • Heat is preferably used during the process, as disclosed more fully, hereinafter.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective of a flexible plastic bag according to the present invention in a pre- folded configuration.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective of the bag shown in Figure 1 in folded configuration.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective similar to Figure 1 of an alternate embodiment showing a striped pattern of cleaning composiuon according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective of the bag shown in Figure 3 in folded configuration.
  • the chemical compositions which are used to provide the cleaning function in the present dry cleaning process comprise ingredients which are safe and effective for their intended use. Since the process herein does not involve an aqueous rinse step, the cleaning compositions employ ingredients which do not leave undesirable residues on fabrics when employed in the manner disclosed herein. Moreover, since the process may be carried out in a hot air clothes dryer, the compositions contain only ingredients whose flash points render them safe for such use.
  • the cleaning compositions contain water, since water not only aids in the cleaning function, but also can help remove wrinkles and restore fabric drape and appearance, especially in hot air dryers. While conventional laundry detergents are typically formulated to provide good cleaning on cotton and cotton/polyester blend fabrics, the cleaning compositions herein must be formulated to safely and effectively clean and refresh fabrics such as wool, silk, rayon, rayon acetate. and the like.
  • the cleaning compositions herein comprise ingredients which are specially selected and formulated to minimize dye removal from the fabrics being cleaned.
  • the solvents typically used in immersion dry cleamng processes can remove some portion of certain types of dyes from certain types of fabncs
  • such removal is tolerable in immersion processes since the dye is removed relauvely uniformly across the surface of the fabnc
  • high concentrauons of certain types of cleamng ingredients at specific sites on fabnc surfaces can result in unacceptable localized dye removal
  • the prefe ⁇ ed cleamng composiuons herein are formulated to minimize or avoid this problem
  • the dye removal attnbutes of the present cleamng composiuons can be compared with art- disclosed cleaners using photographic or photometnc measurements, or by means of a simple, but effecUve, visual grading test
  • Nume ⁇ cal score units can be assigned to assist in visual grading and to allow for staUstical treatment of the data, if desired
  • a colored garment typically, silk which tends to be more suscepttble to dye loss than woolen or rayon fab ⁇ cs
  • padding-on cleaner using an absorbent
  • white paper hand towel Hand pressure is applied, and the amount of dye which is transfened onto the white towel is assessed visually
  • Nume ⁇ cal units ranging from (1) "I think I see a little dye on the towel", (2) "I know I see some dye on the towel”, (3) I see a lot of dye on the towel”, through (4) "I know I see qmte a lot of dye on the towel” are assigned by panelists
  • Solvent - The composiuons will compnse at least about 4%, typically from about 5% to about 25%, by weight, of organic solvent
  • the objecuve is to provide at least about 04 g, preferably from about 0 5 g to about 2 5 g, of solvent per kg of fab ⁇ cs being cleaned
  • Emulsifier - The composiuons will compnse sufficient emulsifier to provide a stable, homogeneous composiuon compnsing components (a), (b) and (d)
  • levels as low as 0 05%, preferably 007% to about 0 20%. by weight are quite sa ⁇ sfactory If less efficient emulsifiers are used levels up to about 2%, by weight, can be used, but may leave some nouceable residues on the fab ⁇ cs
  • Opuonals may compnse va ⁇ ous opUonal ingredients, including perfumes, convenuonal surfactants, earners and the like If used such opuonal ingredients will typically compnse from about 0 1% to about 10%. by weight, of the composiuons, having due regard for residues on the cleaned fab ⁇ cs
  • OD 1.2-octaned ⁇ ol
  • BPP butoxy propoxy propanol
  • BPP is outstanding for cleamng, and is so effecUve that it allows the amount of the relauvely expensive 1,2-octaned ⁇ ol to be minimized Moreover, it allows for the formulauon of effecUve cleamng composiuons herein without the use of convenUonal surfactants
  • the odor of BPP is of a degree and character that it can be relauvely easily masked by convenUonal perfume ingredients While BPP is not completely nuscible with water and hence, could negaUvely impact processing of the cleamng composiuons herein, that potenual problem has been successfully overcome by means of the PEMULEN-type polyacrylate emulsifiers, as disclosed hereinafter
  • the BPP solvent used herein is preferably a mixture of the aforesaid isomers
  • the cleamng composiuons compnse a mixture of the 1,2-octaned ⁇ oI and BPP, at a weight rauo of OD BPP in the range of from about 1 250 to about 2 1, preferably from about 1 200 to about 1 5
  • PEMULEN polymenc emulsifiers are high molecular weight polyacrylic acid polymers
  • the structure of PEMULEN includes a small portion that is oil- loving ( pophilic) and a large water-loving (hydrophi c) portion
  • the structure allows PEMULEN to function as a pnmary oil-in-water emulsifier
  • the hpophilic portion adsorbs at the oil-water interface and the hydrophihc portion swells in the water forming a network around the oil droplets to provide emulsion stability
  • An important advantage for the use of such polyacrylate emulsifiers herein is that cleamng composiuons can be prepared which contain solvents or levels of solvents that are otherwise not soluble or readily miscible with water A further
