ES2836477T3 - Procedure for treating textiles and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Procedure for treating textiles in a washing machine (1) with a liquor vat to receive the washing liquid and a drum rotatably mounted in the liquor vat to receive textiles, in which a washing program is started (10) With a total run time of at least 110 minutes, a rejuvenating agent-containing wash liquid is supplied to the liquor vat and the textiles in the drum are washed in the rejuvenating agent-containing wash liquid, characterized in that the washing liquid is formed by water and a detergent, where the detergent contains 2.5 to 10.0% by weight of cellulase as a rejuvenating agent.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Procedure for treating textiles and washing machine

The invention relates to a process for treating textiles and a washing machine that is configured to carry out the process. Textiles become harsh on wearing and subsequent laundering, because textile fibers break down as a result of this cycle. In this way, the surface of the textiles loses its color brilliance. When textile fibers rub against each other, so-called pilling occurs. That is, individual textile fibers break when worn and washed and accumulate to form small specks or pellets that remain in the textile. Dirt particles that cannot be removed in the usual way during washing can become fixed in the area of broken fiber ends. In this way, textiles turn gray.

In US9023620B2 a method of providing a color lightening of clothing is described. The method comprises treating the clothing with a soaking, washing or rinsing liquid comprising an enzyme exhibiting endoglucanase activity. The enzyme is encoded by a special DNA construct or is at least 90% homologous to a special amino acid sequence. But, in addition there is a need to achieve a rejuvenation of the used textiles.

DE 19631 596 A1 and DE 102014 102238 A1 describe cellulase as an enzyme in the washing process.

The invention thereby raises the problem of providing a process for treating textiles and a washing machine, with which a rejuvenation of the textiles used can be achieved.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a process with the features of claim 1 and a washing machine with the features of claim 6. Advantageous configurations and improvements of the invention result from the dependent claims described below.

Advantages that can be achieved with the invention are to effectively remove graying and pilling from textiles in a single wash cycle, ie with a single application. The textiles are optically revalued with the treatment. They can continue to be worn and should not be removed. Furthermore, the deterioration to the textile structure is kept relatively low.

The invention relates to a process for the treatment of textiles in a washing machine with a liquor vat to receive the washing liquid and a drum rotatably mounted in the liquor vat to receive textiles, in which a program of washing with a total run time of at least 110 minutes, the liquor vat is supplied with a washing liquid containing rejuvenating agent and the textiles in the drum are washed in the washing liquid containing rejuvenating agent.

By carrying out the previous process steps once in the order indicated, the oldest garments, in particular damaged on their textile surface, are regenerated and a graying deposited superficially on the textile structure is eliminated. The total execution time of the washing program is at least 110 min. In this way, the rejuvenating agent has sufficient time to act on the textiles.

The textiles to be treated that are washed are also referred to below as clothing. In the sense of the invention, the term "washing liquid" includes water which may also contain detergent. The term "water" represents a sub-term of the term "washing liquid" and is used at some points in the description when the washing liquid is considered to definitely not contain any detergent, for example, in a rinse phase of the washing program. Washing the liquor tank is supplied with water that does not usually contain any detergent. The rejuvenating agent-containing washing liquid, supplied to the liquor vat before the stage of washing the textiles located in the drum in the rejuvenating agent-containing washing liquid, preferably contains in addition to the rejuvenating agent a detergent, more preferably a detergent mild or wool detergent.

There are different detergents for textiles, which are respectively adapted to different types of textiles. Therefore, a detergent has different detergent components depending on the type of textile to be treated desired. A colored or heavy-duty detergent generally contains surfactant (s), additive (s), enzyme (s), and eventually other ingredients. Other ingredients can be adjuvants, adjuvants, foam inhibitors, complexing agents, sequestering agents, enzyme stabilizers, color transfer inhibitors, optical brighteners, UV absorbers, thickeners, water softeners and / or aromatics. A mild or wool detergent may also contain the ingredients listed above, but it may also be free of enzymes.

In a non-claimed embodiment, the rejuvenating agent is a colorant. The dye is suitable for refreshing a color of the textile and eventually changing it. For example, a detergent that contains the colorant as a rejuvenating agent may further contain a color fixative. During the process, the color fixative can also be supplied to the liquor vat in a spatially and / or temporally displaced manner to the colorant.

The dye can be a dye to renew the color of clothing, such as faded jeans. The colorant may be a pure textile dye that is suitable for dyeing textiles, such as for dyeing white table linen. The dye can furthermore be a special dye which is suitable, for example, for dyeing grayish underwear.

