EP1141467B1 - Sac tridimensionnel pour traitement de textiles resistant a l'ecrasement pendant l'utilisation - Google Patents

Sac tridimensionnel pour traitement de textiles resistant a l'ecrasement pendant l'utilisation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1141467B1
EP1141467B1 EP99967324A EP99967324A EP1141467B1 EP 1141467 B1 EP1141467 B1 EP 1141467B1 EP 99967324 A EP99967324 A EP 99967324A EP 99967324 A EP99967324 A EP 99967324A EP 1141467 B1 EP1141467 B1 EP 1141467B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bag
vapor
cleaning
venting
fabric
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP99967324A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1141467A1 (fr
Inventor
Rodney Mahlon Wise
Thomas Charles Hortel
George Carl Kinstedt
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Procter and Gamble Co
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Procter and Gamble Co
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Publication of EP1141467A1 publication Critical patent/EP1141467A1/fr
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    • 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
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/203—Laundry conditioning arrangements
    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to improved bag-type containers for use in a non-immersion fabric care process for dry clean only fabrics.
  • the bags resist collapsing because they have more than two sides whereby a three dimensional interior void space is formed.
  • the bags of this invention are used in fabric care or "refreshment” processes are conducted in a hot air environment in the presence of a cleaning/refreshment composition.
  • One such in-home system for cleaning and refreshing garments comprises a substrate sheet containing various liquid or gelled cleaning agents, and a plastic bag. The garments are placed in the bag together with the sheet, and then tumbled in a conventional clothes dryer.
  • multiple single-use flat sheets comprising a cleaning/refreshing agent and a single multi-use plastic bag are provided in a package.
  • the bags used in such in-home processes are typically two sided and closed in an "envelope" fashion. (See, for example, U.S. Patent No 5,762,698.) Unfortunately, the two sided, envelope style bag is sub-optimal with respect to cleaning and refreshing fine fabrics.
  • these in-home, non-immersion processes are substantially superior to in-home, immersion processes with respect to cleaning and refreshing fine fabrics.
  • the envelope style bags used in these in-home, non-immersion processes tend to collapse around the fabric articles being cleaned and refreshed.
  • the envelope style bags billow slightly when steam is generated inside the bag as the cleaning refreshment composition is vaporized.
  • current bags provide only minimal interior void space within which the fabric articles can tumble
  • these improved containment bags resist collapsing and provide a larger interior void space within which the fabric articles can tumble freely. By allowing the fabric articles to tumble freely, wrinkle removal is improved and wrinkle resistance/prevention is enhanced as compared the current conventional bags.
  • the present invention provides a containment bag having the features of claim 1.
  • a containment bag having the features of claim 1.
  • the present invention provides a vapor-venting containment bag suitable for carrying out a fabric cleaning and refreshment process conducted in a not air environment such a bag has :
  • the bag When the bag is in its closed configuration the bag comprises at least three flexible side walls. Further, when the bag is in its closed configuration a three dimensional interior void space is formed whereby the bag resists collapsing.
  • the bag comprises at least four side walls configured in the form of a tetrahedron.
  • the bag comprises at least six side walls configured in the form of a cube. The bag with these walls and three dimensional interior void space is formed from flexible sheets which have been folded and sealed along the fold lines.
  • a process for cleaning or refreshing fabrics by contacting the fabrics with a fabric cleaning/refreshment composition comprising water in a vapor-venting containment bag as described above.
  • the process is carried out in a hot air clothes dryer at a temperature from about 40°C to about 150°C, whereby malodors present on the fabrics are vented from the bag by means of the vapor-venting closure.
  • kit for cleaning or refreshing fabrics comprising a package that contains one or more absorbent articles comprising a carrier which releasably contains water and optional non-water fabric cleaning/refreshment ingredients, and a vapor-venting containment bag as described above.
  • the kit further comprises from one to about ten of the absorbent articles which are disposable after a single use.
  • the present invention provides the user with a three dimensional bag that can be used for cleaning and refreshing fabrics, especially garments, in a simple, readily available apparatus such as a conventional hot air clothes dryer.
  • the bags and processes of the invention can be used with any type of fabric/garment, including "Dry Clean Only” (DCO) garments.
  • the user is provided with an article which comprises an absorbent core which releasably contains a cleaning/refreshment composition.
  • this core with its load of liquid composition is substantially enrobed in an outer cover sheet, which has openings through which the composition is permeable in the vapor state, but which constitutes a barrier through which liquid can flow in, but would be somewhat restrained in the core against flow outward.
