EP2917320A1

EP2917320A1 - Composition and method for dry-cleaning textile articles

Info

Publication number: EP2917320A1
Application number: EP13801635.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alfred Testa; Jean-Philippe TESTA
Original assignee: AT Developpements; Arcane Industries SAS
Current assignee: Arcane Industries SAS
Priority date: 2012-11-06
Filing date: 2013-11-06
Publication date: 2015-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2033-11-06
Also published as: FR2997702A1; US20150252519A1; CN104822815A; EP2917320B1; CN104822815B; FR2997702B1; WO2014076388A1; US9371610B2

Abstract

The invention concerns a composition for dry-cleaning textile articles, characterised in that it is anhydrous and in that it comprises, as an active cleaning agent: dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, an amphiphilic solvent A chosen from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether or the mixtures thereof, and at least one dibasic ester B having a KB index higher than 30 and represented by the following general formula (I): R-O-C(=O)-(CH₂)n-C(=O)-O-R' (I) in which n is a whole number between 1 and 9; R and R' are identical or different, each separately representing an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Description

COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR DRY CLEANING

TEXTILE ARTICLES.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The ^invention relates to a composition for the dry cleaning ^of textile articles.

It also relates to the use of said composition as a dry cleaning agent.

It also relates to a method of dry cleaning textile articles using said composition.

The technical field of the invention may, in general, be defined as that of dry cleaning of clothing, textiles, fabrics and the like.

State of the art Dry cleaning is a major industry around the world. Indeed, numerous types ^of textile goods such as clothes or others must be dry cleaned in order to remain clean and presentable without fading or shrinking or wrinkling. Dry cleaning professionals have efficient machines in which circulates in a closed circuit, a cleaning solvent which, generally, to ^remove contaminants such as fats that have been deposited on the fabric articles.

The most used solvent so far is perchlorethylene (PERC). For example, in France, 4000 dry cleaning companies use around 8000 tonnes of PERC per year. This solvent presents ^the advantage of being very effective in dissolving stains and dirt (grease) contaminates textile articles. However, the use of PERC poses multiple problems, related to the environment (destruction of the ozone layer, groundwater pollution), human health (risk of inhalation of carcinogens) and the safety of the environment. users. Indeed, in case of frequent and intense exposure, PERC can be toxic for the liver, kidneys and the nervous system, and cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tracts, as well as dizziness and nausea. PERC is subject to important regulations that are increasingly aimed at eliminating it. Moreover, it is already banned in some parts of the world. In addition, PERC having a high Kauri-Butanol Index (KB), is a very aggressive solvent that tends to rub off colored textile articles and weaken decorations that are sometimes stuck on them.

Another common problem that arises with the use of PERC, is that the dirt extracted during dry cleaning operations, tend to redeposit on cleaned textile articles, which may accentuate the phenomenon of "graying" of textiles .

Alternative solutions to replace PERC in the dry cleaning technique have been proposed. By way of examples, mention may be made of the use:

aliphatic hydrocarbons (eg. white spirit, DF-2000 ^Exxon, Pure Dry® EcoSolv® Shell Sol 140 HT®). However, despite their effectiveness in removing greasy soiling from textile articles, these solvents can to burn and also present risks of explosion. In addition, most of these hydrocarbons are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, by evaporating, are likely to favor the formation of ozone. In addition, being highly hydrophobic they hardly dissolve water-soluble soils. - liquid carbon dioxide (CO2 ii _q ). It is inexpensive, has no impact on the environment and seems to be the most efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to perchlorethylene. However, the machines necessary for its use are very expensive and their operation presents potential dangers for safety (high pressure system) and health (asphyxiation);

siloxanes such as decamethylcyclopentasiloxane which is known as GreenEarth® D5 from Dow Corning-GE. These solvents are weakly volatile, have low toxicity and facilitate ironing. But, they are flammable and have a relatively low cleaning power, including hydrophilic soiling. Moreover, siloxanes, in particular decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, is considered to be a "persistent or hardly biodegradable substance by the REACH system".

