EP1123377A1 - Procede de lavage de vetements delicats en lave-linge - Google Patents

Procede de lavage de vetements delicats en lave-linge

Info

Publication number
EP1123377A1
EP1123377A1 EP99956653A EP99956653A EP1123377A1 EP 1123377 A1 EP1123377 A1 EP 1123377A1 EP 99956653 A EP99956653 A EP 99956653A EP 99956653 A EP99956653 A EP 99956653A EP 1123377 A1 EP1123377 A1 EP 1123377A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
detergent composition
liquid detergent
garment
strap
garments
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP99956653A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1123377B1 (fr
Inventor
Todd Michael Wernicke
Freddy Arthur Barnabas
Michelle Frances Mellea
John Downing Curry
Michael Peter Siklosi
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 EP1123377A1 publication Critical patent/EP1123377A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1123377B1 publication Critical patent/EP1123377B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime 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
    • D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
    • D06F35/005—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L25/00—Domestic cleaning devices not provided for in other groups of this subclass 
    • A47L25/08—Pads or the like for cleaning clothes
    • 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
    • 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
    • C11D1/83—Mixtures of non-ionic with anionic 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
    • 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
    • C11D17/04—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties combined with or containing other objects
    • C11D17/041—Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
    • 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
    • C11D3/162—Organic compounds containing Si
    • 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
    • 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
    • C11D3/38618—Protease or amylase in liquid compositions only
    • 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
    • D06F3/00—Hand rubbing apparatus
    • D06F3/04—Hand rubbers, e.g. gloves with corrugated surfaces
    • 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
    • D06F95/00—Laundry systems or arrangements of apparatus or machines; Mobile laundries 
    • D06F95/002—Baskets or bags specially adapted for holding or transporting laundry; Supports therefor
    • D06F95/004—Bags; Supports therefor
    • D06F95/006—Bags for holding the laundry during washing
    • 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
    • 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
    • C11D1/62—Quaternary ammonium 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
    • 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
    • C11D2111/10—Objects to be cleaned
    • C11D2111/12—Soft surfaces, e.g. textile
    • 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
    • C11D3/2048—Dihydric alcohols branched
    • 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
    • C11D3/2051—Dihydric alcohols cyclic; polycyclic
    • 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
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a product and process for laundering delicate or dry-clean only garments in a conventional home washing machine.
  • dry cleaning has been used to describe processes for cleaning textiles using non-aqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old art with solvent cleaning first being recorded in the United Kingdom in the 1860s. Typically, dry cleaning processes are used with delicate fabrics such as wool and silk which are subject to shrinkage in aqueous laundering baths, or which are judged to be too valuable or delicate to be subjected to aqueous laundering processes. Such garments usually have a tag affixed to them either identifying the garment as "dry clean only” or providing some other appropriate laundering tocsin. For the last fifty years, the most widely-used non-aqueous solvent of choice for commercial dry-cleaning has been perchloroethylene.
  • perchloroethylene While perchloroethylene is superior to the non-aqueous solvents that it replaced, it has several disadvantages. In particular perchloroethylene has been identified as a hazardous air pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has been long associated with nervous-system and kidney disorders among industrial workers. In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency classified perchloroethylene as a "probable human carcinogen.”
  • Perchloroethylene's potential carcinogenic effects are not limited solely to industrial workers or those who operate perchloroethylene-based dry clean processes: a recent study of commercial dry cleaners in New York revealed that many of these cleaners used such high amounts of perchloroethylene to clean garments, that customers who wore freshly dry-cleaned garments could inhale enough perchloroethylene to incur a slightly increased risk of cancer. As a consequence of the hazardous nature of perchloroethylene, dry cleaning processes utilizing perchloroethylene must be done at commercial establishments. Not only is this both inconvenient and expensive, but it can expose delicate and quite possibly expensive garments to dry-cleaning processes of inconsistent quality and garment care.
  • solvent-based dry cleaning processes are quite effective for removing oily soils and stams, they are not optimal for removing particulates such as clay soils or the water- soluble stams such as the sugars commonly found in many fruit drinks and carbonated beverages, and may require special treatment conditions to remove protemaceous stams.
  • particulates and protemaceous stains, as well as oily soils and stams, are removed from fabrics using detersive ingredients and under operating conditions which are more ak to aqueous laundering processes than to conventional dry cleaning.
  • aqueous laundry processes also consistently impart a "freshness” or “clean” scent to fabric, rather than the "chemical” smell that is often found when perchloroethylene or other non-aqueous solvents are used.
  • the most widely practiced aqueous laundering process is that which the consumer performs when she or he immerses a garment into an aqueous laundry detergent solution m a conventional home washing machine. Such a process has long been shown to provide excellent performance for both stain removal and overall garment cleaning and can be performed without using hazardous or toxic chemicals.
  • the use of an aqueous laundering process in a conventional washing machine is considerably more convenient and inexpensive than virtually any other laundering method.
  • Wool is made up of a fibers which can interlock with one another by a series of "scales". Generally, these interlocking scales cannot move past one another and as a result wool is a relatively strong textile. However, when wool becomes wet or moistened then the water provides lubrication by which the scales may move past one another in a preferential direction if sufficient force is exerted m that direction; such force may be provided by the agitation experienced a washing machine. When the fibers move m this preferential direction, then the wool garment shrinks.
  • Garments such as silks are also vulnerable not only to the mechanical agitation of a conventional washing machine but are also particularly vulnerable to the typical laundry detergents because such detergents may contain ingredients that are too harsh for such delicate fabrics. It is thus a further benefit of the present invention to provide an aqueous laundering process adapted for use in a conventional washing machine that is not harmful to garments made from fabrics such as wool, rayon, silk, acrylics, triacetates, fine cottons and blends of these aforementioned materials.
  • a system has been devised in the present invention to provide the traditional cleaning, brightening and freshening benefits of an aqueous laundering process without the deleterious consequences to delicate and dry-clean only fabrics described above.
  • the system uses a flexible, polymer wrap container.
  • the system uses liquid detergent compositions which are modified to be mild on delicate garments.
  • a first liquid detergent composition is used to pre-treat stains, to enhance the cleaning efficacy on the stams.