  • the liquid-loaded core can also be enrobed in low-density non-water absorbent woven or non-woven sheet comprising fibers such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene and the like.
  • the user can, optionally, also be provided with a separate portion of a spot removal ("pre-spotting") composition.
  • the item When treating a fabric (such as a soiled, wrinkled or malodorous garment) in the present manner, the item is first inspected for heavily spotted areas. If none are found, the item being treated is placed in the vapor-venting containment bag of this invention together with the cleaning/refreshment article herein and tumbled in a hot air clothes dryer in the manner disclosed, i.e., the "in-dryer" step.
  • a fabric such as a soiled, wrinkled or malodorous garment
  • the design of the venting ability of the bag achieves a proper balance of the above effects.
  • a tightly-sealed, vapor impermeable "closed” bag will not purge malodors and will overly moisten the fabrics, resulting in wrinkling.
  • An overly “open” bag design will not sufficiently moisten the fabrics or soils to mobilize heavier malodors or to remove pre-existing fabric wrinkles.
  • the bag must be "closed” enough to billow and create a void volume under water vapor pressure, wherein the fabrics can tumble freely within the bag and be exposed to the vapors. By allowing the fabric articles to tumble freely, wrinkle removal is improved and wrinkle resistance/prevention is enhanced.
  • the bag must be designed with sufficient venting to trap a portion of water vapors (especially early in the dryer cycle) but to allow most of the water to escape by the end of the cycle. Said another way, the rate of vapor release is, preferably, optimized to secure a balance of vapor venting and vapor trapping.
  • a preferred bag design employs a water vapor impermeable film such as nylon, with a the closure flap (preferably with a hook-and-loop VELCRO®-type fastener) like that of a large envelope.
  • the degree of slack in the fold-over portion of the closure flap can be varied to provide a vapor-venting air gap or partial opening which controls the rate of vapor venting from of the bag.
  • the fabrics when removed from the bag, will usually contain a certain amount of moisture. This will vary by fabric type. For example, silk treated in the optimal range shown on the graph may contain from about 0.5% to about 2.5%, by weight, of moisture. Wool may contain from up to about 4%, by weight, of moisture. Rayon also may contain up to about 4% moisture. This is not to say that the fabrics are, necessarily, mentally “damp" to the touch. Rather, the fabrics may feel cool, or cool-damp due to evaporative water losses. The fabrics thus secured may be hung to further air dry, thereby preventing wrinkles from being re-established. The fabrics can be ironed or subjected to other finishing processes, according to the desires of the user.
  • the present invention thus provides three dimensional vapor-venting containment bags which are intended for use in a fabric cleaning/refreshment operation.
  • the bags are preferably designed for multiple uses and reuses, and are especially adapted for use by the consumer in any conventional hot air clothes dryer apparatus, such as those found in the home or in commercial laundry/cleaning establishments.
  • the bags herein are specifically designed to vent water and other vapors which emanate from within the bag when used in the manner described herein. The vapors released from the bag are exhausted through the air vent of the dryer apparatus.
  • the preferred bags are provided with a vapor-venting closure which provides one or more gaps through which vapors are released from the bag, in-use.
  • the size of this gap is selected to provide controlled vapor release from the bag under the indicated operating conditions. While other gap sizes and operating conditions can be used, a preferred balance between vapor containment within the bag to perform the cleaning/refreshment function and vapor release from the bag has now been determined using the principles disclosed hereinafter.
  • the bag can be provided with a series of holes or other fenestrations which provide vapor venting.
  • venting is not as effective as the vapor-venting closure.
  • the present invention encompasses a vapor-venting containment bag comprising an open end, a closed end and at least three flexible side walls having inner and outer surfaces, the open end of the bag having a section of one side wall extending beyond the open end to provide a flexible flap, the flap having first fastening device affixed thereto, the flap being foldable to extend over a portion of the outside surface of the opposing side wall, the flap being affixable to the outer surface of the opposing wall of the bag by engaging the first fastening device on the inside face of the flap with a second fastening device present on the outside face of the opposing side wall, the first and second fastening devices, when thus engaged, forming a fastener, thereby providing a closure for the open end of the bag.
  • the first and second fastening devices are disposed so as, when engaged, to provide vapor-venting along the closure, especially at the lateral edges of the closure.
  • the first and second fastening devices can form a mechanical fastener or an adhesive fastener.
  • the bag herein is most preferably formed from film which is heat resistant up to at least about 204°C-260°C. Nylon is a preferred film material for forming the bag, polyester is also preferred.
  • the edge of one wall of the bag is notched along a substantial portion of its width to facilitate and optimize vapor venting.