^aliphatic acetals [see US2012 / 0084928 A1 (Meyer et al.)]. In particular, dibutoxymethane is a solvent which has recently been introduced on the dry cleaning market. It offers an efficiency similar to that of PERC and is considered to be easily biodegradable. However, dibutoxymethane is a hydrophobic solvent that hardly cleans hydrophilic or polar dirt. In addition, it is relatively expensive and its consequences on human health have not yet been sufficiently studied.

aqueous solutions of glycol ethers [see, for example, US Pat. No. 6,273,919 (Hayday, WA)]. Although these aqueous solutions are presented as non-toxic, non-flammable and biodegradable, they gave mixed results compared to PERC. Indeed, comprising about 10% water, these solutions of glycol ethers have negative effects on certain textile articles (deformation and / or discoloration). Moreover, the problem of (re) infection of textile articles by the (re) deposition of liquid or solid particles already extracted in dry cleaning operations, is not solved by any of the compositions and methods of ^the prior art .

However, and despite recent progress in developing alternative solutions to the use of PERC, there is still a need for compositions and processes that provide high performance and environmentally responsible for textile dry cleaning.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a new particularly effective composition when used as a dry cleaning solvent. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a composition which is non-polluting, respectful of the environment and not dangerous to human or animal health.

It is another object of the invention to provide a composition which is adapted to remove both hydrophobic and contaminating hydrophilic soils from textile articles to be dry cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to propose a composition which makes it possible to prevent (re) contamination of textile articles by solid or liquid dirt already extracted during cleaning operations.

The invention also aims to achieve all these objectives at lower cost, by proposing a low cost composition, including inexpensive and commercially available compounds. Disclosure of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a composition for dry cleaning textile articles, characterized in that it is anhydrous and in that it comprises as active cleaning agent:

dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether,

an amphiphilic solvent A selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether or mixtures thereof,

and at least one dibasic ester B having an index KB greater than 30 and corresponding to the following general formula (I):

R-O-C (= O) - (CH ₂ ) nC (= O) -O-R '(I)

wherein n is an integer from 1 to 9; R and R 'are the same or different, each independently representing an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

The authors of the present invention have found, surprisingly and unexpectedly, that the combination ^of methyl ether of dipropylene glycol, amphiphilic solvent A and at least one dibasic ester B allows to make a particularly efficient and well adapted to composition Solvent office or liquid dry cleaning textile. Without doubt, this high performance is due to a synergistic effect.

In particular, the composition in accordance with the invention has a high cleaning power with regard to hydrophobic soils (in particular fatty substances), but also with respect to hydrophilic soils (organic or water-soluble mineral matter) which may appear on textile articles. Indeed, the authors of the present invention have been able to observe that the composition of the invention is particularly effective on hydrophilic soils, in particular on colored spots such as coffee stains, wines, fruit juices, beverages and body fluids such as blood. Furthermore, the composition of the invention also has the advantage of maintaining, in solution or suspension, the liquid or solid dirt extracted during the dry cleaning operation thus avoiding their redeposition on the cleaned textile articles.

In addition, the composition of the invention also has the advantage of being able to be prepared only from non-volatile, non-toxic compounds, classified as readily biodegradable, non-expensive and commercially available.

The composition according to the ^invention therefore has great potential.

Other preferred features of the invention are listed below, each of these characteristics being able to be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable characteristics defined above:

^■ the amount of the monomethyl ether of dipropylene glycol varies from 40% to 80% w / Pcomposition-

^■ the amount of the amphiphilic solvent A ranges from 5% to 40% w / pcomposition.

The amphiphilic solvent A is dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether.

^■ the at least one dibasic ester B is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, and mixtures thereof.

the amount of dibasic ester B ranges from 10% to 40% by composition.