  • the system may provide an applicator (to distribute the pretreat compositions over the surface of the stain) and, optionally a special stain-absorbent pad which the consumer may use to pretreat a stain before it is placed in the washing machine
  • an applicator to distribute the pretreat compositions over the surface of the stain
  • a special stain-absorbent pad which the consumer may use to pretreat a stain before it is placed in the washing machine
  • the present invention also makes use of a second detergent composition which is a combination of both a cleaning composition and conditioner to improve color fidelity, provide anti-wrinklmg benefits and reduce fabric abrasion as well as providing other fabric care benefits.
  • the present invention solves the long-standing need for an inexpensive and convenient process of cleaning dry-clean only and other delicate garments m a conventional home washing machine.
  • the process of the present invention provides equal to superior overall cleaning of garments when compared to a commercial dry-cleaning establishment using perchloroethylene but without the use of hazardous chemicals or the deposition of chemical malodors on the garment.
  • An essential component of the present invention is a liquid combination washing/conditioning composition which comprises an a onic surfactant, a quaternary ammonium surfactant, a sihcone softening agent and an optionally emulsifier; the amonic surfactant to quaternary ammonium surfactant weight ratio is from about 2:1 to about 3:1.
  • the kit also comes with a flexible wrap container and instructions for using the container to launder garments m a conventional home washing machine.
  • the flexible wrap container is designed to contain and protect delicate or dry-clean only clothes from being subjected to the agitation action of a washing machine.
  • the basic part of the flexible wrap container is a flexible rectangular panel constructed of a woven polyester or woven nylon layer.
  • This process encompasses placing the fabrics and textiles withm the flexible wrap container described above and then placing the flexible wrap container together with an effective amount of a liquid combination washing/conditioning composition inside a washing machine and then operating the washing machine as prescribed by the manufacturer. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified.
  • Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the flexible wrap container 122.
  • Figure 1 A is a side view illustrating the flexible wrap container 122 and showing two attached flaps, a first flap 111 being folded out and a second flap 112 being folded over the panel.
  • Figure 2 is a side view illustrating an enlarged flexible wrap container 125.
  • the two wraps can be attached to each other via connecting means 107 located adjacent to the bottom edge of the panel 101 of each flexible wrap container 122 to form an enlarged flexible wrap container 125.
  • Figure 3 is a detail illustrating a pocket 110 attached to the panel 100 of the flexible wrap container which provides a storage area for the extra straps and fastening devices when two flexible wrap containers are attached to form an enlarged flexible wrap container as in Figure 2.
  • Figure 3 A is a sectional side view of the pocket 110 illustrating the storing of straps and fastening devices in the attached pockets when two flexible wrap containers are attached to form an enlarged flexible wrap container as in Figure 2
  • Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a profile of the material layers in a preferred embodiment of the flexible wrap container 122.
  • the present invention provides a "kit” which contains the necessary materials to enable a consumer to clean delicate or dry-clean only garments in a conventional, home washing machine with superior cleaning performance but without significant damage or the adverse effects typically associated with aqueous garment cleaning.
  • the kit includes a liquid cleaning composition specially formulated for treating and cleaning delicate and dry-clean only garments, a rinse cycle conditioner and a flexible wrap container.
  • the kit may also include: a wash pretreatment composition, one or more wash pretreatment applicators, an apparatus for dispensing a rinse cycle conditioner and multiple absorbent stain receiver pads.
  • the flexible wrap container disclosed by the present invention provides significant benefits over similar devices in use today. In particular, it offers a superior means for securing and closing itself, thereby limiting the chance that garments will spill out of it and be damaged while being laundered in a washing machine. Additionally, the thickness of the flexible wrap container insulates and protects the garment or garments contained therein from the stress and abrasion that may be caused by the agitator and other internal parts of a washing machine.
  • the flexible wrap container further offers an expandability and versatility that is not seen in other such devices: not only is the flexible wrap container larger than competing devices, it has a series of connecting means (e.g.
  • the present invention further provides a wash pretreatment applicator intended to be affixed on a human finger, that is used to apply the wash pretreatment composition to the stained area of a garment.
  • the wash pretreatment applicator is a highly useful tool by which stain removal agent may be applied to the stained area of a garment with enhanced convenience and efficacy.
  • compositions which comprise a major portion of water.
  • solution herein is meant a liquid mixture of ingredients. As used herein “solution” does not convey or imply the existence of only a single liquid or solid phase. Nor is it meant to describe a homogenous solvent/solute system.
  • an effective amount herein is meant any amount capable of measurably improving stain removal from a localized area of a garment. In general, this amount may vary quite widely.
  • cleaning herein is meant the removal of soils and stams from fab ⁇ cs.
  • contact with stained areas with respect to the wash pretreatment applicator is meant contact which is afforded by the impingement of the soft bristles which comprise the brush means of the device with the one side of the stained area.
  • contact with the stained areas with respect to the absorbent stam receiver pad is meant that the side of the stained area of the fabric opposite the wash pretreatment applicator directly impinges on the receiver and is m close communication therewith.
  • liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention should most preferably be substantially free of bleaches and include an enzyme cocktail that is less harsh than the enzymes typically used in a laundry detergent composition Stated otherwise, the liquid cleaning compositions herein should be formulated so as not to damage fabrics by causing discoloration, abrasion or other adverse effects.
  • compositions here must be formulated to also safely and effectively clean and refresh fabrics such as wool, silk, rayon, alpaca fleece, fine cotton and blends of the aforementioned fabrics.
  • compositions herein comprise ingredients which are specially selected and formulated to minimize the migration of fugitive dyes.
  • the present invention includes both a wash pretreatment composition and a combination washing/conditioning composition —the latter providing both detersive-cleaning benefits and conditioning and softening benefits in a single composition.
  • the wash pretreatment composition is distributed over the surface of a stained area of the garment by the use of an applicator (described in greater detail herein) after which the stained area of the garment is optionally rinsed off with water.
  • washing/conditioning composition is then subsequently mixed with water m a washing machine m the customary fashion to form an aqueous laundry detergent solution suitable for immersion cleaning of garments.
  • the wash pretreatment composition used herein is preferably formulated such that it is easily dispensed and not so adhesive m nature that it renders the stam-removal applicator unwieldy or difficult to use
  • active adjunct materials used will vary, depending on the intended end-use of the final composition The following are intended only to be nonhmiting illustrations of such active adjuncts, more examples of which will readily come to mind of the skilled formulator.
  • wash pretreatment composition as an optional component of the present invention and may be selected from the following suitable ingredients which will now be discussed in serttam.