  • the flap can be folded to provide the closure, tucked inside the opposing side wall, and secured there by a fastener.
  • vapors are vented along the closure and especially at the lateral edges of the closure.
  • the side walls are of the same size and no flap is provided. Fastening devices placed intermittently along portions of the inner surfaces of the side walls are engaged when the lips of the side walls are pressed together to provide closure. One or more vapor-venting gaps are formed in those regions of the closure where no fastening device is present.
  • the bag is preferably designed for multiple uses. Accordingly, reusable mechanical fasteners are preferred for use herein. Any reusable mechanical fastener or fastening means can be used, as long as the elements of the fastener can be arranged so that, when the bag is closed and the fastener is engaged, a vapor-venting closure is provided.
  • Non-limiting examples include: bags wherein the first and second fastening devices, together, comprise a hook and loop (VELCRO®-type) fastener; hook fasteners such as described in U.S.
  • fasteners can be employed, so long as the vapor-venting is maintained when the bag is closed, and the fastener is sufficiently robust that the flap does not open as the bag and its contents are being tumbled in the clothes dryer.
  • the fastening devices can be situated that the multiple vapor-venting gaps are formed along the closure, or at the lateral edges, or so that the gap is offset to one end of the closure.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional two sided envelope style bag 10 with fold lines inscribed thereon.
  • Letters A-P have been used to indicate fold lines and intersection points on side wall 12 of bag 10.
  • the points on the opposite side wall 14 of envelope bag 10, which correspond to the interior points M, N, O and P are labeled M', N', O' and P', respectively.
  • Envelope bag 10 is sealed along edges ALKJ, ABCD and DEFG. Edges JIHG and JI'H'G are a part of side walls 12 and 14, respectively, and these edges define bag opening 13.
  • a six sided cube is formed as shown in Figure 2 as bag 11.
  • the edge lines MM', NN', OO' and PP' be sealed, for example either mechanically or adhesively so that the bag maintains its cube-like configuration.
  • the triangular shaped tips (for example, AMM' and JPP') can be removed or they can be folded against one of the side walls. Alternatively, the triangular shaped tips can be left sticking out to help bag 11 align within the rotary drum of a conventional dryer as shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 3 shows a six sided bag 11 according to this invention inside of a rotary drum 20 of a conventional clothes dryer (not shown). While not wanting to be bound by any one theory, it is believed that bag 11 and rotary drum 20 both rotate about axis 22 as illustrated by arrow 24. This is in sharp contrast to a conventional envelope style bag which is believed to by drawn to the side walls of the rotary drum by centrifugal forces created as the drum spins about its axis. Once pressed against the side of the drum, an envelope style bag is prone to collapsing. This in turn restricts the interior space of the bag within which the fabric articles have to tumble. As discussed above, a collapsed bag provides sub-optimal cleaning and refreshing for fabric articles.
  • FIG 4 is a schematic representation of a conventional two sided envelope style bag 30 with fold lines inscribed thereon. Letters A-J have been used to indicate fold lines and intersection points on side wall 32 of bag 30. The points on the opposite side wall 34 of envelope bag 30, which correspond to the interior points I and J are labeled I' and J', respectively. Envelope bag 30 is sealed along edges ABC, CDEF and FGI-I. There are two edges AH, which are part of side walls 32 and 34, respectively, and these edges define bag opening 33.
  • a five sided bag 31 is formed as shown in Figure 5. It is highly preferred that the edge lines II' and JJ' be sealed, for example, either mechanically or adhesively, so that the bag maintains its three dimensional configuration.
  • the triangular shaped tips (CII' and FJJ') can be removed as shown or they can be folded against one of the side walls. Alternatively, the triangular shaped tips can be left sticking out to help the bag align within the rotary drum of a conventional dryer.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a sheet 40 of bag material with fold lines inscribed thereon. Letters A-F have been used to indicate fold lines and intersection points on sheet 40. Sheet 40 is folded along lines DB, BE and EC, then edges ED and EF are sealed together, and edges AD and CF are sealed together to form a tetrahedral bag 42, as shown in Figure 7. Edges BC and BA define bag opening 43, as shown in Figure 7.
  • FIG 8 is a schematic representation of a conventional two sided envelope style bag 50 with fold lines inscribed thereon. Letters A-F have been used to indicate fold lines and intersection points on side walls 52 and 54of bag 50.
  • the fold lines present on side wall 52 are EC and ED.
  • Analogous fold lines are present on side wall 54; namely, F-C and F-D.
  • Envelope bag 50 is sealed along edges AD, DC and BC.