The composition may further comprise a propylene glycol monoalkyl ether C selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-propylene butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-pentyl ether or mixtures thereof. ^■ the composition may further comprise an additional component selected from antioxidants, disinfectants, perfumes and mixtures thereof.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to the use as an active agent for dry cleaning of textile articles, of a composition comprising: dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPM),

an amphiphilic solvent A selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol mono-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether or mixtures thereof,

and at least one dibasic ester B having a KB greater than 30 and having the following general formula (I):

R-O-C (= O) - (CH ₂ ) nC (= O) -O-R '(I)

wherein n is an integer from 1 to 9; R and R 'are the same or different, each independently representing an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, said composition being in anhydrous form.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention also relates to a method of dry cleaning textile articles, comprising the following steps: a) impregnating said items to be cleaned by immersion in a composition according to the present invention,

b) agitating said articles in said composition for a period of time sufficient to allow dissolution and detachment of hydrophobic soils and contaminating hydrophilic soils, said articles; c) extracting said composition from said cleaned articles by centrifugation

d) subjecting said articles to a drying by ^circulating air heated to between 65 ° C and 75 ° C. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit its scope.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

In this text, we mean:

"Dry cleaning", the cleaning in which the composition according to the invention acts as a solvent or cleaning liquid to replace water.

"Textile articles" means objects used in a personal or professional setting (eg various industries, hospitals, etc.), and made from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, flax, silk or otherwise, and / or from synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyamide, acrylic, polyester, acetate, viscose, or other. Examples of textile articles include shirts, pants, sweaters, jackets, coats, tablecloths, blankets, sheets, towels, duvets, leather clothing, suede, etc.

'Hydrophobic soiling' means the soiling contaminating textile articles and generally consisting of organic materials or materials which are not water-soluble and insoluble therein. As non-limiting examples of "hydrophobic soiling" include fat, oil, mayonnaise, mustard, body oils, tar stains or engine oil etc.

'Hydrophilic soiling' means the soiling contaminating textile articles and consisting mainly of organic or inorganic matter which has certain affinities with water and which is wholly or partially soluble therein. As non-limiting examples of "hydrophilic soiling", mention may be made of body fluids such as perspiration, blood, urine, water-soluble food products such as sugar, salt, chocolate, fruit juice, tea, coffee, etc. "KB index": the Kauri-butanol index, which is the indirect measure of the strength of a solvent. The KB index of a solvent is the volume of sample in ml required to produce a specific degree of turbidity ^when added to 20 g of a standard solution of kauri gum (Australian copal obtained Dammara australis) in normal butanol. The higher the KB index, the better the solvent has a good dissolving power. By way of example: dichloromethane (KB = 136), trichlorethylene (KB = 129) are solvents with a high dissolving power; aliphatic hydrocarbons such as Stoddard solvent (KB = 33) are solvents with low dissolving power. PERC has a KB index of 92.

The percentages, contents and ratios used below are all based on the total weight of the composition "p / pcomposmon" unless otherwise indicated. The present invention is aimed primarily at an anhydrous composition particularly suitable for the dry cleaning industry. This composition is based on a combination (synergistic) of dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM), amphiphilic solvent A and at least one dibasic ester B. These components are used as active agents for dry cleaning of textile articles

By anhydrous is meant a composition substantially free of water, preferably a composition in which water can be present in an amount less than 8% w / w _C omposition, preferably less than 5% w / w composition, preferably less than 2.5% w / w _C omposition, more preferably less than 0.5% w / Pcomposition- This absence of water, or optionally its low, imparts to the composition a sufficient storage stability to guarantee its efficiency in time and to ^avoid the formation of hydrolysis products ^of dibasic ester B, that could reduce its cleaning efficiency. Indeed, it is known that dibasic esters, in particular their methyl esters, are sensitive to hydrolysis phenomena in the presence of water. The absence of water, or possibly its low content in the composition of the invention is also particularly advantageous in terms of dry cleaning efficiency of textiles. Indeed, the authors of the present invention have noted that the use of a composition according to the invention in the form of an aqueous solution containing more than 8% p / pcomposition of water does not lead to dry cleaning optimal.

The function of the dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM) is to confer on the composition of the invention a destructuring and soil-solubilizing power, while favorably influencing its compatibility (or miscibility) with water. This makes it possible in particular to be able to solubilize easily and quickly both hydrophobic soil and hydrophilic soils contaminating textile articles to dry clean.