  • Detersive Surfactants- Surfactants are known to have potentially harsh effects on fabrics.
  • compositions herein will comprise from about 3 % to about 40 %, more preferably from about 10 % to about 25 %, most preferably from about 15 % to about 20 %, by weight of detersive surfactants.
  • Nonhmiting examples of surfactants useful herein include the unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, the Cio-Cjg alkyl alkoxy sulfates ("AE X S"; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), Ci o- i 3 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates), and primary, branched-cham and random CI Q-C20 alkyl sulfates ("AS”), the CI Q-CI g secondary (2,3) alkyl
  • unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, the Cio-Cjg alkyl alkoxy sulfates (“AE X S"; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), Ci o- i 3 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates), and primary, branched-
  • x and (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-solubi zing cation, especially sodium, the Ci Q_ g glycerol ethers, the Ci Q-CI g alkyl polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and C12- 1 g alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters.
  • the conventional noniomc and amphotenc surfactants such as the C12-C1 g alkyl ethoxylates ("AE") including the so-called narrow peaked alkyl ethoxylates and
  • Cg-Ci 2 alkyl phenol alkoxylates especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy
  • C12-C1 g betames and sulfobetames sultames
  • Cjo-Cjg amme oxides and the like
  • the Cjo-Cjg N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be used. Typical examples include the C ⁇ -C ⁇ g N-methylglucamides. See WO 9,206,154.
  • Other sugar-derived surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as C] Q-CI g
  • N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide.
  • the N-propyl through N-hexyl C12-C1 g glucamides can be used for low sudsmg.
  • C10-C20 conventional soaps may also be used. If high sudsmg is desired, the branched-cham C I Q-CI g soaps may be used.
  • Mixtures of amonic and noniomc surfactants are especially useful and cationic and amphotenc surfactants may also be used. Other conventional useful surfactants are listed in standard texts.
  • compositions of the present invention preferably comprise one or more detergent builders or builder systems When present, the compositions will typically comprise from about 0.01% to about 35%, more preferably from about 1% to about 25%, most preferably from about 2% to about 8% by weight, of detergent builder.
  • Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention include, but are not restricted to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds.
  • poly- carboxylate refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates.
  • Polycarboxylate builder can generally be added to the composition in acid form, but can also be added in the form of a neutralized salt When utilized m salt form, alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are preferred.
  • Citrate builders e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly sodium salt), are polycarboxylate builders of particular importance for the present detergent formulations due to their availability from renewable resources and their biodegradabihty.
  • Fatty acids are also important carboxylate builders for the present invention.
  • the fatty acids disclosed herein may contain from about 1 to about 10 ethylene oxide units m the hydrocarbon chain.
  • Preferred are saturated fatty acids containing from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms.
  • Suitable saturated fatty acids can be obtained from natural sources such as plant or animal esters (e.g., stripped palm kernel oil, stripped palm oil and coconut oil) or synthetically prepared (e.g., via the oxidation of petroleum or by hydrogenation of carbon monoxide via the Fisher- Tropsch process).
  • Preferred are saturated coconut fatty acids, from about 5:1 to 1 :1 (preferably about 3: 1 ) weight ratio mixtures of lau ⁇ c and myristic acid, mixtures of the above with minor amounts (e.g.,10%-30% of total fatty acid) of oleic acid; and stripped palm kernel fatty acid.
  • polycarboxylate builders include a variety of categories of useful materials.
  • One important category of polycarboxylate builders encompasses the ether polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as disclosed in U.S. 3,128,287 Berg, issued April 7,1964, and U.S. 3,635,830 Lamberti et al., issued January 18,1972. See also "TMS/TDS" builders of U.S. 4,663,071 Bush et al., issued May 5,1987 Suitable ether polycarboxylates also include cyclic compounds, particularly ahcyclic compounds, such as those described in U.S. 3,923,679 Rapko, issued December 2,1975; U.S.
  • ether hydroxypolycarboxylates copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1, 3, 5-tr ⁇ hydroxy benzene-2, 4, 6- trisulphonic acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid
  • various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylenediamme tetraacetic acid and nitrilot ⁇ acetic acid
  • polycarboxylates such as melhtic acid, succmic acid, oxy- disuccimc acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tr ⁇ carboxyl ⁇ c acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof.
  • Enzymes can be included m the formulations herein for a wide variety of fabric laundering purposes, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyce ⁇ de-based stams; for the prevention of fugitive dye transfer. Certain enzymes also provide fabric restorative benefits by decomposing and degrading the loose and frayed fibers on the surface of a textile article, particularly textile articles made from silk or wool.
  • the enzymes to be incorporated include proteases, amylases, lipases, and mannanases, as well as mixtures thereof. Other types of enzymes may also be included. They may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. However, their choice is governed by several factors such as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, stability versus active detergents, builders and so on. Protease is an acceptable enzyme because of its well-known cleaning benefits on a variety of organic-material stains. Enzymes such as cellulases and peroxidases are less desirable because of their potentially harsh effects on delicate garments and in an optimal composition, they are not present.
  • Enzymes are normally incorporated at levels sufficient to provide up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically about 0.01 mg to about 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein will typically comprise from about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably 0.01%- 1.0% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. Protease enzymes are usually present in such commercial preparations at levels sufficient to provide from 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram of composition.
  • AU Anson units
  • the compositions of the present invention may comprise from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 8%, most preferably from about 0.01 % to about 6%, by weight of an enzyme stabilizing system.
  • the enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme. Such a system may be inherently provided by other formulation actives, or be added separately, e.g., by the formulator or by a manufacturer of detergent-ready enzymes.
  • Such stabilizing systems can, for example, comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, and mixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the detergent composition.
  • One possible stabilizing approach is by use of borate species. See Severson, U.S. Pat.
  • Borate stabilizers when used, may be at levels of up to 10% or more of the composition though more typically, levels of up to about 3% by weight of boric acid or other borate compounds such as borax or orthoborate are suitable for liquid detergent use.
  • Substituted boric acids such as phenylboronic acid, butaneboronic acid, p-bromophenylboronic acid or the ke can be used in place of boric acid and reduced levels of total boron in detergent compositions may be possible though the use of such substituted boron derivatives.