  • a tetrahedral bag 51 is formed as shown in Figure 9.
  • Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a sheet 60 of bag material with fold lines inscribed thereon. Letters A-G, C', E', F', and G' have been used to indicate fold lines and intersection points on sheet 60. Letter D' has been used to indicate a mid-point on edge F'G'.
  • the sheet 60 can be formed into a cylinder shape 61 by contacting and preferably sealing fold line EE' to fold line CC' such that a fold line between point CE and C'E' is formed.
  • An example of one method for forming the tetrahedral bag 62, as shown in Figure 12, is by forming the cylinder 61, as shown in Figure 11.
  • the cylinder 61 comprises a first opening 63 and a second opening 64.
  • the second opening 64 is closed by sealing along seal line DC-E.
  • seal DC-E After forming seal DC-E, the cylinder 61 is stretched along stretch line BA such that point D' and C'-E' about come in contact with each other, such that the bag opening 63' of the tetrahedral bag 62 is formed by edges BC'-E'A and BD'A.
  • This method substantially produces the tetrahedral bag 62, as shown in Figure 12.
  • FIG. 12 Another example of a method for forming the tetrahedral bag 62, as shown in Figure 12, is by folding the sheet 60 along fold lines CA, AD, DB, BE, then fold lines CC' and EE' are sealed together and fold lines CD and DE are sealed together to form the tetrahedral bag 62. Edges BC'-E'A and BD'A define bag opening 63', as shown in Figure 12.
  • the construction of the preferred, heat-resistant vapor-venting bags used herein to contain the fabrics in a hot air laundry dryer or similar device preferably employs thermal resistant films to provide the needed temperature resistance to internal self-sealing and external surface deformation sometimes caused by overheated clothes dryers.
  • the bags are resistant to the chemical agents used in the cleaning or refreshment compositions herein.
  • the fastener is also constructed of a thermal resistant material. As shown in Figure 6, in one embodiment, 1 to 3 mil (0.025-0.076 mm) heat-resistant Nylon-6 film is folded and sealed into a containment bag.
  • Sealing can be done using standard impulse heating equipment.
  • a sheet of nylon is simply folded in half and sealed along two of its edges.
  • bags can be made by air blowing operations. The method of assembling the bags can be varied, depending on the equipment available to the manufacturer and is not critical to the practice of the invention.
  • the dimensions of the containment bag can vary, depending on the intended end-use. For example, a relatively smaller bag can be provided which is sufficient to contain one or two silk blouses. Alternatively, a larger bag suitable for handling a man's suit can be provided. Typically, the bags herein will have an internal volume of from about 10,000 cm 3 to about 25,000 cm 3 . Bags in this size range are sufficient to accommodate a reasonable load of fabrics (e.g., 0.2-5 kg) without being so large as to block dryer vents in most U.S.-style home dryers. Somewhat smaller bags may be used in relatively smaller European and Japanese dryers.
  • the bags herein are preferably flexible, yet are preferably durable enough to withstand multiple uses.
  • the bags also preferably have sufficient stiffness that they can billow, in-use, thereby allowing its contents to tumble freely within the bag during use.
  • such bags are prepared from 0.025 mm to 0.076 mm (1-3 mil) thickness polymer sheets. If more rigidity in the bag is desired, somewhat thicker sheets can be used.
  • the containment 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 surrounding a less thermally suitable inner core such as polypropylene.
  • a bag is constructed using a nonwoven outer "shell” comprising a heat-resistant material such as nylon or polyethylene terephthalate and an inner sheet of a polymer which provides a vapor barrier.
  • the non-woven outer shell protects the bag from melting and provides an improved tactile impression to the user.
  • the objective is to protect the bag's integrity under conditions of thermal stress at temperatures up to at least about 400-500°F (204°C to 260°C). Under circumstances where excessive heating is not of concern, the bag can be made of polyester, polypropylene or any convenient polymer material.
  • the preferred vapor-venting containment bag used in this invention is designed to be able to vent at least about 40%, preferably at least about 60%, up to about 90%, preferably no more than about 80%, by weight, of the total moisture introduced into the bag within the operating cycle of the clothes dryer or other hot air apparatus used in the process herein. (Of course most, if not all, of organic cleaning solvents, if any, will also be vented during use together with the water. However, since water comprises by far the major portion of the cleaning/refreshment compositions herein, it is more convenient to measure and report the venting as water vapor venting.)
  • the user of the present containment bag may choose to stop the operation of the drying apparatus before the cycle has been completed. Some users may wish to secure fabrics which are still slightly damp so that they can be readily ironed, hung up to dry, or subjected to other finishing operations.