  • the cleamng composiuons herein may compnse vanous opuonal ingredients, such as perfumes, preservauves, co- solvents, b ⁇ ghteners. salts for viscosity control, pH adjusters or buffers, anu-stauc agents, softeners, colorants, mothproofing agents, insect repellents and the like
  • cleamng composiuons herein funcuon quite well with only the 1.2-octaned ⁇ ol, BPP PEMULEN and water, they may also opuonally contain detersive surfactants to further enhance their cleamng performance While a wide vanety of detersive surfactants such as the C j % ⁇ Ci6 alkyl sulfates and alkylbenzene sulfonates, the Ci2-C j 6 ethoxylated (EO 0 5-10 avg ) alcohols, the Ci2"Ci4 N-methyl glucamides, and the like can be used herein, it is highly prefened to use surfactants which provide high grease/oil removal Included among such prefened surfactants are the Cj2-Cj6 alkyl ethoxy sulfates (AES), especially in their magnesium salt form, and the dimethyl amine oxides An especially prefened mixture compnses MgAEi S/MgAEg 5
  • Container - The present cleamng process is conducted using a flexible container
  • the fabncs to be cleaned are placed within the container/cleaning composiuon article, and the container is agitated, thereby providing contact between the cleamng composiuon and the surfaces of the fabncs
  • the container used herein can be provided in any number of configurauons. and is conveniently in the form of a flexible pouch, or "bag", which has sufficient volume to contain the fabncs being cleaned
  • Suitable containers can be manufactured from any economical mate ⁇ al. such as polyester, polypropylene, and the like, with the proviso that it must not melt if used in contact with hot dryer air It is prefened that the walls of the container be substanually impermeable to water vapor and solvent vapor under the intended usage condiuons It is also prefened that such containers be provided with a sealing means which is sufficiently stable to remain closed du ⁇ ng the cleamng process Simple Ue stnngs or wires, vanous snap closures such as ZIP LOK® closures, and VELCRO®-type closures, contact adhesive, adhesive tape, zipper-type closures, and the like suffice
  • the container can be of any convement size, and should be sufficiently large to allow tumbling of the container and fabncs therein
  • the cleaning compositions can be applied to the internal surfaces of the containers herein by any convenient means, including, but not limited to, rinsing, spraying, dipping, and the like.
  • a flexible sheet of bag material is coated with the cleaning composition, excess composition is removed by a doctor blade, and the sheet is folded and sealed to provide the container article of the present type having the cleaning composition as a substantially continuous coating on all or any selected parts of its inner surfaces.
  • the cleaning composition is applied to all or any selected parts of the sheet in an intermittent pattern, e.g.. as stripes, dots, figures, or the like. Again, the sheet is folded to provide a bag having the cleaning composition in whatever intermittent pattern has been selected.
  • the cleaning compositions as an intermittent pattern.
  • the ingredients of the composiuons are incompatible, it may be difficult to apply them as a single admixture in a continuous coating process.
  • the individual ingredients may be applied in the individual dots.
  • the formulator can separately apply surfactant-free "perfume dots" and perfume-free "surfactant dots” to the article, thereby securing stability by the physical separation of the dots.
  • the cleaning compositions can be applied in an intermittent pattern by means of any apparatus having one or more orifices through which the composition can flow.
  • a manifold with 5-100 orifices can be used to lay-out a spot pattern of cleaning composiuon on the surface of a plastic sheet as shown in Figure 1.
  • the sheet is then folded to provide a bag with the cleaning composition present in a spot pattern on its internal surfaces as shown in Figure 2.
  • the cleaning composition can be applied using rotogravure or other types of "printing" processes; see U.S. 4,663,198 cited hereinabove.
  • the cleaning composition can be encapsulated in capsules which are designed to be ruptured by heat or by the friction of fabrics passing across them.
  • the present cleaning process can be conducted in any manner which provides mechanical agitation, such as a tumbling action, to the container with the fabrics being cleaned.
  • the agitation may be provided manually.
  • a container/cleaning composition article enveloping the soiled fabric is sealed and placed in the drum of an automatic clothes dryer.
  • the drum is allowed to revolve, which imparts a tumbling action to the container and agitation of its contents concurrently with the tumbling.
  • the fabrics come in contact with the releasable cleaning composiuon. It is prefened that heat be employed during the process. Of course, heat can easily be provided in a clothes dryer.
  • the tumbling and optional (but prefened) heating is carried out for a period of at least about 10 minutes, typically from about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes.
  • the process can be conducted for longer or shorter periods, depending on such factors as the degree and type of soiling of the fabrics, the nature of the soils, the nature of the fabrics, the fabric load, the amount of heat applied and the like, according to the needs of the user.
  • the following illustrates a typical process in more detail, but is not intended to be limiting thereof.
  • a flat sheet (1) of flexible plastic having a random anay of dots (2) comprising the cleaning composition on its surface is prepared as shown in Figure 1.
  • the border (3) of the sheet along its lateral edges is free of cleaning composition.