  • Stabilizing systems of certain cleaning compositions may further comprise from 0% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.01 % to about 6% by weight, of chlo ⁇ ne bleach scavengers, added to prevent chlorine bleach species present in many water supplies from attacking and inactivating the enzymes, especially under alkaline conditions.
  • chlo ⁇ ne levels in water may be small, typically in the range from about 0.5 ppm to about 1.75 ppm, the available chlorine m the total volume of water that comes in contact with the enzyme, for example during fabric washing, can be relatively large; accordingly, enzyme stability to chlorine m-use is sometimes problematic
  • Suitable chlo ⁇ ne scavenger anions are widely known and readily available, and, if used, can be salts containing ammonium cations with sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulfite, thiosulfate, iodide, etc Antioxidants such as carbamate, ascorbate, etc., organic ammes such as ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) or alkali metal salt thereof, monoethanolamme (MEA), and mixtures thereof can likewise be used.
  • EDTA ethylenediaminetetracetic acid
  • MEA monoethanolamme
  • compositions of the present invention may contain any of the water-soluble formates described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,818, Letton et al, issued Mar. 9,1982, incorporated herein by reference. Formate is present at a level of from about 0.05% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 2%, most preferably from about 0.4% to about 1.5%, by weight of the composition.
  • Other suitable detergent ingredients that can be added are enzyme stabilizers are the enzyme oxidation scavengers which are described in Copending European Patent application 92870018.6 filed on Jan. 31,1992 Examples of such enzyme oxidation scavengers are ethoxylated tetraethylene polyammes
  • compositions of the present invention can also optionally contain water-soluble ethoxylated amines having particulate soil removal and antiredeposition properties.
  • Liquid detergent compositions typically contain about 0.01 % to about 5%.
  • the most preferred soil release and anti-redeposition agent is ethoxylated tetraethylene- Pentamme ("TEPA"). On average tetraethylene-pentamme is ethoxylated with 15-18 moles of ethylene oxide at each hydrogen site. Exemplary ethoxylated amines are further described in U.S Pat. No. 4,597,898, NanderMeer, issued Jul.1,1986. Another group of preferred particulate soil removal-antiredeposition agents are the cationic compounds disclosed in European Patent Application 111,965, Oh and Gosselink, published Jun. 27,1984.
  • particulate soil removal/antiredeposition agents which can be used include the ethoxylated amine polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 111,984, Gosselink, published Jun. 27,1984; the zwitterionic polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 1 12,592, Gosselink, published Jul. 4,1984; and the amine oxides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,744, Connor, issued Oct. 22, 1985.
  • Other particulate soil removal and/or anti redeposition agents known in the art can also be utilized in the compositions herein.
  • Another type of preferred antiredeposition agent includes the carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) materials. These materials are well known in the art.
  • compositions of the present invention may also include one or more materials effective for inhibiting the transfer of dyes from one fabric to another during the cleaning process.
  • dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof. If used, these agents typically comprise from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.01% to about 5%, and more preferably from about 0.05% to about 2%.
  • Preferred polyamine N-oxides are those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine and derivatives thereof.
  • the N-O group can be represented by the following general structures:
  • Ri , R2, R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or combinations thereof; x, y and z are 0 or 1 ; and the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or form part of any of the aforementioned groups.
  • the amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a pKa ⁇ 10, preferably pKa ⁇ 7, more preferred pKa ⁇ 6.
  • PVNO poly(4-vmylpy ⁇ d ⁇ ne-N-ox ⁇ de)wh ⁇ ch
  • PVNO poly(4-vmylpy ⁇ d ⁇ ne-N-ox ⁇ de)wh ⁇ ch
  • PVNO poly(4-vmylpy ⁇ d ⁇ ne-N-ox ⁇ de)wh ⁇ ch
  • copolymers of N-vmylpyrrohdone and N- vmyhmidazole polymers referred to as a class as "PNPVI”
  • PNP polyvinylpyrrolidone
  • the present invention further comprises an additional agent to provide color care benefits: 30 polyethyleneimine, PEI 600 E20, having the general formula:
  • E is an ethyleneoxy unit having the formula:
  • m has an average value of about 20.
  • an average value of 20 is that sufficient ethylene oxide or other suitable reagent is reacted with the polyethyleneimine starting material to fully ethoxylate each N-H unit to a degree of 20 ethoxy lations.
  • N-H unit hydrogen atoms will be replaced by less than 20 ethoxy units and some will be replaced by more than 20 ethoxy units, therefore, the average of the number of ethoxylations is 20.
  • the units which make up the polyalkyleneimine backbones are primary amme units having the formula:
  • the indices w, x, and y have values such that the average molecular weight of the polyethyleneimine backbone prior to modification is about 600 daltons.
  • each branch chain must terminate m a primary amine unit, therefore the value of the index w is y + 1 m the case where no cyclic amme backbones are present.
  • the average molecular weight for each ethylene backbone unit, -NCH 2 CH 2 -, is approximately 43 daltons.
  • the polyammes of the present invention can be prepared, for example, by polymerizing ethyleneim e in the presence of a catalyst such as carbon dioxide, sodium bisulfite, sulfu ⁇ c acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc.
  • a catalyst such as carbon dioxide, sodium bisulfite, sulfu ⁇ c acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc.
  • a catalyst such as carbon dioxide, sodium bisulfite, sulfu ⁇ c acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc.
  • Specific methods for preparing these polyamine backbones are disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,182,306, Ul ⁇ ch et al., issued December 5, 1939, U.S. Patent 3,033,746, Mayle et al., issued May 8,1962; U.S. Patent 2,208,095, Esselmann et al., issued July 16,1940, U.S. Patent 2,806,8
  • suds suppressors A wide variety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and suds suppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979).
  • One category of suds suppressor of particular interest encompasses monocarboxy c fatty acid and soluble salts therein. See U.S. Patent No. 2,954,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Wayne St. John.
  • the monocarboxyhc fatty acids and salts thereof used as suds suppressor typically have hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms.
  • Suitable salts include the alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium, and lithium salts, and ammonium and alkanolammomum salts.
  • the detergent compositions herein may also contain non-surfactant suds suppressors.
  • non-surfactant suds suppressors include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty acid esters (e.g., fatty acid tnglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols, aliphatic Ci g-C4 Q ketones (e.g., stearone), etc.