  • VVE Vapor-Venting Equilibrium
  • the temperature achieved within the dryer which, as noted above, is typically reported as an average "dryer air temperature”.
  • the temperature reached within the containment bag is more significant in this respect, but can be difficult to measure with accuracy. Since the heat transmittal through the walls of the bag is rather efficient due to the thinness of the walls and the tumbling action afforded by conventional clothes dryers, it is a reasonable approximation to measure the VVE with reference to the average dryer air temperature.
  • the vapor-venting from the containment bag should not be so rapid that the aqueous cleaning/refreshment composition does not have the opportunity to moisten the fabrics being treated and to mobilize and remove the soils/malodors therefrom.
  • this is not of practical concern herein, inasmuch as the delivery of the composition from its carrier substrate onto the fabrics afforded by the tumbling action of the apparatus occurs at such a rate that premature loss of the composition by premature vaporization and venting is not a significant factor.
  • the preferred bag herein is designed to prevent such premature venting, thereby allowing the liquid and vapors of the cleaning/refreshment composition to remain within the bag for a period which is sufficiently long to perform its intended functions on the fabrics being treated.
  • VVET Vapor-Venting Evaluation Test
  • VVET results at various initial moisture levels that the water at lower initial levels is being disproportionately captured by the garment load, the headspace, and the nylon bag, such that venting of water and volatile malodors begins in earnest only after the VVE value is achieved. Since this occurs only when about 15-20 grams or more of water is initially charged, it is seen that a VVE of greater than about 40 is needed to avoid excessive wetting of garments, leading to unacceptable wet-setting of wrinkles, as discussed herein.
  • the cleaning and refreshing processes of this invention include the following steps.
  • the cleaning/refreshment composition is loaded on the substrate which is preferably encased in a coversheet, and the substrate is placed in a bag according to this invention with the fabrics to be treated.
  • the bag is closed and placed in a heated operating clothes dryer, or the like, to remove malodors from the fabrics.
  • the cleaning and refreshment process is conveniently conducted in a tumbling apparatus, preferably in the presence of heat.
  • the substrate containing the releasably absorbed shrinkage reducing composition and cleaning/refreshment composition is placed along with the fabrics to be treated in a nylon or other heat-resistant, and preferably vapor-venting bag.
  • the bag is closed and placed in the drum of an automatic hot air clothes dryer at temperatures of 40°C-150°C.
  • the drum is allowed to revolve, which imparts a tumbling action to the bag and agitation of its contents concurrently with the tumbling.
  • the tumbling and heating are carried out for a period of at least about 10 minutes, typically from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes. This step 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.
  • a pre-spotting process can be conducted in the following manner. Modifications of the process can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • the cleaning/refreshment composition preferably comprises water and a member selected from the group consisting of surfactants, perfumes, preservatives, bleaches, auxiliary cleaning agents, organic solvents and mixtures thereof.
  • the preferred organic solvents are glycol ethers, specifically, methoxy propoxy propanol, ethoxy propoxy propanol, propoxy propoxy propanol, butoxy propoxy propanol, butoxy propanol and mixtures thereof.
  • the surfactant is preferably a nonionic surfactant, such as an ethoxylated alcohol or ethoxylated alkyl phenol, and is present at up to about 2%, by weight of the cleaning/refreshment composition.
  • Typical fabric cleaning refreshment/compositions herein can comprise at least about 80%, by weight, water, preferably at least about 90%, and more preferably at least about 95% water.
  • the cleaning/refreshment compositions of this invention include a shrinkage reducing composition, which is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, all isomers of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol and mixtures thereof, and more preferably selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1-octanol and mixtures thereof.
  • the shrinkage reducing composition is preferably neopentyl glycol or 1,2-propanediol, and is more preferably 1,2-propanediol.
  • the ratio of shrinkage reducing composition to cleaning/refreshment composition is preferably from about 1:2 to about 1:5, preferably from about 1:2 to about 1:4, more preferably from about 1:3 to about 1:4, and most preferably about 1:3.6.
  • the cleaning/refreshment composition When used in the in-dryer step of the present process, the cleaning/refreshment composition is releasably absorbed an absorbent substrate, herein after referred to as a "substrate".
  • the substrate releasably contains the composition.
  • “releasably contains” means that the composition is effectively released from the substrate onto the soiled fabrics as part of the non-immersion cleaning and fabric refreshment processes herein. This release occurs mainly by volatilization of the composition from the substrate through the vapor-permeable coversheet, or by a combination of vapor and liquid transfer, although bulk liquid transfer is desirably minimized by means of the coversheet herein.