DPM is generally commercially available as a mixture of isomers of the general formula C7H16O3. It is a polar organic compound with pronounced hydrophilic character, totally soluble in water, biodegradable and non-toxic. It is marketed under the name DOWANOL® by the company DOW®. The amount of DPM used may vary within wide limits to the extent that it provides a content ^of at least 30% w pcomposition DPM. Advantageously, a quantity of DPM ranging from 40% to 80% by weight makes it possible to achieve high performance in dry cleaning. The amphiphilic solvent A is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

The amphiphilic solvent A is included in the composition of the invention to enhance its cleaning action, by promoting the compatibility between the DPM which is very hydrophilic and the rest of the eminently hydrophobic composition. Solvent amphiphilic A having a high boiling point (greater than 200 ° C at 760 mmHg), is also included in the composition to reduce the probability of formation of azeotropes especially with water and the other ingredients, for example during operations recycling by distillation.

The dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether (C9H20O3), the dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (C10H22O3) and the dipropylene glycol mono-ter-butyl ether (C10H22O3) are commercially available in the form of mixtures of isomers. In particular, the dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether and the dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether are respectively marketed under the name DOWANOL® DPNP DOWANOL® DPNB by the company DOW®. The dipropylene glycol mono-ter-butyl ether is marketed under the name ARCOSolv® DPTB by the company LyonDelIBasell. Preferably, the amphiphilic solvent A is dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether. The authors of the present invention have found that textile articles cleaned with a composition of the invention in which the amphiphilic solvent A is dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, have a slight odor which does not is not unpleasant.

Excellent dry cleaning results were obtained when the composition according to the invention comprises from 1% to 50% w / pcomposition, preferably from 5% to 40% w / w _C om _P osition the amphiphilic solvent A. The dibasic ester B (or mixture of dibasic esters) has the following general formula (I):

ROC (= O) - (CH ₂ ) nC (= O) -OR '(I)

wherein n is an integer from 1 to 9; R and R 'are the same or different, each independently representing an alkyl or alkenyl group. By the term "alkyl" within the meaning of the present invention, is meant any linear or branched alkyl group, preferably alkyl groups containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, especially the following groups: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n- butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, i-amyl, 1-ethyl-propyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethyl-butyl, 1-ethyl-butyl, 2-ethyl-butyl, 1,1,2-trimethyl-propyl, 1,2 2,2-trimethyl-propyl, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-propyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl.

By the term "alkenyl" in the sense of the present invention is meant alkenyl groups preferably containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, especially alkenyl groups selected from the group consisting of: 1-propenyl, 1-methyl-1-propenyl, 2-methyl-1-propenyl, 2,2-dimethyl-1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl or 3-hexenyl.

The chain - (ΟΙ ~ ½) η- of the formula (I) carries, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one methyl group. Dibasic esters comprising such a chain substituted with at least one methyl group may be optical isomers and / or position isomers.

The dibasic ester B (or mixture of dibasic esters) is added to the other components in order to confer on the composition of the invention the hydrophobicity required for the solubilization and removal of soiling, in particular hydrophobic soils contaminating the textile articles to be cleaned. dried up.

By way of example of dibasic ester B that may be used in the composition of the invention, mention may be made of dimethyl succinate, diethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, diethyl glutarate and dimethyl 2-methylglutarate. dimethyl 3-methylglutarate, dimethyl adipate, diethyl and mixtures thereof. Advantageously, the dibasic ester B is a mixture of dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate and dimethyl adipate.

The dibasic esters B to be used in the context of the present invention are currently available on the market. In particular, the dibasic ester consisting of a mixture of dimethyl succinate (1 5% w / w dibasic _es ter), dimethyl glutarate (62% w / w dibasic _es ter) ^and dimethyl adipate (23% p / p _es ter dibasic) is marketed by the company "Rhodia®" under the name "RPDE ^® ". This mixture ^of dibasic esters is also known by the acronym "DBE", and is used under this acronym (DBE) in what follows.

Dibasic esters are liquids with a high boiling point (boiling point greater than 95 ° C) and high flash points (greater than 85). They are not very volatile, not or very little toxic and easily biodegradable.