  • suds inhibitors include N-alkylated ammo t ⁇ azmes such as t ⁇ - to hexa-alkylmelamines or di- to tetra-alkyldiamine chlort ⁇ azmes and monostearyl phosphates such as monostearyl alcohol phosphate ester and monostearyl di-alkah metal (e.g., K, Na, and Li) phosphates and phosphate esters.
  • the hydrocarbons such as paraffin and haloparaffm can be utilized m liquid form.
  • the liquid hydrocarbons will be liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and will have a pour point m the range of about -15°C and about 50°C, and a minimum boiling point not less than about 110°C (atmospheric pressure). It is also known to utilize waxy hydrocarbons, preferably having a melting point below about 100°C.
  • the hydrocarbons constitute a preferred category of suds suppressor for detergent compositions. Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are described, for example, m U.S. Patent No. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al.
  • the hydrocarbons thus, include aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, and heterocyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons having from about 12 to about 70 carbon atoms.
  • paraffin as used in this suds suppressor discussion, is intended to include mixtures of true paraffins and cyclic hydrocarbons.
  • Another preferred category of non-surfactant suds suppressors comprises sihcone suds suppressors.
  • This category includes the use of polyorganosiloxane oils, such as polydimethyl- siloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxane oils or resins, and combinations of polyorganosiloxane with silica particles wherein the polyorganosiloxane is chemisorbed or fused onto the silica.
  • Sihcone suds suppressors are well known in the art and are, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al and European Patent Application No. 89307851.9, published February 7, 1990, by M. S. Starch.
  • Additional suds suppressers may be selected from those si cones discussed below in this application in the section on sihcone softening agents and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,208, to Zhen et al., issued June 2, 1998, incorporated above.
  • Other Components include but are not limited to hydrotropes, antibacterial agents, additional enzyme stabilizers and perfumes. Especially desirable are anti-shrmkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric crisping agents and other fabric color protection agents.
  • the pH of the composition as disclosed here will be between 5 and 9.
  • the present invention also relates to a washing/conditioning composition which provides not only detersive and cleaning benefits on dry-clean only garments but also the through-the-wash softening and conditioning. This greatly enhances the convenience of the overall process to the consumer because the conditioning agent is added at the beginning of the wash cycle and does not need to be added subsequently during the rinse cycle.
  • the combination washing/conditioning solution provides a number of important benefits: such as improved color fidelity, improved abrasion resistance and excessive wrinkling prevention.
  • Fabric softeners also help maintain fabric softness of garments such as silk, which can have a rough feel after being washed in an aqueous laundry detergent.
  • additives which act as anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric crisping agents and other fabric color protection agents.
  • the combination washing/conditioning compositions herein contain from about 1% to about 10%, preferably from about 2% to about 7%, more preferably from about 3% to about 5% by weight of a quaternary ammonium surfactant of the formula:
  • R3 R2 wherein Ri and R2 are individually selected from the group consisting of Ci -C4 alkyl, Ci -C4 hydroxy alkyl, benzyl, and -(C2H4 ⁇ ) x H where x has a value from about 2 to about 5; X is an anion; and (1) R 3 and R4 are each a C6-C14 alkyl or (2) R 3 is a Cg-Ci g alkyl, and R4 is selected from the group consisting of C1 -C1 0 alkyl, Ci -Ci Q hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, and -(C2H4 ⁇ ) x H where x has a value from 2 to 5.
  • Preferred quaternary ammonium surfactants are the chloride, bromide, and methylsulfate salts.
  • Examples of preferred mono-long chain alkyl quaternary ammonium surfactants are those wherein Ri , R2, and R4 are each methyl and R 3 is a Cg-Ci g alkyl; or wherein R 3 is Cg. ⁇ g alkyl and Ri , R2, and R4 are selected from methyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties.
  • Anionic surfactants and quaternary ammonium surfactants are both essential components of the present invention. When they are present together within a certain weight ratio they form a mixed micellar system within the composition so that while the washing/conditioning composition is sufficiently viscous to suspend silicone softening agent emulsions and other polymers, the compositions are simultaneously not so viscous and thick that they cannot be easily and conveniently poured out of a detergent bottle in which they are contained.
  • the weight ratio of anionic surfactants to quaternary ammonium surfactants be from about 2:1 to about 3:1, preferably from about 2.2:1 to about 2.8:1. While U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,208 also discloses the combination of anionic and quaternary ammonium surfactants, the ratio of anionic to quaternary surfactant (over 5:1) is significantly higher than the ratios used in the present invention.
  • Enzymes As discussed above, enzymes enhance cleaning and removal on a wide variety of stains, including of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains. In the present combination washing/conditioning compositions, certain enzymes also provide fabric restorative benefits by decomposing and degrading the loose and frayed fibers on the surface of a textile article, particularly textile articles made from silk or wool. Mannanase enzymes and amylase enzymes are preferred for use in the washing/cleaning compositions because of their stain removal benefits. As mentioned above, enzymes such as cellulases and peroxidases are less desirable.
  • a particularly preferred amylase enzyme is NATALASE® which can be specified as an a-amylase having a specific activity at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamyla at a temperature range of 25°C to 55°C and at a pH value in the range of 8 to 10, measured by the Phadebasa ⁇ -amylase activity assay.
  • Silicone Softening Agents and Emulsions thereof may also include a variety of silicone oils (preferably prepared in the form of an emulsion) which have been discovered to impart a significantly smoother feel to most types of fabrics and also significantly reduce the amount of wrinkle formation.
  • the silicone softening agent may or may not be present in the form of an emulsion.
  • Silicone softening agents include polyalkyl or polyaryl siloxanes which conform to the following formula
  • R is aliphatic, preferably alkyl or alkenyl, or aryl
  • R can be substituted or unsubstituted
  • x is an integer from 1 to about 8,000.
  • Suitable unsubstituted R groups include alkoxy, aryloxy, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, alkylamine, and ether-substituted, hydroxyl-substituted, and halogen-substituted aliphatic and aryl groups.
  • Suitable R groups also include cationic amines and quaternary ammonium groups.
  • the aliphatic or aryl groups substituted on the siloxane chain may have any structure so long as the resulting silicones remain fluid at room temperature, are hydrophobic, are neither damaging or otherwise harmful when applied to textile articles, are compatible with the other components of the detergent composition, are chemically stable under normal use and storage conditions and are capable of being deposited on and conditioning textile articles according to the methods outlined in the present invention.
  • the two R groups on the silicon atom of each monomeric silicone unit may represent the same or different groups.