In a non-claimed embodiment, the rejuvenating agent is a natural fiber reactive enzyme. The textiles to be treated by the process then preferably have natural fibers. Textiles can be mixed clothing or pure natural fiber clothing.

Also, not claimed, the rejuvenating agent is a cotton reactive enzyme. Thus, the process is particularly suitable for treating cotton textiles. Cotton textiles can be textiles that, in addition to cotton fibers, contain other natural or synthetic fibers of another type than cotton, or textiles that are made of cotton.

According to the invention, the rejuvenating agent is cellulase. In this case, the textile to be treated is preferably a cotton-containing textile or a textile made of pure cotton. The washing liquid containing the rejuvenating agent preferably does not contain any other enzyme besides cellulase. If the rejuvenating agent is a component of a detergent, the cellulase-containing detergent is free of enzymes with the exception of cellulase, that is, it does not contain any other enzymes besides cellulase. Therefore, the detergent is preferably an enzyme-free mild or wool detergent which additionally contains cellulase. By means of cellulase, the graying caused by the textile fibers that protrude from the clothing can be eliminated. In addition, it shows good anti-pilling properties.

In a preferred embodiment, the wash program has a total run time of at least 120 min., Preferably at least 130 min., More preferably at least 140 min., Even more preferably between 120 and 140 min. In this way it is ensured that the rejuvenating agent has a sufficient time of action and in this way the result of the treatment is optimized to rejuvenate the textile.

Preferably a detection phase, a wash phase, a rinse phase and a spin phase are carried out during the total execution time of the wash program. More preferably, the wash program consists of carrying out the detection phase, the wash phase, the rinse phase, and the spin phase in the specified order. In other words, the detection phase, then the wash phase, then the rinse phase, and then the spin phase are carried out during the total execution time of the wash program. In the detection phase, the laundry located in the drum of the washing machine is detected and water is supplied to the liquor tank of the washing machine, so that the liquor tank is henceforth supplied with a detergent containing The rejuvenating agent and the rejuvenating agent-containing washing liquid is formed by mixing the water with the detergent containing the rejuvenating agent. The washing phase is then followed by one or more heating sections (reheating should be possible), in which the washing liquid is heated to the temperature specified by the washing program by connecting a heating body of the washing machine. Once the predetermined temperature has been reached, the heating body is switched off and a post-wash section follows. In the post-wash section, the laundry is moved through the rotating drum, cooling the wash liquid. The washing phase ends with the pumping of the washing liquid out of the liquor tank, where a spin can also be carried out eventually, so that the washing liquid mixed with the detergent is effectively removed from the clothing fabric. This is followed by the rinse phase, which presents a rinse section or several rinse sections, in which water is introduced into the liquor tank, the laundry is moved in it and the water is pumped at the end of the section. respective rinse. The rinse phase is then followed by the spin phase to dehydrate the laundry. In the spinning phase, the drum rotates at a high speed with respect to the washing process, with which the laundry is in contact with the drum shell and the water and eventually the washing liquid is expelled out of the laundry fabric. through the openings of the drum to the liquor tank due to the acting centrifugal force, where the water and eventually the washing liquid are withdrawn from the liquor tank.

According to the invention, the rejuvenating agent-containing washing liquid is formed from water and a detergent containing the rejuvenating agent. The rejuvenating agent-containing detergent is preferably contained in portions in a capsule container configured as a disposable container, which is arranged or arranged in a dispenser drawer of the washing machine. In this way it can be ensured that the rejuvenating agent is used in a concentration that ensures a good regenerative effect of the clothes and without damaging the clothes or keeping the deterioration of the laundry low. An optimal treatment result is thus obtained. The capsule container is preferably arranged or arranged by the user in the dispenser drawer. Alternatively, it can also be automatically supplied in the dispenser drawer to the washing machine. When the process is carried out, the capsule container is arranged in the washing machine. Due to the size of the detergent containing rejuvenating agent, it is avoided, on the one hand, that the user of the detergent comes into direct contact with it. If the rejuvenating agent is a colorant, the probability of staining with it is kept low. If the rejuvenating agent is an enzyme like cellulase, which can trigger allergic reactions, possible direct skin contact is also kept low or avoided entirely. Capsule containers and washing machines, which are suitable for reception and use during a washing program, are known, for example, from EP 2 463 435 A2 and EP 2 597 191 A2. For example, 20 to 60 g, preferably 30 to 50 g, more preferably 35 to 45 g of the detergent containing rejuvenating agent are contained in the capsule container. This size is preferred for a washing machine as an appliance. A washing machine that is designed for commercial use for a larger load quantity of laundry requires a correspondingly higher container of capsules.