The at least one dibasic ester B is advantageously included in the composition according to the present invention in an amount ranging from 1% to 50% w / pcomposition, preferably from 10% to 40% w / w _C om _P osition. The respective proportions of the three essential ingredients, namely the monomethyl ether of dipropylene glycol, the amphiphilic solvent A and B dibasic ester, were chosen so that the composition of the ^invention provides optimal quality dry cleaning as well as a satisfactory safety for textile articles and for colors. Furthermore, the authors of the present invention have found that the composition of the invention can be adapted to the type of soil (hydrophobic or hydrophilic) and to the type of textile articles to dry clean by varying the proportions of three essential ingredients. The composition may further comprise a propylene glycol monoalkyl ether C selected from the group consisting of propylene monomethyl ether glycol, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-pentyl ether, or mixtures thereof. The monoalkyl ether of propylene glycol C will advantageously be added to the other essential ingredients to enhance the cleaning power of the composition according to the invention.

By way of example of particularly preferred compositions, mention may be made especially of the anhydrous compositions comprising: (i) dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM), dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (DPnB) and dibasic ester DBE; or (ii) dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM), dipropylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether (DPtB) and dibasic ester DBE; or (iii) dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM), dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (DPnB), dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether (DPnP), and dibasic ester DBE; or (iii) dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM), dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (DPnB), propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (PnB), and dibasic ester DBE.

The composition according to the invention may advantageously also comprise all sorts of additional components usually used in the field of dry cleaning. As ^an example, additional components may be selected from antioxidants, disinfectants, perfumes and mixtures thereof. These additional components may be present in the composition according to the present invention in an amount of from 0.001% to 10% w / w without substantially affecting its advantageous properties.

The antioxidants, when included in the composition of the invention, have the role of preventing or reducing or delaying possible formation of peroxides. By way of example of antioxidants (or stabilizers), mention may be made of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-methylphenol (BHT), 2-ferf / obutyl-4-hydroxyanisole (2 - BHA) and 3-ferf / o-methyl-4-hydroxyanisole (3-BHA) or mixtures thereof. Disinfectants, when included in the composition of the ^invention, their role is to allow action to disinfect textiles cleaning, including household linen, medical or veterinary. They can also allow a cleaning action of the enclosure dedicated to dry cleaning. By way of examples of disinfecting agents, mention may be made of quaternary ammonium salts, aldehydes, phenol derivatives, halogenated compounds (eg iodinated compounds), alcohols or others. The composition of the invention is advantageously in the form of a clear and colorless liquid and can be packaged, in the anhydrous state, in any container capable of receiving a liquid, such as, for example, a steel storage container or made of plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The composition of the invention may be prepared by any method of mixing known to those skilled in the art.

In the water compatibility tests, the authors of the present invention have found that the composition of the invention is capable of absorbing more than 40% of its weight in water. This characteristic is advantageous because it makes it possible to absorb a large part of the water still retained in textile articles during cleaning operations, especially in thick textile articles (eg coats, duvets, etc.). As a result, the composition of the invention effectively cleans a wide spectrum of stains while allowing cleaned textile articles to retain their original shapes and hues.

The compositions according to the present invention are particularly suitable as a solvent or dry-cleaning fluid for textiles, and can completely replace the PERC, possibly with an adaptation of the dry cleaning machines using the PERC. Thus, the present invention also relates to the use of a composition according to the invention as a dry cleaning agent for textile articles. In practice, the composition of the invention can be used in a proportion of 60 liters for 18 kg to 20 kg of textile articles.

According to a specific example of implementation, the dry cleaning of textile articles is carried out as follows (or comprises the following steps):

step i): the textile articles placed (e.g. 5 to 80 kg of textile products) to be dry cleaned in a washing and drying machine provided with a cleaning basket and ^agitation by rotation about an horizontal axis (known to those skilled in the art), the basket drum having a plurality of holes. The diameter of the holes may be determined by those skilled in the art, and is preferably chosen on the one hand, so as to allow the active agent for dry cleaning comprising a composition according to the invention, to impregnate (by immersion) the textile articles to be cleaned, on the other hand, so as to allow extraction of the active agent of said cleaned articles during the centrifugation-extraction operation. Preferably, the plurality of holes has a diameter ranging from 0.3 to 1.3 centimeters. At the end of this step i) the textile articles are aerated by rotational (alternating-inverted) movements of the drum,