  • the two R groups represent the same group.
  • Preferred alkyl and alkenyl substituents are Ci -C5 alkyls and alkenyls, more preferably from
  • Ci -C4 most preferably from Ci -C2.
  • the aliphatic portions of other alkyl-, alkenyl-, or alkynyl- containing groups can be straight or branched chains and preferably have from one to five carbon atoms, more preferably from one to four carbon atoms, even more preferably from one to three carbon atoms, most preferably from one to two carbon atoms.
  • Further suitable R groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl, methylphenyl and phenylmethyl.
  • the preferred silicones are polydimethylsiloxane, polydiethylsiloxane, and polymethylphenylsiloxane. Polydimethylsiloxane is especially preferred. Other suitable R groups include methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, polyethoxy, propoxy, and aryloxy. The three R groups on the end caps of the silicone may also represent the same or different groups. Other preferred silicones include nonionic polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxanes which are especially effective at wrinkle reduction. Such silicone fluids are available from the OSI Specialties Company under the name SILWET®. SILWET® L77, which is a mixture of 84% polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethylt ⁇ siloxane and 16% allyloxypolyethyleneglycol methyl ether, is particularly preferred.
  • si cone oils suitable for use in the present invention may be found m U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,073, to Kaiser et al., issued on February 23, 1999 , which is hereby incorporated by reference. It may be desirable to incorporate emulsifiers at concentrations effective for emulsifying the sihcone conditioning agents.
  • emulsifiers include suspending agents.
  • Emulsifiers and suspending agents are discussed in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,073 and U.S. Pat No. 5,759,208, both of which are incorporated above.
  • Particularly preferred are emulsifying surfactants disclosed in U.S. Pat. No 5,759,208, which added to the sihcone fluid to form an emulsion
  • the combination washing/conditioning compositions of the present invention comprises one or more cyclic amine based polymer, ohgomer or copolymer
  • Such materials have been found to impart a number of appearance benefits to fabrics and textiles laundered in aqueous washing solutions formed from detergent compositions which contain a mixture of cyclic amme based polymers, ohgomers or copolymers and hydrophobically modified cellulosic based polymers or ohgomers fabric treatment materials.
  • fabric appearance benefits can include, for example, improved overall appearance of the laundered fabrics, reduction of the formation of pills and fuzz, protection against color fading, improved abrasion resistance, etc.
  • the cyclic amme based fabric treatment materials used in the compositions and methods herein can provide such fabric appearance benefits with acceptably little or no loss m cleaning performance provided by the laundry detergent compositions into which such materials are incorporated.
  • the cyclic amme based polymer, ohgomer or copolymer component of the compositions herein may comprise combinations of these cyclic amine based materials
  • a mixture of pipe ⁇ dme and epihalohydrm condensates can be combined with a mixture of morphohne and epihalohyd ⁇ n condensates to achieve the desired fabric treatment results.
  • the molecular weight of cyclic amme based fabric treatment materials can vary withm the mixture as is illustrated in the Examples below.
  • an ohgomer is a molecule consisting of only a few monomer units while polymers comprise considerably more monomer units
  • ohgomers are defined as molecules having an average molecular weight below about 1 ,000 and polymers are molecules having an average molecular weight of greater than about 1,000.
  • Copolymers are polymers or ohgomers wherein two or more dissimilar monomers have been simultaneously or sequentially polymerized
  • Copolymers of the present invention can include, for example, polymers or oligomers polymerized from a mixture of a primary cyclic amine based monomer, e.g., piperidine, and a secondary cyclic amine monomer, e.g., morpholine.
  • the mixture of cyclic amine based polymers, oligomers or copolymers and hydrophobically modified cellulosic based polymers or oligomers of the detergent compositions herein will generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 5% by the weight of the detergent composition. More preferably, the mixture of cyclic amine based polymers, oligomers or copolymers and hydrophobically modified cellulosic based polymers or oligomers will comprise from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of the detergent compositions, most preferably from about 0.75% to about 3%.
  • a washing solution additive i.e.
  • the concentration of mixture of cyclic amine based polymers, oligomers or copolymers and hydrophobically modified cellulosic based polymers or oligomers can comprise from about 0.1% to about 80% by weight of the additive material.
  • Soil release agents may be used in the present invention. If so they will generally comprise from about 0.01 % to about 10.0%, by weight, of the detergent compositions herein, typically from about 0.1% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 3.0%.
  • Polymeric soil release agents are characterized by having both hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and its blends, and hydrophobic segments, to deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto through completion of washing and rinsing cycles and thus, serve as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurring subsequent to treatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned in later washing procedures.
  • the polymeric soil release agents useful herein especially include those soil release agents having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophile components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophile segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit unless it is bonded to adjacent moieties at each end by ether linkages, or (m) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to about 30 oxypropylene units wherein said mixture contains a sufficient amount of oxyethylene units such that the hydrophile component has hydrophilicity great enough to increase the hydrophilicity of conventional polyester synthetic fiber surfaces upon deposit of the soil release agent on such surface, said hydrophile segments preferably comprising at least about 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or (b
  • cyclic amme based polymer/ohgomer/copolymer materials and dye transfer inhibiting agents such as polyvinyl pyrrohdone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrohdone and N- vmyhmidazole, manganese phthalocyanme and peroxidases (described above in the section on wash pretreatment compositions) be used in combination to provide optimum suppression of dye-transfer between garments, particularly mixed colored loads (i.e. mixed light and dark-colored fabrics).
  • mixed colored loads i.e. mixed light and dark-colored fabrics.
  • these bags are often constructed to have an outer shell made of a grid-like netting which allows contact between the wash liquor and the garment to provide cleaning benefits; but this g ⁇ d-hke pattern can also leave an identical grid impression on the garments contained inside. Such a pattern may be virtually impossible to iron out.
  • these bags are generally too thin and do not provide enough cushion from the abrasion and stress that a delicate garment may experience in a laundry washing machine.
  • the wrap 122 comprises a single, preferably rectangular, panel 100.
  • the dimensions of the panel 100 are such that the width will be about 31 cm to about 91 cm and the length will be about 55 cm to about 117 cm; more preferred is a width of about 41 cm to about 81 cm and a length of about 66 cm to about 107 cm and most preferred is a width of about 51 cm to about 71 cm and a length of about 76 cm to about 97 cm.