  • Strip (4) comprises a layer of contact adhesive as a sealing means on closure flap (5).
  • a bag is formed by folding the sheet of Figure 1 and bonding along the border (3).
  • the dots (2) of cleaning composition are on the inner walls of the bag, and are visible in the opening (6) of the bag as shown in the Figure.
  • Closure flap (5) with sealing means (4) allow closing and sealing of the bag by imposing sealing means (4) onto contact surface (7).
  • an alternate embodiment of the invention can be prepared using a flat sheet (3) having a striped pattern of cleaning composition (2) applied to part of its surface.
  • the sheet is folded to form a bag of the present type having stripes of the cleaning composition (2) on one of its inner walls. Bags in the size range of from about 10,000 cm 3 to about 25,000 cm' can thus be prepared for use herein.
  • a dry cleaning bag is assembled using a polyethylene sheet substrate and a cleaning composiuon prepared by admixing die following ingredients.
  • **PEMULEN TR-2, B. F. Goodrich, may be substituted.
  • conventional gelling agents such as polyvinylpynolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamides. canageenan, and the like, may be used at levels typically above about 0.25%, by weight, to thicken the cleaning composiuons. thereby assisting in their application to die walls of the container.
  • 15-23 Grams of the above-noted cleaning composition are evenly applied to the sheet in the form of a dot matrix.
  • the sheet is then folded and sealed into die form of a bag, as shown in the Figures.
  • heavily soiled areas of die fabric being cleaned can optionally be pre- treated by rubbing a small amount of the cleaning composition on die area.
  • the pre-treated fabric is then placed in the container, and the dry cleamng process is conducted in the manner described herein.
  • Oil Balance pH Range from about 6 to about 8.
  • Oil solvents or co-solvents which can be used herein include various glycol ethers, including materials marketed under trademarks such as Carbitol, methyl Carbitol, butyl Carbitol, propyl Carbitol. and hexyl Cellosolve, methoxy propoxy propanol (MPP), ethoxy propoxy propanol (EPP). propoxy propoxy propanol (PPP), and all isomers and mixtures, respectively, of MPP, EPP, and PPP. and the like, and mixtures thereof. If desired and having due regard for safety for in-home use. various conventional chlorinated and hydrocarbon dry cleaning solvents may also be used.
  • polyacrylates include homopolymers which may be crosslinked to varying degrees, as well as non-crosslinked. Prefened herein are homopolymers having a molecular weight in the range of from about 100,000 to about 10.000.000. preferably 200,000 to 5,000,000
  • a diy cleamng composiuon with reduced tendency to cause dye "bleeding" or removal from fabncs as disclosed above is as follows
  • Example IV The composiuon of Example IV is used in the manner disclosed herein to clean and refresh soiled fabncs
  • the container bag used herein is constructed of thermal resistant film in order to provide resistance to hot spots (350°F-400°F, 177°C to 204°C) which can develop in some dryers This avoids internal self-sealing and external surface deformauon of the bag
  • 00025 mm to 00075 mm thickness nylon film is converted into a 26 inch (66 cm) x 30 in (76 cm) bag Bag manufacture can be accomplished in a convenUonal manner using standard impulse heaung equipment, air blowing techniques, and the like
  • a sheet of nylon is simply folded in half and sealed along two of its edges
  • the container bags herein can also be prepared using sheets of co-extruded nylon and/or polyester or nylon and/or polyester outer and/or inner layers sunounding a less thermally smtable inner core such as polypropylene
  • a bag is constructed using a nonwoven outer "shell” compnsing a heat-resistant mate ⁇ al such as nylon or polyethylene terephthalate and an inner sheet of a polymer which provides a vapor barner
  • the non-woven outer shell protects the bag from melUng and provides an improved tacule impression to the user Whatever the construcuon.
  • the objecuve is to protect the bag's integ ⁇ tv under condiUons of thermal stress at temperatures up to at least about 400-500°F (204°C to 260°C)
  • Nylon VELCRO®-type, ZIP-LOK®-type and/or zipper-type closures can be used to seal die bag, m- use
  • the compositions can contain enzymes to further enhance cleaning performance. Lipases, amylases and protease enzymes, or mixtures thereof, can be used. If used such enzymes will typically comprise from about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 1%, by weight, of the composition.
  • detersive enzymes such as LEPOLASE, ESPERASE, ALCALASE, SAVINASE and TERMAMYL (all ex. NOVO) and MAXATASE and RAPIDASE (ex. International Bio-Synthesis, Inc.) can be used.
  • compositions used herein can contain an anti-stauc agent. If used, such anti-static agents will typically comprise at least about 0.5%, typically from about 2% to about 8%, by weight, of the compositions. Prefened anti-stats include die se ⁇ es of sulfonated polymers available as VERSAFLEX 157, 207, 1001, 2004 and 7000, from NaUonal
  • compositions herein can optionally be stabilized for storage using convenUonal preservatives such as KATHON® at a level of 0.001%-1%, by weight.
  • the composiuons herein are used in a spot-cleaning mode, they are preferably pressed
  • an applicator pad comprising looped fibers.
  • an applicator pad comprising looped fibers.
  • looped fibers such as is available as APLIX 200 or 960 Uncut Loop, from Aplix, Inc., Charlotte, NC
  • An underlying absorbent sheet or pad of looped fibers can optionally be placed beneath the fabric in this mode of operation.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