step ii) subjecting the textile articles to be cleaned to agitation (or rotational movements (alternating-inverted)) so that the combined action of the mechanical friction of the technical articles and the composition implemented, dissolve and detach the hydrophobic stains and hydrophilic soils. In practice, this step ^of stirring at a temperature ranging from 15 ° C to 40 ° C, and lasts between 1 min and 10 min. The cleaning-stirring phase can be repeated several times, for example twice,

step iii): the used composition (contaminated by the dirt removed from the textile articles) is extracted from the basket by pumping through a "filter". buttons and then a filter. This filtration circuit helps to remove particles and impurities contaminating the used composition. The filtration may be carried out by any filtration system, for example by a filtration system selected from the group consisting of at least one cartridge, a disc, a flexible or rigid tube and combinations thereof. The filtration system may further include an additive selected from the group of carriers comprising absorbent charcoal and diatomaceous earth. The used composition pumped in step iii) is directed to an apparatus for recycling the composition of the invention (eg by distillation and / or dehydration).

step iv): the cleaned textile articles are subjected to centrifugation to extract as much as possible of the used composition. Preferably, the centrifugation operation is carried out at a speed greater than 300 rpm, preferably between 400 rpm and 500 rpm and lasts more than 2 minutes, preferably between 4 to 10 minutes depending on the quantity, the weight and / or thickness of the textile articles concerned. It should be noted that the spent composition pumped in step iii) and that extracted in step iv) are directed to the storage tank or if they are highly contaminated, to an apparatus for their recycling (eg by distillation and / or dehydration).

step v): the textile articles thus dewatered are subjected to a drying - stirring operation in which a stream of hot air (heated to a temperature above 40 ° C., preferably between 65 ° C. to 75 ° C.) is blown through the textile articles to cause the residual cleaning composition. The brewing allowing a uniform circulation of the heat on the textile articles. This drying-brewing operation can last between 30 min and 60 min depending on the quantity, the weight and / or the thickness of the textile articles concerned.

step v): the textile articles thus dried are subjected to ventilation and cooling (duration between 1 min and 10 min). The temperature is lowered to below + 45 ° C, preferably at a temperature between 40 ° C and 20 ° C. This is achieved by any means known to those skilled in the art.

The dry cleaning process is completed after cooling and removing the textile articles from the machine. In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention can, prior to the placement of textile articles in a washing and drying machine, comprise a step of brushing and / or pre-staining with the aid of a pre-brushing and or pre-stain remover, for the purpose of removing at least partly the soils fixed on large areas of textile articles. The pre-stain can in particular be carried out using the composition according to the invention.

In another alternative embodiment, the impregnation of the textile articles with the cleaning composition can be carried out by spraying via nozzles.

We will now give an example, non-limiting embodiment of a composition according to the invention.

From the description that has just been made of many alternative embodiments of the composition and method of the invention may be devised by the skilled person without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. In particular, if the composition envisaged is performing well for the dry cleaning of various textile articles, it is not excluded to add other additional components known to those skilled in the art such as:

anionic or cationic surfactants or nonionic surfactants, to enhance the solubilization of water-soluble soils such as pigments. finishing products or finishing products for their antistatic and / or anti-pilling properties.

^other dry cleaning solvents known in order to slightly modulate the high solvent power of the composition. Examples

EXAMPLE 1 Dry cleaning compositions according to the invention

The compositions are prepared I to V according to the invention from the ingredients listed in the table below by any method known to ^the skilled person.

Anhydrous compositions I to V (which do not include added water) are obtained, clear and colorless, which are chemically stable. These compositions are stored for more than 1 year, or even more than 2 years, at a temperature below 40 ° C, in closed containers and protected from air and light. They bring, in particular, the following properties:

compatibility with respect for the environment, human and animal health, and safety at work in dry-cleaning establishments, flash points: above 75 ° C,

Kauri-Butanol index: greater than 70

anhydrous (non-aqueous) and dilutable in water with miscibility greater than 40% v / v in water. Example 2- Effects of compositions I to V

The effect of compositions I to V as dry-cleaning solvents was studied on a panel of tissues (10 cm × 10 cm) made of various fibers as well as on knobs frequently encountered on textile articles (eg shirts). . A first study focused on the observation of tissue deformation and discoloration and the second on the effectiveness of stain cleaning.