According to the invention, the detergent contains 2.5 to 10.0% by weight of rejuvenating agent, based on the total amount of detergent, that is to say 100% by weight of detergent. The detergent preferably contains 4.0 to 7.5% by weight of rejuvenating agent, based on the total amount of detergent of 100% by weight. Thus, the deterioration of the textile fibers can be kept relatively low, while the rejuvenation effect is obtained by carrying out the procedure once. The detergent may be present in powder form, but is preferably liquid. It preferably has the usual mild detergent components and cellulase as another rare mild detergent component.

In a preferred embodiment, a wash temperature of the wash program is equal to or lower than 40 ° C. More preferably, the washing temperature is in the range between 30 and 40 ° C. Washing at these relatively low wash temperatures has the advantage that the textile fibers do not deteriorate as strongly as at higher wash temperatures. But, the specified wash temperatures are sufficient to achieve the rejuvenating effect.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a washing machine with a liquor tank to receive washing liquid and a drum rotatably mounted in the liquor tank to receive textiles and a regulation or control device, which is configured to regulate and / or control the process according to one or more of the described embodiments. .

The washing machine preferably has a dispenser drawer so that the detergent can be arranged therein in the washing machine, for example by the user. The washing machine is more preferably configured such that the detergent containing rejuvenating agent is rinsed from the capsule container located in the dispenser drawer into the liquor vat. The provision of the detergent containing rejuvenating agent in the capsule container has the advantage that the user does not have to measure the amount of detergent to use and does not come into contact with a powder or liquid detergent when it is poured into the dispenser drawer, Otherwise the detergent in packaged form can be poured into the dispenser drawer of the washing machine.This is advantageous both in the case of the colorant and also, in particular, in the case of an enzyme such as the rejuvenating agent, because enzymes can trigger allergic reactions in Skin contact. With the procedure, the rejuvenation of textiles is made available to the user at the push of a button, in which they do not have to perform manual steps beyond putting the clothes in the drum and placing the capsule container in the dispenser drawer. In addition, the detergent in the capsule container is consumed so that no residual amount of detergent remains that remains in the dispenser drawer and can act on subsequent washes. The user can practically dispose of the capsule container used during the procedure after completing the procedure.

The washing machine is preferably configured such that it can at least partially open the capsule container. For example, you can present paints in the dispenser drawer, which, for example, when the dispenser drawer is inserted into a slot in the washing machine or when the capsule container is placed in the dispenser drawer, they incorporate holes in the capsule container, so that the detergent can be emptied out of the capsule container. To promote the emptying effect of the capsule container, the detergent is preferably present in liquid form in the capsule container.

The washing machine can be an automatic washing machine and / or a combination appliance such as a washer-dryer. The washing machine can be designed as an appliance for private use or as an appliance for commercial use.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented in a purely schematic way in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Shown schematically and not to scale

Fig. 1 partial plan view of a washing machine; Y

FIG. 2 shows a washing program in the diagram as a time course.

Fig. 1 shows a partial plan view of a washing machine 1 with a housing 2 and a dispenser drawer 4, which is partially removed from the housing 2. The dispenser drawer 4 has chambers 3a and 3b, as well as chamber 5. Chamber 3a is provided to pour a detergent (not shown) into the dispenser drawer 4. The chamber 3b is provided to pour a softener (not shown) into the dispenser drawer 4. The chamber 5 is provided to arrange a capsule container 6 in the drawer dispenser 4. The capsule container 6 is configured as a disposable container. Contains a detergent containing rejuvenating agent (not shown) in portioned form. A lid 7 to cover the chamber 5 has two piercing pins 8 which penetrate the capsule container 6 when the lid 7 rests on a wall 9 of the chamber 5 to at least partially open the capsule container 6.

The capsule container 6 is made of a material that allows the piercing pins 8 to penetrate easily without swirling or splashing the detergent contained therein.