  • the distance from the top edge of the panel 102 to the bottom edge of the panel 101 is greater than the distance from the right edge of the panel 103 to the left edge of the panel 104.
  • the wrap further comprises one or more straps 108 which are attached adjacent to the top edge of the panel 102.
  • a first fastening device 109 which is fixably and permanently attached to each strap 108 so that its position on the strap does not change
  • a second fastening device 106 is preferably attached to each strap by passing the strap through the fastening device in such a way that changing its position on the strap, the length of the strap 105 can be increased or decreased.
  • the first and second fastening devices cooperate to secure the flexible wrap container m a roll-like shape during use (see, e.g., Fig. 7). Additionally, two pockets 110 are attached adjacent to the top edge of the panel m the manner shown by Figures 1, 1A, 2 and 3.
  • the wrap container along with its preferred embodiments, is discussed more detail in the copending provisional application of Curry et al., entitled “Methods for Laundering Delicate Garments in a Washing Machine," having P&G Case No. 7315P2, incorporated above
  • the wash pretreatment applicator to be used in the present invention can essentially be any non-abrasive tool with which one can apply an effective amount of a wash pretreatment composition to a stained area of a garment while simultaneously effectively providing mechanical action to assist the stain removal
  • an object as simple as a human finger may serve as the wash pretreatment applicator.
  • a preferred embodiment as the applicator is disclosed m the copending provisional application of Curry et al., entitled “Methods for Laundering Delicate Garments in a Washing Machine," having P&G Case No. 7315P2, incorporated above.
  • the absorbent stain receiver which is used in the present invention includes an absorbent material which imbibes the liquid composition.
  • the stain receiver is designed specifically to "wick” or “draw” the liquid compositions away from the stained area.
  • the absorbent stain receiver is necessarily white or non-printed to avoid dye transfer from receiver to garment.
  • White or non-prmted disposable paper towels, such as BOUNTYTM brand towels, clean rags, etc., can be used.
  • a preferred receiver consists of a nonwoven pad.
  • This pretreatment procedure comprises pouring a pretreatment composition to the stained area and then distributing and spreading the pretreatment composition over the stained area with the wash pretreatment applicator by applying a gentle brushing motion to distribute the pretreatment composition around the stained area of the garment.
  • the pretreatment composition is then optionally rinsed off the stained area with water.
  • the pretreatment process herein can be conducted in the following manner.
  • An overall process for treating an entire fabric surface area of a garment which includes the pretreatment process described above, thus comprises the following steps of:
  • step (n) Placing the pretreated garment from step (I) inside the washing implement the manner disclosed herein and securing the washing implement so that it will not come open during laundering m the washing machine, (in) Placing the washing implement inside a washing machine together with a measured amount of the combination washing/conditioning composition.
  • step (IV) Operating the washing machine on its most gentle agitation cycle and using cold water both in the wash and rinse cycles for a period of at least about 6 minutes, typically from about 4 minutes to about 12 minutes, (v) Removing the flexible wrap container containing the clean garments from the washing machine, removing the garment or garments from the flexible wrap container and either allowing them to air dry or first placing them in a clothes dryer set on air-fluff (no heat) for silk garments or the lowest possible dryer heat setting for garments made from rayon and rayon blends. Heavy weight garments should remain m the dryer for 8 to 10 minutes, while light weight garments should remain for 4 to 6 minutes. The garments should then be removed and allowed to air dry. Wool garments shold not be placed in a clothes dryer. With respect to step (n), it is appreciated that for fabrics which tend to wrinkle, it is preferred not to overload the washing implement used herein.
  • the washing machine may have an agitator arranged on either a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical axis.
  • an amount of liquid cleaning/conditioning composition will be added so that the concentration of active ingredients in the wash liquor is from about 300 ppm to 2500 ppm, more preferably from about 400 ppm to about 2000 ppm, most preferably from about 500 ppm to about 1600 ppm.
  • Step (iv) can be conducted for longer or shorter periods, depending on such factors as the degree and type of soihng of the fabrics, the nature of the soils, the nature of the fabrics, the fabric load and the like according to the needs of the user.
  • the compositions are used in a manner described after the detailed formulations.
  • Imidazole-epi (condensation ohgomer produced by condensation of imidazole and epichloro-hydnn in the ratio 1 :4:1).
  • the composition is about 94% ohgomer and 6% free imidazole
  • the sihcone softening agent may be either a blend of Dimethicone and Ammonium alkyl sulfonate containing an average of 3 ethoxy groups or may be the SILWET® L77 surfactant which is a mixture of 84% polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethylt ⁇ siloxane (the "active" ingredient) and 16% allyloxypolyethyleneglycol methyl ether.
  • the si cone softening agent may be in the form of an emulsion.
  • Step 1 One or more garments to be cleaned and refreshed are selected. Stams on a garment from sources such as ink, lipstick, salad dressing, collar soil and other similar sources are then identified and selected for pretreatment. For pretreatment, localized stained areas of the garment are situated over a paper towel and are treated by directly applying about 0.5 to 5 mis (depending on the size of the stam) of the wash pretreatment product of Example I, which is gently worked into the garment using the wash pretreatment applicator. Excess liquid product is then washed off the stam with running cold tap water.
  • Step 2 The flexible wrap container is laid flat on an even surface such as a table or clothes dryer.
  • a first garment such as a jacket is placed on the wrap.
  • the sleeves and other extensions of the garment should be folded-m if necessary and none of the garment may e outside the perimeter of the wrap.
  • the wrap's flaps are folded over the garment so that the entire garment is enclosed by the wrap.
  • An additional garment may then be placed over the folded flaps following the same procedure described above and being careful that none of the garment lies outside the perimeter of the flexible wrap container.
  • Step 3 The wrap is then rolled up as if one were rolling up a sleeping bag.
  • the wrap is rolled in a direction parallel to the longest edge of the wrap, starting from the edge with close proximity to the connecting means.
  • Step 4 The garment-containing wrap is then placed in a washing machine.
  • a washing machine Preferably two garment-containing wraps of approximately equal weight are placed m the washing machine simultaneously to insure a balanced load.
  • the washing machine settings should be set on: medium water level (approximately 17 gallons), cold water and the most gentle agitation setting.
  • Two capfuls of the combination washing/conditioning composition of Example I (about 66 ml) are poured into the washing machine; 66 ml of the liquid product of Example I in 17 gallons of water means that the total concentration of liquid cleaning composition in the detergent/water solution will be about 1090 ppm.