To perform these tests, the tissues were impregnated (by immersion) and mechanically stirred in the compositions I to V for 10 min and then dried in an oven at 70 ° C.

Results:

a- Deformation, discoloration and deterioration of the packings:

Tests carried out on various fabrics of polyester, cotton, viscose, linen, acrylic, wool, acetate and elastane types have shown that the fabrics were well washed, dried easily and did not have any odor after drying, and they remain well case of wool (deformation less than 0.2 mm). The experiment on textile pieces has shown that with these compositions the fabric is much less dry than with perchlorethylene, and provides a good glide which seriously facilitates ironing, and reduces the risk of felting in machines. Elastic textiles have kept their property expandable. The best results of dry cleaning were obtained with compositions II and IV.

Concerning the discoloration, we observed a slight disgorging in the case of the composition III without redeposition of it on the other tissues. In the case of other compositions the fade resistance is good see better than that of perchlorethylene when comparing dry washed fabrics with reference samples.

The tests on the linings (buttons and accessories) have shown that the compositions I to V give identical or better results than perchlorethylene with a preference for the compositions I, II and V which more respect these elements. b- Stain removal:

The tissues studied contained soiling caused by the following contaminants: olive oil, chocolate (Nutella®), mayonnaise, lipstick, red wine, ink and were compared to perchlorethylene. These tests were carried out without ^the use of booster (surfactant).

The results of these tests showed that:

compositions I to V made it possible to very easily clean greasy stains without the use of additives.

composition I, II and IV are particularly effective for dry cleaning stains due to butter or olive oil, which stains are no longer visible at the end of the cleaning process.

compositions I and II have in particular been very effective for dry cleaning, especially on stains due to chocolate, lipstick and wine, which spots have become very little visible after the cleaning process unlike perchlorethylene which leaves larger spots.

Claims

claims

1. Composition for dry cleaning of textile articles, characterized in that it is anhydrous and in that it comprises as active cleaning agent: dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether,

an amphiphilic solvent A selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono- / t-butyl ether or mixtures thereof,

R-O-C (= O) - (CH ₂ ) nC (= O) -O-R '(I)

2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount of the dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether varies from 40% to 80% by weight.

3. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the amphiphilic solvent A is mono-n-butyl dipropylene glycol ether.

4. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the amount of the amphiphilic solvent A varies from 5% to 40% p / pcomposmon.

5. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that ^the at least one dibasic ester B is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, and mixtures thereof .

6. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the amount of dibasic ester B varies from 1 0% to 40% p / pcomposition.

7. Composition according ^to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises a glycol mono C propylene ether selected from the group consisting of monomethyl ether of propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether propylene glycol, propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-pentyl ether, or mixtures thereof.

8. Composition according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises an additional component selected from antioxidants, disinfectants, perfumes and mixtures thereof.

9. Use as an active agent for dry cleaning of textile articles, of a composition comprising:

dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether,

an amphiphilic solvent A selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol mono-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono- / t-butyl ether or mixtures thereof,

R-O-C (= O) - (CH ₂ ) nC (= O) -O-R '(I)

A method of dry cleaning textile articles, comprising the steps of: a) impregnating said articles to be cleaned by immersion in a composition according to one of claims 1 to 8,

b) agitating said articles in said composition for a period of time sufficient to allow dissolution and detachment of hydrophobic soils and hydrophilic soils contaminating said articles,

c) extracting said composition from said cleaned articles by centrifugation

d) subjecting said articles to air circulation drying heated between 65 ° C and 75 ° C.

1 1. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises, after step (d), a step of ventilating and cooling said articles for a period of between 1 minute and 10 minutes.

12. The method of claim 10, characterized in that in step (a) said articles are contained in a cleaning basket which comprises a plurality of holes having diameters of between 0.3 and 1.3 centimeters.

13. The method of claim 10, characterized in that in step (b) said articles are agitated in said composition for a period of time between 1 minute and 10 minutes.

14. The method of claim 10, characterized in that during or after step (c) the composition is filtered to remove impurities that have contaminated said composition when said articles have been agitated.

15. The method of claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises, during or after ^step (c), the step of recycling said composition by distillation-dehydration.