  • the substrate can be in any desired form, such as powders, flakes, shreds, and the like. However, it is highly preferred that the substrate be in the form of an integral pad or "sheet” that substantially maintains its structural integrity throughout the process.
  • the substrates and sheets of this invention are sometimes referred to in the literature as “carriers” or “absorbent carrier sheets”; it is understood that all of these labels refer to liquid absorbing materials that can be used to conveniently transport liquids.
  • carriers or "absorbent carrier sheets”; it is understood that all of these labels refer to liquid absorbing materials that can be used to conveniently transport liquids.
  • Such substrates are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,789,368, to You et al. which was incorporated herein by reference above.
  • the manufacture of these sheets forms no part of this invention and is already disclosed in the literature. See, for example, U.S. Patents 5,009,747, Viazmensky, et al., April 23, 1991 and 5,292,581, Vi
  • the substrate is intended to contain a sufficient amount of the cleaning/refreshment composition to be effective for the intended purpose.
  • the capacity of the substrate for such compositions will vary according to the intended usage.
  • the size of the substrate should not be so large as to be unhandy for the user.
  • the dimensions of the substrate will be sufficient to provide a macroscopic surface area (both sides of the substrate) of at least about 360 cm 2 , preferably in the range from about 360 cm 2 to about 3000 cm 2 .
  • a generally rectangular substrate may have the dimensions (X-direction) of from about 10 cm to about 35 cm, and (Y-direction) of from about 18 cm to about 45 cm.
  • coversheets employed herein are distinguished from the substrate, inasmuch as the coversheets are relatively non-absorbent to the cleaning/refreshment composition as compared with the substrate.
  • the coversheets are constructed from hydrophobic fibers which tend not to absorb, "wick” or otherwise promote the transfer of fluids. While fluids can pass through the void spaces between the fibers of the coversheet, this occurs mainly when excessive pressure is applied to the article.
  • the coversheet provides a physical barrier which keeps the absorbent substrate, which is damp from its load of shrinkage reducing composition and cleaning/refreshment composition, from coming into direct contact with the fabrics being treated.
  • the coversheet does allow vapor transfer of the shrinkage reducing composition and cleaning/refreshment composition from the substrate through the coversheet and into the containment bag, and thus onto the fabrics being treated.
  • the coversheet can be provided with macroscopic fenestrations through which the lint, fibers or particulate soils can pass, thereby further helping to entrap such foreign matter inside the article, itself.
  • the user of the present process can be provided with various spot cleaning compositions to use in the optional pre-spotting procedure of this invention.
  • These compositions are used to remove localized stains from the fabrics being treated, either before or after the cleaning and refreshing process defined herein.
  • the spot cleaning composition must be compatible with the fabric being treated. That is, no meaningful amount of dye should be removed from the fabric during the spot treatment and the spot cleaning composition should leave no visible stains on the fabric. Therefore, in a preferred aspect of this invention there are provided spot cleaning compositions which are substantially free of materials that leave visible residues on the treated fabrics.
  • compositions are formulated to contain the highest level of volatile materials possible, preferably water, typically about 95%, preferably about 97.7%, and surfactant at levels of about 0.1% to about 0.7%.
  • a preferred spot cleaning composition will also contain a cleaning solvent such as butoxy propoxy propanol (BPP) at a low, but effective, level, typically about 1% to about 4%, preferably about 2%.
  • BPP butoxy propoxy propanol
  • spot cleaning compositions are exemplified below, and are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,789,368, to You et al. which was incorporated herein by reference above. Additionally, spot cleaning compositions are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,630,847, which issued on May 20, 1997, to Roetker. The entire disclosure of the Roetker patent is incorporated herein by reference.
  • a treatment member is provided to assist in removing localized stains from fabrics.
  • the spot cleaning composition is provided in a dispenser, such as a bottle, and the dispenser has a distal tip that can serve as the treatment member.
  • the treatment member can comprise an absorbent base material which can be, for example, a natural or synthetic sponge, an absorbent cellulosic sheet or pad, or the like. In contact with and extending outward from this base material can be multiple protrusions. Specific examples of treatment members can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,789,368, to You et al. which was incorporated herein by reference above.
  • An absorbent stain receiving article can optionally be used in the optional pre-spotting operations herein.
  • stain receivers can be any absorbent material which imbibes the liquid composition used in the pre-spotting operation.
  • Disposable paper towels, cloth towels such as BOUNTYTM brand towels, clean rags, etc. can be used.
  • the stain receiver is designed specifically to "wick” or "draw” the liquid compositions away from the stained area.