Un sac ou toute autre enveloppe flexible est enduit sur ses surfaces internes d'une composition nettoyante. Les vêtements souillés sont placés dans le sac, qui est ensuite fermé hermétiquement et placé dans un séchoir à air chaud pour vêtements. Après avoir tourné dans le séchoir pendant 20 à 30 mn, les vêtements nettoyés et rafraîchis sont enlevés du sac et peuvent être utilisés.
EP96910357A 1995-03-30 1996-03-04 Enveloppe pour nettoyage a sec Withdrawn EP0817878A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41506295A 1995-03-30 1995-03-30
US415062 1995-03-30
US54423495A 1995-10-17 1995-10-17
PCT/US1996/002884 WO1996030580A1 (fr) 1995-03-30 1996-03-04 Enveloppe pour nettoyage a sec
US544234 2000-04-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0817878A1 true EP0817878A1 (fr) 1998-01-14

Family

ID=27022850

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96910357A Withdrawn EP0817878A1 (fr) 1995-03-30 1996-03-04 Enveloppe pour nettoyage a sec

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0817878A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH11502739A (fr)
BR (1) BR9607896A (fr)
CA (1) CA2216833A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX9707448A (fr)
WO (1) WO1996030580A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5681355A (en) * 1995-08-11 1997-10-28 The Procter & Gamble Company Heat resistant dry cleaning bag
US5789368A (en) * 1996-01-26 1998-08-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Fabric care bag
WO1997029178A1 (fr) * 1996-02-09 1997-08-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Article pour le nettoyage des surfaces
DE102005053529A1 (de) 2005-11-08 2007-06-21 Henkel Kgaa System zur enzymatischen Generierung von Wasserstoffperoxid
CN107287853A (zh) * 2017-07-21 2017-10-24 景雷 汽车毛绒坐垫快速清洁袋

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2442044A (en) * 1945-08-01 1948-05-25 Standard Oil Dev Co Closure means for laundry bags
GB1598911A (en) * 1978-05-24 1981-09-23 Gomm K Dry cleaning
GB8923285D0 (en) * 1989-10-16 1989-12-06 Unilever Plc Fabric conditioning article
US5238587A (en) * 1991-03-20 1993-08-24 Creative Products Resource Associates, Ltd. Dry-cleaning kit for in-dryer use

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9630580A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH11502739A (ja) 1999-03-09
CA2216833A1 (fr) 1996-10-03
MX9707448A (es) 1997-12-31
WO1996030580A1 (fr) 1996-10-03
BR9607896A (pt) 1999-06-01

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