In fig. 2 a complete development of a washing program 10 is shown in a diagram. On the time axis t individual phases are shown within the washing program 10, which is carried out with the help of the washing machine 1 shown in figure 1 , where in the following description reference is also made to the components of the washing machine 1 shown in figure 1. The washing program 10 represented here comprises a detection phase 11, a washing phase 12, a rinsing phase 13 and a spinning phase 14. At the beginning of the washing program 10, in the detection phase 11 the laundry (not shown) located in a drum (not shown) of the washing machine 1 is detected, in particular with respect to its weight, and lets in water, whereby the detergent containing rejuvenating agent located in the capsule container 6 is supplied through a connecting tube (not shown) from the dispenser drawer 4 to a liquor vat (not shown) of the washing machine 1 and a liquid d is formed e wash containing rejuvenating agent (not shown) by mixing the water with the detergent. This is followed by a heating section 12a in the washing phase 12, in which the washing liquid is heated by means of a connected heating element (not shown) to a washing temperature that is predetermined by the washing program, in this In case the wash temperature is 40 ° C purely by way of example. After reaching the predetermined wash temperature, the heating body is switched off and a post-wash section 12b follows. In this post-wash section 12b, the laundry is moved by means of the rotating drum, the washing liquid being cooled. The washing phase 12 ends with a pumping of the washing liquid out of the liquor tank, where a centrifugation can also be carried out, so that the washing liquid located on the textile knitted fabric of the clothing is effectively reduced. This is followed by rinsing phase 13, which has one or more rinsing sections, in which fresh water is introduced into the liquor tank, the laundry is moved in it and the water that was allowed to enter at the end is pumped of the respective rinse section. The rinse phase is then followed by spin phase 14 to dehydrate the laundry. In the spin phase 14, the drum of the washing machine 1 rotates at a high speed with respect to the washing process, with which the laundry is in contact with the drum shell and the water and eventually the washing liquid is expelled from the fabric. clothes out through the drum openings into the liquor tank due to centrifugal force, where the water and eventually the wash liquid are withdrawn from the liquor tank. The wash program 10, starting with detection phase 11 and ending with spin phase 14, lasts 120 min. in this embodiment.

An example is described below.

Example

3.8 kg of textiles showing pilling and graying were placed in a drum of a washing machine which is configured as shown in FIG. 1. A capsule container with 40 g of mild detergent containing 5% cellulase, ie 2 g, was also placed in a dispenser drawer of the washing machine. A wash program with a wash temperature of 40 ° C, which had the phases shown in fig. 2 was started so that a rejuvenating agent-containing washing liquid from water and a mild detergent was supplied to the liquor vat, and then the textiles located in the drum were washed in the rejuvenating agent-containing washing liquid. The total execution time of the washing program was 120 min. The textiles were washed twice with the above wash program, where the textiles were further rinsed with water after each wash program at 90 ° C without detergent. Already after the first wash, the pilling and graying could be effectively reduced, and after the second wash an even slightly improved appearance of the textiles became visible. The tear strength loss according to ISO 13934-1: 2013 was approximately 8% after the first wash and approximately 16% after the two washes. Therefore, with a single application, the procedure is effective in freeing the textiles from pilling and graying and rejuvenating them without deteriorating the textiles excessively.

List of references

1 washing machine

2 Housing

3rd Chamber

3b Camera

4 dispenser drawer

5 Camera

6 Capsule container

Cover

Piercing pins Wall

Washing program Detection phase Washing phase

a Heating section b Post-wash section Rinse phase Spin phase

Claims (6)

1. Procedure for treating textiles in a washing machine (1) with a liquor tank to receive the washing liquid and a drum rotatably mounted in the liquor tank to receive the textiles, in which a washing program is started ( 10) With a total run time of at least 110 minutes, a wash liquid containing rejuvenating agent is supplied to the liquor vat and the textiles in the drum are washed in the wash liquid containing rejuvenating agent, characterized because the washing liquid is formed by water and a detergent, where the detergent contains 2.5 to 10.0% by weight of cellulase as a rejuvenating agent. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing program (10) has a total running time of at least 120 min., Preferably at least 130 min., More preferably at least 140 min., Even more preferably between 120 and 140 min. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a detection phase (11), a washing phase (12), a cleaning phase are carried out during the entire duration of the washing program (10). rinse (13) and a spin phase (14). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detergent is contained in portions in a capsule container configured as a disposable container, which is arranged or is arranged in a dispenser drawer of the washing machine. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing temperature of the washing program is equal to or less than 40 ° C, more preferably in the range between 30 and 40 ° C. 6. Washing machine (1) with a liquor tank to receive the washing liquid and a drum rotatably mounted in the liquor tank to receive textiles, characterized by a regulation or control device, which is configured to regulate and / or control a method according to one of the preceding claims.