  • One preferred type of stain receiver consists of a nonwoven pad, such as a thermally bonded air laid fabric (“TBAL").
  • poly-HIPE polymerized water-in-oil emulsion
  • the manufacture of polymeric foam is very extensively described in the patent literature; see, for example: U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345 to DesMarais, Stone, Thompson, Young, LaVon and Dyer, issued November 9, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,550,167 to DesMarais, issued August 27, 1996, and U.S. 5,650,222 to DesMarais et al., issued July 22, 1997, all incorporated herein by reference.
  • Typical conditions for forming the polymeric foams of the present invention are described in co-pending U.S.
  • the various stain receivers described herein, and described in the references incorporated herein by reference, preferably comprise a liquid impermeable backsheet.
  • the backsheet can be made of, for example, a thin layer of polypropylene, polyethylene and the like.
  • the backsheet provides protection for the surface that the stain receiver rests on from the spot cleaning composition.
  • spot cleaning processes are typically performed on a hard surface, such as a table top.
  • the stain receiver is placed on the table and the fabric to be treated in placed on the stain receiver.
  • Spot cleaning composition is applied to the stained area of the fabric and then drawn into the stain receiver. But in the absence of a back sheet, the spot cleaning composition can leak onto the table top, possibly causing damage thereto.
  • Fabric cleaning/refreshment compositions according to the present invention for use in a containment bag, are prepared as follows: Ingredient % (wt.) Emulsifier (TWEEN 20) 0.5 Perfume 0.5 KATHON® 0.0003 Sodium Benzoate 0.1 Water Balance
  • compositions for use in the in-dryer cleaning/refreshment step of the process herein are as follows.
  • Ingredient %(wt.) Range (% wt.) Water 99.0 95.1-99.9
  • Perfume 0.5 0.05-1.5 Surfactant* 0.5 0.05-2.0 Ethanol or Isopropanol 0
  • Solvent e.g. BPP 0
  • Optional to 4% pH range from about 6 to about 8.
  • compositions can contain enzymes to further enhance cleaning performance, as described in the Trinh et al. patent incorporated herein above.
  • a 10 1/4 in. x 14 1/4 in. (26 cm x 36 cm) substrate in the form of a sheet is prepared from HYDRASPUN® material, manufactured by the Dexter Corp.
  • the substrate sheet is covered on both sides with a topsheet and a bottomsheet of 8 mil (0.2 mm) Reemay fabric coversheet material.
  • the coversheet i.e., both topsheet and bottomsheet
  • the coversheet are bonded to the substrate sheet by a Vertrod® or other standard heat sealer device, such as conventional sonic sealing devices, thereby bonding the laminate structure together around the entire periphery of the sheet.
  • the edges of the sheet around its periphery are intercalated between the topsheet and bottomsheet by the bond.
  • the width of the bond is kept to a minimum and is about 0.25 in. (6.4 mm).
  • the bonded laminate sheet thus prepared is folded and placed in a pouch.
  • Any plastic pouch which does not leak would be suitable.
  • a foil laminated pouch of the type used in the food service industry can be employed.
  • Such pouches are well-known in the industry and are made from materials which do not absorb food flavors.
  • the formulator herein may wish to avoid absorption of the perfume used in the cleaning/refreshment composition by the pouch.
  • Various pouches are useful herein and are commercially available on a routine basis.
  • the folded substrate/coversheet sheet is placed in the pouch.
  • the folds can be of any type, for example, an accordion-style fold or rolled and then the roll is folded in half. This size is not critical but is convenient for placement in a pouch.
  • INGREDIENT Anionic Composition (%) Hydrogen peroxide 1.000 Amino tris(methylene phosphonic acid) 0.0400 Butoxypropoxypropanol (BPP) 2.000 NH 4 Coconut E 1 S 0.285 Dodecyldimethylamine oxide 0.031 Magnesium chloride 0.018 Magnesium sulfate 0.019 Hydrotrope, perfume, other minors, 0.101 Kathon preservative 0.0003 Water (deionized or distilled) 96.507 Target pH 6.0
  • H 2 O 2 -containing pre-spotting compositions comprise the anionic or nonionic surfactant in an amount (by weight of composition) which is less than the amount of H 2 O 2 .
  • the weight ratio of surfactant:H 2 O 2 is in the range of about 1:10 to about 1:1.5, most preferably about 1:4 to about 1:3.