  • Step 5 When the washing machine has completed all of its cycles, the garment- containing wraps are removed from the washing machine and the garments inside the wraps are removed from the wrap.
  • men's ties and wool garments With the exception of men's ties and wool garments, one may dry the garments by placing them m a dryer and setting the dryer on air- fluff (no heat) for silk garments or the lowest possible dryer heat setting for garments made from rayon and rayon blends. Heavy weight garments should remain in the dryer for 8 to 10 minutes, while light weight garments should remain for 4 to 6 minutes. One then removes the damp garment from the dryer and may then hang the garment or lay it flat to finish drying. For men's ties and wools the dryer step is inappropriate and air drying should begin immediately after they are removed from the washing machine.
  • Step 6 Press or steam the garments if necessary.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un kit et à un procédé de lavage de vêtements délicats ou de vêtements portant la mention 'nettoyage à sec seulement' dans un lave-linge domestique classique. Ledit procédé constitue une version domestique des procédés commerciaux de nettoyage par voie humide qui permettent de nettoyer des vêtements délicats. Le kit de cette invention comprend une composition liquide à la fois détergente et assouplissante, éventuellement une composition de prélavage, une enveloppe souple à l'intérieur de laquelle les vêtements sont contenus pendant le lavage et un applicateur de composition de prélavage.
EP99956653A 1998-10-24 1999-10-22 Procede de lavage de vetements delicats en lave-linge Expired - Lifetime EP1123377B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10553998P 1998-10-24 1998-10-24
US105539P 1998-10-24
US15739999P 1999-10-01 1999-10-01
US15708299P 1999-10-01 1999-10-01
US157399P 1999-10-01
US157082P 1999-10-01
PCT/US1999/024938 WO2000024860A1 (fr) 1998-10-24 1999-10-22 Procede de lavage de vetements delicats en lave-linge

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1123377A1 true EP1123377A1 (fr) 2001-08-16
EP1123377B1 EP1123377B1 (fr) 2004-03-03

Family

ID=27379944

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99956653A Expired - Lifetime EP1123377B1 (fr) 1998-10-24 1999-10-22 Procede de lavage de vetements delicats en lave-linge

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1123377B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002528598A (fr)
CN (1) CN1214098C (fr)
AT (1) ATE260967T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1321000A (fr)
BR (1) BR9914801A (fr)
CA (1) CA2346543C (fr)
DE (1) DE69915329T2 (fr)
MX (1) MX227951B (fr)
WO (1) WO2000024860A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8470053B2 (en) 2009-02-02 2013-06-25 Fariborz Dawudian Compositions for laundering and subsequently drying delicate garments without incurring any damage and methods to use them
CN104297453A (zh) * 2014-11-03 2015-01-21 中国地质大学（武汉） 一种自动化岩样干湿循环试验仪器

Families Citing this family (12)

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DE60032618T2 (de) * 1999-10-01 2007-11-15 The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati Behälter zum Waschen von empfindlicher Wäsche in einer Waschmaschine
DE60133813T2 (de) * 2000-06-05 2009-06-25 The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati Textilpflegezusammensetzungen und systeme zur beschaffung von einem reinen frischen duft während eines behandlungsverfahrens mittels einer lipophilen flüssigkeit
EP1162254A1 (fr) * 2000-06-09 2001-12-12 Clariant International Ltd. Compositions de nettoyage liquides polyvalentes
US20020183226A1 (en) * 2001-02-28 2002-12-05 Chandrika Kasturi Liquid detergent composition exhibiting enhanced alpha-amylase enzyme stability
GB0212157D0 (en) 2002-05-27 2002-07-03 Unilever Plc Fabric conditioning composition
US20050059571A1 (en) * 2003-09-12 2005-03-17 John Mahdessian Comprehensive stain removal kit and method with absorbent backing material
CN101287820A (zh) * 2005-10-24 2008-10-15 宝洁公司 包含有机硅氧烷微乳的织物护理组合物和体系以及它们的使用方法
DE102007029485B4 (de) 2007-06-26 2010-06-17 D'heureuse, Hans-Joachim Verfahren zur Reinigung insbesondere empfindlichen Reinigungsgutes
SG11201604459SA (en) * 2013-12-06 2016-07-28 Lion Corp Liquid detergent
CN103776983B (zh) * 2014-01-27 2015-08-05 甘肃省交通科学研究院有限公司 岩土干湿循环实验装置
JP6598356B2 (ja) * 2014-07-31 2019-10-30 ライオン株式会社 繊維製品用液体洗浄剤
CN108226352A (zh) * 2016-12-12 2018-06-29 邢玉伟 Lhj增溶剂在难溶食品添加剂定量测定中的应用

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JPS54108812A (en) * 1978-02-15 1979-08-25 Kao Corp Detergent composition for dry cleaning
JPH11508299A (ja) * 1995-06-20 1999-07-21 ザ、プロクター、エンド、ギャンブル、カンパニー 酵素を用いたドライクリーニング
US5723426A (en) * 1996-02-29 1998-03-03 Zhen; Yueqian Liquid laundry detergent compositions containing surfactants and silicone emulsions

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO0024860A1 *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8470053B2 (en) 2009-02-02 2013-06-25 Fariborz Dawudian Compositions for laundering and subsequently drying delicate garments without incurring any damage and methods to use them
CN104297453A (zh) * 2014-11-03 2015-01-21 中国地质大学（武汉） 一种自动化岩样干湿循环试验仪器
CN104297453B (zh) * 2014-11-03 2015-12-09 中国地质大学（武汉） 一种自动化岩样干湿循环试验仪器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR9914801A (pt) 2001-07-10
AU1321000A (en) 2000-05-15
JP2002528598A (ja) 2002-09-03
CN1331741A (zh) 2002-01-16
CN1214098C (zh) 2005-08-10
WO2000024860A1 (fr) 2000-05-04
MX227951B (en) 2005-05-23
DE69915329T2 (de) 2005-03-17
CA2346543A1 (fr) 2000-05-04
EP1123377B1 (fr) 2004-03-03
CA2346543C (fr) 2005-12-06
DE69915329D1 (de) 2004-04-08
MXPA01004087A (es) 2001-08-01
ATE260967T1 (de) 2004-03-15

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