Claims (10)

  1. Sac de confinement à dégazage approprié pour effectuer un procédé de nettoyage et de rafraíchissement de tissu réalisé dans un environnement d'air chaud, ledit sac présentant :
    i) une configuration ouverte et une configuration fermée ; et
    ii) un indice VUE d'au moins 40 et inférieur à 90, tel que mesuré dans le test d'évaluation de dégazage ; et
    dans lequel ledit sac est formé à partir de feuilles flexibles (12, 14) qui ont été pliées et soudées ;
    ledit sac étant caractérisé en ce que dans sa configuration fermée pendant l'utilisation de dégazage, ledit sac est soudé le long de ses lignes de pliure (ALKJ, ABCD, DEFG, mm', nn', oo', pp') de manière que le sac comprenne au moins trois parois latérales flexibles et de manière qu'un espace vide interne tridimensionnel soit formé, le sac résistant ainsi à l'affaissement.
  2. Sac selon la revendication 1 qui présente un indice WE d'au moins 60 et inférieur à 90, de préférence d'au moins 60 et non supérieur à 80.
  3. Sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes qui est formé à partir d'un film qui est résistant à la chaleur jusqu'à au moins 260°C.
  4. Sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes qui est formé de nylon ou de polyester.
  5. Sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes comprenant en outre un premier dispositif de fermeture et un second dispositif de fermeture, qui forment ensemble une fermeture mécanique ou une fermeture adhésive.
  6. Sac selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes qui comprend au moins quatre parois latérales formant un tétraèdre ou au moins six parois latérales formant un cube.
  7. Procédé de nettoyage ou de rafraíchissement d'un article en tissu consistant à ajouter à un sac de confinement à dégazage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes une composition de nettoyage / rafraíchissement de tissu comprenant de l'eau et l'article en tissu à nettoyer ou à rafraíchir.
  8. Procédé selon la revendication 7 qui est effectué dans un sèche-linge à air chaud à une température de 40°C à 150°C, selon lequel les mauvaises odeurs présentes sur l'article en tissu sont purgées du sac au moyen d'une fermeture à dégazage.
  9. Trousse pour le nettoyage ou le rafraíchissement d'un article en tissu, comprenant un emballage contenant :
    (a) un ou plusieurs articles absorbants comprenant un support qui contient de l'eau et des ingrédients optionnels non aqueux de nettoyage / rafraíchissement de tissus libérables ; et
    (b) un sac de confinement à dégazage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 - 6.
  10. Trousse selon la revendication 9 comprenant en outre un à dix des articles absorbants qui peuvent être jetés après usage unique.
EP99967324A 1998-12-22 1999-12-15 Sac tridimensionnel pour traitement de textiles resistant a l'ecrasement pendant l'utilisation Expired - Lifetime EP1141467B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11330798P 1998-12-22 1998-12-22
US113307P 1998-12-22
PCT/US1999/029772 WO2000037733A1 (fr) 1998-12-22 1999-12-15 Sac tridimensionnel pour traitement de textiles resistant a l'ecrasement pendant l'utilisation

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1141467A1 EP1141467A1 (fr) 2001-10-10
EP1141467B1 true EP1141467B1 (fr) 2003-10-08

Family

ID=22348714

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99967324A Expired - Lifetime EP1141467B1 (fr) 1998-12-22 1999-12-15 Sac tridimensionnel pour traitement de textiles resistant a l'ecrasement pendant l'utilisation

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1141467B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002533141A (fr)
AT (1) ATE251685T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2362400A (fr)
BR (1) BR9916413A (fr)
DE (1) DE69911996T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000037733A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6684440B1 (en) 1998-12-22 2004-02-03 Procter & Gamble Company Three dimensional fabric care bag that resists collapsing during use
US6381870B1 (en) 2000-01-07 2002-05-07 Milliken & Company Bag for home dry cleaning process
WO2001071088A1 (fr) 2000-03-20 2001-09-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Sac en tissu a utiliser dans des processus d'entretien de tissus

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4974967A (en) * 1990-01-03 1990-12-04 Hiruma Tsuyoshi Laundry net
US5789368A (en) * 1996-01-26 1998-08-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Fabric care bag
JP3377368B2 (ja) * 1996-04-30 2003-02-17 花王株式会社 洗濯用補助具
US5762648A (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-06-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Fabric treatment in venting bag

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69911996D1 (de) 2003-11-13
AU2362400A (en) 2000-07-12
BR9916413A (pt) 2001-11-06
EP1141467A1 (fr) 2001-10-10
WO2000037733A1 (fr) 2000-06-29
JP2002533141A (ja) 2002-10-08
ATE251685T1 (de) 2003-10-15
DE69911996T2 (de) 2004-09-02

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